Nicholas D. Kristof | The Endorsement From Hellhttp://www.truthout.org/102808JNicholas D. Kristof, The New York Times: “John McCain isn’t boasting about a new endorsement, one of the very, very few he has received from overseas. It came a few days ago: ‘Al Qaeda will have to support McCain in the coming election,’ read a commentary on a password-protected Islamist Web site that is closely linked to Al Qaeda and often disseminates the group’s propaganda. The endorsement left the McCain campaign sputtering, and noting helplessly that Hamas appears to prefer Barack Obama.”

Friends — Will we look back to Oct. 16, 2008, as the day the Internet was saved?One week ago, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced that the agency’s engineers concluded that vacant TV channels — known as “white spaces” — can be used to extend high-speed wireless Internet access to hard-to-reach rural areas and underserved urban neighborhoods, without harming over-the-air TV signals.http://www.internetnews.com/mobility/article.php/3778381/FCC+Says+White+Spaces+Can+Work+for+Net+Access.htmOpening this new spectrum is the Holy Grail for those of us who have been working to:1.  solve the rural broadband and low-income/urban Digital Divides;2.  create the “third pipe” alternative to the cable/telco “duopoly,” in order to preserve Internet Freedom and to create a competitive broadband marketplace.Martin said that the FCC would vote on opening the “white spaces” on Nov. 4, just one week away.But then, on Friday, Oct. 17, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) filed an emergency appeal to block the Nov. 4 vote!WE NEED YOUR HELP!!  The NAB is pressuring key members of Congress to force the FCC to delay its Nov. 4 vote.Please tell your representatives in Congress to reject the NAB’s desperate delaying tactics — and let the FCC vote!!It’s been nearly SIX YEARS since the FCC began studying this issue.That’s how long the NAB has been able to delay this important Rural Broadband/Internet Freedom vote!If the NAB succeeds, the issue will be kicked into next year — to a new FCC, a new Congress, and a new Administration.  We can’t let the NAB re-set the clock!  Six years is enough!Rural America — and our urban, low-income neighborhoods — have suffered long enough without access to affordable high-speed Internet. Enough is enough!!It’s time to act!  Go to:  http://www.main.nc.us/whitespacesClick on the “Action Alert” and use the Free Press “Open White Spaces for Everyone” link.  By typing in your zip code, the secure site will give you the local phone number for your members of Congress.Please share this with your friends and neighbors ASAP!!  Thanks!* Rural residents:  Check out the “ex parte” letter which 10 rural organizations filed with the FCC earlier this week: http://main.nc.us/whitespaces/files/fcc-letter.htmlWith your help, we can make Nov. 4 the date of TWO historic votes!Wally Bowen, Executive DirectorMountain Area Information Network (MAIN)Asheville, N.C.  28801http://www.main.nc.us <http://www.main.nc.us/>WPVM-LP  103.5 FMhttp://www.wpvm.org <http://www.wpvm.org/>IndyLink Access & Webhostinghttp://www.indylink.org <http://www.indylink.org/>828.255.0182  ext. 109

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES

http://www.gp.orgFor Immediate Release:Thursday, October 23, 2008Contacts:Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.orgStarlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.orgGeneral Green Party election information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtmlMore candidates to watch: http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.phpWASHINGTON, DC — The Green Party of the United States has identified several candidates who are running significant campaigns at state and local levels. Five such candidates are profiled below.The Green Party’s 2008 national nominees are Cynthia McKinney and running mate Rosa Clemente. Ms. McKinney was interviewed on BreakTheMatrix.com on Sunday evening, October 19 (http://www.breakthematrix.com/node/28047) and on Democracy Now!, October 16, following the final presidential debate, from which she was excluded (http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/16/breaking_the_sound_barrier_third).At least 245 Green candidates will be on ballots on Election Day, November 4. At least 293 Greens have run for public office throughout 2008, including the November 4 election. More Green candidates to watch are listed at:http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.phpJesse Johnson, Mountain Party candidate for governor of West Virginia, has participated in three debates and has attracted attention for his promotion of a ban on mountaintop removal mining by West Virginia’s powerful coal industry and his leadership on other state issues. Mr. Johnson was endorsed by the Sierra Club on October 3 (http://www.greenpartywatch.org/2008/10/06/sierra-club-endorses-jesse-johnson-for-wv-governor/).”Because of mountaintop removal and the power of the coal companies, West Virginia has become ground zero for global climate change in the US,” said Jesse Johnson. “The Interior Department is now relaxing rules on mountaintop mining, which will bring untold devastation to the natural environment and a massive threat to public health, through contamination of water and other resources. I’m the only candidate addressing this crisis, because the Democrat and Republican are too closely allied with the coal companies that are plundering West Virginia.”Campaign web site: http://www.jesse4wvgov.orgVideo clip of Jesse Johnson speaking at a West Virginia Youth Commission forum: http://vimeo.com/2013238 Rebekah Kennedy, Green candidate for the US Senate in Arkansas, is competing against Democratic incumbent Mark Pryor, with no Republican in the race. Despite numerous invitations, Sen. Pryor has avoided facing Ms. Kennedy in a candidates’ debate.http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=9182552http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/240400/Campaign web site: http://www.kennedy2008.orgGordon Clark, Maryland candidate for the US House (District 8, Rep. Chris Van Hollen’s seat), is receiving significant attention for his grassroots campaign against a powerful Democrat. (Mr. Van Hollen, though only in Congress five years, is Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.) Gordon raised more campaign funds (all individual) during the second quarter than any other candidate nominated for Congress by an alternative party in the US (http://www.politickermd.com/clarkforcongress/2953/clark-campaign-releases-2nd-quarter-fec-report-total-tops-3rd-party-campaigns-). Mr. Clark came out on top in a candidates’ forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters on October 2 (http://www.gazette.net/stories/10152008/montlet175510_32497.shtml) and is now receiving coverage in the mainstream press.Gordon Clark noted that “Chris Van Hollen went from being a liberal Democrat to a corporate Democrat, and he no longer represents his constituents on an array of issues. Maryland’s 8th is one of the most progressive districts in the country, and voters here are looking for a political leader who has a vision for tackling the energy crisis, the faltering economy and the climate crisis of global warming, as well as the willingness to end the war in Iraq and the judgment to stop an expanding war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It’s becoming clear to many that Mr. Van Hollen, with his numerous close ties to campaign contributors, cannot meet that need — and that our campaign does.”Campaign web site: http://www.clarkforcongress.netVideo of Oct. 2 candidates’ forum: http://www.clarkforcongress.net/press.cfmMore video clips of Gordon Clark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbj-MoxER7ghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyYZ9Oof_RQMalik Rahim, Louisiana Green candidate for the US House (District 2), is co-founder of the Common Ground Collective, an organization that provides short-term relief to victims of hurricane disasters in the Gulf Coast region. Mr. Rahim is a former Black Panther and ran for New Orleans City Council in 2002 as a Green Party candidate.The election for the 2nd District US House seat will take place on December 6 instead of November 4 because of election delays caused by Hurricanes Gustave and Ike.Campaign web site: http://www.votemalik.comCommon Ground: http://www.commongroundrelief.orgRoss Mirkarimi was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (District 5) in 2004 and is running for reelection. Mr. Mirkarimi has sponsored about 40 pieces of legislation addressing crime, making streets safer for pedestrians, improving efficiency of city departments, and the environment. He led efforts to promote medical marijuana clubs in San Francisco.In March 2007, he introduced legislation prohibiting large supermarkets and drugstores from providing customers with non-biodegradable plastic bags, making San Francisco the first city to regulate such bags. In June 2008, Mr. Mirkarimi sponsored a one-year pilot plan for solar rebate program that provides $1.5 million to nonprofit organizations and lower income residents for installing solar voltaic power on rooftops. He faces two opponents in the current election.Campaign web site: http://www.rossmirkarimi.comMORE INFORMATIONGreen Party of the United States http://www.gp.org202-319-7191, 866-41GREENFax 202-319-7193Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtmlGreen Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtmlGreen Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakersGreen Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-electionsCynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente ‘Power to the People’ Campaign for the White Househttp://votetruth08.comhttp://www.runcynthiarun.org“Where’s Kenny Rogers When You Need Him? The Big Boys Got Their Bailout, But the Elected Leadership and the Voters Meet at the Election Day Showdown”By Cynthia McKinney, OpEdNews.com, Oct. 7, 2008http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Where-s-Kenny-Rogers-When-by-Cynthia-McKinney-081007-748.htmlCynthia McKinney on videohttp://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRunhttp://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRunBreakTheMatrix.com interview, Oct. 19: http://www.breakthematrix.com/node/28047Democracy Now! interview, Oct. 16: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/16/breaking_the_sound_barrier_thirdMusic video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqoRosa Clemente on videoInterview: Current TV/Rock the Votehttp://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations~ END ~

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES

http://www.gp.orgFor Immediate Release:Monday, October 27, 2008Contacts:Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.orgStarlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.orgWASHINGTON, DC — The co-chairs of the Green Party’s International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl) have responded to an attack by Alan Dershowitz against the Green Party and its position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The text of the response follows belowOn October 12, Mr. Dershowitz, a prominent attorney, published an op-ed column in The Daily News (New York) titled “Both Barack Obama and John McCain are true friends of Israel …” (http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/10/12/2008-10-12_both_barack_obama_and_john_mccain_are_tr-2.html).In his column, Mr. Dershowitz accused the Green Party and Green presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney of anti-Semitism and endorsed elections limited to two political parties.Greens noted that Mr. Dershowitz has promoted ‘torture warrants’ to permit torture of individuals when a threat to US is detected, a position he shares with the Israeli government. The use of torture has been categorically rejected by numerous military, intelligence, and legal experts because of humane concerns, international laws and treaties, unreliability as a method for obtaining information, and because torture would place US military personnel and other Americans at risk of similar treatment in retaliation.Justine McCabe and Julia Willebrand submitted the Green response to the Daily News’ editorial department, which declined to publish it. The response was embargoed until last week to give the Daily News first right of publication. It Isn’t Easy Being GreenBy Justine McCabe and Julia WillebrandCo-Chairs, International Committee, Green Party of the United Stateshttp://www.gp.org/committees/intl/http://www.gp.orgPresidential election years aren’t easy for those of us in parties outside the Democratic and Republican mainstream. Shut out of the national debates and most media coverage, our ideas seldom get a fair hearing, even though most Americans agree with us. But worse than no coverage is when our policies are dismissed, not on their merit or the facts, but by slander.Case in point: a recent Daily News column by Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz. Known for his unwavering support of Israel, Dershowitz isn’t merely content to ban Palestinians from the public discussion on the Middle East conflict. He uses name-calling to drown out any voices in this election except those of the established parties — the two parties whose foreign policies have led to international animosity against the US.Dershowitz epitomizes those who believe that any criticism of the state of Israel or its actions constitutes anti-Semitism. What they call anti-Semitism in the Green Party’s national platform is actually adherence to international law, observance of human rights for all Palestinians and Israelis, and support for a nonviolent negotiated resolution to the conflict (http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/democracy.html#310677)The Green Party takes no campaign contributions from AIPAC, its rightwing allies, or the oil industry. Unlike Democrats and Republicans, who accept such money, Greens condemn all violence against unarmed civilians, whether by Palestinians or Israelis, whether through the use of American-made F-16’s or Caterpillar bulldozers. We oppose military aid to Israel and Arab countries. Unlike Barack Obama and John McCain, Greens have deplored Israel’s violation of over 60 UN Security Council resolutions against collective punishment, confiscation of Palestinian land and illegal settlement by 400,000 Israeli colonists, and demolition of over 10,000 Palestinian homes. We continue to oppose Israel’s violations of human rights that are recognized as universal by the international community: the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and the right of self-determination.Ironically, unlike the Israeli press, the US media have tolerated little discussion on the issue. Otherwise, Americans would know that the Green position is shared by people like South Africa’s Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the Irish public sector union IMPACT, the British National Union of Journalists–all of whom recognize the apartheid-like conditions in Israel and the Occupied Territories and have endorsed a boycott to insist that Israel dismantle them (http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_11_28.shtml).Dershowitz repeats accusations, lies, and distortions that have been leveled against former Democratic congresswoman and now Green Party presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney because of her principled positions and her refusal to take orders from AIPAC — a lobby for a foreign government — and its allies. However, he gets one thing correct: Obama and McCain have expressed the same uncritical support for the government of Israel and its actions, which guarantees no hope of peaceful resolution in the next administration, regardless of which candidate wins the White House. Why not just toss a coin instead of holding an election?In the end, so eager are apologists like Dershowitz to shut down real debate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and other vital topics that they would limit the political field and banish “extremist” alternative parties. In fact, alternative parties have introduced such extremist ideas as abolition of slavery, women’s right to vote, the 8-hour workday, and Social Security. The Green Party is here to remind Americans that unequivocal support for Israel’s actions is a corruption of American values like justice and equality before the law — values that most Americans still hold dear.MORE INFORMATIONGreen Party of the United States http://www.gp.org202-319-7191, 866-41GREENFax 202-319-7193Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtmlGreen Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtmlGreen Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakersGreen Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections2008 Green candidates to watch http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.phpCynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente ‘Power to the People’ Campaign for the White Househttp://votetruth08.comhttp://www.runcynthiarun.org“Where’s Kenny Rogers When You Need Him? The Big Boys Got Their Bailout, But the Elected Leadership and the Voters Meet at the Election Day Showdown”By Cynthia McKinney, OpEdNews.com, Oct. 7, 2008http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Where-s-Kenny-Rogers-When-by-Cynthia-McKinney-081007-748.htmlCynthia McKinney on videohttp://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRunhttp://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRunBreakTheMatrix.com interview, Oct. 19: http://www.breakthematrix.com/node/28047Democracy Now! interview, Oct. 16: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/16/breaking_the_sound_barrier_thirdMusic video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqoRosa Clemente on videoInterview: Current TV/Rock the Votehttp://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations~ END ~

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES

http://www.gp.orgFor Immediate Release:Monday, October 27, 2008Contacts:Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.orgStarlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.orgGreen national candidates McKinney and Clemente sign on, along with other Green candidates; Greens cite their leadership role in the 2004 Ohio and New Mexico recounts after evidence of vote theftGreens condemn GOP efforts to disqualify legitimate voters in the 2008 electionWASHINGTON, DC — The Green Party of the United States has become the first political party to endorse the Election Integrity Pledge promoted by Standing For Voters (http://www.StandingForVoters.org), an internet-based group inviting candidates to pledge their commitment to fair elections.Along with the Green Party, several Green Party candidates have pledged ‘no early concessions’ and actions challenging election outcomes if necessary: presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney and vice presidential candidate Rosa Clemente; US Congressional candidates Carol Brouillet (Calif.-14), Rebecca Dewitt (Ariz.-4), Harold Burbank (Conn.-5), and Mike Beilstein (Or.-4); and five candidates for state and local offices: Dan Kairis of Illinois, Richard Boyle of California, Rick Lass of New Mexico, Allan Hancock of Minnesota, and Charles A. Pillsbury of Connecticut.”Led by David Cobb, our 2004 presidential candidate, Greens organized the response to the 2004 vote theft. John Kerry and most of his fellow Democrats did nothing after reports and evidence of GOP election manipulation and obstruction of African American and young voters surfaced. Meanwhile, Greens filed for the recounts in Ohio and New Mexico and raised most of the money for legal expenses. It’s our special obligation and privilege to be the first party to sign on to the Standing For Voters pledge,” said Holly Hart, secretary of the Green Party of the United States.For more on Green leadership in the Ohio and New Mexico recounts, visit IWantMyVote.com (http://www.iwantmyvote.com).In signing the pledge, Greens sharply condemned recent tactics that have been used to obstruct and discourage voters, especially African Americans in certain states, from voting. Such tactics include letters to voters falsely claiming that they’ve been declared ineligible to vote, foreclosure lists denying right to vote because a voter’s address is “no longer valid,” and vicious attacks on voter registration efforts.”The drastic efforts to disqualify legitimate voters suggests that we’ll see a repeat of Republican conspiracies to steal the national election. Will Democrats fight this time, or will they roll over again and leave it to the Green Party?” asked Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party.The documentary ‘American Blackout’ covers Cynthia McKinney’s role in the struggle for election integrity (http://www.americanblackout.com). A recent essay by Ms. McKinney also addresses the breakdown in fair elections (OpEdNews.com, Oct. 7, http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Where-s-Kenny-Rogers-When-by-Cynthia-McKinney-081007-748.html).The Green Party advocates various systematic reforms to ensure fair, accurate, and truly democratic elections, including public financing of elections, free time on public airwaves for all candidates, repeal of ballot access laws restricting alternative-party and independent candidates, paper verification and open-source software for computer voting systems, instant runoff voting, and proportional representation.According to the Standing For Voters pledge, signers promise to challenge election results “if the combination of election conditions, incident reports, and announced election results calls into question the reliability of the official vote count.” Should another candidate be declared the winner in a race, signers vow to “wait until all valid votes are counted and all serious challenges resolved before conceding defeat.”"We’d like to see all of the nation’s political parties endorse Standing For Voters, as the Green Party has done nationally,” said Emily Levy, Standing For Voters Project Coordinator. “As participants in what’s commonly known as ‘our democratic process,’ all parties should commit to fair elections. We welcome endorsements from local, state, and national party organizations, as well as other groups that care about democracy.”MORE INFORMATIONGreen Party of the United States http://www.gp.org202-319-7191, 866-41GREENFax 202-319-7193Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtmlGreen Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtmlGreen Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakersGreen Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections2008 Green candidates to watch http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.phpCynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente ‘Power to the People’ Campaign for the White Househttp://votetruth08.comhttp://www.runcynthiarun.orgCynthia McKinney on videohttp://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRunhttp://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRunBreakTheMatrix.com interview, Oct. 19: http://www.breakthematrix.com/node/28047Democracy Now! interview, Oct. 16: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/16/breaking_the_sound_barrier_thirdMusic video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqoRosa Clemente on videoInterview: Current TV/Rock the Votehttp://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations~ END ~

Distributed by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org

Jesse Johnson for Governor of West Virginia http://www.jesse4wvgov.orgWest Virginia Mountain Party http://www.mtparty.orgFor Immediate ReleaseTuesday, October 28, 2008Contact: Mountain Party Press, 304-552-6167, or Jesse Johnson, 304-541-9841WASHINGTON, DC — The Jesse Johnson campaign for Governor of West Virginia was endorsed by West Virginia Citizen Action FundThe Citizen Action Fund, a new political action committee formed by West Virginia Citizen Action Group, is the state’s oldest consumer protection and government watch-dog organization.The endorsement, announced last week and reporterd in the Huntington Herald-Dispatch (”Citizen group announces endorsements,” Oct. 19, http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x107810239/Citizen-group-announces-endorsements) recognizes Jesse Johnson’s outspoken advocacy for West Virginians in public health, the environment, workers’ and consumers’ protections, transition to clean alternative energy, and other areas.”The CAF endorsement clearly acknowledges Jesse as the gubernatorial candidate who will fight for the people of West Virginia instead of powerful corporate interests who’ve treated the state like a dumping ground,” said Lesia Angel, Deputy Commissioner of the Mountain Party.”Because of mountaintop removal and the power of the coal companies, West Virginia has become ground zero for global climate change in the US,” said Jesse Johnson. “The Interior Department is now relaxing rules on mountaintop mining, which will bring untold devastation to the natural environment and a massive threat to public health, through contamination of water and other resources. I’m the only nominee addressing this crisis, because the Democrat and Republican are too closely allied with the coal companies that are plundering West Virginia.”Johnson supporters also noted his strong opposition to a plan by Governor Manchin to allow electric transmission lines, which would allow private, out-of-state companies to take private property from West Virginia citizens and gouge ratepayers.On October 3, Jesse Johnson was endorsed by the Sierra Club (http://www.greenpartywatch.org/2008/10/06/sierra-club-endorses-jesse-johnson-for-wv-governor/). Mr. Johnson is a former chair of the West Virginia Mountain Party, and as chair, he affiliated the Mountain Party with the Green Party of the United States (http://www.gp.org).Video clip of Jesse Johnson speaking at a recent West Virginia Youth Commission forum:http://www.vimeo.com/2013238~ END ~

According to a recent poll, the Richmond mayoral is coming down to “a virtual tie” between Jones and Pantele, though there are a slew of undecided voters.The Richmond Greens were leaning towards Goldman before he dropped out. Also before he left the race, Goldman finally let it be known that he believes both Pantele and Grey have made deals so that if either is elected, the white elephant downtown arts center/Center Stage project will be bailed out, no matter how much it costs the rest of the City.Now that Grey is only polling 13 percent and most of his support still appears to be from certain moneyed interests, it seems clear that Grey’s main purpose is to block Jones from being elected over Pantele. But, even if he is a better candidate than Pantele, can we assume Jones will end the downtown corporate welfare?  Or is it just more of the same ol’? Can we get either candidate to go on record on the litmus test of the downtown arts center/Center Stage?  

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Dear Friend,

Two weeks from now, we will be voting in what might be the most important election of our lives. Trouble the Water, opening this Friday inRichmond, is a film that shows exactly what’s at stake, what we are fighting for and why.The film is a true story about a remarkable couple in New Orleans surviving not only deadly hurricanes, breached levees and armed soldiers, but also a government that has repeatedly failed them.Like Fahrenheit 9/11, the film we produced four years ago, Trouble the Water is a powerful reminder of why we fight for change. In the words of journalist Naomi Klein, “This is a transformative film — one of the most powerful and illuminating documentaries of our time. It boils with rage, sadness, love, hope, reality. It’s not about a hurricane, it’s about America.”The film, winner of the Sundance Grand jury prize this year, features voices and a soundtrack that can lead us through these difficult times, into the polls, and help us imagine a better future.Trouble the Water <http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/>  will be opening this Friday, October 24th at Regal Westhampton 2, 5706 Grove Avenue. Tickets can be purchased online:http://www.fandango.com/richmondregalwesthamptoncinema2_aaepw/theaterpage. But it’s only booked for one week at the Regal Westhampton 2. The number of people that turn out this weekend will determine whether the film is held over for another week. So please make a plan to see the film the New York Times called “one of the best American documentaries in recent memory” andTime Magazine called “[A]n endlessly moving, artlessly magnificent tribute to people the government didn’t think worth saving.”If you aren’t sure if voting this time around matters, see this movie! And if you know anyone who thinks it doesn’t matter if they vote this year, take THEM to see it. And if you just want an entertaining break from the drone of the pundits and the polls, this is a great way to spend 90 minutes of your day.Log on to <http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/>  to watch the theatrical trailer and you’ll see what we mean. Sincerely, Tia Lessin & Carl DealDirectors/ProducersTrouble the Waterwww.troublethewaterfilm.com <http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/> P.S. If you would like to bring a group, or set up an event at your theater to help get out the vote in your community like so many others have done all over the country, note your theaters group policy below:Groups of 25 or more can request tickets group sale discounts. Restrictions may apply. To book a Group event or a Private Screening, please call 1-800-792-8244

From The People United:FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Jeff Winder (434) 906-0421 – jeff@thepeopleunited.orgFARMVILLE REFUSES PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT IMMIGRANT DETENTION CENTERLAWYERS PREPARE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST10/24/08In response to the refusal by the Farmville, VA city government for apublic meeting with community organizations about plans for a 1,040 bedimmigrant detention facility, lawyers for the groups are preparing aFreedom of Information Act request. The groups are asking for informationabout media access to the proposed facility, the financial arrangementsbetween ICA and the town of Farmville, the experience and qualificationsof ICA to manage an incarceration facility and other topics.Virginia-based groups including The People United and The VirginiaOrganizing Project are troubled by the agreement between ICE, the City ofFarmville, and a private corporation, ICA Farmville, that has noexperience in managing correctional facilities. If the $21 millionfacility runs at 85% capacity, ICA stands to gross over $20 million infederal tax dollars annually.After Farmville Town Manager Gerald Spates did not follow through on anagreement to provide written responses to questions, Jeff Winder, RegionalOrganizer with The People United, appeared before the Town Council andreiterated the request for a public meeting. In a written response, Spatesstated that they would not honor this request because the time for publichearings was over. Spates also stated that he is unable to releaseinformation about the facility without specific approval from Immigrationand Customs Enforcement.“Farmville offers us a catch-22,” said Winder, “They won’t meet with usbecause public hearings are over; but plans for this prison were notwidely known outside of Farmville until news articles were published afterthe last public hearing was held.”The People United cites a documented pattern of abuses including medicalneglect, malnourishment and physical and psychological abuse by poorlytrained guards in privately-run immigrant detention facilities in otherparts of the country. Also of concern is a study released by WashingtonState University researchers documenting that contrary to promises ofeconomic stimulus, private prisons nearly always slow economic growth insmall towns.“We represent a network of groups with real experience in tracking theprison industry,” Winder continued, “What harm could there be in publiclyanswering our questions? Would ICE, ICA and Farmville not benefit fromdialogue with groups aware of problems that exist with other similarfacilities? Would they not want an opportunity to set the record straightif they had good answers to our questions? What is the Farmville TownCouncil trying to hide?”The FOIA request is being prepared today and will be sent early next week.Under the terms of Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act, the groupsshould expect a response within five days from receipt of the letter.For more information, including the WSU study, documentation of abuses inprivate immigrant detention facilities and more visitwww.thepeopleunited.org.                                 ###I will also add this piece, that a fellow Green sent:At least some countries still fight to protect refugees and political dissidents…