News Monday 29 December 2008

UFW: The Official Web Page of the United Farm Workers of America


Food products carrying the Union Label
Farm workers under UFW contract enjoy decent wages, benefits & working conditions. When you purchase agricultural products, please help farm workers maintain hard won victories in the fields by looking for these labels: Read more




Burdens That All Should Share
In hard times like these, a president's most reliable compass is a commitment to shared sacrifice. Barack Obama prominently embraced that idea during his recent appearance on "Meet the Press." The "notion of shared benefits and burdens is something that I think has been lost for too long," the president-elect insisted, "and it's something that I'd like to see restored." Read more




Union label

The quarterly Newsletter of the Union Label Department of the AFL-CIO


Veterans fundraising event canceled
How bad is Brevard County's economy? A nonprofit group that finds housing for struggling veterans had to cancel its only public fundraiser. Read more





The Personal Politics of Hopelessness
As I write this I'm eating a sub I bought from across the street. While it was being prepared I chatted with the young woman making it, and she told me about moving from the Canadian Maritimes to Toronto, to, in essence, get a job that pays a little more than minimum wage. Because out in the Maritimes she had trouble getting even that. Read more

Commentary

Sometimes You just gather a bunch of stories and there seems to be no Preason to their selection. Today was one of those days, yet I seemed to have a theme. Maybe the order is wrong, but still a message to me. What is our shared burden? Do we as organizations and individuals share the burden of the homeless vet. They did their share to defend our country. Is it our turn?

We can end the politics of hopelessness by supporting the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. Not only do unions build wage, they provide dignity and respect for the workers.
KRS

News 22 December 2008

USA Today vs EPA on Schoolyard Air
 Recently, USA Today published a series of alarming articles about air pollution near schools. It plotted school locations against results from an EPA model, and found that 435 were likely to have dangerous levels of pollution; then, it took air samples near 95 schools and found elevated levels of toxic chemicals outside 64 of them. Read more...
Madoff talked softly, wrote big DC checks:
Bernard Madoff, Wall Street's alleged Ponzi king, made political donations to Washington types which evidently bought him some access in here. Read more....
Sands' losses could be in the millions
House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands, D-Weston, reported his net worth last year at $7.3 million, most of it in cash investments that now could be wiped away by the alleged Ponzi scheme of Bernard Madoff. Read more...
Commentary
Tis a sad day when the sharks start feeding on each other, Oh I apologize to sharks for that last remark!
Property Developers Request Bailout:
Some of the biggest U.S. property developers are asking for government money in the face of $160 billion in maturing commercial mortgages next year, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday. Read more
Commentary
Help! The sharks are feeding on us! Maybe it's time to get out of the waters! They sure wish that a gopher turtle or scrub blue jay would go to Congress for them

News 21 December 2008

The Big Three and TARP: What Happened to Democracy?
What's happened to democracy? GM and Chrysler say they desperately need money to avoid bankruptcy in the next few weeks. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson now says the Big Three "will get the money as quickly as we can prudently do it." Read more...

House Democratic leader ask for funds for committee posts

House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands of Weston has issued a statement in response to today's Palm Beach Post story about Sands asking his own members to raise coin for the state Democratic Party in exchange for plum committee posts. Read more...

The Obama stimulus: Bigger and better than ever

In Bonita, Florida, the city council is fast-tracking a road-improvement program while crossing its fingers and hoping that the Obama stimulus plan will pick up the bill. In Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, local leaders have already prepared a $98 million "wish list" for a slew of environmental cleanup projects. Read more....

Obama to name Rep. Solis to Labor post:
Rep. Hilda Solis of the Los Angeles-area is reportedly President-elect Barack Obama's choice for Labor Department secretary and the raves are coming in. Read more

News 15 December 2008

Obama's stimulus spurs lobbying frenzy:
Since President-elect Barack Obama laid out plans for the largest injection of federal spending into the economy since the New Deal, just about everyone has started angling for a piece of the action. Read more...

Blagojevich may quit on Monday: Illinois official

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Scandal-plagued Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich could announce on Monday that he will leave office, the state's top legal officer said on Sunday. Read more...


Seven myths about American car makers
There are plenty of reasons to dislike a federal bailout (or loan, as they like to describe it) of the Big Three U.S. automakers. But as our sister Gannett newspaper in Detroit puts it, you can't blame today's struggles on yesterday's bad or unpopular cars. Instead, it's all about overhead. For the sake of well-informed argument, we present Detroit Free-Press auto critic Mark Phelan's list of "Seven myths about American automakers:" Read more....

Stop Trading, Listen to Cramer!
Cramer added that Boeing is looking a lot like the auto industry with its labor problems and commented; “Americans are starting to recognize that you may love unions or hate them but you can’t invest with them.” View video...

News 13 Dec 2008

Is Senate GOP trying to break union?
There's a lot of suspicion in Washington and throughout the nation that Senate Republicans who thwarted the auto bailout last night were operating from a range of motives, including a desire for payback against the United Auto Workers, Read more....

Administration changes to farm worker hiring afoot
WASHINGTON (AP) — As it prepares to leave office, the Bush administration is moving to make it easier for U.S. farming companies to hire foreign field workers, which farmworker groups say will worsen wages and working conditions. Read more....

Take Action: Ask President-Elect Obama not to let the outgoing Bush Admin Steal Farm Worker Protections

NASA's Griffin and Obama team square off
CAPE CANAVERAL - NASA Administrator Mike Griffin is not cooperating with President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, is obstructing its efforts to get get information and has told its leader that she is "not qualified" to judge his rocket program, the Orlando Sentinel has learned. Read more...

Health care town hall meeting
President-elect Obama has made it clear that health care reform is one of his top priorities. That's why the Obama-Biden Transition is asking people to give their own thoughts and ideas for how to fix the system at Health Care Community Discussions all across the country.
Melbourne Public Library Meeting Room
530 Fee Avenue Melbourne, FL
Monday, December 29^th , 20087:00 PM
For further information please call my office.321-674-9220

National Review: Get in the race, Jeb!

This just in from the editors of the National Review on Jeb Bush's expressed interest in running for the U.S. Senate: Read more

DiPatri: School cuts to be 'devastating'

Brevard Public Schools could lose another $10.8 million by February, according to recent state projections, Superintendent Richard DiPatri told the Brevard County School Board Tuesday night. Read more...

Chase offers $400,000 in Chicago factory sit-in | Reuters

CHICAGO (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co offered $400,000 on Wednesday to help pay severance to laid-off workers occupying a Chicago factory, whose protest has come to symbolize resentment over the federal bailout of big banks while workers suffer. Read more...

Chicago Workers Occupy Factory

From Chicago IMC: The worker occupation of the Republic Windows and Doors factory on Chicago's Goose Island by members of UE (United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America) Local 1110 went into its third day on Sunday, and workers have vowed to continue the occupation until they are paid back pay and benefits, or until the plant is re-opened. Read more...

News 10 Dec 2008 Summary

Chicago Workers Occupy Factory

Chase offers $400,000 in Chicago factory sit-in

DiPatri: School cuts to be 'devastating"

National Review: Get in the race, Jeb

Labor News 9 Dec

Merrill's Thain Wants $10 Million Bonus: Report
Merrill Lynch Chief Executive John Thain has suggested to directors that he get a 2008 bonus of as much as $10 million, but the battered company's compensation committee is resisting his request, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the situation Read more...

Legislators return to town, start chasing coin
Lobbyists may still be nursing their overworked checkbooks from the election season that culminated last month, but with the Florida Senate beginning its first committee work-week today the fundraisers for 2010 are ready to launch. Read more...

Chrysler’s Friends in High Places
In early November, as America’s automakers grasped for a lifeline from Washington, the Treasury secretary, Henry M. Paulson Jr., placed a call to his predecessor, John W. Snow. The topic: Chrysler L.L.C. Read more..

Area’s unions ponder role Membership remains relatively high here
The union membership rate in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton labor market sharply outpaces national figures, a legacy of the region’s stormy relationship between workers and management. But while working conditions have greatly improved since the era when dozens of coal miners died underground and young children picked rock from chutes of coal, local union leaders believe American workers still need organized representation. Read more...

The Wire for 22 September 2008

Compare - SHARP Network

McCain’s Camp Tests Fund-Raising Limits - NYTimes.com

"Socialism" on Wall Street CNBC Video

The Frontal Cortex : Why the Facts Don't Matter in Politics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Contact: Stu Evans
(321) 433-8004
*** STATEMENT ***
Brevard Democratic Executive Committee Has A New Chair
Effective as of Thursday, September 18, 2008 Wes McCarville now heads the DEC (Democratic Executive Committee). McCarville was selected to replace Amy Tidd. Tidd recently stepped down to concentrate her efforts on her campaign for Florida House District 30. Area Democrats thought that he was highly qualified to lead them. McCarville was the party’s former Vice Chair, and prior to that founding President of the Young Brevard Democrats. McCarville says, "I'm stepping up as chair to provide continuity for the Brevard Democratic Party and continue the building of a strong and vibrant democratic party here in Brevard."
McCarville also is running for State Representative District 29. McCarville lives in Viera with his wife, Lynn and 19 month old daughter Riley.

####

Blame for taxes falls on state's legislators floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

Florida pension fund, Citizens hold Lehman securities - 09/15/2008 - MiamiHerald.com

The Wire for15 September 2008

Blizzard of Lies

Vote for Change

States Restore Voting Rights for Ex-Convicts - NYTimes.com

Take a Walk on the Supply Side: Tax Cuts on Profits, Savings, and the Wealthy Fail to Spur Economic Growth

Should Your Employer Have to Provide a Reason to Fire You?

The Wire for 12 September 2008

_KENDALL T. MOORE, I need your help!
Hello friends,
First, let me say that my campaign is rapidly picking up steam! In the short time since we started this race, we’ve already spoken with thousands (literally, THOUSANDS) of voters across our district who are tired of Tallahassee tricks that are played by the special interests and legislators who forget about those of us that voted to send them there. It is clear the voters of this district are ready for something new; they are ready to say “We Want Moore!”
But, I need your help. Political experts with tons of experience have painted a clear picture on the outcome of this race, and it comes down to one simple point........If we get the word out, WE WIN!! It’s that simple. With your donations, we can get that word out, and make sure that we can make a change in Tallahassee.
I need a favor. Can you go to www.WeWantMoore.com and make a contribution now? We only have 24 hours left to meet our next critical fundraising deadline. The contribution limit is $500 per person or business entity, but I would be grateful for anything you can give.Please feel free to forward this email to all of your friends, family and colleagues.
Thanks so much for your help, and we'll see you in Tallahassee!"
Kendall
PS – If you prefer to mail your donation, please send it to:
Kendall Moore for State Senate, 590 Solutions Way, Suite 110, Rockledge, FL 32955
Paid Political advertisement Paid For and Approved By Kendall Moore, Democrat for State Senate.

factcheck.org: Off Base on Sex Ed

Property appraiser named in inquiry floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY7

Security workers might walkout over pay floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

Orlando Sentinel - Feeney, Kosmas spar over vet ad by Mark Matthews l

Orlando Sentinel - Feeney named to 'most corrupt' list by Mark Matthewsl

AP IMPACT: US oilfield deaths rise sharply -

Orlando Sentinel - Sex, drugs, improper gifts -- and these people regulate oil-land leasing by Orlando Sentinel

Progressive States Network New PSN Report: The Anti-Immigrant Movement that Failed
http://www.progressivestates.org/content/904

Orlando Sentinel - McCain in Orlando by Jim Stratton

The Wire for 19 September 2008

School Board Member, District 4

From: KENDALL MOORE FOR FLORIDA SENATE CAMPAIGN Sent: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 3:17 pmSubject: News from KENDALL MOORE FOR FLORIDA SENATE CAMPAIGNIf you haven't heard by now, Kendall Moore is running in a special election against Tallahassee Thad Altman for State Senate, District 24. We need all the help we can get! Please take just a couple of hours out of your week to help Kendall get elected. We need volunteers to make phone calls to voters and go door to door. Please contact James Rigdon (417) 389-1157 or Alex Alamo (305) 299-8974 to sign up or feel free to drop by the office: 590 Solutions Way, Rockledge, FL, 32955. You can also sign up by visiting our website, http://www.wewantmoore.com./
Paid advertisement paid for and approved by Kendall Moore, Democrat, for Florida Senate, District 24

afl-cio: Mortgage Bailout Needed, Plus New Stimulus Package

Machinists Endorse Obama

Labor 2008 Strategy Memo
There are only 55 days until election day, and the future of America’s middle class may hang in the balance. Here’s a quick guide to our exclusive Working Families e-Activist Labor 2008 Strategy Memo:
To follow our progress, keep up with the news and learn more about these issues, check out our blog, and the Working Families Vote 2008 website.
In just 55 days 100-plus million Americans will go to the polls and select our next president. The stakes for working families across America couldn’t be higher. The differences between the pro-worker policies of Barack Obama and the pro-corporate CEO policies of John McCain are overwhelming.
To protect and grow America’s middle class, the labor movement is coordinating our largest electoral program ever. We’re 100 percent committed to electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden and at least 60 senators who share our pro-worker legislative priorities.
With so much at stake, we’re going to need everyone to pitch in. Over the next 55 days, we’re going to ask you to participate in labor walks and phone banks, write letters to the editor, call talk radio shows and of course—vote. First, we wanted to lay out how important this election is, what our actual plan is and why your help is so critical to our success in the following strategy memo.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve presented this information to labor leaders across the country, and today we’re sharing it with our most important constituency—you. Thanks for everything you have done and will continue to do to make America a better country for all of America’s workers.
In Solidarity,
Karen AckermanAFL-CIO Political Director
Labor 2008 Strategy Memo
Electoral Landscape
President Bush’s approval rating has reached a record low, and a record number of Americans think the country is on the wrong track. From the debilitating economic situation to the ongoing disaster in Iraq, it is clear that not only are the policies of the Bush administration a failure, they are deeply unpopular.
Even so, John McCain and Republicans in the U.S. Senate have chosen to run on the Bush policies, which has created an extremely favorable landscape for pro-labor candidates at both the presidential and senatorial level.
Our Challenge
With such a favorable electoral landscape, it would seem victory would be easily in our grasp. John McCain, however, is well aware of America’s distaste for President Bush’s policies. McCain knows he can’t run on his own record or on Bush's, so he's hoping to make this election a referendum on Obama.
Put simply, McCain's plan is to scare voters away from Obama by painting him as “Other.” To combat that effort, we have aggressively moved to provide accurate biographical information about Barack Obama to our members and stop these smears on his character.
At the Senate level, our challenge is even greater. During this past congressional session, every legislative priority of working families has been stymied or stopped by the minority in the Senate. To break this stranglehold on our priorities, we need to elect 60 senators who share our pro-worker agenda. As an example, there are currently 51 senators—a majority—who support the Employee Free Choice Act. Thus, to provide workers a free choice to join a union and bargain for a better life, we need to not only win the presidency, but we need to win nine more Senate seats. This is an almost unprecedented number of new Senate seats to win in one year, but we’ve identified 11 races that we believe we can win, and we’re going to do everything we can to make that happen.
Our Plan—Labor 2008
At the core of our Labor 2008 program is an intensive member-to-member communication program focused on our target universe of 3 million swing union voters. Through intensive polling, focus group work and message testing, we are able to identify and microtarget swing union voters in critical states with messages matched to their individual concerns.
We will communicate our core messages with these 3 million swing union voters in a multi-layered fashion, including direct mail, phone calls, worksite leafleting, e-mails and home visits. People like you are what make these communications streams so powerful and effective. Union members and union leaders have significant credibility on the issues, particularly those which affect America’s workers.
To give you a sense of the scale of our member-to-member communications stream, in the coming 55 days, the AFL-CIO will activate a network of over 250,000 volunteers in 24 targeted states to educate our members on the issues. As a part of this effort, we will:
Knock on 10 million doors.
Send 25 million pieces of mail.
Make 70 million phone calls.
Drop 20 million leaflets.
Activate our 4 million-person e-mail network.
None of this could happen without your commitment to our cause. As we have learned so painfully during elections in the past, every vote really does matter. By participating in Labor 2008, you can be certain that you will be speaking directly with critical voters about the issues they care about.
Our Messaging
With the steady erosion of the American middle class, our core message this election cycle involves drawing clear comparisons between the policies and positions of Barack Obama and John McCain on the economy. Obama is committed to building an economy that works for all, protecting workers’ rights and fighting for health care for all.
In 2007, Obama voted with working families 100 percent of the time in the Senate, whereas McCain voted with George Bush 95 percent of the time. The distinction couldn’t be clearer, and we can’t afford another four years of Bush-style governance.
In addition to educating union voters about Obama and McCain’s positions on economic issues, we are aggressively countering the smear campaign against Obama designed to paint him as somehow being “different” from the rest of us. We already have sent mail to hundreds of thousands of union members presenting the facts on Obama’s religious beliefs, his upbringing and more.
We will continue to fight these smears as necessary, but at its core, our messaging will aggressively make the case that Obama will provide a voice for all Americans.
Down-Ballot Races—510 additional races
Winning the presidency is not enough for working families. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are committed to helping America’s workers, but we know that we need more pro-worker politicians in every level of the government. Most critical is ensuring that we have 60 pro-worker votes in the U.S. Senate. Beyond that, we are focused on several hundred state-level races, including governor races and highly targeted legislative races where control of the state legislature hangs in the balance.
In total, we’re investing resources in 510 races this cycle, in addition to the presidential race. Broken down, this means we’re getting directly involved in 11 Senate races, 61 House races, 4 governor races and 434 state legislature races. Each of these races has been carefully selected and vetted to ensure that the candidates are committed to pro-worker policies and where the investment of our scarce time and resources will be most effective.
Protecting the Vote
Just as important as educating union members on the issues, we need to ensure that everyone who makes the effort to vote has their vote counted. We have all heard the stories of voter suppression over the years, and we have a multi-pronged effort under way to protect voters’ rights.
The key to protecting our vote is to start early and build relationships with boards of elections. From there, we work to ensure there are adequate voting machines in every location and that there are accessible early-vote locations in states that allow early voting.
Finally, we are helping boards of elections find and train more poll workers—and, yes, we are building a network of lawyers who will be available by phone to address any issues if they arise prior to, or even during, election day.
Labor 2008—13 Million Strong—We Have the Power to Make the Difference
Thank you for taking the time to read our Labor 2008 strategy memo and more importantly for the time you have spent working to make a difference. None of this would be possible without your commitment. Together, we truly have a wonderful opportunity to make America a better place for all working families.
Karen AckermanAFL-CIO Political Director
Paid for by the AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Political Contributions Committee, http://www.aflcio.org/, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee

Subject: Democrats vs Republicans, Military Service!!!!This is quite an eye-opener ..........
DEMOCRATS:* Richard Gephardt: Air National Guard, 1965-71.*
David Bonior: Staff Sgt., Air Force 1968-72.*
Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., Air Force SAC 1969-72.*
Al Gore: enlisted Aug. 1969; sent to Vietnam Jan. 1971 as an army journalist in 20th Engineer Brigade.*
Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam.*
Daniel Inouye: Army 1943-47; Medal of Honor, WWII.*
John Kerry: Lt., Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, Purple Hear ts.* Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea.*
Max Cleland: Captain, Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam. Paraplegic from war injuries. Served in Congress.*
Ted Kennedy: Army, 1951-53.*
Tom Harkin: Lt., Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.*
Jack Reed: Army Ranger, 1971 -1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91.*
Fritz Hollings: Army officer in WWII; Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons.*
Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., Army 1956-76; Vietnam, DFCs, Bronze Stars,and Soldier's Medal.* Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW. Purple Heart, Silver Star and Legion of Merit.*
Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant, 173rd Airborne, Purple Heart.*
Bill McBride: Candidate for Florida Governor. Marine in Vietnam; Bronze Star with Combat V.* Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam, Bronze Star.*
Pete Stark: Air Force 1955-57.*
Chuck Robb: Vietnam.*
Howell Heflin: Silver Star.*
George McGovern: Silver Star & DFC during WWII.*
Bill Clinton: Did not serve. Student deferments. Entered draft but received #311.
* Jimmy Carter: Seven years in the Navy.*
Walter Mondale: Army 1951-1953.*
John Glenn: WWII and Korea; six DFCs and Air Medal with 18 Clusters.*
Tom Lantos: Served in Hungarian underground in WWII. Saved by Raoul Wallenberg.

REPUBLICANS -- and these are the guys SENDING PEOPLE TO WAR:*
Dick Cheney: did not serve. Several deferments, the last by marriage.*
Dennis Hastert: did not serve.*
Tom Delay: did not serve.*
Roy Blunt: did not serve.*
Bill Frist: did not serve.* Mitch McConnell: did not serve.*
Rick Santorum: did not serve.*
Trent Lott: did not serve.*
John Ashcroft: did not serve. Seven deferments to teach business.*
Jeb Bush: did not serve.*
Karl Rove: did not serve. (Bush's Machiavelli)*
Saxby Chambliss: did not serve. "Bad knee." The man who attacked Max Cleland's patriotism.* Paul Wolfowitz: did not serve. Neocon warhawk
* Vin Weber: did not serve.*
Richard Perle: did not serve. Neocon warhawk*
Douglas Feith: did not serve.*
Eliot Abrams: did not serve.*
Richard Shelby: did not serve.*
Jon Kyl: did not serve.*
Tim Hutchison: did not serve.*
Christopher Cox: did not serve.*
Newt Gingrich: did not serve.*
Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as flight instructor.*
George W. Bush: failed to complete his six-year National Guard; gotassigned to Alabama so he could campaign for family friend running forU.S. Senate; failed to show up for required medical exam, disappearedfrom duty.*
Ronald Reagan: due to poor eyesight, served in a non- combat rolemaking movies.*
B-1 Bob Dornan: Consciously enlisted after fighting was over in Korea.*
Phil Gramm: did not serve.*
John McCain: Vietnam POW, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. Remember how the Bush campaign trashed him in the Republican primaries in 2000?*
Dana Rohrabacher: did not serve.*
John M. McHugh: did not serve.*
JC Watts: did not serve.*
Jack Kemp: did not serve. "Knee problem, " although continued in NFL for 8 years as quarterback. (Win one for the Gipper!!)*
Dan Quayle: Journalism unit of the Indiana National Guard.*
Rudy Giuliani: did not serve.*
George Pataki: did not serve.*
Spencer Abraham: did not serve.*
John Engler: did not serve.*
Lindsey Graham: National Guard lawyer.*
Arnold Schwarzenegger: AWOL from Austrian army base. (Our gift from Austria)

Pundits & Preachers:*
Sean Hannity: did not serve.*
Rush Limbaugh: did not serve (4-F with a 'pilonidal cyst.')*
Bill O'Reilly: did not serve.*
Michael Savage: did not serve.*
George Will: did not serve.*
Chris Matthews: did not serve.*
Paul Gigot: did not serve.*
Bill Bennett: did not serve.*
Pat Buchanan: did not serve.*
John Wayne: did not serve.*
Bill Kristol: did not serve.*
Kenneth Starr: did not serve.*
Antonin Scalia: did not serve.*
Clarence Thomas: did not serve.*
Ralph Reed: did not serve.*
Michael Medved: did not serve.*
Charlie Daniels: did not serve.*
Ted Nugent: did not serve. (He only shoots at things that don't shoot back.)
Please keep this information circulatingIllinois State Sen. Howard W. Carroll

The Wire 06 September 2008

Clinton to talk to machinists at Lake Buena Vista

Brevard EELs program receives $2.5M in grants

Jack Parker (R) floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

Gary Young (D) floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

Congress reluctant to depend on Russia floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

PolitiFact FACT SHEET: Are you experienced?

FactCheck.org: FactChecking McCain

From Bad to Worse: Unemployment Rate Hits Working Americans Across the Spectrum

The Frontal Cortex : Identity Politics

Dispatches from the Culture Wars: Republican Congressman Calls Obama "Uppity"

The wire for 3 September 2008

(Happy belated Labor Day, had to let the staff off)

Volunteers for Victory

Take a few hours on any one of these day to volunteer for any one of these campaign. Volunteers are needed starting at 4 pm to help walk door to door, stuff envelopes,or make phone calls

Monday for Moore

Kendall Moore Senate District 24 phone 321-633-5644
Moore Campaign Headquarters Email info@wewantmoore.com
590 Solutions Way ste 110 Web WeWantMoore.com
Rockledge FL

Tuesday for Tidd

Amy Tidd House District 30 (AFL-CIO endorsed) phone 321-631-3916
Brevard Democrats Office Email amy@amytidd.com
1261 W. King St. (Rt. 520) Web http://www.amytidd.com/
Cocoa Fl

Wednesday for Wes

McCarville House District 29 phone 321-735-0645
North Brevard Democrats Office Email cm@investinwes.com
213 S. Hopkins Web http://www.investinwes/
Titusville Fl

Thursday for Tony

Tony Sasso House District 32 (AFL-CIO endorsed) phone 321-406-1146
76 E. Merritt Island Causeway(520) Email campaign@electtonysasso.org
Merritt Island Fl Web http://www.electtonysasso.org/

Editorial - Not So Fast - Editorial - NYTimes.com

Proposal on Safety at Work Riles Unions - NYTimes.com

Editorial - The Massachusetts Way - Editorial - NYTimes.com

How Obama could fix labor law. - By William B. Gould IV - Slate Magazine

Respectful Insolence: Another reason to hate the Yankees

Palin's Wikipedia Entry Gets Overhaul : NPR

The wire foe August 29 2008

The Space Coast AFL-CIO Recommendations How well did we DO!

Suzanne Kosmas Congress District 24 WON vs Tom Feeney Nov 4th
Amy Tidd State House 30 vs Workman Nov 4th
Tony Sasso State House 32 vs Crisafelli Nov 4th
Charles Sitton Property Appraiser Lost
Lisa Cullen Tax Collector WON vs Lura Dils Nov 4th
Jeff Rainey County Commission 1 Lost
Amy Kneesey School Board 3 Won Elected Congradulations!
Stuart Rowan School Board 5 Won vs Andrew J. Ziegler Nov 4th

Most importantly Kevin R. Sharkey won Democratic Precinct Committee man 67th PCT East Merritt Island. Sharkey won by 48% of the votes casted in the three way race in his precinct. Sharkey said,"This is the root of grass root politics.Politicans claim that they all all in favor of grass root politics, now let's hold them accountable, If you want to join me in the fight to restore poliics and power to the people please call me at 321-536-6848 or e-mail works the best @ surfside67@ymail.com"

An e-mail from Senator Bill Nelson Concerning FEMA helpAugust 27, 2008
Dear Floridian:
Sadly, a number of Floridians lost loved ones during Tropical Storm Fay, and many others sustained injuries or property damage. I wanted to take a minute to let you know where you and your neighbors can turn for help.
On Tuesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced individuals and families in Brevard County who sustained uninsured or underinsured losses are eligible for individual assistance.
FEMA’s individual assistance program can help eligible applicants with serious unmet needs including temporary housing assistance, uninsured personal property, and medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the storm. Low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration also are available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes in the designated counties.
To apply for individual assistance, call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). FEMA operators are available 7 a.m. to midnight local time, seven days a week, until further notice. If you experience problems reaching FEMA, please try calling them early in the morning or late in the evening.
Disaster Recovery Centers OpenedFEMA has also opened two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Brevard county to expedite service once you have registered for assistance. Officials suggest you bring your identification, social security numbers, insurance information, proof of address, contact phone numbers as well as your special FEMA application number to one of these DRCs which are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice:Grant Street Community Center2547 Grant StreetMelbourne, FL 32901Barefoot Bay Community Storefront935 Barefoot Bay Blvd. Barefoot Bay, FL. 32976If we can be of further assistance, please call our Orlando office toll-free at (888) 671-4091 or (407) 872-7161 Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
ABill Nelson U.S. Senator
Please do not reply to this e-mail. If you need to send a message to Senator Nelson, please use the form on his Web site: http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

The Central Florida AFL-CIO and Space Coast AFL-CIO
7TH Annual Labor Day Weekend Celebration
Picnic and BBQ
Monday September 1 1100A-200P
Reed Canal Park
2871 Nova Road
South Daytona

Wire for 25 August 2008

Find testing locations for drinking water floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

Our view: We recommend floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

Orlando Sentinel - Vote, then fill your belly by Mark Schlueb

Orlando Sentinel - Florida Senate Republicans and state GOP helped finance anti-GOP mailers by Aaron Deslatte

When the going gets tough, lobbyists get going -- Orlando Sentinel.com

Orlando Sentinel - Utilities give big checks to political parties by Aaron Deslatte

WINNING THE ARGUMENT.EzraKlein Archive The American Prospect

Dispatches from the Culture Wars: Obama Wants You to Be Gay!

The Wire for 22 August 2008

Faced with a “perfect storm” of economic troubles, “families are facing financial crises and are forced to make hard choices among life’s necessities, often sacrificing health care and health insurance along the way,”

Florida Today
Kneessy, Shiffrin and Rowan are best choices for three critical School Board seats

McCain unsure how many houses he owns - Jonathan Martin and Mike Allen - Politico.com

Orlando Sentinel - UPDATE: Rep. Feeney makes robo-calls for Curtis by Mark Matthews

How The Democrats Can Blow It ...In Six Easy Steps : Rolling Stone

Orlando Sentinel - Feeney faces serious challenges by Aaron Deslatte

Independent Lieberman upends political world - The Boston Globe

Progressive States Network Inside PSN: Interview with Thomas Frank on Conservatives and the Wrecking of Government as We Know it

Orlando Sentinel - Hillary to talk to Sheet Metal Workers at Disney by Orlando Sentinel

The Wire for 20 August 2008

Have Your Seen This E-Mail?
Well the E-Mail sleaze bags are at it again, circulating lies and distortions about Senator Barack Obama and his campaign to turn around America. This one was so full of complete falsehoods that we had to share it with you. A wise union member got this in his in box and sent it up to us to check out. The original email text is in black…your friendly neighborhood E Messenger’s rebuttals are in red. Is their no limit these folks will go to keep working families stuck in this mess? If you get emails like this…send to your E Messenger an he’ll check it out! FL AFL-CIO E-Messenger

Hotel Workers Protest at Disneyland
Protesters dressed as Tinker Bell and Minnie Mouse wait to be taken away after being arrested by police officers during a demonstration against Disney's treatment of hotel workers outside of Disney Land in Anaheim, Calif., on Thursday, Aug. 14.

FactCheck.org: More Tax Deceptions

Obama Ready to Announce Running Mate - NYTimes.com

U.S. House seats are a battlefield in Florida primaries - 08/18/2008 - MiamiHerald.com

The Wire for 18 August 2008

Op-Ed Columnist - The Candidate We Still Don’t Know - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com

Republican Straw Poll Results

Florida Today recommends Ralph Kennedy’s proven leadership earns him another term on Port Authority

Florida Today recommends Ron Stump is the clear choice for Space Coast in State House District 31

Florida Today recommends Experience, sound judgment make Kershaw choice in County Commission District 5

Seeing Tougher Race, Allies Ask Obama to Make ‘Hope’ Specific - NYTimes.com

The Wire for 15 August 2008

Income chasm widening in state - The Boston Globe
It's not just Florida not just Commie Pinko (or worst Liberal) New York Times reporting the story
Consumer prices surge, job market remains strained
Another "surge" can't wait to see the results of this one.
Study Tallies Corporations Not Paying Income Tax - NYTimes.com
And no-bid contracts What a Country!, no wonder we have an immigration problem of multi-national corporations swimming across the oceans
Orlando Sentinel - Black voters fuel Florida Democratic registration surge by Aaron Deslatte
Finally a surge that I can support
32 protesters arrested outside Disneyland
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Cinderella, Snow White, Tinkerbell were handcuffed, frisked and loaded into police vans Thursday at the culmination of a labor protest that brought a touch of reality to the Happiest Place on Earth
Poverty, health fears leave kids unvaccinated - 08/15/2008 - MiamiHerald.com
What happens to your children when Little Johnnie next to them coughs?.
WMFE Public Broadcasting Stations : Ballot 2008 - U.S. Congress, District 24, Democrats
Better than most, do you really think I was going to say who I thought won?
The truth will set you free and I don't want to leave just yet
Candidates face off on Brevard's issues floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY
Candidates face off on Brevard's issues, dang thought I would get to see a hockey game, all they did was talk
District 3 commission candidates address jobs, water issues floridatoday.com FLORIDA
Elvis Presley:" Return to sender, address unknown"
We recommend FLORIDA TODAY Ralph Kennedy Port Authority
Funny Florida Today wouldn't publish Space Coast AFL-CIO Recommendations, the power of ink by the barrel and paper by the ton
still we own the cyber space so please subscribe to Space Coast Working News (unashamed plug for Working News newsletter)
Ron Stump is the clear choice for Space Coast in State House District 31
I'm stumped, I'm a Democrat or Christian Right and can't vote in the election.
Orlando Sentinel - Crist proposes fact-free economic stimulus plan by Aaron Deslatte
Hurray! We found the money for intrastructure just in time for the election!
Orlando Sentinel - UPDATE: McCain, Obama and Bush(?) in Central Florida by Jim Stratton
Good idea to have Bush at this Convention for Veterans of Foreign Wars,
He has done so much to increase the membership of that organization, he should be recognized by them
Man fatally shoots Ark. Dem. chairman at party HQ - Yahoo! News
Hate+ Fear+Mental Illness= death

The wire for 06 August 2008

Politicians get to pick their own constituencies -- OrlandoSentinel.com


Inflation Takes Steam Out of Rise in Spending - NYTimes.com


State's reps in Congress want sugar-deal facts - 07/31/2008 - MiamiHerald.com


3,200 Citizens policyholders in Brevard must re-apply floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY


PolitiFact Return of the tax attack chain e-mail!


AP Wire Stories Newspaper: Black reporter booted from McCain rally


DiPatri gets $18,801 in bonus pay floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY


How to Determine Your Precinct


Districts and Cities with Precincts


Obama shows hints of his year in global finance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Tuesday, August 5 2008
Contact: Wes McCarville Campaign(321) 735-0645
*** STATEMENT ***

Wes McCarville Campaign Team Appoints Labor Coordinator

The Wes McCarville Campaign Team announced today the appointment of Kevin R. Sharkey as Labor co-coordinator for the Invest in Wes Campaign for State Representative House District 29. Mr. Kevin Sharkey's experience includes serving on the executive committee of the Space Coast AFL-CIO, CLC and on the executive board of his local 1010, IUPAT International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and past representative to the IUPAT District Council 78.He is presently employed as a union decorator for the Walt Disney World Corporation.
Mr. Sharkey also serves as secretary to the Brevard Democratic Executive Committee and is running for precinct committee man for Post 67 East Merritt Island. He will be responsible for co-coordinating labor's vital role in the Invest in Wes McCarville Campaign for State Representative 29th district, Brevard and Indian River County. Kevin Sharkey can be reached at 321-536-6848 or sharkeykevin@yahoo.com
####
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Wes McCarville, Democrat, for Florida House of Represenatitives District 29

The Wire for 4 August 2008

When 401(k) Investing Goes Bad - WSJ.com

Clinics make a mint on fake HIV treatment - 08/04/2008 - MiamiHerald.com

Obama leads McCain among low-wage workers: poll Politics Reuters

Obama's History of schooling distorted -- chicagotribune.com

On Signature Issues, McCain Has Shown Some Inconsistencies in the Senate - New York Times

Know your presidents? Presidents quiz -- chicagotribune.com

The Wire for 03 August 2008

Shipping Costs Start to Crimp Globalization - NYTimes.com

Launch of Private Rocket Fails; Three Satellites Were Onboard - NYTimes.com

Both Presidential Campaigns Make It Clear That Florida Matters

Everglades, Big Sugar land deal challenged - Environment- msnbc.com

Immigrants Deported, by U.S. Hospitals - Series - NYTimes.com

Obama: Would back limited offshore drilling - Barack Obama News- msnbc.com

The wire for 02 August 2008

Responds by Claude Pouncey, President Space Coast CLC, to forwarded E-mail
Thank you for this email information and I appreciate your point of view on this single issue, however, I am more interested in the issues that is hurting the average working men & women in the USA.
The men & women in the war zone should be respected for their service to our country, but they should not be used as political ponds to oppose or suppose any of the two candidates.
I believe America is ready for our leaders to deal with the issues that face America citizens daily such as living wages, heath-care for all, jobs with benefits, increase in gas, food & clothing, increase in home foreclosed, and many more various issues that we should focus upon other than whether a candidate shakes the hand of every soldier on the battle field.
I should also point out that working families are smarter than you give them credit for. If this is the primary issue of your suppose against Senator Obama, I would suggest that you likewise appreciate your current commander & chief shaking your hands with mission accomplish on his lips and years later your fellow soldiers remain in harms way. Likewise be kind enough to forward your email to soldiers who do not have hands to shake or feet to stand as you complain about a Senator who did not shake your hand .
I do find this email very offensive and you should apologize to the highest degree, not to me but to working America's who cannot make their mortgage payments, who cannot pay the high cost for insurance, property taxes, to those who have to decide whether to buy a gallon of gas or a gallon of milk. Apologize to single mother's working three jobs and still not able to afford child-care for her children's.
Please in the future, should you feel a need to vent your view in regards to Senator Obama, leave me off your list because, I am the AFL/CIO and we support Senator Obama any day of the week and twice on Sunday against your McClain.
.Original e-mail CPT Jeffrey S. Porter forwarded to Claude Pouncey, Space Coast CLC
Hello everyone,As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for about an hour on his visit to 'The War Zone'. I wanted to share with you what happened. He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the commander here at Bagram.

As the Soldiers where lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and dididn't say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the General. As he finished, the vehicles took him to the Clam Shell (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to Soldiers to thank them for their service.

So really he was just here to make a showing for the American's back home that he is their candidate for President. I think that if you are going to> make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank those that are providing the freedom that they are providing for you.

I swear we got more thanks from the NBA Basketball Players or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders than from one of the Senators, who wants to be the President of the United States. I just don't understand how anyone would> want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost that he was scared to be around those that provide the freedom for him and our great country.

If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry but I wanted you all to know what kind of caliber of person he really is. What you see in the news is all fake.

In service,
CPT Jeffrey S. Porter
Battle Captain
TF Wasatch

The Obama Visit to Titusville

Orlando Sentinel - Obama: We've got to find money for Constellation program by bshaw
Orlando Sentinel - Fla Dems: McCain voted against NASA funding by bshaw

Orlando Sentinel - > Photos: Obama's big day in Central Florida by Joe Burbank

Orlando Sentinel - Want to canvass for Obama? Here's how... by bshaw

The wire for 30 July 2008

Labor answers nagging Obama questions: The Swamp

Orlando Sentinel - Russia and Europeans reveal their moon ship

Guns at work ruling has both sides claiming win floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

NASA to study old sites for launches floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

Party's pay-to-play policy causes flak

STLtoday - Beer deal raises questions for McCain

Barack Obama Supports America’s Veterans
http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/upload/unionveterans2008_obamavet.pdf

The wire for 28 July 2008

Florida Congress Polls - Tom Feeney Suzanne Kosmas House Senate Congressional Polls

Op-Ed Columnist - How Obama Became Acting President - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com

Industry Gushed Money After Reversal on Drilling - washingtonpost.com

Literacy Debate - Online, R U Really Reading? - Series - NYTimes.com

State mortgage regulator no fighter for ban on ex-cons - 07/28/2008 - MiamiHerald.com

Senate Passes Rescue Package for Housing

Nation's Poorest 1% Now Controls Two-Thirds Of U.S. Soda Can Wealth The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Surf City Florida ? Reference to Tony Sasso endorsed candidate in article

The Wire for 24 07 08

Federal jobs pay the most floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

Plan links pot, property taxes floridatoday.com FLORIDA TODAY

Orlando Sentinel - Rubio to get $69,000 to teach at FIU by bshaw

Campaign Contributions to Brevard Candidates

You think slavery ended in 1865? - 07/23/2008 - MiamiHerald.com

Find out How Much You're Worth. Take our Trip around the Beltway. - Cost-Benefit Analysis - RegWatch - OMB Watch

How hospitals are killing E.R. patients. - By Zachary F. Meisel and Jesse M. Pines - Slate Magazine

The Employee Free Choice Act

The Employee Free Choice Act Read more and sign the petition

Vote Smart Florida

Vote Smart Florida

Nine Amendments on the 2008 General Election Ballot

Fla. Democrats registering more voters than GOP

Fla. Democrats registering more voters than GOP

To view the contents on http://www.floridatoday.com/, go to:
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200807141716/BREAKINGNEWS/80714040

NYTimes.com: Yes We Can

Opinion NY Times OPINION July 19, 2008 Op-Ed Columnist: Yes We Can By BOB HERBERT The thing about visionaries like Al Gore is that they don’t imagine what’s easy. They imagine the benefits to be reaped once all the obstacles are overcome.

NYTimes.com: It's the Economic Stupidity, Stupid

OPINION July 20, 2008 Op-Ed Columnist: It's the Economic Stupidity, Stupid By FRANK RICH Were voters forced to actually focus on John McCain’s response to our economic crisis, the prospect of his ascension to the Oval Office could set off panic.

The Wire for 24 07 08

U.S. / POLITICS July 20, 2008
Obama's Visit Renews Focus on Afghanistan
By CARLOTTA GALL and JEFF ZELENY
Barack Obama stopped on a high-profile foreign trip in a country that is increasingly the focus of his clash with John McCain

Suddenly, Brevard's full of ANWR experts

Insurance Company Rules

.