Oregon Rapid Response Network's blog

This following media action alert courtesy of the Oregon branch of the Rapid Response Network. Please join us!

Oregon Report — Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Dear Oregon Rapid Responders: It has been a long time since the last alert—I’ve been immersed in the fight for school funding and busy building a new website: www.neighborhoodschoolsalliance.org

In a nutshell, the idea of Rapid Response is to have regular alerts focusing our group of progressive letter-to-the-editor writers on specific topics or stories. You write in your own words—this is real grassroots, not “astroturf”—but together we generate a mass of letters around a few key topics. Most important is not to worry about perfection—just dash off a quick letter so we get a large volume for our side. Tips and local resources at: http://rapidresponsenetwork.org/us/or/

Due to time constraints, most alerts are keyed to stories in the Oregonian, but alert material for any media source anywhere in Oregon is most welcome. Thank you!
-Ruth Adkins, Oregon RR coordinator
or@rapidresponsenetwork.org

Here are a couple of the latest outrages worth writing about:

• “Bush takes steps to avoid hitting debt limit” This is on p. 2 of the Oregonian; here is a link to a similar version of this AP story. Bush’s borrowing and spending is so out of control that we are now raiding the federal workers’ pension fund to avoid defaulting on our obligations. We have got to get these irresponsible, incompetent people out of office!

• “Governor signs rigid abortion bill” This extremist bill goes against mainstream American values. As Salon.com (subscription req’d) points out, “The next time somebody on the right accuses somebody on the left of inflaming the nation's culture wars, remember the date: March 6, 2006. That's when South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, a Republican, mounted a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade by signing into law a bill that outlaws abortions except when necessary to save the life of the mother. There is no exception for rape. There is no exception for incest….. In a CBS News poll taken in January, Americans rejected, by 75 percent to 23 percent, the notion that abortion should be outlawed entirely or remain legal only when necessary to protect the life of the mother.”
• Kicker: Today’s Oregonian letters section has a mix of opinions, including two rabid letters in favor of the kicker. We need lots more letters expressing the voice of reason and common sense.

Please speak out on any or all of these issues:

letters@news.oregonian.com
letters@nytimes.com
letters@washpost.com

Contact your local paper
Contact your elected representatives
FAIR's national media contact list

Never give up.

This following media action alert courtesy of the Oregon branch of the Rapid Response Network. Please join us!

Oregon Report — Friday, February 10, 2006

Pick a headline, any headline:

• CIA retiree says Bush misused intelligence to justify war Cue the smear campaign…


• Senators OK a deal to extend Patriot Act


• Abramoff says Bush met him dozen times Key piece of info not in the article: How many people are in the “exclusive group” of Pioneers?


• Libby says "superiors" instigated leak


• Officials knew of levee break within hours


• Support grows for wiretaps


• Bush budget-cutters aim at familiar targets AP reporter Andrew Taylor continues to report on this issue in a flippant, “it’s all just politics” manner that ignores the serious human consequences of this budget. Example: saying that elimination of funds for food for the elderly pull “have an emotional pull.” And, focusing on the pork aspects of the cuts (whaling museums, etc.) rather than the more serious cuts. And, once again, *not mentioning* the continuation of tax cuts for the wealthy. Polite feedback: ataylor@ap.org, cc: info@ap.org

Please speak out on any or all of these issues:
Contact your local paper
Contact your elected representatives
FAIR's national media contact list

Never give up.

The following media action alert courtesy of the Oregon branch of the Rapid Response Network.

Oregon Report — Monday, February 6, 2006

Speak out against Bush’s illegal domestic spying

Page 2 of today’s O. has a wire story (closest version I could find online is here ) with the welcome news that Arlen Specter “challenged the legality of the Bush administration's domestic surveillance program yesterday, saying the White House's case for tapping phones without a warrant is "very strained and unrealistic." The comments marked the toughest criticism yet of the program from an influential Republican.”

Today’s Senate hearings feature “Torture Guy” Gonzales defending the Administration’s breaking the law. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11199689/

Our own Senator Wyden recently grilled intelligence officials whose non-answers spoke volumes: http://thinkprogress.org/2006/02/03/intel-stonewalling/

Please take a few minutes and speak out:

Contact your local paper
Contact your elected representatives
FAIR's national media contact list

Never give up.

The following media action alert courtesy of the Oregon branch of the Rapid Response Network.

Oregon Report — Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Fight back against the Bush PR offensive on domestic spying

Just as they tried to do with privatizing Social Security, Bush and his media minions are once again on the PR offensive, trying to smear, mislead, and huckster-ize the American people into swallowing a disastrous policy. They are trying to subvert the Constitution, checks and balances, and rule of law.

The following media action alert courtesy of the Oregon branch of the Rapid Response Network.

Oregon Report — Wednesday, January 4, 2006
Major news day today—please take a few minutes to write a letter to the editor on one or more of the following topics, perhaps one letter to the Oregonian and one to another media outlet:

1. GOP tries to mask the real issues with illegal spying
2. Election reform article limply refers to “scattered problems”
3. Abramoff scandal unfolds....
4. Devastating column by father of dead soldier in today’s Oregonian

1. GOP tries to mask the real issues with illegal spying

A new WaPo story in today’s O brings more revelations about Bush’s illegal spying on US citizens without a warrant, bypassing the FISA court.

Letters are needed not just on Bush breaking the law, but specifically to counter the rightie noise machine’s spin that “Clinton did it too” and that “the public supports spying on terrorists” (of course they do; that’s not the issue); and that any oversight or release of information about the spying program—even so much as to know what date in 2001 Bush began his illegal program— “could potentially cause harm to the safety of our nation.” Do they think we are idiots? (Yes.)

The WaPo story blithely (without critique, of course) cites a Rasmussen Reports poll— widely touted by the White House and rightie pundits — that 64% of respondents believe that the NSA should be “allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States.” Conveniently omitted from the wording of this poll question is a) whether that specific type of spying should be conducted illegally, without a FISA warrant and b) whether there is concern about any spying beyond these strict parameters (it appears there is, although since Bush is operating in secrecy, we really don’t know).

Rich Lowry’s column, also in today’s O, continues to peddle the rightie falsehood that “Clinton did it too,” repeatedly citing precedents that involved FOREIGN intelligence/spying. Hello!? The issue here is domestic spying, without a warrant. If Bush thought the FISA law was too stringent or problematic, then he should have gotten Congress to change it. No President is above the law. Lowry even goes so far as to attempt to smear Judge Robertson, the FISA judge who resigned in protest, as “abusing” the Constitution. Give me a break!

Please take a few minutes to speak out.

letters@news.oregonian.com
letters@washpost.com
Contact your local paper
Contact your elected representatives
FAIR's national media contact list

Tooting my horn— I got a (heavily edited ) letter on this topic in the NY Times today! http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/04/opinion/l04spy.html

The following media action alert courtesy of the Oregon branch of the Rapid Response Network.

Oregon Report — Thursday, December 1, 2005

1. Bush’s artificial speech on Iraq
2. O. [finally!] gathers reactions from NW lawmakers
3. Pretty good AP analysis deserves a response
4. Bravo, Burl!

1. Bush’s artificial speech on Iraq

Note the new soundbite: “artificial timeline set by politicians.” More lies! It is Bush who is being artificial, in that he still refuses to provide any specific benchmarks or clarity on what victory will mean. Carefully considered, realistic exit strategies like those proposed by Rep. Murtha and other Democrats are what we need—not stage-managed pep talks.

They have posted their “strategy” on the White House website. There are no clear timelines or benchmarks; they insist that “Prevailing in Iraq will help us win the war on terror,” but do not explain what “prevailing” means and of course the issue here is our occupation of Iraq—if we leave, the terrorists lose a major motivator and recruiting tool.

letters@news.oregonian.com
Contact your local paper
Contact your elected representatives

2. O. [finally!] gathers reactions from NW lawmakers

Northwest delegation: Lawmakers differ on an exit strategy
Great quotes from our NW Dems—yeah!!!

Below as an FYI is the letter I sent in on this article; let’s either send kudos to the O., a letter reacting to their comments, or comments to the lawmakers (or all of the above!):
jim.barnett@newhouse.com
edwardwalsh@news.oregonian.com
publiceditor@news.oregonian.com
letters@news.oregonian.com
Contact your elected representatives

Dear Mr. Barnett, Mr. Walsh, and the Oregonian:

Just a quick note to thank you for today's article in which you provide comments from the NW congressional delegation regarding Bush's speech on Iraq. I have been asking the Oregonian to provide this information on a regular basis, and I really appreciate it. These interviews with our delegation should be a regular feature any time there is a major development or big news. It is so important to hear what our lawmakers think, and for those of us too busy to watch the news or track down each lawmaker's website for their statements, the Oregonian is doing a really huge service by gathering their opinions in one article. Thanks so very much, keep up the great work!

Best,
Ruth Adkins
SW Portland

3. Pretty good AP analysis deserves a response

This is the AP analysis of Bush's speech that is in today’s Oregonian. Below is my take on it.

traum@ap.org
info@ap.org

Dear Mr. Raum,

I read your analysis article on Bush's Iraq speech in today's Oregonian-- thank you for this clear and evenhanded assessment of the speech.

I particularly appreciate that you pointed out "the fact" (and called it a fact) that the speech "broke no new ground, mostly restating administration aims put forth in 2003." Rather than casting the Democrats' pointing this out as merely a partisan criticism, making the article the usual he said/she said/we're clueless recitation, and far from simply accepting the White House's talking points as reality, you did your job as a journalist/analyst, and stated that this is a FACT. Thank you!

I do have one quibble, regarding Rep. Murtha's call for redeployment of the troops--you describe his proposal as "the withdrawal of all 160,000 US troops from Iraq over the next six months." I don't think that is entirely accurate. As I understand it, Rep. Murtha had a specific plan involving keeping Marines and others nearby and at the ready to support the Iraqi forces as needed. That to me was a key factor (based on his solid military knowledge and experience) that made a ton of sense. We would no longer be an occupying force (thus inciting ever more violence against us) but we would still have troops close by and ready to strike or support as needed.

For the sake of accuracy, Rep. Murtha's plan might be better summarized as "withdrawal of troops from Iraq and redeployment of troops nearby to provide support as needed." (not great wording but you get the idea--both parts of his plan must be included for accuracy). Murtha's plan was specifically NOT "cut and run" and should not be characterized in a way that lends itself to that misinterpretation.

Thanks so much!

Best regards,
Ruth Adkins
Portland, Oregon

letters@news.oregonian.com
Contact your local paper
Contact your elected representatives

4. Bravo, Burl!

Burl Ross has another wonderful letter published today.

United against Bush

continue reading this blog posting »    

The following media action alert courtesy of the Oregon branch of the Rapid Response Network. Oregon Report — Thursday, November 17, 2005

Oregon Rapid Response will be on vacation for the next 10 days. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and keep fighting the right wing noise machine!

1. Cheney continues WH campaign to smear war critics, rewrite history—It ain’t gonna fly, torture guy!
2. Weigh in on proposed western land giveaway

1. Cheney continues WH campaign to smear war critics, rewrite history—It ain’t gonna fly, torture guy!
I don’t see it in today’s O. but I’m sure some version of this story will appear tomorrow: Cheney: War critics are 'opportunists'

And then we have the latest from Blowhard: “By all means, keep ‘questioning their patriotism’” Ignore his word games about attacks on patriotism—that’s just a diversionary tactic. The issue here is the Bush White House’s lies and distortions about the war. Once again, he tries the trick of quoting Dems from Oct. 2002 to question their current opposition to the war and their questioning of the manipulation of the intelligence. Their statements in Oct. 2002 were based on their understanding of the situation as misleadingly conveyed by the White House in a vote pushed thru just before midterm elections. The Dems did not see all the intelligence that the WH did. They were given distorted and in some cases false intelligence, including the discredited claims of a link between Saddam and al Qaeda.

It is the White House and its minions like Reinhard who are attempting to rewrite history.

Share your thoughts:

letters@news.oregonian.com
Contact your elected representatives

Also, take a quick minute to vote in this MSNBC online poll: “do you agree with Cheney?”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10081548/