The Louisville, Kentucky, Jefferson County Democratic Party

The Louisville/Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee meets the 4th Wednesday of every month at 5:00 pm at 901 Barret Avenue .

This newsletter will carry in this space any Democratic candidates' notice of events or communications (250 words or less) to our readers that the candidate provides to the editor at rcrider@louisvilledem.com

Democratic candidates who want pictures of their fund raisers, activities, events, etc to be posted on this website, e-mail them to rcrider@louisvilledem.com.

(Washington, DC) Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) met today with officials from the Veterans Administration, officials from the City of Louisville, and representatives from the University of Louisville, and they emerged with more details regarding the process for the site selection of the new VA Hospital.

"This was a very positive and constructive meeting," Congressman Yarmuth said. "The picture is coming into focus, and I am more confident than ever that the result will be a top-notch facility that our community will be proud of; one that provides Louisville's veterans with the best possible care."

During a previous meeting on February 16, the same VA officials indicated to Yarmuth that 35-50 acres would be needed for the new hospital site. Such a requirement would have eliminated and workable downtown sites from consideration. But following Yarmuth's meeting, which opened up communication between the parties, VA officials showed flexibility in land requirements, enthusiasm for utilizing the University's resources, and a commitment to the community's needs.

VA officials accepted Yarmuth's invitation to tour potential sites in the coming weeks. Following the tour, the VA will create a list of locations that would suit the hospital's needs and hold a public forum in Louisville for the community to weigh in on the sites. These initial steps should be completed by the end of summer.

"For the first time in this process, it seems that everyone is on the same page and working toward common goals," Yarmuth said.

When President Bush vetoed legislation setting timetables for U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq yesterday, he also vetoed the first increase in the minimum wage in a decade.

That means Republicans for 112 days have held hostage a minimum wage increase. While minimum wage workers have not had a pay raise since 1997, Congress gave itself nine pay hikes, totally more than $36,000.

The U.S. House passed a bill Jan. 10 that would have boosted the federal minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25, without another round of tax breaks for business. Senate Republicans filibustered the House bill for a week in January, using Senate rules to force minimum wage backers to win 60 votes instead of a simple 51 majority and then killing the House bill on Jan. 24. By killing the House bill, Senate Republicans forced Senate Democrats to add $8.3 billion in business tax breaks. They then refused to allow the combined minimum wage and tax package to move to a conference with the House until the House produced its own package of tax cuts for business. Members of the House and Senate announced April 20 that they had reached agreement on $4.8 billion in tax relief for small businesses that will be paired with a minimum wage increase. They then added the minimum wage increase to the supplemental spending bill (H.R. 1591) conference report, which both houses passed and Bush vetoed yesterday.

Supporters of the minimum wage increase are disappointed, but undaunted. They vow to continue to send the package of tax breaks and a minimum wage increase back to the president until it is signed.

Announcing the Launch of the Ditch Mitch KY store May 2nd, 2007 Matt Gunterman

We want to have this store associated with DitchMitchKY and we want to promote it here because the great merchandise that it offers (all union made, by the way) is a fantastic tool for you to get the word out about our common cause.

So, visit the Ditch Mitch KY store and happy shopping (click the image below)!

State Sen. David Boswell hasn’t thrown his hat into the ring yet for a run for Congress next year.

Boswell, a Sorgho Democrat, said U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, a Missouri Democrat, called him recently to talk to him about the race.

U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis hadn’t faced serious competition from Democrats for a decade. But last year, he was challenged by state Rep. Mike Weaver, a Vietnam veteran and conservative Democrat.

Lewis won with 55 percent of the vote. But Democrats were encouraged that that was the smallest victory margin the Cecilia Republican had enjoyed since his first election in 1994.

Boswell said the fact that Democrats retook control of the House last fall gives him encouragement about the race.

Boswell served in the state House from 1978-83, then was agriculture commissioner from 1984-87. After working as a Frankfort lobbyist for a few years, he was elected in 1990 to replace the retiring Delbert Murphy in the state Senate.

Boswell lost a race for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in 1987. He considered running for governor this year or being the running mate of another candidate but decided against it.

He said he decided to talk publicly about a possible race for Congress to let him gauge public reaction.

The Young Democrats of America and Dallas County Young Democrats are pleased to announce our 2007 National Convention in Dallas, Texas, July 18-21!

Join Young Democrats from across the country and around the world as we celebrate 75 years of YDA! Convention attendees will hear from prominent speakers including Democratic presidential candidates, learn from talented trainers how you can build your chapter, grow campaign skills, and organize around key issues, give back through a major community service initiative, network with fellow YDs, debate our national platform, and elect our new national officers.

Our new National Convention website, www.ydadallas2007.org, has all the hotel, flight, and registration you need, as well as information about the program and speakers. Check back regularly for updates!

This is an exciting time for YDA and for young voters. Come learn how YOU can help grow YDA in your community and nationally as we prepare for 2008.

PS. Don't forget about our upcoming National Spring Conference in Omaha, Nebraska held May 18th - 20th. To learn more about the YDA Spring Conference in Omaha Click Here

"[T]here is progress being made...we've got to at least give this new strategy a chance to succeed." -- Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), 4/26/07, arguing to keep U.S. troops in Iraq

VERSUS

"In my view that does not mean as soon as order is restored to Haiti. It does not mean as soon as democracy is flourishing in Haiti. ... As soon as possible means as soon we can get out of Haiti without losing any American lives."
-- McCain, 10/6/94, arguing for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Haiti

"My opponent, just this weekend, talked about how terrorism could be reduced to a nuisance, comparing it to prostitution and illegal gambling. I think that attitude and that point of view is dangerous." -- President Bush, 10/14/04, criticizing Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) for saying terrorism should be reduced to the level that it is a mere "nuisance"

VERSUS

"Success is not, no violence. There are parts of our own country that have got a certain level of violence to it. But success is a level of violence where the people feel comfortable about living their daily lives. And that's what we're trying to achieve." -- Bush, 5/2/07

Quotes of the Day

"Just like what Nazi Germany did to the Jews, so liberal America is now doing to the evangelical Christians. It's no different. It is the same thing. It is happening all over again. It is the Democratic Congress, the liberal-based media and the homosexuals who want to destroy the Christians. Wholesale abuse and discrimination and the worst bigotry directed toward any group in America today. More terrible than anything suffered by any minority in history." –Pat Robertson

It’s Howdy Doody Time, Youtube Video, Made Especially For Mitch McConnell

"Did you hear about the Washington, D.C., madam? She was running a call girl operation, and they think a lot of congressmen and senators and high ranking politicians were visiting the prostitutes. It's just crazy. One girl actually got paid with a new highway project." --David Letterman

"Politicians having sex with prostitutes? What's the matter? All of a sudden, congressional pages aren't good enough anymore?" --David Letterman

"The D.C. madam is going to list the names of famous Republicans who used her female escort service. ... That shows you the fundamental philosophical differences between the two parties. Bush Republicans believe in having the private sector provide sex for profit. Whereas, Clinton Democrats believe it should be a big give-away program." --Jay Leno

"Here's good news: the FBI has arrested the madam who was in charge of the ring of prostitutes. No word though on Osama." --David Letterman

"Randall Tobias, who is the deputy secretary of state, resigned after it was revealed he used this woman's services. Tobias, who was married, just claimed he just had a massage and did not have sex. Apparently, he can forget getting either one of those at home ever again." --Jay Leno

"Tobias was the guy who Bush put in charge of promoting abstinence ... and chastity in places like the Mideast. He was also the CEO of the company that makes Cialis. ... So, it sounds like he was caught between Iraq and a hard place" --Jay Leno

"Today thousands of immigrant students cut class to protest how tough our immigration policies are. You know, if our immigration policies are so tough, how come we have thousands of immigrant students?" --Jay Leno

"We deported over 250,000 illegal immigrants from this country last year. And today at the rally, they said they're all glad to be back." --Jay Leno

"That's what makes this country great. The fact that thousands of Mexican people march in a state with an Austrian governor waving American flags made in China." --Jay Leno

"This week, all the Republican candidates will be coming to California ... to debate each other at the Reagan Library. The winner will then be selected by Exxon-Mobil." --Jay Leno

ETHICS -- U.S. ATTORNEY WORKED TO EXEMPT HIMSELF FROM FEDERAL LAW: Yesterday, the Washington Post revealed that in Nov. 2005, the U.S. Attorney in Montana and acting Associate Attorney General William W. Mercer "asked Senate aides for new legislation that would allow him and a few others to escape" federal residency laws requiring them to reside in the districts they serve. The changes were requested and subsequently signed into law after a Montana federal judge complained to the Justice Department that Mercer was violating federal law by spending all but "three days a month" in Washington as a senior aide to Attorney General Gonzales. The Post revealed that on the same day that Mercer had requested the changes, Gonzales had assured the judge that Mercer was indeed working in "compliance" with the law. Yesterday, Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) asked Mercer to resign his post in Montana saying, "Mr. Mercer was operating outside federal law, so he had the law changed. That might work in Alberto Gonzales's Justice Department, but it's not how we do business in Montana." A spokesman for the Justice Department said "any suggestion" that Mercer "failed to comply with the law...is flat wrong." He added that Congress could resolve the situation by simply "approving Mercer's nomination as associate attorney general." Even so, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said she "would introduce legislation that would bar federal prosecutors from living outside their districts."

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS -- RICE TO APPEAL TO IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS IN EFFORT TO MITIGATE VIOLENCE: As violence in Iraq continues to escalate in spite of President Bush's new security plan, the administration is appealing for help from some of the very Middle East neighbors it previously shunned. "Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice acknowledged international resistance to new financial and political support for Iraq as she began three days of diplomacy energized by the possibility of a thaw in U.S. relations with Iran and Syria." Rice and Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki "made their appeal for international solidarity in efforts to end the bloodshed at a conference in Egypt, which was overshadowed by the prospect of rare meetings between the United States and its foes Iran and Syria."While the State Department publicly castigated House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for engaging in talks with Syria last month, Rice will likely meet with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem in Egypt today, in an appeal for help in stabilizing Iraq. "The region has everything at stake here; Iraq's neighbors have everything at stake here," she said. The primary diplomatic issue for Rice "will be Syria's border with Iraq...the United States has long accused Syria of allowing foreign insurgents to enter Iraq through its borders." While there is a "prospect" of direct talks with Iran, media outlets report that Rice plans a mere "drift by" with Iran during her diplomatic trip, or "a brief exchange of pleasantries." "A week ago, Rice said that Iran's absence from the conference would be a 'missed opportunity.' But bilateral contact between the top U.S. and Iranian officials is now likely to be limited to pleasantries on the sidelines." Despite listing Iran as the number one state sponsor of terror and increasingly likely to enrich uranium, the United States continues to brush off of diplomacy with Iran.

Democrat Activist Mike Bailey is now providing “Professional Computer Support.” He can be contacted at 502-558-4026, or mikebailey2000@usa.net.

Stuart Bowen, the inspector general "who uncovered cases of waste, fraud and abuse in the U.S.-led reconstruction effort in Iraq," is under investigation by a presidential panel. Former employees "filed complaints last year about Bowen not showing up for work for long periods of time in 2004," and that he "had employees work on a book that is to explain the lessons of Iraq reconstruction."

U.S. News reports, "One of [Rep. Henry] Waxman's next objectives will be not only to examine false claims by administration officials to justify invading Iraq but also to expose people and companies that have profited disproportionately from the war, congressional sources say. Hill Democrats think this line of inquiry will be explosive and will tarnish" war proponents.

"Members of a World Bank board committee investigating the conduct of Paul D. Wolfowitz, the bank president, are leaning toward finding that he violated the institution's rules against conflicts of interest when he arranged a pay raise and promotion for his companion."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has introduced legislation to "shut down the GuantÃ¡namo prison and transfer the 385 or so people still held there to more conventional, and accountable, detention facilities." The New York Times calls Feinstein's initiative "as welcome as it is long overdue."

27: Number of times President Bush mentioned al Qaeda during his speech on Iraq yesterday. "For America, the decision we face in Iraq is not whether we ought to take sides in a civil war, it's whether we stay in the fight against the same international terrorist network that attacked us on 9/11," Bush said.

Dana Perino's dog tricks. When Deputy White House Press Secretary Dana Perino arrives home each night, she has her Hungarian hunting dog, "Henry," help her relax in an unusually political manner. "When Perino says to the dog, 'Tell us what you think of John Kerry,' the dog runs off and fetches flip-flops."

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) "asked 27 federal departments and agencies yesterday to turn over information related to White House briefings about elections or political candidates," substantially widening the scope of his investigation into potentially illegal partisan activities being conducted by federal officials.

Embattled World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz "will be allowed to argue for his job in front of a bank committee investigating him." But one senior bank official "suggested that members of the committee had already decided to recommend Wolfowitz's ouster, casting Monday's appearance as a last-ditch appeal."

World Bank "members of a team drafting a strategy to root out corruption in bank lending, an initiative pressed aggressively by Wolfowitz, sent a letter to the bank board on Thursday complaining that the scandal was jeopardizing their work." The letter was signed by 46 officials.

"NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin held an unusual meeting with the staff of the inspector general who oversees his agency and then ordered that video recordings of the meeting be destroyed, a House panel said yesterday." In a letter, Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) accused Griffin of "improperly trying to influence the watchdog office's decisions on what it should investigate."

84 percent: Number of Americans who believe that human activity is contributing to global warming, according to a new New York Times/CBS News poll. "The poll also found that Americans want the United States to support conservation and to be a global leader in addressing environmental problems."

In a "startling departure from his previously stated position on civil unions," Mayor Rudy Giuliani came out yesterday "in opposition to the civil union law just passed by the New Hampshire state Senate."

Media Matters documents how during the first presidential primary debate yesterday, several questions about Iraq, immigration, and national security were "based on false premises."

Federal prosecutors have decided not to file insider-trading charges against former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) for his sales of stock in a family-owned chain of hospitals, a charge for which the "legal standards are high."

And finally: Looks like House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) will have to find a new smoking spot. With smoking bans in the House Speaker's Lobby and the Republicans' Capitol Hill Club, Boehner has been lighting up at the National Democratic Club. But that venue will also now be going smoke-free. A spokeswoman for Rep. Allen Boyd (D-FL) said the congressman "won't miss the smoke, but I'm sure he'll miss the bipartisan company."

ABC’s Paul Harvey Compares ‘Women And Children’ Killed In Afghanistan To 9/11 Hijackers

On his News and Comment radio show this morning, ABC Radio Networks host Paul Harvey said “the media should put a stop” to labeling “women and children” killed in war as “civilians.” He said, “It was civilians, for goodness sake, who decapitated New York City.”

Dictionaries define a civilian as “one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force.” Harvey disagrees. According to him, “Since the invention of the aerial bomb five wars ago, there have been no civilians.” In other words, innocent people who are killed in war are military combatants because they are victims of a military attack.

Paul Harvey News describes itself as “the largest one-man network in the world, consisting of over 1200 radio stations, 400 Armed Forces Network stations that broadcast around the world, and 300 newspapers.” President Bush gave Harvey the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

This isn’t the first time Harvey has callously wished for more viciousness in American war fighting. In 2005, he said the United States should use nuclear weapons in Afghanistan and Iraq. After recalling the use of atomic bombs during World War II, Harvey lamented that “we sent men with rifles into Afghanistan and Iraq and kept our best weapons in their silos.”

He then warned of the dangers of “civiliz[ing]” ourselves too much that we won’t use weapons of mass destruction:

We didn’t come this far because we’re made of sugar candy. Once upon a time, we elbowed our way onto and across this continent by giving smallpox-infected blankets to Native Americans. That was biological warfare. And we used every other weapon we could get our hands on to grab this land from whomever.

And we grew prosperous. And yes, we greased the skids with the sweat of slaves. So it goes with most great nation-states, which — feeling guilty about their savage pasts — eventually civilize themselves out of business and wind up invaded and ultimately dominated by the lean, hungry up-and-coming who are not made of sugar candy.

Workers are being denied the freedom to form unions and to live a more secure and better life by weak labor laws and rabidly anti-union employers such as Wal-Mart. While many American companies take advantage of our nation’s labor laws to prevent workers from joining a union, Wal-Mart stands out for the sheer magnitude and aggressiveness of its anti-union activity, according to a report released today by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Wal-Mart workers have virtually no chance to organize because they’re up against unfair U.S. labor laws and a giant company that will do just about anything to keep unions out. The one-two punch devastates workers’ right to form and join unions.

The report says it is no accident that none of the employees of the nation’s largest employer—1.3 million workers in nearly 4,000 stores—are represented by a union. The company begins to indoctrinate workers and managers against unions from the first day on the job, HRW says. HRW cites the following examples demonstrating how Wal-Mart keeps unions out:

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says Wal-Mart’s actions hurt entire communities. “After all, the best anti-poverty device in our nation is a union card.”

Wal-Mart clearly doesn’t want to have to hear its own workers’ voices and does not want to have to have to engage in collective bargaining with them. Our nation needs the Employee Free Choice Act to level the playing field and give workers a fair shot to bargain with Wal-Mart for a better life.

When companies like Wal-Mart can regularly violate U.S. workers’ right to organize, they threaten a fundamental right and one that government is duty-bound to uphold.

When it breaks the law, Wal-Mart only gets a slap on the wrist, the report says. This is not the first time HRW has slammed weak U.S. labor laws. In 2000, the group issued a report that showed U.S. workers lack the most fundamental internationally recognized human rights at the workplace—the basic freedom to organize, bargain and strike. At that time, HRW said U.S. labor law is stacked against employees who wish to organize a union, allowing employers to intimidate and coerce workers not to unionize.

The U.S. House passed the Employee Free Choice Act on March 1. The bill, S. 1041, is now in the U.S. Senate. If passed, the Employee Free Choice Act would increase penalties for labor law violations and help restore workers’ freedom to choose a union without employer interference.

You can take action now to help workers make a free choice to join a union. Click here to urge your senators to support the Employee Free Choice Act.

Your contributions of news, comments and/or events are invited. Please e-mail such items to

Ray Crider at rcrider@louisvilledem.com . If you know someone who would like to be on the newsletter e-mail list, please have him or her supply the following information to the same

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DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEWSLETTER

Week of May 6, 2007

Announcing the Launch of the Ditch Mitch KY store May 2nd, 2007 Matt Gunterman

Quotes of the Day

It’s Howdy Doody Time, Youtube Video, Made Especially For Mitch McConnell

ABC’s Paul Harvey Compares ‘Women And Children’ Killed In Afghanistan To 9/11 Hijackers

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