Wednesday, February 13, 2008

BARKING AT SEN. JOHN CORNYN IN AUSTIN


Activists in Austin, Texas are heading toward the office of Sen. John Cornyn (rated by the non-partisan National Journal as the fourth most conservative US senator)this Friday to lay down the law. They have good reason.

The Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS), Austin Chapter points out:

Senator Cornyn’s voting record demonstrates a frightening disregard for the lives and welfare not only of Americans, but of people throughout the world. The senator has a history of disregarding his constituents, and voting lock-step with President Bush, even as the President and his agenda have become overwhelmingly unpopular. As he runs for re-election in 2008, Senator Cornyn will struggle to defend his record:

On the war in Iraq: five years after the invasion, almost 4,000 U.S. soldiers and over 655,000 Iraqis have died, and a majority of Americans polled are ready to bring our troops home. Yet, Sen. Cornyn continues to vote for war funding, and resists any legislation which would set a timetable for withdrawal.

On torture: Sen. Cornyn was one of only nine senators who, in Oct. 2005, voted against the McCain amendment, which banned the use of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment against anyone in US government custody.

On children’s health insurance: In Aug. 2007 Sen. Cornyn voted with the minority against expansion of the State Children’s Insurance Program to cover 9 million currently uninsured children.

On domestic spying: Also in Aug. 2007 Sen. Cornyn voted for the “Protect America Act” which, likely in violation of the 4th amendment, allows U.S. intelligence officials to monitor, without a warrant, ‘suspicious’ communication originating inside the U.S.

Among his largest contributors are J. P. Morgan Chase, Exxon Mobil and the Bass Brothers Enterprises (oil money, classmates and long time financiers of Bush). These big contributors get good value for their money. Cornyn voted against including oil and gas smokestacks in mercury regulations; against factoring global warming into federal project planning; against banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; against reducing oil usage by 40%, rather than by 5%; against removing oil and gas exploration subsidies, despite the fact that the oil industry was making record profits year after year.

If you happen to be in the Austin area, the OD suggests you join in the fun.

The following is from IndyMedia via A-Infos.

Austin Brings Out The Dogs

Protesters Mix Politics, Theater At Offices of Sen. John Cornyn --- Austin, TX -
February 13, 2008. This Friday, February 15, at 5 p.m. Austin’s Movement for a
Democratic Society (MDS/Austin) is “bringing out the dogs” in a theatrical
demonstration at the offices of U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R, Texas) who has been
called “lap dog to the President.” --- The canine-themed event will take place
5-6:30 Friday, Feb. 15, on the street outside Sen. Cornyn’s Chase Tower offices
at 221 W. Sixth St. (between Colorado and Lavaca) in Austin. Citizens have been
invited to participate in the theater by bringing their dogs or coming costumed
as dogs. ---- The event’s stated purpose is to “Curb the Corn Dog.” (“Corn Dog”
is President George W. Bush’s pet name for the junior senator from Texas.) The
organizers intend to shine a light on Sen. Cornyn’s special tail-wagging support
of the president on such issues as the War in Iraq, torture, civil liberties and
bringing affordable health care to children.

According to event organizers, the demonstration will be “lively and colorful,
but the message will be as serious as a riled-up pit bull.”

The event is scheduled to correspond with the Iraq Moratorium’s monthly “Third
Friday” demonstrations against the War in Iraq. It is being organized by
MDS/Austin, a multi-issue progressive organization associated with the
revitalized Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). Official co-sponsors are
CodePink, Texas Labor Against the War, Iraq Moratorium National Committee,
SDS/UT Austin and The Rag Blog.

This is not a campaign activity supporting any candidate, but, according to
organizers, is meant to focus on the political record of George Bush’s faithful
pet senator, whose standing in the community, as backed up by numerous polls,
“is lower than a parcel of puppy poop.”

To learn more about MDS/Austin, go to http://mds-austin.pbwiki.com/. To contact
MDS/Austin: mdsaustin@nuevoanden.com.

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