To Senator Charles Schumer

To Our Friends in New York,

This week the Senate Judiciary Committee is considering two bills that would reward President Bush’s illegal actions by allowing the National Security Agency (NSA) to continue spying on Americans in violation of our laws. These bills are being pushed through even though Congress has failed to learn key facts about the program.

Senator Schumer sits on this committee and can stop both of these bills dead in their tracks.

We need you to call Senator Schumer right now.

In New York City: (212) 486-4430
In Buffalo: (716) 846-4111
In Albany: (518) 431-4070
In Washington, DC: (202) 224-6542

• Tell him to oppose both Senate Bill 2453 and Senate Bill 2455. Congress needs to get the facts about the NSA spying program before making it legal.
  
• Both bills would have the effect of whitewashing the illegal NSA domestic spying program. Conservatives and progressives agree that this program should not be made legal.
  
• Congress has a duty to get the facts, not help the Bush administration cover them up. The Senate Judiciary Committee must uphold its responsibility to the Constitution and the American people by opposing these misguided bills.
  
• Tell Senator Schumer to get the facts about the warrantless NSA domestic spying before making it legal.

Calls are needed to several members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Please take a moment and forward this email to your friends and family who live in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Ohio, Iowa, Vermont, South Carolina, Kansas, Wisconsin, Delaware, Oklahoma and Illinois. They can look up their member’s phone number here.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS FOR YOU:
S. 2453, a bill written by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), would supposedly restore judicial review of wiretaps, but the law already requires judicial review and the president has ignored it. Senator Specter’s bill would allow the courts to approve programs of surveillance, diminishing the Constitution’s requirement there be probable cause that an American is doing something wrong before their communications can be seized.

S. 2455, a bill written by Senator Mike DeWine (R-PA), would also attempt to rewrite probable cause to allow warrantless surveillance of Americans’ calls and emails without evidence that they are conspiring with suspect terrorists. It would make judicial review of wiretaps optional and would reduce the amount of information the president is required to give Congress about the program.

Sincerely,

Caroline Fredrickson
Director, ACLU Washington Legislative Office

Join Us At City Hall!

Let me get one thing straight, I do not hate Wal-Mart. What I do not like are their business pratices and how their workers are treated. I honestly believe that with enough pressure the poster-child for what is wrong with the Big-Box Mart stores can be a responsible national and world citizen. If you work in the are around City Hall or want a good excuse for that extended lunch come down and make a difference.

Local governments must be pressured by us THE PEOPLE so that they have the backbone to make Wal-Mart enter the New York market under our terms. That means affordable health care, fair hours, and a living wage for their employees.

You can make a difference and help cure the Wal-Mart health care crisis.

On Wednesday, April 26, please join thousands of Americans rallying all across the country to fight for affordable health care for all Wal-Mart workers.

In at least 35 cities, grassroots supporters of WakeUpWalMart.com will take part in this national day of action to raise awareness about the Wal-Mart health care crisis and sign the pledge to make Wal-Mart pay its fair share for health care.

Join us at your local “Change Wal-Mart, Change America” rally:

What: Rally to "Cure the Wal-Mart Health Care Crisis"
Where: 261 Broadway, NY NY
NYC City Hall
When: 4/26/2006 at 12:00 PM

Click below to learn more and RSVP.

RSVP Here

Despite over billion in profits, Wal-Mart fails to provide company health care to 57%, over 775,000, of its employees and their families, which costs American taxpayers over .4 billion every year.

At the rallies, we will call on Wal-Mart to pay its fair share for health care and provide comprehensive, affordable health care to all of its employees. After the rally, supporters will take to the streets to sign up thousands of Americans to join the fight for health care by signing the “Cure the Wal-Mart Health Care Crisis” pledge.

The rallies are the first nationally coordinated actions involving the new Change to Win federation, which represents over six million workers.

Click below to learn more and to RSVP.

RSVP Here

You have the power to Change Wal-Mart and Change America.

Please join the fight for health care on April 26th!

Thanks for all that you do,

Jeremy Bird
WakeUpWalMart.com

Taking it HARD In Brooklyn

OUCH! With Iraqi oil production near nil and sabre rattling with Iran.... Looks like this summer is going to hurt.

From 1010 WINS:

NY Area Gas Prices Going Up

NEW YORK -- A Dumbo gas station is charging $4.14 per gallon for regular self serve -- which is believed to be the highest gas price in the area. The price for premium at the Gulf Station on Old Fulton Street was priced at $4.50 per gallon Tuesday is down to $3.89 Wednesday.

The Death Defying Amusement Parks Of Brooklyn

I say this with all love. There is nothing quite like riding the Cyclone and pondering what is more terrifying the first drop or the creeping sensation that this contraption might shake apart. Its a Brooklyn tradition! Anyway, one of the last Brooklyn amusement parks, Nellie Bly's, in Bensonhurst received a second life after Gina Romano, sold the venerable park to Martin Garin.

After rumors swirled that the young child oriented park was headed into borough history, Garin says that most of the park should be open for the Memorial Day Weekend. Although my time as a child was spent a its' competitor Fairyland "Buddie's" Amusement Park, once located just off of Flatbush Avenue, Nellie's has been the site of my niece and nephew's birthday parties.

I gained an appreciation of the small park, as a place of public amusement, and its historical context as it was to be a feature attraction of the proposed, Bensonhurst-by-the-Sea beach resort. The failure of which, coincided with the end of the golden age of Coney Island.

Amusement Business has the story here.