October 4, 2002
Activism Alert
A
BuzzFlash Reader Commentary
by Gloria R. Lalumia
"THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO RESPOND" -- Senator Robert Byrd speaking on "Donahue," October 3, 2002
Tonight
(10/3) on Donahue, Sen. Byrd laid it on the line, calling for
Americans to speak up NOW against Bush's plans for war with Iraq. It's
crunch time!
Sen. Byrd stated that the American people haven't gotten any answers to many important questions and the Constitution is being ignored because "We have an administration that is seeking power." "THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO RESPOND," he said, commenting that he is expecting to hear from the American people tomorrow! There are reports that Sen. Byrd would consider a filibuster if enough support is expressed, contingent on Senate rules being met. His office is taking a poll on this possibility.
A report seen at the Democratic Underground says that on Monday, the House members who have been against that resolution are going to give the COUNT of those who have called e-mailed or faxed.
If you would like to take up Sen. Byrd's challenge and bolster dissenting House members, here are some ways to contact your Senators and Representatives:
Toll-free
Capitol switchboard: 1-800-648-3516
(Ask for the Congressman's office and they will connect you! Keep trying
if it's busy!)
Main number (not toll-free): 202-225-3121
Senate
contacts: http://www.senate.gov/senators/index.cfm
House contacts: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html
DNC
contact page: for writing, phoning and emailing the Democratic National
Committee:
http://www.democrats.org/contactus.html
Perhaps another effective way to mobilize against a Senate war resolution is to contact the few liberal voices left on the radio and encourage them to announce Byrd's call and how to contact Congress and the DNC. I wrote to Mike Malloy last night and he responded immediately that he will be announcing this campaign tomorrow (10/4) on his show (www.ieamerica.com, 3-6 pm EDT.)
Many hosts have email addresses posted at their stations' websites. The link below can be used to check out the stations for host addresses. Contacting just one station within one's own time zone could result in the message getting out over the airwaves with very little effort! A sample letter is also below.
Radio
for Progressives
http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical/radio.htm
SAMPLE EMAIL:
----- , please announce that Sen. Byrd is imploring the American people to voice their opinions on Iraq ahead of the vote in the Senate. Also, on Monday, the House protesters are going to give the COUNT of those who called.
Please announce the 800 number to the Capitol Switchboard...you can just ask for the Congressperson's office and they will connect you!
1-800-648-3516 keep trying!
Non-toll free number: 202-225-2131Thanks,
* * *
For
updates and comments on how this contact campaign is going, check out
the various threads at the Democratic Underground, http://www.democraticunderground.com.
All suggestions and information are welcome there!
* * *
Addendum:
BuzzFlash Reader Kris recommended calling the White House comment line
at 202) 456-1414. "I think a White House switchboard jammed with
calls demanding
GW stay out of Iraq can only be helpful."
