NBC Wins Debate Battle- America Loses Again and The Rest Of Yesterday’s Political Theater Does Not Impress. (Plus Bloomberg Petition Drive and Mal

NBC Wins Battle Over Debate: America Loses Again and The Rest Of Yesterday’s Political Theater Does Not Impress. (Plus Bloomberg Petition Drive and Mall Protesting May Be Ended)

The Media has demonstrated clearly its intention to cut the field to three candidates as quickly as possible. If you are not saying all the popular buzz words and want to discuss serious issues you are not welcome, you are a nuisance!

The Show Down Begins Today! All Essential Action Links
http://courtofimpeachmentandwarcrimes.blogspot.com/2008/01/impeach-bush-cheneythe-show-down-begins.html

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/nbc-wins-battle-over-debate

By Brian Stelter

The Nevada Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that MSNBC is not required to include candidate Dennis Kucinich in its scheduled Democratic presidential debate.

The seven-member court overturned Monday’s ruling by a Nevada district court judge.

The decision, which came one hour before the debate was scheduled to begin in Las Vegas, meant that Mr. Kucinich would not share the stage with the party’s three leading contenders, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards.

The debate is expected to begin at 9 p.m. Eastern on MSNBC.

MSNBC had no immediate comment on the ruling. It will likely be described as a First Amendment victory by the news organization, as lawyers for NBC had argued that it had a right, as a privately owned network, to determine whom to invite to the debate. The network changed the criteria for participation in the debate after other candidates dropped out of the Democratic race for president last week.

On Monday senior district court judge Charles Thompson had ruled that Mr. Kucinich should be allowed to participate in the debate, citing a breach of contract by NBC Universal. Two days after a consultant for NBC invited Mr. Kucinich to the Las Vegas debate, NBC changed the criteria to only include candidates who had placed first, second or third in either the Iowa caucuses or New Hampshire primaries. The revised criteria excluded Mr. Kucinich, who has averaged 3 to 4 percent support in recent Nevada polls, prompting him to file a complaint on Monday.

The district court judge sided with Mr. Kucinich and said he would issue an injunction halting the debate if the candidate was excluded. NBC Universal responded by requesting an emergency hearing to review the decision. The state Supreme Court sided with NBC, determining that the lower court had exceeded its jurisdiction in making the ruling. Additionally, the court ruled that Mr. Kucinich did not have an enforceable contract with the network.

While awaiting the court’s ruling on Tuesday, the NBC News correspondent Kevin Corke explained the network’s position in a conversation with Tucker Carlson on MSNBC.

“We were expecting to have the three major candidates. Why? Well quite frankly, because those are the probable candidates. That pool is the most viable pool. And truthfully, most people want to hear what Hillary Clinton and John Edwards and Barack Obama have to say,” Mr. Corke said. “After all, those are probably the three they’re going to be picking from.”

Mr. Corke said he doubted that Mr. Kucinich would attend the debate. “I’m not so sure it serves the voters that well,” he said, “but certainty there’s a feeling here that every voice needs to be heard.’

Mr. Carlson responded: “Well as long as judges are deciding who’s on television, frankly I want a better time slot, and I plan to petition the court.”

At the state Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, an attorney for NBC invoked the news organization’s First Amendment rights.

“Simply because you allege breach of contract doesn’t lessen the burden of the First Amendment,” Donald Campbell said, according to the Las Vegas Sun. An attorney for Mr. Kucinich said the candidate’s absence on the debate stage “would be detrimental to voters.”

Mr. Kucinich had previously framed his dis-invitation as an attempt by NBC to muzzle dissenting voices. In a statement last week he labeled corporate media control of information sinister and un-American.

Several recent quarrels between presidential candidates and television networks have prompted conversations about the rights of those media organizations to formulate criteria for participation at debates.

ABC News did not invite Mr. Kucinich, Democratic candidate Mike Gravel or Republican candidate Duncan Hunter to its New Hampshire debates on Jan. 5.

Fox News Channel did not invite Ron Paul to its Republican forum in New Hampshire on Jan. 6, prompting the state’s Republican party to pull its sponsorship of the event.

Brian Williams, the anchor of “NBC Nightly News,” is scheduled to moderate the debate. The format includes a twist: for the first time in this presidential debate cycle, “the candidates will have the ability to question each other during one particular segment,” Mr. Williams noted in a blog post.

Democracy Held Hostage!Hutchinson Leader - Hutchinson,MN,USADennis Kucinich a presidential candidate won a court case ordering NBC to let him share the stage in Nevada's Debates. Later that decision was over-ruled ...See all stories on this topic

Was Yucca Mountain the Real Reason Kucinich Was Silenced by GE?
Cleveland Leader - Cleveland,OH,USA

Congressman Dennis Kucinich is the only Presidential contender to have voted against using the proposed site and General Electric, which owns NBC and MSNBC ...See all stories on this to

MSNBC's Debate DebacleConde Nast Portfolio - New York,NY,USAAfter he dropped out, NBC News invited Kucinich to take his place, then rescinded the invitation -- making it utterly clear that the decision had nothing to ...See all stories on this topic

Kucinich Barred From Dems' Debate, AgainKGTV, 10News.com - San Diego,CA,USAWhen Bill Richardson dropped out of the race, NBC changed its plans and included only the top three candidates. Dennis Kucinich, who moved up to the fourth ...See all stories on this topic

Court Allows MSNBC To Bar Kucinich From DebateCBS 3 - Philadelphia,PA,USADonald Campbell, a Las Vegas lawyer representing NBC Universal, accused Kucinich of trying to make a jurisdictional "end run" around the FCC and federal ...See all stories on this topic

Court: Kucinich can be excluded from Democratic debateKDBC - el paso,TX,USAA Las Vegas lawyer representing NBC Universal says MSNBC decided to go with the top three candidates after the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries.See all stories on this topic

Live Blogging the Democrats in NevadaNew York Times - United StatesDennis Kucinich has been bumped from the debate, so he’s not happy. MSNBC, which is airing the debate, said basically that they didn’t want him there ...See all stories on this topic

Kucinich Can Be Excluded from MSNBC Debate, Nevada Court RulesFOXNews - USAThe Supreme Court’s unanimous order said that blocking the debate unless Kucinich got to participate would be “an unconstitutional prior restraint” on the ...See all stories on this topic

Live Blogging the Democrats in NevadaNew York Times, United States - 2 hours agoDennis Kucinich has been bumped from the debate, so he’s not happy. MSNBC, which is airing the debate, said basically that they didn’t want him there ...

Democrats, minus Kucinich, face off in VegasRaw Story, MA - 1 hour agoFour days before Nevada voters attend statewide caucuses that are expected to shift the momentum in a tight Democratic primary, the party's presidential ...Democrats prepare for high-stakes debate Boston Globeall 2 news articles »

Kucinich Vows to Fight for Changes to FCC LawCleveland Leader - Cleveland,OH,USAJust minutes after the Nevada Supreme Court overturned a lower court decision to force NBC to honor their initial invitation for Dennis Kucinich to ...See all stories on this topic

If You Boycotted the Debate, Didn't Watch, Or Didn't Care About ...OpEdNews - Newtown,PA,USAIt is mainly to shed more light on NBC’s recent achievement, the exclusion of Dennis Kucinich from another debate.) I was reading some of the comments or ...See all stories on this topic

Kucinich Excluded From Las Vegas DebateWMUR - Manchester,NH,USAA Las Vegas lawyer representing NBC Universal said MSNBC decided to go with the top three candidates after the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries.See all stories on this topic

Kucinich out, Romney Wins, Paul beats thompson and GiulianiOpEdNews - Newtown,PA,USAby Rob Kall Page 1 of 1 page(s) The Nevada Supreme court decided that Dennis Kucinich would NOT be allowed to participate in tonight's debate. Shame on NBC. ...See all stories on this topic

Nevada Supreme Court Rules for NBC Over Kucinich - NPR Blogs: The NPR News Blog - 3 hours ago

Breaking News: Nevada Court says MSNBC can bar Kucinich Los Angeles Times

Debate on MSNBC Is Allowed to Go On, Without Kucinich New York Times

Court: MSNBC Can Bar Kucinich The Associated Press

New York Times –

The Associated Press
all 385 news articles »

In Vegas, Politics Comes to The Strip: Caucus Sites in Casinos Become A Flash Point (By Paul Kane and Alec MacGillis)
Panel Picks 4 Debate Sites, Angering Excluded New Orleans

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/us/politics/20debate.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

http://draftbloomberg.com

http://www.draftbloomberg.com/#

Draft Bloomberg Committee Launches Petition Petition widget available for bloggers to easily publish on their site

If you believe Mike Bloomberg should run for president, then now is the time to tell him!

America needs and deserves a president with vision and a proven track record of solving tough problems and delivering real results, a president who can bring America together through true leadership and fine character.With a recession looming, we believe that Mayor Bloomberg, a proven successful businessman and public servant, is that leader to help us rebuild our country.Join the Draft Bloomberg Committee on the ground floor by completing two important activities that will help bring Mayor Bloomberg into the presidential race:

1. Sign the petition to draft Mike Bloomberg: Add your name to the list and stay informed about our draft movement. Sign online now!

2. Publish the petition on your blog: The more voices we have shouting Mike's name, the more likely he will be to enter the race. Publish the petition on your blog!

About Us

The Draft Bloomberg Committee is a diverse group of Americans who believe that Mike Bloomberg is the best choice for president in 2008. Our reason for being is to gather America's voice--through DraftBloomberg.com, the petition, and other efforts--to show Mayor Bloomberg convincing evidence that we, the people of the United States of America, want and need him to run for president.If you have questions or would like to help, please contact us at info@draftbloomberg.com.

Sincerely,Doug Bailey & Jerry RafshoonThe Draft Bloomberg Committee

You have received this email because you write frequently about politics and we'd like to keep you informed about our progress. If you wish to unsubscribe, please use the "Unsubscribe" link below.

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National Call-In Day--January 16, 2008

http://pdamerica.org/articles/news/2008-01-14-09-43-55-news.php

Rep. Robert Wexler (FL19) is leading the charge to push the House Judiciary Committee to begin impeachment hearings. He has already collected more than 185,000 signatures on his online petition and is now gathering signatures among his colleagues on a letter he has written to Rep. John Conyers, chair of the Judiciary Committee, which asks the committee begin impeachment hearings forthwith.

In support of this action, PDA is asking that you make a phone call to your member of Congress on Wednesday, January 16 (especially if your representative is a member of the House Judiciary Committee). Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, and ask to speak to your Congress member (find your representative here). Tell them it is high time to hold Cheney accountable for his high crimes and misdemeanors. http://pdamerica.org/articles/news/2008-01-14-09-43-55-news.php

Walking Man Reaches Washington D.C.DA has been following the progress of Vermont resident John Nirenberg, who finished his 500 mile march from Faneuil Hall in Boston to Washington D.C. yesterday, January 12, 2008.http://pdamerica.org/articles/news/2008-01-13-13-33-04-news.php

D.C Appellate Court Holds Gitmo Prisoners are “Non-Persons” and Throws Out Their SuitIt’s hard to believe, but the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., just ruled three Muslim British humanitarian workers and a religious pilgrim captured in Afghanistan and detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison, were non-persons and, therefore, torturing them was legal!http://www.cotam.org/blog/archives/248

Peace Bus Destroyed By Suspicious FireOwner, Operator, Driver, ( and Veteran ) Jim Goodnow pulled into a South Jersey Truck Stop, to catch a 3 or 4 hour nap. Jim saw, in retrospect, some suspicious activity outside the bus, and about 20 minutes later, the entire engine compartment, and back of the bus was engulfed in flames.http://www.cotam.org/blog/archives/234

Government attempting to restrict use of National Mall

Take action right now to defend free speech rights!

Dear Ed.,

At a public meeting called by the National Park Service on Saturday, January 12 in Washington, D.C., representatives from the Partnership for Civil Justice, ANSWER Coalition, Nicaragua Network, Grassroots America, ImpeachBush.org and others demanded that there be no new restrictions placed on the right of the people to access the National Mall for free speech activities.

The National Park Service (NPS) is undertaking an initiative similar to that launched to exclude protests from New York City's Great Lawn. It will be used to further restrict or ban protest on the Mall from current levels. This is a component of a nationwide campaign of corporate-sponsored organizations working in partnership with government entities that claim that protests, rallies and demonstrations harm grass or "green space" or "natural resources" and must therefore be restricted or banned or shunted off to designated protest pits.

Take Action

Right now, you can email the National Park Service demanding that there be no restrictions on the right of the people to assemble. We have set up an easy to use mechanism that will allow your message to be sent to the National Parks Service by clicking this link.

It is urgent that people around the country take action to stop the plan of the Bush Administration's Interior Department to obstruct free speech rights for mass assembly protest in Washington, D.C. The Bush White House plans to complete this process and deliver a knockout punch to free speech rights by January, 2009, the very last month that Bush will remain in office.

The National Mall has been associated for decades as the site for mass assembly protest and gatherings. On January 18, 2003, the ANSWER Coalition organized a demonstration of 500,000 prior to the invasion of Iraq. The Nation of Islam led the Million Man March in 1995 on the Mall. The National Organization for Women sponsored the March for Women's Lives bringing more than a million people to the Mall in 2004. A huge gathering for immigrant rights took place on the Mall in 2006 as part of a nation-wide outpouring. From the Bonus Marchers of the early 1930s, to Dr. King's Poor People's March of 1968, and the anti-war Moratorium of 1969, the Mall is the historic anchor for the exercise of free speech rights in the United States.

A lawsuit filed by the Partnership for Civil Justice on behalf of the National Council of Arab Americans and the ANSWER Coalition successfully overturned regulations in New York City that were used to prevent mass assembly protest in the Great Lawn of Central Park during the Republican National Convention. Those planning changes to the use and access to the National Mall have stated that they see structure used to restrict use of the Great Lawn as a model for their activities.

The NPS has set up a "public-private" partnership that allows business interests and real estate developers -- in coordination with the government -- to determine the future of the National Mall. The Jan. 12 public meeting was intended to have low attendance to allow the government to claim public involvement while simultaneously excluding it. When confronted with the fact that they had done no legitimate outreach about the public meeting to the hundreds of thousands of people who have actually used the National Mall, the President of the Trust for the National Mall responded that she had sent notice to the Board of Trade! The NPS issues 3,000 permits a year for the use of the National Mall, but there has been no effort to notify any of those organizations about the proposed changes. Their attempt to exclude people from this process could not be more clear.

At the hearing the officials tried to quiet the outraged voices of the people, to change the topic of discussion, and to dismiss their concerns. They did, however, keep saying, just send us a message on-line. That is what we are asking everyone to do today.

The government is trying to end the public "comment" period by February 1, 2008. The ANSWER Coalition also demanded at the hearing that the sham process of the NPS be halted. We demanded that a moratorium be declared so that the people of this country can be able and informed to weigh in with their opinion. The National Mall belongs to the people. Click this link to send your message to the National Park Service.

Please tell a friend about this important fight for free speech by forwarding this email by clicking this link.

Please Help With a Donation in this Free Speech Fight

Help us in this fight to keep the National Mall open for the exercise of free speech. We are undertaking a major organizing initiative to counter the government's plans. The ANSWER Coalition has an unwavering commitment to defend the free speech rights and civil liberties of the people of this country. But this challenge, which ranges from the streets to the courtrooms, requires significant funds, and we simply cannot do it without your help. Please click this link to make your donation right now.

A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalitionhttp://www.answercoalition.org/
info@internationalanswer.org

National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389New York City: 212-694-8720Los Angeles: 213-251-1025 San Francisco: 415-821-6545Chicago: 773-463-0311

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-race_16jan16,1,4064454.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

Among blacks, Democratic race a matter of old guard vs. new

By Mike Dorning and Christi Parsons Washington Bureau 10:24 PM CST, January 15, 2008

A few people wrote me this week to say it's too late for impeachment, and the only option is to hope for the best in the election. I'd like to know what you think when The World Can't Wait says:

"There will be no savior from the Democratic Party. No 'viable' candidate is calling for the immediate repeal of the Military Commissions Act or the Patriot Act. Clinton and Obama are not planning to dismantle the Department of Homeland Security's domestic surveillance apparatus or the permanent U.S. military bases newly strung across the Middle East and Africa. The candidates for Commander-in-Chief are campaigning to better prosecute, not end, the so-called war on terror, a war promised to span generations. The election of 2008 will not be remembered for the candidate who campaigned to return the diaspora of black families displaced by natural disaster and criminal neglect back home to New Orleans. It is already remarkable for the regular bashing of immigrants." more

Rep. Wexler Calls For Cheney's Impeachment. On CBS.com tonight: Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) says, "There's a litany of issues that need to be heard," Wexler said. "This administration has abused the power of executive privilege. This administration has completely avoided testifying before Congress on any one of a host of six, seven, eight issues. Whether we are talking about the manipulation of intelligence on Iraq," he went on, "whether we are talking about the outing of a covert CIA agent, whether we're talking about the illegal use of torture, whether we're talking about the potentially unlawful firing of U.S. prosecutors - on all of these issues, the administration has thus far successfully used the power of executive privilege."

Here are the charges against Cheney. The last national poll on impeachment showed 70% of the people polled think Cheney has abused his powers, 52% think he's committed impeachable offenses, and 43% think he should be removed from office. (American Research group November 13 07)

Wednesday is a national call-in day for impeachment. Impeachcheney.org ask you asks you to "call the Capitol Hill Switchboard: (202) 224-3121. They can tell you who your Congress Member is if you don't know, and they can connect you to their office. Ask your representative to urge Chairman Conyers to begin impeachment hearings against Dick Cheney."

Why not contact the media and tell them to cover this story? Write a letter to your local newspaper; get on the radio, forward this message.

From the theocratic side: Mike Huckabee made two promises today, 1) that he will build a border fence within 18 months of being elected, and 2) "what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards." Read more on Huckabee at worldcantwait.org.

THURSDAY January 31: Challenge the "Politics of the Possible" with Mass Resistance - Drive OUT the Bush Regime!