JOHN KERRY AND TERESA HEINZ KERRY'S BOOK - "THIS MOMENT ON EARTH"


Hi Jeff,

Yesterday you taught a powerful lesson to the cynics who assume Americans don't care about the environment. Your response to the story of environmental heroes in our new book This Moment on Earth has been amazing -- and from the bottom of our hearts Teresa and I are incredibly grateful.

Thanks to you, the book is the #1 best selling non-fiction book and the #8 best selling book overall on Amazon!

This book shares the stories of the environmental heroes standing up to cynicism and inaction. Teresa and I wrote it not just because we share in the struggle to save our environment, but because this struggle is more about you than it is about us. If you want a look at the kind of people we're trying to honor and support (all the proceeds from the book are dedicated to environmental causes), check out the inspiring stories sent in by the JohnKerry.com community.

Please, read the book, share your thoughts about environmental heroes you know -- and spread the word. You're making a difference.

This Moment on Earth at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/This-Moment-Earth-Todays-Environmentalists/dp/1586484311/

OBAMA ON THE WAR IN IRAQ -

The presidential primaries continue to heat up and the war in Iraq is front and center in the fight for the nomination. DFA members asked the candidates to oppose any escalation of the Iraq War, demand a swift end to the occupation, and propose a plan that brings our brave men and women home.

We continue to bring the candidates' responses directly to you with this message made especially for DFA members by Senator Barack Obama:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/obama

In 2004, we were proud to endorse Barack in our first "Dean Dozen" in his race for the U.S. Senate. Now, Senator Obama is working hard to earn your support for the White House in 2008.

Senator Obama believes it "is time to admit that no amount of American lives will resolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart of someone else's civil war." His plan to bring the troops home by the end of 2008 will "pressure the Sunni and Shiite to come to the table and find peace." He challenges us to be "the generation that honors our [veteran's] courage" by providing the care they need when they return. Senator Obama also wants to thank you:

"I want to say thanks to Democracy for America.... if all of you are [active and engaged] then I am absolutely confident that over time things will change. That's how change happens in America from the bottom up... So, I thank you again for your extraordinary efforts."

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/obama

The road to the Democratic nomination is a long one and each candidate will be working hard for your endorsement and your vote. DFA members will continue to work together and pressure the presidential candidates on the most important issues. Victory in 2008 is up to us.

Thank you for everything you do,

Tom Hughes
Executive Director

P.S. Senator Barack Obama took the time to respond directly to you. If you like what you see and hear, I encourage you to sign up for his campaign and help in any way you can:

http://www.barackobama.com

That said, this message should not be construed as DFA's endorsement of Senator Obama's candidacy. In the months ahead, other candidates for president will be reaching out to Democracy for America members too, because you have the power to shape the presidential primaries in a way no one else can.

SENATE PASSES PHASED REDEPLOYMENT FOR TROOPS IN IRAQ

The Senate passed historic legislation that calls for a phased redeployment for our troops in Iraq while ensuring they have the support they need. It's an important first step in ending the war in Iraq. But President Bush has threatened to veto the bill.

The American people have had enough of the president's failed strategy in Iraq. Join Hillary in telling him to listen to the will of the people and to Congress, withdraw his veto threat, and begin phased redeployment of the troops out of Iraq.

IN THE SENATE

Hillary proposed legislation to expand testing and treatment of traumatic brain injuries for our wounded soldiers ...Hillary proposed reauthorizing the Pediatric Rule which requires the FDA ensure that all pediatric drugs are safe for children before allowing them on the market...Continuing her efforts to reduce unintended pregnancies, Hillary reintroduced a bill to restore family planning funding to Medicaid to provide education and resources to low-income women.

REP. MCGOVERN ENDORSES HILLARY:

Outspoken war opponent Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern endorsed Hillary last week, saying she was the best candidate to end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home safely

HILLARY POLLING STRONG
Several national and state polls showed Hillary's strength last week. Hillary leads the primary field by 18 points in the latest Fox News poll, extending her lead by 7 points since last month. And the latest Zogby and Gallup Polls both showed Hillary leading the primary field by double-digits.

State polls last week showed Hillary with strong leads in New York, where two polls have her beating both Rudy Giuliani and John McCain in head-to-head matchups. Marist College has Hillary leading Giuliani by 7 and McCain by 16, and the primary field by 28 points. Siena College has Hillary leading Giuliani by 12 and McCain by 19, and the primary field by 29 points. In Texas Hillary leads the primary by 14 points, and in Pennsylvania Hillary gained 7 points in March to extend her lead to 19.

GOV. CORZINE ENDORSES HILLARY

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine endorsed Hillary today, calling her "a leader" and saying "I hope the American people will recognize she is the most qualified person to be President of the United States." Congressmen Rob Andrews and Frank Pallone and more than a dozen other elected officials also endorsed Hillary today, giving her strong support in the Garden State.

STAND UP FOR PATIENT SAFETY


In February, we told you that your Senator plays a critical role on the Health Committee. In March, we said that a bill to give you and your doctors more information about hazardous drug side effects would be on the move.

Well, next Wednesday your Senator has the chance to make this a really strong bill and move it to the full Senate for a vote. Together we have sent more than 43,000 messages to the Senate Health Committee.

Now is the time to close the deal and strengthen this bill!

This bill would finally give doctors and the public information about dangerous drug risks, and the FDA more authority over drug companies to improve drug safety.


We know the drug industry will be using its influence to try to defeat this bill. A report just released from the Center for Public Integrity says, “the (drug) industry is opposed to any legislation that would give the FDA more oversight,” and shows that drug companies and their trade associations spent a record $155 million between 2005-2006 to lobby Congress. That’s more than $289,000 for each member!

Let’s not allow the big drug company lobby to stand in the way of real reform. Your Senator is critical to fixing our broken drug safety system. Tell your Senator to stand up for patient safety, not drug company interests!

With your help, we can change the status-quo, which has allowed dangerous drugs like Vioxx on the market.

After you take action, please pass this message onto 10 family members or friends in your state.

Thank you,
Liz Foley
PrescriptionForChange.org
A project of Consumers Union
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703-1057

oppose the so-called Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007


We told you last week ago about Senators Kennedy (D-MA) Burr (R-NC) and Roberts (R-KS), among others considering legislation that would severely restrict and possibly deny your access to critical medications. Your response has been great! Within 24 hours, thousands of letters were sent to the Senate in opposition of the so-called Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007.



But we’re not stopping there. We are working with numerous groups (from medical societies, to women groups, to disease/condition associations) to present a united front on this bill. We have organized a strategy meeting with several of the organization for April 12 to roll up our sleeves and dive in! Following this meeting, we’ll have an action plan and a timetable.



We have already received word that this issue could be brought up at an upcoming Congressional Hearing before the Senate Committee on Aging scheduled for next week. We are working with a speaker who has been asked to testify – this is a great opportunity to get the real issue (consumer access) into Congressional record!



For now, here are some of the ways that you can help



MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD


If you haven’t yet taken action, please click here to send your alert to your senators.



If you live in Massachusetts , North Carolina , or Kansas (or know people that are residents of these states) – it is particularly important that you contact your senator who is supporting the bill and let them know that you DO NOT support this legislation.



Please call immediately:

Sen. Kennedy - 202.224.4543
Sen. Burr - 202.224.3154
Sen. Roberts - 202.224.4774


Your voice does make a difference. But don't stop there.



SPREAD THE WORD
Send an email to your contacts with our Tell A Friend!



We have finalized our flyer and we encourage you to print it off and pass it around. If you’d like a large quantity, please contact us to request free copies. The flyer is a PDF file on our website. In fact, you can check out a section devoted to this issue (click here).



In addition to our flyer, are developing other materials and have speakers. Please let us know what you need to help spread the word!



SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS


Your financial assistance will help us accomplish all these things that we need do. Creating and distributing flyers, contacting Congress, advertising, setting up meetings, are all important items but we need additional funds to successfully tackle this problem.



Please join or donate to AAHF today.



Thank you for caring and taking the time to make your voice heard. We appreciate your efforts.



Best, Brenna




Brenna Hill
Executive Director
American Association for Health Freedom
4620 Lee Highway, Suite 210
Arlington , VA 22207
1.800.230.2762
Fax: 703.294.6380
www.healthfreedom.net

TAKE A STAND AGAINST HATE CRIMES

It's time we face the truth: Hate crimes happen. More often than we might think. In big cities and in small towns. To teenagers and to senior citizens.

None of us are immune; all of us are connected.

According to the FBI, each day 25 Americans fall victim to a hate crime. One in six hate crimes involves the sexual orientation of the victim. But current federal law rarely covers these attacks, and they often go unsolved.

Take two minutes to tell your representative to bring hate criminals to justice.
www.hrc.org/fighthate

With a fair-minded majority in Congress, we have the best chance to pass a federal hate crimes law that would cover crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Landmark legislation could come to a vote soon in the House, and tomorrow we are holding a press conference as it hits the Senate. Help us be heard, loud and clear.

Click here TODAY to make sure your representative supports this Act.

Unfortunately, several powerful right wing groups – like the Family Research Council – are trying to stop this legislation in its tracks by resorting to outrageous lies. Will your representative's vote be swayed?

Your voice – and tens of thousands of others – will give us the strength we need tomorrow as we make the American public aware of the need for this long-overdue legislation. Thank you for joining us.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
President

HELP STOP BIG TOBACCO - SIGN THE PETITION

Yesterday, the House released its budget proposal and can you believe it only includes $8.25 million for lifesaving tobacco prevention and cessation programs? That's just not enough to protect our kids and fight the leading cause of preventable death in Massachusetts.

Click here to urge your state representative to co-sponsor a budget amendment that would double the House budget proposal.
http://massachusetts.grassroots.com/fund/House/041307



We've got a great opportunity to increase funding this year for these life-saving programs. New evidence released just yesterday shows that while the rest of the country has seen a decrease in cigarette sales, here in Massachusetts sales actually rose by three percent! But statistics like that can be reserved with a comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation program.

Governor Patrick's budget proposal funds the state's tobacco control program at $16 million. An amendment filed by Representative Rachel Kaprielian would match that level. While still falling short of the $35 million funding level recommended by the federal government, this would be a dramatic step forward in restoring much-needed youth prevention and smoking cessation services for everyone.

Click here to send an email to urge your state representative to co-sponsor the Kaprielian budget amendment.
http://massachusetts.grassroots.com/fund/House/041307





Thank you so much for all your help on this important issue. After you have taken action, please forward this email to your friends and family.

Sincerely,

Diane Pickles
Tobacco Free Mass Coalition

Carter Headrick
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids