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From: "Scott Morschhauser" <kabalas@netexpress.net> To: <thediva@coup2k.com> Sent: Friday, April 27, 2001 6:14 AM Subject: My Allbaugh Protest
Dear Diva,
My office is in Davenport Iowa, so at lunch today I decided to walk downtown and see if the flood waters were starting to recede. All of a sudden a ton of police cars zoom past escorting some buses... then I remembered. Bush's Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Joe Allbaugh, was here to see the flood damage first hand. I decided that I'd pay him a visit. I walked right up with the reporters and scoped out the scene to decide when and how I would let Allbaugh know that the good people of Iowa know all about "Funeralgate".
I noticed a couple members of the Sierra Club holding up signs saying "Bush's Flood Plan = Sink or Swim". I struck up a conversation with one of the protestors and he gave me an information sheet with the data showing that protecting the wetlands along the Mississippi would reduce flooding. He asked me if I wanted to hold up a sign and I was happy to help. I positioned myself on the opposite side of the semi-circle of reporters for maximum visibility when the cameras rolled. Some local politicians spoke as did our wonderful Governor Tom Vilsak and Representative Jim Leach. Hopefully we'll get some exposure in the major media.
The big moment was when Allbaugh spoke and took questions. I politely held up my sign calling for the protection of wetlands until all of the reporting had finished. Then, as Allbaugh turned to walk away, a mere 7 feet from me, I yelled "Funeralgate. We know all about it in Iowa". Man, did that feel great!
These are small protests, but I believe that they are important. Not only did I feel great letting the big guys know that we have their number, but I truly believe that it matters that THEY know we have their number. See you at the Voter Rights March on May 19th in Washington DC.
Scott Morschhauser Freelance - www.onlinejournal.com
From: "The Diva (Tammy)" <thediva@coup2k.com> To: "Scott Morschhauser" <kabalas@netexpress.net> Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2001 4:14 AM Subject: Re: My Allbaugh Protest
Dear Scott:
Excellent work! Sorry to say, however, that I won't be going to DC. I am speaking at The West Coast VoterMarch instead, but I know there are going to be BBBR Resistance Fighters in attendance in DC, so I hope you have a chance to meet these wonderful folks. (I wish I could be in both places, I really do.)
Anyway, keep writing (and sending me anything you would like me to publish, or links to your stories already online), and keep fighting!
Tammy "The Diva" http://www.coup2k.com
DEBBIE B's SPRINGFIELD, MA REPORT Al Gore Bows Out; State Dems Fired Up
From: "Debbi B." To: Thebuzzflash@aol.com; wsrw@earthlink.net; bob@democrats.com; thediva@coup2k.com; politex@bushwatch.com Sent: Friday, April 27, 2001 8:10 AM Subject: no show
Hi all-
Unfortunately, on Wednesday night, Al Gore (through his staff) regretfully bowed out of his speaking engagement. No details were given, just that his schedule was "conflicting".
We did stay for the dinner (paid for!) and listened to the local and state politicians that were there. We got a sense that, at least on a state level, these were *very* angry Democrats. There were many references to the *stolen* election - so we "fringe" folks are not alone out here.
There was a discussion about the upcoming Governor's race where it's expected that a strong team of Democrats will emerge from the primary to challenge the newly appointed Governor, Jane Swift. She took over for Paul Cellucci, who was given an Ambassadorship to Canada (of all places) for being such a loyal supporter. I think he left before he could be called on the carpet for the furor surrounding the exploding budget of the Boston "Big Dig". The SCM newspaper reported last year that, "State officials revealed on Feb. 1 that Boston's Big Dig, the costliest public-works project in US history, is now $1.4 billion over its $10.8 billion budget." Yep, you saw that right … 1.4 *billion* dollars *over* budget! With stories coming out all the time about "sweetheart" deals and "paybacks", it's not surprising that this huge project got so inflated - and it's not done yet! All of this with Repugs in control. Time to get them out!!
We've decided to get more involved in the party, at least on a state level and are interested in backing one of the candidates for Lt. Governor. We don't know that much about the 2 candidates for Governor yet, but will be looking closely to see who is the strongest one.
Thanks for having such great sites!
Debbi B.
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