Got Spine?

http://www.backbonecampaign.org/


 
What is the Backbone Campaign?
The Backbone Campaign is a grassroots effort to embolden citizens and elected officials to stand up for progressive values. We are expanding the political dialogue by providing creative tools for citizens and the progressive movement. The backbone symbolizes an interlocking agenda, a coalition, and the personal courage necessary to fight for a future worthy of our children.
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Podcasting

Podcasting has come to The Backbone Campaign. Listen to past Conversations with the Cabinet programs at our podcasting page.
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Backbone Projects

The Backbone Campaign and a growing coalition of grassroots organizations from around the nation have come together to initiate a process to empower citizens to nominate and elect "The Backbone Cabinet, A Progressive Parallel Government"
Join the thousands of people who have already visited the site to add their nominations, ratings, and comments.
Join the Process!

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Spineless Citations
Ouch! making bad votes hurt

The Spineless Citation is a tool to help citizens hold elected officials accountable to their platforms (local through national), and to increase dialogue between progressives and their representatives.
Click here to for details and downloads.
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Backbone Awards are given to courageous community leaders, elected officials, and others in the public spotlight, in recognition of their willingness to take principled progressive stands at politically lonely moments. Artists and activist groups around the country are invited to create their own satellite awards ceremonies.
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NEW! Spine Cards
Click on the graphic above to encourage or thank your Senators and Congress members before or after demonstrating the strength of their own backbone and their commitment to progressive values.
The "Spine Card" features the artwork of Vashon Island, WA Artist Kim Newall. Thank you Kim!
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Coming Up
Educating for Justice
Featuring Howard Zinn

On Monday, January 16th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Professor Howard Zinn will be our guest on Conversations with the Cabinet. Besides being a nominee for Secretary of Education on the Backbone Cabinet, Professor Zinn has been responsible for awakening generations to the true and dark complexities of American history. His most famous work A Peoples History of the United States continues to enable us to see the past clearly as we work to build a better future. His direct involvement in the Civil Rights makes him an even more appropriate guest as we celebrate this important holiday with both action and reflection. Read More
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CONYERS INTRODUCES BILLS TO CENSURE BUSH AND CHENEY

Congressman John Conyers has introduced three new pieces of legislation aimed at censuring President Bush and Vice President Cheney, and at creating a fact-finding committee that could be a first step toward impeachment. The Backbone Campaign is working with CensureBush.org to translate public sentiments into Congressional action.
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Reminder: Jan. 7th Out of Iraq Events
Sign up to host or attend an event today!

There is still time to organize or join one of the Out of Iraq/accountability events being coordinated to press for continued aggressive Congressional investigation into how we got into the Iraq war/occupation-- and demand we get out. Many tools are available on the AfterDowningStreet.org website. Go there to find an event near you, download resources, and/or sign up to sponsor a house party or town meeting in your community.

Participation is expanding for the "Operation Homecoming" accountability event being hosted January 7 in Seattle by Backbone Campaign and Progressive Democrats of America. Our event is at Seattle Labor Temple, 2800 First Avenue in Seattle, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, a bannering operation over I-5 is planned for Friday, January 6 during the morning rush hour.

Email info@backbonecampaign.org with "bannering" in the subject line if you'd like to help. Or call The Backbone Campaign at 206-408-8058 for more information.
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Backbone Blogs
Occupation Recruits Terrorists
12/09/2005 Bill Moyer
We need a foreign policy that recruits friends, not enemies. Studies have proven that our occupation recruits terrorists in Iraq and beyond. Continued occupation will continue to recruit enemies, alienate friends and undermine the legitimacy of the Iraqi government.

Sorry Cheney,
11/26/2005 Bill Moyer
Dick Cheney's accusation that Congress is losing its "Backbone" because it is challenging their Iraq "policy" abuses the metaphor. It also falsely implies that it was courage that garnered support for their war in the first place. It was not "backbone" that drove the politically vulnerable to support this war. It was fear.
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March on FEMA to demand justice for Katrina survivors
On Wednesday, December 14, 2005, citizens will march to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) headquarters and protest its inadequate and dwindling assistance for those Hurricane Katrina survivors. Participants include People's Hurricane Relief Fund and Oversight Coalition, Hip Hop Caucus, Up For Democracy, members of Congress, African-American clergy, progressive allies, Hurricane Katrina survivors, and concerned citizens.

The marchers are demanding continued support for survivors, such as continuing coverage of hotel bills for many victims.  FEMA must treat all Americans with dignity and base policy on human need, not agency deadlines.

As many cannot be in D.C. on the 14th, The Backbone Campaign would like to suggest another way folks can demonstrate our solidarity.   On Wednesday, Dec. 14th, please dedicate 5-10 minutes to calling your Congress members. Ask them to vigorously support HR 4197.
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VOLUNTEERS WANTED: Backbone Campaign Accountability Team
Interested in some good clean spinal reconstruction? The Backbone Campaign is looking for volunteers to work on our Accountability Team. This team will be responsible for processing nominations and presentation of Backbone and Spine Awards, crafting local resolutions, and facilitating "Thanks and Spank" actions with Spine Cards and Spineless Citations.

As demonstrated by the two visits to Senator Reid, Backbone Campaign tools are getting used by more and more people across the country. For example, over 1,700 Spine Lobbying postcards were downloaded regarding H. Res. 505. We are no longer able to keep up with the demand. You can help!
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  LINKS TO THE MOST URGENT ISSUES OF THE MOMENT
  Impeach president Bush
  Reject Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court
  Support the troops, bring them home now
  Keep the CIA covered by the McCain torture prohibition
  Should the Estate Tax be permanently repealed?
  Click any issue above to send your personal message to Congress
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Instant Senator Phone Number Lookup

Should Congress Investigate the Downing Street minutes? Should the Senate confirm right wing Supreme Court nominees?
Simply select your state from the pulldown above and CALL OR FAX your senators NOW!
Get this feature for your site
 
The Backbone Campaign P.O. Box 278, Vashon, WA 98070 206-408-8058

:patriot: :kick:

citing joe biden could prove to be a time consuming, resource depleting task. so much to cite, so little time.:evilgrin:

"The backbone symbolizes an interlocking agenda, a coalition, and the personal courage necessary to fight for a future worthy of our children."

award shouldn't resemble the "woody" award so closely.

Smart-aleck remarks aside, there's probably a Democrat in your state that could benefit from the exposure that receiving this award would bring.

Why don't you consider nominating him/her?

The Backbone Campaign is a grassroots effort to embolden citizens and elected officials to stand up for progressive values. We are expanding the political dialogue by providing creative tools for citizens and the progressive movement.

:shrug:

;)

Looks like there's some humor involved, aritsts/activists and all that. The image at the top from Boston is of a huge "spine puppet" app. 70' long that they take to street events.

:bounce:

I could not find that from the text. I bought his book, A People's History of the United States as a Xmas present for myself but have not started it as of yet. I'm sure it will be a great read!

Also, I tried the link and got a time out.

My first pro-active act. May not come to anything. I'll see if anyone from backbone will contact me re volunteering.

Hey DU! How bout if the smart and funny folks come out of the closet and nudge the boneheads down the page? :evilgrin:

:bounce: :kick:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5705006

:patriot:

:yoiks: :kick: