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I am sitting on the floor of a phone booth, so the police will not make me stand and blog. Lisa from C-ville is standing in front of it, hoping I will not be noticed.

I have never seen anything like this one, folks.

There are HUNDREDS of people lining the hallway to John Conyers' office. Cindy and a few others are inside, speaking to the staff, we assume. But the scene is incredible--people have come from all over the country to deliver the message that we can not tolerate illegal actions and an unConstitutional government.

Richard has the camera and many photos--but he is up close and I cannot get to him. But we promise you photos as soon as possible.

I will update this as I can...

But hello to all from the center of democracy! We are taking it BACK.

Oh--and CALL!

Phone Chairman Conyers at 202-225-5126 and ask him to start the impeachment of Dick Cheney; and phone your own Congress Member at 202-224-3121 and ask them to immediately call Conyers' office to express their support for impeachment. Your Congress Member might be one of the three needed, not just to keep impeachment activists out of jail but to keep this nation from devolving into dictatorship.

THE PHOTOS:

Entering the Building

Delivering the Message Outside

cont. below the fold:

Arianna Huffington recently appeared as a featured speaker at the Chautauqua Institution, a truly amazing piece of enlightened American history located in western New York that for well over a century has been a highly influential artistic, cultural, civic, and educational resource for people from all walks of life -- so much so that the name of the original venue became a definitive term for an entire national movement. Erica Erwin of The Erie Times-News had this to say about Ms. Huffington's remarks at the original Chautauqua this week:

CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. -- In the 1950s, Edward R. Murrow revolutionized the news.

Today, bloggers are changing the way we read and receive the news -- but that doesn't mean traditional media outlets like television or newspapers are dying.

Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor of HuffingtonPost.com, one of the most linked-to and cited blogs on the Internet, delivered that message to the nearly 3,000 people who gathered to hear her speak at the Chautauqua Institution on Wednesday.

"The whole debate over print or Web, print or TV, it's really obsolete," Huffington said. "It's going to be a hybrid future."

Huffington's 30-minute speech, "Edward R. Murrow Would Be a Blogger: How the Internet Revolution is Changing News, Politics, and the Way We See the World," was part of the institution's weeklong examination of the news.

Mobile is a sultry place, friendly but languid spot along the Gulf, with antebellum houses and great shrimp. I'm here for a dance conference, but President Bush is stopping off here today, and so we just had to come on down to share some feelings with him.

So what we have here at the moment is a bunch of modern dancers and some Vets for Peace, with attitudes.

Bush is here for a fundraiser for Jeff Sessions. It's $1000 a plate. So the local guys have a message to kick things off:

More local color to come...

My friend Kayakbiker checked in on and photographed a Youth-Run Encampment Against the War in front of the state capitol in St. Paul, MN. The event was a collaboration by Youth Against War and Racism (YAWR), Veterans for Peace, Miltary Families Speak Out (MFSO), and Socialist Alternatives.

A series of remarkable events:

Saturday morning: Oprah Winfrey spoke at the Howard University graduation; she was inspiring, compelling, and full of integrity. But the graduation itself was a total unadulterated joy. I sat in front of the divinity students and that was a heart-and-soul-filled experience, as they wept and gave witness, and hugged each other, grateful for the journeys they had taken together. It was a commencement and we all felt it.

As I have said before, there is Washington and there is DC. This morning was all DC. We all sang "Lift Every Voice" (Oprah sang too) and she spoke directly to the students graduating, telling them "As we climb, we must also lift."

Oprah wept when she received the accolades of the Howard community and turned to face the crowd, so proud of her, so much in awe of her, and so ready to hear from her. This was family, and I was touched to be present.

Today's Washington Post carries my impressions of her nonverbal style but I will give you a preview: I was transported.

And then it was off to the Code Pink House, where there are more women, from more places, and more anticipation than I would have predicted.

Desiree cooks for the peace troops

A sampling of comments:

Midge: "OK, I'm inspired by all the women who have come from across the country and I feel we have won the battle already. We're a snowball, rolling downhill and there's no stopping the energy of the mothers!"

Barb Cummings from San Diego: "It's been a rough week but on the other hand, there are some new people coming out. We met with the MoveOn folks in California and told them they have to start with impeachment. We gave them the message that WE are moving on and in the direction of being more relevant. They got the message."

Lori, who spent Thursday night in the DC jail for looking like she was about to unfurl a banner after a hearing had ended: "Though it's been a tough week personally, I look at all of these people here and all of the new people I've met and it reminds that the grassroots are growing and that makes me hopeful. I'm not the only Hoosier here anymore, for one thing! And the young girls here are so right on with their messages--why they want to end this wear. I'm inspired by Diane Wilson and Faith Flippinger. There is so much power in solidarity."

Diane Wilson: "I know I never get too far ahead of myself. Because I'm a fisherwoman and I've been on the water all my life, I have a faith in things unseen. The energy of the universe is an ally, and then when I do something I have a total faith that all I have to do is have a commitment and a faith and it will work. Things are going to happen. People can just create action. And that's why I'm hopeful. If I had only rational mind I'd have given up a long time ago."

It's the women, isn't it? Women take responsibility for cleaning up the mess again. Moms from all over the country are flocking to DC, and our house is going to be full this weekend too. I hope every Mom here, or everyone who has a Mom here will celebrate the awesome power of a mother protecting her children, her community, and her country from harm caused by stupidity. Because that is what it is going to take!

We must, as Julia Ward Howe wrote back in the day, RISE UP. So feel those stirrings inside you to speak loudly, write passionately, or engage in actions that STOP WAR NOW.

Gael Murphy at last year's celebration

This year, we are ready with a plan and some great focus!

Welcome to today's live blog about the expanding body of knowledge and understanding about the threats to women from a growing range of environmental insults, and how grassroots groups, physicians and scientists and bold public officials are fighting to solve these problems.

Today's event is one of Teresa Heinz's many lifelong commitments to making our planet a better place to live for women, children--and men.

Photo of T. by D. Grieser

Jeff Lewis, this morning, photo by C. Halushek

Teresa, concerned and hopeful, photo by C. Halushek

Steve Curwood, telling it like it is, photo by C. Halushek

Dorett, liveblogging

Tyrone Hayes, PhD

More than 2,000 participants are gathered here today in beautiful downtown Pittsburgh to hear the latest science and solutions from world leaders in studying women's health and the environment.

We'll be live blogging from the floor all day, bringing you critical new ideas and information from the speakers, plus special one-on-one interviews with speakers and with activists from Boston to Seattle.

Tuesday's climate-change debate between current Senator Kerry and former Speaker Gingrich got a big raise for everybody involved.

It raised awareness of the urgent need to deal with the science of global climate change in a responsible manner.

It raised questions of why smart people from both sides of the issues can't work together more often to find mutually-acceptable solutions to common problems.

It raised the bar for reasonable, rational, respectful discourse between persons from different partisan political parties.

It raised eyebrows on the part of pundits who had been predicting a 'smackdown' but got a hug fest instead.

It raised the hopes of those who believe progressive politics is finally on the rebound in America.

And it raised the hackles of arch-conservatives who bitterly accused their erstwhile standard-bearer of selling out to those terrible tree-hugging leftists.

(I especially liked that last side effect -- sorry, über-right wingnuts, but the science is real and even Gingrich is going green these days. Deal with it.)

John Kerry and Newt Gingrich are debating the government's role in dealing with global climate change this morning at 10 am EDT, and enviromentally-minded netizens will be blogging about it in real time.

The debate, hosted by New York University’s John Brademas Center for the Study of Congress, will take place in the Russell Senate Office Building and will be broadcast live by C-Span and simultaneously webcast at http://c-span.org.

As TheHill.com notes, this event ought to be a thinking-man's matchup well worth watching:

Kerry, who bowed out of the 2008 presidential race earlier this year, has been dubbed an “environmental champion” by the non-partisan League of Conservation Voters. His website touts a long record of fighting for the environment. He and his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry also recently wrote This Moment on Earth, which addresses climate change and preserving the environment.

"Newt’s a guy who has spent a lot of time wrestling with climate change and the environment. He reads about it, he teaches about it, he writes about it,” Kerry said Thursday. “We don’t see eye to eye about everything, obviously, but that’s what makes for a good debate.

“As a father, when someone tells me that within the next decade, if we don't deal with global warming, our children and grandchildren may deal with global catastrophe, that tells me I damn well better do whatever I can to help make Washington deal with this responsibly,” Kerry added. “We need these good old-fashioned debates and forums and discussions to get everyone thinking creatively on both sides of the aisle.”

[snip]

“America should focus its energy policy in four areas,” Gingrich writes on his website. “Basic research for a new energy system, incentives for conservation, more renewable resources, and environmentally sound development of fossil fuels.

“The lengthy process of environmental planning must be made more efficient and cost effective,” he adds.

Kerry also noted he hopes this debate will keep climate change in the forefront of Americans’ minds.

“This is an issue of incredible importance to everyone’s lives, and we need to do big and small things every day to draw attention to the problem as well as the solutions. Al Gore has done a phenomenal job with his movie,” he added. “You do what you can to build the dialogue.”

Various progressive political posters will be giving the play-by-play and commenting on what they see and hear from Kerry and Gingrich on Kerry's blog this morning.

The more voices and the more different points of view that are represented in live-blogging discussions of this sort, the better the quality of the resulting discourse.

So stop by the Kerry blog and join the live-blogging thread there, and/or add your own live-blogging comments to this DCP blog thread during the debate as well.

It's scheduled to run from 10 am through 12 noon EDT, and there may be Q&A sessions afterwards, so there'll be plenty of time to put your two cents in at both locations.

________________________________________________________________________________________

As a John Kerry supporter prior to the last election, I was fortunate to become involved in his campaign so early that I was once given a "4JKB4IA" button as a gift. I wore that button last night when I heard John and Teresa talk about their book, "This Moment on Earth," and John recognized it immediately.

Preparations

The oatmeal and coffee are cooking, Eva Cassidy is singing "An American Tune", and we are getting ready for The March.

The lineup of speakers promises to be significant and inspiring. We will, at least, call in some comments to our DCP compadres, but we will also try to blog a little throughout the day as we can.

Richard:

After weeks of global warming grace, winter has finally come to Washington to greet the first major peace march since Bush announced his intention to escalate the war in Iraq. And with two aircraft carrier groups circling menacingly in the Persian Gulf, and Bush's increasingly Iraq-like rhetoric about Iran, marchers have a double-duty. Anyone who comes to town thinking that Iraq is the primary issues should start listening harder. Unbelievable though it might seem with the Democrats having just seized control of the legislative branch on a wave of anti-Iraq war sentiment, close observers of U.S troop movements are increasingly convinced that Bush intends to strike Iran, the Congress, the American people and the rest of the civilized world be damned.

If you can't be here, be sure to sign up for Monday's call-in day. CALL.

Juan Torres:

Juan and Cindy at last month's event at the White House

"I feel excited and nervous and happy because we have a different energy than two years ago. Now, after November, we feel supported as parents who have lost children. I have a lot of energy and I think I could run the march!"

Sean Penn

Jane Fonda

Larry making signs for setadeadline.com

Dennis Kucinich pounds the podium for peace!

The Code Pink Crowd this morning

The crowd from my height (5 ft. 1"!)

The DU/JK gals at our house

JR and globalvillage viewing photos

Geoff Millard is here...

Hello from the Alfishawy Care: the People's Media Center in D.C. where Jodie Evans is greeting us with the news that Sean Penn may stop by...

There is a BUZZ in DC, as buses arrive and folks wander around, ready to speak truth to power.

We have folks in this room from Minnesota, Philadelphia, Chicago, Phoenix, Sonoma CA. Downstairs The World Can't Wait folks are putting together signs. We have food, music, warmth, and MEDIA.

Ryme, who runs the People's Media Center, says she wants a mike in everyone's hands. People need to BE THE MEDIA, as we say.

Today Code Pink ran a press conference in which they put the names of many of the 650,000 Iraqi people on pairs of shoes in a 6 by 6 foot plexiglass box. The sight was awesome. (no photos yet, but here is an example)

There are, purportedly, people here representing almost all the 435 Congressional districts. The room is filling up and there are no chairs left.

I cannot tell you all how hopeful it is in here. We are seeing energy and focus in ways that we have not seen in...

YEARS.

Photos from yesterday's actions:

Cindy Sheehan listening to the names of young people killed in Iraq

Candy, a music educator from Sacramento CA, reading names

Cindy Sheehan and Jose Torres support each other; both Gold Stars parents

Juan Torres was a CPA who was dealing with financial matters at the Bagram base in Afghanistan when he was shot in the shower one night. The Army called it a suicide but his father believes he was murdered because of activities he discovered at the base.

Casey Sheehan, killed in Baghdad on April 4, 2004, Age 24

Alex Arredondo, whose father Carlos was so overcome with grief when he heard of hhis son's death he tried to set himself on fire, killed at age 20. Carlos, Alex's father, now goes around the country with an exhibit about his son's life and those of several others killed in order to prevent other parents from experiencing that kind of grief.

Photos, dates of death, ages of young people killed in Iraq across the front of the White House, where the new Democratic leadership is meeting with President Bush to develop the next phase of the invasion. We hope that they have heard us, but perhaps we need to do and say more yet.

The scene in front of the White House, circa 6 pm last night.

Nonny and Truth have indicated that they have already sent their messages in to Congress. As members of a (nominal) democracy, what can citizens do to make sure the leaders of this country understand the will of the people? What IS the will of the people? Do we have the will to do what needs to be done? What will you do today?

_____

New photos:

The opening of the protest earlier today in Upper Senate Park

Marietta holding a white rose; one was delivered to new Members today, in memory of the White Rose Society and with hope for peace.

David Swanson speaking about the dea that the Dems ought to hire the peace movement to run its press conferences...Rahm didn't get the memo however ;)

John Nicholls waiting to speak at the National Press Club

Gore Vidal speaks

There is a lot going on in the next month and we at the DCP would like to inform you and encourage you to voice your own concerns in ways that can build on the following events:

Come to Washington on January 2nd, 3rd, and 4th:

Lafayette Park) Participants will be reading the names of the soldiers KIA in Iraq and setting up a visual. They have invited the Congressional Out of Iraq Caucus to join in.
http://tinyurl.com/y6zh5l

Jan 4
12pm Rally sponsored by World Can't Wait at Upper Senate Park (Delaware & Constitution, just north of the Capitol)
http://tinyurl.com/y4m2w7

7pm National Press Club Impeachment Forum sponsored by World Can't Wait, open to the public:
529 14th Street Northwest (one block east of the White House)

Speakers to Include:
Cindy Sheehan,
John Nichols of the Nation,
Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights,
Debra Sweet of World Can't Wait
MC: David Swanson of AfterDowningStreet, Democrats.com
With a special recorded message from Gore Vidal
http://tinyurl.com/y4m2w7

________________

Take Action in Your Own Towns

1. If you can't join the folks in Washington, you can print out the information sheet they'll be using there and take it to your own Congressmember's district office:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/investigations

2. Collect signatures on petitions, especially in front of your Congress Member's offices.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/petition

3. Join a Congressional District Impeachment Committee to help send a message to your Representative:

http://www.democrats.com/cdic

4. Pass resolutions in your town or city, state, political party, or labor union:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/resolutions

________________

March and Lobby in Washington on January 27th, 28th, and 29th

Come to Washington, D.C., on January 27. Join in the march for peace being organized by United for Peace and Justice, and impeachment events on January 28th being planned by Progressive Democrats of America.

Make appointments now to meet with your Congressmember on January 29th to talk about impeachment and peace. Get organized with others in your Congressional District.

_________

Sign Up for Lobby Day Now

Register now for the UFPJ Congressional Advocacy Day (lobby day) January 29, 2007

Register Here:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/modinput4.php?modin=121

Plan to spend three days in D.C. On Saturday, march. On Sunday, take part in workshops and training sessions on peace and impeachment. Meet with fellow activists from your state and congressional district and prepare for Monday. On Monday, educate your Congress Member and Senators on two things:

1. Funding for this war.
2. Investigations of the justification for and conduct of this war.

_________

We are sure there are other creative activities that citizen activists and journalists can think of to do. We want to encourage everyone to not only build on and participate in the activities listed above, but also to make a difference at the neighborhood level, where democracy really flourishes. Let us all know what you can and will be doing as the new year opens!

"You win some. You lose some. And then there's that little known third category." - Al Gore -

Meet the new Congressman-elect from the Great State of Texas

Ciro Rodriguez

Last evening, in the last Congressional race of the 2006 cycle, Democrat Ciro Rodriguez beat the pants off of Republican Henry Bonilla, bringing the total number of seats gained by the Democrats in the US House of Representatives to 31.

But the Ciro Rodriguez story is not about Democrats versus Republicans for me. It's about the power of the people.

Remember how the Ciro story got going? It got started on Daily Kos, and Ciro's opponent in the Democratic primary, Henry Cuellar's people called it a one day story. THAT'S how this began. And Ciro lost that primary, but he never put away his campaign signs, and then next time out, he won, and went on to beat Bonilla last night.

Now, it's no secret that the DCCC pumped beaucoup bucks into the race in that last couple few weeks. That's not my point. My point is that a year ago, the DCCC would have been scratching their collective whatevers, and looking around that room with dazed blank facial expressions if someone had raised the name of Ciro Rodriguez. Back then, we would have had a response of yawning, not fawning.

No, the point here is that the PEOPLE brought Ciro forward as a candidate. The PEOPLE raised money through Act Blue pages, organized phone banks, reached out to fellow voters and in general worked their asses off for a guy that they believed might not win, but deserved a chance to compete. And they gave him enough support to bring him within striking distance of Bonilla, so that the DCCC would back him in the closing days.

THAT is power. And that is only ONE of the lessons to be taken from this story.

Here's another lesson from this story: Ciro Rodriguez won by nine points. In ALL of the Dec. 5, 2006 polling, Ciro was down by nine points. Let's all remember that the next time we see a poll that looks bad for a candidate that you support and it's a week out from an election.

And here's what I think is the most important lesson. Many political types, unfamiliar with what real political blogging is about, talk about the miracle of political blogging as the ability to raise money over the internets. How much money Howard Dean raised in small donor money is often cited. And yes, that was interesting then, and in this last cycle, that has become an even more formidable weapon in the PEOPLE'S arsenal than in the 2004 cycle.

But no, that was not the miracle of the Dean story.

The miracle of the Dean story was that complete strangers, from across the country, to across the world, talked to each other about politics and what mattered to them for the first time in a very long time. The miracle of the Dean story, is that complete strangers invited other complete strangers into their homes, their work and their lives. All for a political cause. All to take action. All of them, intent on making their voices heard and using some part of their lives in service to making the world a better place.

Now THAT is a miracle. And it's a miracle that the people can make happen.

More of that, please.

I have been so embedded in Camp Democracy that I have had little time to share with all of you the details, much less the highlights. But today, the tents come down, the equipment is stored, and everyone moves on to the next phase.

And I have some things to say.

First of all, this was a very challenging project, because many who enthused early on found fault as the planning evolved. Democracy is messy. In the absence of positive clear-headed decision-making by the many, efficiency tends to take over and not everyone feels "heard". It reminded me of past group efforts, including the JK Campaign, and I spent a small amount of time reminding my fellow organizers about the six phases of a project:

1. Enthusiasm
2. Disillusionment
3. Panic
4. Search for the Guilty
5. Punishment of the Innocent
6. Praise and Honors for the Non-Participants

We had amazing moments, and large crowds at times. The highlights I witnessed are below, but the major theme definitely came from Arun Gandhi, Mahatma's grandson:

Arun often ends his discussions about his grandfather by telling the parable of a King who wanted to know how to bring about world peace. His advisors told him to travel to an old wise man who may have the answer. So the King made the long journey and asked the old wise man how to bring about world peace. In response, the sage placed a single seed of wheat in the King’s palm. The King was too embarrassed to ask the meaning of this and so returned to his kingdom with the seed and placed it in a small gold box. Still unable to determine its meaning he finally asked one of his learned advisors its meaning. The advisor explained that peace begins like a small seed, but it cannot grow if it is kept locked away. True peace begins in the heart, but inner peace must be transferred into the world. It must be planted so it can grow.

Camp Democracy opens in less than one week, on Tuesday, September 5th!

Read about our press conference at the National Press Club on Tuesday, August 29th and all of the amazing speakers lined up for Camp Democracy.

We still need volunteers. Please ask everyone you know to sign up.

Tabling only costs $25 per day. Why not set up a table with your information?

Here are free rooms and rides.

If you can send a bus and need help paying for it, ask us at:
david@davidswanson.org

If you need help filling it, post it on the board.

You can help spread the word about Camp Democracy with the tools found on this page, including a local event guide, a sample press release, Email announcements, flyers, posters, web banners, audio of a public service announcement, a student activism kit, and a short blurb for newsletters.

Dress for success. You cannot buy shirts at Camp Democracy, but you can buy them beforehand.

Please make an appointment with your Congress Member in Washington on September 19th and join us for a day of lobbying, preceded by a day of training on September 18th.

Do you ever wish you knew how to create podcasts? Or Op-eds? Or could sing loud and clear directly to Congress?

Do you ever think about what it would be like to be with thousands upon thousands of people who decide to return this country to a democracy by making their presence known in Washington DC? Folks like Cindy Sheehan, Howard Zinn, performing artists, musicians, writers, peace activists, veterans, blue-collar workers, immigrants...

Do you feel called to do something more than read and talk about the current wars, abuses, and loss of human and civil rights?

Do you have wisdom and/or skills to share?

Do you want to inspire others? Do you want to BE inspired?

HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH YET?

If these questions make your heart beat a little faster, you need to make your plans NOW for September 5-21 and beyond. Come to the National Mall in Washington DC for Camp Democracy.

We're not talking about another rally or march here. We're talking about bringing people together to learn the skills we need to make democracy work for everyone. And along the way, we'll celebrate the spirit that moves us with music and dance and theater.

Camp Democracy's multi-day events are a chance to learn about democracy in a whole different way.

We especially encourage everyone to come during September 9-11, when workshops will abound and follow-up plans will be made. September 11 is, in addition to the fifth anniversary of 9-11, the 100th anniversary of Gandhi's nonviolence movement and we will be honoring the tenets of nonviolence that day through workshops, music, dance, and films. Come and learn how to actively create peace and justice.

And then, please stay and help us make it happen, or go home and make it happen. The time is now, and the vehicle is US.

http://www.campdemocracy.org/

Oncall and Vic regaling Kay with tales of online politics...

It was a lovely afternoon at Fern's when suddenly, a loud whistle pierced the din in the bar.

The room was invaded by seven men in bright red devil suits, led by a guy in armor with a sword. The Vulcans had arrived.

Vulcans

The Vulcans are a St. Paul tradition, born of the Winter Carnival. They are mischievous merry-makers and civic-minded individuals who enjoy meeting the community members. Today they met the DCP.

We got to hold the "Sword of Mars". The GREAT Sword of Mars. (Eat your heart out, Larry)

The Vulcans carry on a tradition that began in 1886, when town leaders decided to prove to the nation that humans could survive in Minnesota year-round. (Apparently, liquor helps.) And in fact, it worked. People actually LIVE here.

Jean and Vic, for example, our beautiful hostesses.

The Vulcans were enthralled with the DCP, believing in the value of community, helping your neighbor, and defending your country. We had scintillating conversations about grassroots activism and volunteerism. We have lots of advice from them for the progressive forces.

To keep warm, or to emphasize their points, they play with fire:

Vi and Karen are impressed...

And then, oh joy, we got to ride the Vulcan FIRE TRUCK:

That's Vic on the left, me, Karen (NoisyDem), above her is Oncall, with Vi and Suz, ummm, driving?

They have their own website too.

The household is awakening; perhaps like the rest of America, perhaps not.

Coffee is brewing and discussions are already happening. What do we need to be doing, as the DCP and as individuals, to turn this horrific ship around?

Dick pondering and writing

Vic in her element

Suz reading--plotting? Where will she freeway blog next?

We do not need to recount the myriad of issues and concerns we all share. What we need to do is to discuss the myriad of actions, both online and locally, that we feel need to be taken in the next six months.

Each of us will take turns outlining some thoughts in the comments section of this thread and we ask each of you to add your own. Please feel free to put links to articles and news items in the previous thread so we can also keep up with the day's news. But let's keep this thread for the day-long conversation of the next six months.

CALL IN:

1:00pm Saturday Eastern
12:00 noon Central
11:00am Mountain
10:00am Pacific

218-936-6666

press 2

Access code: 160214#

We need your voice.

Yesterday morning we woke up early, determined to speak some truth to power. We arrived at ABC News a little after 8, and almost immediately Senator Lugar arrived. He was cordial but obviously in a hurry to get inside.

A little later George Stephanopoulos came outside and was quite supportive and sweet to us. He said he would stop by Lafayette Park. He understood why we are doing this action. Lots of good eye contact.

We waited around for Sen. Lugar to come out and engaged in discussions with the cameramen and a few security and police who came by to question us. One guy told us we were blocking the sidewalk (we had left an aisle for folks to walk) and we pointed out that the CAMERAS and MICROPHONES were actually blocking the sidewalk. But in all cases, when we said that we were people who had not eaten in six days, opposition and confrontation melted. People tend to look down, to think, and to become very different. It touches people in a very personal and ethical place to see others deliberately choosing not to eat for a cause.

Dick Gregory told us that a fast is spiritual and I think that is what he meant.

Sen. Lugar came out eventually (we could see him sitting inside and we held up a sign saying "We just want to talk to you").

Toby Blome, who had actually run into and met briefly with Sen. Lugar spoke with him at some length. He was telling her he would not change his position and would not meet with us, but what she was saying did seem to affect him. We followed him to his car after he gave his statement to the press and it did appear he could not look at us at all.

Toby Blome and Sen. Lugar discuss the war

Fasters Join in the Media Moment

We headed over to CBS to see if Sen. McCain and Sen. Dodd were available. Sen. McCain did his protion by remote, but Sen. Dodd came out and gave a very strong sound bite against the war. He called Iraq "a mess" and said the troops need to come home very soon.

He approached me immediately afterwards and we had a warm and useful discussion. He said "Bless you" about our fast, and agreed to meet with us. I gave him some information.

And then we headed back to Lafayette Park for another day of spirit and longing.

Sen. Dodd seems to have been fasting too. He feels for me.

I am giving him a press release that's about the U.S. testing missiles and sending them from Vandenburg AFB in CA towards Korea. I am asking him to look into this and to encourage the Senate to do so with him.

ANNOUNCEMENT: I will be suspending my fast for a few days while I head to NYC to begin rehearsals. I will resume it while I am in DC. Suz has offered to fast in my stead, and she will be doing so in her hometown. Suz is the only person, right now, committed to fasting in her town and she plans to take it public. She will need a lot of support, as it is much harder to do this alone. Suz, I send you lots of love and the support of all fasting here in Washington DC.

Redford Talks About the Apollo Alliance

The Backbone Project folks take the Chain Gang through the space (Condi looks familiar, no?)

Hillary Clinton was forceful! Not entirely for troops coming home yet, but forceful...

Nancy Pelosi voted against the war...she reminded us

Fire in that eye!

JK and his sidekick, the ever-lovely Marvin

Russ Feingold reasons and shares the truth.

Just got off the phone with Karen. Our crew is working to overcome networking problems at the Hilton and will post new threads on today's events later today.

Today's highlights will include the addresses by Senators Russ Feingold and Barack Obama.

So stay tuned...

Carol Sharick is a mom, an administrative support staffer at a small liberal arts college, a blogger, and a local activist.

Here at the DCP we know her dry sense of humor and level-headed commentary. She was selected by the progressive community as the best entrant in Campaign for America's Future "What is a progressive?" contest.

Here is her winning entry:

“A progressive is someone who understands that it is the people of our country who make it great, and unless we take care of the people first, we'll never be successful in maintaining our greatness. Taking care of the people means providing healthcare for everyone. It means keeping the environment clean, safe and preserved. It means great schools and great jobs. It means improving the lives of families, rather than lining the pockets of big business, or big politicians. It means taking care of each other here, and around the world. We're all in this together.”

Carol is sitting next to me at the Bloggers' Row table. She is here as a special guest of Take Back America. We talked...

Hot on the heels of our coverage of The Yearly Kos Convention in Las Vegas, we are continuing our reporting of the best political happenings.

Watch this space for our first live blogpost from convention, opening this morning in Washington, DC.

In the meantime, I hear Dick is hanging out, waiting for Robert Redford to stick his head in the door. Poor Dick--he gets all the crappy assignments, doesn't he?

[Editor's note: The Congressional Progressive Caucus held an ad hoc public hearing on Capitol Hill today addressing the question: Would war with Iran help or hurt U.S. national security?]

Rep. Barbara Lee opens the session by reminding us that she proposed HRes 82, which disavows pre-emption as a foreign relations approach. She proposes that we are heading towards pre-emption with Iran. Iran is heading towards a quagmire and "This is not an administration that can be trusted".

She points out no oversight hearings have been held on pre-emption on Iran and ask "how can we force these to happen? We want the truth told, in keeping with our Constitutional responsibilities."

The goal for today: Prevent another misguided war and address pre-emption.

Members and speakers: Rep. Lynne Woolsey

Members who are here: Manuel Becerra, Jim McDermott, Chris Van Hollen, Rush Holt, Jan Schakowsky, Steve Rothman

First speaker:

Professor Samantha Power

Professor Power is Former Executive Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy and author of the widely acclaimed, thought-provoking book entitled “A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide.” She will address: The Use of Force and Key Questions About the Bush Doctrine of Preemptive Warfare in the Post 9/11 World. Pulitzer for nonfiction, Books Critics Nonfiction and Council on Foreign Relations.

She is talking about pre-emption in the context of genocide. She wrote a book about the major responses of the US to genocide over the 20th century. The response has generally been one of apathy.

How many saw the NY Times cartoon showing a protest, with a two-sided sign; one side said "Get out of Iraq" and the other side said "Get Into Darfur"...Well, that's what we see over and over.

She makes four points:

1. On the non-use of force in service of our values: Lessons of 20th C. genocide: looking at it allows us to isolate how we act when "mere" values are at stake, and otherwise -- the toolbox we have of diplomacy, denunciation, prosecution, coalitions, sanctions, etc., stays shut. Exceptions occur when the nexus of international and domestic political costs (Darfur and Balkans are examples), but in any case the response is both spasmodic and reactive. Eventually, the hammer comes down. Also, historically there has been no domestic political price for early response. Weakness begets weakness politically.

2. American power: In the old days we measured power by stash; the GNP, military and economic power. The Republican party does not know that true power is measured in influence. Credibility counts as well. Power is measured by competence also--Katrina response affects the perception of the US's competence around the world. They also see we cannot finish what we set out to do. We need to recalibrate our words and reframe.

3. It's not just us -- that is, issues of competence and legitimacy -- there's a void on the international stage right now -- the welfare of humans need to be taken seriously. The Khaddafi article in New Yorker - Khadaffi's son was asked about what they would do without an army if Egypt attacks them". His response: "Why should Libya have an army; the US will defend us." Meanwhile, there are no takers for protection forces in Darfur.

Today in front of the White House, we have soothing rain, bright sun, rainbows, and heart-filled spirits, or spirit-filled hearts, or filled spirit-hearts...

You get the picture. In case you don't:

Photo by Sam Utne / Spectral Q
The aerial image was designed by John Quigley and organized by CODEPINK: Women for Peace, hundreds of mothers, grandmothers and their families send a Mother's Day message to the White House: Mom says NO WAR.

(That's my body; on the right side of the "y" in "says"; Dick is the bottom of the "s" in that word, and Larry is the very end of the "r" in "WAR"! But you could all tell that, right?)

Rev. Yearwood talks about the links between Katrina and Iraq. His message: we have to conquer racism first.

Dahlia Wafsi shares what it is like in Basra when rockets are flying by you--from the British headquarters

Andy Shallal fed everyone--amazing job!

Everyone in front of the White House just an hour ago.

Iraq War Veterans Speak Out

Can you find Dharma's Mom in this photo?

Medea Benjamin leads us in a rousing "I Ain't Gonna Study War No More"

An almost full moon rises over the heart-filled circle in front of the White House.

We will be going back soon. It's remarkable. Hope these photos help you touch this moment.

GETTING READY

THE DRESS SAYS IT ALL

JILL SOBULE? WARMING UP

JODIE, MEDEA, AND GAEL GET IT GOING

It's a gorgeous day and the Mall is packed. Finally, an issue everyone can get behind. The crowd is diverse and international.

Here is the first person we ran into:

That's Elie Wiesel, holocaust survivor and spokesperson against torture.

"As a Jew, I'm here because when we needed people to help us, nobody came," Wiesel, the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize winner, told the applauding crowd. "Therefore, we're here."

Music is playing, the kids are off taking photos and getting local color--we will check in here as we can.

We've all been here before, but perhaps not quite so soberly or aware. David Swanson is being interviewed on WPFW, and he is telling Verna Avery Brown that today is about "putting a face on the war".

Are we ready to see those faces?

Keep coming back and we'll discuss it.

The organizers planned for 5000 but 40,000 filled the streets, and not a single arrest was made. It was life-changing to experience this and to know that this was happening all over the country. These photos help speak for me. If our country is inclusive enough to reject the Sensenbrenner bill, I could feel patriotic for the first time in awhile. This also taught me alot about the true meaning of family values. We have so much more than we realize in this country, and there is enough for all. Wedges are driven between us, but warfare and pay raises to CEOs dwarf what it would cost for all of us to have a decent standard of living. I am so proud to live in a multicultural nation of hard-working people, a nation of immigrants, a place where people can still dream.

Many of you know that I continually encourage us to act publicly. There are a number of reasons for this, despite the occasional feeling that it is a lonely chest-beating dance:

It makes those who act feel like we are doing SOMETHING, no matter how small, as Howard Zinn continually reminds us.

It encourages others who merely watch and lets them know they are not alone.

It emboldens some to act in even smaller ways but it begins a journey for them.

It sends a message to the powers-that-be that people are not really asleep and we are paying attention.

Also, that we are armed with the truth.

So it is with renewed hope that I share the following announcement from Code Pink:

Dear CODEPINK Activist,

Mother's Day is often seen as if through a soft-focus lens -- a sentimental day of cards and flowers and frills. It has a surprisingly radical history, however. Just as International Women’s Day, March 8, started as a day for women to rise up for peace and justice, so did Mother’s Day in the US begin with Julia Ward Howe’s inspirational 1870 Proclamation against the carnage of the Civil War:

Arise then...women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts!… Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, For caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We, the women of one country, Will be too tender of those of another country To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs." From the voice of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!

Julia goes on to exhort women to leave their homes and gather for an “earnest day of counsel” to figure out how “the great human family can live in peace.” It’s time to take Julia’s words to heart and bring them to fruition in the world. Bouquets of spring flowers may be lovely, but lasting peace is the greatest way to honor all mothers -- past, present and future. Read the rest of Julia's Proclamation here.

Join us this Mother's Day weekend, May 13-14, in Washington DC as we gather for a 24-hour vigil outside the White House. Bring your mother, your children, your grandmother, your friends, your loved ones. Come for the whole vigil (4pm Saturday to 4pm Sunday) or for a few hours! We’ll sing, dance, drum, bond, laugh, cry and hug. We’ll write letters to Laura Bush to appeal to her own mother-heart, and read them aloud. We’ll discuss new ideas for ending the war and building peace. In the final two hours, from 2-4pm on Sunday, we’ll be joined by some amazing celebrity actresses, singers, writers--and moms. For more information and a schedule of events to help you plan your trip, check out the Mothers' Day page on the CODEPINK website. If you can’t join us, you can create or join a Mother's Day activity in your own community. For ideas to help you plan an action check out the resources section of the Mother's Day page.

And whether you’re in the US or overseas, please consider writing a letter to Laura Bush to ask her how she, as a mother, can continue to support a war that is leaving scores of American and Iraqi mothers bereft. Send your letters to laurabush@codepinkalert.org, we’ll deliver them en masse; we'll also take the most compelling letters and turn them into a book, “Letters to Laura.”

Let’s make this Mother’s Day, May 14, one where we heed Julia Ward Howe’s original call to action. Let’s come together to build the world we want for our children --and our mothers.

******

Of course, men and those who are NOT mothers can consider participating in these actions -- we all HAD mothers. Think about 5 million PARTICIPANTS in this 24-hour project. Think about doing whatever you can do to deliver your personal point of view to the White House.

It's a democracy, as long as we say it is, and as long as we ACT within it.

All photos by Dick Bell and Karen Bradley.

Ann Wright, "Hope comes from your feet."

Dr Entisar Mohammad Ariabi told us about how many doctors have been killed and how many have left Iraq, leaving a huge gap in medical care, especially for women.

HR 4437 is a bill that was protested by thousands yesterday at the Capitol. Learn more about its lovely provisions here: http://tinyurl.com/fsndp

The Democracy Cell Project is reporting live from the Capitol, and will be doing so all evening.

WASHINGTON D.C.-Live Blogging the SOTU, and the Alternative SOTU happenings around Washington DC from today's activities and the plans for the evening events.

Karen is reporting in to us right now.

She is standing directly front of the Capitol. A cold wind is blowing in Washington tonight. Interestingly enough, there are about 14 FEMA trucks between the protesters and the Capitol itself. It's possible, though hard to believe, that these trucks somehow got lost on their way to provide relief in Louisiana, for what other purpose could they be here, when help is still so desperately needed there?

It's sadly heartwarming to see that flags are flying at half-mast in observance of the death of civil rights icon Coretta Scott King. To the program tonight for the Alternative SOTU, we have added a bagpiper who will be playing Amazing Grace at the beginning of the event, to honor Mrs. King's memory.

Right now nationally known performers Chris Chandler and David Roe are setting up the and sound checking their instruments. They will be contributing spoken word and musical performances this evening, along with geurilla poets, jazz musicians, folk musicians, a few tap dancers (and you thought they were all tap dancers in Washington were members of Congress, busily answering corruption charges), along with The Rhythm Workers Union, who will be bringing in the "mother drum ship". We're not quite sure what a "mother drum ship is", but it is certain to be more interesting than watching Mrs.Sob Sister Alito in the gallery sitting with the self-styled Laura "I AM a Desperate Housewife" Bush.

Earlier today, Karen wandered through many alternatives to the State of the Union. One highlight of the afternoon was the large "Impeach Bush" sign being driven around the neighborhood, courtesy of The Velvet Revolution.

Gold Star Mother Cindy Sheehan is doing many events today and Karen has run into her several times, and can report that it's much warmer in Venezuela than Washington, in more ways than one.

As the day wore on, it became clear that more people than ever before, are coming out of their homes and into the street to protest this president's policies and the lies and deceptions he and his administration have used to sell them to an unwitting, and sadly, and unquestioning public. But the public of years before, is not the public this administration will be facing this evening. The public is sending this President a message-his popularity is at 39% for a reason. People are angry, dissatisfied, and remember the sixteen words from the State of the Union of two years ago. And they remember that they were lied to. And the anger and the questions have just begun.

The limosines are beginning to arrive, carrying the scions of political power once more behind the gates, and away from We the People. But not for long.

Evening has fallen in Washington, and the perfume of dissent is sweeping briskly through the air.

Written and reported by Karen B. and Casey Morris, The Democracy Cell Project

[Editors Note: Cross-posted at The Daily Kos. There will be live blogging of the SOTU this evening beginning at 8:45 here on The Democracy Cell Project Blog, and in the IRC Chat Room. Please come join us.]

KAREN WILL BE LIVE BLOGGING GORE'S SPEECH BEGINNING AT NOON (EST).

CSPAN will also be showing the broadcasting the event live:

The American Constitution Society and the Liberty Coalition host a speech by Fmr. Vice Pres. Al Gore at the DAR Hall in Washington. Gore speaks about the limits of executive power, the issue of monitoring domestic communications and the authorization of the use of torture in the war against terrorism.

Please join us for this event on the blog or in the IRC chatroom.

Blog item written by Casey Morris and Suz Krueger.

David Swanson

Cliff Kindy and Kevin Zeese

Lila Rajiva

John Judge

I was late to our Town Hall event because I had a houseful of guests, so unfortunately I missed Congressman Jim McDermott. I did arrive in time to see the giant "Backbone" puppet exiting the Seattle Labor Temple. A woman asked me, "Is there a giant Backbone around the corner?" and I replied "Yes, I just saw one." I was quite familiar with the Giant Spine from Vashon Island, WA, having seen it around locally at various events and also at the DNC Convention, Summer 2004. Each vertebrae contains a plank for a progressive platform, and awards are given to political figures (and courageous citizens). I was glad to join the colorful procession (complete with percussion) and we carried the Backbone like some kind of crazy political Chinese dragon! We went first to KIRO (Fox outlet) and then to KOMO, and when no one came to the door, we taped our Letter to the Editor of each paper, with demands for media transparency and balance. We did this in the shadow of the Space Needle.

For more information, see http://www.backbonecampaign.org. (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.)

Here I sit, in a Cosi's in Northern Virginia, with an incredible group of activists from After Downing Street, the World Can't Wait, Progressive Dems and other groups, talking about the full array of actions coming up over the next few months. This is the belly of the beast, and the energy and commitment to turning this country around is palpable.

We are about to hear John Murtha. I will update this piece as I can.

Just a reminder to everyone here: the DCP is a place to teach and learn about democracy and democratic (small "d) practices and principles. All comments in that direction are appreciated.

Check today's front page to see how you can get involved with bringing our country back. You are empowered to speak truth to power, and to act in concert with others. Let's go.

*****

I just walked around this now-VERY-packed room to ask people what they hope to hear tonight. Responses:

Lois: "I want to hear we are getting out quickly." Jug: (her husband): "I want to hear from a strong Democrat." They are from Wyoming.

Tom and Elaine from Virginia: "We want to hear that Murtha has support from Congress."

Jack from Alexandria: "That Dems in Congress can begin the groundswell of resistence--getting out of this damnable war."

Susan from Virginia: "I want to hear what he saw in Iraq. He's been there."

Mary from Virginia: "I want to know why there are no young people here. This is about a war and they are affected."

John, in a wheelchair, a Catholic Worker: "I want to hear about the U.S withdrawing from Iraq."

Stan, from Falls Church: "I want an action plan. What is he going to do? dates? strategy?

David Swanson: "The best would be that these two Congressman support ending the occupation completely: no permanent bases, no rescue forces, no concessions to the idea that illegal occupation is acceptable. If I'm REALLY lucky--step out in support of holding the Bush Administration responsible; support Rep. Conyers' House Resolution 635."

Yesterday I ran into the FEMA protest at the corner of Independence and 1st. Led by the Rev. Yearwood, the determined group headed down the street towards the House Office Buildings.

Several were Hurricane Katrina survivors and the Rev. gathered them around for a prayer once they arrived at the HOB.

He said, "FEMA has made a disaster of disaster relief. Don't turn the Gulf Coast into Disneyland. Fix the water, the lights, the hospitals."

He said, "Point relief, not fingers."

I have heard the Rev. Yearwood on a number of occasions lately, and he is a pretty powerful and impassioned speaker. Today it occurred to me just how committed he is. His voice can ring and it can chill. He is a poet and a soul catcher, a fighter and a minister of peace. Keep your eye (and ear) out for him; he will be traveling around the country soon.

The next meeting was a planning meeting with several groups for a mobilization in late April. Questions abound and are not answered yet: should there be one action in one place or in several places across the country? Should it be focused on the entire Bush administration, Congress, or one issue, or many issues, all of which are intertwined and inform each other?

What becomes clear to me as I attend and listen and share my own perspectives is that so many of us are aching for a solution. It is painful to see the loss of freedoms, the arrogance, the spin, and especially the lies that are told in support of a regime that seems to be doing its best to eliminate democracy. But it is heartening to hear that, even though we may not all be on the same page all the time, that tactics and strategies are only part of the picture. The picture also includes passion, attention, formidable knowledge, and a breadth of concerns. I was touched, as I listened to the discussions today, that so many of us care about so many of us.

I was raised in a geeky family. In terms of popular culture, this meant that we eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners of the Nobel Prizes with the exact same eagerness as we watched the beautiful, the breathless and the tearful accept an Academy award or the Miss America crown.

As an adult, I still eagerly await the announcement of the Nobel Prize winners, but now I also eagerly await their Nobel lectures. I crave more insight into these exceptional minds. Sometimes, it's the first time we get such access, and often it is the only time.

So when Harold Pinter was selected earlier this year as the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, I thought, "Well, that's going to be one damn interesting lecture." I thought that because I have long been a fan of Pinter's work. His literary work to be sure, but I mean his other work. His political work. I felt certain that this would be the thrust of his speech. And the man did not disappoint.

If you wish to hear the lecture for yourself, click here, and follow the link for high or low band-width. You will need RealPlayer. If you wish to read the text, click here.

For those that wish to do neither, I will hit a few of the highlights below of his lecture, titled, "Art, Truth, and Politics".

It was a chilly but beautiful day and a good day to help save the environment.

My friend Bert has just put up a diary at Kos which shows people in Minneapolis braving the cold to do just that, at DailyKos.com. See here the global march organizer's site (UK). Karen has had this on the front of the DCP site, with local events: http://3dec2005.org/United-States. (See also Climate Change Protests Worldwide).

Protesters from 32 countries united for the first whole-earth demonstration to fight global warming. This protest coincided with the 10-day UN conference in Montreal, which will set the new plan once the Kyoto Treaty expires in 2012.

The march in downtown Montreal was the largest. The London protest passed the offices of Tony Blair, Exxon Mobil, to the American and Australian embassies and there was an address by George Monbiot. Similar protests were held from Helsinki to Seoul.

In US, fuel-efficient cars rallied round the White House. In New Orleans, there was a "Save New Orleans" street party in the French Quarter. Other US events were held from Boston to LA. 600,000 Americans signed a petition to urge the Bush Administratoin to help slow global warming.The Arctic Inuit demanded action to save their ice caps.

Other countries that participated:
Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Phillipines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, Uganda, United States, Venezuela.

The Conference in Montreal has represntatives attending from 189 countries and much time will be spent trying to persuade America, a huge per capita polluter and consumer, to join up. The US did not ratify the Kyoto treaty, even though 35 industrialized nations did, and Britain has backslid on its commitments despite being a big industrial polluter, producing 25% of carbon emissions. Australia is another isolate nation who will not play along. By 2050, China and India are projected to be the biggest polluters, so the new plan needs to include them in a proactive way.

As the Independent reports, there is a long way to go.

"Even the original Kyoto agreement is failing to meet expectations. In 11 European Union countries emissions have grown, not shrunk. In Japan, emissions are nearly 18 per cent above target while in Canada - host of this week's meeting - the gap is almost 30 per cent."

"Despite hopes among the Canadian and EU delegations, led by the British presidency, that the Bush administration can still be coaxed into the talks process, Washington has already bluntly ruled out any new commitments - pointing instead to a voluntary undertaking to cut greenhouse emissions by 18 per cent by 2012."

"Instead the only proposal creating a buzz around the conference building this week was the idea, championed by Papua New Guinea, for wealthy countries to pay developing nations to preserve rainforests by not cutting down trees. The loss of tropical forest accounts for 20 per cent of carbon emissions by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide filtered from the air."

from TruthOut reprint:

"If he (Bush) thinks (Hurricane) Katrina was bad, there are a lot worse hurricanes on their way if he doesn't change his policy," Britain's former Environment Minister Michael Meacher told demonstrators outside the US embassy in London.

Health experts at the UN conference said Friday that global warming is responsible for as many as 150,000 deaths annually around the world.

In my own area (Pacific NW), global warming may be devastating, as we lose mountain snows that bring us water.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001857961_warming14m.html

We're one year old today!!! Exactly one year ago today, the Democracy Cell Project opened for blog business and Dick Bell welcomed us all with these words...

Every day, we will be here for you, to help and guide you when you have problems, and to learn from your own organizing efforts, whether you have setbacks or successes.

Please take some time out today to look back on this past year and tell us what has worked well, what hasn't worked so well, and what the DCP has meant to you.

The limos had to sneak up the side alley--he skulked out and into the AEI building...

Code Pink had a banner...and the media responded.

Gael Murphy read the letter you may have signed at http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/chalabi

And last, but not least, OUR PRESIDENT and VICE-PRESIDENT at the American Enterprise Institute. Wave hello, kids!

After uploading the earlier photos, I returned just in time to see everyone lined up along the alleyway. Gael was giving Chalabi a piece of her not inconsiderable mind...

A