Sen. Feingold to Receive Backbone Award During Seattle Visit

[paineinthearse]

Sen. Feingold to Receive Backbone Award During Seattle Visit
Celebrate the leadership and courage of one of our finest Senators.

Saturday, May 20, 12:30 PM
Whittier Elementary School
1320 NW 75th Street
Seattle, Washington
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The Backbone Campaign will present Senator Russ Feingold a Backbone Award outside a Seattle rally organized by the Washington State Democrats. Click here for details about that event.

On March 13, 2006, Senator Russ Feingold introduced a resolution to censure George W. Bush for illegally wiretapping U.S. citizens. Despite pleas from citizens around the country, only three other Senators have had the courage to co-sponsor his bill: Sen. Barbara Boxer - (co-sponsored on 3/16/2006), Sen. Tom Harkin (co-sponsored on 3/15/2006), and Sen. John F. Kerry - (co-sponsored on 5/11/2006).

Unlike many Senators, Russ Feingold does not shy away from politically lonely decisions. It was his solo vote against the now controversial PATRIOT Act on October 11, 2001 that grabbed the attention of many citizens concerned that the attacks on 9-11-2001 would be used to undermine the liberties guaranteed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Those concerns and his vote of protest were well warranted, as many American principles once taken for granted are now either threatened, or considered out-dated by the current Administration. (Principles such as: habeas corpus, attorney-client privilege, right to a speedy trial, no indefinite detention, individual privacy, need for warrant before tapping phones, not to mention adherence to international prohibitions on torture, and preventive war.)

Feingold is leading on ending the occupation on Iraq as well. In June 2005, Senator Feingold became the first senator to offer a resolution calling on the President to offer a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, suggesting the end of 2006 as a target date. On April 27 of this year, the Senator offered an amendment to the emergency supplemental appropriations bill calling for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq by December 31, 2006.

For these reasons, the Backbone Campaign is pleased for the opportunity to recognize Senator Feingold for his boldness and political courage with our Backbone Award. Please join us at this event. RSVP to let us know you'll be there. Gather near the Backbone table at 12:15, as the place and timing of the presentation will be determined by event organizers.

About the Backbone Campaign

The Backbone Campaign and its partner organization ProgressiveGovernment.org strive to embolden citizens and elected officials to stand up for progressive values. The Backbone Campaign is a leader in the use of metaphor and spectacle, employing political theater to champion a positive vision for the country and hold elected officials accountable. The Backbone Award is one aspect of this work. Past recipients include: Rep. Jim McDermott, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Gov. Howard Dean, Rep. Cynthia McKinney, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., and Rep. Lynn Woolsey.

Backbone Awards, Spineless Citations, The 70 foot Backbone Puppet festooned with a progressive agenda, and our new Bush & Co. Chain Gang all serve to amplify the vision and promise of the progressive movement. The backbone is a rich metaphor, symbolizing our interlocking agenda, a natural coalition based on common values, and the personal courage necessary to fight for a future worthy of our children.

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email: [e-mail]

[Sugarcoated]

1. Fabulous to hear

he just does his thing without calculation and fanfare. He fills my heart with hope.

[sutz12]

2. My homies are representin'

:thumbsup:

:kick:

K & R

[eridani]

3. Proud to be represented by "Baghdad Jim"

and to have supported Dennis Kucinich in 2004

[paineinthearse]

4. "Baghdad Jim"?

Please explain.

[flpoljunkie]

5. Assume it is Rep. Jim McDermott, as mentioned in the post.

[eridani]

6. The tag local conservatives gave Jim McDermott--

--after he visited Iraq in 2002 trying to avert war. He addressed the parliament and recommended cooperation with UN inspectors. Unlike Rumsfeld, he didn't shake hands with Saddam and sell him a bunch of arms.