Emails from the leftwing groups, attacking Judge Roberts

Here are some blast emails being sent out by the looney left, attacking Judge John Roberts:

Moveon.org: ************* Supreme Court: Petition to Stop Corporate Lawyer Roberts

Last night, President Bush nominated a right-wing lawyer and corporate lobbyist to take Justice O'Connor's seat on the Supreme Court. Tell your senators to oppose Roberts now by signing the petition at:

Dear MoveOn member, In the past weeks, Republicans and Democrats have called on President Bush to nominate a moderate for the Supreme Court—someone who would honor the legacy of independent Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. But last night, President Bush nominated Judge John Roberts, a far-right lawyer and corporate lobbyist, to fill her post on the Supreme Court.

We've got to stop Roberts. He opposed clean air rules and worked to help coal companies strip-mine mountaintops. He worked with Ken Starr (yes, that Ken Starr), and tried to keep Congress from defending the Voting Rights Act. He wrote that Roe v. Wade should be "overruled," and as a lawyer argued (and won) the case that stopped some doctors from even discussing abortion.

Join our urgent petition to let our senators know we expect them to oppose John Roberts right now at:

This is one of the most important domestic fights of President Bush's career. We can win—Americans overwhelmingly want a moderate judge. But to win, we need to get the word out early that Roberts is out of the mainstream.

After you've signed, please send this message on to your friends and colleagues. We need to fight back against the misinformation that the Bush administration is putting out.

John Roberts has little experience as a judge—he was only appointed in 2003. But he's got a lot of experience as a corporate lobbyist and lawyer, consistently favoring wealthy corporations over regular Americans.

Here's a list of some of the things that make Roberts the wrong pick for the Supreme Court:

Wrong on environmental protection: Roberts appears to want to limit the scope of the Endangered Species Act, and in papers he wrote while in law school he supported far-right legal theories about "takings" which would make it almost impossible for the government to enforce most environmental legislation.

Wrong on civil rights: Roberts worked to keep Congress from defending parts of the Voting Rights Act.

Wrong on human rights: As a appeals court judge, Roberts ruled that the Geneva Convention doesn't apply to some prisoners of war.

Wrong on our right to religious freedom: Roberts argued that schools should be able to impose religious speech on attendees.

Wrong on women's rights: Roberts wrote that "Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and should be overruled." He also weighed in on behalf of Operation Rescue, a violent anti-abortion group, in a federal case.

President Bush could have chosen many fair-minded and independent jurists to replace Sandra Day O'Connor. Instead, he chose a corporate partisan loved by Bush's right-wing base but out of step with the rest of the country.

We'll be in touch soon about next steps. For now, please help us gather as many voices as possible to keep the Supreme Court fair. And thanks for everything you're doing.

–Ben, Tanya, Justin, Jennifer and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team Wednesday, July 20th, 2005

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

PFAW:

"PFAW's Save the Court Campaign"

PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY July 19, 2005

Roberts Nomination Raises Red Flags
Tell the Senate to Do Its Duty -- Don't Rubber Stamp!

At this critical moment, we need you to do more than just call or write your Senators to tell them to do their duty to advise and consent.

We need you to do both, and get your friends to do the same.

First, call:
senator1
Phone: (202) 224-xxxx
senator2
Phone: (202) 224-xxxx

Second:
Click here to send them a message!
Third:
Click here to forward this email!

xxxxxx.

This evening, President Bush nominated John Roberts to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. The Radical Right has been chomping at the bit for weeks in anticipation of this announcement. The Senate must now stand up to the pressure to simply rubber-stamp the
President's pick. Tell your Senators to fulfill their constitutional obligation to advise and consent.

The next 24 hours are crucial. Tell your Senators to withold their support for Robert's nomination until they have all the facts about his troubling record. Unless you and thousands of other activists speak out right
away, the Bush administration may lock up the support of dozens of members before the confirmation process truly gets underway and the American people have a chance to learn where Roberts stands.

At this critical moment, we need you to do more than just call or write your Senators.
We need you to do both, and get your friends to do the same.

1) Call Senator xxxxxx at (202) 224-xxxx and Senator xxxx at (202)
224-xxxx to demand that they thoroughly review John Robert's record
before
lending him their support.

2) Write Senators xxxxxxxx and xxxx to make sure they heard the message you delivered to them by phone.

3) Forward this email to your friends, amplifying your message by getting them to call and write their Senators themselves.

John Roberts
What we know about John Robert's record as Deputy Solicitor General and as a judge shows a troubling lack of concern for the fundamental civil and constitutional rights of all Americans. Americans deserve a justice who
will protect our rights and freedoms. Serious questions must be addressed before Robert's nomination to the nation's highest court can be evaluated properly.

Some alarming aspects of Robert's record they must consider include:

Reproductive and Privacy Rights: Roberts urged the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade while arguing before the Court as Deputy Solicitor General in a case that did not even directly concern that issue. His brief plainly
states that "Roe was wrongly decided and should be overruled."

Separation of Church and State: Roberts argued against clear First Amendment protections for religious liberty and in favor of officially sponsored school prayer at graduation ceremonies before the Supreme Court, which
rejected his argument.

Environmental Protections: As a judge, Roberts suggested in a dissent that the Endangered Species Act was unconstitutional as applied to a California
development case.

Veteran Protections: Roberts argued American POWs tortured in Iraq during the Gulf War should not be able to utilize federal courts to pursue their claims.

Excessive Arrest Procedures: Roberts ruled against a 12-year old girl who was handcuffed, arrested and taken away by police for eating a single French fry on the D.C. Metro, even though an adult would only have gotten a
paper citation in that situation.

Your Senators need to hear from you today--there must not be a rush to confirm John Roberts until all the facts are in! Call and write your Senators to demand that they fulfill their constitutional obligations
of advice and consent - our rights hang in the balance!

--Your Allies at People For the American Way

senator1
Phone: (202) 224-xxxx
Senator2
Phone: (202) 224-xxx

NOW Gang

Oppose the Nomination of Roberts!

George W. Bush has nominated extremist Judge John G. Roberts to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the resignation of Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Tell your Senators to oppose Roberts and any Supreme Court nominee who would overturn Roe v. Wade and limit the rights, freedoms and legal safeguards we have fought for and won.

As O'Connor's replacement, Roberts would cast the deciding vote on countless matters of individual rights where O'Connor had been a key vote, often in a 5-to-4 split-issues like abortion and birth control, affirmative
action, privacy rights, disability rights, Title IX equal educational opportunity, family and medical leave, health care, environmental protection and dozens
of other crucial issues for decades to come. For young women, Roberts' votes could determine their access to birth control and abortion for their entire
reproductive lifetimes.

Action Needed:

Contact your Senators immediately and demand their opposition to Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts, a staunch opponent of women's rights and civil rights.

Forward this message to friends, family and colleagues. We need to flood the Senate with messages that our rights are on the line! Support our organizing to defeat this nominee - and ANY nominee who opposes our rights! Your contribution will help us get the word out in key
states!

Background:

Throughout his 26-year career, John G. Roberts has continually supported and promoted an anti-woman, anti-civil rights, and anti-worker agenda. NOW opposed his nomination to U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C.
Circuit in 2003 on these grounds and will continue to do so to protect the lives of all women and girls in the U.S.

Among our many concerns, Roberts actively opposes Roe v. Wade and wrote several amicus briefs while a Deputy Solicitor General. In one case where Roe was not even at issue, his brief offered gratuitously: "Roe was
wrongly decided and should be overruled." He also wrote a brief in a case NOW brought against Operation Rescue in our effort to stop violent blockades at
abortion clinics. His brief and oral argument supported Operation Rescue, and argued that the blockades were merely an expression of opposition to abortion. The Court's failure to protect women and clinics from these
attacks helped us pass the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act the following year. [Bray, et al. v. Alexandria Women's Health Clinic, et al.]

In 2001, Roberts filed an amicus brief in Adarand v. Mineta, supporting a challenge to federal affirmative action programs. He also argued against Title IX, the equal educational opportunity law for women and girls as
applied to college athletic programs in NCAA v. Smith.

While in private law practice, Roberts served as lead counsel for Toyota in Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. v. Williams, in which he
argued to limit the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The case involved a woman fired after asking Toyota for accommodations to do her
job after being diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. The court ruled that while this condition impaired her ability to work, it did not impair her ability to perform a major life activity, and thus was not protected by the ADA.

He is also member of the Federalist Society, an ultra-conservative organization committed to returning to a pre-Civil War era of unquestioned states' rights and rolling back legislation that has advanced women's
rights, civil rights, environmental protections and health and safety standards. Federalist Society heroes and leaders you might recognize are Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, former U.S.
Attorney General John Ashcroft and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

The character and record of anyone nominated to our nation's highest court must be thoroughly reviewed and considered by the Senate in their important "advice and consent" role. The Senate must be certain the nominee can
discern between personal conviction and interpretation of the law as they balance the interpretation of our Constitution and our democracy's promise
to protect and expand the civil liberties of all people, not just the privileged few. John Roberts does not meet those standards.

Again, take action NOW!

Critical Urgent Community Action Bulletin
from the Progressive Action Network For American Progress
For Immediate Release

The Progressive Action Network For American Progress is extremely concerned by today's news that President Bush has selected ___JOHN ROBERTS___ as his nominee for the vacancy on the United States Supreme Court. Unlike outgoing Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the widely respected and admired moderate consensus-building sensible mainstream compromisist, ___JOHN ROBERTS___ has a shocking record of extremely extreme fringe legal positions that fill us with grave concerns about ___HIS___ fitness for this critically crucial office.

Make no mistake: no one should be fooled by the administration's public relations efforts or ___JOHN ROBERTS___ 's seemingly "moderate" appearance. ___JOHN ROBERTS___ has a record that suggests that ___HE___ would deny women the right to reproductive choice, stop important life-saving medical stem cell research by extending the Patriot Act to draft their unwanted fetuses, and turn these conscripted fetuses over to dangerous tax-supported 'Creationist' religious indoctrination laboratories. The Supreme Court is a lifetime appointment, and America needs to know whether ___JOHN ROBERTS___ supports the GOP's secret plan of a Rush Limbaugh Jesus army of unwanted, unquestioning fetus zombies programmed to urinate on the Korans of Guantanamo detainees.

We should also point out that our opposition to ___JOHN ROBERTS___ has nothing to do with the nominee's race and/or gender. We at the Progressive Action Network For American Progress have long been on record of standing up for the civil rights of ___WHITE MEN___ , rights from which ___JOHN ROBERTS___ ironically, has benefitted. Sadly, rather than create programs and begin to work on the real problems that concern ___WHITE MEN___ , the Bush administration has cynically forwarded an unqualified, token candidate like ___JOHN ROBERTS___ to mask its callous indifference to the plight of the ___WHITE MAN___ community.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

In response to this shocking nomination, we here at the Progressive Action Network For American Progress are joining forces with other mainstream grassroots progressive activist organizations -- organizations like Peace Power Community Now Network, Grant Proposers for Justice, NairBusters, Out of Our Wombs!, UpChuck.org, ToothACHE, and Sitcom Producers for the American Way. Over the next few weeks we will be encouraging the Senate Judiciary Committee to take a close look at ___JOHN ROBERTS___ and ___HIS___ extremist views on the critical legal issues that face all of us. While we will be working hard to get out the word in Washington, ordinary progressive citizens like you can do your part as well. First, write your newspaper and/or Senator and let them know that you will not stand by idly while Bush and Company install a pseudo-" ___WHITE MAN___" like ___JOHN ROBERTS___ on the nation's highest court. Here's a letter to get you started!

Dear Senator __________

As a constituent and a voter in our great state of ___________, home of the famous ___________, I am proud that our state enjoys the the nickname of "Cradle of ____________s." This is why I must strongly urge you to oppose the nomination of ___JOHN ROBERTS___, a dangerous extremist whose legal rulings threaten to endanger our state's beloved ___________, making us no better than Mississippi.

Sincerely,

Your Name Here

Be polite and remember to fill in your Senator's name and pertinent facts about your state. If you are from Mississippi, replace "Mississippi" with "California". Also, replace "Your Name Here" with your name, unless your name is actually "Your Name Here."

Another thing you can do to help is to find more information about ___JOHN ROBERTS___ . The people who know ___HIM___, what do they say about ___HIM___ ? Was ___HE___ ever in trouble with the law? Frequently, ___WHITE MEN___ like ___JOHN ROBERTS___ have arrest records in their youth. If you are near ___JOHN ROBERTS___ 's hometown of ___UNKNOWN___, try searching in the local police archives for the ___JOHN ROBERTS___ name or possible aliases. Also, think hard -- are you certain that you have not been personally victimized, or assaulted by ___JOHN ROBERTS___? Search your recollections carefully. Scientists tell us that millions of us suffer from Repressed Memory Syndrome -- a debilitating psychological problem where victims are unable to recall a painful physical or emotional trauma, such as being physically violated by ___JOHN ROBERTS___. If you do not remember this happening to you, please call us and we will get you the help you need to recover your mind and start the road to healing.

Consider the consequences of inaction: with ___JOHN ROBERTS___ on the bench, millions of Americans may lose their cherished constitutional rights, Air America, perhaps even their grant money from George Soros. We here at the Progressive Action Network For American Progress ask you to please do your part. Our very democracy depends on the grassroots action of committed progressives like ___YOUR_NAME_HERE___ .

(from IowaHawk)

Planned Parenthood:

Act Now! Supreme Court Nominee Announced

Roe v. Wade: Saving Women's Lives Since 1973

Dear xxxxxx,

President Bush has just nominated John Roberts to the Supreme Court. Now senators must ask tough questions to determine whether Roberts believes in constitutional protections for women's health, safety, and privacy —
and you can help us get to the truth.

Please donate now. We need your support to continue our life-saving programs to protect reproductive rights and access. At the same time, we must ensure a judicial confirmation process that recognizes the importance of
women's health and safety.

Now that President Bush has named a replacement who may tip the balance of the court against our reproductive freedoms, we must protect that precious right, not only for ourselves, but for our daughters and
granddaughters.

The stakes are too high to allow senators to confirm Roberts to a lifetime appointment on our nation's highest court without an extensive investigation into his beliefs about vital civil liberties. The American people
deserve nothing less.

Together we CAN Save Roe!

Karen Pearl
Interim President,
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
On behalf of the Planned Parenthood community

Roe Hangs in the Balance

Since the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision, the number of justices willing to stand up for choice has decreased.

» 1973
Roe was decided: Seven Justices supported a woman's right to choose.

» 1992
Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey was decided: we were down to five Justices who supported a woman's right to choose.

» 2000
Stenberg v. Carhart was decided: The court was split five to four, with five ruling that a woman's health must be the paramount concern. With O'Connor's
resignation, only four of the five justices who upheld access to abortion in Stenberg remain on the court.

We are only one vote away from losing the protections for women's health guaranteed by the Supreme Court in Roe, and John Roberts could be that deciding vote. Urge your senator to require answers about Roberts' views on
a woman's right to privacy, health, and safety.

JOHN KERRY CAMPAIGN (yep, he does not know he lost......)

No Sandra Day O'Connor!
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 12:36:57 -0500

Dear xxxxx,

This much is clear already. Judge Roberts is no Sandra Day O'Connor.

Last night we learned that President Bush wants to replace a woman who voted to uphold Roe v. Wade with a man who argued against Roe v. Wade, and that sends a clear signal that this White House remains bent on opening old wounds and dividing America.

There are big questions that must be answered involving Judge Roberts' judicial philosophy as demonstrated over his short time on the appellate court. The Senate must learn whether he has a clear, consistent commitment to upholding Constitutional standards like civil rights, the right to privacy, and Roe v. Wade. These issues are in serious question if you take even a cursory glance at his record.

We need to ask the tough questions to determine whether John Roberts is the nominee who will give America a Court that is fair, independent, ethical and committed to Constitutional freedoms rather than an ideological agenda, and I promise you I will do everything in my power to assure that no question is sidestepped.

Throughout every step of the confirmation process, I will keep you informed about the questions that need to be asked, the answers we need to demand, and the principles we need to defend. It's impossible to overstate the importance of this moment.

As the U.S. Senate discharges one of its most important responsibilities, I will be active and vigilant. I hope you will do the same, beginning right now. Start by sharing a few words about your personal feelings on the importance of this Supreme Court nomination.

You can submit your comments or questions here:

http://www.johnkerry.com/action/share/

Thank you,

John Kerry

P.S. In the days ahead, we'll be featuring on our johnkerry.com website a cross-section of the comments submitted and contacting you with important information and action requests as events demand. Sign up here if you want to get the latest information. Recruit your friends and neighbors, too.

Feminist Majority:

Urgent Bulletin: Bush Nominates Far-Right Judge to Supreme Court
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 12:02:08 -0400

Dear Feminist Activists,

TAKE ACTION TODAY

Step 1: Contact your Senators: Urge them to thoroughly question Roberts about his views on women's rights, civil rights, and the right to privacy.

Step 2: Make an emergency contribution to the Feminist Majority's Save Roe Campaign.

Step 3: Learn More and stay up to date at Feminist Court Watch.

President Bush has nominated an ultra-conservative judge to take Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on the Supreme Court.

The fight to save the Supreme Court must begin now. The Feminist Majority is opposing John Roberts for the Supreme Court.

Roberts, a judge on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, has a record that indicates he will be a solid vote against women's rights and Roe v. Wade. As Deputy Solicitor General, Roberts argued against Roe v. Wade, and also
argued on behalf of Operation Rescue, an extreme anti-abortion group, in Bray v. Alexandria. Those of us who defend clinics know that the result of
the pro-choice loss in Bray v. Alexandria was increased violence at clinics.

In private practice, Roberts argued against affirmative action for minorities and for Hooters against women charging sex discrimination.

The Feminist Majority will urge every Senator who supports women's rights to thoroughly question Roberts on his views on fundamental women's rights, civil rights, and reproductive rights issues. If Roberts is to be confirmed
by Senators, he must say where he stands on Roe, the right to privacy, women's rights, and civil rights. The burden is on him.

The opposition forces behind President Bush have already raised millions of dollars to support Bush's nominee for the Supreme Court. Just one such right-wing advocacy organization, Progress for America, has raised $18
million already to fight for President Bush's Supreme Court nominees.

Another such organization, the Judicial Confirmation Network, has raised $3 million for its media campaign to fight any attempt to filibuster a Supreme Court nominee. Progress for America has already launched a website in
support of Roberts.

Let there be no mistake about it. The case most likely to be reversed or pivotal in the coming Supreme Court nomination fight is Roe v. Wade. But even some of our progressive friends tend to marginalize the abortion
issue. We must rally the millions of women and men who support reproductive rights if Roe is to be saved.

The Feminist Majority must be strong enough to ensure that the rights of women are a central part of the Supreme Court debate. Please make a special emergency contribution to the Feminist Majority's Save Roe Campaign
today. We need money for Internet banner ads, grassroots organizing kits, field organizers, and a massive PR operation.

The Feminist Majority will continue to examine Roberts' record, and it will demand that Senators not confirm Roberts unless he makes clear that he will not reverse Roe and civil rights for women, minorities, and the
disabled.

Women, who have the most to lose, must be the strongest voice in the debate over the Supreme Court. This time, for once, we will not be ignored.

Please help us to mount a campaign worthy of the rights of women.

Together, we can make a difference.

For Women's Lives,

Eleanor Smeal
President
Feminist Majority

INTERNATIONAL ACTION CENTER:

Statement from the International Action Center
On the Nomination of John G. Roberts to the Supreme Court

July 19, 2005

Tonight, George W. Bush has signaled his intention to continue his all-out assault on women, working people, lesbian/gay/bi/trans communities, civil liberties and civil rights. It is vital that we examine the
nomination of John G. Roberts, and ask how such a reactionary appointment could be made and, more importantly, how we can push back the Bush attack and what
social and political forces can be mobilized in the struggle

Judge John G. Roberts has built his career advancing the far-right agendas of the Reagan and Bush Administrations. He has worked to overturn abortion rights, blur the separation between church and state, undermine
affirmative action, and advance a narrow right-wing interpretation of the Constitution.

Roberts is a member of two prominent, right-wing legal organizations that advance a reactionary legal philosophy: the pro-corporate, anti-affirmative action, and anti-union Federalist Society; and the National Legal Center For
The Public Interest, a legal research group funded by General Motors, Ford, Texaco, Exxon-Mobile, and Gulf, as well as right wing millionaire Richard Mellon Scaife.

Women’s Rights

Immediately after President Bush announced his selection of Roberts, Operation Rescue, an organization founded to terrorize women, obstruct reproductive freedom, and shut down health clinics, issued a press release saying, “Operation Rescue supports this selection. Roberts has shown strong conservative credentials with indications that he will not uphold Roe v.
Wade, the 1973 case that decriminalized abortion.”

The anti-choice homophobe Gary Bauer promptly issued a statement hailing Roberts as "a refreshing nominee who possesses an outstanding record of judicial accomplishment as well as a commitment to judicial restraint
long missing from so many activist courts."

Roberts’ record makes it clear why he has gathered such enthusiasm from far-right religious fundamentalists.

As Deputy Solicitor General, Roberts filed an amicus curiae brief in the National Organization of Women’s (NOW) case against Operation Rescue — in support of Operation Rescue, and in support of individuals who illegally
blocked access to clinics.

As Deputy Solicitor General, Roberts argued in a brief before the Supreme Court that "we continue to believe that Roe was wrongly decided and should be overruled. The Court’s conclusion in Roe that there is a fundamental
right to an abortion...finds no support in the text, structure, or history of the Constitution."

As a Deputy Solicitor General, Roberts co-wrote a Supreme Court brief in Rust v. Sullivan, which argued that the government could prohibit doctors in federally funded family planning programs from discussing abortions
with their patients.

Workers Rights

Roberts was lead counsel for Toyota in Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Ky, Inc. v. Williams. This case involved a woman who was fired after she asked Toyota for accommodations to do her job after being diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. The court ruled that while this condition impaired her ability to work, it did not impair her ability to perform major life activities.

The Geneva Conventions

Roberts was part of the three-judge panel that last week upheld President Bush's military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, supporting the Bush Administrations assertion that the Geneva Conventions and other international law did not apply to detainees held there. Neal K.
Katyal, a lead lawyer for one of the plaintiffs in this case and a Georgetown University law professor, called the decision "contrary to 200 years of constitutional law."

Civil Rights

After a Supreme Court decision effectively nullified certain sections of the Voting Rights Act, Roberts was involved in the Reagan administration's effort to prevent Congress from overturning the Supreme Court's action.

Roberts also filed an amicus brief in Adarand v. Mineta in Oct. 2001, supporting a challenge to federal affirmative action programs.

The Environment

As a member of the Solicitor General's office, Mr. Roberts was the lead counsel for the United States in the Supreme Court case Lujan v. National Wildlife Federation, in which the government argued that private citizens could not sue the federal government for violations of environmental
regulations.

In his private practice, Roberts has also represented numerous large corporate interests opposing environmental controls. He submitted an amicus brief on behalf of the National Mining Association in the recent case Bragg
v. West Virginia Coal Association.

Church & State

While working with the Solicitor General's office, Roberts co-wrote an amicus brief on behalf of the Bush administration, in which he argued that public high schools can include religious ceremonies in their
graduation programs.

Our response: Organize and Mobilize!

The only effective counter to Bush’s continued assault on working people, people of color, women, and on civil liberties and civil rights is to organize a massive opposition movement in the streets.

We cannot look to politicians of either party to stop Bush—the Democrats have been nearly unanimous in their support of the Bush agenda of endless war and repression, and they have confirmed some of the most backwards and
reactionary judicial appointees.

These next few months are critical in the struggle against the war abroad and the war at home. The Bush agenda is facing a genuine crisis—the illegal occupation of Iraq is clearly failing in the face of overwhelming popular
resistance, military recruiting is declining, and opposition to the war is growing. What we do now can make a difference.

Now is the time to build a massive movement of resistance, a movement that is broad because it includes, rather than excludes, the struggles of all oppressed communities.

In challenging the Bush agenda and mobilizing to defend our rights, it is important to recall how we have secured victories in the past. In a nation founded on slavery and indentured servitude, genocide against indigenous
peoples, and oppression of women and working people, every advance was won because of the power of massive peoples’ mobilizations to assert and demand those rights. Regardless of which corporate party is in power, or
which corporate lawyer is appointed to the Supreme Court, it is the people who ultimately make history.

All of the most important victories for working people, for the civil rights struggle, for women, for the lesbian/gay/bi/trans communities, and for all
oppressed communities were won because of organizing in the streets.
Victories in the courts and legislatures merely reflected the reality that was created by the mass movements. It was resistance- the Montgomery bus boycott, the Stonewall rebellion, the Flint sit-ins for union rights,
the massive marches for women's suffrage, and many other protests, marches, strikes and direct actions--that secured our rights, and it is in that spirit of resistance that we must continue to struggle.

The International Action Center
July 19, 2005

PLANNED PARENTHOOD, again....

Urge Your Senators to Investigate Judge Roberts' Record

Roe v. Wade: Saving Women's Lives Since 1973

Dear xxxxxx,

Last night President Bush nominated John Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court. This nominee raises serious questions and grave concerns for women's health and safety. Planned Parenthood is urging senators to ask tough questions to determine whether Roberts believes in constitutional protections for women's health, safety, and privacy — and you can help us get to the truth.

Contact your senator NOW and urge her or him to require answers about Roberts' views on a woman's right to privacy, health, and safety.

You can make a difference. With your help, we can ensure a thorough debate before a justice is confirmed to a lifetime appointment to our nation's highest court. The stakes are too high to allow senators to confirm Roberts without an extensive investigation into his beliefs about vital civil liberties. The American people deserve nothing less.

Also, please consider making a donation now. As always, we need your support to continue our lifesaving programs to protect reproductive rights and access to health care. At the same time, we must ensure a judicial confirmation process that recognizes the importance of women's health and safety.

Karen Pearl
Interim President,
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
On behalf of the Planned Parenthood community

Roe Hangs in the Balance

Since the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision, the number of justices willing to stand up for choice has decreased.

» 1973
Roe was decided: Seven Justices supported a woman's right to choose.

» 1992
Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey was decided: we were down to five Justices who supported a woman's right to choose.

» 2000
Stenberg v. Carhart was decided: The court was split five to four, with five ruling that a woman's health must be the paramount concern. With O'Connor's resignation, only four of the five justices who upheld access to abortion in Stenberg remain on the court.

We are only one vote away from losing the protections for women's health guaranteed by the Supreme Court in Roe, and John Roberts could be that deciding vote. Urge your senator to require answers about Roberts' views on a woman's right to privacy, health, and safety.

MOVEON.org

Gather tomorrow to stop Roberts

Tomorrow, thousands of MoveOn members will meet in teams to gather petition signatures to oppose John Roberts. We'll alert the media and our senators that our rights are not negotiable. Can you join us?

Learn more about Roberts

Dear MoveOn member,

Last night President Bush nominated the right wing corporate lawyer John Roberts for a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court.

The next 48 hours are probably the most important in this whole campaign. The media and our senators are looking around to gauge the public's response. A strong reaction now could change the way everything else is covered and how far our leaders are willing to go to protect our rights.

That's why tomorrow, Thursday the 21st, thousands of MoveOn members will be gathering all across the country to spread the word and collect signatures to petition our senators. We'll gather in public areas and work in teams for an hour or two. Local media outlets have been alerted, and getting those stories on TV and in hometown papers is one of the most powerful things we can do.

Can you join us? You can find an event in your area, or start your own. We'll give you everything you need to make it easy. Just go to:

http://political.moveon.org/event/RapidResponse/?id=

Here are what MoveOn members have said recently about similar events:

"It went well. I was thrilled to find several like minded people who live near me who will help out in future events!"
–Jean Yarborough, Judicial Canvassing Team Leader, North Richland Hills, TX

"I brought my dog which attracted positive attention. Next time I am making a sign for him to carry. He is a sheepdog, and so the sign will say, 'Don't let yourself be herded about, work to save Democracy!' May sound a bit silly, but when people stopped to pet him, we could then ask them if they wanted to sign the petition."
–Barbara Wust, People Speak Rally Host, Richmond, VA

We hope you can join us tomorrow:

http://political.moveon.org/event/RapidResponse/?id=

Why is it so important to oppose Roberts? Because his short two years as a judge, his extensive history as a partisan, and his record as a corporate lawyer show a consistent pattern of putting right-wing ideology and corporate power over individuals' rights.

Here are some of the areas of greatest concern from Roberts' record:

As a partisan lawyer for the Bush Sr. and Reagan administrations, Roberts threatened:

Civil rights by asking the Supreme Court to severely limit the ability of district courts to desegregate public schools1, and working to ensure the Voting Rights Act could not be used to remedy many cases of actual discrimination against minority votes.2
Women's rights by fighting for a law barring doctors from even discussing reproductive options in many cases,3 and arguing that Roe. vs. Wade should be "overruled."4

Free speech by arguing to the Supreme Court that political speech that some considered offensive did not deserve First Amendment protections. The Court rejected his claim.5

Religious liberty by arguing to the Supreme Court that public schools could force religious speech on students. Again, the Court rejected the argument.6

As a corporate lawyer, Roberts threatened:

Community and environmental rights by working to strike down new clean-air rules and filing a brief for the National Mining Association, arguing that federal courts could not stop mountaintop-removal mining in West Virginia, even as it devastated local communities.7
Workers' rights by helping Toyota to successfully evade the Americans with Disabilities Act and fire workers for disabilities they suffered over time because of the requirements of their jobs.8

Public interest regulations by helping Fox News challenge FCC rules that prevented the creation of news media monopolies.

In his short two years as a judge, Roberts has threatened:

Individual rights by rejecting the civil rights claims brought on behalf of a 12-year-old girl who had been handcuffed, arrested and taken away by the police for eating a single french fry in the D.C. Metro.10

Environmental protections when the dissent he wrote on an Endangered Species Act case, had it been in the majority, would have struck the Act down as unconstitutional in many cases, and would have threatened a wide swath of workplace, public safety and civil rights protections.11

Human Rights by voting to strike down the Geneva Conventions as applied to prisoners that the Bush administration chose to exempt from international law.12

Roberts' confirmation is not inevitable. As Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said yesterday, "The President has made his choice. Now the Senate will do its job of deciding whether to confirm John Roberts to a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court."

Now it's time for us all to do our job of telling our senators that our rights are not negotiable, and John Roberts does not belong on the Supreme Court.

We hope to see you tomorrow.

http://political.moveon.org/event/RapidResponse/?id=

Thanks for all that you do,

–Ben, James, Micayla, Wes and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team
Wednesday July 20th, 2005

Sources

People for the American Way

Why is the Right Wing so Happy about John Roberts's nomination?

From: "PFAW's Save the Court Campaign"

PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY July 21, 2005

President Bush "promised to nominate someone along the lines of a Scalia or a Thomas, and that is exactly what he has done."
--Family Research Council's Tony Perkins,
responding to Judge John Roberts' nomination for the Supreme Court.

Help us tell America why Pat Robertson is So Happy!

xxxxx :

Make no mistake: the Radical Right is overjoyed by the nomination of John Roberts because they believe President Bush has kept his promise and given them exactly what they demanded--a nominee in the mold of Scalia and Thomas. And that ought to sound alarm bells for everyone who believes that the Supreme Court must protect the basic rights and legal protections that the far-right is eager to dismantle.

The right-wing group Progress for America, which has been bragging about its $18 million war chest for weeks, will be spending over $700,000 in the next seven days on national cable alone in an effort to lionize John Roberts.

Don't let the Radical Right drown the country in a torrent of ads!Support the Supreme Court Defense Fund!

The Bush administration and its allies are trying to claim that Roberts is a "consensus nominee." But we know John Roberts is no Sandra Day O'Connor--his record raises troubling questions about whether he is a moderate who will be a fair custodian of American's rights and liberties.As Deputy Solicitor General he signed a brief saying that "Roe was wrongly decided and should be overruled." He has also suggested that the Endangered Species Act could be unconstitutional.

http://www.supportthecourt.org/RecordOfRoberts

Help insure that his record is thoroughly investigated!
Support the Supreme Court Defense Fund!

Even more red flags are raised by the satisfaction Bush's radical base is showing about Roberts' nomination. Clearly, they are confident that he will pursue their extremist agenda.

http://www.pfaw.org/go/RightOnRoberts

Pat Robertson was almost giddy, claiming that Roberts is "exactly [the sort of nominee] the president said he would give us."

Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition said: "Conservatives who supported George W. Bush have no reason to be disappointed [by Roberts' nomination]. He has more than fulfilled his pledge."

Operation Rescue praised President Bush for "being a man of his word by appointing a judge that will respect the Right to Life" and praised Roberts for having "strong conservative credentials with indications that he will not uphold Roe v. Wade."

People For the American Way has been a leader in tracking the Right Wing for almost twenty-five years. Help us expose the Right Wing's agenda!
Support the Supreme Court Defense Fund!

http://www.savethecourt.org/support

--Your Allies at People For the American Way

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