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Week of October 17 2005

Investigation Moves Beyond Outing Valerie Plame
A number of articles covering Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation of the outing of CIA officer Valerie Plame appeared last week, indicating that the investigation is moving beyond the leak to the use of intelligence in selling the war. Read CIA Leak Probe 'Widening to Include Use of Intelligence' on the Financial Times, Washington on Tenterhooks Over Leak Case from Inter Press Service and The Heart of the Matter by William Rivers Pitt.

The Iraq War Propaganda Machine
President Bush chatted with the troops in a staged event designed to portray the occupation of Iraq as going well. Read an article by Jeremy Scahill, Mr. Bush Goes to Tikrit (Sort-of) and an AP article, Bush Thanks Soldiers in Rehearsed Talk. You can also view the video on C-SPAN as well as the White House press conference with a number of reporters asking about the event. [video requires Real Media player]

Bush Hits New Record Low in the Polls
A number of polls released last week show there is no stopping Bush's downward spiral. In a poll from the PEW Research Center, his approval rating has fallen to 38% and only 29% are satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. The Wall Street Journal and NBC News also released a new poll with a 39% approval rating and only 28% stating they feel the nation is on the right track. And perhaps hardest hitting of all is the latest poll by Fox News, where Bush gets a 40% approval rating.

Read an article from Reuters on the latest polls.

Keep Up the Pressure - Troops Out of Iraq
Considering the data from the polls above, now is the time to keep up the pressure. Join the Million Phone March and contact members of Congress urging them to bring the troops home. Sign the petition from Working For Change, calling on Senators and Representatives to admit the war was a mistake. Pledge to support on those candidates who speak out against the war and occupation.

Citizens Hold Leaders Accountable
Members of the group Military Families Against War are holding a Peace Camp on Downing Street protesting the decision to deny them legal aid in their campaign to hold Prime Minister Tony Blair accountable for the Iraq war. In Denmark, a group of 24 have filed a suit against the Danish prime minister for breaching their constitution on two counts.

Meanwhile in the U.S., a poll commissioned by After Downing Street has found that 50% of those surveyed agree that if Bush lied about reasons for going to war, then Congress should consider holding him accountable by impeaching him. Contact your representatives and urge them to move for impeachment.

FEMA Deadline Extended!
Thanks to the grassroots efforts to convince FEMA to extend the deadline for victims of hurricane Katrina to register for federal funds, the date has been extended until January 11, 2006.

Cambiare si può – 10 punti per l'Unione
Diversi gruppi hanno elaborato dieci punti sui quali chiedono un impegno preciso dell'Unione. Leggi l'appello e firma la petizione.

I soldi dei contribuenti italiani pagano le basi USA
Nell'articolo Soldi e indennizzi, così paghiamo le basi Usa apparso sul manifesto, si legge che i contribuenti italiani pagano 400 milioni di Euro all'anno per i costi delle basi statunitensi in Italia.

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