Atlanta Progressive News

Next time the DSCC asks you for a contribution, remember that 14 Democrats failed to support the Helping Families Save their Homes Act (Durbin amendment).  Oh look, and newly fashioned Democrat Specter voted no.  Lieberman and Sanders voted yea.  All Republicans voted nay.  3 absent including Kennedy; also Minnesota lacking a US Senator.  Bill failed 45-51. Max Baucus (D-MT) Michael […]

“Raising taxes on already hard-pressed Atlanta taxpayers must always be our last resort,” State Sen. Kasim Reed said in a statement issued to Atlanta Progressive News. “I will review the mayor’s budget proposal in detail prior to making any judgment. I have repeatedly made it clear that ending the furloughs for police officers and fire fighters must be our number […]

My sources on Capitol Hill tell me that, indeed, the Rules Cmte would not agree to a vote on the Hinchey 18% interest rate cap amendment.  Democrats were worried that either (A) Democrats would vote for the amendment, leading the full bill to pass without bipartisan support (who cares?), or (B) Democrats would not vote for the amendment, making them […]

Tharon Johnson has signed on as campaign manager for State Sen. Kasim Reed’s campaign for Mayor of Atlanta. According to a press release obtained by APN: “As former District Director to Congressman John Lewis, Tharon successfully managed the Congressman’s 2008 re-election campaign and served as political and field director for Congressman John Barrow’s 2004 campaign and 2006 re-election campaign. He […]

Well, the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights passed the US House today.  However, an amendment by US Rep. Gutierrez (D-IL), approved by the majority of the House, would make the rules not go into effect until one year after the law’s passage.  Seeing as how the US Fed already approved similar rules to go into effect in July 2010, this […]

Here’s a pretty balanced assessment by the Center for Constitutional Rights on Obama’s record to date on restoring the Constitution, civil liberties, torture, the imperial presidency & related issues: http://ccrjustice.org/100daysassessment   Paul Krugman, “Reclaiming America’s Soul”: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/opinion/24krugman.html?_r=1   “Just following orders” (cartoon) http://d.yimg.com/a/p/uc/20090423/lcrmlu090423.gif   Law professor Marjorie Cohn explains why Obama has a constitutional dury to see that torturers are brought […]

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter announced today that he has left the Republican Party to join the Democratic Party. The senator issued the following statement on his 2010 reelection Web site: I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is […]

The proposed DeKalb Marine school is based on the military public school model pioneered in Chicago by Arne Duncan, who is now Obama’s Secretary of Education.  After you read Tim’s post below, check out Andy Kroll’s report on the Chicago schools to see what is at stake: http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175022/andy_kroll_will_public_education_be_militarized  **************    From Tim Franzen, American Friends Service Committee 4-21-09  Concerned Community Members: […]

Independent politician, Al Bartell, has suspended his campaign for Atlanta City Council President.  APN obtained the following statement: “A team of medical surgeons in Atlanta, GA have recommended that I undergo surgery to replace my right jaw bone.  I have agreed to their recommendation, and will be undergoing surgery on May 1, 2009.  In light of this decision, I am suspending my […]

2 items in this post: 1.  Tell Congress to provide aid, not fund wars 2.  Hillary Clinton & Ron Paul discuss military budget, US foreign policy ****************** 1. Tell Congress to Provide Aid, Not Fund Wars United for Peace and Justicehttp://www.unitedforpeace.org/ The Obama administration has asked Congress for an additional $83.4 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and […]

State Sen. Vincent Fort has decided to stay in the State Senate for now, instead of pursuing a Council President race, a source familiar with the matter told Atlanta Progressive News. In addition to wanting to continue to help local colleges by getting funds through the legislative process, Fort also wants to be there in the State Senate for the […]

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) office released the following statement on the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights, which has passed the Financial Services Cmte and will be considered in full by the US House next week.  US Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) sponsored. “The Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights protects Americans against the unfair and often abusive practices of credit […]

I agree with Glenn Greenwald on all counts:   1.  Obama deserves considerable credit for releasing the torture memos.  He  courageously stood up against ferocious CIA-neocon-national security  pressure to suppress them, in a marked departure from the usual practice of  secrecy about these things.   2.  It is appalling that Obama offered immunity to war criminals who were  “just following […]

“Know the World” by Brian Sherman is now Radio Free Activist Collective.  There are still 4 15-minute interviews; however, they are now done by a collective including Brian Sherman, Darci Rodenhi, Michael Vosburg-Casey, and Paris Hatcher, a bunch of radical hippies.  APN has written previously about Rodenhi and Vosburg-Casey, who have previously been arrested in anti-nuclear power and anti-SOA actions, […]

Momentum for the Picket and Rally on Tuesday, April 21, from 10am to 11am at Wachovia Bank, 999 Peachtree Street (corner of 10th) continues to build. Three more labor organizations have joined the Coalition and will be bringing union members to Tuesday’s Demonstration. The Coalition makes the following demands to Wachovia. 1.  No more predatory lending 2.  No more foreclosures […]