From the Dean Defense Force
Howard Dean recently said the US “should not take sides in the Middle East.” And was immediately attacked by members of his own party in the House, Gephardt supporters all, using this as a way to whack the frontrunner. And to Hell with the Palestinians. It’s really quite stomach-turning and craven.
So, the Dean Defense Forces ask that you contact them and express yourself!
Something to keep in mind, even as you’re writing your own letters, is that what these people are expressing outrage is the idea that the US should be a fair negotiator in peace talks. Attacking fair mediation is not only ridiculous, it’s harmful to the Middle East Peace Process. If one side doesn’t trust us, no one can walk away a winner. To that extent, those who would demand a biased negotiator are, in effect, demanding more violence in the future.
1) We’ve included a list below of all the relevant Representatives, where they are from, and how to contact them. Use it. Especially contact any Reps from your home state. If none are from your home state, contact Nancy Pelosi. For a Democratic leader to make such a statement about a Presidential candidate is, well, unacceptable in my mind.
2) Pass this message on to friends and other Dean supporters. We need to let these Representatives know that we, their supporters at the grassroots, don’t appreciate their uncalled for attacks. There’s hundreds of us on this listserv. We need thousands.
3) Keep the pressure on. Ask for an apology. These are attacks motivated by pure politics.
The letter from the Representatives can be found at http://www.house.gov/berman/letter_new.html
These are the names, districts, and contact URLs for the Representatives. Where only the main page is provided, scroll to the bottom of their webpage to find contact info:
Howard Berman (CA-28) howard.berman@mail.house.gov
Nancy Pelosi (CA) http://www.house.gov/pelosi/contact/contact.html
Robert Matsui (CA-25) http://www.house.gov/matsui/contact.html
Steny Hoyer (MD-5)http://hoyer.house.gov/feedback.cfm?campaign=hoyers&type=Let%27s%20Talk
Martin Frost (TX-24) http://www.house.gov/frost/off.htm
Nita Lowey (NY-18) http://www.house.gov/lowey/contact.htm
Tom Lantos (CA-12) http://www.house.gov/lantos/contact.html
Edward Markey (MA-7) http://www.house.gov/markey/
Chet Edwards (TX-11) http://www.house.gov/edwards
Ben Cardin (MD-3) http://www.cardin.house.gov/ContactRepCardin.asp
Steve Rothman (NJ-9) http://rothman.house.gov/district_9.htm
Steve Israel (NY-2) http://www.house.gov/israel/contact.htm
Gary Ackerman (NY-5) http://www.house.gov/ackerman/pages/contact.html
Barney Frank (MA-4) http://www.house.gov/frank/contact.html
Rahm Emanuel (IL-5) http://www.house.gov/emanuel/contact.shtml
Adam Smith (WA-9) http://www.house.gov/adamsmith/contact/contact.html
Anthony Weiner (NY-9) http://www.house.gov/weiner/offices.htm
Chris Bell (TX-25) http://bell.house.gov/NR/exeres/8AC54CEB-461F-4BC4-A72B-E1AD49349856.htm
Adam Schiff (CA-29) http://www.house.gov/schiff/as_sub_contact.htm
Hilda Solis (CA-32) http://solis.house.gov/NR/exeres/E36615AA-49BD-463E-9271-58C3DC96F789.htm
Robert Menendez (NJ-13) http://menendez.house.gov/talk/
Shelley Berkley (NV-1) http://www.house.gov/berkley/con_reach.html
Robert Andrews (NJ-1) http://www.house.gov/andrews/contact.htm
Joseph Crowley (NY-7) http://www.house.gov/formcrowley/contact.htm
Jose Serrano (NY-16) http://www.house.gov/serrano/contact.htm
John Larson (CT-1) http://www.house.gov/larson/
Ellen Tauscher (CA-10) http://www.house.gov/tauscher/letstalk.html
Dennis Cardoza (CA-18) http://www.house.gov/cardoza/contact.shtml
Patrick Kennedy (RI-1) http://www.house.gov/patrickkennedy/
Linda Sanchez (CA-39) http://www.house.gov/lindasanchez/contact.shtml
Harold Ford, Jr. (TN-9) http://www.house.gov/ford/
Brad Sherman (CA-27) http://www.house.gov/sherman/contact.shtml
Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2) http://www.dutch.house.gov/feedback.cfm?
Alcee Hastings (FL-23) http://www.house.gov/alceehastings/
That’s them folks. Get this list out there please.