Bush coming to Montgomery to tout Social Security! If I can go to this!!

[GreyPilgrim]

Have y'all seen this? I am going to try to make it, but they will probably know I'm a member of DU and escort me off campus! O8) Unfortunately Social Security is one area that I am weak on... anyone have any good questions/commentaries I could share if I am able to make it? Thanks!

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WASHINGTON — President Bush plans to take his fight to overhaul Social Security to Montgomery next week.

The president will hold a town hall meeting at Auburn University at Montgomery on March 10, congressional sources said.

The White House said that for security reasons it would not disclose the president’s itinerary for next week until Friday.

In his State of the Union address last month, Bush unveiled his plan to allow Americans to divert some of their Social Security contributions to a personal savings account. Since then, the president has made several trips around the country trying to sell the public — and key lawmakers — on his plan.

In Alabama, holdouts include Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Anniston, and Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa.

Story to follow

[babylonsister]

1. There's lots of good SS info here:

http://www.thereisnocrisis.com/

[applegrove]

2. Ask him if not putting 'pen to paper' and publishing his plan is about

creating unresolvable anxiety to wear opposition down and create apathy, the better to pass a law Americans do not want.

[rodeodance]

3. don' t you need an invite to these events (but hope you get in)

[GreyPilgrim]

4. Good question

To be honest, I'm not sure how it's going to work. I would assume of course, that you're right and it's by invite only. I have some friends on the other "side" of the political spectrum, so I'm hoping they might be able to help me out. Maybe not, since they might be afraid of what I might say. }( But... right now it's fun thinking about the possibilities.

[LizW]

10. B'han News says tickets are required

and will be given out in advance by Mike Rogers and Terry Everett's offices, as well as AUM.

Has anyone here called to try and get tickets yet? I plan to call Monday, but I don't have much hope of getting in.

The News points out that this event will NOT be a "Town Hall" type meeting (in other words NO questions from the audience). Instead, Bush will appear on stage with pre-selected supporters (read: actors) who "have an interest in Social Security."

It's a rehearsed stage show. They aren't leaving anything to chance, especially since Bush blundered so badly in trying to "explain" Social Security in the fake "town hall" format.

I think the best thing to do is have a large protesting crowd with visible, readable signs and hope to get some publicity. I have a committment I can't cancel that morning, but if this event is late enough I might be able to get down there in time.

If anyone hears where protestors will be gathering, please PM me.

[EVDebs]

5. Let's hope they chant "Hey Hey, Ho Ho, S S has got to go" again

like Santorum's rent-a-wingnut group did ! You can't buy better self-destruction than that !

[BamaLefty]

6. LOL

Montgomery County voted for John Kerry. Thought that was funny.

[MelissaB]

7. I'm in Florence and would love to protest this.

:) Anybody else going?

[Wilms]

8. Here's a story posted by...

YOU!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=338353#338446

:hi:

[Dylan Garcia]

9. Recieved this email in Louisiana--we'll see you there!

Dear Buddy:

I'm one of the people with the Montgomery Peace Project that came down
for your FABULOUS jazz funeral for democracy. We just found out that
Bush is coming here on Thursday, March 10 to hold one of his fake "town
hall" meetings on social security. He is going to speak at a local
college and we are organizing a major protest. We're already getting
press calls. Any chance you folks can come up??? We don't have the
exact time yet because the president's handlers are keeping the
particulars under raps, but we should know the time by tomorrow. But it
is definitely on Thursday, March 10 in Montgomery and we want to issue a
call to PLEASE COME AND JOIN US!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know it's far, but it can
be done in a day. The administration is not going to be expecting a big
protest in a place like Montgomery, Alabama--after all, this is where
Bushie came to party and shirk national guard duty in 1972. He thinks
he'll be in friendly territory. Let's send a different message to the
world!!!!! Let me know if you want any more info and I'll send an update
with the time and exact location. We're having a poster party the night
before to prepare.

[MelissaB]

12. Hey, Wilms!

:hi:

When I saw that * was going to be in town at the same time the MLK celebration was going on it made me mad enough to spit! How dare he? Coincidence???

[Dylan Garcia]

11. Plans coming together

POSTER PARTY
Wednesday, March 9th, 6:00pm
537 LeGrand Place, Montgomery

PROTEST
Thursday, March 10th
time and location TBA

On March 10, 2005, President Bush comes to Montgomery, Alabama to
promote his social security plan. The Montgomery Peace Project is
asking all concerned citizens and local organizations to join us at a
"JUST SAY NO" rally to oppose the Bush agenda.

JUST SAY NO to destroying social security
JUST SAY NO to war
JUST SAY NO to trashing the environment
JUST SAY NO to cutting veteran's benefits
JUST SAY NO to torture as a foreign policy
JUST SAY NO to cutting social services for the poor
JUST SAY NO to dismantling civil rights protections that people died for in our state
JUST SAY NO and SAY YES to a better future for all our children