Waxman Already Targeted for GOP Backlash

[CorpGovActivist]

As the first mainstream media tremors begin to suggest the coming seismic shift in oversight activities on Capitol Hill, we're already beginning to see Congressman Waxman being attacked in certain quarters:

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wn&q=waxman+halliburton&filter=0

Check out what they're saying about this champion of open government at the RNC: http://www.google.com/search?as_q=waxman&hl=en&num=10&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=gop.org&as_rights=&safe=images

Ways to help Congressman Waxman and his staff:

1. Send a postcard, with a simple, "Attaboy!" to the offices of his committee staff (you'd be surprised how uplifting that can be to Hill staffers): http://oversight.house.gov/contact.asp

2. Send $1 to his campaign committee (even $1 can make a difference; e.g., maybe your buck pays for the postage that reels in a big contributor): http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_detail/C00013128

3. Send $1 to the campaigns that his campaign committee supported (surmising that he views them as allies): http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00013128/

4. If your local Member of Congress sits on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, contact him/her (regardless of party affiliation), and ask them to explain their stance on the oversight investigation(s) that matter most to you (Halliburton, Katrina, etc.): http://oversight.house.gov/about/members.asp

5. Contact your favorite local, regional, and national media outlets, and ask them to run stories about Waxman's activities, and/or to interview the fine folks at HalliburtonWatch.org: http://www.HalliburtonWatch.org

Best,

- Dave

[babylonsister]

1. Thanks for all the valuable info! I'm bookmarkin' this baby and taking

some immediate action! I hope every DUer that reads this does, too.

[CorpGovActivist]

6. One Other Place to Show Support: POGO

I almost forgot the incredible efforts of the Project on Government Oversight:

http://www.pogo.org/

https://secure.ga6.org/08/website

They've created a "shadow investigatory arm" that has become very trusted by whistleblowers. They've also been incredible at funneling that info to the right hands on Capitol Hill (e.g., Waxman and Conyers).

Best,

- Dave

[Karenina]

2. OH HENRY!!!

:SWOON: K&R!

[mmonk]

3. Without impeachment, it will all be political debate

in the press.

[illinoisprogressive]

4. I sent a really great message and it wouldn't go through! ahhhh!

[Kurovski]

7. I hope you saved it

Always "save" or copy the stuff you work hard on when dealing with the computer.

[CorpGovActivist]

9. Send a "Local Flavor" Postcard

If your hometown is the site of the largest ball of yarn, send a postcard of that. If the Waxman staffers have tangible proof that Americans from all 50 states - and a majority of Congressional districts - are demanding real oversight, they can bring those into committee hearings and wield them as an instrument to soften up the opposition.

Besides, believe it or not, many Hill staffers have a good sense of humor, and would appreciate a little bizzare local flavor.

- Dave

[DemReadingDU]

13. Great idea!

I'm sure I can find a great postcard from my area!

P.S. Can they accept treats? (like a box of homemade cookies?)

edit to add - they'd probably have to get out the sniffer dogs first :(

[CorpGovActivist]

18. Alas...

... it's a sign of our times.

There was a time when it wasn't uncommon for Hill staffers to be surprised with pizza deliveries.

: (

- Dave

[cyclezealot]

40. gotta send post cards.

the Congress sets up a zip code system for most consituents only. It is infrequent for congress to return non constituent mail. Does not mean they don't read it. It's just not Waxman. Try any member, you will frequently get the same reply. In fact , once I thought I read congress members are disallowed from replying to non consitutents? Does not mean it's not a good idea to show support for the likes of brave members like Waxman, Murtha. Post cards are only 39 cents. Faster to since security clearance requires less postal inspection.

[Kurovski]

5. K&R#5 4 the Waxman!!!

[Rex]

8. I dare them to fuck with Waxman.

Unlike most of the bobble-headed simpletons in Congress, Henry knows his shit. A rare one and not one to mess with IMO. I've watched this guy for years and I can tell he has been WAITING for a chance to rip up some corrupt Repuke ass!

[DemReadingDU]

10. WooHoo, Waxman!

:woohoo:

I am so looking forward to watching Waxman on C-Span for his investigative hearings! :applause:

[wryter2000]

17. Oh, gawd

Me too. Those'll be awesome hearings.

[CorpGovActivist]

11. He's a Bulldog, All Right...

... but anything we can do to help keep his staff's spirits up, we should do. Even with subpoena power, they have a long slog ahead.

- Dave

[Rex]

19. True,now that he has some actual power, the real fight begins!

nt

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

12. K & R, for the postcard idea, alone. The others are great, too.

:kick: MKJ

[Qutzupalotl]

14. "Attaboy!"

In 2003, I wrote Waxman a letter of encouragement and moral support...okay, it was an onsite form, but still... a few days later I received a nice but brief letter in reply PLUS a copy of two LONG letters he wrote to the president asking for answers, all on official letterhead. Such things are gold to us political junkies.

He listens, and even this makes a difference.

[Tiggeroshii]

15. therre is an error when I send a message through the site.

It doesn't seem to want to process. I will write down the address when I get a chance and then send them a postcard or something. I agree that can really help them.

[tbyg52]

29. I'm wondering if their mailbox is full

I'm getting this:

Can't open merge file /reform/min/param_files/form_mail.txt: No such file or directory
Your request could not be processed because of the above error. Nothing has been saved. Please notify the manager of this web site that a problem was encountered.
If no web site manager information is available for this site, please use the Web Comments form for the US House of Representatives to report the error. Please be sure to include as much information as possible (such as the Location/Address of the web page being used when the error occurred) so that steps can be taken to resolve the issue. Thank you.

Got it with IE as well as with Firefox.

Edited to add:
Here's another contact page:
http://www.house.gov/waxman/email.htm

[Tiggeroshii]

35. Thanks!

I was able to send it. :D

[KoKo]

16. Thanks for Heads Up on this! K&R

[happydreams]

20. Waxman has been onto these guys for decades. He is going

to open up with :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[CorpGovActivist]

21. In the Age of the Internet...

... his evidence will have Tony Snow breaking into a flop sweat during the daily press briefings.

That'll be fun to watch.

- Dave

[happydreams]

22. I've been excited about this for some time. I mailed him a bunch of

info on Enron years ago and he sent me a real nice thank you letter.
I'd like to get on his investigation team.

He was on Stephanopoulos's show last week. A real cool cucumber.

[CorpGovActivist]

25. Enron, You Say?

Did you see this on his new website? http://oversight.house.gov/investigations.asp?Issue=Enron+Investigation

I have it on good authority that most of the CA delegation (including GOP members) plan to re-open this like it's never been done before.

Senators Boxer and Feinstein are still furious about this, too.

- Dave

[tbyg52]

41. Oh, YES!!!

Good, good, good! Get it out in the open (as well as a lot of other stuff).

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
George Santayana

[happydreams]

56. Enron's link to the Taliban.

Dicey little tidbits that came out way back when, hee, hee.
Enron being the largest contributer to Bush's campaign 2000. Point man in California a Bush admin official, hee, hee,hee.

[Laurab]

23. K&R - Thanks, Dave!

Please keep letting us know how we can help. I think I'm going to donate to POGO - never heard of them before, but their website is pretty interesting. I think I like them!

[CorpGovActivist]

26. POGO Does Incredible Work

They - and their affiliates - have operated a virtual underground railroad for whistleblowers.

For one of their teammates, also see: http://www.whistleblower.org/template/index.cfm

; )

- Dave

[Cleita]

24. You're going to see a lot of this. Watch them go after

Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer and anyone else who is a threat. Although this is serious, I am actually more worried that if their smear tactics don't work they might do something more desperate and Wellstone them. Yes, I believe there was something very suspicious about Paul's "accidental" death and I'm sure others could follow. These criminals are above nothing.

[blm]

27. Yep. Boxer insulted single women, like Dean lost congressional seats, Kerry insulted troops

and Murtha attacked the troops. The establishment in DC are going after the left and the antiwar voices, and too many establishment wing Dems are helping them do it.

[CorpGovActivist]

30. Open Government

BLM -

On the front page of Chairman Waxman's committee site, is a link to: http://oversight.house.gov/investigations.asp?Issue=Open+Government

: )

- Dave

[DemReadingDU]

32. Wow, there are a ton of documents

pertaining to Waxman's Investigations.

This is only to grow exponentially in the future. Waxman and staff are awesome!

[CorpGovActivist]

33. They're VERY Tech Savvy, Too

I expect they'll redefine the use of Internet tools for investigations.

They let no grass grow under their feet while they were in the minority, either.

- Dave

[butterfly77]

58. You can say that again...

especially the last sentence...

[cool user name]

28. I don't care what Waxman did in the past ...

If he goes after these bastards, he's a certified hero to me.

[VOX]

31. The right-wing cabal is *TERRIFIED* of Waxman. He is ethical, tenacious, and highly respected.

I'm lucky enough to live in Congressman Waxman's district. He has a reliability, integrity and stick-to-it-iveness that shames most public servants. He is thorough, honest and sincere.

Waxman's been laboring in the vineyard for decades as an advocate of openness and transparency in government. He is, God bless him, the ultimate "revenge of the nerd." (Our elected officials should all be so nerdy.)

If you've been screwing around on the taxpayer's dollars, or using an elected post for unethical gain, Waxman is the **LAST** guy you want to face. He will unhinge you at the kneecaps by following the letter of the law.

He is the neocons' worst nightmare. And he won't be trifled with.

[CorpGovActivist]

34. He Picks Good Staff, to Boot

Even with the slim pickings of the minority budget, they did an incredible job of cataloging the evidence, and preparing it for prime time.

As if that weren't enough, they're incredibly nice.

- Dave

[philly_bob]

36. Another Waxman fan!

His work on Bush administration meddling in Scientific Research was great.

Mess with Waxman at your own risk, Republicans.

I have doubts and quibbles with a number of big-name Democrats -- I won't mention them -- but Waxman has fought when the fight seemed hopless.

[gratefultobelib]

37. Thank you so much!

I'll be out looking for postcards tomorrow!

[chill_wind]

38. K&R for Waxman.

He's been documenting and preparing for this time patiently, tirelessly and diligently from the beginning. He is ready. Given the opportunity and cooperation from other key Dems, I have faith he can nail these bastards.

Start effortlessly with good ole Intel Chairman Roberts, and the gang of eight, Mr Waxman. Just pull even a couple of the nearest careerists' threads and the whole foul cabal will unravel all the way up.

[cyclezealot]

39. THanks for the reminder.

for those who know who the Repuke attack machine works, this is not news. Swiftboating does not just occur at elections. I have sent my third wave to members like Waxman, Dingell, Murtha. We need responsive government oversight. Remember Sen. Pat Roberts of Senate INtelligence and his Senate Intelligence "cover up committee." That is not oversight. I hope viewers here don't fall into normalcy and not act. The freepers on in the attack mode.
If you want to have Democrats to have backbone, they need our support far more often than just before an election.

[MANative]

42. Thanks for the heads up, Dave!

Nice to read you again :)

MANative

[CorpGovActivist]

48. Thanks!

"Nice to read you again"

Nice to be able to get a cogent thought down again.

; )

- Dave

[MANative]

55. Had no doubt...

you'd be back in fine form :)

[WinstonSmith4740]

43. Couldn't get the link to work...

so I just emailed him directly. I used to live in SoCal (although not in his district) and Henry's ALWAYS been a target of the rabid right, but they've never been able to touch him. He's a pretty straight up guy, so they can't smear him. He's got a spine, so they can't intimidate him. And he's got a brain, so they can't fool him. All in all, he's got to be their biggest nightmare. He was one of the biggest reasons I was so happy about November's results...I knew he'd be heading up a committee like this and I knew we could count on him to stand up and do what's right!

[DemReadingDU]

45. Couldn't you see Henry

grinning from ear to ear after the November elections!

:applause:

[EFerrari]

44. Oh no they don't

:evilgrin:

[bobbolink]

46. Thanks for the reminder--we MUST support those who are LOYAL Dems!

I'm so glad you wrote this! Yes, we need to keep after our reps who let us down.

BUT, we MUST keep thanking and supporting those who are working so hard to do what's right.

Just remember, those staffers are receiving hate calls and hate mail all the time.

I once called a member of the Black Caucus because of a terrific speech. The poor staffer who answered was beside herself because I was the *FIRST* to call in support, and she whispered, "We're getting death threats." That tore my heart out!!

Please, get on the phone today, call 1 (888) 355 - 3588, or 1 (888) 818 - 6641,or 1 (877) 851 - 6437, ask for Waxman's office, and thank the staffer who answers. You can be sure it will be appreciated!!

[CorpGovActivist]

47. Great Idea...

... but splurge on the postcard, too. Those are tangible, and can be passed around among the staffers/pinned up on a "Wall of American Support".

: )

- Dave

[bobbolink]

49. Will do!

Staffers are on my gratitude list!

Plus... I even have an address now! ^_^ :hi:

[CorpGovActivist]

51. You Don't Say?

That's wonderful!!! Happy 2007. May it bring you firm footing and much joy.

- Dave

[bobbolink]

57. Yup, I do say. ~~chortle~~ Got some stuff moved in today.

Someday I even plan to have a bed. :rofl:

Thanks so much for the well-wishes!! :hi:

What lies ahead in 2007 is much work on making sure that this doesn't happen to others, so I accept your wishes for that, also! I will appreciate any support in this, as it will be a stiff uphill climb.

At the same time, I fully support what you are doing, and suspect you also have a bit of a hillclimb, your own self.

Here's to your health :toast:, your determination to see justice through :toast: and... well, just your general pluckiness :) :) :)

[porphyrian]

50. Keep fighting the good fight, Congressman! We're counting on it. - n/t

[omega minimo]

52. How bout a Forum modeled on this post, for future "Scapegoats du Jour" and action?

Watching the M$M vipers go after Speaker Pelosi in interviews made it clear why the Democrats use such careful language.

Thanks for great work.

:thumbsup:

[radfringe]

53. kick

[DemReadingDU]

54. morning kick

:hi: