Please bear with us, as various pages are still under construction, and new features will be made available as we continue to grow and develop this new tool. 

So, come on in, and feel free to browse and see what we have to offer!  Click on the links and the drop down menus to the left to go to other sections.

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Check out our Newsletter for the latest information on what is going on in the 5th CD. 

ABC News Reports that Bush APPROVED Torture!

(Note: After years of repeatedly denying that he had knowledge of, or approved of torture techniques being used, and months of an ABC News investigation, Bush finally acknowledged that he APPROVED of torture techniques being used.  Not only did he approve of them, but Condoleeza Rice had meetings that were very specific about what techniques could be used, so that the torture was choreographed according to what they approved!)

April 11, 2008

President Bush says he knew his top national security advisers discussed and approved specific details about how high-value al Qaeda suspects would be interrogated by the Central Intelligence Agency, according to an exclusive interview with ABC News Friday.

"Well, we started to connect the dots in order to protect the American people." Bush told ABC News White House correspondent Martha Raddatz. "And yes, I'm aware our national security team met on this issue. And I approved."

 
As first reported by ABC News Wednesday, the most senior Bush administration officials repeatedly discussed and approved specific details of exactly how high-value al Qaeda suspects would be interrogated by the CIA.

The high-level discussions about these "enhanced interrogation techniques" were so detailed, these sources said, some of the interrogation sessions were almost choreographed -- down to the number of times CIA agents could use a specific tactic.

These top advisers signed off on how the CIA would interrogate top al Qaeda suspects -- whether they would be slapped, pushed, deprived of sleep or subjected to simulated drowning, called waterboarding, sources told ABC news.

The advisers were members of the National Security Council's Principals Committee, a select group of senior officials who met frequently to advise President Bush on issues of national security policy.

At the time, the Principals Committee included Vice President Dick Cheney, former National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Colin Powell, as well as CIA Director George Tenet and Attorney General John Ashcroft.

As the national security adviser, Rice chaired the meetings, which took place in the White House Situation Room and were typically attended by most of the principals or their deputies.

The so-called Principals who participated in the meetings also approved the use of "combined" interrogation techniques -- using different techniques during interrogations instead of using one method at a time -- on terrorist suspects who proved difficult to break, sources said.

Contacted by ABC News, spokesmen for Tenet and Rumsfeld declined to comment about the interrogation program or their private discussions in Principals meetings. The White House also declined comment on behalf of Rice and Cheney. Ashcroft could not be reached.

ABC News' Diane Sawyer sat down with Powell this week for a previously scheduled interview and asked him about the ABC News report.

Powell said that he didn't have "sufficient memory recall" about the meetings and that he had participated in "many meetings on how to deal with detainees."

Powell said, "I'm not aware of anything that we discussed in any of those meetings that was not considered legal."

In his interview with ABC News, Bush said the ABC report about the Principals' involvement was not so "startling." The president had earlier confirmed the existence of the interrogation program run by the CIA in a speech in 2006. But before Wednesday's report, the extraordinary level of involvement by the most senior advisers in repeatedly approving specific interrogation plans -- down to the number of times the CIA could use a certain tactic on a specific al Qaeda prisoner -- had never been disclosed.

more... 

 http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/LawPolitics/story?id=4635175&page=1

Condoleeza Rice, then NSC advisor held several high level top-secret meetings regarding what torture techniques could be used and then perjured herself before Congress claiming that it had not been used!  Hear her say in her own words that torture is illegal under U.S. law!  (Click on the arrow in the middle of the video screen to start the video.)

Sign the petition to call on Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice to resign!

http://condimustgo.com/

How do you keep a war going on for 100 years?

Six months at a time.

Here's evidence of how the Bush/McCain Endless War Installment Plan is conning America into buying into this Endless War.

See the video put out by MoveOn.org.  Click on the arrow in the middle of the screen below to start the video.

(MoveOn.org is not affiliated with our organization.  The YouTube video was taken off of their website and reposted here.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suNqiAgE1kw

What are the Stakes in This Year's Presidential Election? 

Quite simply, the choice is between more of the same of Bush politics and policies, which have been embraced by the far right and have hurt the majority of Americans, or a change in direction. 

The presumptive Republican Party nominee, John McCain, claims to be the candidate of the future and of change, but he surrounds himself with George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush cronies, who have supported them in lockstep, just has McCain has done.  McCain is no longer the maverick opposing Bush.  He is the lapdog doing Bush's whim in order to gain the support of Bush's base and the White House, even to the continued detriment of this country.

We are entangled in an illegal war, that was supported by the far right, because they benefit financially from it, but for the most part, don't have to pay for it, or fight it.

This $750 Billion boondoggle to Bush donors like Halliburton, KBR, Titan, CACI, Blackwater, and many more, are stealing food out of the mouths of your children, the clothes off of your back and the homes that you have worked so hard to attain.  It is destroying your future and your childrens' future by taking the resources that could have provided you with an education and jobs and healthcare; while shipping jobs and industries to countries that compete with us globally.

If you want to see more proof on just how badly Bush and Co. have bungled this war in Iraq in order to fraudulently steal money from American Taxpayers, you need to see Robert Greenwald's film.  "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers".  You can check out a preview here:  http://iraqforsale.org/

and more eye opening previews here:

http://store.bravenewfilms.org/ifsdvd06.php

http://iraqforsale.org/trailer.php

http://iraqforsale.org/video_military.php

http://iraqforsale.org/video_revolution.php

http://iraqforsale.org/video_erik.php

http://iraqforsale.org/video_blackwater.php

http://iraqforsale.org/video_david.php

http://iraqforsale.org/video_caci.php

http://iraqforsale.org/video_gettested.php

http://iraqforsale.org/video_pursuit.php

http://www.linktv.org/programs/mwatch_iraq

http://iraqforsale.bravenewfilms.org/blog/393-watch-director-robert-greenwald-on-olbermann

http://iraqforsale.bravenewfilms.org/blog/404-new-video-the-tale-of-prince-blackwater-ceo-erik-prince

http://iraqforsale.bravenewfilms.org/blog/871-producer-director-robert-greenwald-on-bill-maher-s-show

Video from Congressional hearing on Iraq war profiteering

Testimony reveals Blackwater abuse, negligence

http://iraqforsale.bravenewfilms.org/blog/501-testimony-reveals-blackwater-abuse-negligence

Stopping War for Profit: Greenwald on Olbermann
by jessehaff · Tuesday February 20, 07:09 AM

During congressional hearings on Iraq war profiteering last week, the governments top 3 auditors found $10 billion in overcharges or unaccounted spending out of $57 billion in private contracts. Keith Olbermann interviewed Robert on the issue of Iraq war profiteering. Robert explained:

"We have to call into question the very core issue: yes they're stealing, but even above and beyond that, should people be profiting - should corporations be making millions and millions when Iraqis and Americans are being killed? That to me goes to the heart of the issue and we need to start asking that harder and harder."

Iraq for Sale video banned from Congress

Director Robert Greenwald is testifying today on outsourcing before the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. He was invited to testify before Congress by Rep. Jim Moran and intended to show four minutes from Iraq For Sale. Instead, Republicans banned the excerpts from being shown. The video above is what was intended to be shown before Congress.

VIDEO: Robert Greenwald vs. Jack Kingston
by robert greenwald · Friday May 11, 09:34 AM

As I walked down the very big, very impressive halls of Congress yesterday, it started to dawn on me that the idea of making a film about war profiteering had actually led to a hearing in Congress in front of the people who can make a difference on the issue -- the people who write the legislation.

As I continued down that very long, very marble hall I began to have flashbacks about the road that had gotten me here. It started when we began work on Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers January 2006.

I thought of the call I received from Bob Borosage at Campaign for America's Future­ he said Brave New Films had to do a film about the war profiteering occurring in Iraq. I remember my visceral response when I first heard the term war profiteering-how could anyone be so sick as to profiteer from war.

As I walked down the hall, I thought of the 3000 people who donated $25 and $50 a piece to help us get started on production of the film. We had had trouble raising funds in the timeframe we needed to work within, and the amazing people who had supported Brave New Film's past work chipped in to get our production started.

I thought of our wonderful Executive Producer Dal LaManga who invested the money we needed to finish. He said to me, "Stop trying to raise more money, here, go finish the movie and tell the world what is happening."

I thought of the soldiers, and of the families of contractors who appear in the film -- their courage continues to motivate and inspire me.

I flashed back to the thousands of screenings of Iraq for Sale that occurred across the country and around the world.

And then, I realized I was there, at the entrance to the hearing room about to speak to the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense about war profiteering.

Jeremy Scahill, the brilliant author of BLACKWATER was with me. I listened as he gave his remarks to the committee. He detailed research from his book that even members of Congress did not know. When my time came to speak, I told stories about the people I got to know while making Iraq for Sale. I was not allowed to show clips from the film, so I explained the stories of how private corporations are making a killing in Iraq. (testimony)

When the time came for questioning, Jack Kingston, (Rep- Georgia) began to attack Jeremy and me (video). His attacks were beyond weak. He falsely attempted to smear me and the people who helped to make this film a reality. I got a warm fuzzy feeling thinking about the fact that truth was on my side, while Kingston simply had feeble rhetoric. As Jeremy and I fought back against Kingston, -we were giving Kingston a one-two punch he could not recover from.

As his attacks continued it dawned on me that others on the Committee were listening, thinking, and probably forming questions about how they could change they system and hold corporations accountable. They were.

It's been a hell of a ride from last January to now. This next step of taking the ideas of the film, the issues raised and turning them into very specific solutions shows that people really can have an impact when they fight hard for what is right.

See the film, and make sure all your friends and relatives see it, particularly if they still support this war.  It will open your eyes and make you sick that our government continues to support this wholesale theft, not for our security, but for corporate profit.  It shows people who originally supported the war and supported and worked for the companies that supported Bush, until they got to Iraq and saw what was really going on there.  It shows that companies (Halliburton/KBR) responsible for providing clean water for our troops are NOT treating the water, but taking water directly out of rivers, that are polluted with feces and loaded with bacteria, and giving it to our troops to drink, so that these companies can increase their profits.  And that is only the tip of the iceberg.  

Instead of providing security and prosperity to Americans here at home, he throws away lives and resources on a war that has accomplished nothing in the past and will accomplish nothing in the future, except to weaken America while destroying ordinary Americans' dreams, while the super rich refuse to contribute to the taxes that pay for the war and Bush's policies, making them even more wealthy.

McCain calls into question Senator Barack Obama's qualifications for Commander in Chief when Obama said in response to a Tim Russert hypothetical question that he would attack an enemy "that threatens America or America's interests", even on Pakistan soil, (which President Bush has just done), and that if Al Qaida regrouped in Iraq, after our troops withdrew, that he would send them back.

McCain and Bush have responded by saying that Al Qaida in Iraq means that Al Qaida are already in Iraq.

Senator Obama responded by saying that Al Qaida weren't in Iraq until after Bush and McCain invaded Iraq.  (Look it up, it's true.  Saddam Hussein, Iraq's dictator, did not share his power with anyone, and did not allow Al Qaida to come into Iraq to establish bases or training camps.  In fact, Al Qaida had its bases and training camps in Afghanistan and PAKISTAN, which is supposed to be a U.S. Ally.  Members of Pakistan's Intelligence service were actually training bin Laden's forces in Afghanistan when American troops were preparing to invade Bora Bora.  Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ordered American troops to stand down for several weeks to allow Pakistan Intelligence agents to escape across a narrow mountain pass into Pakistan before the bombing of Bora Bora began.  bin Laden and his followers are believed to have escaped along with the Pakistan Intelligence agents during this time period along this same route that was intentionally left unguarded.  This was a matter of media investigation early on in the war, (and then quickly dropped), where members of the military and chopper crews were interviewed who admitted that this actually had happened.

McCain, on the other hand, has demonstrated his own inability to act "Presidential" or demonstrate the ability to act judiciously or with sound strategy in the use of our military.  He is promising us that the war and occupation in Iraq could last 100 years and that "there will be more wars".  He forgets that the first duty of the President of the United States is to keep us safe by avoiding war through diplomatic means, not to threaten war at every opportunity. 

See for yourself:  http://mccainsings.com/?utm_source=rgemail

And then ask yourself if singing "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" is "Presidential", "good judgement" or "good strategy" in dealing with a country which we could soon be at war with now, when they weren't a threat before we attacked Iraq.  Ask yourself if McCain's singing this little ditty ignored the reality of the sensitivity of this issue, in order to stir up the blood lust of his followers, even if it further endangered Americans and American interests in the region.  For more on why McCain is bad for America click on the link below.

http://wisc5thcddems.com/WebSitePageEditor/default.aspx

See John McCain debate himself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI&feature=related

WISCONSIN Has Historic Importance

There are many Democrats and Independents who want to be Democrats this year (and even a few Republicans), and are even interested in getting involved in our Party process.

For those of you who are, you have an historic opportunity to get involved in selecting the Democratic nominee for our Presidential candidate.

Wisconsin does not require registration by Party. Individuals may register to vote up to 10 days in advance of any election. They may also register to vote at the polls with proof of at least 10 days of residency.

Wisconsin State Law mandates an open primary. However, voters may cast a ballot for one Party only, thereby eliminating crossover from one Party to another for specific races within an election.

Participation in Wisconsin’s delegate selection process, other than the February 19, 2008 primary, is open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats who file a written declaration of Democratic Party preference with the Democratic State Party. (Rules 2.A. & 2.C & Reg. 4.3.)

No persons shall participate or vote in the nominating process for the Democratic presidential candidate who also participates in the nominating process of any other party for the corresponding elections. (Rule 2.E.)

No person shall vote in more than one meeting, which is the first meeting in the delegate selection process. (Rule 3.E. & Reg. 4.6.)


In addition to the primary caucuses and elections, each state has their own Delegate election process at different levels. Wisconsin is allowed a total of 48 district-level delegates and 8 district-level alternates. (Rule 8.C., Call, I.B. & I.I.)

Each county within the 5th CD is allowed the following number of delegates and an equal number of alternates within the 5th CD:

Ozaukee 30
Washington 34
Waukesha 98
Jefferson 4
Milwaukee 48 (Milwaukee has part of the city in the 5th CD, and part in the 1st CD, but the majority of the city is in the 4th CD)

If you live in these counties within the boundaries of the 5th Congressional District, and would like to get involved, but are not currently an active member of the Democratic Party, other than voting for Democratic candidates, contact your local County Democratic Party Chairs to find out where their meetings are being held and where and when their Delegate elections are being held.

If you are located in the 1st or 4th Congressional Districts, contact the County Chairs within those Districts for further information.


To contact your local County Democratic Party Chairs

Go to: http://www.wisdems.org/ht/d/Committees/committeeLevel/3/pid/734851  

Then select the letter that the county you live in begins with (at the bottom of the page).

Scroll down the page until you find the name of your county, and you will see the contact information for your County Democratic Party Chair.


The Congressional District Delegate Elections are to be held on May 4. Registration starts at 12:00 PM CST and closes when the caucuses begin at 2:00 P.M CST.

The 5th CD Delegate election will elect from among the elected County Delegates, 3 males and 2 females for a total of 5 delegates to move onto the Democratic National Convention for nomination of our Democratic Presidential candidate. We are also allowed one alternate who, according to the formula in the DPW’s Delegate Selection Plan for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, must be male.

To get more information about the convention, delegate election process and the timeline of events for our elections you can download the following .pdf documents. (You will need Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer in order to view them. You can download Adobe Acrobat for free from their website at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/  )


The Wisconsin party site about the convention:
http://www.wisdems.org/ht/d/sp/i/1019195/pid/1019195  


The full state delegate selection plan (PDF):
http://www.wisdems.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/1117822  


Timeline of events:
http://www.wisdems.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/1126793 


For those of you who are also interested in becoming more active in the Democratic Party on a local, regional or national level, you can start by becoming a member of the Democratic Party. You can sign up online here: http://www.wisdems.org/ht/d/Join/pid/460648  

It's time for a change in our government and in politics as usual.

Become part of the wave that is making this historic change. 

Democratic Values

Democrats are the party of opportunity, dedicated to helping every American achieve the promise of freedom, success and financial security.

Throughout our history, Democrats have fought against the special interests and for the needs of America's working families

To help Americans work and retire in dignity, Democrats passed legislation creating Social Security and Medicare, affordable college loans, the G.I. Bill, the 40-hour work week, and family and medical leave.

Today, we are still fighting for those who are working and those who are looking for work, for parents, for the disabled, for senior citizens, and for our children.

We believe diversity is our country's greatest strength, and that we can work together to build a stronger, brighter future.

Our agenda is your agenda: national security, economic security, education, affordable healthcare, secure pensions and 401 (k) benefits, and a clean environment.