MoveOn Emergency Petition to Stop Alito! 250,000 signatures in 48 hours

Today President Bush caved to pressure from the far right and nominated the notoriously radical judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Today we're joining the campaign to stop him by aiming to collect 250,000 signatures in 48 hours. Can you sign today?

http://www.moveonpac.org/stopalito/?id=6240-512597-cUYmqLDGNPwUk.WeF7V5hQ&t=2

This morning, with his administration growing weaker by the day, President Bush caved to pressure from the radical fringe of the Republican Party and nominated Samuel Alito to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. Alito is a notoriously right-wing judge on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. He has consistently ruled to strip basic protections from workers, women, minorities and the disabled in favor of unchecked power for corporations and special interests.

That's why today we're joining the fight with an emergency petition to the Senate, calling on them to stand up for ordinary Americans and reject Alito's nomination. We're aiming to gather a quarter million signatures and comments in the next 48 hours.

Can you sign today?

http://www.moveonpac.org/stopalito/?id=6240-512597-cUYmqLDGNPwUk.WeF7V5hQ&t=2

Bush's ploy to woo the far-right could reshape the High Court for decades to come—but we don't have to let that happen. The president's rock-bottom approval ratings and the scandals engulfing virtually every Republican leader have broken the spell of the right-wing spin machine. If we all speak up, together we have the power to stop this radical nominee.

Only hours after the nomination, the battle lines are already clear. Leading progressive groups that specialize in protecting the Court (including People For the American Way and the Alliance for Justice) have already launched an emergency campaign to defeat Alito's nomination1—a step they did not take with either John Roberts or Harriet Miers.

The far-right, on the other hand, is thrilled. Organizations who vigorously opposed Harriet Miers for not being conservative enough are "elated," and far-right leaders from Pat Robertson3 to Trent Lott4 are singing Alito's praise.

Judge Samuel Alito is widely known as "Scalito" because he so closely follows the far-right judicial philosophy of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Here's a summary of just some of the core protections that Alito would threaten:

Basic Rights for Working Families
As a judge on the Appeals Court, Alito issued a ruling to gut the Family and Medical Leave Act, which guarantees most workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a loved one in an emergency. The Supreme Court effectively overturned that ruling in 2003—but if Alito were on the Supreme Court he would pose a grave threat to the basic rights of working families.

Civil Rights (in the workplace and beyond)
In separate cases, Alito wrote dissenting opinions that would have made it essentially impossible to prove employment discrimination based on race or disability. He was overruled and harshly criticized by his colleagues, but if he were on the Supreme Court he could turn back the clock on decades of progress in securing civil rights for minorities and the disabled.

A Woman's Right to Choose
Alito's judicial record and published views make him widely regarded as a sure vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. The extremist anti-abortion group Operation Rescue (who opposed Harriet Miers) responded to Alito's nomination today by saying: "Roe's days are numbered...We are trusting that we are now on the fast-track to derailing Roe v. Wade as the law of the land." If Alito were on the Supreme Court, reproductive freedom would be in serious jeopardy.

Privacy and Civil Liberties
In one significant case, Alito wrote a dissenting oppinion that would have allowed an unauthorized strip search of a woman and her 10 year-old daughter, in their own home, without a warrant. Again, Alito was outvoted and strongly criticized by his fellow judges, but if he were to join Thomas and Scalia on the Supreme Court he would pose a grave threat to civil liberties and individual freedoms.

Democrats in Washington are already speaking out. Here are few highlights:

"If confirmed, Alito could very well fundamentally alter the balance of the court and push it dangerously to the right, placing at risk decades of American progress in safeguarding our fundamental rights and freedoms." –Sen. Ted Kennedy

"It's sad that felt he had to pick a nominee likely to divide America." –Sen Charles Schumer

"Has the right wing now forced a weakened President to nominate a divisive justice in the mold of Antonin Scalia?" –Sen. John Kerry

"President Bush has...made a selection to appease the far right-wing of the Republican Party." –Sen. Barak Obama

"Last week after Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination, I asked the President: Who was in charge? Today, the President answered: the radical conservative right is in charge of this Administration." –House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi

"I look forward to...learning why those who want to pack the Court with judicial activists are so much more enthusiastic about him than they were about Harriet Miers." –Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid


If we can gather 250,000 signatures in the next 48 hours, it will make a powerful first impression in the media, and the Senate. We can show that ordinary Americans will not let a failing president sacrifice the Supreme Court, and all the rights it protects, in a political game.

No one knows how this nomination will end, but the Supreme Court is the last chance at justice for millions of Americans, and we all have a stake in this fight.

Please sign today:

http://www.moveonpac.org/stopalito/?id=6240-512597-cUYmqLDGNPwUk.WeF7V5hQ&t=3


================================

Sources:

1. See People for the American Way and The Alliance for Justice
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/
http://www.supremecourtwatch.org/

2. See the statement of Manuel Miranda, Chair of the Third Branch Conference "This time, Liberals Voice Oppostion" CNSNews.com, October 31st, 2005 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=1087

3 "Bush Picks Alito for Supreme Court" NBC News, October 31st, 2005
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=1088

4 Statement by Senator Trent Lott, October 31st, 2005
http://lott.senate.gov/

5 "Bloggers React to Supreme Court Nomination," Reuters, October 31st, 2005 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=1089

6 The issues and cases highlighted above are cited from The American Progress Action Fund fact sheet, available at:
http://thinkprogress.org/2005/10/31/samuel-alitos-america

For more information on these issues and cases, please see the extended reports prepared by People for the American Way, and the Alliance for Justice , available at:
* http://www.supremecourtwatch.org/alitoprelim1031.pdf
* http://media.pfaw.org/stc/AlitoPreliminary.pdf

7 Statement of Operation Rescue, October 31st, 2005
http://www.earnedmedia.org/or1031.htm

8 Statement of Senator Edward Kennedy, October 31st, 2005
http://kennedy.senate.gov/index_high.html

9 "Why Bish Picked Alito" Time October 31st, 2005
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1124426,00.html?promoid=rss_top

10 CBS4 Boston, October 31st, 2005
http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_304111218.html

11 Satement of Senator Barak Obama, October 31st, 2005
http://obama.senate.gov/

12 Statement of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, October 31st, 2005
http://www.dccc.org/stakeholder/

13 Statement of Senator Harry Reid, October 31st, 2005 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=1085

But they need more than just 250K, thats only about .1% of the voters in this country. We need about 100 times that many before the DINO's will listen to us I think.

We need a moderate woman not another male Catholic.

cause if U R not a MoveOn member, now is the time!

Philippe Henon, a spokesman for Unicef Belgium, said his agency had set out to shock...

Philippe Henon, Tel: 32-2-230.59.70, Mobile: 32-477 555.023,
Email: phenon@unicef.be

The AP actually did a story and there is a clip at MSNBC.com...
<http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9662883/#storyContinued>

I cannot play the clip - I am a Mac devote.

The PFAW petition is linked to in the OP of this thread, which also contains documentation of his stand on reproductive rights:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2204776
thread title (10/31): Why Alito? Booman explains: Roe destroyed, Bush’s crimes buried. Petition:

But we must BROADEN the discussion of Alito's appalling extremist activism and close ties with Bush. This thread gives documentation by Think Progress some of the other reasons why he is totally unacceptable. I'll give a preview by listing subject headings from that post below:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2206263
thread title (10/31): Not just Roe - Think Progress gives ALITO's awful civil rights positions:



And this is just a start - the man would be a catastrophic choice. We have to make people who personally oppose abortion see that.

Thanks.

This should be fun to watch - I'm expecting they'll hit their goal well before 48 hours passes.

:kick:

:kick:

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

<http://www.savethecourt.org/site/c.mwK0JbNTJrF/b.1142525/k.3576/Stop_Alito/apps/ka/ct/contactcustom.asp>

Over 15,000 signatures in about 25 minutes! Whoa baby!

I HEARBY RAISE THE GOAL TO 1,000,000 SIGNATURES IN 48 HOURS -

DO IT!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

That is OVER 35,000 signatures in just over ONE HOUR -- since 8:45 pm

So, let's estimate 25,000 sigs per hour for 48 hours...

That would be 1,200,000 sigs -- more, more, more !!

And, include the word - FILIBUSTER - in your comments on the petition.

This matters becase Alito is wrong for SCOTUS. This matters because the Dems MUST grow a spine. This matters because if the Dems do grow a spine the Senate Rethugs will jump ship. This matters because the * administration is fantasizing about invading more countries and killing more people. This matters because the more they feed the war machine, the less food is available for the people.

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

Not only did I mention the word Filibuster, I told them if they come back with their Nucular Option,.....SHUT IT DOWN, SHUT IT DOWN, SHUT IT DOWN !!!!!:nuke:

*

And as of 10:20 EDT, they're at 47%!

Gladly. :)

After all, getting rid of the fillibuster without a 2/3rds majority of those voting would be illegal. From Senate Rule 22:

"Is it the sense of the Senate that the debate shall be brought to a close?" And if that question shall be decided in the affirmative by three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn -- except on a measure or motion to amend the Senate rules, in which case the necessary affirmative vote shall be two-thirds of the Senators present and voting -- then said measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of.
http://rules.senate.gov/senaterules/rule22.htm

Bring it on. No more storing up political capital for some hypothetical next fight. Only 40% of America approves of Bush, 55% says he's a failure. Time to fight his far-right extremist appointment. No more Mr. Nice guys from the previously spineless Democrats.

However :kick:

Planned Parenthood
http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/sc_round3_oppose2/

People for the American Way
http://www.savethecourt.org/alito

To whom it may concern,
I am a young man with young onset parkinson's diesease. There are mornings when I can't move and days in which I am confined to a wheel chair.The Dyskensia in my hands is so bad that I can no longer drive, or even eat soup on some days. Once in a while those tremors are so bad that I need help to use the restroom.

I am pleadding all senators from each side of the aisle to oppose Alito as he would deny me my basic rights to life liberty and the purusuit of happiness by - as I fear- outlawing stem cell research.

I want to have a normal life, to be able to go to work, and walk without pain or the fear of falling. The only way possible for this to happen is if they place a moderate on the court.I feel that no one has the right to make me suffer for thier religious views. Thank you and god bless,
Daniel xxxxx

'Politics' is about real people and the Senators need to be reminded of that.

:yourock:

:D :yourock: back atcha.

They will be at 100% before 24 hours passes -- they have got to increase the goal!

I'm planning on calling each of my senators once a week to remind them not to vote for Alito. With Joe Biden, it's kinda a waste of time because he has been strong against these one-sided judges. But Carper worries me - I'll have to keep on top of this one!

think we are.....if you truly think that 250,000 or 250,000,000 signatures from MoveOn.org mean anything to GWB, you're as crazy as a bedbug. The only petition that would mean anything to him would be signed by 51 senators. The only petition that would mean anything to those senators are petitions signed by those in their home states. Simply the act of submitting signatures from MoveOn shows we're idiots. It may make us feel better but its useless in the extreme.

this is going to the Senate who has a direct hand in the confirmation of Alito. Please sign, especially if your Senators are likely to vote for confirmation.

They have in past, had volunteers from each state deliver the petitions to their home offices - in each state & had others deliver them to the Washington DC office. Two media bangs for the buck.

The one thing I can guarantee is that if we do nothing - we will get exactly what we have got.

God Bless -- O8)

It works pretty well. By the time I got to Senator Kohl's office in the afternoon, the front desk had a stack of paper about two feet tall. Our goal had been to deliver petitions every 5 minutes. Not that Kohl has ever cared, however, but it works for some of them.

sometimes we don't get to see results in the near-term.

Also, I believe that signing petitions and making calls changes *us* in very important ways -- and we change each other in important ways.

:kick:

How does this sound:

Enough is enough! Every time I think that this administration can't do anymore to harm America, they have to go and prove me wrong.

For once in your miserable career in Washington, act like a man, get your lips off Bush's butt and stand up to this abomination that they are trying to foist upon us.

Hope they all sign it!

:kick:

:hi:

We've achieved 98% of our 250,000 goal (245,373)!
http://political.moveon.org/stopalito/

I just joined this website. I'm glad that we do something productive. I'm actually glad to be a statistic. Don't get to say that to often..heh.

My lifeline in the sea of insanity that surrounds us!

Tired Old Cynic

into the 21st century, it's not a good idea to try to return to the 19th century.

that he does NOT support Family and Medical Leave Act. People need to know this as FMLA is hardly a Dem or Rep issue. That will get those people signing, writing, and calling too. The Repuke Senators need to hear from their consituents, especially if those constituents are typically supporters.

i also circulated the link to my Democratic Town Committee ...

here was the comment i included when i signed the petition:

O'Connor has come to be revered as a moderate justice. She's gained a reputation with the American people, especially since her resignation, as having a well-balanced judicial temperament ...

Appointing someone like her should have been at the core of bush's selection criteria ...

Well, here's what Justice O'Connor wrote when she, Kennedy and Souter wrote the majority opinion on the PA abortion case ... this opinion overturned the "husband notification" requirement that nominee Alito apparently thought was NOT in violation of either the Constitution or societal standards ... O'Connor wrote, while not specifically referring to Alito, that the views embodied by those who support the "husband notification" requirement, as Alito did, were "REPUGNANT" ...

So much for finding someone just like O'Connor ...

Here's an excerpt from the majority opinion:

source: http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/91-744.ZS....

2. Section 3209's husband notification provision constitutes an undue burden and is therefore invalid. A significant number of women will likely be prevented from obtaining an abortion just as surely as if Pennsylvania had outlawed the procedure entirely. The fact that § 3209 may affect fewer than one percent of women seeking abortions does not save it from facial invalidity, since the proper focus of constitutional inquiry is the group for whom the law is a restriction, not the group for whom it is irrelevant. Furthermore, it cannot be claimed that the father's interest in the fetus' welfare is equal to the mother's protected liberty, since it is an inescapable biological fact that state regulation with respect to the fetus will have a far greater impact on the pregnant woman's bodily integrity than it will on the husband. Section 3209 (i.e. "husband notification") embodies a view of marriage consonant with the common law status of married women but repugnant to this Court's present understanding of marriage and of the nature of the rights secured by the Constitution. See Planned Parenthood of Central Mo. v. Danforth, 428 U.S. 52, 69. Pp. 46-58.

Thanks!

Some members of my local ActUP chapter are in the process of establishing a group to make known the queer communties' opposition to this Nazi pig. We are tentatively calling it GOTASS (Gays Opposed To Alito Supreme Selection). Our primary objective will be in educating our community in the dangers of this little Hitler sitting on the Supreme Court and potential blocking any future hope we may have of marriage. My partner is in absolute distress over this, and I must prove to him that I am willing to lay everything I have on the line for our future together, so I am donating a large monetary gift to get this thing quickly off the ground. I hope once the details of it become know (should happen soon), all of you will do the same.



Our Love MUST speak it name!

:hi:

Welcome to your partner, too! :hi:

GOTASS - That acronym just :kick: 's ass!

:yourock:

Thanks IndyOp for the warm welcome! I've been standing on the side lines for a while, but these recent events have just pushed me to the point I feel I have to act. I'm strapping on the helmet and going in! :headbang:

and :yourock: back at ya!

everyone to flood the offices whether you are republician or democrat. This nomination is a war against the direction America wishes to go. Far right wing Christian conservative or moderate democratic value America? You DECIDE America!

I'm tired of these old men trying to tell me what I can and can not do with my own body!!!!

In the words of Monty Python... PISS OFF!!!!!



:grr:

and Thank You!!!

at 107%!

I have a young daughter in College. I'll be damned if I'll let some old, crusty, conservative, theocratic moron tell her what she can and cannot do with her body. This Supreme Court will take this country back to the 19th century if we allow it, we have to let them know we're watching them.
I'm sick to death of these religious zealots sticking their fucking noses in where they DO NOT BELONG! :grr:
I'm one pissed off Dad right now! :mad:

That is over 1/4 of a million in less than 24 hours!

We can definitely make 500,000 within 48 hours -- how about 750,000? how about 1,000,000? This can snowball if we push...

Go team -- :applause:

President Bush's nomination of Samuel Alito to the United States Supreme Court serves two very useful functions to the Bush administration: First, it placates his neo-conservative base and may temporarily stem the bleeding of their support due to Bush's illegal war and economic policies which are bankrupting our country and saddling our children with impossible debt. Second, it causes his political opponents to spend considerable time and energy fighting this nomination, creating a distraction for them as well as the media during what are certain to be shameful upcoming months as more Bush administration indictments arise, and a White House sodden with corruption is exposed, layer by layer.

Samuel Alito is a far cry from Harriet Meyers, and it is clear that this is not so much the President's personal choice as it is a political tourniquette applied to salvage the administration despite any likely long-term legal consequences to the people.

Samuel Alito has consistently taken legal positions which would deny basic rights and protections to workers and women. Alito's influence on the bench will serve to widen the gap between rich and poor, and will criminalize and/or create civil liability for women who are currently free to make decisions regarding their own bodies.

The filibuster is a time-honored tradition used by both parties in cases of extreme discontent. That the Republicans would deign it their right to abrogate this important tool of justice simply highlights their unholy desire to force their own ideals upon others.

With the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, the gauntlet has been thrown at the feet of the Democrats, and the time for a filibuster is now. If a filibuster leads to the "nuclear option," so be it. There is simply no more room to back away from a bullying and corrupt administration while maintaining any level of integrity.

Please do whatever you can to prevent Samuel Alito from taking a seat on the United States Supreme Court. The people deserve a fair, compassionate, principled and wise jurist sitting on the bench, and not just a political pawn.

Thank you for your attention to my concerns.

Your constituent,

XXXX XXXXXXX

Although I signed this petition, I know that there is not a chance in hell that Alito will not be approved, for two reasons: the Republicans have all 3 branches of government under their control. There is no longer such a thing as "Checks and Balances."
And second, because the Democrats are weak and refuse to show the resistance we put them in office for. We are as close to a Constitutional Crisis as we've ever been in the last 140 years.

If the Dems don't see us fight, they will never change.

Welcome to DU!

MoveOn has upped its target signature level to 350,000. As of 2:52 PM EST it's at 295,213 (84%).

:bounce:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I am concerned that Judge Samuel Alito's dissenting opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 947 F.2d 682 (3d Cir. 1991), reflects a radical attitude of judicial activism rather than respect for Supreme Court precedent in the area of privacy and reproductive freedom.

Likewise, Judge Alito's dissenting opinion in United States v. Rybar, 103 F.3d 273 (3d Cir. 1996), further reflects that same activist judicial philosophy rather than respect for the mainstream understanding of congressional authority which has been a settled legal issue for over 60 years now.

Moreover, Judge Alito's dissenting opinion in Banks v. Beard, 399 F.3d 134 (3d Cir. 2005), reflects a cramped view of our Bill of Rights which does not show any respect for Supreme Court precedents in the area of prisoners' First Amendment rights. His dissent in the Doe v. Groody offers no comfort with regard to Judge Alito's attitude toward abuse of the police powers.

Finally, Judge Alito's dissenting opinions in Sheridan v. Dupont, 74 F.3d 1439 (3d Cir. 1996), and Bray v. Marriott Hotels, 110 F.3d 986 (3d Cir. 1997), show a political-result-oriented judicial attitude and a troubling lack of respect for precedent in the area of racial and gender discrimination.

I envision an America where each of these dissenting opinions by Judge Alito has become the law of the land, and I do not recognize it as the America we all love and enjoy. Please note my request that you reconsider your support of Judge Alito.

:mad:

YEAH!!

:patriot:

:kick:

MoveOn has achieved 90% of their NEW goal of 350,000 (315,199) - more, more, more!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

I am distressed that The President feels the need to pander to a tiny minority of fringe radicals by accepting the withdrawal of the previous nominee prior to any hearing or up or down vote. He now continues to acquiesce to the demands of the religious right with this nomination of a judge with extreme views well outside the mainstream. Please let the President know that this is not acceptable to the people that you represent. Thank you.

:kick:

91% of goal...

There is NO MORE time to be nice or to try to work with Republicans in Washington on this or other issues. Their time is up. Your time is up.

They have shown again and again that they cannot and will not compromise with Democrats by putting forth a more mainstream justice to our most powerful court.

Since they will not work within boundaries of cooperation and reason, then it is time to FILIBUSTER, shut down the Senate, or do whatever MUST be done to keep this dangerous man off the bench.

Make no mistake, the consituents of every Senator in DC are watching this very closely and NOW IS THE TIME for you to stand up for Democratic principles of equal rights, civil rights, privacy, and a women's right to choose. Women and miniorities that make up well over half the voting population of this country and many voted for you to represent their best interests up there in DC.

Will you?

Allowing a man like Samuel Alito onto the Supreme Court is NOT protecting or representing their best interests - and THEY know it.

Citizens of this country will EXPECT our Senators to do everything in their power to keep this man OFF the Supreme bench because his record clearly shows that he does not support Democratic principles - the Democratic principles YOU are expected to protect. His appointment will set worker's rights, women's rights, civil rights, consumer rights, and minority rights back decades - often for the benefit of large corporations or religious extremeists who wish to exert Taliban-like control over women.

Be assured that those of us who stand to lose the most by Alito's possible appointment will not only vote in upcoming elections according to your actions on this matter and others, but that come election and campaign time, we will also vote with our DOLLARS for the representatives in DC who did the right thing and blocked the nomination when George Bush tried to appoint a dangerous regressive extremeist to the Supreme Court.

Will you finally stand up against this extremeism and for OUR best interests?

We'll see.

Time for a NEW, NEW Goal - Come on MoveOn - How about it??

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: