Slaney, Cohen: Capuano should cosponsor student privacy bill

Slaney, Cohen: Capuano should cosponsor student privacy bill
By Dave Slaney and Leslie Cohen
Fri Nov 16, 2007, 11:18 AM EST

http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/opinions/x9499523

Cambridge - If a war is worth fighting (that is, if that war is absolutely necessary to defend this country against military attack), the armed forces will not lack for volunteers. But when the U.S. government wages war solely in order to strengthen its control over a significant proportion of the world’s oil supplies, it is not so easy to find young Americans willing to kill and risk being killed for such a cause. Therefore, the U.S. military is now resorting to increasingly deceptive, manipulative and high-pressure recruiting tactics to fill its quota for Iraq. People who truly believe that our country should not engage in unnecessary wars will presumably want to do nothing to enable the U.S. military to fill such a quota, both in order to stop the war in Iraq and as a way of putting pressure on our government to resort to war only for self-defense and only when all other means of self-defense have proved useless.

How, then, to explain the position of our congressman, Iraq-war opponent Mike Capuano, who — unlike half of the Massachusetts congressional delegation — has refused to cosponsor the Student Privacy Protection Act of 2007 (HR 1346)? This bill would bar the release of students’ names and contact information to anyone, including military recruiters, unless parents consent in writing. (Under the current law, student information is automatically given to military recruiters unless parents refuse in writing.) Why does Mike Capuano want to help the military sell a needless and catastrophic war to our kids? Why does he want to make it easier for recruiters to reach our kids with their bribes and dishonest sales pitches?

Apparently, Mike Capuano defends his refusal to cosponsor the Student Privacy Protection Act at least in part by arguing that giving recruiters access to all high school students will result in a military that more closely reflects the population. But the current law promotes just the opposite, since parents with more education are presumably more likely than others to know that they can prevent recruiters from targeting their kids only if they instruct the school, in writing, not to give out their children’s names.

To level the playing field and give all of our children a truly equal chance of not being tricked into becoming cannon fodder in an unwarranted and therefore immoral war, we would need to give every child equal access to college and career opportunities. While that is unfortunately unattainable in our present political climate, the least we, and Mike Capuano, can do is try to keep every child’s name and contact information out of the clutches of military recruiters.

Kids who are truly determined to go to Iraq can easily find a recruiter without any help from their school—or from Mike Capuano.

Dave Slaney and Leslie Cohen are representatives of Cambridge United for Justice with Peace.

I heard mention of this rule on the radio the other day, but don't
believe I've seen it in the newspaper coverage of the 5th CD race.

According to this document on the Sec of State's site (page 2 of the
doc or page 3 of the PDF file):

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/guidespecialele.pdf

Anyone who lives in the state can run for any district for US
Representative in Massachusetts. The only rule pertaining to the
specific district is that you need 2000 signatures from registered
voters of the given district. (The rules are different for State
Legislature elections.)

In case anyone's interested, non-party candidates have until Aug 21 to
file nomination papers + signatures. Deadline for party candidates is
passed.

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elespeif/5congressionalcal.htm

One of the Repub. candidates for the 5th CD does not live in the 5th
CD, which is why I heard of this. Just thought I'd pass this along...

Peace,

Mike

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On 8/17/07, Maddy wrote:

Hey Mike - that's great digging! Means there is much more chance to challenge "the politician". I spoke last night (at the Dem candidate session) to a gal who had been part of the dozen or so at Cappy's Somerville Library hour Tues, where he objected MIGHTILY to the cameras being set up, demanding removal. And then proceeded with the same old recorded messages - "not enough votes", "Dennis' bill is flawed and circumvents correct procedure", "impeachment deflects time and attention from REAL issues" and he is a "politician". I would prefer a "statesman", thanks. So we can probably expect more of the same from him, as he does from us.

I write you separately so as not to clog the D8, but if you think it useful, feel free to include or forward or whatever.... and I am hoping we can come up with something that will blast this stone wall apart. Cheers! Maddy

---

Thanks, glad you find this valuable info as I do. I actually just found a news article that confirms this:

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/homepage/x1007641770

I'll post the article and your message to our blog.


Peace,

Mike

Town lines no barrier for rep candidates

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/homepage/x1007641770

By Eric Athas/Daily News correspondent

GHS

Three candidates, including one from Framingham, vying for the seat in the 5th Congressional District do not live in the district.

The candidates - Framingham Republican Tom Tierney, state Rep. James Miceli, and Constitution Party candidate Kevin Thompson of Brockton - are looking to fill the seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Martin Meehan who recently took a job as chancellor of UMass-Lowell.

There are 10 candidates running for the seat, which represents 29 cities and towns, including Hudson, Maynard, Sudbury, Wayland and Stow.

The fact that Tierney, Miceli and Thompson do not live in the district is unusual said John Portz, a professor in the Political Science Department at Northeastern University.

Portz said unlike a parliamentary system - where it is common for candidates to run for positions outside their residency - it is rare in the United States for outsiders to run in another district. Candidates are required to live in the state in which they are running, but not necessarily the district.

"I think in our country, it would be unusual," said Portz. "It's interesting, though, that the constitution says that person only needs to be in the state to run."

Tierney said his living in Framingham has not come up "in any forum" discussing his candidacy. He said his experience and desire to be a congressman are what the voters are interested in.

Other than some technicalities (Tierney can't vote for himself), Tierney said his residence does not change a thing.

"The logistics of doing it is exactly the same as any regular candidate," said Tierney. "It's quite often when you have an open seat you have people from outside the district."

This is Tierney's fifth go for a seat in Congress. When Tierney, 61, last ran, he said Framingham was located in the 5th Congressional District. Redistricting later moved it to the 7th District, now represented by Democrat Edward Markey.

Miceli resides in Wilmington, but represents Tewksbury, which is in the 5th District. Miceli said his location in Wilmington only means he has had to sacrifice during his time as a representative.

"The fact that my home base is Wilmington, what that means is I'm sacrificing," said Miceli, who referred to the 5th District as "a great district."

Miceli said, for example, if he is working on a project, he will wake up at 3 a.m. and make the drive from Wilmington into Boston or Tewksbury.

"I've spoken with people and I'm getting a great reception," said Miceli. "We've been on a good campaign and we're going out with a bang."

Calls made to Kevin Thompson were not returned.

Niki Tsongas, who is also running for the seat, previously lived out of the district - in Charlestown - but later moved into a condominium in Lowell. Tsongas said the change in location was mostly for personal reasons.

The primary is scheduled for Sept. 4, and the final election is tabbed for Oct. 16. This is the first time since 2001 that there has been an open seat in Massachusetts congressional delegation.

David Paleologos, director of Suffolk University's Political Research Center, told the State House News Service: "Open congressional seats come around once in a lifetime."

He added that state representatives and senators don't often pass up that chance.

9th District-Out of Iraq Coalition Forms

From: mark r. wolff
Date: Aug 10, 2007 7:10 PM
Subject: [MECCorganizing] 8/15: Peace Picnic
To: MECCorganizing

August 9, 2007
For Immediate Release

9th District-Out of Iraq Coalition Forms;
Plans Peace Picnic and Walk on August 15th

For more information contact: Kristine Piatt
Phone: 617-997-1435
E-mail: kfpiatt [at] comcast [dot] net

Milton, MA ….Anti-war groups in the 9th Congressional District, like their counterparts around the country, have become increasingly frustrated with Congress' inability to end the war in Iraq. This Spring residents of Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Brockton, Westwood, Dorchester, South Boston, Walpole, Stoughton, Milton, Needham, Randolph, Roslindale, Dedham, Jamaica Plain and Canton have formally joined together to create the 9th District-Out of Iraq Coalition. It has been noted that recently Representative Stephen Lynch has begun to consistently vote against the war.

The goals of the District 9-Out of Iraq Coalition are to end the war in Iraq, to bring our military troops and their supporting contractors home immediately, and to have our elected representative, Stephen Lynch, co-sponsor bills that achieve these ends. As a first action, the Coalition asked all peace group members to contact Representative Lynch by letter, telephone, or email and urge him to support legislation to end funding of the war and bring our troops home. Judging from feedback, many contacts with the Representative's office were made. Now the Coalition is planning a peace picnic and walk in South Boston on August 15th (rain
date: August 22nd), with many peace activists anticipated.

The Peace Picnic will begin at 5:00 p.m. on the beach at G Street and Day Boulevard in South Boston. Participants will bring their own "brown bag" picnic; Representative Lynch is invited to join with his constituents at the gathering. At 6:45 p.m. a walk is scheduled through South Boston to Representative Lynch's home. Signs indicating the different peace groups attending and their sentiments will be carried, along with candles commemorating the Iraq war dead and wounded. In front of Representative
Lynch's home the names of those killed in Iraq will be read.

The District 9-Out of Iraq Coalition is seeking to have Representative Lynch respond decisively to the following facts concerning the war in Iraq:

• The initial 3 conditions for ending the war have been met: the drafting of a new Iraqi constitution, a referendum to ratify the constitution and general elections. Now it is time to bring our troops home.

• The war in Iraq has had enormous cost, both financial & personal, on Lynch's constituents. By pouring money into Iraq we are neglecting pressing needs at home.

• The war in Iraq has not made us safer. Actually we are made less safe, according to recently released government reports, by distracting attention and resources from real threats and arousing opposition to U.S. activities in the Middle East and throughout the world. There are no security benefits from continuing the war.

Polls clearly show most Americans have come to oppose the war, along with many of President Bush's other policies. "A war founded on lies, with no fixed criteria for winning, is unconscionable," said Kris Piatt of Milton For Peace, one of the organizations in the Coalition and its co-chair.

She continued, "It is time for Congress to follow the will of the American people and end this war immediately."

Ray Ajemian of Citizens for an Informed Community and co-chair of the Coalition added "We are happy that Lynch has moved [his position on the war] but now we want him to lead the way in exiting Iraq." The Coalition is getting results as Representative Lynch's recent voting record reflects. Now the Coalition's goal is to convince Representative Lynch to take an active, leadership role and aggressive stance to end the war.

# # #

Relevant excerpts from Capuano's e-update...

From: "mike sances"
To: 8cdpp@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:25:15 -0400
Subject: Fwd: E-Update Rep. Capuano

Relevant excerpts from Capuano's e-update...


On Thursday the House considered H.R. 2956: the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act. Democrats continue the push to end this war and start bringing our men and women in uniform home. H.R. 2956 is another step in that process. It stipulates that troop redeployment begin within 120 days of enactment and be completed by April 1, 2008. The bill also requires the President to present Congress with a comprehensive strategy for Iraq by January 1, 2008 and submit regular progress reports every ninety days after that.

As regular readers of my e-update know, this legislation does not go far enough for me. I am looking for troop withdrawal to begin as soon as safely practical and an end to the war in Iraq. In May I had an opportunity to vote for this course of action, but there were not enough votes in the House to pass it. However, concern over the President's policies in Iraq continues to grow and we are slowly gaining votes. Although this bill does not accomplish everything I would like, I voted for it because it represents the best chance, at least today, of changing course in Iraq. H.R. 2956 passed in the House and the entire vote is recorded below: