Upper Arlington Progressive Action Newsletter
Upper Arlington Progressive Action Newsletter
May 23, 2010
What's your opinion? Upper Arlington Progressive Action wants to know. We're asking our supporters to complete our latest survey. What do you think about the issues and what action is at the top of your priority list? Drop by the UAPA website and give us a piece of your mind. Drill, baby, drill: Throwing baby out with the oily water The Republican National Committee's Michael Steele first chanted, "Drill, baby, drill! And drill now!" at the RNC's convention in 2008. And Sarah Palin soon said, "... [W]ith new technology, with tiny footprints even on land, it is safe to drill and we need to do more of that." [Huffington Post, 4-29-10] We are learning how wrong they were. The baby who's being "drilled" is the ecosystem in the ocean and coast. UAPA supporter Carol Mohr in a letter to the Columbus Dispatch ("Safety device would have averted disaster," May 6, 2010) asked, "Concerning the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that will soon cover beaches and wetlands from Louisiana to Florida, why do we not have the same safety standards that Norway has?" Perhaps this comment from Lan Sluder, Asheville, NC, in the May 2 New York Times sums it up best: Don't be too mad at the Brits. Don't be too mad at lil' Bobby Jindal. Is it? As Bill Maher says, "Who ever supported off-shore drilling should volunteer to clean up the BP mess. We're sure Steele and Palin will be the first names on the signup sheet." Swaying voters: Letters to editors Speaking of comments, UAPA is already using our organizing powers to shape public opinion. It's never too soon to educate voters about progressive efforts. As mentioned above, Carol Mohr's letter to the editor about the oil spill off Florida was published in the Columbus Dispatch. And another UAPA member, John Lytle, had a letter in the UA News concerning the constitutionality of healthcare. It just so happens that Carol and John are co-chairs of the UAPA letter writers sub-committee. They are seeking like-minded progressives to join their letters-to-the-editors effort. Interested? Drop John and Carol an email. In the national spotlight: Mary Jo Kilroy As the election season proceeds, UAPA will offer ways for you to support Mary Jo. It's time to show the nation that Ohioans can reelect a courageous representative who is not afraid to fight for justice. To get involved, see Mary Jo Kilroy for Congress. Of interest: Ted Celeste campaign kickoff, Saturday, May 22 Grandview Heights Memorial Day parade, Saturday, May 29 Watch the UAPA website for additional campaign and informational events. 
Don't Be Too Mad
Don't be too mad at the Republicans.
When Rudy and Sarah and John and Newt
Shouted "drill, baby, drill"
We thought it was cute
‘Til it turned into spill, baby, spill
And flying the brown pelican't.
They didn't know it was rude
To fill the wine dark sea
With sticky odiferous crude.
And, no, it's not the fault of BP --
They claim it's just an old rig on the fritz.
Last year he told the Feds
To take their money and cram'it.
But this year he begs
For billions from DC, an' it
Ain't just another petrochemical swindle ...
All you have to do is google "Mary Jo Kilroy, news" to see how much interest her re-election campaign is generating nationwide. Her determination to improve our country by voting in favor of healthcare reform is admirable, but it also has made her a target, as the Wall Street Journal has noted. And MSNBC on May 3, 2010, included her in its 10 most vulnerable incumbents list.