The Pew Charitable Trusts have regularily published public opinion polls regarding the attitudes of Americans.  Yesterday, they polled people about tolerance for gay life-styles and found that there is much more tolerance today than two years ago.  In a related poll, Americans by a 58% margin do not want a "South Dakota solution" for the abortion issue.  Instead people seem to want to keep choice a possibility.  These findings seem to run contra to the Republican mantra that Roe vs Wade must be overturned.

Click Here to read more at the Pew Charitable Trust website.

Last night Jon Kyl basked in glory of Dick Cheney’s beneficence.  Today, thousands are marching on his office in protest of the draconian measures that Jon Kyl wants to take against undocumented immigrants.  Click here to see the story on Yahoo

CNN also has a story that you can see here.  They claim that over 10,000 protesters marched to Kyl’s office.  "God created us all.  He is not a God of the United States."  claimed one protester.  "We are here for the American dream."

Right On! It is past time to push back against the forces of oppression.  Any you know who we mean!  Let us hope that the sparks kindled here will spread. 

Lena Saradnik, a candidate for the Arizona House in Legislative District 26 will come to a house party at the home of Vic and Connie Martin on the afternoon of March 22nd from 3pm to 5pm.  Please call the Martins at 818-1865 to reserve a place.  Lena needs our support. 

A house party scheduled yesterday for Sheriff Chris Vasquez had to be posponed due to the illness of Chris’ mother.  All of us here in SaddleBrooke wish her and the Vasquez family well. 

Chris Vasquez, currently the Sheriff of Pinal County, is running for election to a two year term.  He was appointed by the Pinal Board of Supervisors after Roger Vanderpool was elevated to head the Arizona highway patrol.  At this point, it appears that Chris will run un-opposed for the Democratic nomination but may face a Republican challenger in the November general election.

The Sheriff’s office has been very active under Chris Vasquez in fighting the epidemic of meth use in the county.  Chris has been able to set up a Meth Task Force using state and federal grants to hire additional officers and resources to combat the illegal manufacture and sale of meth amphetamine. 

Our SaddleBrooke Democrats are looking forward to having Chris return at a future date to address our meeting and attend fund raising parties here in our community.

The Iraq War has entered yet another year, with deaths, distruction and misery at yet new highs.  But the rhetoric is beginning to change.  Last year W (worst ever) and his administration talked about "victory and mission accomplishment."  Now we are more focused on "civil war" and "handing over authority to the Iraqis."  These amount to tacit admission that the US cannot prevail.  Slowly the realization is dawning that the war was a mistake, cannot be won and that the US should get out of Iraq and Afganistan. 

As to be expected, there are numerous stories about the anniversary.  Here are some samples.  Click here for a story from Albuquerque Tribune.  The Nation has a sobering editorial about the war.

The Pinal County Democrats hold their meetings at 7pm on the third Wednesday of each month in Florence. We generally gather for a dutch treat supper at about 5:30 pm at the Mount Athos Greek Resturant at 444 N Pinal Parkway, in Florence. This is great opportunity to meet and greet fellow Democrats in an informal setting. The meeting is held at the offices of the Pinal County Attorney at 31 N Pinal St. Carpooling is generally available from SaddleBrooke. Hope to see you there!

U.S. Christian evangelical broadcaster and Republican supporter Pat Robertson apparently wants to start global religious war. Today he accused Muslims of planning world domination, and said some were "satanic".

On his live television program, The 700 Club, he said radical Islamists were inspired by "demonic power".  The outspoken US broadcaster Pat Robertson went on to say that Muslims were planning world domination and said that some were "satonic."

We wonder how he feels about the Dubai Ports deal?  Click here to read the details of this story. 

The Republican administration continues to ignore science in regard to global warming.  Today, the BBC is reporting that global concentrations of CO2 have jumped to record level.  Click here to see the BBC story.  Last week, W (worst ever) asked congress to cut funding for global climate monitoring.  If we just ignore it, it will go away right? 

The Republican program for energy independence is being renamed: DRAIN AMERICA FIRST! 

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has been profiting from the fear of avaian bird flu.  Rumsfled who is a former chairman of Gilead Sciences has sold shares in the maker of Tamiflu, a potential vaccine for Aisan Bird Flu.  This story comes from the New Zealand Hearld.  While the sales took place a while ago, the reporting is just catching up.  One more shameful incident within a whole climate of corruption and greed from our Washington politicians.  Click here to read this story.

Elizabeth Bergin Hess was elected by unamious acclamation as Chairwoman of the SaddleBrooke Democrats at the March 11th meeting. She succeeds Gary Hammond who recently resigned as Chairman due to a heavy travel schedule. She accepted the Chairwoman’s gavel from Joe Robison who is also Chair of the Democratic Party in Pinal County.