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Lame Duck Watchdog Initiative

Stop Noxious Executive Orders

Send an e-mail TODAY to your Congressman and Senators and ask them to help curb President Bush's executive orders in his final days in office by finding their voices. Although the Obama transition team is studying the executive orders as they are issued, sometimes they are difficult to nullify once enacted. Let's hold all members of government accountable!

Here is an example of one of the most egregious executive orders (issued on July 17, 2007): The Executive Order entitled "Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq" provides the President with the authority to confiscate the assets of "certain persons" who oppose the US led war in Iraq:

"I have issued an Executive Order blocking property of persons determined to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people."

In substance, under this executive order, opposing the war becomes an illegal act. The Executive Order criminalizes the antiwar movement. In his final days in office, President Bush has virtually unlimited power to issue more executive orders -- unless Congress and citizens let him know we are watching him like a hawk and will protest each and every mis-step up until Noon on January 20th.

CONTACT INFO: You can obtain your Senators' and Congressman's contact information at: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Here is a sample letter than you can copy or modify and E-mail to your U.S. Congressperson and Senators.

Dear ________:

As one of your constituents who is ready to support prudent government actions to resolve our nations' economic and international crises, I strongly urge you to keep an eye on the White House and ensure we do not backslide further before Inauguration Day on Jan. 20th.

It is urgent that you and your fellow elected officials from both parties keep an eye on the Bush administration and do everything in your power to stop all efforts to hamstring the new administration via new Executive Orders and ill-conceived laws. The American people need vigilant watchdogs now more than ever so our great nation can get back on track -- recovering from the economic tsunami, extricating us from Iraq quickly and responsibly, and leading the world on the path to Carbon-free energy independence.

I am counting on you to have a loud and clear voice on Capitol Hill and in communications with the Executive Branch between now and January 20th to curtail any adverse lame-dog activities.

Sincerely,