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Profile in Courage - Byron De Lear

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Message Ilene Proctor
PROFILE IN COURAGE: Congressional Candidate Byron De Lear Takes on Bush War Machine in California; Calls 12-Term Incumbent Howard Berman, 'Lieberman of the House' After Pro-War Votes
On June 16th, 2006, Rep. Howard Berman became sole Southern California Democrat to vote with Bush blocking a timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq.

In 2005, Berman brazenly co-sponsored legislation to repeal the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution. The results of this act would perpetuate the corporate-coddling, lobby-infested policies of the Bush Administration.

STUDIO CITY, CA -- One of the most crucial decisions that we make as Americans is deciding on our representation in Congress. It is a vote that can move us towards either a stronger, more positive future, or a future shrouded in fear and war. Never has a philosophy of a country shifted so radically as it has under George Bush who has championed the use of torture, secrecy, and military pre-emption. With the potential threat of nuclear war facing Americans today, a new voice of tempered reason is needed. Byron De Lear, running for a House seat in the 28th Congressional District in California, speaks in a voice that resounds with clarity and conviction as he seeks to upset incumbent Howard Berman and the George Bush agenda.

In 2004, De Lear the son of an opera singer father and concert pianist mother, quit his job in production for 20th Century Fox and founded Global Peace Solution, an organization committed to brokering peace resolutions throughout the Middle East. His television talk show Global Peace Network has been broadcast via satellite throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East. Now, De Lear has shifted his focus to ending the war in Iraq, invigorating the American economy, and taking a "full court press" approach to tackling the ill effects of global warming.

Why Byron De Lear?
The status quo has got to go in Washington. As De Lear says: "As we move forward into the 21st century and embrace a newfound ability to foster
cooperation with our global community in ways and means never seen before a great many people around the world are talking transformation and change, making human rights, dignity and humanitarian ideals the primacy of good governance. It is imperative for America to take part in this change. On the other hand, George Bush is trying to set up an Imperial Presidency with unconstitutional actions such as unwarranted wiretapping of Americans, devious signing statements and justifying torture. My opponent, Rep. Howard Berman, not only marches in lockstep with Bush's war in Iraq, but has even co-sponsored legislation (H.J. RES 25) last year to repeal the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution removing term limits from the White House. It is time for the people to stand up and stop the dismantling of core American values before the coup is complete. We must act." Listening to Berman, this Bush clone seems punch drunk for war, world war, 24/7 war, war in Iraq is not enough now the Berman/Bush alliance wants war with Iran, war with Syria, war with Korea. They have already disrupted our military force structures around the world, so grossly under-supplied our troops that the Marine Corps pathologist says up to 70% of our casualties were preventable, and have begun a de facto draft with involuntary recalls of Marines and stop loss abuses for the Army.
A rundown of Berman's voting record on the Iraqi war illustrates just how far the Congressman has drifted from his democratic voting base:

YES on authorizing military force in Iraq. (Oct 02)
YES on justifying invasion after no WMD's were found. (Mar 04)
YES on blocking a troop exit plan. (June 06)

De Lear agrees with the wisdom of retired military leaders John Murtha and John Kerry and calls for a responsible, phased withdrawal from Iraq. He understands that the Iraqi people cannot stand up until the U.S. military stands down.

While Americans have called for Congress to hold the Bush Administration accountable for crimes and abuses of power, Howard Berman has been silent.

When Congressman John Conyers (D-OH) wrote a letter to Bush asking him to explain the Downing Street Memo signed by 120 House members, Berman refused. When Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced a Resolution of Inquiry into the Downing Street Memo and over 100 members co-sponsored it, Berman again refused. De Lear calls for an independent inquiry into the Downing Street Memo so that George Bush is held accountable for his illegal actions.
De Lear supports Kucinich's (D-OH) Resolution of Inquiry. Berman does not. De Lear supports Rush Holt's (D-NJ) inquiry into the Valerie Plame leak.
Berman does not. De Lear supports Barbara Lee's recommendation on establishing commissions investigating pre-war intelligence, monitoring the treatment of prisoners in US custody, and disavowing the doctrine of preemptive war; Howard Berman does not.

When one considers that this Southland District is overwhelmingly progressive the question arises; just who is Howard Berman representing?
Berman is an outdated out-of-touch Lieberman-esque Democrat, who has supported the Iraqi war wholeheartedly, even more than most Bush-friendly Republicans.

Congressional Candidate Byron De Lear with endorsements from both the Green Party and Progressive Democrats is the voice of both military and civilian sanity. This is a step, a vital step towards a positive future. The choice you make about who represents you in Congress is one of the most, if not the most, important decisions for US Citizens to make.

Byron De Lear for Congress - New Ideas and Living Solutions

* Advocates a Responsible Military and Corporate Withdrawal from Iraq.
* Supports Legislation to Halt Global Warming / Funding for Alternative Energy
* Affordable Universal Healthcare for All Americans.
* Fair Trade to Protect Labor for American Workers.
* Focusing Resources and Shifting National Priorities to Fund Education First.
* Tax Relief for Middle and Lower Income Wage Earners by Reforming the Payroll Tax.
* Raising Minimum Wage to a Living Wage.
* Hold the President Accountable for his Illegal and Unconstitutional Actions.
* Clean Money and Fair Elections.
* Secure the Vote and Provide for Independent Verification of Ballot Results.
* Establish a US Department of Peace.

If Democrats want to end this war -- and they do -- they will need to replace every Berman in Washington with a De Lear.

For further information:
Campaign website: www.DeLearforCongress.org
Candidate blog: http://www.greencommons.org/blog/24
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Ilene Proctor International Public Relations www; Ileneproctor.com
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Profile in Courage - Byron De Lear

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