Last Sunday, two thousand people came out to protest at the meeting of President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, two imperialists ready to get their lounge on in the upper-class vacationland of Kennebunkport, Maine. The diverse group of protestors including antiwar activists, veterans, lawyers, revolutionary communists, civil libertarians, anarchists, labor leaders, women's groups, and one marching band.

The purpose for most was to call for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. Signs read, "Impeachment is the path to peace," and "Democracy breached, time to impeach." Not everyone, of course, felt impeachment was the most important goal. "The priority is getting out of Iraq, not impeachment. We can get them for war crimes later," said Judy, a Maine resident.

A protest and counter-summit is planned for Sunday, July 1st in Kennebunkport, while George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin meet at the Bush family compound at Walker Point.

Press release on the FCC Hearing on localism

Calendar of events happening in or around Maine this summer. Feel free to add to the list.

120 disabled activist shut down two representative offices and other parts of the Rayburn Office Building in Washington, DC

CRITICAL MASS!

Anti-war rally in Auburn, Verizon Wire-Tapping scandal, DHS, GATS, Peace Fleece

Heath proclaims "major victory" for decent Mainers

Article 11, a proposed ordinance seeking to effectively decriminalize marijuana-related offenses, was soundly voted down this past weekend at the annual West Paris Town Meeting. The vote itself has been officially reported by the Town Moderator, Vern Maxfield, at zero votes in favor of the article offered by the fledgling Maine Marijuana Policy Initiative. Others in attendance report that as many as a dozen town residents voted for the article, but there is a consensus that approximately 80 votes were recorded in opposition to the measure.

The news of this lopsided defeat was greeted gleefully by both the League and by West Paris-area pastors. League Executive Director Mike Heath proclaimed, “This is a major victory for decent, law-abiding Mainers. The League has fought vice like this for 110 years, and although this stunning vote is heartening, we must remain vigilant in our temperance efforts.” Heath nostalgically concluded, “I am confident that somewhere in Heaven, Ben Bubar is smiling his famous smile [about this].” Ben Bubar, Jr. was the League’s leader for over three decades until 1984, and was a prominent national and local leader in the drug and alcohol temperance movement.