In the last two weeks, three New York chapters of the Progressive Democrats of America have made their choice in the U.S. Senate campaign: Jonathan Tasini For Senate. The three chapters--in Ithaca, Albany and the chapter covering the 14th Congressional District--are the first three PDA chapters to make their choice in this important race. All have chosen a real progressive Democrat whose campaign is growing every day.

We are honored to have the support of PDA members. These endorsements are swelling the ranks of our grassroots campaign, which touches cities and towns throughout the state.

Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the coming days!

These New Yorkers were told that in order to meet with Sen. Clinton or her staff they must travel to Washington.

www.crooksandliars.com

Our campaign continues to gain the attention of those in the know. This week's Nation features an article by John Nichols on the slew of incumbent Democrats facing primary challenges primarily as a result of their continued support of the Iraq War and the Bush agenda in general.

The article notes: "In New York, former National Writers Union president Jonathan Tasini is stepping up his long-shot bid to displace likely 2008 presidential contender Hillary Clinton"

Our campaign has frequently and strenuously hammered home the point that this campaign is about the war and the soul of the Democratic party.

The Capital District chapter of Progressive Democrats of America has endorsed Jonathan. The Capital District chapter joins the Ithaca PDA chapter in a growing movement of progressive Democrats who support Jonathan's campaign--of the two PDA chapters to have voted on the Senate race so far, both have endorsed Jonathan. We are honored by the support and look forward to working with PDA to build a strong, progressive movement in New York--and throughout the nation.

From the Capital District chapter's press release:

Albany, N.Y., April 24, 2006––The Capital District chapter of Progressive Democrats for America (PDA) tonight endorsed Jonathan Tasini, former president of the National Writers Union, for U.S. Senate from New York. The Capital District endorsement comes ten days after members of the Ithaca (NY) PDA chapter also endorsed Tasini for U.S. Senate.

I was drawn to this week's Rolling Stone, by its cover, which posed two questions I was eager to learn the answer to: Is George Bush the worst president in history (the answer: quite possibly), and is the new Bruce Springsteen CD worth checking out (the answer: of course). But it was another article that proved to be the must read of the issue, and one that I will not soon forget.

The article, by Paul Solotaroff, tells the story of Iraq Sgt. Scott Thorne, who, in September of 2004, was shot in the skull while in combat and remarkably survived. The article details the effects of his injury, both physically (he's partially blinded, suffers from seizures and has trouble stringing sentences of more that 5 words together), and on his loved ones (his wife and he divorced and his mother has been forced to leave her job to care for both her son and granddaughter).