Friday, February 9, 2007 Barbara's report from outside: Fundraiser at Cipriani's (sorry we got no photos! it was nighttime and i also forgot my camera!) About 20 Codepinkers and friends gathered outside Cipriani's last night to bring the message of Hillary's lack of leadership and pro-war position to the people going into the fundraiser as well as to the people in the street. We were boldly pink, loud and forceful - Laurie's huge black banner with the simple but profound word LIES written in white across it, stood in front of the entrance to the restaurant. Flyers were distributed and the chants were loud and clear - Hillary, What are you waiting for, Stop funding the war! I was interviewed by channel 4 - and knew my message was clear. The interviewer nodded as I spoke as if in agreement. I agree with Frances that we should engage the media and see how we can get the anti-war action (noise) into the news report. of course, I watched Channel 4 at 11 pm, but there was no coverage of the outside action - just a short report about Hillary, then Obama, and then Guiliani. At the Jan 27th march in DC, there were an estimated 500,000 peace demonstrators and about 15 pro-war activists on the sidelines. The pro-war demonstrators got their message into every report of the march that day. It was sooooo cold and some of us waited for Dana and Frances to come out of the fundraiser - we needed to see and hear how it went inside. I spoke a couple of people who exited earlier - and was told that she (Hillary) would change everything after she is elected, that we are helping the Republicans, and that Hillary was going to submit legislation that would cut money for contractors and that would help to end the occupation. We were also told that we were not well informed. Just another night in the streets... Many thanks to Dana and Frances for the inside work and being the voice for all of us. Peace, Barbara FRANCES'S LETTER ABOUT INSIDE February 10, 2007 Subject: Request for Refund Dear Anne Mullally, I attended the Hillary Clinton fundraiser last night at Cipriani and I was shocked and appalled at what I heard and saw. It was clear from her answers to the audiences' questions that Ms. Clinton is shamefully avoiding her responsibility as Senator to end the war in Iraq. This is a job that Congress was mandated to do when the American people went to the polls in November, 2006. If Ms. Clinton won't take that responsibility now, how can I trust that she will end the war as president? How many U.S. soldiers and Iraqis will die while we listen to Clinton's promises, and wait for her to act? As a graduate of a woman's college, I was particularly offended by the Senator's continual use of Bush and the Republicans as her excuse as to why she will not take action now to end the war. Strong women do not hide behind corrupt and spineless men when there is a tough job to do. I also found out when I left the building that there was a woman outside who's son is facing his third tour of duty in Iraq. Her continual appeals to Ms. Clinton's sense of compassion to end the war now-- and possibly save her son's life-- were also met with avoidance, obfuscation and refusal. Is this what we should expect from a woman candidate for president? It's a betrayal of the very notion of women's leadership. And finally, I found out today that on the very day of this fundraiser, Hillary was absent from a crucial hearing in the Senate Armed Forces Committee, where the Inspector General of the Pentagon, Thomas Gimble, gave the most compelling testimony to date that the Iraq War was launched on a pack of lies. Where was our Senator? In New York, trolling for cash, making promises on what she'll do as president, while she's missing in action on the job that must be done now in Washington. As it is clear to me now that the Senator will not do what is necessary to end this war, I appeal to Hillblazers to find some integrity on her behalf. Please refund in full the $500 contribution I regretfully made to Ms. Clinton's presidential campaign. I feel swindled and lied to, and I do not wish to contribute to this travelling performance, while men, women and children are dying waiting for Hillary Clinton to act. Sincerely, Frances Anderson