Verizon calls NARAL "unsavory" and "controversial"

I've got some bad news for you: even your cell phone isn't safe from censorship.

Last week Verizon Wireless deemed NARAL Pro-Choice America too "controversial" and "unsavory" to approve a short code for our text-messaging program.

Not familiar with the term "short code"? That's okay. The bottom line is that Verizon won't let its customers access our text-messaging program.

Verizon's decision sends chills down my spine. What kind of company would deny its customers who signed up to receive information the ability to use their cell phones to participate in our democracy? That's just wrong.

I've sent a letter to Verizon president and CEO Lowell McAdam asking him to end his company's policy. But Verizon hasn't contacted me with an official response - so now I'm asking for your help. Please send your own message to Verizon opposing their decision today!

The principle at stake here is simple. Verizon Wireless' customers have every right to decide what actions to take with their phones, regardless of their political views.

If you think that Verizon, which controls 25 percent of the cell-phone market, has no business deciding what information their customers can and can't receive, I hope you take action today.

Thank you for standing with us.

My best,


Nancy Keenan
President
NARAL Pro-Choice America

Threadbare Excuses at American Eagle

Harassment, Intimidation, Unionbusting Tell American Eagle you expect better from its contractors! As the weather cools down and school starts up, you might think about picking up some new fall fashions from American Eagle Outfitters. While American Eagle, one of the biggest clothing retailers in North America, has a corporate code for contractors that supports workers’ rights to join a union, it seems one of the company’s contractors is cut from a different cloth. Workers at American Eagle’s Canadian distribution contractor have a shocking story to tell. When these men and women first tried to form a union, they say they were subjected to harassment and intimidation—all part of a massive unionbusting campaign. Write a letter to American Eagle demanding that the company enforce its code of conduct at the distribution center. How far will American Eagle’s contractor go to suppress workers’ rights to join a union? The company flew in a unionbusting firm to run a campaign against employees the very same day the workers petitioned for union certification. According to workers, the company: Made workers attend daily, two-hour anti-union meetings, Plastered huge “vote no” posters all over the workplace, and Mailed an anti-union DVD to each worker’s home. We call that unionbusting – and it’s simply unacceptable. Despite promising to treat workers with “dignity and respect,” American Eagle has not lifted a finger to enforce its code of conduct. As the largest customer of National Logistics Services, the company that owns and operates the distribution center, American Eagle can make a difference in the lives of these workers. But instead the company has turned a blind eye - claiming it holds no responsibility for the way its distributor treats workers, who say they suffer from stagnating wages, little job security, and daily disrespect from management. Contact American Eagle and say that this just doesn’t fit! You know as well as I do that the company can choose to do the right thing. These workers have a right to join a union, free from harassment and fear. Thank you for taking action on behalf of these workers! Liz Cattaneo, American Rights at Work www.americanrightsatwork.org

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about American Rights at Work and the Employee Free Choice Act. Tell-a-friend!

If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for American Rights at Work.

Pro-choice Senate victory is in sight if you act today!

We just heard that we can score a major victory for the world's poorest women - help us make it happen!

Sens. Boxer (D-CA) and Snowe (R-ME) plan to hold a Senate vote to repeal President Bush's appalling "global gag rule," which blocks U.S. funds from going to any overseas health clinic if it uses its own, private, non-U.S. funds to provide legal abortion services, give referrals, or even take a public pro-choice position.

We've been working to end this extreme policy ever since Bush enacted it on his first day in office. With Congress now in pro-choice hands, we have our best chance in years to end this misguided policy - and a vote could happen as early as tomorrow.

Take action now and urge your senators to vote to repeal the global gag rule. After you take action, be sure to forward this message to at least five friends. Let's make sure that senators in all 50 states hear from pro-choice supporters!

Thank you for taking action today to ensure that women around the world aren’t denied critical health services because of horrendous Bush policies.

My best,

Nancy Keenan
President
NARAL Pro-Choice America

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this opportunity to repeal President Bush's global gag rule.
Tell-a-friend!

Bloomers by Jeanne Angelheart

In 1850 Amelia Bloomers invented BLOOMERS--liberating women from the constrictive confines of their clothing; BLOOMERS made a powerful statement about women's rights! "These baggy pantaloons worn with a short skirt over them were scandalous when the first appeared, but most women loved them, for they freed them from dangerous and unhealthy clothing. "I am still loving their freedom, today! They have become my uniform