---

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
Inhofe to Lead on Halting GITMO Transfers to U.S.

American Chronicle

Inhofe to Lead on Halting GITMO Transfers to U.S.
Introduces Amendment During War Supplemental to Prevent Terrorist Transfers to U.S. Soil

May 19, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today introduced an amendment to the war supplemental to prohibit the use of funds to transfer detainees at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GITMO) to any facility in the United States or its territories, or build, modify, or enhance any facility in the United States or its territories for the purpose of housing any such detainee.

“Since President Obama made his announcement to close down GITMO within the next year, I have led the fight to expose the serious national security implications his decision would have on our nation,” Senator Inhofe said. “President Obama’s Executive Order failed to take into consideration the monetary and security costs accrued by closing GITMO such as what happens to current detainees at GITMO, what the military would do with detainees held in other military prisons around the world, how the military should handle terrorists captured in the future, and what judicial process is going to be used. The detainee complex at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is the only complex in the world that can safely and humanely hold enemy combatants that pose the highest level of threat to the US.

“Most importantly, the American public does not want these terrorists in their neighborhoods – currently over 25 states have legislation preventing GITMO detainees from being transferred to or held in their state. Any plan to transfer or release detainees from GITMO must ensure the safety and security of the US and its citizens. The fact is the Obama Administration has presented no concrete plan to facilitate the closing of GITMO. I hope my colleagues in the Senate recognize the danger and irresponsibility involved in moving forward with closing GITMO, and support this important amendment.”

Background:

Senator Inhofe will introduce an amendment to the war supplemental today that would prohibit the use of funds to transfer detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GITMO) to any facility in the United States or its territories, or build, modify, or enhance any facility in the United States or its territories for the purpose of housing any such detainee.

Since President Obama announced that he intended to close GITMO, despite having not produced a disposition plan for the remaining detainees, it has become widely circulated that these prisoners could be transferred to American prisons. Senator Inhofe traveled to the prison in February for the third time to highlight the asset our nation would lose if the prison were to be closed. Senator Inhofe has consistently fought to protect Americans from the transfer of dangerous detainees to the US, and his amendment would prevent any funds in the supplemental from being used for this purpose.

In response to Pres. Obama´s executive order to close the prison, Sen. Inhofe led a Congressional Delegation to Guantanamo Bay to see firsthand the state of the prison operations and get the facts out about its critical role in maintaining U.S. national security. While on location, Sen. Inhofe filmed a message to the public via YouTube.

Senator Inhofe then introduced legislation (S.370) to prevent the detainees at Guantanamo from being relocated anywhere on American soil.

He also joined Move America Forward, the nation´s largest grassroots organization committed to supporting America´s efforts to defeat terrorism and to supporting the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, in calling on Pres. Obama to reverse his decision to close GITMO.

Senator Inhofe toured the Regional Correctional Facility at Fort Sill, one of the US Facilities listed as a possible location to hold Guantanamo detainees to show the discrepancy between the advanced capabilities at GITMO and the proposed US holding sites. The cost of upgrading US sites builds a case to keep the Guantanamo Bay detention facility open and prevent possible relocation of detainees to U.S. soil. Link to Release.

The release of a Pentagon report affirmed what Sen. Inhofe has been saying all along: that the conditions in Guantanamo are humane and fully compliant with the Geneva Convention.

Three weeks after Sen. Inhofe´s call for President Obama and Senate colleagues to go see firsthand the facility at GITMO, Attorney General Eric Holder visited GITMO and said closing “will not be an easy process” and even admitted “the facility is well-run by its current military officers.”

Friday, May 8th, 2009
Homeland Insecurity, American Style

Front Page Magazine - John Perazzo

Homeland Insecurity, American Style
Link to Front Page Mag

During her first few weeks on the job, the Secretary of America’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS), former Arizona governor Janet Napolitano, has shown herself to be unqualified for her new post in a number of significant ways. She has proudly banished the word “terrorism” from the federal lexicon; she is ignorant of the most elementary facts regarding 9/11; she is eager to blame the United States for drug cartels violence in Mexico, without a shred of evidence; despite that violence, she is demonstrably averse to halting illegal immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border; and she is inclined to smear American conservatives as potential “terrorists.”

Because of her already dismal performance, some have begun to call for Napolitano’s resignation. Republican Congressman John Carter of Texas, for one, says that Napolitano “has no business serving in the position she’s in now” and “should be fired by the administration.” The conservative group Move America Forward is calling for Napolitano’s dismissal on grounds that she is “so ignorant” of a host of key facts that bear heavily on her ability to fulfill the duties of her office.

Although much commentary has focused on the recent report that brands conservatives as terrorists, the former Arizona governor still enjoys an undeserved reputation as a tough border governor. Consider Napolitano’s record vis à vis illegal immigration. As Arizona governor, she vetoed a bill that sought to eliminate voter fraud by requiring voters to present a valid driver’s license or two alternate forms of identification when casting their ballots. According to Napolitano, such a requirement would have disenfranchised “poor voters” who might not possess the requisite documents. She also supported a proposal to grant driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants; she supported a Senate bill that would have granted amnesty to millions of illegals; she vetoed a state bill that would have required police to enforce federal immigration laws; she vetoed measures to cut illegal-alien welfare benefits and college-tuition discounts; she vetoed a proposal that would have allowed local police and federal immigration officials to work collaboratively on immigration cases; and she opposed legislation that would have officially barred the use of the easily forged Mexican Matricula Consular card as a valid form of identification.

During her stint at DHS, Napolitano already has called off a series of scheduled immigration raids at U.S. workplaces. When Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents busted dozens of illegal aliens at a Bellingham, Washington engine plant, a furious Napolitano chastised ICE supervisors and ordered an immediate investigation into the raid because it violated President Obama’s campaign pledge (to Hispanic lobby groups) that illegal aliens would not be arrested at their workplaces. Moreover, she supports a pathway to citizenship whereby illegals could, within a relatively short time, become naturalized.

It is difficult to see how Americans are made safer by Napolitano’s stance on immigration.

In an April interview with CNN’s John King, Napolitano casually dismissed Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio’s assertion that illegal aliens should be prosecuted and jailed. Said the DHS Secretary:
“Sheriff Joe … knows that there aren’t enough law-enforcement officers, courtrooms or jail cells in the world to do what he is saying. What we have to do is target the real evil-doers in this business, the employers who consistently hire illegal labor, the human traffickers who are exploiting human misery. And yes, when we find illegal workers, yes, appropriate action, some of which is criminal, most of that is civil, because crossing the border is not a crime per se. It is civil.”

Contrary to Napolitano’s absurd claim, however, illegal immigration is indeed a criminal offense under United States law.  Section 8, Title 1325 of the U.S. Code clearly states:

Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or (3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willfull concealment of a material fact shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

Why doesn’t the head of DHS know that illegal immigration is a crime?

In a March 2009 speech to the Brookings Institution, Napolitano characterized U.S. efforts to protect its southern border as insensitive displays of jingoistic arrogance. “One of the things that we need to be sensitive to,” she said, “is the very real feelings among southern border states and in Mexico that if things are being done on the Mexican border, they should also be done on the Canadian border.” Absent from Napolitano’s logic was any recognition of the rapidly growing epidemic of violence, abductions, and murders near the Mexican border—a state of affairs that bears no resemblance whatsoever to the situation along the U.S.-Canada border. To make matters worse, in an April 20th interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Napolitano claimed, incorrectly, that some of the 9/11 hijackers had entered the U.S. through Canada.

Napolitano is exceedingly prone to prevarication. For instance, she claimed recently that “70 percent of the weapons in the hands of the [Mexican] drug cartels are coming from the U.S.” But in fact, more than two-thirds of the guns recovered at Mexican crime scenes are never even sent to the U.S. for tracing, because their markings make it obvious that they originated from somewhere else. Moreover, a large number of the recovered weapons lack serial numbers entirely and thus cannot be traced to any location. In the final analysis, a mere 17 percent of all the guns in question can actually be traced to America.

That is a far cry from Napolitano’s 70-percent fairytale.

One of Napolitano’s most controversial moves as DHS Secretary has been to break with the Department’s tradition of warning the American public about potential terrorist threats by Islamic extremists. Instead, she refers to such acts of terrorism as “man-caused disasters.” In an interview with Germany’s Spiegel Online, she was asked whether her avoidance of the term “terrorism” meant that “Islamist terrorism suddenly no longer pos[es] a threat to your country.” She replied:

Of course it does [pose a threat]. I presume there is always a threat from terrorism. In my speech, although I did not use the word “terrorism,” I referred to “man-caused” disasters. That is perhaps only a nuance, but it demonstrates that we want to move away from the politics of fear toward a policy of being prepared for all risks that can occur.

It seems, however, that Napolitano’s aversion to the so-called “politics of fear” comes into play only with regard to Islamic terrorists. By contrast, unfounded smears implying that American conservatives represent a “terrorist” threat fall well within the bounds of legitimate political discourse, according to Napolitano.

You may recall that in April, Napolitano’s DHS released a report warning that “right-wing extremists” who were “hate-oriented” might be “gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues” such as “the economic downturn,” “the election of the first African American president,” and “the possible passage of new restrictions on firearms.” Particularly susceptible to recruitment, added the report, were: “anti-government” groups; people “dedicated to…opposition to abortion or immigration”; and military veterans (returning from Iraq and Afghanistan) who face “significant challenges reintegrating into their communities.”

Remarkably, the text of this DHS report was liberally peppered with explicit references to the otherwise forbidden word—“terrorism”—as the supposedly exclusive domain of “right-wingers.” The report said, for example, that its warnings would be “provided to…counterterrorism and law enforcement officials so they may effectively deter…terrorist attacks against the United States”; that DHS “has no specific information that domestic right-wing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits”; that during the 1990s, “an economic recession, criticism about the outsourcing of jobs, and the perceived threat to U.S. power and sovereignty by other foreign powers…contributed to the growth in the number of domestic right-wing terrorist and extremist groups”; that “[t]he possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups”; that “the threat posed by lone wolves and small terrorist cells is more pronounced than in past years”; that “white supremacists’ longstanding exploitation of social issues such as abortion, inter-racial crimes, and same-sex marriage…[have] contributed to the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups”; and that DHS “assesses that lone wolves and small terrorist cells embracing violent rightwing extremist ideology are the most dangerous domestic terrorism threat in the United States.”

So much for avoiding the word “terrorism.”

For actions such as this, the aforementioned Rep. John Carter says, “We shouldn’t even give [Napolitano] the respect of letting her resign. She should be fired by the administration for accusing honest, American citizens—because of their political beliefs—of being domestic terrorists.” The Texas Republican says he will “keep pounding” the issue “until we get rid of this woman.”

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-OK, declares that Napolitano is “out of touch with mainstream America” if she believes that returning war veterans and people who support the Second Amendment are predisposed to engage in “terrorism.” In addition, says Fallin, the DHS Secretary “insulted our friends in Canada by falsely claiming the 9/11 terrorists came from there.”

According to Move Forward America (MFA), Napolitano has demonstrated that she is “ignoran[t] about Islamic terrorism” and “has no clue about the details of what happened to America on September 11, 2001.” “Her outlook and priorities are exactly backward and plainly dangerous,” says MFA. “Napolitano is unfit to serve as secretary of Homeland Security and President Obama must fire her before she causes more damage to our country.”

Examining her belief system, damage is the most likely prognosis..

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
MAF Cautiously Applauds as Congress Strips Funding to Close Gitmo

Move America Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DANNY GONZALEZ - (714) 926-6189
danny@moveamericaforward.org

May05, 2009

PRO-TROOP GROUP APPLAUDS DECISION TO
STRIP GITMO CLOSURE FROM WAR FUNDING
WARNS THAT VICTORY COULD BE TEMPORARY;
CALLS ON COMMUNITIES TO SPEAK OUT

Move America Forward (MAF), the nation’s largest grassroots pro-troop organization, applauded the decision of Democratic leaders to strip funding from an appropriations bill that would have provided the $81 million that Obama requested to begin closure of Guantanamo Bay prison camp.

MAF has been on the forefront of this issue since sending a delegation to the base last December. In addition to widespread grassroots organization and communication with key lawmakers, they produced a television ad on the topic and conducted a broad media campaign. (See television ad at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lhls4KJSAc)

“We are glad members of the Appropriations committee heard our concerns and took action, but we caution them against appropriating the money through some other mechanism.  Te American people do not want terrorists living wher they can return to jihad—certainly not in our backyards” said Catherine Moy, Executive Director of Move America Forward.

The group has called on its members to take this latest news as a victory, but know the Obama Administration is still determined to fulfill a foolish campaign promise despite the evidence that it is the wrong decision.  A MAF delegation toured the facilities in December, and they returned having found no evidence of torture or mistreatment, even saying that guards ‘bent over backwards’ to make the detainees comfortable.

The group presented its TV ad at a well-attended press conference with members of congress, Gold Star families, and 9/11 families all voicing their opposition to the administration’s plan to close down Gitmo, especially without an alternative plan for what to do with the dangerous detainees there.

Today, they proceed with cautious optimism. “We can pat ourselves on the back today, but liberals like Harry Reid are still committed to closing down Gitmo, even if it means bringing terrorists to America,” continued Moy, in an email to supporters, “we must keep up the fight and organize in our local communities against bringing the terrorists here, and we must support Guantanamo Bay because it’s the best place available to house these dangerous murdering terrorists who threaten our safety.”

For more information, or to schedule and interview, please contact

Danny Gonzalez at (714) 926-6189 or e-mail danny@moveamericaforward.org

# # #

Monday, April 27th, 2009
Town Hall: Internet Campaign (MAF) to Remove Secretary Napolitano

Nathan Tabor, for townhall.com

A non-profit organization devoted to national security is demanding the resignation of the Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, or that President Obama fire her immediately.

The Internet-based Move America Forward is using their web site, email, and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to push for the removal of Secretary Napolitano.

Napolitano noticeably demonstrates that she is incapable of protecting America from the threat of Islamic terrorism. She must be fired immediately if our country is going to be safe in the coming years, according to Move Forward America, an organization that supports the US military as well as federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

MoveAmericaForward.org notes Napolitano’s latest example of her incompetence to serve as the top person at Homeland Security came when she wrongly claimed this week that the 9/11 terrorists came through Canada to launch the attack, even though not one of the radical Muslims traveled through our northern neighbor.

“The “How could the head of our security be so ignorant?” asks a Move Forward America press statement.

Meanwhile Congresswoman Mary Fallin (R-OK) said in a statement released to Internet journalists and bloggers that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is “out of touch with mainstream America” if she believes that returning war veterans and people who believe in the Second Amendment pose a terrorism threat to the nation.

“Like most Oklahomans I was amazed at her statements and actions this week,” Fallin said. “First she approved a report that implied members of the armed forces returning from combat would follow in the footsteps of Timothy McVeigh. Then she insulted our friends in Canada by falsely claiming the 9/11 terrorists came from there. Is this really a person that should be speaking on behalf of our nation?”

“Her earlier statement this week impugning most American conservatives, like myself, as possible terrorists set off another firestorm of criticism of the DHS Secretary,” she said.

When Napolitano released a report saying that returning veterans from Iraq or Afghanistan should be watched as they could become domestic conservative terrorists, according to MoveForwardAmerica.org, the FBI went so far as to film the recent tea party protests of loyal Americans because of warnings that conservatives could become terrorist threats.

Napolitano approved release of a report last week implying that a variety of groups, including veterans, pro life activists, and supporters of gun rights, could be potential anti-government terrorists. She also said Wednesday that the 9/11 terrorists entered the country from Canada, when in fact they came from overseas.

“With her ignorance about Islamic terrorism, no wonder she is wasting time examining our troops, anti-tax, pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment and other conservative groups,” states Move Forward America.

“It is clear that Napolitano has no clue about the details of what happened to America on September 11, 2001. And she has offended our brave and selfless troops who have protected us since that infamous day of attacks on America’s homeland. Her outlook and priorities are exactly backward and plainly dangerous.

“Napolitano is unfit to serve as secretary of Homeland Security and President Obama must fire her before she causes more damage to our country.”

The non-profit organization also points to Napolitano’s claim that the Canadian border is a sieve for terrorists entering America, ignoring the fact that she ignored illegal immigration coming into Arizona while she was Governor. When Napolitano declared a “state of emergency,” she deployed 54 National Guardsmen.

“I’ve seen more National Guard troops deployed for a snowstorm,” said political consultant Mike Baker.

It remains to be seen how successful this Internet campaign will be in achieving its goal, but at least the message is getting out, something the mainstream news media appear loathe to do. 

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
MAF Calls on Obama to Fire Napolitano

Move America Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DANNY GONZALEZ - (714) 926-6189
danny@moveamericaforward.org

APRIL 23,2009

TROOP SUPPORTERS CALL ON OBAMA TO FIRE NAPOLITANO FOR ATTACKING TROOPS
GROUP HAS A PETITION AIMED AT SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY OVER ‘RIGHT WING EXTREMISTS’ REPORT

Move America Forward (www.MoveAmericaForward.org) , the nation’s largest grassroots pro-troop organization, has called on President Barack Obama to fire Department of Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano for releasing a report attacking returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. 
The group has started a petition criticizing Janet Napolitano and calling for President Obama to fire her immediately.  The petition reads,

“Your choice for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, has attacked returning military heroes by suggesting that they are a terrorist threat to the United States…we demand you fire Janet Napolitano,” reads the petition.

This new effort to replace the Secretary of Homeland Security comes after Napolitano allowed a DHS threat “assessment,” entitled “Right Wing Extremism” to be sent out to about 800,000 law enforcement officers in various law enforcement agencies. The pro-troop group reports that they received several thousand signatures to the online petition in the first few hours after going live.

“This smear of our war veterans who have served so professionally, bravely, and honorably in Iraq and Afghanistan is outrageous and unacceptable. Janet Napolitano’s half-hearted apology doesn’t help reverse the damage done by her libel of our troops. Obama should fire here immediately and publicly denounce her mischaracterization of our heroic veterans,” said Move America Forward’s Executive Director Catherine Moy.

The petition goes on to criticize the Secretary for her use of the word “terrorist:” “Mr. President when you first hired Janet Napolitano to run the department that protects all of our lives here in the homeland, she REFUSED to mention terrorism in her very first speech as Secretary of DHS. She then even had the gall to refer to terrorist attacks as MAN-CAUSED DISASTERS.  But, she has no hesitancy in suggesting that returning American troops could become “terrorists.”

Moy went on to say, “The United States cannot stand for outrageous attacks against our troops from Barack Obama’s cabinet. As citizens, we must stand against those who demean and libel our troops.  We at Move America Forward are calling for President Obama to fire Janet Napolitano.  Someone who attacks our troops has no place leading the Department of Homeland Security.

“She clearly does not understand that the real threat comes from radical Islamic terrorism, not our own troops. We urge President Obama to fire Janet Napolitano immediately!”

# # #

Sunday, May 25th, 2008
NEWS TEASE:  History-Making Push for U.S. Troops

Move America Forward

NEWS TEASE!

** Historic pro-troop effort underway. 
Highlights below, more details to follow in coming days **

May 26, 2008— A team of patriotic leaders are working together in a historic undertaking with the goal of sending the largest single shipment of care packages to U.S. troops in American history.  The care package drive will result in the shipment of not just 1,000 care packages—a feat accomplished by the Grand Ole Opry in October 2007 (Source Link).  Organizers similarly won’t settle for just the 10,000 packages shipped as part of an impressive effort undertaken by the Nevada Girl Scouts (Source Link).  And they plan to surpass the efforts of the terrific organization, Operation Gratitude, which undertook a multi-day effort to pack and ship 50,000 care packages last year (Source Link).

Move America Forward, the nation’s largest pro-troop organization, has launched this historic drive to rally Americans to show our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan just how much support they have from the American people back home. 

The grand finale for the push will take place on June 26th when a Jerry Lewis style 8-hour Internet Telethon ("From the Frontlines") will take place.  This cutting edge production �From The Frontlines� will be broadcast live online by UStream.tv and hosted by Melanie Morgan & Michelle Malkin.  Live and taped reports will be broadcast from our troops serving in Iraq & Afghanistan during the historic 8-hour event.

Americans can sponsor the care packages from Move America Forward’s by ordering via this link from MAF’s online webstore partner: TheCampaignStore.com

The Jelly Belly candy company (maker of President Ronald Reagan’s favorite candy) has donated 100,000 bags of their gourmet jelly beans that will be included in the care packages to assist in the effort.  While the jelly beans shipped in the past were warmly received by the troops, military members say their real value comes in being able to hand out the candy to the children of the war-torn nations in which they are serving. These 100,000 bags of gourmet jelly beans are now being used to launch a �Candy Diplomacy� program as gifts to Iraqi and Afghani children. Each bag is printed with the following message (in both English & Arabic): �A gift from the American people in hope that your country will one day enjoy the freedom and opportunities that we have in the United States.�

______________________________________

Note:  You can sponsor packages to help this drive, and ask others to join this effort by visiting our care package drive sponsorship page:
http://www.thecampaignstore.com/store/default.asp?parentid=409

Additional information will be continuously posted in the days to come at the Move America Forward website:  www.MoveAmericaForward.org

Thursday, April 17th, 2008
Newsmax:  Rise in Attacks on Military Recruiting Centers

Newsmax Magazine

From the May 2008 issue of Newsmax magazine:

Thursday, March 27th, 2008
Pro-Troop Group Demands of US Attorney: “Investigate Anti-American Activities in Berkeley”

Move America Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ryan Gill (650) 678-7732 or ryan@moveamericaforward.org

Pro-Troop Group Demands of US Attorney:
�Investigate Anti-American Activities in Berkeley”

City Accused of Encouraging Interference with Federal Officers

SAN FRANCISCO---A law firm representing a pro-troop organization has sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney in San Francisco asking the federal government to investigate whether the Berkeley City Council�s official anti-Marine position and encouragement of anti-war groups to �impede� the work of Marine recruiters constitutes a breach of law.  If the City Council violated the law, the letter asks the U.S. Attorney to prosecute the perpetrators.

The letter was drafted by the attorney for pro-troop organization Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org), which is the nation�s largest pro-troop grassroots nonprofit.  The correspondence also voices concerns that the Berkeley Police were unresponsive and negligent to public safety during a protest the group organized in Berkeley on Feb. 12, 2007. The original copy has already been mailed and an additional copy will be hand-delivered Monday morning with a press conference immediately following.

�We will explore every avenue to ensure that Marine Corps personnel are not harassed for simply doing their jobs, especially not by a city government,� said Catherine Moy, Executive Director of Move America Forward. 

Move America Forward has been active in organizing demonstrations as well as several ad campaigns rebuking the Berkeley City Council since they called Marine Recruiters �uninvited and unwelcome intruders� at a Jan. 29 council meeting. The council also reserved a publicly funded parking space and gave free sound permits to a radical anti-war group protesting the office. 

�That is a blatant misuse of tax dollars and a violation of civil rights� said Moy, referring to the privileges granted to Code Pink, the antiwar group that received special treatment from the council.

�We have been fighting them all the way and this is simply the next step,� said Melanie Morgan, Move America Forward�s co-founder.  Morgan is also demanding that Berkeley�s mayor give a full and official apology to all military personnel, veterans, and their families, and rescind the resolutions giving special treatment to Code Pink.

�Berkeley has got to realize that we�re not going away,� Morgan concluded.

WHEN � 10:00 AM Monday March 31

WHERE � North Entrance of U.S. Federal Building, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, Calif.

CONTACT � Ryan Gill, MAF Operations Director (650) 678-7732

Saturday, February 2nd, 2008
Berkeley Mayor - Free Speech Thief

Move America Forward

Feb. 2, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary Pearson: (916) 441�6197 or Email: mary@MoveAmericaForward.org

Berkeley Mayor - Free Speech Thief

BERKELEY � Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, convicted of stealing 1,000 free newspapers from the Daily Californian newsstands in 2002, is at it again.

The Mayor is attempting to steal the free speech rights of the United States Marine Corps by harassing the recruiting center into abandoning its lease.

Move America Forward has launched a petition drive denouncing the Mayor and the Council, while demanding an apology to the USMC at its website www.moveamericaforward.com

The response was so overwhelming it crashed the site within minutes after launching, fueled by intense coverage from bloggers, talk radio, Internet, television reports and pro-troops organizations like the American Legion and Vets for Freedom.

Move America Forward plans to deliver the protest petitions at the Berkeley City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting on February 12th.

�We are looking at all options to stop Berkeley from issuing gifts of public funds, such as free parking spaces, and violating the Constitution,� said Catherine Moy, Executive Director of Move America Forward. �We have contacted all branches of our government to redress these issues, and will explore all legal, legislative and executive avenues to stop the injustice perpetrated by the Berkeley City Council.�

A national backlash erupted last week over Berkeley�s attack on Marines.  Mayor Tom Bates was forced to reconsider resolutions telling America�s heroes they are �intruders.�

Bates has taken a further steps to shutter the doors of the Marine�s recruiting station.

Bates told the Contra Costa Times that he would broker a deal to release the Marine�s from their building lease. But the Marines said they will stay.

�Mayor Bates, in his arrogance, has crossed the line by trying to steal the Marine�s First Amendment Rights, and we will not stand for this treasonous behavior. His stunning offer to “broker a deal” to release the Marine’s from its building lease shows the depth of his contempt for our military men and women,� said Melanie Morgan, chairman of Move America Forward. �Our group will stand with the Marines until their attackers stop.�

The Berkeley council on Tuesday passed two resolutions condemning the Marines as part of a campaign by anti-war activists to shut down the recruiting center. The council also gave Code Pink, a leftist group that daily harasses the Marines with hate speech, a free parking place and noise permit.

Move America Forward (Move America Forward), initiated a campaign for people to call and email the rogue City Council. Thousands of e-mails, calls and letters of denunciation have poured into the offices of Bates and other council members who support the efforts to drive the USMC out of town.

Move America Forward applauds the proposed legislation by U.S. Senator Jim DeMint to strip Berkeley of all pork barrel spending, amounting to $2.1 million dollars.

A companion bill in Congress is now being prepared to do the same.

-###-

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
SHAMEFUL:  Berkeley City Council Attacks Marines!

Move America Forward

** NOTE:  Graphics concerning this action follow the press release copy at the bottom of this page.

January 30, 2008 � FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Mary Pearson: (916) 441�6197 or Email: mary@MoveAmericaForward.org

MARINES ATTACKED
IN BERKELEY, CA

City Calls Marines �Unwelcome Intruders�

SAN FRANCISCO � The City of Berkeley, California has passed two resolutions attacking the United States Marine Corps, calling the Marines, �uninvited and unwelcome intruders in the city.�

The Berkeley City Council voted to condemn the Marines on Tuesday night (January 29th) as part of a campaign by anti-war activists to shut down a U.S. Marine Recruiting Center located in the city of Berkeley.

The votes by the Berkeley City Council were immediately condemned by Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org), the nation�s largest grassroots pro-troop organization.

�It is disgraceful that in the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement, anti-military activists would attempt to silence the same military men and women who serve this country and give their lives to protect the free speech rights of all Americans, including these ungrateful and despicable people on the Berkeley City Council,� said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

The actions by the Berkeley City Council followed continuous protests by Code Pink and other anti-military organizations that vandalized and defaced the U.S. Marine Recruiting Center in September 2007.

One of the two resolutions passed by the Berkeley City Council last night granted a parking spot in front of the Marine Recruiting Center to be used by anti-military activists to harass Marine recruiters.  The anti-military activists would not need to apply for a sound permit for the next six months � allowing them free reign to disrupt the day-to-day operations by the Marines.

Move America Forward organized a counter-protest in support of the Marines last October that attracted over 400 pro-troop supporters who stood in solidarity of the Marine Recruiting Center.

�We have hundreds of thousands of military men and women serving honorably overseas to protect our freedoms.  Imagine how they feel when they go to turn on the news and see that they are being stabbed in the back by shameful people here at home, it�s disgraceful!� said Catherine Moy, Executive Director of Move America Forward.

This release posted at:  http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/MAF/MAFNews

Monday, January 14th, 2008
BREAKING NEWS:  MAF Exposes New York Times for Erroneous ‘Killer Vet’ Report

Move America Forward

January 14, 2008 � FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary Pearson: (916) 441�6197 or Email: mary@moveamericaforward.org

EXCLUSIVE:

New York Times �Killer Vet� Story
Exposed as Erroneous by Pro-Troop Group

SACRAMENTO- Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org), the nation�s largest grassroots pro-troop organization, today announced that after vetting the numbers cited by The New York Times in their Sunday, January 13, 2008 story, �Across America, Deadly Echoes of Foreign Battles,� it became clear that the Times had engaged in demonstrably erroneous and false reporting.

It took seven New York Times researchers to find 121 cases in which veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan committed a killing in the United States, or were charged with one, upon returning home to this country.

The Times made the false conclusion that:  �Taken together, they paint the patchwork of a quiet phenomenon, tracing a cross-country trail of death and heartbreak.�

The Times documentation of 121 potential killings out of more than 1.5 million veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), divided by 6 years of conflict results in a murder rate of just 1.34 incidents per 100,000 veterans per year.***

That murder rate is far lower than the murder rate for the general population, demonstrating that the experiences of military service � including having served in Iraq and Afghanistan � actually made it less likely for returning veterans to commit murder once they returned home, than the general population.

Given a census-estimated population of the United States of 300,000,000 persons in this country as of October 2006, and FBI-compiled statistics of 17,399 homicide offenders for 2006, the murder rate of the general population was 5.80 offenders per 100,000 on average � and a rate of approximately 7.67 per 100,000 for men.

Since all but one of the veterans cited by the Times who committed a killing in the U.S. was male, the comparable rate is approximately 7.67 incidents of murder per 100,000 people among the general male population, compared to just 1.34 incidents per 100,000 returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans (of both genders).

�It�s obvious that the New York Times has an agenda of undermining the missions of our troops in the War on Terror, so much so that they are willing to resort to demonstrably false statistics to support their anti-troop bias,� said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

�The slander of our troops and veterans by the New York Times is unfortunately all too familiar.  We heard this kind of nonsense about our returning veterans from Vietnam.  It�s the same insult, different war.

�Perhaps the shameful staff of The New York Times has run out of war-time secrets to publish for America�s enemies to read, because now they�ve resorted to an all-out smear campaign of America�s finest men and women, who have served this country bravely and with distinction,� Morgan said.

In place of hard data to support their premise, The New York Times was instead forced to devote almost the entire portion of 6,321 word hit-piece to anecdotes of wrongdoing by individual veterans.

The New York Times even went so far as to trace back the phenomenon of murderous veterans to Greek mythology to back up their assertions of their report.

�The real mythology is the reporting by The New York Times,� Move America Forward�s Melanie Morgan concluded.

______________________________________

NOTE TO REPORTERS/BLOGGERS:  Melanie Morgan and a delegation of staffers from Move America Forward have just returned from a 10-day trip interviewing U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait.

To schedule an interview with Melanie Morgan or the other members who traveled to Kuwait and Iraq including: Gold Star Mom Debbie Lee (mother of first Navy Seal killed in Iraq), MAF Communications Director, Danny Gonzalez, and MAF Deputy Executive Director, Mary Pearson, contact Ryan Gill of Move America Forward at:  (916) 441-6197 or via email at:  mary@MoveAmericaForward.org

>> You can link to this report, which is published at the Move America Forward website, at this location:
http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/MAF/MAFNews

*** Note that the central statistical measure is how many instances of alleged killings take place per 100,000 Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans who returned home.  The New York Times might argue that our statistics are incorrect since the 1.5+ million Iraq/Afghanistan veterans have not been home during the entire 6 years of the war (especially since in the early onset of Operation Enduring Freedom troops were just arriving into the war zone).

However, Salon.com reports that as of January 31, 2005 there were 1,048,884 Americans who had fought in Iraq or Afghanistan.  One can then calculate statistics from that point onward.  Let’s give the New York Times the leeway of saying their alleged 121 incidents of killings by veterans occured during just the three years that elapsed since that time to the present.  The murder rate per 100,000 people would still be approximately 3.5 incidents of murder per 100,000 returning Iraq/Afghanistan veterans.

Monday, December 10th, 2007
A Song for Their Service

Move America Forward

Friday, October 19th, 2007
Hundreds Turn Out in BERKELEY to Support U.S. Troops!

Move America Forward, Blogs, News Media

Hundreds Turn Out to Support U.S. Troops in - yes - Berkeley, California!!!

Mark this day down folks.  It was Wednesday, October 17, 2007 that hundreds of pro-troop supporters turned out for a giant pro-troop rally in Berkeley, CA (one of the most anti-military & anti-war cities in this nation).  Not only did the size of the rally shock the San Francisco Bay Area news media, it surprised the anti-war activists at Code Pink who were outnumbered on their own turf!.

Move America Forward and other pro-troop organizations and leaders put on a pro-troop rally to counter the harassment of the U.S. Marine Recruiting Center by Code Pink in Berkeley.

For 3 weeks the U.S. Marine Recruiting Center has faced protests (including vandalism and defacing of their building) and taunts against the Marines that they were “traitors” and “liars” and “murderers” and guilty of “assassination.”

MAF Blogger Danny: SEE RALLY PICTURES & VIDEO - HERE!!!

Debbi’s Dribble Blog: More Pictures - HERE

WorldNetDaily: Taking Back the Streets from Code Pinkos

Human Events: Showdown at Berkeley!

Michelle Malkin’s Blog:  Red, White & Blue in Berkeley - HERE

Pipeline News: Move America Forward Counter Demonstration Crushes Code Pink In Berkeley - HERE

Contra Costa Times: Flag-waving demonstrators far outnumbered a group of peace advocates

Daily Californian: Protestors Clash Over Military Recruitment

Wake Up America Blog: Making Them “Pink” With Frustration

MAF Daily File: Catherine Moy Gives a First Hand Report - HERE

Winter’s Soldier Blog: Melanie Morgan, MAF Rout Code Pinkos in Berkeley!

Cal Patriot Blog:  Pictures from UC Berkeley Cal Patriot

You Can Get the Shirt That We Confronted Code Pink With:
‘CODE PINK ARE THE REAL TRAITORS’

Monday, September 24th, 2007
Reaction to Ahmadinejad’s Propaganda

Move America Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE � September 24, 2007
CONTACT:  Melanie Morgan � (916) 441-6197 phone or info@moveamericaforward.org

Ahmadinejad�s Propaganda:

America�s Largest Pro-Troop Organization Denounces Ahmadinejad�s Speech
To Columbia University

(SAN FRANCISCO) � The nation�s largest grass-roots, pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org ) has issued the following statements in reaction to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad�s speech to Columbia University:

STATEMENT BY MELANIE MORGAN, CHAIRMAN MOVE AMERICA FORWARD:

�Today�s lies and distortions by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were disgraceful.  Iranian agents and weapons are killing American troops in Iraq.  British sailors who were in international waters were recently abducted by Iran.  And yet Ahmadinejad claims that Iran, the leading sponsor of Islamic terrorism, is the victim.

�Ahmadinejad is this generation�s Hitler and instead of being provided a platform to spew his hateful propaganda he should have instead been arrested for having committed crimes against the international community.�

STATEMENT BY LT. COL. BUZZ PATTERSON (USAF, Ret.), VICE CHAIRMAN, MOVE AMERICA FORWARD:

�Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims to be an academic, however he is no more an academic than serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

�Mr. Ahmadinejad traffics in murder, death and terrorism.  He seeks to bring about acts of terror and tyranny against free people and free nations.  It is a disgrace that he has been invited to speak at the United Nations and Columbia University.�

# # #

Thursday, July 26th, 2007
10,000+ to Take to Streets to Support U.S. Troops & Their Mission in Iraq

Move America Forward

July 23, 2007 � FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Robert Dixon (916) 441-6197 or Email: Robert@MoveAmericaForward.org

IRAQ WAR PUSHBACK:

10,000+ To Take to Streets
Supporting Missions of Troops in Iraq

(SACRAMENTO) � With General David Petraeus set to report to Congress by September 15th on the progress of �the surge� of U.S. troops in Iraq, supporters of Operation Iraqi Freedom are preparing to launch a massive public effort to show support for the missions of U.S. troops in Iraq.

From September 3, 2007 through September 15, 2007 the nation�s largest grassroots, pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org) will lead more than 10,000 supporters in a cross-country caravan called the �FIGHT FOR VICTORY TOUR.� The caravan will stop for more than 25 pro-troop rallies along the way.  Thousands of Americans have already signed up to join the tour in just the first few days since it was announced online.

“We need to convey to our troops and the world in general that America doesn’t lose. We don’t turn our backs on our courageous men and women in uniform and we don’t walk away from the Iraqi people who desperately seek democracy and freedom,” said Lt. Colonel Buzz Patterson (USAF, Ret.) who serves as Vice Chairman of Move America Forward.

“The Fight for Victory Tour is absolutely essential to demonstrate our support of our troops and to send a clear signal to the anti-military folks in this nation that we will not let them bring about an American defeat in Iraq or the greater war on terror. Victory is the only option and we’re not backing down from the fight at hand,” Colonel Patterson said.

The caravan will be led by veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom, along with Gold Star Families (who lost a loved one in Iraq) and Blue Star Families (who have a loved one serving in Iraq).

�We�re going to send a message of support for our troops that will be heard from the shores of the Pacific Ocean all the way across this country to the Atlantic Coast � we support our troops and their missions and we won�t let anyone force them to surrender to the jihadists,� said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

The current schedule for the caravan includes pro-troop rally stops in more than 2 DOZEN cities across America including: 

* Carson City, NV
* Sacramento, CA
* San Francisco, CA
* Modesto, CA
* Fresno, CA
* Los Angeles, CA
* San Diego, CA
* Yuma, AZ
* Phoenix, AZ
* Tucson, AZ
* Las Cruces, NM
* El Paso, TX
* San Antonio, TX
* Waco, TX
* Crawford, TX
* Dallas, TX
* Oklahoma City, OK
* Wichita, KS
* Kansas City, MO
* Des Moines, IA
* Cedar Rapids, IA
* Chicago, IL
* Indianapolis, IN
* Cincinnati, OH
* Columbus, OH
* Pittsburgh, PA
* Washington D.C.

More details can be found about the upcoming �Fight for Victory Tour� at: www.MoveAmericaForward.org

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007
News Coverage of Fight for Victory Tour

Yuma Sun/North County Times/CNS News

Grassroots Group Organizing ‘Fight for Victory’ Caravan

(CNSNews.com) - While lawmakers argue over the Iraq war, activists who support it plan to launch a cross-country caravan in September to urge continued support of American troops. The Sept. 3-15 “Fight for Victory Tour,” organized by Move America Forward, will end with a pro-troop rally in Washington, D.C., on September 15th - the day that General David Petraeus, the U.S. commanding general in Iraq, delivers his report on the troop surge strategy to Congress.

“We’ll launch the cross-country caravan Monday, September 3/super rd/nosupersub , with rallies outside the offices of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in California,” said Melanie Morgan, chairman of Move America Forward. “During the cross-country caravan, we will stop and conduct pro-troop rallies that will be attended by thousands upon thousands of patriotic Americans who believe that our leaders cannot be allowed to undercut our troops who are bravely serving on the frontlines of the war against Islamic jihadism,” said Robert Dixon, executive director of Move America Forward.

The current schedule includes pro-troop rally stops in more than 2 dozen cities, including Carson City, Nev.; Sacramento, San Francisco, Modesto, Fresno, Los Angeles and San Diego, California; Yuma, Phoenix, and Tucson in Ariz.; Las Cruces, N.M.; El Paso, San Antonio, Waco, Crawford, and Dallas, Texas; Oklahoma City; Wichita, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo., Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Chicago; Indianapolis; Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and finally Washington, D.C.

____________________________

A group founded by a local politician has said it supports troops and the war.

Representatives of Move America Forward, a group founded by former North County legislator Howard Kaloogian that supports the Iraq war, could not be reached Tuesday for comment. The group plans a cross-country caravan in September in support of the troops.

“During the cross-country caravan we will stop and conduct pro-troop rallies that will be attended by thousands upon thousands of patriotic Americans who believe that our leaders cannot be allowed to undercut our troops who are bravely serving on the front lines of the war against Islamic jihadism,” said Robert Dixon, the group’s executive director, in a written statement.

____________________________

Pro-troop rally coming to Yuma

FROM STAFF REPORTS
July 23, 2007 - 6:54PM
Move America Forward, an organization that describes itself as supportive of both the military and the war on terror, will come to Yuma as part of a cross-country caravan for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

From Sept. 3-15, the caravan will stop in about 25 locations around the country from California to Washington, D.C., in what a Move America Forward news release describes as a series of “pro-troop rallies.”

The Yuma rally in what is being called the “Fight for Victory” tour is scheduled to for Sept. 5, according to the group’s Web site.

As Move America Forward leaders head for a larger Sept. 15 rally in Washington, they will make about 25 stops in cities around the country - including Yuma, Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona - to meet with local supporters.

The Sun attempted to contact Move America Forward organizers Monday, but calls and e-mails were not returned.

The caravan and rallies are scheduled to coincide with Gen. David Petraeus’ report to Congress on Sept. 15 of the results of the troop surge in Iraq.

It is intended as “a massive public effort to show support for the missions of the U.S. troops in Iraq,” according to the release.

The release states that “thousands” have already signed up to join the tour.

For more information, contact the group office in Sacramento, Calif., at 1-916-441-6197 or visit www.moveamericaforward.org.

Sunday, July 15th, 2007
Pro-Troop Supporters Announce Major September Push

Move America Forward

CONTACT:  Robert Dixon (916) 441-6197 or Email: Robert@MoveAmericaForward.org

PRO-TROOP SUPPORTERS
ANNOUNCE MAJOR SEPTEMBER PUSH

Supporters of Operation Iraqi Freedom will conduct a nationwide caravan along with more than 2-dozen rallies calling for continued support of U.S. troops based in Iraq in the days leading up to General David Petraeus September 15th report to Congress.

From September 3, 2007 through September 15, 2007 the nation�s largest grassroots, pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org) will lead thousands of supporters in a cross-country effort called the �FIGHT FOR VICTORY TOUR.�

�We�ll launch the cross-country caravan Monday, September 3rd with rallies outside the offices of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in California,� said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

�The caravan will then continue across the nation until we reach Washington, D.C. for a giant pro-troop rally on September 15th � the day that General David Petraeus, the U.S. Commanding General in Iraq, delivers his report on �The Surge� to Congress,� Morgan said.

�During the cross-country caravan we will stop and conduct pro-troop rallies that will be attended by thousands upon thousands of patriotic Americans who believe that our leaders cannot be allowed to undercut our troops who are bravely serving on the frontlines of the war against Islamic jihadism,� said Robert Dixon, Executive Director of Move America Forward.

The current schedule for the caravan includes pro-troop rally stops in more than 2 DOZEN cities across America including:  Carson City, NV - Sacramento, CA - San Francisco, CA � Modesto, CA - Fresno, CA - Los Angeles, CA - San Diego, CA - Yuma, AZ - Phoenix, AZ - Tucson, AZ - Las Cruces, NM - El Paso, TX - San Antonio, TX - Waco, TX - Crawford, TX - Dallas, TX - Oklahoma City, OK - Wichita, KS - Kansas City, MO - Des Moines, IA - Cedar Rapids, IA - Chicago, IL - Indianapolis, IN - Cincinnati, OH - Columbus, OH � Pittsburgh, PA - Washington D.C.

More details can be found at: www.MoveAmericaForward.org

Thursday, July 12th, 2007
MAF Condemns House Vote to Surrender in Iraq

Move America Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE � July 12, 2007
CONTACT:  Robert Dixon � (916) 441-6197 phone or Robert@MoveAmericaForward.org

House Iraq Vote Undermines America�s Fighting Men and Women

House Irresponsible to Act Before Petraeus/Crocker Report

(SACRAMENTO) � The nation�s largest grass-roots, pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org ) expressed angry disappointment that the U.S. House of Representatives would vote for American troop withdrawal before the facts are presented.  The report on progress in Iraq from General David Petraeus and United States Ambassador Ryan Crocker is due on September 15th.

�The American people should rightly be ashamed today that their elected representatives chose to put partisan politics ahead of the military men and women who are serving in harms way in Iraq to protect American security.  At the very same time we are learning that Al Qaeda is regaining strength and aiming another attack on the United States, the House wants to hand a victory to the terrorist by their irresponsible vote,� declared Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

�The record is clear that the terrorists are being destroyed and defeated in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the House wants to stop our victory and surrender it to the jihadists.  When we let up on the terrorists and they are able to organize and strike the United States again, what lame excuse will they have then?  Politics needs to be put on the shelf and American security needs to be the number one priority,� concluded Morgan.

John Ubaldi, Deputy Executive Director of Move America Forward and a Marine reservist who has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, said, �I am saddened and sickened to think about what those serving in harm�s way will feel after hearing about this vote.  The House has just undermined the troops mission.�

# # #

Monday, June 11th, 2007
Gold Star Parents Offer to Work with Bree Walker on Pro-Troop Monument/Memorial

Move America Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE � June 11, 2007
CONTACT:  Robert Dixon � (916) 441-6197 phone or Robert@MoveAmericaForward.org

Parents of Fallen Troops
Hope TV Anchorwoman Will Keep
Promise to Erect Pro-Troop Memorial

Move America Forward Responds to Cindy Sheehan Land Sale

(SACRAMENTO) � Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org), the nation�s largest grass-roots, pro-troop organization has released the following statement in response to news that Cindy Sheehan has sold her 5-acre �Camp Casey� anti-war protest site to radio talk show host and former television anchorwoman, Bree Walker:

�We are saddened to hear that Cindy Sheehan reversed course on her earlier plans to sell her land through either a traditional real estate listing or through the E-Bay online auction service.  It was our intention to purchase the land through an open and straightforward means, absent the deception that Ms. Sheehan originally used to acquire the land.  This was the reason we announced our intentions in this matter in a public fashion.

�It was the right of Ms. Sheehan to sell her land in a private real estate transaction to Ms. Bree Walker of the Air America affiliate KTLK in Los Angeles, and we respect her decision to do so.

�Ms. Walker has said she is considering erecting a pro-troop monument or memorial on the land, which was the intention of Move America Forward as well.

�In fact this week we had planned to release the following letter (see attached) on behalf of parents of fallen U.S. troops in Iraq requesting Ms. Sheehan to sell the land to Move America Forward so that it could be used to erect a pro-troop monument that honored both the service and sacrifices of all who served in the war on terrorism.

�We are forwarding a copy of this letter to Ms. Walker, who has an established career in broadcast journalism, with the request that she work with these families to ensure that the monument or memorial she builds truly respects those who served their country. 

�We hope that Ms. Walker will use this opportunity to work with these Gold Star Families who have a far different view of the war on terrorism than Ms. Sheehan or Ms. Walker hold, and that it will be a place where the troops can be honored without the anti-troop rhetoric that Ms. Sheehan has become infamous for.�

# # #

June 11, 2007

Ms. Cindy Sheehan
429 N Washington St
Dixon, CA 95620-2909

Dear Cindy,

Some of us have met you, and some of us have not.  Some of us know you, but others have only crossed paths with you at places like Crawford, Texas.  We all do share something in common: our children died heroes in service to their country that they loved. We live with the same pain you feel and our hearts will never heal.  That is why we appeal to you to cooperate in making the property you own in Crawford, Texas a monument that cherishes the memory of your son, Casey, and the other men and women of the military who have served heroically in the fight against international Islamic terrorism.

Today we come to you as brothers and sisters in this painful but proud community of Gold Star parents and ask this favor. We understand that you want to sell your property in Crawford, Texas, because you have some bills to pay. We respectfully ask that you sell it to Move America Forward so it can become a memorial park that honors our sons and daughters.

The centerpiece of Move America Forward�s proposed use of the land would be a �Monument to America�s Heroes� honoring all those who served in the war on terrorism � including those who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the fight.

This could be a healing movement for all of us who have a wide range of emotions and views about the war that took our children. Isn�t it time that we all have a place that was made specifically for the memory of our sons and daughters who gave everything to our country?

We know that you will never agree with us that our children have made a phenomenal contribution to freedom in the Middle East and security in America.  Many of us went to Iraq and saw the successes and positive developments that are taking place. We believe that Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are helping to turn the Middle East around and giving the people there the opportunity for economic development and freedom as the alternative to terrorism and violence. 

You have made it very clear that you do not share our outlook on this matter, and we respect the differences of opinion.  You have said that Camp Casey is a place of peace and that your brave son would love the land you have in Crawford. We know from his actions on the battlefield that he loved his country and his friends so much that he laid down his life for them.

We hope and pray that you will take time to consider our plea. It would be a selfless act of peace for you to offer the land for this proposed monument. We would be so thankful.

Sincerely Yours,

Your Gold Star brothers and sisters.

DEBORAH TAINSH

JOSEPH WILLIAMS

MIKE BROOMHEAD

JOE JOHNSON

DEBBIE LEE

MIKE ANDERSON

KEVIN GRAVES

ROBERT TAINSH

MARGARET KELLUM

DEBRA ARGEL

TODD BASTIAN

JAN JOHNSON

GINGER DRAKE

MARK CROWLEY

STACEY HOLLEY

GAYLE THOMAS

ROBIN BUTTERFIELD

SCOTT CONOVER

DIANE LAYFIELD

JON MARTINEZ

JOEL AILES

JOHN HOLLEY

KEITH BUTTERFIELD

LISA JOHNSON

-- END --

Friday, June 1st, 2007
Move America Forward Announces Plan to Acquire Cindy Sheehan’s Crawford Land

MAF Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 1, 2007
CONTACT:  Robert Dixon at (916) 441-6197 or via email: Robert@MoveAmericaForward.org

Pro-Troop Organization
Announces Plans to Acquire
Cindy Sheehan�s Land in Crawford, Texas

Monument to Heroes of War on Terror to be Erected

(SACRAMENTO) � The nation�s largest grass-roots, pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org ), is announcing today its plans to acquire the 5 acres of land in Crawford, Texas that had been used by anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan and her supporters.

Move America Forward has retained the services of award-winning real estate agent, Holly Williams (website: www.HollyCountry.com), to broker the deal. Once the land has been obtained, Move America Forward plans to erect a �Monument to America�s Heroes� on the property.

�I�m honored to be able to broker such a deal, and help turn this piece of land into a memorial that honors our brave men and women who fought for our freedom overseas. I am familiar with the land having spent time in Crawford and seeing first hand how Sheehan used the land to undermine the mission of our troops. I can�t think of a better use than to buy the land that was used to defile our troops and turn it into something beautiful that honors them,� said Holly Williams.

An artist�s rendition of the �Monument to America�s Heroes� can be found at the Move America Forward website at: www.MoveAmericaForward.org

Sheehan acquired the 5-acre plot of land in July 2006 for $52,500 using insurance money from the death of her son, Casey Sheehan, in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Cindy Sheehan declared at that time that the land would be used, �until George�s (Bush) resignation or impeachment.� However, this Memorial Day weekend Sheehan reversed course and gave her �resignation� as the face of the anti-war movement, announcing that the 5-acres in Crawford, Texas were up for sale.

�This land has been used as a staging ground for anti-war activists to denounce and denigrate the heroic service of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.  It is our intention to turn this around and make this a site that will honor the heroic accomplishments of the men and women who have fought with honor and courage in the war against Islamic terrorism,� declared Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

Robert Dixon, Executive Director of Move America Forward, said the money to purchase the land would come from the financial contributions of Move America Forward�s one-million members.

�We�ve already raised the initial sum to kick-start this effort and we will be collecting donations to fund both the purchase of this land and to pay for the construction of the Monument to America�s Heroes,� Dixon said.

# # #

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
Gold Star Families Rebuke Cindy Sheehan

MAF Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE � May 29, 2007
CONTACT:  Robert Dixon � (916) 441-6197 phone or Robert@MoveAmericaForward.org

GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMBERS HAPPY TO SEE CINDY SHEEHAN GONE

A group of Gold Star Family members, who have lost a son or daughter in the war on terrorism, today issued the following statement in response to Cindy Sheehan�s announcement that she is halting her public anti-war protests.  For more information log on to:  www.MoveAmericaForward.org

�We are very pleased to hear that Cindy Sheehan is ending her disgraceful campaign to discredit the United States military and the heroic men and women in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan.  We sympathize with the shared pain from losing a child in the war effort, however, we cannot excuse the fact that Cindy has taken the wrong turn at every corner in assigning blame for the loss of her heroic son, Casey.

�Casey Sheehan was a proud member of the United States Armed Forces.  He believed in serving his country faithfully and volunteered for the duty assignment that led to his death at the hands of Islamic extremists.  He should have been the example followed by Cindy Sheehan.  Instead, she chose to associate with the most virulent anti-American elements in the United States and abroad.

�Throughout her public demonstrations, Cindy Sheehan has repeatedly been dismissive of the majority of Gold Star Parents who disagree with her stance on the war.  Cindy Sheehan does not speak for us, nor thankfully does she speak for most Americans.  It�s time for Cindy to go home and put her life back together and realize just how fortunate she is to live in the greatest nation on earth.

�We are saddened that Cindy�s withdrawal from political activities is because she was disappointed that more Americans did not accept her distorted worldview that America is the blame for all of the ills of the world.  Perhaps off the world stage, she will be able to regain her bearings and see that her son and America were serving the cause of freedom in the world and security at home.  God Bless the United States of America, and may God help Cindy Sheehan to heal from the pain and bitterness that have consumed her.�

DEBRA ARGEL

TODD BASTIAN

JOSEPH WILLIAMS

DEBBIE LEE

JOSEPH JOHNSON

MIKE ANDERSON

MERILEE CARLSON

JAN JOHNSON

Tuesday, March 27th, 2007
Shame on You Senate!

Move America Forward

NEWS RELEASE CONTACT:  Robert Dixon
March 27, 2007 Phone: (916) 441-6197 Email: robert@moveamericaforward.org

SHAME ON YOU SENATE!

U.S. Senators Who Vote for Iraq Withdrawal
�Have Blood on Their Hands� Says MAF Chair

(WASHINGTON, DC) � In response to the vote by the U.S. Senate on a congressional proposal to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, before they have completed their missions, the nation�s largest grass-roots pro-troop organization has announced its strong disapproval of the actions by 50 members of the United States Senate.

�The Senators who voted to undercut our troops have blood on their hands � the blood of U.S. troops who will die from attacks by terrorists who will be emboldened by the Senate�s cowardice,� said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

�Our troops on the ground in the middle of a war don�t need to have their missions� undermined by some armchair generals in Washington, D.C.  If these Senators won�t stand behind our men and women on the frontlines, then perhaps they would prefer to stand in front of them,� Morgan said.

�This action by the U.S. Senate sends a message to the terrorists that they are winning, and that the leaders of our Congress lack the will and resolve to win the war on terrorism,� Morgan said.

The move by the Senate comes concurrent to the launch of a national pro-troop advertising campaign that takes to task those who seek to undermine support for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The ad is being broadcast with a national television and print advertising buy.  The ads can be seen online at the Move America Forward website:  www.MoveAmericaForward.org

Saturday, March 3rd, 2007
5 Days Til Caravan Launch

Move America Forward

NEWS RELEASE - March 3, 2007

CONTACT:  Robert Dixon —Phone: (916) 441-6197 or Email: robert@moveamericaforward.org

In Just 5 Days�
National Patriotic/Pro-Troop
Caravan to Launch!

From California to Washington, D.C. March 8th � March 17th

On the eve of the 4th anniversary of the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a national patriotic, pro-troop caravan will cross the nation, traveling from California to Washington, D.C. to show support for U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Members of the public are encouraged to join the caravan and attend the pro-troop rallies along the way.

The �THESE COLORS DON�T RUN� national caravan (organized and sponsored by the pro-troop non-profit group Move America Forward � www.MoveAmericaForward.org ) will depart San Francisco, California on the morning of Thursday, March 8, 2007, traversing the length of the state and then heading across the nation to Washington, D.C.  The effort is in support of the �Gathering of Eagles� event in Washington, D.C. on March 17th.  The patriotic caravan will feature 25 pro-troop rallies in cities across the nation.

People attending the rallies are asked to bring American flags to each rally that will be collected brought to Washington, D.C. where they will be displayed at the �Gathering of Eagles� event to create a giant �Flag City� on Saturday, March 17, 2007.

Leading the caravan will be Blue Star Mother Deborah Johns, whose son William is serving his 3rd tour of duty in Iraq; Gold Star Mother Debra Argel Bastian whose son, Derek, died in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Gold Star Father Joseph Williams whose son, Michael, died in Operation Iraqi Freedom; and John Ubaldi � a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). 

�We�re going to bring thousands of Americans together in a positive and patriotic fashion to say loudly and clearly that we support our troops and their missions,� said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

John Ubaldi, a Marine Reservist who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom explained his reasons for participating in the cross-country pro-troop caravan:

�I want the guys and gals serving over in Iraq and Afghanistan to know that many Americans are supporting them and pulling for them to achieve their missions.

�It pains me greatly to see some people in this country determined to invoke a Vietnam-like malaise surrounding the war on terrorism.  We can�t sit back and allow some of the nastiness and negativity directed towards our troops and their missions to go unchallenged,� said Ubaldi.

Gold Star Mother Debra Argel Bastian says she feels the military men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan are �family� and that she needs to do all she can to let them know they are loved and appreciated here at home.

�I am joining Move America Forward�s �These Colors Don�t Run� caravan to support our troops at home and out of the country.  My goal is to let them know that I appreciate their service, and all who have served. 

�I was raised the daughter of a career Marine and a Navy nurse.  I served in the Army, and am a Viet Nam era Vet.  Service before self was a common phrase in our home.  Derek felt that way since the 6th grade.  He knew that the military was his duty, and never questioned that.  The military is our family.  Each and every person who serves this country is my son or daughter,� said Bastian.

Blue Star Mother Deborah John�s son, William, is currently serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.  She says she is �sick and tired� of the negativity being directed against our troops serving in harm�s way.

�I am sick and tired of how some in this country are turning their backs on our troops at a time when they need our support the most!

�I know the American people want change in Iraq, our military wants change and so do their families.  The change we want is for everyone to stop undermining the war effort and support our troops so that they may achieve a complete military victory in Iraq and Afghanistan alike,� Johns said.

Gold Star Father Joseph Williams, a Vietnam Veteran whose son Michael died in Operation Iraqi Freedom, explained that he was motivated to act in order that this generation�s military men and women will have better support on the home front than did the military men who fought in Vietnam.

�My son and I shared a strong admiration for the United States Armed Forces.  I am a Vietnam Vet, having served in the United States Navy from February 1961 � June 1966.  I saw a lot of good men fight valiantly for their nation and the cause of freedom over communism, who came home to be spit upon, dishonored and disgraced by the anti-war movement here in America.

�I cannot sit back and let this kind of behavior happen again to this generation�s heroes,� Williams said.

*More info. on the caravan can be found at the Move America Forward website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org

Sunday, February 25th, 2007
Historic 22 City Caravan to Support Troops

Move America Forward

NEWS RELEASE CONTACT:  Robert Dixon
February 26, 2007 Phone: (916) 441-6197 or Email: robert@moveamericaforward.org

HISTORIC 22-CITY CARAVAN TO SUPPORT TROOPS IN IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN

National Caravan Coincides with 4th Anniversary
of Operation Iraqi Freedom

From California to Washington, D.C. March 8th � March 17th

With the 4-year anniversary of the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom this March, anti-war advocates had been hoping to use the occasion to rally their supporters to the streets.

Instead, it will be pro-troop supporters who plan to put on a massive display � creating a historic caravan of vehicles that will cross the entire country from San Francisco, California all the way to Washington, D.C. 

The caravan is called: �These Colors Don�t Run� and is being organized by the nation�s largest grassroots pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (www.MoveAmericaForward.org).  The patriotic and pro-troop caravan will stop at 22 cities across the country, conducting pro-troop rallies at each stop.  At the rallies, Move America Forward will collect American flags from attendees � the flags will be brought to the final rally location on Capitol Mall in Washington, D.C. where they will be erected into a powerful and patriotic �Flag City� display.  The Washington, D.C. event is being held in support of the “Gathering of Eagles” rally on March 17th being organized by veterans.

At the conclusion of the rally each flag will be sent to a U.S. Service member stationed in either Iraq or Afghanistan along with a placard showing who donated the flag, and how it flew in a patriotic show of support for our troops and their missions in the war on terrorism.

The public is invited to join the caravan with their own vehicles, decorating them with red, white and blue patriotic flair.

�We�ve had enough of the negativity and backstabbing of our troops.  They need our support, and more importantly they deserve our unqualified backing,� said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

�This historic caravan will cascade across this nation with a wave of patriotism, driven by a positive message celebration our nation�s foundations of freedom and liberty that our troops help to preserve,� said Morgan.

�How can we hope to win a war when some in this country are actively working to defeat the mission?� Morgan asked.

Cities where the caravan will make pro-troop rally stops (and where new supporters can join the caravan or just bring an American Flag for our troops) include: San Francisco, CA; Lafayette, CA; Vacaville, CA; Sacramento, CA; Stockton, CA; Fresno, CA; Bakersfield, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Palm Springs, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; El Paso, TX; Midland/Odessa, TX; Dallas, TX; Little Rock, AR; Memphis, TN; Atlanta, GA; Columbia SC; Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; Washington, DC.

The caravan will include spokespersons whose lives have been deeply touched by the war:  Gold Star Mother Debra Argel Bastian lost her son, Derek in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Gold Star Father Joseph Williams lost his son Michael in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Marine Mom Deborah Johns, whose son, William, is currently serving his third tour of duty in Iraq; and Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom veteran, Marine Reservist John Ubaldi.

Other military families, Gold Star Families and veterans will help the caravan at rally stops along the way.  A small sampling of those involved in the effort are:  Gold Star Father Mark Crowley in the San Francisco Bay Area, Gold Star Father John Holley in Southern California, Gold Star Mother in Tucson, AZ, Gold Star Parents David & Deborah Tainsh in central Georgia, Gold Star Parents Joe & Jan Johnson in Northern Georgia; Gold Star Mother Merrilee Carlson of Minnesota (traveling to join the caravan); and Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom veteran, Eric Egland in Washington, D.C.

A copy of the caravan�s route and itinerary can be found online at the Move America Forward website:  http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org

Friday, February 16th, 2007
NATIONAL PATRIOTIC CARAVAN COUNTERS ANTI-WAR EFFORT

Move America Forward