We've all heard how much the war in Iraq is costing, but not like this.

This video puts the cost of the war in Iraq in dollars in very explicit terms.

Peters Giving Knollenberg a Run for His Money

Gary Peters' campaign is really picking up momentum. Gary's campaign came close to matching Joe Knollenberg's fund raising for the first quarter of 2008. I can't wait for some polling to come out on this race. I really feel like Gary has old Joe on the run and the Republicans know this seat is at risk due to Gary Peters being right on the issues Americans and 9th District voters care about, the economy, the war and health care.

For an 8-term incumbent, the trends are encouraging for Peters. Knollenberg only raised $282,046 from individuals. Click here for Joe's campaign finance report. Almost a third of Joe's money comes from PACs. 94% of Peters' contributions came from individuals and 90% from in-state contributors. Comparing Joe to other long-term Congress members, Joe looks like he's in real trouble this year.

Demonstrating Continued Momentum, Peters Raises More Than $346,000 for 1st Quarter 90% of Peters' Nearly $748,000 for the Cycle Raised in Michigan; 94% from Individuals

Oakland County MI – Congressional candidate Gary Peters will report raising more than $346,000 for the 1st Quarter, his strongest fundraising period to date in his 2008 bid for Congress. Peters, who will officially file tomorrow with the Federal Elections Commission, raised over $346,000 for the first quarter, bringing the total funds raised this cycle to over $748,000. The numbers also demonstrate Peters' strong support within the state, having received 90 percent of his contributions from Michigan and 94 percent from individuals.

"As I travel throughout Oakland County, people tell me over and over again they are energized by our grassroots campaign for change, because they are fed up with Washington and they are worried about the economy," said Peters. "For the past seven plus years, Joe Knollenberg has rubberstamped President Bush's disastrous economic policies every step of the way resulting in job losses, soaring gas prices, and mounting health care costs, and Oakland County voters have finally had enough."

Peters has continued to gain strong support in Oakland County by garnering several key endorsements this quarter including the League of Conservation Voters, the United Auto Workers, and his former primary opponent Nancy Skinner.

"We are thrilled with the outpouring of instate support that Gary has received from individuals in Michigan," Peters' Campaign Manager Julie Petrick said. "This just goes to show Michigan contributors from across the political spectrum are the ones fueling Gary's grassroots campaign for change, because they are tired of President Bush, Joe Knollenberg, and the Washington special interests."

Peters' momentum is underlined not only by his strong fundraising numbers, but by his support on the ground and in the grass roots community. Peters ended the quarter with nearly 2,000 contributors joining his campaign for change in Oakland County. In fact, this past weekend, at a grass roots organizing event held by the campaign, Peters recruited more than 100 volunteers.
Peters' strong fundraising quarter comes on the heels of being named to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue" List.

I want to thank Joe Knollenberg for laying out the bullcrap that he and his Republican colleagues have been espousing to the American public for years. What is this bullcrap you ask? That lower taxes lead to the ruin of the American economy. Here's the fallacy Republicans ask Americans to believe. If you have an economic problem, lower taxes will solve it.

Here's what really happens though. Republicans lower taxes to the point where agencies that protect Americans from things like polluted drinking water, poisoned food, tainted beef, you know things that keep you from dying, start to collapse from the lack of proper funding. Then what happens. People start dying and then people suddenly say, oh, I guess maybe we do need some of those revenues for government to provide essential services, like keeping my children and myself from dying.

Then when government stops working, Republicans like to say see, we told you, government doesn't work. Every man for himself.

Then Republicans say, we need to wage war to protect America. We have to fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here. I used to think this was a joke, until I actually had people who believe this crap say it to my face. Republicans actually believe that we can fight an unending war, borrowing money from the Chinese and the Japanese to finance it, outsource the duties that used to be performed by soldiers to Halliburton at 10 times the cost and that this will somehow protect America. The war in Iraq is nothing but a business deal, and a bad one for America at that. No-bid contracts have been going to Dick Cheney's old company for years, to the detriment of the American economy.

And Joe Knollenberg buys into the whole load of bullcrap. How can this guy represent the voters of the 9th District any longer?

We the people need to do something about it in November and it is imperative that we send Gary Peters to Washington D.C. in January of 2009. We can't afford to have Joe Knollenberg represent us any longer, not even one minute longer. Below is Joe's speech regarding the new budget that Republicans are fighting tooth and nail, because Democrats are seeking to protect essential services to average Americans. Don't let them fool you.

Knollenberg Fights to Prevent Massive Tax Increase Record-setting tax hike would
hurt families, kill jobs


Washington, Mar 12 - Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Chairman, Iwould yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg),one of our leaders in this conference and one of our most distinguished leaders.
Mr.KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Brady, thank you very kindly for yielding. I appreciate that very much.Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight on behalf of the hardworking men and women of Michigan and particularly of my Ninth District.
It will come as no surprise to most to hear me say that Michigan has been struggling mightily of late. For the past 6 years, we have suffered from incomparable job lossesthroughout Michigan. In fact, Michigan was the only State in the Union to have lost jobs in each and every year of that time frame. Our unemployment rate has been the Nation's highest, or close to it, for longer than anyone can remember.Home foreclosures are up. Wages are down. Costs seem to be rising at every turn. To put it lightly, the people of Michigan are facing some tough times.Not too long ago, the Governor of Michigan proposed an income tax increase. The citizenswere on the verge of revolt. The State government actually shut down for a bit.
As Michigan families struggled, the last thing they thought they deserved from their government was a bigger tax bill. But, sadly, they got one anyway.Now the leadership of this body wants to send the good people of Michigan and the peopleacross the country another tax increase. In fact, they want to send, as has been said before, the biggest tax increase in American history.Well, I'm here to say, and to say strongly, enough is enough. Enough with higher taxes. Enough withwasteful spending. Enough.Analysts have calculated that the average family in my district would see their taxes go up by more than $4,100 if this budget were to be enacted. That's $4,100 that families in Oakland County simply cannot afford.
Worse yet, we know that a tax increase this big would do serious harm to the economy, costing even more jobs and putting more people out of work.The other problem is, and some have told me that my district alone would lose some 2,000 jobs in the wake of this scale of tax increase. I do not want to let thathappen. Many are concerned that the national economy is showing signs of weakness. I submit to my colleagues the weakness you may be seeing is just a common cold compared to the prolonged pneumonia Michigan has suffered from during its single-State recession.I'm going to fight and fight hard to protect Michigan's families, as every Member here I know would protect the people fromtheir own States, protect them from higher taxes. Taking more of theirhard-earned money from their pockets will only lead to more problems, more job losses, and more hardships.So I repeat: Enough with higher taxes. Enough with wasteful spending. Simply, enough.If you're thinking of voting for a tax increase this big, I'd invite you to come to see me in Michigan. There you can see firsthand what higher taxes do to an economy. Higher taxes shutter factorydoors. They close small businesses, and they hurt families right to the core.
This budget, and the $4,000 increase that comes with it for Oakland County's families, is simply unacceptable.Instead of raising taxes, we should be focused on solutions that will strengthen the economy, create jobs, encourageinvestment, and foster innovation. Raising taxes would do the exact polar opposite.So I strongly urge my colleagues, Mr. Chairman, to reject this massive tax increase on average Americans. I know firsthand how much harm it would do toMichigan's families, and I have every reason to believe it would do the same to families across America.

Joe, now the young people are speaking out. When will you?

It's so great to see some young people get involved. Over 100 people gathered at Shain Park on Wednesday to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq war. How many more have to die, Joe?
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GATHER TO PROTEST WAR IN IRAQ
'Give peace a chance'
By Jay M. Grossman
ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

Meet Nolan Astrein, a bright young man with a vision for peace.

"I never thought that nearly a third of my life would be spent watching my country fight in a war," said the 16-year-old Seaholm High School student.

On Wednesday, he organized a candlelight vigil at Shain Park in Birmingham to mark the five-year anniversary of the Iraq war. Dozens showed up, young people and old, holding candles and carrying signs of peace.

"I don't know anyone who's been in the war," Astrein said. "But there's no telling how long this war could last ... and I realize in another time I would almost be at the perfect age for the draft."

The time he's referring to was the Vietnam war, a conflict his father opposed many decades ago.

"Back in the '60s he protested Vietnam," he said about his father, Gary Astrein, 57. "He's never imposed any of his views on me, but he always told me what he thought about things."

His own search for peace began three or four weeks ago, when he searched the Web site moveon.org for a local vigil to attend.

"I noticed there were none in the area, so I decided to do one on my own," he said. "At first it was just for other students, but then I posted something and within days a bunch of people wrote back and said they planned on attending."

Growing up in Birmingham in the heart of Oakland County, Astrein realizes there are very few people from this wealthy enclave who enlisted to fight. At the same time, he believes a majority from this area support the cause.

"The percentage of people from Oakland County who are fighting overseas is so low," he said. "Very few have siblings or cousins over there ... but it's not a good excuse. We should all be aware of the war."

It's a battle he opposes, a conflict he feels is senseless.

"This needs to be quickly brought to an end," Astrein said. "Bringing home all the troops in one day would be dramatic - but it should end in a year."

jgrossman@hometownlife.com | (248) 901-2529

5 Years in Iraq is Enough!

It's been five long years now and we're still in Iraq. Joe Knollenberg, President Bush and Vice President Cheney think things are going great. Actually, for them it is. Oil is at $110 a barrel, gas is closing in on $4 a gallon and their buddies in the oil industry are making record profits. For the rest of us, not so great. Foreclosures are at all time highs, middle-class Americans, so-called are having to choose between paying the mortgage and buying gas to get to work, if they have a job. And yet President Bush and Joe Knollenberg push for more war and more free trade.


When will Joe Knollenberg start caring about the constituents in his district more than the big money interests that fund his campaign? ENOUGH!

Joe, this is the cost of war. And a ruined economy for the rest of us. Thanks a lot.

This is written directly to Congressman Joe Knollenberg. Below are the pictures of the 18 young men from your district that died fighting the disaster of a war in Iraq. 18 families whose sons will never return, because George W. Bush, your president, sent them to war based on a lie. Your votes on continuing this war will come back to haunt you in November, Joe. The people of your district have had enough death and destruction. Your votes have helped to continue this war that has ruined the lives of the families of these 18 young men. Your votes have committed America to a war that cannot be won. Oh, I know you will say the level of violence is down since we sent more troops. But the purpose of the so-called surge was to allow for political reconciliation, which has not happened, even according to General Petraeus.

Now, not only has the war ruined our reputation around the world, but it has come home to roost in the steep decline in our economy and is wreaking havoc here at home. When is enough enough, Joe? When will you stand up for the majority of Americans that want to end this war now? When will our troops come home. You say you support John McCain for President. He wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years, 10,000 years. Do you want to do the same and blindly follow him off that cliff? I assume your answer is yes. If so, then it's time for you and the Republican party to be removed from elected office so that responsible leaders can bring our young men and women home to their families and take care of their needs, physical and mental. Enough!

Gary Peters On Iraq

From the 9th District forum, Gary Peters responds to a question about what to do in Iraq. Interesting, Joe Knollenberg doesn't even think Iraq is an issue, since there is not one word about it on his web campaign web site.

Will Joe endorse John (100 years in Iraq) McCain?

I just found this great video that speaks to a what John McCain would do if he were to be elected president. 100, 1000 more years in Iraq, who knows how many casualities and catastrophic injuries.

Joe Knollenberg's promise, Fewer Jobs, More Wars

With John McCain now the presumptive Republican nominee, let's stop a minute and think about what a John McCain presidency would be about, especially were there to be more Republicans like Joe Knollenberg, who has supported the war in Iraq consistently. I don't think it's a pretty picture. Joe's choice for the Republican nomination, Mitt Romney, pulled out of the race yesterday. Will Joe support John (100 more years in Iraq) McCain?

The real goal of Shock and Awe in Iraq

I'm reading Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein right now, and it's a very enlightening look at the U.S. involvement and how Milton Friedman's economic theories have played a role across the globe. Iraq was the ultimate testing ground for the theories Friedman espoused. As we now know, the experiment has gone very badly and has been a catastrophe for U.S. foreign policy.

Joe, Santa could use your help to bring them home for Christmas

I'm getting to spend the holidays with my granddaughter, so I know how special it would be if all of our soldiers serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world could spend the holidays with their spouses and children, the way it was meant to be. We can do it. Our soldiers have done all they can in Iraq. Let's show some real family values and reunite our service men and women with their families. Not one more Christmas in Iraq.

Joe AWOL on War Profiteering Prevention Act of 2007

I guess Joe really loves Halliburton and Blackwater. He didn't even bother to vote on the War Profiteering Prevention Act. Joe wouldn't want to hold war profiteers accountable. It's hard to imagine how Joe could just decide not to vote on a bill of such importance

10/9/2007--Passed House amended.

War Profiteering Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit profiteering and fraud involving a contract or the provision of goods or services in connection with a mission of the U.S. Government overseas. Imposes: (1) a fine of not more than $1 million and/or a prison term of up to 20 years for knowingly defrauding the United States or a provisional authority in connection with such a mission or for materially overvaluing any goods or services with the intent to defraud; (2) a fine of not more than $1 million and/or a prison term of up to 10 years for falsification or concealment, false statements, or false documents in connection with such contracts or goods or services.

Grants extraterritorial federal jurisdiction over war profiteering and fraud offenses. Permits venue for the prosecution of such offenses in any district where any act in furtherance of an offense took place or where any party to a contract or provider of goods or services is located.

Allows criminal forfeiture of property obtained from a war profiteering or fraud offense. Makes war profiteering and fraud a predicate offense for money laundering and racketeering offenses.

Bruce finally gets to confront Joe

Well, I finally got to confront Joe Knollenberg about his votes on the war in Iraq and against SCHIP. Trent Wisecup, Joe's chief of staff got pretty heated. Watch for yourself.

Joe Knollenberg's constituents want Joe to end the war

On Saturday in Troy, about 50 protesters gathered and got great support and lots of honks of approval to end the war in Iraq and tried to convince Joe Knollenberg to end the war.

Joe at the Republican Debate in Dearborn

It was a beautiful day in Dearborn for a protest. All the Republican losers running for President were inside the Dearborn Performing Arts Center. What an appropriate place for Fred Thompson to make his acting debut on the presidential scene. Joe NOllenberg was there too having a great time with all the other protesters.


Protesters of all ages came out to let the Republican candidates know what ought to happen to Vice President Dick Cheney and President Bush.


These guys said they are with the NSA. I wonder if they were pulling my leg.

Joe Knollenberg Loves George W. Bush

This video of Joe Knollenberg and his undying love for George W. Bush says it all. Joe thinks George W. Bush and his policies are just great. What do you think? Is Joe's judgement good enough to be our Congressman? I think not.

Joe's Hormones must be getting to him

Joe might actually be listening to all the anti-war rhetoric lately. I guess he is now advocating peace in Iraq. Joe's new slogan, "Strength Through Peace." Wait. I think that one is taken.

Take a Stand Town Hall DVD now available for purchase

If you would like a copy of the DVD of the Take a Stand Town Hall from August 28, 2008, please e-mail Bruce Fealk at bfealk@wideopenwest.com.

Joe, will you let this kind of intimidation continue?

These protestors were conducting a scheduled press conference when the police (brown shirts) moved in to break up the press conference. The First Amendment of our Constitution guarantees the right of free speech to speak out in dissent. Do you think that our government is still protecting our Constitution? What do you think, Joe?

More from the End The War Rally at Pontiac Central

Almost 600 people packed the auditorium at Pontiac Cental High School on August 28 to send a message to Joe Knollenberg that when he goes back to Congres in September, he should listen to his constituents and not George Bush and support the troops and bring them home to their families and loved ones.

Joe NOllenberg made an appearance and was serenaded by the Raging Grannies.


There were lots of impeachment signs visible. Hold George W. Bush and Dick Cheney accountable for their crimes against humanity.