Some Things To Do This Weekend

Interesting inbox today -- I subscribe to a number of email alerts (like, a LOT), so I have to pick and choose which things I pay attention to. Well, today I got a bunch of things worth my attention, and they're worth your attention too. Make the jump -- I've got you a short but worthy to-do list for your weekend:

1. Take action to hold people accountable for torture. Senator Leahy has scheduled a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee entitled "Getting to the Truth Through a Nonpartisan Commission of Inquiry." This came after Amnesty International's call-in week where thousands called asking for just such a commission.

So, if you care about getting the truth about torture out in the open, click the link to send your online letter to the President. And if you're not a member of Amnesty International, join now.

2. Take action on Kentucky housing. As the Metropolitan Housing Coalition writes, we need to "oppose House Bill 405 that would allow localities to modify the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act. A Uniform Act is one that national scholars and parties from all sides compose to have a law with balanced interests. Only issues that would benefit from a uniform approach are subject to this long process. This law would allow every city and county to make changes and would lead to chaos in landlord tenant law in Kentucky." To help, make a call at 800-372-7181 to the members of the Local Government Committee: Rep. Steve Riggs [Chair], Rep. Mike Denham [Vice Chair], Rep. Adam Koenig [Vice Chair], Rep. Ancel Smith [Vice Chair], Rep. Jim Wayne [Vice Chair], Rep. Scott W. Brinkman, Rep. Ron Crimm, Rep. Ted Edmonds, Rep. Derrick Graham, Rep. Richard Henderson, Rep. Charlie Hoffman, Rep. Brent Housman, Rep. Dennis Keene, Rep. Stan Lee, Rep. Tom McKee, Rep. Reginald Meeks, Rep. David Osborne, Rep. Arnold Simpson, Rep. Kevin Sinnette, Rep. Ken Upchurch.

3. Get some walls around payday lending. Call your Kentucky legislator (same number) to have them strengthen House Bill 444 to regulate payday lending. The bill has had its first reading in the House. HB 444 is a weak version and the statewide advocacy coalition working on this issue recommends the following:

• HB 444 should be strengthened to truly protect families from the harmful payday lending product. In current form, it actually increases costs to consumers.
• Ask them to support floor amendments that cap interest at 36% and limit the # of loans to 4 in a year (1 per quarter).

4. Step up for more local radio. Are you tired of the out-of-town treacle that passes for radio these days? Here's a chance to get some fresh, new, LOCAL voices on the air. The Local Community Radio Act was just introduced in the house. This act opens up the airwaves to low-power FM stations, making it easier for local stations to get up and running. Here's the link to send a note to Congress.

5. Check out this cool new site about cool people who happen to live in The Ville -- ILiveInLouisville.com. This site is the brainchild of photographer and journalist Leslie Lyons. She does a story every week on someone that you'll want to hear about. Give it a visit, and tell your friends.