Progressive Democrat Issue 33: THOUGHTS

This week I am unable to put as much into the newsletter as usual since I am in the process of creating this blog for it. Many readers have been encouraging me to do this. I have been reluctant because I like the low tech and more personal email newsletter format. There are so many blogs out there that I am unconvinced that we need another one! But, I fully intend to continue the regular newsletter and the blog version will be partly an archive and partly a way to essentially syndicate the newsletter so others can conveniently link to it and refer others to it. So far the Mid-Hudson Alliance website has been helping me do that, but I think I may be able to do more things if I have my own blog version. I will certainly continue to use the Mid-Hudson Alliance website as well as long as they are so kind as to host me.

So if this week’s thoughts and events sections are a bit thin, please understand that I am teaching myself a lot of basic HTML and playing around with a blog site. When the blog version is ready, I will still send out these emails to those who are formally subscribed, but it will also be available in yet another format!

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: TARGET THE CORRUPT REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN:

This week's action is personal. I want to target a Corrupt Republican from California who not only is the epitome of what is wrong with greedy neo-Con politics, but who also is one of those disgusting bastards who have been exploiting 9/11 for their own personal gain. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham from San Diego County, used 9/11 to push the flag burning Amendment, claiming that those who died in 9/11 would want the amendment passed. When the New York Rep. Nadler (from Brooklyn) called Cunningham on this shameless exploitation of NYC’s, Nadler's mike was shut off as if Cunningham has the right to talk about 9/11 but a NYC Rep. doesn’t! This clearly shows what Republicans think of New Yorkers--we are silenced and shunned by the party that continuously uses our tragedy for their partisan politics. How could Rep. Cuunningham even DREAM of using my friend's death on 9/11 for his purposes? My friend who died on 9/11 was in favor of civil rights and freedom of expression, and he would NOT have wanted this amendment passed. How DARE Rep. Cunningham presume to speak for my friend. How DARE he presume to speak for New Yorkers. He does not know us. He does not represent us. He should stop exploiting New York's tragedy for his gain.

But let us also not forget that this is the same Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham who sits on the powerful Appropriations defense subcommittee and has taken bribes from a defense contractor around the same time that defense contractor began getting big government contracts. This is what we are going to target him for. Here is an article on FBI investigators actually raiding Cunningham’s home looking for evidence of his corruption.

And here is an article covering the scandal in more detail.

Here’s an excerpt:

WASHINGTON – Mitchell Wade, founder of the defense contracting firm MZM Inc., pressured employees to donate to a political fund that benefited Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham and other members of Congress, according to three former employees of the company.

Wade, who took a $700,000 loss on the purchase of Cunningham's Del Mar home and allows the congressman to stay on his yacht while in Washington, demanded employees make donations to the company's political action committee, MZM PAC, they said.
"By the spring of '02, Mitch was twisting employees' arms to donate to his MZM PAC," said one former employee. "We were called in and told basically either donate to the MZM PAC or we would be fired."

Many companies have PACs, but campaign finance laws prohibit employers from pressuring workers to contribute to the PAC. They may encourage contributions, but not compel them.

Here is the page on Cunningham from the Campaign for America’s Future.

Please write the media, including national, your local media and San Diego papers. Write them complaining of the corruption of the Republican Party. You can mention DeLay and the Ohio Republicans as well as Cunningham, showing how this is now typical of the criminal behavior of the Republican Party.

And let’s help out the San Diego Democratic clubs, if you can. Here is a list of the San Diego Dem groups.

Donating to them will help them defeat Cunningham in 2006. We need to make a big deal of this. This guy cynically broke the law and then he gets all self-righteous using 9/11 to try and push the flag-burning amendment. We need to nail him. So please write some letters to the editor and give to help the San Diego Dems.

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: 9/11 CAMPAIGN: TARGETING THE ELECTIONS:

Recently I started a campaign to retaliate against the Republican hijacking of 9/11. 9/11 killed nearly 3000 New Yorkers—residents of a city that overwhelmingly voted for Gore and Kerry and about 80% of whom hate Bush. The Republican exploitation of 9/11 is like a violation of our grief, a desecration of the memories of our friends and families. Karl Rove’s comments are what finally made me realize that it is time to take the fight right into their faces and really punish them for their corruption, their greed, their lies and their cynical exploitation of 9/11. This week I want to focus on nailing them in the 2005 elections.

2005 ELECTIONS:

The first thing I want to focus on is the Democracy for America A-List. These are the candidates for 2005 that have made the cut for DFA. Check out their candidates and if there are one or two you like, please make a small donation. Of course if you or anyone you know lives in the area of any of these candidates, please consider volunteering to help them. I should note that some of their candidates have already won or lost their special elections, so check to make sure that whoever you want to support still has their election ahead of them.

Next let us remember that there are two big Governor’s races this year: New Jersey and Virginia. We have to really make sure that these two states are as blue as possible this year. Let’s start with Virginia. Here is a diary by Teacherken on BooMan Tribune describing a personal encounter with Tim Kaine, the Democrat running for Gov. of Virginia.

The summary of this encounter is:

My reactions to the event were overwhelmingly positive. My sense is that if Kaine does not get overwhelmed by money he will win. For one thing, he is part of an administration that hs financially put the state's house in order, and that plays well in Virginia. For another, his opponent will eventually have to appear on stage with him and debate him, and Kilgore comes across as very weak. Kaine is imaginative, as his advertising on Christian radio talking about his missionary work demonstrates. it is similar to Mark Warner's having sponsored a Nascar race vehicle.
I hope this gives readers a sense of the man, and of why people involved in this campaign are excited. If you want to get involved including but not limited to giving money, or if you just want to find out more, go to his web page.

I think we HAVE to keep in mind what the author of the diary said: “My sense is that if Kaine does not get overwhelmed by money he will win.” If you possibly can, send Kaine some money. If you live in or near Virginia, PLEASE volunteer for Kaine’s campaign. I think this race is one of the absolute most key races in 2005.
But Virginia isn’t just about Kaine. It is about establishing the grassroots infrastructure to turn Virginia blue with a solid progressive and populist agenda in opposition to the elitist and corrupt Republican agenda. To do this we have to work with the local Dem. Groups and DFA groups. I harp on this a lot but it is what we have to do to defeat the neo-Cons and save our democracy.

Here are three Virginia groups to help out for 2005:

Democracy for Virginia.

Virginia Grassroots Coalition.

And the local Dem clubs.

Next comes New Jersey. Remember Karl Rove was campaigning for Doug Forrester, Repub candidate for NJ Gov when he made his disgusting comments about 9/11. For that we must take Forrester down big time. I want Karl Rove’s comments to backfire and bring down Forrester’s numbers and boost Corzine. So, let’s support Corzine and the New Jersey Democrats!

Support Corzine for Governor of NJ.

And/or help out one of the local NJ Dem clubs or DFA groups.

Finally there is the mayor’s race in NYC. Naturally this is dear to my heart, but it is more. Mayor Bloomberg is a Republican representing NYC. He is in a prime position to take his party to task for it’s exploitation of 9/11. But he hasn’t. For that we have to take him down as well. My way of approaching this is to pick the reddest part of NYC and help out the Dems in that area. The reddest part of NYC is Staten Island. Focusing here not only will help defeat Bloomberg, but it will also aim for the 2006 race against Republican Vito Fossella who represents Staten Island. Here are two Dem groups in Staten Island for your consideration:

a. Staten Island Young Democrats
b. Richmond County Democratic Committee.

These are the things we need to focus on for 2005. In a later issue I will deal with the key races in 2006. We do have to start now for 2006, but for this issue let’s just focus on 2005.

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: SUPREME COURT ACTION

Here is a suggestion from a reader:

Starting Tuesday (phone line operates business hours, M-F, 9 to 5 EST) contact the White House comment line, 1-202-456-1111, press the keypad for the # to leave a comment (can't remember if it's 1 or 2, but recording will indicate which is to leave a comment) and a live person answers, usually asks if you want to leave a comment for the president and then asks what state you're from, then tell the "nice" lady that you want the president to actually represent ALL the people, not just the narrow constituency of the religious right, in his Supreme Court nomination. Ask the President to nominate a moderate, not a conservative.

This is a DIRECT way to let the prez know where the country is on SCOTUS nomination.

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: LOCAL NYC ACTION

I want to continue to hammer away at the Bloomberg issue. This guy is NOT good for NYC. The following is drawn from a diary I had on Daily Gotham:

First off, I do not want to place Bloomberg in the same category as Bush. Bush is so extremist, many Republicans I know can't stand him. Bloomberg is, in essence, a more old-school style Republican with some influences from the Dems. That is not necessarily a bad thing. But when push comes to shove, I think Bloomberg has failed NYC big time and fails to represent us.

First of all, I will never forgive him for pissing on our civil rights. Not only did he use our tax money to restrict our freedoms so he could host Bush's convention, but even now he is persecuting Critical Mass in retaliation for their role in the anti-RNC protests (notice he ignored them before then!) and he is trying to prevent New Yorkers from protesting in general--in essence trying to take away our freedom of assembly. During the RNC he actually called the protesters (which included myself and my 8 months pregnant wife) terrorists. I do not approve of someone who accuses Americans who are simply exercising their Constitutional rights of being terrorists. That smacks of Bush America! He also violated the rights of protestors who were arrested by holding them longer that the legal limit before they were processed. So he gets an "F" in my book for his opposition to Civil Liberties and that alone turned me against him.

Then there is development. He and his buddy Ratner have a vision for NYC--it involves more and more skyscrapers, the destruction of NY's unique neighborhoods, Wal-Marts and high priced stadiums and arenas without due consideration for open space, affordable housing, parking, subways, schools, etc. I am not anti-development. I am for sane development that ADDS to a neighborhood rather than destroys it. I am most familiar with his plans for Atlantic Yards and I think it is exactly what Brooklyn does NOT need. In many of the neighborhoods where Bloomberg wants to put up luxury hotels, expensive housing and arenas, there are rival neighborhood plans that are much more reasonable. But Bloomberg, in his dictatorial way, dismisses the neighborhood plans unless forced to pay attention to them by either courts or the city council. For Atlantic Yards, the rival plan is partly the vision of Letitia James (WFP City Councilwoman). You can find out about how crazy Bloomberg's plan is and how much mroe reasonable the neighborhood plan is by going to Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn. There is also Park Slope Neighbors. Atlantic Yards is only one example of how out of touch Bloomberg is with NYC neighborhoods. There is also Willamsburg/Greenpoint. And many other neighborhoods that Bloomberg is threatening. Bloomberg gets maybe a "D" in my book for his development ideas for NYC.

Then there is his inability to be an advocate for NYC at the state and federal level. Pataki refuses to give NYC the funds it is entitled to for education and for subways. Yes he has pursued the lawsuit for the education funds, but why hasn't he taken Pataki aside and said, "look, you want to help Republicans in NYC, give us these funds and both you and I look good." He also failed to get the money Bush promised for rebuilding after 9/11. Why isn't Bloomberg speaking out each and every day against Pataki and Bush for stiffing NYC? Instead he hosted their convention...which lost the city money. I'll give him a "C" on this issue because he HAS pursued the lawsuits, but he hasn't actually gotten us all these funds.

Then there are priorities. He always seems to have money for his development schemes. Build a stadium? SURE! Let's do it. But when it comes to firefighters, cops, teachers, nurses, infrastructure, open space, schools, etc...nope. We don't have enough money for THOSE. Let's CLOSE firehouses, let's make kids bring their own toilet paper to school, let's not give city employees contracts for years and years. What message does this give our teachers, firefighters, nurses and cops? It tells them that they are less important than the Jets. It tells the city that developers are more important than our children, our firefighters, our cops, etc. I give Bloomberg a "D" for his priorities.

Wal-Mart and Ratner seem to be Bloomberg's demographic. Not the average-Joe New Yorker. I want a mayor who represents you and me and our children not Ratner and Wal-Mart.

Now what about the Dems? None of them stand out as being the perfect mayor. Each of them has flaws. BUT, overall they all are good candidates and, potentially, good mayors. Miller may be too close to developers, but overall he is excellent. Wiener has little name recognition and is more a legislator than an executive right now, but he also is excellent. Fields is smart and popular in Manhattan and, as long as she is good overall, I am all for NYC having a black woman as mayor. Ferrer may be the toughest of the lot, and NYC needs a tough mayor. I have a hard time forgiving him and Green for their fiasco last time around, but that aside, Ferrer represents the outer boroughs, who are underrepresented in NYC and I am all for having an outer borough mayor.

For those (Dems, Reps and Inds) who want to find out more about why Bloomberg sucks as mayor, and who want to find out about ALL his opponents (not just the Dems), check out BOOT Bloomberg out of Town, a non-partisan anti-Bloomberg group set up by a liberal Dem and a pro-Bush Repub.

And once again, I think Staten Island is a key to NYC politics. Not to say that we have to turn it completely blue, but if we can shift it slightly more blue, we might see a shift in NYC politics overall. Here are two Dem groups in Staten Island for your consideration:

a. Staten Island Young Democrats
b. Richmond County Democratic Committee.

But most importantly, GET ACTIVE WITH YOUR LOCAL DEM and DFA GROUPS (see below).

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

CRITCAL MASS BICYCLE MOVEMENT! Critical Mass is a bicyclist movement (NOT an organized group!) that holds weekly protests all over the world to protest pollution. Rides every Friday starting in Union Sq. Park North, 7PM!

New Democratic Majority Petitioning for Norman Titus for City Council, 45th dist. The Norman Titus campaign for city council is paying $1/signature to augment its petitioning effort in the final two weeks of the signature-gathering period (July 15th is the final day to gather valid signatures). If you are available and would like to earn some extra money, please RSVP to volunteer@titus4council.com or by phone to Jaqueline Charles at 718-490-0436.

July 12 noon to 2PM: People for the American Way & New York Civil Liberties Union Rally and Press Conference for our rights. NY Public Library on 5th Ave. and 41st St., to show support for the SAFE ACT to limit the government’s surveillance powers, and Civil Liberties Restoration Act, which would allow us to defend our homeland while retaining our basic civil liberties. Please RSVP to: tsimone@pfaw.org or call (212) 420-0440x13

Data Entry Party: Wed, 07/13/2005 - 7:00pm, Requirements: Laptop with either ethernet or wireless (wireless is preferred), RSVP: write to Connie at yi -at- dfnyc.org (replace -at- with @). Join us for another fun filled data entry party. Really it's a blast, we have a few laughs and do some typing.

July 16: Trip to Pennsylvania with In This Together Coalition, including ACT, Citizen Action, WFP, to Save Social Security. All the while making Rick Santorum vulnerable in the next election. Contact actnewyork@gmail.com info@inthistogethercampaign.org

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

DFNYC Social Event at Pioneer Bar, Tues., July 19, 7pm, Pioneer Bar, 218 Bowery

NYU Graduate Student Union - Flyering event, Tues. July 12, lunch time. Kimmel Center - 60 Washington Square South (on La Guardia). New York University is moving to close down its graduate students union at the end of the summer, the labor movement's only toehold among graduate students at private universities. Tuesday's event is NYU's only townhall meeting regarding this matter during its 30 days comment period. Come and flyer with the graduate student unions from NYU and Columbia to show solidarity. Contact Connie at yi@dfnyc.org if you wish to attend. Come on your lunch break anyway and see what all the fuss is about. This event will take place Tuesday July 12th. Meet at 11:45 (or come on your lunch break!). Townhall is between 12pm and 2pm. For more information on this issue, please visit the NYU Graduate Union website.


DRINKING LIBERALLY: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Here are our local Manhattan groups:

Upper East Side Last Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm onward, Doc Watson's, 1490 2nd Avenue (at 77th). In the backyard, weather permitting. Hosted by Matthew Bachiochi, ues (at) drinkingliberally.org

In Manhattan: Thursday, 7:30 pm onward, Rudy's, 627 9th Avenue (between 44th & 45th Streets). Hosted by Justin Krebs and Matthew O'Neill, nyc (at) drinkingliberally.org

Bar Hopping Manhattan: Second Tuesday of each month, 6:00-9:00 pm
A monthly Democratic drinking club at different gay bars around Manhattan. Join the mailing list to receive updates of future venues. Hosted by Dirk McCall, outnyc (at) drinkingliberally.org

East Village: Last Wednesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward, Grassroots Tavern, 20 Saint Mark's Place (between 2nd and 3rd). Hosted by Quinn Raymond, Elena Morin and Abby Cook-Mack, eastvillage (at) drinkingliberally.org


For those who prefer running to biking, you can join RUNNING FOR CHANGE: Building a progressive America through organized runs and other grassroots activities.

To find your nearest Manhattan Democratic club, please CLICK HERE.

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC: (Manhattan events of interest to all of us)

CRITCAL MASS BICYCLE MOVEMENT! Critical Mass is a bicyclist movement (NOT an organized group!) that holds weekly protests all over the world to protest pollution. Rides every Friday starting in Union Sq. Park North, 7PM! And see their NYC calendar for Bike Workshops and other rides (including ones in other Boroughs).


New Democratic Majority Petitioning for Norman Titus for City Council, 45th dist. The Norman Titus campaign for city council is paying $1/signature to augment its petitioning effort in the final two weeks of the signature-gathering period (July 15th is the final day to gather valid signatures). If you are available and would like to earn some extra money, please RSVP to volunteer@titus4council.com or by phone to Jaqueline Charles at 718-490-0436.

July 12 noon to 2PM: People for the American Way & New York Civil Liberties Union Rally and Press Conference for our rights. NY Public Library on 5th Ave. and 41st St., to show support for the SAFE ACT to limit the government’s surveillance powers, and Civil Liberties Restoration Act, which would allow us to defend our homeland while retaining our basic civil liberties. Please RSVP to: tsimone@pfaw.org or call (212) 420-0440x13

Data Entry Party: Wed, 07/13/2005 - 7:00pm, Requirements: Laptop with either ethernet or wireless (wireless is preferred), RSVP: write to Connie at yi -at- dfnyc.org (replace -at- with @). Join us for another fun filled data entry party. Really it's a blast, we have a few laughs and do some typing.

July 16: Trip to Pennsylvania with In This Together Coalition, including ACT, Citizen Action, WFP, to Save Social Security. All the while making Rick Santorum vulnerable in the next election. Contact actnewyork@gmail.com info@inthistogethercampaign.org


BROOKLYN EVENTS:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

Independent Neighborhood Democrats: Contact me or Devin Cohen: devincohen@msn.com if you are interested.


MARJORIE'S OZZIE’S MEETUP: July 28, at 249 5th Ave, at Garfield, Park Slope, 7:00 PM, best by R subway to Union & 4th. Walk east one block and down three. This month’s guest: Gifford Miller. I also recommend getting Marjorie’s very informative newsletter which you can get by contacting her at: johnkerry57@covad.net

Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) (mostly covers Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Kensington.


Lambda Independent Democrats (Brooklyn’s gay and lesbian organization) for meeting info contact LID@LIDBrooklyn.org.


DRINKING LIBERALLY: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Here are our local Brooklyn groups:

Park Slope: First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward, Commonwealth, 497 5th Ave (at 12th Street). Hosted by Emily Farris and Peter Wohlsen, parkslope (at) drinkingliberally.org

Williamsburg: Every Tuesday, 8:00 pm onward The Lucky Cat, 245 Grand Street (between Driggs and Roebling). L to Bedford, G to Lorimer, J/M/Z to Marcy, or B61 or Q59 buses. Hosted by Elana Levin and Michael Freedman-Schnapp, williamsburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

To find your nearest Brooklyn Democratic club, please CLICK HERE.



QUEENS:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

Queens Jefferson Democratic Club: Our meetings are normally held the first Thursday of every month, @ 8:00 p.m. (the doors open @ 7:30 P.M.) except for July, August, and months in which a holiday falls on the First Thursday. Meetings are held at the Auburndale American Legion Hall, 198-09 33rd Ave Flushing, New York 11358 (just off Francis Lewis Blvd. near 33rd Avenue).

Queens County Young Democrats: for information CLICK HERE.

DRINKING LIBERALLY: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Here are our local Queens groups:

ASTORIA: Third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward. Cassidy's, 34-16 Broadway (at 35th Street). Hosted by Bob Chamerda, astoria (at) drinkingliberally.org

To find your nearest Queens Democratic club, please CLICK HERE.

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: LOCAL NEW JERSEY ACTION

(from the Democrats 2000 website):

Legislative District Selected for "Clean Elections" Pilot Program

Democratic State Committee Chairwoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced that she has selected the 6th Legislative District to participate in the State's newly created public financing program. Assemblyman Lou Greenwald and his runningmate Pamela Rosen Lampitt will now begin seeking out the 1,000 $5 and 500 $30 contributions necessary to obtain public funding. In order to qualify for public financing each candidate must secure the 1500 required contributions by August 31.

The 13th Legislative District where Democrats came within just a few hundred votes of unseating long-time incumbents Sam Thompson and Joe Azzolina in 2003 has also been selected to participate in this program. Former Assemblyman Bill Flynn and Michael Desaro are this year's Assembly candidates.

According to Democrats 2000 President Steve Lenox who also serves as the Vice-Chair of the New Jersey Citizens' Clean Elections Commission (NJCCEC), "This program fits in well with our successful formula of helping to fund candidate's races by collecting small donations. Candidates in both the 6th and 13th Districts will be able to spend more time reaching out to their voters and less time on the phone seeking the large contributions that are often necessary to run a successful race."

Only voters residing in these districts may contribute to the races selected for this pilot program. People currently living in either the 6th or 13th District our encouraged to participate in this program by contributing either $5 or $30 to both candidates.

Click here for a list of towns in the 6th or 13th Legislative Districts

For more information about this Program please email Democrats2000@aol.com.

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

Democracy for America Meetups: DFA is one of the best hopes we have of retaking America. I strongly urge you to get involved with your local group. New Jersey for Democracy Meetups take place on the first Wednesday of every month @ 7pm. There are many meetups around the state: North, Central and South Jersey.


DFA at the Beach!: Date: Thursday July 21, 2005 Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: North side of Casino Pier, Seaside Hgts. NJ
Email ocdems4kerry@yahoo.com for info
Come to a meet and greet beach blanket party sponsored by The Ocean County Democracy For America Youth Action committee. Free beach day, coolers allowed, no glass, plenty of shade under the pier. On the beach in front of The Aztec hotel/bar at casino pier, Look for the american flag! Play hookey for the day & Come hang at the beach and meet your fellow South Jersey young democrats! BYOB -Bring Your Own Boogieboard! Use www.mapquest.com for directions.

Democrats 2000 TRIPLE HEADER! Democrats 2000 will be taking a road trip to three of New Jersey 's minor league parks in June and July. Tickets are $35 each which includes game and contribution to Democrats 2000. Come to all three games for just $75!

Sponsorships for all three games are available.

July 20 - Camden Riversharks vs. Newark Bears
Campbell 's Field
Camden
6:35 p.m.

July 26 - Newark Bears vs. Camden Riversharks
Bears and Eagles Riverfront Park
Newark
7:05 p.m.

Common Cause: Common Cause is a major force in Progressive Politics. It was founded in 1970 (by a Republican, mind you!) to counter the influence of special interests in Washington. Today they work on many of the same issues I am trying to highlight. Check out the NJ Common Cause website.


LOCAL DEMOCRATIC CLUBS AND EVENTS: Hooking up with progressive groups like DFA is one part of a good strategy to retake America. They provide the vision and enthusiasm that is sorely needed. The other part is hooking up with your local Democratic Party group. These are the groups that do the real nuts and bolts organizing and they need a good influx of Progressives right about now.


Here is how you can find your local Dem clubs. Go to HERE and click on your county.

Garden State Equality Town Meeting: July 10th, 2005, Maplewood, NJ, 3:30pm, Contact the organizer HERE for more information

Morris County Democratic Committee Unity BBQ July 16th, 2005 Location: Lake Parsippany Park Address: 76 Elwood Road, Parsippany, NJ Time: 12:00 noon to 4:00pm Price $20 per person Contact Chairman Lew Candura at lcandura1@aol.com for more information

Monmouth County Democrats Campaign Training Seminar July 16th, 2005 Location: IBEW Local 400, Address: Route 138 East Wall Township, NJ Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm Contact the organizer at 732-280-1367 for more information

Ocean County for Democracy Meetup July 20th, 2005 Location: Downtown Toms River, Address: 26 Main Street, Toms River, NJ Time: 7:00pm Price Contact Clair Fitzgerald at clairnjim@comcast.net for more information

The Democratic Club of Long Beach Island will host its FIRST annual fundraiser at the Foundation of Arts and Sciences , Loveladies NJ. Date August 27th 2005, 5:30 - 7:30, contribution is $40.00 per person, hot and cold hors d'oevres , wine, beer, soda. Democratic dignitaries as guest speakers, Silent Auction. Contact : Barbara Truncellito, Director PR, Democratic Club LBI, truncellito@comcast.net

Drinking Liberally: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Find your local drinking liberally group or start your own with a few buddies: Currently there is only one group in New Jersey:

Hoboken, New Jersey, Second Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward, Mulligan's, 159 1st Street (between Bloomfield and Garden), Hosted by David Alpert and Ali Savino, hoboken (at) drinkingliberally.org

COMING SOON: Princeton, first meeting: Thursday Sept 15 at 7pm, Annex Restaurant at 128 Nassau St., Princeton. princeton@drinkingliberally.org

RUNNING FOR CHANGE: For those who prefer running to biking, you can join RUNNING FOR CHANGE: Building a progressive America through organized runs and other grassroots activities.

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: NATIONAL ACTION

As more and more Republican scandals surface--from DeLay to Burns to the Blunts to Cunningham and so on--some have repeatedly complained, "Where are the Democrats?" implying that the Dem party should be doing more to fight Republican corruption. I have been countering their arguements by pointing out that Dean and the DNC did focus on DeLay's scandals awhile ago, and to point out that it is OUR responsibility as well to be fighting Republican corruption.

Well, now the DCCC is coming out to take the fight against Republican corruption public. You might argue they should have started awhile ago, but true or not, here they come!

For months now I have been targeting corrupt Republicans in places like Ohio, Missouri and Montana. My goal is to generate grassroots opposition to Republican corruption through letters to the editor. Other groups, like the Campaign for America's Future, have their own list of Corrupt Republicans they are targeting. But today the DCCC has started their campaign to battle Republican corruption. So for those who are complaining about the absence of a Dem response, HERE IT IS and I hope some of you can scrape up some money to help them get it going.

Here's a excerpt from their email:

In today's Congress, there is a special breed of Republican to whom scandal comes naturally. At the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), we're informally calling them the Double Dealing Caucus - and along with Tom DeLay, we're naming Richard Pombo and Duke Cunningham of California, Bob Ney of Ohio, Rob Simmons of Connecticut, and Charles Taylor of North Carolina as founding members.

This week, Tom DeLay and the rest of the Double Dealers are home in their districts, comfortable in the thought that news of their ethical troubles are not making the front page news in their districts. Comfortable that their constituents won't know that the interests they are serving are their own and not those of their communities.

This has gone on far too long. The DCCC is fighting back -- we wanted you to be the first to know. This week, in papers across the country, the DCCC will be running ads that expose the truth about the Double Dealing Caucus.

By contributing today, you can help guarantee that ads like these will stay in papers nationwide.

I just want to say RIGHT ON DEMS! Welcome to the front lines of the fight against corruption!

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

Democracy for America: One of the best ways to get active! FIND YOUR LOCAL DFA MEETUP AND GET INVOLVED!

Tuesday, July 12th, 6:30-9pm, Virginia Grassroots Coalition gathering at Capitol City Brewing, 2700 S. Quincy Street, in Arlington. Well be showing a short preview of Wal*Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices and …??? The discussion for the evening will center on both wage and development issues.

Hold a Debate Watching Party Next Saturday: The first gubernatorial debate will be held Saturday, July 16 at 10:30 AM but won’t be televised for Virginians to watch. Since Virginians can’t watch the debate on July 16, we are asking Democrats around the Commonwealth to hold debate-watching parties on July 16 at 10:30 am to show that Virginians deserve leaders who have the courage to stand in front of the people and debate, not hide behind professional political handlers. If you would like to organize a debate-watching party in your community, please e-mail us at mark@vademocrats.org or call us at 804-644-1966 ext. 235.


Sunday July 31st, 3:00pm WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception. The VGC Media group hosts a screening at the George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike in Annandale, VA. "Weapons of Mass Deception" reveals: How the Iraq war was sold to the American public through professional P.R. strategies. Contact media@vagrassroots.org for more.

August 12th-14th Dismantling Racism Workshop, Virginia Organizing Project will sponsor a weekend Dismantling Racism workshop August 12-14, 2005 at the Richmond Hill Retreat Center, 2209 East Grace Street, in Richmond. The session begins at 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 12 and ends at noon Sunday, August 14. Contact Laura Ramirez at 434.984.4655 or lramirez@virginia-organizing.org


The Democratic Party: Here are links to some of your local Dem clubs. This is another very important way to be active.

Albemarle County Democratic Committee, Albemarle County, VA

Arlington County Democrats, Arlington VA. Contact Name: Elizabeth Weitzman mewsician1@msn.com (703) 528-8588

Arlington Young Democrats, Arlington VA. Contact Name: Jaime Mulligan publicity@arlingtonyoungdems.org 571-334-7626

Democratic Party of Fluvanna County, Virginia, Bremo Bluff, Virginia VA

Hanover Democrats, Ashland VA

Loudoun County Democratic Committee, Leesburg, VA. Contact Name: Steve Deak chairman@lcdems.com

Norfolk Democratic Party Meetup, Norfolk VA. Contact Name: Alma D. Kesling akesling@yahoo.com 757 333-8694

Rappahannock County Democrats, Rappahannock VA.

Stafford County Democrats, Fredericksburg VA:

Virginia Beach Democrats, VA

Virginia Young Democrats, Richmond, VA. Contact Name: Justin Wilson justin@justin.net


Drinking Liberally: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Find your local drinking liberally group or start your own with a few buddies. Currently there is only one Drinking Liberally group in VA (see below). But it is easy to start your own!

Charlottesville, Virginia Drinking Liberally: Every Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Mellow Mushroom, 1320 West Main Street, Hosted by Jared Jenkins, charlottesville (at) drinkingliberally.org


RUNNING FOR CHANGE: And if you want a healthier alternative to Drinking Liberally (or want to do some running after your drinking), you can RUN for progressive causes. Building a progressive America through organized runs and other grassroots activities. To find your local Running for Change events, CLICK HERE.

Progressive Democrat Issue 33: NATIONAL GROUPS AND EVENTS

There are many ways you can get active. Below I try to provide a good variety of options and urge you all to find a couple that suit you. These groups below are the way we can get our country back. If we don’t get involved we won’t win in 2005, 2006 and beyond. Joy and I are currently involved in two groups plus our own organizing efforts bringing different groups together and we are finding it a good boost to our social life. We are meeting cool people and it makes us get out a couple of times a month more than we would otherwise.

Finding your local groups:

Democracy for America: Founded by Howard Dean, now run by his brother Jim Dean, this group is very effective at the local grass roots. Many think this is the future of the Democratic Party. I think this is partly true, though the neighborhood Dem party clubs will continue to be vital to our efforts as well. This is a group that you really should be active in either by joining a local meetup or starting one of your own.


The Democratic Party: Now that Howard Dean is in the driver’s seat I am hoping the Democrats will become more effective on the local level. One of the main complaints against the DNC in the past couple of elections is that they didn’t help the local parties in most parts of the nation. If you go to the DNC website and find the “Get Local” pull down menu on the left, you can find your local Dem groups. I strongly urge you to get involved with your local Dem club since it is often these groups that actually do much of the footwork to win each district.

Critical Mass: Critical Mass is a bicyclist movement (NOT an organized group!) that holds weekly protests all over the world to protest pollution. Go here to find the closest Critical Mass action in your area (site covers ALL of North America).


Drinking Liberally: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Find your local drinking liberally group or start your own with a few buddies.

Wellstone Action: Paul Wellstone started something in Minnesota and his death hasn’t stopped it. Wellstone’s family is continuing his work and expanding it throughout the nation. Wellstone Action trains activists and grassroots candidates and they did very well in the last election. I urge you to look into any nearby Wellstone Action events.


Common Cause: Common Cause is a major force in Progressive Politics. It was founded in 1970 (by a Republican, mind you!) to counter the influence of special interests in Washington. Today they work on many of the same issues I am trying to highlight. Look for your state’s Common Cause organization.

To find the League of Conservation Voters branch in your state, CLICK HERE. This is the group you should be involved with if the environment is your thing.

To find the NARAL branch in your state, CLICK HERE. This is the group you should be involved with if choice is your thing.

Finally I suggest Americans for Democratic Action. ADA is a progressive branch of the Democratic Party. Email: adaction@ix.netcom.com for info on local groups.