Progressive Democrat Issue 41: THOUGHTS

This week's big news is of course Katrina. As with most hurricanes, I mostly ignored it except to wonder if we would get the remnants up here in NYC. Joy, of course, watched the Weather Channel and was more informed. But I just thought, "Oh, another hurricane."

Then I heard one morning that it was catagory 5. THAT got my attention. I know what that means. I don't want to politicize this too much, but I have to say that Bush should have ended his vacation as soon as the hurricane was known to be catagory 5. At that point there was NO WAY that this wasn't going to be big. This was a major natural disaster bearging right down on the US. At that point, the entire Federal government should have been getting ready to act.

But then, the next day, I heard that Katrina had been down graded to a catagory 1 hurricane (not so bad, right?) and that damage wasn't as bad as expected. That is where I thought the story would end.

Wow...I had missed when the hurricane--a catagory 4 at the time--hit the Gulf coast. And the effects were as bad as anyone could have predicted if not worse. Federal aid should have been POURING in at that moment (the day after Katrina hit).

Global warming means that New Orleans will eventually be underwater. It will take a huge, expensive effort to prevent it. This is inevitable. I think we have just witnessed one stage in the innundation of New Orleans. Understand this: global warming means this is the fate of much of coastal America. New Orleans was ALREADY below sea level (much like Venice, Italy and Amsterdam). And it is in the path of hurricanes. So it was almost inevitable that the innundation of the coast would hit New Orleans first.

We have witnessed history and global warming in action. This should be a wake up call.

How incompetant was Bush and the Halliburton Republicans? Well, they did have some warning. And certainly when Katrina was catagory 5, Bush's administration SHOULD HAVE PREPARED. They didn't. They dropped the ball.

Bush remained on vacation well after the hurricane hit and its damage was known. He failed as a leader much like he failed on 9/11. In the end, maybe he will provide the needed aid and comfort to those harmed by this disaster. But he did enjoy himself on the ranch (or was he hiding from Cindy Sheehan?) while New Orleans and the surrounding area suffered. This alone shows his lack of leadership skills. But I don't want to dwell too much on that. He failed, like he failed on 9/11, to lead the way. But what is important now is that the nation pulls together and helps those hurt. ALL of those hurt--rich AND poor, black AND white. If we do that, then we can still hold our heads up as Americans. If we fail to help EVERYONE hurt by this, if we only help those who can already help themselves and leave abandoned those most in need, then America has indeed become a Bannana Republic and we have failed to fulfill the dreams of our founding fathers.

Mr. Bush, history's eyes are upon you.

As for this issue of the newsletter, I am going to keep it short and keep it focused MAINLY on issues related to Katrina.

Progressive Democrat Issue 41: NATIONAL ACTION FOR AMERICA

I have one action to focus on regarding the hurricane:

Donate to Habitat for Humanity

Progressive Democrat Issue 41: NATIONAL ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

This comes from the Union of Concerned Scientists:

The National Association of Environmental Law Societies (NAELS) will be holding a series of "Campus Climate Neutral" events this fall and winter. For each event, they are seeking a local scientist that is willing to give a short presentation (15-20 minutes) on climate change science and likely local impacts. The events will range from larger "summits" to smaller events. In general, NAELS estimates that the audience for each speaker will be from 25 - 100 people.

Below is a list of confirmed and potential locations. NAELS is currently working with event participants to finalize dates. If you are interested in speaking at one of these events, please contact Jean Sideris at ssi@ucsusa.org.

FALL, 2005: OCTOBER - NOVEMBER
AK: University of Arkansas - Fayatteville School of Law, Fayatteville
CA: University of California, Santa Barbara
CO: University of Colorado, Denver
CT: Yale University, New Haven
DC: Georgetown/American U Washington College of Law, Washington, DC
IL: Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent Law School, Chicago
IN: University of Indiana, Bloomington
MA: Boston College Law School, Newton
ME: University of Maine School of Law, Portland
MI: University of Michigan School of Law, Ann Arbor
MO: Washington University School of Law, St. Louis
NC: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
ND: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks
NM: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
NY: Pace Law School, White Plains
OH: University of Toledo School of Law, Toledo
OR: Lewis & Clark School of Law, Portland
TN: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
TX: South Texas College of Law, Houston
VA: University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville
VT: Vermont Law School, South Royalton
WA: University of Washington Law School, Seattle

WINTER, 2006: FEBRUARY - APRIL
FL: University of Florida, Gainesville
OR: University of Oregon, Eugene


** PRESENTATION MATERIALS
UCS has a series of ready-made powerpoint presentations on climate change that are available to SSI members. These materials include:

The Findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Third Assessment Report.

Confronting Climate Change in the Gulf Coast Region

Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region

Climate Change in California: Choosing Our Future


**COMMUNICATING CLIMATE CHANGE
Materials related to the "Talking Climate Change" trainings that SSI held in 2002 are available. These workshops were intended to provide new insight on public perception of climate change that would help SSI members reach the public, the press, and policymakers on the issue. The material presented in the workshops was based upon research, which shows that scientists are critical "messengers" on the climate change topic, but that scientists often talk about the issue in exactly the wrong way. The SSI web site have a series of audio files from these workshops.

The audio files are a compilation of the three workshops. The largest of the files contains the presentation from the third workshop. The remaining, smaller, audio files contain select questions from all three of the workshops. Among the topics addressed in the workshop were;

* what the general public really thinks about the climate
issue;

* what climate science information people understand ... and
what still causes confusion;

* why it is so important that scientists speak out about
climate change;

* how scientists and others can reshape the national climate
change debate;

* how you personally can be most effective in motivating
your audience to do something about the problem

The recordings can be accessed through the SSI web site. You can contact me to get the necessary information to access this website (there is a username and password...I can give it to you if you are signing up to talk).

Progressive Democrat Issue 41: MEDIA ACTIVISM

From the ACLU:

On September 8, the ACLU will launch a new chapter in the history of activism, with the premiere of Beyond the Patriot Act, produced by the ACLU and Robert Greenwald (Unconstitutional, Outfoxed). For the first time, the power of TV to motivate will combine with the power of the Internet to activate and the power of people to make a difference.

By hosting a Community Premiere of this ground-breaking TV show in your own home, you can help lead the push to reform the Patriot Act, while there is still time. A Congressional vote is expected in September on expansions and revisions to this flawed law, passed in haste just days after the 9/11 attacks.

We need your help now in this all-out effort to protect civil liberties. Get started today by signing up to host a Community Premiere and emailing your friends about this historic TV show and the struggle to restore and preserve our most basic freedoms.

Send out email invitations to your Community Premiere of Beyond the Patriot Act, then get your friends involved in the fight for reform. We'll provide hosts with a Premiere Kit, including instructions for contacting Congress, information on the Patriot Act and even DVDs for hosts with no other access to the show...everything you need to make your party make a difference.

Beyond the Patriot Act is the first episode of The ACLU Freedom Files, a ground-breaking 10-part series that goes behind the headlines to reveal how the law affects the civil liberties of real people everyday. Let the show inspire you, and let your Community Premiere empower you and your friends. Together, we can push Congress in the right direction on Patriot Act reform.

Sign up today -- and spread the word!

Progressive Democrat Issue 41: NYC FOCUS

Once again I am amazed at how bad Bloomberg is for NYC and how development in NYC is being approached exclusively for the benefit of rich developers. Many Bloomberg apologists try to claim that either he has nothing to do with the horrible development plans that are sweeping NYC, or that the process is all open to the public and hence people MUST be happy with these development plans. But the truth is very different. The process is NOT an open one. Instead, community-developed plans are ignored and secret deals are made behind closed doors between representatives of Pataki and Bloomberg and Bruce Ratner.

Let’s start with an August 20, 2005 article in the Park Slope Paper (note: the link is a PDF). The lead paragraphs:

The same day they signed a widely publicized agreement setting aside land for developer Bruce Ratner’s proposed Atlantic Yards project, top officials of the Pataki and Bloomberg administrations signed a separate pact with the developer, granting him the right to build up adjacent urban renewal sites without city review.

That second agreement was never made public, but it turned up this week in the state’s response to a fairly broad Freedom of Information Act request made by a neighborhood group opposed to the Atlantic Yards plan.

First of all, notice the first sentence: “a widely publicized agreement” signed by “top officials of the Pataki and Bloomberg administrations…” What about all those Bloomberg apologists who have in the past claimed that Bloomberg has nothing to do with these development plans? They claim that it is all just the “free market.” Well, apparently it isn’t. Republicans just sign deals with developers and that is that. We know from the maneuvering over the West Side Stadium and the Atlantic Yards project that rival bids that give more money to the city are often flat out ignored. Where is the “free market” in that? Again, Republican politicians sign a deal with a developer and that is that…until the public starts to get angry and organized or, as in the case of the stadium, a City Councilman gets pissed.

The second part of the above quote says that a SECOND agreement, was kept secret until a neighborhood group went through the Freedom of Information process. Here is the next sentence:

The document stipulates that Ratner would be able to obtain the development rights to build nearly 1.9 million square feet of residential and commercial space on properties north and west of the Atlantic Avenue rail yards, exceeding the current zoning for those sites, without having to put the proposal through the city’s lengthy land use review process.

So, let’s summarize: representatives of Pataki and Bloomberg are SECRETLY signing over development rights covering our homes and businesses to a private developer without the full review required by law. This is colonialism! Our homes and businesses are being treated like colonial land to be secretly divided up among rich developers, sometimes without our knowledge and without proper review. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am not alright with this! It is NOT good for the community, it is NOT a public process and it is NOT free enterprise. To all Bloomberg apologists: your man is excluding the public from discussions of what to do with their own neighborhoods and he is not allowing the free market to work by going through a bidding process.

In a Daily Gotham diary I wrote regarding development in NYC, someone argued that the communities already have a way of directing development through a 197-a plan. This is something, written into the city charter, that allows, through a lengthy process, a community to define its own development goals. Hey! Great idea! But there is a problem. There is no enforcement mechanism, making the 197-a plan meaningless. For example, 197-a plans for Williamsburg and Greenpoint were ignored in recent development plans. And Bloomberg’s West Side Stadium plan completely ignored a stipulation in the community’s 197-a plan OPPOSING the stadium. Clearly Bloomberg is ready and willing to ignore community input regarding development even when people have gone through the official channels and filed a 197-a plan. A discussion of this can be found in the Livable Neighborhoods Report by the Municipal Art Society Planning Center (warning: the above link is another PDF).

So what’s my point? My point is NOT to be anti-development. Practically no one who weighs in on this issue is anti-development. Check out the website of Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (the group that filed the freedom of information act that revealed the secret deal Ratner got from Pataki and Bloomberg). They offer a community generated development plan and economic studies comparing the plans. They, like myself, want development plans that take into account the needs of the communities—including infrastructure, traffic patterns, affordable housing, small businesses and jobs—rather than focusing on the needs of private developers and including token benefits to labor and communities just to minimize opposition. In the past Bloomberg apologists on this site have told me that Ratner’s plan is all about affordable housing. Well, they left out the fact that a.) the offered affordable housing was minimal until community opposition forced a compromise an, b.) there is no definition of what “affordable” means in the agreement, nor is there any enforcement. “Affordable” housing promises and promises of job creation seldom come to pass when a developer’s plan is completed. Affordable housing is either not that affordable or is only guaranteed for a short period of time (e.g. 5 years), after which the restrictions no longer apply. Job creation, especially by arena projects, and are almost never long term, almost never local, union jobs.

I do not oppose development. I oppose secret, back room deals that carve up our city so that developers can make a profit. I oppose the lack of fair bidding procedures. I oppose the exclusion of neighborhood groups in the early phases of the process. I oppose promises to the community that are never kept.

In another Daily Gotham diary I wrote on development I discuss in a more emotional way the “loss of Home,” the loss of community, that New York is going through thanks to Bloomberg’s large-scale development plans. (Note: in this diary I do something I DON’T do in the newsletter, which is plug a specific candidate. If any rivals or supporters of rivals to the candidate I plug want to have their say, I will give you equal time). New York is losing its uniqueness, losing its soul. Our small businesses are unique neighborhoods are not being developed, they are being replaced by malls, luxury housing and hotels, and giant skyscrapers. But worst of all, the process begins in a back room without even our knowledge, let alone our input. Community input only comes AFTER a developer has gotten his plan approved by Bloomberg, so communities are always REACTING to existing, signed plans that don’t have to go through the official channels. Notice that: if we go through the official channels and file a 197-a plan, it may get ignored. But the developers are OFFERED deals that avoid the official channels of bidding and community review.

What can we do? Here is where we need to build a coalition. Not JUST a coalition of neighborhood groups like Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, but a coalition that includes neighborhood groups, community leaders, labor and small business owners to stand up for our neighborhoods. We need to bring all of these groups together to initiate a dialogue on how to create a more "Livable NYC". Since we all need jobs AND livable neighborhoods with open space, good schools and adequate infrastructure, there is no reason why labor, small business groups and neighborhood groups can't come together and create a vision for the city to rival the unpleasant Bloomberg/Ratner vision that destroys neighborhoods, destroys small businesses and brings in mostly low paying, non-union jobs. I am working with a number of progressive groups and neighborhood organizers to create a Livable NYC Initiative that will allow communities to be more proactive, less reactive, and more united when facing secret done-deals that are cooked up by Pataki, Bloomberg and developers. Because let’s face it, even the affordable housing clauses and the promises of job creation are only included BECAUSE of the need to minimize community opposition. United we can defend NYC neighborhoods. But if we remain divided, Bloomberg, Pataki and developers can continue to carve up our neighborhoods in back room deals and our neighborhoods will no longer be ours.

We also need to focus on getting rid of Bloomberg and have a strong Public Advocate for NYC. So, I will not endorse. But I will STRONGLY urge everyone to work hard against Bloomberg and I would suggest taking a strong interest in the Public Advocate race. We have to stop the back room deals and the selling of our neighborhoods to rich developers.

Progressive Democrat Issue 41: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

HELP US SAVE THE SUPREME COURT AT WEEKLY PHONEBANKS EVERY WEDNESDAY every Wednesday until the Senate votes on Roberts’ nomination. 6:00-9:00 PM at the People For the American Way New York office, 149 Fifth Avenue at 21st Street, 7th Floor. To RSVP, please call Tony Simone at (212) 420-0440 x13, or email tsimone@pfaw.org. Please indicate whether you are willing to use your cell phone to make calls throughout NY State. We have many calls to make, but only a limited number of phone lines -- donating your minutes for this effort is a great help.


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).

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

Upper West Side, 420 Bar and Lounge, 420 Amsterdam Avenue @ 80th with host Jon Stone

Upper East Side, Manhattan Lounge, 1720 2nd Ave. (btwn. 89th & 90th) with hosts Lewis Cohen and David Kogelman

West Village, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7th Ave.) with hosts Nicole Shore and Dana Northcraft

East Village, Raven, 194 Avenue A (@ 12th St.) with host Josh Skaller

Hell's Kitchen O'Flaherty's Ale House, 334 West 46th (btwn. 8th & 9th), with host Dan Jacoby

DFNYC Needs Your Kitchen –Bake Cookies for Democracy –Sept. 8-12. DFNYC will be baking homemade cookies for the Primary Day volunteers. Please donate your kitchen for an evening or afternoon on the weekend before the September 13 primary. Host a DFNYC Cookie Banking Party at your house! We’ll help you set up your party to feed the primary day volunteers. Write to Heather at hwoodfield@dfnyc.org to set up and promote your party.

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 41: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

HELP US SAVE THE SUPREME COURT AT WEEKLY PHONEBANKS EVERY WEDNESDAY every Wednesday until the Senate votes on Roberts’ nomination. 6:00-9:00 PM at the People For the American Way New York office, 149 Fifth Avenue at 21st Street, 7th Floor. To RSVP, please call Tony Simone at (212) 420-0440 x13, or email tsimone@pfaw.org. Please indicate whether you are willing to use your cell phone to make calls throughout NY State. We have many calls to make, but only a limited number of phone lines -- donating your minutes for this effort is a great help.

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).


BROOKLYN EVENTS:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

Park Slope/Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NEW LOCATION! Heights Coffee Lounge, 335 Flatbush Ave (btwn. Park Place and Prospect), with hosts Wole Parks and Merle McEldowney

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Royal Oak, 594 Union Avenue (@ North 11th) with hosts Ben Morrison and Paul Nocera

Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Wycoff-Bennette Homestead, 1669 East 22nd. St. (between Quentin & Kings Highway), with hosts Annette Mott and Estelle Glasser

MARJORIE'S OZZIE’S MEETUP: Next meeting in September. At Ozzie’s, 249 Fifth Ave. at Garfield. 7:00 pm. Best subway is R to Union, east one block, and down three blocks. 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 Levee, 212 Berry St. (corner of N. 3rd). Hosted by Elana Levin and Michael Freedman-Schnapp, williamsburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

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

QUEENS:

Baseball with Queens County Young Democrats Join Queens County Young Democrats At Shea Stadium As We Enjoy An Evening Of Baseball Together!!! New York METS Vs. Washington Nationals, Date: Thursday September 15, 2005, Time: 7:10 (First Pitch), Location: Shea Stadium, Cost: $ 10. FOR MORE INFORMATION, Call (718) 423-3085 or email msilverstein-at-hotmail.com (replace -at- with @).

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

NEW! Jackston Heights Meetup Novo, 78-23 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, with host Henry Baranczak. Take any train to the Roosevelt Avenue stop in Queens. Click here for a map.

Bayside, Queens, The First Edition, 41-08 Bell Blvd, right near the LIRR stop, with host Steve Behar

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 41: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

Get busy folks! It is up to you to win.

Campaign Opportunities:

The Corzine for Governor campaign is seeking volunteers to staff phone banks, assist with large mailings and take part in other campaign related activities in their Campaign Headquarters, 317 George Street, New Brunswick. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

To find out more about how you can volunteer for Corzine for Governor, or other campaigns throughout New Jersey, please email Democrats2000@aol.com.

Progressive Democrat Issue 41: 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.

Democrats 2000 Beach Barbecue with Special Guests
Senator Jon Corzine
&
Senator John Kerry

Hosted by Democrats 2000 Honorary Chair Maggie Moran
Saturday, September 10, 2005
5:00 p.m.
112 Inlet Terrace, Belmar
$50 suggested contribution
Sponsorships Available
Host Committee In Formation
Please RSVP by September 3
For More Information Email Democrats2000@aol.com


Democrats 2000 Beach Barbecue with Special Guest Senator Jon Corzine Saturday, September 10, 2005 5:00 p.m. at 206 3rd Avenue, Belmar $50 suggested contribution Sponsorships Available. For More Information Email Democrats2000@aol.com

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.

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

Hunterdon County Democratic Committee Picnic: September 5th, 2005, Location: Kingwood Park; Time: 1:00pm to 5:00pm; Price $35 for adults, $12.75 for children 12-17; Contact Lois at jlzarish@sprintmail.com for more information

North Brunswick Democratic Club 2nd Annual "Day at the Races": September 10th, 2005; Location: Monmouth Park Racetrack; Address: Oceanport, NJ; Time: 12:00 Noon; Price: $37.50 per person; Contact David Sirna at 732-236-7490 for more information

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 41: VIRGINIA FOCUS

Continued from last week because it is SO important.

From the Byrne for Lt. Gov. website:

Sign Up to TAKE FIVE in '05

Women voters are key to a Democratic victory and
YOU are key to ensuring these important voters
get to the polls on November 8th.

We'll provide you with names of specific voters
in your area, send you a detailed Leader Guide to
assist your efforts and serve as a resource
throughout your efforts to contact and get your
target voters to the polls November 8th.

This is an easy way for you to fight for victory in Virginia. Please, Sign Up to TAKE FIVE in '05

Progressive Democrat Issue 41: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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


The Kaine for Governor Campaign and the Virginia Association of Democratic Chairs

INVITE ALL VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS TO A SERIES OF REGIONAL ACTION MEETINGS

PURPOSE: ENGAGING CONSTITUENCY GROUPS to Support Democratic Candidates and the Virginia Victory 2005 Coordinated Campaign

Expanding outreach efforts to help elect Democrats by inspiring grassroots action through enhanced communication between statewide (Kaine, Byrne, and Deeds) and House of Delegates campaigns, Virginia Victory 2005 Coordinated Campaign, DPVA, VADC,
and Democratic grassroots volunteers regarding:

· Explaining the Coordinated Campaign's Regional Strategy, Tactics, and Progress

· Implementing the DPVA Outreach Plan

· Continue to implement the DPVA/VADC regional training plan

AND

· Recruit volunteers! Recruit volunteers! Recruit volunteers!

*JOIN CAMPAIGN AND PARTY REPRESENTATIVES*
HERE ARE THE CURRENT LOCATIONS

NEW! Coordinated Campaign Headquarters, Roanoke, Wednesday, 9/7/95, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
308 South Jefferson Street in Downtown Roanoke
After 5:30, parking can be obtained for free on the street, or in the lot across the street. For detailed directions call: 540-344-1160. Jen Tomasello.


Germanna Community College: Locust Grove Campus, Saturday, 9/10/05 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Directions: LOCUST GROVE http://www.gcc.vccs.edu/pres_office/campus.asp

and, same day,

NEW - LOCATION CHANGE!!! Caroline County Community Center, Saturday, 9/10/05 9 - 11 a.m. 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Milford, VA (previously listed in Essex Co.)
(The First Congressional District Committee will meet at 12 p.m.)
Directions - From I-95. Take Carmel Church/Bowling Green exit (exit 104). Travel east on Rt. 207 (Rogers Clark Boulevard) approximately 13 miles. (Rt. 207 East crosses Rt. 301 about 1/2 mile past the first Bowling Green exit). At the intersection of Rt. 207 and Rt. 301 take Rt. 301 South. Go approximately 1 and 1/2 miles. Just past the intersection of Rt. 301 and Rt. 640 you will see the Caroline County Community Service Center (a large brick building) on the west side of the road.


NEW! Coordinated Campaign Headquarters, McLean (Fairfax), Tuesday, 9/13/05, 7 - 8:30 p.m. 1575 Anderson Road, McLean, VA 22102. For detailed directions call: 703-720-2600. Abby Curran.

NEW! Coordinated Campaign Headquarters, Richmond, Tuesday, 9/13/05, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
6010 Crestwood Avenue, Suite B, Richmond, VA 23230 For detailed directions call: 804-673-2100. Charlie Kelly.

***Verified Voting Hearings in Richmond: Virginia is holding hearings to consider requiring voter-verified paper audit trails for voting equipment. Many Virginia jurisdictions have purchased paperless electronic voting machines, and others are considering doing so. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THESE HEARINGS. Your future vote may depend on it!

Digital voting machines that lack a voter-verified paper trail are subject to programming errors and possible fraud, with no ability for meaningful audits or recounts.

Attend the hearings and show support for voter-verified audit trails by wearing orange shirts or ribbons. A large audience will show that Virginians care about the integrity of our elections, and that we demand transparent and reliable elections.
Joint Subcommittee Studying Voting Equipment, General Assembly Building, Richmond
· Monday, November 21, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. in House Room C
More information can be found at http://www.vavv.org and http://www.verifiedvoting.org.

Tuesday, September 13th, 6:30-9:00pm, Virginia Grassroots Coalition Labor Night at Capitol City Brewing. The VGC labor folks will take the lead in a discussion of issues of economic justice in the workplace.

Saturday, September 17th, a public forum on National Health Insurance in Roanoke, VA. Public Policy Virginia & Virginia Grassroots Coalition sponsoring an event in Roanoke, VA, on September 17th at William Ruffner Middle School, (3601 Ferncliff Ave NW, Roanoke, VA) around the issue of National Health Insurance. The aim of this event is to help inform people of the scale of the problems inherent in our current health care system and about an alternative to this system. When people leave this event, we want them to be more comfortable with the idea of a single payer system and to be able to communicate the advantages of this system to others. We are trying to make citizens aware of the fact that there is a solution to the fact that 45 million Americans lack health insurance and millions more are underinsured. To volunteer to help with the event in Roanoke or for more information, contact Dan Barish at dbarish@ppvir.org www.ppvir.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 are only two Drinking Liberally groups in all of 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

Richmond, Virginia Drinking Liberally: Every Thursday, 7:30 pm onward Commercial Taphouse, 111 N Robinson St. Hosted by Scott Goode, richmond (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 41: NATIONAL ACTION (Robert's nomination)

This is continued from last week because it seems like this COMING week is the critical week for the Roberts nomination. Please don't let this slip through the cracks!

From People for the American Way:

Though much of Roberts' record remains concealed, new facts emerge every day that make it clear that John Roberts cannot be trusted to faithfully apply the Constitution and uphold equal justice under the law.

While fighting to find out what President Bush is hiding about his nominee, we have been carefully reviewing the documents that have been turned over. We have documented a long career that has undermined Americans' rights and liberties. As many of you have said to us and to your senators, this record alone disqualifies John Roberts to serve on the Supreme Court.

Help People For the American Way defeat Roberts' nomination by petitioning the Senate!

As we catalogue in our new report, Roberts worked for much of the past 25 years to resist America's progress towards realizing the Constitution's promise of equal justice under law. His confirmation would significantly shift the Supreme Court to the right, threatening the rights and freedoms of individual Americans, their families, and their communities. He would also strengthen the power of the presidency, already dangerously expanded by President Bush.

People For the American Way is launching an all-out campaign to stop the Senate from confirming John Roberts to the Supreme Court. If you agree after considering the facts, we urge you to sign this petition to the Senate.

Defeating this nomination will be difficult, but the tide is turning. Pundits who initially put their money on a coronation are now hedging their bets. Progressive senators have been criticizing the worst parts of Roberts' emerging record. But it's the grassroots outcry that will make the difference in the end. Your work and that of hundreds of thousands of others can stop this nomination. Over the next few weeks, we will ask you to call your senators, write letters to the editor, and take other actions to create public pressure. Sign this petition today -- then enlist the help of your friends and family by forwarding on this call to action!

Progressive Democrat Issue 41: GETTING LOCAL AROUND THE NATION

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.