Progressive Democrat Issue 42: THOUGHTS

Every year as the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, I am forced to reflect on that day--the sound of the planes hitting; the shocked faces of thousands of people walking uptown, away from the horror; the ashes of the WTC falling like a light snow over my neighborhood that night; the realization that SOMEONE has just attacked the city I live in. Since that day we have learned the identity of that SOMEONE who perpetrated the attack and we also have learned that America had some warnings of the 9/11 attacks. I have felt rage at Bush and the Republicans for their failure to heed those warnings and for their failure to capture Osama bin Laden. That rage continues to this year, the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with the Bush administration never having admitted their failure to heed the warnings and still failing to get the people responsible for the attacks.

But this year is different. This year my rage at the Bush administration for its failures regarding the 9/11 attacks is actually overshadowed by a new rage. Before 9/11 we knew attacks were planned, but we didn't know WHEN. With hurricane Katrina, the Bush administration had not only warnings of what would happen if a category 3 or higher hurricane hit near New Orleans, but they also had every weather channel in the nation tracking Katrina as it headed right for Louisiana and Mississippi. This time, Bush knew EXACTLY WHEN disaster was going to hit America. And he still failed to do anything. I was amazed at his lack of leadership after 9/11, but after Katrina hit, he was even worse, continuing to enjoy a vacation as thousands of Americans died and suffered. Furthermore, Bush again is refusing to take responsibility for his failures to be prepared. Bush and the Republicans cut funding for repairing the New Orleans levees, an act that is directly responsible for most of the flooding of New Orleans. They need to admit their mistakes! Their failure to heed warnings and admit mistakes killed Americans on 9/11 and killed Americans in New Orleans. What’s next?

Hurricane Katrina showed us a glimpse of our future. Or, at least, one possible future—the one that we will experience if we keep on our current path as a nation. Katrina showed us two aspects of this future. It showed us the fate of our coastlines if we don’t take global warming seriously. And it showed us the fate of our nation if the Republican visions of trickle-down, favoring the wealthy and starving our domestic government to a bare minimum continue.

The Republicans didn’t want to see millions suffer. But they did want our government pared down to a minimum. They have been paring away the mechanisms of government since Ronald Reagan, but it has accelerated under Bush. Levees were neglected. First responders are understaffed and under-funded and often sent off to Iraq. Emergency help was minimal. Bush’s government left everything to the local and state governments and to individuals. That is the vision that they have for government—the burden carried by state and local governments and individuals looking out for their own interests.

Katrina showed us the results of that policy. The anarchy, the deaths, the suffering could have been largely averted if we had a strong government that took responsibility for keeping Americans safe. But that costs money and the number one concern of the Republican Party is to cut taxes. The number two concern is to invade other nations for some greater glory that I don’t quite understand. Keeping America and Americans safe costs money and the Republicans do not feel that the Federal government should spend that money. They feel that it is not the responsibility of the Federal government to shore up levees or help out in an emergency.

We now know the consequences of that policy. If the price isn’t paid to maintain infrastructure, levees break, people starve, and anarchy ensues. If the price isn’t paid, people die. If the price isn’t paid our economy and our infrastructure suffer and we become more and more like a third world nation. The outcome of the Republican policy of “starving the beast” and putting the burden on the individual and the local government in essence will ultimately result in a situation like Somalia—local big men lording it over their turf like dictators and poverty engulfing the majority of citizens.

We are still far from that level. But we are heading in that direction. We now have our warning about what it means to have a weak Federal government with responsibility for nothing but defending the borders (has Bush even done THAT?) and regulating inter-state commerce. (Oh, yeah, and regulating a woman’s body). Bush did not want millions to suffer, but his vision for the Federal government results in the suffering of the poor, the downtrodden, the huddled masses. The Republican vision takes from all of us and gives only to the rich and their corporation.

It is up to the Democrats to advocate for the poor, the small businesses, the farmers, the average American. We know that a nation can only be strong if its government is strong enough to be prepared and to take decisive action in a crisis. We know that when the next Katrina hits we need to be ready and willing to help. America needs the Democrats if we want to avert future suffering of the magnitude we have just seen.

Am I politicizing tragedy? Certainly no more so that Bush did with 9/11. But the truth is, the chaos that we just witnessed really is the result of Republican anti-Federalist policy. Neither party WANTED this to happen. But only Democrats are willing to give the government the strength and money that is required to prevent or mitigate such disasters. This is the fundamental difference between the parties and Katrina reminded all of us why we are Democrats.

Progressive Democrat Issue 42: NATIONAL ACTION FOR AMERICA

I want to continue to focus on the group that I think will help the Americans displaced by Katrina the most:

Donate to Habitat for Humanity.

Progressive Democrat Issue 42: ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION

This week, because of Katrina, I want to repeat from a previous newsletter (Issue 29) where I discussed global warming, the role of forests and the threat of deforestation. If we want to save our coastlines from more and more of this kind of flooding, we HAVE to deal with global warming. And deforestation, as well as oil use, is a big part of the problem. Healthy forests and wetlands also protect watersheds, prevent flooding and droughts and help to stabilize soil. So I want to focus on this issue (repeating from issue 29) both from the Thoughts section and some suggested actions.

As I read Jared Diamond’s book Collapse, I was struck by the fact that among all the various environmental issues that led to major economic and social issues, deforestation stood out as a major factor in almost every case examined, from Easter Island to modern Montana. Throughout history, and continuing today, deforestation has been one of the single most common reasons for the agricultural and economic collapse of civilizations and nations. The simple explanation for this is that forests represent not only a major resource whose depletion affects not just the logging industry, but also construction and transportation industries as well as in most places heating and cooking. But deeper than this simple explanation is a much more fundamental one. Forests are a major determinant of rainfall patterns, water runoff patterns and soil erosion patterns. Deforestation almost invariably reduces rainfall regionally. Deforestation leads to much faster water runoff leading to disastrous rainy season floods followed by dry season droughts in areas where prior to deforestation water runoff was better held by forests, preventing floods and mitigating the dry season. And deforestation, both by removing extensive root systems that hold soil in place and because of it’s limiting rapid water runoff, leads to greatly increased soil erosion. In areas of the world where deforestation has occurred, agriculture declines due to water scarcity, rainy season floods, and massive soil depletion. More distant problems are the loss of reliable watercourses due to the floods and erosion, often rendering hydroelectric power and irrigation impossible, and the destruction of downstream delta fisheries that depend on the nutrients washed downstream by a healthy river/soil ecosystem. Thus forestry, agriculture, infrastructure and fisheries suffer severely after the deforestation of an area and this alone has led to many economic crashes in many parts of the world through history.

Bangladesh is one horrible example of this. In and around Bangladesh deforestation has been extensive. This has led to a nearly complete breakdown of the healthy watershed leading to many of the problems outlined above. On a yearly basis the entire watershed is subject to devastating floods in the rainy season, followed by severe drought in the dry season. This renders agriculture nearly impossible and infrastructure maintenance nearly impossible and so Bangladesh is and is likely to remain one of the world’s poorest, most devastated nations.

Haiti suffers from a similar fate. Haiti is largely deforested and so suffers from the same kinds of floods and droughts, has river systems that have become unreliable or completely destroyed, preventing any hydroelectric power, and has a soil erosion problem that has severely curtailed agriculture in Haiti. By contrast, the Dominican Republic, sharing the island of Hispanola with Haiti and sharing a similar history of unrest, dictatorships and military invasions from the US, has thanks to one of it’s bloody dictators, maintained its forests. Large parts of the Dominican Republic are, in essence, protected national parks. The Dominican dictator responsible for this even used the military to kick out rich landowners from illegal residences and illegal forestry projects. By making sure even the privileged and rich were prevented from overexploiting the forests, this dictator, brutal and repressive though he was, has allowed the Dominican Republic to preserve much of its soil, many of its river systems (hence allowing it to develop hydroelectric projects), more of an infrastructure and healthier fisheries than its neighbor Haiti. In essence, the Dominican Republic does have most of the same problems as Haiti, but none of them have been as bad and development has been more possible largely due to the preservation of the forests.

This is not to say that deforestation explains everything. Far from it. The main message in Collapse is that there are many interconnected reasons both for societal collapse and societal continuance. But it is clear than one of the main determinants in the survival or collapse of a society has been its ability to maintain or, barring that, restoring its forests. Germany, Japan and Iceland are examples of places that suffered from extreme deforestation, had their economies affected, but then began a program of forest preservation and reforestation that has allowed the recovery of their economies.

Today we know that deforestation also contributes to another environmental danger that will affect us economically very soon—global warming. Forests and forest soils serve as a sink for carbon. Deforestation generally leads to the release of this carbon into the atmosphere as CO2, contributing to global warming. Next to the burning of fossil fuels (which represent the stored carbon of prehistoric forests) deforestation may be the top contributor to increasing atmospheric CO2. Conversely, reforestation re-sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, mitigating global warming.

We face many environmental problems that could ruin our nation and our global civilization. I do not believe that we will produce our own extinction anytime soon. But increased disease, starvation, war, terrorism, crowding, and pollution will accompany declining standards of living world wide…including here in the US. The less we do now, the worse these problems will be and the more expensive their solutions will be in the future. It is almost an axiom in economics that the sooner you deal with a problem the cheaper it will be to solve. The Republicans want to wait until the problems are well advanced before they even admit they exist. This is the most expensive and stupidest way to deal with problems.

We all know reducing fossil fuel use is very important. I have discussed this in previous issues. But today I want to say that management of our forests—preservation of existing forests and reforestation of deforested regions—is one of the most important things we can do for our children and future generations. Preserving and increasing forests will preserve timber resources, soil, fresh water, and biodiversity for the future and will mitigate some of the severe economic problems that plague the world.


ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION:

So, what can we as individuals do about deforestation? Here are some suggestions:

First of all, recycle paper and try to switch all your paper consumption to recycled paper. This is extremely important in reducing our use of forest products. Joy and I have managed to switch almost all of our paper use to recycled paper, mostly purchased through Real Goods (also called Gaiam and Seventh Generation) http://www.realgoods.com/ . (Real Goods also sells alternative energy items like solar panels, small hydroelectric generators for homes near rivers, wind turbines, etc.)

Second, when you do purchase lumber, you can insist that all lumber you buy is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This is a non-profit agency that combines the timber industry and environmentalists to ensure that forest products are sustainably grown and harvested. It is the only certification process that keeps track of the entire “chain of custody” so that certified lumber is not mixed with uncertified lumber along the way. This process sometimes adds to the cost of wood products but often it does not. Generally if the FSC certified product is more expensive it reflects only the fact that people in that area are willing to pay more for it, not any real increases in production cost. If you work through a contractor, make sure that he or she purchases only FSC certified products. If you are purchasing yourself, many stores, including Home Depot and Lowes, now carry FSC certified products. Public pressure forced Home Depot to start carrying FSC products only a few years ago. Be sure to ASK when you are purchasing lumber or other wood products to be sure that the FSC certification is there. (Joy and I have largely avoided this by scavenging all our furniture, though in retrospect our new floors, which the building installed, would have been a good opportunity to ask for FSC certified wood.)

I should note that there are several other certification groups. Most of them have been started by the lumber industry without consultation with environmental groups, involve self-regulation by each company (“Oh, yes. I PROMISE this wood was harvested sustainably”) and do not follow the chain of custody. The FSC certification is the most stringent to date.

Third, we have to support forest protection and reforestation projects. The following groups are my suggestions. I am choosing ones that are small, may not be well known, or focus on some of the areas that most need protection/reforestation right now. I also have favored groups that integrate forest projects with the local community, a combination that has been shown to work much better than environmental projects that ignore the local communities. It may surprise you that the Amazon is not one of the places I focus on, but this is because it is not in as much of a crisis as the areas I have chosen. It may be soon, but it isn’t yet. Please check out these groups and see if you can help any of them.

I. National Motivation Movement For Haiti Reforestation, Inc. (HAITI)
PO Box 2328, East Orange , NJ 07019

The M.M.N.R.H. Inc. is a environmental, ecological, reforestation Organization for the country of Haiti, with also a scholarship and relief program for the United States and Haiti. EIN: 06-1719931. I chose this group because Haiti is in such desperate need of help, both to restore its forests, to help its people, and to reduce pressure on its neighbor, the Dominican Republic.


II. Budongo Forest Project (UGANDA):
The Budongo Forest Project in Uganda, initially funded by the Jane Goodall Institute, combines the best of modern forestry with the conservation of one of the world's most significant endangered species, the chimpanzee. The aim of the project is to understand the relationships between biodiversity, forest management practices, timber extraction and use by the local population.

You can help this project through their adopt a Chimp project:

Your donations will go towards studying the lives of the chimpanzees on a daily basis, mounting snare removal patrols to stop poaching, and providing conservation education and training for Ugandan foresters and local people.


III. ROKPA INTERNATIONAL (TIBET): carries on many projects in Nepal, Tibet and Zimbabwe, including the replanting of the deforested areas, planting of new areas, protecting existing forests, flora and fauna in Tibet.

IV. Alliance for International Reforestation, Inc. (GUATAMALA and NICARAGUA) AIR, is a non-profit organization working to make a difference for the people of Guatemala and Nicaragua. AIR plants trees, establishes tree nurseries, provides environmental education for teachers and farmers, digs wells, builds fuel-efficient brick ovens, and helps to educate everyone about the environmental challenges facing Central America. AIR-Guatemala ("AIRES" in Spanish) was named The Best Environmental NGO in Guatemala for 2004, by the national government's forestry institute, Instituto Nacional de Bosques (INAB). AIR was the smallest NGO of dozens nominated, but was still judged the most effective, which is a testament to AIR's efficiency as well as the skill and dedication of our staff.


V. Trees, Water, People: (NORTH and CENTRAL AMERICA) Trees, Water, People is composed of a group of dedicated environmentalists who feel strongly about making the world a better place for people through improving their environment. They believe that natural resources are best protected when local people play an active role in their care and management and that the preservation of local trees, wetlands, and watersheds is essential to establish the long-term social, economic, and environmental viability of communities. They work in several nations in North and Central America.


VI: Wildlife Conservation Society projects: New Yorkers can be proud of this one since it is OUR zoos (including the one we take Jacob and Sarah too in Prospect Park) that support the following projects:

a. RWANDA: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) began work in Rwanda in 1978, with support for the interdisciplinary research of Amy Vedder and Bill Weber. Their investigation of mountain gorilla ecology and the socio-economic context for conservation led Vedder and Weber to establish a program of mountain gorilla tourism in Rwanda as a means of generating revenue and employment to help protect gorillas and their habitat. The success of this effort reversed the gorillas' decline and helped restore their numbers to 380 in 2004. To protect the forest's extraordinary levels of species richness and endemism, the government of Rwanda created the Nyungwe National Park in 2004. The WCS continues to work on the conservation and management of this park.

b. Albertine Rift Program: covering the northern end of Lake Albert to the southern end of Lake Tanganyika and working in three African nations, this project takes a regional rather than local approach to conservation. Using satellite data and coordinating groups across borders, this program is helping to preserve parks that protect gorillas, chimps, 29 other endemic mammalian species and 42 endemic bird species.

c. Other WCS programs: honestly there are many good programs that the NYC zoos support worldwide.

VII: Trees for the Future (INTERNATIONAL: including HAITI, INDIA, SENEGAL, UGANDA, etc.) Community based tree planting projects. Communities around the world turn to Trees for the Future for technical knowledge and planting materials so that they can bring degraded lands and struggling farmlands back to sustainable productivity. With the help of volunteers and community leaders world-wide, our program technicians reach even the most remote areas.


And I want to add another group to those I list above. Above I am thinking globally, thinking of stabilizing the global situation and deal with global warming. The following group deals with wetlands throughout the South and so helps to protect the areas that are most open to flooding. We have to protect our wetlands if we want to protect our coastlines:

Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. The Southern Regional Office (SRO), located in Ridgeland, MS was established in 1990 to protect and restore wetlands and other wildlife habitat in the southeastern United States. Today, the SRO carries out conservation programs in 15 southern states that include some of the most important wintering habitat on the continent. More than one million acres of waterfowl habitat has been conserved from Kansas south to Texas, east to Florida, and north to the Carolinas.

Donate to Ducks Unlimited to help protect American wetlands.

Progressive Democrat Issue 42: TARGET THE CORRUPT REPUBLICAN: Back to Kentucky

Two of the least popular governors in the nation are also two of the most corrupt Republicans in the nation—Gov. Blunt of Missouri and Gov. Taft of Ohio. Taft is, in fact the LEAST popular Gov in the nation and the strong showing Paul Hackett made in the OH-2 special election may have in part been due to the fact that Ohio voters are getting tired of the disgusting corruption of the Republicans. Well, as I covered earlier, Kentucky is another state where the state Republican party is so mired in corruption it is bound to affect their popularity.

Kentucky’s Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher is under investigation for corruption. AND he is the 5th least popular governor in the nation! What do you know? Americans don’t like corruption! That is why I am focusing so strongly on exposing corrupt Republicans. Corruption in the Repub party is so widespread and so disgusting, it makes America look like a Banana Republic. It is embarrassing to all of us!


Fletcher's administration is suspected of violating the state's merit system laws and using politics as the basis for hiring or firing government employees. In essence, they are going back to the time of the so-called “spoils system” where government firing and hiring was a rewards system for political allies. This was considered unacceptable more than 100 years ago and was ended on the Federal level by the Civil Service Act of 1883 which made it illegal to fill various federal offices by the spoils system. Kentucky also has a “Merit Law” that outlaws the corrupt spoils system. Yet Repub Gov. Fletcher wants to go back to and older time, where corruption was accepted as normal.

Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher has been subpoenaed to appear before a special grand jury investigating personnel practices within his administration…

Thus far, nine current or former members of Fletcher's administration have been indicted on a series of misdemeanor charges alleging violations of the Merit System personnel law.
One person, dismissed former Transportation Cabinet commissioner Dan Druen, also has been named in 22 indictments for witness or evidence tampering.
All those who have been arraigned have pleaded not guilty.
The charges allege the officials routinely plotted to circumvent the law that requires personnel decisions be made on the merits of the candidate in favor of their political influence and support for Fletcher.

We need to really push this theme: Americans hate corruption and the Repub Party is disgustingly corrupt. The five least popular governors in America are all Republicans and all are suspected of corruption on some level. The three MOST corrupt of these 5 rock-bottom Governors are Matt Blunt (MO), Ernie Fletcher (KY) and Bob Taft (OH).
Please write letters to the editor commenting on these trends—the increasing corruption of the Republican Party combined with the fact that the least popular Governors in America are all Republicans suspected of considerable corruption. Express your disgust and embarrassment at the fact that the political party of the President is so mired in blatant and sleazy corruption. Keep up the pressure!

Progressive Democrat Issue 42: NYC FOCUS

Every anniversary of 9/11 I have written a letter to the editor about my anger at Bush's failures both in failing to heed the warnings of an impending attack and on failing to get those responsible for the attack. I send this letter all over the nation. In the past I have had these letters published in New Hampshire and in Time magazine. 9/11 is the chance for New Yorkers to remind America that Bush has failed in every way regarding the 9/11 attacks. Please join me this year in voicing our outrage as witnesses to 9/11. This year my rage is greater than ever because I see such parallels between Bush's failures regarding 9/11 and his failures regarding Katrina. Please voice your outrage at Bush's failures.

You can use the beginning of my THOUGHTS section for this week as a source of ideas.

Progressive Democrat Issue 42: BROOKLYN FOCUS

The FBI is investigating corruption in Brooklyn. Did the Dem party in Brooklyn do something wrong? Well…probably! The Brooklyn Dem party is split between the corrupt machine and the so-called reform clubs. It is notorious for being mired in corruption. Well now it seems the corruption in the Dem party in Brooklyn just may have gotten the attention of the FBI!

I have been focusing on the Brooklyn DA position because here is where corruption seems to be a key issue and here is where the left has failed in a way that I, at least, see very clearly. And anyone who knows me knows that I have focused a fair amount of effort fighting republican corruption. Well, corruption isn’t just a Republican thing. True, the Republicans of today have taken corruption to new levels, levels that even Richard Nixon could only dream of. But here in Brooklyn, good old fashioned corruption is alive and well…and more disgusting than ever.

Back during the peak petitioning season, I was told (second hand, mind you) about instances of threats and intimidation by people associated with the Hynes and the Sampson campaigns. I have nothing but the word of reliable friends on this, but both Hynes and Sampson have apparently acted like thugs in their bid for the DA spot. But there is nothing so far to pin it on them, so this is nothing but hearsay. But that might change.

The Brooklyn DA race has become in my mind a nightmare that shows the horrible weakness of the Democratic party. The candidates are terrible, by and large, and the best candidate never got the support he deserved from the very people who claim they want a good candidate. This race illustrates the failures of BOTH the leftist and mainstream elements of the Democratic party.

Here has been my analysis to date. The main fight is between two corrupt, thuggish factions within the Brooklyn Dem party. The incumbent, Charles Hynes, has held this post for 16 years. He is known for taking bribes and intimidating opposition. He claims to be responsible for a very reduced crime rate, which may be, in part, true. From what I can tell, he did some good things ten years ago and has ridden on that success since then. He approaches the post as a part-time job, teaching and writing in addition to being the DA for the entire Kings county. Rumor has it that his folk intimidated those petitioning for other candidates. Hynes’ main opposition is John Sampson. Sampson is supported by Clarence Norman. Norman is the man who controls the Brooklyn Dem party. He is head of the Brooklyn Dem machine…a machine that delivers one of the LOWEST voter turnouts in the nation. I am part of his machine in that I am a Democratic County Committee member in Brooklyn. The County Committee meetings are, to put it mildly, little more than farce. Norman is known for his corruption and has four indictments coming from Hynes which are going to be going to trial soon. Sampson is probably MORE corrupt than Hynes and possibly similarly thuggish, if the reports I have been told are true. This Celebrity Death Match between Hynes and Sampson is basically a fight between corrupt and corrupter. Neither is worth much in the eyes of a good, solid, honest citizen. At least Hynes has indicted Norman. THAT is his current claim to fame.

This is already embarrassing to any self-respecting Dem. But there was once hope. There were three reform candidates. Arnie Kriss seems to have little going for him. Despite being focused on this race for months, I know little of him except that he has been described as the “Ed Koch” candidate. Well, these days, that doesn’t count for much. Then there is Mark Peters. I have met him twice. He SOUNDS good. Speaks very progressive and righteous. But, he is a young rich kid and he gives me the impression of someone who knows what to say but doesn’t have his heart in it. I think his intentions are good. BUT, he is a kid! He brags about the money he has raised (mostly from his rich family) and his connection with Eliot Spitzer (who, as far as I can tell, will have nothing to do with him). The main thing going for him is he is not connected with EITHER the corrupt Hynes or corrupt Sampson campaigns. When I first met him I distincly had the feeling he was waiting to figure out what I wanted to hear and then he told me what he thought that was. I don't trust him, but I have nothing solid against him. I may even be misjudging him. Some folks who I respect considerably have endorsed him, so maybe he is better than he seems.

But there was one good candidate. I mean REALLY good candidate. This guy was someone I was willing to give some time and money to. He is recognized as honest by everyone. Every campaign recognizes his integrity. He is the smartest of the candidates. His name is Paul Wooten and, among NUMEROUS accomplishments in his life, he was one of the writers of the legislation that created the Public Advocate position in NYC. Wooten was the IDEAL candidate for the Brooklyn DA job. Period.

Paul Wooten should have had the left, progressive, Green, Dean folks flocking to him. THIS is the candidate that they claim the Dems never run, the man with smarts, guts and integrity who puts civil rights before ANYTHING else. I petitioned for Wooten and, when the petition season was over, Wooten had more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. Then, almost immediately after the filing deadline, Wooten dropped out "due to lack of funds." This left a VERY sad field of candidates…and embarrassment to the Dem Party. I blamed it on the fact that, by and large, the leftist wing of the Dem party, which claims to WANT this kind of candidate, failed to back him. Few people backed Wooten. The main person I know who fought for Wooten was the former head of the Brooklyn Kerry campaign. NOT the Dean or Kucinich or Nader campaigns. The Kerry campaign. Where was the left? I blamed the whining, complaining left for talking big but not coming out when their ideal candidate materialized.

Well, I was probably right about that, but…apparently more is going on in Brooklyn. And it isn’t likely to smell good. Something is rotten in Kings county and it probably has to do with the Hynes or the Sampson campaign. And the FBI is smelling it!

Here are some excerpts from the Footnotes Newsletter:

A few weeks ago the FBI requested copies of petition sheets from the Brooklyn Board of Elections. According to reports, the agents specifically wanted to examine the petition sheets submitted by the candidates for [Brooklyn] District Attorney…This investigation is intended to determine whether the Civil Rights of some Kings County Voters have been violated, and who might have been responsible for that possible violation…

The Civil Rights investigation was reportedly triggered by the sudden withdrawal of candidate Paul Wooten from the District Attorney contest. It would also involve the rumor that Wooten might have been pressured to withdraw by individuals connected with candidate John Sampson‘s campaign, and also by County Leader and Assemblyman Clarence Norman.

Now let me be clear here. I was surprised at the suddenness of Wooten’s withdrawal so soon after the end of petitioning. I had thought he might not have gotten enough signatures, but I was assured that he had gotten MORE than enough. And, throughout the petitioning period, I heard rumors of intimidation. Nothing but rumors! But there it was. Suddenly, he had withdrawn and the FBI was interested!

From the point of view of the FBI, the withdrawal of Wooten could have deprived many voters of the right to vote for the candidate of their choice. And if this withdrawal was the result of threats or an inducement of some kind, the FBI could determine that there was a Civil Rights violation and maybe something worse.

Candidate Wooten has strenuously and repeatedly denied that his withdrawal was part of any deal made by him. And FOOTNOTES does indeed believe Wooten’s statement.

I met Wooten three times. The one thing that he exuded more than anything else was integrity. In fact, everyone I talked to who supported other candidates agreed that Wooten had the most integrity. So I think some kind of back room deal is unlikely…though, given Brooklyn where even Yassky can be sucked into the influence of the machine, who knows?

However, just as clearly, his withdrawal was a reluctant one. Wooten had just overcome the difficult and expensive challenge of petition-gathering. He had probably spent his own money, and even borrowed money to get on the ballot. Wooten was on the Ballot. The campaign was really just about to begin. And who knew what could or would happen in the 3 months between June 11 and September 13?

Candidate Wooten had nothing to lose by letting his name remain on the ballot. And at the very least he could have engaged in some level of fund-raising to reduce the debts he had incurred. Nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

Besides, Wooten, like almost every other Brooklyn lawyer (except the carpet-bagging, opportunistic, congressional candidate David Yassky) probably found Sampson’s candidacy to be absurd and offensive.

This is a little unfair to Yassky. He is dedicated and in touch with the district, not such a “carpet-bagger.” BUT, he has been induced to support Sampson, something that greatly surprised me given Yassky’s close ties with the reform Democratic clubs.

For Wooten, who is proud of his expertise, and in fact, even slightly arrogant [funny…I always considered him excessively humble, but…], the support of Sampson by the Clarence Norman gang had to be particularly painful. While Sampson’s legal experience seemed to be restricted to representing landlords in landlord/tenant court, Wooten has had his own Law Office in downtown Brooklyn for many years. He has had decades of experience as a trial lawyer, and is well-known and respected in Brooklyn’s Courts.

In fact, over the years Wooten has handled cases for most of Brooklyn’s Black elected officials and we suspect that most of the time he has received little if any compensation for his legal work. So, as far as Paul Wooten was concerned, this was an opportunity for all those Black elected officials whom he had helped to finally show their gratitude to him…

There was no one in Brooklyn who honestly felt that John Sampson was more qualified than Paul Wooten to be District Attorney. Except Sampson’s father…Maybe. But Wooten found himself running into closed doors and getting apologies rather than checks from people whom he expected to support him.

I will again note that Wooten not only ran into closed doors among the black community, but also among the leftist community who largely ignored him, despite his excellent qualifications and universally acknowledged integrity.

The overt and first part of the message was that Sampson was the County’s candidate through whom County would terminate Charles Hynes on September 13.

The second part of the message is one which John Sampson himself stated to the Daily News. As District Attorney, Sampson would take the extraordinary step of conducting a “review and evaluation” of the on-going corruption trials of Clarence Norman and Jeff Feldman. So really, making a check to Paul Wooten’s campaign would be hurting the County Leader and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. You wouldn’t want to do that, would you?

Well…here we get to it. Hynes is corrupt and thuggish…but he HAS indicted Clarence Norman, so groups like Independent Neighborhood Democrats are backing him for THAT reason. Wooten would have, if anything, pursued these indictments more doggedly than Hynes. Sampson wants to “review” them. So, the machine could NOT tolerate a Wooten candidacy.

The end result was that Paul Wooten’s fund-raisers ended up costing him money rather than raising money for him. Few people would dare to have their names listed as contributors to Wooten’s campaign.

And then some time around July 11, an “inner-circle” meeting of the elders was convened in Bedford Stuy. FOOTNOTES was informed that it was convened by Al Vann and Annette Robinson, and that Paul Wooten was invited. The purpose of the meeting was to have a number of Black Elected officials and activists point out to Paul Wooten the wisdom and appropriateness of withdrawing from the District Attorney race.

It was the typical “et tu Brute” scene with hugs and expressions of love and admiration for Paul and his unselfishness…

DISGUSTING! Democrats throughout Brooklyn should be FLOCKING to support Wooten. Instead he is opposed by the corrupt machine, ignored by the so-called progressive left and abandoned by his original supporters. I AM EMBARASSED TO BE A DEMOCRAT IN BROOKLYN!

And now, the FBI may be involved in more than the violation of voters rights to have a choice.

Agents could be interested in whether Paul Wooten’s withdrawal was in any way connected with a long-range plan to tamper with criminal trials that are now being prosecuted.

If interviews with the FBI reveal that there have been discussions between District Attorney candidate and defendant Clarence Norman about the future disposition of his criminal trials, John Sampson could find himself in a very sticky situation. Stickier than when he wobbled away from Gaza after hearing the first explosion of a rocket in the distance.

What we have here is a summary of everything that is wrong with the Democratic party. A useless incumbent, a corrupt machine, an absent progressive grassroots, and betrayal of the one good candidate in the whole lot.

I have been asked by many, including David Yassky, who I would support given the field. With the withdrawal of Paul Wooten, NO ONE is a good candidate. That is what the Dems have created for themselves. This is what the Brooklyn Dems are and what the reform clubs and progressive organizations are supposed to be fighting. I have been undecided who to vote for. But now I am almost certain I will either vote for pretty-rich-kid Peters because at least he isn’t corrupt yet, or I will write in Wooten because HE is the man who should be Brooklyn DA.

Progressive Democrat Issue 42: 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!

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 42: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

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!

http://www.times-up.org/cm.php


And see their NYC calendar for Bike Workshops and other rides (including ones outside Manhattan). http://www.times-up.org/calendar/calendar.php


BROOKLYN EVENTS:

Democracy for America Meetings: http://www.dfnyc.org/cms/

Independent Neighborhood Democrats: Contact me or Devin Cohen: devincohen@msn.com if you are interested. http://www.indbrooklyn.org/


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. http://www.cbidems.org/


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:
http://www.dfnyc.org/cms/node/1110?PHPSESSID=09ada2ff5e2a0a07b8b21436f8078fe0


QUEENS:

Democracy for America Meetings: http://www.dfnyc.org/cms/

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). http://www.jeffersondems.com/index.shtml

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 @).

Queens County Young Democrats: for information: http://www.geocities.com/queensdems/


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:
http://www.dfnyc.org/cms/node/1111?PHPSESSID=09ada2ff5e2a0a07b8b21436f8078fe0

Progressive Democrat Issue 42: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

Simply put, it’s getting to be crunch time for the 2005 election. VOLUNTEER FOR CORZINE’S CAMPAIGN!!!

Alternatively, volunteer with your local Dem or DFA group.

Progressive Democrat Issue 42: 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.

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 42: VIRGINIA FOCUS

Get INFORMED: Learn about what is going on in Virginia in this election: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/metro/interactives/vaprimer/

And then, continued again 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 42: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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


The Hip Hop Caucus SUPREME JUSTICE Bus Tour Hits Virginia: A partnership, led by the Hip Hop Caucus, is doing a month-long bus tour of the US to talk to Americans about issues of Voting Rights and The Supreme Court nominations. They’ll be in Tidewater Virginia at Norfolk University and Hampton Roads on September 21st. The bus tour culminates on the mall in Washington, D.C. at the anti-war rallies on September 24th. If you can be involved or want more information, contact Diane Shamus at ippn.diane@earthlink.net or Eric Graves at eric@vagrassroots.org

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, 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 42: NATIONAL ACTION (Robert's nomination)

This is continued yet again because the Repubs are now pushing Roberts as Chief Justice! More important than ever! Persistence pays off.

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 42: 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.