Progressive Democrat Issue 43: THOUGHTS

As I said last week, I will have less time to devote to this newsletter, at least until I get settled into my new job. But I will do my best to continue.

Slowly Bush is trying to spin Katrina his way. He is taking responsibility, taking control, he says. I think that is supposed to be reassuring to us! Well, it isn’t. Bush hasn’t taken responsibility for anything anytime in his life. Why didn’t he take control BEFORE the storm hit? Then maybe people would have been saved. Some right wingers are trying to blame the Governor of Louisiana, saying she didn’t ask for help in time. Let’s remember the facts: Governor Blanco asked for help on 8/28/05, before the hurricane hit. In that link there is another link to a PDF of Gov. Blanco’s request. She did the right thing. But let’s also remember that Bush didn’t just fail to help Louisiana. He failed to help Mississippi as well. Are they going to blame the Governor of Mississippi as well? I guess not because he is Republican.

The only logical conclusion is that Bush failed. Just like he failed to stop 9/11 despite warnings. Just like he failed to capture bin Laden. Just like he failed to prevent a massive deficit. Just like he failed to restore our economy to health.

Bush is a failure. That is one of the main lessons from Katrina. That and, as I covered last issue, it shows the failure of the conservative “starve the beast” approach to the Federal government’s domestic policy. When you minimize the serviced provided by the Federal government, you minimize America’s ability to cope with disasters like Katrina.

And there is one final lesson. Who suffers most from these policies of starving the government? One only has to look at the faces of those who were stranded in New Orleans to know the two likely answers. The only question is were the people abandoned in New Orleans abandoned because they are poor or because they are black? Is it classism or racism? That has been a controversy on the liberal blogs.

I think they are inseparable. Bottom line is the people abandoned in New Orleans were abandoned because they were poor AND black. The Federal government under Republican control doesn’t care at all for either the poor or minorities. That has been made very clear over the last 4 years. Voting rights get more and more limited to the point where the Voting Rights Act that came out of the Civil Rights Era is being threatened. Services to the poor are being cut to the bone. Education, that magical thing that lifts people out of poverty, has been cut to the bone. Taxes to the rich are cut just as services to the poor are cut. Our nation’s rich are prospering while most of us are faced with declining economic security. The only thing being offered the poor and minorities is a chance to join the army and die in Iraq. In this atmosphere, why should it surprise us that people who are poor and black are left to fend for themselves? That is the overall policy of the Republicans—“starving the beast” in the end starves the American poor.

Our nation is abandoning the progressive and populist policies that helped equalize opportunity. We are abandoning Head Start, Social Security, the Voting Rights Act, etc. etc. We are going back in time to the period where robber barons prospered with the help of corrupt government while the poor suffered long hours with low pay in sweat shops. On the Federal level and in Kentucky we are abandoning the merit system for political appointments, going back to a spoils system that leads to incompetent cronies like Brown heading FEMA. We are going back more than a century in time.

The irony is the President who started the process of equalizing opportunity through progressive and populist programs was a Republican—Theodore Roosevelt. Imagine T.R.’s take on Halliburton. Imagine T.R.’s take on Bush hiding away on 9/11 and refusing to visit New Orleans because it was unsafe. Imagine T.R’s view of Bush’s leadership. What has become of T.R.’s Republican Party?

We need a Theodore Roosevelt. We need an FDR. We need a Truman. What we absolutely don’t need is a George Bush, one of the most useless, craven and corrupt presidents in American history.

Over the past decade or so, the left has been divided. We fight amongst ourselves. We refuse to vote because we don’t like certain candidates. We take up Republican sound bytes like calling our candidates “wishy-washy” or boring even when they are not. Some on the left even claimed that Bush and Gore were the same.

We on the left no longer have the luxury for infighting. We no longer have the luxury to be lazy or half-hearted politically. Because the result of our infighting and laziness has been the triumph of the Halliburton Republicans with the consequences that Americans are losing their rights, losing their economic stability and losing their lives. The laziness and the infighting on the left indirectly contributes to the abandonment of America’s poor and minorities.

If we don’t get our act together right now, America will continue to decline under corrupt Republican rule and the poor and minorities will be increasingly abandoned to suffer, to die or to join the army to die in wars for Halliburton’s profits.

It is time to FIGHT!!!!!!!!! Our survival and our freedoms depend on it.

Progressive Democrat Issue 43: NATIONAL ACTION FOR AMERICA

I want to continue to focus on the groups that I think will help the Americans displaced by Katrina the most and will help preserve the wetlands that help protect our cities:

Donate to Habitat for Humanity


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.

One reason that Katrina’s damage to Louisiana and Mississippi was so bad is the fact that the wetlands around the inhabited areas are degraded. These wetlands help buffer inhabited areas from floods. Preservation of American wetlands can help limit hurricane damage to our cities.

Donate to Ducks Unlimited to help protect American wetlands.

Progressive Democrat Issue 43: DEFEAT THE KATRINA 11

The Republicans are well known for underfunding America's infrastructure, and that is one reason why New Orleans was flooded so badly. Everyone who live in NYC knows how badly funded our subways, roads and schools are. But when it comes to pork in their own districts, Republicans wallow in it. The city of Ketchikan, Alaska, with 14,000 residents, are building a bridge to Gravina Island, with a population of 50. Don Young (R-AK) pushed for and got Federal funding to build that bridge. Yet levees in New Orleans were neglected year after year. It is absolutely disgusting.

But at least most Republicans realized that after the fact they had to show sympathy. So Congress overwhelmingly passed, and Bush signed, a bill giving aid to the victims of Katrina. But 11 particularly cold-hearted Republicans couldn't even bring themselves to be this generous. These 11 Republican Reptiles voted to leave those affected by Katrina on their own. We have to make these bastards pay by forcing them to defend their callousness when they are up for re-election.

Here is my Act Blue list dedicated to defeating the Katrina 11. Please donate and please circulate this list now because we will need some really serious effort to make these seats competative. Let's show America that blaming the victim is not acceptable.

I also want to continue to call people's attention to two other Act Blue lists put together by someone else targeting the 10 most vulnerable Repblicans, and protecting the most vulnerable Democrats. Donations to these lists would be more practical than donating to my list, but donating to defeat the Katrina 11 will give you better Karma because you will be going for the most cold-hearted of the lot.

Progressive Democrat Issue 43: TARGET THE CORRUPT REPUBLICAN: The Consequences of the Spoils System

I have covered the corruption of the Kentucky Republican Party where the Republican Governor has been violating state Merit Laws that prohibit political cronyism. Here is a Daily Kos diary covering the latest.

But…what is worse is Bush’s cronyism. Every time Bush appoints someone he implies that Democratic opposition is somehow partisan and unpatriotic. But I have come to realize that unquestioned acceptance of Bush nominees is highly dangerous.

Let’s look at FEMA. Mike Brown was appointed to head FEMA as a favor to Bush campaign manager Joe Allbaugh, who had been Bush's chief of staff in Texas. Here is a Salon.com article on the cronyism of Bush and Allbaugh and how Brown benefited from his friendship with Allbaugh.

The bottom line is Michael Brown had no experience and lied on his biographical report to the Senate when he was nominated. The Senate approved him almost without question. The result: when disaster hit Louisiana and Mississippi, Brown fumbled it so badly that, almost uniquely in the Bush administration of failure, Brown was forced to resign. Had the Senate looked at Brown more carefully, they might have realized he was appointed as a reward to Allbaugh, a political appointment unrelated to merit. Brown’s appointment was a return to the Spoils System of government. And hundreds, maybe thousands, died because of his incompetence. Corruption kills in Bush America!

Now Bush has appointed John Roberts to be head of the highest court in our nation. And again they are demanding that the Senate rubber-stamps this appointment. But how can we trust the Republicans to appoint qualified people when it has become clear that cronyism and corruption dominate the Republican choices for appointments.

Please write the media and decry Bush’s cronyism and demand that from now on the Senate must examine each and every Bush appointment with a microscope to see if he is well qualified. And they must reject any nominee that is anything but perfectly qualified. This is not about partisan politics. It is about clean and effective government. Write the media!

Progressive Democrat Issue 43: LOSING THE WAR AGAINST TERRORISM

Sometimes I feel like we are slowly being surrounded by a wall of violence and hatred. I feel like extremism is growing and spreading and it really seems like Bush is completely failing to prevent this spread of violence and hatred.

9/11 was traumatic for all of us. By coincidence I was going through old emails and I came across those from 9/11/01 when my friends from around the nation wrote to see if my family and I were okay. I vividly remember many things from that day and from the days that followed, including an initial irrational hatred of Islam which was thankfully negated by the presence of my Muslim coworkers and friends who reminded me that it isn't the religion that is at fault but the fanatics of any religion who create the current violent atmosphere.

But there is one thing I had forgotten about my thinking after 9/11 that has just come back to me...come back as a missed opportunity.

A little while back I saw a diary on My Left Wing and an article on BBC about a wave of 300 small bombings across Bangladesh. I was horrified and greatly saddened by this.

Why does this matter?

I remember after 9/11 wondering about the conditions that encourage terrorism. It is not a simple equation, but instability breeds violence, and instability mixed with fanaticism breeds terrrorism. This is an oversimplification, but it isn't far off the mark. And environmental degradation as much as anything breeds instability. This point is well argued in the later portions of Jared Diamond's book Collapse.

For those offended by profanity, please forgive me. I feel so angry and sad I will indulge in some profanity.

300 bombings across Bangladesh and Jamatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh, an outlawed group that wants to establish Islamic law in the country, claims responsibility.

Shit! That was my first reaction to hearing this news, because it really drove home to me what a lousy job Bush is doing. Bangladesh didn't have this happening! Now it does.

Bangladesh. One of the most devastated nations in the world thanks to poor environmental policy. A case-study in the terrible tragedy that can result from deforestation. Terrible deforestation leads to an annual cycle of devastating floods in the rainy season followed by drought and famine in the dry season. Year after year this happens and has been happening for 20 or 30 years. The result is one of the poorest nations on earth. And yet it remained something of a democracy and seemed to have avoided the worst of the Islamic fundamentalist upsurge that has swept so many other nations from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan.

Since 9/11 I have thought we should focus on Bangladesh. They need help more than almost any other nation on earth. The US often has been accused of being anti-Islam. Well let's belie that accusation by looking to Bangladesh, recognizing its obvious and well-understood problems, and let's put up the necessary money to help them. Not only will it save lives, but it would stabilize a tenuous democracy and it would show the world that America cares about Muslims as much as any other group.

But there is mroe. I have thought that we should look at Bangladesh to find out why fundamentalism has given them a miss. Why is one of the poorest Muslim nations not also another breeding ground for terrorism the way Somalia, the Sudan and Afghanistan are? What has kept Bangladesh from going the way of the fundamentalist, war lord-dominated nations of Somalia, Sudan and Afghanistan? What can we learn from Bangladesh? These lessons could be invaluable in figuring out how to defeat terrorism world wide.

Too late...We may have missed the opportunity.

It looks like our failure to pay any attention to one of the poorest Muslim nations on earth has finally allowed fundamentalism to get a more solid foothold. We are stupid! We miss the best opportunities to do the right things, and we seem to take all the worst opportunities to fuck up. Maybe our efforts wouldn't have helped. But at least we would have made the effort to help those who most need help, show the world that we aren't all about oil and imperialism, and maybe, just maybe, we could have headed off the further expansion of Muslim terrorism into yet another nation.

Too late. In our stupidity we let another opportunity slip by and Bangladesh has now taken a big step down the path taken by so many other nations that lost all hope and turned to fundamentalism and petty war lords. The tenuous democracy of Bangladesh is now threatened even more than ever. Will we finally take notice? Will we finally realize that Bush's insane, stupid foreign policy is only making things worse? We are spending billions of dollars and we are becoming LESS safe, LESS free and MORE debt ridden.

That is the Bush legacy, and Bangladesh may be yet another casualty of his stupidity.

Progressive Democrat Issue 43: NYC FOCUS

Well, folks, the Democratic Primary is over. There was good and bad that came out of it. I would like to see a better showing by progressives and reform candidates, but the disorganization, disunity and laziness of the left continues to interfere with our chances of winning. We have to do better, not only nationally but most especially locally.

But the primary is past. Now we need to focus on Bloomberg. Here in NYC, the city where Republican incompetence led to nearly 3000 deaths on 9/11/2001, the city known to be liberal, we have to get rid of our pro-developer, anti-civil rights Republican mayor whose number one accomplishment has been to bring the Republican Convention into our midst.

First of all, let’s diffuse the myth that Bloomberg is really at heart a Democrat. He may have been once, but he has sold his soul to Dick Cheney and George Bush. His method of governing has been a big problem and he has HURT this city…unless you are a rich developer.

First of all, remember that Bloomberg is selling our homes to rich developers in back-room deals and threatening to use eminent domain against us if we refuse to cooperate.

Bloomberg is claiming to be good for education, but all he has done is give students more tests, made getting into Middle School a huge ordeal for 5th graders, and sued the state (ineffectually, so far) for the funds it owes us. In the mean time, our schools continue to decline, with funding so tight that in some schools children have to bring their own toilet paper. And teachers have been without a contract for three years, I think it is. Bloomberg has NOT been good on education, whatever HE may claim (and I have a child in school here).

And Bloomberg is bad for NYC in general, as I outline in THIS DIARY.


It is time to support Freddy Ferrer for mayor of NYC. Here is what Howard Dean has to say:

Many Democrats don't consider Mike Bloomberg a "real" Republican or a threat to our values. Those Democrats are wrong. While Republicans have been in charge of New York City, more and more working families are falling behind. Freddy is running for mayor because he wants to build a city that works for everyone -- where there are good public schools in every neighborhood, where there is plenty of housing families can afford, and where there are good jobs available for all of us.

And the problems facing New Yorkers aren't the only reason to support Freddy Ferrer. The New York City mayor's race is one of the most high-profile elections in the country in 2005. Pundits and political operatives are watching this race to gauge whether we are ready to take on the Republicans in 2006. I urge you to help show them that we are…

Republican Mike Bloomberg gave more money to Bush's re-election effort -- more than $7 million -- than anyone else in the country. Mike Bloomberg also helps raise money for conservatives throughout our country, including over $1 million to help reelect the anti-choice George Pataki. Mike Bloomberg will fund his campaign to the tune of $100 million just by writing a check. And he can tap his $5 billion fortune if he needs more.

But Freddy Ferrer believes in the grassroots. We're asking Democrats to join his campaign to show that our government can work better for all of us. We can build housing that families can afford. We can give hope to the more than 50 percent of New York City school kids who drop out before they graduate. We believe that government exists to serve the needs of all the people, while Mike Bloomberg and the Republicans believe that government exists to make things easier for the wealthy. I hope you will join me in supporting Freddy's campaign.

Freddy was raised in the Bronx by his single mother and grandmother before earning scholarships and working his way through NYU. As a city councilman and Bronx Borough President, Freddy helped build 66,000 units of affordable housing, helped create 34,000 jobs, worked with Bill Clinton to create the Bronx Empowerment Zone, and oversaw the resurgence of a forgotten borough. Freddy has proven that he can bring Democratic values to local government and meet the real needs of local communities. He is clearly the best man for the job.

Freddy knows the struggles regular New Yorkers face because he has lived those same struggles. He wants to build a city where the same opportunities he had are available to every child. Those opportunities are created by a steadfast commitment to our Democratic ideals. I know I can count on you to help Freddy build a city that works better for all New Yorkers.

Sincerely,

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

And here is what John Kerry has to say:

If you wouldn't vote for George Bush, why would you ever vote for Mike Bloomberg?

Think about it. Mike Bloomberg is one of George Bush's largest supporters, contributing and raising nearly $7 million for Bush and the Republican agenda in 2004 -- sometimes he likes to pretend he's a Democrat, but he doesn't stand up to the Republicans who shortchange New Yorkers time and again.

Freddy Ferrer is different -- he'll put New York first. Freddy Ferrer is running for Mayor because he wants to build a New York that works better for all New Yorkers.
Under Bush and Bloomberg, New York has lost hundreds of millions in federal housing dollars.

Freddy Ferrer has a comprehensive plan to build and preserve housing that working and middle class families can afford, which was hailed by housing advocates.

Under Bush and Bloomberg, New York schools have been left behind due to draconian budget cuts and a failure to fund the No Child Left Behind Act. In five key programs -- Title 1, IDEA, Teacher Quality, Education Technology, and Innovation -- President Bush has shortchanged New York City by over $2.5 billion, including $221 million for Brooklyn, $153.6 million for the Bronx, $110 million for Queens, $78.9 million for Manhattan, and $9.6 million for Staten Island.

Freddy Ferrer's education plan is designed to attack the drop-out crisis in New York City and graduate 50,000 more students within four years and reach the national on-time graduation rate in eight years.

Under Bush and Bloomberg, the President's proposed Fiscal Year 2005 budget cut federal Medicaid spending by $1.5 billion. As 13% of federal Medicaid money goes to New York, this $1.5 billion cut put New York at risk of losing $200 million in funding.

Freddy Ferrer's health care plan aims to break down the barriers that prevent New York City's most vulnerable groups -- the young, poor, and old -- from getting the health coverage they are eligible for.

This race for Mayor represents one of our best chances to send a message to George Bush and the Republicans that we demand a change in direction and a change in leadership.

Support the Mayoral candidate who will stand up to Bush and the Republicans, not the one who is afraid you'll figure out he stands with them.

Support Freddy Ferrer today.

So please, donate either through Howard Dean’s DNC or through John Kerry. But DONATE to elect Freddy Ferrer now! And PLEASE, volunteer with your local DFA or Democratic group to defeat Mayor Bloomberg, the man my daughter says looks like the Grinch.

Progressive Democrat Issue 43: 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.


CAMP CASEY UNION SQUARE: Monday, September 19th, 10:30 AM, Press Conference with United for Peace and Justice. Stop by Camp Casey Union Square

Bring Them Home Now event at St. John the Divine, 6:30 PM
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is located on Amsterdam Avenue at 112th St. Take the 1 train to 110th Street and Broadway, or take the B or C to 110th Street and Central Park West (Cathedral Parkway).

Speakers include: Congressman Charles Rangel (invited); Military Families and Veterans from the Bus Tour and NY; Cindy Sheehan; Judith LeBlanc, Co-Chair of United for Peace and Justice


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:

***CINDY SHEEHAN and Bring Them Home Now Tour in Brooklyn:
Sunday September 18, 8:00 pm, Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 85 South Oxford St, and parallel to Portland St, Fort Greene. Best subway stop is Atlantic Avenue and BAM

In Brooklyn, Cindy will be joined by members of the Bring Them Home Now tour. Members of the Tour are speaking in cities across the United States as they travel by bus from Camp Casey in Crawford, Texas to Washington, D.C. for the Sept. 24 United for Peace and Justice March and Rally to End the War on Iraq.


Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

MARJORIE'S OZZIE’S MEETUP: ***Election reform meet-up at Ozzie's Sept. 22 election reform meet-up at Ozzie's to strategize and further discuss the issues. 249 5th Ave at Garfield, Park Slope, 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:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

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

Queens County Young Democrats: for information CLICK HERE.

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

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

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 43: 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.

CAMP CASEY UNION SQUARE: Monday, September 19th, 10:30 AM, Press Conference with United for Peace and Justice. Stop by Camp Casey Union Square

Bring Them Home Now event at St. John the Divine, 6:30 PM
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is located on Amsterdam Avenue at 112th St. Take the 1 train to 110th Street and Broadway, or take the B or C to 110th Street and Central Park West (Cathedral Parkway).

Speakers include: Congressman Charles Rangel (invited); Military Families and Veterans from the Bus Tour and NY; Cindy Sheehan; Judith LeBlanc, Co-Chair of United for Peace and Justice




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 43: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

NEW JERSEY’S VICTORY 2005 CAMPAIGN: Victory 2005 is running volunteer phone banks and canvasses every week, and we need everyone to pitch in and reach out to our communities.

Visit Your Local Field Office to sign up:

Victory 2005: LD 1
106 North Main St, Rt 9
Cape May Court House, NJ 08201
609-463-1602
Field Director: Myles Duffy (myles.duffy@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: LD 2
6716 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
609-272-1119
Field Director: John Brigandi (john.brigandi@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: LD 3
142 West Broad Street
Salem, NJ 08079
856-845-9043
Field Director: Sarah Donahue (sarah.donahue@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: LD 4
108 C. Johnson Road
Turnersville, NJ 08012
856-401-0100
Field Director: Gabe Kader (gabe.kader@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: LD 7
214 High St.
Burlington, NJ 08016
609-239-4400
Field Director: Seth Williams (seth.williams@njdemsorg)

Victory 2005: LD11
1 Main St
Eatontown, NJ 07724
732-389-3103
Field Director: Tiffany Ellis (tiffany.ellis@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: LD 12
30 South St
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-845-9624
Field Director: Michael Giglio (mgiglio@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: LD 14
541 Highway 33
Hamilton, NJ 08690
609-689-9940
Field Director: Laurie DePalo (laurie.depalo@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: LD 36
363-365 Paterson Ave
Wallington, NJ 07057
201-935-7035
Field Director: John Duthie (john.duthie@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: Burlington County
214 High St.
Burlington, NJ 08016
609-239-4400
Field Director: Malik Cupid (malik.cupid@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: Bergen County
50 Main St
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-487-0001
Field Director: Katie Allen (katie.allen@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: Camden County
2240-15 Rt 70 West, Garden State Pavillions
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
856-424-5757
Field Director: Jim Jefferson (jimj@ccdems.org)

Victory 2005: Hunterdon & Warren Counties
127 Main St
Flemington, NJ 08822
908-782-3388
Field Director: Michael Lang (mike.lang@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: Mercer County
541 Highway 33
Hamilton, NJ 08690
609-689-9940
Field Director: Silvio Marcacci (silvio.marcacci@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: Middlesex County
491 Raritan Ave
Highland Park, NJ 08904
732-227-9125

Victory 2005: Monmouth County
22 Throckmorton St
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-294-9008
Field Director: Joshua Phoebus (joshua.phoebus@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: Morris County
11 Washington St, PO Box 306
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-984-8080
Field Director: Justin Zimmerman (justin.zimmerman@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: Ocean County
26 Main St, Ste 102
Toms River, NJ 08753
732-244-6742
Field Director: Steve Duron (steve.duron@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: Passaic County
668 McBride St.
West Paterson, NJ 07424
973-279-4647
Field Director: Jasaun Boone (jasaun.boone@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: Sommerset County
58 North Bridge St
Sommerville, NJ 08876
908-218-0330
Field Director: Naomi Ages (naomi.ages@njdems.org)

Victory 2005: Sussex County
93 Spring St 5th Floor Suite 501
Newton, NJ 07860
973-383-0168
Field Director: Mallory Sharpe (mallory.sharpe@njdems.org)

PLEASE remember. Elections are won on the local level. So get out there and get involved. Make the grassroots STRONG in New Jersey.

Progressive Democrat Issue 43: 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.

DEBATE PARTY, PLEASE JOIN THE CORZINE FOR GOVERNOR TEAM AND TRENTON MAYOR DOUG PALMER IN SUPPORTING SENATOR JON CORZINE IN HIS FIRST GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE
Tuesday, September 20, 2005, Doors Open at 7:00 p.m. Debate Starts at 8:00 p.m. Masonic Temple 100 Barrack Street, Trenton For more information email democrats2000@aol.com.

Annual Spaghetti Dinner November 4th, 2005 Location: Washington Club Address: Route 130 Penns Grove, NJ Time: 6:00pm Price $30 per person

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

Princeton, Every Thursday, 7:00 pm, 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 43: VIRGINIA FOCUS

Elections are won thanks to LOCAL volunteers getting out LOCAL voters for LOCAL candidates. This November’s election is in your hands right now. Get in contact with the Local Virginia Leader in your area and ask what you can do to win in 2005. Even a few hours a week can make the difference and it is the ONLY way we can beat the big money that drive Republican campaigns.

Progressive Democrat Issue 43: 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

***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.

Red White and Bluegrass BBQ Festival: 9/17/2005 3:00 pm- 8:00 pm
Location: Greene County Fairgrounds, Rte. 230, Phone: 434-985-3103
Greene County Democratic Committee is sponsoring its first annual bluegrass festival and bbq. Admission free; $10 donation suggested; bbq plate & drink $8. Continuous bluegrass music, including jam session with Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine on harmonica (invited), and remarks by other state and local candidates.


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 43: NATIONAL ACTION (Robert's nomination)

This is continued yet again because the Repubs are now pushing Roberts as Chief Justice! More important than ever! And remember, the Senate let Brown become head of FEMA with no opposition and we see how THAT turned out. PLEASE be persistent! We can do this if we hammer away hard.

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 43: 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.