Progressive Democrat Issue 46: THOUGHTS

The aftereffects of Katrina are still echoing across our nation. One issue I brought up in a past issue perhaps needs to be addressed more directly: the issue of race. I heard a story from someone who went down to the hurricane-hit area to help with animal rescue. She was told that some people who were unable to evacuate were turned back when they tried to flee. This was after the hurricane, as the floodwaters were rising. White cops were turning back poor blacks for fear of crime and looting. This happened in America, a culture that talks about Democracy a lot, but it is also the nation where a former cabinet member and current radio show host, Bill Bennett, publicly declared that, "if you wanted to reduce crime, you could - if that were your sole purpose - abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down." This is covered in more detail in John Conyers' recent statements.

Race is still an issue in the US and, if anything, it is becoming more of an issue. I was raised with the idea that you judge someone for who they are not what race they are. The rise of racial tensions and hatreds in the US surprises me. Yes, I am naïve that way. I don’t understand why anyone would be so intellectually sloppy that they will lump anyone who looks a certain way or worships a certain religion or comes from a certain part of the world into one category and judge all such people based on a stereotype. To me racism is nothing but stupidity. But, like Bush’s style of running the country, it is stupidity that kills.

I want to quote from Chris Owens’ newsletter:

Our federal government and other public policy players have failed us. The numerous and painfully detailed examples of how the destruction of New Orleans could have been avoided, for example, clearly illustrate this painful truth. Even now, however, the full truth of the Gulf Coast horrors are not being revealed to the nation. (Busloads of African Americans discriminated against when seeking shelter, for example.)

What a few good women demanded after 9/11, resulting in a historic examination of our homeland security failures, we must demand today. Senator Clinton has introduced a bill towards this end. And that is only one small step.

There is rage at hand and it must be understood. I have yet to talk with an African American who is not burning with anger. The decisions leading to the Gulf coast tragedies are a collection of "rational" policy choices -- a sequence of cost/benefit analyses that condemned many to death and many more to physical and psychological injury. Time and time again, a public sector resource investment decision regarding New Orleans that cost a certain amount of dollars on Day One was deferred for months, years or permanently, leading to far greater costs today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future.

Remember, it was a known fact that a Category 4 or 5 hurricane would create flooding problems, including the compromising of the levees and pumps, and it was an accepted projection that more than 100,000 people would not evacuate New Orleans if told to do so.

In general, this is the same approach and process that allows the siting of less desirable social service facilities and environmentally dangerous facilities in neighborhoods where land is "most affordable" -- and where the inhabitants are usually people of color and always poor. This is the same process that triages municipal services using real estate values or other indices that penalize and sustain "blighted" neighborhoods.

The struggles are parallel: Accepting risk levels for poor people or people of color that would not be acceptable for people of greater economic means or political clout is the driving force behind institutional racism. The prophetic warnings of the Kerner Commission, created after the riots of the 1960s, have been ignored. We have continued to become two nations, not one, divided by race and class. The evidence has been there; we have simply refused to look at it.

Katrina has brought the impact of institutional racism into everyone's living room. Rapper Konye West's impolitic statement that "George Bush hates Black people", made during the NBC benefit telethon while standing opposite an obviously pained Mike Myers, reflected the true feelings of too many Americans. Make a note of this. West said what millions are thinking and will continue thinking (though Bush is not the only one faulted by the people and Bush is representative of issues greater than himself.) It must be understood and accepted, because it cannot be dismissed.
The Bush family celebrates the top-down approach that our society takes to most issues. This is dangerous to all of us. Per a report from National Public Radio, former First Lady Barbara Bush lightheartedly concluded a review of the situation facing American refugees in Houston's Astrodome with the following: "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this -- this [she chuckles slightly] is working very well for them." 'Nuff said.

There is no defense to be offered for the criminals in New Orleans who chose to attack people during this crisis. But such violence had to have been expected at some level and included within that master plan that failed. For those young Black men in New Orleans, marginalized for years when times were "good", there was even less reason to care about other people's feelings, rights or safety when the rules have evaporated and chaos reigns. Such a scenario will repeat itself if comparable events happen to other areas with marginalized populations.

And, of course, there is the looting itself. The first response of lawmakers and the media to the looting -- before violent behavior had become known -- was ridiculous. The "tsk, tsk" attitude did not acknowledge the sudden loss of everything for thousands of people -- each of whose concern or panic was amplified by the desperate environment surrounding him or her. We saw women -- Black women -- running from stores with diapers, Huggies and Pampers, as well as liquids. We saw children carrying bundles of clothes. No one was carrying a television set.

(One might ask why a State of Emergency isn't accompanied by an automatic appropriation of retail inventory within a designated zone by an appropriate authority for immediate distribution to people. After all, businesses are compensated by their insurance carriers for property losses and, frankly, those carriers could then be reimbursed by the federal government at a later point in time. This would reduce stress for victims and law enforcement alike.)

I remember the incredible sadness I felt after 9/11. I could not believe people could hate so much as to do what I had witnessed live here in New York and I could not imagine how we would climb such a mountain as this hate. I was angry, yes, but my primary emotion was sadness. Watching the coverage of Katrina, however, I was furious -- anger laced with disappointment -- because my country had the power to avoid much of the misery and death and we had failed to do so.

More than 40 years ago, Malcolm X had tried to highlight the racial and economic disparities in America before the United Nations. Katrina did that in a manner he could not have imagined. And, worse, for Americans at the bottom of our pecking order, the situation has not changed much since 1965.

We have been given a warning. We must heed the call and take action.

I quote Chris Owens because I couldn’t have said it any better. How long will it be until America starts taking Democracy seriously?

Progressive Democrat Issue 46: POLITICAL RELEVENCE

How do we address the rising racism, anti-Semitism, classism and hatred in America? Honestly, I don’t know. I have no easy answer. It took this nation nearly 100 years and a Civil War to decide that slavery was unacceptable. It took another 100 years and the martyrdom of several wonderful people to get America to admit that every America has the right to vote. We still haven’t fully realized that admission that every American has the right to vote. Will that take another 100 years?

I am a big fan of empowerment. In American politics there are only two things that matter: money and votes. Money and votes get respect. I firmly believer that the higher the voter turnout of a neighborhood, the more respect and more benefits they get from their government. Poverty and being the constant target of racism seems to inspire apathy. But the people who need to vote the most are those very people who have been abandoned by their government. Poor and minority communities need to vote. Why? Because unless they suddenly get enough money to get noticed by politicians, then votes are the only bargaining chip they have. Any neighborhood that has high voter turnout gets noticed. Any community that has high voter turnout gets noticed. Any group, be it racial, religious or ideological, that delivers votes (like the NRA) gets noticed.

I would add a third layer to empowerment. Money, votes and…activism. Groups that are known to deliver petitions, write letters, participate in boycotts, also get noticed.

If you don’t have the money to get noticed, get the activism and votes in your neighborhood to get noticed.

This newsletter is activism based. So, what do I recommend people do? It doesn’t matter where you live, who you are or how red your state is. Your political relevance depends on the affluence, the level of activism and the voter turnout in your area. It isn’t easy to affect the affluence of your neighborhood. But you are a community member with friends and family around you. You are a potential catalyst for activating your community, which in turn, over years, can be a catalyst for raising your community’s relevance within your city, state and nation. In some ways that is what my newsletter is all about—helping people be that catalyst for their community. Katrina and the Iraq show us that political irrelevance can mean death. The poor blacks died in New Orleans because they were irrelevant to our government. The poor of America and Iraq die in the Iraq War because they are irrelevant to our government. In Bush America, if you are not politically relevant, your life may be threatened.

So, reach out to your community and give them the message that they better make themselves relevant to the government or they may be the next hurricane victims left to die. Start a local Democracy for America group. Get your neighbors joining you running for Democratic County Committee or any other local positions. Saturate your neighborhood with voter registration drives. But don’t do voter registration just because you want Dems to win. Get your entire community to register and vote because that is the path to empowerment and political relevance if you can’t win the lottery.

Park Slope Brooklyn gets flooded with campaigning politicians every election because the people there are by and large rich, are by and large politically active and, probably most of all, Park Slope has one of the highest voter turnouts of any community in NYC. Imagine if your neighborhood had the highest voter turnout in your state. I bet your community would not be the one ignored when the floods come. Bring your neighborhood to a level of activism so that politicians of BOTH parties can no longer ignore you.

Progressive Democrat Issue 46: PROTECT SCIENCE, FIGHT REPUBLICAN CORRUPTION AND GIVE VOICE TO OUR VETS

Sometimes things dovetail. Sometimes it is almost frightening how they dovetail. Folks, I think we need to initiate a major campaign similar to the one that rocked the OH-2 race. I have the perfect target. Let me explain how events unfolded.

I am a scientist and have become horrified at the attacks on science under the Bush administration. Needless to say, climate research is one of the main targets of Bush and his Oil Company Cronies. One of George Bush’s main attack dogs in the crusade against science has been Rep. Joe Barton, a Republican from Texas’s 6th Congressional district who was recently selected as chairman of the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. Barton has been using his power on the Energy and Commerce Committee to actually attack the very scientists who have been most prominent in the field of climate research, the scientists who discovered the phenomenon of global warming.

So Rep. Barton has been one of the Republicans I most want to see defeated. But he isn’t just anti-science, he is outright corrupt. This Republican who has been selected as chairman of the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee and is attacking climate scientists received more than $ 200,000 in campaign donations from the oil/gas industry as well as from the electric utility industry, his two top sources of funding. This is one of the most blatant bribes—Barton is a bought-and-sold Republican doing the dirty work of the oil executives in exchange for campaign contributions.

Barton’s corruption and attacks on climate scientists are covered in this article from the American Prospect.

But things get worse. Remember my list of Republican Congressmen who were too cold hearted to vote in favor of aid to the victims of Katrina, my so-called Katrina11 list. Well, Joe Barton is top of that list. Joe Barton voted against aid to Katrina victims, claiming that there wasn’t enough oversight. But this is the same Joe Barton, chairman of the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee, who inserted special provisions into 2002 energy legislation to let near-bankrupt Westar Energy split off its regulated utility from its heavily indebted other businesses--a split that would facilitate saddling ratepayers with $1 billion Westar’s non-utility debts. So he is MORE than willing to let a failed energy company leach off taxpayers, but is not willing to give money to poor black families who lost all they had in hurricane Katrina. Please see this article for Barton’s Westar scandal as well as other aspects of his disgusting corruption.

and also this article.


So, Joe Barton should clearly be one of our main targets for 2006. But who is running against him? Well, remember last issue’s “Giving voice to our Vets” section, I introduce several Iraq War vets running for Congress as Democrats in 2006. In that I highlight David Harris, who is running against none other than Corrupt Joe Barton. Here is what I wrote last issue:

David Harris, a Bronze Star recipient, is running for the TX-06 seat. You can read a little about his views on the Iraq war.


Harris is opposing GOP incumbent Joe Barton in Texas' very red sixth district. So this in many ways is a close parallel to OH-2 where a long-shot Iraq war vet ran in a very red district. Barton is one of the 11 Republican Reps. who voted against giving aid to the victims of hurricane Katrina (the so-called Katrina 1a, see below). Maybe we can do even better in TX-6 than in OH-2. His website won't be up until October, I hear, so as far as I know we can't make direct donations to him. However, I believe this is part of Tarrant County (Fort Worth area) so I suggest a donation to the Tarrant County Democrats or the Tarrnat County Youg Democrats. This can set the county Dem party up for supporting whichever Dem candidate wins the primary in 2006. Or go to my “Defeat the Katrina 11” website and donate to the general fund for the TX-6 race. I suspect that this race will be a sleeper for awhile, but will get hot in the last weeks of the campaign in 2006. That would parallel the OH-2 race. But this time we really have a chance to give this race some early attention. Please keep an eye on it and give when you can!

After highlighting the Katrina 11, I was contacted by David Harris’s campaign thanking me for including the TX-6 race. Here is what his campaign wrote me:

While David [Harris] was here, helping unload and organize supplies for evacuees, hauling furniture up several flights of stairs and delivering food to those families, Rep. Barton voted NO on Katrina without a second thought. We have had constituents calling all his offices asking for an explanation of the NO vote to which they have replied that after "exhaustive research" he was compelled to vote NO because of the lack of oversight for how the money would be spent. What is hilarious about that is that he has NO problem giving Halliburton no-bid contracts and a blank check. Rep. Barton is also heads up the Energy and Commerce committee and is responsible for the way all of us are getting ripped off at the pump these days. He takes big money from the gasoline PACs (among others). There are many an argument that can be made for this being a race of NATIONAL importance. (did I mention he is also responsible for the FCC clamp down on Howard Stern?) We need help and we need loads of it. We are hoping that once the site goes live (in about 2 weeks) we can raise money quickly. Barton already has $1.4 million in the bank so realistically, we are looking for 500 people in the US to send in the max prior to the primary of $2000 each. If we can figure out a way to have people EVERYWHERE looking for one person in their area, then we will be well on the way. Can you imagine the fright that would come over Rep. Barton if our December filing shows us having the same or more money in the bank that he does? It would definitely send a message so that is what we are hoping happens. Work like yours on the blogs goes a long way towards that end.

David Harris now has his website up if you want to read more about him.

But I want to emphasize that we HAVE to get Joe Barton. If David Harris gets the nomination (as far as I have been able to determine he is so far unopposed) we should proudly get behind him.

PLEASE, go to my Katrina11 website and, if nothing else, donate to defeat Joe Barton in the TX-6 race. This guy is the worst of the worst—corrupt, callous and a conservative extremist. I hope to make the TX-6 race a major part of our efforts to retake our country. PLEASE join me in this.

Progressive Democrat Issue 46: NYC FOCUS

I feel like I am drowning in a sea of mailings and TV ads from Michael Bloomberg. The man who wants to buy the election is using his ample wealth to saturate the city with his ads. Should the richest candidate have so much advantage? I personally find this saturation offensive and I consider his trying to buy the election offensive. What has Bloomberg done for me? The schools don’t seem much better than they did when he took office. Classes are as crowded as ever. We still need more schools to be built. Some of our schools in NYC are so short of money that kids have to bring their own toilet paper to school! Bloomberg says we don’t have the money to build new schools…but he also says we have the money for a new stadium and a new arena. Are these his priorities? Bloomberg puts developers over our children. Bloomberg says we don’t have money to keep firehouses open. But we have money to help developers tear down entire neighborhoods to put up office buildings and luxury housing? Bloomberg puts developers over our firefighters. He is has been stingy giving contracts and raises to our firefighters, teachers, nurses and cops. But he gives developers everything they want in secret backroom deals, even setting aside city laws to ease their path. Bloomberg puts developers over the law. And let’s not forget the Republican Convention. Our tax money was spent keeping us away from the convention site. Our tax money was spent preventing us from protesting. Many New Yorkers were denied their First Amendment rights while the Republican Delegates were given freebies at our expense. Later, Bloomberg became Bush’s most generous individual donor. Bloomberg puts Republicans over NYC.

Bloomberg is all about real estate, isn’t he? That seems to be what his term as mayor is all about. Development, development and more development. But not development that preserves, nurtures and restores neighborhoods. It is development that destroys neighborhoods, replacing them with skyscrapers, shopping malls, Wal-Marts and sports arenas. Our schools, firehouses, cops and nurses can go to hell, but let’s give developers exemption from our laws and our taxes. That is the Bloomberg policy.


And now Bloomberg further shows his disdain for New York voters by opting out of the first debate with Freddy Ferrer. What is Bloomberg scared of?

People tell me he isn’t beholden to anyone so they like him. Bull! Bloomberg is beholden to developers and to the Republican Party! And he is trying to get my vote by using his personal wealth to buy the election. I am not falling for it. My vote is my own and his endless mailings and TV ads just irritate me.

We need to get word out about Ferrer. Check out Freddy’s website:

http://www.ferrer2005.com/

Check out Mike Bloomberg's Record: http://www.mikebloombergsrecord.com/

and check out Boot Bloomberg out of Town: http://www.bootbloomberg.com/

And, of course, write letters to the editor saying why you don’t want Bloomberg and why you do like Ferrer. Hell, tell the media you’d rather have a beer with Ferrer than sip cocktails with Bloomberg and his rich developer friends. Help counter Bloomberg’s money with your own opinions. Tell the media YOUR viewpoint on the mayoral election:

May I suggest the following papers:

New York Daily News: voicers@edit.nydailynews.com

NY Times: gailc@nytimes.com

Staten Island Advance: hanley@siadvance.com

Progressive Democrat Issue 46: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

CRITCAL MASS BICYCLE MOVEMENT! Critical Mass is a bicyclist movement (NOT an organized group!) that holds weekly protests all over the world to protest pollution. Rides are the last Friday of every month starting in Union Sq. Park North, 7PM! At a DFNYC meeting attended by Norm Seigel, Norm used Critical Mass as an example of the kind of activism that NYC needs most and the way Bloomberg is trying to squelch our rights and our voices. Critical Mass deserves our help. According to Bloomberg, my inclusion of this in my newsletter is probably illegal. Well, I refuse to let Bloomberg tell me what I can and cannot write in my Newsletter.

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


There is more you can do to support Critical Mass. This comes from a reader in Manhattan:

To help keep people involved in Critical Mass, people who might be sacred off because of renewed aggressiveness by the police, I have started a pledge drive that sponsors arrestees. This is a great way for people to stay involved in Critical Mass, stay on top of the issue, and use the NYPD and Bloomberg's tactics to work for us not against us. I am pledging $2 per arrestee, and the money will go to the Legal Aid Society. Pledges are made on the honor system. The more bicyclists the cops arrest the more money for defending civil rights is raised.


Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

New Democratic Majority General Meeting, Monday, October 10th: General Meeting is set for October 10th at 7:30 PM. at the LGBT Community Center at 208 West 13th Street. We'll be talking about the Supreme Court, Reform Ohio Now, and the work of our 2008 Presidential Candidates Project. Guest speakers will include Nicholas Butterworth of The Saloon - a progressive activist group - and hopefully someone from People for the American Way.

Congressman Anthony Weiner hopes to be able to stop by as well to thank our activists for the work they did on his campaign. His visit is pretty certain at this point, as his office has confirmed it. So, come on out and meet the Congressman.


What the Insurance Industry doesn't want you to know: DMI's Marketplace of Ideas talk Lowering the Cost of Insurance: Mon, 10/24/2005 - 8:15am, Is there an insurance crisis in New York?

Complaining doesn't bring down high insurance rates. Neither does shielding those who act wrongfully from responsibility for their actions.

The Drum Major Institute, ("DMI") highlights effective public policy, and is hosting an event with HARVEY ROSENFIELD, author of California's Prop. 103. Rosenfield will discuss what has succeeded in lowering insurance rates: from auto to casualty to medical malpractice.

rsvp to 212-909-9663 or dmi@drummajorinstitute.org
Location:
The Harvard Club 35 West 44th St. btw 5 and 6 ave
light breakfast will be served


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 46: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:


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 are the last Friday of every month starting in Union Sq. Park North, 7PM! At a DFNYC meeting attended by Norm Seigel, Norm used Critical Mass as an example of the kind of activism that NYC needs most and the way Bloomberg is trying to squelch our rights and our voices. Critical Mass deserves our help. According to Bloomberg, my inclusion of this in my newsletter is probably illegal. Well, I refuse to let Bloomberg tell me what I can and cannot write in my Newsletter.

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


There is more you can do to support Critical Mass. This comes from a reader in Manhattan:

To help keep people involved in Critical Mass, people who might be sacred off because of renewed aggressiveness by the police, I have started a pledge drive that sponsors arrestees. This is a great way for people to stay involved in Critical Mass, stay on top of the issue, and use the NYPD and Bloomberg's tactics to work for us not against us. I am pledging $2 per arrestee, and the money will go to the Legal Aid Society. Pledges are made on the honor system. The more bicyclists the cops arrest the more money for defending civil rights is raised.


BROOKLYN EVENTS:

Party/fundraiser for Chris Owens: 262 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY, Sunday, October 9, 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Please join us for a wine & cheese reception on my roof on Sunday, October 9, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. As a salute to New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta, we will be playing lots of jazz, blues, zydeco and rhythm & blues.

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!


Brooklyn Peace Fair 2005: Sat, 10/22/2005 - 11:00am, YWCA, 30 Third Avenue at Atlantic Avenue, he Brooklyn Peace Fair is an all-day event that brings together people to learn about peace and justice issues at home and abroad in a fun, dynamic environment. Organizations and individuals present workshops, discussion groups, films, arts activities, storytelling, performances, and much more.
Cindy Sheehan will be the featured speaker at 11:00 am. Ms. Sheehan's son, Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, is one of over 1800 American soldiers to die in the war in Iraq so far.

The Brooklyn Peace Fair is FREE and open to the public. Children, teens, educators, and adults of all ages are welcome.


PLANNED PARENTHOOD SUPREME COURT DRINKING PARTY!
What: Have a drink with other activists and learn what is at stake for reproductive health and rights in the Supreme Court
Location: Soda Bar, 629 Vanderbuilt Ave (Between Prospect Place and St Marks Avenue)
Date and Time: Monday, October 10th, 6:30-8:30 pm

Information and RSVP: http://www.ppaction.org/ppnyc/events/crtbar/details.tcl

Come join Planned Parenthood activists and other interested people for a night of fun and discussion in Brooklyn. This is an informal way to get acquainted with upcoming issues facing the Supreme Court and the long term implications of the recent changes. Fliers, discussion, and updates on the new nominee as well as a letter writing campaign to surrounding states will comprise this evening of activism. If you have ever desired to learn more about the Supreme Court or simply want to meet other activists in your area, come out to the Soda Bar. We hope to see you there!


MARJORIE'S OZZIE’S MEETUP: October 27, 7 PM: Meet-up at Ozzie’s with discussion and speaker, Jeremy, from the Brennan Center on Albany dysfunction. Unless we decide to participate in a campaign related activity and postpone Albany problems until January. They aren’t going away. 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!

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

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


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

Queens County Young Democrats: for information CLICK HERE.

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

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

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 46: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

Mostly I want to continue my focus from last week, but I first want to also emphasize the efforts of Democrats 2000 pushing good, young Democrats running for office. Please go here and help their slate of supported candidates.

The rest here is continued from last week because it is SO important that we get active:

Things are looking good for Corzine. He is solidly ahead in polls, though we can’t be complacent. But I think a shift of focus is warranted. This election isn’t JUST about Corzine. It is about races across the state. Your efforts are more important to your local politicians than they are to a state-wide candidate. Some of your local politicians might even be your friends or family or neighbors. Or they may become your friends as some of my local politicians have. Most people running for the most local races are not so different from you and me—people trying to do something for their community and country.

I can’t find each and every local race in New Jersey. But I have been learning that an individual’s impact can be big in their local community if they put their mind to it. You can find out what is going on in your county and community by going to the following site, clicking on your county, and going to the website of your local county Democratic committee.

They can help you find out about the candidates that need your help. Your efforts can deliver the dozen extra votes that could determine a local election.

Progressive Democrat Issue 46: 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.

Candles For Jon Corzine! Tues. November 1, 2005, Dusk - 9pm, One week before Election day, Light a candle and place it on your front porch or window (preferably in a blue glass container) Let’s light up the night and show that NJ is a BLUE state and your choice for our next Governor is Jon Corzine.

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 46: VIRGINIA FOCUS

I want to repeat this because it is SO important for everyone to be active over the next month. Don’t put it off. America can’t survive if you and I sit out the election. Please go out of your way for this election. America needs your help.

The upcoming election isn’t just about the Governor’s race, important though that might be. This week I want to highlight the VA State Delegate races. This is your chance to influence your local area and help out your local community. Your efforts are more important to your local politicians than they are to a state-wide candidate. Some of your local politicians might even be your friends or family or neighbors. Or they may become your friends as some of my local politicians have. Most people running for the most local races are not so different from you and me—people trying to do something for their community and country.

People focus too much on state-wide and national elections and not enough on local elections. Getting out the vote for local candidates, even in long-shot races, helps state-wide candidates as well as potentially helping make your state government more Democratic. In 2004, Montana went solidly for Bush. But on the state and local level, Democrats won big. Why? Because local activists focused on local elections despite the knowledge that Bush would win the state.

Please follow this link, find your district, and help out your local Democratic candidate for VA Delegate.


I also want to highlight these actions:

Phone Banking: 10/6/2005 and every Thursday after, 7 pm
Price & Sons Books
1332 Sycamore Square
Midlothian
804-594-1900
Phone banking for Kaine every Thrusday in October 7-9 pm

Get Out The Vote Rally: 10/9/2005 2pm- 5pm
Historic Downtown Fredericksburg
Market Square
540-310-4750
Rally with Speakers, Music to Get out The Vote for Kaine Byrnes and Deeds. In Partnership with Fredericksburg Democrat Committee

Progressive Democrat Issue 46: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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

****Get Out The Vote Rally: 10/9/2005 2pm- 5pm
Historic Downtown Fredericksburg
Market Square
540-310-4750
Rally with Speakers, Music to Get out The Vote for Kaine Byrnes and Deeds. In Partnership with Fredericksburg Democrat Committee


Wednesday, October 26, 2005 6:30-8:30 pm, Celebrate Paul Wellstone’s Legacy With Campaign for America’s Future and Progressive Majority at a reception and conversation with Jeff Blodgett and Bill Lofy of Wellstone Action, 2501 Tracy Place NW, Washington DC 20008 Please RSVP by Friday, October 21 to Kelisa Kehne-Cliff at Campaign for America’s Future kkehnecliff@ourfuture.org or 202-955-5665. For more information, visit www.wellstone.org

October 21-23, 2005, Universal Health Care Conference, Arlington, VA. http://www.uhcan.org/

October 21-23, 2005 Virginia Forest Watch Seventh Annual Membership Meeting & National Forest Protection Alliance Seventh Annual National Convention in the forest near Harrisonburg, Va. To invigorate the statewide and national effort to protect and restore national forests, this year's convention will focus on how organizations can protect their forests through the marketplace and ecologically-based restoration. Contact npfa@forestadvocate.org 434-293-7401 or vafw@mounet.com 276-479-2176

Tuesday, November 15th, 6:30-9:00pm, A screening of Wake Up Wal*Mart at Capitol City Brewing. Robert Greenwald’s new film with be screened across he country during this week and we’ll be hosting a screening at Cap City. Note that this is the THIRD Tuesday of the month as the Virginia election is held the second Tuesday of November. The election will be done. Come out for a relaxing evening of film and friends. Mark your calendars.


***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.


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 46 NATIONAL ACTION

I want to focus on two things this week.

First, the nomination of yet another unqualified person: Harriet Miers…can’t even call her JUSTICE Miers because she has NEVER BEEN A JUDGE! I actually know a Republican in NYC who, because she actually has been a state Supreme Court Justice, is more qualified than Miers. THINK about that. I PERSONALLY know someone MORE QUALIFIED than Miers for Supreme Court Justice.

The following is adapted from Marjorie Gersten’s NYC Newsletter. Please let me know if you want to receive her newsletter, which focuses on NYC, but also covers national issues.

President Bush nominated White House counsel Harriett Miers to replace our moderate swing vote, the Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. I gotta say, O’Connor was NOT a moderate in my book. But compared with the Republican party today, she was moderate. So what about Miers?

Remember Alberto Gonzales, the pro-torture appointee for Attorney General? Alberto Gonzales was recommended to Bush as counsel in the Texas Governorship by Harriet Miers, who replaced Gonzales as White House counsel. Doesn’t this sound like yet another circle of cronyism like the whole Michael Brown appointment to FEMA? Cronyism with torture thrown in!

Miers is known for her personal loyalty to Bush. But she has NEVER been a judge before in her entire life. She has NEVER been a judge, but now Bush wants to appoint her straight up to Supreme Court Justice. It is as if your boss promoted someone with NO experience to be a Vice President of your Company. She was formerly his personal lawyer in Texas with a law firm known for its corporate favoritism, lobbyists connections, shady dealings and large contributions to Bush. Her recent positions as White House staff secretary, counsel and public policy, put her at every decision and liability of this administration.

She was at Crawford for the August 6 briefing memo on Osama Bin Laden and led the suppression of evidence, and some say shredding, of the W’s National Guard evidence prior to the 2000 run. Like a Forest Gump character at every scene of history, and possible crime. So she was RIGHT THERE in Bush’s presence when Bush dropped the ball on 9/11!

Harriet also said that Bush is the most brilliant man she has ever met.

According to Nathan Hecht, now a Texas Supreme Court justice, Miers shared with him in 1980 that life begins at conception and that abortion is "taking a life." Will she put the Constitution before her God? Or will she do Bush’s bidding for his vision of God and country?

Miers, like John Roberts, is a Bush darling and shill of the corporate world. As this country sinks deeper into debt, this administration is selling off everything to the highest bidder, the poor, the small businesses, the environment, and our future generations.

Democrats need to use the confirmation hearings to show where they differ on important issues such as restraining the Executive Branch and limiting government intrusion in individual’s lives. It is inevitable that the party in power will be able to select the Supreme Court justices, but this also means they must take responsibility for having control of all three branches of government.

The Miers nomination provides one political advantage. Even before her nomination, the cover of Newsweek carries the headline, "The GOP: A Mounting Crisis of Competence & Cronyism." The Miers nomination leaves them open to continued criticism on both counts.

It is well documented that Meirs briefed Bush on famous Bin Laden memo

If President Bush's goal is to shift the Supreme Court in a more conservative direction, his nomination of White House counsel Harriet Miers yesterday signaled a desire to do so as quietly as possible.

Bush has nominated his Texas crony as a stealth appointment to the Supreme Court. Although the Senate will be hard-pressed to discover Harriet Miers's positions on the critical issues, she does have a long record of loyalty to Bush, whom she calls "the most brilliant man I ever met." Bush undoubtedly knows where she stands - and it doesn't appear to be on the side of civil liberties.

TAKE ACTION:

Please sign the National Jewish Democratic Council petition on Meiers.

Take action at HERE: Likening Harriet to a ham sandwich even a Republican-controlled Congress mightn’t swallow, many see this as objectionable that in its defeat would force the goal posts further right.

And through the People's Email Network: TAKE ACTION NOW TO STOP MIERS!


My Second action for the week, is a continuation of last week, because it is REALLY important…maybe one of the MOST important issues of the year:


Well, we now know that it was I. Lewis Libby, Dick Cheney’s chief of staff, who leaked Plame’s name to Bob “the traitor” Novak. Yet I don’t see much about this in the news (other than on NY1 and in the NY Times). Even on Daily Kos it is more about attacking Obama and Clinton than publicizing the fact that the Vice President’s chief of staff committed treason by leaking the name of a covert agent to the press. Let me repeat that:

THE VICE PRESIDENT’S CHIEF OF STAFF COMMITTED TREASON!

And no one seems to care much. This should be the number one story on everyone’s lips.

THE VICE PRESIDENT’S CHIEF OF STAFF COMMITTED TREASON!

Here is a Booman Tribune diary on the topic.

Please read this and start up your letters to Congress and to the media demanding that:

1. I. Lewis Libby, Dick Cheney’s chief of staff, be fired, arrested and tried for treason

2. An independent investigation is initiated investigating Dick Cheney’s role in this treason

3. Bob Novak be fired and arrested and tried for treason


Bill Clinton was vilified and impeached by the Republicans because he lied about getting sex. But if Libby, Novak and maybe Dick Cheney commit treason, it’s okay? What is becoming of America???

Write your Senator and Rep demanding an investigation

And write the media!

Progressive Democrat Issue 46: GETTING LOCAL AROUND THE NATION

This is how our coalition will be built: through out local action. Our success depends on you and your activism. 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.


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.


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).


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.