Progressive Democrat Issue 47: THOUGHTS

On Daily Kos someone was asking about what the progressive vision for America is. I also had an email discussion (through a reader) with a Green organizer. That discussion focused on coalition building and the obstacles to a leftist coalition. I feel the left too quickly Balkanizes itself, offering coalition but, in essence, requiring 100% agreement before one group will even consider talking to another group. Compromise has become a dirty word on the left. Now, excessive compromise is not good. But compromise is necessary in any coalition and the left is too unwilling to compromise these days.

But to compromise we need some common ground. A “vision thing.” What is our vision? Each person would have his/her own answer. But, here is a stab at an answer. What are progressive values? I propose these are our values, as a first approximation, and these are also our rallying points and our common ground:

1. Civil Liberties...and we may have to open this up to gun rights in some places. When in doubt, I favor the stronger Civil Liberties stand.

2. A safe living and working environment. To me this extends to global environmentalism, but it doesn't for everyone.

3. A Fair Deal: fair wages, fair voting, fair justice...

4. Equal Opportunity regardless of race, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Education would be a BIG component to this.

5. People focused: profits are fine but not at the expense of people's lives, health or the other elements of this progressive agenda.

6. Anti-corruption/anti-cronyism: the kind of cronyism, putting party loyalty and corporate/personal favoritism before qualifications that the Republicans and, to a lesser degree, Democrats are doing is unacceptable to progressives. We demand that someone in government should be qualified and capable, not just rich and well-connected.

And, I think, that covers most of it. I could come up with more categories and with more detail. But to do so would probably compromise the inclusiveness of my proposed values. My intention is to create a list that most of us can start from—Green, Democrat, leftist, moderate…even some conservatives. Sometimes vagueness can aid in compromise.

Progressive Democrat Issue 47: PROTECT SCIENCE, FIGHT REPUBLICAN CORRUPTION AND GIVE VOICE TO OUR VETS

I want to continue to focus on this. I really think this 2006 Congressional race is one that we REALLY need to go for. Joe Barton is such scum and his opponent is potentially such a good asset to the Democratic Party, we’ve GOT TO focus on this. The sooner we start, the better our chances of taking down the sick, corrupt scum, Joe Barton. So, to repeat from last week:

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 47: MEDIA ACTION

I was reminded in a dKos diary that one of the most important issues for progressives is a return to the Fairness Doctrine. To quote from this diary:

There is only one important issue right now.

This is the reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine. It was nuked by Ronald Reagan and it's responsible for the mess we're in now.

Have you watched TV or listened to the radio lately? There is no moderate voice; there is no leftist voice. There is only the right and the marginalization of anything and everything that is in opposition.

Remember when you could watch the news and there was a delineated "Editorial Section" where "opposing views are invited to speak?" What happened to that? That's what the Fairness Doctrine provided. If you disagree with the crap opinions you hear, you had a right to petition to have an equal voice in the media.

This voice is gone now.

Until the right to appear in the media and oppose the status quo is reinstated, it doesn't matter if Bush is caught in bed with Saddam's gay lover, it will be ignored.
This is an essential right that was taken away in 1987 and it heralded the birth of "right wing talk radio". However, if we launched the right campaign, we could get a majority of people to rally to reinstate this. YOUR VOICE SHOULD BE HEARD. It won't be heard until we reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.

Without the Fairness Doctrine, the media is dominated by the wealthy, who tend to be Republicans. So the information that most Americans hear are what the wealthy, mostly Republican, owners of media companies WANT them to hear. That means, for example, that in NYC all people hear is how wonderful Bloomberg is and how bad Ferrer is, meaning that the mayoral election is almost one sided, if the media is to be believed. The truth is different. Ferrer is better than the media portrays and Bloomberg is FAR worse than the media portrays.

We HAVE to work to re-establish the Fairness Doctrine. This and fighting against expensive, unreliable, unverifiable eVote machines are the two biggest fights we have. So, you know the routine. Write Congress and write the media. We HAVE to sound off or our voices will be silenced.

Progressive Democrat Issue 47: NYC FOCUS

It’s crunch time folks. The mayoral election is in full swing. Mike Bloomberg is the candidate solidly allied with Bush. He has donated $7 million to the Republican Party. That donation goes to support George Bush, Tom DeLay, Joe Barton and the whole corrupt crew. That donation goes to support torture, restrict human rights and make big bucks for Halliburton and Bechtel. That is the crowd Bloomberg hangs with. Not with you and me. In fact, he is so above us, he refused even to debate with Freddy Ferrer in Harlem.

Who does Freddy Ferrer hang with? Well, I for one was walking with him in Union Square and in Park Slope, Brooklyn. At Union Square I saw Howard Dean stand up and in no uncertain terms support Freddy Ferrer for mayor.

This is what Howard Dean has said about the NYC mayoral election:

"Our Democratic values are what make this country great, and right here in New York City is where we take our stand--Freddy Ferrer is the leader we need to take that first step in returning those values to New York City and beyond." --Democratic Party Chairman, Gov. Howard Dean

Ferrer also stood with Letitia James and Major Owens and Chris Owens in Brooklyn when Working Families Party endorsed Ferrer. Here is what WFP has to say in a recent email:

We [WFP] don't often ask our network of supporters to donate directly to a candidate. Usually, we want your money invested in the WFP directly, as that pays longer-term dividends in terms of building our capacity.

Not this time. This time, we urge you to directly back the WFP-endorsed candidate for Mayor, Fernando Ferrer. He needs and deserves your support.

The incumbent Mayor is spending what can only be described as an obscene amount of money. He could just about give every voter another $400 property tax rebate for the amount of cash he is putting into his re-election.

This is called buying an election. It mocks the democratic process. Elections should be about ideas and values and the ability to articulate a vision...

The key thing right now is to increase the number of medium and small donors to Ferrer. He gets matching funds from the city at the rate of 6-1, and even though he'll never have Bloomberg-style dough, he can get enough to get his message out.
We know the incumbent mayor has a bottomless checkbook, and you don't. But PLEASE - open it and send $50 or $100 or $250 to the Ferrer campaign.

Doing so sends a message that the electoral process is not for sale.

Progressive organizations New Democratic Majority (about 60% of membership for Ferrer) and Demcracy for NYC (about 80% of membership for Ferrer) have endorsed Ferrer. The Brooklyn reform clubs, Independent Neighborhood Democrats (IND) and Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats have come out for Ferrer. These groups are actively helping Ferrer. Freddy's Brooklyn field staff is staging out of the IND
clubhouse at 489 Court St. in Brooklyn. Pierre, the coordinator for
downtown Brooklyn plans to deploy people from IND clubhouse from 11:00
AM-2:00 PM on Sat. and 12:00-3:00 PM on Sun. Show up and help out!

Martha is coordinating DFNYC Ferrer volunteers and she
can be reached at mkenton ( at) dfnyc.org. She's one of us who is
making sure that our volunteers actually get utilized by the campaign.
Clearly she has been more effective than I have at getting the Ferrer
campaign calling her back! Going this route also helps DFNYC. If we
send MANY volunteers through this route, DFNYC will be known to be an
effective organization.

The NYC weblog onNYturf has compiled a partial list of local Ferrer campaign offices. Enter your address and find your closest office and give them a few hours of your time.

Show the nation that the word of Howard Dean and of progressive organizations translates to real volunteer hours from people like you. Show them that the Democrats are back and we are planning on taking back our nation.

Progressive Democrat Issue 47: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

See Governor Howard Dean at Ferrer Event –Mon., Oct. 24, 6:30-8:30pm
1359 First Ave. @ 73rd Street

Join the Ferrer campaign in welcoming GOVERNOR HOWARD DEAN for a special event in honor of Fernando Ferrer, Democrat for New York City Mayor. Contribution: $50, $100, $250. To RSVP, please call Andrea Leung at (646)839-4918 or email ALeung@ferrer2005.com.


DFNYC October Mixer with Freddy Ferrer and Jim Dean –Oct. 25, 7pm-10pm
1363 First Avenue, between 73rd and 74th with special guests Fernando Ferrer, Democratic candidate for Mayor, and Jim Dean, Chair, Democracy for America

State Senator Eric Schneiderman, State Assemblyman Scott Stringer, and Councilman Bill Perkins invite you to the Democracy for NYC Monthly Mixer as we mix and mingle to support Fernando Ferrer for NYC Mayor. RSVP at: http://www.dfnyc.org/cms/node/87212

Admission: $5 per person. Admission price benefits Democracy for NYC. It's a good cause, so bring a friend. Cash bar and food served all night.


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!

Volunteer with DFA and the Ferrer Campaign –Weekends through Nov. 8

Volunteer with the Ferrer campaign on the weekends. Find the office nearest you at: http://www.dfnyc.org/cms/node/87267 and get in touch with the contact person. You can help with phone banking, visibility blitzes and literature drops.

If you are going to volunteer, please contact DFNYCer Martha Kenton at mkenton@dfnyc.org or 917-517-3299. She is keeping track of the DFNYC Ferrer volunteers. Remember to tell them that DFNYC sent you and show your grassroots pride.


New Democratic Majority General Meeting:
NDM's monthly general meeting, location TBA. We'll be discussing the outcome of the 2005 election, the 2006 electoral strategy in some depth, and will be talking about political activism in the next twelve months. Please stay tuned for details.

Time: Monday, November 14, 2005 - 7:30pm
Length: 2:00 hrs


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 47: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

See Governor Howard Dean at Ferrer Event –Mon., Oct. 24, 6:30-8:30pm
1359 First Ave. @ 73rd Street

Join the Ferrer campaign in welcoming GOVERNOR HOWARD DEAN for a special event in honor of Fernando Ferrer, Democrat for New York City Mayor. Contribution: $50, $100, $250. To RSVP, please call Andrea Leung at (646)839-4918 or email ALeung@ferrer2005.com.


DFNYC October Mixer with Freddy Ferrer and Jim Dean –Oct. 25, 7pm-10pm
1363 First Avenue, between 73rd and 74th with special guests Fernando Ferrer, Democratic candidate for Mayor, and Jim Dean, Chair, Democracy for America

State Senator Eric Schneiderman, State Assemblyman Scott Stringer, and Councilman Bill Perkins invite you to the Democracy for NYC Monthly Mixer as we mix and mingle to support Fernando Ferrer for NYC Mayor. RSVP at: http://www.dfnyc.org/cms/node/87212

Admission: $5 per person. Admission price benefits Democracy for NYC. It's a good cause, so bring a friend. Cash bar and food served all night.


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!

Volunteer with DFA and the Ferrer Campaign –Weekends through Nov. 8

Volunteer with the Ferrer campaign on the weekends. Find the office nearest you at: http://www.dfnyc.org/cms/node/87267 and get in touch with the contact person. You can help with phone banking, visibility blitzes and literature drops.

If you are going to volunteer, please contact DFNYCer Martha Kenton at mkenton@dfnyc.org or 917-517-3299. She is keeping track of the DFNYC Ferrer volunteers. Remember to tell them that DFNYC sent you and show your grassroots pride.


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!

Volunteer with DFA and the Ferrer Campaign –Weekends through Nov. 8

Volunteer with the Ferrer campaign on the weekends. Find the office nearest you at: http://www.dfnyc.org/cms/node/87267 and get in touch with the contact person. You can help with phone banking, visibility blitzes and literature drops.

If you are going to volunteer, please contact DFNYCer Martha Kenton at mkenton@dfnyc.org or 917-517-3299. She is keeping track of the DFNYC Ferrer volunteers. Remember to tell them that DFNYC sent you and show your grassroots pride.


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 47: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

Polls have been showing the Governor’s race tightening up. That isn’t good. Corzine is still ahead. If I were a betting man, my money would still be on Corzine. But we don’t want to squeak by. We want Corzine to CREAM that Karl Rove-loving Forester. We want Corzine’s win to be so big, he has a coattail effect throughout the state, bringing more Democrats into office.

It is crunch time and Corzine’s victory depends on you.

Contact the Corzine campaign and volunteer.

Find or plan an event in your area supporting Corzine.

Build the grassroots in your community, helping Corzine and other candidates in your area.

And please write the media expressing your support for Corzine and your disgust with the corruption and lies of the Republican Party.

Progressive Democrat Issue 47: 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 47: VIRGINIA FOCUS

Volunteerism is what will retake our nation. And Democracy for Virginia is the best of the best when it comes to grassroots. It is crunch time for the 2005 elections and the polls are close. Your volunteerism will make the difference.

I urge you to check out the Democracy for Virginia endorsed candidates and help them out. Contact these campaigns and give them 2 or 3 hours of your time.

Without you, money will determine the election. And you know who has the money.

Progressive Democrat Issue 47: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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

KAINE FOR GOVERNOR EVENTS:
Monday 10/17, 8:45am, Leesburg Meet and Greet with Tim and Governor Warner
http://www.kaine2005.net/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=5602

Monday 10/17, 11:45am, Woodbridge Meet and Greet with Tim and Governor Warner
http://www.kaine2005.net/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=5603

Wednesday 10/19, 5:30pm, Richmond, Dash for the Finish Line with Tim
https://secure.kaine2005.net/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=964

Thursday 10/20, 9:45am, Bristol Meet and Greet with Tim and Governor Warner
http://www.kaine2005.net/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=5604

Thursday 10/20, 12pm, Galax Meet and Greet with Tim and Governor Warner
http://www.kaine2005.net/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=5605

Thursday 10/20, 2:30pm, Roanoke Meet and Greet with Tim and Governor Warner
http://www.kaine2005.net/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=5606

Thursday 10/20, 5pm, Martinsville Meet and Greet with Tim and Governor Warner
http://www.kaine2005.net/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=5611

On Friday, October 21 at 4pm, President William Jefferson Clinton will be the special guest at an event for Tim in McLean. Tickets begin at $5,000 each. To RSVP, contact Jenny Nadicksbernd at 703-720-2600 or via e-mail at jenny@kaine2005.org.


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 47: NATIONAL ACTION: Stop the Cronyism

Let’s not let up on Miers. She is another example of rampant Bush cronyism and it is time for America and the Senate to stand up against Bush’s corruption. From last week:

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.

PLEASE take action.

The simplest way is through the People's Email Network: TAKE ACTION NOW TO STOP MIERS

But even better, write the media.

And write your Senators.

Progressive Democrat Issue 47: 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.