Progressive Democrat Issue 53: THOUGHTS

Last year I wrote a special note regarding Thanksgiving. I want to continue and extend that tradition. First off, it has to be admitted that Thanksgiving is an ambiguous holiday when viewed objectively. As I noted last year, I’ve always liked Thanksgiving because it is such a food-oriented holiday. But there is more to Thanksgiving than just stuffing yourself to the gills until your pants burst.

Thanksgiving, like Columbus Day, has two basic messages. The first, and most commonly recognized, meaning is a celebration of key events that led to our nation’s founding. We celebrate those who made our life today possible. Many of us have particular reason to celebrate these holidays because without the founding of the United States, our families would not exist. I come from a family whose roots go back to Jewish communities in Germany and Lativia. We came to the United States early in the 1900’s, escaping one of many waves of anti-Jewish attacks in Europe. We came to the US and succeeded. Those of my family who remained in Germany or Latvia would almost certainly not have survived World War II. German and Latvian Jews were largely exterminated in the Holocaust. So in a very real way, I owe my life to the events celebrated (in almost mythical form) on Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. Without these events, the United States may never have been founded and my family may have had no place to go and we would have been exterminated. These holidays represent the opportunity given many of our families to find better, safer lives apart from the Old World prejudices.

But there is another side to the events celebrated on Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. For those descended from slaves or from Native Americans, these days represent the beginning and continuation of one of the most horrible series of events in World History. The spread and elaboration of slavery and the decimation of the Native American populations were also outcomes of the events celebrated on Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. These holidays represent BOTH the opportunities offered many of our families to survive and better our conditions, AND the horrors of slavery and genocide. We cannot deny either side of these holidays. Both sides are factual and are important.

It is right and proper for any nation to celebrate its foundation myths, and it is particularly appropriate to celebrate the opportunities offered to us by America at its best. But I also want to acknowledge what was lost when our American culture was founded and spread. In this light I simply want to point people’s attention to a few ways to help the surviving Native Americans should you find that this makes your Thanksgiving even more special. I will mention the American Indian College Fund, which provides scholarships to American Indian students and helps Tribal Colleges. Education is part of the secret of my family’s success. Can we give the same kind of opportunity to those whose homes and rights were lost when this nation was founded? If you think we can, please donate to the American Indian College Fund.

I want to also mention the Native Energy Wind Farm project, which addresses alternative energy and Native American economies at the same time. They help build wind power generation projects in areas ideal for wind power and in many cases these projects are Native American-owned and operated. This project is a way to energy independence for America, to create new jobs right here in America (rather than in Saudi Arabia) and to create a solid economy in the Native American nations that co-exist within the borders of the United States.

Finally, I want to emphasize political rights for Native Americans. Education, economy and political power are what Native Americans need to survive. I cover education and economy above (as I did a year ago). For political power I want to introduce you to a brand new project started to help Native Americans who run for office as Democrats. This project is the Indigenous Democratic Network. From their website:

The Indigenous Democratic Network is the only grassroots political organization devoted to recruiting and electing Native American candidates and mobilizing the Indian Vote throughout America on behalf of those candidates. We are dedicated to making a unified Indian voice heard at the local, state and national levels by helping Indians build and run effective campaign organizations and to win elected offices across America.

In order to do so, we will be supporting a select group of Indian candidates for state and local offices across this land in 2006. This will be the first step in training a new generation of Indian leaders at the national level. The Indigenous Democratic Network identifies Democratic Indian candidates running for state and local office and recommends them to our members. INDN’s List will also keep members informed of political events and news headlines via, newsletters, e-mail alerts, direct mail, and our website.

In addition, as a member you will receive invitations to meet with other members, candidates and office-holders across the country. Your membership is what you make it. See “How to Help.”

Helping the Indigenous Democratic Network helps both the political power of Native Americans, AND helps the Democratic Party. Here is their website.

So if you want to celebrate our founding myths AND want to show your appreciation for the cultures we replaced/absorbed, donations to these groups may be a good addition to your Thanksgiving traditions. I urge you to give a little bit to one of these groups this year and every year from now on at Thanksgiving. That way your Thanksgiving celebration can celebrate BOTH the founding of the nation that has given most of us new opportunities AND the cultures that were hurt most by that process.

Progressive Democrat Issue 53: ONE MORE RACE FOR 2005!!

This is, in essence, your last chance to win one more race in 2005 and to help Dems pick up a House seat:

There is one race pending that is very important. Remember Ohio’s special election in the 2nd district where Democrat Paul Hackett nearly won in one of the redder districts in Ohio? We have a similar race in a red district in California. Dissatisfaction over Bush’s policies, Arnold’s failures and corruption of Republican Congressman Cunningham from a nearby district has made the Republicans vulnerable in the normally red CA-48 congressional district. Add to this the fact that a really excellent Democrat is running and you have a rare pickup opportunity. Let me tell you about California politics. There are parts of California, like San Diego and Orange Counties, that are about as conservative as you can get. There used to be a Congressman from Orange County named Bob Dornan who makes Bush, Reagan and Cheney look like liberals. Dornan had a “safe” seat during the Reagan era. He rode Reagan’s popularity and the inherent conservative feeling in the district to easy victories. Until dissatisfaction over Republican policies, Clinton’s popularity and changing demographics led to a surprise victory of Democrat Loretta Sanchez over Dornan. Dornan, to his complete horror, lost his safe seat. It has now become a safe seat for Sanchez. Yes, we CAN pick up seats in red districts and hold them if we put our minds to it.

Well, nearby is CA-48, our latest chance. Steve Young is running in CA-48 against a far right-wing Republican and his grassroots campaign has been doing amazingly well. But it is still a difficult race and needs volunteers and donations. We can win this one, but we have to try VERY hard! Please visit Steve Young’s website and volunteer or donate.

Progressive Democrat Issue 53: MEDIA ACTIVISM

last week we targeted Bill O’Reilly, and it is very likely we will return to him and his sponsors. But here is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard from a media executive and it deserves our comment.

From FAIR:

Appearing at a recent media conference, NBC president Bob Wright offered a novel rationale for the exclusion of liberal voices on cable news: Liberals don't watch TV.

During an interview with conservative MSNBC host Tucker Carlson, Wright responded to Carlson's question about offering a left-leaning channel by saying that progressives "don't listen to a lot of radio and they don't watch a lot of television" (Broadcasting & Cable, 11/13/05).

It is ironic that Wright would say this to Carlson; if there's one thing many viewers don't seem to want to watch, it is Tucker Carlson's MSNBC show. In its first weeks on the air, Carlson's show was averaging about 200,000 viewers (Washington Post, 7/30/05). Even with the addition of a tabloid-oriented show hosted by Rita Cosby, the channel's prime-time audience in August was about 325,000 viewers (New York Times, 8/29/05). So if ratings are really what matter, one could argue that MSNBC's strategy of veering right--with shows hosted by Carlson and former Republican congressmember Joe Scarborough--has clearly been a failure.

But recent history suggests that MSNBC makes programming decisions based more on politics than audience share. That was why Phil Donahue's MSNBC show was cancelled, even though it was the channel's highest-rated program at the time, averaging over 400,000 viewers when it was cancelled (New York Times, 2/26/03).

Internal MSNBC memos revealed that network management was worried that Donahue would be a "difficult public face for NBC in a time of war," because Donahue "seems to delight in presenting guests who are anti-war, anti-Bush and skeptical of the administration's motives" (FAIR Action Alert, 3/7/03).

The relative success of the Donahue show would seem to disprove Wright's claim that liberals don't watch TV, or that viewers aren't interested in hearing left-of-center views. It appears that it's NBC's corporate managers, and not viewers, who aren't interested in such perspectives.

ACTION: Contact NBC chairman Bob Wright and let him know whether or not you watch TV, and if you would watch a cable show hosted by a progressive.

CONTACT:
Bob Wright
NBC Chairman
bob.wright@nbc.com
Phone: (212) 664-4444


Please write Bob Wright and tell him that you consider it bad management on the part of an executive to actively alienate customers. Tell him that now that you have heard his attitude you certainly don’t plan on watching NBC. You can also contact MSNBC through this link.

And contact investor relations at shop NBC to tell them about your intention to boycott all things NBC thanks to Bob Wright’s stupid comments.

Progressive Democrat Issue 53: PROTECT SCIENCE, FIGHT REPUBLICAN CORRUPTION AND GIVE VOICE TO OUR VETS

I want to return to this one from a few weeks ago. Simply put, Joe Barton, for MANY reasons (outlined below) has to be our main target for 2006. And 2006 is now right around the corner. Please make an effort for winning against Joe Barton in 2006:

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 also 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 (http://www.actblue.com/list/TheKatrina11 ). 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 and this article for Barton’s Westar scandal as well as other aspects of his disgusting corruption.

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 before:

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 53: NYC ACTION AGAINST WAL-MART

Join the Bipartisan Opposition to Wal-Mart in NYC

This is taken from a Daily Gotham diary I wrote.

Wal-Mart has twice been blocked from building a store in NYC--first, I think, in Queens, then in Brooklyn. It's Brooklyn that they REALLY want, but opposition has led them to consider Staten Island as an alternative. I had considered this as something of a victory already since Staten Island would be less than ideal from Wal-Mart's point of view but would be a more logical place from a New Yorker's point of view since there is room to build. Of course the goal is to block Wal-Mart altogether, but "exile" to Staten Island would be a partial victory. I also assumed that there would be far less objection on conservative Staten Island to building a Wal-Mart.
Turns out, Wal-Mart may well be running into trouble even on Staten Island. But Wal-Mart is also starting a massive campaign of bribing...I mean contributing to...politicians, running ads and even writing letters to the editor to try and soften the opposition throughout NYC so that they can build at least in SI, and maybe even make another try in Brooklyn. We need to counter this if we want to keep Wal-Mart out.

First of all, why keep them out in the first place? Simply put, Wal-Mart is one of the worst examples of what can go wrong with capitalism. Their rival, Costco, is an example of what can go RIGHT with capitalism, but Wal-Mart represents the ultimate in worker exploitation, anti-union, anti-small business, etc. capitalism. You can find the facts on Wal-Mart from Stop Wal-Mart.org.

So what is going on now in NYC? What is going on is not only the usual pro-union and anti-sweatshop opposition to Wal-Mart, but also what is seen as a "conservative" opposition to Wal-Mart. This opposition focuses on the tendency of Wal-Mart to suffocate small businesses, though I would argue that this is in no way a “conservative” value since many liberals are very much pro-small business.
In the Nov 14th issue of Crain’s there was an article covering the bipartisan opposition to Wal-Mart in NYC. I do not know if it is online so I can’t provide a link (a friend showed this to me). Here is an excerpt:

HOPES RECEDING FOR WAL-MART ON S.I.
Elected Officials line up against store

Political opposition is dimming Wal-Mart's chances of opening a store on Staten Island, despite an ad campaign to enhance the retailer's image.

All 3 City Councilmen in the borough now oppose Wal-Mart. Republican James Oddo and Democrat Michael McMahon have philosophical objections, notably that Wal-Mart counsels its lesser-paid employees to apply for public assistance. Andrew Lanza, a Republican, though initially supportive of the store in concept, believes a store suggested for his district would worsen traffic and reduce quality of life.

This article prompted a letter to the editor of Crain’s in support of Wal-Mart…but note who it is from:

STATEN ISLAND NEEDS A WAL MART

Staten Islanders love to shop! And contrary to Crain's Nov 14th story (sorry I didn't see last weeks edition) Wal Mart is one of their favorite shopping destinations.
How do we know that? Consider the facts revealed in a poll released earlier this year:

1, 62% of Staten Island residents say they would welcome a Wal Mart store.
2. More than71% of Staten Island residents are likely to shop at New York City Wal Mart stores.
3. 69& have already shopped at a Wal Mart store in other markets.
4. 71% travel outside of the city to shop and Wal Mart is their number 1 destination.
Finally, recent studies by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation point out that residents are dissatisfied with local shopping opportunities and often leave the borough in search of other retailers, including Wal Mart.

Mia Masten
Director, Corporate Affairs (Eastern Region)
Wal Mart Stores Inc

Clearly Wal-Mart is still trying to line up support! But it seems to me that if the opposition is this broad—from me to the Staten Island Republican Council members—Wal-Mart’s efforts may just be doomed! But that is really up to us. WE have to show OUR opposition quite clearly. Whatever your reasons—labor issues, women’s rights issues, small business issues, traffic issues, sweatshop issues, etc.—if you oppose Wal-Mart, you have to write your local media and city councilmembers. Remember, Wal-Mart has its eyes on ALL of NYC (or, at least so far, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island). So wherever you live you need to speak out. Write your local media and write your local politicians.

We have the power to just say NO to Wal-Mart and YES to worker’s rights, comfortable neighborhoods and our local small businesses.

Progressive Democrat Issue 53: 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.

Democracy for NYC Research & Advocacy Group Meeting: Wed, 11/30/2005 - 7:00pm, Where: Cosi, downstairs
2160 Broadway at 76th St.
Join us for an exciting new initiative the DFNYC Research & Advocacy group and work on your issue.

The Research & Advocacy group or R&A provides you with an opportunity to on the issue or project you are most passionate about and develop an advocacy plan for other DFNYC members.

Some possible issues and project are: How City Government Works; Potential Reforms to the NY State Legislature; or National Health Insurance. Advocacy plans for these issues could include: a forum or panel discussion; flyering in a representative’s district; writing to our representatives; or joining another organization’s advocacy plan.

Each R&A member will focus on a specific issue and gather the information necessary to form an advocacy plan. The members will form teams around similar issues. The teams will help each member revise their ideas and hone in on an advocacy plan. The entire R&A group will work to empower the DFNYC membership and make us more informed and effective advocates.


BROOKLYN EVENTS:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE! WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 7PM
Park Slope/Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Heights Coffee Lounge, 335 Flatbush Ave (btwn. Park Place and Prospect), with host Wole Parks

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Royal Oak, 594 Union Avenue (@ North 11th)host Ben Morrison

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


MARJORIE'S OZZIE’S MEETUP: Next meetup in November. 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

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

Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) (mostly covers Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Kensington. http://www.cbidems.org/


Lambda Independent Democrats (Brooklyn’s gay and lesbian organization) for meeting info contact LID@LIDBrooklyn.org.

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

Park Slope: First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward, Commonwealth, 497 5th Ave (at 12th Street). Hosted by Emily Farris and Peter Wohlsen, parkslope (at) drinkingliberally.org

Williamsburg: Every Tuesday, 8:00 pm onward the Levee, 212 Berry St. (corner of N. 3rd). Hosted by Elana Levin and Michael Freedman-Schnapp, williamsburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

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

QUEENS:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE! WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 7PM

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

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 53: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

Cindy Sheehan to speak at Coliseum Books: Wed, 11/30/2005 - 6:30pm. Cindy Sheehan will speak at Coliseum Books, and will sign copies of her new book: Not One More Mother's Child.

Cindy Sheehan lost her son, Army Specialist Casey Austin Sheehan, in an ambush in Sadr City, Baghdad, on April 4, 2004. As information became available that the war in Iraq was based on lies and "cooked intelligence," she began speaking out and testifying in the halls of Congress. In August 2005, she went to Crawford, Texas, to confront President Bush, and the floodgates of a renewed American peace movement were opened. Cindy Sheehan is a moving writer and vibrant storyteller. In Not One More Mother's Child, she chronicles her thoughts and actions, reflections on war and peace, truth and accountability, sharing for the first time in book form the story of her journey from grieving mom to effective activist. With a Foreword by Congressman John Conyers, Jr.


Democracy for NYC Research & Advocacy Group Meeting: Wed, 11/30/2005 - 7:00pm, Where: Cosi, downstairs 2160 Broadway at 76th St.

Join us for an exciting new initiative the DFNYC Research & Advocacy group and work on your issue.

The Research & Advocacy group or R&A provides you with an opportunity to on the issue or project you are most passionate about and develop an advocacy plan for other DFNYC members.

Some possible issues and project are: How City Government Works; Potential Reforms to the NY State Legislature; or National Health Insurance. Advocacy plans for these issues could include: a forum or panel discussion; flyering in a representative’s district; writing to our representatives; or joining another organization’s advocacy plan.

Each R&A member will focus on a specific issue and gather the information necessary to form an advocacy plan. The members will form teams around similar issues. The teams will help each member revise their ideas and hone in on an advocacy plan. The entire R&A group will work to empower the DFNYC membership and make us more informed and effective advocates.


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!

Upper West Side, 420 Bar and Lounge, 420 Amsterdam Avenue @ 80th, with host Merle McEldowney

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

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

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



New Democratic Majority General Meeting:
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 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 53: NEW JERSEY ACTION AGAINST WAL-MART

New York City has had Wal-Mart on the run for a couple of years now. We blocked them in Queens. Then we blocked them in Brooklyn. Now we are well on the way to blocking them in Staten Island. You can read about our efforts in a Daily Gotham diary I wrote.

I am asking New Jersey to join in our fight against one of the worst examples of what can go wrong with capitalism this side of Halliburton.

Why keep Wal-Mart out in the first place? You can find the facts on Wal-Mart from Stop Wal-Mart.org.

And if after reading about their abuses you agree that we need to fight them, then the next step is to join in one of several screenings of a tell-all movie exposing Wal-Mart’s dark underbelly.

Walmart-The high cost of Low Price- Movie screenings:


Sunday, Nov. 13 - 4pm - Lincroft Unitarian Universalist Congregation Social Action Committee - 1475 W. Front St., Lincroft, NJ 07738, contact derheld@verizon.net

Sunday, Nov. 13 and Monday, Nov. 14 - 7pm -Princeton Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 50 Cherry Hill Rd. (corner of Rt. 206 and Cherry Hill Rd., Princeton)

Tuesday, Nov. 15 - 7pm - Rutgers Labor Education Center, 50 Labor Center Way, New Brunswick, 08901

Wednesday, Nov. 16 - 12 Noon, State Museum Auditorium, 205 W. State Street, Trenton
pmlocal1360@aol.com, 1 888 YES-1360,ext 314

Wednesday, Nov. 16 - 5:00pm - UFCW Local 56, 5 Executive Campus, Suite 20l,(off Rt. 70), Cherry Hill, NJ - datzert@comcast.net 856 663-5636

Wednesday, Nov. 16 - 6:30pm - Berkeley Branch of Ocean Co. Library 30 Station Rd., Bayville, NJ 08721, www.dfalink.com/oceancounty

Wednesday, Nov. 16 - 7pm - UFCW Local 1360 Hall, 400 Commerce Lane, W. Berlin, NJ
pmlocal1360@aol.com, 1 888 YES-1360, ext 314

Wednesday, Nov. 16 - 7pm - Progressive Student Alliance, The College of NJ Science Complex, P-101, Ewing, NJ psa@tcnj.edu

Wednesday, Nov. 16 - 7:30pm - Stelton Community Center, 328 Plainfield Ave., Edison,
NJ, 08817, lucye_88@yahoo.com

Monday, Nov. 28 - 7:00pm - Trayes Hall, Douglas College Center 100 George St, Rutgers University, New Brunswick 08901
contact: ruculturejam@gmail.com

Wednesday, Nov. 30 - 6:30pm - Brick Branch of Ocean Co. Library, 301Chambers Bridge Rd. Brick, NJ 08724, carolgay747@aol.com
Go to http://www.dfalink.com/oceancounty to reserve a seat.

Friday, Dec. 2 - 7:30pm - First Unitied Methodist of Westfield 1E. Broad St, Westfield, NJ 07090 contact: Diane Berry - 908-233-7344 Refreshments and discussion to follow

And check out Stop Wal-Mart NJ to find out what is going on in your community.

Progressive Democrat Issue 53: 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.

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:

New Brunswick, 1st/3rd Tuesday each month, 7:00 PM @ Doll's Place, 101 Paterson St. New Brunswick, NJ

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 53: VIRGINIA ACTION AGAINST WAL-MART

New York City has had Wal-Mart on the run for a couple of years now. We blocked them in Queens. Then we blocked them in Brooklyn. Now we are well on the way to blocking them in Staten Island. You can read about our efforts in a Daily Gotham diary I wrote.

I am asking Virginia to join in our fight against one of the worst examples of what can go wrong with capitalism this side of Halliburton.

Why keep Wal-Mart out in the first place? You can find the facts on Wal-Mart from Stop Wal-Mart.org.

And if you live in any of the following areas, you can go to a screening of the new movie revealing Wal_Mart’s dark underbelly:

Blacksburg, VA. November 28, 2005 07:00 PM

Falls Church, VA December 08, 2005 07:00 PM

Fredericksburg, VA. November 30, 2005 09:00 PM

Richmond, VA December 04, 2005 01:00 PM

But there is also a “new,” more “conservative” argument against Wal-Mart. This opposition focuses on the tendency of Wal-Mart to suffocate small businesses, though I would argue that this is in no way a “conservative” value since most liberals are very much pro-small business.

WE have to show OUR opposition to Wal-Mart quite clearly. There are good alternatives (like Costco) that DON’T mistreat their workers and break labor laws. Whatever your reasons—labor issues, women’s rights issues, small business issues, traffic issues, sweatshop issues, etc.—if you oppose Wal-Mart, you have to write your local media and city councilmembers. Write your local media, and your local politicians.

We have the power to just say NO to Wal-Mart and YES to worker’s rights, comfortable neighborhoods and our local small businesses.

Progressive Democrat Issue 53: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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

Fredericksburg Regional Democratic Breakfast: 12/3/2005 09:30 AM, Brush Strokes Gallery, 198 Hanover Street, Fredericksburg. Come join Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Fredericksburg Democrats for light breakfast and hearty political conversation. Bring a chair, and a friend!

Wednesday, November 30th, 7–9 PM , “News from the front: Creationist efforts in our schools and legislatures”, Featuring EUGENIE SCOTT, Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education. Event is at OAKTON HIGH SCHOOL, 2900 SUTTON ROAD, VIENNA, VA 22181 {The Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro Stop on the Orange Line} info@themessagegroup.org

Saturday, December 3rd, International Day of Action to Stop Global Warming has been picking up in North America! An exciting coalition has come together in Montreal to organize a major action there on the 3rd, and local actions will be happening in other parts of Canada. Activists in a dozen countries in Europe and Asia are organizing toward December 3rd. In the USA 44 organizations so far have endorsed our Call to Action. We are also ramping up our efforts to obtain many tens of thousands more signatures on the Peoples Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol petition www.kyotoandbeyond.org , which will be taken to Montreal and delivered there to the U.S. delegation by a group of prominent personalities. Further information on the U.S. campaign can be found at www.climatecrisis.us to communicate with the campaign's coordinator or for Stop Global Warming buttons, stickers and posters, contact Ted Glick at usajointheworld@igc.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 53: NATIONAL ACTION AGAINST WAL-MART

New York City has had Wal-Mart on the run for a couple of years now. We blocked them in Queens. Then we blocked them in Brooklyn. Now we are well on the way to blocking them in Staten Island. You can read about our efforts in a Daily Gotham diary I wrote.

I am asking everyone to join in our fight against one of the worst examples of what can go wrong with capitalism this side of Halliburton. Why keep Wal-Mart out in the first place? You can find the facts on Wal-Mart from Stop Wal-Mart.org.

And if want to go to a screening of a new movie revealing Wal_Mart’s dark underbelly, please go to this website and see if there is a screening near you.

But there is also a “new,” more “conservative” argument against Wal-Mart. This opposition focuses on the tendency of Wal-Mart to suffocate small businesses, though I would argue that this is in no way a “conservative” value since most liberals are very much pro-small business.

WE have to show OUR opposition to Wal-Mart quite clearly. There are good alternatives (like Costco) that DON’T mistreat their workers and break labor laws. Whatever your reasons—labor issues, women’s rights issues, small business issues, traffic issues, sweatshop issues, etc.—if you oppose Wal-Mart, you have to write your local media and city councilmembers. Write your local media, and your local politicians.

We have the power to just say NO to Wal-Mart and YES to worker’s rights, comfortable neighborhoods and our local small businesses.

Progressive Democrat Issue 53: 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.