Progressive Democrat Issue 58: THOUGHTS

I'm going to keep this issue short since we all are more focused on New Year's than we are on politics. This issue will mainly be focused on a non-political project I want to introduce you to, but I also want to make a few comments on politics in 2005.

2005 was quite a year. 2005 was the year when the tide began to turn against Bush and his administration of corrupt, greedy men. The sad thing is that it took many deaths for that tide to turn.

People began to realize that so many soldiers were dying in Iraq and they cannot figure out why. Why are we in Iraq? No one really knows because Bush has changed his tune about 6 or 7 times now. Each soldier that dies makes us question yet again why we are there. And the longer we are there, the more we realize that those deaths are for nothing.

Katrina showed us on a dramatic and tragic scale what we already knew--that the Republican philosophy of drowning government leads to the death of American citizens. And, it illustrated equally dramatically and tragically, that the deaths caused by Republican destruction of government falls most heavily on the poor. It also showed that, because of the wealth discrepancies in this nation, poor all too often means minorities. Poor blacks were left to die in the wake of Katrina. Bush and Cheney showed an amazing lack of concern until it became clear to them that they were suffering in the polls because of their callousness. Funny that they didn't even realize that leaving poor blacks to die might be unpopular in the United States.

The increasing sense of failure and uselessness over Iraq and the stark failure of the Federal government in Katrina were, in my mind, the two main turning points in 2005. Looking to 2006, the Democratic Party has to be united and solidly populist and progressive to win. The Republicans have clearly failed America and, as of 2005, America has become very aware of that. Now it is time for us Democrats to plug ourselves as the competant, compassionate alternative.

Given the great successes of the Clinton Administration, that shouldn't be difficult. But our own infighting and the blatant bias of the media as well as increasing fraud in American elections endangers our chance.

Be ready to stand up for democracy and America in 2006. Be ready to fight in 2006.

In this week's issue, however, I want to turn for a moment from our fights here in the United States and I want to introduce you to a non-political project I have been focusing on in an attempt to create a grassroots movement to help East Africa. The integrated approach I am proposing is outlined below. This project has been going on for nearly a month and has received some positive attention. And some very tangible effects have already happened. If you are interested in an international, non-partisan effort, please read on.

Progressive Democrat Issue 58: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO HELPING EAST AFRICA

Awhile back there was a wonderful outpouring of support from dKos for a microlending group called Kiva, which, at the time, was connecting microlenders (that's us) with small businesses in Uganda that need small loans. People on Daily Kos basically filled all the loan requests that were up at that time.

The basic idea of Kiva is that you, as a lender, can loan as little as $25 dollars to go towards filling the credit need of a small business owner in East Africa. You get no interest on this loan, but you will get the money back within 6-12 months. Meanwhile, the business uses that money to expand and to get better training. The results can be dramatic!

Kiva came back with more businesses that needed loans, this time in villages in Kenya and Tanzania as wll as Uganda. Within a week of my starting this second push to fill Kiva's loan need all new loans were filled. Even when they added more they were filled before they could even announce them. In all, my efforts in December filled the small-scale credit needs of some 13 small businesses in East Africa.

Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania together make up a region of Africa that could be at a turning point...or really three closely related turning points: economic, environmental and political. We can help. Kiva has one great idea of how to help. But I have a whole slew of others that are complimentary to the efforts of Kiva.

My vision is this: a coordinated effort by the blogsphere that will focus on several interconnected issues with a view towards REGIONAL and COMMUNITY based development. The target area of Uganda/Kenya/Tanzania (roughly the Rift Valley/Lakes region of East Africa) is an excellent place to start because of the critical environmental issues, the presence of excellent groups like Kiva, and the fact that these nations have a chance for becoming more stable if some immediate crises can be survived.

My vision includes primarily economic, education and environmental issues and combines microlending through Kiva, purchases through Fair Trade organizations that operate in this area, and donations to particularly important organizations that focus on these issues in this region of Africa. In invite you to join me in this ambitious, difficult, and potentially historic effort.

I began with Kiva's microlending which directly connects you and a small business owner in East Africa so that you can help that business owner with a small loan. You can loan as little as $25 or you can cover the whole loan for an individual business owner in Africa. This is a loan, not a donation, and you will be repaid, though your loan receives no interest. Your only loss (barring the potential risk of the business failing, but Kiva chooses their businesses VERY carefully) will be the use of that money for interest-bearing investment. This effort is a very effective way to boost the local economy (as opposed to the export economy) of this region. Right now Kiva has no further loans open, though you can check back periodically at their website and I am watching for more. I will alert people when there is a new group of businesses in need of loans through Kiva. But, to further boost our effectiveness, we can also support Kiva's partner site the Village Enterprise Fund (VEF) which accepts donations instead of loans and helps build up an economic infrastructure for small businesses to operate within in East Africa. This includes training that many small business owners in the area have found invaluable. Direct help for these small businesses (Kiva) combined with help for the economic infrastructure (VEF) can have an enormous impact on East Africa. And you can be a part of it!

The export economy is another issue. I have tried finding some Fair Trade groups that sell products from this region of East Africa. These can help you in selecting holiday gifts this year while helping the export economy of the same region that Kiva loans are helping. Here are some suggestions:

Fair Trade Coffee from Ugaqnda. Most of us love coffee. Why not use your addiction to help out farmers in Uganda?

Fair Trade baskets from two companies in Uganda. Very beautiful looking items, if you are into baskets.

How about cool handicrafts from several companies in Kenya? All fair trade, these companies sell items like sculptures, jewelry and drums.

And there are a couple of handicrafts companies in Tanzania as well selling fair trade items.

Next I want to address the environmental issues facing East Africa. In particular, I am familiar with the efforts of the NY Wildlife Conservation Society in the Lakes Region of Africa. I have recently read frightening stories of the massive decline of African forests and lakes, threatening the freshwater supply and environment for the entirety of the continent. East Africa is one of the areas hard hit by this decline. The NY Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has three programs trying to preserve the forests, lakes and wildlife of East Africa. One program focuses on preserving the entire regional environment in Albertine Rift region of Africa, mostly centered on Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo. This is one of the most critically threatened regions of Africa's environment. Preservation of this region is critical for the economy and freshwater supply of the region, the ecotourism industry of the region, and for preservation of the world's forests as a buffer for global warming. I strongly urge a donation to the WCS Albertine Rift Program.

A second program focues on the preserving the Uganda environment in particular. Again, the local economy critically needs freshwater and ecotourism and both are critically threatened by environmental degradation. A loan to Kiva can be well complimented by a donation to preserve the Ugandan environment.

The third program focuses on preserving the entire habitat of the mountain gorilla, an effort that includes some of the East African environment that provides the watershed for the nations we are focusing on. I include this program partly because it covers some of the same environmental regions as the other two programs, but also because the preservation of the Mountain Gorilla is another of my pet projects. Most people know that Gorillas are severely endangered. Not so many know that the Moutain Gorilla is directly facing extinction right now. About 6 years ago I learned that only about 600-700 Mountain Gorillas remained. That number was practically halved in a three-year period. Since then there has been a small recovery thanks to the efforts of conservationists, but any further halving of such a small population will condemn these cousins of ours to exinction. The time to save them is now and since they live in Uganda, as well as Rwanda and the Congo, I am including this program in this diary. Please donate to save the habitat of the Mountain Gorilla while you are also preserving the watershed for much of East and Central Africa.

Finally I want to focus on family and education issues. Here is a group that was recommended to me by someone on Daily Kos. You can help sponsor the secondary school education for a child in Kenya or Tanzania, though in this case you have to send a check to the Canadian Harambee Education Society. Find out more on their website.

I want to suggest a few other organizations helping in the East Africa region, however I cannot find a way to link to the search results directly. So I will have to highlight the groups and let you do your own search on the Network for Good website. If you search their site for these groups you will be able to directly donate.

First there is the United Movement to End Child Soldiering, which tries to stop the practice of using children in armies in the Great Lakes and Uganda regions of Africa. This group not only tries to end the practice, but tries to re-integrate children who have already been used as soldiers into civilian society.

Then there is the Ugandan Children's Charity Foundation. This group provides education, food, shelter, clothing, and medical care to Ugandan AIDS-related orphans and vulnerable children and to nurture their mental, physical and emotional growth and wellbeing.

But a nation needs more than just help for its youngest children. A good advanced education system is critical for a successful nation. So I urge support for the Central Buganda University Foundation, which provides quality research and teaching to all qualified students at the lowest possible cost.

Finally, there is the Africa Rural Family Helthcare Uganda foundation. Its mission organization is to save the lives of mothers and children, relieve suffering for mothers, young adults and babies with HIV/AIDS infections, and to educate the community about health, nutrition, and disease prevention measures. They work with and train persons from the local community to organize and provide health services that meet their health and nutrition needs.

Again, this last set of suggestions requires that you do your own search on the Network for Good website and donate through there.

Thanks to all who help in this ambitious effort. Feel free to post other suggestions in the comments and, if you like, to brag about what you are doing to help create a more stable and prosperous East Africa. I have avoided political organizations, but if anyone wants to plug organizations that promote democracy in these nations, please feel free to do so.

Progressive Democrat Issue 58: SOME GOOD MEDIA

We talk a lot about what is wrong with the media these days. But I also try and publicize what is RIGHT about the media, though usually it is not mainstream media. So I have highlighted things like Media Matters, Salon.com and CurrentTV. Now I want to highlight a new show with some promise.

A friend of mine, Chris Owens, is a co-host of a brand new program (started this month) called "Inside the Congressional Black Caucus." Chris is son of Brooklyn Congressman Major Owens (one of the few who voted AGAINST the Patriot Act and AGAINST the invasion of Iraq), is running for Congress himself, and is a brother of a member of the Cosby Show cast. Below is Chris' announcement (slightly belated) of the airing of this new show. Check it out!

It is my pleasure and honor to announce the launch of "Inside The Congressional Black Caucus", a one-hour public affairs program, making its debut on the CoLoursTV network this Sunday, December 18 at 9:00 am.

ICBC will be bringing information about the 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus and their work to the American people. Yours truly [Chris Owens] is the Executive Producer of ICBC as well as one of the hosts.

The first two episodes of ICBC will feature presentations by CBC members and special guests made during the 2005 Annual Legislative Conference this past September. And, as we all would expect, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is the primary topic.  These first two episodes (aired on 12/18 and 12/25) will repeat on 1/1/06 and on 1/8/06.

ICBC is a joint production of the Black Education Network, Inc., and Coppin State University (Baltimore, MD). As many of you know, ICBC is a show some nine years in the making.

We are proud to bring you an excellent and entertaining program that will soon be a great current affairs and educational program available on different networks.

CoLoursTV is currently carried on Dish TV (Channel 9407) as well as some Comcast and Adelphia cable systems. Check the cable schedule in your area. If you cannot get CoLoursTV where you live, call your cable carrier and tell them "I want my ICBC!"

I apologize for the short notice. Your feedback on the show is encouraged (commentary@icbc.tv).

Please check out the show if you get the chance.

Progressive Democrat Issue 58: NYC FOCUS ON VOTING RIGHTS

I want to keep everyone focused on the MOST IMPORTANT issue of the decade: our voting rights. All over the nation, state-by-state and even county-by-county people are fighting to keep verifiable paper ballots and are hoping to push for non-partisan or bi-partisan election boards. Both of these are CRITICAL for keeping American elections fair and accurate. Here in NYC, one of our point people on this issue is Marjorie Gerseten. This is from her newsletter:

The largely pro-forma hearing of the State Board of Elections on new voting technology, 12/20, Tuesday, a strike day, was a pretense of listening to our suggestions about the draft legislation language weaknesses. Only when asked a hard question about their intending to pre-certify partially built machines, did they get testy and still leave open the possibility of their doing just that. Claiming that an email was misunderstood and circulated in error, and weren’t really pre-certifying phase 1, as written, seemed a cover your derriere moment to me.

However, a welcome diatribe about the HAVA process and DREs from Council member Bill Perkins ended with the kicker. He advised that next day he would be joined by Charles Barron, Randy Jackson and Hiram Monserrate to introduce a resolution urging the New York State Board of Elections to promptly certify paper ballots with precinct based/optical scan voting systems for procurement by the local Board of Elections. Also, urging the New York City Board of Elections to select a PB/OS system as the new voting technology for the City of New York Governmental Operations. However, they need citizen support to convince others. Now at the end of the 2005 session, the resolution needs to be presented again. We must show our support for PBOS to the new point person, Charles Barron, as Bill Perkins was term-limited.

Please read Bill Perkins testimony.

Read the new resolution 1301 to Government Operation Committee

And keep writing letters to your state and local representatives as well as your local media and support a resolution urging the New York State Board of Elections to promptly certify paper ballots with precinct based/optical scan voting systems for procurement by the local Board of Elections.

The vote you are saving may be your own!

Progressive Democrat Issue 58: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

PHONE BANKING AGAINST ALITO:

Phone banking: PFAW and ACT NY are both hosting phone banks, the former on Thursdays, the latter on Sundays.

Thursday, 6-9 PM, 149 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor. Call or email Tony Simone at 212-420-0440 x13 or tsimone@pfaw.org to volunteer.

Sunday, time and location TBA, with ACT NY. To learn more, please email actnewyork@gmail.com.


1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East March for Dignity & Justice: Mon, 01/16/2006 - 10:00am, Join Dennis Rivera and 1199 SEIU in a March for Dignity & Justice in support of New York's home health aides, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther Kings, Jr.'s birthday on January 16th.

The march will begin at 10 am on 110th Street and Malcome X Blvd. (Lenox Ave.) and culminate at the New York State Office Building on 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. for a rally.

Please call Laura Santucci at 212-603-37062, or email Laura.Santucci-at-1199.org to confirm your participation (replace -at- with @).


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:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE! WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 7PM

Park Slope/Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Heights Coffee Lounge, 335 Flatbush Ave (btwn. Park Place and Prospect), with host Wole Parks and Jon Stone, guest TBD

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Royal Oak, 594 Union Avenue (@ North 11th) with 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: I also recommend joining Marjorie's meetups and 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, JANUARY 4, 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 58: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

PHONE BANKING AGAINST ALITO:

Phone banking: PFAW and ACT NY are both hosting phone banks, the former on Thursdays, the latter on Sundays.

Thursday, 6-9 PM, 149 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor. Call or email Tony Simone at 212-420-0440 x13 or tsimone@pfaw.org to volunteer.

Sunday, time and location TBA, with ACT NY. To learn more, please email actnewyork@gmail.com.

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! WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 7PM

Upper West Side, 420 Bar and Lounge, 420 Amsterdam Avenue @ 80th, featuring a forum for the 67th Assembly District special election hosts Merle McEldowney and Heather Woodfield, Please arrive on time as the forum will begin promptly at 7:00.

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

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

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


1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East March for Dignity & Justice: Mon, 01/16/2006 - 10:00am, Join Dennis Rivera and 1199 SEIU in a March for Dignity & Justice in support of New York's home health aides, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther Kings, Jr.'s birthday on January 16th.

The march will begin at 10 am on 110th Street and Malcome X Blvd. (Lenox Ave.) and culminate at the New York State Office Building on 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. for a rally.

Please call Laura Santucci at 212-603-37062, or email Laura.Santucci-at-1199.org to confirm your participation (replace -at- with @).



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 58: NEW JERSEY AGAINST WALMART

Wal-Mart is one of this nation's worst companies, selling items made in sweatshops, fighting labor unions, discriminating against women, preventing workers from having lunch breaks, etc. etc. etc. There is an ongoing boycott of Wal-Mart, but there is more going on than that. There are efforts across the nation to block the construction of new Wal-Mart stores because of their anti-union practices and their pattern of crushing local small businesses.

We have to keep pressure on Wal-Mart in ALL states. Please check out the Stop Walmart NJ website to find local groups and actions to fight America's nastiest retail company. Also, don't forget to write your local papers complaining about Wal-Mart's practices of costing taxpayer's money and exploiting poor workers in the US and around the world.

Progressive Democrat Issue 58: 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 58: VIRGINIA FOCUS

From the Virginia Grassroots Coalition:

IT’S TIME TO RESTORE VOTER RIGHTS…CALL GOVERNOR MARK WARNER TODAY. There are 243,000 Virginia citizens who are unfairly denied the right to vote.

The overwhelming majority of Americans – more than 80%! – believe that people who have completed their sentences should be allowed to vote. Virginia is one of only four states – all former slave states – that still permanently disenfranchise individuals with felony convictions. Virginia disenfranchises 1 in every 6 African Americans in the Commonwealth.

It doesn’t have to be that way! The time for change is now.

Call Governor Warner today at 804-786-2211 or email him via his website.

Urge him to issue an executive order to restore voting rights to Americans in Virginia who have completed the conditions of their criminal sentences. Governor Warner’s term ends January 14, 2006. Before he leaves office, let’s make a bold, historic move for democracy. Let’s trounce a history of felony disenfranchisement laws that were intended to exclude African Americans, and still do.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Governor Mark R. Warner, Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor, 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 786-2211, Fax: (804) 371-6351

Progressive Democrat Issue 58: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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

Tuesday, January 10th, 6:30 -8:30pm. Regular VGC Monthly Meetup at Capitol City Brewing, 2700 S. Quincy St (at the corner of 28th). We’ll be in the Brewer’s Room in back. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for program details. info@vagrassroots.org

January 7th, 2006, Out of Iraq Day

January 14th – 16th Washington, D.C. Politics and Spirituality: Seeking a Public Integrity at the Hyatt Capitol Hill, FEATURING: Anne Lamott, Richard Rohr, and Jim Wallis. The Politics and Spirituality conference is sponsored by Sojourners and the Center for Action and Contemplation. Registration HERE. Contact: register@cacradicalgrace.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 58: NATIONAL ACTION FOR VOTING RIGHTS

I want to keep everyone focused on the MOST IMPORTANT issue of the decade: our voting rights. All over the nation, state-by-state and even county-by-county people are fighting to keep verifiable paper ballots and are hoping to push for non-partisan or bi-partisan election boards. Both of these are CRITICAL for keeping American elections fair and accurate. Please go to the Verified Voting website and see what is goint on in your state.

And please write letters to your state and local representatives as well as your local media and call for voter-verified paper ballots and bi-partisan election boards.

The vote you are saving may be your own!

Progressive Democrat Issue 58: 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 2006 and beyond. Joy and I are currently involved in a few 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.