Progressive Democrat Issue 62: THOUGHTS

The big news of the week: Hamas won a solid victory in Palestine, raising considerable concerns around the world as a "terrorist" group gains power. There is no question that the rise to power of an extremist group of any sort is worrisome. And Hamas does advocate terrorism and oppression of women. Hamas are extremists. But so are many governments that America supports. The extremism of Hamas is a concern. But there is one problem with opposing the Hamas government: they were democratically elected.

Whatever our approach to dealing with the Hamas government, we have to start from this beginning: they were democratically elected.

Bush likes to claim that he is fighting for "democracy" around the world. Well, let's leave aside, for a moment, the ironies of such a claim when his election to power is questionable, his attacks on Constitutional rights are damaging American democracy, and his parties attempts to turn our voting system over to private companies using unreliable technology will further damage American democracy. What I want to do is look at some of the ironies of the real democracy that is sweeping the world.

Americans always assume that "democracy" somehow means pro-American or thinking like America thinks. We assume democracy means capitalist, though there is no reason to make that assumption. It doesn't, of course. America didn't invent Democracy and is not currently even its best example.

Democracy means, among other things, a fair election. Democracy cannot exist without fair, open, free elections. This is one reason why the DRE voting machines are such a threat in America. They take away the openness of voting and allow for hidden tampering with the machines that could take away fairness.

By this criterion of being fairly elected, I hear no one accusing Hamas of rigging the election. Or even using intimidation. I do know that there was some violence, but it seemed more due to Fatah. That can't have made Fatah look good. I would have expected Hamas to use violence to influence the election, hence negating their claim to full legitimacy. That didn't happen. Hamas, from all I have heard, did everything right and above board.

Whether we like it or not, Hamas is duly elected. We may have the right to refuse to deal with them. But we cannot say what happened in Palestine wasn't democracy. It was. Palestine has shown its maturity in the way the election was conducted. I am reluctantly impressed.

Another aspect of democracy is that the defeated party steps aside. The moment that the Sandinistas proved most definitively that they were a democratically elected government, rather than the dictator ship American Republicans falsely claimed they were, is when they quietly stepped down in defeat. Fatah seems to be stepping down. Palestinians are showing their maturity, so far at least, in the smoothness of the power transfer. Anything can happen, but so far I am impressed with the behavior of both the defeated and the victorious parties in conducting the transfer of power.

Another aspect of democracy is rule of law. No part of the government should be above the law. That was the significance of Watergate. It proved that rule of law is dominant in America and that even the President can be held accountable for breaking the law. Bush is trying to take us away from democracy by exempting himself and his cronies from the rule of law. That's another way in which Bush is threatening American democracy.

The next step for Fatah is how they react to the rule of law. They have for some time now acted without regard for law. Can they, as a democratically elected body, accept the rule of law? If so, then they will be showing a maturity that I would not have expected from Hamas.

That may be the next test.

America wants to claim that we are fighting for democracy. If so, then one would expect us to applaud true democratic elections and shun nations that are despotic. And yet we support despotic regimes like Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan while we denigrate and shun the government of Venezuela. Aristide was the duly elected president of Haiti. Yet under Bush we allowed and even helped a coup that swept Aristide out of power and swept in some of the old-school thugs from earlier Haitian dictatorships. How does Bush justify destroying Haitian democracy while opposing Venezuelan democracy?

The right wing loves to call Hugo Chavez a despot. But in what way is the democratically elected leader of Venezuela a "despot?" What has he done that is more despotic than what Bush is doing? From what I can tell, Chavez, whatever his faults, cannot be called a "despot." I have never heard anything that indicates he was elected fraudulently (and how can WE criticize other nation's elections these days?). He has the backing of his legislature, which, from what I have heard was also democratically elected. Hugo Chavez may have faults, but he was democratically elected and Venezuela is an example of democracy in action.

What should we do when an extremist regime is really and truly democratically elected. In Algeria France refused to allow a democratically elected extremist Muslim government to take power, supporting instead a military coup. I have never been able to decide how I feel about that. I cannot abide extremists of any stripe and I feel that French intervention may have saved Algeria from becoming like Taliban Afghanistan. And yet, their interference was distinctly anti-democracy.

Another factor that is directly of interest to the Hamas election is the effect being in a position of elected power can have on extremists. Ariel Sharon was, in my book, an extremist. And yet, as the elected leader of Israel, he steered a fairly moderate course. The election in Turkey of the Islamicist party was chilling to me, fearing the destruction of Turkey's fragile democracy. And yet the Islamicists proved moderate and reasonable when in a position of power. The extremist Hindu party in India, though I largely did not like their policies, did not impose extremist laws on India.

Will Hamas go the route of these other extremists? We will have to see.

Iran-leaning Muslims in Iraq

Hamas in Palestine

Hugo Chavez in Venezuela

Evo Morales in Bolivia

Michelle Bachelet in Chile…

All anti-American. Some are religious extremists. Some are anti-capitalist. And yet ALL are democratically elected in elections that make our recent elections look shoddy. Whether we like it or not, THIS IS DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD. Mr. Bush: get over it.

Progressive Democrat Issue 62: SAVING AMERICAN SCIENCE

I have been writing about right-wing attacks on science recently. What I haven't covered much is how Bush has been cutting back on science funding to the point where American scientists are hurting big time.

Well there is now a BIPARTISAN bill called PACE

(Preserving America's Competitive Advantage), which call for 10% annual increases in both the NSF and NASA basic science research budgets through 2013. The initiative also aims to encourage private sector research and boost science education, etc.

Now I notice NIH is left out of that and that is the agency that matters most to me. But, NIH has been hit less by Bush's cuts than NSF and NASA. NASA in particular, because of the fact that THEY are the main source of data supporting global warming studies, has been cut. NIH has more people pushing for it as well. So I guess I have to accept that NSF and NASA need it more right now.

Here's the info (action at the bottom):

*January 25th, 2006* - Washington, D.C. – Senators Pete Domenici, R-NM, Jeff Bingaman, D-NM, Lamar Alexander, R-TN, and Barbara Mikulski, D-MD, along with retired Lockheed Martin CEO Norm Augustine, today introduced a package of three bills aimed at helping America maintain its leading edge in science and technology. The bills are collectively titled the Protecting America’s Competitive Edge (PACE) Act. The PACE Act implements 20 recommendations contained in a recent report by the National Academy of Science titled “Rising Above the Gathering Storm.”

Senator Domenici’s statement:

It is clear to us that energizing American brainpower must be a priority. Every facet of our lives, from national security to modern medicine to the everyday household goods, relies on technology.

There are troubling signs we are not keeping pace with other advancing nations. We must change, and that change is reflected in the PACE ACT.

Senator Bingaman’s statement:

The PACE Act will sustain our vibrant science and technology sector, and with it our well-being, health, environment, and security. It will invest in R&D, encourage education, and nurture a business environment that transforms new knowledge into new high wage jobs. The passage of this farsighted public investment initiative will ensure that the United States is stronger, smarter, and leads the world in scientific and technological innovation well into the future.

Senator Alexander’s statement:

We’re now playing in a tougher league. China and India are competing for our jobs. The best way to keep those jobs in America is to maintain our brainpower edge in science and technology. We asked the experts who should know exactly what we should do. They’ve told us. Now we should do it.

Senator Mikulski’s statement:

The whole foundation of American culture and economy is based on the concept of discovery and innovation. When you look at what has made America a superpower, it’s our innovation and our technology. We have to look at where the new ideas are going to come from that are going to generate the new products for the 21st century. The PACE Act will help to set the framework and creates the building blocks that we need for a smarter America."

Please write your Congress Critters and the media and express your support of the bipartisan Preserving America's Competitive Advantage bills. If we are going to face the issues of cancer, AIDS, global warming, development of alternative energy, etc. we need funding for scientific research.

Progressive Democrat Issue 62: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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

Democratic Party of Virginia Quarterly Meeting
Starts: 2/10/2006 7:30 p.m.
Ends: 2/11/2006 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Ruth Anne Walker, Party Services Director
Location: Steering Committee, Friday, February 10, 7:30 p.m.
Central Committee, Saturday, February 11, 10:00 a.m.
Richmond Convention Center, Broad and Fourth Streets, Richmond.
Phone: 804-644-1966, x.224

The next quarterly meeting of the state party will be on Friday evening (Steering) and Saturday morning (Central).

The annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner will be on Saturday evening. Email jj2006@vademocrats.org or call 804-644-1966, x.237 for more information.


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 62: SCIENCE, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

A major and rising threat to our health is the increase of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This is often caused by misuse of antibiotics. Examples of this are when you are given a prescription for antibiotics and don't complete the course, when someone self-medicates with antibiotics, often at the wrong dose and timing, or when the meat industry uses antibiotics in animal feed. Bacteria that are constantly exposed to antibiotics develop resistance to these drugs. Furthermore, the antibiotic resistance genes, because of a quirk in bacterial genetics, can sometimes jump from one bacterial species to another. When humans get sick from resistant bacteria, the antibiotics prescribed will no longer work. Already, medical research is barely keeping up with the loss of effective antibiotics. For example, the vaunted Cipro, made famous during the Anthrax scare, is now losing its effectiveness due to the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

From the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS):

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise. Patients once effectively treated for pneumonia, tuberculosis, or ear infections may now have to try three or more antibiotics before they find one that works. And as more bacterial strains develop resistance, more people will die because effective antibiotics are not identified quickly enough or because the bacteria causing the disease are resistant to all available antibiotics.

Why have bacterial strains become resistant? The short answer is overuse of antibiotics. Physicians and hospitals have overprescribed the drugs, and patients have demanded them—even for illnesses not caused by bacteria. Veterinarians, too, overprescribe drugs to treat sick animals.

It is livestock producers, however, who use the vast majority of antibiotics produced in the United States. An estimated 70 percent of antibiotics and related drugs produced in this country are used for nontherapeutic purposes such as accelerating animal growth and compensating for overcrowded and unsanitary conditions on large-scale confinement facilities known as "factory farms." This translates to about 25 million pounds of antibiotics and related drugs fed every year to livestock for nontherapeutic purposes—almost eight times the amount given to humans to treat disease.

Through lobbying efforts of groups like UCS and some environmental groups, some companies like McDonalds and Chipotle (owned by McDonalds) have already started implementing programs to preferentially buy chicken raised without antibiotics in their chicken feed. Since McDonalds is one of the biggest purchasers of chicken in the nation, his already puts pressure on chicken ranchers to phase out antibiotic use.

This pressure may be paying off. This week, according to USA Today, some of the nation’s largest poultry corporations--Tyson Foods, Gold Kist, Perdue Farms, and Foster Farm--have sharply cut back on their use of antibiotics in the feed of chickens that are not sick. Tyson officials said this reduction in “nontherapeutic” antibiotic use was made possible by improving animals’ living conditions and by breeding hardier chickens.

This leaves only Pilgrim’s Pride, the nation’s #2 chicken producer, still using nontherapeutic antibiotics. We need to do two things to further protect our health. First, we need to urge Wendy's, another of the nation's largest purchasers of chicken meat, to join McDonalds in preferentially purchasing meat raised without nontherapeutic antibiotics. This will be easier for them now that most of the top chicken producers are phasing them out.

Write or call Wendy's urging them to help protect our health:

Wendy's Consumer Relations
Wendy's International, Inc.
4288 W. Dublin-Granville Rd.
Dublin, OH 43017

Phone: (614) 764-3100

Second, we need to directly lobby Pilgrim's Pride to get them to join their competitors in phasing out nontherapeutic antibiotics. You can do this by signing the UCS petition to Pilgrim's Pride and, for a bigger impact, by directly contacting Pilgrim's Pride.

I should note that your own loved ones may be affected by this. Children and the elderly and the immunocompromised are the most vulnerable to bacteria infections and hence are most threatened by antibiotic resistant strains.

Progressive Democrat Issue 62: TIME TO STOP ALITO NOW!

Taken partly from Marjorie’s newsletter:

"I am proud to join my friend, the senior Senator from Massachusetts, in taking a stand against this nomination. I know it is an uphill battle. I have heard many of my colleagues. I hear the arguments: Reserve your gunpowder for the future. What is the future if it changes so dramatically at this moment in time? What happens to those people who count on us to stand up and protect them now, not later, not at some future time?

"This is the choice for the Court now. I reject those notions that there ought to somehow be some political calculus about the future. This impact is going to be now. This choice is now. This ideological direction is defined now." --John Kerry

The Democrats are showing some spine and from California (Boxer and Fienstein) to Massachusetts (Kerry and Kennedy) and New York (Schumer and Clinton), Democratic Senators are starting to agree to filibuster. Your pressure is needed to encourage those committed to filibuster and to pressure those who aren’t to join with those who are. We also need you, whoever your Senators are, to write the media and express your support for a filibuster.

Go to the People for the American Way website for more info and easy actions.

Or go to the Democratic Party website.

Tell your Senators to Oppse Alito!

And, of course, write a letter to the editor saying why you oppose Alito.

Progressive Democrat Issue 62: NYC FOCUS

This week it’s all about Alito!

Let’s see what we can do to defeat Bush’s extremist judicial appointment. People for the American Way is on top of it. Let’s do it!

Location: PFAW-NY Office, 149 5th Avenue at 21st Street, 7th Floor
When: Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in January, 10AM to 4PM and every Thursday Evening, 6-9PM

RVSP to Tony Simone at 212-420-0440 x13 or tsimone -at- pfaw.org (replace -at- with @) and let him know you heard it from DFNYC.

Progressive Democrat Issue 62: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

Rally for the Charge or Release Bill, Tue, 01/31/2006 - 12:30pm
Where: Steps of City Hall
Directions: R/W to City Hall; 2/3 to Park Pl; A/C to Chambers; J/M/Z Chambers; 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall
Join Democracy for NYC, political leaders, lawyers, activists and community members on the steps of City Hall as they call on the New York City Council to pass the Charge or Release Bill. This essential civil rights legislation would make sure that anyone arrested in New York City is arraigned within 24 hours of arrest. But it will not pass without your support!
Tell the City Council it’s time to protect the due process rights of all New Yorkers!

Benefit for the Victims of the Earthquake in Pakistan & India
Tue, 01/31/2006 - 6:30pm
Our Voices, Our World presents
A Benefit for the Victims of the Earthquake in
Pakistan and India
Featuring performances by members of the Original Cast of HAIR as well as other musical and cultural performances.
Tuesday January 31, 2006
doors @ 6:30PM
CODA CLUB
34 East 34th St
New York City, NY
Members of the Original Broadway Cast of the "American Tribal-Love Rock Musical" HAIR singing Aquarius, Hair, Easy To Be Hard, Let the Sunshine In and other hits from the show that changed America.
Advance tickets available online.

For more information CLICK HERE>.

LAUGHING LIBERALLY AT TOWN HALL
Sat, 02/04/2006 - 8:00pm
When: Saturday, February 4, 8:00 pm
Where: The Town Hall, 123 W 43rd St, NYC
Tickets: $15, $25, and $50. Go to laughingliberally.com, click "Buy Tickets" and use code DFNYC.
Important! If you use the code DFNYC and purchase either the $25 or $50 price tickets, Democracy for NYC will receive a portion of the proceeds.
FEATURING:
Rick Overton (Dennis Miller Live),
Jim David (Tough Crowd), Julie Goldman (VH-1),
Dean Obeidallah (SNL Weekend Update),
With Katie Halper & Baratunde Thurston
Videos by DNEXT.com and MoveOn.org
(program subject to change)


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:

11th Congressional District Candidates Forum: Lambda Independent Democrats will kick off the new year with a forum featuring the candidates for the hotly contested 11th congressional district seat being vacated by Major Owens on Thursday, January 26, 2006 at the Montauk Club, 25 8th Avenue at Lincoln Place. This is the first time in a decade that there will be an open congressional seat in Brooklyn, so join us in hearing from candidates Carl Andrews, Yvette Clarke, Chris Owens, Nick Perry and David Yassky.
I want to add my personal comment on this race. Many Progressives love to complain about the weaknesses of the Democratic Party. Well, hotly contested primaries like this one are YOUR CHANCE to influence the Democratic Party. This race pits candidates linked to the corrupt machine against progressives and semi-progressives. People who complain about the party but fail to get involved on this level should just keep their mouths shut. Come help reform politics in Brooklyn by attending this forum and questioning these candidates yourself. Then support the candidate YOU like. Otherwise, I don't want to hear you complain.


Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

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!

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 62: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

Rally for the Charge or Release Bill, Tue, 01/31/2006 - 12:30pm
Where: Steps of City Hall
Directions: R/W to City Hall; 2/3 to Park Pl; A/C to Chambers; J/M/Z Chambers; 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall
Join Democracy for NYC, political leaders, lawyers, activists and community members on the steps of City Hall as they call on the New York City Council to pass the Charge or Release Bill. This essential civil rights legislation would make sure that anyone arrested in New York City is arraigned within 24 hours of arrest. But it will not pass without your support!
Tell the City Council it’s time to protect the due process rights of all New Yorkers!

Benefit for the Victims of the Earthquake in Pakistan & India
Tue, 01/31/2006 - 6:30pm
Our Voices, Our World presents
A Benefit for the Victims of the Earthquake in
Pakistan and India
Featuring performances by members of the Original Cast of HAIR as well as other musical and cultural performances.
Tuesday January 31, 2006
doors @ 6:30PM
CODA CLUB
34 East 34th St
New York City, NY
Members of the Original Broadway Cast of the "American Tribal-Love Rock Musical" HAIR singing Aquarius, Hair, Easy To Be Hard, Let the Sunshine In and other hits from the show that changed America.
Advance tickets available online.

For more information CLICK HERE>.

LAUGHING LIBERALLY AT TOWN HALL
Sat, 02/04/2006 - 8:00pm
When: Saturday, February 4, 8:00 pm
Where: The Town Hall, 123 W 43rd St, NYC
Tickets: $15, $25, and $50. Go to laughingliberally.com, click "Buy Tickets" and use code DFNYC.
Important! If you use the code DFNYC and purchase either the $25 or $50 price tickets, Democracy for NYC will receive a portion of the proceeds.
FEATURING:
Rick Overton (Dennis Miller Live),
Jim David (Tough Crowd), Julie Goldman (VH-1),
Dean Obeidallah (SNL Weekend Update),
With Katie Halper & Baratunde Thurston
Videos by DNEXT.com and MoveOn.org
(program subject to change)


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.

New Democratic Majority General Meeting:

February General Meeting - Black History Month
Please join us for our February General Meeting, Monday, February 13th, 7:30 PM, devoted to Black History Month. We'll be talking about the opportunities and challenges presented by African-American history, and what the wider implications of our past are for our common future.

We're presently still securing a venue. Please check the website above for more details. Our confirmed speakers are Charlie King, candidate for NYS Attorney General and Chris Owens, candidate for Congress (http://voteowens.com/ ).


Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 7PM
Upper West Side, 420 Bar and Lounge, 420 Amsterdam Avenue @ 80th, with guest Steve Greenfield, NY candidate for U.S. Senate, host Merle McEldowney

Upper East Side, Manhattan Lounge, 1720 2nd Ave. (btwn. 89th & 90th, with guest Sean Patrick Maloney, candidate for NY Attorney General, with hosts Lewis Cohen and David Kogelman

West Village, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7th Ave.), with guest Denise O'Donnell, candidate for NY Attorney General, with host Dana Northcraft

East Village, Raven, 194 Avenue A (@ 12th St.), with guestJonathan Tasini, NY candidate for U.S. Senate, with hosts Heather Woodfield and Josh Skaller


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 drinking, 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 62: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

Some job openings that might interest people:

Field Representative
Office of Congressman Pascrell
Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. seeks a qualified candidate for position as field representative. Excellent writing and computer skills are required. Duties will include extensive field/representational work, interacting closely with elected and other governmental officials, planning and administering field/outreach activities, administering advisory committee, preparing and disseminating congressional correspondence, and other field and outreach action. Familiarity with Essex County is a plus. Please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Jacky Grindrod, District Director, via fax at (973) 523-0637, or via email to jacky.grindrod@mail.house.gov .

Assistant Finance Director
Office of Congressman Pascrell
Pascrell for Congress seeks qualified candidate for the position of Assistant Finance Director. Excellent interpersonal skills and computer skills are required. Duties will include organizing and overseeing fundraising events, database management, compiling and organizing Federal Election Commission information, including generating required reports in conjunction with Finance Director and Treasurer, preparing and organizing and overseeing mailings, attending various events, and other campaign finance and election-related duties. Passion for politics a plus. Please fax a cover letter and resume to Finance Director, Pascrell for Congress, at (973) 237-9190.

Visit The New Jersey Democratic State Committee's Resume Bank to post your resume and view job postings around the state.

Progressive Democrat Issue 62: 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.

Upcoming DFA Events

- Tuesday, January 31 - State of the Union address parties/vigils are popping up around the state - in Princeton, in Ocean County and elsewhere. Don't suffer alone - find comfort with friends! (and watch for some live blogging on BlueJersey - www.bluejersey.net - afterward!)

- Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. - meet DFA and NJforDemocracy member, and candidate for Newark City Council, Ron Rice, Jr. at Cryan's Pub, 24 First St., South Orange.

- First week in February - DFALink Monthly Meetings are happening around the state - each with its own local agenda. Local groups will also be electing the 2006 New Jersey for Democracy Executive Board. Join your local group and have your say. (The list of candidates and election rules is available on our website at: www.njfordemocracy.org) RSVP for your local meeting on DFALink!

- Saturday, February 11 at 2 p.m. - BergenGrassroots is sponsoring a 5th District Candidate Forum at the Ethical Culture Society, 687 Larch Ave., Teaneck. RSVP at www.dfalink.com/bergen

- Tuesday, February 14 (Valentines Day) at 7 p.m. - NJ4D is joining Garden State Equality at a rally at Bnai Keshet Synagogue, 99 South Fullerton, Montclair for marriage equality on the night before the New Jersey Supreme Court hears the marriage equality case - hoping for a huge turnout! You can RSVP at: www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=4799


Indigo Girls Concert Fundraiser on February 8, 2006
On February 8th the Blue 7th PAC will hold a cocktail party in Princeton, NJ at 6 p.m., and then go to see the Indigo Girls at the McCarter Theater at 8 p.m. The Indigo Girls are an excellent, Grammy winning folk-rock band, and this show has been sold out since September. It's a hot ticket, folks!

Tickets are just $100 a head for the concert, and $150 for the cocktail party and concert. There's only 100 tickets available!

Sponsorships are available, as well. $500 for the Host Committee (2 tickets to Party & Concert), $1000 for Patrons (4 tickets to Party & Concert), $2500 for Sponsors (6 tickets to Party & Concert) and $5000 for Honored Guests (10 tickets to Party & Concert).

All funds raised will go towards building a Democratic majority in the Congress by working locally to build grassroots support and expose Republican hypocrisy.

February 9, 2006 Celebrating Black History Month with the African-American Trivia Game Show - How well do you really know your Black history? Join us for a fun mix of various game shows. There'll be teams, prizes and lots of fun. Questions will be multiple choice and guessing is allowed. Edison Job Corps Academy, 500 Plainfield Avenue, Edison, NJ, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

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:

New Brunswick, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every 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 62: VIRGINIA FOCUS

Continued from last week:

Virginia has the chance to join 27 other states in restricting the ability to commit fraud on the election system. The General Assembly’s Senate Privileges and Elections Committee is set to hear Senate Bill 424 on Tuesday January 24th at 4:00pm. We have the support of at least 2 moderate Republicans on the committee, so we need all six Democrats to join in this critical battle and support SB424, in order to move it forward.

27 states have passed laws requiring that every voting machine produce a voter-verified paper ballot, mandatory auditing of the ballots to the machine count to make sure votes are not being switched by technical error or intentional fraud, and state inspection of the secret source code that is used to program the voting machines. It is absolutely critical that we get these reform measures in place to ensure that no vote-rigging can occur on a widespread scale here in VA.

The Democratic National Committee (Report material at end of email) has come out in complete support of this issue. They urge that paperless touchscreen machines (also known as DREs) be thrown out in favor of precinct based optical scan machines (PBOS) because of the incredible ease with which elections could be rigged. Our Democracy is too sacred to allow malicious forces to criminal alter our chosen representatives.

Please call upon the six democrats on the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee to support SB424 immediately. Even if they are not your personal representatives, as a committee they represent all of Virginia.

The six Democrats on the Senate Privileges and Elections committee:

*Include you name, address, and phone number when emailing

Senator R. Creigh Deeds
(804) 698-7525
district25@sov.state.va.us

Senator William Roscoe Reynolds
(804) 698-7520
district20@sov.state.va.us

Senator Phillip P. Puckett
(804) 698-7538
district38@sov.state.va.us

Senator Mary Margaret Whipple
(804) 698-7531
district31@sov.state.va.us

Senator Benjamin J. Lambert, III
(804) 698-7509
district09@sov.state.va.us

Senator Janet D. Howell
(804) 698-7532
district32@sov.state.va.us

For more info visit Verified Voting


The Voting Rights Institute of the Democratic National Committee issued a report on June 22, 2005 following more than five months of investigation into the voting in Ohio in November, 2004. They have very clear recommendations regarding voting systems that they urge Democrats across the county to push for.

Full report from DNC is available: http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/06/democracy_at_ri.php

Regarding DREs (Direct Record Electronics or touchscreens):

“The study findings and independent analysis indicate that the use of DRE (touchscreen) machines is highly problematic and the use of precinct-tabulated optical scan systems is vastly preferable.” (Section 2: Executive Summary, Section H, Page 9)

“Current DRE voting systems, in addition to being extremely expensive to procure and maintain, are vulnerable to fraud. Existing standards and practices for certification of voting systems are insufficient to provide security for existing DRE systems, and significant effort will be required to remedy these deficiencies in the future.” (Section 1: Letter of Introduction to DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Page 2)

“Paper trail audits offer an improvement over current DRE systems that provide no paper trail but they do not guard against tampering, improper equipment calibration, and faulty aggregation of the votes cast.” (Section 1: Letter of Introduction to DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Page 2)

Regarding precinct-based optical scan voting systems:

“Our team has analyzed the effectiveness of the various voting machines used in Ohio and has strong recommendations favoring precinct-count optical scan machines.” (Section 1: Letter of Introduction to DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Page 2).

“Precinct based optical scan systems remain superior with respect to ensuring that everyone’s vote is counted.” (Section 2: Executive Summary, Section H, Page 9)

“Jurisdictions should be encouraged to use precinct-tabulated optical scan systems with a computer assisted device at each precinct, in preference to touchscreen (“direct recording equipment” or “DRE”) machines.” (Section 12, Recommendations for Future Action, Page 2, Number 11)

“Precinct-based optical scan systems are the most accurate voting systems available today. They are also reasonably priced and can satisfy HAVA requirements in a cost-effective manner with devices such as the ES&S AutoMark.” (Section 7: Electronic Voting: Accuracy, Accessibility, and Fraud, Page 7, Recommendation 1)

Progressive Democrat Issue 62: NATIONAL ACTION

Democracy for America is highlighting its six rising stars for 2006:

These are the leaders of the future. Lets give them a hand:

All over the country, Democracy for America members are stepping up and running for local office. It's what we're all about -- citizens taking action and making America better.

Win or lose, these rising stars are doing what too many in Washington fear to do - fighting for what they believe.

Debra Shore is a DFA member running for Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District in Cook County, IL. She believes that we can be caring stewards of our natural resources, while building a better, healthier community. DFA members across Chicagoland support Debra because they know that the best way to elect new leadership is by working at the grassroots level.

Karen Felthauser is a long time DFA member, Williamson County Democratic Party member, and community activist. She recently decided to run for the Texas State House in District 52 - just northwest of Austin. Karen will make Texas more progressive by helping provide quality and affordable education for all Texans, protecting and conserving the state's public lands, and ensuring that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.

Elesha Gayman, a member of Democracy for America-Quad Cities, is running for the Iowa House of Representatives in District 84. Elesha's dedication to her community inspired her to enter the non-profit sector as a grant writer, fundraiser and volunteer. Now, she is running to bring new energy to the Iowa State House.

Andy Meisner is running for re-election as a State Representative in Michigan. He has been involved in the Royal Oak-DFA group since early 2004. In Lansing, he has fought to bring new jobs to Michigan and to ease legislative restrictions on stem cell research. With your help, he will continue to promote a strong Democratic message for the state and help take back the Michigan House.

Ronald Rice Jr. is a member of New Jersey for Democracy and co-organizes the Essex County, NJ DFA group. He is running for West Ward Councilman in the City of Newark. In 2002 he ran for councilman-at-large and received more votes than any previous first-time candidate in the history of Newark. His campaign is about changing the culture of city politics, empowering residents through education, and community control of all city development.

Ty Harrell is a DFA member in Raleigh, North Carolina who has spent years fighting for Democratic ideals. He has lectured at Duke University and is currently on the Arts and Sciences Development staff there. Ty is taking his experience and skills on the campaign trail in his bid for the State House in District 41. He believes North Carolina needs a better education system and a stronger health care program in order to improve the lives of its citizens. He will promote fiscal responsibility by rewarding small businesses and companies that create jobs in the state and close the tax loopholes on companies that move their business away from North Carolina.

These DFA members are doing their part. They get an "A" from DFA. That's why we're adding them to the "DFA-List."
But they need your help to win. Please visit their websites and help them in any way you can.

Thank you for helping our next generation of leaders succeed.
Sincerely,
Jim Dean
Democracy for America

Progressive Democrat Issue 62: 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.