Progressive Democrat Issue 66: THOUGHTS

At a recent Democracy for NYC meeting in Park Slope I met an unlikely DFNYC activist. A member of UAW from Kensington, Brooklyn, and clearly not the typical brownstone progressive, he had a rather disdainful attitude as the rest of us were talking strategies for winning elections and for reforming the corrupt Brooklyn Democratic machine. In his mind, reform Democrat, machine Democrat or, for that matter, Republican doesn’t matter. None of them are of any relevance to communities that are being threatened by closing firehouses, lack of after school programs and available day care, increasing MTA fares and neighborhood safety issues. When others pointed out that electing candidates that are sensitive to these issues is the way to change the situation, he dismissed that.

What he, and probably a large number of Americans, want to see is up-front community activism where politicians prove themselves to the community BEFORE they expect anyone to vote for them.

I think his idea of community involvement (e.g. keeping firehouses open, improving public transit, after school day care, after school programs for older kids, neighborhood watches, etc.) as a part of what a politician or a political group (such as DFNYC) needs to do as part of proving itself to a community is extremely important. In the past I have written about the opposite end of this equation: the need for communities to be politically involved in order to be politically relevant to politicians and I used the Katrina victims as an example of what happens in Bush America if you are irrelevant politically. I discussed this end of the equation in an earlier issue.

But what this blue collar Brooklynite has in mind is an equally important aspect of the community/political equation that I, and many other progressives, forget about in the push to get good people elected to office. Who are the best grassroots candidates? They are the ones who are KNOWN by the community because of community involvement.

There are indeed so many issues of considerable importance to communities that need addressing and around the nation politicians are, far from helping, actually hurting communities by cutting funds for infrastructure, first responders, medicare, etc. I think a politician that takes a solid leadership role on these community issues will be a stronger candidate. And I don't mean lip service, but actual hands-on involvement.

This is, of course, easier for a local candidate--city council, for example. Someone running for Senate can't go neighborhood-by-neighborhood though an entire state. But even there, broader issues can be addressed that will resonate with communities.

There is a disconnect between the need of communities to prove their relevance politically and the need of politicians to prove their relevance to communities. In general, Republicans do not care about this divide because they seldom are grassroots oriented. They get money from big donors and don't care much about communities. The complete arrogant disdain shown by Bush, Cheney and their administration towards Louisiana and Mississippi after hurricane Katrina is the perfect, ultimate example of the lack of concern that Republicans have for our communities. But grassroots candidates HAVE to connect with their community or they won’t survive the political process. But those candidates also need to know who will be helping them get elected. They need to know who will be there to help protect their neck when they stick it out for the community, as Wellington Sharpe, another attendee of the DFNYC meeting and a potential NY Assembly candidate, put it. This disconnect between politicians and communities is one of the major weak points in grassroots politics. We need MORE community involvement in the political process for grassroots politicians to win. But communities also need to see that a politician, or a political organization, is INVOLVED with the community on a meaningful level. Some of this happens, but not enough. The political machines of NYC used to be known for their ability to deliver for the communities. Now they are known for their corruption and blind need to hold onto power. Reform Democratic Clubs are mostly just focused on their unequal fight with the Democratic Political Machine. Groups like DFNYC, for example, have participated in AIDS walkathons and the like, but they are still not well known in most communities. The challenges are for politicians and grassroots organizations to better prove their worth to the community AND for the community to be far more willing to help out those politicians that prove their worth.

Paul Wooten was an excellent candidate for Brooklyn D.A. who has spent a great deal of his legal career helping out the community, often for free. The community did not come out and support his candidacy when he ran, leaving him without money and without hope of winning. This was a case where the community let down a man who had stood by the community again and again. Somehow both ends of this disconnect need to work to make the connections. Politicians need to start the process by getting their asses out there with their sleeves rolled up and fighting for the community. America needs politicians who take a strong leadership role pushing for our first responders, our infrastructure, our security. We need someone to take a leadership role in fighting the corruption of the Republican party. We need politicians to help start after school programs and day care centers. We need politicians who don’t just give us policy statements on these issues, but who are actually are involved in organizing communities and delivering these services to our communities.

That is the message that the blue collar, UAW Brooklynite at the Democracy for NYC was telling us.

Progressive Democrat Issue 66: REPUBLICAN CORRUPTION CONTINUES

I recently covered how the new Republican Majority leader, John Boehner (R-OH), is just another corrupt Republican and shows how the Republicans have refused to learn their lesson that America does NOT want more corruption.

Perhaps Boehner is less corrupt than his rival for the top Republican spot, Roy Blunt. But that's hardly a recommendation give the fact that Roy Blunt is even more corrupt than Tom DeLay!

In a recent Salon.com article, Joe Conason talks about how Boehner's claims to be a "reformer" are complete BS:

Feb. 10, 2006 | Only in this corrupted Congress could a politician like John Boehner successfully present himself to his colleagues and the press as a "reformer." Already the new House majority leader has demonstrated that he will disappoint even the most minimal expectations of ethical renewal...

Scarcely had Boehner assumed his new responsibilities, in fact, when he brushed away any new restrictions on the resort trips and foreign junkets provided by lobbyists seeking to influence him and his colleagues. That proposal arose from public outrage over the first-class jaunts to Scotland and the South Pacific that Jack Abramoff had used to reward compliant congressmen and their aides...

Asked Feb. 5 whether he now plans to ban such subsidized vacations, he dryly responded: "I have my doubts about that." His opposition is more a matter of policy than perks, he explained. "We can't lock members up in a cubbyhole here in Washington and never let them see what's going on around the country and around the world." The legislative process would clearly suffer if members were unable to observe the difficulties of life in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Pebble Beach, Calif.; and Boca.

Boehner sounds equally disinclined to restrict the scandalous member earmarks in spending bills, a tough task he had promised to undertake if elected. Yet so far there has barely been a whisper of protest against this farce. That whole House reform thing is just so last month..."

This is not surprising given his past history. Conason continues with some history of Boehner's corruption:

In 1995, only months after the supposedly reform-minded GOP majority took power, he was observed handing out checks from the tobacco lobby to his colleagues on the House floor, just before a crucial vote. He apologized for that tasteless episode, which he promised not to repeat. The fall of Gingrich eclipsed Boehner as well...

Boehner resides in a Capitol Hill apartment rented from a lobbyist whose clients are directly affected by legislation Boehner has co-written or overseen as chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Those clients include restaurant interests, for example, that oppose minimum-wage increases, a perspective that the new majority leader shares. His spokesman told the Washington Post, which broke the story about his apartment, that his lobbyist landlord "does not lobby John Boehner on any issue and has not lobbied him on any issue during the time period in which John has been renting the property." Maybe he just leaves a Post-it on Boehner's refrigerator.

Ordinarily Boehner spends his winter break cruising the Caribbean with two of his best friends, who also happen to be among the capital's most prominent lobbyists. Those two Boehner buddies are known for the fabulous events they have sponsored in his honor at every Republican National Convention since 1996. Known as the "best little warehouse" parties, these bashes sometimes last until dawn...

Late last year Boehner oversaw student-loan legislation that cut federal aid drastically, penalized students who receive direct loans from the federal government, and protected private lenders such as Sallie Mae, which gave him $102,000 during the 2004 election cycle."

Really. This is just too much! We get rid of one corrupt Republican, Tom DeLay, only to have two other corrupt Republicans, Roy Blunt and John Boehner, competing to take his place as House leader. And let us not forget that two of the most corrupt state parties are the Missouri and Ohio Republican parties. Roy Blunt is the product of the former and John Boehner is the product of the latter. Howard Dean recently called Ohio the Center of Corruption, and though I think Missouri Republicans gives them a run for their lobbyist-provided money, Ohio Republicans do seem the most corrupt in the nation.

Time to speak out, folks! Contact the media yet again and complain about Republican corruption, emphasizing the immorality of Tom DeLay, Roy Blunt AND John Boehner.

Progressive Democrat Issue 66: Jews in Indiana--the 2% Solution

I am passing this on from a post from awhile back on My Left Wing. Sometimes it is hard for those of us who live in NYC to realize how tough it can be for non-Christians in other parts of the nation.

I am reposting the MLW post verbatum, then I will comment and update.

For those not familiar with the Indiana prayer issue, here is a Washington Post article. The whole thing blew up when one person offered the House's openening prayer, then led the whole legislative body in a rousing, with standing and clapping, rendition of "Just a Little Talk With Jesus," which many found rather less than non-denominational.

Last Tuesday, the Indianapolis JCRC’s Jewish Lobby Day was held. Around 40 Jews from around the State of Indiana came to Indianapolis to lobby our state senators and representatives on a number of issues.

The day ended with a private meeting with Speaker of the House Bosma meeting our group in the beautiful House chambers. We asked questions about full day kindergarten, about the clinics, and a young member of the delegation asked about providing sexuality education in public schools that is more than abstinence based. He responded to everything we asked. Sometimes we liked what he said and sometimes we didn’t. Speaker Bosma wondered why we hadn’t discussed the controversy surrounding the issue of prayer in House chambers. He told us his version of what happened and what he believes, and a passionate exchange took place. The end of this exchange left us, the Jewish delegation, in shock. Speaker Bosma, defending the prayer issue, asked, “How many Jews are there in Indiana? About 2%? There are at least 80% Christians in Indiana.” The implication of this statement was that our minority community doesn’t and shouldn’t have any say or any voice. It is about the majority and what the majority wants. The jaws of the delegation dropped to the floor. We were speechless. Everything we believed about this country had just been trampled. Gone was the belief of the constitutional protection of minorities. Gone was not feeling marginalized. Gone was the belief we were not strangers in this country. I am sure that Speaker Bosma is a fine man, but in that moment, for the first time in my life as a citizen of this country, I was scared. It is what I now call the 2% solution (and Jews are much less than 2% of this state) that if you are only 2% don’t even bother to speak up as the “Tyranny of the majority” will prevail.

I am sorry to bring such a depressing message as we prepare for Shabbat, but it needs to be said and addressed. I have been reminded about why we need to be vigilant. So I come to you on this Friday, February 17, 2006, to ask you to use this Shabbat to think about joining me and others at times to raise our voices. We might not agree on all the issues, but we agree that as Jewish residents of this State we should have a voice. 2% or less shouldn’t matter. It is not about the majority. It is about us.

As you light your Shabbat candles this evening, light one for this great nation that has allowed us to grow and prosper and worship as Jews without restrictions. Light the other as beacon to our elected officials who if they follow the light will understand that leadership comes with responsibility to all, to be inclusive of all, and to help those who need the most help.

Shabbat Shalom

Chilling. To anyone who knows their history, this is chilling. Remember, Germany was the SAFE place for Jews before the Nazi takeover. Jews were welcome and fully assimilated there. That is one reason few thought to leave early on...they were decorated war heros, full German citizens, patriots.

A distant cousin of mine died in Indiana about a year ago. He was the son of my great-grandmother's brother. Our family were Jews who fled the Russian pogroms and the Russian draft (Russo-Japanese war). My cousin was best known in the 1930's as Harry "the Horse" Danning, an all star catcher for the NY Giants before WW II called him away. He fought against the Nazis in WW II, fought for freedom and against those who were trying to destroy Judaism. Eventually he married a non-Jewish woman and settled in Indiana where he lived out his days. What would Harry Danning think of being considered an insignificant minority by the state government of Indiana?

Let us never forget that this nation was founded by people FLEEING monolithic religious/state systems. Let us never forget that in many colonies, before the establishment of the United States with its Cosntitution, where there were anti-Catholic laws. This nation is NOT and NEVER was intended to be a Christian nation. Even if 100% of all Americans were Christian, this would NOT be a Christian nation because our Constitution wisely forbids it. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists, Agnostics, and a variety of other groups are all legitimately and loyally American and the view of Indiana's legislature is insulting to all of us. In fact, Indiana's legislature is insulting our Constitution and our Founding Fathers.

And yet theocracy is slowly creeping up on us. The military-industrial state system is becoming increasingly Christian, even to the point of questioning the loyalty of non-Christians and calling our wars "crusades."

The original posting that I quote created a wave of letters to Brian Bosma's office, forcing him to issue an apology to the Jewish community of Indiana. DON'T THINK YOUR LETTERS DON'T HAVE AN EFFECT.

But another effect of this story has been an increse of support for a Democratic challenger against Bosma. He is being challenged by the President of the Hamilton County Democrats, Susan Fuldauer. She just announced a couple of weeks ago and is just getting her website off the ground. I strongly urge everyone to give a donation to help Susan Fuldauer defeat a Republican who seemed to believe that America should be a Christian nation led by Christian prayer. If Susan's website isn't up yet, you can send a contribution to:

Committee to Elect Susan Fuldauer, 6284 Rucker Rd., Suite A, Indpls., IN 46220

Progressive Democrat Issue 66: INTERNATIONAL ACTION

KIVA Microlending Update I: The Success of KIVA and the Blogs

It has been one of my little projects to develop within the blogsphere what I call an integrated approach to helping East Africa as a new vision for international development that can be applied anywhere the blogsphere wants to focus on. This approach was inspired by the wonderful efforts of KIVA, a microlending agency that connects small businesses with small investors like you and me. My intention has been to build on the idea of KIVA, creating an integrated context in which KIVA's efforts will be all the more effective. I will reiterate that contextual approach later. But first, I think it is good to show just how successful our efforts can really be.

First off, KIVA has received a great deal of attention across the blogsphere. The result is that they have had the enviable problem of too much success. In the past month or so, they have three times had a batch of loans filled within 24 hours of posting them. I haven't plugged them for a while simply because they didn't seem to need my help. They have expanded the partners they work with (from one to five) and the number of countries they work in (more on that in a later diary) and yet they still cannot keep up with the willingness of people like you and me to help small businesses in developing nations.

For those who aren't familiar with how KIVA works, here's the deal:

Kiva's microlending directly connects small lenders (you and me) who can lend as little as $25, with small businesses who need small loans. Up until recently KIVA only worked in three nations in East Africa--Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Recently they have expanded to several other nations, but that will have to wait for a future diary. You get your money back within 6-18 months, though without interest. The business that KIVA works with have already gotten a boost from a partner agency and have shown some track record of success. For example, Kiva's first partner site, the Village Enterprise Fund, gives training and a small seed grant (usually about $100) to get a small business owner in East Africa started. Once a business that VEF has helped has shown promise, KIVA then helps that business get a loan (often around $500 worth, sometimes more, sometimes less) compiled from people like us to help that business expand. One way to help KIVA find more promising businesses to meet lender eagerness is to donate to Village Enterprise Fund so that they can help business at an earlier stage.

I have lent money to several KIVA businesses. The success of these businesses, helped by the loans I have participated in, is quite gratifying and shows how successful this approach can be. Let me give you three examples that I am proud to have been a part of.

1. Lakev Groceries is a small shop in Eregi, Kenya owned by Petronilla Shivachi, nicknamed "Betty" by her customers. She and her twin sister lost their father's land to neighbors because in Kenya girls cannot inherit land. They, due to lack of school fees, did not go to college, but rather married early. Petronilla was deserted by her husband and now is a single mother bringing up two children without any child support.

She started her business with assistance from VEF. After first establishing her small store, she received a $500 loan through KIVA. Petronilla used this loan to introduce new products to her store for which there is a demand but there had previously been little supply. Primarily she introduced new Mobile phone air cards. This new product brought in 70 new customers in 4 days! Her business has exploded thanks to the loan, bringing what appears to be a much-desired commodity to her town.

2. Fur Ber Fish is a fishmongering business in Tororo, Uganda owned by Penina Oburu. She received a grant in 2001 from VEF to start her small business and has gotten this business off the ground in a small, but successful way. She then received a $300 loan through KIVA, to hire a truck to go directly to Lake Victoria and buy fish for herself rather than having to go through a middleman.  Eliminating this middleman will allow her to sell her fish at a lower price.

With the KIVA loan Peninah Obure, has expanded her purchases of fish from 1-3 baskets to 10 - 18 baskets per day. This economy of scale allows her to sell more fish cheaper, at a profit of 45% as opposed to her previous 15%. She is also able to bring the fish closer to her customers, making their walk to get fish shorter. She uses her profits to support her family and to pay school fees (public education is NOT free in East Africa) and medical bills, and to buy clothes and bedding for her children.

3. Kuro Chiki Hotel is a restaurant (hotel means restaurant in Uganda), also in Tororo, Uganda, owned by Lovisa Asinde, a widow with five children. She started a small business baking pancakes, chapatti and mandazi with a donation of 100 dollars from Village Enterprise Fund in 2000. After receiving training in business skills from VEF, she decided to open a eating house in the local trading center. She received a $500 loan through KIVA to expand this eatery.

With that loan she bought a large amount of new kitchen equipment, hired new staff, and expanded her menu, allowing greater choice to her customers. She now serves around100 customers a day and makes about 80% profit. This allows her to buy new clothes for her children and to pay to send them to school.

You can imagine how gratifying it is to be a part of these women's successes. This is how an economy can be built in developing areas--through small businesses that slowly grow while serving their community. By loaning through KIVA or donating to KIVA or VEF, you can be a part of this process and help not only these small business owners, but their children as well.

KIVA and VEF (and KIVA's other partners) are doing wonderful work. But this cannot alone solve the problems of East Africa or any other part of the world. In my next diary on this topic I will once again discuss the education, environmental and economic context in which KIVA's efforts must exist and how we can help that context.

Progressive Democrat Issue 66: ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION

From the Union of Concerned Scientists: (I think I covered this once before, but the UCS is re-emphasizing this campaign)

Tell ExxonMobil To Change Course

ExxonMobil recently admitted for the first time that global warming pollution has increased and that the burning of fossil fuels—such as oil—has contributed to the problem. Thanks to thousands of letters from UCS activists, and others like you, we are forcing the world’s third largest corporation to change their tune.

But the corporation has yet to take any concrete action, and it continues to rake in record profits at the expense of our health and environment. New CEO Rex Tillerson has an opportunity to turn ExxonMobil into a responsible corporation. Tell Mr. Tillerson to stop blocking meaningful regulation to curb global warming and to start investing in clean energy solutions today!

Take Action to get Exxon/Mobil to ACT on global warming.

Progressive Democrat Issue 66: NY STATE FOCUS

A bit more than two years ago, on February 9, 2004, at 9th Street and 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn, two 5th graders on their way home from school were mowed down by a truck turning right and killed. The incident was treated as an accident and no charges were filed against the truck driver. I have heard that the truck driver was devastated by the accident. It is likely that a single additional mirror on the truck could have saved the lives of these children.

I remember when those children were killed. I was horrified since I have a child who walks the same streets where those two 5th graders were killed. I frequently see unsafe driving in Brooklyn and have had right turners nearly hit my family and myself more than once. However, sometimes it is hard to tell when such driving is due to an asshole driver (mirrors won’t help that!) or due to a driver who didn’t see us.

My Assemblywoman, Joan Millman introduced a bill, A09704, to the State Assembly to require trucks and tractors within NY City (it doesn’t apply to the rest of the state) to be equipped with convex mirrors that would allow truck drivers to see small children in the crosswalk when turning right. This bill has a fair amount of support, including from Mike Bloomberg. Joan pointed out that this was a rare instance of she and Bloomberg being on the same page about something. However the beer industry is opposing it because it would affect their distribution trucks. This industry has started a campaign to stop the bill, though Joan’s office has not sent me the details on the opposition efforts.

Joan Millman a few weeks ago discussed this bill at an Independent Neighborhood Democrats meeting and I offered to help publicize it and round up support. Here is Joan’s statement on the bill:

Assemblywoman Joan Millman is sponsoring legislation which would require large trucks to be equipped with a convex “cross-over” mirror. This new requirement would substantially reduce traffic fatalities and injuries, especially those involving pedestrians.

Assembly Bill 9704 would ensure that all trucks and tractors in New York over 18,000 pounds be equipped with convex mirrors on the front of the vehicle, which would eliminate blind-spots for truck drivers and allow them to see pedestrians and children directly in front of their vehicle. The danger addressed in this legislation is extensive; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 1,900 people are killed annually in accidents in front of or on the right side of trucks, and more than 17,000 are injured.

Many of these trucks use our local streets and roads every day. There are more pedestrian and cyclist deaths and injuries in New York than in any other state, and a majority of these fatal accidents take place in New York City where pedestrians are always in close contact with large trucks.

“Requiring trucks to install a ‘cross-over’ mirror on the front fender will make the streets a great deal safer for pedestrians and drivers at a relatively low expense to trucking companies,” said Assemblywoman Joan Millman. “If ensuring that every large truck in New York has one of these mirrors will lower the risk of fatal accidents, then it should be required, just like headlamps or turning signals. I am convinced that this legislation has the potential to save lives.”

The cost of a convex mirror is as low as twenty dollars. Additionally, the small cost of the mirrors would largely be offset because they are a legitimate business expense, and because they could result in a better insurance rating.

I ask everyone to contact their State Assembly and Senate Representatives as well as Governor Pataki to express your support for A09704 and its State Senate equivalent, 2210-B.

Progressive Democrat Issue 66: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

Lobby for Quality Education
Tue, 03/14/2006 - 6:00am

Parents and others concerned about public school education may want to join PTAs, Education Advocacy Groups, the United Federation of Teachers and others lobbying our elected legislators in Albany, NY on Tuesday, March 14, 2006.

Free buses will leave from all five boroughs early in the morning for this all-day effort.

The United Parents Associations has voted to join the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council, Class Size Matters classsizematters.org, the Alliance for Quality Education aqeny.org, Presidents Councils from Districts 1, 2, 3, 30 and HS Region 6. (Presidents' councils are the organization of PTA presidents in a NYC school district) and other groups, in the first ever independent (not sponsored by NYC) Lobby Day.

Reserve a seat on the bus by emailing your name, school, district; region; borough; & phone number to cpac.lobbyday-at-yahoo.com (replace -at- with @). Also please copy Class Size Matters at leonie-at-att.net (replace -at- with @). Flyers as well as position papers will be available soon, on issues ranging from high-stakes testing, charter schools, and governance reform, to CFE and accountability, and class size!
Those interested who cannot attend can participate by lobbying their Assembly members and State Senators in their district offices.

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.


And see their worldwide calendar for Bike Workshops and other locations.


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:

NEW! NEW! NEW!New Democratic Majority in Brooklyn: March 23rd will be the inaugural meeting of the New Democratic Majority’s Brooklyn group. This will join NDM’s Brooklyn membership with Marjorie’s Ozzie’s meetup and may include other progressive organizations as well (remains to be confirmed). I will be a co-host of this meeting. Will meet the 4th Thursday of every month at the 5th Ave. Ozzie’s in Park Slope, 249 5th Ave (intersection of 5th and Garfield) at 7 PM.

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

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 66: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

Lobby for Quality Education
Tue, 03/14/2006 - 6:00am

Parents and others concerned about public school education may want to join PTAs, Education Advocacy Groups, the United Federation of Teachers and others lobbying our elected legislators in Albany, NY on Tuesday, March 14, 2006.

Free buses will leave from all five boroughs early in the morning for this all-day effort.

The United Parents Associations has voted to join the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council, Class Size Matters classsizematters.org, the Alliance for Quality Education aqeny.org, Presidents Councils from Districts 1, 2, 3, 30 and HS Region 6. (Presidents' councils are the organization of PTA presidents in a NYC school district) and other groups, in the first ever independent (not sponsored by NYC) Lobby Day.

Reserve a seat on the bus by emailing your name, school, district; region; borough; & phone number to cpac.lobbyday-at-yahoo.com (replace -at- with @). Also please copy Class Size Matters at leonie-at-att.net (replace -at- with @). Flyers as well as position papers will be available soon, on issues ranging from high-stakes testing, charter schools, and governance reform, to CFE and accountability, and class size!
Those interested who cannot attend can participate by lobbying their Assembly members and State Senators in their district offices.

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.

And see their worldwide calendar for Bike Workshops and other locations.

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:

Please join us for the March General Meeting, to be held on March 13th at the City Center located at 130 West 56th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues at 7:30 PM. We will be in Studio 3.

Our guest will be Drew Warshaw, Policy Associate in the Spitzer campaign. In November, the attorney general came out in favor of a nonpartisan commission to draw district lines, instead of continuing our present practice of allowing the State Senate and the Assembly to draw their own district lines.

NDM Fundraiser with David Sirota - May 11th, 2006
Please join us for a fundraiser with Progressive author and activist David Sirota on May 11th.

David will be joining us to talk about his new book, "Hostile Takeover - How Big Money and Corruption conqured Our Government - and how we can take it back".

To learn more about David, please check out his web site.


Democracy for America Meetings: 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 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 66: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

From Governor Corzine:

I promised you that I would change how our government conducts its business and that I would work to restore public integrity. A key component to achieving this is through financial responsibility and spending restraint. As Governor, it is my responsibility to propose a budget that is in the best interest of the people of this great state and one that puts New Jersey 's fiscal house in order.
In preparation for my budget proposal, I am hosting three regional community dialogues. These events will be an opportunity to not only come and listen to various concerns about the multi-billion dollar budget crisis but to voice your thoughts on how we restructure New Jersey 's future.
So I invite you to take part in these dialogues and to help New Jersey be the best place to live, work and raise a family. Please choose which of the three dialogues would be most convenient for you to attend and RSVP by calling or visiting us online at www.nj.gov/budget06/dialogues .

North Jersey Region
Tuesday, March 7, 2006 7PM
RSVP Line - (609) 984-9850
Montclair State University
University Hall - College of Ed. Building
Conference Center Ballroom, 7th floor
1 Normal Avenue
Montclair , NJ 07043

Central Jersey Region
Wednesday, March 8, 2006 7PM
RSVP Line - (609) 984-9852
Monmouth University
Woodrow Wilson Auditorium
400 Cedar Avenue
West Long Branch , New Jersey 07764-1898

South Jersey Region
Thursday, March 9, 2006 7PM
RSVP Line – (609) 984-7819
Rowan University
Student Center Building
201 Mullica Hill Road

Progressive Democrat Issue 66: 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:

New Brunswick, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month, 7:00 PM @ Doll's Place, 101 Paterson St. New Brunswick, NJ

Hoboken, New Jersey, Fourth Wednesday of each month, 8:00-10:00 pm, Mulligan's, 159 1st Street (between Bloomfield and Garden), Hosted by Leigh Wolinsky, David Alpert and Morgan Baden, hoboken (at) drinkingliberally.org

Princeton, Every Thursday, 7:00 pm, The Yankee Doodle Tap Room, 10 Palmer Sq W, Princeton. princeton@drinkingliberally.org

NEW GROUP: Montclair Every other Wednesday, 6:30 pm onward, Egan & Sons, 118 Walnut St. Hosted by Jon Hershberg, montclair (at) 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 66: VIRGINIA FOCUS

Cunningham’s Corruption in Virginia!

From the Virginia Democratic Party:

Goode Receives Illegal Campaign Contributions

from the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Feb. 26, 2006

WASHINGTON -- When Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr. bolted the Democratic Party and got a seat on the House Appropriations Committee, it was considered a prize.
From that perch, he could bring home the bacon to a troubled district where textile and tobacco economies were declining and no substitute was in sight.
Six years later, Republican Goode's work to recruit jobs to the 5th District has suddenly landed him in a mess.
He was identified in court papers last week as "Representative A" who got $46,000 in illegal campaign donations from a defense contractor trying to curry his favor.

Read more of the article here.

And read more on the issue here.

Isn’t this the same thing that just got Randy Cunningham of California 8 years plus in prison? Sounds like Goode should be going to jail!

Please write the Virginia media complaining about Goode’s corruption, reminding them that 8 years 4 months (Cunningham’s sentence) is the going rate for this kind of corruption.

Progressive Democrat Issue 66: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

Tuesday, March 14th, 6:30-9:00pm. Peace-Making: Bridging the faith-secular divide – presented by VGC Faith Outreach. Capitol City Brewing, 2700 S. Quincy St (at the corner of 28th).

Tuesday, April 11th, , 6:30-9:00pm. April with VGC - Smart Growth, Transportation, and the Hidden Tax on Every Virginian. At Capitol City Brewing, 2700 S. Quincy St (at the corner of 28th). Contact - info@vagrassroots.org

Tuesday, May 9th, , 6:30-9:00pm. The VGC May Meetup Program --A Living Wage in Virginia - An Issue of Economic Justice. At Capitol City Brewing, 2700 S. Quincy St (at the corner of 28th). Contact - info@vagrassroots.org

Monday, May 15th, 7:00-9:00pm, A Forum on Iraq with the Democratic candidates seeking the nomination to run against Tom Davis in the 11th Congressional District. So far, the two candidates vying for the nomination are Andrew Hurst and Ken Longmyer. It’s a great chance to come meet them and share your views on the war. The forum will be at the Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003 from 7-9 PM on May 15.

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

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 66: NATIONAL ACTION WITH MAINSTREET MOMS

Continued from last week with additions:
This comes from a Daily Kos Diary.

When the proposed abortion ban in South Dakota was announced earlier in the week, individuals were being encouraged to call the Department of Tourism, other South Dakota state offices, the headquarters of some of the businesses located in South Dakora (like Citibank, Gateway computer, and Iams). The point is to announce that you will be boycotting visiting South Dakota, or boycotting purchasing from South Dakota businesses, until that state shows that it has a commitment to equal civil rights for women!

An article in today's Rapid City Journal shows that this approach is working, but that the numbers are very small:

Abortion-rights advocates threaten to boycott S.D.
By Dan Daly, Journal Staff Writer

RAPID CITY -- The South Dakota Legislature's passage of an abortion ban bill prompted an angry reaction from abortion-rights supporters who vowed to boycott the state's tourism industry.

The state Department of Tourism received a dozen e-mails and a number of angry phone calls Friday from abortion-rights supporters who say they will not vacation in South Dakota.

A Madison, Wis.,-based group has formally called for a boycott of South Dakota tourism. In a news release titled "Bypass South Dakota!", the Women's Medical Fund urged supporters to steer clear of South Dakota.

"All kinds of families visit Mount Rushmore every year. It's a favorite of Americans and foreign tourists. But we can do without Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, the Badlands and the Corn Palace," Anne Gaylor, director of the Fund, wrote. "We are encouraging all groups who care about women's rights to urge their members to bypass South Dakota."

Billie Jo Waara, head of the state office of tourism, said her office has been hearing from people throughout the country.

"They have commented on the fact that the state is a great destination for travel, but our current political situation doesn't match their agenda," Waara said…

If you wish to tell South Dakota what you think of their abortion ban, please contact the following:

Department of Tourism and State Development 711 East Wells Avenue Pierre, SD 57501-3369 (605) 773-3256, fax

Economic Development (605) 773-5032, phone www.sdgreatprofits.com

Tourism (605) 773-3301, phone www.TravelSD.com

South Dakota Arts Council 800 Governor's Drive Pierre, SD 57501-2294 (605) 773-3131, phone www.state.sd.us/deca/sdarts/

State Historical Society 900 Governor's Drive Pierre, SD 57501-2217 (605) 773-3458, phone www.sdhistory.org

You can also write the South Dakota media and tell them you are outraged at their abortion ban and so are boycotting their state’s tourism.

This is the Right Wing’s definitive attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade. It is likely not to work, but the stronger our reaction the less likely another state will want to try anything this blatant again.

UPDATE: Mississippi is now following in the footsteps of South Dakota. I recommend writing the Mississippi media telling them that you are boycotting South Dakota’s as a tourist and that if they follow through with their threats against a woman’s choice over her body, you will boycott Mississippi’s tourist destinations.

Remember, if we don’t take action now, many more states will follow suit and the more conservative than ever Supreme Court may well back them up. Now is the time to take action.

Progressive Democrat Issue 66: 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.