Progressive Democrat Issue 69: THOUGHTS

For this week's newsletter, I yield the top "THOUGHTS" section to a full and direct quote from a Daily Kos diary from none other than President and Nobel Prize winner Jimmy Carter:

There is a desperate need in America to block and reverse the radical departures from the moral and ethical principles that have made ours a great nation.

This is not a conflict between liberals and conservatives or even between Democrats and Republicans. The unprecedented changes in policy are from those of Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Dwight Eisenhower, and also, of course, from those of Democratic presidents.

These changes involve the most basic aspects of America's moral values: peace, human rights, justice, the environment, fiscal responsibility, respects for the civil rights of Americans, the honoring of international commitments, separation of church and state, and the control of nuclear weapons.

As described in my current book, "Our Endangered Values, America's Moral Crisis," all of these basic principles have been grossly violated. The proud announcement of "preemptive" war as an official policy, repudiation of Geneva Convention restraints and officially condoned torturing of prisoners, refusal to acknowledge the reality of global warning, and rejection of every nuclear arms control agreement of the past half century have tended to make our nation a pariah within the international community. The incredible budget deficits and secret and illegal spying on American citizens have not only burdened our children and grandchildren with enormous fiscal debt but have been embarrassing to traditional conservatives of all political parties.

Since there will not be another presidential election until 2008, the only chance to modify these trends will be in the elections later this year for U.S. Senators and Members of Congress. Because of gerrymandering by both parties as they gain control of state legislatures, the reelection of most House members are assured - a circumstance in itself that is a radical departure from the vision of our founding fathers.

The only real opportunity, therefore, is to join in a concerted effort to win seats that are actually up for grabs. The best chance to change party control and therefore national policy is in the U.S. Senate, and eight Republican seats are vulnerable: Arizona, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Tennessee. Among these, the smallest margins of victory by President Bush in 2004 were in Ohio (51%, 136,000 votes), Nevada (50.5%, 21,500 votes), and Pennsylvania (50.8%, 129,000 votes) and they reveal real opportunities this year in statewide races.

Nevada is the one that has received the least attention, perhaps because the state has traditionally been Republican and the first term incumbent is known to have a large campaign war chest from the gaming industry, but this one real advantage can easily be overcome by three factors:

First is his almost total compliance with the White House (96% average for the five years he has been in office and 100% in 2004!) at a time when many voters are having second thoughts about the Bush administration.

Second is a strong candidate, and Jack Carter has already entered the race. With degrees in physics and law, he also has had a broad career as an expert on agricultural commodities, and later in international trade and commerce. A veteran of Vietnam and an effective campaigner in my 1976 campaign, Jack is knowledgeable about security, and especially familiar with a broad range of political issues throughout America. Happily married, with four children, he understands and appreciates real family values. Although he doesn't talk about it on the campaign trail, Jack is also a loyal member of his local church, where he plays the guitar on Sundays.

Knowing that John Kerry had a comfortable combined margin of victory in the urban areas of Nevada but lost overwhelmingly among farmers, ranchers, and citizens of small towns, Jack's background makes him quite compatible with these voters. Everyone who knows him agrees that he will understand even the most complex challenges of Nevadans and will always address them courageously and truthfully. An added bonus among his supporters is that he will campaign full time and will never back down or give up.

The third factor - adequate campaign financing - is more difficult, but can be achieved with grassroots support from throughout the nation. Jack needs campaign contributions, which will be a fine investment for any American who is willing to participate in restoring our nation's values.

You can find his website here.

I should note that the internet is a new thing for President Carter. It is wonderful to see him posting and to see his son running for Congress. Please join me in supporting Jack Carter for Senate.

Progressive Democrat Issue 69: ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION: Global Warming Followup

A funny thing happened to a random, off the cuff diary I wrote. It went platinum...or the blog equivalent. Front paged on MLW and for awhile TOP of the Recommended list on dKos and recommended on Booman. Now, based on lots that I have thought about before and based on the flood of comments I received in the above diary, I am writing this follow up with the goal of giving you the information and the power to DO something about Global Warming.

The above mentioned diary was neither my first nor best global warming diary. I have written about America's ability to face global warming and to grow stronger from our response if we had real leadership (if only President Gore had been allowed to take office!). That one was featured in last week's newsletter and was well received. I have written about the Denial Lobby, which is fighting to censor global warming scientists, and that diary is where I first brought up Jim Hansen and his recent refusal to bow down to Bush's thugs. In this newsletter, some time back, I have discussed the critical role forests play in global and regional climate, environmental stability and economic development as well as what we each can do to help preserve and restore our forests. Within these diaries you can find ample information on global warming including references to scientific evidence, as well as many actions that you can take as an individual to help preserve a future for our children.

What I want to do here is to suggest some immediate follow up actions to the 60 Minute interview that can help boost its impact. We all know how important it is to make our presence heard and that timing is a key factor in being heard. A flood of activity now will make a point to the media and to our government (not counting the Halliburton Republicans who don't give a shit) and to America in general.

First off, contact 60 Minutes and tell them what you thought of the Hansen interview. POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT!

ADDRESS:
60 Minutes
524 West 57th St.
New York, NY 10019

EMAIL: 60m@cbsnews.com


Second, contact Jim Hansen himself and send him fan mail:

James E. Hansen
Director, Goddard Institute for Space Studies
jhansen@giss.nasa.gov

Encourage this man! He is a hero for standing up to Bush when many Democratic politicians have failed to do so. Scientists don't usually get fan mail, though Joy tells me Hansen HAS been interviewed in Rolling Stone...so maybe he even has Scientific Groupies, for all I know.

Contact the national and your local media and tell them what you saw on 60 Minutes and ask them why they aren't reporting on this. Tell them your view on global warming and on the scientific censorship of science in America. I should note that the NY Times DID cover this about a month ago (?). But otherwise, the media needs to hear a FLOOD of letters from us demanding more on this.

Contact your Congress Critters and tell them what you heard on 60 Minutes about global warming and censorship of science in America and DEMAND action. Demand an immediate investigation into censorship of science and punishment of whoever is responsible for it. Demand immediate action on global warming by the American government. Demand a new energy plan for America that is REALLY forward thinking. You can use my earlier diary for ammunition. Be angry and forceful. Our government is FAILING us and they need to hear from us.

I also want to add that Congressman Brad Miller (NC-13) contacted me after he saw my diary on Daily Kos and he is on this. Please check out his diary asking for input directly from scientists who have experienced intimidation and censorship.

Join the Union of Concerned Scientists in their lobbying of Exxon's new management to get them to stop their opposition to climate science and to alternative energy policies. Express your anger and your new found eagerness to join the national boycott of Exxon/Mobil. While you are at it, join the Union of Concerned Scientists. They are at the forefront of defending science, defending our environment and opposing war. Let there be a flood of new members to UCS in response to this issue.

And, while I am plugging groups, join the National Coalition Against Censorship. They didn't hire me when I interviewed for the position, but I am still happy that they now have started a Censorship of Science project that will address issues like this. Again, let's get them a flood of new members in response to this issue.

Finally, keep in mind the recent Fundamentalist Christian movement to face global warming. These are some right wingers who are catching on. So contact YOUR church, synagogue, mosque, meditation group, atheist group, etc. and ask them what THEY are doing to demand action on global warming. Fundamentalist right wing Christians are taking out advertising time to push for action on global warming. If nothing else, each of our religious and secular groups should be discussing this and lobbying for action locally and nationally. You are part of a community. Bring this issue to YOUR community.

A final word on what to do as an individual to get started. As I mentioned, I go over many actions HERE and HERE. But as a start for the very beginners, two important things you can do is switch all your light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs and to use nothing but recycled paper products. Compact fluorescents are expensive, but they save you lots of money in the long run because they will cut your energy bills by (if my experience is typical) about a third and they last for far longer than a regular bulb. Recycled paper products are never as good as the BEST products made from vrigin paper, but they are generally just as good as the average virgin paper products and they can help preserve the forests that are our buffer against gloabal warming. Start there. It will help.

Progressive Democrat Issue 69: A SLICE OF LABOR HISTORY

This diary ALSO made the Rec list on Daily Kos...twice in one week! This made it to the second spot on dKos.

On March 25th 1911, 146 people died in the very building I work in. The results of their deaths were the rapid growth of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union and the real beginning of the fight against sweatshops. It also was the beginning of fire regulations in American cities.

I work in what is now known as the Brown Building at NYU. But in 1911 it was the Asch building. The top three floors of the Asch building comprised the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. For the record, a shirtwaist is essentially a woman’s blouse. I work a couple of floors below where the factory was.

This factory employed some 500 workers, mostly young women immigrants. The working conditions were essentially sweatshop conditions with fourteen-hour workdays and a 60- to 72-hour workweek. It was also a death trap. Workers of course smoked and lighting was from gas lighting…and, of course, the clothing was flammable. But it was even worse due to management distrust of the workers. One of the two exit stairs was locked to keep workers from taking breaks. The fire escape was substandard. And working conditions were crowded.

A couple of years before the fire, in 1909, a walkout by the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory workers sparked a large-scale labor protest, called the uprising of 20,000. When the management of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory locked out its striking employees, it led to a series of meetings of the industry’s workers, leading to a much larger-scale walkout. Since a majority of the workers were Jewish immigrants, the large-scale action began with a Yiddish oath, that, roughly translated, means “if I break my oath may my hand wither away.” Twenty thousand garment workers walked out for fourteen weeks.

All of the thuggery by management that typified the early labor movement was manifest. With police assistance, management hired thugs to beat up the striking women. An agreement was eventually reached, and, after an even larger strike in 1910, the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union was recognized.

But the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory refused to sign the agreement and conditions there scarcely improved.

On March 25, 1911, a fire began two floors above where I work. Workers on the tenth floor were alerted and escaped. But workers on the 9th floor were not. When the fire reached them, workers found doors locked. Some jumped out of windows to their deaths to escape the fire, an image that took on new meaning for me on 9/11 when many did the same at the much higher World Trade Center. Watching that happen, I found it overwhelming to imagine making the choice to jump. Other women jumped down the elevator shaft…mostly to their deaths. Others were overcome by smoke.

The rush of workers down the inadequate fire escape led to more deaths when the fire escape collapsed. When the fire department arrived, they found that their ladders were too short to reach above the 6th floor…the floor I work on.

In all 146 people died. Of those, 54 died jumping out of windows to escape the fire. You can read an eyewitness account of the fire here. It is somewhat disturbing especially after 9/11 because of the description of the falling bodies. Here is the most touching excerpt:

As I looked up I saw a love affair in the midst of all the horror. A young man helped a girl to the window sill. Then he held her out, deliberately away from the building and let her drop. He seemed cool and calculating. He held out a second girl the same way and let her drop. Then he held out a third girl who did not resist. I noticed that. They were as unresisting as if her were helping them onto a streetcar instead of into eternity. Undoubtedly he saw that a terrible death awaited them in the flames, and his was only a terrible chivalry.

Then came the love amid the flames. He brought another girl to the window. Those of us who were looking saw her put her arms about him and kiss him. Then he held her out into space and dropped her. But quick as a flash he was on the window sill himself. His coat fluttered upward—the air filled his trouser legs. I could see that he wore tan shoes and hose. His hat remained on his head.

Some 100,000 people attended the funeral of these victims. The factory owners were put on trial but acquitted. But the incidence radicalized the union movement, making their struggle a matter of life and death. When you hear people complain about unions, go back and re-read that eyewitness account of the fire and remember why the union movement began in the first place. I can personally tell a few complaints of my own about certain unions and certain union leaders…but overall, anyone who knows the history of labor in America KNOWS that unions are the salvation of working class Americans.

The eyewitness account of the fire ends thus:

The floods of water from the firemen's hose that ran into the gutter were actually stained red with blood. I looked upon the heap of dead bodies and I remembered these girls were the shirtwaist makers. I remembered their great strike of last year in which these same girls had demanded more sanitary conditions and more safety precautions in the shops. These dead bodies were the answer.

My great-grandfather was a furniture maker who emigrated from Russia around the time of the anti-Jewish pogroms. He worked in a factory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In that factory he lost two fingers and an eye in separate accidents. This was before the union movement. It is because of the union movement that such accidents are far less common.

The Asch building was bought by NYU and is now the Brown Building which, in turn, was joined up with two other buildings to be come the Silver Center, one of the main buildings of the university. A plaque remains on the Brown building commemorating the fire.

Right now the NYU administration is locked in a battle against striking graduate students. Now, no one will argue that the graduate students are working under sweatshop conditions. But they are exploited workers, often having to work extra jobs to support themselves and, essentially, working on their research in their spare time. Many graduate students in the sciences receive small stipends for their work, thus allowing them to focus more on their research. Science grad students get their degree in 5-6 years on average. Non-science grad students, forced to teach and get other jobs to support themselves, often take 10 or more years to get their degree.

Out of the exploitation of these graduate students, the Graduate Student Organizing Committee and the UAW won the first contract for graduate assistants at a private university in 2002. This contract improved the lives of graduate students and was praised by the NYU administration. However, thanks to a regressive Bush administration reversal of a Clinton administration ruling, NYU is refusing to even bargain with the union to renew the contract. Union members voted by a margin of 85% to strike for a new contract, and their strike began on Wednesday, November 9, 2005, soon after I started working in the Brown building. I have heard the strikers many times and give them a thumbs-up when I pass. You can read about their strike here. I urge you to email NYU President John Sexton (john.sexton@nyu.edu; 212.998.2345) to tell him to respect the work of graduate employees by bargaining a fair contract with GSOC/Local 2110 UAW. I suggest doing it today, on the anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.

Beyond NYU, many Americans still buy clothing made in sweatshops. But there are alternatives. I recommend purchasing clothing through No Sweat Apparel. Their clothing is very high quality and it is all made with union labor.

Finally, I will end by mentioning that the successor to the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union is the Union UNITE HERE which includes garment and hotel workers.

Progressive Democrat Issue 69: NYC FOCUS I: Running out of time for voting rights

This action is being done in collaboration with the Brooklyn New Democratic Majority group and Democracy for NYC.

Our time is running out to strengthen our ability to preserve our voting rights. The vote on this is coming up in a matter of days and we have to be heard NOW!

NY State law requires the abandonment of our old lever machines. The two choices for replacements are “DREs” (Direct Recording Electronic touch-screen or pushbutton computerized voting machines), or “PBOS” (Paper Ballots, Optical Scanners, and accessible ballot-marking machines for voters with disabilities or minority languages).

The paper ballot for PBOS is the legal ballot, verified by the voter before it is cast, counted, and witnessed by citizen observers. Paper ballots allow quick and accurate recounts when needed.

The electronic voting machine, DRE, Direct Recording Equipment or “touch-screen” creates a stored “paper trail”, which is not the legal ballot. The legal vote is cast directly on the machine. There have been several documented failures of this system. In addition, DREs require privatization of elections because they use proprietary software. We would never know whether or not our elections are fair.

The New York City Council Resolution 131 urges the Board of Elections to buy PBOS, not DRE computerized voting machines. Please contact your city council member and ask them to co-sponsor and push for passage. Include your name, address, and phone number.

You can contact your Council Member through this site.

In addition, please contact these two leaders of the Council, as they will be steering the legislative process and will possibly be instrumental to passage:

CHRISTINE QUINN,
SPEAKER OF THE CITY COUNCIL
(212) 788-7210 or quinn@council.nyc.ny.us

SIMCHA FELDER,
CHAIR OF THE GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
(718) 853-2704 or felder@council.nyc.ny.us

Progressive Democrat Issue 69: NYC FOCUS II: Ruunning out of time on School Funding

We have until the state budget deadline on April 1st to get the State Legislature to give our schools desperately needed funds. The State Assembly passed a budget that will provide billions of dollars in new state aid to improve our schools. Not surprisingly, the State Senate Republicans are following the Bush/Pataki anti-education philosophy and are opposing this plan.

This is money our kids need for smaller classes, more qualified teachers, safer buildings, up-to-date materials, as well as Pre-K and after-school programs to improve academic performance. The Senate republicans claim that the funds aren’t there to fix our schools, despite a $3 billion surplus this year.

Please contact your Senator and demand action on this vital funding. Take action HERE.

Progressive Democrat Issue 69: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

Men of Color: Sexual Health & HIV Conference: Thu, 03/30/2006 - 9:30am
Men of Color: Your Sexual Health & HIV Today

Men Sharing about Sexuality, HIV Prevention & their Overall Well-Being
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Black Veterans for Social Justice
665 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn
[Between Throop and Marcus Garvey Avenues; Nearest subway trains: "G" & "J"]

Conference attendees will receive METROCARDS

Co-Sponsors: HIV Arts Network, Black Veterans for Social Justice
Keynote Speakers: Professor Darrell Wheeler (CUNY Hunter College/i), Eddie Rivera (NYC HIV/AIDS P.P.G./i)

Panelists & Discussants: Julius Powell, Von’Michael Hanton, Edward
Shaw, Jonathan Santos-Ramos, Yves-Michel Fontaine, Matt Ignacio,
Michael Batshaw, Mark Colter John, Doneley Meris & more...
Program includes: keynote speeches; panel discussion on the state of affairs for men of color and HIV prevention; small group discussions about stigma and discrimination, immigration, mental health, homelessness, substance use/abuse and harm reduction, male sexuality – identity, behaviors and practices, religion, spirituality and family systems, and male well-being

Co-Sponsoring Institutions (in formation):
• Project Hospitality
• Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
• Community Health Action of Staten Island, Inc.
• Hispanic AIDS Forum
• The Institute of Gay Men’s Health – Gay Men’s Health Crisis
• Brooklyn AIDS Task Force

Hearing on Voting Machines in NYC: Mon, 04/03/2006 - 1:00pm City Council Chamber at City Hall

Subways: N or R to City Hall; 4, 5 or 6 to Brooklyn Bridge; J, M, or Z to Chambers Street; or 2 or 3 to Park Place

DFNYC is supporting Resolution 131 for paper ballots/optical scanners and opposing electronic voting in NYC. Join us in the City Hall balcony to support those speaking on behalf of PB/OS at this hearing on voting machines and NYC’s compliance with the Help America Vote Act.

The Committee on Governmental Operations of the NY City Council is giving us this opportunity to support Resolution 131 which urges the adoption of paper ballots and precinct-based optical scanners and accessible ballot-marking machines for voters with disabilities and minority languages. This resolution is against electronic voting!

If you want to speak as part of the New Yorkers for Verified Voting coordinated panel, please send an email to Teresa Hommel at admin -at- wherethepaper.org (replace -at- with @).

Danny Schechter's "Weapons of Mass Deception" Thu, 03/30/2006 - 7:00pm
To mark the 3rd Anniversary of the War in Iraq

Chelsea Neighbors United to End the War will present the award-winning documentary "Weapons of Mass Deception" by Danny Schechter at the historic Hudson Guild, 441West 26th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues) in Manhattan.

Danny Schechter will speak about the film and answer questons.

"Weapons of Mass Deception" is a 100 minute non-fiction film that explores the story that there were two wars going on in Iraq - one was fought with armies of soldiers, bombs and a fearsome military force. The other was fought alongside it with cameras, satellites, armies of journalists and propaganda techniques. One war was rationalized as an effort to find and disarm WMDs - Weapons of Mass Destruction;
the other was carried out by even more powerful WMDs, Weapons of Mass Deception.

Mr. Schechter, a Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University, and radio news director turned CNN and Emmy Award winning ABC News Producer, Schechter wears several hats at the same time. He is now an award-winning independent investigative journalist and filmmaker as well as an outspoken author.

Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. Call 212-726-1385 for reservations or more information.

Chelsea Neighbors United to End the War is a grass roots neighborhood group that was formed at the beginning of 2005 to oppose the war in Iraq and to
work in the neighborhood of Chelsea.


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: Please join your hosts Marjorie Gersten, David Michaelson and Michael Bouldin on Thursday, April 27th, 7 PM. We are hoping to have a candidate’s forum for the NY-11 Congressional race. I will be a co-host of this meeting. We 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.

March 30th, 7 PM The Ethical Culture Society will host a benefit for Develop, Don't Destroy Brooklyn, the organization that is defending Brooklyn from Ratner's mega-development project that would build 17 giant sky-scrapers in the heart of Brooklyn. Performers include Lisa Gutkin and Lorin Sklamberg of the world-famous Klezmatics, classical guitarist Robert Secrist, and Julia and Leela, the Jewel Odalisque Dancers.

The event will also feature a raffle with terrific prizes donated by local merchants, story-telling and sing alongs, a photo exhibition, local crafts and a Baker's Row featuring some of Brooklyn's top bakers: Erica's Rugelach and Baking Co., Regina Bakery, Cheryl Kleinman Cakes, Shakoor's Sweet Tooth, Cousin John's and Viola Bakery.

The Ethical Culture Society is located at 53 Prospect Park West, between 1st and 2nd Streets in Park Slope. Admission will be on a sliding scale: $5-$10-$20.
Contact Scott Turner for more information: scott@fansforfairplay.com

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE! WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 7PM

Park Slope/Crown Heights, Brooklyn, location TBD, guest TBD, with host Josh Skaller

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (This Linkup is being consolidated with the East Village Linkup, see above.)

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


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

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


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

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

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

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

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

QUEENS:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE! WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 7PM

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

Queens Jefferson Democratic Club: Our meetings are normally held the first Thursday of every month, @ 8:00 p.m. (the doors open @ 7:30 P.M.) except for July, August, and months in which a holiday falls on the First Thursday. Meetings are held at the Auburndale American Legion Hall, 198-09 33rd Ave Flushing, New York 11358 (just off Francis Lewis Blvd. near 33rd Avenue).

Queens County Young Democrats: for information CLICK HERE.

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

ASTORIA: Third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward. Cassidy's, 34-16 Broadway (at 35th Street). Hosted by Bob Chamerda, astoria (at) drinkingliberally.org

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 69: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

Men of Color: Sexual Health & HIV Conference: Thu, 03/30/2006 - 9:30am
Men of Color: Your Sexual Health & HIV Today

Men Sharing about Sexuality, HIV Prevention & their Overall Well-Being
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Black Veterans for Social Justice
665 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn
[Between Throop and Marcus Garvey Avenues; Nearest subway trains: "G" & "J"]

Conference attendees will receive METROCARDS

Co-Sponsors: HIV Arts Network, Black Veterans for Social Justice
Keynote Speakers: Professor Darrell Wheeler (CUNY Hunter College/i), Eddie Rivera (NYC HIV/AIDS P.P.G./i)

Panelists & Discussants: Julius Powell, Von’Michael Hanton, Edward
Shaw, Jonathan Santos-Ramos, Yves-Michel Fontaine, Matt Ignacio,
Michael Batshaw, Mark Colter John, Doneley Meris & more...
Program includes: keynote speeches; panel discussion on the state of affairs for men of color and HIV prevention; small group discussions about stigma and discrimination, immigration, mental health, homelessness, substance use/abuse and harm reduction, male sexuality – identity, behaviors and practices, religion, spirituality and family systems, and male well-being

Co-Sponsoring Institutions (in formation):
• Project Hospitality
• Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
• Community Health Action of Staten Island, Inc.
• Hispanic AIDS Forum
• The Institute of Gay Men’s Health – Gay Men’s Health Crisis
• Brooklyn AIDS Task Force

Hearing on Voting Machines in NYC: Mon, 04/03/2006 - 1:00pm City Council Chamber at City Hall

Subways: N or R to City Hall; 4, 5 or 6 to Brooklyn Bridge; J, M, or Z to Chambers Street; or 2 or 3 to Park Place

DFNYC is supporting Resolution 131 for paper ballots/optical scanners and opposing electronic voting in NYC. Join us in the City Hall balcony to support those speaking on behalf of PB/OS at this hearing on voting machines and NYC’s compliance with the Help America Vote Act.

The Committee on Governmental Operations of the NY City Council is giving us this opportunity to support Resolution 131 which urges the adoption of paper ballots and precinct-based optical scanners and accessible ballot-marking machines for voters with disabilities and minority languages. This resolution is against electronic voting!

If you want to speak as part of the New Yorkers for Verified Voting coordinated panel, please send an email to Teresa Hommel at admin -at- wherethepaper.org (replace -at- with @).

Danny Schechter's "Weapons of Mass Deception" Thu, 03/30/2006 - 7:00pm
To mark the 3rd Anniversary of the War in Iraq

Chelsea Neighbors United to End the War will present the award-winning documentary "Weapons of Mass Deception" by Danny Schechter at the historic Hudson Guild, 441West 26th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues) in Manhattan.

Danny Schechter will speak about the film and answer questons.

"Weapons of Mass Deception" is a 100 minute non-fiction film that explores the story that there were two wars going on in Iraq - one was fought with armies of soldiers, bombs and a fearsome military force. The other was fought alongside it with cameras, satellites, armies of journalists and propaganda techniques. One war was rationalized as an effort to find and disarm WMDs - Weapons of Mass Destruction;
the other was carried out by even more powerful WMDs, Weapons of Mass Deception.

Mr. Schechter, a Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University, and radio news director turned CNN and Emmy Award winning ABC News Producer, Schechter wears several hats at the same time. He is now an award-winning independent investigative journalist and filmmaker as well as an outspoken author.

Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. Call 212-726-1385 for reservations or more information.

Chelsea Neighbors United to End the War is a grass roots neighborhood group that was formed at the beginning of 2005 to oppose the war in Iraq and to
work in the neighborhood of Chelsea.


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

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! WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 7PM

Upper West Side, Cosi (downstairs) 2160 Broadway @76th Street, guest TBD, with host Merle McEldowney

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

West Village, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7th Ave.), guest TBD, with hosts Dana Northcraft and Judith Ren-Lay

East Village, location TBD, with hosts Abhishek Mistry and Ben Morrison

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 69: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

Once again I want to make a plug for everyone to get involved with their local Democratic Party. Elections are won on the local level. And your local politics affect you more than National politics, in general. Finally, YOU can affect your local party more than you can affect the national party.

Do we want a more progressive Democratic Party? Then we need to be involved with our local party. If they aren’t progressive enough for you, your personality, your voice and your vote within your local club can help make the club more progressive. And depending on the way your local Democratic club works, your vote could help determine which candidates get endorsed.

Get involved with your local Democratic Party group and help shape the Democratic Party from within.

Progressive Democrat Issue 69: NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

Global Warming: A Gathering Storm Wednesday, April 5 2006, 7:00pm - 9:00pm;
lewis@bergengrassroots.org

Bergen County Ethical Culture Society, 687 Larch Avenue, Teaneck, NJ

What does the future hold for humankind over the next century? As a scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York City (where my wife also works!), Barbara Carlson's research focuses on modeling global climate change. Dr. Carlson's presentation will focus on the implications of accepted scientific findings related to climate change, based on research done at GISS and elsewhere. Come listen and learn what global warming means for you and your family. Join in a discussion of what we, as citizens, can do to ensure that our planet is safe for our children and grandchildren.

GISS recently stirred nationwide interest when its director, Dr. James Hansen, clashed with the White House over the issue of publicizing the global warming concerns of scientists around the world.

Bergen Grassroots, a chapter of Democracy for America, agrees with Dr. Hansen that it is crucially important that Americans understand this issue. We present this talk as a public service, as part of an extended recognition of Earth Day 2006. For more information on Earth Day events, visit Earth Day Network at www.earthday.net.


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

Montclair Every other Wednesday, 6:30 pm onward, Egan & Sons, 118 Walnut St. Hosted by Jon Hershberg, montclair (at) drinkingliberally.org

Morristown, Third Thursday of each month (next meeting April 20), 7:00 pm onward; The Famished Frog, 18 Washington St. Hosted by Jim Long, Tracy Kurland, Rob Gregory and Dave Cochran, morristown (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 69: VIRGINIA FOCUS

Focusing on Democracy for Virginia this month. An invitation from their website:

Get Involved!

The first step to getting involved with Democracy for Virginia is to join us. If you’re interested in meeting with other Democracy for Virginia members around the state, one opportunity is our participation in monthly DFA Meetups around Virginia.

We also encourage you to start new monthly meetings of DFV supporters in your area. If you’re interested in starting a new local DFV meeting, we’d be happy to help. Please contact meetings@democracyforvirginia.com This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for more information.

We also encourage participation in discussions on the Democracy for Virginia blog. You can read regularly posted articles and join in related discussions with others by posting comments. If you’d like to submit an article as a guest author or become a regular blogger, please contact blog@democracyforvirginia.com. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
In addition, we welcome the participation of all DFV-PAC members in our statewide Action Teams. We develop Action Teams on an ongoing basis, and many leadership opportunities are available. Currently, we are recruiting members for the following action teams:

Membership and Outreach

The Membership and Outreach action team builds Democracy for Virginia membership by developing new and stronger local meetings, reaching out to diverse communities around Virginia, and connecting with progressive activists and allied organizations around the Commonwealth. Of particular interest to the Membership and Outreach committees is diversifying our membership base and leadership team. If you’re interested in membership development and outreach, please email meetings@democracyforvirginia.com This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Fundraising

The Fundraising action team develops and implements DFV-PAC’s fundraising plans, including a statewide House Party strategy, fundraising events, membership drives, and fundraising for endorsed candidates. To get involved, contact fundraising@democracyforvirginia.com. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Candidate Recruitment/Support

The Candidate Recruitment and Support action team raises awareness about opportunities to run for elected office in Virginia, researches races around the state, connects potential candidates to training opportunities and support networks, and strives to convince more ordinary Virginians to run for elected office. Once DFV-PAC endorses a candidate, we coordinate support activities for that candidate, including research, DFV volunteer mobilization, and fundraising. Contact political@democracyforvirginia.com This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it to get involved.

Legislative and Issue Advocacy

The Legislative and Issue Advocacy action team involves Virginians in Virginia legislative affairs by raising awareness about legislation and coordinating efforts to contact legislators and the media about specific legislation of interest. This action team also works on legislative research on incumbent legislators opposed by DFV-PAC endorsed candidates and works on the Democracy for Virginia Legislative Sentry program. To join this action team, email political@democracyforvirginia.com This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Communications

This action team develops Democracy for Virginia’s regional, statewide, and national communication strategy and plans, including media relations, press releases, informational collateral, outreach materials, newsletters, and Web site content. To join this action team, contact pac@democracyforvirginia.com. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Web Strategy and IT

DFV’s overall Web strategy is the focus of this action team. Future projects include a full re-design of the Web site, a calendar/event planning tool integration, membership database work, and issue advocacy campaign tool integration. Providing Web solutions to interested local allied groups is also an ongoing project. To get involved in this critical action team, please contact pac@democracyforvirginia.com. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Endorsements

DFV-PAC is currently accepting nominations for membership on our Endorsements Committee. This committee reviews replies to candidate questionnaires, plans endorsement-related events, participates in interviews with candidates, and makes endorsement recommendations to the DFV-PAC Board of Directors. Membership on the committee is voted on by the Board of Directors and affirmed by a general membership vote. Those who nominate themselves for this committee must be willing to devote substantial time – from five to 10 hours per week at peak endorsement time – to work on this volunteer committee. This includes participating in weekly conference calls, attending our candidate forum in Falls Church on July 9 in conjunction with DFV-sponsored DFA Training Academy, assisting in communication with campaigns, participating in in-person candidate interviews on July 23 and possible other future dates, and keeping all necessary materials and details of the endorsement process confidential. Candidates for positions on the DFV-PAC endorsement committee who have prior volunteer experience with DFV or recommendations from other DFV activists will be given preference. Endorsements committee members must be voting members of DFV-PAC. To nominate yourself for a position on the endorsements committee, send us an email to pac@democracyforvirginia.com. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Any information you can provide about your relevant experience is welcome and appreciated.

New action teams will be formed as our organization grows. If you are interested in creating and/or leading a new action team, please contact pac@democracyforvirginia.com.

Progressive Democrat Issue 69: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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 69: NATIONAL ACTION

STOP BUSH'S PLAN TO SELL OFF OUR NATIONAL FORESTS

Paul Richards, Democratic candidate for Senate in Montana and courageous lifelong advocate for the environment, is leading the fight to stop the reckless decimation of our national forests. Please read Paul's personal message to you below, and join him in being a champion for our forest heritage by submitting this action page.

ACTION PAGE: http://www.richards2006.us/petitions/pnum226.php

After six years of undermining protections for public lands and forests, President Bush's FY 2007 budget proposes to sell more than a quarter of a million acres of public lands. This is another example of the Bush administration's loyalty to the logging, oil and gas industries. According to the New York Times, the Department of Interior's budget documents show that they plan to allow companies to pump about billion in oil and natural gas without paying royalties.

A total of 304,370 acres of national forests across the country would be up for auction under the President's proposal; including over 12,000 acres in Montana (my home state), 75,000 acres in California, 25,000 acres in Idaho, 21,000 acres in Colorado and 21,000 acres in Missouri, 17,000 in Wyoming and 15,000 in South Dakota. Many of the lands up for sale provide important wildlife habitat, clean drinking water and air, and a natural legacy for future generations.

ACTION PAGE: http://www.richards2006.us/petitions/pnum226.php

We only have until March 30 to get our comments into the National Forest Service. Please join me in telling the Forest Service not to sell off our public lands to environmentally hostile corporations and condo developers!

Please take a moment and let the Forest Service know that you oppose selling national forestland. Comments on the proposed land sale must be received by March 30. The action page above will automatically send your personal message by email. Written comments may be sent to: USDA Forest Service, SRS Comments, Lands 4S, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mailstop 1124, Washington, DC, 20250-0003. Send faxed comments to (202) 205-1604.

SAMPLE LETTER TO FOREST SERVICE

USDA Forest Service
SRS Comments, Lands 4S
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mailstop 1124
Washington, DC, 20250-0003
Dear Forest Service,

I am writing you to oppose any sale of national forests or BLM land to fund the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination (SRS) Program. The proposed auction of more than a quarter of a million acres of public forests around the country would do irreparable harm to our national forest system. The lands, which would be lost forever provide important wildlife habitat, clean drinking water and air, and a natural legacy. As wealthiest nation in the world, we can afford to preserve our public lands and pay for our children's education.

Education and our national forest heritage are investments for future generations. It is irresponsible to ask us to choose between these essential responsibilities of our government. This one-time sale of valuable national forests would permanently harm the national forest system and could only temporarily fund the Secure Rural Schools program; it's not a solution to the problem of under-funded rural education. Our children and rural communities deserve a dependable source of income for education that does not rely on the reckless pawning of public lands.

When Teddy Roosevelt and other Administrations during the last century created the 193-million-acre National Forest System, they intended for these lands to be preserved forever as a public trust and managed for the good of all Americans. The proposed auction of hundreds of thousands of acres without an equal or greater increase in protected acreage is a direct assault on the idea of a dedicated National Forest system.

Don't ask Americans which national forests you should sell; it's a disservice for the Forest Service to even consider the idea. This proposal is in direct opposition to your agency's mission and reason for existence. Financial challenges always cause us to reassess our priorities. Selling our natural forest heritage to pay for other government programs is unacceptable.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Address

Progressive Democrat Issue 69: HEARTLAND FOCUS

Progressive Media from the Heartland

One of the biggest problems facing America is the monolithic, right-wing biased, often lying mainstream media. Since their blind cheerleading for Bush's invasion of Iraq, we have learned we cannot trust the mainstreet media. But even if we could, having little more than a single, biased viewpoint expressed in the media is dangerous in a democracy.

We need to encourage and enjoy our alternative media choices. This diary is intended to introduce some of our better progressive voices in the media.

America's heartland is blessed with one of America's best alternative voices: Iowa's own Progressive Populist. From their website:

The Progressive Populist reports from the heartland of America on issues of interest to workers, small-business owners and family farmers and ranchers. In addition to reports from staff and contributing writers, the Populist prints populist essays, speeches and articles from independent newspapers and magazines. It publishes progressive and populist columnists whose points of view are blocked out of most daily newspaper op-ed pages.

The newspaper is edited by Jim Cullen, formerly a veteran daily newspaper reporter in Texas and Louisiana and associate editor of the Texas Observer, and Art Cullen, editor of the twice-weekly Storm Lake (Iowa) Times.

The Progressive Populist is the true voice of the Heartland.

Next is the Iowa Forum, an offshoot of American Forum. American Forum is a nonprofit media organization that works to encourage more citizen debate on important societal issues.

From Iowa Forum's website:

The Iowa FORUM is a nonprofit organization of community activists with a wide range of issue areas and journalists working to communicate ideas to the public and stimulate policy debate by tapping into the power of the media.

Over the years, editors have come to recognize the Iowa FORUM for well-written, well-researched, and thought-provoking commentary on topics including energy solutions , the farm bill , welfare reform .

On average, media packets reach 400,000 households through print and 600,000 listeners and viewers through the broadcast media. Commentary from the Iowa FORUM regularly appear in Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (circ. 68,727) , Davenport Quad-City Times (circ. 54,868) , Council Bluffs Daily Non-Pareil (circ. 18,500) , Marshalltown Times-Republican (circ. 11,847) , Ames Daily Tribune (circ. 10,500) , Spencer Daily Reporter (circ. 4,000) . Forum materials also receive significant local use/coverage by broadcast media throughout the state.

January 9, 1909, Senator Robert M. La Follette Sr. of Wisconsin founded La Follette's Weekly to be "a magazine of progress, social, intellectual, institutional." In 1929, La Follette's Weekly changed its name to The Progressive. The Progressive comes to you from Wisconsin and is one of the oldest Progressive voices in America. Barbara Ehrenreich, Molly Ivins, and Howard Zinn write regularly for The Progressive. And some of America's leading poets--Adrienne Rich, Martín Espada, C.K. Williams, Wendell Berry, and Rita Dove--publish original work with us.

Finally, one of my favorite national news sources with a fair but progressive slant is Salon.com. Combining AP newswire stories with op-ed pieces from great voices such as Arianna Huffington, the recovered Gingrich Republican, Garrison Keillor, the most recognized voice from America's center, and Joe Conason, one of America's sexiest and smartest Progressives. Since it's inception Salon.com has become one of the best news sources for Progressive America.

Please support and enjoy your progressive media.

Progressive Democrat Issue 69: 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.