Progressive Democrat Issue 70: THOUGHTS

Here are my thoughts about Election 2006: People are getting too optimistic. Or, more to the point, I am not seeing the activism amount progressives that it will take to win. We correctly recognize that this year could be our year. With Republican corruption finally being revealed even in the mainstreet media, with Bush's popularity rating falling lower and lower, dragging down his party like a rock, with new, smarter leadership at the DNC, and with many wonderful candidates, including many brave veterans who oppose Bush's war, we could clean up big time, retaking both houses. The opportunity is there and it really could happen. But...

The Republicans still have more money, still control the media, still in some states control the voting machines. I also have seen in many, many elections the left having an ideal opportunity and bungling it. How can we make sure we get the most from this year's election? Well, we should do what the Republicans do. They never stop looking to the next election, donating, connecting with their base...in essence campaigning for the next election. We need to be busy now as if the election were next month.

It is with that in mind that I am going to be focusing a more on election 2006. I will introduce a recurring theme that takes the optimism we feel and run with it. I am going to imagine our best case and suggest what we need to do to achieve it. In essence, I am imagining particular states where we could just possibly make a sweep of the election and I am going to make Act Blue lists for people from around the nation to donate to key races that could make that sweep possible. This week I am focusing on NY State, so if it seems I am too focused on my home this week, don't worry. I have plans for Iowa, Indiana, Nevada... The Sweep Movement is aimed not just for NY State, but for the Heartland of America. Read more below.

And I have to say Howard Dean seems to know what we need to do. This issue I am also highlighting his Neighbor-to-Neighbor organizing day, which clearly is designed to bring out activists and get them connecting with voters in their neighborhoods starting in April. Brilliant idea. Together, aiming for complete sweeps of particular states along with early connecting with voters to get our message out within our own neighborhoods, I think this will win it for us. All we gotta do is, to borrow Nike's slogan, Just Do It!

Progressive Democrat Issue 70: Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day

Howard Dean has been gradually building the DNC as a more responsive, more grassroots organization. His efforts, only partially realized, did WONDERS for the Democrats in 2005. We kicked butt in the 2005 elections. And his efforts have raised record amounts of funds for the DNC mostly through small contributions, reducing the Democratic use of soft money, the kind of dubious funding that the Republicans are so fond of using and even abusing.

Now Howard Dean is ready to take the grassroots organizing arm of the DNC to the next level. This is where we come in. This is where we back up Howard Dean's restructuring of the Democratic Party. Saturday, April 29th is Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day, the culmination of Dean's efforts to date as head of the DNC.

Here is Dean's message:

On that Saturday, thousands of volunteers will recruit hundreds of thousands more Americans committed to changing the status quo this year during door-knocking events in communities across America.

Democrats have a clear vision for America, and we're going to get the word out by making personal contact with our neighbors. And along the way we will build new relationships among volunteers on the ground, a network that will have an impact beyond a single day.

Whether you've never volunteered or you're a seasoned door-knocking veteran, it is crucial that you take part in this historic organizing push.

Please RSVP for an event near you.

In many states, Democratic Party staff on the ground have already put together staging areas for massive voter contact events on the 29th. Thanks to donations from people like you, hundreds of thousands of pieces of literature are being printed and shipping in bulk to those locations right now.

If there isn't an event near you, don't worry. Some state parties will have canvassing events on alternate dates, or have other important events planned for that weekend.

You can still plan your own canvass in your community. Our online tool makes the planning process easy, and if you create your event before April 10th, we will get doorhangers to you in time for your canvass on the 29th.

You can create your own event here.

Whether you're attending an event or hosting your own, we have also put together materials on the web to help you make your canvass as effective as possible.

The online package includes tips on canvassing, a suggested script for when you get to the door, and the doorhanger itself in various formats for you to print extras on your own.

Here is the online resource center.


Two-thirds of Americans reject this president and the Republican leadership -- and they are waiting to hear from us.

We are all members of one American community and it's up to us to make sure that our country has a government as good as its people.

Democrats have a big task in November. We will only win if every one of us takes responsibility for the outcome of the election now -- while there is still time to build our operation.

Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary grassroots push.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

Please dedicate April 29th to help take back America!

Progressive Democrat Issue 70: THE SWEEP MOVEMENT

State by state we have to hit the Republicans hard. This year it is payback time for all the lies, corruption and greed of the Republicans. But to win, we have to work hard and aim high. It is with this in mind that I have started pushing the “Sweep Movement” designed to Sweep Republican Corruption from office. This is an ambitious movement. Those of us who are pushing it need widespread help to make it work. Do we really want to win this year? Then now is the time to start working for it. Let's aim high and scare the Republicans like they have never been scared before.

I begin my "Sweep Movement" with the "Sweep NY State" campaign. This is how I became interested in the Sweep Movement. Partly in response to a diary on Daily Gotham describing the current panic setting in at Urban Elephants (a NYC Republican blog), I posted my own Diary on Daily Gotham picking up a theme I saw in the blogsphere: the idea of Sweeping NY State. We have a real chance, albeit a long shot, to sweep all Congressional seats in NY State and turn the whole state blue on a Federal level.

When I first posted this, I believe I may have struck a chord with readers because in less than 48 hours, $575 was donated to my Act Blue Page dedicated to sweeping NY State. Can we actually DO this? Can you imagine the panic among Republicans nationwide if this meme takes off? Imagine when they realize that they may LOSE EVERY CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IN NY STATE!

Here are excerpts from my Daily Gotham Diary:

An idea has been percolating on the liberal blogshpere that is ambitious, but damned if we shouldn't aim for it. The movement is called "Sweep New York" and aims to sweep the entire Congressional delegation for the Democrats. Can we do it? I don't know. Why don't we find out!

So, I announce to Democrats and panicking Republicans alike the Sweep New York movement. The Republicans are vulnerable in several seats this year. Add to that the extreme unpopularity of Bush and his corrupt Halliburton Republicans, and you have an opportunity, no matter how ambitious, for Democrats to sweep the Republicans out of New York State.

Here I introduce my Sweep New York Act Blue Page. I will point out to all Democrats who read this, if you REALLY want to make the Urban Elephants panic, give your time and money to these Congressional races. And this is only the beginning...

Aim high, fellow Democrats. This could be our year. The Urban Elephants are panicking and that means I smell blood. I am not the kind to sit back and wait for my enemy to recover. I am the sort to go for the jugular when I see their weakness. So, Urban Elephants. I am aiming high and hoping to sweep Republican greed and cronyism out of NY State.

And if I don't succeed, there is always next time!

Please join in this. Start talking about Sweeping Out the Corrupt Republicans. Spread the word. And start by making a donation (even just $10!) to help SWEEP NY STATE.

More states will follow. Believe me. This is just the beginning.

Progressive Democrat Issue 70: TARGET REPUBLICAN CORRUPTION: John Sweeny

This week Jack Abramoff was sentenced for his role in the corruption that is threatening to bring down many top politicians in the Republican Party, Some time back, Republican New York Rep. John Sweeny began calling for the heads of the Republican leadership in Washington in the wake of the Jack Abramoff-Tom DeLay-Grover Norquist bribery and corruption scandal. He wanted to paint himself as not one of the corrupt Republicans.

Well, like so much the Republican Party says to us, Sweeny was misleading us. He is just as involved in the Republican-Lobbyist Culture of Corruption as any Republican. This is drawn from a Daily Kos diary:

But no sooner had Sweeney, known for his defense of the indicted Tom DeLay and his close ties to Bush's inner circle, begun circulating his petition, loudly proclaiming his mantle of reformer and the Republicans need for "soul searching," then he jetted off to Park City, Utah for a "Skiing with Sweeney" weekend, a $2,000 event that included dinner at the home of Jeffrey Kimbell, a pharmaceutical lobbyist. His second annual "Skiing with Sweeney" weekend…

According to the invitation, attendees were to check in last Thursday, ski on Friday and then go to dinner at the home of Jeff Kimbell, whose D.C. lobbying firm, Jeffrey J. Kimbell & Associates, lists among its clients pharmaceutical heavyweights like Novartis and Allergan.

His actions also earned him a strong rebuke in the Albany Times Union…:

"There was Mr. Sweeney, a Clifton Park Republican, soliciting money last weekend on a Utah ski holiday where access to power was literally for sale.

[snip]

Not very subtle, especially when the invitation to this gathering so crassly noted that Mr. Sweeney is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which controls a big portion of the fruits of access to government…"

And here are some of Sweeny’s donors:

Alexander Strategy Group, the lobbying firm run by former Tom DeLay staffers, Ed Buckham and Tony Rudy, that announced that it would be closing operations in the wake of the Abramoff guilty plea. The plea deal with Abramoff gives all the appearance that indictments of Mr. Buckham and his associates will be forthcoming.

Greenberg Traurig, one of the lobbying firms that Jack Abramoff was using as a front for his bribery and corruption enterprise. Preston, Gates, Ellis is another.

TYCO International, that model of responsible corporate behavior, has recently revealed that it hired Abramoff and Greenberg Traurig during this time to lobby congress on their behalf.

Gee, sure sounds like Sweeny may be a good target for investigation.

And here is a summary of Sweeny’s corruption from the DCCC website:

# John Sweeney has taken $4,915 from Tom DeLay's ARMPAC. No surprise that Sweeney voted with Tom DeLay 92% of the time between Jan. 1 2004 and March 31 2005.

Is this the kind of government-for-hire that working families deserve?

# John Sweeney voted to weaken the ethics rules in a move that many say served only to protect Tom DeLay.

Does the integrity of the House mean so little that John Sweeney would sacrifice it to defend Tom DeLay?

# When Republicans realized it was "impossible to win the communications battle" over the gutted ethics rules, Sweeney flip-flopped and voted to put the old rules back into place.

So John Sweeney cares about the integrity of the House after all -- when cable news is covering it.

# When Democrats offered a solution to clean up the House by strengthening ethics rules, John Sweeney voted to make sure it never even came to an up or down vote.

So instead of a bipartisan effort to get government working for Americans, John Sweeney stood for cronyism and partisan politics.

# John Sweeney voted to allow Tom DeLay to continue serving as Leader even if he is indicted.

So you know the score. Write the media and complain about the Republican culture of corruption and their failure to realize that America hates corruption. Focus on Sweeny and his hypocritical addiction to lobbyist money.

And don’t forget, Sweeny is also a target of the Sweep NY State campaign so PLEASE donate to defeat Sweeny in the NY-20 race! You can take part in defeating Republican Corruption!

Progressive Democrat Issue 70: MEDIA ACTIVISM: A Reverse Boycott

Reverse Boycott:

You all know I push boycotts a lot. I really think it is VITALLY important for us to persistently boycott and lobby advertisers. It is one of the key weapons the right wing uses to great effect and we seldom do.

But there is a flip side. We also should encourage GOOD media by THANKING the companies that advertise on their shows. With this in mind, and drawing from a Daily Kos diary, I am suggesting that we all contact some companies that advertise on Keith Olbermann’s show.

From the diary:

Keith Olbermann is a rare bright spot in the traditional media, a member of that endangered species of journalists who is not afraid to speak the truth. His willingness, no, his delight, in holding the Bush administration's collective feet to the fire have made him much beloved around these parts.

So how do we show our support for him in a meaningful way? By supporting, or at least thanking, the advertisers whose commercials pay to bring us our daily fix of Countdown w/K.O.

I made a partial list (some were local businesses, and probably unique to my local cable company) of the advertisers on last night's program:

(list modified by me)

These companies have advertised on Keith Olbermann’s show. Please write them and thank them for their sponsorship of Olbermann. That’s all you gotta do! Plus you can take this into account when you are considering who you patronize.

Sprint

Pella Windows

Honda

Centrum Vitamins: Call a customer service representative toll-free at: 877-CENTRUM, Monday-Friday; 9:00AM-5:00PM EST.

By doing this you tell them you watch Olbermann AND you tell them that you notice their advertising on Olbermann’s show. That sends the message that advertisement on his show is effective and thus the show will be considered a money maker. This is a great counter punch to our threatened boycotts.

Progressive Democrat Issue 70: NYC FOCUS: a little more time for voting rights

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

Last week I emphasized that our time to protect our voting rights in NYC was running out with an April 3rd hearing being critical. Well, the Governmental Operations Committee of the NY City Council will NOT hold a hearing on HAVA Compliance on April 3. So we have an opportunity to mobilize support for the tentatively rescheduled hearing, April 28.
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). DRE machines are considerably more expensive and considerably less reliable. By contrast the PBOS machines are established technology, are cheaper to purchase and maintain and are far more reliable. Furthermore, the DRE machines require privatization of the election process. This is the most frightening aspect since the public cannot fully verify the validity of an election with such a privatized election.
Please make phone calls and emails today to build support for City Council Resolution 131, for paper ballots/optical scanners, PBOS, and against electronic voting, DRE, in NYC. Although technically a sense of the Council and strong media moment, it also serves as a potential tie-breaker for the purchasing decision.

Most importantly, the bill could impact the State Board of Election’s regulations and certification process, which until now has been willing to rubber stamp mere designs, without safeguards or testing. Once certified, the counties may have days to purchase.
Decision-makers have already been lobbied and lied to by the vendors into believing that everything they’ve ever wanted in a hassle-free, fantasy machine exists in touchscreen voting. Now is the critical time to build support for voting the PBOS resolution 131 out of committee, and for passage, before the deals are sealed. It’s up to us! 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.

Please call the council leadership
Message: Please sponsor Resolution 131, or ask why hesitating.
Speaker Christine Quinn, 212-788-7210
Majority Leader Joel Rivera, 212-788-6966
Deputy Majority Leader Bill deBlasio, 212-788-6969
Deputy Majority Leader Lewis Fidler, 212-788-7286
Majority Whip Leroy Comrie, 212-788-7084

Governmental Operations Committee
Message: Please sponsor Resolution 131, and vote it out of committee so the entire council can consider it.
Simcha Felder, Chairman, 718-853-2704
Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., 212-788-7069
Inez E. Dickens, 212-788-7397
Erik Martin Dilan, 212-788-7284
Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., 212-788-7045
Larry B. Seabrook, 212-788-6873
Peter F. Vallone, Jr., 212-788-6963

Would you also like us to send letters for you?
Please send your name, address, and phone to admin@wheresthepaper.org

Progressive Democrat Issue 70: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

Hearing on Voting Machines in NYC: Mon, 04/03/2006 - 1:00pm City Council CANCELLED!!!

4/6 Is NY Getting New Voting Machines? When? Which machines? Learn details of recent conflicts at our State Board of Elections. State Senator Liz Krueger, and Bo Lipari, Director, New Yorkers for Verified Voting, Community Church of New York, 40 East 35 Street (between Park and Madison Avenues), Manhattan. Krueger and Lipari will speak on the battle over voting technology and the campaign to keep elections in New York State free from fraud and deception. Senator Krueger is one of our most effective champions in the fight for open, honest elections. Bo Lipari and NYVV.org have led activists across the state in the work to preserve the integrity of our future elections and our votes. Subway #6 to 33 St, N/R/W/F/B/D/V to 34th St. at Herald Square. Doors open at 6:30.

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.

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/

Special event: April 6, 2006; 8 - 10 pm, IND Congressional Forum
Kane Street Synagogue, 236 Kane Street (btwn Court & Clinton).

Invited:
Carl Andrews
Yvette Clark
Chris Owens
Nick Perry
David Yassky

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 70: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

Hearing on Voting Machines in NYC: Mon, 04/03/2006 - 1:00pm City Council CANCELLED!!!

4/6 Is NY Getting New Voting Machines? When? Which machines? Learn details of recent conflicts at our State Board of Elections. State Senator Liz Krueger, and Bo Lipari, Director, New Yorkers for Verified Voting, Community Church of New York, 40 East 35 Street (between Park and Madison Avenues), Manhattan. Krueger and Lipari will speak on the battle over voting technology and the campaign to keep elections in New York State free from fraud and deception. Senator Krueger is one of our most effective champions in the fight for open, honest elections. Bo Lipari and NYVV.org have led activists across the state in the work to preserve the integrity of our future elections and our votes. Subway #6 to 33 St, N/R/W/F/B/D/V to 34th St. at Herald Square. Doors open at 6:30.

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 70: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

I want to focus on a couple of important NJ races. First, I want to highlight a candidate that Democracy for America is endorsing on their DFA A-list:

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

Please support Ron Rice directly through his website.

Another race I want to highlight is one of my Katrina11 races: NJ-5. The Katrina11 are the 11 Republicans who voted “No” on the bill that Congress approved and Bush signed to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. These are the cold-hearted bastards who would willingly see Americans die for the sake of more tax cuts for the wealthy. It is the moral duty of all Americans to defeat these scum. One of the Katrina11 is Rep. Scott Garrett in the NJ-11 Congressional seat. Please help this callous Republican who didn’t want to help Americans in need after Hurricane Katrina. You can donate to the NJ-5 race (donations go to the winner of the Democratic Primary) on my Katrina 11 Act Blue Page.

If you are in the area, you can also help defeat Garrett by joining one of the local Democracy for America chapters:

Passaic County
Panera Bread
1619 Rt. 23 South
Wayne, NJ
(973) 692-0801
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/passaic

Warren County
MS Health Software Corp
605 Grand Ave.
Hackettstown, NJ
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/nwnj

Passaic County
Panera Bread
1619 Rt. 23 South
Wayne, NJ
(973) 692-0801
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/passaic

Winning NJ-5 should be a high priority for Americans who care about other Americans.

Progressive Democrat Issue 70: 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.

Tuesday, April 4 - 6:30pm The 2006 Campaign Kick-off Dinner For Haledon Democrats
Domenick Stampone
Candidate for Mayor

Michael Tirri and Rey Martinez
Candidates for Council

The Brownstone
351 West Broadway
Paterson, NJ
Donation: $75
RSVP to democrats2000@aol.com


Thursday, April 20 - 7:00pm
Please join Democrats 2000 at a Happy Hour Co-Hosted by Assemblyman John Wisniewski honoring the young elected officials of the 19th Legislative District:

Dan Reiman, Mayor, Carteret
2002 Recommended Candidate

Greg Bedard, Councilman, Woodbridge
2005 Recommended Candidate

Dan Buchanan, Councilman, Sayreville
2004 Recommended Candidate

Jorge Diaz, Councilman, Carteret
2004 Recommended Candidate

Starland Ballroom
570 Jernee Mill Road
Sayreville
Tickets - $40 (includes food, drinks, and $15 annual dues)
Event Sponsorships - $100


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 70: VIRGINIA FOCUS

I get this from the Virginia Grassroots Coalition:

It's time for Virginia to have a 21st century source of funding for transportation - one that doesn't make roads and public transit compete for priority with schools, public safety and health care. Both the Governor and the state Senate have put forward plans that will meet this challenge. It's time for the House of Delegates to step up and do what's right for the future of transportation in the Commonwealth: pass a plan that provides a permanent, dedicated source of funding for transportation.

Contact VA Delegates about Transportation and Growth Issues.

Progressive Democrat Issue 70: 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 70: HEARTLAND FOCUS

This comes from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin:

DPW Fundraising Event to be Held April 8 in Milwaukee at Italian Community Center

Thursday, March 30, 2006

MADISON – The Democratic Party of Wisconsin announced today that former Democratic Virginia Governor Mark Warner will provide the keynote address at the annual Founders’ Day Gala on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee. Other speakers include Governor Jim Doyle, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

“Governor Warner is one of the most impressive figures in the Democratic Party, and we are very excited to welcome him to Wisconsin for our annual Founders’ Day Gala,” said Joe Wineke, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

The Founders’ Day Gala is the annual fundraising event for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. The reception starts at 5:30 p.m. and the main program is scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. Tickets for the event are $100 for a single gala ticket, $250 for a ticket to the gala and the pre-reception, and $400 for two tickets to the gala and two tickets to the pre-reception. To purchase tickets, please contact Linda at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin at foundersday@wisdems.org or 608-255-5172.

Media interested in attending should contact Jessica Erickson at 608-260-2406 or jessicae@wisdems.org to obtain press credentials. Governor Warner will be available to speak with the media after his speech.

WHAT:
Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s annual Founders Day Gala
Keynote Speaker former Democratic Virginia Governor Mark Warner

WHEN:
Saturday, April 8, 2006
5:30 p.m. – Reception begins
6:15 p.m. – Program begins

WHERE:

Italian Community Center
631 E. Chicago Street
Milwaukee

About Governor Warner:

One of the most popular governors in the history of Virginia polling, Governor Warner left office in January 2006 after serving the one four-year term permitted under Virginia state law. Despite inheriting a $6 billion budget deficit, Governor Warner and the Legislature brought fiscal discipline and government reforms that helped turn the deficit into a surplus and provided the largest increase in education funding in Virginia history.

As Chairman of the National Governor’s Association, Governor Warner led a national effort to Redesign the American High School for students headed to college or into the workforce. In the final year of his term, Virginia was rated the best managed state in the nation by Governing Magazine. Under Governor Warner’s leadership, Virginia adopted the strictest water quality standards in the nation for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. He also led an effort to turn around a poor performing children’s health insurance program and sign up 98 percent of all eligible children.

TIME Magazine called Governor Warner one of “America’s 5 Best Governors” in its November 2005 issue, and Newsweek dubbed him one of two leaders to watch in the politics section of its “Who’s Next” issue in January.

Progressive Democrat Issue 70: NATIONAL ACTION FOR RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

America’s media is more than willing to air advertising and opinions of right wing extremist Christians like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. But they are unwilling to air ads from the United Church of Christ that advocate tolerance. Why is intolerance considered acceptable but tolerance is not? This action comes from the United Church of Christ:

It has been a while since we’ve sent you a message about our Accessible Airwaves Campaign. But, the television networks still think that the United Church of Christ’s message of inclusion is so controversial that they won't even take our money to run a paid advertisement about it.

Just today, we released a new television commercial, which has already been rejected by ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and the WB.

We now know that it’s not just the about the commercials. Ask yourself this question: When was the last time you saw a mainline progressive religious leader on a news program?

A recent study completed by Media Matters concludes what we have long known to be true: the networks favor the Religious Right.

In this particular study, an analysis of guests on Sunday Morning talk shows revealed a pronounced bias in the percentage of conservative pundits versus progressives. In fact, the report shows that the networks frequently allow these shows to be used to attacks progressives and their ideas.

Why do James Dobson, Franklin Graham, Al Moehler, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell warrant seemingly endless coverage when ministries of the United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, among others, rarely receive a single mention?

Networks can't play favorites. Mainline religious communities like the UCC have a right to be heard along with everyone else. Demand equal access to the air waves. Send a message to the Networks today.

Blessings,
Bob
The Rev. Robert Chase
Director of Communication
United Church of Christ

PS - To view the new ad or to keep up to date with the campaign please visit our Blog.

Progressive Democrat Issue 70: 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.