Progressive Democrat Issue 85: THOUGHTS

I am still too focused on local primaries to get too much done with this newsletter. But I will continue to try and get out some brief articles or at least links to important issues.

I think the main issue I want to discuss this week is the fact that I think our chances of winning back Congress in 2006 are starting to slip. This is to be expected because as time goes on the Republicans are going to get nastier and nastier in their desperate attempt to hold on to power. We really have to keep pushing if we want to win.

With that in mind, I want to focus on my overall fundraising efforts which had languished for awhile, but is starting to pick up thanks to a handful of readers. So let's keep it up. Some money now can go a long way to winning in November!

On the volunteering front, remember that your local involvement can make a HUGE difference. Wherever you are, GET LOCAL with Democracy for America or with the Democratic Party. If there isn't a group near you, get a few friends together and start one. Joy and I have been making many good friendships through out local efforts including with our neighbors and with our local politicians.

If you can't donate, volunteer. If you can't volunteer, donate. If you can, do both. Enough activism from readers of this newsletter alone could affect key races in New York, New Jersey and Virginia. Karl Rove and Dick Cheney are working hard to maintain their hold on America. We have to work just as hard.

Progressive Democrat Issue 85: FUNDRAISING

I have from time to time plugged particular Act Blue pages I have put together to help defeat Republicans. I want to summarize how my efforts have done so far...and, of course, ask you to contribute more!


My most successful page so far has been my New Mexico Page thanks to a single donor who contributed $1000! New Mexico has been so delicately balanced in the last two presidential elections. I want to see New Mexico reject Republican lies and corruption and turn solid blue. The biggest race in New Mexico this year is NM-1 race. According to Salon.com, the Iraq war is key to this race and the Rpub incumbent is in trouble big time. Patricia Madrid, the Dem challenger, is considered one of the rising stars in politics today. The NM-1 race is one of this year's closest House races. Please join me and our wonderful $1000 contributor and help win NM-1.

Second most successful has been my NY State fundraising page where I have so far raised $950. Of all the states in America, NY State has the chance for the most pick ups in the House. The coat tails of Eliot Spitzer (running for Governor) and Hillary Clinton (running for Senate) could be a huge factor. Depending on who is doing the calculation, there are anywhere from two to five VERY close races where Democrats could pick up House Seats. Add to that another three or four long shots that could change overnight due to corruption allegations against the Republican incumbent. That makes NY State a huge pick up opportunity. I am of course working very hard not only for candidates in the Democratic Primary, but also for at least one Democrat running for Congress against a Republican--Steve Harrison who is running in a district near where I live. He is a long-shot, but I think this race could pick up and I hope to be a part of that. Thanks to the generous donors who have so far given $650 through my Act Blue page to help Steve Harrison defeat Vito Fossella.

My third most successful page is particularly appropriate now around the anniversary of the Katrina disaster where American citizens were left to die by our government. My Katrina 11 page is dedicated to defeating those Republicans who have been supportive of no-bid contracts for Halliburton but opposed giving aid to Katrina victims. So far $480 have been donated to defeating these callous bastards. Some of these races are very definitely long-shots, but some are possible pick ups. Let's make their callousness towards Katrina victims a real issue and let's give the Katrina 11 a hard time.

My fourth most successful page has been my Nevada page with $305 raised, mostly for Jack Carter's run for the Senate. Jack Carter is Jimmy Carter's son and would make a most excellent Senator. The Nevada race is pretty critical for winning back the Senate. So please give Jack some help!

Next is my Iowa page with $275 raised. Iowa has two close house races, one good pick up chance for Democrats (IA-1) and one where we need to defend against a massive Republican effort to unseat a Democrat (IA-3) as well as a couple of other races that could become competitive. There is also an important race for Secretary of State (remember...we need to protect our elections!) and one of the best Democracy for America endorsed candidates in the country, Elesha Gayman, is running for Iowa's state legislature. So Iowa is important both nationally and in terms of electing progressives to state offices.

Next is my Montana page with $150 raised. Montana is absolutely critical for winning the Senate and the Senate race is basically a dead-heat. If Jon Tester doesn't win this one, there is pretty much no chance the Democrats will win back the Senate.

Next is my Ohio page with $115. We all know how important Ohio is. We have some great pick up opportunities including a Seante and Governor's spot. But those are pretty likely to go our way. What are far more important and hotly contested are some very key House races and the Ohio Sec. of State and Attorney General races. Ohio is THE key to winning the House. If we want fair elections we need to elect Jennifer Brunner as Sec. of State for Ohio and if we want the extremely corrupt Ohio Republican party to be brought to justice, we need to elect Mark Dann Attorney General. Ohio is, as expected and as usual, possibly the top battleground state of this year.

Interestingly, the two absolutely MOST important states for winning back the House are tied with $100 raised each. BOTH really deserve far, far more attention than they have been getting. Indiana is a state where we have as many as three solid pick up chances and one race we need to defend a solid Democrat from Republican attacks. One district, IN-2, had seemed impossible to win just a few months ago but, partly thanks to efforts by MoveOn.org, has become one of the most competitive races in the country. Tied with Indiana in terms of my fundraising success is Connecticut where we also have three possible pick up chances. Two of the nations most competitive races are in CT and a third race is looking like it will BECOME competitive soon. Of course we also have a very interesting Senate race in Connecticut, don't we? I strongly urge you to help out Indiana and Connecticut because without big wins in these two states we will not retake the House.

Next is another state that is critical for retaking the Senate: Missouri where I have raised $50. Missouri is a border state not only between the Midwest and the South, but also between Blue Democrats and Red Republicans. What is more, Missouri is home to one of the most corrupt Republican State Parties in the nation, rivalled only by the Ohio and Kentucky Republicans. Fighting Republicans in Missouri is almost by definition fighting corruption. Furthermore, if we don't win the Missouri Senate seat, we will not win back the Senate. It is a MUST win. There are also several excellent Democracy for America endorsed candidates running for state-level seats that deserve our help.

Finally there is my Act Blue Page dedicated to ensuring fair elections and fighting corruption. This page, which has raised $50, is dedicated to winning Sec of State and Attny General positions in various states. These seldom noticed races are really critical for cleaning up our government and our elections.

The Grand Total raised so far: $3575

Can we make $5000?

Pages that are important but have not yet gotten any contributions are as follows:

Virginia where we have a CRITICAL Senate race and one close House race. I challenge my Virginia readers to catch up with my New York readers in donating to win their state!

Rhode Island where we also have a CRITICAL Senate race.

Arizona where we have at least two extremely close House races.

Wyoming where we have a House race that has just started to look promising and where winning would make Dick Cheney so pissed his head just might explode.

Wisconsin where we have one very close House race with an excellent candidate, Bryan Kennedy.

Finally, I want to introduce my NEWEST Act Blue Page, long overdue: my New Jersey page. We have another critical Senate race in New Jersey this year, perhaps the closest in the nation. My New York readers have donated nearly $1000 to winning big in New York. I challenge my New Jersey readers to beat us here in New York by donating more than that to winning in New Jersey.

Progressive Democrat Issue 85: ABC TO AIR BUSH PROPOGANDA ON 9/11

I don't know about you, but I am damned sick of the right wing nuts exploiting 9/11 for their own benefit. This year they plan to do it again and ABC is hosting it. From Truthout:

Clinton, 9/11 and the Facts
By William Rivers Pitt
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Wednesday 30 August 2006

The fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks is less than two weeks away...ABC intends to mark the occasion in far more grand a fashion. Starting September 10th and ending September 11th, the network will show a miniseries titled "The Path to 9/11." According to reports from early screenings, the writer/producer of the miniseries, Cyrus Nowrasteh, has crafted a television polemic intended to blame the entire event on President Clinton.

Nowrasteh, an outspoken conservative...spoke last year at the Liberty Film Festival, described by its founders as Hollywood's first conservative film festival. Govindini Murty, actress, writer, and co-director of the Liberty Film Festival, wrote a review of "The Path to 9/11" for the right-wing online news page FrontPageMag.com.

In the review, Murty states, "'The Path to 9/11' is one of the best, most intelligent, most pro-American miniseries I've ever seen on TV, and conservatives should support it and promote it as vigorously as possible. This is the first Hollywood production I've seen that honestly depicts how the Clinton administration repeatedly bungled the capture of Osama bin Laden."

FrontPageMag, it should be noted, held a symposium back in May to argue that the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, which were never found despite being the main reason for invasion, were actually spirited out of Iraq by Russia on the eve of the 2003 attack...

I mean these guys are absolutely disgusting. Let's remember some facts. The Taliban and al-Qaeda were formed with the help of money and arms sent to them by the Reagan and the elected Bush admnistrations. By contrast, Bill Clinton made efforts to kill bin Laden and stop al-Qaeda, though those efforts were attacked by the Republicans in Congress as simply being a distraction from Clinton's sexual affairs. While Gingrich and the Republicans salivated over Clinton's sex life, Clinton actually tried to stop the people who wanted to attack us.

The outgoing Clinton administration tried so hard to warn the incoming Bush administration of the danger al-Qaeada posed, the Republicans accused Clinton of being "obsessed with al-Qaeda." Would that they had listened to Clinton's obsession! Instead, Bush ignored the explicit warning "Bin Laden determined to attack inside America" and went on an extended vacation. THAT is the road to 9/11. Republican incompetence and stupidity leading to nearly 3000 American civilian deaths.

Yet ABC wants to air the right wing revisionism that it is all Clinton's fault? DAMN it! Are we to reward the idiots who got us into this and attack the one president who sought to stop al-Qaeda? No Republican prior to the 9/11 attacks ever tried to stop al-Qaeda. But Clinton did, over Republican opposition. And it took nearly 3000 deaths before the Republicans finally decided that they, too, had better be obsessed with al-Qaeda.

Only they weren't. They still barely lift a finger to stop al-Qaeda and instead invaded Iraq, a nation that never had al-Qaeda ties under Saddam Hussein.

Truthout gives the real story. From the same article:

Roger Cressy, National Security Council senior director for counterterrorism in the period 1999-2001, responded to these allegations in an article for the Washington Times in 2003. "Mr. Clinton approved every request made of him by the CIA and the U.S. military involving using force against bin Laden and al-Qaeda," wrote Cressy. "...Confusing the American people with misinformation and distortions will not generate the support we need to come together as a nation and defeat our terrorist enemies."

Measures taken by the Clinton administration to thwart international terrorism and bin Laden's network were historic, unprecedented and, sadly, not followed up on. Consider the steps offered by Clinton's 1996 omnibus anti-terror legislation, the pricetag for which stood at $1.097 billion. The following is a partial list of the initiatives offered by the Clinton anti-terrorism bill:

* Screen Checked Baggage: $91.1 million
* Screen Carry-On Baggage: $37.8 million
* Passenger Profiling: $10 million
* Screener Training: $5.3 million
* Screen Passengers (portals) and Document Scanners: $1 million
* Deploying Existing Technology to Inspect International Air Cargo: $31.4
million
* Provide Additional Air/Counterterrorism Security: $26.6 million
* Explosives Detection Training: $1.8 million
* Augment FAA Security Research: $20 million
* Customs Service: Explosives and Radiation Detection Equipment at Ports: $2.2 million
* Anti-Terrorism Assistance to Foreign Governments: $2 million
* Capacity to Collect and Assemble Explosives Data: $2.1 million
* Improve Domestic Intelligence: $38.9 million
* Critical Incident Response Teams for Post-Blast Deployment: $7.2 million
* Additional Security for Federal Facilities: $6.7 million
* Firefighter/Emergency Services Financial Assistance: $2.7 million
* Public Building and Museum Security: $7.3 million
* Improve Technology to Prevent Nuclear Smuggling: $8 million
* Critical Incident Response Facility: $2 million
* Counter-Terrorism Fund: $35 million
* Explosives Intelligence and Support Systems: $14.2 million
* Office of Emergency Preparedness: $5.8 million

The Clinton administration poured more than a billion dollars into counterterrorism activities across the entire spectrum of the intelligence community, into the protection of critical infrastructure, into massive federal stockpiling of antidotes and vaccines to prepare for a possible bioterror attack, into a reorganization of the intelligence community itself. Within the National Security Council, "threat meetings" were held three times a week to assess looming conspiracies. His National Security Advisor, Sandy Berger, prepared a voluminous dossier on al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, actively tracking them across the planet. Clinton raised the issue of terrorism in virtually every important speech he gave in the last three years of his tenure.

Clinton's dire public warnings about the threat posed by terrorism, and the actions taken to thwart it, went completely unreported by the media, which was far more concerned with stained dresses and baseless Drudge Report rumors. When the administration did act militarily against bin Laden and his terrorist network, the actions were dismissed by partisans within the media and Congress as scandalous "wag the dog" tactics. The news networks actually broadcast clips of the movie "Wag the Dog" while reporting on his warnings, to accentuate the idea that everything the administration said was contrived fakery.

In Congress, Clinton was thwarted by the reactionary conservative majority in virtually every attempt he made to pass legislation that would attack al-Qaeda and terrorism. His 1996 omnibus terror bill, which included many of the anti-terror measures we now take for granted after September 11, was withered almost to the point of uselessness by attacks from the right; Senators Jesse Helms and Trent Lott were openly dismissive of the threats Clinton spoke of.

Specifically, Clinton wanted to attack the financial underpinnings of the al-Qaeda network by banning American companies and individuals from dealing with foreign banks and financial institutions that al-Qaeda was using for its money-laundering operations. Texas Senator Phil Gramm, chairman of the Banking Committee, gutted the portions of Clinton's bill dealing with this matter, calling them "totalitarian."

In fact, Gramm was compelled to kill the bill because his most devoted patrons, the Enron Corporation and its criminal executives in Houston, were using those same terrorist financial networks to launder their own dirty money and rip off the Enron stockholders. It should also be noted that Gramm's wife, Wendy, sat on the Enron Board of Directors.

THIS is what ABC should be reporting, not right wing lies that ignore the fact that Clinton did all he could to try and stop bin Laden and it has always been the Republicans that stood in his way.

Feel free to Contact ABC and tell them what you think about their serving as a propoganda machine for the Republicans whose failures allowed 9/11 to happen.

Progressive Democrat Issue 85: NEW YORK FOCUS

I want to focus this week on Democracy for America endorsed candidates in the general election. For New York State that means focusing on the NY-20 race.

Kirsten Gillibrand for the 20th Congressional District in New York. It's hard to imagine a congressman more embarrassing than John Sweeney of the New York 20th congressional district. In addition to voting in lock-step with President Bush, enjoying ski trips with lobbyists, accepting thousands of dollars from Tom DeLay, and partying at college fraternity houses on the weekends, John Sweeney's found time to try to privatize Social Security and give away billions to the oil industry. Thankfully, DFA candidate Kirsten Gillibrand is everything that Sweeney is not. She's smart, ethical and will represent Upstate New Yorkers with the honor and dignity they deserve. Let's help Kirsten bring dignity back to DC.

Additionally, I want to continue to HEAVILY urge you to participate in the NYC efforts to win big in New York State, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. There is a lot going on and I am asking you to be part of it. Please do at least one of the following:

Seize our State Senate - Landline Phone Banking
Wed, 09/06/2006 - 6:15pm

ACT NOW continues weekly phone banks from Midtown East to take back our State Senate!

What will we be doing? We're going to be using landlines to do low-pressure Voter ID and/or Volunteer Recruitment calling -- not undecided voter persuasion -- to dramatically increase Democratic voter turnout in the most competitive State Senate races. This is a great way for first-time callers to get started.

Why care about the State Senate? If you care about fair elections, education, transportation, the environment, healthcare, security, and other major issues in New York, you should care a lot about winning back the New York State Senate. Now that reformer Eliot Spitzer is likely to be New York's next governor, it's even more important to have a Democratic legislature in place.

There will be no Monday phone bank on September 4th or September 11th. Monday sessions will resume on September 18th.

More info and RSVP at: www.actnowny.org


Take Back Congress: Canvassing Trip to CT, Sept. 9
Sat, 09/09/2006 - 9:45am

ACT NOW is organizing a canvassing trip to Stamford, CT to work to elect progressive Diane Farrell in her fight to unseat (until his very recent conversion) Iraq War apologist Chris Shays in the 4th Congressional District.

Connecticut has become a major battleground heading into the fall elections. In addition to a hotly contested U.S. Senate race, CT has three Congressional districts that are held by Republican incumbents who are being seriously threatened by strong Democratic challengers.

The 4th Congressional District is only 45 minutes from NYC on Metro-North. This is Diane’s second run for the seat; she lost narrowly in 2004. With Bush and the Republican Congress more unpopular than ever, Diane's in a strong position to win, but she needs our help.

More info and RSVP at: www.actnowny.org


Take Back Congress: Canvassing Trip to PA, Sept. 17
Sun, 09/17/2006 - 10:00am

ACT Now NY is organizing a trip to Pennsylvania to help DFA-endorsed candidate Lois Murphy take back Congress. Volunteers will talk to voters about the issues and principles in the midterm elections.

Note: In a recent DFNYC email, we incorrectly reported that this trip is on Sept. 27. It is not; it's on Sept. 17th.

More info and RSVP at: www.actnowny.org (scroll down)

Democrat Lois Murphy is running against incumbent Republican Jim Gerlach, another rubber-stamp in Congress for the Bush administration. The New York Times has called this race a "toss up," which means that grassroots outreach can make the difference.

For more about Lois Murphy, visit http://www.loismurphy.org/

Progressive Democrat Issue 85: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

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.


Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 7PM

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

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

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

East Village, Cinema Classics/Rafiffi 332 East 11th Street (btwn. 1st & 2nd), with host Abhishek Mistry


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 85: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

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 Democratic Majority in Brooklyn:
I will be a co-host of this meeting. We 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. You can contact me (mole333@gmail.com) if you want to volunteer with NDM between now and election day.


Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE! You can contact me (mole333@gmail.com) if you want to volunteer with DFNYC between now and election day.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 7PM DFNYC Linkups:

Williamsburg/Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Boulevard Tavern, 579 Meeker Ave. (btwn. N. Henry and Monitor St.), with host Ben Morrison.

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

Park Slope Linkup is going to an 11 CD Candidate Forum at Garfield Temple (Garfield and 8th Ave.) 7 PM. Meet DFNYC Linkup host Josh Skaller outside at 6:45. Josh will give out Linkup handouts and go over the upcoming opportunities to take back Congress this fall. Then stay for the forum.

Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) (mostly covers Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Kensington). http://www.cbidems.org/ You can contact me (mole333@gmail.com) if you want to volunteer with CBID between now and election day.

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, SEPTEMBER 6, 7PM

Sunnyside, Queens, The Grind, 39-24 Queens Blvd., with host Dan Jacoby

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


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

Queens County Young Democrats: for information CLICK HERE.

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

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

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 85: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

I want to focus this week on Democracy for America endorsed candidates in the general election.

Linda Stender for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District. If we're going to take control of Congress, we're going to have to defeat some incumbents. In New Jersey, Linda Stender is running against a Rubberstamp Republican who needs to go. Linda's already racked up endorsements from Emily's List and New Jersey for Democracy. Now, she's got DFA on her side too. Grassroots activists from across New Jersey have been flooding the 7th Congressional District for months. And Assemblywoman Stender has done a terrific job raising money and building momentum. Please do you your part and help her today.

I also continue to urge you to get involved with the Menendez campaign.

Progressive Democrat Issue 85: NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

Join Special Guest Senator Robert Menendez at the Democrats 2000 Fall Bowling Classic.

Saturday, September 16th, 5:30pm
Mid-State Lanes
Route 18 North
East Brunswick, NJ

Admission: $40.00

To become a team leader, or to RSVP to the event, email democrats2000@aol.com today!


An Evening with President Clinton
State Theater
New Brunswick, NJ 07733
Tickets on sale now via ticketmaster.com. Contact Jaime Roberts at 917-421-5103 or jaimeroberts@livenation.com for more information.


NEXT GENERATION TRAINING
Bally's Resort and Casino
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Campaign training for young Democrats ages 18 to 25. For more information please email NextGeneration06@njdems.org or call 609 392 3367 ext. 41.


8th Annual Van Drew Family Pig Roast
237 Dennisville Rd.
South Seaville, NJ 08246
Please join Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew and Assemblyman Nelson Albano for the 8th Annual Van Drew Pig Roast at their home. Enjoy free food and drink! Rain or Shine!

Time: 4:30pm-7:30pm
PLEASE RSVP! PLEASE RSVP! PLEASE RSVP!
609-390-2288


CMCFDW CANDIDATES NIGHT
Middle Township Senior Center
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
The Cape May County Federation of Democratic Women is pleased to present our campaign contibutions to the Democratic candidates for US Senate, US Congress, Freeholder, and local offices. Join us for this festive and exciting evening.
Contact 609-624-7626 or amastro3@yahoo.com


Rahway Dems Annual Barbeque
Rahway River Park, St Georges Avenue
Rahway, NJ 07065
Join the Rahway Democratic Clubs Annual Barbeque, Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 12 Noon!!!!

Rahway River Park
St Georges Avenue
Rahway, NJ 07065

RSVP by Friday Sept 8, 2006

Bob Bresenhan, Jr.
Director of Public Relations
Rahway Democratic Club
908.327.2040


Sussex County Dem Party Bi-Monthly Public Meeting
Hampton Diner, Rte 206 North
Hampton, NJ 07860
Bi-monthly public meeting. Open to all that's interested in joining the NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY's effort to provide Sussex county what most other Americans have - - a real choice in their elctions. Contact: Howard Burrell, 1800-946-7232; hburrell@sussexdems.com.


Fundraiser Honoring Steve Barry
905 Route 9 North
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Join us as we honor Steve Barry, our candidate for Middle Township Committee!

Location: Stone Harbor Golf Club
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Date: September 19, 2006
Ticket Price: $500
For more information, please call: 609-729-1333 ext. 117


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: (and thanks to the people in NJ who keep me updated on the changes...I appreciate it!)

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, Princeton, First Thursday Each Month 7:00 PM @ Sotto Ristorante and Lounge (formerly the Annex) 128 1/2 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ. princeton@drinkingliberally.org or http://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 85: VIRGINIA ACTION

Help Jim Webb by writing a letter to the editor. This is a great way to spread the word about why you are a Democrat and why you support Jim Webb.

You can also get a Jim Webb bumper sticker or purchase a T-shirt or button or lawn sign.

Spread the word.

Progressive Democrat Issue 85: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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 85: NATIONAL FOCUS

Remember how you felt about Florida 2000? Or Ohio 2004? Ultimately, considerable reform of our election system is needed. But looking short term, we desperately need to get good people elected as Secretary of State and Attorney General to get our elections and state governments cleaned up.

These are positions almost no one pays attention to. But Secretary of State, Attorney General and, in some states, certain other positions that oversee government are so critical to make sure good people get in. Election integrity, catching corrupt politicians and auditing the crony-ridden state governments of Bush America demand that we win these offices.

I have put together an Act Blue site that highlights these extremely important races. In some ways the future of our nation depends on returning integrity to our elections and government. This Act Blue Page is dedicated to the first couple of steps in the right direction.

Please visit my Election Protection Act Blue page and help clean up our elections and government.

Progressive Democrat Issue 85: 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.