Progressive Democrat Issue 105: THOUGHTS

In many ways the Republican Party today is the party of the Angry White Man. What do I mean by that? These are the guys who somehow think that society is unfair to them even though they are members of the most favored group in the world: the white American male. They are the main demographic that buys into the kind of propaganda Fox News puts out. There is a whole chunk of our society who isn't really all that skilled, smart or strong but aren't happy being mediocre. Rather than look into themselves for the problem, they blame the blacks, Asians, women and anyone else they can think of.

Back in the first Bush presidency, many were trying to blame Mexico and Japan for our economic woes. It couldn't be us, it had to be "them." Now we have an angry white man icon as President, a man who is so lacking in skill, intelligence or imagination that it boggles the mind, yet he is President and people look at Colin Powell, Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton and ask "are we ready for a black/women president?" We apparently are ready for an idiot, dry drunk liar, but we're not quite sure about intelligent blacks or women.

Bottom line is that someone like Bush should be flipping burgers. But instead, Bush is our President and I'm willing to bet that the majority of those who are still enamored of him are angry white men who feel cheated by a society that, in their fantasy world, favors minorities and women over good-old-boys.

They completely ignore the fact that women aren't trusted with decisions over their own bodies, one in four women are victims of sexual abuse of some kind, and blacks suffer from increased mortality at all ages, just to name a few examples that blow their world view out of the water.

The angry white man is, in my eyes, something of a buffoon. It is hard to take seriously someone who is a member of the most favored group in the world but who is convinced that the world is unfair to them. It would be crazy if it didn't get people like Bush elected. But Bush is their God and we have to suffer the consequences of their worship of Bush.

Following close on the heels of a diary I wrote at Culture Kitchen on Angry White Men and Conveniently Compassionate White Men, Michael Bouldin at Daily Gotham posted a pefect video of this person who seems to be the God of the Angry White Men, the person they still think is a good president. This video shows their God in his top form. So here it is, the God of the Angry White Men:



This is out President. This is the man who runs our nation and who feels he is Tsar of the world, Supreme Soviet dictator of all the people. This is the man who the Angry White Men still love despite the failure of all he has done.

This reminds me of something Charles Rangel said awhile back. Those of us in NYC are used to Congressman Charles Rangel (Democrat representing Harlem and the senior-most member of the Congressional Black Caucus). But maybe people not familiar with him are surprised at his bluntness. His political tactic of advocating the draft so that the army includes a wealthier and whiter pool of recruits seems to have baffled many. But here is an example of his humor from 2005 that a reader reminded me of. From the Monday, April 4, 2005 Washington Post:

Rangel was interviewed on New York Public Television WLIW21 last Monday night and asked for his quick reaction to various people. The first was Bush.

"Well," Rangel said. "I really think that he shatters the myth of white supremacy once and for all."

Well, he has a point.



Here's the Newsletter:

MARTIN LUTHER KING, jr. DAY PART I: from a reader in New York

MARTIN LUTHER KING, jr. DAY PART II: from a reader in Tennessee

MARTIN LUTHER KING, jr. DAY PART III: Action

KIVA UPDATE: Helping the World

NY STATE FOCUS: Blue Tiger Democrats

NYC GROUPS AND EVENTS

VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

CALIFORNIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

MICHIGAN FOCUS: Meeting Party Leaders

MIDWEST GROUPS AND EVENTS

FLORIDA FOCUS

Progressive Democrat Issue 105: REMEMBERING MARTIN LUTHER KING: Part I

I have referred to a friend of mine and reader of this newsletter, Chris Owens, before, quoting some of his better stuff. In honor of Martin Luther King, jr. Day, last Monday, I want to quote from Chris' blog. The entire diary can be found here (including a transcript of the 1967 MLK speech mentioned).

In 1967, I was eight years-old and attending Public School 208, a majority-white elementary school in the East Flatbush area. Today the surrounding area’s population is entirely Caribbean in population; then it was entirely white. My middle brother and I were “bussed in.” The Thanksgiving holiday was approaching when my 3rd Grade teacher, Miss Cohen, gave us a composition assignment: “What I Have To Be Thankful For.”

On this particular November day somebody rubbed me the wrong way. My composition ended up entitled “What I Do Not Have To Be Thankful For.” In it, I wrote that the United States was wrong to be involved in the Vietnam War and that we should not be bossing around other nations. My parents were active in community and political issues so I was aware of the Vietnam War. Only a few weeks earlier I had participated in the Moratorium Day protests with my parents. And somewhere I must have heard or read King’s words from the previous spring. It was one of our assignments to read the newspaper every day for what was known as “Current Events.”

...My teacher freaked. She called in the principal, Dr. Harry Ordan, to deal with me. I was already a behavior problem, so my desk was front and center in the classroom. Dr. Ordan came in the very next day and proceeded to seat himself on my desk and explain why the United States had to be “the policeman of the world.” Maybe he had been reading Dr. King’s speeches, I don’t know. Dr. Ordan never mentioned my name, but he did refer to some words “written by one of your classmates” and he was looking dead at me through most of his little talk. As much of a class clown as I was, I was still embarrassed by the attention -- but I did not regret what I wrote.

When my mother heard what happened, she came into school and tore into Ordan like a lioness fillets a wildebeest. I only wish I had actually been in the room when it all went down. The principal did apologize to both her and me for any embarrassment or inconvenience. And he never apologized for his political views.

...

Flash forward 39 years -- the lifetime of Dr. King. I was a candidate for Congress in Central Brooklyn sitting in an interview with three representatives from one of Brooklyn’s local newspapers. My opponents were also present and answering questions. To paraphrase slightly, I was asked if I would support the use of nuclear weapons if an enemy nation first used nuclear weapons against us or one of our allies.

As my opportunity to respond approached, my parent’s voices and actions were in my mind. But it was Dr. King’s speech at Riverside Church on April 4, 1967 that was ringing in my ears. This was a speech in which King laid out the moral imperative for peace and an end to U.S. prosecution of the Vietnam War. King articulated a history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam’s affairs as well as the bankruptcy of moral leadership within the United States itself. It was masterful and, as we listen to it today, chilling. Every issue he mentioned remains an issue today. Every dilemma confronting our nation then continues to confront us now.

To nuke or not to nuke, that was the question. My answer was an unequivocal “no” – I would not support the use of nuclear weapons. The publication responded a few weeks later with a dismissal of my perspective on the use of force in defense of our national security as naïve and unrealistic for a potential Congressman. Another candidate whose answer was less clear and less threatening received the endorsement. Who knows? Maybe he felt exactly as I did, but just "couldn't" say it.

Like 1967, 2006 reminded me of the power and fear accompanying the primacy of peace. Will we let fear rule us? In this day and time, the use of nuclear weapons by the United States of America -- an act of such horrific violence -- would be morally unacceptable, environmentally disastrous and strategically counterproductive. Why should I even have to say this? Because we choose to live in fear? And why do we live in fear? Because we are totally disconnected from Dr. King’s vision … and our leaders have no intention of reconnecting us anytime soon. For Dr. King, as for Gandhi, Jesus of Nazareth and so many others, the way to peace and enlightenment was through love. Love is the way.

...

A few months after my 3rd Grade Thanksgiving composition was due – exactly one year after his dissection of the Vietnam War and his call to oppose it -- Dr. King was assassinated in the city of my father’s birth – Memphis. He was buried on April 9th – my ninth birthday. The five days leading up to that day had been some of the most emotional and confused days I had ever experienced. My birthday was the saddest and longest day of my life and, with the exception of 9/11, remains so to this day.

What has changed since King’s death? King regularly denounced the evil triumvirate of racism, economic exploitation and militarism. All three evils have only evolved during the past four decades. And nowhere is this more evident than in our prosecution of war in Iraq. With Iraq, racism at the lunch counter is replaced with ethnocentric prejudice fueling local conflicts, our own willingness to engage in nation-experimentation “somewhere else,” and the hatred, fear and prejudice displayed to those who have chosen to immigrate to America.

With Iraq, economic exploitation is now defined by the battle over oil production as well as the profile of our military – some of America’s hardest working and some of its poorest residents – as well as its most courageous. The militarism is evident in the Bush administration’s obsession with displaying America’s might – and weaknesses – to the world, and the desire to provide mega-profits to multinational corporate interests.

Substitute “Iraq” for “Vietnam,” and consider these prophetic words from King’s Riverside Church speech:

"Each day the war goes on the hatred increases in the heart of the Vietnamese and in the hearts of those of humanitarian instinct. The Americans are forcing even their friends into becoming their enemies. It is curious that the Americans, who calculate so carefully on the possibilities of military victory, do not realize that in the process they are incurring deep psychological and political defeat. The image of America will never again be the image of revolution, freedom and democracy, but the image of violence and militarism."

...

Today, we must work to end our involvement in Iraq – not simply because we are selfish but because we do not believe that the violence embedded within the proposed solutions can ever work. Come to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, January 27 to march against the war and, on Monday, January 29, to lobby members of Congress.

Why is this holiday different from other days? Because the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is the day that has no meaning without action to help somebody. Because January 15th is to be lived every day for our children's sake. Because the King holiday is the annual call to join the change brigade. Thanks, Mom, thanks, Dad, thank you, Martin, for instilling love as a core value in my life.

Can't really add to it. Visit Chris' blog to read the MLK, jr. speech he references.

Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.

Progressive Democrat Issue 105: REMEMBERING MARTIN LUTHER KING: Part II

This was written by a reader from Tennessee and posted on Culture Kitchen. It is a nice companion piece to Chris'.

On April 4, 1968, we sat in the Fellowship Hall of our church in a near west Chicago suburb. The men wanted to form a group to do visitations. When the minister returned from a telephone call, he solemnly announced that Martin Luther King had just been shot. (I was slated for computer classes in the Loop that week. Some burning and looting had occurred overnight, but the Loop was quiet and well-patrolled by the Guard the next day.)

Our neighborhood had no black residents. Some people were critical of Dr. King’s tactics. He had tried to march down Cermak Road when he briefly worked for fair housing in the west part of Chicago. Cicero was the only suburb between us and Chicago . It had a long history of race riots.

On April 4, 1973, my husband and I were on vacation in Atlanta. The United States was conflicted over the impeachment of President Nixon. We visited the State Capitol and then took a Marta bus to Atlanta University. There was a long line of people, many black, who were marching toward that area. It was quiet and I thought about another time I had been there.

In October 1948, I took a two-week bus trip through the South. Atlanta was to be my anchor stop. My friend John, who had attended the University of Iowa as a graduate student, was an instructor at Morehouse College and his wife was a music instructor at Spelman. After he received his degree, John was inducted into the Army. We corresponded since his stint at Fort MacDill.

When I wrote that I expected to be in Atlanta, John assured me that I should spend a weekend with them. He told me that when I arrived at the bus station to call him for instructions to get to Atlanta University. Having traveled during the week from New York City to stops in Richmond, Raleigh and Chapel Hill, I ended up in Atlanta on a Friday well after dark. The day’s ride was long after frequent stops to accommodate workers who used interstate buses for transportation for work. When John answered on the phone, he apologized that he couldn’t come to meet me. I already knew not to expect it. He explained that black cabbies could not risk picking up a young white woman to go to a black section. No telling what would happen if I hailed a white cab and then asked for his address at the University. The street car was the best bet. Be sure to sit in front and use only the front door. The tricky part was that at a certain stop the motorman would have to get out to manually switch to another rail. He had the power to hold but not to arrest. The power to hold a person for any reason would be active until he summoned the police.

I felt very lucky because the car was not crowded and the passengers were Negro teenage couples, apparently returning from a downtown movie. I sat on the jump seat behind the motorman, shielded by a small curtain. Immediately my nose told me the fellow was well soused. When he got out to do the switching he had considerable trouble executing the task and he was telling that confounded thing some very strong words. I gave the young people the name of my stop and asked them to give me hand signals when we got there. The motorman continued to mutter ferociously. When the car stopped, I made a beeline for the back door and exited. Those wonderful kids were smiling, and one dared to say, “You know you shouldn’t have done that.” My friends came forward and we had a delightful weekend.

Again, John explained how he wished it could be otherwise, but they had decided it would be best for us to stay in for parties at his house. I understood, because we had discussed such matters in our college Interracial Fellowship meetings.

Already this is too long, so I will conclude with an incident with longer term ramifications for me. The sociology professor, who was a mentor to Dr. King during his undergraduate days, was one of the guests on Saturday night. I exposed my ignorance by opining that colored people would never leave their traditional Baptist and Methodist churches to join the Catholic faith. He countered by saying that I should see what was happening in New Orleans. His thesis was that people would put better working conditions and better education for their children ahead of dogma. And, if I really wanted to understand what he was saying, I should join the NAACP when I returned to New York. I took him at his word.

I was used to riding the subways and found it a lot easier to go from Greenwich Village to Harlem (Sugar Hill, the members jokingly explained) than it was to worry about one inebriated white man in friendly black territory. The members were professionals in social work, education and such. They discussed the twin challenges of police brutality and job openings. It was evident they were working through their community needs in the best way they could.

By the time the winter was over I felt that things might be looking up. Neither Tom Dewey nor Strom Thurmond had outstripped “give ‘em hell” Harry in the election. Henry Wallace was out in left field on a progressive ticket.

In 2007, what really warms the cockles of my heart is to see Charley Rangel telling how the government should spend our money.

Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.

Progressive Democrat Issue 105: REMEMBERING MARTIN LUTHER KING: Part III: Action

Having been raised a liberal Jew, I have a particular view of how people can achieve success in America. I admit it doesn't solve all problems, but what worked for my family and my ethnicity was quite simply political activism (particularly reliably voting) and education.

So, coming from my personal point of view, my annual recommendation for how to celebrate MLK day is with donations to a few good causes that I hope will help solve future problems.

First let me highlight the NAACP National Voter Fund. In 2000, the NAACP initiated a separate Section 501(c)(4) organization, the NAACP National Voter Fund (NVF). NVF's mission is to engage in issue advocacy, educate voters on candidates' stands on civil rights, and increase voter turnout in the African American community through voter education and non-partisan registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. In 2000, NVF led a nationwide effort resulting in an historic increase in African American voter participation, despite well-documented cases of unfair purges and barriers.

The NAACP Voter Fund focuses on voter registration, GOTV and election protection. In my little world view, any group that has high and reliable voter tunr out will get political attention. Any group that is known for low voter turnout is likely to be ignored.

I also want to highlight Progressive Majority because of their very successful "Racial Justice Campaign" which helps progressive minority candidates get elected. Focusing on local races (right down to school board) that seldom get attention from national organizations, Progressive Majority has an excellent record of training and helping progressive candidates get elected.

Turning to education there is always the United Negro College Fund. Over 63 years, the United Negro College Fund has raised more than $2 billion to help a total of more than 350,000 students attend college and has distributed more funds to help minorities attend school than any entity outside of the government.

I urge a dontation to one or more of these organizations to help continue the dream. And I fully realize that this is not a comprehensive site, so please add any groups you recommmend to the list by making a comment.

Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.

Progressive Democrat Issue 105: HELPING THE WORLD: KIVA microlending update

In the past I have described some of the successes of the organization KIVA and my participation in it. This was part of a blog-blitz that raised considerable interest in KIVA about a year ago, leading to a big expansion of their efforts. And I have used the KIVA idea as a way to envision an integrated, grassroots based approach to interenational development, a broader idea that I wasn't so successful in pushing on the blogs.

Once again I want to spread the word about the wonderful work of KIVA. Even if I can't generate broader interest in a blog-based, grassroots development strategy, I know I can help out KIVA. What follows is a description of the five small businesses I have loaned to which have paid back their loans in their entirety. I want to share their stories in the hopes I can inspire yout to join in supporting KIVA's efforts. In the long run it probably won't cost you a dime!

This is a message from a woman's coopertaive in Senegal that I have leant money to through the organization KIVA:

“We’ve taken many loans from other organizations, but we haven’t been able to save much because of the high interest rates and savings deposits that those loans required. This time is different, and I think that we’re going to make a good profit. SEM is the best lender of all.”

SEM is one of Kiva's many partner organizations that manage Kiva's microloans locally. Here is some background Kiva gives regarding its loans in Senegal:

Senegal is one of the world’s poorest countries, yet its solid democratic tradition and highly developed associational life distinguish it from other countries in its income group. Especially remarkable are Senegal’s networks of rotating savings and credit associations, known as tontines. Commonly organized by groups of twenty to thirty housewives who live in the same village, the tontines provide poor women throughout the country with small loans to finance modest income-generating activities. Repayment rates within these associations are excellent, because they are based on local reputation and personal trust between the members. However, their financial resources are limited to the contributions of their members, frequently subsistence farmers with very little disposable income. This has prevented the traditional tontines from meeting the demand for rural microenterprise loans and restricted their impact on the economic development of their communities. Senegal Ecovillage Microfinance (SEM) works with our partner organization CRESP to bridge this gap by linking traditional village credit associations with outside sources of finance.

I have now been loaning through KIVA for a little over a year. It gives me a huge sense of satisfaction to be helping people this way. So far I have participated in 5 loans that have been fully repaid. Here are some of the businesses I have helped:

1. Ms. Penina Oburu's Fur Ber Fish business in Tororo, Uganda. Penina used her loan to hire a truck to go to Lake Victoria and buy fish for herself there, eliminating a middleman. This allowed her to cut her prices when she sold her fish in her village but to also make a larger profit. She was still struggling even with the loan, but she was able to hire two people to help her and both business and profits picked up. Meanwhile, the village received fish at lower prices. Here is what Penina had to say of our loan to her:

Special greetings to my business funders who helped me through Kiva fund Uganda. I wish to thank God who helped me to work hard with the loan money. When I look back to the past years how I used to struggle for the survival of my family I soar in my heart. That is why I infinitely thank all of you my funders to have made a difference in our lives. You have our family terrible situation and now we can afford to bear a smile on our faces. I was lucky to have received this loan money in the booming month which we receive once in a year i.e the month of December. All the fish I bought during last, I sold it all and received more profits up to 40%, unlike before when I used to get only the profit between 10-15%. So far am able to put food on the table for my family everyday using the part of the profits I get. I intend to increase my stock and that will allow me to refund part of the loan, pay school fees for children, pay medical bills, buy clothes & beddings for my children to mention but a few. I sell my fish very deep in the village and this has helped the people in that locality where I operate not to walk for long distances to buy fish. I serve them right at their residential places. Thank you once again for blessing us with the loan money. It will be my pleasure to see another family being blessed. God bless. Yours Penina Oburu.

2. Ms. Rosa Beatriz Gaitan's Everyday Variety housewars store in Danli, Honduras. Here's how Rosa described her business at the beginning of the loan:

My little market is one of the biggest and luckiest in my whole community. I sell personal-care products and school supplies for children among other ítems. I have been in business for 13 years, and I have been able to grow my store little by little each time I sell a little more. Since school is starting, I need to invest in inventory of school supplies like notebooks, pens, and other things.

And here is what she said (in her native Spanish) after receiving the loan:

Ahora si puedo decirles a mis clientes que si hay variedad de todo y lo que buscan lo encuentran en mi tienda, gracias a los fondos recibidos mi negocio ha crecido en ventas y clientes. Tengo mas producto nuevo y con las ventas mi inventario se mueve rapido. Los ingresos que recibo me ayudan con los estudios superiores de mis hijos.

Rosa's success with the loan allowed her to repay her loan in about half the term of the loan.

3. Ms. Lovisa Asinde's Kuro Chiki Hotel in Tororo, Uganda (in Uganda "hotel" means restaurant). Lovisa is a widow with five children. She started her business by baking pancakes, chapatti and mandazi in 2000 and one of KIVA's partners, the Village Enterprise Fund, gave her a donation of 100 dollars and some training. This allowed her to expand her business into a restaurant and she applied for the no-interest KIVA loan I participated in. This loan allowed her to expand her business very successfully. Here is what Lovisa had to say partway through the loan period:

I greet you all my Funders of my business and thank you so much for all you have done for me, I appreciate. Above all I thank God for his provision, strength, and knowledge. For years I have been selling cooked food and through thick and thin, I struggled to look after my family. I thank God for the loan money you gave me through Kiva fund. Am realizing improvement and success in my business, and this is because the number of items I prepare each day has increased, and this is bringing me more customers, this allows me to sell off all the food prepared each day. I have been able to operate in a decent place (clean environment, with a real building). The people are now served according to their preferences unlike before the loan money when I used to sell only posho and beans and people could always be forced to buy since town was far for them that they could get other foods that were not in my restaurant The community has benefited from my business because I buy food staffs from them and at the same time get services from my restaurant. All thanks go to you my funders. God bless you so much. Yours Lovisa Asinde

Unfortunately, one of her children became sick and she had to neglect her business to care for her child. This led to a substantial loss of her customer base. The flexibility of a KIVA loan allowed her to delay her repayments for a few months until her situation improved. Ultimately, she was able to fully repay her loan. Even in adversity, a KIVA loan can be helpful.

4. Mr. David Owino's Keep Riding bicycle shop in Tororo, Uganda. David's shop originally sold spare parts and did repairs. But his KIVA loan allowed him to start selling new bicycles, increasing his profits in a community where most people ride bikes. Early in the loan period he wasn't doing well because it was before the harvest and no one had much money. The region suffered from lack of rain early on, though eventually the rains came and planting could begin. This delay led to a disruption of the entire economy. But later, once agriculture picked up, David's business revived and he was able to build his business and pay off the loan. His future plans are to build a more permanent shop for his business.

5. Ms. Pricila Opendi's New Life Fish business. With the help of VEF, one of KIVA's first partner organizations, Pricila developed excellent business skills. The KIVA loan allowed her to buy more fish directly from the fishermen, bringing lower prices to her village and her profits enabled her to manage her family's needs: healthcare, school fees, and an improved diet.

In all cases of Ugandan businesses above, a side benefit of the loan was that each family was able to pay their local school fees for their children, something many families are unable to do. So the loans also help the next generation by giving them a better education.

KIVA started lending in East Africa but has since expanded worldwide. They are very careful in who they loan to, working with local partners who help train business owners and who manage the loans. You can loan as little as $25 and KIVA bundles these small loans to meet the needs of businesses in need of loans: anywhere from $150 to $2000. The loans are no-interest, but you can withdraw the money once the loan is complete. Or you can do what I do: keep reloaning to new businesses.

Please help KIVA meet the microloan needs of small businesses around the world.

And for those who want to do one more good thing, I am a firm believer that the environment must be healthy for economics to survive. I urge people to also consider donating to the appropriate international program of the Wildlife Conservation Society in the region where you have made a loan. This way you are BOTH supporting the environment and small business development in the same region. In many cases you also will be preserving forests that help mitigate global warming as well, benefitting ourselves.

Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.

Progressive Democrat Issue 105: NY STATE FOCUS: Blue Tiger Democrats

This comes from the new Blue Tiger Democrat movement, a movement that is aiming to reconnect the Democratic Party with the community.

New York's organizations have been neglected for far too long. It is one of the reasons that the Republicans still control the State Senate. The result is that political organizations have neither the funds nor the infrastructure to attract younger members, develop future leaders, and deliver constituent services.

From the decline of industry upstate to veterans who return from war without the help they deserve, it is time for Democrats and Progressives to provide visible support through concrete actions.

Once innovative and at the cutting edge of politics, New York government, is now according to the Brennan Center, a non-partisan think tank, no longer a leader. In fact, the report describes New York's government as "Broken".

Blue Tiger believes that we have an opportunity to revitalize our local political institutions throughout the state and to give volunteers something constructive to do when they join these organizations. For this to happen, progressive givers must turn some of their attention to the pressing needs of our state. Fixing the Party starts at home.

We appreciate the early endorsement of Blue Tiger from such figures as Lt. Governor David Paterson, Congressman Brian Higgins, Erie County Democratic Chair Len Lenihan, and New York State Senators Eric Schneiderman and Liz Krueger. They support Blue Tigers' efforts to improve the lives of New Yorkers through a commitment to civic engagement.

It is imperative that Democrats not just vote with the Party but work to strengthen it at its foundation.

New York State is filled with Democratic and Progressive activists but unfortunately, many are not currently involved with their local Party organizations. The only way to counteract this problem is to provide funds that will harness the imaginations and energy of these people by giving them positive things to do in their communities.

Help New York. Don't just vote like a Democrat, act like one!


Blue Tiger New York General Fund

While Progressive givers from New York contribute substantially to national Democratic and Progressive causes, they have not focused much attention or given much financial support to local, city, and county organizations throughout the state. By supporting the Blue Tiger General New York Fund, you will be providing incentive for young, passionate New Yorkers to get active by giving them productive things to do within their local organizations. Your generosity will support the growth of great Democratic and Progressive organizations across New York State. INVEST IN THE NY STATE BLUE TIGER DEMOCRATS FUND.

Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.

Progressive Democrat Issue 105: NYC GROUPS AND EVENTS

Local involvement is really what wins elections. Please get involved. I have made friends, met many of my elected officials who now (sometimes!) actually listen to me, and have really felt like I am making a difference. From time to time I will also post events going on, but mostly this is a list of organizations in your area. If I have missed any, please let me know.

GENERAL INTEREST:

Learn about New York City community boards

Community Boards are one way things get done on the ground in NYC. And I know at least a couple of readers of this newsletter who are on community boards and at least one who is interested in joining. For those who want to learn more about NYC's community boards, the Straphangers Campaign is co-sponsoring an event you might be interested in.

On January 22nd, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer will host a presentation on how to get involved in New York City community boards. If you are interested in a direct say in transit and development issues in your neighborhood, this event is for you.

Where: Berkeley College, 12 E. 41st Street (between 5th and Madison Aves), Room B-202
When: Monday January 22nd, 6-8pm
How: 4/5/6 or S to Grand Central; B/D/F/Q or 7 to 42nd St/5Av

Applications for Community Board seats will be available at this event or online.

No RSVPs are necessary.


BROOKLYN GROUPS AND EVENTS:


Documentary Screening: Brooklyn Matters, A Film by Isabel Hill:
January 25th. 6-8pm
Pratt Institute Higgins Hall, 61 St. James Pl at Lafayette Ave. Brooklyn

and

February 8 (time to be announced)
Fifth Avenue Committee
621 Degraw Street

Focusing on the planned Atlantic Yards development in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, this spirited documentary film reviews how the project gained approval, its potential impact on Brooklyn, and the politics surrounding one of the largest development proposals in the city’s history. The documentary — featuring candid interviews, strong opinions and lively characters — is an insightful and sometimes startling view of how land-use decisions are made.


Brooklyn Critical Mass:
Critical Mass is a monthly celebration of bicycles and other nonpolluting means of transportation, exercising our right to the road. Critical Mass is a movement, not an organization; no two riders participate for exactly the same reason. Brooklyn Critical Mass started rolling in 2004.

Brooklyn rides are the Second Friday of every month, 7:00 p.m., meeting at Grand Army Plaza. Come out and join Critical Mass in Brooklyn. Celebrate cycling, and assert your right to the road -- Brooklyn style!

For more events and bike workshops, check out their calendar.


Brooklyn Democrats for Change: covering Bay Ridge, Fort Hamilton, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, and Bath Beach; Meets the 1st Thursday of the month at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Muller Conference Room, 7420 4th Avenue Bay Ridge.


Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) (mostly covers Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Kensington). http://www.cbidems.org/ My wife, Joy, is now on the executive board of this club. This club is very grassroots and worked very hard for progressive candidates in the recent primary. They need more people if we want to strengthen the grassroots. If you are not yet a member, please come to the next meeting and join. Membership is cheap! Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of every month at 7 PM at the Park Slope United Methodist Church, 6th Ave. & 8th Street in the basement (enter through the garden gate on 6th Ave).


Independent Neighborhood Democrats (IND): I usually work with this club. They cover the 52nd Assembly district, covering Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill. Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of every month at 7 PM (yes...same time as CBID above because they are sort of rival groups!) at their clubhouse 489 Court St. in Carroll Gardens.


New Democratic Majority in Brooklyn: Originally an outgrowth of the Dean campaign, NDM is one of the more active progressive organizations around. This is the Brooklyn branch of that organization and we are still building our membership. 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) for more info.


Democracy for America Meetings: Another outgrowth of the Dean Campaign, this is another excellent local progressive organization. Usually meets the first Wed. of every month at various locations. CLICK HERE to find your closest monthly meeting.

Park Slope/Brooklyn, Ozzie's, 249 5th Ave, with host Josh Skaller

Williamsburg/Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Boulevard Tavern, 579 Meeker Ave. (btwn. N. Henry and Monitor St.) There will be no official DFNYC Linkup host here this month, but Harold at Boulevard is a DFNYC member and encourages everyone to stop in. Harold will have DFNYC info about the upcoming elections.

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


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 other 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.


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MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS:


NYC Critical Mass The last Friday of the month, every month, 7:00 p.m., starting at Union Square Park North. Come along for the ride! Critical Mass is a monthly celebration of bicycles and other nonpolluting means of transportation, exercising our right to the road. Critical Mass is a movement, not an organization; no two riders participate for exactly the same reason. New York City's first Critical Mass was in 1993.


Democracy for America Meetings: Another outgrowth of the Dean Campaign, this is another excellent local progressive organization. Usually meets the first Wed. of every month at various locations. CLICK HERE to find your closest monthly meeting.

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

Upper East Side, location TBD, with hosts Lewis Cohen & David Kogelman

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

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


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


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


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QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS:

Democracy for America Meetings: Another outgrowth of the Dean Campaign, this is another excellent local progressive organization. Usually meets the first Wed. of every month at various locations. CLICK HERE to find your closest monthly meeting.

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: Last Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward. Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102. Hosted by Donald Graff, queens (at) drinkingliberally.org

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


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STATEN ISLAND GROUPS AND EVENTS:

THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO STATEN ISLAND DEMOCRACY FOR NYC CHAPTERS! You can start one by emailing linkup -at- dfnyc.org (replace -at- with @). These groups are great for keeping in touch and for candiates to introduce themselves and beg you for support.

Young Democrats of Staten Island: The future of the Democratic Party in Staten Island!

Staten Island African American Political Association: For more information, contact deb2badd –at- aol.com (replace –at- with @)

THERE ARE NO DRINKING LIBERALLY GROUPS IN STATEN ISLAND!!! You can start one by clicking here. It is a fun, social way to grow the grassroots and patronize a local watering hole as well.

For more Democratic Clubs in Staten Island, CLICK HERE.

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BRONX GROUPS AND EVENTS:

THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO BRONX DEMOCRACY FOR NYC CHAPTERS! You can start one by emailing linkup -at- dfnyc.org (replace -at- with @). These groups are great for keeping in touch and for candiates to introduce themselves and beg you for support.


WEST BRONX 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. There is currently only one Bronx Drinking Liberally group:

West Bronx: First and third Friday of each month, 7:30 pm onward at An Beal Bocht, 445 W 238th St (between Waldo and Greystone). Hosted by Jamin Sewell and Scott Kennedy, westbronx (at) drinkingliberally.org


Find your closest Bronx Democratic Club by CLICKING HERE.


Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.

Progressive Democrat Issue 105: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

2007 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner: Special speaker U.S. Senator Barack Obama, Saturday, February 17th, 2007, 6:00 p.m. Greater Richmond Convention Center. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on January 17, 2007. Visit the Virginia Democratic Party website for updates.

Democracy for America: One of the best ways to get active! If you only do one thing that is political, join your local DFA group! FIND YOUR LOCAL DFA MEETUP AND GET INVOLVED! The statewide site seems to not be active, but it has MANY great links on the right hand side, including links to some local Virginia DFA groups. And for Washington, DC, your local DFA group can be found here.


Virginia Organizing Project:
The Virginia Organizing Project (VOP) is a statewide grassroots organization dedicated to challenging injustice by empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives. VOP especially encourages the participation of those who have traditionally had little or no voice in our society. By building relationships with individuals and groups throughout the state, VOP strives to get them to work together, democratically and non-violently, for change. Here's a calendar of events.


Virginia Young Democrats: The next generation of Democrats in Virginia! Their stated goals are:

# To support and elect Democratic candidates for public office
# To widen and increase the interest and knowledge of young people in government and the political process
# To train and develop young people for positions of leadership
# To increase the role of under-represented people in our Party, government, and society
# To serve those in need in our community

Join in or, if you are no longer young enough to be a "Young Democrat," give them a little support.


The Democratic Party: Here are links to some of your local Dem clubs. This is another very important way to be active. You can also find a calendar of events for Democratic Party activities in Virginia here.

Washington DC Democratic Party

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. If there isn't one near you, it is easy to start your own!

Alexandria, Virginia
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
* Shenandoah Brewing Company, 652 S Pickett St (Look for us upstairs)
* "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world" - Margaret Mead
* Hosted by David Swim and Quinn Jones, alexandria (at) drinkingliberally.org

Danville, Virginia
* Every other Wednesday, 7:00 pm onward
* The Purple Onion, 215 Main St
* Hosted by Meryl Ibis, danville (at) drinkingliberally.org

Charlottesville, Virginia
* Every Tuesday, 8:30 pm onward
* Biltmore Grill, 16 Elliewood Ave
* Hosted by Michael Snook, Justin Villegas, TJ Bateman and Bridget Moriarty, charlottesville (at) drinkingliberally.org

Norfolk, Virginia
* Third Thursday of each month 5:00-7:00 pm
* The New Belmont, 2117 Colonial Ave (upstairs at the bar)
* Hosted by Megan Feeley and Steve Earnhart, norfolk (at) drinkingliberally.org

Virginia Beach, Virginia
* Second Tuesday of each month 6:00 pm onward
* Jewish Mother, 3108 Pacific Ave
* Hosted by Chris Jaramillo and Eileen Levandoski, vabeach (at) drinkingliberally.org

And two Washington, DC groups:

Capitol Hill
* Every Wednesday, 7:00-9:00 pm
* The 18th Amendment, 613 Pennsylvania Ave SE (~2 Blocks NW of Eastern Market Metro Stop)
* Hosted by Micha Rieser, dcwed (at) drinkingliberally.org


Dupont Circle
* Every Thursday, 6:30-8:30 pm
* Timberlake's, 1726 Connecticut Ave NW
* Metro: Dupont Circle (red line)
* Hosted by Kim Davis and Keith Ivey, dcthu (at) drinkingliberally.org


Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.

Progressive Democrat Issue 105: CALIFORNIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

California is pretty big, so mostly what I will do is list the resources you can use to find out what's going on in your area. If you know of a group, send me info!

California for Democracy: This is the California branch of Howard Dean's Democracy for America movement. There are local meetings all over the state (listed on the left hand side of the state website). I participate in my local group and this is one of the ways I get to meet lots of interesting politicians, all of whom are trying to get our support. If you only do one kind of political activism, it should be this! If you join, tell them I sent you...it can't hurt for them to know I'm helping them out! There are also events listed as well as blogs for discussion. This is the ultimate in progressive grassroots! If there isn't a group near you, start one by emailing: steering (at) californiafordemocracy.com


California Democratic Party: To find your local Democratic Party organization, GO HERE. For a Calendar of events GO HERE. To get active in the California Democratic Party by volunteering GO HERE.


DRINKING LIBERALLY: An informal, inclusive progressive social group. 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. This is one of the more fun ways to be involved as a liberal. There are MANY groups in California. If there isn't one in your area, get a few friends together and START ONE! Don't drink alcohol? Then start one in a coffee house, tea lounge or juice bar! The format is flexible. Here's a list of them as of Dec. 2006.


Hollywood
* Second Wednesday of each month 7:00-11:00 PM
* Molly Malone's Irish Pub, 575 South Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles 90036 (near corner of 6th avenue)
* Hosted by Vincent Jones, Cecilia Cabello, Christine Frogozo, Jim Kennedy and Joe Zefran, la (at) drinkingliberally.org

Pasadena
* Every Tuesday, 7:30-10:00 pm
* Madeleine's Wine Bistro, 1030 E Green St (between Wilson and Catalina)
* We try to meet on the patio when no other event is scheduled there. Otherwise, look for us in the wine bar.
* Hosted by Asa Hopkins, pasadena (at) drinkingliberally.org

Monterey
* First Thursday of each month 7:00 pm onward
* Peter B's Brewery, 2 Portola Plz
* Hosted by Annie Ho and Helen Davis, monterey (at) drinkingliberally.org

Orange County
* Every Thursday, 8:30 pm onward
* Memphis Bar, 201 N Broadway, Santa Ana (Artists Village)
* Hosted by Mike Lawson, orangecounty (at) drinkingliberally.org

Sacramento
* First Thursday of each month 7:00 pm onward
* Streets of London Pub, 1804 J St (Midtown)
* Hosted by Leslie Simmons, sacramento (at) drinkingliberally.org

San Diego
* Every other Tuesday 7:30 pm onward
* Nunu's Cocktail Lounge, 3537 5th Ave (Between Brookes and Ivy Ln)
* Hosted by Jesse Rubin and Jason Miller, sandiego (at) drinkingliberally.org

San Francisco
* Every Monday, 7:00-9:00 pm
* Doc's Clock, 2575 Mission St (between 21st and 22nd) (Look for our red, white and blue striped bottle!)
* Hosted by Susan Harrison, sf (at) drinkingliberally.org

Oakland
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month 6:00 - 8:00 PM
* Luka's Taproom & Lounge, 2221 Broadway
* Hosted by Cyril Allen and Philip Combs, oakland (at) drinkingliberally.org

Palo Alto
* Second Thursday of each month 7:00 pm onward
* Antonio's Nut House, 321 S California Ave (At the corner of Birch and California)
* Hosted by Tom Allen, Leilani Iwaishi and Esther Hardwick, paloalto (at) drinkingliberally.org

San Jose
* Every other Thursday 6:30 pm onward
* Trials Pub, 265 N 1st St
* We're usually in the wingbacks by the front door. The bartenders know who we are.
* Hosted by Andy Oliveria and Adam Gulkis, sanjose (at) drinkingliberally.org


Santa Barbara
* Every Wednesday, 8 pm - 10 pm
* Elsie's Bar, 117 W de la Guerra St (behind Paseo Nuveo Mall)
* Elsie's is 21+ and cash only
* Hosted by Daryl Chrisman and Bart Woolery, santabarbara (at) drinkingliberally.org

Stockton
* Third Friday of each month 7:00 pm onward
* Micheal's New York Pizza, 2300 W Alpine Ave #A
* Hosted by Teresa Frison, stockton (at) drinkingliberally.org



SOME REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: These are more specific to particular reagions

LOS ANGELES AREA:

Progressive Los Angeles Network (PLAN): The Progressive Los Angeles Network (PLAN) was formally launched in December 1999. PLAN was founded and built on the success of the 1998 Progressive L.A. Conference which was co-sponsored by a number of local and national institutions and organizations including Occidental College, The Nation Institute, Liberty Hill Foundation, LA Weekly and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. The Progressive LA Conference was an overwhelming success and gave participants a sense that the growth of a wide variety of progressive social movements had reached an important threshold. As a result, attendees and others within the progressive movement in Los Angeles expressed a desire to participate in further discussion about how to develop a common agenda that is community based, inclusive and brings together the wealth of experience and knowledge of organizers, activists, and researchers. To get involved, GO HERE.


ORANGE COUNTY AREA:

Orange County Peace Coalition: An organization that advocates the peaceful resolution of international conflicts and that this ideal become a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. To see a calendar of events, CLICK HERE. To get involved, CLICK HERE.


NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:

Grassrootswest was founded in 2004 as a way to unite Northbay Democrats, Greens, Independents, and even Republicans in getting George Bush out of office. After the stolen election of 2004 it became clear that there still was a need to bridge the divide between the various progressive organizations in the San Francisco North Bay. So their work of bypassing the corporate media, and building alliances of progressives continues to this day. Check them out.


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Progressive Democrat Issue 105: NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

First let me highlight a local events:


February 09, 2007
43rd Annual Dinner Dance
Waterview Pavilion Route 35 South
Belmar, NJ 07719
Come Dance the night away with the Monmouth County Democrats! Also with a Wonderful Gift Auction. Win something special for your Valentine!
Contact MCD headquarters for more details
732-922-2700



Now let me give you some ideas how to find some local groups to be involved with:

Here is how you can find your local Dem clubs. Go to HERE and click on your county. You can also click on their Calendar to find out Democratic Party events throughout the state.


New Jersey for Democracy: Possibly even more important than finding your local Democratic club, I strongly urge you to find your closest Democracy for America group. This organization, started by Howard Dean, is the future of the progressive grassroots in America. If there isn't a group near you, start one. It is a great way to get started in the political process. Here in NYC we get to meet all sorts of politicians who want our endorsement.


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, 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

Toms River, New Jersey
* First Tuesday of each month (next meeting October 3), 8:00 pm onward
* Joshua Huddy Brew Pub, 1250 Hooper Ave (across from Ocean County Mall) (map)
* Hosted by Robin Kinlin and Ian Valentine, tomsriver (at) drinkingliberally.org


Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.

Progressive Democrat Issue 105: MICHIGAN FOCUS: Meeting Party Leaders

Here are some chances for bloggers to meet the electeds in Michigan. Believe me, it can be quite interesting meeting the people who represent us. Sometimes good interesting some times bad "interesting." But usually interesting!

This is compiled from Michigan Liberal:

Come join Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman, and Representative Barb Byrum as they meet with folks like you from the Michigan progressive/liberal/democratic blogosphere on

Friday, February 16th
6pm - 7pm
Livingston County Democratic Party Office
10321 E. Grand River Suite 600
Brighton, MI. 48116

Of course, far be it from the folks in the Senate to miss out. Many thanks to Minority Leader Mark Schauer for offering to meet up

Wednesday, February 21st
7pm - 8:30pm
Lansing Off-Site Office
3230 S. Pennsylvania
Lansing, MI 48910***
(Please RSVP for this event)

If you live in the Lansing area, (either the 67th, 68th, or 69th House Districts, or in Senate District 23), then Reps. Barb Byrum, Joan Bauer, Mark Meadows and Senator Gretchen Whitmer ask you that you join them

Thursday February 8th
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Beaner's
3499 E. Lake Lansing Rd.

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Progressive Democrat Issue 105: MIDWEST PROGRESSIVE GROUPS (IA, IN, WI, MI)

I apologize for lumping such diverse states together under "Midwest," but to date I don't have enough readers in any one Midwestern state to give any of them their own attention the way I do with Virginia, NYC and California. Get me more readers in YOUR state and I will happily put more effort into writing about that state. Until then, these are the four Midwestern region states that I get some readership from regularly.

IOWA GROUPS:


First I naturally will highlight Iowa's local Democracy for America group, Blog for Iowa. Joining this blog will help you connect with fellow progressives in Iowa and help establish a progressive infrastructure in Iowa.


Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement: ICCI has helped ordinary Iowans get to work on a variety of social, economic and environmental justice issues they care deeply about. Whether the issue is factory farms, housing or improving neighborhoods, ICCI is there organizing people to make a difference. Find out what you can do for Iowa here. For a calendar of events, go here. This organization is all about COMMUNITY.


Drinking Liberally in Iowa: Promoting democracy one pint at a time! Drinking liberally is a social organization with chapters nationwide. There are four Iowa Drinking Liberally groups (see below). If there isn't one near you, you can set one up at the Drinking Liberally website. If you don't like bars, I have always thought non-drinkers could set up their own drinking liberally groups in coffee houses. Here are the current Iowa groups:

Davenport:
* Meets second and fourth Friday of each month, 6:00 pm onward
* Pat McQuire's Bar & Grill, 3333 N Harrison St (Set back form Harrison - Next door to the Citgo on the corner of 32nd and Harrison)
* We will also drink liberally in the AM on the 1st Saturday at 9:30am at Mojo's (corner of Main and 2nd St - downtown Davenport)
* Hosted by Alta Price and Caroline Vernon, quadcities (at) drinkingliberally.org

Ames:
* Every Friday, 5:00 pm onward
* Legends American Grill, 200 Stanton Ave, 7th Floor (in Campustown) (map)
* The group will meet in the large accessible party room left of the elevators unless it is booked by a larger group. We will then be in the Sky Box. Ask a waiter for our location.
* Hosted by Jan Bauer and Brent Wynja, ames (at) drinkingliberally.org

Des Moines:
* Every Thursday, 8:00 p.m. onward
* The Lift, 222 4th St (between Court Ave and Walnut) (map)
* Hosted by Amanda Mittlestadt, Tricia Kell, Dan Chibnall, Cassie Samspon and Matt Jesson, desmoines (at) drinkingliberally.org

Iowa City:
* Every Thursday, 8:00 pm onward
* The Mill Restaurant, 120 E Burlington St (map)
* Hosted by Nicholas Bergin, iowacity (at) drinkingliberally.org


WISCONSIN GROUPS:

First I naturally will highlight Winsconsin's local Democracy for America group, Democracy for Wisconsin. Democracy for Wisconsin grew from the seeds planted by Howard Dean's presidential campaign. We believe that strong values and grassroots participation are the key to successfully promoting progressive policies and rebuilding the Democratic Party. Please help us take our country back! Local chapters are listed on their website.


WISCONSIN FAIR TRADE COALITION: The Wisconsin Fair Trade Coalition is a statewide collaboration of labor, environmental, consumer, family farm and interfaith groups founded in 1994 during the fight over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). They are united in a common belief that international trade and investment are not ends unto themselves, but instead must be viewed as a means for achieving other societal goals including economic justice, human rights, healthy communities and a sound environment. The economy exists to help people, not the other way around.

WFTC is the leading state advocacy vehicle to fight for trade policy that is not tilted in favor of multinational corporations and against the interests of Wisconsin ’s -- and the world's -- working people. If you want to join the coalition, sign up for the newsletter or find out more, contact them at 608.237.1659; Fax 608.442.1439;
Postal Address: 3129 Hermina Street , Madison WI 53714.


Drinking Liberally in Wisconsin: Promoting democracy one pint at a time! Drinking liberally is a social organization with chapters nationwide. There are surprisingly few Wisconsin drinking liberally groups! There are currently only two Wisconsin Drinking Liberally groups (see below). If there isn't one near you, you can set one up at the Drinking Liberally website. If you don't like bars, I have always thought non-drinkers could set up their own drinking liberally groups in coffee houses. Here are the current Wisconsin groups:

Madison, Wisconsin
* First and third Tuesday of each month (next meeting October 3), 7:00 pm onward
* Genna's, 105 W Main St
* Hosted by Brian Cadwell, madison (at) drinkingliberally.org

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month (next meeting October 11), 7:00 pm onward
* Club Garibaldi, 2501 S Superior St
* Hosted by Stacie Rosenzweig, Scott Feldstein and Jason Haas, milwaukee (at) drinkingliberally.org


INDIANA GROUPS:

First, I will highlight the very, VERY important Indiana Progressives PAC. Indiana Progressives believe to win nationally we must first win locally. Their message is positive, practical and progressive! And hopefully will be popular as well! Be a part of Indiana Progressives by registering with their site today. This is exactly the kind of organization we need in Indiana to deliver a populist progressive message right to the voters.


Evolution Education Institute (EEI) is a national professional development program that had it's origins in the Michigan Scientific Evolution Education Initiative (MSEEI). The MSEEI was administered by the Michigan Science Teacher's Association and was funded by an Eisenhower Higher Education Competitive Grant through the Michigan Department of Education (MDOE) from 1999-2002. The mission of the MSEEI was to provide Michigan teachers and pre-service teacher education students with the necessary content, pedagogy and support system to effectively teach scientific evolution. The Evolution Education Institute expands upon the MSEEI model and brings it to a national audience. he mission of the Evolution Education Institute (EEI) is to promote the understanding of evolution and natural selection theory within the educational community and society at-large and to advocate for its inclusion in science curricula in a manner commensurate with its importance to modern scientific thought. This issue is particularly important to me (I'm a biologist myself!). So please, help out EEI.


Drinking Liberally in Indiana: Promoting democracy one pint at a time! Drinking liberally is a social organization with chapters nationwide. There are six Indiana Drinking Liberally groups (see below). I should note that means Indiana has more than some much larger states like Virginia. Makes Indiana sound like fun! If there isn't one near you, you can set one up at the Drinking Liberally website. If you don't like bars, I have always thought non-drinkers could set up their own drinking liberally groups in coffee houses. Here are the current Indiana groups:

Bloomington
* Every Tuesday, 7:00 pm onward
* Upland Brewery, 350 W 11th St (map)
* Hosted by Eric Foster and Chris Herlihy, bloomington (at) drinkingliberally.org

Indianapolis
* Every Thursday, 7:00-10:00 pm
* Spencer's Stadium Tavern, 802 S West St (SW corner of West & McCarty streets)
* map: http://tinyurl.com/ann6t
* Hosted by Jason Borneman, indianapolis (at) drinkingliberally.org

Noblesville
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
* Ram Brewery, 12750 Parkside Dr (near the corner of 126th St and Hwy 37)
* Hosted by Keith Clock and Molly Martin, noblesville (at) drinkingliberally.org

Lafayette
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
* Lafayette Brewing Company - UPSTAIRS, 622 Main St
* Hosted by Amy Clinton-Corbett, Mary Nauman, Curtis Parker, Jon Neal, Susan Schechter and Gavin Steiger, lafayette (at) drinkingliberally.org

New Albany:
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
* "The Red Room" of Rich-O's Public House, 3312 Plaza Dr (Near the Kroger on Grant Line Rd; and next to Sportstime Pizza)
* Rich-Os is 21+ and "The Red Room" is in the smoking section, though we are able to meet in alternative areas of the Rich-O's/Sportstime Pizza complex to accomodate under-age attendants and those who are sensitive to cigarette smoke.
* We will now be meeting on THURSDAYS instead of Wednesdays to accomodate the academic work week.
* Hosted by Lacy Davis, newalbany (at) drinkingliberally.org

South Bend
* First and third Thursday of each month (next meeting October 5), 7:00 pm onward
* Oaken Bucket, 1212 S Ironwood Dr (map)
* Hosted by Chris Wilson, Thomas Winegar and Ben Runkle, southbend (at) drinkingliberally.org


MICHIGAN GROUPS:

First I naturally will highlight Michigan's local Democracy for America group, Democracy for Michigan. Joining this blog will help you connect with fellow progressives in Iowa and help establish a progressive infrastructure in Michigan.


Michigan Young Democrats: The next generation of Democrats in Michigan. For information on how to get involved at the local level, please contact Jody Weissler at jweissler@mi-democrats or (517) 371-5410. To get involved with the MYD Executive Board, please contact our President Isaac Robinson at williamisaacrobinson@yahoo.com.


Drinking Liberally in Michigan: Promoting democracy one pint at a time! Drinking liberally is a social organization with chapters nationwide. There are three Michigan Drinking Liberally groups (see below). If there isn't one near you, you can set one up at the Drinking Liberally website. If you don't like bars, I have always thought non-drinkers could set up their own drinking liberally groups in coffee houses. Here are the current Michigan groups:

Ann Arbor, Michigan
* First and third Thursday of each month 8pm
* Leopold Bros., 523 S Main St
* Hosted by John Redmond and Jenay Karlson, annarbor (at) drinkingliberally.org

Detroit, Michigan
* Every Tuesday, 7:00 pm onward
* Honest? John's, 488 Selden St (at 2nd (lighted, secure parking))
* Hosted by Pete Coseo, detroit (at) drinkingliberally.org

Oakland County, Michigan
* Every other Thursday 7:00 pm onward
* Bo's Brewery & Bistro, 51 N Saginaw St, Pontiac (Corner of Huron and Saginaw inside the Woodward Loop)
* We need co-hosts in Oakland County south, east and west for our Road Trips, please contact me for details.
* Hosted by Ron Wasczenski, oaklandcounty (at) drinkingliberally.org


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Progressive Democrat Issue 105: FLORIDA FOCUS

One of the predictions made by most climate models is that we will see increased storminess as warming continues. Florida's Chief Financial Officer (yes, Florida has a CFO!), Democrat Alex Sink, has this in her eViews newsletter that my Florida readers might be interested in:

SINK ANNOUNCES FREE COURSES SCHEDULED FOR CONTRACTORS INTERESTED IN MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM

Alex Sink, Florida’s chief financial officer, announced that free courses will be offered to licensed contractors who are interested in participating in the My Safe Florida Home program. The four-hour course will teach contractors the techniques and standards for effective wind-resistant retrofit improvements.

“Our mission is to strengthen homes in Florida against the devastating effects of storm damage,” said Sink, who oversees the Department of Financial Services. “Contractors who participate in this program will play a key role in better protecting families and properties from catastrophic losses.”

Prior to participating in the program, a contractor must have a valid contractor’s license and complete a four-hour course on techniques and standards for effective wind-resistant retrofit improvements. The Department of Financial Services has been working with the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) to offer these courses around the state, and upcoming contractor trainings have been scheduled in the following areas:

• January 23 in Tallahassee – Kelly Training Center, 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd.

• January 25 in Orlando – Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd.

• February 5 in St. Petersburg – All Children’s Hospital, 701 4th Street South.

• February 6 in Naples – Comfort Inn and Suites, 3860 Tollgate Blvd.

• February 7 in Hollywood – Hillcrest Golf and Country Club, 4600 Hillcrest Drive.

All contractor trainings will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 12 p.m. For additional details, log on to www.flash.org.

Homeowners who have undergone free home inspections through the My Safe Florida Home program and live in high-risk areas will be able to apply for matching grants of up to $5,000. The grant funds must be used to implement improvements specified in the inspection reports, and homeowners will be required to use a participating contractor. The list of participating contractors, organized by county and type of work performed, will be available on-line at www.mysafefloridahome.com.

Sink urges all homeowners interested in making home-hardening improvements to verify that the contractors they are doing business with are licensed. For more tips on how to choose a contractor log on to www.mysafefloridahome.com and click on “5 Tips for Choosing a Contractor.

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