Progressive Democrat Issue 118: THOUGHTS

What a week! Gonzales looking like a deer in the headlights, Virginia Tech, and McCain seemingly completely losing it (see here and here).

As usual I can barely keep up. But I hope what I can get to is still helpful to you.

Here's this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Targeting Bush Enabler Sunnunu

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS: Recycled Paper Revistied

JOHN EDWARDS RESPONDS TO MoveOn.org

CLEAN ELECTIONS: Democrats vs. Republicans

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Virginia Tech...

VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

NYC FOCUS: Bloomberg's Budget

NYC GROUPS AND EVENTS

INDIANA FOCUS: Turd-Town, USA?

MIDWEST GROUPS AND EVENTS

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: School Boards and Happy Hours

NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

CALIFORNIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

Progressive Democrat Issue 118: NEW HAMPSHIRE: Holding the Iraq War Enablers Accountable

Americans United For Change brings together independent voices for new policy priorities and real leadership - to focus our elected officials on the issues that really matter to the lives of everyday Americans and get America moving in the right direction again. One of their main projects is the Iraq Accountability Project which seeks to inform voters about politicians who vote to support Bush's Iraq quagmire and the McCain/Bush/Lieberman escalation. Here is their first ad, targeting Senator John Sunnunu of New Hampshire. Let's first review Sunnunu's record on Veterans issues before we see the ad: (from Project Vote Smart)

2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Sununu a grade of D.

2006 Senator Sununu supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 40 percent in 2006.

2005 Senator Sununu supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 42 percent in 2005.

2004 Senator Sununu supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0 percent in 2004.

2004 On the votes that the The Retired Enlisted Association considered to be the most important in 2004, Senator Sununu voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.

So Sunnunu has not been supporting Veterans interests since 2004. And yet he wants to send MORE troops to fight in Iraq. Here's the ad:




You can help defeat this pro-escalation, anti-Veteran Senator in 2008 here.

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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS: Recycled Paper Revisited

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a decline in the market for recycled paper, a problem given the need for BETTER not worse evironmental consumer trends.

I got some interesting comments on this article. First came some people justifying virgin paper over recycled. Now I do not agree with the full thrust of their arguements. It is clear than under MOST circumstances, buying recycled paper products is more environmentally sound than buying virgin paper products. But, they brought up some good points. Here is one person's comment:

For many of our forests, particularly here in the Northeast, private owneship by industrial landowners had protected them from development. And a market for forest products -- with paper as an important leg of that market -- maintains the working forest. Essentially all of the forests in northern ME and NH excepting a few thousand acres of land fall into this class.

Paper is typically made from trash wood that doesn't have a higher value as housing stock, fine-furniture or veneer. Particularly in Maine, the paper market is part of the economic foundation that has kept the Maine Woods open and avialable for recreation, since most recreation happens on private, not public land. Right now, landowners face ever-growing costs from having an open lands policy. As guests, we're not very good at low-impact recreation.

Practically all of Maine's industrial landowners use sustainable forestry practices now; it's the small landowners who have been slow to FISC practices and have those practices certified.

So when you're next copy of National Geographic arrives, the next volume of Harry Potter delights you, remember that it's likely a forest product from the Maine Woods.

And even the concept of Virgin paper is a misnomer, for virtually all paper has some recycled fiber from the paper-making process itself.

The bigger issue is paper made from virgin fiber imported from China where labor issues and air and water-quality issues.

I admit I am skeptical of much of this. But it does bring up the point that not all "virgin" paper and wood products are equally good or bad. Some companies are better and worse than others.

In this context I want to bring up a general point regarding the origin of wood-based products. There is a certification process for wood that is harvested sustainably. However, you have to be careful because the WORST companies came up with a rival, completely bullshit certification process. You should only, ONLY buy wood-based products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and urge your local hardware stores to only stock wood products approved by the FSC. This is the most stringent certification, monitoring every step of the process. This certification process also has been found NOT to add to the cost of the product for the consumer. NO OTHER CERTIFICATION PROCESS MEANS SQUAT. There are many lovely sounding certifications thought up by the lumber industry and NONE of them mean much. (For more on this, please read Jared Diamond's book Collapse, pp. 468-479). But this mostly deals with actual wood products, not so much paper. As far as I am aware, there is no reliable way to tell if the paper you buy has been harvested by sustainable means or not UNLESS you purchase 100% recycled or non-tree paper. So, unless the industry has a RELIABLE certification process similar to that of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for lumber products, I maintain that your safest bet is buying recycled. If someone claims there is such a certification process I will need some solid proof (with good references to environmental agencies that approve) before I would trust it. The lumber industry has been so dishonest with their versions of certification that I will be skeptical of most of what they say unless there is independent, trustworthy, environmentally conscious confirmation.

Another interesting point regarding "virgin" paper has to do with energy generation. In the production of "virgin" paper products, some of the waste is used to generate energy for the production process, making the entire process less environmentally damaging. Here is another comment I received:

Making pulp, the process of digesting wood to separate the fiber from the lignons -- is actualy used to generate energy. The lignons (the glues that hold the cellulose in a tree together) are burned and used to generate steam for power.

Turning recycled fiber into pulp for new paper doesn't produce any sort of bio-mass for energy; and would increase the external energy supplies needed to make the same volume of paper.

Paper companies pay very close attention to energy costs from a number of sources, using that information as part of determining what and how they'll produce product.

Again, I feel much of this is all well and good but also something of excuses made by paper companies to do things that aren't as good environmentally but are cheaper for them. So I still feel that encouraging recycling is the best way, and so I maintain that purchasing recycled paper products is an important part of any environmentally conscious household. With this in mind, Co-op America also sent me a comment on my piece on the market for recycled paper. Co-op America is an organization I have worked with for a long, long time. They have lots of resources and do lots of good work. Please check them out.

Co-op America suggests looking over this list of magazines that use recycled paper. If your favorite magazine is on the list, write to thank them for using recycled paper. If your favorite magazine is NOT on the list, please write them to urge them to use recycled paper and consider switching to a magazine that does.

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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: JOHN EDWARDS RESPONDS TO DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA

I already posted the footage of Bill Richardson and Barack Obama's responses. Here is the one I had missed so far.



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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: CLEAN ELECTIONS: Democrats support clean elections...Republicans?

These come from the Public Campaign Action Fund.

Seems that the four Democratic front runners are coming out in favor of public financing of elections.

This film clip shows Edwards' endorsement (real time movie).

And here is a film clip of Barack Obama's endorsement (flash media).

Richardson has been acting as governor to enact public financing:

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson plans to turn his endorsement of public financing for judicial races into action when he signs the bill recently passed out of the state legislature in special session that would expand the state's public financing program to include state Supreme and Appellate court races. He plans to line-item veto the "poison pill" provision in the bill that would require voters to amend the state constitution to eliminate retention elections (making those judges run in partisan races) before the public financing system could take effect. New Mexico already has public financing available to candidates for the state's Public Regulation Commission, and the city of Albuquerque approved public financing for municipal elections by ballot initiative in 2005. Many thanks to New Mexico Common Cause and Public Campaign Board member Richard Romero, for their efforts in passing this bill!

Regarding Hillary Clinton's support for public financing, there is a touch of irony, but overall she is on the right side:

Although she opted out of public financing for her White House bid, she does believe it's the ultimate reform to pursue.

Clinton opted out of public financing because she was able to raise more on her own -- and the amount of public financing that would have been provided would have not been enough to keep her competitive with private fundraisers. However, a system like Clean Elections at the federal level -- as outlined in the Fair Elections Now Act -- would allow publicly funded candidates to be competitive. It's clear that even though Clinton is a successful fundraiser, she's much prefer a system where money wasn't the deciding factor.

Interestingly, she announced her support for public financing at an event where she was endorsed by New Jersey Governor John Corzine, who just a few days ago enthusiastically signed a bill reauthorizing his state's Clean Elections public financing pilot project for legislative races. Clinton declared her views on public financing very clearly: "I believe we have to move, eventually in our country, toward a system of public financing that really works for candidates running for federal office. I will support that as president."

What about the Republicans? Well, not so impressive. McCain is the only one with any good record on this an even he is something of a flip-flopper on public financing:

Republican presidential hopeful, John McCain, meanwhile has been less supportive of public financing while on the campaign trail this year, but has supported it strongly in the past at the state level as well as for the Presidential race. He has joined Obama in promising to run under public financing in the general election if his opponent agrees to do the same.

Now if only he was more consistent on the campaign trail it would put him above the rest of the Republicans on clean elections.

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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: VIRGINIA FOCUS: Best Wishes

I just want to send my best wishes to Virginia Tech and the surrounding community. It is always disturbing when a person's private demons explode into public tragedy. Our society, like most societies, doesn't deal well with phsychological problems. The result is people with psychological problems may have a hard time getting help and, even when warning signs are seen and noted, there may be little we can do to prevent such tragedies. The gunman needed help. He never got help partly because he refused it and partly because our society really has never figured out what to do with people who are deeply troubled but functional. I hope we can learn from these tragedies, but too often we do not.

For now, to offer support to Virginia Tech, please go here.


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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: VIRGINIA/DC AREA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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


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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: NY CITY FOCUS: The City Budget

The Mayor's Budget contains some very, very unpalatable things. We need to urge the City Council to reject the budget as long as some of the worst expenditures are in there.

I hope to revisit this later if I get the chance, but for now let's look at just one of the unpalatable expenditures. Let's start with $205 million budgeted to support Forest City Ratner’s Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn. This is money that each and every New York City Taxpayer is being asked to spend so that a private developer can make gobs and gobs of money. Now SOME of that money will go to infrastructure, but some is nothing buy a gift to a wealthy developer. There are two reasons why this $205 million is problematic and should be rejected.

Reason 1: $100 million of this $205 million is slated for land acquisition costs on behalf of Forest City Ratner. It should be remembered that $100 million is precisely the amount Forest City Ratner bid to acquire the site, so the mayor has proposed that NYC taxpayers purchase the land for Bruce Ratner. In the words of our City Councilman, David Yassky, "There's no justification to spend public money like this. Government money should be spent on transportation infrastructure, schools and traffic calming - not subsidies for a private company.” We should support David Yassky’s sentiments that the city should NOT be spending its money to purchase land for a private development agency. The remaining $105 million is slated for infrastructure improvements associated with the area.

Reason 2: A perhaps more fundamental reason why the City Council should reject the $205 million budgeted for Forest City Ratner’s project is the fact that this project was approved without a business plan being filed. The Empire State Development Corporation was forced to reveal that they had approved Forest City Ratner’s project sans business plan only when Assemblyman Jim Brennan sued the ESDC to see the business plan. We are being asked to fund a project that has no business plan. Approval of a plan of this scale without a business plan is a colossally irresponsible action and the City Council should not sink any taxpayer money into a project that has not properly filed a business plan. Even the $105 million that the city has budgeted for infrastructure improvements associated with the site should not be spent as long as a business plan has not been filed.

For these reasons, Mayor Bloomberg’s budget should be rejected by the City Council pending removal of the $205 million budgeted for Ratner’s plan. Why should we be buying the land for Ratner's profit, and why should we be spending ANY amount of money on a project that has no business plan? Imagine going to a bank and asking for even a loan (let alone a gift of money!) for your business if you had not business plan!

You can contact your City Council member here.

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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: STATEN ISLAND FOCUS

Some local organizers I know are looking into establishing a DFNYC chapter in Staten Island. I don't know what stage they are at, but if anyone is interested in joining a Staten Island chapter of DFNYC, please email me at mole333_at_gmail_dot_com and I will pass your name and email along.

This kind of grassroots organizing is critical for Democratic politics. Currently there are no DFNYC chapters in Staten Island, quite an oversight!

There also are no Drinking Liberally chapters in Staten Island. I don't know of anyone organizing one, but if anyone is interested, email me and maybe I can help get people together.

For those who are interested in existing groups in Staten Island, I highlight a couple near the bottom of the "NYC Groups and Events" section of the Newsletter (just above the Bronx groups and events), but I reproduce them here:

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 @)

For more Democratic Clubs in Staten Island, CLICK HERE.

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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: 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:

This comes via one of my climatologist friends:

Cynthia Rosenzweig, PhD, is a senior research scientist at NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and leader of its Climate Impacts Group. She will discuss New York City as an urban heat island, climate change, and asthma incidence. Cynthia works not only on investigating impacts, but on testing mitigation strategies, i.e. greening roofs, etc.

Speaker is cool, she's as giggly a climate rock star as you'll ever find (see her bio blurb on the NYAS site & look up her pubs on http://www.giss.nasa.gov using her last name).

These things often fill up to capacity with smarties & whackos alike (not that it's so easy to tell us apart), so RSVP ASAP, by clicking here.

The New York Academy of the Sciences has moved; it's now adjacent the WTC site. $10 for students. Dinner (optional) at 5:30, by reser, open bar during, & fancy but $35. Meeting begins at 7PM.
Location:
New York Academy of the Sciences, adjacent the WTC site
Sponsor:
New York Academy of the Sciences (http://www.nyas.org)
RSVP:
nymeetings@nyas.org

BROOKLYN GROUPS AND EVENTS:

UNITY 2007 -- It's Not a Done Deal
In 2004, Councilmember Letitia James brought together hundreds of community members and local architects, planners and designers to develop an alternative to the proposed Forest City Ratner "Atlantic Yards" project. The result was the UNITY Plan and a set of Planning Principles, which reflect community needs, priorities and vision for the development of the Vanderbilt Yards.

With lawsuits pending and opposition to the project growing, Forest City Ratner's plan is anything but a done deal. What if the project is not built? What if it's only partially built? Then what?

The time is right to create the UNITY 2007 Plan, an updated and comprehensive blueprint for the future of the Vanderbilt Yards, developed for, and by, the residents of Brooklyn.

Unity 2007
An all-day workshop to create a community-driven development plan for Brooklyn's Vanderbilt Yards

April 28, 2007
10 am -- 4 pm
Hanson Place United Methodist Church
144 Saint Felix Street at Hanson Place. Brooklyn, NY

Bring your own brown-bag lunch
Registration 9:30 – 10 am
RSVP by April 25 to ccpd@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-650-3328


NEW BROOKLYN POLITICAL CLUB: Shirley Chisholm Political Collective; founded by some of my good friends including Chris Owens, Bill Batson and Raul Rothblatt. Focuses mainly on Prospect Heights neighborhood but with wider community interests as well. Joy and I plan on helping out. Meets second Saturday of each month for now, 4-6PM, Duryea Presbytarian Church, Sterling Pl. and Underhill Ave., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

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.


NEW TIME: Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) (mostly covers Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Kensington). My wife, Joy, is now on the executive board and is the corresponding secretary 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 fourth Thursday of every month (NEW TIME) at 7:30 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 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 2nd Thursday of every month (recently changed) 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, 7:30-10:00 pm, Commonwealth, 497 5th Ave (at 12th Street). Hosted by Anthony Accurso, Emilie Harkin and Emily Farris, 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 (This group might be defunct...please email the organizers. How could Williamsburg not have a Drinking Liberally group???)


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: The Original Drinking Liberally, Thursday, 7:30 pm onward, Rudy's, 627 9th Avenue (between 44th & 45th Streets). In the backyard, weather permitting. Hosted by Justin Krebs, Matthew O'Neill and Katrina Baker, nyc (at) drinkingliberally.org


Harlem

* Second Wednesday of each month (next meeting May 9), 6:30 pm onward
* Soundz Lounge, 3155 Broadway (between 123rd and 124th) (map)
* Hosted by Yolanda (Shoshi) Shoshana, harlem (at) drinkingliberally.org

Drinking Liberally Steps Out
* Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 pm
* XES Lounge, 157 W 24th St (@ 7th Avenue)
* In conjunction with the Stonewall Democrats of New York City www.sdnyc.org.
* Hosted by Matthew Carlin and Greg Rae, 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 (This group may no longer be meeting...please email the organizers. How could there not be a Drinking Liberally group in the East Village???)


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:

Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Fundraiser for Robert Gigante for Surrogate
Location: Old Bermuda Inn, 2512 Arthur Kill Road
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Tickets: Friend $75, Sponsor $150, Benefactor $300
Payable: Judge Gigante for Surrogate
c/o Ralph Giorgio, Treasurer
98 Rose Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10306

Thursday, April 26, 2007
Announcement of Judge Gigante's Candidacy for Surrogate
Location: Steps of the Supreme Court, 18 Richmond Terrace
Time: 1:00 P.M.
Contact: Jon del Giorno, 212-652-3825

Thursday, April 26, 2007
Young Democrats of Richmond County Meeting
Location: Jody's Club Forest, 372 Forest Avenue
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Contact: info@siyoungdems. org

Tuesday, May 8 - Wednesday, May 9, 2007
New York State Democratic Committee Spring Business Meeting
Location: Desmond Hotel, 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany
Contact: Marie, 212-725-8825


Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Staten Island Democratic Association Club Meeting
Location: American Grill, 1180 Victory Boulevard (Corner of Clove
Road)
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Program: Loretta Prisco on school governance reform
Contact: info@sidems.org

Thursday, May 17, 2007
North Shore Democrats Annual Dinner
Location: The Staaten, 697 Forest Avenue
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Honorees: Assemblyman Vito Lopez
Councilman Dominic Recchia
Lillian Roberts, Executive Director, DC 37
Joseph Santagate, IBEW, Local 3
Elizabeth Goodell, Liberta Merola, George Balletto
Tickets: $85
Journal ad deadline: May 4
Contact: nsdems@aol.com

Thursday, June 28, 2007
Anthony Gaeta Club Annual Dinner
Location: The Staaten, 697 Forest Avenue
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Contact: John Sollazzo, 718-761-2299

Thursday, July 12, 2007
Young Democrats of Richmond County Annual Dinner
Location: Crown Palace, 235 New Dorp Lane
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Contact: info@siyoungdems. org

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.


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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: INDIANA FOCUS: Bio-Town (Turd-Town) USA

It is rare that you find me praising a Republican, but I do believe in giving credit where credit is due. Republican Governor of Indiana, Micth Daniels, is doing something that Bush has only given lip service to: working towards energy independence. As the newly elected Congressional Democrats from Indiana are working with the Democratic majority in Congress for energy independence, Governor Daniels is taking a small step on a local level.

As portrayed in a recent Current TV segment, Indiana has chosen one small town, Reynolds, Indiana, and declared it "Bio-Town" (locally called "Turd-town" for reasons that will become apparent) in an attempt to show America how local solutions can turn America energy independent.

With government help (the step Bush ignores but Daniels recognizes as critical), Reynolds is going through a three-phase transition to achieve the following goals:

* Developing homegrown, local energy production to become independent from foreign sources

* Creating a cleaner environment

* Implementing solutions to animal waste management issues

* Developing new markets for Indiana agricultural products and byproducts

The main thrust seems to be biofuels, as one might expect from an agricultural state. I want to emphasizez that biofuels are not as good as, for example, wind energy, but let's not kid ourselves. Local solutions mean local solutions, and for an agricultural state, biomass made from sewage and animal waste (hence Turd-town) and ethanol from crops are a reasonable and probably necessary way to go.

And this represents an alliance of interests that I have been pushing for years. Alternative energy means LOCAL energy, which means LOCAL economic growth and LOCAL jobs. It means a cooperation among busiensses (e.g. soybean industry), government (in this case Indiana state government) and local communities (Reynolds, IN). My main complaints about the Bio-Town model is that it may be too small a step given the time scale we have to act, and that I feel it should broaden its scope to include, at least, wind power. But these are minor criticisms. You have to start somewhere and one town of about 600 people in Indiana is as good a place as any. And in terms of the choice of energy sources, America produces massive quantities of, essentially, animal shit (as those who reads Al Franken's books will be familiar with thanks to his "pig-shit geyser" story) and using that as an energy source is something America probably should do.

So thank you Mitch Daniels, Indiana and Turd-town. Please expand this program as it becomes successful and please convince the rest of the Republican Party that it is time to stop being the pawns of Saudi Arabia and to stop denying global warming is happening and to start facing up to local, American solutions. And thanks to Current TV for putting this out there!

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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: NEW JERSEY FOCUS: School Boards and Happy Hours

Democrats 2000 in New Jersey has done well in electing some good people to School Board (a way too often neglected elected position!) and is establishing some new local happy hours for Democrats to get together.

SCHOOL BOARDS:

Recommended List Candidates Win School Board Elections

Democrats 2000 would like to congratulate all of our members that ran for School Board in this past Tuesday's elections.

While not all of them won their elections, each worked hard and reaffirmed Democrats 2000's belief that young professionals have very important roles to play as candidates at every level.

Following is a list of Democrats 2000 'Recommended' candidates that were elected to their local school boards.

Christian Estevez - Plainfield
Ralph Humprhey - Hillside
Jason Jones - Neptune
Richard Ligouri - North Brunswick

Andre Sayeigh - Paterson
Vincent Strumolo - Belleville
Louis Venezia - Bloomfield
Sam Yodice - West Paterson

HAPPY HOURS:

Democrats 2000 Schedules More Happy Hours

Following the success of the Democrats 2000 Happy Hours in Essex and Monmouth Counties, we have scheduled two additional Happy Hour events for May.

The first will be held at Taylor's (formerly Top Dog), in Cherry Hill, on Thursday, May 10. This event begins at 6:00.

On Wednesday, May 23, Democrats 2000 and Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman will host a Happy Hour event at J.J. Bittings in Woodbridge. This event will start at 6:30.

Tickets for both events are $50 with discounted rates for dues-paying members. Sponsorships start at $100.

For more information or to RSVP for either of these events please contact us today.


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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

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


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Progressive Democrat Issue 118: 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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