Progressive Democrat Issue 120: THOUGHTS

Well we have had the first two primary debates. Many criticized the Democratic Debate's format, and felt that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were the clear frontrunners in that debate with Gravel being perhaps the star of the event, but not likely to pick up votes despite that. Edwards has an image issue going partly due to smears from Republicans and partly because he really needs to LOOK a bit more like his blue collar upbringing and less like a lawyer...no offense to lawyers out there, but if you are running as the son of a steelworker who wants to solve poverty, you need to make sure you look the part. And though many liked Gravel, none of the others distinguished themselves enough to compete with the top three. All in all, I think most people find the Democratic candidates pretty darned good overall. And I STILL can't decide who I support.

By contrast, the Republican Debate has been described as little more than an attempt to invoke the Zombie Reagan (not my term! saw it floating around the internet) and to duck blame on Iraq. I looked at right wing sites and found that they thought that Fred Thompson won...because he was the likely candidate who WASN'T there. The general consensus from the right is that McCain won by default but they all came off poorly.

This goes back to my "McCain and the Seven Dwarfs" diary where I hypothesize that the Republicans have squat to offer for 2008. Even the right wing websites like Red State seem to be underwhelmed by their candidates.

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

BUSH IS KILLING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

BUSH VETOES FUNDING FOR OUR TROOPS

BILL RICHARDSON IN NYC

FIGHTING RIGHT WING TERRORIST ADVOCATES

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Target Ann Coulter in California

CALIFORNIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

INDIANA FOCUS: Fighting Ann Coulter in Indiana

WISCONSIN FOCUS: Fighting Ann Coulter in Wisconsin

IOWA FOCUS: Have dinner with Democratic Presidential Candidates

MIDWEST GROUPS AND EVENTS

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Fighting Ann Coulter in Virginia

VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Global Warming

NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

NYC FOCUS: Bloomberg asks Taxpayers to buy land for rich developers

NYC GROUPS AND EVENTS

Progressive Democrat Issue 120: BUSH IS KILLING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

Way back when, I remember a Doonesbury cartoon with I think it was Zonker's mom at a Republican Convention as the lone voice pushing for Pete McCloskey for President. That is most of what I personally know about Pete McCloskey: former Congressman, former failed candidate for the Republican Presidential nomination, and someone from a long line of Republican McCloskeys.

Well, Pete McCloskey is ending a family tradition because of Bush and the barking crazy right wingers. McCloskey's statement says it all:

McCloskeys have been Republicans in California since 1859, the year before Lincoln's election. My great grandfather, John Henry McCloskey, orphaned in the great Irish potato famine of 1843, came to California in 1853 as a boy of 16, and joined the party just before the Civil War.

By 1890 he and my grandfather, both farmers, made up two of the twelve members of the Republican Central Committee of Merced County. My father's most memorable expletive came when I was a boy of 10 or 11: "That damn Roosevelt is trying to pack the Supreme Court!"

I registered Republican in 1948 after reaching the age of 21. We were the party of civil rights, of free choice for women and fiscal responsibility. Since Teddy Roosevelt, we had favored environmental protection, and most of all we stood for fiscal responsibility, honesty, ethics and limited government intrusion into our personal lives and choices. We accepted that one the duties of wealth was to pay a higher rate of income tax, and that the estates of the wealthy should contribute to the national treasury in reasonable measure.

I was proud to serve with Republicans like Gerry Ford, the first George Bush and Bob Dole.

In 1994, however, Newt Gingrich brought a new kind of Republicanism to power, and the election of George W. Bush in 2000 has led to wholly new concept of governance. The bureaucracy has mushroomed in size and power. The budget deficits have become astronomical. Our historical separation of church and state has been blurred. We have seen a succession of ethical scandals, congressmen taking bribes, and abuse of power by both the Republican House leadership and the highest appointees of the White House.

The single cardinal principle of political science, that power corrupts, has come to apply not only to Republican leaders like Tom DeLay, Duke Cunningham, Bob Ney and John Doolittle, but to a succession of White House officials and appointees. The stench of Jack Abramoff has permeated much of the Washington Republican establishment.

The Justice Department, guardian of of our rule of law, has been compromised. It's third ranking official, a graduate of Pat Robertson's dubious law school, has taken the 5th Amendment.

Men who have never felt the fear of combat, and who largely dodged military service in their youth, have led us into grievous wars in far off places with no thought of the diplomacy, grace and respect for other peoples and their cultures which has been an American trademark for at least the last two thirds of a century. We have lost the respect and affection of most of the world outside our borders. My son, Peter, one of the U.S. prosecutors at The Hague of the war crimes in Serbia and elsewhere, tells me that people of other countries no longer look at the country which countenances torture as a beacon for the world and the rule of law.

Earth Day, that bi-partisan concept of Gaylord Nelson in 1970, has become the focus of almost hatred by today's Republican leadership. Many still argue that global warming is a hoax, and that Bush has been right to demean and suppress the arguments of scientists at the E.P.A., Fish & Wildlife and U.S.Geological Survey.

I say a pox on them and their values.

Until the past few weeks, I had hoped that the party could right itself, returning to the values of the Eisenhowers, Fords and George H. W. Bush.

What finally turned me to despair, however, was listening to the reports, or watching on C-Span, a whole series of congressional oversight hearings on C-Span, held by old friends and colleagues like Pat Leahy, Henry Waxman, Norm Dicks, Nick Rahall, Danny Akaka and others, trying to learn the truth on the misdeeds and incompetence of the Bush Administration. Time after time I saw Republican Members of the House and Senate. speak out in scorn or derision about these exercises of Congress oversight responsibility being "witch-hunts" or partisan attempts to distort the actions of people like the head of the General Service Administration and the top political appointees in the Justice and Interior Departments. Disagreement turned into disgust.

I finally concluded that it was a fraud for me to remain a member of this modern Republican Party, that there were only a few like Chuck Hegel, Jack Warner, Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins I could respect.

Two of the best, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, and Jim Leach of Iowa, after years of battling for balance and sanity, were defeated last November, and it seems that every Republican presidential candidate is now vying for the support of the Pat Robertsons and Jerry Falwells rather than talking about a return to the values of the party I joined nearly 59 years ago. My favorite spokesmen have beome Senators Jim Webb and Barack Obama.

And so it was, that while at the Woodland courthouse the other day, passing by the registrar's office, I filled out the form to re-register as a Democrat.

The issues Helen (McCloskey) and I care about most, public financing of elections, a reliable paper ballot trail, independent re-districting to replace gerrymandering, the right of a woman to choose not to bring a child into the world, a reversal of the old Proposition 13 and term limits which have so hurt California's once superb education system and the competence of our Legislature, are now almost universally opposed by California's elected Republicans, and the occasional attempts at reform by our Governor are looked on with grim disdain by most of them.

From Helen's and my standpoint, being farmers in Yolo County gives us the opportunity to work for purposes which were once Republican, but can no longer be found at Republican conventions and discussions.

I hope this answers your questions about the party and a government I have served in either civil or military service under ten presidents, five Republican and five Democrat ... I doubt it will be of much interest other than to our friends, but it has been a decision not easily taken.

Respectfully,
Pete McCloskey

I should note that I know of many Republicans who are increasingly embarassed by their party. Some leave. Some stay but vote Democratic. Some just don't vote. On Daily Kos there was a diary about a very high profile conservative blogger who has angrily and publicly left the Republican Party in disgust. If this keeps up, it will be the death of the Republican Party...which is sad, because as I have written before, I miss the days when there was a REASONABLE, Republican Party. Even when I didn't agree with them, I believe the balance between the two parties (with a tilt to the left, of course) is the best for America. When the Republican Party marched into extreme right wing territory, all America lost.

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 120: BUSH VETOES FUNDING FOR THE TROOPS: Mission Accomplished?

On the FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" CLAIM, our un-elected and unpopular President defied the will of the people and vetoed funding our troops who are in a combat zone. Democrats fulfilled their promise to the American people and demanded an exit strategy, a timetable for getting our troops out of the Iraq quagmire. Bush made the decision to cut off funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan rather than provide Congress with an exit strategy.

By doing this he will be vetoed the will of the people, who overwhelmingly are sick of being lied to and seeing soldiers die for nothing, and he is committing our soldiers to an indefinite involvement in a civil war with no purpose for the United States and no exit strategy. Doing this on the 4th anniversary of his "Mission Accomplished" statement, which must have referred to the accomplishment of turning American foreign policy into nothing more than a gravy train for Halliburton and sacrificing our soldiers and our war against al-Qaeda in the process, seems to be one of the most ironic momments of his term of occupation of the White Hosue. Great mission, great accomplishment...

VoteVets.org is responding to Bush's veto of the will of the people and common sense with the following video:



I am urging people to give their own message to the Republican party by donating to defeat the Republicans in 2008. If we have another record breaking quarter of fundraising, the Republicans are going to shit their pants and I bet they will start abandoning Bush like crazy. THEN maybe Congress can force an exit strategy and withdrawal over Bush's veto.

Donate now, in honor of the 4th Anniversary of "Mission Accomplished," to winning the House in 2008.

Donate now, in honor of Bush vetoing funding for our troops, to winning the Senate in 2008.

And Donate now, in honor of the failed McCain/Bush/Lieberman surge, to winning the White House in 2008.

Sending them a clear message by having another record fundraising quarter is the only way I can see to wake up the Republicans.

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 120: BILL RICHARDSON IN NYC

In my continuing efforts to highlight Democratic Candidates for President, here is some footage of Bill Richardson in NYC from a Daily Gotham article:



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

Progressive Democrat Issue 120: CONTINUING THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORIST ADVOCATES

After Ann Coulter spouted some anti-gay rhetoric to attack Edwards, the progressive blogsphere launched a very successful attack on Ann Coulter's website, leading to almost every single advertiser pulling their ads from her website. Ann Coulter's hate speech hasn't just been anti-gay. She has also advocated assassination of Supreme Court justices, attacking liberals with baseball bats (after which some right wingers DID physically attack a professor in Kansas who opposed teaching creationism), and bombing buildings in NYC. This kind of advocacy for terrorism has to be opposed. I do not call for her to be censored. But I do call for a boycott of any company that advertises with her.

New advertisers are popping up on her website, replacing those who chose to drop her like a hot potato. This is covered in this Daily Kos diary. I am asking you to contact these advertisers and express your outrage that they support the website of someone who publicly advocates attacks on American citizens. Three of the new advertisers has already agreed to pull their ads, including one I targeted, the Maryland Office of Tourism.

I would like to start with Edmunds.com, a site for car buyers. Edmunds.com swore publicly that they would stop advertising with Ann Coulter. They didn't keep their promise. They continued to advertise with her and deserve special attentiopn by compouding their support of a terrorist advocate with misleading their customers. After renewed pressure, they have once AGAIN sworn to remove their ads from Coulter's site. But I think they need to be pressured more to show them that we didn't appreciate their being misleading. Contact Edmunds.com and tell them you hope that THIS time they really will withdraw their support of Ann Coulter's hate speech.

I also recommend writing Starwood Hotels (Westin) since this Ann Coulter advertiser depend on tourists from all over the nation, including places like NYC where Ann Coulter has suggested people plant bombs. You can mention that the Maryland Department of Tourism has withdrawn their ads in disgust and that you suggest that Starwood hotels do the same.

I am personally a customer of Allstate Insurance, which also now advertises on Ann Coulter's site, so I wrote them telling them if they don't pull their ads I will start shopping around for another insurance carrier. I am still awaiting an answer and I would appreciate your help in pressuring them so that I don't HAVE to shop for a new insurance company. More advertisers are listed in the Daily Kos diary mentioned above.

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 120: CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Fighting Ann Coulter in California

As I highlighted above, Ann Coulter hate speech continues, and so she is once again the target of a progressive boycott. Above I discuss contacting advertisers on her website. Here I want to urge you to contact newspapers that carry her column wherein she advocates terrorism against Americans. Interestingly, one of the first newspapers to drop her column due to her disgusting rhetoric was, long ago, the conservative National Review. They dropped her column after she responded to the 9/11 attacks by stating that America should "invade their [terrorists'] countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." Since then her hate speech has only gotten worse. She has compared Islam with the KKK and routinely advocates violence against liberals and insults homosexuals. She has the right to say what she wants. And newspapers have the right to carry it. But, we have the right to fight back as well.

Here is a list of California papers with contact info. PLEASE write them and urge them to follow the example of the National Review and drop Ann Coulter's column. We really need to pressure these people. I particularly urge you to contact the Pasadena Star-News and San Gabriel Valley Tribune since I know the demographics of these areas are slowly changing and these papers may be more open to pressure.

(Palmdale) Antelope Valley Press
Jana Treece
editor@avpress.com

Pasadena Star-News
Steve O'Sullivan
steve.osullivan@sgvn.com

(West Covina) San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Steve Scauzillo
letters.tribune@sgvn.com

Whittier Daily News
Linda Beckman
letters.tribune@sgvn.com

(Yreka) Siskiyou Daily News
Jean Smith
editor@siskiyoudaily.com

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 120: 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.

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 120: INDIANA FOCUS: Fighting Ann Coulter in Indiana

As I highlighted above, Ann Coulter hate speech continues, and so she is once again the target of a progressive boycott. Above I discuss contacting advertisers on her website. Here I want to urge you to contact newspapers that carry her column wherein she advocates terrorism against Americans. Interestingly, one of the first newspapers to drop her column due to her disgusting rhetoric was, long ago, the conservative National Review. They dropped her column after she responded to the 9/11 attacks by stating that America should "invade their [terrorists'] countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." Since then her hate speech has only gotten worse. She has compared Islam with the KKK and routinely advocates violence against liberals and insults homosexuals. She has the right to say what she wants. And newspapers have the right to carry it. But, we have the right to fight back as well.

Targeting her audience in Indiana is particularly important given the recent shifts in voting patterns in Indiana. It is very important to counter this kind of hate speech in a state that is shifting from red to light blue.

Here is a list of Indiana papers with contact info. PLEASE write them and urge them to follow the example of the National Review and drop Ann Coulter's column.

(Gary) The Post-Tribune
Paulette Haddix
editor@post-trib.com

(Warsaw) Times-Union
Gary Gerard
news@timesuniononline.com

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 120: WISCONSIN FOCUS: Fighting Ann Coulter in Wisconsin

As I highlighted above, Ann Coulter hate speech continues, and so she is once again the target of a progressive boycott. Above I discuss contacting advertisers on her website. Here I want to urge you to contact newspapers that carry her column wherein she advocates terrorism against Americans. Interestingly, one of the first newspapers to drop her column due to her disgusting rhetoric was, long ago, the conservative National Review. They dropped her column after she responded to the 9/11 attacks by stating that America should "invade their [terrorists'] countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." Since then her hate speech has only gotten worse. She has compared Islam with the KKK and routinely advocates violence against liberals and insults homosexuals. She has the right to say what she wants. And newspapers have the right to carry it. But, we have the right to fight back as well.

Wisconsin is such a mix of progressive and conservative, that I think it is particularly important to target Ann Coulter here. I think the kinds of progressives AND conservatives in Wisconsin are NOT the types who will like the kind of terrorism Coulter advocates.

Here is a list of Wisconsin papers with contact info. PLEASE write them and urge them to follow the example of the National Review and drop Ann Coulter's column.

Watertown Daily Times
John McFadden
news1@wdtimes.com

(West Bend) Daily News
Jill Badzinski
dailynews@conleynet.com

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 120: IOWA FOCUS: Reception and Dinner with Some Presidential Hopefuls

The 8th Annual Hall of Fame Celebration Reception and Dinner

Featuring

Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Chris Dodd
Senator John Edwards
Governor Bill Richardson

And Our 2007 Hall of Fame Awards Recipients

Saturday, June 2, 2007
Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel
350 1st Avenue, Cedar Rapids

Reception: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Dinner: 6:30pm-9:30pm

Patron $500/person
Includes reception

Host $250/person
Includes reception

Sponsor $100/person

Friend: $50/person

Purchase your tickets now!

Questions? Please call the Iowa Democratic Party at (515) 244-7292 x 691

Reduced price hotel rooms are available until May 12, 2007. Please call the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons directly at (319) 363-8161. Make sure to mention room code “IDP.”

2007 Hall of Fame Award Recipients:

Governor Bob Fulton, Outstanding Elected Official
Roxanne Barton Conlin, Outstanding Supporter
Edward Campbell, Outstanding Supporter
Phyllis Thede, Minnette Doderer Award
Ken Sagar, Jim Lodwick Award
Cheryll Jones, Bob Creech Award
Dori Rammelsberg-Dvorak, Dixon Terry Award
Warren Yaple, Dixon Terry Award
Megan Simpson, Rising Star Award

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 120: 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:

I naturally want to 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 qis 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:

Wisconsin's Annual Founders Day Gala, with special guest Al Franken!

In just over two weeks, Governor Jim Doyle and Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton will join Democrats from all over Wisconsin in Milwaukee to hear Al share his wit, insight, and vision for the future of our country, and we hope you'll be there too. Seats are filling up fast as every day people are calling our office and signing up online. Get your tickets NOW for this event.

Hilton Milwaukee City Center
Monday, May 14th
Pre Event: 5:30
Reception: 6:00-8:00

To order your tickets for this fantastic event, GO HERE.


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:

[Note: seems like Drinking Liberally has been declining in Wisconsin...I mean the MADISON group has died? There aren't enough liberals who want to hang out and drink in MADISON?? I hope to see some revival of Drinking Liberally in Wisconsin...for now it is only Milwaukee...)

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:


Now 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 120: VIRGINIA FOCUS: Fighting Ann Coulter in Virginia

As I highlighted above, Ann Coulter hate speech continues, and so she is once again the target of a progressive boycott. Above I discuss contacting advertisers on her website. Here I want to urge you to contact newspapers that carry her column wherein she advocates terrorism against Americans. Interestingly, one of the first newspapers to drop her column due to her disgusting rhetoric was, long ago, the conservative National Review. They dropped her column after she responded to the 9/11 attacks by stating that America should "invade their [terrorists'] countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." Since then her hate speech has only gotten worse. She has compared Islam with the KKK and routinely advocates violence against liberals and insults homosexuals. She has the right to say what she wants. And newspapers have the right to carry it. But, we have the right to fight back as well.

Here is the one Virginia paper that still carries her column, with contact info. If we can reach them and convince them that Coulter's hate speech is contrary to what is acceptable in Virginia, we could get Coulter out of all Virginia newspapers. PLEASE write them and urge them to follow the example of the National Review and drop Ann Coulter's column.

(Harrisonburg) Daily News-Record
Peter Yates
pyates@dnronline.com

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Progressive Democrat Issue 102: VIRGINIA 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 120: NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Global Warming

This comes from New Jersey Assmblywoman Linda Stender:

Join Linda's Global Warming Panel Discussion!

On Tuesday, May 8th, from 7-9 pm, I will be participating in a Global Warming panel at Edward Nash Hall at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) in North Branch. Alan Robock, Professor of Environmental Sciences at Rutgers University, will join me as I address my position that human activity, specifically the burning of fossil fuels, is causing global warming and the importance of swift action to thwart its catastrophic effects.

Assemblyman Michael Doherty of Warren and Hunterdon counties will be challenging the assertion that human actions have resulted in global warming. He will be joined by James M. Taylor, Managing Editor of Environment & Climate News and Senior Fellow for Environment Policy at the Heartland Institute.

This panel is a great opportunity to discuss global climate change and what it means for residents here in New Jersey.

The panel will begin with a brief statement made by each of the four panelists followed by a question and answer segment from audience members. Please join me and participate in this meaningful discussion!

For questions or directions, feel free to contact Jennifer Mancuso in my office at (908) 668-1900 or by email at aswstender@njleg.org.

Sincerely,

Linda

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Progressive Democrat Issue 120: 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 120: NYC FOCUS: Your Tax Money is Going to Support a Rich Developer

I am repeating this from 2 weeks ago since the budget will come up for a vote soon and many in the City Council are NOT happy. And many Democratic Culbs around the city are starting to take notice of the giveaway of land to a private developer and are considering resolutions to urge the City Council to vote against it.

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.

In particular let's consider $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, including those in Manhattan, Staten Island, Bronx and Queens, 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 inprovement, which I will address in a moment. That particular expenditure has problems but is not so bad in principle. But $100 million of it is nothing but a gift to a wealthy developer to get him off the hook of actually PAYING for the land he wants to develop. There are two reasons why the $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, all of us from every Borough, purchase the land for Bruce Ratner so he can make a profit. In the words of my 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 entire $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. Mayor Bloomberg, supposedly a businessman, should know better than to support throwing money on a project with no 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 120: 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:


BROOKLYN GROUPS AND EVENTS:


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 =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 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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