Progressive Democrat Issue 123: THOUGHTS

This week will be a very short newsletter. A friend (and reader of this newsletter!) is running for a judicial seat in Brooklyn, so we're helping him. Meanwhile, I am meeting tomorrow with Majora Carter to discuss some local NYC issues with a small group of people I have invited. For those who have read John Kerry's book, you know who she is. For those who haven't GET IT and when you read Chapter 3 you will be introduced to Majora Carter. She is an amazing person and I intend to write more about her and what she does in the near future. In addition to local politics, Joy and I both have hard deadlines for our work. We are going to California soon. I am presenting at a conference there...I had expected a poster but was given a plenery session! I will be presenting a talk to the ENTIRE meeting. SO I have to prepare a big, big talk. Meanwhile, Joy has to to get a paper submitted before we leave. So, we are busier than usual with work!

So, forgive the short newsletter. I hope it is still useful.

This week has widely been seen as the week where the Democrats, now in charge of both Houses of Congress, though only barely in the Senate, lost the initiative to Bush. The Democratic Congress has been playing its cards well up to now. This week I think they fumbled. I don't think they betrayed the voters, but I think they made a political miscalculation. I think most Democrats STILL are solidly opposed to the ar and Bush's insane foreign policy, but they have become split over the best way to approach opposition and some still think that defunding the war fails the troops. I disagree with them and wish they would take a stronger stand. But I will give them this: the Democratic Congress grabbed the initiative from Bush starting in January and held it spectacularly until May.

In May they stumbled. The House is still holding relatively strongly against Bush. Most of the newly elected, freshmen Congress Critters that we worked so hard to elect in the House are holding firm. Not all of them, but most of them. I think we can still be proud of what we accomplished in the House in 2006.

In the Senate, we only hold a majority if we count Lieberman. We CAN count on him for being pro-Choice and pro-environment, in general. But when it comes to Bush's war, he is NOT on our side. That means, on this issue we do NOT have the initiative and never did. This week's loss to a large degree can be pinned on the fact that we have to depend in Lieberman to make it a Democratic Senate. His solid pro-Bush stand on this issue means anyone who is wavering will probably side with him.

My adivice to those who are pissed at this week's failure is to show the nation where you stand. Tell the media what you think. Tell them in strong but clear words and tell them as often as you have time. Sound off BIG time.

Second, I have been pushing for sending a message through fundraising. Right now, I cannot suggest donating to the Democratic Party per se, because the message that needs to be sent is disapproval. But one group helped the Democrats win big in 2006 AND has held firm against the war with NO wavering. That group is Democracy for America. If this month the Democrats lose in fundraising compared with recent months, but DFA gains big time, the message will be sent. Donate to Democracy for America and the message will be sent without giving a single inch to the Republicans.

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

AMERICAN MUSLIMS: Right wing fear vs. reality

KENTUCKY CORRUPTION: 50% of Republicans Support Corruption

UNEMPLOYMENT

NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

NYC FOCUS: The REAL Price of Irresponsible Development


NYC GROUPS AND EVENTS

MIDWEST GROUPS AND EVENTS

VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

CALIFORNIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

Progressive Democrat Issue 123: MUSLIM AMERICANS: Getting Some Perspective

Right wing Republicans have nothing to offer us but fear and corruption. I will deal with the corruption issue a bit below. But for now, let's look at how the right wing turns what is really an encouraging poll into something from a horror movie.

Pew released a poll recently that, depending on your perspective, indicates that American Muslims are either hard-working, well-integrated believers in the American Dream or are rabid terrorists that threaten our way of life. Same poll...different spin. The way the right wing wants to spin it is that there is a terror threat from within and we all have to eye our Muslim neighbors with extreme fear.

Glenn Greenwald of Salon.com has an excellent analysis of how this Pew poll has driven right wing American nuts into a frenzied hysteria about the Islamic threat from within. Seen through the eyes of those who already feel that Islam is evil, the Pew poll "confirms" their prejudices. Focusing on things like 26% of American Muslims under 30 believe suicide bombings are sometimes justified, the right wing fools on some sites cry out "Holy Shit" and are trying to portray American Muslims as deserving of the prejudice and illegal detentions that some are subject to. Right wing America is SCARED SHITLESS of the Muslims among us.

Today I saw a copy of the New York Daily News (a paper one cut above the really abyssmal New York Post) with a headline screaming how American Muslims want to bomb America...the same hysteria over this poll.

But the odd thing is, taken from a different perspective, American Muslims appear far more comfortably integrated into American society than Muslims are in any European nation. Looking at the Pew poll of American Muslims from a British perspective, the headline reads: "Muslims 'well integrated' in US." Here are some excerpts from the poll that right wingers in America call "hair-raising" and use to justify their own bigotry: (quotes from the BBC article)

The study by the Pew Research Center says US Muslims - most of whom are immigrants - believe in the American work ethic and reject extremism.

Their income and education levels mirror those of the general US public, according to the survey.

However, most respondents say life has become more difficult for US Muslims since the 11 September attacks...

So while American right wingers scream about American Muslims being extremists, Brits look at the same poll and admire how well American Muslims are INTEGRATED into American society...other than those right wingers bothering them and threatening them with Guantanamo Bay all the time.

Moreover, 71% of Muslim Americans agreed that people could get ahead in the US by working hard - the figure for the general public was 64%.

So, American Muslims believe EVEN MORE in the American Dream than the general public.

"The life situations and attitudes of Muslim Americans stand in contrast with those of Muslim minorities of Western Europe."

Pew Global Attitudes surveys last year in the UK, France, Germany and Spain found that most Muslims there suffered unemployment and felt marginalised.

Living in NYC I, of course, am surrounded by people of pretty much all ethnicities and creeds. I rub shoulders with Orthodox Jews and Muslims daily. We are all pretty much New Yorkers and get along about as well as you can when packed so tightly in a big city. So to us New Yorkers none of this is too surprising. But if you are a right wing idiot, fear is your life-blood. How else can you justify torture and illegal detention if you don't play on extreme fear?

America should be proud that DESPITE the paranoia and right wing rhetoric since 9/11, American Muslims still feel integrated and largely accepted in American society...far more than Muslims in Europe do. So let's hope that the hysterical and irrational paranoia of right wing "pundits" doesn't cloud the overall positive Pew poll that shows our Muslim neighbors as being pretty much like us...except maybe a bit harder working.


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

Progressive Democrat Issue 123: KENTUCKY CORRUPTION

This week Kentucky held their primary election for Governor. The results (see here) mean currently indicted Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher will face off against Democrat Steve Beshear in November's general election. Democrat Beshear has been a reformer, pushing for a referendum reforming the Kentucky Judicial System and working as a consumer advocate. By contrast, Ernie Fletcher is currently indicted on charges of conspiracy, official misconduct and political discrimination. And yet Republicans elected Fletcher in the primary with just over 50% of the vote. Once again, the Republican Party shows itself to be accepting of corruption. Didn't they learn anything from their rout in 2006?

I have written about Fletcher before. Last year he ranked as the 5th least popular governor in the nation (Republican governors of Ohio and Missouri, also heavily involved in corruption, were the two LEAST popular governors in America). Fletcher's administration is suspected of violating the state's merit system laws and using politics as the basis for hiring or firing government employees. In essence, they are going back to the time of the so-called “spoils system” where government firing and hiring was a rewards system for political allies. This was considered unacceptable more than 100 years ago and was ended on the Federal level by the Civil Service Act of 1883 which made it illegal to fill various federal offices by the spoils system. Kentucky also has a “Merit Law” that outlaws the corrupt spoils system. Yet Repub Gov. Fletcher wants to go back to and older time, where corruption was accepted as normal. Nine current or former members of Fletcher's administration have been indicted on a series of misdemeanor charges alleging violations of the Merit System personnel law. And Republicans in Kentucky agree with him about good old fashioned corruption. And almost universally this is seen as guarnateeing a big win for Steve Beshear come November.

It really is a sad, sad time for the Republican Party. I don't revel in their collapse into crime and corruption. Rather I wish we once again had two viable, reasonable parties rather than see the Republican party become the party of extremism, corruption and fiscal irresponsibility. I recently wrote an article on how Bush will be the death of the Republican Party (one of our most read articles in recent months). That article wasn't strictly accurate, upon reflection. Bush and corrupt Republicans like Doolittle, DeLay, Frist, the Blunts of Missouri, a whole huge list of others...and Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky are all contributing to the death of the Republican Party. Bush couldn't do it alone. But with the likes of the DeLay, Frist, Blunt and Fletcher, the Republican Party is in severe decline.

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Progressive Democrat Issue 123: UNEMPLOYMENT

This really excellent little analysis of the way the unemployment rate is grossly underestimated in the US comes from Daily Gotham. VERY informative!

Mark Twain said there are lies, damn lies and statistics and his adage applies to unemployment measurement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes six unemployment metrics monthly, each referred to in ascending order of inclusiveness of the unemployed as U-1, U-2, etc.

The measure reported by the media as the unemployment rate that severely undercounts the unemployed is referred to as U-3. The U-3 rate is obtained by dividing the narrowest definition of the unemployed by the work force.
The U-3 definition does not include whom the BLS calls discouraged and marginal workers, those who want a job but have given up the search because market conditions and personal experience indicate the process is futile.

U-6 Unemployment counts the marginal and discouraged plus those seeking full time employment but can only find part time work. The Federal Reserve tracks what it defines as the Augmented Unemployment rate, which I’ve read is equivalent to U-6 less part time workers. I couldn’t find any Augmented Unemployment releases on the Fed site and despite major data inclusion differences, some bloggers have used U-6 and the Fed’s stat interchangeably.

Naive supply side economics fans and the heartless and often evil advocates of cutting the wealthy’s taxes as a means to kill the beast of New Deal and Great Society programs love to brag that the historically low recent unemployment numbers (April’s seasonally adjusted U-3 was 4.5 percent) are evidence that their tax policy scam truly does trickle down to those who are not tax cut direct material beneficiaries. Despite those wishing to give handouts to Gates and Buffett’s (who personally don’t even want the cuts) spin, the economy just isn’t that robust. The seasonably adjusted April U-6 numbers, which are a much more accurate economic suffering barometer than what the media regularly announces, increased to 8.2 percent.

Over the last decade, the U-6 numbers have ranged from an October 2000 Clinton administration low of 6.3 percent and a June 2003 10.6 percent Bush high.

Mainstream media covers neither, instead only focusing on the always rosier U-3 numbers. 1982 was when U-6 was last mentioned in The New York Times. I asked Times’ business editor Tom Redburn why the Gray Lady only lists the lower numbers and ignored U-6. He didn’t know what U-6 was and I had to describe what that BLS unemployment statistic measures.

Why doesn’t the so-called liberal media report these figures?

Even U-6 significantly underestimates the legions of the un and under employed..

U-6 counts part time workers asking people if they want fries, in their data. But what about people forced into these emergency jobs full time because they need the money to afford luxuries like food and shelter (Actually these jobs can not pay for shelter within 75 miles of New York City, even if no taxes are deducted and the entire paltry pay check is devoted to housing) despite earning much more in previous employment. How many cab drivers, wait staff and new Wal-Mart associates without health benefits fit this description?

U-6 also doesn’t include those who never actually enter the work force, despite being willing to almost kill for the types of jobs listed above, such as inner city youth, the physically and mildly mentally disabled.

U-6 also doesn’t track those I’ve dubbed Failed and Reluctant Entrepreneurs.

Failed Entrepreneurs started legitimate businesses that are no longer financially viable or never really succeeded. They continue to run businesses not producing sufficient income because of dismal job prospects.

Reluctant Entrepreneurs become self employed because they can not find work or need to mask actual unemployment from perspective employers who treat the jobless as if they have cooties when applying for work. They refer to themselves as employed to avoid the stigma associated with being out of work, despite lacking adequate income.

Reluctant Entrepreneurs commonly call themselves consultants, even when lacking paid clients. Others, who blog for free, introduce themselves as freelance writers. If they possess very basic web design skills and put up a friend’s no frills vanity site gratis, they may refer to themselves as web designers. Former teachers may list tutor as their occupation, even if they aren’t helping anyone with their homework or prepare for their SATS.

People working straight commission sales jobs without benefits such as Real Estate, Insurance and selling Amway are not part of the U-6 tabulation. Yes, there are people out there that earn millions in Real Estate and those who make adequate money selling insurance and a person eking out a living with some multi-level marketing scheme may exist. But most people fail at these and never earn even subsistence income from pure commission sales.

The majority of full time commission based salespeople (I’m not talking about the dabblers who are looking to merely supplement their day job income) accept this type of employment primarily because these positions are among the few jobs they can get, regardless of interest in these fields or sales aptitude. Those hiring Real Estate agents, insurance representatives and cosmetic and vitamin peddlers can afford to hire almost anyone because each new employee or more accurately contractor costs them relatively little to bring aboard. Straight commission sales people receive no base salary or draw (Regular compensation based on potential or future commissions. Theoretically, sales people who fail to earn enough in commissions to cover what is paid to them in draws can be asked to pay portions or all of their draws back. However, this is rarely enforced.), health insurance or paid days off. Potential commission sales people usually have to pay for their own licensing or initial merchandise inventory.

It wouldn’t be shocking if total national unemployment/underemployment would exceed 20 percent after emergency job workers, those who would like jobs but never entered the work force, Failed and Reluctant Entrepreneurs and straight commission salespeople are added to those counted in the U-6 data.

For those who found this article helpful, the author, Roy Moskowitz, is one of our writers on Daily Gotham and Culture Kitchen. Please visit and see all our excellent writers.

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Progressive Democrat Issue 123: NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

Here are some local events in New Jersey:

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 123: NYC FOCUS: The Costs of Unreasonable Development Just Went Up

You have heard about Con Ed's plans to raise our utilities rates, right? I have head a whole range of amounts that they wish to stiff us for, despite the fact that their profits have been quite healthy. The lowest rate increase I have heard being proposed is 17%. This rate increase affects each and every New Yorker, in EVERY Borough, and is being done even though Con Ed's profits are high (1st quarter profits were $256 million -- up 41% from last year!).

Why this rate increase? Is it JUST another example of corporate greed? Well, yes. And that ALONE is a problem. And if you want to fight against the rate increase, groups like Power for the People is fighting the increase. But there is more. One of the SPECIFICALLY STATED REASONS for the increase is Bruce Ratner's huge overdevelopment plan, supported by corrupt backroom deals. Now, before we deal with that, let's review one single part of the problem with Ratner's plan. Bruce Ratner, who expects HUGE profits from his development plan, was the low bid on the project, bidding only $100 million while others bid more. Yet, as a buddy of then Governor Pataki's, Ratner got the contract for $100 million.

As has recently been pointed out by City Council Critters Letisha James and David Yassky, NEW YORK CITY (all of us, from EVERY Borough) is being asked by Mayor Bloomberg to PAY $100 million for land aquisition for Ratner. WE ARE PAYING TO BUY THE LAND FOR RATNER TO DEVELOP. Every taxpayer in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Brooklyn are being asked to ante up so Ratner can make his profit.

Now, if you thought THAT was bad enough, there is more. According to Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, Con Ed's rate increase for each and every New Yorker is partly due directly to Ratner's overdevelopment of Brooklyn. In some ways this is the first hint of just how excessive Ratber's plan is. The ENTIRE CITY has to suffer a rate increase in their utilities bills to fund Con Ed's developing the needed infrastructure to power Ratner's plans.

NY1 reports this from Con Ed:

Con Ed came before a State Assembly committee to explain the rate hike. Officials argued Wednesday the system is strapped and that massive projects like the Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn will burden the system even more...

And yet, DDDB reminds us that WE WERE PROMISED IN THE PROCESS OF STATE APPROVAL OF RATNER'S PLAN, that:

The proposed project would increase demands on electricity and gas. However, relative to the capacity of these systems and the current levels of service within New York City, these increases in demand would be insignificant. Improvements are also proposed by Consolidated Edison and Keyspan with respect to the local electric and gas distribution grids that would improve service to the project site. In addition, new electrical and gas lines are proposed within the beds of streets that would be reconstructed as part of the proposed project. It is therefore concluded that the demands of the proposed project would not result in a significant impact on the supplies of electricity and gas in the region or the City as a whole, and with the proposed improvement to the distribution network, no impact would occur locally with respect to electrical or gas utilities. For these reasons, the proposed project is not expected to significantly adversely impact energy systems.

We were told SPECIFICALLY that Ratner's plan would NOT significantly affect our utilities. But Con Ed is telling us that Ratner's plan is SPECIFICALLY part of the reason why they have to raise our rates AT LEAST 17%. Who is lying? Ratner? Con Ed? Both? WHOEVER is lying, you and I are being asked to pay for the lie.

Visit Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn. Learn what they are doing. Write the City Council complaining BOTH about the $100 million we are ALL being asked to pay to buy the land for Ratner, AND for the rate increase Con Ed is passing on because of Ratner's plan. And write the media complaining of the money this private developer is stealing from YOUR WALLET.

If we don't stand up against this, we will be paying through the nose so Ratner can make a huge profit. Let's stop this nonsense.

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

Progressive Democrat Issue 123: 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:


3rd Annual Democracy for NYC Spring Bash with Rep. John Hall

Start: Wed, 05/30/2007 - 6:30pm

Please join Democracy for NYC for our third annual Spring Bash fundraiser - "A Celebration of People-Powered Politics" - to celebrate the start of the upcoming summer season. We will be joined by special guest speakers, Congressman and musical legend John Hall and Democracy for America Chairman Jim Dean. There will also be a special comedy performance by a "Laughing Liberally" political satirist.

Where: "Link", 120 East 15th Street (at Irving Place) in Manhattan.

When: Wednesday evening, May 30, 2007 from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM. Contribution levels range from $50.00 to $2,500.00 - all proceeds of the event will go to benefit Democracy for NYC.

There will be a cash bar available all evening and complimentary passed hors d'ouevres will be served from 6:45 PM - 8:00 PM.

Please RSVP to Miriam at events@dfnyc.org and help us spread the Progressive word and get more Progressive candidates elected over the next two years. Please save the date, spread the word and get ready to ring in the summer in style with Democracy for NYC. See you there!

Wednesday, June 13, 6pm. Screening of Isabel Hill's Atlantic Yards documentary "Brooklyn Matters". Downtown Community Television Center (DCTV). 87 Lafayette Street. Manhattan. 6:00 pm reception (and cash bar)
6:30 pm screening

Sponsored by Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project

Followed by a discussion with filmmaker Isabel Hill and other guests.

RSVP:
info@nedap.org or
(212) 680-5100.

Documentary Running Time: 50mins.



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.


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


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, Molly Pitcher's Ale House, 1641 Second Avenue @ 85th Street, back room with hosts Lewis Cohen and Tracey Denton

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:

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 123: MIDWEST PROGRESSIVE GROUPS (IA, IN, WI, MI)

Here are the organizations that can help empower YOU to get things done. I also should note that I need your help in keeping this up to date. Contact me if something here is out of date or if I have left something out. And if there is a particular event you as a reader think I should publicize, let me know. This is YOUR newsletter as much as it is mine and I take reader input very seriously.

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:

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 123: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

Here are the organizations that can help empower YOU to get things done. I also should note that I need your help in keeping this up to date. Contact me if something here is out of date or if I have left something out. And if there is a particular event you as a reader think I should publicize, let me know. This is YOUR newsletter as much as it is mine and I take reader input very seriously.

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


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


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

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

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


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

Washington DC Democratic Party

Albemarle County Democratic Committee, Albemarle County, VA

Arlington County Democrats, Arlington VA. Contact Name: Elizabeth Weitzman mewsician1@msn.com (703) 528-8588

Arlington Young Democrats, Arlington VA. Contact Name: Jaime Mulligan publicity@arlingtonyoungdems.org 571-334-7626

Democratic Party of Fluvanna County, Virginia, Bremo Bluff, Virginia VA

Hanover Democrats, Ashland VA

Loudoun County Democratic Committee, Leesburg, VA. Contact Name: Steve Deak chairman@lcdems.com

Norfolk Democratic Party Meetup, Norfolk VA. Contact Name: Alma D. Kesling akesling@yahoo.com 757 333-8694

Rappahannock County Democrats, Rappahannock VA.

Stafford County Democrats, Fredericksburg VA:

Virginia Beach Democrats, VA

Virginia Young Democrats, Richmond, VA. Contact Name: Justin Wilson justin@justin.net


Drinking Liberally: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Find your local drinking liberally group or start your own with a few buddies. If there isn't one near you, it is easy to start your own!

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

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

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

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

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

And two Washington, DC groups:

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


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


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

Progressive Democrat Issue 123: CALIFORNIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

Here are the organizations that can help empower YOU to get things done. I also should note that I need your help in keeping this up to date. Contact me if something here is out of date or if I have left something out. And if there is a particular event you as a reader think I should publicize, let me know. This is YOUR newsletter as much as it is mine and I take reader input very seriously.

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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