Progressive Democrat Issue 140: THOUGHTS

So this was going to be a short newsletter this week. But events, as usual, take over. So it winds up being rather long with a fair amount of both national AND local stuff. There are some pretty important things going on, so I really hope people are still active even though Holloween has passed and Thanksgiving is approaching.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

NO MORE RED STATES: Bush below 50% in ALL 50 States

ANN COULTER: anti-Muslim, anti-Semtic

CHILD SOLDIERS CONTINUED

INVESTIGATION OF RUDY GIULIANI: Why did Rudy screw our firefighters?

RAPE AND WOMENS' RIGHTS IN INDIAN COUNTRY

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: VOTE TUESDAY!!!

NY STATE FOCUS: URGENT: Contact Chuck Schumer to fight torture

NYC FOCUS: Local Events

MISSISSIPPI FOCUS: Bringing the Ball Home for Gary Anderson

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Progressive Silicon Valley

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Virginia Organizing Project

IOWA FOCUS: Alternative Energy for Iowa: Renew Iowa!

No More Red States Left?

Well, I've said it several times before, but Bush and the corrupt, extreme right wingers of today will be the death of the Republican Party. Well, it seems this is coming a step closer as Bush's approval rating drops in ALL states. There is now not one single state in the Union where Bush's approval rating is above 50%. Not...one...single...state.



(click to enlarge)

You can also read more about it on Daily Kos.

Utah, Idaho and Wyoming are still the states that cling the most to liking Bush, but even in those tenatiously Republican states Bush has dropped below 50%...and remember that Republicans are having trouble getting elected EVEN in Idaho and Wyoming.

I believe we NEED two reasonable, competing political parties presenting two REASONABLE visions for America. It is how we have always functioned. So I don't celebrate Bush's destruction of the Republican Party. People like Gingrich, DeLay, Bush and Cheney have made the Republican Party so extremist that the vast majority of mainstream Americans now distrust and dislike the Republican Party, and people are leaving it in droves. I long for the days of Eisenhower/Rockefeller Republicans. But today, those Republicans have mostly become Democrats.

ANN COULTER: Anti-Muslim, Anti-Jewish Extremist

I didn't know this but last week was self-proclaimed "Islamo-facism awareness week," a right wing intolerance fest dreamed up by extremists Ann Coulter and David Horowitz. I only know that these fools were strutting around advocating intolerance because of an email I got from the organization Jews on First.

There is something so disgusting about the right wing fear of just about everything that isn't white, male, Protestant Christian. Ann Coulter is the perfect example of this. When we hear her condemning so-called Islamo-fascism, let's remember that she is the idiot who said right after 9/11 that:

"We should invade their [Muslim's] countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity."

And what did she choose to advocate during her "Islamo-facism awareness week?" Anti-Semitism. Yes, she attacks Jews as part of her paranoia against Islam. Last week she told Donny Deutsch:

"we should throw Judaism away and we should all be Christians."

Ann Coulter also claimed that Christians want Jews "to be perfected" by converting to Christianity.

When she was challenged about how bat-shit crazy and offensive this was, she "explained:"

"No. I'm sorry. It is not intended to be. I don't think you should take it that way, but that is what Christians consider themselves: perfected Jews. We believe the Old Testament. As you know from the Old Testament, God was constantly getting fed up with humans for not being able to live up to all the laws. What Christians believe -- this is just a statement of what the New Testament is -- is that that's why Christ came and died for our sins. Christians believe the Old Testament. You don't believe our testament." Coulter later said: "We consider ourselves perfected Christians. For me to say that for you to become a Christian is to become a perfected Christian is not offensive at all."

Oh...gee...that is so much better.

Well, let me say this to you Ann Coulter: Fuck You. You can take your right wing extremism and your fundamentalist Christianity and shove it up your ass. America's Founding Fathers formed America as a secular, tolerant nation open to all religions and even no religion. If you want religious intolerance move to Iran and take your un-American message there. If you want no government mixed with religious intolerance, move to Somalia. That is pretty much a nation that delivers what you advocate. We don't need your anti-American message here in the US.

It is time these right wing fanatics get shoved into the obscurity they deserve. Muslim, Jewish and mainstream Christian groups are uniting to condemn Horowitz and Coulter's messages of intolerance. You can join in by signing the National Jewish Democatic Council's petition to urge CNN, FOX News, NBC, ABC, and CBS to stop inviting Ann Coulter as a guest to comment on politics. You can also contact these news organizations directly:

CNN:
Phone: (404) 827-1500
Fax: (404) 878-0891
Address: One CNN Center, PO Box 105366 Atlanta, GA 30348

NBC:
Phone: (212) 664-4444
Fax: (201) 583-5453
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plz New York, NY 10112

CBS:
Phone: (212) 975-4321
Fax: (212) 975-1893
Address: 524 W 57th St New York, NY 10019

Fox:
Phone: (212) 301-3000
Fax: (212) 301-4229
Address: 1211 Ave of the Americas New York, NY 10036

Would these news organizations interview Osama bin Laden with the same enthusiasm as their love of Ann Coulter's religious intolerance?

Also write the Anti-Defamation League to make sure they are aware of the anti-Semitism that American news media is emrbacing so enthusiastically. And for more information, go to Jews on First.

CHILD SOLDIERS

This comes from a fellow Culture Kitchen contributor. I want to note that the book, A Long Way Gone, is amazing. This is a hugely important issue and I thank Robert Harding for posting it. I also will note that the inclusion of Israel on the list of government forces that use child soldiers below is slightly misleading. See this report on Israel and Palestine's treatment of children with regards to military issues (PDF) for a clearer picture.

If you want to read a truly gripping book and educate yourself about a key international issue, read A Long Way Gone: Memoirs Of A Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah (pronounced bay-uh).

Beah spoke Wednesday at the University at Buffalo. He read excerpts from his book and talked about many issues regarding child soldiers, especially in Africa. He also answered many questions, including one about hip-hop music. If you read the book, you'll understand why that question was relevant.

I took a lot out of Beah's appearance because he did address U.S. foreign policy regarding the issue of child soldiers. According to Beah, 9 of the 20 countries with known child soldiers in combat have received military aid from the United States.

That might be surprising (or not), and when I heard this, I got angry. Obviously, we have made some poor foreign policy decisions in recent years, but this definitely is one of the worst I've heard. We are, directly or indirectly, condoning and ignoring the issue of child soldiers worldwide.

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), there are over 300,000 child soldiers fighting throughout the world. HRW also listed 33 countries in the world where child soldiers are fighting and what type of groups they are serving in. Here is the complete list (also from HRW):

G indicates children are serving in government forces
P in paramilitaries, and
O in opposition forces.

Colombia (P,O)
Mexico (P,O)
Peru (O)
Russian Fed (O)
Turkey (O)
Yugoslavia (P,O)
Algeria (P,O)
Angola (G,O)
Burundi (G,O)
Chad, (G)
Repub of Congo, (G,O)
DRC (G,O)
Eritrea (G)
Ethiopia (G)
Rwanda (G,O)
Sierra Leone (all groups)
Somalia (all groups)
Sudan (G,P,O)
Uganda (G,O)
Afghanistan (all groups)
Iran (G,O)
Iraq (G,O)
Israel and OT (G,O)
Lebanon (O)
India (P,O)
Indonesia (P,O)
Myanmar (G,O)
Nepal (O)
Pakistan (O)
Philippines (O)
Solomon Islands (O)
Papua New Guniea (O)
Sri Lanka (O)
East Timor (P,O)
Tajikistan (O)
Uzbekistan (O)

Notice Iraq on the list? How about Israel and Afghanistan? Sierra Leone is where Beah lived, so if you read the book, you would know that one. Myanmar look familiar? How about Somalia, Sudan and Rwanda? And probably more disturbing, considering our proximity to the country, what about Mexico?

This should be a wake up call, not only to citizens of this country but to politicians who have virtually ignored this problem.

Yet, Congress might make a move --- a postive, bi-partisan move on this issue. Beah mentioned during his lecture at UB that there was legislation introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). After I returned back from the lecture, I decided to check out this legislation to see what I could find out about it, what it contains, etc.

Senate bill no. 1175, or the Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 defines what a child soldier is, sets forth goals in diplomacy to remedy this worldwide problem and also provides statutes that say that the United States will not provide military or any other foriegn aid to countries who recruit and use child soldiers.

And the best part about this legislation that Durbin introduced is that in the Senate, it has received 29 co-sponsors. I don't think you'll see too many bills with Barbara Boxer and Tom Coburn co-sponsoring legislation. Same goes for Chris Dodd and Sam Brownback. I would hope that this bill can make it through Congress and it would be approved by the president.

To close, a hearing on this topic was held before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. Among those who testified before the committee, Beah provided outstanding testimony that was similar to what I heard Wednesday at UB and what Beah wrote in his book. Please read all the testimony given at the hearing and the statements made by Durbin, Coburn, Brownback and Sen. Russ Feingold.

Watch the full hearing here. This is an important issue. Contact your representatives and senators about this and tell them to support the Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007.

Investigating Why Rudy Screwed the Firefighters

There is a movement afoot to get the New York City Council to open an investigation into the inept handling by then-mayor Rudy Giuliani of the replacement of defective radios for the New York Fire Department (FDNY). Remember, it was Rudy's failure to replace the radios as recommended that pretty much condemned to death the majority of firefighters that died on 9/11. Those defective radios meant that many did not get the call to get out and so died needlessly.

The organizers of the movement to investigate Rudy's mishandling of the whole affair have delivered petitions with 20,000 signitures to the City Council. Here is the footage of the petitions being delivered Oct. 29th, 2007:




To find out more about this issue, you can read about it at The Albany Project. And you can get a brief intro on this video from The Real Rudy:

Pretty Bird Woman House: Let's Unbury some Hearts

I wrote about the problem of rapes of Native American women by white men and the failure of law enforcement to do anything about this some time back. Well the issue continues. This comes from a fellow blogger at Culture Kitchen:

Herstories on the issue of violence against women

A Cheyenne proverb states, “A nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground. Then it is done, no matter how brave its warriors or how strong its weapons.” Our hearts are not on the ground. Our feet are. And we are moving forward.

A travesty to the true spirit of justice is taking place on the Standing Rock Reservation that covers North and South Dakota. Predominantly white male rapists are sexually assaulting American Indian women and getting away with inadequate consequences or no consequences whatsoever.


Crossposted at Native American Netroots

Show me a rapist of an American Indian woman and I’ll show you an upstanding member of society. That’s what the Major said about a man who plead guilty to raping an American Indian woman. Maybe the thieves and vandals who have caused property damage so severe that Pretty Bird Woman House had to close its doors for now are “upstanding citizens” as well.


Thieves have stolen food and a television set from Pretty Bird Woman House. The very walls were smashed through to break inside or destroy it; then, it was set on fire.

(Not Pretty Bird Woman House)

What if this occurred in a Caucasian controlled city or county? Allow me to share a story from my personal experience.

I left a gig with horn and stand in hand; I was walking to the parking garage. I witnessed a couple fighting when I got to the elevator. “A little unusual, but none of my business,” I thought. However, next the man called his girlfriend a slut and slammed her up against the wall. It became my business. While three others were standing around, wondering if they should call 911, I said “Stop” firmly to him. Ignoring me, he became more violent; so, I commanded her to get out of the elevator. One of the others was calling 911 at that point. She did not get out of the elevator, “My keys are in his truck.” He lowered his head and pushed his hand towards me for me to back off; he couldn’t look me in the eye. I told her to get out again. The doors closed.

I told the others with cell phones to follow me up the stairs and to be calling 911. They bailed. I went to the second floor and waited. Nothing. I didn’t know which floor they went to, “Battered wife syndrome” I thought as I went down the stairs and found a police officer on the street. I told him what happened and he went into the parking garage to investigate. That is the difference between what happens on the Standing Rock Reservation and a Caucasian controlled city or county – justice.

Source

In 1978, the Supreme Court ruled in Oliphant v. the Suquamish Indian Tribe that tribal governments have no criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians. When a crime is committed, tribal police and their non-Indian counterparts must hash out whether the suspect is Indian or not.

I have two primary reasons why I did what I did. The first one is that violence against women doesn’t happen in front of me; I won’t allow it. The second one is that that woman, whatever her name, is my cousin. She is my relative.

Here is a CHIPIN CAMPAIGN from PiledHigherandDeeper, who asked me to do this here.

Please make a donation at the CHIPIN CAMPAIGN for the Pretty Bird Woman House to help keep the hearts of the women off the ground.


Source

“I prefer to characterize rape simply as a form of torture. Like the torturer, the rapist is motivated by the urge to dominate, humiliate, and destroy his victim. Like a torturer, he does so by using the most intimate acts available to humans -- sexual ones."

Helen Benedict, Virgin or Vamp, 1992

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: VOTE TUESDAY!!!!!

This is a repeat from last week because...well the election is TUESDAY!!!

This comes from New Jersey for Democracy. First remember that an election is coming up. Off year elections have HORRIBLE voter turnout, which means more than ever, YOUR VOTE COUNTS. It is the chance for progressives to have real upset victories. So, with that in mind: GET OUT AND VOTE ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th!!

And here are some endorsements from Democracy for America for New Jersey progressives:

DFA National Endorsements in New Jersey

Ed Zipprich for Red Bank Borough Council

Ed Zipprich has been a Democracy For America activist for years; he's attended the DFA Training Academy and Night School. A leader of Monmouth for Democracy, and a member of the New Jersey Stonewall Democrats and Democracy for New Jersey, Ed has helped to build New Jersey's progressive community from the grassroots up. Let's show him our thanks by helping him win his race:

Visit Ed's website

Gina Genovese for State Senate, LD-21

Gina Genovese, running for State Senate from the 21st-- that's in Union, Essex, Morris and Somerset Counties-- was the first Democrat ever elected as Mayor of Long Hill, and became the highest-ranking openly gay official in the state. During her tenure, she opened the budget process to the public and signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Gina has opened doors for the LGBT and progressive communities in her town while working to build a sustainable future. Visit her website to help her get to Trenton!:

Visit Gina's website

Loretta WeinbergSenator Loretta Weinberg for State Senate, LD-37

Senator Weinberg is considered New Jersey's "Godmother of Progressive Politics. For more than 30 years, Loretta has stood up for social justice, human rights, the environment and the health, wealth and happiness of New Jersey's working families. That's why she's received the endorsement of nearly every leading environmental, labor, LGBT, health, consumer, progressive and women's organization in Bergen County and the state. The DFA members of Bergen Grassroots endorsed Loretta Weinberg unanimously, and the NJ4D Executive Board followed immediately with its unanimous support as well. Loretta's progressive values are strong and clear, and she has spent her life translating that into action and policy. DFA is proud to stand with Loretta Weinberg -- she's always stood with us!:

Visit Loretta's website

New Jersey for Democracy - A grassroots organization of volunteers, activists and concerned citizens devoted to empowering New Jerseyeans to become involved in the democratic process.

NJ4D Endorsements


Linda Mastellone for Flemington Borough Council

Linda Mastellone is another great home-grown DFA candidate. She has been a member of Hunterdon DFA since 2004. Linda's campaign is grassroots-driven; her platform centers around zero-based budgeting, revitalizing "Main Street", and working with the tenant community. She's currently the Associate Director of Events for the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Linda's victory would give Democrats a majority on the Flemington Council. Let's show what the grassroots of New Jersey can do by helping her get elected:

Visit Linda's website

GET OUT AND VOTE ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th!!

NY STATE FOCUS: URGENT - Stop Mukasey - Call Chuck Schumer

UPDATE: Chuck Schumer is caving in to Bush on this and refusing to hold firm against torture. I say call him ANYWAY and tell him what you think. And tell him that as long as he votes for torture and is head of the DSCC you are not going to donate to the DSCC. I mean this is getting pretty disgusting. We worked our butts off to get Dems elected in 2006 and they STILL can't even stand firm against torture??? Call Schumer and tell him what you think.

Chuck Schumer could be the number one chance for us to stop Bush's Attorney General candidate who seems unclear as to whether he supports torture or not.

Michael Mukasey, George W. Bush's nominee for Attorney General, won't say whether waterboarding is torture. This relates to the even larger concern that, as Attorney General, Mukasey would allow the executive branch to continue to operate as if it is "above the law". The Senate Judiciary committee will vote on his nomination this coming Tuesday, November 6. If all 10 Democrats on the committee vote no he will almost certainly not be confirmed, but if even one Democrat votes yes his nomination will go to the entire Senate.

Our senior senator, Chuck Schumer, is on the committee -- and has not said which way he'll vote.

Call Senator Schumer's office to *tell him to vote "no" on Mukasey*. His office numbers are:

In Washington: 202-224-6542

In NYC: 212-486-4430

If you can't get though on the phone, please send an email at his senate web site

Tell your friends to call too!

I say NO MORE CRAPPY BUSH ATTORNEY GENERALS!!!

NYC FOCUS: Some events

Here are some events coming up around NYC:


Why Are We Still in Iraq – And How Can We Get Out?
Sunday, November 4th, 5:30 PM

The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Democracy For New York City, and Independent Neighborhood Democrats, with many others (list belelow) present A Town Hall Meeting with the Brooklyn Democratic Congressional Delegation

Bring your questions and comments to:

Old First Church
Corner of 7th ave and Carroll St.
Park Slope, Brooklyn

Moderated by DFNYC Exec and CBID President Josh Skaller.

Invited Congressional Members:

Yvette Clarke

Jerry Nadler

Ed Towns

Nydia Velazquez

Anthony Weiner

Co-Sponsored by:

Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats; Independent Neighborhood Democrats; Lambda Independent Democrats; Democracy For New York City; 57th Club; Park Slope Greens and the Green Party of Brooklyn; Vietnam Vets Against the War (NY/NJ); Ethical Culture; Rev. David Dyson; More joining all the time!!


CONGESTION PRICING HEARINGS: LAST CHANCE!

Got this from Straphangers Campaign:

Chapter 384 of the Laws of 2007 established the New York City Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission, a 17-member body directed to undertake a review and study of plans to reduce traffic congestion and other related health and safety issues within the City of New York.

As part of its statutory mandate, and to provide the opportunity for maximum public involvement, participation and comment, the Commission is conducting this series of public hearings to be held in each borough of the City of New York, on Long Island, and in Westchester County.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Commission at any of the above public hearings should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to five (5) minutes’ duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Commission will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to the Commission as early as possible. In the absence of a special circumstance, witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are postmarked.

Twenty copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Commission would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

College of Staten Island – Williamson Theater Center for The Arts
Monday, November 5, 2007
6:00 PM
2200 Victory Boulevard
Staten Island, NY

For more info and for the application, click here (PDF)


Democracy for NYC November 2007 Linkup
WEDNESDAY,November 7, 7PM

East Village/LES, *New Linkup* Julip, 9 Avenue A, betwn Houston and 2nd Street, with host Tracey Denton 7pm

Upper West Side, The Parlour, 250 West 86th(btwn Broadway & West End), with host Merle McEldowney,7pm

West Village, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7thAve.) with hosts Abhishek Mistry and Judith Ren-Lay,7pm

Upper East Side, Molly Pitcher's Ale House, 1641 2ndAvenue @85th Street, with host Barbara Pearl, 7pm.

Astoria, Queens, at Sanford Diner, 30-13 Broadway, withhosts Costa Constantinides and Jeremiah Frei-Pearson.Note: this Linkup will begin at 7:30.

Sunnyside, Queens, at The Grind, 39-24 Queens Blvd. in the back room, with host Dan Jacoby, 7pm

Bayside, Queens, The First Edition, 41-08 Bell Blvd, right near the LIRR stop, with host Steve Behar of Democrats for New Politics, 7pm

Park Slope, Brooklyn, Ozzies, 249 Fifth Avenue with host Josh Skaller, 7pm

Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Wycoff Bennett Homestead, 1669East 22nd Street, 7pm with host Annette Mont


Klezmer, African and Bluegrass music all in one evening! Fighting for a better Brooklyn!

The Klezmatics, Kakande, and Demolition String Band
Thursday, November 8
Doors at 7pm
Brooklyn Lyceum
227 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 857-4816
$20 in advance, $25 at the door
For online tickets, go to http://www.dddb.net/klezmatics

Several local merchants, such as Erica’s Rugelach and Maria’s Mexican Bistro, will be donating food, baked goods, and drinks to the show.

MISSISSIPPI FOCUS: Bringing the Ball Home for Gary Anderson

Some time ago I wrote about a progressive, Gary Anderson, running for Mississippi state insurance commissioner against an incumbent who favored insurance companies over average Americans. This left many victims of Katrina without recourse if their insurance companies tried to refuse to pay out what the victims deserved. My friend from Mississippi who knows many Katrina victims sent me this report:

Most of the people who DID receive money from the insurance companies received only a fraction of what it would cost to replace what they lost. There was the on going battle of wind vs water issue. That even Trent Lott had to deal with. He sued state farm and they settle out of court kind of quietly... However, when Bush visited the coast he promised Trent that he would rebuild his waterfront house. I think it would be interesting to look into what really happened in that case. No one I talked to was happy with the insurance settlements that they received. Now premiums are so high that many people can only afford the basic coverage. Insurance companies were boasting at how much money the gained last year, mainly because they didn't pay the proper amount of money to the people who lost their homes in the disaster. Also, many people have not had the money to fix or rebuild their house and today is the 2 year anniversary.

Well, the progressive beat the incumbent in the Democratic primary. Now the general election is mere days away and Democracy for America wants to bring the ball home for Gary Anderson and Mississippi's Katrina victims. Here is the email I receieved from Democracy for America:

I'm in Mississippi helping to get out the vote for Gary Anderson in some of the toughest Republican districts.

We only have 5 days to go until Election Day. Can you give $15 right now to help DFA put Gary over the top?

www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/PrimariesMatter

Gary Anderson already won his primary against a 32 year do-nothing incumbent thanks to your support. Now we can finish the job on November 6th, 2007 and elect the first African American to statewide office in Mississippi in over a hundred years.

Thanks!

-Matt

Matt Blizek

Help Democracy for America help average Americans in Mississippi get what they deserve. Help Gary Anderson for Mississippi State Insurance Commissioner.
Training Director

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Silicon Valley Progressives

Next to NYC, the city that reads my blog the most is San Jose, California. Not sure why, but I do try to cater to those who read me. So, I will from time to time highlight some events in Silicon Valley.

First off, let me remind people to VOTE THIS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th!

For endorsements by your local Democracy for America group, go here and vote accordingly.

And here are some progressive events in Silicon Valley:


November 11, 2007: Combined DFALink Meeting and SCCDP Event
Start: Nov 11 2007 - 7:00pm

We're rescheduling our usual first Wednesday of the month so that we can join with the Santa Clara County Democratic Club to host:

David Barsamian
author, founder and director of Alternative Radio
speaking about his latest book, Targeting Iran
Address, City, State, Zip:

Carrow's
3180 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 246-6027


November 13, 2007: Santa Clara County (San Jose) Democratic Party Meetup
Start: Nov 13 2007 7:30pm

We meet at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Democratic Party Office, 2102 Almaden Road, Suite 114, San Jose, 95125. Feel free to bring snacks to share.

Brought to you by the Santa Clara County Democratic Party. Please join us to learn ways to help elect Democrats in Santa Clara County and beyond.

This is a low-key meeting of activists, with lively discussion and a free exchange of ideas. Grassroots activism at its best. Your Webmaster's favorite meeting.
Address, City, State, Zip:

Democratic Party Office
2102 Almaden Road Suite 114
San Jose , CA 95125

Internet directions usually suggest taking Almaden Expressway, which is sometimes backed up. A lower stress route is to take Bird Avenue west from 280 and follow it all the way until it dead-ends at Malone. Left on Malone, Right on Almaden Road and 2102 is on the first corner on your left.

We meet in Suite 114, first door on your left as you enter the glass doors marked Main Entrance.


November 19, 2007: DFA Working Meeting
Start: Nov 19 2007 - 7:00pm

Come see what your fellow club members are up to! We’ll vote on this & that. Get an update on national DFA & our statewide umbrella organization, California for Democracy. Come at 6:30 to look over the menu & socialize a bit.
Address, City, State, Zip:

IHOP
5403 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95051
Off Interstate 280 at Lawerence Expressway

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Virginia Organizing Project Events and Actions

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.

El Proyecto de Organizar Virginia (VOP) es una organizacion de base a nivel estatal dedicada a luchar encontra de la injusticia dandole poder a la gente en las comunidades locales para que puedan exponer sus preocupaciones que les afecta en su vida diaria. Como una organizacion no partidista, VOP especialmente fomenta la participacion de aquellos que tradicionalmente han tenido poca o ninguna voz en nuestra sociedad. Estableciendo relacion con grupos o personas individuales atraves del estado, el VOP sigue luchando para que trabajemos juntos, democraticamente sin violencia por cambio social.

Find action alerts from VOP here.

Here are some upcoming events throughout Virginia:

November 16, 2007, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville
Social Justice Bowl IV. For more information, contact Sally Bastian at 434-984-4655 x229 or bastian@virginia-organizing.org.

November 17 - January 18, 2007
Shalom Retreat House,Hanover County
Virginia Organizing Project Leadership Institute. For more information, contact Cathy Woodson at cwoodson@virginia-organizing.org or (804) 261-7497.

November 26, 2007, 5:30 p.m.
Petersburg Library - 137 S. Sycamore Street-- 2nd floor meeting room
Petersburg Virginia Organizing Project Chapter Meeting

IOWA FOCUS: Renew Iowa

Continuing my ongoing focus on alternative energy, I now turn to Iowa. Sometime back I highlighted an organization called , focusing on renewable energy alternatives for Iowa.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

This week I want to highlight some workshops and events sponsored by IRENEW:

November 13: 7-9pm
Energy Efficient Retrofit Workshop
West Branch
hosted by John Root
Hoover House 102 West Main St in West Branch
Contact I-Renew for more details at (319) 643-3160 or by emailing irenew@irenew.org


November 16: 9am- 4pm
Iowa Farmers Union sponsoring
Biodiesel Homebrewing workshop near Tiffin in Johnson County.
Workshop costs $25 (includes lunch) For more information call .800-775-5227 or email
iafu@isunet.net

November 17: 2-4 pm
Energy Efficient Home Tour
Iowa City
Don Laughlin, Home Owner
Contat I-Renew for more details
(319) 643 - 3160

December 1: 1-4pm
Energy Efficiency Tour
hosted by Dennis White
In Ames
Contact I-Renew for more details at (319) 643-3160 or by emailing irenew@irenew.org

Go here for more info about joining IRENEW for a stronger, energy independent America.