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Mole's Progressive Democrat

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

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Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States

I am a research biologist in NYC. Married with two kids living in Brooklyn.

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  • Thursday, August 07, 2008

    ALASKA FOCUS: Blogs, Diane Benson, Mark Begich, Obama, Veterans for Peace, Groups and Events

    BLOGGING ALASKA:
    Progressive Alaska: Spreading the word about the growing presence of progressive Alaskans and their powerful ideas on the web

    Recycling & Renewables Rap: This is the place for those who want to walk the talk on green living. Interested in the latest news on curbside recycling? Have a suggestion or idea about how to make Anchorage a greener community? Look no further than this recycling blog.

    The Fairbanks Pedestrian is a discussion of community-building, social capital, downtowns, neighborhood culture, city planning, domestic and civic architecture, public and private transportation, and the pleasures and difficulties of city living in Fairbanks, Alaska.

    Far North Science: News, research and natural acts from Alaska


    Here are some stories of interest:

    A Comparison of Diane Benson and Ethan Berkowitz on the Issues

    ALASKA SENATOR TED STEVENS INDICTED for making false statements (that means lying, folks). THIS is what Republicans mean by "values?" Greed, corruption and lying.

    Here's a very nice piece about Alaska Congressional Candidate Diane Benson.

    Palingate?

    Palingate and the Alaska House race


    ALASKA ACT BLUE SITE: Donate to turn Alaska Blue. We have very competitive House and Senate races in Alaska right now and a really good chance to win both. I believe if we want to win the Senate and end the war, these two races are critical.

    You can help win by joining Diane Benson's volunteer brigades. Diane is one of the best candidates running anywhere in the country this year.

    Here is a video of Diane Benson:



    And here is Diane addressing the recent FISA fiasco:



    You can donate to Diane's campaign here. Or volunteer here.


    Alaska also has a Senate fight that Dems have a good chance of winning. Let me introduce you to Mark Begich, who is running for Senate against probably the most corrupt politician in America today, Ted Stevens.

    Here is video from Mark's website outlining Mark's energy plan:



    Again, you can help win Alaska this year (Benson for House, Begich for Senate, Obama for President) through my Alaska Act Blue site.


    Here are some Obama Groups in Alaska:

    Alaskan Chicks for Obama: Statewide

    Alaskans for Obama: Juneau

    Anchorage for Obama: Anchorage

    Interior Alaskans For Obama: Fairbanks


    Here are some other events around Alaska:

    VETERANS FOR PEACE Chapter 100, Juneau, Alaska
    *Weekly Peace Vigil
    3rd & Seward Streets
    Thursdays 12-1 p.m.

    Honor the dead and protest the Iraq War & Occupation.

    *Juneau Veterans for Peace Meeting Second Thursday of Each Month
    We meet on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Northern Light United Church, 400 11th Street, Juneau, AK. These meetings are usually over by 7:00 or 7:30 p.m.

    *Juneau Veterans for Peace Meeting Third Saturday of Each Month
    We also meet on the third Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at The Back Room, silverbow Inn-Bakery, 120 2nd Street, Juneau, AK.
    These meetings are usually over by 10:00 a.m.

    Prospective members and guests are welcome to attend.

    *Also Listen each month to "Peace Talk" Radio
    every 3rd Monday
    7 - 8 p.m. Alaska Time
    KTOO NEWS 104.5 FM
    www.ktoo.org

    One hour of interviews & news on issues of war and peace, hosted by Phil Smith,
    VFP Chapter 100 President

    Interior Democrats Monthly Meeting
    When: 4th Wednesday of every month, at 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    Where: Interior Democrats Headquarters
    507 Gaffney Street
    Fairbanks, AK 99701

    Host: Interior Democrats
    Contact: davidwvalentine_at_yahoo.com
    Info: Interior Democrats meet regularly at 6:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of every month at our new headquarters at 507 Gaffney Street (the Stone Soup Community Center building).

    All interested persons are invited.

    Women in Black - Peace Vigil
    Every Saturday, 1pm – 2pm
    Wherecorner of 10th & I.
    Dressing in black is preferable. No political signs, only "peace." Some signs provided.

    Alaskans for Peace and Justice
    Every Tuesday, 7pm – 9pm
    Immanuel Presbyterian Church Anchorage
    Alaskans 4 Peace and Justice is commited to nonviolence and creative ways to achieve social justice. We sponsor and organize peace rallies and Documentary films. Our roots go back to shortly after 9/11 when we organized to oppose the growing use of tragedy to excuse aggression and injustice. Our meetings are open to all who share this ideal.

    Weekly Anchorage Peace Vigil
    Every Friday, 12:00 – 13:00
    Federal Building, Anchorage

    Weekly Juneau Peace Vigil
    Peace Park, noon every Thursday
    Support local Juneau Veterans for Peace vigil. New location during the legislative session - 3rd and Seward Street at the "Peace Park"


    For a more social environment, here are Drinking Liberally events in Alaska:

    Anchorage, Alaska
    * Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
    * Inlet Tower, 1200 L St (Inside Mixx Grill)
    * Hosted by Ruthie Kreuzer and Carly Horton, anchorage (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Fairbanks, Alaska
    * First and third Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm onward
    * We are now meeting Twice a month.
    * First week of the month will be at varying restaurants around town and we'll meet at the PUB on UAF's campus every third Wed of the month
    * Also, EVERY Sunday we meet for coffee at ACRC at 10:30am
    * Hosted by Michael Wenstrup and David Valentine, fairbanks (at) drinkingliberally.org

    2 Comments:

    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    While it is always nice to see mention of Alaskan Progressives, I have to take a moment to let you know that Diane Benson is not the Democratic Candidate for the US House. There is still a little matter of the Primary on August 26. She is running against 10-year Democratic State House member and 8-year Democratic House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz, and the smart money is that Berkowitz wins the primary by a wide margin.

    He is also one of the most progressive, AND ELECTABLE, candidates Alaska has ever fielded - and is widely anticipated to defeat incumbent Republican Don Young (of bridges to nowhere fame).

    Our hope here in Alaska is that when the Primary is settled, neither of these great Alaskan progressives leaves public service.

    1:53 PM  
    Blogger mole333 said...

    Thanks for your input. I am well aware of Berkowitz and have endorsed Benson after meeting her and after hearing Jon Soltz personally endorse her. I believe Benson is the better candidate for several reasons, though I mean no disrespect to Berkowitz. And from the polls I've seen Berkowitz AND Benson would do about equally well in the general.

    I gotta say that when a Native American woman and former teamster with a son whose an Iraq Vet runs for Congress I find it pretty exciting. When Jon Soltz tells a crowd that he feels everyone should give to Diane Benson before giving to ANY other canidate in the country, that leaves an impression. I focus a great deal on issues involving our soldiers and veterans, and whatever strengths Berkowitz has, Benson is the candidate with the credentials on those issues. I also like to see more working class and middle class people represented in Congress. I have nothing against career politicians and lawyers, but I do like seeing more opinions represeted in Congress than just lawyers and career politicians. Diane Benson is an ideal opportunity to send someone with a different perspective, a working class perspective, a military family perspective to Congress.

    Whicheve wins the primary, I wish them luck in November. But Diane Benson is my choice for the primary.

    2:29 PM  

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