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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

    VIRGINIA FOCUS: Blogs, Obama, Energy and Agriculture, Groups and Events

    VIRGINIA ACT BLUE SITE: Help turn Virginia even more blue.

    BLOGGING VIRGINIA:

    The Virginia Organizing Project is a statewide, multi-issue citizens' organization committed to challenging injustice by empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives.

    Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) is a not-for-profit organization concentrating in the areas of law that affect low-income families. Established in 1978 to advocate on behalf of low-income Virginians on poverty issues of statewide importance, VPLC is the only state-wide organization providing training to local legal aid program staff, private bar attorneys, and low-income clients, relating exclusively to the legal rights of Virginia's poor. VPLC also assists low-income Virginians and Legal Aid Programs with legislative and administrative proposals affecting the poor in Virginia as well as providing technical assistance, training and publications to Virginia's Legal Aid Programs in the following substantive areas: Consumer, Elder Rights, Family, Health Care, Housing & Public Benefits.

    The Virginia Young Democrats blog has links to local Young Democrat groups and college clubs, and has information of interest to young voters in Virginia. This is Virginia's political future!

    Raising Kaine: a community forum to discuss political issues of interest to Virginians.


    Some stories of interest:

    Bad economic news has been hitting us all under the Bush Administration. Here are two examples in Virginia. Virginia's jobless rate the highest in 4 years and Richmond foreclosures jump 805 percent. Yes...fforeclosures jump 805 percent!!! Thank you Bush. Thank you McCain. And the Republicans tell us the recession is all in our heads!

    Hampton Roads Veterans and Military Families Rally for Obama

    Let's Make a Deal on Offshore Oil? Not sure I agree with it, but there is a point to it...and oddly it fits exactly with what Paris Hilton said in her response to McCain's attack ad using her name! Virginia Young Democrats don't agree and remind us of 10 reasons not to drill.

    Seems Republicans are so scared of losing Virginia, they are using scare tactics to try and limit voter registration efforts. Really pitiful! Let me be clear. Voter registration and identity theft are NOT related issues and the REpublican attempt to link them is even less credible than their trying to link Iraq and al Qaeda. You don't have to give anything to someone registering voters. You can either fill out the form and submit it yourself, OR you can leave it with the canvasser and get a receipt.

    And speaking of Republican Racism, here's an article from an Arizona blog that is apropos: McCain and the Race Card - The Corporate Media's Role. And let's remember McCain opposed the Martin Luther King, jr. holiday. For those who want to read more about Republican racism, I've discussed it here (from before Obama won the primary), and it is covered in Drew Westin's book The Political Brain with some pretty nasty examples.

    Navy Opposes VA Offshore Drilling. Period. End of Debate.

    Healthcare for America NOW Kicks Off. Which reminds me of something I wrote before about how our current so-called "business model" for healthcare really, really doesn't work.


    Here are some Obama groups in Virginia:

    Virginia for Obama: Richmond

    Arlingtonians for Obama: Arlington

    Alexandria 4 Obama: Alexandria

    Northern Virginia for Obama!: Fairfax

    Greater Richmond for Obama: Richmond

    Hampton Roads for Obama: Hampton Roads

    Loudoun County for Obama: Loudoun

    Tidewater Virginia for Obama: peninsula area

    Roanokers for Obama: Roanoke

    Charlottesville For Obama: Charlottesville


    Here are some Obama events in Virginia:

    Combo-Vote for Change Voter Registration/Tabling
    Please join us as we register new voters and spread Sen. Obama's message of hope.

    Time: Saturday, August 16 at 9:00 AM
    Location:
    Giant Shopping Center (Stafford, VA)
    Hopefully under two shady trees
    Stafford, VA 22554

    Combo-Vote for Change Voter Registration/Tabling (Voter Registration Drive)
    Please join us after church as we register new voters and spread Sen. Obama's message of hope.
    Time: Sunday, August 17 at 11:00 AM
    Location:
    Giant Parking Lot (Stafford, VA)
    Associated Groups: Stafford County for Obama
    Directions: Rt. 610 across from IHOP

    Barack The Vote (Voter Registration Drive)

    I want to set up a voter registration drive on the campus of St. Paul's Coolege in Lawrenceville, Virginia. It is a small private HBCU that is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. I want to get students registered to vote in teh upcoming fall election as well as to inform the citizens of Brunswick County about the benefits of an Obama presidency.

    Time: Monday, August 25 at 12:00 PM
    Location:
    John E. Thommason student Center (Lawrenceville, VA)
    1 Athletic Field Drive
    Lawrenceville, VA 23868


    Alternative Energy and Sustainable Agriculture in Virginia:

    Living Green DC/MD/VA:
    LIVING GREEN DC/MD/VA works to send a message to the community and influence small changes in everyday actions that can have a big impact on our world. As a group we look for ways to make small changes in the way we live, enjoying the support and friendship of other like-minded people. This meetup can only grow if lots of members become Assistant Organizers and provide fun and creative ways to socialize, learn, spread the word, volunteer, network, do fun things. Suggestions are seeing films with environmental themes, dining where organic and locally purchased produce is promoted, visiting farmers markets and socializing afterwards, volunteering for Earth Day activities, meeting in cafes to discuss books and articles, etc.. Whether it's a movie screening or eating a meal with freinds at an environmentally friendly restaurant, you are sure to make an impact, so join the group and volunteer. Go here for more information.

    Alternative Energy Resources in Virginia: a short summary of alternative energy resources for Virginia. For more information on each technology, visit the State Energy Alternatives Technology Options page.

    Virginia Sustainable Agriculture Organizations and Publications: Whether you're a beginning farmer, or an experienced agricultural producer interested in transitioning to more sustainable practices, you may want to start by learning more about the principles of sustainable agriculture and some of the "systems" approaches associated with it.


    Now some other groups and events:

    Arlington Democrats Meetup Group
    Meet other local Dems! Sponsored by the Arlington Democratic Committee, about 60 attendees meet to discuss local/national politics, listen to guest speakers and receive news on getting involved. Email jamesemcb_at_yahoo.com to join the ACDC listserv or sign up at www.arlingtonyoungdems.org.

    Monthly Charlottesville Democratic Breakfast
    This gathering takes place on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30a.m. and is usually held at the JABA building on Hillsdale Drive. Pay what you can.

    Virginia Beach Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting
    Held the First Wednesday of every month, 7 PM, at the Virginia Beach Central Library.

    Monthly Interfaith Pray for Peace Gathering
    Final Thursday of evern month, 7:15pm

    Location: Sojourners UCC Church, 1017 Elliott Ave, Charlottesville
    Sponser: Interfaith Cooperation Circle of Central Virginia-URI; Gesher Center; Unity Church

    Description:
    On the final Thursday of every month, the Interfaith Pray for Peace Gathering welcomes people of all faiths, backgrounds, and beliefs to an inspired and inspiring flow of prayers, meditations and songs for peace.

    Contact Name: Heena Reiter
    Contact email: gesher_at_mindspring.com
    Contact Phone: 434-970-7836

    Vienna Hispanic Democrats:
    Meet with local Hispanic Democrats. To learn more, join here.

    Fauquier Democrats Monthly Meeting
    Third Tuesday of Each Month, 7:30 pm
    Warren Green Building
    10 Hotel Street
    Old Town, Warrenton

    Blue Mondays With the Stafford County Democrats
    Every Monday evening at 5 PM
    King Street Blues Restaurant
    Casual get-together of like minded Democratic Activist
    For more info contact: jac_at_j2power.com

    Democracy for Virginia:
    Here are the local Democracy for America chapters in Virginia. Click on the link for more info:

    * Arlington for Democracy (may be dormant...you can go here to contact the organizers and get more up to date info)

    * Roanoke DFA

    * Tidewater for Democracy

    * Virginia Grassroots Coalition (may be dormant...you can contact them here for more info: info@vagrassroots.org)

    Drinking Liberally:
    For the more social and fun-oriented (and booze oriented), there's Drinking Liberally. Here are the Virginia Drinking Liberally Chapters:

    Alexandria/Springfield, Virginia
    * Second Thursday of each month, 7:00-9:00 pm
    * King Street Blues, 5810 Kingstowne Center Drive, Alexandria (Corner of Kingstowne Blvd and Van Dorn Street)
    * Hosted by Brian Murray and Mike Sizemore, alexandria (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Arlington, Virginia
    * Every Thursday, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
    * Capitol City Brewing Company, 2700 S Quincy St
    * We're usually in the back room at Cap City; check with the host station if you don't see us there!
    * "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world" - Margaret Mead
    * Hosted by David Swim, Quinn Jones, Michelle Elliott and Bev Wright, arlington (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Charlottesville, Virginia
    * Every Thursday, 6:00 pm onward
    * South Street Brewery, 106 W South St
    * Hosted by Chris Dumler and Clare Wuerker, charlottesville (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Lorton, Virginia
    * First and third Friday of each month, 6pm to 8 or 9
    * Glory Days Grill, 9459 Lorton Market St
    * First hour of the gathering is part of happy hour
    * Hosted by Alan Salisbury and Chris Ambrose, lorton (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 Tom Mitchell and Vivian Paige, norfolk (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Richmond, Virginia
    * Every other Wednesday, 7:00 pm onward
    * Chiocca's Downstairs, 425 N Belmont Ave (Museum District - corner of Kensington & Belmont)
    * Come join us for brews & news!
    * Hosted by Morgan Bailey and John Manall, richmond (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Virginia Beach, Virginia
    * First Friday of each month, 7:00 PM
    * Studio For The Healing Arts, 1611 Colley Ave # D, Norfolk, VA, Norfolk (One block from the Naro theater)
    * Zeitgeist the Movie, DVD Door Prize
    * http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Virginia9-11Truth/ http://vbdems.org
    * One block from the Naro theater in Ghent
    * Hosted by Chris Jaramillo and Eileen Levandoski, vabeach (at) drinkingliberally.org

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