GEORGIA FOCUS: Blogs, Alternative Energy, Veterans For Peace, NAACP, Groups and Events

BLOGGING GEORGIA:

For Local Georgia News and Events, go to Lefty Blogs Georgia for the latest.

GEORGIA WOMEN VOTE: Georgia politics from a woman's perspective

Tondee's Tavern: "A Practical and Useful Blog for the benefit of PROGRESSIVES in GEORGIA."

Atlanta Progressive News: Also on Every Thursday on 89.3 FM WRFG 12pm "Current Events" Show with Adam Shapiro.

Georgia Justice Project is an unlikely mix of lawyers, social workers and a landscape company. We defend people accused of crimes and, win or lose, we stand with our clients while they rebuild their lives.


Here are some stories of interest:

Woman Arrested in Georgia for Practicing Her Religion: I wonder if Georgia forces Jews to remove their yarmulkes as well. If so, this is a bigger problem with regards to freedom of religion. If not, this is clear discrimination.

And yet more on religious freedom in America: A Fundamentally American Freedom

Georgia and Corruption

Scapegoating the UAW: Somehow shilling for wealthy bankers is okay, but helping working class Americans is not. Typical elitist Republicans!

Georgia State Senator Says Restrict "No-Knock" Warrants

Westside fire station closing heats up, as predicted: Firehouses should NOT be lightly closed down. This is an issue in NYC where many firehouses got closed down very soon after 9/11, against the wishes and needs of the community. The result? Longer response times in emergencies leading to worse fires and more dead Americans. It is NOT the right thing to do in most circumstances.

Diebold Whistleblower: Karl Rove Involved in Election Rigging: As I have been writing for some time, Georgia's 2002 Senate election was fraudulent. This is a second whistleblower reporting the same thing. I discussed the first whistle blower (a REPUBLICAN cybersecurity expert) before

From Daily Kos, Georgia Politics 2010 Preview:

Georgia

Democrats caught a nice break here when incumbent Sen. Johnny Isakson decided against a run for Governor in 2010, choosing instead to run for reelection.

Had Isakson run, he would very likely have won, and certainly would have been favored. With redistricting around the corner, and the Republicans in control of the Georgia legislature, the Governorship is a big prize for Democrats, perhaps bigger than the Senate seat.

And a Senate vacancy may not have been that appetizing even if Isakson did leave his seat, as term-limited Gov. Sonny Perdue would have been positioned to run for Isakson's seat.

Instead, while the battle against Isakson in the Senate will be somewhat tough, the Governor's race is wide open. For the Republicans, the front-runners are Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Karen Handel, and perhaps a Congressman or two like Lynn Westmoreland.

On the Democratic side, Gen. David Poythress (the former Secretary of State, Labor Commissioner, and Adjutant General) is already running. Potentially in the mix are Attorney General Thurbert Baker (one of the most prominent potential candidates), Congressman Jim Marshall (who also might run for Senate), and Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.

Any of these folks could run, as could a few more - it's a wide open field. The biggest name of all is former Governor Roy Barnes, who has been polled (and does fairly well) against Oxendine and Cagle.

The Senate race (against Isakson) ought to have more or less the same cast of characters, with the addition of Jim Martin (should he lose his current race against Saxby Chambliss), and wealthy Atlanta attorney Jim Butler. It's likely the open-seat Gov race will draw better Democratic talent, although both Baker and Jim Marshall have been competitive in polling.

Marshall is one of the most conservative Democrats in the House (though he's pretty decent on labor). His seat is perennially endangered, and should be the most hotly contested House seat in Georgia in 2010. Should Marshall run for Senate or for Governor, expect to lose the seat.

His partner in conservative-Dem land, Rep. John Barrow, also may be hunted, though his district is a lot more Dem-friendly than Marshall's - Kerry won it.

Mike Sheffield in Bed with Republicans

Don't Shop at Wal-Mart this Holiday Season (personally I like Costco better!)


ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IN GEORGIA:

Saving the Economy and Environment with Clean Energy!
Solar, Wind, Energy Efficiency, and Energy Conservation all have the power to meet our current and projected energy demand more cheaply then fossil fuels (read: Fools), all while providing more local jobs then traditional coal, nuclear, or natural gas plants! Join here for more details. Or go here: www.cleanpower4georgians.com

Atlanta Beyond Oil
We are interested in peak oil, global warming, relocalization,
sustainable communities, alternative energy, permaculture, and more. We are beginning to network with other Metro Atlanta groups and to have events that educate people about our concerns. We offer support, information, and opportunities to contribute to the solution. We'd love to have you join us! Go here for more details.

The Atlanta Green Living Meetup Group
We will meet to share ideas, listen to speakers, review new products, and organize in the community to promote the preservation of Atlanta's natural environment. The group focuses on easy, accessible options that everyone can take to reduce their footprint. Join here for more info.

2009 BIO International Convention
May 18, 2009 - May 21, 2009

Atlanta, Georgia - The BIO International Convention is the largest biotechnology event in the world. The Convention helps BIO fulfill its mission to help grow the global biotech industry. The BIO International Convention features keynotes and sessions from key policymakers, scientists, CEOs, and celebrities. Past speakers include President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Michael J. Fox, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, among many others. The convention also includes hundreds of sessions covering biotech trends, policy issues and technological innovations, and the world's largest biotechnology exhibition - the BIO Exhibition. Go here for more information and registration.


Veterans for Peace, Atlanta has several vigils and rallies around Atlanta. Here is their weekly schedule. I urge you to join them if you can to show your support:

Tuesdays 12:45-1 pm
Weekly "Stand for Peace" vigil at Emory University , in front of Woodruff Library. For more information e-mail: thee.smith@emory. edu.

Thursdays 5:00-6:00pm
Weekly "Stand for Peace" vigil at CNN, Marietta and Centennial Olympic Park. For more information e-mail John.Zientowski@ turner.com

Fridays 12:00-1:00 pm
Weekly "Stand for Peace" vigil at Colony Square , corner of Peachtree and 14th Street . For more information, e-mail bobbiepaul@rp.cbeyond.com

Weekly "Stand for Peace" vigil at Marietta Square ( Cobb Court House). For more information e-mail cobbpeace@comcast.net

Saturdays
12:00-1:00
Weekly "Stand for Peace" vigil at Dekalb Farmers Market At 3000 Ponce de Leon Avenue , Decatur For more information, Fro more information e-mail John.Zientowski@ turner.com

Sundays
12:15-1:00 pm
Weekly "Stand for Peace" vigil at the corner of MLK Drive and Washington Street (across from the state capitol). For more information, e-mail elogan@gsu.edu or peggyhendrix2000@yahoo.com.

12:00-12:30 pm
Weekly "Stand for Peace" vigil at 910 Ponce De Leon Ave NE ,Open Door Community. For more information contact Lauren Cogswell at lauren_cogswell@yahoo.com, 404-874-9652


Next let me highlight some NAACP groups:

The Cobb County NAACP monthly meetings are the first Monday of the month at the branch office at 6:30 p.m.

General membership meets the fourth Tuesday of the month, mostly at the office location but varies based on programs. Members are encouraged to attend these meetings. Join a committee today. Elections of officers are held in even years.

For more info contact the branch office: 605 B. Roswell St Marietta, GA 30061 770.425.5757 info_at_cobbnaacp.org

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, is the oldest, largest and strongest civil rights organization in the United States. The principal objective of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of the United States.

The NAACP is committed to achievement through non-violence and relies upon the press, the petition, the ballot and the courts, and is persistent in the use of legal and moral persuasion even in the face of overt and violent racial hostility.

Fayette County NAACP Branch General Membership Meeting:
2nd Saturday Each Month - 4:00 PM, Flat Rock AME Church

And if you want contact info for other NAACP branches in Georgia (mainly addresses), please go here.


Here are a couple of Democracy for America meetings in Georgia:

Decatur Meeting: First Wed. of every month, 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM, Location: ChocoLate Coffee, 2094 North Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA, 30033 US Contact: Susan Keith susan_at_georgiafordemocracy.org

The North Fulton/East Cobb Democracy for America: Second Tuesday of every month, 7:00 PM, sign up here to find out where and more details.

You can also sign up here to help organize a Georgia for Democracy group in your area.


Here are more organizations, groups and events in Georgia:

The Carter Center: Creating a world in which every man, woman, and child has the opportunity to enjoy good health and live in peace. Find out how you can get involved.

DeKalb County Young Democrats: The future leaders of DeKalb County. Go here to see upcoming events.

Atlanta Area Democrats Meetup Group: Grassroots Democrats upset with the direction the Republicans are taking our country and our state - we're taking action! Sign up for more information.

Cobb County Young Democrats
Monthly Happy Hours on the first Fridays of every month and monthly Business Meetings on the third Tuesdays of every month. Both are great opportunities to meet fellow Cobb County Young Democrats and learn about the 2008 heated races taking place in Cobb County.

Happy Hours: BLACKBIRD, 114 W Hancock St, Milledgeville, GA, 31061 US
Contact: Christin Ivey, Christin_ivey@ecats.gcsu.edu,

Business Mettings: Little Azio Pizza and Pasta 1675 Cumberland Pkwy, Ivywalk Unit #415, Smyrna, GA, 30080 US
Contact: Alexandra O'Callaghan, alli@georgiayds.org,

Cherokee County Democratic Party Meeting
Third Monday of Every Month, 7 PM
Hot Springs Community Center
100 Hickory Circle
Holly Springs, GA
More info here.

Georgia Equality is the political advocacy voice of Georgia's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender citizens and their allies. Founded in Atlanta in 1995, it has grown into a true statewide organization and is known nationally as one of the leaders among state and local LGBT groups.

Atlanta Amnesty International Chapter 75: Meet others in your local area interested in Amnesty International USA, a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights. Sign up to find out when and where.


Drinking Liberally is a grassroots social organizations for people who like to meet fellow liberals over a good beer. Here are the Drinking Liberally chapters in Georgia:

Atlanta, Georgia
* Every Thursday, 8:00 pm onward
* Thinking Man's Tavern, 537 W Howard Ave, Decatur
* Hosted by Erin Abrahams, atlanta (at) drinkingliberally.org

Dunwoody
* First and third Wednesday of each month (next meeting January 2), 7:00 pm onward
* Ye Olde Dunwoody Tavern, 5488 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd (map)
* Hosted by Hillary Meister, dunwoody (at) drinkingliberally.org

Augusta, Georgia
* Second and fourth Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Helga's Lounge, 2015 Central Ave
* Hosted by Margie Hobbins, augusta (at) drinkingliberally.org

Savannah, Georgia
* First and third Thursday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
* Crystal Beer Parlor, 301 W Jones St (corner of west jones and jefferson)
* lots of parking
* Hosted by John Mattingly, Victor Fishman and McKay Schwalbach, savannah (at) drinkingliberally.org