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).
Notice how Sarah Palin, not John McCain, was the big story of the week from the Repub Convention? I am so pleased that we are finally at a point in history where even the Repubs are willing to nominate a woman to VP, more than 2 decades after the Dems did. And I am pleased to live at a time when America will finally get either a woman VP or a black president. That is very real progress.
But...
I mean, Sarah Palin was the best McCain could pick??? The woman is under investigation, for goodness sake! If the Republicans want to shed their culture of corruption, choosing an Alaska Republican as VP is NOT the way to do it. So, like everyone else, I will focus a great deal on Palin this week. Palin certainly seems to be galvanizing the Repub base, but I believe she will be a liability in the end. She is under investigation for crimes and ethics violations. She attends a church which has been openly anti-Semitic. And she clearly seems incapable of leading the nation. You can read one Alaskan's view of Palin here. It seems a fair and honest assessment of Palin. Why did McCain pick her? Clearly he decided to pick a woman (long after Democrats did) to appeal to the supposed masses of disaffected Hillary voters. What about Susan Collins? What about Kay Bailey Hutchinson? What about Elizabeth Dole? If he wanted a woman, there are far better ones out there in the Republican Party. I may not like them for policy reasons, but they are sure more experienced and competent than Palin.
Obama remains the frontrunner. This does not mean that the election is a slam dunk for us. But we remain ahead, with Obama even having an edge in North Dakota, running neck and neck in Virginia and competitive in North Carolina. I believe that Obama's supporters are underpolled because traditional young voters and black voters are not considered "likely voters" but they are far more likely to vote this year than usual. So I think polls are underestimating Obama's edge. But we can't count on this, particularly since Republicans will cheat in some states (e.g. Florida, of course, which can't seem to run a fair election). A LOT can happen between now and November, but I think if the election were held today, Obama would win. The only question is whether he would win with 298 or 311 electoral votes (with Virginia making the difference). I am assuming McCain will win North Dakota and Indiana (which are both AMAZINGLY in play) as well as Florida in this calculation.
Buried in the news is the fact that Abramoff is now sentenced to 4 years in prison. This was the Republican wonder worker who became the biggest Republican scandal and his corruption helped Democrats win so big in 2006. Republican Congressional leader Bob Ney of Ohio is now in jail thanks to the Abramoff scandal. If there is true justice in America, far more Republicans will go to jail over the Abramoff scandal.
I will leave you with this video of Obama responding to the RNC:
Sarah Palin may prove to be the worst possible choice for McCain. I am thankful that between Obama and Palin, history WILL be made. Although the Democrats already nominated a woman for VP, McCain has set it up so that in the same year we WILL either have a black president or a woman VP. I really appreciate being a part of history either way.
But Palin is a corrupt politician from a state infamous for corrupt Republicans. And the embarrassment keeps coming.
The Alaska Republicans, Palin included, are mired in a bunch of scandals, from the VECO scandal that has sent several Republican state legislators to prison and threatens both Republican Congressman Don Young and Republican Senator Ted Stevens, to Sarah Palin's own recent scandal of petty vindictiveness and abuse of power. By choosing Palin, McCain abandons any remnant of the maverick image he once had. With McCain, the Republican Party remains the Party of Corruption. Sarah Palin is currently UNDER INVESTIGATION for corruption and the Alaska Republican Party she is part of is full of indictments, investigations and corruption like no other Republican Party in the nation. It is a disgrace that of all the great women McCain could have chosen, he chose someone so mired in corruption. It is yet one more example of the Republican disregard for the rule of law.
Palin has so violated common decency in the "Troopergate" scandal that the Alaska Police Union has filed an official Complaint against Palin. Alaska Police officers are pissed as hell over Palin's corruption and abuse of power! This should be a key issue in this election. But it isn't just the Alaska Police Union that is disgusted by Palin. This is what Planned Parenthood has to say about Palin:
What might have been encouraging news for women was just the opposite — somehow McCain had managed to find a woman running mate even more conservative than he is on women's rights.
It was heartbreaking news, especially on the heels of such an inspiring week. Right now there is so much shameless rhetoric from the Republicans about breaking the glass ceiling, especially from McCain and his running mate. What good does it do to break a glass ceiling with a woman who wants government to control women's reproductive health? That isn't the world I want for my two daughters.
A day later, and I'm still having trouble expressing the depth of my anger about McCain's choice of a running mate. This shameless pandering to women — with a woman who doesn't trust other women to make their own decisions about childbearing — has really got me going.
My dear friends and supporters, the stakes in this election just got unbelievably higher. More than ever before, the November 4 election is the most important vote for women's rights of my generation. And our actions in the next eight weeks — yours, mine, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's — have never been more critical. Believe me, I don't say that lightly. It's time to get to work — and hard.
If you can only do one thing, it should be to tell every woman you meet that McCain and Palin are the most anti-choice, anti-women pair imaginable. Don't stop at just telling your friends. You can bet that I'll be telling strangers in the checkout line at the grocery store, the women I see at the gym, parents at my kids' schools.
Women trust other women to tell them the straight truth — and the straight truth is that McCain and Palin would take us back to a time when women had absolutely no right to decide whether or not to have a child ... zero. It's been widely reported that Palin is against abortion even in the cases of rape and incest!
More regarding Sarah Palin (from MoveOn.org):
Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:
She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.1 Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.2 She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3 Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.4 She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.5 She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.6 How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.7 This is information the American people need to see. Please take a moment to forward this email to your friends and family.
We also asked Alaska MoveOn members what the rest of us should know about their governor. The response was striking. Here's a sample:
She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience. I shudder to think that she could be the person taking that 3AM call on the White House hotline, and the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today. —Rose M., Fairbanks, AK
She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She's a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. She has NO experience beyond Alaska. —Christine B., Denali Park, AK
As an Alaskan and a feminist, I am beyond words at this announcement. Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be. —Karen L., Anchorage, AK
Alaskans, collectively, are just as stunned as the rest of the nation. She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that. She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news. In our office of thirty employees (dems, republicans, and nonpartisans), not one person feels she is ready for the V.P. position.—Sherry C., Anchorage, AK
She's vehemently anti-choice and doesn't care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman. McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary. —Marina L., Juneau, AK
I think she's far too inexperienced to be in this position. I'm all for a woman in the White House, but not one who hasn't done anything to deserve it. There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain's part- and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he'll get our vote by putting "A Woman" in that position.—Jennifer M., Anchorage, AK
So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil. And she's dramatically inexperienced.
In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he's made a very dangerous decision for our country.
In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain's vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.
Thanks for all you do.
–Ilyse, Noah, Justin, Karin and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Sarah Palin," Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
2. "McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate," NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-5690110-xvX3_kx&t=1
3. "Sarah Palin, Buchananite," The Nation, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-5690110-xvX3_kx&t=2
4. "'Creation science' enters the race," Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-5690110-xvX3_kx&t=3
5. "Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science," Huffington Post, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-5690110-xvX3_kx&t=4
6. "McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy," Sierra Club, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-5690110-xvX3_kx&t=5
"Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past," League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-5690110-xvX3_kx&t=6
"Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor," The Times of London, May 23, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-5690110-xvX3_kx&t=7
7 "McCain met Palin once before yesterday," MSNBC, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-5690110-xvX3_kx&t=8
Once again, John McCain represents nothing but a Bush third term.
People were stranded and DYING as McCain and Bush parited it up for McCain's birthday. To me this is the ultimate symbol of what both Bush and McCain are all about: eating their cake while Americans are abandoned, left to die, forgotten by the Republican Party.
John McCain may be something of a Faustian figure. Once the true independent, anti-Bush voice within the Republican Party, McCain decided to make a bargain with Bush, selling his soul to get the nomination. Now he is no longer that voice of independence, no longer a voice of reason. He is the voice through which Bush can continue to push policies that have already failed years ago.
McCain has vowed to continue the Iraq quagmire. In fact he wants it to go on forever, or at least for 1000 years, to use his own words. To an America already tired of this useless war, this is absurd. Why must we remain mired in the Iraq quagmire for decades to come when the real enemy, Osama bin Laden, has been let off the hook by Bush...and apparently now McCain. The voice of America has been loud and clear: Mr. Bush, END THIS WAR! McCain has not heard the voice of America. He has only heard Bush's voice. John McCain has vowed to continue the Iraq war and was the architect of the so-called surge that has failed to bring the quagmire to an end.
America wants a moderate policy on abortion, the one that Hillary Clinton has expressed as "safe, legal and rare." Overwhelmingly THAT is the policy Americans want. Bush has ignored that voice as he takes an extremist stance that would force the victim of rape or incest to carry the child of the criminal who raped her...and McCain has voiced the same extremist view when he vowed to appoint judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade. John McCain has vowed to force women to carry the child of their rapist.
John McCain offers no better economic policy than Bush's failed policy of screwing working class Americans while giving the very wealthy and the big oil companies massive tax breaks. This is the economic policy that has given us TWO recessions with hardly any recovery in between. John McCain has vowed to continue these failed economic policies. I ask you, are you better off than you were 8 years ago? Me neither. America cannot afford 4 more years of failed Bush economics under McCain.
John McCain is anti-Veteran: ironically, McCain is not well liked by veterans groups, receiving a D rating from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a zero rating from The Retired Enlisted Association and in 2005 and 2006 he received 25% or below from the Disabled American Veterans.
John McCain is an anti-choice extremist: John McCain has been one of the most anti-choice Senators, receiving zero ratings from Planned Parenthood and NARAL.
John McCain is anti-farmer: McCain received 25% or lower from the National Farmers Union.
John McCain is weak on civil liberties: McCain rates from 0 to 33% from the American Civil Liberties Union.
John McCain is anti-civil rights: John McCain consistently receives less than 25% from the NAACP and less than 20% from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.
John McCain is consistently anti-labor: He receives abyssmal to at best mediocre ratings from just about every union I could find.
About the only areas where McCain doesn't seem to be substantially in lock step with the corrupt and failed policies of the Bush administration are gun issues and the environment. He is merely mediocre on environmental issues rather than abyssmal, and somehow McCain manages to get low ratings from BOTH pro-gun groups like the NRA and from gun control groups like the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. I guess his stand on guns satisfies no one.
John McCain offers America nothing but four more years of failed Bush policies. And Sarah Palin merely adds that stink of corruption that has so dogged the Republican Party for 8 years. America has long realized that the values Republicans talk about are the opposite of the corruption the Republicans practice. Sarah Palin is just one more example of this.
While Mayor of Wasilla: The budget grew by 40% in 7 years -- after adjusting for inflation. She raised taxes to build a stadium. When she became mayor, the city had no long-term debt; she left behind $19 million in debt.
She hired a lobbyist to bring in federal earmarks -- that lobbyist, Steven Silver, was a former chief of staff to Ted Stevens.
Among pork that McCain has found "objectionable": A 2001 earmark of $500,000 for a public transportation project in Wasilla; $450,000 for an agricultural processing facility in Wasilla in 2002; In 2002, $1 million for an "emergency communications center" in Wasilla that local law enforcement said was redundant and confusing.
As Governor: She supported the bridge to nowhere before she opposed it. Her support came while running for governor. There are actually two bridges to nowhere; she still supports one of them (the Knik Arm bridge).
Her "ethics reform" package would be laughed off the map in most of the country -- for example, campaign contributions uner $1,000 don't have to be reported. She appointed Marty Rutherford, a former TransCanada (oil & gas co.) lobbyist, to run her gas pipeline project.
That ethics reform bill? It came because to Veco (an oil co.) executives were convicted of bribing lawmakers. Guess where she got a lot of campaign funding when running for Lt. Governor -- yup, Veco.
Since becoming governor, in just two years, Palin has asked for $589 million in federal pork. In July, the state legislature voted unanimously to fund an investigation into the abuse of power regarding her firing of the Public Safety Commissioner because he wouldn't fire her former brother-in-law.
She is in bed with Big Oil -- when running for governor in 2006, she took $13,000 from oil industry lobbyists (that's a lot in Alaska).
She has vetoed $20 million spending projects for wind energy -- twice.
Selecting Sarah Palin, who was touted all summer by Rush Limbaugh, is no way to attract most women, including die-hard Clinton supporters. Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Clinton. Her down-home, divisive and deceptive speech did nothing to cosmeticize a Republican convention that has more than twice as many male delegates as female, a presidential candidate who is owned and operated by the right wing and a platform that opposes pretty much everything Clinton's candidacy stood for -- and that Barack Obama's still does. To vote in protest for McCain/Palin would be like saying, "Somebody stole my shoes, so I'll amputate my legs".
White feminists need to zero in on the phenomenon of Republican women in high of ices. It is true they have had more women in higher office in the last eight years than any other administration. Yet what needs to be told over and over again is that most of those women have only one function : to serve as surrogates to the patriarchy, to become the obedient "cultural soldiers" to their male masters and leaders.
That's the difference between faux and true feminism. It's time to vociferously smack down the meme that just because she's a woman and a governor she wants equality for all women and all peoples.
Cindy McCain Oscar de la Renta dress: $3,000 Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch: $4,500 Three-carat diamond earrings: $280,000 Four-strand pearl necklace: $11,000–$25,000 Shoes, designer unknown: $600 Total: Between $299,100 and $313,100
I am not necessarily against extravegant displays, but some $300,000 for one fucking outfit pisses me off. That is almost what I paid 8 years ago for a home for my family to live in in a good school district in Brooklyn. The McCains can put the same amount of money into one single outfit that I put into my family's home. That disgusts me! Talk about elitism!!! A single pair of McCain earings costs almost as much as my three bedroom Park Slope apartment cost 8 years ago. These are rich folk who don't understand what you and I have to deal with!
SPECIAL NYC PRIMARY FOCUS I: Reform vs. Scalia Fan for Brooklyn Judicial Race
As the Democratic Primary draws near (Sept. 9th!) some more people are speaking out on the First Civil Court race in Brooklyn. I want to offer up the opinion of the Brooklyn Papers and Lambda Independent Democrats on Roger Adler and Devin Cohen (the two candidates running). Let me remind our readers of my standard disclaimer: one of the candidates, Devin Cohen, is a friend of mine, so I am biased.
That said, most people seem deeply disturbed by Roger Adler's anti-gay stands, ties to the Conservative Party, ties to jailed former machine head, Clarence Norman, and his public admission that he openly participates in a pay to play political system. By contrast people seem to like Devin Cohen for his even temperment and honesty. From what I can tell, Devin Cohen has practically all the endorsements while Roger Adler has more money.
Adler might not have been affiliated with a club like Cohen’s reform-oriented Independent Neighborhood Democrats, but he was the lawyer for jailed former Democratic county boss Clarence Norman, who has been convicted of embezzling campaign funds and accused of extorting kickbacks from judicial candidates...
No wonder Cohen is talking up Adler’s link to Norman.
“If you look at the grassroots reform clubs and reform-oriented politicians that endorse me, it’s impossible to view that I’m the political hack in the race,” Cohen told The Brooklyn Paper.
Cohen’s bid for the 10-year judgeship is backed by many elected officials and neighborhood Democratic clubs — a liability in Adler’s eyes — but a stamp of approval for Cohen.
“For me, Devin has more roots in the community,” said Councilwoman Letitia James (D–Fort Greene). “I’ve known through his involvement in a number of community organizations. That’s why I support him — not because he’s an ‘insider.’”
And Adler’s claim to being “nonpolitical” can not be objectively propped up. The former Norman barrister has not only done legal work for some conservative causes, but he has also made thousands of dollars in donations to incumbents such as Assemblywoman Joan Millman (D–Carroll Gardens) and state Sen. Marty Connor (D–Brooklyn Heights) — two politicians who endorsed Cohen.
Adler has also opened his checkbook to state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) and gave the state Conservative Party about $10,000 in donations.
Adler says this makes him a true-blue independent.
“I gave to people that I thought were producing for Brooklyn or the state,” Adler said.
This is only half of what Adler told me when I directly asked him about his Conservative Party, Clarence Norman, and Al D'Amato donations. He did mention that he donated to those he thought were the best people (does he really mean Clarence Norman was a good candidate or that Al D'Amato was better than Chuck Schumer??), but he also said to me in front of the Independent Neighborhood Democrats that he played the game where you contribute to those who help you out. Seems to me he really is taking some lessons from the Clarence Norman school of politics. Seems he only gave the Brooklyn Paper the least offensive of the answers he gave me.
The Brooklyn Paper also mentions the legal work Adler is best known for: his amicus brief for the Conservative Party opposing marriage equality. This issue is taken up in more detail by Lambda Independent Democrats who sent this email around tonight:
Civil Court Candidate Has Anti-Gay Record Roger Adler authored Conservative Party opposition to marriage equality
Lambda Independent Democrats warned lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender voters and their allies that putting Roger Adler on the Civil Court bench would represent a step backward for civil rights.
"Seeing an anti-marriage judge elected in Brooklyn in 2008 would be a catastrophe," said LID Co-President Terrance Knox. "Roger Adler is a hired gun for homophobes and corrupt elected officials."
In addition to his anti-gay advocacy work, Adler represented convicted party leader Clarence Norman.
"Brooklyn deserves better," said LID Co-President Dan Willson. "We don't need judges who believe entire portions of the population deserve second-class status."
"Roger Adler would be the Robert Bork of the Brooklyn Courts," said LID board member Ken Diamondstone. "Adler is a rigid social reactionary who would deny me and my partner of 33 years the rights most couples already have. Medical decisions, inheritance, social security benefits and over a thousand other rights are being denied to gay and lesbian couples because of judges and politicians who share Adler's views."
52nd Democratic District Leader and LID board member Alan Fleishman said "Roger Adler does not share the values of the Democratic voters in this district, based on his donations of tens of thousands of dollars to the Conservative and Republican parties in his previous attempt to be appointed to a judgeship. Mr. Adler's financial support for candidates like Rudy Giuliani for President and his work against marriage equality are more in line with George Bush and Dick Cheney then they are with Brooklyn voters."
I should note that Adler's similarity in philosophy with the likes of the Bush and Cheney, noted by Lambda, reminds me that a fellow IND member was particularly struck by Adler's statements of admirition for the judicial philosophies of right wing Supreme Court Justices Scalia and Thomas. These statements of admiration for the judicial philosophy of the most right wing of Supreme Court justices was stated publicly at the same IND meeting where Adler said his political contributions were at least in part contributing to those he needed favors from.
I think this is a clear choice for Brooklyn. Adler, a supporter of the Conservative Party who admires Scalia and Thomas, donated to Giuliani for President and D'Amato for Senate, and donated to and did legal work for jailed party boss Clarence Norman, versus Cohen, endorsed by people as diverse as Bill de Blasio and Letitia James as well as by every reform Democratic club in Brooklyn. The choice will be made September 9th.
SPECIAL NYC PRIMARY FOCUS II: Referendum on Mayoral Control
As the September 9th Primary nears, I want to post this again. This comes from a blogger I seldom agree with, but on this issue I solidly agree with. From Room 8 (a blog I seldom agree with, but do on this issue...)
“There’s no question that mayoral control has done really positive great things.”----Dan Squadron
“We need to get parents back in the process in a real way; we need to empower them. I feel the legislature was mislead by this Mayor…”---State Senator Marty Connor
As Mike Bloomberg moves towards creating a Charter Commission to extend his tenure in the Mayor’s Office to lives in being plus 21 years, by expanding the public‘s right to return him to office, he does nothing to allow voters to actually express their opinion on the real issues that impact their lives.
Next year, the legislature will vote on the crucial issue of whether to extend the experiment of absolute monarchial Mayoral control over the public school system. And yet, in all the City there is only one opportunity this year for voters to express a clear cut choice on this matter of monumental consequence. As such, it is likely that all eyes will be on the race for State Senate between incumbent Marty Connor and upstart Dan Squadron to gauge whether the much ballyhooed public anger over the manner in which school are run is really of much political consequence.
Since, outside of a Park in one corner of the district, virtually nothing separates these candidates on this issues, voters who care about the schools are well advised to cast their votes on the basis of this issue alone.
Most parents of public school children in the 25th Senatorial District seem to side with Connor, citing Kindergarteners in Tribeca being bussed to 1st Avenue and 23rd Street; admissions processes for Pre-K designed by Franz Kafka and M.C. Escher. A gifted admissions process designed by Lester Maddox and Orville Faubus. The elimination of politicians, but not politics, from the school variance process, with the Tweed Court house accommodating its favorite out of district kids in schools that can’t accommodate children from their own zones. Parents being fobbed off on “parent coordinators” whose job is to block access to anyone who might actually be able to accomplish anything or answer a question. And no accountability to anyone.
Meanwhile Squadron trumpets his service in the Bloomberg educational bureaucracy, and his endorsements from key Bloomberg educrats.
Connor acknowledges the new regime’s made some worthy changes “at the edges”, and Squadron acknowledges some changes need to be made, but their underlying attitude is unmistakable. Squadron wants cosmetic changes akin to putting lipstick on a mule, while Connor is looking to throw out most of the bathwater.
As far as the future, Squadron’s vision is also clear--more of the same, only somehow better. He accuses Connor of wanting to “go back to the bad old days of the Board of Education.” Actually, the video captures Connor saying “I don’t know anyone that wants to go back to the old system.” Since Squadron was sitting right next to Connor at the time, one must once again conclude that Squadron is lying, but that’s like complaining of dogs biting men.
Actually Connor is part of the Senate Democrats’ School Governance Task Force and is holding a hearing to get parental input on Mayoral Control so as to better formulate the school governance legislation to be introduced in next year’s session.
The hearing is Tuesday, August 12, 5:00-8 PM at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
What a novel idea--to listen to parents instead of paternalistically trying to force feed them what you think is good for them.
REMEMBER TO VOTE SEPTEMBER 9th in the Democratic Primary. See below (and above) for some suggestions on who to vote for. And if you want to help any of these candidates on primary day, please let me know.
And after that, please help out registering voters in Pennsylvania.
New York Volunteers Registering Voters in Pennsylvania: My fellow Indenpendent Neighborhood Democrats board member, Tom, has been doing wonderful work organizing voter registration events in Pennsylvania. His last effort sounds particularly successful. We all were inspired by Obama's speech at the Convention, (note...the republican convention really seems a bust, doesn't it?). If you want to help bring the dream to a reality, you can join his next effort on September 13th. Here is Tom's latest message:
Dear Friends,
Two weeks ago I asked you to, "Get on the Bus" to Pennsylvania for Barack Obama. Guess what? So many of you responded, Trans-Bridge Bus Lines, which services Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, had to give us a second bus.
Here's what you did this past Saturday in the Easton area:
You knocked on 2,166 doors You spoke to 732 people You registered 114 new voters
In 62 days Americans will decide what kind of country and what kind of world we want for ourselves and our children. I want each of you to look to the left, look to the right, grab whoever you see. Tell them to wake up. Tell them it's time. Sixty-two days. If they ask you what time it is, tell them the time is NOW. Tell them:
It's time to do something for working people. It's time to do something for our kids. It's time do something for teachers and cops and firemen.
Tell them the time is NOW because we have…
Only 62 days to say yes to health care coverage for all Americans. Only 62 days to say no to a widening gap between the rich and the rest of us. Only 62 days to say yes to ending occupation in Iraq responsibly. Only 62 days to say no to a world at war for 100 years. Only 62 days to change America.
And that's not a lot of time, so grab the person next to you and "Get on the Bus."
We depart from Port Authority Bus Terminal (South Terminal, 8th Ave. btwn 40th & 41st St.), Saturday morning, September13th, aboard Trans-Bridge Bus Lines. Please arrive at the gate no later than 8:30 am to guarantee yourself a seat. The bus to Easton should depart from Gate 4 or 6. Please arrive early to purchase your ticket on the South Terminal main floor and make your way downstairs to the gate. Bus tickets are $37.95 round trip. Buses return at 4:05 and 6:10 pm. The ride is about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Thank you to everyone for your time and commitment. Please RSVP so I can provide a headcount to Obama's team in the Lehigh Valley.
Very best wishes,
Tom Predhome (917) 723-3442
Tom is leading the way and I am hoping some of you out there can help out.
NEW YORK BLOGGING: The Albany Project gives excellent coverage of New York State politics.
The Daily Gotham covers both New York City (with a slight emphasis on Brooklyn) and New York State politics.
Reform NY is the blog of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
On NY Turf is run by someone I know. Long overdue that I add his blog here. Contains political info, good map resources for NYC and discussions of development issues.
Let me highlight some excellent candidates running in New York State.
Let me introduce Don Barber, running for State Senate (SD-51) and endorsed by Democracy for America. You can read about Don on Daily Gotham.
Let me also introduce you to my State Senator, Velmanette Montgomery. She is wonderful, proudly progressive, and up for re-election. Here is her website.
Those who know me will be surprised by this one: Martin Connor, running for re-election in the SD-25 district. I have had my differences with Marty Connor in the past, but have never questioned his intelligence or his progressive values. Connor has been a consistent advocate of marriage equality and has been endorsed by Independent Neighborhood Democrats and Lambda Independent Democrats. His primary opponent is a far more conservative Democrat, who is tied to the most conservative aspects of Chuck Schumer's policies as well as to Bloomberg's disastrous education reforms. In this match up I side with Marty Connor.
Steve Harrison is running for Congress in the NY-13 race. Steve Harrison is a leading advocate for withdrawal from Iraq and has been endorsed by American Heritage Democratic Organization, Kelvin Alexander (Co-Founderof 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement), Gary Lane (Chairman of IBEW Local 3), Gloria Steinem, Democracy for New York City, the Democratic Organization of Richmond County, John Strika (President of IUPAT Local 806), former Assemblyman Frank Barbaro, among others. Steve is the progressive in the race while his primary opponent is a "Democrat" who is also seeking the Conservative Party endorsement and has told the Conservative Party that he opposes gay marriage and is in favor of continued occupation of Iraq. Steve, by contrast, is in favor of marriage equality and withdrawal from Iraq. You can read more about him in his own words on Daily Gotham. You can donate to his campaign through my Act Blue site. If you live in the NY-13 district, please volunteer for Steve's campaign.
Volunteer Phone Banks for Steve Harrison, Democrat for Congress
Steve Harrison is a progressive Democrat running for Congress in NY's 13th Congressional District, formerly held by Republican Vito Fossella. (Fossella resigned after a drunk driving arrest which lead to the discovery of an extra-marital affair and child with another woman.)
Democracy for NYC has endorsed Steve Harrison and DFNYCer David Hernandez is working with Harrison's campaign. The following volunteer phone banks have been set up in Staten Island and Brooklyn:
Staten Island Phone Bank 1738 Victory Blvd./ Manor Road 12-9pm Mon- Sat. Contact Al Dykes or David Hernandez, 718 720 8683
Brooklyn Phone Bank 544 Bay Ridge Pkwy/ Bet. 5&6 Avenue Contact Greg Collett to rsvp and for specific hours, 718 745 2539
Norm Siegel for Public Advocate For those of you who live in NYC, let me introduce you to Norman Siegel, one of America's top Civil Rights Lawyers, is running for New York Public Advocate. Here's a Youtube video of him:
And a friend of ours, Devin Cohen, is running for a Brooklyn judicial seat. You can read more about his race here. If you can spare some time to help Devin, please let me know and I can let him know. Also, let's all congratulate Devin and his wife for the birth of their son! All the reports I hear indicate that Devin is out in the district meeting everyone voter by voter, while his opponent is relying on buying the election.
Here are a handful of Democratic Clubs worth checking out:
The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats is a community-based Democratic club. CBID has fought for reform and progressive causes since 1968. As a Brooklyn-based Club, we have been instrumental in the election of many candidates for public office. Much of this success was a result of our question-and-answer forums with prospective candidates as well as our extensive on-the-street contact with our constituents.
Staunchly opposed to political corruption, we are proud of our independence and our commitment to progressive reform in city, state and national politics. We are a vehicle for citizen empowerment and making government more accountable to our neighborhoods.
We meet monthly, usually the fourth Thursday evening of the month in the basement of the Park Slope United Methodist Church, on the corner of 6th ave and 8th street, at 7:30pm. All are welcome.
New Kings Democrats (”NKD”) is a new, grassroots organization in Kings County (Brooklyn), New York whose primary mission is to recruit and prepare individuals to run for Kings County Democratic Committee. NKD hopes to achieve the goal of an inclusionary and participatory democracy by making it easy for individuals to run for local, elected office. NKD will serve as a training ground for individuals seeking higher office, and hopes to build and nurture a new group of Brooklyn Democratic leaders.
DEMOCRACY FOR NYC MEETINGS: First Wednesday of every month
Staten Island, Muddy Cup, 388 Van Duzer Street with hosts Al Dykes and Tracey Denton at 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 host Abhishek Mistry, 7pm
Astoria, Queens, at Sanford Diner, 30-13 Broadway, with hosts 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. Note: this Linkup will begin at 7:30.
Bayside, Queens, The First Edition, 41-08 Bell Blvd, right near the LIRR stop, with host Steve Behar of Democrats for New Politics, 7pm
Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Wycoff Bennett Homestead, 1669East 22nd Street, 7pm with host Annette Mont
Here is a list of weekly Peace Vigils around NY State:
Schenectady: Counter-recruitment leafleting of high school "Truth in Recruitment" On the second and forth Monday of every month 1:50pm to 2:20pm, counter-recruitment literature is handed-out to the students at Schenectady High School.
Location: Schenectady High School 1445 The Plaza Schenectady, NY 12308
Contact: Elizabeth at 518 374-2949 for confirmation or further directions.
Sponsored by: Schenectady Neighbors for Peace, a branch of Peace Action
Phillipstown for Democracy Demonstration against the War in Iraq Every Saturday at the intersection of Route 9 and 9D from 12-2. For information contact Connie Hogart at conart1_at_optonline.netv
Cobleskill: Vigil for peace Weekly vigil for peace, every Saturday 11:00am to 12:00pm. Location: Main and Union Streets Cobleskill, NY 12043 Contact: 518-287-1771
Sponsored by: Peacemakers of Schoharie County
Marbletown: Peace vigil A peace vigil held every Saturday from at least 11:00am to noon, held by an assortment of local people. Location: Southernmost intersection of Route 213 & Route 209 (the one with the stop light) Marbletown/Stone Ridge, NY 12484
In the event that the community has another pre-arranged event scheduled for this intersection on a given Saturday, the vigil will move on that day to the front of the Stone Ridge Town Hall, south on route 209.
Contact: 845 687-9591
Saratoga Springs: Peace vigil A peace vigil every Saturday 11:00am to 12:00pm. in front of the Post Office.
From the organizer: "Please keep the crosswalks clear and be the peace you want in the world. Many among us will be making signs with positive messages reflecting our hopes or our concerns for the future. Our goal is to: Support the United Nations in promoting peace; Encourage people to consider effective alternatives to war; Empower people to express their views to their elected officials." Location: outside the Post Office Broadway and Church Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Contact: Jim at 518-583-7501.
Sponsored by: Saratoga Peace Alliance (SPA)
Saugerties: Vigil for Peace A weekly peace vigil every Saturday 11:00am to 12:00pm. All are welcome.
From the organizers: "End the War. Bring the Troops Home Now. Fund Education, Healthcare, and Housing... Not War. Join us for an hour, or a few minutes. Bring a neighbor. Let our voices be heard." Location: Corner of Market and Main Streets Saugerties, NY 12477 Contact: 845 246-3449. Sponsored by: Saugerties Committee for Peace and Social Justice
Wappingers Falls: Weekly peace vigil A long standing peace vigil happening every Saturday 11:00am to 12:00pm. Pete Seeger attends when he can [cool!!], and the group usually ends singing a song. Location: On the grassy knoll Intersection of Routes 9 & 9D (near the South Hills Mall) Wappingers Falls, NY 12601 Contact: 845 838-1277.
New Paltz: Women in Black peace vigil A peace vigil occurring every Saturday 12:30pm to 1:30pm. From the organizers: "Women in Black has been standing for an end to war and violence in all its forms for over 5 years. We wear black in resistance and mourning for all the senseless killing. We are silent because words cannot express the tragedy of war. Please join us. Men are welcome." Location: In front of the Elting Library Corner of Main St and North Front Street New Paltz, NY 12561 Sponsored by: Women in Black of New Paltz
Woodstock: Women in Black peace vigil A silent vigil for peace every Sunday 1:00pm to 2:00pm, throughout the year. The group seeks "non-violent solutions to world problems, and stands for peace and social justice.
It is suggest that participants wear black clothing if possible. Signs are available.
Men are welcome, as well.
Location: Woodstock Village Green Rt. 212 / Tinker St / Mill Hill Rd Woodstock, NY 12498
Contact: Jane at 845 679-7502.
Sponsored by: Woodstock Women in Black
Delmar: Weekly peace vigil Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace hold these weekly vigils every Monday 5:00pm to 6:00pm.
From the organizers:: "Please join us in taking a stand against the war! Even if you can only stop by for a few minutes, your presence helps make a difference. Those of us who regularly attend the vigil enjoy sharing news and community with each other, and the encouraging honks and support from many drivers. Among other purposes, this weekly vigil serves as a regular reminder to hundreds of people in our community (those driving or walking by) of our viewpoints, issues and information - something they rarely see in the media. Bring a sign or borrow one of our extras. Join us!"
Location: Four Corners Delaware Ave at Kenwood Ave Delmar, NY 12054
Sponsored by: Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace.
Troy: Peace vigil A vigil for peace, held on the first Monday of the month 5:00pm to 6:00pm.
Located on Hoosick St, one of the busiest corridors in the Capital District.
Location: 110 Hoosick St (at 10th St) Troy, NY 12180
Contact: 518 272-1318.
Sponsored by: Troy Neighbors for Peace
Guilderland: Weekly peace vigil A weekly Monday vigil 5:00pm to 6:00pm, with participants holding signs and making a peaceful presence known.
Attendees are asked to bring their own signs.
From the organizers: "A dedicated group of people have been meeting every Monday during rush hour at the corners of Route 20 (Western Avenue) and Route 155. The positive response from commuters has been tremendous! Several new members have joined as a result of passing by our vigil."
Location: Routes 155 and 20, northeast corner (New Karner Rd and Western Ave) Guilderland, NY 12084
Contact: 518 464-6788.
Sponsored by: Guilderland Neighbors For Peace
DRINKING LIBERALLY MEETINGS IN NY STATE:
Clifton Park, New York * First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward * Old Dublin Inn, 130 Meyer Rd (Google maps is wrong, please contact me for directions.) * Hosted by Chris Selkirk, cliftonpark (at) drinkingliberally.org
Ithaca, New York * Every Wednesday, 6:30 pm onward * Felicia's Atomic Lounge, 508 W State St * Hosted by Joseph Cannon Murtagh, ithaca (at) drinkingliberally.org
New York City, New York:
The Original Drinking Liberally * Every Thursday, 7:30 pm onward * Rudy's, 627 9th Ave (between 44th and 45th) * In the backyard, weather permitting * Hosted by Justin Krebs, Matthew O'Neill and Katrina Baker, nyc (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
Harlem * Second Wednesday of each month), 6:30 pm onward * Soundz Lounge, 3155 Broadway (between 123rd and 124th) * Hosted by Yolanda (Shoshi) Shoshana, harlem (at) drinkingliberally.org
Park Slope * Second 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
Queens * Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward * Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102 (group of young liberals taking up one lane) * Hosted by Donald Graff, queens (at) drinkingliberally.org
Upper East Side * Last Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward * Doc Watson's, 1490 2nd Ave (at 77th) * Hosted by Matthew Bachiochi, ues (at) drinkingliberally.org
West Bronx * First and third Friday of each month, 7:30 pm onward * An Beal Bocht, 445 W 238th St (between Waldo and Greystone) * 1 to 238th, turn left, straight on 238th, just past the top of the stairs * Hosted by Jamin Sewell and Scott Kennedy, westbronx (at) drinkingliberally.org
Rochester, New York * Every Thursday, 8:00-10:00 pm * Monty's Korner, 355 East Ave * Hosted by Tom Tucker and Tracy Logan, rochester (at) drinkingliberally.org
And then we have: Shooting Liberally Tuesday, Feb 19 From your friends at Drinking Liberally comes the debut of SHOOTING LIBERALLY...
For the First Amendment enthusiast ready to move on to the Second. A social evening at the gun range including training & weapon rental.
For more info and to reserve your spot, contact: Stanley Sherman - maskarts (at) worldnet.att.net
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.
(Washington Post) Republican strategist J. Kenneth Klinge called GOP Senate candidate Jim Gilmore "a hypocrite" over Gilmore's criticism of Democratic candidate Mark Warner for not yet agreeing to a statewide, televised debate.
Klinge, an ally of U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), noted that Gilmore refused to debate his opponent for the Republican nomination, Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William), in the weeks leading up to the state GOP convention in June.
"I am sick and tired of seeing (Gilmore) act like something he isn't," said Klinge, who has been critical of Gilmore in the past. "On this subject, he is definitely a hypocrite."
Gilmore said it's not fair to compare his stance on debates with Warner, the Democratic nominee for Senate, to the one he held this spring. Gilmore noted that only 5,000 delegates selected the GOP nominee whereas several million people will vote in the general election.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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
NORTH CAROLINA FOCUS: Blogs, Kay Hagan, Larry Kissell, Veterans for Peace, Peace Vigils, Groups and Events
Here's a big Obama event in North Carolina:
Barack The Vote Celebration
Come one, come all and help us celebrate Barack's democratic nomination victory! There will be food, live music including The Watercolors and The Future Kings of Nowhere, storytellers, games, face painting...you name it! It will be great for all the volunteers and their families to come together and show that we're "fired up" for the last critical weeks of the campaign that will lead to the White House! We hope that you will join us in this celebration to show your love and support for Barack Obama. Please RSVP so we know how many are coming for food, etc. Questions? Contact: Kate (fellto_at_hotmail.com) or Tammy (tbhayes95_at_yahoo.com)
Time: Sunday, September 14 at 4:00 PM Location: Durham Central Park (Durham, NC) 534 Foster Street Durham, NC 27701
NORTH CAROLINA BLOGGING: BlueNC is a community-driven website that promotes progressive values and policies in North Carolina.
North Carolina is a Senate battleground this year and we have a pretty good shot at winning. Dole has shown a pretty dismal record if you look carefully, as this person does.
Kay Hagen is our candidate to beat Dole and she is polling a bit ahead of Dole now. From Hagen's website:
Kay Hagan knows that you do not make a difference standing on the sideline. Before her decade of service in the North Carolina Senate, she was a vice president at NCNB (now Bank of America), then North Carolina’s largest bank.
While in the state Senate, she has proven to be an effective leader who is not afraid to do the hard work to bridge partisan divides and always put people before politics. Named one of North Carolina’s “Ten Most Effective Senators,” three terms in a row by the non-partisan North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research, Governor Mike Easley calls Kay “one of the smartest, hardest working, most effective senators we have in Raleigh.”
Here is Kay Hagan discussing energy policy and jobs:
I notice Hagan's campaign seems extremely well organized, which will really increase her chances of winning. You can help in many ways by signing up here. Even if you aren't in North Carolina you can help by phone banking from home (a strategy that worked extremely well in a NY State Congressional race in 2006!)
Next let me highlight Larry Kissell, running for Congress. Larry almost certainly won in 2006, but voter fraud that lost thousands of votes, probably stealing the election. What is most disturbing is that most of those votes that were "lost" were military voters. Kissell is runnig again and is very likely to win. He was a Textile Worker for 27 years and is now a teacher at East Montgomery High School. Sounds like an ideal Democrat! And Larry Kissell seems to be doing excellently in fundraising.
Piedmont Biofuels The most successful biodiesel cooperative in America Pittsboro, NC Check out their website
Here is a mini-documentary on Wind Power in Appalachia:
Here are some other alternative energy groups in North Carolina:
Greensboro Sustainable Living Meetup Group: Meet others in your town interested in various Environmental issues on global and/or a local level.
This is a forum for people to get together and discuss issues and share ideas on sustainable living. Let's share ideas about organic and locally grown food, reducing toxins in our environment, reducing our use of resources, the carbon issue, raising healthy children, etc.
People who should join include those with expertise to share, those wanting to learn more, and anyone interested in building community through environmental initiatives. For more info, go here.
Governors Debate Biofuels (and a reminder of my own view on biofuels). Seems to me oil and coal producing states are pushing to stop biofuels, corn and soy producing states want biofuels based on corn and soy, and wood producing states want biofuels based on wood. No surprise there. But we really do need a smart policy here.
North Carolina 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.
Here are events and groups in North Carolina:
Weekly Veterans for Peace Vigil in Asheville Every Tuesday 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm At the Vance Memorial Pack Square Asheville, NC 28801
Weekly Women in Black Anti-War Vigil in Asheville Every Friday 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Vance Monument - Pack Square Asheville, NC
The Women In Black stand in silence against war, each Friday from 5 to 6 PM. All others are welcome to stand with them.
Democratic Women of Union County hold their monthly meeting the second Monday of every month at the Hilltop Restaurant Hwy 74 and 601 South. Seating for "Dutch Dinner" at 5:30PM, Program & Business at 6:00PM
Cabarrus County Senior Democrats have their monthly meeting the second Tuesday of every month at Troutman's BBQ restaurant, 1388 US-601-BYP S, Concord, NC. They start at 6.30 pm and for $7 you can enjoy a delicious BBQ buffet.
Mecklenburg County Democratic Women meet on the second Wednesday of each month, usually at a local library. Meet and greet from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00. Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. Contact: Joan Belk, 704-578-4227
Mecklenburg County Senior Democrats meet on the second Friday of each month at Walls AME Zion Church, 2722 Bancroft St. Bring a bag lunch if desired. Meeting time is Noon. Contact Sam Brown, 704-553-9061 or sambev_at_bellsouth.net
The Young Democrats of Mecklenburg County meet on the second Sunday of each month at 7:00 pm. Locations will vary and will be announced in advance of each meeting. Contact Becky Gomer, 704-200-8801 or president_at_meckyoungdems.org
The Hillsborough Democracy for America Meetup Progressive meetup, meeting others to learn more about local strategies and Democracy For America. This Meetup is officially brought to you by Democracy for America. I am Paul Aaron and have volunteered to lead. In 2005, I became the MoveOn local coordinator. After the 2006 election, the chairmanship of a local Democratic precinct became available. Should a Progressive be with MoveOn or inside the Democratic Party? This is the question I asked. My friend, Jo-Anne, a national Progressive worker, said we could use a Progressive inside the Party. For more info, go here.
"Third Thursday Group", a North Carolina Democratic "think tank", meets every third Thursday at Restaurant Costello's from 6.30 to 8.30 pm. 970 Branchview Dr NE, Concord, NC. Join us again to express your views and help to shape the party's agenda as we move into the future!
African-American Caucus of Mecklenburg County Takes place the third Thursday of each Month, at 7:00 pm, at the Texas Land & Cattle Co., 517 University Center Blvd. Contact Michael Lawson 704-458-8150 or mamlawson_at_carolina.rr.com
Cabarrus County Democratic Women will have their monthly meeting the fourth Thursday of every month at the Stowe A-Way fish restaurant, starting at 6.30 pm. 455 Corban Ave Se, Concord, NC. All Democrats are encouraged to attend.
And for those who want to combine social events with politics, here are the Drinking Liberally Groups in North Carolina:
Asheville, North Carolina * Every Thursday, 7:00-10:00 pm * Asheville Brewing Company, 77 Coxe Ave (Downtown, 1/2 block north of Hilliard Ave.) * Hosted by Aric Vance and Susan Lee, asheville (at) drinkingliberally.org
Charlotte, North Carolina * First Monday and Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward * First Monday of the month Location: Brixx Uptown, 225 E 6th St (we usually gather at the bar, on the LEFT side) * Be sure to bring in your parking pass for validation, and to tell the parking attendant you are going to Brixx so they don't charge you $5! * Third Wednesday of the month Location: Dolce Vita, 3205 N Davidson St 1/2 priced wines by the glass on Wednesday * Hosted by Marcus Williams, Andy Graves and Mark Campbell, charlotte (at) drinkingliberally.org
Charlotte Eating Liberally * Second Saturday of each month, 10:00 am * Matthews Community Farmers' Market, 105 N Trade St, Matthews (We meet at the tables just outside of the Community House Coffee Shop) * Come by after collecting your week's bounty & join us for a cup of coffee from the community house and a freshly baked pastery from one of the vendors! * Bring your favorite organic/local/sustainable related books or recipes. * Hosted by Laura Paynter and Heather Taylor, charlotte (at) eatingliberally.org
Concord, North Carolina * Second Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward * Sweet Pea Cafe, 16 Union St S (1/2 block south of Cabarrus & Union) * Hosted by Mark Ortiz, concordnc (at) drinkingliberally.org
Greensboro, North Carolina * Every Thursday, 7:00-9:00 pm * The Green Bean, 341 S Elm St * Hosted by Richard Rozzelle, greensboro (at) drinkingliberally.org
Raleigh, North Carolina * Every Tuesday, 6:00-9:00 pm * Players Retreat, 105 Oberlin Rd (right near Hillsborough Street) * Look for us in the room across from the bar, thru the doorway. * Hosted by Wallace Pankow and Dave Carden, raleigh (at) drinkingliberally.org
Wilmington, North Carolina * First and third Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward * Orton's, 131 N Front St * Hosted by Tom Schutte and Jimmy Cartrette, wilmingtonnc (at) drinkingliberally.org
Stubborn Liberal: These are the rants and raves of a stubborn-headed midwestern liberal. My goals are to speak my mind and educate others about some of the events in our world.
Jennifer Brady Candidate for State Representative - District 16 (Incumbent) Bay Village, Rocky River, North Olmstead, Fairview Park
Jennifer Brady is the Representative from the 16th Ohio House District. Progressive Majority endorsed Jennifer in 2006 because of her commitment to progressive values, activism in the community, strategic mindset and strong work ethic. In 2006, Progressive Majority was one of very few organizations to support Jennifer after the House Democratic Caucus wrote off her race. Since then, we have been working closely with her on strategy, field organization and fundraising. According to the Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett, ''The 16th District is the number-one Republican target for 2008.'' It is a must-keep if democrats are to take over the House. Traditionally, the 16th has been known as the most Republican district in Cuyahoga County, which made Jennifer's 2006 victory the pleasant surprise of the cycle for Progressives. The Republicans have recruited Nan Baker, a conservative member of the Westlake city council colloquially known as the ''Republican Jennifer Brady.'' Jennifer has been a progressive champion in the Assembly who refuses to vote against her values, thus displaying the courage and conviction that helped her win in 2006.
Matt Patten Candidate for State Representative - District 18 (Open Seat) Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, Berea, Strongsville, and North Royalton
Matt Patten is the Democratic candidate for the 18th Ohio State House District. Matt has a long history of activism and labor organizing and is currently a Regional Labor-Management Field Coordinator. The performance of the district is expected to improve even further as the popular Republican incumbent is jumping to the state Senate and his successor, Robert Spada, is considered far too conservative for this democratic-trending district. As a professional community organizer, Matt is a fearless champion for improving economic opportunity, education, and universal access to healthcare. He has the endorsements of local and statewide labor. This seat is a top-tier pickup in the quest for the four seats we need for a democratic majority in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Alternative Energy in Ohio:
Cincinnati Alternative Energy Meetup Meet other local individuals interested in exploring all forms of Alternative Energy. Discuss ways to preserve the world's resources and protect the environment! Go here for more info.
NEO Clean Energy Network Meeting in Akron. September 25th, 6:15 - 7:30pm
The Northeast Ohio Clean Energy Network consists of renewable energy enthusiasts with the initial goal of learning from each other by meeting, sharing resources, and participating in the Ohio Solar Tour and a quarterly lecture series will effectively demonstrate working clean energy applications to the public. This combined effort will facilitate clean energy awareness and gather information towards securing Northeast Ohio's sustainable energy future. Go here for more info.
Volunteers Needed! Multiple tours in all corners of the state. Learn how renewable energy is working for hundreds of Ohioans and can work for you! Encompassing sustainable features beyond solar energy, the statewide event features self-guided, guided or open house tours in all corners of the state and highlights a growing list of over 200 sites with solar, wind, biomass, green design and energy-saving technologies at homes, businesses, parks, schools, and other public sites. Get involved! Sponsorship and advertising opportunities exist [CLICK HERE for Sponsorship Opportunities], [CLICK HERE for Advertising Opportunities]. For more information call (614) 985-6131.
November 6, Evening Southwest Ohio Clean Energy Network Meeting. Location: Cincinnati State Technical College. 3520 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45223. Contact: James Kinsman solarperiod_at_mac.com
Here are some Drinking Liberally Groups in Ohio:
Cincinnati * Every Tuesday, 7:30 pm onward * Odd Tuesdays: Fries Cafe, 3247 Jefferson Ave * Even Tuesdays: The Pub at Rookwood Mews, 2692 Madison Rd * Hosted by Adam Bartel and Cheryl Crowe, cincinnati (at) drinkingliberally.org
Cleveland * Every Sunday, 6:00 pm * Sullivans Irish Pub, 13368 Madison Ave, Lakewood (Great food and lots of irish brews on tap) * Visit www.sullivansirishpub.net for more info on the venue * Hosted by Judy Novak, cleveland (at) drinkingliberally.org
Columbus * First Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm * Byrnes Pub, 1248 W 3rd Ave * Hosted by Jocelyn Krosky and Roger Denick, columbus (at) drinkingliberally.org
Dayton * Second Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm * The Oregon Express, 336 E 5th St * Hosted by Cari Kimmel, dayton (at) drinkingliberally.org
Toledo * Every Wednesday, 7:30 pm * Manhattan's, 1516 Adams St (Downtown Toledo; on Adams across the street from Adams Laundry) * Come and drink like a libreral at Manhattan's. We'll be talking politics, drowning our sorrows, * and making alchohol-fueled plans for America's future. * Hosted by Rebecca Golden, toledo (at) drinkingliberally.org
Maumee * Every other Wednesday, 8:00 pm * The Village Idiot, 309 Conant St * Hosted by Lori Wampler, Ken Stout and Leanne Kulzac, maumee (at) drinkingliberally.org
