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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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  • Friday, May 21, 2010

    Brooklyn, NY Focus

    KEEP WAL-MART OUT OF NYC:

    Bloomerg wants to help Wal-Mart open up in NYC even though Wal-Mart has been shown to deliberately destroy small businesses, use illegal immigrant labor paying them slave wages, and treating their workers badly.

    I don't mind big chain stores. I like IKEA and CostCo and Trader Joe's in particular. But Wal-Mart has been shown to be bad for communities they open up in.

    Wal-Mart has a gender discrimination suit against them still active: Meet the Woman Behind the Walmart Gender Discrimination Suit

    Learn about Wal-Mart’s Dismal Record on Worker and Customer Safety (PDF)

    Wal-Mart's Wage and Hour Violations (PDF)

    HELP STOP WAL-MART AND BLOOMBERG FROM RUINING NYC

    Go here to find out more. Bloomberg is a lost cause, but write NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Comptroller John Liu and tell them to stop Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart and Bloomberg are anti-union, anti-small business and anti-community. Let's get our Public Advocate and Comptroller fighting for us!


    BROOKLYN NEWS:

    Senator Montgomery Unviels "Smarth Growth" Agenda for NYS...here's a quote:

    "My legislation will create a coordinated approach to environmentally sound, safe and responsible development in New York State," said New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery (D-Brooklyn), Chair of Senate Children’s and Families Committee, noting that the legislation recognizes the State's necessary role in developing smart-growth principles and requiring adherence to the criteria as a condition of approving building projects. "As development increases, shortsighted and poorly planned suburban and urban sprawl continue to threaten the well-being and quality of life of for my constituents and residents statewide. This mission without vision cannot be allowed to continue."


    Judge Agrees to Consider Bias Claims in Brooklyn Zoning Suit

    Residents Plan to Protest Brooklyn Wal-Mart...And for those who need yet MORE reason to keep Wal-Mart out of NYC, here is some recent news from California: California Wal-Mart Workers Win Settlement Over Wage Violations...is THIS what NYC needs? I say no!

    Atlantic Yards Was Not the Way to Do a CBA

    State Department Visitor From Italy Given Tour Of Gowanus Canal Area By Members Of FROGG

    NBA's Nets Sold to Russian Billionaire

    On June 27th, Say Good-Bye To The B71 And B75 Bus Lines

    Jeffrey Edelstein Chosen As Neutral Facilitator For Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group

    Developers' Advocate Bill de Blasio: Eminent Domain Abuse Was Needed for Atlantic Yards Housing...Now you see, THIS is the kind of thing that I hate about Bill de Blasio. Using eminent domain in order to take private property from one private owner in order to give it to another private owner for his own profit is NOT in the public's best interest. In fact, it is ONLY in Ratner's best interest. And, I guess, de Blasio's since he gets a large amount of his political support because of his support of developers. More here: What's with this guy?

    Vito’s Bad Days Go Unreported...Just for the record, I, for one, did indeed report on Vito Lopez's increasing losses. And one rumor says he is threatening a primary challenge to Lew Fidler! I personally would LOVE to see Fidler wipe the floor with a corrupt Vito Lopez candidate.

    Now that we are FINALLY getting a proper clean up of the Gowanus Canal, it is time to discuss what comes next: Big Dreams Of Development Along The Gowanus: Realtors, Developers And Politicians Gathered To Discuss Future Of Gowanus Canal Area...more here: Gowanus Superfund News: Last Night, Gowanus Community Chose Between Two Neutral Facilitators For Community Advisory Group

    Amid all the hoopla about a shady Russian businessman buying the Nets for Ratner, this has been ignored: Ratings agency may downgrade tax-free arena bonds, cites uncertainty regarding taxable junk bonds

    VIDEO: Cops Seeking Suspect in Brooklyn Shooting

    Bloomberg is going too far: Firefighters union President Steve Cassidy says the mayor’s proposed cuts “threatens the safety of civilians and firefighters alike.”

    Now Bloomberg is cutting back help for HIV/AIDS sufferers


    BROOKLYN BLOGS:

    Pardon Me for Asking

    NO LAND GRAB

    Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn

    Bed-Stuy Blog

    Duffield St. Underground

    Brooklyn Streets, Carroll Gardens


    Democracy for NYC in Brooklyn:

    Democracy for New York City (DFNYC) is a volunteer-driven non-profit politicalaction committee. We are part of a national coalition of local groups committed to the ideals espoused by Democracy for America, the organization founded by Howard Dean.

    We work both locally and nationally to ensure that fiscally-responsible and socially-progressive candidates win elections at all levels of government. We develop innovative ways to advocate for the issues that matter to our members and promote legislation which has a positive effect in our communities. We engage people in the political process and give them the tools to organize, communicate, mobilize, and enact change on the local, state, and national level.

    Currently there is only one Brooklyn chapter:

    Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn - Meets First Wednesday of every month. 7:00pm, Wyckoff-Bennett Homestead 1669 E. 22nd St. with host Annette Mont and Estelle Glasser.


    Drinking Liberally Downtown Brooklyn:

    An informal, inclusive progressive social group. Raise your spirits
    while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher.
    Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place
    to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a
    book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent
    frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk
    politics.

    # When? First and Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
    # Where? 4th Avenue Pub, 76 4th Avenue


    Friends & Residents of Greater Gowanus (FROGG)

    We are a community based grass-roots organization advocating for environmentally sound community planning for the Gowanus Canal neighborhoods.

    The Gowanus Canal is a very unique resource for our community and all of New York. It has long historal significant as a pre-industrial and industrial transportation waterway in addition to playing a significant roll in the Battle of Brooklyn. This natural tidal estuary connects our urban world to the waters that surround us and opens our city to the natural habitat it was built upon. Even today, it provides an open sky, early industrial/estuary landscape that can not be matched anywhere in our city.

    With extensive urban Brownfields and an Aquatic Brownfield standing, we work to see this water way brought back to life with water quality standards that sincerely meet state standards for fishable and contact use; not only for the community but also for local wildlife.

    For more information: FROGGcommunity@earthlink.net


    PLASTIC RECYCLING IN BROOKLYN:

    Recycling of plastics not accepted in the city recycling can be done at the Park Slope Food Co-op at 782 Union Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

    Bring clean, dry plastic to the Coop's sidewalk during monthly recycling hours. We close up promptly. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the collection end time to allow for inspection and sorting of your plastic:

    2nd Sat., 10 AM-2 PM
    3rd Thur., 7 PM-9 PM
    Last Sun., 10 AM-2 PM.

    As of 2/16/09 and until further notice, we collect....

    * #1 and #6 transparent plastics (Labels OK. Mouth is wide or wider than the body, meaning NOT bottles.)
    * #5 plastic tubs, cups & specifically marked lids and caps. Must be especially clean and dry. (Discard any with paper labels, or cut the labels off.)
    * Plastic film and bubble wrap. 100% transparent only -- must be able to see through the plastic. No colored or opaque. No paper labels. Minimal writing OK.

    All the above must be brought to the Coop CLEAN AND DRY.

    These changes result from a significant decline in the worldwide market for recyclable materials that has affected recycling programs everywhere. Please be patient and cooperate with us as we adjust to these changes, as well as to any further changes that may be necessary.

    We are currently updating our literature and will make new fliers available as soon as possible. Or, contact us at plasticrecycling@foodcoop.com.

    And on a related note, you can help increase the demand for recycled plastic products by shopping through these companies that specialize in recycled plastic products (including lumber!!).


    BROOKLYN REFORM DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS:

    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.


    FOOD CO-OPS IN BROOKLYN:

    New Food Co-op Coming to Brooklyn: (info sent to me by a reader)

    They are not active yet, but their website is: http://www.foodcoopbayridge.com

    They are recruiting new members and looking to open summer/fall 2010.

    For more info, and if you want to get in at the start, you can email ( fcbrmembership@gmail.com ), call ( 347-247-8172 ) or follow them on Twitter (twitter.com/thefoodcoop) or on Facebook.

    Park Slope Food Co-op
    782 Union Street
    Brooklyn, New York 11215
    Phone: (718) 622-0560
    FAX: (718) 622-5685
    linda_wheeler@psfc.coop
    http://www.foodcoop.com/

    This is the largest Food Co-op in America. Joy and I are members. Low prices and high quality even if it can be a bit inconvenient at times.

    Flatbush Food Cooperative
    1318 Cortelyou Road
    Brooklyn, New York 11226
    Phone: (718) 284-9717
    FAX: (718) 284-9719
    info@flatbushfoodcoop.com
    http://www.flatbushfoodcoop.com/

    Established in 1976, and located on Cortelyou Road in the heart of Victorian Flatbush since 1985, Flatbush Food Coop is a community-owned, full-service natural foods store specializing in organic products. We are committed to serving the diverse community in which we are situated, and beyond, by providing goods and services that promote personal and environmental well-being. Like the 300 food coops across the nation with which we are affiliated, we are open to all—it is not necessary to be a member to shop. By joining the Coop, however, you become a joint owner of our business and are able to take additional savings on your purchases. There are opportunities for varying degrees of involvement in the coop, and our member-owners are able to influence the direction of our organization. We are particularly proud that the dozens of ethnic groups in Brooklyn’s most diverse neighborhood are reflected in our staff, our close to 3,000 members, and countless shoppers.

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