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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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  • Sunday, August 21, 2011

    KANSAS FOCUS

    KANSAS BLOGS:

    LeftyBlogs Kansas is the place to find out what's happening in the progressive blogosphere across Kansas.

    Kansas Families for Education: Demanding Excellent Public Schools for All

    Kansas Prairie Net: Back road adventures, community commentary and essays. No deep philosophy, a little pandering to partisan views and plain talk. Blogging since June 2002 and old as dirt.

    Evolving in Kansas: Thoughts on science, evolution, education, religion, politics and more.


    COMMUNITY RADIO KANSAS:
    Kansas Public Radio strives to provide the highest quality arts and information programming that inspires, enlightens and entertains an increasing number of listeners.

    Lawrence, KS Public Radio: 91.5 FM
    Manhattan, KS Public Radio: 99.5 FM
    Emporia, KS Public Radio: 89.7 FM
    Junction City, Ks Public Radio: 91.3 FM

    Check out their program schedule here.


    CURRENT TV:
    Current TV, founded by Al Gore, includes some of the best journalism in America today. In particular their Vanguard series is amazing and should not be missed by ANYONE who wants to know in depth coverage of some of the major stories in the world. And now CurrentTV has Keith Olbermann as well.

    In most areas Current TV is available on:
    DIRECTV Channel 358
    DISH Network Channel 196
    Comcast Digital: Channel 107
    AT&T U-Verse: Channel 189

    Check out their program schedule here.


    SOME MYTHS ABOUT KANSAS STATE GOVERNMENT: (from Kansas Families for Education)

    MYTH: A “Taxpayer Bill of Rights,” or TABOR, would benefit Kansas taxpayers by forcing government to be more efficient.

    FACT: TABOR is an ideological scam that has been floated for years, but so far only one state out of 50 – Colorado – has fallen for its too-good-to-be-true promises. The results there have been a disaster. In the 10 years since TABOR passed in Colorado, its ranking among the 50 states fell from 25th to 37th in high school graduation rates, according to the American Legislative Issue Campaign Exchange. Colorado highways deteriorated to the point that the American Society of Civil Engineers gave its roads a “barely passing” grade. Dollars and Sense Magazine reports: “According to David Bradley and Nicholas Johnson at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, between 1991 and 2003—a period in which the percentage of children who are uninsured declined nationally—the proportion of low-income children who lack health insurance in Colorado rose from 15% to 27%. Colorado now ranks 48th in its level of taxpayer support of colleges and universities, down from 35th in 1992.”

    Now, Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, a Republican Conservative and one-time TABOR supporter, is leading a statewide campaign to suspend the law’s taxation and spending limits for five years to give the state’s economy an opportunity to recover from the damage TABOR has wrought.

    MYTH: A “Taxpayer Empowerment Act,” or TEA, would help enforce the will of a majority of Kansas taxpayers and voters.

    FACT:The TEA proposal floated by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation and State Rep. Brenda Landwehr would in fact allow a mere 40 percent of the electorate, or of the legislature, to block the will of the majority of voters or their representatives in the legislature. Under the TEA proposal Landwehr described to the Wichita Eagle, either 44 percent of legislators, or 41 percent of voters in a referendum, could veto a budget approved by the majority of voters and legislators. The small group obsessed with reducing any and all government spending could block the construction of prisons, the hiring of state troopers or emergency response measures for coping with tornadoes or floods.

    Why are they pushing this dubious legislation? Because they know that a majority of responsible Kansans does not support their extreme anti-tax, anti-government philosophy, and they need the “minority veto” provision to exert their will over the majority.

    For more myths, click here to go to the Kansas Families for Education website.


    SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL UNION:

    Click here for the Kansas AFL-CIO website to get involved in protecting your rights in the workplace. Click here for the AFL-CIO Action Center to see what you can do now.

    For more union info, contact:

    Kansas State AFL-CIO
    2131 SW36th St.
    Topeka, KS 66611
    Phone: 785-267-0100
    Email: ksaflcio@swbell.net


    Kansas Green Drinks Groups

    Every month people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks.

    We have a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business. Come along and you'll be made welcome. Just say, "are you green?" and we will look after you and introduce you to whoever is there. It's a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organising network.

    These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity. It's a force for the good and we'd like to help it spread to other cities. Contact your local node to get the latest info about coming along.

    There is a Green Drinks Group in Wichita. Click here for more info and to find out when/where the next meeting is.


    PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATIONS IN KANSAS:

    Kansas Equality Coalition:
    The Kansas Equality Coalition is a unified statewide group of fair-minded people who are determined to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We seek to ensure the dignity, safety and legal equality of all Kansans.

    Kansas Equality Coalition: Volunteer Here!

    Find local Equality events here.


    For those who like combining social and political activities, there is Drinking Liberally:
    Drinking Liberally Lawrence, KS:
    # Every Tuesday of each month, 8:00 pm
    # Free State Brewing Company, 630 Massachusetts (Ask for our table at the front desk)


    Kansas Democratic Party:

    Electing Democrats at all levels of government. Here is what the Kansas Democratic Party stands for:

    Kansas Democrats are committed to putting the people of Kansas first by promoting values and policies that advance the common good and expand opportunities for every resident of our state. Our core values call on us to make our state the best in the nation in which to live, work and raise a family, not just for ourselves, but for all Kansans.

    Kansas Democrats strongly believe in and seek to protect the freedom of the individual, while at the same time believing we truly are all in this together, and, as such, we all have a duty to be active contributors to the life of our communities. As individuals, we fulfill that duty in different ways, be that through involvement in charities, religious institutions, schools, community organizations, or the political process.

    Kansas Democrats believe that, as the expression of the democratic will of the people of Kansas, our government should serve all people and encourage their active participation in the political process regardless of their race, color, age, physical abilities, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

    Kansas Democrats also believe that government is at its best when it operates in the spirit of cooperation and compromise, rather than partisanship and enmity. We believe what brings us together is far stronger than what might push us apart, and therefore the opportunity to come together to advance the common good is always present.

    The Kansas Democratic Party asks the people of Kansas to examine our tradition of leadership, of upholding core Kansas values, and of promoting expanded opportunities for every Kansan, and to then join is in moving our state forward to an even brighter tomorrow.


    Find local Democratic events by clicking here.

    Local county organizations are the grassroots foundation of the Kansas Democratic Party. Find and join a Democratic organization in your community today. Click HERE to find information about your County Party.

    Sign up to Volunteer


    ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri: The mission of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri is to protect and defend the Constitutional rights and civil liberties of every individual in Kansas and Western Missouri regardless of creed, race, religion or other labeling through education, advocacy, and litigation. Learn more.

    # Join or start a local ACLU Community Taskforce.

    # Join one of our many active committees or issue taskforces.

    Contact the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri by calling: 816-756-3113.


    Sierra Club, Kansas Chapter:
    We are about protecting and enjoying our Kansas environment. We educate. We hike. We organize. We canoe. We litigate. We meet. We lobby.

    Some ongoing issues:

    Trains: Help Save Our

    TrainsWind Energy - A Clean Alternative

    Go here to see the latest alerts

    To search for Kansas Sierra Club outings, hikes, general meetings or committee meetings, CLICK HERE

    For Kansas Legislative News Updates, CLICK HERE


    KANSAS NAACP Branches: Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. From the ballot box to the classroom, the thousands of dedicated workers, organizers, leaders and members who make up the NAACP continue to fight for social justice for all Americans.

    Wichita, KS NAACP

    NAACP Lawrence-Douglas County NAACP: Meetings for the NAACP Lawrence-Douglas County branch are held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Gallery Room of the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont. The executive board will meet at 5:30 p.m. prior to the branch meeting.

    Topeka, Kansas NAACP: The Topeka Unit NAACP, has played an important role in the history of our City, State, and Nation. The greatest victory for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People took place in part right here in Topeka, Kansas, the Brown v. Board of Education.

    Meetings are the 4th Saturday of each month at 1:00 pm, Brown v. Board National Historic Site, 1515 SE Monroe. Find these and other Topeka events here.


    ALTERNATIVE FUELS:

    There are two kinds of alternate fuels that are readily available that lower your carbon foot print and use AMERICAN resources and create AMERICAN jobs rather than supporting big oil companies and oil nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Venezuela.

    ETHANOL: Cars labeled FlexFuel (now becoming common in some states) can use up to E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline). E85 burns cleaner than gasoline and is usually cheaper. I have used E85 in California and found it to be 10-40 cents cheaper than the cheapest gasoline at the same station. CLICK HERE TO FIND STATIONS IN KANSAS OFFERING E85. This can be a really good way to help the American economy, help the environment, AND save money.

    BIODIESEL: Biodiesel is clean, AMERICAN fuel that could be fueling many of our trains, trucks and diesel cars, as well as being used for heating fuel. All that while supporting American farmers, not Saudi oil shieks. Any diesel engine can use biodiesl. Here are some fuel stations in Kansas:

    Robson Oil: 101 S Cedar St. Abilene KS 67410, 785-263-2470, Offers B10 and B20 (good in any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS 24 HRS

    Sublette Coop: 500 W La Lande Ave Sublette KS 67877, 620-675-2252, Offers B10 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS 24 HRS

    Bird Oil Company, Inc: 3824 Railroad Ave Great Bend KS 67530, 620-793-5932, Offers B10 (good for any diesel engine),CREDIT CARDS 24 HRS

    Bird Express #203: 1000 Main Street Great Bend KS 67530, 620-792-7579, Offers B10 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS 24 HRS

    J.J. Oil: 1190 S Range Ave Colby KS 67701, 785-460-7362, Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). CREDIT CARDS OK; 7AM-8PM MON-SAT

    Frontier Equity Exchange: 428 Kansas Ave. Brewster KS 67732, 785-694-2281, Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS; 24X7

    Wallace County Coop: 525 S Main St. Sharon Springs KS 67758, 785-852-4279, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS 24 HRS

    Frontier Equity: Hwy 36 W Bird City KS 67731, 785-734-2331, Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine), CARDTROL AND CREDIT 7AM-5PM

    Robinson Oil: 710 N. VFW Rd Garden City KS 67846, 620-275-4237, Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine), SEASONAL

    Arc Valley Oil, LLC: 204 Avenue A W Syracuse KS 67878, 620-384-5313, Offers B10 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS 24 HRS

    Cenex: 201 E 8th St Hays KS 67601, 785-628-3061, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARD OK 7:30AM-5PM

    Midland Marketing: 105 N Washington St Plainville KS 67663, 785-434-4842, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS OK 24 HOURS

    Golden Valley Inc: 302 Locust St Burdett KS 67523, 620-525-6226 Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CASH ONLY; 8AM-5PM M-F

    ADM Collingwood: 28605 12 Rd Montezuma KS 67867, 620-846-2218, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CASH ONLY 7:30AM-5:00PM M-F

    Golden Valley Inc: 104 S Main St Rozel KS 67574, 620-527-4216, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CASH ONLY; 8AM-5PM M-F

    Midtown, Inc.: 919 Morgan Ave Downs KS 67437, 785-454-6219, Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARD; 24 HOURS

    Midtown, Inc.: 268 W US Highway 24 Downs KS 67437, 785-454-3562, Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARD AT PUMP; 24 HOURS

    R3 Energy LLC: 1722 210 Rd. Cottonwood Falls KS 66845, 620-273-1107, Offers B99 (good in newer biodiesel engines), CASH/CHECK

    Coop Grain/Supply: 303 South 3rd St. Marion KS 66861, 620-382-3981, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CASH ONLY OR CREDIT 8AM-5PM M-F

    Agri-Producers, Inc: 290th St and Main St Lincolnville KS 66858, 620-732-3315, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS 24 HRS

    Coop Grain and Supply: 121 Santa Fe St Hillsboro KS 67063, 620-947-3799, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS OK

    Coop Grain and Supply: 512 E. D Street Hillsboro KS 67063, 620-947-3917, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS 24 HRS

    LeRoy Coop Association: 505 6th St Le Roy KS 66857, 620-964-2288, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), 24 HOURS CREDIT CARD OK

    Woodson County Coop: 700 W Rutledge St Yates Center KS 66783, 620-625-2123, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS OK; 8AM-5PM; SAT 8AM-12PM

    Coop Grain: 113 W Main St Lehigh KS 67073, 620-947-3917, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CASH CREDIT 8-5 M-F

    Agri Producer, Inc.: 525 Santa Fe Durham KS 67438, 620-732-3315, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS 24 HRS

    Cenex: 301 W Walnut St Herrington KS 67449, 785-258-3202, Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS 24 HRS

    Healy Biodiesel: 205 W 1st St Sedgwick KS 67135, 316-992-3169, Offers B99 (good in newer biodiesel engines), CASH 7-5 M-F 8-1 SAT; CALL AHEAD

    Jones Service: 213 N Main St Melvern KS 66510, 785-549-3413, Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine), CREDIT CARDS OK; M-F 5AM-7PM; SAT 5AM-5PM


    FOOD COOPS IN KANSAS: My wife and I joined our local food co-op a few years ago and have been happy with both the prices and quality. I highly recommend.

    SE KS Buying Club:
    11th & Walnut
    Independence, Kansas 67301-
    Phone: 620-205-7095
    http://seksbuyingclub.wordpress.com/

    The purpose of the SEKS Buying Club is to provide members with high quality natural foods, at a reasonable cost while creating a supportive network.

    Our club consists of a great variety of different folks: those interested in bulk buying; vegetarians/vegans; special dietary needs such as wheat free or dairy free; and overall, people who want a better quality of healthy foods to choose from.

    Amazing Grains
    901 Mississippi
    Lawrence, Kansas 66044-
    Phone: (785) 841-5510

    Wichita Food Co-op
    925 N Waco
    Whichita, KS 67203
    For more information on membership please contact at info@wichitafood.coop
    Website: http://www.wichitafood.coop/index.php


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