Mole's Progressive Democrat

Booze and Biofuels Meet: Making Whiskey and Fuel Side by Side

2012-01-25T23:35:00.001-05:00

Now this is the kind of entrepreneural spirit of innovation that I wish we had more of in America. But it falls to Scotland to start the process. A Scottish company is setting up to use the waste products from the whiskey industry to make a biofuel that can be used in existing car engines with a far smaller carbon footprint than using petroleum based gasoline. Good for the environment, good for energy independence, good for the economy, and it creates jobs as well (see, THAT'S how it's done!). From BBC News:

A new company has been formed to commercialise a process for producing biofuel made from whisky by-products.

Edinburgh Napier University's Celtic Renewables Ltd will initially focus on Scotland's £4bn malt whisky industry to develop biobutanol and other chemicals.

The company said biobutanol could be used as a direct substitute for fossil-derived fuel...

Celtic Renewables is now working with Scottish Enterprise to produce the biofuel from sustainable resources on an industrial scale.

Its fermentation process uses the two main by-products of whisky production - 'pot ale', which is the residue left in copper stills, and 'draff', the spent grains...

Research has suggested biobutanol provides 25% more power output than the traditional bioethanol.

Hear that? Why aren't we doing this in America? You don't even have to have specially modified engines to use the stuff. It can directly substitute for the stuff OPEC and their Republican allies have addicted us to. The article does include a small dig at the rest of the world:

Mr Ewing said: "Turning our whisky industry's by-products into raw materials for sustainable biofuels which can be used to power ordinary family cars is an example of the sort of innovative thinking Scotland excels in."

Yep...I really think America, led by the anti-education, anti-science, anti-small business Republicans, has lost the innovative spirit it had through most oft he 20th century. Republicans just want us to keep on being addicted to oil and want most of the profit to go into the pockets of the 1%. And they are willing to cut education and science to do it.

But maybe Jack Daniels wants to sign up to be next in line. They can help the planet and create local jobs in Tennessee. I'd certainly drink to that!

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South Caronlina Teaches America a Lesson

2012-01-22T09:01:00.000-05:00

Newt "traditional values, nudge nudge, wink wink" Gingrich's success in the South Carolina Republican Primary taught us that Southern Republicans hate traditional marriage. I expect them to finally endorse same sex marriage very soon.

Either that or this whole Republican lip service to "traditional values" is nothing but a load of hypocritical bullshit. Then again their claims of "fiscal responsibility" are about as credible as Newt's support for "traditional values."

Why would ANYONE trust a Republican anymore?

THE Key NY Race of 2012: Lew Fidler for State Senate

2012-01-18T15:43:00.001-05:00

Lew Fidler has finally officially announced his bid for the March 20 special election to replace the corrupt Carl Kruger. And let this be my official endorsement of Fidler and my call for my fellow reform and progressive Democrats to give him a hand.

Current City Councilmemer and candidate for State Senate Lew Fidler has intrigued me for some time. He and I are often on the opposite side of some of the divides in the Brooklyn Democratic Party, but his ability at times to bridge those divides and at times be a better spokesperson for the reform side than I am has impressed me. At two County Committee meetings in a row he was one of the strongest reform voices and the one most critical of the machine despite his machine ties. Of course it put at risk his machine ties, but he had no fear of that risk and preferred standing on principle rather than take the easy route. Not sure he ALWAYS does that, but it is clear that he has little fear and does not care too much about the easy route.

And the key thing for me was that he stood up to the machine, right in its face, several times and though this pissed off party boss Vito Lopez, Lew is too strong and too much of a fighter for Vito Lopez to take on. And I think that really is key: Lew Fidler doesn’t fear Vito Lopez and, if Vito fears anything after all he has been through, he may feel just a twinge of it when faced with Lew. I see Fidler as the only person who just might be able to bring Vito down (it would be a tough fight!) and Vito knows it, too. If nothing else, Lew has made clear to Vito’s face that Lew can and will stand up to a challenge from Vito. That is someone I want around.

Here, thanks to my friend Raul Rothblatt, is footage of Lew reaming the machine he is often allied with for going too far:

And I would love to see Lew Fidler go up against Republicans with that same lack of fear and make them feel the slight twinge that Vito may feel in Lew’s presence these days. Make no mistake, even though Fidler is far from as progressive as I would like and is certainly a moderate, Republicans do NOT want to face him in the State Senate. I’d say between Diane Savino and Lew Fidler speaking their minds with no fear, with intelligence and with no nonsense, Republicans would have many a bad day in the State Senate. Well and good and the best reason to support Lew.

But Lew Fidler has also always been open to discussing my criticisms and we have had many good discussions by email. Far more than many politicians he answers my emails and takes the time to discuss important issues. He doesn’t only listen to people who agree with him and THAT is also a quality I like.

I went to Lew Fidler’s official announcement for State Senate to replace the disgraced and disgraceful Carl Kruger, who I think should have been ousted LONG ago. In discussions with Lew long before it was clear he would run once Kruger was out, but it is good to see it official. I could have done without his opening act and some of his supporting cast, but those are people I am rather infamous for opposing sometimes quite vocally to their face. Lew is much better than some of the supporters who showed up at the announcement, and there were a few prominent folks I respect. Again, since Lew and I have often been on opposite sides of the reform-machine divide, it can be expected I may find myself nauseated by some of his creepier supporters (Marty Markowitz, disgraced judge Seddio and Dominic Recchia to name the three hardest to stand near), it is clear to me that they are there on Lew’s terms, not the other way around.

And for the record, here are my wife and me going up against disgraced judge Seddio of the Vito Lopez machine at the same meeting that Fidler did his thing in the video above:

Yeah...ain't my wife wonderful! AND she is a Karate teacher! So don't mess with me or she'll come after you!

Lew Fidler’s opponent is Soviet born Republican David Storobin, who represents some of the worst the Republican Party has to offer. Besides being typical of Republican support of the richest 1% over middle class and working class Americans (hell, name ONE Republican who isn’t??), Storobin seems frighteningly sympathetic to white supremacists, specifically the Afrikaner Independence Movement. My wife wonders why a Russian Brooklynite would wind up so tied to the Afrikaner Independence Movement (and is rather surprised there could even BE something so lame and pathetic as an Afrikaner Independence Movement), and it does suggest that Storobin has gone somewhat out of his way to forge such a link. And many white supremacist groups (e.g. Stormfront) love Storobin, so any qualms I might have of a few of Lew Fidler’s supporters pales massively in comparison to the disgust I feel at many of Storobin’s supporters.

Gatemouth has been the main person highlighting the links between Storobin and white supremacists, a sadly all too common link in the modern Republican Party (and that 100 years ago may be have more common among Democrats). See for example:

http://www.r8ny.com/blog/gatemouth/gatemouth_lays_down_the_gauntlet_a_challenge_for_david_storobin.html

http://www.r8ny.com/blog/gatemouth/david_stormfront_storobin_whitewashes_immigrant_bashers.html

http://www.r8ny.com/blog/gatemouth/the_lost_literary_legacy_of_david_storobin.html

Many are comparing the special election to replace the disgraced and disgraceful Carl Kruger to the special election to replace the rather foolish Andrew Weiner. And the comparisons are worth looking at partly as a warning (so far unheeded!) to Democrats and to look at the key differences.

The race to replace Anthony “step away from the keyboard” Weiner pitted Democrat David "Dry White Toast" Weprin (or should that be Dry Challah toast?) against Teabagger Bob “I never met a Billionaire I didn’t like” Turner. The race was a tough one because the district was trending fairly strongly Republican. Weprin was a weak candidate and fundamentally that is why he lost. But to outline the key reasons why Weprin lost and Weiner is replaced with a Teabagger are:

1. Weprin was a weak candidate
2. Progressives and reformers did almost nothing to help beat a Teabagger
3. The Vito Lopez machine did almost nothing to actually do their job and defeat a Republican
4. Religious Jews in the district betrayed Weprin (an Orthodox Jew) because they (ignoring huge volumes of Jewish History) put their own homophobic bigotry before even their own self interest
5. Weprin was a weak candidate.

Sadly, progressives and reformers in Brooklyn (and I consider myself part of both!) all too often get stuck in their own fantasies of finding the best progressive or reformer and will only too late realize that the consequences of their inaction mean another Teabagger screwing the 99% for the benefit of billionaires. That's what happened in last year's congressional race and I fear it will be a factor this year in the NY SD27 race.

Sadly the supposedly "Democratic" (if very undemocratic) Vito Lopez machine puts its own self interest and desire for power and patronage over defeating Republicans.

And also sadly, religious Jews often know more Torah than they do history and forget that when bigotry between minority groups divides those minotity groups, both groups wind up getting screwed. To borrow a phrase my wife often uses about Democrats, the religious Jews allowed themselves to be divided and conquered by the far more bigoted Republicans. I should note the one time I got troll rated to all hell was when I referred to this foolishness by religious Jews in their betrayal of Weprin, and it was largely my fault for various reasons. But the fact remains the religious Jewish community and their bigotries and their gradual shift to the right is something Democrats have been too long ignoring and we LOST A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT LAST YEAR because we were ignoring it.

Overcoming any one, let alone all, of these requires a strong candidate. And therein is the massive difference between the race to replace Weiner and the race to replace Kruger.

Lew Fidler is far from a weak candidate. Already the machine has shown they are not sitting this one out (despite Fidler's standing up to Vito Lopez to his face), so already Democratic turnout will be higher than for Weprin. Fidler also has been better able to navigate the Byzantine relationships within the highly divided and divisive religious Jewish community in Brooklyn than Weprin was, and so looks to do very well in the main group that defeated Weprin. I wonder if the reform and progressive Democrats will learn from last year's fiasco, but already most of the reasons why Weprin lost are swept aside by Fidler.

Storobin’s main source of support (Afrikaner separatists aside) is the Russian community, which is strong. But whereas Weprin seemed either willing to cede territory to his opponent or unable to contest it whether willing or not, Fidler on day one fearlessly heads straight into enemy territory by challenging Storobin for the Russian votes. Fidler doesn’t have to WIN the Russian votes, just make it a lot harder for Storobin to lock it up and Fidler has already succeeded at least part way in doing that.

I am by no means saying Fidler WILL win. On paper Fidler has an even tougher time than Weprin. But never underestimate the value of a strong candidate or the disadvantage of a weak candidate. Democrats tend to lose even against overwhelmingly good odds when they field weak candidates. They tend to win even against overwhelmingly bad odds when they field strong candidates. So I think this will be a hard fought race and Fidler is no shoe in, but my money is on Fidler. I supported Weprin (because honestly he would have made a good Congressman) but never thought he had a strong chance. With Fidler I think we have a good shot.

And maybe I can look forward to a combined Diane Savino/Lew Fidler assault putting the fear of G_d into State Senate Republicans and maybe some backbone into the Democrats.

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2011 New York City Council Human Rights Report Card

2012-01-11T16:24:00.001-05:00

I found this buried in an email Rock Hackshaw sent around. This score card is from the Human Rights Project. The score card (in PDF form) can be found here.

The scorecard is VERY detailed and I can't do it justice in a short post. They cover homeless issues, race issues, gender issues including LGBT issues, poverty, etc.

Among the WORST rated council members is Chirstine Quinn. She gets a miserable 12% rating. Keep in mind this is the person who wants to be Tsarina...er, I mean MAYOR of NYC. She gets zero ratings for workers' rights, criminal/juvenile justice, disabled rights and voting rights and a very low score for housing rights. Is THIS what we want for mayor? Someone who is bad for workers, justice, disabled people, housing and voting rights?

In fairness, I want to look into the past records of former city council members who are competing with Quinn for mayor. Both Bill de Blasio and John Liu moved on from the City Council in 2009, both having refused to participate in Bloomberg's Third Term Power Grab the way Lap Dog Quinn did. So de Blasio and Liu BOTH are already better than Quinn on that issue alone to me. But let's compare Quinn, de Blasio and Liu in the 2008 and 2009 score card: (ranking system presented a bit differently each year it seems)

Christine Quinn: a mediocre 45% average score in 2008 and got a "C" for 2009.

Bill de Blasio: a mediocre 58% average score in 2008 (ranked 11th highest scoring council member) and a 2009 rating of "B" (8th highest scoring council member so made the top 10 list that year).

John Liu: an 61% score in 2008 (8th highest scoring council member so on the top ten list) and a 2009 rating of "A" (4th highest scoring council member, so also on the top ten list).

So Quinn is clearly the WRONG candidate for Human Rights. John Liu does BEST with Bill de Blasio coming in second. Note that Borough Presidents would not be rated on these score cards so I can't compare them.

The top scoring City Council members in 2011 are:

Melissa Mark-Viverito. Manhattan Council District # 8 – Democrat (Score: 90%)

Helen D. Foster. Bronx Council District # 16 – Democrat (Score: 88%)

Letitia James. Brooklyn Council District # 35 – Democrat (Score: 88%)

Jumaane D. Williams. Brooklyn Council District # 45 – Democrat (Score: 86%)

Charles Barron. Brooklyn Council District # 42 – Democrat (Score: 80%)

Brad Lander. Brooklyn Council District # 39 – Democrat (Score: 74%)

Gale Brewer. Manhattan Council District # 6 – Democrat (Score: 73%)

G. Oliver Koppell. Manhattan Council District #11- Democrat (Score 65%)

Jimmy Van Bramer. Queens Council District #26- Democrat (Score 65%)

I want to note that included on this list are council members I have agreed with and ones that I have disagreed with in the past. I will say that I am happy that Tish James is among the top, and congrats to Brad Lander, who I have had many a run in with, for making the top.

Let me emphasize a few things. First, one of the best parts of the score card is its analysis of the City Council process itself. It shows that basically a bill has little shot of even having a hearing let alone being voted on if it doesn't have either the support of the mayor or the speaker. This emphasizes something I have said MANY times: NYC has one of the weakest City Councils I have seen, almost 100% dominated by the mayor and his lap dog speaker, Quinn (hat tip to the attendees of my Eating Liberally group last night who used "Bloomberg's lap dog" to discuss Quinn). NYC is possibly the least democratic of cities. Now I have only seen it under Republicans like Giuliani and Bloomberg, so a don't know if it was different under a Democratic administration, but I somehow doubt it. Certainly it is clear Quinn, a Democrat, would be just as dictatorial as Tsar Bloomberg.

Second I want to emphasize that this scorecard doesn't cover ALL important issues, so I would not use this as my only way to judge a council member, but it does cover some extremely important issues, particularly ones taken up by Occupy Wall Street, so politicians who got a low score should look to their record a bit.

In particular I found myself checking up on politicians I endorsed or who are running for other offices soon. I also checked some of the folks I generally have not liked to see how my choices fare.

Margaret Chin, who I endorsed, got a 54% rating...not as high as I would have liked to see! Daniel Dromm is another one I endorsed (and recently saw at a fundraiser for John Liu) and he also got a not bad but not great 56%. I also endorsed Diana Reyna, and she gets a mediocre 30%. Debra Rose, who I endorsed but admit I came late to that race and was only weakly involved in her race, gets a 53%. Jimmy van Bramer I believe I at least initially endorsed gets a good 65% rating. Al Vann who I have criticized gets 59%.

Mathieu Eugene, who was a mediocre, hand picked successor to Yvette Clarke best known for finding it very difficult to prove his claims to having an MD degree, gets a low 24%. Sadly, Lew Fidler, who I have gotten to know and like, got a low 26%, mainly doing poorly on Voting Rights and Workers' Rights. My own city council member Steve Levin got a mediocre 28%. Again Voting Rights was one of his weakest points but so was criminal/juvenile justice. Peter Vallone, jr. gets a miserable 12%, competing with Quinn for worst city council members on human rights.

The horribly corrupt and nasty Dominic Recchia gets a mediocre 25% rating. Particularly bad on criminal/juvenile justice, voting rights and disabled rights.

Peter Koo, a Republican who took over a previously Democratic seat in Queens, got a miserable 16% rating. He was particularly bad on disabled rights, voting rights, workers' rights and criminal/juvenile justice. In general the handful of Republicans on the City Council scored very poorly. The highest was only 22% (Halloran) and most were in the 10-15% range. To be fair, though there are no highly rated Republicans on the council, there are plenty of Democrats who score as poorly, Quinn herself being a prime example.

These ratings aren't the only way we should judge candidates, but when someone gets consistently bad ratings (like Quinn, Recchia, etc) there is no way they deserve our support. Consistently good ratings (like John Liu and Tish James) should be taken into account when choosing candidates to support.

BACKGROUND

The Human Rights Project's mission is:

The Human Rights Project (HRP) works to improve the lives of New Yorkers living in poverty with a particular focus on women and people of color. We do this by monitoring and advocating for government compliance with universal human rights standards, especially the human rights to employment, housing, health, food, education and other economic and social rights.

HRP has been at the forefront of the U.S. human rights “movement” for the past several years, demonstrating new models of applying human rights in the U.S., and in particular in New York City, to effectively advocate for the City’s most vulnerable across a range of issues. The U.S. constitution falls short in guaranteeing the right to health, housing, education, standard of living and other rights necessary to live in dignity. In combination with a legacy of structural discrimination, particularly through race and gender, and limits on rights that are protected, those most vulnerable in society have little recourse. The human rights framework and tools bring new possibilities in the face of limited remedies, and hope where there is despair.

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Musical Discovery: The Music of Mali

2012-01-04T22:25:00.001-05:00

The Putumayo collections of music are a wonderful way of discovering new music from parts of the world you have never thought of. I was introduced to them, interestingly, by my son back when he was 3 and 4 years old. When we visited California we would always visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. And we would always stop at the gift shop and my son would consider whether he would spend his souvenir option there or somewhere else. More recently he has moved on to other sources of souvenirs (always interesting) but initially he was always interested in listening to the various samples of Putumayo CD collections and he would pick one for his souvenir.

During his excursions into the Putumauyo CD collection, the African selection, the Women of Africa Selection and the Mali selection each caught his attention, and I tip my hat to his choices because they all are amazing collections.

All three are fantastic...but today I want to highlight music from Mali. One artist from the Women of Africa collection I have highlighted before is Afia Mala, a Royal Princess of Togo and Benin.

Perhaps surprisingly, Mali is one of the more democratic nations in Africa. A co-worker of mine was surprised that Mali is where the famous city of Timbuktu is...a city I would love to visit someday even though I hear it has declined from its former glory. Timbuktu was once a rich, major trading site along the Niger River, connecting sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa, where salt, gold, ivory and slaves were traded in huge amounts.

Mali cuisine seems mostly to be a mixture of North African dishes (like Couscous) and Senegalese dishes. It is very much the juncture between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Sadly, I don't think I will have much chance of trying some of the wonderful sounding dishes from Mali, short of cooking them myself (an option I may well attempt!) or visiting Mali itself (again, an option I would like to explore if I get the chance).

Now Mali is something of a backwater, and yet it manages to be one of the most democratic and forward looking nations in Africa. Though predominantly Muslim, it is also one of the few nations in Africa where homosexuality is not outright illegal. This does not mean that Mali is a paragon of civil liberties in a global context, but it does manage to be one of the more democratic nations despite its poverty. It has some dangers because of attempts of al-Qaeda related groups to establish themselves in the country, but so far Mali has done wonders at keeping such groups at bay. Mali may be one of the few Muslim nations of North Africa I would, as a Jew, feel fairly comfortable visiting.

But what strikes me is that when I listen to the Putumayo collection of music from Mali, I absolutely LOVE each and every song. There is not one song on that CD that I am even ambivalent about. It is one of my favorite CD's of all time. Generally I have no idea what they are singing about, but the sound of it is amazing.

Seemingly the most famous musician from Mali is Habib Koite...and here is a haunting, beautiful song from the Putumayo collection.

He also has a gorgeous song on the Putumayo Africa collection:

One of my favorites from the album is Moussa Diallo's Maninda:

Then there is Amassakoul 'N' Tenere by Tinariwen which strikes me as more generally "Musilm" in sound, if such a generalization is even close to valid, and slightly less uniquely Mali...but it is still super cool:

Here Kélétigui Diabaté's version of a traditional piece, Koulandian:

Habib Koite also performs this piece (not from the Putumayo collection), though I personally like Kélétigui Diabaté's version better:

This one is amazing (not from the Putumayo collection)...Gershwin's Summertime performed by two of Mali's top musical geniuses, Keletigui Diabate and Habib Koite:

I am blown away by that one!

Another haunting one, by Boubacar Tranore, is this one:

I urge my readers to explore the Putumayo collections. I don't connect with all of them, but they all are quality collections of amazing artists. The African ones in particular have greatly expanded my musical tastes, and the Mali collection is quite possibly my favorite. And it led me to look into the nation of Mali more than I might have. If I ever have the time and money, it is one of the nations I would love to visit, not least for the chance to visit Timbuktu!

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A Sad Note!

2011-12-30T00:02:00.004-05:00

I said this blog was on hold, but here is news that got me crying. One of my first and most brilliant readers has died and I want to honor her memory.

Margaret was a Culture Kitchen blogger for awhile and, while there, was one of our best bloggers. She moved on long ago, and I always missed her presence at CK. But she went on to what she considered bigger and better things. In her 80's she discovered her public voice and I am proud I was one of the people who encouraged and helped her find that voice.

This comes late because I mainly interacted with Margaret Bassett by email. So if I didn't hear from her, I didn't think much about it. But I knew she was over 80. She was a subscriber to my Progressive Democrat Newsletter from the beginning soon after the 2004 election. She had seen me as something of a hope for the future in messaging, something I think she overrated me on, but I was flattered and tried to live up to.

Today I sent out a message to my subscribers that my writing of the Progressive Democrat Newsletter had clearly been on hold for over a month and I wasn't sure if/when it would come back.

One email bounced. It was the first time Margaret's email bounced in all the time she read my stuff. So it caught my attention immediately. It sent a shiver down my spine. So I did a quick google search and discovered what I feared...Margaret had died, back in August, at the age of 89. I cried.

[NOTE: Damn! In the preview I realize that a lot of the old material I post has formatting problems, but it is midnight and I am sad at her passing, and I don't have the attention span to fix everything...Margaret's brilliance speaks for itself even with formatting errors!]

Margaret was an original FDR progressive just like my grandmother. She was about 20 years younger than my grandmother, but clearly they had experienced many of the same things and their political lives had been very similar. Margaret somehow connected with my blogging and for a brief period I was her connection (from where she lived in Red Tennessee) to liberal politics. She wrote me often and we had long discussions by email from which she drew inspiration and I learned a lot. I quoted her in my writing, seemingly to her surprise and pride. She forwarded my newsletter to others, to my surprise and pride.

Eventually her blogger presence developed beyond my newsletter, extending to MyLeftWing, Culture Kitchen and Political Cortex, and then to OpEdNews where she became something of a force of nature. Most of my writing that ended up at OpEdNews was thanks to her. And she sent me a lot of their stuff as well.

But my favorite material from her was on the blog Culture Kitchen. I recruited her for Culture Kitchen. She was on it for only a brief period, but she participated in some amazing discussions about race in America that blew everyone away. I am sorry I can't link to these amazing discussions because Culture Kitchen is currently in limbo because of a conflict between our wonderful publisher and the (evil?) site host, but trust me, people of ALL races were moved by Margaret's comments on the history of race in America.

She left Culture Kitchen, to our loss, when she became active with OpEdNews. From what I gather OpEdNews gained from our loss. From then on she would occasionally comment on my Progressive Democrat Newsletter, more occasionally post something from my newsletter to OpEdNEws, and also would send me info from OpEdNews. For some years if I didn't hear from her for awhile I would get worried. In fact she was one of two people I would worry about if I didn't hear from. Margaret I worried about because of her age, and another blogger I recruited for Culture Kitchen, Leo Igwe of Nigeria, I worried about because he was a Humanist activist fighting Christian and Muslim fanatics in Nigeria. Leo has been beaten, arrested, and generally attacked over the years I knew him, so I learned to check in with him from time to time. Margaret always seemed so alive and almost immortal, so I stopped worrying if I didn't hear from her.

So it didn't even register that I had lost touch with her. I guess it doesn't matter, since she seems to have been alert and emailing up to the day before her death, so it isn't like I missed that she was dying. But somehow I wish I had caught on SOME time between now and last August. But I didn't and so today I found out. It hit me like a punch in the stomach.

This is the last article Margaret shared with me in the very last email I got from her back in May: http://www.alternet.org/story/151101/how_our_government_has_merged_with_corporations

But previous to that she had particularly thanked me for the intro I did to a December 2010 issue of the Progressive Democrat. She just commented on how much she liked it. This was the intro she liked:

Last week this headline was overlooked by too many people:

Auto Industry Bailout Saved 1.4 Million Jobs

Remember, Republicans OPPOSED this! Democrats passed the Auto Industry Bailout over Republican objections and THANK GOD they did because that saved 1.4 million American jobs. Now we need a Green Energy Stimulus, because that could CREATE a large number of American jobs, but of course Republicans tend to oppose ANYTHING that creates American jobs and instead support policies that help foreign oil companies, offshore banks and multi-nationals who outsource American jobs...

We must never let the voters forget this fact.

Democracy for America recently reminded me, in our of their fundraising letters, of a VERY important fact for all Democrats to keep in mind:

Looking at Congressional races in 2010, 96% of the Progressive Caucus won re-election while only 47% of the Blue Dogs won.

I happen to like some Blue Dogs, but the basic fact is that as a caucus they have made the dismal mistake of becoming too much like Republicans and when Democrats start to look too much like Republicans they eventually lose. Democrats win by clearly differentiating themselves from Republicans. Which leads me to another reminder...

For those who have read this newsletter for some time you know that I have often plugged a book that in some ways should be required reading for ANY Democrat: Drew Westen's "The Political Brain." Simply put the book analyzes how people vote and why, and shows how Democrats too often campaign in away that does not appeal to most voters even when most voters agree with the Democrats more on issues. Republicans, even though they usually take unpopular stands that hurt middle class and working class Americans, can often win the voters over because they campaign in a way that works better at getting votes. Drew Westen then outlines how Democrats can better appeal to voters while still being true to their values. For any Democrat who wants to win, read this book...now more than ever. And pass the book on to any Democrat you know of running for office or working on a campaign.

We're going to miss this guy:

Alan Grayson was one of the VERY few Congressional Representatives who really was completely up front, honest and told it like it is. He didn't hide the truth even when it made him unpopular. As I recall Harry Truman was admired for the same quality, even though it hurt him politically. I am proud that it is usually Democrats who are willing to put truth before popularity. Popularity comes and goes. But the truth is far more valuable. We need more people like Alan Grayson in Congress!

To me this was a run of the mill, off the cuff intro to my usual newsletter of facts, links and organizations to get involved with. In retrospect it was the last time my writing inspired her. That means something to me.

But looking back through our correspondence, I want to share a key email from 2007:

Article published Aug 29, 2007

We are all in this world together

Dear Editor:

Thank you for the editorial in the Aug. 22 issue, and also for the two thought_provoking letters you printed. Perhaps it is because the weather has been very hot and I spend time indoors reading, finding news online, and watching C_Span, but it seems to me that we are all more sensitive to a wider world with many troubles. Bridges fall. Hurricanes wreak havoc. Drought or floods destroy. And thereâ€™s war.

So Iâ€™m glad you take pen to paper, so to speak, to point out that reporters track the making and selling of weapons. This is not what we think of when we proclaim that a person should have the right to bear arms.

And through it all, we are talking about America in Iraq. I personally was adamantly against a pre_emptive strike into Iraq. I watched and listened as I heard how many months it would take to get the gear all in place for the invasion. What I wondered about was how difficult it would be to get the stuff back out. Of course, some would be used up. But how about explosives? Might they not be used for destructive reasons? The editorial, based on an AP report, gives numbers which make me think that guns multiply faster than rabbits.

Itâ€™s our country, and all of us in it need to think of ways to put an end to the folly. Would impeachment help? Should we just ride it out and then let the Democrats take the heat if they win the next election? So many questions.

To me, we must recognize that we are in this together. Letâ€™s get real and waste no time in trying to shove the blame on someone else. Letâ€™s think of positive solutions and expect our leaders to carry them out.

So I hope you will continue to lay out facts. During these past six years it seems that the media has given us few solid facts and a lot of opinions. And I hope if you do give us the hard truth that no one will shoot the messenger.

Yours truly,

Margaret Bassett

That was one of her letters she was proud of and sent me to circulate, and I DID circulate it.

Here is an email she sent me on immigration and a global perspective:

As a school girl, I spent summer Sunday afternoons in our empty schoolhouse, wondering what the pastel countries around the old globe were like. And I would pick a country and study what I could find in the World Book. All the while, I thought that the change of colors did not mean a big wall. More confusing still was whether various colors of people were expected to stay in their designated nations. Perhaps I came to this quandary because I saw real life evidence contradicting the lines. We all were from other states. Homesteading in our part of Wyoming happened after World War I. Our neighbors were from other statesâ€“Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, mostly. I reasoned our parents pioneered because they were looking for a better place to live.

In high school, I learned enough history to understand how religious freedom and better working conditions brought people across the oceans. They were largely the working poor and willing to become scullery maids and ditch diggers until they learned English and studied the Constitution. Then they could become citizens. Exceptâ€”Orientals were discouraged and could work on railroads, but could not bring their families or gain citizenship.

In college, I learned the details of the 1924 immigration law. It was necessary to make a change because women had become voters in the US. They could become citizens of another country by marrying an alien, but they would have to give up their American citizenship. As a matter of fact, it was generally believed that all persons lost their citizenship of another country when they were naturalized. One way for men (women were still not in the military) to gain citizenship was to join the army and serve honorably. There were a lot of "ifs" in common lore about US citizenship.

After college and WWII, rules changed quickly to allow for those who sought relief from being displaced from earlier homes. They were generally referred to as DPâ€™s, displaced persons. Prelude to that was the arrival of refugees during the war, if lucky enough to reach the other side of the Atlantic. My personal experience included weekends at Scattergood, the Quaker settlement at West Branch, Iowa which is the home of Herbert Hoover. Some of us students would spend time helping the Friends who were orienting recent arrivals of Jewish families. And there went my ditch digger analogy! Many of the men were doctors or professors. To polish their English was what they craved mostly, for they saw language as necessary to regain their former positions. It seemed incomprehensible to some that they would have to take refresher courses and pass new examinations to become licensed when they were well-established in their professions.

The Cold War brought other refugees, usually referred to as dissidents. And then the tide turned when Cubans and Haitians and later Central Americans claimed refugee status. By that time we had to recall what we had learned in high school history. The Monroe Doctrine had clearly emphasized that the Americas were for the Americans. During WWII, under the Good Neighbor Policy, those south of the border were courted for the contributions they could make in fighting totalitarianism. It became more than just semantics when my Latin American friends reminded me that it was incorrect to refer to citizens of the United States of America as Americans. They were Americans, too.

Fast forward to the demonstrations of the past few months. The rhetoric was heavy during the 2004 presidential campaign, but by 2006 there was action in the streets. I guess our country had a Latino problem.

Latino has become a term to describe someone who lives in the Western Hemisphere in some place other than Canada and the United States. So those who speak Spanish, Portuguese and French have an inclusive adjective. It tells nothing about country of origin. The term Hispanic narrows citizenship to those nations where Spanish is the official language. And still there is little that the words tell about a group of people who live in America and want to come to the United States.

The question of political importance at this time is how does the United States respond to a surge of population which comes from other countries, whether by legal or illegal means. They chance to make a living in our country better than in theirs, or else they wouldnâ€™t uproot themselves from a culture they like. Their religion is universal. They may differ on who the next Pope should be, but they recognize that the Pope has a commanding presence in all parts of the world.

But, oh, us Gringos! We donâ€™t understand that for centuries we have sent in the Marines to do what James Monroe, Teddy Roosevelt, and others declared to be in the interest of ourselves. After all, we stole a good part of our territory from the Mexicans.

And then there are the folks in places like Tennessee. Without Tennesseans perhaps the Panama Canal would not have been built, because that is where much of the labor came from. In that regard, I have an interesting story from my days of studying Constitutional Law in Iowa. One of my fellow students had a father from Tennessee and a mother from Panama. He was born in Panama, but not in the Zone. Did he have US citizenship? Should they have taken him to the Consulate when he was 21? (Never heard the end of the story, because by then 1945 had come and things were changing.)

Iâ€™ve lived in Tennessee since 1977 and I never hear about how Tennesseans helped make the Panama Canal. We do celebrate how Sam Houston, who once taught school a few miles from here, fought in Texas. He was Tennessee governor and is a big name in history.

But Iâ€™m hearing a lot about "those," "them people" or "Latinos." Folks who have lived here all their lives, worked hard, and enjoyed some success will speak about "the ones coming in" as though there is a threat. Largely it has to do with language. Why donâ€™t they speak English? And why do they rent an apartment and then bring a whole bunch of others to live there too? Itâ€™s classic concern for "there goes the neighborhood." But the language makes a starting point for a debate over educating their children, providing welfare, and more classic gripes that have confronted other new groups of immigrants.

For my part, I donâ€™t worry about the language. In my young, innocent college days I was pretty good in Spanish, even to translating El Cid, not that it helps me anymore than it does others who complain about not understanding. I do have a slight ability to detect country of origin according to accent. But dialect! Those people who espeak Espanish canâ€™t understand each other at times.

So now we have to talk about a delicate issue. Is there animosity between Hispanics and African-Americans. In Chicago there were many Puerto Ricans when I lived there, and no love lost between them and blacks. After a couple of friendly attempts, I backed off from the explanation that Borrenquenos are US citizens, too. There was the reaction I have come to recognize as "hair standing on the back of neck." At some point in discussing generally how all people have good points and some a few strange ones, there comes a superstitious fear. And that will be what will accompany many voters to the booth this fall. I feel truly baffled about what politicians should and can do to make firm commitments on their position. We may decide that there was an ironic e1oquence in the Senateâ€™s vain attempt.

But all of this has been a digression from my first paragraph. Where my heart was in the 30's is where my moral values take me in this century. However, I long ago gave up on believing that nations solve real problems of people who decide to breach borders. Actually, it can be said that nationalism is itself the problem. At this time, the Bush administration is looking at the enemy as having no borders. Why not? We have journalists without borders. Doctors without borders. Why not banditos without borders? Manuel Noriega and Osama bin Laden are both enemies of our Nation.

I get a little facetious about Nafta. Consider: now the textile industry moves its operation to Honduras; natives can no longer make a living in those factories so they go to Mexico; Mexicans are having a harder time of finding work so they cross the Rio Grande; and the "illegals" work for peanuts and make the Anglos mad for ruining the wages on their old jobs. And the irony is politicians talk about Nafta as needing a tune-up to see that labor is paid a decent wage and enjoys healthy working conditions. Duh!

I also want to post an email she sent me in Dec. 2005 that is interesting to review given what has happened since:

Your newsletter this week was, in Christian-speak, almost an epiphany. It reminded me of how much I took Al Gore's book to heart before the 2000 campaign. To be good stewards, the three ingredients of living are sometimes referred to as giving of time, talent and treasure. When you think of it, there isn't enough money in the world to heal an injured planet. Some can get jollies by taking their excesses to the recycle bin. But really all we have is ourselves in whatever form. And for a lot of us these days it starts at the keyboard. As long as we don't buy everything on the pop-ups.

There is a stealth issue, which most don't care to address. Rampant consumerism is what is messing up the nation. Any time one-third of GDP is considered to come from production and twice that much from consumers, we are headed for a meltdown. Yet, should we all start living within our means while saving some for our old age (Money can be described as congealed energy.), it's not just WalMart's stock which will plummet. If Bernanke refuses to print money for spendthrifts, those with the least of it are hurt the most. Before they beatify Greenspan I hope I can say that he did us no favor by making a red hot housing market. My observation is that Boomers, those who worry most about their entitlements, were conned by low interest rates. They cashed in 401k money to put in real estate. From my perspective their peers are the wheelers and dealers in politics and finance. I hope someone learns how to make a soft landing. And, for those who are raising young families, they've got a lot to think about before they answer all the Christmas ads with their plastic.

Well, that's my Scrooge message of the day. Keep up the good work!

You can see she was a bright, thoughtful woman!

Here is another fascinating email she sent me in 2005 while we were, over many months, still getting to know eachother:

David: Thereâ€™s more heat than light coming out of Washington these days, and I tune in c-spans and PBS and wonder where weâ€™re headed. Then I log on to my favorite back fence sites and that doesnâ€™t help much either. Jim Lehrer tonight featured a piece asking editors from other part of the country how their readers saw the filibuster question, to which they mostly replied only the activists cared and it hadnâ€™t touched most of the folks. "Grassroots" came into my head and I wondered about the term. The Nashville paper (not the Tennessean) said "folks" just hadnâ€™t got interested in it yet. And then thereâ€™s little old me!

Iâ€™m a walking time warp. When my father homesteaded in Northeastern Wyoming in 1918 he was in his mid-thirties. My mother, whom he met out there was younger, but she too was 18 when WWI ended. My three siblings and I were all born before the stock market crash. When FDR declared a bank holiday I already knew about how some people in other states had lost their farms when the banks went out of business. By the time I was through high school, many of my men teachers had left for the service to get a better commission. Times were tough on the farms still. I worked my way through college for five years at the University of Iowa and got out just as VJ Day came. In Washington on my first real job, I saw government workers re-align their assignments because all returning veterans were given extra points when they applied for jobs. After that, I spent a maturing period in the City, with a yearâ€™s timeout in Copenhagen. I met my husband in 1952 when I took a trip out West for the summer. The sour taste of Joe McCarthyâ€™s capers shoved me away from a future in international education. But I could always work. I was a good typist, and the first thing I learned in college was to be a good waitress. My husband and I followed resort restaurants in the beginning and then moved to Chicago in 1955 where we made a stake through 1977. Then we bought a fixer-upper in Maryville, TN. We had no company pensions, and I was too young for SS and Medicare for what seemed like a long time. We made it on the proceeds of a few investments and his Social Security check. I would be in deep trouble today except that in the 90's I was able to get ahead of the curve on inflation. It nearly flattened us during the 80's when double digit increases came for material to re-model the house. Now, I manage to pay fair market rent in the elder housing where I moved six years ago. Iâ€™ve been widowed 12 years (today, as a matter of fact) and could have moved easily, but I like it here. No family in the State but lots of friends.

When I took up gardening and canning and making our everyday clothes again, just as we had done in Wyoming, I didnâ€™t feel out of place. My neighbors were just like the people I grew up around. Many of them were a few years older than I and I learned the way to live on Social Security and to fight the Medicare rules. After my husband died, and there were new younger families with children, I became involved in the lives of the young. It was not easy for working class families in the 90s. I could supplement their scarce time by giving what I hope would be enrichment. The children had things, but little else in my view. I cancelled all but basic cable and ordered edutainment CDâ€™s after my sister gifted me with a computer. It is what I consider to be my way of paying back for 21 years of Social Security checks.

I lived in early life what can best be described as 19th Century. After formal schooling and some jobs I jumped to the 20th. I was just about ready to believe I was ready for Bill Clintonâ€™s bridge to the 21st, when all of a sudden it feels like Iâ€™m somewhere after WWII. I mean everyone is hellbent on acquiring whatever has just been invented. Now, with credit cards, they donâ€™t have to wait for payday. Many in the child-nurturing period are so busy trying to keep body and soul together that they donâ€™t remember what they learned about the three branches of government. Some are anxious to get to the welfare office for supplemental help, as others are too proud to even let their neighbors know when they need food. Itâ€™s always been that way. Iâ€™m just talking about our county, which is surely not one of the poorest in the State.

Through all these years I have only been able to become a little educated because of my husband, who grew up in San Francisco. Orphaned at 9, he knew the ways of city living and, in good paperboy fashion, was also well aware of the ways of the world. It took him a long time to realize that the depression was hard for us country people too. Actually, he didnâ€™t really understand until we moved down here. Oh, yes, he fell out of love with the Republican party and read Howard Fastâ€™s novels during that time. When he reached maturity he moved to LA and worked in a defense factory during WWII, the same kind of work he followed in Chicago. I became a bookkeeper there and changed over to computer programming in 1966. The greatest job Iâ€™ve ever had was teaching high school graduates to program or operate computers. The students were many of them directly from housing projects on student loans and grants. I canâ€™t say enough for LBJâ€™s Great Society. It made some real changes. The problem was it was not carefully monitored. Of course, there are excesses and Clinton was right to help rein it in. I have a hunch that Bush shoots for FDRâ€™s programs because if he mentions LBJâ€™s heâ€™d lose his so-called base. John Edwards wants to talk disadvantaged, and he may just be making some traction with his poverty group. I could make a case for myself as well. But no one can outdo Johnsonâ€™s upbringing.

What brought this on? It was when I wrote you about the Earth Day celebration in the Smokies and you replied that tourism is not a good economic base. Or something about like that. And I remembered that you said you were a city kid. Then I thought about the way the media learned to morph the map in red and blue. Sure enough, those states adjacent to water are bluer. Actually, they are wealthier because of global trade. The nation mimics the old tradition of town and country, meaning the people at the county seats ran the banks and sold the merchandise and elected the officials. Those in the country produced the goods (originally mostly food, but later industrial supplies) and climbed up the social ladder by sending the children to school and getting them jobs in town. Culturally, the rural folks knew they were superior because their kids worked hard and didnâ€™t dance or gambleâ€“or so the story goes. But those they called city slickers knew they had better homes and nicer clothes and could travel more. I recently read several of Sinclair Lewisâ€™ novels, which are older than me. Whenever I re-read Elmer Gantry I realize how little things change.

So here I sit, still a country bumpkin worrying over whether Section 8 housing will be cut even more, and how the children should learn to like to learn, and whether there will be any channel on TV that the tired, hard-working, underpaid parents will watch besides Fox. In my spare time I check out MSNBCâ€™s articles about why Wal-Mart stock is down and the predictions arenâ€™t rosy. That gets me to thinking about the many hours Iâ€™ve pounded away on the Wal-Mart predicament. Is it possible people in Peoria, or wherever, are going to have to listen to what happens in Washington? Best regards, Margaret

Now here is the first email I have a record of, though I know we must have connected before. It is from November 2004, so it was one of the first interactions we had. Again, much insight and background from someone who has been around for some time:

The first tells about previous progressive movements which supplied candidates. I realize that Vermont has an existing party, and there is some movement around Madison, Wisconsin.

The second is something with which I have little experience. It catches my eye because the working poor (hard-working poor) are certainly the forgotten man and woman as far as I can see.

In the Teddy Roosevelt age, an economic shift to heavy industry created robber barons, and thus a need to come back to a sense of fairness. In the second phase, labor was becoming organized. World War I created more jobs, but more discontent with working conditions. To avoid the revolutionary trends in Europe, especially Russia, a more benign form of organization came about here through unions.

The curious part of the aborted movement in 1948 with Henry Wallace produced the same kind of Bolshevik scare, but I believe that unanswered civil rights questions were what drove the scare to a frenzy. My experience at that time was that to be associated with rights for colored people put one in the same cubby hole as with communist and fellow-traveler groups.

About the only advantage of being old is that one can see three waves, described by Toffler. The first, agrarian, required decent shipping facilities for livestock and crops as well as reasonable prices for farm implements. (I grew up on a homestead in Northeastern Wyoming, where we battled dust storms and the depression.) The second wave was the industrial age where a combination of machine and men mass produced a never-ending supply of labor saving devices. From the end of World War II to the advent of cybernetics, more and better planes, locomotives, trucks, etc. shortened distances and made goods accessible to more people. Workers were lured into corporate loyalty with the promise of retirement benefits and medical insurance. Not until the 70's did the price of company affiliation begin to backfire for both sides. We talked about the rust belt. Lifelong union members began to question the Democratic party and Reagan welcomed them to his shining hill. The third wave, incubated during World War II, became all important as soon as computers advanced past tubes to transistors to the current microchips. (I started programming computers in 1966 and worked on three generations of IBM equipment within the spate of a few years. The Olivetti ten-key adding machine I pounded 8 hours a day had over 50 precision springs in it. My husband worked in a plant making such parts. We escaped job crises only because we retired to East Tennessee from Chicago after 22 years.)

By the last quarter of the 20th Century, the global village concept was real. And thus we come to what will have to be dealt with before a progressive movement can flourish again. Just as in the past, when Americans could not ignore people of the ghettoes and slums forever, so now no nationality can ignore the cry of other nationals for a share of the earthâ€™s treasure. I recommend reading Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiberâ€™s The World Challenge (Simon & Schuster 1981) which tells about the Near Eastâ€™s rising up to assert that technology as the price we pay for oil and other basic materials. And itâ€™s not just oil (OPEC) but other raw materials, and itâ€™s not just the Near East but many underdeveloped nations.

Another author who has influenced me is Lester Thurow, an economist who in 1995 wrote a book on the future of capitalism. He outlined what he considered the main changes over the ensuing twenty-five years. Changes in demography (mature countries have a high percentage of mature citizens) and communication and transportation (commerce can cross national boundaries to grow wheat in Siberia as well as North Dakota) affect voters in real time. Globalization, which is here to stay, can be criticized but there is no way to stop it. Countries can help their nationals to adjust, but recognizing how to corral unbridled world commerce takes more than tweaking the safety net. With world wide business comes the need for world wide rules governing it. On a line stretched from competition to cooperation regarding this challenge, there must be very astute negotiation. The WTO and the IMF are acting from a position of weakness, which allows laissez faire to flourish.

How a new facet of progressivism can come about is problematic. It espouses a mixture of innovation and conservatism. If the rest of the world wants to have goods, services and opportunities equal to what we Americans have learned to cherish, it goes without saying that super-consumerism should be nobodyâ€™s first goal.

Under the surface I think citizens in this country realize the truth of sharing or fighting. Wars only use more of the precious resources. The twin realities of Iraq and economic well-being were debated in this campaign as though it were an either/or proposition. George W. Bush's assertion that both must be achievedâ€“his recognition that people having a stake in their future will not have time to fight each other--has validity. Thatâ€™s all well and good, but heâ€™s trying to convince the Iraqis his war is different. Imperialism is the ultimate outcome from the way he goes about it. If we take a look at the article in The Nation, we can see that fighting each other is a recipe for decline of leadership. http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1124-10.htm

With a long history of solving problems in the USA by going to a place farther away, itâ€™s not surprising that Bush would like to get to the Moon and Mars.

If you and I pursue this line of reasoning, I believe we must organize small groups of individuals, preferably online, who will help to shape the real issues for 2008. My summer was spent with a yahoogroup who answered the media when members perceived that it was giving false information. With a mixture of professional backgrounds and serious interaction we, and others doing similar work, probably did have some impact on the outcome of the election. Because Kerry lost, we have not known how to proceed. I suspect this group is not the only one which is essentially inactive but still so committed that it is trying to find a new approach to carry on.

Finally, I suggest the article in the Nation about Paul Wellstone. Possibly his legacy has something to help us in progressing toward new insights.

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20020527&s=nichols

I will end with the obituary from her beloved OpEdNews:

The following obituary was provided to Opednews by Dr. Annabel Agee to be shared with Margaret's beloved online community:

Margaret Ems Bassett

02/14/1922 -- 8/21/2011
"Margaret Ems Bassett, age 89, quietly passed away at her residence in Maryville, TN, on Sunday, August 21, 2011. Born in Gillette, WY, on February 14, 1922, the eldest of four, Ms. Bassett is preceded in death by husband William John Bassett, parents James Edwin and Fanchon Rosenstiel Ems, sister Norma Agnes Ems Cotter, and brother Robert, and niece Roberta Ems Salley. She is survived by her brother Morris Ems, niece Janeth Cotter Hernandez, niece Connie Cotter Rasmussen, niece Colleen Ems Morrison.

Ms. Bassett graduated from Campbell County High School in Gillette, WY (1940), received a BA degree in political science from State University of Iowa (1944), studied as a graduate student until August 1945, worked in international education until 1950, spent a year in Denmark, took numerous computer science classes, and completed an MS degree from Roosevelt University (1975). Ms. Bassett worked in Chicago from 1955 to 1977, at which time she and her husband retired to Tennessee.

Her lifelong interest in political philosophy was reflected by her active role as editor for almost five years on OpEdNews (OEN), an online platform for which she wrote 68 articles and posted almost 4000 comments. Also to her credit, the content she generated for OEN was viewed over 700,000 times. Margaret's most recent OEN activity was logged on the Friday evening before her passing on Sunday. In her own biographical statement for OEN profile, she noted that her early introduction to computers (1966) has served her well in keeping up with "the requirements for modern communication." She said that she hoped to find "some good coming off her keyboard into the lives of those who come after her."

She will be missed by many of the residents of Maryville Towers, a senior housing facility where she has resided since selling her home in 1999. Many of her neighbors and friends will remember Margaret as the long-time organizer/leader of the Reminiscing Writers Group at Maryville Towers."

I would like to remember this wonderful woman. I think a fitting tribute would be a contribution to Wellstone Action or Progressive Majority. I know these were groups we both discussed and admired a lot, though I think more because they were my favorites. I am not sure what she would say was her favorite tribute, but I know these would be good enough in an imperfect world she knew and loved so well. Please join me in donated to these groups in Margaret Bassett's name.

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Blog on Hold

2011-12-29T20:56:00.003-05:00

As many may have noticed, I have been taking a rather extended break from blogging. Too much to do at work and needing time with the family. I have done the Progressive Democrat for 7 years. It just may be time to give it a rest...we'll see. The need is still there, I am just not sure I am as on top of politics as I was.

For those who want to follow me on other forums, check out Daily Gotham for local NYC politics, Culture Kitchen for national and international issues (currently down due to a dispute between the publisher and the hosting company), and I Had a Thought for my somewhat less political blogging.

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Progressive Democrat Newsletter 307

2011-11-01T19:30:00.001-04:00

So I have been ignoring Herman Cain for some time...he didn't seem to have much going for him as a candidate for the Republican nomination. And let's be realistic, it is too early in the race to have any real clue who the nominee will be. Romney and Perry remain the names most commonly viewed as the likely choices. But by now there have been a large number of polls, both nationally and, more importantly, in individual states that show Cain is in the lead. In Wisconsin he is polling pretty solidly in the lead (with 30% to Romney's 18). Truth is Perry hovers in third, fourth or fifth place fairly consistently. But anything can happen.

But let me say that for me a race between Cain and Obama would be a pretty mind blowing situation. Of course Obama would almost certainly win. But that aside, America has barely emerged from asking the question "are we ready for a black President?" We made history in 2008 pretty solidly when the answer to that question was a landslide "Yes." If we wind up with BOTH major parties fielding black candidates for President a mere 4 years later, in many ways it will be an even more historic event. And something I bet no one would have imagined a mere 8 or 10 years ago. It probably won't happen, but imagine if it did! It would be about as clear a sign of progress as you can get. Of course it doesn't change the unfair poverty rates, sentencing discrepancies, unemployment discrepancies, etc. But it would show that change really is happening and faster than at least I thought it would.

Great to see Alan Grayson back again! And saying what needs to be said about Occupy Wall Street:

And remember that Marine Corps veteran who scolded the NYPD for their violence towards the protesters? He's back. From CurrentTV: Sgt. Shamar Thomas calls on veterans to support the movement:

This week saw the suppression of Occupy Wall Street in several cities, leading to unnecessary injuries and arrests. In some cases (like Oakland) the press was so bad after an Iraq War veteran was injured by an irresponsible and out of control cop they backed off on closing them down. More on the incompetence of the Oakland PD in this instance: Persons Trained in Crowd Control Wonder Why Scott Olsen Was Injured

In response to the unnecessary force used in Oakland, a general strike has been called there for November 2nd.

Find Occupy Wall Street events near you at this map.

We are the 99%:

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

CRITICAL IMPORTANCE: Don't forget to vote November 8th!!!

2011 Election Endorsement Roundup

ARTICLES:

Message to Bank of America CEO: Your stock has tanked, so don't lecture me!

The Big Lie About the Post Office

Targeting the Banks: who owns what

HEY...some of those wind turbines are MINE!

From fellow Culture Kitchen Blogger Leo Igwe: Churches and HIV Cure Claims

More from Leo Igwe: Secularism, Islamism and the Arab Spring

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Massive Protests in Israel in Solidarity with Occupy Wall Street

News Corp suffers investor rebuke...particularly interesting in that if you subtract out the Murdoch family shares and the shares of their Saudi prince buddy, a solid majority of shareholders voted to oust the Murdoch sons. Though it has no effect in the end other than sending a message, it is an almost unheard of event. Watch for the Murdochs to make some very visible penance to appease shareholders.

Good economic news: Consumer spending picks up in US

Something I've been talking about for awhile--energy efficiency: Stop wasting energy!...more on energy: Solar Photovoltaic Prices Have Fallen by Two-Thirds Since 2008 Stimulating 100% Growth Per Year...How YOU can be part of the new energy economy right now: Alternative Energy Options in Your State

Progress in the war against al-Qaeda: Top militants 'dead' in Pakistan...more: Al-Qaeda 'devastated', says Clinton...and the latest on Pakistan's ambivalence in the war on terror: Pakistan accused of backing Taliban

President Obama Bypasses the Obstructionist Republicans to Support Americans, Part I: 'We can't wait': Obama administration announces details of new rules for mortgage refinancing

President Obama Bypasses the Obstructionist Republicans to Support Americans, Part II: 'We Can't Wait': White House announces plan to spur veteran hiring

Tunisia Islamists set for victory...this was somewhat predictable. In the case of Tunisia, the Islamist party seems at the moment to be more like the Turkish Islamists (who remain moderate within a solidly secular state) rather than like the Muslim Brotherhood. Let's hope that lasts. More here: Profile: Tunisia's Ennahda Party

MUSICAL SELECTIONS:

BBC News put me onto these folks...on the surface it looks like kind of inane pop, but it is actually one of Pakistan's most daring satires right now, making fun of some of Pakistan's most powerful people: (go to the Youtube source to see more info on it.

(also from the same BBC News article is reference to a politically brave Pakistani cartoonist Mohammad Zahoor:

A recent sketch by Mohammad Zahoor, one of Pakistan's best known political cartoonists, shows a Taliban militant who has weapons for arms and is wearing an army boot on one foot - a subtle suggestion that the army is a part of Taliban's overall ensemble.

It is an implication the military has long resisted, denying any links or support for militant groups.

Message to Bank of America CEO: Your stock has tanked, so don't lecture me!

2011-11-01T19:27:00.000-04:00

Bank of America CEO Brian T. Moynihan scolded us customers (for me, I am now mostly a FORMER customer), saying he was "incensed" at criticism of his bank.

Well Mr. CEO Moynihan, sir...did you notice that your stock has dropped from over $50 a share to about $6 a share? To me that marks YOU as a failure. Meanwhile, TD Bank, which did NO predatory lending and took NO taxpayer funded bailout money, has stayed about $70 a share through the entire time Bank of America tanked.

Seriously, Mr. CEO Moynihan, sir...do you have ANY right to be scolding ANYONE given the disgusting performance of your company?

Come back to me when you no longer need my tax money to just stay afloat. In a TRUE free market you and your lousy company would already be bankrupt, with companies like TD Bank buying up the remains of your assets at bargain prices. That is what TRUE capitalism would look like. Mr. CEO Moynihan, sir, you would be out of a job in a real free market. So stop whining and stop scolding and start showing some humility given the failure you represent.

Mr. CEO Moynihan, or should I say Mr. CEO $50 drops to $6 a share, has no business telling me I shouldn't complain about his lousy company.

I am an investor in the stock market. When the predatory lending scandal hit, and I saw banks like Bank of America tanking, I saw TD Bank as a buying opportunity because they avoided the whole predatory lending mess. My instincts were right...I made tons of money on that purchase. It was clear to me Bank of America made LOTS of mistakes. Their stock dropped and never recovered. Bank of America would be a penny stock or bankrupt if it hadn't been for the taxpayer funded bailout. So how dare Mr. CEO Moynihan show such arrogance. He is a loser, plain and simple. He failed his company and now he is blaming us??? We bailed him out and our anger at his poor business practices are fully justified. He should be THANKING us. Instead he scolds us...well to hell with that.

I am also a mortgage holder. I never even considered Bank of America for my mortgage. They weren't even on my radar, Mr. CEO Moynihan. You had nothing to offer me. I was with Wells Fargo. Didn't really like them. So I tried Chase. they dicked me around until I told them to get lost. So I wound up with TD Bank who offered me a good deal and stuck with it. So now I pay my mortgage to TD Bank every single month and Bank of America and Chase can kiss my on time paying ass goodbye because they offered me NOTHING despite a solid credit rating and a consistently on time payment record. Again, Bank of America and Chase show what LOUSY business models they work with. And again, Mr. CEO Moynihan shows that he is a LOUSY businessman because HIS bank had nothing to offer me while their stock was plummeting.

I also use credit cards. And here is where I was a big Bank of America customer. Somehow I wound up with most of my credit cards with Bank of America. But I didn't like them. And Mr. CEO Moynihan confirms that Bank of America does not deserve my business. So at this point I have switched almost all my credit card use to Discover and USAA. Bank of America has LOST MY BUSINESS. Got that Mr. CEO Moynihan? You have LOST MY BUSINESS. Losing people like me is why YOUR stock is at $6 a share and TD Bank is at over $70 a share. I am surprised you maintain such arrogance with your tiny $6 a share company!

Smart businessmen know that making customers feel good is the whole trick to doing business. Bank of America, and particularly Mr. CEO Moynihan, have lost sight of that very basic rule of doing business. Without taxpayer bailouts Bank of America would be dead in the water. That is a plain fact. Mr. CEO Moynihan owes American taxpayers his very job. I see Bank of America as a toxic company at this point. They'd have to do a hell of a lot to convince me to patronize them ever again, and when Mr. CEO Moynihan, as CEO of a company, insults me, does he really think it inspires me to become their customer or investor again? Hell no!

So Mr. CEO Moynihan, sir...you do NOT get my business. You do NOT get my investment. There are better banks out there. I am now mostly doing business with THEM and not with you. And I have some investment in at least one of them (and it doubled in value since I bought it!), but would never touch your toxic stock.

So think about it. Mr. CEO Moynihan is CEO of a company that would be a penny stock or out of business if taxpayers hadn't bailed him out. So who gives a rat's ass if he is "incensed" at our anger? HE is the one who should be begging us for forgiveness. We owe him nothing. We already bailed him out and if we take our business elsewhere, that is his own fault, not ours. Personally I am happy with USAA and TD Bank. Others are switching to credit unions, with membership in credit unions BOOMING.

I feel that Occupy Wall Street protesters should publicly cut up their Bank of America credit cards and switch to credit unions or banks who didn't do predatory lending or take a taxpayer bailout. Tell Mr. CEO Moynihan just what you think of his being "incensed" at us. He needs us. We don't need him. Cut up your Bank of America credit cards, close your Bank of America accounts, and refinance your mortgages to other banks or credit unions. Then Mr. CEO Moynihan can be "incensed" all he wants without our business.

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Alternative Energy Options in Your State

2011-11-01T19:25:00.000-04:00

The future of America, both in terms of job creation and fighting global warming, is in renewable energy. We need to wean ourselves off oil, a product that creates jobs in Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iran and Venezuela while polluting our atmosphere, to cleaner, greener products like solar, wind, biomass and geothermal, to name a few. This isn't just one person's opinion. It is the opinion of some of the world's greatest scientists. From BBC News:

Renewables can fuel society, say world climate advisers

Renewable technologies could supply 80% of the world's energy needs by mid-century, says the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

In a report, it says that almost half of current investment in electricity generation is going into renewables...

The report analysed 164 "scenarios" of future energy development; and the ones in which renewables were most aggressively pursued resulted in a cut in global greenhouse gas emissions of about one-third compared with business-as-usual projections by 2050...

We need to do this for our economy, for job creation, and for our environment. And you can be a part of it. Right now in many states you can CHOOSE to buy all green energy. There are various programs at various costs, but most provide some environmental benefit, create American jobs and cost mere pennies more per kwH than your current bill.

You can find out about 100% Green Energy Plans or click here for other options. But if you want to do some research first, there is a site, Power Scorecard, that makes comparisons easy in some states.

You have to click on the site, select your state (New York for me) and your service territory (Consolidated Edison--New York City for me). The site will then provide a list of options, with a comparison of cost and environmental impact (lower is good) in a clear table with a comparison to your regular, non green, fossil fuel based company. You can then get a more detailed comparison of some of the options you like as well as links and info on how to sign up.

Let me give you a few examples.

For me, I select New York and Consolidated Edison--New York City and get a big table. Fist I look near the bottom of the table and see the regular ConEd utility service. It costs 26.4¢ per kWh and has a pretty terrible environmental impact. It shows a breakdown of many different environmental factors, but for simplicity let's just look at the overall environmental impact score: 7.7. Needless to say for both cost and environmental impact we want the lowest possible number. Every green option will be a little bit more than 26.4¢ per kWh, but that can be offset but simple actions like replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (see below). But the goal is to get the lowest environmental impact with the lowest cost above 26.4¢ per kWh.

The easiest option, and the one my wife and I chose years ago, is Con Edison Solutions Wind Power. This is supposed to be 100% wind power. A rival company told me that may not be completely true, but of course they had a vested interest in convincing me to switch. The environmental impact score is only .5, a large improvement over the 7.7 of most ConEd customers. The cost is 32.0¢ per kWh...that is 5.6 cents per kWh higher than the regular service. Now this is a bit higher a jack up than we might like, but I want to emphasize that when we combined this increase with switching all our bulbs to compact fluorescents, our electricity bill went DOWN by 30%. So the increased cost per kWh was easily offset by an energy efficiency step that saved us gobs of money. However, as you will see below, I now learn, thanks to the Power Scorecard website, that there is an even better option if we can get up the initiative to change. We can lower our impact even more while saving a bit of money.

The top option is Community Energy, Inc. 100% New Wind Energy. This really is 100% wind energy. It's environmental impact score is only .1, far below the 7.7 of regular ConEd service and better even than ConEd's all wind option (which has some land use issues, it seems). So it is about as green as you can get. The cost is only slightly higher than regular ConEd service, 28.9¢ per kWh. That is 2.5 cents per kWh higher than regular, fossil fuel based service and again that is easily offset by a little energy efficiency. My wife and I should consider saving some money and improving our environmental impact by switching from our current green energy option to this one.

There are several other options listed, but the ones I discuss seem to be the best bang for the buck. NativeEnergy WindBuilders is even better and cheaper 27.4¢ per kWh, but is more of an offset than something that just gets onto your regular energy bill. But it is a valid way to go. And is actually REALLY cool since it helps finance construction of new Native American wind energy projects by purchasing a share of the renewable energy credits it will generate. NativeEnergy is currently supporting construction of the Rosebud St. Francis wind turbine in South Dakota. This is a very attractive option, but I will say that we for now prefer the convenience of a program that we can do right through our regular bill. I should emphasize that this kind of offset program is really not that different otherwise than the options you do through your bill. All in reality use the regular energy mix, but offset it by helping to add green energy to that mix for the future.

For the NativeEnergy WindBuilders option, contact Native Energy directly:
Email: support@nativeenergy.com
Phone: 1.800.924.6826

For other parts of New York you'd have to pick another service area.

Let me do another example. Let me do one in New Jersey. I pick New Jersey and, just as an example, Rockland Energy. First thing I see is that energy in New Jersey is WAY cheaper than in NYC. Not a surprise. The basic Rockland Energy service is 12.5¢ per kWh. But the environmental impact is even worse than for ConEd in NYC: a 9 instead of 7.7. There are several better options.

Community Energy, Inc.100% New Jersey Wind Energy: Overall Environmental Impact Rating: 0.8 for 18.0¢ per kWh.

Community Energy, Inc. 50% Wind, 1% Solar, & 49% Low-Impact Hydro: Overall Environmental Impact Rating: 1.3 for 14.5¢ per kWh.

Sterling Planet New Jersey Clean Power Choice Option: Overall Environmental Impact Rating: 2.6 for 16.0¢ per kWh

Green Mountain Energy Company: Overall Environmental Impact Rating: 2.9 for 14.5¢ per kWh.

You could switch to Community Energy, Inc.100% New Jersey Wind Energy, the best option, and still save money if you also switch your lightbulbs to compact fluorescents. But you can also switch to Community Energy, Inc. 50% Wind, 1% Solar, & 49% Low-Impact Hydro and still do far better than the regular Rockland Energy service and pay very little extra. That alone would greatly lower your impact and would still be helping create American jobs.

Now let me do a Pennsylvania example. I pick Pennsylvania and Allegheny Power Co. Here the prices are even cheaper than New Jersey! The regular Allegheny Power Co. fossil fuel based service is 4.3¢ per kWh...with a horrible environmental impact score of 9.6! If you get regular power service in Pennsylvania, you have an awful carbon footprint. But you can do better. There are two particularly good options.

NativeEnergy CoolWatts costs only 5.3¢ per kWh for an overall environmental impact score of 1.1...MUCH better than the regular service and only for one penny more per kWh. CoolWatts is 100% New Wind, certified by Green-e. For just 1 cent per kWh over the cost of electricity from your local electric service provider, you can create the same impact as buying clean electricity from your utility, supporting wind-powered electricity production in North and South Dakota. This is really one of the best programs you can find because it offsets your energy use with some of the best wind power generation in the world. For more info on this excellent program, contact Native Energy:

Email: support@nativeenergy.com
Phone: 1.800.924.6826

The other Pennsylvania option has a lower impact but costs more. Community Energy, Inc. New Wind Energy has an environmental impact score of .3 for 6.8¢ per kWh. Better than CoolWatts but a tad more expensive. But again, if you combine it with some energy efficiency you will still overall save more.

You can also compare companies in Texas.

One of the best actions you can take for the future of America is to switch your power choice to one of the green options I mention or the equivalent in your area. If you are in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Texas, go to Power Scorecard and find your best options. Once you switch you will feel great about being part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

For other states there are a variety of programs. Again, you can find out about 100% Green Energy Plans or click here for other options.

I also want to emphasize that energy efficiency is another way you can be greener and in this case save money. Often combining energy efficiency with a switch to all green power gives you a net savings while making you about as green as can be, your car aside.

First, get a home energy audit. This is the best way to find ways to save energy and save money. The US Department of Energy has suggestions for a do-it-yourself (cheaper but not as effective) audit as well as how to get a professional audit (costs money but will find more effective ways of saving you money in the long run).

You should also switch your light bulbs from the old, inefficient incandescent bulbs to new, cleaner, MUCH more efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. When my wife and I did this our energy bill went down by 30% immediately. We saved a huge amount by making the switch. Compact fluorescents are a bit more expensive than incandescent, but they last MUCH longer and use MUCH less energy so you save a lot in the long run.

The savings from switching to compact fluorescents alone can be enough to more than offset the cost of buying all green energy. And if you add some of the other energy efficiency savings, you will never even notice the cost of buying green energy. And you will be helping revitalize America's economy and environment, providing one of the best gifts you can give your children and grandchildren.

Take these three steps to saving money and going green. You can be part of the solution, reducing pollution AND creating American jobs.

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Silicon Valley Area, CA Focus

2011-11-01T19:21:00.001-04:00

UPCOMING EVENTS IN SILICON VALLEY:

Salute to Military women
Wednesday, 02 November, 2011
05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
County Government Center,Board Chambers
70 West Hedding St.
San Jose, CA 95110

Join Assemblymember Jim Beall Jr, and the Santa Clara County's Office of Women's Policy to celebrate and honor all women that have served and are serving...Among the best and the bravest.

Santa Clara County Democratic Club Annual Holiday Event
Friday, 16 December, 2011
06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Fiorillo's Restaurant
638 El Camino Real
Santa Clara , CA 95050 USA

Dixie Johanson
Email: djohanson2002@yahoo.com
Phone: 415/297-0674

Democratic Television:
The Santa Clara County Democratic Party produces "Democratic TV," which airs on Public Access TV channels around the County.

San Jose, and the east part of Cupertino
Channel 15, every Friday at 9:30pm

Cupertino, Los Altos, Mountain View
Channel 15, every Tuesday at 6:30pm

Gilroy
Channel 20, every Sunday at 6pm, Tuesday at 10:30pm, Thursday at 4:30pm, and Saturday at noon

Los Gatos and Monte Sereno
Channel 15, the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Monday of every month at 6:30pm

Morgan Hill and San Martin
Channel 19, every Monday and Tuesday at 8:30pm

Palo Alto, Stanford, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Atherton
Channel 27, every Sunday at 1am and 6:30pm, Monday at 10:30am, Tuesday at 5:30pm, Wednesday at 12:30am and 8:30am, and Saturday at 5:00pm

Democrats in Santa Clara County produce two Public Access Television Programs. For information on "Straight Talk," produced by the Santa Clara County Democratic Club, click 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.

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.

Mesa de la Communidad, Mountain View
P.O. Box 930032
Mountain View, CA 94039-0032
888-657-6801
info@mesacomunidad.org
http://www.mesacomunidad.org/index.htm

Our vision is to create a Mountain View community that is thriving, inclusive and compassionate. Our mission is to advocate for and increase participation of underrepresented groups in Mountain View’s civic and business life. Working on the following issues: Immigration, schools, and gangs.

East San Jose Democrats:
http://www.esjd.org/

The purpose of the ESJD is to promote and influence the aims of the East San José community within the Democratic Party; to promote leadership in political activities for East San José residents; to educate the East San José community on the political process and the issues of importance to the East San José community and the Democratic Party; to assist in the selection and election of East San José Democrats to office locally, statewide and nationally and to support candidates who have strong records in the positive advancement of East San José issues; and to provide a vehicle through which its members may more actively participate at all levels of the Democratic Party.

West Valley for Change:
http://www.westvalleyforchange.com/

West Valley for Change Democratic Club grew out of the grassroots movement in West San Jose to get Barack Obama elected President in 2008. Since then we have continued to use our hope and energy to affect change, with research into issues facing our community at the local, state and national level. Further, we want to get to know our local officials and candidates for elected office to help legislate change. And we are ready to work for progressive reform within the Democratic Party.

Stanford Democrats:

We're the largest political group on campus, mobilizing for key campaigns, organizing around important issues, and working for progressive change across the street and across the country. Email us to get involved!

To join the Stanford Democrats mailing list, send an email to democrats@lists.stanford.edu.

Or visit the Stanford Democrats on Facebook.

San Mateo Democratic Party:
Our mission is to support Democratic candidates and elected officials at all levels of government, and ballot measures promoting Democratic values in San Mateo County and the State of California.

Contact Information
Voicemail: (650) 581-1350
Email: contact@sanmateodemocrats.org
751 Laurel Street, Box 702, San Carlos, CA 94070

Central Committee General Meetings – Everyone Is Welcome!
When: 7:30 pm, 3rd Thursday of every month.
Where: Machinists Hall, 1511 Rollins Road, Burlingame

Click here to find your local Democratic Club

Coastside Democratic Club
Contact: Brigid O'Farrell (650-728-3380) mbofarrell@aol.com
Website: www.coastsidedemocrats.org

Coalition 5000 Democratic Committee Club
Contact: Ashwani Bhakhri (650-583-7677) bhakhrilaw2004@yahoo.com
Meetings and events in or near South San Francisco.

North San Mateo County Democratic Club
Contact: Wallace Moore (650-589-6293) wallace.moore@comcast.net
Meets every third Monday evening of the month near Daly City Hall.

Filipino-American Democratic Club
Contact: Mike Guingona mikeguingona@yahoo.com
Visit them on Facebook.

Hillsborough Democratic Club
Contact: Grande Lum (650-340-9150) grandelum@gmail.com

Millbrae-Burlingame Democratic Club
Contact: Wayne Lee uponawish@yahoo.com

North Peninsula Democratic Club
Contact: Sandra Lang (650-342-9860) langinsureyou@sbcglobal.net

Pacifica Democrats
Contact: Barbara Arietta (415-246-0775) barietta@hotmail.com

Peninsula Young Democrats
Contact: Kai Stinchcombe kai.stinchcombe@gmail.com
Website: www.peninsulayd.org

Redwood City Democratic Club
Contact: Chris Balme chbalme@gmail.com

San Mateo County Democracy for America
Contact: Carole Dorshkind (650-766-2162) cdorshkind@comcast.net
Website: www.smcdfa.org
Meets every First Wednesday of the month in Foster City (County wide club).

San Mateo/Foster City Democratic Club
Contact: Patrick Sullivan patrick.sullivan@sanmateofostercitydemocraticclub.com
Website: sanmateofostercitydemocraticclub.com

Alameda Democratic Party:
The Alameda County Democratic Party coordinates the party's activities throughout the county, making endorsements, organizing events and directing resources to support local, state and national candidates. Its governing body, the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, is charged under state law with overseeing the Party's local activities and campaigns, under the general direction of the California Democratic Party. The Central Committee consists of members elected from each of the county's State Assembly Districts, as well as the Democratic nominees for Congress, State Senate, Assembly, and State Constitutional office.

The Alameda County Democratic Party Central Committee meets the first Wednesday of every month (except during election months) at the San Leandro Library, (Dave Karp Room), 300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. Meetings begin at 7pm.

Find your local Democratic Clubs and organizations by clicking here.

Santa Clara County Democratic Party
2102 Almaden Road
San Jose, CA 95125

The Santa Clara County Democratic Party strives to build, sustain, and use our collective power to enable good Democratic candidates to win elections at all levels and to fight for important Democratic values such as first class schools, affordable healthcare, quality jobs, safe communities, innovative energy policies, reliable Social Security, a clean environment, and honest and open government.

You can contact us by phone or email:
(408) 445-9500
info@sccdp.org

Find local events here.

Find your local Democratic club here.

NAACP SILICON VALLEY:
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.

Here are some local NAACP branches:

San Jose NAACP
304 N.6TH STREET
San Jose, CA 95112
408-295-3394

Fremont-Union City-Newark NAACP
Union City, CA 94587
510-471-4109

South San Mateo Co NAACP
Palo Alto, CA 94303
415-322-4089

Stanford University College NAACP Chapter
418 SANTA TERESA STREET
Stanford, CA 94305

MARRIAGE EQUALITY SILICON VALLEY is a grassroots effort, organized by volunteers in the Silicon Valley/San Jose/South Bay area, to educate, unite and mobilize all communities for equality.

Each month, on a Sunday, which might vary depending on other events, the Outreach to Religious and Youth Communities Group holds a potluck evening. We meet at 6 pm in someone's home for a shared meal. At 6:30 pm, we view an inspiring film which focuses on LGBT issues. After the movie, we discuss current and future actions to promote education and support for marriage equality. Open to everyone. For more information, contact Ray Hixson at (650) 346-7557 or Joanne Loomba at (408) 921-0041.

SILICON VALLEY DEMOCRATIC CLUBS: This list comes from the Santa Clara County Democratic Club website:

Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club. SVAPADC was founded in 1996 to foster member participation at all levels of the Democratic Party. Our goals are to unify and empower the Asian Pacific American (APA) communities; ensure fair representation of the APA's interests; and educate and promote political participation. Contact Buu Thai at apa_at_sccdp.org. The club's homepage is svapadc.org.

Silicon Valley Latino Democratic Forum. A venue for local Latinos to become active in the Democratic Party. Javier Gonzalez, svldf_at_sccdp.org.

Silicon Valley Young Democrats. SVYD serves Democrats under 36 years old from throughout the Silicon Valley. We provide networking, social, and personal growth opportunities for young people dedicated to progressive ideals.

Meetings are monthly
the third Monday at 7 p.m.
UFCW Local 5, 240 S Market St,
San Jose, Ca
Dinner and drinks provided

Silicon Valley LGBT Democratic Club. Dedicated to providing a grassroots channel for the political participation of like-minded lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Democrats. President: David Parker, lgbt_at_sccdp.org. Visit the club on the web at http://www.lgbtdems.org.

Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley. The Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley is an alliance in Silicon Valley, California dedicated to the issues brought forth by Gov. Howard Dean, M.D., his cause and his message of progressive, positive change. dfasv.org, www.dfalink.com/siliconvalley, Co-Chairs; Spandan Chakrabarti, Alice Smith. Contact deanclub_at_sccdp.org

Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Silicon Valley Chapter

We come from all 50 states and a wide variety of religious, political and philosophical backgrounds. We are dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans.

2310 Homestead Road, Suite 523 Los Altos, California 94024

SILICON VALLEY AREA FOOD CO-OPS: These are the only ones I could find near Silicon Valley, though they are all somewhat peripheral

Kresge Food Co-op
600 Kresge CT, Kresge College UCSC
Santa Cruz, California 95064
Phone: (831) 426-1506
coop@dv8.org
http://k9.dv8.org/~coop/

The Kresge Food Coop is a student-run cooperative health food store located at Kresge College on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. We currently consist of twelve Core Collective Members who own the coop and are responsible for its daily operations and for any number of working members. This page has been created in order to better serve our community. Through this page you can email the coop, learn about our Core Collective Members, sign up to be a working member, make suggestions, check sales, read and reread our newsletter, and browse our links to other coops and health food stores.

The Cooperative Grocery (The CoG)
1450 67th Street
Emeryville, California 95616
Phone: (510) 868-2883
FAX: (510) 868-2893
info@thecog.org
http://www.thecog.org/

The Cooperative Grocery—The CoG—is a non-profit, working members cooperative that offers high-quality groceries at an affordable price to individuals and families in our community.

Members of The CoG work 2 1/2 hours every 4 weeks, performing jobs like stocking shelves, building orders and providing member services. By providing much of the labor for the store, our members keep our operating costs to a minimum. We then pass the savings onto our members in the form of lower prices. Our model is based on the successful Park Slope Food Co-Op in Brooklyn, NY, which serves 13,000 members.

To further control costs and grow our co-op in a responsible manner, we launched the CoG as an online store that is served from a warehouse located in Emeryville, with easy access to communities in Berkeley and Oakland. Our long term plan is to build a retail business as finances allow.

Bolinas Peoples Store
P. O. Box 808
Bolinas, California 94924
Phone: (415) 868-1433
FAX: (415) 868-1219

Rainbow Grocery Co-op
1745 Folsom
San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: (415) 863-0620
FAX: (415) 863-8955
comments@rainbowgrocery.coop
http://www.rainbow.coop/

We have been in San Francisco's Mission District since 1975. We strive to offer resources, education and a forum for informational exchange for many local communities and organizations.

Rainbow Grocery is open every day from 9AM to 9PM

We are located in San Francisco's Mission District at 1745 Folsom Street. Our cross street is 13th Street (also known as Duboce), which runs directly under the central freeway. Use the map below for directions by car. Click here for Public Transit directions. Click here for bicycling directions.

Other Avenues Community Food Store
3930 Judah Street
San Francisco, California 94122
Phone: (415) 661-7475
FAX: (415) 661-0835
info@otheravenues.org
http://www.otheravenues.org/

Biodiesel: Biodiesel is an American produced fuel that is cleaner than traditional diesel. Up to B20 (a 20% blend of biodiesel and traditional diesel) any diesel engine, car or truck, can run on it. Above B20, some older engines may have problems but newer diesel engines should be ok. Here are some gas stations in the Silicon Valley area that offer biodiesel:

Rotten Robbie: 310 N Whisman Rd, Mountain View, CA 94043, 650-965-2609. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine). Open 6AM-10PM

Rotten Robbie: 1304 Piedmont Rd, San Jose, CA 95132, 408-259-5535. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine). Open 6AM-11PM.

Bay Area Biofuel: email biodieselperformance@gmail.com for info and an appt

Western States Oil Company: 1790 S 10th St, San Jose, CA 95112, 408-292-1041. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open 7AM-5PM M-F.

The Green Station: 136 Gilman Ave, Campbell, CA 95008, 831-425-9100. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open TUES, THURS, FRI 4-7.

Autopia Biofuels: 1025 S Railroad Ave, San Mateo, CA 94402, 650-571-1863. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open M-F 8AM-7PM (CLOSED WEDS/SUNS) SA 1PM-4PM.

Mountain Feed and Farm Supply: 9550 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005, 831-336-8876. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open M-S 9AM-6PM SUN 10-2

SF Oakland Truck Stop: 8255 San Leandro Street, Oakland, CA 94621, 510-569-1624. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open M-F, 4AM-11PM; SAT. 6AM-10PM; SUN. 7AM-10PM

The Green Station: 433 Ocean Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95061, 831-425-9100. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open 10-6 DAILY

USA Grown Fuels: 2680 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062, 831-476-3653. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HOURS A DAY / 7 DAYS A WEEK; MUST BE MEMBER

GREEN BUSINESSES IN THE SILICON VALLEY AREA: These are some of the best local businesses around. Taken from the Green America Green Pages

Green Career Central
www.greencareercentral.com
Helps you identify your green niche, focus your job search, and produce results. Access expert support, resources, green job boards, and a discussion forum.
Phone: (650)322-8661
P.O. Box 354
Menlo Park, CA 94026

Laptop Lunches
www.laptoplunches.com
"Want to pack nutritious, waste-free meals for school, work, and travel? Check out our bento-style containers, creative recipes, stainless steel water bottles, and lunch jars."
Phone: (831)457-0301
Fax: (831)430-0302
849 Almar
Ste. C-323
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5848

Uhuru Pies
www.uhurupies.org
A voluntary, community-based fundraiser for the African People's Education and Defense Fund, offering quality, fresh based all natural pies. The original, progressive holiday tradition.
Phone: (510)625-1106
Fax: (510)217-4422
484 Lake Park Ave.
#357
Oakland, CA 94610

Eco-Care Professional Housecleaning
www.wagescooperatives.org/eco-care.html
Women's cooperative of highly-trained worker owners dedicated to ecologically sound cleaning methods and the highest quality of service.
Phone: (408)778-8445
Fax: (408)778-8433
60 W. Main Ave.
Ste. 11-B
Morgan Hill, CA 95037

GreenHeart Global
www.greenheartglobal.com
Conceives, designs, manufactures, and markets products to meet the growing demand for goods that are less harmful to the environment.
Phone: (510)261-7343
1148 E. 18th St., #5
Oakland, CA 94606

World Centric
www.worldcentric.org
Compostable and biodegradable disposable utensils, cups, plates, bowls, containers, etc. made from annually renewable resources such as sugar cane fiber, wheat straw, and corn.
Phone: (650)739-0699
Fax: (866)850-9732
2121 Staunton Ct.
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Sungevity
www.sungevity.com
Our mission is to bring solar to the mainstream market. With our unique and revolutionary remote solar design approach we are able to make solar energy simple, affordable, and efficient.
Phone: (510)496-5500
Fax: (510)496-5501
66 Franklin St.
Ste. 310
Oakland, CA 94607

Ready Solar
www.readysolar.com
Offers attractive convenient and affordable solar electric systems. Sells systems directly to homeowners - completely packaged, including site analysis, installation, and financing.
Phone: (650)299-9854
Fax: (650)851-3212
2929 Campus Dr Ste 110
San Mateo, CA 94403

Sustainable Home
Interior design, healthy materials, color consulting. Your home can embody both beautiful, functional design and your environmental values.
Phone: (650)855-9476
471 Matadero Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Building Solutions
www.buildingsolutions.com
As a Home Performance Contractor, Building Solutions uses applied building science to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort of your home.
Phone: (866)899-2517
1757 E Bayshore Rd
Ste. 24
Redwood City, CA 94063

Ecostruction
www.ecostruction.com
Designs and builds structures using RASTRA (ICF-integrated concrete form). Rammed earth, straw bale, solar technologies, and conventional framing techniques. Training, workshops, and internships available.
Phone: (831)427-1600
Fax: (831)338-1600
P.O. Box 446
Ben Lomond, CA 95005

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union
www.scruzccu.org
A nonprofit financial cooperative that promotes economic justice. Community development priorities include offering a wide range of financial services, financial education, and an individual development account program, family loan program, low-interest child care revolving loan program, microenterprise loans, and more.
Phone: (831)460-2342
Fax: (831)426-6669
324 Front St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4506

Catherine Cartier, Financial Advisor, Camejo Group
www.camejogroup.com
Values based investing for the individual investor.
Phone: (800)471-7244
Fax: (510)380-6662
1814 Franklin St.
Ste. 503
Oakland, CA 94612

Eric Leenson, Pres., Progressive Asset Management
www.progressiveassetmanagement.com
SRI and planning with an emphasis on appropriate asset allocation, including direct community investments. Offers individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in all major markets.
Phone: (510)622-0202
Fax: (510)287-2419
1904 Franklin St.
Ste. 903
Oakland, CA 94612

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Denver, CO Focus

2011-11-01T18:33:00.002-04:00

THIS WEEK'S RECOMMENDED BOOK FROM Café Sci Denver:

In the Café Scientifique, people (often science buffs) come together in a friendly pub after work and hear an informal (no PowerPoint!) introduction to an interesting current scientific topic, led by an expert.

I want to highlight books featured by Café Sci Denver. For this week:

The Honest Broker. Making Sense of Science in Policy and Politics
by ROGER A. PIELKE, Jr.
2007, Cambridge University Press. ISBN : 9780521694810. Paperback

Roger talked about the need for scientists to maintain some distance between themselves and the policy-makers, in order to stay as effective as possible. Once one declares an opinion about policy, there is a risk of being categorized and, by people who choose to do so, marginalized. Hence, one tries to be an "honest broker." The book has been very well received. "The book's direct language and concrete examples convey the concepts to a wide audience." (review in Science, 17 August 2007)

Progressive Jobs and Internships in Denver area:

Intern with the House Majority Project

The House Majority Project works toward building a Democratic majority in the Colorado State House of Representatives. We take a statewide view of Colorado politics; funneling financial and strategic resources to key candidates and races. We analyze data, recruit and train candidates, and vigorously support Democratic candidates in targeted races.

Click Here for Full Details

Paid Canvassers for Susman for City Council

Susman for City Council is seeking two personable, outgoing people to go door-to-door visiting with voters and sharing information about why they should vote for Mary Beth. Canvassers must commit to 20 hours/week and contact a minimum of 500 doors/week. Phone banking and data entry will fulfill the time commitment if canvassing is finished early. Pay is competitive.

For more information about Mary Beth Susman, visit www.susmanforcitycouncil.com.

If you are interested in applying for the position, please contact Thomas Young at thomas@susmanforcitycouncil.com or (720) 260-4771.

Stan Garnett for Attorney General

Stan is gaining ground on his opponent, but needs your help in the final few days. Email campaign coordinator Mara Brosy-Wiwchar at voters4garnett@gmail.com to learn how to get setup for a virtual phone bank!

PROGRESSIVE TALK RADIO IN DENVER:
AM 760 - Denver

Weekday Program Schedule:
David Sirota 7AM-10AM
Ed Schultz 10AM-1PM
Thom Hartmanm 1PM-4PM
Mario Solis-Marich 4PM-7PM
Randi Rhodes 7PM-10PM
Alan Colmes 10PM-1AM
Leslie Marshall 1AM-4AM
Bill Press 4AM-6AM

GO GREEN DENVER: Five simple things you can do for Colorado

The Denver Mayor's office is engaged in a number of programs and initiatives hoping to make us all more aware of the impact we have on our environment, as well as offering ways to reduce this impact. Take 5 for the environment offers 5 simple habit changing opportunities that anyone can take part in and help keep our environment healthy for longer.

CURRENT TV DENVER AREA:
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.

In Denver 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.

Veterans Green Jobs
2627 West 6th Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
Toll Free: 866.984.8452
Local: 720.236.1300

Our mission is to connect military veterans with meaningful employment opportunities that serve our communities and environment.

To contact us:

Weatherization Programs:
Colorado, Region 9
720-236-1321

Colorado, Region 3
(719) 587-9492

Veterans Green Corps:
(720) 236-1313

Veterans City Canopy:
(720) 236-1309

Veterans Development:
(720) 236-1313

Communications & Resource Development:
(720) 236-1315

Colorado Café Scientifique in Denver: The Café Scientifique idea started in England a few years ago, based on the French Café Philosophique. In the Café Scientifique, people (often science buffs) come together in a friendly pub after work and hear an informal (no PowerPoint!) introduction to an interesting current scientific topic, led by an expert. We take a short break for refreshments, to meet new people, and chat, and then we return for questions and answers and general discussion. All questions and comments are welcome, as this isn't a seminar, it's a chance for all of us to express an opinion, expert or otherwise.

We meet at the Wynkoop Brewing Company. Check the website for upcoming events. We start at 6:30 PM in the large & comfortable first floor Mercantile Room and go to approximately 8:00 PM. Because we have been getting large crowds, it isn't practical to serve meals at the tables. We invite you to come early and get dinner in the regular restaurant, or wait until we're through (about 8 PM) and eat then. The Wynkoop's food is great! There is bar service throughout the session, and the Wynkoop people have generously offered to provide snacks for our guests. Café Scientifique meetings are FREE. The Wynkoop is generously providing the facility; we buy our own food and drinks. Seating is limited, and the event is popular, so you may want to arrive around 6 PM to be sure of getting a seat.

Denver Democracy for America Meetup
Meet others to learn more about Democracy For America and discuss local strategies. Get the latest news at your Democracy for America Meetups! This Meetup is officially brought to you by Democracy for America. Join here to find out more.

Denver Young Democrats
http://www.denveryoungdems.org/
email: info@denveryoungdems.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16820092813
Click her to find local Young Democrats events.
Click here for job and volunteer opportunities

Sign up here for email alerts from Denver Young Democrats

For the University of Denver College Dems contact:
Jeff Graves Jgraves2_at_du.edu

For the University of Denver Law School College Dems contact:
Kelley Rider KRider09_at_law.du.edu

HELP SUPPORT UNIONS IN DENVER:

Colorado AFL-CIO
http://www.coaflcio.org/

140 Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80226-8101
(303) 433-2100

NATIONAL JEWISH DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL, Denver Branch
The National Jewish Democratic Council is the trusted voice and resource for Democratic office holders, candidates and party organizations to better understand and engage with the Jewish community. NJDC mobilizes the Jewish community and convenes opinion leadership to support the Democratic promise for all Americans. We look to our Jewish tradition to guide us on the issues of social and economic justice, religious pluralism and the peace and security of the State of Israel that will be the hallmark of our work.

NJDC believes that through our work in Democratic Party politics, we can ensure a better world for our children and grandchildren.

For more information, or to become a member of NJDC and the Denver chapter, email sharronsfk@aol.com.

Chapter Board

Chair - Sharron Klein, sharronsfk@aol.com

Vice Chair - David Fogel, dfogel@fogel-law.com

Secretary - Elaine Steinberg, dsteinb105@comcast.net

PR Director - Francine Haber, franhaber@earthlink.net

Recent NJDC, Denver Events

Professor Shaul Gabbay was the featured speaker at the chapter's February meeting.

Attorney Howard Boigon spoke to the Denver Chapter of the NJDC on January 29th at Temple Emanuel. There was a great deal of discussion on current events in Gaza and the history behind these events. In particular, those in attendance were most concerned with how these events are misinterpreted by the press and others casting Israel in a bad light. Howard and his wife, Carol, a Denver councilwoman-at-large, attended the inauguration and gave a detailed overview of the activities and emotions surrounding this momentous event.

COLORADO LATINO FORUM:
http://www.coloradolatinoforum.org/

The CLF is committed to increasing Latino participation and awareness in the electoral process, educating the community on issues vital to the community and perhaps most importantly; increasing the number of Latino office holders in Colorado. CLF offers connectivity between Latino individuals and organizations across the state to achieve its mission, an element that has oftentimes been absent in past efforts in political organizing within the Latino community.

In 16 of Colorado’s 35 Senate Districts and 27 of Colorado’s House Districts, Latinos make up at least 10 percent or more of the total population. The growing numbers of Latinos in the state offer great opportunities in successfully running Latino candidates and other candidates supportive of issues important to our communities.

Currently, Colorado’s political infrastructure lacks the type of statewide organization needed to translate the rising number of Latinos across the state into meaningful political change for Latinos as a whole. The CLF offers to fill this gap. It is estimated that approximately 13-16 percent of Colorado voters in 2008 were Latino. These voters tended to vote overwhelmingly for Barack Obama and a solid majority supported progressive candidates across the state.

Despite this success, the number of Latinos serving in elected office at the federal level and at the State Capitol is at a 25-year low. The CLF has already begun the important process of reaching out to Latino communities and organizations in all areas of Colorado to mobilize Latino voters, identify possible candidates, and build coalitions that will ensure that greater numbers of Latinos are elected in the next election cycle.

Contact Us

Write: 3480 W. 38th Ave., Denver, CO 80211

Call: 303-350-2660

Fax: 303-458-0757

Email: info@ColoradoLatinoForum.org

Denver Teaching Fellows:
Denver Teaching Fellows seeks outstanding professionals and recent graduates to make a difference in the lives of the students who need you the most by becoming effective teachers in some of our highest-need public schools. Do you want to be a part of what can truly make Denver great? We are now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year. Create an account here to start your application today!

Global Denver:
http://www.globaldenver.org/home/

Global Denver is a collaborative initiative that celebrates the international and ethnic communities of the Metro Denver region!

As a hub in the new global economy, Denver is increasingly becoming a prominent international city. Denver International Airport recently celebrated its 15th birthday and reached the 50 million passenger milestone. Metro Denver is home to 83 foreign-based companies with over 17,000 local employees, and an additional 743 companies participate in the global economy through exports. International activity accounts for nearly 123,000 jobs and over five billion dollars in wages in Metro Denver every year! In addition, over 180,000 foreign tourists and 5,000 foreign students come to our region every year.

GlobalDenver.org is intended to be an online portal to community resources, events, and organizations. We invite employers, investors and entrepreneurs who are interested in improving their position in the domestic and global marketplace to learn more about our business resources and jobs in the region.

Each year, Denver is a portal into the United States for over 10,000 foreign immigrants, who come from across the world, including Latin America, Asia, and Africa and have come to work, recreate, study, and to grow their businesses. Over 17% of Denver residents are foreign-born, and many of Denver’s ethnic communities have been in Colorado for generations. Meet our international communities and learn more about the many events and opportunities to experience the international cultures of Denver!

For more info contact:
Margarita Nieto
924 West Colfax Ave, Suite 201
Denver, CO 80204
Direct line: 303-620-4489
Main line: 303-534-7783
Email: info@globaldenver.org

Denver Democrats
http://www.denverdems.org/
574 S. Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80209
Tel: 303.830.8242
Fax: 303.830.2486
Email: info@denverdemocrats.org
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 1pm-5pm.

Sign up for Denver Dems Email

Join our Facebook Group

Follow us on Twitter

Sign up for Action Alerts

Find local Democratic Events here.

And for those who like to combine social and political activities, here are the Drinking Liberally groups in the Denver area:

Denver
o Every Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm
o Skylark Lounge, 140 S. Broadway
o Hosted by Kathy Brandon | John E. | Sarah Fong

South Metro Denver
o Second Thursday of each month, 8:00 pm
o Lansdowne Arms Bistro & Bar, 9352 Dorchester St (Near HR Tattered Cover)
o Hosted by Rick Munoz

BIODIESEL IN DENVER:
Biodiesel is less polluting and has a smaller carbon footprint than regular diesel, and is produced right here in the USA. Biodiesel can be used in almost any diesel engine. Up to B20 (a 20 percent blend) any diesel engine, whether car or 18 wheeler or whatever, can use it. Above B20 some older engines may have problems, but newer engines should be ok.

Here are some stations in Denver that offer biodiesel:

Offen Petroleum: 5201 York Street, Denver, CO 80216, 303-297-3835. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS

Green Brothers Oil Company: 5335 Harrison St, Denver, CO 80216, 303-295-7669. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 6AM-5PM SAT 7-NOON.

Denver Biodiesel Coop: 3600 Clay street, Denver, CO 80211, 303-256-8494. Offers B100 MEMBERS ONLY BY APPOINTMENT. call for more info

Alternative energy and YOUR energy bill: YOU can be part of the solution for America by signing up to purchase your energy through a Green Power Provider. My wife and I have been doing this in NYC for years. All our energy usage is provided through wind energy generation on American farms. So we use clean energy AND help American farmers. It costs us three cents per kilowatt-hour more per month, but we feel great about it. Although our actual energy may come from anywhere, we are paying to purchase wind energy for the energy grid. Each state has different programs available, usually through yuor existing energy provider right on your existing energy bill. To find such options in Colorado, go here and pick your energy provider from the list. If you need help, you can email me and tell me who you get your bill from (don't give me any other info!) and I can tell you who to contact to go green through that energy provider. Or you can do the same thing using Renewable Energy Certificates through an organization that works with utility companies, though in this case it is a separate bill. One off the cheapest (.4-1 cent per kilowatt-hour), but still e-Green certified, ways to do this is through Good Energy. Or, for about half a cent per kilowatt-hour you can purchase renewable energy certificates through Carbonfund.org. ANY of these ways you do it, you are helping the environment, helping America, and helping cut carbon emissions.

GREEN BUSINESSES IN THE DENVER AREA: These are some of the best local businesses around. Taken from the Green America Green Pages

Earth Tones--the Environmental Telephone & Internet Co.
www.earthtones.com
Wireless/cellular service, Internet access, and long distance telephone service. Gives 100% of profits to environmental groups. Competitive rates and quality service, plus bills on recycled paper and monthly environmental updates.
Phone: (888)EARTH-TONES
Fax: (303)573-3780
1536 Wynkoop St., Ste. 100
Denver, CO 80202

Earth Friendly Coffee Company
www.earthfriendlycoffee.com
Wholesales only the highest-quality, Fair Trade, shade-grown, chemical-free, specialty coffees. Reduces roaster profiteering while empowering the small grower.
Phone: (866)807-6089
5310 Tennyson St.
Denver, CO 80212

Bete Noire Chocolates
www.betenoirechocolates.com
Special diets are Bete Noire's specialty! Vegan chocolates and baked goods; most products can be made without gluten, soy, or other allergens. "Ask us!"
Phone: (303)399-4876
Fax: (303)316-0608
670 Pearl St, #3
Denver, CO 80203

Catering Consciously LLC
www.cateringconsciously.com
"We are Denver's newest boutique wedding and full-service caterer, focusing on environmental sustainability." Local, organic, seasonal, sustainable, anywhere in Colorado. Amazing cuisine, flawless events!
Phone: (303)450-4815
Fax: (720)929-1100
11625 Community Ctr. Dr.
#1138
Northglenn, CO 80233

Earth and Sky Architecture, LLC
www.earthskyarchitecture.com
"Whether you want a conventional home or a state-of-the-art environmentally friendly home, Earth and Sky can help make your dreams a reality."
Phone: (720)956-1643
Fax: (303)675-6597
800 W. 8th Ave.
#113
Denver, CO 80204

BECKONS organic
www.beckonsorganic.com
Using organic and sustainable fibers and fair labor manufacturers, Beckons provides comfortable, vivid clothing and other empowering products to enhance beauty and affect change.
Phone: (303)881-0872
Fax: (303)355-0877
1120 Hudson St.
Denver, CO 80220

Natural Sleep Store
www.thenaturalsleepstore.com
Offers organic mattresses, natural latex mattresses, crib mattresses, and organic bedding including sheets, pillows, and blankets. Also offering natural bed frames.
Phone: (866)663-0859
928 W. 8th Ave.
Denver, CO 80204

Amazing Recycled Products, Inc.
www.amazingrecycled.com
Has manufactured and distributed 200 recycled products since 1990. Wholesale gifts, landscaping timber, and recycling bins. Also offers a variety of unusual promotional products.
Phone: (800)241-2174
Fax: (303)699-2102
P.O. Box 312
Denver, CO 80201-0312

PureWater Colorado
www.multipureusa.com/dsmyth/
Water purification systems. NSF certified to reduce broadest range of contaminants. "Get the Toxins out!" Lifetime warranty. Reverse osmosis systems. No more bottles in landfills.
Phone: (303)763-8622
6892 W. Eldorado Pl.
Lakewood, CO 80227-5207

Fiddlehead Designs
www.ecoconcretesinks.com
Loop integral sinks, washbasins, and vessels by Fiddlehead Designs are made with an eco-friendly concrete blend of recycled concrete and glass. Residential and commercial.
Phone: (303)777-0374
Fax: (866)861-6146
2505 W. 2nd Ave.
Unit 5
Denver, CO 80219

Business Nonprofit CONNECTIONS, Inc.
www.BusinessGivingStrategies.com
Specialists in designing and evaluating strategic partnerships between businesses and nonprofits to maximize benefits to both organizations. Providing consulting, speaking, live/online training, and the "Back to the Community ProgramTM." We help you "do well by doing good."
Phone: (866)512-0808
Fax: (866)255-8458
1305 S. Elm St.
Ste. 208
Denver, CO 80222

Green Website Solutions
www.greenwebsitesolutions.com
"The first and only environmentally friendly, 100% solar-powered Web hosting service available on the market today."
Phone: (877)293-8464
Fax: (877)293-8464
8547 E Arapahoe Rd.
#J153
Englewood, CO 80112

Denver Open Acupuncture
www.denveropenacupuncture.com
Provides high quality acupuncture treatment at an affordable cost following the sliding scale community room model of the Community Acupuncture Network.
Phone: (303)837-8166
1414 Marion St.
Apt 2
Denver, CO 80218-2232

BACK TO PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT NEWSLETTER MAIN PAGE

Boulder County, CO Focus

2011-11-01T15:27:00.002-04:00

UPCOMING EVENTS IN BOULDER AREA:

Friday Movie Night
Start Date/Time: Friday, November 04, 2011 6:30 PM
End Date/Time: Friday, November 04, 2011 9:30 PM
Location: Boulder County Democratic Party HQ (1725 B Walnut St. Boulder)
Description:
Join the BCDP Platform Committee for a film series exploring the most urgent issues of our times. Tentative subject: Healthcare.

The event will be held at the Boulder County Democratic Party Headquarters, 1725B Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302 at 6:30 PM. End time approximate.

Health Care Reform Forum
Date/Time: Saturday, November 05, 2011 10:00 AM
Location: BVSD Ed Center Board Room
6500 Arapahoe Rd
Boulder, CO 80303

Description:
A free public forum: Health Care Reform: Are you at Risk? Can a Colorado cooperative close the gaps in the Federal health care law?

Colorado State Senator Irene Aguilar, MD and Dr Michael Pramenko, Past President of the Colorado Medical Society, along with other panelists will discuss Federal health care law [Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)] and new Colorado legislation proposing a Health Care Cooperative for all. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Boulder County and Health Care for All Colorado (www.healthcareforallcolorado.org).

Friday Movie Night
Start Date/Time: Friday, November 11, 2011 6:30 PM
Location: Boulder County Democratic Party HQ (1725 B Walnut St. Boulder)
Description:
Join the BCDP Platform Committee for a film series exploring the most urgent issues of our times. Tentative subject: Veterans Day, American foreign policy and wars, militarism, national security and the military industrial complex.

The event will be held at the Boulder County Democratic Party Headquarters, 1725B Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302 at 6:30 PM. End time approximate.

PROGRESSIVE TALK RADIO, BOULDER
AM 760

Tune in to hear all the best Progressive Talk Radio at AM 760
David Sirota 7AM-10AM
Ed Schultz 10AM - 1PM
Thom Hartmann 1PM - 4PM
Mario Solis-Marich 4PM - 7PM
Randi Rhodes 7PM - 10PM
Alan Colmes 10PM - 1AM
Leslie Marshall 1AM-4AM
Bill Press 4AM - 6AM

CURRENT TV BOULDER AREA:
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.

In Boulder 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.

BOULDER COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY:

BCDP Boulder HQ
PO Box 18793, Boulder, CO 80308-1793
1725B Walnut St., 303.442.3423
Office Hours:
Tues & Thurs 10am to 2pm
You can contact us at:
office@bouldercountydems.org
(303) 442-3423
Follow us on Twitter
BCDP Longmont HQ
Closed for the season
Look for us in 2012!

Find out about upcoming events here

To volunteer, click here...we need your help to win

Some local contacts from Boulder County Democrats:

Latinos United for Political Engagement (LUPE)
Email: latino@bouldercountydems.org
BCDP Liaison: Angelique Espinoza, 303-818-2032

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Dems
Contact: Eric Karnes, EKTriangle@aol.com

College Dems at CU Boulder
Website:https://sites.google.com/site/coloradodemocrats/

Longmont Area Democrats
Website: www.longmontdems.org

Some fun activities with the Boulder Democrats:

Boulder Office Staffing
We are expanding our Boulder Dems HQ office hours as we get closer to Election Day and need more people to cover the 3 hour shifts. Duties include answering phones, greeting visitors, looking up information on the internet, copying, etc. The top-notch training you will receive now will help reduce chaos closer to Election Day! The office is located at 1725 Walnut St in Boulder.

Time commitment: 3 hrs/shift/week. (We also need good substitutes, so those who can't commit to a shift per week are nevertheless encouraged to sign up.)
Contact: Office Team, office@bouldercountydems.org, 303-442-3423.

Staff the Boulder Dems Booth at Various Summer Festivals
Come hand out campaign literature, bumper stickers, buttons, and register people to vote at fun festivals and events throughout the summer.
Time commitment: Variable.
Contact: Dorrel Edstrand, specialevents@bouldercountydems.org, 303-862-7808.

Walk in Parades
Join your fellow Democrats by walking in local parades, waving signs and flags to show your support of local and national Democratic candidates!
Time commitment: Variable.
Contact: Dorrel Edstrand, specialevents@bouldercountydems.org, 303-862-7808.

Float Building for Summer Parades
Put your creativity or construction skills to work by joining a team to design and build floats for upcoming local parades. No experience necessary!
Time commitment: Variable.
Contact: Volunteer Coordination, volunteer@bouldercountydems.org, 303-440-1321.

Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence My wife is involved with a similar organization in New York.

Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence is a human rights organization committed to ending violence against women, youth and children through support, advocacy, education and community organizing.

24 Hour Crisis Line (303) 444-2424

Click here to see what services they offer.

Click here to find local events.

AMISTAD:
AMISTAD is a place for immigrants to learn about and further their rights. AMISTAD provides training in leadership and organizing skills to help our members build community among themselves and reach out to the broader community.

AMISTAD una organización sin fines de lucro, es el resultado de estas discusiones. AMISTAD es el lugar en donde inmigrantes aprenden a trabajar juntos para hacer valer sus derechos, son entrenados en liderazgo y organización comunitaria en donde al mismo tiempo aprenden a construir una comunidad mas fuerte y unida.

Find local events here.

Check out AMISTAD's projects here.

Participate in a forum on immigrant rights here.

Grupo Compañeras - Compañeras Group
Every Tuesday/Martes 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Where: El Centro AMISTAD 2222 14th Street Boulder, CO 80304
DescriptionGrupo para Mujeres. "Ven y se parte de éste grupo de mujeres con inquietudes de Superación, Liderazgo y Desarrollo Humano"

Boulder County Latina Women's League:
http://bclwl.org/

Our primary program, The Dorothy Trujillo Scholarship Program, has awarded scholarship dollars to Latina high school students pursuing higher education since 1999. Scholarships are also awarded for students already in college who have received a scholarship from the League in previous years.

In 2009-10, the League awarded thirty-one (31) scholarships totaling $37,500 at our annual Scholarship Awards Event. School officials, students, parents, community mentors, student mentors, community members, League board members and volunteers attended the scholarship event and provided praise and support for the accomplishment and dedication of the recipients.

Since 2000, we have awarded $142,000 in scholarship dollars to 182 Latina and Latino students. In 2008 we added Latino to our scholarship awards program.

For more info contact: (303) 443-0419 ×150 or email BCLWL@yahoo.com or contact Teresa Rivas 303-665-7561/303-497-1437 or email rivas@ucar.edu or contact Veronica LaCrue at 303-319-5041

For those who like liberal politics in a more party atmosphere, here are Drinking Liberally groups in the Boulder area:

North Boulder
o First and Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm
o Murphy's Grill, 2731 Iris Ave (By the bar in back)
o Hosted by Richard Bateman | Marc Sobel

Downtown Boulder
o Second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
o Pearl Street Pub, 1108 Pearl St
o Hosted by Carrie Jackson

Boulder Sustainable Energy Group
We welcome anyone looking for an interesting, informative, and social forum for the exchange of ideas that will help each of us reduce our 'personal' consumption of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gasses, and make greener consumer choices in general. Sign up here to find out when and where they meet.

If you have a car or truck with a diesel engine, you can buy Biodiesel fuel at this station in Boulder County:

Bartkus Oil Company: 3501 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80301, 303-442-6000. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS

Boulder County Farmer's Market Association

The Boulder County Farmers' Markets take pride in bringing you locally grown vegetables, meats, fruits, flowers, plants, gourmet cheeses and wines sold by the farmers that produce them. While you're purchasing your fresh vegetables and fruits (many of them organically grown) enjoy a tasty pastry from a local bakery or a meal created by local chefs.

Saturdays - April 3 to November 20, 8 a.m to 2 p.m.
Wednesdays - May 5 through October 6, 4 p.m to 8 p.m.

Our beautiful location on 13th Street between Arapahoe and Canyon, is next to Central Park in downtown Boulder. You can walk, ride your bike, take the bus or drive your car to visit us.

GREEN BUSINESSES IN THE BOULDER COUNTY AREA: These are some of the best local businesses around. Taken from the Green America Green Pages

Organic Vintners, Inc.
www.organicvintners.com
Purveyor of wines made with certified organic grapes from 23 wine-growing regions in 9 countries. Vegan and biodynamic selections.
Phone: (800)216-3898
Fax: (303)245-8911
1628 Walnut St.
Boulder, CO 80302

What's Working
www.whatsworking.com
Design and consulting firm specializing in energy conservation, environmental construction technology, and sustainable community development.
Phone: (303)444-7044
Fax: (303)444-7013
57 Acorn Ln.
Boulder, CO 80304-0490

Gaiam, Inc.
www.Gaiam.com
"We bring you the best in environmentally friendly products and offer low-impact, safe, and biodegradable cleaning solutions for virtually every room in the house. Visit our Web site or call to receive a free catalog."
Phone: (800)869-3603
P.O. Box 3095
Boulder, CO 80307-3095

Suite Sleep, Inc.
www.suitesleep.com
Special offer for Green Pages™ readers: Free set of sheets wiht any mattress purchase.
Manufactures of organic & natural mattresses, bedding, and linens. Made in the USA using local organic materials.
Phone: (866)753-3337
Fax: (303)479-6688
1501 Lee Hill Rd.
Unit 3
Boulder, CO 80304

Phil Kirshman, CFA, CFP, UBS Institutional Consulting/Leonard Social Inv. Group
Consultant to foundations, endowments, non-profits and individuals on wealth management strategies, customized sustainability investing, shareholder advocacy, community investing and philanthropy. The Leonard Social Investment Group has over 35 years of combined experience providing SRI consulting services.
Phone: (800)367-3052
Fax: (303)441-5370
1801 13th St.
Ste. 100
Boulder, CO 80302

Positive Energy
www.positive-energy.com
Online catalog of unique energy saving products: whole house, kitchen and bath fans, compact fluorescent bulbs, air purifiers, vapor barriers, expanding foams, and much more.
Phone: (800)488-4340
Fax: (303)444-4340
P.O. Box 7568
Boulder, CO 80306-7568

eco-officiency
www.eco-officiency.com
Sustainable consulting services offered to small and medium sized business including; conducting assessment, developing sustainability plans, facilitation of green teams, developing CSR reports, and training.
Phone: (303)517-5300
4055 Dawn Ct.
Boulder, CO 80304

What's Working
www.whatsworking.com
Design and consulting firm specializing in energy conservation, environmental construction technology, and sustainable community development.
Phone: (303)444-7044
Fax: (303)444-7013
57 Acorn Ln.
Boulder, CO 80304-0490

EcoGreenOffice
www.ecogreenoffice.com/
A value oriented one-stop shop for green office products. "Partners (clients) of EcoGreenOffice experience benefits no other supplier offers."
Phone: (866)444-4397 X101
Fax: (303)449-1289
PO Box 19224
Boulder, CO 80308-2224

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Brooklyn, NY Focus

2011-11-01T15:21:00.002-04:00

UPCOMING EVENTS:

GreenMarket at Bartel Pritchard Square
Every Wednesday, until Nov 23, 2011 8am – 3pm

72nd Precinct Community Council meeting
Tue, November 8, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Marion Heim Senior Center, 4520 4th Ave. at 45th Street
Description(Public Welcome) Tues. Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. (Meeting is held at same time and place on the 2nd Tues. of every month) The police captain always attends these meetings. Subway: R to 45th St.

Brooklyn Community Pride Center’s Capital Campaign Receptions

BCPC has received $3M in capital funding commitments and is close to securing a permanent residence for the Pride Center. Please join them at one of the following receptions to discuss ways to raise the private funds required to match the committed city funds. BCPC will be soliciting ideas, not funds at these receptions.

Wednesday, November 9th, 6:30pm to 8:00pm
The Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture
53 Prospect Park West
RSVP by emailing tfleidner@lgbtbrooklyn.org

Prospect Park Moonlight Ride
Sat, Nov 12th, 9:00 pm
Grand Army Plaza, the northern entrance of Prospect Park where Flatbush Ave., Eastern Pkwy, Union St. and Prospect Park West all intersect.

The Prospect Park Moonlight Ride is opened to bikers and skilled skaters. Meet at 9 p.m., Grand Army Plaza, on the second Saturday of the month, every month. This is a safe, peaceful ride that visits many of the little-known treasures the park has to offer.

78th Precinct Community Council meeting
Tue, November 29, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
78th precinct at 65 6th Ave. (betw. Bergen and Dean)
Description(Public Welcome) Tues. Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. (Meeting is held at same time and place on the last Tues. of every month) The 78 precinct covers Prospect Park and the Park Slope side of Bartel Pritchard Sq.

CURRENT TV NYC:

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.

In NYC Current TV is available on:
Time Warner Digital: Channel 103
DIRECTV: Channel 358
DISH Network: Channel 196
Comcast Digital: Channel 107
AT&T U-Verse: Channel 189

Check out their program schedule here.

Majora Carter's "The Promised Land"
WNYC-AM820

Saturdays at 2PM. Sundays at 8PM. Listen to the new radio documentary show hosted by Bronx Science Alumna & Local Environmentalist, Majora Carter. Find out more here.

PROGRESSIVE TALK RADIO:
WWRL AM 1060
http://wwrl1600.com/default.asp

Check out the daily programming schedule here.

click here for their schedule of local events

WWRL Book Club
Become a member of the WWRL Morning Show, become a Morning Maniac.
Here’s your chance to be the recipient of a morning show “MUST READ” book.
Every Friday Mark Riley randomly selects a registrant, one per hour (6-9 am) and awards a “Must Read” that keeps up with world events

Click Here to Join!

BROOKLYN BLOGS:

Currently the best blog for Brooklyn Politics: The Brooklyn Politics Blog

Pardon Me for Asking

NO LAND GRAB

Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn

Duffield St. Underground

Sustainable Flatbush brings neighbors together to mobilize, educate, and advocate for sustainable living in our Brooklyn neighborhood and beyond.

The Windsor Terrace Alliance is made up of residents, community groups and businesses of Windsor Terrace interested in advocating for our neighborhood.

DEMOCRACY FOR NYC MEETINGS IN BROOKLYN:

DFNYC, the local affilliate of Howard Dean's Democracy for America has two meetings in Brooklyn. It is a great way to get involved in local reform and progressive politics.

New Location: Midwood/Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn - 7:00 pm, at the home of Steve Slavin, 1421 Ditmas Ave, off the corner of Marlborough Road (equivalent of East 15th St.)
Steve's house is a block from the Newkirk stop of the B and Q trains, and 5 blocks from the Coney Island Ave. bus.with hosts Steve Slavin and Vicky Curto.

New Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn - Now at 8:00 pm, at Cocoa Bar, 228 7th Ave (between 3rd and 4th Street) with host Josh Silverstein.

Democracy for NYC (DFNYC) is committed to the ideals espoused by Democracy for America, the organization founded by Howard Dean, and the national network of local coalition groups dedicated to the same.

We work both locally and nationally to ensure that fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates are elected at all levels of government. We develop innovative ways to advocate for the issues that matter to our members and support legislation which has a positive effect in our communities. We promote transparency and ethical practices in government. 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.

CLEAN UP NEW YORK POLITICS:
GRASSROOTS NYC: This is an organization founded by fellow Daily Gotham blogger and DFNYC activist Dan Jacoby.

GrassrootsNYC was created to provide a new method for generating real government reform in New York City. Instead of the old-fashioned method of fighting for reform (and usually not getting much done), GrassrootsNYC aims to leverage the power of tens of thousands of reform-minded New Yorkers to force our government to work for us - the way our Founding Fathers intended government to work.

This is a real chance for you to get involved in reforming our political system from the bottom up. To find out more, visit GrassrootsNYC's website and sign up for updates. This could be one of the most important groups you can get involved with if you want to see NYC politics cleaned up.

KEEP WAL-MART OUT OF NYC:

Bloomerg and the right wing New York Post want 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

Click here for National Organization of Women's Statement on WalMart's Gender Discrimination.

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
Check out these websites to find out how you can fight back.

Wal-Mart Free NYC
Neighborhood Retail Alliance

BROOKLYN NAACP:
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.

Here are some local Brooklyn branches:

Ny City Dept. Of Social Services NAACP
Brooklyn, NY 11202
888-802-2536

Brooklyn NAACP
26 COURT STREET SUITE 2205
Brooklyn, NY 11242
718-243-2040

National Jewish Democratic Council:

The National Jewish Democratic Council is the trusted voice and resource for Democratic office holders, candidates and party organizations to better understand and engage with the Jewish community. NJDC mobilizes the Jewish community and convenes opinion leadership to support the Democratic promise for all Americans. We look to our Jewish tradition to guide us on the issues of social and economic justice, religious pluralism and the peace and security of the State of Israel that will be the hallmark of our work.

NJDC believes that through our work in Democratic Party politics, we can ensure a better world for our children and grandchildren.

For more information, or to become a member of the New York chapter, contact msudco2@aol.com.

Prospect Farm Compost Drop-off
Help out local growers with your scraps
Every Saturday 11am – 12pm
1194 Prospect Avenue next to Seeley St. Bridge
WHAT TO BRING: fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, green plants
WHAT NOT TO BRING: meat and fish scraps, cheese and dairy products, fats, oils and greasy foods, dog and cat waste.

Volunteers needed who can be there regularly to monitor and help with compost dropoff. Let me know if you’re available - prospectfarm@googlegroups.com
Prospect Farm's Google group: http://groups.google.com/group/prospectfarm?pli=1

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.

We currently 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.

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. 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.

Lambda Independent Democrats: s Brooklyn’s largest lesbian and gay political organization. Founded by a group of activists in Boerum Hill in early 1978, we have grown to become one of the state’s largest LGBT political clubs.

Email L.I.D.
LIDBrooklyn@gmail.com

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.

NKD meets the first Wed of each month, 7pm – 9pm at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 334 S. 5th St. (btwn Keap & Rodney St.), Brooklyn, NY

Prospect Heights Democrats for Reform:

A new group of eager reformers just getting started. For more info join them on face book or contact them:
email: phdr718@gmail.com
Phone: 646-820-1389

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

ALSO Eating Liberally Central Brooklyn:
Second Tuesday of every month, 7 PM, in local Prospect Heights, Gowanus, or Park Slope restaurants. Hosted by me! Contact me at mole333@gmail.com for more info.

FOOD CO-OPS IN BROOKLYN:

Lefferts Farm Food Cooperative:
http://www.meetup.com/PLGFoodCoop/

A newly formed food co-op covering Flatbush, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens and Crown Heights. This group will work toward planning, assessment and implementation of a food buyers or store coop with a mission of offering healthy, sustainable and affordable foods to the community. ANYONE is welcome to join, even if you can't (or don't want to) be directly involved in the planning process as important updates to our progress will be posted here!

Click here to join.

New Food Co-op Coming to Brooklyn: The Greene Hill Food Coop

Welcome! We are a member-owned and -operated food co-operative located in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, providing affordable, top-quality food for our neighbors in Fort Greene, Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, and Prospect Heights. Our store at 18 Putnam Avenue is scheduled to open in the Fall. In the meantime, you can join our Co-op and order from our online Buying Club. Hundreds of your neighbors are already Members!

Join the Co-op so you can order from the Buying Club!

Bay Ridge Food Co-op

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

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.

You can also attend New Member meetings to find out more:

Bay Ridge Library
(73rd St & Ridge)
1st Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm
3rd Saturday of each month, 10:30am

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.

BROOKLYN CULTURE: Proteus Gowanus
543 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Gallery Hours
THURS & FRIDAYS, 3-6 pm
SAT & SUNDAYS, 12-6 pm

This is a great art space in an under-utilized, under visited part of Brooklyn. From their website:

Proteus Gowanus is an interdisciplinary gallery and reading room housed in a former 1900 box factory located centrally among several vibrant Brooklyn communities. Proteus Gowanus is named after both the Greek sea god who could change form and the neighboring Gowanus Canal, a changing post-industrial waterfront area with a thriving artistic community and a history dating back to the Revolutionary War and earlier.

Proteus Gowanus exhibitions, programs and publications are developed by a core collaborative of artists, writers and workers in other disciplines, with help from an extended community of PG correspondents. Proteus Gowanus also works reciprocally with a group of non-profit partner organizations that utilize the Proteus space and receive proceeds from sales. Proteus Gowanus incorporates the rich, interdisciplinary resources of its non-profit partners into exhibits and programs.

Some regular events at Proetus Gowanus:

Writers, readers and others are invited to join Study Hall and work in our gallery and library spaces from Mondays-Fridays, 10 am - 5 pm.

Every Thursday from 5-8 pm, the Fixers Collective meets at Proteus Gowanus. See Fixers Collective page for details and be sure to fill out the Fix Sheet. $5 donation.

Every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 pm, the Writhing Society meets at Proteus to practice and discuss writing with constraints. $5 fee.
To join our mailing list, send email to info@proteusgowanus.com

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Manhattan, NY Focus

2011-10-30T14:23:00.001-04:00

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Solidarity Event: Move Your Money - Bank Transfer Day
Sat, November 5, 9am – 5pm

For more information visit the official Facebook page: http://facebook.com/nov.fifth Together we can ensure that these banking institutions will ALWAYS remember the 5th of November!! If the 99% removes our funds from the major banking institutions to non-profit credit unions on or by this date, we will send a clear message to the 1% that conscious consumers won't support companies with unethical business practices. • Open an account with a Credit Union or small, local bank • Transfer your funds to the new account on or before 11/05 • Follow your bank's procedures to close your account

To find a credit union near you: http://www.findacreditunion.com/

(A more mainstream alternative is TD Bank which did no predatory lending and might be more convenient than a credit union depending on your banking needs)

Downtown Independent Democrats Fall Fundraiser:
MONDAY NOV 14 2011 6:30 – 8:30 pm

You are cordially invited to attend our Fall Fundraiser.
at Little Italy’s
La Mela Ristorante
167 Mulberry Street
(between Broome & Grand)

Have a Drink!
Eat Great Italian Food!
Meet elected officials, candidates, District Leaders, community organizers and friends.

We have a lot of work to do in this crucial time.

Support Downtown’s largest progressive Democratic organization!
$25 for Members and Friends! (Includes membership for new members.)

Peace & Gratitude Ride
Sunday, November 20th, 2011, 11:00 AM
Location: Meet at Gandhi Statue, SW corner of Union Square (across from Staples)
Details: As Thanksgiving approaches, let us ride for peace and gratitude. A leisurely peaceful ride to some of downtown Manhattan's peace sites (Point Thank You, Robert Wagner Park, Fritz Koenig's The Sphere) with an emphasis on sharing what you are grateful for. Culminating with a Labyrinth Walk at The Labyrinth for Contemplation. Bring something to share: poem, prayer, song or snack. Bring the kids. Great first ride for cyclists new to group rides. DRESS FOR THE WEATHER!
http://www.peacemuseumnewyork.org

Riverside Ride
Sat, Nov 26th, 10:00 pm, Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park, at the intersection of Broadway, Central Park South 59th Street, and Central Park West)

Join us on bicycles or skates at 10 p.m. on the last Saturday of every month at the Columbus Circle (59th Street) entrance to Central Park for a totally safe, magical, evening ride in Manhattan. As with our Moonlight Rides, we'll share the tranquillity of Central Park, plus we'll add the grand vistas of the Hudson River from Riverside Park. The scenic tour continues down the greenway to the lovely pier where bicycles are welcome. After that, it's a pleasant ride through streets back to Columbus Circle.

This ride usually covers about 10-12 miles and lasts about 2 hours. Weather? We only cancel when no one in their right mind would have fun. Dress for the weather. We hope these rides encourage folks to enjoy our parks at night, without motor vehicles: quiet, safe, and relaxed.

Occupy Wall Street
https://occupywallst.org/

Occupy Wall Street is leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends and encourage the use of nonviolence to maximize the safety of all participants.

Nobody Can Predict The Moment Of Revolution from ivarad on Vimeo.

Join us in Liberty Plaza: Corner of Liberty st. and Broadway, EVERYDAY 1 PM and 7 PM

TIME'S UP NYC!
http://times-up.org/

TIME'S UP! is a New York City-based not-for-profit direct-action environmental group that uses events and educational programs to promote a more sustainable, less toxic city.

Click here for recent campaigns

Click here for a Calendar of environmental events around NYC

Click here to learn about and join in with Critical Mass, the group Bloomberg seems to hate the most.

CURRENT TV NYC:

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.

In NYC Current TV is available on:
Time Warner Digital: Channel 103
DIRECTV: Channel 358
DISH Network: Channel 196
Comcast Digital: Channel 107
AT&T U-Verse: Channel 189

Check out their program schedule here.

Majora Carter's "The Promised Land"
WNYC-AM820

Saturdays at 2PM. Sundays at 8PM. Listen to the new radio documentary show hosted by Bronx Science Alumna & Local Environmentalist, Majora Carter.

PROGRESSIVE TALK RADIO:
WWRL AM 1060
http://wwrl1600.com/default.asp

Check out the daily programming schedule here.

click here for their schedule of local events

WWRL Book Club
Become a member of the WWRL Morning Show, become a Morning Maniac.
Here’s your chance to be the recipient of a morning show “MUST READ” book.
Every Friday Mark Riley randomly selects a registrant, one per hour (6-9 am) and awards a “Must Read” that keeps up with world events

Click Here to Join!

CLEAN UP NEW YORK POLITICS:
GRASSROOTS NYC: This is an organization founded by fellow Daily Gotham blogger and DFNYC activist Dan Jacoby.

GrassrootsNYC was created to provide a new method for generating real government reform in New York City. Instead of the old-fashioned method of fighting for reform (and usually not getting much done), GrassrootsNYC aims to leverage the power of tens of thousands of reform-minded New Yorkers to force our government to work for us - the way our Founding Fathers intended government to work.

Meet MYD: Manhattan Young Democrats from Shannon Manning on Vimeo.

Join the Manhattan Young Democrats and get involved–it’s the next step.

Downtown Independent Democrats
http://didnyc.org/

Since the 1970s, the Downtown Independent Democrats has been the voice for residents of lower Manhattan in the politics of the Democratic Party. Born from the reform movement that overturned many decades of party-boss rule in lower Manhattan, D.I.D. continues to support progressive government and issues, helps elect honest and intelligent public officials, and supports deserving and qualified judicial candidates. We serve as a direct conduit to local elected officials, organize forums to introduce prospective candidates to the voters, and then organize support behind our endorsed candidates.

Our endorsements of candidates are always made at open public meetings, often after lively debate and discussion of the issues with the candidates themselves. We also provide printed and online voter information, sponsor get-out-the-vote drives and register new voters.

D.I.D. fought for (and won) loft legislation, moderate-income housing, small business protection, better schools, better parks, and neighborhoods made safer with a better quality of life for our families.

Our members actively serve on PTAs, the community boards, Community Emergency Response Teams, advocacy groups, as well as civic and neighborhood associations.

The club's district covers one of the largest land areas of any club in Manhattan. Neighborhoods represented by the club include Battery Park City, the Financial District, TriBeCa, Hudson Square, SoHo, NoHo, the South Village, the Washington Square area, Washington Square Village, Silver Towers, Village View, and parts of the Lower East Side and the East Village, as well as Governors Island.

For more info, contact:
Jeanne Wilcke, President, tel: (917) 948-4859, email: info@didnyc.org
Sean Sweeney, Treasurer, tel: (212) 460-9896, email: treasurer@didnyc.org
Andy Neale, Webmaster, tel: (917) 517-2068, email: webmaster@didnyc.org

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Miami, FL Focus

2011-10-30T11:54:00.004-04:00

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.

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.

South Florida AFL-CIO:
http://www.sfaflcio.org/

Working and Middle Class Solidarity!
Serving Dade, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Henry, Lee and Monroe Counties
1525 N.W. 167th St., Suite 450
Miami, FL 33169
Phone: 786-213-3702

Click here for the AFL-CIO Action Center

Click here for upcoming pro-labor events.

MIAMI GREEN DRINKS:

A green social networking group in Miami... are you green yet?

Spreading the green message throughout Miami and bringing environmentally conscious professionals together.

If you work in the environmental field, or your just interested in making the world a greener place, then join us for happy hour drinks, once a month.

follow us on twitter @GreenDrinksMIA

For more info E-mail: GreenDrinksMIA@hotmail.com

ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION OF MIAMI AND THE BEACHES
http://ecomb.org/

ECOMB, an environmental not-for-profit organization founded in 1994, is dedicated to the promotion of environmental sustainability and the preservation of our community’s ecology. This mission is carried out through the development and implementation of a variety of educational programs and campaigns in an effort to achieve the following objectives:

* Reduce the amount of litter in Miami-Dade County’s beaches, waterways, islands, parks and mangroves;
* Increase the county’s residential and commercial recycling rates;
* Promote, preserve and restore coastal habitats, such as our sandy beaches, near shore coral reefs, beach dunes, mangroves, and Biscayne Bay islands and waters;
* Decrease our community’s carbon footprint through the adoption of “green” lifestyle practices that are more environmentally sustainable.

Check out their calendar of events here.

LOCAL DEMOCRATIC CLUBS:

Miami Dade Young Democrats
801 Arthur Godfrey Road/41 St Suite 402A
Miami Beach, Florida 33140

www.MDYoungDems.com

Meets last Tues of every month, 6:30 PM for a mixer, meeting begins 7 PM. Food provided.

Click here for their calendar of events

Click here for jobs, internships, and training.

Latin America Democratic Council
11600 SW 69 Avenue
Pinecrest, Florida 33156

Contact: Santiago Leon
Ph: 305.439.4338
santiagoleon@yahoo.com

Miami Cuban American Democratic Club
14332 SW 43rd Ter
Miami, Florida 33175

Contact: Hector Caraballo
Ph: 305.624.4910
hmanuel105@yahoo.com

Haitian American Democratic Club
2875 NE 191 Street, Suite 505
Aventura, Florida 33180

Contact: Mary Irving
Ph: 305.935.5898
maryirving@irvingstaffing.com

Dominican American Democratic Club
17610 NE 7th Ct
Miami, Florida 33162

Contact: America Schroh
Ph: 305.651.8408
schroh@juno.com

All Peoples Democratic Club
18010 NE 10th Avenue
North Miami Beach, Florida 33140

Contact: Thomas Pinder
Ph: 305.651.6557
tkpstate@yahoo.com

Team Network Neighborhood Democratic Club
4824 NW. 15th Court
Miami, Florida 33142

Contact: Mae Christian
Ph: 305.308.4294
felta@bellsouth.net

Democratic Power
9011 SW 142nd Avenue #14-17
Miami, Florida 33186

Contact: Paul Barthole
Ph: 786.201.1166
dectreasurer@gmail.com

Three Villages Democratic Club
P.O. Box 640911
North Miami Beach, Florida 33164

Contact: William Pena Wells
Ph: 305.898.0243
wpw@williampenawells.com

Miami Beach Democratic Club
801 Arthur Godfrey Road #402A
Miami Beach, Florida 33140

www.MiamiBeachDems.com

Meets 1st Tuesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the VFW 1st floor meeting room at 650 West Avenue, Miami Beach.

Biscayne Corridor Democratic Club
1241 NE 87th St
Miami, Florida 33138

Contact: Ken Lipner
Ph: 305.759.1889
klipner@msn.com

Miami Gardens Democratic Club
1925 NW 179th Street
Miami Gardens, Florida 33056

Contact: Edith Owens
Ph: 305.624.4910
eowens179@bellsouth.net

Coral Gables Democratic Club
728 Catalonia Avenue
Coral Gables, Florida 33140

Contact: Janet Nostro
Ph: 305.933.9999
nostro@comcast.net

Redlands Democrats
P.O Box 349138
Florida City, Florida 33034

Contact: John Romano
Ph: 305.733.7663
jkromano@bellsouth.net

Democratic Club of Great Homestead-Florida City
224 Washington Avenue Suite 11
Homestead, Florida 33030

Contact: Patricia Mellerson
Ph: 305.383.2496
pat4141@bellsouth.net

Sunny Isles Beach Democratic Club
231-174 Street #1804
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160

Contact: Tony LoCastro
Ph: 305.931.2073
alcastro7@aol.com

Democratic Club of South Dade
8440 South Dixie Hwy.
Miami, Florida 33143

Contact: Robert Goldstein
Ph: 305.970.9734
robertgrimm62@yahoo.com

The William Lehman North East Dade Involved Democrats
20100 W Country Club Drive Apt. 202
Aventura, Florida 33180

Contact: Arthur Grossman
Ph: 305.932.0042
nedid202@aol.com

Liberty City
7631 Nw 17th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33147

Contact: Lottie Hines
Ph: 786.355.0348
hines_lottie@yahoo.com

GREEN BUSINESSES IN THE MIAMI AREA:

Coverings ETC

Specializes in the sustainable hard surface design finishes that showcase 'green' attributes with recycled content and superior life cycle assessment factors.

7610 N.E. 4th Ct. Miami, Florida, United States 33138
phone: (800)720-7814
fax: 305)757-6100
website: www.coveringsetc.com

Global Trends, LLC

A distribution and public relations company with a showroom representing both established and up-and-coming accessory and fashion designers from around the world.

1110 Brickell Ave. Ste. 806 Miami, Florida, United States 33131
phone: (305)374-6777
fax:(305)577-0877
website: http://www.globaltrends.biz

Earth-Saver Bags

Manufactures organic cotton and cotton jute bags for supermarkets and stores - all natural fibers.

20725 NE 16th Ave. A-17 North Miami Beach, Florida, United States 33179
phone: 305)493-3940
fax: (305)493-3943
website: www.earth-saver.com

Atlantis Natural

Breastfeeding supplies, swaddling, safe and natural toys, organic food, organic cotton children's clothing, natural supplements, skin and dental care, EMF protection. Store, library, and directory.

1750 N. Bayshore Dr. Unit 1902 Miami, Florida, United States 33132
phone: (877)852-8558
website: www.atlantisnatural.com

Bamboobarry.Com

Bamboo building materials, fencing poles, plywood, molding; offering design build services, shade structures, lawn and garden, and much more.

7235 N.E. 4th Ave Miami, Florida, United States 33138
phone: (305)758-9444
fax: (305)758-9446
website: www.bamboobarry.com

Eco Artistic Products

Exquisite eco-friendly wholesale jewelry, hair accessories, rosaries, and jewelry boxes crafted from gorgeous and unique exotic woods found on the floors of tropical rainforests.

6538 Collins Ave. Ste. 376 Miami Beach, Florida, United States 33141
phone: (305)861-1168
fax: (636)660-1168
website: www.ecoartisticproducts.com

BACK TO PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT NEWSLETTER MAIN PAGE

The Big Lie About the Post Office

2011-10-30T11:16:00.000-04:00

This article has two purposes. First is to discuss the big lie the Republicans, Teabaggers and mainstream media are telling you about the Post Office. The Post Office is not in bad financial straits. The Post Office is being FORCED by a deliberate Republican policy into bad financial straits and really has overpaid the government billions of dollars according to two independent audits.

The second purpose is to emphasize just how important it is for you to be involved in your local Democratic Party and/or other local political organizations. The chance to meet your Congressional Rep, even challenge your Congressional Rep face to face, and the chance to meet members of unions and other organizations is invaluable. You are unlikely to be able to do this otherwise.

At the October 2011 meeting of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, my local reform and progressive Democratic club, there was not enough time for all the information and presentations that people wanted to give. A scheduled discussion by a local Green/Democratic activist of the situation in Liberia (something I am particularly interested in and he has direct, first hand knowledge of) had to be postponed. I cam slightly late so missed one presentation. But we had our Congresswoman present and answer questions (including some challenging ones), we had a representative of a Postal Union give a detailed presentation about what right wing extremists are doing to try and force privatization of the Postal Service (a really, really bad idea), we discussed Occupy Wall Street and plans the club has to give tangible support to Occupy Wall Street, and we discussed hydrofracking and attempts the community has to try and prevent the destruction of our drinking water for corporate profit and more global warming.

Now, to those I know who avoid or look down on these Democratic clubs, where else will you get the chance to hear all this and get involved in all this in one evening? The amount you can learn and the amount you can be an active part of if you attend the monthly meetings of a club like this can be amazing. I admit sometimes the meetings get crazy, but usually they are well worth the time.

Occupy Wall Street is a great effort and has been calling attention to critical needs. My wife points out that it has practically forced papers like the New York Times to recognize, admit and discuss the massive and dangerous wealth discrepancies in America. She feels that without Occupy Wall Street that would never have happened. Want to help your local Occupy movement? You can do it yourself or you can push for your local Democratic club or other political organization (DFA, MoveOn, etc.) to help. Simple things like food and water are needed on a daily basis...reach out to them or ask your local political club(s) to reach out and find out what needs you can meet for the protesters.

But Occupy Wall Street by its very nature has a minimal infrastructure. It is the local Democratic Clubs, DFA meetings, MoveOn.org meetings, Living Liberally groups, etc. that give some infrastructure to grassroots activism. If you are shunning these organizations you are avoiding one of the most important ways you can be effective and involved. Before I come to the lies about the Postal Service (which I would never have heard of if it wasn't for Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats inviting a representative of the American Postal Worker's Union) I want to give one more example...judicial elections. Who becomes a judge directly affects thousands of people a year. Corruption on the bench is easy when no one pays attention. If regular people don't get involved, corrupt political machines pack the bench and judicial decisions are made by political cronies rather than effective, honest judges. It is HARD for an honest progressive to win a judicial election. Money and political influence are against them. Only grassroots activism can counter that.

Yet so often even otherwise politically engaged people fail to pay any attention to the judicial races. This is throwing a large chunk of our legal system to the big money interests. And then we wonder about so many pro-big business judicial decisions. The fault is in ourselves because we don't get out and fight for the good candidates. I have found that often the only way I can LEARN about who is running for positions like judge or district leader or school board is through a local political club and grassroots organizations. You may not even agree with the positions of your local political club but it still gives you a chance to MEET candidates and politicians face to face and quite often challenge them. If you want a clean, efficient government right down to the judiciary, port authorities and school boards, you have to be active on a very local level since no one is going to come to your home and introduce you to the candidates.

At the October Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats meeting one of several informative guests was Chuck Zlatkin of the New York Metro Area Postal Union, AFL-CIO. He addressed the myth that you see in many newspapers and on Fox News and circulated by Teabaggers that the Postal Service is somehow bankrupt and is a huge sink of taxpayer money. Nothing can be further from the truth. What is really happening is that legislation put through by the lame duck Republican Majority during the Bush years forces the Postal Service into a nearly impossible financial crisis. Basically the legislation REQUIRES the Postal Service to pay IN ADVANCE into the government civil service fund for the next 75 years' worth of postal workers. That means the Postal Service has to pre-pay retirement funds to the government (to the tune of tens of billions of dollars) for postal workers who aren't even born yet.

Here is Chuck Zlatkin on Thom Hartmann explaining:

Far from being in bad financial straits and leeching off the government, the Postal Service is paying billions of dollars INTO the Federal Government. Furthermore, two independent audits have shown that the Postal Service has OVERPAID the government and is OWED money.

From an OpEd News piece by Mr. Zlatkin:

But the root cause of the financial distress that the Postal Service is going through is overwhelmingly caused by Congressional mandates that were imposed upon the Postal Service. Congress passed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA), which was signed into law by President G.W. Bush on December 20, 2006. Under the guise of modernizing the Postal Service for the 21st Century, it actually doomed the Postal Service. If not for the PAEA, the Postal Service would be functioning fine even with the impact of email and the financial collapse of 2008.

One of the provisions of the PAEA was to mandate that the Postal Service fully pre-fund future retiree health benefits for the next 75 years, and to do it within a ten-year window. This means that the Postal Service is required to send to the U. S. Treasury $5.5 billion each September 30. Remember, this is to pay for the future retirement health benefits of people who haven't even been born yet. The Postal Service is the only entity that is mandated by law to do this. No government agency, corporation or organization is required to fully pre-fund future retirees' health benefits.

But that is not the worst of it. Both the Postal Service's Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the independent Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) commissioned audits to look into possible overpayments that the Postal Service has made into the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Both audits show that the Postal Service has overpaid at least $50 billion into the pension fund over the years.

There is a piece of legislation, H.R. 1351, introduced by Stephen Lynch (D-MA), which now has 183 co-sponsors, which calls upon the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to do an audit to determine the definitive amount of the overpayments to CSRS and transfer that amount to the future retirees' health care funding. Basically, it is a bookkeeping adjustment that saves the Postal Service billions and does not cost American taxpayers any money at all.

Might be worth contacting your Congress Critter to urge support of H.R. 1351.

The supposed financial crisis of the Postal Service is a manufactured crisis, designed BY THE REPUBLICANS to discredit the Postal Service. Why?

Two clear reasons. First, the Postal Service is the largest UNIONIZED employer in America. That makes for a powerful union. Republicans hate unions and are doing everything they can to bust unions. By discrediting the postal service, they discredit one of the largest sources of union membership.

Second, they want to privatize the Postal Service. They want to privatize everything, ignoring the inefficiency of privatization in many cases (yes sometimes the private sector can do it better, but often they can't!). It is all about money, greed, and the possibility of future no bid contracts.

The Postal Service gives universal coverage. That means if you are an elderly person in rural Montana, far from a post office, you can still order something online and have it delivered. What about those private companies DHL, UPS and FedEx? They don't have universal service. About 25% of the deliveries from these companies, generally to more rural or out of the way places, is done by...here it comes...the POSTAL SERVICE. Yes. 25% of packages sent through DHL, UPS and FedEx are delivered by the Postal Service because DHL, UPS and FedEx DO NOT HAVE UNIVERSAL COVERAGE. So if grandma in rural Kentucky wants her medications delivered, she NEEDS the Postal Service. Otherwise she has to go miles away to the nearest DHL, UPS or FedEx office. Privatization would eliminate critical coverage of about 25% of deliveries. Instead, those people would have to go and pick up their packages from miles away.

So the Postal Service provides a vital function. It is one of the most efficient postal systems in the world. I bet some nations do it better (probably those evil "socialist" nations like Sweden and Norway do it better) but everywhere else I have been, including Japan, have a more expensive and less efficient system. The US Postal Service is a QUALITY service. Privatization would reduce that service to nothing for at least 25% of customers. And I have seen no evidence that UPS, FedEx or DHL deliver any better or more efficiently than the Postal Service even to the 75% of customers they deliver to at all.

AND the Postal Service does it at a surplus that they are forced to pre-pay to the Federal Government. Let's even the playing field. Let's force DHL, UPS and FedEx to pay 75 years' worth of retirement benefits to the US Government. THEN let's see how they compete with the Postal Service. I am serious. Republicans handicap what they don't like then try to claim that those things they don't like are inefficient. Instead they have forced the Postal Service into a financial crisis that was completely caused by unfair legislation, put through by a lame duck Republican Congress (with some conservative Dem support, I should add) under the Bush Administration.

Let me end with Chuck Zlatkin on Democracy Now:

BACK TO PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT NEWSLETTER MAIN PAGE

Dallas County, TX Focus

2011-10-29T21:28:00.006-04:00

UPCOMING DALLAS AREA EVENTS:

MEET-AND-GREET FOR MARICELA MOORE, DEMOCRAT FOR JUDGE
11/01/2011 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

We are actively supporting the campaign of our friend, Maricela Moore, who is an outstanding candidate to become the next Judge of the 162nd Civil District Court. We hope you will plan to attend a meet-and-greet we are hosting for her...

Maricela Moore for Judge
Campaign Meet-and-Greet
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
6:00 - 8:00 pm
The Home of Scott Chase and Debra Witter
1008 N. Oak Cliff Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75208
RSVP: rsvp@democracytoolbox.com

Maricela has an excellent background in civil law, including 10 years of experience in Dallas County. She has earned the respect of her peers and our current Civil District Court Judges, who frequently appoint her to serve as a Mediator. Her practice history has given her a balanced perspective on the law we look for in our Judges, as she has represented both plaintiffs and defendants, and she has worked with both individuals and businesses.

Maricela has a long history of service to the legal profession through the Dallas Bar Association, the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association and other professional organizations. She is currently President of the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas. Maricela also serves as a Trustee of the Dallas County School Board among other community service activities.

You may learn much more about Maricela Moore at her campaign website.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November 1st.

Reception for Judge Eric V. Moyé 14th Civil District Court
11/02/2011 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Blake L. Beckham invites you to attend a reception for Judge Eric V. Moyé
14th Civil District Court

Wednesday, November 2, 2011
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The Beckham Group
3400 Carlisle Avenue
Suite 550
Dallas, Texas 75204
RSVP: rsvp@democracytoolbox.com

(To RSVP with sponsor pledge see below)

Blake's Famous Ribs
Margaritas, Beverages

CONTRIBUTIONS:
Bring your donation to the event, or donate online by clicking here.

You may also mail your donation to:
Judge Eric V. Moyé Campaign
1717 Main Street
Lock Box 17, Suite 5001
Dallas, Texas 75201

Hats Off To Helen - Reception and Fundraiser Honoring State Representative Helen Giddings
When: Thursday, November 3, 2011, 5:30pm until 7:30 pm

Where: Orion Ballroom, 400 S. Zang Blvd., 15th Floor, Bank of American Bldg. (Parking available in BOA parking lot)

Contact: Sherri Gilbert, event coordinator gilbertsherri48@yahoo.com or 214-943-1068 for more information

Annie's List is hosting a free Candidate 101 Training in Arlington, Texas.
When: Saturday, November 12th
Time: 8:30am to 5:00pm
Where: Comfort Suites, Arlington
Address: 411 Road to Six Flags Dr.
Cost: FREE

RSVP is required. You can sign up online at www.annieslist.com OR call me directly at 512-481-8100.

This training offers all the nuts and bolts that women need to run competitive, winning campaigns. We offer in-depth sessions on Fundraising, Campaign Planning, Dealing with the Media, Voter Targeting, and more. So, whether she's ready to run for office today or is planning to run in the future - this is the right training!

The Training is free and we provide lunch and training materials. However, we ask that people commit to staying with us for the duration of the training. It's important that we have full participation and attendance because we really want to make sure the women of Tarrant County are prepared to run and win! - AND...it costs roughly 150 per person, so if someone doesn't show up, everyone loses!

Metrocrest Democrats 1st annual Picnic
12/12/2011 - 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Metrocrest Democrats will meet Monday, October 10, at the New New Buffet, 3822 Belt Line Rd., Addison. Join us for conversation and dutch-treat supper at 6:30 pm. The program will begin at 7:00 pm. Our guest speaker will be State Senator Royce West. Senator West is a dynamic speaker, leader in the Texas Democratic Party, and a champion for education. He is our voice in the Texas Senate..

Metrocrest Democrats Club Website

Metrocrest Democrats is a Democratic club in northwest Dallas County, Texas. The Club combines elements of a grassroots political group, a community service organization, and a social club. We are glad you found our website and invite you to attend our meetings or join in our other activities. In keeping with President Obama’s call for all Americans to be actively involved in community service, Metrocrest Democrats is committed to initiating community service projects and supporting the community service work of other organizations.

CURRENT TV DALLAS:

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.

In Dallas Current TV is available on:
DIRECTV Channel 358
DISH Network Channel 196
Comcast Digital: Channel 125
AT&T U-Verse: Channel 189

Check out their program schedule here.

RATIONAL BROADCASTING DALLAS:
Rational Radio on RationalBroadcasting.com brings to the airways an open and truthful discussion regarding the current state of our Democracy and Civil Liberties. It is these values that we hold so dear and is the reason why we are proud to be called Americans. Today, American values are under siege like never before, and it is past time for all of us to awake from our slumber. Rational Radio on RationalBroadcasting.com openly discusses the issues facing the Nation and compels us to bring our closet conversations to the airways so that we can examine facts together. Tune in to Rational Radio streaming media at www.RationalBroadcasting.com where concerned citizens are invited to call in and join the Voice of Democracy.

Listen Live Here.

BLOGGING DALLAS: Some Local Blogs

Dallas Progress: Local blog about politics, development, technology, social media, business, and whatever else comes to mind.

DALLAS SOUTH: Blogging Dallas, Black/African-American Issues, Barack Obama, elections and more

DALLAS COUNTY EVENTS: You can find local Dallas County events at the Dallas County Democrats website.

Texas Democratic Women of Collin County 5th annual dinner and silent auction
10/23/2011 - 5:30pm

Bickel & Brewer, Larry Harrington and Ashley and Jack Ternan Jr.
cordially invite you to help us Frame the Issues at our 5th annual dinner and silent auction.

Sunday, October 23, 2011
5:30 p.m. Southfork Ranch

Featuring Celebrated Bloggers:
Eileen Smith @ inthepinktexas.com and Rachel Farris @ meanrachel.com (Bios & Photos attached)

Purchase tickets at www.tdwcc.org

THESE ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT:

all too many people ignore judicial elections, but they are among the most important and the ones YOU can impact the most. Please help out!!

DOMINIQUE COLLINS
Democrat for Judge
Criminal District Court #4

Thursday, October 27, 2011
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The Home of Rev. Zan W. Holmes & Carrie Holmes
6034 Boca Raton Drive
Dallas, Texas 75230

CONTRIBUTIONS:
To support the campaign, bring your donation to the event or mail to:

Dominique Collins for Judge
342 W. Montana Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75224

MEET-AND-GREET FOR MARICELA MOORE, DEMOCRAT FOR JUDGE
11/01/2011 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
PLEASE ATTEND A MEET-AND-GREET AT OUR HOME FOR
MARICELA MOORE, DEMOCRAT FOR JUDGE

Dear Friends,

We are actively supporting the campaign of our friend, Maricela Moore, who is an outstanding candidate to become the next Judge of the 162nd Civil District Court. We hope you will plan to attend a meet-and-greet we are hosting for her...

Maricela Moore for Judge
Campaign Meet-and-Greet
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
6:00 - 8:00 pm
The Home of Scott Chase and Debra Witter
1008 N. Oak Cliff Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75208

Maricela has an excellent background in civil law, including 10 years of experience in Dallas County. She has earned the respect of her peers and our current Civil District Court Judges, who frequently appoint her to serve as a Mediator. Her practice history has given her a balanced perspective on the law we look for in our Judges, as she has represented both plaintiffs and defendants, and she has worked with both individuals and businesses.

Maricela has a long history of service to the legal profession through the Dallas Bar Association, the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association and other professional organizations. She is currently President of the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas. Maricela also serves as a Trustee of the Dallas County School Board among other community service activities.

You may learn much more about Maricela Moore at her campaign website.

Reception for Judge Eric V. Moyé 14th Civil District Court
11/02/2011 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Blake L. Beckham invites you to attend a reception for Judge Eric V. Moyé
14th Civil District Court

Wednesday, November 2, 2011
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The Beckham Group
3400 Carlisle Avenue
Suite 550
Dallas, Texas 75204

Blake's Famous Ribs
Margaritas, Beverages

CONTRIBUTIONS:

Bring your donation to the event, or donate online by clicking here.

You may also mail your donation to:

Judge Eric V. Moyé Campaign
1717 Main Street
Lock Box 17, Suite 5001
Dallas, Texas 75201

Dallas Gas Drilling Task Force - Public Meeting
10/27/2011 - 7:00pm

The Gas Drilling Task Force was created to evaluate the environmental, health, safety, and quality of life impact of gas drilling in Dallas and is responsible for making recommendations to City Council regarding proposed revisions to the City's gas drilling zoning and permitting ordinances.

In forming recommendations, the Gas Drilling Task Force will review the following topics,

including, but limited to:

· Zoning requirements /· Permitting requirements /· Air quality issues /· Water-related issues

By fall 2011, the Gas Drilling Task Force will conclude its work and make recommendations to City Council on any proposed changes to the City's gas drilling ordinances.

As the Gas Drilling Task Force reviews and considers the City's current gas drilling ordinances, two meetings have been scheduled to receive public input on gas drilling in Dallas: (1) Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the L1F Auditorium at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla Street; and (2) Thursday, October 27, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 6ES at Dallas City Hall, 1500

Marilla Street.
Please call (214) 670-1200 if you have any questions.

Some recurring events around Dallas:

MONDAYS:

North Texas Asian Democrats
Every 3rd Monday of each Month
From 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Hunan Dynasty
8150 N Macarthur Blvd
Irving, TX 75063

TUESDAYS:

Dallas County Young Democrats Monthly Meeting
Second Tuesday of Each Month
Brooklyn's Jazz 1701 S Lamar St Dallas, TX 75215
Join DCYD at our Monthly Membership meeting.
Happy Hour begins at 6:30
Meeting starts at 7:00
For more information please visit www.dallasyoungdemocrats.org

Texas Coalition of Black Democrats
Third Tues of each month, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Moorland YMCA
907 E. Ledbetter Rd.
Dallas, TX 75216

Stonewall Democrats of Dallas
Third Tues of each month 6:30 PM
Ojeda's Restaurant
4617 Maple Ave
Dallas, TX

WEDNESDAY:

Northwest Dallas Democrats
Meets 3rd Wednesday of every month
7:30pm - 10:00pm
Taco Cabana
11824 Webb Chapel Road
Farmers Branch, TX 75234

Garland Democratic Women's Club
Siciliano's Taste of Italy
2210 W. Buckingham
Garland, TX
at 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month

Dallas County East Democrats
Fourth Wed of each month, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
We meet at Martinez Restaurant on 901 Gross Rd, Mesquite, TX. This club serves SE Dallas (Pleasant Grove and Kleberg/Rylie), Mesquite, Seagoville, and Balch Springs.

THURSDAYS:

Far North Dallas Democrats
Third Thursday of each month, 6:45pm - 8:30pm
Far North Dallas Democrats is an activist group primarily located in the Far North Dallas area.
www.farnorthdallasdemocrats.org
Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse
1251 W Campbell Rd
Richardson, TX 75080-2971
(972) 664-9494

Find out about the Dallas County DA Office, one of the more advanced DA's office in the nation and the reason I became inspired to focus on Dallas County. They have championed a program to confirm the guilt of convicted felons to ensure that the REAL criminals are taken off the street. Their efforts have been extremely successful. And find out about careers with the Dallas DA Department.

Groups and Organizations in Dallas:

Dallas NAACP
Purpose:
"To promote equality of rights and to eradicate caste or race prejudice among the citizens of the United States: to advance the interest of colored citizens; to secure for them impartial suffrage; and to increase their opportunities for securing justice in the courts, education for the children, employment according to their ability and complete equality before law."

Please call 214-916-9919 for more info.

The Dallas Branch meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM at Thurgood Marshall Rec. Center 5150 Mark Trail, Dallas, Texas 75232

Stonewall Democrats of Dallas is an organization of politically active individuals working for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community in the city of Dallas and the state of Texas.

Website: http://www.stonewalldemocratsofdallas.org

General Membership Meetings are held on the the 3rd Tuesday of every month. We welcome visitors and those interested in possible Membership, to attend our meetings!

Location: Ojeda's, 4617 Maple Ave. Dallas TX 75219
When: 6:30 PM

Dallas Hispanic Women's Network of Texas:
The Hispanic Women's Network of Texas (HWNT) is a state-wide organization of individuals from diverse backgrounds who are committed to promoting the participation of Hispanic women in public, corporate and civic arenas. HWNT seeks to advance the educational, cultural, social, legal and economic well-being of all women through a broader awareness of their role in society, business and family. Members strive to celebrate the positive image and values of the Hispanic culture.

P.O. Box 670611
Dallas, TX 75367
dallas@hwnt.org

DALLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS:

Dallas County Young Democrats
URL: http://www.dallasyoungdemocrats.org
For Dallas Area Democrats between the agaes of 14 and 36.
Renee Hartley, President
Email: president@dallasyoungdemocrats.org

Democracy for America Dallas
URL: http://www.dfalink.com/dallas
Contact Name: Michael Thomas
Phone: 214-403-8657
NW Dallas; NE Dallas; SW Dallas; SE Dallas; Central Dallas

Progressive Populist Caucus of Texas
URL: http://www.texaspopulists.com

Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus
URL: http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/texas
Contact Name: Shannon Bailey, President
Email: texas@stonewalldemocrats.org
3532 Cedarplaza Lane, Dallas, TX 75209

Texas Coalition of Black Democrats
Contact Name: T. Nobles
Email: tcbddallas@yahoo.com
Phone: 214-264-8483
P. O. Box 764726, Dallas, Texas 75376
News Group-Meetup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TCBDDallasChapter

Stonewall Democrats of Dallas
URL: www.stonewalldemocratsofdallas.org
Contact Name: Jesse Garcia, President
Email: info@stonewalldemocratsofdallas.org
Phone: 214-500-7066
P.O. Box 192305, Dallas, TX 75219

More organizations can be found here.

Biodiesel in Dallas:

Biodiesel is an American produced fuel that is cleaner than traditional diesel. Up to B20 (a 20% blend of biodiesel and traditional diesel) any diesel engine, car or truck, can run on it. Above B20, some older engines may have problems but newer diesel engines should be ok. Here are some gas stations selling biodiesel near Dallas/Ft. Worth:

Loves: 1501 W Highway 287, Midlothian, TX 76065, 972-775-2820. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

Green Spot Market and Fuels: 702 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75218, 214-319-7768 Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine) and B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open 6AM-9PM.

Texas Biotech Inc. 614 111th Street, Arlington, TX 76011, 817-633-3139 Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine) and B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open 7AM-5PM M-F ; 9A,-3PM SATURDAY; CLOSED SUNDAY

Carls Corner Truck Stop: I35E and FM 2959, Hillsboro, TX 76645, 254-582-8433. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine).

Loves Store #299: 715 S Central Expressway, Anna, TX 75409, 972-924-3683. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

DFW Biodiesel: 2561 E Long Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76137, 817-875-5147. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine) and B100 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open 24 HOURS.

Drivers Truckstop/Valero: 3201 N Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76106, 817-624-3975. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS

GREEN BUSINESSES IN THE DALLAS AREA: These are some of the best local businesses around. Taken from the Green America Green Pages

Green Earth Market
www.greenearthmarket.com
“The 21st Century general store.” Environmentally friendly products - baby gifts to patio furniture. “The best things in life are green.”®
Phone: (800)781-8837
Fax: (800)781-8837
3514 Harvard Ave.
Dallas, TX 75205

Cotton Monkey
www.cottonmonkey.com
Specializes in pure modern and fun products for babies. Merges modern with organic creating well designed and environmentally sensitive items for children.
Phone: (214)367-0719
Fax: (214)367-0725
P.O. Box 570526
Dallas, TX 75357

For My Kids, LLC
www.ForMyKidsOnline.com
Devoted to finding and making products that are beneficial for people and for our planet.
Phone: (972)740-6913
Fax: (972)274-3212
928 Trailwood Dr.
DeSoto, TX 75115

Triton Collection
www.the-triton-collection.com
Importer and promoter of organic and Fair Trade wines. Specializing in 100% organic USDA/NOP certified "No Added Sulfites" wines. Nationwide and international distribution.
Phone: (214)435-9388
Fax: (214)451-6283
6333 E. Mockingbird Ln.
Dallas, TX 75214

Satori Capital, LLC
www.satori-capital.com
Satori Capital is a private equity fund that takes control positions in profitable, sustainable, mid-market companies.
Phone: (214)390-6270
3625 N. Hall St.
Ste. 710
Dallas, TX 75219

Rick Salmeron, Salmeron Financial Network, Inc.
www.SalmeronFinancial.com
Recognizing that investors want to connect personal principles with financial goals, SFN offers sustainable investment services to individuals, families, and business owners. "We help you meet money with mission."
Phone: (800)968-8139
Fax: (214)550-2608
6748 Avalon Ave.
Dallas, TX 75214

Mary Anne Mayer Redmond
www.dallasinvestmentadvisor.com
Offering comprehensive services & products relating to wealth management, Mary Anne Mayer Redmond, CFP® RFC®, is an independent advisor whose firm specializes in sustainable/socially responsible vision & investments.
Phone: (800)848-7145
Fax: (972)484-5136
16835 Addison Rd.
Ste. 104
Addison, TX 75001

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Austin/Travis County, TX Focus

2011-10-29T21:26:00.001-04:00

AUSTIN AREA EVENTS:
To find events in the Austin/Travis County area, go to the Travis County Democratic Party Calendar

DON'T FORGET: Early Voting
Oct 24 – Nov 4, 2011

Election Day
Tuesday, Nov 8, 2011

GET OUT AND VOTE!!!

THESE ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT:

all too many people ignore judicial elections, but they are among the most important and the ones YOU can impact the most. Please help out!!

Judge Darlene Byrne Re-Election Event
Tue, November 1, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
The Austin Club--110 E. 9th St; 78701 (map)
Description: Visit www.reelectjudgebyrne.com to purchase tickets, sponsorship & for more information.

Fundraiser for Judge Rhonda Hurley
November 2, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Headliners Club, 221 W. 6th St. 78701
For more info, contact:
elliott.tom.r@gmail.com

SOME RECURRING EVENTS:

MONDAYS:
NxNW Democrats meeting
3rd Monday of every month
6:15pm-8:00pm

Where: Sherlock's Baker St. Pub and Grill, 9012 Research Blvd., Austin, TX. At the corner of 183 and Burnet. (Lots of free parking. We have the inside main room reserved).

Cost: FREE. Everyone is invited!

TUESDAYS:

Capital Area Progressive Democrats Meeting
First Tuesday of every month
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Where: AFL-CIO 1106 Lavaca St

South Austin Democrats Meeting
Second Tuesday of every month
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Casa Garcia 1000 S Lamar Austin, TX 78704
Come join the South Austin Democrats at their monthly meeting.
Eat and socialize 5:30pm Program begins at 6:00
Find out what is going on at this year's TCDP Coordinated Campaign

Northeast Travis County Democrats Monthly Meeting
The last Tuesday of every month from 6:30-9 pm.
North Rural Community Center in Pflugerville
15822 Foothills Farms Loop (across 1825 from Springhill Restaurant, behind Lamb's Automotive)

WEDNESDAYS:

Capital City Young Democrats
First Wednesday of each month
6pm – 8pm
George Washington Carver Branch of the Austin Public Library, 1161 Angelina Street, Austin, TX 78722, (512) 974-1010
Capital City Young Democrats welcomes the young and the young at heart to join us for volunteering and social events. Each month, we have a regular meeting, a happy hour, and at least one social or volunteer event. We meet the first Wednesday of every month.

For more information, contact kimberlyhokanson@gmail.com

Central Austin Democrats Meeting
Wed, January 19, 2011, 6:15pm – 7:15pm
New Worl Deli, 4101 Guadalupe #100 Austin, TX 78751
DescriptionJoin the Central Austin Democrats at their monthly meeting.

NAACP AUSTIN:
The Austin branch of the NAACP has been a part of the association’s long and storied tradition since 1915 and has waged historic fights against racial injustice in Travis County. Beginning with protest against the lynching of blacks in the early part of the 19th century; rightful battle for school desegregation of the 1980’s; the public protest of police brutality of 2002-2004 the local branch has continued the work of the association

1704 E. 12th Street
Austin, Texas 78702
Phone: 512-476-6230
Fax: 512-476-7425

Austin Hispanic Women's Network of Texas:
The Hispanic Women's Network of Texas (HWNT) is a state-wide organization of individuals from diverse backgrounds who are committed to promoting the participation of Hispanic women in public, corporate and civic arenas. HWNT seeks to advance the educational, cultural, social, legal and economic well-being of all women through a broader awareness of their role in society, business and family. Members strive to celebrate the positive image and values of the Hispanic culture.

Hispanic Women's Network
of Texas - Austin Chapter
Region 8
P.O. Box 142144
Austin, TX 78714-2144
austin@hwnt.org

Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Austin Chapter

We come from all 50 states and a wide variety of religious, political and philosophical backgrounds. We are dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans.

PO Box 66522 Austin, Texas 78766

Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition

The Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition is a membership-based coalition of immigrants, allies, and organizations that promotes human rights and dignity, and social and economic justice for immigrants through community organizing, policy advocacy, and public education.

Click here to find out what they do.

Click here to get involved.

HISPANICS IN AUSTIN:
This is a blog for Hispanic and Latino-Friendly folks in Austin, TX who want to deep dive into the Hispanic Austinite Experience.

SOMOS AUSTIN:
Juan Castillo blogs on Latino news, happenings, culture and more.

AUSTIN DEMOCRATIC CLUBS:

Capital Area Progressive Democrats
First Tuesday of the month, 5:30P
AFL-CIO, 1106 Lavaca
Contact: John Lipscombe or 512.826.5517

Capital City Young Democrats
First Wednesday of the month, 6:00P
Carver Library, 1161 Angelina
Contact: Ben Simnacher or tel. 512.576.1679

Texas Environmental Democrats
Third Tuesdays, 7P-8:30P
Vinny’s Italian Cafe, 1003 Barton Springs Rd.
Contact: Kedron Touvell or 512.680.5998

University Democrats
Every Wednesday during the Fall and Spring semesters, 8P
Mezes 1.306 on the UT Campus

Austin Tejano Democrats
Meet Second Wednesday of the month, 5:30P
Casa Garcia’s Restaurant, 1000 S. Lamar
Contact: Fred Cantu or 512.698.4805

Black Austin Democrats
Third Thursday of the month, 6P
Carver Library, 1611 Angelina
Contact: Natomi Austin

Capital Area Asian American Democrats
First Tuesday of the Month, 6:30P Eat, Drink, Socialize, 7:00P Meeting
First Chinese BBQ Restaurant, 10901 N Lamar Blvd.
Contact: Ramey Ko or 512.577.5729

Latinos for Texas
Third Tuesday of the month, 7:00 – 8:30P
Contact: Crystal Viagran

Capital Area Democratic Women
Second Thursday of the month, 11:30A networking, 12:00P lunch
Nuevo Leon Restaurant, 1501 E. 6th St.
Contact: Jean Warneke or 512.217.4814

Stonewall Democrats
First Tuesday of the month, 7:30P
The Red House 1917 Manor Rd. (MAP)
Contact: Rich Bailey or 512.771.3538

Circle C Area Democrats
Second Monday of the month, 6:15P
Contact: Ed Scruggs or Leslie Westo

Lake Travis Democrats
Second Tuesday of the month, 6:30P
Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek Rd.
Contact: Judy Donohue or 512.531.9804

North by Northwest Democrats
Third Monday of the month, 6P
Sherlocks, 9012 Research Blvd
Contact: Jack Sigman or 512.796.7245

Northeast Travis County Democrats
Last Tuesday of the month, 6:30 Meet and Greet; 7:00 p.m. Meeting starts
Travis County Community Center in Pflugerville, 15822 Foothill Farms Loop
Contact: Dave Taylor or 844-1300

South Austin Democrats
Second Tuesday of the month, 5:30P Eat and socialize, 6P Program
Casa Garcia’s Restaurant, 1000 S. Lamar
Contact: Richard Arriola or 512.547.0556

Southwest Austin Democrats
Third Wednesday of the month, 6:30P Social; 6:45P Program
Will Hampton Public Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd.
Contact: Albert Gonzales or 512.280.4900

West Austin Democrats
Second Wednesday of the month, 7P
Howson Branch Library, 2500 Exposition Blvd
Contact: Janet Hamilton or 512.469.9894

YellerDawg / Saturday Sages Democrats
Every Saturday, 11A
Tres Amigos Restaurant, 1801 S. Capitol of Texas Hwy (MAP)
Contact: Bill McAfee

BIODIESEL IN AUSTIN AREA

Biodiesel is less polluting and has a smaller carbon footprint than regular diesel, and is produced right here in the USA. Biodiesel can be used in almost any diesel engine. Up to B20 (a 20 percent blend) any diesel engine, whether car or 18 wheeler or whatever, can use it. Above B20 some older engines may have problems, but newer engines should be ok.

DieselGreen Fuels: sells biodiesel to fleet customers and wholesale via transport truck. For more info call: 512-247-3835. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine) and B100 (OK for newer diesel engines).

Ecowise: 110 W. Elizabeth St. Austin, TX 78704, 512-326-4474. Offers B100 (OK for newer diesel engines). Open M-SU 10-7PM.

GREEN BUSINESSES IN THE AUSTIN AREA: These are some of the best local businesses around. Taken from the Green America Green Pages

Wheatsville Food Co-op
www.wheatsville.com
Special offer for Green Pages™ readers: Free sample newsletter.
"The only grocery store in Texas owned by its customers." Full line of natural and organic foods and groceries.
Phone: (512)478-2667
Fax: (512)478-2081
3101 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78705-2898

White Mountain Foods
www.wmfoods.com
Since 1970, has manufactured natural European yogurt, vegetarian tamales, tofu deli salads, and meat substitutes, including award-winning vegetarian fajita fixings.
Phone: (512)385-4711
3301 E. 5th St.
Austin, TX 78702

Habitat Suites
www.habitatsuites.com
Austin's award-winning "green" hotel. Spacious one- and two-bedroom suites nestled in tree-shaded gardens of native flowers and herbs. Complimentary breakfast buffet and hospitality hours, courtyard pool, and spa. Environmental brochure available.
Phone: (800)535-4663
Fax: (512)467-6000
500 E. Highland Mall Blvd.
Austin, TX 78752-3716

Z Works Design/Build
www.zworksdb.com
Complete in-house design and construction services for sustainable buildings. Site-specific passive-solar design, alternative materials (ICF, SIPs, recycled materials), rainwater collection systems, etc.
Phone: (512)264-0587
Fax: (512)264-0587
P.O. Box 92183
Austin, TX 78709

Eco-Wise
www.ecowise.com
Environmental general merchandise store carrying all types of sustainable flooring, nontoxic and recycled fiber futons, water filters, pest control products, hemp clothing, T-shirts, organic cotton linens, and towels. Nontoxic paints, gifts, and more.
Phone: (512)326-4474
Fax: (512)326-4496
110 W. Elizabeth
Austin, TX 78704-3002

20/20 Enterprises, Inc.
www.WeatherizedHomesInitiative.com
"Kill-A-Watt~Home" is an employee energy efficiency program. "Eco-Scavenger Hunt" is for employers. Green Fundraisers have 100%+ profit margins. Environmental trade show assistance. "Queen-of-Green."
Phone: (512)297-5428
3005 S. Lamar Blvd.
Ste. D109-289
Austin, TX 78704

Innovative Water Solutions
www.watercache.com
Sustainable water conservation design/ build firm: rainwater harvesting, graywater reuse, irrigation, drainage, and landscaping for residential and commercial projects. Educational materials and DIY products available.
Phone: (866)497-7246
Fax: (512)727-6667
501 W. Powell Ln.
Ste. 202
Austin, TX 78753

E3 Green
www.e3green.com
Provides green products and green rating consultation services. Focus on Austin Energy Green Building and USGBC LEED AP consultation.
Phone: (512)415-9460
Fax: (512)415-9460
109 Fenway Ct.
Austin, TX 78734

Sustainable Sources
www.greenbuilder.com
Design and hosting of Web sites and other Internet services. Green building professionals directory, listings of green real estate for sale/lease, sustainable building calendar, and bookstore.
Phone: (512)288-5223
108 Royal Way, Ste. 1004
Austin, TX 78737-9065

Handmade Expressions
www.handmadeexpressions.net
Sourcing partner for socially responsible and environmentally friendly products from developing nations. Fair Trade, functional products handcrafted by skilled artisans using traditional art. We do custom orders!
Phone: (734)834-7921
Fax: (734)348-9904
5555 N Lamar Blvd.
Ste. J115
Austin, TX 78751

Olive Green Dog
www.olivegreendog.com
Special offer for Green Pages™ readers: 15% off. Use code: OLIVEGD.
"The best source for healthful and environmentally friendly pet products."Natural and organic pet foods, treats, supplements, flea control, shampoo, toys, collars, bedding and outerwear.
Phone: (877)654-8355
120 Sunrise Ter.
Bldg. B
Cedar Park, TX 78613

Barbara Jackson, Western Equity Group, Inc.
Fee-based consulting for individuals and small businesses who wish to evaluate their investment choices in terms of enhancing sustainability for the future. Member, First Affirmative Financial Network.
Phone: (512)407-9586
Fax: (877)442-8906
4131 Spicewood Springs Rd.
Ste. N-12
Austin, TX 78759

Hill Country Green Team
www.HillCountryGreenTeam.com
Real estate brokerage and consulting services for green home buyers; marketing services for green builders; consulting for developers using the Conservation Development Model.
Phone: (512)917-1162
16700 Goldenwood Way
Austin, TX 78737

Crossings
www.thecrossingsaustin.com
A progressive learning center, meeting place, and wellness spa located outside of Austin in a scenic hill country setting that inspires growth, balance, and sanctuary.
Phone: (877)944-3003
Fax: (512)506-9737
13500 FM 2769
Austin, TX 78726

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2011 Election Endorsement Roundup

2011-10-29T09:36:00.000-04:00

Every year I try to round up endorsements from organizations I trust like Progressive Majority and Democracy for America as well as endorsements from environmental groups and labor groups. I try to find the best candidates in the country and publicize them. Coming up in November is a slew of elections around the nation, most of them ignored by too many voters. It is up to activists like us to publicize them, donate to them and to GOTV. Here is my 2011 round up. I am sure I am leaving some out and occasionally a candidate drops out and I publicize them before I notice, but these are the good folks. When we say we want better Democrats, THESE are the people we are talking about and if we don't get them elected, we are failing those better Democrats we talk so much about. So give them some love.

Divided up by state (for those states I can find info on). I will update this list if I get more info. AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE NOVEMBER 8th!!!!!

ARIZONA FOCUS

Jonathan Rothschild for Tuscon Mayor (Progressive Majority Endorsement) (2011 endorsement)

Jonathan Rothschild has also been endorsed by:

AFSCME
PALF
Tucson Fire Fighters Association
Tucson Police Officers Association
AFL-CIO
Arizona Democratic Law Professionals Association
Arizona Multihousing Association
Arizona Pipe Trades 469
Arizona State Building & Construction Trades Council
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers Local 933
Ironworkers Local 75
Las Adelitas
National Association of Letter Carriers
Rincon Group of the Sierra Club
SEIU
Tucson Education Association
UFCW Arizona 99

# Cleveland Heights Teachers Union
# Cleveland Stonewall Democrats
# North Shore AFL/CIO Federation of Labor
# NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio
# Jewish Voters Association
# Black Women's Political Action Committee

Tennessee Focus: Republicans disenfranchise elderly voters

2011-10-28T03:27:00.000-04:00

This comes from Daily Kos:

Remember the story of Dorothy Cooper, the 96-year-old Tennessee woman who's only missed one election in her life, but now can't get an ID that would allow her to vote? Tennessee recently passed a new law to keep people like Cooper from voting, requiring often difficult to obtain photo IDs. Cooper couldn't get hers because she doesn't have a marriage certificate, despite having "a rent receipt, a copy of her lease, her voter registration card and her birth certificate."

Now she's joined by 91-year-old Virginia Lasater, also in Tennessee, who wasn't physically able to stand in line at the DMV to receive her ID...

Mrs. Lasater says she knows what's behind this: "'It really makes me about halfway mad because I know what's going on,' says Mrs. Lasater. She's 'absolutely' sure the law is part of a Republican strategy to keep senior citizens from voting."

Republicans hate democracy. Republicans hate seniors. Republicans seem to hate America! I still miss the days when there was a RESPONSIBLE, reasonable Republican Party that I disagreed with, but at least respected. The current batch of clowns don't care for America at all. They only care about their bank accounts and their cronies.

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Progressive Democrat Newsletter 306

2011-10-22T14:43:00.000-04:00

This was quite a week! The end of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi is dead after a NATO air strike on his caravan alerted the new Libyan government to his presence. Bush lied to unilaterally invade Iraq, leading to a quagmire occupation that is only now ending. His goal was to bring down Saddam Hussein, yet we remained on the ground until now. It was illegal, unpopular and hugely expensive in terms of both money and lives. By almost any measure it was a failure. Obama, as part of an international coalition, gave air and naval support to a popular uprising against Gaddafi and succeeded in a fraction of the time with a fraction of the cost without putting a single American soldier on the ground. The difference is amazing and says a great deal about the difference between Republican and Democratic foreign policy. Though American news media is largely ignoring this huge difference, BBC News is taking note of it.

Meanwhile, finally, our troops in Iraq are coming home. President Obama is honoring our treaties and finally ending our presence in the Iraq quagmire. In some ways it seems like he should have done this before, but remember he'd already pulled out most of our troops and had left a residual force to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. Whether that transition will be smooth remains to be seen...most are skeptical. But everyone but the Republicans agree that the time has come to leave and to let the Iraqis try and stand on their own.

Meanwhile President Obama also has proposed an excellent jobs bill that begins by focusing on rehiring laid off teachers and first responders. Who could object to that? Oh yeah, the pro-Billionaire, anti-working class, anti-middle class Republicans. They blocked the rehiring of teachers and first responders. They blocked a major job creation bill. Yet they still want to cut taxes on billionaires. Disgusting!

President Obama's Weekly Address is a particularly good one this week:

Meanwhile, as the NYPD, on Bloomberg's orders, continue to beat up and arrest unarmed American citizens exercising their civil liberties, one Marine sergeant tells them off:

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

ARTICLES:

Targeting the Banks: who owns what

HEY...some of those wind turbines are MINE!

IMPORTANT LINKS:

This is something I have been pushing for for years: Trees 'boost African crop yields'...this is the latest in a long line of evidence showing the importance of preserving forests and replanting forests. A few weeks ago I discussed the death of the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai, the founder of the Green Belt Movement which links democracy, women's empowerment and the environment. More on the benefits of trees:
Trees: More than just carbon sinks

In honor of Wangari Maathai for the future of all children who will be suffering the consequences of our generations' poor environmental practices, please consider a donation to the excellent Green Belt Movement.

More on Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai:

Nail in the coffin time for global warming denial: This week in science: global warming skeptics get burned...Earth is warming, study concludes

Republicans block key job proposal

From Current TV:

Mobile phone cancer link rejected

Pentagon: Defense contractors that defrauded the U.S. military received $1.1 trillion

Pakistan and India win UN seats

Old American theory is 'speared'

MUSICAL SELECTIONS:

Pete Seeger and Occupy Wall Street Sing 'We Shall Overcome' at Columbus Circle (10/21/11):

And in the spirit of Occupy Wall Street: Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger/ This Land Is Your Land:

STATE AND LOCAL PAGES:

CALIFORNIA FOCUS

CALIFORNIA HEADLINES

Prop. 63 Improving Lives and Communities

Energy Efficiency Scorecard Results Are In: Massachusetts Tops list; California Comes in Second!

In related news: Solar Careers: Revitalizing The Hope For New Job Creation in California

It’s the Economy, Stupid- Public Sector Unions are not the Cause of State Budget Deficits

#OccupySD and City College Protesters Shut Down Local Bank of America

Some historical context: Strands Of Historical Know Nothingism In Today's Republican Party

Northern California Focus: TAKE BACK RED CALIFORNIA

Silicon Valley Area, CA Focus

Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley/San Gabriel Valley, CA Focus

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: A gas station we like where Green and Cheap combine

NEW YORK FOCUS

NEW YORK HEADLINES

Siena Poll Shows NYers Prefer Occupy Wall Street to Tea Party By 2-1 Margin...more: Two New Polls Show Broad Support In New York For Millionaire's Tax, Occupy Wall Street

NYC Comptroller John Liu at Keep the Change II:

Attorney General Schneiderman, NYC Sue Bank Of New York Mellon For Defrauding Pension Funds

Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie Occupy the Upper West Side | #OWS #OccupyWallStreet...Are the NYPD going to beat them up? Arrest them? Will Bloomberg call them terrorists?

Marine Seargent Scolds NYPD at Occupy Times Square

NYC LAUGHING LIBERALLY CHAPTER:
Saving Democracy One Laugh At A Time
http://livingliberally.org/laughing/chapters/NY/nyc

The Midtown Theater, 163 West 46th Street (www.laughingliberallynyc.com)

NYC READING LIBERALLY:
Saving Democracy One Book at a Time
http://livingliberally.org/reading/chapters/NY/nycclassics

First Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm
Law Office of Hugh L. Rothbaum, 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2304

CENTRAL BROOKLYN EATING LIBERALLY
Combining Food and Politics
http://livingliberally.org/eating/chapters/centralbrooklyn

Second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
Rotates among several restaurants in Park Slope, Gowanus and Prospect Heights
Contact me (at mole333_at_gmail.com) for more info or watch the Central Brooklyn Eating Liberally website.

Brooklyn, NY Focus

Manhattan, NY Focus

COLORADO FOCUS

COLORADO HEADLINES

Green energy investments aren't just "meant" to create jobs; they're ALREADY creating them

The Grown-Up In The Room: DPS Candidate Emily Sirota...more on this important race: Follow the money - DPS school board race

OCCUPY CO Sprgs receives 30-day permit to occupy and assemble for free speech!

A sign of economic recovery: Colorado's Unemployment Rate Tracking Downward

Democrat Bennet Throws Down on Republican Obstruction of Education Bill

Republican Former Western Slope DA Convicted Of Molesting DA Office Employees

Denver, CO Focus

Boulder County, CO Focus

Colorado Focus: Teachers Union Makes School Board Endorsements...Please pay attention to local elections like this. They are critical!

Colorado Focus: Alfonso Nunez for Aurora City Council - Ward 5 (Progressive Majority Endorsement, Firefighter) (2011 Endorsement)

FLORIDA FOCUS

FLORIDA HEADLINES

Republican Marco Rubio, Lying and the 14th Amendment

The City of Miami District 2 Election is Heating Up

Rick Scott takes aim at Florida's state universities...why do Republicans hate education so much???

EQFL Partners with HRC Orlando on Road to Equality Bus Tour!

The difference between the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Miami and everywhere else? Fear vs. Hope

The Japan Nuke Disaster Could Happen in Miami Dade County.

Florida Focus: Keith Fitzgerald for Congress in the Florida 13th

Broward County, FL Focus

Miami, FL Focus

Florida Focus: Alan Grayson for Congress (2012 endorsement)

ILLINOIS FOCUS

ILLINOIS HEADLINES

Monday, October 24th, Support Cap 36 in Bloomington!

CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER ATTACK: 175 Arrested @ Occupy Chicago

Secret Meetings in Chicago to Steal Public Pension Funds

Chicago/Cook County, IL Focus

Chicago Area Laughing Liberally:
Saving Democracy One Laugh At A Time
http://livingliberally.org/laughing/chapters/IL/chicago

First Wednesday of each month, 8:00 pm
At No Exit, 6970 N Glenwood Ave

Laughing Liberally Chicago hosted by the Accountants of Homeland Security. The Accountants are an independently-produced Local affiliate of Laughing Liberally

Illinois Focus: Ilya Sheyman for Congress (IL-10) (Democracy for America Endorsement)...more here (2012 endorsement)

Illinois Focus: Bill Foster for Congress (IL-11) (2012 endorsement)...Check out other people and organizations endorsing scientist and entrepreneur Bill Foster for Congress.

TEXAS FOCUS

TEXAS HEADLINES

Week in Headlines...more: Texas blog roundup for the week of October 17

2011 Early Voting Map for Harris County

Candidates for the 70th District of the Texas Legislature

Gaddhafi Gets a Bullet: Congratulations President Obama!

No Somos Republican!

Progress Texas Says No To Racist Plates

Perry's Energy Plan Offers More of the Same When America Needs Innovation

BP is Target of Protests...REMEMBER what BP did to the Gulf Coast? Time to show them you haven't forgotten!

Pushback by Morton prosecutors prevent exposure of 25-year old secrets on withheld evidence

Voter Photo ID Requirement Public Notification Starts With The Constitutional Amendment Election

Corruption in the Hidalgo Sheriff's office

Dallas County, TX Focus

Austin/Travis County, TX Focus

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS

PENNSYLVANIA HEADLINES

Our Bridges Need Repair and Little Old Ladies Are Homeless but Have the Republicans Done Enough for the Top 1%?

CRITICAL: Luzerne County Judges...people tend to ignore judicial elections, but they are among the most critical because judges affect real people's lives every single day. And your vote counts more in these elections than in any other. So PLEASE VOTE!

Don't Want to Give Gas Drillers a Free Pass? Sign Our Letter to Lawmakers

Losing the PA Advantage as Unemployment Rate Climbs

Must Reads: Budget Cuts and Layoffs

State Insurance Regulators Deny Ratepayers Public Hearing on Highmark Rate Hike

Occupy Pittsburgh Update

Pennsylvania Focus: Jason Salus for Montgomery County Treasurer (Progressive Majority Endorsement) (2011 Endorsement)

NEW JERSEY FOCUS

NEW JERSEY HEADLINES

Democrat Rush Holt on H.R. 358

Senator Menendez Talks to Ed Schultz on MSNBC About the Death of Muammar Gadhafi

Meet The Candidate - Maureen Vella - LD16

All She Asked Was That Her Brother Be Treated Humanely

WASHINGTON STATE FOCUS

WASHINGTON STATE HEADLINES

A Green Makeover Inside and Out

Ocean Acidification Event in Seattle Nov. 8th

Let them eat pizza!

The War On Kids, the Elderly, and Other People Who Walk

Washington State Focus: Richard Mitchell for King County Council. (Progressive Majority, Washington Conservation Voters, Teamsters Joint Council 28, and Sierra Club Endorsements) (2011 endorsement)

Washington State Focus: Ryan Mello for Tacoma City Council, Pos. 8 At-large (Tacoma Firefighters' Local 31, Sierra Club, People For the American Way, and Progressive Majority Endorsements) (2011 endorsement)

Washington State Focus: Joe McDermott for King County Council - District 8 (Progressive Majority, Washington Conservation Voters, NARAL, Teamsters and SEIU Endorsements) (2011 endorsement)

Washington State Focus: Cathy Lehman for Bellingham City Council - Ward 3 (Progressive Majority and Sierra Club Endorsements) (2011 endorsement)

UPCOMING EVENT TO ELECT CATHY LEHMAN TO BELLINGHAM CITY COUNCIL:

South Hill Doorbelling - October 29th, 1:00pm (Volunteers needed, email info@votecathylehman.com)

Washington State Focus: Stephanie Wright for Snohomish County Council - District 3 (Progressive Majority, Deputy Sheriff's Association, Sierra Club, Washington Conservation Voters, and AFL-CIO Endorsements) (2011 endorsement)

Washington State Focus: Rob Gelder for Kitsap County Commissioner - District 1 (Progressive Majority Endorsement) (2011 endorsement)

Washington State Focus: Richard Rush for Spokane City Council - District 2 (Progressive Majority Endorsement) (2011 endorsement)

More on Richard Rush: Standing On Principles - Declining Council Pay Increase

Washington State Focus: Ben Stuckart for Spokane City Council President (Progressive Majority, Spokane Regional Labor Council, NARAL, and Spokane Firefighters Local 29 Endorsements) (2011 endorsement)

More on Ben Stuckhart:

Washington State Focus: David Stalheim Whatcom for County Executive (Progressive Majority, Teamsters, Planned Parenthood and Sierra Club Endorsements) (2011 endorsement)

More on David Stalheim: David Stalheim Announces Endorsements from Planned Parenthood Votes, Teamsters Local 231, Nooksack Tribe and Progressive Majority

Washington State Focus: Othman Heibe SeaTac City Council - Position 3 (Progressive Majority Endorsement) (2011 endorsement)

Washington State Focus: Joy Jones for Spokane City Council - District 3, Position 1 (Progressive Majority, Spokane Regional Labor Council, and Spokane Fire Fighters Local 29 Endorsements, CRITICAL RACE) (2011 endorsement)...this race is critical for achieving a Democratic and progressive majority in the Spokane city council

More on Joy Jones: Joy on Small Business

Washington State Focus: Christina Maginnis for Whatcom County Council - District 2, Position B (Progressive Majority, Northwest Washington Central Labor Council, Sierra Club and Democracy for America Endorsements, CRITICAL RACE) (2011 endorsement)...this race is critical for pushing back against Teabagger gains in Whatcom county. A true progressive vs teabagger race!

Washington State Focus: Mia Gregerson for SeaTac City Council - Position 7 (Progressive Majority Endorsement) (2011 endorsement)

NORTH CAROLINA FOCUS

NORTH CAROLINA HEADLINES:

I'm in – I'm running for re-election!

ELAINE MARSHALL FOR NC SECRETARY OF STATE

Occupying across the state

NC unemployment rate rises...why won't the Republicans support Obama's job creation plan??? North Carolina needs help and Republicans refuse to give it.

The arrogance of the ruling elite: McCrory the one percenter

MICHIGAN FOCUS

Michigan Focus: Hey Michigan! It's time to take some action! Occupy Wall Street! Protest Bank of America

Michigan Focus: Zero, Zilch, Nada, None: Jobs Brought to Michigan from Asia by Governor Snyder...more proof that the idea that Republicans create jobs is a complete lie

Michigan Focus: Occupy Michigan events scheduled statewide during October

Michigan Focus: George Brown for Jackson City Council - Ward 4 (Progressive Majority Endorsement) (2011 Endorsement)

Michigan Focus: Kyle DuBuc for Royal Oak City Commissioner (Progressive Majority Endorsement, Peace Corps volunteer) (2011 endorsement)

Michigan Focus: Mamie Moore for Highland Park City Council (Progressive Majority Endorsement) (2011 endorsement)

Michigan Focus: Zack Stanton for New Baltimore City Council (Progressive Majority Endorsement) (2011 endorsement)

VIRGINIA FOCUS

Richmond, VA Focus

Virginia Focus: David Bernard for State Senate - District 10 (Progressive Majority Endorsement, EMT) (2011 endorsement)

Virginia Focus: E. Wayne Powell for Congress (2011 endorsement)

To help elect Progressive Democrats in Virginia, here are some local Dem organizations worth checking out if you live nearby:

Hanover County Democratic Committee:
Meet Second Saturday of every month
9:00am - 10:30am
Location: Ashland Coffee and Tea
Address: PO Box 22
Ashland, VA 23005

E-mail: info@hvadems.com

Louisa County Democratic Committee
Meetings Third Wednesday of every month
6 pm at Roma's in Louisa
For more info contact: (540) 967-5302

Spotsylvania County Democratic Committee
The Spotsylvania County Democratic Committee meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Salem Church Library, 2607 Salem Church Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
(540) 785-9267

Albemarle County Democratic Committee
300 Preston Avenue, Suite 308
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.264.6872

Monthly Meeting of the Albemarle Democratic Committee is the third Monday of every month, 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Albemarle County Office Building, room 235, 401 McIntire Rd, Charlottesville

Franklin Democratic Committee
540-483-0636
Meetings are the third Tuesday of the month at 4:15 PM at the Franklin County Library (355 Franklin St, Rocky Mount VA).

GEORGIA FOCUS

Atlanta, GA Focus

Get more involved in Georgia Politics through Young Democrats of Georgia:
http://georgiayds.org

Members of the organization strive to make a positive difference in the community by working within the political process and upholding the principles of the Democratic Party. The membership base reflects the broad diversity of Georgia and the party, including high school students, college students, young workers, professionals and families.

Find your local chapter here

I want to particularly highlight:

Kennesaw State University Young Democrats:
http://www.ksudemocrats.org/

The KSU Democrats is the premiere progressive student organization at Kennesaw State University that strives to make a difference in aspects that affect our everyday lives. Two of our main goals include representing the democratic voice on campus, and educating students about recent political information.

Check out their calendar of events here.

WISCONSIN FOCUS

LET'S KEEP THE FIGHT GOING IN WISCONSIN: Below are some local Dem organizations in Wisconsin. Help them out!

Democratic Party of Milwaukee County:

Our general membership meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of most months. Check our calendar for exact dates. We meet in the Hall of Fame Room of the Pettit National Ice Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 500 S. 84th Street. We look forward to seeing you there.

Oconomowoc Dems Breakfast
First Saturday of each month, 10am – 11am
The Depot/Maxims Restaurant, Hwy 67 and Main St., Oconomowoc

Winnebago Dems Monthly Meeting
Second Wednesday of every month, August 10, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Delta Restaurant - 515 N Sawyer St, Oshkosh, WI

Winnebago County Democratic Party Unity Breakfast
Last Friday of Each Month, 7:00am – 8:30am
B J Clancy's Restaurant - 3341 S Oneida St - Appleton, WI 54915

Click here to find out more about the Winnebego County, Wisconsin Democratic Party

Waukesha County Democratic Party

Monthly meetings held every 3rd Thursday of the month, except in July
Waukesha Labor Temple.
Contact us at websupport@waukeshadems.org

Ozaukee County Democrats
The Ozaukee County Democrats will be holding monthly meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7pm on the lower level of the the Cedarburg City Hall.

MINNESOTA FOCUS

Minnesota Focus: Joe Tatalovich for St. Louis Park School Board (Progressive Majority Endorsement, CRITICAL RACE) (2011 endorsement)...I feel all judicial and school board races are critical but too often ignored, and we need more progressives elected to these positions.

SOUTH CAROLINA FOCUS

ARIZONA FOCUS

Arizona Focus: Learn how to run for office, run a campaign, and win elections: The Arizona Progressive Candidate Training Program

Arizona Focus: Jonathan Rothschild for Tuscon Mayor (Progressive Majority Endorsement) (2011 endorsement)

IOWA FOCUS

Des Moines Food Co-op Now Open

Iowa Focus: Sustainable Agriculture Events

TENNESSEE FOCUS

NEVADA FOCUS

Nevada Focus: Affordable Health Care Act for America is helping

KANSAS FOCUS

Targeting the Banks: who owns what

2011-10-22T14:40:00.000-04:00

I have been pushing for divestment in the four worst banks. I base my choice of worst banks on several criteria: customer service complaints filed with the Comptroller of the Currency, predatory lending practices including racist policies and targeting veterans, right wing politics including support for tax breaks for billionaires while advocating cutting social programs, whinging about "big government" while begging for taxpayer funded bailouts, etc. To some degree I also base it on the rating system of the Responsible Shopper website.

I have been targeting Bank of America, Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo. Of these four, three are also the worst on the Responsible Shopper website: Bank of America, Chase, and Citibank. Fidelity and Vanguard are also among their worst. I haven't targeted them because they aren't really "banks."

I have been pushing as alternatives to the worst banks switching to Credit Unions, TD Bank (a large bank that avoided all the predatory lending practices), USAA (for Veterans and their families), and small local banks.

I got a good question to an earlier comment I made about divesting from the worst four. I was asked if a particular small bank was owned by one of the large banks. Which led me to investigate who owns what.

So, if we want to fight Wall Street, we need to move our money out of the predatory lenders and into some decent, responsible banks. A good place to find the bad banks is, again, Responsible Shopper. This site compares companies and gives profiles on those companies. They only rate big companies, so credit unions and local banks are not included. For good options skip to the bottom where I will review sources for finding good, responsible banks and financial institutions.

But first, I want to review the big bad banks and financial institutions covered by Responsible Shopper and highlight what smaller institutions they own. That will help people choose the best options.

WORST BANKS BY ALL STANDARDS: (a tie on the Responsible Shopper website between Bank of America and Citigroup)

Worst customer service, highest fees, most predatory lending, most right wing and leeching bailout money for CEO perks.

Bank of America: worst of the worst and the most long term target of boycotts.

From Responsible Shopper:

• Bank of America is the second largest US bank and operates more than 5,700 branch locations.

• Bank of America has been sued by the New York State Attorney General for multiple instances of improper mutual fund trading, including the most costly trading scandal to date, which the company settled for $675 million.

• Bank of America claims to enrich communities with its nationwide reach, but its acquisition of MBNA, the country's third-largest credit card company, has raised concerns about continued predatory lending and soaring interest rates due to stifled competition.

• Bank of America is one of the largest investors in coal and coal fired power, which is responsible for nearly a third of the nation's CO2 emissions, and also funds surface coal mining.

Affiliates: (these are the companies that may or may not obviously be Bank of America but are...I only include American and Canadian affiliates that don't have the full "Bank of America" name)

- AFSA Data Corporation (Other) - Long Beach, CA
- BA Asia Ltd. - Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong)
- BA Merchant Services Incorporated (Subsidiary) - San Francisco, CA
read more
- BA Merchant Services Incorporated (Subsidiary) - San Francisco, CA
- Columbia Financial Center Inc. (Other) - Portland, OR
- Columbia Management Advisors - Rochester, NY
- Columbia Management Advisors, Inc. - Portland, OR
- Columbia Management Advisors, Inc. - San Francisco, CA
- Columbia Management Group - Boston, MA
- Columbia Trust Co. - Portland, OR
- Fleet Bank (Parent) - Blue Bell, PA
- Fleet Bank (Subsidiary) - Paramus, NJ
- Fleet Bank - Albany, NY
- Fleet Business Credit Corp. - Chicago, IL
- Fleet Capital Canada Corporation - Toronto, Canada
- Fleet Capital Corp. - Atlanta, GA
- Fleet Capital Corporation (Other) - Glastonbury, CT
- Fleet Capital Leasing - Providence, RI
- Fleet Capital Leasing - Troy, MI
- Fleet Capital Leasing Healthcare Finance Corp. (Subsidiary) - Parsippany, NJ
- Fleet Credit Card Services, L.P. (Other) - Horsham, PA
- Fleet Growth Resources Inc. - Providence, RI
- Fleet Insurance Advisors (Other) - Mount Laurel, NJ
- Fleet Insurance Services (Other) - Cranford, NJ
- Fleet Investment Services Inc. - Providence, RI
- Fleet Pennsylvania Service - Wilmington, DE
- Fleet Retail Finance Inc. - Boston, MA
- Fleet Trust & Investment Services Company, N.A. - Stuart, FL
- FleetBoston Financial Corporation (Subsidiary) - Boston, MA
- FleetBoston Financial Corporation - Boston, MA
- FleetBoston New Jersey - Princeton, NJ
- Progress Financial Resources, Inc. - Philadelphia, PA
- Progress Realty Advisors, Inc. - Blue Bell, PA
- Wanger Asset Management Inc. (Other) - Chicago, IL

Citigroup: Second worst bank

From Responsible Shopper:

• Citigroup is the world's largest financial services group, and offers its clients insurance, credit cards, banking, and investment opportunities.

• Citigroup has spearheaded industry efforts to fight legislation that would restrict bank consolidation.

• Citigroup has been accused of engaging in predatory lending practices that prey on the financially vulnerable.

• Citigroup is one of the top financiers of coal mining and coal fired power plants.

•Citigroup's record proves that its desire for profits come at the expense of environmental and social sustainability.

Affiliates: (again only US and Canadian ones and only ones that don't clearly have "Citi____" in their name)

- A. Friedrich Flender AG - Bocholt, Germany
- Acciones y Valores de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. - Mexico, Mexico
- American Health & Life Insurance Company (Subsidiary) - Fort Worth, TX
read more

- American Health & Life Insurance Company (Subsidiary) - Fort Worth, TX
- Associates Finance - San Juan, PR
- AST Stockplan, Inc. - New York, NY
- Auto One Acceptance Corp. - Dallas, TX
- Bearing Inspection Inc. (Subsidiary) - Los Alamitos, CA
- California Commerce Bank - Los Angeles, CA
- CityStreet - Jacksonville, FL
- Communico - Clearwater, FL
- Constitution State Claims - Buffalo, NY
- Constitution State Service LLC - Hartford, CT
- E.J. Footwear LLC - Franklin, TN
- Erico International Corp. - Solon, OH
- Flender Corporation (Branch) - Elgin, IL
- Flender Power Transmission, Inc. - Markham, Canada
- FNC Insurance Agency Inc. - Frederick, MD
- Geneva Companies LLC - Irvine, CA
- Grand River Navigation Co. - Avon Lake, OH
- Kiku (Subsidiary) - Honolulu, HI
- Loher Drive Systems, Inc. - Houston, TX
- Lower Lake Towing Ltd. - Port Dover, Canada
- Mid-America Insurance Services Inc. - Normal, IL
- MSX International, Inc. - Auburn Hills, MI
- MSX International, Inc. - Warren, MI
- National Benefit Life Insurance Company - New York, NY
- PFS Investments, Inc. - Duluth, GA
- PFSL Investments Canada Ltd. - Mississauga, Canada
- Phibro Inc. - Westport, CT
- Primerica Financial Services Ltd. - Mississauga, Canada
- Primerica Financial Services, Inc. (Subsidiary) - Duluth, GA
- Primerica Financial Services, Inc. - Kosciusko, MS
- Primerica Life Insurance Company - Duluth, GA
- Primerica Life Insurance Company of Canada - Mississauga, Canada
- Scholar Craft (Subsidiary) - Irondale, AL
- Sears Life Insurance Co. - Fort Worth, TX
- Smith Barney - New York, NY
- Strategic Industries, LLC - Alpharetta, GA
- The Geneva Companies Inc. - Irvine, CA
- Tower Square Securities Inc. - Hartford, CT
- Transouth Financial - Vero Beach, FL
- Transsouth Financial Inc. (Subsidiary) - Murfreesboro, TN
- Triton Insurance Co. - Fort Worth, TX
- Universal Financial Corp. - Salt Lake City, UT

SECOND WORST BANK/FINANCIAL INSTITUTES: (tie on the Responsible Shopper website between JP Morgan Chase and Fidelity, plus I add Wells Fargo because I think when you take into account some of the specific things they do they are among the worst)

JP Morgan Chase:

From Responsible Shopper:

• JP Morgan Chase & Co. is the third largest US bank. It offers banking and investment services to corporate clients and consumer mortgages, credit cards, and investment management services.

• Although JP Morgan Chase has received praise for promoting diversity and discouraging discrimination, and was among the top 10 choices for "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" and one of the "Best Companies for Women of Color" the company also received a grade of 'C-' from the NAACP on their Economic Reciprocity Initiative report.

• JP Morgan Chase has engaged in positive community development projects, such as its $150 million program to promote economic revitalization in Harlem.

• JP Morgan Chase & Co. has been criticized for financing development projects that put the environment at risk.

Affiliates: (again, US and Canada only and only if "Chase" or "JP Morgan" is not in the name)

- Banc One Brokerage Intl. Corp. - Chicago, IL
- Banc One Equipment Finance (Subsidiary) - Indianapolis, IN
- Banc One Equipment Finance (Subsidiary) - Indianapolis, IN
- Banc One Insurance Agency - Milwaukee, WI
- Banc One Insurance Services Corp. - Milwaukee, WI
- Banc One Investment Advisors Corp. - Columbus, OH
- Banc One Kentucky Corporation - Louisville, KY
- Banc One Leasing Corporation (Subsidiary) - Columbus, OH
- Banc One Life Insurance Co. - Milwaukee, WI
- Banc One Management & Consulting Corp. - Dallas, TX
- Banc One Securities - Columbus, OH
- Banc One Services Corporation - Columbus, OH
- Banc One Vehicle Leasing Co. - Lexington, KY
- Bank One - Downers Grove, IL
- Bank One - Milwaukee, WI
- Bank One - Oklahoma City, OK
- Bank One - Troy, MI
- Bank One Arizona Leasing Corp. - Phoenix, AZ
- Bank One Community Development - Columbus, OH
- Bank One Corporation - Columbus, OH
- Bank One Credit Company - Albuquerque, NM
- Bank One Ohio Corporation - Columbus, OH
- Bank One Securities Corp. - Columbus, OH
- Bank One Trust Co., NA - Milwaukee, WI
- Bank One Trust Company, N.A. - Columbus, OH
- Bank One Utah NA (Subsidiary) - Salt Lake City, UT
- Bank One, Arizona, NA - Phoenix, AZ
- Bank One, Colorado, N.A. - Denver, CO
- Bank One, Illinois, N.A. (Subsidiary) - Springfield, IL
- Bank One, Indiana, N.A. - Indianapolis, IN
- Bank One, Indiana, N.A. - Merrillville, IN
- Bank One, Kentucky, NA (Subsidiary) - Louisville, KY
- Bank One, Louisiana, N.A. - Baton Rouge, LA
- Bank One, N.A. (Subsidiary) - Venice, FL
- Bank One, N.A. - Dallas, TX
- Bank One, N.A. - Dayton, OH
- Bank One, N.A. - New Orleans, LA
- Bank One, NA - Chicago, IL
- Bank One, Wisconsin - Milwaukee, WI
- Bonnet Resources Corp. - Dallas, TX
- Central Bank of Monroe - Monroe, LA
- Colson Service Corp. - New York, NY
- First Chicago International Finance Corporation - Chicago, IL
- First Chicago Leasing Corp. - Chicago, IL
- First USA Bank N.A. - Wilmington, DE
- First USA Capital Markets, Inc. - Dallas, TX
- Fleming Asset Management (Canada), Inc. - Toronto, Canada
- Fleming Martin Inc. (Subsidiary) - New York, NY
- Heat Asset Acqusition Corp. - New York, NY
- Liberty Bank & Trust Company of Tulsa - Tulsa, OK
- Liberty Property Management Co. - Oklahoma City, OK
- Mid-America Leasing Corp. - Oklahoma City, OK
- Morgan Guaranty International Finance Corporation - Newark, DE
- National Waterworks, Inc. - Waco, TX
- NBD Equity Corp. - Detroit, MI
- Octagon Credit Investors Llc - New York, NY
- One Equity Partners LLC - Chicago, IL
- Park Central 789 Realty Holdings (Division) - Dallas, TX
- Payment Tech (Subsidiary) - Dallas, TX
- Paymentech, Inc. - Dallas, TX
- Polaroid Canada Inc. - Mississauga, Canada
- Polaroid Corporation (Subsidiary) - Cambridge, MA
- Polaroid Corporation - Waltham, MA
- Polaroid Digital Solutions, Inc. - Palm Coast, FL
- Polaroid Education Program - New York, NY
- Polaroid Latin America Corporation (Subsidiary) - Miami, FL
- Systems & Services Technologies, Inc. - Saint Joseph, MO
- Tribon Solutions Inc. (Subsidiary) - Annapolis, MD
- Tumble Forms Inc. - Dolgeville, NY

Fidelity:

From Responsible Shopper:

• Fidelity Investments provides a variety of financial services and products including mutual fund management, long-term investments, offshore investments and insurance product funds.

• Alleged financial scandals, war profiteering, human rights violations, and environmental destruction have marred Fidelity's reputation.

• Fidelity has favored corporate management when voting on issues of social responsibility, climate change, and corporate governance, failing to promote corporate responsibility on these issues with the companies they hold.

No known affiliates

Wells Fargo: no one argues that Wells Fargo is pretty bad. But Responsible Shopper rates it better than I do. But recently revelations about Wells Fargo seem to portray them as worse than most. They were one of the banks that targeted American veterans for predatory lending, which seems particularly vile to me and is one reason I put them lower than Responsible Shopper. They also are, along with Bank of America, Chase and Citibank, the target of the most customer service complaints with the Comptroller of the Currency. So I place them tied among the second worst banks and financial institutions.

From Responsible Shopper:

• Wells Fargo offers consumer and business banking and investment services from over 5,400 locations nationwide and ranks fifth among US banks.

• Critics, including ACORN, charge that Wells Fargo's financing model could cost investors heavily in the long term, as the bank's investments in destructive projects lead to social unrest and contribute to climate change.

• Investors have accused Wells Fargo of violating the Fair Housing Act and using predatory measures when lending to minority and low-income borrowers.

Affiliates: (only ones that don't include "Wells Fargo" in their names)

- Accordia (Division) - West Palm Beach, FL
- Acordia - Atlanta, GA
- Acordia - Champaign, IL
read more

- Acordia - Champaign, IL
- Acordia - Clearwater, FL
- Acordia - Minneapolis, MN
- Acordia - Morristown, NJ
- Acordia Employers Service Corp. West Virginia (Subsidiary) - Charleston, WV
- Acordia Inc. (Subsidiary) - Pikeville, KY
- Acordia National Inc. (Division) - Charleston, WV
- Acordia Northeast - Morristown, NJ
- Acordia Northwest - Seattle, WA
- Acordia of California Inc. (Subsidiary) - Grass Valley, CA
- Acordia of Cincinnati Inc. (Subsidiary) - Cincinnati, OH
- Acordia of Colorado (Division) - Colorado Springs, CO
- Acordia of Illinois Inc. (Subsidiary) - Schaumburg, IL
- Acordia of Indiana Inc. (Subsidiary) - Fort Wayne, IN
- Acordia of Indiana LLC - Elkhart, IN
- Acordia of Michigan (Subsidiary) - Grand Rapids, MI
- Acordia of Michigan Inc. - Southfield, MI
- Acordia of Ohio - Youngstown, OH
- Acordia of Ohio Inc. (Subsidiary) - Cleveland, OH
- Acordia of Phoenix Inc. (Subsidiary) - Phoenix, AZ
- Acordia of Virginia Inc. (Subsidiary) - Alexandria, VA
- Acordia West Texas Agency Inc. (Subsidiary) - Lubbock, TX
- Acordia West Virginia Inc. - Charleston, WV
- Acordia, Inc. (Division) - Erie, PA
- Acordia, Inc. (Division) - Minneapolis, MN
- Allied Business Systems Inc. (Division) - Macon, GA
- Aman Collection Service Inc. (Subsidiary) - Aberdeen, SD
- American Excess Surplus Insurance Brokers of N.Y. - New York, NY
- American Land Title Company Inc. - Omaha, NE
- ATI Title - West Des Moines, IA
- Carson Industries (Subsidiary) - Napoleon, OH
- Carson Industries LLC (Subsidiary) - Glendora, CA
- Eastdil Realty Inc. (Subsidiary) - New York, NY
- Fidelity Financial Services - Hales Corners, WI
- First Allied Securities Inc. (Subsidiary) - San Diego, CA
- Foothill Capital Corporation - Santa Monica, CA
- Galliard Capital Management - Minneapolis, MN
- General Insurance Agency - Deming, NM
- H.D. Vest Advisory Services Inc. - Irving, TX
- H.D. Vest Financial Services - Irving, TX
- H.D. Vest Inc. - Irving, TX
- H.D. Vest Investment Securities Inc. - Irving, TX
- Island Finance Puerto Rico - San Juan, PR
- Lowry Hill Investment Advisors, Inc. (Subsidiary) - Minneapolis, MN
- Machigonne Benefit Administrators - Portland, ME
- Machigonne Inc. (Subsidiary) - South Portland, ME
- Marquette Bank (Subsidiary) - Chicago, IL
- Marquette Community Dev Corp. - Chicago, IL
- MSC Mortgage - Sarasota, FL
- National Bancorp of Alaska, Inc. (Subsidiary) - Anchorage, AK
- Norwest Bank Arizona, N.A. - Phoenix, AZ
- Norwest Bank Colorado NA - Parker, CO
- Norwest Bank Faribault, N.A. (Subsidiary) - Faribault, MN
- Norwest Bank Grand Junction NA - Grand Junction, CO
- Norwest Bank Illinois, N.A. - Galesburg, IL
- Norwest Bank Minnesota N.A. - Minneapolis, MN
- Norwest Bank Minnesota Southwest, N.A. - Marshall, MN
- Norwest Bank North Dakota, N.A. - Fargo, ND
- Norwest Bank Wyoming, N.A. - Casper, WY
- Norwest Equity Partners - Minneapolis, MN
- Norwest Financial Indiana Inc. (Subsidiary) - Griffith, IN
- Norwest Home Improvement, Inc. - Concord, CA
- Norwest Properties, Inc. (Subsidiary) - Minneapolis, MN
- Norwest Venture Capital Management, Inc. (Subsidiary) - Minneapolis, MN
- Pacific Northwest Bancorp (Subsidiary) - Seattle, WA
- Peregrine Capital Management, Inc. (Subsidiary) - Minneapolis, MN
- Prime Bancshares Inc. (Subsidiary) - Houston, TX
- Ragen Mackenzie Group Incorporated - Seattle, WA
- Ragen Mackenzie Investments - Seattle, WA
- Rural Community Insurance Services - Anoka, MN
- Servus Financial Corporation - Sterling, VA
- The Foothill Group, Inc. (Subsidiary) - Santa Monica, CA
- Trans Canada Credit Corporation - Etobicoke, Canada

OTHER BELOW AVERAGE:

Vanguard: also below average but better than the institutions I list above

From Responsible Shopper:

• The Vanguard Group is one of the largest investment companies in the world and has acquired nearly a trillion dollars in total assets thanks to its consistent investing in some of the world's largest, and often least sustainable, companies.

• Vanguard has been scrutinized for financing corporations that operate in war-torn areas such as the Sudan, providing a reliable income source for corrupt governments.

• Vanguard fails to use its proxies to support climate resolutions at companies it holds.

Affiliates: none known

BETTER BANKS: These are the ones to consider switching to. Divesting from Bank of America, Citibank, Chase, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, Fidelity and Vanguard as well as their affiliates sends a clear message. But where to put your money? There are alternatives.

First, there are two banks that are rated by Responsible Shopper as being among the better...though keep in mind they are still at best "average" in their ratings. But it is worth noting that they are better than the targets I mention and for some people they may be the best option. I personally wouldn't use them but each person has a different need and I'd rather people use Suntrust or Wachovia than the worst banks.

Suntrust: average ratings

From Responsible Shopper:

• SunTrust operates 1,600 branches mostly in the southeast U.S. from which it offers retail and commercial banking services, as well as trust services, mutual funds, credit cards and mortgage banking.

• SunTrust’s investment policies and ties to other corporations have raised questions about its social responsibility.

• Leaders of SunTrust and Coca-Cola have a close relationship, making SunTrust a prime target for human rights campaigns against Coke.

• SunTrust fell under fire from the Securities and Exchange Commission for failing to clearly explain to the public how the company pays its five top executives.

Affiliates: (only ones that don't have "SunTrust" in their name)

Capitoline Investment Services, Inc. - Richmond, VA
- Trusco Capital Management - Atlanta, GA

Wachovia: (average ratings)

From Responsible Shopper:

• Wachovia ranks fourth among banking giants in the US, and offers corporate and consumer banking services from over 3,400 branch locations.

• Wachovia has faced criticism for excessive executive pay, as well as accounting irregularities and questionable ethics following mergers and acquisitions.

• Wachovia is implicated in investing in coal and coal fired power plants.

Affiliates: (only ones that don't have "Wachovia" in their names)

- Atlantic Savings Bank FSB - Hilton Head Island, SC
- Cameron M. Harris & Co. Inc. - Charlotte, NC
- Charter Asset Management Inc. - Richmond, VA
- Charter Asset Management Inc. - Richmond, VA
- Educaid - Sacramento, CA
- Evergreen Asset Management - Malvern, PA
- Evergreen Investment Services - Boston, MA
- Evergreen Investment Services - Charlotte, NC
- Fairfax County Redevelopment (Subsidiary) - Fairfax, VA
- Financial Life Insurance Co. of Georgia - Atlanta, GA
- First Union Brokerage Services, Inc. (Subsidiary) - Charlotte, NC
- First Union Corp. - Philadelphia, PA
- First Union Corporation - Greenville, SC
- First Union Corporation - Richmond, VA
- First Union Development Corp. - Charlotte, NC
- First Union Futures Corp. - Charlotte, NC
- First Union Rail Corporation (Subsidiary) - Rosemont, IL
- First Union Securities Inc. - Glen Allen, VA
- First Union Securities Inc. - Richmond, VA
- First Union Security - Chicago, IL
- First Union Title Corporation - Charlotte, NC
- McGlinn Capital Management (Subsidiary) - Reading, PA
- Mentor Investment Group - Richmond, VA
- Professional Direct Agency - Columbus, OH
- Riazzi Rhyne & Goodson (Subsidiary) - Winston Salem, NC
- Sonitrol Corporation - Alexandria, VA
- South Carolina National Corporation - Columbia, SC
- Tryon Management Inc. - Charlotte, NC

My Favorites: These are ones I have personal experience with and like them. I like their customer service. Their fees seem reasonable. They are convenient. And they did no predatory lending.

USAA: this company is well known for their integrity and good customer service. They work with veterans and their families.

TD Bank: A Canadian bank that has become a part of the banking industry in many states. They did no predatory lending and all my experiences with them have been positive. Working with them reminds me of the quality of banking service back when I was a kid dealing with a local neighborhood bank. Because their customers are generally satisfied and because they did no predatory lending, they have fared much better as a company than banks like Chase and Bank of America, whose stocks have tanked and who needed bailouts paid for by taxpayers to survive. In a REAL free market, TD Bank would have survived while Chase and Bank of America would have gone under. But in Republican Crony Capitalism, Chase and Bank of America get government funded breaks to survive.

THE BEST: These are the ones that Green America and Daily Kos favor. I will say that they may not be the most convenient for everyone, but they are the best options if they work for you.

From Green America:

if you want to put your money where your values are...

Choose a community development bank or credit union

Did you know that your checking account can generate capital for affordable housing projects? Did you know that your CDs can create funds for job development in low-income communities?

Community development banks and credit unions operate very much like their traditional counterparts, but these institutions focus on funding economic development in low- and moderate-income areas.

You can open a checking account, savings account, money market account, or CD in one of these banks or credit unions; accounts are federally insured up to $100,000. See our Community Investing Resource Center to find a bank or credit union near you, or find community investing financial institutions in the National Green Pages.

Learn more about community investing

Look for responsible credit cards

We’re happy to tell you that a few responsible banks and credit unions are offering credit cards that can be a force for change. Check out our recent issue of Real Green that walks you through the options so you’ll know which credit cards to avoid and which will work best for you and for the planet.

Check out socially responsible investing

Integrating your personal, social, and environmental concerns with your financial considerations is called socially responsible investing (SRI). SRI helps you meet your financial goals while ensuring that your investments have a positive impact on people and the planet. Whether you’re just getting started with a simple savings account or you have a highly diversified portfolio of investments, you can be a social investor.

Some of the most popular social investing vehicles are socially screened mutual funds. Screening describes the inclusion or exclusion of corporate securities in investment portfolios based on social or environmental criteria. Socially concerned investors generally seek to own profitable companies with respectable employee relations, strong records of community involvement, excellent environmental impact policies and practices, respect for human rights around the world, and safe and useful products. They also will try to avoid investments in those firms that fall short in these areas. Some examples of issues used by SRI funds in screens include: alcohol, tobacco, defense weapons, animal testing, environment, human rights, labor relations, employment/equality, community investing, and proxy voting.

Socially screened mutual funds are often industry leaders on issues of disclosure and proxy voting.

Green America is one of the leading sources of information about socially responsible purchasing and investing. For individual investors, we publish the Guide to Socially Responsible Investing, a comprehensive guide to understanding investing for you, your family, and the future of the planet. We also publish Real Green, our popular bi-monthly newsletter packed with tips and ideas for green living, purchasing, and investing.

Both of these resources are free with membership. Join Green America now.

If we are the 99%, then where we put our money makes a HUGE difference. You have the power. Make your choice where you put your money. I hope this article helps.

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Silicon Valley Area, CA Focus

2011-10-22T14:11:00.001-04:00

UPCOMING EVENTS IN SILICON VALLEY:

Healthy Families, Healthy Communities
Wednesday, 26 October, 2011
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM

San Jose City Hall
Wing Room 120
200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95116

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Association of Santa Clara Valley, and co-sponsor City of San José Council Member Kansen Chu will be holding a special community meeting on:

Effectively Preventing & Addressing Family/Domestic Violence in Our Communities

The interactive panel discussion will include:

* How to identify family/domestic violence
* How you can work with the criminal justice system to effectively address this issue
* Effects of family/domestic violence on families & communities
* Resources that can help if you or someone you know maybe experiencing family/domestic violence
* How you can get involved to address & prevent this form of violence

Presenters will include representatives from the following agencies:

Asian Women’s Home (the domestic violence program of Asian Americans for Community Involvement) ∙ City of San José’s Family Violence Center (San José Police Department) ∙ Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office ∙ Bill Wilson Center Youth Program ∙ Center for Living with Dying (a program of the Bill Wilson Center)

Parking will be validated at the meeting; please bring your ticket to the meeting.

Salute to Military women
Wednesday, 02 November, 2011
05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
County Government Center,Board Chambers
70 West Hedding St.
San Jose, CA 95110

Join Assemblymember Jim Beall Jr, and the Santa Clara County's Office of Women's Policy to celebrate and honor all women that have served and are serving...Among the best and the bravest.

Santa Clara County Democratic Club Annual Holiday Event
Friday, 16 December, 2011
06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Fiorillo's Restaurant
638 El Camino Real
Santa Clara , CA 95050 USA

Dixie Johanson
Email: djohanson2002@yahoo.com
Phone: 415/297-0674

Democratic Television:
The Santa Clara County Democratic Party produces "Democratic TV," which airs on Public Access TV channels around the County.

San Jose, and the east part of Cupertino
Channel 15, every Friday at 9:30pm

Cupertino, Los Altos, Mountain View
Channel 15, every Tuesday at 6:30pm

Gilroy
Channel 20, every Sunday at 6pm, Tuesday at 10:30pm, Thursday at 4:30pm, and Saturday at noon

Los Gatos and Monte Sereno
Channel 15, the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Monday of every month at 6:30pm

Morgan Hill and San Martin
Channel 19, every Monday and Tuesday at 8:30pm

Palo Alto, Stanford, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Atherton
Channel 27, every Sunday at 1am and 6:30pm, Monday at 10:30am, Tuesday at 5:30pm, Wednesday at 12:30am and 8:30am, and Saturday at 5:00pm

Democrats in Santa Clara County produce two Public Access Television Programs. For information on "Straight Talk," produced by the Santa Clara County Democratic Club, click 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.

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.

Mesa de la Communidad, Mountain View
P.O. Box 930032
Mountain View, CA 94039-0032
888-657-6801
info@mesacomunidad.org
http://www.mesacomunidad.org/index.htm

Our vision is to create a Mountain View community that is thriving, inclusive and compassionate. Our mission is to advocate for and increase participation of underrepresented groups in Mountain View’s civic and business life. Working on the following issues: Immigration, schools, and gangs.

East San Jose Democrats:
http://www.esjd.org/

The purpose of the ESJD is to promote and influence the aims of the East San José community within the Democratic Party; to promote leadership in political activities for East San José residents; to educate the East San José community on the political process and the issues of importance to the East San José community and the Democratic Party; to assist in the selection and election of East San José Democrats to office locally, statewide and nationally and to support candidates who have strong records in the positive advancement of East San José issues; and to provide a vehicle through which its members may more actively participate at all levels of the Democratic Party.

West Valley for Change:
http://www.westvalleyforchange.com/

West Valley for Change Democratic Club grew out of the grassroots movement in West San Jose to get Barack Obama elected President in 2008. Since then we have continued to use our hope and energy to affect change, with research into issues facing our community at the local, state and national level. Further, we want to get to know our local officials and candidates for elected office to help legislate change. And we are ready to work for progressive reform within the Democratic Party.

Stanford Democrats:

We're the largest political group on campus, mobilizing for key campaigns, organizing around important issues, and working for progressive change across the street and across the country. Email us to get involved!

To join the Stanford Democrats mailing list, send an email to democrats@lists.stanford.edu.

Or visit the Stanford Democrats on Facebook.

San Mateo Democratic Party:
Our mission is to support Democratic candidates and elected officials at all levels of government, and ballot measures promoting Democratic values in San Mateo County and the State of California.

Contact Information
Voicemail: (650) 581-1350
Email: contact@sanmateodemocrats.org
751 Laurel Street, Box 702, San Carlos, CA 94070

Central Committee General Meetings – Everyone Is Welcome!
When: 7:30 pm, 3rd Thursday of every month.
Where: Machinists Hall, 1511 Rollins Road, Burlingame

Click here to find your local Democratic Club

Coastside Democratic Club
Contact: Brigid O'Farrell (650-728-3380) mbofarrell@aol.com
Website: www.coastsidedemocrats.org

Coalition 5000 Democratic Committee Club
Contact: Ashwani Bhakhri (650-583-7677) bhakhrilaw2004@yahoo.com
Meetings and events in or near South San Francisco.

North San Mateo County Democratic Club
Contact: Wallace Moore (650-589-6293) wallace.moore@comcast.net
Meets every third Monday evening of the month near Daly City Hall.

Filipino-American Democratic Club
Contact: Mike Guingona mikeguingona@yahoo.com
Visit them on Facebook.

Hillsborough Democratic Club
Contact: Grande Lum (650-340-9150) grandelum@gmail.com

Millbrae-Burlingame Democratic Club
Contact: Wayne Lee uponawish@yahoo.com

North Peninsula Democratic Club
Contact: Sandra Lang (650-342-9860) langinsureyou@sbcglobal.net

Pacifica Democrats
Contact: Barbara Arietta (415-246-0775) barietta@hotmail.com

Peninsula Young Democrats
Contact: Kai Stinchcombe kai.stinchcombe@gmail.com
Website: www.peninsulayd.org

Redwood City Democratic Club
Contact: Chris Balme chbalme@gmail.com

San Mateo County Democracy for America
Contact: Carole Dorshkind (650-766-2162) cdorshkind@comcast.net
Website: www.smcdfa.org
Meets every First Wednesday of the month in Foster City (County wide club).

San Mateo/Foster City Democratic Club
Contact: Patrick Sullivan patrick.sullivan@sanmateofostercitydemocraticclub.com
Website: sanmateofostercitydemocraticclub.com

Alameda Democratic Party:
The Alameda County Democratic Party coordinates the party's activities throughout the county, making endorsements, organizing events and directing resources to support local, state and national candidates. Its governing body, the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, is charged under state law with overseeing the Party's local activities and campaigns, under the general direction of the California Democratic Party. The Central Committee consists of members elected from each of the county's State Assembly Districts, as well as the Democratic nominees for Congress, State Senate, Assembly, and State Constitutional office.

The Alameda County Democratic Party Central Committee meets the first Wednesday of every month (except during election months) at the San Leandro Library, (Dave Karp Room), 300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. Meetings begin at 7pm.

Find your local Democratic Clubs and organizations by clicking here.

Santa Clara County Democratic Party
2102 Almaden Road
San Jose, CA 95125

The Santa Clara County Democratic Party strives to build, sustain, and use our collective power to enable good Democratic candidates to win elections at all levels and to fight for important Democratic values such as first class schools, affordable healthcare, quality jobs, safe communities, innovative energy policies, reliable Social Security, a clean environment, and honest and open government.

You can contact us by phone or email:
(408) 445-9500
info@sccdp.org

Find local events here.

Find your local Democratic club here.

NAACP SILICON VALLEY:
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.

Here are some local NAACP branches:

San Jose NAACP
304 N.6TH STREET
San Jose, CA 95112
408-295-3394

Fremont-Union City-Newark NAACP
Union City, CA 94587
510-471-4109

South San Mateo Co NAACP
Palo Alto, CA 94303
415-322-4089

Stanford University College NAACP Chapter
418 SANTA TERESA STREET
Stanford, CA 94305

MARRIAGE EQUALITY SILICON VALLEY is a grassroots effort, organized by volunteers in the Silicon Valley/San Jose/South Bay area, to educate, unite and mobilize all communities for equality.

Each month, on a Sunday, which might vary depending on other events, the Outreach to Religious and Youth Communities Group holds a potluck evening. We meet at 6 pm in someone's home for a shared meal. At 6:30 pm, we view an inspiring film which focuses on LGBT issues. After the movie, we discuss current and future actions to promote education and support for marriage equality. Open to everyone. For more information, contact Ray Hixson at (650) 346-7557 or Joanne Loomba at (408) 921-0041.

SILICON VALLEY DEMOCRATIC CLUBS: This list comes from the Santa Clara County Democratic Club website:

Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club. SVAPADC was founded in 1996 to foster member participation at all levels of the Democratic Party. Our goals are to unify and empower the Asian Pacific American (APA) communities; ensure fair representation of the APA's interests; and educate and promote political participation. Contact Buu Thai at apa_at_sccdp.org. The club's homepage is svapadc.org.

Silicon Valley Latino Democratic Forum. A venue for local Latinos to become active in the Democratic Party. Javier Gonzalez, svldf_at_sccdp.org.

Silicon Valley Young Democrats. SVYD serves Democrats under 36 years old from throughout the Silicon Valley. We provide networking, social, and personal growth opportunities for young people dedicated to progressive ideals.

Meetings are monthly
the third Monday at 7 p.m.
UFCW Local 5, 240 S Market St,
San Jose, Ca
Dinner and drinks provided

Silicon Valley LGBT Democratic Club. Dedicated to providing a grassroots channel for the political participation of like-minded lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Democrats. President: David Parker, lgbt_at_sccdp.org. Visit the club on the web at http://www.lgbtdems.org.

Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley. The Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley is an alliance in Silicon Valley, California dedicated to the issues brought forth by Gov. Howard Dean, M.D., his cause and his message of progressive, positive change. dfasv.org, www.dfalink.com/siliconvalley, Co-Chairs; Spandan Chakrabarti, Alice Smith. Contact deanclub_at_sccdp.org

Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Silicon Valley Chapter

We come from all 50 states and a wide variety of religious, political and philosophical backgrounds. We are dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans.

2310 Homestead Road, Suite 523 Los Altos, California 94024

SILICON VALLEY AREA FOOD CO-OPS: These are the only ones I could find near Silicon Valley, though they are all somewhat peripheral

Kresge Food Co-op
600 Kresge CT, Kresge College UCSC
Santa Cruz, California 95064
Phone: (831) 426-1506
coop@dv8.org
http://k9.dv8.org/~coop/

The Kresge Food Coop is a student-run cooperative health food store located at Kresge College on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. We currently consist of twelve Core Collective Members who own the coop and are responsible for its daily operations and for any number of working members. This page has been created in order to better serve our community. Through this page you can email the coop, learn about our Core Collective Members, sign up to be a working member, make suggestions, check sales, read and reread our newsletter, and browse our links to other coops and health food stores.

The Cooperative Grocery (The CoG)
1450 67th Street
Emeryville, California 95616
Phone: (510) 868-2883
FAX: (510) 868-2893
info@thecog.org
http://www.thecog.org/

The Cooperative Grocery—The CoG—is a non-profit, working members cooperative that offers high-quality groceries at an affordable price to individuals and families in our community.

Members of The CoG work 2 1/2 hours every 4 weeks, performing jobs like stocking shelves, building orders and providing member services. By providing much of the labor for the store, our members keep our operating costs to a minimum. We then pass the savings onto our members in the form of lower prices. Our model is based on the successful Park Slope Food Co-Op in Brooklyn, NY, which serves 13,000 members.

To further control costs and grow our co-op in a responsible manner, we launched the CoG as an online store that is served from a warehouse located in Emeryville, with easy access to communities in Berkeley and Oakland. Our long term plan is to build a retail business as finances allow.

Bolinas Peoples Store
P. O. Box 808
Bolinas, California 94924
Phone: (415) 868-1433
FAX: (415) 868-1219

Rainbow Grocery Co-op
1745 Folsom
San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: (415) 863-0620
FAX: (415) 863-8955
comments@rainbowgrocery.coop
http://www.rainbow.coop/

We have been in San Francisco's Mission District since 1975. We strive to offer resources, education and a forum for informational exchange for many local communities and organizations.

Rainbow Grocery is open every day from 9AM to 9PM

We are located in San Francisco's Mission District at 1745 Folsom Street. Our cross street is 13th Street (also known as Duboce), which runs directly under the central freeway. Use the map below for directions by car. Click here for Public Transit directions. Click here for bicycling directions.

Other Avenues Community Food Store
3930 Judah Street
San Francisco, California 94122
Phone: (415) 661-7475
FAX: (415) 661-0835
info@otheravenues.org
http://www.otheravenues.org/

Biodiesel: Biodiesel is an American produced fuel that is cleaner than traditional diesel. Up to B20 (a 20% blend of biodiesel and traditional diesel) any diesel engine, car or truck, can run on it. Above B20, some older engines may have problems but newer diesel engines should be ok. Here are some gas stations in the Silicon Valley area that offer biodiesel:

Rotten Robbie: 310 N Whisman Rd, Mountain View, CA 94043, 650-965-2609. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine). Open 6AM-10PM

Rotten Robbie: 1304 Piedmont Rd, San Jose, CA 95132, 408-259-5535. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine). Open 6AM-11PM.

Bay Area Biofuel: email biodieselperformance@gmail.com for info and an appt

Western States Oil Company: 1790 S 10th St, San Jose, CA 95112, 408-292-1041. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open 7AM-5PM M-F.

The Green Station: 136 Gilman Ave, Campbell, CA 95008, 831-425-9100. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open TUES, THURS, FRI 4-7.

Autopia Biofuels: 1025 S Railroad Ave, San Mateo, CA 94402, 650-571-1863. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open M-F 8AM-7PM (CLOSED WEDS/SUNS) SA 1PM-4PM.

Mountain Feed and Farm Supply: 9550 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005, 831-336-8876. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open M-S 9AM-6PM SUN 10-2

SF Oakland Truck Stop: 8255 San Leandro Street, Oakland, CA 94621, 510-569-1624. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open M-F, 4AM-11PM; SAT. 6AM-10PM; SUN. 7AM-10PM

The Green Station: 433 Ocean Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95061, 831-425-9100. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open 10-6 DAILY

USA Grown Fuels: 2680 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062, 831-476-3653. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HOURS A DAY / 7 DAYS A WEEK; MUST BE MEMBER

GREEN BUSINESSES IN THE SILICON VALLEY AREA: These are some of the best local businesses around. Taken from the Green America Green Pages

Green Career Central
www.greencareercentral.com
Helps you identify your green niche, focus your job search, and produce results. Access expert support, resources, green job boards, and a discussion forum.
Phone: (650)322-8661
P.O. Box 354
Menlo Park, CA 94026

Laptop Lunches
www.laptoplunches.com
"Want to pack nutritious, waste-free meals for school, work, and travel? Check out our bento-style containers, creative recipes, stainless steel water bottles, and lunch jars."
Phone: (831)457-0301
Fax: (831)430-0302
849 Almar
Ste. C-323
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5848

Uhuru Pies
www.uhurupies.org
A voluntary, community-based fundraiser for the African People's Education and Defense Fund, offering quality, fresh based all natural pies. The original, progressive holiday tradition.
Phone: (510)625-1106
Fax: (510)217-4422
484 Lake Park Ave.
#357
Oakland, CA 94610

Eco-Care Professional Housecleaning
www.wagescooperatives.org/eco-care.html
Women's cooperative of highly-trained worker owners dedicated to ecologically sound cleaning methods and the highest quality of service.
Phone: (408)778-8445
Fax: (408)778-8433
60 W. Main Ave.
Ste. 11-B
Morgan Hill, CA 95037

GreenHeart Global
www.greenheartglobal.com
Conceives, designs, manufactures, and markets products to meet the growing demand for goods that are less harmful to the environment.
Phone: (510)261-7343
1148 E. 18th St., #5
Oakland, CA 94606

World Centric
www.worldcentric.org
Compostable and biodegradable disposable utensils, cups, plates, bowls, containers, etc. made from annually renewable resources such as sugar cane fiber, wheat straw, and corn.
Phone: (650)739-0699
Fax: (866)850-9732
2121 Staunton Ct.
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Sungevity
www.sungevity.com
Our mission is to bring solar to the mainstream market. With our unique and revolutionary remote solar design approach we are able to make solar energy simple, affordable, and efficient.
Phone: (510)496-5500
Fax: (510)496-5501
66 Franklin St.
Ste. 310
Oakland, CA 94607

Ready Solar
www.readysolar.com
Offers attractive convenient and affordable solar electric systems. Sells systems directly to homeowners - completely packaged, including site analysis, installation, and financing.
Phone: (650)299-9854
Fax: (650)851-3212
2929 Campus Dr Ste 110
San Mateo, CA 94403

Sustainable Home
Interior design, healthy materials, color consulting. Your home can embody both beautiful, functional design and your environmental values.
Phone: (650)855-9476
471 Matadero Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Building Solutions
www.buildingsolutions.com
As a Home Performance Contractor, Building Solutions uses applied building science to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort of your home.
Phone: (866)899-2517
1757 E Bayshore Rd
Ste. 24
Redwood City, CA 94063

Ecostruction
www.ecostruction.com
Designs and builds structures using RASTRA (ICF-integrated concrete form). Rammed earth, straw bale, solar technologies, and conventional framing techniques. Training, workshops, and internships available.
Phone: (831)427-1600
Fax: (831)338-1600
P.O. Box 446
Ben Lomond, CA 95005

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union
www.scruzccu.org
A nonprofit financial cooperative that promotes economic justice. Community development priorities include offering a wide range of financial services, financial education, and an individual development account program, family loan program, low-interest child care revolving loan program, microenterprise loans, and more.
Phone: (831)460-2342
Fax: (831)426-6669
324 Front St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4506

Catherine Cartier, Financial Advisor, Camejo Group
www.camejogroup.com
Values based investing for the individual investor.
Phone: (800)471-7244
Fax: (510)380-6662
1814 Franklin St.
Ste. 503
Oakland, CA 94612

Eric Leenson, Pres., Progressive Asset Management
www.progressiveassetmanagement.com
SRI and planning with an emphasis on appropriate asset allocation, including direct community investments. Offers individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in all major markets.
Phone: (510)622-0202
Fax: (510)287-2419
1904 Franklin St.
Ste. 903
Oakland, CA 94612

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CALIFORNIA FOCUS: A gas station we like where Green and Cheap combine

2011-10-22T14:05:00.000-04:00

I repeat this from time to time, because this really is a good deal.

My wife and I like renting alternative energy type cars when we can. Sometimes we just plain can't afford it, but over the years when we rent a car in California we have rented an electric Rav4, a few different hybrids (we liked the Prius the best AND it gave us by far the best milage), a biodiesl VW...and this year we rented a car that takes FlexFuel, which means it can take regular gasoline or up to E85 ethanol.

When we had the biodiesl VW (which is now only available in Hawaii), we discovered a gas station called Conserv Fuel that at the time sold biodiesl fuel. We liked them and were impressed with their green approach to fuels. Sadly, they have had to cut back on their alternative fuel options due to lack of demand, I assume. But we still use them as our main gas station when we are in Southern California. First off, they are NOT owned by a big oil company like Exxon/Mobil, Chevron, etc. all of whom we hate because of their disgusting environmental, labor and business practices. Second, they still do try to offer alternative fuel options when they can. And three, even for regular gasoline they are often 10 or more cents CHEAPER per gallon than the big oil company owned stations. I guess maybe they don't have to jack up the prices to cover private jets and jumbo pay for their executives.

On our current trip we have used two Conserv Fuel stations. Up in Santa Barbara they did not have E85 Ethanol so we just gassed up on regular unleaded gasoline. They were about 10+ cents per gallon cheaper than the other stations nearby, so it was well worth it. We were able to avoid patronizing companies we hate and saved money in the process. What more could you want?

In Los Angeles we went to the Conserv Fuel station in Brentwood, the one we first discovered when we had a biodiesel. I kind of like the station anyway because it used to be a USA station back when I was a teenager and even then was the cheapest gas around. Now a Conserv Fuel and they again were 10+ cents cheaper per gallon than the other nearby stations. But the Brentwood Conserv Fuel station also had E85 ethanol, which meant we could not only reduce our carbon footprint, but the E85 ethanol was actual 30-40 cents PER GALLON cheaper than the cheapest gasoline at any other station. Better for the environment, avoiding sending our money to Saudi Arabia and oil executives, AND cheaper.

Now there is some controversy over using ethanol as fuel since it in some ways competes with food growing. But this argument, though it has some validity, is mostly put forward by the oil industry and IF DONE RIGHT, biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel SHOULD NOT have to compete with food production. I would also point out that any such competition would also apply to tobacco, alcohol we drink, etc. But in general there is enough to go around, we just need to manage it well. I have no doubt that patronizing Conserv Fuel and buying E85 fuel is a better choice than gassing up at Exxon, Mobil, Chevron, Texaco or any of the other pretty much criminally greedy oil companies.

For those who have cars in Southern California, here are the Conserv Fuel stations I can track down.

LOS ANGELES:
Conserv Fuel
11699 San Vicente Blvd & S Barrington Ave & Gorham
(this is the one we used to get E85 for our Flex Fuel rental car)

SANTA BARBARA:
Conserv Fuel
150 S La Cumbre Rd & La Cumbre Ln

SAN LUIS OBISPO:
Conserv Fuel
2211 Broad St & South St

And in Northern California, in BRENTWOOD east of BERKELEY:
Conserv Fuel
7920 Brentwood Blvd & Village Dr
(NOT to be confused with the station in Brentwood in Los Angeles)

So if you HAVE to gas up, this is one of the better and cheaper alternatives.

Here they are on Facebook.

And on MySpace.

Their regular website is currently under construction but hopefully will be back soon.

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Northern California Focus: TAKE BACK RED CALIFORNIA

2011-10-22T14:04:00.000-04:00

Take Back Red California is working to defeat right wing extremists throughout the more rural areas of California. Given how nasty Republicans are on farmers and working class Americans, I think the connection between progressives and rural America should only become stronger.

Here is the latest from Take Back Red California:

Take Back Modesto: Elect Garrad Marsh

Garrad Marsh has been there for Modesto. As city councilman, he built a reputation for integrity and fiscal responsibility while working to bring people together. In the community, Garrad and his wife Dallas have been at the forefront of helping to make our city stronger through their support and work on behalf of dozens of charities and community organizations.

Visit Garrad Marsh's Facebook Page.

Find out more about Garrad Marsh at his website.

More about Take Back Red California:

Take Back Red California (TBRC) is a grassroots partnership that connects northern California Democrats in urban counties with northern California Democratic activists working in rural counties especially on a local level. We formed with the conviction that in order to successfully challenge the Republican's foothold in inland California, our highest priority should be development of and aggressive support for an active local base of Democrats in rural counties.

The TBRC partnership offers rural counties financial, technical, and volunteer support to build a strong Democratic base and develop long-term Democratic political viability in predominately Republican-held districts...

Their success can be measured by the fact that ALL NINE of their statewide endorsed candidates won in 2010. Furthermore two of the local candidates they endorsed were also successful in their bids for office: Alyson Huber was re-elected in AD10, and Dr. Richard Pan was elected to represent historically Republican AD5 - despite a well-resourced attack by Karl Rove's conservative machine.

This is a wonderful resource for progressives in Northern California. Please join by clicking on Volunteer or Get Involved to give us your email and sign up to receive our newsletter, BackTalk, and to learn more about how you can help keep California “blue.”

You can join for only $10, a modest investment in California's future. This is how we can win this year and, even more importantly, create a better environment for bringing change to America's political system, energy infrastructure, and economy. Join them and get involved in winning ALL of California for working and middle class Democratic values.

For more information: maymehubert@att.net or (415) 457-3914 or (916) 743-2782

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