DSA Presents: CAFTA: Bad for Us - Bad for Them

Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America Presents #198:

"CAFTA: Bad for Us - Bad for Them" Thea Lee, Chief International
Economist for the AFL-CIO, explains why the still-to-be-ratified
trade agreement CAFTA would hurt workers and ordinary people in
Canada, the US, Mexico, and Central America as well as be bad for
small farmers everywhere. Only the multinational corporations will
gain.

Tuesday, March 1 7:00-7:30 pm on Channel 13
Wednesday, March 2 1:00-1:30 pm on Channel 13
Thursday, March 3 11:00-11:30 pm on Channel 13

This program will soon be available in the Alternatives Library in
Anabel Taylor Hall on the Cornell Campus.

If you would like to help out with our community access cable television
series, call Theresa Alt at 273-3009 or email talt@igc.org.

--
Theresa Alt
talt@igc.org

Working Families Party

Working Families Party meets: Tuesday, February 22nd, at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Living Wage Office, upstairs in the
Autumn Leaves Bookstore.
115 The Commons
Ithaca, NY 14850

For more information on the WFP, please contact Brian Goodell at
607-257-7199, or Ben Nichols at 607-387-4460 or go to
http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/

Tired of politics as usual?...the government answers to wealthy
special interests instead of ordinary citizens. The politicians and
their corporate allies won't turn New York around. But we can.

The WFP has become an important player in State politics-recognized
as having been the principal force in getting an increase in the
minimum wage....


--
Theresa Alt
talt@igc.org

Globalizing Justice: Critical Perspectives on NAFTA, CAFTA, and everything Afta

Cornell Coalition for Trade Justice is hosting "Globalizing Justice:
Critical Perspectives on NAFTA, CAFTA, and everything Afta," on
February 23rd from 5 to 7 pm in 163 McGraw Auditorium, Cornell
Campus, which will include speakers Thea Lee and Jose La Luz from the
AFL-CIO.


--
Theresa Alt
talt@igc.org

DSA Presents: Feds Charge Anti-War Four

Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America Presents #197:

"Feds Charge Anti-War Four" Clare Grady, Peter DeMotte, Teresa Grady
and Daniel Burns poured their own blood at a local military
recruiting center on March 17, 2003. The local trial resulted in a
hung jury, but now the Feds are pressing charges. As they wait for
federal agents they talk about the war in Iraq.

Tuesday, February 22 7:00-7:30 pm on Channel 13
Wednesday, February 23 1:00-1:30 pm on Channel 13
Thursday, February 24 11:00-11:30 pm on Channel 13

This program will soon be available in the Alternatives Library in
Anabel Taylor Hall on the Cornell Campus.

If you would like to help out with our community access cable television
series, call Theresa Alt at 273-3009 or email talt@igc.org.

--
Theresa Alt
talt@igc.org

TENTH ANNUAL 40 HOUR FAST -MARCH 1ST - MARCH 3RD.-

Posted by Rebecca Elgie

TENTH ANNUAL 40 HOUR FAST -MARCH 1ST - MARCH 3RD.-
HEALTH CARE FOR ALL:THE MORAL PRESCRIPTION
Sponsored by the Religious/Labor Coalition


OPENING -TUESDAY MARCH 1ST

- 6:30PM POT LUCK, 7:30PM "HEALTH CARE FOR ALL:THE MORAL PRESCRIPTION' -SPEAKERS
REV. WILL BAEZ AND JUSTINE WALDMAN, M.D.
-FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, DEWITT PARK, ITHACA

WEDNESDAY MARCH 2nd -9:00 AM- 4:00 PM

-SPACE FOR PRAYER OR MEDITATION AND SPACE FOR VIDEOS
-FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ITHACA (ENTER THROUGH GREEN DOOR ON COURT STREET)

Video Schedule


1. Maurice Hinchey Supports a National Health Care Plan (Dan Lamb on health care
reform). 30 minutes.

2. The New Medicare Prescription Drug Law (learn the truth of this bad legislation,
write your representatives)
20 minutes

3. Tim Joseph, Chair of the Tompkins County legislator talks on the problems
our counties in New York are having with our present health care system. Why are
your taxes too high? 16 minutes

4. The Clinton health care plan, learn why the Clintons let you down by not
standing up to the to Corporate America. 15 minutes

These four videos will be repeated in this order thru-out the day. The Tompkins
County Health Care Task Force will be available all day to answer your questions
and listen to your concerns. Videos on the privatization of Social Security and
discussion will be available. Letters will be available.

THURSDAY MARCH 3, NOON

BROWN BAG LUNCH WITH TIM JOSEPH-Chair of Tompkins County Board of Representatives
"LOCAL CRISIS IN HEALTH CARE" -


ALL EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WHETHER YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE FAST OR NOT PLEASE
JOIN US !!

Ithaca Action Launches a New Youth Group

I.A.N. has launched a new youth group -- a chance for people from ages 12 through high school to get together, eduate themselves about progressive social values of social justice, community building, inclusion, responsibility, civic engagement and any number of ongoing political concerns affecting young people and our society as a whole.

The first social event for this group will be on Marhc 12 at the home of Mariana Wolfner and Jim Rothenberg. 710 Hanshaw Road at 6:00 in the evening. The evening will inlcude dinner, socializing and a movie.

If you would like to participate (and youa re between 12 and 18), or know a young person who would, please contact Jim at rothenbe@ithaca.edu

Report on Sunday's Meeting, February 13, 2005

The Ithaca Action Network met on Sunday, February 13, at the home of Adam and Jane Marie Law. About 35 people were in attendance, and we discovered what a bunch of snow birds we have in our group! WE will not spurn those who come back from warm climates like Mexico, Spain or Columbia, provided they are not too tan and do not gloat too much about how hot there were.

This meeting marked a new stage for this group, and we made some decisions about format, leadership and meeting. We also added a youth group. Barbara Lifton kindly stopped by on her way out of Ithaca to Albany and updated us on what is happening in the state. So please read this entire letter so you will be up to speed.

Jim Rothenberg facilitated the meeting.

Leadership

Jane Marie Law will be working with Jim Rothenberg (and the two of us are looking for a few good men and women to join us) so that this group has a stable pool of leaders who can manage mailings and organization. The idea is that leadership and vision are shared. From now, Jim will also have the mailing list, so you may get e-mails about events from him as well. If you are interested in finding out what we want from people who can help facilitate this group, please contact Jane Marie or Jim. Be all that you can be!

Youth Group

We have successfully launched a youth group for Ithaca Action Network. Four teens (and we are calling teens anyone from 12 on up) met with Jim Rotherberg. The next meeting of the youth group will be on March 12 at the home of Jim Rothenberg and Mariana Wolfner. Dinner and a movie and time to relax and socialize will be the order of the evening. Anyone from age 12 through high school is welcome to attend. More announcements later. This is a great group of very smart people.

Flexible Meeting Schedule

This group, with over a hundred people affiliated, has to adjust to differing schedules. We will, on a trial basis, meet as follows, on a rotating basis;

March: on a Saturday afternoon
April: on a week night
May: on a Sunday afternoon

This will be am experiment. Summer should provide us some warm venues outside and we can see what works best for the fall and next winter.

Location of meetings:

WE will look to find space in public on an occasional basis, but will try to keep most meetings in homes. We may plan to have bigger teach-ins and presentations in public spaces and smaller meetings in homes. We are trying to avoid costs.

Dues

We do not want people to have to pay dues to this organization, and want the group to try and cover photocopying costs and expenses on a meeting by meeting basis. Photocopying usually runs about $1 to $2 per person. If we add in a public space which is not free, we would need to pass that cost along to people.

Group as a Gateway

We regard this group as an eternally open gateway for those looking to enter or reenter progressive, non-violent political action. We are not affiliated with any other progressive groups, but serve as a bridge to help get people connected up with the best places where their issues are being addressed. WE always welcome new people who are committed to progressive social change. We are here to support and enhance the excellent work being done throughout our community, and will post announcements for all progressive events. We are, unapologetically, however, working to stop the dangerous policies of the Bush administration.

Blogging

We are going to try and get a blog for each focus group, all linked through this blog. Furthermore, we are going to expand this blog to include a website and a discussion forum. WE are in the process of purchasing the domain name for Ithaca Action Network. Anyone who does not know how to create a blog or use blogs can contact Sam Law at walmas@gmail.com or Daryl McCullough at stevendaryl3016@yahoo.com.

Taping Talks

Each month, we will continue to have a presentation by a focus group. This is an opportunity to get ourselves informed, and for these groups to develop talks they can use elsewhere. We will videotape these talks, but the speakers will have control over when, if and how these tapes are used.

At this meeting, we had an excellent talk on health-care by Adam Law, Rebecca Elgie and Bernie Fetterly. Visit Bernie and Rebecca on the second floor of Autumn Leaves for more information.

Next month's meeting will be on March 12, location to be announced. The Social Security Focus Group will be presenting.

It was an excellent meeting, and we feel this group is really getting its feet.

posted by Jane Marie Law

I.A.N. Endorses New Yorkers for Verified Voting's Proposal

This group has endorsed the statement below and calls upon our representatives to stand by these guidelines as we decided on voting systems for the state.

Statement on a New Voting System for New York State

1) As New York State moves to replace our lever machines, we must choose a reliable, auditable, secure, accessible and cost effective voting system.

The system that best satisfies these requirements is one using paper ballots, counted either by hand or precinct based optical scanners, and ballot marking devices which provide accessible, private and independent voting for voters with disabilities and different language abilities.

Precinct based paper ballot/optical scan systems (PB/OS) will cost many millions of dollars less in acquisition and maintenance costs than DRE systems - and are far more reliable and trustworthy!

New Yorkers deserve reliable voting equipment that instills confidence and ensures transparent, publicly verifiable elections. Paper ballots and precinct based optical scan are auditable, accessible, and cost effective. They must be the voting system we choose for New York.

2) Purchasing touch screen voting machines (DREs), even those equipped with voter verified paper ballots, is a poor choice for New York State.

·         DREs are not cost effective. The full face ballot DREs required by New York State are far more expensive than paper ballot/optical scan systems (PB/OS), and many more machines must be purchased and maintained. New York will save tens of millions of dollars in acquisition and maintenance costs with optical scan systems.

·         DREs are needlessly complex. Optically scanned ballots are familiar to anyone who has taken a standardized test. Contrast this with DRE interfaces which for many individuals, especially the elderly, can be difficult to read, comprehend, and use.

·         DREs provide inferior verifiability compared to an optical scan system. DREs with VVPB require an additional, time consuming, and potentially difficult verification step that requires comparing the touch screen ballot to the smaller, harder to read thermally printed ballot. Paper ballot systems are inherently voter verified, requiring no separate verification step.

·         DREs provide inferior auditability compared to an optical scan system. The thermal printed ballots DREs with VVPB are difficult to read and handle. When recounts are required, they will be far more difficult for election officials to count and manage than a sturdy, easy to read optical scan paper ballot.

·         DREs require multiple ballot types. Even with DREs, absentee and affidavit ballots must still be printed, and the totals must be somehow added to the DRE results. With PB/OS systems, the same ballot is used for paper absentee ballots, which can all be scanned by the same optical scanner. There is no need for multiple systems.

3) Paper ballots counted either by hand or by precinct based optical scanners are a proven, mature, reliable, and auditable technology.

·         PB/OS systems are a proven, tested technology. PB/OS is currently used in 25% of all the precincts in the US. The states of Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio have all decided to use optical scanners to comply with the Help America Vote Act. 

·         PB/OS systems are a reliable technology. A report by CAL TECH/MIT (Residual Votes Attributable to Technology), found that manually counted paper ballots have the lowest average incidence of spoiled, uncounted, and unmarked ballots, followed closely by optically scanned ballots. DREs had significantly higher average rates of spoiled, uncounted and unmarked ballots than any other systems. 

·         PB/OS systems are easy to use and understand. Paper ballot systems are simple to fill out and inherently voter verified. The time voters spend in the voting booth will be greatly reduced, and training costs of poll workers and voters will be less because of the simplicity of the system.

4) Whenever computers are used in voting systems, whether they are DREs or optical scanners, the following safeguards are needed:

·         All software used in electronic voting and ballot tabulation equipment must be freely available for public examination.

·         Wireless communication devices in voting and tabulating equipment must be banned. Such devices allow malicious individuals or organizations to access and modify the software and tallies in the tabulating equipment.

·         Standards, procedures, and time-frames to guarantee voters and candidates the right to petition for and obtain manual recounts before certification of the winner of an election must be specified.

·         Surprise random recounts of a statistically meaningful number of precincts to compare optical scanner results to paper ballot totals, not just when vote counts are challenged.

·         A citizen's advisory committee, which shall at a minimum, include election officials, representatives of the disabled community, and independent computer professionals with no ties to voting machine vendors, must make recommendations for the choice of voting system for NYS.

More information about paper ballot/optical scan/ballot marking voting systems can be found at:

http://www.nyvv.org/paperballotHome.htm

FASCISM ANYONE?

There is a lot of discussion about the issue of fascism in America. Like Elmo in the back seat, we all seem to be asking, "Are we there yet?" A few months ago, people who were asking this question were regarded as lunatics or fringe. Now, we have mainstream thinkers discussing this.

Here is one of the better articles, with lots of links in it to other sources, on daily kos (my favorite political blog, the link to which is on our links here on this blog):

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/10/91450/3680
(Sorry, unlike Sam, I can't do HTML, so you will have to copy and paste that into your browser.)

While I am not a die-hard fan of Ward Churchill, I did find this essay on Dailykos to have all the links to a thoroughgoing discussion of the matter. I encourage people to visit it and follow some of the links to some great articles.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/13/213530/865

These are times of real crisis and pain. I think by facing what we are facing, we stand a better chance of prevailing in some of our battles.


posted by Jane Marie Law

H. R. 418 Clears the House, on to the Senate

House Bill 418, the Real ID for 2005" Bill has cleared the house and is on to the senate. Rep. Boehlert voted FOR it and Rep. Hinchey did not vote. (We will post the reason here in a few days.) This bill has alarmed people across the political spectrum, in particular because of the suspension of all laws by the Homeland Security Secretary for the purpose of building borders to keep terrorists out, witho NO RECOURSE to any legal challenge or request for damages. This is included in section 102 of the bill, and it is still in there. The vote, however, in the house was an almost perfect partisan divide.

Here is the urgent action alert. We need you to call both and write both of our senators and tell them

1. You strongly oppose this bill and

2. Since we are likely to lose on this one, to make sure that they bring section 102 to a long, loud public debate, so that Democrats who vote against this bill can not be labeled "soft on terror."

Many of us get action alerts from many sources on these matters. Please make sure that you CALL and write both SEnators Schumer and Clinton on this.

posted by Jane Marie Law

Citizens Groups Lobby Legislature on Voting Machines

Coalition Supports Paper Ballot and Optical Scan Voting System for New York
State

Press Conference and Machine Demo to be held
Tuesday, February 15 at 1:30 PM in the Empire State Concourse
******************************

A press conference and voting machine demonstration will be held in the
Empire State Concourse at the entrance to the NYS Capitol in Albany on
Tuesday February 15th at 1:30 PM. A broad non-partisan coalition of citizens
groups will urge the Legislature to adopt a common sense solution to replace
New York's lever voting machines. A Paper Ballot and Optical Scan voting
system provides voters with essential advantages over electronic "touch
screen" technology. The complete system includes ballot marking technology
which allows a paper ballot based system to provide accessible, private and
independent voting for voters with disabilities.

Optical scan systems have been used in elections around the United States
for over 20 years. Currently used in 25% of all the precincts in the US,
the states of Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio have all decided to use
optical scanners to comply with the Help America Vote Act which mandates new
machines for New York.

* "A new era of computerized voting presents many dangers and challenges to
citizens in a democracy" said Bo Lipari Director of New Yorkers for Verified
Voting. "But, the same vendors who supply the flawed touch-screen
technology also make reliable, verifiable and fully accessible systems based
on a hand marked permanent paper ballot coupled with an optical scanner at a
significantly lower cost" said Lipari.

* "Marking a paper ballot is familiar to anyone who has taken a standardized
test or filled out a form at the DMV" said Andrew C. White of Democracy for
the Hudson-Mohawk Region. "It's a reliable and auditable system that will be
easy to learn and use for poll workers and voters."

* Ethel Silverburg of The Alliance for Democracy said, "This more verifiable
process will help ensure voter confidence. This confidence is essential to
any functioning Democracy."

For detailed information on Paper Ballot Optical Scan voting please visit
www.nyvv.org/

posted by Bo Lipari via Jane Marie Law

URGENT ACTION ALERT RE: HOUSE BILL 418

This is an action alert I consider to be of the utmost importance, and it needs your attention today. Please have this one be the one you do, and pass it on. House Bill 418 gives the Director of Homeland Security the SOLE DISCRETION to suspend any and all laws he sees fit to secure our country and its borders and allows NO COURT to bring a case about it or damages resulting from any action to close borders or roads, in the event someone is arrested or civil liberties are suspended. (see section 102 of the bill) Here is what you will be doing for ten minutes: 1. Spending five minutes educating yourself about why this bill is so dangerous (using the links I have provided below) and 2) Calling your representative (either HInchey or Boehlert) and demanding that they pay close attention to House Bill 418 especially section 102. Here is a link that outlines the issue with this bill:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/8/1735/41549

Now here is a link to the bill itself:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c109:1:./temp/~c109NtAcCa:e8964:

There is also a more stable link to the bill itself (the link keeps changing for some reason) on the ACLU's website discussion at this address:

http://www.aclu.org/ImmigrantsRights/ImmigrantsRights.cfm?ID=17407&c=22

Read the bill, with attention to section 102. It is set to get out of the house, is being billed as the "get tough on terror bill" and has two Democrats signed on as co-sponsors. And is getting almost NO attention in spite of the strong threat to civil liberties it represents.

Contact your representative and tell them to be sure and read section 102 before they vote. And tell them that they will not be able to say they did not read it because YOU HAVE INFORMED THEM ABOUT IT.

Maurice Hinchey can be contacted as follows (and I am calling all his offices): (Boehlert is below HInchey's contact info)
Washington Office:
Office of Rep. Hinchey
2431 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6335
Fax: (202) 226-0774

Binghamton Office:
Office of Rep. Hinchey
100A Federal Building
Binghamton, NY 13901
Phone: (607) 773-2768

Ithaca Office:
Office of Rep Hinchey
123 S. Cayuga St. #201
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 273-1388

Representative Boehlert
45 Church Street
Cortland, NY 13045
607-758-3918
607-758-9007 (fax)

Washington Office
2246 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-3223
202-225-3665
202-225-1891 (fax)
--

DSA Presents: Progressive Democrats of America: Report from the Summit

Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America Presents #195:

"Progressive Democrats of America: Report from the Summit" Jane Marie
Law, Rebecca Elgie and Bernie Fetterly tell Caissa Willmer about an
exciting meeting in Washington. Diverse progressives are joining
together to change everything.

Tuesday, February 8 7:00-7:30 pm on Channel 13
Wednesday, February 9 1:00-1:30 pm on Channel 13
Thursday, February 10 11:00-11:30 pm on Channel 13

This program will soon be available in the Alternatives Library in
Anabel Taylor Hall on the Cornell Campus.

If you would like to help out with our community access cable television
series, call Theresa Alt at 273-3009 or email talt@igc.org.

--
Theresa Alt
talt@igc.org

Barbara Lifton Hosts Taxes and Upstate New York Teach-in

PRESS ADVISORY


LIFTON TO HOST TEACH-IN ON FEDERAL AND STATE TAX POLICY AND EFFECTS ON UPSTATE REGION

WHEN: Saturday, February 12, 2005, 12:30-4:00 (social time is 12:30-1:00, with light refreshments)
WHERE: Women's Community Building, Downtown Ithaca at Corners of Seneca and Cayuga Streets

Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton (D-125th) will host a teach-in on federal and state tax policy and the impact of those policies on New York State, especially on our upstate economy and job-creation. It will be at the Women’s Community Building on Saturday, February 12, from 1-4pm. Before the forum, there will be a meet and greet at 12:30 with light refreshments.

Three presenters have been scheduled and a fourth is still to be determined:

Robert Frank, the Goldwin Smith Professor of Economics at Cornell, has written extensively on federal tax policy and its effects on our culture and society. His best-known book, published in 1995, is The Winner-Take-All-Society.

Steve Brouwer, a writer on economics from Carlyle, Pennsylvania, has written several books, including, most recently, Robbing Us Blind.

Frank Mauro from the Fiscal Policy Institute, a progressive think-tank in Albany, will give an overview of New York State tax policy, both from an historic and current policy perspective.

This teach-in is intended for a general audience. The presentations will take about an hour, and then from 2-4pm there will be discussion, when the audience will be able to ask questions of the panel. All are welcome to attend.

February Meeting of Ithaca Action Network

The Ithaca Action Network will have its February meeting next Sunday, February 13 from 2:00 until 5:00 at 16 Muriel Street. It will include tea and refreshments. The HEALTHCARE FOCUS GROUP will be presenting an overview of the current healthcare crisis, action alerts that we can do, and talking points we can use. (Each month, one of our focus groups will be making a presentation.)

As usual, at this meeting, we will have petitions for you to sign, paper, envelopes and stamps for you to write letters, and information about activism in the Ithaca area. Our meetings have also been well attended by our local and state elected officials, including Tim Joseph, Will Burbank, Martha Robertson and Barbara Lifton. It is a good chance to casually meet with some of these people to let them know your ideas.

We are also exploring adding a YOUTH GROUP component to our group for junior high and high school students. Jim Rothenberg and Jane Marie Law will be meeting this week to think through some basic logistics, and will make a brief report to the group, requesting input, ideas and support.

Also five people from the Ithaca Action Network (Bernie Fetterly, Rebecca Elgie, Jane Marie Law, Sam Law, and Terry Turner) attended the national PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA in Washington, D.C., and we will give a brief report on that conference. There is a local chapter of the PDA formed here in Ithaca, and if you are interested, this is another chance to find out more about this group.

At this meeting, we will have people on hand to help those focus groups which have not yet developed a BLOG find out how to do so. To get an idea of what a BLOG attached to this group can look like, take a look at the great BLOG put together by the Environment Group, thanks to Daryll McCullough:

http://ithacaenvironment.blogspot.com/

You can also find an announcement of our meeting at our blog:

http://ithacaactionnetwork.blogspot.com/

Finally, we will each have a chance to meet with our focus groups. The purpose of these focus groups is to facilitate coordination with other, existing and effective action groups in the Ithaca area. If you have not come to our meetings before, there are several effective groups which have formed:

education
environment
labor issues
prison reform
the war
media reform
separation of church and state
social security
health care

So, here are the details of the meeting:

WHEN: February 13, 2005 2:00-5:00
WHERE: 16 Muriel Street
WHAT TO BRING: Something to share for tea, some friends whoa re interested in progressive politics, a donation of peanut butter, dried beans or tunafish for a local food bank, $1 to cover photocopying costs
--
posted by: Jane Marie Law

Lecture on Socially Responsible Investing

As part of its Distinguished Alumni/Sustainability speakers series, the School of Business at Ithaca College is pleased to announce a talk by Nikki Daruwala '88.

Daruwala will speak on "Socially Responsible Investing -- the Right Strategy for the Times" on February 17, 7:00-8:15 p.m., in Emerson Suite C.

Daruwala, a graduate of IC in business and psychology, is manager of advocacy and social policy and senior research analyst with the Calvert Group

All interested are cordially invited.

posted by Jane Marie Law (with thanks to Jim Rothenberg)

Ithaca DSA Presents: Social Security Works for Us All

If you missed the announcement of the video that went out but
couldn't be posted to the blog:

Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America Presents #194:

"Social Security Works for Us All" Joseph Schwartz of DSA tells
Caissa Willmer that Social Security would not be in any immediate
crisis if left alone, and he explains what really needs to be fixed.

This program has already aired on cable, but it is available in the
Alternatives Library in Anabel Taylor Hall on the Cornell Campus.

--
Theresa Alt
talt@igc.org

PDA Summit Write-up

Subject: PDA Summit Write up - submitted by Rebecca Elgie

Progressive Democrats of America - PDA
The Progressive Democratic Summit Jan.21-23

In spite of snow which virtually shut DC down , 500 activists from 40 states attended the Progressive Summit. The Summits supports Election Reform and end to Funding the War as well as Howard Dean for DNC chair , Right to Vote amendment , public financing for elections and IRV. They also are supporting a Single Payer Universal Health Care System for the United States with support for John Conyers bill ad they oppose privitization of Social Security. C Span Covered the Sat. Morning session and Democracy NOW included Wm River Pitt’s speech and audio of Damu Smith.

The general theme that came from the sessions centered around building a vital and effective, multi-cultural organizing force that would link Greens and other third party proponents, progressive Democrats and independent activists. They want to connect the struggles in urban and rural areas, focusing on racism and genuine solidarity between white progressives and organizations of color by operating politically to improve the lives of working people and the disenfranchised. The sessions were full of energy and participants were alive with hope and energy for real social change.

The opening panel including Susan Truitt, CASE Ohio, David Cobb, Rev. J Jackson Junior, Kim Gandy NOW, Tom Hayden, and lawyers involved with the recount initiative in OHIO spoke of the inequities and the ongoing litigation and the need for change with Instant Runoff Voting (ITV) , paper ballots using optical scanner so the actual votes can be recounted. They all were praising Barbara Boxer and the other Reps and Senators who had stood up during the Electoral College vote and expressed their concerns. There was strong feeling in the audience on this issue and a feeling that small progress has been made – this is a high priority of the PDA.

A Keynote Panel : Challenges and Opportunities for Progressive Democrats in 2005
Jim Zogby (Arab Am. Institute), Medea Benjamin (Global Exchange, CODE PINK,Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr, Hillary Shelton NAACP, Kim Gandy NOW.

They all spoke of the need to bring progressives together, to support each other in their individual initiatives against the war, upholding individual rights, Jesse Jackson Jr. spoke of needing to enlarge each of our patches to cover more people and together the patches will form a quilt which will cover us all. He is calling for a constitutional amendment to ensure voting rights.

The Kickoff Session was about establishing your own caucus and getting chapters going throughout the country. Representative from various states shared their experiences. States are in very different stages of organization and it sounds as if it is up to states how tightly they organize. At various times throughout the conference we had regional meetings and about 20 from New York State met and we have set up an email list so there can be communication. The majority were from the NYC are, a number had run for office and have been active in politics all were very enthusiastic.

PDA-deny draft, support broad peace movement, Iraq War Resolution, contact legislators not to vote for war funds “March 19/20 “ rallies around the country not just NYC or DC., ask for Congressional hearings, door to door leafleting, house meetings, petitions , vigils



Other Panels:

COMMUNICATING A PROGRESSIVE MESSAGE THROUGH THE MEDIA:

- including Will Rivers Pitt, (truthout), Jeff Cohen (FAIR), Amy Goodman(Democracy NOW), Liz Herbert(Rapid Response), Davey D- Hardknock Radio

ORGANIZING THE RAINBOW AND UNIFYING THE MOVEMENT:-

Nathan Gonzalaes (Latinos for America), Bruce Taub (PDA), John Grant (Veterans for Peace), Donald Whitehead (National Coalition for the Homeless), Alexis McGill (League of Pissed Off Voters)

ORGANIZING SPIRITUAL COMMUNITIES TO HEAL A DIVIDED NATION:-

Damu Smith (Black Voices for Peace, Reb Lennox Yearwood (Hip Hop Caucus), Rabbi Waskow (The Shalom Center), Rev. Carolyn Boyd (Spirit of Truth)

ORGANIZING THE PEACE AND JUSTICE MOVEMENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY:-

Phyllis Bennis (Institute for Policy Studies), Mediea Benjamin (Global Exchange,CODE PINK), Gene Bruskin (US Labor Against the War), Mike Hoffman,(Iraq Veterans Against the War), John Bonifaz (lawyer/activist/author), Damu Smith (Black Voices for Peace). CODE PINK is calling on governors to bring home National Guard troops.

BUILDING THE PRO-DEMOCRACY ELECTION REFORM MOVEMENT IN 2005:-

Rob Ritchie (fairvote), Gregory Moore (NAACP), David Cobb (Green Party ), Gary Flowers (Rainbow PUSH Coalition )Charles Grask (political theorist)Joan Crowels (Ballot Integrity project CASE)

HOW PROGRESSIVES CAN ORGANIZE AND STRENGTHEN THE UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE MOVEMENT AND THE HIV/AIDS GLOBAL PANDEMIC MOVEMENT:-

Joe Segal (Leg. Assist. Rep. John Conyers), Marilyn Clement(Campaign for a National Health Plan NOW), Mark Dudzic (Labor Party), Healey Thompson (Student Global Aids Campaign), Kathleen Sengstock (Legis. Assis. Rep. Maxine Waters)

HONORING OUR COMMITMENT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS:STOPPING THE BUSH ATTACKS ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE:-

Maya Rockeymore, Mark Weisbrot (Center for Economic and Policy Research), Alison Bonebrake (National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare), Cathy Hurwit (Chief of Staff, Rep. Jan Schakowsky

ACTION ALERT: BOEHLERT IS ON THE FENCE

Please get this onto every list and blog you know.

Sherry Boehlert needs to hear from us about Social Security.  He is one of three Republicans wavering on backing Bush's plan, and is being actively courted by the White House to come on board to support Bush's privatization scheme for Social Security.

He needs to hear from us, loud and clear, that we do not want to endanger Social Security.  He needs to know that we are watching his vote.  Remind him he will be up for re-election and George Bush will not.

contact info:

Alexander Pirnie Federal Building
 10 Broad Street
 Utica, New York 13501
 315-793-8146
 315-798-4099 (fax)
 Toll-Free in NYS 800-235-2525

21 Lincoln Street
 Auburn, NY 13021
 315-255-0649
 315-255-1369 (fax)

45 Church Street
 Cortland, NY 13045
 607-758-3918
 607-758-9007 (fax)

2246 Rayburn House Office Building
 Washington, DC 20515-3223
 202-225-3665

 202-225-1891 (fax)

posted by JM Law

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WHY THE GONZALES ISSUE IS NOT OVER

Yesterday, the vote to confirm Alberto Gonzales took place in the senate, and he was confirmed as our next Attorney General. It should be noted that both of our senators from New York, Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer voted NO on his confirmation.  We should let them know we are grateful for their stand.

There is a powerful letter by Harry Reid, the Democratic Minority Leader in the Senate, and the full text of it can be read by going to the front page of Dailykos (www.dailykos.com) for today, February 4. A blogger by the name of Armando has brought this fight to the front of our attention and continues to have good discussion.

Here is what you can do TODAY.

1. Call both Clinton and Schumer and thank them for their NO vote.  They need to know they have not taken a political risk by doing the morally right thing.  The right wing is mounting phone campaigns to tell them they have committed political suicide.

2. Let Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Ken Salazar (D-CO) know that we are disappointed in them. They both voted yes.

3. Go to dailykos and read the articles on the Gonzales vote to get yourself up to speed on various actions which will be coming down in the next weeks and months.  Many are actions you can do from your own keyboard.

We have been handed a real human rights lemon here, and the only way we are going to make lemonade out of it is by keeping the pressure on to watch every step Gonzales takes on matters of human rights and torture. The fact that he has been confirmed does not make this issue a dead one.  On the contrary, it requires we step up our vigilance.

 

 The letter by Harry Reid is added below. I admit, I have been wrong about this guy. He has a backbone:

"Our great Nation was founded on the idea of human rights. From the very beginning, we were designed to be a place where men and women could live free, a place where no man was above the law, a place where the state would never trample on the rights of individuals.

 We did not always live up to our ideals. Along the way, we stumbled. We have made mistakes. But we always worked to correct our mistakes. We worked to uphold the core values that formed our national soul. Because of our unshakable belief in human rights, we became a ray of light, a beacon for people in other parts of the world. America has been that beacon because we are a nation governed by laws, not by men.

 We are a nation where no one, not even the President of the United States,is above the law. We are a nation where our military is bound by the uniform Code of Military Justice and the laws of war. And we are a nation that even at war stands for and upholds the rule of law.

 There is no question gathering intelligence from suspects in our war on terror is critical to protecting this great Nation. No one in this Chamber would argue otherwise, I would think. These are very bad people with whom we are dealing. But when interrogation turns to torture, it puts our own soldiers at risk. It undermines the very freedoms Americans are fighting to protect.

 We are a nation at war--a war in Iraq and a war against terrorism -- but this war does not give our civilian leaders the authority to cast aside the laws of armed conflict, nor does it allow our Commander in Chief to decide which laws apply and which laws do not apply.  To do so puts, I repeat, our own soldiers and our Nation at risk.  But that is what has occurred under the direction and coordination of the man seeking to be Attorney General of the United States, Alberto Gonzales, a man I personally like, but whose judgment on these very serious matters was flawed and is flawed. I have heard a great deal on this Senate floor about Judge Gonzales's background over the last few days, how his parents were migrant farm workers, and how he worked his way up from poverty.  It is an inspiring story, and it is one that resonates with me. I met with Judge Gonzales after the President sent his nomination to the Senate.  We talked about our childhoods, about coming from small rural towns, some would say without many advantages.  The fact that someone from a place called Humble, TX, and someone from a place called Searchlight, NV, have had an opportunity to achieve their dream is what America is all

 about.

 But, embodying the American dream is not a sufficient qualification to be Attorney General of the United States. The Attorney General is the people's lawyer, not the President's lawyer. He is charged with upholding the Constitution and the rule of law. The Attorney General must be independent, and he must be clear that abuses by our Government will not be tolerated.  Judge Gonzales's appearance before the Judiciary Committee raised serious questions about his ability to be that force in the Justice Department. That is why I am going to vote against him.

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posted by Jane Marie Law

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