Tricounty DFA Update: Peace Vigil, Photos online and more
Hello Everyone;

In This Update:

1. Peace Vigil At The Five Corners
2. Photos Online-- Sign Up For DFA-Link!
3. Financial Quarter Closing For Gillibrand
4. Movies: Bakehouse Cafe and Saratoga Women's
5. Global Warming Map: Astonishing And Not To Be Missed
6. French Students Fight For All Our Rights

1. Peace Vigil At The Five Corners

Last week another great group came together at the Five Corners in Downtown Glens Falls for another Saturday morning Vigil. After the response three years ago, it is startling to see the numbers of people going by who wave, smile, give the thumbs up and honk their horns-- truly, there has been a remarkable change in public opinion. Thanks to Bernice Mennis for getting this started!

Accordingly, another vigil for peace and to bring our troops home will be held this Saturday morning from 11am-Noon in Downtown Glens Falls at the Five Corners. Everyone should have at least one hour to spare!

2. Photos Online-- Sign Up For DFA-Link!

It's taken me too long, and my apologies, but the photos we used to have up at the old meetup.com site are now online at our site at DFA-Link. http://www.dfalink.com/group_photos.php?gid=113
Plus, there are now, many more, including the Gillibrand announcement. (Thanks to Lisa Scerbo for those pictures!) There's also the May Volunteer Day, last August's Nation WIde vigil and much more.

To see the pictures you have to join DFA-Link at http://dfalink.com/register.php?c=g&id=91042f3ae603ef90&

3. Financial Quarter Closing For Gillibrand

The end of the financial reporting quarter is rapidly approaching. The Gillibrand campaign is pushing hard to demonstrate support and raise the funds needed for Kirsten's campaign. Every contribution counts -- even only a few dollars, especially if you haven't given before. The number of individual donors is also an important metric, especially supporters within the district. https://services.myngp.com/ngponlineservices/contribution.aspx?X=yEvSsqeBpDPsOTgPrro9jQ%3d%3d

4. Movies: Bakehouse Cafe and Saratoga Women's

On Friday, the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe Friday Video and Film Festival continues with a showing of Hearts and Minds, Peter Davis' landmark documentary which unflinchingly confronts the United States' involvement in Vietnam. Winner of the 1974 Academy Award™ for Best Documentary. The video will be shown at 7pm. Admission is free.

On Sunday, April 3, the Saratoga Springs Democratic Women's Committee is sponsoring a showing of North Country, starring Charlize Theron at the Saratoga Film Forum at 3pm

Location: The Arts Center - corner of Broadway and Spring Sts.
Pay at the door for movie tickets – Film Forum members: $0/$4, Non members of Film Forum $6

Followed by Dinner at Brindisi’s Restaurant on Broadway.
$20 – For Dinner Only (does not include movie ticket or drinks)
Bourbon pecan chicken and rice, salad, garlic bread, beverages, and a platter of chocolate desserts, Cash Bar

5. Global Warming Map: Astonishing And Not To Be Missed

Having been in the web business I've seen some pretty amazing websites and applications, but it's a long time since I've seen anything that has the impact of this interactive Global Warming Map. Based on Google Maps and NASA terrestrial elevation technologies, it allows you to see what parts of the nation and the world will be submerged as the world heats up and the glaciers at the poles melt, which we've learned in the last few months is rapidly accelerating.

http://flood.firetree.net/?ll=43.32517767999296,-101.6015625&z=13&m=7

You can click down and drag the map around, pan and zoom in with the controls on the left. You can also switch between a map and satellite pictures. You can change the sea rise from one meter to 14 meters and follow what happens.

Some areas you wouldn't expect -- Albany. Yes, Albany and Troy will be hard hit. The entire Hudson River level will rise. At a 7 meter rise, Route 787 disappears beneath the river all the way to Green Island, which also, incidentally mostly vanishes. At Albany, the river will be about a quarter of a mile wide. Huge.

With a seven meter rise in the sea level, which is probably coming by the end of the century, large areas of the nation will vanish. The south is particular hard hit. Virginia Beach area and much of the Tidewater region: gone. North Carolina's barrier islands: gone. Charlestown, South Carolina: gone. Most of Florida: gone. All of southern Louisiana, in fact, most of the Gulf Coast, including areas like Galvestion: gone for good below the waves. Other than Holland, which will mostly vanish, few areas will be harder hit.

Needless to day, I found this deeply disturbing. I think every world citizen ought to spend at least half an hour noodlng around with this thing. It is a consciousness raiser.

6. French Students Fight For All Our Rights

Finally, I think we should all be troubled by the coverage of the demonstrations in France. The French students and workers are fighting for the rights of every average working person in the world. The stakes are huge.

Since DeGaulle, France has had a progressive economy with significant governmental planning and direction that has worked wonders -- France today, with it's Airbus consortium, is taking over the commercial airliner business. Ariannespace is taking over the commercial orbital launch business from the US, and France leads other areas -- they get 80% of their power from nuclear and they have never had a serious accident. It's a demonstration of the power of government planning and action, a brilliant success. They've done this with a 35 hour work week and 4-6 weeks of vacation a year. French parents, unlike American ones, actually get to spend time with their kids. Their superior school scores prove it.

France never lined up to drink the neo-liberal Globalization Kool-Aide that came out of the Thatcher-Reagan era, so they didn't join the race to the bottom that Globalization has brought, or the super concentration of wealth at the top (the real goal). This includes the environmental degradation implied by the map above -- Miami underwater is what raw, unregulated capitalism gets you.

Tremendous pressure today is being brought on France to reverse its labor standards, so it is not surprising disinformation is being spread about what a basket case France is. It is not true. The French are fighting back to preserve their quality of life. If they lose, we all lose. If they win, the fact you can have a modern, advanced economy that benefits average people will become increasingly difficult to ignore. The French labor unions have come out on the streets to back the students because they know the unions are the real ultimate target.

There is a superbly informative posting today on dKos that gets the truth out: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/3/28/8519/74116

There's another view of what's at stake on the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,,1734842,00.html

The next time you get on an AIrbus airliner, you'll know the idea you can't have economic justice and vitality at the same time is utter nonsense.


See you all soon!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 1:09 AM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update
Hello Everyone;

First, thanks to everyone who came to the Third Anniversary Peace Vigil at the Five Corners Saturday in Downtown Glens Falls. A large crowd of over 40 people were surprised at the overwhelming majority of people who passed by waving and honking their horns in support. The mood on the war has definitely shifted in the last three years. People are finally beginning to listen.

The result was so successful, everyone present agreed to do gather again for another vigil at the Five Points next Saturday from 11am-Noon. Please join us and bring a sign or peace banner!

Some events I've been asked to pass along:

1. Medicare Part D
2. Feingold Poll For Gillibrand
3. Friday Video Fest
4. Denise O'Donnell In Saratoga
5. Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner Monday
6. Sign the DFA Pledge For Voter Reform
7. Slot Machines and Voting Machines

1. Medicare Part D

On Wed. 3/22 [11am] at Saratoga Library [Sussman Rm] there will be having a press conference as part of a National campaign sponsered by Americans United [the people who lead the fight against privatization of Soc.Sec.] addressing the necessity of fixing Bush's Medicare Part D Disaster. If you are interested in helping contact Al Ormsby at
aormsby1@nycap.rr.com aor {518]-581-7234

2. Feingold Poll For Gillibrand

Senator Russ Feingold's Progressive Patriot's Fund is holding a poll for Congressional races. The winner will receive a $5,000 campaign contribution. The Gillibrand campaign is asking everyone in the area to go to the Progressive Patriot's webpage and show support for Kirsten Gillibrand: http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com/vote

3. Friday Video Fest

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe Film Festival contiinues Friday Night at 7pm with a showing of Walmart, the High Price Of The Low Price. We showed this video at the last meetup, and everyone present will attest it is terrific. The Cafe is located on Exchange Street in Downtown Glens Falls. There is no charge for admission.

4. Denise O'Donnell In Saratoga

On Saturday, 3/25, our DFA counterpart in Saratoga, Pat Friesen, will be holding a tea for Democratic candidate for Attorney General Denise O'Donnell at Pat's home at 36 Thoroughbred Drive in Saratoga Springs at 1pm.

Donations are accepted but not required. For information please call Pat at 518-587-5983 or 518-542-9157 or email Pat at mcfriesen2@aol.com

5. Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner Monday

The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee and New York State United Teachers are sponsoring a reception in honor of women Democratic State Legislators at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Albany on Monday, April 3 from 6-8pm. Silda Spitzer and Michelle Paterson are scheduled to speak. Tickets are $35-500 for a host sponsorship. For more information email at mail@eleanorslegacy.com or call 212-725-8825 x237

6. Sign the DFA Pledge For Voter Reform

The voting machine issue is heating up again. There will be a public demonstration of voting machines in April: more info on that later.

There is some great info below, but first, if you haven't already, please sign the DFA Petition For Ballot Reform -- it will be submitted to officials here in NYS in the months ahead!

http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/petition/paperballot/index.php#petition

7. Slot Machines and Voting Machines

And my thanks to Rosemary for sending me the great graphic at the bottom from the Washington Post! It a revelation.

Thanks,

Larry



Hi Larry,
Came across this in WAPO and it has a nice pictoral explanation of what we are dealing with when they want the Electronic Voting Machines. It would make a good handout. Glad to see that the issue is making the 'mainstream' media.

Rosemary Weinberg

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2006/03/16/GR2006031600213.html
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 5:20 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: War Anniversary Vigil & More
Hello Everyone;

In this update:

1. Third Anniversary of Iraq War Vigil
2. Film Fest At Rockhill: The Corporation
3. Tea With Gillibrand
4. Support For Governor Dean And 50 State Strategy Grows
5. Molly Ivins

1. Third Anniversary of Iraq War Vigil

This weekend will be the third anniversary of the start of the most disastrous episode in American history since the Civil War -- George Bush's invasion of Iraq. Many of us remember the weekly vigils downtown protesting the coming of the war. Afterwards, many of those who participated came into Dean For America.

One of our DFA members, Bernice Mennis, who was also one of the original vigil members, is calling for a Third Anniversary Peace Vigil in downtown Glens Falls at the Five Corners, Saturday Morning from 11am-12 Noon. Bob Rockwell informs me the American Friends Service Committee is also calling for vigils. I have been hoping to hear something from DFA National on this, and we may yet.

Will you answer the call Saturday morning for peace? Please bring a sign and candles if you wish.

2. Film Fest At Rockhill: The Corporation

A reminder that at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, Friday nights is now video nights, featuring special showings of videos of interest to all area progressives. Starting off the series on the 17th at 7pm will be the award winning film The Corporation.

3. Tea With Gillibrand

Patricia Friesen cordially invites you to a Ladies' Tea In Support of Kirsten Gillibrand Democratic Candidate for Congress - NY 20

Saturday, March 18th, 2006 2:00 p.m.

36 Thoroughbred Drive
Saratoga Springs

Suggested Contribution: $50 (Friend), $100 (Sponsor) or
$250 (Patron)

For further information or to RSVP, please call Pat at
(518) 542-9157 or 587-4983 or e-mail McFriesen2@aol.com

4. Support For Governor Dean And 50 State Strategy Grows

Governor Dean is in the news again with a series of highly favorable reports. First Charlie Cook of the influential Cook Report praises Dean's 50 state policy for Taking Back America. http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/3/10/15241/7822

The Boston Globe also praises the Govenor's strategy: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/03/13/dean_seen_boosting_dnc_from_bottom_up/?p1=email_to_a_friend

5. Molly Ivins

Finally, I so miss Molly Ivins' columns. Her latest zinger, aimed at old school Democrats, is not to be mised: http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0310-20.htm

See you all Saturday Morning!

Thanks,

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:17 AM 1 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Banquets, Films, Teas, Letters, Chocolate and more
Hello Everybody;

We had another great DFA-Link up last week at the Bakehouse Cafe where we saw the video Walmart, The High Price Of The Low Price.
I think all present would agree it was a stunning view of America's biggest -- and worst, company.

As you know, Walmart has been a big DFA issue since last summer, so the showing was serendipitous because Walmart as an issue is heating up here in NYS again -- I was informed last week that lawyers for the Working Families Party have completed legislation for a Maryland style Walmart law that would require all corporations over a certain size to provide healthcare for their employees. We agreed at the meeting to assist with this issue, including meeting with legislative representatives the way we did last summer with Rep. Sweeney's office on Social Security. We'll have more information on this as it becomes available.

In this update:

1. Saratoga Springs Women's Banquet
2. New Film Forum at Bakehouse Cafe --
3. Letter Writing
4. St. Patrick's Day In Saratoga
5. Tea For Gillibrand
6. Ballston Dems Chocolate Fest

1. Saratoga Springs Women's Banquet

The March Saratoga Democratic Women's Luncheon will be held at Lillian's Restaurant, Friday, March 10 from Noon to 1:30pm. Guest Speaker will be Jill Farnham, Director, Ryan White HIV Care Network and the National Women and Girls AIDS Awareness Day.
Tickets are $20. There will be a buffet. Please RSVP: Pat Friesen at 587-4983 or 542-9157 or mcfriesen2@aol.com by the 8th.

2. New Film Forum at Bakehouse Cafe --

Everyone who saw the video Walmart, The High Price Of The Low Price last Wednesday knows what a great set up Matt has created at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe: the picture and sound is spectacular, and it is a huge asset to the community. Congratulations and thanks, Matt!

Therefore we are very, very pleased to pass on Matt's invitation to a new Film Forum. At the Cafe, Friday nights will now be video nights, with a special showing of videos of interest to all area progressives. Starting off the series on the 17th will be the award winning film The Corporation. Matt has videos scheduled throughout the Spring: I will paste the entire schedule at the bottom of this update. Again, our congratulations and thanks to Matt for this great new series.

3. Letter Writing

In the last few days writing letters to the editor really seems to have heated up, with a lot of discussion. For everyone's convenience I have placed online an updated version of the PDF on letter writing I did two and a half years ago for Dean For America. Whether it's for the Gillibrand campaign, Walmart awareness and legislative action on healthcare or Verified Voting, writing letters to the editor is always a great thing to do. Get the doc at: http://www.dfalink.com/group_files.php?gid=113
For an easy way to reach many local papers go to the AAUW at: http://capwiz.com/aauw/dbq/media/ Enter your zip and get addresses for local papers. (This is a great website!)

4. St. Patrick's Day In Saratoga

There will be a St. Patrick's Day Tip 'O The Hat to honor William McTygue and Patrick Design,
Friday, March 17, 6-10pm at the Canfield Casino. Tickets are $35. Entertainment by Body and Soul.
For information call 584-8885 (after 6pm). Make checks payable to Citizens For McTygue.

5. Tea For Gillibrand

Patricia Friesen Cordially invites you to a Ladies’ Tea In Support of Kirsten Gillibrand Democratic Candidate for Congress – NY 20

Saturday, March 18th, 2006 2:00 p.m.

36 Thoroughbred Drive
Saratoga Springs

Suggested Contribution: $50 (Friend), $100 (Sponsor) or
$250 (Patron)

For further information or to RSVP, please call Pat at
(518) 542-9157 or 587-4983 or e-mail McFriesen2@aol.com

6. Ballston Dems Chocolate Fest

The Ballston Lake Democratic Committee will have it's First Annual Chocolate Festival Saturday, April 22, 2006 from 1-5pm.
Live Jazz Featuring: James Looby

$12.00 ADULTS $6.00 CHILDREN

Ballston Lake Firehouse
Route 146A in the Town of Ballston Lake

www.ballstondems.org



Thanks Everyone! See you all soon,

Larry

**************
FRIDAY FILM FORUM March and April Calendar 2006
We are a free film club showing independent films Friday nights at Rock Hill Café in Glens Falls. For more info, contact Matt at mattfuniciello@earthlink.net or at 361-6278. Seating is limited and reservations will not be accepted. Long films may not have an intermission and often start earlier than 7 pm. Check the listings.
___________________________________________________________________


3-17 The Corporation (www.thecorporation.com)
This film explores the nature and spectacular rise of the dominant institution of our time. Footage from pop culture, advertising, TV news, and corporate propaganda, illuminates the corporation's grip on our lives. Taking its legal status as a "person" to its logical conclusion, the film puts the corporation on the psychiatrist's couch to ask "What kind of person is it?" Provoking, witty, sweepingly informative, The Corporation includes forty interviews with corporate insiders and critics - including Milton Friedman, Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, and Michael Moore - plus true confessions, case studies and strategies for change.
Winner of 24 INTERNATIONAL AWARDS, 10 of them AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS including the AUDIENCE AWARD for DOCUMENTARY in WORLD CINEMA at the 2004 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL. The long-awaited DVD, available now in Australia and coming in March to North America, contains over 8 hour of additional footage.
Running time: 145 Minutes

___________________________________________________________________

3-24 WalMart: the High Cost of Low Price (www.walmartmovie.com)
A feature length documentary that uncovers a retail giant's assault on families and American values. The film dives into the deeply personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities struggling to fight a goliath. A working mother is forced to turn to public assistance to provide healthcare for her two small children. A Missouri family loses its business after Wal-Mart is given over $2 million to open its doors down the road. A mayor struggles to equip his first responders after Wal-Mart pulls out and relocates just outside the city limits. A community in California unites, takes on the giant, and wins! Producer/Director Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films take you on an extraordinary journey that will change the way you think, feel and shop.
Running time: 98 Minutes
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3-31 Hearts and Minds (www.imagesjournal.com/2002/reviews/heartsminds)
A courageous and startling film, Peter Davis’ landmark documentary Hearts and Minds unflinchingly confronts the United States’ involvement in Vietnam. Using a wealth of sources—from interviews to newsreels to documentary footage of the conflict at home and abroad—Davis constructs a powerfully affecting portrait of the disastrous effects of war. Explosive, persuasive, and shocking, Hearts and Minds is an overwhelming emotional experience and the controversial winner of the 1974 Academy Award™ for Best Documentary.
Running time: 112 Minutes






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4-07 Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (www.zeitgeistvideo.com)
Funny, provocative and surprisingly accessible, Manufacturing Consent explores the political life and ideas of world-renowned linguist, intellectual and political activist, Noam Chomsky. Through a dynamic collage of biography, archival gems, imaginative graphics and outrageous illustrations, Mark Achbar and Peter Wintonick’s award-winning documentary highlights Chomsky’s probing analysis of mass media and his critique of the forces at work behind the daily news. The film features appearances by journalists Bill Moyers and Peter Jennings, pundit William F. Buckley Jr., novelist Tom Wolfe and philosopher Michel Foucault.
Running time: 167 Minutes
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4-14 Coffee And Cigarettes (www.coffeeandcigarettesmovie.com)
Celebrated writer-director Jim Jarmusch serves up this series of short vignettes that build on one another to create a cumulative effect as the characters discuss things as diverse as caffeine popsicles, Paris in the twenties and the use of nicotine as an insecticide all the while sitting around sipping coffee and smoking cigarettes. As Jarmusch delves into the normal pace of our world from an extraordinary angle, he shows just how absorbing the obsessions of life can be. Filmed in black and white, “Coffee and Cigarettes” made its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and then screened to a sold-out crowd at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Running time: 97 Minutes
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4-21 Gunner Palace (www.gunnerpalace.com)
American soldiers of the 2/3 Field Artillery, a group known as the "Gunners," tell of their experiences in Baghdad during the Iraq War. Holed up in a bombed out pleasure palace built by Saddam Hussein, the soldiers endured hostile situations some four months after President George W. Bush declared the end of major combat operations in the country.
Running time: 85 Minutes
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4-28 Independent Media In A Time Of War (www.democracynow.org)
Part scathing critique, part call to action. Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman argues that dialogue is vital to a healthy democracy.
Voices Against War: F15 NYC (www.hm.indymedia.org)
Chronicles the experiences of “ordinary” people on the streets of Manhattan as they joined millions around the globe in “The World says No To War” protests.
The Speeches Of Malcolm X
In his own words. This is a short collection of excerpted speeches from one of the great leaders of the civil rights movement.
Running time: approx 95 Minutes (all three together)
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:24 PM 2 comments