Tricounty DFA Update: Vigil, Tabling, films, actions, humor and more
Hello Everyone;

In this update:

1. Anonymous Calls Alert
2. Online Action Call: A Federal Judgeship For A Torturer?
3. Post Star/ Vigil At Five Corners
4. Tabling At Farmer's Market
5. Progressive Film On Food At Crandall Library Thursday
6. Friday Progressive Film Fest At Rockhill
7. Solomon Northrup Day Saturday
8. On The Lighter Side

1. Anonymous Calls Alert

I received a call this week from our favorite local columnist, Mark Freeman, the Washington County Curmudgeon, asking what I knew about anonymous and scurrilous calls about Kirsten Gillibrand. All I can say is that I haven't received one, but that I am not overly surprised. This is New York State, and politics is a contact sport here. We all should be aware of this and not believe what is likely to be coming around. As I've said before, it's going to be a bumpy ride this year.

2. Online Action Call: A Federal Judgeship For A Torturer?

This week the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a second hearing on the nomination of William J. Haynes, II to a permanent judicial seat on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. This nomination was blocked two years ago. Bush has sent it back up. If you are familiar with William Haynes, you know he’s considered by many to be the poster boy for the administration’s torture policies.

Mr. Haynes serves as General Counsel for the Department of Defense (DOD) where he oversaw policies allowing torture and the inhumane treatment of prisoners and detainees. People For The American Way sent this release out: http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=15747&tr=y&auid=1802162

Ordinarily I never link to church related sites (I don't generally think it's proper), but there seems to be no one else on top of this with an online action -- Click http://www.ucctakeaction.org/haynes to contact your senators and urge them to use the confirmation process to investigate fully Mr. Haynes’ views on detention, interrogation and torture. Or call Senator Schumer at: (202) 224-6542

3. Post Star/ Vigil At Five Corners

Jean Rikhoff's Three Generation Vigil last week was a big success with a nice article in the Post Star. Unfortunately it wasn't online, or I'd link to it. Rik, her daughter Allison and grandson Gabe came together for peace and another dozen more came together with them.

It was proposed to phase out the Vigils at the Five Corners in downtown Glens Falls in favor of tabling at the Farmer's Market, but everyone at the vigil last week wanted to try to keep the vigil going, feeling there was no reason we couldn't do both.

Again, this requires volunteers. We need to make it look good! The Vigil will be from 11am until noon. Come down, bring a sign and a flag and, hopefully, a new person. From the steady beat of horns, it is gaining real approval. To RSVP or for more info: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=10448

4. Tabling At Farmer's Market

At our meeting last week we agreed to try and start tabling at the Farmer's Market on South Street in downtown Glens Falls. The idea is to "show the flag," talk to voters and hand out literature for all our endorsed Democratic candidates, Gillibrand and Merrick, but also (presumably) progressives like Eliot Spitzer, if we can get materials. Bob Rockwell has discussed this with the manager of the Farmer's Market, and it good to go.

The goal is not just to passively sit at the table, but to connect to market goers and advocate for our candidates, so ideally we will need more than just a couple of people.

If you want to help with this effort, let me know at ldudley@larrydudley.com or RSVP at DFA-Link. I know I got many messages of support for this. We'll try to set up a timetable, if we can, or we just may show up and sort it out. Again, RSVP at http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=10475 we need to know what we are working with. Also: if you have a table or chairs you can bring, let us know!

5. Progressive Film On Food At Crandall Library Thursday

Thursday Crandall Library in Glens Falls will screen a free independent, progressive film on food and agriculture.

Broken Limbs: Apples, Agriculture and the New American Farmer (58 min., 2004): 7 PM, Thurs., July 13.
Broken Limbs presents the hometown perspective of apple growers troubled by the effects of consolidation and globalization. Followed by a local farmer viewpoint and discussion with Dan Wilson of Hicks Orchard in Granville.

6. Friday Progressive Film Fest At Rockhill

The Friday Night Progressive Film Festival continues this week at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe with:
July 14 HOWARD ZINN: You Can’t Be Neutral On A Moving Train
You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train documents the life and times of the historian, activist and author of the best selling classic A People’s History of the United States. Director: Deb Ellis & Denis Mueller Running time: 78 min.

7. Solomon Northrup Day Saturday

Our own Enid Mastrianni will be the keynote speak of this year's Solomon Northrup Day in Saratoga Springs. An early 19th century abolitionist and escaped slave, Solomon Northrup live in Saratoga Springs. Info from Enid below:

"Saturday, July 15, at the Saratoga Visitor Center, 10:00 to 4:00pm, celebrates the 8th annual Solomon Northup – Day – A Celebration of Freedom.
Cordell Reaves, Coordinator for the Underground Railroad Heritage Trail of Heritage, New York will speak on the African Burial Grounds. The Underground Railroad Players, Wanda Webster Artistic Director, will perform “Hear my Voice..... Feel My Tears" at the Saratoga Arts Council. African Storyteller Kim Green will tell uplifting and delightful children’s stories. There will be music by a Caribbean Steel Pan Orchestra and belly dancing.

Author Lloyd Stewart will speak on his new book titled, A Far Cry from Freedom: Gradual Abolition (1799-1827) Northup descendants are expected to attend and event founder, Renee Moore, in conjunction with NCUGRHA, are undertaking the Mintus Northup Gravesite Restoration Project.
FREE ADMISSION. FREE PARKING"

8. On The Lighter Side

Finally, on the lighter side, a German view of George Bush, and it is hysterical.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/posts/2006/07/10/the-bush-pilot/

Thanks everyone, see you Saturday,

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:35 AM