Tricounty DFA Update: Meeting Report, Events and... Allen sings?
In this update:

1. Special Meeting Report on Neighbor Network
2. Washington County Democrats At The Fair
3. Dave Carter Event
4. Gillibrand Events at Joanne Yepsen's And In Greenwich
5. Tabling At The Farmer's Market
6. Sen. Allen Signs Songs of Treason
7. Friday Progressive Film Fest

1. Special Meeting Report on Neighbor Network

Autumn is approaching and we have to start thinking about what we can do to help the candidates we back get elected-- especially, how do we connect with voters to get them to actually go vote?

We heard an answer last week at a special meeting at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe. We heard a presentation from Matt Ehlinger and Jessica Nowlin of the New York State Democratic Committee on the Committee's great new initiative, the Neighborhood Network.

They described a plan to reach out to Democrats and likely Democratic voters by contacting our neighbors with a simple question; what's the most important issue to you? The goal is then to follow up later in the election season with a specific answer from our candidates. This approach-- basically listening first-- has been found to be far more effective than traditional, impersonal phone banking.

They are asking for our help with the Neighborhood Network; if anyone wants to get started right away, please let me know-- we are looking for ways to get going with the Network-- it is by far the best way to help all of our candidates and bring change to our area and the state! They are willing to come up to specifically help us get started. We'll be talking about this more at our next meeting, as well.

2. Washington County Democrats At The Fair

The Washington County Fair is on this week and the Washington County Democratic Committee has a booth! You will find them in the Fair's Commercial Building. Kirsten Gillibrand is scheduled to be in the WCDC's booth on Thursday from 2 until 4pm. The fairgrounds are located on Rt. 29 just east of Schuylerville going towards Greenwich. If you want to help, contact Lisa Manzi at lisa@lisamanzi.com or Sheila Comar at slcomar@adelphia.net

3. Dave Carter For Assembly Event

Also on the 24th, Hudson Falls Mayor David Carter, who is running for the Assembly seat in the 112th District, will be holding a desert reception at Something's Brewing in Greenwich on Thursday, August 24th from 6-8 PM, so you can do both the fair and get dessert and drinks later!

4. Gillibrand Event at Yepsen's
A group of local Democratic luminaries to large to list, but including Saratoga County Chair Larry and Vicki Bulman and GGFDFA's own Dick and Pat Dudley, Mayor Valerie Keehn and others invite you all to a special "after the races" fundraising reception for Kirsten Gillibrand sponsored by the New York League of Conservation Voters. The event hostess is Saratoga Springs Supervisor Joanne Yepsen. The event is to celebrate the NYLCV's endorsement of Kirsten's candidacy.

The event will be held at Joanne Yepsen's home on August 25th from 6-9pm. The address is 91 Fifth Avenue, only three blocks from the track.

Tickets are $100-$250-$500. Please RSVP to Ross Offinger at ross@gillibrand2006.com or 518-694-426.

Gillibrand In Greenwich

There will also be a gala gallery event at Gallery 668 in Greenwich on August 31st. An art auction will be held to benefit Democratic congressional candidate Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign. More than 30 artists have contributed works for the silent auction and reception at the gallery on the Cambridge-Battenkill Road in Greenwich.

Kirsten Gillibrand will speak and take questions at 8 p.m. Wine and snacks will be served. Suggested contribution is $30 per individual or $50 per couple.

Gallery 668 is located at 668 Cambridge-Battenville Road just south of the Battenville Bridge off Route 29. For directions, go to www.gallery668.com, or call 518-692-7139. In order help plan for food and drink please RSVP by phoning 518-677-5979.

5. Tabling At The Farmer's Market

We plan to be tabling again at the Farmer's Market in downtown Glens Falls from about 8am until 11am or so this Saturday. Dick got a fresh resupply of literature, including Spitzer material.

However, there is also a 20TrueBlue meeting some of us may have to attend (20TrueBlue is a leadership conference of townchairs, DFA people and other activists from across the 20th CD). It would be good to know how many people plan to attend the tabling Saturday so we can plan for all contingencies.

Again, it's important to have a team for an event like tabling! Come on down and join in and talk with everyone else. If you want to help, please contact us or RSVP at http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=10481

Also, the Gillibrand campaign is still organizing phone banking at 470 Glen Street in Glens Falls. Contact me for information or Patrick Layden at (518) 796-0109. Make sure you call Patrick before you go.

6. Sen. Allen Signs Songs of Treason

You may have heard about Sen. Allen, who made up his own, new racial slur this week. (We really needed another one of those, didn't we?) Now video has surfaced of Allen dressed as a Confederate general merrily singing Confederate songs of treason: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/8/19/235221/760 In the dKos pic he's on the right in the white hat with the three stars on his lapels. Click the pic to see the video.

There's a great dKos posting that my (and Dick's) late mother would've loved on how the Confederate cause was traitorous and how the Confederacy is still a factor in driving right wing politics. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/20/12175/6193

You see, as a very young child our mom was sometimes looked after by her elderly Uncle John, who was a disabled Civil War Union Army veteran. He told her stories and taught her old Civil War songs, like Tenting Tonight, which she sometimes spontaneously would whistle even late in life. She always regarded the Confederates as traitors (as did Uncle John.)

To her, and this is the point of all this, the Republican Party, of which she has always been a member, was still the the party of Lincoln. That a man like Allen, who isn't even from the South (he grew up in Southern California!), could be seriously considered for the Presidency of her and Old Abe's party would have confounded her to no end-- as it should all of us. It's a sad commentary on how far the Republican Party has fallen.

7. Friday Film Fest

On Friday, August 25th at 8pm, the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe continues its Friday Night Film Fest with Ralph Nader, Up Close. I'm sure we all can remember the many great things Nader once did.

"The first and only feature length documentary about the upbringing and life of Ralph Nader. Before becoming an independent presidential candidate, Nader was known as America’s leading consumer advocate and author. He was responsible for the passage of dozens of major environmental, consumer and safety reforms. The film blends archival footage and scenes of Nader and his staff at work in Washington with interviews with Nader, his mother and sister, friends such as author David Halberstam and critics such as Richard Viguerie. Narrated by Studs Terkel.
Director: Mark Litwak &Tiiu Lukk Running Time: 72 min."

Thanks Everyone! Let us know if you are interested in the Neighborhood Network!

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:56 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Neighborhood Network Meeting, More
Hello Everyone;

In this update:


1. Special Meeting & Special Guest: Neighborhood Network
2. Gilibrand House Party Canceled
3. Friday Film Fest
4. Tabling Saturday
5. David Carter Assembly Race Event August 24th
6. Gov. Dean On Neighbors and Joe Lieberman
7. Appeal from Senator Harry Reid

1. Special Meeting & Special Guest: Neighborhood Network

Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area will be holding a special meeting Wednesday, August 16th at 7pm on the Neighborhood Network.

Our group has been asked to join in a new initiative of the State Democratic Party-- the Neighborhood Network. This get together is to bring us up to date on this exciting new program, and we will have a special guest to talk to us about it: Matt Ehlinger of the New York State Democratic Committee, who runs the Network for our twelve county region. He'll be coming up from Albany just to talk to us about this great new program.

I hope you would all be willing to come and hear about this program, and give it your consideration. I believe it is worthy of all our attention. It represents the chance to make a difference we've all been looking for.

The best way to help all our candidates is by helping build the Neighborhood Network. Basically, they are asking us to connect with our neighbors: three a day for 30 days. It's not that much, they are not strangers, but people who live right around us. By talking to our neighbors, listening to them, we build community in our neighborhoods, get them to vote, and show them we care. This is a program to create long term, and permanent, change.

It also works like an Amway plan, besides contacting people, we look for others who will join us in contacting others, and keeping the network growing and going. The beauty of the Neighborhood Network is that is gives us all the possibility to become local leaders ourselves.

This is how we will Take Back America, by taking back our own communities. The state party will provide the lists of voters, tips or scripts on what to talk about, and report forms. It's really pretty easy.

I urge you all to please come and bring a friend and family to hear this out. This will be a fairly short meeting. Matt will speak and we can get started to see what we can do.

For info, directions or to RSVP, go to: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=11375

Again, this meeting is open to all area Democrats who want to help build lasting change and help our candidates.

2. Gilibrand House Party Canceled

Ron and Jennie Kim's picnic for Kirsten Gillibrand on August 15, 6 - 8 pm has been CANCELED due to a campaign scheduling conflict.

Everyone interested is asked to please consider attending Joanne Yepsen's fundraiser on August 25th from 6 - 9 pm, at her home on 91 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs (there will be more info to come on this event)

3. Friday Film Fest

The Friday Progressive Film Festive at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe continues this Friday, Aug. 18th at 8pm with:

THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED
"This film is must-see. In the United States, where we profess free speech and capitalism is king, this film is virtually unavailable, even if one desires a copy. It’s safe to assume I think that no mass media distribution deals are in the works, either. It might as well be banned. In it, two Irish filmmakers, look at events before and leading up to the coup in Venezuela, the coup itself and the rise of the people’s resistance against fascism to regain their democratically elected president, Hugo Chavez.
Director: Kim Bartley & Donnacha O’Briain Running time: 73 min."

4. Tabling Saturday
We will be tabling at the Farmer's Market in downtown Glens Falls from about 8am until 11am or so this Saturday. It was again a successful activity last week and we actually ran out of literature (we hope to get a resupply in time).

We again decided not to the Vigil at 11am, partially because everyone seemed to be more interested in working at the Farmer's Market. I think I will wait until later in the Fall before attempting to schedule another Vigil, unless people really want me to-- please let me know how you feel.

Again, it looks good to have a team for an event like tabling! Come on down and join in and talk with everyone else. For more info go to: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=10480

Also, the Gillibrand campaign is still organizing phone banking at 470 Glen Street in Glens Falls. Contact me for information or Patrick Layden at (518) 796-0109. Make sure you call Patrick before you go.

5. David Carter Assembly Race Event August 24th

From the Washington County Democrats: Hudson Falls Mayor David Carter, who is running for the Assembly seat in the 112th District, will be holding a desert reception at Something's Brewing in Greenwich on Thursday, August 24th from 6-8 PM.

David's race for Assembly has also been endorsed by the Working Families Party.

6. Gov. Dean On Neighbors and Joe Lieberman

Governor Dean has also been talking up the idea of the kind of neighborhood outreach we will be discussing Wednesday:

"Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is urging members of his party to go door to door to encourage their neighbors to vote for "fundamental change." According to Dean, "We need honesty and openness back in our government ... and be strong, tough and smart on national defense"
For more go to: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15261014.htm

Also, the Governor called on Senator Lieberman to drop out of the race on Meet The Press on Sunday: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15269171.htm

7. Appeal from Senator Harry Reid

Finally, there's an online action appeal from Senator Minority Leader Harry Reid. He is asking everyone to sign a petition calling on Vice President Cheney and Bush to stop politicizing national security they way they have with the recent London arrests: http://www.giveemhellharry.com/page/petition/Politicizing

Thanks everyone! See you all Wednesday! Remember to bring a friend to join the Neighborhood Network!

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:05 AM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Lamont, Neighborhood Network, Film and more
Hello Everyone;

In this update:

1. Earthquake In Connecticut: Taking Our Party Back
2. Urge Senator Reid To Strip Lieberman of Committee Privileges
3. Special Meeting Next Week: Neighborhood Network & Special Guest
4. Friday Night Film Fest
5. Tabling And Vigil
6. Phone Banking


1. Earthquake In Connecticut: Taking Our Party Back

As I am sure we all know, a political earthquake occurred Tuesday in Connecticut. The people of Connecticut have shown us that democracy lives and that we can in fact Take Back America, as Governor Dean described two years ago during his Sleepless Summer Tour.

What happened Tuesday also vindicates as forcefully and factually as possible what we have been trying to tell everyone who would listen for well over a year-- the war is The Issue. Only a hard shelled elite of out of touch consultants and party hacks from Washington, NYC and elsewhere who have a record of taking the Democratic Party down don't get this.

In fact, the "consultocracy" hates and fears the rise of grassroots politics, which is why the furor over what was happening in Connecticut was so intense-- they know the gravy train is ending, and there won't be another generation of consultants getting rich off of Democrats' donations.

Grassroots politics is really just making politics a normal part of community life again, as it was in the beginning. Democracy is not supposed to be a spectator sport passively watched by the multitudes. Democracy is something we all do and share.

Governor Dean had a special statement on the primary: http://www.dnc.org/a/2006/08/strong_turnout.php

2. Urge Senator Reid To Strip Lieberman of Committee Privileges

A follow up to the Connecticut Primary now presents itself: Joe Lieberman wants to campaign as an "independent Democrat." That is not right. If Lieberman is going to run against the Democratic Party's candidate, then he is not entitled to hold Democratic Party committee postings and leadership positions in the Senate. It is not clear what Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid will do. Write Senator Reid and urge him to strip "Joementum" of his assignments, so he can't use them to campaign against Ned Lamont: http://reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm

3. Special Meeting Next Week: Neighborhood Network & Special Guest

At our last meetup we scheduled a special DFA-Linkup meeting for next Wednesday, August 16th at 7pm. This will be an informational and organizational meeting for the Neighborhood Network, and we will have a special guest: Matt Ehlinger of the New York State Democratic Committee, who runs the Network for our twelve county region, will be coming up from Albany just to talk to us about this great new program.

I hope you would all be willing to come and hear about this program, and give it your consideration. I believe it is worthy of all our attention. It represents the chance to make a difference we are all looking for.

The best way to help all our candidates is by helping build the Neighborhood Network. Basically, they are asking us to connect with our neighbors: three a day for 30 days. It's not that much, they are not strangers, but people who live right around us. By talking to our neighbors, we build community in our neighborhoods, get them to vote, and show them we care. This is a program to create long term, and permanent, change.

It also works like an Amway plan, besides contacting people, we look for others who will join us in contacting others, and keeping the network growing and going.

This is how we will Take Back America, by taking back our own communities. The state party will provide the lists of voters, tips or scripts on what to talk about, and report forms. It's really pretty easy.

I urge you all to please come and bring a friend and family to hear this out. This will be a fairly short meeting. Matt will speak and we can get started. I'll have more on this later this week.

For info or to RSVP, go to: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=11375

4. Friday Night Film Fest

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe Friday Night Progressive Film Fest will be on again this Friday at 8pm. Featured this week will be ORWELL ROLLS IN HIS GRAVE
Has America entered an Orwellian world of doublespeak where outright lies can pass for truth? Are Americans being sold a bill of goods by a handful of transnational media corporations and political elites whose interests have little in common with the interests of the American people? Orwell Rolls In His Grave explores what the media doesn’t like to talk about – itself.
Director: Robert Kane Pappas Running time: 105 min.

5. Tabling And Vigil

We will be tabling at the Farmer's Market in downtown Glens Falls from about 8am until 11am this Saturday. Given the improvement in the weather, it was a pretty successful event last week, and we got to meet a lot of friendly people.

At about 11 we will make a decision on whether or not we have enough people to do the Vigil, and if construction conditions allow it.

It looks good to have a team for an event like tabling! Come on down and join in and talk with everyone else. For more info go to: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=10479

6. Phone Banking

Also, the Gillibrand campaign is still organizing phone banking at 470 Glen Street in Glens Falls. Contact me for information or Patrick Layden at (518) 796-0109. Patrick is working out of the Saratoga County Democratic Committee's office on Broadway, so he needs enough people to come and open up, in effect. Tuesdays, possibly Wednesday and Thursdays from 5-8. Make sure you call Patrick before you go.

That's it for tonight! Thanks everyone!

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:50 AM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA: Meetup Report: Neighborhood Network, more
In this update:

1. Report On Wednesday Meeting: Neighborhood Network Organizing Meeting For 16th
2. Phone Banking & House Party Volunteers Needed
3. Tabling At Farmer's Market-- Possible Vigil
4. Dean In Delaware
5. Car Of The Future Today
6. Friday Film Fest
7. Online Actions:
Dean On Minimum Wage
NARAL On Morning After Pill
Windpower Letters Urgently Needed
8. Lamont Surges Past Lieberman!

1. Report On Wednesday Meeting: Neighborhood Network Organizing Meeting For 16th

Considering it was so hot they closed the racetrack for the first time in its history and there were blackouts in Glens Falls, we had a good if somewhat smaller crowd for our monthly DFA meeting at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe Wednesday.

On the agenda was our action program for the next 95 Days until the General Election -- it's getting down there now, and it is time for us all to engage!

We've been contacted by the State Party to help all our candidates by helping build the Neighborhood Network. Basically, they are asking us to contact our neighbors: three a day for 30 days. It's not that much. By talking to our neighbors, we build community in our neighborhoods, get them to vote, and show them we care. This is a program to create long term, and permanent, change.

It also works like an Amway plan, besides contacting people, we look for others who will join us in contacting others.

This is major. It's how we will Take Back America by taking back our own communities. The state party will provide the lists of voters, tips or scripts on what to talk about, and report forms.

To get started on this, we have scheduled a special organizational meeting for the Neighborhood Network for August 16th at 7pm, our usual time, at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe. We'll have more details in additional updates over the next week.

Also: check out the DNC's new action site: http://www.100actions.com/index.html for a sense of what this is about.

2. Phone Banking & House Party Volunteers Needed

In other business we discussed House Parties and Phone banking. House parties are one of the best ways to help our candidates; people get to meet them in comfortable, homelike settings. If you haven't done one before, that's not a problem, they are easy to do and we will help. If you are interested, contact me at ldudley@larrydudley.com

Also, the Gillibrand campaign is organizing phone banking at 470 Glen Street in Glens Falls. Contact me for information or Patrick Layden at (518) 796-0109. Patrick is working out of the Saratoga County Democratic Committee's office on Broadway, so he needs enough people to come and open up, in effect. Tuesdays, possibly Wednesday and Thursdays from 5-8. Call before you go.

3. Tabling At Farmer's Market-- Possible Vigil

We will be tabling at the Farmer's Market in downtown Glens Falls from about 8am until 11am this Saturday. At about 11 we will make a decision on the Vigil. It looks good to have a team! If you can't help this Saturday, volunteer for one of the weeks coming up: for more info go to: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=10478 Or you can RSVP for next week: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=10479

4. Dean In Delaware

Governor Dean was in Delaware this week, but he was really talking to us up here, especially now with the Neighbor Network on tap:
"WILMINGTON -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean brought a message familiar to every Delaware candidate in a Tuesday visit to rally the local party forces he is helping finance. Person-to-person politics beats big media campaigns when it comes to winning over voters.
"You can't win a campaign with just expensive TV ads," Dean said. "You've got to go out and make yourself known... You have to go to people who didn't vote the way you voted and convince them of your position." And that's why Dean has pressed through criticism to follow through on a "50-state" strategy for building stronger Democratic voting in all states, whether they are currently red or blue on the political map." read more at:

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060802/NEWS/608020352/-1/NEWS01

5. Car Of The Future Today

I suspect we've all be thinking about Global Warming given the intense heat this week-- when it is so hot the Flat Track closes for the first time in it's history, you know changes are happening.

Mark Morford writes about the Big Lie there are no alternatives to gasoline cars, especially ones people like to drive. The alternative is the Tesla. It's being built by people in the computer industry, who have given us double the computing every 18 months for half the price for the last 25 years. They can do something similar to cars.
http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/morford/

6. Friday Film Fest
On Friday, August 4th at 8pm, the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls continues the Progressive Film Festival continues with, DENIAL STOPS HERE: From 9-11 to Peak Oil and Beyond
Mike Ruppert, founder of fromthewilderness.com, a groundbreaking independent media organization, discusses the 9-11 cover-up, Peak Oil, the War in Iraq, economic turmoil and accountability, world events relating to oil, and sustainability and the importance of community reliance. This film captures the essence of Michael C Ruppert’s most recent lectures from various parts of the country, including stops in California, Washington, Montana and Oregon. Two hours of solid information that is necessary to understand what’s going on in the world today and what we all need to do for tomorrow. Original music composed by David Baerwald. Director: Ken Levine Running time: 120 min.

7. Online Actions:

Dean On Minimum Wage

Governor Dean sent this message out tonight on the new law raising the minimum wage, which the Republican leadership in Congress has destroyed to save the infamous "Paris Hilton Taxbreak."

One of the things this bill would do is cut the tip income of waitresses, waiters and other who rely on tip income by forcing them to include their tips as part of the minimum wage-- many states now allow tip income on top of the minimum wage. Think how hot it was this week. Think how hot it was to be a waiter or waitress racing in and out of a restaurant kitchen. Now think about actually cutting their pay. Some could loses many thousands of dollars. Ruin your appetite yet?

Says Dean,

"In an election year stunt, Republicans have poisoned a bill that would increase the minimum wage with a massive tax cut for just 7,500 millionaires. After the House passed the bill, the Senate must now decide tonight.

Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist has said that this political ploy will be the only vote he will allow on a minimum wage increase this year. It's despicable, it's wrong, and we need to stop it. Contact your senators and tell them to reject this shameful bill by signing this petition." http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/wage

NARAL On Morning After Pill

NARAL is also asking for online action:
"Is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ready to end its three-year delay on making the “morning-after” pill available without a prescription? On Monday, July 31, the FDA announced that it will reconsider whether to allow the morning-after pill to be sold without a prescription. Now we need you to take the next step and tell the FDA to stand by the science, stand up to anti-choice politics, and make a decision on Plan B®. http://prochoiceaction.org/campaign/fda_ecotc_0806/wisu5u541t7jn7n?

Windpower Letters Urgently Needed

Earlier this year we endorsed the "green energy" wind project proposed for the old Barton Mines site near North Creek after Jim McAndrew gave a fascinating presentation on Wind Energy. Given the intense heat we had here this week, which is not normal for this area, clearly we need energy that doesn't feed Global Warming.

Jim is asking for letters to the APA in support of the project. He sent us a message, parts of which are below:

Friends,

We are again seeking your help in the form of a supportive letter to the APA in connection with our application for permission to install a temporary wind measurement mast on an industrially zoned portion of our Gore Mt. property.

The APA will be considering our application at their meeting on August 10th. The public comment period ends and all comments must be received by August 10th. Only letters sent by U.S. mail or Fax are accepted by APA (no email).

Supportive letters are very important. They are provided to the APA Commissioners prior to the consideration and vote on our permit request.

*Our opponents will certainly be writing and we would very much like to see an outnumbering group of thoughtful letters in our favor.

*Some points that might be useful for a letter -

Impacts of this temporary mast are trivial or non-existent. It has very low visibility - practically zero off Barton property.

*This mast would be on APA Industrial Use zoning.

*All concerns expressed by Commissioners in Nov. ’04 (at the time they sent our application for a mast at different location to Public Hearing) have been addressed in this new application.

*On the APA towers policy... visibility concerns are “considerably different in developed areas with the less restrictive Hamlet land use area classificatio... Presumably and logically this applies also and more so in Industrial Use Areas since Industrial Use is even less restrictive than Hamlet.

In sum, there is no reasonable basis for anything but approval of this project application.

Mailing address:
Dr. Ross Whaley, Chairman
Re: Application No.: 2005-0271

NYS Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
1133 NYS Route 86
Ray Brook, NY 12977

Transmittal by US Mail is preferable. The Fax # is: 518-891-3938.

Please call or email if you have any questions – 518 964-6830.

We are very appreciative of your continuing help and support.

Jim McAndrew
Project Manager
jmcandrew@barton.com


8. Lamont Surges Past Lieberman!

There is real hope for the future! Today's Q-poll finds that Ned Lamont has surged past Joe Lieberman to a commanding lead in the Connecticut primary. The curtain is coming down on the "reign of error" of the DLC and neocon consultants in our party! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/03/AR2006080300597.html

Thanks everyone! See you all soon.

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:21 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA-Linkup Meeting Reminder & More!
Hello Everyone!

In This Update:


1. Glens Falls DFA Link-up Meeting Wednesday
2. Neighborhood Network
3. "Joementum" Out The Door In Connecticut
4. Gillibrand Phone Banking
5. House Parties Hosts Needed
6. Independent Petitioners For Tim Merrick Needed
7. DFA Night School
8. Friday Rockhill Film Fest
9. Val Keehn Speaks August 9th
10. Governor Dean Rips Katherine Harris And More
11. David Sirota On Tom Friedman Of The NY TImes


1. Glens Falls DFA Link-up Meeting Wednesday

Greater Glens Falls Democracy For America will be holding its August Link-up or "meetup" this Wednesday, August 2nd at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe In downtown Glens Falls.

Note: the Cafe is air conditioned! Now that we've got that out of the way, we'll be talking about and planning action for the Fall campaign season. If you want to help or have ideas, this is the meeting to attend.

For directions go to: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Exchange%20Street++Glens%20Falls+NY+12801&hl=en

2. Neighborhood Network

Specifically, one of the things we will be discussing is the Neighborhood Network, a special initiative of the State Democratic Party, and a key part of Governor Dean's 50 State Strategy.

As I noted before, the idea is very similar to our DFA concept-- community development for political development. Basically, as a group and individually we take responsibility on a neighbor to neighbor basis for a certain number of voters between now and the General Election. But it also has aspects of an Amway pyramid; ideally each network member can become an organizer, too, in recruiting others to join and grow the Neighborhood Network, so that the outreach goes way beyond our own efforts.

Both long and short term, this is the best approach to supporting all our candidates.

And since we are on the subject of networking, if you are receiving this email and haven't signed up with DFA-Link, DFA's own communications system, it's time to do so now! DFA-Link has many powerful tools we can use to strengthen DFA, it's a both an online community and a communications tool we all can use! Just go to: http://www.dfalink.com/register_friend.php?id=5514310d77911611
Create and account and password and sign up for our local group, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area.

http://www.dfalink.com/register_friend.php?id=5514310d77911611

3. "Joementum" Out The Door In Connecticut

If you have been following DFA National's Blog For America, you will know that DFA has endorsed Ned Lamont For U.S. Senate in Connecticut. DFA members in Connecticut did that because Ned Lamont represents the kind of Democratic Party we want to have in the future.

I read over the weekend that the Connecticut primary is a battle for the soul of the Democratic Party. I actually don't think that's accurate-- it's really a battle over whether it will have a soul at all, or merely die a slow death as a shill for a different set of corporate interests and a hard shelled, self-serving party elite that loses election after election, but refuses to release their death grip on the Democratic Party and our country's future.

A victory in Connecticut for the "Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party" may actually be a bigger step in Taking Back America than anything that happens in November. If you know anyone in Connecticut, I urge you to call them to urge them to vote for Ned Lamont.

The New York Times endorsed Lamont Sunday in a stunning editorial: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/30/opinion/30sun1.html
There's also a great piece on what this all means at Mydd.com: http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/7/30/21501/0854
Or go to http://www.nedlamont.com/

4. Gillibrand Phone Banking

The Gillibrand campaign will be organizing phone banking at 470 Glen Street in Glens Falls every Tuesday and Thursday, at about 5pm, and possibly Sundays as well at a different location. There are only three phone lines in the office, so if you have a cell, please bring it. If you can make it, let me know or call Patrick Layden at (518) 796-0109

5. House Parties Hosts Needed

We are still looking for additional House Party Hosts, now towards the fall. The closer we get to the election season in the fall, the more interest people will have in attending House Parties to meet and learn about our candidates: Kirsten Gillibrand and Tim Merrick. It's easy to do: invite a few people you know from your network of friends, relatives and co-workers who you think might be interested. A dozen will do. You can serve a few simple refreshments, if you like, and others can bring things, too. The meeting itself is only about an hour.

If that sounds like something you could do-- please let us know. It's a great way to really make a difference, and it's fun! Email me at ldudley@larrydudley.com if you are interested.

6. Independent Petitioners For Tim Merrick Needed

Our endorsed State Senate candidate Tim Merrick is trying to get an independent ballot line for himself. Anyone can carry around an Independent petition, and unlike party petitions, anyone can sign them. It seems pretty easy, and it is, but there is one catch: if you have signed a Democratic or Republican petitions, you cannot carry or circulate a petition.

Tim is asking a favor of anyone out there who did not sign a petition as a Democrat in June and July: would you circulate an petition for Tim Merrick for State Senate as an Independent? This is a great way to help the Merrick campaign.

If you can, contact me at ldudley@larrydudley.com address or votemerrick@charter.net

I have independent petitions if anyone wants them-- remember, it's actually easier than regular petitions because anyone sign them.

7. DFA Night School

On Tuesday, August 1st at 8:30pm, don't miss the next installment of DFA-Night School.

The night school is an hour long conference call with an online slide show. You dial in, listen, view the materials and ask questions. This week's topic will be Leveraging Online Media. Those who attended our DFA Training Day in February will remember how terrific Arshad Hasan's classes were, and this promises to be equally enlightening. To RSVP: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=9771

If you haven't registered with DFA-Link, you'll need to first:
http://www.dfalink.com/register_friend.php?id=5514310d77911611

8. Friday Rockhill Film Fest

On Friday, August 4th at 8pm, the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls continues the Progressive Film Festival continues with, DENIAL STOPS HERE: From 9-11 to Peak Oil and Beyond
Mike Ruppert, founder of fromthewilderness.com, a groundbreaking independent media organization, discusses the 9-11 cover-up, Peak Oil, the War in Iraq, economic turmoil and accountability, world events relating to oil, and sustainability and the importance of community reliance. This film captures the essence of Michael C Ruppert’s most recent lectures from various parts of the country, including stops in California, Washington, Montana and Oregon. Two hours of solid information that is necessary to understand what’s going on in the world today and what we all need to do for tomorrow. Original music composed by David Baerwald. Director: Ken Levine Running time: 120 min.

9. Val Keehn Speaks August 9th

On August 9th from 11am to 1:30pm at the Inn at Saratoga Saratoga Springs, Democratic Mayor Valerie Keehn will speak on Women, Business, and Politics. Sponsored by the Capital Region Chapter of eWomenNetwork. Cost is $35 members, $45 for non-members. Contact Merci Miglino, at mercimiglino@ewomenentwork.com or 518-229-4403 to make reservations.

10. Governor Dean Rips Katherine Harris And More

Governor Dean has been touring the hustings lately. In Florida he was in fine form, ripping into Florida's favorite vote stealer, Katherine Harris, who looks bound for almost certain defeat in the Senate race there.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/nation/epaper/2006/07/27/a4a_dean_0727.html
Dean also attacked the Republicans for creating a political culture of divisiveness in their rule-or-ruin efforts hold onto power. Particularly important, he noted that:
"Democrats need to improve grass-roots campaigning and pay more attention to local races to develop future leaders. We have not tended to our farm team. We need to get a good bench," said Dean.

Amen! There's more at http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Howard-Dean-Democrats.html

11. David Sirota On Tom Friedman Of The NY TImes

Finally, author David Sirota has "busted" New York Times columnist Tom Friedman, one of the leading advocates of globalization and outsourcing American jobs abroad in the name of "free trade." According to Sirota;

"I have repeatedly documented how New York Times columnist Tom Friedman parrots the propaganda of Big Money... But I never had any idea how dead on I was ..."

"As the July edition of the Washingtonian Magazine notes in a fawning profile, Friedman lives in "a palatial 11,400-square-foot house, now valued at $9.3 million, on a 7½-acre parcel just blocks from I-495 and Bethesda Country Club." He "married into one of the 100 richest families in the country" - the Bucksbaums, whose real-estate Empire is valued at $2.7 billion. "

"...this does potentially explain an ENORMOUS amount about Friedman's perspective. Far from the objective, regular-guy interpreter of globalization that the D.C. media portrays him to be, Friedman is a member of the elite of the economic elite on the planet Earth. "
For more: http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=C0EB620B-E0C3-F084-DFE28A740D37E6E2

I always thought he was an unctuous, even smary creep, but I had no idea he was quite such a superrich unctuous, smary creep.


Thanks Everyone! See you Wednesday at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe! Again, if you haven't registered with DFA-Link, now is a great time to do it so we can get ready for the fall elections:
http://www.dfalink.com/register_friend.php?id=5514310d77911611

My best,

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:25 AM 0 comments