Tricounty DFA Update Addendum: Events & more
Hello Everyone!

I intended to include these events-- one's reminder and the others are new-- into my last update. Sorry for the omission.

Larry


1. Sustainable Food
2. G.F. Interfaith Council To March On War Anniversary
3. Albany March
4. Iraq Bloodbath If We Withdraw? Really?


1. Sustainable Food

Ruth Lamb reported at our last meeting:

"Most of the food purchased in a supermarket travels over 1500 miles before reching the store's shelves, much of it coming from California or even as far away as Chile, or China. Concerns about the diminishing oil supply are causing people to rethink their food supply. "How can we find foods that are good for us and good for the planet - foods that are grown nearby, using sustainable methods that protect the environment?"

"To answer such questions the Glens Falls UU Church, The Regional Farm and Food Project, and the Rock Hill bakeshop are sponsoring the following public meeting:
A Local Food Forum
Sunday, Feb. 25: panel at 4:00 p.m., potluck at 5:30
(moderated by Cheryl Nechamen from the
Regional Farm and Food Project)

"Don't miss this chance to be part of a dialogue between farmers and food lovers.
Learn about farmers markets, community supported agriculture (CSAs) and newer ideas for internet-farmer network buying club possibilities. The panel includes:
Liz Porter - Homestead Artisans, Richard Sandora - Northeast Corner Herbs Farm
Jen Ward - Our Farm CSA, Thomas Christenfeld - Alleged Farm CSA
Nancy Brown - Lewis Waite Farm, Kirk Childress - Saratoga chef

For more information, cooperlamb@yahoo.com or 761-6125. Directions to church: Take Glen Street north, pass Walmart, take next left onto Weeks Road. Church is on the right at the end of the road.

2. G.F. Interfaith Council To March On War Anniversary

From Rev. Regina Haag of the Adirondack Friends Meeting:

An interfaith group of local faith communities ( in the Glens Falls area) is putting together a peace vigil for Sunday, March 18th, at 3:00 p.m. We will march together from City Park to the First Baptist Church for a worship service beginning at 4:00 p.m. ALL are welcome to attend and participate. We are doing this in conjunction with the national effort that you can read about at christianpeacewitness.org. This effort is aimed at speaking out against the war in Iraq, near the 4th anniversary of the beginning of the war.

For more info, contact Regina Haag, pastor
Adirondack Friends Meeting
793-3755


From Joe Lombardo of the Bethlehem Peace Alliance:

"Dear Friends,

At a meeting in Albany, 55 people representing peace groups from
throughout the region called for a march and rally to mark the 4th
anniversary of the Iraqi war - a war that has now gone on longer than the US
participation in World War II. The march and rally will be held on Sunday, March 18 at
2 PM. We will start at the Capital Plaza Museum stairs and marching to
the Federal Building. As we march, each person will carry the name of
one US GI who was killed in the Iraq war. As of today, over 3100
Americans and 650,000 Iraqis have died...

"If you’d like to participate, go to the link below to sign up for the
rally and to be assigned the name of a US GI whom you will represent at
the march. Please make a sign with his/her name and city and bring it
with you.


http://www.RememberingTheFallen.org

for more information call Joe Lombardo at 518-439-1968, jlombard@nycap.rr.com, www.nepajac.org "

4. Iraq Bloodbath If We Withdraw? Really?

Martha sent this along, and I missed it (I have gotten quite behind on all my email) but it is actually very important, because it addresses what is a key but largely overlooked premise underlying the unwillingness of so many Democrats in Congress to act decisively to end the war: the belief if we pull out that there will be a bloodbath. I'm sure we've all heard this a lot, but like the recent piece in the Post by General Odom, this article decisively sets that notion to rest. It won't happen any more than is already happening. Like the idea we heard during the Vietnam War, that there would be a "domino effect" if we left, the idea of a bloodbath is largely the vaporings of so-called defense intellectuals, most of whom are Cold War retreads, most of whom are chickenhawks who never served, most of whom are neocons, most of whom don't know the history of Iraq or are area specialists who speak arabic.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2007/0703.dreyfuss.html

Thanks everyone!

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:51 AM 1 comments

 
Tricounty DFA: Four Years Ago
Hello Everyone!

Four years ago today- February 21st-- at the DNC's Winter Meeting, Governor Howard Dean stepped to the podium and uttered the now famous words that began Dean For American and now Democracy For America: "What I want to know..." then, quoting Paul Wellstone, "I'm Howard Dean and I represent the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party."

There should be no doubt that speech will go down as one of the pivotal moments in American history, comparable to Lincoln's House Divided speech. Just after the disastrous 2002 election, America-- and perforce the world, faced a profound choice, just as it did was when Lincoln spoke on freedom and slavery in 1858. We could go down the ultra conservative road to fear, authoritarianism and dictatorship, or America could return to its original path and begin fighting for the rule of law, constitutional government and human rights, freedom and dignity. After years of their democracy being under siege from within, Americans began fighting back. We have made great strides for progressive causes, yet, the battle will go on for a long time. Governor Dean's speech still makes electrifying reading. Read it, know where we began, and then know where we are going.
http://www.crocuta.net/Dean/Transcript_of_Speech_to_DNC_Winter_Meeting.htm


In This Update:

1. War Tapes Successful Showing
2. Show Support For Murtha Standard On War
3. Reid Fillibuster Petition
4. Gore To Stage Massive Rock World Wide Rock Concert
6. Drowning Paradise
7. Friday Night film fest
8. On The Lighter Side


1. War Tapes Successful Showing

Less than 24 hours after one of the worst single day snow storms in a generation, 45 people came together at the auditorium of the Glens Falls Crandall Library last Thursday for a showing of The War Tapes. This extraordinary video, made from footage shot by soldiers in Iraq, made an extraordinary impression, and we were privileged to show it thanks to DFA National. This week, DFA Link-Ups across the country are showing it. (Thanks also to Drew Monthie for his projector and Bob Rockwell for arranging the room.)

If you were unable to make it to the previous showing, please let me know and we will try to schedule another. George and Linda are also trying to set up a showing at the UUA.

2. Murtha Raises The Ante On War

Last week all our regional Democratic members of Congress: Gillibrand, Hall, McNulty and Welch, voted for the non-binding resolution disapproving Bush's escalation of the war in Iraq. (Republican, McHugh, in the 23rd, voted no.)

Rep. Jack Murtha has now come up with the next step, legislation that would set a standard for deployment of troops that would paint the Bush administration into a corner and prevent the troops from being deployed. Murtha described the plan in an interview last week:
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070215/D8NAAGD02.html
http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/009858.php

At out last meeting we signed cards urging the Senate to vote yes on the resolution calling for an end to the war. It might also be good to let our members of Congress know we believe they should support this legislation as well. Writing a note has the most effect. Here are their addresses.

Sen. Hillary Clinton
476 Russel Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510

Sen. Charles Schumer
313 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand
120 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5614

Also, Lisa asked me about a Zbignew Brezinski's remarkable testimony at the end of January before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the subject of Iraq and Iran. "Zbig" essentially accuses the administration of again manufacturing a pretext for war. It's really worth reading.
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/001916.php

3. Reid Fillibuster Petition

Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid is calling on everyone to sign a petition to demand Republicans end the fillibuster of the comparable Senate resolution disapproving of the war: http://giveemhellharry.com/page/petition/iraqfilibuster

4. Gore To Stage Massive Rock World Wide Rock Concert

On July 7th, Al Gore is going to state a series of concerts on all seven continents to raise money and awareness of Global Warming/Global Climate change. These may be the biggest series of concerts in years. From VOA News:

Al Gore Announces ‘Live Earth’ Concert Series
February 19, 2007
VOA, VOA Arts and Entertainment
By voanews

Former Vice President Al Gore has announced plans for a series of concerts to bring attention to the threat of climate change. The “Live Earth” concerts will take place on July 7 in Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Sydney, Australia; London, England; and yet-to-be-announced cities in Brazil, Japan and the United States. More than 100 artists will take part in the events. Bon Jovi, Fall Out Boy, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, John Mayer, Melissa Etheridge, the Black Eyed Peas, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many others are already confirmed as performers. In a statement, Gore said, “In order to solve the climate crisis, we have to reach billions of people. The climate crisis will only be stopped by an unprecedented and sustained global movement.” Promoters expect the concerts to reach two billion people worldwide via radio, television and Internet broadcasts. Al Gore chairs The Alliance for Climate Protection, which works to find solutions to global warming. The group will use proceeds from “Live Earth” to create a foundation to combat climate change.


6. Drowning Paradise

On the subject of Global Warming, this sad article in the Times reflects on the fact that we are about to drown paradise-- Polynesia will eventually vanish below the waves. This is hearbreaking when we think what this vision of paradise has meant to humanity.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/travel/18explorer.html?8dpc=&pagewanted=all

7. Friday Night film fest

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe Friday Night Progressive Film Fest continues at 7:30 with:

Feb 23 EL CHE: INVESTIGATING A LEGEND (1997) Maurice Dugowson 140 min.
A prismatic portrait of the man and the Cuban revolutionary, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, whose Bolivian guerilla campaign ended in disaster when he was captured and shot. Since his death he has become one of the most symbolic political leaders of our times. An inspiration to millions of people, he has also been condemned by countless others. His legendary character has been inspiration for millions, but those who condemn him, do so bitterly. For all, he is a subject of controversy and passion. This fascinating film uncovers the truth behind the myth of this "most idolized revolutionary of the 20th century" (NY Times).

8. On The Lighter Side

Drew sends this along, and it is both horrifying and hilarious. (It's also an object lesson as to why political messages have to be kept simple.)

"Think Americans could use more education? -you bet!!!!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCkYfYa8ePI

Thanks Everyone!

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:39 AM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: War Tapes Video, Meeting Report, More
Hello Everyone!

In This Update:

1. War Tapes Movie Thursday
2. Meeting Report
3. Petition Call From Governor Dean
4. More on War & General Odom Again
5. Friday Night Film Fest
6. Local Sustainable Food Forum at UU


1. War Tapes Movie Thursday

A reminder that on Thursday, February 15th from 7pm-9pm, we will be showing the new video, The War Tapes, in the downstairs auditorium of the Crandall Library in downtown Glens Falls.

The War Tapes has been acclaimed as one of the hardest hitting and revealing documentaries made on the Iraq War. Composed entirely of footage shot by soldiers themselves using personal video cameras, it provides an unedited, unscripted, uncensored, unfiltered and uniquely candid view of what U.S. service people are actually experiencing in Iraq and what that conflict and their lives are actually like.

The Tribeca Film Festival recently awarded it Best Documentary of the year. The Washington Post wrote that it should "be required viewing in every classroom and living room in America."

For more info and to RSVP go to: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=17682

If you cannot make this screening, we will attempt to hold other screenings.

Note: This movie takes place in a war zone and is shot by soldiers themselves. It contains adult language, war violence and a brief moment of graphic nudity.

2. Meeting Report

We had a a particularly good Meeting last Wednesday! Thanks to the many people in the capacity crowd who came out on a February night. We discussed our vigils, heard reports on the big demonstration in Washington, signed cards urging our Senators to vote for the resolution condemning the escalation, heard reports from Kathy Sonnabend on an expensive Warren County boondogle and a report from Ruth Lamb on a sustainable, local food forum coming up on the 25th (see below). We also discussed the Circular Letter On Climate Change.

There was a lot of input on that, with additional language urged on energy independence with some very interesting scientific input later from Richard and Paula Bossert. Jean Rikhoff and I will have a revision sometime next week, as requested.

We ended the night with a showing of a video Wind Power In New York, which got a lot of interest.

3. Petition Call From Governor Dean

Governor Dean sent out a message today asking for us to call on Republicans to join Democrats in opposing the war.
http://www.democrats.org/page/s/noescalation

4. More on War & General Odom Again

There's a suggestion today from Salon.com columnist Green Greenwald that some Democrats in Congress may want to continue the war because they see it as being politically advantageous.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/2/13/7458/49755
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2007/02/12/democrats/index.html

What General Odom wrote in the Sunday Washington Post, demolishing the case for sustaining an American presence in Iraq, there's no case anymore. Here's that link again if you haven't read it: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/09/AR2007020901917_pf.html

5. Friday Night Film Fest

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe Friday Night Progressive Film Fest continues at 7:30 with another video about G.I.'s in Iraq:

Feb 16 OCCUPATION: DREAMLAND (2005) Garrett Scott & Ian Olds 79 min.
Occupation: Dreamland is an unflinchingly candid portrait of a squad of American soldiers deployed in the doomed Iraq city of Falluja during the winter of 2004. A collective study of the soldiers unfolds as they patrol an environment of low-intensity conflict creeping steadily towards catastrophe. Through the squads activities Occupation: Dreamland provides a vital glimpse into the last days of Falluja. The film documents the citys waning stability before a final series of military assaults began in the spring of 2004 that effectively destroyed it. Filmmakers Garrett Scott and Ian Olds were given access to all operations of the Armys 82nd Airborne. They lived with the unit 24/7, giving voice to soldiers held under a strict code of authority as they cope with an ambiguous, often lethal environment. The result is a revealing, sometimes surprising look at Army life, operations and the complexity of American war in the 21st century.

6. Local Food Forum at UU

Ruth Lamb reported on this at the last meeting:

"Most of the food purchased in a supermarket travels over 1500 miles before reching the store's shelves, much of it coming from California or even as far away as Chile, or China. Concerns about the diminishing oil supply are causing people to rethink their food supply. "How can we find foods that are good for us and good for the planet - foods that are grown nearby, using sustainable methods that protect the environment?"

"To answer such questions the Glens Falls UU Church, The Regional Farm and Food Project, and the Rock Hill bakeshop are sponsoring the following public meeting:
A Local Food Forum
Sunday, Feb. 25: panel at 4:00 p.m., potluck at 5:30
(moderated by Cheryl Nechamen from the
Regional Farm and Food Project)

"Don't miss this chance to be part of a dialogue between farmers and food lovers.
Learn about farmers markets, community supported agriculture (CSAs) and newer ideas for internet-farmer network buying club possibilities. The panel includes:
Liz Porter - Homestead Artisans, Richard Sandora - Northeast Corner Herbs Farm
Jen Ward - Our Farm CSA, Thomas Christenfeld - Alleged Farm CSA
Nancy Brown - Lewis Waite Farm, Kirk Childress - Saratoga chef

For more information, cooperlamb@yahoo.com or 761-6125. Directions to church: Take Glen Street north, pass Walmart, take next left onto Weeks Road. Church is on the right at the end of the road.


Thanks Everyone! See you all Thursday,

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:06 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Four Years, Meetup Reminder, Gore For Noble Prize, Warren County Alert, more
Hello Everyone;

In this update:

1. Meetup Reminder, Agenda
2. Al Gore Nominated For Noble Peace Prize
3. Alert On Important Warren County Supervisors Meeting
4. Video: The War Tapes
5. Army Deployment Expose
6. Florida Dumps Touchscreen Voting Machines
7. Friday Night Progressive Film Fest

1. Meetup Reminder & Agenda

Just a reminder that this Wednesday, February 7th, we will be holding our monthly DFA meetup/link-up at 7pm at our usual location, the
Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

On the agenda this month will be reports on the demonstration in Washington, discussion of more actions, the War Tapes video DFA
National in Burlington is proposing, the Circular Letter on Global Climate Change and we may get around to a special video on windpower.

2. Al Gore Nominated For Noble Peace Prize

Great news came last week that Al Gore has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on Global Climate Change. Clearly, no one deserves it more-- Gore has been working on this issue for 25 years and his behind the scenes work during the Clinton administration secured the Kyoto Accords. For more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16920923

Governor Dean spoke on CNN on the Democrat's Senate Plan and Al Gore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYGyFy2lZF4

The IPPC came out this week with their along awaited report on Global Climate change. It is a breakthrough in recognition of this greatest long term problem for humanity.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/02/science/earth/02cnd-climate.html?ei=5094&en=7f0ce59ee7d312e5&hp=&ex=1170478800&partner=homepage&pagewanted=all

As strong as the report may seem, it is being widely critized for being too weak-- political pressure to tone down its forecasts and predictions by, guess who? The Bush administration and China.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/02/science/02oceans.html

3. Alert On Important Warren County Supervisors Meeting

As many of us know, Kathy Sonnabend spends a lot of time following Warren County and Town of Queensbury issues. Kathy is alarmed by an extremely expensive county project and a meeting scheduled at 8am Wednesday morning-- a very odd time indeed for an important public meeting.

Kathy sends this message along and urges everyone possible to attend this meeting:

"Hi everyone,

Since the trash plant fiasco of the 1980’s, there has not been a more important time for the public to attend County meetings, ask tough questions, and demand high standards. We need as many of you as possible to attend a meeting at the Board of Supervisors room on the second floor of the Municipal Center at 8am on Wed., Feb. 7th.

Warren County is about to make a decision that will increase our property taxes for many years. The County proposes bonding $30,000,000 to build a needed Social Services building on County property at exit 20. This doubling of County debt does not require taxpayer approval, and Supervisors leading the project have followed a curious path.

Months ago, former County Supervisor Mike Barody ignored an alternative money-saving lease proposal from Rich Schermerhorn, not sharing it with the Facilities Committee or the County Treasurer, who should be advising on capital finance decisions. When Rich learned of escalating County project costs late in 2006, he directly approached the Committee and Treasurer Frank O’Keefe with his proposal to build on his property at Gurney Land and West Mountain. Rich has partnered with British American, which has built many attractive office buildings in the Albany area. This will be a quality building. Rich is a smart businessman and has a history of building at less cost than the County, so there is profit for him as well as savings for County taxpayers.

Frank has encouraged the Committee to give the proposal serious consideration and has brought in a well-regarded finance expert to assist in the lease vs. build analysis, but Committee Chair John Haskell has been uncooperative, throwing roadblocks and delaying release of necessary specifications. The first roadblock was to claim that a Siemens co-generation facility on the County property provides substantial energy savings over alternative proposals. Upon closer look, that co-generation facility built for the County nursing home is losing money, probably hundreds of thousands of dollars annually! Likewise, Hudson Valley Community College has not reaped the anticipated benefits from their Siemens co-generation project (Times Union 1/16/07).

When challenged at a Committee meeting last month, the co-generation roadblock was quickly removed (probably because they belatedly realized they have a problem with it), but questions about co-generation losses were dismissed with a vague comment about Medicaid reimbursement. Interesting… sounds like taxpayer dollars are still covering the losses. Once again, County officials involved in the co-generation project followed poor business practices, not consulting the County Treasurer on financial aspects, nor NYSERTA or NIMO on technical aspects.

It’s our money they are spending, and our needed social services they are dispensing. Your presence at the meeting on Feb. 7th will send the message to the Supervisors that we are watching and that they need to do a better job.

Regarding the fire training tower, we have learned nothing further officially. It seems that they are avoiding putting their plans in writing so that we can’t FOIL it. The latest word is Nick Caimano and Fred Champaign have taken us seriously and will vote against the ACC location, but Dan Stec, Bill Van Ness and Matt Sokol (who replaced Mike Barody) are supporting the ACC location. There does not seem to be a serious effort to explore alternative sites. We have to keep up the pressure.

I hope to see you on the 7th!

Kathy"

4. Video: The War Tapes

DFA National in Burlington is urging all local DFA groups to air a new video, The War Tapes sometime between the 9th and 28th of February. This powerful new video is unique: it was not made by professional video or filmmakers, instead it was shot by soldiers themselves. Accordingly, it is said to be the most intimate and realistic video ever made on Iraq.

We will discuss the exact time, place and date at our meeting Wednesday, but we need 15 people to RSVP in order to get a free copy for showing. Will you take the time today to click this link and RSVP? That will help us get started. http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=17682

5. Army Deployment Expose

A related story appeared today in the San Francisco Chronicle: "Corners cut in rush to add troops: Shorter training time, lack of equipment hurt readiness, experts say"

According to the Chronicle, " Soldiers of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division had so little time between deployments to Iraq they had to cram more than a year's worth of training into four months. Some had only a few days to learn how to fire their new rifles before they deployed to Iraq -- for the third time -- last month. They had no access to the heavily armored vehicles they will be using in Iraq, so they trained on a handful of old military trucks instead. And some soldiers were assigned to the brigade so late that they had no time to train in the United States at all. Instead of the yearlong training recommended prior to deployment, they prepared for war during the two weeks they spent in Kuwait, en route to Anbar, Iraq's deadliest province."

A military disaster clearly is in the making. This is the must read of the week:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/02/04/MNG9ONUKVT1.DTL

6. Florida Dumps Touchscreen Voting Machines

Another issue we may be working on this year (depending on what happens in Albany) is the purchase by local counties of new voting machines. There has been a major development: Florida is dumping its touch screen machines: Broward (Miami) County and Palm Beach county alone will throw 10,000 touch screen machines into the dumpster. They will all be replaced by optically scanned paper ballots.
This is probably the end of the line for touch screen machines.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/02/us/02voting.html?ei=5094&en=9f5342a78ef82375&hp=&ex=1170478800&partner=homepage&pagewanted=all

7. Friday Night Progressive Film Fest

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive film fest continues at 7:30pm with:

Feb 9 THE UNTOLD STORY OF EMMETT LOUIS TILL (2005) Keith A. Beauchamp 70 min.
In August 1955, Mamie Till-Mobely of Chicago sent her only child, 14-year old Emmett Louis Till, to visit relatives in the Mississippi Delta. Little did she know that 8-days later, Emmett would be abducted from his Great-Uncle's home, brutally beaten and murdered for one of the oldest Southern Taboos: addressing a white woman in public. The murderers were soon arrested but later acquitted of murder by an all-white, all-male jury. However, Emmett did not die in vain. His horrific, senseless death sparked media attention when his mother insisted on having an open casket funeral. Her decision was controversial but her reason was simple. She defended her decision by stating, "I want the world to see what they did to my son." Till's death sparked the Black Resistance of the South which later became known as the American Civil Rights Movement. Scholars and historians have studied the murder of Emmett Till ever since, and the case has even made its way through African-American folklore


Sorry some of these are brief: ay habe ah kuld.

See you all Wednesday!

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:14 AM 0 comments