Tricounty DFA Update; Vigil, Meeting Poll, War, Democrats, Future
Hello Everyone;

In this update for July 29, 2008;


1. Vigil Saturday, 11am Downtown Glens Falls
2. August Meeting? A Poll
3. National Security And Democrats
4. Democratic Future, Congressional Failure
5. Iran War Resolution Actions
6. Friday Night Progressive Film Festival




1. Vigil Saturday, 11am Downtown Glens Falls

There will be another vigil for peace and to bring our troops home this Saturday, August 2nd at 11am at the corner of Bay, South and Glens Streets in downtown Glens Falls, in front of the Civil War monument. Please bring a friend and a sign; a couple of regulars may be away, so we will need some reinforcements.

2. August Meeting? A Poll

A week from today is the first Wednesday in August, and the day of our usual monthly meeting. However, I have heard from so many people that they are going to be away, that I think it is appropriate to poll and see how many of you plan on coming. If you are planning to come, please respond back and let me know, otherwise we will plan on a big September meeting where we can get going working for Obama!

3. National Security And Democrats

As I noted in my last update, there is some confusion being generated as to what is actually going on in Iraq. There are a pair of corrective pieces.

There is a review by Samantha Powers, of some recent books by Democrats in the New York Review of Books. http://www.nybooks.com/articles/21670

There is also a largely overlooked article on military.com on the so-called Awakening Councils in Iraq; the former insurgents we bribed to stop killing our troops are getting restive, and want more money. That, of course, is the problem with paying blackmail-- it's easy to start but the demands never end: http://www.military.com/news/article/exinsurgents-want-more-money-or-else.html?col=1186032310810

The terrible thing about the bribery campaign, paying protection money, is that it reduced the incentive for the Iraqi Shiites in power to come to terms with their neighbors, which means it will in the long run actually prolong the war and postpone a political settlement, the only way the war will ever end.

Powers was/is an advisor to Barack Obama on foreign policy. She makes the case that it is Democrats who have the strongest position on foreign policy. She is also clear why Democrats have so often sabotaged themselves:

"Unfortunately, the Democrats have too often failed to contest... dangerous conservative fantasies. This is is the subject of Matthew Yglesias's briskly written, provocative book entitled Heads in the Sand. Yglesias draws on the last decade of US foreign policy to build his case that the Democratic Party's position on national security "has mostly been to play Charlie Brown perennially falling down as Lucy yanks away the football, swearing not to be fooled again...."
"...mainstream Democrats, in the run-up to the war in Iraq, caricatured the antiwar left as a way of flaunting their national security bona fides. The intraparty squabble inhibited the creation of a pluralistic coalition united against the administration's unilateralism and militarism."



4. Democratic Future, Congressional Failure

Glenn Greenwald on Salon.com brilliantly addresses a question Powers alludes to obliquely- the so-called Blue Dogs Democrats are willing to undermine their party and betray their own rank and file because they fear no consequences. They have been conditioned to believe rank and file Democrats will not stand up and get tough with them. Greenwald shows we have to change that mentality -- it is key to taking back America, by taking back our party. http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/07/29/blue_dogs_die/print.html

Dick sent this quote out earlier today:

"As foolish as it is, this intense aversion to jeopardizing any Democratic incumbents might be considered rational if doing so carried the risk of restoring Republican control of Congress. But there is no such risk, and there will be none for the foreseeable future. No matter what happens, the Democrats, by all accounts, are going to control both houses of Congress after the 2008 election. Their margin in the House, which is currently 31 seats, will, by even the most conservative estimates, increase to at least 50 seats. No advertising campaign or activist group could possibly swing control of Congress to the Republicans this year, and -- given the Brezhnev-era-like reelection rates for incumbents in America -- it is extremely unlikely that the House will be controlled by anyone other than Steny Hoyer, Rahm Emanuel and Nancy Pelosi for years to come."

The next battle won't be between the Democrats and Republicans. It will be between the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party and the Republican Wing of the Democratic Party. The battle is shaping up all over America now in a very conscious effort.


5. Iran War Resolution Actions

DFA communications partner Credo Action is still concerned about House Resolution 362, which calls for a naval blockade of Iran, an act of war. Many Democrats have withdrawn support for this outrageous piece of legislation, but it still could be brought up. Contact members of Congress to let them you know oppose any flirting with yet another war with Iran. http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/no_iran_blockade/?r_by=622-1602218-b_bmFux&rc=paste


6. Friday Night Progressive Film Festival


The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive Film Festival continues with:

Fri Aug 1 7:30 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FEST (Oft-overlooked free family movies all summer long)
WAKING NED DEVINE (1998) Kirk Jones 111 min. RT Rating = 82 %
A comedy about the inhabitants of Tulley More, a small Irish town with a population of fifty-two and dwindling. When Jackie and Michael discover that someone in their town has won the national lottery, they intend to uncover the lucky individual and talk him into sharing the jackpot with them. Trouble arises when they discover it's good old Ned Devine, and no longer is he one of the living. The citizens must band together and fool the authorities into believing that Ned is still alive, in order for them to receive the money and share it amongst themselves.


Thanks, everyone! Let me know what you think about an August meeting,

Larry

Labels: Attack On Iran, Democracy For America, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, Iraq War, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, vigil

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:49 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Vigil Saturday 11am, Other Events, Gore & Pickens, more
Hello Everyone;

In this update for July 23rd, 2008;


1. Vigil Saturday
2. Fact Check On The Surge & The Reduction of VIolence
3. Push Back On Iran Working
4. Events: Yepsen, Muller, Dems For Change & Thompson
5. Gore & PIckens
6. Friday Night Progressive Film Fest


1. Vigil Saturday

There will be another vigil for peace and to bring our troops home this Saturday, July 26th at 11am at the corner of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls, in front of the Civil War Monument. Bring a sign and a friend. If there is a coin drop again, we'll just move to the roundabout.

2. Fact Check On The Surge & The Reduction of VIolence

A Special Note: There has been some confusion generated by the right wing as to what is happening in Iraq: it is alleged that violence is down and that the surge has succeeded. This is not true.

The first thing that has happened is that ethnic cleansing has driven millions of Iraqis from their homes, often into exile abroad, or killed thousands of others. If this is peace, it is the peace of a graveyard.

It is interesting that ethic cleaning is bad in the Balkans or Africa, but when it occurs in Iraq under US military occupation, it somehow is okay-- it's "peace."

Secondly, the US military has bribed large numbers of Iraqi resistance fighters: this bribery is the basis of the so-called awakening councils. But bribing your enemies, what used to be called tribute, or appeasement, is not a strategy. It is the complete absence of a strategy. We went to War with Tripoli in 1805 because we refused to pay tribute to the Barbary Pirates. We learned way back then paying tribute only made things worse later.

Third, other Iraqi forces, for instance Al-Sadr's, have called a ceasefire. And why not? They knew the escalation of US forces in Iraq was unsustainable. So they just decided to wait us out.

The purpose of the surge was to produce a political settlement. But there is no settlement in sight. Indeed, the US occupation is the principal obstacle to a settlement, because it leads present Iraqi leaders to conclude they never have to come to a political settlement and share power as long as US troops have their back.

This week what passes for the leadership of Iraq effectively endorsed Obama's plan to withdraw US forces over a 16 month period. They realize he is going to win. And so they are finally moving. The rather vague promise of an eventual withdrawal by Obama was enough to produce the only real movement so far by the Iraqi leaders. Imagine what an actual withdrawal could accomplish!


3. Push Back On Iran Working

According to Alternet, the left's push back on Congressional efforts to authorize a naval blockade of Iran, an act of war, seems to be succeeding, with members of the House taking their names off HR 362. http://www.alternet.org/story/92395/

If you haven't contacted your members of Congress, it might be worth considering, because this may be working.


4. Events: Yepsen, Muller, Dems For Change

Yepsen

Saratoga Supervisor and State Senate Candidate Joanne Yepsen will be holding her annual race track Opening Day Open House on Saturday, July 26, from 6-9pm.

The location this year is the Prime Restaurant at the Saratoga National Golf Club, 258 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Suggested donations are $50, food and beverages will be served.

Please R.S.V.P. by Sunday, July 20th, to Citizens For Yepsen, c/o John Foster, P.O. Box 1042, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, or 583-8817. Please make checks out to Citizens For Yepsen.

Muller

There will be a Meet The Candidate Reception to Support Bob Muller, Supreme Court Candidate for the 4th Judicial District, at Dango’s Dugout, 43 Main Street, South Glens Falls, NY. The date is Wednesday, July 30, 2008 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Donation: $35.00 per person

Delicious hors d’oeuvres, Open Bar 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cash Bar 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. R.S.V.P: Appreciated but not required. Please contact Tom McDonough 792-0915, Den Tarantino 792-6516, Dan Mannix 793-2535.

Learn more about Bob Muller at www.bobmuller2008.com


Dems For Change

This in today from the Spa City: These are the real Democrats, not what you might call Bruno Democrats.

"You’re invited to a Fundraiser for Democrats for Change, also benefitting Shawn Thompson for NY State Committee:
"Thursday, August 7, 6 - 8 pm at the home of Nancy and George Cain 6 Roundtable Rd., Saratoga Springs.
"Suggested contribution $25"

"Can’t make it? Send a check to: Democrats for Change, c/o Thilo Ullmann, 244 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Please RSVP to Mary at 366-8582 or email, mmzlotnick@aol.com

"Democrats for Change is a new group of Saratoga Springs Democrats who have come together to change our local party and Democratic Committee for the better. We include committed Democrats from across our City who are running to serve on the Committee. Our numbers are growing daily, and we invite you to join and support us. "

"Shawn Thompson is a member of Democrats for Change who is running for re-election to represent Saratoga Springs, Ballston, Milton, Greenfield, Charlton and Galway on the NYS Democratic Committee. Shawn’s combination of experience in government and his relationships in Albany and statewide make him the ideal state committee person for us. Shawn was Chair of the Saratoga Springs City Democratic Committee when it swept the 2005 election with 7 for 7 Democratic wins. "

find out more:
http://www.SaratogaDemsForChange.com


5. Gore & PIckens

However, the most important thing that happened for the future last week-- and quite a few of you sent this to me-- was Al Gore's plan to turn America's energy crisis around AND fight Global Climate Change at the same time. This is the kind of leadership people are really looking for: we can get all our electricity from clean, renewable sources in ten years. Check out Gore's message at his new organization, http://www.wecansolveit.org/

Moveon also has a petition supporting Gore's plan: http://pol.moveon.org/gorechallenge/?r_by=13302-3466257-uZTBlmx&rc=comment_paste

Several of you also sent me T. Boone Picken's plan, which certainly deserves a high honorable mention, although Picken's is mainly concerned about energy independence and the economy, not Climate Change, which is the big issue of the next century. Check that out at: http://www.pickensplan.org/


6. Friday Night Progressive Film Fest

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive Family Film Festival continues with:

Fri Jul 25 7:30 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FEST (Oft-overlooked free family movies all summer long)
LOCAL HERO (1983) Bill Forsyth 111 min. RT Rating = 100 %
A Texas oil company attempts to buy out a Scottish fishing village for a refinery, and the result is utter confusion. One of the town's least prominent citizens owns a strategic piece of property which he refuses to sell. A warm, well-acclaimed comedy with Peter Riegart and Burt Lancaster.

Also, Bert sends along this interview with Dennis Kucinich about impeachment. The odds are long, but one can dream...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv478I8p3e8



Thanks, Everyone!

Larry

Labels: 4th Judicial District, Al Gore, Attack On Iran, Climate Change, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, Iraq War, New York Supreme Court, Robert Muller, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, vigil

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:11 AM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Vigil, Picnics, War With Iran? More
Hello Everyone;

In this update for July 17, 2008:

1. Vigil Saturday For Peace & To Bring Troops Home, 11am, Downtown Glens Falls
2. Washington County Picnic, Yepsen Open House
3. Is War With Iran Coming?
4. Rockhill Friday Night Film Festival


1. Vigil Saturday For Peace & To Bring Troops Home, 11am, Downtown Glens Falls

There will be another vigil for peace and to bring our troops home this Saturday from 11am until Noon. The location will be the corners of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls. Please come and bring a friend and a sign.

Last week there was a charity coin drop downtown -- in the event something like that happens again, we will again just move down Glen Street to the Roundabout.


2. Washington County Picnic, Yepsen Open House


The Washington County Democrats Annual Picnic will be held this weekend, and you are invited.
Where: Roger’s Island, just outside Fort Edward

When: July 19 from noon—6:00pm.

Confirmed guests include Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, Ian McGaughey, Assembly candidate for the 112th District, and Bob Muller, candidate for Supreme Court Justice, Fourth District.

The Committee will provide barbecue meats; everyone is asked to bring a dish to share.


Feel free to bring any non-alcoholic beverages.
Beer and wine will be sold by the Idle Hour Club for $2.00 each.
Note: No alcohol can be brought into the park
Cost is $18 per individual; $35 per couple
For tickets contact your local town chair or Judy Doonan: 692-7215


Saratoga Supervisor and State Senate Candidate Joanne Yepsen will be holding her annual race track Opening Day Open House on Saturday, July 26, from 6-9pm.

The location this year is the Prime Restaurant at the Saratoga National Golf Club, 258 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Suggested donations are $50, food and beverages will be served.

Please R.S.V.P. by Sunday, July 20th, to Citizens For Yepsen, c/o John Foster, P.O. Box 1042, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, or 583-8817. Please make checks out to Citizens For Yepsen.

3. Is War With Iran Coming?

Very mixed signals are coming out of Washington today about the danger of a Bush administration attack on Iran. At the same time, the US appears to be talking to Iran.

But the concern is great enough that True Majority today sent out an online petition calling on Congress to vote against Hr. 362, which it says is essentially a declaration of war against Iran. http://act.truemajorityaction.org/p/7002/iranblockade?campaign_KEY=1537

Right now it is in committee and it is unclear if it will get out of committee before the Congress recesses. It could be posturing by politicians trying to look tough. But it is a recklessly dangerous game, if so. Bush has grossly abused and overextended vague Congressional resolutions before.

Is he crazy enough to drag the US into a third mideast war, one that could crash the entire world economy? Who knows? But what if he does? Will Congress stop him? The record there isn't encouraging, if it happens. That's why this is so dangerous.

Bert sends these links along, one to a disturbing piece by former weapons inspector Scott Ritter. http://www.commondreams.org/news2008/0716-05.htm http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/07/14/10337/


4. Rockhill Friday Night Film Festival

Fri Jul 18 7:30 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FEST (Oft-overlooked free family movies all summer long)
BEING THERE (1979) Hal Ashby 130 min. RT Rating = 97 %
Based on Jerzy Kosinski's short comic novel about a simpleton, Chance (Peter Sellers), raised in isolation whose only education came from watching TV. When he's forced out of the house where he worked as a gardener by the death of the wealthy recluse who raised him from infancy, he's fortuitously struck by a limousine carrying Eve Rand (Shirley MacLaine), the wife of a wealthy industrialist. He's mistaken, because of his well-tailored suits, for a man of means and taken to dinner with her husband, Ben Rand (Melvyn Douglas). There, as Chauncy Gardner, his blank affect is taken for seriousness and his literal pronouncements about gardening for metaphoric economic predictions. Soon he's meeting the president (Jack Warden) and becoming a star on TV--where he's a natural. Kosinski was well known to be personally fascinated by the power of television. In BEING THERE, which he adapted for the screen himself, he presents a comic fable about a man whose entire sense of reality came from watching television. Sellers is marvelous as the always-deadpan cipher in whom everyone he meets sees whatever it is they need to see. Shirley MacLaine, Jack Warden, and Melvyn Douglas give outstanding performances in this biting satire directed by Hal Ashby.

Thanks everyone! See you all soon,

Larry

Labels: 4th Judicial District, Attack On Iran, Democracy For America, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, Iraq War, New York Supreme Court, Robert Muller, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, vigil

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:06 AM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Vigil Saturday, FISA Debacle, Judges, More
Hello Everyone;

In This Update For Thursday, July 10m 2008:

1. Vigil Saturday, 11am Downtown Glens Falls
2. Congressional Debacle On FISA: ACLU Challenge
3. But Thank Clinton & Schumer
4. Iraq Leader Wants US Out
5. No More Bush Judges
6. Help Save Antioch
7. Friday Night Film Festival


1. Vigil Saturday, 11am Downtown Glens Falls

We will be holding another weekly vigil for peace and to bring our troops home this Saturday, July 12th, from 11am until Noon in front of the Civil War Monument at the corner of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls. Please come and bring a friend and a sign.


2. Congressional Debacle On FISA: ACLU Challenge

As you probably all know, the Senate caved in Wednesday and gave George Bush yet another great victory, and the destruction of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, so desired by the right wing. As has been the case, author and commentator Glenn Greenwald on Salon, has been a real national hero for his advocacy on this issue. His final take, entitled "Strength Through Bowing," is a must read: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/07/10/democrats/index.html

On the bright side (if there is one) the ACLU is challenging this repudiation of right sAmericans have fought for since patriot pioneer James Otis challenged the Writs of Assistance in 1765, starting a legal quarrel that helped lead to the American Revolution. Greenwald on that: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/07/10/aclu/


3. But Thank Clinton & Schumer

But is it important to give credit where credit is due, and great credit is due to our two Senators, Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer, who were among the 29 who stood up for what this country stands for. I suggest dropping them a note and thanking them:
clinton.senate.gov/contact
schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm


4. Iraq Leader Wants US Out

Another extraordinary story, coming as it does on the Congress' cave-in to Bush on war funding, is that Iraqi leader Maliki now wants a timetable for the US to get out of Iraq. This is remarkable, coming from what is little more than a puppet government created by the administration to comply with its desire to occupy their country and control their oil, and it certainly puts Congress' recent vote to continue the war for another year in a different light: http://www.truthout.org/article/maliki-stunner-he-wants-us-pullout-timetable

5. No More Bush Judges

Drew sends this along this excellent idea from Credo Action-- Credo (formerly Working Assets ) is calling on the Senate to confirm no more Bush judges before President Obama is sworn in. Bush has done enough to pack the courts with right wing clones. Filling those seats can wait: http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/no_more_bush_judges/?rc=du

6. Help Save Antioch

Hilary sends this along: Antiioch College, which has been called the founding college of American progressivism, is in danger of extinction. You can sign a petition to help save it and learn more at: http://petition.antiochians.org/


7. Friday Night Film Festival


The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive Film Festival continues with"

Fri Jul 11 7:30 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FEST (Oft-overlooked free family movies all summer long)
HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971) Hal Ashby 91 min. RT Rating = 86 %
In the days before home video, when access to anything but first-run Hollywood movies was limited to repertory houses and college film societies, Hal Ashby's HAROLD AND MAUDE achieved cult status and became a surprise hit. In a broad sense, the film is a simple love story about how opposites attract--only, this time around, he's 19 and she's 79. Harold, played with deadpan humor by Bud Cort (M*A*S*H), is under extreme pressure from his overbearing mother, Mrs. Chasen (Vivian Pickles, in a performance that is a sheer delight), to enter the dating world. Unfortunately, the shy and morose Harold would rather spend his time attending the funerals of complete strangers. It is at one of these where he meets Maude (Ruth Gordon), who has the spunk and energy of a teenager. Maude is convinced that Harold needs to come out of his shell and enjoy life, so she brings him into hers. The taboo relationship between Harold and Maude, created by screenwriter Colin Higgins, embodied the spirit of an experimental generation guided by the mantra "If it feels good, do it." The love affair between the film's two eccentrics remains one of Hollywood's most unexpected, but tender, romances. The soundtrack, with songs by Cat Stevens, provides an effective thematic bridge as Harold crosses from extended adolescence into manhood.


Thanks everyone! See you all soon,

Larry

Labels: Credo Action, Democracy For America, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, FISA, Iraq Timeline, Iraq War, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, Supplemental Bill, vigil, Writs Of Assistance

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:27 PM 0 comments