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