Tricounty DFA Update: Vigil Saturday, Meeting Next Week-- Fall Action Planning
Hello Everyone;

In This Update For August 28th, 2008:


1. It's Official! Obama-Biden
2. Vigil Saturday 11am Downtown Glens Falls
3. Meeting Next Week
4. Liberals Preferred-- Democratic WIng Of the Democratic Party
5. Solar Power
6. Friday Night Film Fest


1. It's Official! Obama-Biden

With Hilary Clinton's extremely gracious floor motion yesterday to make the nomination of Barack Obama unanimous, Obama-Biden is now the official national ticket of the Democratic Party. Tonight, there will be a special video tribute to DNC Chair and DFA founder Governor Howard Dean, followed by an address by Governor Dean. Vice President, and President-Actually-Elected Al Gore will later make a speech introducing Sen. Obama. None are to be missed, just like Sen. John Kerry's and President Bill Clinton's yesterday.

For all of this, including the clockwork management of an often unruly Democratic National Convention, great credit must be given to DFA's founder, Governor Howard Dean. As Katie Couric noted on CBS News, Gov. Dean put on this great show, the man who behind the scenes is rebuilding the Democratic Party.


2. Vigil Saturday 11am Downtown Glens Falls

We'll be having another vigil for peace and to bring our troops home this Saturday, August 30th, from 11am unitl Noon at the corners of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls, in front of the Civil War Monument. Please come and bring a friend and a sign!


3. Meeting Next Week

After taking a break in August, we will be having our usual monthly Glens Falls DFA meeting next Wednesday, Sept. 3rd, at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe at Elm Street and Hudson Avenue in downtown Glens Falls, one block west from the roundabout.

On the agenda will be our action agenda for Obama-Biden and candidates like Bob Muller. NewYork State is certain to go heavily for Obama, so much of our activity will likely focus on calling out of state, for instance to Pennsylvania. Sen. Biden today said today that Democrats cannot take back the White House without taking Pennsylvania, that it is a must win: http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2008/08/28/D92RCVB80_cvn_biden/index.html?source=refresh

I would note that with the sad passing of Glens Falls Mayor LeRoy Akins, there will now also be a Mayor's race in the City of Glens Falls. Because there can't be a primary (it's too late), there looks to be several Democrats running, either as endorsed candidates, or as independent Democrats. So we will be discussing holding candidate forums.


4. Liberals Preferred-- Democratic WIng Of the Democratic Party

Governor Dean rose to national prominence by advancing the "Democratic wing of the Democratic Party," a phrase first coined by Paul Wellstone. Chucl Schumer now agrees that liberal and progressive positions are now ascendent, bringing the party back on track again. David Sirota also thinks there's hope, but believes we must guard against those who would push Obama off track. The must reads for the week:

http://www.truthout.org/article/liberal-positions-gaining-popularity
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2008083528/rise-democratic-wing-democratic-party


5. Solar Power

One of the things we are going to be hearing about from Obama-Biden this year is an emphasis on alternative energy, including wind and solar. We can't put windmills on our houses, but solar panels are a real possibility. But where to get the information?

Roof Ray has created one of the coolest Internet widgets I have seen in a long time. You enter your address, and a Google satellite photo of your house is called up. You can then "draw" a solar array on your roof. The website then gives you all the specifications, including power output and cost. Take a look at http://www.roofray.com/calculators

Unfortunately, in this area at present prices, the payoff point is distant. That shows the importance of bring the cost of solar cells down.
http://www.roofray.com/calculators

6. Friday Night Film Fest

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive FIlm Fest continues with:

FRI AUG 29 7:30 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FEST (Oft-overlooked free family movies all summer long)
THE BEST OF VICTOR BORGE (1990) Victor Borge 90 min. RT Rating = NA
The master classical music funnyman is shown performing his most beloved routines in this live concert. Among the bits are the Mozart salute "My Favorite Barber," the aria from "Rigor Mortis," "The Timid Page Turner," "Inflationary Language," and "Danish Lullaby." There are very few videos in my own collection that I've coerced my children into watching that they will also admit to appreciating. This is one that required much convincing but they have asked to watch it numerous times since. I got them to watch it under the guise that it was something completely different and they fell right into it and loved it in spite of their aversion to pianos, tuxedos, senior citizens and all things classical and operatic. If you've never treated your kids (or yourself) to Victor Borge, you may find that you've never really laughed yet. Much like Bill Cosby's performance in "Himself", Borge is extremely gifted and hilarious and completely accessible to anyone of almost any age. You'll be glad you pushed your kids to see it (and so will they).

Thanks, everyone! See you all soon,

Larry

Labels: 4th Judicial District, Democracy For America, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, Howard Dean, Joe Biden, New York Supreme Court, Obama, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, vigil

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 5:28 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Vigil Saturday, McCain's Seven Houses, Circuit Breaker
Hello Everyone;

In this update for August 21, 2008:


1. VIgil Saturday, Downtown Glens Falls, 11am
2 The House of the Seven McCains
3. Conservatives & POW's Warn Against McCain
4. WFP Appeals For Property Tax Circuit Breaker
5. Friday Night Film Fest


1. VIgil Saturday, Downtown Glens Falls, 11am

We will be holding our usual vigil for peace and to bring our troops home this Saturday, August 23rd at 11am at the corners of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls, in front of the CIvil War Monument. Please come and bring a sign and a friend! As usual, if there are other events downtown, we will relocate to the roundabout.


2 The House of the Seven McCains

It's been a pretty dark week for John McCain, one reminiscent of the gothic gloom of Hawthorne's House Of The Seven Gables. In McCain's case Hawthorne might be paraphrased, Gaffs Of The Seven Houses. Wednesday he was asked by the website magazine Politico how many houses he and his heiress wife Cindy owned. His answer was (and I am not making this up!) "I'm not sure... I'll have to check with my staff."

Obama promptly ridiculed his answer-- McCain wants to run for President and he has to ask his staff how many houses he owns? http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign22-2008aug22,0,751005,full.story

Filmmaker Robert Greenwald has a video out showing some of McCain's million dollar mansions: http://therealmccain.com/?utm_source=rgemail


3. Conservatives & POW's Warn Against McCain

Also, one of McCain's former POW cellmates at the so-called Hanoi Hilton prison in North Vietnam wrote a column for military.com detailing his long personal knowledge of McCain, dating back to when they were both at Annnapolis, spelling out a veteran and former POW's case why McCain should not be trusted with power: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,164859_1,00.html

Roger also sends along this remarkable piece from conservative CNN columnist Jack Cafferty. "Jack Cafferty says John McCain shows virtually no intellectual curiosity, emulating President Bush" and would be just like him: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/18/cafferty.mccain/index.html


4. WFP Appeals For Property Tax Circuit Breaker

The State Assembly this week passed a property tax "circuit breaker" that would limit property taxes paid by working people by imposing a small tax increase on millionaires. This is a big breakthrough for New York that could do wonders for average working New Yorkers and help revitalize the state economy.

The WFP now has an email campaign to get the State Senate to take up and pass this important bill, which would really beneft huge numbers of people in our area. For the petition and more info: http://action.workingfamiliesparty.org/t/2775/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2280

There's also a calculator to tell you how much you would save. Try it and I suspect you'll see why this really matters.

5. Friday Night Film Fest

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

FRI AUG 22 7:30 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FEST (Oft-overlooked free family movies all summer long)
GREGORY'S GIRL (1981) Bill Forsyth 91 min. RT Rating = 92 %
Lanky young Gregory and his schoolmates are just starting to notice the opposite sex. Lacking confidence and unsure of exactly what to do, Gregory sets out to win the heart of Dee, a classmate who unfortunately is much better at soccer than he is. Scottish director Bill Forsyth imbues this small, heartfelt, and singularly quirky tale of adolescent longing with an astoundingly generous dose of sensitivity and true-to-life heart.

Thanks everyone!

Larry

Labels: Democracy For America, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, elections, Iraq War, John McCain, Obama, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:26 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Vigil, Walmart Breaks Election Law, Irony, more
Hello Everyone;

First, on behalf of everyone, I would like to express our condolences to the family of Glens Falls Mayor Leroy Akins, who died this week. Roy was a gentle man, who relished being mayor because of the many new friends he could make, who now mourn him.

In this update for Thursday, August 14th, 2008:

1. VIgil Saturday, 11am, Downtown Glens Falls
2. Investigate Walmart
3. Summer Must Reads
4. Word Irony Removed From Dictionary
5. Bush Crimes
6. Muller Endorsed
7. Rockhill Friday Night 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 15th, at 11am at the corners of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls. Please come, bring a sign and a friend. (I may not be able to make it personally this time, but I will be there in spirit!)

2. Investigate Walmart

Walmart has been caught telling its employees not to vote for Democratic candidates, because a Democratic victory in November would be bad for the company, specifically, a new Democratic administration might enforce the basic human right to unionize. This is illegal electioneering by a corporation. Walmart Watch is asking for people to sign a petition calling on the FEC to investigate. http://action.walmartwatch.com/fec


3. Summer Must Reads

With the Olympics on, the country is at a bit of a political pause. Fortunately, there's a couple of things really worth reading that have appeared this week.

First, Michael Moore is back with a great piece in Rolling Stone with Six Things The Democrats Can Do To Blow The Election in November. It's great and they are: 1. Keep saying nice things about McCain. 2. Pick a running mate who is a conservative white guy or a general or a Republican. 3. Keep writing speeches for Obama that make him sound like a hawk. 4. Forget that this was a historic year for women. 5. Show up to a gunfight with a peashooter. 6. Denounce me! (Michael Moore) It's hilarious and dead on. The big message? Don't blow off progressives or take them for granted: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/22249602/how_the_democrats_can_blow_it_in_six_easy_steps/print

Second, there's a pair of great pieces by former Army colonel Andrew Bracevich on the illusions of military power under Bush, and the need to get back to the concept of citizen's armies staffed by citizen soldiers. http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/08/15/victory/print.html
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/174965/andrew_bacevich_the_lessons_of_endless_war


4. Word Irony Removed From Dictionary

Also, today the word "irony" was officially removed from dictionaries. The word was deemed to no longer have any meaning after George Bush accused Russia of "bullying and intimidation" for following his example in Iraq by attacking Georgia. http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080815/D92INPPO1.html


5. Bush Crimes

Also very interesting, SLATE has created an interactive guide: WHO IN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION BROKE THE LAW, AND WHO COULD BE PROSECUTED? http://www.slate.com/id/2195533/


6. Muller Endorsed

The Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties Central Trades and Labor Council endorsed Robert Muller for Supreme Court Justice in the 4th Judicial District. We endorsed Bob at our June meeting. He is the only Democrat out of four candidates running for the seat. Yo can catch up on his campaign at http://www.bobmuller2008.com



7. Rockhill Friday Night Film Festival


FRI AUG 15 7:30 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FEST (Oft-overlooked free family movies all summer long)
RING OF BRIGHT WATER (1969) Jack Couffer 103 min. RT Rating = 100 %
A jaded Londoner's life is transformed by a domesticated otter he purchases from a pet store. When the hustle of the city proves too much for the pair, they relocate to the bucolic Scottish highlands, where the man falls in love with a rural physician and the otter sires a family in the wild. Based on the eponymous memoirs of Gavin Maxwell.

Labels: 4th Judicial District, 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 @ 11:45 AM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Reminder-Vigil Saturday, 11am Downtown GF, More On Surge Failure
Hello Everyone;

In this update for August 7th, 2008:


1. Vigil Downtown Glens Falls 11am Saturday
2. Democratic Strategist On Failure of Surge
3. Karl Rove In Inherent Contempt?
4. Let Obama Know!
5. Friday Night Film Fest: Dr. Strangelove



1. Vigil Downtown Glens Falls 11am Saturday

There will be another of our weekly vigils for peace and to bring our troops home this Saturday at 11am at the corners of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls, in front of the Civil War Monument. If there are other activities downtown, the vigil is held at the roundabout. Please come and bring a friend and a sign, if you have one.


2. Democratic Strategist On Failure of Surge

Since this update leads with our vigil for peace and to bring our troops home, apropos that subject, I cannot recommend this piece from the Democratic Strategist more; it punctures the naked lie increasingly being spread that the so-called surge has succeeded in any real way and that a corner has been turned in Iraq. As this article and an accompanying piece on Salon.com makes clear, the tactics used had a domestic political focus: just get the administration and conservatives (in both parties!) through the election, before the inevitable explosion, made worse by these tactics, occurs. The depth of the cynicism of this is impossible to understate.

One thing is clear: Democrats allow any slippage of the nation's focus on Iraq as the central issue at their extreme peril. As Herman Goering famously said, if you are going to tell a lie, tell a big one, it is more likely to be believed. If the new Big Lie about Iraq is accepted, that the US is "winning," Democrats, particularly liberals and progressives, and the nation as a whole, are in big trouble-- there are many people who will find the notion of "victory" irresistible, and if they fall for that, they are going to vote for McCain.

http://www.thedemocraticstrategist.org/_memos/mccain_iraq_memo.pdf
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/08/06/sons_of_iraq/

In addition the Iraqi Parliament has adjourned without setting elections. Creating a "space" for these elections was the original pretext for the escalation. Now the elections may not be held until next July, if then.
http://www.truthout.org/article/iraqi-parliament-adjourns-without-setting-elections

And of course there are the new revelations on from author Ron Susskind on how the Bush administration forged documents to justify the invasion of Iraq: http://www.salon.com/books/review/2008/08/06/suskind/ It's all quite a load this week.



3. Karl Rove In Inherent Contempt?

Will Karl Rove ever go to jail? Drew sends along this equally terrific piece by David Swanson of Democrats.com that demonstrates more than anyone should need that Congress has the power under the Constitution to jail Rove for contempt of Congress, specifically, inherent contempt, a power Congress has held and used since 1795, but seems to be no longer willing to recognize.

Here's a basic question: why should voters trust Democrat to defend their interests and their nation, when Congressional Democrats will not even defend the status of Congress as a co-equal branch of government? http://www.smirkingchimp.com/print/16346/


4. Let Obama Know!

Obama campaigned as a progressive: now we to make clear we need to him stay a progressive: the Nation magazine has a petition urging him to stay the progressive course. It intends to present it on August 25. You can read it and sign it here: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1555/t/510/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=420

People For The American Way also has a petition urging him to pick a progressive for Vice President: http://www.pfaw.org/go/VP


5. Friday Night Film Fest: Dr. Strangelove

Finally, if you haven't seen it, don't miss Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Film Festive:

FRI AUG 8 7:30 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FEST
DR. STRANGELOVE (1964) Stanley Kubrick 90 min. RT Rating = 100 %
Stanley Kubrick's Cold War masterpiece.

Thanks everyone!

Larry

Labels: Big Lie, Democracy For America, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, Iraq, Karl Rove, lying, Obama, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, vigil

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:34 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: See you in September, Vigils To Continue, Veep Choices, More
Hello Everyone!

In this update for August 3rd, 2008:

1. Next Meeting In September, Not August
2. Vigil Saturday
3. Obama Veep Choices Raise Concerns
4. Whitehall Times On Iraq
5. Dems For Change In Saratoga
6. Rockhill Cafe Friday Night Progressive FIlm Festival


1. Next Meeting In September, Not August

Thanks to everyone who responded as to whether or not we should have an August meeting: there's a nearly unanimous consensus we should skip the August meeting, which has always been poorly attended, and plan for a big meeting right after Labor Day, which is very early this year.

So our next meeting will be September 3rd-- mark it on your calendar. We will be getting into swing working to elect Barack Obama!


2. Vigil Saturday

However, our Saturday vigils for peace and to bring out troops home have been well attended and we will continue them. Please join us next Saturday, August 9th, at 11am untill Noon at the corner of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls. I will send out a reminder later in the week.


3. Obama Veep Choices Raise Concerns

One of the things I am hearing is that people are getting concerned about who Sen. Obama will chose as Vice President, particularly that VIrginia Governor Tim Kaine seems to be leading the list. Kaine is a Democrat, but also a "right to lifer" and is even opposed to stem cell research. This is not the way to get disgruntled Clinton supporters back in the ranks. Another large issue is that bogus Republican claims about the surge's success seem to be hoodwinking some people.

Dick sends this suggestion along:

"Considering who is left in the race for VP, Wesley Clark, a four star general and former Supreme Commander of NATO and a strong Democrat would surely be the stronger choice to fend off attacks on our Presidential candidate from the nut-house Far Right. (like, he doesn't have enough military experience ? )

http://www.obamaclark.com/


4. Whitehall Times On Iraq

Mike sends this along, and it is remarkable. When the Whitehall Times comes out with editorials like this, you know support for the war and other right wing adventures in Upstate NY has simply imploded.

"Thought others might be interested in this Op/ed from the Whitehall Times July 31, 2008:

"A Legacy of Pain

"AP- MONDAY, JULY 28 – WASHINGTON – The next president will inherit a record budget deficit of $482 billion, according to a new Bush administration estimate.
A Bush administration official said the deficit was being driven to an all-time high by the sagging economy and the stimulus payments being made to 130 million households in an effort to keep the country from falling into a deep recession. A $482 billion deficit would easily surpass the record deficit of $413 billion set in 2004.
Government officials confirmed the $482 billion figure Monday on condition of anonymity because the new estimate had not been formally released. Administration officials were scheduled to do that at a news conference later in the day.
The new figure actually underestimates the deficit, since it leaves out about $80 billion in war costs. In a break from tradition -- and in violation of new mandates from Congress – the White House did not include its full estimate of war costs.

These four paragraphs were part of an Associated Press lead story Monday morning. Note the final sentence relating to the White House not including ($)80 billion in war costs.
The huge deficit is just one legacy President Bush will leave to his successor – and you and me – when he leaves office in January 2009.
On top of this you can tack on a legacy of violating the Geneva Convention (and endangering the lives of US soldiers, by doing so), of steamrolling our nation into a needless war in Iraq when the real war was with Al Qaeda in Afghanistan (a war that will unfortunately pick up the slack from the war in Iraq), of trying to blur the line between church and state, of denying the impact of global warming and even trying to prevent government scientists from telling the truth about it, of never instituting a sensible energy policy (especially right at 9/11 when our nation would have rallied around such an effort). The list goes on and on.
President Bush cannot leave office soon enough.
Unfortunately, this nation will be dealing with (and seeking to repair) his sad legacy for a very long time.


5. Dems For Change In Saratoga

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



6. Rockhill Cafe Friday Night Progressive FIlm Festival

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe continues its Friday Night Progressive Film Festival with one of the great classic films on war and madness, Dr. Strangelove!

Fri Aug 8 7:30 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FEST
DR. STRANGELOVE (1964) Stanley Kubrick 90 min. RT Rating = 100 %
Stanley Kubrick's Cold War masterpiece. Based on the novel RED ALERT by Peter George, the film is set at the height of the tensions between Russia and the United States, when all it would take to destroy the world was one push of a button. And General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) is just the man to do it. Convinced that the Russians have infiltrated America's "vital essence," the crazed Ripper gives the go code to the 843rd bomb wing to attack Russia, setting in motion a series of darkly hilarious vignettes involving gung-ho soldiers, wacky generals, spying Russians, drunken premiers, battles with soda machines, fights in the War Room, and the Russians' top-secret Doomsday Machine. Shot in black and white, the film has three main centers of action: one of the B-52 bombers, on which a group of loyal men know they are about to start World War III; Burpelson Air Force Base, where Group Captain Lionel Mandrake (Peter Sellers) is trying to convince everyone that Ripper has gone mad and the bombing must be stopped; and the War Room, where President Merkin Muffley (Sellers again) is trying to make peace with the Russians. The finale featuring Sellers as Dr. Strangelove is a comic gem. Hayden, George C. Scott, Slim Pickens, Keenan Wynn, and Sellers (in three roles) are especially terrific in what may be the funniest, most poignant black comedy ever made, a vicious satire on the farcical aspects of the military and the cold war.


Thanks everyone! I'll send out a reminder about the vigil on Wednesday or Thursday.
In the meanwhile, as that top 40 hit from the early sixties, See You In September!

Larry

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

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:53 AM 0 comments