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