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