Tricounty DFA Update: Thanksgiving Holiday Edition
Hello Everyone;

First-- a happy Thanksgiving to all of you! In all these years we've been together, we've never had such reason for giving thanks as we do this year, with the election of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

And with the Franken and Martin campaigns in Minnesota and Georgia still in play, we may have a special holiday gift this season as well!

In This Update for November 26th, 2008:

1. December Monthly Meeting Reminder
2. Get Well Sheila!
3. A Picture Really Is Worth A 1,000 Words
4. Dean Vindicated
5. Saturday Night Progressive Film Fest
6. On the Lighter Side...


1. December Monthly Meeting Reminder

We'll be having our monthly Greater Glens Falls DFA meeting next Wednesday, December 3rd, at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls. Last month we mainly celebrated and savored, but need to talk a bit more seriously about the future: specifically, we may want to join in nationwide Obama house parties on the 12/12-12/13.

The Cafe is located on the corner of Elm and Exchange Streets and Hudson Avenue, one block east of the roundabout in downtown Glens Falls.

2. Get Well Sheila!

I thought many of you would like to know that our great Washington County Democratic Chair, Sheila Comar, recently had some surgery and is now home and recovering-- so send your cards and get well wishes to Sheila Comar, 29 Depot Street, Middle Granville, NY 12849.


3. A Picture Really Is Worth A 1,000 Words

I kept trying to think of something great to say about Obama, and his taking charge this week even though he isn't in office yet (thank God) but decided that this image from the cover of Time said it all: http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20081124,00.html

"Happy Days Are Here Again..."


4. Dean Vindicated

Governor Dean is leaving as Chair of the DNC and has been prominently mentioned for Obama's cabinet. Cenk Uygur asked him yesterday about rumors of being named Education Secretary.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/howard-dean-for-education_b_146517.html

Another piece not to be missed: "Dean, The Other Winner" Clearly,without Howard Dean's contribution, the change we see coming to our nation never would have happened. In our darkest hour almost six years ago, Howard Dean saved American Democracy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/magazine/16wwln-lede.html?ref=magazine

Also, "Obama's Debt to Dean": http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/11/12/dean/index.html
and "Howard Dean Vindicated": http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2006/11/10/dean_dems/index.html


5. Saturday Night Progressive Film Fest

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

SAT NOV 29 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGS Free.
GIULIANI TIME (2007) Kevin Keating 118 min. RT Rating = 85 %

SAT DEC 6 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGS Free.
THE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR (2004) 101 min. RT Rating = N/A
A beautiful, powerful and deeply-moving documentary about the life of Desmond T. Doss, a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for acts of incredible bravery during World War II. Although classified as a conscientious objector


6. On the Lighter Side...

Good humor isn't always in perfect taste, but it sure still can be funny. Roger sends this hilarious take on American capitalism "down in the bunker" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNmcf4Y3lGM&feature=email

And, please, please, please, let's have more of Sara Palin as the face of the Republican Party. If you have not seen her "turkey day" interview, it's best seen with Keith Olbermann: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/25/1902/1619/105/666040

Thanks everyone! Drive safe and see you next week,

Larry

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

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:40 AM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Post Election Edition!
Hello Everyone;

First, before I start this update, I want to thank everyone who has participated in this group over the last five and a half years, since we first formed for Howard Dean. It took a bit longer than we expected to take back the White House. But you and people like all of you, all across the country, made this week of miracles happen. It has been a unique and single honor to be associated with you, and to become your friend.

In this update for November 7th, 2008:


1. One Picture Says It All
2. Meeting Report
3. I Voted For Obama Bumper Sticker
4. Thank Howard
5. Thanks From Bob Muller
6. Vigil Pictures
7. Saturday Night Progressive Film Fest


1. One Picture Says It All

I am certain we all saw President Elect Obama's electrifying acceptance speech Tuesday night. However, not everyone may have seen this picture today:. It's what it really was all about, and it needs to be savored: Office Of The President Elect. http://apnews.excite.com/image/20081107/Obama.sff_ILDA127_20081107162405.html?date=20081108&docid=D94AG51O0


2. Meeting Report

We had a terrific monthly meeting Wednesday night, that culminated with a live conference call with DFA Chair Jim Dean and DFA staff. It was a pretty mellow event, as you might imagine, quite a contrast to the day after the election four years ago. We did discuss, some, the upcoming year ( local elections are coming up! ) but mostly it was a night to celebrate and reflect. We'll get serious about next year's agenda at our next meeting.

In reference to that, Dick sends along this link, about the role of progressives in the future-- making sure Democrats don't lose sight of why they won: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-l-borosage/amazing-grace-hallelujah_b_141054.html


3. I Voted For Obama Bumper Sticker

DFA National is sending out free "I Voted For Obama" bumper stickers. We handed out a few Wednesday, but everyone should go online and get one to show their support for our President-Elect: http://democracyforamerica.com/activities/113


4. Thank Howard

We also handed out post cards Wednesday night to thank Howard Dean, for starting this movement, for breaking trail for Barack Obama, for the 50 State Program, and for standing up at one of the most perilous moments in American history, to Take Back America. Without Howard Dean, the great change coming would never have happened. http://democracyforamerica.com/activities/112


5. Thanks From Bob Muller

A Thank You From Bob Muller, the first Democrat to win a seat on the State Supreme Court in decades:

"Good Morning:

"While this is a busy day for some it is simply one of anticipation for me. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your efforts on my behalf. I think it will be an historic evening across the North County and beyond and each of you have played an important role in the result. I started my campaign with the best of intentions and present myself this Election Day in the same posture. On to a resounding victory!

"Many, many thanks,
"Bob Muller"

6. Vigil Pictures


After a nearly six year run, the last vigil downtown for Peace and to Bring Our Troops Home was held last Saturday. Many thanks again to those who started them, and for everyone who helped keep them going. Kate Austin, now of the Chronicle, came by and took pictures of the last day, and posted them online.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aeph/2992907107/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aeph/2992907177/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aeph/2993753486/


7. Saturday Night Progressive Film Fest

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Progressive Film Fest continues this Saturday. WIth the election now over, the press of news will abate, and so, like Cincinattus, I will be returning to my plow and only doing these updates no more than twice a month. So I am including two weeks worth of films at the Cafe. I strongly suggest we all sign up for Matt's updates directly.

SAT NOV 8 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGS Free.
51 BIRCH STREET (2005) Doug Block 88 min. RT Rating = 95 %
Documentary filmmaker Doug Block had every reason to believe his parent’s 54-year marriage was a good one. So he isn’t prepared when, just a few months after his mothers’ unexpected death, his 83-year old father, Mike, phones to announce that he’s moving to Florida to live with "Kitty", his secretary from 40 years before. Always close to his mother and equally distant from his father, he’s stunned and suspicious. When Mike and Kitty marry and sell the longtime family home, Doug returns to suburban Long Island with camera in hand for one last visit. And there, among the lifetime of memories being packed away forever, he discovers 3 large boxes filled with his moms’ daily diaries going back 35 years. Realizing he has only a few short weeks before the movers come and his dad will be gone for good, the veteran documentarian sticks around, determined to investigate the mystery of his parents’ marriage. What begins as his own intimate, autobiographical story, soon evolves into a broader meditation on the universal themes of love, marriage, fidelity and the mystery of family. 51 Birch Street spans 60 years and 3 generations, and weaves together hundreds of faded snapshots, 8mm home movies and two decades of verit? footage. The result is a timeless tale of what can happen when our most fundamental assumptions about family are suddenly called into question.

SAT NOV 15 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGS Free.
THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN (2007) John Peterson & Greg Snyder 82 min. RT Rating = 88 %
The Real Dirt on Farmer John is a personal documentary about John Peterson, a farmer, artist, and eccentric/innovative thinker cast in rural Illinois. Filmmaker Taggart Siegel has documented John's struggle to redefine his family farm for over twenty years, witnessing the colorful drama of John's life. With the death of his father during the late 60's John turns his traditional family farm into an experiment of art and culture, making it a haven for hippies, radicals and artists. The Real Dirt on Farmer John charts the end of this idealistic era as the farm debt crisis of the 1980s brings about the tragic collapse of the farm. As the intricate weave of rural America unravels, vicious local rumors turn John into a scapegoat, condemning him as a Satan-worshipping drug-dealer. Threatened with murder, his home burned to the ground, John defies all odds to transform his land into a revolutionary farming community. At the film's close, the Peterson family farm is one of the largest Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in the United States. Out of the ruins of single-crop agriculture, John creates an extended farm village where people and art can thrive alongside agriculture.


Thanks everyone! My very, very best to all of you,

Larry

Labels: Democracy For America, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, New York Supreme Court, Obama, Robert Muller, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, vigil

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:46 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Election Update: Meeting Wednesday, Election Reminders
Hello Everyone;

In This Update For November 2nd, 2008;


1. Meeting Wednesday, Conference Call With Jim Dean
2. Glens Falls Mayor's Race: Look For Jack Diamond
3. Supreme Court: Vote Only Once For Bob Muller
4. Crandall LIbrary Vote
5. Russo On YouTube
6. Thanks


1. Meeting Wednesday, Conference Call With Jim Dean

We will be having our monthly DFA meeting this Wednesday, November 5th, at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

Come on down and celebrate (or commiserate) with us!

There will be a big conference call with DFA Chair Jim Dean. It's been a long time since we have had one of these, so that will be fun.

We will be planning the next couple of years, which will depend on the outcome.

The cafe is located at the corners of Elm and Exchange Streets, one block west of the Roundabout.

2. Glens Falls Mayor's Race: Look For Jack Diamond

An election reminder: since the withdrawal of Judy Villa-White, there is only one Democratic candidate for Mayor in Glens Falls-- Jack Diamond. However, remember, he is not on the Democratic line! Look down the machine for his independent line or vote for him on the Conservative Party line.

3. Supreme Court: Vote Only Once For Bob Muller

Also, remember, Bob Muller is the only Democrat running in a four way race for three seats on the State Supreme Court. It's like a game of musical chairs-- the top three get elected. So it is very important to only vote once-- for the sole Democrat, Robert Muller. You can vote for three, but if you do, mathematically you dilute your own vote for Bob. Give all your support to Bob Muller.

4. Crandall LIbrary Vote

Also on the ballot locally, but likely to be missed with all the other races, is the Crandall Library Budget. We have a magnificent new library! But now we need to staff it. Look up to the top of the machine for the propositions and vote for the Crandall Library. Sarah Palin will NOT thank you!

5. Russo On YouTube

Saratoga Springs DFA member and videographer Roger Wyatt has put up a YouTube video of State Senate candidate Mike Russo on YouTube, who is running in the 43rd SD. Mike is having a hard time getting his message out there, and this is a great way to do it. If you know anyone in the 43rd, which is Saratoga and Rensellear Counties, please forward it to them right away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS-DHRyE7Ng

6. Thanks

And a special thanks is due today. We held our last vigil for peace and to bring our troops home on Saturday. Special tribute is due to those who got them started, helped us keep them going and braved freezing cold and boiling heat for the last six years. It has been a privilege to be out there will you all.

See you all soon! Have a great day Election Day!

Larry

Labels: 4th Judicial District, Democracy For America, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, Jack Diamond, New York Supreme Court, Robert Muller, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:22 PM 0 comments