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Democracy For The Southern Adirondack/Tricounty Area
Sunday, April 07, 2013
 
A big part of Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area's history over the last ten years was Kirsten Gillibrand's first campaign for Congress.  Now Senator Gillibrand made her first public appearance as a candidate at GFA-DFA's Second Anniversary Meeting.  A lot has certainly happened since then!

Senator Gillibrand sent this letter to the group to help commemorate the 10th Anniversary.  It was a big hit at the meeting last Wednesday!



- posted by Larry Dudley @ 4:30 PM 0 comments
Thursday, April 04, 2013
 
Glens Falls DFA Celebrates 10th Anniversary!

It was ten years ago last night that the Glens Falls Meetup For Dean For America held its first meeting. We are still going strong as Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area! Over thrity people came to last night's meeting to thank Den Tarantino for his Assembly run, hear solar energy consultant Randolph Horner speak on solar fields, hear congratulatory letters from Senator Gillibrand and Rep. Owens and cut the anniversary cake.






Pat cutting the cake donated by Dick and Pat Dudley!


Assembly Candidate Dennis Tarantino takes a bow!


Coordinator Larry Dudley with Pat and Dick


Solar energy consultant Randolph Horner speaks to the crowd.



Matt Scollins from Rep. Owens office with Washington County Chair Sheila Comar and Queensbury Chair John Reilly.












- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:15 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Thanks, Reports, Transgender Day of Remembrance

Hello Everyone;
 
First, I want to apologize for not getting this update out sooner -- I was simply too exhausted after Election Day to do so.
Second, I want to offer my most heartfelt thanks to everyone who worked on this election.   Thanks to you we did great things, and the political scene will never go back to what it was.  It was an honor to be part of you and this great effort!   
 
In This Update:
 
1.  A Message Of  Thanks From Den Tarantino
2.  Election Report
3.  Meeting Report
4.  Transgender Day Of Remembrance, Sunday, Nov. 18th, Crandall Library, 3:30pm
 
 
1.  A Message Of  Thanks From Den Tarantino
 
Following the election, Dennis Tarantino sent out the following message:
 
"Congratulations to the victor, his family and volunteers. Many thanks to my Committee and to my numerous supporters for their hard work and dedication. We are so fortunate to live in a country where free and open elections determine our future. It was an honor to be part of that process and to make my best effort to provide a choice to the voters of the 114th Assembly District. Thank you all for sharing that journey with me!"
 
 
2.  Election Report
 
Locally, we lost races close to our hearts -- Den Tarantino and Carrie Woerner.  These are hard losses.   But much was gained here, too.  
 
Consider what Matt Doheny said in his concession speech:  "“If you look at the results today, I don’t know how Republican this 21st Congressional District is today...”
This is a remarkable article on how the area is changing and well worth a read:
http://poststar.com/news/local/election-raises-doubts-about-area-s-political-lean/article_7ae2c03c-291b-11e2-8a76-001a4bcf887a.html
 
We also gained an understanding of the area that our party has never had before.   I cannot understate what a big deal this is,  but it will become apparent in time.   We also gained in institutional maturity, technical skill and organizational sophistication.     Next time we will win.
 
And there are many victories to celebrate:
 
• We reelected a Democratic President!
• We saved the Supreme Court from being destroyed for the next 50 years!
• We reelected our Senator Gillibrand!
• We extended our lead in the Senate!
• We shifted the Senate decisively to the left with new Senators like Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Baldwin!
• We reelected Bill Owens!
• We increased our House delegation!
• We defeated a series of right wing nuts -- Allen West is gone, Alan Grayson is returned to the House, while others like Tammy Duckworth beat Joe Walsh!
• Christine Clark is going to the State Supreme Court!
• The threat posed by the Citizen’s United ruling proved to be a dud -- right wing billlionaries spent $850 million and got nothing to show for it!
• We may have taken back the NY State Senate!  
•In California the Democrats now have a supermajority in both houses of the legislature!  Republicans can no longer block reform, nor will progressive issues have to go through the voter initiative process.  The legislature can now simply pass them, just the way Vermont passed single payer healthcare, which is on the agenda in California.   This is huge because California for so long has pioneered the national agenda.
 
 
3.  Meeting Report
 
We held our usual monthly meeting the day after the election.
We were privileged to have Warren County Chair Lynne Boecher in attendance.  Lynne came in good measure to thank everyone in DFA for the big role we played locally in this year's election, and talked at some length about how we are a key part of the Democratic Party in our area.   This was greatly appreciated by everyone, and we want to thank Lynne for everything she has done for Democrats here in Warren County!
 
 
4.  Transgender Day Of Remembrance, Sunday, Nov. 18th, Crandall Library, 3:30pm
 
The Greater Glens Falls Area will have its first Transgender Day of Remembrance this Sunday, November 18th, from 3:30 to 5pm at the Crandall Library in downtown Glens Falls.  There will be a vigil and program followed by refreshments.  It is locally sponsored by the Empire Pride Agenda, LARAC, Planned Parenthood and Interfaith Impact of NYS.  The Transgender Day of Remembrance is a nationwide event that has been growing for several years.
 
Just before the election Vice President BIden called Transgender rights "The civil rights issue of our times."    No group of people are more likely to be a victim of a hate crime than a transgender person, or more likely to be a victim of discrimination in housing, employment or healthcare, among a number of issues.  Not only are transgenders more likely to be a victim of violence, but because of pervasive discrimination and lack of support they also have the highest suicide rate of any group in our or any other society — one in four will actively attempt to commit suicide or commit suicide in their lifetimes.  This despite the fact it is now known, despite attitudes prevalent in the past, that transgenders and transsexuals no more choose their gender orientation than anyone else, or any more than one chooses their race or ethnicity.   The American Psychiatric Association recently removed being transgender from the list of mental disorders, just as it removed homosexuality thirty years ago— just another normal human variation, like hair color or being right or left handed.    The goal of the Day of Remembrance is to commemorate those who have died at the hands of others, or their own hands, and raise public consciousness and support for new civil rights legislation.     
 
Thanks again, everyone!   See you all soon,
 
Larry
 
 
 

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:55 PM 0 comments
Monday, April 30, 2012
 

Hello Everyone!

In this update:


1.  Meeting Reminder
2.  DFA National Call With Russ Feingold & Jim Dean
3.  Election Predictor
4.  "The Republicans are the problem"


1.  Meeting Reminder

We will be having our regular monthly meeting of Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area this Wednesday, May 2nd, at 7pm, at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

On the agenda are some expected candidate appearances and some discussion of the upcoming election.  There have also been some long standing requests to see the videoInside Job and also the new It is and I expect to have both by Wednesday to show if we have time.

The cafe is located one block west of the roundabout in downtown Glens Falls at the corner of Hudson Avenue and Elm & Exchange Streets.

2.  DFA National Call With Russ Feingold & Jim Dean

I want to call everyone's attention to what looks to be a really interesting conference call tomorrow at 8:30pm with DFA National Chair Jim Dean and special guests Sen Russ Feingold and Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock.

They will be discussing a new campaign to overturn the Supreme Court's Citizen Unitedruling.   Sign up for the call at:  http://democracyforamerica.com/activities/774?akid=1924.214578.RgCmSJ&rd=1&t=1

3.  Election Predictor

The two biggest factors determining a Presidental race is the approval rating of the President and the economy.  The Washington Post has a fascinating online widget that you can play with to study the likely outcome in November.  WIth a 50% approval rating and 2.2% economic growth Pres. Obama has a 89.5% chance of reelection.  Try it, it may calm some nerves:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/2012-election-predictor/

4.  "The Republicans are the problem"

There is a must-read in the Washington Post, The Republicans Are The Problemby Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein, that lays out who and why is responsible for the gridlock, partisanship and extremism in Washiington:  an ever more conservative Republican Party.  We often say to Republicans here that we cannot ask them to leave their party because it has already left them, but this article makes clear why.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/lets-just-say-it-the-republicans-are-the-problem/2012/04/27/gIQAxCVUlT_print.html

Don't forget to "like" us on Facebook and also "like"  the new Warren County Democratic Committee Facebook page:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Democracy-For-The-Greater-Glens-Falls-Area/291798854180727
http://www.facebook.com/WarrenCountyNYDemocraticCommittee

Thanks Everyone!  See you Wednesday,

Larry

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:39 PM 0 comments
Monday, March 05, 2012
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Meeting Reminder, Wed. 7pm Rockhill Cafe, Special Guest Kate O'Connor, Aid to Governor Dean!
Hello Everyone!

In this update for March 5th, 2012:

1.  Meeting Reminder, Wednesday, March 7th at 7pm 
2.  Special Guest:  Kate O'Connor
3. Sayward Bombshell:  Open Assembly Seat
5.  From Lynne Boecher:  Internships With State


1.  Meeting Reminder, Wednesday, March 7th at 7pm 

We will be having our regular monthly meeting of Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area this Wednesday, March 7th at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in Downtown Glens Falls.   

It was nine years ago this week that I went online at Meetup.com and set up for first meeting, in our first incarnation as a Dean For America group.    The meeting coming up next month will our Ninth Anniversary.   It will be a busy one because we will know what Congressional races we will need to  focus on to, as Governor Dean first said nine years ago, Take Back America, specifically, Take Back Congress.

If for some reason you do not think that is important, just think of the legislation passed last week by Republicans in the House of Representatives, to basically take away every woman's  right to family planning, and in every real way, the right to control her own body.   They really did try to wipe out over 50 years to established social policy on birth control.  I suggest you bring that up any time anyone ever tells you there is no difference between the two parties.  


2.  Special Guest:  Kate O'Connor
In honor of our origins in Dean For America, we are going to have a special guest:   Kate O'Connor, former aid to Governor  Dean.    She is the author of the new book, Do The Impossible, My Crash Course on Presidential Politics Inside the Howard Dean Campaign.  

Of her book, O'Connor writes, 

"I served as an aide to Howard Dean from his swearing-in as governor of Vermont in 1991 to the last day of his presidential campaign. " 

"This book is my personal account of what it was like behind the scenes of the campaign that transformed U.S. presidential politics, beginning in 2000 when Howard first expressed interest in seeking the Democratic nomination to the day he dropped out of the race in 2004.'
"It’s the tale of a three-year, half-million-mile journey that took us from Maine to California and points in between, and saw Howard go from long shot to frontrunner."  

All members of the public are invited to attend. Copies of the book will be available for sale.  More information about Kate O'Connor and Do The Impossible is available at her website:  http://www.kateoconnorvt.com/


3. Sayward Bombshell:  Open Assembly Seat

The big local political news of the last week is the sudden and unexpected retirement of Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward.   As a result there will be a open Assembly seat race in our area.  We do not know the boundaries of the new district, but it will include Warren County, Essex County and parts of Washington County.

It would be great to take this away from the Republicans.  Our new Warren County Chair, Lynne Boecher,  tells me there are real candidates, but that we are also looking for more possible candidates to step forward.    If you are interested, let us know.

It would certainly be in the best interest of our area to have a Democratic Assembly member.  The Republicans in the Assembly are so outnumbered that a Republican is basically irrelevant, and will be able to do nothing for us, and we do need help here.  This community simply cannot afford a symbolic Republican candidate who sits in the office and stares out the window.


5.  From Lynne Boecher:  Internships With State

Our new Warren County Chair Lynne Boecher is doing a great job!   If you are on the Warren Committee, you should know that she has called a meeting for March 28th.   She also sends this along: 

"The Governor's Office offers an outstanding internship program for College Juniors and Seniors and Graduate students. All applications are due by March 15 and the following is the link that is used for application and detailed information. Please forward to anyone who has an interest. It is a wonderful opportunity.
 
 
 and

"Mayor Diamond's Economic Development Group  has extended an invitation to reserve a seat for an event for Friday, March 9 entitled "Your Opportunity to Learn How to do Buisness with NY State and US Govt."
There is no fee for the program which will run from 9:00 am.-noon at Crandall Library Community Room Lower Level (8:30 regisrtration) Please let me know if you or any individual you know is interested in attending so I may notified Mayor Diamond's Development Director and they will expect you or yours."
 
Thanks everyone!   See you all Wednesday!

Larry



- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:39 PM 0 comments
Monday, December 05, 2011
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Reminders -Meeting Wednesday, Vigil Saturday, More
Hello Everyone!

In this update for December 5th, 2011:

1.  Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday, 7pm
2.  VIgil In Support of Occupy Wall Street Saturday, 11am
3.   Great Work At Truman National Security Project
4.    Must Read

1.  Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday, 7pm
We will be holding our usual meeting of Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area this coming Wednesday, December 7th, at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

On the agenda will be setting up contingency plans for next year''s congressional race, which will be the dominant ones here in NY, since NY is a very safe state for Obama, and also, I think, pretty safe for GIllibrand.     I say contingency plans, because we do not know, and may not know until as late as May, into what Congressional District we will be placed by the legislature.  The only thing we can say for sure is that we will not wind up in Peter Welch's district.   But, as Pasteur famously said, luck favors the prepared.  

2.  VIgil In Support of Occupy Wall Street Saturday, 11am

We will be holding another vigil in support of Occupy Wall Street this Saturday, December 10, at 11am in front of the Civil War Monument at the corners of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls.  Come, bring a friend, there are usually plenty of signs, and show your support for the 99%.

3.   Great Work At Truman National Security Project

I am sure many of us fondly remember working with Scott Murphy campaign staffer Liz Mckenna during the campaign last year,  Liz is now with the Truman National Security Project in Washington, D. C., and is running their new campaign to protect international development - Make US Strong (http://www.makeUSstrong.com). 

One of the latest initiatives of the Truman Project is a campaign to stop the Republicans from endangering the US ad the world by slashing foreign aid.    Accordng to Liz, "Yesterday, we introduced a new narrative into the debate over this funding: Connecting the foreign aid programs of the Greatest Generation to today’s fight against terrorists around the world and America’s role as a world leader. The ad, called “Tell 'Em Joe Sent You,” reminds viewers that foreign aid and international development made America safe and strong and is a necessary tool of American strength and standing in the 21st century."    

You can check it out at http://makeusstrong.com/muss_blog/watch-gi-joe-stars-in-our-new-ad/


4.    Must Read

I want to pass on a must read from Rolling Stone Magazine that Dick recommended to me -- it is an extraordinary overview of how we got to where we are economically, and why, in a sense, there is now a movement for the 99%:    http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/how-the-gop-became-the-party-of-the-rich-20111109?print=true


Thanks everyone!  See you all Wednesday,

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:59 PM 0 comments
Monday, October 31, 2011
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Wednesday Meeting Reminder, GOTV, More
Hello Everyone!

First, I hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

In this update for October 30, 2011:

1. Meeting Reminder Wednesday 7pm
2. Agenda:
GOTV
Training
Tabling
Vigil
3. Social Security Under Attack by Supercommittee

1. Meeting Reminder Wednesday 7pm

We will be having our regular monthly meeting of Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area this Wednesday, Nov. 2nd at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls. The Cafe is one block west of the roundabout in downtown Glens Falls on the corners of Hudson Avenue, Elm and Exchange Streets. Because the election is bearing down on us, we will have a busy agenda:
GOTV
We have endorsed several candidates this year: John SIlvestri for Supreme Court, Mike O'Keefe for County Treasurer, Bill Mason for County Supervisor and John Strough for Queensbury Town Board. We will be discussing and organizing for the big Get Out The Vote effort this coming weekend.

Training
We volunteered at our last meeting to host a DFA National training weekend for next year, and I hope to hear from Monique Teal at DFA National about this. Roy Thomas has also been inquiring on this with the City.

Tabling
We have had a group tabling at the Farmer's Market as well and we want to keep that going.

Vigil
We have also been having an excellent turnout at the vigils we have been holding at the Civil War Monument in support of Occupy Wall Street and "We are the 99%." As we all know, we decided to do this at our last meeting on October 5th. This is in many ways a continuation of the several years of vigils we held at the same time and place against the Iraq War.

We are going to hold another one at 11am Saturday, again at the Civil War Monument at the corner of Bay and Glen Streets. We will be discussing this at our meeting as well. If you cannot come to Wednesday night's meeting, please come to the vigil on Saturday. There are also new pictures on our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Democracy-For-The-Greater-Glens-Falls-Area/291798854180727?sk=wall&filter=1

3. Social Security, Medicare Under Attack by Supercommittee

DFA National and DFA Chair Jim Dean and DFA founder Gov. Dean are sending out an urgent appeal on the budget supercommittee.

Jim Dean alerted us first:

"Democrats on the so-called Super Committee are caving to Republican demands and pushing a plan that would make drastic cuts to Medicare.

"This is bad policy and bad politics. Cuts like these are the worst possible way to reduce the deficit. They protect the status quo for the richest 1 percent while the 99 percent are expected to sacrifice vital healthcare that they need to survive in tough economic times like these -- and they'll hamstring Democrats running for reelection in 2012.

"We've been down this road before. Republicans and some Democrats have been pushing plans to destroy Medicare and Social Security for months. We beat them then and we can beat them now with an overwhelming show of grassroots opposition to any plan that cuts Medicare.

"Join me and tell Washington that this deal is Dead On Arrival."

Pledge to oppose any candidate -- Republican or Democrat - who votes for a plan that cuts Medicare and Medicaid benefits for the 99 percent.
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/activities/668

Gov.Dean adds:

"I'm going to get straight to the point. If the so-called Super Committee votes to increase the age of Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67, it will completely erase all the gains we made in providing healthcare to every American under President Obama.

"Medicare is the only universal healthcare program that exists in the United States of America. No one who supports moving back the age of eligibility can possibly be considered an advocate for universal health insurance.

"In fact, if that happens, the legacy of the Democrats for the past four years will have been to do far more harm to the healthcare system than good.

"By raising the age of eligibility from 65 to 67, hard working Americans who are in their 50's or 60's, and cannot afford insurance under the current system will have to wait two additional years before Medicare kicks in. They would be forced to stay in the private healthcare system - if they can afford it."
Help support this at:
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/fightbackmedicare?refcode=GHDnond
"

There is more detailed info at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nancy-altman/super-committee-social-security-cuts_b_1065105.html

Thanks everyone! See you all Wednesday!

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:10 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Our Occupy Wall Street Vigil Continues
Hello Everyone!

 As many of you know from the large turnout we had last Saturday, our vigil in support of Occupy Wall Street was a great success with over 50 in attendance.

We had an impromptu meeting last week and we agreed we will continue this vigil again this Saturday, at 11am in the same place we held our almost four years of weekly vigils against the Iraq War, in front of the Civil War monument at the corners of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls.

It was great to see so many people who had been with us during our vigils against the war, it was almost like Old Home Week!

 Come on down, bring a friend, meet old friends, and show your support for "We are the 99%."

Also, we have had a Facebook group page for several years, but Facebook is migrating all the groups to a new status, so we have created a new Greater Glens Falls DFA Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Democracy-For-The-Greater-Glens-Falls-Area/291798854180727

 I have put a large album of photos of Saturday's vigil on our new page for everyone to see, so click the link above to see the photos and while you are at it, join the page so you can get updates through Facebook as well.

 Hope everyone can make it Saturday!

 Thanks,

 Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:58 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Solidarity Vigil with OWS Saturday at Civil War Monument Downtown at 11am, Endorsements, more
Hello Everyone!

In this update for October 10, 2011;


1. Solidarity Vigil With Occupy Wall Street Saturday, 11am in front of the Civil War Monument in Downtown Glens Falls
2. Solidarity With Occupy Wall Street Resolution
3. 99% — Which Side Are You On?
4. Endorsements: O'Keefe, Mason, Strough



1. Solidarity Vigil With Occupy Wall Street Saturday, October 15th, at 11am in front of the Civil War Monument in Downtown Glens Falls

In the last two weeks Occupy Wall Street has mushroomed into a national phenomena, connecting Americans together in a new community discussion, similar to what Democracy For America has been doing since its inception.

At our meeting we agreed to holdina solidarity rally on October 15th at 11am in front of the Civil War Monument at the intersections of Bay, Glen and South Streets in downtown Glens Falls. It will last at least one hour. This is in concert with the International Day of Solidarity around the world.

Come, bring all your friends and make a sign supporting Occupy Wall Street and expressing support for the 99%.

2. Solidarity With Occupy Wall Street Resolution

The decision to hold the vigil grew from a resolution DIck introduced at our meeting Wednesday night at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, which passed unanimously. It reads:

"Be it Resolved:

"That the Greater Glens Falls Democracy for America hereby Endorses and Supports OccupyWallStrreet.
"We do so because:
"1) The power, greed and arrogance of Wall Street is crushing the Middle Class.
"2) The power, greed and arrogance of Wall Street is completely destroying the American Dream for millions and millions of Americans.
"3) The power, greed and arrogance of Wall Street has "convinced" a large bulk of our politicians that the Federal deficit is more important that jobs.
"4) The power, greed and arrogance of Wall Street has never been investigated for it's widespread fraud and complicity in the financial collapse
of 2008.
"5) The power, greed and arrogance of Wall Street is gleefully behind the division of income and wealth, so the top 1% has almost a full quarter of all income in the U.S; the top 400 families have a much wealth as the bottom 150 million; "the richest five percent of households obtained roughly 82 percent of all the nation's gains in wealth between 1983 and 2009. The bottom 60 percent of households actually had less wealth in 2009 than in 1983..(Economic Policy Institute) .
"6) The power, greed and arrogance if Wall Street is behind the lies about Social Security so that at last they get to privatize demanding exorbitant fees for management.
"For all this and to all of this an more, OccupyWallStreet brings a blinding light of attention.


3. 99% — Which Side Are You On?

It is common in national news reports to hear claims that the Occupy Wall Street protestors do not have a specific agenda or stance. This is not so. It is just that the position is radically simple: which side are you on? The 99% or the 1%. This is the question Occupy Wall Street is posing to the nation.


4. Endorsements: O'Keefe, Mason, Strough

At our meeting we hosted Democrats Mike O'Keefe, candidate for Warren County Treasurer, Bill Mason, candidate for Queensbury County Supervisor, and John Strough, candidate for the Queensbury Town Board.

O'Keeke, son of current Warren County Treasurer Frank O'Keefe, spoke about the importance of an open, fair and honest accounting of county finances, and keeping check on the Republican dominated county Board of Supervisors. Mason spoke of the need for more Democrats on the Board of Supervisors to counter Republican mismanagement of county government, while Strough spoke about a number of issues facing the rapidly growing Town of Queensbury, including planning.

After the presentations the group voted unanimously to endorse and support the candidates, and discussed get out the vote efforts.

Also, if you want John Silvestri lawn signs, we have them! Let us know how we can get you one, or if you also want a Mason or O'Keefe sign, we will let them know.

Thanks everyone! See you all Saturday at 11am downtown.

Larry




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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:15 AM 0 comments
Monday, August 01, 2011
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Wednesday Meeting Reminder & Dark Days Ahead
Hello Everyone—

In this update for August 1, 2011:

1. Meeting Reminder: Glens Falls DFA Wednesday 7pm
2. The Disaster
3. Concrete Action
4. The Real Democratic Party


1. Meeting Reminder: Glens Falls DFA Wednesday 7pm

We will be having our regular monthly meeting of Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe at 7pm, this Wednesday, August 3rd.

I'm sure it'll be a lively meeting, given what just happened in Washington.

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


2. The Disaster

It has become agonizingly apparent over the last few days that a disaster of epic proportions is happening in our nation's capitol. The so-called deal, which hands a right-wing faction of the Republican Party a victory that seemed beyond their reach even weeks ago seems to be in place, unless congressional Democrats lead by Rep. Pelosi can overturn it. She may. I would note the Congressional Black Caucus has now broken with Obama.

This "deal" puts on the chopping block, for certain destruction the entire achievement of the Democratic Party since the beginning of the New Deal, and liberals and progressives in all forms, since the administration of Teddy Roosevelt. A few key points:

*Tthis deal actually undermines the Constitution and American democracy itself. No longer do we have a system of government that translates the will of the people into action. A vicious minority can now rule over the many. Check out Paul Krugman today on this today, he characterizes it as surrender: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/opinion/the-president-surrenders-on-debt-ceiling.html?src=ISMR_HP_LO_MST_FB
Also Robert Reich: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/debt-deal-republicans-_b_914737.html

*This erasure of the New Deal and everything Democrats have stood for may be tied to Obama's reelection strategy, according to a piece in the NYRB that everyone is talking about— it is an extraordinary picture and if you only have to read one of these, this is probably it: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/aug/18/what-were-they-thinking/

*However, we need to resist the notion that Barack Obama is somehow the victim in this, or had no choice because of those "awful Republicans." He is a perpetrator. He could stop this madness in a moment by evoking the 14th Amendment, and end the fake crisis. He will not.

There is by now massive documentation that Obama went into this process determined to advance cuts in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other programs. http://www.americablog.com/2011/07/larry-summers-in-2009-obama-will-launch.html

A fake crisis was used by Obama, the so-called "Shock Doctrine," to push through changes the American people would never have supported.
For more check out Arianna Huffington and Glenn Greenwald:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/the-debt-ceiling-impasse_b_909314.html
http://www.salon.com/news/budget_showdown/index.html?story=/opinion/greenwald/2011/08/01/debt_ceiling

Reagan economic adviser Bruce Bartlett put it starkly to Chris Matthews on Hardball: " the dirty secret is that Obama is a moderate conservative."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/28/999759/-Hardball:-Bruce-Bartlett-desroys-every-Republican-fiscal-talking-point-in-5-minutes-?via=siderec

House Democrats could still shoot this deal down. Since we do not have a Democratic representative, you could try calling another. The Congressional switchboard is (202)224-3121



3. Concrete Action

Beyond this, what we do we do? First, we keep focused on changing legislatures and the next congressional election. We have to take back the House. But that does not mean we have to win any specific race, any Democratic pick up works for us, too.

RIght now DFA National is trying to win the Wisconsin recall elections. Channel your anger into that effort:

Yes! I'll make calls to Wisconsin voters on Tuesday.

Sorry, I can't make calls, but I'll contribute $5 to help air TV ads in these districts.



4. The Real Democratic Party

We must not despair about the Democratic Party. This was on Daily Kos, about the REAL Democratic Party:

"On the eve of what could be the biggest giveaway in the political history of the United States by one political party to another, I got to thinking -- where have all the Democrats gone? Because as surely as Washington is saying "Cut Social Security and Medicare" there can be none left in the three Houses (White, Yellow and Red) in the District of Columbia."

"And then the answer came to me.

• They've gone to Wisconsin, to fight in the State Senate recalls and to turn Fitzwalkerstan back into a first-world state.
• They've gone to Ohio, where they gathered 1.3 million signatures to overturn Kaisch's labor law.
• They've gone to Michigan, where they are fighting their own so-called Democratic Party torecall their own version of Scott Walker, Rick Snyder, and give democracy back to its towns and cities.
• They've gone to California, where they are desperately trying to save the state by enacting single-payer health care (e.g., Single Payer Now and California One Care).
• They've gone to Maine, where they've been working hard and long to convince Maine voters to reconsider their ban on marriage equality, and to undo their state's new law forbidding same-day voter registration.
• They've gone to Colorado, where they will be trying to put a marriage equality initiative on the ballot."


Thanks everyone! See you all Wednesday!

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:46 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Gov. Dean On Afghanistan, NY-26, Gibson votes, moreKathy
Hello Everyone!

In this update for May 9, 2011;

1. Gov. Dean Now Calls For Afghan Change\
2. Reminder To Sign Up WIth Us At DFA-Link
3. Kathy Hochul in NY-26 Now In The Lead
4. Gibson Hits New Lows
5. Washington County Democratic Women's Luncheon


1. Gov. Dean Now Calls For Afghan Change

News came yesterday of a major new initial from DFA National based on demands from members and local groups and a shift in position by DFA founder Gov. Dean. Dean is now calling for a phased withdrawal. Dean made an extensive case in an interview with the Daily Beast: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-04-18/howard-dean-to-president-obama-get-our-troops-out-of-afghanistan/?cid=hp:beastoriginalsC1#
More info on Dean and DFA National at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/09/howard-dean-democracy-america-afghanistan-withdrawal_n_859320.html

DFA National is asking everyone to join as a citizen co-sponsor of a withdrawal bill authored by Sen. Barbara Boxer and co-sponsored by Sen. Gillibrand, Sen. Sherrod Brown and Sen. Durbin. Read the bill and sign on at: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/activities/512?akid=753.214578.tGpxpV&rd=1&t=1

Kirsten also sent an excellent message out on this via DFA earlier in the day.


2. Reminder To Sign Up WIth Us At DFA-Link

While you are signing on as a cosponsor, please take a few seconds extra to sign on to DFA-Link and our group: this will help make sure you get updates, and you will also be able to get more information on the DFA site, for instance, past training sessions.
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/groups/113-democracy-for-the-greater-glens-falls-area

3. Kathy Hochul in NY-26 Now In The Lead

At the recent Democratic Rural Conference there was a lot of talk about the special election to Congress on May 24th in the 26th Congressional District in Western NY. Democrat Kathy Hochul now has a slight lead in one of the most rock-ribbed Republican districts in the country. If this seat flips Democratic, it will set off national shockwaves and help roll back the tea party surge.

They are looking for people to phone bank from home. If you have some spare time, contact Blake@KathyHochul.com, or if you can go west to volunteer contact Jesse@KathyHochul.com or Kyle@KathyHochul.com

2. Gibson Hits New Lows

In the meantime Rep. Chris Gibson has been a busy fellow. He voted:

*To repeal mandatory funding to set up health insurance exchanges under healthcare reform. The grants are part of the 2010 health care bill which requires each state to establish an exchange by 2014.

*To repeal a section in the 2010 health care bill providing funding for the construction of school-based health centers.

*He voted for the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act - which would prohibit federal funds from being used for abortions, except in the cases of rape, incest or danger to the woman's life, and to bar most abortion expense deductions and tax credits for healthcare policies that cover abortions.


*He also voted to defeat a Democratic sponsored measure to bar the IRS from accessing medical records to establish whether rape or incest occurred, in connection with a provision in HR3 making abortion costs not tax deductible except in cases of rape or incest

*And to require the Interior Department to sell oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Virginia.

*Gibson also voted against a Democratic sponsored measure for a direct vote to end $30 billion in subsidies and tax breaks for the oil industry and use the money for tax breaks to industries to create jobs.

This all speaks for itself. As I noted before, we need volunteers to help put information on www.chrisgibsonwatch.com

5. Washington County Democratic Women's Luncheon

And don't forget the Washington County Democratic Women's Luncheon:

You are invited to the Washington County Democratic Women's Luncheon on Friday, May 20th from Noon-2pm at the Cambridge Hotel in Cambridge, NY. Tracey Brooks, President of Family Planning Advocates of New York will be the featured speaker. Brooks was former regional director for Sen. Clinton. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Men are of course, welcome!

For information call Barbra Kinglsey at 518-677-5921 or Ellen Faber at 518-677-8345., Mail checks made out to WCDC to Ellen Faber, 100 East Main Street, Cambridge, NY 12816

Thanks, everyone! Remember, we still need volunteers for www.chrisgibsonwatch.com

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:26 AM 0 comments
Monday, May 02, 2011
 
Tricounty DFA Update: A New Era, Meeting Wednesday, Gasland Video, More
Hello Everyone!

Bin Laden's death is a moment for celebration, but also a moment to remember all those who have died or suffered over the last decade.

Hopefully, Bin Laden's death, along with the still burgeoning Arab Spring, will mark the beginning of a new cycle of events. The Dean campaign and DFA may never have come into being had 9/11 not happened, and had George Bush had not been able to exploit it politically. We now must work to restore balance in our foreign commitments, repair our battered civil liberties, curtail the national security state, and a create sane and moral approach to rebuilding our nation's economy.

And I hope it is not politically crass to point out that this success makes Barack Obama the un-Jimmy Carter. The failure to rescue the hostages in Terhan doomed Carter's reelection chances. The jubilant crowds outside the White House and in Times Square last night, a sight not seen since V-J Day in 1945, surely immensely bolsters Obama's. Watch for Republican challengers to start dropping out.

In this update for 5-2-2011:

1. Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday at 7pm
2. Academy Award Nominated Video Documentary Gasland
3. Gibson Watch Videos Up Of Town Hall
3. America's Growing Inequality
4. Washington County Women's Luncheon


We will be holding our regular monthly meeting of Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area this Wednesday, May, 4th at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

On the agenda is a discussion of local events, and a report on the Democratic Rural Conference, which I was at last weekend. The Cafe is on the corner of Elm and Exchange Streets and Hudson Avenue, one block west of the roundabout in downtown Glens Falls

2. Academy Award Nominated Video Documentary Gasland

If we get time, we will also have a showing of the Academy Award nominated video documentary Gasland, which is about the horrible, environmentally destructive practice of hydrofracking, which is becoming an enormous issue here in New York State.

DFA National has been making a big push on this, and you should add your name to their petition: http://stopfrackingnow.com/fp


3. Gibson Watch Videos Up Of Town Hall

Republican Rep.Chris Gibson held a town hall in Malta last Tuesday. A lengthy succession of questioners hammered Gibson on a range of issue from Medicare to America's growing inequality. I got some video and will be putting clips up online. The first is already up at http://www.chrisgibsonwatch.com

They are worth watching because a demonstration outside completely blew off coverage of the tough questions being asked inside, so everyone who was not there missed Gibson's squirming and ducking. The worst thing we could do to Gibson is to let people see what he is actually saying.


3. America's Growing Inequality

The first question at Gibson's town hall meeting was about inequality. Here is something on this from the Huffington Post:

THERE IS A WAR ON AMERICAN WORKERS

The top 1% owns 43% of the financial wealth; the next 4% owns 29%. THE BOTTOM 80% SHARE ONLY 7% OF THE FINANCIAL WEALTH.

This is not what a democracy looks like. The top 5% control 72% of all the financial wealth, and along with it, the vast majority of power. The republican meme of "what's good for the rich is good for all of us" just is not true.

Working class Americans are facing cuts in education, healthcare, wages, and services as essential as sanitation of their water supply. Yet we're told that tax cuts and subsidies to corporations are essential because they create jobs. We've been told that for 40 years now, so why do wealth inequalities continue to grow?

There's a pie chart at Flickr. Go to Flickr, in their search box type in "DISTRIBUT ION OF FINANCIAL WEALTH", click on green pie chart until you get to the size you want, then PRINT IT OUT AND PASS IT ON.

I've been leaving copies in restaurant booths, public restrooms, waiting rooms, shopping carts, etc.

When I quote the wealth distribution figures to people, they don't believe me. When I prove it to them, they are shocked.

4. Washington County Women's Luncheon

You are invited to the Washington County Democratic Women's Luncheon on Friday, May 20th from Noon-2pm at the Cambridge Hotel in Cambridge, NY. Tracey Brooks, President of Family Planning Advocates of New York will be the featured speaker. Brooks was former regional director for Sen. Clinton. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Men are, of course, welcome!

For information call Barbra Kinglsey at 518-677-5921 or Ellen Faber at 518-677-8345., Mail checks made out to WCDC to Ellen Faber, 100 East Main Street, Cambridge, NY 12816

Thanks everyone! See you all Wednesday,

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 3:34 PM 0 comments

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