1 . PD - East Bay General Meeting (Saturday, May 7)
The next general meeting for PD–East Bay is Saturday, May 7 from 1:00–3:00 pm.
The agenda features a panel discussion on the Health Care for All Californians Bill (SB 840). Speakers include Rachel Richman of Assemblywoman Wilma Chan's office and Don Bechler with Health Care for All. This is your chance to learn the ins and outs of Universal Health Care. This panel discussion is co-sponsored by the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club.
Meetings are held at :
Temescal Oakland Library
5205 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA
Directions
Wheelchair accessible. The Oakland Public Library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of meetings or meeting room users. For more information, contact Sara.
2. Jim Wallis Speaking at the World Affairs Council (Mon, Apr 18)
Jim Wallis is coming to San Francisco on his book tour for "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It!" He will be speaking at the World Affairs Council on Monday, April 18th at 6:00 PM at the World Affairs Center, 312 Sutter Street, Suite 200 San Francisco.
Details on attending and additional information: More. . .
3. Health Care for All Californians / SB 840, (Act Now!)
Senator Sheila Kuehl's bill (Health Care for All Californians, California Bill SB 840), passed out of its first committee and has moved on to the Senate Health Committee. Thanks to all who sent letters, emails, and attended the committee meetings! The bill now moves to the next committee. Actions you can take:
Write letters to the Senate Health Committee chair Deborah Ortiz (D) at State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Attend the May 7 general meeting of Progressive Democrats–East Bay to hear a panel discuss the Health Care for All Californians Bill (SB 840).
4. PD–East Bay / Wellstone Strategy Session for Canvassing Pombo's District on Social Security (Wed, Apr 27)
The Social Security teams of PD–East Bay, the Wellstone Club, and other organizations have been working closely to plan a strategy for going to Rep. Pombo's District (CD 11). (Purpose Letter from the coalition of progressive organizations.)
Please come to a meeting to hear an update and get involved with plans for house parties, tabling, and speaker training. Details:
Wednesday, April 27 at 7:30 PM
Niebyl Proctor Library
6501 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland
Directions
Contacts:
Speaker Training – Jean Tepperman – jeantepper@aol.com
House Parties – Pete Bank (petebank1@aol.com)
Tabling – Jody Ginsberg (Jody@idiom.com)
Work in District 11 – Matthew Hallinan – mhallinan@sbcglobal.net
5. Iraq War Veteran and Resister Camilo Mejia to Speak in Oakland (May 2)
Iraq war veteran and resister Camilo Mejia will speak on May 2nd in Oakland. Mejia was the first Iraq war veteran to file for discharge from the army as a conscientious objector and spent a year in the stockade for his courageous stance.
Also appearing will be Brian Willson and other notable resisters, with music by Annie and the Vets. Details:
Monday, May 2 at 7:00 PM
First Congregational Church of Oakland
2501 Harrison Street (at 27th Street)
Oakland, CA
Directions[wheelchair accessible]
Tickets $5 - $15 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds.
Benefits Veterans for Peace.
6. Caution: Continuing Politicization of Religion Ahead!
The following statement from Rabbi David Saperstein calls on Senator Majority Leader Bill Frist to disengage from the politicization of religion.
The news that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist plans to join a telecast whose organizing theme is that those who oppose some of President Bush's judicial nominees are engaged in an assault on "people of faith" is more than troubling; it is disingenuous, dangerous, and demagogic. We call on him to reconsider his decision to appear on the telecast and to forcefully disassociate himself from this outrageous claim.
. . .
-- Rabbi David Saperstein
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
7. Stop Arnold From Holding An Expensive, Unnecessary, Unverifiable, Special Election! (Sign Petition)
Stop Arnold! Visit www.ContestTheVote.org and sign the petition to Stop Arnold's Special Election (an election for his Special Corporate Interests!) While there, you can send a message to your friends to sign, too. More. . .
8. Stop John Bolton's Nomination for U.N. Ambassador (Act Now!)
John Bolton represents his own agenda, not the agenda of the American people. Bolton, who has defied orders throughout his career, is a loose cannon. His belief that the international community is led only "when it suits our interests, and when we can get others to go along" would alienate even America's most devoted allies. (1994 Global Structures Convocation, New York, NY.) This appointment could prove disastrous to U.S. national security.
The committee vote for John Bolton's nomination should happen soon. Call or write Barbara Boxer and other Senators now to stop John Bolton's nomination for U.N. Ambassador from getting out of committee. More. . .
9. PDLA Has Endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for Mayor of Los Angeles (Phone Bank Help Needed)
Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles has endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for Mayor of Los Angeles. The mayoral run-off election is May 17. Phone-banking help is needed for Antonio. If you can help, please contact Brad Parker or Dan Tamm at the Valley Headquarters for Antonio–(818) 781-7944.
10. Upcoming Events on Social Security (May 9 and May 10)
Two important events for saving Social Security are coming up:
Americans Uniting America Social Security Rally, San Jose (May 9)
AUA has teamed up with the San Jose State College Democrats to hold a non-partisan Social Security Rally on Thursday, May 9 from 12 Noon to 1:00 PM at the Student Union Amphitheater at San Jose State University.
POMBO: Keep your HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY! (May 10)
The Hands Off Social Security Coalition takes the battle to the Stockton office of Rep. Richard Pombo, California torch-bearer for Social Security Privatization. This event is scheduled for May 10 at 10:30 AM.
11. Join PD - East Bay
Letter from PD-East Bay Co-chairs
To friends of Progressive Democrats of the East Bay:
We now have a thriving and growing East Bay Chapter of PDA. We have successfully held three monthly general meetings. We have Action Groups busy on many topics: saving social security, providing universal health care, ending the war in Iraq now, public financing of elections and safe balloting, reforming the mass media, and dialoguing with religious progressives. Soon we will start precinct organizing. We have a membership of over fifty and a mailing list of over one hundred twenty five.
Many of you have been to our meetings and are involved in the Action Groups, but many of you are not. We urge you to come to our next meeting (May 7th, from 1-3 at Temescal Library at Telegraph and 52nd St., in Oakland) to join an Action Group or form a new one. (Please see our web page at www.pdeastbay.org and become a member.)
We realize that many who support our cause and endeavors cannot make meetings and are too busy with other activities to be involved in an Action Group. Please, if you support our work become a member. Our funds make it possible to create flyers, literature and banners, rent the meeting room, and enable us to mail notices about events. These are all essential activities to our functioning as a progressive voice.
Dues are on a sliding scale: 2 hours or more of volunteer work during the year or $10-$100 per year.
Make checks to PDA-EB and send to:
Sara Shumer
1610 Kains Ave
Berkeley, CA. 94702
Include:
Name Address
E-mail Phone
Interests/Skills
Thank you,
Bill Lawler and Sara Shumer
12. Submit Items for this Newsletter and update on the PD - East Bay Website
If you have items you would like listed in this newsletter or on the PD-East Bay web site at www.pdeastbay.org, submit them to pdebListAdmin@PDEastBay.org. Events, activities, and action alerts about local progressive causes will be considered for inclusion.
We are continually updating our website as we strive to make it for valuable resource in progressive political action. Some of the additions are separate pages providing updates and alerts from each of our action groups. We also have contact information for the interim officers of PD–East Bay and the chairs of each action group.
Check out www.pdeastbay.org regularly for updated information on progressive politics!