Progressive Democrats - East Bay Newsletter for May 2, 2005
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). This bill would enact universal health care (utilizing a single payer financing mechanism) for all Californians.
Speakers on the panel 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.
Additionally, Liz Flynn will be introduced as the chair of the PD–East Bay Action Group for Environmental Protection. Those interested in working with Liz on this group are encouraged to attend and share ideas with Liz.
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. 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.
3. 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.
Congressman Richard Pombo has refused to attend all 4 Social Security town hall meetings organized by the California Alliance of Retired Americans, so now we are going to his office!
Tuesday, May 10 in Stockton:
10:30 am: Gather at El Torito Restaurant
2593 W. March Lane
Stockton
Directions
11:00 am: Rally at Pombo's office
2495 W. March Lane.
Directions
Vans are leaving from San Francisco at 8:00 am, and Oakland at 9:00 am.
RSVP for San Francisco van: Michael Lyon, 415-215-7575
RSVP for Oakland van: Jim Forsyth: 510-581-5169
4. Democratic and Progressive Activists Challenge Howard Dean Comments Supporting Continued Occupation (Sign Petition)
The national Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) organization has released a statement challenging Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean's recent comments in favor of continuing the U.S. occupation of Iraq. On Monday, April 25, PDA launched a nationwide petition drive aimed at pressuring Dean and other Democratic leaders to support ending the occupation. Sign the petition! More. . .
5. The Rock of Ages. Social Security: Today and Tomorrow (Online Forum, May 4)
Join AARP President Marie Smith and Rock the Vote Washington Director Hans Riemer on May 4th at 1:00 pm EDT for a live, online discussion forum on the inter-generational aspects of strengthening Social Security.
6. Health Care for All Californians / SB 840 (More Good News!)
Senator Sheila Kuehl's bill (Health Care for All Californians, California Bill SB 840), passed out of the Senate Health Committee. Thanks to all who wrote letters.
Next Step: The next committee is Senate Appropriations whose chair is Carol Migden. Please send letters made out to Carol Migden, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Important! Send the letters to Sheila Goldmacher who will make copies, and then send them to all members on the Appropriations Committee. Sheila's address is:
Sheila Goldmacher
2341 Parker St. #8
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Thanks so much - Let's get health care for everybody!
7. Have Fun Opposing Social Security (Sign Petition)
Our own Bonnie Borucki, with Gary Gibson and Kevin Whitley, created a flash animation for the Move-on Flash Contest to Stop Social Security. More. . .
Drag Dubya around the screen to get to the truth about Bush's plan. He eventually takes you to a link to the Move-on petition to protect Social Security.
8. PD–East Bay / Wellstone Strategy Session for Canvassing Pombo's District on Social Security (Act Now)
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.)
If you would like information on speaker training, hosting a house party, helping with tabling, or otherwise working in District 11, please contact the following:
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
9. Contact Barbara Boxer to Show Support for the Department of Peace (Act Now!)
The Peace Alliance is urging Barbara Boxer to sponsor a companion Senate bill to the House bill in support of Department of Peace legislation. Senator Boxer's aides stressed the importance of hearing from citizens regarding how they feel about this legislation. We are urging you to call, email and fax Senator Boxer. The Senator needs to hear from you.
Here are two sample letters (for CA residents and non-residents) you can use with a link to Senator Boxer's email. More. . .
10. 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. . .
11. 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. . .
12. 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.
13. 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. More. . .
14. 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
15. 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.
Check out www.pdeastbay.org regularly for updated information on progressive politics!