Progressive Democrats - East Bay
Newsletter for March 23, 2006

This newsletter of the Progressive Democrats of the East Bay newsletter highlights these upcoming events:

  • Meet Progressive Congressional Candidate Charlie Brown at the Plough and the Stars in San Francisco (Sun, Mar 26)
  • Learn About SB 840, Health Care for All (Sat, Mar 25)
  • David Ray Griffin Talk: 9/11–The Myth and the Reality (Thu, Mar 30)
  • Hear Speakers About California Clean Money and How to Help Stop Diebold in California (Sat, Apr 1)
  • Steps for Peace–Peace Festival and Walk Around Lake Merritt (Sun, Apr 9 – Volunteers Needed)

Meet Charlie Brown, Progressive Candidate for Congress (Sun, Mar 26, 5:00 pm)

Lt. Colonel Charlie Brown is looking to challenge the entrenched “Abramoff-Republican,” John Doolittle, for Congress. Progressive Democrats of the East Bay have endorsed Charlie Brown as the Democratic nominee for Congress in the 4th Congressional District in California.

Brown is a 26-year veteran rescue helicopter and fixed-wing pilot who has experienced war first hand, but has opposed the Iraq war from day one. He is a committed environmentalist and a 22-year member of the Sierra Club. Brown believes the federal government and large corporations have taken too much choice away from individuals and is therefore pro choice. He is an advocate of veterans rights and supports removing the income cap on Social Security to keep the system strong and public.

Charlie will be in San Francisco on Sunday, March 26 from 5pm to 7pm. Come on down to hear Charlie Brown and support his campaign.

When: Sunday, March 26 from 5pm to 7pm
Where: Plough and Stars Pub, 116 Clement St. (near 2nd Ave.), San Francisco.
Directions

Free Pizza will be provided.

This event is co-sponsored by Will Easton, Chairperson of San Francisco for Democracy.

Come hear Charlie speak about this exciting campaign!

Learn About Health Care for All (Sat, Mar 25)

The Alameda Public Affairs Forum is pleased to present Don Bechler, speaking on California's Health Care Crisis: The "Single Payer" Answer, on March 25th, 2006, from 7pm to 9 pm, at the Home of Truth Center, 1300 Grand Street, Alameda.

Don Bechler is chair of the San Francisco chapter of Health Care For All and chair of the California Universal Health Care Organizing Project. He also is an organizer for the California Physicians Alliance. These are grassroots organizations committed to achieving universal health care with single payer financing.

Note: We had scheduled Don to speak about SB 840 (The California Health Insurance Reliability Act) at the March 11 meeting of Progressive Democrats of America. Because of scheduling problems, we had to cancel his appearance. The Alameda Public Affairs Forum provides another opportunity to hear this excellent speaker.

When: March 25th, 2006 from 7pm to 9pm
Home of Truth Center, 1300 Grand Street, Alameda

Directions

PD-EB Sponsors David Ray Griffin Talk on 9/11 (Thu, Mar 30)

On Thursday, March 30th, the Progressive Democrats of the East Bay presents, with other sponsors, a talk by David Ray Griffin: 9/11–The Myth & the Reality.

Dr. Griffin, a theologian and philosopher of religion, is one of a growing list of prominent scholars and others in the United States and the world to step forward and openly challenge the official account of 9/11.

Operating from the principle that all suspects who had the means, motive, and opportunity should be investigated, Dr. Griffin brings to the light of day many omissions and distortions of fact in the official document of the official story–The 9/11 Commission Report.

Join us in this important event:

When: Thu, Mar 30 at 7:00pm

Where: Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Lake Avenue, Oakland

Tickets $10 (no one turned away at the door for lack of funds)

For event details, including how to purchase tickets in advance, visit: www.pdeastbay.org/911MythReality

Hear Speakers About California Clean Money and How to Help Stop Diebold in California (Sat, Apr 1)

We are pleased to announce two great speakers for our next PD–East Bay General Meeting on Saturday, April 1 at 12:30pm:

Clean Money and Fair Elections
Do you think that public officials should be accountable to voters instead of to big money contributors? So do we. The solution is Clean Money, Clean Elections reform that finances candidates who reject all private money.

Stop Diebold in California
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson has certified Diebold's voting system for use in California. This is despite its not meeting the requirements of the California Elections Code. Learn what actions you can take to stop Diebold in California.

Join us at our General Meeting to learn more about these topics. The Progressive Democrats of the East Bay General Meeting is held at the Temescal Oakland Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave., Oakland.

Download flyer for this event.

Steps for Peace–Peace Festival and Walk Around Lake Merritt (Sun, Apr 9)

Please join us for Steps for Peace–Peace Festival and Walk Around Lake Merritt on Sunday, April 9th from 1pm to 4pm.

Progressive Democrats of the East Bay is joining The First Church of Religious Science–Oakland, the Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, the Season for Nonviolence, and the Department of Peace as sponsors of this event.

  • Start at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church (1330 Lakeshore Ave)

  • 1 - 2pm Peace Social A chance to network with fellow peace pals
    Tea and snacks provided–tables from different peace groups will be present.

  • 2 - 3pm - A Peace Celebration with speakers honoring local and world peacemakers.
    Music will be offered by the renowned Joy Choir and Bay Area Musicians for Peace.

  • 3 - 4pm - A Peace Walk with Jes Richardson's giant Gandhi Puppet and Peace Doves
    will process around Lake Merritt to rededicate the Lake as a Center for Peace and Happiness.

  • (Download Flyers)
    Black & White
    Color

Musicians, singers, kazooers, dancers, clowns, perambulators, and peripatetics of all peaceful passions are invited to join in our celebration-procession around the Lake. Children welcome! LMNOP, The Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace, who walk for Peace every Sunday around the Lake, will be honored.

Volunteers Needed for The Steps for Peace Event!

We need volunteers before the event and for the day of the event. Help is needed with:

  • Children's program at the Methodist Church
  • Food
  • Tables
  • Monitoring the walk around the Lake

If you can help please contact Linda via email (LJSikorski@aol.com) or call (510) 525- 6105.