Vol. 2, No. 8
Tuesday, March 2, 2004
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GREEN NEWS
ATTENTION all Greens running for office in 2004: Are
you listed on the Green elections page http://www.gp.org/patience.html?
If you are running for reelection, have you submitted your information for
the 2004 page? Given the current level of media attention on the Green
Party, it is especially important that the page lists all qualified Greens
running for office listed. Also, candidates should check existing
listings for accuracy and completeness of information. A friendly reminder
from Brent McMillan, Political Director of the Green Party of the United
States, 202-319-7191, Brent@gp.org
ALASKA: Green US Senate candidate Jim Sykes filed suit
in February to eliminate out-of-state contributions to the US Senate race
in Alaska. The lawsuit names the FEC and some of the most well-known big
money donors in the US who are not residents or voters of Alaska but who
are are trying to influence who will be Alaskas next
SenatorWashington DC-based Haliburton Company Political Action
Committee, Jack Valenti, Michael Berman, Democratic Senatorial Campaign
Committee, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Sykes had
requested US Senate candidates to limit campaign contributions to
Alaskans, in a letter dated January 21, 2004 http://www.sykesforalaska.us.
DELAWARE: Green Party member J. Roy Cannon announced
his intention to seek election to the New Castle Countil Council 9th
District seat. Cannon has served as Chair to the Newark Local Green
Party and as a national representative to the Green Party of the United
States. He is an elected member of the GPDE Coordinating Council, chairs
its Peace Committee, and is a member of the Communications and Outreach
Committee. More: jcannon11@comcast.net
http://www.gpde.org
GEORGIA: A broad based coalition, including Georgia
Greens, met with Georgia Secretary of State Cathy Cox on February 27 to
ask her support for a transparent and auditable election system, anchored
on a voter verified paper ballot. More: http://www.greens.org/georgia
http://www.voterchoice.org/auditableballots.php
ILLINOIS: The Illinois Green Party held its state
convention in Springfield on February 29. Presidential candidate
David Cobb won the Illinois Green Party 2004 Presidential preference
primary with 41% of the vote; Peter Camejo, Green candidate for governor
of California in 2002 and 2003, finished second with 22%. The party also
overwhelmingly supported Scott Summers, an attorney from Harvard in
McHenry County, for US Senate. The party will collect 25,000 signatures to
get Summers and the Green presidential candidate onthe Illinois ballot.
More: http://www.ilgreenparty.org
MARYLAND: Encouraged by the Campaign for Verifiable
Voting in Maryland (organized by Green activists Linda Schade and Kevin
Zeese), the City Council of Takoma Park has become the first in the nation
to pass a resolution calling for an end to paperless voting machines and
urging state legislators, in a unanimous vote, to pass legislation
requiring a voter verified paper audit trail ballot for independent audits
and recounts. More: http://www.TrueVoteMD.org
MICHIGAN: The Green Party of Michigan selected 16
national convention delegates and held a half-day 'campaign school' for
candidates and campaign workers in elections at all levels, at its
quarterly state membership meeting in Flint during the weekend of February
21. The delegates and alternates form half of the state's delegation to
the Green Party's national nominating convention in Milwaukee June
23-28. Theother half will be selected individually by locals across
the state. Two Green Presidential candidate , David Cobb and Dr. Kent
Mesplay, took part in a public forum Saturday afternoon at the meeting,
which was videotaped for cable broadcast. More: http://www.migreens.org.
NEW YORK: While Greens across the US praised the
Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling, condemned President Bush's endorsement
of the antigay Marriage Amendment, and cheered same-sex couples marrying
in San Francisco, Green New Paltz (NY) Mayor Jason West won national media
coverage when he began performing weddings for same-sex couples. Greens
(especially the Green Party of Michigan and St.Joe Valley Greens in South
Bend, Indiana) spoke out in favor of same-sex marriage as state
legislatures began to consider the amendment and began to draft bans at
the state level.
More:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/...
http://www.gp.org/press/pr_02_19_04b.html
http://www.gpnys.org/index.html
http://www.migreens.org
NEW YORK: Three Greens -- Meghan Keegan, Peter LaVenia
and Steve Secor -- are running in a hastily scheduled election for Albany
County Legislature on April 27. Last year, after candidates had already
qualifed for the ballot, the federal court ordered the election districts
redrawn to more fairly represent minority voters. The County then withdrew
the lines to gerrymander the one Green candidate (Keegan) and the Green
community houses into a different district. The court then suddenly
postponed the election. Equally as suddenly, the court recently decided to
hold the elections in the middle of the year. Though new candidates were
given less than a week's notice, the Greens managed to qualify three
candidates. More: http://www.gpnys.org/index.html
OREGON: The Pacific Green Party, in its convention
February 21-23, reached a consensus on its 2004 election strategy. The
party's priority will be state and local elections; on the question of the
presidential election, the party will follow what ever decision is made at
the National Convention in June. More: http://www.pacificgreens.org
RHODE ISLAND: The Green Party of Rhode Island issued a
sharp denunciation of the Roger Williams University College Republicans
for their creation of a 'whites only' scholarship. Campus Green Party
leader Katherine Fisher commented on the fact that the same group of
students that created the scholarship is the same group of students that
created a stir when they made comments connecting homosexuality with
violent behavior. Also in Rhode Island: Greens are urging all
registered Green and unaffiliated Rhode Island voters to turn out for the
Tuesday, March 2 presidential preference primary, the first ever for the
Green Party. More: http://www.greens.org/ri
WISCONSIN: Wisconsin Greens have condemned proposed
'Livestock Siting' legislation, calling it an assault on democracy, and
urged state legislators to oppose it. Bill LRB-3453/1, proposed by Senator
Dale Schultz (Richland Center) and Representative David Ward (Fort
Atkinson), would create a non-elected livestock facility siting review
board. The Wisconsin Green Party said this would give a green light to
polluting livestock factories, obstruct the democratic process, undermine
local control over the zoning, siting and regulation of large-scale
livestock factories, and arbitrarily restrict the residents' right to
appeal. Also, on February 26, the Wisconsin Green Party called for support
of Assembly Bill 892, which would legally protect patients who use medical
marijuana. More: http://www.wisconsingreenparty.org
NATIONAL: Ralph Nader announced on February 22 that he
would run for President as an independent candidate. Greens in many states
are continuing the effort to win support for Nader, to persuade the Green
Party to redraft him as Green Party nominee, and to persuade him to accept
the nomination. Some of the Green presidential candidates -- Peter Camejo,
Carol Miller, Lorna Salzman -- have indicated that their campaigns are
meant as stand-ins for Nader until the national Green convention.
More:
info@votenader.org
http://www.votenader.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RalphNader2004
NATIONAL: Green presidential candidate David Cobb won a
plurality of votes cast by Illinois Greens (see listing for Illinois).
Cobb was also endorsed by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and the Teaching
Assistants Association, Wisconsin Local 3220.
More: http://www.sfbg.com/38/21/cover_endorsements.html
NATIONAL: A video tape and DVD of the Green
Presidential candidates debates will be available within two weeks for
shipping, courtesy of the Presidential Campaign Support Committee, and
orders can be placed now (cost not to exceed: $11.50 for VHS tape or
$14.00 for DVD; shipping included in cost). The footage is drawn from
debates in Los Angeles, Boston, and Minneapolis. Reserve your copy
now. Great for state conventions, general meeting of your local Green
Party, house parties, and local cable access stations. To place an order,
contact Brent McMillan, Political Director, Green Party of the United
States, 202-319-7191, brent@gp.org
NATIONAL: Recent press releases from the national Green
Party: Greens urged the Senate to defeat the 2004 Revised Energy Bill,
calling it only slightly less damaging than last year's version http://www.gp.org/press/pr_02_19_04.html...Greens
dismissed claims by Democratic National Committee chair Terry McAuliffe
and others that Greens are abandoning their party to support a Democratic
and that Ralph Nader has no Green support http://www.gp.org/press/pr_02_24_04.html...Greens
claimed that a Pentagon report on security threats posed by global climate
change demonstrated the need for drastic political action to bring the
crisis and Green solutions to the attention of Americans http://www.gp.org/press/pr_02_25_04.html...As
rebels threatened Port-au-Prince on Feb. 27, Greens called on the Bush
Administration to withhold military interference and end the aid embargo
against Haiti; Greens also urged international action to ensure the safety
of Haiti's democratically elected government and humanitarian aid and
shelter for the Haitian people in the face of a rebellion led by pre-1994
thugs and a refugee crisis http://www.gp.org/press/pr_02_27_04.html.
INTERNATIONAL: Tony Affigne, Mike Feinstein, Marnie
Glickman, Annie Goeke, John Rensenbrink, and Julia Willebrand represented
the Green Party of the United States at the Global Greens meeting in Rome,
Italy, in late February. Rensenbrink facilitated a Global Greens network
meeting.
NATIONAL: Essential information about the Green Party's
2004 National Nominating Convention, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from June 23
to 28, 2004, and presidential candidates:
Reminder for all Greens running for public office: make
sure you're in the database at <http://www.gp.org/patience.html>.
E-mail your information and corrections using the form on the web or by
sending it to <juscha@greens.org>.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3: Demonstration against the US
occupation and imposition of Shari'a (traditional Islamic law) in Iraq. 12
noon in front of the Federal Building in New York City, 26 Federal Plaza,
(near Chinatown; take the 6, N, R, J or M to Canal Street). The secular
Family Status Law that Iraqi women fought for and won in the 50s, which
gave them more rights and freedoms than enjoyed by any other women in the
Middle East, was abolished by the US-controlled Iraqi Governing Council's
Resolution 137, passed by secret vote on December 29. If Paul Bremer
approves Resolution 137, secular law will be replaced by Shari'a, women
will lose basic legal rights and protections, and Iraq will become a
repressive, misogynistic theocracy. Contact: Emilce at <sowfiorg@hotmail.com>.
More:
Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq
http://www.equalityiniraq.com/english.htm
http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/newvoices/OWFI.html
THURSDAY, MARCH 4: The Pacific Green Party of Oregon
has endorsed the National Health Care Action Day, which is being organized
by Jobs with Justice to fuel a growing movement for a comprehensive
national health insurance plan and highlight the outrage workers feel
about paying more for health benefits while cuts in funding and managed
care mean they get less health care in return. In Eugene, a rally for
health care in the Safeway parking lot rally will feature workplace
stickering for the various unions involved, including Justice for Janitors
Service Employees International Union, Communications Workers of
America, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, AFSCME, IAM, and
teachers' unions.
More: 541-736-9041, essn@efn.org
http://www.pacificgreens.org
THURSDAY, MARCH 4: The St. Joe Valley Greens in South
Bend, Indiana have endorsed the Jobs with Justice and the St Joseph Valley
Project's 'Health Care Action Day' kickoff event to be held 4:30 pm at the
Uniroyal monument in Battel Park in Mishawaka. (Bad weather site: USWA
local hall, 125 S. Hill Street, Mishawaka, IN 46546-0162). Speakers
will discuss the present Health Care system's failures and support for a
publicly financed health care system. Health Care Action Day on March 4 is
part of a national mobilization sponsored by Jobs with Justice (see above
listing). More: 574-674-6645 http://www.sjvgreens.org/
TUESDAY, MARCH 9: Northwest Greens (Pennsylvania) will
hold a forum on ending Pennsylvania's racist legal system, 7:30-9:00 pm,
at the Ghebre Michael Inn of Immaculate Conception Church, 5725 Sprague
Street in Germantown. Currently, 66 percent of Pennsylvania prison inmates
are people of color. The meeting is open to all neighbors regardless
of partisan or other affiliations. More: Chris Robinson, 215-843-4256, nwgreens@yahoo.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 13: The Green Party of Connecticut will
host a debate and discussion about Green Party election strategy and
candidates for the 2004 Presidential Election, 3-5 pm at the First Church
of Christ, 190 Court Street in Middletown, Connecticut. Confirmed
candidates so far: Lorna Salzman; Lynne Serpe to represent David Cobb.
Open to both Green Party of Connecticut members and the general
public. More: riverbend2@earthlink.net.
SATURDAY, MARCH 6: The Green Party of Virginia is
holding its annual Activism Networking Dinner in Richmond, with keynote
speakers Matt Gonzalez, president of the San Francisco Board of
Supervisors and 2003 Green candidate for SF mayor, and 2000 presidential
candidate Ralph Nader. Three Green presidential candidates will speak and
answer questions: Kent Mesplay, Lorna Salzman, and a representative of
David Cobb. Groups are invited to set up a table and be listed as a
co-sponsor of the event. Virginia Greens expect 250-300 attendees from
Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and DC. (Visitors
can just attend the dinner if they choose.) More: 757-630-2669 (Dr. Jim
Polk, chair) http://www.vagreenparty.org
MARCH 19-21: Prairie Region Campaign School, at
Concepcion Abbey, Concepcion, Missouri (near Kansas City). Greens
interested in running for public office, working on a campaign, or
building electioneering skills are encouraged to attend. Cost to be
determined, probably around $80 for the weekend, including room, board and
tuition; some scholarships will also be available, based on need and
availability of funds. Preregistration, questions: Phil Huckelberry,
309-268-9974, <huckelberry@softhome.net>.
More: http://www.prairieregiongreens.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 20: Global Day of Action: The World
Still Says No to War. On the one-year anniversary of the U.S. bombing and
invasion of Iraq. Millions around the globe will take to the streets to
say YES to peace and NO to pre-emptive war and occupation. Joining with
growing numbers of military families and soldiers, United For Peace and
Justice and other groups will call for an end to the occupation of Iraq
and Bush's militaristic foreign policies. To endorse, e-mail m20endorse@unitedforpeace.org
or call UFPJ at 212-868-5545 to let UFPJ know your group is on board.
More: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2136
SATURDAY, MARCH 20: The Maine Green Independent Party
has endorsed the 'March for Truth' planned by the Maine Coalition for
Peace and Justice and other groups throughout the state to call for an end
to the occupation of Iraq and Bush's militaristic foreign policies, as
part of the Global Day of Action planned by United for Peace and Justice
(see above). A rally and march will take place at the State Capitol in
Augusta at 12 noon. More: http://www.marchfortruth.org
SUNDAY, MARCH 28: Green Presidential candidate Peter
Camejo will speak at the University of the District of Columbia in
Washington, DC, in the UDC Student Lounge (tentative), time and other
details to be announced. More: http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 24: Organizers have put out a worldwide
call for action for Mumia Abu Jamal on April 24, the anniversary of
President Clinton's signing of the notorious Effective Death Penalty Act
which has eliminated Habeas Corpus for death row inmates and made it
nearly impossible for innocent people on death row to prove their
innocence. (It's also Mumia's 50th birthday.)
More: http://www.mumia.org 215-476-8812
http://www.freemumia.com
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GREEN ACTION
CALL CONGRESS
Call, fax, write a letter, or pay a visit
Contact information: Congressional switchboard: (202) 224-3121
-- US House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/
-- US Senate: http://www.senate.gov
Write a letter to the editor, a guest op-ed column, essay, or article
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GOOD READS
Recommended articles, books, web sites:
"There Never Were Any 'Good Old Days' In The
Democratic Party."
Article by Howie Hawkins, in Swan Magazine, March 1, 2004. Howie
is a Teamster truck unloader and Green Party activist in Syracuse, New
York. http://www.swans.com/library/art10/hhawk01.html
Executive summary of a Pentagon report on security
threats posed by global climate change
Commissioned by Pentagon defense adviser Andrew Marshall and written
by Peter Schwartz, CIA consultant and former head of planning at Royal
Dutch/Shell Group, and Doug Randall of the Global Business Network:
http://www.ems.org/climate/exec_pentagon_climate_change.pdf
See also
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1153513,00.html
http://www.fortune.com/fortune/print/0%2C15935%2C582584%2C00.html
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