From j.m.doyle at sbcglobal.net  Mon Mar  1 11:42:17 2010
From: j.m.doyle at sbcglobal.net (Jim Doyle)
Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:42:17 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] plenary - plenary
Message-ID: <4B8C1899.9070808@sbcglobal.net>

GREEN PARTY COUNTY CONTACTS MESSAGE

This is an announcement from the GPCA Contact List. 
For more information, or questions related to the topic of the posting,
please do not hit reply.  Follow the contact directions stated in the 
email.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are planning on attending the Green Party General Assembly this 
weekend,
March 6 - 7, please, please, please register online so the host can get 
a count
to use in planning how much food to prepare.

    http://www.cagreens.org/plenary/

Delegate and alternate delegate names also must be submitted online. Due 
to past problems delegates will not be credentialed without submitting 
their names online before the meeting.

Online registration and delegate submission closes midnight THIS 
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3.
_______________________________________________
Contacts2006 mailing list
Contacts2006 at lists.cagreens.org
http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/contacts2006


From danasg at greens.org  Mon Mar  1 16:37:11 2010
From: danasg at greens.org (Dana St. George)
Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:37:11 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] [Fwd: Co-sponsorship for Prop 15 event 3/27]
Message-ID: <4B8C5DB7.3020902@greens.org>

Hello,

	We received this invitation to cosponsor a California Fair Elections event.  Please add 
this to the agenda for the monthly business meeting on Wednesday.  Thanks,

Dana St. George

	
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From jims at greens.org  Tue Mar  2 15:37:15 2010
From: jims at greens.org (Jim Stauffer)
Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:37:15 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] State Party Meeting + Candidate Forum this weekend
Message-ID: <4B8DA12B.9050208@greens.org>



This is a reminder that we are hosting the GPCA General Assembly this weekend.

Even though we are the host, anyone planning on attending needs to register 
online. If you are just going to stop by for a short time, this isn't 
necessary, but if you will be there all day and staying for meals you must 
register and pay the fee like all other Greens.

   http://www.cagreens.org/plenary/


There is a candidates forum scheduled for 3:30 on Saturday. This will be a 
collection of our candidates for state-wide offices and some of the local and 
district offices. We are anticipating a debate between our two candidates for 
governor.

We have recently changed the location of the candidates forum. It will be at 
the Mission City Coffee Roasting Company, 2221 The Alameda, Santa Clara. There 
are maps on the plenary web page cited above.

I hope local Greens will take this opportunity to come and see the state party 
and to meet Greens from around the state.


Jim Stauffer


From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Wed Mar  3 16:21:34 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:21:34 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] "Economists: Another Financial Crisis on the Way"
Message-ID: <4B8EFD0E.4090002@earthlink.net>


Essentially another financial disaster somewhat like
the last will happen, but probably worse, because the
government has not fixed the problems that caused the
last one.

"Economists: Another Financial Crisis on the Way"

      http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/03/03-0

Gerry




From jims at greens.org  Wed Mar  3 16:29:08 2010
From: jims at greens.org (Jim Stauffer)
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:29:08 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] A Few More Volunteers Needed
Message-ID: <4B8EFED4.30708@greens.org>

Greens -

We are still in need of a few more people to volunteer their services in 
support of the state meeting this weekend.


HOME-STAY

We've had an unprecedented number of people request home-stay accommodations, 
rather than paying for a motel. Fred is coordinating that task and reports 
that we're running short on accommodations.

If you have bed/sofa/floor space, please contact Fred - 650-691-1215, 
fredd at freeshell.org.



NOTE TAKER

We could use another typist take notes of the plenary sessions. This requires 
good listening and typing skills. It is a paid position, up to $100 per day 
depending on hours worked.

If interested, contact Jim - 408-432-9148, jims at greens.org.


From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Wed Mar  3 21:26:22 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:26:22 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] March meeting minutes
In-Reply-To: <25702.35195.qm@web51902.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
References: <25702.35195.qm@web51902.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <4B8F447E.5030109@prodsyse.com>

time keeper:  Merriam
next meeting's agenda:  Carolyn.
Next meeting:  first Wed., next month


Treasurer's report (Jim Doyle):  $2,197 not including some recent 
donations that have not yet been posted.  $325 check to Merriam prep for 
plenary.  No reservation fees.  6 PayPall + 8 checks in advance; 
registration:  nearly 50.


Regional rep (Jim Doyle).


County Council candidates:  Not enough for a competitive election. 
Deadline to file completed papers:  March 12.  This should be done for 
those who have signatures.  Then those can appoint others to complete 
the County Council.  Need a letter to the registrar of voters so they 
can conduct our elections properly when we have competitive elections. 
That letter needs to be on the County Council agenda.  County Council 
had a quorum and approved Jim writing and submitting same.


TABLING:  Jim Doyle has received notices re. Earth Day and Junteenth. 
Probably the 3rd Sat. in April, there will be another Junior State event.


	  Re. JUNTEENTH:  In the past we have not registered more than 2 people 
nor collected more than $2.  ~$150 fee to have a booth, Jim thinks. 
Concensus:  We will do it because it's after the primary, we'll have 
candidates, and we need to have a presence for this audience.


	  EARTH DAY Carolyn will contact DeAnza about Earth Day.


	  CALIFORNIA FAIR ELECTIONS, PROP 15:  March 27:  California Fair 
Elections, Prop. 15?  Nancy Neff email.  They had a nice event in San 
Francisco.  They'd like $50 but that's not mandatory.  We agreed to 
co-sponsor this event.  We have already endorsed this.  We agreed to 
contribute $25.  (In San Mateo, they had ~6 politicians talk about how 
important this is.)  Jim will write the check;  Dana will fill out the 
forms.


FOOD FOR THOUGHT EVENT:


	  County wide "lose your lawn":  Santa Clara County will pay $1,000 (?) 
if you replace your lawn with California Native or low water usage plants.


	  Want to get through the Plenary before we discuss this further.


BERKELEY CANDIDATE TRAINING EVENT, just last weekend.  Historical run 
down.  In 2003, we had 160,000 Green party members during the war.  Now 
we are down to 111,000.  Tian met the first and only person to have been 
beaten by "none of the above" in 1992.


PLENARY PLANNING REPORTS:


	  Candidate's forum, 3:30 - 5 PM to be at the Mission City Coffee 
House, 1922 The Alameda, corner of McKendrie.  Then we use that room for 
social time after.  The room is free to us, because we keep it open to 
the public;  otherwise, it's $100 per hour.  It seats 50-60 people with 
a little stage at one end.  The state party will buy ~$70 of appetizers 
for this.  Jim already put down a $100 deposit.  Planning a debate 
between the


	  Meet at 7:30 AM to set up.  Plenary starts at 9 AM.



	  Brain has kitchen & signage + PA system, which is in Andrea's garage. 
  (Carol will bring her's also.)


	  Merriam:  Kitchen.  Were planning food for 50.  Need to keep the line 
moving.  Both sides of a one table (?).  Brian, Fred & Merriam = 
Kitchen.  + optionally Carlyn ... .  Ar. 7:30.  Brunch on the table by 8 
AM.  Work Friday 3 PM.  Refrigerator needs cleaning.  (no shelves) 
Bring cookie / baking sheets to put in the refrigerator.  Still need 
boxes for recyclables, compostables.  Today there were 4 (?) large 
garbage recipients.  Lunch at 11:45 Saturday;  11:50 on Sunday.  can get 
that room Sunday at 11:20;  on Saturday, nothing in that room in the 
morning.  Snacks:  Don't need much since they are leaving at 3:30. 
Sunday:  set up snacks right after lunch.  Plenary over at 4 PM. 
Merriam will be there at 3 PM;  they close the building at 5 PM.


	  No opening nor closing ceremony.  Discuss further off line.  If 
someone develops something, that's OK.


	  Jim Doyle:  Front desk, etc.:


	  Coordinate housing through Fred.


	  Andrea:  brought forks and spoons.  Should be enough, but should 
count and wash.  Andrea has a hot crock, e.g., for cheese.  Coffee urn 
12 to 30 cup.  Please deliver all Friday PM;  Andrea will deliver stuff 
to Carolyn to deliver to the Plenary location.


	  Mike Fischetti (sp) in Mt. View has serving things;  Tian will call.


	  Dana can take some compostables;  Werner can take others.

	
DELEGATES & ALTERNATES:  Werner, Andrea, Tom & Gerry;  alternates = Jim 
Stauffer, Dan and Valerie.


PLENARY AGENDA:  On the reverse side of tonight's agenda.  Candidates' 
bios will be available on line;  the URL is in the agenda packet.  Dana 
and Werner are delegates.  Agenda study group report accepted.


DOWNTOWN HOSPITAL (Jim Doyle):  Previous facility property purchased 
from bond funds, but questions about

	
BANKING ALTERNATIVES:  Dana changed to a credit union.  Write a formal 
letter to the bank and explain why I'm moving my money.  Send a copy to 
the Mercury News ... .  If lots of people did that, the Mercury News 
might print one.  Fred's Credit Union only gives 0.5% on a CD.  Stanford 
Credit Union.  "Move your money":  uses an investment research group 
that rates banks on various criteria.  Recommends "community banks". 
Merriam:  KKUP has gone to their bank and said we are moving our money 
to a community bank.  Tom:  "moveyourmoney.info"  Gerry:  This is a 
major issue.  Cameron will set it up.
	

OUTREACH DISTRIBUTION CHAIN CONCEPTS (Jim Doyle):  Some groups would be 
willing to distribute some of our literature for us.


More tabling:  Not do Santa Teresa.



From vdf at juno.com  Thu Mar  4 08:12:43 2010
From: vdf at juno.com (Valerie D. Face)
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 16:12:43 GMT
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] March meeting minutes
Message-ID: <20100304.081243.1091.3@webmail16.vgs.untd.com>

The notes from last night's meeting said,

"DELEGATES & ALTERNATES:  Werner, Andrea, Tom & Gerry;  alternates = Jim Stauffer, Dan and Valerie."

FYI, I did not volunteer to be an alternate.  My original plan had been to attend the plenary on Sunday as an observer and volunteer to do cleanup at the end of the event.  I communicated my intention to volunteer for cleanup to Jim Stauffer but I did not volunteer for anything else, and when I registered online it was as an observer.

Unfortunately, some personal things have come up that I must deal with on Sunday and it turns out that I will not be able to attend the plenary at all.  I have tried to arrange things otherwise, but it's just not working out.  I'm very sorry I won't be seeing you all on Sunday.

Best regards,
Valerie Face



____________________________________________________________
Small Business Tools
Compete with the big boys.  Click here to find products to benefit your business.
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=mkW-1qBe1p_jFS2VoE-qfwAAJ1BSv5BgKRMxjoB2-H05qqW1AAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARMQAAAAA=


From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Thu Mar  4 08:31:01 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:31:01 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] March meeting minutes
In-Reply-To: <20100304.081243.1091.3@webmail16.vgs.untd.com>
References: <20100304.081243.1091.3@webmail16.vgs.untd.com>
Message-ID: <4B8FE045.6000807@prodsyse.com>

Hi, Valerie:  Thanks for the correction.  I was only the note taker, and 
I'm far from perfect.  Best Wishes, Spencer Graves

On 3/4/2010 8:12 AM, Valerie D. Face wrote:
> The notes from last night's meeting said,
>
> "DELEGATES&  ALTERNATES:  Werner, Andrea, Tom&  Gerry;  alternates = Jim Stauffer, Dan and Valerie."
>
> FYI, I did not volunteer to be an alternate.  My original plan had been to attend the plenary on Sunday as an observer and volunteer to do cleanup at the end of the event.  I communicated my intention to volunteer for cleanup to Jim Stauffer but I did not volunteer for anything else, and when I registered online it was as an observer.
>
> Unfortunately, some personal things have come up that I must deal with on Sunday and it turns out that I will not be able to attend the plenary at all.  I have tried to arrange things otherwise, but it's just not working out.  I'm very sorry I won't be seeing you all on Sunday.
>
> Best regards,
> Valerie Face
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> Small Business Tools
> Compete with the big boys.  Click here to find products to benefit your business.
> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=mkW-1qBe1p_jFS2VoE-qfwAAJ1BSv5BgKRMxjoB2-H05qqW1AAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARMQAAAAA=
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
>    
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567



From j.m.doyle at sbcglobal.net  Thu Mar  4 09:03:02 2010
From: j.m.doyle at sbcglobal.net (Jim Doyle)
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:03:02 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] GPUS delegate election
Message-ID: <4B8FE7C6.7000605@sbcglobal.net>

GREEN PARTY COUNTY CONTACTS MESSAGE

This is an announcement from the GPCA Contact List. 
For more information, or questions related to the topic of the
posting, please do not hit reply.  Follow the contact directions
stated in the email.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Information about the election is in the plenary packet.  There will not
be the opportunity for candidate speeches nor paper copies of the bios.
A link to the bios was provided in the plenary packet, but I am also
reiterating it here. http://www.cagreens.org/delegates/election/2010-03/

To make it a little easier, I am listing the candidates here.
(Depending on email attributes, these may be "hot links.")  All the
candidates listed on the ballot are currently delegates except Greg Jan
and Mike Chamness.  Greg was a delegate, but was "termed out".  We have
a by-law proposal on the consent calendar which if passed, would allow
Greg to rejoin the delegation.  We have certainly missed him.

*Delegates*

*Craig Thorsen
<http://www.cagreens.org/delegates/election/2010-03/craig_thorsen.htm>*

*Jared Laiti
<http://www.cagreens.org/delegates/election/2010-03/jared_laiti.htm>

**Perrine Kelly
<http://www.cagreens.org/delegates/election/2010-03/perrine_kelly.htm>**

Susan Chunco
<http://www.cagreens.org/delegates/election/2010-03/susan_chunco.htm>

**Jack Lindblad
<http://www.cagreens.org/delegates/election/2010-03/jack_lindblad.htm>**

Greg Jan <http://www.cagreens.org/delegates/election/2010-03/greg_jan.htm>*

****
*Alternates**

*Jan Arnold
<http://www.cagreens.org/delegates/election/2010-03/jan_arnold.htm>

John Phillip Santos
<http://www.cagreens.org/delegates/election/2010-03/john_phillip_santos.htm>* 


*Mike Chamness
<http://www.cagreens.org/delegates/election/2010-03/mike_chamness.htm>*


Note that there is currently a proposal before the GPUS National
Committee with a recomputation of delegate allocation.  If it passes as
it is currently written, though there are some questions about how it
was computed, the delegation size will be reduced from 42 to 35.  If you
are curious about that proposal, or any GPUS proposal in the past or
future, they can be found at http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/index  If all
the current candidates are elected/reelected, we will have 32 delegates
and 16 alternates.

This relates to another part of our by-law proposal on the consent
calendar, right now our quorum for meetings is based on our GPUS
allocation, whether we have all of our seats filled or not.  This is
different that every other GPCA committee.  We are asking for a change
in our by-laws for our quorum to be based on actual number of seated
delegates rather than allocated number.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sanda Everette <sanda at greens.org>

_______________________________________________
Contacts2006 mailing list
Contacts2006 at lists.cagreens.org
http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/contacts2006


From carolineyacoub at att.net  Thu Mar  4 09:35:34 2010
From: carolineyacoub at att.net (Caroline Yacoub)
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 09:35:34 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fw: [BASC Chat] Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley
	Employment Opportunities
Message-ID: <339656.40802.qm@web81203.mail.mud.yahoo.com>





----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Dianne Kochenburg <dianne at clevermag.com>
To: Bascchat at yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, March 4, 2010 8:43:24 AM
Subject: [BASC Chat] Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley Employment Opportunities

? 
http://www.wcsv. org/about/ employment/

If somebody is looking for an interesting part time job with the Wildlife
Center, here's the info. 

Dianne K.


__._,_.___
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) 
Recent Activity: 	* New Members 2 
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From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Thu Mar  4 09:56:26 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:56:26 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] March meeting minutes
References: <20100304.081243.1091.3@webmail16.vgs.untd.com>
Message-ID: <4B8FF44A.6020503@earthlink.net>


Valerie,

sorry about the confusion about alternate status, and sorry
that you won't be able to attend the plenary.

Best wishes,

Gerry


Valerie D. Face wrote:

> The notes from last night's meeting said,
> 
> "DELEGATES & ALTERNATES:  Werner, Andrea, Tom & Gerry;  alternates = Jim Stauffer, Dan and Valerie."
> 
> FYI, I did not volunteer to be an alternate.  My original plan had been to attend the plenary on Sunday as an observer and volunteer to do cleanup at the end of the event.  I communicated my intention to volunteer for cleanup to Jim Stauffer but I did not volunteer for anything else, and when I registered online it was as an observer.
> 
> Unfortunately, some personal things have come up that I must deal with on Sunday and it turns out that I will not be able to attend the plenary at all.  I have tried to arrange things otherwise, but it's just not working out.  I'm very sorry I won't be seeing you all on Sunday.
> 
> Best regards,
> Valerie Face
> 






From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Thu Mar  4 09:58:18 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:58:18 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] March meeting minutes
References: <20100304.081243.1091.3@webmail16.vgs.untd.com>
	<4B8FE045.6000807@prodsyse.com>
Message-ID: <4B8FF4BA.7030008@earthlink.net>


Spencer,

your note taking was correct on this.
It was my mistake for not checking with Valerie.

Gerry


spencerg wrote:

> Hi, Valerie:  Thanks for the correction.  I was only the note taker, and 
> I'm far from perfect.  Best Wishes, Spencer Graves
> 
> On 3/4/2010 8:12 AM, Valerie D. Face wrote:
> 
>> The notes from last night's meeting said,
>>
>> "DELEGATES&  ALTERNATES:  Werner, Andrea, Tom&  Gerry;  alternates = 
>> Jim Stauffer, Dan and Valerie."
>>
>> FYI, I did not volunteer to be an alternate.  My original plan had 
>> been to attend the plenary on Sunday as an observer and volunteer to 
>> do cleanup at the end of the event.  I communicated my intention to 
>> volunteer for cleanup to Jim Stauffer but I did not volunteer for 
>> anything else, and when I registered online it was as an observer.
>>
>> Unfortunately, some personal things have come up that I must deal with 
>> on Sunday and it turns out that I will not be able to attend the 
>> plenary at all.  I have tried to arrange things otherwise, but it's 
>> just not working out.  I'm very sorry I won't be seeing you all on Sunday.
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Valerie Face
>>
>>
>>
>> ____________________________________________________________
>> Small Business Tools
>> Compete with the big boys.  Click here to find products to benefit 
>> your business.
>> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=mkW-1qBe1p_jFS2VoE-qfwAAJ1BSv5BgKRMxjoB2-H05qqW1AAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARMQAAAAA=
>> _______________________________________________
>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
>>    
> 




From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Thu Mar  4 10:07:53 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:07:53 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] March meeting minutes
In-Reply-To: <4B8FF4BA.7030008@earthlink.net>
References: <20100304.081243.1091.3@webmail16.vgs.untd.com>
	<4B8FE045.6000807@prodsyse.com> <4B8FF4BA.7030008@earthlink.net>
Message-ID: <4B8FF6F9.90101@prodsyse.com>

Hi Gerry and Valerie:


       As long as people understand that these notes will contain errors 
(and people like Valerie do not get upset with occasionally being named 
for something in error), both Gerry and I did the right thing.  
Information can be expensive, and it's better to have theses notes with 
errors than waste excessive time and agony worrying about potential 
problems like this, especially since the result would be less complete 
and less informative notes, delivered too late to be useful for much of 
anything.


       Best Wishes,
       Spencer


On 3/4/2010 9:58 AM, Gerry Gras wrote:
>
> Spencer,
>
> your note taking was correct on this.
> It was my mistake for not checking with Valerie.
>
> Gerry
>
>
> spencerg wrote:
>
>> Hi, Valerie:  Thanks for the correction.  I was only the note taker, 
>> and I'm far from perfect.  Best Wishes, Spencer Graves
>>
>> On 3/4/2010 8:12 AM, Valerie D. Face wrote:
>>
>>> The notes from last night's meeting said,
>>>
>>> "DELEGATES&  ALTERNATES:  Werner, Andrea, Tom&  Gerry;  alternates = 
>>> Jim Stauffer, Dan and Valerie."
>>>
>>> FYI, I did not volunteer to be an alternate.  My original plan had 
>>> been to attend the plenary on Sunday as an observer and volunteer to 
>>> do cleanup at the end of the event.  I communicated my intention to 
>>> volunteer for cleanup to Jim Stauffer but I did not volunteer for 
>>> anything else, and when I registered online it was as an observer.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, some personal things have come up that I must deal 
>>> with on Sunday and it turns out that I will not be able to attend 
>>> the plenary at all.  I have tried to arrange things otherwise, but 
>>> it's just not working out.  I'm very sorry I won't be seeing you all 
>>> on Sunday.
>>>
>>> Best regards,
>>> Valerie Face
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ____________________________________________________________
>>> Small Business Tools
>>> Compete with the big boys.  Click here to find products to benefit 
>>> your business.
>>> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=mkW-1qBe1p_jFS2VoE-qfwAAJ1BSv5BgKRMxjoB2-H05qqW1AAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARMQAAAAA= 
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567



From vdf at juno.com  Thu Mar  4 11:01:56 2010
From: vdf at juno.com (Valerie D. Face)
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 19:01:56 GMT
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] March meeting minutes
Message-ID: <20100304.110156.10442.0@webmail15.vgs.untd.com>

Hi folks,

No big deal -- I was not upset.

I felt I needed to point out an error that appeared to commit me to something I couldn't do so that people could make other arrangements for volunteers.  I included the other info about how I signed up, etc., so that the people involved could figure out where the error occurred, since I had no way of knowing what happened.

Valerie

---------- Original Message ----------
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:07:53 -0800
From: spencerg <spencer.graves at prodsyse.com>
To: Gerry Gras <gerrygras at earthlink.net>
CC: "Valerie D. Face" <vdf at juno.com>, sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
Subject: Re: [GPSCC-chat] March meeting minutes

Hi Gerry and Valerie:


       As long as people understand that these notes will contain errors 
(and people like Valerie do not get upset with occasionally being named 
for something in error), both Gerry and I did the right thing.  
Information can be expensive, and it's better to have theses notes with 
errors than waste excessive time and agony worrying about potential 
problems like this, especially since the result would be less complete 
and less informative notes, delivered too late to be useful for much of 
anything.


       Best Wishes,
       Spencer


On 3/4/2010 9:58 AM, Gerry Gras wrote:
>
> Spencer,
>
> your note taking was correct on this.
> It was my mistake for not checking with Valerie.
>
> Gerry
>
>
> spencerg wrote:
>
>> Hi, Valerie:  Thanks for the correction.  I was only the note taker, 
>> and I'm far from perfect.  Best Wishes, Spencer Graves
>>
>> On 3/4/2010 8:12 AM, Valerie D. Face wrote:
>>
>>> The notes from last night's meeting said,
>>>
>>> "DELEGATES&  ALTERNATES:  Werner, Andrea, Tom&  Gerry;  alternates = 
>>> Jim Stauffer, Dan and Valerie."
>>>
>>> FYI, I did not volunteer to be an alternate.  My original plan had 
>>> been to attend the plenary on Sunday as an observer and volunteer to 
>>> do cleanup at the end of the event.  I communicated my intention to 
>>> volunteer for cleanup to Jim Stauffer but I did not volunteer for 
>>> anything else, and when I registered online it was as an observer.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, some personal things have come up that I must deal 
>>> with on Sunday and it turns out that I will not be able to attend 
>>> the plenary at all.  I have tried to arrange things otherwise, but 
>>> it's just not working out.  I'm very sorry I won't be seeing you all 
>>> on Sunday.
>>>
>>> Best regards,
>>> Valerie Face
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ____________________________________________________________
>>> Small Business Tools
>>> Compete with the big boys.  Click here to find products to benefit 
>>> your business.
>>> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=mkW-1qBe1p_jFS2VoE-qfwAAJ1BSv5BgKRMxjoB2-H05qqW1AAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARMQAAAAA= 
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567



From danasg at greens.org  Thu Mar  4 16:31:44 2010
From: danasg at greens.org (Dana St. George)
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:31:44 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Junior Statesman
Message-ID: <4B9050F0.6010104@greens.org>

Hello,

	Just received a call inviting the GPSCC to participate once more at the Junior Statesman 
annual meeting at the Marriott Hotel in Sta Clara on Saturday, April 24 from 1-4:45 p.m. 
There is no fee for tablers.  Contact person is:

	Alex	(925) 984-7337
		alexrogala at ivwriting.com


Dana St. George


From wrolley at charter.net  Fri Mar  5 07:33:34 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:33:34 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] =?utf-8?q?Growing_Thymes=3A_March_2010_Newsletter_?=
 =?utf-8?q?=C2=AB_Veggielution_Community_Farm?=
Message-ID: <4B91244E.1060006@charter.net>

http://www.veggielution.org/2010/03/growing-thymes-march-2010-newsletter/#more-591

Another SCC Community Farm... this one with a farm stand.


-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From wrolley at charter.net  Fri Mar  5 10:27:57 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:27:57 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Plenary
Message-ID: <4B914D2D.7070201@charter.net>

I won't be able to make the Plenary.  However, I am spending some time 
working the phones to try and make sure that we get local Press 
Coverage...e.g. call to Managing Editor of Merc/News to make sure that 
they cover it.

There are many things on the agenda, not the least of which is the fact 
that for many it will be the first, maybe the only, opportunity to watch 
and listen to our candidates for statewide office.

Having said that, I am compelled to make the following comment regarding 
the seriousness of the climate change situation as we know it now.  The 
big unknown for climate change has involved the potential for a massive 
release of methane gas from frozen deposits under the Arctic Ocean. 
Methane may be comparatively short lived in the atmosphere, its 
influence being measured in decades rather than centuries, but it has 
not been used as a primary feedback into the climate models on which 
most predictions have been made.

The news just today,  is that the Univ. of Alaska / Fairbanks has 
released a study indicating that this release of methane has begun. For 
detailed information / discussion, one could read Joe Romm's Climate 
Progress.  I will write my own take at California Greening.  The tone of 
many is not hopeful and it appears that we will surely blow well past 
the levels (350 ppm) that many used as a target.

As we evaluate the performance of our candidates, we should pay a lot of 
attention to the fact that both of the major Republicans, Whitman and 
Poizner, would postpone implementation of the one thing that CA is doing 
about climate change (AB 32).  It is also clear that Jerry Brown will 
read the polls before he says much.  Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue is 
heading a well funded (oil co?) initiative effort to suspend AB 32 
http://www.suspendab32.org/

The world can't wait. Greens must speak out.



-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Fri Mar  5 11:59:29 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:59:29 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Plenary
References: <4B914D2D.7070201@charter.net>
Message-ID: <4B9162A1.9060904@earthlink.net>


We are already at 387.

Gerry


Wes Rolley wrote:

> I won't be able to make the Plenary.  However, I am spending some time 
> working the phones to try and make sure that we get local Press 
> Coverage...e.g. call to Managing Editor of Merc/News to make sure that 
> they cover it.
> 
> There are many things on the agenda, not the least of which is the fact 
> that for many it will be the first, maybe the only, opportunity to watch 
> and listen to our candidates for statewide office.
> 
> Having said that, I am compelled to make the following comment regarding 
> the seriousness of the climate change situation as we know it now.  The 
> big unknown for climate change has involved the potential for a massive 
> release of methane gas from frozen deposits under the Arctic Ocean. 
> Methane may be comparatively short lived in the atmosphere, its 
> influence being measured in decades rather than centuries, but it has 
> not been used as a primary feedback into the climate models on which 
> most predictions have been made.
> 
> The news just today,  is that the Univ. of Alaska / Fairbanks has 
> released a study indicating that this release of methane has begun. For 
> detailed information / discussion, one could read Joe Romm's Climate 
> Progress.  I will write my own take at California Greening.  The tone of 
> many is not hopeful and it appears that we will surely blow well past 
> the levels (350 ppm) that many used as a target.
> 
> As we evaluate the performance of our candidates, we should pay a lot of 
> attention to the fact that both of the major Republicans, Whitman and 
> Poizner, would postpone implementation of the one thing that CA is doing 
> about climate change (AB 32).  It is also clear that Jerry Brown will 
> read the polls before he says much.  Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue is 
> heading a well funded (oil co?) initiative effort to suspend AB 32 
> http://www.suspendab32.org/
> 
> The world can't wait. Greens must speak out.
> 
> 
> 




From wrolley at charter.net  Fri Mar  5 13:01:20 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:01:20 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Mercury News
Message-ID: <4B917120.4030502@charter.net>

I was told that the Mercury News will probably NOT cover the plenary.  
They only have 2 or 3 reporters working on the weekend and weekend 
events by minor parties will probably not be covered.   (Any local Oscar 
party will surely deserve a photo shoot, however).

Maybe we need to have an avatar write it for them.

It all goes to make the point that we will need letters to the editor in 
every paper on the county to get any notice at all.

However... the editor of the Morgan Hill Times will give us ~500 words.

Almost every community in the County has a local, mostly weekly, paper.  
Some are dailies.  If we want any presence, we have to write it 
ourselves, preferable with a local slant, and get at least a letter to 
the editor in the paper... expressing how impressed you were with the 
event and the party.

-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From the_alliance47 at yahoo.com  Fri Mar  5 13:18:25 2010
From: the_alliance47 at yahoo.com (Edward)
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 13:18:25 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Plenary
In-Reply-To: <mailman.1.1267819201.18998.sosfbay-discuss@cagreens.org>
Message-ID: <612519.56979.qm@web54305.mail.re2.yahoo.com>

Most people forget (or worse, don't even know) that CO2 is only responsible for half our GHG emissions. Methane and aerosols account for the other half.
In the event that we are already past the tipping point as the recent UA Fairbanks study may suggest, what does our platform say about minimizing the harm of climate destabilization?
-edward

--- On Fri, 3/5/10, sosfbay-discuss-request at cagreens.org <sosfbay-discuss-request at cagreens.org> wrote:
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:59:29 -0800
From: Gerry Gras <gerrygras at earthlink.net>
To: Wes Rolley <wrolley at charter.net>
Cc: Green Discuss <sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org>,??? Cres Vellucci
??? <civillib at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [GPSCC-chat] Plenary
Message-ID: <4B9162A1.9060904 at earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed


We are already at 387.

Gerry


Wes Rolley wrote:

> I won't be able to make the Plenary.? However, I am spending some time 
> working the phones to try and make sure that we get local Press 
> Coverage...e.g. call to Managing Editor of Merc/News to make sure that 
> they cover it.
> 
> There are many things on the agenda, not the least of which is the fact 
> that for many it will be the first, maybe the only, opportunity to watch 
> and listen to our candidates for statewide office.
> 
> Having said that, I am compelled to make the following comment regarding 
> the seriousness of the climate change situation as we know it now.? The 
> big unknown for climate change has involved the potential for a massive 
> release of methane gas from frozen deposits under the Arctic Ocean. 
> Methane may be comparatively short lived in the atmosphere, its 
> influence being measured in decades rather than centuries, but it has 
> not been used as a primary feedback into the climate models on which 
> most predictions have been made.
> 
> The news just today,? is that the Univ. of Alaska / Fairbanks has 
> released a study indicating that this release of methane has begun. For 
> detailed information / discussion, one could read Joe Romm's Climate 
> Progress.? I will write my own take at California Greening.? The tone of 
> many is not hopeful and it appears that we will surely blow well past 
> the levels (350 ppm) that many used as a target.
> 
> As we evaluate the performance of our candidates, we should pay a lot of 
> attention to the fact that both of the major Republicans, Whitman and 
> Poizner, would postpone implementation of the one thing that CA is doing 
> about climate change (AB 32).? It is also clear that Jerry Brown will 
> read the polls before he says much.? Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue is 
> heading a well funded (oil co?) initiative effort to suspend AB 32 
> http://www.suspendab32.org/
> 
> The world can't wait. Greens must speak out.



      
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From civillib at comcast.net  Fri Mar  5 13:12:14 2010
From: civillib at comcast.net (civillib at comcast.net)
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:12:14 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] [GPCA-MediaComm] Mercury News
In-Reply-To: <4B917120.4030502@charter.net>
References: <4B917120.4030502@charter.net>
Message-ID: <4B9173AE.7020905@comcast.net>

Not unexpected. I was a weekend editor at the Bee and we had NO 
staff (one police reporter and a couple of other people sitting 
around). And that was when times were good.

Frankly, I care more about TV coverage (which reaches more 
people) and we have had luck there in the past. We'll try again.

Wes, thanks for doing this. Did Morgan Hill say they'd send a 
reporter or just use the press release?

Cres

Wes Rolley wrote:
> I was told that the Mercury News will probably NOT cover the plenary.  
> They only have 2 or 3 reporters working on the weekend and weekend 
> events by minor parties will probably not be covered.   (Any local Oscar 
> party will surely deserve a photo shoot, however).
> 
> Maybe we need to have an avatar write it for them.
> 
> It all goes to make the point that we will need letters to the editor in 
> every paper on the county to get any notice at all.
> 
> However... the editor of the Morgan Hill Times will give us ~500 words.
> 
> Almost every community in the County has a local, mostly weekly, paper.  
> Some are dailies.  If we want any presence, we have to write it 
> ourselves, preferable with a local slant, and get at least a letter to 
> the editor in the paper... expressing how impressed you were with the 
> event and the party.
> 


From wrolley at charter.net  Fri Mar  5 13:31:54 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:31:54 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Plenary
In-Reply-To: <612519.56979.qm@web54305.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
References: <612519.56979.qm@web54305.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <4B91784A.3060608@charter.net>

Edward wrote:
> Most people forget (or worse, don't even know) that CO2 is only 
> responsible for half our GHG emissions. Methane and aerosols account 
> for the other half.
>
> In the event that we are already past the tipping point as the recent 
> UA Fairbanks study may suggest, what does our platform say about 
> minimizing the harm of climate destabilization?
>
Good question, Edward.

Reading the GPCA platform makes it sound more like CFC's and ozone 
depletion is equally important.  However, it does call for the 
following... (excerpted).

    * The U.S. legislating reduction of its carbon dioxide emissions to
      1990 levels by the year 2005.
    * Cooperating with the rest of the world in reducing the use of
      fossil fuels by large scale conservation, and by converting to
      safe, renewable energy sources.
    * Implementing the provisions of the United Nations Conference on
      Environment and Development (UNCED). The U.S. should work on other
      international agreements to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
    * Halting deforestation. Global warming is aggravated by
      deforestation since plant life, primarily forests, breaks up CO2
      through photosynthesis. We must undertake domestic and
      international reforestation programs to help preserve the atmosphere.
    * Establishing an environmental trust fund with money raised from
      pollution fees and other public revenues. The fund should be
      administered by an appropriate governmental agency and used to
      assist programs such as reforestation, conversion to non-polluting
      energy sources, and development of substitutes for
      ozone-destroying substances.

This section of the platform apperas to be almost quaint in it's 
perspective and needs updates... e.g. 2005 date referred to in the 1st 
item has long passed.   Unfortunately, the ecological thread in Green 
Party thinking has been unraveling for a long time.

-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From wrolley at refpub.com  Fri Mar  5 17:27:42 2010
From: wrolley at refpub.com (Wes Rolley)
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:27:42 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Mercury News... again.
Message-ID: <4B91AF8E.2010305@refpub.com>

I finally got a call from an editor (David Early) at the Mercury News.  
After a little talking, they will send a reporter to the session on 
Sunday.  Best I could do.  I just hope that no one is so locked into any 
particular session that they can't make time to be available.

In less that 30 minutes work today, I got a major newspaper to cover the 
session and a local paper to agree to run a story.

I am sure that all of the work that everyone has done will pay off, but 
nothing is certain.  Follow up, and then check the follow up. Sort of 
like Prince Hal at the battle of Harfleur.  "Once more into the breech, 
dear friends, once more,". 


From snug.bug at hotmail.com  Sat Mar  6 00:33:04 2010
From: snug.bug at hotmail.com (Brian Good)
Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 00:33:04 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Need Phone Plug to Phono Plug (RCA) adapters
Message-ID: <BAY140-W279A165C46442FACB16D209E370@phx.gbl>



  For microphones at Plenary.  If anyone has them, please bring.  
Otherwise I can get at Radio Shack.


 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469230/direct/01/
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From td at studiotom.com  Sat Mar  6 00:44:03 2010
From: td at studiotom.com (Tom Donohue)
Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 00:44:03 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Need Phone Plug to Phono Plug (RCA) adapters
In-Reply-To: <BAY140-W279A165C46442FACB16D209E370@phx.gbl>
References: <BAY140-W279A165C46442FACB16D209E370@phx.gbl>
Message-ID: <B5F955ED-09DA-47E1-8FD9-CCD4CA6D6F16@studiotom.com>

I have a short audio cable, dual RCA to 1/8" stereo male, is that what you need? I'll bring it with me.

Cheers,
Tom


On Mar 6, 2010, at 12:33 AM, Brian Good wrote:

> 
>   For microphones at Plenary.  If anyone has them, please bring.  
> Otherwise I can get at Radio Shack.
> 
> 
> 
> Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now. _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss

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From wrolley at charter.net  Fri Mar  5 16:04:14 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:04:14 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Green Party State Meeting.
Message-ID: <4B919BFE.5010804@charter.net>

David,
The general schedule for the Green Party State Meeting is posted here

http://www.cagreens.org/plenary/directions.html

along with venue information.

The GP California Press Secretary is Cres Vellucci.  Here is his contact 
info.




-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From carolineyacoub at att.net  Sun Mar  7 06:36:20 2010
From: carolineyacoub at att.net (Caroline Yacoub)
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 06:36:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] press conference
Message-ID: <801436.23713.qm@web81203.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Tune your radio to 740 am to hear a story about the plenary and qoutes from Laura and Deacon.
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From cbrouillet at igc.org  Sun Mar  7 18:36:18 2010
From: cbrouillet at igc.org (Carol Brouillet)
Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:36:18 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Missing Item from Plenary...
Message-ID: <E1NoSpP-0002xj-PC@elasmtp-scoter.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

If anyone has the black, plastic, rectangular case that the 
microphone was in, it belongs to me.  I did get back the sound 
system, microphone, kitchen stuff, and a lot of cookies...

Carol Brouillet
650-857-0927



From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Mon Mar  8 11:14:38 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:14:38 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Study on viability of renewable energy
Message-ID: <4B954C9E.7010906@earthlink.net>


This study describes how to create a system where
the conventional power plants would only be needed
for 6% of North Carolina's energy.

"Challenging Conventional Wisdom on Renewable Energy's Limits"

     http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/03/08-3

Gerry




From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Mon Mar  8 12:10:44 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:10:44 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] SJ Merc article about San Jose Plenary
Message-ID: <4B9559C4.60506@earthlink.net>


(From the San Jose Mercury News)

"Green Party in California Trying to Stem Shrinking Numbers"

     http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/03/08-1

Gerry




From wrolley at charter.net  Mon Mar  8 12:35:58 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:35:58 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] SJ Merc article about San Jose Plenary
In-Reply-To: <4B9559C4.60506@earthlink.net>
References: <4B9559C4.60506@earthlink.net>
Message-ID: <4B955FAE.6050003@charter.net>

For those of you who have read this article, let me pass on the comments 
from GPCA Press Secretary, Cres Vellucci... as posted to the Media 
Committee email list this AM.

> Folks,
>
> One of my very first points in media workshops is: "NEVER trust a 
> print reporter." It's nice to be right. :)
>
> All in all, the story was factually incorrect. And negative. And just 
> poorly written. However, it is better than being totally ignored. It 
> really is.
>
> (We also received coverage Saturday from KCBS radio - the No. 1 news 
> station in the SF Bay Area and Northern California - that focused on 
> Deacon and Laura interviews).
>
> That said, it is frustrating - especially as a former news guy - to 
> see how poor reporters to their job.
>
> Despite spending nearly 2 hours with this reporter, and offering her 
> positive comments on any and all questions, she chose
> to ignore Jane Rands and myself largely the story. She NEVER got a 
> negative comment from us and spent 90 percent of her time with us. But 
> you see few if any direct quotes.
>
> In response to her repeated questions, we spoke about declining 
> numbers of voters generally in all parties, and the large uptick in 
> DTS numbers. She ignored that and instead focused on OUR low numbers 
> in her story, which was incorrect factually in so many places.
>
> If they were relatively little mistakes, I would ignore them. I don't 
> like to complain about coverage. Because that often results in no 
> coverage. Reporters have LONG memories.
>
> But let me count:
>
> 1. "...meeting shrunk to 40 people...even Laura Wells (and) Deacon 
> Alexander skipped Sunday's talks."
> (We explained it was a "business meeting" and that the candidates, who 
> had been around Saturday, were campaigning elsewhere Sunday. She 
> ignored that.)
>
> 2. Our declining numbers.
> (Although she did use some of our explanations (Obama, Kucinich, 
> etc.), it was buried in the story).
>
> 3. "...gathering appeared to have few nonwhite members."
> (She did not note women delegates were many. We repeatedly said that 
> while more people of color would be ideal, because more than any other 
> party, we represent people still fighting for their basic rights in 
> the country, we also understood that people
> fighting for those rights every day don't have as much time to be
> involved in "party business" meetings. We noted Deacon was 
> African-American. She ignored that.)
>
> 3. "The party knows of just 33 Green holding elective office.."
> (Of course, the positive - Greens do hold significant elected offices 
> - was ignored, hence her use of "just." And she found that few held 
> office San Jose/San Mateo, and focused on that)
>
> 4. "....they echoed the perennial lament of small parties...media 
> neglect and scarce resources"
>
> (Actually, what we did NOT say was 'media neglect." What we said say, 
> repeatedly, was that we would not accept corporate contributions, as 
> Democrats and the GOP do - and that's why they are bought and sold-  
> and because there's too much money in elections, we were at a 
> disadvantage. And because the larger parties has worked to keep us out 
> of debates (usually) we were kept out of the voters' view.)
>
> One "tip" that a reporter has done a poor job reporting - frequent 
> today much more than 20 years ago - is the noticeable lack of direct 
> quotes, which usually means the reporter is inserting his/her own 
> opinion in the piece.
>
> And so it goes. 


Gerry Gras wrote:
>
> (From the San Jose Mercury News)
>
> "Green Party in California Trying to Stem Shrinking Numbers"
>
>     http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/03/08-1
>
> Gerry
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
>


-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From wrolley at charter.net  Mon Mar  8 12:44:58 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:44:58 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Responses to the MurkyNews article
Message-ID: <4B9561CA.2090308@charter.net>

I would have though that Jim Stauffer could easily sleep in until about 
3:00 today after all of the work done on the plenary.  But, no, he also 
got a good, long, corrective comment posted to the Mercury News Article. 

Too be you have to read some of the other BS there to get to it.

Wes

-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From tnharter at aceweb.com  Mon Mar  8 14:51:02 2010
From: tnharter at aceweb.com (Tian Harter)
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:51:02 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Responses to the MurkyNews article
In-Reply-To: <4B9561CA.2090308@charter.net>
References: <4B9561CA.2090308@charter.net>
Message-ID: <4B957F56.80604@aceweb.com>

Not so long after Gerry posted the link to that article, somebody
named KatrinaWoodstock (I don't recognize the name) unsubscribed.

A coincidence?

I'm still waiting for the flurry of subscribes from readers that want to
find out more...

Tian

Wes Rolley wrote:
> I would have though that Jim Stauffer could easily sleep in until about
> 3:00 today after all of the work done on the plenary.  But, no, he also
> got a good, long, corrective comment posted to the Mercury News Article.
> Too be you have to read some of the other BS there to get to it.
> 
> Wes
> 

-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Latest change: I've gotten about 23 of the 20 signatures I need.


From WB4D23 at aol.com  Mon Mar  8 17:52:51 2010
From: WB4D23 at aol.com (WB4D23 at aol.com)
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 20:52:51 EST
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] [Fwd: Co-sponsorship for Prop 15 event 3/27]
Message-ID: <43619.1cb1d943.38c703f3@aol.com>

The Green Party of California endorsed Proposition 15 at its  statewide 
meeting this weekend.  We also oppose Proposition 14 which, if  adopted, could 
prevent Proposition 15 from going into effect.
 
Warner
 
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From WB4D23 at aol.com  Mon Mar  8 18:11:31 2010
From: WB4D23 at aol.com (WB4D23 at aol.com)
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 21:11:31 EST
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] SJ Merc article about San Jose Plenary
Message-ID: <44875.412199e6.38c70853@aol.com>

 
The SJMN has had a hostile attitude towards the GP for  years.  Getting an 
article of this length is the most visibility we have  had in that newspaper 
in many years.  I read the story and Cres' review and  have a different 
reaction.  IMO, the commentary parts of the article are  generally accurate and 
don't say anything different than what we have been  saying amoug ourselves 
in the GP for years.  Particularly regarding the  lack of candidates being 
a strategic deficit.  Lack of candidates means  lack of credibility for a 
political party.   Warner
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From jims at greens.org  Mon Mar  8 19:27:35 2010
From: jims at greens.org (Jim Stauffer)
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:27:35 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] =?windows-1252?q?Fwd=3A_Re=3A_=5Bgpca-erwg=5D_Califo?=
 =?windows-1252?q?rnia_Union_Official_Files_Lawsuit_to_Alter_Ballot_Descri?=
 =?windows-1252?q?ption_of_=93Top-Two_Open_Primary=94?=
Message-ID: <4B95C027.1020806@greens.org>

This is hilarious.

Jim



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [gpca-erwg] California Union Official Files Lawsuit to Alter
Ballot Description of ?Top-Two Open Primary?
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:27:19 -0800
From: Mike Feinstein <mfeinstein at feinstein.org>
Reply-To: mfeinstein at feinstein.org,        GP of Cal Electoral Reform WG
<gpca-erwg at cagreens.org>
To: GP of Cal Electoral Reform WG <gpca-erwg at cagreens.org>

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-open-primary8-2010mar08,0,1913305.story

Challenge could alter primary vote measure
Opponents of Proposition 14 want changes in its language, and its
legislative backers won't fight.

By Evan Halper

March 8, 2010


Saying a June ballot measure that would change how California's primary
elections are held won't deliver on its reform promises, opponents are
trying to change it -- and they appear to have allies in lawmakers who
helped put it on the ballot.

The legislators, who voted for the proposal grudgingly as part of a
budget deal last year, have directed their attorneys not to fight a
legal challenge that would significantly change the way the measure
appears before voters, according to a legislative spokesman. Proposition
14 would permit Californians to cast ballots in state primaries
regardless of candidates' or voters' party affiliations. It would not
apply to presidential contests.

The challenge was filed in Sacramento County Superior Court by a union
that is a large donor to the Democrats who control the Legislature.
Attorneys for the Legislature have agreed to a settlement that would
strip from the proposal statements that it would give voters more
options, encourage more voter participation in elections and "reform"
the election process.

The court will consider the proposed settlement as early as this week.

The Legislature's turnabout has enraged Proposition 14 proponents. They
say the refusal of lawmakers' lawyers to defend it as written is driven
by entrenched party bosses whose power could be undermined if voters
passed it.

"They don't want it to pass," said Steve Merksamer, an attorney for a
coalition that is campaigning in favor of the proposition. "This measure
goes to the heart of changing the system and changing their dominance."

Dave Low, a lobbyist for the California School Employees Assn., which
filed the suit, called accusations by the coalition that his union
worked out a backroom deal with legislative leaders to undermine the
measure "preposterous."

"They are trying to make a connection that doesn't exist," he said.

Low said legislative attorneys agreed to change the measure's language
because in its current form it is "untrue" and "biased."

On Sunday, the coalition issued a statement calling the pending
settlement an "illegal power grab." The group accused Democrats who
oppose the measure of using the union, which donated $421,000 to
Democrats last year, to undermine the measure. The coalition,
Californians for an Open Primary, includes AARP, the California Chamber
of Commerce and the California Business Roundtable.

On Tuesday, the coalition and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will ask the
court for standing in the case and seek to thwart the settlement.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Matt David said the deal reflects "Sacramento's
dysfunction and why Californians have lost faith in its ability to solve
problems. The governor will intervene in this case to fight for the
reform that Californians overwhelmingly support."

The Legislative Counsel's office declined to comment on the pending
case. A spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker John P?rez (D-Los Angeles) did
not respond to calls and e-mails.

Nathan Barankin, a spokesman for Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-
Sacramento), confirmed that the Legislature and school employees union
would take the proposed settlement to the court. He called charges of a
plot by Democrats to undermine the measure "bogus."

Barankin said Steinberg learned of the union's lawsuit after it was
filed. The Legislature wants the settlement, Barankin said, because its
lawyers say the measure's existing language is difficult to defend.

Proposition 14 was championed by state Sen. Abel Maldonado of Santa
Maria, one of the few moderate Republicans in the Legislature.
Maldonado, who was recently appointed to fill the vacant lieutenant
governor's post by Schwarzenegger but is awaiting legislative
confirmation, could benefit from any primary open to Democrats and
independents in addition to Republicans.

Only a handful of lawmakers are in that position.

The proposal was cobbled together amid intense budget negotiations last
year. As part of the deal, Barankin said, Maldonado and Schwarzenegger
insisted it not be changed. "It was presented as 'take it or leave it,'
" Barankin said.

evan.halper at latimes.com


_______________________________________________
gpca-erwg mailing list
gpca-erwg at cagreens.org
http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-erwg



From tnharter at aceweb.com  Mon Mar  8 22:00:57 2010
From: tnharter at aceweb.com (Tian Harter)
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:00:57 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] green email lists
Message-ID: <4B95E419.1090108@aceweb.com>

Hello Bill,

Please send that biodiesel post to sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
It's not the kind of thing that's really apropriate for our news list.
-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Latest change: I've gotten about 26 of the 20 signatures I need.



From jims at greens.org  Tue Mar  9 09:22:58 2010
From: jims at greens.org (Jim Stauffer)
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:22:58 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Missing Item from Plenary...
In-Reply-To: <E1NoSpP-0002xj-PC@elasmtp-scoter.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
References: <E1NoSpP-0002xj-PC@elasmtp-scoter.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
Message-ID: <4B9683F2.2080309@greens.org>

Oops. It's sitting in a box of my stuff.

Jim




On 3/7/2010 6:36 PM, Carol Brouillet wrote:
> If anyone has the black, plastic, rectangular case that the microphone
> was in, it belongs to me. I did get back the sound system, microphone,
> kitchen stuff, and a lot of cookies...
>
> Carol Brouillet
> 650-857-0927
>
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
>


From buixote at gmail.com  Tue Mar  9 06:48:21 2010
From: buixote at gmail.com (Bill Michel)
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 06:48:21 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] biodiesel
Message-ID: <p06240823c7bc0fda8fd7@[192.168.1.101]>

Hi All,

I've been at this for about 10 years now. I know it's not a silver
bullet, and I'm not advocating palm plantations in central america, but
still believe that it offers a non-fossil transition fuel (esp. useful
in instances such as school buses where kidees are breathing toxic
diesel fumes).

If you're interested in getting involved yourself, let me know.

Bill Michel


From tnharter at aceweb.com  Tue Mar  9 16:02:00 2010
From: tnharter at aceweb.com (Tian Harter)
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:02:00 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Missing Item from Plenary...
In-Reply-To: <4B9683F2.2080309@greens.org>
References: <E1NoSpP-0002xj-PC@elasmtp-scoter.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
	<4B9683F2.2080309@greens.org>
Message-ID: <4B96E178.40403@aceweb.com>

I ended up with a black cable with miniature headphone jacks at
both ends, and a golden adaptor at one end to a big stereo jack.
Not sure who it belongs to.

Tian

Jim Stauffer wrote:
> Oops. It's sitting in a box of my stuff.
> 
> Jim
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 3/7/2010 6:36 PM, Carol Brouillet wrote:
>> If anyone has the black, plastic, rectangular case that the microphone
>> was in, it belongs to me. I did get back the sound system, microphone,
>> kitchen stuff, and a lot of cookies...
>>
>> Carol Brouillet
>> 650-857-0927
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
>>
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
> 

-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Latest change: I've gotten about 26 of the 20 signatures I need.



From tnharter at aceweb.com  Tue Mar  9 16:32:12 2010
From: tnharter at aceweb.com (Tian Harter)
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:32:12 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] [Fwd: [wcevents] Upcoming events at World Centric]
Message-ID: <4B96E88C.9030508@aceweb.com>



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[wcevents] Upcoming events at World Centric
Date: 	Mon, 8 Mar 2010 19:28:45 -0800
From: 	Aseem Das <aseem at worldcentric.org>
Reply-To: 	<aseem at worldcentric.org>
Organization: 	World Centric
To: 	<wcevents at worldcentric.org>



We have a couple of events coming up in March and as well hosting a 5
week course on Stress Management in April.  Hope you can join us.
 Details below

1.  *SING IN SPRING: AN EQUINOX SINGING CIRCLE,* SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 7PM
 - FREE!  -   All voices are invited to join a "vocal voyagers" singing
circle! we will all join voices and blend together to create an instant
choir. we will travel mostly without words, using tones, meldoies,
harmonies, and rhythms to create together. Everyone can join in at their
own comfort level, no solos necessary. movement encouraged!

The evening will be partly free-form, and partly facilitated by Glenn
Smith and friends. Glenn has been leading "vocal voyagers" singing
circles for five years, mostly in santa cruz.  More info by calling
Glenn at 831-454-6342 or at _www.soundseeds.com_
<outbind://628/www.soundseeds.com>, or  myspace.com/glennsmith1


Crude2.  *Film:  CRUDE: The Real Price of Oil*, FRIDAY, MARCH 26,
7PM.    This highly acclaimed and award winning documentary is the epic
story of one of the largest and most controversial environmental
lawsuits on the planet. The inside story of the infamous ?Amazon
Chernobyl? case, /Crude/ is a real-life high stakes legal drama, set
against a backdrop of the environmental movement, global politics,
celebrity activism, human rights advocacy, the media, multinational
corporate power, and rapidly-disappearing indigenous cultures. The
landmark case takes place in the Amazon jungle of Ecuador, pitting
30,000 indigenous and colonial rainforest dwellers against the U.S. oil
giant Chevron.

/Crude/ is a ground-level view of one of the most extraordinary legal
dramas of our time, one that has the potential of forever changing the
way international business is conducted. While the environmental impact
of the consumption of fossil fuels has been increasingly documented in
recent years, /Crude/ focuses on the human cost of our addiction to oil
and the increasingly difficult task of holding a major corporation
accountable for its past deeds.

Awards: *Winner: /Best Documentaries of the Year/* ? National Board of
Review*, International Green Film Award* ? Cinema for Peace*/, Best
International Documentary/* ? One World Media Awards*/, Grand Jury
Prize/* ? Independent Film Festival of Boston, */Grand Jury Prize/* ?
Yale Environmental Film Festival, */Grand Prize/ *- 27e Festival
International du Film d?Environnement*/, World Wildlife Fund Documentary
Award/* ? Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.... (and many more).


3.  ARE YOU STRESSED OUT:  A 5 week *Integrative Stress
Management* course on Thursdays from April 1 - April 29th, 7-9pm.   Cost
$125.00
The 5 week class will teach effective stress reduction skills based on
ancient wisdom and embraced by respected modern scientists. To Register
and more information  contact Sylvia Dolce at 650-223-4087, email:
sylviadolce at yahoo.com <mailto:sylviadolce at yahoo.com>.



To unsubscribe from WCentric mailing list pls send email to
wcevents-unsubscribe at worldcentric.org
<mailto:wcevents-unsubscribe at worldcentric.org>

Thanks - Aseem
World Centric
2121 Staunton Ct, Palo Alto, CA 94306



-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Latest change: I've gotten about 26 of the 20 signatures I need.



From tnharter at aceweb.com  Tue Mar  9 23:10:04 2010
From: tnharter at aceweb.com (Tian Harter)
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:10:04 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Missing Item from Plenary...
In-Reply-To: <4B96E178.40403@aceweb.com>
References: <E1NoSpP-0002xj-PC@elasmtp-scoter.atl.sa.earthlink.net><4B9683F2.2080309@greens.org>
	<4B96E178.40403@aceweb.com>
Message-ID: <4B9745CC.9020806@aceweb.com>

Ummm... Did anybody find my largish brown coffee mug? I used it all
weekend, and then rushed out of there on Sunday afternoon and forgot it
somewhere. It was the only one made by Wes Rolley I had.

-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Latest change: I've gotten about 28 of the 20 signatures I need.



From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Wed Mar 10 00:43:34 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:43:34 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] "Storms of my Grandchildren"
Message-ID: <4B975BB6.2010203@earthlink.net>


I have just finished "Storms of my Grandchildren"
by James Hansen.  I recommend it very highly.

      http://www.stormsofmygrandchildren.com/

(If you don't know and can't guess that this
is about global warming / climate change, then
I recommend it very very highly.)

The Palo Alto and Mountain View libraries have
copies, but they are all checked out at the
moment.  My copy is from the Santa Clara County
library.

Gerry






From wrolley at charter.net  Wed Mar 10 08:11:39 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:11:39 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Visit
Message-ID: <4B97C4BB.9070403@charter.net>

I had a great visit from Andrea Dorey yesterday.  She drove all the way 
down to Morgan Hill just to collect my signature for her nomination 
paper for county council.  I showed her around the "farm" and she left 
with a bag of Meyer lemons.

Even though she drives an Insight, I would hope that she could have 
gathered those signatures without the drive.

Andrea is the 2nd SCC Green who has actually been here.  The other was 
Tian when he came for an open studio and bought the coffee mug he just 
misplaced? forgot? had stolen?


-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From wrolley at charter.net  Wed Mar 10 08:23:06 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:23:06 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] =?utf-8?q?More_Than_1_Million_Children_Could_Lose_He?=
 =?utf-8?q?alth_Benefits_or_Coverage_=C2=AB_California_Budget_Bites?=
Message-ID: <4B97C76A.9030005@charter.net>

I have started getting an RSS feed of updates from the California Budget 
Project.  This one illustrates just how draconian the budget "solutions" 
are going to be this year and makes the case for Health Care Reform even 
more pressing.

http://californiabudgetbites.org/2010/03/09/more-than-1-million-children-could-lose-health-benefits-or-coverage/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CaliforniaBudgetBites+%28California+Budget+Bites%29

If we are going to be at all a presence in the political wars this year, 
we need to be articulate about the problems of the budget because that, 
more than any other issue area, will determine what happens.  (Not sure 
that "issues" will be the winning factor, but it will be for some."


-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From wrolley at charter.net  Wed Mar 10 08:46:37 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:46:37 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Biofuels
Message-ID: <4B97CCED.9070602@charter.net>

With the current interest in biofuels, I thought it might be useful to 
point people to a draft version of a "Green paper" on Biofuels being 
prepared by the EcoAction Committee, Green Party US.

http://gpus-food-water-energy.wetpaint.com/page/Biofuels

Wes

-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From the_alliance47 at yahoo.com  Wed Mar 10 12:53:11 2010
From: the_alliance47 at yahoo.com (Edward)
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:53:11 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] biodiesel
In-Reply-To: <mailman.1.1268251201.16166.sosfbay-discuss@cagreens.org>
Message-ID: <492708.54450.qm@web54307.mail.re2.yahoo.com>


http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/8/389/2008/acp-8-389-2008.pdf
Let me know if I've missed something, because it seems like all environmentalists are supporting biofuel...
-edward
--- On Wed, 3/10/10, sosfbay-discuss-request at cagreens.org <sosfbay-discuss-request at cagreens.org> wrote:Message: 1
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 06:48:21 -0800
From: Bill Michel <buixote at gmail.com>
To: sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] biodiesel
Message-ID: <p06240823c7bc0fda8fd7@[192.168.1.101]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

Hi All,

I've been at this for about 10 years now. I know it's not a silver?bullet, and I'm not advocating palm plantations in central america, but?still believe that it offers a non-fossil transition fuel (esp. useful?in instances such as school buses where kidees are breathing toxic?diesel fumes).

If you're interested in getting involved yourself, let me know.

Bill Michel



      
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From the_alliance47 at yahoo.com  Wed Mar 10 15:50:58 2010
From: the_alliance47 at yahoo.com (Edward)
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:50:58 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Santa Clara County says "No!" to Afghanistan Withdrawal
In-Reply-To: <mailman.1.1268251201.16166.sosfbay-discuss@cagreens.org>
Message-ID: <123785.62875.qm@web54307.mail.re2.yahoo.com>

Reps. Eshoo, Honda, and Lofgren all voted against H.Con.Res. 248 (Kucinich) calling for the immediate withdrawal of American troops.
Only 60 Democrats (including Bart Stupak) and 5 Republicans (including Ron Paul) voted for this bill. The sad thing is that there are 79 voting members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus in the House.
Democrats fail.
-edward


      
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From andi at wrytor.com  Wed Mar 10 17:58:17 2010
From: andi at wrytor.com (Andrea Dorey)
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:58:17 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Visit
In-Reply-To: <4B97C4BB.9070403@charter.net>
References: <4B97C4BB.9070403@charter.net>
Message-ID: <36F1FF47-D0C3-443A-B5AC-37E853698E15@wrytor.com>

Wes, 
It probably cost me about a dollar and a half for fuel.  I did some errands on the way down, so the whole distance was not just to go to Morgan Hill.  

I enjoyed myself immensely getting to see how efficiently you have used your garden when compared to my rather inefficient layout. I learned a lot. I am inspired to plant more compactly as well.  I miss my chickens, after seeing your little beauties.

And thanks for those lemons!  Wonderful flavor.
Best always,
Andrea
BTW, I ended up with 25 signatures and only one not eligible.

On Mar 10, 2010, at 8:11 AM, Wes Rolley wrote:

> I had a great visit from Andrea Dorey yesterday.  She drove all the way down to Morgan Hill just to collect my signature for her nomination paper for county council.  I showed her around the "farm" and she left with a bag of Meyer lemons.
> 
> Even though she drives an Insight, I would hope that she could have gathered those signatures without the drive.
> 
> Andrea is the 2nd SCC Green who has actually been here.  The other was Tian when he came for an open studio and bought the coffee mug he just misplaced? forgot? had stolen?
> 
> 
> -- 
> "Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
> and you don't,
> then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente
> 
> Wes Rolley
> 17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
> http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024
> 
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
> 



From wrolley at charter.net  Thu Mar 11 07:13:36 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:13:36 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Yale Environment 360 on Ethanol from Corn
Message-ID: <4B9908A0.7040203@charter.net>

Normally the Environment 360 site at Yale University provides only short 
summaries of important items along with links to their source document.  
Today, they post a lengthy OpEd piece from C. Ford Rungem the McKnight 
University Professor of Applied Economics and Law at the University of 
Minnesota.

A Case Against Biofuels: Corn Ethanol's Hidden Costs 
<http://e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2251&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+YaleEnvironment360+%28Yale+Environment+360%29>. 


> Despite strong evidence that growing food crops to produce ethanol is 
> harmful to the environment and the world?s poor, the Obama 
> administration is backing subsidies and programs that will ensure that 
> half of the U.S.?s corn crop will soon go to biofuel production. It?s 
> time to recognize that biofuels are anything but green.

-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better
 and you don't,
 then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024



From wrolley at refpub.com  Thu Mar 11 09:30:34 2010
From: wrolley at refpub.com (Wes Rolley)
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:30:34 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Santa Clara Valley Water District
Message-ID: <4B9928BA.2060203@refpub.com>

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From wrolley at charter.net  Thu Mar 11 09:53:10 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:53:10 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] More on Water District Groundwater
Message-ID: <4B992E06.2060408@charter.net>

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From fredd at freeshell.org  Thu Mar 11 13:33:52 2010
From: fredd at freeshell.org (fred)
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:33:52 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Get Troops Out of Afghanistan
Message-ID: <4B9961C0.5010307@freeshell.org>

Please send a message to thank your House Rep., Eshoo, Honda or Lofgren, 
for voting "YES" for H. Res, 1146, to "...remove U.S. Armed Forces from 
Afghanistan pursuant to Sect. 5(c) of the War Powers Act."

Fred D.




From carolineyacoub at att.net  Thu Mar 11 13:57:12 2010
From: carolineyacoub at att.net (Caroline Yacoub)
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:57:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] KCBS
Message-ID: <372792.67353.qm@web81204.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

There was a whole lot of discussion about the article in the Mercury News, but I have no idea who called KCBS. Whoever did ought to own up and get the kudos coming for doing that.
Caroline
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From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Thu Mar 11 14:38:46 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:38:46 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Get Troops Out of Afghanistan
In-Reply-To: <4B9961C0.5010307@freeshell.org>
References: <4B9961C0.5010307@freeshell.org>
Message-ID: <4B9970F6.4020402@prodsyse.com>

       How is H. Res. 1146 different from politics as usual, voting for 
something that pretends to "remove U.S. Armed Forces" without actually 
doing so because the resolution includes a stipulation the provides an 
excuse for not doing so?  They all voted "no" on the immediate 
withdrawal [H.Con.Res. 248 (Kucinich)];  248 would have indicated they 
were serious about withdrawal.


       Spencer Graves


On 3/11/2010 1:33 PM, fred wrote:
> Please send a message to thank your House Rep., Eshoo, Honda or 
> Lofgren, for voting "YES" for H. Res, 1146, to "...remove U.S. Armed 
> Forces from Afghanistan pursuant to Sect. 5(c) of the War Powers Act."
>
> Fred D.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567



From jims at greens.org  Sat Mar 13 18:30:28 2010
From: jims at greens.org (Jim Stauffer)
Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:30:28 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Thank you San Jose Greens
Message-ID: <4B9C4A44.20009@greens.org>



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Thank you San Jose Greens
Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:16:00 -0800
From: Matthew Leslie <approximateman at earthlink.net>
To: Jim Stauffer <jims at greens.org>

On behalf of the Green Party of Orange County I am writing to express
our appreciation to the Green Party of San Jose for hosting the recent
General Assembly.  Our candidates and delegates had a great time,


Matt Leslie
Secretary to the County Council,
Green Party of Orange County



From JGSHURT69 at aol.com  Sun Mar 14 10:15:27 2010
From: JGSHURT69 at aol.com (JGSHURT69 at aol.com)
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:15:27 EDT
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] KSM and 9/11
Message-ID: <e824.38554c66.38ce73af@aol.com>


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From: JGSHURT69 at aol.com
Subject: KSM and 9/11
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:13:23 EDT
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From jgshurt69 at aol.com  Mon Mar 15 10:59:40 2010
From: jgshurt69 at aol.com (jgshurt69 at aol.com)
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:59:40 -0400
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Oblivious
In-Reply-To: <428584376.-1396141752@wfc.wfcDB.mail.democracyinaction.com>
References: <428584376.-1396141752@wfc.wfcDB.mail.democracyinaction.com>
Message-ID: <8CC92806B2A8A7B-5D94-2507@webmail-m090.sysops.aol.com>







-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Nader <action at singlepayeraction.org>
To: jgshurt69 at aol.com
Sent: Mon, Mar 15, 2010 7:17 am
Subject: Oblivious


Last May, Single Payer Action - along with a group of doctors and nurses - confronted Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana) at a public hearing of the insurance industry-controlled Senate Finance Committee.

Baucus had scheduled 42 people to testify over three days of hearings.

Not one favored single payer.

Single Payer Action demanded - allow one person to testify on behalf of single payer.

Baucus refused.

Instead, Baucus ordered the arrest of 13 doctors, nurses, and other single payer activists.

Ever since, with your generous help, Single Payer Action has been confronting members of Congress - agitating, and pressuring the system at all levels to do the right thing.

To adopt single payer national health insurance.

What Dr. Marcia Angell - former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine - calls the only health care system that will both control costs and cover everyone.

Fast forward ten months.

And what do we find?

The House Democrats - and most shamelessly 87 "progressive Democrats" who are co-sponsors of the single payer legislation in the House - are now lining up behind the pro-insurance industry Baucus-backed Senate bill.

A Senate bill those "progressive Democrats" vowed never to support.

A bill that - as Dr. Angell told Bill Moyers last week - cements the private insurance in place as "the lynchpin of health care reform."

A prescription for disaster - more lives lost, more unaffordable bills, more bad outcomes.

Why are Congress and the President supporting a bill that former CIGNA executive Wendell Potter called "an absolute joke" and "an absolute gift to the insurance industry"?

One reason - Congress and the President are oblivious to the suffering that surrounds them.

Well paid and well insured members of Congress and the President live and work in a bubble - with corporate executives and lobbyists.

Oblivious to the other Washington - afflicted by poverty, homelessness, AIDS, dilapidated buildings, and intolerable suffering.

Oblivious to the scores who die every year in our nation's capital from lack of health care.

Several years ago, I asked photographer Kike Arnal to come to Washington.

To photograph the other Washington that Congress and the President rarely see.

And to juxtapose those photos with the corporate bubble in which members of Congress and the President live, work and play.

Kike Arnal arranged those 92 photos in a hardcover book - just published - titled In the Shadow of Power.

You might have seen Kike Arnal recently on C-Span with Brian Lamb.

Or on Democracy Now with Amy Goodman.

I'd like to get this beautiful and haunting book into your hands.

To share with your family and friends.

Kike Arnal's photos are black and white - stunning and poignant.

I wrote the introduction to the book.

If you donate $100 or more now to Single Payer Action, I'll sign a copy of In the Shadow of Power.

And I'll sign a copy of my book - In Pursuit of Justice.

And send them both to you.

So please donate now.

Whatever you can afford. 

If you donate $100 or more, we'll ship to you In the Shadow of Power and In Pursuit of Justice - both signed by yours truly.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

The rotting edifice of Washington-protected corporatism will crumble of its own greed.

Together we will replace it.

Onward to single payer.
 

Ralph Nader


The American people are suffering. Pressure is building. Official Washington cannot remain oblivious forever. There will be a decisive awakening. We will get full Medicare for all. Harvard Medical School researchers concluded last year that about 120 Americans die every day because they cannot afford health insurance. We need to drive that number down to zero. 

That's why Single Payer Action continues to agitate, organize, and pressure the system at all levels. 
This is only Round 1. 
We're preparing for Round 2.

Keep your heads up. Help us move forward. Step by step. 
And full Medicare for all will become a reality.           
Donate now whatever you can to Single Payer Action. 

This two book offer is open until midnight March 31, 2010.




If you would like to stop receiving these emails, please click here.



 
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From patgray.green at sbcglobal.net  Sun Mar 14 11:00:28 2010
From: patgray.green at sbcglobal.net (Pat Gray)
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:00:28 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] KSM and 9/11
References: <e824.38554c66.38ce73af@aol.com>
Message-ID: <001701cac3a0$3e275830$4201a8c0@Pats2>

The reason they don't want a public trial for the man who confessed  (after being tortured -  they used water boarding on him over a hundred times and no telling what else they did to him) that he was the mastermind of planning and executing a terrorist attack against the United States is that 'they' don't want any questions in open court about any events that took place on 9/11.  This man claimed that he planned the high jacking of four commercial air craft that were flown into the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York as well as the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and a field in Pennsylvania.  If they asked I'm confident that he would say he hung Jesus Crist on the cross.  

The plan is to declare that this man is guilty makes that the end of any further discussion.  No one will be able to say, "Hey, what about building 7 that was not hit by a plane? "  " What about the nanothermite that was found in the dust of the crime scene in New York?"  " What about the stand down of our air defense planes?"   " What about the celebrating Israeli citizens filmed with the towers in flames behind them?"   " What about all the firefighters and police officers that said they heard explosions in just before the collapse?"   " What about the witnesses that said the offical story needs to be re examined who all of a sudden came up dead under mysterious circomstances?"  " What about the laws of physics that were broken by a free fall collapse of the buildings?"  " What about the steel beams being shot out at right angles to the exploding buildings?"   "What about the lack of any of those steel platforms that the official story says pancaked and fell?"

Lots of questions that will not be answered after the trial when this one man is found guilty.  

If there was a public trial that man could have defense lawyers that might ask questions the 'they' don't like and so 'they' will not allow a trial.  

But you just be proud to be an American living in the land of freedom and Justice for all.  (except maybe not you if your skin is a tad darker than Obama's or Horrors!! THat you worship Allah and not Hay sus.  
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From tnharter at aceweb.com  Thu Mar 18 14:45:32 2010
From: tnharter at aceweb.com (Tian Harter)
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:45:32 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] My view of the Green Party meeting in San Jose
Message-ID: <4BA29EFC.8010101@aceweb.com>

http://tian.greens.org/GreenParty/California/March10SanJose/index.html

Unfortunately, I was doing other things while the memory was fresh in
my mind. My notes aren't as useful as I'd like. If you have a comment
you want added, email me about it.
-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Latest change: I've added my favorite bean dip recipe.


From eameece at sfo.com  Thu Mar 18 14:48:07 2010
From: eameece at sfo.com (Eric A. Meece)
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:48:07 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fw: Make it personal
Message-ID: <6BF0F49E7B534B629BCB2E40ED31F591@eameecePC>

Repower America
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dave Boundy, Repower America 
To: Eric Meece 
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:36 PM
Subject: Make it personal


           
           
              
            Dear Eric,

            On Monday, Al Gore made an impassioned call-to-arms for a clean energy revolution.
             
            More than 10,000 supporters like you joined the Vice President on a call to discuss the next steps in our fight for strong climate and clean energy legislation. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown shared his positive perspective on prospects for bill passage in the Senate this spring, the need for grassroots supporters to get involved right now, and the difference you're already making.
             
            Listen to highlights from Monday's call with Al Gore and take action for a clean energy revolution now!

            The U.S. Senate is in the process of drafting clean energy and climate legislation. But with lobbyists from big oil and their front groups whispering in Senators' ears every day and corporate polluters pouring millions of dollars into ads, we have to fight back with all our strength to make sure we pass a strong bill this year.
             
            We've heard directly from Senate offices that one of the most meaningful and effective ways to deliver a message to our elected officials is with a handwritten letter. And by sending a personal letter, we're demanding that our Senators respond. Which is why we've set an ambitious goal: delivering over 150,000 handwritten letters demanding the Senate pass a strong bill this year! 
             
            Will you take a few minutes to listen to an update from Al Gore and write your Senator a personal, handwritten letter in support of strong clean energy and climate legislation? 




             
            http://cpaf.repoweramerica.org/lettersn

            If there's one thing our elected officials cannot deny, it's the voice of their constituents.   
             
            Writing these letters is easy and important -- and we'll show you how. We will provide sample letters, talking points, and your Senator's address -- all you need to bring is a passion about the climate crisis and a commitment to America's clean energy future.
             
            So please take just a few minutes and write your Senator today.
             
            Help us reach our goal of 150,000 handwritten letters demanding a strong clean energy and climate bill this year.

            The time is now. The revolution has arrived. And the voice for change is yours.  
             
            So please, make sure our Senators know that this time, it's personal.
             
            Thanks for all you do,
             
            Dave Boundy
            Campaign Manager
            The Climate Protection Action Fund's Repower America campaign 

             
            RepowerAmerica.org | Facebook | Twitter | Unsubscribe  
     


Paid for by the Climate Protection Action Fund
 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
Version: 9.0.791 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2754 - Release Date: 03/18/10 00:33:00
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From carolineyacoub at att.net  Thu Mar 18 17:48:15 2010
From: carolineyacoub at att.net (Caroline Yacoub)
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:48:15 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] My view of the Green Party meeting in San Jose
In-Reply-To: <4BA29EFC.8010101@aceweb.com>
References: <4BA29EFC.8010101@aceweb.com>
Message-ID: <12599.70212.qm@web81201.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Tian, you said what went into the microphone was being taped? Somebody must have that tape. The pictures are great, but I'd like to know a little more about the substance.
Caroline




________________________________
From: Tian Harter <tnharter at aceweb.com>
To: Post South SF Bay discus <sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org>
Sent: Thu, March 18, 2010 2:45:32 PM
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] My view of the Green Party meeting in San Jose

http://tian.greens.org/GreenParty/California/March10SanJose/index.html

Unfortunately, I was doing other things while the memory was fresh in
my mind. My notes aren't as useful as I'd like. If you have a comment
you want added, email me about it.
-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Latest change: I've added my favorite bean dip recipe.
_______________________________________________
sosfbay-discuss mailing list
sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
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From jims at greens.org  Thu Mar 18 19:55:32 2010
From: jims at greens.org (Jim Stauffer)
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:55:32 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] My view of the Green Party meeting in San Jose
In-Reply-To: <12599.70212.qm@web81201.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
References: <4BA29EFC.8010101@aceweb.com>
	<12599.70212.qm@web81201.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <4BA2E7A4.2060905@greens.org>

I made digital recordings (MP3 format) of the plenary sessions. They're 
intended as supplements to the minutes so you have to hunt around to find the 
part your looking for.

The recordings are at http://www.cagreens.org/plenary/archives/minutes/SanJose/


The meeting schedule is still posted at 
http://www.cagreens.org/plenary/schedule.html. You can use that as a guide if 
you want to find something.

Jim




On 3/18/2010 5:48 PM, Caroline Yacoub wrote:
> Tian, you said what went into the microphone was being taped? Somebody
> must have that tape. The pictures are great, but I'd like to know a
> little more about the substance.
> Caroline
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* Tian Harter <tnharter at aceweb.com>
> *To:* Post South SF Bay discus <sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org>
> *Sent:* Thu, March 18, 2010 2:45:32 PM
> *Subject:* [GPSCC-chat] My view of the Green Party meeting in San Jose
>
> http://tian.greens.org/GreenParty/California/March10SanJose/index.html
>
> Unfortunately, I was doing other things while the memory was fresh in
> my mind. My notes aren't as useful as I'd like. If you have a comment
> you want added, email me about it.
> --
> Tian
> http://tian.greens.org
> Latest change: I've added my favorite bean dip recipe.
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org <mailto:sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org>
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss


From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Fri Mar 19 11:12:48 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:12:48 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Tommorrow's AntiWar March
Message-ID: <4BA3BEA0.6080209@earthlink.net>


There is an antiwar march (seventh anniversary of
invasion of Iraq) tomorrow in San Francisco.
For more information:

http://www.sanjosepeace.org/calendar_event.php?eid=20100306085343369

http://peaceandjustice.org/calendar_event.php?eid=20100218122356566
http://peaceandjustice.org/calendar_event.php?eid=20100126154123164

Gerry



From rob.means at electric-bikes.com  Fri Mar 19 12:58:55 2010
From: rob.means at electric-bikes.com (Rob Means)
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:58:55 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Is the Walmart expansion good for Milpitas?
Message-ID: <001e01cac79e$a100b9e0$6901a8c0@INTERBIKE06>

Please Join Us! The Milpitas Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on
the Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Walmart expansion next
Wednesday, March 24th at 7pm. We hope you will come and share your
opinion on whether this proposed expansion is good for Milpitas.  

The opinions of Walmart and its supporters are at
http://milpitascan.com/
Opposing opinions from the Milpitas Coalition for a Better Community are
at www.stopmilpitaswalmart.com

The expansion will impact every other grocery store in Milpitas, so we
hope you can make it on Wednesday night to share your viewpoint. With a
hot topic and a lively crowd, we expect the meeting to be an
entertaining example of democracy in action.

MILPITAS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
455 E. CALAVERAS BOULEVARD, MILPITAS, CA
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From andid at cagreens.org  Sat Mar 20 09:37:16 2010
From: andid at cagreens.org (Andrea Dorey)
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:37:16 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] [Sosfbay-discuss] Bay Area Campaign Kickoff for
	Laura Wells
In-Reply-To: <4B6A6A52.4060606@refpub.com>
References: <4B5E2BDE.1000708@refpub.com>
	<87462F08-8315-45EC-98F8-BD3AD47DB854@cagreens.org>
	<4B6A6A52.4060606@refpub.com>
Message-ID: <4537896D-52D0-4177-89F7-AFD861E6387D@cagreens.org>


On Feb 3, 2010, at 10:33 PM, Wes Rolley wrote:

> Actually, we are getting some good press.  Laura was on KPIX TV last night and also mentioned on KQED Radio / and possibly on KPFA.  Here is the KPIX link. http://cbs5.com/video/?id=61152 at kpix.dayport.com

I agree.  She did well, but fluffed a bit on the important question about the dropping Green Party numbers. 

 She needs to be vetted on the hard-hitting same-old-same-old questions of "spoiler" and GP as only a party for DISAFFECTED Dems/GOPers.  We have an agenda, and it's one that people want.  More Dems left for the GOP than Dems voting for Nader in that infamous 2000 election.  We need to jump on those myths with quick comebacks that frame our presence in ANY election more effectively.  

We don't throw away our vote when we vote GP.  People who don't vote are doing that, and those who vote for the majors hoping for change are throwing away their votes.
  
A GP vote is a POWERFUL vote for real change. 
 
Registration with GP is a POWERFUL act for real change.
  
Overthrowing the majors is unlikely to be a ONE election job.  It's going to take real ADULTS to be able to plan ahead, perhaps for TWO or even THREE elections!  (Imagine!  Can we put our shoulders into getting the pigs out of the trough?)
  
And then we have to resist going BACK to the majors because they have thrown a few crumbs, or maybe even a BIG bone to stop the GP's growing power to move politics to the left!   Just think how much fun it could be to see a real, sustainable progressive movement that shakes off myths and infiltrators hell bent on stopping the REAL Green revolution!

> I think that Greens spend too much time trashign the media and don't spend enough time working the media.  That has to change. I'm working on it.
> 
> Do you know Charlotte Casey?  She is working on an International Women's Day march same weekend as the GA.  I'm talking to Laura about taking time off from the GA to do the march.   That is 1 idea.
> 
Wes, you are one of the best strategists I know.  Another is HC4A's Bechler in SF.  Together, you two could run the Progressive movement!  <grin>
Andrea



From carolineyacoub at att.net  Sat Mar 20 10:05:55 2010
From: carolineyacoub at att.net (Caroline Yacoub)
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:05:55 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] [Sosfbay-discuss] Bay Area Campaign Kickoff for
	Laura Wells
In-Reply-To: <4537896D-52D0-4177-89F7-AFD861E6387D@cagreens.org>
References: <4B5E2BDE.1000708@refpub.com>
	<87462F08-8315-45EC-98F8-BD3AD47DB854@cagreens.org>
	<4B6A6A52.4060606@refpub.com>
	<4537896D-52D0-4177-89F7-AFD861E6387D@cagreens.org>
Message-ID: <540566.50944.qm@web81208.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Wow! That was some coverage. We need more of that. Are we considering doing anything about Deacon's homeless thing? We could get press coverage for that, I'm sure.
Caroline




________________________________
From: Andrea Dorey <andid at cagreens.org>
To: Wes Rolley <wrolley at refpub.com>
Cc: sosfbay-discuss <sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org>
Sent: Sat, March 20, 2010 9:37:16 AM
Subject: Re: [GPSCC-chat] [Sosfbay-discuss] Bay Area Campaign Kickoff for Laura Wells


On Feb 3, 2010, at 10:33 PM, Wes Rolley wrote:

> Actually, we are getting some good press.? Laura was on KPIX TV last night and also mentioned on KQED Radio / and possibly on KPFA.? Here is the KPIX link. http://cbs5.com/video/?id=61152 at kpix.dayport.com

I agree.? She did well, but fluffed a bit on the important question about the dropping Green Party numbers. 

She needs to be vetted on the hard-hitting same-old-same-old questions of "spoiler" and GP as only a party for DISAFFECTED Dems/GOPers.? We have an agenda, and it's one that people want.? More Dems left for the GOP than Dems voting for Nader in that infamous 2000 election.? We need to jump on those myths with quick comebacks that frame our presence in ANY election more effectively.? 

We don't throw away our vote when we vote GP.? People who don't vote are doing that, and those who vote for the majors hoping for change are throwing away their votes.
? 
A GP vote is a POWERFUL vote for real change. 

Registration with GP is a POWERFUL act for real change.
? 
Overthrowing the majors is unlikely to be a ONE election job.? It's going to take real ADULTS to be able to plan ahead, perhaps for TWO or even THREE elections!? (Imagine!? Can we put our shoulders into getting the pigs out of the trough?)
? 
And then we have to resist going BACK to the majors because they have thrown a few crumbs, or maybe even a BIG bone to stop the GP's growing power to move politics to the left!? Just think how much fun it could be to see a real, sustainable progressive movement that shakes off myths and infiltrators hell bent on stopping the REAL Green revolution!

> I think that Greens spend too much time trashign the media and don't spend enough time working the media.? That has to change. I'm working on it.
> 
> Do you know Charlotte Casey?? She is working on an International Women's Day march same weekend as the GA.? I'm talking to Laura about taking time off from the GA to do the march.? That is 1 idea.
> 
Wes, you are one of the best strategists I know.? Another is HC4A's Bechler in SF.? Together, you two could run the Progressive movement!? <grin>
Andrea

_______________________________________________
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sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
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From carolineyacoub at att.net  Sun Mar 21 11:24:41 2010
From: carolineyacoub at att.net (Caroline Yacoub)
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:24:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] agenda for April meeting
Message-ID: <504770.30477.qm@web81208.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Hi, It's that time again. There are LOTS of things coming up in April, so, if you want your item on the agenda, get it in soon.
We may also need to have a county council meeting before the regular meeting--yes, I know we had a sort of county council meeting when we had the plenary debriefing, but other things are coming up, so, if you have a county council concern, why not send that in now, as well.
Caroline
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From jims at greens.org  Sun Mar 21 17:28:05 2010
From: jims at greens.org (Jim Stauffer)
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:28:05 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara on Tuesday,
 March 23 AM
Message-ID: <4BA6B995.1020709@greens.org>



The Santa Clara, California, Chamber of Commerce will hold a forum on
Proposition 14 on Tuesday, March 23, at 8:00 a.m.

Speaking in favor of Proposition 14 will be Brian Brennan of the Silicon
Valley Leadership Group.

Speaking against will be Christina Tobin, founder of Free & Equal.

The event is at 1850 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara.

------------------------------------------------------------


Prop 14 is a myopic dissaster that will prevent all minor parties from 
participating in the General Election.

At the March 2010 General Assembly, the Green Party easily reached consensus 
on opposing Proposition 14. If adopted, all candidates for partisan office 
would be required to run in a single, combined Primary Election rather than 
each party having it?s own Primary. Voters may vote for any party?s candidate, 
and only the two highest voted candidates would proceed to the General 
Election. No longer would each party be represented in the General. In fact, 
the two candidates in the General could be from the same party.

They'll be more info about organizing against Prop 14 coming out shortly.

Jim




From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Sun Mar 21 17:51:26 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:51:26 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara on
 Tuesday, March 23 AM
In-Reply-To: <4BA6B995.1020709@greens.org>
References: <4BA6B995.1020709@greens.org>
Message-ID: <4BA6BF0E.7050304@prodsyse.com>

       Why is this obviously bad for third parties?


       What evidence is available on this?


       The only evidence I see is the comparison with parliamentary 
systems that go to a second round between the two candidates getting the 
most votes if no candidate gets a majority.  Don't third parties do 
better in such systems than in ours?


       Logic is a very poor tool for evaluating anything unless there is 
a substantial empirical basis to show that the premises are valid.  
Otherwise, seemingly great sounding but fallacious premises lead to 
erroneous conclusions.  That's why I ask for evidence.


       Spencer Graves


On 3/21/2010 5:28 PM, Jim Stauffer wrote:
>
>
> The Santa Clara, California, Chamber of Commerce will hold a forum on
> Proposition 14 on Tuesday, March 23, at 8:00 a.m.
>
> Speaking in favor of Proposition 14 will be Brian Brennan of the Silicon
> Valley Leadership Group.
>
> Speaking against will be Christina Tobin, founder of Free & Equal.
>
> The event is at 1850 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Prop 14 is a myopic dissaster that will prevent all minor parties from 
> participating in the General Election.
>
> At the March 2010 General Assembly, the Green Party easily reached 
> consensus on opposing Proposition 14. If adopted, all candidates for 
> partisan office would be required to run in a single, combined Primary 
> Election rather than each party having it?s own Primary. Voters may 
> vote for any party?s candidate, and only the two highest voted 
> candidates would proceed to the General Election. No longer would each 
> party be represented in the General. In fact, the two candidates in 
> the General could be from the same party.
>
> They'll be more info about organizing against Prop 14 coming out shortly.
>
> Jim
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567



From jims at greens.org  Sun Mar 21 19:42:24 2010
From: jims at greens.org (Jim Stauffer)
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:42:24 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara on
 Tuesday, March 23 AM
In-Reply-To: <4BA6BF0E.7050304@prodsyse.com>
References: <4BA6B995.1020709@greens.org> <4BA6BF0E.7050304@prodsyse.com>
Message-ID: <4BA6D910.40907@greens.org>

As I said in the original message, more info is coming soon.

Minor parties don't do worse or better in parliamentary systems compared to a 
presidential system. Those are government structures. What makes a difference 
is the electoral system.

And I believe it is perfectly obvious that will be bad for minor parties to be 
prevented from running candidates in the general election.

Jim



On 3/21/2010 5:51 PM, spencerg wrote:
>   Why is this obviously bad for third parties?
>
>
> What evidence is available on this?
>
>
> The only evidence I see is the comparison with parliamentary systems
> that go to a second round between the two candidates getting the most
> votes if no candidate gets a majority. Don't third parties do better in
> such systems than in ours?
>
>
> Logic is a very poor tool for evaluating anything unless there is a
> substantial empirical basis to show that the premises are valid.
> Otherwise, seemingly great sounding but fallacious premises lead to
> erroneous conclusions. That's why I ask for evidence.
>
>
> Spencer Graves
>
>
> On 3/21/2010 5:28 PM, Jim Stauffer wrote:
>>
>>
>> The Santa Clara, California, Chamber of Commerce will hold a forum on
>> Proposition 14 on Tuesday, March 23, at 8:00 a.m.
>>
>> Speaking in favor of Proposition 14 will be Brian Brennan of the Silicon
>> Valley Leadership Group.
>>
>> Speaking against will be Christina Tobin, founder of Free & Equal.
>>
>> The event is at 1850 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara.
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> Prop 14 is a myopic dissaster that will prevent all minor parties from
>> participating in the General Election.
>>
>> At the March 2010 General Assembly, the Green Party easily reached
>> consensus on opposing Proposition 14. If adopted, all candidates for
>> partisan office would be required to run in a single, combined Primary
>> Election rather than each party having it?s own Primary. Voters may
>> vote for any party?s candidate, and only the two highest voted
>> candidates would proceed to the General Election. No longer would each
>> party be represented in the General. In fact, the two candidates in
>> the General could be from the same party.
>>
>> They'll be more info about organizing against Prop 14 coming out shortly.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss


From tnharter at aceweb.com  Mon Mar 22 02:00:26 2010
From: tnharter at aceweb.com (Tian Harter)
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:00:26 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara
 onTuesday, March 23 AM
In-Reply-To: <4BA6BF0E.7050304@prodsyse.com>
References: <4BA6B995.1020709@greens.org> <4BA6BF0E.7050304@prodsyse.com>
Message-ID: <4BA731AA.3080404@aceweb.com>

To my way of thinking, the reason you run as a third party candidate
is that you have some burning message you want to see make a difference.

When you run a top two thing, every candidate but two gets silenced
after the primary. You can forget about the long summer of campaigning.
You can forget about two minutes of fame in October. And what is the
point of running if they are going to ignore you until you lose the
primary and then forget you all together?

I say any Party nomination should mean something, even if all it's good
for is saying "I'm on your fall ballot because I want ___________ to
change." I've seen that kind of thing make a HUGE difference.

Tian

spencerg wrote:
>       Why is this obviously bad for third parties?
> 
> 
>       What evidence is available on this?
> 
> 
>       The only evidence I see is the comparison with parliamentary
> systems that go to a second round between the two candidates getting the
> most votes if no candidate gets a majority.  Don't third parties do
> better in such systems than in ours?
> 
> 
>       Logic is a very poor tool for evaluating anything unless there is
> a substantial empirical basis to show that the premises are valid. 
> Otherwise, seemingly great sounding but fallacious premises lead to
> erroneous conclusions.  That's why I ask for evidence.
> 
> 
>       Spencer Graves
> 
> 
> On 3/21/2010 5:28 PM, Jim Stauffer wrote:
>>
>>
>> The Santa Clara, California, Chamber of Commerce will hold a forum on
>> Proposition 14 on Tuesday, March 23, at 8:00 a.m.
>>
>> Speaking in favor of Proposition 14 will be Brian Brennan of the Silicon
>> Valley Leadership Group.
>>
>> Speaking against will be Christina Tobin, founder of Free & Equal.
>>
>> The event is at 1850 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara.
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> Prop 14 is a myopic dissaster that will prevent all minor parties from
>> participating in the General Election.
>>
>> At the March 2010 General Assembly, the Green Party easily reached
>> consensus on opposing Proposition 14. If adopted, all candidates for
>> partisan office would be required to run in a single, combined Primary
>> Election rather than each party having it?s own Primary. Voters may
>> vote for any party?s candidate, and only the two highest voted
>> candidates would proceed to the General Election. No longer would each
>> party be represented in the General. In fact, the two candidates in
>> the General could be from the same party.
>>
>> They'll be more info about organizing against Prop 14 coming out shortly.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss

-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Latest addition: Pictures and words about the Green Party of California.


From eameece at sfo.com  Mon Mar 22 08:38:06 2010
From: eameece at sfo.com (Eric A. Meece)
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:38:06 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara
	onTuesday, March 23 AM
In-Reply-To: <4BA731AA.3080404@aceweb.com>
References: <4BA6B995.1020709@greens.org> <4BA6BF0E.7050304@prodsyse.com>
	<4BA731AA.3080404@aceweb.com>
Message-ID: <BD8DBBB92AC6409E99B9D4E720F04E3B@eameecePC>

I'm dissappointed that they were able to get this on the ballot. It 
effectively shuts out the Greens and other alternative parties from 
elections.
What a travesty. I hope the people vote for democracy and not duopoly. This 
is the kind of thing that is driving a great share of the electorate to 
become independent and move away from the Republicrats and the Demoplicans.
Eric Meece

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tian Harter" <tnharter at aceweb.com>
To: "GPSCC" <sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org>
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2010 2:00 AM
Subject: Re: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara 
onTuesday, March 23 AM


To my way of thinking, the reason you run as a third party candidate
is that you have some burning message you want to see make a difference.

When you run a top two thing, every candidate but two gets silenced
after the primary. You can forget about the long summer of campaigning.
You can forget about two minutes of fame in October. And what is the
point of running if they are going to ignore you until you lose the
primary and then forget you all together?

I say any Party nomination should mean something, even if all it's good
for is saying "I'm on your fall ballot because I want ___________ to
change." I've seen that kind of thing make a HUGE difference.

Tian

spencerg wrote:
>       Why is this obviously bad for third parties?
>
>
>       What evidence is available on this?
>
>
>       The only evidence I see is the comparison with parliamentary
> systems that go to a second round between the two candidates getting the
> most votes if no candidate gets a majority.  Don't third parties do
> better in such systems than in ours?
>
>
>       Logic is a very poor tool for evaluating anything unless there is
> a substantial empirical basis to show that the premises are valid.
> Otherwise, seemingly great sounding but fallacious premises lead to
> erroneous conclusions.  That's why I ask for evidence.
>
>
>       Spencer Graves
>
>
> On 3/21/2010 5:28 PM, Jim Stauffer wrote:
>>
>>
>> The Santa Clara, California, Chamber of Commerce will hold a forum on
>> Proposition 14 on Tuesday, March 23, at 8:00 a.m.
>>
>> Speaking in favor of Proposition 14 will be Brian Brennan of the Silicon
>> Valley Leadership Group.
>>
>> Speaking against will be Christina Tobin, founder of Free & Equal.
>>
>> The event is at 1850 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara.
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> Prop 14 is a myopic dissaster that will prevent all minor parties from
>> participating in the General Election.
>>
>> At the March 2010 General Assembly, the Green Party easily reached
>> consensus on opposing Proposition 14. If adopted, all candidates for
>> partisan office would be required to run in a single, combined Primary
>> Election rather than each party having it?s own Primary. Voters may
>> vote for any party?s candidate, and only the two highest voted
>> candidates would proceed to the General Election. No longer would each
>> party be represented in the General. In fact, the two candidates in
>> the General could be from the same party.
>>
>> They'll be more info about organizing against Prop 14 coming out shortly.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss

-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Latest addition: Pictures and words about the Green Party of California.
_______________________________________________
sosfbay-discuss mailing list
sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



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From WB4D23 at aol.com  Tue Mar 23 16:14:54 2010
From: WB4D23 at aol.com (WB4D23 at aol.com)
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:14:54 EDT
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara on
	Tuesday, Marc...
Message-ID: <cbe5.31051c4a.38daa56e@aol.com>

 
In a message dated 3/21/2010 5:52:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time,  
spencer.graves at prodsyse.com writes:

Why is  this obviously bad for third parties?



Because we all live in an actual world... not a theoretical  (or "virtual") 
world where keeping dissenting voices off the forum of electoral  politics 
is one of the main goals of the corporate dominated political  system.
 
For more details go to _www.stoptoptwo.org_ (http://www.stoptoptwo.org) 
 
Or read the GPCA Platform
 
Warner
 
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From WB4D23 at aol.com  Tue Mar 23 16:40:03 2010
From: WB4D23 at aol.com (WB4D23 at aol.com)
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:40:03 EDT
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] agenda for April meeting/Berryessa AW Festival
	Issues
Message-ID: <e439.5dc6f51.38daab53@aol.com>

Folks:  I think we need to put 10 minutes on the April  GPSCC meeting 
agenda to discuss tabling at the Berryessa Arts and Wine  Festival (Saturday May 
8th -- day before Mother's Day).  I do affirm that  we should have a table 
at the festival -- as we have since  2002 when I was 
a candidate for State Assembly.  It  is a great family friendly event and 
a chance for visibility about our ballot issues and  candidats.  But I want 
us to be clear among ourselves about a few  things.  One:  We need to 
clarify if there is a fee and hopefully  agree to authorize its payment. 
 
Second, we need a firm list of volunteers for setup, staffing  and take 
down.  I have been staying the whole day the last two years (and  others) and 
each time I have ended up with heat exhaustion or heat stroke or  both.  I 
can't do it any more.  I can help with some of the day, but  not all of it.  
 
Third, in the last two years we have had a problem with  closing up 
"early".  The event is publicized to run until 5 pm and the  organizers don't want 
the nonprofit area canopies, etc. shutting down because  they are located in 
a very public area that can be viewed by traffic on  Berryessa Road.  
...Even though the event pretty much winds down by 4 pm as  far as walking 
traffic in that area.  ...Even though various npos do close  down at 4 pm or 
beforehand.   In the last two years we have gotten  complaints from event reps, 
and last year it escalated into a shouting match and  insults.  We need to 
make sure this is avoided again, and so that means the  closers for the day 
need to commit to stay until the "end".
 
So we need to discuss these issues at the  meeting.
 
Warner
 
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From cls at truffula.sj.ca.us  Tue Mar 23 17:02:38 2010
From: cls at truffula.sj.ca.us (Cameron L. Spitzer)
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:02:38 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara on
	Tuesday, Marc...
Message-ID: <20100324000238.590F46A923@truffula.sj.ca.us>


I suspect Spencer was looking for some history to complement
our already plausible conclusions about the intent and
effect of top-two.  Not dismissing our reasoning.

We now have per-party-primaries, which the parties can open if
they choose, followed by a general election.

Top-two replaces that system.  The new system has no
per-party-primaries, a mid-year general election, and a runoff
in the fall.  Without per-party-primaries, party affiliation
has no legal meaning.

It's easy to be confused by funny terms like "open primary."
When candidates from all parties run against one another, that's
not a primary, it's a general election.

Several states already do that, all that's different is the
schedule.  So the "evidence" Spencer wants can be found in
the experience in those states.  Georgia, Virginia, 
Washington.  Washington had a sort of Nader campaign club
in 2000, which disappeared shortly after that election,
but never got a Green Party together.  Georgia was one of
the first US states that organized a Green political club,
and it even formed locals in the larger counties, but never
reached a thousand members, despite two decades of relatively
competent organizing effort.  Virginia got started later
but the story's the same.  You could run down the chart
in _Ballot Access News_ and catch the rest.  States with
"open primaries" or no party-voter affiliation
don't grow Green Parties.  The correlation is just
about absolute.  The only thing missing is an experiment
where a state takes away party-voter affiliation that it
used to have.


-Cameron




From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Tue Mar 23 17:42:49 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:42:49 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara
 on	Tuesday, Marc...
In-Reply-To: <20100324000238.590F46A923@truffula.sj.ca.us>
References: <20100324000238.590F46A923@truffula.sj.ca.us>
Message-ID: <4BA96009.9020706@prodsyse.com>

Hi, Cameron:


       Yes, that was what I was looking for.  Thanks.


       That raises another question:  What's the difference between this 
Prop 14 system and the general / runoff system used in many other 
countries where third parties thrive?


       Best Wishes,
       Spencer


On 3/23/2010 5:02 PM, Cameron L. Spitzer wrote:
> I suspect Spencer was looking for some history to complement
> our already plausible conclusions about the intent and
> effect of top-two.  Not dismissing our reasoning.
>
> We now have per-party-primaries, which the parties can open if
> they choose, followed by a general election.
>
> Top-two replaces that system.  The new system has no
> per-party-primaries, a mid-year general election, and a runoff
> in the fall.  Without per-party-primaries, party affiliation
> has no legal meaning.
>
> It's easy to be confused by funny terms like "open primary."
> When candidates from all parties run against one another, that's
> not a primary, it's a general election.
>
> Several states already do that, all that's different is the
> schedule.  So the "evidence" Spencer wants can be found in
> the experience in those states.  Georgia, Virginia,
> Washington.  Washington had a sort of Nader campaign club
> in 2000, which disappeared shortly after that election,
> but never got a Green Party together.  Georgia was one of
> the first US states that organized a Green political club,
> and it even formed locals in the larger counties, but never
> reached a thousand members, despite two decades of relatively
> competent organizing effort.  Virginia got started later
> but the story's the same.  You could run down the chart
> in _Ballot Access News_ and catch the rest.  States with
> "open primaries" or no party-voter affiliation
> don't grow Green Parties.  The correlation is just
> about absolute.  The only thing missing is an experiment
> where a state takes away party-voter affiliation that it
> used to have.
>
>
> -Cameron
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
>    
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567



From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Tue Mar 23 18:52:19 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:52:19 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara
	on	Tuesday, Marc...
References: <20100324000238.590F46A923@truffula.sj.ca.us>
	<4BA96009.9020706@prodsyse.com>
Message-ID: <4BA97053.4010700@earthlink.net>


Can you be more specific about the general / runoff system
you refer to?

I know a little bit about systems in other countries, but
I have not heard of any runoff part.

What I do know is that some countries have some kind of
proportional representation system.  In those cases, as
long as a party gets more than some minimum threshold,
2%? 5%?, then the party gets seats in proportion to the
percentage.  So the threshold to get some power is small,
which does encourage "third parties", (I don't know if
they are called "third parties").

I lived in Germany for a year, and a general election
happened during that time.  There were 5 parties, CDU,
SDP, die Grune, and two others.  One of the others
usually aligned itself with the CDU, the other usually
aligned itself with the SDP.  Die Grune often got between
5 and 10%.  To the best of my knowledge, the best that
die Grune got was around 10%.  And at least once it was
part of the coalition government, and the foreign
minister was Grune (Green).

Gerry





spencerg wrote:

> Hi, Cameron:
> 
> 
>       Yes, that was what I was looking for.  Thanks.
> 
> 
>       That raises another question:  What's the difference between this 
> Prop 14 system and the general / runoff system used in many other 
> countries where third parties thrive?
> 
> 
>       Best Wishes,
>       Spencer
> 
> 
> On 3/23/2010 5:02 PM, Cameron L. Spitzer wrote:
> 
>> I suspect Spencer was looking for some history to complement
>> our already plausible conclusions about the intent and
>> effect of top-two.  Not dismissing our reasoning.
>>
>> We now have per-party-primaries, which the parties can open if
>> they choose, followed by a general election.
>>
>> Top-two replaces that system.  The new system has no
>> per-party-primaries, a mid-year general election, and a runoff
>> in the fall.  Without per-party-primaries, party affiliation
>> has no legal meaning.
>>
>> It's easy to be confused by funny terms like "open primary."
>> When candidates from all parties run against one another, that's
>> not a primary, it's a general election.
>>
>> Several states already do that, all that's different is the
>> schedule.  So the "evidence" Spencer wants can be found in
>> the experience in those states.  Georgia, Virginia,
>> Washington.  Washington had a sort of Nader campaign club
>> in 2000, which disappeared shortly after that election,
>> but never got a Green Party together.  Georgia was one of
>> the first US states that organized a Green political club,
>> and it even formed locals in the larger counties, but never
>> reached a thousand members, despite two decades of relatively
>> competent organizing effort.  Virginia got started later
>> but the story's the same.  You could run down the chart
>> in _Ballot Access News_ and catch the rest.  States with
>> "open primaries" or no party-voter affiliation
>> don't grow Green Parties.  The correlation is just
>> about absolute.  The only thing missing is an experiment
>> where a state takes away party-voter affiliation that it
>> used to have.
>>
>>
>> -Cameron
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
>>    
> 




From tnharter at aceweb.com  Wed Mar 24 00:14:27 2010
From: tnharter at aceweb.com (Tian Harter)
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:14:27 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa
 Claraon	Tuesday, Marc...
In-Reply-To: <4BA96009.9020706@prodsyse.com>
References: <20100324000238.590F46A923@truffula.sj.ca.us>
	<4BA96009.9020706@prodsyse.com>
Message-ID: <4BA9BBD3.9050601@aceweb.com>

I can say a few words about the New Zealand system, which I've been
watching as a hobby for many years. Their system is what's refered to
as a "mixed member system", meaning half are elected proportionally,
and half are elected by districts. When a voter goes to vote there,
they get two votes. The first is a district vote, and the second is a
Party vote. When someone decides to run for office there, the first
question is probably: do I want to go for party votes or district votes?

Each Party is responsible for coming up with ways to earn party votes.
They also give the vote officials a list of party members in the order
the would get elected if enough voters voted for them. The New Zealand
Greens turn in a list with something like a dozen names on it, but as
a practical matter usually the top four to six get seated.

District vote elections are handled much like our Congressional or
Assembly elections. It's winner take all. Jeanette Fitzsimons, who
recently retired as co-leader of the NZ Greens was elected that way
many times, because she was well known enough in the district for that.

Most of the Greens in the Govt. were elected on the party list though,
because they weren't well enough known to take a district. Also, the
Greens are one of the few international parties, and we benefit from
being on the front lines of issues like climate change. For a long time
I was carrying around the flier they gave out to earn Party votes.
I wish I could show it to you, but I've given it away now.

Tian

spencerg wrote:
> Hi, Cameron:
> 
> 
>       Yes, that was what I was looking for.  Thanks.
> 
> 
>       That raises another question:  What's the difference between this
> Prop 14 system and the general / runoff system used in many other
> countries where third parties thrive?
> 
> 
>       Best Wishes,
>       Spencer
> 
> 
> On 3/23/2010 5:02 PM, Cameron L. Spitzer wrote:
>> I suspect Spencer was looking for some history to complement
>> our already plausible conclusions about the intent and
>> effect of top-two.  Not dismissing our reasoning.
>>
>> We now have per-party-primaries, which the parties can open if
>> they choose, followed by a general election.
>>
>> Top-two replaces that system.  The new system has no
>> per-party-primaries, a mid-year general election, and a runoff
>> in the fall.  Without per-party-primaries, party affiliation
>> has no legal meaning.
>>
>> It's easy to be confused by funny terms like "open primary."
>> When candidates from all parties run against one another, that's
>> not a primary, it's a general election.
>>
>> Several states already do that, all that's different is the
>> schedule.  So the "evidence" Spencer wants can be found in
>> the experience in those states.  Georgia, Virginia,
>> Washington.  Washington had a sort of Nader campaign club
>> in 2000, which disappeared shortly after that election,
>> but never got a Green Party together.  Georgia was one of
>> the first US states that organized a Green political club,
>> and it even formed locals in the larger counties, but never
>> reached a thousand members, despite two decades of relatively
>> competent organizing effort.  Virginia got started later
>> but the story's the same.  You could run down the chart
>> in _Ballot Access News_ and catch the rest.  States with
>> "open primaries" or no party-voter affiliation
>> don't grow Green Parties.  The correlation is just
>> about absolute.  The only thing missing is an experiment
>> where a state takes away party-voter affiliation that it
>> used to have.
>>
>>
>> -Cameron
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
>>    

-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Latest addition: Pictures and words about the Green Party of California.


From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Wed Mar 24 00:35:03 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:35:03 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa
	Claraon	Tuesday, Marc...
References: <20100324000238.590F46A923@truffula.sj.ca.us>	<4BA96009.9020706@prodsyse.com>
	<4BA9BBD3.9050601@aceweb.com>
Message-ID: <4BA9C0A7.8000203@earthlink.net>


The German system was similar.

It also had half district seats and half party seats.
But as I recall, you did not have to make a choice
between district or party.  If you ran, you were
automatically in both.  Otherwise I think it was
the same.


Gerry


Tian Harter wrote:

> I can say a few words about the New Zealand system, which I've been
> watching as a hobby for many years. Their system is what's refered to
> as a "mixed member system", meaning half are elected proportionally,
> and half are elected by districts. When a voter goes to vote there,
> they get two votes. The first is a district vote, and the second is a
> Party vote. When someone decides to run for office there, the first
> question is probably: do I want to go for party votes or district votes?
> 
> Each Party is responsible for coming up with ways to earn party votes.
> They also give the vote officials a list of party members in the order
> the would get elected if enough voters voted for them. The New Zealand
> Greens turn in a list with something like a dozen names on it, but as
> a practical matter usually the top four to six get seated.
> 
> District vote elections are handled much like our Congressional or
> Assembly elections. It's winner take all. Jeanette Fitzsimons, who
> recently retired as co-leader of the NZ Greens was elected that way
> many times, because she was well known enough in the district for that.
> 
> Most of the Greens in the Govt. were elected on the party list though,
> because they weren't well enough known to take a district. Also, the
> Greens are one of the few international parties, and we benefit from
> being on the front lines of issues like climate change. For a long time
> I was carrying around the flier they gave out to earn Party votes.
> I wish I could show it to you, but I've given it away now.
> 
> Tian
> 
> spencerg wrote:
> 
>>Hi, Cameron:
>>
>>
>>      Yes, that was what I was looking for.  Thanks.
>>
>>
>>      That raises another question:  What's the difference between this
>>Prop 14 system and the general / runoff system used in many other
>>countries where third parties thrive?
>>
>>
>>      Best Wishes,
>>      Spencer
>>
>>
>>On 3/23/2010 5:02 PM, Cameron L. Spitzer wrote:
>>
>>>I suspect Spencer was looking for some history to complement
>>>our already plausible conclusions about the intent and
>>>effect of top-two.  Not dismissing our reasoning.
>>>
>>>We now have per-party-primaries, which the parties can open if
>>>they choose, followed by a general election.
>>>
>>>Top-two replaces that system.  The new system has no
>>>per-party-primaries, a mid-year general election, and a runoff
>>>in the fall.  Without per-party-primaries, party affiliation
>>>has no legal meaning.
>>>
>>>It's easy to be confused by funny terms like "open primary."
>>>When candidates from all parties run against one another, that's
>>>not a primary, it's a general election.
>>>
>>>Several states already do that, all that's different is the
>>>schedule.  So the "evidence" Spencer wants can be found in
>>>the experience in those states.  Georgia, Virginia,
>>>Washington.  Washington had a sort of Nader campaign club
>>>in 2000, which disappeared shortly after that election,
>>>but never got a Green Party together.  Georgia was one of
>>>the first US states that organized a Green political club,
>>>and it even formed locals in the larger counties, but never
>>>reached a thousand members, despite two decades of relatively
>>>competent organizing effort.  Virginia got started later
>>>but the story's the same.  You could run down the chart
>>>in _Ballot Access News_ and catch the rest.  States with
>>>"open primaries" or no party-voter affiliation
>>>don't grow Green Parties.  The correlation is just
>>>about absolute.  The only thing missing is an experiment
>>>where a state takes away party-voter affiliation that it
>>>used to have.
>>>
>>>
>>>-Cameron
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>>>sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>>>http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
>>>   
>>>
> 




From tnharter at aceweb.com  Wed Mar 24 14:10:26 2010
From: tnharter at aceweb.com (Tian Harter)
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:10:26 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] 7 years after Iraq was invaded: Another Peace March in
	San Francisco.
Message-ID: <4BAA7FC2.2080302@aceweb.com>

http://tian.greens.org/SanFrancisco/PeaceMarch/March10/index.html
-- 
Tian
http://tian.greens.org
Previous addition: Pictures and words about San Jose's GPCA meeting.



From carolineyacoub at att.net  Wed Mar 24 17:49:20 2010
From: carolineyacoub at att.net (Caroline Yacoub)
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:49:20 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fw: Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate Deacon
	Alexander's Plan to Say No to Nazi's!
Message-ID: <138026.66986.qm@web81207.mail.mud.yahoo.com>





----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Sandy Stiassni <dadcab at sbcglobal.net>
To: Caroline Yacoub <carolineyacoub at att.net>
Sent: Wed, March 24, 2010 1:54:27 PM
Subject: Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate Deacon Alexander's Plan to Say No to Nazi's!


Hi Caroline,
?
Attached?is?statement by California Green Party gubernatorial primary candidate?Deacon
Alexander about upcoming?National Socialist Movement's abhorrent, hateful plan to hold a Nazi rally in LA.
?
Deacon says; "I hope a large collective action of Greens, and all people of conscience, will help promote Green Party core values of human rights, non-violence and social justice.? Stand Together to say No to Nazi's!"
?
I know Deacon would welcome your support to help publicize, plan and organize this, to ensure as many Greens and people of conscience as possible participate in this event.

Best,
?
Sandy Stiassni
Interim Campaign Director
Deacon for Gov 2010
714-269-7225
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From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Wed Mar 24 20:29:42 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:29:42 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] [Fwd: Come to the South Bay Prop 15 kickoff on
	Saturday, 3-27-10]
Message-ID: <4BAAD8A6.7000402@earthlink.net>


FYI,

(I think I will go.)

Gerry


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Come to the South Bay Prop 15 kickoff on Saturday, 3-27-10
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:21:19 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Trent Lange, Yes on 15" <newsletter at caclean.org>
Reply-To: newsletter at caclean.org
To: gerrygras at earthlink.net


<clip>

Dear Gerald ,

After a standing-room only crowds in San Francisco and 200+ attendees in
Los Angeles, it's time for South Bay area residents to show their
commitment to passing Proposition 15, the California Fair Elections Act.

Join us for the South Bay Prop 15 Campaign Kickoff, Saturday, March 27
from 4-6pm

<clip>

This Proposition 15 kickoff was put together by hard-working volunteers
like you.  You'll get to hear how it will work to provide voluntary
public financing to qualified Secretary of State candidates who agree to
strict spending limits.  You'll also hear how it responds to the
corporate takeover that could result from the recent Supreme Court
decision - by starting the process of getting politicians out of the
fundraising game.

WHEN:         Saturday, March 27 from 4pm-6pm
WHERE:       First Unitarian Church of San Jose
                     160 North Third St, San Jose

<clip>




Assemblymembers Jim Beall, Jr, Joe Coto, Paul Fong, Ira Ruskin, Sally
Lieber (ret.), Fred Keeley (ret.), and San Mateo County Supervisor Rich
Gordon will talk about why they support Prop 15 and why all Californians
should!

Trent Lange, Chair of Yes on Proposition 15, will talk about how the
system works and the statewide campaign to pass the proposition.

We will end with a brainstorming and organizing session for the new
local grassroots coalition to support the campaign by building support
locally.

Please invite anyone you know who is sick of the outrageous amount of
money in politics and might be interested in helping bring about Fair
Elections.  Imagine what California could be if our elected officials
could focus on governing instead of fundraising!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sponsors:   California Clean Money Campaign, California Common Cause,
California Nurses Association, League of Women Voters of California,
Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County, Dean Democratic Club of
Silicon Valley, Democratic Club of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County
Democratic Club, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, Women's International
League for Peace and Freedom San Jose Branch, San Jose Peace Action,
Social Action Committee of the Humanist Community of Silicon Valley,
Green Party of Santa Clara County, Health Care for All of Santa Clara
County, Social Justice Council of First Unitarian Church of San Jose,
plus additional groups joining every day.  To find out about adding your
organization to the list, contact  SouthBayArea-info at CAclean.org
<mailto:SouthBayArea-info at CAclean.org>


<clip>

California Clean Money Action Fund | 11844 W. Pico Blvd., Suite 200 |
Los Angeles | CA | 90064

<clip>

================

website:
     http://www.yesfairelections.org/



From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Thu Mar 25 11:11:34 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:11:34 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Ralph Nader vote in an elementary school
Message-ID: <4BABA756.20807@earthlink.net>


FYI,

Nader ties with McCain, and loses slightly to Obama
in vote in elementary school.

"My Children, Ralph Nader and the South China Sea"
     http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/03/25-5

Gerry



From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Thu Mar 25 18:43:10 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:43:10 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in
 Santa	Claraon	Tuesday, Marc...
In-Reply-To: <4BA9C0A7.8000203@earthlink.net>
References: <20100324000238.590F46A923@truffula.sj.ca.us>	<4BA96009.9020706@prodsyse.com>	<4BA9BBD3.9050601@aceweb.com>
	<4BA9C0A7.8000203@earthlink.net>
Message-ID: <4BAC112E.6060904@prodsyse.com>

       Thanks for all the replies.


       I think these should go in a Wikipedia-type entry.  Wikipedia may 
not like this, because it may be too controversial for them -- though it 
might not.  I decided several months ago I needed to become a Wikipedia 
contributor (but I haven't yet done it).  I also registered the domain 
name "greenresearchwiki.org" for a home for Wikipedia-type discussions 
of issues that may be too hot for them.  ("greenresearchwiki.org" 
currently autoforwards to "prodsyse.com", my old web site from the 
1990s.)  I'd like to recruit contributors from across the political 
spectrum.  If we get Glen Beck or Rush Limbaugh supporters, we split the 
screen into two (or three) columns:  They get the right hand column.  In 
the middle, we can raise questions about the value of the evidence by 
people on all sides, then discuss the importance of funding research to 
clarify the issues involved.  As long as we provide substance, I think 
we can attract contributors and readers.  Some of both will likely 
become more aware of the Green party and more supportive of our efforts.


       Best Wishes,
       Spencer


On 3/24/2010 12:35 AM, Gerry Gras wrote:
>
> The German system was similar.
>
> It also had half district seats and half party seats.
> But as I recall, you did not have to make a choice
> between district or party.  If you ran, you were
> automatically in both.  Otherwise I think it was
> the same.
>
>
> Gerry
>
>
> Tian Harter wrote:
>
>> I can say a few words about the New Zealand system, which I've been
>> watching as a hobby for many years. Their system is what's refered to
>> as a "mixed member system", meaning half are elected proportionally,
>> and half are elected by districts. When a voter goes to vote there,
>> they get two votes. The first is a district vote, and the second is a
>> Party vote. When someone decides to run for office there, the first
>> question is probably: do I want to go for party votes or district votes?
>>
>> Each Party is responsible for coming up with ways to earn party votes.
>> They also give the vote officials a list of party members in the order
>> the would get elected if enough voters voted for them. The New Zealand
>> Greens turn in a list with something like a dozen names on it, but as
>> a practical matter usually the top four to six get seated.
>>
>> District vote elections are handled much like our Congressional or
>> Assembly elections. It's winner take all. Jeanette Fitzsimons, who
>> recently retired as co-leader of the NZ Greens was elected that way
>> many times, because she was well known enough in the district for that.
>>
>> Most of the Greens in the Govt. were elected on the party list though,
>> because they weren't well enough known to take a district. Also, the
>> Greens are one of the few international parties, and we benefit from
>> being on the front lines of issues like climate change. For a long time
>> I was carrying around the flier they gave out to earn Party votes.
>> I wish I could show it to you, but I've given it away now.
>>
>> Tian
>>
>> spencerg wrote:
>>
>>> Hi, Cameron:
>>>
>>>
>>>      Yes, that was what I was looking for.  Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>>      That raises another question:  What's the difference between this
>>> Prop 14 system and the general / runoff system used in many other
>>> countries where third parties thrive?
>>>
>>>
>>>      Best Wishes,
>>>      Spencer
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/23/2010 5:02 PM, Cameron L. Spitzer wrote:
>>>
>>>> I suspect Spencer was looking for some history to complement
>>>> our already plausible conclusions about the intent and
>>>> effect of top-two.  Not dismissing our reasoning.
>>>>
>>>> We now have per-party-primaries, which the parties can open if
>>>> they choose, followed by a general election.
>>>>
>>>> Top-two replaces that system.  The new system has no
>>>> per-party-primaries, a mid-year general election, and a runoff
>>>> in the fall.  Without per-party-primaries, party affiliation
>>>> has no legal meaning.
>>>>
>>>> It's easy to be confused by funny terms like "open primary."
>>>> When candidates from all parties run against one another, that's
>>>> not a primary, it's a general election.
>>>>
>>>> Several states already do that, all that's different is the
>>>> schedule.  So the "evidence" Spencer wants can be found in
>>>> the experience in those states.  Georgia, Virginia,
>>>> Washington.  Washington had a sort of Nader campaign club
>>>> in 2000, which disappeared shortly after that election,
>>>> but never got a Green Party together.  Georgia was one of
>>>> the first US states that organized a Green political club,
>>>> and it even formed locals in the larger counties, but never
>>>> reached a thousand members, despite two decades of relatively
>>>> competent organizing effort.  Virginia got started later
>>>> but the story's the same.  You could run down the chart
>>>> in _Ballot Access News_ and catch the rest.  States with
>>>> "open primaries" or no party-voter affiliation
>>>> don't grow Green Parties.  The correlation is just
>>>> about absolute.  The only thing missing is an experiment
>>>> where a state takes away party-voter affiliation that it
>>>> used to have.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -Cameron
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>>>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>>>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567



From jims at greens.org  Thu Mar 25 19:01:25 2010
From: jims at greens.org (Jim Stauffer)
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:01:25 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: [GPCA Official Notice] Organizing Against Prop 14
Message-ID: <4BAC1575.3050508@greens.org>



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [GPCA Official Notice] Organizing Against Prop 14
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:48:25 -0700
From: County Contacts <contacts2006 at cagreens.org>
Reply-To: contacts2006 at cagreens.org
To: County Contacts <Contacts2006 at cagreens.org>

GREEN PARTY COUNTY CONTACTS MESSAGE

This is an announcement from the GPCA Contact List.  For more information, or
questions related to the topic of the posting, please do not hit reply. Follow
the contact directions
stated in the email.






~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To:  All GPCA activists

From:  Kendra Gonzales and Richard Gomez, CCWG Coordinators, and Jane Rands,
ERWG Coordinator

Re:  Organizing to Defeat Proposition 14 ? the so-called ?Top-Two Primary? measure


There will be a ballot measure in the June 8th Primary Election that
would effectively abolish minor parties from the General Elections held
in November. We are asking you to join the effort to defeat this measure
-- Proposition 14, the ?Top-Two Primary.?

We have a Prop 14 resources web page at http://cagreens.org/erwg/Prop14/.

At the March 2010 General Assembly of Delegates, the Green Party of
California easily reached consensus on opposing Proposition 14. If
adopted, all candidates for partisan office would be required to run in
a single, combined Primary Election rather than each party having it?s
own Primary. Voters may vote for any party?s candidate, and only the two
highest voted candidates would proceed to the General Election. No
longer would each party be represented in the General. In fact, the two
candidates in the General could be from the same party.

Obviously, this measure would make it extremely difficulty for minor
parties to get their candidates ? especially for statewide offices ?
seen by the voters in the General Election. There was a previous ballot
measure proposing this ?top-two? concept which the GPCA also opposed.
The present measure made it on to the ballot by being a part of the
?deal? to get State Senator Abel Maldonado to vote in support of the
February 2009 budget package.

Defeating Proposition 14 is a high priority for the GPCA. Because we,
and other small political parties, constitute just a minority of the
total voters, we must reach out beyond our GPCA membership to defeat
this measure.

Green Values speak of Grassroots Democracy and Decentralization, and in
this spirit we ask you to join the effort to defeat this measure by
doing the following:

? Talk, blog and email your friends, family, co-workers, and groups in
which you participate and ask them to vote No on Prop 14. Explain to
them why it?s important. Ask them to discuss it with their other
friends, family, etc.

? Ask local organizations in which you participate to hold discussions
on this issue and, if possible, pass their own resolutions opposing Prop
14. It is especially important to speak before senior citizen?s groups
because AARP is being listed as a supporting organization on campaign
literature that already has been mailed twice.

? Write letters to the editor -- not just to the big newspapers but also
to weekly, bi-weekly and monthly papers.

We ask Local County Green Parties to focus on this issue immediately
because absentee (mail-in) ballots will begin to be issued on or about
May 8, 2010. The GP members in your area need to be contacted and
encouraged to engage individually and help make contacts with other
organizations. This is an opportunity to connect with other political
parties locally to issue joint statements and submit joint op-ed pieces
to the local press.

There are a number of measures on the ballot, and more developing
campaigns for November or circulating petitions for ballot measures
which Greens already support or likely to. It is important to bring the
Prop 14 issue to these groups and their activists ? even if those
campaigns (for various reasons) will not formally oppose Prop 14. It is
important to bring ?VOTE NO on Prop 14? signs to public rallies
supporting Prop 15 (public financing for Secretary of State candidates),
or opposing Prop 16 (initiative to hamper local energy commissions), or
opposing Prop 17 (initiative that would increase auto insurance rates).

Here are some ?talking points?:

? Proposition 14 will not result in a less partisan and more moderate
legislature, as its proponents claim. This kind of system has been tried
before in congressional elections in Louisiana and is currently being
used in Washington State. In both cases, the same patterns of Democrats
and Republicans were elected. The Washington legislature is still as
partisan as it was before its style of ?top-two? was approved.

? Proposition 14 will make the General Elections less democratic because
voters will have fewer choices on Election Day. Not only will smaller
Parties? candidates be eliminated ? lessening the choices for
independent (decline to state) voters ? it is possible that the top two
candidates will be from the same political party in many legislative races.

? Proposition 14 will likely increase the money that is spent on Primary
Election campaigns and increase fund raising from large private donors
and corporations. This will continue the ongoing escalation of candidate
spending. Prop 14 would end Prop 15?s public financing experiment
because a ?top two? system would prevent other candidates from receiving
the large portion of the public financing provided after the Primaries.

The Campaign and Candidates Working Group and Electoral Reform Working
Group will be preparing a model leaflet for GP tabling and networking.
If you have questions about the above information, contact Warner
Bloomberg at (408) 295-9353 or at wsb3attyca at aol.com
<mailto:wsb3attyca at aol.com>


_______________________________________________
Contacts2006 mailing list
Contacts2006 at cagreens.org
http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/contacts2006



From j.m.doyle at sbcglobal.net  Fri Mar 26 12:49:56 2010
From: j.m.doyle at sbcglobal.net (Jim Doyle)
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:49:56 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] agenda item for wed 4-7
Message-ID: <4BAD0FE4.6080609@sbcglobal.net>

job description(s) for "Volunteer Coordinator(s)" -

separating contact person(s) of regular events
from coordinator of actual participants at those events
and other events as they arise



From gerrygras at earthlink.net  Fri Mar 26 15:08:10 2010
From: gerrygras at earthlink.net (Gerry Gras)
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:08:10 -0800
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Prop 15 event tomorrow San Jose
Message-ID: <4BAD304A.3010502@earthlink.net>


The Prop 15 event we consponsered (at the last
meeting) is tomorrow, 4-6 PM, in downtown San Jose.

For more info:

http://www.yesfairelections.org/contacts/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=41

Gerry



From andid at cagreens.org  Fri Mar 26 17:52:28 2010
From: andid at cagreens.org (Andrea Dorey)
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:52:28 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Peter Drekmeier to Speak at Humanist Forum
Message-ID: <6C29BA41-6816-4044-A5A5-B5ADF07B53FF@cagreens.org>


<clip>

The following Sunday [April 4] Peter Drekmeier will speak about "Adapting to Climate Change: Preparing for Inevitable Impacts."
-----------
The Humanist Community Forum meets at 11am at our new location, Palo Alto High School at the corner of El Camino and Embarcadero Rd. (50 Embarcadero Rd) in Palo Alto. The forum will be in the Student Center and the family program in rm 31/29 upstairs in the Administration Bldg. A map is attached to this email.
-----------
Past Humanist Community Forums (from December of 2009) are now viewable on the Internet, and on Comcast public access channel 30 in the Palo Alto area.  To view them on the web, go tohttp://vimeo.com/user2798508/videos/sort:newest.  You can also get to that website from the Forums page on the Humanist Community website (http://www.humanists.org), or from the Humanist Community Blog (http://humanistcommunity.org/wp).  To see the schedule of their showings on Comcast public access channel 30, go to http://www.communitymediacenter.net/watch/#humanist.

<clip>
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From fredd at freeshell.org  Sat Mar 27 11:35:43 2010
From: fredd at freeshell.org (fred)
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:35:43 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Fwd: Future of Food & Monsantos
Message-ID: <4BAE4FFF.5000403@freeshell.org>

These messages regarding Monsanto, shared by a friend, are FYI, with his OK.

Fred D.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Fwd: Future of Food & Monsantos
Date: 	Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:15:32 -0700
From: 	Leslie Dennis <lesliesings at earthlink.net>
To: 	Ron & Rosie Dennis <dennis9855 at sbcglobal.net>, Roger Kotila 
<earthstarradio at aol.com>





Begin forwarded message:

> *From: *"Pat & Ray Mikkonen" <rmikkonen at nvc.net 
> <mailto:rmikkonen at nvc.net>>
> *Date: *March 21, 2010 10:10:26 AM PDT
> *To: *"Leslie Dennis" <lesliesings at earthlink.net 
> <mailto:lesliesings at earthlink.net>>
> *Subject: **Re: Future of Food*
>
> Dear Leslie,  It has been a long time since I recieved this email from 
> you and I never deleted it because I wanted to respond.  We, being 
> organic farmers and gardeners,  have been aware of what Monsanto is 
> doing and the organic farmers are doing all they can to make people 
> aware of this greedy, heinous practice.  We have a farmer in our area 
> who was sued thousands of dollars by Monsanto for keeping some of the 
> seed he harvested, at least that was their claim.  Not very much of 
> the land around us is farmed by organic farmers and we have to be so 
> careful that our fields aren't contaminated by sprays and pesticides 
> other farmers are using.  Lonny and Rory have stood near their fields 
> as the neighbors are having their fields sprayed by plane to see and 
> smell if the spray is drifting over to their fields.  Just a year or 
> two ago that did happen and our grain didn't qualify as organic due to 
> the spray that drifted over.  Our grains are usually contracted by 
> companies which send a great deal of the grain overseas and they are 
> scrutinized very closely, as they are in the U. S. as well, so an 
> incident like that can be very costly.  I'm so glad city people are 
> aware of the danger to our food supply by those big corporations. 
>  Keep fighting for our farmers who are ultimately trying to provide us 
> all with healthful food.  Thanks
>
> Love Pat
>
>
> Subject: Future of Food
>
>
>> Hi Roger and Pat & Ray,
>>
>> Have you heard of Monsantos, a monopoly seed provider that is selling 
>> Round-up ready Genetically Engineered corn seed, soy seed, cotton 
>> seed and many others?  They are being allowed to patent live DNA that 
>> they have created along with seeds that have existed forever - 
>> calling it their own and then suing farmers for haphazardly having it 
>> mix into  their own seed.  Heinous.  These seeds spreads haphazardly 
>> into all  seed by wind/birds, contaminating that which has existed 
>> forever and  proven safe to consume.  They are trying to get approval 
>> and patents  now for many other seeds including wheat!  There is a 
>> force against it  and I'm going to get busy making people aware. 
>>  Europe, Japan, Mexico  are banning Genetically Engineered food and 
>> patents on seed and food.   We need to destroy this monopoly problem 
>> that has infected our  government all the way to the top.
>>
>> There is a DVD documentary out that is trying to inform the public 
>>  called The Future of Food, film by Deborah Koons Garcia.  If you 
>> have  Netflix - rent it.  It is a heinous business that Bush Sr and 
>> Jr  allowed to prosper!!!!  Heinous.  There is also a website 
>> www.futureoffoods.com <http://www.futureoffoods.com>
>>
>> Leslie
>

=
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From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Sat Mar 27 11:54:54 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:54:54 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Fwd: Future of Food & Monsantos
In-Reply-To: <4BAE4FFF.5000403@freeshell.org>
References: <4BAE4FFF.5000403@freeshell.org>
Message-ID: <4BAE547E.1080705@prodsyse.com>

       Is there some way that the farmers threatened by Monsanto to sue 
Monsanto to keep their noxious products from contaminating their organic 
produce?


       I'll bet that many people who buy organic produce would be 
willing to contribute to legal and public relations campaigns (similar 
to the film "gasland") to take on Monsanto and similar ag business 
concerns acting contrary to the public interest.


       Best Wishes,
       Spencer Graves


On 3/27/2010 11:35 AM, fred wrote:
> These messages regarding Monsanto, shared by a friend, are FYI, with 
> his OK.
>
> Fred D.
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject:     Fwd: Future of Food & Monsantos
> Date:     Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:15:32 -0700
> From:     Leslie Dennis <lesliesings at earthlink.net>
> To:     Ron & Rosie Dennis <dennis9855 at sbcglobal.net>, Roger Kotila 
> <earthstarradio at aol.com>
>
>
>
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>> *From: *"Pat & Ray Mikkonen" <rmikkonen at nvc.net 
>> <mailto:rmikkonen at nvc.net>>
>> *Date: *March 21, 2010 10:10:26 AM PDT
>> *To: *"Leslie Dennis" <lesliesings at earthlink.net 
>> <mailto:lesliesings at earthlink.net>>
>> *Subject: **Re: Future of Food*
>>
>> Dear Leslie,  It has been a long time since I recieved this email 
>> from you and I never deleted it because I wanted to respond.  We, 
>> being organic farmers and gardeners,  have been aware of what 
>> Monsanto is doing and the organic farmers are doing all they can to 
>> make people aware of this greedy, heinous practice.  We have a farmer 
>> in our area who was sued thousands of dollars by Monsanto for keeping 
>> some of the seed he harvested, at least that was their claim.  Not 
>> very much of the land around us is farmed by organic farmers and we 
>> have to be so careful that our fields aren't contaminated by sprays 
>> and pesticides other farmers are using.  Lonny and Rory have stood 
>> near their fields as the neighbors are having their fields sprayed by 
>> plane to see and smell if the spray is drifting over to their 
>> fields.  Just a year or two ago that did happen and our grain didn't 
>> qualify as organic due to the spray that drifted over.  Our grains 
>> are usually contracted by companies which send a great deal of the 
>> grain overseas and they are scrutinized very closely, as they are in 
>> the U. S. as well, so an incident like that can be very costly.  I'm 
>> so glad city people are aware of the danger to our food supply by 
>> those big corporations.  Keep fighting for our farmers who are 
>> ultimately trying to provide us all with healthful food.  Thanks
>>
>> Love Pat
>>
>>
>> Subject: Future of Food
>>
>>
>>> Hi Roger and Pat & Ray,
>>>
>>> Have you heard of Monsantos, a monopoly seed provider that is 
>>> selling Round-up ready Genetically Engineered corn seed, soy seed, 
>>> cotton seed and many others?  They are being allowed to patent live 
>>> DNA that they have created along with seeds that have existed 
>>> forever - calling it their own and then suing farmers for 
>>> haphazardly having it mix into  their own seed.  Heinous.  These 
>>> seeds spreads haphazardly into all  seed by wind/birds, 
>>> contaminating that which has existed forever and  proven safe to 
>>> consume.  They are trying to get approval and patents  now for many 
>>> other seeds including wheat!  There is a force against it  and I'm 
>>> going to get busy making people aware.  Europe, Japan, Mexico  are 
>>> banning Genetically Engineered food and patents on seed and food.   
>>> We need to destroy this monopoly problem that has infected our  
>>> government all the way to the top.
>>>
>>> There is a DVD documentary out that is trying to inform the public 
>>>  called The Future of Food, film by Deborah Koons Garcia.  If you 
>>> have  Netflix - rent it.  It is a heinous business that Bush Sr and 
>>> Jr  allowed to prosper!!!!  Heinous.  There is also a website 
>>> www.futureoffoods.com <http://www.futureoffoods.com>
>>>
>>> Leslie
>>
>
> =
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567

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From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Sat Mar 27 12:00:25 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 12:00:25 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Fwd: Future of Food & Monsantos
In-Reply-To: <4BAE4FFF.5000403@freeshell.org>
References: <4BAE4FFF.5000403@freeshell.org>
Message-ID: <4BAE55C9.1030804@prodsyse.com>

p.s.  GMOs are noxious weeds to organic farmers.  Herbicides and 
pesticides are poisons, and many farmers who use them have learned from 
personal experience and the experiences of people they know that they 
have to be very careful working with them.  I have an uncle and a cousin 
who got Parkinson's, likely as a result of excess exposure to 
pesticides.  Many fertilizers may be no more harmful than manure.


###############
        Is there some way that the farmers threatened by Monsanto to sue 
Monsanto to keep their noxious products from contaminating their organic 
produce?


        I'll bet that many people who buy organic produce would be 
willing to contribute to legal and public relations campaigns (similar 
to the film "gasland") to take on Monsanto and similar ag business 
concerns acting contrary to the public interest.


        Best Wishes,
        Spencer Graves


On 3/27/2010 11:35 AM, fred wrote:
> These messages regarding Monsanto, shared by a friend, are FYI, with
> his OK.
>
> Fred D.
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject:     Fwd: Future of Food & Monsantos
> Date:     Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:15:32 -0700
> From:     Leslie Dennis <lesliesings at earthlink.net>
> To:     Ron & Rosie Dennis <dennis9855 at sbcglobal.net>, Roger Kotila
> <earthstarradio at aol.com>
>
>
>
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>> *From: *"Pat & Ray Mikkonen" <rmikkonen at nvc.net
>> <mailto:rmikkonen at nvc.net>>
>> *Date: *March 21, 2010 10:10:26 AM PDT
>> *To: *"Leslie Dennis" <lesliesings at earthlink.net
>> <mailto:lesliesings at earthlink.net>>
>> *Subject: **Re: Future of Food*
>>
>> Dear Leslie,  It has been a long time since I recieved this email
>> from you and I never deleted it because I wanted to respond.  We,
>> being organic farmers and gardeners,  have been aware of what
>> Monsanto is doing and the organic farmers are doing all they can to
>> make people aware of this greedy, heinous practice.  We have a farmer
>> in our area who was sued thousands of dollars by Monsanto for keeping
>> some of the seed he harvested, at least that was their claim.  Not
>> very much of the land around us is farmed by organic farmers and we
>> have to be so careful that our fields aren't contaminated by sprays
>> and pesticides other farmers are using.  Lonny and Rory have stood
>> near their fields as the neighbors are having their fields sprayed by
>> plane to see and smell if the spray is drifting over to their
>> fields.  Just a year or two ago that did happen and our grain didn't
>> qualify as organic due to the spray that drifted over.  Our grains
>> are usually contracted by companies which send a great deal of the
>> grain overseas and they are scrutinized very closely, as they are in
>> the U. S. as well, so an incident like that can be very costly.  I'm
>> so glad city people are aware of the danger to our food supply by
>> those big corporations.  Keep fighting for our farmers who are
>> ultimately trying to provide us all with healthful food.  Thanks
>>
>> Love Pat
>>
>>
>> Subject: Future of Food
>>
>>
>>> Hi Roger and Pat & Ray,
>>>
>>> Have you heard of Monsantos, a monopoly seed provider that is
>>> selling Round-up ready Genetically Engineered corn seed, soy seed,
>>> cotton seed and many others?  They are being allowed to patent live
>>> DNA that they have created along with seeds that have existed
>>> forever - calling it their own and then suing farmers for
>>> haphazardly having it mix into  their own seed.  Heinous.  These
>>> seeds spreads haphazardly into all  seed by wind/birds,
>>> contaminating that which has existed forever and  proven safe to
>>> consume.  They are trying to get approval and patents  now for many
>>> other seeds including wheat!  There is a force against it  and I'm
>>> going to get busy making people aware.  Europe, Japan, Mexico  are
>>> banning Genetically Engineered food and patents on seed and food.
>>> We need to destroy this monopoly problem that has infected our
>>> government all the way to the top.
>>>
>>> There is a DVD documentary out that is trying to inform the public
>>>  called The Future of Food, film by Deborah Koons Garcia.  If you
>>> have  Netflix - rent it.  It is a heinous business that Bush Sr and
>>> Jr  allowed to prosper!!!!  Heinous.  There is also a website
>>> www.futureoffoods.com <http://www.futureoffoods.com>
>>>
>>> Leslie
>>
>
> =
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567




From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Sun Mar 28 07:49:54 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 07:49:54 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in
 Santa	Claraon	Tuesday, Marc...
In-Reply-To: <4BA9C0A7.8000203@earthlink.net>
References: <20100324000238.590F46A923@truffula.sj.ca.us>	<4BA96009.9020706@prodsyse.com>	<4BA9BBD3.9050601@aceweb.com>
	<4BA9C0A7.8000203@earthlink.net>
Message-ID: <4BAF6C92.6020204@prodsyse.com>

	  Have you seen the discussion of this issue on "ballotpedia.org"?(a) 
It seems to present a fairly balanced view of the arguments, identifying 
the initiative's sponsors and providing links to other sources of 
information for and against.


	  This suggests to me four steps to oppose this:


		    (1) Read that and make sure you think your concerns are all listed 
there.  If you have some piece of evidence that you think should be 
cited there but isn't, take steps to try to get it there.  If you don't 
understand the Wikipedia markup language, I can help with that.  I'll 
try to arrive at 6:30 PM for the April 7 Green Party meeting, in case 
anyone would like to work with me to make this happen.  Please let me 
know in advance if you'd like to do this, and I'll prepare something so 
we can make better use of that time.


		    (2) Summarize the arguments for and against in a format suitable 
for a bookmark.  I can start working on that;  if you have ideas, send 
them to me.  I'd like to put "Pro" on one side with "Against" on the 
other.  One element on each side would be "Evidence".  On the "Pro" 
side, I plan to put, "Evidence:  None."  With "Against", "Evidence: 
increased security for incumbents and elimination of minor parties in 
Louisiana, Washington", with a reference to the "ballotmedia.org" page 
on "California Proposition 14 (2010)".


		    (3) Start using the bookmark in tabling, etc.


		    (4) Coordinate step 2 above with ACLU and the other groups opposed 
to this and revise the above as appropriate.


	  Comments?
	  Best Wishes,



##############################

(a) 
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_14,_Top_Two_Primaries_Act_%28June_2010%29

######################
       Thanks for all the replies.


       I think these should go in a Wikipedia-type entry.  Wikipedia may 
not like this, because it may be too controversial for them -- though it 
might not.  I decided several months ago I needed to become a Wikipedia 
contributor (but I haven't yet done it).  I also registered the domain 
name "greenresearchwiki.org" for a home for Wikipedia-type discussions 
of issues that may be too hot for them.  ("greenresearchwiki.org" 
currently autoforwards to "prodsyse.com", my old web site from the 
1990s.)  I'd like to recruit contributors from across the political 
spectrum.  If we get Glen Beck or Rush Limbaugh supporters, we split the 
screen into two (or three) columns:  They get the right hand column.  In 
the middle, we can raise questions about the value of the evidence by 
people on all sides, then discuss the importance of funding research to 
clarify the issues involved.  As long as we provide substance, I think 
we can attract contributors and readers.  Some of both will likely 
become more aware of the Green party and more supportive of our efforts.


       Best Wishes,
       Spencer


On 3/24/2010 12:35 AM, Gerry Gras wrote:
>
> The German system was similar.
>
> It also had half district seats and half party seats.
> But as I recall, you did not have to make a choice
> between district or party.  If you ran, you were
> automatically in both.  Otherwise I think it was
> the same.
>
>
> Gerry
>
>
> Tian Harter wrote:
>
>> I can say a few words about the New Zealand system, which I've been
>> watching as a hobby for many years. Their system is what's refered to
>> as a "mixed member system", meaning half are elected proportionally,
>> and half are elected by districts. When a voter goes to vote there,
>> they get two votes. The first is a district vote, and the second is a
>> Party vote. When someone decides to run for office there, the first
>> question is probably: do I want to go for party votes or district votes?
>>
>> Each Party is responsible for coming up with ways to earn party votes.
>> They also give the vote officials a list of party members in the order
>> the would get elected if enough voters voted for them. The New Zealand
>> Greens turn in a list with something like a dozen names on it, but as
>> a practical matter usually the top four to six get seated.
>>
>> District vote elections are handled much like our Congressional or
>> Assembly elections. It's winner take all. Jeanette Fitzsimons, who
>> recently retired as co-leader of the NZ Greens was elected that way
>> many times, because she was well known enough in the district for that.
>>
>> Most of the Greens in the Govt. were elected on the party list though,
>> because they weren't well enough known to take a district. Also, the
>> Greens are one of the few international parties, and we benefit from
>> being on the front lines of issues like climate change. For a long time
>> I was carrying around the flier they gave out to earn Party votes.
>> I wish I could show it to you, but I've given it away now.
>>
>> Tian
>>
>> spencerg wrote:
>>
>>> Hi, Cameron:
>>>
>>>
>>>      Yes, that was what I was looking for.  Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>>      That raises another question:  What's the difference between this
>>> Prop 14 system and the general / runoff system used in many other
>>> countries where third parties thrive?
>>>
>>>
>>>      Best Wishes,
>>>      Spencer
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/23/2010 5:02 PM, Cameron L. Spitzer wrote:
>>>
>>>> I suspect Spencer was looking for some history to complement
>>>> our already plausible conclusions about the intent and
>>>> effect of top-two.  Not dismissing our reasoning.
>>>>
>>>> We now have per-party-primaries, which the parties can open if
>>>> they choose, followed by a general election.
>>>>
>>>> Top-two replaces that system.  The new system has no
>>>> per-party-primaries, a mid-year general election, and a runoff
>>>> in the fall.  Without per-party-primaries, party affiliation
>>>> has no legal meaning.
>>>>
>>>> It's easy to be confused by funny terms like "open primary."
>>>> When candidates from all parties run against one another, that's
>>>> not a primary, it's a general election.
>>>>
>>>> Several states already do that, all that's different is the
>>>> schedule.  So the "evidence" Spencer wants can be found in
>>>> the experience in those states.  Georgia, Virginia,
>>>> Washington.  Washington had a sort of Nader campaign club
>>>> in 2000, which disappeared shortly after that election,
>>>> but never got a Green Party together.  Georgia was one of
>>>> the first US states that organized a Green political club,
>>>> and it even formed locals in the larger counties, but never
>>>> reached a thousand members, despite two decades of relatively
>>>> competent organizing effort.  Virginia got started later
>>>> but the story's the same.  You could run down the chart
>>>> in _Ballot Access News_ and catch the rest.  States with
>>>> "open primaries" or no party-voter affiliation
>>>> don't grow Green Parties.  The correlation is just
>>>> about absolute.  The only thing missing is an experiment
>>>> where a state takes away party-voter affiliation that it
>>>> used to have.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -Cameron
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>>>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>>>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567



From cbrouillet at igc.org  Sun Mar 28 13:52:38 2010
From: cbrouillet at igc.org (Carol Brouillet)
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:52:38 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] The Looming Water Disaster That Could Destroy
 California, and  Enrich Its Billionaire Farmers
Message-ID: <E1NvzTM-0002pZ-71@elasmtp-kukur.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

<http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=18374>http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=18374 


The Looming Water Disaster That Could Destroy 
California, and Enrich Its Billionaire Farmers

by Yasha Levine

There's an impending disaster in the 
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and a handful of 
wealthy farmers seem to like it that way.

  "That, in your own backyard there, is the 
scariest place after New Orleans.? 
?<http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-02-23/bay-area/17283602_1_professor-robert-bea-levees-new-orleans/2>Geologist 
Nicholas Pinder's description of the precarious 
situation in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River 
Delta after the hurricane Katrina disaster.

Imagine the devastating flooding of Hurricane 
Katrina multiplied by epic sandstorms, drought 
and economic collapse of the Dust Bowl. Now 
picture it happening an hour east of Apple's 
headquarters in Silicon Valley and spreading all 
the way down to the Mexican border. It's not as 
far-fetched as you think. A routine 6.7-magnitude 
earthquake would be enough to set it off, 
liquefying the decrepit levee system that walls 
off California's main source of drinking water 
from the Pacific Ocean and triggering a deadly 
flood that would submerge roads, destroy homes, 
wipe out thousands of acres of farmland, snuff 
out countless lives and possibly cut over 20 
million Californians off from their water supply for a year or more.

California's politicians have known about this 
looming catastrophe for decades. They also have 
had the power to neutralize the threat. But no 
one has done anything to prevent it.

Just like the oligarchs who used the shock of 
Hurricane Katrina's destruction to tear down 
public housing, privatize public schools and 
pillage the city's poorest, California's most 
powerful business interests have positioned 
themselves to profit from this disaster. A 
handful of billionaire farmers and real estate 
developers are in line to pull off the most 
brazen water heist in American history, seizing 
control over much of Northern California's water 
supplies to do what they have always wanted: turn 
water, a shared public resource, into a private 
asset that can be traded on the open market.

At the center of this epic water grab is the 
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a Yosemite-sized 
patchwork of waterways and farmland an hour east 
of Oakland that sits atop California's single 
largest water source. Formed by the confluence of 
state's two largest rivers as they flow out to 
the San Francisco Bay, more than half of all 
rainfall and snowmelt drains through the Delta, 
supplying two-thirds of California with water and 
irrigating most of the state's farmland. The 
Delta's agricultural, fishing and tourism 
industries produce up $5 billion in combined 
economic output a year, and the region remains 
one of California's last holdouts of small and 
family farms. It is also home to the most 
dangerous flood control system in America.

"Now we realize it may be the single most at-risk 
piece of property in the United States," John 
Radke, a professor at UC Berkeley's Department of 
City and Regional Planning, 
<http://www.emergencymgmt.com/infrastructure/Prevent-Next-Katrina.html?page=3&amp;amp;>told 
Emergency 
Management<http://www.emergencymgmt.com/infrastructure/Prevent-Next-Katrina.html?page=3&amp;amp;>magazine. 
"If you had a catastrophic event there and you 
can't get things built, you won't just have 
people unable to go across a bridge, you'll have 
people without drinking water -- 22 million of them."

A 
<http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/nov2005/cali-n30.shtml>simulation 
carried out by state water officials in 2005 
showed that a 6.7 magnitude earthquake could 
cause multiple levee breeches that would suck 
salt water in from the San Francisco Bay and shut 
down the pumps and aqueducts that move drinking 
water to two-thirds of California's population. 
The California Department of Water and Power 
estimates that it would take $40 billion and 1.5 
years to get the water pumping again. Aside from 
the potential damage to the state's water 
supplies, the levees protect 400,000 people, 
520,000 acres of farmland, three state highways, 
railroad lines and natural gas and electric 
transmission facilities, which adds up to a total 
of $50 billion worth of property. Meanwhile, the 
United States Geological Service estimates 
a<http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/ucerf/> 
62 percent probability such an earthquake will 
hit the San Francisco Bay Area sometime in the next 28 years.

With Southern California depending on Delta water 
for over half of its total supply, you don't need 
to be a municipal planner to realize how hairy the situation could get.

"Los Angeles' aqueducts, viewed through 
telescopes from space, have given astronauts 
pause. If the contrived flow of water should 
somehow just stop, California's economy, which 
was worth about a trillion dollars as the new 
millennium dawned, would implode like a neutron 
star," wrote water historian Marc Reisner in his 
unfinished book, A Dangerous Place, describing a potential Delta catastrophe.

Yet one group that might be anticipating this 
disaster is a tiny cabal of billionaire farmers 
from the Westlands Water District, an irrigated 
farming region spanning 1,000 square miles of 
some of the hottest, most arid land in the San 
Joaquin Valley between Fresno and Bakersfield. 
"With crops worth $1 billion a year, this one 
district produces more than some whole states," 
writes Mark Grossi of the Fresno Bee. The farmers 
in the district make up a secretive old boys' 
network that has used its wealth and power to 
divert rivers, empty lakes, plunder taxpayers' 
wealth, privatize water and defy California's 
constitution. Many of them trace their roots back 
to the landholdings of America's most notorious 
industrialist vampires: the Union Pacific 
Railroad octopus, John D. Rockefeller's Standard 
Oil and the family of Los Angeles Times' 
publisher Harry Chandler. The 19th century robber 
barons might be dead, but their degenerate 
grandchildren are still following in their 
footsteps. And they've been keeping themselves busy.

In the 1960s, after Westlands' farmers thoroughly 
tapped out their own groundwater supplies, 
<http://www.westlandswater.org/wwd/aboutwwd/history.asp?title=History>the 
irrigation district successfully lobbied the 
federal government for its very own branch of the 
Central Valley Project aqueduct, which would suck 
water out of the Delta and 
<http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/67/CVPSouthernCanalsUSBR.jpg>transport 
it roughly 100 miles south. Westlands still 
hasn't paid back the roughly 
<http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/18/local/me-briefs18.S6>$500 
million it owes the federal government for 
building the aqueduct, and it's not 
<http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2007-08-25/00348>clear if it ever will .

More recently, with George W. Bush in the White 
House, Westlands farmers pulled a few strings 
and<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/03/national/03water.html?pagewanted=all> 
installed their former lobbyist, 
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/03/national/03water.html?pagewanted=all>Jason 
Peltier, into a spot in the Interior Department, 
<http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XqxAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TiEGAAAAIBAJ&dq=jason%20peltier%20westlands&pg=6095%2C7297870>where 
he would oversee water contracts -- exactly the 
kind Westlands depended on for its wealth. Not 
surprisingly, in 2005, the district farmers were 
able to double their annual maximum allotment of 
federally-subsidized water, despite a reduction 
in the number of acres they farmed. Today, they 
have a contract for more water than would be used 
by all the people who live in Los Angeles, San 
Francisco, San Diego, Riverside and San 
Bernardino combined, paying roughly $50 million 
for at $0.5 to $1 billion worth of water a year, 
<http://www.ewg.org/reports/westlands>according 
to the Environmental Working Group.

By some estimates, every dollar of revenue from 
Westlands' farms is 
<https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.ggu.edu/lawlibrary/environmental_law_journal/eljvol3/attachment/Carter.pdf>funded 
by 75 cents' worth of water subsidies alone.
Who gets all that liquid capital? Farmers like 
Stuart Woolf, a typical specimen of a Westlands 
welfare queen. The Woolf family operates the 
"<http://articles.latimes.com/2004/dec/15/local/me-subsidize15>biggest 
farming operation in Fresno County," 
<http://archive.ewg.org/reports/Watersubsidies/execsumm.php>receiving 
$4.2 million annually in subsidized water -- 
enough to supply a city of 150,000 people -- and 
Stuart Woolf alone got roughly $8 million in 
federal crop subsidies over the past decade. Yet, 
he recently appeared on 60 Minutes, pretending to 
be 
a<http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6027412n> 
struggling farmer who's dying of thirst because 
government regulations enacted by big city 
elitists to protect some worthless little fish 
are cutting into his water supplies. In 2008, he 
did what any small farmer would do to defend his 
livelihood: he 
<http://www.fresnobee.com/2008/08/11/790543/maybe-cows-just-need-a-cold-shower.html>threatened 
a congressional subcommittee that he'd move his 
family's farm holdings to Portugal, Spain, Turkey 
and even China if the feds didn't give him more taxpayer-subsidized water.

But for all the money taxpayers have sunk into 
keeping Westlands farmers rich and in business, 
they don't get much back. Not only does the 
irrigation district contribute a pitiful 0.5% to 
California's gross state product, but it also 
occupies the poorest congressional district in 
America, 
<https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.ggu.edu/lawlibrary/environmental_law_journal/eljvol3/attachment/Carter.pdf>according 
to a 2009 report by Lloyd G. Carter, a veteran 
UPI reporter who has covered California's farming 
industry for three decades, which details the 
history of Westlands. The district is rife with 
poverty, illiteracy, teen pregnancies, and a high 
incidence of birth defects caused by all sorts of 
toxic agricultural pollution. There's not a 
single school within its 1,000-square mile 
borders because its farmers only care about one 
thing: keeping themselves rich at other people's expense.

But for all their power, there it still something 
that keeps Westlands farmers up at night.

"If you don't have water, this land is not worth 
anything," Erik Hansen, another Westlands farmer 
who received over $13 million in federal crop and 
water subsidies over the past decade, told a 
<http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/articles/2009/10/17/news/doc4ad758147fd5c189808404.txt>Central 
Valley newspaper.

Westlands may have managed to secure 
mind-boggling amounts of water from the federal 
government, but these contracts are far from 
secure. Unlike farmers in the Delta region, who 
are located right next to their water source, 
Westlands growers are dependent on a aqueduct 
system that ships their water from about 100 
miles away. That means they are last in the water 
line and first to be affected by any water 
shortages: too may straws dipped into a shrinking 
supply upstream creates the very real possibility 
that Westlands and their oligarch buddies might 
wake up to a bone dry aqueduct, while Delta 
farmers would be playing the slip 'n slide.

And that drives Westlands up the wall. Not only 
do Delta farmers, who are poorer and less 
politically connected, have first dibs on Delta 
water, but they also sit on a whole lot of 
untapped available fresh water. By conservative 
estimates, at least $5 billion worth of water 
flows through the Delta every year. Much of it is 
captured for local consumption and shipment 
south, but about half of the 
<http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:FW1hwF5l28YJ:water.usgs.gov/lookup/get%3Ffs00500/+http://ca.water.usgs.gov/archive/reports/fs00500/fs00500.pdf&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiAXAdxWXLjVc_0b2d8WfbdJdPWPmEOornmxvS_gS7KGH9emo32j3ikHUpfkVUpUVg-QGuTkbcpmTT4DAp2nCAigWgjeqajVpuKf9DWzZmqAbH-AjdAlCmr1Kr-p1FKwonCiG3l&sig=AHIEtbSoymyOBk6vZf012PMqxZFJiTCd5g>water 
is allowed to flow out into the San Francisco Bay 
unexploited. In water lingo, it's called 
"environmental outflow" and it is required to 
keep the Delta's ecosystem healthy and protect 
its farmland. The exact volume of water budgeted 
for environmental outflow has been tempered by 
lawsuits and is regulated by environmental protection laws.

To Westlands and their billionaire buddies, this 
represents a blatant waste of a perfectly good 
resource and provides a textbook example of the 
inefficiency that creeps in when regulation 
hinders free-market forces. They look at the 
Delta the same way a condominium developer looks 
at a run-down housing project occupying prime 
inner-city real estate: an underutilized resource 
that needs to be razed and privatized. The 
Delta's small-time farmers are the only thing 
standing in their way, and its crumbling levees 
are the perfect excuse to get them out.

The Delicate Delta

On June 3, 2004, without warning and for no 
apparent reason, a 300-ft. 
<http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YCcPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eIUDAAAAIBAJ&dq=levee%20failure%20delta%20california%20jones&pg=3659%2C570555>crack 
opened up in a levee protecting 12,000 acres of 
Delta farmland, where 15 landowners grew alfalfa, 
corn, asparagus, tomatoes and wheat. The water 
surged into the island at a walk's pace as people 
rushed to rescue equipment, evacuate workers and 
save harvested crops. Within the next two days, 
an area half the size of San Francisco was 
submerged under 10 feet of water, causing $100 
million in damage. This was not an isolated 
incident; there have been 160 levee breeches over the past 100 years.

The levees have been a constant problem since the 
19th century, when failed prospectors moved to 
the Delta after the Gold Rush, drained chunks of 
marshlands, buffered them with earthen levees and 
turned the region into the most productive 
agricultural area in California. Over time, the 
pressures on the levees have only increased, as 
farming has slowly eroded the rich, fluffy peat 
soil of the Delta and sunk its land deeper and 
deeper below sea level. And while the rate has 
slowed down considerably, Delta farmland has by 
now been turned into a series of inverted islands 
-- holes, really -- that sit as much as 30 feet 
below sea level. The only thing keeping them from 
being inundated with salt water from nearby San 
Francisco Bay is a chaotic flood control system 
that spans over 1,000 miles of levees, many of 
which are little more than reinforced mounds of 
dirt that were piled up by 
<http://www.theschoolbell.com/history/early/laborers.html>Chinese 
laborers 100 years ago. Hundreds of miles of 
levees aren't up to state and federal code, and 
many experts believe that the levees are woefully 
outdated, unstable and primed for catastrophic 
failure. They could be liquefied by an 
earthquake, eroded from the inside by undetected 
water seepage or simply overwhelmed during heavy flooding.

The problem has been known for decades, and the 
estimated cost of fixing the levees is not 
particularly high -- 
<http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices-legislative/12853392-1.html>between 
$1 and $5 billion -- but the issue just never 
figured high on the political agenda. California 
saw a whole legion of governors -- Jerry Brown, 
Pete Wilson, Gray Davis and now Schwarzenegger -- 
cycle through without giving it much attention.

"The state has never taken any responsibility for 
having a flood management program in the San 
Joaquin River system and has not exercised the 
same responsibilities that it is by law required 
to exercise in the Sacramento system and the 
North Delta," Alex Hildebrand, a Delta farmer, 
<http://www.cfbf.org/agalert/AgAlertStory.cfm?ID=657&ck=B4288D9C0EC0A1841B3B3728321E7088>told 
California's Farm Bureau Federation, a non-profit 
that promotes the state's agricultural interests, 
a year after Hurricane Katrina.

The Delta may still enjoy some the most fertile 
soil in America and remains a highly prosperous 
agricultural region, producing about $500 million 
worth of crops annually, but as one of 
California's last holdouts of small and family 
farms, the region has never had very much 
political clout. And that has been the region's 
biggest weakness, more so than even its levees.

While powerful Central Valley farmers have been 
enjoying billions of dollars' worth of dams, 
aqueducts and all sorts of other subsidized 
goodies, the Delta has been surviving on the most 
meager of funds, barely having enough for 
rudimentary and critical levee repairs. 
Throughout the 80s, the Delta got 1/10th of the 
funds Westlands received in water subsidies 
alone. And the situation is not any better today. 
California's recent budget crisis has all but cut 
off funding for levee repair 
projects,<http://www.sacbee.com/2009/07/03/1997436/state-budget-crisis-scuttles-delta.html> 
wrote the Sacramento Bee 
<http://www.sacbee.com/2009/07/03/1997436/state-budget-crisis-scuttles-delta.html>in 
2009. "As a result, almost no levee repairs are 
getting done in the Delta this year. One levee 
engineer told The Bee as much as 15 miles of 
levee repairs have been stalled. Any of these 
levee segments could become the next failure that 
plunges the state into an even more desperate 
water crisis." The funding freeze has left an 
additional 100 miles of levees and 60 Delta 
islands hanging in the balance. Local officials 
say that they won't have the money to perform 
preventative maintenance for at least the next two years.

"I sympathize, but at this point in time the 
funding is not available because of the dire 
situation we are in," Mike Mirmazaheri, who 
manages the Delta levees program for California's 
Department of Water Resources, told 
the<http://www.sacbee.com/2009/07/03/1997436/state-budget-crisis-scuttles-delta.html> 
Sacramento Bee. But it is hard to pin the blame 
on the economy. Because while the Golden State 
turns out its pockets and makes a sad face when 
it comes to Delta funding, money never seems to 
be a problem when it comes to bankrolling 
projects that benefit billionaire farmers of the Central Valley.

And that begs the question: Why does California 
let the most critical component of its water delivery system deteriorate?

The Peripheral Canal

It's all about the Peripheral Canal, a massive, 
multi-billion dollar aqueduct that would bypass 
the Delta region altogether and tap into the 
Sacramento-San Joaquin River further upstream, 
essentially allowing corporate farmers and 
Southern California's real estate tycoons to cut 
to the front of the Delta water line and have 
direct access to Northern California's water. Any 
major levee repairs would squelch one of the main 
reasons -- water safety -- being used to justify 
the construction of the aqueduct, which would 
cost up to $40 billion and require the use of 
eminent domain to clear the path for its 
<http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/07/01/18605005.php>50-mile 
run up north from 
<http://www.lodinews.com/news_photos_09/peripheral_canal_090217.jpg>pumping 
stations at the southern end of the Delta to the southern border of Sacramento.

The Peripheral Canal is more than just about 
cutting Delta farmers out of the game and taking 
their water. It is part of a bigger, more 
long-term strategy by a handful of farmers and 
urban water districts to lay down infrastructure 
that would enable the creation of a full-fledged 
"water market" that would allow them to acquire 
and sell Northern California's water to the 
highest bidder, like any other commodity.

Southern California been trying to pull this scam 
off for decades. The last time was in the late 
70s and early 80s, when Governor Jerry Brown 
tried to push the Peripheral Canal through for 
his Southern California real estate buddies. But 
the plan failed after wealthy Central Valley 
farmers threw their support behind a coalition of 
environmentalists and Northern California water 
districts to defeat the project. It's not that 
the billionaire farmers were against the the 
Peripheral canal -- they simply feared that 
Southern California real estate developers were 
trying to pull a fast one on them and cut them out of the water racket.

Now, three decades later, the two parties have 
appeared to come to terms everyone could agree 
on. The details are opaque, but word out on the 
street among Delta water activists is that the 
deal comes down to this: Westlands and their 
billionaire farmer buddies will team up with 
Southern California real estate developers if all 
water transfers from the Delta first go through 
them. That way, the farmers would become the de 
facto middlemen in California's water market, 
harvesting subsidized water from the Delta at 
below-market cost, storing it in their vast 
underground water reservoirs and then flipping it 
to Southern California cities and suburbs for a 
massive profit. This has been a dream of 
California's water interests, and exactly the 
future that Enron was working towards when it set 
up its<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azurix> own 
water trading company in California at the height of the dot-com bubble.

California's water oligarchy has been doing this 
on a small scale for years, according to a 2005 
Public Citizen's report called 
"<http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/pressroomredirect.cfm?ID=2077>Water 
for the People":

The immense pull of the Southern California's 
population, economy and property values has 
already created the most complex and farthest 
reaching system of aqueducts and canals in the 
United States. Now Southern California water 
managers are using that plumbing to pull in water 
from the farmers and agribusinesses across the 
state who have themselves benefited from decades 
of water subsidies. Some call this water 
marketing: Southern California tax and ratepayers 
making payments to some of the largest 
agribusinesses in the state, many owned by LA 
businessmen, for water that supposedly belongs to 
the public in the first place.

With the Peripheral Canal, they'd be able to do 
it bigger, better and more "efficiently."

To pull it off, California's politicians and 
their billionaire backers have seemingly upped 
the ante from their last Peripheral Canal push in 
the 80s, using all the fear-mongering they could 
muster. And if anything could scare California 
into paying for a multibillion dollar aqueduct, 
then the real and present danger of the state 
suddenly losing most of its water supply is it.

"This is a blatant attempt to steal Northern 
California's water," Lloyd G. Carter told me over the telephone.

Does that mean billionaire farmers and Southern 
California real estate developers have been 
actively plotting to destroy the Delta?

While there might be no direct evidence of a 
conspiracy, looking at the successful water 
deregulation and privatization schemes pushed 
through behind closed doors by wealthy corporate 
farmers in the past two decades, the idea does 
not seem very outlandish or even improbable. 
Besides, this wouldn't be the first time a group 
of powerful Californians pulled off a sneaky 
water grab, including destroying a poor 
agricultural region hundreds of miles away in 
order to feed urban growth and moneyed interests.

For instance, take Los Angeles' 
<http://articles.latimes.com/2009/may/16/local/me-dwp-owens16>turn-of-the-last-century 
water plunder from the Owens Valley, located 250 
miles away in the Sierra Nevadas. In what must be 
the most famous water heist in American history 
(and the inspiration for the movie Chinatown), 
L.A.'s founding fathers -- including Los Angeles 
Times owners Gray Otis and Harry Chandler -- 
engineered a monstrous swindle that ripped off 
just about everyone in Southern California in 
order to make themselves unbelievably rich off of 
real estate speculation. Not only did they scam 
locals farmers, turn a beautiful mountain valley 
into a desert wasteland and fake a drought back 
in L.A. to convince the population that building 
an aqueduct to siphon off Owens Valley water was 
a matter of life and death worthy of issuing a 
pricey bond, but they secretly sent the plundered 
Owens Valley water -- not to Los Angeles, which 
was supposed to be dying of drought -- but to 
nearby San Fernando Valley, where a group of 
insiders had bought up worthless, dry farmland on 
the sly, knowing full well that a whole lot of 
water was about to be coming their way. The scam 
made a handful of people mind-bogglingly rich, 
and it was decades before anyone got wise to the full story of what happened.

You could see plenty of shady, conspiratorial 
forces at work after Governor Arnold 
Schwarzenegger convened 
the<http://deltavision.ca.gov/DeltaVisionBlueRibbon.shtml> 
Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force in 2006. On 
paper, the task force was created to come up with 
a solution to the Delta's levee problems. In 
reality, it was a thinly veiled PR job tasked 
with finding a way to sell the Peripheral Canal 
to an unsuspecting public. Its members 
represented the real estate industry, Southern 
California's urban interests, wealthy corporate 
farmers from the Central Valley, real estate 
developers, construction companies and just 
anyone else who stood to profit from a massive 
diversion of Northern California water. The only 
group not represented were the people who 
actually lived, worked and farmed in the Delta. 
Not surprisingly, the prevailing attitude of the 
committee was that the Delta was a dangerous, 
polluted stink-hole not worth saving.

"Colonize the Delta," is what Barbara 
Barrigan-Parrilla, campaign director for Restore 
the Delta, a grassroots organization representing 
the Delta's interests, told me locals call the 
solutions coming out of the governor's Delta 
Vision task force. Its only purpose was to find a 
palatable way to push through the Peripheral 
Canal. "I was shocked at the open hostility 
towards the Delta by Central Valley farmers." 
Describing a task force meeting she attended in 
Los Angeles in 2006, she said the people running 
the show were not keen on discussing the 
possibility of major levee repairs and 
modifications. About the only thing its delegates 
were interested in discussing was how much it 
would take to buy out all the Delta landowners so 
they'd quit their bitching and turn over their water rights.

To help the task force move along, all sorts of 
powerful interests came out of the woodwork, 
helping shape public opinion and influence policy decisions.

Central Valley farmers set up and bankrolled 
various astroturf organizations, mobilizing them 
with one goal in mind: to make the Delta appear 
doomed and harmful to California, while selling 
the Peripheral Canal as California's only route 
to water salvation. One of the groups, 
<http://www.sustainabledelta.com/>Coalition for a 
Sustainable Delta, was set up by high-ranking 
employees of Paramount Farms, the massive 
agribusiness owned Beverly Hills billionaire 
Stewart Resnick, the brain behind a recent 
<http://www.alternet.org/story/144020/how_limousine_liberals,_water_oligarchs_and_even_sean_hannity_are_hijacking_our_water_supply/>water 
privatization scheme. Another group was run out 
of an Orange County real estate PR, which counted 
at least one large Westlands farmers as its 
client. A third, called the Latino Water 
Coalition, was not only heavily promoted by 
third-rate Fox News correspondent Sean Hannity, 
but was set up and 
<http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=ybopgxc5lelik7>run 
with taxpayer money and blessed by the Gov. Schwarzenegger himself.

Reports and simulations put out by California's 
water officials suddenly started pimping the 
Delta's levee threat for all that it was worth, 
prompting accusations from Delta politicians that 
Sacramento was exaggerating the danger to help 
push through the Peripheral Canal. A politician 
from Stockton called the whole thing a 
"<http://m.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090603/A_NEWS14/906030314&template=wapart>manufactured 
crisis."

In 2008, the 
<http://www.ppic.org/main/home.asp>Public Policy 
Institute of California (PPIC), a pro-billionaire 
think tank working out of UC Davis, came out with 
a secret weapon that shocked and awed Delta 
farmers and helped seal the deal for a Peripheral 
Canal. According to the PPIC, the Delta was 
beyond repair and that the best way to save it 
was to preemptively drown it -- give it a 
dignified Kevorkian, if you will -- and build the 
Peripheral Canal. It was exactly the kind of 
science-based boost Schwarzenegger's task force 
desperately needed to add credibility to its 
Peripheral Canal plans -- even Westlands' general 
manager began to quote it at length.

The report came under fire for its extreme bias 
against the Delta. Critics charged that it blew 
the Delta's problems out of proportion, 
downplayed the cost of the aqueduct and 
overestimated the cost and difficulty of levee 
upgrades. Even more disturbing was the way it 
elevated the needs of rich corporate farmers in 
the Central Valley above those of smaller family 
farms up north. To Delta farmers, this was an 
outright declaration of war upon their lands and 
livelihoods. "I feel like a lamb surrounded by 
wolves, and every time you turn to deal with one, 
another one is nipping at you," 
<http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-01-02/news/17196288_1_tyler-island-levees-sacramento-san-joaquin-river-delta>a 
Delta farmer told 
the<http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-01-02/news/17196288_1_tyler-island-levees-sacramento-san-joaquin-river-delta> 
San Francisco Chronicle. "This isn't just a 
wilderness out there," 
<http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090923/A_NEWS/909230313>another 
farmer told 
the<http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090923/A_NEWS/909230313> 
Stockton Record. "There are people. Farmers."

It 
<http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/12/04/18631390.php>was 
probably a coincidence that the think tank was 
being bankrolled by the Bechtel family, which not 
only owns the the largest engineering company in 
America but is also a huge proponent of water 
privatization. Bechtel would not only benefit 
from the construction of a massive canal -- as it 
is precisely one of the few companies in the US 
able to handle these kinds of projects -- but 
from a major levee breech as well, as it did in 
New Orleans when the company was awarded a few 
million dollars' worth of no-bid contracts to build temporary housing.

Whatever the case, in November 2009, 
Schwarzenegger signed off on a massive $11.3 
billion water reform package aimed at improving 
and reforming California's aqueducts that will 
hit voting booths in the upcoming November 2010 
mid-term elections. Aside from deregulating 
California's water market even more and removing 
all groundwater pumping limits, the measure 
contains cryptic language outlining 
the<http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/05/local/me-water5>creation<http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/05/local/me-water5> 
of a special new commission, the Delta 
Stewardship Council, that would do an end-run 
around the democratic process, giving it the 
extraordinary power to authorize massive water 
projects like the Peripheral Canal without 
requiring a referendum by voters. With this kind 
of language in place, California's water 
oligarchs could do dirty privatization chicken 
dance all on their own, without needing to dupe 
the state's voters. And that's a good thing, 
because democracy has never sat well with America's billionaire class.

"It was awful, incredibly awful. I've never seen 
anything like this," California state Senator 
Lois Wolk, who represents the heart of the Delta 
region,<http://m.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091117/A_NEWS/911170317&template=wapart> 
told the 
<http://m.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091117/A_NEWS/911170317&template=wapart>Stockton 
Record, adding that Los Angeles' Metropolitan 
Water District and Westlands wrote the bond 
measure "in private meetings, and then it emerged in the middle of the night."

It is far from certain whether voters will fall 
for the scam come November, but one thing is 
clear: unlike previous times, the fear-mongering 
involved in this push for the Peripheral Canal is 
not just about PR and media manipulation. The 
doom scenario is a very real possibility, and 
that is what makes it so sinister. Because 
nothing would get the Peripheral Canal built 
faster -- and satisfy California's water 
oligarchy more -- than a massive levee failure in 
the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

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From spencer.graves at prodsyse.com  Sun Mar 28 15:10:37 2010
From: spencer.graves at prodsyse.com (spencerg)
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:10:37 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Prop 14 (Top Two) forum in Santa Clara on
 Tuesday, Marc...
In-Reply-To: <4BA9C0A7.8000203@earthlink.net>
References: <20100324000238.590F46A923@truffula.sj.ca.us>	<4BA96009.9020706@prodsyse.com>	<4BA9BBD3.9050601@aceweb.com>
	<4BA9C0A7.8000203@earthlink.net>
Message-ID: <4BAFD3DD.1040500@prodsyse.com>

Hello, All:


	  Attached in pdf and MS Word format is a "No on Prop 14" bookmark. 
Print it on both sides of standard 8.5 x 11 paper and cut to make 8 
bookmarks.


	  What do you think?  You can revise the attached *.doc file as you 
please or send suggestions to me based on the *.pdf if you aren't facile 
with Word.


	  Best Wishes,
	  Spencer


##########################
	  Have you seen the discussion of this issue on "ballotpedia.org"?(a) 
It seems to present a fairly balanced view of the arguments, identifying 
the initiative's sponsors and providing links to other sources of 
information for and against.


	  This suggests to me four steps to oppose this:


		    (1) Read that and make sure you think your concerns are all listed 
there.  If you have some piece of evidence that you think should be 
cited there but isn't, take steps to try to get it there.  If you don't 
understand the Wikipedia markup language, I can help with that.  I'll 
try to arrive at 6:30 PM for the April 7 Green Party meeting, in case 
anyone would like to work with me to make this happen.  Please let me 
know in advance if you'd like to do this, and I'll prepare something so 
we can make better use of that time.


		    (2) Summarize the arguments for and against in a format suitable 
for a bookmark.  I can start working on that;  if you have ideas, send 
them to me.  I'd like to put "Pro" on one side with "Against" on the 
other.  One element on each side would be "Evidence".  On the "Pro" 
side, I plan to put, "Evidence:  None."  With "Against", "Evidence: 
increased security for incumbents and elimination of minor parties in 
Louisiana, Washington", with a reference to the "ballotmedia.org" page 
on "California Proposition 14 (2010)".


		    (3) Start using the bookmark in tabling, etc.


		    (4) Coordinate step 2 above with ACLU and the other groups opposed 
to this and revise the above as appropriate.


	  Comments?
	  Best Wishes,



##############################

(a) 
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_14,_Top_Two_Primaries_Act_%28June_2010%29

######################
       Thanks for all the replies.


       I think these should go in a Wikipedia-type entry.  Wikipedia may 
not like this, because it may be too controversial for them -- though it 
might not.  I decided several months ago I needed to become a Wikipedia 
contributor (but I haven't yet done it).  I also registered the domain 
name "greenresearchwiki.org" for a home for Wikipedia-type discussions 
of issues that may be too hot for them.  ("greenresearchwiki.org" 
currently autoforwards to "prodsyse.com", my old web site from the 
1990s.)  I'd like to recruit contributors from across the political 
spectrum.  If we get Glen Beck or Rush Limbaugh supporters, we split the 
screen into two (or three) columns:  They get the right hand column.  In 
the middle, we can raise questions about the value of the evidence by 
people on all sides, then discuss the importance of funding research to 
clarify the issues involved.  As long as we provide substance, I think 
we can attract contributors and readers.  Some of both will likely 
become more aware of the Green party and more supportive of our efforts.


       Best Wishes,
       Spencer


On 3/24/2010 12:35 AM, Gerry Gras wrote:
>
> The German system was similar.
>
> It also had half district seats and half party seats.
> But as I recall, you did not have to make a choice
> between district or party.  If you ran, you were
> automatically in both.  Otherwise I think it was
> the same.
>
>
> Gerry
>
>
> Tian Harter wrote:
>
>> I can say a few words about the New Zealand system, which I've been
>> watching as a hobby for many years. Their system is what's refered to
>> as a "mixed member system", meaning half are elected proportionally,
>> and half are elected by districts. When a voter goes to vote there,
>> they get two votes. The first is a district vote, and the second is a
>> Party vote. When someone decides to run for office there, the first
>> question is probably: do I want to go for party votes or district votes?
>>
>> Each Party is responsible for coming up with ways to earn party votes.
>> They also give the vote officials a list of party members in the order
>> the would get elected if enough voters voted for them. The New Zealand
>> Greens turn in a list with something like a dozen names on it, but as
>> a practical matter usually the top four to six get seated.
>>
>> District vote elections are handled much like our Congressional or
>> Assembly elections. It's winner take all. Jeanette Fitzsimons, who
>> recently retired as co-leader of the NZ Greens was elected that way
>> many times, because she was well known enough in the district for that.
>>
>> Most of the Greens in the Govt. were elected on the party list though,
>> because they weren't well enough known to take a district. Also, the
>> Greens are one of the few international parties, and we benefit from
>> being on the front lines of issues like climate change. For a long time
>> I was carrying around the flier they gave out to earn Party votes.
>> I wish I could show it to you, but I've given it away now.
>>
>> Tian
>>
>> spencerg wrote:
>>
>>> Hi, Cameron:
>>>
>>>
>>>      Yes, that was what I was looking for.  Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>>      That raises another question:  What's the difference between this
>>> Prop 14 system and the general / runoff system used in many other
>>> countries where third parties thrive?
>>>
>>>
>>>      Best Wishes,
>>>      Spencer
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/23/2010 5:02 PM, Cameron L. Spitzer wrote:
>>>
>>>> I suspect Spencer was looking for some history to complement
>>>> our already plausible conclusions about the intent and
>>>> effect of top-two.  Not dismissing our reasoning.
>>>>
>>>> We now have per-party-primaries, which the parties can open if
>>>> they choose, followed by a general election.
>>>>
>>>> Top-two replaces that system.  The new system has no
>>>> per-party-primaries, a mid-year general election, and a runoff
>>>> in the fall.  Without per-party-primaries, party affiliation
>>>> has no legal meaning.
>>>>
>>>> It's easy to be confused by funny terms like "open primary."
>>>> When candidates from all parties run against one another, that's
>>>> not a primary, it's a general election.
>>>>
>>>> Several states already do that, all that's different is the
>>>> schedule.  So the "evidence" Spencer wants can be found in
>>>> the experience in those states.  Georgia, Virginia,
>>>> Washington.  Washington had a sort of Nader campaign club
>>>> in 2000, which disappeared shortly after that election,
>>>> but never got a Green Party together.  Georgia was one of
>>>> the first US states that organized a Green political club,
>>>> and it even formed locals in the larger counties, but never
>>>> reached a thousand members, despite two decades of relatively
>>>> competent organizing effort.  Virginia got started later
>>>> but the story's the same.  You could run down the chart
>>>> in _Ballot Access News_ and catch the rest.  States with
>>>> "open primaries" or no party-voter affiliation
>>>> don't grow Green Parties.  The correlation is just
>>>> about absolute.  The only thing missing is an experiment
>>>> where a state takes away party-voter affiliation that it
>>>> used to have.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -Cameron
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> sosfbay-discuss mailing list
>>>> sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
>>>> http://lists.cagreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sosfbay-discuss
-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos?, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567

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From wrolley at charter.net  Mon Mar 29 08:37:20 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:37:20 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] The Looming Water Disaster That Could Destroy
 California, and  Enrich Its Billionaire Farmers
In-Reply-To: <E1NvzTM-0002pZ-71@elasmtp-kukur.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
References: <E1NvzTM-0002pZ-71@elasmtp-kukur.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
Message-ID: <4BB0C930.4010808@charter.net>

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From tnharter at aceweb.com  Tue Mar 30 22:43:25 2010
From: tnharter at aceweb.com (Tian Harter)
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:43:25 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] [Fwd: Fwd: Take the 2010 Drive Less Challenge]
Message-ID: <4BB2E0FD.4050407@aceweb.com>



-------- Original Message --------


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Subject: Take the 2010 Drive Less Challenge
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:20:28 -0400 (EDT)
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From j.m.doyle at sbcglobal.net  Wed Mar 31 11:13:17 2010
From: j.m.doyle at sbcglobal.net (Jim Doyle)
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:13:17 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] invitation to table
Message-ID: <4BB390BD.4030407@sbcglobal.net>

We have received an invitation to table at an event in Milpitas:
The invitation came in an email from Rob Means. The event is in May.

Here?s an opportunity for an outreach event. Our multi-pronged community 
event
will include a ?resource fair?. The Green Party is invited to join us.
In addition to free entry, we offer the standard 6-foot table and two 
chairs.

The flyer for our community event is at 
_http://www.electric-bikes.com/artist-day.pdf_




From fredd at freeshell.org  Wed Mar 31 11:51:29 2010
From: fredd at freeshell.org (fred)
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:51:29 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Fwd: START THE NUCLEAR ABOLITION PROCESS NOW!
Message-ID: <4BB399B1.1010501@freeshell.org>



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Fwd: START THE NUCLEAR ABOLITION PROCESS NOW!
Date: 	Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:36:14 -0700
From: 	fred <fredd at freeshell.org>
To: 	South SF Bay Discuss at CA Greens <sosfbay-discuss at greens.org>



Green Party Friends,

Here is an opportunity to add your voice to the movement to abolish 
nuclear weapons.

Please click on "We need your help!" below to sign the petition.

On-trigger nuclear weapons are real.

Fred Duperrault

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	START THE NUCLEAR ABOLITION PROCESS NOW!
Date: 	Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:20:03 -0400 (EDT)
From: 	United for Peace and Justice <listmaster at unitedforpeace.org>
Reply-To: 	listmaster at unitedforpeace.org
To: 	fredd at freeshell.org




*START THE NUCLEAR ABOLITION PROCESS NOW!*

* *
*Dear UFPJ member group,*
* *

You've probably seen the news that Presidents Obama and Medvedev have 
reached agreement on a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) to be 
signed on April 8. While this represents a modest step towards 
reestablishing traditional arms control, its value is mainly symbolic. 
The reductions will apply only to deployed (ready to launch) strategic 
(long-range) warheads. It will not affect warheads held in reserve or 
non-strategic (battlefield) warheads. According to analyst Hans 
Kristensen 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=W498zseUNyKN3dF%2B04o4QpSZWYESc6K0>, 
the new limit of 1,550 deployed strategic warheads could represent an 
actual decline of only 100 - 200 U.S. weapons -- seven years after the 
treaty enters into force! (And Senate ratification is by no means a sure 
thing.) More importantly, it will not reduce the role of nuclear weapons 
in U.S. policy. According to Defense Secretary Robert Gates 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=pFB6Vt2lscvWhO3MyTfmvZSZWYESc6K0>: 


"America's nuclear arsenal remains an important pillar of the U.S. 
defense posture, both to deter potential adversaries and to reassure 
more than two dozen allies and partners who rely on our nuclear umbrella 
for their security. But it is clear that we can accomplish these goals 
with fewer nuclear weapons. The reductions in this treaty will not 
affect the strength of our nuclear triad. Nor does this treaty limit 
plans to protect the United States and our allies by improving and 
deploying missile defense systems?. As the number of weapons declines we 
will have to invest more heavily in our nuclear infrastructure in order 
to keep our weapons safe, secure and effective. I look forward to 
working with the Congress to make sure that Departments of Defense and 
Energy have the funding necessary to properly accomplish this mission."

Indeed, while our country's leader has pledged to rid the world of 
nuclear weapons, his FY 2011 budget request for nuclear weapons is 14% 
higher than the 2010 budget - a greater percentage increase than planned 
for any other government agency, and the largest budget /ever/ for 
nuclear weapons activities 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=oOgPqS8%2FYaRUundTsFiaF5SZWYESc6K0>! In 
a time of twin global economic and environmental crises and growing 
competition over natural resources, the dangers of conflicts among 
nuclear-armed states are increasing. /We can't afford to wait decades 
more for the elimination of nuclear weapons./

*It's time to START the process of abolishing nuclear weapons! *As we 
continue our efforts to end the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and to 
redirect military spending to meet human and environmental needs, UFPJ 
is working with hundreds of international and U.S. partner groups to 
bring pressure to bear on the U.S. and other nuclear powers to do more 
than just talk about a nuclear weapons-free future, but to create it. 
*We need your group's help 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ogJ1opy67fcJCSuCr8zFOpSZWYESc6K0>*! 


The May Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference is 
widely seen as a make-it-or-break-it point for the long term viability 
of the nuclear nonproliferation regime. Non nuclear weapon states are 
rightly expecting the nuclear weapon states to finally make good on 
their NPT disarmament obligation, in force since 1970.  The outcome of 
this Review Conference will put to the test the reality behind President 
Obama's nuclear disarmament rhetoric.

/Momentum is building/. On the eve of the NPT Review Conference, 
thousands of people from around the world will gather in New York City 
for a weekend of inspiring and powerful activities to demand that 
President Obama and the leaders of the other nuclear-armed nations 
commence negotiations on a treaty to eliminate nuclear weapons /within 
our lifetimes/.

*Disarm Now! For Peace and Human Needs 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=1r39UdukW1a4cd2lLY3tM5SZWYESc6K0>*

*If your group hasn't already done so, please endorse the Disarm Now! 
Call to Action 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=vsBksx%2B9COTTMd2VexSBiZSZWYESc6K0> 
for the 2010 NPT Review Conference. We encourage you to send a 
representative delegation to New York!*

*On Saturday May 1**, join us for an international conference, *For a 
Nuclear Free, Peaceful, Just and Sustainable World* 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jMQugGbFN8N9b2yjtoPWt5SZWYESc6K0>**, 
at the Riverside Church, where Martin Luther King delivered his 
prophetic "Beyond Vietnam" speech. (Note: due to limited seating, 
registration is restricted to endorsing organizations.)*

On *Sunday, May 2*, join us for an *international rally 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qiu8U1xtwXcQNyPE%2B62NzpSZWYESc6K0>* 
in Times Square, followed by a march to the United Nations and a *peace 
and music festival 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=OLoESNcgKSIksFCJ45ixv5SZWYESc6K0>* 
in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza.

Help us spread the word! Download fliers here 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=8H0voUFHXMZkxJJHfaqY0pSZWYESc6K0> 


Reserve a table here 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=zwClPtCkv7xM3yWVmpnkDZSZWYESc6K0> 


Sign up to volunteer here 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=0dPPTRjUt9LpQxzdk%2BTa%2FpSZWYESc6K0>*/
/*

Even if you can't get to New York, there are a number of important 
actions you can take in your own community, wherever you live, to 
support our efforts for a peaceful and just world free from the threat 
of nuclear disaster.

*YOUR group **can help us by adding a Disarm Now! **button to your 
website. Click here 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=MA8irzYveLF8I83aIeGBQJSZWYESc6K0>.* 
*
*

*YOUR group** can help us by contacting local officials, such as your 
City Council or Boards of Selectmen/women or Aldermen/women and asking 
them to pass a resolution calling for a nuclear weapons free world. 
Click here 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=FcDoOot%2FGPVaf0uZdLGKG5SZWYESc6K0>. 
**
*

*YOUR group* can support the *Mayors for Peace* "/Cities Are Not 
Targets/" recruitment drive by enrolling your mayor in Mayors for 
Peace. As of March 1, Mayors for Peace had 3,680 members in 135 
countries and regions; 156 in the U.S. Is your mayor one of them 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=WFh%2Fb626sb8hbn%2FmATRxNpSZWYESc6K0>? 
Help Mayors for Peace reach 5,000 members by May! Click here 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=CSzjVm9JMy1f42JJWLbdSZSZWYESc6K0>.

*YOUR group* canj*oin the millions around the world who are signing and 
circulating petitions for the abolition of nuclear weapons *to be 
delivered to the White House and the United Nations during the NPT 
Review Conference.  We encourage you to table with the petition on Tax 
Day (April 15) and throughout the month of April. Download the paper 
petition here 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2B1iz8UPh8w43thSyhFmwrpSZWYESc6K0>. 
Sign online here 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=fddSbRT2aTxHUzbbAt5BKZSZWYESc6K0>.

*/ /*
*Disarm Now! For Peace and Human Needs 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=gozgIa1p2OReQjcCxGVRo5SZWYESc6K0>*
*/ /*

One thing that distinguishes this campaign from previous efforts is that 
we are making a real effort to highlight the connections between nuclear 
weapons and a host of other pressing issues. To that end, we have 
adopted the following mission statement. /Nuclear disarmament should 
serve as the leading edge of a global trend towards demilitarization and 
redirection of resources to meet human needs and restore the environment. /

UFPJ helped initiate this dynamic and growing new movement for the 
abolition of nuclear weapons. *Please support our ongoing efforts by 
making a donation to UFPJ 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=JL1K6NCd3AnBdyAmyhzY25SZWYESc6K0>*

*To join the UFPJ Nuclear Disarmament/Redefining Security working 
group*, contact its convener, Jackie Cabasso: wslf at earthlink.net 
<mailto:wslf at earthlink.net>; (510) 839-5877.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

/Help us continue to do this critical work: Make a donation to UFPJ 
today. 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=7Zs0wK3JINYuUMjs8%2B0b9pSZWYESc6K0>/

*UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE*
*www.unitedforpeace.org 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=a6HQCLSIfXL7UBiTL6ySJ5SZWYESc6K0> 
| 212-868-5545*
PO Box 607; Times Square Station; New York, NY 10108

To subscribe, visit www.unitedforpeace.org/email 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=4RYAXLt1boN9%2BwP%2BPtqzc5SZWYESc6K0>

Click here to edit your subscription 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=s3JuSteay7noBh5fNx1T4ZSZWYESc6K0> 
| Click here to unsubscribe 
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=kcXGu80G5jqJPfRxQaTRzJSZWYESc6K0> 


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From wrolley at charter.net  Wed Mar 31 13:00:41 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:00:41 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] [Fwd: Defend Obama's decision to close Yucca Mountain:
	Act now]
Message-ID: <4BB3A9E9.4010102@charter.net>

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From wrolley at charter.net  Wed Mar 31 13:11:24 2010
From: wrolley at charter.net (Wes Rolley)
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:11:24 -0700
Subject: [GPSCC-chat] A follow up on nuclear issues.
Message-ID: <4BB3AC6C.9060909@charter.net>

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