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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">NOTES
FROM THE 2010 U. S. SOCIAL FORUM – Part 2 (“The Workshop”)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">Introduction<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">July
4, 2010<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is the second of two
reports from my attending the U. S. Social Forum (USSF) in Detroit, Michigan
this year in connection with attending the Annual National Meeting (ANM) of the
Green Party of the United States (GPUS) National Committee member (I am a
delegate from the Green Party of California).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Specifically, this is about the workshop
that sprouted the email thread “The Green Party is collaborating with
progressive democrats?”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
workshop was held on Thursday afternoon, June 24, 2010, and was live streamed by
digital video / internet technology as it occurred.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I do not know if it is archived
somewhere.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The following are my
impressions and opinions about that meeting.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Other individuals who were present at
the workshop, or who viewed the video feed, can write their own impressions
whether in agreement or not of my comments.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">On
June 18, 2010, the workshop was described on the GPUS NC votes email list as
follows –<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">“Five
organizations have collaborated to organize a “progressive strategy dialogue” at
the United States Social Forum (http://www.ussf2010.org) in Detroit, Michigan.
The dialogue will be one of 50 People’s Movement Assemblies during the USSF. It
will take place on Thursday afternoon, June 24th, from 1 to 5:30 pm in Cobo
Hall, room W2-67.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">The
dialogue was initiated by the Independent Progressive Politics Network, which
has organized similar dialogues a number of times over the past decade.
Co-sponsors are the Green Party of the United States, League of Revolutionaries
for a New America, Progressive Democrats of America and the Program on
Corporations, Law and Democracy.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">Three
major issues will be addressed:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">•
what can be done to stimulate independent, grassroots activism around key issues
like unemployment, the housing crisis, racial justice, the climate crisis,
corporate control of elections, immigrant rights, war and empire and universal
health care;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">•
an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the progressive wing of the
Democratic Party as far as the building of a popular progressive movement;
and,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">•
how to develop a “united progressives” network that brings together Greens and
other third party activists, progressive Democrats, and labor, community and
issue-based organizers into an on-going, independent, progressive alternative to
our corporate-dominated political system.?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">This
description was followed by a list of participants who had committed to attend
and an open invitation for additional participants.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">The
title of the workshop as listed in the US Social Forum schedule was “Stimulating
Grassroots Activism on Massive Scale – A Progressive Dialogue”.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">The
Workshop<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The gathering began by introductions of
various convenors.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This meeting was
explained as an extension of previous smaller informal meetings among activists
facilitated through the Independent Political Parties Network (IPPN).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Then the rest of us took our turns for
quick individual introductions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>There were a lot of Green Party members, some former Green Party
activists, individuals who identified themselves as New Party activists, members
of the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), a member of the Libertarian
Party, and a few persons who did not identify with any political party.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After that go around, there were three
roughly ten minute presentations on the three topics that had been listed in the
GPUS list announcement.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Each topic
had two presenters who had about four minutes each to give their rap.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Not surprisingly, under the
circumstances, these presentations were vague and largely unfocused.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I don’t remember the details of any of
them.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">Following
the presentations, discussion was opened up to the rest of us in the room.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I do not remember most of the specific
comments, but the conversation veered mostly to the second topic.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Comments divided between Green Party
members who either were strongly against any kind of collaboration with any kind
of Democratic Party member(s) and those who asserted that localized or
issue-oriented (e.g. single payer healthcare) was appropriate and
desirable.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>PDA members comments in
reply were that they were a separate organization from the Democratic Party, but
were Democratic Party members engaging in an “inside/outside” strategy that
included trying to advocate progressive causes and positions within the
Democratic Party while at the same time working with other organizations,
including members of other political parties, on those issues of common concern
and agreement.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>New Party members
basically said they were forming a new political party.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One person who identified herself as a
former Green Party member stated she had left the GP because it had been
endorsing and supporting Democratic Party candidates. (?!) The “dialogue” was
individuals stating their personal positions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>About midway into the length of the
workshop, a “ten minute break” was agreed upon.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">During
the break, the conveners informally discussed what had happened in the first
session.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They seemed to agree that
the discussion had spiraled away from their own preferences in that it had been
so focused on the subject of working or not working with Democrats rather than
the other broader issues.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After the
break, about 20 of the 50 or so people who had been in the room returned.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Discussion was directed to proposals
that were to be submitted from the workshop to a larger plenary session.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Those topics were the need for public
financing of campaigns, ending the concept of corporate personhood, and
additional items I do not remember.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>I have no idea what was done with the items consensed upon by those of us
who returned for session two and participated in that
discussion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">Critique<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">The
newsprint handout for the US Social Forum described that convergence of people
and organizations as follows:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>“…many arteries of thought come together as we and millions around the
world join in a path towards justice.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>This path puts people over profits and values actions over
pontifications.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is not a
conference, but rather a political process that increases our collective power
and resilience by strengthening our communities and weaving ourselves into a
movement that transcends oppression and opposition….”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">I
do not know the process for submitting workshop topics.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I do not know if the title appearing in
the USSF Schedule was a stopgap topic that got changed after the schedule was
printed (kindest possible interpretation).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>In my opinion, the workshop content came nowhere near the workshop title
in the schedule.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Apparently, the
individuals who attended the meeting came because of their existing or past
political party activities.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This
workshop would not have made much sense and would have probably been judged a
waste of time by “Movement”, issue-focused or community organizing
activists.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But the mis-titling of
the meeting still rankles, if only as a matter of principle.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A proper topic might have been
“Exploring Possibilities for Progressive Political Activists to Work Together –
A Dialogue.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Given what was
presented and what occurred, that would have been an honest, modest
expectations, indication about what the meeting intended.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">The
workshop planners both tried to do too much and tried to do too little.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Maybe this was a result of process
negotiating the meeting; maybe it was the result of planning by committee.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I don’t know.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It does seem to me that, given the
context of the US Social Forum, it was a lost opportunity for everybody in the
room.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If there is anything that
would have been pertinent for discussion and presentation to the plenary of
attendees, it is the question:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“How
do we make electoral politics seem relevant to mass social movements and their
participants?”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That should have
been the focus of at least the second session of the workshop, not general
electoral reform issues or topics that were going to be covered in other
meetings.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What this workshop could
have done is developed a unity statement to take to the floor of the convergence
stating that progressive political parties and electoral activism are a
necessary part of moving forward the progressive anti-oppression agenda.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So, sadly, I view the meeting as
interesting but unproductive.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">Coda<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">These
comments were written mainly as a report back to activists in the Green Party of
California cagreens.org Also see Green Party of the United of the United States
</SPAN><A href="http://www.gp.org/"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin"><FONT color=#800080>www.gp.org</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">A
Progressive Democrats of America pdamerica.org glossy postcard handout describes
PDA Priorities as:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>End War and
Occupations, Redirect Funding; Healthcare for All; Economic and Social Justice;
Clean, Fair, Transparent Elections; Stop Global Warming; Accountability and
Justice.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Certainly all consistent
with Green Party positions. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The PDA
also brought well conceived posters and stickers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">I
tried to engage a New Party activist in the hallway during the workshop break as
he was distributing leaflets.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I
pointed out to him that the statements of New Party members during the workshop
made it appear that they were engaging in a “cult of personality” because all
they were saying was that they were following the principles of Ralph
Nader.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He said no they
weren’t.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I said, well, that’s what
it sounds like.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He said I was
refusing to hear what he was saying and stalked away.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One of the New Party leaflets contains
references to various progressive issues and also expressly states that “this
political party shall be created and founded upon the work and philosophy of
Ralph Nader, responding to Mr. Nader’s call for the organization of a new
political voice to speak for those who are voiceless in this society.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>…So much for the efficacy of the
Revolutionary Workers Party (among others).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">I
asked a Green Party officer why there was no GPUS literature table with
staff.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was told that part of the
US Social Forum approach was not to seem to be endorsing any political parties
by only allowing a literature drop.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>But I saw a table with a person behind it for the Socialist Workers
Party.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And I heard that a Green
Party member engaged in some anarchist activism by being at the table with the
GPUS newspapers.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">In
Struggle!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">Warner
S. Bloomberg III<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Califonia
Delegate to the GNC </SPAN><A href="mailto:wsb3gpus@aol.com"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">wsb3gpus@aol.com</SPAN></A><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin">All
opinions stated above are those of the writer,
only.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>