From updates at cagreens.org Wed Jan 2 19:17:25 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:17:25 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Presidential Debate in San Francisco Message-ID: <477C53C5.7050601@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY URGENT NEWS ADVISORY Wednesday, January 2, 2008 Greens announce Presidential Debate Jan. 13 in San Francisco; Racially diverse ballot includes ex-congressperson, consumer icon, professor, engineer SAN FRANCISCO ? The first, and only, live debate between candidates on the Green Party?s California ballot for President of the United States ? featuring a former Democratic Party member of Congress, consumer protection icon, professor and environmental engineer ? is scheduled here January 13, said John Morton of the Green Party Presidential Debate Committee. The debate will be held Sunday, January 13 at 2 p.m. at the Herbst Theater/Veterans Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue. ?Peace Mom? Cindy Sheehan ? a former Democrat - will co-moderate the debate. Former five-time Democratic Rep. Cynthia McKinney, longtime consumer advocate Ralph Nader ? who is not yet an announced candidate, university professor Jared Ball and environmental engineer Kent Mesplay will participate in ?Campaign 2008: A Presidential Debate that Matters.? Sheehan, running as an independent Congressional candidate against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco, will be joined by other prominent progressive elected officials, to be announced later. The event is open to the public with a suggested donation of $10-25. For more information go to http://www.acgreens.org/debate. The debate is sponsored by the Green Party of Alameda County, the San Francisco Green Party, the Sacramento County Green Party and endorsed by the Green Party of San Mateo County. From updates at cagreens.org Fri Jan 4 18:35:38 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:35:38 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Help Amend the 3 Strikes Law Message-ID: <477EECFA.60904@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In 2004 the Green Party was instrumental in "almost" passing an amendment to California's draconian Three Strikes Law. We have another shot. The 2008 Three Strikes Initiative is printed and ready for 438,000 good signatures to get this initiative on the November 2008 ballot. But we need petition coordinators. Please contact Donna Warren at donnafacts at yahoo.com or call the FACTS (Families to Amend California's Three Strikes) office at 213-746-4844 if you will help with this initiative drive in any shape or fashion. The Green Party has an opportunity to be in the forefront of amending the most outrageous law on California's books. We will make history! If you're against the death penalty - please help with this initiative. If you're against the prison industrial complex - please help with this initiative. If you're for humanity - please help with this initiative. If you believe in the 10 key values of the Green Party - please help with this initiative. If not for the lies of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other politicians seeking to exploit the issue and the $10 million they poured into a last-minute blitz against Prop. 66, the law would have been amended in November 2004. Our new initiative, The Three Strikes Reform Act of 2008, restricts "strikes" to serious and/or violent felonies only. No longer will minor offenses be counted as strikes. Polling we recently conducted among California's likely general election voters shows that support for reform is as high as it has ever been - and that, since we have crafted a more strategic and thoughtful initiative, we can even withstand the vicious, deceptive attacks we know will come. Here are some highlights from that poll: a.. 68% of Californians would support this reform - even after hearing the toughest arguments against it, arguments based on the same things we heard in 2004. b.. Fully 80% of voters say our new thinking - that, unlike the initiative in 2004, this one restricts resentencing to those who have never been convicted of murder, child molestation, or rape - is a very persuasive reason to vote for the measure. c.. 68% of voters favor resentencing those whose Third Strike is nonviolent or non-serious. We almost made it last time with your help, and this time, we have a much stronger, more strategically crafted initiative. But we need your support again if we're going to make this happen! Donna J. Warren, Green Party of Los Angeles County http://www.facts1.com From updates at cagreens.org Tue Jan 8 19:28:55 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:28:55 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens blast barring of antiwar candidates from Dem, Repub debates Message-ID: <47843F77.9070502@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 8, 2008 Greens protest the exclusion of antiwar candidates from Democratic and Republican primary debates ? Barring of Kucinich, Gravel, and Paul amounts to censorship of candidates whose positions are unacceptable to the Democratic and Republican parties, major media, and their corporate sponsors, say Greens ? First Green presidential candidates' debate set for San Francisco on Sunday, January 13 WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders and candidates protested the exclusion of Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, and Ron Paul from primary presidential debates sponsored by major news organizations. Greens noted that Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Gravel, and Mr. Paul hold strong positions against the Iraq war and other Bush policies, in agreement with most Americans but contrary to the positions of other Democrats and Republicans running for the White House. Mr. Kucinich, like the Green Party, favors single-payer national health care, unlike his fellow Democratic presidential candidates and the major media, which rely on corporate campaign contributions and advertising dollars from insurance firms, HMOs, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Mr. Kucinich was excluded from an ABC TV debate on January 5. The six candidates for the Green Party's presidential nomination, all of whom oppose the war, will be featured in upcoming Green debates. The first debate will take place in San Francisco on January 13 . The nomination will be decided at the Green Party's 2008 national convention, July 10-13 in Chicago. ? Jody Grage, treasurer of the Green Party of the United States: "In democratic elections, voters have a right to be informed about all the candidates whose names they'll see on the ballot. Fox and ABC TV have violated the public interest and their licenses to use the publicly owned airwaves. They're acting like the official news bureaus of dictatorships." ? Jason Wallace, peace activist, Iraq War veteran, and Green candidate for Congress in Illinois (11th district) : "It's no accident that Kucinich, Gravel, and Paul -- the most vocal opponents of the Iraq invasion -- are getting shut out of the debates. While the Democratic and Republican parties and big media conglomerates try to close down serious public discussion over the Iraq war, the Green Party's 'Peace Slate' will continue to represent the opinion of most Americans, whom poll after poll have shown oppose the war. On Election Day 2008, the only truly antiwar candidates on the ballot will be from the Green Party or another third party or will be independent." ? Rodger Jennings, Green candidate for Congress in Illinois (12th District) : "The Democratic and Republican parties and media companies like Fox and ABC have censored the opinions of the majority of Americans, who want to see a quick end to the Iraq War. It's revealing that Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee won in Iowa. Among the frontrunners within their respective parties, they've been the most critical of President Bush's foreign policies. But Mr. Huckabee has only criticized the Bush Administration's strategic blunders in Iraq, rather the war itself. While Mr. Obama has opposed the war, he only favors a vague and delayed timetable for partial withdrawal of troops, which suggests that the occupation will continue in some form regardless of which Democratic frontrunner might be elected in November. Mr. Obama has also added his voice to the military threat against Iran, and says nothing about holding the Bush Administration and war profiteers accountable for their crimes. Unfortunately, voters are being denied the chance to hear the real antiwar candidates and are being told that Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, and Ron Paul shouldn't be taken seriously." ? John Walsh, Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party delegate to the Green Party's National Committee: "In recent elections, the Commission on Presidential Debates, the corporate-owned body controlled by the two established parties, has only allowed Democratic and Republican presidential candidates and has barred Green, independent, and other candidates from participating. We urge all Americans -- especially those who oppose bipartisan warhawk policies on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran -- to speak out in demand of fair elections and election coverage, and inclusion of all qualified candidates in the debates, regardless of their positions or party memberships." MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml From updates at cagreens.org Thu Jan 10 19:19:06 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:19:06 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] CALIF. GREEN ADVISORY Six Green presidential candidates to debate in SF, Jan. 13 Message-ID: <4786E02A.5040709@greens.org> Forwarded by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, January 9, 2008 Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney confirm 'A Presidential Debate That Matters' in SF This Sunday; Cindy Sheehan will moderate SAN FRANCISCO - Progressives will hold their own Presidential debate here Sunday when former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, Democrat-turned-Green Rep. Cynthia McKinney and others on the Green Party Presidential ballot Feb. 5 will participate in what is being billed as "A Presidential Debate That Matters." The debate will be held Sunday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Herbst Theater/Veterans Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue. A NEWS CONFERENCE* is scheduled with candidates at 1 p.m., shortly before the debate begins. This is the best, and maybe only, opportunity to conduct interviews. Ex-Rep. McKinney, former Green Party presidential candidate Nader (an undeclared candidate), university Hip-Hop professor Jared Ball, environmental engineer Kent Mesplay, actor/union organizer Jesse Johnson Jr. and Texas political organizer Kat Swift are confirmed as participants. "Peace Mom" Cindy Sheehan will co-moderate the debate with former President of the SF Board of Supervisors Matt Gonzalez. Other co-hosts include San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, KPFA anchor Aimee Allison and Board of Education member Mark Sanchez. "This is an opportunity for those opposed to the war, who support healthcare for all and want to address global warming to hear from the most progressive Presidential candidates in the U.S. today," said John Morton of the Green Presidential Debate Committee. For more information go to http://www.acgreens.org/debate. -30- * CREDENTIALING: Please contact Cres Vellucci for press credentials. From updates at cagreens.org Fri Jan 18 19:02:26 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:02:26 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Page at gp.org carries video of Green pres. candidates, debates Message-ID: <47916842.5010601@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 17, 2008 New web page at gp.org features video of Green presidential candidates and debates: http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party has posted a new page featuring video links of Green presidential candidates, including debates and forums. The address of the video page is . The page will be updated regularly with new video as more Green presidential campaign events take place around the US. Six Green candidates are on various state ballots for the Green nomination, which will be decided at the party's National Nominating Convention in Chicago, July 10-13. The video page currently has links to video clips of the January 13 Northern California Green Presidential Debate at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco , and a January 5 forum with candidates Kat Swift and Jesse Johnson in Minnesota . The page also carries a link to audio of the entire San Francisco debate . An additional page has been opened at the Green Party's blog where visitors can post comments on the videos. The comment page address is . 2008 Green presidential candidates: ? Jared Ball http://www.jaredball.com ? Howie Hawkins (serving as a placeholder until Ralph Nader announces his intentions for the 2008 election) http://www.draftnader.org ? Jesse Johnson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMxgYnmdHfg ? Cynthia McKinney http://www.runcynthiarun.org ? Kent Mesplay http://www.mesplay.org ? Kat Swift http://www.bexargreens.org/katforprez Not all six of the candidates will be on the ballot in every state where Greens are participating in primaries. In states where deadlines have already passed, most but not all of the campaigns have submitted required petitions with valid signatures to their respective elections offices. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml Green Party Presidential Campaign Support Committee http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml From updates at cagreens.org Sat Jan 19 19:48:14 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:48:14 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Ranked Ballot Voting Demonstration Message-ID: <4792C47E.4020904@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Electoral Reform Working Group is sponsoring an online >>ranked ballot voting<< demonstration using the Presidential Primary candidates. http://cagreens.org/erwg/irvdemo/pres08.html The official election gives you just one choice with your vote. But the Green Party advocates a ranked ballot system where you can tell us how feel about all the candidates by ranking them in order of your preference. See how a ranked ballot election works by participating in our online demo!!! We'll post the results after the primary. From updates at cagreens.org Sat Jan 26 13:15:39 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:15:39 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] =?windows-1252?q?ANNOUNCEMENT=3A_Second_Global_Gre?= =?windows-1252?q?ens_Congress=3B_1=974_May_2008=2C_S=E3o_Paulo=2C_Brazil?= Message-ID: <479BA2FB.2070107@greens.org> _______________________________________ Second Global Greens Congress 1?4 May 2008, S?o Paulo, Brazil Think and act globally and locally http://www.globalgreens.org/brazil2008 http://www.globalgreens.org.br ________________________________________ Please forward to all Greens 1 January 2008 Global letter to Green parties and political movements Dear Friends As we count down to the Second Global Greens Congress in S?o Paulo Brazil, we are writing to provide you with some important planning information and to ask for your help in preparing for the meeting. Specifically, we are asking Green parties and political movements to help by publicizing the congress, by contributing funds and by facilitating a direct fundraising appeal to individual Greens supporters. Our aim for the Second Global Greens Congress is to take another big step towards building the Greens into a global political force. In Canberra in 2001 we agreed on the Global Greens Charter. In Brazil 2008, the main outcome will be 21 Points for the 21st Century: Global Greens Climate Action Plan, the basis for coordinated action by Greens globally in the coming five years. We will shortly be calling for ideas to feed into the plan covering all the ways in which we can meet the climate crisis: political, social, environmental, cultural, economic and more. The ideas should be action-oriented, they may be local or global, and they must be consistent with the Principles of the Global Greens Charter. We will be setting up a computer register so that everyone can see the ideas as they are proposed and use them to develop their own plans. In a very short time, we will start drafting the 21 Points ? short, sharp and effective! There will also be texts on the Greens? post-Kyoto proposals, a Green charter for sustainable cities, biodiversity and forests, and the next steps for the Global Greens. Delegates also have the opportunity to present resolutions for consideration. To make Global Greens 2008 as inclusive as possible, we will be raising funds to enable participants from low income countries to attend. We will also be encouraging delegations to be gender balanced and where possible to give preference to young people and Indigenous people. To make it as environmentally responsible as possible, we encourage all those who attend in person to offset the climate impact of their travel. We will also be doing our best to provide access to the conference over the internet and, of course, everyone will be able to help develop the 21 Points electronically. We are planning a fantastic congress that sets high standards for inclusiveness and environmental responsibility and gives Greens from all over the world the chance to consolidate friendships and working relationships. For all this to happen, we need your help. We would be very grateful if you could * Help us send a letter to all Greens members and supporters around the world asking them to donate to Global Green 2008. Please email a member of the Steering Group below to indicate your participation. * Make a financial contribution to Global Greens 2008. Donation details are attached, or go directly to http://brazil2008.globalgreens.org/supporters.cgi. * Publicize Global Greens 2008 to your members and supporters * Send delegates from your national party to participate in the Global Greens Congress. We rarely meet as a Global Greens family and we appreciate everyone?s cooperation in making Global Greens 2008 a big success and a milestone in expanding our political strength. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of us. We look forward to meeting you in S?o Paulo. With best Green wishes Global Greens Steering Group * Leonardo Alvarez, M?xico, Greens of the Americas, lalvarezromo at yahoo.com * Juan Behrend, Belgium, European Greens, Juan.behrend at europeangreens.org * Margaret Blakers, Australia, Asia Pacific Greens, margaret.blakers at bigpond.com * S?rgio Dialetechi, Brazil, Brazilian Greens, sergiodialetachi at ig.com.br * Thomas Fatheuer, Brazil, Heinrich Boell Foundation, thomas.fatheuer at boell.org.br * Mike Feinstein, United States, Global Greens Webmaster, mfeinstein at feinstein.org * Solomone Fifita, Samoa, Asia Pacific Greens, solomonefifita at yahoo.com * Ralf F?cks, Germany, Heinrich Boell Foundation, fuecks at boell.de * Eva Go?s, Sweden, Green Forum, eva.goes at mp.se * Catherine Gr?ze, France, European Greens, cgreze at lesverts.fr * Johan Hamels, Belgium, European Greens, johanhamels at yahoo.com * Gaby K?ppers, Gabriele.Kueppers at europarl.europa.eu * Lena Lindstr?m, Sweden, Green Forum, lena.lindstrom at mp.se * Marco Antonio Mroz, Brazil, Brazilian Greens, mrozverde at uol.com.br * Janna Sch?nfeld, Germany, Global Young Greens, frithjof.schmidt-assistant at europarl.europa.eu * Satoko Watanabe, Japan, Asia Pacific Greens, satoko.watanabe at nifty.com * Julia Willebrand, United States, Greens of the Americas, julia.willebrand at verizon.net Documents with this letter (in .pdf. .doc and .html format) ****************** List Admin Note: The documents listed below can be downloaded in Zip files from the following links: MS Word format (DOC) -- http://cagreens.org/intl/Global08/GlobalGreen_DOC.zip Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) -- http://cagreens.org/intl/Global08/GlobalGreen_PDF.zip ******************* Fundraising letter for Green members and supporters around the world http://www.globalgreens.org/brazil2008/please_donate On-Line Donations http://brazil2008.globalgreens.org/supporters.cgi Donation form for postal mail http://www.globalgreens.org/brazil2008/donationform Working draft program, Second Global Greens Congress http://www.globalgreens.org/working_draft_program Important information, Second Global Greens Congress http://www.globalgreens.org/brazil2008/important_information From updates at cagreens.org Sat Feb 2 10:08:24 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:08:24 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Ranked Ballot Voting Demonstration -- Reminder Message-ID: <47A4B198.1030200@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As posted previously on this list... The Electoral Reform Working Group is sponsoring an online >>ranked ballot voting<< demonstration using the Presidential Primary candidates. http://cagreens.org/erwg/irvdemo/pres08.html The official election gives you just one choice with your vote. But the Green Party advocates a ranked ballot system where you can tell us how feel about all the candidates by ranking them in order of your preference. Those preferences then determine which candidate has the most support. See how a ranked ballot election works by participating in our online demo!!! We'll post the results after the primary. From updates at cagreens.org Sun Feb 3 12:58:18 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:58:18 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Arizona needs help with Ballot Access Message-ID: <47A62AEA.4070708@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This article is from the "Green Line" e-newsletter of the Green Party of the United States. ------------- Arizona is working toward ballot status and has until March 6th to turn in 20,449 good signatures. Petition gatherers have already collected approximately 10,000 and need at least 16-18,000 more to provide a cushion against contested signatures. Arizona has begun using professional signature gatherers and needs help with funding to pay these professionals. National Green Party has supported this process with donations requiring Arizona to match the funds. You can donate to the Arizona Green Party by sending a check to: P.O. Box 60173, Phoenix, AZ 85082-0173. Richard Scott, one of the Coordinators of the Arizona drive says, "We can make this goal but it will take cooperation and help from Greens around the country to help raise the funds we need to get the job done. We have some petition gatherers from out of state coming to help but that takes time and coordination - guest gatherers must have a local with them when they petition. Donations will help us more easily attain our goal. I project that we can get this job completed for under $15,000 and we have approximately half that now - so please help - send us a check now - we can do this." Ballot drives are also underway in Utah - Feb 15 - 2000 signatures, Hawai'i - Apr 3 - 663 signatures, North Carolina - May 16 - 69,734 signatures (in court - we're hoping for a favorable ruling this week and Texas - May 27 - 43,991 signatures. Green Line will be covering these and all ballot access efforts as they develop. To find out how to support Green Party Ballot Access go to: http://www.gp.org/committees/ballot/ From updates at cagreens.org Tue Feb 5 19:16:35 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:16:35 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens await Super Tuesday results in Ark., Calif., Ill., Mass. Message-ID: <47A92693.1080507@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Green candidates compete in the February 5 Super Tuesday primaries in four states: Arkansas, California, Illinois, and Massachusetts ? List of Green presidential candidates in each state, contact information for the four state Green Parties, links to candidates' sites WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party voters across the US are awaiting the results of the Super Tuesday primary elections in Arkansas, California, Illinois, and Massachusetts. In all four of the states, Green candidates are competing for the presidential nomination. Below is a listing of the Green candidates on the ballot in the four states, media contact information for each state, and web sites for the candidates. The Green Party has opened a web page featuring videos of Green presidential candidates and debates . The party will choose its presidential and vice presidential nominees at the 2008 Green National Nominating Convention in Chicago, July 10-13. Besides the Super Tuesday primaries, Green candidates will also compete in the February 12 primary in the District of Columbia. Currently, 21 state Green Parties hold ballot access within their respective states. Some Green Parties chose presidential candidates by caucus voting and by election of national convention delegates at state party conventions. Green candidates on state ballots in the February 5 primaries: ? ARKANSAS: Jared Ball*, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, Kat Swift http://www.arelections.org/index.php?ac:show:contest_statewide=1&elecid=151&contestid=3 Green Party of Arkansas: http://arkgreens.kk5.org/ Media contacts: Jim Lendall, Public Relations Co-chair, jelendall at comcast.net Rebekah Kennedy, Elections Co-chair, misskennedyesq at yahoo.com ? CALIFORNIA: Jared Ball*, Elaine Brown*, Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, Ralph Nader**, Kat Swift http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/election_2008/certified_list_pres_primary.pdf http://www.cagreens.org/elections/index.shtml Green Party of California: http://www.cagreens.org/ Media contact: Crescenzo Vellucci, Party Press Secretary, 916-996-9170, greenparty-press at comcast.net ? ILLINOIS: Jared Ball*, Howie Hawkins**, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay http://www.elections.il.gov/ http://www.ilgp.org/elections/2008-primaries/ Illinois Green Party: http://www.ilgp.org Media contacts: Patrick Kelly, Media Coordinator, 773-203-9631, media at ilgp.org Phil Huckelberry, Chair, Government & Elections Committee, 309-268-9974, phil.huckelberry at ilgp.org ? MASSACHUSETTS: Jared Ball*, Ralph Nader**, Elaine Brown*, Kat Swift, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ELE/eleidx.htm http://green-rainbow.org/Elections/2008/2008_GRP_Primary.html Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts: http://www.massgreens.org/ Media contact: Eli Beckerman, Communications Director, 617-821-1453, communications.director at green-rainbow.org * Although their names remain on the ballot in some states, Mr. Ball and Ms. Brown have withdrawn from the Green presidential race. ** Mr. Hawkins is serving as a placeholder candidate on the ballot for Mr. Nader in some states until Mr. Nader announces his intentions for the 2008 election; in other states, Mr. Nader is on the ballot. WEB SITES for Green presidential candidates who are competing as of February 5: ? Jesse Johnson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMxgYnmdHfg ? Cynthia McKinney http://www.runcynthiarun.org http://www.americanblackout.org/ ? Kent Mesplay http://www.mesplay.org ? Howie Hawkins http://www.draftnader.org ? Ralph Nader http://www.naderexplore08.org (Exploratory Committee site) ? Kat Swift http://www.bexargreens.org/katforprez MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml From updates at cagreens.org Wed Feb 6 19:14:28 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:14:28 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Wins for Nader, McKinney in Green primaries on Super Tuesday Message-ID: <47AA7794.2060002@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Wednesday, February 6, 2008 Victories for McKinney, Nader in four Green primaries on Super Tuesday ? Results by state for Green primaries in Arkansas, California, and Illinois; Massachusetts results forthcoming ? Widespread voting irregularities hinder Greens in Illinois WASHINGTON, DC -- Results from the four states where Green Parties participated in the February 5 Super Tuesday primaries show a landslide for Ralph Nader in California (61%) and a lead among candidates for Cynthia McKinney in Arkansas and Illinois. The office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, responding to an inquiry, said that his state doesn't post unofficial results, and will not announce the numbers until absentee and overseas ballots are counted. Some early returns from Boston and a few other cities show a near tie for Mr. Nader and Ms. McKinney, with Mr. Nader slightly ahead by a few votes, but too inconclusive to call. Ms. McKinney, a former Democratic US Representative from Georgia (now a Green), won the Illinois primary with a strong lead (57%). The Arkansas results currently show that over half (nearly 54%) of the state's Green voters decided to remain uncommitted. Arkansas' totals have been delayed because of power outages after severe storms and tornadoes Tuesday evening while voting was still going on. Mr. Nader has not declared his candidacy, but recently announced the formation of an exploratory committee for a possible presidential run . The Illinois Green Party is currently fielding reports of voting irregularities in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois, with Green voters told by pollworkers on Tuesday that no Green Party ballots were available at their polling places, or that they had to vote on suspect electronic voting machines, even while other parties used paper ballots. More information: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-state.php?ID=21 After the Super Tuesday primaries, Green candidates will compete in the February 12 primary in the District of Columbia. Currently, 21 state Green Parties hold ballot access within their respective states. Some Green Parties chose presidential candidates by caucus voting and by election of national convention delegates at state party conventions. The Green Party will hold its 2008 national convention in Chicago from July 10 to 13. SUPER TUESDAY PRIMARY RESULTS (as of Wednesday, February 6) ARKANSAS (8 delegates) Polling Locations Reporting: 893 of 2081 (43%) Last Update: February 6, 2:47 pm http://www.arelections.org/index.php?ac:show:contest_statewide=1&elecid=151&contestid=3 ? Jared Ball, 55 votes, 10.24% * ? Cynthia McKinney, 117 votes, 21.79% ? Kent Mesplay, 49 votes, 9.12% ? Kat Swift, 27 votes, 5.03% ? Uncommitted, 289 votes, 53.82% Green Party of Arkansas: http://arkgreens.kk5.org/ Media contacts: Jim Lendall, Public Relations Co-chair, jelendall at comcast.net Rebekah Kennedy, Elections Co-chair, misskennedyesq at yahoo.com CALIFORNIA (168 delegates) 95.4% (22055 of 23109) precincts reporting as of February 6, at 7:15 am http://vote.sos.ca.gov/Returns/pres/grn/all.htm ? Kent Mesplay, 562 votes, 2.0% ? Jared Ball, 443 votes, 1.6% * ? Jesse Johnson, 506 votes, 1.8% ? Kat Swift, 842 votes, 3.0% ? Ralph Nader, 16,792 votes, 61.1% ** ? Elaine Brown, 1,256 votes, 4.6% * ? Cynthia McKinney, 7,110 votes, 25.9% Green Party of California: http://www.cagreens.org/ Media contact: Crescenzo Vellucci, Party Press Secretary, 916-996-9170, greenparty-press at comcast.net ILLINOIS (44 delegates) 11264 of 11574 precincts Reporting - 97% http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2008/by_state/IL_President_0205.html?SITE=ILCHTELN&SECTION=POLITICS ? Cynthia McKinney, 1,446 votes, 57% ? Howie Hawkins, 438 votes, 17% ** ? Kent Mesplay, 369 votes, 14% ? Jared Ball, 302 votes, 12% * Illinois Green Party: http://www.ilgp.org Media contacts: Patrick Kelly, Media Coordinator, 773-203-9631, media at ilgp.org Phil Huckelberry, Chair, Government & Elections Committee, 309-268-9974, phil.huckelberry at ilgp.org MASSACHUSETTS (32 delegates) Official results not posted yet by the state: check later at http://www.gp.org Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts: http://www.massgreens.org/ Media contact: Eli Beckerman, Communications Director, 617-821-1453, communications.director at green-rainbow.org * Although their names remain on the ballot in some states, Dr. Ball and Ms. Brown have withdrawn from the Green presidential race. ** Mr. Hawkins is serving as a placeholder candidate on the ballot for Mr. Nader in some states until Mr. Nader announces his intentions for the 2008 election; in other states, Mr. Nader is on the ballot. WEB SITES for Green presidential candidates, competing as of February 6: ? Jesse Johnson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMxgYnmdHfg ? Cynthia McKinney http://www.runcynthiarun.org http://www.americanblackout.org/ ? Kent Mesplay http://www.mesplay.org ? Howie Hawkins http://www.draftnader.org ? Ralph Nader http://www.naderexplore08.org (Exploratory Committee site) ? Kat Swift http://www.voteswift.org MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml From updates at cagreens.org Thu Feb 14 18:52:30 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:52:30 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Request for Reports of GPCA Voting Problems on February 5th Message-ID: <47B4FE6E.7070504@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PLEASE CIRCULATE! February 12, 2008 To All Green Party of California Voters: Various informal reports have been made about problems Green Party members encountered on Election Day (February 5, 2008). Those reports include being told that there were no Green Party ballots and that the Green Party did not exist. At this time anyone who had such difficulties casting a Green Party Primary Election ballot is requested to send a report to me at 867 North Fifth Street, San Jose, CA 95112-5021 or by email to _WB4D23 at aol.com_ (mailto:WB4D23 at aol.com) so the GPCA can send appropriate letters to local Registrars of Voters and to the Secretary of State. The following information is requested: Name of Complaining Voter; Name and Address of polling location; Precinct number (can be found on your voter's pamphlet -- send a report even if you do not have this information); and as detailed as possible a description of what happened (including name and position of offending person, if possible). These reports will be collected during the next 30 days and then a summary will be made. Please contact me if you have any questions about this project. Warner Bloomberg CCWG Coordinator (408-295-9353) _wsb3attyca at aol.com_ (mailto:wsb3attyca at aol.com) From updates at cagreens.org Fri Feb 22 18:42:47 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:42:47 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] ADVISORY Green pres. candidates in Arizona: Press conference, Feb. 24 Message-ID: <47BF8827.40404@greens.org> Distributed by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org ARIZONA GREEN PARTY http://www.azgp.org For Immediate Release Friday, February 22, 2008 Green presidential candidates arrive in Arizona to assist state ballot access efforts ? NEWS BRIEFING: Sunday, Feb. 24, 1 pm at the Mesa Public Library (Main), Saguaro Room (2nd Floor), 64 East 1st Street in Mesa, Arizona; a candidates' forum will follow at 1:30 pm at the same location MESA, ARIZONA -- Five candidates running for the Green Party's presidential and vice presidential nomination will visit Arizona this coming weekend to meet voters and help Arizona Greens with their ballot access petition drive Green presidential candidates Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift and vice presidential candidate Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza-Curry will also hold a news briefing on Sunday, February 24 at the Mesa Public Library, Saguaro Room (2nd Floor), 64 East 1st Street in Mesa, Arizona. The news briefing will begin at 1 pm, and will be followed by a 1:30 pm candidates' forum hosted by the Maricopa County Green Party. Reporters and photographers are invited to both events. "We've gathered thousands of signatures already and we look forward to handing in far more than the required 20,449 signatures for ballot access by the March 6 due date," said Richard Scott, Media Coordinator for the Arizona Green Party. "Lots of Greens and friends will be pounding the pavement and collecting signatures this weekend. We really appreciate our presidential candidates for coming to Arizona and helping us meet our goal." Some of the candidates will also attend Parada del Sol and Trail's End in Scottsdale on Saturday, February 23. Parada del Sol/Trail's End, an annual parade and rodeo, will begin 10 am Oak and Scottsdale Roads . The Green Party's 2008 nomination will take place July 10-13 at the Green Party's National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. Five state Green Parties have already participated in primary elections, and more state Green Parties have scheduled statewide meetings and caucuses to vote for presidential candidates. Presidential candidates visiting Arizona: ? Jesse Johnson, 2006 US Senate candidate and 2004 gubernatorial candidate for the Mountain Party in West Virginia (now an affiliate state party of the Green Party of the United States); filmmaker http://www.jesse08.org ? Cynthia McKinney, former member of the US House of Representatives (Georgia), 1993 to 2003, 2005 to 2007; former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, 1988-1992 http://www.runcynthiarun.org http://www.americanblackout.org ? Kent Mesplay, 2004 candidate for the Green presidential nomination; former president of Turtle Island Institute; environmental engineer, alternative energy activist; California Green organizer http://www.mesplay.org ? Kat Swift, Texas Green Party organizer & former co-chair; first Green Party Candidate for City Council in San Antonio 2007; former activist with Clean Money San Antonio and San Antonio Democracy Now http://www.voteswift.org Vice Presidential candidate visiting Arizona: ? Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza-Curry (SKCM Curry), Green Party activist and organizer for six years at local, state, national levels and internationally; leader in efforts to involve women and people of color in the Green Party and electoral politics http://curry08.wetpaint.com Also in the race for the Green presidential nomination is Howie Hawkins , who is serving as a stand-in candidate for Ralph Nader until Mr. Nader declares his intentions for the 2008 race; Mr. Nader has established an Exploratory Committee . MORE INFORMATION Arizone Green Party http://www.azgp.org/ Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sat Feb 23 16:24:45 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:24:45 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Change Message-ID: <47C0B94D.8030504@greens.org> Hello fellow Greens. Some of you know about Green Change already, and some have you signed up to be featured profiles on our social network when it launches in April. If you don't know about our new political organization Green Change, that we started with Matt Gonzalez last year, check us out at greenchange.org. I'm writing because we are launching our social network April. It will be similar to myspace or facebook but for people with Green values. Also, it will provide activists with the tools they need for speaking, platforms, organizing (it's limitless what they'll be able to do) for free. We can help the underprivileged have the power they want. The "major-leaguers" pay big bucks for these kinds of organizing tools. In March we are going to have at least 100 people, like yourself, already on the network with their groups/profiles set up for the world to see. If you would like to be one of the 1st people to be on our network, just click the link below. We want people to see your face and art, hear about your work and read your writing, know your politics and values, when our network launches in April. Click here to save your spot: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1488/t/689/signUp.jsp?key=1685 We only have 100 spaces available. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. You can send the link to anyone you think might be interested in the network. Also, have your friends and acquaintances go to greenchange.org and sign up for updates. Feel free to call me or email me if you have any questions! Peace, D Lozano at Green Change -- d lozano www.greenchange.org skype: dc.lozano 503.449.9989 Green Change is a community of people with Green values: justice, grassroots democracy, sustainability and non-violence. We work together to share Green art, politics and culture. From updates at cagreens.org Fri Feb 29 18:49:28 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:49:28 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens respond to Nader's decision to run as independent Message-ID: <47C8C438.2040300@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Friday, February 29, 2008 Greens respond to Ralph Nader's decision not to seek the Green Party nomination ? Party leaders wish Mr. Nader well in his campaign, affirm that the Green Party will choose nominees at the Green National Convention in Chicago, July 10-13 WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders expressed their disappointment in Ralph Nader's decision, announced on Thursday, not to seek the 2008 Green presidential nomination. "A lot of Greens have supported Mr. Nader and wanted him to win the party's nomination. There has been an active effort by many Green leaders to 'draft' Mr. Nader as a Green candidate, and his success in recent Green primaries demonstrates that he remains a very popular figure within the Green Party. There is widespread disappointment among Greens that he chose to go a different route," said Phil Huckelberry, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. Four candidates are seeking the Green nomination, which will be decided at the Green Party's National Convention in Chicago, July 10-13. Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift are touring the US and meeting Greens and other voters. "The Green Party intends to run a ticket of Green nominees, and we're working hard to get their names on the ballot lines of every state and the District of Columbia. We look forward to party unity behind our nominees. We wish Ralph Nader and [running mate] Matt Gonzalez well in their independent campaign," said Clifford Thornton, also a co-chair of the Green Party. Currently, 21 state Green Parties hold ballot access within their respective states, and Greens anticipate adding Arizona to the list soon. Five state Green Parties have participated in primaries; other Green Parties are measuring preference for presidential candidates through caucuses and statewide meetings. Mr. Nader ran as the Green nominee in 1996 and 2000. In 2004, David Cobb won the Green nomination, while Mr. Nader ran as an independent. The Green Party has opened a web page featuring videos of Green presidential candidates and debates . List of Green presidential candidates and their campaign web sites: ? Jesse Johnson http://www.jesse08.org ? Cynthia McKinney http://www.runcynthiarun.org ? Kent Mesplay http://www.mesplay.org ? Kat Swift http://www.voteswift.org MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sat Mar 1 16:34:31 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:34:31 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPCA Plenary Announcement April 4, 5, 6 Message-ID: <47C9F617.3000700@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Greens, The next General Assembly of the GPCA will be April 4,5-6 at the UC Berkeley campus in Alameda County . The agenda packet is planned for distribution no later than March 15. Along with regular party business, this General Assembly will decide the annual budget and deal with issues involving the National Presidential Nominating Convention (July 10-13 in Chicago ). As more information becomes available it will be posted on the plenary web site at http://cagreens.org/plenary/. Another message will be sent to you when online registration is open. If you have questions or comments, please forward them to agenda-team at cagreens.org. An election will be held for the at-large seats. Please submit bios ASAP to agenda-team at cagreens.org we will be discussing the deadline for submission shortly. Sincerely, Larry Mullen and Christina Olague From updates at cagreens.org Mon Mar 3 19:20:58 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:20:58 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens seek divestment, aid cutoff as Israeli crimes mount in Gaza Message-ID: <47CCC01A.3080901@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Monday, March 3, 2008 Greens urge economic pressure and cutoff of all military aid to Israel as Gaza situation worsens ? Demanding an end to illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, Greens urge widespread grassroots support for the Palestine BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) Campaign ? Greens blast Clinton, Obama, and McCain for uncritical support of Israel despite mounting crimes WASHINGTON, DC -- Calling the Siege of Gaza an international emergency, the Green Party is urging Congress to reject President Bush's FY2009 budget request for $2.55 billion in Foreign Military Financing for Israel, and reiterated the call for a cut-off of all US military aid to Israel. "The Siege of Gaza is an ongoing atrocity, with mounting civilian casualties, especially children, killed and maimed by Israeli Defense Forces," said Holly Hart, secretary of the Green Party of the United States and member of People for Justice in Palestine, responding to the mass killing of Palestinians during the past weekend. "Greens are demanding an end to the siege and to the occupation of Palestinian lands, to Israel's collective punishment of Palestinians, and to targeted assassinations, all of which violate international law." Greens noted that the death toll of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces has doubled since the Annapolis peace talks sponsored by the US in November 2007. In some areas of the West Bank, home invasions by IDF since January 1 have resulted in the kidnapping and detention without charges of nearly 400 civilians, including children. 1.5 million Gazans, mostly refugees from Israel in 1948, live in an open-air prison, unable to exit, and with electricity, fuel, and water under Israeli control. "Peace talks are a sham as long as Israel refuses to discuss the construction of new housing units for Jewish settlers throughout occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank," said David J. Kalbfleisch, a Green congressional candidate in Illinois' 10th district . "Israel must meet its obligations under U.N. security council resolution 242." The Green Party has already called for an economic boycott and divestment of Israel until the occupation is ended and full human rights and equality are realized throughout historic Palestine, including Israel , and also for recognition of the right of return. Green leaders, emphasizing the need for popular pressure on the US government similar to the campaign against South African apartheid two decades ago, have supported the efforts of Palestinian and Israeli peace groups to seek negotiation and a halt to violence, and are urging participation in the Palestine BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) Campaign . The President's FY2009 request would enact a 9% increase over 2007 spending, and would be the first installment of a ten-year agreement between the US and Israel, signed in August 2007, to increase military aid by 25%, totaling $30 billion by FY2018. The arms purchased through Foreign Military Financing are being used to enforce Israel's 40-year military occupation and siege of the Palestinian West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and for violation of human rights in the Occupied Territories and against civilians in Lebanon. Such use of weapons purchased with US money violates of the Arms Export Control Act and Foreign Assistance Act. "The Green Party has repeatedly called for an end to Israel's illegal occupation, for enforcement of human rights laws consistently violated by Israel, and for an end to all attacks against unarmed civilians by either side," said Justine McCabe, co-chair of the party's International Committee. "Under the influence of AIPAC and other pro-Israel lobbies, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama have bent over backwards to support the Israel government and avoid criticism -- even as Israel warns that it may invade and Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai threatens Palestinians in the Gaza Strip with a 'holocaust.' If the national debate on the Middle East is restricted to Democratic and Republican positions in 2008, the crisis and the atrocities will continue regardless of who wins the White House," Dr. McCabe added. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml Green Party International Committee http://www.gp.org/committees/intl/ Green Party Peace Action Committee (GPAX) http://www.gp.org/committees/peace/ Wheels of Justice Tour: Nonviolent education and action against war and occupation in Iraq and Palestine for justice and universal human rights http://justicewheels.org "Israeli minister threatens "holocaust" as public demand ceasefire talks" Ali Abunimah, The Electronic Intifada, February 29, 2008 http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9354.shtml Palestinian deaths double since Annapolis By Mel Frykberg, Middle East Times, January 16, 2008 http://www.metimes.com/International/2008/01/16/palestinian_deaths_double_since_annapolis/9342/ ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Wed Mar 5 19:40:49 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:40:49 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] RELEASE Calif. Greens on VP candidate Gonzalez's deregistration from GP Message-ID: <47CF67C1.7060308@greens.org> Forwarded by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org News Advisory THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, March 4, 2008 California Greens wish Matt Gonzalez well as he leaves Green Party to fight for ballot access as VP on Nader independent ticket SAN FRANCISCO -- The Green Party of California reacted favorably today to reports that former president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors -- favorite son Matt Gonzalez, who narrowly lost a 2003 mayoral race here -- has left the Green Party to run as vice president on the Ralph Nader for President ticket. "We wish Matt well. He has made it clear that he is leaving the party because of restrictive and unfair ballot access rules in many states, including Idaho, Delaware and Oregon, that prevent members of political parties to run as independents. We look at Matt's decision as a practical one, a sabbatical or leave of absence, to continue the fight the Green Party has been waging for free and fair ejections for all, and ballot access," said San Francisco Green Party spokesperson Erika McDonald. Gonzalez reportedly informed media outlets Tuesday that he would remain active with future Green campaigns and is committed to alternatives to the two-party system. Nader, the Green Party presidential candidate in 2000 and independent candidate in 1992, 1996 and 2004, tabbed Gonzalez, a civil rights attorney, for vice president on his independent ticket late last week. The Green Party now has four outstanding candidates now vying for the nomination in the Green Party, including former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (http://www.runcynthiarun.org), Texas Green Party co-chair Kat Swift (http://www.voteswift.org), Southern California environmental engineer Kent Mesplay (http://www.mesplay.org), and West Virginia actor and producer Jesse Johnson (http://www.jesse08.org). Former Black Panther Party leader Elaine Brown and University communications professor Jared Ball have since withdrawn. The Green Party's nominee for President will be chosen at its Presidential Nominating Convention in Chicago July 10-13. The US Green Party remains committed to selecting a nominee and mounting an all-out campaign in every state. "The Green and independent presidential campaigns' impact on this race will be determined by each candidate's ability to attract voters. If the Republicans win this year, it is because they ran the best race, or they cheated. I put neither of these options past them. Those who cry 'spoiler' at the notion of a Green Party and/or independent presidential run conveniently choose to overlook the growing body of evidence that the 2000 election was tampered with." said Green Party spokesperson Susan King. From updates at cagreens.org Mon Mar 10 20:14:21 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:14:21 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green 'Peace Party' positions compared to faux antiwar Clinton, Obama Message-ID: <47D5F90D.3020906@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Monday, March 10, 2008 Green 'Peace Party' positions against the Iraq and Afghanistan wars compared to pro-occupation Clinton, Obama, and McCain ? Greens express support for a May 1 protest by longshore workers against the wars WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders today compared the Green demand for an immediate end to the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan to the pro-occupation positions of the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. Greens said that party members supported protests planned by International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) locals on the west coast on May 1, 2008. "Along with the election of Greens to Congress, actions like those planned by ILWU members are what we need to force the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan," said Rodger Jennings, Green candidate for the US House in Illinois (District 12) . "The longshore workers intend to press Democratic and Republican presidential candidates to change their warhawk positions. Like the Green Party, the ILWU has opposed both of President Bush's wars from the beginning." The text of the ILWU's February 26, 2008 resolution can be read here . The ILWU letter to the AFL-CIO can be read here . The Green Party of the United States has called for immediate troop withdrawal and impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney for numerous crimes and abuses of power, including deception and manipulated intelligence to justify the invasion of Iraq. Greens also favor a sharp reduction in the military budget, shifting funds over to health care, conservation programs, efforts to curb global warming, and other urgent needs. "While Democrats have retreated, our own Green presidential candidates -- Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift -- have aggressively promoted the Green Party's position on the wars and on impeachment," said Dr. Julia Willebrand, co-chair of the Green Party's International Committee . Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have promised to pull 'combat' troops, but would leave thousands of US military personnel and contractors, including mercenary security firms, in Iraq to prolong the illegal occupation. Republican John McCain would maintain the Bush policy that would extend the occupation for several generations, bankrupting America both morally and fiscally. On other war-related issues, Ms. Clinton, Mr. Obama, and Mr. McCain agree (while Greens hold contrary positions): ? All three have expressed support for the 'benchmarks,' which would place most Iraqi oil resources under the control of US and UK oil companies, requiring sustained US military presence to protect investments. ? All three favor an increase in the military budget; Mr. Obama would expand the military with 90,000 added troops. ? All three favor expansion of the Afghanistan war. ? All three have said that a US attack on Iran is not off the table, even though President Bush's justification for such an assault (alleged nuclear weapons production) has been shown to be false. ? All three have voted for funding bills to keep the Iraq War going; the war could have been brought to a quick end if Democrats, in control of Congress since the 2006 election, had simply stalled on the bills. ? All three have refused to criticize Israel for its violations of international law, UN directives, and human rights in the treatment of Palestinians (see ), which have inflamed regional conflict; none admit the role of Israel's strategic objectives in US policy on Iraq and Iran. "The occupation of Iraq will continue whether a Democrat or a Republican moves into the White House in January 2009," said Jason Wallace, Green candidate for Congress in Illinois' 11th District and a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War . IVAW has announced 'Winter Soldier' (March 13-16), a four-day event bringing together veterans from across the country to testify about their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan . "The ILWU action planned for May 1 is evidence that working people are impatient with vague promises to end these wars. Will Ms. Clinton or Mr. Obama endorse the ILWU protest and pledge to call home all US military personnel immediately?" "Polls have shown that a majority of Americans agree with the Green Party's demand for an end ot the Iraq War," added Mr. Wallace. "The equivocating reaction of Democrats when Republicans accuse them of unpatriotism and betrayal of US troops for any opposition to Bush policy may cost them another election." Democratic leaders continue to criticize the Iraq War on the basis of poor management, and have recently argued that combat troops should be called home for purposes of 'military preparedness.' "By calling the Iraq War a matter of military preparedness and botched strategy, Democrats are sidestepping the premise of the war," said Bob Kinsey, Green candidate for the US Senate in Colorado . "While it's true that the Bush Administration has shown little regard for the lives of Iraqi civilians and US troops, President Bush's order to invade was itself a crime -- an illegal invasion of a country that posed no threat to the US, in disregard of US and international laws, and based on White House deception." "A full withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq will be a victory for peace, the rule of law, and the value of human life. It'll be a defeat for the doctrine that says the US can invade countries at will, for resources, corporate interests, and imperial political ambitions," said Mr. Kinsey. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml Green Party Peace Action Committee (GPAX) http://www.gp.org/committees/peace/ International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) http://www.ilwu.org From updates at cagreens.org Thu Mar 13 20:07:57 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:07:57 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPUS - Together, we can make history - help the Green Party get on the ballot in all states. Message-ID: <47D9EC0D.4010601@greens.org> Together, We Can Make History! What will the American voter face at the polls this November: the same two choices they've been faced with for decades -or something new? Will they be able to choose Green? The answer depends on you. The Green Party plans to run 1,000 candidates, from the municipal to federal level this year - more Green Candidates than ever before. Our Ballot Access Committee is working with state Green Parties to make sure the voters can vote Green on their ballot in all 51 states this year. But we need your help to make it a success. We've already shown remarkable success! Last Thursday, the Green Party of Arizona turned in almost 30,000 signatures, far more than needed, to make sure the Green Party will appear on the ballot this fall. This success was possible because of significant financial support from the national Green Party, plus direct donations and tremendous volunteer assistance from Greens across the United States. "With just 3 or 4 weeks to go and only 13,000 signatures in hand, I thought we were doomed to failure!" said Richard Scott, Co-Chair Arizona Ballot Access Committee. "But it was the cooperative efforts of Greens from all over the country both in raising money and in traveling to Arizona to help collect signatures that put us over the top!" said Scott. "I can't thank all the helpers and contributors enough. We will remember this in Arizona and we will be more than willing to help the next state with their ballot drive. This shows just what we can do when we pull together." The success of the Arizona drive provides a model for supporting other drives. Texas and Virginia are our next. With your help, we can do it! Your donation will go towards financial support for state green parties trying to secure ballot lines in 2008 and supporting the goal of running 1,000 Green Party candidates across the United States in 2008. In order to do this, we need to raise money. Half of the money raised will go directly to Ballot Access campaigns and half to support the general fund. The general fund is what keeps the Green Party's doors open, and is also the source of funding for the Coordinated Campaign Committee (CCC). The CCC provides support for Green candidates nationally through campaign schools, candidate trainings, and financial and material support to Green Campaigns. Both the general fund and ballot access fund need to be increased in order to make securing ballot lines and supporting the candidates running on those lines possible. We can't do this without your help. Here's what you can do right now: 1. Donate Today simply click here: https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=1969 2. Spread the Word & Let everyone know about this historic struggle by clicking here: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=901 3. Volunteer to help with ballot access today: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/signUp.jsp?key=1737 4. And, if you aren't currently signed up for news and action alerts from the Green Party. Sign up here today: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/signUp.jsp?key=1737 The American public deserves the right to Vote Green this November. The success of Arizona proves that we can make this a reality when we work together. Please help us right now. How Green is Your Ballot? Email: office at gp.org Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREEN From updates at cagreens.org Wed Mar 26 19:58:35 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:58:35 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: US, UN must declare clean water a human right Message-ID: <47EB0D5B.4030005@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Greens urge endorsement of UN resolution declaring access to clean water a human right ? Green leaders and candidates warn of danger to ecology, public health, and security because of water privatization and effects of global warming WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders called for the US to support a United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) resolution declaring clean water a universal human right. The US and Canada are the only two nations objecting to UN recognition of the right to water. The Green Party of Canada has also called for the Canadian government to endorse the resolution (http://www.greenparty.ca/en/releases/20.03.2008), which is currently under discussion at a UNHRC session in Geneva that will end on March 28 "The Green Party endorses the principle that unadulterated fresh water must always be publicly owned and freely available for public use. We support investment in public infrastructure to ensure safe and clean fresh water supplies and in sanitation projects in the US and around the world, with the creation of new jobs in water provision and conservation," said Steve Alesch, Illinois Green candidate for Congress (District 13) (http://www.votesteve.org). Greens foresee growing international conflict over access to clean water as the global climate continues to heat up and populations continue to grow. The party urges Americans to understand that privatization of water has already resulted in greater impoverishment and public health threats in Africa and Latin America, as well as an increase in cost and lower quality of services in the US. "Trade agreements have allowed corporations to invest in poor countries by taking over publicly owned water utilities, driving up prices and restricting access," said Carol Wolman, MD, Green candidate for Congress in California's District 1 (http://www.carolwolmanforcongress.com). "People who cannot afford to pay for fresh water have sought it from unpurified sources, leading to outbreaks of dysentery, cholera, and other diseases. The Green Party has opposed privatization and has sharply criticized international trade deals like NAFTA and GATT and the antidemocratic power of the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and other authorities." Green leaders expressed fears that the US and other developed countries with high consumption levels will raid poorer nations' water supplies, comparing the situation to the takeover of agricultural land in Latin America and Africa for the benefit of the US and other developed countries and to the detriment of local economies and access to food. Many Canadians, including the Green Party of Canada, have objected to the prospect of bulk water exports to the United States under trade agreements like NAFTA and the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP). "Fresh water will become scarce in many parts of the world as glaciers and mountaintop snow vanish and rivers dry up because of global warming," said Bob Kinsey, Green candidate for the US Senate in Colorado (http://www.kinseyforsenate.org). "Breakdowns caused by flooding, droughts, and storms related to global warming will deny millions of people access to fresh water and sanitation." "The immediate effects and aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast are models for what we can expect. Fresh water supplies are already becoming stressed in the western US, with legal battles over water rights. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has embraced the exploitation of these disasters and shortages for the sake of corporate profits, and trade pacts like NAFTA have enjoyed the support of leading Democratic and Republican politicians, including presidential candidates," said Mr. Kinsey. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers For Green speakers on the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, visit http://gp.org/speakers/spp.shtml ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml Green Party Platform: section on water http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/ecology.html#753961 "Climate Change Deepening World Water Crisis" By Thalif Deen, Inter Press Service, March 22, 2008 http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41659 "Water will be source of war unless world acts now, warns minister" By Ben Russell, The Independent, March 22, 2008 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/water-will-be-source-of-war-unless-world-acts-now-warns-minister-799292.html Sierra Club page on corporate water privatization http://www.sierraclub.org/committees/cac/water/human_right/ History of the Cochabamba (Bolivia) Water Wars in 2000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochabamba_protests_of_2000 "Seeking the Water Jackpot" (Navajos water rights in southwestern states) By by Matt Jenkins, High Country News, March 17, 2008 http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=17573 ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Tue Apr 1 19:56:23 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:56:23 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPUS Release: Greens win early 2008 Elections! Message-ID: <47F2F5D7.8040605@greens.org> Greens win early 2008 Elections The 2008 election year has begun and so far the Green Party has 3 victories and on April 1 there are 20 races in contention. We currently have 235 elected Greens in the U.S. Green Party of the United States has set a goal of running over 1000 races in 2008 and achieving ballot status in as many states as possible. The Green Party is currently recognized in 21 states with Arizona likely the 22nd. On March 3, 2008 - Jill Stein won her re-election to Lexington Town Meeting Seat Precinct 2 in Middlesex County, MA. She finished second out of thirteen candidates for eight seats. On March 18 David Doonan (GPUS Web-manager) won his race for Mayor of the Village of Greenwich, NY. The CCC supported this race and made a financial contribution through GPUS to his campaign. http://www.daviddoonan.com Also on March 18 Roger Sherman won a seat as Trustee for Schuylerville, NY, located in Saratoga County. He ran unopposed in a partisan race. On April 1 we have several races. We are running twenty races in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Eleven of these are incumbents running for re-election. They include: In Massachusetts: Robert Crowner for Town Meeting Member Frank Gatti (I) is running for re-election for Town Meeting Member Eleanor Manire-Gatti for Town Meeting Member Vincent O'Connor (I) is running for re-election for Town Meeting Member In Wisconsin: Robert Browne for Board of Supervisors David Conley for Board of Supervisors Greg David for Board of Supervisors Bobby Gifford for County Board John Hardin (I) is running for re-election to Board of Supervisors John Hendrick (I) is running for re-election to Board of Supervisors Kathryn Kienholz for County Board Eric Krszjzaniek for County Board Wyndham Manning for Board of Supervisors Al Matano for Board of Supervisors Jeff Peterson (I) is running for re-election to Board of Supervisors John Rendall (I) is running for re-election to Board of Supervisors Kyle Richmond (I) is running for re-election to Board of Supervisors Robert Ryan (I) is running for County Board Barbara Vedder (I) is running for re-election to Board of Supervisors Annie Woodward for County Board You can learn more about these candidates at: http://www.gp.org/elections/candidates/index.php Ballot Access struggle continues in Hawaii The Ballot Access Committee this past week approved a disbursement of $2,000 to the Green Party of Hawaii to assist with their ballot drive. They have decided to call in Charlie Howe, our crack petitioner, who once upon a time was a door to door salesman in Hawaii! While the signature requirement there is low on paper - under 700 - the Secretary of State in Hawaii is notorious for throwing out 70% + of all signatures, so 2,500-3,000 signatures are needed to be safe. Further complicating the situation is that getting from one island to another requires a flight that's $100+ round-trip, and much of our core base is on less populated islands while 70% of the population is on Oahu. What looked like an easy situation on paper proved to be difficult in practice, but we should be able to make it. Their deadline is April 3, and once they secure ballot access, it'll be good for 10 years before they have to petition again. Ballot drives are also known to be underway in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. Texas can't start circulating yet, and North Carolina we're hoping for a favorable ruling in court. After Hawaii, the next deadlines are for big states with bigger requirements, esp. North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Virginia. We need more money to be able to do something for these states and the states that follow. Please let your state parties know that GPUS is making a difference on the Ballot Access front, and we need support from Greens across the country to be able to do more! The Green Party plans to run 1,000 candidates, from the municipal to federal level this year - more Green Candidates than ever before. Our Ballot Access Committee is working with state Green Parties to make sure the voters can vote Green on their ballot in all 51 states this year. But we need your help to make it a success. We can't do this without your help. Here's what you can do right now: 1. Donate Today - We are half way to our first goal of $10,000 please help: https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=1969 2. Spread the Word & Let everyone know about this historic struggle: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=901 3. Volunteer to help with ballot access today: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/signUp.jsp?key=1737 4. And, click the link if you aren't already signed up for GreenLine and Action Alerts from the Green Party: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/signUp.jsp?key=1736 The American public deserves the right to Vote Green this November. For more information on the Ballot Access Committee drive please go to: http://www.gp.org/committees/ballot/fundraising.shtml Live Green Vote! Green! Green Party Convention in Chicago July 10-14 The 2008 Green Party of the United States Presidential Nominating Convention and Annual Meeting is being held in Chicago IL from July 10-14th. The headquarter hotel being the Palmer House Hilton is a great historic landmark right in the heart of downtown. Our nominating convention is being held at the Chicago Symphony Center just around the corner from the hotel. Please visit the following link for more information on how to register http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml Every year GPUS creates a program that allows attendees the ability to learn from some of the best activists on the ground both from workshops and from the various panel discussions and speakers brought in. In years past we have held several Green campaign schools at the meetings, as well as an array of issues covered from racism to green living. In years past we have had some amazing speakers such as Frank Zeidler, former Socialist Mayor of Milwaukee, Manning Marable, Jim Hightower and Helen Caldicott. The Annual National Meeting Committee, the Illinois Green Party and the various Cook County locals are all looking forward to you coming to Chicago. Live Green Vote Green!!! The Merchandise Committee is pleased to offer an array of t-shirts, hats, totebags, buttons, embroidered patches and more. Check out our brand new union made baseball caps and our new Sunflower shirts with the four pillars on the back, en espanol. Get ready for fall campaigns with our brand new campaign kits and tabling kits. Available at Green Online Store: https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=4 Register Green. Vote Green. Give Green. The Green Party does not accept corporate donations. We depend entirely on donations from people who are committed to building a powerful and progressive alternative to the two corporate parties. We ask you to challenge corporate influence in politics by supporting the Green Party of the United States! Show your resistance to the status quo by enabling us to continue organizing and mobilizing for real change. Please help us get out our positive, progressive values to new communities, and to deepen our involvement where we're already anchored. Support us today and please consider becoming a sustainer (look for the recurring donation option). https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?dona%0A%0Ate_page_KEY=64 Green Party online shopping just got easier! Visit our improved online store. https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/shop.jsp?storef%0A%0Aront_KEY=4 Americans are ready for Change America is ready for the Green Party's message. But we need your help in bringing the message to the American people! Donate now to the Green Party https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?dona%0A%0Ate_page_KEY=64 Make your friends GREEN with envy. Become a card-carrying Green today! Buy Your Green Party Card Online https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=1434 The latest, coolest item in the wallets of progressives is the personalized Green Party Card. For $36.00 a year* you can be a card-carrying Green. When you become an active supporter of the Green Party of the United States, you'll receive our spanking-new card, which shows the world that you stand committed to time-honored progressive values like liberty, equality, democracy, social justice, personal responsibility and focus on the future. In addition, you will receive a Green Party button and bumper sticker, a one-year subscription to Green Pages, plus all of the information you need to get involved and active as a Green. Half of your contribution will be shared with your state's Green Party. The Future is Green! ------------- Federal law requires political committees to use their best effort to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer for each individual whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. Contributions form the following individuals and entities are prohibited: corporations, labor organizations, national banks, government contractors, people under 18 years of age, and foreign nationals. *$36.00 is roughly equivalent to the $1.00 paid for a one-year membership in the Populist Party of the 1890s. The Populist Party was a multiracial, progressive, grassroots third party of working people which agitated for many popular progressive reforms. The Green Party of the 21st century continues the Populist's fight for citizen empowerment and progressive reforms at all levels today. From updates at cagreens.org Mon Apr 7 18:31:29 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:31:29 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] =?windows-1252?q?NEWS_ADVISORY=3A_Green_Party_side?= =?windows-1252?q?s__with_=91Grandma=27s_house=2C=27_and_not_developers_re?= =?windows-1252?q?=3A_Prop_98=2699?= Message-ID: <47FACAF1.1030008@greens.org> News Advisory THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, April 7, 2008 Green Party State Convention delegates side with ?Grandma's house,' and not developers in eminent domain duel on June ballot BERKELEY, Ca. (April 7, 2008) ? The Green Party of California ? meeting here Saturday and Sunday at its State Convention ? voted to side with homeowners and local governments to prohibit eminent domain abuse by approving resolutions opposing Prop. 98 and supporting Prop. 99 on the June ballot. Greens also approved resolutions calling for bans on cloned animals and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and the support of "Green Chemistry" to help the environment. Delegates to the convention, held at UC Berkeley, agreed by consensus that the expansion of eminent domain ? normally reserved for "public uses" that include such things parks, schools and roads ? to now include seizing homes for transfer to a developer is an abuse of eminent domain. "We oppose Prop. 98 because it has hidden agendas that threaten local land use planning and environmental protections and was deliberately crafted to challenge affordable housing policies, including the elimination of rent control and eviction protections.," said Alameda Green Lisa Stephens, a member of the Berkeley Rent Board. Conversely, in support of Prop. 99, Greens said it is a real eminent domain reform measure intended to constitutionally protect homeowners without the hidden agendas and adverse consequences of Prop. 98. "Prop. 99 will prohibit government from using eminent domain to take a home to transfer to a private developer. It is an alternative for homeowners, environmentalists, labor, cities and counties, and will prevent ?Grandma's house' from being razed to build condos or a Wal-Mart parking lot," said Stephens. The GPCA also called for warning labels on products using GMOs or cloned animals, and wants to require the USDA to alert counties, and neighboring farmers if GMOs are being used in their areas. Greens would also require the source biotechnology corporation be legally accountable for any "genetic pollution." A new plank approved by the GPCA would deal with "Green Chemistry," which is the design and use of "chemicals, processes and products that are safer for human and environmental health (to prevent) hazardous exposures." From updates at cagreens.org Wed Apr 9 19:03:32 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:03:32 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] ADVISORY: Green's bid for congress falls short; says war, healthcare and education still in play Message-ID: <47FD7574.9050801@greens.org> News Advisory THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Green Party candidate's bid for congressional seat falls short, but he says the war, health care and education are still in play SAN FRANCISCO, Ca. (April 9, 2008) ? Green Party candidate Barry Hermanson's bid to replace the late Rep. Tom Lantos in Congress (CD 12, San Francisco/San Mateo) fell short Tuesday, but Hermanson came within a few hundred votes of beating a Republican, and said the issues he ran on ? the war, health care and education ? are still in play. "I want to end the war, reduce Pentagon spending, provide greater funding for education and provide health care to all. Does Jackie Speier?" said Hermanson. "I (ran) for Congress because 60 percent of the U.S. discretionary budget is now being devoted to the military. And that's wrong." Speier, a career Democratic Party politician, won the Special Election with 77.93 percent, followed by fellow Democrat Michelle T. McMurry. Republicans Greg Conlon and Mike Moloney were next, just ahead of Hermanson. But in San Francisco County, Hermanson garnered nearly 800 votes, or about 5 percent. Moloney had slightly over 6 percent and Conlon 7.2 percent. "This is another election where our candidate held his own, despite overwhelming odds and big corporate money that allowed Ms. Speier to win this election. Mr. Hermanson's agenda, including ending the war now and providing health care for all, is still more progressive than Ms. Speier," said Dr. Robert Vizzard, an emergency room physician and Green Party of California spokesperson. "We can only hope that, as the U.S. remains mired in Iraq and people continue to suffer from our poor health care system, voters will come to understand that the Green Party, and candidates like Mr. Hermanson, are the real choice for peace and prosperity," said Vizzard. For more information: www.barryhermanson.org or www.cagreens.org. From updates at cagreens.org Tue Apr 22 19:53:40 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:53:40 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP ADVISORY: US Greens attend Global Greens Congress in Brazil, May 1-4 Message-ID: <480EA4B4.5050707@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 US Green Party sends delegation to the Second Global Greens Congress in S?o Paulo, Brazil, May 1-4 ? Green presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney is scheduled to speak at the conference on May 2 ? More than 800 delegates from over 80 countries in six continents will attend, with large delegations from Africa and the Asia-Pacific Region WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States will send six delegates to the Second Global Greens Congress, to take place in S?o Paulo, Brazil, May 1-4, 2008 (http://www.globalgreens.org). The US Green delegates are Mike Feinstein (former Mayor of Santa Monica, California), Marnie Glickman (Oregon), and Julia Willebrand (New York). Alternate delegates will also attend: John Rensenbrink (Maine), Bahram Zandi (Maryland), and Justine McCabe (Connecticut). Ms. Willebrand and Ms. McCabe are co-chairs of the Green Party's International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl). Ms. Willebrand and Mr. Feinstein are helping to organize the Global Greens meeting, serving on the steering and financial committees of the event. Several other US Greens will also attend the Global Greens Congress, including Lynne Serpe, one of the organizers of the party's 2008 National Nomination Convention, set for Chicago, July 10-13. "The Global Greens meeting together in Sao Paul may justly lay claim to be one of the only federations of political parties in the world that unites in one integrated whole the aspirations of the peoples of the world for ecological sanity, social justice, democracy, and an end to militarism," said Mr. Rensenbrink, a principal founder of the Global Green Network, a communication channel for all the Green Parties in the world. Cynthia McKinney, candidate for the Green Party's presidential nomination (http://www.runcynthiarun.org) and a former US Congresswoman from Georgia, is scheduled to deliver a plenary speech on Friday, May 2. Ms. McKinney is one of four Green presidential candidates; the others are Jesse Johnson (http://www.jesse08.org), Kent Mesplay (http://www.mesplay.org), and Kat Swift (http://www.voteswift.org). Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza-Curry is running for the Green vice-presidential nomination. The Global Greens Agenda The Global Greens is the international network of officially recognized Green parties and green political movements. Its mission is to promote the Global Green Charter (http://www.globalgreens.info/globalcharter.html) among Green Parties throughout the world, as well as kindred green groups and society at-large; to stimulate and facilitate action on matters of global consequence; and to deepen communication among Greens everywhere. The Green Party of the United States is also an active participant in the Federation of the Green Parties of the Americas (http://www.fpva.org.mx). More than 800 delegates from over 80 countries in six continents have registered for the Congress, with large delegations from Africa and the Asia-Pacific Region. The program for the Global Greens meeting (http://www.globalgreens.org/brazil2008/working_draft_program) features a wide range of events, including a dedication to Ingrid Betancourt, Colombian Green presidential candidate who was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2002 and is still being held; plenary discussions on the global climate crisis, biodiversity, sustainable cities, and the future of the Global Greens; and approval of a Global Green climate change action plan. The US Green delegation will lead a workshop during the conference on the relationships among the Green Party of the United States and other Green Parties around the world, with a focus on the US Green role as the main opposition party to the US two-party political establishment and current US foreign policies (http://plan21.globalgreens.org/node/48), and US Green Party responsibilities in the world at large and in relation to other Green Parties. The Congress will be officially opened by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Prominent Green politicians at the meeting include European Green Party Co-Spokespersons Ulrike Lunacek and Philippe Lamberts; Reinhard Buetikofer, Co-Chair of the German Green Party; Canadian Green Party leader Elizabeth May; Senator Bob Brown, leader of the Australian Greens; and several prominent Brazilian Green leaders. A media room at the Congress venue will be provided for journalists covering the event, and media and communications officers will be on hand to assist reporters and facilitate interviews with key participants. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ? Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml ? Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml Second Global Greens Congress, S?o Paulo, Brazil, May 1-4, 2008 http://www.globalgreens.org ? Program of events http://www.globalgreens.org/brazil2008/working_draft_program ? Global Green Charter http://www.globalgreens.info/globalcharter.html ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Fri Apr 25 19:00:23 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:00:23 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] NEWS: Green Party officials opposing pesticide spray Message-ID: <48128CB7.2080801@greens.org> News Advisory THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org EARTH DAY: Green Party elected supervisor, mayor, city councilor, lead battle opposing $74 million state plan to spray pesticides to kill Light Brown Apple Moth BERKELEY, Ca. (April 22, 2008) ? Green Party elected officials in Bay Area cities are helping oppose a $74 million plan by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to conduct aerial spraying of a pheromone pesticide to eradicate the Light Brown Apple Moth, scheduled to start this summer. Greens have authored resolutions against the spray and are participating in lawsuits against it. More than 30 cities have now officially opposed the spraying that Greens describe as "a hazard to human health." San Francisco Supervisor and Green Ross Mirkarimi ? who described the spraying as a "neutron bomb effect" ? was applauded when he introduced a resolution opposing the spraying campaign, which passed unanimously last week at the SF Board of Supervisors meeting. Mirkarimi's San Francisco resolution calls for a long-term study by the state of the health and environmental impacts of the spraying already conducted in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties in 2007 in which over 600 residents reported adverse health outcomes, and support for state legislation requiring the consent of residents before any aerial spraying. In Berkeley, District 4 City Councilmember Dona Spring, a Green, authoreda resolution against the spray campaign and backed a lawsuit. "We've got expert testimony that it would pose a hazard to human health so it's going to be done over some dead bodies," Spring said. And Richmond Mayor and Green Party member Gayle McLaughlin co-sponsored a resolution against the spray for the City of Richmond, calling it "expensive and ineffective." In an interview she stated, "It's very clear there are many other ways to address this." The Green Party's philosophy of local control and grassroots democracy may help resolve the spray controversy in favor of local public health officials, who have expressed concern and recommend using other methods. Public Health Directors in Alameda County and Santa Cruz County have even posted letters to state officials calling for consideration of different and less toxic alternatives. However, state health officials believe the spray is safe, and are willing to put profits over public health, even over protest from other public health officials. From updates at cagreens.org Mon May 5 19:58:54 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 19:58:54 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPUS -- Greens win 60% of races this year Message-ID: <481FC96E.7030801@greens.org> In late 2006 Brent McMillan, Political Director of GPUS did an analysis of each states history of fielding candidates. He used this information to set up a challenge for each state. Based on the past ability to field candidates what would a field of one thousand candidates look like on a state by state basis. You can find his results at http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml under the heading "1000 Candidate Challenge 2008". This is only a suggested challenge for each state to commit to running candidates to fulfill this challenge. Many states have taken up this challenge though. On Tuesday April 1st Greens ran for office in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Greens won 13 of the 22 races run so far this year - that is 60%. There are more to come yet in this cycle. Watch GreenLine for updates. In Massachusetts: On March 3, Jill Stein (I) won her re-election to Town Meeting Seat in Lexington, MA On Tuesday April 1st, Robert Crowner and Vincent O'Conner (I) won their elections for Town Meeting Seat in Amherst, MA. In Wisconsin: Robert Browne (I) won his re-election to Douglas County Board of Supervisors, District 2, WI. David Conley (I) won his re-election to Douglas County Board of Supervisors, District 25, WI. Greg David (I) won his re-election to Jefferson County Board of Supervisors. District 3, WI. John Hardin (I) won his re-election to Barron County Board of Supervisors, District 2, WI. John Hendrick (I) won his re-election to Dane County Board of Supervisors, District 6, WI. Kathy Kienholz won her election to Polk County Board of Supervisors, District 6, WI. Wyndham Manning won his election to Dane County Board of Supervisors, District 5, WI. John Rendall (I) won his re-election to Portage County Board District 19, WI. Kyle Richmond (I) won his re-election to Dane County Board of Supervisors, District 27, WI. Barbara Vedder (I) won her re-election to Dane County Board of Supervisors, District 2, WI. It's Official - Arizona Green Party to Appear on Ballot Arizona Green Party was officially recognized as a political party in Arizona on April 8, 2008 making it the 4th political party in Arizona (Libertarians are the third). Thanks go out to the tireless efforts of local Green activists as well as those folks who traveled to Arizona to help with the petition drive. Additionally, Arizona Greens owe thanks to all those who donated to help pay for last minute professionals to help put us over the top and special thanks to the Ballot Access Committee for early financial support. The Arizona success is a glowing example of how Green Party cooperation can help make the seemingly impossible - possible. Ballot Access efforts are underway in Texas and Arizona has already sent people to help with the signature gathering drive their. You are all encouraged to help in whatever way you can to insure as many ballot lines as possible for the 2008 election cycle. Green Mayor Brings Open Government to Greenwich, NY David Doonan was considering a run for public office last year, but not necessarily for Mayor. But when then Mayor Chris McCormick, was quoted in the local paper as saying "things are easier to get done when the public doesn't show up" Doonan knew he had to run. "That was really the turning point for me". Doonan said, "People felt like they were shut out of the process, that decisions were being made without public input". Doonan made Open Government the central issue of his campaign. It turns out that was the right focus. Doonan won the election with more than 70 percent of the vote. The incumbent, running for a Trustee position, garnered only 8 percent. Since taking office on April 7th, Mayor Doonan has already lived up to his promise to make Greenwich, NY's government more open and accountable. He has instituted video taping of all Village Council meetings which will then be available on-line. He's also added a Mayors report so that the public knows what he does and what he is responsible for. Doonan, a freelance web designer (Doonan is webmanager for the Green Party of the United States), maintains a list of his clients on his campaign website. "Many elected officials in NY who have second jobs do not disclose who their clients are, leaving the potential for graft. Publishing my client list is one way to ensure transparency when it comes to awarding village contracts. This is one way to counter the traditional power structure". Doonan says that building community participation and public service were central to his campaign and to his job as Mayor. "If I had won the Mayor's race, but had not persuaded others to step up and run for office, I would have considered it a failure. But I got two people to run, and they are now serving with me as Village Trustees". He's also convinced community members to join the zoning board of appeals. Besides winning the Mayor's race, Doonan's campaign had the added benefit of creating a new Green Party local which meets monthly. When asked what advice he has for prospective Green Candidates, Doonan stresses the need to focus on local issues that effect the community you're running in. "Not that you should hide from the larger issues, I kept a 'Bring the Troops Home' sign in my yard during my entire campaign, but find out what the local issues are. You won't win if you don't address local concerns. "Also, let them know who you are. My race was officially non-partisan, but I campaigned with a Green Party button the whole time. I never shied away from the fact that I was a Green Party member, the webmanager for the Green Party, and also a member of the IWW". Doonan included a union bug at the bottom of his website. He thinks it is particularly important for Greens to include union bugs on their campaign materials. "If we want to get labor union endorsements, we need to show that we support organized labor". Doonan received financial support for his campaign from both the GPUS Coordinated Campaign Committee's campaign grant program and the Green Party of New York. Live Green! Vote Green! Showing how it's truly done! With barely three months left the 2008 Nominating Convention and Annual Meeting plans are stepping up. Please visit the convention website at http://www.greenparty2008.org for all information related to the convention including transportation and lodging sharing boards, please register now for only $225, which includes 3 meals, before the price goes up on June 15th. The Convention and Annual Meeting is being held in Chicago Illinois from July 10-13 in a most exciting downtown theater district, it promises to be a great time. Our headquarters and main venue location is the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, a beautiful historic landmark built in 1871. Please visit http://www.hiltonfamilychicago.com for more information related to the hotel's amenities and photos. Please note that they have offered a group rate for our convention attendees at $205 a night for a single plus tax and $230 for doubles. Again, visit http:///www.greenparty2008.org for room share boards. This is an excellent rate for the theater area in downtown Chicago in July and the Annual National Meeting Committee urges you to reserve now to assist in keeping the meeting costs down. Please call them directly at 1 877 865 5321 and make sure you mention the group code GRP and the Green Party by name. The hotel is right around the corner from the Chicago Symphony Center, the location of the nominating convention, another historic landmark built in 1904. Please visit http://www.cso.org for photos and other information. Beyond the nomination of one of these fine presidential candidates: Jesse Johnson at http://jesse08.org, Cynthia McKinney at http://www.runcynthiarun.org, Kent Mesplay at http://www.mesplay.org and Kat Swift at http://www.voteswift.org on Saturday, the weekend has much to offer from amazing speakers such as Malik Rahim former Black Panther and Green Party candidate, long time community activist on various social justice issues. Malik also co-founded the Common Ground Collective/Relief, an organization that provides short term relief to victims of hurricane disasters in the gulf region. Please visit http://www.commongroundrelief.org/ for more information. Another amazing activist speaking at the convention is our own Steering Committee member Cliff Thornton Jr. a long time social justice activist who has done much work on drug policy reform. Please visit http://www.efficacy-online.org/ for more information on his work. The workshop selection will be top notch, with expert activists from across the country discussing an array of issues. From foreign policy issues related to the Middle East and Iran, working toward immigrant and LGBTQ rights or to how to campaign on a shoestring budget, attendees have the ability for much education and continued learning. Do not forget about the Green nightlife. We have wonderful international reception planned for early Thursday evening to welcome our fellow Greens from across the seven continents. In 2004 we had over 40 international guests representing at least 15 countries. Friday evening plans include hearing from our candidates with Saturday being more of a celibration. The city of Chicago has a lot to offer as well, from live music, theater, outdoor gardens and walks along Lake Michigan, there is always something to do. Again, please visit http://www.greenparty2008.org to register and for all information regarding the convention. Support the Green Party buy from Online Store The Merchandise Committee is pleased to offer an array of t-shirts, hats, totebags, buttons, embroidered patches and more. Check out our brand new union made baseball caps and our new Sunflower shirts with the four pillars on the back, en espanol. Get ready for fall campaigns with our brand new campaign kits and tabling kits. Available at Green Online Store: https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=4 Register Green. Vote Green. Give Green. The Green Party does not accept corporate donations. We depend entirely on donations from people who are committed to building a powerful and progressive alternative to the two corporate parties. We ask you to challenge corporate influence in politics by supporting the Green Party of the United States! Show your resistance to the status quo by enabling us to continue organizing and mobilizing for real change. Please help us get out our positive, progressive values to new communities, and to deepen our involvement where we're already anchored. Support us today and please consider becoming a sustainer (look for the recurring donation option). https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?dona%0A%0Ate_page_KEY=64 Green Party online shopping just got easier! Visit our improved online store. https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/shop.jsp?storef%0A%0Aront_KEY=4 Americans are ready for Change America is ready for the Green Party's message. But we need your help in bringing the message to the American people! Donate now to the Green Party https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?dona%0A%0Ate_page_KEY=64 Make your friends GREEN with envy. Become a card-carrying Green today! Buy Your Green Party Card Online https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=1434 The latest, coolest item in the wallets of progressives is the personalized Green Party Card. For $36.00 a year* you can be a card-carrying Green. When you become an active supporter of the Green Party of the United States, you'll receive our spanking-new card, which shows the world that you stand committed to time-honored progressive values like liberty, equality, democracy, social justice, personal responsibility and focus on the future. In addition, you will receive a Green Party button and bumper sticker, a one-year subscription to Green Pages, plus all of the information you need to get involved and active as a Green. Half of your contribution will be shared with your state's Green Party. The Future is Green! ------------- Federal law requires political committees to use their best effort to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer for each individual whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. Contributions form the following individuals and entities are prohibited: corporations, labor organizations, national banks, government contractors, people under 18 years of age, and foreign nationals. *$36.00 is roughly equivalent to the $1.00 paid for a one-year membership in the Populist Party of the 1890s. The Populist Party was a multiracial, progressive, grassroots third party of working people which agitated for many popular progressive reforms. 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Paid for by the Green Party of the United States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Green Line is the monthly e-newsletter of the Green Party of the United States PO Box 57065 Washington, DC 20037 866-41GREEN or 202-319-7191 From updates at cagreens.org Wed May 7 18:48:40 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 18:48:40 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Eco-Action plan for a Green President's first 100 days Message-ID: <48225BF8.6070609@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Greens introduce a plan for environmental action for a Green President's first 100 days in office ? Green Party seeks bans on mountaintop removal and coal-fired and nuclear power plants, introduces an aggressive plan to curb global warming ? An environmental program for Green presidential candidates -- and a challenge to Democrats and Republicans WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party's Eco-Action Committee has announced a set of recommendations for environmental actions for the first 100 days of a Green presidency. Titled "First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy" and posted online (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf), the recommended executive orders and legislation are addressed to the Green Party's national candidates. Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mespllay, and Kat Swift are the four contenders for the Green presidential nomination; Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza-Curry is seeking the vice-presidential nomination. The Green Party of the United States will hold its 2008 National Nominating Convention in Chicago, Illinois, July 10-13 (http://www.greenparty2008.org). "We're not only sending the 'First 100 Days' list to Green candidates. The Green Eco-Action recommendations are a challenge to all presidential candidates, regardless of party, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain -- with a plea to set aside their promises to corporate contributors for the sake of our children's lives and our planet's future," said Wes Rolley, co-chair of the Eco-Action Committee. "The Green Party's concrete proposals stand in sharp contrast to those who would base their election on such short term ideas as a gasoline tax holiday, which they would have to pay for with more borrowing from oil rich sheikdoms," Mr. Rolley added. The Eco-Action recommendations also provide guidance on major environmental issues for Green candidates for Congress and other offices. Summary of major recommendations: ? No new coal fired-power plants; no new nuclear power plants; reduce by 90% the mercury emissions of coal-fired power plants by 2012; protect human health and the environment.in the disposal of coal-fired power plant wastes ? Ban mountaintop coal removal; ban the dumping of mountaintop removal wastes in stream beds and valleys ? Reduce CO2 and SO2 emissions by 80% by 2020 ? Provide incentives for industry and citizens to reduce energy use through conservation and generate more renewable energy sources; enact a mandatory 25% renewable energy mix in the national grid by 2015; encourage all states to do the same (using oil and nuclear subsidy funds); encouraging local energy generation ? Increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 60 mpg for cars and 45 mpg for light trucks by 2012 ? Set a national phosphorus standard for all US waters that will protect steams from nutrient growth; strengthen bacteria standards to protect human health ? Require labeling of imported foods, foods with growth hormones, and foods produced by Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) ? Stop export of any technology abroad for projects that involve fossil fuel or deforestation ? Require that all federal agencies continue their policy of direct negotiation with Indian tribes on a government to government basis ? Protect the rights of Environmental Justice communities to be free from new proposals for permits that would potentially increase their burden of toxic contamination, and prioritize these communities for cleanup The Eco-Action Committee credited Earl Hatley of Oklahoma with most of the writing of the recommendations, with significant contributions from Derek Iverson (California) and detailed discussion among all committee members. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml ? Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml Green presidential candidates: ? Jesse Johnson http://www.jesse08.org ? Cynthia McKinney http://www.runcynthiarun.org ? Kent Mesplay http://www.mesplay.org ? Kat Swift http://www.voteswift.org ? Vice-presidential candidate: Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza-Curry http://curry08.wetpaint.com Green Party Eco-Action Committee http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Wed May 14 18:40:17 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 18:40:17 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: Farm Bill must help small farmers, not giant agribusinesses Message-ID: <482B9481.5080307@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Greens urge defeat of current Farm Bill, urge legislation to assist small local farms instead of big agribusiness ? Main Street, not Wall Street: Green Party calls for bill to assist local economies, promote local production of nutritious food, and end hunger in the US and around the world WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders called for national defeat of the $300 billion Farm Bill, calling it a capitulation to major agribusiness interests and a blow to small farmers. "While the bill contains a funding for nutrition and some environmental reforms, the bill would provide huge subsidies for powerful agricultural corporations, giving them greater power to crush and absorb family farms," said Rodger Jennings, Green candidate for Congress (http://www.rodgerjennings.org) in District 12 of Illinois, a large part of which is farm land. "Corporate welfare will not solve the world food crisis." The bill, which comes up for renewal every five years, is the result of a House-Senate compromise and has strong bipartisan support, especially from Democratic leadership. Congress is expected to vote on it in July. Greens drew attention to several problems with the current bill: ? The bill provides no real relief for US counties with the highest rates of poverty, since subsidies mainly benefit the wealthy owners of corporate farms. ? The bill grants subsidies for crops like corn, wheat, cotton, rice and soybeans -- US imports dumped into poorer countries, hurting subsistence farmers in these countries and hindering farmers in other countries from competing in international markets. When prices for food plummet as a result, local farms fail and are replaced by giant agribusinesses, and poverty increases. ? The bill does not support cultivation of fruits and vegetables, and instead promotes an economy that encourages cheap calories and drives up the price of nutritious foods, aggravating obesity and other health problems. ? The bill encourages production of sugar and corn to be used for ethanol, which Greens call an inefficient replacement for fossil fuels; the rise in ethanol-based energy has converted land that could be used for food production into a source of fuel. This conversion has caused economic and food supply crises in several African countries, as agricultural land now benefits the high energy-consumption demands of the US and other western nations. ? The richest 5% of US farm owners would win more than half of the bill's federal subsidies. Black farmers complain that they would be excluded from the subsidies program. "The Green Party urges passage of legislation that would strengthen small, locally owned farms and give them protection against the takeover of land by giant agricultural corporations. We support strong local economies, with farms that provide nutritious food and numerous financial benefits for the surrounding community," said Carol Brouillet, California Green candidate for the US House in District 14 (http://www.communitycurrency.org). "The current bill favors Wall Street. Greens support Main Street. We need a farm bill that will replace hunger with abundant nutritious organic food, help family farms, and promote locally based economic development and self-reliance," added Jason Wallace, Green Candidate for Congress in Illinois' largely agricultural 11th District (http://www.electwallace.us). MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/forms/media Bread for the World: "How to Improve the Farm Bill" http://www.bread.org/take-action/farm-bill-ol2007/how-to-improve-the-farm-bill.html ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Thu May 15 19:34:24 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 19:34:24 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPUS -- One hundred Green letters by May 31! Message-ID: <482CF2B0.5070204@greens.org> One hundred Green letters by May 31! (Please forward this as widely as possible to Green Party members & friends) The Media Committee challenges Greens all over to put the Green Party and our candidates on the media map! Our goal is to see ONE HUNDRED letters to the editor sent by Greens to newspapers throughout the US by the end of May. If enough letters get sent, a good percentage will get published, and hundreds of thousands -- maybe millions -- of voters will read about the Green Party and Green candidates. If you'd rather submit an op-ed column or an article to the newspaper of your choice, that's fine too! What should you write about? It's up to you: ? Your favorite Green candidate for President of the United States ? Your favorite Green candidate for the US House, US Senate, state legislature, county commissioner, city council, mayor, school board, or any other office ? The upcoming Green National Convention in Chicago, July 10-13 ? The Green Party's demand for immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq ? The Green Party's demand for real action on global warming, rather than ineffective corporate-friendly half measures ? The Green Party's support for single-payer national health care ? Another Green Party position that you consider important ? Anything else you can think of about the Green Party or Green candidates! Here are some suggestions: ? Keep your letter concise & focused. Five or six sentences is good, but in most larger newspapers, anything longer is in danger of getting edited or immediately rejected. In many local papers, they'll be happy to print a longer letter. Op-eds & articles can be longer, too. Check the newspaper's guidelines on submissions. ? Use the word GREEN at least once, preferably a few times, so it's clear that your favorite candidate is a Green candidate, or the position you're espousing is a Green position. Mention that you're a Green Party member and try to work in the web site of the national party (gp.org) or your local or state party. ? If you can, use a personal angle. For example, if a family member can't pay a medical bill or is on the front line in Iraq, it might be worth mentioning in a letter to the editor about the Green Party's position on health care or the war. ? Respond to an already published article or column. For example, a recent column in The Progressive by Adolph Reed (May 2008 issue, http://www.progressive.org/mag_reed0508) on why he isn't supporting Barack Obama deserves a Green reply: why doesn't Mr. Reed mention the Green presidential candidates? ? Read "How to Place an Op-Ed or Letter in the Top 100 US Newspapers" http://theopedproject.org/content/view/8/8/ Start writing letters! If you get published, let us know -- and post it on Green Party discussion lists too, so other Greens can read it too. Scott McLarty mclarty at greens.org Media Committee Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org From updates at cagreens.org Mon May 19 19:07:43 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 19:07:43 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] RELEASE: CA Greens trumpet gay marriage decision, ask where other political parties have been... Message-ID: <4832326F.7050202@greens.org> News Advisory THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, May 19, 2008 Green Party of California trumpets support for gay marriage decision, asks other political parties where they've been for the past 15 years? SAN FRANCISCO, Ca. (May 19, 2008) ? The Green Party of California ? which, unlike the other national political parties, has strongly advocated for the legalization of same-sex marriage for more than 15 years ? heralded the California Supreme Court's decision late last week to finally legalize the marriage of couples of the same sex. "The Los Angeles LGBT Greens welcome the decision to make same sex marriage legal in California. The Green Party of California has had this objective in its Platform for many, many years, and it has been supported by Green Party presidential candidates consistently during this time," said Shane Que Hee, LA LGBT Greens facilitator. But, while same-sex couples could tie the knot in about a month, a state ballot measure may change everything in November. "We caution our LGBTIQ communities that we must still fight the Initiative for Constitutional Amendment to ban same sex marriage in the State Election in November of this year, and that the California Green Party and our national party must continue to demand LGBTIQ rights. Much needs to be done," Que Hee added. Greens note it was a Republican ? not Democratic Party ? dominated high court that struck down state laws, by a 4-3 vote, and said domestic partnerships were not enough. Massachusetts is the only other state to legalize gay marriage -- in 2004. The GPCA Platform goes even further than the decision. It calls not just for the "freedom" to marry "without discrimination, based on sex, gender or sexual orientation," but for non-discriminatory laws regarding the right for children to be cared for "in loving homes," equal education and care rights, and the right of "intersex and transgender individuals to be free of coercion and involuntary assignment of gender or sex." More can be found at: www.cagreens.org/platform/platform_justice.shtml#sogige -30- From updates at cagreens.org Thu May 29 19:59:04 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 19:59:04 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: Dem health plans designed to benefit corporate sponsors] Message-ID: <483F6D78.2080707@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 29, 2008 Democrats' health care reform plans are designed to satisfy corporate backers, not solve the health care crisis, say Greens ? Green candidates call Single-Payer/Medicare For All the only plan to help working Americans who need care most ? Corporate campaign money and sponsorship of Dem and GOP conventions will banish real health care and campaign finance reform, say Greens WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders and candidates said today that the health care reform plans offered by Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are designed to benefit insurance and pharmaceutical corporations -- including contributors to their own campaigns -- rather than American people who need coverage and treatment. The Green Party and its candidates strongly support the Single-Payer national health care plan, also called Medicare For All (http://www.gp.org/organize/sicko.html). "Anyone who believes that Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama will offer real reform in the next administration has been misled by the Democratic Party leadership and their shills in the media. Ms. Clinton and Mr. Obama are among the highest recipients of money from insurance firms, HMOs, and drug manufacturers [source: Center for Responsive Politics, http://www.opensecrets.org]," said Jody Grage, treasurer of the Green Party of the United States. "Except for a handful who are marginalized by their own party, most Democratic candidates are running to prevent real health care reform. They intend to keep control over our health care in the hands of corporate insurance firms and HMOs who make their profits by denying treatment. That's why over 45 million Americans don't have health coverage and millions more can't get the treatment they need even though they have insurance," said Ms. Grage. Ms. Clinton's $110-billion-per-year 'mandatory coverage' plan would offer a gigantic subsidy for the HMO-insurance industry, while shifting the burden -- and the blame for lack of coverage -- onto people who desperately need health care. Mr. Obama rejects the Single-Payer option and has promised that his plan would sustain the HMO and insurance industry. Greens noted that the 2008 Democratic and Republican national conventions will be funded by numerous corporate sponsors seeking favors from the next White House and Congress ("DNC sponsorships raise questions on motivations," Rocky Mountain News, March 12, 2008, http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/may/12/dnc-sponsorships-raise-questions-on-motivations/). The Green Party, which accepts no corporate contributions, will hold its national convention in Chicago, July 10-13 (http://www.greenparty2008.org). The candidates for the Green presidential nomination -- Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift -- all support Single-Payer. "There's no incentive for either Democrats or Republicans to pursue real campaign finance reform and get corporate money out of politics and public policy, because they both benefit from the current system. The only way to shock the system and get real reform is by voting for Greens, giving a noncorporate party seats in Congress and state legislatures, and showing the Democrats that they can't take their seats for granted," said Bob Kinsey, Colorado Green candidate for the US Senate (http://www.kinseyforsenate.org). "Greens are the only party with the solution for the health care crisis. Democrats and Republicans have nothing to offer when it comes to health care, except more denial of treatment, more financial ruin for working Americans who suffer a serious emergency, and big bucks for corporate cronies," Mr. Kinsey added. The Single-Payer/Medicare For All would guarantee every American health care regardless of age, income, employment, or prior medical condition; allow choice of health care provider; provide low-cost or no-cost treatment and prescriptions (including complementary and alternative medicine); and cost low- and middle-income Americans far less than they now pay for private or employer-based coverage by eliminating insurance and HMO company overhead. To contact Green health care leaders in the Green Party Speakers Bureau, visit (http://gp.org/speakers/healthcare.shtml). MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.greenparty2008.org ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/forms/media ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Green Party news releases: ? "Greens call Sen. Clinton's health care mandate proposal a 'fraudulent, cynical, cruel' affront to Americans who need coverage" ( September 24, 2007) http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2007_09_24.shtml ? "Clinton and Democrats are Obstacles to Real Health Care Reform" (February 26, 2007) http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2007_02_26.shtml "Seeking Coverage For All" By John R. Battista and Justine McCabe (Green Party members), The Hartford Courant, October 31, 2006 http://www.pnhp.org/news/2006/november/seeking_coverage_for.php Physicians for a National Health Program http://www.pnhp.org ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Fri Jun 6 18:14:40 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:14:40 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Listen/watch Green Party Presidential Candidates Message-ID: <4849E100.4060408@greens.org> -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Listen/watch Green Party Presidential Candidates Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 20:05:46 -0400 (EDT) From: Green Party of the United States Together, We Can Make History! Watch and listen to the Green Party Presidential Candidates here: http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/green-on-green.shtml If you like the video donate today to help the Green Party win in November: https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2089 Email: office at gp.org Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREEN From updates at cagreens.org Thu Jun 12 19:17:36 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:17:36 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] FEC matching funds for Green Presidential Candidates Message-ID: <4851D8C0.8000206@greens.org> Act today for a Green Future Dear Supporter: We need YOUR help for our Green Presidential candidates to receive primary matching funds from the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) in 2008. In order to receive primary matching funds, a candidate must raise a minimum of $5,000 each from at least 20 states before the Green Party makes its Presidential nomination on July 12. Candidates raising the money needed will be eligible to apply for $100,000 in Federal Matching Funds. This money can be used to help the Green Party succeed in its Presidential petition drives. So far, donations from Greens all across the country have been vital in getting us on the ballot in Arkansas, Arizona, and Hawaii! Arizona was a particularly difficult state; we needed 20,449 valid signatures to get on the ballot. With generous donations of money and volunteer time, the Green Party of Arizona was able to collect 22,570 valid signatures! Over the next two to three months, we have the chance to get our Presidential nominee on the ballot in as many as 46 states. Your donations to our candidates will help us with challenging petition drives in Connecticut (7,500 signatures), Idaho (5,984 signatures), Kansas (5,000 signatures), New York (15,000 signatures), Pennsylvania (24,666 signatures), and Virginia (10,000 signatures). Every $1 that we can put into our petition drives gets us one signature closer to getting on the ballot. If everyone on the Green Line mailing list gives as little as $5 to each candidate, all four candidates could receive matching funds! We could have as much as $400,000 to get on the ballot and give the American people the chance to vote to bring all troops home from Iraq, to fight global warming, and to provide health care for all. The sooner that our candidates raise the money needed the sooner that they will get matching funds from the FEC, and the more time we will have to run strong petition drives. Read more about our Presidential candidates and visit their websites to make a donation. Meet our candidates: Jesse Johnson is the co-chair of the Mountain Party of West Virginia, which became affiliated with the Green Party of the United States at the national meeting in Reading last July. He produced, directed, and acted in many plays and films, and founded Talkback, Children Respond to Violence in the Media, which uses the arts to teach inner-city elementary school students how to combat violence. He was the Mountain Party's candidate for Governor in 2004, and for U.S. Senate in 2006. http://www.jesse08.org/ Cynthia McKinney was elected to the Georgia state legislature as a Democrat in 1988, and to Congress in 1992. She was the first African-American woman from Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving in Congress from 1993 to 2003, and from 2005 to 2007. She filed the first resolution to impeach Bush, Cheney and Rice; has pursued meaningful answers on 9-11; has advocated for those displaced by our government in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and for the millions of voters disenfranchised in both the 2000 and 2004 elections. Last year, she left the Democratic Party and registered as a Green. http://www.runcynthiarun.org/ Kent Mesplay has been a registered Green in California since 1995, serving as one of his state's delegates to the Green National Committee since 2004. He has worked as a substitute teacher and an Air Quality Inspector at the Air Pollution Control District, San Diego. He also served as the president of Turtle Island Institute. In 2004, he ran in the Green presidential primaries and caucuses, and in 2006, in the Green primary for U.S. Senate. http://www.mesplay.org/ Kat Swift is a member of the Green Party of Texas, having served on her state party's Executive Committee, and as co-spokesperson for the national party's Women's Caucus. She has served as a facilitator for the Green Party and for several other organizations, groups, and coalitions, including Clean Money San Antonio and SA Democracy Now. She currently works as an accountant. In 2007, she became the first Green to run for the City Council of San Antonio. http://www.voteswift.org/ The future of the Green Party is in your hands. If you want to see a powerful and progressive Green Party for years to come, please act today. We must be the change we want to see. Become a Green Party Doner Today! https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2095 Email: office at gp.org Green Party of the United States PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREEN From updates at cagreens.org Wed Jun 18 18:54:08 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:54:08 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] RELEASE Cynthia McKinney urges mass mobilization for Bush impeachment Message-ID: <4859BC40.8060507@greens.org> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, June 16th, 2008 For further information, contact: John Judge, 202-584-1021, press-secretary at runcynthiarun.org McKinney Says People Must 'Flip the Script" Again Urges Mass Mobilization Supporting Impeachment In a prepared statement released today, six-term former Georgia Congresswoman and candidate for the 2008 Green Party Presidential Nomination urged the broad and diverse Coalition forming around her campaign to "take any and all steps necessary" to build support for action on H.Res. 1258, the Kucinich resolution to impeach President George Bush. Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, on Monday, June 9th, spent five hours on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, reading thirty-five Articles of Impeachment laying out the case that George Bush ought to be removed from office for 'high crimes and misdemeanors'. In her statement, Ms. McKinney extends her appreciation to her former colleague "for his courage and tenacity, for the comprehensiveness of his research, and for the leadership he exhibited to press forward the democratic demands of the People for accountability and justice." On the Ohio Congressman's motion, his Impeachment Resolution was then referred to the House Committee on Judiciary in a recorded 251-166 vote. Ms. McKinney became the first Member of Congress to introduce Articles of Impeachment against the Bush Administration, naming Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in charges which she introduced during the 109th Congress. McKinney parted ways with the Democrat Party partly for their failure to fulfill their Constitutional responsibilities, when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took impeachment 'off the table'. Ms. McKinney drew particular attention to the Kucinich Resolution's charges related to 'Tampering with Free and Fair Elections' (Article 28), 'Conspiracy to Violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965' (Article 29) and 'Katrina: Failure to Plan for the Predicted Disaster of Hurricane Katrina, Failure to Respond to a Civil Emergency' (Article 31). She called on "the forces of the Black movement nationwide -- whether they currently support my presidential bid or the candidacy of Senator Obama -- along with all my Green and Reconstructionist supporters, Katrina survivors and their supporters, the election protection movement, and all progressive forces, to organize a mass mobilization" to demand action from the House Judiciary to hold hearings, build an evidentiary record and send this resolution back to the Floor of the Congress for action. "We have seen in this very election cycle how the mobilized masses, with Black America as their indispensable animating force, can 'flip the script' on the Powers That Be," wrote Ms. McKinney, who stressed the timeliness of action pointing out that the Administration's crimes are ongoing. "The time is now for us to do it again." -- 30 -- McKinney's Call to Action on Impeachment http://www.runcynthiarun.org/Impeachment/CallToAction http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/Impeachment/CallToAction Text of Kucinich Impeachment Resolution http://www.runcynthiarun.org/Impeachment/HRes1258 Recorded vote on Kucinich Motion to Refer H. Res. 1258 to House Committee on Judiciary http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll401.xml Text of McKinney Impeachment Resolution, 109th Congress http://www.cynthiaforcongress.com/I_text14.pdf From updates at cagreens.org Tue Jun 24 20:30:40 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:30:40 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP ADVISORY Green Convention to address impeachment, other issues on which Dems, Repubs fail voters Message-ID: <4861BBE0.5050209@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Greens at Chicago Convention will discuss impeachment, telecom immunity, and other issues on which Democrats and Republicans have violated the public trust ? Obama's troop withdrawal plan would continue the Iraq War "under the radar," say Greens ? Listen to the Green presidential candidates' debate, held June 21 on Miller Politics Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/millerpolitics http://www.millerpolitics.com ? Updated convention information and schedule: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=68 Media credentialing page for the convention: http://www.gp.org/forms/media General information on the convention: http://www.greenparty2008.org Green Presidential Candidates http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders, preparing for the 2008 Green National Convention in Chicago (July 10-13), say that the convention will be a public forum for discussion of impeachment and other major issues on which Democrats and Republicans have failed in their responsibility to voters. "We're going to talk about a lot of things at the Green National Convention that the Democrats and Republicans don't want the public to talk about," said Cliff Thornton, co-chair of the Green Party, and co-founder of Efficacy, Inc. (http://www.efficacy-online.org), which promotes major reforms in drug policy, and a featured speaker at the convention. "We won't hear a peep about impeachment, war crimes, the telecom amnesty outrage, the failure of the war on drugs, mass incarceration of young black and Latino men, the urgent need for single-payer health care, and other important topics during the Democratic and Republican conventions," said Mr. Thornton. Greens have accused Democrats of enabling the Republicans and the Bush agenda, and have even legalized some of the crimes committed by the White House. Democratic leaders and committee members who were briefed about intelligence on Iraq before President Bush ordered the invasion, on torture, and other issues gave the White House a pass, said Green leaders. "Mr. Obama's positions ensure that much of the debate between him and John McCain will be minimal. The retreat by Mr. Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and their fellow Democrats shows how urgent it is for the Green Party to place its presidential and congressional ticket on every state ballot," said Steve Alesch, Green Party nominee for Congress in Illinois (District 13) (http://www.votesteve.org). ? IMPEACHMENT: Despite massive evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors by President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and other White House officials, Democratic leaders have rejected motions for impeachment. Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney, when she was a Georgia Democrat in December, 2006, was the first to introduce an impeachment motion in the US House. All four Green presidential candidates -- Jesse Johnson, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift, as well as Ms. McKinney -- have supported impeachment, calling it necessary for reestablishing the rule of law. http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=47 "By rejecting impeachment, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and their fellow Democrats have given future presidents a license to abuse their power, deceive the American people, and commit further crimes while in office," said Carol Wolman, California Green candidate for Congress (District 1) and co-chair of Impeach Bush-Cheney (http://newbroomcoalition.org). ? TELECOM IMMUNITY: Democrats, including Mr. Obama, have joined Republicans in voting not to hold telecommunications companies legally responsible for their role in the Bush Administration's warrantless eavesdropping on US citizens. The corporations under the protection of the 'FISA amnesty' bill have given both parties' candidates huge campaign donations. Green leaders warn that the bill will encourage future administrations to violate the US Constitution with help from the telecom industry. http://www.greenchange.org/article.php?id=2818 ? ENDING THE IRAQ WAR: While claiming opposition to the Iraq War and the continuing occupation, Barack Obama would leave a 'lighter, smaller, more nimble residual force' in the war zone and would maintain preventive detention policies by the US, the presence of private contractors and advisors, and US troops in surrounding countries. The Green Party has called for immediate withdrawal of all US troops and military contractors from Iraq, a cutoff of funding for the war, and redirection of money from the bloated military budget to human needs. http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=37 "The Obama 'troop withdrawal' plan is a ploy to continue the war under the radar," said Jody Grage, treasurer of the Green Party. "Democrats in Congress have squandered their leadership since 2006, betrayed their promise to bring US troops home, and voted for continued war funding." ? CAMPAIGN FINANCING: Mr. Obama's rejection of public financing for his campaign signals that he will not promote campaign financing reform or take action to reduce the corrupting influence of corporate money on elections. The Green Party, which accepts no corporate money, supports far-reaching reforms, including 'clean money' options, full public financing, and free time for candidates on the public airwaves. Other major issues: ? Neither Barack Obama or John McCain will challenge the war on drugs and its destructive effect on African American, Latino, and poor communities throughout the US. Greens have called the war on drugs a war on youth and people of color, resulting in mass incarceration of US citizens (which reached a record high in 2006), and have noted the influence of the private prison industry, which makes its profits by filling up cells. http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2007_07_25.shtml http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2007_05_16.shtml ? Greens have noted that Mr. Obama and the Democratic leadership have joined Republicans and President Bush in threatening a US military assault on Iran, maintaining unconditional support for Israel's strategic objectives in the region, and refusing to press Israel to observe UN directives and human rights guarantees. http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=67 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=66 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=61 ? Mr. Obama and John McCain both support nuclear power. The Green Party opposes nuclear power as a replacement for fossil fuels, citing severe risks to security and public health and the problem of massive and extremely toxic waste disposal. Mr. Obama also favors ethanol as a source of energy, despite its damaging effect on food production and prices. http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=58 http://www.greenchange.org/article.php?id=2819 ? Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain both oppose single-payer national health care (which the Green Party strongly supports) and would leave control over health care in the hands of HMO and insurance company middlemen that demand huge profits. Mr. Obama has also retreated from his criticism of NAFTA and other free trade pacts that have proven damaging to the environment, local economies, and labor rights. http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=64 http://www.greenchange.org/article.php?id=2820 MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.greenparty2008.org ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/forms/media ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Wed Jun 25 19:23:36 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:23:36 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] NEWS ADVISORY: SF Greens endorse Cindy Sheehan for Rep. Pelosi's seat Message-ID: <4862FDA8.6000401@greens.org> News Advisory THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, June 24, 2008 San Francisco Green Party endorses Cindy Sheehan run against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; Greens will be strong ally in longshot bid SAN FRANCISCO (June 24, 2008) ? The San Francisco Green Party ? a powerful force in progressive San Francisco politics ? has endorsed the independent run by peace activist Cindy Sheehan against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D) in November. The SFGP decision means Sheehan ? who lost her son Casey in the war in Iraq ? will have a strong ally in her bid to upset Pelosi in the 8th Congressional District. Greens hold several key San Francisco elected positions, including SF Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, and Mark Sanchez, president of the SF Board of Education, who is running for a supervisor slot. "We are glad she is taking on Speaker Pelosi, who has been a huge disappointment even to her Democratic Party base," said Erika McDonald, spokesperson for the SFGP. "We admire Sheehan's bravery in standing up to the corrupt two-party system. She has suffered immeasurable loss because of the unwillingness of our government to stand up for justice," added McDonald. The Greens, who are not putting up a candidate of their own in the race, hope to provide some needed muscle for Sheehan, who must collect about 10,000 signatures by Aug. 8 to have her name put on the ballot. As of this past week, she had about 3,500 signatures. The goals of the Green Party and Sheehan are similar ? protect U.S. troops in Iraq by ending the war now, a position rejected by Pelosi and other Democrats in Congress who say they are opposed to the war, but continue to fund billions for it. Greens, like Sheehan, have endorsed the impeachment of Pres. George Bush, vice-president Dick Cheney and other Bush Administration officials. Sheehan also comes from working class roots, which compares favorably to the Green Party's strong social justice platform. -30- From updates at cagreens.org Fri Jun 27 18:26:05 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:26:05 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE: 2008 Green Convention highlights Ill. Greens' ballot access achievement Message-ID: <4865932D.1050108@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Friday, June 27, 2008 The 2008 Green National Convention in Chicago will highlight Illinois Greens' triumph over ballot access obstruction ? 2006 Illinois Green gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney will host a forum for Green presidential candidates, Friday, July 11 ? Convention site recalls the dramatic 1968 Democratic Convention and street protests ? Media credentialing page for the Green National Convention: http://www.gp.org/forms/media Updated convention information and schedule: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=68 Convention press kit: http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml General information on the convention: http://www.greenparty2008.org Green Presidential Candidates: http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party, holding its 2008 national convention in Chicago, will highlight the growth of the Illinois Green Party after adversity faced by Illinois Greens in the 2006 election. The convention, at which Greens will nominate their presidential ticket, will take place July 10-13. In 2006, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevitch spent an estimated $800,000 in taxpayers' money in an effort to keep the Green Party off the ballot. Illinois Greens, however, overcame attempts by the state's Democratic establishment to disqualify candidates. Green gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney drew over 10% of the vote in 2006, losing the race but guaranteeing Greens their place in future Illinois elections. This year, more than 50 Green Party candidates will appear on ballots all across the state. Mr. Whitney will moderate the Green presidential candidates' forum during the 2008 Green Convention. The forum is scheduled for Friday, July 11, 7 to 9 pm at the Palmer House Hilton and will feature the four candidates for the Green nomination: Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift. "The hostile efforts to keep Greens off the Illinois ballot in 2006 are typical of actions taken by both Democrats and Republicans in many states to limit the political field to two parties," said Budd Dickinson, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "The intense signature-gathering campaign organized by Illinois Greens gave voters a real choice in 2006, and will do so again in 2008 and 2010. The persistence we've seen in Illinois is the key to the growth of the Green Party as a force for political change." Greens have faced and often overcome similar adversity in many other states where Democratic and Republican officials have conspired to pass election rules designed to hinder third party and independent candidates. In 2004 and 2006, Pennsylvania Green candidates faced vicious tactics by Democratic politicians and lawyers to block them from the ballot, in addition to grossly unfair Pennsylvania election laws. The states' rules require Democratic and Republican candidates for President, Governor, and US Senator to hand in 2,000 signatures to get on the ballot, while third party and independent candidates must hand in over 67,000 signatures. The Green Party of the United States held its 2007 national meeting in Reading, Pennsylvania. For a complete list of Illinois Green Party candidates, visit: http://ilgp.org/elections/2008-general/ Chicago Conventions in 1968 and 2008 The site of the 2008 Green National Convention commemorates the 40th anniversary of the 1968 Democratic Convention, outside of which thousands of antiwar activists gathered to protest the war and the nomination of pro-war candidate Hubert Humphrey. The confrontation in the streets of Chicago between protesters and law enforcement erupted in a police riot under the command of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley. "As in 1968, the United States is today mired in a war that began with an intentional deception by the administration in power" said Sheldon Schafer, Green candidate for Illinois' 18th Congressional District (Peoria) (http://www.schaferforcongress.info). "We've learned since 1968 that US wars -- Vietnam, Iraq and possibly others -- are the product of bipartisan collusion, not just the party in the White House. We've learned that protest isn't enough, that we must replace those in public office with people dedicated to global peace and justice." "That's why the Green Party is so important in the 21st century, to change our country's political landscape," said Mr. Schafer. "In 1968, antiwar protesters were outside the Democratic Convention, rallying in the streets. In 2008, Americans against the war will be inside the Green Party Convention, some of them running for the White House and Congress." MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.greenparty2008.org ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/forms/media ? Convention press kit: http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Tue Jul 1 20:32:00 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:32:00 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens at Chicago convention to gather, donate items to homeless shelters Message-ID: <486AF6B0.1070208@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 Greens at the Chicago convention, July 10-13, to collect and donate items to homeless shelters ? Media credentialing page for the Green National Convention: http://www.gp.org/forms/media Updated convention information and schedule: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=68 Convention press kit: http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml General information on the convention: http://www.greenparty2008.org Green Presidential Candidates: http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party members attending the Green National Convention in Chicago, July 10-13, will bring donations for area shelters. The collection is a project organized by Pat LaMarche, the Green Party's vice presidential nominee in 2004. During her 2004 campaign, Ms. LaMarche, who ran with presidential nominee David Cobb, went on a two-week cross country tour of urban homeless shelters, staying overnight at many of them or sleeping along side the homeless in the street in an effort to bring attention to veterans issues, the need for a living wage, affordable housing, and universal access to health care. "I would like for folks with less agreeable resting places for their heads to know that Greens came to town and that we did not forget them," said Ms. LaMarche, who wrote a book about her 2004 experiences, 'Left Out in America, the State of Homelessness in the United States' (Portland, Maine: upalaPress, 2006). "The last time I stayed in Chicago was in 2004 at a shelter for women and their children. There's a big difference between where I'll be staying this time and where the homeless folks like the ones I met last time will be staying," added Ms. LaMarche. Ms. LaMarche has already contacted food suppliers in her home state of Maine. Wyman's Blueberries of Cherryfield, Maine, has led the way by committing donations of canned berries to the shelter in Chicago. Greens from around the country who will not be attending the convention have begun food drives to support their local shelters in solidarity with the collection efforts in Chicago, with satellite shelter drives confirmed in Utah, Pennsylvania, and Maine. "As in the 'Left Out' tour we undertook in 2004, we want to bring the plight of the poor and the need to restore the social safety net into the election year debate," said Ms. LaMarche. "The Green Party calls adequate housing and health care a human right. As our economy falters, as this winter's heating costs soar, as the gap between the rich and the poor grows ever wider, and as our middle class recedes to join the ranks of the poor, it is no less important today than four years ago that we focus on the issues of poverty." Pat LaMarche can be reached at 207-671-0190. During the convention, hundreds of delegates from Green Parties in nearly every state will choose the Green nominees for President and Vice President of the United States. The nomination process will take place on Saturday, July 12, at the Chicago Symphony Center. The four candidates -- Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift -- will participate in a forum Friday, July 11, at the Palmer House Hilton beginning at 7 pm. Other candidates, including Green congressional hopefuls, will be featured during press conferences and other events throughout the weekend. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.greenparty2008.org ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/forms/media ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sun Jul 6 19:10:34 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:10:34 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE: US Greens celebrate Colombian Green leader Betancourt's rescue Message-ID: <48717B1A.9070702@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 3, 2008 Contacts: Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty at greens.org Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene at gp.org US Greens elated, relieved at news of Columbian Green Party leader Ingrid Betancourt's rescue WASHINGTON, DC -- US Green Party leaders expressed gratitude and relief after learning of Ingrid Betancourt's rescue on Wednesday after she had been held hostage by Colombian rebels since 2002. Ms. Betancourt, who served as national legislator in Colombia, ran for President as member of the Partido Verde Ox?geno (Oxygen Green Party), and led campaigns against political corruption, was a special friend to US Greens. At the recent Global Greens Congress, held in May in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Ms. Betancourt was made President of Honor of the Global Greens Coordination, the 12-member Steering Committee of the Global Greens. http://www.globalgreens.org/ggc/ggc_homepage http://www.globalgreens.org/brazil2008/resolutions/ingrid_betancourt "We are thrilled that Ingrid Betancourt's captivity has ended, and we can only imagine the suffering she experienced during the past six and a half years," said Carl Romanelli, Pennsylvania Green and member of the party's International Committee. "We're happy not just for Ms. Betancourt, but also for her family and friends after their long and agonizing wait." Greens thanked the international movement of individuals and groups who worked hard to secure her release, and affirmed their dedication to freedom for the many hostages still held and to a diplomatic and nonviolent solution to the armed conflict in Colombia. Greens also expressed congratulations to the families of the American hostages who were rescued. Juan Carlos Lecompte, Ms. Betancourt's husband, is scheduled to attend the US Green Party's 2008 National Convention in Chicago, July 10-13. Party leaders are waiting to learn whether Ms. Betancourt's rescue will result in a change of plans, but either way, the National Convention will celebrate her freedom, as Greens are celebrating in well over 100 nations. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 Green parties declare: "Free Ingrid Betancourt and Clara Rojas!" http://www.greens.org/ingrid/free_ingrid.htm International Committee of the Green Party http://www.gp.org/committees/intl/ 2008 Green National Convention, July 10-13 in Chicago, Illinois ? Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media ? Updated convention information and schedule: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=68 ? Convention press kit: http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml ? General information on the convention: http://www.greenparty2008.org ? Green Presidential Candidates: http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml More Green links ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sun Jul 13 19:28:28 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:28:28 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE News, highlights from the Green National Convention in Chicago Message-ID: <487AB9CC.8070101@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Friday, July 11, 2008 News and highlights from the Green Party's 2008 National Convention in Chicago Key links: ? Green Party web site, with updated links to news articles on the convention http://www.gp.org ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.greenparty2008.org ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/forms/media ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- The Green Party of the United States opened its 2008 national convention at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago on Thursday, July 10 and continued with numerous meetings on Friday. Greens are also preparing for the party's presidential nomination, which will take place on Saturday, July 12, at the Chicago Symphony Center, 220 South Michigan Avenue. Reporters, bloggers, and others covering the convention may register on site on Saturday, or may fill out the media credentialing form (http://www.gp.org/forms/media) in advance. The Saturday schedule is appended below. On Friday evening, the four candidates for the Green presidential nomination -- Jesse Johnson, Kent Mesplay, Cynthia McKinney, and Kat Swift -- participated in a forum moderated by 2006 Illinois gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney, who drew over 10% of the vote. The forum, titled "A Presidential Debate That Matters," took place at the Palmer House Hilton, where Greens have been meeting since Thursday morning. Some highlights of the Green National Convention so far: Green presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney has announced her running mate, Hip-Hop activist and journalist Rosa Clemente: Statement by Ms. Clemente: http://www.runcynthiarun.org/node/296 Ms. Clemente's web site: http://www.rosaclemente.com The Green Party's Black Caucus accredited Ms. McKinney's parents, Billy and Leola, as delegates in order to allow them to enter all four of the Caucus's votes for their daughter during the voting process for the nomination. Press conferences on Thursday and Friday featured dozens of candidates for public office. Among them: ? Jesse Johnson is seeking the presidential nomination but has won the Mountain Party's nomination for Governor of West Virginia. He spoke Friday morning about the West Virginia's environmentally disastrous mountaintop removal, in which the state's pristine landscapes have been blasted to access to coal, in the process spoiling nearly half of the nation's headwaters and exacerbating droughts in the South. Mr. Johnson called West Virginia 'ground zero' in the energy crisis and in the advance of global warming. http://www.jesse4wvgov.org http://www.jesse08.org ? Farheed Hakeem talked about her growing involvement in the Green Party and decision to run for public office as a Green. A former Green mayoral candidate and currently a candidate for Minnesota State Representative (District 61B), Ms. Hakeem has rebuffed Democratic Party efforts to recruit her, saying that her Green Party membership gives her the leeway to pursue ideals that would not be possible in the either of the two established parties. ? Omar Lopez, running for Illinois District 4 member of the US House of Representatives, discussed his role organizing for the March 10, 2006 march for immigrants' right in Chicago, the model for the national May Day marches and rallies across the US a few months later. Schedule for SATURDAY, JULY 12: Green presidential nomination Location: Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S Michigan Avenue Media Check-In: Mezzanine The Media Registration table hours: 8 am - 5 pm (flexible) Press Conference Room: Grainger Ballroom, Mezzanine Level ? 9 am: Press briefing and news conference with Green presidential candidates; on-stage program begins ? 9:30 am: Keynote speaker Cliff Thornton ? 9:45 am: Adoption of the 2008 Green Party Platform ? 10:45 am: Keynote speakers Kathy Kelly, Malik Rahim ? 11:15 am: Speeches by the four Presidential Candidates ? 12 noon: Lunch ? 1 pm: Keynote speakers Omar L?pez, Dr. Jill Stein ? 1:30 pm: Voting, state roll call (Times for events after this are tentative, depending on how long it takes to complete the nomination process) ? 2:30 pm: Vice Presidential acceptance speech (nominee will be introduced by Pat LaMarche, 2004 Green nominee for Vice President) ? 3 pm: Presidential acceptance speech (nominee will be introduced by David Cobb, 2004 Green nominee for President), followed by photo op for all Green candidates and the nominees ? 4 pm: Press conference featuring Green nominees for President and Vice President MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.greenparty2008.org ? Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/forms/media ? Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php ? Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Thu Jul 17 19:33:44 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:33:44 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] ADVISORY: Greens mourn loss of longest serving Green in public office... Message-ID: <48800108.9040703@greens.org> News Advisory THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Green Party mourns loss of Dona Spring, Berkeley City Council member since 1992; she's called an ?inspiration' as longest serving Green in office BERKELEY (June 15, 2008) ? Greens statewide and across the nation are mourning the loss of Berkeley City Councilwoman Dona Spring ? she was the longest-serving Green Party officeholder in the country. Ms. Spring died Sunday after a decades-long fight with rheumatoid arthritis. She was 55. Ms Spring was first elected to the Berkeley City Council in 1992, and easily won re-election in 2006. A champion of the rights of the disabled, tenants, animals and the planet, Ms. Spring was known as one of the most outspoken progressives in the city, the state and the nation. Just a month ago she went to the UC Berkeley in her wheelchair to support tree-sitters. Forced recently to attend city council meetings via teleconference because her disease had so debilitated her that even her wheelchair would not suffice, Ms. Spring was hospitalized last week with pneumonia and never recovered. Her friends said she was in horrible pain from her disease, yet she never ever complained. "She (was) definitely a role model," Berkeley Rent Board commissioner and Green Pam Webster said in media reports, noting that Ms. Spring helped blaze a trail for Greens in the politics. "The Green Party of California mourns the passing and celebrates the life of one of our finest leaders, Dona Spring. She was a smart and capable politician who remained the conscience of the Berkeley City Council. Her first campaign was galvanizing. She never failed us," said Hank Chapot, a member of the East Bay Greens. Dona Spring's first victory came shortly after the Green Party qualified for the ballot in 1990-92, said Chapot, adding that her election "was the harbinger of great Green electoral victories to come. Her suffering, emotionally wrenching to Dona, her friends and colleagues, coupled with her activism, represent the best in human nature. She was an inspiration," added Chapot. A 70-minute documentary of Ms. Spring's life will be shown Friday (7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists). The Green Party of California hopes to have a special presentation about her life at its state convention in August. -30- From updates at cagreens.org Fri Jul 18 18:29:20 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:29:20 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Cynthia McKinney's acceptance speech at the 2008 Green National Convention Message-ID: <48814370.5030109@greens.org> > From Cynthia McKinney, 2008 Green nominee for President of the United > States.... Hello! Something momentous has happened. The Green Party nominated Rosa Clemente and me to lead their ticket in the 2008 elections. Here are my acceptance remarks: Cynthia McKinney Acceptance Remarks Green Party Convention Chicago, Illinois July 12, 2008 Let me introduce to you my family and your Power to the People Committee! My mother and father, Billy and Leola McKinney. My son, Coy, who just graduated from college in Canada! I want you to know that there is no way I could do this without their love and support. Your Power to the People Committee members who are with us today: You've all shared e-mails with her and heard her lovely voice on the telephone: Lucy Grider-Bradley, the campaign manager of my 2004 comeback campaign and FEC Compliance team leader for the Power to the People Committee! I've known him all of my political life. You've known him for years if you're a Green party member. Hugh Esco, website man with the Power to the People Committee! In two long road trips from Georgia to Maine, one trip through California, Oregon, and Washington, and by way of numerous e-mails, you all have come to know my friend, personal assistant, proud Haitian-American activist, et aussi, l'homme avec qui je pratique mon fran?ais, David Josu?, standing firm against the occupation of Haiti. John Judge is my friend. He shared U.S. government COINTELPRO documents with me that few except researchers have ever seen. John Judge is an expert on the murders of Malcolm X, John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bobby Kennedy, COINTELPRO, other government covert operations directed at certain U.S. citizens, and what really happened on 9/11. Maybe John can tell me how our military and intelligence infrastructures failed four times in one day after the taxpayers invested trillions of dollars in them. Janet Young, proud accountant for the Power to the People Committee! Learned the true meaning of politics when she saw what happened to me after I put impeachment on the table. I am also joined on the platform by members of the Reconstruction Movement who have come into the Green Party to support our Power to the People campaign! The Reconstruction Movement came into being as a result of dissatisfaction around government failures and unmet needs of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita survivors and the many communities across our country in need of reconstruction. The RunCynthiaRun visionaries from California who are responsible for bringing me to the Party's Presidential process! All of the Green Party candidates who are running for election in 2008! And Rosa Clemente, your Vice Presidential nominee! Thank you all for being here and standing with me today. In 1851, in Akron, Ohio a former slave woman, abolitionist, and woman's rights activist by the name of Sojourner Truth gave a speech now known as "Ain't I a Woman." Sojourner Truth began her remarks, "Well children, where there is so much racket, there must be something out of kilter." She then went on to say that even though she was a woman, no one had ever helped her out of carriages or lifted her over ditches or given her a seat of honor in any place. Instead, she acknowledged, that as a former slave and as a black woman, she had had to bear the lash as well as any man; and that she had borne "thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And Ain't I a woman?" Finally, Sojourner Truth says, "If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!" As it was in 1851, so too it is in 2008. There is so much racket that we, too, know something is out of kilter. In 1851, the racket was about a woman's right to vote. In 1848, just a few years before Sojourner uttered those now famous words, "Ain't I a Woman?" suffragists met in Seneca Falls, New York and issued a declaration. That declaration began: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government . . . But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their duty to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled." Two hundred sixty women and forty men gathered in Seneca Falls, NY and declared their independence from the politics of their present and embarked upon a struggle to create a politics for the future. That bold move by a handful of people in one relatively small room laid the groundwork and is the precedent for what we do today. The Seneca Falls Declaration represented a clean break from the past: Freedom, at last, from mental slavery. The Seneca Falls Declaration and the Akron, Ohio meeting inaugurated 72 years of struggle that ended with the passage of the 19th Amendment in August of 1920, granting women the right to vote. And 88 years later, with the Green Party as its conductor, the History Train is rolling down the tracks. The Green Party is making history today. According to one source, 45 women have run for President in primary elections in the United States in the 20th Century; 22 have made it on the ballot in at least one state in November. Thank you, Green Party, for pulling this history train from the station. But we make history today only because we must. In 2008, after two stolen Presidential elections and eight years of George W. Bush, and at least two years of Democratic Party complicity, the racket is about war crimes, torture, crimes against the peace; the racket is about crimes against the Constitution, crimes against the American people, and crimes against the global community. The racket is even about values that we thought were long settled as reasonable to pursue, like liberty and justice, and economic opportunity, for all. Yes, Sojourner, there's a lot out of kilter now, but these two women, Rosa and me, joined by all the men and women in this room, are going to do our best to turn this country right side up again. And just like the women and men at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 who declared their independence from the Old Order, I celebrated my birthday last year by doing something I had done a dozen times in my head, but had never done publicly: I declared my independence from every bomb dropped, every threat leveled, every civil liberties rollback, every child killed, every veteran maimed, every man tortured, and the national leadership that let this happen. At that pro-peace rally in front of the Pentagon, I noted that nowhere on the Democratic Party's Congressional Agenda for their first 100 days in the majority was any mention at all of a livable wage, the right of return for Katrina survivors, repealing the Patriot Acts, the Secret Evidence Act, the Military Commissions Act, or bringing our troops home now. Nowhere on the Congressional Democrats' agenda was an investigation into the Pentagon's "loss" of $2.3 trillion that Rumsfeld admitted to just before September 11th. And nowhere was there any plan to get that money back for jobs, health care, education, and for veterans. Not even repeal of the Bush tax cuts that have helped to usher in, according to some, levels of income inequality not experienced in this country since the Great Depression. And instead of Articles of Impeachment to hold the criminals accountable, impeachment was taken "off the table." And so, taking these words directly from our own Declaration of Independence, and from the Seneca Falls document "it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it." There is no doubt that the people of this country and in the global community are suffering from Washington, D.C.'s policies today. Even as the ice in the Arctic Ocean reportedly was melting, the United States was obstructing an international discussion of climate change goals-setting for 2020 at the recently-concluded G-8 Summit. Even while George Bush has made himself an international climate change villain by not signing onto the Kyoto Protocol, his own scientists at the U.S. Climate Change Science Program have predicted more heat waves, intense rains, increased drought, and stronger hurricanes to affect the U.S. due to the worsening effects of climate change. Public policy can be our friend or it can be our foe in understanding and working through the immense changes our planet is undergoing. We the voters, the activists, the policy wonks, the candidates, and the elected officials all have a role to play in making public policy. As I have said so many times during this campaign for the Green Party nomination, politics is not a beauty contest; it is not a fashion show; it is not a horse race. Politics is the authoritative allocation of values in a society. Politics is about values being reflected in public policy. It is about having power over public policy. And we engage in the political process because we want our values reflected in public policy. Had the Green Party's values been reflected in public policy since the beginnings of the Green Party in this country, the United States would have long ago implemented a livable wage; there would be no civil liberties erosion; diversity would be respected, appreciated and welcomed; education would be interesting and relevant to students' lives and no student would graduate from college $100,000 in debt in a Green Party USA because education, not incarceration and militarization, would be subsidized by the state. In a Green Party USA, health care would be provided for everyone here through a single payer, Medicare-for-all type health care system. We would have no homeless men and women sleeping on our streets and everyone who could work would have work. Rebuilding our infrastructure, manufacturing green technology, retooling our economy so that those who protect us, train us, heal us and prepare us for tomorrow are compensated in what is their true value to our culture and our society, based on their contribution to our civilization. Vietnam War-era veterans would be our last war veterans because we would never have been engaged in war and occupation against Afghanistan and Iraq. We would forego imperial designs on our neighbors to the north and south, never building any wall of division, not ever encroaching on their geographic or cultural sovereignty. In fact, if Green Party values were now reflected in U.S. public policy, our country not only would not be engaged in war and occupation, there would be peace in the Middle East based on self-determination, respect for human rights, and justice. We would strive to perfect our democracy at home through election integrity and no one would be denied their rightful place in our Union due to discrimination. Our neighbors in the global community would look up to us for our cultural and technological accomplishments. We would have apologized for genocide against the indigenous peoples of this land and the abomination of chattel slavery. Our country would have dignity on the world stage and in every international forum, and no one in this country would be made to live in fear. Oh, if it could be true: that the values of the Green Party were reflected in the Federal Government's public policy. Let me wake up and snap out of my reverie. Yes, today's reality is harsh. Abu Ghraib, torture, rendition, lying, spying, war, stolen elections, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, New Orleans, poverty, racial profiling, Sean Bell, the San Francisco 8, Benton Harbor's Reverend Pinkney, the Holy Land Foundation, 9/11/01. Embargo, blockade, friendly fire, depleted uranium, white phosphorus, cluster bombs, bunker busters, shock and awe. Predatory lending, mortgage crisis, foreclosures, a country $53 trillion in debt. And while Bear Stearns gets a bailout, you and I sink or swim. Harsh? Today's reality is harsh. But what's even harder for many to accept and admit is that our quality of life today is the making of the Democratic and Republican Parties. What our country has become through their public policy is reflective of their values. We will never get a United States that is reflective of different values if we continue to do the same thing. Those who delivered us into this mess cannot be trusted to get us out of it. That's why I signed up to do something I've never done before so I can have something I've never had before: My country, made in the likeness of the values of the Green Party. When my father first started out in the world of politics in Georgia, he began as a Republican, because Georgia Democrats would not allow blacks to vote in their primaries. Some of my father's closest friends today are still Republicans because of that history. My father served 30 years in the Georgia Legislature as a Democrat. Because of him, I served 4 years in the Georgia Legislature, where we were the country's only father daughter legislative team. And then I went to Congress and served 12 years working with the Democratic Party and its current leadership representing the State of Georgia. My son grew up playing on the Floor underneath my desk in the Chamber of the Georgia House of Representatives. His buddies were the legislators down there, under the Gold Dome, who were my and my father's colleagues. My mother is the genteel Southern lady who keeps our family glued together. A nurse by profession, a nurturer by instinct, she could patch over all the times I had a political disagreements with my Dad and it ended up being discussed, not only at the family dinner table, but also on the evening news. My father and I stumped for candidates, and helped keep Georgia in the Democratic Party fold, until on my election night in 2002, I was forced to admit that the Republicans wanted to beat me more than the Democrats wanted to keep me. Both my father and I were put out of office after being targeted by a convergence of special interests operating in both the Democratic and Republican parties. In November of 2002, after the Primary Election losses of my father and me, Georgia went Republican: the first time since Reconstruction. With all kinds of certainty, I can say that my father and I?we McKinneys?we know too well how both the Republican and Democratic Parties operate. And that's why I know we need an opposition party in this country. With 200 elected officials already, the Green Party can become this country's premier opposition Party. One thing is clear, Democratic and Republican values are not Green Party values. And honestly, I believe, Green Party values are the values held by the majority in this country. And through our vigorous Power to the People campaign, we will proclaim our presence to every nook and cranny of this country. We are needed now, more than ever and here's an example of why. It is hard to not hear the warning signs of a new war: a war against Iran. Dick Cheney told us to expect war for the next generation. The Republicans launched this war economy and their presumptive nominee said that we could stay in Iraq for the next 100 years and even sang a song for the bombing of Iran. The Democratic majority in Congress just voted to fund the war into 2009 and has 200 sponsors on a bill that declares war on Iran by calling for a naval blockade. A naval blockade is a declaration of war. The Democratic presumptive nominee wants to increase the size of the overused military and the budget for an already-bloated and wasteful Pentagon. I am the only candidate who has consistently voted against the Pentagon budget, voted against the war in Iraq, and I voted against the bills that funded it. The Green Party was against the war when it started, is against the war now, and is against any military action against Iran that might take place tomorrow. The Green Party is a peace party. A Green vote is a peace vote. Not a word has been mentioned in this political season about the disparities that exist within our country with the recognition that public policy can erase them. And even though for the first time a woman and an African-American were being taken seriously in national primaries, a real discussion of race and gender has been studiously avoided on all sides. At a time when the United States is under review, itself, by the United Nations for its poor record on domestic respect for human rights, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a real discussion of race and gender is needed now more than ever. On some indices, according to United for a Fair Economy, the racial disparities that exist today are worse than at the time of the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Right here in Chicago, Hull House reported that it would take 200 years, without a public policy intervention from elected leadership, for the quality of life experienced by black Chicagoans to equal that of white Chicagoans. Women are still the overwhelming profile of the minimum wage worker in this country. 65% of all minimum wage workers are women, according to 2005 statistics. Despite the law, women still go to work every day, performing the same tasks as men, yet bring home less pay than their male counterparts. Asian-American and Pacific Island women make 88 cents for every dollar earned by men, but African-American women earn only 72 cents and my Latina sisters earn only 60 cents for every dollar earned by men. Overall, according to 2007 statistics, women with similar education, skills, and experience are paid 77 cents for every dollar a man makes. Equal pay for equal work is not yet a reality for working women in this country. And the glass ceiling is all too real. I'm very proud of my second cousin, Shont?, whose mother, a divorc?e, raised her pretty much as a single mother. Shont?'s mother, Shara, understood the value of her child getting a good education and helped her as much as she could with university tuition. The rest Shont? was able to secure by working on campus and in student loans. Shont? graduated from college, and then took a one-year Master's program in Social Work, and now wants to get her Ph.D. But she's already over $90,000 in debt. It doesn't have to be this way and we don't have to accept it. In other countries around the world, higher education is valued and is made affordable to all who want it. Only a sick government would place a banker in-between a student and her teacher. An insurance lobbyist in-between a patient and his doctor. Lying and spying before 9/11 Truth and the Constitution. Only a sick government would place a wealthy family and their huge corporation and its genetically-modified frankenfood peddled by force in-between us and the organic food that's healthy for us to eat and that farmers would prefer to grow. Only a sick government would do this. And I am no longer willing to trust the ones who are responsible for getting us into this mess to provide the solution to get us out of it. The Green Party long ago took a stand for racial justice: against profiling, against police brutality, against discrimination of any sort, and for reparations stemming from the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The Green Party long ago took a stand for gender equity. The Green Party long ago took a stand against all discrimination. The Green Party is a justice party. A Green vote is a justice vote. And the day after the election, if voters have been disfranchised and don't believe the announced election results, it will be the Green Party that will be there, as it was in 2004, to demand election integrity. It is for all these reasons and more that I redeclare my goals in the language of my sisters who convened at Seneca Falls, NY 160 years ago. They wrote: "It is their duty to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security." That declaration not only avoids the politics of the past, it contains a kernel for the future. How can those new guards for the future be won? Here's how: When I was first running for Congress and it was the year of the woman, women all over the country were saying, "We want our seat at the table." And when I got to Washington, I saw that policy was really made in a room, at a table. There were real seats at the table. Well, imagine what has happened to public policy making now. There is a real room, with a window and a door and there's two seats at the table. The window is for us to look through while our representatives make policy for us so we can see what they're doing. At the table, one seat is for the Democrats and one seat is for the Republicans. Now, we don't know who did it, but one of them put a lock on the door and slipped a key to the corporate lobbyists who can come and go at will and whisper what they want to the Democrats, and then whisper what they want to the Republicans, and the result is that we the people, who pay for those seats and determine who sits in them, want one thing, but because the corporate lobbyists can come and go at will, our values get overridden and our representatives give us something else. That's how we end up with everyone saying they're against the war and occupation, but war and occupation still gets funding. That's how we end up with everyone saying they're against illegal spying on innocent people, yet end up with a telecom immunity bill being signed into law. That's how we end up with everyone saying they're in favor of universal access to health care and no one implementing what the physicians, nurses, and health care providers support, and that's a single payer health care system in this country. That's why my cousin and so many other students in this country face staggering personal debt just to get an education, yet our elected representatives keep voting to spend 720 million dollars a day on war and occupation, war crimes, and crimes against the peace. Now, if we can entice people who have stopped voting because they see the system as rigged, to become active again, and to vote Green . . . If we can convince those first-time voters from the previous two Presidential elections, though they might be discouraged because they saw their vote obstructed and then not counted while neither of the big parties fought to protect them, if we can convince them to vote Green . . . If we can convince those who see two parties, but only one political agenda, to vote Green, then it is possible for the Green Party to get 5% of the national vote. 5% of the vote makes the Green Party, not a minor party in the eyes of the federal government, but a major party. 5% confers on the Green Party major party status. And with that 5%, we can pull up another chair at the table of public policy making. It only takes 5% of those who vote, including the near majority who don't vote, to come out for a Green Party President and then we will have an official third party in this country, and public policy that truly reflects our values. Now, I'm known for taking bold positions, based on my own research, that have put me ahead of the curve. I was there on private militaries hired by the Pentagon and our State Department long before Blackwater began patrolling the streets of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I was there on corporate accountability and military contracting scandals before Iraq and Afghanistan. I was there on enlisted members' and veterans' rights and health issues, like forced vaccinations and conscientious objection. I was there on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita recovery and detoxification, restoration, and return issues. I was there on 9/11 foreknowledge. And I put impeachment "on the table." I'm not afraid to address the issues that no one else will dare to talk about. I'm not afraid to speak truth to empower. Let me close with this. Don't expect me to keep a count of the major party flip flops from now to November. I'm sure there will be many. But, in the end, that's not the important issue to understand. What is more fundamental to understand is this: the other political parties find themselves in this flip-flop predicament because they have to appear to share our values while they serve someone else's. The Green Party doesn't have to engage in shapeshifting because the Green Party is funded by and belongs to you. All over the world, Green Party members are working as elected leaders in government to make public policy reflect our Green values. Wangari Mathai, former Parliamentarian from Kenya, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Green Party member. Ingrid Betancourt, recently released hostage in Colombia, former Senator and Presidential candidate. Green Party member. Green Party members make public policy at the national level on every Continent, but not yet in our country. Twenty years ago, Green party activists saw through this two-party box that voters have been put into in this country and started the Green Party here. And what we have to remember is this: whatever it is that we want in the realm of public policy, we can get if we have the right elected officials in office. Nothing for us is impossible. Politics is about shared values being reflected in public policy. And these Green party candidates standing with me are the right kind of people who will implement the right kind of public policy that reflects our shared values. Voters in this country are scared into not voting their hopes, their dreams, their aspirations. But in Bolivia and Ecuador and Argentina and Chile and Nicaragua and Spain, and India and Cote d'Ivoire and Haiti, voters were not afraid to vote their hopes and dreams and guess, what. Their dreams came true. Ours can, too. Every one of you in this room today and each of the individuals I've met and communicated with online across our country has made a difference in my life. And moreover, the 5% who will vote for us, will help us make a positive difference in the lives of people around the world. Who we are makes a difference. What we do makes a difference. We are in this to build a movement. We are willing to struggle for as long as it takes to have our values prevail in public policy. A vote for the Green Party is a vote for the movement that will turn this country right side up again. I want to invite everyone who shares our values to join our Power to the People campaign. C-Span viewers can learn more about us at http://www.runcynthiarun.org . I want to work with the nominees of the other small political parties so we can form a united front. I'm asking for your vote because in reality the only "wasted" vote is a vote against conscience, a vote against our dreams. Vote your dreams, Vote your conscience. Vote our future. Vote Green. Thank you, Green Party, for granting Rosa and me this supreme honor. Now let's go out there and get busier. We've got a lot of work to do. Power to the People! From updates at cagreens.org Sun Jul 20 19:47:03 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:47:03 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens seek more ballot lines after McKinney-Clemente nomination in Chicago Message-ID: <4883F8A7.4020608@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 17, 2008 Greens, after the nomination of the McKinney-Clemente ticket at the Chicago convention, begin aggressive ballot access effort ? Links to speeches by presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney and VP nominee Rosa Clemente below ? McKinney 'Power to the People' campaign site, with media contact information: http://www.runcynthiarun.org Clemente site: http://www.rosaclemente.com Extensive information, media coverage, blogging on the convention on the Green Party's home page http://www.gp.org WASHINGTON, DC -- Green leaders, after the party's successful national convention last weekend in Chicago, have turned their attention towards placing nominees Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente on the ballot in every state. Greens are also organizing efforts to demand that Ms. McKinney be allowed to participate in the presidential debates beginning in September. To contact Ms. McKinney and Ms. Clemente for interviews and other media requests, visit the campaign web site: http://www.runcynthiarun.org "We have 22 state ballot lines, and are aiming to have Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente on as many ballot lines as possible on Election Day," said Cliff Thornton, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "Greens in states with secure ballot lines are assisting other states with petition circulating, organizing, and fundraising." Cynthia McKinney, a former Democrat who served six terms in the US House and has since converted to Green, competed with Jesse Johnson, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift for the presidential nomination. Ms. McKinney won with 324 votes out of 542 cast by delegates after one round of voting in the Chicago Symphony Center, the convention site, on Saturday, July 12 (http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/2008-Presidential-Ballots_1.htm). Jesse Johnson will continue to participate in the 2008 election -- as the Mountain Party's nominee for Governor of West Virginia (http://www.jesse4wvgov.org). The Mountain Party is the West Virginia affiliate of the Green Party of the United States. Green Party leaders noted that unprecedented radio, video, and Internet coverage made it possible for viewers and listeners to follow the unfolding of the Chicago convention and the nomination. "We thank the Illinois Green Party, Cook County Greens in particular, and the people of Chicago for hosting the convention," said Jill Bussiere, who was elected co-chair of the Green Party during the Chicago convention. "We're especially grateful to the convention organizers, with Lynne Serpe of New York and Ruth Weill of Milwaukee at the top of the list." The Green Party's home page (http://www.gp.org) displays links to information, media coverage, and blogging on the convention. Links to convention speeches and press conferences: ? Pre-nomination speeches by Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente, July 12 (choice of low, medium, HD viewing) http://exposureroom.com/members/cseeman.aspx/assets/e257ce0e6da7472c9df4e5f9532d2a6e/ YouTube version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzXB98dp9xM ? Ms. Clemente's nomination speech, July 12, shot by MoonSunProductions http://exposureroom.com/members/cseeman.aspx/assets/2d6fee03b7c841b2bc94d8e114966b64/ ? Ms. McKinney's nomination speech, July 12, shot by MoonSunProductions http://exposureroom.com/members/cseeman.aspx/assets/49f535df8477457c9c9423b3b3237128/ The first few minutes are missing from this clip, but can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N14HYcopWEU (recorded by C-SPAN) ? Press conference with Ms. McKinney and Ms. Clemente after the nomination, July 12 http://exposureroom.com/members/cseeman.aspx/assets/6dd27d9142484bc598a3860cc610d0d0/ ? Extensive C-SPAN footage of the convention, including nominees' complete speeches rtsp://video1.c-span.org/archive/c08/c08_071208_greens.rm (Linked also on the Green Party's home page, http://www.gp.org) MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections 2008 Green National Convention, July 10-13 in Chicago, Illinois http://www.greenparty2008.org ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Fri Jul 25 18:43:02 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:43:02 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] The Green Party is the Imperative! Message-ID: <488A8126.1070801@greens.org> -------- Original Message -------- Subject: The Green Party is the Imperative! Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:09:38 -0400 (EDT) From: Green Party of the United States Dear Supporter, "The Green Party is the Imperative" On July 12th, the Green Party nominated former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (www.runcynthiarun.org) and Hip-Hop activist and journalist Rosa Clemente (www.rosaclemente.com/) as presidential and vice presidential contenders on the Green Party ballot line. By doing so the Green Party nominated the first all women-of-color slate to run a national ticket in U.S. history. The campaign has less than two weeks to qualify for federal matching funds for this election cycle. Speaking at the Green Party convention, Congresswoman McKinney said: "I'm looking forward to what we can build together. Our country has been hijacked and it will take all of us working together, going into places we've never been in order to spread the news that there is a political party that means what it says and does what it means". To do that, we need your help click here to tell a friend: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=1042 Go to www.runcynthiarun.org to get involved. During her acceptance speech at the Convention, Rosa Clemente said: "The Green Party is no longer the alternative, the Green Party is the imperative". You know it's true, help spread the word click here to tell a friend: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=1042 Cynthia McKinney speech at the Green Party convention: http://exposureroom.com/members/cseeman.aspx/assets/e257ce0e6da7472c9df4e5f9532d2a6e/ PS: The campaign has less than two weeks to qualify for federal matching funds for this election cycle. Go to www.runcynthiarun.org to find out how you can make it happen. To Unsubscribe: http://www.democracyinaction.com/Greens/unsubscribe.jsp? Email: office at gp.org Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREEN From updates at cagreens.org Mon Jul 28 17:51:16 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:51:16 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: McKinney, not Obama, is the real anti-war candidate Message-ID: <488E6984.8090200@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Monday, July 28, 2008 Greens warn that antiwar Americans will waste their votes if they vote for Obama, citing his positions on Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and the Middle East ? Votes for Green nominees McKinney and Clemente will build a permanent alternative to the bipartisan war agenda, say Green Party leaders WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders said today that antiwar voters will not get an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by voting for presumed Democratic nominee Barack Obama on Election Day. Green leaders urged Americans who oppose the wars started by the Bush Administration with bipartisan support in Congress to vote instead for Green nominee Cynthia McKinney, running mate Rosa Clemente, and Green congressional candidates. "Millions of voters plan to vote for Barack Obama in the hope that he'll bring peace to Iraq and other nations in the region," said Omar N. L?pez, Green candidate for the US House in Illinois (4th District) (http://www.omarlopez2008.org). "But his positions are really 'McCain-Lite' -- he'll continue many of the same belligerent foreign policies as the Bush-Cheney Administration that John McCain would. Mr. Obama supports a larger military in terms of both spending and personnel. We want to stop the US from being the world's bully, and instead fund a peace dividend to deal with the economic, energy, and global warming crises." "We appeal to voters to take a look at the Green Party's 'Peace Slate' of candidates, with Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente on the Green presidential ticket. A vote for a candidate who doesn't represent your own ideals is a vote wasted," said Mr. L?pez. Green Party leaders compared the Green antiwar agenda to Barack Obama's positions: IRAQ ? Despite the popular impression that Sen. Obama intends to end the Iraq War, he plans only to reduce troops over a 16-month period. He would maintain an 'under the radar' occupation to protect US interests, which is code for the US and British corporate demand for control over Iraqi oil. (No-bid contracts have already been anounced for ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP, and Total.) Sen. Obama promises to shift troops around the region, placing US forces in countries surrounding Iraq. ? The Green Party and Green candidates support an immediate and full withdrawal of US troops and military contractors from Iraq, and control over Iraqi oil resources returned to the Iraqi people. http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=37 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=18 AFGHANISTAN ? Sen. Obama intends to expand the disastrous US war on Afghanistan, which has already left the country in ruins and continues to destabilize the region. ? Greens support full US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, and an internationally cooperative investigation and prosecution of those behind the 9/11 attacks. http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=37 http://gp.org/press/pr_2006_09_11.shtml ISRAEL-PALESTINE ? Sen. Obama has repeatedly promised unqualified and uncritical support for Israel, despite the Israeli government's illegal occupation of Palestinian lands and massive abuses of human rights, including Israel's recent violation of a pledge to the US not to construct new homes in a West Bank settlement (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/24/israelandthepalestinians.middleeast). ? Greens have called for the withholding of all US assistance, especially billions of dollars in military aid, until Israel reverses its current policies and adheres to international law, human rights protections, and UN directives, including withdrawal from occupied lands and recognition of the Palestinian right of return. http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=61 IRAN ? Despite promises of diplomacy, Sen. Obama has signed on to the Bush Administration's threat of a US or US-backed Israeli assault on Iran, even though intelligence confirms that the Iranian government is not using its nuclear power to build weapons. ? Greens have warned that an attack on Iran would bring untold consequences, including a greater regional or global conflict, and that the threat itself is an incentive for Iran and other nations to seek a nuclear arsenal. Greens call for an end to such threats, for diplomacy and friendship with Iran, and for an aggressive effort towards regional and global nuclear disarmament, noting the menace posed by Israel's and Pakistan's possession of nuclear weapons. http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=67 http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2007_10_08.shtml The Green Party has also urged impeachment and criminal investigation of the Bush-Cheney Administration's numerous abuses of power in launching the Iraq invasion as well as other actions. Barack Obama and the Democratic leadership have rejected all attempts to hold the latter accountable for its crimes. As US Representative from Georgia in 2006, Cynthia McKinney was the first member of Congress to introduce motions for impeachment. "Many Obama supporters don't realize that the differences between Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain on foreign policy are actually quite narrow and based on the same assumptions. Both believe that the US has a right to occupy other countries, place political demands on their leaders, and take control of their resources. But other voices are getting frozen out of the debate, including the Green nominees for the White House and Congress, whose campaigns are building America's permanent peace party alternative," said Carol Brouillet, Green candidate for Congress in California's District 14 and founder of the Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance (http://www.communitycurrency.org). MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://www.runcynthiarun.org 2008 Green National Convention, July 10-13 in Chicago, Illinois http://www.greenparty2008.org ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Wed Jul 30 19:34:43 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:34:43 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Please donate NOW to the national Green Party ballot-access drive! Message-ID: <489124C3.1080109@greens.org> Dear Greens, We here in California are fortunate to have had continuous ballot access since we were founded some 16 years ago. However, in many states around the country, Greens must petition every two years -- just so they can put the names of Green Party candidates on the ballot! At the recent annual meeting of the national Green Party, reports were made on how various state ballot access drives are doing, with an emphasis on Greens from states which already have ballot access traveling to neighboring states, to help them with their ballot access signature drives. However, none of California's neighboring states happen to need help with ballot access, so we are instead focusing on raising money to help out a dozen different states across the country. Because the deadlines in many of these states are rapidly approaching, WE NEED FOR YOU TO MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION RIGHT AWAY! You can make an online credit card donation at this webpage: https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=1922 or you can mail a check to: Green Party of the United States (GPUS), P.O. Box 57065, Washington, DC 20037-0065. (Please note that your are donating for ballot access). Then, after you donate, please reply back to this message, so we can keep track of how our fundraising drive is doing! PLEASE DONATE NOW! Please help our fellow Greens across the country with their time-urgent ballot access drives! Sincerely, Greg Jan, Coordinator, GPCA Delegation to GPUS Oakland, CA PS -- For reference, below are some upcoming state deadlines, along with the number of valid signatures required to achieve ballot access. Since it takes time to transfer funds to where it's most needed, we really do appreciate receiving your donation just as soon as is possible! Thank you! Alabama ------- 5000 - 09/08/08 Idaho --------- 5984 - 08/25/08 Iowa ---------- 1500 - 08/15/08 Kentucky ------ 5000 - 09/02/08 Minnesota ----- 2000 - 09/09/08 New York ----- 15000 - 08/19/08 North Dakota -- 4000 - 09/05/08 Ohio ---------- 5000 - 08/21/08 Rhode Island -- 1000 - 09/05/08 Tennessee ------ 275 - 08/21/08 Utah ---------- 1000 - 09/02/08 Vermont ------- 1000 - 09/12/08 Virginia ----- 10000 - 08/22/08 Wyoming ------- 3868 - 08/25/08 From updates at cagreens.org Tue Aug 5 20:49:53 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:49:53 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens challenge Electoral College manipulation of pres. election outcome Message-ID: <48991F61.4030500@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 5, 2008 Greens launch effort against Electoral College manipulation of presidential elections ? Malapportionment of Electoral College votes may lead to a Republican victory despite the popular vote, disenfranchising tens of thousands of voters, especially black voters in southern states ? Green civil action seeks to democratize the Electoral College by enforcing 14th Amendment voter protections, names Vice President Cheney as defendent WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders said today that the outcome of the 2008 presidential election may be affected by the antidemocratic apportionment of Electoral College votes, with the popular vote misrepresented by the winner-take-all system of assigning votes to electors. "We're in danger of seeing the 2008 election stolen again, as in 2000 and 2004," said Clyde Shabazz, Green candidate for the US House in Michigan (13th District) (http://www.migreens.org). "In Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004, we witnessed the obstruction and manipulation of votes by election officials and possible tampering with computer voting machines. But equally insidious is the malapportionment of Electoral College votes, which disenfranchises whole sections of the voting public." A civil action to protect the voting rights of presidential electors and the voters they represent was filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia (1:08-cv-01294) on January 28, 2008, by Asa Gordon, chair of the DC Statehood Green Party's Electoral College Task Force and executive director of the Douglass Institute of Government (http://members.aol.com/digasa/dig.htm). The action seeks relief against the defendant, Vice President Cheney, who will preside over the tabulation of "unbound electoral states" on January 6, 2009, challenging the recognition of Electoral College votes that are apportioned by states on a winner-take-all basis. The civil action seeks enforcement of the 'Mal-Apportionment Penalty' provided in Section 2 of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which mandates a reduction of a state's presidential electors and congressional representatives if "the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States... is denied... or in any way abridged." The civil action alternatively seeks the issuance of a court order providing proportional apportionment of presidential electors. "If two thirds of the voters in a state vote for a candidate from Party A and one third vote for a candidate from Party B, and the state's winner-take-all rule gives all of the state's electors to Party A, then one third of the voters have been disenfranchised in violation of Amendment 14, Section 2 of the US Constitution," said Jody Grage, treasurer of the Green Party. "We've witnessed in election after election how some states have used the winner-take-all formula to prevent the votes of political, ethnic, and other minorities from being counted." Mr. Gordon noted that the civil action had the potential to "alter the fate of the 2008 presidential election in a manner different from any presidential election in the nation's history." (http://www.electors.us) "By refusing to challenge Electoral College malapportionment in 2000 and 2004, which blocked Democratic electors from voting in those elections, the Democratic Party's leaders abandoned tens of thousands of their own voters, just as they failed to challenge the election irregularities in Florida and Ohio in 2000 and 2004," said Mr. Gordon. "Will they fail to challenge malapportionment again in 2008, and hand the Republicans another victory? Barack Obama would not be the Democratic nominee if not for the Democratic Party's proportional assignment of primary delegates. The winner-take-all provisions in the general election present the distinct possibility that Mr. Obama in 2008 will win the popular vote by a considerably larger margin than did Gore in 2000, but will repeat the Democratic loss in the Electoral College." Mr. Gordon said that African American voters in several southern states* that were represented by proportional assignment of delegates in the Democratic primary, and who were critical to Barack Obama's success, will be lost to Mr. Obama under the winner-take-all rules of the general election. "If proportional assignment is considered by Democrats to be vital to democracy in their primary elections, why won't they fight for it in the general election?" asked Mr. Gordon, who led workshops for Green presidential electors during the 2008 Green National Convention (http://www.gp.org/speakers/detail.php?ID=29) (http://www.greenparty2008.org/wiki/index.php/Workshops). As a result of the workshops, several Green electors pledged to presidential candidate (and eventual Green nominee) Cynthia McKinney agreed to institute a program for enforcement of the Reconstruction-Era provision enshrined in the 14th Amendment. "The 'Democratize the Electoral College' program exposes the hypocrisy and fraud behind charges that the McKinney campaign might 'spoil' the Democratic presidential ticket's chances of winning. Democratic leaders should have to explain why they choose to ignore 13 additional electors from southern states that they'd gain through the Green Party's presidential electors project. Why is the Green Party fighting to give voice to Democratic voters that the Democratic Party will not fight for? Let me be clear -- we're not doing this to assist Barack Obama, but to foster real democracy and voter participation, and to offer Cynthia McKinney as the truly democratic choice for all the people," said Mr. Gordon. Green Party leaders noted that after John Kerry quickly conceded the 2004 election, Democratic leaders failed to respond to thousands of complaints about voting irregularities in Ohio and other states. Green presidential nominee David Cobb and Libertarian nominee Michael Badnarik launched the Ohio and New Mexico recount efforts and collected the initial evidence that Republican officials had blocked the votes of many African American and young voters (http://www.iwantmyvote.com). Greens raised most of the money for the recounts. Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) later held hearings and published evidence of the election theft (http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/19/2005/1101). Cynthia McKinney and running mate Rosa Clemente were nominated during the 2008 Green National Convention in Chicago, July 10-13. The Green Party's national platform endorses a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College and providing for the direct election of the president by instant runoff voting (http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/democracy.html#309649). "Americans don't vote for President. Instead, we vote for an electoral college which was created in the late 1700s to expressly increase the power of the slave states -- and which it is still doing," said Mark Dunlea, an election law attorney with the Green Party of New York State. * Asa Gordon's civil action observes that the Office of the Federal Register of the National Archives and Records Administration explicitly declares that "the electors in these (Southern) States (ARKANSAS -- 6 Electoral Votes, GEORGIA -- 15 Electoral Votes, LOUISIANA -- 9 Electoral Votes, TENNESSEE -- 11 Electoral Votes, TEXAS -- 34 Electoral Votes) are not bound by State Law to cast their vote for a specific candidate" (http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/laws.html). The civil action was filed on July 28, 2008, to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the adoption of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. Since the debacle of the 2000 presidential election, the Green Party in partnership with the Douglass Institute of Government has led the way in educating Americans about their constitutional "right to vote" under the provisions of 14th Amendment, Section 2. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://www.runcynthiarun.org Mal-Apportionment Penalty Civil Actions http://www.electors.us "Greens: Enforce 14th Amendment's 'Right to Vote' Provision" Green Party press release, October 18, 2004 http://www.gp.org/press/pr_10_18_04.html "Greens Push for Real Electoral Reforms at Carter-Baker Hearings, June 30" Green Party press release, June 27, 2005 http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_06_27.shtml 2008 Green National Convention, July 10-13 in Chicago, Illinois http://www.greenparty2008.org ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sun Aug 10 19:29:47 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:29:47 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP-US VNR - - Rosa Clemente Green Party VP - The Media White Out + South African World Conference Message-ID: <489FA41B.5040502@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ VNR - Video News Release http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM-VE-YWpjk Spread the above link. Also DIGG here http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Rosa_Clemente_Green_Party_The_Media_Whiteout Rosa Clemente Green Party VP - The Media White Out. The major media had secheduled and then canceled interviews with Cynthia McKinney, Green Party Presidential candidate. Despite the historic importance of an all woman of color ticket, the Black and Latino media have shut them out. Even so called "progressive" media ignores the significance of the campaign and the issues they discuss. Clemente talks about what you can do about this! Vice Presidential candidate Clemente is the running mate of Cynthia Mckinney, Green Party candidate for President. http://rosaclemente.com/ http://www.runcynthiarun.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCt4tylFvS4 Link ________ Rosa Clemente Green Part VP - South African World Conference Against Racism Clemente talks about the South African World Conference Against Racism. Key issues of Reparations as well as Palestinian Self Determination were discussed, how the US empire doesn't function . . . how the US walked out on the conference. Until we merge the Prison culture back with the Street Culture we'll keep going back to prison. Clemente talks about 911 police state. She talks about the Green Party's 10 key values and the importance of Social Justice. Vice Presidential candidate Clemente is the running mate of Cynthia Mckinney, Green Party candidate for President. http://rosaclemente.com/ http://www.runcynthiarun.org/ From updates at cagreens.org Mon Aug 11 18:44:20 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:44:20 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE: US needs Green energy & global warming solutions, not Obama or McCain plans Message-ID: <48A0EAF4.3090406@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Monday, August 11, 2008 America needs the Green Party's solutions to energy and global warming crises, not the Obama or McCain plans, say Greens ? Greens call rise of gas prices and demand for expanded drilling a manipulation by oil companies seeking control over US energy policy WASHINGTON, DC -- Green candidates and leaders called Barack Obama's and John McCain's positions on energy policy, gas prices, and global warming a capitulation to corporate lobbies, and urged adoption of the Green Party's plan to reduce fossil fuel consumption, generate new jobs in conservation and new energy sources, and curb the advance of climate change. "Both the McCain and Obama energy plans privilege corporate profits over the urgent need to transforms our nation's energy policies. Both Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama are seeking ways to preserve corporate profits at a time when the future of our planet is at stake," said John M. Wages, Jr., Green candidate for the US House in Mississippi (District 1) (http://www.VoteJohnWages.com). "Barack Obama's support for nuclear power and ethanol and his recent turnaround on offshore drilling prove that he, like John McCain, will not challenge the power and profits of the energy industry. We need the kind of national leadership on energy and the global warming threat that's represented by our presidential and congressional Green candidates." Exelon, a nuclear power company, is among Barack Obama's top corporate donors ((Source: Center for Responsive Politics, http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638). (John McCain's corporate donor list: http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?id=N00006424&cycle2=2008&goButt2.x=7&goButt2.y=6) Oil industry contributions to Democrats and Republicans in 2008 are already soaring, while the percentage gap between contributions to the two parties' candidates, though consistently higher for Republicans, has begun to diminish (Source: http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=E01). Greens said that two factors are behind the demand for drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) and in offshore areas, purportedly to reduce dependence on foreign oil: (1) The oil companies are manipulating prices to create fear among Americans to win support for drilling in these areas. In fact, Canada increased its exports to the States by almost 100 million barrels between 2005 and 2007, thanks to an oil boom in Alberta's oil sands, and oil companies have posted record profits recently. Naomi Klein has written that "drilling in ANWR would have little discernible impact on actual global oil supplies, as its advocates well know. The argument that it could nonetheless bring down oil prices is based not on hard economics but on market psychoanalysis: drilling would 'send a message' to the oil traders that more oil is on the way, which would cause them to start betting down the price." (The Nation, July 21, 2008, http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080721/lookout) (2) Popular fears over gas prices have given the oil industry greater leverage over measures to curb global warming at a time when fossil fuel consumption must be drastically reduced. Furthermore, Exxon Mobil, Texaco, BP, and other companies are using their increased leverage during the current gas price panic to win oil production contracts in Iraq, which will prolong the US occupation indefinitely. Sen. Obama, while promising a reduction of US troops in Iraq, would leave a residual occupation force to protect "American interests," which means US control over Iraqi oil resources. The Green Party has strongly opposed ANWR and off-shore drilling and trading of carbon caps, and favors bans on new coal fired-power plants, new nuclear power plants (as well as early retirement of current nuclear reactors), and all mountaintop coal removal. The party endorses a reduction by 90% of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 2012, targeted carbon taxes, investment in renewable noncarbon-based energy technology, and reduction of CO2 and SO2 emissions by 80% by 2020. These and other policies are listed in a recommendation for environmental action for a Green President's first 100 days in office (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=58). "America's first priorities must be conservation and efficiency. The Green Party has an effective plan to reorganize the economy, create millions of new jobs in conversion to safe clean energy, conservation, and expansion of public transportation to replace car traffic," said Rosa Clemente, nominated by the Green Party as Cynthia McKinney's running mate for Vice President of the United States (http://www.rosaclemente.com). "Such an effort should be comparable to America's concerted and internationally cooperative effort to defeat the Axis powers during World War II. But this time we'd be uniting for peace, since global warming threatens the security of the entire world in the coming decades." "Without such an effort, the disaster we witnessed in New Orleans during and after Katrina will take place on a global scale. Billions of people will see their homes, livelihoods, health, and lives threatened, while corporate interests exploit the devastation for more money and power," added Ms. Clemente. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://www.runcynthiarun.org 2008 Green National Convention, July 10-13 in Chicago, Illinois http://www.greenparty2008.org ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Thu Aug 14 19:10:37 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:10:37 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Release: Md. Green candidate for US House speaks out on the Russo-Georgian conflict Message-ID: <48A4E59D.5050709@greens.org> Distributed by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org Gordon Clark for Congress http://www.clarkforcongress.net GORDON CLARK: RUSSO-GEORGIAN CONFLICT SHOWS BANKRUPTCY OF POST COLD-WAR ORDER Silver Spring, Maryland (August 13th, 2008) - The Clark for Congress campaign issued the following statement today on the Russo-Georgian conflict by 8th District Green Party congressional candidate Gordon Clark: "The brutal Russian invasion of neighboring Georgia exemplifies the worst aspects of nation-state behavior. Yet it also demonstrates the complete failure of our current system of international relations, one still based largely on military alliances, confrontation and conflict. "The beginning of the current crisis can be marked to the end of the Cold War. The NATO military alliance that stood against the Soviet Union's Warsaw Pact should have been dismantled when the Soviet Union broke up. Instead, NATO not only continued, it grew - by accepting former members of the Warsaw Pact, a strategy that inevitably antagonized Russia (as does our building of missile defense systems in former Warsaw Pact nation Poland). In response, Russia looked to protect its borders. "At the same time, Georgia's U.S.-educated leader, President Mikheil Saakashvili, has been regularly encouraged with words of strong support from President Bush and other Western leaders - words that are easily interpreted, in the current context, to be backed by force. So, rather than attempt to resolve peacefully the confrontation with Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, which has strong ethnic ties to Russia, Saakashvili launched an ill-advised military operation there last week. A predictable (if extreme) Russian military response followed, leaving the Georgian president waiting for U.S. or western military support that never materialized. "The U.S. is utterly unable to influence Russia's behavior because of our own government's invasion and continued occupation of Iraq, as well as our military involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and our threats against Iran. It was painfully disturbing to watch U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (and former Ambassador to Iraq and Afghanistan) Zalmay Khalilzad trying to lecture the Russians that 'the days of overthrowing leaders by military means' are over. He had to add the phrase '?in Europe' -- a transparent rhetorical attempt to excuse our own invasions and regime changes. "In a world filled with national, regional, and ethnic tensions - and now overflowing with armaments, thanks in no small part to U.S. weapons sales - the path to peace and stability will not come from military action. The Russian invasion of Georgia must be strongly condemned, but no differently than the U.S. invasion and continuing occupation of Iraq, and U.S. threats and military action elsewhere in the Middle East. Unless our nation turns away from our own militarized foreign policy and toward diplomacy and peaceful dispute resolution, other regions of the world will continue to explode in violence - and there will be nothing that the U.S. can do about it." Gordon Clark, the Green Party candidate for U. S. Congress from Maryland's 8th District, has for over twenty years been a community activist in the peace, environmental, nonviolence, and social justice arenas. He is a former National Executive Director of Peace Action, the founder of Iraq Pledge of Resistance (now the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance), and a former Field Director for Public Citizen's Congress Watch. For more information on the Clark for Congress campaign, call (301) 589-2355, email info at clarkforcongress.net, or visit http://www.clarkforcongress.net and http://www.myspace.com/clarkforcongress - # # # - From updates at cagreens.org Sun Aug 17 10:40:46 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 10:40:46 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Support Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente - Vote Green Party Message-ID: <48A8629E.3020900@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Speak Truth: Hip-Hop's All Out for McKinney/Clemente Is the Green Party running the first ever Hip-Hop ticket? The McKinney Clemente Presidential Campaign continues to garner endosements of many leaders in the hip-hop community. If you haven't heard, Public Enemy's legendary Proffesor Griff supports the ticket as does M1 from Dead Prez; La Bruja; MC NYOil; and most recently, RAS (Riders Against the Storm). Check out RAS latest video "Speak the Truth" endorsing the campaign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shcIcOU1JNs To watch other video endorsements and find out how you can help this historic campaign go to: http://www2.runcynthiarun.org/Endorsements The Green Party is the Imperative! Ballot Access is Key to success! The clock is ticking for a few state Green Parties and we need all available volunteers to help complete ballot access drives! The McKinney campaign seeks to pull up another chair to the national political dialogue, but we can't win 5% of the national vote without ballot access in as many states as possible. If you live in or near one of the following states and can help collect petitions on the street, at events, or from family and friends, please contact the following coordinators: Tom Yager (Virginia) vagreen at earthlink.net Michael O'Neill (New York) petition at gpny.org Deanna Taylor (Utah) deesings at xmission.com Anita Rios (Ohio) rhannon at toast.net Phil Huckelberry (Kentucky) phil.huckelberry at gmail.com Holly Hart (Iowa) hhart11 at gmail.com Greg Gerritt (Rhode Island) gerritt at mindspring.com You can also start right now by downloading petitions, volunteering for the Ballot Access Committee, and making a financial contribution at www.gp.org/committees/ballot/. Take the Green Party Back to School with you Students and teachers - school will be back in session soon and 'Obama-mania' and 'McCain-ity' will soon be spreading on campus. We need to spread the word about the McKinney/Clemente campaign and build the groundwork for campus organizations for years to come. If you are a student, teacher or staff member and have been a member of a campus Green Party chapter or want to get one started at your school, please e-mail us at campus at gp.org. We are looking to provide resources for campus Green Party chapters, hook you up with Greens from your school, and help you form a lasting chapter that can help train the next generation of Green Party leadership. If you have a group together already or need help, e-mail campus at gp.org today! Harmony Groves - Green City Council Member As an ardent advocate for cyclists, she has established excellent infrastructure for the greener transport, and promoted Arcata, CA "as a destination of eco-friendly bike tourism". Also, as the youngest councilmember in a college town, she is proud to have "have spoken from a renter's perspective to hold landlords accountable". Groves, like most of the Greens, rejects both the Republican and Democratic Parties, which she believes are not leading the nation on environmental issues. "I do not want to commit myself to their party lines", she says. However, strikingly for a Green, she admits that she agrees with some of the two dominant parties' policies. She praises Democratic policies on trade unions, and she goes so far as to say that "I believe in some of the Republican Party's tenets." She is referring to fiscal responsibility which is hardly left-wing, even though it has largely been abandoned by the Republicans under Bush. Groves open-mindedness to other party's political ideas is rooted in her belief in a democratic process and electoral politics. She thinks that no Green policy can be realistic and sustainable without support from people of different political backgrounds and beliefs. "We [Greens] need to be a part of larger discussions to find common goals and values we can agree on [with people who have different political ideologies], which are often broader and deeper than our disagreements", she says. She argues for the Green Party's vital need to present ourselves as "a professional, creative and positive political voice" and "a credible, professional alternative", not only as a pure and idealistic force. She emphatically appeals that we need to focus on the common values we share and work together for our common goals, if we are to succeed. Some might disagree with her political styles and approaches. However, what is certain are that her voice is valuable to the green discourse and Green politics, and that her ideas merit consideration and discussion, both within and outside of the Green Party. Register Green. Live Green. Vote Green. Give Green. The Green Party does not accept corporate donations. We depend entirely on donations from people who are committed to building a powerful and progressive alternative to the two corporate parties. We ask you to challenge corporate influence in politics by supporting the Green Party of the United States! Show your resistance to the status quo by enabling us to continue organizing and mobilizing for real change. Please help us get out our positive, progressive values to new communities, and to deepen our involvement where we're already anchored. Support us today and please consider becoming a sustainer (look for the recurring donation option). https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?dona%0A%0Ate_page_KEY=64 Green Party online shopping just got easier! Visit our improved online store. https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/shop.jsp?storef%0A%0Aront_KEY=4 New Green Party Products: "Good-To-Go" Eco-Friendly Bags Colorful Fridge Magnets And ... the 2008 Campaign Essential ... Cynthia McKinney T-Shirts Get 'em while they're Hot! Americans are ready for Change America is ready for the Green Party's message. But we need your help in bringing the message to the American people! Donate now to the Green Party https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?dona%0A%0Ate_page_KEY=64 Make your friends GREEN with envy. Become a card-carrying Green today! Buy Your Green Party Card Online https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=1434 The latest, coolest item in the wallets of progressives is the personalized Green Party Card. For $36.00 a year* you can be a card-carrying Green. When you become an active supporter of the Green Party of the United States, you'll receive our spanking-new card, which shows the world that you stand committed to time-honored progressive values like liberty, equality, democracy, social justice, personal responsibility and focus on the future. In addition, you will receive a Green Party button and bumper sticker, a one-year subscription to Green Pages, plus all of the information you need to get involved and active as a Green. Half of your contribution will be shared with your state's Green Party. The Future is Green! ------------- Federal law requires political committees to use their best effort to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer for each individual whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. Contributions form the following individuals and entities are prohibited: corporations, labor organizations, national banks, government contractors, people under 18 years of age, and foreign nationals. *$36.00 is roughly equivalent to the $1.00 paid for a one-year membership in the Populist Party of the 1890s. The Populist Party was a multiracial, progressive, grassroots third party of working people which agitated for many popular progressive reforms. The Green Party of the 21st century continues the Populist's fight for citizen empowerment and progressive reforms at all levels today. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = All comments, feedback and content suggestions should be sent to: office at gp.org. You've been reading Green Line, the monthly e-newsletter of the Green Party of the United States. Subscribe for free at gp.org. Click here to unsubscribe: http://www.democracyinaction.com/Greens/unsubscribe.jsp? Paid for by the Green Party of the United States From updates at cagreens.org Mon Aug 25 20:18:18 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:18:18 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: McKinney deserves her place in Sept. 18 pres. debate in New Orleans Message-ID: <48B375FA.80807@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Monday, August 25, 2008 Greens: Cynthia McKinney deserves to participate in the Sept. 18 presidential debate in New Orleans ? Green Party leaders cite McKinney's advocacy of the rights of Katrina survivors and criticism of government response to the disaster, saying she will speak for displaced and excluded people of New Orleans if invited to the debate ? Greens seek an end to presidential debates limited by arbitrary criteria to the two corporate party candidates; pollsters' omission of McKinney amounts to manipulation of the presidential race and censorship of the McKinney-Clemente campaign ? Cynthia McKinney's speech in Denver, August 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzoiIQSanx4 WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders called for the organizers of the September 18 presidential debate in New Orleans to admit other candidates along with the Democratic and Republican nominees, including Green nominee Cynthia McKinney. The debate sponsors, Google and You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p6Iwu4xMaY), require a 15% showing in three national polls to determine which candidates may participate in the debate. "Cynthia McKinney deserves a place in the New Orleans debate. Any presidential candidate who has qualified for enough ballot lines to achieve the necessary electoral votes to win to be elected -- regardless of poll numbers -- has earned a place in the debates. The 15% threshold is being used to exclude all candidates outside of the corporate party nominees, John McCain and Barack Obama," said Cliff Thornton, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "Ms. McKinney is more than just the candidate of a viable and growing party. She has played a special role in the movement to help survivors of the 2005 hurricane disaster in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. No other presidential candidate can talk about the needs of those who've been displaced or otherwise affected by Katrina the way Ms. McKinney can. Their concerns will be missing from the debate if Cynthia McKinney isn't invited," added Mr. Thornton. Cynthia McKinney will appear on enough state ballots for an Electoral College victory, should she win in all these states. For the same reason, Greens also support the inclusion of independent candidate Ralph Nader, Libertarian Party nominee Bob Barr, and Constitution Party nominee Chuck Baldwin in the New Orleans debate. Green Party leaders said that, since pollsters are generally omitting Ms. McKinney in their research, the poll numbers are showing dishonest and manipulated results, with the McKinney-Clemente campaign effectively censored from major media coverage of the race. "Voters deserve to know about all the names they'll see on the ballot on Election Day, and to know which candidate best represents one's interests and ideals. It's time to end debates limited to candidates approved by sponsoring corporations and pollsters," said Green Party co-chair Sanda Everette. Greens are appealing to New Orleans area community organizations as well as women's, student, and human rights groups to join the demand for Cynthia McKinney's inclusion in the New Orleans debate. Greens note that Ms. McKinney, a member of the US House (Dem-Ga.) at the time of the hurricane, has been intimately involved in the post-Katrina survivors' issues, and that she: ? Joined the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, despite the Democratic Party leadership's call for Democratic members to boycott the committee. http://katrina.house.gov/index.htm ? Led a congressional delegation to the site of the devastation, arranged for survivors to testify before the Commission, and inserted a 75-page supplement in the Final Report of the Katrina Commission exposing many problems not otherwise addressed. ? Introduced the first legislation concerning the clean-up toxicity in the region and restoring the homes of displaced residents. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h4197ih.txt ? Tracked hundreds of bills and worked closely with other members of Congress on drafting combined legislation that addressed many survivor issues. ? Led a march across the bridge to Gretna, Louisiana, with people displaced by Katrina who had been refused passage during the hurricane; introduced a bill to deny funding to the Gretna police department because of its role in turning away thousands of hurricane survivors, mostly African Americans, at the Crescent City Connection bridge. Ms. McKinney was the only member of Congress to join the November 7, 2005 march. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h4209ih.txt.pdf http://www.saveourwetlands.org/blockbridge.html ? Continues to works actively with the Reconstruction Party, a local political party in New Orleans, and in support of displaced residents' right of return and other survivor issues. http://www.cwsworkshop.org/katrinareader/node/525 MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://www.runcynthiarun.org Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? Speech in Denver, August 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzoiIQSanx4 ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo "An Opportunity to Open Presidential Debates" By John Nichols, The Nation, July 6, 2008 http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters/334812 http://www.greenchange.org/article.php?id=2910 2008 Green National Convention, July 10-13 in Chicago, Illinois http://www.greenparty2008.org ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Tue Aug 26 18:53:46 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:53:46 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] If I were Speaker of the House - Cynthia McKinney Green Party Presidential Candidate Message-ID: <48B4B3AA.1020809@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7r8H-_mkFY Link Cynthia McKinney Green Party Presidential Candidate If she were Speaker of the House ? Repeal Bush Tax Cuts ? Repeal Patriot Act ? End War Funding ? Repeal Secret Evidence Act ? Repeal Military Commissions Act ? Tell America the truth about rendition and torture ? Impanel 9/11 Commission ? Budget Human Needs before special interest Greed ? Laws on Lobyists http://votetruth08.com/ ____________ Each one of you Please: View the video Post a positive comment even if it's just a word or three Rate it (5 stars) On SHARE click on Digg and Digg it. If you have MySpace and/or FaceBook page or friends send it to them. Post on webpage, blogs, link in comments fields of appropriate blogs or news sites. Send this to other Green Lists and/or your own lists. Send this to activist Groups that may be interested in the subject mater. Please Participate. Help your Green Party candidates reach people and gain exposure. Craig Seeman NY From updates at cagreens.org Wed Aug 27 19:56:17 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:56:17 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Press Advisory on Rosa at Denver rally tomorrow, please distribute Message-ID: <48B613D1.5080402@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Listen to Green vice-presidential candidate Rosa Clemente interviewed by Kojo Nnamdi on WAMU 88.5 FM (Washington, DC, but broadcast from Denver) on Tuesday: http://wamu.org/programs/kn/08/08/26.php#22631 Rosa did an outstanding job, covering everything from the politics of the Hip Hop Generation to the Green Party to the retreat of the Democratic Party and Barack Obama on issue after issue. Forward the link widely! ========================================================= *Press Advisory* *For immediate release* GREEN PARTY VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ROSA CLEMENTE TO PARTICIPATE IN ?OPEN THE DEBATES? RALLY IN DENVER /[Washington, DC]/ Rosa Clemente, the recently nominated vice- presidential candidate running with former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney on the Green Party ticket, will join Ralph Nader, Matt Gonzalez, Val Kilmer, Sean Penn, Cindy Sheehan, Tom Morello, Jello Biafra, Nellie McKay, and Ike Reilly at the "Open the Debates" Super Rally on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at the University of Denver Magness Arena in Denver, Colorado. Green Party and other third party and independent candidates in the 2008 presidential race have been consistently excluded from national and local debates, including progressive Congressman Dennis Kucinich from national media debates. The Green Party is demanding that presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney to be included in the upcoming Google and YouTube debates in New Orleans. ?It is critical for the Hip Hop generation and young people, among whom only one in fourteen vote or participate in elections, and who see the current two-party system as antiquated and unable to address their issues, to be able to hear other alternatives at all political debates so they can have informed voter choice and become engaged in real democracy. The Green Party ticket represents something my generation can vote for, not just an alternative, but an imperative. This push to have third party and independent voices in national and local debates helps all of us to make democracy work,? Clemente noted. The Denver Super Rally, organized by independent candidate Ralph Nader is being held to coincide with the Democratic National Convention. A second Super Rally is planned for Minneapolis on September 4th at Orchestra Hall during the week of the Republican National Convention. The Super Rallies will be part of an outpouring of protest in Denver and Minneapolis against the two corporate controlled parties and their policies of perpetual militarism and war, at the expense of the necessities here at home. "Our focus at the Denver Super Rally will be to expand the debates beyond just two parties," Nader said. "It's an issue of central concern to many Americans and extends far beyond any one candidate. It is a first amendment matter of speech, petition and assembly during a Presidential election for both the candidates and the voters." For more information see: www.votetruth08.org www.rosaclemente.com http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 28, 2008 Contacts: Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty at greens.org Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene at gp.org McKinney/Clemente and Obama/Biden compared on the US justice system, the War on Drugs, human rights, and fair elections ? The Green Imperative: Ending the Drug War, establishing racial and social justice, ensuring democracy and election integrity ? Video: Cindy Sheehan endorses Cynthia McKinney for President Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOZlpLmL7wk Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRNA6nnT2OY ? Video: Cynthia McKinney discusses major issues http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun Ms. McKinney on the Democratic Party: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpYlQx2MLuw WASHINGTON, DC -- As the Democratic National Convention continued, Green Party leaders called attention to sharp differences between the Democratic ticket and Green nominees Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente. Greens congratulated Mr. Obama on his historic nomination as the first African American presidential candidate of an established party in the US. But Greens noted that the nomination of Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente in July is also historically significant -- the first time a national political party has chosen two women of color. Ms. McKinney is African American and Ms. Clemente is Black Puerto Rican. "There's a whole list of urgent issues that Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente are talking about, while Barack Obama and Joe Biden remain silent," said Cliff Thornton, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and co-founder of Efficacy, Inc. (http://www.Efficacy-online.org). "The Democrats don't want to discuss the devastation caused by the failed War on Drugs, or abuses by the police, courts, and Homeland Security authorities. They won't mention the theft of the 2000 and 2004 elections by the Republicans or address the mass displacement of poor and African American people from New Orleans. For Cynthia and Rosa, these are major issues affecting the future of our country." The War on Drugs ? Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente -- oppose the War on Drugs, calling it a war on African American, Latino, poor, and young people. They favor legalization of marijuana and medical treatment for drug use and abuse instead of prosecution. ? Barack Obama and Joseph Biden -- support the War on Drugs. Mr. Obama will continue the Andean Counterdrug Initiative, which has funded US assistance for repressive police and military forces in seven South American countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Venezuela) since 2001. The Justice System ? Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente -- have spoken out strongly against police and court abuses, including the Sean Bell case, the Jena Six, and the Mumia Abu Jamal case. -- oppose privatization of prisons, which has created a new industry demanding increasing numbers of inmates for corporate profits. As a result of the Prison-Industrial Complex, the US incarcerates more citizens than any other country in the world. -- call for abolition of the death penalty. ? Barack Obama and Joseph Biden -- remain silent or have equivocated on many cases of police and court abuses. -- are silent on the privatization of the prison system. -- support the death penalty. Human Rights ? Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente -- would repeal the USA Patriot Act, Secret Evidence Act, and Military Commissions Act. -- have spoken out for the rights of survivors of Katrina in 2005. Ms. McKinney was directly involved in efforts on behalf of people in New Orleans and has criticized bipartisan policies that have displaced thousands of poor and African American residents in the wake of the hurricane (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=94). She joined the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, disobeying Democratic leadership's call for Democrats to boycott the committee. -- support full and equal recognition for same-sex marriage. -- support full reproductive rights. -- support reparations for the descendents of African American slaves in the US. -- support statehood for the District of Columbia, with self-determination and full representation in Congress equal to other states (http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org). ? Barack Obama and Joseph Biden -- support the USA Patriot Act (Mr. Obama voted for reauthorization). -- were not involved in assistance for Gulf Coast residents in Katrina aftermath. -- favor limited and unequal recognition for same-sex couples. -- would allow states to restrict late-term 'partial birth' abortion. -- do not support reparations for the descendents of slaves. -- favor the 'DC Vote': a single voting seat in the US House for DC. Statehood for DC was removed from the Democratic Party's national platform in 2004. Democracy and Election Integrity ? Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente -- take no money from corporate contributors. -- have spoken out against the Republican theft of the 2000 and 2004 elections: see Ms. McKinney's documentary 'American Blackout' (http://www.americanblackout.com). Greens led effort to expose Republican obstruction of African American and young voters and manipulation of votes in Ohio and New Mexico in 2004 (http://www.iwantmyvote.com). -- seek public financing of elections, free time on public airwaves for all candidates, repeal of ballot access laws restricting third party and independent candidates. -- support instant runoff voting, proportional representation, and other reforms to ensure democracy in US elections. ? Barack Obama and Joseph Biden -- have taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from corporate contributors (http://www.opensecrets.org). -- have not responded to election irregularities in Ohio in 2004 or to the Conyers Commission's evidence that the 2004 election may have been stolen. -- are silent on many needed election reforms. Democrats and Republicans have together worked to pass laws limiting third party and independent participation in elections. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com/ http://www.runcynthiarun.org Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? Speech in Denver, August 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxgcjOjUEc ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo 2008 Green National Convention, July 10-13 in Chicago, Illinois http://www.greenparty2008.org ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sun Aug 31 16:19:21 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:19:21 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Host a Party to watch Cynthia McKinney on C-SPAN Sunday, Sept. 7th 6:30 EDT Message-ID: <48BB26F9.1020303@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Party Green for McKinney/Clemente Friends! We have a unique opportunity to grow our Green Presidential campaign exponentially! On Sept. 7th at 6:30 PM EDT, Cynthia McKinney will be interviewed on C-SPAN. This is a fabulous opportunity for us to gather collectively to listen to our candidate in prime time on TV. What we in the Outreach Committee ask of you is to plan ahead to watch this historic campaign event with family and friends--invited specifically for that purpose. You can go to www.gp.org/houseparties for downloadable templates and ideas for getting the party started. Hopefully, many of the viewers will be inspired to get involved with the campaign, either with time or with money to support this courageous woman and her running mate, Rosa Clemente, also a bold, courageous, intelligent woman, who are determined to tell the truth about a whole range of issues. We have come to expect a steady stream of lies from our "political leaders," as routine standard procedure. What a breath of fresh air our Green team is, and how proud we are to have them leading the Green Party of the United States! PS: Go to http://votetruth08.com/ to support the campaign. If you live in a state that has not yet raised $5,000 for the campaign, please donate today. Donations received before September 4th will help us qualify for Federal Matching funds. Please help today! If you live in a state that has already helped qualify for matching funds. Please ask friends and family in other states to help out. The Future of the Green Party is in your hands. Help the Power to the People Campaign You can also help by reaching out to Greens in other states through our online phone bank. The McKinney-Clemente campaign operates a virtual phone bank where you can work from home, using your unlimited long distance plans and your internet connections to access campaign lists to support fundraising and voter ID work. Phone conferences are being held Wednesday and Friday nights to support your work on the campaign phone bank. The Green Party of the United States and many state parties have made their fundraising lists available for this purpose. Supporters willing to help the campaign raise funds are urged to send your name, state, phone number and email address to: phone-bank at runcynthiarun.org. You'll get a response with login credentials, links, instructions and a phone number where you can get your questions answered. The Green Party needs your support at this critical time to win campaigns at all levels. Donations made by going to the link below will not go towards matching funds. (Please support both!) Donate to the Green Party of the United States https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=1257 Go here to unsubscribe: http://www.democracyinaction.org/Greens/unsubscribe.jsp Email: office at gp.org Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREENCA From updates at cagreens.org Tue Sep 2 20:41:38 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:41:38 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens condemn brutal police raids, arrests of protesters & journalists in Twin Cities outside RNC Message-ID: <48BE0772.6020805@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 2, 2008 Greens condemn brutal 'police state' raids, arrests of peaceful protesters and journalists outside the GOP convention in St. Paul ? Green Party members are among those targeted; trumped-up charges are meant to intimidate and crush political dissent, say Greens, who urge media covering the convention to report the brutal treatment of fellow journalists ? Combined effort by local police and Feds reveals that Bush's domestic spy program is aimed at Americans exercising their lawful rights WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders strongly condemned the brutal police assaults, raids, and arrests on dubious charges targeted at peaceful protesters gathering near the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. Among those arrested and brutalized are journalists, including Amy Goodman and other Democracy Now! staff (http://www.democracynow.org), and antiwar and progressive activists. Police have attacked nonviolent demonstrators with concussion grenades, tear gas, pepper spray, and tasers and have raided meetings and activists' homes. Police raided the home of Michael Whelan, a long-time Green Party supporter whose Arise Bookstore once housed the party's local office (see Green Party of Minnesota press release, Sept. 1, http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=99). Video: "Police Raid In St. Paul of Green Party Activists' Home" http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/620/ (Caption: "Police prepare to raid a home in St. Paul in connection with the RNC protests. According to neighbors, the family that lives in the duplex has never been any problem and are members of the Green Party.") Greens are leading and participating in protest actions and rallies throughout the week. On Monday, Green Party vice-presidential nominee Rosa Clemente addressed the antiwar marchers in St. Paul and appeared with the National Truth Commission on Poverty. Minneapolis City Council members Cam Gordon (Green Party) and Elizabeth Glidden (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party) have issued a statement condemning the actions of Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, whose office conducted raids in Minneapolis and St. Paul last weekend (http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2008/09/01/3244/two_minneapolis_council_members_decry_weekend_raids). "America needs to know what's going on in Minnesota. The police state actions that Americans deplored in China during the Olympics are happening here in the US, outside the Republican convention. Reporters from all media should be outraged at the brutal treatment of their fellow journalists," said Mark Dunlea, an attorney, former Chair of the Green Party of New York State and a long-time host of Capitol Report, a public affairs radio show. Greens compared the police actions in the Twin Cities to the police riot that occurred outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and noted that police harassment also occurred outside of last week's Democratic convention in Denver, though not with the intensity now unfolding in Minnesota. Minneapolis and St. Paul police have worked with the FBI through the Minneapolis Joint Terrorist Task Force to plant informants among antiwar, antipoverty, and other groups in the months before the GOP convention. Given the amount of infiltration, some Greens warn that the few protesters who have committed acts of violence should be suspected of being agents provocateurs. "The raids and arrests aren't keeping the peace. On the contrary, what's happening is a breakdown of law and order. It's a result of the heightened infiltration and unwarranted surveillance under the Bush Administration's domestic spying program, aimed at people who've broken no laws," said Jill Bussiere, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "The charges that police and Feds are leveling during the arrests are unsupported by evidence, and they know it. We've seen it before -- most of the charges will be dropped and the few cases that go to trial will end in acquittal. The arrests and home assaults are meant to intimidate people from exercising their right to peaceful protest," said Cres Vellucci, California Green and member of the ACLU board of directors in Sacramento. Greens have urged Americans outraged by the actions of police and federal officials to call St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman at 651-266-8510 to protest the arrests, raids, and brutality and to demand punishment of police officials abusing their power. On-the-scene news and updates: Twin Cities Independent Media Center: http://twincities.indymedia.org/ Democracy Now! http://www.democracynow.org For excellent coverage and commentary with regular updates and video links, see Glenn Greenwald's Salon.com blog: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/09/01/protests/index.html http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/31/raids/index.html http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/30/police_raids/index.html MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Green Party of Minnesota http://www.mngreens.org/ Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com/ http://www.runcynthiarun.org Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? Speech in Denver, August 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxgcjOjUEc ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo 2008 Green National Convention, July 10-13 in Chicago, Illinois http://www.greenparty2008.org ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sun Sep 14 13:26:13 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:26:13 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Peter Camejo Passed Away Saturday Morning Message-ID: <48CD7365.5080400@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9/13/2008 It is with great sadness and regret that we have to inform you that Peter Camejo died this morning. Peter decided that he would be more comfortable at home, and the doctors agreed. Arrangements were made, and ultimately Peter returned home yesterday. Peter?s health had declined rapidly over the last two days due to the aggressiveness of his cancer and the strength of the drugs used to combat his disease. His wife was at his side when he passed peacefully this morning. Peter is survived by his wife Morella, his daughter Alexandra, his son Victor, three brothers Antonio, Daniel, and Danny, and three grandchildren Andrew and Daniel and Oliver. Arrangements and memorial services will be announced at a later date. As a courtesy, the family requests that there be no calls at this time. The Camejo Family From updates at cagreens.org Sun Sep 14 14:53:17 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:53:17 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Alert: 'Road to the White House' with McKinney on C-SPAN, Sun. evening, Sept. 14 Message-ID: <48CD87CD.1020003@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Please forward) > From John Judge, the McKinney/Clemente campaign's media secretary.... I just got a confirmation call from Greta Bruner, who interviewed Cynthia, that they will be airing her on Road to the White House in it's usual time slot this Sunday, August 14, at both 6:30 and 9:30 pm along with footage from the Ron Paul event. I will get this up on the website and out to our distribution networks to encourage new house parties this weekend - JJ From updates at cagreens.org Mon Sep 15 18:36:38 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:36:38 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP Release: Greens mourn Peter Camejo, candidate for governor, party leader Message-ID: <48CF0DA6.9080403@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Distributed by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org News Advisory THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org URGENT NEWS ADVISORY Saturday, September 13, 2008 Peter Camejo, social justice activist and Green Party gubernatorial candidate, dies at his Folsom home Saturday after long bout with cancer ? Videos of Peter Camejo in the 2003 California gubernatorial recall campaign http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTktNX0EbCA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6aO4MiH3H8 ? Pictures of Peter Camejo for Governor http://www.flickr.com/photos/30416867 at N07/sets/72157607232338914/ FOLSOM, CA - Peter Camejo, three-time Green Party candidate for Governor and 2004 running mate with Ralph Nader in his independent run for President, died Saturday morning here at his home, just a few miles from the State Capitol. Mr. Camejo was 68. Mr. Camejo died after a long bout with an especially virulent form of lymphoma. He had recently returned home after his health had declined rapidly over the last few days because of the "aggressiveness of his cancer and strength of the drugs used to combat the disease," according to a statement issued by his family. The following statement was issued on behalf of the Green Party of California by Mike Wyman, 2006 Green Party candidate for Attorney General: "The Green Party of California is honored to have had Peter carry our standard in the recall and two gubernatorial elections, and to work with him as a national progressive candidate for the vice presidency with Ralph Nader. We join with the Camejo family in their grief and mourn for the passing of a truly unique and exemplary individual. He will be sorely missed by us all. Peter Camejo was a man of great passion and boundless compassion for the poor, uninsured workers and for immigrant workers in their struggle for justice and legalization. He became a leader in the environmental justice movement and helped organized communities of color around environmental issues that affected them directly." Mr. Camejo was the Green Party candidate for Governor in 2002, 2003 (the recall) and 2006. He received 5.3 percent of the vote in 2002 and in 2003's recall election finished fourth of the 135 candidates. He was also the Socialist Workers Party presidential candidate in 1967. Mr. Camejo was also a leader in the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s at UC Berkeley, and fought for social justice on a number of fronts. Mr. Camejo was born in the U.S. and raised in Venezuela. He was on the 1960 Venezuelan Olympics team, and was a socially responsible investment planner. Mr. Camejo is survived by his wife Morella, daughter Alexandra, son Victor, three brothers Antonio, Daniel and Danny and three grandchildren Andrew, Daniel and Oliver. Arrangements and memorial services are pending. -30- From updates at cagreens.org Wed Sep 17 19:12:30 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:12:30 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: Threat of another stolen election missing from '08 national discussion Message-ID: <48D1B90E.5070502@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Refusal by media, Democratic and Republican candidates to address election integrity raises danger of another stolen election in 2008, say Greens ? GOP tactics used to rig the vote in 2000 (Florida) and 2004 (Ohio, New Mexico, possibly other states) can and will be used again in 2008; Greens say that Democrats and well as Republicans have undermined fair elections WASHINGTON, DC -- The 2008 election is in danger of being compromised by vote manipulation and obstruction of voters, say Green candidates and party leaders. "We're likely to see a repeat of the kinds of election irregularities that were uncovered in 2000 in Florida and in 2004 in Ohio and New Mexico," said Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "The weaknesses in voting infrastructure that allowed the theft of the last two elections have not been corrected. Counties and precincts with a high percentage of African American voters, student voters, and poor voters will probably be targeted again," Ms. Everette added. Green nominee Cynthia McKinney and running mate Rosa Clemente have made election integrity a major theme of their presidential campaign. Greens listed several serious threats to fair elections in 2008: ? In many precincts, the same computer voting machines that have been proven vulnerable to tampering are still in use throughout the US. In 2004, machines with the highest breakdown rates were used in Ohio precincts with large African American, Latino, student, and poor populations. The Green Party has called for voter-verified paper ballots to provide an auditable record of votes cast on computer voting machines and for source code designed to be open for public inspection and verification before and after an election. ? Rules meant to purge unqualified, deceased, and relocated voters are being used in many states to raise the bar high enough to disqualify legitimate voters. Disqualification of voters unable to produce photo IDs or drivers' licenses has disenfranchised has diluted the voting power of African American, Latino, and low-income populations in several states. (See "Did the US Supreme Court Just Elect John McCain?" by Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman, Truthout, April 30, 2008, http://www.truthout.org/article/bob-fitrakis-harvey-wasserman-did-us-supreme-court-just-elect-john-mccain) ? Election officials in some states have used lists of convicted felons to expunge legitimate voters who share the similar names. Journalists Greg Palast (http://www.gregpalast.com) and others have documented how Florida, with the help of ChoicePoint, purged thousands of mostly African American voters in 2000. See also the documentary 'American Blackout' featuring Cynthia McKinney (http://www.americanblackout.com). The Green Party supports restored voting rights for convicted felons who have served their sentences. ? In Ohio, decisions were made by election officials under the authority of J. Kenneth Blackwell, Secretary of State and Ohio chair of the Bush-Cheney campaign, that led to the placement of fewer working computer voting machines in certain precincts, ensuring that long lines would discourage voters. 56 of 88 counties in Ohio destroyed 2004 ballot materials, in violation of federal law. Journalists Bob Fitrakis (who was also 2004 Green candidate for Governor of Ohio; http://www.fitrakis.org), Harvey Wasserman, and Mark Crispin Miller have reported on how such tactics were used to inflate the vote count for the Republican ticket in Ohio and other states, and are likely to be used again. See Mr. Miller's article "None dare call it stolen: Ohio, the election, and America's servile press" (Harper's Magazine, August 2005, http://harpers.org/archive/2005/08/0080696) and his book 'Loser Take All: Election Fraud and the Subversion of Democracy, 2000 - 2008.' ? In Wisconsin, Democratic voters in at least two jurisdictions have received mailers with absentee voting forms from the McCain campaign that, if used, would increase the likelihood of their votes not being counted. See "GOP absentee ballot mailings called voter fraud," Racine Post, September 12, 2008 (http://news.racinepost.com/2008/09/gop-absentee-ballot-mailings-called.html). ? Ralph Nader, independent candidate in 2004 and 2008, has collected evidence that Democratic Party officials conspired to intimidate his petitioners and abuse the legal system to obstruct his ballot access in 2004 (Nader v. DNC, http://www.polidoc.com/pdf/Nader_vs_DNC_4-4-08.pdf). In Pennsylvania, twelve Democratic officials have been indicted for paying staffers taxpayer-funded bonuses for their efforts to keep Mr. Nader and 2006 Green candidate Carl Romanelli, who ran for the US Senate, off the state ballot. Some Democrats have confirmed that such actions are been motivated by revenge for Mr. Nader's presidential run in 2000 (http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/11/2460/). "Democratic apologists who accuse the Green Party and Ralph Nader of spoiling ignore the real reason for the Bush 'victories' in 2000 and 2004 -- Republican manipulation and obstruction and a politically motivated Supreme Court ruling that denied the right to vote. Many Democrats would rather lose to Republicans than tolerate elections that allow candidates outside the two-party status quo. Democratic Party leaders who defend intimidation and the manipulation of the court system to block other parties' candidates and independents have the same contempt for fair elections as their GOP counterparts who rigged the 2000 and 2004 vote," said Jill Bussiere, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. In 2004, presidential nominees David Cobb (Green Party) and Michael Badnarik (Libertarian Party) launched investigations and recount campaigns in Ohio and New Mexico after complaints began to surface (http://www.openelections.org). Democrats took no action after John Kerry conceded the race, until Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) began to investigate. "Democratic politicians, including Barack Obama, are as unwilling as Republicans to discuss the threat of another stolen election, even though such irregularities cost them the last two presidential races," said David Cobb. "The major media are also ignoring the topic, despite overwhelming evidence, including the Conyers Commission's findings, the conviction of two Republican election officials in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, for their role in tampering with the 2004 recount, and a 2007 Ohio study finding 'critical security failures' pervaded the state's election system in 2004." MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com/ http://www.runcynthiarun.org "Greens urge quick action on Ohio, Pennsylvania election crimes, seek assurance of 2008 ballot access fairness and election integrity" Green Party press release, July 23, 2008 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=82 "Ohio Secretary of State confirms 2004 election could have been stolen" By Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman, OpEdNews.com, December 14, 2007 http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_bob_fitr_071214_ohio_secretary_of_st.htm "'No match, no vote' law to be enforced" The Miami Herald, September 9, 2008 http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/679629.html Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? Press conference, September 10 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_5ivgS4asc ? Speech in Denver, August 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxgcjOjUEc ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Fri Sep 19 18:27:35 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:27:35 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Seize the Time! McKinney on the economic meltdown & bailout Message-ID: <48D45187.60706@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seize the Time! An essay by Cynthia McKinney September 19, 2008 We the people must now seize the time! We have always had the capability of determining our own destiny, but for various reasons, the people failed to elect the leaders who provided the correct political will. There was always some corporate or private special interest that stood in the way of the public good. And they always seemed to have the power of the purse to throw around and influence public opinion or our elected officials. The very foundation of the U.S. economy is crumbling underneath our feet. This represents a unique moment in U.S. history and we must now seize the time for self-determination--for health care, education, ecological wisdom, justice, and all the policies that will make a difference in the lives of the people including an end to all wars, including the drug war! The crisis was staved off for a time for some of our major finance engines when they were able to obtain bridge funding from certain sovereign wealth funds. That option grows increasingly dim as The Federal Reserve is becoming the lender of last resort. This means that the people are becoming the owners of the primary instruments of U.S. capital and finance. This now means that the people have a say in how these instruments are to be used and what their priorities ought to be. The people should now have more say in how their tax dollars are spent and what the priorities of government and the public sector must be. We the people must now set our demands to ensure and promote the public good. Now, as we ponder the importance of this moment to do good and serve the needs of the people, some politicians have already figured out their answer for us: win or steal the next election, prepare for more war, and leave it to others to try and figure out what to do next. While banks are failing all around us and the U.S. taxpayer is drenched with news of billion-dollar bailouts for *selected* companies, the Congress, which has utterly failed in its twin responsibilities of setting policy and Executive Branch oversight, plans to adjourn instead of setting new policies; lessening the impact of the economic freefall on innocent victims; or stopping war, expansion of war, new war, and occupation. In a dizzying turn of recent events, we have all witnessed the collapse of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage providers, investment banks Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, and insurer American International Group (AIG), and other companies. So far, at least eleven banks have filed for bankruptcy this year. The case of the AIG bailout is particularly curious as Merrill Lynch was denied taxpayer largesse. I wonder if AIG was the selected company for bailout because of its relationship to the U.S. intelligence community and what others would discover if AIG's books were opened in an audit. The last person to get close to AIG and its shady operations was Eliott Spitzer. But some more fundamental issues must be explored here, relating to the underlying assumptions that have guided U.S. political and economic activity, particularly over the last eight years. The Bush Administration's "anything goes, just don't get caught" attitude has set the tone for what we are witnessing today. To be sure these problems didn't start in January of 2001, but they sure were allowed to accelerate during the George W. Bush Administration. For example, what tone was set when the Administration shipped $12 billion to Paul Bremer's provisional government in Iraq in cash on wooden pallets for Iraq reconstruction? No wonder $9 billion of it was "lost." What I'm constantly reminded of is that the money didn't just vanish, somebody got it. Now it's up to us to find out who! However, the Administration's blatant disregard for good governance, the rule of law, standards of moral and ethical conduct, and even etiquette, when coupled with a laissez-faire, "go-along-to-get-along" attitude from Congress meant that no holes were barred and no hands were on the deck--a sure prescription for disaster. In my reading over the course of the last few years, I had to become somewhat conversant with the language of the new economy: bundled mortgages, securitization, SPEs, SIVs, derivatives. But in addition to the old concepts that always seemed to be with us--predatory lending, redlining, no affordable housing amid "the housing bubble,"-- it soon became clear that basically folks had figured out a way to make money off of a ticking time bomb. Kind of like prisons for profit. And even though the Enron scandal was supposed to have cleaned up a lot of this, unfortunately, even Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac regularly engaged in some of these practices and that's why you and I own them today. I believe it is true that the very foundations of the U.S. economy and conventional political behavior have been shaken. Now is not the time for business as usual. And although this is by no ways exhaustive, here are a few things that I think the Democratic-led Congress could work on now instead of adjourning: 1. enactment of a foreclosure moratorium now before the next phase of ARM interest rate increases take effect; 2. elimination of all ARM mortgages and their renegotiation into 30- or 40-year loans; 3. establishment of new mortgage lending practices to end predatory and discriminatory practices; 4. establishment of criteria and construction goals for affordable housing; 5. redefinition of credit and regulation of the credit industry so that discriminatory practices are completely eliminated; 6. full funding for initiatives that eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in home ownership; 7. recognition of shelter as a right according to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights to which the U.S. is a signatory so that no one sleeps on U.S. streets; 8. full funding of a fund designed to cushion the job loss and provide for retraining of those at the bottom of the income scale as the economy transitions; 9. close all tax loopholes and repeal of the Bush tax cuts for the top 1% of income earners; 10. fairly tax corporations, denying federal subsidies to those who relocate jobs overseas, repeal NAFTA. And since the Congress plans to adjourn early and leave these problems to The Federal Reserve, The Federal Reserve should operate in the interests of the U.S. taxpayer and not the interests of the private, international bankers that it currently represents. This, of course means that The Federal Reserve, too, must undergo a fundamental ownership and mission change. This crisis does not have to be treated as merely a "market correction," or the result of a few rotten apples in an otherwise pristine barrel. This crisis truly represents the opportunity to introduce fundamental changes in the way the U.S. economy and its political stewards operate. Responsible political leadership demands that the pain and suffering being experienced by the innocent today not be revisited upon them or the next generation tomorrow. But sadly, instead of affirmative action being taken in this direction, the Bush Administration ratchets up the drumbeat for war, Republican Party operatives busily remove duly-registered voters from the voter rolls, and our elected leaders in the Congress go home to campaign while leaving all of us to fend for ourselves. For the Administration and the Democrat-led Congress, I declare: MISSION UNACCOMPLISHED. For the public whose moment this is, I say: Power to the People! Please visit http://www.runcynthiarun.org and read our platform. If you like it, please make a donation so we can spread the news and . . . seize the time! From updates at cagreens.org Sun Sep 21 20:26:04 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:26:04 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Elections Web Page Message-ID: <48D7104C.6080607@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Green Party of California has opened its elections page for the Nov. 2008 elections. http://www.cagreens.org/elections/ You will find our positions on the ballot measures, a listing of Green candidates, press releases and other elections data. From updates at cagreens.org Tue Sep 23 19:08:08 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:08:08 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Financial meltdown requires Green solutions, reforms, protections for taxpayers Message-ID: <48D9A108.1090602@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 The financial meltdown requires far-reaching Green solutions, say Green Party leaders ? Green presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney speaks out on the crisis, offers a ten-point plan: http://votetruth08.com/index.php/learn/mckinney-messages ? The collapse and bailout of financial institutions expose the lies behind deregulation and the free-market ideology; Greens insist that the burden of the $900 billion bailout not be placed on working Americans WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders and candidates, including presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney, are calling for extensive measures and reforms to resolve the economic crisis caused by the collapse of mortgage providers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, investment banks Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, American International Group (AIG), and other financial companies. "The takeovers, $900 billion bailout, and other actions that President Bush are taking right now confirm what Greens have said all along. Deregulation and other 'free-market' solutions are a recipe for disaster," said Abel Tomlinson, Arkansas Green Party candidate for Congress (3rd District) (http://www.abelforcongress.com). "Perhaps the gravest danger is that the burden placed on the FDIC [Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation] and the commercial banks and the continuing bailouts to prevent the meltdown from hemorrhaging will be paid for by middle- and low-income US taxpayers. Meanwhile the execs responsible for the crisis will get to keep their huge bonuses, pensions, tax breaks, and other handouts," said Mr. Tomlinson. Greens noted another serious danger, that the bailout will drain money that should be used to keep Social Security secure. "Instead of the bromides, unconvincing reassurances, and ineffective half-measures that we're hearing from John McCain, Barack Obama, and their fellow Republicans and Democrats, we need to take drastic steps. We need Green measures to fix a system that doesn't work," said Steve Alesch, Green candidate for Congress in Illinois (13th District) (http://www.votesteve.org). Cynthia McKinney released a statement on Friday on the crisis, with a ten-point list of solutions and reforms, titled "Seize the Time" (http://votetruth08.com/index.php/learn/mckinney-messages). Agreeing with Ms. McKinney's proposals, Greens said that the White House and Congress must: ? Pay for the massive transfer of wealth without placing the greater burden on working people and the poor. Those who made huge profits from the financial policies that led to the meltdown should be expected to pay for the major portion of the bailout, through the closing of tax loopholes and repeal of Bush tax cuts for top income earners, caps on CEO salaries and bonuses and on the corporate tax deductability of excessive CEO salaries and bonuses, and recovery of exorbitant payouts that financial industry executives have given themselves in recent decades, as well as a windfall proft tax on oil companies. ? In bailing out financial institutions and absorbing their debt, assert the US government's assumption of equity/ownership over them in exchange (as was done with AIG), and replace the secret negotiations and backroom deals that pervaded the industry with transparency and democratic control. "The Federal Reserve is becoming the lender of last resort. This means that the people are becoming the owners of the primary instruments of US capital and finance. This now means that the people have a say in how these instruments are to be used and what their priorities ought to be. The people should now have more say in how their tax dollars are spent and what the priorities of government and the public sector must be. We the people must now set our demands to ensure and promote the public good," said Cynthia McKinney in her statement. ? Stop appointing Treasury Secretaries, Federal Reserve board members, and other top financial policy-makers whose chief loyalties are to the major financial corporations from which they're recruited. Restructure semi-private and private institutions like the Federal Reserve, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac to be owned, run, and staffed strictly for the public interest. "[T]he Federal Reserve should operate in the interests of the US taxpayer and not the interests of the private, international bankers that it currently represents. This, of course means that the Federal Reserve, too, must undergo a fundamental ownership and mission change," said Ms. McKinney. ? Impose a moratorium on foreclosures now before increases in the adjustable rate mortgage interest increases take effect; eliminate all adjustable rate mortgages; renegotiate the latter as 30- or 40-year loans; establish new mortgage lending practices to end predatory and discriminatory practices. ? Promote an economy that's based on sustainability rather than on lending and borrowing beyond one's means. Raising the debt ceiling will lead to greater potential liability and further economic meltdown. ? Establish criteria and construction goals for affordable housing; massively increase funding for housing programs that assist tenants (e.g., Section 8, public housing) that have been slashed repeatedly since the Reagan Administration. Recognize shelter as a right according to the UN Declaration of Human Rights, to which the US is a signatory. ? Redefine credit and regulate the credit industry so that discriminatory practices are eliminated. Fully fund initiatives to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in home ownership. ? Establish a fund to cushion job loss and provide for retraining of those at the bottom of the income scale as the economy transitions. ? Increase taxes on corporations so that they pay their fair share and deny federal subsidies to those who relocate jobs overseas. Repeal NAFTA and renegotiate trade agreements so that national and local economies, jobs, human rights, and the environment are protected. ? End military-industrial complex handouts. Major cuts in military contracts -- especially if combined with a quick withdrawal of US troops and military contractors from Iraq and Afghanistan -- will provide a huge windfall. ? Downsize the insurance industry. Corporate health insurance is not an essential service and can be replaced with a single-payer national health care program that would drastically cut health care costs, since the profit-taking insurance and HMO middle-men would be eliminated. ? Introduce creative ideas to democratize the financial industry, with alternative models such as public banks and insurance firms, consumer/worker ownership of such companies, and restructuring that would use the financial industry to promote conservation projects, transition to non-fossil-fuel energy and ecologically sound infrastructure, and creation of millions of jobs related to these efforts. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com http://www.runcynthiarun.org Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? Press conference, September 10 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_5ivgS4asc ? Speech in Denver, August 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxgcjOjUEc ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Thu Sep 25 19:41:47 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:41:47 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] RELEASE Cynthia McKinney ready to step in for McCain at Friday's debate Message-ID: <48DC4BEB.9060307@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Distributed by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente Power to the People Campaign http://votetruth08.com For immediate release Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Cynthia McKinney ready to step in for McCain at Friday's debate WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney has offered to debate Barack Obama if John McCain's opts out at this Friday's presidential debate in Oxford, Mississippi, following the Republican nominee's announcement that he is seeking a delay of the event. "If John McCain wants to bow out, I'm willing to step in and take his podium on Friday," said Cynthia McKinney. "The financial meltdown won't come any closer to a resolution because a presidential debate is postponed. Now is the best time for Americans to see how prepared their leaders are to handle emergencies, how they introduce fresh ideas and solutions for national problems, and whether they're willing to stand up for the American people instead of Wall Street moguls and corporate interests," Ms. McKinney added. Ms. McKinney has sharply criticized the bailout bill and has introduced a ten-point plan to address the financial crisis ("Seize the Time," http://votetruth08.com/index.php/learn/mckinney-messages). The Green Party has also called for extensive measures and protections for American taxpayers, calling the collapse and bailout of financial institutions a sign that bipartisan deregulation policies and the free-market ideology have failed (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=107). "I'm ready right now to travel to Mississippi. Voters have a right to know about all the candidates whose names they'll see on the ballot. Voters deserve to know which candidate best represents their interests and ideals. Any presidential candidate who is on enough ballots to be elected deserves to participate. We need multi-party presidential debates, and I'm ready to go up against Barack Obama or any other candidate and present my ideas to the American people. I should be included in these debates whether McCain shows up or not," said Ms. McKinney Cynthia McKinney is a former six-term Georgia member of the US House of Representatives. Ms. McKinney and running mate Rosa Clemente (http://www.rosaclemente.com) were nominated by the Green Party of the United States at the 2008 Green National Convention in Chicago this past July. ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sun Sep 28 19:06:45 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:06:45 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] An appeal from Cynthia McKinney (fwd) Message-ID: <48E03835.8080508@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Cynthia McKinney, Green Party nominee for President, Friday, September 26 Please forward Hello! First of all, I want to thank the members of the Green Party who nominated Rosa and me to lead their national ticket. I want to thank those supporters of the Power to the People campaign who have brought us this far. I would like to thank the three internet donors who made contributions yesterday and the thirteen others who made online contributions this week, including today. But we are not able to sustain a campaign of this magnitude with such little funding. Today, McCain announced that he will be in Mississippi for the debate. I wasn't invited to participate. That's too bad for U.S. voters because they won't be exposed to the full range of choice that is available to them, at least in the 32 states on whose ballots Rosa and I will appear. Despite that, however, in the last week I put out two substantive policy statements on real choices for real solutions to the "financial tsunami" that is hitting our country now. Former Comptroller General David Walker warned us of this and the more that is to come. I have provided real input that represents a stark departure from the palaver the corporate parties and corporate press are offering up: "answers that don't answer, explanations that don't explain, and conclusions that don't conclude," to use the words of the late Chairman of the Chicago Chapter of the Black Panther Party, Fred Hampton. I need your help to continue. Please click here: http://votetruth08.com/index.php/contribute/donate?task=pre_paypal and make whatever financial contribution you can if you want to see this campaign continue to produce quality input on the issues that confront our country today. For those who would rather use the U.S. mail, please make your checks payable to Power to the People Committee and mail them to PO Box 311759 Atlanta, Georgia 31131. I want to thank our supporters and all the wonderful people I've met on the campaign trail. I look forward to hearing from you! Please click here http://votetruth08.com/index.php/contribute/donate?task=pre_paypal and make your financial contribution today. Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente Power to the People Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com http://www.runcynthiarun.org Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? Press conference, September 10 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_5ivgS4asc ? Speech in Denver, August 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxgcjOjUEc ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo Rosa Clemente on video ? Interview: Current TV/Rock the Vote http://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations From updates at cagreens.org Mon Sep 29 19:00:38 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:00:38 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] RELEASE Open letter to NOW from Green Party Nat'l Women's Caucus: support Cynthia McKinney Message-ID: <48E18846.80507@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Distributed by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org National Women's Caucus of the Green Party of the United States http://greens.org/gp-uswomen/ For Immediate Release Monday, September 29, 2008 Green Party National Women's Caucus challenges NOW to support the historic McKinney/Clemente presidential campaign WASHINGTON, DC -- The National Women's Caucus (http://greens.org/gp-uswomen) of the Green Party of the United States has sent an open letter to the National Organization for Women (http://www.now.org) urging support for the Green Party's presidential ticket. The text of the letter is appended below. The letter cites Green nominee Cynthia McKinney's six terms in Congress and her unmatched dedication to the principles of equality and human rights championed by NOW. The National Women's Caucus emphasizes the historical role that alternative parties have played in the struggle for women's suffrage and rights, and notes that NOW has failed even to recognize the significance of America's first national campaign by two women of African descent: Ms. McKinney is African American and running mate Rosa Clemente is Black Puerto Rican. OPEN LETTER TO NOW, THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN National Women's Caucus of the Green Party of the United States http://greens.org/gp-uswomen/ Sunday, September 28, 2008 Dear National Organization for Women leadership and members: The National Women's Caucus of the Green Party of the United States is dismayed that your recent endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States did not acknowledge the first all-female ticket in recent U.S. history. Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente are running for President and Vice President, respectively, on the Green Party ballot line. Cynthia McKinney served six terms in the U.S. Congress and two terms in the Georgia General Assembly. She is a global human rights and peace activist with a substantial voting record supporting women. Rosa Clemente is a community organizer and journalist who was one of the founders and primary organizers of the first national Hip Hop political convention. Their ?Power to the People? campaign goal is to ensure that public policy reflects the Green Party values of ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy, and nonviolence. Cynthia McKinney has been a steadfast supporter of full reproductive rights for women throughout her legislative career, including opposition to ?abstinence only? sex education, funding for contraception and UN family planning. Rosa Clemente has been an outspoken advocate on issues affecting people of color, particularly women, and has directed her campaign toward the 48% of young people who don?t vote, to encourage participation in the electoral process. Additional positions of the McKinney/Clemente campaign that will benefit women include: - Equal Rights - End to forced sterilization and coerced or uninformed consent procedures, - Immediate end to the War in Iraq and reinvestment of the money into our communities - Single-payer, universal ?Medicare for All? - Election integrity where every vote is counted - Right to same-sex marriage - Free higher education - End to the drug war - Right of return of survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - Withdrawal from corporate trade agreements such as NAFTA that are devastating economies worldwide - Promotion of renewable energy (no coal or nuclear) to create hundreds of thousands of new manufacturing, construction and service jobs Neither Obama nor his Republican opponent John McCain support these positions. The National Organization for Women PAC repeatedly praised Congresswoman McKinney during her six terms in U.S. Congress; and her record, on every relevant issue, surpasses those of the male endorsees. But now, these two women of color -- powerful and power-challenging, real choices, and nominated by a political party that proudly boasts Feminism & Gender Equity among our Ten Key Values -- don't even receive acknowledgment. The National Organization for Women, at all levels, has long struggled over diverging feminist paths -- choosing either to press for change within the existing power structure, and its institutions, or to step outside of the expected and challenge the institutions themselves. In the view of the National Women's Caucus of the Green Party of the United States, NOW has best served women when NOW has recognized, in the words of Audre Lord, that "when you look back on the road you've come, and see pain, and look forward to the road you're on, and see pain, then, step off the road, and make a new path." We recall when NOW distributed buttons proclaiming that "Women were not born Democrats, Republicans, or YESTERDAY." We recall when the heroines of our heritage were Belva Lockwood, Alice Paul and Sonia Johnson, each willing to form her own political party, or run for president independently, or both. They were willing because that path provided fewer barriers to telling the plain truth, the truth that needed to be heard, than did service to the establishment parties. We even recall when NOW announced the formation of its own, alternative, political party, the "Party for the 21st Century," with Dolores Huerta at its head. We rejoiced when NOW sought to make a new path, because the old political road was simply too filled with the pain of condescension and compromise, deferment and settling for what was offered. Even when NOW, through its political action committee, decided in the last two decades to bestow its endorsement on candidates from the over-represented political parties, it was to reward them for actually moving closer to the day when a woman might be president, with a Geraldine Ferraro and a Hillary Clinton sitting in the candidate car, and not just trudging behind it, pushing. But this past week, that endorsement reward was offered without even that, out of the same "fear of the alternative" that has driven women to set our own hopes, dreams and destinations aside, time and again, to let the men drive the car. Belva, Alice and Sonia did not become president of the United States, but, with the support of the feminists of their time, speaking truth, each re-formed the vision that America had about women. While men can be feminists too, their institutions can only be deemed feminist if they produce equality. The dearth of elected women, at every level, is its own condemnation of the party structures that are the paved road of American democracy. It disappoints us greatly, that earlier this month, NOW has not made a new path. By failing to commend, or even comment on, the presidential candidacy of Cynthia McKinney and her Green Party running mate, Rosa Clemente, NOW is driving on the wrong side of history. We invite the National Organization for Women, and feminists everywhere, to support the Green Party and the McKinney/Clemente campaign. Come walk the walk with us, and make a new path. Sincerely, National Women's Caucus, Green Party of the United States Nan Garrett, Co-Chair Ginny Marie Case, Co-Chair National Women?s Caucus Member Claudia Ellquist, National NOW Board member, 1990-94, participated in the drafting of this letter National Women?s Caucus Green Party of the United States 1711 18th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 202-319-7191 202-319-7192 MORE INFORMATION Abortion and contraception: McKinney is a firm supporter of abortion rights, appearing on EMILY's List of pro-choice women. She has also supported federal funding for contraception and U.N. family planning programs. http://socialissues.wiseto.com/Election2008/CynthiaMcKinney/#MajorElectionIssues Quite a long statement on Women, Families and Children at http://archives.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/mckinney.house.gov/women.htm * Voted YES on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years. (Mar 2001) * Supported funding child care, child health, & child housing. (Jul 1999) http://www.issues2000.org/Cynthia_McKinney.htm McKinney immediately challenged Georgia House rules requiring women to wear dresses by wearing slacks http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_McKinney Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com http://www.runcynthiarun.org Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? Press conference, September 10 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_5ivgS4asc ? Speech in Denver, August 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxgcjOjUEc ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Tue Sep 30 18:55:51 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:55:51 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Open the Debates Action Week, Oct. 1-7: Let Cynthia & Rosa debate! Message-ID: <48E2D8A7.70100@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Open the Debates Action Week, October 1-7: Let Cynthia & Rosa debate! Help get Cynthia McKinney & Rosa Clemente in the news and in the debates! Goal: 100 letters to the editor in newspapers across the US (Please forward widely to all Green lists and friends and supporters of the Green Party) On Thursday, Oct. 2, the first vice presidential debate will take place at Washington University in St. Louis. And on Tuesday, Oct. 7, the second presidential debate is planned for Belmont University's Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The third presidential debate is on Oct. 15 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. The debate sponsors intend to exclude the Green Party's presidential ticket. Let's not let that happen without a fight for democratic inclusion of all qualified candidates! By excluding all candidates except Democrats and Republicans, the debate sponsors are rigging the election. Cynthia and Rosa are on the ballot in enough states to win the election, so they deserve an invitation, and voters deserve to hear them debate! We encourage all Greens and friends to participate in the first in a series of actions we're planning for October. Please help us spread the word about the McKinney-Clemente campaign and their right to take part in the debates. Stay tuned for more actions throughout the month. Here's what you can do: ? Write a letter to the editor about how important it is for Cynthia and Rosa to participate in the debates. See the Talking Points below for ideas. Keep the letter short and focused -- five or six sentences is good. We're aiming for 100 letters sent by Greens to newspapers and news web sites all across the US. Visit the letter-writing page to look up a newspaper and post a letter -- use the provided text as a basis, or write your own: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/pickMedia.jsp?letter_KEY=474 ? Go viral! Forward links to video clips of the Green ticket widely (http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun). Recommend and promote video clips and articles with positive coverage of Green candidates by 'Digging' them (http://digg.com). ? Promote the McKinney-Clemente Power to the People campaign on Facebook, Myspace, and blogs. Don't forget to add links to these important web sites: http://votetruth08.com http://www.rosaclemente.com http://www.gp.org State and local Green Party and other Green campaign sites ? Host a Debate-Watching House Party: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/event/distributedEventSignup.jsp?distributed_event_KEY=179 ? Contact TV, radio, blog sites, and urge them to cover the campaign. We'll provide a list soon of the top 50 that should be targeted, with their contact information. ? Other actions: write an op-ed column or article and submit it to a newspaper or news web site. Post a message on an e-mail bulletin board. Call in to a radio talk show. ? Make a donation to the McKinney-Clemente campaign to help the candidates travel around the US for media appearances and campaign events: http://votetruth08.com/index.php/contribute/donate?task=pre_paypal ==> The Green Party's Outreach Committee is planning open conference calls to teach Viral Marketing Skills, open to all Greens, where participants can learn about different ways to promote the McKinney-Clemente ticket and other Green campaigns. Details soon -- please join us! ~ Talking points ~ Open the debates to Cynthia McKinney and other candidates on the ballot! Cynthia tells the truth Let Cynthia debate! ? Voters have a right to know about all the candidates whose names they'll see on the ballot, not just the candidates approved by the Commission on Presidential Debates or the candidates whose poll numbers declare them 'winnable.' Voters deserve to know which candidate best represents their own interests and ideals. ? Cynthia McKinney, Rosa Clemente, and the Green Party represent millions of voices whose opinions will be excluded from the debates unless they are invited. Ms. McKinney is the only woman presidential candidate in 2008. Ms. McKinney and Ms. Clemente are the first US presidential ticket in which both nominees are of African ancestry, and Ms. Clemente is Black Puerto Rican. Ms. McKinney has involved herself personally in the struggle of people in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region to fight permanent eviction and return to their homes -- the September 26 debate will take place in Oxford, Mississippi, a Gulf Coast state. The Green Party and its candidates represent the promise of an anti-war, progressive party that takes no money from corporations -- an imperative for America in the 21st century. No other candidate in the 2008 stands for what the McKinney-Clemente ticket stands for. ? When debates are limited to two candidates, the voting public hears only a narrow range of ideas, opinions, and solutions. When presidential debates are restricted to Democrat and Republican, important and popular ideas don't get discussed, such as single-payer national health care, rapid and complete withdrawal from Iraq, ending the war on drugs, saving US democracy from a repeat of the stolen elections of 2000 and 2004, and impeachment of President Bush and VP Cheney. Without Cynthia McKinney, these ideas will be censored from the debates. ? Cynthia McKinney will be on enough ballots to get elected to the White House. Any presidential candidate who is on enough ballots to be elected deserves to participate in the debates. ? The only valid democratic measurement of public support for candidates is the election. Opinion polls are subjective, vulnerable to bias, constantly fluctuating, and often exclude candidates from the questions asked. Polls are not democratic and should not be used to determine who gets to participate in debates. ? The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), which sets rules for candidate participation, took over the debates from the nonpartisan League of Women Voters after the LWV withdrew in protest of the Democratic and Republican candidates' attempts to control nearly every aspect of how the debates were to be conducted. The CPD is owned and run by the Democratic and Republican parties, which have an interest in excluding all candidates except their own. The CPD is funded through contributions from corporations, which have their own interests in limiting the candidates who participate in the debates. ? In Canada, the TV networks initially tried to exclude Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, from the September 10 debates before the October 14 national election. After the Greens launched a "Reclaim Democracy" campaign and Canadians throughout the country demanded Ms. May's inclusion, Ms. May was invited to participate. Americans who value democracy and fair elections should demand multi-party debates too. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com http://www.runcynthiarun.org http://www.rosaclemente.com Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? Press conference, September 10 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_5ivgS4asc ? Speech in Denver, August 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxgcjOjUEc ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo Rosa Clemente on video ? Interview: Current TV/Rock the Vote http://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations From updates at cagreens.org Thu Oct 2 21:13:54 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:13:54 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Cynthia McKinney - Cost of Financial Recovery - Debate Answer Message-ID: <48E59C02.2040701@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cynthia McKinney - Cost of Financial Recovery - Debate Answer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtpW10qHlac Link Cynthia McKinney, Green Party Presidential candidate, responds to Debate questions (9/27) on what priorities would you have to give up as President to pay for a financial recovery plan. http://votetruth08.com/ Shot by Don DeBar Craig Seeman NY From updates at cagreens.org Sat Oct 4 18:50:22 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:50:22 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Open the Debates Action Week, October 1-7: Let Cynthia & Rosa debate! Message-ID: <48E81D5E.6060708@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Help get Cynthia McKinney & Rosa Clemente in the news and in the debates! Goal: 100 letters to the editor sent to newspapers and news web sites across the US On Tuesday, Oct. 7, the second presidential debate is planned for Belmont University's Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The third presidential debate is on Oct. 15 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. The debate sponsors intend to exclude the Green Party's presidential ticket. Let's not let that happen without a fight for democratic inclusion of all qualified candidates! By excluding all candidates except Democrats and Republicans, the debate sponsors are rigging the election. Cynthia and Rosa are on the ballot in enough states to win the election, so they deserve an invitation, and voters deserve to hear them debate! We encourage all Greens and friends to participate in the first in a series of actions we're planning for October. Please help us spread the word about the McKinney-Clemente campaign and their right to take part in the debates. Stay tuned for more actions throughout the month. Here's what you can do: - Write a letter to the editor about how important it is for Cynthia and Rosa to participate in the debates. See the Talking Points below for ideas. Keep the letter short and focused -- five or six sentences is good. We're aiming for 100 letters sent by Greens to newspapers and news web sites all across the US. Visit the letter-writing page to look up a newspaper and post a letter -- use the provided text as a basis, or write your own: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/pickMedia.jsp?letter_KEY=474 - Go viral! Forward links to video clips of the Green ticket widely (http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun). Recommend and promote video clips and articles with positive coverage of Green candidates by 'Digging' them (http://digg.com). - Promote the McKinney-Clemente Power to the People campaign on Facebook, Myspace, and blogs. Don't forget to add links to these important web sites: http://votetruth08.com http://www.rosaclemente.com http://www.gp.org State and local Green Party and other Green campaign sites - Host a Debate-Watching House Party: http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/event/distributedEventSignup.jsp?distributed_event_KEY=179 - Contact TV, radio, blog sites, and urge them to cover the campaign. We'll provide a list soon of the top 50 that should be targeted, with their contact information. - Other actions: write an op-ed column or article and submit it to a newspaper or news web site. Post a message on an e-mail bulletin board. Call in to a radio talk show. - Make a donation to the McKinney-Clemente campaign to help the candidates travel around the US for media appearances and campaign events: http://votetruth08.com/index.php/contribute/donate?task=pre_paypal ==> The Green Party's Outreach Committee is planning open conference calls to teach Viral Marketing Skills, open to all Greens, where participants can learn about different ways to promote the McKinney-Clemente ticket and other Green campaigns. Details soon -- please join us! ~ Talking points ~ Open the debates to Cynthia McKinney and other candidates on the ballot! Cynthia tells the truth Let Cynthia debate! - Voters have a right to know about all the candidates whose names they'll see on the ballot, not just the candidates approved by the Commission on Presidential Debates or the candidates whose poll numbers declare them 'winnable.' Voters deserve to know which candidate best represents their own interests and ideals. - Cynthia McKinney, Rosa Clemente, and the Green Party represent millions of voices whose opinions will be excluded from the debates unless they are invited. Ms. McKinney is the only woman presidential candidate in 2008. Ms. McKinney and Ms. Clemente are the first US presidential ticket in which both nominees are of African ancestry, and Ms. Clemente is Black Puerto Rican. Ms. McKinney has involved herself personally in the struggle of people in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region to fight permanent eviction and return to their homes -- the September 26 debate will take place in Oxford, Mississippi, a Gulf Coast state. The Green Party and its candidates represent the promise of an anti-war, progressive party that takes no money from corporations -- an imperative for America in the 21st century. No other candidate in the 2008 stands for what the McKinney-Clemente ticket stands for. - When debates are limited to two candidates, the voting public hears only a narrow range of ideas, opinions, and solutions. When presidential debates are restricted to Democrat and Republican, important and popular ideas don't get discussed, such as single-payer national health care, rapid and complete withdrawal from Iraq, ending the war on drugs, saving US democracy from a repeat of the stolen elections of 2000 and 2004, and impeachment of President Bush and VP Cheney. Without Cynthia McKinney, these ideas will be censored from the debates. - Cynthia McKinney will be on enough ballots to get elected to the White House. Any presidential candidate who is on enough ballots to be elected deserves to participate in the debates. - The only valid democratic measurement of public support for candidates is the election. Opinion polls are subjective, vulnerable to bias, constantly fluctuating, and often exclude candidates from the questions asked. Polls are not democratic and should not be used to determine who gets to participate in debates. - The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), which sets rules for candidate participation, took over the debates from the nonpartisan League of Women Voters after the LWV withdrew in protest of the Democratic and Republican candidates' attempts to control nearly every aspect of how the debates were to be conducted. The CPD is owned and run by the Democratic and Republican parties, which have an interest in excluding all candidates except their own. The CPD is funded through contributions from corporations, which have their own interests in limiting the candidates who participate in the debates. - In Canada, the TV networks initially tried to exclude Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, from the September 10 debates before the October 14 national election. After the Greens launched a "Reclaim Democracy" campaign and Canadians throughout the country demanded Ms. May's inclusion, Ms. May was invited to participate. Americans who value democracy and fair elections should demand multi-party debates too. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com http://www.runcynthiarun.org http://www.rosaclemente.com Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun - Press conference, September 10 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_5ivgS4asc - Speech in Denver, August 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxgcjOjUEc - Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo Rosa Clemente on video - Interview: Current TV/Rock the Vote http://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations ========================================================================== Complete list of Cynthia McKinney debate responses (9/27) Cynthia McKinney on the Economic Crisis - (not actually a debate response) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvOpvh_zy3M Cynthia McKinney - Our Biggest Lesson from the war in Iraq - Debate Answer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2G3TYo8TT8 Cynthia McKinney - How do you view the US's relationship with Russia - Debate Answer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGciL71M5_k Cynthia McKinney - Cost of Financial Recovery - Debate Answer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtpW10qHlac Cynthia McKinney - responds to Obama on sending troops into Afghanistan - Debate Answer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeuACTylIJQ Cynthia McKinney - Why should the people of the United States vote for you - Debate Answer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-o6718XVA0 Shot by Don DeBar From updates at cagreens.org Thu Oct 9 19:55:09 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:55:09 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE On health care, Obama & McCain are bad news, McKinney & Green slate offer hope Message-ID: <48EEC40D.3080404@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 9, 2008 Contacts: Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty at greens.org Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene at gp.org Greens speak out on health care, comparing Obama & McCain's rejection of Single-Payer/Medicare For All with their endorsement of the $700 billion bailout for Wall Street ? Only votes for Cynthia McKinney and other Green candidates will bring real health care reform closer to reality; Greens blast Obama ad for misrepresenting Single-Payer WASHINGTON, DC -- Green candidates and leaders, encouraged by an open letter from Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), called the Green Party the only hope for guaranteed health care for all Americans. On October 6, PNHP (http://www.pnhp.org) published "Doctors to Candidates: Enact Single-Payer Health Reform," announcing that 5,000 physicians have signed an open letter challenging candidates to endorse the Single-Payer plan, also called Medicare For All (http://www.pnhp.org/letter). ? Joshua Drake, Arkansas Green candidate for Congress, 4th district (http://www.drake08.com): "The Green Party's presidential ticket and slate of candidates for Congress represent America's best and only hope for real universal health care. Green nominees Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente support the Single-Payer/Medicare For All health plan. Barack Obama and John McCain don't support it, because they're dedicated to the same Wall Street interests that led them to endorse the taxpayer-funded $700 billion bailout for financial corporations. We're telling voters, if you want real health care reform, the Green Party offers the only hope for guaranteed quality health care in America. Greens will fight for it long after the 2008 election ends, until we get Congress to enact a Single-Payer bill." ? Joyce Robinson Paul, DC Statehood Green Party candidate for US Statehood Representative (http://www.statehood4dc.com/jrpaul/home): "Barack Obama and John McCain would leave health care for most Americans under the control of corporate HMOs and insurance companies, which limit treatment in order to maximize their own profits. That's why so many Americans with private health coverage wind up paying out of pocket anyway. Whether or not you have private health insurance, you can still suffer financial ruin because of a health emergency. Under Single-Payer, no one will go bankrupt because of illness or injury." ? Nan Garrett, co-chair of the Green Party National Women's Caucus and a Georgia Green (http://greens.org/gp-uswomen): "Mr. Obama claims in a campaign ad that his health care plan avoids government-administered coverage, which would require higher taxes. This ad is misleading. It leaves out the fact that working people will pay far less for Single-Payer than for private coverage, because Single-Payer does away with profits for insurance and HMO middlemen, saving more than $300 billion every year. That's enough to cover the uninsured and eliminate co-payments and deductibles for all Americans. Even more important, no American would be denied treatment because of inability to pay, employment, age, or a prior medical condition." ? Bob Kinsey, Green candidate for the US Senate in Colorado (http://www.kinseyforsenate.org): "It's time to make health care a right for all Americans. Unfortunately, Obama and McCain insist on the right of the powerful insurance industry to make big money off our health. John McCain wants to end employer-based health coverage and replace it with private accounts, and his tax exemptions are in reality government subsidies for insurance firms and HMOs. Barack Obama wants heavy regulation of the insurance industry to expand coverage, but would compensate by establishing a health insurance 'marketplace' that would sustain the industry. Mandates, tax credits and incentives, and indirect subsidies are all based on appeasement of the private insurance lobbies, which contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to both Democrats and Republicans to make sure that corporate profits prevail over human needs. Neither Obama nor McCain will admit that private insurance and HMO coverage is expensive, inefficient, inadequate, and unnecessary. No other country allows the profit-based insurance industry to control the health care system as the US does. Private health insurance is the core of the problem and must be eliminated, not subsidized, mandated, and protected as McCain and Obama propose. ? Rodger Jennings, Illinois Green candidate for Congress, 12th District (http://www.rodgerjennings.org): "Whenever people who favor Single-Payer throw their support to anti-Single-Payer Democrats like Barack Obama, they are selling themselves and the health of our nation short. America will get true universal health care when a political party dedicated to Single-Payer -- the Green Party -- achieves major-party status. If a few Greens were elected to Congress, it would change the whole political landscape and put Single-Payer on the table, because Democrats and Republicans would no longer only be competing with each other. The real problem facing America isn't the Republican Party, it's the bipartisan pursuit of campaign dollars without concern for the health of all Americans." MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Green Party information page on health care and the Single-Payer plan http://www.gp.org/organize/sicko.html Canadian study: ""Eroding Public Medicare: Lessons and Consequences of For-Profit Health Care Across Canada" http://www.web.net/~ohc/Eroding%20Public%20Medicare.pdf http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9008725.html http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=8cd6ea8e-d13c-4ad6-b79a-6cc71b92bfad Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com http://www.runcynthiarun.org Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo Rosa Clemente on video ? Interview: Current TV/Rock the Vote http://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Thu Oct 16 19:25:37 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:25:37 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Place and Date for Peter Camejo Memorial Message-ID: <48F7F7A1.5000501@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peter Camejo Memorial October 14, 2008 Peter's Memorial will be on Sunday, November 23, 2:00 PM at International House in Berkeley, CA. International House (I-House) is at the top of the UC Berkeley campus, 2299 Piedmont Avenue, Berkeley, California, 94720-2320. We are including a link to the I-House website, and later messages will have further details, including parking and directions. We just wanted to get the confirmed date, time and place out quickly for those of you making travel plans. International House at UC Berkeley Ralph Nader will be speaking at the Memorial. Also other friends of Peter from different aspects of his life. Details to follow. Socializing A number of people have asked us about the possibilities of socializing after the memorial. We have to be out of I-House by 5 PM. We are looking into finding a place where people who wanted to could gather afterwards. We are still asking for photos of Peter We haven't received any photos yet! As part of the memorial meeting we are soliciting two things: photographs of Peter and hard-copy reminiscences (brief is fine!) to be put in a memory book for the family, which will also be available at the memorial and eventually perhaps be put online. Physical photographs will be scanned and returned. Both the photographs and the reminiscences should be sent to Peter's brother Dan Ratner at Dan Ratner 1350 Broadstone Pkwy Apt 4413 Folsom, CA 95630 If you have high quality scans of photos, you can send them to Dan at dr_public at lovetohack.org If you'd be willing to have these photos appear on the blog, please also send them to achis at igc.org Please visit the blog Where we have links to interviews with Peter and the picture of the Abdul Ghaffar Khan Peace Award he just won. The blog also has all the previous messages we sent out, as well as many comments from friends of Peter. Blog Claudette B?gin & Alex Chis P.O. Box 2944 Fremont, CA 94536 510-489-8554 achis at igc.org From updates at cagreens.org Fri Oct 17 19:12:28 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:12:28 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] ADVISORY McKinney in BreakTheMatrix.com pres. candidates' forum, Oct. 19 Message-ID: <48F9460C.5010109@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Distributed by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org McKINNEY/CLEMENTE POWER TO THE PEOPLE COMMITTEE http://votetruth08.com http://www.runcynthiarun.org For Immediate Release: Friday, October 17, 2008 Green nominee Cynthia McKinney to speak in online presidential candidates' forum, Sunday, Oct. 19 ? Web site for the broadcast: http://www.breakthematrix.com/channels/1 WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney will participate in a webcast forum for presidential candidates on Sunday, October 19, to be aired 7 to 9 pm on BreakTheMatrix.com (http://www.breakthematrix.com/channels/1). Cynthia McKinney will join other candidates who've been invited to the online forum, which has been organized by ThirdPartyTicket.com's Trevor Lyman (http://www.thirdpartyticket.com). Ms. McKinney will not appear at a candidates' forum at Columbia University on the evening of October 19. The news of Ms. McKinney's participation in the Columbia event was released to the media in error by persons who are unassociated with the McKinney campaign, and who had not confirmed such an appearance with Ms. McKinney or her staff. "We invite everyone to go online, tune in to BreakTheMatrix.com, and listen to Cynthia McKinney and the other candidates debate real issues. We'll hear Ms. McKinney offer ideas that have been censored from the McCain-Obama debates -- ideas that most Americans support, like bringing our troops home now, health care for everyone, and help for working Americans facing financial difficulty instead of a $700 billion bailout package for Wall Street," said John Judge, media secretary for the McKinney/Clemente Power to the People Committee. Cynthia McKinney and running mate Rosa Clemente were nominated by the Green Party at the Green National Convention in Chicago this past July. "A vote for Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente is an investment in a growing progressive antiwar party that accepts no corporate contributions. No other candidate in the 2008 election offers the hope of a permanent alternative to the Democrats and Republicans and the corporate interests that the two established parties serve. The Green Party isn't an alternative, it's an imperative," said Ms. Clemente. Greens and other Americans have objected to the format of the McCain-Obama debates, which were sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), and which excluded all candidates except the Democratic and Republican nominee. The CPD, which sets rules for candidate participation, is owned and run by the Democratic and Republican parties, which have an interest in excluding all candidates except their own. Greens noted that the CPD is funded through contributions from corporations, which have their own interests in limiting the candidates who participate in the debates. MORE INFORMATION Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com http://www.runcynthiarun.org "Where's Kenny Rogers When You Need Him? The Big Boys Got Their Bailout, But the Elected Leadership and the Voters Meet at the Election Day Showdown" By Cynthia McKinney, OpEdNews.com, Oct. 7, 2008 http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Where-s-Kenny-Rogers-When-by-Cynthia-McKinney-081007-748.html Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo Rosa Clemente on video ? Interview: Current TV/Rock the Vote http://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Wed Oct 22 18:55:40 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:55:40 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] New Video + National Public Radio & online interviews with Cynthia McKinney Message-ID: <48FFD99C.4000903@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Greetings, Most of you all know that a team of us have been working on a Green Party Documentary. Well, this pre-election version is complete. A lot of time was put into this project, so your help in spreading it around will get it to the people. Watch it, Subscribe to the Youtube Page, Make it a YouTube Favorite, Post it on blogs, Email the link to friends, Post it on your websites, Post in on a MySpace bulletin, tell your friends about it. Alert the media. Do all of this multiple times. Each time it will catch more and more people. Where you can find it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpchQDj4y6g The next step is to create a full length documentary on the Green Party and Independent Political Action, soon to be a Cannes Film Festival winner! Thanks for the support. Let's spread the message using this multimedia medium. Joe Truss Oakland Green Party Some of All Parts ========================================================================== Two National Public Radio interviews with Cynthia McKinney this week: ? Wednesday, Oct. 22 Ms. McKinney will be interviewed by Neal Conan on NPR's Talk of the Nation, 1-3 pm ET. We're told the segment with Ms. McKinney will begin about 2:40 pm ET. This will be a call-in show. ? Saturday, Oct. 25 Ms. McKinney will be interviewed on NPR's Weekend Edition, hosted by Scott Simon. The show begins 8 am ET, and we've learned that her interview will take place about 8:10 am ET. Recent interviews with Cynthia McKinney archived online: ? Cynthia McKinney's Sunday, Oct. 19 interview is archived online and can be viewed at BreakTheMatrix.com (http://www.breakthematrix.com/node/28047). This interview was originally intended to be an online forum featuring several alternative party candidates, but the other candidates who were invited missed the event because of confusion caused when a different forum was scheduled to take place at the same time at Columbia University, which was subsequently canceled. Ms. McKinney had earlier confirmed her participation in the BreakTheMatrix.com broadcast, and followed through on her promise. The organizers of the canceled forum at Columbia have announced another forum, to take place in Washington, DC, on Thursday, Oct. 23. Despite the organizers' claims of confirmation by the candidates, Ms. McKinney has not been consulted on her participation in the Thursday forum or on ground rules or other parameters of the event. We're urging members of the media to regard announcements about the Oct. 23 forum with some caution. ? Cynthia McKinney was also interviewed on Thursday, Oct. 16, on Democracy Now! following the final McCain-Obama debate, from which she and other alternative party candidates were excluded (http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/16/breaking_the_sound_barrier_third). Scott Media Committee From updates at cagreens.org Fri Oct 24 18:14:56 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:14:56 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green Party candidates to watch on Election Day 2008 Message-ID: <49027310.2080207@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 23, 2008 Green Party candidates to watch on Election Day 2008 ? General Green Party election information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? More candidates to watch: http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States has identified several candidates who are running significant campaigns at state and local levels. Five such candidates are profiled below. The Green Party's 2008 national nominees are Cynthia McKinney and running mate Rosa Clemente. Ms. McKinney was interviewed on BreakTheMatrix.com on Sunday evening, October 19 (http://www.breakthematrix.com/node/28047) and on Democracy Now!, October 16, following the final presidential debate, from which she was excluded (http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/16/breaking_the_sound_barrier_third). At least 245 Green candidates will be on ballots on Election Day, November 4. At least 293 Greens have run for public office throughout 2008, including the November 4 election. More Green candidates to watch are listed at: http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php ? Jesse Johnson, Mountain Party candidate for governor of West Virginia, has participated in three debates and has attracted attention for his promotion of a ban on mountaintop removal mining by West Virginia's powerful coal industry and his leadership on other state issues. Mr. Johnson was endorsed by the Sierra Club on October 3 (http://www.greenpartywatch.org/2008/10/06/sierra-club-endorses-jesse-johnson-for-wv-governor/). "Because of mountaintop removal and the power of the coal companies, West Virginia has become ground zero for global climate change in the US," said Jesse Johnson. "The Interior Department is now relaxing rules on mountaintop mining, which will bring untold devastation to the natural environment and a massive threat to public health, through contamination of water and other resources. I'm the only candidate addressing this crisis, because the Democrat and Republican are too closely allied with the coal companies that are plundering West Virginia." Campaign web site: http://www.jesse4wvgov.org Video clip of Jesse Johnson speaking at a West Virginia Youth Commission forum: http://vimeo.com/2013238 ? Rebekah Kennedy, Green candidate for the US Senate in Arkansas, is competing against Democratic incumbent Mark Pryor, with no Republican in the race. Despite numerous invitations, Sen. Pryor has avoided facing Ms. Kennedy in a candidates' debate. http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=9182552 http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/240400/ Campaign web site: http://www.kennedy2008.org ? Gordon Clark, Maryland candidate for the US House (District 8, Rep. Chris Van Hollen's seat), is receiving significant attention for his grassroots campaign against a powerful Democrat. (Mr. Van Hollen, though only in Congress five years, is Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.) Gordon raised more campaign funds (all individual) during the second quarter than any other candidate nominated for Congress by an alternative party in the US (http://www.politickermd.com/clarkforcongress/2953/clark-campaign-releases-2nd-quarter-fec-report-total-tops-3rd-party-campaigns-). Mr. Clark came out on top in a candidates' forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters on October 2 (http://www.gazette.net/stories/10152008/montlet175510_32497.shtml) and is now receiving coverage in the mainstream press. Gordon Clark noted that "Chris Van Hollen went from being a liberal Democrat to a corporate Democrat, and he no longer represents his constituents on an array of issues. Maryland's 8th is one of the most progressive districts in the country, and voters here are looking for a political leader who has a vision for tackling the energy crisis, the faltering economy and the climate crisis of global warming, as well as the willingness to end the war in Iraq and the judgment to stop an expanding war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's becoming clear to many that Mr. Van Hollen, with his numerous close ties to campaign contributors, cannot meet that need -- and that our campaign does." Campaign web site: http://www.clarkforcongress.net Video of Oct. 2 candidates' forum: http://www.clarkforcongress.net/press.cfm More video clips of Gordon Clark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbj-MoxER7g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyYZ9Oof_RQ ? Malik Rahim, Louisiana Green candidate for the US House (District 2), is co-founder of the Common Ground Collective, an organization that provides short-term relief to victims of hurricane disasters in the Gulf Coast region. Mr. Rahim is a former Black Panther and ran for New Orleans City Council in 2002 as a Green Party candidate. The election for the 2nd District US House seat will take place on December 6 instead of November 4 because of election delays caused by Hurricanes Gustave and Ike. Campaign web site: http://www.votemalik.com Common Ground: http://www.commongroundrelief.org ? Ross Mirkarimi was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (District 5) in 2004 and is running for reelection. Mr. Mirkarimi has sponsored about 40 pieces of legislation addressing crime, making streets safer for pedestrians, improving efficiency of city departments, and the environment. He led efforts to promote medical marijuana clubs in San Francisco. In March 2007, he introduced legislation prohibiting large supermarkets and drugstores from providing customers with non-biodegradable plastic bags, making San Francisco the first city to regulate such bags. In June 2008, Mr. Mirkarimi sponsored a one-year pilot plan for solar rebate program that provides $1.5 million to nonprofit organizations and lower income residents for installing solar voltaic power on rooftops. He faces two opponents in the current election. Campaign web site: http://www.rossmirkarimi.com MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com http://www.runcynthiarun.org "Where's Kenny Rogers When You Need Him? The Big Boys Got Their Bailout, But the Elected Leadership and the Voters Meet at the Election Day Showdown" By Cynthia McKinney, OpEdNews.com, Oct. 7, 2008 http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Where-s-Kenny-Rogers-When-by-Cynthia-McKinney-081007-748.html Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? BreakTheMatrix.com interview, Oct. 19: http://www.breakthematrix.com/node/28047 ? Democracy Now! interview, Oct. 16: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/16/breaking_the_sound_barrier_third ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo Rosa Clemente on video ? Interview: Current TV/Rock the Vote http://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sat Oct 25 20:20:10 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:20:10 -0700 Subject: [GPCA Updates] "NO on 8" Rallies Around the State Message-ID: <4903E1EA.8010907@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This was forwarded to us by one of our activists in Kern County. Get GPCA recommendation on ballot initiatives from our web site -- http://www.cagreens.org/. ============================================================= I got this online from : www.myspace.com/noonh8 They have maps for every location and other info at their site. Check it out! And please share it with folks you know statewide! Let's rock the state! Whitney No on 8 Fundraiser - Alhambra, Wednesday 10/22, 9pm Ambiente Nightclub, 915 S. Garfield Avenue, Alhambra 21+ No on 8 House Party / Fundraiser - Concord, Wednesday 10/22 6pm 2730 Pacheco St, Concord, CA Dress In Your Red, White & Blues To Celebrate Our Goal: Raise $2,500 In Donations - Starting With You! Please Bring A Dish!! This House Party Is Alcohol And Drug Free Thanks! No On Prop 8 Rally - Hanford, Thursday, 10/23 4-6 pm Corner of 11th and Grangeville Blvd. , Hanford No on 8 Rally - Murrieta, Thursday 10/23, 5-7pm Corner of Murrieta Hot Springs & Margarita, Murrieta No on 8 Rally - Bakersfield, Friday 10/24 thru Sunday 10/26 Phone Banking Nightly: Call 661-586-2663 Friday 10/24, 5:30pm, corner of New Stine and Ming, Bakersfield Saturday 10/25, 2pm, Corner of Mall View and Oswell in East Hills Sunday 10/26, 2pm, Corner of 24th and Oak, Bakersfield No on 8 Rally - Fresno, Saturday, 10/25, 4pm Intersection of Blackstone and Shaw, Fresno No on 8 Rally - San Jose, Sunday 10/26, 2-5pm Corner of Hamilton and 880 (at Kohls/T-Mobile), San Jose No on 8 Rally - Stockton, Sunday 10/26, 1-3pm Corner of Pacific & March Lane, Stockton No on 8 Rally - Tracy, Sunday 10/26, 1-3pm Corner of Naglee & Grantline, Tracy No on 8 Phone Bank, Sunday 10/26 2-5pm CLU (Cal Lutheran University) In The Student Union Building(SUB) No on 8 Rallies - Temecula, Tuesday, October 28th, 5pm - 7pm Duck Pond - Corner of Rancho California and Ynez, Temecula Thursday, October 30th, 5pm - 7pm Lowes - Corner of Winchester Rd. and Margarita Rd. , Temecula No On Prop 8 rally - Visalia, Wednesday, 10/29 5-7:00pm Mooney & Walnut, Visalia No on 8 BBQ in Support of Gay Marriage - San Diego, Saturday 11/1, 10am Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Road, San Diego Rally is to counter "Yes on 8" prayer vigil at the stadium No on Prop 8 Rally - La Habra, Sunday 11/2 11am Corner of Beach Blvd and Imperial Blvd, La Habra Voting Party, Santa Ana - 11/2, 8pm 215 N. Broadway, Santa Ana 21+ no cover Whitney Weddell "We can never be the better for our religion if our neighbor is the worse for it." --William Penn Support the effort to keep gay marriage legal in California! Donate only $1 now: http://www.firstgiving.com/whitneynlori Donations from this site go to Marriage Equality USA, a non-profit organization. www.marriageequality.org From updates at cagreens.org Mon Oct 27 19:47:18 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:47:18 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green Party becomes 1st party to endorse StandingForVoters.org fair election pledge Message-ID: <49067D36.5080503@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Monday, October 27, 2008 Green Party becomes the first party to endorse the Standing For Voters pledge to defend election integrity ? Green national candidates McKinney and Clemente sign on, along with other Green candidates; Greens cite their leadership role in the 2004 Ohio and New Mexico recounts after evidence of vote theft ? Greens condemn GOP efforts to disqualify legitimate voters in the 2008 election WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States has become the first political party to endorse the Election Integrity Pledge promoted by Standing For Voters (http://www.StandingForVoters.org), an internet-based group inviting candidates to pledge their commitment to fair elections. Along with the Green Party, several Green Party candidates have pledged 'no early concessions' and actions challenging election outcomes if necessary: presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney and vice presidential candidate Rosa Clemente; US Congressional candidates Carol Brouillet (Calif.-14), Rebecca Dewitt (Ariz.-4), Harold Burbank (Conn.-5), and Mike Beilstein (Or.-4); and five candidates for state and local offices: Dan Kairis of Illinois, Richard Boyle of California, Rick Lass of New Mexico, Allan Hancock of Minnesota, and Charles A. Pillsbury of Connecticut. "Led by David Cobb, our 2004 presidential candidate, Greens organized the response to the 2004 vote theft. John Kerry and most of his fellow Democrats did nothing after reports and evidence of GOP election manipulation and obstruction of African American and young voters surfaced. Meanwhile, Greens filed for the recounts in Ohio and New Mexico and raised most of the money for legal expenses. It's our special obligation and privilege to be the first party to sign on to the Standing For Voters pledge," said Holly Hart, secretary of the Green Party of the United States. For more on Green leadership in the Ohio and New Mexico recounts, visit IWantMyVote.com (http://www.iwantmyvote.com). In signing the pledge, Greens sharply condemned recent tactics that have been used to obstruct and discourage voters, especially African Americans in certain states, from voting. Such tactics include letters to voters falsely claiming that they've been declared ineligible to vote, foreclosure lists denying right to vote because a voter's address is "no longer valid," and vicious attacks on voter registration efforts. "The drastic efforts to disqualify legitimate voters suggests that we'll see a repeat of Republican conspiracies to steal the national election. Will Democrats fight this time, or will they roll over again and leave it to the Green Party?" asked Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party. The documentary 'American Blackout' covers Cynthia McKinney's role in the struggle for election integrity (http://www.americanblackout.com). A recent essay by Ms. McKinney also addresses the breakdown in fair elections (OpEdNews.com, Oct. 7, http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Where-s-Kenny-Rogers-When-by-Cynthia-McKinney-081007-748.html). The Green Party advocates various systematic reforms to ensure fair, accurate, and truly democratic elections, including public financing of elections, free time on public airwaves for all candidates, repeal of ballot access laws restricting alternative-party and independent candidates, paper verification and open-source software for computer voting systems, instant runoff voting, and proportional representation. According to the Standing For Voters pledge, signers promise to challenge election results "if the combination of election conditions, incident reports, and announced election results calls into question the reliability of the official vote count." Should another candidate be declared the winner in a race, signers vow to "wait until all valid votes are counted and all serious challenges resolved before conceding defeat." "We'd like to see all of the nation's political parties endorse Standing For Voters, as the Green Party has done nationally," said Emily Levy, Standing For Voters Project Coordinator. "As participants in what's commonly known as 'our democratic process,' all parties should commit to fair elections. We welcome endorsements from local, state, and national party organizations, as well as other groups that care about democracy." MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ? 2008 Green candidates to watch http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com http://www.runcynthiarun.org Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? BreakTheMatrix.com interview, Oct. 19: http://www.breakthematrix.com/node/28047 ? Democracy Now! interview, Oct. 16: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/16/breaking_the_sound_barrier_third ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo Rosa Clemente on video ? Interview: Current TV/Rock the Vote http://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sun Nov 2 17:30:00 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:30:00 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens to progressive, antiwar, Obama & Nader voters: Invest your vote in McKinney Message-ID: <490E5418.5000800@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Sunday, November 2, 2008 Greens appeal to progressive, independent, antiwar voters: invest your vote in McKinney & Clemente on Election Day ? Greens promote ten videos of McKinney speaking on major issues; Green leaders stress 'Green Imperative' of building a progressive US party ? Obama doesn't represent the views of millions of his own supporters who want real change in US politics; voters who seek a permanent alternative to two-party politics should vote for Green McKinney instead of independent Nader WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders are urging progressive, independent, and antiwar voters to invest their votes in a growing progressive, antiwar party on Election Day 2008 by voting for the Green Party presidential ticket: Cynthia McKinney for President, Rosa Clemente for Vice President. Greens are making a special appeal to Obama and Nader supporters to vote for the 'Green Imperative' on November 4. Ms. McKinney is currently featured in ten online videos in which she details her positions on major issues, including corporate bailouts, foreign policy, health care, the rights of Katrina survivors, and the Green challenge to two-party dominance. Links to the clips are listed below. "Millions of Americans who favor the Green Party's positions on the wars, health care, global warming, and other important issues plan to vote for Barack Obama, who doesn't share their views. It's not enough just to defeat John McCain and the GOP agenda," said Green vice presidential candidate Rosa Clemente. "Democrats have retreated over and over and voted for Bush-Cheney policies -- war funding, the unconstitutional US Patriotic Act, telecomm immunity, corporate handouts and taxbreaks, the death penalty, record incarceration rates, and a $700 billion Wall Street bailout that doesn't help working Americans. The only way to reverse the dangerous direction of US politics is to build a real opposition party. Voting for Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente will strengthen a party that's dedicated to ecological, antiwar, and truly democratic values and doesn't take money and orders from corporations," Ms. Clemente added. Greens stressed that votes for the Green presidential candidates, as well as for Green candidates for state and local office, will also help some state Green Parties achieve or keep official party status in their states. For example, Iowa requires 2% in a presidential race to maintain a party's ballot line, Arkansas requires 3%, and Minnesota and Rhode Island each require 5%. Green Party leaders praised Ralph Nader for his strong political positions and have argued for his inclusion in the presidential debates (along with Ms. McKinney and other excluded candidates). But they said that votes for Mr. Nader would have no effect after Election Day, since he's running as an independent. Mr. Nader's Green run in 2000 helped put the Green Party on the political map, but his independent campaigns in 2004 and 2008 leave no lasting legacy. "A vote for the McKinney-Clemente ticket is an investment that will continue to pay off as the Green Party grows and challenges bipartisan corporate-money politics in the years to come. A vote for an independent like Ralph Nader is a valid protest vote, but does nothing to establish a permanent political alternative. The Nader campaign will be over after Election Day, while the Green Party is a permanent political fixture with the hope of achieving major party status in the coming years," said Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. Video clips: Cynthia McKinney on various issues, produced by Don DeBar ? Single Payer Health Care http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgBk-6s5Ntw ? Sustainable Investment instead of Corporate Bailouts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH5tIi1uejM ? Green Values: Grassroots Democracy, Peace Social Justice, Environmental Wisdom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fAgjv9uLaI ? Green Party Seat At The Table will invite the Public http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6bn9ooLUvQ ? The Two Party Paradigms http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbN7pR7kDJs ? Restore Our Constitutional Rights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0c5qEZuqHo ? Rebuild the Economy with Energy Efficient Cars http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3v1VqVb2Z8 ? Bring All The Troops Home http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2r2ZBz4tSI ? Katrina survivors right of return http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRYEdh5KBIE ? Oppose Africom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDGOMY4gNVQ MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ? 2008 Green candidates to watch http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://www.runcynthiarun.org http://votetruth08.com Cynthia McKinney on video http://www.youtube.com/user/RunCynthiaRun http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RunCynthiaRun ? BreakTheMatrix.com interview, Oct. 19: http://www.breakthematrix.com/node/28047 ? Democracy Now! interview, Oct. 16: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/16/breaking_the_sound_barrier_third ? Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo Rosa Clemente on video ? Interview: Current TV/Rock the Vote http://current.com/items/89335393_the_organizer_and_green_party_vp_candidate_talks_about_her_inspirations ~ END ~ Cynthia McKinney - Opposing the Death Penalty - supports family facing an execution. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGdy3s7npdY Compelling and heart wrenching video of Cynthia McKinney supporting the family of Gregory Wright during his execution in Huntsville Texas. He was executed shortly after 6PM on October 30. There's evidence that he may have been wrongly convicted of murder. McKinney speaks out against the death penalty. Note that Obama supports the death penalty. PLEASE send to anti death penalty advocates especially to those who believe voting for Obama represents some kind of "humanitarian" choice. Video taped by Bryan Parras From updates at cagreens.org Tue Nov 4 19:03:42 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:03:42 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Live Stream - Rosa Clemente NYC - 8PM Eastern] Message-ID: <49110D0E.7010404@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Live Stream - Rosa Clemente NYC - 8PM Eastern With chat room we can all participate in. http://www.mogulus.com/greenpartyny GreenChanges also working on a feed but chat is not set up (yet?) http://www.greenchange.org/article.php?id=3519 Please note as of 1PM I still do NOT have confirmation that the location has wifi but I have to get this out NOW since they haven't gotten back to me yet. If they do you'll be able to view and chat across the country! They'll be great performances and Rosa Clemente as well of course. The looping video verifies the channel is active. This could be a Green Party first! Craig Seeman NY From updates at cagreens.org Thu Nov 6 19:10:38 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:10:38 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens thank pres. candidates McKinney & Clemente, congratulate Obama on his historic win Message-ID: <4913B1AE.3020206@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 6, 2008 Greens thank national candidates Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente, congratulate Barack Obama on his historic White House victory WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States thanked Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente, Green candidates for President and Vice President, for their strong national campaign in the 2008 election. The party also congratulated Barack Obama on his election to the White House today, and celebrated the election of America's first African American President. "Even though we competed with Sen. Obama for votes in the presidential race, we're thrilled that voters have elected an African American President, something unimaginable a generation ago. We're just as thrilled that our own presidential ticket -- Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente are two women of African descent, and Ms. Clemente is Black Puerto Rican -- represented the voices of so many Americans who've been shut out of the system," said Clyde Shabazz, Green candidate for Congress in Michigan's 14th District. Greens noted that voters expressed a mandate for change in the hope that President-elect Obama would follow through on his pledge of "Change We Can Believe In" and reverse the dangerous direction that the country has taken. "Voters who were motivated by Barack Obama's message of change will now have to fight if they really want change to take place during the next four years," said Jill Bussiere, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "Rosa Clemente, our candidate for Vice President, talked about the Green Party's 'imperative' throughout the campaign. The Green Imperative will move forward during the Obama Administration, as people demand that change be more than a campaign slogan." MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections ? 2008 Green candidates to watch http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://www.runcynthiarun.org http://votetruth08.com http://www.rosaclemente.com ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Fri Nov 7 18:08:26 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:08:26 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE McKinney urges Gates Foundation aid for African Message-ID: <4914F49A.5050208@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Distributed by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: November 6, 2006 Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney Poses Challenge to the Gates Foundation Cynthia McKinney's Challenge to the Gates Foundation: Stop choosing Seattle's corporate power brokers over the African-American community's need for a meaningful world class cultural institution. SEATTLE, WA -- On Monday, October 27th, during her recent visit to Seattle, Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney made an unannounced visit to the Gates Foundation. Accompanied by a few Power To The People Campaign supporters, plus Seattle Central Community College Black Student Union President Geneiva Arunga and Umojafest Peace Center Founder Wyking Garrett, McKinney arrived at Gates Foundation headquarters to hand-deliver the following letter to CEO Jeff Raikes. A video clip of this event should be available at http://freshfig.com/n5p/cmckinney_gfdn.html by or before 2pm on Tuesday, November 4 (contact me at pwolf at mckinney08news.com regarding any technical difficulties). Jeff Raikes Chief Executive Officer Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation PO Box 23350 Seattle, WA 98102 Dear Mr. Raikes: I am contacting you regarding the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation involvement in the African American Heritage Museum & Cultural Center under the auspices of the Northwest African American Museum and Urban League Village. I have recently joined the National Campaign to bring justice to the African American Heritage Museum in Seattle, Washington, a project in which the Gates Foundation and William Gates, Sr. have been intricately involved, in ways that amount to marginalization and disenfranchisement of Seattle's African American community. As you may be aware, this has been a controversial issue in the Seattle community. The current issue of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine (October 2008) highlights some of the controversy and conflict between the interests of the African American community and the desires of Seattle's ruling class. In a spirit similar to Bill and Melinda Gates' stated goals of creating the Gates Foundation to ensure that all people get an equal chance to live healthy, productive lives, the African American Heritage Museum was founded to counter the negative conditions existing in the African American community. These conditions, including disproportionate levels of broken homes, crime, academic failure, drugs, violence, incarceration, unemployment, and lack of economic development, are a direct result of the cultural and socio-economic damages caused by the disenfranchisement of African people from their culture, heritage and wealth known as African Holocaust, commonly referred to as the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade and the institutionalized oppression of African peopled that followed. It appears that Seattle powerbrokers were not favorable to this grassroots undertaking, preferring an entity that was not community-determined and controlled, if any institution at all. The goal of building an institution to strengthen the African community in Seattle was and is contrary to downtown's long term goal of eliminating Seattle's African American community. To that end, it is my understanding that Seattle's corporate power brokers have financed and facilitated the hostile takeover of this project by the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. The methods used to redirect this project from its origins as one that would significantly increase opportunity and equity for Seattle's African American population have been unethical, immoral and illegal yet the project has enjoyed a stamp of approval from the Gates Foundation. As charity is not in itself justice, I would hope that the Gates Foundation would support our community's need and desire for a dynamic, meaningful world class cultural institution in Seattle. It is my recommendation that you meet with this group as I think that it is most beneficial that a charity such as the Gates Foundation have a positive working relationship rather than adversarial relationship to its African American community. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and I look forward to your response. For more information or to further discuss this matter please contact K. Wyking Garrett at 206.941.2527 or via email at Wyking at gmail.com. Sincerely, Cynthia A. McKinney MORE INFORMATION: The African American Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, and its transition into today's Northwest African American Museum: Read the story told by the founders of the original grassroots project. http://aahmcc.org/index.html Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://votetruth08.com/ John Judge, McKinney/Clemente 08 Press Secretary (national) 202.584.1021 / fax 240.491.3311 press-secretary at runcynthiarun.org Scott McLarty, Green Party USA Press Secretary 202.904.7614 scottmclarty at yahoo.com http://www.gp.org ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sat Nov 15 18:21:52 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:21:52 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] ADVISORY: Public memorial Nov. 23 for Peter Camejo, former Green candidate for Calif. Gov. Message-ID: <491F83C0.2030302@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Distributed by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, November 12, 2008 Public Memorial for Peter Camejo, former Green Party gubernatorial candidate, activist, planned for Sunday, Nov. 23 Berkeley, CA A public memorial celebrating the life of former gubernatorial, presidential and vice-presidential candidate Peter Camejo will be held SUNDAY, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. at the International House on the University of California at Berkeley campus (2299 Piedmont Ave), according to an announcement by family and friends. Mr. Camejo died Sept. 13 at home in Folsom, CA after a lengthy fight with cancer. Speakers at the Public Memorial at UCB which, ironically, expelled Mr. Camejo for his activities as a student opposing the war in Vietnam in the 60's will include those who worked with him as a student leader during that era. Other speakers include those Mr. Camejo worked with as a leader in the socially responsible investment industry; as the Green Party gubernatorial candidate in the 2003 Recall Election, and Green party gubernatorial runs in 2002 and 2006; as Ralph Nader's vice-presidential candidate in 2004; and as an environmentalist and a civil rights activist. He also ran for President with the Socialist Workers Party. Ralph Nader who will speak at the Memorial has remembered Mr. Camejo as "a civil rights leader, socially responsible investment pioneer, and magnanimo caballero' for third party politics in the U.S." He said Mr. Camejo "used his eloquence, sharp wit, and barnstorming bravado to blaze a trail for 21st century third party politics in the US." Organizers said that "Everyone who has met Peter, talked with Peter, worked with Peter, argued with Peter, or heard of him are invited to join friends and family in celebrating his life." From updates at cagreens.org Thu Nov 20 18:45:36 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:45:36 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE: Greens to Obama: appoint a Cabinet for real change, not big-business warhawks like Emanuel Message-ID: <492620D0.2070301@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 20, 2008 Greens urge Obama to appoint Cabinet members dedicated to real change, not more corporate operatives and warhawks like Rahm Emanuel ? A Cabinet full of corporate honchos, lawyers, and shills will not "look like America," say Greens WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders called on President-elect Barack Obama to appoint a Cabinet that will pursue real reform, in accord with Mr. Obama's promise of change in the new administration. "Democratic and Republican presidents alike have a record of naming industry chiefs, corporate board members and lawyers, and others loyal to wealthy, elite interests," said Holly Hart, secretary of the Green Party of the United States. "If President Obama truly believes in 'change we can believe in,' he'll appoint a Cabinet that looks like America -- not just in ethnic and gender diversity, but in its dedication to the needs of working Americans and the goal of international peace and justice." Greens called Mr. Obama's choice of Rahm Emanuel for White House Chief of Staff especially unfortunate, citing Mr. Emanuel's position as managing director of investment banks Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, earning him $18 million between 1999 and 2002 and his track record in Congress since 2003. The appointment of Mr. Emanuel confirms Mr. Obama's pledge to AIPAC that he will maintain the same uncritical support for Israel as the Clinton and Bush administrations, whose policies resulted in increasing human rights violations against Palestinians and greater instability in the region. Mr. Emanuel was also one of the original drafters of NAFTA and now favors similar antidemocratic 'free trade' pacts with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, which would cost more US jobs and suppress environmental and labor protections. Green Party leaders said that Rahm Emanuel's appointment was consistent with Mr. Obama's choice of Sen. Joe Biden as his Vice President. Despite his reputation in the media as a defender of working people, Mr. Biden helped draft a law signed by President Bush that relaxed regulations on financial institutions, giving them more power over Americans facing financial problems and transferring risk from predatory lenders to borrowers. As an architect of mandatory minimum drug laws (including the RAVE Act), Sen. Biden helped put the children of working families behind bars. Among the corporate-connected names on the list for the Obama Cabinet are Eric Holder, Jr. for Attorney General and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack for Secretary of Agriculture. Mr. Holder is a partner at Covington & Burling, which represents the National Football League, Chiquita, and Merck, and Gov. Vilsack is an enthusiastic advocate of genetically engineered crops and corn- and soy-based biofuels, with ties to Monsanto, whose products and policies have destroyed independent and family farms around the world. "Barack Obama's mantra of 'change' is already a lie. With Rahm Emanuel as his Chief of Staff, and with Hillary Clinton rumored to be Secretary of State, the Obama White House is ready to pursue much of the same agenda as previous administrations," said Cliff Thornton, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "It's a twisted irony that some tried to tag Obama as a socialist, a perception that will make it that much easier for his administration to continue the practice of redistributing wealth from middle- and low-income Americans to America's wealthiest. Bill Clinton was denounced as a liberal by the same right-wing pundits whose corporate buddies he was handing America over to. The same sell-out is going to happen all over again." "Voters who elected Barack Obama because of his promise of change and the hope of a progressive administration need to wake up and realize they're in for yet another fight. Only if the voters hold Obama to his promises can we avoid the same pro-corporate and warhawk policies that came out of the disastrous Clinton and Bush White Houses," added Mr. Thornton. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Running tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html ? Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://www.runcynthiarun.org http://votetruth08.com http://www.rosaclemente.com ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sat Nov 22 20:40:57 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:40:57 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] We have the chance to put a Green in Congress! Message-ID: <4928DED9.1080900@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the GPUS The Green Party Outreach Committee says: "Let's send Malik Rahim to the US House of Representatives!" Malik Rahim, founder of Common Ground Relief, is running in Congress for New Orleans District 2 in a special election on December 6th. Under Malik's leadership, the Common Ground Collective opened the first free health clinic in the city of New Orleans, helped reopen schools, gutted over 3,000 homes that needed repair in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, and provided direct services to nearly 200,000 returning residents. He is former Black Panther, co-founder -of the anti-death penalty group "Pilgrimage for Life," with Sister Helen Prejean. On November 12, Malik Rahim received the Thomas Merton Award(http://www.thomasmertoncenter.org) for his work in community organizing and providing relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina We need you to help him win! You can help make this happen by: Donate: Giving now, and getting others to do the same will ensure Malik has the resources to purchase airtime for more radio ads -the first ads start today at $26 each, buy more yard signs and ensure the campaignb has the resources to run a SUCESSFUL CAMPAIGN! http://www.votemalik.com/contribute/ Volunteer from Home: Help make calls from your home to voters in Malik district. The more people we talk to, the more VOTES we get! http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1488/t/689/signUp.jsp?key=2078 Learn more about Malik at : www.votemalik.com. Let's put a Green in Congress! Malik has the reputation and experience to do it. So PLEASE do what you can and ALSO send this message to your state and local lists. *** The Green Party takes no money from real estate companies, investment firms, or insurance companies; In fact, we don't take any corporate money because we think corporate money in politics is wrong. If you agree, please help us today. Your donation to the Green Party will help make sure we have a strong Green party today and into the future, so that we can support candidates like Malik. https://secure.democracyinaction.com/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=26 Email: office at gp.org Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREEN From updates at cagreens.org Mon Nov 24 19:39:11 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:39:11 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPUS: Build the Green Party, Join the Outreach Committee! Message-ID: <492B735F.2010003@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear fellow Greens, Do you ever wonder how we can reach our Green vision and goals more quickly? The Outreach Committee of GPUS is engaging in several projects to increase Green visibility in our communities, and to help the many potential constituencies out there to develop a better understanding of who the Green Party is and what we are about. This can take on many forms. To make these projects operational, we need talented Greens with a variety of skills and interests who would be willing to work on a Green team to widen our outreach. The emphasis here is a search for skills and experience. It is time for Americans to discover that the world they want to live in and the rules they want to play by are Green: clean, respectful, wise, responsible and sensible. It is time for our friends and neighbors to find out that the caring vision and dedication required for real change and a working democracy are built into the foundation and values of the Green Party ? a party dedicated to justice, and committed to responsible and sustainable stewardship of our planet and our communities. The Outreach Committee is "reaching in" to fellow Greens so we can find the talent to reach out more effectively to others. Let's spread the word to our state parties and on to the locals. Among other skills, we are seeking Greens with video & audio production, animation, computer programming, list management, translating, writing/editing, blogging, graphic arts & design, event organization, marketing and speaking. If this describes you, contact us. Please help spread the word, and have interested Greens get in touch with our committee. Thank you. The GPUS Outreach Committee Here are some current projects: -Spanish Translation of Key Documents and web pages -Netroots Organizing -Viral Marketing -Web Design -Skills-Building Workshops -On-Line Organizing Library -Keyboard Activism -Update Print Brochure -Green House Parties -Work with Campus Greens and,..... your ideas, skills and energy! Please write us at: Outreach at gp.org Email: office at gp.org Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREEN From updates at cagreens.org Tue Nov 25 18:39:30 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:39:30 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] We Have the Chance to Elect a Green to Congress This Year! Message-ID: <492CB6E2.8030801@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Help Elect Malik Rahim to Congress! We have an incredible opportunity. Congressional elections for the 2nd District in New Orleans, LA will take place Dec 6th and Malik Rahim, founder of Common Ground Relief, is running in for Congress. Malik's Democratic opponent, incumbent William Jefferson was indicted earlier this year for corruption. We have the chance to put a Green in Congress who will stand up for people over profits. Malik Rahim has a lifelong commitment to justice and an extensive track record of transformative community building. Under Malik's leadership, the Common Ground Collective opened the first free health clinic in the city of New Orleans, helped reopen schools, gutted over 3,000 homes that needed repair in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, and provided direct services to nearly 200,000 returning residents. He is former Black Panther, co-founder of the anti-death penalty group "Pilgrimage for Life," with Sister Helen Prejean. On November 12, Malik Rahim received the Thomas Merton Award for his work in community organizing and providing relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina Malik Rahim Can Win! DONATE: Giving now, and getting others to do the same will ensure Malik has the resources to purchase airtime for more radio ads -the first ads start today at $26 each. Your donation will help buy more yard signs, lapel signs and leaflets and ensure the campaign has the resources to reach every voter! YOUR DONATION CAN MAKE THIS CAMPAIGN A SUCESS! http://www.votemalik.com/contribute/ VOLUNTEER from Home: Help make calls from your home to voters in Malik's district. Help build our virtual phone bank at Green Change.The more people we talk to, the more VOTES we get! http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1488/t/689/signUp.jsp?key=2078 Learn more about Malik at : www.votemalik.com. New Orleans residents are tired of being ignored and abandoned by the federal government and betrayed by their elected officials. Electing Malik Rahim, a remarkable Green, to Congress will transform the political landscape. We CAN do this with your help! Please donate generously today. A gift of $300 will allow us to buy 1 day of radio ads, $150 will buy yard signs for 100 households. $75 will print 100 door hangers to get out the vote. A gift of $35 or $20 will make a difference, so please do what you can today. http://www.votemalik.com/contribute/ CLICK HERE to let your friends and family know about this opportunity for real change. http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=1179 SIGN-UP for news and updates from the Green Party http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizationsCOM/Greens/signUp.jsp?key=2085 The Green Party takes no money from real estate companies, investment firms, or insurance companies; In fact, we don't take any corporate money because we think corporate money in politics is wrong. If you agree, please help us today. Your donation to the Green Party will help make sure we have a strong Green party today and into the future, so that we can support candidates like Malik Rahim. https://secure.democracyinaction.com/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=26 Email: gphq at gp.org Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREEN From updates at cagreens.org Mon Dec 1 18:40:07 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:40:07 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Cynthia McKinney's speech prepared for Human Rights conference in Damascus; McKinney blocked from leaving the US Message-ID: <4934A007.5010309@greens.org> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Monday, December 1, 2008 Text of Cynthia McKinney's speech prepared for conference in Damascus on Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the denial of the Right of Return for Palestinians ? McKinney was blocked from leaving the US and unable to deliver the speech in person WASHINGTON, DC -- 2008 Green presidential candidate and former six-term Congress member Cynthia McKinney has published the text of her speech prepared for a conference in Damascus, Syria, in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the denial of the Right of Return for Palestinians, in violation of the Universal Declaration. Ms. McKinney was unable to deliver the speech, because she was detained at the Atlanta airport under circumstances that haven't yet been made clear. The text of Ms. McKinney's speech, preceded by an introduction, follows below. Cynthia McKinney November 23, 2008 http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com Today, November 23rd, I was slated to give remarks in Damascus, Syria at a Conference being held to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and, sadly, the 60th year that the Palestinian people have been denied their Right of Return enshrined in that Universal Declaration. But a funny thing happened to me while at the Atlanta airport on my way to the Conference: I was not allowed to exit the country. I do believe that it was just a misunderstanding. But the insecurity experienced on a daily basis by innocent Palestinians is not. Innocent Palestinians are trapped in a violent, stateless twilight zone imposed on them by an international order that favors a country reported to have completed its nuclear triad as many as eight years ago, although Israel has remained ambiguous on the subject. President Jimmy Carter informed us that Israel had as many as 150 nuclear weapons, and Israel?s allies are among the most militarily sophisticated on the planet. Military engagement, then, is untenable. Therefore the exigency of diplomacy and international law. The Palestinians should at least be able to count on the protections of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What is happening to Palestinians in Gaza right now, subjected to an Israeli-imposed blockade, has drawn the attention of the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, who noted that over half of the civilians in Gaza are children. Even The Los Angeles Times criticized Israel?s lockdown of Gaza that is keeping food, fuel, and medicine from civilians. Even so, Israel stood fast by its decision to seal Gaza?s openings. But where are the voices of concern coming from the corridors of power inside the United States? Is the subject of Palestinian human rights taboo inside the United States Government and its government-to- be? I hope not. Following is the speech I would have given today had I been able to attend the Damascus Conference. Cynthia McKinney Right of Return Congregation Damascus, Syria November 23, 2008 Thank you to our hosts for inviting me to participate in this most important and timely First Arab-International Congregation for the Right of Return. Words are an insufficient expression of my appreciation for being remembered as one willing to stand for justice in Washington, D.C., even in the face of tremendously difficult pressures. Former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir, thank you for including me in the Malaysian Peace Organisation?s monumental effort to criminalize war, to show the horrors of the treatment of innocent individuals during the war against and occupation of Iraq by the militaries and their corporate contractors of Britain, Israel, and the United States. Thank you for standing up to huge international economic forces trying to dominate your country and showing an impressionable woman like me that it is possible to stand up to ?the big boys? and win. And thank you for your efforts to bring war criminal, torturer, decimator of the United States Constitution, the George W. Bush Administration, to justice in international litigation. Delegates and participants, I must declare that at a time when scientists agree that the climate of the earth is changing in unpredictable and possibly calamitous ways, such that the future of humankind hangs in the balance, it is unconscionable that we have to dedicate this time to and focus our energies on policies that represent a blatant and utter disregard for human rights and self-determination and that represent in many respects, a denial of human life, itself. In the same year as Palestinians endured a series of massacres and expulsions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights became international law. And while the United Nations is proud that the Declaration was flown into Outer Space just a few days ago on the Space Shuttle, if one were to read it and then land in the Middle East, I think it would be clear that Palestine is the place that the Universal Declaration forgot. Sadly, both the spirit of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and the noblest ideals of the United Nations are broken. This has occurred in large measure due to policies that emanate from Washington, D.C. If we want to change those policies, and I do believe that we can, then we have to change the underlying values of those who become Washington?s policy makers. In other words, we must launch the necessary movement that puts people in office who share our values. We need to do this now more than ever because, sadly, Palestine is not Washington?s only victim. Enshrined in the Universal Declaration is the dignity of humankind and the responsibility of states to protect that dignity. Yet, the underlying contradictions between its words and what has become standard international practice lay exposed to the world this year when then-United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour proclaimed: ?In the course of this year, unprecedented efforts must be made to ensure that every person in the world can rely on just laws for his or her protection. In advancing all human rights for all, we will move towards the greatest fulfillment of human potential, a promise which is at the heart of the Universal Declaration.? How insulting it was to hear those words coming from her, for those of us who know, because it was she who, as Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, willfully participated in the cover-up of an act of terror that resulted in the assassination of two democratically- elected Presidents and that unleashed a torrent of murder and bloodletting in which one million souls were vanquished. That sad episode in human history has become known as the Rwanda Genocide. And shockingly, after the cover-up, Louise Arbour was rewarded with the highest position on the planet, in charge of Human Rights. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that justice delayed is justice denied. And 60 years is too long to wait for justice. The Palestinian people deserve respected self-determination, protected human rights, justice, and above all, peace. On the night before his murder, Dr. King announced that he was happy to be living at the end of the 20th Century where, all over the world, men and women were struggling to be free. Today, we can touch and feel the results of those cries, on the African Continent where apartheid no longer exists as a fact of law. A concerted, uncompromising domestic and international effort led to its demise. And in Latin America, the shackles of U.S. domination have been broken. In a series of unprecedented peaceful, people-powered revolutions, voters in Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and most recently Paraguay used the power of the political process to materially change their countries? leadership and policy orientation toward the United States. Americans, accustomed to the Monroe Doctrine which proclaimed U.S. suzerainty over all politics in the Western Hemisphere, must now think the unthinkable given what has occurred in the last decade. Voters in Cote d?Ivoire, Haiti, Spain, and India also took matters clearly in their hands to make ?a clean break? from policies that were an affront to the interests of the majority of the people in those countries. In country after country, against tremendous odds, people stood up and took their fates in their hands. They did what Mario Savio, in the 1960s, asked people in the United States to do. These people-powered, peaceful revolutions saw individuals put their bodies against the levers and the gears and the wheels of the U.S. imperial machine and they said to the owners if you don?t stop it, we will. And I know that people of conscience inside my country can do it, too: especially now that the engines of imperial oppression are running out of gas. Even though the Democratic Party, at the Convention that nominated Barack Obama, denied its microphone to Former President Jimmy Carter because of his views on Palestine, let me make it clear that Former President Carter is not the only person inside the United States who believes that peace with justice is possible in Palestine. Inside the United States, millions who are not of Arab descent, disagree vehemently with the policy of our government to provide the military and civilian hardware that snuffs out innocent human life that is also Arab. Millions of Americans do not pray to Allah, but recognize that it is an inalienable right of those who do to live and pray in peace wherever they are-including inside the United States. Even though their opportunities are severely limited, there are millions of people inside the United States struggling to express themselves on all of these issues, but whose efforts are stymied by a political process that robs them of any opportunity to be heard. And then there are the former elected officials who spoke out for what was right, for universal application of the Universal Declaration, and who were roundly condemned and put out of office as a result. My father is one such politician, punished-kicked out of office-because of the views of his daughter. In my case, I dared to raise my voice in support of the World Conference Against Racism and against the sieges of Ramallah, Jenin, and the Church of the Nativity. I raised my voice against the religious profiling in my country that targets innocent Muslims and Arabs for harassment, imprisonment, financial ruin, or worse. Yes, I have felt the sting of the special interests since my entry onto the national stage when, in my very first Congressional campaign, I refused to sign a pledge committing that I would vote to maintain the military superiority of Israel over its neighbors, and that Jerusalem should be its capital city. Other commitments were on that pledge as well, like continued financial assistance to Israel at agreed upon levels. As a result of my refusal to make such a commitment, and just like the old slave woman, Sojourner Truth, who bared her back and showed the scars from the lashes meted out to her by her slave master, I too, bear scars from the lashes of public humiliation meted out to me by the special interests in Washington, D.C. because of my refusal to toe the line on Israel policy. This ?line? is the policy accepted by both the Democratic and Republican Party leadership and why they could cooperate so well to coordinate my ouster from Congress. But I have survived because I come from the strongest stock of Africans, stolen then enslaved, and yet my people survived. I know how to never give up, give in, or give out. And I also know how to learn a good political lesson. And one lesson I?ve learned is that the treatment accorded to me pales in comparison to what Palestinian victims still living in refugee camps face every day of their lives. The treatment accorded to me pales in comparison to the fact that human life is at stake if the just-released International Atomic Energy Agency report is true when it writes that ?The only explanation for the presence of these modified uranium particles is that they were contained in the missiles dropped from the Israeli planes.? What are the health effects of these weapons, what role did the U.S. military play in providing them or the technology that underlies them, why is there such silence on this, and most fundamentally, what is going on in this part of the world that international law has forgotten? Clearly, not only the faces of U.S. politicians must change; we must change their values, too. We, in the United States, must utilize our votes to effect the same kind of people-powered change in the United States as has been done in all those other countries. And now, with more people than ever inside the United States actually paying attention to politics, this is our moment; we must seize this time. We must become the leaders we are looking for and get people who share our values elected to Congress and the White House. Now, I hope you believe me when I say to you that this is not rocket science. I have learned politics from its best players. And I say to you that even with the fallabilities of the U.S. system, it is possible for us to do more than vote for a slogan of change, we can actually have it. But if we fail to seize this moment, we will continue to get what we?ve always been given: handpicked leaders who don?t truly represent us. With the kind of U.S. weapons that are being used in this part of the world, from white phosphorus to depleted uranium, from cluster bombs to bunker busting bombs, nothing less than the soul of my country is at stake. But for the world, it is the fate of humankind that is at stake. The people in my country just invested their hopes for a better world and a better government in their votes for President-elect Obama. However, during an unprecedented two year Presidential campaign, the exact kind of change we are to get was never fully defined. Therefore, we the people of the United States must act now with boldness and confidence. We can set the stage for the kind of change that reflects our values. Now is not the time for timidity. The U.S. economy is in shambles, unemployment and health insecurity are soaring, half of our young people do not even graduate from high school; college is unaffordable. The middle class that was invested in the stock market is seeing their life savings stripped from them by the hour. What we are witnessing is the pauperization of a country, in much the same way that Russia was pauperized after the fall of the Soviet Union. There are clear winners and the losers all know who they are. The attentive public in the United States is growing because of these conditions. Now is the time for our values to rise because people in the United States are now willing to listen. So the question really is, ?Which way, America?? Today we uplift the humanity of the Palestinian people. And what I am recommending is the creation of a political movement inside my country that will constitute a surgical strike for global justice. This gathering is the equivalent of us stepping to the microphone to be heard. We don?t have to lose because we have commitment to the people. And we don?t have to lose because we refuse to compromise our core values. We don?t have to lose because we seek peace with justice and diplomacy over war. We don?t have to lose. By committing to do some things we?ve never done before I?m certain that we can also have some things we?ve never had before. I return to the U.S. committed to do my part to make our dream come true. Thank you. For more information on Cynthia McKinney please visit http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com LINK: http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/11/cynthia-mckinney-prevented-from-leaving-us/ MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Running tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html ? Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House http://www.runcynthiarun.org http://votetruth08.com http://www.rosaclemente.com "Greens respond to a slanderous attack by lawyer Alan Dershowitz against the Green Party and its position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict" Green Party of the United States: press release, October 27, 2008 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=125 "Greens, Calling for Palestinian Rights, Urge Divestment from Israel" Green Party press release, November 28, 2005 http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_11_28.shtml "A Real Road to Peace in the Middle East" Green Party platform http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/democracy.html#310677 ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Sat Dec 6 17:58:55 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:58:55 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] NY Green Release: Greens call Clinton's appointment 'Four More Years Without Change' Message-ID: <493B2DDF.1040109@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Distributed by the Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org Green Party of New York State http://www.gpnys.org For immediate release Tuesday, December 2, 2008 GPNY Calls the Appointment of Sen. Clinton as Secretary of State "Four More Years Without Change!" The Green Party of New York State strongly condemns the decision of President-elect Barack Obama to appoint New York Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State in his incoming administration. By choosing Clinton, Obama either has failed to understand or, more likely, has simply decided to ignore the will of his constituents, who overwhelmingly oppose the war. In every respect, this appointment, as well as the fact that not one Senator or House member who voted against the war has been considered worthy to join his foreign policy team, appears to suggest that the new president's policies will, in substance, continue the bellicose policies of previous administrations which have brought such turmoil to our county, and particularly to the people of the Middle East, resulting in a world outraged over American foreign policy. "When Senator Obama launched his campaign, much of his appeal to voters in the primaries was his initial opposition to the invasion of Iraq during his time as an Illinois state senator," said Howie Hawkins, Green Party nominee for US Senator from New York in 2006. "During those primaries, Obama positioned himself as a peace candidate, despite his consistent votes in the Senate to fund the war, in contrast to antiwar legislators during Vietnam, many of whom voted to cut off funding for that earlier war. And now he has appointed to head the State Department a politician who has refused ever to admit that her support for the Iraq War was wrong." The following history makes clear that Clinton's views represent the antithesis of the peace movement and of the Green Party, the political arm of that movement: ? Clinton voted for the Iraq war with enthusiasm (though without, as columnist Maureen Dowd has noted, bothering to read the intelligence estimate), thus contributing her prestige within the Senate and among the general public in support of an internationally illegal and unconstitutional policy of aggressor nation preventive war. ? She was a passionate cheerleader for the invasion as late as May 2005, when, in an infamous speech, she praised the war as a glorious struggle for Iraq's liberation, not as an act of national self-defense as it was originally sold to Americans, and she remarked that the troops themselves were on "freedom's frontlines." (Curiously, Donald Rumsfeld would use that exact phrase while speaking to a veterans' group at the Lincoln Memorial just five days later.) ? In a frightening interview on Good Morning America, she coolly maintained that as president she would "totally obliterate" Iran if that nation attacked Israel with a nuclear weapon, should it "foolishly" decide to develop and use such a weapon within "ten years." This position ignores the fact that a) there is no consensus among experts that Iran desires to develop such a weapon, or b) that Iran is capable, within ten years (or more, for that matter), of developing one even if it wanted to do so, or c) that Iran would launch a first strike against Israel if it did develop one, and d) that the official with the power to launch such a strike is not Iran's controversial President Ahmadinejad, but the Ayatollah Khamenei, who has issued a fatwa (applicable not only to Iranians, but to all Shiite Muslims) against the development and use of all nuclear weapons. ? In 2006, she gave unconditional support to the bombings and attacks on civilians in Lebanon by the State of Israel. ? She has consistently opposed any efforts to end the illegal occupation of Palestine, including the recent brutal blockade of Gaza. The choice of Clinton is just one of a series of disturbing appointments by Obama to key positions in his administration that make a mockery of Obama's campaign mantra of "change" for the nation. These include the choice of Iraq hawk Rahm Emanuel as White House chief of staff, the reappointment of Robert Gates as Defense Secretary and the selection of John Brennan (who played a major role in Bush's practice of extraordinary rendition, torture at Guantanamo and warrantless wiretapping) to lead the review of intelligence agencies. In addition to its inappropriateness to Obama's image as a "transformative" president, the selection of Clinton also raises serious conflict-of-interest issues. Clinton has raised enormous sums for both her senatorial and presidential campaigns from a slew of corporate interests, that have their own foreign policy agendas. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, poses even more disturbing problems. For example, sometime in 2006, the ex-president received a $31 million donation to his presidential library from a Canadian financier named Frank Giusta. This would be unremarkable, except for the fact that Giusta several months earlier had accompanied the former president to Kazakhstan to meet its President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, while in the process of trying to win a contract that would give him, Giusta, access to much of Kazakhstan's rich uranium resources. Within a few weeks, Giusta's totally unknown shell company was granted the contract. Furthermore, at that very meeting, Clinton publicly praised Nazarbayev for his progress on human rights (President Bush, many legislators and even Hillary Clinton herself insist there has been no such progress) and proclaimed his support for Nazarbayev's plan to get himself appointed head of the international election-monitoring organization, the OSCE? the very organization that had ruled several of Nazarbayev's own elections fraudulent. Two years later, Nazarbayev was appointed to head the OSCE for one year. With Obama's nomination of Hillary Clinton not representing any believable nor needed change. With Obama's nomination of Hillary Clinton not representing any believable nor needed change, the Green Party calls for her appointment to be the Secretary of State to be rejected? her being unsuitable to fulfill the advertised Obama mandate. ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Mon Dec 8 13:50:33 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:50:33 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Giving Message-ID: <493D96A9.4000007@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Green Giving Ideas The holiday season is here. Many Greens are looking for ways to celebrate the holidays while still living simply. We've got some great ideas for alternative holiday giving that can help the Green Party AND give you a good feeling during the holidays. ASK FOR DONATIONS TO THE GREEN PARTY IN YOUR NAME INSTEAD OF HOLIDAY GIFTS. We can put gifts to good use by holding campaign schools, helping with ballot access drives, and helping to spread the Green message. https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2317 GIVE A HOLIDAY GIFT IN HONOR OF YOUR FAVORITE GREEN CANDIDATE (OR SOMEONE ELSE). We'll send your honoree a note about your gift. https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2317 BUY GREEN MERCHANDISE. We have t-shirts, hoodies, books, bumper stickers, and our latest product - BPA-free water bottles. https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/175/t/3998/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=140 DONATE IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE. This time of the year brings back memories of loved ones. This is a great way to remember your loved one AND give the gift that helps us grow the Green Party. https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2317 GIVE GREEN PARTY MERCHANDISE GIFT CERTIFICATES. Don't know what to get your favorite Green? A gift certificate is the perfect way to let them choose. https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/175/t/3998/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=140 ASK FOR GIFT CARDS FOR OFFICE SUPPLY STORES. We can use gift cards to buy office supplies leaving other resources for Green Party endeavors. BUY AN EXTRA BOOK OF STAMPS. When you go to the post office to buy your stamps or mail a package, buy an extra book of stamps for the national office. Look for the new sunflower stamps! Send us your unused or partially used gift cards or leftover stamps. We are starting an online auction and gift cards are the perfect way to help us get started. Please mail your gift cards, stamps, and donations to: Holiday Gift Program Green Party of the United States PO Box 57065 Washington, DC 20037 For further information contact: Tamar Yager, GPUS Fundraising Manger 1-866-41GREEN (toll-free) or Tamar at gp.org From updates at cagreens.org Wed Dec 10 19:33:08 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:33:08 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens offer six steps for economic recovery Message-ID: <494089F4.7040306@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Greens offer six big steps for economic recovery ? Greens support workers occupying a factory in Chicago after layoff: bailout money isn't being used to help working Americans WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders said today that the incoming Obama Administration and Congress should take six major steps to reverse the financial meltdown and restore financial security for Americans. The steps include a Green public works program, aid for state and muncipal governments, expansion of mass transit, Single-Payer health care, a peace dividend gained by ending the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, and an end to the wasteful war on drugs. Green Party candidates running for local, state, and national office in 2008 promoted many of these ideas even before the crisis precipitated. In September, Cynthia McKinney published a ten-point list of solutions and reforms in response to the Wall Street meltdown, titled "Seize the Time" (http://votetruth08.com/index.php/learn/mckinney-messages). Greens expressed support for United Electrical Workers union members occupying a Republic Windows and Doors plant in Chicago after the plant was shut down and they were laid off with three days' notice and told they had no assurance of receiving severance and unused vacation pay. The company's creditor, Bank of America, received $25 billion from the government's financial bailout package. Greens said that the bank's actions, including refusal to allow Republic to give workers 60 days notice (as required by law), demonstrates how bailout money isn't being used to assist working Americans facing financial hardship. Six Green steps for economic recovery: (1) Enact a massive Green public works program, creating new living-wage jobs in conservation (including weatherization and energy retro-fitting); clean and safe energy technologies to replace fossil fuel and nuclear sources and create a carbon-free economy; repair and improvement of America's deteriorating infrastructure (especially water and sewer systems); and improvement of public schools and Green job training programs. "The collapse of the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis in 2007 was a result of the neglect and starvation of funds for maintaining infrastructure that was built decades ago. The ideology of privatization and hostility to 'big government' is no longer tenable during the financial crisis -- the current White House and Congress conceded as much when they began pushing for bailouts. Public works programs built America, and public works, with hundreds of thousands of new Green jobs, is what America needs now for economic recovery," said Rosa Clemente, the Green Party's 2008 candidate for Vice President (http://www.rosaclemente.com). "We're encouraged that President-elect Obama intends to launch a public works program along these basic lines, but we hope Congress and his own administration don't undermine and dilute such a program out of traditional Democratic and Republican loyalty to corporate interests and fear of being labeled liberal or socialist. It's time to follow the lead of the Green Jobs For All movement," Ms. Clemente added. (2) Bail out financially ailing towns, cities, and states before bailing out private corporations: millions of public sector and contractor jobs depend on the fiscal security of municipal and state governments. Greens noted that municipalities and states are businesses that drive state and local economies throughout the US. They also provide the social safety net that millions of working people need during the current crisis. (3) Jumpstart our country's mass transit system, giving people an alternative to cars while saving them money and providing jobs. "Making autos more efficient will only get us part way toward solving our energy and climate challenges. We need to get people out of their cars altogether. Communities need the ability to provide local solutions for mass transprotation: new trains, subways, light rail wherever they fit," said Wes Rolley, co-chair of the Green Party's EcoAction Committee. (4) Enact a Single-Payer/Medicare For All national health plan, providing every American with coverage and removing the burden of health care from small and large private businesses. "The skyrocketing cost of health care under our private health care system has created much of the economic instability as businesses struggle to provide workers health benefits. If President Obama and Congress have the political will to resist the power of the insurance, HMO, and pharmaceutical industries that siphon their profits off America's need for health care, the relief that Single-Payer will be a huge economic boost," said Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. Single-Payer would cover all Americans regardless of income, employment, residence, age, or prior medical condition, allowing choice of health care provider, and costing working people far less than they now pay for private coverage. In 2003, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article estimating that Single-Payer could cut health care costs by $350 billion annually (http://www.pnhp.org/publications/nejmadmin.pdf). Greens sharply criticized Barack Obama during the election season for rejecting Single-Payer out of concern for health insurance companies. (5) End the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. "The staggering expense of the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions and occupations haven't only cost American, Iraqi, and Afghan lives. It also ate up trillions of dollars away that could have been spent on human and environmental needs. If we call home our troops right now, we can divert the money needed for military occupations to Green public works and other programs to jumpstart the economy -- a new peace dividend," said Starlene Rankin, co-chair of the Lavender Green Caucus. The Green Party opposed both wars from the beginning and has criticized Mr. Obama's plans for delayed and partial troop withdrawal from Iraq and for sending more troops to Afghanistan. (6) End the war on drugs, which wastes billions annually, hasn't curbed drug use, and ruins lives by incarcerating nonviolent offenders (mostly young, African American, Latino, and poor white) at further government expense. "The war on drugs is America's longest and costliest war. With Afghanistan providing the world's biggest poppy crop, it's one of the main reasons the US is fighting a war there," said Cliff Thornton, co-chair of the Green Party and co-founder of Efficacy, Inc. (http://www.efficacy-online.org), which promotes major reforms in drug policy. Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron has estimated that legalizing cannabis would save federal, state, and local governments $44 billion a year in enforcement costs (http://www.prohibitioncosts.org/mironreport.html). Governments could collect another $33 billion in revenues by taxing cannabis as heavily as alcohol and tobacco. MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html ? Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections "The financial meltdown requires far-reaching Green solutions, say Green Party leaders" Green Party press release, September 23, 2008 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=107 "The Auto Bailout Shows the Failure of Corporate-Government More than the Failure of Detroit: And Solving it Presents Opportunities for a New Economy" By Kevin Zeese, OpEdNews.com, November 21, 2008 http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Auto-Bailout-Shows-the-by-Kevin-Zeese-08112\1-683.html ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Fri Dec 12 19:14:37 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:14:37 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Party NYS Calls for Carbon Taxes, Tax the Rich and Wall Street Message-ID: <4943289D.10003@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Green Party of NYS Media Release _www.gpny.org_ (http://www.gpny.org/) For Immediate Release Green Party Calls for Carbon Tax, Higher Taxes for the Rich and Wall Street, to Resolve State Budget Crisis The Green Party of NYS today offered a number of alternatives to resolve the state's fiscal crisis, calling for a state budget that improves the future of all New Yorkers, rather than reacting out of fear of a budget shortfall. The centerpiece of the Party's proposal is a carbon tax, which is needed to both reduce greenhouse emissions contributing to climate change while raising funds to support the quick transition to a economy that will end reliance upon fossil fuels. The Green Party also called for increasing taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers to reverse the regressive nature of NY?s tax system; re-instituting the stock transfer tax which would serve to minimize or contain Wall Street speculation; collecting hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed deposits from the bottle bill; reducing health care costs by eliminating the huge payments to for profit insurance companies (e.g., adopting a single payer universal health care system); and elimination of wasteful corporate welfare programs such as the Empire State Program. The Greens called for raising various fees of corporate polluters to pay for the entire cost of the state?s Superfund program to clean up abandoned toxic waste sites; right now taxpayers are required to foot 50% of the cleanup bill. ?We need to start implementing eco-taxes, so that polluters rather than taxpayers pick up the various costs associated with pollution. Pollution results in higher health costs to deal with health problems created (e.g., asthma from air pollution, cancer, etc.) while also forcing taxpayers to pay for costs to clean up toxic waste sites, contaminated water, landfills, etc. We need to stop wasting tax dollars subsidizing business practices that are harmful to the public health and the environment; which leave clean businesses at an unfair disadvantage,? said state party co-chair Peter LaVenia. The Greens said that a carbon tax would be far more effective in reducing carbon emissions than cap and trade programs, especially the limited Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative New York has joined. While the revenues from a carbon tax could be used short-term to deal with the state budget deficit, they should be devoted to long term support for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and mass transit that would reduce the generation of carbon emissions. Measures should also be adopted to make the carbon tax progressive in nature (not an undue burden upon lower income people), by increasing funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program or even income tax rebates for low and moderate income families. The Carbon Tax Center (www.carbontax.org) says that a ?federal? carbon tax equivalent to 10 cents a gallon of gasoline - but applied to all fossil fuel burning - would bring in roughly $55 billion a year in revenue. A similar tax in New York would probably bring in about one-fifteenth to one-twentieth of such revenue. The Carbon Tax Center suggests raising the tax each year for ten years by an annual equivalence of 10 cents, raising an additional $50 billion per year nationally. The tax would be levied in the wholesale branch of the fuel supply chain, as far upstream as practicable. For example, electric generators will pay the mandated carbon tax to their coal, oil or natural gas suppliers, who will forward the payment to the government. Regarding the stock transfer tax, the Green Party called upon state lawmakers to collect the $9 billion it could annually get from that tax on speculation. ?Governor Paterson keeps on talking about the need to protect Wall Street. What we need to do is to protect average New Yorkers who are losing their homes, jobs and life savings from the robber barons on Wall Street. The stock transfer tax doesn?t have any impact on those who make long term investments. What it would do is serve as an anti-speculation tax, primarily impacting upon those who treat Wall Street as a casino, gambling all day long on one trade after another on which way the stock market is headed,.? said Gloria Mattera former Party Chairperson. The Green Party said that enacting a single payer universal health care system could also save taxpayers tens of billions of dollars annually while making New York an economic magnet for businesses. Health care, under the current privatized system, is by far the biggest portion of the state budget, costing $50 billion annually with tens of billions of additional payments being made by consumers, local governments and employers. More than 16% of the American economy is now devoted to pay for health care, far more than other industrial countries even though the American health care system is consistently ranked among the worst of the industrial nations while leaving more than 2.5 million New Yorkers uninsured. ?It is economic suicide for America to keep on wasting as much as a third of our health care budget on a system of private for profit health insurance that provides nothing of value. If New York was the first state in America to have a rational single payer health care system that covered everyone while lowering costs, employers would flock here to lower their costs. The huge health care costs for the automobile insurance companies is one of the major reasons they are in such bad financial shape. Everyone who studies the health care system knows that a single payer Medicare for All type health care system makes the most sense in terms of quality, 100% coverage and lowering costs but politicians unfortunately are bought out by the campaign contributions by insurance and drug companies. Its time to just say no to for profit health insurance,? said Eric Jones, co-chair of the Green Party of NYS. The Green Party noted that the poorest New Yorkers now pay twice the percentage of their income in state and local taxes as wealthy New Yorkers like Donald Trump do. The tax cuts given to the wealthy over the last two decades now costs the state more than $16 billion annually in lost revenues, more than the projected state budget deficit. If the state went back to the tax system it had thirty years ago, with tax brackets adjusted for inflation, 95% of New Yorkers would get a tax cut ? while the state would generate more than $8 billion in additional revenues. The Greens said the state should also stop giving tax breaks to multistate companies that put local businesses at a competitive disadvantage. From updates at cagreens.org Tue Dec 16 17:44:42 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:44:42 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] Last Chance to Order Green Holiday Gifts Message-ID: <4948598A.300@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Green Gifts for the Holidays It's time to make sure you have gifts for all your loved ones this holiday! Why not give your friends and family fashionable, ethical, and sustainable Green gear? Our holiday store features new, BPA-free reusable water bottles, good for keeping hydrated without creating waste. You can also get a Holiday Pack (the new water bottle along with an eco-friendly tote bag, Green Party magnet and jar opener) for only $20, a savings of almost $5. We also have a great assortment of t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, hats, bags, and publications available. Buying Green Party gear is an investment in the party - and you and your friends and family get to show off your pride in your party. Every person who is Seen Being Green promotes our message to potential new supporters. Order now so we have time to ship these items before the holidays are here! *Order by Weds 17th for X-mas delivery* BUY TODAY! https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/175/t/3998/shop/item.jsp?storefront_KEY=140&t=&store_item_KEY=566 Don't forget to check out all of our other union-made, sweatshop free gear at the Green Party Holiday Store! https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/175/t/3998/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=140 CLICK HERE to let your friends and family know what to buy you for the holidays. https://hq-salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/hq/surf/edit.jsp?table=tell_a_friend&key=1190 The Green Party takes no money from real estate companies, investment firms, or insurance companies; In fact, we don't take any corporate money because we think corporate money in politics is wrong. If you agree, please help us today. Your donation to the Green Party will help make sure we have a strong Green party today and into the future. https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/175/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2325 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = All comments, feedback and content suggestions should be sent to: gphq at gp.org Paid for by the Green Party of the United States Email: gphq at gp.org Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREEN From updates at cagreens.org Thu Dec 18 16:08:46 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:08:46 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: Single-payer health care will boost the economy Message-ID: <494AE60E.5070806@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 18, 2008 Enacting a single-payer health care program will boost the ailing US economy, say Greens ? Single-payer plan would remove the expensive burden of employer-based health coverage ? Greens see danger that progressive groups, unions will acquiesce to the Obama's 'life-support for insurance industry' plan WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders urged Americans to take up President-elect Barack Obama's call for discussion on health care and demand a single-payer national health care program, also called Medicare For All. Greens said that the current financial crisis is an ideal time to introduce single-payer. "Businesses have been burdened for decades with the high expense and administrative burden of employer-based health care benefits. Single-payer will alleviate the burden and stimulate the economy. It will also cost working people far less than they now pay for private coverage. Businesses large and small, unions, and all middle- and low-income working Americans will benefit from single-payer," said Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. Greens have taken the lead on single-payer in many states. Party leaders Gloria Mattera and Peter LaVenia are co-sponsors of Single Payer New York, Mark Dunlea is one of the organizers, and gp.org webmaster David Doonan manages the group's site (http://singlepayernewyork.org). "Mr. Obama asks Americans to send their ideas to him about how to fix health care. Now is the time for organizations and Americans who support single-payer to tell the President-elect that single-payer is the only acceptable solution," said Carl Romanelli, former Green candidate for the US Senate and Northeastern Pennsylvania coordinator for the PA single payer movement (http://www.healthcare4allpa.org). "The greatest danger is that the sense of exhilaration and relief that greeted Mr. Obama's election will turn into acquiescence to his mandate plan for health care reform," added John Battista, MD, Green Party member and Coordinator of the Connecticut Coalition for Universal Health Care. "That's what happened in 1993 after Bill Clinton was elected, setting back the chance for single-payer for more than a decade. Like Mr. Clinton and every Democratic presidential nominee for the past two decades, Mr. Obama would leave the private insurance industry in control of our health care." "Will Barack Obama stand with the American people and make quality health care a right for all by saying no to for-profit health insurance?" asked Mr. Dunlea, who attended a recent Healthcare Now national gathering in Chicago and proposed placing 20,000 single payer signs at the inauguration. "Or will he allow health insurance companies to continue to make profits by denying consumers access to coverage? Doctors say yes to single-payer, nurses say yes to single-payer, and the American public says yes to single-payer in every poll despite the denials from politicians and the media. Will Mr. Obama say, Yes we can?" Green Party leaders urged progressive and consumer groups and unions not to repeat mistakes made during the first Clinton term, when many of them dropped their demand for single-payer and endorsed the Clinton 'managed care' plan, which would have herded Americans into coverage under a handful of the largest private insurance companies. President Clinton rejected single-payer, and support for national health insurance was deleted from the Democratic Party platform during the Clinton Administration. As a result, health care reform languished while the number of uncovered Americans grew and even those with coverage have been increasingly denied treatment. The Obama plan includes similar mandates and attempts to compensate insurance firms and HMOs for heavy regulation by giving them huge subsidies. "The Obama plan is a scheme to sustain insurance companies and HMOs with our tax dollars. It reciprocates the hundreds of thousands of dollars that these corporations contribute to Democratic candidates every election cycle. Insurance companies and HMOs have a financial interest in excluding 'high risk' people -- the old, the poor, those with prior medical conditions -- and limiting treatment for those who have coverage in order to maximize profits. Why should we pay off insurance companies and HMOs to cover the excluded, when we can save hundreds of billions annually by covering everyone with a single-payer plan?" said Green Party co-chair Jill Bussiere. Single-payer/Medicare For All would cover all Americans regardless of income, employment, residence, age, or prior medical condition, while allowing choice of health care provider. In 2003, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article estimating that Single-Payer could cut health care costs by $350 billion annually (http://www.pnhp.org/publications/nejmadmin.pdf). Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) is sponsoring a bill, HR 676, that would enact a single-payer plan (http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc110/h676_ih.xml). For a comparison of mandate plans and single-payer, see "Talking Points: Why the mandate plans won't work, and why single-payer 'Medicare for All' is what we need" by Len Rodberg, PhD, published by Physicians for a National Health Program (http://www.pnhp.org/news/2008/december/talking_points_why_.php). Green Party Speakers Bureau list of party activists available to speak on health care: http://gp.org/speakers/speakers-health-care.php Video clips: 2008 Green presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney speaks on Single-Player health care and racial health care disparities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEHd4lRVUuU More on health care: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEHd4lRVUuU Health, the environment, and the economy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVNTOa8owQQ MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html ? Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections "Speak up at Sen. Daschle's house parties. Participant Guide for Health Care Community Discussions: Obama-Biden Transition Project" (Physicians for a National Health Program) http://www.pnhp.org/blog/2008/12/16/speak-up-at-sen-daschles-house-parties/ ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Tue Dec 23 19:54:12 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:54:12 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green Party's holiday gift to Obama: a plan for environmental action Message-ID: <4951B264.3080903@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.gp.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 The Green Party's holiday gift to the Obama Administration: a plan for environmental action ? "First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy" (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf) from the Green Party's Eco Action Committee WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders today said that Obama has the chance, when he becomes President, to take the lead on curbing global warming. In May, 2008, the Green Party's Eco-Action Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/index.php) announced a set of recommendations for environmental actions for the first 100 days as a guide for Green presidential candidates. Greens are now promoting the "First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy" (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf) as a plan for the Obama Administration. "This is the Green Party's holiday gift to the new administration -- a set of policies and actions that would place the US in the lead among nations fighting the advance of catastrophic climate change," said Wes Rolley, co-chair of the EcoAction Committee. "After the inconclusive results of the Poznan talks, President Obama has the opportunity to put the US at the forefront by the time nations meet again in Copenhagen next year." "Climate experts in Poznan presented evidence that alternative energy may not be sufficient to solve the crisis. The emphasis must shift more towards conservation, lowered consumption, and drastic reduction in car traffic. The steps taken against global warming and to repair the current economic meltdown must include all three," siad Mr. Rolley. On December 10, the Green Party published six recommendations for economic recovery that included environmentally based public works, expanded public transportation, and other conservation-based measures (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=152). First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy: summary of major recommendations ? No new coal fired-power plants; no new nuclear power plants; reduce by 90% the mercury emissions of coal-fired power plants by 2012; protect human health and the environment.in the disposal of coal-fired power plant wastes ? Ban mountaintop coal removal; ban the dumping of mountaintop removal wastes in stream beds and valleys ? Reduce CO2 and SO2 emissions by 80% by 2020 ? Provide incentives for industry and citizens to reduce energy use through conservation and generate more renewable energy sources; enact a mandatory 25% renewable energy mix in the national grid by 2015; encourage all states to do the same (using oil and nuclear subsidy funds); encouraging local energy generation ? Increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 60 mpg for cars and 45 mpg for light trucks by 2012 ? Set a national phosphorus standard for all US waters that will protect steams from nutrient growth; strengthen bacteria standards to protect human health ? Require labeling of imported foods, foods with growth hormones, and foods produced by Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) ? Stop export of any technology abroad for projects that involve fossil fuel or deforestation ? Require that all federal agencies continue their policy of direct negotiation with Indian tribes on a government to government basis ? Protect the rights of Environmental Justice communities to be free from new proposals for permits that would potentially increase their burden of toxic contamination, and prioritize these communities for cleanup MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ? Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html ? Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php ? Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml ? Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml ? Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers ? Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections Green Party press releases: "Greens introduce a plan for environmental action for a Green President's first 100 days in off" May 7, 2008 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=58 "America needs the Green Party's solutions to energy and global warming crises, not the Obama or McCain plans, say Greens" August 11, 2008 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=86 "Climate change experts 'lose faith' in renewable technology: Specialists less optimistic that wind, solar and hydro power have 'high potential' to solve climate crisis, survey shows" By David Adam in Poznan, The Guardian, December 9, 2008 http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/09/poznan-climate-change-renewable-energy ~ END ~ From updates at cagreens.org Fri Dec 26 17:18:17 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:18:17 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] RELEASE Calif. Greens: Obama must un-invite antigay pastor; suggest Dems helped Prop. 8 passage Message-ID: <49558259.9050606@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ News Advisory THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, December 22, 2008 State Green Party demands Obama un-invite California pastor Rick Warren to inauguration, suggests President-elect, Democratic Party ?ambiguity' may have helped passage of Prop. 8 SACRAMENTO ? The Green Party of California ? noting the Democratic Party's national platform does not support same sex marriage ? is demanding that President-elect Obama un-invite pro-Prop 8 pastor Rick Warren to perform the invocation for the Obama inauguration. Further, Greens charged, it quite possibly was the mixed message sent from the Democratic Party, and the President-elect himself that contributed to the passage of Prop. 8 in California ? which bans same sex marriage ? despite Obama's landslide victory here. "The Green Party in California has supported same sex marriage since it first published its platform in 1992. Not so for the Democratic Party. That ambiguity of the Democrats led to confusion on Prop. 8 among voters," said Shane Que Hee, GPCA Platform co-coordinator. "The national Democratic Party platform does not explicitly support same sex marriage, and only this year did the California Democratic Party put it in their platform. That should speak volumes. No one should be surprised by the President-elect, who does not support same-sex marriage explicitly, and only opposed Prop. 8 on state's rights reasons," he said. The Green Party of the United States has echoed the call by the California Green Party, asking that if President-elect Barack Obama calls himself a "fierce advocate for equality" for gay people, why has he invited Rev. Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at Barack Obama's inauguration? Greens said the choice of Pastor Warren signals that Obama may repeat the Clinton Administration's approach to gay rights. Clinton, taking gay support for granted, signed the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act into law that defended marriage exclusively for heterosexuals, and authorized the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' military policy. Obama's opposition to full same-sex marriage rights suggests he does not believe in full and equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Others have suggested Pastor Warren's biases go further, noting his statement that members of the Jewish community and "non-Christians" will be denied "salvation." -30- From updates at cagreens.org Tue Dec 30 17:33:27 2008 From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates) Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:33:27 -0800 Subject: [GPCA Updates] URGENT ADVISORY: Green Party Presidential Candidate Safe After Israel Rams Humanitarian Ship Message-ID: <495ACBE7.2090600@greens.org> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ News Advisory THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA www.cagreens.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, December 30, 2008 California Green/presidential candidate/former member of Congress Cynthia McKinney safe after Israeli gunboat rams humanitarian aid ship headed to Gaza SACRAMENTO ? The Green Party's 2008 presidential candidate ? former Rep. Cynthia McKinney, who resides in Berkeley ? was reported safe after an Israeli gunboat rammed and severely damaged a humanitarian aid ship headed to the Gaza with medical supplies. The Green Party of California released a statement Tuesday condemning the attack on McKinney's boat ? which held more than three tons of medical supplies ? and called for Israel, and other parties, to cease attacks in Gaza and search for a peaceful solution. "What we have gone through pales in comparison to what the people of the Gaza Strip are suffering," said Ms. McKinney in an interview with CNN after the incident. McKinney joined the Free Gaza Group (www.freegaza.org) and was on board the SS Dignity when it sailed from Cyprus to Gaza in defiance of the Israeli blockade. A Israeli gunboat illegally rammed the SS Dignity in international waters, 90 miles off the Gaza coast, without warning. The SS Dignity suffered significant damage and limped into a Lebanon port for repairs with no reported injuries. McKinney ? who is challenging President-elect Barack Obama to condemn Israel's attacks on Gaza ? is a six-term Democratic Party Congresswoman who won the Green Party nomination for President after California Greens began a draft Cynthia campaign. "We deplore the violence in Gaza, and we condemn the attacks on civilians, including those who, like Cynthia McKinney, are only attempting to help people. We urge an immediate cease-fire, and an end to the Israeli blockade that endangers humanitarian efforts. We urge Ms. McKinney to continue her efforts at peace, and wish her safe passage," said the Green Party of California.