From updates at cagreens.org Sat Jan 9 17:28:02 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:28:02 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPCA RELEASE: Response to Governor's Budget
Message-ID: <4B492D22.5090402@greens.org>
Green Party hits governor's protection of the wealthy, while punishing
children, elderly and poorest in the state
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE
SACRAMENTO (January 8, 2010) - Despite claiming "we all share the pain," Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposal announced today again protects his
wealthy friends and imposes cruel, draconian and life-threatening cuts on the
poor, the elderly and children, said the Green Party of California Friday.
"The failure by the governor and legislature address the state's ongoing
structural deficit leads to these unacceptable cuts. There are answers,
including reforms like a split roll for Prop. 13, closing corporate tax
loopholes, a more progressive income tax and promoting real Green jobs to
create a more sustainable and just economy," Lisa Green, Green Party candidate
in the 53rd Assembly District.
"The governor maintains 'children come first,' but his budget proposal
eliminates the Healthy Families program for children's health care, and
slashes more than $1 billion for other programs that provide relief for the
poorest families. How is that supporting our children?" added Green.
Greens also note that the governor is chopping billions off In-Home Supportive
Services and Medi-Cal that would put the seniors and those without health care
in the state at great risk. In a statement, the GPCA spokesperson Derick
Iversen said:
"The governor brags that he won't raise taxes, but that protects not the
average citizen but the very wealthy . The failure to fund essential services
is a de facto tax increase on working Californians to the benefit of the
wealthiest in our state who don't pay their fair share. Even his promise to
reduce the prison population by moving prisoners to county jails hurts because
it will force hard-hit municipalities to make even more cuts in their health
and human services to pay for it. Finally, the governor had promised to
protect education, but why then does his budget cut $111.9 million in funding
for future growth at CSU and UC? It doesn't make sense. But it's all part of a
flim-flam scheme that hurts our state when more honest and fair remedies are
possible."
The Green Party of California
EMail: gpca at greens.org
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Jan 13 15:01:25 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:01:25 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP ADVISORY: Oral arguments canceled for Green
leader's Electoral College Mal-Apportionment civil action
Message-ID: <4B4E50C5.5040604@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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
Oral arguments for Green leader's Electoral College Mal-Apportionment civil
action (Gordon v. Biden), earlier set for Jan. 14, have been canceled
? Greens support Asa Gordon's action, calling it a demand for fair elections,
voters' rights, and racial justice
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on electoral reform
and democracy: http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-democratic.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- Oral arguments for a major voting rights civil action filed
by Green Party leader Asa Gordon, originally scheduled to take place in the US
Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (No. 09-5142) on Thursday,
January 14, 2010, has been canceled.
Mr. Gordon can be contacted at 202 635-7926. Documents, links, and other
materials related to the action are available online (http://www.electors.us).
Mr. Gordon's prepared oral argument, with an excellent brief summary of the
civil action's defense of the constitutional right to cast an equal and
effective vote, is now posted online
(http://mapxiv2usc6.free0host.com/ORAL-RAP.pdf).
According to a court order issued on January 11, "The court concludes, on its
own motion, that oral argument will not assist the court in this case.
Accordingly, the court will dispose of the appeal without oral argument on the
basis of the record and the presentations in the briefs. See Fed. R. App.
34(a)(2); D.C. Cir. Rule 34(j)."
Gordon v. Biden seeks enforcement of the US Constitution's 'Mal-Apportionment
Penalty' (14th Amendment, Section 2), which mandates a reduction of a state's
presidential electors and congressional representatives ("the basis of
representation therein shall be reduced") 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, Gordon v. Biden (formerly Gordon v. Cheney), addresses the
antidemocratic mal-apportionment of Electoral College votes, voter dilution by
race and/or party affiliation with the popular vote misrepresented by the
winner-take-all system of allocating electoral votes.
Mr. Gordon (http://www.gp.org/speakers/detail.php?ID=29), chair of the DC
Statehood Green Party's Electoral College Task Force and executive director of
the Douglass Institute of Government, filed his civil action to protect the
voting rights of presidential electors and the voters they represent in the US
District Court (1:08-cv-01294) on July 28, 2008. His reply brief
(http://mapxiv2usc6.free0host.com/APPELLANT%27S%20REPLY%20BRIEF_map.pdf) was
filed with the court on November 6 and final brief submitted on November 27
(http://mapxiv2usc6.free0host.com/APPELLANT%27S%20FINAL%20BRIEF.pdf).
The Green Party has supported Mr. Gordon's civil action, calling it a demand
for fair elections, for the right of every voter to have his or her vote
counted in a national election, and for racial justice. For more information,
see the Green Party's December 21, 2009 press release announcing the
originally scheduled oral arguments
(http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=275).
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Party press releases
? "Oral arguments for Green leader's Electoral College Mal-Apportionment civil
action (Gordon v. Biden) to be heard in court on Jan. 14, 2010" (December 21,
2009) http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=275
? "Greens launch effort against Electoral College manipulation of presidential
elections" (August 5, 2008) http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=85
? "Greens: Enforce 14th Amendment's 'Right to Vote' Provision" (October 18,
2004) http://www.gp.org/press/pr_10_18_04.html
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Jan 14 14:37:05 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:37:05 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPCA PRESS RELEASE: Green Candidate Does Well in
72nd AD Race
Message-ID: <4B4F9C91.9070709@greens.org>
Green Party Assembly candidate garners 13 times party registration in Special
Election; Urges winner to adopt Instant Runoff Voting to save taxpayers money
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE
SANTA ANA (January 13, 2010) - Green Party State Assembly candidate Jane Rands
collected an astounding 13 times her party's registration here Tuesday night
in the 72nd Assembly District seat vacated by a lawmaker nabbed who boasted
about sexual exploits with lobbyists.
Ms. Rands said the relatively high vote for an underfunded political party
reflects growing voter disenchantment with the GOP and Democrats, and special
interest money.
Ms. Rands finished third in the heavily Republican district, but her 1,963
votes accounted by 6.1 percent of the total vote - far above the .47 Green
registration.
GOP candidate Chris Norby won with 20,292 votes but spent more than $254,000
(to Rands' few thousand dollars). Democrat John MacMurray had 10,018 votes.
"As the first Green Party candidate to ever run for State Assembly in the72nd
District it is exciting to see voters responding to a campaign funded by
individuals and not lobbyist groups. By continuing to refuse corporate and
union money the Green Party can be part of the solution to Sacramento's
lobbyist driven agenda, and instead work for a future of clean renewable
energy, real mass transit, conservation based water plans and single payer
health care for all Californians," Ms. Rands said.
She also urged winner Norby to save taxpayer money by adopting Instant Runoff
Voting.
"The state of California might have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars
spent on the second round election if they had adopted Instant Runoff Voting.
IRV would not only give the voters a chance to rank their ballot choices, but
would eliminate the 'spoiler effect' and save money at the same time. I call
on the election's victor, Chris Norby, to introduce this legislation," Ms.
Rands added.
-30-
The Green Party of California
Web: http://www.cagreens.org
EMail: gpca at greens.org
From updates at cagreens.org Sun Jan 17 17:34:27 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:34:27 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: Haiti relief must include peace,
democracy, freedom from plunder
Message-ID: <4B53BAA3.2080302@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Greens: Make peace, political self-determination, and economic
self-sufficiency part of the US aid for post-earthquake Haiti
? Green Party leaders assert that aid to Haiti must not be delivered under the
barrel of a US machine gun; Greens thank Obama for granting long overdue
Temporary Protected Status to Haitians in the US
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on peace, human
rights, foreign policy, and other related issues: http://www.gp.org/speakers
Green Party Black Caucus contacts: http://www.gp.org/committees/black
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders expressed sympathy and solidarity with
the people of Haiti in the wake of Tuesday's catastrophic earthquake, and
urged President Obama to make peace, political self-determination, and
economic self-sufficiency part of US relief efforts for Haiti.
Party leaders also demanded that US forces not obstruct relief efforts, after
a Doctors Without Borders cargo plane carrying medicine and other badly needed
supplies was blocked from landing on Saturday
(http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org//press/release.cfm?idA65&cat=press-release
/ http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7017546193). Haiti air-space has
been under US control since January 15.
Greens have joined the millions of other Americans who are sending
contributions to Haiti, with an emphasis on charitable groups that are most
effective in getting aid to Haiti and have a solid record of human rights
advocacy and grassroots community development work in Haiti.
Former Green presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney visited Haiti in May and
June, 2008, and spoke at the SOPUDEP School in P?tion-Ville, a suburb of
Port-au-Prince (http://www.sopudep.org). The school provides free tuition to
hundreds of poor children. Greens have learned that the school is still
standing and will serve as a relief center, but there is still little news on
students and staff (http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e"64272).
"We hope President Obama sees this sad occasion as a chance to initiate a new
era of relations with Haiti, one based on cooperation, respect, and
non-intervention. It should begin with a massive and green rebuilding effort
that promotes Haiti's political self-determination and economic
self-sufficiency. If President Obama's post-earthquake aid plan for Haiti
puts an end to a century of exploitation for cheap labor, brutal human rights
abuses by US-backed regimes, colonial corruption and graft, and political
bullying by the US, he'll be remembered for having helped the Haitian people
emerge from two disasters -- the earthquake itself and Haiti's status as the
poorest nation in the western hemisphere," said Rosa Clemente, 2008 Green
nominee for Vice President of the United States (http://www.rosaclemente.com).
"The decision on Friday, January 15, to grant Temporary Protected Status to
Haitians residing in the US before January 12 was long overdue. We're glad
the Obama Administration announced that deportations of undocumented Haitians
in the US will cease and that Haitians will be allowed access to employment
opportunities so they can support their families," said Betty Davis, co-chair
of the Green Party Black Caucus.
Until the announcement on Friday, the Obama Administration had maintained the
US policy of denying Haitians Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which is
available to people from federally designated countries suffering armed
conflicts and natural disasters.
Green Party leaders have been alarmed about reports that US troops, including
an entire Marine Expeditionary Force, FEMA, and an aircraft carrier, have been
ordered to Haiti to "help restore order."
"The relief effort must not turn into a military invasion of Haiti," said Romi
Elnagar, a member of the Green Party's International Committee. "The
deployment of SOUTHCOM and NORTHCOM puts Haiti in danger of joining Iraq and
Afghanistan as a country occupied by US troops, with similar miseries visited
on the Haitian people. It'll be an opportunity to provide more desperately
poor sweatshop workers for companies like Disney and land for biofuels for
American consumption. Greens and other Americans who care about the Haitian
people demand a different future -- one based on peace, freedom, fair wages
for Haitian workers and an economy that meets the needs of Haitians first, as
well as safety from the mounting effects of global warming."
The Green Party of the United States issued a statement of support for Haitian
democracy in 2005 (http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_02_07.html). Greens
strongly criticized the US's role in former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide's kidnapping and expulsion in 2004 and called for an independent
investigation (http://www.gp.org/press/pr_03_02_04.html). See also the
interview with Randall Robinson, founder and former president of TransAfrica
and author of "An Unbroken Agony: Haiti, from Revolution to the Kidnapping of
a President," on Democracy Now! (January 15, 2010,
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/1/15/bush_was_responsible_for_destroying_haitian).
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Party International Committee http://www.gp.org/committees/intl
"Ten Things the US Can and Should Do for Haiti"
By Bill Quigley, Common Dreams, January 14, 2010
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/01/14-11
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Jan 20 16:06:27 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:06:27 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] NEWS -- Michigan Greens Call for Fee-and-Dividend
Plan to Let People, Not Corporations, Profit from Reducing Greenhouse Gases
Message-ID: <4B579A83.9020408@greens.org>
Green Party of Michigan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
www.MIGreens.org
** News Release **
** ------------ **
January 19, 2010
Michigan Greens Call for Fee-and-Dividend
Plan to Let People, Not Corporations,
Profit from Reducing Greenhouse Gases
=====================================
100% of Fees to Be Restored to the People;
No Cap-and-Trade Giveaway to Energy Conglomerates
The Green Party of Michigan (GPMI) has adopted a
resolution supporting collecting fees on fossil fuels
based on the amount of carbon in them, with the whole
amount collected being paid back to individual users.
GPMI will promote this "fee-and-dividend" approach
to reducing carbon dioxide pollution in this year's
election campaigns and other activities. The state
party will also offer the proposal to the Green Party
of the United States (GPUS) for inclusion in this year's
national platform.
Art Myatt, current Vice-Chair of GPMI and an engineer
working on the manufacture of solar panels, originated
the proposal within GPMI. "We believe that resource
depletion and excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
are two crucial issues which require reduction in the
amount of fossil fuels burned," he commented.
"Instead of pursuing war for oil and global economic
growth, we need to move in the direction of sustainable,
low-carbon local economies.
"A substantial carbon fee, resulting in a substantial
dividend, would be a big step for reducing fossil-fuel
use and for rebuilding local economies."
Fee-and-Dividend Is Better
All Around than Cap-and-Trade
-----------------------------
The fee-and-100%-dividend concept has attracted attention
in recent days, thanks in part to a framework proposed by
NASA scientist James Hansen in an article in _The Nation_.
"We appreciate Dr. Hansen's pointing out clearly for all
to see why fee-and-dividend is a better approach for the
people and the environment than cap-and-trade," said GPMI
Elections Co-ordinator John Anthony La Pietra. He added,
"GPMI hopes Hansen will come to agree that nuclear power,
like greenhouse-gas pollution, is an unacceptable threat
to both humans and the world we live in."
The cap-and-trade approach literally gives away any
financial incentives for actually reducing carbon
emissions to the corporations that already profit
from fossil fuels. By contrast, fee-and-dividend
rewards individuals who reduce their demand for the
burning of fossil fuels -- in exact proportion to
the amount of carbon not turned into carbon dioxide
and spewed into the atmosphere.
Doing the Math -- and Making Sure that
People Hard-Hit by Energy Costs Benefit
---------------------------------------
Michigan Greens are already working on specific plans
for how to implement the fee-and-dividend concept and
help, not hurt, the people of their state. So many in
Michigan are already suffering in the current economy --
in part because of high energy costs.
Registered professional engineer Doug Campbell has
developed one basic plan that starts with a penny fee
per kilogram of carbon exhausted into the air.
Campbell's preliminary figures show that someone with
a typical lifestyle and energy consumption like his
would pay about $40 directly in carbon fees. If all
fees were paid back in dividends to the people on a
flat per-capita basis, he calculates, the annual
dividend would be about $200 -- five times as much.
"A significant carbon fee, resulting in a substantial
dividend to people, would be a big step for reducing
fossil fuel use and for rebuilding local economies,"
Campbell points out.
He adds, "Resource depletion, excess carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere, and the deficit resulting from
importing oil demand a reduction in the amount of
fossil fuels burned.
"Instead of pursuing war for oil and global economic
growth, we need to move in the direction of sustainable,
low-carbon local economies."
Greens Will Insist on a Plan That Saves Money,
Energy, and the Environment -- for the People
---------------------------------------------
Michigan Greens aim to have a concrete proposal that meets
three essential goals -- cleaning up the environment,
reducing energy use, and protecting the lower-income
people most affected already by rising energy costs.
The target is to have one or more such proposals ready for
discussion at the United States Social Forum, to be held
in Detroit June 22-26.
The fee-and-dividend plan will fit in with other energy
planks in the state platform. GPMI has long called for:
* Helping people choose and implement lifestyles that
lower overall energy consumption.
* Encouraging energy-efficient and low-pollution
vehicles and buildings (and refurbishing existing
homes and workplaces).
* A statewide energy policy that not only addresses
production and pricing, but also helps communities
and individuals coordinate and reduce energy use.
La Pietra expects fee-and-dividend to play a role in several
Green campaigns this year. GPMI will nominate candidates at
a statewide convention May 15-16 in Lansing. Local Greens
can also nominate candidates within their counties at
caucuses until August 3.
For more information on the issues, values, and candidates
of the Green Party of Michigan, please visit the party's
homepage:
Green Party of Michigan
548 South Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
http://www.migreens.org
734-663-3555
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Jan 20 16:37:10 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:37:10 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Support the Green Movement in the Philippines
Message-ID: <4B57A1B6.6030200@greens.org>
Sent to the Green Party by a supporter:
*Dear friends at the Green Party!*
I am writing to simultaneously draw attention to and ask if you are
currently expressing support for Green presidential candidate in the
Philippines, Nicanor Perlas? He is an environmental, civil society and
social development stalwart who has motivated an international movement
for change.
He has been a recipient of the *Right Livelihood Award (Alternative
Nobel Prize)* for his advocacy work on globalisation and sustainable
development, as well as the *UN Environmental Program?s Global 500
Award*, The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award, and, most recently, the
Manuel L. Quezon Award for Exemplary Governance.
Perlas was a technical consultant of the United Nations? Center for
Transnational Corporations. He also served as consultant of the
Presidential Committee on the Philippine Nuclear Power Plant and of the
Philippine Council of Sustainable Development during the Aquino and
Ramos administrations.
Comelec - the government-run commission on elections has recently
disqualified him from running (he is running as an independent
candidate) because they unjustly view him as a "nuisance candidate." *He
has filed an appeal which was heard on December 28, and a decision will
be made some time before January 25, 2010* and Comelec agreed to allow
Nicanor back into the presidential running.
A global petition calling for him to be allowed to run was signed by
over 1,200 people around the world in the three days before the appeal
was filed. It has now been signed by over 2,000 people (including David
Suzuki) some of whom are comparing Perlas to Nelson Mandela, yourself
and Vaclav Havel. The petition can be viewed at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/let-nick-run.
*The French Green party and the Australian Green Party have already
showed strong support for Perlas by writing a letter / email directly to
the Comelec commissioners (contact details below). Would it not make
sense that you would do the same? - that you show solidarity and support
for those who share the same ideals as yourself?*
From updates at cagreens.org Sun Jan 24 18:20:04 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:20:04 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] =?windows-1252?q?Green_Candidate_RICH_WHITNEY=92S_?=
=?windows-1252?q?RESPONSE_TO_RULING_IN_CITIZENS_UNITED_V=2E_FEDERAL_ELECT?=
=?windows-1252?q?ION_COMMISSION?=
Message-ID: <4B5CFFD4.1080201@greens.org>
Rich Whitney for Governor 2010
www.whitneyforgov.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- January 24, 2010
RICH WHITNEY?S RESPONSE TO RULING IN CITIZENS UNITED V. FEDERAL ELECTION
COMMISSION
Carbondale, IL- Green Party candidate for Governor Rich Whitney issued
the following statement Friday in response to the recent Supreme Court
ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission:
/In a transparently political decision, a majority of the U.S. Supreme
Court overturned its own recent precedent yesterday and paid tribute to
the giant corporate interests that already wield tremendous power over
our political process and political speech. Drawing upon a much older
precedent ? the legal fiction of corporate ?personhood? that it created
in 1886 ? the Court determined that these contrived ?rights? trump the
public interest in having genuinely representative government.
The limitations on corporate influence currently in place were already
inadequate to prevent corporate and banking interests from dominating
government at both the federal and state levels. These forces have
already undermined the democratic process to the point where our
government has become a plutocracy ? rule by the wealthy ? rather than
something that could still be called a democratic republic.
Increasingly, it has also become a ?kleptocracy,? as these same
interests have used their control over government to privatize public
functions and raid the public treasury.
Corporate and bank campaign contributions already direct the actions of
the Democratic and Republican parties, their candidates and
officeholders. An army of highly paid corporate-and-bank-sponsored
lobbyists reinforce the message, peddling their influence through the
power to give or take away campaign cash. As Will Rogers used to say,
?We have the best politicians money can buy.? The American people
recently witnessed a crystal clear example of how the system ?works? ?
works to ensure that corporate interests are served, that is ? in the
recent fiasco known as health-care reform.
On top of all that, five corporate conglomerates control the vast
majority of what most Americans consume as ?news.? But yesterday the
Supreme Court declared that that wasn?t enough. Now it has reopened the
floodgates for corporations to promote their policy agenda and their
chosen candidates ? and to trash any candidate that crosses them ? with
no holds barred.
But with every problem comes an opportunity. In the face of this
devastating threat to what remains of democratic process in our country,
I, along with my fellow Green Party candidates, now present an even
clearer choice to voters. We remain the Party that stands on principle,
the Party that does not accept, and whose candidates do not accept,
corporate money. We are the Party that is serious about establishing
government of, by and for the people.
Our commitment to this goal goes beyond our commitment to swearing off
corporate money, however. We stand for a direct challenge to corporate
domination of not only our political system, but our economic system. As
the Illinois Green Party platform states:
By definition, a "corporation" is a legal fiction ? a business
entity or organization that . . . has been given ?rights? comparable to
human beings, yet does not have the same legal responsibilities as human
beings. . . .
While originally subject to strict regulation under state charter,
corporations over the years have eroded these social controls and now
exert much more control over governments than governments exert control
over them. Even in his day, Abraham Lincoln warned:
I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and
causes me to tremble for the safety of my country . . . . corporations
have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow,
and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by
working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated
in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.
Letter to William Elkin, Nov. 21, 1864
But just as the corporation was a creation of human beings, acting
through their government, human beings, acting through government, can
rein in the power of corporations ? or even abolish them if they so
choose. And herein lies the answer to the challenge posed yesterday by
the Supreme Court. The Court has spoken: Corporations have First
Amendment rights, and for the time being, we the people are stuck with
the consequences of that decision. But we the people always have the
power to decide whether a corporation is chartered or licensed in the
first place, and under what conditions. We also retain the power to
decide which corporations are allowed to do business in our state, and
under what conditions.
Again quoting our platform, the Green Party not only favors
?alternatives to the corporate model,? such as worker-owned enterprises
and workers? cooperatives. It also favors reinvigorating our corporate
chartering laws, such that corporations will be permitted to operate
?only if they minimize or eliminate their environmental harm, engage in
no socially destructive behavior, pay a living wage to their employees,
do not abandon communities that have benefitted them, and [meet] other
publicly beneficial criteria.?
To this we can add a new requirement: that corporations shall not be
chartered, nor foreign corporations allowed to do business in Illinois,
unless they agree not to engage in speech aimed at influencing its
officeholders or candidates, or provide monetary support to any
organization that aims to influence officeholders or candidates.
The Supreme Court trumped the public interest by declaring that
corporations have rights of free speech. But through the Green Party,
the people can trump the Supreme Court, by declaring that no corporation
has the right to exist in the first place unless it agrees not to use
its First Amendment rights to influence elections and political
decision-making.
If elected Governor of Illinois, I will do everything in my power to
completely bar corporate and banking influence over government./
To unsubscribe from future Whitney for Governor press releases, please
reply to this email with ?unsubscribe? in the subject line.
###
From updates at cagreens.org Mon Jan 25 16:51:29 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:51:29 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: Citizens United ruling will make
Dem & Repub parties subsidiaries of top corporations;
amendment needed to deny corporate 'personhood'
Message-ID: <4B5E3C91.1070006@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Monday, January 25, 2010
Greens: The Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling will make the
Democratic and Republican parties into subsidiaries of top
corporations
? Greens urge a new constitutional amendment affirming that 'We the
People' means humans, not corporations
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on democracy,
electoral reforms, and corporate power:
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-democratic.php /
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-corporate.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Supreme Court's 5-4 Citizens United v. FEC
ruling will turn national, state, and local elections into a corporate
power game, said Green Party leaders in reaction to the decision
handed down on Thursday.
Greens predict that the decision, which strikes down laws limiting the
use of corporate money for campaign advertising, will have extremely
damaging consequences for democratic elections and for the existence
of the US as a republic. The Green Party accepts no corporate funding
and advocates clean elections, free of the money and influence of
corporations.
Many Greens are supporting Move To Amend (http://www.movetoamend.org),
which, like the Green Party, asserts that human beings, not
corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights; that
money is not speech; and that the right to vote and have one's vote
counted must be guaranteed. Move To Amend demands a constitutional
amendment enacting these principles.
Quotes by Green Party leaders:
? Jody Grage, treasurer of the Green Party of the United States: "The
decision will cement the Democratic and Republican parties' status as
subsidiaries of Wall Street, oil companies, defense contractors,
insurance firms, media conglomerates, and other top corporations. It
cancels the idea that candidates run for public office to serve the
public interest. The ruling will help block government measures to
curb global warming, regulation of financial firms, health care
reform, consumer rights, and all other protections for 'We the People'
against corporate power."
? Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States:
"Thanks to the Court's ruling, we'll see a flood of election season
ads promoting corporate-sponsored candidates, overwhelming those who
would serve the interests of the public instead of the demands of
lobbyists. The ruling also frees unions from campaign advertising
restrictions, but unions don't have the economic resources and clout
of major corporations. The ruling especially hurts the ability of
parties that don't accept corporate contributions, like the Green
Party, to compete." (Ms. Everette is working with other democracy
activists to pass the California Fair Elections Act
(http://www.yesfairelections.org); such efforts are threatened by the
Citizens United ruling.)
? Rich Whitney, 2010 Green candidate for Governor of Illinois
(http://www.whitneyforgov.org): "In a transparently political
decision, a majority of the US Supreme Court overturned its own recent
precedent and paid tribute to the giant corporate interests that
already wield tremendous power over our political process and
political speech. Drawing upon a much older precedent -- the legal
fiction of corporate 'personhood' that it created in 1886 ? the Court
determined that these contrived 'rights' trump the public interest in
having genuinely representative government.... In the face of this
devastating threat to what remains of democratic process in our
country, I, along with my fellow Green Party candidates, now present
an even clearer choice to voters. We remain the Party that stands on
principle, the Party that does not accept, and whose candidates do not
accept, corporate money. We are the Party that is serious about
establishing government of, by and for the people." ("How We Can
Trump the Supreme Court and End Corporate Domination of Government,"
http://www.whitneyforgov.org/joomla/index.php)
? Farheen Hakeem, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States:
"This is a civil rights issue. The legal idea of 'personhood' for
corporations was introduced after the Civil War and passage of the
14th Amendment, which was intended to protect freed slaves. But
around the same time that Jim Crow laws were enacted, the protections
of the 14th Amendment were in effect transferred from Black Americans
to corporations in a series of landmark Supreme Court decisions
beginning with Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad in
1886. These decisions helped set off the Robber Baron Era of
unrestrained corporate power, until campaign financing laws and other
restraints on corporate power were passed. The Citizens United ruling
strikes down those restrictions and puts America in danger of a new
Robber Baron Era. Restoring democracy and the idea that
constitutional rights should only apply to humans will now require a
citizens' effort as strong as the Civil Rights Movement."
? David Cobb, 2004 Green Party nominee for President and a member of
Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County (http://www.duhc.org): "We
need publicly financed elections, we need laws requiring a majority of
shareholders to approve corporate political contributions. But even
if every one of those laws passed, it would not be enough. The Court
relied on the illegitimate legal doctrine of 'corporate personhood' in
order to justify this profoundly undemocratic decision. The Court has
literally legalized corporate bribery of our elected officials. It?s
time to amend the US Constitution to make it clear that only human
beings can claim to be 'persons' with constitutional rights."
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, in his dissent to Citizens
United, wrote "[C]orporations have no consciences, no beliefs, no
feelings, no thoughts, no desires.... [T]hey are not themselves
members of 'We the People' by whom and for whom our Constitution was
established."
(http://www.leagle.com/unsecure/page.htm?shortname=citizens_united_v_fec_stevens)
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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/committees/ballot
? Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of
the United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Jan 27 16:02:16 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:02:16 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Party LIVEStream + text chat - State of Union
9PM EST / 6PM PST
Message-ID: <4B60D408.30100@greens.org>
Green Party Live Stream and text chat on Obama's State of the Union 9PM EST /
6PM PST - Wednesday January 27
GPUS LIVE STREAMING CHANNEL
http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
OBAMA SPEAKS - WE RESPOND
LIVE TEXT CHAT will be active during the entire time.
Green Party US Discussion and Response To Obama's State of Union
6PM - 9PM Pacific
9PM - Midnight Eastern
Live GPUS CHAT - everyone participates
Everyone viewing the channel will be able to LIVE TEXT CHAT with each other as
part of a Green Party group discussion.
Live AUDIO and VIDEO - Key State and Federal Green Candidates respond
Key State and Federal Green candidates may go live with their responses to
Obama's State of the Union.
Craig Seeman, NY
Starlene Rankin, CA
GPUS Livestream Producers
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Jan 28 16:49:09 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:49:09 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPCA PRESS RELEASE - Green Candidates Criticize
Supreme Court
Message-ID: <4B623085.7010804@greens.org>
Green Party of California
Former presidential candidate, and 2 state gubernatorial candidates criticize
decision granting corporations 'free speech' rights, ability to buy elections
in California
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE
SACRAMENTO (January 27, 2010) - A former Presidential candidate from
California - and two current California gubernatorial candidates - are
strongly criticizing last week's U.S. Supreme Court case that, in effect,
allows corporations more opportunity to buy elections in California, and
around the U.S.
The Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission decision nullified
legislation efforts to limit corporate influence in elections, by ruling
corporate contributions to candidates are "free speech."
"I deplore the ruling, which enables corporations to corrupt what's left of
our democracy. This is a slap in the face to hardworking working men and women
all over our state, who are struggling to barely make ends meet," said Deacon
Alexander, seeking the Green Party nomination for governor. "This case may be
remembered as the beginning of the end to forever erase humanity and grant
privilege to corporations," he explained.
Laura Wells, another candidate for the Green Party's nomination for governor,
said the court decision makes it even easier for Chevron - the state's largest
corporation - to influence lawmakers. "The largest corporation in California
is Chevron. While Chevron takes its case to court and our lawmakers to reduce
taxes it pays, Chevron takes more from us at the gas pump. Corporate
contributions are low-risk, high-return investments, to influence our
politicians who make the laws."
David Cobb, a California resident who was the Green Party's presidential
candidate in 2004, said the court's ruling establishing corporation
"personhood" and overturning democratic efforts to reign in corporate
influence over elections means the people have to take back their own Democracy.
"There is now a long-term effort to make the U.S. Constitution more
democratic, amending it to restore the power of the people over corporations,"
said Cobb, who is with Democracy Unlimited in Humboldt County.
"It's no surprise that Californians are at the lead in this movement to firmly
establish that money of corporations is not free speech and that human beings,
not corporations, are entitled to constitutional rights,"added Cobb. More
information on his effort can be found at www.movetoamend.org.
The Green Party of California
PO Box 2828
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
Web: http://www.cagreens.org
EMail: gpca at greens.org
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Jan 28 17:37:46 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:37:46 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Fwd: GP RELEASE Greens: Obama,
in State of the Union speech, must reverse his failed policies
Message-ID: <4B623BEA.7010508@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Greens: Obama, in his State of the Union speech, must reverse his
failed policies on health, war, climate change, fiscal responsibility,
jobs
? Online (audio/video) Green Party discussion and response to Obama's
State of the Union speech TONIGHT, featuring 2008 Green presidential
nominee and former US Rep. Cynthia McKinney, Green candidates, and
Green Party leaders, 6 pm to 9 pm PT, 9 pm to midnight ET:
http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on various
issues: http://www.gp.org/speakers
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party candidates and leaders called on
President Obama to announce a reversal in his administration's current
actions and policies when he delivers his 2010 State of the Union
address on Wednesday, January 27.
HEALTH CARE
? Lisa Green, 2010 Green candidate for the California State Assembly,
53rd District (http://www.votelisagreen.net): "The failure of the
Obama Adminstration to offer a health care plan passed that delivers
guaranteed coverage for all Americans will cost votes. As the
Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party recently noted, a Republican senator
was elected last week in Massachusetts where many voters expressed
disappointment with the Democrats' insurance company bail-out plan
(http://green-rainbow.org/PressReleases/20100121_brown_win_signals_progressive_power.html).
President Obama has admitted that Single-Payer is the best plan for
America. There's still time for Mr. Obama to drop the current
legislation and demand the Single-Payer plan to expand Medicare to
cover every American. By taking the high road now with a pitch for
Medicare For All in his State of the Union address, Mr. Obama could
undercut the criticism of Republicans and anti-reform ads placed by
corporate lobbies. Support for Single-Payer from the President is
especially critical now in the wake of the Supreme Court's Citizens
United ruling, which promises a flood of corporate advertising in 2010
on behalf of those Democratic and Republican politicians willing to
sell out to the insurance, pharmaceutical, and other lobbies on health
care."
More: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=291
GLOBAL WARMING
? Sheldon Schafer, astronomer and Illinois Green Candidate for
Congress, 18th District (http://www.schaferforcongress.info):
"President Obama's talk about green energy and a green economy has
turned out to be lip service. He could turn that around during his
State of the Union speech by announcing that he no longer backs the
cap and trade scheme and will instead seek emissions reduction
mandates, and by demanding an end to the mountaintop coal removal that
is devastating West Virginia and other states and feeding climate
change. Unfortunately, the actions of the US delegation at the
Copenhagen negotiations in December indicate that Mr. Obama is
compromising on the real steps necessary to curb climate change --
conservation, green conversion and retrofitting of infrastructure,
carbon taxes, greenhouse gas emissions rules, and a massive public
transportation program to reduce car traffic. All of these would
create millions of jobs."
More: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=276
SECURITY
? Jody Grage, treasurer of the Green Party of the United States:
"President Obama plans to talk about the menace of bioterrorism during
his State of the Union address. Real security will come with peace
and international cooperation -- spurred by a reversal of current
foreign policies. It won't come with preemptive invasions, bombs,
torture, or anti-constitutional surveillance. Technology will enrich
military and government contractors and their stockholders, but it
won't eliminate threats against the American people. The Green Party
condemns all acts of terrorism and violence against civilians anywhere
in the world and we demand punishment for all such crimes. But these
criminals are only a tiny percentage of the world's people who have
real grievances against the US. As the global climate heats up and
competition for dwindling resources grows more severe, the US must
find a humane and green path to security, or we'll face a global
catastrophe."
WAR
? George Martin, founding member of the Green Party's Black Caucus
(http://www.gp.org/committees/black) and New Mexico Green: "The Obama
Administration has expanded the US's military engagements and military
funding. President Obama is sending thousands of more troops to
Afghanistan, extending the war into Pakistan. His delayed plan for
withdrawal from Iraq would leave as many as 50,000 military personnel
to protect US access to Iraqi oil. Mr. Obama has continued to aid
Israel in its military aggression against Palestinians. Last June,
after the President urged humanitarian aid for people in Gaza, 2008
Green presidential nominee and former US Rep. Cynthia McKinney and
other Free Gaza activists tried to deliver such relief. They were
illegally intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters and
jailed, but the White House remained silent. The policies of the
Obama Administration and Democratic Congress have shattered hopes that
we'd see a real change after eight years of Bush-Cheney." (Mr. Martin
is also former national co-chair of United for Peace & Justice
(http://www.unitedforpeace.org) and national steering committee member
of Peace Action Education Fund Board
(http://www.peace-action.org/edfund.html).)
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
? Mark Dunlea, former chair of the Green Party of New York State:
"President Obama, in his address, will spout populist rhetoric against
Wall Street, but he's doing Wall Street's bidding with his domestic
spending freeze and offering a tiny, token jobs bill. He intends to
target entitlements -- Social Security and Medicare -- rather than the
bloated military budget, tax cuts for the rich, and corporate welfare.
With consumers and businesses over-indebted and shoring up their
balance sheets, the government has to be the spender of last resort.
This is an opportunity to build a clean, green energy and
transportation infrastructure and provide needed human services. But
President Obama is talking like William Jennings Bryan while acting
like Herbert Hoover. This isn't fiscal responsiblity, it's digging
America into a deeper hole."
JOBS, NOT INCARCERATION
? Matt Reichel, Illinois Green candidate for the US House, District 5
(http://www.mattreichel.us): "President Obama has remained silent on
the prison-industrial complex, which has made the US the top
incarcerator in the world by feeding millions of people to private
prisons, which profit by filling up cells with poor, young, and Black
and Latino people. He could help end this outrage by halting the war
on drugs and by announcing, in his State of the Union address, the
creation of a massive green jobs program. Such programs put Americans
back to work during the Great Depression. If enacted now, it will
help those who've lost jobs in the current recession, and also reduce
racial economic disparities, which have been ignored in the
'post-racial' age of Obama. So far, Mr. Obama has devoted his
administration to bailing out Wall Street rather than Main Street and
Martin Luther King Boulevard."
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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/committees/ballot
? Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of
the United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Feb 4 15:18:18 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:18:18 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens congratulate Cynthia McKinney on
'Peace through Conscience' award from the Munich American Peace Ctte.
Message-ID: <4B6B55BA.9040703@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Greens congratulate Cynthia McKinney, recipient of the 'Peace through
Conscience' award from the Munich American Peace Committee
? McKinney will accept the award at a peace conference in the same city as
NATO's Munich Security Conference, which will address the war on Afghanistan;
Greens contrast McKinney's 'deserved' award with Obama's Nobel Peace Prize
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on peace, foreign
policy, and other related issues: http://www.gp.org/speakers
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States congratulated former US
Representative Cynthia McKinney after an announcement that she will receive
the 'Peace through Conscience' award from the Munich American Peace Committee
(MAPC / http://www.mapc-web.de). Ms. McKinney was the Green Party's 2008
nominee for President of the United States.
Ms. McKinney has been invited to participate in an International Peace
Conference scheduled to take place in Munich, Germany, from February 6 to 7,
coinciding with the Munich Security Conference, which will address NATO
strategy towards Afghanistan, including President Obama's planned troop
escalation. A long-time proponent of abolishing NATO, Ms. McKinney is
scheduled to speak on February 6 at a rally in protest of the NATO conference.
After the rally, she will participate in the conference.
MAPC will present the award to Cynthia McKinney during ceremonies of the
Munich Peace Conference on the evening of February 6, 2010. The MAPC Peace
Prize is normally awarded by the previous year's winner. In Ms. McKinney's
case, the award will be presented by Andr? Shepherd, a US Army Specialist who
applied for asylum in Germany after objecting to the wars in Iraq.
"I am humbled to be so recognized," said Cynthia McKinney. "Clearly, the MAPC
gave more thought to the significance of those whose struggle for peace is
based on principle and an unshakeable commitment, despite the personal
sacrificies required, than did the Nobel Peace Committee that rewarded our
President for war."
Commenting on the decision to grant President Obama the 2009 Nobel Peace
Prize, Ms. McKinney said, "In this way of thinking, peace is now war, lies are
now truth, and ignorance is strength."
Ms. McKinney has urged Americans across Germany to gather in Munich and
protest US and NATO war policies, noting that Germany has sent its own troops
to Afghanistan. She will meet with American expatriates while in Munich.
"We are very proud of Cynthia McKinney's work for peace and human rights in
the US and internationally," said Dr. Justine McCabe, co-chair of the Green
Party's International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl). "Ms.
McKinney has led the demand for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and
Afghanistan and strongly criticized President Obama's announcement of a troop
surge in Afghanistan. She has challenged NATO's global expansion of military
operations and demanded its abolition. Last June, after President Obama urged
humanitarian aid for people in Gaza, Ms. McKinney and other Free Gaza
activists tried to deliver medical and construction supplies and other relief.
They were illegally intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters
and jailed, while the White House remained silent. Unlike our President,
Cynthia McKinney deserves a peace prize."
In a presentation at the 8. Internationale Muenchner Friedenskonferenz (Eighth
Munich International Peace Conference), Ms. McKinney will discuss chances for
a civil and nonviolent US foreign policy, the need to end the US wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan, US policies regarding Colombia and its neighbours, and
efforts toward a nuclear-free world. She will pose the question "What should
governments and the politicians at the Security Conference do to promote peace
and justice?"
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Fri Feb 5 18:40:35 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:40:35 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] State Party General Assembly
Message-ID: <4B6CD6A3.6040704@greens.org>
The next state meeting of the GPCA will be March 6-7 in San Jose.
Online registration is now open and event information can be found at
http://www.cagreens.org/plenary/
A highlight of this meeting will be the candidates forum scheduled for
Saturday afternoon. This will be a panel discussion with a number of Greens
who are running for office.
The agenda packet with the proposals to be decided at the meeting has been
distributed to the county parties for discussion.
You may participate in this event in a number of ways:
At the General Assembly
-- as a delegate or a observer in the decision-making plenary sessions and/or
-- as participant in working group, standing committee and/or caucus meetings
Before the General Assembly
-- with a working group or standing committee that is generating a proposal
-- discussing the agenda proposals in your county and on-line.
We hope to see you in San Jose!
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Feb 18 13:33:46 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:33:46 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GREEN PARTY RELEASE -- Party marks 20-year
anniversary
Message-ID: <4B7DB23A.9000001@greens.org>
Green Party of California marks 20-year anniversary in Berkeley Saturday, says
growing voter dissatisfaction justifies the party's relevance today more than
ever before
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE
BERKELEY (February 6, 2010) - Growing voter dissatisfaction with today's
politicians justifies the Green Party of California's relevance even more than
when it was founded in 1990, said party officials on the celebration of 20
years as the state's most progressive political party at the Berkeley
Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, site of the founding of the East Bay
Green Alliance in 1985.
The Green Party marked the anniversary of the party's official founding in
February 1990 by holding strategy sessions with current state, federal and
local candidates and welcoming present and past Green elected officials. About
100 people were in attendance.
The Green Party combined a history session looking back on the party's 20
years since ballot status preceded by a party strategy session for 2010.
Present and past Green elected officials and 2010 Green candidates for state
legislature and state constitutional offices held a news conference.
The Green Party of California
PO Box 2828
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
Web: http://www.cagreens.org
EMail: gpca at greens.org
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Feb 18 17:13:04 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:13:04 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens call Obama's nuclear power
investment his 'worst idea yet'
Message-ID: <4B7DE5A0.9020403@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Greens call President Obama's resurrection of nuclear power and handout for
Georgia nuclear reactors his "worst idea yet"
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on energy policy,
climate change, and related issues: http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-energy.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders and candidates are calling President
Obama's resurrection of nuclear power with a multi-billion-dollar
taxpayer-funded subsidy for a Georgia plant his "worst idea yet" and warned
about serious public health threats posed by mining, waste transportation, and
waste storage. The Green Party disputes the myths that nuclear power is
'green energy' or a solution to the advance of climate change.
"The twin nuclear reactors in Burke County, Georgia, would be financed with
$5.4 billion in loans from the Federal Financing Bank with money of the US
Treasury. According to the GAO, this investment has a 50/50 percent or worse
chance of failing. President Obama wants taxpayers to assume 80% of the
financial risk to turn the southeast Atlantic states into a big open-pit
radioactive barbeque. This investment is a terrible idea -- President Obama's
worst yet," said Lisa Green, Green candidate for California Assembly
Candidate, 53rd Assembly District (http://www.votelisagreen.net).
"If built, the plant will be a financial disaster because of high construction
expenses and likely cost overruns, compared with other sources of electrical
power. As the first of a new generation of nuclear power plants, it'll carry
huge technical risks. Even more ominous is the problem of mining, waste
storage, and waste transportation through populated areas, which carry huge
public health dangers," added Ms. Green.
Greens noted that, in the US, more people have died from contamination from
uranium mining, from causes such as water sources polluted by mine tailings,
and from uranium transportation than from all the causes after materials reach
the first processing plant
(http://www.hcn.org/blogs/grange/what-the-nuclear-boosters-dont-tell-you /
http://www.hcn.org/issues/371/17708). Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently
told a Senate committee that, for the foreseeable future, the plants will
probably store spent fuel rods on site. No long-term plan exists anywhere for
storing commercial radioactive waste.
"We are already seeing tritium in the wells in Girard Georgia, and the cooling
ponds at Plant Hatch are filled to overflowing," said Patricia Crayton,
co-chair of the Georgia Green Party (http://web.greens.org/georgia). "The
fuel cycle which feeds the power plants in Hazlehurst and Waynesboro is
intricately linked to the one which feeds the bomb plant across the Savannah
River near Aiken. $5 billion could better serve setting Georgia on a
sustainable energy path worthy of our children."
"In addition to a cornucopia of biochemically and radiologically hazardous
waste materials, the proposed powerplants will also manufacture plutonium-239,
raising the question of whether the Obama administration's underlying intent
is to provide electricity to Georgia citizens or to further escalate the
nuclear weapons race," said Douglas Campbell, Green Party activist and a
former nuclear engineer in Ferndale, Michigan.
"If Republicans and Democrats really believed in the free market, they would
strenuously oppose nuclear power, which is enormously expensive and carries
astronomically high liabilities. But they don't believe in the market. They
believe in targeted, special interest handouts and guaranteed profits for
favored corporations, despite flawed corporate agendas. That's why they want
nuclear plants built with taxpayer dollars, with utility ratepayers in states
like Georgia and Florida assuming the financial risk and local residents
assuming the health risk," said Nicholas Ruiz III, Green Party candidate for
Congress in Florida's District 24
(http://intertheory.org/nriiiforcongress2010.html).
Greens are fighting dangerous nuclear projects across the US. In Florida, the
Green Party praised a citizens' suit filed by members of the Citizens for
Ratepayers Rights against nuclear cost recovery charges, and urged Floridians
to sign a petition protesting unconstitutional rate hikes
(http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=296).
In Illinois, Greens strongly opposed a legislative move to repeal a moratorium
on nuclear energy
(http://www.ilgp.org/groups/media/ILGPpress-releasses/greens-blast-legislative-move-to-repeal-nuclear-moratorium-call).
"Building a nuclear plant is no substitute for enforcement of the Clean Air
Act in Georgia, where pollution from poor construction and dirty coal plants
has caused asthma in children and other health emergencies -- or in Maine or
in any other state," said Lynne Williams, Green candidate for Governor of
Maine (http://www.lynnewilliams2010.org). "Nuclear power proponents are
gambling that Americans have forgotten the Three Mile Island Meltdown in 1979.
We haven't forgotten it. Nor are we ignorant about the risk of breast cancer
and other ailments that uranium poses."
Greens insist that clean energy, not nuclear power, must replace fossil fuels
in the effort to fight climate change. The Green Party supports socially
equitable carbon taxes; incentives, legislation, and reforms to provide
renewable energy technologies; rejection of environmentally destructive
'alternative' fuels produced from unsustainable or toxic feedstocks; rejection
of 'clean coal'; comprehensive planning to protect and conserve water
resources; and an absolute limit on CO2 emissions through a dramatic reduction
of fossil fuel use.
"President Obama is calling for major investments in nuclear, coal, and
natural gas, when we should drastically reduce the use of such energy," said
Carl Romanelli, 2006 Pennsylvania Green candidate for the US Senate. "Here in
Pennsylvania, we have cancer clusters in the eastern part of the state due to
too many nuclear plants
(http://www.sott.net/articles/show/201699-US-Report-finds-high-rate-of-thyroid-cancer-in-eastern-Pennsylvania-blames-nuclear-power-plants
/
http://carbonwaters.org/polycythemia-vera/p-vera-media-coverage/20090203-researcher-identifies-cancer-cluster-in-eastern-pennsylvania/).
Considering advancements in renewable technologies, it would make more sense
for our energy resolve to be applied to these industries, not filthy and
destructive forms of energy production so touted by the President. The
president continues to act as if fossil and nuclear is the only manner in
which energy is produced."
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Party Eco-Action Committee http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/index.php
"Energy Sec Unaware That Nuclear Loans Have 50 Percent Risk of Default"
By Kate Sheppard, Mother Jones, February 16, 2010
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/02/chu-not-aware-nuclear-default-rates
"Nuclear Loan Guarantees Aren't Just Guarantees: They Are Actual Taxpayer Loans"
Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS), February 17, 2010
http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2010/02/17-2
"Fed loan guarantees may boost nuclear power return"
Associated Press, February 16, 2010
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hx5wB6YEaAyHIpeDxx6ML-TApHzQD9DTH55G3
"Obama's nuclear error: $54 billion in loan guarantees make little policy or
political sense"
Climate Progress, February 1, 2010
http://climateprogress.org/2010/02/01/obama-nuclear-error-nuclear-loan-guarantee/
"A quarter of US nuclear plants leaking"
AP: "27 of 104 plants leak radioactive tritium, a carcinogen, raising Concerns
about nation's aging plants"
Climate Progress, February 8, 2010
http://climateprogress.org/2010/02/08/a-quarter-of-u-s-nuclear-plants-leaking-radioactive-tritium/
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at lists.cagreens.org Fri Feb 26 15:29:38 2010
From: updates at lists.cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:29:38 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens call for an end to the bipartisan
economic war on Blacks, Latinos/as
Message-ID: <4B885962.7030502@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Greens call for an end to the "bipartisan economic war" on Blacks and
Latinos/as, who suffer the brunt of the subprime crisis and economic meltdown
? Green Party urges a program for millions of new public works jobs and
financial security for Americans instead of Wall Street handouts
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on economic policy,
racial justice, and related issues: http://www.gp.org/speakers
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders said today that Democratic and
Republican politicians are pursuing fiscal agenda, including responses to the
subprime mortgage crisis, that amount to an "economic war" on Black and
Latino/a people across the US.
Greens especially criticized President Obama, whose bailouts for Wall Street
firms have done little to provide economic security for those who were among
his most enthusiastic supporters in the 2008 election.
? Derek Grigsby, chair of the Detroit Green Party and member of the Green
Party Black Caucus (http://www.gp.org/caucuses/black/index.php): "The Green
Party demands an end to the 'two party' economic war on Black people and
Latinos and on working and poor Americans of all races. Instead of Wall
Street bailouts, we need assistance for those who've lost their homes and
jobs. Millions of new jobs can be created through public works in
conservation, retrofitting and greening houses and infrastructure, and
expanded public transportation. We need to cancel the wasteful war on drugs,
end racially biased sentencing and other criminal justice system disparities,
and abolish private ownership of prisons. Black, Latino, and poor Americans
have been made fodder for the private prison industry, which profits by
filling up cells. We need reparations for the descendents of slaves,
recognizing the hundreds of years of stolen labor and post-slavery exploitation
and discrimination. We must immediately call an end to the murderous
escapades in Iraq and Afghanistan and bring our sons and daughters home now.
These steps would lead to an economic recovery that benefits all Americans,
and show the rest of the world that we practice what we preach!"
? Tony Affigne, Green Party National Committee delegate from Rhode Island,
Latino community activist: "Outside of the Green Party, few politicians want
to recognize racial economic disparities and how they've been aggravated by
the current financial crisis. In September, the unemployment rate for Blacks
was 15.7%; the underemployment rate for Blacks was 23.8 percent and for
Latinos 25.1%. The poverty rate for Black children is nearly 35%. But
Democrats and Republicans in the White House and Congress are resisting the
necessary massive public works program necessary to create jobs and reverse
such figures, out of deference to corporate lobbies that prefer a desperate
labor force. They promise a private sector miracle that isn't going to
happen. This amounts to a vicious bipartisan policy of inaction to help
Americans most in need."
? Alfred Molison, Green candidate for Houston City Council and member of the
Green Party Black Caucus (http://votealfred.com): "President Obama and other
leaders like to preach moral lessons to Black people while slashing the safety
net and providing minimal assistance for homeowners and job-seekers. We're
seeing lots of blame on the alleged 'cultural deficiencies' of Black people,
such as single-mother family statistics and 'cycles of poverty' rhetoric that
ignores imposed economic factors and a justice system too eager to incarcerate
Blacks. Meanwhile, the profits of financial corporations -- including those
responsible for the current crisis -- are now underwritten by US taxpayers to
the tune of nearly $24 trillion
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/20/bailout-may-cost-237-tril_n_241512.html).
All Americans are becoming victims of the Democratic-Republican assault on
working people and dedication to Wall Street's economic elites, with Black
people and Latinos suffering the worst."
? Betty Davis, co-chair of the Green Party Black Caucus
(http://www.gp.org/caucuses/black/index.php): "Blacks and Latinos were primary
targets for lending corporations offering high-interest subprime loans, and
were thus disproportionately hit by the subprime mortgage crisis. Blacks were
especially vulnerable to such loans because they were denied the equity that
whites have long enjoyed, a result of Federal Housing Administration redlining
and racial discrimination in the granting of housing loans and mortgages
during the mid 20th century. These policies have had profound effects on the
finances of Blacks long after discriminatory practices were outlawed. The
Center for Responsible Lending has found that, because of the mortgage
meltdown, Latinos will have lost between $75 billion and $98 billion and
Blacks between $71 billion and $92 billion in home-value wealth. The victims
of subprime loans should be first in line for aid that restores
financial stability and the ability to keep one's home."
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at lists.cagreens.org Fri Feb 26 16:02:52 2010
From: updates at lists.cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:02:52 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Fwd: [media-states] The latest issue of Green Pages
is now online
Message-ID: <4B88612C.9000304@greens.org>
Latest issue of Green Pages is now-online
The cover story of the latest issue of Green Pages details how the
Florida Greens are working with other anti-nuclear activists to prevent
the licensing of three new reactors. With a pro-nuclear President in the
White House, it?s critical that Greens work with activists around the
country to defeat the idea that the answer to climate change is
additional nuclear reactors.
In "From Hopenhagen to Nopenhagen" Brian Tokar of the Institute for
Social Ecology states ?After the 2007 climate summit in Bali, Indonesia,
the Bush administration tried to initiate an alternate track of
negotiations on climate policy that involved only a select handful of
the more compliant countries ?. Now that the Obama administration has
adopted essentially the same approach .??
Also included are articles on the upcoming mid-term elections and
obituaries for Bob Long and Dennis Brutus. As always; read, comment,
distribute.
Go to: http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Mar 10 19:28:42 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:28:42 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Press Release: Green Party of California endorses
Prop 15, No Others
Message-ID: <4B98636A.8030703@greens.org>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Green Party of California endorses just one ballot measure
on June ballot; Proposition 15 would reduce corrupting
influence of lobbyists on elections, Greens say
SAN JOSE -- The Green Party of California (GPCA) announced this
week it was officially supporting only one of five propositions
on the June 2010 ballot - a measure that would experiment with
public financing of some candidates in the 2014 and 2018
elections to avoid the corrupting influence of lobbyists.
Voting at the party's state convention in San Jose last weekend,
delegates representing Green Party counties throughout the state
agreed to support Prop. 15, which would use fees paid by
lobbyists to finance Secretary of State candidates. It means
smaller parties could receive up to $1.3 million in public
financing for that SOS race.
PROP. 14: No Support. The GPCA heavily criticized Prop. 14,
the so-called "top two" measure, which would, if passed, only
allow the top two winners in the primary to be on the ballot in
the November general election. The result, said the Greens, would
result in fewer voter choices at time when voters are
dissatisfied with current choices; increased candidate spending;
muzzled smaller parties and their messages; and increased
influence by the same moneyed special interests bankrolling Prop. 14.
PROP. 16: No Support. The GPCA did not endorse Prop. 16, a
private utility-backed measure that would protect big utilities
by requiring a two-thirds majority vote of ratepayers before a
public utility could be created. Not coincidentally, public
utilities are less expensive than private utilities, note the Greens.
PROP. 17: No support. Green Party delegates said, if passed,
this proposition would punish the poor and middle class. The
measure would allow auto insurers to raise rates for those who,
for whatever reason had a gap in coverage.
PROP. 13: No position. Greens took no position on this
measure. It would allow a tax break for homeowners or commercial
property owners for seismic retrofitting. While some delegates
believed the proposition is a thinly-disguised attempt to benefit
big business (as in the original Prop. 13), others believe it
will save lives by encouraging property owners to make their
buildings safer.
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Mar 11 16:51:00 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:51:00 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP ADVISORY Greens to join the 'US Out of
Afghanistan & Iraq' march in DC, March 20 (7th anniversary of Iraq War)
Message-ID: <4B998FF4.4080605@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Greens to participate in the 'US Out of Afghanistan and Iraq Now'
march in Washington, DC, on March 20.
? March 20 is the 7th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on the wars,
foreign policy, and related topics:
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party candidates, leaders, and other members
will participate in the 'US Out of Afghanistan and Iraq Now' march in
Washington, DC, on Saturday, March 20.
Greens will join hundreds of thousands of others to demand an end to
the wars and occupations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, and Haiti
and threats of war against Iran. March 20 is the seventh anniversary
of the invasion launched by the Bush-Cheney Administration against
Iraq, in which hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died and tens of
thousands of US troops have been killed or been maimed.
For more information on the march, which has been organized by the
ANSWER Coalition, visit March20.org (http://www.march20.org).
Related events will take place in Washington throughout the week
leading up to the March 20 march: see the Washington Peace Center's
'Iraq Anniversary Special Alert'
(http://washingtonpeacecenter.org/node/2756).
The Green Party of the United States opposed the US invasions of Iraq
and Afghanistan from the very beginning, and more recently criticized
President Obama for expanding the Afghanistan War into Pakistan and
for his announcement of 30,000 additional US troops to be sent to
Afghanistan (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=267).
Greens participated in the "Rally to tell Obama No You Can't!" on
December 12, 2009, in Washington, DC in Lafayette Park near the White
House, which was sponsored by the End US Wars Coalition
(http://www.enduswars.org). Among the Green Party speakers at the
rally were Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party's 2008 presidential
nominee; Lynne Williams, 2010 Green candidate for Governor of Maine
(http://www.lynnewilliams2010.org); and Marian Douglas-Ungaro of the
DC Statehood Green Party.
On November 25, Ms. McKinney sent an open letter to President Obama
urging a reversal of his warhawk policy on Afghanistan
(http://dignity.ning.com/profiles/blogs/cynthia-mckinneys-letter-to).
Green Party leaders have disputed President Obama's claims that the
invasion of Afghanistan was "the right war." The invasion has
resulted in a catastrophe for Afghan civilians, with thousands killed
and maimed and the destruction of property and infrastructure. The
Taliban has won greater popular support because of its defiance of
foreign troops, while President Karzai's corrupt administration have
betrayed any hope for democracy and regional warlords have turned
Afghanistan into the world's leading producer of opium. Human rights
for most Afghans, especially women, have not advanced because of the
US invasion.
"The expansion of the Afghanistan War with drone attacks inside
Pakistani borders has created even greater regional instability and
animosity towards the US," said Craig Thorsen, co-chair of the Green
Party of the United States and former US Navy Lieutenant. "We're
dismayed that President Obama has embraced the Bush-Cheney doctrine of
'preemption' -- the idea that the US may attack any country around the
world to replace that country's government. This doctrine was
expressly outlawed in the wake of World War II."
"The Democratic leadership in Congress rubberstamped the GOP war
agenda. Both parties have voted to spend enormous amounts of
taxpayers' money to feed a military machine that bullies other nations
and ultimately sustains corporate war profiteers. The Green Party
urges all Americans who desire peace to speak out with their voices
and votes, join us on March 20, call on Congress to cut military
spending, and demand that President Obama call our troops home now,"
said Mr. Thorsen.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Party International Committee http://www.gp.org/committees/intl
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of
the United States
Winter 2010 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Mar 11 17:16:47 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:16:47 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Party Recommendations on Ballot Measures
Message-ID: <4B9995FF.8010405@greens.org>
At the state party convention in San Jose last week Green Party delegates
decided the party's positions on the June ballot measures.
Recommendations are summarized at
http://www.cagreens.org/elections/2010/Propositions.Plenary.shtml
The press release on this topic is on our front page
http://www.cagreens.org/
From updates at cagreens.org Fri Mar 19 16:19:39 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:19:39 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green gubernatorial campaigns to watch in
2010
Message-ID: <4BA4068B.7020409@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Friday, March 19, 2010
Green gubernatorial campaigns to watch in 2010: candidates in California,
Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio
? Green Party Elections web page: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
WASHINGTON, DC -- Several Green candidates have launched campaigns in their
states' races for governor in 2010.
The Green Party of California will have a contested primary election for the
gubernatorial race, with Laura Wells and Deacon Alexander competing for the
nomination, to be decided on June 8.
In recent years, gubernatorial races in some states have given Green Parties
high enough percentages to achieve or maintain ballot status and determine the
outcome of the election.
In 2006, Rich Whitney and his fellow Greens overcame an attempt by Gov. Rod
Blagojevich to keep the Green Party off the Illinois ballot. Gov. Blagojevich
spent about $800,000 to block the Green Party. Mr. Whitney drew over 10% of
the vote on Election Day 2006 and will be on the ballot in 2010.
Some Green gubernatorial candidates to watch:
? DAVID CURTIS is running for Governor of Nevada.
"Fellow Greens have been asking me to run for office for more than five years.
I do not enter into this lightly," said Mr. Curtis. "Extreme economic events
of the last two years in Nevada convinced me that I needed to take a more
direct role in the leadership of my native state. I am running to help
rebuild the Nevada economy. I want to make the state a viable place to live
for my family and the citizens of Nevada."
Web sites: http://curtis4governor.com http://www.apparatusLV.com
? DENNIS S. SPISAK is the Green Party of Ohio candidate for governor in 2010.
Mr. Spisak is running with the goal of bringing renewable energy jobs,
single-payer health care for all, and clean fair elections to Ohio.
"I am running for governor because I believe we must send a representative to
Columbus who will address the issues facing regular citizens, not lobbyists or
corporate PACs. My campaign will focus on the issues that Ohioans care about:
affordable health care, economic fairness, quality public education, and
bringing renewable energy manufacturing jobs to the state. I am not afraid to
call for health care for all Ohioans, economic justice, and nothing less than
a renewal of Ohio's sense of community and promise of equal opportunity for
all Ohioans," said Mr. Spisak.
"The people of Ohio are tired of politics and government controlled by the
Democrats and Republicans. They want straight talk and straight answers to
the problems facing them and their children. The Green Party has the answers
to their problems."
Web site: http://www.votespisak.org/governor
? S. DEACON ALEXANDER is one of two candidates competing for the California
Green nomination for governor. A sixty-four year old retired union carpenter,
many of Deacon's ideas for a better society are from his father, bricklayer's
assistant and political activist. As a long-time social advocate and former
Black Panther, Deacon Alexander worked to acquit all charges against Angela
Davis in 1972 and joined Latino immigrants to fight for Los Angeles' South
Central Farm.
"I run for Governor because Californians must do better. We must educate, not
incarcerate. Growing affordable housing and local business are in my plan to
invest in basic infrastructure. Abolish the death penalty, the prison
industrial complex, racism against immigrants and all people of color. I
support jobs which empower our youth, rebuild inner cities, and reduce global
warning," said Mr. Alexander.
"My gubernatorial campaign is simple. We will go Poor-to-Poor, up and down
the State of California . My first act as candidate was on Skid Row in LA
with the homeless, the disenfranchised, the down and out. These people have
been excluded, denied and rejected for far too long. I pledge to bring them
into my campaign for Governor, register them as Greens, and fight for their
rights."
"Both my gubernatorial primary opponent, Green Party candidate Laura Wells,
and I fully support Ten Key Values and platform of California Green Party.
Our differences lie not in substance, but in our priorities. A party and
candidate which put the rights of the least of us first, is one which can
proudly represent all Californians."
Website: http://www.deaconforgov.com
? LAURA WELLS is also running for the Green Party's nomination for Governor of
California. Ms. Wells ran for State Controller in 2002 and 2006. In 2002,
she received over 400,000 votes, the highest vote total of any Green Party
partisan statewide race in California.
"I ran as a candidate for State Controller with the motto 'follow the money'
to understand what's happened in California. Now it's time to fix the money,"
said Ms. Wells. "Prop 13 was passed in 1978 to keep people, especially
seniors, in their homes, but like a bad pharmaceutical, the side effects of
the tax policies have been disastrous especially to our younger generations.
The Titanic Parties will not touch Prop 13 because likely voters love it, but
I am touching it. I sent a valentine saying, 'Prop 13, I love you, but honey,
you?ve got to change!'"
"There are solutions: we can institute a State Bank for California and invest
in California not Wall Street. We can have great schools, healthcare, a
wonderful environment, and golden job opportunities."
The Laura Wells campaign has printed 10,000 copies of a newsletter leaflet
listing the "13 Ways Prop 13 has been Unlucky for California" on one side and
?FAQs: State Bank for California? on the other. The campaign is distributing
them at rallies and meetings all over the state. Leafletting began with the
March 4 Day of Action, when thousands of students from universities, community
colleges, and high schools walked out of class to demand a re-ordering of
priorities in the state?s finances.
For more about Prop 13, the State Bank, and other information about Laura
Wells and her campaign, visit her web site: http://www.LauraWells.org
? JILL STEIN has launched an exciting grassroots campaign that is posing an
unprecedented challenge to business as usual in Massachusetts. She is
building on the 350,000 votes she received statewide in her race for Secretary
of the Commonwealth in 2006. Given the emerging lineup that has her facing
three CEO-insider politicians with nearly identical positions on the key
issues, the race may actually be won with as little as 26% of the vote. With
her 18% in her last statewide election, and the anti-insider fever that's
gripped the state, this could put a win in actual striking distance.
As Dr. Stein explained at a recent gathering, ?A government run to benefit
lobbyists and insiders has given us double digit unemployment, skyrocketing
health care costs, predatory home foreclosures, crumbling schools,
unaffordable higher education, counterproductive crime and drug laws,
regressive taxes, unending and costly wars, and a climate crisis that
threatens our economy. We can do better. It?s time to put solutions on the
table that give us a secure green future in which there is both prosperity and
justice."
Since her February 8 kick-off, Dr. Stein has given numerous radio and
television interviews and put together a strong campaign team. "Doors are
opening as never before for a Green candidate," Dr. Stein says. "This could
be our breakthrough year."
Web site: http://www.jillstein.org
? RICH WHITNEY, a civil rights attorney based in Carbondale, is running again
for Governor of Illinois. At a time when Illinois is experiencing devastating
cuts to education and social services, Mr. Whitney is the only candidate in
the race who refuses to accept such cuts as inevitable. He has set forth a
comprehensive plan for restoring health to the public sector and fighting for
"a full employment economy," at "a living wage, or better."
"It may surprise some people to hear a candidate talk about expanding public
employment at a time when the media keep pounding into people?s minds the
notion that government is 'too big' and 'we can?t afford it.' We have to
recognize that the corporate-dominated media have an agenda and that there is
a reason why we have been hearing this propaganda steadily for over 30 years.
We also have to realize that when the opinion leaders in the corporate media
keep telling us that 'we' can?t afford it, what they are really trying to tell
us is that 'they' ? the wealthy owners of corporate America ? don?t want to
afford it," said Mr. Whitney.
"They don?t want to pay their fair share of taxes needed to maintain the most
basic functions of government. And thus the illusion is created that in the
richest, most productive nation in the world, we as a society somehow can?t
afford quality public education, quality health care for all, quality
employment opportunities for all and decent retirement security for all."
Rich Whitney proposes creative measures for dealing with the state's fiscal
and economic crises, including creation of a state bank, and imposing what he
calls the real "sin" taxes -- a financial transactions tax on speculative
trading and a fee and dividend system to combat global warming and promote
sustainable energy, transportation, and energy efficiency.
Web site: http://www.whitneyforgov.org
See also: "Rich Whitney, Green Party Governor Candidate: Tribune's Coverage Is
'Unacceptable'" (The Huffington Post, March 8, 2010,
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/08/rich-whitney-green-party_n_490864.html)
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Winter 2010 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Mar 24 15:22:12 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:22:12 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: Now it's time to work for real
health reform -- Medicare For All
Message-ID: <4BAA9094.2080302@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Now it's time to work for real health care reform -- Medicare For All, say Greens
? The Democratic "insurance company enrichment" bill burdens millions of
Americans and imposes mandates that enrich insurance companies
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on health care
reform: http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-health-care.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green candidates and party leaders said today that the
passage of the Democratic health care bill, with its increased financial
burdens on millions of Americans, should not slow the movement for Medicare
For All (single-payer national health care).
The Democratic bill "falls short on many levels, and hurts many people more
than it helps," as Jane Hamsher writes in "Fact Sheet: The Truth About the
Health Care Bill"
(http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/03/19/fact-sheet-the-truth-about-the-health-care-bill).
Physicians for a National Health Program said in a statement on Monday,
"Instead of eliminating the root of the problem -- the profit-driven, private
health insurance industry -- this costly new legislation will enrich and
further entrench these firms. The bill would require millions of Americans to
buy private insurers' defective products, and turn over to them vast amounts
of public money."
(http://www.pnhp.org/news/2010/march/pro-single-payer-doctors-health-bill-leaves-23-million-uninsured)
? Dennis Spisak, Green candidate for Governor of Ohio
(http://www.votespisak.org/governor): "Now that this bill has passed, those of
us who support real universal health care must keep up the demand for Medicare
For All. Every American deserves the same high-quality guaranteed health
coverage that Congress members enjoy. We will challenge those who insist that
further health care reform is no longer on the table. The Democratic bill was
mainly written to give the appearance of reform. It forces people to buy
insurance or face a tax penalty. It works like a regressive tax, in which in
the uninsured -- in the midst of a recession -- must pay for insurance they
can't use due to the likely high co-pays and deductibles. Especially vicious
is the amendment prohibiting states from enacting their own single-payer
programs."
? Jill Stein, physician and Green candidate for Governor of Massachusetts
(http://www.jillstein.org): ""The position of most Democrats and Republicans
on health care is that Americans have no right to medical treatment, but
private insurance companies have every right to enrich themselves on our need
for health care and to send hundreds of thousands of Americans financial ruin
over medical costs. According to Physicians for a National Health Program's
critique of the bill, about 23 milion Americans will remain uninsured after
nine years, resulting in 'an estimated 23,000 unnecessary deaths annually and
an incalculable toll of suffering'. In the media coverage of health care
reform, the angle was whether President Obama could prevail against the GOP
and uncooperative Democrats. It was all about personalities and a horse-race
competition. Whether the Democratic legislation -- or obstruction of reform
by Republicans -- actually helps people became a
side issue."
? Rich Whitney, Green candidate for Governor of Illinois
(http://www.whitneyforgov.org): "The real story of health care reform over the
past year is how the insurance and other health lobbies sent millions of
dollars in campaign checks to both Democrats and Republicans to make sure
their interests came first. We'll get real health care reform when Americans
get angry enough to stop voting for Democratic and Republican candidates who
are addicted to corporate contributions, and elect Greens, who call health
care a basic human right." (Visit the web site of the Center for Responsive
Politics to learn how much these corporations donate to each Congress member:
http://www.opensecrets.org)
? Nancy Allen, farmer and long-time Green organizer from Maine: "Some of the
Tea Partiers showed their true colors this past weekend, when crowds hurled
racist and homophobic epithets at Rep. John Lewis, Rep. Barney Frank, and
other Congress members. How much did Republican politicians, insurance
companies, and other industries encourage such behavior? How did these
corporations successfully convince so many Americans that their own medical
care is less important than corporate profits and power?"
? Rodger Jennings, Green candidate for US Congress in Illinois, District 12
(http://www.rodgerjennings.org): "The winners are the largest for-profit
health insurance companies. Both Democrats and Republicans made the bottom
lines of the insurance cartel the top priority, rather than every American's
need for quality medical care. Private insurance adds cost to health care but
provides no value -- physicians, nurses, and other professionals do the actual
medical work. The administrative overhead, including CEO bonuses and
salaries, of private insurance raises health care costs by up to 31%. The
administrative overhead for Medicare is under 3%. By eliminating the
corporate insurance middle-man, we'd reduce health care spending from over 15%
to about 9% and cut the price of coverage and care dramatically, and every
American would enjoy guaranteed, quality health care."
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Single-Payer Now! Green Party page on health care reform
http://www.gp.org/campaigns/health/single-payer
Physicians for a National Health Program http://www.pnhp.org
PNHP's Frequently Asked Questions page http://www.pnhp.org/facts/single-payer-faq
Healthcare-Now http://www.healthcare-now.org
Single Payer Action http://www.singlepayeraction.org
"The Sober Reality of Health Care Reform"
By Jane Hamsher, FireDogLake, March 22, 2010
http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/03/22/fdl-statement-on-the-passage-of-the-health-care-bill
"Deaths Rising for Lack of Insurance, Study Finds"
By Michelle Andrews, The New York Times (blog), February 26, 2010
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/26/deaths-rising-due-to-lack-of-insurance-study-finds/#preview
"NY Times Reporter Confirms Obama Made Deal to Kill Public Option"
By Miles Mogulescu, Huffington Post, March 15, 2010
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miles-mogulescu/ny-times-reporter-confirm_b_500999.html
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Winter 2010 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Apr 8 18:44:21 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:44:21 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: US must press Israel to end
settlements; divestment urged as Israeli outrages continue
Message-ID: <4BBE8675.90703@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Greens: President Obama must press Israel to end East Jerusalem settlements
? Green Party urges divestment as Israeli outrages mount
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on foreign policy
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- President Obama must put pressure on Israel immediately to
stop the construction of settlements and displacement of Palestinians in East
Jerusalem, Green Party leaders and candidates said today.
"President Obama should send Prime Minister Netanyahu a message: enough is
enough. If Israel continues to violate Palestinian human rights, the US must
cancel the $30 million military aid package pledged to Israel for 2009-2018.
The plan to build 1,600 housing units for Israeli Jews in East Jerusalem is
the latest outrage. Although a rumored US abstension from a possible UN
Security Council resolution against the settlements would be an improvement
over its usual veto on Israel's behalf, this would still be an act of moral
cowardice," said Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United
States. (News story on the possible UN resolution:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/8591714.stm)
"The White House's angry response to the East Jerusalem settlement
announcement was a necessary first step, but it needs to be followed by
concrete action, like support for a UN resolution against the settlements or
actually withdrawing military aid. President Obama should show the kind of
leadership that led Eisenhower to demand that Israel leave Sinai in 1955,"
said Ms. Everette.
The Green Party has demanded that the US end military assistance to Israel,
which has used such aid to displace Palestinians from their homes and farm
lands, hold them in concentration camp conditions, maintain Bantustans in the
style of apartheid-era South Africa, and launch illegal military assaults such
as last year's bloody invasion of Gaza.
"While the international community has been unable to deal with Israel's
violations after decades of UN resolutions, civil society has increasingly
endorsed BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) as a powerful nonviolent
strategy to pressure Israel into ending the Palestinian occupation and
guaranteeing equality for all in Israel-Palestine. In 2005, the Green Party
endorsed a BDS resolution (http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_11_28.shtml)
comparable to the one passed by the Senate of the Associated Students of UC
Berkeley in March," said Derek Grigsby, Green candidate for State
Representative in Michigan, District 7 (dereknjck at yahoo.com).
The Berkeley students' bill calls on the university to divest its assets from
two General Electric and United Technologies for "materially and militarily
supporting the Israeli government's occupation of the Palestinian territories"
and to advocate that the UC, with about $135 million invested in companies
that profit from Israel's illegal actions in the Occupied Territories
(http://blogs.asuc.org/2010/03/18/announcements/sb-118-amended-passed).
Greens have urged the White House and Congress to reject the influence of
AIPAC and to establish Middle East policy based on recognition that the rights
of Palestinians must be equal to the rights of Israelis, on peaceful
negotiation to resolve the conflict, and complete regional nuclear
disarmament. Greens have noted the hypocrisy of applying sanctions against
Iran for its alleged nuclear ambitions without insisting that Israel get rid
of its nuclear weapons -- especially since Israel, unlike Iran, has launched
military attacks on other countries. (See "Arab Leaders Call for Middle East
Free of Nuclear Weapons" Earth Times March 28, 2010,
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/316159,arab-leaders-call-for-middle-east-free-of-nuclear-weapons.html#ixzz0jUbcWzVi)
"We encourage Israeli and Palestinian leaders -- and President Obama -- to
follow the lead of human rights activists like Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh, organizer
of the Wheels of Justice tour (http://justicewheels.org). In his embrace of
nonviolent resistance as a tactic for justice, Dr. Qumsiyeh continues an often
unrecognized history of Palestinian non-violent resistance and keeps alive the
tradition of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King. In response, the Israeli army
has targeted him for arrest," said Tony Affigne, Rhode Island Green and member
of the party's International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl).
Dr. Qumsiyeh (http://qumsiyeh.org), former associate professor of genetics at
the Yale University School of Medicine and a member of the Green Party of
Connecticut before he moved back to Palestine, wrote about his experiences in
a New Haven Register op-ed published on March 9, 2010 ("Peaceful protest in
Israel can lead to arrest,"
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/03/09/opinion/doc4b95ab40a3642160727871.txt).
"The US's uncritical support for Israel and flow of military and financial aid
endanger US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and threaten US security and
global stability. Even Gen. Petraeus and VP Biden have admitted this," said
Rodger Jennings, Green candidate for US Congress in Illinois, District 12
(http://www.rodgerjennings.org). (See "The Petraeus briefing: Biden?s
embarrassment is not the whole story," Foreign Policy, March 13, 2010,
http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/03/14/the_petraeus_briefing_biden_s_embarrassment_is_not_the_whole_story).
"The Gaza assault, which couldn't have happened without US weapons, was a
major turning point for people worldwide, including many American Jews. Like
the misery that continues for Gazans, the memory of that horrific assault
lingers."
Greens note that, until recently, a campaign to silence critics of Israeli
policies and actions helped maintain unilateral support for Israel, especially
in the US, and that censorship of such criticism has sustained the conflict.
Many US Greens expressed alarm when the Heinrich Boell Foundation
(http://www.boell.de), a legally independent political foundation affiliated
with the German Green Party, canceled February speaking engagements in Germany
by Dr. Norman Finkelstein, an American Jewish scholar, child of Holocaust
survivors, and author of books on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the
politics of the Holocaust (http://www.normanfinkelstein.com).
"There is increasing recognition that the two-state solution is not viable.
Israel-Palestine is already a de facto single state, mainly because of
Israel's illegal settlement policies, with over 500,000 Israeli Jews living in
the Palestinian Occupied Territories. It's time to consider the one-state
solution -- one homeland for both peoples -- with a secular democracy that
ensures full and equal rights regardless of religion or ethnicity, " said
Farheen Hakeem, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. (See
"Palestinians Increasingly Back 1-State," Jerusalem Post, March 22, 2010,
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=171559 and "Who's Afraid of a
One-State Solution?" by Dmitry Reider, Foreign Policy, March 31,
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/03/31/whos_afraid_of_a_one_state_solution)
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
"Ensure Israel arms curbs, say MPs"
BBC News, March 30, 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8594402.stm
"Open Letter to Berkeley Students on their Historic Israeli Divestment Bill"
By Naomi Klein, Common Dreams, March 31, 2010
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/03/31-9
"Palestinians increasingly back 1-state"
Jerusalem Post, March 22, 2010
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=171559
"US Can't Afford Military Aid to Israel"
Josh Ruebner, The Huffington Post, February 26, 2010
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-ruebner/us-cant-afford-military-a_b_478104.html
"Evidence of misuse of US weapons in Gaza"
Amnesty International, February 23, 2009
http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/20277
US Campaign to End the Occupation
http://www.endtheoccupation.org
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Winter 2010 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Sat Apr 17 14:00:55 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:00:55 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPUS: Another World is Possible,
The Green Party is Necessary
Message-ID: <4BCA2187.2060709@greens.org>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Green Party
Join the Green Party in Detroit This June!
The Green Party of the United States will be holding its Annual National
Meeting this June in
Detroit. Will you be there?
In order to spread the Green message as widely as possible, our meeting
will be held in conjunction with the U.S. Social Forum
, a gathering of tens of thousands of people
working to build people's solutions to economic and ecological crisis.
The Green Party will be meeting from June 24-27, 2010, in downtown
Detroit, Michigan. We hope you can make it.
Yes, I would like to register now!
Sorry, I can't make it. Let me support the Green Party by making a
contribution now.
Here's what to expect in Detroit:
Tens of thousands of activists meeting to discuss solutions,
alternatives and visions for the problems people face. (Want to learn
more about the U.S. Social Forum? Check out http://www.ussf2010.org)
Workshops on issue activism, campaign skills, fundraising, and media
access run by Greens in conjunction with the U.S. Social Forum.
Great sights, sounds, and attractions! Detroit is the 11th-largest city
in America, and home to theater and art, great music, sports, and
diverse culture.
Here's how to register for the Green Party's Annual National Meeting:
Check out the meeting's homepage
. Use the links at the top
to register for the meeting
and secure lodging. Discount hotel rates and dormitory-style
accommodations are available.
Plus, here's a BONUS: if you register for the Green Party meeting, your
registration for the U.S. Social is included. You will get access to
hundreds of workshops sponsored by the Social Forum on dozens of vital
topics, in addition to the meetings of the Green Party National Committee.
Hurry! Registration will go up $25 on May 1st. Register now and save!
We hope to see in Detroit.
Support the Green Party!
Donate today . A Greener future is within our
reach. Your donation today can help us bring the vision we share a
little closer to reality.
Spread this message on Facebook and Twitter
.
You can sustain the Green Party by making a recurring donation
on a monthly basis.
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Apr 21 18:22:20 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:22:20 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPCA Release: Green vies for FPPC Commissioner
Message-ID: <4BCFA4CC.5050808@greens.org>
Green Party founder offers to replace Ross Johnson as FPPC commissioner, cites
need for fairness in elections, end 'sham' of pretending to fairly regulate
election process
Green Party founder offers to replace Ross Johnson as FPPC commissioner, cites
need for fairness in elections, end 'sham' of pretending to fairly regulate
election process
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE
SACRAMENTO (April 20, 2010) - Green Party of California co-founder Hank Chapot
- declaring that he can be much more objective than a major party choice - has
offered to replace retiring Fair Political Practices Commissioner Ross Johnson.
Chapot would replace Johnson, who took over as FPPC chair in 2007. Johnson was
an Assemblymember for nearly 20 years, and was Republican Assembly leader from
1988-91.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger must pick a replacement, but the appointee cannot
be a Democrat. And he should not be a Republican, as Johnson was, said Chapot.
"Everyone knows our politicians are bought and paid for...the FPPC hasn't done
a thing to stop that. It's become worse. It's like the fox guarding the hen
house," said Chapot.
"I will not carry the baggage of an appointee from one of the major parties
that have made a mockery of fair elections in California. I will not continue
the sham of pretending to fairly regulate the election process," Chapot added.
"I will uphold the fairness in elections in California, where corporations
continue to unduly influence candidates and elections to the detriment of all
the voters. I will advocate for a level playing field for all candidates, who
should be free from any such corporate and special interest influence," Chapot
said.
Chapot, 55, is a gardener employed by UC Berkeley, and former candidate for
Assembly. He is a native of San Francisco, and holds a B.A. in Biology from
San Francisco State. He resides in Oakland.
The Green Party of California
PO Box 2828
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
Web: http://www.cagreens.org
EMail: gpca at greens.org
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Apr 22 20:45:05 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:45:05 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Release: Midge Potts, Mo. Green for US Senate,
ends walk across state after injury (fwd)
Message-ID: <4BD117C1.7060902@greens.org>
(Sent by Midge Potts)
Midge Potts for Senate 2010
http://www.electmidge.com
Contact: Midge Potts
midge at electmidge.com
417-893-1398
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19th, 2010
Midge Potts Ends Walk Across Missouri Due to Injury
US Senate Candidate Walked 65 Miles for Nuclear Disarmament Awareness
Columbia, MO - Midge Potts, Progressive/Green Candidate for US Senate, who
began walking from Missouri 's only nuclear power reactor in Callaway County
on April 10th, announced on Monday that she had to end her trek early because
of a pulled tendon she suffered during her attempt to reach the Honeywell nuke
bomb parts factory in Kansas City . She had intended to conclude her walk on
May 1st, the anniversary of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The
Springfield native said in a release that she had struggled with a tire on her
hand cart that was persistently going flat since the third day out; she
apparently pulled a tendon in her right leg on the 5th day, then decided to
stop walking on Thursday evening because her tire would no longer hold air and
her injury was growing worse with each step. Her walk came to a conclusion
about a third of the way to Kansas City , near the spot where I-70 crosses the
Missouri River .
Midge Potts said, "I walked 65 miles in 6 days, and I talked to lots of folks
in central Missouri about converting the $50 billion America spends annually
on maintaining a nuclear weapons arsenal to retool factories for the
production of green technologies. From my point of view, this walk was a
success; not trying would have been the failure."
Potts is now at home recuperating. She said she plans to continue "walking for
senate" throughout her campaign to dramatize many of the issues listed on her
website at electmidge.com.
Midge Potts, co-chair of the Progressive Party of Missouri, is the party's
candidate for U.S. Senator in 2010. She and other party members are
circulating petitions to get Ms. Potts and other Progressive Party candidates
on the Missouri ballot this year.
###END###
From updates at cagreens.org Tue Apr 27 19:52:59 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:52:59 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP ADVISORY Green Party to hold its 2010 Annual
National Meeting in Detroit, June 24-27
Message-ID: <4BD7A30B.4060907@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Green Party prepares for its 2010 Annual National Meeting, to take
place in Detroit, June 24-27
? Meeting theme: "Another US is possible, another party is necessary";
Green Party meeting coincides with the US Social Forum, also in
Detroit, June 22-26
? Web site for the Green Party meeting:
http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
? Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Green leaders available to speak on
various issues http://www.gp.org/speakers
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States will hold its
2010 Annual National Meeting in Detroit, Michigan, from Thursday, June
24 to Sunday, June 27.
The Green Party's meeting will overlap with the United States Social
Forum (http://www.ussf2010.org), which convenes in Detroit from June
22 to 26. Many Greens will also participate in the US Social Forum.
More than ten thousand activists, organizers, artists, and others from
the US and many more from other countries are expected to attend the
Social Forum.
For information about the Green Party meeting's schedule of events,
registration, and lodging, visit the web site
(http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com). The Media Credentialing
page is also online (http://www.gp.org/forms/media). Reporters are
encouraged to register ahead of time, but media registration will also
take place on-site.
National, state, and local Green Party leaders, Green candidates, and
many others will participate in the Detroit meeting, which will be
hosted by local Greens and the Green Party of Michigan
(http://www.migreens.org). Plenary sessions, press conferences,
workshops, committees, public forums, and other features are now being
planned for the meeting. For more information about meeting events,
contact the Green Party's national office at office at gp.org or
1-866-41-GREEN.
The slogan for the Green Party meeting is "Another US is possible,
another party is necessary" -- similar to the Social Forum motto,
"Another world is possible."
The Green Party's 2009 Annual National Meeting took place in Durham,
North Carolina. The 2008 meeting, which was the party's Presidential
Nominating Convention, was held in Chicago, Illinois.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Audio announcements for the US Social Forum http://soundcloud.com/ussocialforum
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of
the United States
Winter 2010 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Sat May 8 19:11:40 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sat, 08 May 2010 19:11:40 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE US Greens congratulate Caroline Lucas,
UK's first Green member of Parliament, on election victory
Message-ID: <4BE619DC.7070108@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Saturday, May 8, 2010
US Greens congratulate Caroline Lucas, the UK's first Green Party member of
Parliament, on her election victory
? Colombian Green presidential candidate Antanas Mockus holds a strong lead in
polls, may become the first Green Party head of a national government
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on foreign policy
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php
? The Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June
24-27 http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States congratulates Caroline
Lucas and British Greens on Ms. Lucas' election to the House of Commons on May
6. Ms. Lucas, the first Green member of Parliament, will represent Brighton
Pavilion.
"The election of the first Green to the British House of Commons is cause for
celebration among Greens in the US and for everyone who wants to see a new
direction in politics and an end to the stranglehold of the pro-war
pro-corporate old parties," said Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party's 2008
nominee for President of the United States and former member of the US House
of Representatives from Georgia. "If Greens can win a seat in the UK, we can
win one or more seats in Congress here in America."
While Ms. Lucas is the only Green Member of Parliament, the Scottish Green
Party holds two seats in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood and there are two
Green members in the London Assembly. 13 Green city councillors serve in
Brighton and Hove.
"Caroline's victory was not achieved by watering down the Green message, but
by standing for it firmly by advocating economic fairness, social justice, and
environmental well-being, showing that voters will support a truly Green
alternative when presented with the option. With this in mind, we support
Caroline's call for a referendum on enacting proportional representation for
the UK, so that the Green Party's true level of support can be realized," said
Mike Feinstein, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. Mr.
Feinstein contributed a foreward to Ms. Lucas' book 'Green Alternatives to
Globalisation' (Pluto Press, April 2004,
http://www.plutobooks.com/display.asp?K=9780745319322&).
While the Green Party of England and Wales expressed elation over the victory,
Ms. Lucas said, "[Brighton voters] have shown that they are prepared to put
their trust in the Greens, despite the overwhelming national media focus on
the three largest parties and a voting system that is fundamentally
undemocratic. I feel humbled by their trust in me, and I am excited by this
vote of confidence and I'm looking forward to the challenging task of fully
representing the voters of Brighton."
(http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2010-05-07-caroline-wins.html)
Videos of Caroline Lucas are posted on the web sites of the BBC
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8667032.stm) and
The Guardian
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/video/2010/may/07/caroline-lucas-green-party).
US Green Party leaders also noted that polls in Colombia show Antanas Mockus,
the Green Party presidential candidate, in the lead in the Colombian national
election (http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/3345). Since the beginning of the
campaign in March, Mr. Mockus moved from 9% to 39% and now leads Juan Manuel
Santos of the ruling 'U' Party by 12 percentage points going into Colombia's
first ballot.
If Antanas Mockus maintains his lead, he will become the first ever Green
Party head of a national government. Mr. Mockus, former mayor of Bogota, is
credited with leading the 'Bogota Miracle,' which revitalized a crime-ridden
city with sprawling slums.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Caroline Lucas' web site http://www.carolinelucas.com/cl.html
Green Party of the United States: International Committee
http://www.gp.org/committees/intl
"Historic win for Greens in tight Brighton race"
The Guardian (UK), May 7, 2010
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/07/greens-historic-win-brighton
The Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June 24-27
http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Winter 2010 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Mon May 10 18:48:19 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 18:48:19 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPUS Release: Arizona Green Party leaders & moms
call for comprehensive immigration reform
Message-ID: <4BE8B763.9070000@greens.org>
(Distributed by the Green Party of the United States, http://www.gp.org)
Arizona Green Party (AZGP) * P.O. Box 60173, Phoenix, AZ 85082 * (602)
417-0213 * http://azgp.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2010
ARIZONA GREEN PARTY (AZGP) LEADERS/MOMS CALL FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
Phoenix, AZ?In honor of Mother?s Day, Arizona Green Party (AZGP) leaders &
mothers formally oppose SB 1070 (Arizona?s new anti-immigrant legislation),
and call for comprehensive immigration reform. The AZGP leaders say that they
stand firmly for social justice for all those living in this country,
regardless of their immigration status.
Linda Macias, AZGP vice co-chair, mother, and Green Party candidate for the
Arizona State Legislature (House?LD 21) says, ?We need major federal reform of
our immigration laws. Immigrants come to the United States in hope of a better
life. We need to give them citizenship now and write immigration laws that are
humane and just.?
Rebecca DeWitt, AZGP secretary, mother, and Green Party candidate for U.S.
Congress (CD 4) commented, ?Government should protect and serve the
individual, not terrorize them. Our U.S. Constitution protects the rights of
everyone in the country, whether they are native-born or immigrant.?
The AZGP leaders also state that Arizona?s anti-immigrant legislation does not
address the root causes of migration: poverty, lack of economic opportunity,
war and political conflict, and environmental devastation.
Angel Torres, AZGP state co-chair, Teamsters union steward, and Green Party
candidate for the Arizona State Legislature (House?LD 16) says, ?As a Puerto
Rican/Xicano and life-long Arizonan, SB 1070 is an insult to me, my family and
the entire Latino community. To scapegoat or racially profile an entire
community does not solve the problem. Our economic and immigration policies
need to serve the interests of all working-class folks, not the interests of
the corporations.?
The Arizona Green Party (AZGP) encourages all Arizonans to join the grassroots
movement to overturn SB 1070, and organize for comprehensive immigration
reform. Our mission is to build and sustain an alternative, progressive
political party that promotes and practices the Ten Key Values. We do not
accept corporate donations and uniquely rely on the generosity of individual
donors and volunteers. The four pillars of the Green Party are Grassroots
Democracy, Social Justice, Non-violence and Ecological Wisdom.
-END-
From updates at cagreens.org Thu May 20 19:53:29 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 19:53:29 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens to OECD: Reject Israel's bid for
membership until Israeli gov't observes human rights
Message-ID: <4BF5F5A9.8090107@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, May 20, 2010
US Greens urge Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to
reject Israel's membership application until Israeli government observes
international law and the rights of Palestinians
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on foreign policy
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php
? The Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June
24-27 http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- Leaders of the Green Party of the United States are urging
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) not to accept
Israel?s application for membership until Israel observes international law
and alters its human rights policies in its treatment of Palestianians.
"Israel continues to violate the OECD's fundamental values and should not be
rewarded with increased trade -- which would access to more military
contracts," said Michael Canney, Florida Green and member of the Green Party's
International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl). "Israel's
intractable, brutal, and humiliating treatment of Palestinians within its own
borders and in the Occupied Territories, including the recent invasion and
mass killings of civilians in Gaza, deserves international condemnation.
Greens have called for economic boycott, divestment, and sanctions against
Israel until it reverses its current policies. The OECD should deny Israel
membership until the Israeli government lifts the strangling economic
restrictions it has placed on the Palestinian people, cancels the construction
of settlements and displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the West
Bank, and abides by international law and the OECD's own
principles."
The OECD's convention, under "Fundamental Values and Likemindedness," states,
"These fundamental values include a commitment to pluralist democracy based on
the rule of law and respect for human rights, adherence to open and
transparent market economy principles and a shared goal of sustainable
development."
Formal acceptance of Israel's application for OECD membership will not take
place until the latter's ministerial meeting to take place on May 27-28,
despite the unanimous vote of the OECD's 31 member countries to admit Israel.
The Green Party of the United States, along with Green Parties throughout the
world, have called on national leaders to place strong pressure on Israel to
end the occupation, respect Palestinian human rights and equality, and
eliminate its nuclear arsenal. US Greens have supported an economic boycott
and cutoff of military aid, since the US contributes billions in aid to Israel
(with a $30 billion military aid package pledged to Israel for 2009-2018) that
includes weapons used against Palestinians. Greens everywhere have encouraged
negotiation for a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict, praised
nonviolent Palestinian and Israeli groups working for peace and human rights,
and condemned all violence targeted at unarmed civilians.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
"Greens: President Obama must press Israel to end East Jerusalem settlements"
Press release: Green Party of the United States, April 8, 2010
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=307
"Public Figures Appeal for Delay to Israel?s Membership of OECD"
Hold Israel Accountable, May 9, 2010
http://holdisraelaccountable.net/2010/05/09/bnc-press-release/
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee
http://www.bdsmovement.net
The Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June 24-27
http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Winter 2010 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Sun May 23 15:07:16 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 15:07:16 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Party TV spots opposing Prop 14 will air
starting Monday
Message-ID: <4BF9A714.5010708@greens.org>
Our press secretary, Cres Velluci, helped produce a Green Party TV ad against
Prop 14, in conjunction with another spot from the Peace and Freedom Party.
Funding for this project came from you! We received more than expected from a
fundraising letter mailed out a few months ago that warned about the problems
of this dangerous proposition. The extra contributions paid for this ad.
Thank You!
Here's the announcement from Cres:
FYI, 2 television ads opposing Prop 14 go on the air
Monday throughout the SF Bay Area, parts of LA and Sacramento
on cable channels CNN, Headline News and MNBC. About 750 spots
will air by election day.
The spots are just 15 seconds, but they maximize the few
dollars available from the Peace and Freedom, and Green
parties.
I presume the GOP and Dems, let alone others, will do the
same kind of thing soon. I hope so.
Cres
They're up on Youtube now -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSNNapBkyVo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS6lY0IZbRQ
----------------------------------------------------------
Prop 14 opposition resources:
http://cagreens.org/erwg/Prop14/
http://www.stoptoptwo.org/.
From updates at cagreens.org Sat May 29 12:09:07 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sat, 29 May 2010 12:09:07 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE: Global Greens statement on Colombian
pres. candidate Antanas Mockus, possible 1st Green Party head of state
Message-ID: <4C016653.1060202@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Friday, May 28, 2010
Global Greens statement on Colombian presidential candidate Antanas Mockus,
possible first Green Party head of state
? Colombian election day is May 30; polls have placed Mockus in the lead
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on foreign policy
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php
? The US Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June
24-27 http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- Global Greens Coordination has issued a statement on the
possible victory of Green Party Antanas Mockus in the upcoming Colombian
presidential election on Sunday, May 30. Polls have shown Mr. Mockus leading
in his race against Juan Manuel Santos of the ruling 'U' Party.
If elected, Mr. Mockus will become the first Green head of state. The Global
Greens statement is appended below and can also be read online at the Global
Greens web site in English
(http://www.globalgreens.org/statements/colombia_pre_election) and Spanish
(http://www.globalgreens.org/statements/colombia_ante_elecion).
The first round of the elections will take place on May 30, with a runoff
election on the June 20 if no candidate achieves a majority.
The Global Greens Coordination ((http://www.globalgreens.org/ggc/ggc_homepage)
is the coordinating body of the Global Greens, representing more than 80 green
parties from around the world. The Green Party of the United States is a
participating member.
See also: "In praise of? Antanas Mockus: This Sunday Colombians may do
something extraordinary: elect the world's first Green party head of state,"
editorial in The Guardian, May 28, 2010
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/28/in-praise-of-antanas-mockus).
Greens worldwide celebrated a victory earlier in May, when Caroline Lucas
became the first Green Party member ever elected to Parliament in the United
Kingdom, representing Brighton Pavilion.
* * *
Declaration of the Global Green Coordination regarding the presidential
election campaign of the Colombian Green Party and its candidate Antanas Mockus
The Global Green Coordination representing more than 80 green parties from
around the world, greets the surging campaign for the upcoming presidential
elections being conducted by the Colombian Green Party and its candidate
Antanas Mockus. The spectacular support they are receiving opens a completely
new and promising perspective for this country, delivering hope to overcome
the dominating violence, corruption and social injustice. We call on the
Colombian electorate to vote for Antanas Mockus and the proposals of the
Colombian Green Party.
Antanas Mockus as President would mean putting an end to the eight years of
the Uribe government, marked by failure to respect the constitution, stressing
often a militaristic approach to resolve conflicts, contributing to intensify
regional tensions, tolerating a high level of corruption and the maintenance
of an unacceptable level of poverty despite the economic growth achieved by
the country.
The election of Antanas Mockus would open the possibility of setting a new
course based on moderation, strict enforcement of the constitution, citizen?s
participation, honesty, respect for human rights, job creation and the
emergence of new opportunities for young people including a determined effort
to improve the education system, which is a key to the future of the country.
At the same time, electing Antanas Mockus would help to relegate to the past
the artificial tensions which have characterized relations between Colombia
and neighbouring countries in recent years.
Greens worldwide will be following closely this electoral process and will put
pressure on the institutions in which we are represented as well as on the
governments of our countries in order to ensure that the democratic and honest
nature of the electoral contest is fully respected by the Colombian
Government. We hope that all parties refrain from the temptation to manipulate
or violate the free and democratic elections that the country deserves. These
elections can and should become a model of democracy and an example for everyone.
Once again we would like to call the people of this great country of Colombia
to support the perspective that Antanas Mockus and the Green Party are
offering to the voters: his proposals open the way to a better future for all
Colombians and a unique chance for peace and hope.
The members of the Global Green Coordination
Note: The first round of the Colombian presidential elections will be on 30
May, with a runoff election on the 20 June if no candidate gains a majority.
For more information about the Green Party in Colombia:
http://www.partidoverde.org.co (Espa?ol).
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
International Committee of the Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org/committees/intl
The Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June 24-27
http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Winter 2010 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Mon May 31 17:49:06 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 17:49:06 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE: Greens protest Obama proposals that
would dismantle Social Security, public housing
Message-ID: <4C045902.9090000@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Monday, May 31, 2010
Greens protest Obama Administration proposals that would dismantle Social
Security, public housing
? Obama is adopting the GOP agenda on privatizing public resources and
services, say Greens
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on Social Security,
housing, and related economic topics
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-social-security.php
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-housing.php
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-economic-justice.php
? The Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June
24-27 http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Obama Administration's current plans to roll back Social
Security and mortgage off all public housing amount to privatization schemes
to dismantle public services, said Green Party candidates and leaders.
"President Obama is trying to accomplish what Republicans have long dreamed
about -- privatizing public services and resources," said Rick Staggenborg,
MD, Oregon Pacific Green Party candidate for the US Senate
(http://staggenborgforussenate.org). (Dr. Staggenborg is founder of Soldiers
For Peace International and a member of the Alliance For Democracy National
Council.)
President Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is
expected to recommend cutting Social Security for future retirees, and the
president himself has said "everything has to be on the table." The
commission is stacked with conservatives hostile to Social Security.
As William Greider noted in The Nation, "The Republican co-chair, former
Senator Alan Simpson, is especially nasty; he likes to get laughs by
ridiculing wheezy old folks. Democratic co-chair Erskine Bowles and staff
director Bruce Reed secretly negotiated a partial privatization of Social
Security with Newt Gingrich back when they served in the Clinton White
House..." (May 21, 2010, http://www.thenation.com/article/whacking-old-folks).
Greens dispute the Wall Street propaganda that Social Security's cost has
expanded the deficit and thus requires cuts. In fact, Social Security's huge
surplus of $2.5 trillion will grow to $4.3 trillion by 2023 and can cover all
benefits until 2040. Any shortfalls can easily be reversed through a modest
raise in the cap on Social Security contributions from the wealthy.
"Cutting Social Security will force more people to invest in the volatile Wall
Street casino, which would create billions more in profits for financial firms
but wipe out the savings of millions of Americans," said Alfred Molison, Texas
Green candidate for Houston City Council (http://votealfred.com). "Fiscal
conservatives on Capitol Hill and financial industry lobbyists have long
sought to kill Social Security, a program that has saved millions from
destitution. They know that Social Security has been both solvent and
popular, so they're using concerns about the deficit, rants about big
government, and legitimate fears about the recent economic meltdown to
persuade the public to accept dangerous Social Security reforms."
See "Bush is Sowing Confusion About Social Security" (Green Party press
release, February 22, 2005, http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_02_22.html) and
"Achieving a Leninist Strategy," a 1983 article published by the Cato
Institute that recommends steps to destroy Social Security
(http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal/cj3n2/cj3n2-11.pdf#search='Achieving%20a%20Len/inist%20Strategy').
See also "Social Security 'reform' doesn't protect the young, hurts us all"
by Joan and Merton Bernstein, May 28, 2010 in The Huffington Post
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ashley-b-carson/social-security-reform-do_b_593313.html).
The Obama Administration's Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
has submitted legislation to Congress (PETRA, the Preservation, Enhancement
and Transformation of Rental Assistance Ac) that would privatize public
housing and allow the new owners to impose 10% above the market rate in the
rental fees for poor tenants, to be covered mainly by taxpayers. (See a
report on HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan's May 26 statement,
http://www.realestaterama.com/2010/05/26/hud-secretary-donovan-issues-statement-on-hud-effort-to-transform-rental-assistance-ID07208.html)
New owners would also be allowed take out a mortgage for building repair and
maintenance, with no cap on interest rates, which would create more
taxpayer-funded profits for banks. If the government reduces its assistance
for tenants because of budget cuts and the property goes into foreclosure, the
banks can sell off the property to developers.
"HUD's proposal would quickly become a program to dismantle public housing and
funnel tax dollars to top lending institutions," said Lisa Green, Green
candidate for the California State Assembly 2010, 53rd District
(http://www.votelisagreen.net). "It will drive up the rent for needy
residents and send many out onto the street. It would also push up rental
fees for other renters. We're already seeing efforts by Democrats and
Republicans in municipal office to privatize schools, libraries, parks, public
housing, and other resources for the benefit of real estate companies,
developers, and other wealthy interests who contribute to political campaigns."
"That's why we need loud public protest. And we need to elect Greens, many of
whom have been fighting privatization schemes at the local level. Unlike
Democrats and Republicans, Green candidates don't accept corporate campaign
checks," added Ms. Green.
See "HUD is Trying to Privatize and Mortgage Off All of America's Public
Housing" by George Lakoff (Common Dreams, May 21, 2010,
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/05/21-1).
"Like Bill Clinton, Barack Obama is acting in the tradition of Democratic
presidents who've surrendered to the demands of Wall Street by enacting major
planks of the GOP agenda," said Nicholas Ruiz III, PhD, Florida Green
candidate for Congress, District 24
(http://intertheory.org/nriiiforcongress2010.html). "President Clinton signed
largely conservative, excessively corporatist, Republican legislation into
law: NAFTA, the Welfare Reform Act, the Telecommunications Act, the
Anti-terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, the anti-gay Defense of
Marriage Act, along with unreasonably large increases in the military budget.
Mr. Clinton adopted Newt Gingrich's rhetoric about 'big government,' which
means less protection for people and more government handouts for
corporations. President Obama has already signed an arguably Republican
health care bill into law -- since Obamacare is based on earlier GOP proposals
for mandates. With the Republicrat duopoly
fighting for corporations and their royalist aristocracy, that leaves the
Green Party to fight for We The People."
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
The Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June 24-27
http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Winter 2010 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Fri Jun 4 19:26:45 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:26:45 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] RELEASE - Minnesota Greens condemn Rwanda's arrest
of Minn. attorney Peter Erlinder
Message-ID: <4C09B5E5.40505@greens.org>
Distributed by the Green Party of the United States (http://www.gp.org). See
also a statement issued by the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda on the arrests
(http://rwandagreendemocrats.org/spip.php?article65).
Green Party of Minnesota
http://www.mngreens.org
For immediate release
Friday, June 4, 2010
Green Party Condemns Rwanda's Arrest of Minnesota Attorney Peter Erlinder
The Green Party of Minnesota joins human rights advocates and people of good
will across the world to call on the U.S. government, the United Nations, and
non-governmental organizations to prevail upon Rwanda to release Peter
Erlinder immediately. We applaud his defense of the human and civil rights of
Rwanda presidential candidate Victoire Ingabire, who was charged in April,
2010, with the same crime of which Erlinder is accused -- genocide denial.
Ingabire's party, the United Democratic Front (FDU), works closely with the
Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, within the Consultative Council of
Opposition Parties. Both parties have suffered governmental persecution and
severe limitations on their ability to organize.
Rwandan president Paul Kagame seeks to silence Erlinder's efforts to expose
the facts surrounding the 1994 Rwandan genocide
(http://www.rwandadocumentsproject.net). His arrest was politically motivated
and effectively punishes him for fulfilling his responsibilities as a vigorous
and conscientious legal advocate for his client. "For decades Professor
Erlinder has sought justice for his clients in the face of political
repression," says Gena Berglund, Associate Director, International
Humanitarian Law Institute of Minnesota and a member of the Green Party. "I am
very skeptical of a government that locks up lawyers for speech crimes."
Peter Erlinder is a professor of law at William Mitchell College in St. Paul.
In addition to his position as executive director of the Humanitarian Law
Institute of Minnesota, he is Lead Counsel for the International Criminal
Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Defense Lawyers Association, past president of the
National Lawyers Guild, and a practicing attorney. In an email sent to
Berglund shortly before his arrest he wrote: "Victoire Ingabire, Rwandan
Presidential Candidate, is like Mandela and I am very honored to be defending
her."
"Rwanda remains one of the largest recipients of U.S. foreign assistance in
Africa," says Berglund. "Given the U.S. government's expressed commitment to
democracy and the rule of law, it is critical that the Obama Administration
and the U.S. Congress uphold these values in Rwanda and demand the immediate
release of Peter Erlinder."
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Jun 10 14:26:36 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:26:36 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPCA Press Release -- Elections Aftermath
Message-ID: <4C11588C.7070100@greens.org>
News Advisory
THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
http://www.cagreens.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Greens support lawsuit, consider initiative to nullify Prop. 14; Measure is a
clear example of how big money buys California elections, charges Green Party
gubernatorial nominee
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE
SACRAMENTO (June 9, 2010) - The Green Party of California's gubernatorial
nominee Wednesday called the passage of Prop. 14 and near victories of Prop.
16 and 17 clear examples of how big money is buying elections in California,
using tens of millions of dollars to mislead voters.
The state's most progressive political party said it is mulling its options
after Tuesday, including joining a lawsuit to overturn Prop.14 and a possible
statewide initiative to nullify it.
"The rotten part of Prop. 14 is that what it promised - open elections - is
the exact opposite of what it will do. Prop. 14 will keep dissenting voices
off the big November ballot," said Laura Wells, who won the Green Party
nomination for Governor Tuesday night with a victory over Los Angeles social
justice activist Deacon Alexander.
Greens are already working with representatives of the five other
ballot-qualified parties on plans to challenge Prop. 14 on constitutional
issues. And, they are discussing a possible challenge to Prop. 14 on the
streets - putting a ballot measure on the ballot that would give more power
and more choices to voters, not less. Details will be released later this week.
But the story Tuesday was that at least $54.4 million was spent in support of
various corporate propositions, including $40.5 million on Prop 16, $8.9
million on Prop. 17 and $4.6 million on Prop. 14. Combined, only about $1.2
million was spent to oppose these ballot measures.
"Silicon Valley mega-corporations, big insurance companies, the state Chamber
of Commerce and Arnold Schwarzenegger bought the Prop. 14 election; in turn
that will allow corporations to buy other elections, buy candidates and buy
our government.
"There will come a day when people will realize that we can either take care
of the mega-corporations and billionaires, or we can take care of the rest of
us. I see days ahead when Californians will, indeed, follow the money, and run
the other way," said Wells, a financial specialist in Oakland.
She also noted the language of Prop. 14 confused voters, and that a similar
measure, but not written in the same manner, was rejected by voters in Oregon.
"Who heads the department that writes make-it-or-break-it ballot language?
Jerry Brown. Behind the scenes, Brown sides with corporate money, against the
people and voter choice," she said.
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Jun 16 20:00:46 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:00:46 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP ADVISORY Schedule of Nat'l Meeting in Detroit,
June 24-27
Message-ID: <4C198FDE.7060609@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Schedule of Media Events at the Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting in
Detroit, June 24-27
? Web site for the Green Party meeting: http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
? Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Green leaders available to speak on various
issues: http://www.gp.org/speakers
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party will feature former national nominees, state
and local candidates for 2010, officeholders and other special guests during
press conferences planned to take place at the party's 2010 Annual National
Meeting at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. The meeting will take
place from Thursday, June 24, to Sunday, June 27.
The schedule of media events, which is subject to change, is appended below.
For more information about the Green Party meeting's schedule of events,
registration, and lodging, visit the web site
(http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com). The Media Credentialing page is
also online (http://www.gp.org/forms/media). Reporters are encouraged to
register ahead of time, but media registration will also take place on-site.
Rosa Clemente, 2008 vice-presidential nominee, and David Cobb, 2004
presidential nominee, are among the press conference speakers. Both are also
participating in the US Social Forum (http://www.ussf2010.org), which convenes
in Detroit from June 22 to 26.
242 Green candidates have announced their races so far in 2010. Green
candidates for governor, Congress, and various local offices and Green
officeholders from across the US will speak at the press conferences, with a
special spotlight for candidates from Michigan and the Detroit area.
On Saturday evening, the Green Party will host a Health Care Panel with
Margaret Flowers of Physicians for a National Health Program
(http://www.pnhp.org), Kevin Zeese of VoteForPeace.us
(http://www.voteforpeace.us), and others to be announced. Mr. Zeese is also a
former Green candidate for the US Senate, having run in Maryland in 2006. The
Health Care Panel is open to the media and the public.
The slogan for the Green Party meeting is "Another US is possible, another
party is necessary" -- similar to the Social Forum motto, "Another world is
possible."
National, state, and local Green Party leaders, candidates, and many others
will attend the Detroit meeting, which will be hosted by local Greens and the
Green Party of Michigan (http://www.migreens.org). For more information about
meeting events, contact the Green Party's national office at office at gp.org or
1-866-41-GREEN.
Online live-streaming will broadcast the press conferences and many other
events at the meeting.
SCHEDULE OF MEDIA EVENTS
Location: Wayne State University, Student Center, 5221 Gullen Mall
Thursday, June 24, 4 pm, Room 261A
Press conference: Welcome to the 2010 Green Party Annual National Meeting,
with Green Party Steering Committee members, Michigan and Detroit Green
leaders, and 2008 Green vice-presidential nominee Rosa Clemente
Friday, June 25, 9 am, Room 277
Press conference: Green candidates and officeholders, 2004 Green presidential
nominee David Cobb
Friday, June 25, 11 am, Room 277
Press conference: Green candidates and officeholders
Saturday, June 26, 7:30-8:30 pm
Health Care Panel with Margaret Flowers, Kevin Zeese, and others TBA.
Location : International Institute, 111 East Kirby Street
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
The Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June 24-27
http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Sun Jun 20 18:58:37 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:58:37 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] ADVISORY Green Party, progressive Dems,
community organizers to hold Political Strategy panel at US Social
Forum in Detroit, June 24
Message-ID: <4C1EC74D.90005@greens.org>
For immediate release
June 18, 2010
Green Party and Progressive Democrat Leaders, Community Organizers and Others
to Talk Joint Political Strategy at US Social Forum June 24th
Five organizations have collaborated to organize a ?progressive strategy
dialogue? at the United States Social Forum (http://www.ussf2010.org) in
Detroit, Michigan. The dialogue will be one of 50 People?s Movement Assemblies
during the USSF. It will take place on Thursday afternoon, June 24th, from 1
to 5:30 pm in Cobo Hall, room W2-67.
The dialogue was initiated by the Independent Progressive Politics Network,
which has organized similar dialogues a number of times over the past decade.
Co-sponsors are the Green Party of the United States, League of
Revolutionaries for a New America, Progressive Democrats of America and the
Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy.
Three major issues will be addressed:
? what can be done to stimulate independent, grassroots activism around key
issues like unemployment, the housing crisis, racial justice, the climate
crisis, corporate control of elections, immigrant rights, war and empire and
universal health care;
? an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the progressive wing of the
Democratic Party as far as the building of a popular progressive movement; and,
? how to develop a ?united progressives? network that brings together Greens
and other third party activists, progressive Democrats, and labor, community
and issue-based organizers into an on-going, independent, progressive
alternative to our corporate-dominated political system.
Among those participating in this dialogue:
? Tim Carpenter, executive director, Progressive Democrats of America
? David Cobb, leader of the Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy, Green
Party 2004 Presidential candidate
? Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States
? Ted Glick, co-founder of the Climate Crisis Coalition
? Kevin Gray, South Carolina community organizer and author
? Logan Martinez, leader of National Jobs for All
? Brent McMillan, executive director, Green Party of the United States
? Sandra Rivers, education activist, former Harlem, N.Y. school board member
? Jerome Scott, leader of the League of Revolutionaries for a New America
? Laura Wells, Green Party of California gubernatorial candidate
All USSF attendees are welcome to take part in this dialogue.
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Tue Jul 6 16:14:05 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:14:05 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green Party mourns Njere Alghanee,
national leader in the movement for reparations
Message-ID: <4C33B8BD.8050102@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Green Party mourns Njere Alghanee, national leader in the movement for
reparations
? Inspired by Ms. Alghanee's life and work, Greens reaffirm support for
reparations for the descendents of slaves
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on justice, human
rights, and related topics: http://www.gp.org/speakers/index.shtml
Green Party Black Caucus: http://www.gp.org/caucuses/black/index.php
? Video clips from the Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit,
Michigan, June 24-27 http://www.gp.org http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders, mourning the recent death of Njere
Akosua Aminah Alghanee ('Sister Courage'), national co-chair of National
Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N'COBRA,
http://www.ncobra.org), reaffirmed the party's dedication to reparations for
the descendents of enslaved Africans in the United States.
On June 24, Njere Alghanee had just returned from the US Social Forum in
Detroit with plans to attend the annual meeting of N'COBRA in New Orleans the
next day when her life was taken in a tragic auto accident. June 24, 2010 was
her 58th birthday.
"The Green Party, especially the party's Black Caucus, has had a strong
alliance with N'COBRA and has supported the demand for reparations. We send
our condolences and solidarity with Sister Courage's family, friends, and
fellow leaders in N'COBRA. We honor her leadership," said Alfred Molison,
candidate for Houston City Council, District C (http://votealfred.com).
Members of the Green Party in attendance at the US Social Forum and the Green
Party's Annual National Meeting in Detroit heard the news on June 25. The
Detroit meeting began a process of considering revisions to the Party's
national Platform; including an amendment offered by the Georgia Green Party
and the Green Party Black Caucus on which Ms. Alghanee had been consulted, to
strengthen language supporting reparations already in the Green Party Platform
(http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/socjustice.html#999024).
During the Green Party's 2009 national meeting in Durham, North Carolina, the
party's Black Caucus hosted a workshop presentation by the International
Commission of N'COBRA, as part of "United Voices for Reparations." Members of
the Black Caucus joined N'COBRA at the Congressional Black Caucus conference
in September, 2009, during which Njere Alghanee, commenting on apologies
offered by Congress, said "It's not enough to say sorry, you've got to do sorry."
Ms. Alghanee worked hard to promote HR 40, the bill introduced each year by
Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.) calling for a study of reparations.
"It would be fitting for the US Congress to honor Njere by getting HR 40 out
of committee and to the floor for a vote. That would answer the call by Njere
to 'do sorry' and not just apologize for the crime against humanity that
enslaved millions of people of African descent for hundreds of years in the
United States," said Theresa El-Amin, North Carolina Green and Black Caucus
member who was elected national co-chair of the Green Party during the Detroit
meeting.
Ms. El-Amin represented the Green Party at services for Njere Alghanee, which
were held on Friday at Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone
Mountain, Georgia, and Saturday at the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Atlanta.
For more information about the services and a bio of Ms. Alghanee, visit "In
Memory of Mama Njere" (http://www.mamanjere.com).
During the July 3 celebration of the life of Njere Alghanee, Iyalosa Fulani
Nandi Sunni-Ali comforted family and friends with the report of her last
conversation with Ms. Alghanee on June 24. She remembered how happy Njere was
on June 24, her 58th birthday and the day of her passing. The New Afrikan
Women's Organization, of which Njere was a member, offered a rousing tribute
to Njere that brought people to their feet.
The Green Party endorses a broad platform providing reparations for centuries
of slavery and discrimination, citing destruction of identity, the theft of
labor, lynch mob terrorism, de jure Jim Crow, the denial of jobs, education,
housing and political rights, with current public policy still driven by a
white supremacist ideology justifying COINTELPRO repression of liberation
movements, police-state terrorism, and mass incarceration profiting the
corporate prison industry.
"It is with great respect, humility, appreciation and gratitude to have had
the opportunity to be a member of N'COBRA since the early 1990s along with our
beloved Revolutionary Warrior, Sister Queen Njere Alghanee. We in the Green
Party Black Caucus are determined to work with N'COBRA to lift up the legacy
of Sister Queen Njere Alghanee and her call for Reparations Now!" said Morgan
Moss Jr., treasurer and former co-chair of the Green Party Black Caucus
(http://www.gp.org/caucuses/black/index.php).
"Sister Njere Alghanee's work on reparations is comparable to other
contemporary Black women such as Ms. Hlengiwe Mkhize, former chairperson for
the South Africa TRC Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee. It is
imperative that we in the Green Party support the mission of N'COBRA. That
mission is to win full reparations for Black African descendants of
enslavement residing in the US and its territories for the genocidal war
against Africans that created the transatlantic slave trade, Jim Crow and
continues to injure African people in the areas of education, health care,
mass incarceration and access to living wage jobs. I pledge to continue my
work with and support of N'COBRA in the spirit of Queen Mother Njere
Alghanee," said Cynthia McKinney, 2008 Green Party nominee for President of
the United States and former Congresswoman from Georgia.
"The effects of racial discrimination, which included federal and state
government policies such as residential redlining and segregated schools,
services, and accommodations as well as bias by private businesses and
employers, continue to this day. Passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and
other laws prohibiting discrimination have not erased poverty, despair, and
other injuries caused by centuries of racism. Reparations are a matter of
basic justice," said Farheen Hakeem, co-chair of the Green Party of the United
States and Green candidate for Governor of Minnesota
(http://www.farheenhakeem.org).
Njere Alghanee worked hard to eradicate poverty, transform the lives of those
who survive so that they might also thrive, and create safety and affirm the
humanity and autonomy of those victimized by men's violence. She was a
producer at Radio Free Georgia [WRFG 89.3 FM] and a leader in the movement to
secure reparations for slave-descendants, chairing N'COBRA.
"She brought a sense of urgency to our work and has left us a legacy and set
an example of civic engagement that challenges us as we must now go on without
her leadership," said Hugh Esco former state-wide candidate for the Georgia
Green Party who also serves on the Executive Committee of Caucasians United
for Reparations and Emancipation (http://www.reparationsthecure.org). Mr.
Esco knew Ms. Alghanee since the early 1990s when they worked together with
the Up and Out of Poverty Now Network (supported by the Atlanta Greens) and
when she served on the staff of Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger.
"I know how much our Atlanta community will miss her. But her death has
helped me to understand how much Sister Njere's shining light will be missed
across this country and around the world," Mr. Esco added.
The Green Party held its 2010 Annual National Meeting from June 24 to 27 at
Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan -- where Ms. Alghanee graduated
from college, near where she grew up in the New Afrikan Independence Movement
in Detroit. For more information about the services and a bio of Ms.
Alghanee, visit "In Memory of Mama Njere" (http://www.mamanjere.com).
For video clips and news about the Green Party's national meeting, visit the
party's home page (http://www.gp.org) and Live Stream site
(http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus).
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Fri Jul 16 17:48:03 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:48:03 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] RELEASE Howie Hawkins, Green for NY Gov.,
calls increased jail time for Lynne Stewart an attempt to
intimidate lawyers
Message-ID: <4C40FDC3.1080508@greens.org>
(Forwarded by the Green Party of the United States, http://www.gp.org)
Howie Hawkins - Green for Governor
Media Release
http://www.howiehawkins.org - http://www.gpny.org
For Immediate Release: July 15, 2010
Hawkins Opposes Increased Jail Time for Lawyer Lynne Stewart
Calls it an Attempt to Intimidate Lawyers Representing Unpopular Clients
Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor, harshly condemned the
increased jail time ordered for civil rights attorney Lynne Stewart, calling
it an affront to the American legal system.
"This is not about Lynne Stewart. This is about any lawyer defending an
unpopular client. It undermines our system of legal representation, which is
based on an adversarial system where the defendant has the right to confront
their accusers. Her increased sentence is an effort to intimidate lawyers who
defend controversial clients. Ms. Stewart has an exemplary record as a legal
advocate for the poor and the oppressed and should be released from prison. I
call upon President Obama to immediately provide her clemency and to put an
end to this travesty of justice," said Hawkins, who was arrested last November
at a single payer universal health care protest at the Syracuse offices of
WellPoint, the largest health insurance conglomerate in the US.
Lynne Stewart was resentenced today as per order of the higher court from
original sentence of 28 months to 10 years and a month. This could keep her
behind bars until she turns 80.
After her conviction in 2006, Hawkins, who was running for US Senate, stated
that ?Lynne Stewart is just the latest in a long line of victims in the war by
the Bush administration and a bipartisan Congress to repeal the Bill of Rights
and erode civil liberties. Bush has callously used the 9/11 attacks as a
pretext to curtail the right to a fair trial, to illegally spy on Americans,
and to sanction torture. Lynne Stewart has an exemplary life-long record of
tireless and fearless legal advocacy for the oppressed. She has been a model
for what being an attorney means. The problem here is not Ms. Stewart but a
presidential administration which is intent on beating down anyone who dares
challenges their effort to suppress the Constitution and rule of law,? added
Hawkins.
Hawkins said that at a minimum Ms. Stewart, who is suffering from cancer,
should be allowed to serve her sentence under home confinement.
Stewart was a member of the court-appointed defense team for Sheik Abdel
Rahman. Rahman is serving a life sentence in connection with the 1993 World
Trade Center bombing. Stewart continued to act as one of Rahman's attorneys
after his incarceration. As the Stewart indictment and conviction shows, an
attorney can be now charged with aiding and abetting terrorism simply for
engaging in everyday acts of lawyering. For example, responding to press
queries, unless the subject of court gag orders imposed during trials, is a
normal part of being a lawyer in a controversial case. Yet for Stewart, it is
a crime.
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Jul 22 16:55:31 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:55:31 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] RELEASE Agriculture Sec. Vilsack must keep Black
farmers on their land
Message-ID: <4C48DA73.1040607@greens.org>
(Forwarded by the Green Party of the United States, http://www.gp.org)
From Cynthia McKinney: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Must Keep Black Farmers
on their Land
For Immediate Release: July 21, 2010
"Vilsack Must Keep Black Farmers on their Land: One Million and a Half
Black-Owned Farm Acres Being Looted by USDA While Farmers Wait for Justice"
Secretary Vilsack admitted in a press conference today, "I did not think
before I acted." It is clear from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack?s press
conference today that he failed to do his job appropriately in his treatment
of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) employee, Shirley Sherrod.
Sherrod was fired after her superior, USDA Deputy Under Secretary Cheryl Cook
asked Sherrod to pull over on her drive from south Georgia to Athens, Georgia
and quit her job after a speech made by Sherrod to the Coffee County NAACP was
aired on a Douglas County TV cable access channel and then posted on the
internet by Andrew Breitbart, a known conservative, activist blogger.
Sherrod, a veteran advocate for Black Farmers, who the USDA admits have been
discriminated against, was fired because the White House feared that Glen Beck
was going to discuss her alleged racist remarks on his TV show that night. It
turns out, however, that the tape of Sherrod's remarks had been badly doctored
and the doctored version had been posted on the internet. Glen Beck and the
entire Fox News operation were reacting to the doctored internet posting. Ms.
Sherrod was fired without having an opportunity to explain her side of the
story and before the White House and Secretary Vilsack had even bothered to
look at her entire speech.
"The White House and Secretary Vilsack threw Shirley Sherrod under the bus
before they had the facts," said Cynthia McKinney, who knows Sherrod and has
spoken often at the Coffee County NAACP.
Unfortunately however, Secretary Vilsack has also thrown Black Farmers under
the bus. To date, despite abundant headlines to the contrary, Black Farmers,
including the named plaintiffs in Pigford v. Glickman (1997), Lucious Abrams
and Cecil Brewington have not even had a meeting with USDA, to settle their
discrimination claim. Others who did receive settlements were then harassed
by the Internal Revenue Service and had their bank accounts frozen and their
Social Security payments offset by any government payments, including stimulus
payments.
"The actual so-called settlement of the lawsuit was worse than the
discrimination that the USDA has admitted to and discrimination is continuing
at this very hour," said Pigford plaintiff Black Farmer Eddie Slaughter.
"The President is meeting with everyone except those who brought forward the
lawsuit and those who suffered discrimination and the violation of their
Constitutional rights," said Lucious Abrams. Eddie Slaughter and Lucious
Abrams met with Secretary Vilsack and apprised him of the current situation,
but the Secretary to date has failed to act.
The Shirley Sherrod episode shows how quickly legitimate Black interests are
thrown under the bus due to fear on the one hand and racial incitement for
political purposes on the other hand.
"President Barack Obama should meet with Black Farmers who are leading the
lawsuit," said McKinney, who has been active for years on the Black Farmer
issue. Despite winning the lawsuit, plaintiffs in Pigford have not been made
whole and therefore have not received justice. Over one decade later, lead
plaintiffs on the lawsuit have not even had a hearing on the merits on their
claim of discrimination, now admitted by the USDA. Claimants got paid, but
actual farmers did not. The result is that over one million black-owned farm
acres are at risk of being lost due to acceleration of collection of debt,
foreclosure, bankruptcy, and USDA and USDOJ deliberate delay resulting in
delinquent notes for Black Farmers.
Claimants, who are not necessarily farmers, have been paid out of the judgment
fund. Meanwhile, class counsel (Alexander Pires), the adjudicators (Poorman
Douglas), the arbitrator (Michael Lewis), the DOJ (USDA is paying DOJ), the
facilitator (JAM in Dispute), the monitor (Randy Ross) were all paid over $300
million dollars of taxpayer money, yet actual Black Farmers are yet to be made
whole.
?Under Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, USDA is still engaged in a racket that
will result in the theft of black-owned land,? said McKinney.
Both the White House and Secretary Vilsack have issued public apologies to
Sherrod.
--
http://dignity.ning.com/
http://www.enduswars.org
http://www.livestream.com/dignity
http://www.twitter.com/dignityaction
http://www.myspace.com/dignityaction
http://www.myspace.com/runcynthiarun
http://www.twitter.com/cynthiamckinney
http://www.facebook.com/CynthiaMcKinney
http://www.youtube.com/runcynthiarun
From updates at cagreens.org Tue Jul 27 16:38:37 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:38:37 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Citing Wikileaks files,
Greens urge Congress to pass the Kucinich-Paul bill for withdrawal
of US troops from Pakistan
Message-ID: <4C4F6DFD.4040909@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Greens urge Congress to pass the Kucinich-Paul bill for withdrawal of US
troops from Pakistan, citing Wikileaks revelations
? Obama's plan to send US troops into Pakistan will turn the war into a
greater regional conflict; 2008 Green presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney
leaves on Bike4Peace 2010 cross-country tour
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on foreign policy:
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php
? Video clips from the Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit,
Michigan, June 24-27 http://www.gp.org http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders and candidates are urging Congress to
pass House Resolution 301 to remove US forces from Pakistan. The privileged
resolution was introduced by Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-Oh.) and Ron Paul
(R-Tex.), who said that President Obama's plans for an increase of US troops
in Pakistan violate the 1973 War Powers Authorization
(http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2010/07/23-7).
The Green Party supports an end to the US war on Afghanistan, which the Obama
Administration has escalated by deploying more troops and ordering air attacks
across the border in Pakistan. The party opposes the current war escalation
supplemental bill and all proposals to increase war funding.
2008 Green Party presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney is currently
participating in Bike4Peace 2010 (http://b4p.bbnow.org), a cross-country
bicycle ride (San Francisco to Washington, DC) from July 24 to September 22 to
protest the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and "demonstrate the bicycle as a
transformational tool to solve the problems of Climate Change, Oil Wars, the
Health Crisis, and the Economic Crunch."
"The secret files published by Wikileaks show that the White House and
Pentagon know the Afghanistan War is a disaster, with hundreds of civilians
killed, illegal military operations, and fears that Pakistan and Iran are
assisting the Taliban. President Obama's plan to send troops into Pakistan
will turn the invasion of Afghanistan into a wider regional war," said Cecile
Lawrence, Green Party candidate for the US Senate from New York
(http://www.cecilelawrence.org).
Greens compared the military files exposed by Wikileaks to the Pentagon
Papers, which revealed that the Johnson White House had deceived the public
and withheld important information about the Vietnam War. Green leaders
asserted that the Afghanistan War is weakening rather than improving security
for Americans.
"Mr. Obama is repeating the reckless and illegal policies of the Bush-Cheney
Administration. His refusal to consult Congress about expanding the war, in
violation of the War Powers Resolution, proves that he has learned from his
predecessors that he can overstep his power with impunity. That's why the
Kucinich-Paul resolution is so important -- it holds the White House to at
least some standard of accountability," said Darryl L.C. Moch, DC Statehood
Green Party candidate for DC City Council at-large and member of the Green
Party Black Caucus (http://www.gp.org/caucuses/black/index.php).
Green Party leaders said that the election of a few Greens to Congress would
establish an uncompromised antiwar bloc, which would demand quick withdrawal
of all troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, oppose funding for the wars, and
support reductions in military spending.
"President Obama's escalations of the Afghanistan War, as well as the ongoing
Iraq War and abuses like the use of torture at Guantanamo and other sites,
should spark a mass revival of the antiwar movement. Americans who voted for
the Obama-Biden ticket because they wanted peace should stop making excuses
for the Democrats and all the broken promises of change," said George Martin,
Wisconsin Green, member of the Green Party Black Caucus, and former national
co-chair of United for Peace & Justice (http://www.unitedforpeace.org).
"As candidate for the US Senate from New York, I offer my strong support for
House Resolution 301," said Colia Clark (http://www.coliaclark.org). "It's
time the Congress heard the words of the late Dr. King who asserted that
'America is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today.' It's time
the US Congress take strong measures to end the US practice of carrying wars
to other parts of the world in the name of democracy and world peace. We must
withdraw all troops from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other parts of the
world. We must reinvent American democracy as one of peace."
See also "Wikileaks: Massive Leak of Secret Files Exposes Truth of
Occupation", The Guardian, July 25, 2010
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/series/afghanistan-the-war-logs).
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Video clips from the Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit,
Michigan, June 24-27 http://www.gp.org http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Sat Aug 7 12:52:57 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:52:57 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPCA RELEASE: Prop. 14 lawsuit backed by Greens
Message-ID: <4C5DB999.9030709@greens.org>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
Prop. 14 lawsuit backed by Greens; independent party agrees courts should
strike down big business-backed measure which misled voters, limits their vote
choices
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE
SAN FRANCISCO (August 05, 2010) - Greens say they support a lawsuit filed here
this last week that challenges the constitutionality of Prop. 14 - approved by
voters in June - that severely limits choice at the ballot box and was created
and supported by big business to mislead voters.
The lawsuit argues, on behalf of four voters, that two aspects of the
California top-two system are unconstitutional, as applied to them. Prop. 14
would not count all votes in November elections - it would exclude write-in
votes, violating the California Constitution as amended in 2002, which
provides all valid votes must be counted.
The lawsuit further argues, that since only two names will appear on each
office ballot (because smaller parties will be excluded), it's very likely
there would be write-in votes. But Prop 14 states write-in votes can never be
counted, disenfranchising large numbers of voters and their choices.
"The Green Party understands the frustration of California voters, who have
been shut out of any meaningful electoral choice. But Prop. 14 is a step
backward, further limiting voter choice at a time when they want more choice.
Prop. 14 will just elect more incumbents - those who voters now want to
reject," said Green Party of California archivist Hank Chapot.
"There are real, tested electoral reforms that should be enacted; proportional
representation, instant run-off voting, campaign finance reform and funding
disclosure, open debates, and non-partisan voter outreach and education, to
name a few. But California voters were lied into believing a 'jungle' primary
that Prop. 14 mandates is reform that will give them more choice. That is
demonstrably untrue," added Chapot.
He said that Prop. 14's proponents, from the Chamber of Commerce to huge,
multi-million dollar corporations, are "determined to throttle California's
vibrant independent party scene along with the state's long history of
democratic innovation."
"We support any effort to stop this power grab by entrenched interests masked
as reform. They want to be sure no one else has a chance to win and Prop. 14
will do that because it won't even let all the candidates run and all the
ballots be counted," said Chapot.
The Green Party of California
PO Box 2828
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
Web: http://www.cagreens.org
EMail: gpca at greens.org
From updates at cagreens.org Sun Aug 8 18:50:51 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sun, 08 Aug 2010 18:50:51 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE: Greens call for a new kind of national
defense: Defense against global warming
Message-ID: <4C5F5EFB.4030401@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Friday, August 6, 2010
Greens call for a new kind of national defense: defense against catastrophic
climate change
? "Life as we know it cannot survive business as usual": Greens blast
Democrats and Republicans for rejecting even a compromised climate change bill
and for continuing to support offshore drilling, mountaintop removal, and
reliance on fossil fuels
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on global warming
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-ecological.php
Green Party Eco-Action Committee http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/index.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders and candidates called for national
defense against global warming, with a demand that Congress cut military
spending drastically and transfer the money to efforts to stem the impending
climate change catastrophe.
"We need a new kind of national defense -- defense against catastrophic
climate change," said Alfred Molison, Green Party candidate for City Council
(District C) in Houston, Texas, the center of the American oil industry
(http://www.votealfred.com). "The White House and Congress keep increasing
military funding, for defense contractors and for the unending, unwinnable
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan-Pakistan. What we need to do is shift that money
to investment in renewable noncarbon-based energy technology, creation of
millions of green jobs, public transportation to replace car traffic,
retrofitting of buildings, and other measures to reduce greenhouse emissions.
If we don't cut these emissions drastically right now, the resulting damage
and breakdown of security will be far worse than anything a terrorist can
inflict on America."
"Life as we know it cannot survive business as usual. Defeating global
climate change requires more than a set of policy recommendations or schemes
like 'cap and trade' emissions trading," added Gloria Mattera, Green candidate
for Lieutenant Governor of New York State (http://www.gpnys.org).
Green leaders pointed to key developments in recent months:
? The US Senate's failure to pass the Climate Change bill in July, even after
numerous concessions to corporate polluters: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
announced that he would not try to bring a compromise bill to the Senate floor.
"Democrats and Republicans cannot be trusted to take the minimal necessary
steps to curb global warming," said Laura Wells, Green Party Candidate for
Governor of California (http://www.LauraWells.org). "America's only hope for
concrete action is a new kind of politics, in which candidates who reject
corporate influence replace Democrats and Republicans in office. The media
continue to portray politics as a permanent contest between the two
established parties. But people are tired of seeing so little difference
between them, since both Democrats and Republicans kowtow to the same
corporate interests. The Green Party represents a real difference, and can
advance real solutions, because it doesn't take corporate donations."
? Reports of record-breaking temperatures and freak weather occurrences around
the globe ("2000-2009 Marked Warmest Decade on Record," Democracy Now!, July
29, http://bit.ly/curQmv), along with the news that 97 percent of scientists
recognize that climate change is real and is caused by human activity
("Report: 97 percent of scientists say man-made climate change is real,"
Science Fair, June 22, http://bit.ly/c8vUrG).
? Evidence that corporate energy lobbies are calling the shots on major US
policies: (1) Continued revelations, in the wake of the Gulf oil spill, that
government regulatory agencies are under the influence of corporations that
they are required by law to oversee; (2) Bipartisan support for continued
offshore drilling, mountaintop removal mining, hydraulic fracturing
('fracking'), 'clean coal', nuclear plants, and other dangerous, destructive
energy sources, while rejecting serious, committed, and immediate plans to
expand and diversify our energy portfolio as well as implement high speed,
low-cost public transportation and carbon taxes; (3) President Obama's plan to
keep 50,000 US troops in Iraq, and delayed withdrawal of combat troops
elsewhere, to protect multi-national interests, which means guaranteeing
access to oil resources for western energy companies and their bankers.
"Despite recent assurances that the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been
contained, Americans should see the disaster as only the latest warning about
the amount of damage that corporate reckless and shortsightedness can cause.
The real issue is not so-called energy independence and ending our reliance on
foreign oil. We need a line of defense against the long-range threat posed by
an addiction to nonrenewable fossil fuel energy in a post-peak era, regardless
of where it comes from. Offshore drilling and mountaintop removal mining must
be shut down soon, not only because of the immediate danger of continuing
disasters but the sheer fact that these polluting forms of energy are not
sustainable for America's primary interests, its families and communities,"
said Jesse Johnson, West Virginia Mountain Party candidate in the special
election for the late Robert C. Byrd's US Senate seat.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Party Eco-Action Committee http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/index.php
Green Party releases
? "Obama must cancel his plans for Atlantic & Alaskan offshore drilling, and
hold BP and Halliburton liable for the Gulf spill's damage, say Greens," May
5, 2010, http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=314
? "Greens call President Obama's resurrection of nuclear power and handout for
Georgia nuclear reactors his 'worst idea yet,'" February 18, 2010,
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=297
? "Greens, calling the Kerry-Boxer Senate bill on climate change an 'armful of
retreats and compromises,' seek more immediate international action to curb
global warming," October 7, 2009, http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=252
? "Green Party leaders: US in Copenhagen summit helped kill necessary steps
against global warming," December 22, 2009,
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=276
"We?re Hot as Hell and We?re Not Going to Take It Any More: Three Steps to
Establish a Politics of Global Warming," by Bill McKibben, TomDispatch.com,
August 4, 2010, http://bit.ly/d8BBC8
350.org 'Global Work Party' http://www.350.org
Video clips from the Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit,
Michigan, June 24-27 http://www.gp.org http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Sat Aug 21 12:16:29 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:16:29 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Party Release: Prop. 8 Court Decision
Message-ID: <4C70260D.8050406@greens.org>
Green Party of California calls Prop. 8 court decision to freeze same-sex
marriages until at least December a mistake that prolongs 'agony' for many in
state
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE
SACRAMENTO (Aug 18, 2010) - Greens today called an appeal court's decision to
hold up same-sex marriages until at least December so the 9th Circuit can rule
on the constitutionality of Prop. 8, a mistake, and another attack on the
rights of a discriminated class of citizens.
The decision Monday froze same-sex marriages, which were due to resume
Wednesday after U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker's historic overturning of
voter-approved Prop. 8 on Aug. 4. Upon examination of the claims of the
defense, Judge Walker could find no credible evidence or argument that could
hold up under empirical scrutiny.
Now, the 9th Circuit will hear the case in early December - and the ruling may
not be made for months, according to court observers, with the prospect of the
losing side appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"Rather than allowing LGBTs to again enjoy what had unconstitutionally been
taken from them, the Court adopted the most conservative route, and has
prolonged the agony," said Shane Que Hee, GPCA Platform Committee chair.
He went on to predict that same-sex marriage would become the law of land in
California, noting "same-sex marriage will eventually win out because it
ensures full equality."
Unlike the largest political parties, whose candidates have flip-flopped on
the issue, or just opposed same-sex marriage, the Green Party of California
has always supported it in practice and in the party's platform.
Judge Walker's Aug. 4 ruling mirrors the goals and social philosophy of the
Green Party of California, not only for the civil rights of our LGBT members
but for everyone. Greens, as proponents of social justice, support equal
representation under the law for everyone, and oppose social bigotry and
intolerance, no matter how well funded or intimidating, Greens said.
The Green Party of California
PO Box 2828
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
Web: http://www.cagreens.org
EMail: gpca at greens.org
From updates at cagreens.org Sun Aug 22 12:42:52 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:42:52 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Party Rally in San Fernando Valley
Message-ID: <4C717DBC.9000007@greens.org>
RALLY IN THE VALLEY!
*CELEBRATE the 20^TH ANNIVERSARY of the GREEN PARTY IN CALIFORNIA!*
SFV GREENS - LABOR DAY RALLY!
*MONDAY, SEPT. 6^TH, 2010, from 12:30 PM - 3PM *
*THE MAYFLOWER CLUB** 11110 VICTORY BLVD. NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91606 *
*Featuring: The 10 Key Values! Vegetarian Buffet! Refreshments! Cash Bar!*
GUEST SPEAKERS include the Green Party State Candidates and our
Special Guests : LAURA WELLS, GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR!
& CANDIDATE FOR LT. GOVERNOR, JIMI CASTILLO!
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ACCORDING TO BY-LAWS AND PROCEDURES OF THE SFV GREENS.
*FOR RALLY TICKETS ? CALL 818-762-4595 or 818-903-4771 or *
*WRITE TO: SFV GREENS, ATTN/ JAN HOLLE, 8016 GOSFORD, North Hollywood,
CA 91605-1152*
*ADMISSION: $20
*
In your service,
Michael Mc Cue
Board Member, Studio City Neighborhood Council
From updates at cagreens.org Tue Aug 24 19:30:48 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:30:48 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE: US Greens congratulate Australian Greens
on election 'greenslide' in Parliament
Message-ID: <4C748058.1010404@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
US Greens congratulate Australian Greens on election victories in Parliament
? Australia's 'greenslide' is a result of Proportional Representation -- a
reform promoted by Greens for fair elections in the US
? "Hung Parliament" will give Australian Greens unprecedented power
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on international
issues, electoral reform, related topics: http://www.gp.org/speakers/subjects.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States congratulates
Australian Greens (http://greens.org.au) on their 'greenslide' in Australia's
parliamentary elections on Saturday, August 21. Preliminary results show the
Greens will take ten seats in the Australian House of Representatives and Senate.
"The Australian Greens' impressive totals follow on the election of Caroline
Lucas, the first Green to Parliament in the UK, in May," said Julia
Willebrand, candidate for New York State Comptroller
(http://www.juliaforcomptroller.com) and member of the Green Party's
International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl). "It's only a
matter of time before the first Green is elected to the US Congress. We need
a shock to the two-party status quo in America, the kind of shock we're seeing
now in Australia."
"When we get some Greens in Congress in the US, we'll see an enormous change
in the direction of America -- a change for the better, since Democrats and
Republicans will no longer take their exclusive control over US politics and
government for granted. Like Australia and the UK, Americans will have
legislators from a party dedicated to human needs, human rights, and the
health of our planet," Ms. Willebrand added.
US Greens noted that the Green wins in Australia were a result of Proportional
Representation (PR), a democratic reform "whose major goal is to ensure that
parties and political groups are allocated seats in legislative bodies in
proportion to their share of the vote. For example, a party receiving 30% of
the national vote should receive approximately 30% of the seats in the
national legislature." (http://www.fairvote.org)
Green Parties in the US, Australia, and other countries support PR and
contrast such reforms with the winner-take-all/plurality voting system
prevalent in the US, in which a party with a plurality or a 51% majority can
sweep an election with a disproportionate number of wins and shut out other
parties and the voters who vote for them.
Greens in the US have argued that America is too diverse to be represented by
only two parties -- especially two parties with many similar positions and a
mutual addiction to corporate contributions and influence. Green leaders also
noted that Australians take elections so seriously that voting is compulsory
for state and federal elections.
Margaret Blakers, director of The Green Institute in Australia
(http://greeninstitute.org.au), provided a preliminary analysis of the election:
"Here's what it looks like at the moment. Overall vote: in the House of Reps
11.4% and in the Senate 12.96%. These will go up a bit as the postal and
absentee votes come in where we generally do better which means we're on
12--13% overall. This is the best result ever for a minor party in Australia.
House of Representatives (lower house): the Greens have won their first ever
seat in the House of Reps in a general election. Adam Bandt in the seat of
Melbourne got 36% of the primary vote; the Liberals (conservatives) got 20%
and Labor 39%. With preferences, Adam wins the seat by 56% to 44%.
Senate (upper house): we will definitely have 8 Senators and probably nine.
That will be two each in Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia and
one in Victoria, Queensland, and probably NSW [New South Wales]. There are
still a couple of outside chances for additional seats but we won't know for
up to two weeks. During that time postal and absentee votes come in and we
won't get the final result until they are all counted."
Ms. Blakers, who is also member of the Global Greens Coordination (the body
that connects Green Parties on the global level: http://www.globalgreens.org),
said that the election will result in a "hung" Parliament "where neither of
the major parties has a majority meaning that they will have to negotiate with
independents and the Greens to determine who will form the government... It's
going to be fascinating to see how it plays out and whether the old parties
can bring themselves to share power."
"What's clear is this is a huge win for the Greens. Climate change was a key
issue but it was much more than that," added Ms. Blakers.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
"There's a new light on the hill, and it's bright Green"
The Sydney Morning Herald, August 23, 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election/theres-a-new-light-on-the-hill-and-its-bright-green-20100822-13axg.html
"Make History Melbourne. The Greens."
Video clip featuring Adam Bandt, elected to the Australian House of
Representatives
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Us6LZ75z0A
"Australian result shows advantage of MMP [Proportional Representation]"
Metiria Turei, Member of Parliament, Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand,
August 23, 2010
http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/australian-result-shows-advantage-mmp
Video clips from the Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit,
Michigan, June 24-27 http://www.gp.org http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Sep 1 18:29:19 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:29:19 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Responding to Obama,
Greens demand real peace, not partial withdrawal,
& urge protest against 'mercenary occupation' of Iraq
Message-ID: <4C7EFDEF.8050206@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Responding to President Obama's address to the nation, Greens demand real
peace, not just partial troop draw-down, and urge protest against 'mercenary
occupation' of Iraq
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on foreign policy
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States responded to President
Obama's Oval Office address to the nation on Tuesday, August 31, with a call
for Americans who oppose the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to press for a
complete withdrawal of US forces from both countries and a halt to attacks
inside Pakistan's borders.
"When President Obama says we're turning the page, we're really moving to the
next page of war without end. It would be a mistake for Americans who desire
peace to let the President off the hook after Tuesday's speech," said Anthony
Gronowicz, New York Green candidate for the US House, 7th Congressional
District (Bronx/Queens, New York) and a member of the Green Party's
International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl).
Green Party leaders listed reasons for renewed protest against the Obama
Administration's military policies:
? 50,000 military personnel, rechristened non-combat 'advisors,' will remain
in Iraq, along with a large number of private contractors (over 200,000 as of
last month). The Iraq War has entered a new phase: occupation by largely
mercenary forces to protect US interests, especially control over Iraqi oil
resources. Skepticism remains that US combat in Iraq will cease, given the
destabilization caused by the war. Past US 'advisors' in southeast Asia,
Latin America, and other regions have been used for belligerent purposes
(e.g., Vietnam, El Salvador) and regime change (Iran, Guatemala) rather than
for peace.
? The Democratic White House and Congress have continued to pump up the
military budget, while seeking cuts in human services. Until military
spending is cut drastically and the money is redirected to human needs and
action against global warming, President Obama's stated goal of refocusing on
domestic issues remains a hollow promise. (See "Greens call for a new kind of
national defense: defense against catastrophic climate change," Green Party
press release, August 6, 2010, http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=336)
? The US owes the people of Iraq a sincere apology and recompense after an
invasion launched in 2003 for false reasons: nonexistent WMDs, lies about
nuclear materials and Iraqi involvement in the 9/11 attacks. The aim was to
topple a murderous tyrant, but the US has not acknowledged its own role in
propping up Saddam Hussein during the 1980s. The Iraq War resulted in
hundreds of thousands of dead civilians, many more maimed, millions displaced,
shattered infrastructure, and lingering effects from extremely toxic depleted
uranium and white phosphorous weapons used by US forces.
? US troops who fought in the war and the families of those who gave their
lives also deserve an apology and restitution including full health care for
service members, especially for those who have suffered physical and mental
trauma.
? President Obama has escalated the war in Afghanistan, expanding it into
Pakistan, with thousands of civilian casualties. The US wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan, threats against Iran (and support for Israel's threats), and
military aid for Israel's assaults on Palestinians have been interpreted by
many nations as a greater war against Islam. (See "Greens urge Congress to
pass the Kucinich-Paul bill for withdrawal of US troops from Pakistan, citing
Wikileaks revelations," Green Party release, July 27, 2010,
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=335)
? The threats against Iran demonstrate that President Obama has embraced the
Bush-Cheney neocon doctrine of preemptive aggression against countries at
peace with the US.
? The Obama Administration has refused to investigate and prosecute
Bush-Cheney officials for abuses of power and war crimes: massive deception;
manipulating intelligence; authorizing extraordinary rendition and torture.
President Obama has maintained warrantless surveillance of US citizens,
surpassed President Bush in his pursuit of whistleblowers, and added
extra-judicial killing of targeted US citizens to the list of assaults on the
US Constitution. Congress has not repealed or amended the USA Patriot Act.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
"Another False Ending: Contracting out the Iraq Occupation" by Bill Quigley
and Laura Raymond, Common Dreams, September 1, 2010
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/09/01-0
Video clips from the Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit,
Michigan, June 24-27 http://www.gp.org http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Sep 1 18:33:18 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:33:18 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPCA RELEASE: DEBATABLE SENATE DEBATE: Candidate
left out calls it a 'sham'
Message-ID: <4C7EFEDE.1010600@greens.org>
News Advisory
THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
http://www.cagreens.org
Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010
Debatable Debate: Tonight's Boxer, Fiorina Senate debate a 'sham'
between multi-millionaires claims Green Party Senate candidate;
he's banned from Wednesday event; protest scheduled
MORAGA ? The U.S. Senate debate Wednesday night between incumbent
Barbara Boxer, democrat, and Carly Fiorina, republican, is nothing but a
"sham" said Duane Roberts, the Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate today.
Roberts, who has proposed a debate among all qualified candidates, said
he and other independent, smaller-party candidates were not invited to
the debate at St. Mary's college Wednesday.
**Laura Wells, Green Party gubernatorial candidate who's been banned
from the Governor Debates, will join other pro-Democracy demonstrators
protesting the closed debate.
"This is a sham debate between two multi-millionaires backed by big
business interests. I doubt they are going to say much of anything about
matters that affect a majority of working people here in California,"
said Roberts (www.voteforduane.wordpress.com)
"What are Boxer and Fiorina going to talk about? They agree with each
other on many issues. They represent what voters are rejecting. To elect
either one will just mean more of the bad government people don't want,"
he added.
Roberts, a community activist from Anaheim, said his views are populist
and independent of the special interests that dominate today's politics
and politicians. And that's why he is being excluded from the debates ?
to ensure voters don't know there is a candidate who represents their
views, not corporations.
Roberts is critical of both parties on everything ranging from the wars
in the Middle East to healthcare, noting: "The healthcare reform bill
profits Wall Street billionaires who control health insurance companies.
Driving private insurers out of business would save billions of dollars
and guarantee everyone has access to high quality healthcare."
He also said he would put education as his priority, something
politicians also say, but can't afford because they are voting billions
of dollars to multiple wars.
-30
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Sep 8 18:34:13 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:34:13 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] RELEASE -- Ariz. Green Party files lawsuit over
state election rule, after GOP manipulation of Green ballot line
Message-ID: <4C883995.8000301@greens.org>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Distributed by the Green Party of the United States, http://www.gp.org)
Arizona Green Party http://azgp.org
For immediate release: Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Statement from the Arizona Green Party: Lawsuit filed over Arizona election
statute, in the wake of news that Arizona Republican Party operatives
recruited candidates to run on the Green ballot line in the 2010 election
Today the Arizona Green Party filed its second lawsuit of this past year
against the State of Arizona over statutes which arbitrarily treat our party
differently than other political parties in Arizona, in ways that violates the
US constitution. Both lawsuits are, of necessity, filed against multiple
defendants, of which the first named is Ken Bennett, in his capacity as
Secretary of State. The first lawsuit was ruled in our favor in federal
court, after a hearing in January of this year, but both lawsuits bear the
caption Arizona Green Party v Bennett.
Today's lawsuit requests the invalidation of a statute which creates a
separate but unequal category of political party, that applies only to the
Arizona Green Party, in a way that mocks our substantial and consistent
efforts for two decades, against unreasonable barriers, to provide the voters
of Arizona with meaningful alternatives to politics as usual
Anyone can run for office in the Party of their choosing, if they get enough
signatures to show a decent level of support within the Party. Or they can
run as a write-in candidate, and get the same number of write-in votes . The
signatures or votes of party members is the "permission" that the party gives
for them to be our candidates . Or, at least, that is the way that it is for
other political parties. But ARS 16-645 creates a special category of
political party, that only the Green Party fits into, where an individual
doesn't have to get permission or support from anybody else in the party.
They can wait til the last minute to sign up as a write-in, and vote for
themselves in the primary, and they get their name listed on the general
election ballot as a Green Party candidate.
We want the ref to blow the whistle. We in the Arizona Green Party want our
team to play by the same rules as other teams, and not have somebody in the
stands deciding to be a player on our team. And especially not have our
opponents recruiting field-rushers, handing them a uniform, and sending them
out to disrupt a fair game.
So we are going to court, demanding the fairness that the US Constitution
grants us, and putting a stop to sham candidates and special rules. Because
we already HAVE a team, of real candidates, endorsed by us, who followed the
rules, and gathered their signatures twice already-- once from the general
public to be a recognized political party, and a second time from party
members, to show that Greens support their candidacy, and support the message
they will be running on, in trying to offer the public new and better ideas
than they can find elsewhere. Or old, forgotten ideas, like fair-play and
Constitutional rights.
The relief asked for in the lawsuit is:
1. declaring that ARS 16-645 D is unconstitutional both on its face, and as
applied to the Arizona Green Party.
2, applying the same requirements to our party as are applied to all other
recognized political parties
3. preliminarily and permanently restraining all the election officials, in
their official capacity, from placing any names of unendorsed write-in
candidates on the ballot
4. paying our lawyers.
The Arizona Party is proud to showcase our endorsed candidates:
? Jerry Joslyn: U.S. Senate
? Kent Solberg: State Representative (LD 27)
? Linda Macias: State Representative (LD 21)
? Angel Torres: State Representative (LD 16)
? Luisa Valdez: State Representative (LD 15)
? Justin Dahl: State Representative (LD 12)
? Gregor Knauer: State Representative (LD 17)
? Rebecca DeWitt: U.S. Congress (CD 4)
See also:
"AZGP announces endorsed candidates for 2010 elections"
Arizona Green Party press release, August 24, 2010
http://azgp.org/content/arizona-green-party-azgp-press-release-azgp-announces-endorsed-candidates-2010-elections
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Sep 16 18:35:24 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:35:24 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] DC ADVISORY -- Green Party Black Caucus,
DC Statehood Greens host events at Congressional Black Caucus
conference in DC
Message-ID: <4C92C5DC.4020006@greens.org>
DC STATEHOOD GREEN PARTY http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org
GREEN PARTY BLACK CAUCUS http://www.gp.org/caucuses/black/index.php
For immediate release:
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Green Party Black Caucus, DC Statehood Greens to participate in the
Congressional Black Caucus conference in DC, Sept. 16-18
? Green events at the CBC conference: Hospitality Suite, panels on reparations
and DC statehood, a walking tour
WASHINGTON, DC -- The DC Statehood Green Party and the Green Party Black
Caucus will participate in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 40th
Annual Legislative Conference (http://cbcfinc.org/alc-2010.html) at the Walter
E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, from Wednesday, September
15 to Saturday, September 18.
Black Greens at the CBC conference will attend the CBC Reparations panel, and
will host several events, including a Friday evening Open House on
Reparations, a book panel on DC statehood, and a walking tour of Washington's
historic Shaw neighborhood. A schedule is appended below.
"The Green Party has taken the lead on a number of important issues on which
Democrats and Republicans -- including the Congressional Black Caucus -- have
mostly remained silent or retreated. This is the second year we're at the
annual CBC legislative conference, and we're back because it's time for Green
candidates to get elected to Congress -- and not only as "shadow
representatives" [which is the case for Washington, DC] -- and because we need
to challenge the Congressional Black Caucus on certain issues," said Joyce
Robinson-Paul, DC Statehood Green candidate for DC 'Statehood' (Shadow) US
Representative.
Led by Washington's DC Statehood Green Party, the Green Party has called for
full statehood for the District of Columbia, calling DC statehood part of the
unfinished business of the Civil Rights Movement and distinguishing statehood
from 'DC voting rights' (winning a vote in the US House).
Greens also demand an end to the War on Drugs and the private prison system,
which have together resulted in mass imprisonment of young black men for
nonviolent crimes, and support reparations for the descendents of Black
Americans who were enslaved. The party also supports Single-Payer national
health care (Medicare For All) and assistance for Americans who've lost jobs
and homes because of the economic meltdown, noting that Black Americans were
disproportionately victimized by lending corporations responsible for the
subprime mortgage and credit-access crisis. The Green Party's positions on
these and other issues stand in sharp contrast to the votes of many Democrats
and Republicans in Congress, including many CBC members.
Statehood Greens and Green Party Black Caucus members at the conference will
pay tribute to Dr. Ronald W. Walters, political science professor, author, and
director of the African American Leadership Institute at the University of
Maryland, who passed away on September 10. A panel on DC Statehood will
discuss a book edited by Dr. Walters and Toni-Michelle Travis: see the
Saturday listing below.
SCHEDULE of DC Statehood Green / Green Party Black Caucus events and
activities at the CBC conference:
Thursday, September 16
? Black Greens present at the CBC conference at the Convention Center.
? Green Party Black Caucus Hospitality Suite at the Hampton Inn Washington, DC
Convention Center, corner of 6th Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW, one block
from the Convention Center, 5-8 pm.
Friday, September 17
? Black Greens at the CBC conference present at the Panel on Reparations,
organized by Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), at the Convention Center, 3-5 pm,
featuring Shelley Moorhead, Virgin Islands Reparations Movement
(http://www.acrra.org); James Rodgers, national co-chair of N'COBRA (National
Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, http://www.ncobra.com); and
other speakers.
? Green Party Black Caucus Open House on Reparations, Hampton Inn Washington,
DC Convention Center, 7-10 pm. Special guest: Shelley Moorehead,
African-Caribbean Reparations and Repatriation Alliance
(http://www.acrra.org), US Virgin Islands and Copenhagen, Denmark.
Saturday, September 18
? DC Statehood Book Panel, 4-7 pm at Sisterspace and Books
(http://www.sisterspacedc.com), 3717 Georgia Avenue NW (near the Georgia
Avenue/Petworth Metro Station on the Green Line). The panel will discuss the
DC statehood movement and the book "Democratic Destiny and the District of
Columbia: Federal Politics and Public Policy" edited by Dr. Ronald W. Walters
and Dr. Toni-Michelle Travis. With Dr. Kevin L Glasper, Dr. Darwin Fishman,
Dr. Angelyn Flowers, and Dr. Travis.
? Joyce Robinson-Paul, DC Statehood Green candidate for DC 'Statehood' US
Representative, leads a "Shaw Neighborhood Walking Tour,".7-8:30 pm. The
Convention Center is located in Shaw.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party Black Caucus http://www.gp.org/caucuses/black/index.php
DC Statehood Green Party http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org
Green Party press releases
? "The Green Party mourns Njere Alghanee, national leader in the movement for
reparations," July 6, 2010 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=330
? "Greens: Now it's time to work for real health reform -- Medicare For All,"
March 2, 2010 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=306
? "Greens call for an end to the 'bipartisan economic war' on Blacks and
Latinos/as, who suffer the brunt of the subprime crisis and economic
meltdown," February 25, 2010 http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=300
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Sat Sep 18 17:01:06 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2010 17:01:06 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GPCA Release -- Positions on Ballot Propositions
Nov. 2
Message-ID: <4C9552C2.5000901@greens.org>
News Advisory
THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
http://www.cagreens.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010
Contact: Derek Iversen 323.481.8984 diversen at cagreens.org
Cres Vellucci 916.996.9170 cvellucci at cagreens.org
State Green Party releases positions on state ballot
propositions; GPCA supports Prop. 19/marijuana
legalization, opposes suspension of clean air laws
FULLERTON ? The Green Party of California (GPCA) this week disclosed its
positions on the state propositions on the ballot Nov. 2, revealing it
has endorsed less than half of the measures, according to Ricardo Gomez,
who released the poll results of Green Party County Councils (central
committees) at the party's state convention here.
Greens reserved their biggest support for Prop. 19, the marijuana
legalization measure, and also endorsed Prop. 21 (vehicle fee of $18 for
helps parks/wildlife), Prop. 24 (cut corporate tax breaks) and Prop. 25
(lowering requirement to pass state budget to majority, from the present
two-thirds in the Legislature).
The GPCA overwhelmingly opposed Prop. 23 (suspension of air pollution
laws) and Prop. 26 (increases to two-thirds from majority to adopt new
state taxes).
The Greens took no position on Prop. 20 (moves redistricting to a
citizen commission from the Legislature), largely because the party
believes proportional representation, practiced by virtually all of the
world's democracies, should be instituted not an incremental system that
new redistricting would provide.
And, the Greens remained neutral as well on Prop. 22 (prohibits the
state from raiding local government coffers) and Prop. 27 (repeal of the
citizen redistricting commission).
The Green Party said approving Prop. 19 is a social justice issue,
noting that three times as many Blacks are arrested on marijuana charges
than Whites, who use marijuana much more frequently.
"This is a long overdue correction of years of unjust prohibition of a
drug far less harmful than alcohol or nicotine," said Joan Strasser, in
her analysis for the GPCA.
Complete results are at www.cagreens.org.
-30-
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Sep 23 17:42:32 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:42:32 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] ADVISORY: Green Attorney General Candidate Charges
Only He Is Fully Qualified to be AG
Message-ID: <4C9BF3F8.6030500@greens.org>
NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 22, 2010
Contact: Peter Allen info at peterallenforag.com
http://peterallenforag.blogspot.com/
Democratic, Republican Attorney General candidates
not fully qualified to serve California, charges
environmental attorney, Green Party candidate Peter Allen
SAN FRANCISCO ? California Attorney General candidates Steve Cooley and
Kamala Harris are not fully qualified to serve as the state's leading
attorney, according to independent Green Party AG candidate Peter Allen,
an experienced civil litigator and prosecutor who has worked on major
securities fraud and environmental cases.
Allen says that while Cooley and Harris have criminal law experience,
they do not have the needed experience in civil litigation, consumer
advocacy, energy law, environmental law, financial and securities fraud
litigation, telecommunications law or administrative law.
In fact, in eight key practice categories, Cooley and Harris have
experience in only one area, while Allen has experience in all eight
(see chart below or http://peterallenforag.blogspot.com/)
?People tend to think of the Attorney General as California?s criminal
prosecutor. But the reality is that criminal prosecution is only a small
part of the Attorney General?s job. The Attorney General represents
California in many different types and areas of law,? said Allen.
Allen notes that Cooley, the Republican candidate for Attorney General,
and Harris, the Democratic candidate, have only been prosecutors in
local district attorneys? offices. They have little or no experience in
the other types of law required of the Attorney General, such as civil
litigation and administrative law.
Allen currently works for California on statewide energy and
environmental issues, and has a much wider variety of legal experience.
?I have been a prosecutor, administrative law judge, and consumer
advocate, and I have worked to help victims of the savings and loan
crisis and the California energy crisis. That breadth of experience has
given me a valuable perspective on the range of legal issues facing
California and its residents," said Allen, noting a broad range of
experience in more than 20 years of law practice.
Allen has worked on major environmental cases, including the Exxon
Valdez oil spill and represented residential and small business
ratepayers against big utilities.
-30-
Candidates? Experience*
Peter Allen Steve Cooley Kamala Harris
Civil Litigation x none none
Consumer Advocacy x none none
Criminal Prosecution x x x
Energy Law x none none
Environmental Law x none none
Financial/Securities
Fraud Litigation x ? ?
Judge/Admin Law Judge x none none
Telecommunications Law x none none
* Based on information on the candidates' web sites.
From updates at cagreens.org Fri Oct 1 15:23:16 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:23:16 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP ADVISORY Greens to gather at One Nation Working
Together rally in DC on Saturday, Oct. 2
Message-ID: <4CA65F54.8070409@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty at greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene at gp.org
Theresa El-Amin, Green Party representative to One Nation Working Together,
919-824-0659, Teagreenparty at aol.com
Greens to converge in Washington, DC on Oct. 2 at the One Nation Working
Together rally for jobs, justice, education, and peace
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party candidates and activists from across the US will
gather in Washington, DC for the One Nation Working Together march and rally
in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 2 for "Jobs, Justice and Education"
(http://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/content/main).
Greens will meet 10:30 am on Saturday at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue
NW on the Mall, at the Peace Table. The Green Party will be part of the Peace
Contingent (http://www.onenationforpeace.org), which calls the rally "an
opportunity to help millions of people understand how the struggle to end the
wars and occupation in Afghanistan and Iraq is directly tied to the urgent
need to re-direct this nation?s economic and social priorities."
The One Nation Working Together rally takes place under the shadow of the FBI
raids targeting antiwar activists in Minneapolis and Chicago on Sept. 24.
Dozens of peace, human rights, and other advocacy groups, including the Green
Party (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=352), condemned the raids
part of an effort to intimidate critics of the Obama Administration's foreign
policies in the Middle East and Colombia, as well as the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
"The FBI made our case for us on Sept. 24, that it's time for people to unite
and demand jobs, justice, education, and peace. We won't tolerate the
politics of war, fear, and lawlessness any longer. Real change is putting
people first. We must demand a Green New Deal for America," said Colia Clark,
Green Party candidate for the US Senate in New York (http://www.coliaclark.org).
Greens in North Carolina have arranged for a bus from Greenway Transit
(http://www.greenwayrides.com) that runs on biodiesel fuel to transport
participants to Washington on Oct. 2. Members of the DC Statehood Green Party
will host visiting Greens and friends coming from out of town.
The Green Party of the United States endorsed the Oct. 2 event in a vote by
the party's national committee on Sept. 12
(http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=347). Theresa El-Amin, national
co-chair of the Green Party, serves as the party's representative on the
national steering committee of One Nation Working Together. The Green Party's
liaison to the Peace Table is George Martin, Wisconsin Green, member of the
Green Party Black Caucus, and former national co-chair of United for Peace &
Justice.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
"Let?s Have a Real Protest, Not a Democratic Pep Rally, on October 2nd" by
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report, September 15, 2010
http://blackagendareport.com/?q=content/let?s-have-real-protest-not-democratic-pep-rally-october-2nd
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States (Fall 2010 issue now online)
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Fri Oct 1 15:36:38 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:36:38 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Campaign Release: U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE BACKS FULL
and IMMEDIATE AMNESTY
Message-ID: <4CA66276.40204@greens.org>
For Immediate Release
September 30, 2010
Contact: (714) 273-8394 www.voteforduane.org
GREEN PARTY U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE BACKS
'IMMEDIATE AMNESTY' FOR MILLIONS OF
UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS in U.S.
ANAHEIM, Calif ? Duane Roberts, Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate,
supports "immediate amnesty" for "millions of undocumented workers"
living within the United States.
Roberts points out that "so-called 'illegal immigration'" is caused by
"uneven capitalist development between nations" and that politicians
don't address this problem.
"As a longtime defender of immigrant rights, I strongly back the idea of
granting immediate amnesty for the millions of undocumented workers
currently living within the United States. An overwhelming majority of
them work incredibly hard, are law abiding, and make invaluable
contributions to the wealth of this country.
"I don't believe a 'pathway to citizenship' should be a long and
confusing process; nor need it require any form of indentured servitude,
like the McCain/Kennedy bill did. Undocumented workers who have
established residency, haven't committed any violent crimes, and/or are
raising families should be allowed to become citizens.
"By legalizing the estimated 12 million undocumented workers living in
the U.S., many would no longer fear the threat of being deported by
their employers for participating in union organizing drives, strikes,
and other actions to improve their wages and working conditions. This
would reduce their vulnerability to abuse and exploitation.
"But most importantly, legalization would strengthen the bargaining
position of the entire U.S. working class as employers would no longer
have at their disposal a compliant pool of 'immigrant labor' they could
take advantage of to keep wages permanently depressed. The wages of all
workers would rise as more began to assert their rights.
"In addition to this, as wages rose, federal and state governments would
experience an increase in tax revenues. And undocumented workers who had
been previously hired "off the books" would start paying Social
Security, Medicare, and income taxes that weren't being collected before
because employers just pocketed them.
"I personally think it is ridiculous to call undocumented workers
'immigrants' especially since their ancestors had been living on this
continent thousands of years before Christopher Columbus arrived and set
off a European invasion of the Americas that eventually caused the
deaths of upwards of 100 million indigenous peoples.
"Nevertheless the migration of human beings from one locale to another
is a real phenomena and is primarily caused by uneven capitalist
development between nations. People usually don't abruptly pack up their
personal belongings and resettle elsewhere unless they are forced to do
so by compelling economic reasons.
"One major cause of so-called 'illegal immigration' to the U.S. during
the past fifteen years has been the North American Free Trade Agreement,
championed by former Democratic President Bill Clinton, which allowed
big agribusiness consortiums like ConAgra, ADM, and Cargill to literally
flood the Mexican market with cheap corn.
"Since NAFTA was enacted, 2 million people have been displaced from
Mexico's agricultural sector. Many small farmers were driven off the
land because they couldn't compete with corn imported from the U.S. by
agribusiness consortiums who sold it at a price below cost of
production--thanks to billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies.
"Facing bleak prospects, many abandoned the rural communities they grew
up in. Some relocated to cities in Northern Mexico to work in
maquiladoras owned by U.S. and foreign multinational companies; but
others decided it was worth the risk to cross the U.S./Mexico border
with the hope they would find employment in the U.S.
"Instead of addressing the reasons why this is happening, politicians
resort to blaming the victim: they scapegoat undocumented workers and
pass cruel measures to punish them for trying to come here:
double-layered fences are built along the border; and prison-like
detention centers are built to warehouse those who are caught.
"This diverts attention away from the fact the policies these
politicians put into motion are causing this massive migration of human
beings into the U.S. and that agribusiness consortiums who finance their
political campaigns are profiting from the destruction of Mexico's
agricultural sector, which brings poverty and misery to millions.
"In reality, we don't have an 'illegal immigration problem', but a
'capitalism problem'. And as long as we fail to recognize that this is
the problem, then people will continue to suffer. The real solution is
for us to begin laying the groundwork to create a more just and
equitable economic system that will benefit the many and not just the few."
###
From updates at cagreens.org Mon Oct 4 16:57:39 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:57:39 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] "Open Debates" Event Update
Message-ID: <4CAA69F3.6000706@greens.org>
---------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Greens,
Please join us in Marin County next week for two events supporting the
Laura Wells for Governor campaign.
On Saturday 10/9, we are hosting a Open Debates brunch party for Laura
in Fairfax. Fairfax is the only town in California with a Green Mayor,
Green Vice Mayor and a Green majority on the town council. The lunch is
taking place at the home of Fairfax Vice Mayor Larry Bragman.
On Tuesday 10/12, we are organizing an Open Debates protest with Laura in
San Rafael. Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown were invited to participate.
Laura Wells, our Green Party candidate for Governor of California, has
been excluded.
Contact me if you have any questions about the event. We'd love your
volunteer help. Below is a list of some of the tasks you could help us
accomplish this week.
Peace,
Marnie Glickman
Co-chair, Marin Green Party County Council
www.maringreens.org
_*WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT LAURA WELLS FOR GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA THIS
WEEK*_
1) View, download and distribute the 10/12 Open Debates Protest with
Laura Wells flyer at
http://maringreens.org/2010/10/volunteer-share-the-1012-open-debates-protest-flyer/.
2) Pick up your telephone. Invite a friend or more to join you at the
events in Marin on 10/9 and 10/12.
3) Write a letter to the editor supporting open debates and Laura Wells.
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1488/letter/?letter_KEY=688
4) RSVP and invite people to our Facebook page for the 10/9 Open Debates
Brunch with Laura Wells in Fairfax.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=152835714744767&ref=ts
5) RSVP and invite people to our Facebook page for the 10/12 Open
Debates Protest with Laura Wells in San Rafael.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116834535041877&ref=mf
6) Make a donation to the Laura Wells for Governor campaign.
www.laurawells.org
7) Check for event updates at our new Marin Greens website.
http://www.maringreens.org
8) Send information about the events to your friends and family by email.
From updates at cagreens.org Fri Oct 8 15:36:44 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:36:44 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green Party candidates for US Senate: Big
Stories, Top Videos
Message-ID: <4CAF9CFC.7080003@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty at greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene at gp.org
Green Party candidates advance in races for the US Senate: top stories, videos
? Green Pages: The official publication of the Green Party (Fall 2010 issue
now online) http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party candidates for US Senate across the country have
broken new ground in their races, gaining greater public attention and more
campaign contributions than ever before.
For a complete list of 2010 Green senatorial candidates, visit
http://www.greenscc.org/pages/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=7
Green candidates for the US Senate: top stories and videos
? The Green Senatorial Campaign Committee (http://www.greenscc.org), which is
recognized by the Federal Election Commission, is distributing its first round
of funds to candidates. Despite the recession, the committee has already
surpassed the funds raised in the last election cycle.
? In Maryland, Kenniss Henry has replaced her daughter Natasha Pettigrew, who
was killed when an SUV struck her bicycle in September, as the Green Party's
US Senate candidate. Ms. Henry will carry Ms. Pettigrew's issues forward and
work hard to change Maryland law to win greater protection for bicyclists.
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-state.php?ID=355
http://www.gazette.net/stories/09282010/prinnew180534_32576.php
? LeAlan Jones, running for the US Senate in Illinois, is drawing equal
support from McCain and Obama voters, challenging the common belief that
Greens draw votes solely from the left and potentially spoil for Democrats.
"Illinois voters have figured out that the Green Party, not the Tea Party,
represents the real alternative to business-as-usual two-party politics," said
Matt Lavery, chair of the Green Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Video clips of LeAlan Jones interviewed: http://lealanforsenate.org and
http://www.greenscc.org
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/fox-news-poll-kirk-edges-giannoulias-by-two-points-in-il-sen.php
? Green candidates have received increasing endorsements and support from
Democrats. In West Virginia, Democratic leader and defeated US Senate
candidate Ken Hechler endorsed Jesse Johnson of the Mountain Party (affiliated
with the national Green Party). Mr. Johnson and Mr. Hechler are leaders in
the movement to ban mountaintop removal mining.
http://jesse4ussenate.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25:hechler-endorses-mountain-partys-johnson&catid=1:media-news-reports&Itemid=2
http://www.jesse4ussenate.org
? Tom Clements has emerged as the choice of South Carolina voters who support
neither incumbent rightwing Republican ideologue Jim DeMint or Democrat Alvin
Greene, whose campaign is collapsing after troubling revelations about his past.
"If enough voters in South Carolina learn about Tom Clements by Election Day,
we will make history by placing the first Green in the US Senate," said David
McCorquodale, Treasurer of the Green Senatorial Campaign Committee.
http://www.thenation.com/article/154601/greene-green-sc
http://www.wfae.org/wfae/1_87_316.cfm?action=display&id=6499
? While Green candidates for the Senate are attracting more media coverage
than in past elections, they're still struggling to get included in televised
debates. In Illinois, LeAlan Jones is currently petitioning for the right to
participate in the Meet The Press candidates' debate.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-illinoissenate-jo,0,6014610.story
Green candidates who get into the debates raise issues and ideas that the
Democratic and Republican contenders won't touch. In Arizona, Green Senate
candidate Jerry Joslyn confronted incumbent Sen. John McCain on war funding
during a September 26 debate.
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Arizona-US-Senate-candidates-debate-103835038.html
http://www.joslynforsenate.com
? Duane Roberts, Green candidate for the US Senate in California, has taken
the lead on immigrants' rights, demanding "immediate amnesty." In September,
Mr. Roberts accused Democrats of being "anti-immigrant."
http://newsblaze.com/story/20100928144003zzzz.nb/topstory.html
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/immigration/duane-roberts-beware-of-democr/
http://voteforduane.wordpress.com
? More videos:
West Virginia Mountain Party candidate Jesse Johnson speaks at the Sept. 27
Appalachia Rising protest in Washington, DC, against mountaintop removal
mining: http://vimeo.com/15421038
Audio clip of interview about the rally:
http://westvirginia.watchdog.org/2084/audio-senate-candidate-johnson-joins-hundreds-to-protest-mtr-in-dc/
"Colia's Song," about New York Green candidate Colia Clark:
http://www.coliaclark.org
LeAlan Jones and other US Senate candidates from Illinois meet with the
Chicago Tribune editorial board (audio):
http://www.chicagotribune.com/wgnam-senate-candidates,0,2709990.mp3file
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States (Fall 2010 issue now online)
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Wed Oct 13 16:39:44 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:39:44 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] ARRESTED GOV CANDIDATE to fight charges,
calls CA condition 'the real crime'
Message-ID: <4CB64340.9080906@greens.org>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Arrested Green Party gubernatorial candidate Laura Wells
will fight charges; Calls debate 'fraud,' and the 'real
crime' what's happening to California
SAN RAFAEL ? Green Party gubernatorial candidate Laura Wells, arrested
Tuesday night as she was entering the Governor debate here ? although
holding a ticket, said Wednesday she will fight the charges, even though
the court date is set for Election Day, Nov. 2.
Ms. Wells, 62, and a financial analyst, released the following statement:
"The real crime is what's happening to California. The perpetrators of
this crime include the Democratic and Republican parties who keep
trading off the governorship, and Dominican University, for closing the
doors to real dialogue and debate.
"California has always been special and there's no reason for it to be
in the state it's in: begging Wall Street for loans, watching our
schools, environment and job opportunities spiral down. I have never
been arrested and I never wanted to. My comfort zone is not important.
We cannot stand by and let this happen to California.
"The Titanic Parties are heading straight for the iceberg, and their
leaders are busily closing the doors to the people on the lower deck.
Californians are sick of the same old status quo parties. Californians
recognize real talk and real solutions when and IF they hear them. This
debate should have been about giving the voters a chance to hear all
parties and getting the real issues on the table.
"The polls are a fraud against the voters. I received a letter that
congratulated me on my primary win and invited me to the debate, if I
received 10% support among California likely voters. They didn't tell me
what the survey question was. If it were, 'Do you want debates with only
the Republican and Democratic candidates?' a huge majority of voters,
especially this year, would say 'No.'
"But the survey question asked those polled ? including 2 of my
supporters ? was if they preferred Jerry Brown or Meg Whitman. Not
Laura Wells. And then when the pollsters report the results, they still
didn't say other, they say undecided. As if the only choices were Pepsi
and Coke, not something we might like that's healthy, like crystal clear
water, or juice, smoothies or red wine!
"There are solutions, like a State Bank for California, and fair taxes
for a change. We ? the middle class, lower income, and even the
relatively affluent ? have been paying taxes. The richest 1% and 5%
mega-corporations and mega-millionaires have not been paying taxes, nor
creating jobs! Let's stop coddling them, and give ourselves and our kids
a chance."
-30-
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Oct 14 16:54:57 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:54:57 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green Party candidates win some debates,
battle exclusion from others (top stories, video, audio)
Message-ID: <4CB79851.4030207@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Green Party candidates across the US win some debates, battle exclusion from
others
? In Illinois race for the US Senate, Green candidate LeAlan Jones wins a
debate from which he was excluded: SC Green Tom Clements challenges Sen. Jim
DeMint's refusal to debate; Calif. Green Laura Wells arrested for entering the
gubernatorial debate site
? Video downloads and campaign news:
Green candidates in debates http://www.gp.org/candidates/debates.php
Greens on the campaign trail http://www.gp.org/elections/campaign-trail/index.php
Labor endorsements for Greens http://www.gp.org/candidates/labor-endorsements.php
More candidate videos: http://www.gp.org/candidates/videos.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party candidates across the US are shining in some
debates -- and protesting their exclusion from other debates.
On Tuesday, California Green gubernatorial candidate Laura Wells wasn't only
barred from the debate, she was arrested for trying to enter the debate site
to sit in the audience, even though she had a ticket
(http://www.laurawells.org/blog.html /
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=359 / video of Ms. Wells' release:
http://qik.com/video/15595155).
"This isn't only about the right of Green and other alternative party
candidates to participate in debates. It's about the right of voters to hear
from all the candidates whose names will be on the ballot. It's about the
right of voters to know which candidate best represents their interests," said
Nancy Allen, long-time Green debate activist. "The use of poll results to
include or exclude candidates, based on the likelihood of victory, assumes
falsely that the main reason to vote for a candidate is because that candidate
might win."
Greens have accused some sponsors of setting debate rules that effectively
allow only Democrats and Republicans, sometimes basing criteria for
participation on polls that omit the names of Green and other alternative
party candidates. In New York, Green candidate Julia Willebrand, running for
State Comptroller (http://www.juliaforcomptroller.com), was barred from a
debate because of criteria that included results of a poll that didn't list
her name.
"If debate sponsors take polls seriously, they should recognize a recent
Gallup Poll that showed widespread dissatisfaction with two-party politics
(http://www.gallup.com/poll/143051/Americans-Renew-Call-Third-Party.aspx).
When debates are limited to Democrat and Republican, the real winners are the
corporations that send them big campaign checks to buy political influence,"
Sanda Everette, former co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and
videographer at the protest against Ms. Well's exclusion from the debate.
More news on Greens and debates:
? Tom Clements, Green candidate for the US Senate in South Carolina, has
released a series of radio ads challenging incumbent Sen. Jim DeMint (R),
whose has refused to debate him (article and ad downloads:
http://clementsforsenate.com/?p=641). Mr. Clements has gained national
attention in a race against Sen. DeMint, an extreme rightwing ideologue, and
Democrat Alvin Greene, whose campaign has collapsed after embarrassing
revelations about his past. (See "Democrats Step Out for Clements -- Quietly"
in the Columbia Free Times, Oct. 13-19,
http://www.free-times.com/index.php?cat=1992912064017974&ShowArticle_ID=12241210102712618)
? Illinois Green gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney will face the Democratic
and Republican opponents Thursday evening, Oct. 14, at WSIU-TV studios in a
debate to be aired on PBS-TV and NPR radio stations statewide
(http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_59e00f6a-d711-11df-920d-0017a4a78c22.html).
Greens are protesting Mr. Whitney's exclusion from debates sponsored by the
League of Women Voters of Illinois, to be aired on WLS (ABC 7) on Oct. 20, and
the City Club of Chicago, to be aired on WTTW (PBS 11) on Oct. 28. (See "A
Message to Illinois Voters from Rich Whitney" at
http://www.gp.org/candidates/debates.php)
? When LeAlan Jones, Illinois Green for US Senate
(http://lealanforsenate.org), was excluded from NBC's Meet The Press debate on
Oct. 10, he and Libertarian candidate Mike Labno appeared in a parallel debate
answering the same questions on radio station WBEZ (blog and audio downloads:
http://blogs.vocalo.org/shudzik/2010/10/the-election-file-kirk-giannoulias-debate-on-nbc-and-the-2-other-candidates-hash-it-out-in-wbezs-studios/39343).
According to political blogger Edward McClelland, "Jones won the debate even
though he hadn?t been invited."
(http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Kirk-Giannoulias-debate-Jones-wins-104711379.html)
? Double-header on Monday, Oct. 18: Jesse Johnson (http://jesse4ussenate.org)
of the West Virginia Mountain Party (affiliated with the Green Party) will
participate in a four-way debate for US Senate candidates
(http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=39702);
New York Green gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins
(http://www.howiehawkins.com) will join his opponents in a televised debate at
Hofstra University on Long Island
(http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101007006884/en/News-12-Newsday-Hofstra-University-Partner-Bring).
? In the first televised debate for a statewide office in Arkansas that
includes a Green nominee, Arkansas Green candidate John Gray, running for the
US Senate (http://www.johngrayforussenate.com), participated in a four-way
debate on Wednesday, Oct. 13
(http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/09/14/arkansas-to-hold-4-candidate-u-s-senate-debate
/
http://arkansasnews.com/2010/10/13/u-s-senate-candidates-meet-in-four-way-debate/).
See Mr. Gray's video "Think Outside The Box":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1teP2FG0FOs
? Green-Rainbow Party candidate Jill Stein participates in Massachusetts
gubernatorial debates:
http://www.jillstein.org/content/mass-gov-candidates-debate-greater-boston-chamber-commerce
http://www.jillstein.org/content/governor-candidates-debate-human-services
More articles, audio links at http://www.jillstein.org
Response to exclusion from a debate sponsored by the Media Consortium:
http://www.jillstein.org/content/stein-campaign-response-debate-exclusion
See also:
? The Green Party's debate page for video clips featuring five Arizona Green
candidates in debates sponsored by the Arizona Clean Elections Commission:
http://www.gp.org/candidates/debates.php
? "Duane Roberts, Green Party US Senate Candidate Against Carly Fiorina And
Barbara Boxer, Assails KPCC For Censoring Him From Debate" by Jill Stewart, LA
Weekly blog, Sept. 29,
http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/election-2010-1/duane-roberts-senate-furious-k/
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States (Fall 2010 issue now online)
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Sun Oct 17 18:22:06 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2010 18:22:06 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Laura Wells Press Coverage
Message-ID: <4CBBA13E.8060900@greens.org>
Our candidate for governor, Laura Wells, has received a lot of coverage after
being arrested at the gubernatorial debate.
You can find links to all the coverage on the GPCA front page -
http://www.cagreens.org/
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Oct 21 20:06:44 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:06:44 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] An ask for help from Prop 19
Message-ID: <4CC0FFC4.60407@cagreens.org>
Prop 19 supporters - Here's your chance to help make it legal.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: An ask for help from Prop 19
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:44:36 -0400
From: Alex Arsenault
To: Clearinghouse
Hello California Green Party! This is Alex Arsenault, deputy field
director for the Yes on 19 campaign. I am emailing the Green
party to
see if you guys would be willing to email our calling tool out
to your
activist email list. You can link to it at www.yeson19.com/call
, it is a very simple phone banking
software and includes a training video on the site. I know that
there
are many supportive members of the Green party, and the
opportunity to
call from home is a great way to help out Prop 19.
Thanks so much for supporting Prop 19! Let me know if you have any
questions or need anything from us.
-Alex
From updates at cagreens.org Tue Oct 26 19:39:40 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:39:40 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] =?windows-1252?q?The_Audacity_to_Vote_=97_Green?=
Message-ID: <4CC790EC.2050509@greens.org>
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/10/25/The_Audacity_to_Vote_Green/
The Advocate
The Audacity to Vote ? Green
By Daniel W.K. Lee
The co-chair of the Manhattan Green Party reminds gay voters there will
be more options than the status quo next Tuesday.
I have before written on the emotionally masochistic relationship
progressive Democrats have with their party ? what I?ve described as a
kind of Stockholm syndrome they have with their captors. In the past
year Rahm Emanuel has told them to ?fuck off,? Vice President Biden has
told them to ?stop whining,? and most recently, gay progressive
Democrats (GPDs) got kicked in the groin by the Obama administration
when it decided it would appeal Judge Virginia Phillips?s injunction to
halt all ?don?t ask, don?t tell? dismissals after an earlier declaration
that the infamous law is unconstitutional. Here in New York, when
marriage equality came to a vote in the Democratic-controlled state
senate, the body failed to pass the bill by 14 votes.
Now that the midterm election is upon us, the Democratic establishment
has employed the fear tactic to get its progressives in line by saying,
?If you don?t vote us back in, think of what the alternative will be.?
And much like progressive Dems in general, GPDs ? most notably the Human
Rights Campaign ? have resorted to shameless (or is it shameful?)
apologies for the party and administration?s shortcomings by asking for
more patience because ?change takes time? and habitually failing to call
out the administration and congressional Democrats? poor progress on
LGBT issues, or they have gotten vocally angry, but with no intention to
not vote Democratic.
And why is that? Just when the Obama administration could have shown
some chutzpah and let Judge Phillips?s injunction stand, it decided to
play more legislative hot potato to what, get a bill passed in a Senate
that has already stopped a DADT repeal with a filibuster? And as
President Obama talks from both sides of his face, promising DADT will
end ?on his watch? while his administration pursues its continued
enforcement, somehow the charade gives the Democrats? gay progressive
members just enough rhetorical carrot to keep them from losing hope that
they?ll at least win the right to marry and the right to serve openly in
the military.
But can GPDs expect more than what the Democratic Party says it stands
for? According to its platform, it is committed to:
Repealing ?don?t ask, don?t tell? in a sensible way that strengthens our
armed forces and our national security
Ensuring civil unions and equal federal rights for LGBT couples as well
as fully repealing the Defense of Marriage Act
That?s it. Nowhere does it connect LGBT concerns with immigration reform
or health care. As a party, Democrats are not ?committed? to marriage
equality outside of guaranteeing equal federal rights to LGBT couples.
As a party, its collective understanding of ?gay civil equality? is only
a matter of civil unions and military, and yet GPDs? faith in their
captors remain in part because they believe there is no alternative.
And that?s simply not true.
How do you like the following?
1. The Green Party affirms the rights of all individuals to freely
choose intimate partners, regardless of their sex, gender, gender
identity, or sexual orientation.
2. The Green Party recognizes the equal rights of persons who identify
as gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, transsexual, queer, or transgender
to housing, jobs, civil marriage, medical benefits, child custody, and
in all areas of life including equal tax treatment.
3. The Green Party will be inclusive of language in local, state, and
federal antidiscrimination law that ensures the rights of intersex
individuals and prohibits discrimination based on gender identity,
characteristics, and expression as well as on sex, gender, or sexual
orientation. We are opposed to intersex genital mutilation.
4. The Green Party affirms the right of all persons to
self-determination with regard to gender identity and sex. We therefore
support the right of intersex and transgender individuals to be free
from coercion and involuntary assignment of gender or sex. We affirm the
right of access to medical and surgical treatment for assignment or
reassignment of gender or sex, based on informed consent.
5. We will pursue legislation against all forms of hate crimes,
including those directed against people who identify as lesbian, gay,
bisexual, queer, transgender, and intersex. Offenders must pay
compensation to the LGBTIQ people who have suffered violence and injustice.
6. The Green Party will end all federal military and civilian aid to
national governments whose laws result in the imprisonment or otherwise
bring harm to citizens and residents based on sexual orientation or
gender identity, characteristics, and expression.
7. The Green Party will enact a policy that the U.S. government
recognize all international marriages and legal equivalents, such as
civil unions, in processing visitor and immigration visas.
8. The Green Party would repeal ?don?t ask, don?t tell? and bolish
security clearances denied on the basis of sexual orientation and/or
gender identity, and supports the rights of defense personnel and
volunteers to serve their country openly without penalty irrespective of
sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
9. The Green Party would end security surveillance and covert
infiltration of organizations that promote equal rights on the basis of
sexual orientation and gender identity.
The above text is word for word from the platform of the Green Party of
the United States. It is language that articulates the Greens? position
on LGBTIQ equality as a party ? not just its progressive members. In
reading it, it?s hard not to be drinking the Green Kool-Aid, no?
In practice though, GPDs and progressives in general cannot seem to
divorce themselves from Democrats mostly because of this notion of
?viability.? We forget that ?viable candidates? are not born as such,
nor do the magically appear, but rather they are created by the support
of constituents who believe in a candidate's message and positions.
There is nothing essential about a viable candidate like some immutable
personality trait: Al Gore, who many thought was uncharismatic and
personality-less, was still a viable candidate. Viable, or ?electable,?
is ultimately a matter of numbers: how many are willing to put
themselves on the line to support a specific candidate. And in the case
of minor political parties that just might very well be more in line
with one?s political convictions, it is qualitatively and quantitatively
how many have the courage to vote for them.
I voted for Obama in 2008 thinking that I voted for change from the
status quo. But early on from the formation of his cabinet and choice of
advisers to how health care reform played out, the status quo of the
Beltway never seemed threatened. A politic of hope has turned into a
politic of fear for the midterm election. And not all change takes
laborious time. A practical end to DADT could have been allowed, but no.
President Obama?s Department of Justice could actually and quite easily
abide by rule of law (that is, it could stop breaking the law) by
allowing Gitmo and other detainees due process, but no. These are just
examples of change that doesn?t get halted by GOP obstructionism and
takes affect upon presidential orders.
It surprises me to a degree that in getting fed up, GPDs haven?t more
radically rethought their relationship with the Democrats, though some
have cut off contributions and others are angrily calling upon them to
step up to the plate without much of a political threat to leave them
and empower non-Democrat progressives to enact a liberal agenda. And
this is where progressive voters fail when the status quo of politics
gives the illusion of no options, or rather, the default ?necessity? to
choose the ?lesser of two evils.? If true empowerment is not about just
accepting given choices, but about creating choices, then by
acknowledging and being willing to vote outside the binary world of red
and blue parties, (gay) progressive Democrats could find themselves
getting politicians who actually actively seek to promote a progressive
agenda and do not just take them for granted.
For GPDs disgusted and disheartened, I am empathetic. The vile theater
of health care reform caused me to look for a political party that is
fundamentally dedicated to the same things I am politically committed
to, and thus I became a Green. Though my views on same-sex marriage and
?don?t ask, don?t tell? are, shall we say, more nuanced, as a queer man,
it?s much easier to get on board with the Greens? positions on LGBTIQ
issues than the Democrats? visionless statements. Moreover, I do not
wish to wait for the Democratic Party to catch up with my concerns. I?d
rather go the more difficult route and work to empower Greens to
represent my liberal politics in local, state, and federal governments.
Indeed, voting on principles is terribly difficult when our country?s
electoral culture is a kind of consumerism: where most want to know what
we ?get? in exchange for our vote and (financial) support. Lobbyists and
voters too are guilty of such a cynical practice of electoral politics.
It also allows activists to get myopic in voting (i.e. ?If this
candidate supports marriage equality, then I?ll be willing to overlook
how s/he intends to screw the poor?) ? discarding a broader progressive
vision for self-interests. When voters behave like corporations in the
singular pursuit of ?what benefits me,? then we are not progressives; we
are not agents of change; we are cowards.
So let us reevaluate what it means to ?make my vote count.? Let?s
reconsider the compromises. In doing so, will you be empowered and have
the audacity to vote for another color of the rainbow?
From updates at cagreens.org Fri Oct 29 10:01:20 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:01:20 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP ADVISORY Green Party to host Election Night
Livestream online; Green candidates to watch on Election Day
Message-ID: <4CCAFDE0.8020407@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Green Party to host an Election Night Livestream online; Green candidates to
watch on Election Day
? Green Party Livestream Page: http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
? Best Green Political Ads and Campaign Videos (Poli-Tea Blog):
http://politeaparty.blogspot.com/2010/10/best-green-party-political-ads-and.html
? Video downloads and campaign news:
Green candidates in debates http://www.gp.org/candidates/debates.php
Greens on the campaign trail http://www.gp.org/elections/campaign-trail/index.php
Labor endorsements for Greens http://www.gp.org/candidates/labor-endorsements.php
More candidate videos: http://www.gp.org/candidates/videos.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States will host an online
Livestream on Election Night, discussing Green campaigns and reporting
election results as they are announced. The public is invited to participate
and join in a live chat during the Livestream.
The Livestream will be hosted by Green Party media coordinator Starlene Rankin
in Sacramento, California, and Craig Seeman in New York City. Ms. Rankin and
Mr. Seeman will interview Green candidates, at their Election Night parties,
and pass along reports about the campaigns. The Livestream will begin at 8 pm
ET, 5 pm PT.
Below is a list of Green candidates to watch on Election Day, including Greens
with a good chance of victory, Greens whose campaigns will help their state
Green Parties achieve or maintain ballot status, and other significant races.
Green Candidates to Watch on Nov. 2
Potential Winning campaigns, including ballot access
ARKANSAS
? Joy Ballard is running for Saline County Collector, against six write-in
candidates (open seat in a partisan race).
? Jim Lendall, running for governor, needs 3% for the ballot line, against two
other candidates.
http://jimlendall.org
CALIFORNIA
? Gary Blenner is running for reelection to Center Unified School District
Board of Trustees, Placer County (five candidates for three seats in a
nonpartisan race)
? Bruce Delgado is running for reelection to Marina City Mayor, Monterey
County, with one opponent in a nonpartisan race.
http://www.delgado4mayor.org/
? Robert Deutsch is running for reelection to Board of Directors, Alameda
Healthcare District (four candidates for three seats in a nonpartisan race).
? Paul Franklin is running for reelection to Live Oak School District School
Board, Santa Cruz County (four candidates for three seats in a nonpartisan race).
http://votepaulfranklin.org
? Dan Hamburg is running for Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, District
5. Mr. Hamburg finished first of four candidates in the primary with 34 % of
the vote. Two candidates rare running for one seat in a nonpartisan race.
http://www.votehamburg5.org
? Gayle McLaughlin is running for reelection to Mayor of Richmond, Contra
Costa County. She has two opponents in a nonpartisan race. Richmond is a city
with a population over 100,000.
? Lisa Stephens is running for reelection to Berkeley Rent Stabilization
Board, Alameda County (nine candidates for six seats in a nonpartisan race).
? Jesse Townley is running for reelection to Berkeley Rent Stabilization
Board, Alameda County (nine candidates for six seats in a nonpartisan race).
? Pam Webster is running for reelection to Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board,
Alameda County. (nine candidates for six seats in a nonpartisan race).
CONNECTICUT
? Megan Cassano is running for Board of Education, Stamford, Fairfield County
(eight candidates for three seats in a partisan race).
? Jane Weston is running for Judge of Probate, Stamford, Fairfield County (two
candidates for one seat in a partisan race).
? Jane Weston is running for Registrar of Voters, Weston, Fairfield County
(partisan race).
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
? David Schwartzman is running for City Council At-large (four candidates for
two seats in a partisan race). 1% in a citywide race will retain ballot
status for the DC Statehood Green Party.
http://www.davidshwartzman.com
? JB Shoatz is running unopposed for Advisory Neighborhood Commission SMD 8B04
(nonpartisan race).
? Rick Tingling-Clemmons is running for reelection to Advisory Neighborhood
Commission SMD 7D05, with two challengers (nonpartisan race).
HAWAII
? Jim Brewer is running for US Senate. 10% any statewide office will give the
Green Party ballot status.
ILLINOIS
? Jeremy Karpen for State Representative District 39 (two candidates for one
seat in a partisan race).
http://www.jeremykarpen.org
? Rich Whitney is running for governor, against three other candidates. 5% in
a gubernatorial race will retain ballot status for the Green Party.
http://www.whitneyforgov.org
MAINE
? John Anton is running for reelection to Portland City Council At-Large,
Cumberland County (four candidates for two seats in a partisan race).
? Seth Berner is running for State Representative, District 115 (partisan race).
http://www.sethberner.com
? Roger Gay is running for State Representative, District 134, York County
(three candidates for one seat in a partisan race). He received AFL-CIO
endorsement.
? Fred Horch is running for State Representative, District 66 (three
candidates for one seat in a partisan race).
http://fredhorch.org/news
? Anna Trevorrow is running for State Representative District 120, Cumberland
County (three candidates for one seat in a partisan race).
http://www.annatrevorrow.org
MARYLAND
? Maria Allwine is running for Governor, against four other candidates. 1%
for in the gubernatorial race will retain the Green Party's ballot status.
http://www.allwineforgovernor.org
MASSACHUSETTS
? Jill Stein is running for Governor, against three other candidates. 3% in
any statewide race will win a ballot line for the Green-Rainbow Party.
http://www.jillstein.org
MICHIGAN
? ? of 1% any statewide will retain ballot status; several campaigns could
accomplish this.
MINNESOTA
? Farheen Hakeem is running for Governor, against six other candidates. 5% in
any statewide race will win ballot access for the Green Party.
http://www.farheehakeem.org
? Annie Young in running for State Auditor (four candidates for one seat in a
partisan race).
http://annieyoungforauditor.com
NEVADA
? David Scott Curtis is running for governor, against six other candidates.
1% in a statewide will win ballot access for the Green Party.
http://gpnv.org
NEW YORK
? Howie Hawkins is running for governor. 50,000 votes in a gubernatorial race
will win ballot status for the Green Party.
http://www.howiehawkins.com
OREGON
? Mike Beilstein is running for reelection to Corvallis City Council Ward 5,
Benton County (two candidates in a nonpartisan race).
? Tim Dehne is running for Benton County Commissioner Position 1 (three
candidates for one seat in a partisan race). Mr. Dehne served as a Benton
County Soil and Water Conservation District Director from 2005-2008.
http://www.newmenu.org/timdehne
? Richard Hervey is running for reelection to Corvallis City Council Ward 3,
Benton County (two candidates in a nonpartisan race).
? Eric Navickas is running for re-election to Ashland City Council Position 2,
Jackson County (two candidates in a nonpartisan race).
SOUTH CAROLINA
? Tom Clements, running against incumbent Jim DeMint (Rep.), is likely to draw
more votes than Democrat Alvin Greene.
http://clementsforsenate.com
US VIRGIN ISLANDS
? Guillaume Mimoun is running for Delegate to Congress. According to the USVI
election law, two or more territorial candidates who garner 5% of the vote or
more may start a party.
TEXAS
? Deb Shafto is running for governor, against three other candidates. 2% in a
gubernatorial race will retain ballot status for the Green Party.
http://www.electdebshafto.org
WISCONSIN
? Ben Manksi is running for State Assembly District 77 (four candidates for
one seat in a partisan race).
http://votemanski.com/
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States (Fall 2010 issue now online)
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Fri Oct 29 10:05:16 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:05:16 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Sign the Free Laura Wells Petition
Message-ID: <4CCAFECC.9040008@greens.org>
Hi CA Greens.
Please sign and share the Free Laura Wells petition.
http://bit.ly/freelaurawells
Peace,
Marnie Glickman
From updates at cagreens.org Mon Nov 1 17:09:21 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:09:21 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GREEN PARTY ELECTION NIGHT CONTACT INFO
Message-ID: <4CCF56B1.9020104@greens.org>
News Advisory
THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
http://www.cagreens.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 1, 2010
Green Party of California announces
ELECTION NIGHT parties
SACRAMENTO ? Green Party of California candidates and party officials
will be available to comment on election results of the state
propositions and candidate races Tuesday night at "Green Election Night"
parties in Southern and Northern California.
Greens have 34 candidates vying for local, state and federal offices,
including an incumbent mayor of Richmond (Gayle McLaughlin) and Laura
Wells, the party's gubernatorial candidate arrested earlier this month
for attempting to simply watch a debate.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:
8-10 P.M., Tues., Nov. 2, 2010
Earth, Wind and Flour Restaurant
2222 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica
Contact person for Press: Derek Iversen at 323-481-8984
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:
8-10 P.M., Tues., Nov. 2, 2010
La Estrellita Cafe and Bar, 446 E. 12th St.
corner of 5th Ave near Laney College, Oakland
Contact person for Press: Laura Wells at 510-504-4254
-30-
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Monday, November 1, 2010
Green Party to host an Election Night Livestream online
Key links for breaking news, videos, and more about Green candidates and the
Green Party on Election Day:
? Green Party Livestream Page: http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
? Green Party Twitter Feed for Election Results:
http://www.gp.org/elections/results-2010.php
? Best Green Political Ads and Campaign Videos (Poli-Tea Blog):
http://politeaparty.blogspot.com/2010/10/best-green-party-political-ads-and.html
? More links for video downloads and Green campaign news:
Green candidates in debates http://www.gp.org/candidates/debates.php
Greens on the campaign trail http://www.gp.org/elections/campaign-trail/index.php
Labor endorsements for Greens http://www.gp.org/candidates/labor-endorsements.php
More candidate videos: http://www.gp.org/candidates/videos.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party candidates and leaders will participate in an
online Livestream hosted by the Green Party of the United States on Election
Night, discussing Green campaigns and reporting election results as they are
announced.
The public is invited to join in a live chat during the Livestream
(http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus). A Green Party Twitter Feed page
(http://www.gp.org/elections/results-2010.php) will display election news and
returns, with feeds from the party itself, Green Pages
(http://gp.org/greenpages-blog), and Green Change (http://www.greenchange.org).
The Livestream will be hosted by Green Party media coordinator Starlene Rankin
in Sacramento, California, and Craig Seeman in New York City. Ms. Rankin and
Mr. Seeman will interview Green candidates, at their Election Night parties,
and pass along reports about the campaigns. The Livestream will begin at 8 pm
ET, 5 pm PT.
Facebook pages:
? Follow Green Party election news and returns, with Twitter feeds from the
Green Party, Green Pages, and Green Change, at
http://www.facebook.com/l/d5ebar5ZZrkY9J_VKf2ewYmBTgQ;www.gp.org/elections/results-2010.php
? Facebook link for the Green Party Livestream: join the on-line conversation
on Election Night
http://www.facebook.com/l/d5ebaPlQ0TL1ZZf9fYe4h1lFKtw;www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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 Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States (Fall 2010 issue now online)
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
From updates at cagreens.org Mon Nov 1 16:23:37 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:23:37 -0700
Subject: [GPCA Updates] CA GOVERNOR CANDIDATE campaigns for votes...and to
stay out of jail
Message-ID: <4CCF4BF9.8000107@greens.org>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010
Contact: Laura Wells, 510-504-4254 or 916-996-9170
ATTENTION WEEKEND EDITOR
GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE SPENDS WEEKEND
CAMPAIGNING FOR VOTES...AND PETITION
SIGNATURES TO KEEP HER OUT OF JAIL
SAN RAFAEL, Ca. ? While Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman will be campaigning
this weekend to become California governor, Green Party gubernatorial
candidate Laura Wells will be asking people Sunday not just for votes,
but for petition signatures to keep her out of jail.
Wells (www.laurawells.org), who was arrested here Oct. 12 just trying to
watch a Governor Debate (she was already banned from participating),
will be at the MARIN COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(3501 Civic Center Dr., Main Entrance).
Wells will be campaigning and trying to get signatures on a petition
urging Marin County District Attorney Edward Berberian to dismiss her
misdemeanor charges.
She is due in Marin County Criminal Court on Election Day, Nov. 2 to
face those charges.
The petition states: "Laura Wells, the Green candidate for Governor of
California, was arrested on Oct. 12, 2010 at the California Governor's
Debate. Her arrest is a violation of her civil rights. She had a ticket
and the right to attend the debate. We request that you dismiss the
criminal charge against Ms. Wells and launch an investigation into why
she was arrested."
Wells, who garnered more than 400,000 votes when she ran for Controller
in 2002 on the Green ticket, is a financial analyst who talks about
solutions ? not politics ? to California's budget mess.
Wells wants to "reform" Prop. 13 so it benefits individuals, as was
promised, but large corporations. She is promoting the concept of a
"State Bank" that would make loans to residents, including student
college loans and profit California, not private bailed-out banks.
-30-
From updates at cagreens.org Mon Nov 8 19:12:06 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:12:06 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green Party regains ballot status in
Mass., NY, & Texas on Election Day 2010
Message-ID: <4CD8BC06.4010308@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Monday, November 8, 2010
Green Party results on Election Day: ballot status in Massachusetts, New York,
and Texas
? Green Party's Election Recap and Results:
http://www.gp.org/elections/results-2010.php
Green Party ballot status page: http://www.gp.org/ballotstatus
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party regained ballot status in three states on
Election Day 2010 and Green Mayor Gayle McLaughlin was reelected in Richmond,
California, among several other victories in that state.
Green election results in Massachusetts, New York, and Texas won ballot access
for these states, thanks to the campaigns of Nat Fortune for State Auditor in
Massachusetts, Howie Hawkins and Gloria Mattera for governor and lieutenant
governor in New York, and Ed Lindsay for Comptroller in Texas. Green Parties
in California, the District of Columbia, and Michigan maintained their ballot
status.
Having ballot status in three of the most populous states will make a Green
presidential campaign much easier in 2012.
A list of victories, including ballot status wins, follows below. News from
other races: Jesse Johnson was endorsed by leading Democrats Mike Gravel and
Ken Hechler in his West Virginia race for the US Senate. LeAlan Jones
(Illinois) and John Gray (Arkansas) were declared winners by reporters in
their state?s debates, with Mr. Jones declared the winner of a debate he was
barred from attending. In a historic first, Arizona Green candidate Jerry
Joslyn confronted John McCain on his war spending in a US Senate debate.
GREEN VICTORIES, including ballot access, on November 2, 2010 (unofficial
Results):
ARKANSAS
? Joy Ballard won her race for Saline County Collector, finishing first of
seven candidates for one seat with 19,131 votes, 69.28%.
CALIFORNIA
? Gayle McLaughlin won her reelection to Mayor of Richmond, Contra Costa
County, finishing first of three candidates with 6,282 votes or 40.43%.
http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CA/Contra_Costa/21781/39347/en/summary.html
? Bruce Delgado won his reelection to Mayor of Marina City, Monterey County,
finishing first of two candidates with 1,734 votes or 56.78%.
http://www.montereycountyelections.us/Election%20Result_dtl.htm#cont17
? Dan Hamburg won his race for Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, District
5, finishing first of two candidates with 2,474 votes or 55.28%.
http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/acr/cgi-bin/current.pl
? Lisa Stephens, Jesse Townley, and Pam Webster won their reelection to the
Rent Stabilization Board of Berkeley, Alameda County. There will have been at
least three Greens on the nine-member board from 2002 through 2014.
http://www.co.alameda.ca.us/rov/current_election/4354.htm
? Robert Deutsch won his reelection to Board of Directors, Alameda Healthcare
District, Alameda County, finishing first of four candidates for two seats
with 8,048 votes or 30.65%.
http://www.co.alameda.ca.us/rov/current_election/1269.htm
? Joe Navarro won his race for Hollister School Board, San Benito County,
finishing second of eight candidates for three seats with 2,424 votes or
15.56%. http://results.sbcvote.us/#cont97
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
? Ann Wilcox's 12,055 votes (10.20%) for DC Council Chair and David
Schwartzman's 11,799 votes (6.78%) for DC Council At-Large maintained the DC
Statehood Green Party's ballot line.
http://www.gp.org/ballotstatus/dc/
? JB Shoats ran unopposed for Advisory Neighborhood Commission SMD 8B04.
http://www.dcboee.org/election_info/election_results/general_election_results/2010
FLORIDA
? Anita Stewart won her race for Hillsborough County Soil and Water
Conservation District 5, finishing first of five candidates for one seat with
82,289 votes or 37.75%.
http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/FL/Hillsborough/22912/39204/en/summary.html#
IOWA
? Raymond Meyer was re-elected to Lucas County Health Center Board of
Trustees, finishing second for two seats with 2,202 votes out of 3,617
possible. By the end of his next term, Raymond Meyer will have served for 16
consecutive years in office, and is tied for third among all US Greens for the
longest in any elected office
(http://www.gp.org/elections/officeholders/most-total-yrs.shtml). Meyer is
also a member of the City Council of Chariton, Iowa, to which he was elected
in 2009.
MAINE
? John Anton won his reelection to Portland City Council, At-large, Cumberland
County, finishing second of four candidates for two seats with 12,114 votes.
MASSACHUSETTS
? Nat Fortune received 105,812 votes or 5% in his run for State Auditor, which
surpassed the 3% of the vote in a statewide election necessary for the Green
Rainbow Party of Massachusetts (GRP) to regain ballot status.
MICHIGAN
? Preliminary returns suggest that every one of the Green Party statewide
candidates earned votes in excess of the ballot-access retention threshold,
any one of whom would secure the ballot-line for the next election.
NEW YORK
? Howie Hawkins for Governor, Gloria Mattera for Lt. Governor, received 58,123
votes (at last count), more than the 50,000 votes needed to maintain the Green
Party ballot line into the next election cycle.
http://www.gp.org/ballotstatus/ny
OREGON
? Michael Beilstein won his reelection to Corvallis City Council Ward 5,
Benton County, finishing first of two candidates for one seat with 838 votes
or 64.81%. http://www.co.benton.or.us/admin/elections/results.php
? Richard Hervey won his reelection to Corvallis City Council Ward 3, Benton
County, finishing first of two candidates for one seat with 791 votes or
63.08%. http://www.co.benton.or.us/admin/elections/results.php
TEXAS
? Ed Lindsay?s 251,842 votes or 6% for Comptroller guarantees that the Green
Party of Texas will be on the ballot in 2012.
http://www.gp.org/ballotstatus/tx
Election totals were collected by Brent McMillan, Executive Director of the
Green Party of the United States.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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/ballotstatus
? Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States (Fall 2010 issue now online)
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Tue Nov 9 19:38:04 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:38:04 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Senatorial Campaign Committee Election
Highlights
Message-ID: <4CDA139C.8070506@greens.org>
Ann Link, Secretary, Green Senatorial Campaign Committee
GREEN SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE ELECTION HIGHLIGHTS
http://www.greenscc.org/
Congratulations to the Green Party U.S. Senate candidates, who received
over a half million votes in 2010! Senate races are the most challenging
because of the huge influx of corporate and special interest funding to
Democrats and Republicans. However, they offer unprecedented visibility
for the Green Party and lay the groundwork for future success in
congressional, state, and local races.
Tom Clements got almost 10% in the South Carolina U.S. Senate race with
120,508 votes, the highest total of all the U.S. Senate candidates.
LeAlan Jones got the second highest vote total, 116,685, in Illinois.
Next were Duane Roberts of California and Colia Clark and Cecile
Lawrence of New York, with 98,572, 39,536 and 33,768, respectively.
Jesse Johnson was endorsed by leading Democrats Mike Gravel and Ken
Hechler in his West Virginia race. Green Party candidates were also
endorsed by newspapers, labor unions, and environmental groups. LeAlan
Jones of Illinois and John Gray of Arkansas were declared the winner by
reporters in their state?s debates ? with Jones declared the winner of a
debate he was barred from attending. In a historic first, Jerry Joslyn
confronted John McCain on his war spending in the Arizona U.S. Senate debate
The Green Senatorial Campaign Committee made contributions to the
following campaigns:
Colia Clark ? New York
Tom Clements ? South Carolina
John Gray ? Arkansas
Kenniss Henry, running for Natasha Pettigrew ? Maryland
Jesse Johnson ? West Virginia
LeAlan Jones ? Illinois
Jerry Joslyn ? Arizona
Bob Kinsey ? Colorado
Cecile Lawrence ? New York
Duane Roberts ? California
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN 2010 AND STAY TUNED FOR UPCOMING
CONGRESSIONAL RACES!
From updates at cagreens.org Sun Nov 28 18:21:49 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:21:49 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] Green Products Reviews
Message-ID: <4CF30E3D.2030409@greens.org>
THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT!!!!
This person sent us an email about an interesting looking site. But it may be
of interest to Greens.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Hello!
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:40:32 -0800
From: Nataliya Kolesnik
HI!
I wanted to tell you about our site www.ecobold.com
where we?re doing video reviews of all kinds of green products, we want to
show everyone that they?re out there and that they?re affordable (the
companies give our viewers coupons of 25% off their green product so everyone
can buy them).
Our founder, Steffany Boldrini was born and raised in a small ranch in Brazil
and knows first hand how to live green. Ecobold is a place for great
information and I?d like to know if you could please write something about us
to help us spread the word for this important cause.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! I look forward to hearing from you!
From updates at cagreens.org Tue Nov 30 11:17:16 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:17:16 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens urge rejection of 'Catfood
Commission' plan to reduce Social Security, Medicare
Message-ID: <4CF54DBC.5060600@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
URL of release: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=370
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Green Party urges rejection of proposal by Obama's Fiscal Responsibility
Commission to scale back Social Security and Medicare
? Greens: Commission's linking of Social Security and the budget deficit is
deceptive; deficit crisis can solved by withdrawal of all troops from Iraq and
Afghanistan, cutting the military budget, and canceling tax breaks for the wealthy
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on Social Security
and Medicare
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-economic-justice.php
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-health-care.php
? Green Party's 2001 Election Recap and Results:
http://www.gp.org/elections/results-2010.php
Green Party ballot status page: http://www.gp.org/ballotstatus
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders called on Congress and the American
people to reject a proposal by President Obama's Commission on Fiscal
Responsibility and Reform to scale back Social Security and require Medicare
recipients to pay more out-of-pocket costs for services.
Greens said that the bipartisan commission's recommendations, if supported by
Mr. Obama and his fellow Democrats, would amount to a betrayal of voters, and
called the attempt to link spending on Social Security with the deficit a
deception.
? Starlene Rankin, co-chair of the Green Party's Lavender Green Caucus:
"Taking an ax to Social Security does nothing to close the federal budget
deficit, because Social Security is a separate account. If President Obama
and Congress really want to reduce the deficit, they should begin by ending
the war in Afghanistan and occupation of Iraq, ordering all troops and
military contractors home, and reducing the military budget. The debt was
caused by the two wars, bloated military budgets, tax breaks for rich people,
and the huge Wall Street bailouts."
? Julia Willebrand, 2010 Green candidate for New York State Comptroller and
Social Security recipient: "Powerful lobbies want to turn Social Security
into a feeding trough. Congress and the White House are under heavy pressure
from the financial industry to scale back Social Security, which would have
the effect of privatizing it, by driving people to invest more of their
retirement savings in the Wall Street casino. Indexing Social Security to
life expectancy and raising the age for recipients would place more older
Americans in competition with younger people for jobs and depress wages for
everyone."
? Mike Feinstein, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States: "Placing
greater financial burden on Medicare recipients would reduce access to
urgently needed medical treatment. Most Americans prefer greater stronger
government involvement and protections for health care, not less (AP poll,
Sept. 26, http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11725663). Voters in
2010 overwhelmingly reelected Congress members who co-sponsored legislation
for Medicare For All -- single-payer national health care, which the Green
Party supports
(http://beavercountyblue.org/2010/11/04/medicare-for-all-co-sponsors-returned-to-congress-by-big-margins/)."
? Holly Hart, secretary of the Green Party of the United States: "Social
Security will be fully solvent for the next 27 years, as economist Dean Baker
and others have noted and contrary to statements from Democratic and
Republican politicians and the media. Any projected shortfall could be offset
if the White House and Congress abolished the cap for top-income earners
paying into the system. Most working Americans pay 6.2% FICA tax on their
entire incomes. The top 6% pay FICA only on their first $106,800. If we
cancel the cap and maintain present benefits levels, the surplus will
continue, even after 2037. This idea has support from a majority of Americans,
even Republicans." (Source: Gallup Poll, July 2010,
http://www.gallup.com/poll/141611/Americans-Look-Wealthy-Help-Save-Social-Security.aspx)
? Darryl L.C. Moch, member of the DC Statehood Green Party and the Green Party
Black Caucus: "The Commission's recommendation that Social Security be made
more progressive, by increasing benefits for middle- and low-income wage
earners while reducing benefits for the very top brackets, is a good idea.
But this should be done in the context of strengthening Social Security, not
making cuts or tying it to the deficit. Democrats and Republicans are
sacrificing financial security for working people and help for poor people to
subsidize wars and Wall Street. Greens have repeatedly warned that the
Democrats, in their deluded attempt to appeal to the 'center' and appease the
GOP, would be the first to begin dismantling Social Security and Medicare -- a
long-range Republican goal -- and the Catfood Commission proves that Greens
are right."
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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/ballotstatus
? Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
"Action on Social Security: The Urgent Need for Delay"
By Dean Baker, Center for Economic and Policy Research, November 2010
http://www.cepr.net/index.php/publications/reports/action-on-social-security-the-urgent-need-for-delay
Healthcare-NOW!
http://www.healthcare-now.org
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States (Fall 2010 issue now online)
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Dec 2 17:11:24 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:11:24 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] SF Bay Event --> You're invited to the Peter M.
Camejo Event - Saturday at 7:00pm!!!
Message-ID: <4CF843BC.6050009@greens.org>
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From updates at cagreens.org Mon Dec 6 16:47:51 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:47:51 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE: US & world Greens urge leaders at Cancun
meeting on global warming to 'reverse the failure of Copenhagen'
Message-ID: <4CFD8437.70606@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Monday, December 6, 2010
Green Party leaders from the US and around the world attend COP16 global
warming meeting in Cancun, urge world leaders to "reverse the failure of
Copenhagen"
? Global Greens Statement for COP16: "Climate change -- time for transformation"
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on global warming
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-ecological.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders from the US have joined Green elected
officials and leaders from countries throughout Latin America and Europe in
Cancun, Mexico, to participate in the 16th session of the Conference of the
Parties (COP 16) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) (http://www.cc2010.mx/en/index.php).
Greens are calling on the world's leaders attending COP16 to "to reverse the
failure of Copenhagen and create the conditions for a strong legally binding
global climate agreement" on steps to avert catastrophic climate change in the
next century, according to a statement issued by the Global Greens
Coordination. The statement is appended below.
The Global Greens Coordination (http://www.globalgreens.org/ggc/ggc_homepage)
is a committee established to oversee Global Greens affairs, including issuing
Global Greens statements and organizing Global Greens congresses.
"In the US, Greens are challenging the White House, Congress, and state and
municipal governments to take action, by conversion to safe and clean energy,
drastic reduction of fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, more public
transportation and less car traffic, carbon taxes, creation of millions of
living-wage green jobs in conservation and retrofitting of homes and
buildings, protection for publicly-owned fresh water resources, and by leading
the world in forums like COP16 in calling for expansion of the Kyoto
Protocols," said Sanda Everette, former co-chair of the Green Party of the
United States, who is attending COP16.
"Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has caved in to the demands of
polluting industries, with the President's authorization of offshore drilling
in US coastal waters even after the BP disaster, endorsement of the 'clean
coal' myth, refusal to act against mountaintop removal mining, approval for
new taxpayer-funded nuclear plants, promotion of emissions trading schemes,
which give polluters a license to continue polluting, and other retreats. In
this century of global warming, the Green Party has become an imperative in
the US and abroad," Ms. Everette added.
Along with Ms. Everette, other US Greens in Cancun for COP16 are current Green
Party co-chair Mike Feinstein and Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party member
Maggie Zhou. Green Party members are present as delegates from NGOs or have
press credentials, since conference rules bar political parties from any
official status.
See also:
? Link for recorded webcasts: http://webcast.cc2010.mx/grid_en.html
? "Virtual Participation" in COP16:
http://unfccc.int/virtual_participation/items/5780.php
? World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth:
http://pwccc.wordpress.com
? People?s Agreement of Cochabamba, April 22, 2010:
http://pwccc.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/peoples-agreement
Climate change -- time for transformation
Global Greens Statement for COP16 in Cancun, December 2010
http://www.globalgreens.org/statements/cancun_cop16_time_for_transformation
1 December 2010
The Global Greens call on the leaders of the world?s industrialised countries
at Cancun to reverse the failure of Copenhagen and create the conditions for a
strong legally binding global climate agreement to avoid dangerous climate
change and facilitate adaptation.
COP 16 at Cancun Mexico, from 29 November to 10 December, is the sixteenth
meeting of parties to the UN Framework on Climate Convention since it was
negotiated at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. Green parties from around a dozen
countries will be represented.
The Global Greens, representing many millions of the Earth?s citizens,
recognise that humanity cannot continue to live beyond the Earth?s ecological
limits. Cancun is an opportunity to begin the transformation to
sustainability, including through --
1. Political will and practical mechanisms to constrain global warming to no
more than +2?C above pre-industrial levels, especially by moving rapidly
beyond coal and other fossil fuels through investment in energy-saving,
resource-efficiency, and renewable energy.
2. Rules for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
including safeguards that ensure claimed emission reductions represent genuine
abatement, that benefit and protect Indigenous peoples? rights, and that
protect and restore biodiversity, water and nature.
3. Commitment of substantial new funding by developed countries for emissions
mitigation and climate change adaptation by developing countries.
4. Greenhouse gas accounting rules that prevent perverse outcomes, such as
promoting biofuel plantations at the expense of biodiversity and critical food
production in developing countries and giving loopholes to developed countries
in the land use, land-use change and forestry sector.
5. Exclusion of carbon capture and storage from the Clean Development
Mechanism, and rejection of nuclear power altogether.
The COP16 should commit to finalizing a legally binding agreement no later
than 2011 covering these and other issues, building on the Kyoto Protocol.
More information: secretary at globalgreens.org
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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/ballotstatus
? Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
"Global warming will kill one million a year by 2030: Estimates at UN talks
say it will also cost $157 billion annually"
By Richard Ingham, Agence France-Presse, December 4, 2010
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Global+warming+will+kill+million+year+2030/3928270/story.html
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States (Fall 2010 issue now online)
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~
From updates at cagreens.org Thu Dec 16 15:54:25 2010
From: updates at cagreens.org (Green Party of California Updates)
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:54:25 -0800
Subject: [GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Greens: Obama's tax package blows up the
deficit, undermines Social Security
Message-ID: <4D0AA6B1.2080809@greens.org>
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Obama's compromise tax package will blow up the deficit, undermine Social
Security, say Greens urging House Democrats to vote nay
? Tax-cut deal with GOP seals Obama's betrayal of working Americans who
elected him, say Greens
? Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on economic justice,
taxation, and budget policy:
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-economic-justice.php
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders urged House Democrats to stand firm and
do what they can to block President Obama's tax package, calling it a
capitulation to the Republican Party that will expand the deficit and
undermine Social Security.
"The tax cut is evidence that President Obama isn't compromising with
Republicans, he's adopting their agenda," said Howie Hawkins, 2010 Green
candidate for Governor of New York and co-chair of the Green Party of New York
State. "Greens warned that should the President's tax package pass, Democrats
will be the ones initiating the half-century GOP plan to dismantle Social
Security. Since the plan extends unemployment benefits by diverting some
payroll taxes away from Social Security, it weakens the safety-net for working
Americans and defers the financial hit a little bit longer."
Green Party leaders praised Sen. Bernie Sanders (Ind.-Vt.) for his
eight-and-a-half-hour speech on the Senate floor about the damage that the
President's tax package will do to the Social Security trust fund and the
safety net for low- and middle-income Americans.
Green leaders said that if either Democrats or Republicans want to reduce the
deficit and restore domestic financial stability, they should reduce the
military budget and work to end the military occupations of Afghanistan and
Iraq. The Green Party has repeatedly called for such action, as well as for
requiring the rich to pay their fair share in taxes, since tax breaks for the
wealthy have contributed even more to the deficits than bloated military
funding, as the CBO has repeatedly documented over the last decade.
"It's no secret that maintaining the Bush tax cuts for people who don't need a
tax break will do very little to stimulate the economy. The Congressional
Budget Office confirms that for every one dollar in tax cuts, only 10 cents to
40 cents are returned to the economy. The tax cuts may drain $4 trillion from
the US treasury in revenue," said Laura Wells, 2010 Green candidate for
Governor of California.
"Republicans have little concern for the deficit or for the nation's
unemployed. The swollen deficit is attractive to Republicans because it leads
to a fiscal crisis in which agencies and public-sector jobs get shut down,
regulation of corporations goes unenforced, and privatization of public
resources and services is fast-tracked," Ms. Wells added.
The tax bill will raise taxes on working people: about 40% of workers (about
45 million households out of just over 100 million total households) by
replacing the Making Work Pay tax credit with the Social Security payroll tax
cut (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20025087-503544.html). Greens
also faulted Democrats for not fighting to extend unemployment benefits for
"99ers," about 2 million unemployed whose benefits ran out in their 100th week
of unemployment.
Greens called the GOP obsession with the estate tax, which affects the top
three-tenths of one percent of Americans, typical of a party that exists
solely to serve the most powerful corporate interests and the wealthiest
income brackets. "Populist" Tea Party favorites elected to Congress and
conservative 'Blue Dog' Democrats have signed on to the same plutocratic
agenda, and Democratic Party leaders repeatedly cave in to their demands,
regardless of which party controls Congress, said Greens.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
? Green candidate database and 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/ballotstatus
? Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
"Compromise Tax Cut Plan Tilts Heavily in Favor of the Well-Off"
Citizens for Tax Justice, December 7, 2010
http://ctj.org/ctjreports/2010/12/compromise_tax_cut_plan_tilts_heavily_in_favor_of_the_well-off.php
"Note on the Tax Deal"
By Sam Smith, The Progressive Review, December 7, 2010
http://prorevnews.blogspot.com/2010/12/notes-on-tax-deal.html
"Alternatives to Austerity"
By Joseph E. Stiglitz, Project Syndicate, December 6, 2010
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/stiglitz133/English
"Obama-GOP tax deal the beginning of the end of Social Security, Sen. Sanders
says"
By Edward W. Dolan, The Raw Story, December 14, 2010
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/tax-deal-beginning-social-security-sen-sanders/
"What Bernie Said"
By William Rivers Pitt, truth-out.org, December 14, 2010
http://www.truth-out.org/what-bernie-said-part-i65944
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States (Fall 2010 issue now online)
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
~ END ~