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> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 76114 bytes Desc: not available URL: 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 ~