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Democracy For The Southern Adirondack/Tricounty Area
Monday, June 29, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Meeting Reminder & Much More
Hello Everyone!

First, by the time you read this, U.S forces will have completed the first step in withdrawing from Iraq-- leaving the cities. It has taken a long time, but something we worked hard for is finally starting to happen. There will be cause for real celebration this Fourth of July.

In this update for June 29th, 2009:


1. Greater Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday
2. Rep. Murphy Opens GF Office Tuesday
3. Where Is Murphy On Healthcare?
4. Meltdown in Albany: Time For A Constitutional Convention?
5. Wealth Transfer
6. Rockhill Progressive FIlm Fest & Calendar


1. Greater Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday
Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area will have its July meeting on Wednesday, July 1st, at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe. Quite a bit has happened in the last month-- the complete disintegration of the State Senate, as only one example-- which raises prospects of action we should be considering, which will be touched on in the following items.

The Cafe is on the corner of Elm Street and Hudson Avenue, one block west of the roundabout in downtown Glens Falls.

2. Rep. Murphy Opens GF Office Tuesday

In case everyone didn't receive it-- Rep. Murphy sent out an automated message today announcing the official opening his Glens Falls Office, tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30th from 10am -11am at 136 Glen Street in downtown Glens Falls. The public is invited to attend and Rep. Murphy and his staff will be there to answer questions and discuss issues.


3. Where Is Murphy On Healthcare?

If you are able to go, you might want to ask where Rep. Murphy stands on heathcare reform. Dick, Al and others have called the office or visited with Rep. Murphy and have been told he has not made up his mind on whether he is for opt-in or single payer, which, obviously, most of us would prefer. We will be discussing action on this Wednesday, particularly a DFA petition delivery.

In fairness, Murphy does deserve to be cut some slack because, unlike members of Congress elected in November, he did not have three months to get ready. But this is an extremely important issue and it's time he makes this his top priority.

As Dick notes, "I hope you all saw Howard Dean's last announcement on health care: " We are here; we're not going away. We voted for change a few months ago. We expect change. And if we don't get it, there's going to be more change." - Gov. Howard Dean, M.D. (June 25, 2009)"

4. Meltdown in Albany: Time For A Constitutional Convention?


I am sure I am not the only one appalled and disgusted by the meltdown in the State Senate. There's an excellent piece in the NY TImes on this that I recommend: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/27/nyregion/27incumbent.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all

When will we, the voters, decide we have had enough of this humiliation and disgrace?

It may be that a Constitutional Convention is the only answer. Gov. Patterson says he would rather have campaign finance reform, but will this crew ever do that? We need a wide range of changes, not little fixes, from Clean Money Clean Elections to filling all vacancies by special elections-- starting with Lt. Governor, including special election primaries. We may discuss calling for a convention, as well.


5. Wealth Transfer

The most "must read" piece I have seen lately is this piece on the Huffington Post by Marshall Auerback of the Roosevelt Institute -- "Risk of Major Social Upheaval Likely if Bank Bonanza Continues" Auerback makes a powerful case we are witnessing the largest regressive transfer of wealth in the history of the country in the present bank bailout, and that we are risking an explosion when the public realizes what has happened. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marshall-auerback/risk-of-major-social-uphe_b_221002.html

Is this the change we were told we could believe in?

There's more like this at the Roosevelt Institute that are worth a read: http://www.newdeal20.org/


6. Rockhill Progressive FIlm Fest & Calendar

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Progressive Film Festival and other events continues:


RI JUL 3 7:00 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL Films the Whole Family Will Enjoy. Free.
THE RUTLES: ALL YOU NEED IS CASH Eric Idle, Gary Weis (1978)
A hilarious send-up of the myth and reality--mostly the myth--of the Beatles. Created by Monty Python's Eric Idle and produced by SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE creator Lorne Michaels, this mockumentary contains cameos from Mick Jagger, Paul Simon, Ron Wood, Bill Murray, and even one of the mocked himself, George Harrison. To make the comedy all the more exciting, this version was banned from United States television. Songs include: "Hold My Hand," "Number One," "Love Life," "Living in Hope," "Get Up and Go," "Cheese and Onions," "Doubleback Alley," and many others. It is not a stretch to say that without THE RUTLES--ALL YOU NEED IS CASH, there might never have been a SPINAL TAP.
WED JUL 8 7:00 pm UPSTATE GREENS MEETING (Glens Falls at Rock Hill) All are welcome http://www.gpnys.org
The second Wednesday of each month, area Greens get together to discuss politics and organize local events, actions, protests and rallies and to aid independents running for office. Local events to support Single-Payer Health Care will be on the agenda. Email mattfuniciello@earthlink.net for carpool information.
THU JUL 9 7:00 pm OPEN MIC NIGHT hosted by our very own Cory Avon. Sing, play, read or just watch and listen. Free.
FRI JUL 10 7:00 pm SUMMER FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL Films the Whole Family Will Enjoy. Free.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST Sergio Leone (1969)
Morton (Gabriele Ferzetti), the power-hungry owner of a railroad company, hires Frank (Henry Fonda, playing against type), a gunfighter without a conscience, to kill anyone who stands in the way of the completion of the railroad. After Frank murders land owner Brett McBain (Frank Wolff), McBain's widow (Claudia Cardinale) hires two killers of her own to protect her and gain revenge: a mysterious, harmonica-playing desperado (Charles Bronson) and his rogue sidekick (Jason Robards). Using techniques previously unseen in the genre, Sergio Leone utilizes close-ups, color, and Ennio Morricone's trademark score to create a tense and somber meditation on death which is widely considered to be one of the best westerns in cinematic history. Soon-to-be legendary Italian directors Dario Argento (SUSPIRIA) and Bernardo Bertolucci (THE LAST EMPEROR) collaborated with Leone on the screenplay.


Thanks everyone! See you all Wednesday,

Larry


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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:13 PM 0 comments
Sunday, May 31, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Meeting Wednesday-- Six Months In, Where Are We?
Hello Everyone;

In this update for May 31st, 2009:

1. Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday, 7pm
2. Dean Endorses Schumer Healthcare Plan
3. Ted Kennedy Health Plan Rollout Monday
4. Democracy Fest Coming to Vermont This July
5. Rockhill Friday Night Progressive Film Festival


1. Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday, 7pm

Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area will be holding its monthly meeting at its usual time, the first Wednesday of the month, June 3rd at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

It's now six months into the Obama administration, so it's time to take stock and evaluate how Democrats and the administration are doing. Last week we saw something we feared so much for so many years resolved: President Obama appointed Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. The right wing dream of packing the Court for a whole generation is shattered.

Where are we on war and peace? Is there a behind the scenes effort to get us out of Afghanistan?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/world/asia/21kabul.html?hp

Healthcare is moving forward after a half century of stalling, as noted in the next items.

What's going on with the economy and the bailout seems to puzzle everyone I talk to, but one thing is settled: as economist James K. Galbraith details, the long contentious debate over government's role in regulating the economy is over, and liberals have won: http://www.truthout.org/050609J

The Cafe is located one blocks west of the Roundabout on the corner of Elm Streets and Hudson Avenue.


2. Dean Endorses Schumer Healthcare Plan

Last Thursday Gov. Dean offered support for Senator Schumer's proposed plan for a partial (we hope) compromise on healthcare reform. Dean is holding fast on the issue of opt-in. "If we can get Schumer's proposal out of the Senate, I think that would be a very good thing," he told the Huffington Post. "It can't be any weaker than that though. We don't want what would be a fake public option."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/29/dean-offers-support-for-s_n_209129.html


3. Ted Kennedy Health Plan Rollout Monday

Senator Ted Kennedy is back in the Senate and he is working on healthcare reform as he has been for decades. He will be making a major presentation of his plan on Monday. His plan features opt-in, too.

"It would require every American to have insurance and would mandate that employers contribute to workers' coverage. In many respects it adopts the most liberal approaches to health reform being discussed in Washington. Kennedy, for example, embraces a proposal to create a government-sponsored insurance program to compete directly with existing private insurance plans, according to one senior adviser who was not authorized to talk to reporters.

"The draft summary also calls for opening Medicaid to those whose incomes are 500 percent of the federal poverty level, or $110,250 a year for a family of four." For more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052803772.html?nav=hcmoduletmv



4. Democracy Fest Coming to Vermont This July


Democracy Fest-- an annual DFA get-together and confab-- is returning to Vermont this summer. From organizer Jessica Falker in Vermont:

"DemocracyFest is a political festival for liberal/progressive activists which features trainings, speakers and entertainment; teaching people how to make a difference and have fun doing it! Prior DemocracyFests have been held in Massachusetts, Texas, California, New Hampshire and Virginia. Over 4,000 activists have been trained to help on campaigns and make a difference in their communities.

"The 6th Annual DemocracyFest will be held this summer, July 17th-19th, at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington, VT!
Tickets
Tickets are limited! Reserve yours today at http://www.DemocracyFest.net
Full weekend tickets are only $55 and include:
- All trainings, entertainment, and speakers on Saturday and Sunday.
- Dinner on Saturday.
- Breakfast on Sunday.
- Semi-Guided Tour of Burlington and Welcome Party on Friday.
- Children under 14 free with adult ticket purchase.
- Free parking, or transportation to and from Burlington Airport.
- Priceless interaction with activists from across the region and nation.
Single day tickets are also available.
Speakers, Trainers and Entertainers
Gov. Howard Dean will be the Keynote Speaker. Other presenters include SOS. Deb Markowitz, Rep. David Zuckerman, Dr. Deb Richter, Dan DeWalt, Alan Dechert, Sheryl Rapee-Adams, Charlie Grapski, Teri Mills, Subway Serenade, Rebecca Padula, Bobby Kendes, Axiomatic, and more!
Check our website regularly as our schedule is updated. http://www.DemocracyFest.net


5. Rockhill Friday Night Progressive Film Festival


The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive Film Fest continues its IRV special throughout June: From Matt:

FRI JUN 5 7:00 pm I.R.V. INDEPENDENT FILM FORUM (I.R.V. = Instant Runoff Voting). Free.
We will be showing a film tonight but its up to you which film it will be. To reflect our love of the democratic process, we use an Instant Runoff Voting system so that the audience chooses which film we view. We will provide at least 3 choices each week and the IRV setup means that you rank ALL the "candidates" in the "election" or, (s)election, as is the case here. We tabulate the results in a series of runoffs until one of the choices has a clear majority. So, none of us actually know what film will be screened until everyone has voiced their opinion! Ballots can be filled out anytime after 6:00 pm but must be turned in by 7:00 pm sharp. Happy Voting!

Thanks everyone! See you all Wednesday,

Larry


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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:23 PM 0 comments
Sunday, May 03, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Dean Call, meeting Wednesday, More
Hello Everyone;

In this update for May 3rd, 2009:

1. Howard Dean Call Monday Night
2. Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday
3. Healthcare Reform Positions
4. "The Progressive Revolution"
5. Rockhill Friday Night Film Fest


1. Howard Dean Call Monday Night

Governor Howard Dean will be making a nationwide conference call tomorrow, Monday May 4th at 9pm Eastern time to talk about the upcoming fight for healthcare reform. This is a joint Stand with Dr. Dean/DFA event hosted by MoveOn.org. To get info on the conference call go to: http://www.moveon.org/drdean/?id=16038-3139585-xg0J2sx&t=7


2. Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday

We'll be discussing the same subject-- healthcare reform-- and more at our monthly Greater Glens Falls DFA meeting at 7pm Wednesday night at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls. I will also have a report on the Democratic Rural Conference held a couple of weeks ago in Saratoga Springs. The Cafe is one block west of the roundabout on the corners of Elm Street and Hudson Ave.


3. Healthcare Reform Positions

On the subject of healthcare reform-- our calls and letters to Senator Schumer, who is leading one of the committee reviews in the Senate, may have paid off. Both Senators Schumer and Gillibrand signed a letter this week calling for a public option as an essential part of any healthcare reform. You can read it at: http://brown.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Letter.pdf

Obviously, the real fight is in the Senate. I am not sure what newly elected Representative Scott Murphy's position on this issue, if he has had time to form a position yet, but I would be very surprised to hear is it very different from Schumer or Gillibrand's.


4. "The Progressive Revolution"

Drew sends along a link to an article, really a pretty good description of a new book that looks to be of real interest to progressives everywhere-- "The Progressive Revolution, How The Best In American Came To Be." http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2009/05/more-things-change-meet-mike-lux-author.html

It describes how progressives over the broad sweep of American history made America better, in fact, made what is best about America, or should be. Take a look at:


5. Rockhill Friday Night Film Fest

The Rockhill Bakeshouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive Film Festival continues on May 8th and 15th with something new and interesting-- from Matt:

"FRI MAY 8 7:00 pm I.R.V. FILM FORUM (I.R.V. = Instant Runoff Voting)
We will be showing a film tonight but its up to you which film it will be. To reflect our love of the democratic process, we use an Instant Runoff Voting system so that the audience chooses which film we view. We will provide at least 3 choices each week and the IRV setup means that you rank ALL the "candidates" in the "election" or, (s)election, as is the case here. We tabulate the results in a series of runoffs until one of the choices has a clear majority. So, none of us actually know what film will be screened until everyone has voiced their opinion! Ballots can be filled out anytime after 6:00 pm but must be turned in by 7:00 pm sharp. Happy Voting!"

Thanks everyone! See you all soon,

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:12 PM 0 comments
Thursday, April 16, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Schumer Key To Opt-In, WCD Women's Luncheon, More
Hello Everyone;

In this update for April 15, 2009:

1. Schumer Key To Healthcare Op-in
2. Washington County Women's Luncheon
3. Estate Tax Madness
4. Thom Hartmann on the real Boston Tea Party
5. Breaking The FInancial Oligarchy
6. Rockhill Progressive Film Festival


1. Schumer Key To Healthcare Op-in

As we all know, Governor Dean has returned to DFA to push for Healthcare Reform this year, and he has identified "Opt-In" as the most important issue in healthcare reform. If private citizens can't buy coverage through Medicare or another public program, in Governor Dean's words "we don't have healthcare reform." If you haven't signed his petition please go to: http://www.standwithdrdean.com/

But there's something special we can do as residents of New York State to help make Opt-In happen.

Senator Schumer will be leading the Senate Finance Committee's review of public healthcare options, including Opt-In. As his constituents, we have the most influence over him. So we need to let Senator Schumer know New Yorkers want him to support Opt-In, a public healthcare option for everyone.

The private insurance companies are howling about this, because they no longer believe in competition. Apparently they think government should guarantee them a profit.

They are wrong. Government should guarantee everyone healthcare.

Please contact Senator Schumer's office in D.C. at 202-224-6542 or Albany 518-431-4070 and let them know how strongly New Yorkers support Opt-In. Or go online at: http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm

Please pass this along to everyone you know who lives in the State Of New York. We need as many New Yorkers as possible to light up those lines.

On healthcare, also not to be missed is an article in Slate by Timothy Nolan: "If, as part of health care reform, the federal government were to create a new health insurance program to compete with private insurers—as candidate Obama called for during the presidential campaign—and if that plan were to provide the same payment levels as Medicare does, then the premiums families would pay to participate would be 30 percent to 40 percent less than those paid by families to participate in a comparable private plan."

http://www.slate.com/id/2215825/pagenum/all/#p2


2. Washington County Women's Luncheon

It's time for the annual Washington County Democratic Women’s Spring Luncheon. The date is Friday, May 1st from 12 noon - 2 pm. The location is the Cambridge Hotel in Cambridge, NY. The luncheon will feature quiche, salads, sandwiches, soups, and desserts.

$25 in advance; $30 at the door.

Featured Speaker will be Madeleine Kunin, the first woman governor of Vermont and author of Pearls, Politics, and Power: How Women Can Win and Lead

For reservations, contact: Ellen Faber at 677-8345 or mail checks made out to WCDC to Ellen Faber, 100 East Main Street, Cambridge, NY 12816. Pre-registration deadline is Friday April 24th


3. Estate Tax Madness

Ten Blue Dog Democrats in the Senate are already trying to hand a major defeat to President Obama. They joined every Republican senator to lower the "Paris Hilton" tax on the estates of the ultra rich, a tax that only effects the wealthiest 5,854 families in America. This gift to the super rich will cost the rest of us more than $300 billion over ten years.

Columnist Michael Kinsley summed it up: "To save these very few very wealthy people a small fraction of their estates, these senators are willing to hand their party's president an embarrassing defeat."

It's time to nip this Blue Dog nonsense in the bud. Blue Dogs want Democrat's support when they run for office, but then ignore-- if they can! -- who their party represents. Let the Blue Dogs know you can't be ignored. SIgn the the Campaign For America's protest on the estate tax give-a-way: http://ga3.org/campaign/no_millionaire_bailout


4. Thom Hartmann on the real Boston Tea Party

While we are on the subject of taxes, I am sure we all heard about CNBC's tea party protest.

Miranda sends along this superb Thom Hartmann article on the original Boston Tea Party these idiots are aping, and instead of being a protest against taxes, it was actually a protest against the political power of the biggest corporation in the world. (Sounds familiar?)

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/04/15-10


5. Breaking The FInancial Oligarchy

The Boston Tea Party was really about the power of a financial oligarchy. Amazingly, according to economist Simon Johnson, it's the same fight we face today, 236 years later: "...says a former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, the finance industry has effectively captured our government... recovery will fail unless we break the financial oligarchy that is blocking essential reform."

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/print/200905/imf-advice

Better than anything I've seen, Johnson's gives the best long view of what has actually been going on.


5. Rockhill Progressive Film Festival

FRI APR 17 7:00 pm COMMUNITY FILM FORUM Free
MONDOVINO (2005) Jonathan Nossiter 135 min RT Rating = 71 % Jonathan Nossiter focuses his camera on the international wine trade, traveling to France, California, Italy, and New York, speaking with winemakers both great and small. While old-timer Aime Guibert, of tiny Mas de Daumas-Gassac, pronounces that wine must be made by a poet, high-powered consultant Michel Rolland circles the globe ensuring that wineries make lots of money.... The result is an entertaining inside examination of a world very few people see, a fascinating exploration of wine and the families who produce it.


FRI APR 24 7:00 pm COMMUNITY FILM FORUM Free
DESERT BAYOU (2007) Alex Lemay 92 min RT Rating = 78 % After the horrors of Hurricane Katrina, hundreds of black evacuees were unwittingly transported to Utah, a state where only one percent of its residents were black in 2005. Featuring interviews with Master P, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, and Dr. Beverly Wright, Desert Bayou chronicles the experiences of those who escaped Katrina and were sent to live in Utah.

Thanks everyone!

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:24 AM 0 comments
Thursday, April 02, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Governor Dean At Union College April 13 & Meeting Report.
Hello Everyone;

Governor Dean At Union!

A special report: DFA founder Governor Howard Dean will be speaking at the Memorial Chapel of Union College in Schnectady, NY on Monday, April 13th at 7pm. Doors open at six. Space is limited and preference will be given to members of the campus community. For more details check out the Union webpage at: http://www.union.edu/N/DS/s.php?s=8325

If anyone is interested in carpooling down as a DFA group, let me know and we'll see what we can put together.

Meeting Report

Also, briefly, we had a good monthly meeting last night at the Rockhill Cafe. We discussed politics (of course!) but also DFA's new healthcare initiative now being led by Dr. Dean.

One of the things we discussed was this article from Wednesday New York Times, which describes what is probably the biggest danger posed to healthcare reform: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/us/politics/01health.html?hpw

Governor Dean has identified what's called "opt-in" as the make or break point for healthcare reform. If we can't opt-in to a public program like Medicare, we don't have reform.

But what's being proposed is a so-called compromise wherein, as the article describes it,
"Congress would authorize a new government-run insurance program, but it would come into existence only if certain conditions were met — if, for example, private insurers failed to rein in health costs by a certain amount after several years."

That would firstly, give private insurers breathing room to keep fighting reform. Secondly, they would just keep moving the goal posts, redefining or watering down the standards. What is enough reduction? Who would get to say that? This compromise is merely a strategy to kill opt-in. Costs would not come down significantly and we would not get reform.

We also discussed some actions, and we'll be letting you know about that soon. In the meanwhile, make sure you sign Governor Dean's petition for healthcare reform at: http://www.standwithdrdean.com

Thanks everyone!

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:17 PM 0 comments
Thursday, March 26, 2009
 
Hello Everyone;

In this update for March 26, 2009:

1. Gov. Dean Returns To DFA For Healthcare Reform
2. DFA 5th Anniversary Party Thanks
3. Our Sixth Anniversary Meeting Next Week
4. Special Election Tuesday


1. Gov. Dean Returns To DFA For Healthcare Reform

We had a great DFA 5th BIrthday Party yesterday. The highlight was the conference call and the return of Governor Dean to DFA! Now that he has completed his term at the DNC, the Governor is leading the fight for healthcare reform in America. It's clear no one understands it better.

DFA has put up a new website for this effort: http://www.standwithdrdean.com/

Last night the Governor asked everyone to go to the site and sign his petition for healthcare reform. They are asking for 10,000 signatures tomorrow, 250,000 before legislation is introduced in Congress.

Dean says the key issue in the fight is "opt-in" -- everyone should have the right to buy into the government's Medicare system. This will bring down costs and protect everyone. The insurance industry hates this because they don't want competition to break up the cozy deal they have going.

So, please, tonight, go to http://www.standwithdrdean.com/ and sign Govenor Dean's petition for healthcare reform. We'll be talking what we can do at our meeting Wednesday.


2. DFA 5th Anniversary Party Thanks

We had a large crowd and a great time in the conference room at the Women's Health Institute yesterday. Special thanks go out to our pastry chef extraordinaire Pat Dudley for the two spectacular birthday cakes she baked, and to the big guy, Doug Auer, for getting us the meeting space and donating beverages and pastries. Thanks also to Deb Liddle and Bernice Mennis for wine and Kathy Sonnabend for chips. It was good to see so many old friends together!


3. Our Sixth Anniversary Meeting Next Week

On next Wednesday, April 1st, we'll have our monthly Greater Glens Falls/Tricounty DFA meeting at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

But this won't be just another meeting: it will also be our sixth year of continuous operation as either Dean For America or Democracy For America.

It's weird to think it's been six years-- in some ways it seems an eternity, so much has happened, but in other ways, it seems like it just happened!

There's a second reason Wednesday's meeting is such a big deal: DFA and Dr. Dean is stepping into leadership in making healthcare reform happen. That's a big new role for DFA, and a big challenge for all of us, and we'll be planning and discussing our role in this great effort. It's going to be exciting campaign again with Dr. Dean!

Thank you all for making this such a phenomenal six years! It has literally been the best experience of my life and an honor and a privilege for me.

4. Special Election Tuesday


As we all know, the special Congressional election is coming up on Tuesday. Scott Murphy contacted Dick on Jan 27. A few days later Dick offered to arrange to have him meet with our DFA Steering Commitee at almost any time or any place. Regretably we did not hear back from Mr. Murphy or his staff. Accordingly, we were unable to make any endorsements.


Thanks everyone! Make sure you go online and sign the petition at: http://www.standwithdrdean.com/

See you all Wednesday at the Cafe to fight for healthcare reform!

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:03 PM 0 comments
Sunday, March 22, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Reminder: HOWARD DEAN LIVE at DFA 5TH B-Day Party!
Hello Everyone;

In This Update:

1. Howard Dean Live at DFA's Fifth Birthday Party Wednesday!
2. Cuomo On The Rise?
3. Next Banking Flashpoint?
4. Friday Night Progressive FIlm Festival


1. Howard Dean Live at DFA's Fifth Birthday Party Wednesday!

Be with us for a special live appearance of Governor Howard Dean at DFA's Fifth Birthday Party Wednesday, March 25th at 7:30 at the basement meeting room at the Women's Health Institute, at the Ridge Common offices on Ridge Street in downtown Glens Falls.

Howard Dean will be joined by Jim Dean and a special guest. We're also promised a major announcement. We expect to be able to have video of the event. Governor Dean will talk about DFA's past achievements and it's future.

We'll have cake and refreshments and the nationwide live conference call at 9pm.

This invitation goes out to everyone who has been part of DFA here in the Northcountry in the last five years, and also people who were members of Dean For America or the other campaigns in 2004! Come on in and reconnect with old friends on this special night of celebration.

If you would like to contribute some deserts, food or refreshments, too, please bring them along!

Special thanks go out to Doug Auer for the space and Pat Dudley for the Birthday cake!

Please RSVP at: http://democracyforamerica.com/events/32507-dfa-birthday-party

Now, some special instructions on how to find the party! The building is located at 101 Ridge Street, across the street from the Rite Aid store, three blocks north of the roundabout on Ridge Street. HOWEVER YOU CANNOT ENTER FROM THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. Turn into Lawrence Street (which faces the RIte Aide) and take the first right into the parking lot behind the building.

Park in the first lot and follow a sidewalk next to the building on the North to a set of stairs that go up. Go up the stairs and turn to the right and then go down the main staircase to the meeting area. Watch for orange tape and signs pointing the way! It's not hard.

2. Cuomo On The Rise?

The proudest part of the national economic crisis has been the remarkable performance of NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who just exposed the AIG bonus scandal is even larger than expected, and he is going after the miscreants.

Dick sends along this piece from the WashPost on Cuomo's rising star, which has increasing numbers of people assuming he is the next Governor of New York: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2009/03/cuomo_emerges_amid_aig_disaste.html?hpid=topnews


3. Next Banking Flashpoint?

There are a few must reads tonight; one from Salon's Joe Conason on what may be the next banking scandal: off shore accounts held by big business. http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/03/23/big_clawback/

"what reason other than evasion could there be for Goldman Sachs Group to set up three subsidiaries in Bermuda, five in Mauritius, and 15 in the Cayman Islands? Why did Countrywide Financial need two subsidiaries in Guernsey? Why did Wachovia need 18 subsidiaries in Bermuda, three in the British Virgin Islands, and 16 in the Caymans? Why did Lehman Brothers need 31 subsidiaries in the Caymans? What do Bank of America's 59 subsidiaries in the Caymans actually do? Why does Citigroup need 427 separate subsidiaries in tax havens, including 12 in the Channel Islands, 21 in Jersey, 91 in Luxembourg, 19 in Bermuda and 90 in the Caymans? What exactly is going on at Morgan Stanley's 19 subs in Jersey, 29 subs in Luxembourg, 14 subs in the Marshall Islands, and its amazing 158 subs in the Caymans? And speaking of AIG, why does it have 18 subs in tax-haven countries?"

The Nation's WIlliam Grieder says in today's Post there may be more anger to come. He observes that,

"Something fundamental has been altered in American politics. Encouraged by Obama's message of hope, agitated by darkening economic prospects, many people have thrown off sullen passivity and are trying to reclaim their role as citizens. This disturbs the routines of Washington but has great potential for restoring a functioning democracy. Timely intervention by the people could save the country from some truly bad ideas now circulating in Washington and on Wall Street."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/19/AR2009031902511.html


4. Friday Night Progressive FIlm Festival

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive Film Festival continues with:


FRI MAR 27 7:00 pm COMMUNITY FILM FORUM Free
EXCELLENT CADAVERS (2005) Marco Turco 92 min RT Rating = 77 % Based on the book by Alexander Stille and featuring the photos of Sicilian photojournalist Letizia Battaglia, the film chronicles the recent history of the Mafia and its integral, seemingly ineradicable, relationship to postwar Italian politics. Whereas in the past the Cosa Nostra used to kill only their own, beginning in the Seventies the Mafia began assassinating prosecutors, judges and others who were fighting them, and thus began producing the "excellent cadavers," as Sicilian writer Leonardo Sciascia called them. This documentary focuses on the efforts of two courageous prosecutors, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, whose efforts in the mid-Eighties led to the Maxi-Trials in Palermo, where, in a heavily-protected underground bunker the size of a football field, hundreds of Mafia defendants were tried and convicted. The film shows us that successive Italian governments -- including the current Berlusconi regime -- either ignore the Mafia or essentially do nothing about it.


FRI APR 3 7:00 pm COMMUNITY FILM FORUM Free
F*** THE ARMY (1972) Francine Parker 97 min RT Rating = N/A Available for the first time since it mysteriously dissappeared in 1972 after only one week in theaters, this raucous film is a riveting slice of the Vietnam anti-war movement. Reviving the wonderfully campy, yet biting theater of Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland's Free The Army (or, more popularly, "F*** The Army") tour, F.T.A. captures the entertaining magic and mayhem of the anti-ar and pro-labor show as it rallies and rouses dissident GI's stationed along the Pacific Rim. A gritty mix of rolicking performances and GI interviews, F.T.A. juxtaposes lighthearted political satire with the somber realities of war, occupation and the absurdities of military life, a barbed rebuke to the staid USO program. From Okinawa tot he Philippines, stirred by the show's provocative message, the members of the U.S. military find courage to speak out candidly in front of the camera. Fonda and Sutherland are joined on stage by an all-star cast of musicians and activists including folk singer Len Chandler, songstress Rita Marlinson and comedian Paul Mooney.

Thanks everyone! See you all Wednesday at DFA's Birthday Party!

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:34 PM 0 comments
Thursday, March 19, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: You're Invited! DFA's Fifth Birthday Party, More
Hello Everyone!

In This Update For March 19th, 2009:

1. You're Invited to DFA's Fifth Birthday Party Wednesday
2. In Memoriam: DFHMR Pres. Hy Dubowsky
3. Upstate Turning Bluer
4. Friday Night Progressive Film Festival


1. You're Invited to DFA's Fifth Birthday Party Wednesday

With hundreds of DFA groups across the country, we'll be holding a Fifth Birthday Party next Wednesday, March 25th at 7:30 at the basement meeting room at the Women's Health Institute, at the Ridge Common offices on Ridge Street in downtown Glens Falls.

We'll have cake and refreshments and a special nationwide live conference call at 9pm with Governor Howard Dean, DFA's founder. Governor Dean will talk about DFA's past achievements and it's future, and we're told he's going to have a special announcement!

This invitation goes out to everyone who has been part of DFA here in the Northcountry in the last five years, and also people who were members of Dean For America or the other campaigns in 2004! Come on in and reconnect with old friends on this special night of celebration.

If you would like to contribute some deserts, food or refreshments, too, please bring them along!

Special thanks go out to Doug Auer for the space and Pat Dudley for the Birthday cake!

Now, some special instructions on how to find the party! The building is located at 101 Ridge Street, across the street from the Rite Aid store, three blocks north of the roundabout on Ridge Street. HOWEVER YOU CANNOT ENTER FROM THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. Turn into Lawrence Street (which faces the RIte Aide) and take the first right into the parking lot behind the building.

Park in the first lot and follow a sidewalk next to the building on the North to a set of stairs that go up. Go up the stairs and turn to the right and then go down the main staircase to the meeting area. Watch for orange tape and signs pointing the way! It's not hard.


2. In Memoriam: DFHMR Pres. Hy Dubowsky

We have to note with considerable sadness the untimely passing of Hy Dubowsky, the President of our Albany sister group, Democracy For The Hudson Mohawk Region, and offer our condolences to his family and all who knew him. I was privileged to meet Hy at a number of DFA events, and his smiling presence will be deeply missed and is a great loss for DFA in the Albany area. You can read a wonderful obituary about Hy's richly filled life at : http://www.altamontenterprise.com/Weekly%20Pages/obituaries.html


3. Upstate Turning Bluer

Drew sends along this fascinating post from dKos today about how Upstate New York is slowly turning bluer. The graphics are terrific and very interesting: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/3/17/709623/-Stomping-out-the-Red-in-New-York


4. Friday Night Progressive Film Festival

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive Film Festival continues with:

FRI MAR 20 7:00 pm COMMUNITY FILM FORUM Free
A/K/A TOMMY CHONG (2007) Josh Gilbert 80 min RT Rating = 70 % A dynamic portrait of comedy legend Tommy Chong, set against the unfolding political horror story of post 911 America. Filmmaker Josh Gilbert follows the tragic and absurd tale of Chong as he travels down the rabbit hole of America's war on drugs and the federal prison system after becoming the primary target in a government sting, code named "Operation Pipe Dreams." In February of 2003, at a time of unparalleled assaults to our freedoms by international terrorists, John Ashcroft and U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan spent 12 million dollars to take down Tommy Chong for selling art glass water pipes (a/k/a bongs) over the internet. In the words of the great Magritte, "Ceci n'est pas une pipe." What emerges is an intimate portrait of a cosmic character, caught in the crosshairs of a surreal Cheech and Chong fantasy come to life.


FRI MAR 27 7:00 pm COMMUNITY FILM FORUM Free
EXCELLENT CADAVERS (2005) Marco Turco 92 min RT Rating = 77 % Based on the book by Alexander Stille and featuring the photos of Sicilian photojournalist Letizia Battaglia, the film chronicles the recent history of the Mafia and its integral, seemingly ineradicable, relationship to postwar Italian politics. Whereas in the past the Cosa Nostra used to kill only their own, beginning in the Seventies the Mafia began assassinating prosecutors, judges and others who were fighting them, and thus began producing the "excellent cadavers," as Sicilian writer Leonardo Sciascia called them. This documentary focuses on the efforts of two courageous prosecutors, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, whose efforts in the mid-Eighties led to the Maxi-Trials in Palermo, where, in a heavily-protected underground bunker the size of a football field, hundreds of Mafia defendants were tried and convicted. The film shows us that successive Italian governments -- including the current Berlusconi regime -- either ignore the Mafia or essentially do nothing about it.

Thanks everyone! See you all Wednesday!

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:19 PM 0 comments
Sunday, March 01, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Very Sad News-- Events, More
Hello Everyone;

First, before anything, I am deeply saddened to report that former Glens Falls Fifth Ward Councilman "Jolly"John Kemnitzer died this morning after a long illness.

As anyone who has been involved in the Democratic Party here over the years will know, Jolly John was a Glens Falls institution. An irrepressible raconteur, he was the heart, as well as the adviser, sounding board, mentor and guardian of memory for Glens Falls Democrats, holding forth from the Fish Fry for over 40 years. He is irreplaceable and his passing will leave a great void.

Visiting hours are scheduled for Wednesday at the Singleton Funeral Home on Bay Road from 4pm to 8pm. The service is set for St. Alphonsus Church in Glens Falls at 10am Thursday.

Since so many area Democrats will be at the wake, the Steering Committee members I reached tonight all agree it will be a practical impossibility to hold a meeting at our usually scheduled time. But there are other important events on tap for later in the month, and we can continue those in his spirit.

In This Update:

1. Iraq War Anniversary March 20th.
2. DFA Fifth Anniversary Party
3. Gov. Dean's Plans
4. Lakoff On The Obama Code
5. Rockhill Progressive Film Festival


1. Iraq War Anniversary March 20th.

The sixth anniversary of George Bush's invasion of Iraq is coming up on March 20th. Last year we held a reading of the names of American service men and women who have died in that needless war. It was appropriate to remember the extreme sacrifice they were called on to make. And as everyone who attended will attest, reading those thousands of names was deeply moving and, to reuse an old phrase, mind altering. I've discussed this with most of the Steering Committee and we agree it would be appropriate to try and organize this again. We'll have more for you on this in a future update.


2. DFA Fifth Anniversary Party

Five years ago this month Governor Dean, after suspending his campaign, founded Democracy For America.

DFA is now scheduling a nationwide series of celebratory parties for the fifth anniversary of DFA's founding on March 25th, and we will be scheduling a event along with other DFA groups across the country! There will be a special video presentation and a nationwide conference call with Governor Dean himself! We will also have more for you on this later.

3. Gov. Dean's Plans

In the news today is that President Obama has passed over Governor Dean for Secretary of Health and Human Serivices in favor of Gov. Sibelius of Kansas.

Dean has now spoken out and and an article on Huffington Post details his new plans, which are quite diverse. And he will apparently be spending more time at DFA, although it is not clear how much. For more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/01/exclusive-dean-talks-abou_n_170874.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/01/exclusive-dean-talks-abou_n_170874.html

4. Lakoff On The Obama Code

Most DFA people are familiar with George Lakoff's work on framing. DIck would urge everyone to read Lakoff's new article on "The Obama Code, which explains Obama and his use of language. It's really worth reading!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lakoff/the-obama-code_b_169580.html

Interestingly, DFA's very first training day was four years ago last month with Lakoff, a project I proposed to DFA Executive Director Tom Hughes the previous year.


5. Rockhill Progressive Film Festival

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe Progressive Film Festival returns to Friday night with:

FRI MAR 6 7:00 pm FRIDAY FILM FORUM Free
LITTLE ROCK - 50 YEARS LATER (2006) Brant & Craig Renaud 70 min
This documentary film explores the ways in which race relations have changed--and the ways in which they've stayed the same--as Brent and Craig Renaud return to Little Rock Central High School fifty years after the famous incident in which nine African-American students were denied entrance to the building by an angry white mob.


FRI MAR 13 7:00 pm FRIDAY FILM FORUM Free
PUCKER UP (2005) Kate Davis & David Heilbroner 76 min RT Rating = 80 %
This appropriately named film is a documentary on the world of competitive whistling. The filmmakers travel to the International Whistling Convention and Competition in North Carolina to view the latest competitors, as well as giving a detailed history of the sport.
Exposing all the thrills and spills of the demolition

Thanks everyone! See you all soon,

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:04 PM 0 comments
Sunday, February 15, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Candidates, Appeals, More
Hello Everyone;

In This Update For February 15th, 2009:

1. Congressional Race
2. Online Actions: Single Payer Healthcare Petition
3. Populist Rebellion
4. Bernice Mennis Reading
5. Progressive Film Festival


1. Congressional Race

As you all know, with Kirsten Gillibrand now in the Senate, a special election is on tap here in the 20th CD on March 31st, and many of you have been contacting me for information about Scott Murphy.

Dick has been in contact with Scott Murphy. He emailed us on Jan. 27. We haven't heard from him since, but we would expect to hear from him soon. The DFA protocol is for him to meet ASAP with our Steering Committee before a regular meeting, and we want to make sure that happens so that I can report to all of you. Obviously, since Mr. Murphy is so new, both as a candidate and a resident or our area, and few of us know him, we all have a lot of questions!

Murphy has opened a headquarters at 3 Warren Street in downtown Glens Falls. There is also a website now up at http://www.scottmurphy09.com/ although there isn't much on it yet.


2. Online Actions: Single Payer Healthcare Petition

President Obama (it's still a thrill to write that!) won a great victory this week with passage of the Stimulus Bill to restore and rebuild the American economy. In a second, lesser noted victory, Sen. Chris Dodd saved language in the bill to clip the gouging culture of salaries on Wall Street.

The White House and Congress is necessarily moving onto banking next, but it's clear healthcare reform will come up, soon. As we've endorsed before, and with the overwhelming majority of Americans-- 59%-32%, according to a recent poll, a Single Payer Healthcare system should lead the debate, even if we can't get it this year. After all, the less we ask for, the less we'll get when all the wrangling is done.

Rep. John Conyers is leading the fight for Single Payer Health Care for decades H.R. 676, the "Medicare For All" Bill .

Democrats.com has a petition online so we can show our support for Single-Payer:

http://democrats.com/single-payer-petition?cid=ZGVtczIzODE2OGRlbXM=


3. Populist Rebellion

What's starting to help drive this new era of reform is what can only be described as a new populist era of rebellion. It is increasingly clear that this new spirit, which helped elect Obama last year, but also brought down Tom Daschle, is going to define American politics for the next generation.

It is rooted in and driven by the complete discrediting of the economic dogmas of the last thirty years, which last year's economic crisis exposed as a sham as complete as Bernie Madoff's ponzi scheme. This discrediting is not only functional and pragmatic in terms of what works, but deeply moral in nature. Those entrusted with leadership of our leading corporations were exposed as not only incompetent, but corrupt and venal, blowing millions on office decor and junkets, and billions on bonuses for themselves, while laying off tens of thousands of employees and begging for a government handout. The idea capitalism has any moral foundation has been shattered irrevocably.

There is an axiom among military reformers that victory in war goes to those who can go through cycles of observation, decision and action the fastest. History seems to confirm that, and it applies equally well to politics. One of the challenges facing Democrats, liberals and progressives today is whether they can go through this cycle of observation, decision and action fast enough to adjust to this new reality and build enduring change. At the moment President Obama seems to be making the leap.

Here are some great pieces on this remarkable era of change we live in:

Tom Daschle And The Populist Revolt: http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2009/02/tom-daschle-and-populist-revolt.html
Slumdogs Unite! http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/opinion/08rich.html?em
BooHoo in the Boardroom: http://egan.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/boo-hoo-in-the-boardroom/?ref=opinion

Also don't miss Frank Rich today on Obama's victory: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/opinion/15rich.html

4. Bernice Mennis Reading

Our own Bernice Mennis will be reading from her new book Breaking Out of Prison: a guide to consciousness, compassion, and freedom at Red Fox Books, on Ridge Street in downtown Glens Falls, between the roundabout and City Hall, on Monday, Feb. 23, at 6:30. It's about how the power of language and thought can shape our minds and our lives.


5. Progressive Film Festival

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Saturday Night Progressive Film Festival continues with:

SAT FEB 21 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENING Free
GIRLHOOD (2003) Liz Garbus 82 min RT Rating = 94 %
Tells two coming-of-age stories from the real America: Shanae, ten years old when she was gang-raped by five boys, responded by drinking and drugging, and then graduated to murder, with the stabbing death of a friend, at age 11. Megan, whose mother abandoned her to turn tricks to support her ravaging heroin addiction, ran away from ten different foster homes before being arrested for attacking another foster child with a box cutter. Both girls ended up in the Waxter Juvenile Facility, home to Maryland's most violent juvenile offenders. It is here that their journeys really begin. With unprecedented access to the system and to the complex interior lives of the protagonists, the film follows Shanae and Megan over the next three years as they struggle to come to terms with their crimes, their pasts, and their futures. Both will struggle to come of age in an America in which childhood, as we would all like to imagine it, is in shorter and shorter supply. A story of mothers and daughters, crime and consequences, and ceaseless striving in the face of inconceivable adversity, Girlhood is a testament to the faith and struggles of two girls just trying to grow up.

SAT FEB 28 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENING Free
SPEEDO (2004) Jesse Moss 78 min RT Rating = N/A
Exposing all the thrills and spills of the demolition derby, this highly personal documentary from director Jesse Moss focuses on the life of driver Ed "Speedo" Jager. Life as a top derby racer takes its toll on Jager's private life, with every professional peak being leveled out by a very personal trough. Totally addicted to the rush of the track, the latest in a long line of tragedies to befall the superstar is the break-up of his marriage. Moss captures all the gruesome details on camera, as well as Jager's pursuit of a track official who catches his eye. The film is shot over a year in the life of the driver, and captures all the highs and lows he encounters.

Thanks everyone! Hope to have more info for you on Scott Murhpy, soon.

Larry Dudley

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 4:37 PM 0 comments
Friday, January 16, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: MLK Day Events, Last of Bush, more
Hello Everyone!

Only four more days of the worst President in the history of the United States! Is it still too late to impeach him?

In this update for January 15th, 2009:


1. Martin Luther King Day Events & Congratulations To Roy Thomas
2. Bush's Last Dance Party
3. Must Reads: Limiting Debate-- Limiting Change
4. Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe Progressive Film Festival



1. Martin Luther King Day Events & Congratulations To Roy Thomas

Congratulations are in order to Glens Falls DFA member Roy Thomas, the newly elected head of the reactivated Glens Falls NAACP! We all know Roy will do a great job breathing the Glens Falls Chapter back to life.

The Chapter will be holding the annual commemoration of Martin Luther King Day this Sunday, January 18th in downtown Glens Falls. The event begin in front of Glens Falls City Hall at 3:30pm for a few short speeches by Mayor Jack Diamond and State Senator Betty Little. There will then be a commemorative march from City Hall to the Glens Falls United Methodist Church on the corner of Bay and Washington Street.

At 4:30 there will be a program featuring Rev. Gloria Akskew and area church choirs.

The Glens Falls NAACP will also be collecting donations of nonperishable food items for area food pantries.

2. Bush's Last Dance Party

From Naomi Marsh at the Washington Co. Democrats:
“Bush's Last Day Dance Party: We will also be celebrating the beginning of the Obama presidency!!!!
Jermain Hall in White Creek, Saturday, January 17 Starting at 7:30 pm

Live music by ATHENA and ZUELA with special guests

Price of admission: Cash or a check in any amount which will be donated in its entirety to local food pantries. Food items are also welcome. Please come and bring your friends. If you wish, bring food and/or beverage to share at the party, pot-luck style.

Directions: Jermain Hall is on Niles Road in White Creek.
From NY locations: Get on County Route 68 (the White Creek Road) which heads east off of Route 22 halfway between Cambridge and North Hoosick. Follow CR 68 about five miles to White Creek. Take a left on Niles Road at the big corner, go one block, and turn right at the stop sign. (Still on Niles Road.) Jermaine Hall is on your left in about a quarter of a mile.
From VT locations: Take the White Creek Road out of North Bennington. This becomes County Road 68 at the NY border. Just after the big corner, as you come into White Creek, turn right on Niles Road. Then go one block, and turn right at the stop sign. (Still on Niles Road.) Jermaine Hall is on your left in about a quarter of a mile.


3. Must Reads: Limiting Debate-- Limiting Change

We've all heard a great deal about change this year, but the degree of change we can expect is often limited to the change we can discuss. Dick sends along this terrific piece by NYU journalism professor Jay Rosen on how and why debate is so often limited in the big national media. A process of insider groupthink assigns some ideas, usually corporate friendly, because most work for corporate media, as being consensus and beyond discussion, while others are relegated to a deviant status, beyond discussion. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-rosen/audience-atomization-over_b_157807.html

An example of an idea cast as being beyond discussion would be a single-payer healthcare system, which the great majority of the American people support. But single payer has been consigned to a deviant status, despite the fact organizations like the California Association of Nurses just came out with a report detailing how a single payer system would actually help stimulate and save the economy: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/396919/single_payer_health_care_would_stimulate_economy?rel=emailNation

Another example is prosecuting torturers for their crimes. Here Glenn Greenwald of Salon details the protective quality Washington insider groupthink can have. He writes:
"The political/media establishment isn't desperately and unanimously fighting against the idea of investigations and prosecutions because they believe there was nothing done that was so bad. They're fighting so desperately precisely because they know there was, and they know they bear much of the culpability for it. They fear disruptions to their own comforts and prerogatives if any more light is shined on what happened. The consensus mantra that the only thing that matters is to "make sure it never happens again" is simply the standard cry of every criminal desperate for absolution: I promise not to do it again if you don't punish me this time. "
The full piece is at: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/01/15/ignatius/


The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Saturday Night Progressive Film Festival continues with:

SAT JAN 17 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGS Free.
DARKON (2007) Andrew Neel & Luke Meyer 90 min. RT Rating = 82 %
Go inside the fantasy world of Darkon with this documentary. A group of Baltimore residents adds excitement to their lives with this role-playing game that allows them to act as medieval soldiers and princes.

SAT JAN 24 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGS Free.
THE HEMP REVOLUTION (1998) Anthony Clarke 75 min. RT Rating = N/A
Tells the amazing and little known story of the Hemp plant. Probably the first plant to be cultivated and one of the world’s largest agricultural crops until the late 1800’s, this feature length documentary explores the plant’s fascinating history, its thousands of uses, the economic and cultural forces behind its prohibition and its modern potential to solve some major environmental problems. Hemp, together with biotechnologies presented in the film, can be a panacea of answers to societal issues as varied as bio-fuel, sustainable natural food supply, clothing and energy needs. George Washington saw Hemp as an answer to independence while corporate America sought to regulate and criminalize it using marihuana as an excuse.

Thanks Everyone! Hope you pipes didn't freeze last night.

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 9:25 AM 0 comments
Friday, January 09, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Meeting Report, Bob Muller Thanks, More
Hello Everyone!

In this update for January 8, 2009:

1. Meeting Report: Bob Muller Extends His Thanks
2. Jim Dean: Save The 50 State Program
3. Governor Dean Celebrated But Passed Over?
4. Middle Class Incomes The Real Issue
5. You're Invited: Bush's Last Dance Party
6. Saturday Night Progressive Film Fest



1. Meeting Report: Bob Muller Extends His Thanks

We were pleased and privileged at last night's meeting when his Honor, newly elected Supreme Court Judge Robert Muller, returned to say thanks to all of us at DFA for our support. Bob was fairly early in his campaign when he visited us last June, and we were pleased to endorse him. We could not have known he would do as well as he did-- coming in second in a four candidate field. He visited with us for some time, regaling everyone with tales from the campaign trail. It was clear one of the reasons Bob was so successful was because he was a happy warrior.


Contrary to the naysayers, Bob proved it could be done. Democrats can win judicial seats in upstate districts, we especially do not have to cross-endorse Republicans. He has broken the trail for many more candidates to come.

Unfortunately, rules of judicial political neutrality will prevent Bob from returning to our meeting again. But he extends his thanks to everyone who couldn't make it last night.

2. Jim Dean: Save The 50 State Program

While we were meeting DFA Chair Jim Dean sent out an urgent request asking everyone to sign a petition to save Howard Dean's 50-State Program. As we know, the 50-State Program reversed the fortunes of the Democratic Party, but, astonishingly, the newly selected DNC Chair, Governor Tim Kaine, does not seem to have any clear commitment to continuing it. The last thing Democrats need is to go back to the bad old days before Dean turned the Democratic party around, where we don't compete everywhere, and instead try to “cherrypick” a handful of winners. Bob Muller's victory here-- a victory of not being afraid to compete everywhere-- proves the point, yet again. Please sign the petition today: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/activities/119



3. Governor Dean Celebrated But Passed Over?

Dick passes this along: Chris Matthews interviewed Governor Dean on Hardball yesterday, and gave credit where credit is due: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpGE8i4liJ0

However, some people are concerned that credit has not been given where credit is due. There is no doubt that politics has become an increasingly rough business, with very little of the loyalty that used to be considered essential for political life:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/07/howard-dean-left-out-of-o_n_156116.html


4. Middle Class Incomes The Real Issue

I want to pass on the best article I've seen lately, which is by Jonathan Tasini on the Huffington Post. Tasini points out that the real, underlying economic issue is the war waged on middle class incomes since the beginning of the Reagan era. For instance, that decline is why so many people cannot afford health insurance anymore. There has been an enormous increase in wealth and productivity in America but none of that new wealth has been shared with average Americans. If the minimum wage had tracked productivity the way it did from WWII to Reagan, the minimum wage would now be $19 an hour. Do not miss: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-tasini/conspiracy-of-silence-wag_b_155531.html


4. You're Invited: Bush's Last Dance Party
From Naomi Marsh at the Washington Co. Democrats:
“Bush's Last Day Dance Party: We will also be celebrating the beginning of the Obama presidency!!!!
Jermain Hall in White Creek
Saturday, January 17th
Starting at 7:30 pm

Live music by ATHENA and ZUELA with special guests

Price of admission: Cash or a check in any amount which will be donated in its entirety to local food pantries. Food items are also welcome. Please come and bring your friends. If you wish, bring food and/or beverage to share at the party, pot-luck style.

Directions: Jermain Hall is on Niles Road in White Creek.
From NY locations: Get on County Route 68 (the White Creek Road) which heads east off of Route 22 halfway between Cambridge and North Hoosick. Follow CR 68 about five miles to White Creek. Take a left on Niles Road at the big corner, go one block, and turn right at the stop sign. (Still on Niles Road.) Jermaine Hall is on your left in about a quarter of a mile.
From VT locations: Take the White Creek Road out of North Bennington. This becomes County Road 68 at the NY border. Just after the big corner, as you come into White Creek, turn right on Niles Road. Then go one block, and turn right at the stop sign. (Still on Niles Road.) Jermaine Hall is on your left in about a quarter of a mile.

6. Saturday Night Progressive Film Fest

Finally, the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Saturday Night Film Fest has returned for another year with:

SAT JAN 10, 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGs Free.
THE HOBART SHAKESPEAREANS (2005) Mel Stuart 68 min. RT Rating = 89 %
Rafe Esquith is a teacher who really did make a difference. Teaching in a decrepit Los Angeles neighborhood, Esquith took it upon himself to impart the works of Shakespeare to the kids who patrol the streets by night and reluctantly turn up... Rafe Esquith is a teacher who really did make a difference. Teaching in a decrepit Los Angeles neighborhood, Esquith took it upon himself to impart the works of Shakespeare to the kids who patrol the streets by night and reluctantly turn up to school by day. As this film shows, the results were remarkable, with the majority of the kids taking to the Bard like a duck to water, largely thanks to Esquith's innovative teaching methods.


Thanks everyone, and a Happy New Year Again!

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:21 AM 0 comments
Sunday, January 04, 2009
 
Tricounty DFA Update: First Meeting Wednesday 7pm Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe.
Hello Everyone;

First, Happy New Year To You All! I hope everyone had a great holiday season and are all rested up and ready for another great year of, as Howard Dean said almost six years ago, Taking Back America.

We'll be having our usual Greater Glens Falls DFA meeting this Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls, one block east of the roundabout on the corner of Hudson Avenue and Elm and Exchange Streets.

One item we'll be discussing celebrating or observing the inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama.

January 20th is not only the beginning of a new American government, but it is also the real beginning of the year, and indeed, the 21st century itself.

Also, there is the commemoration of Martin Luther King day on the 19th.

With groups across the country we'll be discussing what we can do to keep Congressional Democrats on track on vital issues supported by overwhelming majorities of the American people, like reining in gangster capitalism, a single-payer healthcare system and rapid withdrawal from Iraq.

Happy New Year again! See you all soon,

Larry

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:53 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
 
Tricounty DFA Update: December Events
Hello Everyone!

The Holiday season after the election is over is a quiet time, politically, without much news locally. However there are some great special events coming up at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Larry

FRI DEC 12 7:00 pm DAVID LIPPMAN (aka "THE SINGING C.I.A. AGENT", aka "GEORGE SHRUB") Suggested Donation ($6.00)
Dave Lippman is widely known on many coasts and in some interiors for his sharp send-ups of topical subjects ranging from weapons of mass distraction to SUVs and the wars to defend them. He has toured widely in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Central America in a 35-year musical career. Lippman's notoriety began in 1969 when he was named an unindicted co-conspirator for singing about the "Guatemala sweepstakes" at a rally that preceded the escorting of a recruiter from the United Fruit Company off the campus. After having a song recorded by Country Joe MacDonald, Lippman joined with a San Francisco comedy group to create the 'Reagan for Shah Campaign,' in which he introduced the permanent character George Shrub, Singing CIA Agent. Shrub then toured as security for the 'Ladies Against Women.' In the eighties, Lippman performed in war zones in Central America and toured from Birmingham Alabama to Birmingham England, then on to Belgrade. In Germany he sang for squatters and anti-nuclear activists. Stateside, he joined a caravan of Salvadoran refugees through Texas. Ex-CIA agent John Stockwell declared Lippman prescient for writing a song about the Grenada "rescue" a year before it happened; Lippman declared it manifest destiny, based on the size of the island. "Lippman is a national treasure" - L.A. Herald-Examiner
"Viciously funny" - Guardian (England) "The Dean felt that more harm than good would come from your visit" - student, Skidmore College, New York

SAT DEC 13 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGS Free.
KING CORN (2006) Aaron Woolf 90 min. RT Rating = 95 %
A feature documentary about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation. In King Corn, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, best friends from college on the east coast, move to the heartland to learn where their food comes from. With the help of friendly neighbors, genetically modified seeds, and powerful herbicides, they plant and grow a bumper crop of America’s most-productive, most-subsidized grain on one acre of Iowa soil. But when they try to follow their pile of corn into the food system, what they find raises troubling questions about how we eat — and how we farm.

THU DEC 18 7:00 pm OPEN MIC NIGHT hosted by our very own Cory Avon. Sing, play, read or just watch and listen. Free.

FRI DEC 19 7:00 pm STEPHEN GALLUCCI PIANO MADNESS Free
Our very own, "Madman of the Ivories", Steve Gallucci, is a classically-trained local pianist. He has tuned and set up our new/old piano so that it can be used by kids fooling around at lunch and singer/songwriters playing at the cafe, alike. Little did he know that this piano was basically just an excuse to get him to play publicly for us (he is simply
fantastic!). We have asked him to honor us with the official first piano performance at The Rock and he has graciously agreed. He is preparing an eclectic show for us that no one will want to miss. Come early to get a good seat!

SAT DEC 20 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGS Free.
WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY (2007) Rob Van Alkemade & Morgan Spurlock 91 min. RT Rating = 70 %
Examines the commercialization of Christmas in America while following Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse (the end of humankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt.) The film also delves into issues such as the role sweatshops play in America’s mass consumerism and Big-Box Culture. From the humble beginnings of preaching at his portable pulpit on New York City subways, to having a congregation of thousands – Bill Talen (aka Rev. Billy) has become the leader of not just a church, but a national movement. Rev. Billy’s epic journey takes us to chilling exorcisms at Wal-Mart headquarters, to retail interventions at the Mall of America, and all the way to the Promised Land on Christmas Day. The Stop Shopping mission reminds us that even though we may be “hypnotized and consumerized,” we still have a chance to save ourselves this Christmas.

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:02 PM 0 comments
Monday, December 01, 2008
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Meeting Reminder, more
Hello Everyone;

In this update for December 1st, 2008:

1. Meeting Wednesday
2. Obama Transition Page
3. Washington County Dem Holiday Party
4. Which Direction Obama?
5. Rockhill Film Fest


1. Meeting Wednesday

Don't forget our monthly Greater Glens Falls DFA meeting this Wednesday, December 3rd, at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls. Last month we mainly celebrated and savored, but need to talk a bit more seriously about the future: specifically, we may want to join in nationwide Obama house parties on the 12/12-12/13.

The Cafe is located on the corner of Elm and Exchange Streets and Hudson Avenue, one block east of the roundabout in downtown Glens Falls.

2. Obama Transition Page

In case you haven't seen it, President-Elect Obama has a transition team webpage up at http://change.gov/ with lots of info on new appointments and what the transition is doing.


3. Washington County Dem Holiday Party

The Washington County Democratic Holiday Party is this Thursday, December 4th, at 7:00pm at the Rice Mansion Inn, Cambridge, NY. Food and drinks are included for $30, with catering by Spoonful Catering. Please contact Judy Doonan immediately if you want to go at 692-7215 or judy@judydoonan.com so that they can order enough food and beverages!


4. Which Direction Obama?

There has been considerable discussion of what direction Obama is taking with some of the surprisingly conservative appointments he has been making: there is reason to think he "plans on using conservatives to carry out progressive policies, and cal it pragmatism." A really interesting view by Tom Edsall and worth a read: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/29/battle-royale-center-righ_n_147072.html


5. Rockhill Film Fest

The Rockhill Cafe Progressive Saturday Film Fest Continues:

SAT DEC 6 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGS Free.
THE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR (2004) 101 min. RT Rating = N/A
A beautiful, powerful and deeply-moving documentary about the life of Desmond T. Doss, a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for acts of incredible bravery during World War II. Although classified as a conscientious objector for his religious beliefs as a Seventh Day Adventist against carrying a weapon or working on Saturday, he wanted to be called a "conscientious cooperator," not an objector. He refused the automatic deferment available to him since he worked in a naval shipyard. Instead, he signed up to join the military and asked to be put on the frontlines to care for the wounded.

SAT DEC 13 7:00 pm SATURDAY SCREENINGS Free.
KING CORN (2006) Aaron Woolf 90 min. RT Rating = 95 %
A feature documentary about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation. In King Corn, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, best friends from college on the east coast, move to the heartland to learn where their food comes from. With the help of friendly neighbors, genetically modified seeds, and powerful herbicides, they plant and grow a bumper crop of America’s most-productive, most-subsidized grain on one acre of Iowa soil. But when they try to follow their pile of corn into the food system, what they find raises troubling questions about how we eat — and how we farm.


Thanks, everyone!

Larry

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- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:37 PM 0 comments

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