The 2006 election is critical for the Green Party, but there will be a world after that. And to help us figure out where to go and how to get there in the next 3-5 years, we’re having a Strategic Planning Session. Sounds boring, right? Wrong!
On Saturday, June 24th at 1pm, Greens from Monroe County are invited to the home of Paulette Swartzfager for a potluck. Bring a dish to pass and help us plan the course of the Green Party. Call our voice mail at (585) 234-6470 to RSVP so we know how many people to expect.
Paulette’s house is at 1020 Chili Ctr Coldwater Rd. in Gates. You can see a map and get directions HERE.
Great Food, Great People, Progressive Politics. What else can you ask for?
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Green Party's US Senate Announces Candidacy in Rochester
"If New Yorkers vote for what they really want, we will win this election!"
(Rochester, NY): Green Party co-founder Howie Hawkins announced his bid for Hillary Clinton’s seat today in Rochester, and to announce the launching of the 2006 Green Party slate, called the Green Party Peace Slate. "Like the majority of New Yorkers, I support immediate withdrawal from Iraq and Medicare for all," said Hawkins. "Hillary Clinton - and the Democratic Party - does not. Expecting the Democrats to get us out of this war any more than the Republicans is like asking a crack addict to turn in their dealer."
Hawkins adds, "If New Yorkers vote for what they really want, we will win this election." The Greens support bringing the troops home immediately and believe that President Bush should be impeached for lying to the country about the reasons for the illegal invasion. "We have to stop going to war for oil," Hawkins says.
Hawkins and celebrity author and gubernatorial candidate Malachy McCourt lead the new NY Green Party 2006 Peace slate, nominated at the Green Party’s May 20th Convention in Albany. The slate is united around what they consider "the winning issues," of peace, healthcare, and jobs. A former marine and a life long activist, Hawkins has extensive campaign experience running in 2002 as the Green Party’s Comptroller candidate, in 2003 as a Congressional candidate running against Jim Walsh, and a 2005 Syracuse Mayoral candidate.
Rounding out the slate are 3 strong female progressive leaders: voting rights activist, Rachel Treichler for Attorney General, Julia Willebrand for Comptroller, and labor and lesbian rights’ activist Alison Duncan for lieutenant governor.
The always entertaining Green Gubernatorial candidate, Malachy McCourt said, "Don’t waste your vote, give it to me!" The Brooklyn-born, New York Times best-selling author has worked on air in NYC’s top radio stations for the past 35 years. His wit and writing have won awards from New York magazine, City Club, and the NYCLU. McCourt quips, "I’m not running for Governor, I’m standing. I will stand with the Green Party and speak out against this immoral war in Iraq."
(Rochester, NY): Green Party co-founder Howie Hawkins announced his bid for Hillary Clinton’s seat today in Rochester, and to announce the launching of the 2006 Green Party slate, called the Green Party Peace Slate. "Like the majority of New Yorkers, I support immediate withdrawal from Iraq and Medicare for all," said Hawkins. "Hillary Clinton - and the Democratic Party - does not. Expecting the Democrats to get us out of this war any more than the Republicans is like asking a crack addict to turn in their dealer."
Hawkins adds, "If New Yorkers vote for what they really want, we will win this election." The Greens support bringing the troops home immediately and believe that President Bush should be impeached for lying to the country about the reasons for the illegal invasion. "We have to stop going to war for oil," Hawkins says.
Hawkins and celebrity author and gubernatorial candidate Malachy McCourt lead the new NY Green Party 2006 Peace slate, nominated at the Green Party’s May 20th Convention in Albany. The slate is united around what they consider "the winning issues," of peace, healthcare, and jobs. A former marine and a life long activist, Hawkins has extensive campaign experience running in 2002 as the Green Party’s Comptroller candidate, in 2003 as a Congressional candidate running against Jim Walsh, and a 2005 Syracuse Mayoral candidate.
Rounding out the slate are 3 strong female progressive leaders: voting rights activist, Rachel Treichler for Attorney General, Julia Willebrand for Comptroller, and labor and lesbian rights’ activist Alison Duncan for lieutenant governor.
The always entertaining Green Gubernatorial candidate, Malachy McCourt said, "Don’t waste your vote, give it to me!" The Brooklyn-born, New York Times best-selling author has worked on air in NYC’s top radio stations for the past 35 years. His wit and writing have won awards from New York magazine, City Club, and the NYCLU. McCourt quips, "I’m not running for Governor, I’m standing. I will stand with the Green Party and speak out against this immoral war in Iraq."
Friday, May 26, 2006
Why You Should Register Green, pt. 3
Michaeal Hayden was confirmed as CIA Chief by the US Senate. The vote was disgustingly in favor. This is the guy who ordered the spying on millions of innocent Amercians by creating a database of our phone records. This had nothing to do with terrorism and everything to do with facism.
Here are the Democrats who voted FOR this facist:
Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Byrd (D-WV)
Carper (D-DE)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Very nice. I'll give credit where it's due...Clinton voted Nay. Though I'm still voting for Howie Hawkins. You should be throwing money his way, too.
If you vote for this guy, what does that say you stand for? What is the possible reason to vote for this guy if you're paying attention in the least. They're Democratic Senators! They're supposed to know what's going on and they vote for someone who spies on Americans? Hooray, Democrats! You should be registering Green.
Here are the Democrats who voted FOR this facist:
Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Byrd (D-WV)
Carper (D-DE)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Very nice. I'll give credit where it's due...Clinton voted Nay. Though I'm still voting for Howie Hawkins. You should be throwing money his way, too.
If you vote for this guy, what does that say you stand for? What is the possible reason to vote for this guy if you're paying attention in the least. They're Democratic Senators! They're supposed to know what's going on and they vote for someone who spies on Americans? Hooray, Democrats! You should be registering Green.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Green Party's Slate for State Office
From the State Committee Meeting in Albany on Saturday, May 20th, the Green Party's slate for state office has been selected:
Governor
Malachy McCourt
Lt. Governor
Alison Duncan
Comptroller
Julia Willebrand
Attorney General
Rachel Treichler
U.S. Senate
Howie Hawkins
You can read about these folks in our blog at http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2006/05/green-party-candidates-some.html and more will becoming, including visits by all candidates to the Rochester area. Stay tuned.
Governor
Malachy McCourt
Lt. Governor
Alison Duncan
Comptroller
Julia Willebrand
Attorney General
Rachel Treichler
U.S. Senate
Howie Hawkins
You can read about these folks in our blog at http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2006/05/green-party-candidates-some.html and more will becoming, including visits by all candidates to the Rochester area. Stay tuned.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Flash Video on Organics
OK...this is a little cheesy, but if you're a member of a CSA or Abundance Co-Op you may think this video is cute. You'll need to have the Flash plug-in in your browser. Beware of the dark side.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Greenline TV "Democracy in Crisis" episode AIRS in Penfield
The first airing of "Democ. in Crisis" in Penfield will be May 12, '06, ch. 15 @ 11:00 am.
This show presents the controversy over HAVA mandated Electronic Voting Machines in New York, especially in Monroe County. Tune in to see why your votes may not be as secure as you think!
www.GPMOC.org
This show presents the controversy over HAVA mandated Electronic Voting Machines in New York, especially in Monroe County. Tune in to see why your votes may not be as secure as you think!
www.GPMOC.org
Monday, May 08, 2006
A Book for Progressive Sports Fans
I just finished a great book...one I highly recommend. It's called What's my Name, Fool? Sports and Resistance in the United States by Dave Zirin.
If you're a sports fan, it's cool. If you're a progressive it's cool. If you're a progressive sports fan it's doubly cool. There's stuff on Muhammed Ali, the 1968 Olympics, Billie Jean King, Carlos Delgado and even Barry Bonds. It made me re-think about Barry Bonds. I still think he's a jerk, but...
A quick & provocative read.
If you're a sports fan, it's cool. If you're a progressive it's cool. If you're a progressive sports fan it's doubly cool. There's stuff on Muhammed Ali, the 1968 Olympics, Billie Jean King, Carlos Delgado and even Barry Bonds. It made me re-think about Barry Bonds. I still think he's a jerk, but...
A quick & provocative read.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Green Party Candidates--Some Reflections
GOVERNOR
Malachy McCourt: Mr. McCourt is a well known figure and his statements address the voter who has not been voting his/her conscience--and instead voting for the lesser of 2 evils. He is anxious to bear the banner of the Green Party in NY--and the key values that we endorse. This is an important point and a good one to emphasize during the election. He obviously has the resources and the name to bring press and attention to the campaign.
LT. GOVERNOR
Alison Duncan -- a longtime activist for women, gay, lesbian, and rights of all people in NY and in this country. She brings experience and honesty to this campaign.
U.S. SENATOR
Howie Hawkins--definitely GREEN...No doubt about his credibility as an activist, a truthful person, a representative of the working class. He is what the party is about at its platform level. He is not a career politician. We need to declare that we are asking the voting public to vote for a candidate they can believe. This is not a frivolous request since so much rests on Hawkins who can seriously challenge all that Hillary Clinton has abandoned--the common folk, the victims of this immoral war, and the environmental disasters already faced by toxic dumps and global warming--right in this state and throughout the country.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Rachel Treichler--She is far better than most green Candidates I have ever met--truly a Green in soul and speech. She has atty experience, and needs to emphasize the specifics of court cases (the scope and achievement) more clearly to be credible with the public. Her humility and talent for listening need to be exploited but in a confident way--since voters want leadership and "fight" in their atty general. But, we need to emphasize that she has experience as a lawyer in NYC and is not to be taken lightly.
To get an up close and detailed summary of each candidate and find their web pages, go to the NYSTate Green Party site: http://www.gpnys.org
Malachy McCourt: Mr. McCourt is a well known figure and his statements address the voter who has not been voting his/her conscience--and instead voting for the lesser of 2 evils. He is anxious to bear the banner of the Green Party in NY--and the key values that we endorse. This is an important point and a good one to emphasize during the election. He obviously has the resources and the name to bring press and attention to the campaign.
LT. GOVERNOR
Alison Duncan -- a longtime activist for women, gay, lesbian, and rights of all people in NY and in this country. She brings experience and honesty to this campaign.
U.S. SENATOR
Howie Hawkins--definitely GREEN...No doubt about his credibility as an activist, a truthful person, a representative of the working class. He is what the party is about at its platform level. He is not a career politician. We need to declare that we are asking the voting public to vote for a candidate they can believe. This is not a frivolous request since so much rests on Hawkins who can seriously challenge all that Hillary Clinton has abandoned--the common folk, the victims of this immoral war, and the environmental disasters already faced by toxic dumps and global warming--right in this state and throughout the country.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Rachel Treichler--She is far better than most green Candidates I have ever met--truly a Green in soul and speech. She has atty experience, and needs to emphasize the specifics of court cases (the scope and achievement) more clearly to be credible with the public. Her humility and talent for listening need to be exploited but in a confident way--since voters want leadership and "fight" in their atty general. But, we need to emphasize that she has experience as a lawyer in NYC and is not to be taken lightly.
To get an up close and detailed summary of each candidate and find their web pages, go to the NYSTate Green Party site: http://www.gpnys.org
(Again) Why You Should Register Green
Check out David Sirota: Despite Hostile Takeover, Not Willing to Let Go.
THEN, take a gander at I'm Tired of Bushes and Clintons.
After that, you may ask, "So then what?" Well, if Paul Waldman is right, then the progressive group that already has an identity, a vision, a goal would be the Green Party.
How much longer will you condone what is being done in your name?
THEN, take a gander at I'm Tired of Bushes and Clintons.
After that, you may ask, "So then what?" Well, if Paul Waldman is right, then the progressive group that already has an identity, a vision, a goal would be the Green Party.
How much longer will you condone what is being done in your name?
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Alison Duncan - for Lt. Governor
Dear Western New York Greens,
Thank you for considering my candidacy for Lt. Governor!
I grew up in Niskayuna, NY (a suburb of Schenectady) where I had my first experiences with political change. Please indulge me in a short story. In 1990 the staff of the Niskayuna High School newspaper attended a meeting of SPIF--our Student Political Interest Forum (of which, incidentally, I was the secretary)to hand out story assignments for an upcoming special issue on diversity. My friend, Ben, and I looked at the list and decided that "Homosexuality in the High School" would be a good challenge. At the time, I did not know how close to that story I was. I came out to myself in the course of writing that article—an understanding that has changed my life irrevocably. Once the article hit publication, it was a catalyst for change in the high school. I became an opinion editor on the paper where I wrote, solicited and published articles on lesbian and gay rights.
Through SPIF, I organized larger and larger discussions on homophobia and lesbian and gay rights. Visibility, Niskayuna's Gay-Strait Alliance, had its first meeting weeks before I graduated. Now it is a thriving club. This was not the start of my activist career and it's far from the end. I tell this story because I often use it to remind myself that slow and steady, righteous work catalyzes change.
As the Lt. Governor candidate, I will bring the credibility of my community work to our slate. I have found a good vocation in service activism. I serve as a volunteer rape crisis advocate, a hospital volunteer, a homeless shelter volunteer, a street medic, a mediator, a facilitator of workshops on managing stress and avoiding burnout, a teacher of technical trades to women, and a delegate and activist in my union.
I grew up in Niskayuna, now I live in New York City. The tri-city area is as much home to me as the tri-state area. As the Lt. Governor candidate, I bring a unique perspective of having one foot firmly planted in the city, and one that will never leave upstate.
I have been described as "New York's most diplomatic Green", "no
stranger to the tough political knock-down drag-out" and as being in possession of "a can of suave, but firm, oratorical whoopass". I excel under pressure. I look forward to bringing my creativity, fire and eloquence to this campaign, both to promote our slate and our Green values to the electorate and to promote some healing and unity within the party.
Reportedly, the issue most important to New Yorkers in this campaign season is education. My mother is a school psychologist, in the Albany City School District. I was actively involved in educational reform initiatives in Niskayuna and have worked extensively with New York City Public School children. I feel confident that I can connect with voters with a strong Green message on education reform for New York. My campaign will also focus on social justice issues--healthcare, dropping the Rockefeller Drug Laws, prison reform, the death penalty, police brutality and community policing, and LGBT rights--including the right to marry. Finally, cleaning up our rivers and closing Indian Point in a way that addresses the needs of the workers are also important issues to address this season.
I am a lesbian and a union member. Despite our outstanding platform and our track record of supporting union and LGBT issues, we have a lot of work to do to attract queer folk and union members into our movement. I know that I will have unique access to locals LGBT community groups. It is my hope that seeing a sister in a high
profile Green race will strengthen our relationships with these
two communities.
Sincerely,
Alison Duncan
Thank you for considering my candidacy for Lt. Governor!
I grew up in Niskayuna, NY (a suburb of Schenectady) where I had my first experiences with political change. Please indulge me in a short story. In 1990 the staff of the Niskayuna High School newspaper attended a meeting of SPIF--our Student Political Interest Forum (of which, incidentally, I was the secretary)to hand out story assignments for an upcoming special issue on diversity. My friend, Ben, and I looked at the list and decided that "Homosexuality in the High School" would be a good challenge. At the time, I did not know how close to that story I was. I came out to myself in the course of writing that article—an understanding that has changed my life irrevocably. Once the article hit publication, it was a catalyst for change in the high school. I became an opinion editor on the paper where I wrote, solicited and published articles on lesbian and gay rights.
Through SPIF, I organized larger and larger discussions on homophobia and lesbian and gay rights. Visibility, Niskayuna's Gay-Strait Alliance, had its first meeting weeks before I graduated. Now it is a thriving club. This was not the start of my activist career and it's far from the end. I tell this story because I often use it to remind myself that slow and steady, righteous work catalyzes change.
As the Lt. Governor candidate, I will bring the credibility of my community work to our slate. I have found a good vocation in service activism. I serve as a volunteer rape crisis advocate, a hospital volunteer, a homeless shelter volunteer, a street medic, a mediator, a facilitator of workshops on managing stress and avoiding burnout, a teacher of technical trades to women, and a delegate and activist in my union.
I grew up in Niskayuna, now I live in New York City. The tri-city area is as much home to me as the tri-state area. As the Lt. Governor candidate, I bring a unique perspective of having one foot firmly planted in the city, and one that will never leave upstate.
I have been described as "New York's most diplomatic Green", "no
stranger to the tough political knock-down drag-out" and as being in possession of "a can of suave, but firm, oratorical whoopass". I excel under pressure. I look forward to bringing my creativity, fire and eloquence to this campaign, both to promote our slate and our Green values to the electorate and to promote some healing and unity within the party.
Reportedly, the issue most important to New Yorkers in this campaign season is education. My mother is a school psychologist, in the Albany City School District. I was actively involved in educational reform initiatives in Niskayuna and have worked extensively with New York City Public School children. I feel confident that I can connect with voters with a strong Green message on education reform for New York. My campaign will also focus on social justice issues--healthcare, dropping the Rockefeller Drug Laws, prison reform, the death penalty, police brutality and community policing, and LGBT rights--including the right to marry. Finally, cleaning up our rivers and closing Indian Point in a way that addresses the needs of the workers are also important issues to address this season.
I am a lesbian and a union member. Despite our outstanding platform and our track record of supporting union and LGBT issues, we have a lot of work to do to attract queer folk and union members into our movement. I know that I will have unique access to locals LGBT community groups. It is my hope that seeing a sister in a high
profile Green race will strengthen our relationships with these
two communities.
Sincerely,
Alison Duncan
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