NY Green Fest

Friday-Sunday, August 10-12, 2007
Ithaca and Cayutaville
http://nygreenfest.blogspot.com
Spend a weekend in the country sharing ideas on sustainability

Green Fest starts on Friday evening, Aug. 10, in Ithaca at the Community School auditorium with an outstanding panel of thinkers discussing the politics of sustainability. Saturday, Aug. 11, we meet in a beautiful grove of white pine trees at Cayuta Sun, an off-the-grid permaculture homestead in Cayutaville, 15 miles southwest of Ithaca. On Sunday, Aug. 12, Green Fest will take place at the Bernie Milton Pavilion in the Ithaca Commons. NY Green Fest 2007 is the second Green Fest held in the Ithaca-area. 150 people turned out for our first Green Fest in 2003 at an off-the grid homestead in Freeville. We had so many good ideas for workshops and panels this year, that we decided to expand to an entire weekend. We also wanted to make it worthwhile for friends who live farther away to travel to the event. We look forward to having you join us!
Great Panels and Workshops

We have commitments from a wonderful group of presenters for our panels and workshops at this year's Green Fest, and more presenters are being added. Our confirmed speakers include Art Weaver from Renovus Energy, Victoria Rasmussen from POCLAD, Dan Hill from the Cayuga Nation, Gay Nicholson from Sustainable Tompkins, Barry Miller on wind turbines, Howie Hawkins on electoral politics, Kinamo Curry, VP Candidate, Michael Burns and Steve Gabriel from Finger Lakes Permaculture, Craig Seeman from Third Planet Video, Bill Huston, Carl Lawrence from GreenVision, Lois Hilton from Tickletown Trade, Matthew Glenn from Muddy Fingers Farm, Lexie Hain from Mother Plants and Ilonka Wloch from Positive News.
Earth Oven Baking, Permaculture, Green Media, Cob for Kids

Check out the schedules below. Children are welcome to attend the Green Fest.
Grass Roots Organizing for Sustainability

Saturday, Aug. 11, opens with a stimulating panel discussing grass roots organizing for sustainability. Mike Sellars, the Green Mayor of Cobleskill and the founder of Sustainable Cobleskill, will join Gay Nicholson who has led Sustainable Tompkins since 2003 and Tony and Mary Lipnicki, the founders of a monthly discussion group on sustainability and Green issues in Andover, NY.

Creating Change through Third Party Politics

Sunday, August 12, Howie Hawkins, Kinamo Curry and other third party candidates and activists will discuss how third party electoral politics assists in effecting social change, and present the view that issue-oriented activism alone is not enough to challenge the fundamental underpinnings of corporate power. Howie was the 2006 Green Party candidate for US Senate from New York and Kinamo Curry is a Green Party candidate for Vice President. Kinamo lives in California and is visiting us on her way back from Ghana.

Make Your Own Small Wind Turbine

Saturday, August 11, Barry Miller will lead a workshop on how to make your own small wind turbine. Barry is from Hinsdale, NY and has used wind and solar power off and on since 1976. He is a mechanical engineer and has spent 20 years in the wind energy business. For nine years he operated a wind farm in Altamont Pass west of San Franciso. Barry recently taught a class at Olean BOCES on how to build your own small wind turbine.

Friday, August 10 Schedule

4:00 — Cayuta Sun open to set up camp sites, Cayutaville
Evening program at Community School, Ithaca
7:00 — Opening and welcome
7:15 — 9:00 pm - The Politics of Sustainability
Art Weaver, Renovus Energy, Social Change and Its Connection to Renewable Energy*
Virgina Rasmussen, Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy*
Dan Hill, Cayuga Nation rep to the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force*

Saturday, August 11 Schedule

At Cayuta Sun Permaculture Homestead, Cayutaville
8:30 am — Early Bird Workshop: Baking in an Earth Oven
Lois Hilton, Tickletown Trade, Great Valley, NY*
10:00 am — Opening and welcome
10:15 am — Grassroots Organizing for Sustainability
Gay Nicholson, Sustainable Tompkins, Ithaca, NY*
Anthony and Mary Lipnicki, First Fridays, Andover, NY*
Mike Sellers, Sustainable Cobleskill, Mayor, Cobleskill, NY*
10:15 am — Cob for Kids Workshop
11:45 pm — Building a Local Food Network
Lois Hilton, Tickletown Trade food coop, Great Valley, NY*
Gwen Quigley, Keuka Cookin, Hammondsport, NY*
Matt and Liz Glenn, Muddy Fingers CSA, Ithaca Farmers Market*
1:00 pm — Lunch
1:45 am — Permaculture Workshop
Michael Burns and Steven Gabriel, Finger Lakes Permaculture*
1:45 pm — Living off the Grid
Steve Nicholson, Ithaca, NY* Tony Moretti, Hammondsort, NY
Bill Castle, Pollywogg Holler, Alfred, NY
3:15 pm — Getting Green Media Access
Bill Huston, Binghamton, NY*
Carl Lawrence, Producer, Green Vision, BCAT, Brooklyn, NY*
Deborah Magone, Green Cable Producer, Greece, NY*
3:15 pm — Make Your Own Wind Turbine
Barry Miller, Hinsdale, NY*
4:40 pm — Break
6:00 pm — Dinner
7:00-9:00 pm — Campfire, music and group discussion of Living Sustainably
Sunday, August 12 Schedule

8:00 am — Tour of Ithaca Farmer’s Market, breakfast at the market
At Ithaca Commons, downtown Ithaca
10:00 am — Opening with music
10:15 am — Green Roof Demonstration
Lexie Hain, Motherplants, Ithaca NY*
10:45 am — Music
11:00 pm — Building New Media Outlets
Ilonka Wloch, Positive News, Ithaca*
Craig Seeman, Third Planet Video*
12:00 pm — Peacesmiths Performance*
1:00 pm — Creating Change through Third Party Politics
Howie Hawkins, 2006 Green Party candidate for US Senate, Syracuse, NY*
Kinamo Curry, Green Party candidate for Vice President, CA*
2:15 pm — Music
2:30 pm — Campus Organizing for Sustainability
Peter LaVenia, Albany U Campus Greens
Krista Carlson, Alfred U Campus Greens*
3:45 pm — Closing with music
*Confirmed presenter
A Benefit for the Green Party of New York State

Green Fest is being organized by an ad-hoc group of Greens as a benefit for the Green Party of New York State. All are welcome to attend.
Camp Out and Watch the Stars

Overnight camping is available at Cayuta Sun for $5 per tent per night. Sign up on our registration form, http://www.steubengreens.org/registrationform.pdf Camping is also available at Robert Treman State Park, 12 miles from Cayuta Sun. The rugged gorge of Enfield Glen is the park's scenic highlight. Winding trails follow the gorge past 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls. Campers can choose from tent or RV sites or cabins. Swim in a stream-fed pool beneath a waterfall. Swimming is allowed in lifeguarded area only. A campsite on Friday or Saturday night is $18.75 for the first night, $13.00 each additional night. Six people, two cars, two tents are allowed per campsite. Sign-up on the park's website. Camping out at NY Green Fest will give good opportunities to view the Perseid Meteor Shower. It is one of the best meteor showers of the year. 2007 is a good year for viewing the Perseid Shower because the moon is new on Sun., Aug. 12, the night the shower will be at its peak.
Stay at a Local B&B

Check http://www.cayuta.org/locallodging.htm for a list of lodgings near Cayuta Sun. Folks may want to try one of the B&B's in Eco Village. Eco Village is west of Ithaca on the way to Cayutaville, and accessible by bus from Ithaca. The Wild Goose B&B at Eco Village is $65 per night for two. Their website is http://www.wildgoose-bb.com/
Take the Bus to Green Fest

Rides are available from the Ithaca Bus Station for those who have pre-registered. Please email us at greenfest at ecobooks.com to arrange your ride. It will not be possible to schedule a pick-up once Green Fest has begun.
Print and Mail Registration Form

Download registration form at http://www.steubengreens.org/registrationform.pdf and mail to NY Green Fest, PO Box 363, Hammondsport, NY 14840.
Directions to Cayuta Sun

For directions to Cayuta Sun, visit http://www.cayuta.org/directions.htm
New York Green Fest 2007
Fri. evening, Aug. 10 at the Community School, 330 E. State St., Ithaca
Sat., Aug. 11 at Cayuta Sun, 2962 Swamp Rd., Cayutaville
Sun., Aug. 12 at Bernie Milton Pavilion, Ithaca Commons, Ithaca
http://nygreenfest.blogspot.com

2007 Pride Picnic & Parade

Let us know if you are interest in volunteering to help out at the Green Party table or march with the Green Party in the parade. (585) 234-6470

Pride Picnic 2007 takes place on July 15, 2007 from 1pm to 7pm at Genesee Valley Park. Remember to stop by the Green Party Table! Purchase your advance tickets now!



2007 Streets of Pride
Gay Pride Parade and Cultural Festival
www.streetsofpride.com
Saturday, July 14
Parade Step off @ Brunswick & Park Avenue, 5pm sharp!

The Cultural Festival is at the end of the parade route,
and is again being held at Village Gate on N. Goodman Street
between University and E. Main.

Green National Convention, Reading PA July 12-15

This years Annual National Convention is in nearby Reading, PA! I hope many of you can come for the weekend or for the whole convention. Check out http://www.gpanc.org/ for full details.

•Global Greens: Presentations from Juan Behrend, Co-Secretary General of the European Green Party; Janet Eaton from the Green Party of Canada talking about the NAFTA Super Corridor, and representatives from the Green Party of the Dominican Republic and the Green Party of New Zealand.

•Presidential Forum: Any candidate currently seeking the Green Party nomination for President in 2008 will have an early opportunity to address party delegates.

•Ralph Nader: His talk will be about the decision of the Pennsylvania State Courts to require candidates in 2004 and 2006 to pay between $80,000 and $90,000 in costs for having tried to get on the ballot and being challenged and then removed. The 2004 candidate who was victimized was Nader himself; the 2006 candidate was Carl Romanelli, Green Party nominee for U.S. Senator. Romanelli's appeal on the matter of costs is now pending in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

•Catherine Austin Fitts: President of Solari, Inc. a socially responsible investment firm, and former Federal Housing Director in the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

•Workshops: Numerous workshops on topics such as "media relations," "running for office," and "building an effective campaign organization" Special three-day workshop on "Dismantling Racism" - open to the general public.

•Musical Groups: Noted Hip-Hop artist and Green Party member Head-Roc and his DJ's Eurock and Noyeek will headline the Music Fest with a performance on Saturday night. The 3 day event will also include performances by the Juggling Suns, Green Onions, Hexbelt, Uncle Skip, and others.


Thursday night is shaping up to be an International night.
There will also be a silent auction, vendors and exhibitors, and a music festival!
Come to Reading for the national meeting and network with Greens from around the country and the world!

None of the above workshops conflict with delegate plenary sessions. Plenary sessions being at 1:00 PM Friday, July 13 and end at 1:00 PM Sunday July 15. Plenary sessions are not open to the public.


WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Workshops are held at the Abraham Lincoln – A Wyndham Historic Hotel, 5th and Washington Streets. They are open to delegates and the public. They do not conflict with delegate plenary/business sessions, which are held Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday morning.


Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, July 11, 12, and 13

Track: Special 18-hour workshop starts with Wed dinner at 5:00 PM
Title: Dismantling Racism
Presenters: Rita Harris and Bill Price
This is the only workshop requiring advance registration.
Registration for this workshop closed June 15.


Thursday, July 12, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Title: Candidate Preparation: How to Talk About Ending the Death Penalty
Presenter: Claudia Ellquist Track: Electoral

Title: Reparations for the Drug War
Presenter: Clifford W. Thornton, Jr. Track: Issue

Title: Media in Campaigns
Presenter: Scott McLarty Track: Electoral


Thursday, July 12, 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Title: Urban Election Basic: The Ward Leader
Presenter: Lewis Harris, Jr. Track: Electoral

Title: Greens in the News: Publish or Perish
Presenter: Deyva Arthur, David Doonan, Mike Feinstein, and Dave McCorquodale

Track: Electoral
Title: Greening the Dollar: How Monetary Reform Could Restore and Solidify Our Democracy
Presenter: Stephen Zarlenga Track: Issue


Thursday, July 12, 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Title: Public Transportation
Presenter: Peter Javsicas and David Odell Track: Issue

Title: State Lobbying 101
Presenter: Robb Tufts and Ted Weber Track: Electoral

Title: Training the Volunteer Phone Banker for Fundraising
Presenter: Brent McMillan Track: Electoral


Thursday, July 12, 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Title: Energy and Environmental Justice
Presenter: Mike Ewall Track: Issue

Title: Local Candidate Recruitment
Presenter: Rome Celli Track: Electoral

Title: Running for Office: What You Need to Know
Presenter: Brent McMillan Track: Electoral


Thursday, July 12, 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Title: Autonomy vs Authority
Presenter: Joe Dubovy Track: Issue

Title: Green Party Vision for Next 25 Years
Presenter: John Rensenbrink Track: Electoral

Title: Sustainable Activism: Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout
Presenter: Alison Duncan Track: Issue


Friday, July 13, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Title: Green Economy Primer for Candidates
Presenter: Greg Gerritt Track: Electoral

Title: Organic Gardening
Presenter: Richard Fuller Track: Issue

Title: Winning Office in New York State: Campaign Strategies
Presenter: Rebecca Rotzler and Michael Sellers Track: Electoral


Friday, July 13, 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Title: Ballot Access in Pennsylvania
Presenter: Russ Diamond, Ken Krawchuk, Tom McLaughlin, John Murphy, Markay Rogers, and Bob Small
Track: Issue

Title: Peace Action and Green Party Connection to the Anti-War Movement
Presenter: Zool Zulkowitz

Title: Sustainable Living: Survival of Civilization from the Soil Up
Presenter: Jerry Brunetti
Track: Issue

Veterans for Peace event in Hilton

Press Release
June 8, 2007—for release immediately, but no later than July 15, 2007.

Event Date: Monday July 16, 2007 4-9 pm
Location: Village Park, Jennejahn Lodge, Hilton, NY
Sponsors: Keemer-Riordon Chapter, Veterans for Peace and Rochester for 9/11 Truth Contact: James Barlow, 119 Brook Street, Hilton, NY 14468
Phone: 585-392-5432
E-mail: salmonvalley@att.net

DR. BOB BOWMAN’S 100 CITY “TAKE BACK AMERICA PATRIOT TOUR” TO STOP IN HILTON ON JULY 16.

Dr. Bob Bowman, Lt Col, USAF, ret. is bringing his cross-country Patriot Tour to town! Guests are invited to relax, picnic, and dialogue with Dr. Bowman on his 100 city “Take Back America Patriot Tour,” Monday, July 16, 2007 from 4 to 9 PM at the Hilton Village Park Jennejahn Lodge, Hilton, NY. The park is just west of the Quest School on West Avenue. Follow the balloons to Jennejahn Lodge.

Veterans, First Responders, Peace, Green, Environment, Labor, Libertarian, Left, Right, & Center Folks, and everyone else who’s interested in what the rest of the nation is thinking, are invited to meet Dr. Bob Bowman, a national security authority, international speaker, college professor, and “the best public speaker in the country,” according to the Los Angeles Times. He will be in Hilton challenging us to “Take Back America” for the people and explaining why we need a government that follows the Constitution; honors the truth, and serves the people

Bring your picnic meal and a folding chair for outdoors. Beverages will be provided.

Informal dialogue will be from 4-6 pm; outdoor or indoor picnic from 6-7 pm; and Dr. Bowman’s talk and follow-up discussion will begin at 7 pm.

For reservations, directions, and details, call 585-392-5432.

This event is sponsored by the Keemer-Riordon Chapter of Veterans for Peace, and Rochester for 9/11 Truth.

The park and lodge are wheelchair accessible. A donation of $10 is suggested.

IRISH GREEN PARTY TO SUPPORT DEAL THAT MAY GIVE IT A GOVERNING ROLE

by Eamon Quinn
(The New York Times, Thursday, June 14, 2007, p. A6)

DUBLIN, June 13--The leadership of Ireland's Green Party agreed Wednesday to support a deal with Prime Minister Bertie Ahern that could make it a part of the government for the first time.

The party leaders said Mr. Ahern made concessions on issues like climate change, education and political reform of local government in exchange for entering a coalition with Mr. Ahern's party, Fianna Fail.

But the deal faced obstacles before the expected vote on Thursday in Parliament, including a vote by 1,000 party members requiring a two-thirds majority for approval. Eamon Ryan, one of the party's six members in Parliament, called the deal "a hard sell," and political commentators noted that some party members questioned whether Fianna Fall had made enough concessions.

In national elections held three weeks ago, Fianna Fall, with 78 seats, remained by far the largest party in Parliament but was still left needing the support of smaller parties like the Greens to achieve the majority in the 166-member chamber. Mr. Ahern, who has governed in coalition since 1997, has said that his goal is to establish a "stable government" that could last another five years.

Political analysts sais another major issue for the Green Party was the use of Shannon Airport in southwest Ireland. The party has opposed the use of Shannon by American troops en route to Iraq and elsewhere, and it contends that the airport has been used by the C.I.A. in taking people it seizes either to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, or to secret prisons elsewhere.

Green Party leaders said they had been told Wednesday that there would be "specialized training" for the Irish police to monitor possible instances of stopovers in connection with the seizures.

"The Green Party had always been against the use of Shannon and wanted U.S. troops using Shannon to end altogether," said Sean Donnelly, a pollster and political analyst. "But there was no way that Fianna Fall would give in to that. Ireland is pro-American, and there are many American businesses here."

Michael Marsh, professor of political science at Trinity College, Dublin, said the key for Greens would be how much real influence they would bring to bear in the government.

Green Party opposes confirmation of antigay doctor as Surgeon General

Press Release

Green Party of the United States
www.gp.org

June 13, 2007

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org

*

"Dr. Holsinger will do to medical policy what the White House has done to research on global warming -- censoring and distorting science that doesn't fit the Bush agenda"

WASHINGTON, DC -- Leaders of the Lavender Green Caucus and the Green Party of the United States urged Congress not to confirm Dr. James W. Holsinger Jr. as Surgeon General, calling his views on homosexuality discriminatory, unprofessional, and potentially damaging to the health care needs of millions of Americans.

"Congress must take into account Dr. Holsinger's biased and hostile attitude towards gay people, which will affect his ability to make fair decisions about AIDS, sex education and disease prevention as well as other health concerns of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans," said Alison Duncan, the New York State Green Party's 2006 candidate for Lt. Governor. Ms. Duncan was the first openly gay candidate for a gubernatorial position in the state's history. "Dr. Holsinger has spread gross misinformation about homosexuality, using his status as a doctor to promote a bigoted political ideology. His views are well outside of the mainstream medical community. His nomination is as offensive to the health care community as it is to the LGBT community."




Alison Duncan, the New York State
Green Party's 2006 candidate for
Lt. Governor





Greens cited Dr. Holsinger's article "The Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality," written in January 1991 for a United Methodist Church study on homosexuality, calling the article an expression of profound and willful ignorance, not just on gay men, but on human sexuality in general.

"President Bush's choice of Dr. Holsinger for Surgeon General is consistent with his administration's policy of misrepresenting scientific research and subordinating public health to the demands of ideology," said Lavender Green Caucus member Rev. Dan Rodriguez Schlorff, who serves Broadway United Methodist Church (Chicago, Illinois) as Candidate for Authorized Ministry. "Dr. Holsinger will do to medical policy, especially policies affecting AIDS and sexuality, what the White House has done to federally funded research on global warming -- censoring and distorting science that doesn't fit the Bush agenda."

"Congress members should have learned a lesson from the confirmations of Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito, which lead to a major ruling restricting the reproductive rights of women that was based on a principle that women have no rights to make decisions about their own lives. Justices Roberts and Alito were confirmed with a significant number of Democratic yeas," Rev. Rodriguez Schlorff added.

The Lavender Green Caucus represents gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, and queer members of the Green Party. The party's national platform embraces full rights and equality regardless of sexual orientation, including same-sex marriage rights and support for legislation ending discrimination in employment, housing, civil marriage, medical benefits, and child custody .

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1700 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers/

Cynthia McKinney - speaks about possible 2008 Presidential Campaign

Cynthia McKinney
St. Mary's Church, Harlem (Manhattan/NYC).
June 9, 2007

Cynthia McKinney Video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2508693105235438933


Program title "Revolutionary Love"
Running time 37:42
Event to retire her Congressional campaign debt also featured Lynne
Stewart and MC'd by Pacifica's Robert Knight.
Talks about her political history and 2008.

"... Yes the event is about helping me retire my debt. That's about
2006. But I know many of you are here because you want to know about
2008."

"... I really do want to do something in 2008, it will be the fullest
expression that I know of Revolutionary Love because we will make
Revolution and it will only be about Love."

Robert Knight of Pacifica Radio asks, "I can't hardly wait for 2008,
Ms McKinney, in 2008, what color is your parachute?
McKinney responds from the audience, "it's not red and it's not blue"

"... I can tell you that we're well on our way, with the well wishes
that I've received from all of you, for what we have in store for
2008"

also overheard - a former Green statewide candidate complemented
McKinney on her dress. McKinney responded that she's trying to get
everything green (note her green dress in the speech).

Green Party Meeting - Monday June 11th

Green Party Meeting - Monday June 11th
7pm -9pm at the Rochester Auditorium Center, 875 E Main St, Rochester. GAGV Nopper Room, 5th floor

Global Young Greens at the G8 Alternative Summit:

The Global Young Greens is a growing network of young people from across the globe working towards ecological sustainability, social justice, grassroots democracy and peace. We are part of the growing global civil society, a movement that wishes to form a truly transnational community in the global arena.

A few of the members have started a blog on their experience, check it out at http://www.globalyounggreens.blogspot.com. Ann from Kenya, Sanka from Sri Lanka, Thiago from Brazil and Eric from Senegal along with German and European Young Greens will be discussing their experiences protesting a continued imperialist approach to globalization.

The Party's Over: Democratic Party is a lost cause for voters opposed to the Iraq War

Press Release

The Party's Over: Democratic Party is a lost cause for voters opposed to the Iraq War

Green Party of the United States
www.gp.org

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org

The Party's Over: Greens call Democratic Party a lost cause for voters opposed to the Iraq War

* Democratic Congress members' capitulation on war funding strips away illusion that Dems oppose the Bush agenda, say Greens

* Greens appeal to antiwar voters: stop wasting your votes, support and join a real antiwar party

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders, preparing for the party's 2007 national meeting in Reading, Pennsylvania, July 12-15, called the Democratic Party a lost cause for Americans who oppose the Iraq War, and urged antiwar voters to support and join the Green Party as the 2008 election year approaches.

Greens said the vote in Congress for full funding of the war amounted to a betrayal of Americans who voted Democrat in 2004 and 2006 in the hopes that a Democratic Congress would work for withdrawal of US troops. According to a CBS/NYT poll released last week, only 23% of the public approves of the way George Bush is handling the war in Iraq.

Carl Romanelli, 2006 Pennsylvania Green candidate for the US Senate:
"Electing Democrats means supporting the Iraq War. The Green Party is appealing to all antiwar Americans who have voted Democrat because they want an end to the war: stop wasting your votes, and help us build a real opposition party!"

Liz Arnone, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States
"Until May, Democratic politicians pretended to be against the war by calling for a troop withdrawal timetable, with a deadline delayed until September 2008, the height of the election season. The capitulation on war funding strips away the last illusion of an antiwar Democratic Party."

Darin Robbins, treasurer for the Steuben County (New York) Green Party, New York State Committee member, and 2003 and 2005 Green candidate for Corning Alderman:
"Despite the resounding 'no' to George W. Bush from voters in the 2006 election, Democratic Congress members sided with the White House, proving that the war machine is bipartisan, and that a vote for a Democrat is a vote for President Bush's 'endless war' agenda. Groups like MoveOn can either support Democrats or support an end to the war -- they can't have it both ways. The Green Party, not the Democratic Party, represents the majority of Americans on the war."

Aimee Smith, Co-chair of the Peace Action Committee and second place finisher in the 2006 race for Michigan's 15th Congressional District:
"Democrats in Congress could have brought an end to the war by blocking the funding. This would have forced Bush to bring the troops home. By allowing the legislation to go to a vote and then voting with Republicans to continue bankrolling the war, they also sided with war profiteers, oil companies, and the Israel lobby. A genuine peace party must be free of the corporate influences that demand war -- one of the reasons the Green Party accepts no corporate funding. We also refuse to be intimidated by neo-conservatives, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the Christian Zionist lobby, and the rest of the powerful Israel lobby."

Jody Grage, treasurer of the Green Party of the United States:
"As in 2004, the few Democrats in Congress who genuinely oppose the Iraq War are at odds with their own party. Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, and other Democrats who genuinely oppose the war have no chance to win the nomination. Ultimately, the role they play will be to lure antiwar voters into supporting a Democratic nominee who will maintain the occupation, and who will compromise for the benefit of corporate arms makers, defense contractors, and oil companies who bankroll his or her campaign and the Democratic Party itself. Progressive and antiwar Democratic candidates play a similar role in every presidential election, herding voters who agree with them behind a nominee who rejects their ideals. The only thing that will break this pattern is the presence of a strong, independent, noncorporate antiwar party."

Jim Coplen, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States:
"Democratic politicians have surrendered to the Republican 'support our troops' PR scheme, which is based on the delusion that we help our young men and women in the military by keeping them in harm's way, in an unwinnable war that was based on a litany of White House lies. The only way to support our troops is to bring them home right now. Keeping them in Iraq means hundreds more dead and maimed US soldiers, as well as more mass Iraqi civilian casualties and destruction of their country."

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1700 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers/

Peace Action Committee of the Green Party (GPAX)
http://www.gp.org/committees/peace/

"Green for a Change": 2007 Green Party Annual National Meeting
Reading, Pennsylvania, July 12-15
http://www.gp.org/meeting2007/



search: prty, irq, fpol

___

Disclaimer: State, local, and candidate press releases made available here represent the opinions of the original source only. Opinions expressed by a state party or candidate do not necessarily represent the views of the Green Party of the United States. State party contact information, when provided with candidate releases, does not imply state party endorsement of the opinions expressed nor of the candidate (prior to gaining formal nomination by the party).
___

Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037
Email: office@gp.org 202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREEN

Friends Helping Friends charity bike drive at the DoubleTree Hotel

On July 13th, the DoubleTree Hotel Rochester at 1111
Jefferson Road (near the intersection of E. Henrietta
& Jefferson Rd) will be accepting donations of used
bicycles in any condition (no garbage, please!) ALL
DAY. DoubleTree employees will be grilling hots and
hamburgers and washing cars from 10am - 2pm at the
DoubleTree Hotel Rochester at 1111 Jefferson Road.
Carwashes will be free for bike donors; donations
accepted for BBQ and carwashes. All proceeds go to
Friends Helping Friends.

"I'm here today to ask you to support your community
and drop off your used bicycle to the Doubletree Hotel
Rochester on July 13th. You can get a free carwash
and we'll be grilling; Doubletree BBQ is INCREDIBLE!"
Yvonne Vanvechten

"The more people we have riding bikes, the less kids
we have getting in automobile-related trouble;
Rochester City Court has been jam-packed with
aggravated unlicensed operator charges, according to
Judge Maija Dixon. So if you have an extra bike lying
around your house, don't hold back! We're hoping to
pile up bikes to sky on the 13th at the DoubleTree
Hotel Rochester at 1111 Jefferson Road and we need YOU
to help!"

June 13 - Project Sunlight: tracking campaign contributions

The Citizens for Better Government in New York (CBGNY) will be holding a
public meeting at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 13 in the Gleason Auditorium of
the Rochester Public Library. The guest speaker will be Blair Horner,
former Executive Director of NYPIRG who was tapped by State Attorney General
Andrew Cuomo to serve on his staff. Horner is now working on Project
Sunlight, an effort to make it more possible to trace the money flows
between campaign contributors and recipients, among other things:

Project Sunlight will collect, standardize and publish information that is
now scattered and difficult to access, and put that information in one
easy-to-use, easy-to-search database posted on the Internet. This
initiative will be a critical component of the reform effort to transform a
culture of secrecy and insider-dealing into a culture of integrity, openness
and honesty. It will both prevent abuses as well as provide citizens with a
mechanism to shed light on some of those that do occur.

Horner's remarks will focus on Project Sunlight, the vision and the
timetable. In this time of heightened interest in campaign finance reform
and other progressive measures, come learn about this potentially valuable
tool. CBGNY will conduct a brief business meeting before the presentation,
but all are welcome and invited.

Join the Green Party - Register to Vote!

To register Green check “Other” and write in “Green Party” on your Voter Registration Form

Or register online at:
www.elections.state.ny.us/voting/voting.htm

TAMING THE GIANT CORPORATION

A National Conference on Corporate Accountability

This conferance sounds well worth the trip.



TAMING THE GIANT CORPORATION:
A National Conference on Corporate Accountability

Presented by Ralph Nader and
The Center for Study of Responsive Law

June 8, 9 and 10, 2007

1530 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005

The multinational corporation is the dominant institution in the global political economy. The toll it inflicts on people and the planet -- high drug prices, sweatshops, global warming, and on and on -- is well documented.

But too little attention has been focused on the corporation itself, and the evolving forms of corporate power. "Taming the Giant Corporation" aims to identify, examine and classify the changing manifestations of corporate power.

The conference's central, pioneering task is to facilitate discussion, debate and strategic thinking about how to subordinate corporate power to the will and interests of the people. How do we replace the excessive corporate privileges and immunities entrenched in law and the economy?

Corporations were originally chartered by the states in the early nineteenth century to be our servants not our masters.

How can we displace corporations (e.g., with national health insurance, by keeping information and knowledge in the public domain, or by expanding and strengthening the commons)? What tools and approaches can empower communities to set parameters on corporate activity? What countervailing institutions should be nurtured to offset concentrated corporate power?

"Taming the Giant Corporation" will be an opportunity to learn, debate, meet leading advocates and activists, and grapple with the questions that must be answered if we are to strive for a just and livable world.

Straight Answers from Alan Augustson

Alan Augustson is one of the announced candidates running for the Green Party’s presidential nomination in 2008. Check out his “Straight Answers” series where Alan discusses his positions on important issues facing the United States. Sign up to get more Straight Answers from Alan Augustson.

http://augustson2008.us

• #12: Peace (5/27/07)
• #11: Poverty (5/25/07)
• #10: Afghanistan (5/25/07)
• #9: Church and State (5/16/07)
• #8: Healthcare (5/16/07)
• #7: The 'War' on Drugs (5/13/07)
• #6: Immigration (5/13/07)
• #5: Same-Sex Marriage (5/13/07)
• #4: The War in Iraq (5/13/07)
• #3: Homeland Security (5/9/07)
• #2: Gun Control (5/9/07)
• #1: Abortion (5/9/07)

Green Party Monthly Newsletter

In case you had any doubt . . . .
There's only one Peace Party!

Are you as outraged as we are about the Democrats capitulation to Bush when they voted to continue to fund the war in Iraq ? A CBS/NYT poll released last week shows that only 23% of the public approves of the way George Bush is handling the war in Iraq. Despite overwhelming public opposition to the war in Iraq, Democrats once again chose to represent the interests of the oil corporations and military contractors over the lives of our troops and the will of the American public. How many more Iraqi and American lives will be lost because of this cowardice ?

Last November, the public sent a message when they voted "No War" at the polls. Did the Democrats forget? By supporting the continued funding of the war without any kind of timeline for troop withdrawal, Congressional Democrats made it clear that they will not excercise leadership to get us out of the war in Iraq.

You understand that any true "peace party" must be free of the corporate interest that drives the government's decision to go to war in the first place. You understand that in order to realize a truly sustainable, secure, and prosperous future for all, we must build a party that refuses corporate cash. But what about your friends , neighbors , spouse, parent, child, aunt, roommates or coworkers ? If they oppose the war, have they switched to Green yet? Ask them to get involved in the nation's only true peace party. You can access our automated Tell-A-Friend link by clicking here.

Its up to us to represent the majority of the American public as the peace party. To do that, we need your support, If you are not yet a Green Party Sustainer, please sign-up today by clicking here. If the Green Party doesn't take leadership to end the war in Iraq, who will? Please act today. You can access our automated Tell-A-Friend link by clicking here.

National Green Party Speakers

Looking for a Green Party speaker for your event? Contact the National Green Party Media Committee today to schedule a Green Party speaker for your show or event at http://www.gp.org/committees/media/index.shtml.

Green Party speakers offer a provocative counterpoint to the status quo. Whether speaking about universal, single-payer health care, support for local economies, immediate withdrawal from Iraq, or other pressing concerns, our speakers provide expert analysis and solutions. Green Party speakers include elected officials, political candidates, grassroots activists, and everyday people who chose to become part of the solution. Committed to environmentalism, nonviolence, and social justice, Greens are renewing democracy without the support of corporate money. For more information go to http://www.gp.org/speakers.
Head-Roc to Headline Music Fest at
Green Party National Meeting

The Green Party National Meeting, taking place in Reading, PA July 12-15th, will be a great chance to learn the skills to build effective campaigns, network with Greens from across the country and worldwide; and, most of all, to have fun! Noted progressive Hip-Hop artist and Green Party member Head-Roc and his crew will headline the Music Fest with a performance on Saturday night. Head-Roc will also make a solo apperance on Thursday.


Highlights include:

* Global Greens: Presentations from Juan Behrend, Co-Secretary General of the European Green Party; Janet Eaton from the Green Party of Canada talking about the NAFTA Super Corridor, and representatives from the Green Party of the Dominican Republic and the Green Party of New Zealand.

* Presidential Forum: Any candidate currently seeking the Green Party nomination for President in 2008 will have an early opportunity to address party delegates

* Catherine Austin Fitts, President of Solari, Inc. a socially responsible investment firm, and former Federal Housing Director in the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

* Workshops: Numerous workshops on topics such as "media relations," "running for office," and "building an effective campaign organization"

* Special three-day workshop on "Dismantling Racism" - open to the general public. *Please Note: Registration for the "Dismantling Racism" Workshop has been extended to June 15th. For more information go to: http://www.gpanc.org/pix/DRW.pdf

* Musical groups: Noted Hip-Hop artist and Green Party member Head-Roc and his DJ's Eurock and Noyeek will headline the Music Fest with a performance on Saturday night. Head-Roc will also make a solo apperance on Thursday. The four day event will also include performances by the Juggling Suns, Green Onions, Hexbelt, Uncle Skip, and the Robin Irvin All Star Band. More musical groups TBA soon?. Stay tuned!

On-line registration will be available until July 6th at: http://www.gp.org/meeting2007/index.shtml. We have arranged a discount room rate with the Abraham Lincoln hotel. If you are interested in staying at this historic hotel call 610-372-3700, or 877-999-3223 and be sure to mention the Green Party Meeting in order to receive the discount. The discounted rate is available until June 15th.


Election Update

The Green Party won four races this month bringing the total number of victories this year to 20 for a win rate of 45%! Congratulations to Rudy Heller elected as Selectman in Brookfield, MA; Tom Flittie, reelected to Town Meeting in Amherst, MA; Rome Celli reelected to the Brighton, NY School Board; and Edgar Rodriguez, elected to the New Paltz, NY School Board.

Renee Bowser did not win her bid for DC Ward 4 City Council coming in fifth out of a field of 19 but she built up a great campaign team and had an unprecedented number of supporters out at the polls on Election Day.

Jason West did not win his bid for reelection as Mayor of New Paltz, NY. As one of our most renowned office holders, Jason gained the world's attention and risked criminal prosecution when he officiated the marriages for 25 same-sex couples. Jason West also helped move municipal buildings to use solar power and implemented a sewage treatment system using natural reed beds.

Rebecca Rotzler, the Deputy Mayor of New Paltz, did not seek a second term in office and will end her term this month. Rebecca has been an unyielding voice for peace and justice and has been one of the Green Party's most public spokespersons against the War in Iraq. She is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Green Party of the United States. Thank you Rebecca and Jason for bringing innovative Green change to New Paltz, and for inspiring Greens everywhere.
Sign the Green Party
Impeachment Petition
The Geen Party has been opposed to the war in Iraq from before it started and we have called for impeachment almost as long. You can now sign the recently created Green Party Petition to Impeach Bush and Cheney here.
Please go here to write your congress person or local newspaper using the Green Party automated system.

Register Green. Vote Green. Give Green.

The Green Party does not accept corporate donations. We depend entirely on donations from people who are committed to building a powerful and progressive alternative to the two corporate parties.

We ask you to challenge corporate influence in politics by supporting the Green Party of the United States! Show your resistance to the status quo by enabling us to continue organizing and mobilizing for real change. Please help us get out our positive, progressive values to new communities, and to deepen our involvement where we're already anchored.

Support us today and please consider becoming a sustainer (look for the recurring donation option).

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Buy Your Green Party Card Online
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The latest, coolest item in the wallets of progressives is the personalized Green Party Card. For $36.00 a year* you can be a card-carrying Green. When you become an active supporter of the Green Party of the United States, you'll receive our spanking-new card, which shows the world that you stand committed to time-honored progressive values like liberty, equality, democracy, social justice, personal responsibility and focus on the future. In addition, you will receive a Green Party button and bumper sticker, a one-year subscription to Green Pages, plus all of the information you need to get involved and active as a Green. Half of your contribution will be shared with your state's Green Party. The Future is Green!

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WNY meeting on Climate Change

Sierra Club, Niagara Group and the
"Green Sanctuary" of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst co-sponsor...

"Meeting the Climate Change Challenge, Globally and Locally"

Presentation given by Walter Simpson of
SUNYAB and WNY Climate Change Coalition

* * *

WHERE ~ Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst
"Green Sanctuary"
6320 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221

* * *

WHEN ~ Tuesday, June 5, 2007
7:30 pm

If you have an interest in becoming involved in Western New York solutions to smart energy, green building, smart growth and urban sprawl, please attend this function.

Refreshments will also be served at this function!!

* For more information please call the UU Church at (716) 634-3010 *