BBC: Ingrid Betancourt to be Freed?

Plane on stand-by for Betancourt

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7321151.stm

Ingrid Betancourt is the highest-profile Farc hostage

A French plane and medical team are on standby in case the high-profile hostage Ingrid Betancourt, held by Colombia's Farc rebels, is released.

The French president's office said it was a "precautionary" move and that there was no information to suggest Ms Betancourt was about to be freed.

The former Colombian (Green Party) presidential candidate and dual French-Colombian national is believed to be gravely ill. She has spent more than six years as a hostage of the left-wing Farc group.

Last week, the Colombian government offered prisoner amnesties in exchange for hostages and said France could take freed Farc prisoners as part of a deal.

Medical equipment

In a interview with the BBC, a spokeswoman for President Nicolas Sarkozy said a French army Falcon 900 business jet carrying medical equipment had arrived at an airport near French Guiana's capital, Cayenne, on Friday.

Aurelia Jublin said the jet had parked at the military base adjacent to the airport and been placed on stand-by to evacuate Ms Betancourt should she be released.

The plane will remain there until Monday, when it is due to be replaced indefinitely by a sophisticated aircraft equipped with high-tech medical equipment, which will be available to fly out at a moment's notice.

INGRID BETANCOURT Ingrid Betancourt before her kidnap (left) and several years later (right) Born on 25 December 1961 Grows up in Paris 1989: Returns to Colombia 1994: Elected to lower house 1998: Becomes a senator 2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels Profile: Ingrid Betancourt

Ms Jublin stressed that the plane's mere presence in French Guiana should not be read as a sign that France has been involved in any kind of secret negotiations to secure Ms Betancourt's release.

The Colombian Interior Minister, Carlos Hoguin, welcomed the move, saying that the guerrillas who are holding Ms Betancourt "must understand that a humanitarian gesture is required".

Ms Betancourt, 46, is the most high-profile of the scores of hostages held in the jungle by Farc. She is said to have hepatitis B and a tropical skin disease and was pictured in a recent video, looking thin and frail.

Ms Betancourt was kidnapped in 2002 after she entered Farc territory for unofficial talks with the rebels while campaigning for the Colombian presidency.

Her case has drawn broad international attention for years and in particular in France, as she holds French nationality acquired through her marriage to a French national.

On Saturday, her former husband said he feared she might no longer be alive.

"I am afraid that Ingrid Betancourt is either dying or already dead," Fabrice Delloye told the AFP news agency.

Exchange deal

Last week, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe announced the establishment of a $100m fund for any information leading to the whereabouts of the hostages.

The Farc has been involved in conflict in Colombia for decades

Mr Uribe urged Farc fighters to accept his offer of cash rewards and reduced jail terms for abandoning rebel ranks and releasing kidnap victims.

The Farc, which has been fighting the Colombian state for five decades, is yet to respond to the proposal.

Analysts say the promise of exile in France could be attractive to anybody wanting to turn themselves in, since the Farc has a policy of hunting down and killing deserters.

In addition, Ms Betancourt's release would be a coup for President Sarkozy, whose popularity has slumped at home.

also see:
http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2008/03/free-ingrid-betancourt-clolombian-green.html

Green Pages Winter 2008

The Winter 2008 issue of Green Pages is now available, order yours today, or order a bundle to hand out.


Winter 2008 FEATURES

Back From the War in Afghanistan
Veteran Jeff Bartelli is more Green than ever
David Doonan, Green Party of New York

National Co-Chair Receives Award
Clifford Thornton acknowledged for efforts in drug policy reform

The Popular Party Among soon-to-be Voters
L.A. Greens wow thousands at youth environmental conference
Lisa Taylor, L.A. Greens

The Color of Green
Getting to know people of color across the country active in the Green Party
an interview with Pete Van Jr.

Matt Funiciello Gains Recognition

ELECTIONS

The Road to Chicago
Tom Yager, Presidential Campaign Support Committee

Allan Brison Upsets Incumbent in New Haven
Mike DeRosa, Green Party of Connecticut & Mike Feinstein, Green Party of California

Jean de Smet Elected First Selectman of Windham in Upset Victory
Mike DeRosa, Green Party of Connecticut & Mike Feinstein, Green Party of California

Democrats Feel the Heat
Dave Lussier misses New York County election by only 11 votes
Mark Dunlea, Green Party of New York

2008 Green National Convention Schedule

WORLD

Last Chance for Our Planet?
Global Greens at the U.N. Climate Change Congress in Bali
Mike Feinstein, Advisor, International Committee of the Green Party of the United States

Global Greens Declaration for Bali
Breakthrough Down Under
Australians Win Record Number Of Seats, Gain Official Party Status
Oliver Woldring, Australian Greens

OPINION

Ten Key Values – Grassroots Democracy
Dorothy H. Engel, North Carolina Green Party

Green Plate Tectonics
Brent McMillan, Political Director, Green Party of the United States

Why I'm Green
Jim Coplen, Co-chair Green Party of the United States

STATE REPORTS

A New Way to Make Money
State Sharing Programs Create Funds At All Levels
Emily Citkowski, Operations Director of the Green Party of the United States

State Reports

EVERGREEN

Diving Into The Campaign High Seas
Satire By Deyva Arthur, Political Idealist And Sticking To It

New Forum for Greens on the Internet
www.greenchange.com Shows Green Is A Way Of Life
Pat LaMarche, Maine Green Independent Party

The Value of Decentralization
A book review – Getting to the roots
Rhoda Gilman, Green Party of Minnesota

Cynthia McKinney in HD

http://www.vimeo.com/runcynthiarun

Cynthia McKinney, Green Party Presidential Candidate, interviewed by WBAI Pacifica NY's Don DeBar about:

The War in Iraq. The Department of Peace. Challenges trying to support Impeachment, bringing the troops home, repealing the Patriot Act, supporting Civil Rights in the Democratic Party. Voting Your Values and why she's become a Green. Her friend Dennis Kucinich and the challenge they faced being independent thinkers as Democrats. Depressing voter turnout as election spoiler. Economic problems and solutions. Supporting organized labor. Greening society. Had she been Speaker of the House. Health Care Issues. Thoughts about VP and Cabinet and your input. Taking the next step and becoming a Green.

http://www.runcynthiarun.org/

Kent Mesplay Considers Effects of Nader's Independent Run on Green Party Convention

Kent Mesplay Considers Effects of Nader's Independent Run on Green Party Convention

By Babette Hogan
OpEdNews.com, March 22, 2008
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_babette__080321_kent_mesplay_conside.htm


Kent Mesplay, campaigning for the Green Party nomination for President, suggests that Ralph Nader's Independent run for President might boost his delegate count in the second round of this summer's Green Party Convention.

Though Nader won significant popular vote in several key states, including California with the largest constituency, many state parties have successfully pushed for bylaws which require a candidate to be a signed member of the party.

"Ralph Nader is basically doing his own thing, as he always does," said Mesplay. "I think strategically, he's making a mistake if it is his intent to be the nominee (of the Green Party). If I criticize the man, it's not because he's running an independent candidacy. He's saying some important things and pointing out that there's too much money in politics. People who were drafting him allowed his name to be used, so there are many who are disappointed." [He continued, "Nader has elder status in that he helped the Green Party get going. Some people just have not been able to let him go."

Mesplay contends that, as in 2004 when he ran against Nader and Cobb, Nader's delegates may be attracted to his particular platform, which emphasizes sustainability through local food growth, rapid transit systems, efficient architecture and renewable energy creation.

"Things get interesting in the second round," said Mesplay, when the number of promised delegates pledged to Nader could select one of the remaining candidates, including himself. "I intend to win the nomination."

Cynthia McKinney, former Democratic Congresswoman of Georgia who recently signed up to be a Green appears to be the frontrunner. McKinney draws into the party a much sought constituency of the black and urban communities. Her platform emphasizes social and economic justice, a much heralded but little played tune from the party's ten key values. Her record of standing up in Congress to others in office and of opening up matters that most have ignored gained her the respect of many Greens, while her public persona took a beating from fellow Democrats and the media. To date, her campaign has demonstrated the most organizational and fundraising muscle.

When asked about fellow candidate Jesse Johnson's recent vote of support from Democratic Presidential candidate Mike Gravel (http://polidoc.blogspot.com/2008/03/mike-gravel-endorses-jesse-johnsons.html), Mesplay said, "I'm pleased for Jesse, because it shows that people are starting to pay attention to the Green Party. It shows how creative we can be and how creative we must be in order to attract media attention."

According to Libertarian leaning reporter David Weigel (http://www.reason.com/blog/show/125552.html), Gravel has since mentioned that he gave the Johnson the vocal support in order to "Give him a leg up over Cynthia McKinney and Ralph Nader." Gravel and Johnson share a strong interest in shared Green and Libertarian values of defending the Constitution, decentralization and ending the "War on Drugs".

In whatever manner any Green can receive a serious mention in the media it benefits the entire party, according to Mesplay. He hopes that in the 100 days before the convention, his additional campaign work will attract enough media attention to offer some great competition at this year's convention. This weekend, he will be a guest speaker at the Harvey Mudd College Goal 5 Conference, along with a number of other distinguished environmentalists. In late April, he intends to protest the exclusion of the Green Party at the Science Debate 2008 (http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php), a nationally sponsored debate between the assumed viable candidates for President. Difficult to not see the irony that the Green Party would not be included in an event like this. It remains to be seen if Ralph Nader will be attending, either as an invited or unwelcomed guest.

BlogTalkRadio's 3/20/08 interview of Mesplay (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tip/2008/03/20/Interview-Kent-Mesplay-G-2008-Presidential-Candidate) provides a useful window on this candidate, whose generally soft-spoken nature is easily overlooked in a crowd of stage savvy politicians. Or the following video of Mesplay from Polidoc Productions current documentary "Seriously Green" helps to put a face to Mesplay's name.


http://www.polidoc.blogspot.com

I am a documentary producer based in San Francisco, CA. My current project, "Seriously Green" watches the development of third parties during the course of the 2008 election cycle from the viewpoint of the Green Party. You can find out more about our project at www.polidoc.org or read more articles at http://www.polidoc.blogspot.org

Bus Fairness: Town Hall Meeting

Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, April 3rd
6-8pm
Gleason Auditorium
First floor of the Downtown Library


The Greens have been part of a coalition that has met since April 2006 following some major changes set forth by the Rochester Genesee Regional Transit Authority (RGTA).

These changes had little citizen or bus rider imput and represent a long history of very arrogant and non-responsive management by the RGRTA. As a result there were fee increases that were largely on the backs of city bus riders.

I have been using the bus for two years now (no car) and can speak to the overall disregard by the Authority for concerns of everyday bus riders many of whom are low income persons of color.

We have organized a Town Hall meeting for the purpose of drawing attention to these concerns and to create a citizen review board that would relate to the City and influence the needs of bus riders.

The City has responsibility for the quality of services for the largely city population served. In addition the 13 Commissioners ;who comprise the official Authority Board are largely represented by the counties. Commissioners on the Board are politically appointed and with the exception of one do not routinely ride the buses.

This is just some background leading to encouraging Greens to attend the Town Hall meeting on 4-3-08, 6-8p.m. at the Gleason Auditorium, downtown Library. If we want a more real democracy we will have to insist on it.

Thanks, Bonnie Cannan

GP RELEASE Greens: US, UN must declare clean water a human right

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES


For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624,
cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805,
starlene@gp.org


Greens urge endorsement of UN resolution declaring access to clean water a human right

• Green leaders and candidates warn of danger to ecology, public health, and security because of water privatization and effects of global warming


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders called for the US to support a United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) resolution declaring clean water a universal human right.

The US and Canada are the only two nations objecting to UN recognition of the right to water. The Green Party of Canada has also called for the Canadian government to endorse the resolution (http://www.greenparty.ca/en/releases/20.03.2008),
which is currently under discussion at a UNHRC session in Geneva that will end on March 28

"The Green Party endorses the principle that unadulterated fresh water must always be publicly owned and freely available for public use. We support investment in public infrastructure to ensure safe and clean fresh water supplies and in sanitation projects in the US and around the world, with the creation of new jobs in water provision and conservation," said Steve Alesch, Illinois Green candidate for Congress (District 13) (http://www.votesteve.org).

Greens foresee growing international conflict over access to clean water as the global climate continues to heat up and populations continue to grow. The party urges Americans to understand that privatization of water has already resulted
in greater impoverishment and public health threats in Africa and Latin America, as well as an increase in cost and lower quality of services in the US.

"Trade agreements have allowed corporations to invest in poor countries by taking over publicly owned water utilities, driving up prices and restricting access," said Carol Wolman, MD, Green candidate for Congress in California's District 1 (http://www.carolwolmanforcongress.com). "People who cannot afford to pay for fresh water have sought it from unpurified sources, leading to outbreaks of dysentery, cholera, and other diseases. The Green Party has opposed
privatization and has sharply criticized international trade deals like NAFTA and GATT and the antidemocratic power of the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and other authorities."

Green leaders expressed fears that the US and other developed countries with high consumption levels will raid poorer nations' water supplies, comparing the situation to the takeover of agricultural land in Latin America and Africa for the benefit of the US and other developed countries and to the detriment of local economies and access to food.

Many Canadians, including the Green Party of Canada, have objected to the prospect of bulk water exports to the United States under trade agreements like NAFTA and the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP).

"Fresh water will become scarce in many parts of the world as glaciers and mountaintop snow vanish and rivers dry up because of global warming," said Bob Kinsey, Green candidate for the US Senate in Colorado (http://www.kinseyforsenate.org). "Breakdowns caused by flooding, droughts, and storms related to global warming will deny millions of people access to fresh water and sanitation."

"The immediate effects and aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast are models for what we can expect. Fresh water supplies are already becoming stressed in the western US, with legal battles over water rights. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has embraced the exploitation of these disasters and shortages for the sake of corporate profits, and trade pacts like NAFTA have enjoyed the support of leading Democratic and Republican politicians, including presidential candidates," said Mr. Kinsey.


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
• Video of Green presidential candidates
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php
• Green candidate database for 2007 and other
campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
• Green Party News Center
http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
• Green Party Speakers Bureau
http://www.gp.org/speakers
For Green speakers on the Security and Prosperity
Partnership of North America, visit
http://gp.org/speakers/spp.shtml
• Green Party ballot access page
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections
• 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green,
Vote Green
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml
• Media credentialing
http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml

Green Party Platform: section on water
http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/ecology.html#753961

"Climate Change Deepening World Water Crisis"
By Thalif Deen, Inter Press Service, March 22,
2008
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41659

"Water will be source of war unless world acts
now, warns minister"
By Ben Russell, The Independent, March 22, 2008
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/water-will-be-source-of-war-unless-world-acts-now-warns-minister-799292.html

Sierra Club page on corporate water privatization
http://www.sierraclub.org/committees/cac/water/human_right/

History of the Cochabamba (Bolivia) Water Wars in
2000
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochabamba_protests_of_2000

"Seeking the Water Jackpot" (Navajos water rights
in southwestern states)
By by Matt Jenkins, High Country News, March 17,
2008
http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=17573

A Green reply to 'Progressives for Obama'

From Ben Manski of the Wisconsin Green Party....

Re: this article:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080407/hayden_et_al
["Progressives for Obama" in The Nation, pasted
below]

I wrote the following letter in reply:

- - -

When Hayden et al write that, "We can and will
defend Obama against negative attacks from any
quarter," red flags should go up in the mind of
every progressive reader.

Is it a "negative attack" to inform voters that
Obama is opposed to immediate withdrawal from
Iraq, favoring instead, as the authors
acknowledge, a "sixteen-month combat troop
withdrawal plan?"

Are criticisms of Obama's records and current
positions on trade (poor at best), single-payer
health care (he does not support it), and
corporate power (he's no John Edwards),
out-of-bounds?

I agree with the authors that the Obama campaign
represents something new for the Democratic
Party. And I believe that it is in the interest
of independent progressives - Green, Libertarian,
populist, Socialist, communist, of whatever
stripe - to adopt a positive approach toward the
political opening that the Obama campaign
represents. But the authors seem to suggest that
this is not enough; that, indeed, the antiwar
movement must embrace Obama's position on Iraq;
that, indeed, progressives must brook no
criticism of the candidate or his campaign. Obama
is no more a messiah to be protected against all
criticism than he is a charlatan to be denounced
on every corner.

Nonetheless, whether he were a messiah,
charlatan, or more honestly, a liberal seeking
the Democratic presidential nomination, on the
day Obama takes the oath of office, the same
reality will remain: It will take independent
popular mobilization to end the occupation and
end empire. Regardless of whether we see
mobilization as a means to stiffen Obama's
resolve or as a means to make him do what his
voters believe him to have promised, the
mobilization must happen, and it can only be
based in the genuine independence of the anti-war
movement. A position of "we will brook no
criticism" of the Obama campaign makes genuine
independence impossible.

What makes the Obama campaign different and
distinct from most recent Democratic presidential
campaigns is that it is an aspirational campaign,
not an anti-campaign. In the same vein that those
of us supporting the prospective Green Party
nominee, Rep. McKinney, or the independent
candidacy of Ralph Nader, would do well in this
year to raise and channel popular demands for
genuine progressive change, and to avoid falling
into the trap of Anybody But Obama (or McCain),
so too should Obama's defenders adhere to the
aspirational notes of their candidate's campaign.
While the arc of history is long, it is also
wide; there are many paths to justice.

- Ben Manski, former co-chair, Green Party of the
U.S. - www.GP.org

Greens warn that election of Obama, Clinton, or McCain will not reverse the meltdown touched off by the subprime mortgage crisis

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, March 20, 2008

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org

Greens blame bipartisan failure to recognize Enron-style abuses, SEC and Federal Reserve Board indulgence of banks and lending institutions for the crisis: cozy relationship between Democratic and Republican politicians with industry has betrayed US homeowners; seniors, African Americans, and Latinos were special targets for lending deception


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders and candidates warned that the election of Democrats and Republicans to Congress and the White House will do little to stem the financial meltdown touched off by the subprime mortgage crisis.

The party called the crisis evidence of the failure of deregulation and corporate-friendly lending and housing policies. Greens urged a far-reaching overhaul of economic policy to meet the needs of the American people, with an emphasis on accountability, close regulation of financial institutions, and rethinking the status of corporations and their power over democratic government.

"Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain are too cozy with Wall Street and major financial institutions to take real action against abuses by banking and credit industries," said Carol Brouillet, Green candidate for Congress in California's District 14 (http://www.carolforcongress.org). "The subprime mortgage crisis is the result of Enron-style corporate practices, policies that impose debt on working Americans, false inducements made to borrowers, and CEO recklessness, ignored by the SEC and by Democratic and Republican officeholders until too late."

"Borrowers are taking the blame for the bursting of the housing bubble and for the high default rates on subprime and other adjustable rate mortgages. In fact, the collapse was caused by billions of dollars of home loans offered to people with poor credit history or low income after misleading promises by lending institutions and banks who believed that the SEC, federal regulators, and Democratic and Republican members of Congress would never hold them accountable," added Ms. Brouillet, who authored "The Difference Between Money and Real Wealth: Creating Community Currencies" (http://www.communitycurrency.org). "Americans are losing their homes while the CEOs of companies like Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, and Countrywide get multimillion-dollar compensation packages. Families are now watching their savings disappear, while the federal government spends billions to bail out the fatcats, with a taxpayer-funded $200 billion loan to selected banks made by Federal Reserve Board chair Ben Bernanke."

Greens said that skyrocketing real estate prices were not the sign of a healthy industry, but of deceptive reports filed with the SEC, disregard for the financial stability of working Americans, and false assurances of a stable housing market by Mr. Bernanke.

Greens also noted that older Americans, African Americans, and Latino borrowers were especially targeted by predatory lenders. 73% of high-income African Americans and Latinos were steered into subprime loans, compared to 17% of white borrowers in the same income brackets.

"Among the hardest hit are African Americans and Latinos, many of them first-time homeowners. The equity enjoyed by white homeowners was denied to black people during the second half of the 20th century as a result of historical redlining by the Federal Housing Administration. The current crisis is a betrayal of recent promises to African Americans and Latinos of home ownership and financial stability," said John Wages, candidate for the US House in Mississippi's 1st District (http://www.votejohnwages.com).

Green Party activists compared these policies with predatory and exploitative speculation at the local level, which has led to gentrification and the purge of middle- and low-income people from neighborhoods across the US.

The Green Party, which takes no corporate contributions, supports far-reaching reforms to ensure financial stability for working Americans, such as the chartering of community development banks, which would be capitalized with public funds and would work to meet the credit needs of local communities, including low-risk assistance for home owners (http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/economics.html#249123). The New Broom Coalition (http://www.newbroomcoalition.org), which includes a number of Greens running for Congress, has called for a five-year moratorium on foreclosures.

Green leaders noted that Penny Pritzker, a member of one of America's wealthiest financial dynasties, is Finance Chair for Obama campaign. Ms. Pritzker is former board chair of Superior Bank of Chicago, which collapsed in 2001 with over $1 billion in insured and uninsured deposits, costing over 1,400 people their life savings. Her brother, J.B. Pritzker is the head of a 'grassroots' organization called Citizens for Hillary Clinton.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the combined Finance/Insurance/Real Estate contributions to Democrats surpassed those given to Republicans in 2008: http://opensecrets.org/industries/indus.asp?Ind=F http://opensecrets.org/pres08/sectorall.asp?cycle=2008

"The SEC, under the Clinton and Bush administrations, failed in its mission to protect the public, and instead indulged lending institutions and Wall Street, allowing them to manipulate the mortgage industry for fast profits and skyrocketing executive paychecks while wages for working people remain inadequate. The influence of major players like the Pritzkers guarantee that, whether Ms. Clinton, Mr. Obama, or Mr. McCain win the White House, we'll see only superficial remedies and reforms. What we really need is investigation and prosecution, elimination of corporate personhood, and corporate power replaced by a system based on the housing needs of the American people," said Rodger Jennings, Green candidate for Congress, 12th District in Illinois (http://www.rodgerjennings.org).


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Video of Green presidential candidates
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php

Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml

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

Green Party Speakers Bureau
http://www.gp.org/speakers

Green Party ballot access page
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections

2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml

Media credentialing
http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml

Predatory Lending: Redlining in Reverse By Gregory D. Squires, Shelterforce (National Housing Institute), Issue #139, January/February 2005
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/sf139.html

Subprime Lending’s Smartest Guys in the Room
By Nomi Prins, Mother Jones, March 9, 2008
http://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront/2008/03/subprime-lendings-smartest-guys-in-the-room.html

A Discussion of Race Worth Having

A Message from Cynthia McKinney
A Discussion of Race Worth Having
March 18, 2008

Much has been made around the edges of this campaign about the issue of race. Sadly, nothing has been made of the public policy exigencies that arise because of the urgent racial disparities that continue to exist in our country.

. . .

I am glad that candidate Obama mentioned the existing racial disparities in education, income, wealth, jobs, government services, imprisonment, and opportunity. Now it is time to address the public policies necessary to resolve these disparities. Now it is time to have the discussion on how we are going to come together and put policies in effect that will provide real hope and real opportunity to all in this country.

To narrow the gap between the ideals of our founding fathers and the realities faced by too many in our country today: That must be the role of public policy at this critical moment in our country today.

I welcome a real discussion of race in this country and a resolve to end the long-standing disparities that continue to spoil the greatness of our country. I welcome a real discussion of all the issues that face our country today and the real public policy options that exist to resolve them. That must be the measure of this campaign season. For many voters, this important discussion has been too vague or completely non-existent. Now is the time to talk about the concrete measures that will move our country forward: on race, war, climate change, the economy, health care, and education. Our votes and our political engagement must be about ensuring that fairness truly for all is embodied in "liberty and justice for all."

Greens Don't Spoil

Letter to the Editor of the Sacramento News & Review from Starlene Rankin

Greens Don't Spoil
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=637875

Re "Spoiler alert" by Cosmo Garvin (SN&R Bites, March 6) (http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=631788):

I appreciate Bites pointing out that "the spoiler system is built into our election system." The only real democracy is multiparty democracy. Don't voters have a right to a choice of more than two candidates and the choice to vote for whichever candidate best represents their own needs and ideals?

The spoiler accusation is dishonest and an affront to the right of voters to have such a choice. It's a defense of an election system limited to two parties (both of them approved and funded by powerful corporate interests), which is one step away from systems that only allow one political party.

The Democrats have had many years to implement Instant Runoff Voting, but they'd rather lose elections to Republicans than tolerate the presence of third-party and independent candidates on the ballot. They'd rather blame Ralph Nader and the Green Party for "spoiling," so they can cover the botching of the 2000 and 2004 national elections with awful candidates and campaigns. If they wanted to win so badly, why didn't they take action after the obstruction of votes by the GOP in 2000 and 2004 and the 2000 Supreme Court decision that put Bush in the White House?

Bites calls the last eight years a "humiliating nightmare" and, I agree, it has been a nightmare, but it's not the fault of Nader and the Green Party. Please don't make assumptions that, without Nader in the 2000 race, the same number of voters would have voted and they all would have voted for Gore. According to exit polls, Nader's support came from Democrats, Republicans, independents and many others. Many would not have voted for Gore if Nader hadn't run, and some voters might not have voted at all. Al From, chair of the Democratic Leadership Council, wrote in Blueprints magazine in 2001 that, according to their own exit polls, Bush would have beat Gore by one percentage point if Nader hadn't run in 2000.

Third parties change the whole dynamic of an election in unpredictable ways that may have nothing to do with pulling votes from one side. Let's vote according to our consciences and hopes, not our fears and misconceptions!

Starlene Rankin media coordinator
Green Party of the United States

Mike Gravel Supports Green Candidate, Jesse Johnson's Bid for President

www.jesse08.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11 March 2008

Contact:
Joel Brown, 703 864 5199, joelbrown88@yahoo.com
Steve Kramer, 240 426 3338, scooter@the-exchange-us.com
Committee to elect Jesse Johnson

Chris Petherick, 703 980 8055, chris@gravel2008.us
Jon Kraus, 203 209 7736, jon@gravel2008.us
Gravel for President

National Statesman and International Hero Senator Mike Gravel Supports Jesse Johnson's Bid for President

In what has to be the most unprecedented cross party statement of support Democratic Party Candidate for President Mike Gravel announced that he has decided to support the campaign of Green Party Candidate Jesse Johnson running for the nomination on the Green Party Ticket.

After a meeting between the two in Washington DC Friday, Gravel stated, "My political party long ago walked away from taking the necessary steps that will safeguard our nation's and our children's futures. I worked dedicatedly throughout my career as a U.S. Senator to protect the precious resources our country had within it's boundaries as well as to mitigate the negative impact our businesses and individuals were having on the planet. I have watched the ever important job of stewarding these gifts vanish from the political landscape and I hold the Democratic Party leadership responsible for giving up that fight."

Why did Gravel choose Johnson from among the other candidates vying for the nomination in all the campaigns of all available political parties? Gravel explains, "I'm supporting Jesse because he began his political career with the determination that the environmental plundering must stop. He placed every other interest on hold to run for office, in his home state and now nationally, to challenge the corporations that destroy our national resources and then harvest from this practice a toxic energy source; coal. The mountain top mining practices devastate the landscape by blowing apart mountains and then carbon belching plants burn the coal creating a form of energy that serves as one of the major contributors for global climate change."

Gravel continues, "We must have a voice in the political realm speaking earnestly and intelligently about all of our environmental needs. Johnson and the Green Party have that environmental credibility that we Democrats have lost."

Senator Gravel intends to travel and campaign with Jesse Johnson as their schedule allows.

Jesse Johnson, former chair of the West Virginia Mountain Party and two time candidate for statewide office, said that this sort of cross party support "was just the kind of non-traditional, selfless act that we have come to know Senator Mike Gravel to make. When he read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional record, or filibustered to end the draft he had his eye at all times on the big picture and the needs of others. I am not surprised that a true patriot and advocate of the citizen as leader of our country would take such an unprecedented and bold stand. And I am honored and humbled that he has selected my campaign and the Green Party as his allies in this very important race to save our environment from the actions of humans."

Gravel closed by saying, "We've seen the havoc the two parties can wreak, on a global scale, by locking out the voices of reason by eliminating the third party voices. I want to amplify those voices to save our country from our own shortsighted and greedy actions. If we want to end the war in Iraq, provide health care to all citizens, educate our young people, we're going to have to start not only working together with these alternate parties: but literally working to support them. That's why I'm supporting Jesse Johnson's campaign for President."

Donations Needed for State Presidential Ballot

At the March 1 Green Party of NY State Committee (SC) meeting, the SC passed a plan to send a ballot to every person enrolled in the Green Party in NY State allowing them to vote their preference for the Green Party Presidential candidate. Such a mailing will cost an estimated $13,500. To be able to carry out this plan, the GPNY must raise at least $10,000 by the end of March. You can help by clicking on the donate button and making a contribution to the GP in NY.

You can contribute by check, money order, credit card, or PayPal.

In addition, money will be needed for petitioning this summer to put the Green presidential candidate on the ballot in NY, promoting that candidate, and assisting and promoting the other Green candidates throughout NY State.

Whatever amount you can contribute will go towards supporting the Green Party and Green candidates in NY.

Green Elected as Village Trustee

Roger Sherman was elected Village Trustee of Schuylerville, NY of Tuesday. Congratulation Roger!

David Doonan elected as Mayor of Greenwich NY with 75% of the vote

On Tuesday David Doonan was elected Mayor of Greenwich, NY, a small village north east of Albany, NY. David is a Green and ran for mayor in a non-partisan village election under the Open Government Party banner. Some of you met David in January when he attended our Green Party Campaign School, and his victory stands a a wonderful example of how we can apply our campaign knowledge to one of the many village elections here in Monroe County.


This was in the Glens Falls Post-Star on Wednesday:
Open Government Party sweeps Greenwich Election

In case you didn’t notice, there’s a new political party in the village of Greenwich, and their election to three top board seats bodes well for the premise of open government.

David Doonan, running on the new Open Government Committee, swamped the incumbent mayor and the deputy mayor to win 75 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s village election. Doonan’s running mates, Mary Catherine “Cathy” Brown and Lyle Hayes also won seats as trustees.

In his campaign, Doonan — a member of the ZBA and the Chamber of Commerce — vowed to make Greenwich’s government more open. He said he’d like to go out and solicit more input from citizens and the business community, and he wants to end the perceived disconnect with Greenwich residents.

Among his pledges: to improve accessibility by videotaping meetings, broadcasting them on TimeWarner and uploading them to the Internet. He also plans on a yearly “State of the Village” statement to give residents a better idea how things stand.

Ms. Brown, who won her trustee seat with 28 percent of the vote in a five-way race for two seats, said the current administration is “almost secretive.” She couldn’t pinpoint specifics, but said it’s more about a perception. She vowed to change that view.

Open government itself is largely about perception. Governments can follow the letter of the law, but still be secretive and unapproachable.

We applaud the Open Government Party in Greenwich on its victories and urge other citizen candidates to make open government a keystone of their campaigns, as these citizens did.

– Mark Mahoney

Green presidential candidate Jesse Johnson files with FEC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://www.jesse08.org

Contact:
Joel Brown, 703 864 5199, joelbrown88@yahoo.com
Steve Kramer, 240 426 3338,
scooter@the-exchange-us.com


JESSE JOHNSON CAMPAIGN FORMALLY FILES WITH
FEDERAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION


Washington, 10 March 2008 - The Committee to Elect Jesse Johnson formally filed with the FEC today to officially establish Jesse Johnson as a candidate for President of the United States from the Green Party.

Johnson, up until recently the Chairman of the Mountain Party, the Green Party affiliate in West Virginia, delayed filing until this time as he was engaged in securing the ballot line for the Greens in that state. Lawmakers in West Virginia threatened to unlawfully withhold the ballot line due to the Mountain and Green Parties having dissimilar names - a practice which was not applied when considering, for example, the Democrat-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota.

In accordance with the opinion as cited by the Secretary of State, Johnson would have been the only Green candidate able to run for President in West Virginia, due to his status in the Mountain Party. "In acting as he did, Jesse Johnson placed his party before himself," said co-campaign manager Joel Brown.

Jesse and his entire campaign staff are enthusiastic to hit the campaign trail.

"Having fulfilled my promise to deliver our West Virginia ballot line, I look forward to running a vigorous and transformational campaign for President with the Green Party emphasizing party growth and expansion," Johnson, a seasoned campaigner and candidate for Governor of West Virginia in 2004 and U.S. Senator in 2006, said. "Green values are the values of American citizens. I intend to gain their votes by
defending our Constitution and our environment passionately, protecting the jobs and families of working-class Americans through sensible trade and health care policies, and ending not only the war in Iraq, but war as a means of foreign policy as well as the unforgivable bedrock of our economy."

More information on the Johnson campaign may be found online at http://www.jesse08.org

Greens win bid to remove Robert E. Lee quote from Arlington, Va. tax decal

The Arlington Greens

*Press Release: Greens Victorious in Campaign to Remove Robert E. Lee Quote from Tax Decal*

Arlington, VA (March 7) -- The Arlington Green Party expressed satisfaction today that its campaign to remove a quote from Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the 2008-2009 Arlington County tax decal proved successful.

The initial design of the tax decal featured a picture of the Pentagon superimposed over a U.S. flag with the following quote from Robert E. Lee:"Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character."

Members of the Arlington Green Party criticized the tax decal as a manifestation of racism, sexism, and militarism which had no place on the windshields of Arlington County car owners.

Josh Ruebner, a two-time Green Party candidate for Arlington County Board who helped lead the campaign against the tax decal, stated: "The Arlington Green Party is enormously pleased that the County has seen fit to remove the Robert E. Lee quote from the 2008-2009 tax decal in the wake of our protest. Lee was a racist slave-owner
who rebelled against the government of the United States in order to perpetuate slavery. There is no way that we should honor his memory by putting a quote of his on our cars."

The Green Party also expressed satisfaction that Arlington County Treasurer Frank O'Leary affirmed publicly that Arlington residents may cut out the offending image of the Pentagon on their tax decal or request a temporary permit without the offending image. O'Leary made these comments in a March 4 Arlington Sun Gazette article
<http://sungazette.net/articles/2008/03/06/arlington/news/nws201.txt>.

At its March 5 monthly meeting, members of the Arlington Green Party vowed to take up the Treasurer's invitation to serve on the committee which selects the finalists in the tax decal competition. "Members of the Arlington Green Party are definitely interested in serving on the committee to select the finalists for the tax decal so that in the future Arlington County residents will not have to be embarrassed to stick racist, sexist, and militaristic tax decals on their cars," stated Ruebner.

Green 'Peace Party' positions compared to faux antiwar Clinton, Obama

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Monday, March 10, 2008

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624,
cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805,
starlene@gp.org


Green 'Peace Party' positions against the Iraq and Afghanistan wars compared to pro-occupation Clinton, Obama, and McCain

• Greens express support for a May 1 protest by longshore workers against the wars


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders today compared the Green demand for an immediate end to the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan to the pro-occupation positions of the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.

Greens said that party members supported protests planned by International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) locals on the west coast on May 1, 2008.

"Along with the election of Greens to Congress, actions like those planned by ILWU members are what we need to force the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan," said Rodger Jennings, Green candidate for the US House in
Illinois (District 12) . "The longshore workers intend to press Democratic and Republican presidential candidates to change their warhawk positions. Like the Green Party, the ILWU has opposed both of President Bush's wars from the beginning."

The text of the ILWU's February 26, 2008 resolution can be read here
<http://www.labournet.net/docks2/0802/ilwu1may1.htm>.
The ILWU letter to the AFL-CIO can be read here
<http://www.labournet.net/world/0802/ilwu1may2.html>.

The Green Party of the United States has called for immediate troop withdrawal and impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney for numerous crimes and abuses of power, including deception and manipulated intelligence to justify
the invasion of Iraq. Greens also favor a sharp reduction in the military budget, shifting funds over to health care, conservation programs, efforts to curb global warming, and other urgent needs.

"While Democrats have retreated, our own Green presidential candidates -- Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift -- have aggressively promoted the Green Party's position on the wars and on impeachment," said Dr. Julia
Willebrand, co-chair of the Green Party's International Committee
.

Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have promised to pull 'combat' troops, but would leave thousands of US military personnel and contractors, including mercenary security firms, in Iraq to prolong the illegal occupation. Republican John McCain would maintain the Bush policy that would extend the occupation for several generations, bankrupting America both morally and fiscally.

On other war-related issues, Ms. Clinton, Mr. Obama, and Mr. McCain agree (while Greens hold contrary positions):

• All three have expressed support for the 'benchmarks,' which would place most Iraqi oil resources under the control of US and UK oil companies, requiring sustained US military presence to protect investments.

• All three favor an increase in the military budget; Mr. Obama would expand the military with 90,000 added troops.

• All three favor expansion of the Afghanistan war.

• All three have said that a US attack on Iran is not off the table, even though President Bush's justification for such an assault (alleged nuclear weapons production) has been shown to be false.

• All three have voted for funding bills to keep the Iraq War going; the war could have been brought to a quick end if Democrats, in control of Congress since the 2006 election, had simply stalled on the bills.

• All three have refused to criticize Israel for its violations of international law, UN directives, and human rights in the treatment of Palestinians (see
<http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=35>),
which have inflamed regional conflict; none admit the role of Israel's strategic objectives in US policy on Iraq and Iran.

"The occupation of Iraq will continue whether a Democrat or a Republican moves into the White House in January 2009," said Jason Wallace, Green candidate for Congress in Illinois' 11th District <http://www.electwallace.us> and a member of Iraq
Veterans Against the War <http://ivaw.org/index.php>. IVAW has announced
'Winter Soldier' (March 13-16), a four-day event bringing together veterans from across the country to testify about their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan
<http://ivaw.org/wintersoldier>. "The ILWU action planned for May 1 is evidence that working people are impatient with vague promises to end these wars. Will Ms. Clinton or Mr. Obama endorse the ILWU protest and pledge to call home all US military personnel immediately?"

"Polls have shown that a majority of Americans agree with the Green Party's demand for an end to the Iraq War," added Mr. Wallace. "The equivocating reaction of Democrats when Republicans accuse them of unpatriotism and betrayal of US troops for any opposition to Bush policy may cost them another election."

Democratic leaders continue to criticize the Iraq War on the basis of poor management, and have recently argued that combat troops should be called home for purposes of 'military preparedness.'

"By calling the Iraq War a matter of military preparedness and botched strategy, Democrats are sidestepping the premise of the war," said Bob Kinsey, Green candidate for the US Senate in Colorado <http://www.kinseyforsenate.org>. "While it's true that the Bush Administration has shown little regard for the lives of Iraqi
civilians and US troops, President Bush's order to invade was itself a crime -- an illegal invasion of a country that posed no threat to the US, in disregard of US and international laws, and based on White House deception."

"A full withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq will be a victory for peace, the rule of law, and the value of human life. It'll be a defeat for the doctrine that says the US can invade countries at will, for resources, corporate interests, and imperial political ambitions," said Mr. Kinsey.


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
• Video of Green presidential candidates
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php
• Green candidate database for 2007 and other
campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
• Green Party News Center
http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
• Green Party Speakers Bureau
http://www.gp.org/speakers
• Green Party ballot access page
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections
• 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green,
Vote Green
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml
• Media credentialing
http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml

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

International Longshore and Warehouse Union
(ILWU) http://www.ilwu.org

Roger Sherman a Green for Schuylerville Trustee

Green Party candidate seeking position
By Geraldine Freedman
Correspondent
Published: Monday, March 10, 2008


SCHUYLERVILLE -- After years of attending village board meetings, Roger Sherman is running on the Green Party ticket to fill the trustee position vacated when Glenn Decker resigned last October after having served only about seven months of a four-year term.

The election will be held from noon to 9 p.m. March 18 at the village offices.

"I've always been interested in public office," Sherman said recently, "but I've never been able to take part, because I was too busy with work."

Sherman retired from Finch Pruyn in 1999, and since then has been working in part-time jobs in the area.
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If elected, he'll be the lone Green Party member on an otherwise Republican board.

That's because no Republican stepped forward at the recent party caucus, said Village Clerk Anna Welfley. Sherman, however, presented a petition with the requisite number of signatures.

Currently, Sherman appears to be running unopposed. Sherman said he has several issues he would like to see changed.

He said he would like to set up a separate water district that would be run by elected officials, rather than continue with the joint water board, whose members are residents of Schuylerville and Victory.

"There's too much politics inhibiting a smooth function," he said.

Sherman also said he thinks Schuylerville needs to do a better job of recycling, especially of cardboard, which is usually thrown into Dumpsters.

He added that he believes there needs to be better communication between the residents and the Village Board; the village should plant more trees; sidewalks should be built along Spring Street up to Morgan Lane for the schoolchildren; and the village must pursue a steady grant writing program.

Whoever is elected to the open trustee position will serve for three years -- the remainder of Decker's four-year term.

Other members of the Village Board are Mike Hughes, Margaret Ditch, Whitney Colvin and Mayor John Sherman.

Elections will be held in 2009 for mayor and to fill two trustee positions.

Roger Sherman a

Green Party candidate seeking position
By Geraldine Freedman
Correspondent
Published: Monday, March 10, 2008


SCHUYLERVILLE -- After years of attending village board meetings, Roger Sherman is running on the Green Party ticket to fill the trustee position vacated when Glenn Decker resigned last October after having served only about seven months of a four-year term.

The election will be held from noon to 9 p.m. March 18 at the village offices.

"I've always been interested in public office," Sherman said recently, "but I've never been able to take part, because I was too busy with work."

Sherman retired from Finch Pruyn in 1999, and since then has been working in part-time jobs in the area.
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If elected, he'll be the lone Green Party member on an otherwise Republican board.

That's because no Republican stepped forward at the recent party caucus, said Village Clerk Anna Welfley. Sherman, however, presented a petition with the requisite number of signatures.

Currently, Sherman appears to be running unopposed. Sherman said he has several issues he would like to see changed.

He said he would like to set up a separate water district that would be run by elected officials, rather than continue with the joint water board, whose members are residents of Schuylerville and Victory.

"There's too much politics inhibiting a smooth function," he said.

Sherman also said he thinks Schuylerville needs to do a better job of recycling, especially of cardboard, which is usually thrown into Dumpsters.

He added that he believes there needs to be better communication between the residents and the Village Board; the village should plant more trees; sidewalks should be built along Spring Street up to Morgan Lane for the schoolchildren; and the village must pursue a steady grant writing program.

Whoever is elected to the open trustee position will serve for three years -- the remainder of Decker's four-year term.

Other members of the Village Board are Mike Hughes, Margaret Ditch, Whitney Colvin and Mayor John Sherman.

Elections will be held in 2009 for mayor and to fill two trustee positions.

Spitzers Failing Grade

It looks like we missed something about Client-9.


Duncan Gives Spitzer Failing Grade On 25 Green Party Challenges For His First Year In Office, Saying He Failed To "Work Well With Others"

For Immediate Release Jan. 1, 2008
Contact: Ann Link 347-226-1195 eastst@hotmail.com
http://www.alisonduncan.org

NEW YORK, NY - Alison Duncan, the Green Party of New York State's 2006 candidate for Lieutenant Governor, gave Governor Eliot Spitzer a failing grade of "F" today on 25 Green Party challenges issued last January for his first year in office. Duncan added an additional challenge for Spitzer: to "work well with others." The challenges will be reissued for 2008.

"In 2006 Eliot Spitzer was elected in a landslide -- with a clear mandate to bring change to Albany," said Duncan. "He seems to have mistaken his mandate for the power of a dictator. Not only is the Governor's behavior undemocratic, it's also woefully ineffective. The people of New York State need a governor who can employ conflict resolution skills and creative problem solving. Our health, economic future and civil rights depend on it. That's why, in addition to grading the Governor on the 25 challenges I sent last year, I'm adding a 26th challenge on behalf of the 42,122 voters who chose the Green Party ticket. Governor Spitzer, I challenge you to work together with the elected representatives in Albany and across the state to build a more sustainable New York."

25 GREEN PARTY CHALLENGES FOR SPITZER (grades in italic):

I. War in Iraq:

- bring New York State's National Guard troops home as soon as possible by using his veto power
[F]

II. Civil Rights:

- marry same-sex couples at the Empire State Plaza by the end of 2007
[D -- Spitzer submitted legislation in April to legalize same-sex marriage but treated it as a publicity stunt by refusing to spend the political capital to push it through]

- repeal the New York State version of the PATRIOT Act that he drafted with Pataki, which rescinded constitutional due process and probable cause protections
[F]

III. Health Care:

- actively promote the Legislative Commission on Health Care Coverage Act of 2005 (A.6575) sponsored by Assembly Member Richard Gottfried as a first step toward implementing universal, single-payer health care
[F -- Spitzer's efforts toward universal coverage do not include single payer]

- increase funding for public health research and programming with an emphasis on prevention, especially prevention of blood-borne diseases such as AIDS
[C -- Spitzer publicized a disease prevention plan in March but has not made AIDS prevention a major priority]

- keep hospitals open that have been targeted by Pataki's hospital closure commission
[F]

IV. Education:

- immediately follow through on his promise to invest $4 to $6 billion in New York City's schools, commit to investing $8.5 billion statewide, and commit an additional 500 million yearly to fund after-school programs in every district
[C -- Spitzer signed a bill that will increase school funding incrementally over 4 years, reaching $7 billion by 2010-11, however the aid must be more equitably distributed so that poorer districts have the resources they need]

V. Energy Policy:

- increase the percentage of electricity produced with renewable energy sources (not nuclear) to 25% in the first year, with a goal of 40% by the end of his term
[D -- Spitzer's goals of reducing NY's energy consumption by 15% below the forecasted level in 2015 and obtaining 25% of energy from renewable resources by 2013 are too modest for a problem that requires immediate action]

- promote energy conservation and research to create 25,000 new jobs for each year of his term
[F]

VI. Criminal Justice Reform:

- submit a bill to the NYS legislature to restore sentencing control to judges -- no mandatory minimums and use of alternative sentencing with a focus on restorative justice to prevent recidivism
[F]

- submit a bill to the NYS legislature to legalize marijuana and repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws
[F]

VII. Death Penalty:
- advocate against the death penalty and refuse to sign any bill to reinstate it
[F]

- commit $40 million per year for the permanent funding of legal services programs
[C -- Spitzer increased funding but not to the amount that is needed]

VIII. Housing:

- build 250,000 units of affordable housing each year of his term -002D the criteria "affordable" being that all New Yorkers are able to find housing near their work for no more than 30% of their family income
[D-- Spitzer announced financing for 800 "affordable" housing units on Dec. 14 and 730 housing units on Nov. 16, far short of what is needed]

- repeal the Urstadt Law that bars New York City from adopting rent limitations and tenant protections that are more restrictive than those allowed by the state
[F]

IX. Agriculture:

- submit a bill for labeling laws that identify food by origin (defining "family farm," "small farm), and whether genetically engineered
[F]

- submit a bill to require every public school cafeteria to serve locally grown food — with a priority on small, organic farms
[F]

X. Labor:

- repeal the Taylor Law to give public unions negotiating tools that are as powerful as management's while protecting public safety
[F]

- give union organizers full access to organize workfare workers and prisoners in New York State
[F]

XI. Electoral Reform:

- promote conversion to hand-counted paper ballots
[F]

- institute instant runoff voting by actively promoting A03509 and A03510 sponsored by Assembly Member Fred Thiele to establish an instant runoff voting method for certain primary and local elections
[F]

XII. Multiparty Democracy:

- introduce legislation to more fairly define ballot status of political parties by either enrollment or the vote totals of any statewide or federal office
[F]

- introduce clean election legislation that doesn't penalize third parties
[F -- the Green Party of New York State has described the legislation Spitzer and the legislature passed last year as "stunningly inadequate" and "codifying an already rotten system," citing a need for full public funding of campaigns and a ban on soft-money donations]

- introduce legislation to provide for proportional representation of political parties on the county and state boards of elections
[F]

XIII. Public Authorities:

- spearhead a public review of public authorities including their mandates, governing structures and budgets; and implement a comprehensive reform with a focus on transparency and accountability
[D -- although Spitzer and Paterson announced on May 24 that they had submitted limited reform legislation, it remains to be seen whether they can get it passed and whether the reforms will be implemented]

NEW CHALLENGE! Work Well With Others

David Doonan for Mayor of Greenwich, NY

David Doonan is a 54 year old Web Designer. Prior to going into business for himself in August of 2001, he spent 20 years working in offset printing in Michigan, New Jersey and Saratoga Springs.

He is a member of the Village Zoning Board of Appeals, sits on the Board of Directors of the Greater Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, is a founding member of Battenkill-BNI Referrals and is a former Board member at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. He is also a member of the Communications and Computer Workers Industrial Union 560, Industrial Workers of the World.

A 1977 graduate of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, David is a contributing writer & photographer for Main Street. David and his wife of 25 years, Judy, have two boys; Andrew a third year student at the Berklee College of Music and Daniel, a junior at Greenwich High.

A long time activist for peace and social justice issues, he is a national staff employee of the Green Party of the United States, serving as web manager for gp.org and photo editor of Green Pages.

David's Platform
Open Government

We need a government that residents can place trust in.

We need a government that is not reluctant to share information.

Our village meetings should be videotaped and broadcast on TimeWarner and uploaded to the web.

There should be a yearly "State of the Village" statement.

Economic Development

The Village government must actively work to develop our tax base by recruiting businesses to locate here. At present, the former IGA property, Wallies, and the former Mill property along the River are vacant. We should be working with the current owners to market those properties to businesses that would bring needed jobs and services to Greenwich

The Village should accept the standing invitation of the Town to add additional Village information onto the Town website

The Village should contract with a professional grant writer.

The development of the downtown into a shopping area is entirely due to the hard work of business owners. It's long past time for our Village government to take the needs of the downtown merchants and make them part of Village policy. If their needs, especially parking, are continued to be ignored, our Village will once again become filled with empty storefronts.

The USDA office on Rt 40 has programs to help rural communities such as Greenwich. The last project they oversaw in Greenwich was Cynthia Meadows. It is time that we take advantage of their programs and expertise.

Shared Responsibilities

We need to explore sharing services and facilities with the Town.

The IGA property should be sold and the proceeds used to refurbish the current Village Hall.

The Village should look into sharing costs for a new fire station with the Town as well as looking into grants and low-interest loans to finance a new firehouse. This is an issue that has been in front of us for years.

The Town Board, Village Board, Chamber of Commerce, School Board and Library govern life in our community. At present there is little if any communication between them. We need to create an atmosphere where those bodies can publicly share information and work together for a better Greenwich.

The Gannon Commission needs to be reconstituted and given the financial responsibility to manage it.

Donations Needed for State Presidential Ballot

At the March 1 Green Party of NY State Committee (SC) meeting, the SC passed a plan to send a ballot to every person enrolled in the Green Party in NY State allowing them to vote their preference for the Green Party Presidential candidate. Such a mailing will cost an estimated $13,500. To be able to carry out this plan, the GPNY must raise at least $10,000 by the end of March. You can help by making a contribution to the GP in NY.

You can contribute by check, money order, credit card, or PayPal.

In addition, money will be needed for petitioning this summer to put the Green presidential candidate on the ballot in NY, promoting that candidate, and assisting and promoting the other Green candidates throughout NY State.

Whatever amount you can contribute will go towards supporting the Green Party and Green candidates in NY.

Greens urge economic pressure and cutoff of all military aid to Israel as Gaza situation worsens

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Monday, March 3, 2008

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org

Demanding an end to illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, Greens urge widespread grassroots support for the Palestine BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) Campaign

Greens blast Clinton, Obama, and McCain for uncritical support of Israel despite mounting crimes

WASHINGTON, DC -- Calling the Siege of Gaza an international emergency, the Green Party is urging Congress to reject President Bush's FY2009 budget request for $2.55 billion in Foreign Military Financing for Israel, and reiterated the call for a cut-off of all US military aid to Israel.

"The Siege of Gaza is an ongoing atrocity, with mounting civilian casualties, especially children, killed and maimed by Israeli Defense Forces," said Holly Hart, secretary of the Green Party of the United States and member of People for Justice in Palestine, responding to the mass killing of Palestinians during the past weekend. "Greens are demanding an end to the siege and to the occupation of Palestinian lands, to Israel's collective punishment of Palestinians, and to targeted assassinations, all of which violate international law."

Greens noted that the death toll of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces has doubled since the Annapolis peace talks sponsored by the US in November 2007. In some areas of the West Bank, home invasions by IDF since January 1 have resulted in the kidnapping and detention without charges of nearly 400 civilians, including children. 1.5 million Gazans, mostly refugees from Israel in 1948, live in an open-air prison, unable to exit, and with electricity, fuel, and water under Israeli control.

"Peace talks are a sham as long as Israel refuses to discuss the construction of new housing units for Jewish settlers throughout occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank," said David J. Kalbfleisch, a Green congressional candidate in Illinois' 10th district . "Israel must meet its obligations under U.N. security council resolution 242."

The Green Party has already called for an economic boycott and divestment of Israel until the occupation is ended and full human rights and equality are realized throughout historic Palestine, including Israel , and recognition of the right of return.

Green leaders, emphasizing the need for popular pressure on the US government similar to the campaign against South African apartheid two decades ago, have supported the efforts of Palestinian and Israeli peace groups to seek negotiation and a halt to violence, and are urging participation in the Palestine BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) Campaign .

The President's FY2009 request would enact a 9% increase over 2007 spending, and would be the first installment of a ten-year agreement between the US and Israel, signed in August 2007, to increase military aid by 25%, totaling $30 billion by FY2018.

The arms purchased through Foreign Military Financing are being used to enforce Israel's 40-year military occupation and siege of the Palestinian West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and for violation of human rights in the Occupied Territories and against civilians in Lebanon. Such use of weapons purchased with US money violates of the Arms Export Control Act and Foreign Assistance Act.

"The Green Party has repeatedly called for an end to Israel's illegal occupation, for enforcement of human rights laws consistently violated by Israel, and for an end to all attacks against unarmed civilians by either side," said Justine McCabe, co-chair of the party's International Committee.

"Under the influence of AIPAC and other pro-Israel lobbies, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama have bent over backwards to support the Israel government and avoid criticism -- even as Israel warns that it may invade and Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai threatens Palestinians in the Gaza Strip with a 'holocaust.' If the national debate on the Middle East is restricted to Democratic and Republican positions in 2008, the crisis and the atrocities will continue regardless of who wins the White House," Dr. McCabe added.


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Video of Green presidential candidates
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php

Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml

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

Green Party Speakers Bureau
http://www.gp.org/speakers

Green Party ballot access page
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections

2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml

Media credentialing
http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml

Green Party International Committee
http://www.gp.org/committees/intl/

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

Wheels of Justice Tour: Nonviolent education and action against war and occupation in Iraq and Palestine for justice and universal human rights
http://justicewheels.org

"Israeli minister threatens "holocaust" as public demand ceasefire talks"
Ali Abunimah, The Electronic Intifada, February 29, 2008
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9354.shtml

Palestinian deaths double since Annapolis
By Mel Frykberg, Middle East Times, January 16, 2008
http://www.metimes.com/International/2008/01/16/palestinian_deaths_double_since_annapolis/9342/

DC Statehood Green leader Asa Gordon to speak on the Supreme Court's Bush v. Gore ruling (2000)

THE DC STATEHOOD GREEN PARTY
http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org

For immediate release:
Monday, February 25, 2008

Contact:
Scott McLarty, DC Statehood Green Party Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org

Lecture topic: "Supreme Redemption: Larceny, the Elections and the US Supreme Court," Tuesday, February 26, 7 pm at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Library in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, DC -- DC Statehood Green Party leader Asa Gordon will deliver a lecture on "Supreme Redemption: Larceny, the Elections and the US Supreme Court" on Tuesday, February 26 at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Library in downtown Washington, DC.

The library is located at 901 G Street NW. Mr. Gordon's lecture will take place at 7 pm in room A-5. For more information about the event, call (202) 727-1211.

On December 12, 2000, the Supreme Court resurrected racial redemptionist era precedents and ruled in Bush v. Gore that the US Constitution guarantees no right to vote. According to Bush vs. Gore, "the individual citizen has no federal constitutional right to vote for electors for the President of the United States" -- an opinion based on an article that established a constitutional franchise with the original intent to preserve supremacy based on race, sex, and class.

Asa Gordon's lecture will provide the historical and contemporary context of the Supreme Court's role in voter disfranchisement in the elections of 2000, 2004, and possibly the coming election of 2008.

A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report titled "The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues" (Order Code 95-896 GOV), prepared for members and committees of Congress, highlights the arguments raised in an electoral lawsuit addressing the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.

Gordon v. Cheney (formerly Gordon v. Gore), filed by the Douglass Institute of Government, was given precedence over all other civil actions filed by the NAACP, the American Civil Liberties Union, and other organizations.

Asa Gordon is the chair of DC Statehood Green Party's Electoral College Task Force, a member of the Delegate Apportionment Committee of the Green Party of the United States, and the founder and executive director of the Douglass Institute of Government. His work covers studies on democratizing the Electoral College, the constitutional penalty for voter disfranchisement, the 14th Amendment right to vote provision, and neo-confederate culture in American politics. Mr. Gordon's work has been recognized by public officials like Rep. John Conyers, who in response to a proposed solution discussed by Mr. Gordon on voting rights remedy, declared, "This is the most amazing proposition that has ever been brought forward, and if it is accurate, it could change the whole outcome of the voting process in the United States."


MORE INFORMATION

The DC Statehood Green Party
http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org

Greens respond to Ralph Nader's decision not to seek the Green Party nomination

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

Friday, February 29, 2008

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org

Party leaders wish Mr. Nader well in his campaign, affirm that the Green Party will choose nominees at the Green National Convention in Chicago, July 10-13

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders expressed their disappointment in Ralph Nader's decision, announced on Thursday, not to seek the 2008 Green presidential nomination.

"A lot of Greens have supported Mr. Nader and wanted him to win the party's nomination. There has been an active effort by many Green leaders to 'draft' Mr. Nader as a Green candidate, and his success in recent Green primaries demonstrates that he remains a very popular figure within the Green Party. There is widespread disappointment among Greens that he chose to go a different route," said Phil Huckelberry, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.

Four candidates are seeking the Green nomination, which will be decided at the Green Party's National Convention in Chicago, July 10-13. Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift are touring the US and meeting Greens and other voters.

"The Green Party intends to run a ticket of Green nominees, and we're working hard to get their names on the ballot lines of every state and the District of Columbia. We look forward to party unity behind our nominees. We wish Ralph Nader and [running mate] Matt Gonzalez well in their independent campaign," said Clifford Thornton, also a co-chair of the Green Party.

Currently, 21 state Green Parties hold ballot access within their respective states, and Greens anticipate adding Arizona to the list soon. Five state Green Parties have participated in primaries; other Green Parties are measuring preference for presidential candidates through caucuses and statewide meetings.

Mr. Nader ran as the Green nominee in 1996 and 2000. In 2004, David Cobb won the Green nomination, while Mr. Nader ran as an independent.

The Green Party has opened a web page featuring videos of Green presidential candidates and debates <http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php>.

List of Green presidential candidates and their campaign web sites:

Jesse Johnson http://www.jesse08.org

Cynthia McKinney http://www.runcynthiarun.org

Kent Mesplay http://www.mesplay.org

Kat Swift http://www.voteswift.org


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Video of Green presidential candidates
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php

Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml

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

Green Party Speakers Bureau
http://www.gp.org/speakers

Green Party ballot access page
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections

2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml

Media credentialing
http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml