Green Party: Israel-Palestine truce must include end of Israeli occupation and observance of international law or violence is likely to resume

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

For Immediate Release:
Monday, January 19, 2009

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

Mounting Israeli atrocities require immediate US pressure on Israel, say Greens in a challenge to President-elect Obama

The key to peace: ensuring democracy, equality, and human rights for all in Israel-Palestine


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders said today that President Obama must press Israel to end the occupation as part of any lasting truce in the siege of Gaza.

"For a truce to hold, Israel must not only end the siege of Gaza but also take steps to end the occupation of Palestinian lands, obey international law, and ensure the safety of every Palestinian and Israeli civilians. But Israel is unlikely to take these steps without pressure from the US. President Obama, after his inauguration, has the power to persuade Israel to abandon its military goals and guarantee human rights and equality," said Hajja Romi Elnagar, a member of the Green Party of Louisiana.

The Green Party has called for a halt in US military assistance to Israel. The party also urges boycott and divestment until Israel observes international law, ends the illegal 42-year occupation and systematic destruction of Palestinian civil society, and abolishes its apartheid-like system within Israel as well as in the occupied territories (http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_11_28.shtml).

Greens noted that Israel has barred Palestinian-Israeli candidates from upcoming elections because their parties opposed the Gaza operation and advocate changing Israel from a Jewish state to a state for all its citizens. Over 20% of Israel's population are non-Jews.

"The main burden of any ceasefire must fall on Israel, a nuclear power with one of the most powerful armies in the world that has enjoyed billions in aid from the US. Over 1,200 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza invasion from bombings in heavily populated areas that have hit civilian buildings. Under two dozen Israelis have been killed, most of whom are soldiers. Israel has subjected Palestinian areas to concentration-camp conditions and daily brutality, bulldozed homes and farms, and evicted Palestinians to make way for Israeli Jewish settlers," said Rosa Clemente, the Green Party's 2008 candidate for Vice President of the United States (http://www.rosaclemente.com).

Greens pointed to reports that the Israeli Defense Force is using illegal white phosphorus bombs in Gaza.and is testing experimental US weapons systems in the assault ("Is Israel Using Illegal Weapons in Its Offensive on Gaza? by Amira Hass, Ha'aretz, January 16, http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1055927.html). The IDF has dropped bombs on civilian targets (including a UN school, shelters, and supply storage centers) despite the fact that it was given coordinates to their locations to prevent such strikes (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056258.html).

Israel has also blocked journalists, human rights organizations, food deliveries, medical personnel, and medical supplies from entering Gaza, cut off water and electricity, and bombed a sewage plant. 2008 Green presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney participated in an effort to deliver medical supplies until the delivery boat she was traveling on was surrounded by Israeli gunboats and rammed by one of them (http://www.gp.org/cynthia/index.shtml).

The Green Party of the United States supports an immediate UN-sponsored, multinational peacekeeping force to protect civilians and to oversee implementation of all UN resolutions and the dismantling of the occupation (http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/democracy.html#307394).

"The worst that Barack Obama can do is to maintain the Middle East policies of previous Democratic and Republican administrations. If Mr. Obama embraces the rule of international law and redirects funding from aid to Israel to support for a peacekeeping force, ensuring the provision of medical and other supplies to the occupied Palestinian territories, and rebuilding Palestinian infrastructure, he'll go down in history as a peacemaker," said Jill Bussiere, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.

MORE INFORMATION

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

Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html
Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php
Green candidate database for 2008 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

DC Statehood Green Party to Congress: The District of Columbia needs statehood, not 'voting rights'

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

For immediate release:
Tuesday, January 27, 2009

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

Statehood Greens challenge the misconception that a constitutional amendment is necessary for DC statehood

DC statehood is important for America -- not just for District residents


WASHINGTON, DC -- Leaders of the DC Statehood Green Party urged Congress to set aside proposed legislation for 'DC Voting Rights' and instead draft and enact legislation to make the District of Columbia a state.

The DC Statehood Green Party, which has promoted the goal of DC statehood since its founding as the DC Statehood Party in 1970, joins the Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (http://www.freedc.org) and DC Statehood -- Yes We Can (http://dcstatehoodyeswecan.org) coalitions in calling for Congress and the White House, which are now under the control of Democrats, to take action to make the District America's 51st state.

"The DC Voting Rights bill will not change the District's political status or afford either democracy or equality under the US Constitution for DC residents. Only statehood will give us democratic self-government and our two Senators and one Representative in Congress," said Renee Bowser, DC Statehood Green Party member, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, and former candidate for City Council.

The voting rights bill, recently introduced by nonvoting DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Sen. Joe Lieberman (Ind.-Conn.), would grant a single voting seat for the District in the US House. On Tuesday, January 27, the US House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on the bill, which is titled "District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009" (HR 157).

Party members further noted that DC statehood -- unlike voting rights -- will end Congress's control over local laws, policies, and budgets, citing a long list of examples of Congress imposing its will on the District over the opposition of residents: e.g., an order to dismantle of DC General Hospital, DC's only full-service public health facility; prohibitions against medical marijuana (despite passage of Initiative 59 with a 69% majority) and needle exchange; denial of the right to collect city revenue with a commuter tax (like other US cities). Voting rights will not end or reduce Congress's power over the District.

Furthermore, by granting District residents a single vote in Congress, while other Americans are represented by two Senators and a Representative, the voting rights bill makes DC residents 'one third citizens.' The bill thus recalls the 1787 Three-Fifths Compromise that labeled slaves 'three-fifth citizens' for purposes of voting apportionment in Congress.

"DC statehood is important not just for the people of Washington, DC. Democratic self-determination and equality for the city's African American majority population remains one of the unfulfilled goals of the struggle for civil rights. Having a state like DC in Congress will benefit all Americans who live in cities, since city-dwellers and their interests tend to be underrepresented in Congress, especially in the Senate. At this point, Democrats are likely to gain three more votes, too," said Anne Anderson, long-time DC Statehood Party member.

Statehood Greens and other statehood advocates have warned that the voting rights bill may be overturned by a court decision, since the US Constitution only grants voting seats in Congress to states.

Challenging the claim that DC statehood is only possible through a constitutional amendment (requiring ratification by 2/3 of states), Statehood Greens note that Congress has the power to grant statehood to the District through legislation passed by a simple majority.

Congress would pass a bill altering the borders of the constitutionally mandated federal enclave, reducing it to the federal properties (land occupied by the White House, Capitol, Supreme Court building, Mall, etc., analogous to federal properties in many states). Statehood Greens noted the precedent for redrawing the District's border: in 1846, Congress gave Alexandria, originally part of DC, to Virginia.

The bill would be enacted with at least 51% of the vote in Congress. DC residents would then vote on whether to ask Congress for statehood or some other option. (Poll results have shown that DC residents strongly favor statehood over retrocession to another state.) After this vote, Congress would vote to admit the new state to the union, by a simple majority, as it admitted all other states after the initial thirteen that founded the United States of America.

Statehood for DC would be permanent and irreversible, unlike DC voting rights, which Congress would always have the power to repeal.

The DC Statehood Green Party is an affiliate of the Green Party of the United States, the only national party with ballot status in the District that endorses DC statehood in its platform. The Democratic Party deleted support for DC statehood from its 2004 and 2008 national platforms.

MORE INFORMATION

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

DC Statehood Green press releases:

"DC Statehood Greens to Democrats: Use your new power in Congress and the White House to grant DC statehood" (November 6, 2008)
http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org//press/press.php?annc_id=293&section_id=2

"Statehood Greens criticize Del. Norton and her fellow Democrats for omitting DC statehood from the 2008 Democratic platform draft" (August 20, 2008)
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-state.php?ID=93

"Talking Points, Quotes on DC Voting Rights Bill, DC Statehood, and Democracy" (March 22, 2007)
http://www.gp.org/press/states/dc/dc_2007_03_22.shtml

"Free DC! The Obama Inauguration and a New Chance for Democracy in Our Nation's Capital"
By Scott McLarty, OpEdNews.com, January 17, 2009
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Free-DC--The-Obama-Inaugu-by-Scott-McLarty-090115-146.html

The DC Statehood Papers: Writings on DC Statehood & self-government, by Sam Smith http://prorev.com/dcsthdintro.htm

Rosa Clemente, 2008 Green candidate for Vice President, announces 'Path of Most Resistance' speaking tour

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

For Immediate Release:
Friday, January 23, 2009

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



WASHINGTON, DC -- Rosa Clemente, the Green Party's 2008 candidate for Vice President of the United States, has announced a national speaking tour with a focus on Hip Hop conferences, symposiums, town hall meetings, and many other public events, as well as Black History Month, Women's History Month, and Latino Heritage Month.

Know Thy Self Productions LLC is organizing the tour, which is titled 'The Path of Most Resistance Tour 2009.' Ms. Clemente can be reached at clementerosa@gmail.com and at 347-489-9738.

"The tour will be a chance to continue speaking about the important themes we raised in the McKinney-Clemente campaign," said Ms. Clemente. "While while many in this country, particularly the Hip-Hop generation, have high hopes for the Obama Administration, now is not the time to be silent. The first few months are critical -- we must make our voices heard, if we want to see a real change in the direction of the United States."

Rosa Alicia Clemente is a community organizer, radio journalist (WBAI 99.5 FM in New York City), Hip-Hop activist, and the first Latina in US history to run for Vice President. She was the running mate of former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.

Ms. Clemente was recently commissioned by the Green Institute (http://www.greeninstitute.net) to write four articles describing her experiences on the 2008 campaign trail. Her first piece, "Why President Elect Barack Obama is not the first Hip Hop President," has already been posted on the site (http://www.greeninstitute.net/clemente_obama). She has been featured on Pacifica, BET, Air America, CNN, MSNBC, Al-jazeera, and other networks. Before the vice-presidential campaign, Ms. Clemente participated in several other speaking tours, including the Hip Hop for President Tour with Rebel Diaz, Speak Truth to Power Tour, ACLU College Freedom Tour, and Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.

Ms. Clemente has delivered workshops, lectures, and commentary for over fifteen years. In 1995, she developed Know Thy Self Productions, a people of color speakers' bureau. Seeing a need for young people of color to be heard and taken seriously, she began presenting workshops and lectures at universities, high schools, community centers, and prisons. She has presented at over 400 colleges, conferences, town halls, rallies, and international conferences. Know Thy Self Productions includes an expanded college speakers bureau which has produced four major Hip-Hop activism tours and consults on issues of media justice, voter engagement amongst youth, and youth development.

Born and raised in the South Bronx and Elmsford, New York, Rosa Alicia Clemente is a graduate of the University of Albany and Cornell University. Ms. Clemente's academic work has covered national liberation struggles in the US, with a specific focus on the Young Lords Party, the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army, Afro-Latino identity and politics, media justice, and African-American and Latino relations.

While a student at the University of Albany (SUNY), she was the first Puerto Rican woman to serve as president of the Albany State University Black Alliance (ASUBA). She was appointed Director of Multicultural Affairs for the Student Association during her senior year. At Cornell Ms. Clemente was a founding member of La Voz Boriken, a social political organization dedicated to supporting Puerto Rican political prisoners and Puerto Rican independence movements. In 2001, she was a youth representative at the United Nations World Conference against Xenophobia, Racism and Related Intolerance in South Africa and in 2002 was named by Red Eye Magazine as one of the top 50 Hip-Hop Activists to look out for.

In 2003, Ms. Clemente co-founded and coordinated the first ever National Hip Hop Political Convention (NHHPC), which drew over 3000 activists who created and implemented a national political agenda for the Hip-Hop generation. In 2005 she co-founded the R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop Coalition, a Hip-Hop generation-based media justice organization. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravaged the Gulf Coast, Rosa Clemente traveled as an independent journalist to the devastated areas; her on-the-ground reports were distributed all over the world.

MORE INFORMATION

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

Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html
Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php
Green candidate database for 2008 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

Rosa Clemente http://www.rosaclemente.org

Greens blast EPA lack of preparedness in handling TVA plant's coal ash spill

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

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, January 7, 2009

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

The hazardous waste disaster is evidence that the US should stop using coal to generate electricity, say Greens

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders strongly criticized the Environmental Protection Agency's response to the recent spill of 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash from the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston Fossil Plant.

"The EPA has failed to follow through on its stated intention to regulate coal ash as hazardous waste," said Frank Jeffers of the Green Party's Eco-Action Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/index.php). "Nationwide, how big is this mess? Very very big. There are thousands of coal waste sites all over the country, and when it comes to coal wastes, you can figure about anything that could be in it, is in it."

According to a December 29 article in The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/us/30sludge.html), byproducts from the Kingston plant in just one year include "45,000 pounds of arsenic, 49,000 pounds of lead, 1.4 million pounds of barium, 91,000 pounds of chromium and 140,000 pounds of manganese. Those metals can cause cancer, liver damage and neurological complications, among other health problems."

As a result of the spill, the toxins have now been poured into a 400 acre area, rendering the land uninhabitable.

Greens called the spill a preventable disaster, noting that if the EPA had implemented its recommendation in 2000 to label coal ash as a hazardous waste, the coal ash would have been contained in a pond with a composite liner system.

According to the Times article, the EPA backed off this recommendation "in the face of industry opposition, promising instead to issue national guidelines for proper ash disposal, though it never did."

"The enforcement of such guidelines is not optional. Safe drinking water standards are not optional. Such cowardice in the face of industry pressure is unacceptable. Americans deserve a strong advocate for their health and the health of their environment," said Linda Cree, co-chair of the Eco-Action Committee.

Greens called on President-elect Obama's chosen EPA administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, to:


* Label coal ash as hazardous waste


* Retrofit all coal ash ponds and coal ash landfills with composite liner systems


* Require a complete and accurate inventory of coal combustion waste (CCW) sites, including abandoned sites


* Issue public advisories on the hazards posed to communities by all CCW sites


* Relocate and reimburse local residents impacted by the sludge


* Mitigate damage to local water supplies and establish a local environmental advocate to monitor water quality



Green Party leaders said that the sheer size of the Kingston coal ash spill, estimated to be more than 40 times larger than the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, is evidence that the US should begin to phase out the use of coal to generate electricity.

The Green Party has long advocated phasing out existing coal plants and a ban on new ones, part of an aggressive national policy based on conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy. See the Green Party EcoAction Committee's "First 100 Days Energy and Environmental Policy" (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf).

"With more than 400 coal power plants in the US, the odds of a disaster of this magnitude occurring again are alarmingly high. To safeguard our shared natural heritage, we must adopt the EPA's prior recommendation that coal ash be treated as hazardous waste and contained as such. Anything less, in the face of foreseeable catastrophe, is irresponsible," said Art Browning, member of the Harris County (Texas) Green Party and producer of Greenwatch Live! (Houston Public Access TV). Mr. Browning witnessed the dangerous effects of fly ash from a coal-fired electricity generation plant in Kingston, Tennessee, where he grew up.

MORE INFORMATION

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

Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html
Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php
Green candidate database for 2008 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

"Hundreds of Coal Ash Dumps Lack Regulation"
The New York Times, January 7, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/us/07sludge.html

Duncan rates Paterson - says NY needs sustainable funding

Green Party of New York
For Immediate Release Jan. 7, 2009

Contact:
Ann Link 347-226-1195 eastst@hotmail.com
http://www.alisonduncan.org

Duncan Rates Paterson On 25 Green Party Challenges For His First Year In Office; Says NY Needs A Sustainable Funding Source

NEW YORK, NY -- Alison Duncan, the Green Party of New York State's 2006 candidate for Lieutenant Governor, has rated Governor David Paterson on 25 Green Party challenges for his first year in office. The challenges, which are listed below, were first issued to Eliot Spitzer after he was elected to office in 2006. They include bringing National Guard troops home from Iraq, marrying same-sex couples, promoting single-payer universal health care, and investing in public schools.

Duncan emphasized the need for a sustainable funding source to pay for necessary state services. "The McCourt/Duncan Green Party campaign advocated investment in local, sustainable industry," said Duncan. "The state has for too long depended on tax proceeds from large firms in the financial, insurance and real estate industries that depend on a level of growth that cannot be maintained over the long term. State tax policy must promote a sustainable local business model instead of the corporate subsidies that have been favored in the past. Local investment will enable neighborhood businesses and cooperatives to buy and invest locally -- producing jobs, conserving energy and reducing waste as part of a truly "green" and stable economy."

"The cuts in Paterson's proposed budget are coming at a time when people need state services the most," Duncan added. "With as many as 200,000 people in the financial sector likely to join the 500,000 already officially unemployed in NY, NY's pool of unemployment insurance is expected to run out in the early part of 2009. If NY cannot provide both a safety net and a clear plan for job creation, the state is likely to suffer a decline in public health, an increase in crime, and migration of residents out of state. Paterson asserts that his budget will share the deficit burden across economic classes. However, his proposed cuts in health care will fall most heavily on the poor and providers who serve the poor, his sales tax and "sin tax" increases are regressive, and his proposed cuts in education will limit our children's economic potential at a time when we need to do exactly the opposite."

"Eliot Spitzer lost his political power to arrogance and heavy-handedness long before he lost his job to scandal," said Duncan. "Paterson also entered office with a comfortable bank of political goodwill that he is now in danger of squandering."


25 GREEN PARTY CHALLENGES FOR GOVERNOR PATERSON (grades in bold italic):

I. War in Iraq:
- bring New York State's National Guard troops home as soon as possible by using his veto power

[F --Governor Paterson has kept our National Guard fighting an illegal and immoral war instead of serving their home state]


II. Civil Rights:
- marry same-sex couples at the Empire State Plaza by the end of 2007

[C+ -- Paterson has upheld NY's human rights law by directing all state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. With a Democratic majority in the legislature, the governor has never had a better opportunity to pass marriage equality legislation. To do so, however, will require active work on his part. I hope that with Paterson's history of working for civil rights, he will follow through on campaign promises and next year LGBT New Yorkers will be able to marry at home.]


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

[F -- The longer we live without due process, the more difficult it will be for future lawmakers to reestablish civil liberties. Paterson should take advantage of the current "change" sentiment to repeal New York's version of the PATRIOT Act.]


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

[D- -- Paterson's expanded coverage for children will be undermined by his plans to severely cut the state Medicaid program that serves low income patients]

- increase funding for public health research and programming with an emphasis on prevention, especially prevention of blood-borne diseases such as AIDS

[F -- Proposed cuts in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes will severely impact people living with HIV]

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

[F -- Proposed Medicaid cuts will force additional hospitals and clinics to close and will decrease matching federal funds]

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

[F -- Paterson will reverse the financial commitment made by Spitzer to increase school funding incrementally over 4 years, reaching $7 billion by 2010-11. Cuts in education are cuts in the future quality of New York's economy]


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

[C -- Paterson's renewable energy task force has many good recommendations in their initial report, and he has made incremental steps toward promoting renewable energy sources by expanding net metering, conservation, and solar power. These recommendations, however, are offset by Paterson's approval of a bill to permit hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas in upstate New York, which will contaminate the watershed that feeds much of the state while prohibiting local governments from banning or taxing the drilling. Also, Paterson has remained silent on a proposed NYR1 powerline project that will invoke eminent domain to build an unsustainable energy conduit serving downstate residents.]


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

[D -- Green collar jobs are part of the renewable energy talk force report but the governor has not enacted the recommendations]

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 -- Although Paterson has spoken in favor of these reforms in the past, he has not promoted them as governor]

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

[F -- Before becoming governor, Paterson was well respected for his commitment to overturning these draconian laws. Now that he is in a strong position to actually repeal them, he has not acted]


VII. Death Penalty:

- advocate against the death penalty and refuse to sign any bill to reinstate it

[Pass -- No bills have come before him]

- commit $40 million per year for the permanent funding of legal services programs

[D -- New grants for legal services to homeowners affected by the subprime mortgage crisis have been countered by proposed cuts to legal aid services]

VIII. Housing:

- build 250,000 units of affordable housing each year of his term -- 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 -- Paterson announced financing for 11,459 units this year, far less than 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 commercial products are genetically modified

[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 -- In this economic crisis, public employees need strong unions to negotiate for their interests]

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

[F -- As unemployment increases and more New Yorkers are pushed into workfare programs, they must become more organized in order to avoid exploitation]

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]

- 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, 2007 that they had submitted limited reform legislation, it remains to be seen whether Paterson will get it passed and whether the reforms will be implemented]

Green Party of NY on the State of the State

Green Party of New York’s Release on the State of the State
www.GPNYS.org

Two years ago, the incoming Spitzer/Paterson administration promised New Yorkers that on day one, everything would change. On day 737, it’s amazing to see how little about New York State government has really changed.

Gov. Paterson’s speech was sober in its tone and directly addressed the crises that have rocked this state over the last six months, but unfortunately did little to address the problems in any systemic way. The Green Party of New York State believes there are better ways to address the situation than those proposed by the governor.

“The governor said very little about tax reform – in fact what he did discuss was a sop to the Republicans in the form of property tax caps. Unlike the thousands of people in New York State from working-class New Yorkers on up to Nobel Laureate economists like Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz who call for the wealthy and corporations to bear an increased burden to help expand needed services Gov. Paterson seems committed to balancing the budget on the back of working and poor New Yorkers,” said Matt Funiciello, activist, owner, and CEO of Rock Hill Bakehouse in Glens Falls, NY. “Reinstituting progressive income taxation at levels seen in the 1970s could rake in $7.7 billion yearly, along with an additional $3.3 billion from the stock transfer tax which we now rebate back to Wall Street. This is the opposite of a fair deal,” said Mr. Funiciello.

Another area the governor managed to ignore was governmental reform, which had been high on the list of his administration’s priorities when he was elected Lt. Gov. in 2006. “There was no talk of public campaign financing to help curb special interests in Albany, which had been very high on the list of reforms discussed merely a year ago in former Gov. Spitzer’s State of the State. It would be advantageous to New York to adopt such a system to eliminate the culture of pay-to-play politics here, along with things like citizen referendums, recall, term limits and even proportional representation in one of the houses of the Legislature,” said GPNYS Co-chair Peter LaVenia. “The governor has a perfect opportunity after the ethics scandals of the last year to push these reforms, but he is sadly choosing not to. He is also doing nothing to strengthen grassroots democracy and control over politics and economics or to empower working New Yorkers against the elite business and class interests that have ruined New York’s economy for decades,” lamented LaVenia.

“One area the governor seems proud of is his proposal on health care, which allows for parents to keep paying premiums for their children up to age 29. He conveniently ignored what the majority of speakers at the 2007 reform panel on health care his administration convened said – that single-payer, universal health care is cheaper, more efficient, and desperately needed,” said David Doonan, the mayor of Greenwich, NY. “2.6 million NYers are without health care, and many more are in danger of losing what little they have with this deep recession over their heads. Why is Gov. Paterson not endorsing Sen. Schneiderman’s single payer New York bill? It is disappointing that he believes his proposals are adequate in this time of increased need,” Mayor Doonan stated.

“Gov. Paterson relegated the largest crisis facing our species today – the environment - to what he called a tertiary level. This is simply unacceptable,” said GPNYS co-chair Eric Jones. “We are happy to see that Gov. Paterson acknowledges the need to reduce energy consumption and increase renewable sources over the next six years, but we call on him to acknowledge his targets will do little to slow runaway climate change. We need to decarbonize the economy completely over the next decade or there is little hope of preventing catastrophic temperature rise – we need to get much nearer to 100% renewable in the next ten years, not ’45 by 15’. The governor should also call for a total halt on shale gas drilling upstate, and pledge to fully fund the DEC. If he can see the need to support the long-overdue Bottle Bill, he should be able to see the logic of our proposals,” said Mr. Jones.

Green Party condemns Israel's massive air attack on Gaza, calls on US to rein in Israel and seek a ceasefire

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

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, December 30, 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 presidential candidate McKinney is safe after the SS Dignity, carrying relief to Gaza, is rammed by an Israeli gunboat in international waters

Greens challenge Obama to press Israel to comply with international law and end the illegal occupation of Gaza and other Palestinian lands


WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States calls for an immediate end to Israel's bombing attacks on Gaza, which in the past four days has already caused at least 364 deaths, including Palestinian women and children, with hundreds more wounded.

"It's clear that President Bush gave a green light for Israel's massive and disproportionate display of force. The Green Party demands that the US seek a bilateral ceasefire, with immediate pressure on Israel to stop the bombardment and end the occupation," said Rosa Clemente, the Green Party's 2008 candidate for Vice President of the United States (http://www.rosaclemente.com).

Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party's 2008 presidential candidate, had joined the Free Gaza Group (http://www.freegaza.org) on the SS Dignity, which sailed from Cyprus to deliver three tons of medicine and humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of an Israeli blockade. Ms. McKinney was safe after Israeli gunboats attempted to intercept the Dignity last night and one gunboat illegally rammed the vessel in international waters, 90 miles off the Gaza coast (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/30/israel-gaza-aid-ship). Despite damage sustained in the encounter, the Dignity has docked safely in Lebanon and Ms. McKinney is on her way to Beirut.

In an interview on CNN (http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/12/30/am.lebanon.aid.boat.mckinney.cnn), Cynthia McKinney said, "What we have gone through pales in comparison to what the people of the Gaza Strip are suffering." Ms. McKinney is challenging President-elect Barack Obama to condemn Israel's attacks on Gaza.

Greens noted that Hamas, the target of Israel's aerial bombardment, was democratically elected in 2006, and that Israel and the US have been trying to remove Hamas from power, especially by attempting to spark a civil war between Hamas and Fatah.

Since its election, Hamas has repeatedly offered to talk with Israel, but Israel has rejected all such overtures. Hamas had observed a five-month truce that was broken on November 4 when Israeli Defense Forces killed five Palestinians. In retaliation, Hamas responded with missiles which over the last month have injured one Israeli and caused property damage. The Green Party categorically condemns all violence visited on unarmed civilians.

"Palestinians are living under an occupation that has continued despite numerous UN directives ordering Israel to withdraw. Israel's latest lethal assault will only intensify the crisis and inflict further suffering on the Palestinian people. Two thirds of Gazans are refugees -- some doubly so, from 1948 and 1967 -- and all Gaza residents are living in conditions comparable to a medieval siege. Israel must comply with international law and ends its illegal military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, dismantle the illegal separation wall, make restitution to Palestinians whose lands have been seized, and recognize the Palestinian right of return. If President Obama wants to make history by resolving the Middle East conflict, he must press Israel to take these steps," said Hajja Romi Elnagar, Louisiana Green and member of the Green Party's International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl).

"The current assumption in the US media that this is a symmetrical conflict between equals is as absurd as the claim that Israel's bombs are not threatening women and children. Israel is the world's fourth most powerful military nation, a nuclear power that enjoys support from the US, while Palestinians are impoverished, with many living without electricity, water, food, and medicine for weeks," said Ms. Elnagar.

As a result of the Israeli blockade, 80% of Gazans live on less than two dollars a day. Unemployment hovers at 50-60% in Gaza, with only 195 factories, reduced from 3,900 in 2005. Israel has barred the delivery of UN relief to Gazans.

The Green Party has called for an end to US military aid to Israel and supports the movement for international boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel until Israel ends the occupation, obeys international law (including Geneva Conventions and the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights), and guarantees full human rights for Palestinians. The party supports efforts by Palestinian and Israeli peace groups towards a nonviolent negotiated resolution to the conflict.

The Green Party also endorses complete regional (and, ultimately, global) nuclear disarmament to remove the threat of a nuclear exchange in the Middle East and Asia. Greens have expressed concern that Barack Obama will bow to demands from AIPAC and other pro-Israel lobbies and maintain the Clinton and Bush administrations' uncritical support for Israel's military objectives and human rights violations.

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html
Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php
Green candidate database for 2008 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

Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente 2008 'Power to the People' Campaign for the White House
http://www.runcynthiarun.org
http://votetruth08.com
http://www.rosaclemente.com

Green Party press releases:

"Greens call the 60th anniversary of Israel an occasion to affirm international law, enact human rights, and end the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories" (May 19, 2008)
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=61

"Greens: Obama's AIPAC speech reveals he has embraced Bush propaganda on Iran, may support an attack" (June 12, 2008)
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=67

Gay rights supporters should protest Obama's choice of antigay minister Rick Warren to deliver inaugural prayer, say Greens

Gay rights supporters should protest Obama's choice of antigay minister Rick Warren to deliver inaugural prayer, say Greens

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

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Obama should have the US sign UN statement endorsing universal decriminalization of homosexuality


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party activists challenged gay voters and advocates of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights to protest President-elect Barack Obama's invitation to Pastor Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation.

"Unless we make our anger known now, Mr. Obama will continue to betray gay people," said Starlene Rankin, co-chair of the party's Lavender Green Caucus (http://www.lavendergreens.us). "Barack Obama's claim to be a 'fierce advocate for equality' is not credible when he chooses a pastor notorious for his ill-informed and slanderous opinions about homosexuality and vigorous support for Proposition 8."

"The invitation signals that Mr. Obama may repeat the Clinton approach to gay rights. President Clinton, taking gay votes for granted, signed the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act into law and authorized the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' military policy. We've had generations of gay rights advocates and other progressives insisting that we need to elect Democrats, then we'll push them towards pro-gay agenda. Instead, gay people have remained second-class citizens in the Democratic Party and told to hush up when they're politically inconvenient. For those tired of bipartisan retreats from promises of human rights and justice, the Green Party remains the party of real change in America," added Ms. Rankin.

The Green Party's national platform asserts that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans deserve all the rights, including marriage and the ability to raise a family, that all other Americans enjoy (http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/socjustice.html#999082). Greens strongly opposed Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex marriage in California.

Mr. Obama has said he opposed the passage of Propositon 8, but he also opposes full same-sex marriage rights, a position inconsistent with support for full and equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

Pastor Warren's public statements have revealed profound ignorance and bigotry on sexuality and on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in particular. Promoting passage of Proposition 8 in California, he has said that "in the hierarchy of evil... homosexuality is not the worst sin," an admission that he believes gay people are evil because they are gay.

He has said that allowing same-sex marriage is like allowing "a brother and sister be together and call that marriage" and added that he is "opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage," comparing same-sex marriage and homosexuality to incestuous relationships and pedophilia, which are crimes. Pastor Warren has also said that homosexuality is "not the natural way.... Certain body parts are meant to fit together," but has not called for the invalidation of heterosexual marriages in which the spouses have engaged in sex outside of vaginal sexual intercourse.

Greens noted that Barack Obama's choice of Rev. Warren for the inaugural prayer coincides with a declaration introduced by 66 countries in the UN calling for universal decriminalization of homosexuality (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7791063.stm). The US is the only major western nation that has refused to sign on, even though a Supreme Court decision has invalidated US laws against sodomy.

"Will the new Obama Administration maintain Bush policy and decline to have the US sign the declaration against criminalization of gay people?" asked Tim Casebolt, secretary of the Lavender Green Caucus.

"Barack Obama has asked Robert Gates to stay on as Secretary of Defense. Mr. Gates is not only likely to continue the Bush Administration's military aggression around the world, but also the targeting of gay members of the armed forces for investigation, harassment, and discharge. The Obama Cabinet appointments have disappointed anyone who sincerely hoped for genuine change in 2009," Mr. Casebolt added.

MORE INFORMATION

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

Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html

Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php

Green candidate database for 2008 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

“Bonusgate” Exposed - Pennsylvania Democrats indicted for challenges to Greens

By Carl Romanelli, Pennsylvania Green Party

Green Pages
http://greenpages.wordpress.com/2008/10/11/%E2%80%9Cbonusgate%E2%80%9D-exposed/

Although it has been two years since I was prevented from running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania under the Green Party banner, it has been an ongoing saga. Finally, the PA Democrats’ transgressions are being revealed. Harrisburg was buzzing in July as thirteen high ranking Democratic Party officials were indicted on charges of theft, conflict of interest, and conspiracy. Some of these charges were related to a crushing petition challenge of the Carl Romanelli U.S. Senate campaign, where I was assessed over $80,000 in costs owed to the lawyers for the Democrats, and was subsequently denied a bid for senate.

The PA Attorney General (AG) charged Democrats with illegally using state workers and state resources and that they paid hefty bonuses to the workers for partisan political work. Nearly four million dollars of taxpayer money was wrongfully used on these political projects between 2004–2006. Among those charged are former Democratic Whip for the PA House of Representatives, Michael Veon; current representative, Sean Ramaly (D-Greene County), former Chief of Staff to House Majority Leader Mike Manzo, his spouse Rachael Manzo, and nine others. If convicted of all counts, the 13 individuals will face cumulatively 1,873 years in prison. It was the weight of these potential sentences which induced staffers to reveal vital information to the cases.

It appears that most of the money was used in the effort to remove my name from the 2006 ballot, and for the effort to displace Ralph Nader from the ballot in 2004. In the challenge against me, the Democrats are accused of using a caucus of up to 36 staffers to research the campaign signatures for flaws, negative public relations, and other dubious activities. In the Nader case, the same technique was used and a caucus of up to 50 state workers was used. This is significant, as it appears the only way Democrats in PA could banish the Greens and others from the ballot was through gross misuse of taxpayer funds and by committing serious constitutional crimes against those who dare challenge the old party duopoly. Though the indictments are new, the accusations are not. Nader, the Greens and I have consistently complained about “blatant and criminal abuses” to their rights of speech, assembly, due process, and association.

The scandal has become known as “bonusgate” since the grand juries were convened in 2007. AG Tom Corbett indicated more arrests were coming and his investigation is not limited to Democrats alone. Corbett advised he felt he had to move on the Democrats first as they were destroying evidence. For example, Veon apparently destroyed a hard drive containing 2006 records and Manzo allegedly instructed an intern to shred personnel records from the summer of 2006. Nearly 31,000 emails were deleted concerning 2004, but investigators were able to recover them. There is a clear pattern of conspiracy waged against Nader in the recovered information.

The Green struggle for ballot access in Pennsylvania has been arduous. In 2006 the Pennsylvania Green Party nominated its first candidate ever for the office of U.S. Senate. Pennsylvania has always had extremely unfair restrictions regarding third party and independent ballot qualification, but 2006 was uniquely difficult. For a Democrat or Republican to qualify for the PA ballot, he or she needs to collect and submit the signatures of at least 2,000 voters. In comparison, the minimum number of signatures needed by third parties was 67,072—the highest standard ever. The Greens were the only third party to qualify in 2006 through the filing of nearly 100,000 signatures. This is the most signatures ever collected by a candidate of any party.

The PA Democrats filed a challenge to the submitted signatures. They alleged that signatures were “invalid” and demanded review. The court ultimately ordered both sides to be present in Harrisburg from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday with nine “volunteers” from each side. The purpose was to rid the review of any blatantly invalid signatures.

This stretched out for eight miserable weeks with the Democrats’ lawyers thinking of every possible way to defeat signatures. PA Greens were able refute them and validate most of the signatures. Twice the Democrats tried in a sweep to wipe out nearly 40,000 signatures by challenging the circulator or the notary. Lawyers for the Romanelli campaign, locating the notaries and circulators, defeated those claims. This discredited the charge of “widespread fraud” made by the Democrats.

But when the Democrats, undaunted, asked to amend the challenge to discredit the same signatures on different technicalities, the judges (Democrats) allowed it. Though this was unprecedented, the Green campaign complied.

By October 2006 the court had sided with the Democrats and removed my name from the ballot. Further, the court decided that since “so many government resources” were involved in the review, I had showed “bad faith” in defending the challenge and should pay costs to the Democrats’ lawyers.

The judge later approved a bill submitted by the lawyers for the Democrats, assessed at over $80,000.00 in costs on the Green U.S. Senate campaign and directly on me as an individual. I appealed the decision, since the PA election code only calls for legal fees or costs to be assessed when fraud, forgery or some other crime has been committed. Although this was not the case with the Green Party filing, the costs were still imposed. Through the many appeals, attorney Larry Otter fought hard and kept defending the Greens. By January 2007, the court decided Otter should also be assessed costs.

For the Green Party, it has been two years of fighting in PA. But the injustice is coming to light. By July of 2008, I continued to press forward despite the appeal hanging on the thinnest of threads after languishing before the PA Supreme Court for months without a decision. In July, the PA Greens legal team filed a motion to re-open or remand the case for new testimony based on new evidence. I also want the Democrats to pay legal fees. Nader and his team filed a similar action with the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, asking for the $80,000.00 judgment against him to be vacated.

This is not over yet. I vow to continue to fight until we prevail over these political bullies.

The Green Party's holiday gift to the Obama Administration: a plan for environmental action

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

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, December 23, 2008

"First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy" (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf) from the Green Party's Eco Action Committee


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders today said that Obama has the chance, when he becomes President, to take the lead on curbing global warming.

In May, 2008, the Green Party's Eco-Action Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/index.php) announced a set of recommendations for environmental actions for the first 100 days as a guide for Green presidential candidates.

Greens are now promoting the "First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy" (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf) as a plan for the Obama Administration.

"This is the Green Party's holiday gift to the new administration -- a set of policies and actions that would place the US in the lead among nations fighting the advance of catastrophic climate change," said Wes Rolley, co-chair of the EcoAction Committee. "After the inconclusive results of the Poznan talks, President Obama has the opportunity to put the US at the forefront by the time nations meet again in Copenhagen next year."

"Evidence presented by climate experts in Poznan that alternative energy may not be sufficient to solve the crisis. The emphasis must shift more towards conservation, lowered consumption, and drastic reduction in car traffic. The steps taken against global warming and to repair the current economic meltdown must include all three," siad Mr. Rolley.

On December 10, the Green Party published six recommendations for economic recovery that included environmentally based public works, expanded public transportation, and other conservation-based measures (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=152).

First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy: summary of major recommendations

* No new coal fired-power plants; no new nuclear power plants; reduce by 90% the mercury emissions of coal-fired power plants by 2012; protect human health and the environment in the disposal of coal-fired power plant wastes

* Ban mountaintop coal removal; ban the dumping of mountaintop removal wastes in stream beds and valleys

* Reduce CO2 and SO2 emissions by 80% by 2020

* Provide incentives for industry and citizens to reduce energy use through conservation and generate more renewable energy sources; enact a mandatory 25% renewable energy mix in the national grid by 2015; encourage all states to do the same (using oil and nuclear subsidy funds); encouraging local energy generation

* Increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 60 mpg for cars and 45 mpg for light trucks by 2012

* Set a national phosphorus standard for all US waters that will protect steams from nutrient growth; strengthen bacteria standards to protect human health

* Require labeling of imported foods, foods with growth hormones, and foods produced by Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

* Stop export of any technology abroad for projects that involve fossil fuel or deforestation

* Require that all federal agencies continue their policy of direct negotiation with Indian tribes on a government to government basis

* Protect the rights of Environmental Justice communities to be free from new proposals for permits that would potentially increase their burden of toxic contamination, and prioritize these communities for cleanup

MORE INFORMATION

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

Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html
Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php
Green candidate database for 2008 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

Green Party press releases:
"Greens introduce a plan for environmental action for a Green President's first 100 days in off"
May 7, 2008
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=58

"America needs the Green Party's solutions to energy and global warming crises, not the Obama or McCain plans, say Greens"
August 11, 2008
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=86

"Climate change experts 'lose faith' in renewable technology: Specialists less optimistic that wind, solar and hydro power have 'high potential' to solve climate crisis, survey shows"
By David Adam in Poznan, The Guardian, December 9, 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/09/poznan-climate-change-renewable-energy