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July 31, 2005

Live Blogging and Local Candidates

PDiddie, Marguerite and I will be joining other area bloggers and candidates for the upcoming City elections this morning for brunch this morning. Check back for live updates after 11.

If you have specific questions you'd like us to ask any of the candidates, speak up.

Posted by Lyn Wall at 09:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (33) | TrackBack

July 29, 2005

Culberson's Answer to Immigration Concerns: Legalize Armed Militias

Tom DeLay has earned much attention in these parts. Perhaps the time has come to scrutinize his colleague, John Culberson of Houston's 7th Congressional District, too. Here is the notice from Culberson's office about his appearance on CNN to discuss his newly-proposed bill on immigration:

U.S. Representative John Culberson will appear on CNN's show Lou Dobbs tonight (7/29/05) at 5:30 PM (CDT) to discuss his new bill creating the Border Protection Corps made up of citizen volunteers working as sworn law enforcement officers under the command of the Governors of border States and working in cooperation with State and local law enforcement officials and the United States Border Patrol.

Just in case you would like to let Congressman Culberson know your thoughts about his militia bill:

Contact U. S. Representative Culberson

Posted by at 09:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Frist About Face on Stem Cell Bill

The New York Times reported on Frist's plans to support the stem cell research bill.

If you can, tune into CSpan2 or stream it online at http://www.c-span.org/.

Posted by Lyn Wall at 08:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

July 28, 2005

Red Dots Cover Houston Area: Time to Hold Republicans Accountable

A visit to the Iraq Fatalities City Map is a sobering exercise indeed: the dots symbolizing fallen U.S. soldiers form a small sea of red around the Houston area. As we contemplate what this means for many of our neighbors' families, it is important to remain aware of the Republicans' latest attempts to escape all accountablity for this war based on lies.

In an article largely ignored by the mainstream media, Reuters reports that House and Senate Republicans will be holding hearings on the effects of leaking on national security and that the Senate will also "review" the work of Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald on the Karl Rove "Leakgate" case. In other words, much as they did with Ollie North in the Iran Contra hearings, the Republicans are setting up future immunity for Rove, the "architect" of the structure of lies that led to war. In case that does not work, the Republicans will also try a little old-fashioned intimidation by investigating the investigator, Fitzgerald.

Below the fold, see what one of our Houston-area Gold Star mothers has to say about holding the Republicans accountable, and view a photo that brings it all home.

Here is part of an open letter from Amy Branham, a Houston-area Gold Star mother, and a member of Gold Star Families for Peace:

I am no traitor. What I have done and will continue to do is to exercise my Freedom of Speech as I talk about how I feel about this illegal war. To do otherwise would be to become a complacent citizen, something I do not want to be. The truth is George Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condi Rice, Colin Powell and so many others betrayed the trust of my son and the rest of the country. If I do not speak my truths and share my story, the story of Jeremy and over 1780 American sons and daughters, I would be doing them a great dishonor.

Every day I hear stories from other Americans that will break your heart. These stories are about their beloved soldiers who are serving in Iraq and stories about loved ones who have died. Some of these stories give me nightmares and I can’t stop thinking about them. They make me want to scream at the top of my lungs about the unfairness of it all.

Please, I ask all of you to help me so that no more of America’s sons and daughters get killed for an illegal and immoral war. Do not let our children be cannon fodder for the lies of Bush & Co. Tonight there will be yet another knock on the door in some neighborhood in America by the messenger of death. Another family’s heart will be broken, never to be healed.

Join with me to bring a stop to this. Join with me to end this war.

One way to join with Amy is to communicate with our Representatives and Senators and ask them to make sure that these "Leakgate" hearings are devoted to uncovering the truth. These hearings should not be used to protect the liars who led us into an unnecessary war for political gain. Nor should Republicans be allowed to discredit Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald and thereby perpetrate a stealth version of Nixon's "Saturday Night Massacre." Maybe Congress should be holding hearings about an honorable exit strategy, instead.

As for the photo that brings it all home, here are Amy Branham's daughters, as they follow their brother, on the way to the Houston National Cemetery:

Posted by at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Perjury or an Honest Mistake Under Oath - You Be the Judge

According to the AP & CBS News:

John Bolton, President Bush's nominee for U.N. ambassador, mistakenly told Congress he had not been interviewed or testified in any investigation over the past five years, the State Department said Thursday.

Bolton was interviewed by the State Department inspector general in 2003 as part of a joint investigation with the Central Intelligence Agency into prewar Iraqi attempts to buy nuclear materials from Niger, State Department spokesman Noel Clay said.

I'm sure it's just an innocent mistake. I know I can't remember the last time I testified in an official investigation, how about you?

Memory lapses are a common problem with Republican nominees. Just a few days ago, the Washington Post reported that John Roberts is having trouble remembering being on the Federalist Society Steering committee.

Posted by Lyn Wall at 09:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

HCDP Adopts Environmental Resolutions for Cleaner Air and Water

The Environmental Initiative of the Houston Region Democrats submitted the following resolutions. The Harris County Democratic Party adopted it on June 30, 2005. The "Environmental Initiative" meets monthly:

Call 713-683-0638 for notice of the next meeting.

RESOLUTION REGARDING STANDARDS FOR SAFER AIR TO BREATHE

WHEREAS Harris County, Texas is the third largest populated county in the United States with about 2 million voters and 3 million residents;

  • Harris County has 22% of the roll call in seven (7) of the 31 Senate Districts in Texas; the counties in these seven districts include Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Montgomery, and Orange. These counties politically define the "Houston Region".
  • The City of Houston, Harris County, Texas is the 4th largest populated city in the United States; and is to home of the oil and gas industry, NASA and the largest medical complex in the world;
  • Vehicles (44%) and industry (55%) are the leading sources of air pollution and toxic emissions in the Houston Region;
  • General property tax revenue is the primary source of funds for public institutions and agencies, such as city and county pollution control and the regional offices of the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, Texas Department of Health, and Department of Transportation;
  • Harris County and the Houston Region are consistently out of compliance with Ambient Air Quality Standards for major criteria air pollutants. These pollutants are acknowledged by both the scientific community and the city, county, and state Departments of Health and Texas Commission of Environmental Quality as exacerbating both respiratory and cardiovascular related disease in the human population.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Harris County Democratic Party supports:

  • Appropriate science-based air quality standards for the Houston Region that will result in safer indoor and outdoor air for all humans to breathe.
  • Environmental assessments that include protection for human health based on appropriate health and life science peer reviewed studies.
  • An environmental economic formula that includes an environmental assessment that will protect both public revenues and public health for publicly funded transportation and development projects.


RESOLUTION REGARDING REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

WHEREAS Harris County, Texas is the third largest populated county in the

United States with about 2 million voters and 3 million residents;

  • Harris County has 22% of the roll call in seven (7) of the 31 Senate Districts in Texas; the counties in these districts include Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Montgomery, and Orange. These counties politically define the 'Houston Region';
  • The City of Houston is the 4th largest city in the United States; it is the home to the petrochemical industry, NASA, more than 16 institutions of higher learning and the largest medical complex in the world;
  • The surface and near-surface groundwater in the Houston Region are polluted with urban and industrial chemicals and waste;
  • The Houston Region is subject to natural geological ground subsidence and land subsidence increases with groundwater production;
  • Special Subsidence Districts have been created to manage groundwater production within Harris, Galveston and Fort Bend counties;
  • Regional water and transportation plans have been created for Harris and adjacent counties within the Houston Region.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Harris County Democratic Party supports:

  • Good management of the Region H Water Plan and the Regional Transportation Plan to increase the quality of all human life and reuse and recycle limited water resources.
  • Appropriate and high human life and health science-based standards for regulating both surface and underground drinking water supplies.
  • Green-space for parks, recreation, floodwater management, and wetlands protection within the region.
  • An environmental economic formula for water and transportation projects funded with public revenue, that includes an environmental assessment to protect public health as well as public funds.

Posted by Lyn Wall at 03:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

$1.5 Billion Giveaway Secretly Slipped into Energy Bill by Tom DeLay

And guess who benefits? A consortium that includes Halliburton, and Marthon Oil among others.

Representative Henry Waxman sent the following letter to Speaker Hastert yesterday:

The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert Speaker U.S. House of Representatives H232 Capitol Washington, DC 20515-6501

Dear Mr. Speaker:

I am writing to draw to your attention a provision in the Energy Conference Report that raises serious procedural and substantive concerns. At its essence, this provision is a $1.5 billion giveaway to the oil industry, Halliburton, and Sugar Land, Texas. The provision was inserted into the energy legislation after the conference was closed, so members of the conference committee had no opportunity to consider or reject this measure. Before the final energy legislation is brought to the House floor, this provision should be deleted.

The provision at issue is a 30-page subtitle called "Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources." This subtitle, which was taken from the House-passed energy bill, was mysteriously inserted in the final energy legislation after the legislation was closed to further amendment. The conferees were told that they would have the opportunity to consider and vote on the provisions in the conference report. But the subtitle was not included in the base text circulated to conferees, and it was never offered as an amendment.

Instead, the new subtitle first appeared in the text of the energy legislation only after Chairman Barton had gaveled the conference over. Obviously, it would be a serious abuse to secretly slip such a costly and controversial provision into the energy legislation.

On the merits, the subtitle is an indefensible giveaway to one of the most profitable industries in America. The provision establishes a $1.5 billion fund, up to $550 million of which would be dedicated direct spending, which is not subject to the normal congressional appropriations process. Although the name of the subtitle refers to "ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas," it appears that the $1.5 billion fund created by the subtitle can in fact be used for many oil and gas projects. According to the language of the subtitle, oil and gas companies can apply for funds for a wide variety of activities, including activities involving "innovative exploration and production techniques" or "enhanced recovery techniques." While oil and gas companies could be required to contribute to the costs of their projects, the subtitle expressly provides that the Department has discretion to reduce or eliminate any such contribution.

The subtitle appears to steer the administration of 75% of the $1.5 billion fund to a private consortium located in the district of Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Ordinarily, a large fund like this would be administered directly by the government. The subtitle, however, directs the Department to "contract with a corporation that is constructed as a consortium." The leading contender for this contract appears to be the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA) consortium, housed in the Texas Energy Center in Sugar Land, Texas. Halliburton is a member of RPSEA and sits on the board, as does Marathon Oil Company. The subtitle provides that the consortium can keep up to 10% of the funds - in this case, over $100 million - in administrative expenses.

The subtitle further provides that members of the consortium, such as Halliburton and Marathon Oil, can receive awards from the over $1 billion fund administered by the consortium.

In short, the subtitle provides that taxpayers will hire a private consortium controlled by the oil and gas industry to hand out over $1 billion to oil and gas companies. There is no conceivable rationale for this extraordinary largess. The oil and gas industry is reporting record income and profits. According to one analyst, the net income of the top oil companies will total $230 billion in 2005. If Congress has an extra $1.5 billion to give away, the money should be used to help families struggling to pay for soaring gasoline prices - not to further enrich oil and gas companies that are rolling in profits.

In recent years, Congress has been repeatedly embarrassed by the mysterious insertion of provisions in omnibus legislation. Last year, for example, we learned only after House action that the 3,000 page, $388 billion omnibus spending bill allowed members and staff of the Appropriations Committee to examine the tax returns of ordinary Americans. We should not allow this to happen again. The Energy Conference Report should not be brought to the House floor until this objectionable provision is deleted and there is ample opportunity for members to read the legislation and delete any other problematic provisions.

Thank you for your attention to this problem.

Sincerely,

Henry A. Waxman
Ranking Minority Member

cc: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Posted by Lyn Wall at 01:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Chris Bell is in!

In an e-mail to his supporters this morning (emphasis added):

Over the past half year, I have traveled all over Texas, literally exploring the race for governor. You have indulged me in this process as I sought the answers to some important questions, some personal (and Alison's doing better every day, thanks) and some of them public: Can a Texas Democrat win? Are Texas Democrats ready to try something different? Do people see what is happening in Texas the same way that I do?

Well, I have my answers, and today I am proud to share the news that I've decided to run for governor.

If you ever want people to question your sanity, explore running for statewide office as a Democrat in Texas. When this started, I had no clue as to how people might respond. I have not been that nervous about getting on the phone since running for Houston City Council the first time. Everyone agreed that it would be a tough road for any Democrat but, interestingly, the overwhelming majority of people with whom I spoke could also see that Rick Perry is creating a huge opportunity for a Democrat. They also agreed it wasn't enough for me to be right about Rick Perry being wrong; it would take a positive message that could unite all Texans.

As I've traveled the state, I've been talking about the "New Mainstream", the disaffected majority of Texans who know that Rick Perry couldn't lead a silent prayer. I've been talking about how budgets are moral documents that have both a fiscal impact as well as a human cost. And, as a public school parent, I've learned that parents and teachers across Texas share my frustrations with Enron-style accountability that encourages dropouts and systematic fraud by teaching our kids nothing as much as how to take yet another standardized test.

The best part of the exploration phase has been watching as people came out of their seats to cheer. Some memories have really stuck with me: the young college student who approached me in Brazos County, with tears in her eyes, telling me how inspired she was by what I had said; the pastor in Mount Pleasant who told me he would be with me all the way; the County Chair in Lubbock starting the chant, "Run Chris, run!" I won't pretend that people were responding to me so much as to hearing someone talk about the world the way it is, and not just the way it polls.

The one remaining question was whether my wife, Alison, would be up for the fight. I am happy to tell you that the prognosis after chemotherapy is as good as it can get. Ali has been my rock ever since we've been together, and there's no way I would embark on something as challenging as a race for governor without her feeling up to it. As everyone knows, she's every bit the fighter I am, and she feels strong enough to join me in this battle.

We're launching our campaign for governor on Sunday afternoon, August 14th, at 2PM in Austin, and Alison and I want you to join us there. If you would like to help organize participants from your city, please let us know. For more information about the launch rally, visit our website:

http://www.chrisbell.com/launch

We are going in with eyes wide open, aware not only of the odds but also of the possibilities to achieve great things for Texas. I look forward to seeing you in Austin and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship and support.

Sincerely,


Chris Bell
http://www.ChrisBell.com

P.S. Ironically, as I was writing this letter, I received a "thought for today" e-mail from a friend. It was a quote from Anatole France that says, "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." I couldn't have said it better myself. I dream of a better state and believe we can build it together.

Posted by Guest Blogger PDiddie at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Sheila Jackson Lee voted against CAFTA

(and we helped her decide!)

Thanks also to all good Democrats who opposed this legislation. You can find the tally here:

The final vote was 217 to 215, and Tom DeLay had to do a lot of arm-twisting in the late hours to make good on his promise. Just like the Texas Legislature, the GOP only knows how to govern one way, and that's through threats, bullying, and intimidation.

Their hold on power is slipping through their fingers as even Republicans of conscience grow wise to their manipulations and defect in the name of good government.

Posted by Guest Blogger PDiddie at 09:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack

July 27, 2005

The GOP unraveled yesterday

From Glenn Smith's diary at MyDD:

The GOP majority in the Texas House of Representatives today fell apart, its party discipline destroyed by the stink of corruption that permeates the Bush era in Texas and across the country.

If Texas had icebergs, this would be the tip of one. I'm not talking about Karl Rove's adulterous behavior.

I'm talking about the stinging defeat suffered by the Texas GOP on the floor of the state House today. GOP leadership, helped to election by illegal corporate contributions, watched helplessly as the Democratic minority and a few frightened Republicans voted down bills that 1) raised taxes on the middle class; 2) Cut taxes for Big Insurance and other special interests involved in the scandal; 3) Stiffed school children and teachers under the guise of education reform.

This is no small matter. It should be pointed out that in the early 1970s, a political scandal called Sharpstown surfaced just ahead of a national political scandal called Watergate. By 1976, Jimmy Carter could carry Texas.

The talking points are simple: Texas Republicans are trying to raise taxes on middle class Texans and devastate public education so they can do what they were ordered to do when they accepted the illegal bribes: cut taxes for the people who paid the bribes.

Several corporations have been indicted. So have some staffers who were allegedly involved in the scheme. Tom DeLay, who lives off his aura of power, says he was powerless over a scheme that invoved his committee and its money and its contributers and that advanced his Congressional redistricting scheme. A grand jury, holding all the cards, is still meeting.

Corruption is bad enough. But when corruption is tied to taxes, education and other close-to-home issues, there's going to be trouble.

That's why some Republicans are rebelling. That's why Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, always in over his head with this job, might be losing his head and his job. He's asked his Republican members to cast dozens of career-threatening votes just so he can tell his Bosses at Big Insurance that he was a good little boy who did what he was told.

Posted by Guest Blogger PDiddie at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Dean in Houston. A Report

I was able to hear the Chairman of the Republican National Committee and Howard Dean of the DNC address the 29th Biennial Session of the Connectional Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. There were about 2000 in attendance at the Americas Hilton.

Mehlman's focus was a plea to the delegates to give the Republican Party "a chance" to show their compassion, their ability to create jobs, and funnel money into faith based organizations. He received a polite reception but there were groans when he stated that aid to Africa for AIDS was doubled under Bush. (not true)

Dean on the other hand was absolutely on fire. He criticized Mehlman and the RNC for their lack of family values and went on to express the Democratic party's idea of family values. Jobs that paid fair wages and provided health care. Children with health care. Seniors who do not have to choose between food and prescription medicine. Truth and honesty in our government. And not sending our kids to war based upon lies to the American public.

He said the RNC should apologize for the treatment of the black community in Ohio many who were disenfranchised in the 2004 election.

He talked about no longer focusing on just the battleground states, but on 50 states, in every county, and every precinct. He said that 38% of the Black vote is in the southern states and the party will not give up on them. He discussed his plans to achieve this and how the party will once again reach out to the Black community, as well as all Americans.

Unilike Mehlman, Howard Dean received a standing ovation with loud applause. He stayed for pictures and discussion with members afterwards.

Mehlman was later spotted in the bar with his staff chasing women.

[OK. That last sentence really didnt happen, but it was funny anyway.]

Posted by John Cobarruvias at 06:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 26, 2005

The news that's been ignored this week

is the Bush administration's refusal to release the worst of the evidence of torture at Abu Ghraib.

In a perverse way, you can't really blame them for trying to keep this sort of thing covered up; it's so bad even Don Rumsfeld and Lindsey Graham were appalled, and that was over a year ago when the photos and video were first discovered.

The Bush administration isn't stopping there, though.

They have threatened to veto legislation advanced by liberals like John McCain to establish groundrules for investigating and preventing the kinds of detainee abuse that has happened at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib.

And now the tie-in to Supreme Court nominee, John Roberts (from the transcript of yesterday's Democracy Now radio program):

Roberts was also part of a three-judge panel that handed Bush an important victory the week before Bush announced Roberts nomination to the bench. In fact, the day before the ruling was issued, President Bush interviewed Roberts at the White House. The next day, the court released their ruling that the military tribunals of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, could proceed. The decision also found that Bush could deny terrorism captives prisoner-of-war status as outlined by the Geneva Conventions.

AMY GOODMAN: We go now to Yale University, where we are joined by Bruce Shapiro, contributing editor for The Nation magazine and a national correspondent for Salon.com. He also teaches journalism at Yale. His latest article is at The Nation online and is titled "The Stakes In Roberts's Nomination." Welcome to Democracy Now!, Bruce Shapiro.

BRUCE SHAPIRO: Well, the case involves a man named Hamdan, who was allegedly Osama bin Laden's driver. He is one of the detainees at Guantanamo, captured on the field in Afghanistan, who the military has designated, the Pentagon has designated, for military tribunals, trials without benefit of review of court. A lower federal court had thrown these tribunals out, issued an injunction against them, saying that they violated the Geneva Convention and were -- and represented an illegitimate extension of presidential authority.

Well, one day after being interviewed by President Bush, a Federal Appeals panel, three judges of which Judge Roberts was a member, handed down a unanimous decision -- all three judges, by the way, Reagan-Bush appointees -- permitting the tribunals to go forward, reinstating them, and in particular, invalidating those Geneva Convention protections, and saying, in fact, that the courts had no business reviewing this question of Geneva Convention status, that it was purely a matter for the Executive Branch.

Torture? Cover-up? Complicity on both from the future Supreme Court Justice?

Activist judges?

Meanwhile, some Democrats are having discussions about things like this.

Posted by Guest Blogger PDiddie at 04:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

July 25, 2005

Houston Global Awareness Rally Against CAFTA

This is a Call to Action!

Rally and Anti-CAFTA Protest

At Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's Downtown Houston Office Wednesday, July 27, 11 am

1919 Smith Street, the Mickey Leland Federal Building

The latest inside scoop from Washington is that everyone expects the vote on CAFTA to take place before the end of next week, perhaps as early as Wednesday. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is one of a dozen House Democrats the Bush administration is looking to to give them a win. (Read the excerpt from Inside U.S. Trade below.)

We can't let Congresswoman Jackson Lee give away our victory!

Join us Wednesday to urge Congresswoman Jackson Lee not to be one of a handful of Democrats to pass this agreement.

For more information, contact Lesley at Lesley@texasfairtrade.org or Debbie at debmocracy@yahoo.com

Logistics and parking for the protest:

Meet at the plaza of the Mickey Leland Federal Building which houses the offices of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, 1919 Smith Street - at Smith and St. Joseph's Parkway (1 block north of the I-45 Pierce elevated).

Parking is available in surrounding garages ($3/hour) on Jefferson and St. Joseph's Parkway, and in surface lots ($3.25-$5/day) 1-2 blocks east between Louisiana and Milam. The least expensive surface lot is the YMCA lot at Travis and Pease ($2/day), 5 blocks northeast...and as our action will be +/- hour at most; metered spaces are probably the best choice, so bring change!

Please come out and help persuade Sheila Jackson Lee to do the right thing!

From Inside U.S. Trade:

Business lobbyists this week counted between 25 to 28 Republicans opposing the DR-CAFTA despite intense leadership and administration pressure to vote yes, sources said. But there are indications that some of these members will agree to be absent for the vote, thereby reducing the number of yes votes needed for passage, lobbyists said. "Members are trying to help in whichever way they can," one business lobbyist said.

Lobbyists seeking passage of DR-CAFTA now have locked in seven Democrats in support and are hoping they can ultimately attract as many as 15 to 16, they said. Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) today said there is a block of undecided Democrats to whom the Administration is aggressively reaching out. A House aide said this block involves about 10 members who have come under intense pressure to vote for DR-CAFTA.

Hoyer said that he hopes as few as 10 Democrats would vote for the deal. Most people see the deal being delivered by a largely Republican vote.

--
Houston Global Awareness Collective
hgac@riseup.net
www.houstonglobalawareness.org

Posted by Lyn Wall at 07:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

HCDP Headquarters Needs Volunteers!

From Sue Trapp, our tireless volunteer coordinator - please volunteer if you can!

Dear Fellow Democrats,

HCDP Headquarters is currently in need of some new Office Staff Volunteers, as well as individuals who have volunteered in the past, but are no longer active Volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email the following information, along with any comments and special information to volunteer@houstondemocrats.com:

Email address:


Name:

___ 1.) I would like to be a Weekly HCDP Office Staff Volunteer. AND


___ I have had training at HCDP headquarters. OR
___ I have not had training at HCDP headquarters.

___ 2) I am available to be a HCDP Office Staff Volunteer on a substitute basis, as my schedule permits. AND


___ I have had training at HCDP headquarters. OR
___ I have not had training at HCDP headquarters.

___ 3) I am not able to be a HCDP Office Staff Volunteer at this time, but am interested in helping out with special projects.

Posted by Lyn Wall at 06:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 24, 2005

Kellen's Open Letter to Meyerland Dems

logos-yel-final-HCDP-2-JP-o.JPG
From: Meyerland_Area_Dems@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Meyerland_Area_Dems@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Kellen Wilson
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 2:57 PM
To: meyerland_area_dems@yahoogroups.com;

Subject: [Meyerland_Area_Dems] Why are there only 584 Dems keeping hcdp running?

Would it surprise you to hear that out of the hundreds of thousands of Democrats here in Harris County, less than 600 are sustaining members of the Harris County Democratic Party?

It surprised me, it shocked me, and it motivated me to do something about it!

We can sit and ask ourselves why till we're blue in the face. There are probably many reasons why people haven't signed up. Perhaps no one has asked them to join. Perhaps they joined in the past and didn't know they had to renew. Perhaps they were members at one time, then moved and their membership expired. Or perhaps they had no idea who keeps the lights on and the phones in service or how they pay the rent on the office space...etc.

WE DO!!!!! Collectively and individually, our contribution to the party is what keeps those office doors open!

So, how do you join? Go to www.hcdp.org and print out the application or apply on line.

I guarantee, it's a one-time thing if you choose to have them take out $10 a month, you will never have to fill out any more paperwork....EVER AGAIN! Unless you change banks :)

I am making a plea to all Meyerland Area Democrats (whether you are a member of our club or not) to become a sustaining member of the Harris County Democratic Party today!

I will have forms at our next meeting on August 15 in case you are unable to get the form from their website. I would like to proudly say to Gerry Birnberg that Meyerland Area Democrats have the highest number of sustaining members out of all the area clubs, and that Meyerland Area Democrats are doing their part to keep our party strong and productive!

Please help us get there.

In democratic unity,

Kellen Wilson
president, Meyerland Area Democrats Club

You go, Kellen!! Our goal is 1000 sustaining members. We can do it!
Now, That's what I'm talking about!


Blue Bayou Girl

Posted by at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack

Standing Room Only at Downing Street Minutes Teach-In

The First Unitarian Universalist Church on Fannin Street was bursting at the seams on Saturday evening, July 23, 2005, as over 250 progressives gathered there for the Downing Street Minutes Teach-In and Movie Night. This event, sponsored locally by the Progressive Action Alliance, was part of a network of 300 similar events across the nation on the third anniversary of the meeting which led to those famous minutes and memos.

Ann Wright, one of three U.S. diplomats who resigned in March of 2003 in opposition to the invasion of Iraq, spoke to the highly attentive audience about the significance of the DSM. She emphasized the need to take grassroots action that will hold the Bush Administration accountable for leading us into a war based on lies. When it came time for comments, our very own John Cobarruvias spoke eloquently about the persistent and vociferous efforts of Tom DeLay's constituents to bring their concerns about the Iraq War to the ethics-challenged Majority Leader's attention.

The program also included a lively question and answer session with Ms. Wright, as well as portions of two documentary videos about Iraq, one entitled "Uncovered," and another by independent reporter Dahr Jamal. Members of the Progressive Action Alliance passed out postage-paid postcards for audience members to use to contact their Congress persons and demand a full investigation of the DSM and our path to war. PAA leader Bill Crosier called for unity among progressive groups in this important endeavor. For more information about PAA, visit:

ProgressiveActionAlliance.org

At the national level, the other groups organizing these events on July 23 were:

After Downing Street Coalition

Code Pink for Peace

Progressive Democrats of America

Congressman John Conyers

Posted by at 12:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 23, 2005

Glad to be Home Open Thread

Just returned from a week in the blue state of New York. I have a lot of thoughts about Rove, the Texas Lege and the Patriot Act, but not tonight, so discuss among yourselves. Here are a few links that I haven't had time to digest yet:

http://www.chron.com/CDA/umstory.mpl/metropolitan/3277282

http://www.onetexasforall.com/index2

http://www.houtopia.com/archives/2005/07/are_the_wheels.html

http://www.alternet.org/story/23670/

http://nytimes.com/2005/07/22/politics/22leak.html?hp&ex=1122004800&en=da4770e9392bb1c6&ei=5094&partner=homepage

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050722/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/cia_leak_democrats_1

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/casey/3273655

http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_23080.shtml

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/22/AR2005072201830.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/17/magazine/17DEMOCRATS.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/24/opinion/24rich.html

http://greatsmoky.blogspot.com/2005/07/administration-and-fury.html

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July 22, 2005

What Should We Stuff in Our Beach-Bound Book Bags, Dem Bookworms?

Come on, Dem bookworms, confess. You might stuff your beach-bound book bag with a murder mystery or a legal thriller, but surreptitiously you also slip in that latest Bush-basher or even a serious political tome. (As the lady at the lunch deli said when she saw my bulky copy of Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton, "A little light reading, eh?" When I informed her that it actually was really interesting, in view of the fact that old Hamilton made Bill Clinton seem chaste, she did not look fully convinced.) Anyway, 'tis the season when many political bestsellers come out in paperback, and below the fold is a list of some of these newly inexpensive volumes. Please take a peek and suggest the next selection for our Democrats.com Reading Club!

New Paperback Editions for Dem Bookworms

Author Title of Paperback Book
Brock, David Blinded by the Right
Brenner, Lenni Jefferson and Madison on the Separation of Church and State
Clinton, Bill My Life
Dean, John Worse Than Watergate
Dicker, John The United States of Wal-Mart
Ehrenreich, Barbara Nickled and Dimed
Frank, Thomas What's the Matter With Kansas?
Greenberg, Stanley B. The Two Americas: Our Current Political Deadlock...
Hazen, Don and Chaudhry, Lakshmi Start Making Sense...Lessons of Election 2004...
Johnston, David Cay Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System...
Lappe, Anthony and Marshall, Stephen True Lies: Guerilla News Network
McLean, Bethany and Elkind, Peter The Smartest Guys in the Room ... Fall of Enron
Ramos, Jorge Latino Wars: How Hispanics Are Transforming Politics...
Soros, George The Bubble of American Supremacy
Soros, George On Globalization

All of these were on the shelves at Barnes and Noble. (Buy Blue!) Please post a comment below if you think that one of these titles would be good food for Democratic thought ... or suggest another book that you have been wanting to read.

BTW, the last Democrats.com Reading Club selection, What Would Jefferson Do? by Thom Hartmann, was also the choice of Democracy for Houston's (traditional, not blog-based) book club. The DFH-ers are holding that one over through August because the paperback edition will be coming out then. Watch for it in bookstores soon.

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July 21, 2005

Prescient Progressives Predicted Pro-Bush Propaganda Perils ... 60 Years Ago!

In compiling the list of Books That Made Me a Progressive recently posted here, I received online input and also spoke with real, live Democrats at various gatherings. Two titles kept popping up: Language in Thought and Action by S. I. Hayakawa and The True Believer by Eric Hoffer.

Both books were originally published in the 1940s-50s and re-issued in several revised editions. People who had read them recalled them and talked about the influential ideas contained therein. Ashamed of never having read (or even heard of) these two classics, I ordered them from Amazon.

Ironically, I found that these time-worn titles form perfect precursors to two of the most popular progressive titles of our day, George Lakoff's Don't Think of an Elephant and Thomas Frank's What's the Matter with Kansas?.

Here are some nuggets of wisdom from the two books that are applicable to the Bush era's unprecedentedly successful propaganda machine. First, Hayakawa on language, foreshadowing Lakoff:

Hayakawa on Language Resonance in the Bush Era
Language is the most highly developed form of symbolism, but we must remember that "the word is not the thing." It is easy to prize the symbols of patriotism above actual patriotism. Bush and his many "Mission Accomplished"-type moments; the Republicans in Congress and their recently reprised obsession with flag-burning, etc.
With the "language of social control," we try to influence the actions of others in roundabout ways. For example, we might get people to help in the prosecution of a war by claiming that it is God's war. Bush's and his religious fundamentalist supporters' intimations of a direct line to God on the Iraq War and related issues
The penchant to divide the world into two opposing forces and to ignore the existence of any middle ground is called "the two-valued orientation." It results in language such as "good and evil," and it sustains itself by creating fear. Bush and "You are with us or against us"; DeLay and his orders to lobbying firms to fire Democrats and hire only Republicans, etc.
The two-valued orientation becomes dangerous when the political party in control decides that it is best for the country, and it can therefore silence any dissent. Bush's screening of town hall meeting participants; Karl Rove's speech branding liberals as wimps and traitors; Bush's and Rove's attempts to silence critics of the war, from Richard Clarke to Joe Wilson, etc.
A multi-valued orientation and a willingness to learn are necessary for democratic discussion and human cooperation. Democrats are furthering the democratic discussion by learning about the needs of all the people, with grassroots working groups, real town hall meetings, political blogs, and more.

Eric Hoffer, on the hand, explains how dissatisfaction with oneself leads to credulity and readiness to accept propaganda. He might have been describing the zealotry of the nonwealthy right-wingers in What's the Matter with Kansas:

Hoffer on True Believers Resonance in the Bush Era
People who see their lives as irremediably spoiled seek new elements of pride and purpose by identification with a cause or popular movement. Those who have been bumped out of the middle class due to loss of manufacturing jobs and then become fervent believers in right-wing causes....
The true believers have an ability to "shut their eyes and close their ears to facts." Despite many official reports to the contrary, Bush's followers continued to believe that WMDs had been found in Iraq and that there were ties between Saddam and the 9/11 terrorists, etc.
True believers' animosity to others springs from self-contempt. Their leaders can easily concentrate their hatred on a single foe, even on someone unrelated to the perceived wrong. Bush and Cheney et al were able to distract many Americans from the real threat of Osama Bin Laden and the perpetrators of 9/11 with propaganda about the threat of Saddam Hussein.

Has anyone out there in the houstondemocrats.com blogosphere read either of these books? If so, what say you?

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July 20, 2005

Workshop: Activate and Energize Your Precinct - July 30th

ACTIVATE and ENERGIZE your precinct! Don't miss the FREE Democracy For Houston Precinct Development Workshop to be held Saturday, July 30th. This is a "DON"T MISS!" event.

Harris County has over 930 precincts. We are the second largest county in the U.S., second only to Los Angeles County. We have many vacancies that need to be filled and DFH wants you to have the tools and resources to take back our county!

Whether you are a new precinct chair or you want to be a precinct chair but, don't know how to do this, you are welcome to attend this workshop. Educate yourself so you can get your precinct activated!

Training will also include precinct organizers and captains. So, don't miss out on this oppurtunity. Join us as we learn what other folks have accomplished in Texas and throughout the nation to energize the basic grassroots infrastructure of the Democratic Party, precinct by precinct.

Each one of us CAN make a difference, if we just commit ourselves to the effort. Be a part of this grassroots effort in Harris County. Remember, "...We are the one's we've been waiting for." So, get ACTIVE today and reserve your spot at the workshop.

Democracy for Houston Presents
 
A Free Precinct Development Workshop
 
Saturday, July 30th;  9:30 AM - Noon
 
1445 North Loop West, Suite 110
Harris County Democratic Party Headquarters
 
RSVP:  www.dfa.meetup.com/215/events/4732978
 
 
Governor Howard Dean urged us to "take back our country...vote by vote, door by door, precinct by precinct..."
 
YOU can do this by activating YOUR precinct as a precinct chair, precinct captain, precinct organizer, or precinct judge.
 
To learn how to do this, please join us for this free workshop!  You will leave this workshop with all of the tools you need to take back your precinct!
 
Presentations will include: 
 
"Taking Back Texas"
by Chris Hightower from Tarrant County DFA; 
 
"Case Studies: Precinct Activation Success Stories"
by Melissa Taylor of DFH;
 
"Winning One Precinct At A Time"
 by Stan Merriman of the Progressive Populist Caucus and HCDP;
 
 "Tools And Resources To Activate Precincts"
by Phillip McNutt of DFH and HCDP
 
Space is limited!  Please RSVP by Wednesday, July 27th at:
 
http://dfa.meetup.com/215/events/4732978/
 
If you have further questions, contact:  democracyforhouston@hotmail.com
 
Democracy is not a spectator sport!
 Register today and get active!

Posted by Lyn Wall at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack

July 19, 2005

Contact your representatives in Austin today

Ed Martin, in an e-mail to the Texas Democrats list, reminds us:

Your legislative Democratic leaders urge you to contact our Democratic legislators and remind them that it is essential that all Democrats be present and prepared to vote against the HB2/HB3 tax shift plans that would raise taxes on 90% of all Texans without dedicating a single penny of our higher tax bills to improving our children's schools.

Amid all sorts of rumors about deals, filibusters, and vote counts, one thing is certain: the plans being "negotiated" behind closed doors by the Governor and Republican legislative "leaders" fail our school children, teachers, and most Texas taxpayers miserably.

The vote on the Republican plan to tax our families will be close - and with every Democrat present and voting NO, we have an opportunity to defeat these bills and insist that we do better for all Texans.

How to find your contact data on the jump...

Click here and enter your address for a listing of your representatives and their contact information.

Posted by Guest Blogger PDiddie at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 18, 2005

Trying to take your country back

... is hard work.

Chris Bell spoke at the Sharpstown Democrats meeting on Saturday morning, then got out to Amarillo in time to join Charles Soechting at a fundraiser for the state party that evening. (Panhandle Truth Squad filed an on-the-scene report.)

David Van Os spoke last night at the Meyerland Democrats assembly and tore into Texas AG Greg Abbott ...

... for a couple of truly amazing things. Among them:

-- with Texas now 50th in the nation in levels of mercury in the state's water, eleven states' attorneys general have filed suit on the EPA to attempt to compel the federal agency to enforce the existing laws against the polluters (which in Texas are primarily the coal-burning power plants belonging to Reliant, TXU and others). Texas, and Greg Abbott, is NOT one of the eleven. This is an abdication of one of his duties:

The attorney general has regulatory or punitive civil powers over corporations and must protect charitable trusts through court action. Taxation and property are two functional areas significant to the work of the attorney general; the attorney general sues for recovery of taxes owed the state of Texas and protects the public interest with respect to abandoned property that escheats to the state. The attorney general acts against persons or corporations violating the environmental-protection laws of Texas or illegally extracting natural resources. The office also enforces the state's antitrust laws and prosecutes persons who mishandle state funds.

-- Abbott has found time, however, to fly to Washington DC and appear before the Supreme Court in the case involving the Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the state Capitol. (A doughnut if you can guess which side he argued.)

-- and he has also managed to file a friend-of-the-court brief in favor of the state of Georgia's attempts to introduce creationist revisions to the science textbooks of that state's public schools.

Abbott, a supporter of the Harris County Christian Coalition, has been beholden to the Religious Right (or the "Unreligious Wrong", as Van Os prefers to say) for a long time.

===================

And tonight the Campaign for a National Majority will continue its Texas tour with a meeting at the home of Kathy Dreyfus and Jim Grotta, 4555 Elm Street in Bellaire, at 7 pm. Robert Jara of the Texas Democratic Party will have an update on the state's 2006 contests.

Posted by Guest Blogger PDiddie at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 17, 2005

Much Worse than Watergate: Iraq War Was a Re-Election Ploy

As we become immersed in the Watergate-like mystery of the unfolding Rove/Plame affair, it is helpful to find two excellent writers who see straight through to the heart of the scandal's significance. One is the progressive framing expert, Dr. Jeffery Feldman, who nails the true motivation behind the rush to war and the attendant smearing of anyone who exposed the fallacy of the Bush Administration's case for war:

The Frameshop: The Iraq War Was for Bush's Re-Election

Another truthteller is Frank Rich of The New York Times. For Rich, the Watergate-era admonition of "Follow the Money" no longer applies; it is now "Follow the Uranium":

This case is about Iraq, not Niger. The real victims are the American people, not the Wilsons. The real culprit - the big enchilada, to borrow a 1973 John Ehrlichman phrase from the Nixon tapes - is not Mr. Rove but the gang that sent American sons and daughters to war on trumped-up grounds and in so doing diverted finite resources, human and otherwise, from fighting the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11. That's why the stakes are so high: this scandal is about the unmasking of an ill-conceived war, not the unmasking of a C.I.A. operative who posed for Vanity Fair.

To read more of Frank Rich's brilliant analysis, visit The New York Times:

Follow the Uranium

Undermining our own national security, killing or maiming thousands of American soldiers and innocent Iraqi civilians, and devastating an ancient land: all of this is based on a web of deception for political gain. In a new version of Republican "trickle-down," the truth is emerging, drop by drop. As progressives, we can help it along by taking action, such as attending the Rovegate / Downing Street Memo Event that PDiddie tells us about in the post below.

Posted by at 09:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Downing Street Minutes Teach-In, Saturday July 23

On July 23, 2005, events around the United States will mark the three-year anniversary of the meeting at #10 Downing Street in London, England, that was recorded in the now infamous minutes known as the "Downing Street Memo."

In over 150 towns and cities, prominent speakers and ordinary citizens will hold public forums and host house parties and study circles. Over 200 events are listed online at AfterDowningStreet.org; in Houston, the Downing Street Minutes Teach-In will feature ...

... former US diplomat Ann Wright, who resigned in March 2003 in opposition to the war in Iraq and who has testified to Congress about the Minutes.

Ms. Wright has been featured in articles in the Washington Post magazine, Government Executive magazine, Foreign Service Journal, Ms magazine and has been interviewed by radio and TV networks. She participated in the documentary film "Uncovered: The Truth about the Iraq War."

The Teach-In will be held from 7 to 9:30 pm on Saturday July 23 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin Street at Southmore Blvd, Houston, 77004. (Google map) There will also be a film and discussion and refreshments will be served.

RSVP at the After Downing Street.org website.

Posted by Guest Blogger PDiddie at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Sunday Open Thread

What's on your mind today?

Posted by Lyn Wall at 09:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

July 16, 2005

Legislators raise their own pension to $34,000/year +

Texas Legislators decided to give themselves a $6000 raise in their pensions. For a legislator what serves 12 years on a part time job that meets 140 days every two years, they can start drawing $34,000 a year at age 50.

For the rest of their lives.

This is more than some of their constituents make in a full year working full time trying to raise a family.
Most workers don't get a pension. Some lost it all during the Enron fiasco. Yet our part time civil service law makers are guaranteed to make more than the poverty rate for doing absolutely nothing after the age of 50. And using our tax dollars to do it.

Am I the only one not real happy about this? $34,000 sure seems like an unreasonable amount.

John Cobarruvias

Posted by John Cobarruvias at 02:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

More events for July

There are lots of Democratic events to attend in the remaining weeks of July. Here are some of the highlights:

Today, 2pm - Art for Life's Sake: An Evening of Music, Poetry, Dance, and Fine Art

"Art for Life's Sake: An Evening of Music, Poetry,
Dance, and Fine Art"

Benefiting the Mayor's State of Emergency Task Force
Against HIV and AIDS

Saturday July 16, 2005
@ the Historic Eldorado Ballroom
2310 Elgin @ Dowling

Doors open for art viewing at 2 p.m.
Event/Performances begin at 6 p.m.
Auction closes at 9:30 p.m.


Confidential HIV Testing Available

Refreshments provided Courtesy of Niko Niko's and This
Is It

Over 100 Artworks from emerging and established
artists nationwide will be showcased

Performances include members of the Houston Poetry
Slam Team, Poetess Marie Brown, Members of the
Blackout Arts Collective, Jazz Band Signature, Dance
performances & more!

July 19, 7pm - Houston Kickoff Party for Campaign for a National Majority

Houston Kickoff Party
for
Campaign for a National Majority

Tuesday, July 19
7:00pm

At the home of Kathy Dreyfus and Jim Grotta
4555 Elm Street, Bellaire, Texas

Invited speaker:
Former Congressman Nick Lampson

Light refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP by Thursday, July 14 to Elizabeth Cohen at 713-664-5055 or Courtney Weiner at weiner@nationalmajority.org. If you have any questions about the organization or the event, please contact Courtney Weiner at weiner@nationalmajority.org or 646-825-0319.

Though the organization appreciates donations, this event is not a fundraiser.

Campaign for a National Majority is a pragmatic political action committee that supports Democratic candidates for State Executive offices across the country. Our candidates are viable in tough races and show promise as contenders for progressively higher offices. Our goal is to build a "farm team" of Democrats who can win statewide and national elections. It is no secret that governors consistently make the best presidential candidates. The best governors are typically elected from other State Executive offices, such as lieutenant-governor or attorney-general. We believe that a focus on winning state executive elections for Democrats is one of the best ways to strengthen the party in the long run. CNM is a registered 527. Please visit www.nationalmajority.org for more information.

Updcoming events from Houston Peace & Justice Center:

Unless otherwise noted, all the listed events are free and open to the public.

REGULAR VIGILS

Weekday sunrise vigil for peace. Live Oak Friends Meeting continues this vigil beginning half hour before sunrise at its meeting house, 1318 West 26th St. Monthly vigil opposing the death penalty. Amnesty International Group 23 holds this vigil on the first Wednesday of each month. 6-7:15 p.m. at the Mecom Fountain (where Montrose and Main meet).

Monthly walking meditation for peace sponsored by the Department of Peace Campaign - Houston Chapter. Participants will walk 20-30 minutes, and then enjoy a simple tea ceremony. Location varies. Suspended during July and August, but resuming September 17 at 6 p.m. as part of International Peace Week observance. For more information, call Carondelet Dember, 713/522-7279.

Death watch vigils. These are held from 5:30-6:20 p.m. on the day of each state execution. Currently the vigils are being held at St. Stephens Episcopal, 1805 W. Alabama. For upcoming execution dates, contact Lynn Furay at 713/726-1266, lfuray33@sbcglobal.net.

EXHIBITS

Now through August 28

"Unlikely Liberators" is a photographic exhibit documenting the story of Japanese-American soldiers who served their country with honor during WWII, despite prejudice at home, and helped liberate the concentration camps of Europe. Accompanying it is "Sugihara: Japanese Righteous Gentile." Chiune Sugihara was the Japanese ambassador to Lithuania during WWII, and was responsible for saving the lives of thousands of Jews from the Nazis by issuing them exit visas. His story is told with rare documents and artifacts. The exhibits are sponsored by Holocaust Museum Houston and Japan-America Society of Houston, Inc. Viewing is from 9 to 5 during the week and from noon to 5 Saturday and Sunday. The museum is at 5401 Caroline.

COLLECTION OF SUPPLIES

The Pastors for Peace Friendship Caravan to Cuba will come through Houston July 16. From now until then, donations can be brought any time to either the SHAPE Center or the Shrine of the Black Madonna. Needed are medical supplies, medicines, and educational supplies. Suggested items are vitamins, antiseptics, reading glasses, walking canes, wheel chairs, text books (in Spanish and in good condition), pens and pencils. No clothing or food. Blankets or linens must be unused and packaged in their original wraps. For more information, call Gloria Rubac, 713/503.2633 or Ernest McMillan, 713/523.4483. See July 16 below for caravan reception.

EVENTS

Saturday, July 16

Last day to donate supplies to Pastors for Peace's Friendship Caravan to Cuba (see COLLECTION above). There will be a potluck reception to welcome the caravanistas from 3-7 p.m. at the Chancery of St. Dominic, 2403 E. Holcomb just west of Highway 288 (note: this is a change from the El Dorado Ballroom). Enjoy music, African drumming, spoken word, and more. For more information, call Gloria Rubac, 713/503-2633 or Ernest McMillan, 713/523-4483.

Saturday, July 16th

A protest against police brutality will be held in Galveston in front of the Galveston City Hall at 823 Rosenberg (25th) Street from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Progressive Workers Organizing Committee, along with local community activists, is sponsoring this demonstration. Please call 832-692-2306 or 281-935-9248 if you would like more information or need directions.

Saturday, July 16th

There will be an event to support the Service Employees International Union’s (SEIU) Justice for Janitors Campaign with key Houston elected officials, community leaders, and religious leaders. Speakers will include: Janitors, U.S. Rep. Gene Green, State Reps. Jessica Farrar and Senfronia Thompson, Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, City Council member Adrian Garcia, Richard Shaw with Harris County AFL-CIO, Representatives from ACORN, TMO and other community and religious organizations. This support rally will be held at the St. Anne's Catholic Community Church, Saint Basil Hall, 2140 Westheimer Road at 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.houstonjanitors.org.

Tuesday, July 26

The Rothko Chapel will present guest lecturer Dr. Philip Kreyenbroek, head of Iranian studies at the University of Goettingen in Germany, and leading specialist on the Kurds and the Yezidis of Turkey and northern Iraq. The program is called The Zoroastrian World View and its Echoes in Christianity and Islam and will be held at Rothko Chapel, located at 1409 Sul Ross, beginning at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to RSVP go to www.rothkochapel.org.

Thursday, July 28

The Houston Global Awareness Collective is putting out a call to all activists and concerned citizens to attend a town hall meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Shape Family Community Center located at 3815 Live Oak. There'll be activities and discussion focused on corporate media, militarization, and people power. This event is free and open to the public, although donations are always appreciated. Visit www.HoustonGlobalAwareness.org for more details or call 832/607-0375.

Monday, August 1 - Sunday, August 7

Student/Farmworker Alliance National Encuentro in Immokale, Florida. Join students and youth from around the country for a week of skill sharing, reflection, community-building, trainings, and a two-day national strategy session on the next phase of youth activism after the historic and precedent-setting victory of the Taco Bell boycott. Also informal networking, live music, film screenings, silkscreening, and other hands-on art. Some of the organizations involved are United Students Against Sweatshops, Student-Labor Action Project, Young Workers United, School of the Americas Watch, National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, and the Ruckus Society. To register, call 239/657-8311. To register by mail or to donate, write Student/Farmworker Alliance, P.O. Box 603, Immokalee, FL 34143. For more information, visit www.sfalliance.org.

Sunday, July 31

A Criminal Justice and Prison Issues Forum will be held in Stafford, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation, which is located at 3945 Greenbriar in Stafford. Panelists will include Dean Becker, Host, Producer, and Director, Cultural Baggage and the 4:20 Drug War News on KPFT 90.1 FM; Wanda Redding, Program Administrator, Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Paul Kieniewicz, Death Penalty Coordinator, Amnesty International – Houston; and Mary V. Alexander, Texas Inmates Families Association. The moderator will be Dr. John Speer, Co-founder and Teacher, Thoreau UU Creative Writing Workshop Inside the Prison. The general public is invited and light refreshments will be served. Childcare is available with advance reservation. To reserve childcare, leave voice mail for Brenda or Karma at (281) 277-8882 by July 29; please provide parent’s name and names/ages of children. For directions, go to www.tuuc.org or phone 281-277-8882.

Sunday, August 7

The August P-FLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meeting will focus on vignettes of parents' "coming out". Panelists include Sue Null, Rosemary Cloud, and Bill Taylor. PFLAG meets at St. Paul's Methodist Church, 5501 S. Main St. at Binz in the Museum District from 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Small groups after the program provide an opportunity to discuss issues, concerns, and celebrations in a safe, confidential environment. All are welcome. For more information, call 713/467-3524 or visit www.pflaghouston.org.

Saturday, August 13 - Sunday, August 14

Training near Austin for those committed to establishment of a cabinet-level Department of Peace. Lynn McMullen, national coordinator of the Dept. of Peace Campaign, will be present to update people on the campaign and help attendees develop their local campaigns. The fee of $25 per person includes Saturday night dinner and Sunday continental breakfast. On-site lodging is $35-$50 per room. The workshop runs from noon to noon at the Global Relationships Center in Spicewood in the Texas Hill Country. To register and for more information, call 512/264-3333. Local contact is Kathy Kidd, 713/443-9938, kathykidd@earthlink.net.

Saturday, September 17 - Saturday, September 24

The Decade of Nonviolence-Houston is holding a Peace Week to mark the midpoint of the International 2001-2010 Decade for Building a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World. The week will begin with a conference on Sept. 17 on the Texas Southern University campus (8 a.m.-4 p.m.), and conclude with an awards dinner a week later. In between, the Decade is encouraging other groups and organizations to create peace-themed events throughout the city. For more information and to become involved, contact Carole Keene, 713/398-6785, carolekeene@juno.com or P.K. McCary, perrimac@sbcglobal.net.

Friday, September 24

Save this date for the annual banquet of CAIR-Houston (Council of American Islamic Relations).

September 10 - October 2

The Mahatma Gandhi Library will be sponsoring many programs as a tribute to Gandhi’s birthday. Activities include field trips, story telling, a Darshan exhibition, screenings of the movie “Gandhi”, speech and essay contests, and more. For more details on all the planned events, visit www.gandhilibrary.org or call 832-265-7936.

Sunday, October 23

Yoga for Peace aims to raise awareness that in order to heal the world, we need to start within ourselves by developing compassion, tolerance, respect, non-violence, and love towards ourselves, our fellow human beings, and nature. The event will have diverse speakers on the practical applications and benefits of working towards Inner Peace, as well as follow-up
information from the speakers, music, meditation supplies, t-shirts, and contact information about local Yoga studios. People of all ages are welcome to participate. Noon to 6 p.m. in the Houston Garden Center Auditorium, 1500 Hermann Dr. in Hermann Park (in the rose garden). For more information, contact Roslyn Earle, 281/435-0563, yoga4peace@earthlink.net.

Wednesday, November 16

2005 Power Tools for Nonprofits Conference. This is Houston's premiere training event for nonprofits. Its workshops cover all aspects of organizational work, including board development, fundraising, media relations, and financial management. The binder of materials is by itself always worth the registration fee. 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Reliant Center, f
Two Reliant Pkwy. For more information and registration forms, contact UH's Continuing Education Division, 713/743-1060 or visit www.uh.edu/continuingeducation.

 

Meetings and campaign events from the HCDP calendar (go to the HCDP Calendar for location information):

Sat 7/16

10:00 am-12:00 pm Chris Bell at Sharpstown Democrats Meeting
10:00 am-11:30 am West Houston Democrats Monthly Meeting
9:00 pm-12:00 am Harris County Young Democrats Party


Mon 7/18

6:30 pm-8:30 pm Peter Brown's Summer Celebration
7:30 pm-9:30 pm Fort Bend County Democratic Party
7:30 pm-8:30 pm Reminder Area 5 Democrats Meeting

Tue 7/19

5:30 pm-7:30 pm ROADWomen Meeting
7:00 pm-8:30 pm Katy Area Democrats

Sat 7/23

10:00 am-11:30 am HCDP Clubs and Orgs Meeting
12:30 pm-1:30 pm Oilpatch Democrats "Houston Picnic"

Tue 7/26

6:30 pm-8:00 pm Harris County Young Democrats

Thu 7/28

6:00 pm-8:00 pm Chris Bell Fundraising Fiesta

Posted by Lyn Wall at 08:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

July 14, 2005

Texas Senate Votes to Limit Eminent Domain

The Austin-American Statesman reports that after hours of intense debating the Senate has voted 25-4 in favor of limiting when government can seize private land for commercial development projects.

The House is working on a similar proposal. It has already approved a resolution allowing voters to amend the Texas Constitution to prohibit economic development takings.

SB 62 would largely prevent the use of eminent domain to take private property for economic development purposes, or to turn the property over to a private developer. It does allow for some exceptions.

Approved exceptions would include transportation projects such as railroads, highways, ports and airports; water supply projects; pipelines and utility projects; flood control projects; and community sports arenas, such as the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington.

Click here for more on SB 62.

Posted by at 05:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 13, 2005

"Bush's Brain" needs a hug

...a pat on the back, a warm word of encouragement.

Go give it to him.

Posted by Guest Blogger PDiddie at 07:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 12, 2005

HCDP Scoops Daily Kos

Yes, folks, you read it here first ... the story about the Gold Star Families for Peace and the Administration's duplicitous Stop-Lo