Personal News - Part XI

Another busy, productive week is at an end. What new Duchess?!? Hum ... lets see ... several topics on display for perusal. Where to begin ... well ... at the beginning ... naturally.

On Tuesday evening, March 23rd, I attended the first Exploratory Committee meeting for Robert J's 14th Congressional District campaign at his apartment in Tudor City [7pm]. There was a good turnout of folk who are quite interested. Some of whom are from the "NYC Friends of Kucinich", of which yours truly is still a proud volunteer and member. On hand were the following who want to help Rob in his campaign ... Danielle, Robert, Harry, Evelyn, Brian, Aditi, Barry, Stephanie, Julianne, Michael, Edward, Brett, Tensi, myself and of course Rob. ["Milk" the cat was also present.]

Rob J is up against the Republican incumbent, Carol Maloney. Whom I gather from the meeting portrays herself one way in public and behind the scenes is dealing her constituants a raw deal. Not good ... where as Rob would be an honest, progressive Democrat. [Plus Working Families ballot.] During the first part of the meeting Rob talked briefly about his life, career[s], travels, activism and political leanings. Which I found to be impressive. Much work needs to be done over the upcoming months as we look for more volunteers to handle certain tasks and get endorsements. [One does not need to live in NYC area to endorse this important grassroots campaign. We're looking to raise over $500,000. If you wish too make an endorsement, contact Rob J at ... mutualaid@earthlink.net] Throughout the long evening, which ended for us around 10:30pm, we discussed issues and strategies, plus come up with a questionnaire for the constituants in the district. That last bit I was mostly working on and lending my secretarial expertise. It was also strongly suggested that we join Democratic Clubs in our neighborhoods, as well as check out other political meetups. Next meeting is slated for Wednesday, March 31st, at 7pm. If you live in the NYC area and would like to get involved, contact Rob J at mutualaid@earthlink.net. For me its a continuation of being involved in some form of politics and with others trying to make a difference. Keep democracy alive! Peace & Solidarity!

The following evening, March 24th, I attended the "NYC Friends of Kucinich" general meeting in offices near the UN. We had a good turnout for this meeting ... which included ... Stephanie, Mike, Paul, Laurie, Judy, Kim, Carl, Jane, Nick, Bud, Ann, Linda, Bob, Maureen, Steve, David, Beth, Ellen, myself and Efram. We learned that as of March 23rd Kucinich has 25+ delegates that will be going to the July Democratic Convention in Boston. There are still several more primaries and hopefully DJK will pull in a few more delegates. We need to keep the issues in the forefront and not buried in the backyard. Much was discussed during the two hour meeting, as well as listening to one [Bob Ginsberg] who turned on us and has been involved in Kerry campaign for over a month. The asshole was there trying to get us to convert, look for donations and ALL of us present looked at him like he was a demented fruitcake. [Applause to Stephanie in giving him a setdown.] The NYC primary results were passed out and discussed at length. For our next meeting we'll be setting up a forum and invite other supporters [ie: Dean, Kerry, Sharpton, etc] to come and debate Democratic Issues. Another topic raised was should the DJK organization continue here in NYC up to Election Day and 80% agreed. Some statistics brought up at the meeting, which I found of interest, are as follows:

* 34% of the American people are not affiliated with either party in the US.

* About 800,000 voted during recent NY State primary.

* A little over a million voters turned out for the Ohio primary.

One final note, the morning of 24th, I picked up the photos and CD of pix I'd taken at Peace Rally last weekend and most of them came out pretty good. Showed them to a few Kucitizens that evening, as well as email some to others. I'm in the process of setting up another Blogger that will display my pix, as well as those of fellow Kucitizen Bud Plautz. Hope to have it completed soon and a link will be available on this Blogger. Stay tuned.............

Now for the final bit of news ... this is from Thursday, March 25th, when I took a personal day from work and visit my good friend Katherine in CT. Hadn't seen Katherine since her wedding back on December 26th to her dear Maurice. It was also her day off from pesky Wal-Mart and she was up in Danbury where her daughter is taking Nurses Aide classes. So I took an early train up to Danbury and arrived at 10am. Weather was crappy that day which was overcast, cool and abit rainy. As I type this on 27th the weather outside is warm and sunny at times. [Don't worry, I got out earlier to enjoy it.] Anyhow ... we hungout while her daughter was in classes. [She related the latest news which wasn't all good & some of it upsetting.] We went shopping at a few places and had lunch at Bennigans. We noshed on appettisers ... spinach/artichoke dip with flatbread & some mexican goodies. Picked up her daughter, drove back to Norwalk, dropped Aimee at the house and then me to train station for ride to NYC. Got into Manhattan in plenty of time to haul my butt to gym for one hour session with personal trainer. Katherine and I also exchanged our Xmas gifts. As for work, its been a nice steady busy and not at all hectic. I'm now working for 10 from 3 different departments. Never a dull moment [[smiling]

"I STAND WITH DENNIS"
Recently a web video crew spent the afternoon in the Kucinich for President national headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. Watch and listen as these employees and volunteers tell you why they continue to stand with Dennis Kucinich. This one-minute video stars members of the Kucinich for President campaign crew and features National Campaign Manager Dot Maver. Watch the video or hear the audio - "I Stand With Dennis": http://kucinich.us/standwithdennis1.php

Speak Out about why you stand with Dennis:
http://kucinich.us/standsfor_form.php

ALASKANS STAND WITH DENNIS
Results are not yet final from the recent Alaska primary, but with 85% of precincts reporting, Kucinich is expected to draw 5 delegates from the state. Kucinich received overwhelming support in several of Alaska's 41 caucus voting districts, notably in the Juneau area and the Kenai Peninsula. In one district, the margin was Kucinich 83% - Kerry 17%. In several others, he received more than 60% of the vote, compared with votes for Kerry ranging from 19% to 37%. And, in the Fairbanks area, Kucinich captured about 50%, while Kerry received about 36%. Kerry received his best results in and around Anchorage, the state's most heavily populated area. Alaskans responded to Kucinich's positions on civil liberties, medical marijuana, jobs, and health care.

OREGONIANS STAND WITH DENNIS
The Oregonian newspaper ran a story on March 25th on the enthusiasm for Kucinich in Oregon despite what some would call a finished race. "We have a candidate who is not going to be elected," said Barry Marks, a retired lawyer who is Kucinich's local campaign spokesman, "but we're gung-ho." Why? Because Kucinich is offering to the millions of voters in the remaining Democratic primaries and caucuses in 16 states and U.S. territories a chance to influence the direction of the Democratic Party by registering their concerns about peace, universal health care, the Patriot Act, and trade policies. Read article from The Oregonian: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1080219666314051.xml

Read press release about remaining states: http://www.kucinich.us/pressreleases/pr_032504a.php

Senate Action On Overtime Pay/Jobs Tour Highlights - From Working Families
There's been a step forward in the fight to protect overtime pay on Wednesday when Senate Democrats successfully held their ground against a Republican effort to stop progress on a measure to block President Bush's overtime pay take-away. The Senate could finalize that measure to stop the Bush administration from gutting overtime pay protections next week. At the same time, Bush's Labor Department is expected to issue the rules taking away overtime pay any day now.

We need to really get the word out and let America's leaders know we won't stand for having overtime pay taken away. Please reach out to your friends, family and co-workers right now and urge them to sign the petition at the link below to stop Bush's overtime pay take-away. http://www.saveovertimepay.org/

Show Us the Jobs Tour The Show Us the Jobs tour is in Wisconsin today after visits to Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota earlier in the week. Fifty-one people--one from every state and the District of Columbia--are traveling the country by bus to tell the personal stories of how America's jobs crisis has affected them, their families and their communities. The bus riders are heroic workers caught in a jobless crisis that affects us all. After a round-table discussion with media in Des Moines, Iowa, the riders took up a collection for two jobless Iowans who joined them at the table. In the parking lot, away from the view of TV cameras and reporters, these 51 jobless and struggling workers pulled together more than $800 for these two jobless moms with small children. You can be part of the tour by visiting the Show Us the Jobs website by clicking on the link below. http://www.showusthejobs.com/

Some of the bus riders are posting "blogs"--online journals. Read these inside details about the tour--some are serious, some are silly, some are heart-warming and some are heart-wrenching--by clicking on this link: http://blog.showusthejobs.com/

ACTION: Sign the petition calling for good jobs, overtime pay and good benefits. Click here: http://www.showusthejobs.com/