Personal News - Part XVI

Sit down for a spell you all ... cause its been busy for this gal in the work/social/volunteer commitments. I'll do my best to recap it all for you and try not to leave out any tidbits.

Back on Monday, April 19th, it was a slow day at the office so I was able to catch up on personal stuff. I also got a phone call from BC [ie: NYC Kucitizen] and she was wondering if I wanted to hangout after work before heading to Kucinich General Meeting. Absolutely! A much better plan than staying at work and killing time before going to meeting. We hooked up outside my office building at 5:30pm and walked across 42nd Street to Grand Central Station area. After debating where to hangout, we finally decided to crash at Tequilaville on Vanderbilt. We had a drink or two ... talked about politics, movies, women’s issues and religion. Fascinating and fun chatting with her. Before we knew it ... it was 6:55pm and we had to haul ass to the general meeting [ie: 777 UN Plaza], which started at 7pm. Naturally we were late and abit tipsy.

The meeting was in the middle of introductions when we arrived. The following Kucitizens were there ... Efram, Thomas, Cielito, Rob, Paul, Mike, Jessica, Stephanie, Bill, Beth, Linda, James, Ken, Gregory, Helen, Seth, Eric, Kim, Ellen, George, BC, myself and Frank Barbaro who is running for Staten Island congressional district. Then Rob Jereski spoke about his congressional campaign and flyers were distributed, plus he announced the fundraiser for Friday, April 23rd, at his place. Next up Thomas spoke on several Democratic issues, one of which was regarding August 29th protests at Republican Convention here in NYC. Several Kucitizens brought up the topic of setting up a Candlelight Vigil during August for military families and those who protest the Iraq war/occupation. Much discussion on how to proceed with organizing a vigil or something along those lines. The subject of working with Deanies on Democratic Platform was also discussed. Both Kucinich and Dean are on same wavelength right now when it comes to Iraq/healthcare/environment. Then Jessica Flagg gave a passionate speech on why she's campaigning for congress in Congressional District 17. There is a weekend event [ie: May 14th & 15th] being sponsored by THE NATION, check out their website for more details and tix are $33. [Thru all this I mostly listened and a few times voiced some brief input.] Some of the final discussions, before we broke up meeting at 9:30pm, was possibly setting up a debate forum between Dean/Kucinich/Nader/Sharpton. The next general meeting was announced for May 10th at 7pm, which is a few days after a Kucinich meetup. Afterwards we broke up into smaller groups for different discussions. I spoke with Bill, Cielito, Thomas, Paul and Stephanie. BC had to leave meeting about 1/2 way through and Rob left early after making his pitch for congressional campaign. Outside the building more discussions were going on and I chatted with Stephanie/Mike about their recent trip to Italy & Slovakia. They both looked great, tanned and relaxed. Some folk headed off to their cars and I joined a smaller group who strolled towards 42nd Street and 3rd Avenue. One of the chaps I was chatting with was James, who bears a somewhat close resemblance to John Kerry. Took two subways to get home and arrived around 11pm.

On Tuesday, April 20th, I attended a "Tea Meetup" down in Greenwich Village at Saint's Alp Teahouse on Bleecker Street [#170]. I highly recommend this restaurant ... great atmosphere, good service, food is delicious, tea is lovely and prices aren't too bad. Was expecting several people to show up, but it was just I and a very nice lady named Jill. We got along very well, talked about all sorts of topics and partook of a lovely food. I had a strawberry black iced tea with tea eggs, crisp veggie dumplings and spring rolls. Hopefully next meetup will yield more folk. The weather on both Monday and Tuesday were lovely, warm, sunny spring days.

On Wednesday, April 21st, it was Administrative Assistant Day in the workforce. So far I received a few lovely items from E&Y and co-workers. The company gave us Admins a $25 gift certificate to shop of our choice. I can't decide if I should go to Barnes & Noble or Linen & Things. Plus E&Y also gave us special, no spill coffee/tea mugs. Mitch and Donna from TAS Group gave me a charming oriental tray with three votive candles to go with it. And finally from a Senior Manager that my co-worker Barbara handles [and whom I've helped on a few occasions in the past] gave us both pretty tins filled with Neuhaus cookies. I tried one or two and they are divine! This morning I heard from two other senior managers I cover and they want to take me out to lunch at place of my choice. Oh yeah!

Finally, on the evening of April 21st at 7pm, I attended a Democrat Party Meetup in Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn. About 11 people showed up ... some of the names I gleaned were David, Matt and Eric. In comparing a Democrat Party meetup to one for Kucinich ... well ... these folk on April 21st aren't as vocal or passionate. I'm thinking ... where is the enthusiasm et al. Also, whenever I mentioned anything that hinted of Liberalism or Progressive, the vibe I got was kind of distancing themselves. Anyhow ... topics of discussion were on Kerry [naturally], New York Times abysmal coverage, Democrat base in NYC, Elliott Spritzer running for Governor in 2006, voter registration [ie: youth & poor folk], swing states and religion in politics. Two of the meetup attendees were once Independent before switching to Democrat. The meeting broke up at 8:30pm and I came home on the G subway. I bumped into my good friend Larry when I got off subway and we talked for abit. He was in the 'hood to attend a co-op board meeting. And there you have it ... the latest and greatest.



George Bush, Self-Deluded Messiah
THE NATION
by David Corn
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18455

INVITATION TO A FUND & FRIENDRAISER THIS FRIDAY - APRIL 23rd

Some of the Rob Jereski exploratory committee members were out in force today lobbying the City Council to challenge the cuts in the Parks Department budget and supporting the DC 37 unionized workers employed to maintain parks and keep them safe. We enjoyed meeting with some of you there and hope you will join our efforts. The Jereski campaign is mobilizing for peace, the defense of our Constitutional Democracy, jobs at a living wage, universal health care, investments in housing and education (including after-school music and arts programs), and environmental sustainability. We are working to advance a thoughtful and progressive agenda on behalf of the 14th Congressional District and the U.S.A.!

You are invited to Rob Jereski's Exploratory Committee Fund & Friendraiser on April 23rd, Friday, at 7 p.m. $25 Contribution - (Or what you can afford) WHERE ... 2 Tudor City Place, Apt. 9AS (East 41st Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue). Potluck food - Bring a healthy dish to share. Please send this invitation on to your friends and R.S.V.P. by calling 212.973.1782 for more information OR writing to mutualaid@earthlink.net

If you are unable to attend, please write a check for $10, $15, $25, and $250 or $2000 (federal law prohibits donations of more than $2000 per donor). You can make it out to the "Exploratory Committee to Elect Robert Jereski to Congress" and send it to ... 2 Tudor City Place, Apt. 9AS, New York, NY 10017. Please join our efforts to explore winning a Congressional seat and help us advance our thoughtful and progressive ... in peace and solidarity.

Shifty Tax Cuts
ALTERNET
by Sean Gonsalves
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18483

Amazingly, in 2002, Americans in the bottom 20 percent of households paid 11.4 percent of their income in state and local taxes, while those in the top 1 percent paid only 5.2 percent of their income in state and local taxes – less than half the rate of the poorest fifth.

NYC KUCITIZEN SUPPORTERS & VOLUNTEERS STRENGTHEN THE PARTY

Many thanks to all of you for helping to inspire and create the Kucinich Campaign for President. Our nationwide efforts are still energizing Americans in support of the Kucinich vision of a stronger, healthier, and more secure country. Yes, the direction of the nomination was decided months ago, but, as we begin to rally behind the nominee, the direction of the Democratic Party Platform remains to be determined. Dennis Kucinich has continued on the presidential campaign trail to give voice to those who want a new policy in Iraq which will result in bringing our troops home, a new health care policy which will result in a national health care plan that covers every citizen, a new trade policy which will stop the loss of millions of jobs, and the repeal of the Patriot Act without jeopardizing our national security.

All over America, Democrats are expressing gratitude to Dennis and the campaign for keeping these critical issues in the debate as we move on to the Democratic National Convention in Boston this July. The campaign is working hard to strengthen our party by demonstrating an inclusiveness that attracts young Americans, progressive Democrats, Greens, Natural Law Partymembers, Libertarians and Reform Party members. This is the way to unify the Democratic Party and win in November. Dennis continues to represent a progressive message that must be carried to Boston. Visit the Kucinich
convention pages:

http://www.kucinich.us/convention.php

Nearly two months have passed since our primary, and many of us are still working steadfastly in New York with the Kucinich campaign to support our vision of a transformed nation! Our commitment to major change in November compels us to ask for your help and input to maintain a foundation in New York from which to continue our national organizational efforts. Please join us in gathering petition signatures on the major issues facing this nation as we continue to work to get the US out of Iraq, restore our constitutional rights and civil liberties, create universal health care for all, and utilize our resources to ensure jobs and basic services for our families and communities. Please sign our petitions online, refer your friends, and download PDF petitions to print hard copies for signatures in your community. Here is a link to our
petition page: http://www.kucinich.us/VolunteerAction/petitions.php

The Nation Institute is co-sponsoring a two-day conference WHAT WE STAND FOR: IDEAS and VALUES TO TAKE BACK AMERICA

Friday, MAY 14 and Saturday, MAY 15 at New York Universities SKIRBALL CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS, NYC

This event, being presented by the New Democracy Project, is a two-day gathering of advocates to lay out a "program of progressive patriotism." Participants include Katrina vanden Heuvel, Paul Krugman, Sandy Berger, Gary Hart, Barbara Ehrenreich, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Kevin Phillips, Robert Reich, Joe Trippi and many others. A complete conference schedule is available at: www.newdemocracyproject.org

TICKETS: $33 ... This includes admission on both days, lunch on Saturday and copies of two new books ... What We Stand For: A Program for Progressive Patriotism (Newmarket Press) AND Taking Back America - And Taking Down the Radical Right (Nation Books). To order tickets, visit www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu OR call Ticketweb (866) 468-7619.