PERSONAL NEWS #53

Not quite caught up with relating the latest "personal news", but here is the next batch. . . . . . .

Monday, April 11th, I attended my third Democracy for America [DFNYC] meetup, which took place in Williamsburg [Brooklyn]. The meetup space [ie: Royal Red Oak tavern] was abit better and quieter than the last one [ie: Union Pool Bar]. Eleven locals were in attendance, including the two chaps [ie: Paul & Ben] who hosted the meetup. One of the attendees, Gary B, I'd met at the previous meetup was there and we got to talking about a number of issues. Gary is also a "massage therapist" and charges a decent fee for one hour sessions. Good info to know in relation to troubles with my neck and back. The main topic on the meetup agenda that evening was about the Williamsburg/Greenpoint Rezoning plans for the waterfront AND the race for Brooklyn District Attorney. Meeting ended around 9pm ... Gary and I walked back to our neighborhood.

In recent "personal news" I've mentioned new DVD purchases, usually at 50% off. Well folks, I'm still on this DVD buying kick. Yep ... that ole DVD bug has really got a hold on me. My recent purchases are the brilliantly inspiring "Chariots of Fire", "Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves" [Morgan Freeman & Alan Rickman are fantastic] and "La Femme Musketeer". The only reason I purchased the latter one was it had Gerard Depardieu in it. Who's acting I admire alot. Depardieu is the only good thing in this truly horrible film. Personally, I'd rather send the DVD back to the club and demand my money in return.

QUOTE OF THE DAY ... We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results. Herman Melville

On Tuesday, April 12th, I was invited by fellow NYC Kucitizen [Paul B] to a Norm Siegel fundraiser that evening at his friend Jean's home. [I contributed to the evening buffet by bringing my homemade brownies.] There was about 15+ individuals in attendance that evening to hear Mr. Siegel speak. [Individually and as a group.] One of which was Cielito, a friend from my Kucinich 2004 presidential campaign days. She has her own blog called "Sprouting the Acorn" [see column at right]. First of all, Mr Siegel is a personable, easy-going and very much committed person. Yep, I was feeling good vibes from this man. He's a "people person" and would be so appropriate for the office he's running for, which is Public Advocate here in NYC. [His background is quite extensive from late 1960s to present.] Mr. Siegel feels the NYC Public Advocate should be the "peoples advocate". And the office should investigate mismanagement, neglect and corruption in NYC agencies, plus provide solutions to those problems.

To learn more about Mr. Siegel's campaign, go to: http://www.norman2005.com It was a pleasure seeing Paul and Cielito again, plus meeting new people. Our hostess of the evening [jean] was such a charming dear, open minded older lady. Overall, a very good evening out.

Joined the monthly "Trust Circle" conference call on the evening of April 13th. This was hosted by NYC Dept of Peace member [Coco]. These calls are to help promote "self trust" within each of us. Resistance and fear can keep us from self trust. This "self trust" occurs in the moment and you listen within yourself with acceptance/wisdom. There was mention of an author named John Corbet Zinn, though in what context, I do not recall. Along with Coco and myself, there were five other ladies on the call. I did a lot of listening, as these other ladies had such fantastic and inspiring thoughts to convey. To learn more about the "Trust Circle" go to: http://www.cocofossland.com/POT/TrustCircleWelcome.htm

Hurray! April 14th was my last dental appointment until October. Amen!

On Saturday, April 16th, I had a one-hour gym session with my new personal trainer. Marie is married to fellow NYC DoP member Joe A. The workout was conducted at a Bally's in Manhattan. August 2004 was last time I had a session with a personal trainer. God only knows where Jamie disappeared too. [Been a regular member at Lucille Roberts gym since October.] I really miss the discipline and focus that comes from these sessions. Oh lord, were my muscles sore as hell for days afterwards.

[Duchess Note ... Good news! Some new commentary has been posted on FRIENDS OF FRIDAY FORUM. Check it out at: http://friendsoffridayforum.blogspot.com/]

NYC FRIENDS OF KUCINICH … Weekly Digest April 23rd

On the “Spotlight Section” of SK’s Congressional Website
In December, Congressman Kucinich requested the Congressional Research Service (CRS) compile a report on military construction in both Iraq and Afghanistan. On April 11, 2005, Congressman Kucinich received the final report and is now releasing it to the public. CRS found "projects that suggest a longer-term U.S. presence" in Iraq. These included $214 million for Balad Air Base and $49 million for the Taji Military Complex. This is the first congressional report that identified specific locations in Iraq where the U.S. is possibly constructing a permanent military presence in Iraq. http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/spotlightissueiraqreport.htm

Dennis Kucinich Speaking from the Floor of the House
April 14, 2005
"Mr. Speaker, almost half of the bankruptcies in the United States are connected to an illness in the family, whether people had health insurance or not. Middle-class Americans, who had the misfortune of either experiencing a medical emergency themselves or watching a family member suffer, were then forced to face the daunting task of pulling themselves out of debt. Bankruptcy law has allowed them to start over. It has given hope. Now this new law will put people on their own. Illness or emergency creates medical bills. We are telling the people that they themselves are to blame. At the same time, we are removing protections that would stay an eviction, that would keep a roof over the head of a working family. We allow the credit industry to trick consumers into using subprime cards, with exorbitant interest rate hikes and fees. Then we hand those same consumers over to an unforgiving prison of debt, to be put on a rack of insolvency and squeezed dry by the credit card industry. We are protecting the profits of the credit card industry instead of protecting the economic future of the American people. Americans are left on their own. That's what this Administration's 'Ownership Society' is all about -- you're on your own -- and your ship is sinking." (from the “Floor speeches from the 109th Congress” Section on the Home Page of www.kucinich.us)

Baltics and Annexation
April 18, 2005
RIGA, Latvia -- Leaders of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia on Friday welcomed a proposed U.S. congressional resolution calling on Russia to admit the Soviet Union's annexation of the Baltic states during World War II was illegal. U.S. lawmakers Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat, and John Shimkus, a Republican of Lithuanian heritage, said they were cosponsoring a resolution demanding "a clear and unambiguous" admission by Russia that the Soviet Union's five decade-long occupation of the Baltic states was wrong. (AP) NEWS IN BRIEF SECTION http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2005/04/18/031.html

Russian Senator Expresses Bewilderment over U.S. Congressmen's Resolution
April 18, 2005
MOSCOW, April 18 (LETA--ITAR-TASS) - The chairman of the Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee, the vice speaker of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Mikhail Margelov, expressed bewilderment over a draft resolution from nine U.S. congressmen which urges Russia to recognize the fact of the Soviet occupation of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. http://www.leta2000.com/eng/news.asp?NewsID=2005041817302300DE1B45B178CBA6DB

Hazards at the Capitol?
By Jackie Kucinich
April 19, 2005
http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/041905/hazards.html

House Roll Call Fuel Economy
April 20, 2005
In the 254-177 roll call Wednesday, by which the House rejected an attempt to require automakers to increase fuel economy to a fleet average of 33 miles per gallon over the next decade, Congressman Kucinich voted YES, in support of requiring automakers to increase fuel economy. By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS http://newsobserver.com/24hour/politics/story/2328742p-10549945c.html

Congressmen call on Moscow to Admit Occupation
April 20, 2005 and again April 22, 2005
The resolution urges the Russian government should issue a clear and unambiguous statement of admission and condemnation of the illegal occupation and annexation by the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991 of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. According to the draft, such a step by the Russian government would lead to improved relations between the people of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and the people of Russia, form the basis for improved relations between the governments of the countries, and strengthen stability in the region. The resolution was initiated by Congressman John Shimkus and joined by Dennis Kucinich and Christopher Cox, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security. By THE BALTIC TIMES staff http://www.baltictimes.com/hot1.php?art_id=12492

Progressive Democrats of America….Not an Oxymoron
April 20, 2005
One goal of PDA is to take back the Democratic Party, from the grassroots to Washington. Democrats can be Progressive? Really? Though there are certainly many elected Democrats who are not Progressive, Joe Lieberman comes immediately to mind, they are not reflective of the base of the Party. During the 2004 Election Cycle, the large number of progressive Democratic candidates got national attention in the Democratic Camp including Dennis Kucinich. Alysia Fischer is the National Policy Director of the Progressive Democrats of America and can be reached at: alysia@pdamerica.org AND http://www.ilcaonline.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2203&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0