LATEST NEWS ON CYNTHIA McKINNEY’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WITHIN THE GREEN PARTY

Cynthia's Statement on the Sean Bell Verdict
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/Statements/SeanBellVerdict

Exclusive Interview with Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney
Thadeus Greenson, The Times-Standard
http://www.times-standard.com/ci_9216109?source=rss

Black Women Vote Interviews Cynthia McKinney
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/337

Cynthia Speaks at May Day Rally with Dockworkers
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/346

Two Videos Of ILWU May Day "No Peace, No Work" Rally, Including Excerpts Of Cynthia's Speech, Now Available
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/348

Why the Republican and Democratic Parties and the Political Process are Obstacles to Real Democracy
Bruce Gagnon
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/349

PERSONAL NEWS #142

[Duchess Note – Greetings to all my loyal readers. Hope the spring weather has been delightful in your neck of the woods. Yes, it’s been awhile since my last personal news update, as I’ve been a busy bee at work and home. So the following is a condensed version for your reading pleasure.]

On Tuesday evening, April 1st, I attended the Knitting & Crochet meetup in Manhattan. My friend Linda G also joined me and we picked up new techniques from the other attendees. Plus admire some of the projects the other gals were working on.

On Saturday, April 5th, I headed up to Yonkers to do volunteer work at the ferret shelter. I hadn’t been up there since September 2007, as both Joanne and I had been so very busy with different projects.

I so miss the wee furballs and it was great socializing/grooming them. Many of their antics crack me up, plus it was good catching up on news with Joanne.

Next day, April 6th, I took MetroNorth up to South Norwalk [CT], where my dear good friend Katherine met me at the station. We hadn’t seen each other since October 2007. Went over to the bead shop in the SoNo section and made some purchases. Then we headed up to Bridgeport to have a delicious lunch at Red Lobster and I treated Katherine as a belated b-day pressie. [She turned 50 seven months before I do and I’ll be having a big b-day bash for mine.] This has been tradition with us since 1990. Afterwards we did some shopping at a few stores and then headed back to her house to meet Shane, her 1 ½ year old grandson. He’s a cute little fella and very much adored by my dear friend and her hubby Maurice. Shane’s mother, Aimee, is hardly ever around. I won’t smear my blog with thoughts on Aimee and her tarnished antics. The train ride back to NYC was uneventful.

On Tuesday, April 8th, after my foot doctor appointment, I traveled back to Brooklyn and made it in time for the monthly Community Board #1 meeting off of Graham Avenue. My first CB#1 meeting and it was packed. SRO! I kid you not! Didn’t stay for the whole meeting, as my foot was bothering me and there was no place to sit down. What I did observe was interesting and definitely a venue for a Dept of Peace campaign presentation. Need to do more research on community boards in general.

Thursday evening, April 10th, I participated in a conference call with two other NYDoP CCR committee members to discuss latest developments.

Sunday, April 13th, I volunteered with NYC MS Society at a “rest stop” in Brooklyn Heights at Cadman Plaza for the annual MS Walk. Weather turned out nice and we had a good turnout of volunteers, plus dozens of walkers. I did my first MS walk back in 1993 and since 1997 I’ve been volunteering my time. It’s for a worthy cause and I was representing two friends of mine who have MS. Pam passed away a few years ago and Gary still lives in Scotland.

Tuesday evening, April 15th, I participated in another conference call with NYDoP CCR committee members. We did prep work for an upcoming meeting with Yassky’s policy director.

Thursday, April 17th, was the monthly NYDoP board/core team meeting, which was held again at a conference room at my office. Unlike the previous month, this time around there was only 3 of us in attendance. That didn’t deter us and we had a productive meeting.

Saturday, April 19th, was “Earth Day” in NYC, and I attended an event geared towards this in McCarren Park near my home. Fortunately for all it was a lovely, warm spring day. Afterwards I purchased some goodies at the local farmers market, also located in McCarren Park. On the way home I stopped by the local florist/nursery for some gardening goodies. Need to take care of my house plants and purchased a few new plants. Around this time I made my first purchase of Isagenix products [ie: Ionix Supreme & Want More Energy] and been utilizing them every day since then. OMG!! This is great stuff, especially the Ionix Supreme, which gives me such energy, helps me sleep and staying more focused. One of these days I’ll do my first Isagenix cleanse, which I hear is so rejuvenating. To learn more about these wonderful products and the system, go to the link in the left hand column of my blog.

Tuesday evening, April 22nd, after my foot doctor appointment, I listened in on the monthly National DoP NVC conference call at 9pm.

On Wednesday, April 23rd, after work I attended the monthly PDA CD14 meeting on upper Eastside of Manhattan. Was invited to attend by former volunteers [ie: Alice & Jim] of NYC Kucinich Team. Some of those in attendance [ie: Bud, Al, Barbara, George] I know from other events, groups, campaigns and rallies. We caught up on news, which is mostly what is happening in the NYC political scene. What intrigued me most on the meeting agenda was a presentation on “Clean Money Clean Election” by Dan Jacoby.

Thursday evening, April 24th, after work I headed down to Brooklyn to attend my first Park Slope Knitters meetup. About 20+ were in attendance at Sweet Melissa’s Café on 7th Avenue. I learned there are two ways of knitting; there are the English and Continental variations. Because I’ve been crocheting for some time I learned I am more suited to the continental way. I spent an enjoyable evening chatting with the other members, admiring their work, eating delicious cheesecake and learning some tips of the trade. At one point I asked about the time and learned it was going on 9:30pm. OMG!! Packed my things, said goodbye to all, paid my bill and rushed out to get car service to head home. The bus and subway would have taken too long. I got home with 5 minutes to spare before a new episode of LOST came on TV. Whew!

On Saturday afternoon, April 26th, I attended the 5th Annual Brooklyn Peace Fair. NYDoP didn’t have a table this time around, so I brought my business cards with me to hand out while I networked all the tables. Handed out many business cards and talked about peace, DoP and the City Council resolution. I mostly hung out with Linda, Cielito and Max at their Share International table. As always Brooklyn Parents for Peace puts on a worthy event and never a dull moment. Overall it was a productive afternoon.

I took a vacation day on Tuesday, April 29th, so as to prep for the meeting with Tim Roberts at City Council member Yassky’s office. Kevin and Joe joined me, as we are part of the NYDoP CCR Committee working on getting DoP Resolution 627 passed. The weather that day was overcast, cool, abit rainy and windy. The half hour meeting went very well and it was quite informative. The three of us were very much jazzed by it all and have much planning work ahead of us.

SEVERAL BITS OF WEEKEND NEWS THAT ARE GREEN AND PROGRESSIVE

Kucinich Gets Amendment Passed to Help Areas with Rises in Vacancies
WKYC.com
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=89109&provider=gnews

Kucinich Announces $14B Plan to Fight Foreclosure Crisis
NewsNet5.com
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/16216337/detail.html

Pro-Impeachment Candidates for the U.S. House, Senate & White House in 2008
David Swanson, After Downing Street
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/2008candidates

Greens Introduce a Plan for Environmental Action for a Green President’s First 100 Days in Office
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/05/09/greens-introduce-a-plan-for-environmental-action-for-a-green-presidents-first-100-days-in-office/

[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in Texas for sharing the above articles.]

NEWS FROM THE POLICE REUNION TOUR

The Police Are Still A Force
The Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/story/611540.html



Police Beat Nostalgia, Say Proper Goodbye to Fans
Jeff Elbel, Chicago Sun-Times
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/poprock/943863,police051108.article

The Police Coming to the End
http://music.moldova.org/stiri/eng/118398/

Obama’s Money Cartel: How Barack Obama Fronted for the Most Vicious Predators on Wall Street
Pam Martens, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=613&Itemid=1
The candidate that claims to be the only presidential contender who doesn't take money from lobbyists is in fact the biggest recipient of lobby-related contributions. Barack Obama rakes in millions from law firms serving the interests of Wall Street, including the financial institutions that gave us the subprime lending crisis. Lawyers that work for firms that earn hundreds of millions of dollars for lobbying may technically not be lobbyists, but they share in their colleagues' earnings as influencers of Congress - a legal loophole that allows Obama to claim his hands are clean of lobby loot. "The top contributors to the Obama campaign are the very Wall Street firms whose shady mortgage lenders buried the elderly and the poor and minority under predatory loans."

[Duchess Note - Many thanks to Linda in Texas in sharing many articles (ie: politics and world events) over the past months.]

2008 Northeast Regional Conference for a U.S. Department of Peace Date: March 28-30 - Being the Change: Creating Peace at Home and in the World


[Photo: Several NYDoP Board and Core Team members Attended the Conference. In the photo they participated with DoP members from RI, VT, NH, CT, MA & ME]

Featured Speakers:
Dot Maver, Educator and Peacebuilder speaking on "Being the Change & the Global Peace Movement."
Dr. Ed Tick, author of "War and the Soul" speaking on "Healing the Soul Wounds of War".
Kathy Kidd, National Field Director, The Peace Alliance

NEWS FLASH! National Peace Academy! [Message from Dot Maver - Peace Partnership International]
We are pleased to announce that Peace Partnership International is part of a group effort to design and found a National Peace Academy in the United States of America. As we shared in our recent newsletter, last month a group met at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio to explore the idea of founding such an organization. It worked. From these meetings emerged a set of workgroups which have already begun to move forward with the planning process. A new Web site is online to facilitate the effort at http://www.nationalpeaceacademy.us/

In these challenging and hopeful times, we are the change that we are calling for. As Elise Boulding told the National Peace Academy vision/planning group last month, "This is the most important thing we can be doing right now." I invite you to take a moment to learn more about this historic endeavor. Please visit http://www.nationalpeaceacademy.us/

The Police Love NYC
Pollstar
http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=10107
The Police , who reunited for a 30th-anniversary world tour last year, say their final concert will take place this summer in New York City. Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland made the announcement today at a news conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The Police say Their Final Concert will Take Place in NYC
The Charlotte Observer
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/200/story/612029.html
The Police, who reunited for a 30th-anniversary world tour last year, say their final concert will take place this summer in New York City. Frontman Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland made the announcement Tuesday at a news conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Police say they have a special connection with the Big Apple.

LATEST IN POLITICS, PRIMARIES & ELECTION

Maryland Green Party to Send Diverse Delegation to Chicago
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/05/06/maryland-green-party-to-send-diverse-delegation-to-chicago/

Separate Oil & State – Follow the Oil Money
Oil Change International
http://oilmoney.priceofoil.org/faq.php

2008 Presidential Fundraising
Open Secrets.org
http://www.opensecrets.org/?gclid=CMfX2oaUkJMCFQ_NIgod7FcsUw

Campaign Finance News
CQ Money Line
http://moneyline.cq.com/pml/home.do

Clinton & Obama Fire Off Misleading Claims About Lobbyists & PAC Contributions
FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/pac-ing_heat.html

Big Pharma Opens Wallet to Dems – Liberals Have Lost Their Reputation as the Long-Standing Foes to Drugmakers as Party Lines Become Blurred with McCain
Aaron Smith, CNNMoney
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/04/news/companies/pharma_votes/index.htm

The Police Concert Review – Ottawa, Canada
Aedan Helmer, Sun Media
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/P/Police/ConcertReviews/2008/05/02/5451041-sun.html

The Worst Food Crisis In 45 Years
Amy Goodman, King Features Syndicate
http://www.alternet.org/stories/84130/
If our government and large food and energy interests don’t change direction, the food riots in distant lands will soon be coming to their doors.

Truthers for McKinney
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/04/27/truthers-for-mckinney/

Cynthia McKinney: Bell Verdict Shows Dred Scott Reality
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=606&Itemid=1

PRESS RELEASE: Kucinich To Introduce Legislation to Reduce Gas Prices
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=90280

Straight Talk About Gas Prices
Brad, Sadly No!
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/84123/
America’s political leaders have no one to blame but themselves for skyrocketing gas prices.

QUOTE OF THE DAY … The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. H. L. Mencken

In Iraq 70 Percent of People Lack Clean Water
Abigail Brown, Water for the Ages
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/84147/
The number of civilians in Iraq without water has risen from 50 percent to 70 percent during 2003 to 2007.

[Duchess Note: Commentary on the “Lack Clean Water” article from “thoughtcriminal” … The same corporation that gets your city water contract probably has an Iraq contract too. If not there, then in Afghanistan, check out http://www.corpwatch.org/ ... Also, many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing some of the articles today.]

Message from S.A.Cripps – Possible New Pearl Jam Album
"Mike McCready made two radio appearances in the last few days and talked, among other things, about Pearl Jam's new album: on April 25, Mike was on 107.7 The End to talk about the CCFA concert and mentioned that they were currently working on the new album. He didn't give up any more info except that they were working with their old producer (Brendan O'Brien). On April 30, he was on 104.9 FunkyMonkey and further confirmed Brendan O'Brien (right at the end of this interview). He also said the band is working on '5 ideas' so far." http://www.pearljamonline.it/newsENGversion.htm#newalbumstone

The sorting hat says that I belong in Hufflepuff!

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, and treat them just the same."

Hufflepuff students are friendly, fair-minded, modest, and hard-working. A well-known member was Cedric Diggory, who represented Hogwarts in the most recent Triwizard Tournament.

Take the most scientific Harry Potter Quiz ever created.

Get Sorted Now!

QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable. H. L. Mencken

[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Judith in NYC in sharing the above quote.]

Corporate America Hearts Obama
Chris Hedges, Truthdig
http://www.alternet.org/election08/83890/
The corporate state is our shadow government. Candidates who aspire to higher office get corporate money if they promote corporate interests. They are shut out of the national debate -- look at Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader -- if they do not. Defy the corporate state and you get handed a ticket to oblivion. You become invisible. Work for it and you are showered with tens of millions of dollars and the possibility of political power.

Barack Obama's campaign message, filled with lofty promises of change and hope, is also filled with repeated reassurances to the corporate elite. Pick up a copy of Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope." The subtext is clear. It is a steady reminder to corporate America, a reminder bolstered by Obama's voting record that corporations would have nothing to fear from an Obama presidency.

The corporations have gotten the message. The same Beltway lobbyists, corporate donors and public relations firms, the same weapons manufacturers, defense contractors, nuclear power companies and Wall Street interests that give Clinton and John McCain money, give Obama money. They happen, in fact, to give Obama more. And the corporate state, which is carrying out a coup d'état in slow motion, believes it will prosper in Obama's hands. If not, he would not be a viable candidate. We have come full circle, back to the age of the robber barons and railroad magnates of the late 19th century who selected members of corrupt state assemblies to be their pliable senators and congressmen and sent them off to Washington to do their bidding.

[Duchess Note: Corporations love Obama and if change happens it’ll be in their favor, not in favor of millions of poor/middle class Americans. Many corporations, like GE, want to keep the occupation of Iraq on the agenda and Obama will obey them, not us. Corporations have been the “shadow government” for decades. For them its about supreme imperialism and not democracy. Their lobbyists control many in congress and the senate. If we want real change, its time to take down these corporations and their lobbyists, as well as vote out those in DC who willing take their bribes. Plus vote out those at state levels who also take the bribes of corporate lobbyists. We need true, sincere progressives in DC like Dennis Kucinich and Cynthia McKinney. They are there for us, the American people.]

You Can Help Make Violence Reduction and Prevention a National Priority - Stand for Peace in Congress
Sign the Petition at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/696/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=946 Congress is a reactive body. We must come together to make our voices heard and tell our representatives in Washington that violence reduction and prevention must be a top priority. Sign the petition and let Congress know that you stand for peace. Ask your friends to sign the petition as well.

“Democracy In Action” will deliver the petition to Congress on September 11, 2008 to: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, House Minority Leader John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

• A 2004 World Health Organization report estimated the cost of interpersonal violence in the U.S. at more than $300 billion per year--excluding war-related costs. The cost to victims was estimated at more than $500 billion per year.[ The Economic Dimensions of Interpersonal Violence, World Health Organization, 2004 ]

National Peace Academy Initiative Launched!
Over 30 people from around the world attended a two-day National Peace Academy Vision Meeting earlier this week at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. In a process of Appreciative Inquiry, led by Case’s David Cooperrider, the group enthusiastically bonded in launching a design process for a National Peace Academy in the United States. The group:

1. Decided to convene a Global Stakeholder Summit in March 2009, which will bring together 300-500 people to carry forward the design process (exact dates and locale yet to be determined)

2. Decided that Peace Partnership International, the Biosophical Institute, and the Business as an Agent of World Benefit at Case Western University’s Weatherhead School of Management will constitute a consortium to carry the process forward, with Peace Partnership International and Biosophical Institute serving as secretariat for the effort

3. Established teams that will carry out research, planning and organizing activities preparatory to the Global Stakeholder Summit

4. Reserved URLs to establish a National Peace Academy website

[Duchess Note: Stay tuned for more details to come! I'm a board member and active volunteer with "New Yorkers for a Dept of Peace" chapter and campaign. Read more about DoP HR808 legislation at our website ... http://www.nyc-dop.com/ ]

THE WEEKEND IS UPON US – HERE IS THE LATEST IN NEWS

Press Release – Kucinich Passes Amendment to Protect Ohio’s Beaches
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=89011

Longshoremen will Close West Coast Ports on May 1 to Protest War
Dan Bacher
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/04/24/18494943.php
The Port Workers May Day Organizing Committee yesterday announced that Cynthia McKinney, former Congresswoman from Georgia; Danny Glover, renowned actor and political activist; and Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star mother whose son Casey was killed in Iraq four years ago, will be among the featured speakers at the "No Peace, No Work" Holiday mobilization in San Francisco on May 1st.

The Popular Vote Fallacy
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/04/04/the-popular-vote-fallacy.aspx
Excellent presentation of facts. It will be very hard for Clinton or Obama to win the National Election. Clinton can't win enough votes in the Border South, Deep South, Midwest Plains (Obama has won 7 Midwest states already), or Mountain States. Obama has a much better chance of winning in those states then Clinton. So, without each other, it's unlikely that a Democrat will win the Whitehouse."

[Duchess Note: Cheers to Linda in TX for her continued work in activism and sharing interesting articles with the Duchess blog.]

LIVE FROM NYC – NEWS AND COMMENTARY

Outspoken War Critic Poised for Green Party Run
Matthew Cardinale, Inter Press Service
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/23/8468/

[Duchess Note – Cynthia McKinney definitely has my support and vote this November in the General Elections. If I voted for the Democrat nominee in November, well, my conscious will not be at ease and I refuse to support corporate imperialism. Greens all the way!]

Clinton Threatens to ‘Obliterate’ Iran
Robert Scheer, TruthDig.com
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/23/8480/
On primary election day in Pennsylvania, even with polls showing her well ahead in that state, Hillary went lower in her grab for votes. Seizing upon a question as to how she would respond to a nuclear attack by Iran, which doesn’t have nuclear weapons, on Israel, which does, Hillary mocked reasoned discourse by promising to “totally obliterate them,” in an apparent reference to the population of Iran. That is not a word gaffe; it is an assertion of the right of our nation to commit genocide on an unprecedented scale. Shouldn’t the potential leader of a nation that used nuclear bombs to obliterate hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese employ extreme caution before making such a threat? Neither the Japanese then nor the Iranian people now were in a position to hold their leaders accountable, and to approve such collective punishment of innocents is to endorse terrorism. This from a candidate who attacked her opponent for suggesting targeted strikes against militants in Pakistan and derided his openness to negotiations with other national leaders as an irresponsible commitment on the part of a contender for the presidency.

[Duchess Note – Insane talk from a person/candidate I’ve never liked nor trusted since the early 1990s. How dare she say such things! Iran and Iraq never had nuclear weapons, whereas the US and Israel have MANY. Iran and Iraq are NOT a threat it’s the other way around.]

Global Marshall Plan Endorsement
The Network of Spiritual Progressives
http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/article.php?story=20071220085221851

Corporate Reporters Tell Lies for a Living
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=596&Itemid=1

[Duchess Note – Many thanks to Linda in TX and Judith in NY for their contributions.]

PERSONAL NEWS #141
March 21st through March 23rd, I visited my parents in upstate NY for the Easter holiday weekend.

On Tuesday evening, March 25th, after my foot doctor appointment, I joined several activist acquaintances in Union Square for the candlelight vigil. The 4000th US soldier was killed in Iraq the day before and we were out there to mourn ALL the soldiers. Despite the cool, windy temps there was a good turnout for the event; which was organized by CodePink, Brooklyn Parents for Peace and UFPJ. Afterwards Linda G and I went to Starbucks for a warm drink and discuss latest events.

Wednesday evening, March 26th, I participated in the monthly National DoP District Team Leader conference call at 9pm.

On Thursday, March 27th, after work, I attended an Isagenix event in Manhattan with my friend Cielito. She invited me as her guest, as she’s been part of this network/organization for about a year, and wanted me to check it out. Got to try some of the products, listen to inspiring speeches, watch a video on Isagenix and overall learn more about it. Not sure if I’m ready to be part of this business on a part-time basis, but I AM very much interested in the products AND utilizing them.

On Saturday afternoon, March 29th, I hosted an Isagenix [ http://www.isagenix.com/us/en/home.dhtml ] presentation at my home and Cielito was the spokesperson/consultant. Stephanie and Lee attended the gathering and we all had a nice time, plus tried some of the delicious products.

Sunday afternoon, March 30th, I took a bus from Port Authority to Valley Cottage, NY for the annual “Tolkien Reading Day” event. This year it was held at the Valley Cottage library and about 12+ were in attendance. Unfortunately Jessica and Anthony couldn’t be there due to prior commitments. Those in attendance that I knew were Timdalf, Dennis, Kathy, Mary and Andie. Helped Timdalf hang up the lovely LOTR banners as guests joined in event. During the two hour agenda there was songs by Dennis/ Andie, a raffle of several LOTR goodies and several folk, including me, gave readings from either the Hobbit or LOTR books by Tolkien. I read a small segment from “The Council of Elrond” in FOTR. Wasn’t that good at it, abit nervous, messed up a few words, but I persevered until the end. The best reading, by far, was by Timdalf. After cleaning up we headed off to a local pizza place for some nourishment and lively conversation on several topics. Andie drove me to a bus stop in Nyack and I got home around 9:30pm.

LIVE FROM NYC – IT’S THE LATEST IN CURRENT NEWS

Cynthia McKinney, Green Party Presidential Candidate, interviewed by WBAI Pacifica about – War in Iraq & the Dept of Peace
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/cynthia-mckinney-green-party-presidential-candidate-interviewed-on-issues/2080730332
Also, challenges trying to support Impeachment, bringing the troops home, repealing the Patriot Act, supporting Civil Rights in the Democratic Party. Voting Your Values and why she's become a Green. Her friend Dennis Kucinich and the challenge they faced being independent thinkers as Democrats. Depressing voter turnout as election spoiler. Economic problems and solutions. Supporting organized labor. Greening society. Had she been Speaker of the House. Health Care Issues. Thoughts about VP and Cabinet and your input. Taking the next step and becoming a Green.

Why Not a Department of Peace?
Gary Borders, News-Journal.com
http://www.news-journal.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2008/04/13/04132008_Borders_column.html

Petreaus & Crocker, Obama & Clinton: No Matter Who Wins, the War Goes On
Bruce Dixon, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=594&Itemid=1

Kucinich Re-election Bid Raises $830K in Six Weeks
Sabrina Eaton, Cleveland Plain Dealer
http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/04/kucinich_reelection_bid_raises.html

Memo to Petraeus & Crocker: More Laughs, Please
Dick Cavett, Talk Show
http://cavett.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/memo-to-petraeus-crocker-more-laughs-please/?th&emc=th

Hell Entrance Freezes Over in Omaha
David Swanson, OpEdNews.com
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_david_sw_080411_hell_entrance_freeze.htm

Look Who Capitulated to the Communists! Nixon and the Neocons of Bush & Cheney!
Bill Hare, Political Cortex
http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2008/4/8/162645/6200

Time for Changes Journal – How Societies Regress to Become Pathocracies
DemocraticUnderground.com
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Time%20for%20change/297

At the time of Bruce Springsteen’s hit song: BORN IN THE USA, a letter to the Editor by Linda Zoblotsky
I wonder how many people love Bruce Springsteen’s song, BORN IN THE USA just because the name of the song is BORN IN THE USA and he sings BORN IN THE USA? I wonder how many people who love that song actually take a look at the lyrics. Bruce Springsteen is singing about a man who fought in Viet Nam for the United States military and when he came back, he couldn’t find a job, medical and mental health help or a place to live. Some people believe we should have a long-term presence and occupation of the country of Iraq, a country which is not the 51st state of the USA. BORN IN THE USA is an angry song and people returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will have their own stories to tell. The discussion about Obama’s minister spreading hate because he said the words, “God Damn America” has no weight unless we can really stop the wheels of the Pledge of Allegiance going around in our brain and realize that Jeremiah Wright was speaking about the real life experience of what some African Americans and other Americans live from day to day. When Bruce Springsteen sang BORN IN THE USA did the mainstream media question Bruce Springsteen’s patriotism and did the public of the USA protest against Bruce Springsteen and stop buying his records? If these kinds of honest songs and sentiments are very real and if we are a free country, then why are we afraid to listen to and let people express their real life experience?

[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for the above articles. FYI, many updates to the “links” in left hand column.]

Fair Food Nation
Please join me and others across the U.S. in signing this petition for a worthy cause. Click on the link to learn more ... http://fairfoodnation.mayfirst.org/petition

25th Anniversary! Quarter of a Century!
[Duchess Note - When I was in Grand Central Station over the weekend [traveling to Yonkers on Saturday and CT on Sunday], I noticed banners proclaiming MetroNorth 25th anniversary. No, I am not celebrating MetroNorth's anniversary, but my own. A month late, but still, I am celebrating 25 years of living in NYC. Half of my life spent living here in the Big Apple and its been fascinating. I moved here from southern Connecticut on March 14, 1983 when the Conrail train strike was going on. What a pain in the butt that was ... train strike ... not the move to NYC! Lived on the eastside of Manhattan for two years and then moved to northern Brooklyn. So pop the champagne bottle and celebrate ... WooHoo!]

The BIG Lie: Nader Cost Gore the Presidency
John Marciano / Commentary

Ralph Nader's announcement that he will attempt another presidential run has brought predictable outrage from Democrats who blame Nader for Al Gore's loss in the 2000 election. They point to the critical Florida result where the latter lost by only 537 votes out of a total of 5,963,110.

Space limitations do not allow me to discuss many important issues surrounding the 2000 election and the ongoing 2008 campaign — such as electoral fraud and intimidation by the Republicans and the gift by the Supreme Court (5-4) of the contested election to Bush; criticism from Greens and independents about Nader's campaign and questions about why he and Cynthia McKinney (former Congresswoman from Georgia) are not running together on the Green ticket; the contention that there is not “a dime's worth of difference” between the Democrats and Republicans on fundamental issues; and whether genuine progressive change should focus on electoral politics, especially at the presidential level, rather than building a movement from below that will bring about substantive change in the nation. For a discussion of these relevant matters and presidential politics every four years, see historian Howard Zinn's article on “Election Madness” in February's Progressive magazine.

Instead, I want to focus on the “big lie” that Ralph Nader spoiled Al Gore's 2000 victory because Nader's total caused Gore to be denied Florida's electoral votes and thus the presidency. This assertion is totally untrue. It was not Nader's 97,000-plus votes in Florida that cost Gore the election, but the 900,000-plus registered Democrats there who did not support him. One can say the same of the millions of registered Democrats in other states who voted for Bush or who did not bother to vote. In November 2000, the San Francisco Chronicle estimated that 200,000 registered Florida Democrats voted for Bush. Nader himself put the figure at 250,000. Regardless of these estimates, the overall facts in Florida are indisputable: In 2000, there were approximately 3,853,000 registered Democrats, 43.4 percent of the electorate, compared to approximately 3,474,000 Republicans, or 39.1 percent. The rest were independents or registered with smaller parties. Gore received 2,912,253 votes there in 2000, 940,747 less than the total number of registered Democrats.

The facts are clear: Some 941,000 Florida Democrats did not vote for Gore, nearly 10 times the number who voted for Nader. So who is to blame for losing the election — the Democrats or the Greens and others who voted for Nader and, by implication, Nader himself? Democratic laments about the lost 2000 election in Florida and nationally obscure the truth: Democrats handed Bush the election; STOP BLAMING NADER!

John Marciano, a long-time Ithaca resident, lives in Santa Monica, CA ... to read the article, go to: http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080409/OPINION02/804090305

SEAN BEAN CURRENTLY IN INDIA FILMING A NEW "SHARPE" TV MOVIE


LATEST NEWS TO ROCK THE WIRES

Housing Gets Ugly
Paul Krugman, Economists View
http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2006/08/paul_krugman_ho_1.html

Kucinich Helps to Secure Major Changes in EPA Rule on Lead – More Changes Still Needed
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=87764

Is It Time for the Peace Movement to Start Protesting Senator Obama?
Kevin Zeese, The Peoples Voice
http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/cgi-bin/blogs/voices.php/2008/04/03/is_it_time_for_the_peace_movement_to_sta

Iraq War Five Years Later – No End In Sight
Askia Muhammad & Saeed Shabazz, FinalCall.com
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_4532.shtml

The Real Foreign Policy of Barack Obama
Shane Jones
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/04/01/18489944.php

[DUCHESS NOTE - Many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing the above articles.]

PERSONAL NEWS #140
On Saturday, March 1st, in the late afternoon, I strolled over to Amy’s place for her “give-away get-together”. Amy was also on the NYC Kucinich for President Team and helped organize the successful tabling in Union Square back in January. She organized this get-together to give away some of her things, as she was planning on moving to Texas end of the month. Devery also showed up and we caught up on Kucinich news, plus activism. While drinking wine the group [10 adults] looked over the displayed items and picked up goodies. It was an enjoyable evening and I headed home with some treasures.

Tuesday evening, March 4th, I listened in on the monthly National Dept of Peace conference call, which is always informative and inspiring.

Saturday evening, March 8th, I joined my friend Jackie in Greenwich Village for dinner at Village Natural, catch up on news and do some fun shopping at Nova Ice.

Tuesday afternoon, March 11th, I had an MRI done on my left foot, which has been bothering me once again. Is it the Plantar Fascia or something else? I’ll learn more on the 18th.

Early Friday evening, March 14th, I did some volunteering at the “Left Forum” at the Cooper Union in Manhattan. I was filling in for my friend Cielito who couldn’t make it.

Tuesday evening, March 18th, was the monthly conference call with NYDoP CCR Committee at 8:45pm. The committee [ie: Kevin, Joe & I] discussed what had transpired since last call and the monthly NYDoP core team meeting. Earlier that evening I had an appointment with my foot doctor. The verdict is I still have a partial tear on the plantar ligament. Having therapy done once a week, taking anti-inflammatory pills, plus lots of stretching.

Wednesday evening, March 19th, I joined my friend Linda G at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn to protest the continuing US occupation of Iraq. Brooklyn Parents for Peace group were the main organizers of this March and vigil. Despite the rain and wind about 30 to 40 protestors came out on the 5th Anniversary. Hadn’t seen Linda in awhile and we caught up on news while marching from Grand Army Plaza to Army/Navy/Marine recruit station. Along the way pedestrians gave us the peace sign and many motorists honked their horns in solidarity. We held the vigil across the street from the recruiting station, which was flanked by at least a dozen cops.

None of us crossed the street and conducted our candlelight vigil peacefully. Afterwards Linda and I walked towards Fulton Mall to have dinner at an IHOP. Afterwards we headed back to Park Slope by subway, and while looking for Linda’s car, came across a neat looking building and decided to check it out. Turned out to be the Montauk Club on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn and we picked up info on club membership.

Thursday evening, March 20th, was the monthly NYDoP Board and Core Team meeting. This month it was held at a conference room at my office. We had a decent turnout of about 10 folk, of which two were guests [ie: Lawrence & Jason] of Core Team member Priscilla. Also, Dorine brought a member of the LIDoP, while Joe participated via conference call. Overall it was a good meeting, fun moments and much accomplished.

Going Dark Every Night - Staying Dark - GREEN HOUR! [Message below from Andrew Bayuk at MySpace.com]

On Saturday, March 29th, 2008 a whole lot of people around the world turned off their lights (and some their electricity) for one hour from 8 PM to 9PM local time. I participated in this because I thought it seemed like a cool idea. It was billed as, "Going Dark".

Sitting there with the lights off and in silence I began to think of the impact of this gesture. I realized that this would cut the oil consumption on a huge scale with such a small personal sacrifice. I realized that with a little organization people can make a bigger difference to our massive energy problems by doing relatively little things.

Then I started to think about Iraq. It has always been my opinion that attacking Iraq was a huge mistake, predicated on a lie for the real purpose of securing oil supplies, and also for some companies to disproportionately profit from the ravages of war (ie: no bid contracts).

And we’re constantly told by our administration, for which I have NO trust and LESS respect, that the Iraqis are better off today than before the war. In addition to the fact that the typical safety level of the average Iraqi citizen is very LOW, that their unemployment levels are astronomical, these people have only an AVERAGE OF ONE HOUR OF WORKING ELECTRICITY EACH AND EVERY DAY!!

Am I the only one who finds this outrageous and unacceptable?? I think not! So, I have derived that the idea of continuing to go dark, a "Green Hour", EVERY NIGHT, from 8 PM to 9 PM local time would serve several purposes:

* It will reduce oil consumption. The more people that do it, the more oil will be conserved.
* Because they keep telling us that the rising price of oil is in part due to supply and demand, it would ultimately bring down the price of gas and heating oil if enough people participate.
* It will help the environment and help to slow global warming.
* It will allow people to sit and think, or if they have families to have a solid hour together EVERY DAY without personal distractions or the distractions of modern "necessities" such as TV, video games, computers, phones, CELL PHONES, etc. This is prime time for family to read, sing, play games, talk, or get the little ones ready for bed with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Hmmm, imagine that....
* It will make a statement that it is unacceptable that the Iraqi people only have one hour of electricity turned ON each day.
* Of course, this will reduce my electric bill which will return more money to my family to use for better reasons, in effect, it is good to stimulate the current economy on an ongoing basis, as opposed to a token and inadequate handout by our government which will make no real long term difference, and oh yes, by the way, WILL BE TAXED ON NEXT YEARS RETURN!

So, I am going to do it. I am going dark every night for the time being, and I invite people who care about these things to join me for GREEN HOUR! It will take commitment, but really not much, some courage and some personal inconvenience, but I think it will be worth it.

PERSONAL NEWS #139

[Duchess Note … I know, I know, it’s been awhile since my last full update on personal news. Sincere apologies to my faithful readers and the following is a condensed version of updates. Enjoy!]

Thursday evening, February 7th, I joined a few other NYDoP Core Team members [ie: Chris, Adriana & Joe] to table at the Marianne Williamson lecture in midtown Manhattan. Originally I wasn’t going to go, but changed my mind at last minute and so glad I did. Marianne’s lecture, or talk, was mostly about the “new midlife” and issues we deal with when we reach a certain age. I thought it one of her best lectures and really struck a cord within me, as I’ve been dealing with some issues lately on several levels. Her lecture moved me so much that I purchased her latest book … “The Age of Miracles – Embracing the New Midlife”. As I type this “update” I’m almost done with the book and I highly recommend it. She talked about forgiveness, enlightenment, spirituality, rebirth and healing. One of her comments that stuck with me was … “Forgiveness involves faith in a love that’s greater than hatred and a willingness to see the light in someone’s soul even when their personality has harbored darkness”. That statement made me think of some former friends. Marianne’s main message that evening was “midlife is not the end, but the beginning of a wonderful journey and many new experiences”. I t was great hanging out with some NYDoP folk, speaking with Marianne and absorbing the whole experience.

Sunday afternoon, February 10th, I was invited over to a fellow NYC Kucitizens [Devery] home for knitting lessons. Devery lives not far from my abode in northern Brooklyn and it was a delightful afternoon. Devery’s friend Livia joined us and I taught them the basics of crocheting. Afterwards I hung out for a bit with Devery and her hubby Clay. They are such cool, groovy folk.

On Sunday, February 17th, I visited my friend Larry who does a wonderful job taking care of my taxes every year. Afterwards I stopped by my office to make copies to the tax items and then headed to the upper Eastside to hangout with Veronica [NYC Kucitizen]. Sat around catching up on news/gossip [we’re Harry Potter fans], eating apple turnovers and went out afterwards to stroll around her neighborhood. The area she lives in is near Gracie Mansion, thrift shops, cafes, bakeries, etc.

On Thursday evening, February 21st, the NYDoP had their monthly board/core team meeting. Small turnout this month [Joe, Dawn and I], plus we couldn’t unlock the door to the meeting space and decided to adjourn to Heartland Brewery down the street.

The following evening, February 22nd, I had a one-hour free health consultation with Eve Rosenberg [“One Body One Life], whom I’d met at the Feb 7th Marianne Williamson event. Interesting consultation and enlightening, but the subsequent six month sessions would have been abit pricey. Will pass for now and consider it at a later date.

Friday evening after work, February 29th, I met up with my friend Cielito at WholeFoods down at Union Square. My first time in this branch of WholeFoods and there is a café on the second floor. I noshed on a delicious almond crunch Gelato, while Cielito had sushi. We caught up on events/gossip and I related the news about that “health consultation” I’d had the week before. She’s into Isagenix and told me about the products and business. I was greatly intrigued and said I’d host one of her presentations at my abode. We set a date for end of March on a Saturday. Overall an enjoyable evening.

Peace Action - Four Thousand Lives Later
Photos by Matthew Weinstein
On March 25 2008, the day after the 4,000th US soldier died in Iraq, hundreds of New Yorkers held a candlelight vigil in Union Square to silently mourn the dead. To see more photos, go to … http://bicyclist.smugmug.com/gallery/4590864_aYTAN/1/270722899_x3UmH#270721927




[Duchess in the photo all way to the right – the back of my long reddish/brown hair in ponytail]

[Duchess Note - Check out some great new commentary over at FOFF (Friends of FridayForum) today. Link is in the lefthand column of this blog. Be peace.....]

PEACE CAN BE FOUND IN NYC


Little House of Peace
Poem & Photo by Joe Allegro

Upon my appointed rounds, each day I drive,
for efficiency, swiftness and order, each day I strive.
In my city car, I scurry through the streets of flushing,
Hoping not to damage or injure, with all of my rushing.

Are the routes completed, are all the streets clean?
Have complaints been answered, was everyone seen?
Did I remember to do, all the things on my list?
With a brain such as mine, surely something’s been missed.

On the radio I tune, to the news of the day,
Though its seldom uplifting, hearing what they say.
Greed, abuse violence, and another roadside bomb,
Has our species lost its mind, can we only do harm?

Yet I know its untrue, we have the potential to be,
The embodiment of Divine, endless possibility.
Though sometimes depressed, I know all will be fine,
The universe always, seems to send me a sign.

This workday some hope, will wonders never cease,
This day I happen upon, a little house of peace.
Brightly painted, with peace signs and words that dance,
Simply stated above the doorway, “give peace a chance”

LIVE FROM NEW YORK CITY – UDPATE ON NEWS

ABC News “River to River Peace Demonstration” Coverage on March 22nd
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/media?id=6036476

Photos & Video Coverage From Code Pink Washington DC Actions On March 18 & 19
http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?id=4069

Only Two Newspapers Put 4,000 US Troop Deaths on Front Page
Steven Reynolds, All Spin Zone
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/mediaculture/80528/
Meanwhile, Fox News would rather debate the significance of Bill Richardson’s beard.

The Poverty of the Presidential Campaign
Sam Smith, Progressive Review
http://amleft.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_amleft_archive.html#5490514708834294430

Letter to Workers World – Cynthia McKinney Election Campaign
Fred Vitale, Green Party of Michigan
http://www.workers.org/2008/us/letters_0327/

[Duchess Note: Many thanks to some fellow Kucitizens for the above articles. Also, new commentary updates over at “Friends of Friday Forum”. To learn more about Cynthia McKinney’s campaign, go to http://www.runcynthiarun.org/ ]

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT - LIBERAL NEWS

A Conscientious Objection
Chris Hedges, Truthdig
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080323_a_conscientious_objection/
Examine the proposals on Iraq offered by Clinton and Obama. They talk about withdrawing some troops, but they also talk about leaving behind forces to protect U.S. bases in Iraq, assigning troops to train the Iraqi army and continuing the fight against “terrorism.” Clinton and Obama do not throw out numbers, but a rough estimate would be 40,000 or 50,000 troops permanently stationed in Iraq. Obama, his advisers say, will also not rule out continuing to use private security companies like Blackwater Worldwide in Iraq. The war would not end under a Democratic administration. It would drag on until the mission collapsed and the U.S. retreated in humiliation. And when pressed, the Democratic candidates have admitted as much. Tim Russert in the New Hampshire debate asked the Democratic candidates to guarantee that all U.S. troops in Iraq would be home by 2013. No one, including John Edwards, was prepared to make such a commitment. Dennis Kucinich, the only Democratic candidate who opposed a continuation of the war, had been excluded from the debate. When the question was asked he was standing outside the hall in the snow with supporters to protest his exclusion.

QUOTE OF THE MOMENT - When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you. Lao-Tzu

Message From “Brooklyn Peace Net” - Brooklyn Said NO to Five Years of War on March 19th
A fantastic outpouring of Brooklyn residents last night, March 19, with a march and vigil starting at Grand Army Plaza and ending with a very emotional candlelight vigil at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station a mile north at Flatbush Avenue and Livingston Street. My thoughts and photos right here ... http://bicyclist.blogspot.com/2008/03/brooklyn-said-no-to-war-last-night.html


[Duchess and her friend Linda stand behind lady with sign at the Brooklyn vigil.]

Dennis Kucinich at the Winter Soldier Event
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70whDtNB7Pw

Dennis Kucinich Speaks About Secret Congress Meeting!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgnbFCbnB24&feature=related

US Is Decades Behind Europe in Contraceptives, Experts Report
Philip Hilts, NYTimes
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE6D9143AF936A25751C0A966958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print

Free Countries Must Defy Chinese Blackmail and Greet the Dalai Lama
Timothy Garton Ash, Comment Is Free
http://www.alternet.org/audits/80509/
It would be great to watch the Olympics in Beijing this summer, but not over the dead bodies of Buddhist monks.

[Duchess Note: Many thanks to those who contributed the articles above. The Duchess was at the March and vigil on March 19th, protesting the US invasion and occupation of that country.]

LIVE FROM NYC – THE LATEST IN REAL NEWS

An Insightful Personal Conversation with Cynthia McKinney
http://www.runcynthiarun.org/Video/InsightfulPersonConversationWithCynthia

McKinney Interviewed
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/03/10/mckinney-interviewed/

Want REAL Change? Support Cynthia McKinney’s Power to the People Presidential Campaign!
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/269

Why We Do Not Have Impeachment
Michael Cavlan, OpEdNews.com
http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_michael__080322_why_we_do_not_have_i.htm

Obama’s Church of Contradictions
Lisa Miller, Washington Post
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/lisa_miller/2008/03/obamas_church_of_contradiction.html

‘So?’ – A Note from Michael Moore
http://www.michaelmoore.com/

Lulling Americans Into False Sense of Security
William Lewis, Scoop Independent News
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/print.html?path=HL0803/S00343.htm

[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda Z and Chris in sharing the above articles. Duchess will be supporting the Green Party during the NY primary in September and in November's General Election. The Corporate Imperialists do not represent my interests nor my values. They will adhere only to the ultra rich and powerful.]

MESSAGE FROM THE "RE-ELECT CONGRESSMAN KUCINICH COMMITTEE" --Ending the War & Rescuing Our Nation
On this, the 5th anniversary of the war against Iraq, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, the leading anti-war voice in the U.S. Congress, asks all citizens to engage in a renewed quest for peace and a national civic activism to ensure that candidates -- from the Presidential race on down -- understand that ending the war is crucial to rescuing our own nation. Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PY8RZT3zAs

LIVE FROM NYC – REAL LIBERAL & PROGRESSIVE NEWS

Kucinich Opposes FISA Bill That Infringes On Fourth Amendment Rights
March 14th Press Release
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=86082

Congressman Kucinich Appearance on DEMOCRACY NOW – March 14th
http://www.archive.org/stream/dn2008-0314_vid/dn2008-0314_256kb.mp4

New Co-Sponsor! Congratulations to New York's 11th Congressional District!
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D) signed on as a co-ponsor to HR 808, the legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence, on March 11, 2008. This brings our total number of co-sponsors (including the sponsor, Congressman Kucinich) to 69. Please call or write the Congresswoman and thank her for her courage, vision and commitment to peace. You can reach Congresswoman Clarke's DC office at ... Phone: (202) 225-6231 OR Fax: (202) 226-0112

More Dishonesty From MoveOn
Message from Democrats.com/Unity
http://www.democrats.com/more-dishonesty-from-moveon

Peace Movement ‘Leadership’ Demands? Five Years of Ineffective Action – What Have We Accomplished
Robert Jereski, NYC Independent Media Center
http://www.newyork.indymedia.org/es/2008/02/94456.html

Obama: What Blacks and Progressives Have Bought Into
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Radio Commentary
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=553&Itemid=34
Blacks and so-called progressives have abandoned their obligation to demand anything from Barack Obama. Especially among African Americans, there is a refusal to even listen to Obama's actual policy positions on matters such as military spending and troop strength or subprime lending disaster relief - issues that go to the very heart of his often profoundly UNPROGRESSIVE policy stances. This historical abdication of responsibility to make politicians accountable has already rendered progressives of all races, irrelevant. Left and Black "leaders" claim they will get around to challenging Obama later on - after he's ensconced securely in the Oval Office. They know nothing - or pretend to know nothing - about mass social behavior. Grass roots action cannot be switched on and off. Once the last vestiges of a movement are shut down, it takes many years to start it up again.

[Duchess Note – Many thanks to Linda (TX), Judith and Rob in sharing the above articles.]

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY TO ALL - BE PEACE & WEAR GREEN

Message from the “Re-Elect Congressman Kucinich Committee” - After Five Years of War, Send a Powerful Message

Five years ago this Wednesday, March 19, 2003, Republican President George Bush launched his illegal, immoral and deceitful war against Iraq. Two weeks ago, 10,000 Republicans in Ohio's 10th Congressional District launched a different kind of strike - changing their party affiliation to vote in a Democratic primary election fueled by an unscrupulous "Dump Dennis" campaign targeting the strongest, most vocal, and most consistent critic of George Bush's policies, foreign and domestic: U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich.

Dennis survived the challenge and won the primary, but he needs your help to retain that Congressional seat and continue speaking out on your behalf. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_sKw5OcuhA

You can send a powerful message to the Bush Administration, to the Republican leadership, to those thousands of "Dump Dennis" Republicans, to the nation and to the world by making a contribution today to "Keep Dennis." http://kucinich.us/contribute.html

If you can contribute $10, $20, $100, or more by midnight Wednesday, March 19th, you'll be letting everyone know where you stand – and who you want standing up for you in the U.S. Congress. And please, watch this previous video message from Dennis to better understand what's at stake. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WTEhYzEuzs

On Wednesday, March 19, at 6pm - Brooklyn Says No to War! Gather at Grand Army Plaza
Gather at junction of Union Street and Plaza Street West, at foot of horse statue, across from Farmers Market. Press conference starts 5:30 pm. March leaves Grand Army Plaza at 6:20 pm, along Flatbush Avenue to Military Recruiting Station at 41 Flatbush Avenue (at Livingston), downtown Brooklyn. Vigil and speakers at Military Recruiting Station, 7-8 pm and is sponsored by Brooklyn For Peace & endorsed by Move On.org

Where the People Don’t Rule
Fred Reed, LewRockwell.com
http://www.lewrockwell.com/reed/reed139.html
We are ruled not by a government but by a class. Here the media are crucial. Unless you spend time outside of America, you may not realize to what extent the press is controlled. The press is largely free, yes, but it is also largely owned by a small number of corporations which, in turn, are run by people from the same pool from which are drawn high-level pols and their advisers. They are rich people who know each other and have the same interests. It is very nearly correct to say that these people are the government of the United States, and that the federal apparatus merely a useful theatrical manifestation. Finally, though it may not be deliberate, the schools produce a pitiably ignorant population that can’t vote wisely. Just as trial lawyers don’t want intelligent jurors, as they are harder to manipulate, so political parties don’t want educated voters. The existence of a puzzled mass gawping at Oprah reduces elections to popularity contests modulated by the state of the economy. One party may win, yes, or the other. But a TV-besotted electorate doesn’t meddle in matters important to its rulers. It has never heard of them.

QUOTE OF THE DAY ... You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt [US Diplomat & Reformer]

Environmental Healing & World Peace
Claudia Sobrevila
http://netmar.com/~maat/archive/dec4/sobrvila.htm

Winter Soldier Hearings
For those not living in NYC (the hearings are on WBAI radio, 99.5 FM) and on other Pacifica stations in the US. The Winter Soldier Hearings can be heard, on line at http://www.warcomeshome.org/ (these hearings go on until 7 PM and will also be held on Saturday and Sunday.) Really important information is coming out [conditions in Iraq] the soldiers' stories of what is going on, and the poor medical care, (If they can get through the VA bureaucracy) that so many injured soldiers recieve when the come home. Please pass on this e-mail to others who may be interested.

New Hampshire Representative, Betty Hall, Discusses Impeachment
Political Chowder, Democracy for NH
http://www.democracyfornewhampshire.com/node/view/5462
NH Rep Betty Hall has introduced a resolution for impeachment to the NH House. If the state legislature passes the resolution, by law the Congress must put it ON THE TABLE.

[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda Z, Doreen and Judith B in sharing the above articles.]

Last ‘Harry Potter’ Book Becomes Two Films

Yahoo! News
http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20080313/120541260000.html

MESSAGE FROM DEMOCRAT.COM - Spitzer Resigns - It's Time to Impeach Bush
Yesterday Gov. Eliot Spitzer apologized again to the people of New York for his personal failings and resigned, just 16 months after winning an historic landslide election with 70% of the vote. But Spitzer's resignation was not entirely voluntary, because Republican leaders were busy drafting Articles of Impeachment. What was Spitzer's impeachable offense? The "lowest" crime in the book.

As we know, the Founding Fathers wanted Impeachment to be used for "High Crimes" like treason, bribery, war crimes, and subverting the Constitution itself. Eliot Spitzer committed no "High Crimes" - but George Bush and Dick Cheney most certainly have, and they continue to do so with absolute impunity. It's time for Congress to impeach them for it. http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/88?ad=d8

16 months ago, we posted a petition listing 10 High Crimes which justified impeachment of the Bush/Cheney Regime:

(1) Starting a "war of aggression"
(2) torture
(3) arbitrary detention
(4) war crimes
(5) warrantless wiretapping
(6) signing statements
(7) election fraud
(8) outing a covert CIA operative
(9) the "unitary executive"
(10) gross negligence for Katrina and global warming

Each one of these crimes is as unacceptable today as it was then. After 5 years in Iraq, Bush has killed nearly 4,000 Americans and over 1 million Iraqis and incurred $3 trillion in costs. And there are many more crimes we could add, including Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's sentence to stop him from testifying about the crimes of Bush and Cheney themselves, and Bush's ongoing threats to bomb Iran. And each one makes Spitzer's "crime" utterly insignificant by comparison.

Over 137,000 of you have signed this petition, and we thank you. (If you've forgotten, our form won't let you sign twice.) But many of you have not. And in the wake of the Republican effort to impeach Eliot Spitzer for his "low" crime, every American who is outraged by Bush's "High Crimes" should sign it. Please tell your Senators and Representative to Impeach Bush and Cheney Now: http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/88?ad=d8

PERSONAL NEWS #138

[Duchess Note – I’m abit behind on posting updates for “Personal News”, so the following will be a condensed version of activity since beginning of the new year. Views on Super Tuesday and such. Sincere apologies to my devoted blog readers … enjoy the news.]

Early Tuesday evening, January 1st, I jumped on a conference call regarding the NYC Kucinich Team Fundraiser planned for February 2nd. Caitlin originated the idea and we are both the main “point people”. It was a good, productive call with some of the Campaign Staff participating. Many volunteers from the Hudson Valley, Albany and NYC area we’re also on the call.

Thursday evening, January 3rd, was the monthly NYC Kucinich Team meetup. We had a good turnout for this meeting and several new members. Discussions centered on upcoming primaries, caucuses, fundraiser, tabling, phone banking and many ideas/suggestions were brought forth. Guest speaker was Doug Biviano, who’s been the NY State coordinator for about a month. Overall it was a terrific, productive meeting.

Early Friday evening, January 4th, the committee responsible for the NYC Kucinich Fundraiser had another conference call. This was also another productive call and Emma from Kucinich’s Campaign Staff was onboard.

Saturday, January 12th, a group of NYC Kucinich Team members gathered in Union Square to hand out fliers and talk with New Yorkers about the Congressman’s campaign. New team member, Amy Cooper, took the reins on this situation and organized the tabling/flyering. She did a great job, we collected donations for Dennis’ presidential campaign, talked with New Yorkers AND many NYC Kucitizens came out to help. [See photos below] While tabling in Union Square I was briefly interviewed by Greg Oliver. He took my 1 ½ minute interview and narrowed it down to 25 seconds. It’s posted, along with many other interviews, at “Farewell Mr. President” at … http://www.farewellmrpresident.com/view_video.php?viewkey=a167a5a36dedd4bea254&page=1&viewtype=&category=mr





On Sunday, January 13th, went to see a terrific Iranian film at All Souls Church called “Children of Heaven”.

Tuesday evening, January 15th, a “special meeting” was held for the NYC Kucinich Team to discuss phone banking, tabling and the February 2nd fundraiser. The latter will be held at “Chapel of the Sacred Mirrors” in Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. The turnout at the meeting wasn’t very large, as many team members went to protest outside the NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center. This protest was due to NBC/GE banning Kucinich from the debates in Nevada. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr]

On Thursday, January 17th, I attended NYDoP’s first Board/Core Team meeting of the New Year. Last time many of us got together was at the annual holiday party at Marianne’s place in northern Manhattan. Speaking of Marianne, she chaired this meeting, as Carol was out of town at a retreat in CA. Thank you Marianne! Good, productive meeting and a new committee was formed to handle the issues/goals for the NY City Council Dept of Peace Resolution [#0627].

On Saturday, January 19th, a small group of NYC Kucinich Team members gathered at Bedford Avenue, near L train stop, in Williamsburg to hand out fliers and talk with Brooklynites about Dennis’ campaign. Devery Doleman was organizer of this endeavor and she did a great job. Thanks Devery! It was a colder afternoon then our previous tabling in Manhattan, but we persevered for four hours and drank lots of hot tea. We spoke with many Brooklynites and collected donations for the campaign. Overall a successful endeavor … photo of the group below.



On Wednesday evening, January 23rd, I had a dinner date with Phil. We’d met through the internet back in November/December and exchanged emails/phone calls. Due to a death in his family, we’d postponed dining out to the 23rd. As to the date itself, in a nutshell, it was very nice and had a good meal at a Spanish restaurant on West 23rd Street. Phil was a congenial courteous gent and sadly I was not attracted to him.

Thursday, January 24th, felt like a friggin roller coaster ride for me, as work was busy and then DJK “transitioned out of the race”, plus the NYC Kucinich Team had a “special meeting” that evening. On top of all that; Caitlin and I were in the final phase of plans for the Fundraiser. I’d just gotten Reverend Billy to do a brief segment, plus lined up the caterer. [Four days later we had to cancel the fundraiser due to issues and complications. This greatly saddened me.] When I learned that Dennis was transitioning out of the presidential race, well, it felt like someone kicked me in the stomach real hard. Eight months I’d put into the campaign and my senses were reeling. I even called David Bright for confirmation and details. At the meeting that evening, I told those in attendance that I would continue to spread the word on Dennis’ platform up to Super Tuesday. I could never support the other candidates, as they don’t even come close to representing my values like Dennis does. None of them! As for Super Tuesday, I proudly voted for DJK in the primary and walked out of that booth with a clear conscious.

Sunday, January 27th, I attended a 5th birthday party for Annie’s daughter Rachel out in Sheepshead Bay [Brooklyn]. Party was lots of fun, games, food, socializing and catch up on news with Annie and her hubby David.

Monday, February 4th, saw me back at the foot doctor for treatment of my left foot. That darn Plantar Fascia was acting up again, after being okay since Xmas. Sigh! Later that evening I jumped on a conference call with Joe and Kevin [NYDoP City Council Committee] to discuss our goal regarding Resolution 0627.

Super Tuesday, February 5th, is finally here and I proudly placed my vote for Kucinich. Felt so proud in seeing Dennis’ name on the ballot and the whole NYC/NYS Kucinich Team worked so hard to make that happen. The organizing part of it was tough, at times, but it all paid off in the end. I walked out of that voting booth with a clear conscious. My vote for Dennis was a way of saying “thank you” to the man for standing firm on values and issues. It was also my way of sending a message to the abysmal Democratic Party. My vote cannot be bought with lies, silken words, rhetoric, deception and false hollow promises. The Democratic Party can keep their Corporate Imperialists … they will never receive a vote from me. Never! [I’m switching back to the Green Party.] My vote has to be earned with honesty, truth, compassion and being there for us Americans. People like Dennis Kucinich and Cynthia McKinney embody that completely.

IMPORTANT BREAKING NEWS

Kucinich Wins Democratic Primary, Overcoming Tough Challenge In Ohio Congressional Race
Julie Carr Smyth, WCPO.com
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=75f4c0e4-f11d-45ae-8cc6-38fe4873b730

Ohio & Cleveland Election News & Results from Primary – Kucinich Wins by 50% of the Vote
http://elections.cleveland.com/dynamic/files/elections/2008/by_state/OH_US_House_0304.html?SITE=OHCLEELN&SECTION=POLITICS

QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The "corporatization of America" during the past century has been an attack on democracy. Noam Chomsky

It’s Time to Act to Save Our Democracy
Citzen Class Action
http://www.citizenclassaction.com/
Are you concerned about how the corporate media is manipulating our election process? Have you noticed how they give preferential treatment to certain candidates during the debates? Have you noticed how they exclude the truly progressive anti-war candidates from presidential debates? Are you troubled by the media's efforts to suppress the free exchange of political ideas and progressive policies?

Doublespeak Barack Obama And Continuing US Hypocrisy
Larry Pinkney
http://www.coastalpost.com/08/03/30_Barack_Obama_Doublespeak.html

I Refuse to Support Hillary or Barack for Voting to Fund an Oil War and Selling Out to Corporate Greed.
Virgil Alley, Run Cynthia Run
http://www.runcynthiarun.org/Endorsements/VirgilAlley
I supported Dennis Kucinich until he quit his presidential race and doing what I can to retain his seat in congress. The Democrats have lost my support for their candidate and I want to support Cynthia for president since she has more progressive values than all the other candidates. My Democrat friends are calling me a spoiler but I refuse to support Hillary or Barack for voting to fund an oil war and selling out to corporate greed.

Cost of Iraq War Now Beyond Human Comprehension
Willaim D. Hartung, Tomdispatch.com
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/78683/
War is hell – deadly, dangerous, and expensive. But just how expensive is it?

New Yorkers Get Priced Out of Grocery Stores
Same Pizzigati
http://www.alternet.org/stories/78546/
Enormous accumulations of wealth are hitting New Yorkers where it really hurts, at the deli counter.

[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing some of the articles.]

When Presidential Bids Perish
Recently some student journalists from Columbia University contacted a few of us who were involved with the NYC Kucinich Team, as well as the Edwards team. They were working on a short film piece or documentary on Presidential candidates who've transitioned out of the 2008 race. Whether you supported these candidates or not, I think you'll find the video's of interest. Also, one can provide feedback on the website itself. Personally, I think the journalists could of done a better job of editing. Some of the info is wrong, but overall its okay. BTW, I was abit camera shy, so you hear me throughout the piece. Regular readers of the Duchess blog know that I was the NYC Organizer & Coordinator from June 2007 thru Feb 2008. Doug was NYS Coordinator for a few months and volunteers Devery/Amy. Check out the visuals at ... http://www.nyc24.org/2008/issue2/story2/volunteers.html

p.s. There is a link to the Dept of Peace at bottom of Overview page. That was my doing :-)