August 2005 - announce

SF Green Party Weekly
by announce＠sfgreens.org 26 Aug '05

26 Aug '05

SFGP WEEKLY For The Week of 8/25/05 - 9/1/05 This Week: ********************************************************** ************************************************** News: 8/23: Mid-Market eyed for unusual projects 8/24: Commentary On the Roberts Sup Court Nomination 8/24: Greens Support Cindy Sheehan's Protest Vigil ********************************************************** Events: 8/27: Day Labor Program 15th Anniversary 8/28: TIC Open House Picket 8/28: Sweatfree Victory Party 8/29: MUNI Fare Strike Press Conference & Speak Out ********************************************************** Announcements: Joke of the Week Become A Sustainer! ********************************************************** ********************************************************** News ***************************************** ******************************************************* Mid-Market eyed for unusual projects By Emily Fancher Staff Writer Some look at Market Street between Fifth and 10th streets and see mostly boarded-up and vacant buildings, drug dealing and trash-strewn streets. Yet others believe that Mid-Market is a place to dream about unusual development possibilities. Developers and nonprofits are considering ideas for the area that range from a headquarters for the green economy to mini-condominiums with shared dining rooms and kitchens. "Because this area is in such need of change, there's more openness to building something out of the box," said David Addington, a developer who owns the Warfield Theater and another building in the area. Late this year or early next year, a redevelopment plan for the area will likely go to the Board of Supervisor for approval, but many aren't waiting for its passage to work on projects. Nonprofit Global Exchange is actively searching for a building to house itself along with 30 or 40 environmental and social justice nonprofits in the Mid-Market area. Kevin Danaher is spearheading the project, called Global Citizens Center, which he said will include a green store selling everything from organic cotton clothing to solar panels and an events space for lectures and music. Read more at: www.sfexaminer.com ******************************************************* Commentary On the Roberts Sup Court Nomination Time for a fresh look at life terms on the Supreme Court By Steven Hill Denver Post guest commentary Should U.S. Supreme Court justices serve life terms? This is a question that is raised whenever there is a vacancy on the Court. At 50 years of age, Judge John Roberts, President Bush's Supreme Court nominee, could serve for decades. Perhaps more than any single factor, this "until death do we part" constitutional requirement has been responsible for bruising confirmation battles. On the partisan chessboard, nailing down one of nine Supreme Court spots is a major victory. But a survey of judicial appointment practices in other democracies suggests there may be better methods for selecting the U.S. Supreme Court. For instance, some democracies employ judicial term limits. High court justices in Germany are limited to a 12-year term, and in France, Italy and Spain a 9-year term. There's American precedent for judicial term limits, with judges on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims limited to 15-year terms. Also, members of the Federal Reserve Board, shielded from politics because they oversee the nation's economy, serve 14 year terms, with their Chairman Alan Greenspan appointed for a four-year term. Some nations require that high court justices retire at a certain age. In Israel and Australia that age is 70, in Canada it's 75. A few American states also have established a retirement age for judges, 70 years in Minnesota and Missouri. If applied to the current Supreme Court, three justices would have retired already with two more stepping down next year. Read more at: http://www.denverpost.com/guestcommentary/ci_2934280 ******************************************************* GREENS SUPPORT CINDY SHEEHAN'S PROTEST VIGIL IN CRAWFORD, TEXAS. WASHINGTON, D.C. The Peace Action Committee of the Green Party of the United States (GPAX) has issued a statement of support for Cindy Sheehan, co-founder of Gold Star Families For Peace, in her vigil near the vacation home of President George W.Bush in Crawford, Texas. The text of the statement follows below. Ms. Sheehan is the mother of Casey Sheehan, who was killed in combat in Sadr City in 2004, a few days after arriving in Iraq. Over 1,800 U.S. troops and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians have been killed in the U.S. invasion and occupation. Greens called Ms. Sheehan's protest a unique challenge to all Americans to speak out against the Bush Administration's betrayal of the trust of the American people and reckless disregard for American and Iraqi lives. "The Bush Administration betrayed the trust of the American people, especially those serving in the armed forces in Iraq, when it launched a war based on fraudulent premises: WMDs that didn't exist, forged evidence of nuclear weapons deals, deceptive claims that Saddam Hussein colluded with al-Qaeda," said Jody Grage Haug, Peace Action Committee member and co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "We must also hold Democrats responsible, since many of them supported the war and who joined with Republicans in surrendering Congress's constitutional power to declare war to the White House in October, 2002." Read more at: http://www.gp.org ******************************************************* ************************************* Events ************************************* Day Labor Program 15th Anniversary Saturday, August 27th 10am- 3pm (see message for location details) La Raza Centro Legal, The Day Labor Program , and The Womens Collective invite you to celebrate with us the 15 year anniversary of the Day Labor Program and the opening of our new Workers Center Saturday, August 27th, 2005. This center will be a dignified space for Day Laborers and Domestic Workers, to preserve and improve economic and human rights for all workers. PROGRAM of EVENTS 10:00 am: We will met at the trailers in Franklin Square Park (at 17th & Hampshire Streets). There will be a ceremony to say goodbye to the site and from there we are going to march to our new location (3358 Cesar Chávez) 11:00 am: Inauguration ceremony, with a blessing of our new site. 11:00 am 3:00 pm: ¡PARTY! Were going to close a block on Capp Street, between Cesar Chavez and 26th Street to have our celebration outside. With LIVE MUSIC, speakers, food, and activities for everyone in the family! Please email me or call me at 415-321-0296 for more information and to talk about ways your organization would like to participate. Con un abrazo, kristen Petroshius on behalf of Reneé Saucedo ******************************************************* TIC Open House Picket Sunday, August 28 2:00pm 838 Potrero (between 20th and 21st; the 33 bus stops right outside as does the 9, or take any of the 16th or 24th St buses to Potrero). Help continue the SF Tenants Union campaign to close down TIC Open Houses at buildings where tenants have been evicted! This campaign has been very successful, to the point where realtors are avoiding holding open houses at buildings with eviction histories. Only ONE building with evictions has an open house this weekend and you have to go through the realtor to get the address! Seniors and a tenant with AIDS were Ellis evicted from this 5 unit building by Chetcuti & Associates in 2004. We picketed this building before and it's a very effective location. Potential buyers tend to drive by first and when they see the picketers they drive away! Neighbors remember the tenants and are also very supportive. Since our last picket, they've dropped the price of these units and are offering extra incentives--clearly they're having trouble selling buildings with eviction histories. For info on the building http://www.sfarmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Sanfrancisco&PRGNAME=MLS PropertyDetail&ARGUMENTS=-N291687,-N11458492,-N780122895,-AS,-N1 *********************************************************** SWEATFREE VICTORY PARTY!!!! Sunday, August 28, 2005 4:00pm 8:00pm Project Artaud Theater 450 Florida Street, SF (between 17th St. and Mariposa) Join Global Exchange and the Sweatfree Bay Area Coalition to celebrate: the passage of the nations strongest sweatshop-free law, prohibiting the SF city government from purchasing goods from sweatshops and the adoption of Fair Trade and Organic Certified purchasing resolutions Support our work to make other communities sweatfree! Donate now at www.globalexchange.org/sweatfreevictory Live entertainment from: ALBINO! 14-piece all-star Afrobeat ensemble | ZONK | The Labor Chorus Reverend Billy | Valerie Orth Sweatfree fashion show from local designers, food, drink, raffle, sweatfree apparel and more! $10-$20 sliding scale (includes raffle ticket). No one turned away for lack of funds. All ages welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Buses 22, 33, 27. Sponsored by: New College of California | Project Artaud | Harrington Investments MarketPlace: Handwork of India | No Sweat Apparel | Nueva Vida Cooperative | The Onion For more info visit www.globalexchange.org/sweatfreebayarea or contact 415-575-5541, sweatfree(a)globalexchange.org All donations are fully tax-deductible *********************************************************** MUNI Fare Strike Press Conference & Speak Out Monday, August 29 12:00 noon Mission and 24th Streets THE MUNI FARE STRIKE STARTS SEPTEMBER 1. WE ARE NOT PAYING MORE TO WAIT LONGER. While politicians pick the pockets of MUNI riders, cut service and layoff drivers, they give away millions to downtown corporations and the rich. Basta! Press Conference speakers will include the following: Maria Christina Tapia Mujeres Unidas* Renee Saucedo La Raza Centro Legal* Bob Planthold Disabled Transit Advocate Michael Lyon Gray Panthers* Tiny Grey-Garcia Poor News Network* Riva Enteen National Lawyers Guild* Guillermina Castellanos Women's Collective* Jose Alfaro San Francisco Day Labor Program* And speakers from: POWER (People Organized to Win Employment Rights)* Social Strike MUNI Fare Strike (*Organizations listed for identification only.) The microphone will then be open to all who want to speak in solidarity with the fare strike. ------------------- MUNI plans to: Raise the adult fare from $1.25 to $1.50. This is the second increase in three years, and more are planned. Raise the Youth, Senior and Disabled fare from 35¢ to 50¢. Layoff up to 200 drivers and CUT RUNS, including the J, K, L, M and N; the 14-Mission and the 38-Geary; and the 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 35, 36, 37, 39, 41, 43, 47, 49, 52, 54, 66, 67, 71 and 82. *********************************************************** ***************************************** Announcements: ********************** ************************************************************ Joke of the Week Improving the Great Outdoors (Actual comments received in 1996 from the Bridger Wilderness registration sheets and comment cards.) *Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands. *Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness. *Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals. *All the mile markers are missing this year. *Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse. *Trail needs to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill. *Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spiderwebs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests. *Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow during the winter. *Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them. *The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals. *A small deer came into my camp and stole my jar of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? *Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet, so people can hike at night with flashlights. *Escalators would help on steep uphill sections. *Need more signs to keep area pristine. *A McDonalds would be nice at the trailhead. *The places where trails do not exist are not well marked. *I brought lots of sandwich makings, but forgot bread. If you have extra bread, leave it in the yellow tent at V Lake. *Too many rocks in the mountains. ************************************************************ Become a Green Party Sustainer! As you may know, the SFGP is supported by our wonderful sustaining donors -- 175 and growing. In the next 12 months we hope to double that figure, and you can help us achieve our goal by signing up to make a regular contribution to the Green Party. Our sustainer program nearly pays all of our basic monthly operating expenses, including rent and utilities on the office, and drastically reduces the amount of work needed to raise money. Our sustainers free us up to do what we're really here for - to pursue Green values through the democratic system. Sustainers also ensure that we are able to keep our office, which has hosted numerous campaigns' headquarters including the successful Prop A, Instant Runoff Voting initiative. Becoming a Green Party sustainer is easy, fun, and secure! Online: http://www.sfgreenparty.org/makeadonation/makeadonation.html Phone: 415-701-7090 ************************************************************ For more info on our activities, please see our website, http://www.sfgreenparty.org. You can also email us questions at info(a)sfgreens.org. To send us news items (short blurb please, plain text only) for possible inclusion in the newsletter, email news(a)sfgreens.org. Please don't put these addresses on mailing lists; messages not specifically addressed to us won't go through. Submissions for Joke of the Week, or comments and questions on the content of the newsletter are welcomed by the editor at ladypest(a)hotmail.com

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SF Green Party Weekly
by announce＠sfgreens.org 19 Aug '05

19 Aug '05

SFGP WEEKLY For The Week of 8/18/05 - 8/25/05 This Week: ********************************************************** ************************************************** News: 8/16: San Francisco to Participate in Nation-wide Vigil for Cindy Sheehan 8/17: Sweating Slave Labor: San Francisco Poised To Pass The Country's Strongest Anti-Sweatshop Law 8/17: SFGP Up-To-Date Endorsements ********************************************************** Events: - 8/19: Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi Hosts Art Opening of Mohammad Hourian's Work - 8/20: Northern California Clean Money Working Group Meeting - 8/20: Aimee Allison Supporters Gathering - 8/20: Our Health Is Our Wealth - 8/20: And Castro For All Rally - 8/23: Transportation Working Group Meeting ********************************************************** Announcements: Joke of the Week Become A Sustainer! ********************************************************** ********************************************************** News ***************************************** ****************************************************** 8/16: San Francisco to Participate in Nation-wide Vigil for Cindy Sheehan Casey Mills 16.AUG.05 Tens of thousands are expected to participate in candlelight vigils held across America tomorrow in support of Cindy Sheehan. Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, has garnered widespread attention for camping outside George W. Bushs home in Crawford, Texas, demanding the President speak to her about the loss of her son. So far, Bush has refused, sparking MoveOn.org to launch a campaign to organize grassroots action on the issue. More than 25 vigils will be held in the Bay Area alone, with San Francisco holding its own at the Federal Building at 7:30 tomorrow [8/17] evening Read more at www.beyondchron.org ******************************************************* 8/17: Sweating Slave Labor: San Francisco Poised To Pass The Country's Strongest Anti-Sweatshop Law By: Camille T. Taiara Source: San Francisco Bay Guardian As activists and bureaucrats chiseled out the final details of a historically rigorous, sweat-free purchasing standard for San Francisco, state agents raided dozens of garment manufacturing plants throughout California. The actions shed light on the stubborn ills of substandard wages and working conditions in the clothing industry. But labor advocates say raids have only a limited impact on the problem and San Francisco's pending law may offer a more systemic remedy. "These sweeps promote fear and intimidation, create more unemployment, and don't genuinely address the root causes of these labor violations and sweatshop conditions," said Alex Tom, an organizer at the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA). The Economic and Employment Enforcement Coalition, a new, interagency task force, raided 135 garment factories in the Bay Area and southern California Aug. 3 through 5. Thirty of those shops are in San Francisco and Oakland, and most of the violations investigators found locally consisted of shops operating without a license or violating worker compensation laws, according to details released to the Bay Guardian by the California Department of Industrial Relations. DIR spokesperson Renee Bacchini couldn't tell us how many of these had been shut down, but the department expects civil penalties for Bay Area shops to total more than $100,000. Read more at: http://www.sfgreenparty.org/news/newsitem-start.gem?idx=1366 ******************************************************** 8/17: SFGP Endorsements Here are the SFGP's endorsements on various items in the November 2005 election as of 8/18. Items not seen have not been decided on yet. YES: Proposition C - Ethics Commission Budget and Outside Counsel YES: Proposition D - Appointment of Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors YES: Proposition E - Election Date of the Assessor - Recorder and Public Defender NO: Proposition F - Neighborhood Firehouses YES: Proposition I - No Military Recruiters in Public Schools, Scholarships for Education and Job Training Statewide Ballot: NO - Prop. 73 - Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. NO - Prop. 74 - Public School Teachers. Waiting Period for Permanent Status. NO - Prop. 75 - Public Employee Union Dues. Required Employee Consent for Political Contributions. NO - Prop. 76 - School Funding. NO - Prop. 77 - Reapportionment. NO - Prop. 78 - Prescription Drug Discounts. YES - Prop 79 - Prescription Drugs. t NO - Prop. 80 - Electric Service Providers. Regulation. ************************************* Events ************************************* Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi Hosts Art Opening of Mohammad Hourian's Work Friday, August 19th 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlet Pl., (City Hall) Room 282 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi hosts the monthly Third Friday's Art Reception in his City Hall office, Room 282. This month's featured artist is Mohammad Hourian. Mohammad Hourian was born in Hamedan, Iran, the capital of ancient Persia. At age 12 he apprenticed with Haj Hosen-I-Eslamiyan, the greatest Persian miniaturist of this century. At age 19, Horian won public recognition in his first one-man show of paintings at the Gallery of the University of Tehran. At age 20 he became the youngest artist to be elected to the National Academy of Fine Arts. In 1976 the German government invited him to visit West Germany and exhibit his work at the Goethe Institute. That same year he traveled throughout Europe, Japan and the United States displaying his artwork. Mr, Hourian is a Bay Area resident and the owner of Hourian Fine Art Publishing and Hourian Fine Art Galleries, both based on Union Street in San Francisco. ********************************************************** Northern California Clean Money Working Group Meeting Saturday, August 20th 10:30am-12:30pm. Video from 10:10am-10:30am 592 Pennsylvania Ave (A home on Potrero Hill between 20th & 22nd Streets) San Francisco Would you like to create a government that is accountable to the people and not to big money campaign contributors? So would we. Clean Money full public funding of election campaigns can make it happen. Assemblywoman Loni Hancock's Clean Money and Fair Elections bill (AB 583) will help voters take back control of politics! But it will only succeed if we have massive public support. So now is the best time to find your local Clean Money Working Group and GET ACTIVE! *********************************************************** Aimee Allison Supporters Gathering Saqturday, August 20th 5:00pm- 9:00pm 1019 Harvard Rd, Oakland, CA (Map at http://www.aimeeallison.org/Map_Tanaka.php) Supporters or volunteers of the Aimee Allison campaign are invited together for food, drinks, Latin music by Tua, and good conversation as we build Oakland¹s future together. *********************************************************** Our Health Is Our Wealth Saturday, August 20th Registration begins at 11:00 am Festival begins at 12:00 noon Brava Theater, 2789 24th St., San Francisco Colored Ink &The SF Peacemakers present: Our Health Is Our Wealth, a day of film, food, and social justice. Come join us for a festival like no other! Experience good healthy food, holistic health practices, film shorts, and workshops addressing community issues of health, poverty and violence, planning a solution of how to heal our community. For a lot of us, our mental and physical health is at risk, the best way to overcome these issues is to come together, educate ourselves, and deal with them collectively. Special panel presented by the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, following an excerpt of the movie "Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story" addressing Stan, the death penalty, and our civil rights. Featured films include: Peace Maker in Sudan Details a personal account of the crisis in Sudan which began in February 2003. Indiscriminate killing, mass rapes, looting of livestock and the burning of villages at the hands of government troops and the militias have resulted in 50,000 deaths and forced an estimated 1.2 million people from their homes. Peacemakers 4 life Takes a look at the violence in our community. Illustrates how a community coming together can overcome these issues, break the cycle of violence, and unite us in transforming our lives. Hosted By: NConscious Eyes TV &KPOO 89.5 FM Radio personality Pam-Pam "theimposingfigure" FPerformances, spoken word, live music. The Bay Area's DJ Fonzilla navigates the dance floor. [Special Celebration for Idriss Stelley's Birthday Idriss was killed by the SFPD. He was shot at 48 times on 8-20-01 One of the all too many victims of police brutality... For more information about the event: 415-240-0093 or visit www.coloredink.org 415-573-8257 or visit www.sfpeacemakers.org About Stan's case: www.tookie.com www.nodeathpenalty.org *********************************************************** And Castro For All Rally Saturday, August 20 9:00pm. - 12:00am (midnight) LYRIC, 127 Collingwood (rally and discussion, 9pm) 4121 18th Street (picket, 10pm) And Castro for All (AC4A) is seeking to gather a large number of people to participate in this coming Saturdays Badlands Picket (8/20). Mediation is expected to occur the following week but Badlands owner, Les Natali, has a reputation for backing out of mediation at the last minute. AC4A wants to make a strong showing this weekend to demonstrate that solidarity on this issue is still strong. As co-sponsors of the Badlands picket, it would be a powerful demonstration of our support if the SF Green Party were to turn out in numbers. To participate, please meet at LYRIC, 127 Collingwood, at 9:00 p.m. for rally and discussion. Or, join the picket at 10:00 p.m at 4121 18th Street. For more information, please visit AC4A's website: andcastroforall.org *********************************************************** Transportation Working Group Meeting Tuesday, August 23rd 7:00PM- 9:00PM 1028A Howard St. (SFGP Office) Agenda includes reveiw and analysis of two transportation related ballot measures: Prop G, the MKL/Golden Gate Park initiative and the Street Resurfacing Bond. Other items include discussion on next screening of End of Suburbia at the Red Victorian with Ross Mirkarimi. Blue Angels Discussion Car Free Day Sept 22 Emily Drennan appointment to the MTA Proposal to Reform Muni Routes for Better Service and Lower Costs ************************************************************ ***************************************** Announcements: ********************** ************************************************************ Joke of the Week Things Republicans Believe Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq. Government should relax regulation of Big Business and Big Money but crack down on individuals who use marijuana to relieve the pain of illness. "Standing Tall for America" means firing your workers and moving their jobs to India. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay. Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins unless you someday run for governor of California as a Republican. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money. HMOs and insurance companies have the interest of the public at heart. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business. You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have a right to adopt. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony. ************************************************************ Become a Green Party Sustainer! As you may know, the SFGP is supported by our wonderful sustaining donors -- 175 and growing. In the next 12 months we hope to double that figure, and you can help us achieve our goal by signing up to make a regular contribution to the Green Party. Our sustainer program nearly pays all of our basic monthly operating expenses, including rent and utilities on the office, and drastically reduces the amount of work needed to raise money. Our sustainers free us up to do what we're really here for - to pursue Green values through the democratic system. Sustainers also ensure that we are able to keep our office, which has hosted numerous campaigns' headquarters including the successful Prop A, Instant Runoff Voting initiative. Becoming a Green Party sustainer is easy, fun, and secure! Online: http://www.sfgreenparty.org/makeadonation/makeadonation.html Phone: 415-701-7090 ************************************************************ For more info on our activities, please see our website, http://www.sfgreenparty.org. You can also email us questions at info(a)sfgreens.org. To send us news items (short blurb please, plain text only) for possible inclusion in the newsletter, email news(a)sfgreens.org. Please don't put these addresses on mailing lists; messages not specifically addressed to us won't go through. Submissions for Joke of the Week, or comments and questions on the content of the newsletter are welcomed by the editor at ladypest(a)hotmail.com

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SF Green Party Weekly
by announce＠sfgreens.org 12 Aug '05

12 Aug '05

SFGP WEEKLY For The Week of 8/11/05 - 8/18/05 This Week: ********************************************************** ************************************************** News: 8/3: Greens Meet In Tulsa For The Partys Annual National Meeting 8/4: CAFTA Will Cause Widespread Harm to Workers in the U.S. & Central America 8/6: Local Green Writer/Activist Publishes Book 8/8: Mirkarimi wants more officers walking the streets 8/9: Hundreds Turn Out To Protest Nuclear Weapons In Livermore 8/10: Greens Support Cindy Sheehan's Protest Vigil in Crawford, TX. ********************************************************** Events: - 8/13: Green Party Northern Cal. Strategy Session - 8/16: Stop Comcast Action Item - 8/17: SFGP Endorsement Meeting ********************************************************** Announcements: - Joke of the Week - Become A Sustainer! ********************************************************** ********************************************************** News ***************************************** ****************************************************** 8/3: Greens Meet In Tulsa For The Partys Annual National Meeting By Deborah Benjamin Some myths about the so-called red state of Oklahoma may have been dispelled when the Green Party held its annual national meeting in Tulsa. Delegates from around the nation converged on the University of Tulsa campus for a host of seminars and issue sessions, as well as discussions on the Green Party's potential presidential candidate. And current Oklahoma Green Party Co-chair Rachel Jackson, who also coordinated the meeting, came prepared with a civics lesson about the Sooner State. In our welcome letter that I wrote up, I mentioned the fact that when Oklahoma became a state, The Nation (the magazine) wrote a huge article on how Oklahomas constitution was an example of progressive ideology in action and called it the most progressive constitution in the country, Jackson said. Read more at: http://www.sfgreenparty.org/news/newsitem-start.gem?idx=1361 ****************************************************** 8/4: CAFTA Will Cause Widespread Harm to Workers in the U.S. & Central America Green Party of the United States Citing CAFTA's NAFTA-like provisions, Greens warn of damage from water privatization, lost jobs and depressed wages, and blocked access to medicine. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party leaders called the House's recent passage of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) a disaster for working people in the U.S., Central America, and the Dominican Republic and the environmental health and safety in the signatory nations. "CAFTA will extend NAFTA's job loss, workers' rights abuses, and environmental damage throughout Central America," said Nan Garrett, Georgia Green and Spokesperson for the National Women's Caucus of the Green Party. "It will prohibit governments in the region from ensuring that foreign investment serves national development goals. Instead, it'll enable further schemes for the profit of U.S.-based corporations." CAFTA encourages nations to privatize and deregulate services such as education, health care, postal service, construction, transportation, and the provision of water. Read more at: http://www.sfgreenparty.org/news/newsitem-start.gem?idx=1362 ****************************************************** 8/6: Local Green Writer/Activist Publishes Book SF Green activist, jazz singer and writer judy b. has just published her first book of short stories, "Stories for Airports". SF Green poster boy and arts-lover Matt Gonzalez recently interviewed judy for his Art & Politics series at Cafe Bazaar (8/1/05) A professional writer and editor and amateur jazz musician, judy b. is also active in civic issues. Read more at http://onzeproductions.com CRITICS RAVE ABOUT JUDY B'S JAZZY DEBUT BOOK--"STORIES FOR AIRPORTS"! "judy b. writes with great intelligence, urbane wit and jazzy charm. Her stories are unpredictable, often rather sexy, her characters intriguing. My current favorite from her new collection is 'Reasons.' Very clever, funny riff on therapy. It would be quite at home in the pages of the Atlantic or the New Yorker. In fact, why the hell haven't they published it yet?" --S.M. Peters, writer, activist, cohort ****************************************************** 8/8: Mirkarimi wants more officers walking the streets By Jo Stanley Staff Writer One city supervisor wants officials to be held more accountable for lowering the crime rate in the Western Addition neighborhood, where a spike in violent crime recently claimed three lives. Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who represents the district containing the Western Addition, wants community policing which has been hailed by politicians and public safety officials as one of the solutions to move beyond rhetoric. "We have yet to have a comprehensive strategy," said Mirkarimi at the start of an hours-long hearing before the Government Audit and Oversight Committee. He said he hears from his constituents in the neighborhood that they're "yearning" to see more officers walking the streets and for greater efforts to cut down on repeat offenses. Read more at: http://www.sfexaminer.com/articles/2005/08/09/news/20050809_ne03_crimewave.t ****************************************************** 8/9: Hundreds Turn Out To Protest Nuclear Weapons In Livermore By: Paul Burgarino, STAFF WRITER Source: San Mateo County Times LIVERMORE Hundreds of protesters took part in a rally and processions outside of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Saturday to protest the use of nuclear weapons. The Livermore event was one of four nationally coordinated major rallies at active nuclear weapon sites on the 60th anniversary of the American bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Other protest sites were in Las Vegas, near the Nevada Test Site; Y-12 Production Plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn.; and Los Alamos Lab in New Mexico. At the site many consider the brain of the nuclear weapons complex in the United States, the Seeds of Change: No Nukes! No Wars! rally began with a pot-luck family picnic, where organizers used sharing and coming together to show their aspirations for a nuclear-free world. It is important for us to be here to keep the memories of the horror of Hiroshima alive, said Jeffrey Schurtleff of the San Mateo County Green Party. There is a need for activism. If everyone just says no and does not act, then nothing happens. Read more at: http://www.sfgreenparty.org/news/newsitem-start.gem?idx=1363 *********************************************************** 8/10: Greens Support Cindy Sheehan's Protest Vigil in Crawford, TX Contacts: Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty(a)greens.org WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Peace Action Committee of theGreen Party of the United States (GPAX) has issued astatement of support for Cindy Sheehan, co-founder ofGold Star Families For Peace, in her vigil near the vacation home of President George W. Bush inCrawford, Texas. The text of the statement follows below. Ms. Sheehan is the mother of Casey Sheehan, who was killed in combat in Sadr City in 2004, a few days after arriving in Iraq. Over 1,800 U.S. troops and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians have been killed in the U.S. invasion and occupation. Greens called Ms. Sheehan's protest a unique challenge to all Americans to speak out against the Bush Administration's betrayal of the trust of the American people and reckless disregard for American and Iraqi lives. "The Bush Administration betrayed the trust of the American people, especially those serving in the armed forces in Iraq, when it launched a war based on fraudulent premises: WMDs that didn't exist, forged evidence of nuclear weapons deals, deceptive claims that Saddam Hussein colluded with al-Qaeda," said Jody Grage Haug, Peace Action Committee member and co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "We must also hold Democrats responsible, since many of them supported the war and who joined with Republicans in surrendering Congress's constitutional power to declare war to the White House in October,2002." Text of the GPAX statement: The Peace Action Committee of the Green Party of the United States applauds and supports the brave protest vigil taking place at the vacation home of President George W. Bush in Crawford, Texas by Cindy Sheehan, mother of Casey Sheehan who was killed in combat on 4/4/04 in Sadr City five days after arriving in Iraq. We insist that President Bush meet with Ms. Sheehan and other individuals who have firsthand experienced the pain of a profound loss resulting from the current invasion and occupation of Iraq. Our leaders should not hide from the reality of these grave losses resulting from a war based on unsubstantiated pretenses. The Peace Action Committee agrees with Cindy's quote: "Bring Our Troops Home IMMEDIATELY." MORE INFORMATION Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org 1700 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 404 Washington, DC 20009. 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 ************************************* Events ************************************* Green Party Northern Cal. Strategy Session Saturday, August 13th 10:00am-3:30pm SF Green Party offices, 1028 A Howard Street, between 6th and 7th. Join Green Party activists from northern California as we discuss strategies for the 2006 election cycle. Session will include discussions on: local races (Supervisors, City Council, School Board, etc.), Assembly, State Senate, US Congress, US Senate and statewide constitutional offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Controller, Treasurer). Lunch will be provided, donations are requested but not required. for more info call: 415-386-5464. *********************************************************** Stop Comcast Action Item Tuesday, August 16th Ongoing Green Supervisor Ross Mirkirimi talks about why the Comcast deal should be improved on KPFA's Morning Show, and it looks like it wont be unless we all put pressure on the Board of Supervisors. Topic starts about 30 min into show: http://www.kpfa.org/archives/archives.php?id=24 Community organizations are opposed to the settlement and 4-year contract extension, which would leave SF with 4 more years of a bad 40 year-old agreement in exchange for a measly $3.5 million dollars from Comcast. To learn more about what's wrong with the settlement go to: http://www.media-alliance.org/article.php?story=20050617130532428 ACT NOW -- CALL YOUR SUPERVISOR Especially Sup. Maxwell, a swing vote Ask them to VOTE AGAINST the Comcast settlement & franchise extension. It is a bad deal for San Francisco. Go back to the negotiating table for a bette deal. If the City signs this deal now: *** Will there be sufficient funds for public, educational, and government access operations? No. *** Will there be any enforceable costumer service standards? No. *** Will Comcast workers be protected? No. *** Are any digital channels guaranteed after TV digital conversion? No. Ask Supervisors to continue negotiating for a better agreement: Comcast can afford it, plus a one year extension is standard practice. We want to see a public report of the Community Needs Assessment meetings the City held on the cable franchise before a vote takes place. With questions or suggestions, please call Sydney Levy at Media Alliance: (510) 832-9000 x303 *********************************************************** SFGP Endorsement Meeting Wednesday, August 17th 7:30pm-9:30pm 1028A Howard St. (SFGP Office) This is the first major endorsement meeting for the SF Green Party. We will consider remaining state initiatives, local measures, Green candidates. Active members (members of certified working groups) may vote. Non active Greens may seek active membership at the beginning of the meeting by approval of the General Membership. Here is the endorsement schedule Aug GM Aug 17 State Props 78, 79- consent calendar State Prop 80 (30 min discussion) Local initiatives: Firehouse- consent calendar or 10 min max discussion Candidates: Green candidate endorsements Poll on endorsement meetings (one four hour or two two hour meetings) 10 min Sept. GM Sept 21 Local initiatives: GG Park, MLK Drive Resurface Bond, Gun Ban, Healthcare tax Candidates: Ranked Choice for Treasurer, City Attorney, Assessor *********************************************************** ***************************************** Announcements: ********************** ************************************************************ Joke of the Week One Liners ... What's the difference between George W. Bush and the New York Giants? Nobody thinks the Giants won. What major goal does George W. Bush still dream of accomplishing? Being elected president. How do you tell the first Bush administration from the second Bush administration? This time the stupid one's in charge. What's the difference between George W. Bush and Koko, the gorilla who understands approximately 2,000 words of spoken English? Nobody thinks Koko is president. What's the difference between George W. Bush and Mussolini? Mussolini was elected. What do you call Bush voters who aren't millionaires? Suckers. ************************************************************ Become a Green Party Sustainer! As you may know, the SFGP is supported by our wonderful sustaining donors -- 175 and growing. In the next 12 months we hope to double that figure, and you can help us achieve our goal by signing up to make a regular contribution to the Green Party. Our sustainer program nearly pays all of our basic monthly operating expenses, including rent and utilities on the office, and drastically reduces the amount of work needed to raise money. Our sustainers free us up to do what we're really here for - to pursue Green values through the democratic system. Sustainers also ensure that we are able to keep our office, which has hosted numerous campaigns' headquarters including the successful Prop A, Instant Runoff Voting initiative. Becoming a Green Party sustainer is easy, fun, and secure! Online: http://www.sfgreenparty.org/makeadonation/makeadonation.html Phone: 415-701-7090 ************************************************************ For more info on our activities, please see our website, http://www.sfgreenparty.org. You can also email us questions at info(a)sfgreens.org. To send us news items (short blurb please, plain text only) for possible inclusion in the newsletter, email news(a)sfgreens.org. Please don't put these addresses on mailing lists; messages not specifically addressed to us won't go through. Submissions for Joke of the Week, or comments and questions on the content of the newsletter are welcomed by the editor at ladypest(a)hotmail.com

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Green Party Event Update
by announce＠sfgreens.org 06 Aug '05

06 Aug '05

GREEN PARTY EVENT UPDATE: We usually only send one email update per week, but there are some late breaking events that we feel are significant for SF Greens to know about so you can participate: 1. Ross Mirkarimi Community Policing forum, Monday, 8/8 1:00 pm 2. First Bi-monthly School Board meeting, Tuesday, 8/9 7:00 3. Northern CA Green Party Strategy Session, Saturday, 8/13 10am-3:30pm 1. DISTRICT 5 SUPERVISOR ROSS MIRKARIMI TO HOLD HEARING ON COMMUNITY POLICING POLICIES Monday, August 8, 2005 at 3-5pm in Rm 263 in City Hall. San Francisco, especially the Western Addition in Green Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi's District 5 has been plagued with violence (see SF Chron article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/05/BAGJIE3AL11.DTL) . Ross has been a leader on taking on this issue, and is calling a special meeting to address solutions. Join Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, SFPD Chief Heather Fong, Chief Assistant District Attorney Russell Giuentini and Public Defender Jeff Adachi for a special hearing on Community Policing policies, including: Review of policing strategies have worked elsewhere and How San Francisco can leverage successes enjoyed by other jurisdictions in Community Policing 2. FIRST MEETING: AUGUST 9TH REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, 7 pm, 555 Franklin St. The Open Government for SF School Committee, is sending out advance notice of what the items are on the agenda of each board meeting during this school year. We wish to provide brief descriptions of the significance of each item with reasons why you might want to attend and even speak to these issues. If you wish to speak to an agenda item or during general comment period, you must call the district office the day before or day of the meeting (415-241-6427) and sign up as a speaker - - all you have to do is give your name and the topic you want to address. ITEMS ON THE AGENDA: --- Wong/Sanchez Resolution re school closures-requesting that the community be given ample notice of school closures --- Advisory committee report from the Bilingual Community Council SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS --- Resolution to approve spending plan for revised Proposition H Resolution: As you recall in November 2003, San Francisco voters overwhelmingly voted to passed Proposition H in order to have the City give a total of $60 million to SFUSD over five years to fund more pre-K programs, arts, libraries, school nurses, athletics and counselors. 3. NORTHERN CA GREEN PARTY STRATEGY SESSION, Saturday, Aug 13, 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Join Green Party activists from northern California as we discuss strategies for the 2006 election cycle. Session will include discussions on: local races (Supervisors, City Council, School Board, etc.), Assembly, State Senate, US Congress, US Senate and statewide constitutional offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Controller, Treasurer). Initiatives- Green Party backed Minimum Wage Initiative Location: SF Green Party offices, 1028 A Howard Street, between 6th and 7th. Lunch will be provided, donations are requested but not required. for more info call: 415-386-5464.

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SF Green Party Weekly
by announce＠sfgreens.org 05 Aug '05

05 Aug '05

SFGP WEEKLY For The Week of 8/4/05 - 8/11/05 This Week: ********************************************************** ************************************************** News: 8/2: Supervisors Should Reject Comcast Deal ********************************************************** Events: - 8/4: Public Input Sought in Selection of New Voting System - 8/8: Housing and Land Use Seminar - 8/11: Mujeres de Conciencia/Women of Conscience Fundraiser ********************************************************** Announcements: - Joke of the Week - Voter-Owned Elections - Become A Sustainer! ********************************************************** ********************************************************** News ***************************************** 8/2: Supervisors Should Reject Comcast Deal By Casey Mills Tomorrow the Rules Committee will be asked to rubberstamp a deal made by Mayor Gavin Newsom to extend San Franciscos contract with cable provider Comcast. The Board of Supervisors should renegotiate the contract rather than flushing down the drain the first opportunity in 25 years to fix an awful agreement with a company American consumers rate lower than the IRS. The renegotiations represent an historic opening for strengthening cable workers and subscribers rights, obtaining Internet access for low-income people and non-profits, and involving the public throughout the process. The Board should not trade paltry giveaways from a corporate giant for a chance to prove it truly represents a progressive city. Read more at: http://www.beyondchron.org/ ****************************************************** ************************************* Events ************************************* Public Input Sought in Selection of New Voting System Thursday, August 4th- Friday, Sugust 12th 9am- 4pm San Francisco City Hall, Outside Rm. 48 The San Francisco Department of Elections is inviting members of the public to participate in a "mock election," featuring the two voting systems that the City is considering to replace its current voting equipment. The mock election will be held from August 1st through 12th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, in City Hall outside of Room 48. (Please note that on Friday, August 12th, the last day of the mock election, voting will end at noon. Immediately after the voting is concluded, the vendors will demonstrate how to tabulate election results using the new voting equipment.) The Department of Elections is in the process of selecting a new voting system to meet new State and federal voter accessibility requirements for voters with, but not limited to, sight and mobility impairments, and verifiability of election results. Starting January 1, 2006, San Francisco will be required to place at least one fully accessible voting device at each polling place, and the voting system must provide a permanent paper record to verify election results. Approximately $8 million in State and federal funds is available to San Francisco to purchase a voting system that complies with these legal requirements. The City will use the new voting system starting at the June 2006 Statewide primary election. John Arntz, Director of Elections, explained: "To ensure that the new voting system not only complies with the new legal requirements, but also has a high level of acceptance among San Francisco voters, it is critical that we involve as many members of the public as possible in the selection process." To maximize public participation in this process, the Department of Elections is hosting the two-week mock election featuring the two voting system vendors who submitted proposals to the Department. Members of the public are invited to test the proposed voting systems and to complete a survey form about each one. Members of the public are also invited to observe the tabulation of election results following the mock election. The two vendors participating in the mock election are Election Systems & Software and Sequoia Voting Systems. For more information about the mock election, please contact Beth Lipski at (415) 554- 7780. *********************************************************** Housing and Land Use Seminar Monday, Sugust 8th 7pm-9pm First Baptist Church 7 Octavia Street, at Market St., San Francisco (on the historic F streetcar line) This month's topic: Smart Growth: What Does It Mean For San Francisco? Speakers: Tom Radulovich, Executive Director of Transportation for a Livable City, a grassroots activist organization working to balance a sustainable transportation system with complementary land uses; and Ninth District representative to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors. Chris Durazo, Community Planning Director, South of Market Community Action Network, a community organization committed to supporting the neighborhood improvement of the South of Market neighborhood. Gilda Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of the Unity Council, the non-profit community development organization responsible for Fruitvale Village, a transit oriented, mixed-use development located in the heart of Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood. This seminar will look at the growing movement defined as smart growth, a series of development policies aimed at minimizing dependence on auto transportation, reducing air pollution, protecting open space, and making more efficient use of land resources and existing infrastructure, to determine how its concepts and practices can best be implemented in San Francisco. For more information, contact HLU Co-chairs Jennifer Donlon at junipers.hill(a)gmail.com or David Wilbur at drwsf(a)yahoo.com *********************************************************** Mujeres de Conciencia/Women of Conscience Fundraiser Thursday, August 11th 6pm-9pm Offices of John Lira, Bay Direct Realty 3405 Cesar Chavez (corner of Mission Street) San Francisco Donations: $35.00, Students and Seniors $15.00. Tickets available at the door. (Your donation is tax deductible.) Community members are invited to an inspirational fundraiser to support the publication of Mujeres de Conciencia/Women of Conscience on Thursday, August 11, 2005 in San Francisco. Mujeres de Conciencia/Women of Conscience is the first book of its kind! This yet to be published book contains large black and white photographs with biographies of 75 California Latinas. Their hearts and commitment have a strong impact on the well-being of our Latino communities. These women are only a small segment of thousands of women and men who are committed to truth and social justice. We urge you to support the publication of this book through your participation in this fundraiser. Master of Ceremonies radio personality Marcos Gutierrez, Ed.D will host the event. Please join us for food, live entertainment, and prizes. We welcome you to come and meet with book participants. For more information on this event, please contact Nicky Trasviña at (510) 5472766 For more information on the book project, please go to: <http://www.latinasforjustice.org/>www.latinasforjustice.org *********************************************************** ***************************************** Announcements: ********************** ************************************************************ Joke of the Week A Guide to U.S. Newspapers 1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country. 2. The New York Times is read by people who think they run the country. 3. The Washington Post is read by people who think they should run the country. 4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand the Washington Post. They do, however like the smog statistics shown in pie charts. 5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country, if they could spare the time, and if they didn't have to leave L.A. to do it. 6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country. 7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country, and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the train. 8. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who's running the country either, as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated. 9. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure there is a country, or that anyone is running it; but whoever it is, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are from ANY country or galaxy as long as they are Newsom Democrats. 10. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country, but need the baseball scores. ************************************************************ Join the campaign for Voter Owned Elections! Voter Owned Elections is a revolutionary election reform measure that has been endorsed by the SF Green Party and every current and former elected Green official in San Francisco including Matt Gonzalez! What is Voter Owned Elections? The concept of Voter Owned Elections is simple: the public funds the campaigns of candidates who can demonstrate a wide base of community support by collecting a large number of small donations. In exchange, candidates agree to limit their private fundraising. Voter Owned Elections (also known as 'public financing of campaigns') is a progressive reform that helps ensure that candidates are accountable to the public, rather than big corporations, and creates a situation where grassroots candidates have enough resources to get their message into the hands of voters. San Franciscans for Voter Owned Elections is now working to bring Voter Owned Elections to the San Francisco mayor's race and we need your help! This is a people-driven campaign! Please visit our web site: www.voterownedelections.org to learn more and to get involved. ************************************************************ Become a Green Party Sustainer! As you may know, the SFGP is supported by our wonderful sustaining donors -- 175 and growing. In the next 12 months we hope to double that figure, and you can help us achieve our goal by signing up to make a regular contribution to the Green Party. Our sustainer program nearly pays all of our basic monthly operating expenses, including rent and utilities on the office, and drastically reduces the amount of work needed to raise money. Our sustainers free us up to do what we're really here for - to pursue Green values through the democratic system. Sustainers also ensure that we are able to keep our office, which has hosted numerous campaigns' headquarters including the successful Prop A, Instant Runoff Voting initiative. Becoming a Green Party sustainer is easy, fun, and secure! Online: http://www.sfgreenparty.org/makeadonation/makeadonation.html Phone: 415-701-7090 ************************************************************ For more info on our activities, please see our website, http://www.sfgreenparty.org. You can also email us questions at info(a)sfgreens.org. To send us news items (short blurb please, plain text only) for possible inclusion in the newsletter, email news(a)sfgreens.org. Please don't put these addresses on mailing lists; messages not specifically addressed to us won't go through. Submissions for Joke of the Week, or comments and questions on the content of the newsletter are welcomed by the editor at ladypest(a)hotmail.com

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