SFGP WEEKLY For The Week of 10/20/05 - 10/28/05 This Week: ********************************************************** News: 10/13: Toxic Chemicals Found in Some Children's Toys 10/15: Elaine Brown tossed from ballot 10/18: First Report from New Orleans 10/18: Students Greet Military with Rally and Queer Kiss-In ********************************************************** Events: 10/20: Happy Hour Benefit for Commercial Alert with Matt Gonzalez and Gary Ruskin 10/21: Art Opening Reception for Tim Gaskin at City Hall 10/23: Ross and Friends Phonebanking Night 10/24: GOTV Sunset Precinct Walk 10/24: Schwarzenegger Corporate Debate Protest 10/25: An Evening with The Honorable Mayor of Bethlehem, Dr. Victor Batarseh 10/26: Prop 13 Public Talk with David Giesen ********************************************************** Announcements: Joke of the Week Early Voting Open At City Hall Emmie is Editing Announce This Week Become A Sustainer! ********************************************************** News ********************* ********************************************************** Thursday, October 13, 2005, in the San Jose Mercury News "Toxic chemicals found in some children's toys" Bay City News Service SAN FRANCISCO - Babies who use plastic toys may be at risk later in life, according to a report released Wednesday that shows that many products used by babies and young children contain toxic chemicals. Phthalates and toxic flame-retardants were present in 18 of 25 products tested by the Environment California Research and Policy Center and the U.S. PIRG Education Fund. The study, which was motivated by existing bans on six types of phthalates in Europe, was released today. The report calls for a ban on the most toxic chemicals in children's products, including flame retardants known as PBDEs and 6 types of phthalates. There are currently no restrictions on phthalates in children's products. A statewide ban on the manufacture and distribution of two PBDEs, Penta and Octa, will take effect on June 1, 2006. AB319, written by Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, D-Oakland, aims to ban phthalates from products used by children under 3. If passed, it would go into effect Jan. 1, 2007. Phthalates, which make plastics soft and pliable, are commonly found in baby products such as plastic teething rings and plastic books, and in personal care products. PBDEs are present in products such as electronics casing, furniture foam and fabric backing. According to the report, "phthalates are linked to premature birth, reproductive defects and early onset puberty." The report cites a study of 85 babies by Dr. Shanna Swan at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, which found that prenatal exposure to phthalates can affect genital development in boys. Some children's products labeled "phthalate-free" or "non-toxic" tested positive in the study, and Environment California recommends using wooden toys as a safer alternative to plastic. The best way to ensure that plastic toys are phthalate-free is to contact manufacturers directly, said Rachel Gibson of Environment California. Guidelines for parents can be found at http://www.environmentcalifornia.org You can read the full report and take a survey on toxics in kid's toys here: http://environmentcalifornia.org/envirocalif.asp?id2=19655 To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser: http://environmentcalifornia.org/envirocalif.asp?id=692&id4=ES Dan Jacobson Environment California Legislative Director DanJ@environmentcalifornia.org http://www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org ********************************************************** Brown tossed from ballot Elections panel says she failed residency test By Keith Laing The Brunswick News Sat, Oct 15, 2005 The Glynn County Board of Elections has decided that Brunswick mayoral candidate Elaine Brown cannot participate in the upcoming municipal election as either a candidate or a voter. The elections board voted unanimously Friday to disqualify Brown as a candidate for mayor and remove her from the voter rolls after a week of considering whether or not she has lived in the city long enough to be a candidate. Complete article: http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/front/307751713822080.php ********************************************************** First Report from New Orleans by Susan King October 18, 2005 Hi all, I am in New Orleans with Medea Benjamin and a group of fabulous women to join the Common Ground Collective. It is hard to describe in one short post the amazing level of organization and work that is coming out of this small, young organization. For more info, please take a moment and go to http://www.commongroundrelief.org/ I will send a more thorough report later about specific needs and ways that the Green Party can step up and be a part of this amazing work. For now, here are a few ideas: 1. There is a national caravan being organized from November 20-27 to bring folks from across the US to work over Thanksgiving week to help rebuild the 9th Ward in New Orleans. Plans are being made to help folks organize caravans from their communities. The Collective is working on developing hubs to work out of, set up housing and other infrastructure to support volunteers to help in this effort. The plan is to have 300 volunteers work block by block cleaning up the 9th ward. Clean up includes refuse removal (much is being hauled out by the Army Corps of Engineers, but there will still be lots to do on this front). Volunteers will work side by side with residents of the 9th ward to make this community habitable and functional, so people can move back into their community. IF YOU CAN SWING IT, PLAN TO SPEND THANKSGIVING WEEK NEW ORLEANS! There will be organizing in SF, if you can help, we can work together to set up a team to help get the SF caravan ready to go. 2. The needs are overwhelming, and it is amazing how much this group has done with so little. Yes, of course, funds are needed, but that is not the only need. I will try to get a comprehensive lis of things that we can help line up to have shipped here. Efforts are underway to ask for donations from corporations and businesses large and small. In the meantime, they still need items either sent or driven here. I will post a list soon. 3. If you can arrange time off anytime, there are specific skills that are useful, especially skilled labor like construction, legal aid, medical assistants, computer skills, finance and accounting skills. If you know folks who can do these things, please forward this email. I will send more reports later, and a more thorough description of the vision of The Common Ground Collective. If you want these reports, please email me so I can add you to the list, since I do not want to bog the staff list down with daily reports. Please forward contact for others who want updates. Bye for now, peace, susan ********************************************************** STUDENTS GREET MILITARY WITH RALLY AND QUEER KISS-IN Students creatively and peacefully block access to military recruiters http://santacruz.indymedia.org/feature/display/17213/index.php Today, October 18th, 2005 UCSC Students Against War (SAW) organized a nonviolent rally and Queer Kiss-in against the presence of military recruiters on the UC Santa Cruz Campus. About forty students participated in protest of the militarys discriminatory Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy. The Queer Kiss-in was staged in front of the militarys tables during the march and rally. From inside the fair, kissers were able to effectively block access to military recruiters without shutting down the entire career fair. When asked about why the Queer Kiss-in was the most effective tactic to use against the military, Steve S. a third year Literature major answered, The kiss as an act of love is fundamentally antithetical to the military as an institution of war and death and strife. Outside of the University Center over a hundred students rallied against the recruiters and in support of those participating in the kiss-in on the inside. The students were flanked by supportive faculty and staff, many of who wore UCSC Faculty Against War badges. The rally at the College Center lasted for the duration of the career fair and included speeches by students and faculty members such as UC Professor Bettina Aptheker, music, as well as an impromptu question-and-answer session between SAW organizers and rally participants. As they rallied, the students presented a list of five[sic] demands to the UCSC administration. They demanded that: 1) All military recruiters leave the Job Fair immediately; 2) UCSC join dozens of prestigious law schools nation-wide in the Supreme Court case FAIR v Rumsfeld to oppose the Solomon Amendment, which forces colleges to allow military recruiters, even though it violates their own nondiscrimination policies; 3) UCSC Faculty and Administration write a resolution promising to officially ban recruiters from campus as soon as the Solomon Amendment is overturned; and 4) UCSC Chancellor Denice D. Denton make a public statement denouncing military recruitment as a violation of campus non-discrimination policies, affirming the campus will to ban recruiters, once legally able to do so. Second year student, Tom Fleming, who took part in the rally said, I feel that we really made a strong point today, our goals are tangible and the pressure is now on the administration to formulate a strategy that will be in support of the student body. For more information, contact Students Against Wars press team through saw_action@yahoo.com Photos and personal accounts can be found at: http://santacruz.indymedia.org/feature/display/17213/index.php *********************************************************** Events *********************************** *********************************************************** 10/20: Happy Hour Benefit for Commercial Alert Please join Matt Gonzalez and Gary Ruskin, executive director of Commercial Alert, for happy hour. Date: Thursday, October 20 Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Place: Cafe Royale, 800 Post Street at Leavenworth Suggested contribution: $30, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford Commercial Alert is not your typical nonprofit. Commercial Alert's mission is to keep the commercial culture within its proper sphere, and to prevent it from exploiting children and subverting the higher values of family, community, environmental integrity and democracy. *** Read more about Commercial Alert at http://www.commercialalert.org. *** RSVP at http://hq.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ commercialalert//campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1185. *** Donate at https://secure.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/ commercialalert/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=887. Gary Ruskin | gary@commercialalert.org Commercial Alert | www.commercialalert.org Congressional Accountability Project | www.congressproject.org Tel. (503) 235-8012 | Fax (503) 235-5073 *********************************************************** 10/21: Art Opening Reception for Tim Gaskin Friday, October 21st, 2005, 5-8 PM San Francisco City Hall, 1 Carlton B Goodlett Place, Room 282 Free Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi hosts the monthly Third Fridays Art Reception in his City Hall office, Room 282. *********************************************************** 10/23: Ross and Friends Phonebanking Night Sunday, October 23rd 5:00-8:00 pm United Health Care Workers 1338 Mission St., 2nd Floor With the November 8th Special Election, Arnold Schwarzenegger is bringing the Karl Rove right-wing agenda to California. His propositions threaten a woman's right to choose, a worker's right to organize and will bring devestating cuts to education and health care. Schwarzenegger is bringing in Republican operatives from across the country to increase conservative turnout in California. It is critical that we in San Francisco work twice as hard and double the expected voter turnout in order to counter-act these efforts. If we all work together, we can defeat these dangerous propositions. Join Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi as we call San Franciscans and tell the truth about the Special Election. For more information, call the Alliance for a Better CA at (415) 503-5797. *********************************************************** 10/24: Mark your calender for October 24th from 10:00am to 4:00pm Meet at Other Avenues Food Store 3930 Judah St (between 44th & 45th) San Francisco, CA Map (415) 661-7475 Public Transportation: ( MUNI Judah N streetcar). The "Pierre FRAYSSE for SUNSET/D#4 Supervisor Committee" is organizing their first GOTV for the November 8th election; The objective is to distribute flyers supporting the SFGP slate card and to cover every single home and apartment in two Sunset precincts, one progressive, one conservative. Post election results analysis will give us tremendous insights on how the current SUNSET voters adhere to the endorsements we made and the GREEN Party 10 keys values. Furthermore, it will give our committee local information on how to organize and focus our coming campaign for the D#4 supervisor seat. WE NEED GOOD WALKERS and STAIR CLIMBERS! *********************************************************** 10/24: Schwarzenegger Corporate Debate Protest October 24, 2005 5:00 p.m. Walnut Creek, Civic Park GREEN Party activists from Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo join the Alliance for a better CA to protest Schwarzenegger Corporate sponsored "debate" on FOX KTVU Channel #2. Let's stand beside others progressives to stop CA take-over by right-wings special interests! For information, call Pierre FRAYSSE at 415-608-5651, or email pbfgreens@sbcglobal.net How to get there? Civic Park is at the corner of North Broadway and Civic Center Drive, a few blocks south of the Walnut Creek BART station. The Dean Lesher Center where the "debate" will take place is 3 blocks west from the park, on Locust Drive. Bring your GREEN Party Banner! *********************************************************** 10/25: The Arab American Community in San Francisco Bay Area invites you to An Evening with The Honorable Mayor of Bethlehem, Dr. Victor Batarseh Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005 7:30 PM-8:30 PM St. Mary's Cathedral 1111 Gough St. at Franklin St. San Francisco, 94109 Light Refreshments will be provided For more information or to RSVP, please call 415-664-2200. Details: The Honorable Mayor of Bethlehem, Dr. Victor Batarseh, will be addressing the Arab American Community in San Francisco on behalf of the Holy City of Bethlehem. A Question & Answer period will follow the Mayor's Address. Sponsored by: Arab Cultural & Community Center, National Council of Arab Americans, Bethlehem Association, Palestinian American Congress, Free Palestine Alliance, ADC-SF, General Union of Palestinian Students, Palestine Arab Fund ************************************************************* 10/26: Proposition 13 - Home Ownership, You and Your Neighbors Wednesday, October 26, 2005 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bernal Heights Library Community Room David Giesen will be giving a public talk on the history, mechanism and effects of Prop 13, Californias landmark property tax legislation. Sponsored by the Henry George School (415) 970-9306 henrygeorge.org *********************************************************** Joke of the Week ************************* *********************************************************** George W. Bush's Intelligence Quiz While visiting England, George W. Bush is invited to tea with the Queen. He asks her what her leadership philosophy is. She says that it is to surround herself with intelligent people. He asks how she knows if they're intelligent. "I do so by asking them the right questions," says the Queen. "Allow me to demonstrate." She phones Tony Blair and says, "Mr. Prime Minister. Please answer this question: Your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or sister. Who is it?" Tony Blair responds, "It's me, ma'am." "Correct. Thank you and good-bye, sir," says the Queen. She hangs up and says, "Did you get that, Mr. Bush?" "Yes ma'am. Thanks a lot. I'll definitely be using that!" Upon returning to Washington, he decides he'd better put the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the test. He summons Jesse Helms to the White House and says, "Senator Helms, I wonder if you can answer a question for me." "Why, of course, sir. What's on your mind?" "Uh, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or your sister. Who is it?" Helms hems and haws and finally asks, "Can I think about it and get back to you?" Bush agrees, and Helms leaves. He immediately calls a meeting of other senior senators, and they puzzle over the question for several hours, but nobody can come up with an answer. Finally, in desperation, Helms calls Colin Powell at the State Department and explains his problem. "Now look here Colin Powell, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother, or your sister. Who is it?" Powell answers immediately, "It's me, of course, you dumb ass." Much relieved, Helms rushes back to the White House and exclaims, "I know the answer, sir, it's Colin Powell!" And Bush replies in disgust, "Wrong, you dumb ass, It's Tony Blair!" *********************************************************** Announcements: ************************* *********************************************************** Early Voting Open At City Hall For those of you who wish to vote early, the polls at City Hall in San Francisco are now open. Voting will take place during normal buisness hours at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlet Pl. (City Hall), San Francisco, CA. Please go to the Elections Department in the basement to find the polling place. If you are not registered yet, voter regestration will be open until Nov. 2nd. Remember, vote early, vote every election! *********************************************************** Emmie is Editing Announce This Week Im filling in as editor of Announce this week while Nicole is in transit. (Thanks for the great instructions, Nicole!) *********************************************************** 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, comments, Letters to the Editor, or fan mail, at info@sfgreens.org. To send us news items (short blurb please, plain text only), email news@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 are welcomed by the editor at ladypest@hotmail.com _______________________________________________ San Francisco Green Party Announcement List To unsubscribe, go here: https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/announce