SFGP WEEKLY For The Week of 10/27/05 - 11/03/05 This Week: ********************************************************** News: 10/26: SF Green Party Endorsements for Sierra Club 10/26: Greens Mark the 2,000th Death of US Servicepeople in Iraq 10/27: Supervisor Mirkarimi releases final study from San Francisco State University exit poll ********************************************************** Events: 10/29: Fundraiser for College Not Combat 10/30: "The Soul of Democracy: Integrating Spiritual Vision with Active Citizenship" 11/01: Countering Repression With Organizing and Alternatives 11/01: Housing and Land Use Working Group Meeting 11/03: Animal Rights Working Group Meeting ********************************************************** Announcements: Joke of the Week New Orleans Reconstruction Project Become A Sustainer! ********************************************************** News ********************* ********************************************************** 10/26: SF Green Party Endorsements for Sierra Club The San Francisco Green Party endorses the following people for the San Francisco group: Rick Galbreath John Rizzo Ahimsa Sumchai Sue Vaughan ********************************************************** 10/26: Greens Mark the 2,000th Death of US Servicepeople in Iraq Source: U.S. Green Party (article reprinted in full) Greens press for immediate withdrawal and call for political action to remove pro-war politicians; Wisconsin Greens campaign for state referendum to return U.S. troops. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Parties across the U.S. are marking the announcement that 2,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces have been killed in Iraq, with vigils, protest rallies against the continued occupation, and other events. "We're remembering the 2,000 dead American troops, thousands more injured, and also the tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians killed as a result of the U.S. invasion and occupation," said Rebecca Rotzler, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States, co-chair of the party's Peace Action Committee, and Deputy Mayor of New Paltz, New York. "'Occupation' has become a euphemism for continued war." Greens noted that the number of estimated civilian Iraqi casualties -- uncounted by the U.S. Department of Defense -- ranges from 24,000 to more than 100,000, and that U.S. military deaths which occur outsidea a war zone from injuries sustained within a war zone are not counted within the Defense Department's 2,000 figure. Green Party leaders emphasized the need for concerted political action to follow up on the September 24 protests in Washington, D.C. and other cities against the war. "Unless Americans appalled by the direction of our country take steps to remove the Bush Administration and the Republicans and Democrats who supported the war, the September 24 demos will have limited effect," said Steve Kramer, co-chair of the Green Party. In Wisconsin, Greens have initiated a ballot referendum which, if approved by voters in an April 2006 election, will authorize the state to demand the complete and immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops. The Green Party called for the impeachment of President Bush in July, 2003, citing the numerous deceptions and violations of U.S. constitutional and international law behind the invasion. The party has also strongly criticized Democrats and Republicans who surrendered Congress's constitutionally mandated power to declare war to President Bush, and has condemned the requests from some Democratic leaders to increase troop numbers, especially Sen. Hillary Clinton's (N.Y.) call for 80,000 more troops. In calling for a White House order to begin the withdrawal of U.S. troops immediately, the Green Party has rejected the position of Democrats who ask for a plan to withdraw troops by the end of 2006. "Every day the occupation is prolonged, more American troops and Iraqi civilians will be killed and maimed, we're no closer to stability in Iraq, and are possibly nearer to a civil war there," said Jody Grage Haug, Green Party co-chair and GPAX member. "The thousands of dead soldiers and civilians, nonexistent WMDs, forged evidence of an Iraqi nuclear threat (highlighted by the Plame scandal), torture in Abu Ghraib, and realization that a radical political ideology has motivated a massive abuse of power have resulted in majority opposition to the war, according to recent polls." "On this sad day, we also remember the servicemembers who are still risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we remember the families who have lost loved ones and who fear news of a lost loved one. And we thank people like Cindy Sheehan and all the veterans, families of fallen soldiers, and organizations supporting them for calling America back to sanity," added Marc Sanson, party co-chair. 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 ********************************************************** 10/27: Supervisor Mirkarimi releases final study from San Francisco State University exit poll Source: The Center for Voting and Democracy SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 25, 2005)- The Public Research Institute at San Francisco State University has released the FINAL REPORT from an exit poll study about voter¹s attitudes regarding ranked choice voting in the November 2004 election (previously the Public Research Institute had released a preliminary report). This final report, which was commissioned by the City and County of San Francisco and paid for by the City and County and SFSU College one of Behavioral and Social Sciences, includes information from absentee voters as well as voters who cast their ballots in precincts. View the final report at http://pri.sfsu.edu/reports/SFSU-PRI_RCV_final_report_June_30.pdf ********************************************************** Events ********************** *********************************************************** 10/29: College Not Combat Fundraiser Saturday, October 29th 7-10 p.m. 245 Whitney Street, S.F. near Church and 30th Streets, off Chenery St. Public transportation options: J Church Streetcar, #26 Valencia bus, Glen Park BART Donation $5.00 (or more) for the College Not Combat Campaign RSVP: 415 282-1079 *********************************************************** 10/30: "The Soul of Democracy: Integrating Spiritual Vision with Active Citizenship" Sunday, October 30th 9:30am- 6:00pm 5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Woodacre (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Tickets: $100. - includes vegetarian lunch Format for the day: Speakers and Break-out group meetings SPEAKERS: Jack Kornfield, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Tom Hayden, Sylvia Boorstein, Matt Gonzalez, Pam Torliatt, and Swami Beyondananda (for levity) Special presentation by Mayors Larry Barnett (Sonoma) and Larry Robinson (Sebastopol). Moderators: Georgia Kelly and James Baraz TO REGISTER: Call Spirit Rock at 415-488-0164, ext. 234 on Friday. OR, You can also register at Spirit Rock on Sunday morning before 9:30 a.m. For program information, please contact Praxis Peace Institute - info@praxispeace.org or phone 707-939-2973. Online registration is now closed, but you can register onsite Sunday morning or by calling Spirit Rock at 415-488-0164, ext. 234 any time on Friday. *********************************************************** 11/01: Countering Repression With Organizing and Alternatives Tuesday, November 1st 5pm 474 Valencia St. (El Centro De Pueblo) The Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) invites you to the presentation of Wilfredo Berrios, a union leader from El Salvador who is going to talk about the resistence of the salvadorean social movement before the implementationof CAFTA, the Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), growing represion against leaders of the social movement, national debt, and the US intervention in the salvadorean elections. We will have music, food, and an exposition of photos and posters of CISPES's history. Bay Area CISPES 3382 26th St San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 648-8222 *********************************************************** 11/01: Housing and Land Use Working Group Meeting Tuesday, Noverber 1st 7:00-9:00pm 1028A Howard St. (SFGP Office) Our tenative agenda includes: * End of year party * Piers 27-32 (Mills Corp.) * Treasure Island All are welcome to attend! *********************************************************** 11/03: Animal Rights Working Group Meeting The San Francisco Green Party now has an animal working group, which meets every first Thursday of the month at 6PM. Come get involved in issues that involve acting on behalf of animals, just like you would in any animal advocacy group; only work closer with Green public officials and have a greater influence on legislation. For more information, email Rosalind Lord at rclord@seaserpent.com. *********************************************************** Announcements ************************* *********************************************************** Jokes of the Week (Submitted by Susan King) The Top Ten Stupidest Things President George W. Bush Has Ever Said 10) "Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream." LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000 9) "I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family." Greater Nashua, N.H., Jan. 27, 2000 8) "I hear there's rumors on the Internets that we're going to have a draft." second presidential debate, St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8, 2004 7) "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.'' Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001 6) "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004 (Watch video clip) 5) "There's an old saying in Tennessee I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee that says, fool me once, shame on shame on you. Fool me you can't get fooled again." Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002 (Watch video clip) 4) "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000 3) "They misunderestimated me." Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 6, 2000 2) "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000 1) "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004 (Watch video clip) Just For Halloween A cabbie picks up a Nun. She gets into the cab and the cab driver won't stop staring at her. She asks him why he is staring. He replies "I have a question to ask you, but I don't want to offend you". She answers, "My son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive." "Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me." She responds, "Well, let's see what we can do about that: 1. You have to be single and 2. You must be Catholic." The cab driver is very excited and says "Yes, I'm single and Catholic!" "Okay" the nun says. "Pull into the next alley" The nun fulfils his fantasy with a kiss that would make a hooker blush. But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying. "My dear child" said the nun, "Why are you crying?" "Forgive me, but I have sinned." sobbed the cab driver, "I lied and I must confess, I'm married and I'm Jewish." The nun said "That's okay, my name is Kevin and I'm going to a Halloween Party." *********************************************************** JOIN THE ROADTRIP FOR RELIEF!! CLEAN-UP, REPAIR, REBUILD IN THE 9TH WARD WITH COMMON GROUND COLLECTIVE November 20-27 Common Ground Collective has called a National Caravan to arrive in New Orleans on November 20th and work over the week of Thanksgiving until November 27th. In the meantime, we are having regular planning meetings to build up to this event, and we need people to join our organizing efforts. Please contact Susan King at funking@mindspring.com to find out how you can be a part of this vital effort. Why: The concentrated efforts of this caravan will bring hope to the displaced people of New Orleans so they see that it is possible to clean-up their neighborhoods and rebuild their lives. The work of the caravan will be a demonstration of what is possible. Who: You. Your organization. Self-sustained groups that can organize themselves. We also need volunteers with specific skills: electricians, mechanics, plumbers, mold abaters, roofers, construction workers, carpenters, tree workers, lawyers, cooks and people who can train other volunteers and residents in these skills. When: We need organizers to help right now! We're asking folks in the caravan to arrive in New Orleans on November 20th and work through the Thanksgiving week until Novemeber 27th. Of course, volunteers are needed continuously and can arrive anytime. How you can help: Get on the bus. Donate a bus. Organize a bus. Donate $$$$. Donate supplies . Help raise funds, plan a fundraiser, ask your network to donate. Help spread the word. www.sfgreenparty.org *********************************************************** 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