DFA Progressive Values group name change to Empathy Cafe.

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Aug 10, 2009 11:19 PM EDT

Linked to groups: California for Democracy, Florida DFA, Oakland DFA Meetup, Democracy for Florida, DFA-Link Organizers

Greetings

The DFA What are  Progressive Values? group
has not had much activity for some time. I wanted to let you know I've just
changed the group name to Empathy Cafe. http://democracyforamerica.com/groups/2285-empathy-cafe

 From my work of interviewing people about progressive values I've come to see empathy as a core progressive value. It's also the value that Obama ran on. See this compilation video I made from Obama's speeches on empathy.
http://progressivespirit.com/Empathy/Obama/ObamaOnEmpathy.htm

So with that in mind I've been refocusing my work on supporting Obama's call for standing in each other's shoes.  Below is some of the work we've been doing.  More to come shortly.
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BEEN so buzy -

Written by: darlene matthews on Jul 13, 2009 4:40 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Take Back Red California, East Bay DFA, Canyon Democrats, San Francisco for Democracy, Democracy for America - Orange County

I have been so buzy between fighting for help from DOR so i can get current education and experience and  work full time  someday again , and  WORKING ON health care VETS and other  women's  and disability and housing ISSUES and  PROGRAMS... and all the other hot topics ... like the e-letters went off to wdc  and  assembly members this am, that  I  haven't  restarted getting new votes  to promote me!

so here it comes-

MEMORIAL DAY -IRVINE- Honor and Gratitude - BETH KROM 2turn CA-48 BLUE

Written by: darlene matthews on May 22, 2009 11:49 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Access Now, Empathy Cafe, Courage Campaign, Democracy for America - Orange County, California for Democracy

Dear darlene, Memorial Day is our opportunity to honor the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers and to reflect on what it means to live in a country that promises "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" to all its citizens. There is a price to pay for such freedoms, and it is the men and women of our military who pay that price.  I grew up during the Vietnam War.  Today, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to challenge us as a nation. While war is always a hotly debated topic, there should be no debate about the debt we owe to the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives defending our freedom.  As your Representative, I will work hard to ensure that that those who bravely serve in our military are not abandoned and neglected when they come home. Military families deserve a stronger voice in Washington. Let's ensure that the families of our fallen soldiers know just how much our nation values their sacrifice.   Please join me on Memorial Day, May 25th, at 10:00 a.m. to honor the sacrifice of our brave heroes at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park in Irvine (Barranca Parkway and Harvard).   Sincerely, Beth Krom Candidate for Congress 48th Congressional District P.S. With your help, I can fight on behalf of our veterans and military families.  Please consider contributing to our campaign today! info@bethkrom.com www.bethkrom.com

Forward email This email was sent to go2thesun@mac.com by info@bethkrom.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Beth Krom for Congress | PMB 211 | 14252 Culver Dr., Suite A | Irvine | CA | 92604

Want to be a pen pal so a child can learn good english?

Written by: darlene matthews on May 21, 2009 8:21 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Empathy Cafe, California for Democracy, Canyon Democrats, Courage Campaign, East Bay DFA

CDC: Free Democratic Leadership Training - Orange County

Written by: Henry V on Apr 1, 2009 5:05 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Riverside, Take Back Red California, Southern California for Democracy, Democracy for America - Orange County, San Diego DFA

Linked to campaigns: Bill Hedrick for Congress, 44th District, California

California Democratic Council

and the

Orange County Democratic Party

Join our DFA group

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2009
Time: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Location: Carpenter's Hall
1916 W. Chapman Ave., Orange CA 92868

Cost: Free. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. (Requested donation of $10.00 to help cover food and materials)

You must register here: http://www.cdc-ca.org/Training/

Sponsors: Please help us keep this training going - be a sponsor for only $50

This intense training consists of a variety of workshops for club/party leaders and political activists who want to advance their leadership roles in the Democratic Party or are just getting started! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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DFA Campaign Academy in Fresno March 28-29, 2009

Written by: Susan Rowe on Mar 20, 2009 10:27 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northern California Trained Activists, California for Democracy, Reproductive Rights for America, Southern California for Democracy, DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties

(SACRAMENTO, CA) 2009 CDP Convention New Delegate Training

Written by: Susan Rowe on Mar 15, 2009 3:42 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Take Back Red California

Obama and the New Spirit of Empathy Group: Updates

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Feb 27, 2009 12:10 PM EST

Linked to groups: DFA New Jersey, PA for Democracy, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Empathy Cafe, Democracy for Washington

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

The capacity to know emotionally what another is experiencing from within the frame of reference of that other person, the capacity to sample the feelings of another or to put oneself in another’s shoes.   D. M. Berger

Barack Obama is leading a movement based on values and at the core of this is the value of empathy. Barack talks about empathy and the importance of 'standing in other peoples shoes', in many of his speeches (I've collected 50 so far).  Empathy is the most basic value he ran on and he says the country has an 'empathy deficit' that needs to be filled. We are forming an Empathy Values Group to build on Obama's call to address the empathy deficit. 

A sense of similarity in feelings experienced by the self and the other, without confusion between the two individuals.^{Jean Decety}

As part of this empathy movement, we are also putting together a video of his talking about this topic to give it some context and promote this foundational progressive value. Let's help fill the empathy deficit by making people more aware of the topic. This is a collaborative project and we invite you to take part.  See.

Barack Obama and a New Spirit of Empathy (rough cut 1)  (1 hr 15 min)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6504935098489252112

A Chronological Video of Barack on Empathy - Compiled from about 30 of Barack's speeches and interviews, etc on the topic of empathy. 

Here's a review of the video:  Hi Edwin, It is truly wonderful that you and others have grasped the brass ring of the progressive movement by highlighting the core issue of Empathy. I now see that everything about the rising of Barack Obama and the revolution in America is based on this principle. Thank you, thank you for your effort and the timely reminder to me of what is really important. It's easy to get lost in the dust that is being raised by so many who sincerely want to see change and see it quickly. But it is crucial to remember why we are being called in this time in history to change. You are exactly right, it is Empathy. Warmly, Terri  Jan 28, 2009.
 

Some more Video About Empathy

•  
  •  
    •  
      •  
        •     Nova: Mirror Neurons and Empathy
              A video about Mirror Neurons which could be  the physiological source of empathy.

      •     George Lakoff on Empathy
            Lakoff talks about Obama and empathy.

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Next Empathy Group Meeting Dates
   (online and in person)
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How might we nurture, promote or foster empathy within ourselves, as a group and within the larger culture through a balance of action and reflection?

Attend In Person meetings in the Bay Area. El Cerrito, CA. Meetings are ongoing, every week .
Sign up at:

Saturday, Feb 28, 2009, 2 - 5 pm  
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpt2lv
At this meeting we'll brainstorm  about projects to work on.

Saturday, Mar 07, 2009, 2-5 pm
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptyrd

Saturday, Mar 21, 2009, 2-5 pm
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptyrg

Saturday, April 04, 2009, 2-5 pm
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptyrl

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An affective response that stems from the apprehension or comprehension of another’s emotional state or condition, and that is similar to what the other person is feeling or would be expected to feel.   Nancy Eisenberg

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Resource Links
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Group  Website: Barack Obama and the New Spirit of Empathy
     http://progressivespirit.com/Empathy/

Video: Barack Obama and a New Spirit of Empathy - Rough Cut 1 (1 hr 15 min)
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6504935098489252112
    Compiled from about 30 of Barack's speeches and interviews, etc on the topic of empathy.
    It clearly makes the case that the most important value that Obama is promoting is empathy.

Online Discussion Group
     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProgressiveValues/
     Take part from anywhere online. We hold ongoing online discussions, brainstorming and meetings.
      Join the project discussion list by sending an email to:
     ProgressiveValues-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
      http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProgressiveValues/
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Best

Edwin Rutsch

Watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the net at http://liberal.democratz.org

Written by: Dennis Baer on Feb 17, 2009 4:04 PM EST

Linked to groups: DFA-Denver, Democracy For America - Oklahoma City, North Dallas Democracy For America, Democracy For Westchester, Greater Kansas City Democracy for America

Did you miss last night's episode of Countdown with Keith Olbermann? Does your tv system not have MSNBC? If so then you can watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the net at

http://liberal.democratz.org and if you can't get to that web page then go to

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2pnn4/dmocrats1/id2.html

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Send this letter to congress to end Republiklan filibusters and get needed legislation enacted. http://write2congress.buyblue.biz

Written by: Dennis Baer on Feb 17, 2009 1:19 PM EST

Linked to groups: Netroots Activism!, Ocean County DFA/PDA, Washtenaw County Democracy For America, Democracy for Colorado, Fairfield County Democracy for America

Send the following letter by fax to Senate Republican minority leader Senator Mitch McConnell. Tell other people to visit this site and have these people to get other people to visit this site.

Go to http://write2congress.buyblue.biz which will have the letter shown below in the text box and the fax information for Senator McConnell. Just enter your name and email in the left hand box and fill in the captcha code and then click on the button that reads send free fax now.


Dear Senator Senator McConnell

I want the following actions taken and legislation enacted into law.

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