Democrats: Time to get active

Written by: Adrienne Grey on Oct 11, 2006 6:42 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

Absentee ballots are in the mail, folks. It's up to all of us to get out the vote. Here's how you can help.

First, here's a link to the latest Santa Clara County/California Democratic Party Voter Guide. This double-sided, half sheet PDF looks fine reproduced on a laser printer in black and white. You can cleanly cut up to four at a time by hand with sharp scissors if you hold tight so they don't splay. Great for precinct walking, leafleting at events (progressive movies, for instance), or just sharing with friends and family. Pass it on.

sccdp.org/docs/SCCDPEndorsements...

Second, there's phone banking weekday/weekend evenings or you can walk precincts every Saturday at a campaign office near you. Please call one of the numbers below for more information.

San Jose - 2102 Almaden Road, Suite 107 - (408)445-4575
San Jose - 1180 Blossom Hill Rd Suite B - (408)265-9060
Mountain View - 2290 El Camino Real, Suite 8 - (650)965-3117
Morgan Hill - 237 West Main Street - (408)779-9260

Now let's roll!

THANK YOU,

*****A

San Jose DFA-Link October Meeting

Written by: Adrienne Grey on Sep 29, 2006 2:25 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

The next San Jose DFA-Link Meeting will be Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at 7:00 PM.

Where:
Santa Clara County Democratic Party Office
2102 Almaden Road, Suite 114
San Jose , CA 95125

PLEASE RSVP at www.dfalink.com/siliconvalley...

AGENDA: A recent DFA night school session featured a conference call with Prof. George Lakoff, giving us a valuable how-to on "Framing the Election" -- (1) Understand the importance of fundamental values and (2) Use these fundamental values to motivate voters. We'll be playing back this conf call & showing the accompanying PowerPoint, for a timely refresher course in framing. If desired, we'll do an exercise for practice.

See you there! this is our second to last meeting before the election. Let's sharpen our skills together!

Feel free to bring snacks if convenient. There's a small fridge and microwave.

PLEASE RSVP at www.dfalink.com/siliconvalley...
The North County meeting has the same agenda; choose whichever is nearest you.

Brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley (dfasv.org)

Attend George Lakoff in San Jose on July 20!

Written by: Adrienne Grey on Jul 6, 2006 8:15 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

Dear Member,

The Commonwealth Club - Silicon Valley presents George Lakoff in San Jose on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 7:00 PM.

Dr. Lakoff is Professor of Linguistics, UC Berkeley and Author of "Whose Freedom? The Battle over America's Most Important Idea."

What: George Lakoff in San Jose
When: Thursday, July 20, 2006, 7:00 PM
Where: Le Petit Trianon
72 N. Fifth St
San Jose CA 95112

Tickets are $12 ($7 for Commonwealth Club members), Reserve here:
www.commonwealthclub.org/sv.html...

Radical conservatives have hijacked the word freedom and distorted its meaning, says Lakoff. He describes how freedom has taken on a new significance in the post-9/11 United States and warns that progressive leaders have failed to recognize and counter the conservative platform. In order to regain their foothold, the Dems must wield language as a strategic weapon to reframe the political debate.

Occupation: The Inconvenient Truth About Iraq

Written by: Adrienne Grey on Jul 6, 2006 7:55 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

Occupation: The Inconvenient Truth About Iraq

by George Lakoff

It is time to tell an inconvenient truth about Iraq: it is an occupation, not a war. In wars, armies fight to dominate land. The US won the war three years ago when Bush said, "Mission Accomplished". Then the occupation started, and our troops were not trained or equipped for an occupation under predictably hostile circumstances. Finally getting the courage to tell the truth that the US is an occupying force drastically changes the picture in Iraq. You cannot "win" an occupation. "Cut and run" does not apply to an occupation. Occupiers have to leave; the only question is when and how. Progressive Democrats agree that it should be soon; they only disagree on details. Political courage is called for. Truth now!

We've begun with global warming. Now the U.S. and its military allies need to face another inconvenient truth, this one about Iraq: This is an occupation, not a war.
The war was over when Bush said "Mission Accomplished." A war has one army fighting another army over territory. U.S. fighting men and women defeated Saddam's military machine three years ago. Then the occupation began. Our troops were trained to fight a war, not to occupy a country where they don't know the language and culture; where they lack enough troops, where they face an anti-occupation insurgency by the Iraqis themselves; where most of the population wants them out; where they are being shot at and killed by the very Iraqis they are training; and where the U.S. has given up on reconstruction and can't do much positive good there.

The Occupation Frame fits a politically inconvenient truth. Most people don't want to think of our army as an occupation force, but it is. An occupying army can't win anything. The occupation only helps Al Qaeda, which Iraqis don't want in their country since Al Qaeda attracts foreigners who have been killing Iraqis.

Our nation has been held trapped in a fallacious War Frame that serves the interests of the Bush administration and the Republican Party. The term "cut and run," used to vilify Democrats, is defined relative to the following frame:

...There is a war against evil that must be fought. Fighting requires courage and bravery. Those fully committed to the cause are brave. Those who "cut and run" are motivated by self-interest; they are only interested in saving their own skins, not in the moral cause. They are cowards. And since those fighting for the cause need all the support they can get, anyone who decides to "cut and run" endangers both the moral cause and the lives of those brave people who are fighting for it. Those who have courage and conviction should stand and fight. ...

Once the false frame is set, it is hard to use any pure self-interest frame that ignores the just cause of fighting evil. That is the trap the Democrats have fallen into. Their proposed slogans evoke self-interest frames: John Murtha's "stay and pay" and John Kerry's "lie and die" have an X-and-Y structure that evokes, and thus reinforces, "cut and run."

These, as well as Senator Jack Reed's "The Republican Plan to Be in Iraq Forever," are self-interest frames that accepts the "cut and run" frame and says it is in our interest to leave. We "pay," we "die," we are stuck there forever. As long as Democrats accept the war-against-evil frame, any self-interest framing will be treated as immoral -- acting as a coward, letting evil win out, and endangering our troops.

The Cut-and-Run Frame put forth as a reason why we cannot withdraw from Iraq fits a gallant war. It does not fit a failed occupation. When you have become the villain and target to the people you are trying to help, it's time to do the right thing -- admit the truth that this is an occupation and think and act accordingly. All occupations end with withdrawal. The issue is not bravery versus cowardice in a good cause. The Cut-and-Run Frame does not apply.

In an occupation, there are pragmatic issues: Are we welcome? Are we doing the Iraqis more harm than good? How badly are we being hurt? The question is not whether to withdraw, but when and how? What to say? You might prefer "End the occupation now" or "End the occupation by the end of the year" or "End the occupation within a year, " but certainly Congress and most Americans should be able to agree on "End the occupation soon."

In an occupation, not a war, should the president still have war powers? How, if at all, is the Supreme Court decision on military tribunals at Guantanamo affected if we are in an occupation, not a war? What high-handed actions by the President, if any, are ruled out if we are no longer at war?

Telling an inconvenient truth takes some political courage.

San Jose DFA-Link Meeting, Wednesday, July 5

Written by: Adrienne Grey on Jun 30, 2006 10:14 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

Event Reminder - San Jose DFA-Link

When: Wednesday, July 5, 2006, 7:00 PM

Where:
South Bay Labor Council Office, 2102 Almaden Road, Suite 114, San Jose
Phone Number: (408) 445-9500

RSVP at www.dfalink.com/siliconvalley...
(there's another one at the north end of the county the same night, if you prefer)

AGENDA
--------
DFA Night School Training topic: Building Our Grassroots Army - Volunteer Recruitment.

Also a report on a phone conference with Jim Dean that takes place at 6:30 our time (come early if you want to listen in). Jim will discuss the upcoming elections and some of the initiatives that DFA groups around the country are working on.

Feel free to bring snacks to share.

DFALink Action Alert - 2 easy clicks to help Jerry win

Written by: Adrienne Grey on Jun 20, 2006 11:33 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

Hi, DFALinkers,

If you've already taken action on this, sorry to duplicate, but I wanted to make sure you get the chance to help Jerry McNerney take back Congress from the comfort of your computer. It won't cost you a dime, just a moment of your time -- but the deadline is THIS WEEK. With just a couple mouse clicks, we can help Jerry, our "adopted" candidate running for Congress in CA District 11 against eviro-hitman Richard Pombo, receive much-needed funds and national recognition from TWO organizations!

Here's Jerry's message, and THANK YOU! for your time:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I may be leading Richard Pombo in the polls (46 to 42 percent, according to Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research) but I'll need money - and lots of it - to send Pombo and his Big Oil buddies packing.

Democracy for America's "Grassroots All-Star" competition and Forward Together's "MapChangers" competition are both tremendous opportunities to raise the profile of our campaign nationally - and raise the funds necessary to win in November.

These competitions are VERY IMPORTANT to our campaign. I am competing with several excellent candidates but I know we can win if you take just one minute right now to cast your online votes.

Please vote right now and then tell your friends that it only takes two clicks to take back Congress!

The final round of DFA's competition started Monday and -- to win -- I need you to vote AGAIN before Friday at 2 p.m.:

tools.democracyforamerica.com/ho...

NOTE: Even if you voted in a previous round, you can still vote AGAIN!

IF WE WIN: DFA will send a national fundraising e-mail to over 500,000 people that could raise tens of thousands of dollars before the all-important quarterly FEC deadline on June 30.

***DEADLINE: This FRIDAY, June 23, at 2 p.m. PST (5 p.m. EST)

Gov. Mark Warner's Forward Together is also conducting a national vote to determine its next "MapChanger". After you vote in the DFA competition, please vote at:

www.forwardtogetherpac.com/mapch...

IF WE WIN: Forward Together will cut a $5,000 check to our campaign and advance us to the final round. Grand prize: A major fundraiser hosted by Gov. Mark Warner.

***DEADLINE: Thursday, June 29

Burning up shoe leather and phone lines, you demonstrated to the pundits and power-brokers on Election Day that grassroots, on-the-ground, people-to-people politics works.

Now it's time to open your address books to bring even more people into our movement. Remember to tell your friends that we all live in Richard Pombo's district -- especially given Pombo's impact on our environment.

Please vote right now and then forward this message to your friends, family and neighbors!

Thank you for all that you are doing to help me defeat Richard Pombo.

Jerry

p.s. once you have voted in BOTH competitions, please tell all of your friends that it only takes two clicks to take back Congress!

UPDATE: Bush in San Jose Friday PM--Let's send a message!

Written by: Adrienne Grey on Apr 20, 2006 3:26 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

NEW INFO: Come protest both the President AND Governor Friday. The location is at a Cisco building at the corner of Tasman and Zanker Road. The area will be cordoned off, so arrive by 12:30 PM. Share this message with everyone you know. Numbers of protesters do matter.

Bush in San Jose Friday PM--Let's send a message!

Written by: Adrienne Grey on Apr 18, 2006 9:14 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

DFA Friends,
The below message is from Steve Preminger, Chair of the Santa Clara County Democratic Party, and Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Executive Officer of the South Bay Labor Council (AFL-CIO), urging us to provide the appropriate greeting to the Deceiver-in-Chief, who will be here in San Jose THIS FRIDAY. Please help if you can, and pass the word to your likeminded friends.

Thanks so much,

*****A
___________________________________________________

From: Steve Preminger
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 4:24 PM
Subject: Bush in San Jose Friday PM--Let's send a message!

This Friday, April 21, George Bush is coming to OUR city. We need to send him and his kind the message that his Republican agenda is not welcome here, that his failed leadership has been deadly both to us and to future generations.

He is coming to Cisco Systems in San Jose. Cisco has a large campus at 170 West Tasman Drive, San Jose. We are trying to find the exact location of his visit, and will post updates at www.sccdp.org and www.atwork.org. We encourage you and all your friends to turn out. The general location of Bush's San Jose visit is so large that unless we have many thousands there in protest, our numbers will be lost under the trees and meandering streets. Please arrive by 1:00 PM, at the latest. Bring water to drink, as the rains have ceased!

Bring signs that display your displeasure. Let's show the world that Santa Clara County is welcoming for those who have a positive vision regarding immigration, the environment, healthcare for all, an excellent, well-funded educational system, support for workers rights. Those who spread fear and divisiveness are not welcome.

In unity,

Steve Preminger, Phaedra Ellis Lamkins

DFA-Link Meeting on Wednesday, March 1 at 7pm

Written by: Adrienne Grey on Feb 27, 2006 2:49 AM EST

Linked to groups: Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

Join us for our monthly DFA-Link Meeting on Wednesday, March 1 at 7pm

We'll look into the messaging strategy materials that DFA furnished last fall but that we were too busy to take up then. We'll see a brief video that introduces the concepts & do some hands-on practice in how to stay on message. This is a sort of continuation to last year's very productive Lakoff/framing evening, & should equip us well for the election battles to come!

Feel free to bring snacks if convenient. PLEASE RSVP at Link

Two Locations -- pick the one that works best for you:

- SEIU Local 715, 2302 Zanker Road, San Jose (between Charcot and Trimble)

- 4284 Los Palos CIRCLE, Palo Alto (from Los Palos AVE, off Arastradero)