"Worst Presnadent Ever" -- The Video

Written by: Pam Hoye on Sep 30, 2008 4:08 AM EDT

Linked to groups: San Diego for Democracy, San Diego DFA, DFA Trust, California for Democracy

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Need a laughter break? Having trouble convincing friends to vote for Obama?

Here is a hilarious reminder to Americans why we must vote ... responsibly! 

Many San Diegp DFAers appear in this clever music video version of "Worst Presnadent Ever", released on the On An Island album by Charlie Imes earlier this year.  Like the CD version, it features James Adomian as GW.  For lyrics and cool links visit http://worstprez.com

"Worst Prez?" Indeed....

Written by: Pam Hoye on May 6, 2008 5:17 AM EDT

Linked to groups: San Diego DFA, San Diego for Democracy

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Thomas Paine for Today!

Written by: Pam Hoye on Dec 13, 2007 3:29 PM EST

Learning of my cousin's newest book my thoughts traveled back to those early days of Howard Dean's campaign, when his call to citizen-action had been inspired by Thomas Paine and Common Sense. In answer to my question, "How did you come to write a book about Tom Paine?" Craig answered,

"I wrote about Paine because I thought a lot of Americans would be interested in a founding-of-the-nation story that had nothing to do with a Republican perspective. I was WRONG, but at least the reviews and awards are nice!"

When I suggested that perhaps we had not known, as I had not, Craig added,

"You'll love at least some of the Paine book since there's a big founding father debate on the future of democracy with citizens who don't participate."

Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations by Craig Nelson is Winner of the 2007 Henry Adams Prize for the year's best book on history and government.

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Urgent Action: Stop Further Media Consolidation!

Written by: Pam Hoye on Nov 24, 2007 4:36 PM EST

From: Alicia Sacks

Subject: Urgent-FCC to further media consolidation

This is very urgent. Dec. 11 is the deadline to contact FCC. Let's inundate them with contacts to stop this madness; it worked last time with Powell. There's a new, even more arrogant Chairman, but if enough of us contact him...

Please pass this on.

Peace, Alicia

There Is Movement In Congress To Restrain The Runaway F.C.C. If We Will Support It Yes, we know there is a holiday coming up fast. But despite mounting and unanimous public opposition, FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin is trying to rush through essentially the same further media consolidation into the hands of fewer and fewer giant corporations, which was overturned by public pressure in 2003.

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Save Democracy! Save Progressive Talk! SAVE KLSD 1360 AM in San Diego!

Written by: Pam Hoye on Oct 8, 2007 2:47 PM EDT

***SAVE KLSD…and take a stand against the conservative grip on American broadcast media!!!!!!***
from Jon Monday
Hi Fellow Progressives, Liberals, Activist, Democrats, and Americans
The battle to save KLSD (and to take a stand against the conservative grip on American broadcast media) is building momentum. We have to draw a line in the sand to show the whole country that we will fight to have our voices heard. We will not accept any substitute: NO HD, NO LOW POWERED FM -- NOTHING LESS THAN FULL AM DIAL BROADCAST RADIO.
Here are four things YOU must do this week -- it will only take a few minutes, but will make a big difference:
1. Email Ed Shultz begging him to come to San Diego to attend our rally this Friday, so that we can show our support for his standing up for us! You can reach Ed at ed@edschultzshow.com or though his show’s producer james@edschultzshow.com, or Wendy at wendyjoschultz@yahoo.com. Say it in your own words -- but thank him for his efforts and express that we need him to help put the national spotlight on San Diego. We are the tip of the spear, the vanguard of the backlash against media consolidation. The fight to save progressive radio is right here and right now. Sunday night on Big Eddie’s blog he closed with this message:
"I appreciate all the support in San Diego. We still may come out there but you folks need to keep the pressure on the station. I will talk a lot this week about the new rules being offered, and the possibility of a group trying to buy stations in the area. Keep connected to our web site. I'll talk about this in this in the morning on a video rant.
"all the best...love all of you. Ed"
2. Call and email Cliff Albert at KLSD (858-292-2000 calbert@clearchannel.com), let him know we support the station, and want to see KLSD continue on 1360AM -- the only change we will accept is the increase to 50,000 watts. We appreciate Cliff bringing liberal talk radio to San Diego, and we will fully support his efforts to make it better.
3. If you have not already signed the online petition to Save KLSD, please do so. If you have already done so, find at least five other people to sign the petition. Here is the link. Please sign the petition to save KLSD: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-klsd-am-1360.html
4. Attend the Planning Meeting to help organize Friday’s rally: Want to find out how Madison saved their station??? Want to help plan our rally??? Come to our listener dinner and rally planning meeting on Monday, October 8th from 5:30-7:30 at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Patio area.
5. Attend the make or break rally on Friday, October 12th. The details are below:


RALLY DETAILS
Madison, Wisconsin saved their progressive talk station from a Clear Channel flip. Let’s follow Madison’s lead and save San Diego’s only progressive talk station, KLSD AM 1360!!!!!! It’s time to RALLY AGAIN!!! THIRD TIME JUST MIGHT BE THE CHARM!!!
We need “ALL HANDS ON DECK” for our Third RALLY (and quite possibly last chance) to save KLSD. If you need to take time off work, please try to do so. We need to show up in massive numbers with at least five times the strength as last time - so bring friends, family, etc. Contact/forward to all your election friends, environmentalists, unions, progressive candidates, you name it.
It will be a New Orleans Style Rally -- to represent the death of the consolidation of media and the conservative grip on American Broadcast Media.
WHAT: New Orleans Style Rally to Save KLSD
WHEN: Friday, October 12, 2007
TIME: 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (during Stacy Taylor’s show) (yes, we know it’s early, but we get more media attention if we rally during Stacy’s show)
WHERE: Intersection of Aero Drive and Ruffin Road, (the main cross streets near Clear Channel Offices, 9660 Granite Ridge Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123)
ATTIRE: Wear black or your KLSD T-Shirt. If you wear your KLSD T-Shirt, tape a sign on your back under the KLSD logo that says “Save KLSD” Or come in your New Orleans style best. BRING YOUR SIGNS Bring some umbrellas for that New Orleans feel. (We hope to have some jazz musicians there to add to the ambiance. If you know some musicians who might like to participate, please have them send an e-mail to savelklsd@gmail.com)
Want to find out how Madison saved their station??? Want to help plan our rally??? Come to our listener dinner and rally planning meeting on Monday, October 8th from 5:30 - 7:30 at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant,9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Patio area
Go to http://www.saveklsd.com and http://www.nonstopradio.com for more detail on these events and more information about how progressive talk is being taken off the air nationwide.
******************Spread the Word!  Please forward this e-mail on to your lists and encourage others to participate. Print it out and hand it out at any meeting you attend.
Questions:  Call Joan Little at 858-486-5359 or email Jon Monday at jon@saveklsd.com  or email saveklsd@gmail.com

Impeachment Post Deleted: Incorrect!

Written by: Pam Hoye on May 9, 2007 6:31 PM EDT

For those of you who may have seen my earlier post about a poll on impeachment being taken by office of the Speaker of the House, this information was incorrect.
I generally like to verify these kinds of posts. When I called this time, I failed to mention or inquire about a poll. I simply gave my opinion and thanked the Speaker. I apologize to Speaker Pelosi and you all  for passing on dubious information.

 

Of course, speaking out is our right and our responsibility as citizens. There  is no need to wait for "polls" in order to let our voices be heard.

"Defending Democracy" with Granny D

Written by: Pam Hoye on Mar 28, 2007 1:38 PM EDT

Linked to groups: San Diego DFA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!
GRANNY D IS COMING!
Event:"Defending Democracy Forum” When: Friday, April 6, 2007 Time:7PM Place: Meeting House of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, 4190 Front St., S.D., CA 92103, across from UCSD Hospital.
Campaign Fin. Reform A.G. Day & night contact: John Falchi-619-414-45901st U.U. Church of S.D.Daytime contact: Church Staff-619-298-9978
*GRANNY D IS COMING TO SAN DIEGO*
San Diego welcomes Doris “Granny D” Haddock into its midst. This is the remarkable woman who at age 90 embarked on a cross-country walk to promote “Campaign Finance Reform.” At age 97 Granny D will be the
KeynoteSpeaker at the “Defending Democracy Forum.” She will speak on“Empowering Diverse People To Work Together for Important Goals.”
It will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 6, 2007 in the Meeting House of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, 4190 Front St., S.D., CA 92103, across from UCSD Hospital.
Suggested donation for the Forum will be $10.
For an earlier “Reception With Granny D” in the church’s Common Room, the suggested donation will be $25.
There she will sign copies of her book, Granny D: You’re Never Too Old To Raise A Little Hell.
Granny D has a remarkable background. In 1960, with her husband, Jim she helped stop the planned use of hydrogen bombs in Alaska, and saved an Inuit village. .Subsequently she nursed Jim through ten years of Alzeimer’s disease.
Then, in 1999, she walked 3,200 miles from CA to Wash., D.C. in 14 months to promote “Campaign Finance Reform,” taking no food or shelter unless if were offered free, but never went without a meal.
Her personal example of sacrifice and non-violence has been a powerful inspiration to all who work for peace, social justice and electoral reform.
For further information about Granny D>please go to her website at http://www.grannyd.com
Karl and Jeanne Anthony, who will open the Forum Program with a rousing musical interlude, are a dynamic husband and wife team who blend their meaningful music and American sign language.
Karl is a songwriter, a producer and a humanitarian who creates anthems about life and Jeanne’s sign language interpretation has been described as an alluring sign dance.
Over 2 million people have witnessed them perform LIVE as they have toured all over the world. They were just presented the 2007 Gandhi/King Season for Non-Violence Peace Hero Award.
The Campaign Reform Action Group, The Transformational Community, and the Peace and Democracy Action Group of the 1st UU Church of S.D., are joining with community groups like Secure and Accurate Elections, Plan of Action In A Changing Era, PDA-S.D. Central Chapter, S.D. County
Community Coalition, and others, to put on this Forum. These and other groups will be tabling there for $5 for a small table.
Come early to get good seating, preferred parking. and to network and see the wares of these groups.
For further information about the event, please call the church staff at 619-298-9978, or John at 619-222-6036 or at pacerjp14@sbcglobal.net

Goodbye, Good Luck, and Keep Fighting! (by Jim Wade)

Written by: Pam Hoye on Dec 30, 2006 3:14 AM EST

Linked to groups: San Diego DFA

This will be my final email as DFA meetup host, after nearly 2 years in the position.   January will bring a new moderator, our friend Bob McDaniel, and a new organization to the Meetup.com and DFA-link lists, so please keep your eyes peeled.  Carol Changus will take over as the Meetup.com organizer, and Pam Hoye will take over as the DFA-Link organizer.  The meetup steering committee is comprised of Bob McDaniel, Carol Changus, Carlene Johnson, Leon Thompson, Fae Desmond, and Kelly King. Please speak to any one of them if you are interested in joining; the team meets once a month, and has always had an open-door policy.
DFA has always been really clear about what we're fighting for, and for whom.  We are fighting, not only for generally progressive principles and candidates, but for a deeper politics of authenticity, best embodied in politicians like Paul Wellstone and Howard Dean.  We want our leaders to get into politics for the right reasons--to do something for their community and country?and to unapologetically stick to their principles.  (Genuine grass-roots progressives who don't triangulate about their core values)  Here in San Diego, we are blessed with many such leaders:   people like Bob Filner, Francine Busby, Roxana Folescu, Chris Larkin, Mary Salas, and John Rinaldi, to name only a few.

In Bob's case, his start in politics was getting beaten in a Mississippi jail for two months while on a college "vacation," so that others could enjoy the blessings of liberty; for Francine, it meant standing up to challenge Duke Cunningham, and speaking the unpopular truth about him, long before his treason became generally known; and for John Rinaldi, it meant standing up and challenging Duncan Hunter, in a similar way, after burying too many of his friends, felled in battle for lack of adequate armor.   These are our people, and each of these principled progressives entered politics for the right reasons to serve.  We need to fight for them -- and never STOP fighting for them.  My greatest privilege, as DFA host, has been to work for these authentic American heroes.

As my earlier email indicated, not everyone in the leadership of the California Democratic Party shares our values; indeed, too many of them sell out their own communities by viewing public service solely as a means to personal gain.  (Juan Vargas and the Inzunza family are just the local examples.)  And that?s why it?s so important for us to get involved in the CDP; please run for a delegate position, and do what YOU can to re-make the party in the image of DFA.  And let?s not just work within the party to force the needed changes; let?s keep working outside the party as well, to bring pressure from all sides--including DFA. 

We need to coordinate and work well with other progressive groups who can make a difference, and especially local student groups who are only getting their start in progressive politics, and represent the future of our movement.  You can also support John Hartley in his efforts to bring about clean money reforms through the initiative process, or work with the Richard Barrera and Don Cohen at the Center for Policy Initiatives (CPI) on a variety of non-partisan reform issues.  Get involved in the "Courage Campaign", led by Rick Jacobs (Dean's former California manager), to bring a real grass-roots focus to the CDP, or look for ways to work with the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), our trench-mates in the battle for the soul of the Democratic party.  And please support Judy Hess in her efforts to re-organize her local PDA Metro chapter and find a new meeting time and place; she deserves our help and support.  Most of all, let's keep our "eyes on the prize", never forget what we're fighting for, and keep working together for future success.<p><p>Here are two wonderful charitable organizations fighting for peace and justice, and fighting third world poverty in really practical ways:
    http://www.afsc.org         
    http://www.heifer.org
(Contributing or working with the AFSC will have the added advantage of making you the subject of illegal Pentagon spying.)
Thank you to everyone, and especially to Valerie Polichar, my predecessor as Meetup host, for her tireless work in building our successful meetups, and to Carol Changus, for her tireless work in recruiting guest speakers to keep these meetups going.
   Jim Wade

Urgent--Jan. 2 Deadline: support Dean's vision for the Democratic party (by Jim Wade)

Written by: Pam Hoye on Dec 28, 2006 2:13 AM EST

Linked to groups: San Diego DFA

Jim Wade has asked the following  be sent to you.
Friends,
Many of us remember that meetup 2 years ago--December, 2004--when we were angry about the outcome of the November elections, and frustrated by the snivelling weak-mindedness of prominent national Democrats.  
Howard Dean, then the chairman of DFA, spoke to all of our nationwide meetups by conference call, and showed us a better path forward.  He started by denouncing the "culture of losing" among Washington Democrats and the professional consultant class, and he urged every one of us to get involved PERSONALLY in taking back their local Democratic parties.  He also asked us if he should run for DNC chair to promote the DFA vision of grass-roots democracy from within the belly of the beast.  Our answer was a resounding yes, and the rest is history:  Howard Dean was elected, and has been phenomenally successful at re-building the party nation-wide, even in those areas where Democrats had surrendered.   DFA members like ourselves brought an unprecedented level of grass-roots activism back into local parties, and fought hard everywhere to make our party a winner once again--often in the most un-expected places.   Candidates supported solely by grass-roots efforts, and with minimal support by the Democratic establishment or DCCC, put the Democrats in the majority.
Now is the time that we need to re-double our efforts here in California. 
JANUARY 2 is the deadline to file for one of the 12 AD delegate positions that will be selected in AD caucuses on the weekend of January 13-14.  Check the CDP website, or the County Dem party website, for a list of caucus locations.   In order to be on the ballot, YOU MUST FILL IN THE ON-LINE NOMINATION FORM by Jan 2.  It's available at:
www.cadem.org/ADdelegate
If you cannot run yourself, please recruit some one with shared DFA grassroots values who can run for AD delegate and/or E-board representative.
The progressive Caucus of the CDP (largely of DFA members), together with Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) are organizing to come up with formal progressive slates--supportive of the Dean party-building philosophy---to run in each AD.  If you are interested in being part of these efforts, you can contact the following people: 
North County AD's-- Martha Sullivan77th - Leon Thompson78th - Judy Hess79th - Jim Wade
If you were already elected to the County Central Committee in the June 6 primary,  there is a high likelihood that you will be selected as one of the 52 delegates (plus 5 E-board positions) allocated to San Diego county.  Remember that you can only hold one delegate seat.  (From the County or AD)
As successful as Howard Dean has been nationally in rebuilding a serious Democratic party, it is ironic that here in  California, where Dean's  presidential campaign really got its start, there is so much hostility and opposition to his efforts by CDP leaders.  And that is why it's so critical that you get involved and continue the fight to fix this party. 
Despite an unprecedented national wave this year, in which Democrats lost not a single congressional, senate, or gubernatorial seat,  nothing happened here:  California Democrats picked up only one congressional seat, and not a single State Assembly or Senate seat changed hands.  Not one.  We got clobbered in the Gubernatorial race, other state-wide races were much closer than they should have been, and % Democratic registration declined.  The State party had $4 million in UNSPENT money on election day, which they gave to Fabian Nunez' PAC, even though he cannot use it for electoral purposes.  The state party funded only TWO challenges to republican-held AD seats, and gave up on everything else.  They completely stiffed such excellent candidates as Roxana Folescu, Chris Larkin, and Mark Hansen, who each ran strong campaigns that really connected with people. 
I've been on the CDP eboard for the last 2 years, and I can tell you the fight is just beginning, and your help is desperately needed to continue.  We need new CDP leaders who support, rather than try to kill, a 58-county plan for the state party to compete everywhere (the analog to Dean's 50-state strategy).  We need CDP leaders who WANT to win new AD seats, rather than lazy politicos engaged in "non-compete" agreements with incumbent Republicans.  We need CDP leaders who STOP protecting the seats of Brian Bilbray and Duncan Hunter, and WANT to do the hard work of party-building throughout the state.
For these reasons and many more, YOU need to get involved.  The Dean model of politics, which brought us all to DFA in the  first place, means fighting these fights even if the odds are long, and the entrenched interests are powerful.  We have already seen sucess around the country; now is the time to demand that we bring this success to California.
Please run for AD delegate, and file by January 2.                                Many thanks,
                                 Jim Wade

Change Begins at January Meetup (by Carol Changus)

Written by: Pam Hoye on Dec 17, 2006 4:27 AM EST

Linked to groups: San Diego DFA

 

When:  

    Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 7:00 PM

 

Where:

     Giovanni's Pizza

     9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. 

     San Diego , CA 92123

     858-279-6700

 

Our First 2007 meetup will start with our original social hour time, beginning at 6:00PM!

 

Hope all of you, who wanted our traditional DFA Meetup patttern back with a social period, will come early again to eat, drink and chat away.  We, your steering commiittee members, are delighted, too.

 

Our Meetup begins at 7:00pm. Announcements first. We are waiting for confirmation for our great guest speakers. Several members requested these guest speakers.

 

I can't wait for the New "Democratic" Congress to begin! Can You?  Rest up. We have much to do before 2008.

 

Hope you all are Enjoying the Season, Freinds & Family! I love the rain, wind and beach in the winter.

 

Carol Changus