IRAQ FOR SALE - Friday, October 13

Written by: Janet Stromberg on Sep 19, 2006 3:21 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay DFA

East Bay for Democracy's October meeting is a joint affair in partnership with the Berkeley Albany Emeryville United Democratic Campaign (BAE UDC), East Bay Young Democrats and the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club.

We are presenting a screening of "Iraq for Sale" as a benefit for the "BAE UDC" with Special Guest speaker Aaron Glantz

Aaron Glantz, author of "How America Lost Iraq" is a reporter for Pacifica Radio and other media outlets. He has visited Iraq three times during the U.S. occupation: for a month immediately after the fall of Saddam Hussein; from February to May 2004; and during the elections in January of 2005. His work from Iraq has also been syndicated to newspapers around the world by Inter Press News Service.

The BAE UDC is fielding phone banks, literature drops and voter registration in the cities of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville.

Phil Angelides for Governor
Debra Bowen for Secretary of State

NO on Prop 85 - Protect choice and vote for real teen safety

YES on Prop 86 - Universal health insurance for kids, community clinics, $ for nursing education

YES on Prop 87 - Reduce California dependence on gasoline and promote clean energy

YES on Prop 89 - Make politicians accountable to voters, not special interests

NO on Prop 90 - Protect our environment and avoid a terrible taxpayer trap.

Check it out at BAE UDC headquarters: 1936 University Ave. in Berkeley.

Stay tuned! More details on the "Iraq for Sale" event to follow...

Your RSVP will help us plan the event.

Thanks in advance,

Janet S, Eden, Yvonne, Norman, Janet F and Mal

Hear From Candidates in Hot East Bay Races September 18!

Written by: Janet Stromberg on Sep 14, 2006 11:07 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay DFA

Monday September 18, local candidates in hotly contested East Bay races are coming to East Bay for Democracy!

Strong incumbents and challengers from Oakland through Berkeley to Albany will ask for our votes:

What's up with the Peralta Community College District? Are changes in store for the direction of our most grassroots friendly institution of higher learning in the East Bay?

Who would think the City Auditor position in Oakland would offer a key opportunity for change? Is it needed? Should we take a stand?

Local races in Berkeley, our most reliably progressive
city, offer competing visions of the progressive agenda. Who will capture the imagination of the voters? Who should we support?

Albany voters will be thinking about their precious shoreline and the economic priorities of their home town. We will hear from one of East Bay for Democracy's founding members, Marge Atkinson, about what she will do if elected to the Albany City Council.

No less important are bond measures and State propositions. The Republicans are back with their ugly power grabs which need to be stopped, but WE have Clean Money (Prop 89) and Oil Severance fees (Proposition 87) that could move California forward. We will learn more an take our stand.

We hope to see you there!

Suggested donation for pizza & drink is $5, otherwise the event is free.

** RVSPs VERY MUCH APPRECIATED **

Go to:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=119...

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 18

REDWOOD GARDENS * 2951 Derby, Berkeley

AGENDA

6:30 pm Pizza Social
7:00 pm Program

++ Announcements - Campaign updates, East Bay Democracy Corps (NEW!) proposal, etc.

++ Local Candidates

Berkeley Mayor
* Zelda Bronstein
* Tom Bates (Incumbent)

Oakland City Auditor
* Courtney Ruby
* Roland Smith (Incumbent, not yet confirmed)

Berkeley City Council District 7
* George Beier
* Kriss Worthington (Incumbent)

Albany City Council
* Marge Atkinson, EB4D Club member - only candidate invited

Peralta Trustee District 7
* Abel Guillen
* Alona Clifton (Incumbent)

City of Alameda recommendations - Dan Wood, EB4D Activist & California State Dem Party Delegate

++ Ballot Measures


Bond Measures Presentation - Hilary Crosby, El Cerrito
Democratic Club

State Propositions Presentation and Recommendations - Mal Burnstein, EB4D Political Coordinator

++ Motions and Discussion

++ Vote (East Bay for Democracy Democratic Club members only)

Reclaiming our democracy with you, in every way we can imagine,

Eden, Janet S, Mal, Norman, Yvonne and Janet F

Attend PICNIC & BAR-B-QUE with EB4D & Oakland DFA on July 9!

Written by: Janet Stromberg on Jun 29, 2006 6:32 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay DFA

Dear Member,

Oakland DFA Meetup and East Bay for Democracy are taking a mini summer vacation in July, and you're invited! Join us Sunday, July 9 for a backyard Pot Luck and Bar-B-Que. Schmooze with your favorite local activists and get to know some of those friendly folks you see every month but haven't met yet.

You can RSVP at:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=980...

... and get directions from:

janet@eastbayfordemocracy.com (510-526-2447)

What: PICNIC & BAR-B-QUE with EB4D & Oakland DFA
When: Sunday, July 9, 2006, 4:00 PM
Where: Janet's House
Berkeley CA 94708

Special East Bay for Democracy Event - Withdrawing US Forces From Iraq - Let's Make It Happen!

Written by: Janet Stromberg on Jun 12, 2006 5:45 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay DFA

Dear Member,

Please attend Withdrawing US Forces From Iraq - Let's Make It Happen! on Monday, June 19, 2006 at 6:30 PM. You can RSVP at:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=843...

What: Withdrawing US Forces From Iraq - Let's Make It Happen!
When: Monday, June 19, 2006, 6:30 PM
Where: Redwood Gardens
2951 Derby
Berkeley CA 94705

The American Public wants us out of Iraq. There's no question about that.

In April 2006, the California Democratic Party incorporated the key elements of "Withdrawing US Forces From Iraq" a Plan written by the CDP Progressive Caucus, into the State Party Platform.

What can we do to make the Plan a reality? How do we actually get out of Iraq?

You can read the entire Plan on our EB4D DFA-Link Group page (but only if you log in 1st). Go to:

www.dfalink.com/eb4d...

and scroll to the lower right hand corner for the link.

On June 19th, we'll hear from the authors of the Plan as well as military veterans and family members, then start framing our message and planning our strategy.

* What critical factors about the Iraq War are moving public opinion?

* Who are our natural allies?

* How do we approach different constituencies?

* How can we leverage media attention?

We Have a Great Speaker Line-up for this Event:

Major General (Ret.) Paul Monroe: Commanded the California National Guard from April 1999 until April 2004. Appointed by Gray Davis, he was in office during 911 and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. He mobilized over 10,000 soldiers and airmen from the California National Guard. MG (Ret.) Monroe has opposed the Iraq war since its inception and is eager to find common cause with all Democrats and moderate Republicans to effect the withdrawal of US forces. Paul and his wife Laura have a son currently serving in Iraq and are members of East Bay for Democracy.

Joe Wheeler: Iraq Veteran and activist in Iraq Veterans Against the War. Joe was a member of the of the 4th Infantry and sent in the first wave to Iraq. He was stationed in Tikrit as a surgical assistant treating wounded soldiers.

Laura Monroe: Retired Principal of Emerson School in Berkeley. Readiness Coordinator for her son's Brigade in Iraq. Coordinates all family activities and attempts to resolve developing problems families are facing.

Harlan Hobgood: Chair of the Foreign Policy/International Relations committee of the California Democratic Party's Progressive Caucus. Principal Author of the Plan. He was a career US diplomat with major in-residence assignments in Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean and Washington DC. As special envoy or program advisor, Harlan headed US missions that took him to Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal, Yugoslavia, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Madagascar, and most of the nations of West Africa. He also taught at UCLA as a Diplomat in Residence and Adduct Professor of International Relations. Harlan was the first Senior Foreign Service Office to be made a member of the Congressionally chartered National Academy of Public Administration.

Karen Bernal: Chair of the Peace and Anti-War Committee of the California Democratic Party's Progressive Caucus and Delegate to the CDP from the 5th AD. Karen lived on US bases in the far east from birth to age 18. Her mother is from the Japanese "war generation" and her father had a 28 year career in the US Army, stationed at various bases in Asia. Growing up, Karen saw 1st hand what war does to troops, and grew up hearing war stories from both sides of WWII. Karen successfully sponsored an Iraq Withdrawal amendment to the California Democratic Party Platform adopted in 2006. Read it at: dfa.meetup.com/31/files/...

Remember, WE HAVE THE POWER!

Let's come together and get it done!

Your EB4D planning team,

Janet S, Yvonne, Janet F, Norman, Jim, Laura, Frances, Eden and Mal

Withdrawing US Forces from Iraq: Action Planning with EB4D June 19

Written by: Janet Stromberg on Jun 2, 2006 3:44 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Oakland DFA Meetup

The American Public is reaching consensus on the need to get US Forces out of Iraq. How do we get our elected representatives on the same page?

The California Democratic Party's Progressive Caucus has a Plan. You can read it on our EB4D DFA-Link Group page (but only if you log in 1st). Go to:

www.dfalink.com/eb4d...

and scroll to the lower right hand corner for the link.

On June 19th, Oakland DFA's partner, East Bay for Democracy, will host a forum and action planning meeting on Iraq. We'll hear from the authors of the Plan as well as military veterans and families, then get to work on framing our message and planing our strategy.

* What critical factors about the Iraq War are moving public opinion?

* Who are our natural allies?

* How do we approach different constituencies?

* How can we leverage media attention?

Remember, WE HAVE THE POWER!

Let's come together and get it done!

Your EB4D planning team,

Janet S, Yvonne, Janet F, Norman, Jim, Laura, Frances, Eden and Mal

The Day After: Post-Election Highlights with Oakland DFA

Written by: Janet Stromberg on Jun 1, 2006 5:46 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay DFA

Can't wait to discuss the June 6th primary results?

There's no better place than the Oakland DFA Meetup...

"THE DAY AFTER"

Come to the Rockridge Library at 7 pm on JUNE 7th and discuss what happened, why it happened, and what our collective response should be as a community.

EVERYONE -- all progressives across the East Bay -- are welcome!

At this DFA Meetup, we'll discuss the big news from the previous day:

* CA-11 (Pombo): Did Jerry McNerney's grassroots movement defeat Steve Filson's money machine?

* CA-50 (Cunningham): Did upstart Francine Busby knock off a Republican in a deep red district?!?

* Governor: Who won the TV ad war and the primary -- Angelides or Westly? And can either of them defeat Schwarzenegger?

* Oakland Mayoral: De La Fuente, Dellums, or Nadel -- will it go to a runoff?

* Sec of State: Did Debra Bowen, our Election Integrity champion, win? And can she beat McPherson in November?

* AD 16: Caplane, Russo, or Swanson?

* Lt. Governor: Garamendi, Speier, or Figueroa?

* District 2 City Council: How did Aimee Allison do vs. Pat Kernighan?

* Props 81 and 82?

* And, the all-important X factor: those touch-screen voting machines. What happened and what does it mean for Election Integrity advocates?

Got more? Or suggestions for other agenda items? Please e-mail Eden James at the link provided on meetup.com.

United We Meetup,
Eden, James, Herb, Amy, Terry, Skay, Sharon, Janet and
Laura
Your DFA Meetup Team

Bowen/Angelides Canvass - May 6th

Written by: Janet Stromberg on Apr 27, 2006 4:56 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay DFA

Here we go folks!!!

Let's put all our political passion and training to work for the June 6th Primary!

We'll gather at KAREN'S house in Berkeley to walk for East Bay for Democracy endorsed candidates:

+ Phil ANGELIDES for Governor

+ Debra BOWEN for Secretary of State, and

+ A SLATE* of candidates for the local Democratic Democratic Party of Alameda County (also endorsed by Barbara Lee & Loni Hancock).

* KAREN WEINSTEIN (member, EB4D)
Royce Kelly
Carl Jaramillo
Beverley Greene
Maggie Gee
ELIZABETH ECHOLS (member, EB4D)

If you'd like to walk you own neighborhood, contact me in advance for your list (I have them for Alameda County).

Janet Stromberg
janet@eastbayfordemocracy.com
510-526-2447

Phoning for Jerry May 23rd

Written by: Janet Stromberg on Apr 18, 2006 3:48 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay DFA

A few months ago, East Bay for Democracy enthusiastically endorsed Jerry McNerney as the Democratic candidate for Congress (CA-11) who has the best shot in November to defeat one of the most corrupt Republicans in Congress -- Richard Pombo. Now the Calif0ornia Democtatic Party has also endorsed Jerry!

But Jerry has a fight on his hands that might sound familiar to folks who were involved in the Dean campaign. Despite Jerry's strong grassroots support across the district and from DFA groups across California, the establishment wing of the Party has attempted to undermine his socially progressive/fiscally responsible campaign by running a milquetoast moderate against him with very little connection to communities in the 11th Congressional District.

Jerry confidently calls himself a "Barbara Boxer Democrat". If we're going to take back Congress and stop the Bush agenda, we'll need more Boxer Dems just like Jerry.

Will you help Jerry show the pundits, press, and power-brokers on June 6th that it's about time someone in the Democratic Party stood up for a progressive agenda?

Our next Meeting is all Action ....

East Bay for Democracy will PHONE BANK for JERRY MCNERNEY Tuesday, May 23rd

Join us!

RSVP to help us be ready for you!

Together we're growing our grassroots democracy healthy, green, blade by blade!
Your EB4ED Planning Team,

Eden, Janet F, Yvonne, Norman, Jim, Frances, Janet S, Vicki, Mal, Laura, James

Debating the future of East Bay politics: Who do you support?

Written by: Janet Stromberg on Apr 13, 2006 5:31 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay DFA

Please Joins Us for a Debate!

Monday, April 17th

Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby, Berkeley

Featuring:

Ronnie Caplane * Proxy for John Russo * Sandré Swanson

Three Democratic Primary Candidates for Assembly District 16
Representing the cities of Alameda, Oakland & Piedmont

Moderated by Fran Packard
Past President League of Women Voters - California
Past President League of Women Voters - Berkeley Albany
Emeryville

PLUS Pre-Debate Guest Candidate

Mary Hayashi

Democratic Primary Candidate for Assembly District 18
Representing parts of Castro Valley, Oakland, Pleasanton, San
Lorenzo, Sunol and the cities of Hayward, San Leandro, and
Dublin

*** Three Ways to RSVP (to help us plan the event for you!)
***

Contact Janet Stromberg at janet.stromberg@gmail.com or 510-526-2447

DFALink: www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=530...

Meetup: dfa.meetup.com/31/events/4881386...

6:30 Pizza Social

7:00 Program


* * * * *

The June 6th California Primary will be here before we know
it.

Who will we send to the California Assembly?
What would these candidates do if elected?
What would we like them to do?
Will they listen to us when important issues arise?

Whether we live in their districts or not, as we've seen in our
grassroots efforts on behalf of Clean Money (AB 583), Open
Voting (AB 2097), and Health Care (SB 840), it matters very
much to all Californians who gets elected, even in deep blue
Alameda County. Here is our chance to see the candidates and
hear how they would represent us. Listen, then choose a
candidate to support, whether by direct vote or in networking
with friends and relations.

In addition to hearing from candidates we'll also have Action
Updates on variety of specific issue and candidate campaigns
East Bay for Democracy is already supporting, and conduct a bit
of Club business.


We look forward to seeing you soon!

Your friendly EB4D action planners,

Yvonne, Norman, Janet F, Laura, Jim, Frances and Janet S

April 5 Oakland DFA Meetup

Written by: Janet Stromberg on Apr 3, 2006 5:01 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay DFA

It would be difficult to top March's Oakland DFA Meetup when 81 progressives got pumped to dump Richard Pombo and we wrote 72 letters to ask Senator Perata to support Clean Money.

But take a look at our power-packed April 5 agenda (next Wednesday)...

=====
OAKLAND "DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA" MEETUP
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave
6:30 pm: Dinner & the Daily Show!
7 pm: DFA Meetup
9ish: Drinking Liberally at the Conga Lounge
=====
Please RSVP now at:
www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=572...
=====

* PETER KEANE, UC Hastings Professor of Law and KRON-TV Legal Analyst

* NANCY NADEL, Oakland City Councilwoman and mayoral candidate

* ANDRE SPEARMAN, Campaign Manager representing Oakland mayoral candidate Ron Dellums

* AIMEE ALLISON, candidate for Oakland District 2 City Council (and landslide winner of last year's DFA Meetup Distict 2 straw poll)

* UPDATES on the status of California Clean Money legislation, Jerry McNerney's congressional campaign to defeat Richard Pombo, Debra Bowen's campaign to bring election integrity to Sacramento, and more...

As if that wasn't enough, there's also "Dinner and the Daily Show" pre-meetup entertainment from 6:30-7, our traditional free raffle, and "Drinking Liberally" at the Conga Lounge after the Meetup!

With such an amazing agenda on one night, this will no doubt be one of our best Oakland DFA Meetups ever. So we can prepare (pizza, copies, chairs), please RSVP now at:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=572...

More details will be provided in the coming days, but for now here's a brief overview: Prof. Keane, a highly-respected professor and legal analyst on Ch. 4, will discuss the current legal landscape as it relates to the Bush Administration's warrantless wiretapping and other potential grounds for censure or impeachment. Andre Spearman (representing Ron Dellums) and Nancy Nadel will discuss why it is important to support their respective candidacies to become Mayor of Oakland. And Aimee Allison will talk about her campaign to bring a more progressive vision to the City Council, representing District 2.

The larger a meetup is (dozens have signed up already), the more work we need to do to prepare. Can you help us by RSVP'ing now at:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=572...

See you on Wednesday!

United We Meetup,
Eden, James, Herb, Amy, Terry, Skay, Jason, Sharon, Janet and Laura
Your DFA Meetup Team