Marriage Equality, Part 1 (DFA Radio preview)

Written by: Lewis Miller on Oct 9, 2007 9:41 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Radio

The issue of same-sex marriage is one that speaks to progressive values of fairness and equality. Only two Democratic presidential candidates (Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich) have voiced support for marriage equality, with the remainder favoring civil unions.

Should DFA join the fight to end this two-tiered society? Join the discussion and make your voice heard! Our show tonight focuses on the battle to bring equality to New Jersey, where civil unions were enacted this year and are already proving to be separate-and-unequal. Our scheduled guests are:

• Steven Goldstein, Chair of Garden State Equality. A few minutes after civil unions became law in New Jersey, Steven married his partner Daniel, with a vow to fight for full marriage equality. Steven also sits on the Civil Union Review Commission which was set up by the state to monitor the effectiveness of the law and whether it truly provides the same benefits as marriage.
• DFA-endorsed & openly gay candidates Gina Genovese for NJ Senate and Ed Zipprich for Red Bank (NJ) Town Council. Gina and Ed were both inspired by Howard Dean and DFA to run for elected office. In 2005, as Long Hill Township mayor, Gina became the highest-ranked openly gay elected official in the state of New Jersey.

As always, we'll take calls from the DFA community. Tune in to hear your fellow DFA members, or call in & let us know what's on your mind.

If you missed any previous programs, you can listen to them in the archive at blogtalkradio.com/dfa before the show, and then stay and listen to our live program tonight.

Volunteers
DFA Radio is looking for individuals to help deliver quality programming to the DFA community. Are you interested in being our Blog Correspondent? Helping develop show content? Drop us a line at dfaradio@njfordemocracy.org.

DFA Radio
Every Tuesday @ 9-10pm Eastern, 6-7pm Pacific
Listen to live or recorded programs at: blogtalkradio.com/dfa
Call-in number during live shows: (646) 716-8150
AOL Instant Messenger: dfaradio
Join our DFA-Link group for discussion & show announcements

Disclaimer: DFA Radio is a people-powered program, run by DFA members for DFA members. Opinions of guests or callers do not necessarily represent the views of DFA Radio or Democracy for America. DFA Radio is not sponsored by or affiliated with Democracy for America, Burlington, VT. DFA logo used with permission.

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Breakfast w/Howard Dean 10/5; Gina Genovese House Party 10/6

Written by: Lewis Miller on Oct 2, 2007 12:21 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA New Jersey

Hello, fellow NJ for Democracy members. Just wanted to let you know about two great events - this Friday & Saturday - in New Jersey that you will not want to miss. Don't forget to RSVP (by Wednesday if you're attending the breakfast with Howard Dean). Hope to see you there!

House Party for Gina Genovese, Saturday October 6th, Millington, NJ

Join fellow members of progressive organizations across New Jersey for a special low-dollar House Party in support of DFA- and NJ for Democracy-endorsed candidate Gina Genovese for State Senate on Saturday October 6th from 6-8pm. Location: Gina's house, 52 Hilltop Road, Millington NJ. $25 per person suggested minimum donation. RSVP by calling 908-464-3057.

Getting great progressives like Gina elected to the State Senate is important for our entire state. We hope you'll join us, and bring some friends, for what promises to be a fun evening!

Breakfast with Howard Dean, Friday October 5th, Kenilworth, NJ

Remember this guy? He remembers you!

Governor Howard Dean, founder of Democracy for America and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is coming to New Jersey to raise money for our state Democratic party! He will be joining Governor Jon Corzine and NJDSC Chairman Joseph Cryan at the Kenilworth Inn (60 South 31st Street, Kenilworth) for breakfast on Friday, October 5th from 8:00am to 10:00am.

Ticket price for this event is only $35, so come on out and join Governor Howard Dean and his 50 State Strategy where the grassroots is first!

Ticket price: $35

More info/RSVP (by Oct. 3, please):
Katie Hedden (973) 643-0500- khedden@njdems.org
Alison Brosnan (973) 643-0500 - abrosnan@njdems.org
Please make checks payable to NJ Democratic State Committee (Payments only by check or credit card)
Click for printable invitation & contribution form

Thanks for all you do!
Lewis Miller, for the NJ for Democracy Executive Board

 

Right Wing attacks DFA & MoveOn; Micro-Lending with Kiva (DFA Radio preview)

Written by: Lewis Miller on Sep 25, 2007 11:37 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Radio

Please join us tonight for another fresh installment of people-powered DFA Radio. Our scheduled guest is:

• Fiona Ramsey, Public Relations Director at Kiva.org. Kiva empowers individuals to help the working poor in the developing world with micro-lending. Loans as low as $25 can be made to qualified small businesses in countries from Mexico to Iraq, with repayment in 6-12 months. Get involved and call in with your micro-lending questions on tonight's show. (Fiona was originally scheduled for last week but was unable to appear.)

We'll also talk about the Right Wing's recent attack on progressive grassroots groups like Democracy for America and MoveOn, why they are doing it, and how our community can fight back.

As always, we'll take calls from the DFA community. Tune in to hear your fellow DFA members, or call in & let us know what's on your mind.

If you missed last week's program, we interviewed recently-endorsed DFA-List candidate, Isabel Piedmont for City Council Bloomington, Indiana. We also spoke with Eldon Robison, chair of Indiana Progressives, a state PAC that has been very success in its mission of electing progressives to statewide office. (Indiana Progressives also organized the great DFA Organizing Summit in Indianapolis where Isabel was endorsed and presented with a check by Jim Dean.) We encourage you to visit the websites above to support Isabel and find out more about Indiana Progressives.

Volunteers
DFA Radio is looking for individuals to help deliver quality programming to the DFA community. Are you interested in being our Blog Correspondent? Helping develop show content? Drop us a line at dfaradio@njfordemocracy.org.

DFA Radio
Every Tuesday @ 9-10pm Eastern, 6-7pm Pacific
Listen to live or recorded programs at: blogtalkradio.com/dfa
Call-in number during live shows: (646) 716-8150
AOL Instant Messenger: dfaradio
Join our DFA-Link group for discussion & show announcements

Disclaimer: DFA Radio is a people-powered program, run by DFA members for DFA members. Opinions of guests or callers do not necessarily represent the views of DFA Radio or Democracy for America. DFA Radio is not sponsored by or affiliated with Democracy for America, Burlington, VT. DFA logo used with permission.

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Micro-Lending with Kiva; DFA-List goes to Monroe County, Indiana (DFA Radio preview)

Written by: Lewis Miller on Sep 18, 2007 8:44 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Radio

Please join us for another engaging and informative show tonight on DFA Radio. Scheduled guests are:

• The latest DFA-List candidate, Isabel Piedmont for City Council Bloomington, Indiana. Piedmont is running for Bloomington City Council with the backing of Democracy for Monroe County and Democracy for America. Isabel is a true grassroots activist, a regular attendee of her local DFA Link-up events, and a May graduate of the DFA Training Academy in Bloomington. Read about Isabel's DFA endorsement here on Blog for America, and then tune in to tonight's show to hear more.
• Fiona Ramsey, Public Relations Director at Kiva.org. Kiva empowers individuals to help the working poor in the developing world with micro-lending. Loans as low as $25 can be made to qualified small businesses in countries from Mexico to Iraq, with repayment in 6-12 months. Get involved and call in with your micro-lending questions on tonight's show.

As always, we'll take calls from the DFA community. Tune in to hear your fellow DFA members, or call in & let us know what's on your mind.

If you missed last week's program, we interviewed Bob Gulack about the World Trade Center dust contamination problem (read his statement at Ground Zero, and take action at 9/11 Environmental Action), and former Naval Commander & Congressional Candidate Eric Massa about Iraq. You can still listen to last week's program before tonight's show. Just visit the DFA Radio page on Democracy for America's website.

Volunteers
DFA Radio is looking for individuals to help deliver quality programming to the DFA community. Are you interested in being our Blog Correspondent? Helping develop show content? Drop us a line at dfaradio@njfordemocracy.org.

DFA Radio
Every Tuesday @ 9-10pm Eastern, 6-7pm Pacific
Listen to live or recorded programs at: blogtalkradio.com/dfa
Call-in number during live shows: (646) 716-8150
AOL Instant Messenger: dfaradio
Join our DFA-Link group for discussion & show announcements

Disclaimer: DFA Radio is a people-powered program, run by DFA members for DFA members. Opinions of guests or callers do not necessarily represent the views of DFA Radio or Democracy for America. DFA Radio is not sponsored by or affiliated with Democracy for America, Burlington, VT. DFA logo used with permission.

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Robert Gulack's Statement at Ground Zero, Sept. 10, 2007

Written by: Lewis Miller on Sep 18, 2007 8:29 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Radio

Robert Gulack was a DFA Radio guest on September 11, 2007. He recommends visiting 9/11 Environmental Action for more on what you can do to address the problem he discusses below in his talk at the Ground Zero press conference.

STATEMENT OF ROBERT GULACK, SENIOR ATTORNEY,

U.S. SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION,

FOR THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 DISCOVER PRESS CONFERENCE AT GROUND ZERO

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Robert Gulack, (201) 794-9322

D-Day, June 6, 1944, has become known as the “longest day.” But September 11, 2001 has lasted even longer. As long as the World Trade Center contamination remains in our offices and homes, claiming more victims for al-Qaeda, September 11, 2001 is not over.

My name is Robert Gulack. I am a senior attorney at the SEC, but I make this statement, not as a representative of the SEC, but speaking on my own behalf and on behalf of the SEC’s bargaining unit. I am an example of a Manhattan office worker who has permanent lung damage because of exposure to uncleaned World Trade Center debris in an office building in southern Manhattan. I am an example of someone who is the victim of the EPA’s failure to follow the law – of the EPA’s refusal to see to it that the office buildings affected by the terrorist attacks were properly cleaned. My illness has been confirmed by CAT scan and metacholine challenge testing. I have suffered not only permanent lung damage but permanent reactive airway disorder. During the period when I was regularly exposed to this debris, I suffered half a dozen episodes of bronchitis and pneumonia. The SEC’s air intake rooms turned out to be contaminated with asbestos at eight times the level necessary to declare an emergency -- more than 400 times the background level before the attacks. The air in one SEC air intake room was found to exceed EPA standards by over three times. The fact that I was harmed by this World Trade Center debris has been officially confirmed by the U.S. Department of Labor.

One of the recommendations of the EPA Inspector General four years ago was to test office buildings. The EPA has never tested a single office other than their own offices. We have to clean our office buildings so that we stop creating additional victims. The U.S. General Accountability Office report from last week brushed aside the EPA’s illogical excuses and specifically confirmed the need for the EPA to test office buildings. But the need to test offices was obvious to everyone six years ago. The EPA simply ignored the need to protect officeworkers, and the blood of the officeworkers is on the hands of the EPA. [1]

Newly recruited firefighters are coming down with World Trade Center cough from the World Trade Center contamination in our firehouses, which the EPA refuses to clean. These are people who had no exposure to the World Trade Center debris on September 11. They are being exposed now, when they come to work at contaminated firehouses.

Four years after Pearl Harbor, we had defeated our enemies in both Europe and Asia. Six years after Sept. 11, we have not even begun the initial testing advocated by the EPA Inspector General. For some reason, it was easier to get the Nazis out of France then to get the EPA into Brooklyn. It was easier to rout the Japanese Empire out of Iwo Jima, Tarawa, and Guadalcanal, then to get the EPA to test a single office in New York City other than their own.

We should moving, on an emergency basis. We should be testing in Brooklyn. We should be testing in New Jersey. We should be testing workplaces and schools and firehouses and police stations. Then, at last, after six years of unbearable cruelty and delay, September 11, 2001 will be over.

---

[1] In order to continue to endanger New York City, the EPA has had to fire many of their own people. When, in the fall of 2001, the EPA’s asbestos consultants warned the EPA that they were ignoring 90% of the World Trade Center asbestos, the EPA fired their asbestos consultants. When the EPA Ombudsman tried to warn about this crisis, he was fired and his office shut down. When the EPA’s own Inspector General denounced the EPA four years ago, the EPA ignored her report and forced her out of the government. One expert panel hired by the EPA accused the EPA of conscious fraud. Another expert panel hired by the EPA unanimously denounced the EPA’s fraudulent clean-up proposals and was fired by the EPA more than a year ago.

Six Years Since 9/11 (DFA Radio tonight)

Written by: Lewis Miller on Sep 11, 2007 3:56 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Radio

Tonight marks six years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. It has also been roughly six years since:

• President Bush claimed that Osama bin Laden would be captured for his role in the attacks, and then conveniently forgot about him.
• EPA Chair Christie Whitman claimed the air at Ground Zero was safe to breathe, while emergency responders and office workers began to experience respiratory ailments.
• It became obvious that when the president declared you were either "with us or against us", he meant you were either with Republicans or terrorists.

Listen to the live show tonight. Call in at (646) 716-8150 to talk about your story or thoughts on 9/11 and how it has affected our country & the political process.

Scheduled guests:

Robert Gulack, an attorney with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), returned to work at the Woolworth Building overlooking Ground Zero more than a month after the September 11th attacks, with the reassurances given by the EPA that the air was safe to breathe. Two days later, his lungs started seizing up. Today he remains on disability with Reactive Airway Disorder, which the US Department of Labor has confirmed was caused by dust that accumulated in the building in which he worked. Mr. Gulack continues to fight to bring attention to the injuries sustained by thousands of people in New York caused by the EPA's negligence, and the urgent need for testing and removal of World Trade Center dust contamination in the New York area. Most recently, Mr. Gulack spoke at the September 10, 2007 Discover Press Conference at Ground Zero.

Eric Massa, retired Naval Commander and Congressional candidate in New York State's 29th District. As a career military officer, Mr. Massa will discuss his three-component plan for dealing with the Iraq War.

If you missed last week's program, when we talked to candidates for the Louisiana State House two years after Katrina & upcoming Iraq War protests, you can still listen to it before tonight's show. Just visit the DFA Radio page on DFA's website.

#

DFA Radio
Every Tuesday @ 9-10pm Eastern, 6-7pm Pacific
Listen to live or recorded programs at: blogtalkradio.com/dfa
Call-in number during live shows: (646) 716-8150

Disclaimer: DFA Radio is a people-powered program, run by DFA members for DFA members. Opinions of guests or callers do not necessarily represent the views of DFA Radio or Democracy for America. DFA Radio is not sponsored by or affiliated with Democracy for America, Burlington, VT. DFA logo used with permission.

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Louisiana DFA-List Candidates / Anti-War Rallies in DC (Last night on DFA Radio)

Written by: Lewis Miller on Sep 5, 2007 7:47 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Radio

Tuesday night's DFA Radio show was a thought-provoking program with outstanding guests. If you missed our live show, you can listen to the archive or podcast at BlogTalkRadio.com/dfa. Joining us this week were:

• DFA-List candidates for the Louisiana Legislature, Deborah Langhoff and Angelique LaCour. Deborah and Angelique braved the aftermath of Katrina and are fighting to rebuild their communities. They told the stories of how the Bush administration abandoned New Orleans and their visions of setting things right again. We're sure when you listen to their stories, you'll join Democracy for America in contributing your time and money to send Deborah and Angelique to the Statehouse in Baton Rouge.
• Larry Holmes of the Troops Out Now Coalition. TONC has organized one-week encampment at the Capitol beginning on September 22nd, culminating in a September 29th march on Washington, as part of a two-month antiwar 'surge' to stop the war "at home and abroad". There will also be a parallel encampment and march in Los Angeles. Larry described Bush administration actions as "war crimes" and said that the people of this nation must act now to pressure members of both parties in Congress to prevent war with Iran and end the occupation of Iraq.
  
• Madelyn Hoffman, Director of NJ Peace Action, a 50-year-old organization dedicated to peace and justice and part of the National Peace Action Network. Peace Action and United for Peace & Justice are currently promoting a campaign to flood Congress with calls to end the war in Iraq and prevent a new war with Iran this Thursday, September 6th.
  

We also talked about the upcoming September 15th March on Washington, organized by A.N.S.W.E.R., Veterans for Peace, and a coalition of veterans' groups. If your DFA group supports these efforts, keep in mind that all of these events are looking for volunteers and coalition partners.

Don't forget to listen to the entire program at BlogTalkRadio.com/dfa.

Click on Read more for biographical information on last night's DFA Radio guests & hosts.

DFA Radio
Every Tuesday @ 9-10pm Eastern, 6-7pm Pacific
Listen to live or recorded programs at: blogtalkradio.com/dfa
Call-in number during live shows: (646) 716-8150

Disclaimer: DFA Radio is a people-powered program, run by DFA members for DFA members. Opinions of guests or callers do not necessarily represent the views of DFA Radio or Democracy for America. DFA Radio is not sponsored by or affiliated with Democracy for America, Burlington, VT. DFA logo used with permission.

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Lousiana DFA-List Candidates / Anti-War Rallies in DC (DFA Radio preview)

Written by: Lewis Miller on Sep 4, 2007 1:30 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Radio

Please join us for another engaging and informative show tonight on DFA Radio. Scheduled guests are:

• DFA-List candidates for Louisiana State House, Deborah Langhoff and Angelique LaCour. Deborah and Angelique braved the aftermath of Katrina and are fighting to rebuild their communities. We'll talk with them about Louisiana two years after the FEMA failure, and their campaigns.
• Larry Holmes of the Troops Out Now Coalition. TONC has organized a march on Washington for September 29th, as part of a two-month antiwar 'surge' to stop the war "at home and abroad".
• Madelyn Hoffman, Director of NJ Peace Action, a 50-year-old organization dedicated to peace and justice.

As always, we'll take calls from the DFA community. Tune in to hear your fellow DFA members, or call in & let us know what's on your mind.

If you missed last week's program, you can still listen to it before tonight's show. Just visit the DFA Radio page on Democracy for America's website.

Click on Read more for more information on this week's guests & hosts.

DFA Radio
Every Tuesday @ 9-10pm Eastern, 6-7pm Pacific
Listen to live or recorded programs at: blogtalkradio.com/dfa
Call-in number during live shows: (646) 716-8150

Disclaimer: DFA Radio is a people-powered program, run by DFA members for DFA members. Opinions of guests or callers do not necessarily represent the views of DFA Radio or Democracy for America. DFA Radio is not sponsored by or affiliated with Democracy for America, Burlington, VT. DFA logo used with permission.

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Wednesday Sept. 5: Framing the Debate & Book Signing at BG

Written by: Lewis Miller on Aug 30, 2007 10:57 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Bergen Grassroots

Join Bergen Grassroots this Wednesday, September 5th, when we welcome Jeffrey Feldman, creator of FrameShop (frameshopisopen.com).

Mr. Feldman, who was chosen to select questions for the Democratic presidential candidates at the recent YearlyKos convention, will discuss how "framing" can be used by the progressive grassroots movement to reshape our language and get results. He will also be autographing copies of his book on the same topic, "Framing the Debate: Famous Presidential Speeches and How Progressives Can Use Them to Change the Conversation (And Win Elections)." Copies of the book will be available at the meeting for $15 (cash or check payable to Bergen Grassroots) -- make sure to get one for yourself, and don't forget all those progressives on your gift list!

As with every Bergen Grassroots event, you'll be brought up to date on recent & upcoming events. Enjoy the company & conversation of like-minded progressive people. Refreshments will be served.

If you haven't been to a Bergen Grassroots meeting before, or in a while, this is one you won't want to miss! RSVP now!

Event Date: Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Event Time: 7:00 PM (doors open 6:45)

Ethical Culture Society auditorium
687 Larch Avenue
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(Entrance on North St.)

Parking available in parking lot & on street.

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Iraq Summer Campaign / Increasing Voter Turnout (Aug 28 preview)

Written by: Lewis Miller on Aug 28, 2007 12:38 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Radio

Please join us for an engaging show tonight on DFA Radio. Our guests will be:

• Giancarlo D'Orazio from Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. Giancarlo will discuss the Take a Stand and the Iraq Summer campaigns.
• Candace Bowie and Annette Osterlund from Democracy for Colorado. Candance and Annette, the authors of Think Precinct: The Grassroots Organizing Guide for a Progressive America, will discuss organizing to increase voter turnout.

As always, we'll take calls from the DFA community. Tune in to hear your fellow DFA members, or call in & let us know what's on your mind.

If you missed last week's program, which focused on Paths to Progressive Power, you can still listen to it before tonight's show. Just visit the DFA Radio page on DFA's website.

Click on Read more for more information on this week's guests & hosts.

DFA Radio
Every Tuesday @ 9-10pm Eastern, 6-7pm Pacific
Listen to live or recorded programs at: blogtalkradio.com/dfa
Call-in number during live shows: (646) 716-8150

Disclaimer: DFA Radio is a people-powered program, run by DFA members for DFA members. DFA Radio is not sponsored by or affiliated with Democracy for America, Burlington, VT. DFA logo used with permission.

Read more