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Pushing the Rainbow
The Always Enterprising Sparrow called in from Chicago to report on the Rainbow Push Coalition Annual Conference she is attending:
I walked in as Jesse Jackson was talking about building a coalition among Asians, Latinos and African-Americans. He wants more grassroots organizations. People need to learn Spanish; they are offering free Spanish lessons at the Rainbow Push Coaliton headquarters in Chicago.
There are several issues that are key to coalition-building, including health care, education, labor, and civil rights. People must come together to guarantee the constitutional right to vote. In 2000, Jackson said, "The third rail is the civil rights rail. Neither party wants to touch the third rail because you can get electrocuted. But the third rail is the one that keeps the train going." Today, Jackson heavily suggested opening up that “third rail”.
Jackson also announced a massive march in Atlanta August 6. The focus will be on collective bargaining rights and other civil rights.
Next up was John Sweeney, of the AFL-CIO. He asked: “How do we strengthen our democracy?”
Rep. John Conyers of Michigan: “We realize what happened in 2004. We went to Ohio, we saw the pain and rage of people who KNEW what happened—actions of police, Secretary of State Blackwell, people denied provisional ballots that had already been approved.” He said we need a great remedy to guarantee elections safety-- like we did in Iraq. He also addressed the need to assure that sections 2 and 5 of the Voting Rights Act are preserved when they come up for renewal in 2007.
Bob Fitrakis, a lawyer from Ohio who has written a book, DID GEORGE W. BUSH STEAL AMERICA’S 2004 ELECTION? ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS, said, “Ohio is attempting to become the Alabama and Mississippi of the Midwest.”
Right now, the Ohio legislature is working on a vote that says you cannot challenge a federal election in Ohio, and former felons are being disenfranchised as well.
Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones was up next. She is working with Sen. Clinton on extending HAVA (the voting rights act) so that no chairman of a campaign or party can be Secretary of State in a state, and be in charge of voting at same time.
She has introduced HR 939 in the US House of Representatives. She promises to “continue the fight”.
South Carolina Representative David Mack of the Black Caucus said many of them walked out when two black judges were denied in that state. “Voting problems are all over”, he stated. He also told of false letterhead from the NAACP going out to Black voters, telling them if you owe child support or have unpaid parking tickets, you cannot vote. “Engage people of good conscience who want positive change. The most precious thing we have is our democracy”.
Barbara Arnwine, the executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, talked about making voting rights permanent and national. “It sounds good, but what they don’t know is that the SCOTUS says any race-conscious measure has to be narrowly planned and relevant to the district—there must be history of prior discrimination. In a state that does not have a history of prior discrimination, such law will be found not relevant.”
U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. is fighting “for a more perfect union”. The 2000 decision indicated citizens enjoy no federal right to vote.” “Between John Conyers and Jim Sensenbrenner, who do you want to have the power?” He pointed out we need to register people NOW. Democrats also need to enter a coalition with Republicans in support of voting rights. “Conservative democrats have abandoned values”, he said. “We are prepared to do what is in the best interest of our movement.”
More to come…
Awsome report sparrow! I was privilaged to cover a John Edwards rally in KC toward the end of the campaign, and Jesse Jackson made a suprise appearance. He sure does captivate an audience, doesnt he;)
Here in Kansas, I found this LTE from a local prominant business owner that gives a good understanding of the tone of the debate raging here...
6/11/2005 9:55:00 PM
Kansans should cherish independence of our courts
To the Editor:
The cries of outrage from the right-wing about judicial activism (whether on a state or federal level) would be amusing except that so few people seem to remember high school American Government. Alas, it would appear that a great many citizens have succumbed to the religious right's agenda to impose its narrow vision of society on all of us and have forgotten that the separation of powers uniquely bestows upon the courts the power to determine whether acts of the legislature follow the constitution or not. That is why we have a constitutional democracy and not a parliamentary democracy. I encourage those who do not recognize the distinction between these to do some research.
The founding fathers created a constitution that includes many philosophical principles. For a multitude of reasons, they provided for an independent judiciary that had a longer life span than the legislature to provide a moderating influence or a counter balance when the legislature made its all too predictable swings from extreme position to extreme position and attempted to erode these principles.
I'm no legal scholar, so I won't argue the merits of Judge Terry Bullock's original decision or the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision on school funding. What I will argue is that we need to cherish the independence of our courts. We need to remember that what goes around comes around.
It wasn't all that long ago that the "dastardly liberal" President Franklin Roosevelt tried to stack the U.S. Supreme Court in order to get his liberal agenda approved. The entire country rose up and denied Roosevelt his objective, even though he had a much larger "mandate" than our current conservative president received. Nonetheless, I suspect that President Bush would like to do the same thing today, but on the other end of the political spectrum.
Quite frankly, an examination of Hitler's rise in Munich during the 1920s would reveal a great many similarities with today's efforts by a small minority of religious zealots in our country to enshrine their narrow definition of acceptability as the law of the land. Bush, Dick Cheney, Tom DeLay and the rest of the Texas cabal would expand the war in Iraq to include Iran if they thought they could expel the Islamic fundamentalist government there. However, they would enshrine a Texas Christian fundamentalist government here in a heartbeat. Methinks there is a bit of hypocrisy that needs to be exposed.
Perhaps if Kansas' conservative politicians would get busy and try to figure out how to deliver the education that our children deserve instead of posturing and arguing about how each of us lives our private lives, we could solve the current problem and move on to other more pressing issues that face us.
Clark Balderson, Wamego Ks
GREAT letter. Shows that intelligent life exists in Kansas beyond our already-informed and active DCP participants: pcdoc, sunflower, and cookerfox! There is hope!
And I hope you all find the cellular connections to begin to bring sanity back to Dorothy-land!
Sparrow,
Thanks for the update. As you know, I was unable to attend the conference. There were several members from our cell who were able to attend, and they are sending notes to our members as well. I know you met one of them.
I do have to comment about PUSH teaching Spanish. This is a particularly volatile subject, but I would rather see PUSH making an effort to teach English to Spanish speaking Americans.
Karen,"Dorothy land"! LOL!!! How true.
More from sparrow:
Jesse Jackson Jr: "If you think of how many states, how many districts and municipalities are in each state, there could be as many as 20,000 different voting systems which would not ensure that each individual vote was counted."
The Voting Rights Act and section 2 are up for renewal in 2007. (Sparrow adds: this clearly indicates why midterms 2006 are so important)
"I support Barbara Arnwine's comments with all 180 pounds of my frame!"
MORE comments from Congressman Jackson at the press conference--he also told this story at the forum.
The caucus met with GWB. Eleanor Holmes Norton had just asked GWB specifically about adequate funding for DC. Then Congressman Jackson followed up with a question, "will you reauthorize the VRA?"
The response GWB returned was, "I'm NOT for DC statehood."
So Congressman Jackson repeated the question.
pResident Bush's response was, "I'm not familiar with it but when it comes across my desk, I'll look at it then."
(Congressman Jackson added these comments about it during the press conference-but not during the forum... "GWB as a former governor SHOULD have been "familiar with it" as part of his former job duties. He wouuld have known/and used them in his former capacity; however NOW the pResident 'has handlers who can help him prepare an answer to the press corp.")
JESSIE JACKSON--applied during his moderation of the press conference the words, "STREET HEAT!" often.
A reporter asked for specifics on the three sections of VRA that are expiring. Here is Arnwine's answer:
"Section 2 (203) so powerful...requires language accomodation in areas where English is a second language. Material should be available that is translated or explained and a translator available. It particually protects the NATIVE AMERICANS who are original AMERICANS and require these translations/translators. So people who say, "Well they should just speak English, think that this law is referring only to Latinos but do not consider the Native Americans."
"Section 5: 4000 jurisdictions require that BEFORE they change any voting law, it must be submitted to the dept. of justice. This section refers SPECIFICALLY to states/areas who have a HISTORY of discrimination because it is presumed they may pass injurious laws as they've done in their past." She calls this the "red light" section: they must stop and wait for the green light.
Now with what happened in OHIO in 2004, there was NO PRIOR history of discrimination so Blackwell was able to change the law without oversight. After the 2004 election, this section MUST be renewed and OHIO would be one of the states with the history of discrimination and would need the 'red light/green light oversight"
Sections 6-10 Gives authority to the dept. of justice to monitor elections.
EACH PARTICIPANT was going to Atlanta August 6 for MAJOR AND CONTINUOUS STREET ACTIONS...leading up to the renewal of the VRA as well as elections in 2006.
DURING the press conference Jesse Jackson renewed the instruction for every progressive to learn Spanish and reach out to all Latino communities as well. They want to create bonds to overcome the "wedge issues" right-wingers have used--we all have education, healthcare, voting, and fair wages in common. We all want a better America.
Jackson added, "within the Republican party there is a great division going on. Many realize the corruption and are outraged at the conduct of the party and the voting issues and they will join us as allies."
Very interesting stuff from the Rainbow conference - glad we're privy to it so soon.
I was a Gary Hart delegate in the '80s and when I went to the state convention, I looked on with awe at the Jesse Jackson delegates - as they had the most interesting coalition of people!
Those long days at political conventions are necessary but can be boring, but they never were with the "Rainbow coalition." We sort of had it again last year - we certainly did on the west coast - but didn't get far enough with it.
Hey everyone... NEW DOUMENTS LEAKED FROM BRITIAN!!
www.rawstory.com
top headline.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1648758,00.html
Thats the transcript of the actual doc from July of 2002 but the last page is missing
This is hilarious... The guy who tells a US Senator to "go f**k himself" is calling Dean on being over the top.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050612/ap_on_el_ge/cheney_dean
I think Dean should scale it back to the always acceptable "go f**k yourself."
Posted by: victoria ellen at June 12, 2005 02:00 PM
WAY TO GO HOWARD DEAN!
V.E. - (Once a Dick always a Dick.)
Message to all Holy Rollin' Hypocrites,
Peace On Earth, Goodwill Towards Men...
It's Not Just for Christmas Anymore.
I believe that some members of the Balderson clan in Wamego, Kansas, recently completed a fairly well-received indy film called "Firecracker."
Artistic and smart. I like the Baldersons.
Posted by: victoria ellen at June 12, 2005 02:00 PM
I noticed in the article after DarthDick said he though Howard Dean was over the top that he said he thought many Democrats felt the same way.....
How the (to use DarthDick's term) "f*ck would he know how many Democrats feel??? Has he ever talked to one who wasn't a NeoCon in disguise??? Has he ever read any Progressive Democratic web sites??? If he had, he'd find out how much he, his puppet ... er, his boss, and his company do not have the respect of at least half this nation.... (and almost 60% of the US do not approve of the war he and his boss started for personal gain, according to the last poll about it...)....
Me to Howard Dean: You go, Guy! Tell it like it is and use plain language everyone can understand.... So far you're the only one with balls enough and spine enough to do so (and get the attention of the Lamebrain Media while you're at it), and I admire you on both counts!!! Keep talking and keep getting attention in the media!!! I'm sick and tired of Dem legislators laying down, not speaking up for fear of offending someone and letting NeoCons walk all over them.... Enough is more than enough!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by: Christy at June 12, 2005 12:47 PM
Great news from the other side of the pond. They have their own Deep Throat patriotic person in their government it seems.... Way to Go!!! (I wish we had someone as brave as that now....)
Now, if our own Lamebrain Media would just cover the story with some objectivity and not only get the dismissive comments from the NeoCons....
My perceptions of Howard Dean probably wont go over well here after what I have read. However, I believe that if he wants to attract a wider following of Independents and disenfranchised Republicans he needs to temper his rhetoric. Despite all of our disgust with the Bushco Propaganda machine, there are millions who are influenced by it. He needs to play the game more carefully. Stick to our message. Is our message all Republicans are wothless parasites? I don't think so. Is our message that the Republicans support an agenda that ignores the working American? I think that is closer to how most of us feel. Is our message that the current Administration has allowed unfair profits to accumulate into the hands of war profiteers? I think that is probably closer. As good as it feels to hear somebody with political power (of which he has none-considering he holds no office and is not running for office) slap around people who deserve worse, we need to be aware that those messages can be delivered more productively to smaller audiences via direct mail, e-mail and other smaller forums that are less likely to have Bushco Propaganda coverage ready to swat at Dean.
If his strategy is to fire up the base, all he has to do is speak to the truth of what has happened to our country. He is excellent at delivering that message, and I hope he sticks to it. This week while the Downing Street memo is making it's way to the headlines, Howard Dean's comments are pushing ahead by a nose. Of course that is not right, but that is the reality of it all. We have to use a strategy that will give Americans with hope for a better future a fighting chance, not one that obfuscates the message of hope.
(I wish we had someone as brave as that now....)
Posted by: NonnyO at June 12, 2005 03:22 PM
We do... tag, you're it.
Posted by: victoria ellen at June 12, 2005 02:00 PM
Commenting about Dick Cheney's hypocrisy is too easy. After he wore a snow mobile outfit to the Auschwitz memorial, I came to accept that, except for removing him from office, he is not worthy of any of my energy. Without sounding too harsh (which is hard in his case), I have concluded that he is sub-human.
Here is a site that is promoting a Christian Flag of the United States of America. Be sure you listen to the music in the background.
http://www.uschristianflag.com/
You have to enter the site to hear the stirring music.
U.S. Death Toll in Iraq Crosses 1,700
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/ats-ap_top10jun12,0,247532.story
Patriot Act Push Angers Some on Right
A Senate panel vote riles conservatives concerned about the reach of federal power.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-patriot12jun12,0,7709564,print.story?coll=la-home-nation
A closed-door vote by the Senate Intelligence Committee last week to expand law enforcement powers under the USA Patriot Act is prompting sharp criticism from some conservative leaders who are otherwise among the most vocal allies of President Bush and the Republican leadership in Congress.
The conservative leaders — who have formed a coalition with critics on the left, including the American Civil Liberties Union — vowed to press their concerns in coming days with public statements, rallies and radio advertisements in key congressional districts.
The conservatives, including former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.) and political activists who have been long-standing critics of the anti-terrorism law, lashed out with particular force last week against the White House, members of Congress and Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales. They said they had expected a more open review of the Patriot Act in which lawmakers considered some limits in order to safeguard civil liberties.
The conservatives complained that the Senate panel had moved in secret to expand the act. They are particularly upset about proposed "administrative subpoenas" that would let the FBI obtain a person's medical, financial and other records in terrorism cases without seeking a judge's approval.
Their criticism gathered force as Bush devoted two public events last week to pressing Congress to renew parts of the act due to expire at the end of this year.
LOL- Bush's antibusiness environmental "policy":
________________
American corporations are increasingly calling for action on global warming, sensing a business opportunity in cutting greenhouse gases while hoping to shape regulations they believe are inevitable.
Bucking the Bush administration's position that tougher rules would harm the U.S. economy, Fortune 500 companies including General Electric Co., Duke Energy Corp. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. in recent months have championed stronger government measures to reduce industrial releases of carbon dioxide, the main heat-trapping gas that scientists have linked to rising temperatures and sea levels.
This shift in corporate thinking was on display at a congressional hearing last week, where executives from large companies including DuPont Co., United Technologies Corp. and Baxter International Inc. described how they were getting an early start on reducing greenhouse gas emissions — something they believe they would be required to do sooner or later.
"People increasingly will believe that greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced and that actions should begin today to prepare for that eventuality," James Rogers, the chairman of power generator Cinergy Corp., told the House Science Committee on Wednesday. Rogers now advocates a national program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The number of companies involved remains small, but it is growing, particularly in the energy sector, and is emerging as a new dynamic in the debate over the future of America's global warming policies. The U.S., the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, was the only major developed nation other than Australia to reject the Kyoto Protocol, an international pact to cut emissions to about 5% below 1990 levels by 2012...
&more
__________________
A Shift to Green
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-warming12jun12,1,2902241,print.story
To NonnyO: You wish puts me in mind of what Jim Wallis said at the end of his speech at the TBA Conference, and it's from what a dear and sadly departed friend of his would say. She would take all of her might and she would tell everyone she met when organizing, this one simple and powerful truth:
WE ARE THE PEOPLE WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.
And we are, aren't we. Just look around at what the DCP has accomplished in just six short months. I have been organizing for a long, long time, and I have never met people with so much energy, committment, caring, intelligence, education, and loving hearts, that want one thing: to restore democracy to America, and are willing to dedicate their lives to it, and give whatever they can to make that happen.
You are all truly wonderful and amazing and your ability to transform limited resources into widespread communication and help for others is nothing short of a miracle.
Very proud to work with all of you.
Suz,
You are doing an outstanding job in making contacts and reporting back. I love that these folks are seeing us everywhere, every week or so...think how far you have come. You are an embodyment of the idea that one dedicated person can make a real difference.
The Yellow Feather Campaign,
Tut, Truth, et al.
I have been having some computer problems which have forced me offline for all of last night and much of today, so I am not as far as I had planned to be on the blog that I am building for this campaign, but I think a meeting for tomorrow night would be a good idea.
How does 7PM EDT sound for folks? I can do a little later, and I can do earlier, but I am useless after 8:30 PM.
This will be a 15-20 minute meeting to go over materials, task lists, messaging, and campaign management. In terms of this operation, think big push out, teeny tiny ask for people to do. In other words--message as simple as possible, assignment as easy as possible. Clean plain language. This is going to be an easy and fast campaign.
Thanks, gang. I will look for replies to this on this thread and the next.
Casey, et al,
I can do 7 p.m. eastern tomorrow eve. It is the only time I can do it tomorrow - have commitments before and after 7. Where? A blog address, or the IRC? If another time accomodates more people, let me know, and someone can fill me in later tomorrow night or Tues.
It sounds like fun, too. I also have a fax machine and lots of minutes, as well as postage. If anybody needs a little help with expenses, let Casey know, and she can get ahold of me. I am talking in the $10.00 to $20.00 range.
Guys, the feathers are only a dollar and a half for a bag of them, at a well known craft store, and stickers are $1.99 for 25 at a party market. So, come on and join in on the fun and "hard work" of sending Big Bird feathers to Congress, along with a plea to save him.