Lots of breaking news to report in this issue. DeanFest has been renamed to DemocracyFest. Tickets to DemocracyFest are on sale now.
As ever, there are many new ways to get involved. One that does not take time away you’re your family’s summer vacation is to sign important web-petitions currently in circulation. We direct your attention to the Presidential Alliance Petition circulating by WeCount.org and the Coalition for America.
John Kerry’s pick of John Edwards as his running mate seems to have created even more solidarity among progressives. We have breaking news on a dramatic shift in the grassroots “Draft Dean for VP” movement which had planned a floor fight at the Democratic National Convention.
The house party phenomenon that the Dean campaign leveraged to great success has now been made available on the web. Read how Party For America is making it easy for all Americans to mobilize their communities.
And from the category of “mom knows best”, there’s a clever idea about washing Dick Cheney’s mouth out with soap!
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| --Kimberly Krautter, Grassroots for America |
Glimpse What’s Inside!
Click on a title to jump to the story below.
NEWS FROM THE ROOTS
BREAKING NEWS: DemocracyFest
“DeanFest" Gets a New Name
The pre-convention convention of progressive activists and grassroots organizers formerly known as “DeanFest” has been renamed “DemocracyFest”. Governor Dean, who will be speaking at the event, sent a personal email promoting DemocracyFest to several hundred thousand members of Democracy For America. Dean also added the link on his website for event ticket sales and advanced registration: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/democracyfest.
Governor Dean’s office and event organizers from My Vote Is My Voice expect thousands of progressive-minded people to gather on July 24-25 at the Butternut Ski Resort in the Berkshire Mountains for the two-day event.
DemocracyFest essentially kicks off a week of Democratic activities in Massachusetts. Top trainers from around the nation will present a full schedule of workshops on grassroots organizing during the festival, and several marquis speakers are also booked including Governor Dean who will make the keynote address. National and regional music artists will also perform throughout the weekend.
DemocracyFest immediately precedes the Democratic National Convention, and event pre-registration indicates that the festival will be attended by DNC delegates and others planning to attend various shadow conventions in Boston later that week.
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BREAKING NEWS: Senate Rejects Marriage Wedge
Senate Scuttles Gay Marriage Amendment (Yea!) - Cloture fails, 48-50
Few are surprised or fooled by the Radical Right’s strategy of using wedge issues to distract the public from the current administration’s failed policies. Recent furor over the definition of marriage and who should be allowed to enjoy the civil rights derived from the institution is the latest salvo aimed at rallying conservative voter turnout in November.
Take caution, friends. The naked reality of this strategy means we cannot afford to be complacent. Rather, it requires a redoubled effort to identify and turnout every possible progressive vote. It also means that every opportunity should be take to bring a voice to this particular issue.
The Human Rights Campaign collected more than a half-million signatures via their on-line petition urging the Senate to reject this GOP assault. As the GOP Senate leadership was unable to muster even 50 votes to end debate and vote on the amendment, it looks like the voices roused by the HRC and others have been heard.
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Draft Dean For VP Movement Backs Edwards as VP
Group shifts goal to offer a Resolution of Appreciation for Gov. Dean at the DNC
We wanted to pass along the following note Michael Meurer, co-founder National Draft Dean for VP, sent along...
We are dropping the floor fight in favor of a simple resolution of appreciation for Gov. Dean that will end as a show of support by Dean Democrats for the Kerry/Edwards ticket. Please accept my apologies for not e-mailing you sooner. Your help has been instrumental in all that we have accomplished over the past two months, and your feedback on our next moves is obviously welcomed.
Our e-mail is running about 65% to 70% in favor of closing ranks behind Kerry/Edwards. I also had a chance to talk with Gov. Dean briefly during his trip to Los Angeles last week, and he told me he does not want to see a floor fight. He was very, very appreciative of all that we have done, but he is going to campaign hard for Kerry/Edwards and wants all of us to do the same.
I talked to Tom McMahon at DFA the day of the Edwards announcement. I explained the idea for the tribute resolution and he loved it. I have a call in for Terry McAuliffe to discuss the idea, and I also have a contact at the DNC who works with McAuliffe who is helping us explore the best way to work with the DNC on such a tribute / expression of support.
We did a good job of keeping Gov. Dean's name in the news for six weeks, and we kept hard core Dean supporters engaged who might otherwise have defected to Nader. Now we need to unite behind the Kerry/Edwards ticket and keep a dialog going with the supporters who are still at risk of either sitting out this election or voting for Nader, which we estimate may be as high as 25% to 35% of the nearly 8,000 people who signed the petition.
Again, any suggestions welcomed.
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NEW GROUPS TAKE ROOT
Party For America!
The house party phenomenon and its impact on grassroots mobilization is getting regular coverage on national news. A California-based organization has now formed to provide a do-it-yourself platform for progressive voters to create and promote house parties for their own cause.
A new web-service, Party For America, was recently launched by an all-volunteer project of East Bay for Democracy, formerly East Bay for Dean. Last year the group helped the Howard Dean campaign pioneer their house party program, organizing more than 100 house parties in the San Francisco East Bay. Those parties brought thousands of people into the campaign, helping to convince many that they had the power to affect national politics. They still have that power.
In a healthy democracy, citizens invest themselves in political action. Party For America serves to empower people to influence the political process through house parties and other social events across America.
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Mixing Art & Politics: Celebrities, Literati and Political Luminaries Auction Art for Kerry in Connecticut
By Karen Schuessler
Dean supporters in Fairfield County, Connecticut have continued their activist role and have redirected their energies to raise funds for the Kerry campaign.
Artists and political activists who met at a Dean house party in January have joined together to focus on defeating George Bush. On July 16 and 17, they will sponsor an Art Party and Silent Auction at the 22 Haviland Street Gallery in Norwalk, Connecticut with the proceeds going to John Kerry's presidential campaign.
The art exhibit will be open from 6:00-9:00PM on Friday, July 16 and from 11:00AM to 6:00PM on Saturday, July 17. A patron's party will be held from 6:00-9:00PM on Saturday. Admission to the patron's party is $100. More than 90 artists have donated artwork including Sol Le Witt, Ivan Chermayeff and Roz Chast.
The host committee consists of celebrities and politicians including Jim Dean, brother of Howard Dean, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, former Connecticut gubernatorial candidate Bill Curry, New Yorker magazine cartoonist Roz Chast, actress Mia Farrow, actor, writer, director Harvey Fierstein.
The group is delighted they developed new friendships attending Dean Meetups and are pleased these friendships have resulted in uniting together to continue the Dean legacy.
For more information, please see our website at http://www.skorathomas.com/ArtParty.
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GET INVOLVED
Let Him Eat Soap: Send Cheney A Message that would Make Mom Proud
As a child, Dick Cheney’s mother would no doubt have washed his mouth out with soap if she heard him use certain choice language. It seems the Veep feels above the rules of Congress and no remorse at all for using banned expletives in that hallowed chamber. A clever idea has circulated around the grassroots that the country should offer the Vice President a virtual scrubbing. The editors of Taking Root thought small but effective political action should be passed along.
In a business size envelope (with no return address, of course) enclose one of those tiny bars of wrapped soap you get at motels (used or unused) or a soap discount coupon from the Sunday paper.
| Dick Cheney The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20050 |
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DemocracyFest Offers Fun For Kids & Respite for Parents
Make DemocracyFest part of your family’s summer vacation! Members of Educators for Democracy are volunteering to provide a day camp for children with fun activities for children from pre-school to pre-teen.
The children’s activity area will include crafts and games, music, toys, puzzles, snacks and a free Daffy Duck for President Book. A diaper changing area will also be provided.
Members of Educators for Democracy and other bloggers have prepared a skit for the children to perform for festival-goers on Sunday morning. Pre-teens are also encouraged to come by and participate in a 'Recyclables Art' project.
All tots and teens are welcome in the kids festival area, but due to insurance liability, families must stay with their children. This will not be a drop off spot but rather a calm, relaxing environment for a family to take a break from DemocracyFest events.
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Progressives Converge in Boston!
Join us for one of the largest progressive convergences in the history of America
Progressive Vote has united with other progressive affinity groups from across the country to rally at the Boston Democratic National Convention under the banner United Progressive Alliance (UPA)!
Thousands of progressives from various groups, campaigns, and communities from across the country have come together to plan dozens of powerful events with nationally-known progressives. The UPA website contains a calendar which is constantly updated.
We're putting out a call to our progressive base and caucuses to join us in Boston! The progressive community must show the country and the media that we stand united! Check out the list of resources and join us for this history-making week of events! http://progressivevote.org/
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WeCount.org Sponsors “Presidential Alliance Petition”
WeCount.org, in partnership with Progressive Vote, Rapid Response Network , Progressive Voter Project, and other progressive organizations has sponsored a petition calling on political leaders to form an official coalition to work together in this election cycle and beyond.
With this petition, WeCount.org endeavors to build a foundation for the “Coalition for America”, a cooperative effort to organize progressives, greens and independents into a unified political grassroots movement which will push the issues people care about at state and federal levels for years to come.
The Presidential Alliance Petition states:
| "I hereby petition Democratic, Green, anti-Bush Republican and independent leaders to officially form a coalition during the 2004 presidential campaign that supports a single candidate to defeat George W. Bush and creates a new vision for America. The form of this coalition should be determined through public negotiations between Democratic, Green, anti-Bush Republican and independent leaders, facilitated by a mutually agreed upon party." |
WeCount.org is a not-for-profit political action committee (Sec. 527) founded by a group of friends and colleagues with experience in public policy, mediation and community development. WeCount.org seeks policy changes in national government by establishing a continuing forum for coalition building, research, advocacy, and voter mobilization.
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CANDIDATES
The Dean Dozen
Nancy Farmer for United States Senate from Missouri. In the race to win back the Senate, Farmer is one of our best hopes. She is a progressive up against one of George W. Bush's staunchest conservative allies. It's going to be close! www.nancyfarmer.com
Debra Sasser for Wake County, North Carolina District Court Judge. There are very few Democratic judges in North Carolina - and it is about time we start electing some good progressive ones. www.debrasasser.com
Dana Rasch for Florida State Representative. As a 1st Lieutenant and casualty officer in the United States Marine Corps it was Dana Rasch's solemn responsibility to inform parents about the loss of their loved ones in Iraq. This changed him. Now he is committed to improving the lives of the people of Florida District 26 by running for office himself. www.danarasch2004.com
Fran Egbers for New Hampshire State Representative. After volunteering countless hours for Dean for America in New Hampshire, great-grandmother Fran is now running to represent the people of Manchester she met on the trail. www.franegbers.org
Peter Buckley for Oregon State Representative. Oregon is going to be close on so many levels, Peter will be pulling out progressive votes for candidates up and down the ballot. www.peterbuckley.org
Nate Hogan for Kansas State Senate. The Kansas Senate needs people like Nate Hogan whose priorities are public education, economic development and equal rights for all. That shouldn't be so revolutionary, should it? And yet, in Kansas, Nate Hogan has a tough fight on his hands. www.natehoganforkansas.com
Anne Wolfe, Steve Brozak, Amy Vasquez and Herb Conaway for United States Congress from New Jersey. Each of these dynamic leaders is ready to go to Washington and stand for universal health care. www.wolfe2004congress.com, www.stevebrozakforcongress.com, www.amyvasquez.com and www.herbconawayforcongress.campaignoffice.com
Charlie Smith for South Carolina State House. Smith has great ideas for bringing jobs back to South Carolina, balancing the state budget, fully funding Medicare, and preserving the environment. Charlie Smith will stand up to his opponent on civil rights and fight for the GLBT community. He is a man of tremendous courage. www.friendsofcharliesmith.com
Re-elect Charley Murphy and Bill Straus Massachusetts State Representatives. Charley and Bill are two of the most dynamic leaders in the Massachusetts legislature. Today they are targets of the Republican governor and his corporate machine. www.repmurphy.com and www.repstraus.com
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INSPIRATION POINT
F-9/11 Rekindles that Old Grassroots Magic
By Dr. Sandy Martin, Board Chair of Grassroots For America
Wow. What an evening! I went to “Fahrenheit 911” at our local theatre so I could see what things were like in preparation for an upcoming viewing and fundraiser in Norwalk, CT. Quite an experience! It was like old home week for the Dean campaign, many old faces and many new ones but the same great feeling. Good wishes, unity, caring. I was proud to be part of this audience. It was real America.
The theatre was sold out for all ten performances today. I got there a half-hour early and all the seats were taken for the performance I had tickets for. (Word to the wise… go early.) Fortunately, this was the theatre where we did the “Truth Uncovered” movie for Dean last year, so the owner gave me a pass for the next performance or I wouldn’t have been able to get in at all.
After the show, the street outside the theatre was full of people chatting, talking and handing out flyers. I had the feeling that I was seeing America mobilized as I’ve never seen it in my lifetime. The thought that this same scene was taking place all across our country was incredible.
Good, kind people, making their voices heard. So very, very important. We must, must take our country back.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Grassroots for America is in the process of building a Grassroots Theater Network to make sure the public gets to see all documentaries they need to see. Check out http://www.grassrootsforamerica.us/projects/theatre-network.shtml for the full scoop...
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SITE SEEING
PurpleOcean.org
Everyday America’s workers are out there fighting. They’re fighting for economic and social justice. They’re fighting to earn a living wage and benefits to care for their families.
The 1.6 million men and women of SEIU are changing workplaces around the country. And their fight must be our fight, because their fight is about much more than wages and benefits. Their fight is for things as fundamental as quality, affordable health care for all Americans, better schools, better security, and equal rights for all of our country’s working families.
PurpleOcean.org is your way to join the most exciting, fastest growing worker organization in the U.S. By joining PurpleOcean.org, you are standing with over 1.6 million workers—from nurses and health care workers to librarians and public service employees to security guards and janitors.
You will join hands with workers, take specific action to improve workers lives, and see how together we are paving the way for the workplace of tomorrow.
Welcome to the Good Fight. Welcome to PurpleOcean.org.
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Books for soldiers: Help Boost Troop Morale BooksForSoldiers.com
BooksForSoldiers.com is a soldier support site that ships books, DVDs and supplies to deployed soldiers and soldiers in VA hospitals, via our large volunteer network.
If you have old, but usable paperback books sitting around, collecting dust, why not send them to a solider for a big morale boost? Many of our volunteers have received email and letters from the soldiers they have adopted.
Help us out. Help out the troops, and mail them your books. Click here to find out how: www.booksforsoldiers.com.
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THE TOOL SHED
BOOK REVIEW: Bush On The Couch Provides Analysis for the Nation
By Jerry Lobdill
I'm almost 50% through the book, "Bush on the Couch", and I'm reeling at the thoughts that it has stimulated.
The book is extremely credible, though I get a bit lost sometimes when Frank gets into babies projecting etc., but the diagnosis is alarming. Megalomania, paranoia, ADHD, untreated alcoholism, denial, grandiosity, black and white thinking, projection, arrogance, limited cognitive capacity...these are some of the terms that Dr. Frank uses to label W's problems. If you've seen Fahrenheit 9/11 and have been disturbed and puzzled at the footage of Bush and his antics that has never before been shown to the public, you will understand them after you read this book.
You have to ask yourself if there shouldn't be a required psychoanalytic test for every would-be candidate for the Presidency, because we've got a certifiably dangerous man at the helm here whose unsuitability for leadership was and is diagnosable, and worse than that, roughly 50% of the American people voted for him and to this very day defend him and his lies rigidly and will vote for him again. This is truly frightening.
I have always operated under the assumption that Bush's lies have been cynical, deliberate lies told by an arrogant person who knows exactly what the truth is. But Frank argues that he may not even be aware that they are lies. He may actually believe they are the truth even when all the material evidence makes it clear that they are lies. Worse, a large fraction of his supporters may have the same problem with reality. These revelations call into serious question our process for vetting the most powerful leader in the world.
One of the practices that has characterized Bush's lying is the continual evolution of the reasons he gives for invading Iraq as, one by one, they are proven unfounded. Each time he ignores the new revelation of falsehood and advances a new reason for his invasion. This evasion is infuriating, and the fact that the media lets him get away with it is doubly infuriating, and the fact that Bush supporters don't see a problem with this is triply infuriating. But if it is true that these people are doing this because they can't see the inconsistency and evasion involved, there are a hell of a lot of sick people in the USA who do not have the capability of logical thought and shouldn't be allowed to vote at all.
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Grassroots Calendar
| DFA/21st Century Democrats Trainings | July 17/18 | Orlando, FL |
July 31/Aug 1 | Columbus, OH |
Aug 7/8 | Phoenix, AZ |
Aug 21/22 | Austin, TX |
Sep 10 - 12 | San Francisco, CA |
July 16 – 18 | Michigan Campaign 101 High School Training by 21st Century Democrats |
July 17 | Florida Campaign 101 High School Training by 21st Century Democrats |
July 24/25 | DemocracyFest |
July 26/29 | Democratic National Convention, Boston, MA |
August 4 | |
August 14 | |
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VISIT OUR WEB SITE
Grassroots for America is a resource for progressive grassroots organizations across the nation, connecting groups and providing services, infrastructure and consulting to:
- Energize their ideas and bring them to life
- Connect with like-minded teams across the country
- Mobilize bodies of voters for active citizen engagement
- Publicize their projects utilizing a professional PR and Media team
- Multiply the impact of every grassroots initiative.
Grassroots for AmericaSM is a not-for-profit corporation operating as an IRS chapter 501(c)4 organization.
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