Green News and Opinion

Just trying to post photos

2009-06-16T10:43:00.002-04:00

So I can link to them at Green Party Watch

What the world needs now is another website

2008-10-21T13:55:00.003-04:00

The Daily Gregg

Two minutes or less. A webcast on Blog Talk Radio. Text at the The Daily Gregg blog.

All for free! Ain't it a wonderful world?

Where did he go?

2008-10-01T17:22:00.002-04:00

Of course that may not be a question you have ever asked about me, but if you have, I can tell you with great satisfaction that I am now available for reading at Green Party Watch. I hope that you will visit us over there as often as possible, and please consider adding your voice either as a commenter or as an author.

And, if you have a site of your own, please consider linking to GPW. Here is a button you can use:

To get the button on your site just paste this into your template, or simply post it into a post. Replace the "*" with a "<" and the "#" with a ">".

*a href="http://www.greenpartywatch.org"#
*img src="http://www.greenpartywatch.org/images/greenpartywatch_170x50.jpg"# */a#

Ain't technology grand?

2008-06-28T18:42:00.002-04:00

As I was looking to find out if I can afford to attend the Nominating Convention in Chicago, I went to look at Google Maps. Lo and behold, those buggers have a street level photo of my house! That's right...home of the Green Rush Limbaugh right here for all to see!

OK...so here's the skinny. Ours is the home with the garage door open. The red van is my work vehicle. The white Explorer is my wife's, but my In-laws use it now, and the blue van is one of my Mother In-law's therapists.

Enjoy!

View Larger Map

Kent Mesplay, US Presidential Candidate on Sustainability

2008-06-06T18:49:00.001-04:00

This fine video is one of a series which will be pulled together into a movie about being Green. Can't wait!

Green Party on Current TV

2008-06-03T18:22:00.002-04:00

The video was made by Little Tree Media, and is showing on TV on these channels:

You can watch Current TV online or enjoy it from the comfort of your couch:

directv channel 366
dish network channel 196
comcast channel 107
at&t u-verse channel 189
time warner check listings

Migration

2008-06-03T07:51:00.002-04:00

Well, I've been doing this blog for what, a year and a half? Two? I actually can't remember. It has been up and down, but while I appreciate ever so much each of you for visiting here, and while I do intend to continue posting here, the posts may be more opinion than news, and more infrequent than I might prefer. I like knowing that you folks read what I write.

But of course, while I have taken long breaks from here, occasionally for better than a month, I know your need for news related to the Green Party. I am not the only source of news about the GP, but I have tried to bring you more than what one might find in Google or Yahoo!

Now, that has evolved. I have joined almost a dozen other Greens to write for Green Party Watch. Registered to Ronald Kane Hardy of Babblemur fame, the site has grown from a registration just over a week ago to a full fledged website with an active community of readers than numbers close to 100 a day at this point. I think the MOST I ever got here was maybe twenty or thirty. I'm not complaining, just excited about a project that is going so well.

So...feel free to grab yourself an RSS feed (that little orange dot with two waves comming off it in the right hand corner of the address bar) and check it from time to time and see if I have posted anything new here...or stop by any time! It's always free....

Peace...oh! I am also writing a once-a-day column for Independent Political Report and hope you'll visit there from time to time as well.

And, don't forget Green Party Watch

Vimeo

2008-05-29T22:32:00.002-04:00

Google has apparently got a phrase that they say reflects something about the company: Don't be evil.

Google owns Blogger, where I write this. They own YouTube. They own Gmail, Google Earth, and of course, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir which they purchased in a leveraged buy out involving Yoko Ono, Michael Jackson, Queen Beatrix and the Church of Scientology.

But there are alternatives. There's Mapquest, and Riseup email and the New Tabernacle Singers...and Vimeo.

Vimeo is the YouTube alternative. Here's an example of the stuff there, and while this is not professionally done, the woman's logic is spot on. She observes that the worser evil we are supposed to not vote for is seldom as horrible as the lesser evil, and the differences between lesser and greater evils is so small...

But to me the perfect line was where she said "What they say when they run for office is pretty different, but what they do when they get there really isn't."

The video is by Rachel MacCratic. Take a look:

McKinney for President from Rachel MacCratic on Vimeo.

Green News Daily Roundup - Morning Edition

2008-05-29T07:11:00.000-04:00

Over at The Champion Newspapers they are carrying a piece about Cynthia McKinney winning support in her native Georgia at the state Green Party convention back on May 3rd, securing seven of that state's eight delegates. Kat Swift won the eight delegate.

The Park Slope Greens in NYC are encouraging their membership to attend the city convention and get set to be a delegate to the nominating convention set for July in Chicago.

Stories In The News of Ketchikan, Alaska carries an editorial about third parties, calling us "ever hopeful".

Green News Daily Roundup - Morning Edition

2008-05-28T08:25:00.001-04:00

The Camden NJ Green Party will be meeting in Collingswood, NJ June 5th at 7 PM at the library at Haddon and Frasier Avenues.

The Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping will deliver the invocation at a Green Party conference set for NYC this Saturday. You gotta check this one out. It includes presenters like Lynne Serpe, director of FairVote, Joel Kovel, Gloria Mattera, Mark Dunlea and several prominent NYC Greens, as well as what I assume are several prominent non-Greens. The event is set for Hunter College in Manhattan, 105 Lexington Avenue (between 68th and 69th Streets)from 9 AM until 6 PM, and is sponsored by the Green Party of Brooklyn.

That's all for now folks. More after a day's work.

South Carolina Greens to Bush & Co: We Object!

2008-05-27T14:49:00.000-04:00

Join your fellow Greens at Furman 5/31/2008.

The South Carolina Green Party and the York County (SC) Greens are co-sponsoring a protest and demonstration at Furman University on May 31st as President Bush delivers a speech to the students and faculty of that university. The protest is also co-sponsored by The Greenville Anti-War Society, the South Carolina Progressive Network, the Carolina Peace Resource Center, and Code Pink. In addition, the event is sponsored by Operation Democracy, part of MoveOn.org, Aiken Peace, No More Victims, the Freedom Group and finally, Veterans for Peace.

To join in, click the link above and look for your fellow Greens once you get there, or drop us a note in advance at GreggJocoy29715@yahoo.com

Proxies, the cost of a national convention, and the nomination

2008-05-27T12:32:00.000-04:00

The numbers just reported by Ronald Kane Hardy at Green Party Watch (GPW) show that, even with strongholds not yet decided,Cynthia McKinney's campaign has secured enough votes for her to be our nominee for President. Unfortunately, as I reported in my last post, the national party has apparently decided to charge each state for their proxy votes.

While this may seem a bad idea at first blush, and indeed may be a bad idea, evidence from past discussions would indicate that lack of financial resources is what has motivated the plan to charge for proxy votes.

According to a source familiar with the national party and it's internal discussions, the GNC is discussing possible changes to this policy of charging for proxy votes.

Tom Yager leaks to Ballot Access News

2008-05-27T10:39:00.000-04:00

Well, maybe it's not as dramatic as all that, but in fact, Ballot Access News does attribute their report to Yager of VA. In the report, BAN announces that Cynthia McKinney has secured enough committed votes to win a first ballot victory in her race for the Green Party Presidential nomination.

The only "problem", if there is one, is that simply having the committed delegates is not enough, for McKinney or any of the other candidates. Unless those delegates show up at the convention in numbers high enough, her nomination is not sewn up.

Apparently the national party has decided to charge each state for proxy votes to be cast at the national convention, and some states may face difficulties fielding their entire slate of delegates, even with proxy votes.

Green Party Watch and Green News and Opinion will report more news on this front as it comes available.

Humbolt CA Greens call for $10 minimum wage

2008-05-26T08:51:00.002-04:00

and while I'll agree that this seems like a lot, think about it. That's $400 a week in a 40 hr a week job. That's $20,800 a year, before taxes. Not exactly a king's ransom, but perhaps enough to get by.

The fine folks over at High Boltage have all the details.

You really can't make this stuff up...

2008-05-25T18:35:00.002-04:00

Titanic search was cover for secret Cold War subs mission

Da votes are in...

2008-05-25T17:32:00.002-04:00

The last round of voting in the Libertarian race for their Presidential nomination are:

Bob Barr : 324

Mary Ruwart : 276

Bob Barr is the nominee.

It would appear that the Libertarians are going to nominate Barr and Root

2008-05-25T17:06:00.002-04:00

So, unless the Libertarians who want a party activist at the head of the party ignore what the person they voted for recommended, former Congressman Bob Barr will be their nominee, and Barr will ask for Root to be his Veep.

I realize that it's unlikely that the Green Party will have accusations of the candidates being frauds, as there have been in the Libertarian race, but that is to our benefit. I tend to believe the nomination will be secured by the McKinney campaign in the first round of balloting, but either way, I don't see the level of disdain amongst the Greens for the different candidates.

Libertarian Party convention

2008-05-25T16:41:00.002-04:00

I hesitate to write about this here because, in truth, I don't do other parties very often. There are few enough places to find news about the Green Party as it is without having to share that space with other parties.

Even so, the Libertarians have much in common in terms of policy with the Greens. Often I think we come at things from different directions to reach similar goals, but one cannot deny that the differences between Greens and Libertarians are substantial.

If the Green Party had rules as loose as the Libertarians apparently are, who knows who may have popped up at the last moment to ask for our nomination. I can imagine that Senator Gravel might have come to us if he had thought he had any chance at all. Similarly, at some point in the future, there may be a Democrat or Republican doing well enough to jump ship early on and make better than 5% on election day. For example, if Edwards had left the Democratic Party just after Super Tuesday and brought his campaign staff with him, I have little doubt that he would have secured more than 5 %.

I must say right here and now that I firmly believe that Cynthia McKinney can do that for us as well. In addition, Congresswoman McKinney brings new constituencies to the party, many successful campaigns, and a record of accomplishment and long term positive relations with the Green Party that make her our best candidate.

That does not diminish the other three candidates. I thought that Kent Mesplay was a good candidate in 2004, and in fact, I believe he would have beaten Cobb if he had traveled as Cobb did. I think Kat Swift is a party star on the rise. Her unwillingness to be daunted by the tasks she faces is wonderful, and I have little doubt that she has endeared herself to Greens who put a high value on ballot access. I believe Jesse Johnson brings talents to the party which we have not had access to before both because he was not a Green and because his state party was not affiliated.

Today, all four of our candidates are securely Green. All four are heads-on-straight candidates. All four understand the Green Party's Ten Key Values, and all four are committed to the growth and future of the party. We are blessed indeed.

With that in mind, the Libertarian Party has just opted out of nominating Gravel. Gravel won 71 votes in round 1, 73 in round 2, 78 in round 3 and 76 in round 4. He was in last place in round 4, and was eliminated.

Now these are in round 5.

Former Congressman Bob Barr who won 202 votes in the last round

Mary Ruwart, a Libertarian Party activist, won 202 votes as well

Wayne Allen Root, who I guess is also a Libertarian Party activist, won 149 votes.

These results just in from Round 5:

Barr - 223

Ruwart - 229

Root - 165

Root eliminated.

Green news from Reading

2008-05-25T07:59:00.002-04:00

In an article at the Reading Eagle, Mary Young writes about the hurdles we Greens face in getting on the ballot in PA.

Frankly, if any other nation made it this hard to even get on the ballot, the US government would consider them anti-democratic...and they would be right!

McKinney @ YouTube

2008-05-24T20:41:00.003-04:00

If only she had a few hundreds of thousands of dollars to put this on TV...

McKinney campaign in last two days of matching funds drive

2008-05-24T20:27:00.000-04:00

The McKinney campaign sent out a report today which offered details of a matching funds effort. It was set up by Rich Whitney, Green Party nominee for Governor of IL, winning better than 10% on election day.

Whitney's campaign, as all Green Party campaigns should, came to the end of the election cycle without debt. Not only that, the campaign was left with a surplus. Now Whitney is offering to match your donations to the McKinney campaign.

To learn more or to participate in this program, simply click here.

Them wacky ole Greens

2008-05-24T13:20:00.002-04:00

Carol Brouillet is running for Congress from California's 14th Congressional District as a Green. For many, that alone would qualify her as "wacky", as most of us who have run as Greens in places where Greens are uncommon can attest, but add to that her article at Indy Bay indicates that she believes that there are unanswere3de questions about the events leading up to and following 9-11-2001, so that clearly puts her on the "wacko" list.

Finally, she advocates for Community Currency, saying that we should consider the difference between money and real wealth.

I would guess that for many "mainstream" voters these might in fact make her "wacky", but to be honest, I think that many voters today are so tired of the same old political self-preservation tactics of standard politicians that being a little bit "wacky" may be seen as a Good Thing.

I know that's how I see it. Give me a candidate who is unwilling to take a stand and I'll show you a politician who won't make it unless s/he puts the entire party choke collar on and tows the line like a good serf.

International Middle East Media Center sez: Only McKinney supports Palestinian rights

2008-05-24T12:47:00.003-04:00

While I am sure many who favor Nader will point out that he too supports Palestinian rights as well, but apparently I am not the only one who thinks that building something lasting, like a political party, is important.

Given that Cynthia McKinney is in fact the only party associated presidential candidate with broad name recognition who has publicly supported Palestinian Rights, as is pointed out in this article by the IMEMC, I can't help but wonder if those who also support Palestinian Rights have looked in their bank accounts for a few dollars to give to McKinney's bid for federal matching funds. Afterall, if neither the Democratic nor the Republican nominee is going to stand for Human Rights, doesn't it make sense to help someone who does secure matching funds to carry that message forward?

Brentwood Press covers Green battle

2008-05-24T12:45:00.002-04:00

What's more important, a centuries old vineyard, or a new Big Box Store. Guess where the Brentwood political establishment stands. Guess where the local Green Party activists stand. Now take a look and see if you're right.

Mark June 21st on your calender

2008-05-24T12:36:00.002-04:00

According to Miller Politics, that's the date he's going to be holding a Green Party Presidential debate on his BlogTalkRadio program.

BTW, any Greens out there doing BlogTalkRadio, public access TV or radio, low power FM, pirate radio? How are we spreading the word?

SKCM Curry seeks Veep nod

2008-05-24T12:31:00.002-04:00

SKCM Curry attended the national meeting in Reading, PA last year and appeared seeking our vice Presidential nomination. I've heard precious little about her, so I figured I'd link to her site and send her an email to see what comes of that. Anyone else you know of running to be Veep?

Cam Gordon is "In The News"

2008-05-24T11:50:00.002-04:00

Not sure who Cam is? You should know who Can is. He's one of the Green Party's highest elected officials, serving as Ward 2 Representative on the Minneapolis City Council.

The Minnesota Monitor writes that Mr. Gordon may have caused a bit of a stir with postings to his 2nd Ward Blog.

Colorado intentional community looks to support McKinney

2008-05-24T11:26:00.003-04:00

We Greens are as diverse as the globe we live on. Since "Respect for Diversity" is one of our Ten Key Values, I guess that's no surprise. Even so, we do have some common threads, and one is the intentional community.

Back in the 60s they were sometimes called a "commune". In the United States everything from the Amish in OH, PA and IN to The Farm in Tennessee qualify as intentional communities. They are people who come together deliberately to live with and near other like-minded folks.

Ons is called Neighborhood University City, and from a quick glance at their blog it looks like they clearly stand with Cynthia McKinney in her effort to win the reen Party nomination.

Bury My Heart In Arcata

2008-05-24T11:17:00.002-04:00

Actually, I have been thinking a good deal about how I want my body disposed of once I am dead. Since I have no religious objection, organ harvesting is a given, but then what? Donate my body to a university or medical school? Have myself dis-membered and parts spread across the planet for Search and Rescue teams to use in training? Cremate me and use the ash in a glaze for pottery?

Another option, from the good folks in Arcata, CA, is a "Green Cemetery". I'll admit that I haven't read the full piece, but I believe the basic idea is similar to the Jewish tradition of wrapping the dead in a cloth and burying them without the use of preservatives, making the old "dust to dust" thing a reality.

Wanna know more? Then just click this link.

Modern Safari explains Tom Lash race

2008-05-24T11:11:00.002-04:00

Lash is running for a congressional seat in California. There is a Democrat and a Republican in the race, but the author explains very clearly why Lash is the one to vote for. It's a long, but well written piece which you can enjoy by clicking right here

Stolen Cartoon

2008-05-24T10:28:00.007-04:00

Thanks go to the Haverford College Green Party

Green questions boycott of Israel by Greens

2008-05-24T08:44:00.002-04:00

As some of you may know, the US Green Party passed a resolution calling for a boycott of Israeli made goods until Israel comply with all UN resolutions that relate to that land. According to GreenSmartSite, the British Greens have done so as well. The author of the post goes into the history of the question, as well as the role Green parties in the area are having.

Again, not Green news, but even so...

2008-05-23T20:17:00.002-04:00

The BBC is reporting that the Canadian military has found huge cracks in the Arctic Ice.

Geeze...why didn't the Green Party see this coming?

China identifies 50 sources of radiation

2008-05-23T10:29:00.002-04:00

This is not a Green Party post so much as an example of how the globe might be better served if green principles had been the norm for the past sixty years.

According to the BBC, Chinese government officials have identified 50 sources of radiation that resulted from the earthquake. Had these nuclear facilities never been built we would not face this particular hazard.

The Perils of Racial Solidarity

2008-05-23T09:59:00.000-04:00

A fellow South Carolinian, Kevin Alexander Gray has written a column at Black Agenda Report that points to the limits of racial solidarity, and the damage being done to the Black community by an unwillingness to examine Barack Obama's failings.

The link is there, so I don't think I need to try to replete what Kevin is saying, but there is no doubt in my mind that he hits on many of the same reservations most Greens have.

Gray was the Green Party endorsed write-in candidate for Governor of South Carolina before we had ballot access, and has been everything from director of the Carolina Peace Resource Center to a member of Nader's 2000 steering committee and currently serves as director of South Carolina's ACLU.

Cynthia McKinney visits Sacramento

2008-05-23T05:13:00.002-04:00

An article at The Sacramento News and review covers Cynthia McKinney's campaign visit to California's capitol.

The article, well worth a read, points out that a majority of voters support such things as universal health care, an end to the War on Iraq, and government spending for human needs.

“We have to run more candidates on the Green Party ticket to spread awareness of its values in relation to issues which communities of color are dealing with, like racial profiling and police brutality.”

_Cynthia McKinney

Babette Hogan writes about Kat Swift

2008-05-22T09:51:00.002-04:00

The piece is at OpEdNews.

NYC Green Convention set for May 31st

2008-05-22T09:07:00.002-04:00

The Park Slope Greens are hoping for more folks to turn out, and I am thrilled at such outreach.

All the details are at their website.

Alex Walker asks, "Is CA broke?"

2008-05-22T09:05:00.001-04:00

His answer is over at Green Commons

OMG....You HAVE to watch this...Dalai Lama sez..."If you have a Green Party, I want to join"

2008-05-22T08:56:00.006-04:00

At first I didn't believe it, but here it is in all it's glory. Let the video load, and if you can't wait to hear those words, roll it forward to 2:20 and listen.

All I can say is...wow!

Thanks for this go to Polidoc

Here's Polidoc's YouTube account

Mike Feinstein, of Santa Monica, CA, also has a lot of videos up at You Tube. His can be found over here.

Actually, I just realized that I was looking at the video via Polidoc, and the actual YouTube post of the video came from a Canadian Green, H0P3FA1THL0V3

"Vanguard" sez we are "Anti_Jew"

2008-05-22T08:35:00.002-04:00

In fact, they say it right over this way.

The first comment amazed me.

Farheen Hakeem takes a hit

2008-05-22T08:31:00.002-04:00

The hit comes from "The Loyal Opposition"

McKinney draws majority support in PA

2008-05-21T07:43:00.002-04:00

Winning 53% of the caucus vote, McKinney won 17 delegates to the national convention at the PA Greens caucuses.

More details are available at the Green Party of PA website.

Ohio Green certified: Will be on the ballot come Nov.

2008-05-21T07:40:00.002-04:00

Tim Kettler is the candidate, and the article, at the Progress Ohio website, was written by Dennis Spisak.

CA Greens celebrate CA Supreme's decicion of marriage equality

2008-05-21T07:35:00.002-04:00

The Wilders show that the CA Greens are pointing to the Democrats and Republicans and asking them, "What took you so long?"

Love is the only thing I know of that is stronger than hate.

International Greens meet in Brazil

2008-05-20T20:38:00.002-04:00

The second Global Greens conference was held recently in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has what I think is a great article titled Weapons Can't be Green.

I couldn't agree more.

7 Questions for Kat Swift

2008-05-20T20:32:00.003-04:00

Swift is one of the four Greens seeking the Green Party nomination. The seven questions were posed by The Cambridge Chronicle.

In the comments section a reader published this video link to a film about Ms. Swift's campaign.

An example of why everyone should susscribe to Ballot Access News

2008-05-20T16:44:00.002-04:00

This exciting tidbit of information comes courtesy of Ballot Access News. If you are not a subscriber, take a few of your stupid tax rebate dollars and spend them with him.

League of Women Voters Sues Pennsylvania Supreme Court for Corruption
May 20th, 2008

On May 19, the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters filed a federal lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The complaint can be seen here. It alleges that justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court entered into secret meetings with legislative leaders, bargaining with those leaders to increase judicial pay. In exchange, the justices were to decide the outcome of certain pending cases in a way that would be pleasing to legislative leaders. Thanks to Howard Bashman’s How Appealing for this news.

Both the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and the Pennsylvania legislature, have been resolutely hostile to minor party and independent candidate ballot access, for decades, but especially in this decade.

Find your local #1 air polluter.

2008-05-20T09:15:00.003-04:00

The Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts released the Toxic 100, an updated list of the top corporate air polluters in the United States. The Toxic 100 index is based on air releases of hundreds of chemicals from industrial facilities across the United States. The rankings take into account not only the quantity of releases, but also the relative toxicity of chemicals, nearby populations and transport factors such as prevailing winds and height of smokestacks.

Find out if your state hosts one of these polluters by clicking here.

Cynthia McKinney speaks at UN

2008-05-19T08:21:00.000-04:00

Cynthia McKinney Remarks
Al Nakba Rally, "Not in My Name"
United Nations, New York
May 16, 2008

On my birthday last year, I declared my independence from a national leadership that, through its votes in support of the war machine, is now complicit in war crimes, torture, crimes against humanity, and crimes against the peace.

I declared my independence from every bomb dropped, every veteran maimed, and every child killed.

I noted that the Democratic leadership in Congress had failed to restore this country to Constitutional rule by repealing the Patriot Acts, the Secret Evidence Act, and the Military Commissions Act.

That it had aided and abetted illegal spying against the American people. And that it took impeachment off the table.

In addition, the Democratic Congressional leadership failed to promote the economic integrity of this country by not repealing the Bush tax cuts. They failed to institute a livable wage, Medicare-for-all health care, and gave even more money to the Pentagon as it misuses our hard-earned dollars.

We can add to that list, too, an abject failure to stand up for human rights and dignity.

If the Democratic and Republican leadership won't respect the right of return for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita survivors, how can we expect them to champion the right of return for Palestinians?

If this country's leadership tolerates the wanton murder of unarmed black and Latino men by law enforcement officials—extra-judicial killings—how can we expect them to stop or even speak out against targeted assassinations in the Middle East?

If the Democratic and Republican leadership accept ethnic cleansing in this country by way of gentrification and predatory lending, why should we expect them to put an end to it in Palestine?

If the leadership of this country impedes self-determination for native peoples in this country, why should we expect them to support indigenous rights for anyone abroad?

And sadly, the sensationalist corporate media would rather trick us into thinking that reporting on a pastor, a former Vice Presidential nominee, and a former cable TV magnate constitutes this country's much-needed discussion of its own apartheid past and present, so why should we expect an honest discussion of apartheid and Zionism?

I hope by now it is clear. Our values will never be reflected in public policy as long as our political parties and our country remain hijacked.

Hijacked by false patriots who usurp the applause of the people and all the while betray our values.

I've decided that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans will operate any longer as business as usual—not in my name.

That Democrats and Republicans will use my tax dollars and betray my values, not one day longer—not in my name.

That neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have earned my most precious political asset—my vote.

And that now is the time to do some things I've never done before in order to have some things I've never had before.

And so here today, I declare my independence from weapons transfers: including Apache Helicopters; F'16s; sidewinder, hellfire, and Stinger missiles.

I declare my independence from occupation, demolished homes, political prisoners, and babies dying at checkpoints.

I declare my independence from UN vetoes, expropriated land, stolen resources, and the installation of puppet regimes.

I declare my independence from all forms of dehumanization and am not afraid to speak truth to power.

And I am happy to join with peace-loving people around the world who know that there can be no peace without justice.

Let us never tire in our work for justice.

Thank you.

New Mexico Green blamed for Democrat loss to run again

2008-05-19T08:07:00.002-04:00

According to an article at the Farmington Daily Times, the Democrats are not worried about Carol Miller, who pulled 17% a few years ago in a race for the same seat. Seems rather foolish to "not worry" about Miller, especially since the issues have not changed, and many who believe in the Green Party's values just will not vote for a Democrat just to keep out a Republican. If Democrats of any sort want Green votes, they must earn them. Democratic leadership thinks we are willing to vote for them without their making any changes or concessions.

Personally, while I am sure it's not the focus of her campaign, but if Miller helps send another Republican to the house, the democrats will have no one to blame but themselves.

McKinney takes 80% in Maine

2008-05-19T07:55:00.003-04:00

The Maine Green Independent Party held their state convention this past weekend. The article says that two of our Presidential candidates attended. When you consider that one of the four candidates is from West Virginia, one is from Texas, and two are from California, the fact that two of them were able to get to Maine is a sign of how our party is moving forward.

The article is over at WCSH6

WMTW did a very short "pre-view" of the convention.

WLBZ2 has a very nice video, but you have to look for it.

Doing what I can

2008-05-17T15:04:00.003-04:00

Over the past month three local Greens have shown The Story of Stuff each week in a local public library. Until last week the three of us had no visitors. Why? Apparently not enough publicity, and that was my fault.

Last week was different. Eight others showed up, and while one of the "regulars" was unable to make it that night, Bryan and I did our best to answer questions and think about what we had seen.

One of the folks who attended the event mentioned the MILLIONS of TV sets which will be headed for the planet's landfills over the next few months as we face the prospect of no TV at all because of the transition to digital TV.

Many people are unaware that they will not have to toss out their "old" TV sets, but will only need a digital converter box. In fact, for many of us, digital TV may offer us a chance to get off cable TV and back onto FREE TV.

With that in mind, I registered the domain www.DontTrashYourTV.com and www.DontTrashYourTV.org

The idea is to let people know some facts about TV and TV sets.

For example, Mr. and Ms. TV Watcher, how much TV do you think your kids should watch? How much do they actually watch? Where can you get a digital converter box, and how much will it cost? Where can I recycle my old TV?

I have the domain names, but no content, and no idea how to get a website to "go live"...in short, if it's not set up *for me*, (like Blogger is) I have no idea how to get the idea from my mind to the web.

If you can help, won't you drop me a line?

GreggJocoy@riseup.net

Thanks!

New Zealand Greens: Some Things Are Bigger Than Politics

2008-05-17T14:59:00.001-04:00

Scoop.co.nz covers the details too.

VA Greens looking for School Board candidates

2008-05-17T14:53:00.002-04:00

The Sun Gazette article gives all the details.

38 years later..what's changed?

2008-05-01T07:41:00.003-04:00

From the 1970 release "Monster" by Steppenwolf

Monster

Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of kingdom and pope
Like good Christians, some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves to gather riches

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

And once the ties with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon it went
And 'til the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives which had come to an end
While we bullied, stole and bought our a homeland
We began the slaughter of the red man

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

The blue and grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war over
They stuffed it just like a hog

And though the past has it's share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But it's protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a monster and will not obey

(Suicide)
The spirit was freedom and justice
And it's keepers seem generous and kind
It's leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
'Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told
Yeah, there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watchin'

Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin' the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can't understand
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole worlds got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who's the winner
We can't pay the cost
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watching

(America)
America where are you now?
Don't you care about your sons and daughters?
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monster

Words and music by John Kay, Jerry Edmonton, Nick St. Nicholas and Larry Byrom

Two Charlotte NC Greens in Democrat primary

2008-04-28T13:55:00.003-04:00

North Carolina law does not allow third parties. The law as written was declared unconstitutional and it has not been replaced with a new law, so there is no way to get on the ballot. The Libertarians have gathered the needed signatures under the old law, but since it is unconstitutional I don't see how it can be used to certify a new political party.

There is another law suit, filed by the Libertarian Party as was the first, with the Green Party joining in on the process, which will hopefully establish some sort of reasonable signature requirement.

In the meantime, Nick Triplett and Ken Davies are running for Mecklenburg County Council in the Democratic primaries. I have heard Ken and Nick speak and they are both exceptional candidates. Nick has won the endorsement of the Black Political Caucus.

Nick, as the article points out, serves on the local and state level as an important part of the Green Party leadership. Ken is a more recent but no less crucial member of the Green Party leadership. Ken and his efforts were important in organizing one of our most well attended and received events, an impeachment rally in a large city park.

The Charlotte Observer has an article about their races over here

A New Menu of Candidates

2008-04-27T14:49:00.003-04:00

One thing that differentiates we Greens from the corporate parties is that we trust our members and supporters to work on behalf of our issues without having to tow the party line. Wanna set up a website to promote Green Party candidates? Go ahead and get started!

The folks over at New Menu have taken the step of setting up a website to do just that, and one of the people listed at the site is Bryan Smith, a local member of the Green Party and a member of our state steering committee. This is Bryan's second run for office.

This time through Bryan will be running as a Green in a partisan race. The New Menu website set up for his campaign looks great. I only wish it had a method to give to candidates as well!

At any rate, take a look at Bryan's campaign and New Menu in general and I think you will see seeds of Green victories.

Another short video

2008-04-26T07:30:00.002-04:00

I realize that these are of no use to those of you on dial-up, but for the broadband folks, check out this video.

I hope to get back to semi-regular blogging. For now, I'll just say that the finincial crisis has abated a bit, and I plan to not get in that situation again if I can avoid it. :-)

Peace...and thanks.

Proof (if any were needed) that the Green Party matters

2008-03-11T08:52:00.002-04:00

In articles at Ballot Access News editor Richard Winger reports that neither Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor nor any of Arkansas' Representatives in Congress will face major party opposition in November.

If any proof that the Republicans and Democrats see precious little difference between themselves, this is it folks.

Fortunately, the Green Party is on the ball, and all these political hacks will face Greens at the ballot box come November. Go Arkansas Greens!

On a more personal note, I hope to be back to regular blogging in a week or so. Family health issues have gotten more intense, and between offering what little help I can and trying to keep my micro-business from turning into a micro-micro business, I have had little time to properly keep the blog up and running with regular posts.

Peace out gang...and keep your chin up. We will win. We must.

Recorded from Death Row

2008-03-03T07:15:00.002-05:00

And I don't mean Death Row Records...I mean death row. The recording is by the Prison Radio Project, and is a recording of observations by Mumia Abu Jamal about Cynthia McKinney's campaign for President as a Green. You can listen to it at Cynthia McKinney's website.

William F. Buckley Jr. is dead at 82

2008-02-28T07:44:00.003-05:00

Founder of National Review, Buckley was willing to stand on what he saw as principle for decades with limited success. being born rich didn't hurt I feel sure, but standing firm for conservative doctrine faced with so few successes is an example we Greens will have to follow if we are to ultimately win.

The BBC article is here.

Cynthia McKinney video

2008-02-24T12:25:00.001-05:00

Cynthia McKinney - Green for President - Insightful Personal Conversation from Craig Seeman on Vimeo.

Arizona Greens fight for ballot access

2008-02-18T11:10:00.002-05:00

Last night I got a call from Greg Jan, a member of the Green National Committee from California. He called to ask me to consider making a small donation to the Arizona Green Party's ballot access drive.

With only a few weeks left to get the signatures needed to get ballot access, the Arizona Green Party is pulling out all the stops. Not content to let their efforts fall short, the AZ Greens are reaching out to their fellow Greens across the nation for small donations to wrap up the ballot access drive successfully.

Why should this matter to you if you don't live in Arizona? Well, just as an injustice to one is an injustice to all, a success by one is a success for all. Greens scoring any sort of win anywhere gives me at least a tiny boost. For that I am grateful.

So...what to do? Well, the best thing to do, if you can afford to do so, is donate a few dollars here.

Of course, if you can give thousands, please do so. :-)

Running on empty

2008-02-05T11:11:00.000-05:00

Please forgive my inattention to the blog of late. I am trying to stave off financial ruination. If ya want to see me back full blast, send cash. ~Grin~

Eleanor Roosevelt speaketh

2008-01-27T19:02:00.000-05:00

I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do...

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Those who attack always do so with greater fervor than those who defend.

I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity.

No man is defeated without until he has first been defeated within.

Friendship with oneself is all important because without it one cannot be friends with anybody else in the world.

Davey D speaketh

2008-01-25T08:21:00.000-05:00

In case any of you are wondering why the "debates" are so unsatisfying, take a look behind the "Read more!" link to find the text of a column written by Davey D at his blog. The link above goes to his site.

Last Night's Presidential debate Was Wack-Here's Why
By Davey D

So last night after doing a whole lot of hustling and string pulling I got a chance to attend the big presidential debate in South Carolina. The pomp and circumstances surrounding it and leading up to it was a story on to itself. The way it was framed is that it was a debate designed to force the candidates to talk specifically about key issues important to the African American community.

The fact that this debate was taking place on the Martin Luther King holiday in Myrtle Beach, -a place that once upon a time was the site for numerous lynching of black people made this symbolic. The fact that the African American Congressional Whip Congressman James Clyburn who is from South Carolina along with the Congressional Black Caucus Institute was putting this on made this even more symbolic.

Adding to the backdrop of this debate was the ugly squabble and controversy between front runners Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. We heard all sorts of talk ranging from Obama not being Black enough to Martin Luther King not being 'all that' compared to former president Lyndon B Johnson to former President Bill Clinton unfairly maligning Obama which was rubbing a lot of Blacks the wrong way including Clyburn who publicly called for Bill to 'tone it down'.

I attended a number of events including a community gathering for MLK at the House of Blues and a pre-debate dinner at some super fancy Beach and Golf resort and people were excited. Last night was the night that the candidates were gonna get down and really drop some gems and bring crucial attention to our plight and give it a national platform. I spoke to people like Congress people like Jim Clyburn and Barbara Lee of Oakland prior to the debate. They seemed excited that finally key issues resonating with the Black community, like Katrina, Africa HIV Aids, or the prison industrial complex would be spoken about. With Lee, issues like Haiti and Africom were important, but she wasn't so sure that they would come up in the debate although she felt they were important and should.

Clyburn told me that he and the congressional Black Caucus had partnered with CNN and had given them a number of questions to raise up to the candidates. He said that he and others would be listening and watching carefully to make sure that the news outlet didn't sanitize and soften up some of those tough questions. The issue of race was a front and center topic with everyone speculating whether or not Obama would pull the Black vote from Hillary whose husband has strong roots with the political black establishment in the south. Topping off this whole scenario was word that some white supremacist group was going to be marching in Jena, Louisiana on the King Holiday. The bottom-line was it was gonna go down last night.

Getting into the Debate was a Hassle

Now getting a ticket to last night's debate was damn near impossible. Although there were close to 3000 seats at the Palace Theater, this event was like a Mike Tyson prize fight from back in the days. All sorts of celebrities had shown up. I saw Chris Tucker, Dave Chappell, Dr.Cornel West, folks from American idol, folks from Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, former Mayors, ambassadors, NFL players etc. You name them and they seemed to be there. Everybody who was anybody was trying to score a ticket with many left in the cold for this big time event.

CNN was a trip as they made sure to have this on lock. Let me explain. First no cars were allowed anywhere within walking distance. If you did drive your car, parked it half a mile away and walked you were not allowed in. You had to be on one of the buses assigned to transport people. So on our bus we wound up picking up a couple of people who begged to be let on the bus because they were turned away at the door even though they had tickets.
When they came on our bus, the police and secret service boarded our bus to check things out.

If you were press, you were not allowed into the debate hall. They had you sequestered away in some back room where you could view this on TV. So the magic and excitement and the banter that was going on inside the packed palace was lost to many journalist. Many had no idea all the folks who were on hand last night. They couldn't feel the energy and get a true pulse of what was taking place, what came across on TV was not the same as what went down in the debate hall.

If you came in with a wrist band and a ticket, you were not allowed to bring in cell phones, cameras, pdas or anything with metal. They did not want anyone texting or communicating to outside world during the debate. They wouldn't let former SF Mayor Willie Brown come in with his cell phone. Democratic Party chair Howard Dean who was scheduled to speak was jammed up for having a phone and not allowed in. They would not let you in with a box of altoids or even gum. That's how tight it was.

The Secret Service was vigorously enforcing these rules but I later found it all this wasn't over homeland security concerns. It was CNN who put all these restrictions in place. They wanted to have exclusive rights to all this. They didn't want folks interviewing any of the celebrities who were in attendance. They didn't want other media cats like me getting information out before they could put their spin on things. It was really on lock in a big way.

Now, I should've known better. I should've known that something wasn't quite right, but when you're in the middle of all this its hard not to raise your expectations. It's hard to dampen your enthusiasm when you see so many people who are excited about the all the possibilities. The possibility of change and relief from 7 years of Bush was major. The possibility of having key issues that have impacted Black South Carolinians finally coming to the fore front was big. The possibility of having a woman president was resonating with many. The possibility of the 'good ole Clinton years returning was what were getting many in the Democratic-both Black and white excited.

The possibility of this nation having an African American president had gotten everyone amped. As I came across South Carolinians either at the hotels or local restaurants you could see that the pride. The thought of us having Black president means a lot to folks. It runs deep. People feel a sense of hope especially young people. For many this is good news that's been a long time coming.

Lots of Fireworks But No Real Hits

When the debate opened up and Obama and Hillary started exchanging verbal blows everyone was on the edge of their seats. I was seated in the Clinton area so when Obama threw his jabs you could hear people moaning and see folk's eyes rolling or people exchanging smirks while the Barack crowd was enthusiastically cheering. When Hillary hit back you saw the high fives being exchanged and people looking smugly at one another. It was really like a boxing match.

As the evening went on I realized that the candidates had only focused on one topic- the economy and precious time was spent snipping at one another. When we the first break came, I kept asking myself, is anyone gonna talk about Jena, Katrina, police brutality or Africa?

When thing resumed and the candidates were seated homeboy from CNN Joe Johns, could've directed the conversation so the candidates would address more substantive issues, instead he asked the tired question about whether or not Barack felt Bill was the first Black president. It was a ridiculous question which Obama managed to answer well while keeping things light-hearted. He said he would have to check out Bill's dancing abilities before calling him a brother. The other facet to this question is that I feel it will for ever be attached to the legacy of author Toni Morrison. In 2008 more people seem to know her more for making that infamous assertion of Clinton being the first Black president then they do her brilliant works like 'Beloved', 'Bluest Eye' or 'Songs of Solomon'.

Before you knew it the debate ended and folks were ushered out into the cold onto the waiting buses. From the chatter I gathered in the audience, John Edwards left the strongest impression and for many actually hit upon the most issues. Many chuckled at what I described as his attempt to get a vice presidency slot when he suggested that he was the only one on stage who could win the south. Although not stated, the clear implication was that he as a white male could deliver votes from that region which for years has gone to the Republicans.
Obama came back at him and in so many words reminded Edwards that he has gotten more white support then he has.

Lots of Spin for the Lack of Issues

Backstage in the spin room I got see first hand how the Clinton machine works. Everywhere I turned there was some sort of Black congressman or woman or some pundit ready to give anyone from the media key talking points about Hillary. Homegirl was rolling deep and she has a lot of powerful people on her team.

I talked to all sorts of folks including Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs from Ohio, Congressman Meeks from New York, Congresswoman Laura Richardson from Long beach and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas. Many tried to explain why it was Hillary's night. I kept coming back over and over again by asking them why key issues that many of us talk about on street corners, in barbershops and other social settings wasn't addressed.

I got into a back and forth with Congresswoman Tubbs who led the charge for voter disenfranchisement in 2004. We spoke about what went down and how Black voters were kicked to the curb through shady suppression attempts by the GOP. I asked her if she thought that issue had been resolved. She said 'No'. I then asked her why her candidate Hillary didn't bring that issue up during the debate. She blamed it on the rules set up by CNN. She then went on to talk about legislation that she and Hillary had crated over the years that they attempted to get passed. Again I asked her whether she thought Clinton should've brought that up, after all the voting drama of 2000 and 2004 which got us Bush still haunts many. Again her answer was to basically blame it on the CNN restrictions.

Tubbs went on to talk about she has always brought key issues like police brutality and discrimination to the forefront and that Clinton has addressed many of those issues. I then asked if she could use her influence and friendship with Senator Clinton to hold a separate press conference to address those key issues so those of who care would know that she's really down for us. I was told to check the website and come to some of her rallies and I would definitely hear those things addressed.

This was the typical exchange I had with many people including Congressman Meeks who allowed me to engage him a bit longer. I asked the Queens based congressman about police brutality since the infamous Sean Bell shooting took place in his borough. I explained to him that we both know police misconduct is really big deal with all these young voters of color who are showing up at the polls. With that in mind why wasn't it addressed. He explained that Senator Clinton does care about that issue and has addressed it, but the CNN rules prevented her from bringing up these other issues. I asked Meeks like I asked Tubbs if he would use his influence and get her to addresss that issue outside of the debate. He pointed me to the website and rallies.

As I toured the spin room and listened in on other interviews I kept hearing reporters asking why more issues weren't touched upon and the response from Edward's people to Obama's people to Clinton's people all blaming CNN Debate rules.

Dr Martin Luther King Would Be Pissed

As I took all this in, I reflected on the last question of the night when the candidates were asked who Dr. Martin Luther King would endorse for president. I think Obama answered it correctly when he said King wouldn't have endorsed anyone. He then went on an erroneously suggested that King didn't wanna lock himself behind one candidate and that he was better as an agitator who pushed for change from the outside.

The truth of the matter is this. King wouldn't have endorsed any of those candidates last night because they weren't showing no heart. Oh yes, they had lots of swagger and flava upon that stage but no heart. You see the question that ran through my mind was 'How in the hell are you gonna be the leader of the free world, when you aren't free to speak your mind on CNN?' Media is an industry these candidates in their position as Senators helped regulate.

At anytime during the debate when the candidates chastised moderator Wolf Blitzer for not allowing them to complete their answers, they could've also chastised him for not allowing them to speak on other issues.

Imagine if Obama had interrupted the moderator and said 'Hold on partner let me take a moment and say I think we need to raise other issues like White supremacist marching in Jena on Dr King's birthday. As President, I would make sure that Black people would not have to fear homegrown terrorists.

Imagine if Hillary had said; 'Hold on I just wanna make sure that young and first time voters can rest assured that since the Democrats have the majority in both houses they can rest assured that no one will be messing around with their votes in 2008'. Imagine if she brought that to the forefront?

Imagine if Edwards instead of telling me how he wants to end poverty, how he can win the south and that he launched his campaign from New Orleans, took some time out and said as president he would not allow the horrific scenes we saw the other week of young African men and women getting arrested trying to prevent public housing from being demolished.

Like I said earlier, I think Edwards came closest to bringing up some of those topics that impact the majority of us, but they were limited to short sound-bites and not connected to a larger continuous discussion. I could go on and on with examples. The bottom-line is that none of the things I routinely hear us talking about was addressed in last night's debate. It was mad disappointing.

I caught up with Reverend Yearwood and his folks over from the Hip Hop Caucus and saw that they were just as concerned and angry as I was that such a big opportunity was squandered. I hope they put out some sort of press release denouncing last night's events. We talked at length about how these candidates allowed the issues to be dictated to them by corporate media folks and not the other way around. It wasn't something that Dr King would've allowed post 'I Have a Dream'.

The Dr. King we know who risked his funding and political support by speaking out against the war in 1967 at Riverside Church would've been furious that none of these folks who dared to hold a debate on his holiday and invoke his name didn't live up to his ideals. He would've expected all of them to say with a sense of urgency, "the Hell with your rules-people are dying, people are suffering and we need to address these issues'.

A lot was learned last night. First, the CBC who were partners with CNN ideally should've either removed their names from the mask-head or demanded that those issues get addressed. Second, we need our own networks that are committed to dealing with these issues day in and day out and are not irrevocably compromised like the way many see outlets like BET and Radio One. Third, all of us are gonna have to take up the challenge and keep raising these issues and holding people accountable. Now's not the time to get comfortable. Now's the time to push and demand more. We should also be looking at other candidates. As reverend yearwood pointed out Barack isn't the only Black person running for President. Hillary isn't the only woman. We have Cynthia McKinney who is an African American woman who has been followed in the footsteps of the late Shirley Chisolm in the sense that she is 'Unbought and Unboseed'... and while she may not get all the press attention that the others do within the mainstream, we can get behind someone like her if for any reason to force the mainstream folks to move closer to our issues.

Stolen quote

2008-01-14T20:41:00.000-05:00

"...It is your country that you must help, not a political party...Your party exists in order to serve your country, not to create difficulties for another party or the party in power."
Thich Nhat Hanh "Anger: The Wisdom for Cooling the Flames"

Compressed air powers cars, boats, warehouse trams

2008-01-14T17:05:00.000-05:00

This video is from a television show in Australia. It shows two sets of tools which provide transportation using compressed air to provide the needed energy. The first tool is a fairly conventional engine, but made of light weight aluminum, where the piston is driven not by exploding gasoline, but by compressed air carried on board in high pressure tanks. That tool is used to power cars and very legitimate looking mini vans. The second uses something like the Wankel Rotary Engine. This tool is amazing, in that it doesn't drive a piston, but uses compressed air to move the drive shaft more directly. The compressed air also provides a cushion some how so that the internal moving parts do not come into contact with one another, making the energy transfer to the wheels much more efficient.

We always need to be looking at the possible negative but hidden dangers. Would the massive demand for the product cause more short tern air pollution because they must be built in the first place? Would the electricity used to compress the air come from nukes, coal, or what? Isn't this still a centralized solution to the problem? Does that matter?

All in all, things like this, if combined with a mind set change which makes owning "stuff" less important, may offer a glimmer of hope for the next century.

Quick run-down

2008-01-14T10:46:00.000-05:00

SF Gate has run a piece about the Green Party presidential debates in San Francisco.

Jason Wallace gets a couple of plugs in an article about the race for Congress in IL's 11th district.

Indy Bay covered the SF debate too.

Photos from the debate.

Richard Winger, who publishes the Ballot Access News and lives in San Francisco, reported that Jared Ball more-or-less announced that his campaign would change from a campaign for the party presidential nomination to one of support for Congresswoman McKinney's campaign.

Follow up on the Gregg Jocoy Show

2008-01-14T01:05:00.000-05:00

Well, none of the folks who syndicate radio talk shows has called with a seven figure radio show proposition, or even $5 for a five minute piece, but I still think the show went well. My co-guests and I agreed on most things, which may have flustered the host a bit because I think he thinks we Greens are beyond "out there", as in "Tin foil hats and space aliens out there", and having a former Methodist preacher, psychiatrist and a sociologist agree with a Green may not have been what he expected. And it's not like I had to tone down my rhetoric to meet the others where they were at. They were already in most of the same places I was.

Anyhoo, if you want to listen to the show, you can listen to Charlotte Talks by clicking here. Just look for the "Average Joes" show on January 10th, and hit the Listen button.

Green presidential candidates speak out in MN

2008-01-14T00:49:00.000-05:00

This was sent to the Charlotte Area Green Party email listserv by Gray Newman.

KAT SWIFT AND JESSE JOHNSON VISIT MINNESOTA

Kat Swift and Jesse Johnson visited Minnesota Jan. 5 for a meeting and forum. In the morning, they attended the state winter membership meeting in St. Paul, where they visited with GPMN members. Johnson and Swift ate lunch with Lydia Howell from community radio station KFAI. In the afternoon they went back to the meeting and each spoke for about 7 minutes. There were about 100 members there, who received the candidates well.

In the evening, Johnson and Swift attended a presidential candidate forum over in Minneapolis. Danene Provencher said a few words about the Draft Nader campaign, Farheen Hakeem spoke on behalf of the Cynthia McKinney campaign, and David Strand updated the audience on the other candidates who were unable to attend.

Both candidates spoke about addressing the excesses of corporate power, and a range of other issues consistent with the Ten Key Values of the Green Party. Johnson called attention to the issue of mountain removal in Appalachia, saying that coal mining is now occurring at a rate of one mountain per hour. Swift said some of her
priorities were repealing NAFTA, pardoning nonviolent drug offenders, a moratorium on the death penalty, and stopping domestic violence.

1.
KFAI Radio Story

2.
Jesse Johnson at MN Green Party Membership Meeting

3.
Kat Swift at MN Green Party Forum

4.
Kat Swift at MN Green Party Membership Meeting

5.
Jesse Johnson at MN Green Party Presidential Candidate Forum

Don Wiviott

2008-01-13T07:46:00.000-05:00

He's the Democrat running for Congress against Carol Miller. In his reply to my post about Miller's race, LP wrote that my referring to Wiviott as a corporate Democrat shows an inadequate understanding of his politics at the least, or sometihing along those lines.

I'll confess to not knowing Don Wiviott at all. So I am doing some looking about to see what I can find.

First of all, Wiviott's campaign slogan, "A Democrat who will stand up to Bush" seems kinda stupid as Bush will not be President in just over a year. Maybe I would be more impressed if his slogan was "A Democrat who will stand up against Clinton".

Secondly, he's a land developer in a place where some question the benefits of adding additional load to the environment. Perhaps he's an exceptional land developer, but in my 50 years on this globe I have yet to meet a land developer who is not at least very comfortable with the corporate world and happy to do their bidding.

His website touts his support for better ballot access laws, but before you get all misty eyed, read this:

Wiviott, a Sante Fe homebuilder and candidate for Congress in the Third District, has been one of the leading voices for change in new laws governing who can be placed on a political party’s primary ballot. Under the new law, parties can only place on their ballots those candidates that receive at least 20 percent of delegates at a pre-primary convention. As Wiviott said last week, the law “runs contrary to the values of New Mexico .”

So...this non-corporate Democrat wants to make it easier for Democrats to get on the ballot, but not a word about fair ballot access for non-corporate parties.

Here's another headline from his site: Energy Bill a Good 'First Step;' More Action Needed

This "Good first step" energy bill gave billions in protection money to the Nuclear Industry, gave continuing tax breaks to fossil fuel companies, and spends our tax dollars on corporate boondoggles like ethanol and "clean coal". With "Good first steps" like this, we don't need any mis-steps!

I don't know...maybe I am unconvinced in part by this passage I found by googling Mr. Wiviott:

Don Wiviott is fine with more residential units but concerned about the Affordable Housing Ordinance. Don will loose $50,000/unit, this is a “Big Issue”. He is reducing the buildings to two instead of three with more residential, 34 units, 16-20 residential. Don asks if City Council will get hung up on number of units?

Maybe we should take a walk over to the financial reports to see what we can find there.

Perhaps the fact that he has raised over a million dollars for his campaign, while all his Democratic competitors have recorded no donations at all yet. Not the sort of thing one normally sees in a "maverick's" campaign. Admittedly, $800,000 of that came from his own hip pocket, but you are telling me that a millionaire candidate who made his millions in land development is not a corporate Democrat? Maybe, but let's look a bit deeper shall we?

Don Wiviott (D)
ActBlue $48,819
Washington Securities $4,600
Jackalope Retail $2,300
Living Design Group $2,300
McCalla Raymer $2,300
McCune Charitable Foundation $2,300
Tishman Group $2,300
Ventana Gallery $2,300
Wolf Firm $2,300
Coors Brewing $2,000
Barker Maintainence $1,500
Santa Fe Comm Coll /Chief Of $1,300
Wiviott for New Mexico $1,250
Sommer, Udall et al $1,000

$2000 from Coors!...and this union-busting, gay-bashing, Republican funding corporate slime machine is a contributor? No, you're right...he's not a corporate Democrat. He's apparently a corporate Republican pretending to be a corporate Democrat!

But, I wait with baited breath for Wiviott's supporters to clear up any confusion I may have caused here.

Go Carol Miller!

Some links

2008-01-11T15:00:00.001-05:00

The Wilders have posted a piece about the upcoming Washington DC primary.

Wally Haas discusses IL's primary. In both cases, these are Green Party primaries. I don't care about what those other guys do. ;^}

Hot Indie News reports on a "Debate that matters". Yes, the Green Party debate planned for Monday in San Francisco. This is very good news for we Greens, and I am hoping against hope that C SPAN will cover it live.

Finally, has anyone heard of Lester Brown and the Earth Policy Institute? I am going to read his book when it goes online for free next Wednesday, but I would like to know other's impressions of Brown and his Institute if you have any.

Blue Man Group Vs Global Warming

2008-01-11T11:35:00.000-05:00

This one is cute, but carries an important message. We Greens need to develop media that is as entertaining, educational, and attention getting as this video. Enjoy!

Clara Rojas freed!

2008-01-10T12:51:00.000-05:00

Read about this wonderful news here.

Now I hope Ingrid Betancourt will be next, with all hostages released at the same time.

Wanna know how many delegates your state gets?

2008-01-10T07:20:00.000-05:00

at the nominating convention? The rules were just passed by the Green National Committee. They choose the delegate allocation proposal put forward by VA. That formula can be read right over here.

If you want to know what the rules the Credentialing Committee will follow at the convention, those are over this direction.

The GNC has four proposals on their plate, and all of them can be found at this link here...no, not there, here!

Some Green stories

2008-01-10T07:08:00.000-05:00

The Landmark in central MA has a story about primary voting registration, and points out that you must be registered by January 16th to participate.

The Cabin in AR points out that Faulkner County has a new early voting site, and lists the candidates on AR's primary ballot. Go Arkansas! Go Green!

Jared Ball's presidential campaign has put up some information about the upcoming debate in California.

The Sun Gazette of CT carries a story about Donald J. Wilson seeking the Green Party nomination for Congress in the 5th congressional district.

It's the Gregg Jocoy Show!

2008-01-09T20:32:00.000-05:00

Staring, well, actually, it's Charlotte Talks, a local daily talk show on WFAE, an NPR affiliate. The broadcast begins at 9 AM and features four "Average Joe"s tomorrow. The four of us contacted the station and offered to be on the show as "people in the street". As you might imagine, I plan to represent the Green Party and Green Party ideals to the best of my ability.

It is not unusual for someone listening online to call or send in an email, so if you are so inclined, visit WFAE by clicking here. To send them an email, just Click here., but only if it's during the show, which is from 9 to 10 AM east coast time on Thursday, January 10th, 2008.

If you can't listen while we are on air you can click that same WFAE link above and look for the show in archives.

Pick and choose your topic

2008-01-09T07:50:00.000-05:00

Ballot Access News reports that 3/8ths of Texas U.S. House Races Have Only One Major Party Candidate. If that's not reason enough to build third parties I don't know what is.

A Crunchy Blogger in IL has decided to "Go Green" as in Green Party, not "Let's eat organic compact florescent bulbs."

Craig R. Withers also thinks we Greens are worth a look...I like this trend!

Our friends over at the Babblemur & Akaoni Power Hour! have a pretty good current run down on Green Party presidential contenders.

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that John Wages Jr, the first elected Green in that state, is running for US Congress.

The Green Party Peace Network has run a piece about a commercial being run at AMC theaters which glorifies the military. Pay to watch a film and get propaganda to boot!

The New Mexico FBIHOP writes that Carol Miller is running for Congress again. Last time through Miller won 17% of the vote, leaving the Democrat out in the cold come election day. Personally, I hope she wins 20% this time, even if it does mean that the congress has one less Corporate Democrat in Washington DC.

The League of Women Voters has announced a debate for this Sunday in an IL Congressional debate which will include the Green nominee. Equal access...what a concept!

The Greenwich Post reports that the Green Party caucus that was planned for earlier this month will happen on January 13th.

Will Yeager sent me some stuff about plans for the Venice, CA Greens. It's hiding behind the "Read more!" link at the bottom of this post.

Green Party of California
Venice Greens
January Meeting

January 10, 2008
7:00 - 9:30 PM
658 Venice Boulevard
Community Room
Extra Space Storage
(enter on Venice Boulevard)

Program:
7:00 Green Potluck
7:30 Venice Greens Orientation
8:00 Meet Dan Factor - Candidate 36th Congressional District
9:00 Green Party Presidential Candidates Roundup

Dan Factor - Congressional Candidate

Dan Factor is a local Venice Criminal Defense Attorney running on the slogan: "Politics Unusual".

Please attend the January 10th meeting of the Venice Greens, if only long enough to meet and greet Dan Factor, the Green Party Candidate for the 36th Congressional District and to sign his nomination papers. 150 signatures of Registered Green Party voters or $1,652 are needed to place Dan Factor on the ballot. Each Green Party registered voter's signature is worth $11.01334 towards the filing fee. Please sign yourself and take a sheet for your friends and neighbors to sign. Take this opportunity to register your friends into the Green Party (over half of all people are not registered voters) and place a pro-peace candidate of the ballot!

Green Party Presidential Candidates Roundup

Hear the latest on the Presidential Campaigns of: Jared Bell, Elaine Brown,Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, Ralph Nader, and Kat Swift; as they build toward the Green Party National Convention in Chicago in July.

Petitions for:
Amend Three Strikes - = Justice
Treatment of Farm Animals = Humanity
Renewable Energy = Sustainability
California Cannabis Hemp & Heath 2008 = Resource Usage

Currently Circulating California State Initiatives,

Will be available for signature and pick-up for circulation.

Justice, Humanity, Sustainability, & Resource Usag e

Will reach the California Voters if you do your part!

Call (310) 804-9916 for suggestions, questions, directions, or if you would like to sign/circulate nominating petitions and are unable to come to this months Venice Greens meeting.

Alaska Greens get new website up and rolling

2008-01-09T07:38:00.000-05:00

The website is over here and looks great. I also love the tag line at the site..."Here for good"...how true, and on more than one level!

3rd post at local TV station website

2008-01-06T23:37:00.000-05:00

My third column at WBTV is up now, with the same subject line. The Catch 15 refers to the 15% showing in four national polls that any candidate must meet, and the application of that same rule here in South Carolina, even in races where no polling was done. If you think you might enjoy it, the link is here:

Catch 15

I don't intend to pour these things out at you folks all the time. Right at the moment I have three of the five "Latest blog entries", two of the top five "most read" articles and am the "Top political story".

But, don't get too excited. The first two pieces I wrote has only gotten 133 hits

And now, for something completely different

2008-01-06T20:05:00.001-05:00

First of all, thanks a ton to those of you who visited my new blog at WBTV's website. I hope to post there once a day, so I'll kick something out later tonight.

I'll likely cover the question of the bubble in the housing market. A very interesting conversation, which I am a part of, was started by Steve Loebs and is titled "Collapse of real estate markets". I believe it has signs of a good conversation, the sort we Greens seem to do so poorly sometimes, and yes, I include myself.

Now, to get some links out to you good folks I am going to have to cut way back on the description, but hopefully enough to give you a feel for if it's something you want to click.

Stan Goff has a piece at CounterPunch in which he calls on pretty much everyone to support Ron Paul in the Republican primary.

Ohio Green Dennis Spisak, a candidate for state legislature there, issued a call of support for the Ohio Healthy Families Act. This citizen's initiative was recently certified and will be in November's ballot.

CBS News finally decides to cover Cynthia McKinney's announcement that she's seeking our nomination...of course, only on their website. Video at 11...yeah, right.

Steven Argue looks at all the health care plans of presidential candidates, and finds he agrees with all the Greens...and none of the Republicans, and only two Democrats.

Bill Willers writes an editorial and suggests we all ask presidential candidates when they come to town, "Will you debate the Green and Libertarian in the fall?" Good idea!

The Wilton Bulletin explains that the local Green Party caucus has been postponed until Jan 13th because a second person has sought a chance to run as a Green. Go CT Greens!

El Noticiero de Alvarez Galloso covers the upcoming Green presidential debate.

Indy Bay points out that voting in California's primary, including the Green Primary, begins mail in balloting on Jan. 7th. get ta votin' CA Greens!

More later folks!

Trying to get back on track

2008-01-05T18:55:00.000-05:00

In addition to blogging here, I also blog occasionally at Green Commons and Chlorophyll. In addition, I have written pieces for American Chronicle and Op Ed News.

Perhaps most importantly to growing the Green Party amongst the voting public, I have posted comments to my local newspaper blog for over a year. They don't grant readers their own blogs, so I am limited to comments and threads that get no real publicity.

But, starting yesterday, I was able to secure a spot as a political blogger at WBTV the most widely viewed TV station in the Charlotte market. The article linked to above is entitled "Stephen Colbert and Ron Paul walk into a bar". I hope that you'll click on it and offer your observations. The more comments I get, the more likely they will spotlight my columns.

Regular blogging here will resume later tonight. No way I can catch up on the back log, so I'll just do my best.

Stealing from socialists

2008-01-02T19:37:00.000-05:00

Over at Socialist Unity there is a good discussion about electoral politics, non-electoral politics, and Elaine Brown's resignation from the Green Party. Personally I think the entire thing is worth a click, but here's a "teaser" for ya.

The recent resignation of Elaine Brown from the United States Green Party makes it necessary to examine how minority parties can achieve progress in circumstances where electoral success is excluded. In the context of the US electoral system, for the Green party to pursue the logic of mainstream electability would be disastrous, but does that mean they cannot achieve anything?

Lewis Carroll and the Caucus Race

2008-01-02T18:50:00.000-05:00

This short piece is from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

`What is a Caucus-race?' said Alice; not that she wanted much to know, but the Dodo had paused as if it thought that somebody ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything.

`Why,' said the Dodo, `the best way to explain it is to do it.' (And, as you might like to try the thing yourself, some winter day, I will tell you how the Dodo managed it.)

First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, (`the exact shape doesn't matter,' it said,) and then all the party were placed along the course, here and there. There was no `One, two, three, and away,' but they began running when they liked, and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know when the race was over. However, when they had been running half an hour or so, and were quite dry again, the Dodo suddenly called out `The race is over!' and they all crowded round it, panting, and asking, `But who has won?'

Spotted a blog

2007-12-29T23:32:00.000-05:00

Many of the general public see us as uniformly irreligious at best, and anti-Christian bigots at worst. No doubt many think we are all Muslims, pagans or Satanists.

I have met some virulent atheists in the Green Party, including Anita Rios who is Jared Ball's campaign manager. I have certainly met some pagans. Most Greens seem to have a very live-and-let-live attitude towards faith issues, and while I assume anti-Christian sentiments may be a bit higher in the Green Party, it's clearly not the majority position. I must feel compelled to point out that Dan Mitchell of the American Enterprise Institute was a virulent atheist when we were in college together, so that attitude can be found in almost any political community.

Well, enter Tom Stream, operated by Tom Cleland of Minneapolis. Much of what you will find at his site is postings from the presidential campaigns as well as national press releases...oh yeah, and a link to the full text of his book "SOULS IN PERIL: HOW CONSERVATIVES DESECRATE THE HOLY SCRIPTURES"

While Tom makes no effort to beat anyone over the head with his faith, in fact he seldom mentions it as far as I can see from the few minutes I have spent there, but like many of we Greens, his faith does seem to animate his politics. Also, take a look through his archives. They go back to 2000!

Finally, he has set the book up in such a way that others, should they be interested, can help him finish writing the book via online word processing. I think that is very cool.

Mish Mash

2007-12-27T20:51:00.000-05:00

If I don't put a bunch of links into one post, I'll be here forever. :-)

The Ellsworth American has a pretty comprehensive report on the Maine Green Independent Party.

The Black Voices asks, "Is it easier being Green?" about McKinney, and answers beautifully in two words...Yeah baby!

Wes writes about the Green Presidential Debate over at CA Greening.

The Providence Daily Dose covers McKinney's announcement.

There are several good pieces up today at Green Commons, so if you don't regularly visit there, today might be a good day to do so.

All for now...hopefully more in the early AM.

Alameda County CA Greens to hold Green Presidential debate

2007-12-27T20:48:00.000-05:00

And I damn sure hope that C-SPAN will be there to cover it. There is an article about the debate at Third Party Watch as well as the announcement at the Alameda County Greens website.

McKinney keeps getting press

2007-12-27T20:38:00.000-05:00

And this article comes from the Cyber News Service. The piece is pretty good, especially when you consider the source. While I know nothing about CNS, a look at the ads at their site would imply a conservative bent...then again, I continue to believe that the Green Party attracts a certain sort of conservative, one which places a high value on personal and global responsibility, decentralization and respect for diversity, all basically conservative values in that they are inward looking, dependent on the individual's actions and beliefs at least as much as on laws and regulations.

CT man announces

2007-12-27T20:35:00.000-05:00

His name is G. Scott Deshefy, and he is a retired supervising environmental analyst for the state Department of Environmental Protection. He's running in the 2nd district against a Democrat and Republican.

Carbondale Green announces run for office

2007-12-27T18:42:00.000-05:00

Over at The Southern Rodger Jennings is said to have thrown his hat into the ring, announcing that he is running for Congress as a Green in IL's 12th congressional district. Charlie Howe also announced that he is running for a state legislative seat in IL's 115th House seat.

Clara Rojas coming home Friday...I hope!

2007-12-27T18:32:00.001-05:00

An article at the BBC says that the FARC is planning to release Rojas, her son, conceived and born in captivity, and a Colombian Congresswoman.

Rojas is a member of the Partido Verde Oxigeno, the Colombian Green Party. I have seen her referred to as the PVO candidate for vice president, but I was told long ago that she was Ingrid Betancourt's campaign manager. Betancourt ran for President and the two of them were kidnapped in 2002 while campaigning.

Holidays

2007-12-26T11:35:00.000-05:00

Like most of you, I have been busy with family events related to the holidays. Stuff is building up in my "inbox", but my granddaughters are on their way over for a visit, so there!

In the meantime, this link is worth a click fer sure! It's very funny, and if you are like me and have known and loved a redneck or two, you may see folks you recognize.

The link is right this way.

Full disclosure...my back is not quite as hairy as the guy in the second line of photos, but my wife did once shave an "F" into my back before I stopped her attempt at humor at my expense.

Clara Rojas to be released by the FARC

2007-12-18T23:11:00.000-05:00

In an article at the BBC, they are reporting that the FARC in Colombia is saying that they will release Clara Rojas, her son, and another captive soon to the custody of President Chavez of Venezuela.

This is great news! Hopefully we will soon know more about I ngrid Betancourt's conditions, and hopefully her release.

Cynthia McKinney ANNOUNCES

2007-12-18T10:14:00.000-05:00

In a video announcement posted at YouTube, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney explains why she is running for President and why the Green Party is her new party.

As Rep. McKinney says, "Come home to the Green Party."

Welcome home Rep. McKinney.

Much more...

2007-12-13T11:04:00.001-05:00

but sadly, I don't have the luxury of posting it at the moment. Bills due and all that...

Alaska Greens get the ball rolling again

2007-12-13T10:59:00.000-05:00

There is so much to do, and so few to do it, that sometimes we take two steps forward and one step back.

Sometimes we get burned out.

I think it was John Lennon who said "Life is what happens when you were making other plans."

At any rate, the fine folks in the AK Green Party have kicked off what seems to be a new, and welcome, addition to the Green Blog constellation. You can check it out over here.

The Wilders at OpEdNews

2007-12-13T10:05:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I have gone back and forth as to the value of doing this blog, in part because so few folks see it. If a blog falls in the woods, and there is no one to read it, did it make a sound?

One approach is to move beyond the personal blog and into someone else's space. For example, some Greens suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune by subjecting themselves to the abuse which awaits actual progressive values at places like Daily KOS. Others use places like local newspapers websites, American Chronicle, and OpEdNews to promote their ideas.

Recently the Wilders of NY have posted articles at OpEdNews, which I think are worthy of review.

First, Kimberly Wilder has an article which asks why progressives are so willing to accept the lesser evil argument during election season.

The second, by Ian Wilder has the provocative title, "Hi, My name is Dennis Kucinich. I'm your War-Mart Manager."

Ian also asks What to do with a Democratic Congress?

IL Greens issue press releases

2007-12-13T09:25:00.000-05:00

The content is behind the "Read more!" link at the bottom of this post.

The first press release announces that IL will hold their first Green Party presidential preference primary on Feb. 5th of 2008. The second raises objections to advertising gambling on their mass transit system. The third, and oldest, announces that Cynthia McKinney will address Greens in IL as part of her quest to win the Green Party nomination.

All the details are behind the "Read more!" link at the bottom of this post.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Dec. 7, 2007

Contact:

Patrick Kelly
ILGP Media Coordinator
773-203-9631
media@ilgp.org

Phil Huckelberry
Chair, ILGP Government & Elections Committee
309-268-9974
phil.huckelberry@ilgp.org

BOARD OF ELECTIONS CLEARS WAY FOR GREEN PRIMARY ON FEB. 5

In their meeting Thursday, the Illinois Board of Elections dismissed objections to all four Green Party candidates for president: Jared Ball of Washington D.C., Howie Hawkins of New York, Kent Mesplay of California and Cynthia McKinney of California.

The decision by the board sets the stage for the state's first ever contested Green Primary.

"Because we will have four candidates on the ballot for the same office, and thus a contested primary, every voter in the state will have the chance to pull a Green ballot on Feb. 5," says Phil Huckelberry, Chair of the ILGP Government & Elections Committee.

The Illinois Green Party became an established political party in 2006, when gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney earned more than 10% of the vote. As an established party, Greens will participate in the Feb. 5 primary, name committeepeople, and can slate candidates to fill vacancies on the ticket.

"Voters in Illinois went to the polls in 2006 and demanded more options, beyond the two party system," says David Black, Secretary of the Illinois Green Party. "And we've delivered a number of excellent candidates in races all over the state."

In addition to the state board's decisions, the Cook County Board of Elections also threw out objections to the candidacy of Jerome Pohlen, a journalist and library trustee from Berwyn seeking the Green nomination for 3rd Congressional District.

Not all of the objections filed last month had favorable outcomes to the Illinois Green Party. The board voted unanimously to remove Scott Summers, attorney and McHenry Community College trustee, from the primary ballot for 16th Congressional
District, despite hearing arguments that the Board used a different formula to calculate Green signature requirements than it used to calculate Republican and Democratic requirements.

"Had the board used the same formula, I would have had more than enough signatures to get on the ballot," says Summers. "I think the political parties should be treated equally under the law."

Summers says that he may file suit in the case or will seek to be slated by the party following the primary.

Objections are still pending against congressional candidate David Kalbfleisch (10th district), as well as other candidates for state, local and committeeperson offices.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 10, 2007

CONTACTS:
Patrick Kelly
ILGP Media Coordinator
773-203-9631
media@ilgp.org

Phil Huckelberry
Government and Elections Committee Chair
309-268-9974
phil.huckelberry@ilgp.org

GREENS: USING MASS TRANSIT TO PUSH GAMBLING A BAD DEAL FOR ILLINOIS

Green Party candidates for the Illinois General Assembly have blasted the compromise pushed by state lawmakers to expand casino gambling to fund road construction projects in exchange for increased mass transit funding. Real solutions to transit funding are already on the table thanks to groups like the Transit Riders Alliance:
www.savechicagolandtransit.com.

"The conversation in Springfield is all wrong," says Rita Maniotis, Green Party candidate for 21st State Representative. "Instead of asking 'how can we use mass transit to expand gambling,' leaders should be talking about how to use mass transit to improve our environment, expand economic and education opportunities for riders,
and make Illinois a better place to live."

The Illinois Green Party is a strong supporter of mass transit, not only in Chicagoland, but in communities that rely on it across the state.

"Mass transit is vital to our health and welfare," said Kevin O'Connor, candidate for 41st State Representative. "It's a remedy to congestion on the roadways. Instead of expanding gambling to pay for new road construction, why not take care of the roads we have, and use mass transit to address the growing commuter needs." O'Conner
added, "By adding dedicated express coach lanes for mass transit in the suburbs we could cut down on commute times and take more cars off the road."

Green Party candidates, such as Tony Cox, 9th State Representative, say they would support mass transit expansion projects, such as the Metra STAR line, the CTA Circle Line, and a proposed high-speed rail corridor.

"We have some of the highest commute times in the nation, people can't get from home to work, and all Springfield can talk about is what's the best way to make Illinois a gambler's paradise," said Cox.

###

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Event Coordinator: Walt Esler, 773-637-6701, jobcity@juno.com

For the Illinois Green Party: Patrick Kelly, 773-203-9631, media@ilgp.org

Phil Huckelberry, 309-268-9974, phil.huckelberry@ilgp.org

For the Cynthia McKinney/Power to the People campaign: media-requests@runcynthiarun.org

Green Party Candidate for President to Speak in Chicago

Six-term Congresswoman, former Democrat and now Green Party member Cynthia McKinney will be speaking in Chicago on Friday, December 14, as part of her "Power to the People" tour, promoting her campaign to win the Green Party nomination for President of the United States.

Following its unprecedented electoral success in 2006, the Green Party in Illinois will have its first statewide primary on February 5, 2008. In addition to McKinney, other Green candidates appearing on the ballot will be college professor Jared Ball of the District of Columbia, New York Green Party activist Howie Hawkins, and California air quality inspector Kent Mesplay.

During her swing through Chicago, McKinney will speak at a fundraiser held a Decima Musa, 1901 South Loomis (19th & Loomis), in Chicago's historic Pilsen neighborhood. The event will be held Friday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cynthia McKinney was the first African-American woman from Georgia elected to Congress, serving six terms in the House. Prior to completing her last term, she introduced articles of impeachment against President Bush charging him with manipulating intelligence and lying to justify the war in Iraq, failing to uphold accountability and violating privacy laws with his domestic spying program. The articles also included charges against Vice President Cheney and Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice.

At an event last week in Carbondale, Ill., McKinney was endorsed by 2006 Green Party gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney, who earned the support of over 10 percent of Illinois voters in that campaign.

"I have long felt that Cynthia McKinney was a Green at heart," Whitney commented recently. "Unlike most Democrats in Congress, Cynthia has long been a principled, tireless advocate for peace, civil rights, and the fundamental right of the people to vote and have their vote count – accurately. She has long been a fighter against corruption, injustice, environmental destruction, the imperial presidency and the
corporate aristocracy in this country. Her voting record was impeccable. She was, and is, a true representative of the public interest."

"I welcome Cynthia to the Green Party, where she truly belongs, joining our fight to establish genuine government of, by and for the people," Whitney added. "I am absolutely thrilled to have her as an ally in this struggle."

[Distribution of this release by the Illinois Green Party does not imply endorsement of any candidate for the presidential nomination.]

###