Tuesday, June 21, 2005

A leadership-building guide for the Republican Party

By C. Fraser Smith

Originally published June 19, 2005
Baltimore Sun

OK, NOBODY asked, but here's what Maryland Republicans should do to expand their party's paper-thin leadership.

First, keep Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele out of the race for U.S. Senate. It's an idea contemplated only because the party's ranks are so anemic, because image threatens to eclipse everything in our society and because national GOP interests are salivating.

Maybe it's understandable that the party would try to capitalize on poll standings that make Mr. Steele look competitive. But ultimately, there's no substitute for building credibility the old-fashioned way: getting elected and earning a future based on performance.

Mr. Steele announced last week that he will explore the possibility of running. Here's what a real exploration would conclude: He's not a good fit. For better or worse, the U.S. Senate is a deliberative body, a body of lawmakers. Mr. Steele doesn't have a single second of experience in such an arena.

The Ehrlich administration has been accused by Democrats of following the national playbook: an anti-government, no-new-tax, hardball-rhetoric approach designed not to attract Democrats but to expand the party's conservative base. If the Republicans force Mr. Steele into a Senate race, they'll be overplaying the playbook big-time.

The national GOP wants another vote in the U.S. Senate and thinks it has a chance of getting one in, of all places, reliably liberal and Democratic Maryland. The Republicans think that if the winner were Mr. Steele, an African-American, the political dividend would be immense.

But if Maryland Republicans want to control their own destiny, there's a far more interesting and worthy option. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s success allowed them to think about a day when they didn't have to recruit sports stars to run for statewide offices. The Michael Steele Senate idea is a variation on that tired stopgap.

Here's a far better way to rebuild GOP leadership in Maryland: Keep the winning Ehrlich-Steele ticket intact. It's an attractive team. Why dilute a winning ticket?

The party ought to think about developing talent it may have overlooked. For example, why not run James C. "Chip" DiPaula Jr. for comptroller? There are a dozen reasons why this idea would make more sense than Steele for Senate.

Mr. DiPaula is more than qualified. If there is one success in the Ehrlich administration so far, it's Mr. DiPaula's management of the numbers. He stepped up and supplied expertise no one thought he or the GOP had. The party had been out of the governor's office for 36 years.

He mastered a $23 billion spending plan overnight. The economy has helped, but he's gotten a staggering deficit into what looks like manageable proportions. The cost in starved programs might not be your cup of tea, but it's been done with efficiency and resolve.

It's passed off as a joke by the governor, but Mr. DiPaula is the star of the Ehrlich administration, eclipsing the governor himself in terms of actually running the state. If Mr. Ehrlich gets re-elected, one of his best arguments will be Mr. DiPaula and fiscal management.

In further validation of his value, the governor has taken him out of the budget office now to make him chief of staff in charge of, everyone assumes, re-election. He's the obvious choice because he's shown an ability to work with Democrats, still an important qualification in a state where most legislators and most voters are registered Democrats.

It's not going to happen, of course. Mr. DiPaula may not want to run for office. If he did, though, he'd give the GOP a chance to promote competence over fleeting, transparent opportunism.

Beyond that, there's a limit to the party's devotion to party-building. Mr. Ehrlich probably doesn't want to field a strong GOP candidate against Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, a Democrat. Mr. Schaefer has been his usually reliable partner on the Board of Public Works, where some of the governor's policies are voted.

And running a strong opponent against Mr. Schaefer might alienate Schaefer loyalists. Mr. Ehrlich - and Mr. DiPaula - may see Mr. Schaefer as essential to the governor's re-election. Party-building and getting re-elected aren't the same things.

Too bad. A candidate like Mr. DiPaula would put the GOP on the side of substance. It would be a great long-term investment - and a refreshing departure from trying to catch political lightning in a bottle.

C. Fraser Smith is news director for WYPR-FM. His column appears Sundays.

Monday, June 20, 2005

Biden wants to seek Democratic nomination for President

Biden wants to seek Democratic nomination for president

Monday, June 20, 2005; Posted: 10:38 a.m. EDT (14:38 GMT)

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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Delaware, said Sunday he intends to run for president in 2008.

But Biden, who also sought the nomination in 1988, said he would give himself until the end of this year to determine if he really can raise enough money and attract enough support.

Going after the nomination "is a real possibility," he said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

"My intention, as I sit here now, is, as I've proceeded since last November as if I were going to run. I'm quite frankly going out, seeing whether I can gather the kind of support," Biden said.

Biden said he was taking his "game on the road, letting people know what I think."

He added, "If, in fact, I think that I have a clear shot at winning the nomination by this November or December, then I'm going to seek the nomination."

Biden dropped out of the 1988 presidential race after a series of disclosures that he had liberally borrowed from other politicians in his stump speeches and after questions about his law school records

Monday, June 06, 2005

Two Democrats disavow Dean's jab at GOP

The Washington Post
Published on: 06/05/05

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., and former senator John Edwards, D-N.C., distanced themselves over the weekend from remarks by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, who is facing criticism for the pace of the party's fund-raising.

Dean, who inspired a passionate following when he ran for president in 2003-04 and showed the potential of Internet fund-raising, has been as unpredictable with his public remarks since becoming party chairman in mid-February as his Republican counterpart, Ken Mehlman, has been on message.

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Sunday, May 08, 2005

Bill to move presidential primary could get vote on final day

5/7/2005, 3:50 p.m. CT

By BOB JOHNSON

The Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A bill to make Alabama a key player in selecting candidates for president in 2008 is still alive going into the final day of the Alabama Legislature's session.

The proposed legislation would move Alabama's presidential primary from June to the first Saturday after the New Hampshire primary. That would make Alabama the third state in the country — and the first in the South — to take part in the process of choosing Republican and Democratic presidential nominees.

But the distinction might be short lived. In the last two presidential elections, the South Carolina primaries have been first in the South, being held on a Saturday about two and a half weeks after the New Hampshire primary. A Republican Party official in South Carolina says the Palmetto State won't let Alabama slip in front.

"We will maintain our status as first in the South primary. If Alabama moves its primary, we will move ours earlier," said Jay W. Ragley, political director of the South Carolina Republican Party.

He said in South Carolina, the parties and not the Legislature determine the dates of the presidential preference primary.

Supporters of the Alabama bill say it would give Alabama voters more of a role in choosing the next president and would lure candidates and national media coverage to the state.

"Other than coming here to fundraise, when was the last time we had a presidential candidate come to Alabama? 1988," said Sen. Steve French, R-Birmingham. French was a state Republican Party official in 1988, when Alabama was one of several Southern states to hold presidential primaries in March on a day known as Super Tuesday.

The bill passed the House by a 52-40 margin, with opponents arguing that the state can't afford the price tag — about $3 million — to open precincts and run election operations for an extra primary. The measure also cleared a Senate committee and could come up for final passage in the Senate on May 16, the final day of the session.

It originally was supported by both major parties in Alabama, but Republican Party chairwoman Twinkle Cavanaugh said the state could lose delegates to the national convention if it bumped up its primary date.

"The Republican National Committee says if we move our primary we may lose delegates," Cavanaugh said. She said the national party is getting involved "because a lot of states are wanting to move their primaries up."

Republican National Committee spokesman Danny Diaz said "party rules do stipulate that a state could risk losing delegates" by moving its primary in violation of those rules. The New Hampshire Primary was Jan. 27 in 2004, which could put Alabama's proposed new date in violation of the GOP rules, that say no state can schedule its primary before the first Tuesday in February.

Democratic National Committee spokesman Josh Earnest declined to comment on the Alabama bill, saying the DNC has a commission that is studying the entire process of selecting delegates, including the timing of primaries. He said the commission will make a series of recommendations to chairman Howard Dean.

Alabama Democrats mostly support moving the primary.

"We want to have an early voice in the selection of the nominee, the same reason Democrats in other states want to be up early," said state Democratic Party chairman Redding Pitt. Besides bringing candidates to the state, Pitt said the early primaries would encourage more people from both parties to get involved in the political process.

"A lot of people, however positive they may feel about the nominee, may be more invested in making the decision if they could get involved early," Pitt said. He said he hopes other Southern states will also switch to the early date, creating another Super Tuesday or Super Saturday.

Ragley said the early primary has been a success in drawing candidates and media attention to South Carolina.

"It energizes the base of our Republican Party and gets people interested in learning about the party," Ragley said. He said holding the primary on a Saturday — Alabama traditionally votes on Tuesdays — is popular with voters.

"It's a very good day to have it. They don't have to work on Saturday and a ton of people turn out," Ragley said.

Church torn by Partisan Passion

Democrats feel cast out

By KEVIN S. AUSTIN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/08/05

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — The presidential election was decided last November, but in this western Carolina mountain town, the divisiveness of that race has risen again to pierce the serenity of one Baptist congregation.

And the wound hurts.

Rick Havner/AP

(ENLARGE)

Some members say they were booted for how they voted.

Rick Havner/AP

(ENLARGE)

Heidi and Dan Jenkins talk about the uproar at nearby East Waynesville Baptist Church in North Carolina. Some ousted members say their only sin was voting for John Kerry.

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Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Let America Be America Again By Langston Hughes

Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed-
Let it be that great strong land of loce
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There's never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")

Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek-
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one's own greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
I am the worker sold to the machine.
I am the Negro, servant to you all.
I am the people, humble, hungry, mean-
Hungry yet today despite the dream.
Beaten yet today-O Pioneers!
I am the man who never got ahead,
The poorest worker bartered through the years.

Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream
In that Old World while still a serf of kings,
Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,
That even yet its mighty daring sings
In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned
That's made America the land it has become.
O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas
In search of what I meant to be my home-
For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore,
And Poland's plain, England's grassy lea,
And torn from Black Africa's strand I came
To build a "homeland of the free."

The free?

Who said the free? Not me?
Surely not me? The millions on relief today?
The millions shot down when we strike?
The millions who have nothing for our pay?
For all the dreams we've dreamed
And all the songs we've sung
And all the hopes we've held
And all the flags we've hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay-
Except the dream that's almost dead today.

O, let America be America again-
The land that never has been yet-
And yet must be-the land where every man is free.
The land that's mine- the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME-
Who made America,
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.

Sure, call me any ugly name you choose-
The steel of freedom does not stain.
From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!

O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath-
America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain-
All, all the stretch of these great green states-
And make America again!

If you don't have it. Get the book "Let America be America again and other poems" by Langston Hughes with the preface by Senator John Kerry. Its some powerful stuff!!!

Sunday, May 01, 2005

COLLEGE DEMOCRATS CALL A PROTEST AGAINST BUSH AGENDA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:

Javier A. Brown

President, College Democrats of Georgia

404-602-8485

205-218-9117 (cell)

COLLEGE DEMOCRATS PROTEST BUSH SOCIAL SECURITY AGENDA

Students rally against Vice President’s Town Hall Meeting Promoting Privatization

Georgia’s College Students will rally together at Campbell High School to protest against the Bush Social Security reforms on May 2^nd,. 2005.

Vice President Cheney will be holding a town hall meeting at Campbell High School to promote the Bush plan to privatize social security. Students from around the state of Georgia will be at Campbell High School to let the Vice President know that they are against the plan to dismantle social security.

“ We must keep the promises guaranteed to our parents and grandparents and ensure that there is stability for our own retirement,” says College Democrats of Georgia President, Javier Brown. “ Americans have spoken and do not want this reckless plan that will skyrocket the already horrible budget deficit.”

Students from across the state, along with other organizations will stand together to tell the Bush Administration “No” on Monday at 10:30 AM.

College Democrats of Georgia is the local state federation of the College Democrats of America. The College Democrats of America (CDA) is the official student outreach arm of the Democratic Party. It aims to train and engage new generations of Democratic activists and shape the Democratic Party with voices from America's youth. In election years, College Democrats work hard to mobilize student voters and recruit volunteers for Democratic campaigns, from town council to President of the United States.

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Saturday, April 30, 2005

CHENEY WILL BE IN ATLANTA MONDAY!! ACTION ALERT

Please spread the word and urge others to come out to fight against the privitization of social security.

Vice President Dick Cheney Will be in Smyrna Monday, May 2nd for a town hallmeeting supporting the Bush Social Security Privitazation Plan. Thisplan will dismantle the current social security system and cause thedeficit to skyrocket. We are asking everyone that is able to come outand protest the plan. We are asking everyone to be at Campbell HighSchool at 10:30 AM to prepare for the Vice President's arrival.Please spread the Word and urge others to come. It is VERY importantthat we have your support. If you have any questions, feel free tocall or email me. Directions to Campbell High School are below.
-Javier BrownPresident, College Democrats of Georgia404-602-8485
DIRECTIONS:
From the NORTH
I-75 South to Windy Hill Road. Exit Right (West) onto Windy HillRoad. Go West for 3.5 miles to Ward Street. Turn left onto WardStreet. The school is on the left.
From the SOUTH
I-75 North to Windy Hill Road. Exit Left (West) onto Windy Hill Road.Go West for 3.5 miles to Ward Street. Turn left onto Ward Street. Theschool is on the left.
From the EAST
Roswell Road/Hwy 120 or Sandy Plains Road. Go West to Cobb Parkway(Hwy 41) or I-75. Follow directions above.
From the WEST
Powder Springs Road to the East-West Connector. Head EAST on the East-West Connector to Austell Road. Turn Left (North) onto Austell Road.Continue to Windy Hill Road. Turn Right (East) onto Windy Hill Road.At the 6th traffic light (Ward Street) turn Right. The school is onthe left.
Dallas Highway (Hwy 120). Head East to Powder Springs Street (Loop120). Turn right. Head South for 1/2 mile and turn left onto SouthMarietta Pkwy (Loop 120). Go East to Fairground Road (by theConvention Center) and turn right. Take Fairground to South CobbDrive and turn right. Follow South Cobb Drive to Windy Hill Road.Turn left onto Windy Hill road. Go East to Ward Street and turnright. The school is on the left.

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Jackson asks black caucus to help stage rally vs. ID bill

By SONJI JACOBS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 04/12/05

Civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson met privately with Georgia's Legislative Black Caucus on Monday to discuss plans to fight a controversial bill that would require voters to show photo identification at the polls.
Jackson asked the caucus to help his national civil rights organization, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, organize a national march in Atlanta on Aug. 6 — the 40th anniversary of the day the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law.

Tara Todras-Whitehill/Special
(ENLARGE)
Sen. Valencia Seay (from left), the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rep. Jo Ann McClinton were part of a meeting to oppose the recent voter ID bill passed in the Legislature.
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He said House Bill 244 underscores the importance of making sure that Congress renews the provisions of the Voting Rights Act that are set to expire in 2007. One provision allows the U.S. attorney general to send federal observers to monitor elections and requires primarily Southern states to gain the approval of the Department of Justice before implementing new voting procedures or practices.
"Your fight here is part of a bigger move to deny voters rights and voter access," Jackson said. Last month, he criticized President Bush for not clearly indicating support for extending the Voting Rights Act.
Jackson said the August march in Atlanta would spotlight the importance of the Voting Rights Act and other issues such as quality public education, affordable health care and saving Social Security. Jackson had tough words for the right wing of the Republican Party and urged Georgia's black caucus to build a coalition with other like-minded people.
"This march is the beginning of a resistance movement," Jackson said.
State Sen. John Wiles (R-Marietta), who carried HB 244 in the Senate, said the bill "ensures fair and open elections."
"It provides assurance to voters and citizens that there will not be voter fraud at polling places by requiring identification," Wiles said. "The ID will be provided free to those who cannot afford it."
He doesn't agree with critics who say requiring photo identification will keep some people from voting. "People know about the bill, and they can go get an ID with ample time before the next election," Wiles said.
If signed into law, the bill must be reviewed by the U.S. Justice Department.
State Rep. Stan Watson (D-Decatur), chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, said the meeting with Jackson had been in the works for several weeks.
"We want to mobilize folks about the policies that are affecting the African-American community, from education to health care to the Voting Rights Act," Watson said. He and other black caucus leaders, including state Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale) and state Rep. Alisha Morgan (D-Austell), plan to have a news conference Monday to announce more details about the march.
Last month, the Georgia General Assembly passed the voter identification bill despite protests from Democrats, especially African-American lawmakers. Black Democrats walked out of the Senate and House when early versions of the bill initially passed. The measure would require voters to show one of six forms of government-issued photo identification at the polls. Previously, voters had been able to show 17 forms of identification, including utility bills, hunting and fishing licenses, and bank statements. The bill also allows voters to cast an absentee ballot for any reason.
Black lawmakers, civil rights groups, AARP, labor unions, the League of Women Voters of Georgia and the Mexican-American Legal Defense Fund lobbied furiously against the bill, saying it could turn elderly, minority and poor voters away from the polls.
The bill is pending before Gov. Sonny Perdue, who has until May 10 to sign or veto it. If he does neither, the bill becomes law. Perdue's office has indicated that he supports the measure.

Reauthorization of Key Provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965Background and Summary

Reauthorization of Key Provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965Background and Summary

Question #1: Which provisions of the Voting Rights Act will expire inAugust 2007 unless Congress acts to reauthorize them?Answer: There are three key parts of the VRA that will expire in 2007unless reauthorized:* ? Section 5 of the Act which requires certain jurisdictions toobtain approval (or "preclearance") from the U.S. Department of Justice orthe U.S. District Court in D.C. before they can put into effect any changesto voting practices or procedures. Under the statute, federal approvalrequires proof that the proposed change does "not have the purpose and willnot have the effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on account ofrace or color [or membership in a language minority group]."* ? Section 203 of the Act which requires certain jurisdictions toprovide bilingual language assistance to voters in communities where thereis a concentration of citizens who are limited English proficient. Thisprovision was added to the VRA in 1975.* ? The portions of Sections 6-9 of the Act which authorize thefederal government to send federal election examiners and observers tocertain jurisdictions covered by Section 5 where there is evidence ofattempts to intimidate minority voters at the polls.
Question #2: Where does Section 5 apply?Answer: Section 5 applies to any state or county where a literacy test wasused as of November 1, 1964, and where less than 50% of the voting ageresidents of the jurisdiction were registered to vote, or actually voted, inthe presidential election of 1964, 1968, or 1972. Currently, Section 5affects all or part of 16 states: All of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia,Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Most of Virginia, 4counties in California, 5 counties in Florida, 2 townships in Michigan, 10towns in New Hampshire, 3 counties in New York, 40 counties in NorthCarolina, and two counties in South Dakota.
Question #3: What kinds of laws and practices affecting voting must beprecleared?Answer: Because any change in election law or procedure could potentiallydiscriminate against minority voters, all proposed voting changes in coveredjurisdictions must be submitted for pre-clearance. Examples are plans forredistricting, annexation, at-large elections, re-registration requirements,polling place changes, and new rules for candidate qualifying. The SupremeCourt has recognized that seemingly insignificant changes can really besubtle attempts to discriminate.Question #4: How can a jurisdiction be removed from Section 5 coverage?Answer: The Act includes a "bail-out" mechanism, which allows jurisdictionsto be removed from Section 5 coverage if it can show that (1) it has been infull compliance with the preclearance requirements for the past 10 years;(2) no test or device has been used to discriminate on the basis of race,color, or language minority status; and (3) no lawsuits against thejurisdiction, alleging voting discrimination, are pending.
Question #5: Where do the minority language provisions of the Act apply?Answer: The language assistance provisions of the VRA apply to fourlanguage groups: Americans Indians, Asian Americans, Alaskan Natives, andthose of Spanish heritage. A community with one of these language groupswill qualify for bilingual assistance under Section 203 of the Act if (1)more than 5% of the voting-age citizens in a jurisdiction belong to a singlelanguage minority community and have limited English proficiency; OR (2)more than 10,000 voting-age citizens in a jurisdiction belong to a singlelanguage minority community and are LEP; AND (3) the illiteracy rate ofcitizens in the language minority group is higher than the nationalilliteracy rate.Jurisdictions qualify for language assistance under Section 4(f)(4) of theAct if (1) over 5% of the voting-age citizens on November 1, 1972 weremembers of a single language minority group; (2) the U.S. Attorney Generalfinds that election materials were provided in English only on November 1,1972; and (3) the Director of the Census determines that fewer than 50% ofvoting-age citizens were registered to vote on November 1, 1972 or thatfewer than 50% voted in the November 1972 Presidential election.As of 2002, there are 382 local jurisdictions that need to provide languageassistance in Spanish and 119 that must provide assistance to AsianAmericans, Alaska Natives, and/or Native Americans. Because some of thesejurisdictions overlap, a total of 466 local jurisdictions across 31 statesare covered by the language minority provisions of the Act.
Question #6: Have these provisions been previously reauthorized?Answer: Yes. Section 5 was reauthorized with broad bi-partisan support in1970, 1975, and 1982 (for 25 years). Section 203 was enacted in 1975, andreauthorized in 1982 and 1992 (for 15 years).
Question #7: Should Section 5 of the VRA be made permanent?Answer: While making this provision permanent may seem attractive, doing sowould make it vulnerable to a constitutional challenge. Because Section 5is race conscious, it must be able to withstand "strict scrutiny" by thecourts. What this means, in part, is that the provision must be "narrowlytailored" to address the harms it is designed to cure. Many legal expertsquestion whether the Court would find a permanent Section 5 to be "narrowlytailored," such as to survive a constitutional attack.
Question #8: Should Section 5 apply nationwide?Answer: No. A "nationwide" Section 5 would also be vulnerable toconstitutional attack as not "narrowly tailored" or "congruent andproportional" to address the harms it is designed to cure, as required bythe Supreme Court's recent precedents. Section 5 is directed atjurisdictions with a history of discriminating against minority voters. Inaddition, nationwide application of Section 5 would be extremely difficultto administer, given the volume of voting changes that would have to bereviewed. This expansion of coverage would dilute the Department ofJustice's ability to appropriately focus their work on those jurisdictionswhere there is a history of voting discrimination.
Question #9: Why are congressional hearings important for thereauthorization effort?Answer: The Supreme Court has made clear in recent years that it willrequire Congress to establish a detailed record, through hearings andlegislative findings, in order to ensure that provisions such as thesesurvive constitutional scrutiny.

Georgia for Democracy Needs You

Georgia for Democracy needs volunteers to help with the following two projects this week:WABE RADIO PLEDGE DRIVE Tomorrow, Wednesday April 13thWe need 10 volunteers to answer phones for the WABE Radio pledge drive on Wednesday April 13th (tomorrow afternoon/evening). If you are a student, retired person or have a flexible schedule, please volunteer to help. A script will be provided for volunteers, but basically, all we'll be doing is answering calls and filling out pledge forms. If you can only work for part of our shift, or need a ride, please let us know. The Georgia for Democracy shift runs from 3:00-7:00pm on Wednesday April 13th, and WABE will serve our volunteers free dinner! In addition to helping a worthy cause, this will offer good publicity for our group, targeted to a friendly audience during prime drive time. To volunteer, please contact Melanie Goux: Mel@georgiafordemocracy.org or 404-873-3277 ext.702. I'll send you driving directions to the WABE Studios located near Ansley Mall.BUTTON BEE Thursday April 14thOn Thursday, April 14th, volunteers are needed to help make buttons for The March for Women's Lives. We'll make buttons for Georgians for Choice to distribute, and "I value choice" buttons for GfD volunteers to sell at the event. We need about 18 volunteers, or enough to keep two button machines going, plus give everyone a break! Button making is fun and easy. We'll provide all the supplies, and all we need is you. Our ambitious goal is to produce 800 buttons on Thursday evening. There's no need to call or RSVP, just come on out to 410 14th Street, NW at 7:00pm on Thursday April 14th. Iced tea and cookies will be served. If you need more info, please contact Catherine Smith: Catherine@georgiafordemocracy.org or 404-355-9355. Please join us for one or both of these fun and productive work sessions this week. We need you! Thanks,Melanie Goux & Catherine Smith

Social Security Op-Ed

You've probably heard what George Bush and Republicans are saying: By the time you retire, Social Security won't exist. The truth is that the Congressional Budget Office numbers say the program is solvent until 2052, when we will be near 70 years old. Even then, Social Security will meet 80 percent of its obligations. If this is a crisis, the paper cut I just received is a medical emergency.
Bush calls his plan "personal accounts" because privatization doesn't sound quite as safe. His plan would cost nearly $5 trillion over the first 20 years, adding to the $420 billon deficit. That money needs to be paid off eventually, which means higher taxes, slower economic growth, and, higher interest rates on student loans.During Bush's State of the Union address he said that people over 55 are guaranteed not to have any benefit cuts under his privatization plan. Privatization would slash benefits by more than 40 percent by changing the way Social Security benefits are calculated, even for those who do not choose to open a private account. A young worker would lose about $152,000 in benefits under the leading privatization plan. What about a worker who has a spouse and two children who becomes disabled or dies at the age of 27? Right now Social Security provides the equivalent of a $403,000 life insurance policy and a $353,000 disability insurance policy.
Privatization would weaken Social Security by gutting the guaranteed benefit. Private accounts are not 100-percent stable, just ask the employees of Enron. The guaranteed benefit brings in a steady cash flow.
For 70 years, Social Security has been the bottom-line commitment to America's retired generations. Eighty-year-olds should not be forced into backbreaking labor to bring home enough money to eat. This is an enduring social principle.Surely some will protest: but there's still a paper cut, we need to fix the problem. At this point, though, we should remember that even the paper cut is a prophecy foreseeing the future from 50 years away. Even if Social Security does fall short, there are reform solutions that can solve the problem without upending the American social contract. A bipartisan effort can be made to create a solution just like Republican President Ronald Reagan and Democratic Speaker Tip O'Neill did to solve the Social Security problem in 1983.We cannot afford to trust just one side of the aisle on such a crucial issue. If we learned one lesson from the Iraq War, it is that this administration will play fast and loose with facts and figures to achieve its goals. This administration played those games with our generation once and ended up with a war and a potential draft.They are playing the same games again. This time the threat affects our grandparents, our parents, and us. Don't let George W. Bush cut Social Security's benefits; instead let's fight to keep the promise of Social Security alive for our generation and the generations to come.

Javier A. Brown
President, College Democrats of Georgia

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Javier A. Brown for CDG President

Fellow Democrats,

    November 2nd was a cold rainy night in Georgia filled
with sorrow. I along with many of you were
discouraged. However on November 3rd, I woke up and
remembered that the sun will shine again.  As
democrats we must continue to fight.  We must continue
to fight for health care for All Americans.  We must continue to fight
for equal opportunities for all. We must continue to fight against the
destruction of social security. Allow me the opportunity to fight
with you.
    Today I ask for your support in my quest to become
your next College Democrats of Georgia president. My
experience, vision, and energy will lead our
organization to do great things. 
    I am currently a junior English/ Pre-Law Major at Morehouse
College.  I have served College Democrats of America in various ways on a
state, local, and national level.  On the summer of 2004, I assisted in
organizing a trip to take 50 students from Atlanta to Boston for the
Democratic National Convention. Last year, I also served as an Intern for
Denise Majette's US Senate Campaign.  These were eye opening experiences
that further enhanced my dedication to the democratic party and this
organization.
   We must continue to improve communication by effectively
integrating our e-chapters system throughout the state.  My vision is to work
with every chapter so that we may have "College Dems Day" On campuses
throughout Georgia where local, state, and
national leaders come to the campus to energizestudents.
    The campaign for 2006 begins today so we must begin working to
take back the State House, Senate, and the Governor's mansion!! Below you
will find a short resume outline my experience that show that I am
qualified to serve you.  I look forward to seeing you
in Savannah and ask for you to vote Javier A. Brown, President, College
Democrats of Georgia; Working with You for a Better Georgia.


                 ***MY EXPERIENCE***

2003-2004, Secretary Atlanta University Center (AUC) College Dems
2004, Vice President AUC College Dems,
2004, Campus Coordinator, Students for Kerry
2004, Intern, Denise Majette for US Senate
2004-present, Member, Morehouse College NAACP
Political Action Committee
2004-present, Member, Morehouse College SGA Political
Action Taskforce
2004-present, Acting President, AUC College Dems
2004-Present, Communications Director, College
Democrats of Georgia
2005, Host Committee, 375-CDA Fundraiser
2005, Black Caucus Chair, College Democrats of America

Thanks,

Javier A. Brown
southerndemocratjab@yahoo.com

Thursday, March 31, 2005

Cathy Cox for Governor Needs Volunteers

Greetings All!

I was given your names from the Cathy Cox for Governor web page. We are in need of volunteers to help put labels on Cathy's Kickoff Invitations this Saturday at 11:00 am. This is a major event in the campaign. We are asking for 1 hour of your time. We are meeting at 201 Swanton Way in downtown Decatur. If we get enough help, we should be able to get this done in less than an hour. Your time is appreciated.

Contact me via email or call me at 404.633.2006. Thanks for your consideration.

Joan Q.

DPG Grasroots Field Training Session

What: Grassroots Field Training Session

When: Saturday April 2 10 am-3 pm

Where: 1046 Patterson St. Macon, GA

Who: Hosted by Democratic Party of Georgia

Contact: Pat Pullar 404-870-8201

Please spread the word to anyone who may be interested in attending and

getting involved. We need all local party members and activists to

participate! Anyone interested in attending can go to:

http://www.georgiaparty.com/home/Application%20for%20Training.doc

to fill out an application. This training will help anyone who is

trying to get active at the grassroots level! Thanks for your help!

Brooke E. Holt

Intern (and College Dem!)

Democratic Party of Georgia

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Statement from the College Democrats African-American Caucus on Social Security

Statement from the College Democrats African-American Caucus on Social Security:

March 10, 2005

The new leadership of the College Democrats of America African American Caucus today encouraged its members to learn more about President Bush's Social Security proposals and actively join the debate over the program's future.

On January 13th, President Bush stated in a Town Hall on Social Security that, "African American males die sooner than other males do, which means the system is inherently unfair to a certain group of people."

The African American Caucus views this comment as disturbing, and believes that we must not allow Bush to use the Black community's mortality rate as an excuse to overhaul Social Security.

"The high mortality rate of African Americans is no excuse for Bush's proposal to cut our generation's benefits by 40% and create $5 trillion of new debt in the process," African American Caucus Vice Chairperson A'shanti-Fayshel Gholar said. "Bush can try distracting Americans from the real issues as much as he wants, but his selfish agenda is harmful to Americans of all communities."

The African American Caucus encourages its members and others to become more aware of Bush's plan, so that we can better understand the flaws of the current proposals on the table. It is very important that we gain a better understanding of how we can influence the current debate to ensure that the right plan is chosen for the overhaul of our Social Security system.

Please consider writing an op-ed to your local newspaper using the op-ed sample available at: http://www.collegedems.com/involved/ssoped.php

Additionally, you can learn more about the affect of Social Security on Young Americans through: http://democraticleader.house.gov/issues/other_issues/social_security/youth.cfm

Sincerely,

Javier Brown, Chair

A'shanti-Fayshel Gholar, Vice-Chair

Chad McVeigh, Secretary

Monday, March 14, 2005

Mfume to seek U.S. Senate seat in '06

Ex-NAACP chief makes announcement in wake of Sarbanes' decision not
to seek sixth term
The Associated Press
March 14, 2005, 11:51 AM EST

Former NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said in a statement today that he
will run for the U.S. Senate in 2006.

"It is with great pride and deep humility that I announce to you
today my candidacy for the Senate of the United States," Mfume said
in a three-page statement made available to reporters at a news
conference in Baltimore.

Mfume, who was a five-term U.S. congressman before becoming president
of the Baltimore-based National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People, issued the statement after incumbent Paul S. Sarbanes
announced that he will not run for re-election.

"This is step one in what will be an embarrassment of wealth for the
Democratic Party in 2006," said Derek Walker, spokesman for the
Maryland Democratic Party.

Sarbanes, 72, announced Friday that he would not seek a sixth term,
noting that he would be 80 by the time that term ended.

"It was just the right time," Sarbanes said. "We think we've served
long and well and honorably, and we're very comfortable with this
decision."

Mfume was a U.S. congressman before he left the House in 1996 after
five terms to become president of the Baltimore-based National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Many observers say
that he repaired the historic civil rights organization during his
nine-year tenure.

When he became head of the NAACP, the group was in turmoil -- rocked
by an embarrassing sex scandal involving its previous head, bitter
internal strife and a crippling $3.2 million deficit. Mfume brought
credibility and stability, working with former chairwoman Myrlie
Evers-Williams and current chairman Julian Bond to institute
corporate style-management practices.

When Mfume left, the organization had enjoyed a budget surplus for
eight consecutive years and an increasing endowment fund. Membership
was a half million, spread throughout 48 states.

Mfume is a Baltimore native whose adopted West African name
translates to "conquering son of kings."

He began his career as a dashiki-clad radio talk show host and
political activist in the 1970s. He transformed himself into one of
the nation\'s foremost civil rights leaders with a reputation for
bridge-building, moving from the Baltimore City Council to Congress
to the NAACP.

Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Take a look at donorschoose.org, an excellent charitable web site for
anyone who cares about public education!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/_OLuKD/8WnJAA/cUmLAA/XgSolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->",1] ); //-->eight consecutive years and an increasing endowment fund. Membership
was a half million, spread throughout 48 states.

Mfume is a Baltimore native whose adopted West African name
translates to "conquering son of kings."

He began his career as a dashiki-clad radio talk show host and
political activist in the 1970s. He transformed himself into one of
the nation's foremost civil rights leaders with a reputation for
bridge-building, moving from the Baltimore City Council to Congress
to the NAACP.

Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Voting Rights Commission Convenes Hearing in Alabama to Examine Discrimination in Voting

3/10/2005 12:13:00 PM

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor

Contact: Kim Alton of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, 202-662-8317 or 202-309-2483 (cell) or kalton@lawyerscomm.org

News Advisory:

WHO: National Commission on the Voting Rights Act

WHAT: Southern Regional Hearing to Examine Impact of Expiring Provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

WHEN: Friday, March 11, 2005, 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

WHERE: Freewill Missionary Baptist Church, 1724 Hill Street, Montgomery, Alabama

Confirmed panelists for the March 11th hearing include:

Attorney Laughlin McDonald: Director of the Southern Regional Office and Voting Rights Project of the ACLU.

Attorney James Blacksher: Civil rights lawyer who has litigated some of most seminal voting rights cases.

Anita Earls: Director of Advocacy at the University of North Carolina Center for Civil Rights and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Hon. Bobby Singleton: Alabama State Senator who represents Alabama's Black Belt.

National Commissioners in attendance are: Chair Bill Lann Lee, former Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights; Hon. John Buchanan, former Alabama Congressman; Chandler Davidson, prominent voting rights scholar; Elsie Meeks, member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights; and Charles Ogletree, Harvard law school professor.

Guest Commissioners in attendance are: Hon. Denise Majette, former Georgia Congresswoman, and Derryn Moten, Associate Professor of Humanities at Alabama State University.

Members of the public will also have an opportunity to testify before the Commission during an afternoon open session.

The privately organized Commission will hold a series of regional hearings across the country to gather testimony and evidence that will be used to create a comprehensive record on the degree of racial discrimination in voting and the impact of the VRA since 1982. The Commission will issue a report at the end of the yearlong series that will be used by policymakers, voting rights advocates, and the public.

Organized by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the activities of the Commission are co-sponsored by the following leading civil rights organizations: Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, NAACP National Voter Fund, National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium, National Congress of American Indians, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Southern Regional Council, National Voting Rights Museum, Center for Democratic Renewal, African American Human Rights Foundation, The People's Agenda, 21st Century Youth, and N'Cobra, Southern Region.

------

The Lawyers' Committee is an over forty year old nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights legal organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to provide legal services to address racial discrimination.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

Emily's list mini camp

Emily's list will be hosting a "mini-camp" in Atlanta, Georgia March 12-13 on the campus of Morris Brown College.

Mini-Camps are a condensed, two-day version of their week-long Campaign School which they hold every year in July. It's a chance for students to check out Campaign Corps, meet the staff, learn basic campaign skills, and see if you have what it takes to be a Campaign Corps staffer. They will teach voter targeting, field organizing, fundraising, press strategy and more! And if you make it through the weekend, and still want more, you can apply to the full Campaign Corps program.

The camps are done on a regional basis so the camp for Atlanta is welcome to everyone in this area.

Please note that we require your attendance both days in order to get the full experience of the training. The training will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 12^th with Breakfast & Registration, and finish at 6:30 p.m. that evening. On Sunday, the Mini-Camp will run from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. If you cannot attend both full days, please contact us a.s.a.p.

The Mini-Camp will be held on campus at Morris Brown College in Atlanta. We will e-mail you in the next couple of days with the exact building and room numbers, as well as directions and parking information.

Campaign Corps will provide breakfast and lunch on both days and training materials, but you should bring a pen and a notepad. There is no registration fee; the training is 100% free to participants. Dress is casual. If you have any other questions, please contact us a.s.a.p. via e-mail at denise@campaigncorps.org or phone at 866-86-CORPS.

We look forward to seeing you Saturday, March 12^th & Sunday, March 13^th at the Atlanta, GA Mini-Camp!

PS-We still have several slots open for this free training! Please invite a friend to register online at https://www.campaigncorps.org/mini-camps-apply/index.php.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Rev. Al to Rappers: Stop Romanticizing Violence

Compiled by the DiversityInc staff
© 2005 DiversityInc.com
March 07, 2005

Analysis of today’s diversity news from Automotive News, U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, The Houston Chronicle, The Washington Times and more:

The Rev. Al Sharpton wants to silence performers involved in violence and those who fill their rhymes with threats against other artists. Sharpton is asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the country's major radio broadcasters to back his plan to ban performers who "romanticize urban violence" from radio and TV for 90 days. "There has to be a way to step in and regulate what's going on with the airwaves and with violence," Sharpton told the New York Daily News. "We may not be able to stop people from shooting, but we can stop people from profiting from the violence."

Sharpton's call comes a week after a shooting occurred outside the Manhattan studios of hip-hop radio station Hot 97. A member of The Game's entourage took a hit in the buttocks after 50 Cent dissed the rapper during an interview at the radio station.

Sharpton isn't interested in playing the role of peace maker between the two rappers. "You can't deal with this on an artist-by-artist basis," he said. But

Sharpton is hoping he can persuade influential bodies such as the FCC to try to curb violence on the airwaves.

"I recall the outrage that the FCC and others displayed in response to the Super Bowl performance of Janet Jackson," Sharpton wrote in a letter he plans to send to commissioners and broadcasters. "Yet, when acts of violence happen around radio stations that actually have caused bloodshed, there has been a strange and disturbing silence from all quarters."

-http://www.diversityinc.com/public/12599.cfm

Monday, February 28, 2005

Mark Warner 2008

Phil Bredesen 2008-check this out

Phil Bredesen 2008

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Candor Jones

Democratic Party of Georgia College Internships

Democratic Party of Georgia College Internship

Positions Available: 12

Requested Majors: Political Science, English, History, Pre-Law, Public Policy, and Public Administration

Date Requested: Immediately or for the Fall, Winter, & Spring Terms

Time Available: Preferably Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, some weekend opportunities depending on various needs

Job Description: Intern needed to assist Deputy Finance Director, Political Liaison, Finance Consultant, Comptroller, House Caucus Research and Fieldwork, and Executive Assistant with various assignments as needed. The position will not be paid.

Responsibilities include but not limited to: · Assist fundraising events or projects · Assist Congressional district state committee and county chair operations · General administrative duties including faxing, filing, copying, and answering phones. · Research various information related to the Democratic Party · Organize and update various contact information · Computer assignments using Microsoft Word and Excel

Qualifications needed: · Reliable and dependable · Basic Computer Skills · Friendly and flexible · Ability to work independently as well as under Supervision · Interest in Democratic politics and in current local and national events

Interested Students Contact: Tahir Duckett (404) 870-8201, tduckett@georgiaparty.com

Friday, February 25, 2005

Writer's 20-year stuggle with depression a window on a world where black men go untreated

Writer's 20-year struggle with depression a window on a world where black men go untreated

By VIRGINIA ANDERSON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/25/05

John Head — father of three healthy sons, winner of professional awards and husband to a prominent physician — looked at himself one day and reached a conclusion about his life and all the things that he had worked so hard to achieve.

It was time to kill himself.

No matter the distance he had traveled from the days as a boy growing up in Butts County: Feelings of worthlessness, sadness and hopelessness clogged his brain.

In comparison, death seemed soothing.

"I had this railing in my apartment, and I took the rope that I'd saved from my move," Head recalled last week. "I measured the rope and the distance from the railing, where I'd hang the rope, to a chair. I measured how long the rope would need to be. And I rehearsed it."

During his death rehearsal that day in 1996, he suddenly realized he'd be repeating the cycle, burdening his sons with the same loneliness he had endured as a black boy who didn't know his father.

Worse, his boys would grow up with the knowledge that their father had taken his life. It was at that moment that Head accepted, after 20 years, that he had a mental illness, depression.

"That was when I really knew that what I was going through was not only painful but deadly," said Head, 53." That was when I really opened up to the idea of getting treatment."

Head's experience led him to write "Standing in the Shadows: Understanding and Overcoming Depression in Black Men" ($22.95, Broadway Books), published last fall.

Mental health officials have hailed the book as a brave, personal story of how paralyzing depression can be to African-American men.

Beneath the personal poignancy, however, lies a disturbing undercurrent, said many mental health experts: If an accomplished, highly informed black man refused for 20 years to seek treatment for depression, how difficult is it for uneducated or poor black men to seek help?

As Black History Month winds down, some mental health experts who work with black males suggest that these questions deserve greater study and discussion.

They believe that depression is likely a key factor in a 233 percent increase in suicide in black males aged 10-14 from 1980 to 1995.

"Black men feel that they have to be twice as good as other people, that you can't be weak because other people will take advantage of you," said Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. surgeon general who oversaw the 1999 surgeon general's report on mental health in the United States. "Those [pressures] work powerfully against a black male seeking treatment for depression and other mental illnesses."

Studies suggest that an equal percentage — 12 percent — of black males and white males suffer from depression.

Fewer black men are treated for it, however. While only one-third of all Americans with a mental illness receive care, less than half that number of African-Americans receive mental health treatment, according to Satcher's 1999 report.

And about one in four African-Americans is uninsured, compared with about 16 percent of the U.S. population overall. African-Americans are less likely to receive antidepressants, and when they do, they are more likely than whites to stop taking them.

Particularly troubling to those who study and treat mental illness in black men is their disproportionately higher rates of incarceration than other racial groups. Nearly half the male U.S. prison population is black, and about 40 percent of those in the juvenile justice system are black. About 12 percent of the U.S. population is black.

Untreated depression and other mental illness in black men is a contributing factor, mental health experts believe.

"It's a very difficult and very serious situation for these young men and for society," said Dr. Alvin Pouissant, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and co-author of "Lay My Burden Down," which examines the escalating suicide rates of young black males.

Closer to home, psychiatrists who work with Atlanta's homeless and black youth said they see dozens of black males each year head to jail or juvenile justice when they should be in treatment centers.

"It happens all the time, and it's very alarming," said Dr. Raymond J. Kotwicki, medical director of community outreach programs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, at Emory University School of Medicine.

While all mental illnesses come wrapped in stigma, mental illnesses in black men are even more entangled. Historical racism and current cultural biases and expectations all play a part, mental health advocates said.

Nearly two-thirds of African-Americans believe mental illness is a shortcoming that can be overcome through prayer and faith, according to a study by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

In Head's case, his wife, a physician who is a researcher with the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kept gently telling him that he was ill.

His own mind told him, though, that he was worthless.

He lived off and on with that feeling and an array of other negative emotions for years.

Head, former Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter and editorial board member, had served as press secretary for former Mayor Maynard Jackson.

He had felt for years that he was a failure who would be exposed any day as a phony.

To admit that he had depression would be to advertise to the world that "one more black man was a failure," Head thought.

"There's this idea that your manhood is something the rest of the world is trying to deny," Head said. "So we learn as young boys not to be weak, not to show our shortcomings."

Head found a therapist he trusted. While he balked initially at the thought of taking medication, his doctor convinced him he needed it. It took a while to find the right antidepressant, but they finally did. Head continued with psychotherapy for several years but now goes in only occasionally.

Head considers himself fortunate. His wife, Dr. Claire Broome, stood by him throughout. His employer was understanding. He had insurance and a good income. He can't begin to imagine the difficulties that less fortunate black men face.

"It's almost impossible," Head said. "In those cases, access to mental health care is in an emergency room or behind bars."

Thursday, February 24, 2005

GA Legislative Alert

HB 218 is a bill that would keep secret from the public “economic development” deals made by state and local agencies. This legislation is bad for property values, bad for communities, and bad for the environment. Every paper in the state has published editorials against this bill and many Republicans have expressed their opposition. The Governor supports this bill.

To read the complete text of the bill, please go to

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/fulltext/hb218.htm

In addition to local and state agencies, 895 local development authorities would be exempt from providing any information about these deals (location, nature of business, environmental impact) until the deal was done, signed and sealed, and ready for the final permitting process--which very rarely derails a bad project.

Rural areas of Georgia will be especially vulnerable to the abuse allowed by this legislation. This bill passed the House 118-52.

TODAY, the entire Senate will consider HB 218. We need each of you to CALL the office of your Senator, give your name and address so they’ll know that you are a constituent and urge your Senator to vote AGAINST this bill. Please visit www.ajc.com to read an editorial in today’s paper from Attorney General Thurbert Baker which is relevant to this issue.

To find out who your state Senator is: www.legis.state.ga.us Click on “Find Your Legislator”, then GA Officials and Agencies, then My Elected Official. Insert your address, press GO and the names of your state Senator and Rep. will appear. Or visit www.vote-smart.com.

Please ask your friends and colleagues, especially those who may know Republican Senators, to contact them today--preferably this morning.

This e-mail was generated by the Georgia for Democracy website by Page Gleason for Georgia for Democracy. To unsubscribe from this website, go to: http://www.georgiafordemocracy.org/signin/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Unsubscribe&userId=21994

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

The President, the First Lady and Dick Cheney are flying on Air Force One. George looks at Laura, chuckles and says, "You know, I could throw a $1,000.00 bill out the window right now and make somebody very happy."

Laura shrugs her shoulders and says, "Well, I could throw ten $100.00 bills out the window and make 10 people very happy."

Cheney says, "Of course then, I could throw one hundred $10.00 bills out the window and make a hundred people very happy."

The pilot rolls his eyes, looks at all of them and says to his co-pilot, "Such big shots back there ... hell, I could throw all of them out the window and make 56 million people very happy."

Thursday, February 03, 2005

Javier Brown for VP of Programs

As I reflect on the political landscape of Georgia, my

heart gets heavy.  Republicans have control of the

State House and Senate, and the Governor's mansion and

most Georgians are suffering from this.  Our seniors

and children are going without healthcare, Class sizes

are rising, and to top it off, our security is being

compromised with talks of selling old police uniforms

through the internet. This “New Georgia” lacks

promises for the future. Fewer students will be able

to afford to go to college due to cuts in the HOPE

scholarship.



I think its time to send Governor Purdue a message

that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.  We must stand

up and say we don’t want this New Georgia, we must

stand up and say that we demand more funding for

Peachcare, schools, and Hope Scholarship, we must

stand up and take back the house the senate and the

Governor’s mansion in 2006.



Today, I formally announce my candidacy for Vice

President of Programs for Young Democrats of Georgia.

Together we can bring back the old Georgia.  Let us

work together to bring back the core values of the

Democratic Party to all.



My experience as president of the Atlanta University

Center Young Democrats has helped me learn how to

develop programs to strengthen chapters. This is the

type of experience essential for VP of Programs.



Let’s host grassroots trainings throughout the state.

Pat Pullar said it best, “we talk about grassroots but

we don’t have the seeds”.  If we want to campaign

through effective grassroots methods, we must be

trained to do so. This is the year to train as many

young democrats throughout the state as possible.  In

2006, we will have a strong army of activist to

campaign for candidates throughout the state.



We must begin to host regular programs with our

current elected officials.  Rallies, speaker series,

and forums are perfect ways to discuss our issues as

active democrats to prepare for our next campaign

season.



We must start campaigning today for our next

elections; remain in constant contact with our

potential votes.  A campaign does not start 3 months

before the elections but the day after the last

election.





I look forward to your support on April 9. Please Vote

Javier Brown for Vice President of Programs, Young

Democrats of Georgia

Thursday, January 20, 2005

A Day of Mourning

Today is a day of Mourning. We are mourning for the senior citizens who can't afford their prescription medicines. We are mourning for those sick because they don't have adequate healthcare. We are mourning for those on the streets because they can't find a job. We mourn the deaths of the 1300 US Soldiers in Iraq. Today, we mourn for the United States, who will have George W. Bush serve as president for another 4 years.

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

State of the State response

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Javier A. Brown

Communications Director, College Democrats of Georgia

404-602-8485

205-218-9117 (cell)

southerndemocratjab@yahoo.com

Tonight, while Governor Purdue was giving the State of the State address, a child was at home crying, sick and could not go to the doctor because he or she is uninsured and no longer has the benefits of Peachcare to take care of them. A high school senior sat at home discouraged because due to tuition hikes he cannot afford to go to college. Someone’s grandmother who has worked all of her life is being forced out of a nursing home because of the Medicaid cuts under Governor Purdue. A teacher went home from work today frustrated because class sizes have doubled in the past 2 years.

It is time to go back to the Old Georgia; when Georgia values really mattered. For Georgia’s sake, let’s go back to taking care of the little guy, and not be beholden to corporate interests. Why not take time during the legislative session to make sure that bills are passed to ensure that K-12 schools have the funding necessary, that every student who wants to go to college can afford it, and that our children and seniors have the healthcare that is necessary.

Governor Purdue, the State of the State is bleak; lacking promises for the future and filled with nightmares for a New Georgia.

Sunday, January 09, 2005

Recap on DNC Southern Caucus Meeting

Ok.. I sat at my computer 4 times today to try to write this but I just couldn't muster up the energy so here it goes....

The DNC Southern Caucus Meeting was very interesting. All of the DNC Candidates were there and were able to speak to the public. Former Presidential Candidate, Howard Dean had a good message but he must learn to practice what he preaches. He emphasized that in order to win elections, you have to show up in the south. My question to Dean is, WHERE WERE YOU THIS ELECTION??? When did he show up in Georgia and Alabama??? NEVER!! He sat there and lied to the public and very few people called him out on it.

I was very impressed with Donnie Fowler. As the days go by, I think that he is the person that I want to lead our party.

The Vice Chair Candidates were there and I like them all. That is going to be a tough decision. The meeting was VERY Long. We were there until about 10pm.

Whew am I tired!!!!!

Thursday, January 06, 2005

Where Vote or Die went wrong

Initially when I heard of the Vote or Die initiative I was pumped. It was about time the hip-hop community got involved in the poltical arena. I mean, these people were registering voters like crazy. I was confident that the Youth vote turnout was going to be CRAZY. Now, don't get me wrong, the youth vote was record breaking but so was the rest of the voter turnout so we still voted in the same percentages.
We heard time after time that the my generation was going to decide this presidential election but when it came down to it, our votes mattered but didnt signiificantly put one candidate over the top.
Its very simple to see where Vote or Die failed. This campaign started later in the campaign season (right around the time of the DNC convention) after some of the excitement had built up. The celerities came in and registered all of these voters and then left without giving them a sense of direction so yes we registered but no, we didnt know the issues and no, we didn't know who to vote for.
After the election no one heard about Vote or Die again. In order to reach voters, we have to build a relationship, keep in touch, and make sure that they are informed. We can't have some millionaire swoop down from his high horse to come to the inner city once every 4 years and tell the "kids" who to vote for. We need real activists that put in the work throughout the year before during and after election season.

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

The DNC Chair race heats up

OK this sux because I have tried to post this like 3 times today.

Ron Kirk has officially bowed out of the race for DNC chair and has endorsed former Texas Rep. Martin Frost . While Rep. Frost was Chair of the DCCC ('96 and '98 cycles), democrats picked up 14 seats. He is also known as an excellent fundraiser.

I don't know yet who I want as a DNC chair but I'm in an ABD (Anybody But Dean) mindset. With Dean as the DNC chair, the focus wouldnt be on the democratic party but himself. We need someone who can appeal to all of America, young and old liberal, moderate, and conservative and that isnt Dean.

I guess we will see how serious the candidates are this Saturday at the DNC Southern Caucus.

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

CDA Needs You

The College Democrats of America needs volunters for the DNC regional caucus meeing this Saturday (1-8-05) at the Sheraton Gateway in Atlanta, Georgia. Volunteers will be assisting candidates for chair and vice chair so this would be a great opportunity to network and meet great people. We need volunteers to get to the hotel no later than 10am and the meeting will last until 5pm. If you cannot volunteer all day, just let us know and we will work with you. The attire is professional UNLESS you have a CDA or CDG shirt ( I have CDG t-shirts on sale for $5). The CDA or CDG T-shirt is allowed with slacks. NO JEANS ARE ALLOWED!! If you are interested in volunteering, email me at southerndemocratjab@yahoo.com or latoia jones at vicepresident@collegedems.com no later than 10pm Thursday.

Thanks,

Javier A. Brown
Communications Director, College Democrats of Georgia

Monday, January 03, 2005

Shirley Chisholm 1924-2005

I am sad to announce the death of Former US congreswoman and presidential candidate, Shirley Chisholm. Ms. Chisholm was an activist and roll model for all women and African Americans. She opened the door for many minorities. Ms. Chisholm is an inspiration of all to speak out for the issues and to be "unbought and unbossed"

R.I.P.
Shirley Chisholm

DNC Southern Caucus

Hey y'all

THE DNC COMES TO THE SOUTH!!!

The Democratic National Committee will have its southern caucus meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on January 8th 2004 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel . The topic of discussion will be the DNC Chair. Is it possible that former Dallas, Texas Mayor Ron Kirk will impress enough members to become DNC chair? It is also possible that former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb will have a great deal of support, particularly from African Americans within the DNC. I am nervously waiting to see how the election for the chair turns out in February. Hopefully everyone will be happy with this years election and it goes with fewer problems than the 2001 DNC chair election with Maynard Jackson and Terry Mcaullife.

But Back to the Southern Caucus meeting.....

There will be a breakfast for the black southern democrats that morning and that evening, Mayor Shirley Franklin will be hosting a reception.

Sunday, January 02, 2005

I AM BILL CLINTON!!!!

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