GREEN NEWS

For the most recent news and press releases of the Green Party of the State of California, go here.

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Whose Congress is This?

Anyone who still thinks that either of the two major parties represent the interest of Main Street rather than Wall Street should take a look at how much money the members of the US House of Representatives who voted for the “No Tycoon Left Behind” bailout bill have raked in from the same financial sectors responsible for the whole mess in the first place.

According to The Center for Responsive Politics, lawmakers who voted in favor of the bailout bill have received on average 51% more in campaign contributions from sources in the finance, insurance and real estate industries (FIRE industries) over their congressional careers than those who opposed the emergency legislation.

In this election cycle, the 140 House Democrats who voted for the bailout bill collected 78% more from the FIRE industries than the Democrats who opposed it. The data shows that, over their careers, they collected 88% more. While the gap is smaller on the Republican side, those who voted yes on the bailout bill got an average of 23% more in contributions from the FIRE industries in this election cycle than House Republicans who voted against it. In the long run, they got 53% more.

When it comes to raking in cash, party leadership fares even better. House Financial Services Committee Chair Barney Frank (D-MA) received nearly $800,000 this election cycle from sources in the FIRE industries. Ranking Republican committee member Spencer Bachus (AL) received $822,000 from the FIRE industries this election cycle and $3.7 million since 1989.

Unlike the two corporate parties now running Congress, Green Party candidates accept no corporate contributions. When in office, we will not be owned and bossed by Wall Street fat-cats. Green Officeholders are free to vote for what’s best for us, the American people, instead of the Wall Street insiders who now run the show.

But to make your voice heard, we need your support. If your Congressperson voted against the bailout bill, thank them. If they voted for it, tell them how you really feel. Support Cynthia McKinney/Rosa Clemente and other Green Party candidates on the ballot in November; and donate to our future today.

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Peter Camejo, RIP

Peter Camejo, who had been battling a recurrence of lymphoma, died at home in Folsom,CA, on Saturday September 13th.

He helped found the California Green Party in 1991. He was also a really hard-hitting, knowledgable, and witty Green. He shone during the California Gubanatorial Recall debates in 2003, and ran with Nader in 2004. He pioneered the field of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). SRI gives investors the ability to invest in planet-friendly companies involved in businesses like alternative energy development & avoid investing in harmful companies involved in businesses like nuclear weapons and tobacco. He finished his autobiography a couple of days before his death.

From the Sacramento Bee:

“Peter used his eloquence, sharp wit and barn-storming bravado to blaze a trail for 21st century third-party politics in the U.S.,” Nader said in a prepared statement, which described Mr. Camejo as a “politically courageous champion of the downtrodden and mistreated of the entire Western Hemisphere.”

He helped found the California Green Party in 1991 and ran three times for governor of California. He also ran as independent Ralph Nader’s vice presidential running mate in the 2004 presidential election in which President Bush won a second term. In 1976 he ran for president as the Socialist Workers Party candidate. Mr. Camejo described himself as a watermelon – red on the inside, green on the outside.”

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Dona Spring, RIP

Dona Spring, died at 6:30 pm on July 13, 2008 at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, CA. She was still serving on the Berkeley City Council when she died and is the longest elected Green in the United States (16 years). Here’s the front page news article in the Berkeley Daily Planet.

Memorial and biographical information on Dona Spring’s website.

From Lindsay, director of the documentary mentioned below: Dona Spring, died at 6:30 pm on July 13, 2008 at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, CA. She was still serving on the Berkeley City Council when she died and is the longest elected Green in the United States ( 16 years).

A memorial event and biography will posted in the next month or two — http://DonaSpring.com

A 70 minute film of her life completed in July of 2007, will be shown on July 18, 2008 see below for details.

Dona Spring, Courage in Life and Politics Unitarian Church, Cedar and Bonita North Berkeley

The film, completed in July of 2007, is about Dona Spring sometimes called the “Conscience of Berkeley”, who also happens to be the longest elected green party member in the United States (over 16 years on the City Council of Berkeley).
Among many others, the film shows Dona on TV shows, such as, Oprah Winfrey, Bill O’Reilly and CNN debating the worst elements of the status-quo. Also, Dona is shown with Ralph Nader, Al Gore and Barbara Lee and many local activists.

Dona has been the best vote on the council for environmentalists, peace activists, safe food activists, animal protection advocates and disabled advocates.

The film is 70 minutes and free or a small donation for those who can afford it, at the Unitarian Church at Cedar and Bonita in Berkeley. 7 PM opening remarks and 7:30 PM film showing, Dr. Michael Parenti, author and Berkeley activist will make some remarks before or after the film.

Dona was my political mentor. She was quite supportive & helpful when I was curious about getting involved with local politics and was one of the “good guys.” She always stood up for what’s right, even when she was in the minority.

Thoughtful, savvy, and caring- that’s Dona. She’ll be missed.

Jesse Townley

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2008 U.S. Green Party National Nominating Convention

Live Green, Vote Green!

Over a thousand Greens from all over the world will be gathering in Chicago from July 10th-13th for the 2008 U.S. Green Party National Nominating Convention, where a Green Party candidate for the 2008 Presidential Election will be selected.

Find out about volunteering, registering, schedule of events and more at:

www.greenparty2008.org

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Voter Guide of Alameda County Green Party [pdf]

The voter guide is now available to download. Please have a look.

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Cynthia McKinney to Speak in Berkeley, Sunday May 11th

SUNDAY, MAY 11th, 2-5 pm

Anna’s Jazz Island
2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, California
(Just East of Shattuck Ave.)

Presidential Candidate, former congresswoman
the Honorable Cynthia McKinney,
and District 1 School Board Candidate, Tennessee Reed
Speakers will include Devorah Major, Cecil Brown
Reginald Lockett, Ishmael Reed, Kim McMillon

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On May Day: End the War!

SAN FRANCISCO MAY DAY ACTIONS
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008

Join Direct Action to Stop the War (DASW) as we join in solidarity with immigrants and ILWU dockworkers on May Day. Dockworkers are taking direct action against the war by stopping work at West Coast ports on International Workers’ Day. Meanwhile, immigrant rights groups will again be marching this year demanding amnesty.

DASW will also go to the military recruitment center and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Let’s call for an end to the war and protest the military’s bribing of immigrants to enlist in the war as a fast track to citizenship!

“Support dockworkers’ direct action!”
“The war is illegal–immigrants aren’t!”

THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008
NO PEACE, NO WORK!
Join us all day, or for part of it.

10:30 AM
Join the DASW contingent in the ILWU’s anti-war march
Meet at Beach St. at Mason St. (Take Muni F-Market.)

NOON
Join DASW at the ILWU’s anti-war rally
Justin Herman Plaza (Embarcadero BART)

12:30 PM
March/protest at military recruitment center & ICE
Depart from Justin Herman Plaza (Embarcadero BART)

2:30 PM
Join DASW at the immigrant rights rally and march.
(Please, no direct action here, per immigrant groups’ request.)
Dolores Park (18th St. at Dolores, 16th Street BART)

Get text message updates on May 1st: text ‘follow daswmayday’ to ‘40404′

MORE INFORMATION:
www.actagainstwar.net
dasw.mayday@gmail.com

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PLENARY UPDATE (Sunday Morning)

Today approximately 30+ voting delegates are participating, the agenda was approved, and the plenary is moving along smoothly. One CC member has resigned. Thanks to all who are participating.

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BERKELEY GREENS

Please join us for a presentation: “Food Fighters: The Politics of Food”

Monday Mar 17th 2008 at 7.30pm

at Anna’s Jazz Island

Featured Speaker: Chef Ann Cooper, Nutrition Services for the Berkeley Unified School District.

This is a NEW series of monthly Berkeley Green Mondays Talks. People of all political stripes are encouraged to attend. These events will be about green values in general, plus there is a Full bar, lovely relaxed atmosphere, and admission is FREE.

Food Fighters: The Politics of Food
Chef Ann’s newest book, “Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children”(Harper Collins, Sept. 2006), is overflowing with strategies for parents and school administrators to become engaged with issues around school food – from public policy to corporate interest.

Anna’s Jazz Island:
2120 ALLSTON WAY BERKELEY CA 94704
(just east of Shattuck Avenue & downtown Berkeley BART)

For more details please visit

www.berkeleygreens.org

or email

berkeleygreenmondays- at – gmail.com

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