Media Advisory For:
Thursday, August 7, 2008 MOVEON MEMBERS VISIT REP. JOHN CAMPBELL'S (R-CA) OFFICE TO CALL FOR END TO GRAND OIL PARTY (GOP) STUNT ON HOUSE FLOOR
GROUP WILL GATHER AT NOON TO DELIVER PETITIONS DEMANDING A CHEAP AND CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE
MoveOn members in Irvine will gather at noon on Thursday to call for an end to the Republican's political theater on the House floor.
They will deliver petitions calling for real solutions--not gimmicks--for Americans suffering from this energy crisis. The event follows on a similar one at the Capitol on Tuesday in Washington DC and will be held at the same time as dozens of events in Republican districts around the country (to date, 250,000 petitions nationally).
Since Friday, the Republicans in Congress have been playing to the television cameras with theatrical stunts because Speaker Pelosi blocked their offshore drilling plan. The Republican plan will not lower gas prices but it will line the pockets of Big Oil executives, the same people donating millions of dollars to Republicans.
"The political theatrics in the House right now are brought to you by the Party that's been sold to Big Oil," said Kate Nikolenko, a local MoveOn member. "Americans need solutions, not gimmicks. Rep. John Campbell (R-CA) could have voted to move forward last week, but instead he is grandstanding for a bill that will not lower gas prices but will line the pockets of Big Oil CEOs."
The petition, signed by people in this district, reads, "America must commit to producing 100% of our electricity from cheap, clean renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, within 10 years."
WHO: MoveOn Members from Irvine
WHAT: Call for an End to Republican Big Oil Stunt on Capitol Hill
WHERE: Rep. John Campbell's Office, 610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 330, Newport Beach, CA
WHEN: Thursday, August 7th, at noon
MoveOn.org Political Action is a political action committee powered by 3.2 million progressive Americans. We believe in the power of small donors and grassroots action to elect progressive leaders to office and to advance a progressive agenda. We do not accept any donations over $5,000, and the average donation to MoveOn.org Political Action is under $100.
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Regards,
Bill Wood
Media Lead
Irvine Chapter of MoveOn.Org
It's been quite a wild week in the 42nd Congressional District. Ever since Ron Shepston announced that he's running against Dirty Gary Miller, there have been quite some interesting developments that have occurred in the race to replace Dirty Gary. We've had the bloggers talk about going offline. We've had the California Democratic Party go online to announce its new website targeting Dirty Gary. We've heard rumors that a former Republican politician might reemerge to challenge Dirty Gary in the primary. Oh yes, and what did Ron say about John Kerry?
Follow me after the flip for all the latest dirt on Dirty Gary...
Over the past few weeks, there has been a wealth of information in the series of posts regarding the first Congressional run by a member of the netroots, and a campaign run by members of the netroots. In fact, the entire list of posts is below, so you can go back and see the most excellent things that have been written about Ron Shepston and his historic run for Congress.
We were treated to posts that outline the district demographics, the incumbent and his myriad of ethical issues, the political landscape in the district as well as some of the very fine people who are working on this campaign, and why Ron is both an awesome guy and the right man for Congress (and no, those two terms are NOT mutually exclusive). But what I want to talk about is why this oh-so-very important on many levels.
The USC extension campus in Irvine is back to normal now. All the Priuses with the gnarly bumper stickers left the parking lot long ago. Life in Orange County has returned to normal, now that DFA Training Academy has moved on to the next location...
Or has it? Now, we have some 110 people who have gone through this training, and know how to make a difference. We have four Congressional candidates who have endured the training, and are ready to rumble (and take down some sleazy Republican incumbents). Ron Shepston in the 42nd District, Bill Hedrick in the 44th District, Hoyt Hilsman in the 26th District, and Michael Wray in the 50th District have now gone through the training, and so have their future teams of activists in their respective areas. Local grassroots groups for Barack Obama, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, and Bill Richardson (OK, and some Nevada staffers for Richardson also trekked down for this!) now know what they need to do to grow and put their grassroots energy to use. And now, local advovacy groups know how to get their message out more effectively.
Follow me after the flip for more on all the great things we learned, and how we all intend to put them into practice...
OK, so lunch break is over at DFA Campaign Academy. Arshad Hasan is thanking everyone at DFA-Orange County and the Orange County Employees Association for all the great work organizing this training weekend. Pretty soon, we'll be going to our elective sessions.
So what have YOU been learning so far at DFA Campaign Academy? What do you still want to learn? How many new friends have you met? How many old friends have you caught up with? And have you now learned what you need to know to help your campaign win?
Go ahead. Make my day. Blow me away with your amazing new knowledge! (And for all of you NOT here this year, make sure you sign up next year? You won?t regret it!) : )
OK, we're finishing today's session right now. The room is PACKED with people from all over Southern California, people who want to be more effective in helping progressives win. We have people from Obama OC, people with San Diego for Edwards, and organizers for Bill Richardson in from Nevada! We have Hoyt Hilsman from the 26th Congressional District, Ron Shepston from the 42nd District, Bill Hedrick from the 44th District, Michael Wray from the 50th District, and many other Democratic candidates here. This is just amazing!
So what's going on? We're learning how to recruit volunteers right now. And before this workshop, we learned how to figure out how to win. See, what did I tell you? We're getting a great education today!
So do you have any questions about helping Democrats win that you'd like me to ask the experts? Would you like to know if your best friend came today while you didn't? Were you just running late, and would you like to know what you missed while stuck on the 55?
Something amazing is happening tomorrow. DFA Campaign Academy is coming to Southern California! Tomorrow, progressive activists from all over Southern California will be coming to Orange County to learn how to win next year and in future elections. And guess what? All of us activists will be learning from the experts who know a thing or two on how to win.
Oh, and here's some more good news. Even though registration for attendance is already at 160 people, DFA is still accepting sign-ups for tomorrow! That's right, even if you haven't signed up yet, you can still come to DFA Training! So what's happening at DFA Training? Follow me after the flip for more...
Congressman David Dreier (Rep) has been representing CA-26 District since 1981. It is about time someone gives him a run for his money! Yesterday, the New York Times Reported that Hoyt Hilsman (Dem), "director of a nonprofit organization promoting equality of opportunity and economic growth", has loaned his campaign $100,000 and has raised an addition $60,000 in the hopes of challenging Dreier in the 2008 elections. What the article doesn't mention is that after Law School Hilsman worked in the Federal Legal Services program, helping the poor, unemployed and disabled, at a state prison representing indigent inmates. He is also a successful writer and community volunteer.
There may be hope yet for the democrats of CA-26. However, first Hilsman must win the primary against Russell Warner and Cynthia Matthews. I don't know about you but I am rooting for Hilsman in this one.
The best way to answer this question is to answer two other questions. Why should we allow such a corrupt individual to stay in office? And what has Gary Miller done for his constituents that has earned him the privilege of earning our votes for reelection? Once we figure out these answers, we can answer those other questions.
You may be surprised by these answers, so follow me after the flip for more...
What are you looking to do over the next year or so? Want to organize for universal health care? Want to campaign for your favorite Democratic Presidential Candidate? Want to manage your best friend's campaign for Congress? Want to just know what all your friends at DFA are talking about whenever election time approaches? Whatever you plan to do in politics, you need to learn how to be better at it by joining us at DFA Training Academy on July 21-22 in Irvine!
Oh yes, and I should say this. If you haven't registered yet, this is your last chance to sign up to attend! We're nearing our maximum attendance limit of 150, and the actual training is barely more than a week away. If you're in Southern California and you haven't yet signed up, take this last opportunity to learn how progressives can win, and how YOU can be a part of it!
Follow me after the flip to find out why you shouldn't pass up on this last chance to learn how to be a force for change in your community...
Sometimes, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. A couple of days ago, I opened up OC Metro to discover a feature article about all the major coastal resorts banding together to "brand the waterfront" as the ultimate luxury destination. And of course while looking for the article, I had to see a full-page ad urging me to "wake up to the waves" and "rest to the setting of the sun" at "Brightwater in Huntington Beach", the new luxury housing development that sits just west of the other luxury housing development that sits atop what's supposed to be protected wetlands. But of course, all this OC coastal luxuriousness mustn't end there. I soon find a big ad telling me of all the decadently luxurious scenery awaiting me at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. No matter where I turn the page in OC Metro, I find all this fabulous luxury. Who would have known that I was living in the lap of luxury here in oh-so-fabulous Orange County?
But wait, does everyone really enjoy the "luxurious lifestyle" in The Land of the OC? Can we afford those new houses sitting dangerously close to protected wetlands? Can we even reach the beach amidst all this development? Can we afford to continue ignoring the dire need for affordable housing in the region? Oh yes, and what about the poor kids who want to go to the beach, but can't thanks to OCTA's refusal to meet the demands of bus drivers who themselves can hardly afford the high cost of living in Orange County?
Follow me after the flip to explore just how luxurious (or not) life really is...
History was made again yesterday. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Huntington Beach once again for the Fourth of July Parade. And once again, the OC Democrats had a fantastic time being a part of the largest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi River. And the party didn't stop when the parade ended, as local activists pitched up tent by the pier to wake up the neighbors, and let them know about the importance of next year's election. All in all, we all had a great time!
Follow me after the flip as I take you on a tour of the biggest and best party one could be at on the Fourth of July!
Have you seen the weather report lately? I guess I shouldn't be surprised when I see this in the OC Register, but I am. Wow, it gets hot down here... But rarely THIS HOT!
People everywhere were beginning to seek relief Monday from a heat wave that will intensify over the next three days, with temperatures forecast to hit 105 degrees in some inland areas.
The worst heat will come Wednesday – the Fourth of July – says the National Weather Service. But by mid-afternoon Monday, the temperature had hit 99 in Mission Viejo and 96 in Placentia. In Palm Springs, it was 114.
The heat wave will be so oppressive the weather service has issued an "excessive heat" advisory for Wednesday and Thursday, meaning that temperatures will be high enough to cause heatstroke and dehydration.
Whoa! That's hot! But wait, why are we having more of these extreme heatwaves? We've had plenty of hot weather in Southern California before, but rarely this much reoccurring throughout the year. Wait, could this have something to do with it? Follow me after the flip for more...
What do you think of when you think "Fourth of July"? The American flag, perhaps? Fireworks? Independence? Apple pie? Ice cream? The beach? A parade? Well, what if I told you that you can experience all of that AND MORE on Wednesday?!
Yes, my friends, this Wednesday is July 4th. And yes, this means it's time for the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade, THE LARGEST INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER! And guess what? The Democratic Party of Orange County will once again have a fantastic float in the parade! Oh yes, and our fabulous Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez will be marching with us! Oh yes, and we need more people to march with us in the parade. Come on now, don't YOU want to be a part of the parade?
So would YOU like to be a part of this world-famous All-American celebration? Follow me after the flip for more...
Have you always wondered what you can do to run a more effective campaign? Are you planning to run for office soon? Do you just want to be a better informed activist? Well, then come to the Orange County DFA Training next month! There is still room available, and we're preparing a great program for all of you Southern California progressive activists coming!
So what exactly do we have in store for you? Follow me after the flip for more...
I just knew this was coming. I knew it was coming. Get ready for another strike at a Vons, Ralphs, and/or Albertsons near you. (From LA Times)
Southern California grocery workers voted Sunday to give their union the right to strike if negotiations for a new contract fail. Union officials said the measure passed by an overwhelming 95%.
Contract talks between the United Food and Commercial Workers [UFCW] union and Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons over a new agreement for 65,000 workers from Bakersfield to the Mexican border broke off late last week. Sunday's strike authorization vote was set by the union after the grocery chains failed to meet a Thursday deadline for a formal offer.
So what exactly happened? Why couldn't an agreement be reached? What's at stake for the grocery companies? What's at stake for the grocery workers? And what happens next? Follow me after the flip for more...
Nothing says "California" like the coastline. We love our beaches. We love the ocean. And when we live so close to the ocean, we love to see it from the house. But what happens when your precious ocean view is taken away from you? What happens when your "personal space" with that lovely ocean view is INVADED?
"... [T]hat's a real invasion of our personal space," says Anne Kolp, who bought her home more than three years ago believing that the vista would never change. "It looks like a huge ship coming out of the ocean."
Believe it or not, this is what the War of Shorecliffs is all about. In a small community in San Clemente, people are fighting over property rights, and what that exactly means. Do we have a right to build a second story to our house? Do we have a right to a permanent ocean view? Do we have a right to preserve the "bucolic" feel of the neighborhood?
Last week, Brian introduced the Calitics Q2 challenge to raise needed money for our candidates at the end of the quarter. We who won't be able to truck it up to Zeitgeist on a Wednesday will not be outdone. So, in association with the new Drinking Liberally on the Westside, I am announcing the Calitics Q2 Southern California Challenge.
The details:
The Cock & Bull
2947 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Wednesday, June 27 7:00pm-whenever
This month's fundraiser will go towards the regular Calitics list, so now that means Jerry McNerney (CA-11), Charlie Brown (CA-04), Mark Leno (SD-03) and Calitics CaliPAC. We're asking you to visit the Calitics ActBlue page prior to the fundraiser and contribute. It's the honor system, people.
I'd also like to get some SoCal politicians on that Calitics list, so if you have a favored candidate you'd like to see us raising money for, let us know at the fundraiser.
Cynthia Carranco, 16, must do her homework on the seats of dining room chairs because there is no other place to write in the three-bedroom house shared by nine people.
She knows her situation is not unique: A friend sleeps in a walk-in closet, and others also live in crowded conditions.
"Sometimes it's hard being a teenager and not having any privacy," said Carranco, an Anaheim High School student.
Cynthia Carranco was one of the speakers at last night's forum on affordable housing in Anaheim. She and the other speakers spoke of their dire need for affordable housing. Yes, there's the controversial push for affordable housing in the "Anaheim Resort" district. You know, the one where Disney is putting up an initiative to "save the resort district". However, there are other battles being fought here as well. Of the 8,700 new homes going up in Anaheim's Platinum Triangle "luxury urban high-rise" development, NONE of them will be available for the lower-income workers who already have jobs in the area. There's a dire need for affordable housing, but that need is just being ignored.
But you know what? It's not just Anaheim. It's the entire Southern California region that's facing this crisis of affordable housing. And what are they doing about it? Follow me after the flip for more...
The Los Angeles Times published a truly remarkable article today: "MTA Fears A Bottleneck At OC Line."
Basically, Metropolitan Transportation Authority is complaining the Orange County Transportation Authority's ongoing program of freeway widening is making MTA look bad. OCTA's freeway-centered investment collides with MTA's lightrail-centered priorities at the LA-OC county line in the form of traffic bottlenecks. It's a vivid illustration of the different outcomes of the two agencies priorities.
OCTA has funneled its money into transportation modes the vast majority of people actually use: freeway and roads. As a result, our freeways move faster than those in Los Angeles. The MTA, by contrast, has prioritized its money into modes of public transit that far fewer people use, i.e. light rail. Or as OCTA Director Jerry Amante put it:
"We build lanes, not trains."
And we're supposed to be proud of that? OK, so widened freeways may be useful in relieving traffic in the short-term. As long as we have all these cars on the road, we have to have something for them to drive on. But really, wouldn't some long-term solutions also help here?
Follow me after the flip for more as I explain why OCTA shouldn't exactly be gloating over this...
