Interview: Peace Activist Leslie Cagan

Leslie Cagan was a co-founder and the national director of United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ), America's largest peace coalition, since 2002. While she plans to stay active in the peace movement, Leslie (pictured at right) is stepping out of her national role with UFPJ. The organization has the tall order of filling her shoes and is searching for a new national director.

On the first night of the 4th General Assembly of the UFPJ in Chicago last Friday, I had camped out at a front row table hoping to get some good shots of the opening night speakers. A very nice woman, her partner, and her mother sat next to me. Then author/activist/policy analyst Phyllis Bennis and others joined the table. Later, author/activist/policy analyst Tom Hayden sat next to me. It turns out, the nice lady sitting next to me was Leslie, UFPJ national director, who I had never met before. She, Bennis, and Hayden were some of the speakers for the evening.

Showing true love and appreciation, a number of people shared hugs with Leslie. Throughout she verbalized the notion that she was not "retiring," explaining she was moving on to new challenges. Later, the capacity crowd gave Leslie a warm standing ovation in recognition of her significant contributions to UFPJ.

On last day of the assembly, I caught up with Leslie to get her views on the new challenges facing the peace movement in 2009, including the prospect of working with a new administration in the White House. The interview is posted below.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

[Cross posted from blog www.ricothomasrico.blogspot.com]

Standing Ovation for Leslie Cagan

_________________________________

Interview with Leslie Cagan,

Out-Going National Director of UFPJ

Oh, Canada

After hearing of the shoe-throwing incident in Iraq on the Sunday radio news, the very next news story announced that 3 Canadian soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Six Canadian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan over the last 10 days. A total of 103 Canadians have died there over 7 years.

The very night before, Christine Jones, the co-chair of the Canadian Peace Alliance (CPA), had addressed the American peace community in Chicago at the United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) General Assembly. Jones came with the news that the Prime Minister from Canada's current minority government is advocating that Canada spend $490 billion -- nearly a half of TRILLION dollars -- on defense spending over the next 20 years.

This proposal, Jones said, comes from the same government "mouthpieces" that say housing, education, and universal health care are unaffordable. Jones told the audience that "The reality is that (social spending) is utterly affordable. In fact, it is more than affordable. The problem is that our government -- all of our governments -- are being undemocratic with how they are choosing to spending our money."

I guess we do speak the same language -- and suffer similar injustices.

Our neighbor to the north talked passionately about the common peace issues shared by both Canadian and American communities. Furthermore, Jones explained that in 2010 Canada will host two major economic conferences, including the G-8, and the Olympics. She was very gracious in inviting UFPJ activists to come visit Canada in 2010.

Oh, Canada, look out.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Christine Jones,

Co-Chair of the Canadian Peace Alliance,

Addresses the UFPJ General Assembly

The Shoes Heard 'Round the World

Driving back home on Sunday I was blissfully isolated with big city radio programming, which is much more interesting and diverse than what I'm used to. Going out of range of the compelling sounds, the real world came back into focus as I had no other good radio choices other than NPR news. That's when I got first word that an Iraqi journalist threw not one, but two shoes at President George W. Bush. Undoubtedly, this incredible moment will forever represent the full and final repudiation of Bush's foreign policy legacy. Unfortunately, it may fully represent the world's attitude toward America's world-wide military bullying.

Now the bookends of Bush's presidency will be, first, the egging of his limo in Washington, D.C., during the 2001 inauguration after having stolen his first election. (If you did not see this episode, that's because the corporate establishment press did not cover it.) The second bookend will be the recent incident in the highly secured Green Zone in Iraq.

I thought Dick Cheney promised we would be greeted as liberators? Is this anyway to treat liberators???

Well, what most Americans lack is the perspective of the citizens of Iraq. Because, again, the corporate establishment doesn't allow it. So we generally don't know that Iraqis -- and a vast swath of world citizens for that matter -- despise America's policy of gun-tote diplomacy. Democracy is not a pleasant principle when it is delivered at the point of a gun.

Of course, it does not score America popularity points as we carry through on our principle mission of stealing the Iraqi oil supply. If you still believe otherwise -- including the false premises of WMDs or Iraq complicity in 9/11 -- you probably watch way too much FOX news and probably deserve to get a couple of shoes thrown at you.

This shoe-throwing incident should not be a surprise. The surprise is that it didn't happen earlier. Shoes could rightfully have been tossed by Bush's Katrina victims, torture victims, renditioned victims, domestic spy victims, economic crash victims...you name the rest.

The shoe toss incident reminded me of the poignant speech given by Iraqi journalist, entrepreneur, and activist Salim Talib to the General Assembly of the United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) on Saturday night, December 13, 2008. Talib's speech is provided below. I hope Americans now make an effort to seek out the views and voices of Iraqis like Talib. In this way, we can begin a reconciliation process, including new demands to bring our troops home. Now.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

[This was cross posted at www.ricothomasrico.blogspot.com and www.MichiganLiberal.com]

Iraq Journalist Salam Talib
addressing UFPJ General Assembly
13 December 2008

George W. Bush Presidential Library

Below is my rendition of the George W. Bush Presidential Library.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

George W. Bush Presidential Library

MMDFA XCom Says NO to Lieberman!

Thursday, November 13, 2008 – Mason, Michigan:

The Executive Committee of Mid-Michigan Democracy for America – one of the Greater Lansing Area’s most dynamic progressive action organizations – announces that they are taking a strong stand against the U.S. Senate’s 57+-member Democratic caucus giving one of the 17 Senate committee chairmanships to the caucus’ most wayward member, Independent Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman. While our group takes no position on whether Sen. Lieberman should remain a member of the caucus, we feel strongly that Senate chairmanships should not be awarded to a legislator that bucks both party and principle.

Sen. Lieberman has bucked principle in his past tenures as Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. In 2002, when President Bush nominated the former Judges and Stewards Commissioner for the International Arabian Horse Association – Michael “Brownie” Brown – to the position of Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Sen. Lieberman held a confirmation hearing that lasted only 42 minutes! The fact that an appointment of such tremendous importance to the American people was given to a person who was not competent for the position warranted no more attention from Sen. Lieberman is a serious lapse of professional judgment. Furthermore, since Sen. Lieberman regained the chairmanship of that committee in 2007 he has held not one, not a single investigation into the various shenanigans, failures, and yes, crimes of the Bush administration.

Sen. Lieberman has bucked the Democrats not just by being a lousy Senate committee chairman. He has also attacked the judgment and patriotism of President-elect Obama and was the most prominent Democratic critic of former President Clinton, yet has praised and campaigned with both President Bush and former Republican presidential nominee John McCain. He campaigned against the Democratic Senate candidates in both Minnesota and Maine this year. And in his 2006 re-election campaign he lied about wanting to bring the troops home from Iraq, then after being re-elected turned around and vilified the elected officials, candidates, and other Americans who held that position.

Finally, the fact that the Democratic party fails to stand up for itself against turncoats like Lieberman sends a signal to the American people that they are not fighters. It is hard for people to believe that a party that won’t fight for itself will stand up and fight for them against enemies either foreign or domestic. We urge our Michigan Senators Levin and Stabenow to stand up against granting Senator Lieberman a chairmanship. And we urge our Mid-Michigan members and fellow progressives to contact our senators before the Nov. 18th chairmanship vote and tell them how we feel:

The Hon. Carl Levin
269 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-6221

The Hon. Debbie Stabenow
133 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-4822

Sincerely,

Ted Kilvington
Chairman, Mid-Michigan Democracy for America

Si, Se Puede

We all, as a nation, have a date with destiny tomorrow. November 4, 2008. History. Me. You. Together.

It will be the dawn of a new era in the history of our long-suffering democracy in America. Regardless of the outcome, new challenges will greet us all when we awake on Wednesday morning.

A Facebook friend shared the video below with me tonight. Thanks, Patrick!

-- Rico Thomas Rico
This was cross posted from www.ricothomasrico.blogspot.com.

George Waldo Bush

Where in the world is Waldo?

I finally figured out what the W. stands for in George W. Bush.

The poster child of the Republican Party has come up missing again, this time just days before the election. N.Y. Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg writes about it today in her White House column titled (print edition), "A President Vanishes, And No One Asks Why." Bush, apparently, is deliberately lying low for the sake of the McCain-Palin ticket. He doesn't want to remind voters of the disaster that has been the ultra-conservative policies of the Republican Party and his presidency, all of which McCain and Palin have supported.

This disappearing act is his presidential M.O. As president he came up missing during the Katrina disaster. He was nonexistent in the Palestine-Israel issue for seven years. You couldn't find him at this summer's Republican Party convention. He has been an empty suit as the Wall Street meltdown has been unfolding. Now days leading to the election of his successor, George Waldo Bush is basically a shadow of his empty self.

None of this surprises me. I understand the Air National Guard is still looking for the AWOL Waldo.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

This was cross-posted from www.ricothomasrico.blogspot.com.

Have You Seen George Waldo Bush?

Depicting Disaster: Oliver Stone's W.

Movie director Oliver Stone should be kicking himself right about now. His lack of patience – and possible underestimation of his topic’s utter incompetence – obviously caused him to rush the biopic of George W. Bush to the screen. At “The End” of this movie, the Katrina debacle had not happened, nor had the pending U.S.-led worldwide economic meltdown. As a result, this seemingly first-draft screenplay fails to fairly and completely capture the historical disaster that is the real W. As a result, Stone’s product is disappointing, leaving the door open for someone like Michael Moore or Spike Lee to do the 3-hour bio-tragedy of – we hope – America’s last Bush president. Still, Stone’s treatment of America’s worst presidency – including the cast of enablers who surrounded him – should not be missed, especially by all the people (now in hiding) who voted for W twice.

Stone’s task in depicting George W. Bush was not an easy task. Where do you start with so much incompetence to choose from? Yet Stone misses a couple key points in W’s life story. First, he focused too much on W’s baseball team ownership and completely bypassed the subject’s failure as a businessman. W’s penchant to drag down his corporate ventures through financial shenanigans, as exhibited by the handling of Arbusto Energy, Spectrum 7 Energy Systems, and Harken Energy, portended his neglectful, shallow leadership that would eventually lead to the bankruptcy of America. Stone just couldn’t wait for it all to play out.

Incredibly, Stone misses a second key point to W’s story. His sympathetic portrait of “Poppy” – George H.W. Bush – sheds little light on the workings and influence – and continued failed judgment – of America’s oligarchy as represented by the Bush family. The senior Bush is depicted as a respectable elder statesman while ignoring his central role in selling us out to China, in building the American security state, in the Iran-Contra Affair, in the original Savings & Loan theft, and, finally, in bestowing the oligarchic legacy of American leadership to his bumbling son. Stone, most likely, made a movie about the wrong Bush or let’s hope there is prequel in the works called “H.W.”

The theater was filled Friday night for the opening and I hope more people go see this movie. I should warn the reader: the movie is NOT a comedy, as the official trailer running on television is trying to sell it. Yes, there were some chuckle points at different parts to the movie. It is starkly evident to the audience that the story of W is neither fun nor funny, no matter how marketers, Washington, and Hollywood sell it. We’re not buying anymore – we can’t afford it.
-- Rico Thomas Rico

[This movie review was cross-posted from www.ricothomasrico.blogspot.com.]

W. Trailer Featuring Talking Heads Soundtrack

Progressives: Get Your Peace On!

While Wall Street melts down, people and progressive activists must still keep things together for the sake of the country. We must continue our work addressing serious peace and justice issues facing our communities. Below is a listing of events -- bundled as "Peace Week" -- that will take place in the Greater Lansing (Michigan) area during the days, October 4 - 9, 2008.

So check out the schedule and get your Peace on! Hope to see you at these events!

PEACE WEEK

Saturday, October 4, 2008
"Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free,A Road Map for U.S. Energy Policy"
with Dr. Arjun Makhijani, Nuclear Engineer
at Michigan State University's Berkey Hall, Room 110,
on Grand River Avenue, East Lansing Michigan

Currently, Michigan and U.S. energy policy is at the center of legislative agendas as well as Presidential Campaigns. Please plan to attend these timely and important forums.Arjun Makhijani is President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research in Takoma Park, Maryland. He earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley in 1972, specializing in nuclear fusion. A recognized authority on energy issues, Dr. Makhijani is the author and co-author of numerous reports and books on energy and environment related issues. He was the principal author of the first study of the energy efficiency potential of the US economy published in 1971. He is the author of Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free: A Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy (2007).

Sunday, October 5, 2008
Cost of War Exhibit in Lansing's Old Town
12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
1310 Turner Street,
Lansing, Michigan

The "Cost of War" national exhibit features 10 cloth banners, attached to five 12-foot stands emphasizing the cost of the Iraq War ($720 million a day) and what the money could buy. It will be on display on Sunday, October 5th and again on November 2nd. The event is co-sponsored by the Red Cedar Friends Meeting and Goldenrod Distribution, as well as the Peace Education Center, Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice, and Edgewood United Church.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Potluck Peace Dinner featuring the Wheels of Justice
6 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church,
215 N. Capitol, Lansing, Michigan

The community is invited to a community potluck dinner with Greater Lansing's peace community. The Peace Education Center is hosting the potluck at Central United Methodist Church in Lansing. Guests from the Wheels of Justice tour will be the special guests: Dan Pearson, co-coordinator for Voices of Creative Nonviolence, and Ceylon Mooney, former co-coordinator for Voices in the Wilderness and co-founder of the Wheels of Justice. Local peace groups will be welcome to report on their activities, as well.

Join us for an engaging evening and enjoy dinner -- and still have time to get home to watch the presidential debates!

The event is free and open to the public. Please bring a dish to pass if possible.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Wheels of Justice: Discussion Peace & Nonviolent Resistance
10 a.m. at Lansing Community College,
Arts & Sciences Room 205B,
Lansing, Michigan

Also on Wednesday Evening:

7 p.m., Michigan State University's
International Center, Room 303,
East Lansing, Michigan

The Wheels of Justice tour will stop at Lansing Community College and Michigan State University's International Center (Room 303). The guest speakers will talk about their first-hand experience seeing and living with war, terror, and occupation in Iraq and Palestine. Speakers include Dan Pearson, the co-coordinator for Voices for Creative Non-Violence, who also works for the Catholic Worker Community in Chicago, and Ceylon Mooney, the former co-coordinator of Voices in the Wilderness and co-founder of the Wheels of Justice. The venues will allow for an intimate and lively discussion of the issues.

Thursday, October 9th
Cluster Bomb Survivors' Tour
7 p.m. at Michigan Statue University's Kedzie Hall
Speakers from Afghanistan and Lebanon as well as the mother of a U.S. marine killed by a U.S. cluster munition will be featured in the Cluster Bomb Survivors' Tour.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

[This is cross-posted from http://www.ricothomasrico.blogspot.com/]

An Open Letter to Mid-Michigan's Federal Legislators

To: The Hon. Carl Levin
The Hon. Debbie Stabenow
The Hon. Mike Rogers
The Hon. Tim Walberg

CC: Their Constituents

Re: The Paulson Bailout Plan

My name is Ted Kilvington and I am the Chairman of the Mid-Michigan chapter of Democracy for America. DFA was founded in 2004 by former Vermont Governor Howard Dean to advocate for socially progressive, fiscally responsible causes and candidates. Our members – hard-working, taxpaying Americans of all faiths, races, genders, incomes, and sexual orientations – represent Main Street American values here in Mid-Michigan. And it is because of our commitment to fiscal responsibility that I am especially concerned about the “Wall Street Crisis” in Washington.

In 2008 there has been a tremendous amount of volatility in the U.S. economy, primarily in the finance sectors. With numerous commercial banks and investment firms going under, there has been pressure on the U.S. government to relieve their financial burdens. To that end one week ago today U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson proposed a $700,000,000,000 plan for the federal government to purchase bad debts held by some of the struggling financial institutions – both domestic and foreign – with no oversight whatsoever. Since the federal government does not have the cash on hand to pay for this, the money would have to borrowed, largely from foreign governments and repaid to them with interest. Estimates have placed the average American family’s tax burden for this would be at least $10,000. This plan is unacceptable to Main Street Americans and should be unacceptable to both our Republican and Democratic legislators in Washington as well.

There is no doubt that banks and financial industry companies are failing. This year BearSterns, AIG and now Washington Mutual – to name just three – have collapsed with hundreds of billions at stake. Wall Street has every reason to be scared. But so does Main Street. We are being asked to bail out the failed leadership of the same executives who mismanaged our economy into this mess. And we are being asked to do so even though our friends and families will continue to live through the foreclosure shocks to our communities.

I strongly urge Mid-Michigan’s legislators of both parties to reject any plan which puts Wall Street ahead of Main Street. If Main Street Americans cannot rely on our legislators to support us in Washington, they should not expect our support on election day.

(Note: This letter does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the members of either DFA or MMDFA.)

cross-posted at MichiganLiberal.com and BloggingForMichigan.com

I'm a Little Confused...

Got this message from a friend via email. Don't know the source or author, but I thought it was worth sharing.


I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.....

* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're"exotic, different."


* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.
__________

* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.

* Name your kids Willow,Trig and Track, and you're a maverick.
__________

* Graduate from Harvard law School and be President of the Law Review, and you are unstable.

* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
__________

* If you spend 3 years as a community organizer, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs,Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.

* If your 20 total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people,then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
__________

* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.

* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
__________

* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

* If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.
__________

* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community,then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.

* If your husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DUI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.
___________

OK, much clearer now.

Conservatives: If the Lipstick Fits, Wear It

[This is cross posted from www.ricothomasrico.blogspot.com.]

Everyday it is becoming more apparent. The Republican Party is full of self-hating Americans. Can't-Do Conservatives is what I call them. If the lipstick fits, you conservatives gotta wear it. Then look in the mirror to see what you've become.

The Issues

National health care: Can't-Do Conservatives say it can't be done successfully in the U.S., while every democracy in Europe provides care for its citizens without becoming a Socialist outpost. Why do the Can't-Dos think so little of our American ability and ingenuity?

Government Spending: Can't-Do Conservatives complain loudly about government spending but, at the same time, have no problem spending $720 million American dollars A DAY illegally occupying Iraq, which had no role in the 9/11 attack, had no weapons of mass destruction, and had no other sin other than having the third largest oil reserves stewing under its land.

Budget Deficits: Can't-Do Conservatives complain about government spending but have no qualms about giving massive tax cuts to their Can't-Do Cronies, the rich, the super rich, and the power elite. Everyone else gets the occasional rebate check, but this, too, it put on the National Credit Card for future generations to pay. Can't meet our national priorities? We can if we eliminate the tax cuts for the Cronies of Can't-Dos.

Education: Can't-Do Conservatives don't seem to think Americans should fully fund schools. They diss teachers; they disdain university professors. They preach support for education, but expound against smart people. Basically, Can't-Do Conservatives support educated people, but only if they are taught their rigid ideology. Truth and an educated populace are like Kryptonite to Can't-Do Conservatives and their hold on power.

Community Organizing: The Can't-Do Conservatives disrespect and chide community organizers. If you organize, volunteer, and support community organizations, this means you! These Can't-Do Conservatives think you're a sucker or a chump if you work within your community for the following:

The United Way
The Red Cross
Planned Parenthood
American Foundation for the Blind
The League of Women Voters
Michigan Arts Council
United Negro College Fund
The Sierra Club
Citizens for Better Care
March of Dimes
American Civil Liberties Union
Make A Wish Foundation
Peace Education Center
Capital Area Literacy Coalition
UNICEF
Amnesty International
NAACP
American Cancer Society
Humane Society
Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund
Reading is Fundamental
PTA
Little League Baseball
Rotary
OXFAM
Michigan Environmental Council

...and the list goes on and on.

Half of the time with community organizing, we are trying to fix problems that Can't-Do Conservatives have created and perpetuated. If the lipstick fits...you gotta wear it.

Can't-Do Conservative Standard Bearers

The current standard bearers for Can't-Do Conservatives are John McCain and Sarah Palin. They clearly and proudly have carried this mantle since accepting their political party nomination. It's obvious, too, that they have a chorus of support from the arch-conservative pundits on radio and television, as well as from stalwarts throughout the Republican Party.

If you're part of this conservative, Republican crowd, get your lipstick because, undeniably, you gotta wear it.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

George W. Bush's Mission Accomplished

You can easily find the first hint of George W. Bush's legacy at the gas pump. It's not hard to predict that the prices will continue to dip slightly leading up to the election as the tail wags the dog. But you can be assured that the prices will make a healthy climb again after the election and will continue to rise until Bush leaves office. At that point, George W. Bush accurately can say, "Mission Accomplished."

-- Rico Thomas Rico


Note: This has been cross posted from www.ricothomasrico.blogspot.com.

A Bumper Sticker Message for Sarah Palin

I love a good bumper sticker. I saw the one shown below driving through East Lansing, Michigan last week. It's sorta appropriate now, considering John McCain's selection of an extreme, right wing, religous zealot in Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. I should point out, further, that Palin's qualifications for the office are about as thick as a bumper sticker.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Welcome to St. Paul, You're Under Arrest

[Cross-Posted from www.ricothomasrico.blogspot.com]

St. Paul, Minnesota tags itself as the "most livable city in America." The city, at this moment, doesn't seem too inviting, especially if you are an American activist exercising -- or planning to exercise -- your free speech rights or if you are an independent American journalist exercising your free press rights.

As co-chair of the Peace Education Center of Greater Lansing, I started getting reports on Saturday, August 30, 2008, via email from people (independently of each other) reporting from St. Paul that police were conducting raids on activists and activists' homes as a lead up to the Republican National Convention. Read about it here. Now word comes today that Amy Goodman and two of her producers from the award-winning Democracy Now! news program were arrested today. See her arrest here:

Amy Goodman Arrested in St. Paul



All of this is on the heals of a Code Pink activist being viciously attacked by the Denver Police last week during the Democratic National Convention. See the attack here:

Code Pink Activist Attacked by Denver Police



This police brutality against activists and journalists will be a hot action item on the Peace Education Center's agenda at its monthly board meeting on Thursday, September 4th. In the meantime, we'll be encouraging those of us not at the convention site to call St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's office beginning Tuesday morning at 651-266-8510.

And, apparently, the City of St. Paul has a Human Rights office and its phone number is 651-266-8966. W.H. Tyrone Terrill is the Director of the Human Rights office.

Democracy Now! has called on all journalists and concerned citizens to phone Christine Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0). The last word at this point is that Goodman has been released but two DN! producers, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, were being held for "suspicion of rioting."

As the work week starts Tuesday morning, I hope Mayor Coleman's marketing staff revamps the city's web site to read: "Welcome to St. Paul, where Free speech and Free Press are not."

Call List for Tuesday

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
651-266-8510

W.H. Tyrone Terrill
Director, St. Paul Human Rights Dept.
651-266-8966

Christine Rider
Mayor Coleman's Staff
651-266-8535

Ramsey County Jail
651-266-9350 (press extension 0)

The Picnic Pictures, The Music Video

Here is the music video!

Hot Fun in the Summertime: DFA-Style!

It was all good summer fun for Mid-Michigan progressives last Wednesday. The "Picnic for Progressives" had a little everything: political chit-chat and cold soda pop...potato chips and two local candidates...veg dogs and Democrats...a summer cloud burst and an air of Obama optimism.

Approximately 28 people attended the August 13th picnic held by Michigan Democracy for America (DFA). The picnic was held instead of the group's regular August meeting. Still, the group managed to have fun, to have a picnic and to make two key endorsements.

Mid-Michigan DFA unanimously supported the candidacy of Judy Ford, a progressive Democrat running for the 85th State House seat. Judy brought her family and spent the evening mingling and talking with everyone. She addressed the group and received enthusiastic support.

Greg Crockett, a progressive candidate for Ingham County Probate Court, discussed a wide-range of topics as he had an extensive give-and-take with Mid-Michigan DFA members. Greg also received the group's unanimous support and endorsement.

Mid-Michigan DFA also welcomed Chad Cyrowski representing incumbent Ingham County Drain Commissioner Pat Lindemann, who was endorsed earlier this year. Chad reported on the post-primary results and, as Pat's campaign manager, he promised that Pat's campaign would not slow down.

To see all the pictures of the picnic, please click here.

Picnic Slide Show

A Picnic with Progressives - You're Invited!

Mid-Michigan
Democracy for America
invites you,
your family,
your friends

to a free picnic

with progressives

Wednesday,
August 13, 2008
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Patriarche Park

on Alton Road in
East Lansing, Michigan

Free
Hot Dogs (and Soy Dogs)
and Soda Pop
will be provided

Please bring a dish

to pass or munchies.

***

You can let's know you're coming

by sending a email message to

midmichigandfa@yahoo.com

***

We Want Obama! The Music Video

Below is the music video that I pulled together using the photos I shot at the Obama event ticket giveaway at Lansing's Gone Wired Cafe last week. Turn up volume and click play.

Greater Lansing Wants Obama!

The Newest John McCain Campaign Button

Here is the newest John McCain Campaign Button:

Exclusive Interview: Jim Dean, DFA National Chair

After working out some technical kinks, I am now in the process of rolling out and publishing on the web various recordings that I have shot over that last six weeks or so. I am presenting here my one-on-on one interview with Jim Dean, the DFA National Chair who was in Lansing for the DFA Campaign Academy in early June 2008.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

The Lost Slide Show: What Democracy Looks Like!

Many thanks go out to the Ingham County Democratic Party (IDCP) which invited me to speak before their monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. As luck would have it, my technology -- specifically the slide show that I wanted to show as part of my presentation about the Lansing area peace community -- did not work. My co-chair at the Peace Education Center, Melissa Osborn, was gracious in helping talk about ongoing peace issues and actions, and in filling the gap left by the lost slide show. My wife, Ruth, navigated graciously in helping with all the equipment and set-up. (The mistake was mine, as the slide show was neatly tucked away in an obscure corner of the jump drive. Opps!)

I plan to send the ICDP a link to my slide show to share with their members via email. In the meantime, the video slide show is shown below. Thanks again to the IDCP!

-- Rico Thomas Rico

P.S. The video below is a new, expanded rendition of an earlier slide show by the Peace Education Center recapping some of the peace action in Lansing during 2007 and 2008.

"What Democracy Looks Like!"

Video Report: Jim Dean's Lunchtime Chat

Through storms, power outages, new software, and new hi-def camera, I was finally able to work through the kinks to publish the first of many (I hope) video projects. Below is the recording of DFA chair Jim Dean's lunchtime chat with the DFA Campaign Academy in Lansing, Michigan on June 8, 2008. Check it out.

-- Rico Thomas Rico


Jim Dean Talks to DFA Campaign Academy June 2008 from Rico Thomas Rico on Vimeo.

Mid-Michigan DFA Supports Obama, Renner, & Justice for Paredes

Mid-Michigan Democracy for America reflected its wide-ranging interest in progressive politics and policies with three key actions at its meeting tonight.

Mid-Michigan DFA not only voted unanimous support for Barack Obama, but it also -- in keeping with its strong support for grassroots activism -- endorsed progressive candidate Richard Renner for Missaukee County Commission. The organization focused attention on the upcoming presidential election, as well as local election races involving Renner, Mark Schauer, and others. More endorsements will be considered at next month's meeting on July 9th. Candidates seeking Mid-Michigan DFA's endorsement should request an endorsement application by sending an e-mail message to midmichigandfa@yahoo.com.

Additionally, Mid-Michigan DFA unanimously supported Efren Paredes, Jr.'s request for a commuted sentence or pardon from Governor Jennifer Granholm. Efren was unjustly convicted of murder when he was 15 years old and sentenced to 3 life terms. Mid-Michigan DFA will be sending an official letter to the Governor in support of Efren. Also, the group decided to donate the monthly donations collected tonight to Efren's legal defense fund. More information about this case will be posted here in the next few days.

Finally, the group decided to hold a picnic at its August meeting in East Lansing's Patriarche Park. It will be August 13, 2008. Mark your calendar. More details will follow.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Richard Renner (center) Addresses Mid-Michigan DFA

DFA Campaign Academy: Day Two Report

It took a tornado, local fire regulations, and a persistent LCC police officer to end the Democracy for America (DFA) Campaign Academy on Sunday, June 9, 2008. The Big Blue Tsunami turned out to be a big ass tornado ripping through mid-Michigan. Always be careful what you ask for.

Timing is everything, too. I volunteered to take trainer Michael Cook to the airport on Sunday afternoon. Just after I dropped him off, the storm hit as I drove south on Waverly Road in Lansing. I knew it was bad when it started to rain sideways and trees were leaning over the road. By the time I reached Snow Road, traffic lights were out and a Consumers Power crew was guarding a live wire lying in the street. The conference center was completely dark as I dodged tree limbs along the winding drive leading to the facility.

I got a Facebook friend request from Michael today, so obviously his plane made it safely out of Lansing some way, some how.

DAY TWO TRAINING


Day Two of DFA Campaign Academy was as fast-paced as the previous one. Working the registration table, I spent most of my time in the lobby assisting people and snapping photos between sessions. Still, I had the privilege of meeting and talking with national DFA director Jim Dean who – impressively – arrived on Day Two to spend time with the academy attendees. My one-on-one interview with Jim and his lunchtime remarks will be posted tomorrow.

The full energy of the academy – the energy generated by the enthusiasm of the attending activists – was fully evident after the storm knocked out the conference center’s power. We had one and a half sessions left. You would think that people would want to cut their losses and scamper home at that point. But, no, we finished one session and started the final one before the LCC police told us – twice – that we had to leave the building because there was no longer any fire protection. These activists did not want to leave! That kind of dedication, energy and enthusiasm won a Stanley Cup for the Detroit Red Wings the previous week – and it will do the same for progressives across Michigan this fall. It’s in the air – and the rain and the wind. Can you feel it?

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Pictured Above: Genesee County Young Democrats

See the Day Two photos here.

See the Day One photos here.

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The conversations and collaboration started over the weekend at the DFA Campaign Academy will continue locally at Mid-Michigan DFA’s monthly meeting on Wednesday.

Mid-Michigan Democracy for America (DFA) meets the second Wednesday of each month at the SEIU building, 1026 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 7 p.m. All progressives are welcome. Pizza and soda pop are served to feed the on-the-go busy activist

DFA Campaign Academy: Day 1 Report

I spent this hot Saturday with various Michigan politicos at the Democracy for America (DFA) Campaign Academy at the air-conditioned confines of LCC West Campus conference center. It was Day One of a two-day training that is helping local progressive candidates and campaign volunteers sharpen their skills for the primary and general election season. This is the first wave of the Big Blue Tsunami that is going to hit this country on November 4, 2008.

When the national DFA office described the daily sessions as intensive, they weren’t kidding. The morning and afternoon workshops were fast-paced, fact-filled, and never boring. The trainers for the day – Matt Blizek, Michael Cook, and Dan Farough – were top-notch and generous in sharing their real-world campaign experience and knowledge. If you like political organizing and strategizing, this was day in heaven. I’m looking forward to Day Two.

As one of the local organizers of this event – I’m part of Mid-Michigan DFA activists who are co-hosting the training – I was pleased by the diversity and energy of the attendees. The diversity was widely mixed by race, gender, age, and geographical representation. Furthermore, I was heartened to see and hear the enthusiasm of attending candidates and future-candidates, especially those who are jumping into local races for the first time. Lots of people complain about the “system” but these people are setting out to change it.

We capped the day off at Mid-Michigan DFA’s “Social Convention” in downtown Lansing. This was a great networking opportunity as most of the conference attendees relaxed over dinner and drinks. There was no shortage of insider political news, stories, and insights. Reports were passed around about Hillary’s “concession” speech today. Speculation over Obama’s running mate ranged from fanciful long shots like Bill Bradley and Barbara Boxer to the overly-practical choices like Wesley Clark and Evan Bayh. Regardless, everyone seemed eager to hit the campaign trail for Obama.

With this kind of enthusiasm, McCain’s Navy background will come in handy. The Big Blue Tsunami is going to be an awful big wave.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

To see the Day One DFA Training Academy photos from Lansing on Flickr you should click here.

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Mid-Michigan Democracy for America (DFA) meets the second Wednesday of each month at the SEIU building, 1026 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 7 p.m. All progressives are welcome. Pizza and soda pop are served to feed the on-the-go busy activist.

MMDFA Endorses Mark Schauer, Plans Fundraiser

Lost in recent political buzz swirling around the Michigan presidential primary was the news that Mid-Michigan Democracy for America (MMDFA) endorsed Mark Schauer for the 7th Congressional seat. Schauer currently serves as the state senator from Michigan's 19th Senate district. He will challenge Tim Walberg, the arch-conservative who currently holds the seat.

Schauer met with approximately 20 MMDFA members at the organization's monthly meeting on January 9, 2008. After Schauer fielded a number of questions about the environment, energy policy, and other topics, the membership voted unanimously to endorse Schauer.

To back up its endorsement, MMDFA's federal PAC has scheduled a fundraiser for Schauer on February 19, 2008, 5pm - 7:30pm, in East Lansing. The suggested donation is $25, but all are welcome.

For more details, send an email message to the following:
midmichigandfa@yahoo.com

or visit Mid-Michigan DFA on Facebook.

MMDFA is a grassroots activist organization that works with the national progressive movement inspired by Howard Dean's Democracy for America. The organization supports socially progressive and fiscally responsible political candidates, officeholders, and policies at all levels of government. Mid-Michigan DFA is dedicated to building a progressive, grassroots movement from the bottom up by encouraging participation, input, communication, and cooperation.

MMDFA's next meeting will be Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the SEIU building on E. Michigan Avenue in downtown Lansing, Michigan. All Mid-Michigan progressives are welcome.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Mark Schauer discusses issues with Mid-Michigan DFA

And now for something different...

(NOT SAFE FOR WORK!!!)

As a government employee, I take pride in my work. So do the members of AFSCME:



Is it wrong to take so much pride in your work?

Now, the Republican party is the scourge of government employees, chief among them George W. Bush. We've heard a lot lately about what might happen after he leaves office. But what if he decides not to leave? Here's one view of what might happen:



But how likely is that to happen? (Sometimes I wonder....) But sometimes former presidents still play positive roles in national and world affairs. Check out what Jimmy Carter had to say at the following URL: http://www.theonion.com/content/opinion/i_got_what_america_needs_right .