"When big businesses are in trouble, they don't go bankrupt, they go to Ottawa or Washington," Nader said. "Only small companies seem to have the right to go bankrupt." His talk followed a keynote panel discussion on the effectiveness of the nearly $4 billion Canada spends each year on foreign aid.
read more | digg story
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
States try to pull plug on 'robo-calls'
States try to disconnect computer-generated political calls that are flooding the nation's households at election time. More than 5 million automated "robo-calls" have been made to potential voters in early primary states. The number of robo-calls could run into the hundreds of millions this election year as the political parties battle...
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Candidate Jared Ball Cedes Campaign to Endorse Cynthia McKinney
At the Green Party Debate held on Sunday, January 13 in San Francisco, the DC based activist Jared Ball announced that he would give up his campaign and fully support Cynthia McKinney. This came as a surprise to the other candidates who had all come there to introduce themselves to the Bay Area Greens and beyond.
The debate is experiencing a life beyond a sunny Sunday. Recorded live with commentary by Pacifica's KPFA, it was later rebroadcast with a call-in hour following it. There were also a smattering of videographers. Link TV and Polidoc Productions teamed to provide the footage for the party's archival purposes which has been posted.
So why, at the point where Dr. Ball would receive a national ear did he turn over his campaign ? Having interviewed him several times, it was evident that he was brooding over something throughout the debate. He is normally a vibrant, generous and warm powerhouse.
All of the candidates have come from activist backgrounds, working with their local Green parties to highlight the issues affecting their own communities. Dr. Ball's message is not one about environmentalism as many understand it. However, the lack of voting rights for residents of Washington D.C. is both one of social and environmental justice. Residents of that political enclave cannot vote for who the next President will be, yet they are very much affected by whomever is in office. The last 7.5 years have been particularly bad for them.
Cynthia McKinney's platform includes one of Dr. Ball's main concerns, which is the systemic imprisonment of black men. Perhaps her evident strength among California constituents was enough to persuade him to relinquish at the venue. After the debate, Dr. Ball had a private meeting with Ms. McKinney, presumably to discuss how they will work together in her continuing campaign.
While campaigning in California in mid-December Dr. Ball and Head-Roc stopped in for an interview with Dave Brooksher of KHSU 99.5 FM Public Radio in Northern California.
To understand Dr. Ball's campaign, it is well worth listening to the following radio program provided courtesy of Head-Roc in two parts:
part one
part two
The debate is experiencing a life beyond a sunny Sunday. Recorded live with commentary by Pacifica's KPFA, it was later rebroadcast with a call-in hour following it. There were also a smattering of videographers. Link TV and Polidoc Productions teamed to provide the footage for the party's archival purposes which has been posted.
So why, at the point where Dr. Ball would receive a national ear did he turn over his campaign ? Having interviewed him several times, it was evident that he was brooding over something throughout the debate. He is normally a vibrant, generous and warm powerhouse.
All of the candidates have come from activist backgrounds, working with their local Green parties to highlight the issues affecting their own communities. Dr. Ball's message is not one about environmentalism as many understand it. However, the lack of voting rights for residents of Washington D.C. is both one of social and environmental justice. Residents of that political enclave cannot vote for who the next President will be, yet they are very much affected by whomever is in office. The last 7.5 years have been particularly bad for them.
Cynthia McKinney's platform includes one of Dr. Ball's main concerns, which is the systemic imprisonment of black men. Perhaps her evident strength among California constituents was enough to persuade him to relinquish at the venue. After the debate, Dr. Ball had a private meeting with Ms. McKinney, presumably to discuss how they will work together in her continuing campaign.
While campaigning in California in mid-December Dr. Ball and Head-Roc stopped in for an interview with Dave Brooksher of KHSU 99.5 FM Public Radio in Northern California.
To understand Dr. Ball's campaign, it is well worth listening to the following radio program provided courtesy of Head-Roc in two parts:
part one
part two
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Bay Area California Green Parties Host "A Debate that Matters"
Presidential Candidates vying for the Green Party nomination will debate on Sunday, January 13 at the beautiful Herbst Theater in San Francisco, CA from 2 pm - 4 pm.
Those in attendance include:
- Jared Ball
- Jesse Johnson
- Kent Mesplay
- Cynthia McKinney
- Kat Swift
The debate will be moderated by Activist Cindy Sheehan and Bay Area Green Party members and office holders Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, School board member Mark Sanchez and former Supervisor Matt Gonzalez and On-Air personality Aimee Allison. Candidates will also address audience questions.
The debate, which was planned over this last month by Alameda and San Francisco County Green Parties, is very significant. It will be the only opportunity for these candidates to face off before Super Tuesday. Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney will be the major draw for the event. Greens are eager to hear the two leading candidates hammer at the issues that seem to escape the debates of the Democrats and Republicans. The Iraq War, Economic Justice and the Ecology will dominate the floor. Yet to be seen is how well will the the lesser known candidates appear against these two mighty contenders. They are each articulate and caring and informed in their own rights, but have only worked on local and state levels previously.
The short notice of the debate puts the less robustly financed candidates in a difficult position as they scramble to find a home at which to stay in the Bay Area. To not show up slices him/her out of a significant opportunity to get their message and name known on a national level. The debate will be videtaped and uploaded to YouTube and promoted on Green Party list-servs and websites.
Jared Ball of Washington D.C. returns to the Bay Area after having just campaigned in California in mid-December, despite the pressures of having a new baby at home and a professorial job. Jesse Johnson, who is challenging the West Virginia Election Board to get the Green Party on the ballot, was caught by surprise by the short notice; his delay in confirming his attendance resulted in his name not being included in on-air and print material. Kat Swift, the sixth candidate has made a sudden change as well and will be coming out.
Elaine Brown, activist and former Black Panther Party leader, removed herself from the race two weeks ago.
The video will be available several days after the debate. KPFA will be broadcasting the debate. Democracy Now and Polidoc Productions will be working together to create an archival video of the event.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Green Party Leaders Protest Exclusion of Anti-War Candidates from Debates
WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders and candidates protested the exclusion of Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, and Ron Paul from primary presidential debates sponsored by major news organizations.
Greens noted that Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Gravel, and Mr. Paul hold strong positions against the Iraq war and other Bush policies, in agreement with most Americans but contrary to the positions of other Democrats and Republicans running for the White House.
Mr. Kucinich, like the Green Party, favors single-payer national health care, unlike his fellow Democratic presidential candidates and the major media, which rely on corporate campaign contributions and advertising dollars from insurance firms, HMOs, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Mr. Kucinich was excluded from an ABC TV debate on January 5.
The six candidates for the Green Party's presidential nomination, all of whom oppose the war, will be featured in upcoming Green debates. The first debate will take place in San Francisco on January 13 . The nomination will be decided at the Green Party's 2008 national convention, July 10-13 in Chicago.
• Jody Grage, treasurer of the Green Party of the United States: "In democratic elections, voters have a right to be informed about all the candidates whose names they'll see on the ballot. Fox and ABC TV have violated the public interest and their licenses to use the publicly owned airwaves. They're acting like the official news bureaus of dictatorships."
• Jason Wallace, peace activist, Iraq War veteran, and Green candidate for Congress in Illinois (11th district) : "It's no accident that Kucinich, Gravel, and Paul -- the most vocal opponents of the Iraq invasion -- are getting shut out of the debates. While the Democratic and Republican parties and big media conglomerates try to close down serious public discussion over the Iraq war, the Green Party's 'Peace Slate' will continue to represent the opinion of most Americans, whom poll after poll have shown oppose the war. On Election Day 2008, the only truly antiwar candidates on the ballot will be from the Green Party or another third party or will be independent."
• Rodger Jennings, Green candidate for Congress in Illinois (12th District) : "The Democratic and Republican parties and media companies like Fox and ABC have censored the opinions of the majority of Americans, who want to see a quick end to the Iraq War. It's revealing that Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee won in Iowa. Among the frontrunners within their respective parties, they've been the most critical of President Bush's foreign policies. But Mr. Huckabee has only criticized the Bush Administration's strategic blunders in Iraq, rather the war itself. While Mr. Obama has opposed the war, he only favors a vague and delayed timetable for partial withdrawal of troops, which suggests that the occupation will continue in some form regardless of which Democratic frontrunner might be elected in November. Mr. Obama has also added his voice to the military threat against Iran, and says nothing about holding the Bush Administration and war profiteers accountable for their crimes. Unfortunately, voters are being denied the chance to hear the real antiwar candidates and are being told that Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, and Ron Paul shouldn't be taken seriously."
• John Walsh, Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party delegate to the Green Party's National Committee: "In recent elections, the Commission on Presidential Debates, the corporate-owned body controlled by the two established parties, has only allowed Democratic and Republican presidential candidates and has barred Green, independent, and other candidates from participating. We urge all Americans -- especially those who oppose bipartisan warhawk policies on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran -- to speak out in demand of fair elections and election coverage, and inclusion of all qualified candidates in the debates, regardless of their positions or party memberships."
Greens noted that Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Gravel, and Mr. Paul hold strong positions against the Iraq war and other Bush policies, in agreement with most Americans but contrary to the positions of other Democrats and Republicans running for the White House.
Mr. Kucinich, like the Green Party, favors single-payer national health care, unlike his fellow Democratic presidential candidates and the major media, which rely on corporate campaign contributions and advertising dollars from insurance firms, HMOs, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Mr. Kucinich was excluded from an ABC TV debate on January 5.
The six candidates for the Green Party's presidential nomination, all of whom oppose the war, will be featured in upcoming Green debates. The first debate will take place in San Francisco on January 13 . The nomination will be decided at the Green Party's 2008 national convention, July 10-13 in Chicago.
• Jody Grage, treasurer of the Green Party of the United States: "In democratic elections, voters have a right to be informed about all the candidates whose names they'll see on the ballot. Fox and ABC TV have violated the public interest and their licenses to use the publicly owned airwaves. They're acting like the official news bureaus of dictatorships."
• Jason Wallace, peace activist, Iraq War veteran, and Green candidate for Congress in Illinois (11th district) : "It's no accident that Kucinich, Gravel, and Paul -- the most vocal opponents of the Iraq invasion -- are getting shut out of the debates. While the Democratic and Republican parties and big media conglomerates try to close down serious public discussion over the Iraq war, the Green Party's 'Peace Slate' will continue to represent the opinion of most Americans, whom poll after poll have shown oppose the war. On Election Day 2008, the only truly antiwar candidates on the ballot will be from the Green Party or another third party or will be independent."
• Rodger Jennings, Green candidate for Congress in Illinois (12th District) : "The Democratic and Republican parties and media companies like Fox and ABC have censored the opinions of the majority of Americans, who want to see a quick end to the Iraq War. It's revealing that Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee won in Iowa. Among the frontrunners within their respective parties, they've been the most critical of President Bush's foreign policies. But Mr. Huckabee has only criticized the Bush Administration's strategic blunders in Iraq, rather the war itself. While Mr. Obama has opposed the war, he only favors a vague and delayed timetable for partial withdrawal of troops, which suggests that the occupation will continue in some form regardless of which Democratic frontrunner might be elected in November. Mr. Obama has also added his voice to the military threat against Iran, and says nothing about holding the Bush Administration and war profiteers accountable for their crimes. Unfortunately, voters are being denied the chance to hear the real antiwar candidates and are being told that Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, and Ron Paul shouldn't be taken seriously."
• John Walsh, Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party delegate to the Green Party's National Committee: "In recent elections, the Commission on Presidential Debates, the corporate-owned body controlled by the two established parties, has only allowed Democratic and Republican presidential candidates and has barred Green, independent, and other candidates from participating. We urge all Americans -- especially those who oppose bipartisan warhawk policies on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran -- to speak out in demand of fair elections and election coverage, and inclusion of all qualified candidates in the debates, regardless of their positions or party memberships."
Sunday, January 6, 2008
George McGovern Joins Call for Impeachment of Bush and Cheney
"As we enter the eighth year of the Bush-Cheney administration, I have belatedly and painfully concluded that the only honorable course for me is to urge the impeachment of the president and the vice president," said George McGovern, Presidential candidate of 1972.
When Ralph Nader called for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney in 2004, few paid attention. However, the cascade of disenchanted Democrats continues as the rollicking Crusaders maintain a power over Democratic leaders.
In her final days holding her Georgia Congressional seat, Cynthia McKinney introduced a bill to impeach President Bush. Since then, McKinney chastised the Democratic Party leadership and joined the Green Party, starting a campaign to win the Presidential nomination for the party in an effort to increase ballot access and voter registration and gain federal campaign financing.
Kucinich jumped in at the end of April with a bill to impeach Vice-President Dick Cheney. Since then, he's gone on to challenge the media and Democratic Party with direct attacks.
In the meantime, anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan has set up house in San Francisco and has begun her active campaign to unseat Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2008.
Now, a veteran politician and anti-war advocate, George McGovern, speaks up "belatedly" for the impeachment of both.
When Ralph Nader called for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney in 2004, few paid attention. However, the cascade of disenchanted Democrats continues as the rollicking Crusaders maintain a power over Democratic leaders.
In her final days holding her Georgia Congressional seat, Cynthia McKinney introduced a bill to impeach President Bush. Since then, McKinney chastised the Democratic Party leadership and joined the Green Party, starting a campaign to win the Presidential nomination for the party in an effort to increase ballot access and voter registration and gain federal campaign financing.
Kucinich jumped in at the end of April with a bill to impeach Vice-President Dick Cheney. Since then, he's gone on to challenge the media and Democratic Party with direct attacks.
In the meantime, anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan has set up house in San Francisco and has begun her active campaign to unseat Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2008.
Now, a veteran politician and anti-war advocate, George McGovern, speaks up "belatedly" for the impeachment of both.
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