"Dignity" Delivers Her Green Message

2008 Green Party Presidential Candidate, Cynthia McKinney was held by the Israeli government when the humanitarian boat she was on was detained.

Here is a link to freegazat.org from where McKinney, a former Democratic Congresswoman of Georgia, reports on the Dignity's mission and the message of political action she hopes to bring to the Middle East.

The oldest, most prestigious Israeli paper, Haaretz also reports on the detention. American Press has been slow to cover this story.

Final Candidate's Forum for IL 5th District Highlights Wholistic Differences

Article and Photo by Kevin Gosztola

On February 23, 2009, the 5th District of Illinois held its final candidate's forum which included more than 20 people vying for the Congressional seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel who took the post as President Obama's White House Chief of Staff early this year. This special election has been a circus, with Democrats, Greens and Republicans eagerly jockeying for the coveted office. And while Democrats presumed to battle between themselves, it was the "fringe candidates" who offered a breath of fresh air from the conventional wisdom.

Organizers separated the forum into two segments: the first featured only Democrats; the second included Republicans and Greens. Despite this segregation of parties, it proved suprisingly effective in highlighting the key issues and solutions that differentiate them from one another.

It was Green Party candidate Matt Reichel's response to a question on Section 8 housing during which the forum took a spontaneous turn. Reichel suggested that domestic issues could be solved once we end the wars and cut the military budget. This was the first time that the Middle East Wars had been brought up. The audience broke out in uproarious applause while the moderator struggled to regain control by asking Reichel to "answer the question."

Fellow Green Party candidate Deb Gordils seconded Reichel's answer and added that it was time that people suspend their loyalties to the Democratic Party and vote Green. She too was told by the moderator to "answer the question."

During the course of the forum, the independent Republican Jon Stewart (no relation to Comedy Central), had surprised listeners with his support for untraditional Republican solutions, including amnesty for illegals and single-payer health care. When he also agreed with Reichel and said you can take care of domestic problems by ending the killing of people, the crowd applauded loudly. Ironically, the moderator's efforts to gain control and stifle the enthusiasm only instigated further laughter.

Other Green candidates in attendance were Matt Fredrickson and Simon Ribeiro; other Republican candidates included Greg Bedell, Tom Hanson, and Daniel S. Kay.

Kevin Gosztola studies documentary filmmaking at Columbia College in Chicago and is a YP4 2009 Fellow. He is an At-Large Senator for the Student Government Association at Columbia College where he is working to create a Student Civic Collective and increase funding and resources for political and social student organizations on campus. He has also served as a researcher and Production Assistant on several documentaries during the course of the 2008 election, including Polidoc Productions' "Seriously Green."

Green Party Mourns the Loss of Texas Organizer Bill Holloway

January 10, 2009

The Green Party of Texas mourns the tragic loss of Bill Holloway. Bill was a dedicated leader who was currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Travis County Green Party in Austin, TX. He will be missed as a mentor and a friend.

Through his kind-hearted activism, Bill touched the lives of so many people. He was an active Green Party contributor at the local, state and national levels. Bill served on numerous committees in the Green Party and in other organizations as well.

Bill Holloway passed away unexpectedly last weekend at his home in Austin, Texas. Given the unexpected nature of his death, we know many will have questions regarding details. Out of respect for
Bill, his family, and his lengthy legacy of community service, we hope you understand our reluctance to speculate and request that others will also be circumspect in their communication.

Our heart-felt condolences go out to all of Bill's friends and family. Bill was a very special person who will be sorely missed.

There will be a memorial service in Austin, TX, on Friday, January 16, and his funeral will be in Oklahoma City, OK, on Wednesday, January 14.

For the memorial, a book is being compiled for his parents. If you would like to contribute, please write down a story or memory of Bill, with a photo if you have one and send it to Sondra - lonestarsondra at gmail.com by January 15th. His family never met most of his friends and, we suspect, had no idea of the difference he made in so many lives. The book is being put together to let them know how many people were touched by and loved him. If the photo and the text can be pasted onto one page, that would be ideal, but whatever people can contribute would be appreciated.

Whatever your beliefs, please keep Bill and his family and vast network of friends in your thoughts, prayers, and/or rituals.

In solidarity,

kat swift
co-chair
Green Party of Texas
210.471.1791 - txt okay
kat at txgreens.org

Democracy Now Discusses Significance of Historic Run with Green Party Presidential Candidate McKinney

This video, while two weeks old, is still timely, given the concern of little media attention provided to a third party villified for having "spoiled" the election in 2000. Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney speaks with Amy Goodman about the international significance of the Green Party and the responsibility the Party has to state its case and be heard. Vice-Presidential Running Mate, Rosa Clemente, who is a hip-hop activist and journalist, also spoke to Goodman about the media "whiteout", a term used to describe the perceived suppression of the voices of people of color by media gatekeepers .

Rosa Clemente, Green Party VP, Reaches Out to Crowd for Media Focus

Video courtesy of Craig Seeman, New York

Rosa Clemente, political activist and Vice-Presidential candidate for Cynthia McKinney on the Green Party ticket, calls out for constituents to pressure the mainstream media to give McKinney some airtime. She also calls for independent and progressive media to open up their coverage to Green Party politics.

Few media outlets showed up for the Green Party Convention, that despite it being in a state where the Green Party is an established player in this election. Though NPR was there for most of the convention, reporting was reduced to a few paragraphs and some sound clips, missing some of the elemental progressive messages abundant throughout the events. Even C-Span failed to provide the level of coverage extended to the Libertarians, airing only McKinney's and Clemente's acceptance speeches (1hr. 18 min.), in contrast to the coverage offered the Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate Debates, nomination and speeches (9+ hrs.). So, the fact that the media is not covering the Green Party is evident. What is not as clear is whether McKinney is in favor of those mainstream media opportunities that might come her way.

McKinney, who has been the target of repeated media attacks in the past, recently told Polidoc that she will not allow herself to be set-up for abuse by mainstream media. The cancellations of interviews cited by Clemente in the provided video may be from either side. Savvy media for candidates includes minimizing potential damage control. Look at Obama and his limitation of debates, clearly a move to minimize swiftboat opportunities. McKinney knows she is in a precarious position as she sets the stage for the Green Party to attract new communities of color, suspicious of liberal rhetoric without action.

Broadcast media, offered the privilege of using our public airwaves through government licensing, should be providing fair coverage to all the established candidates. Before deregulation in the '80's, it was a mandate. Any respectable reporter would refrain from artificially flaming a candidate; likewise, every candidate needs to be prepared for the attack if, and when, it does happen.

Petitioning for the Underdog

This is really a place holder for a deeper article to be written on petitioning for ballot access, but until then, let us send you to the Wilderside where they offer an on-the-ground petition campaign rehash.

Kat Swift of Texas Calls Out for Action

Kat Swift, Texan Green, reminds us that "We are the change we seek" in her introductory remarks at the 2008 Green Party National Convention Presidential Candidate Forum in Chicago, IL on Friday, September 11.

With Cynthia McKinney taking the nomination, Swift sets her mind on her next race, and it is a race she has a great chance at winning in her town of San Antonio, which is no cow-pokin' town. She would represent about 100,000 people from her district. Outlook appears good as dissatisfied constituents have already come out in support of her and offered to throw fundraising parties. Stay tuned.

A message of Praise to Ingrid Betancourt

from Attendees of the 2008 Green Party of the United States National Convention

More information on Ingrid Betancourt

Bryan Miller Post on the Green Convention Spreads the Light

This is a fabulously rendered story of The Green Party Convention by columnist Bryan Miller in Illinois entitled, "The Unconventional Convention:
Going Green in the Windy City."

Miller shows a quick wit and genuine appreciation for the efforts of the candidates and the Green Party.

Nader and McKinney Heighten Ballot Access Buzz in the Big Apple

Both Progressive Presidential candidates, Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party and Independent Ralph Nader, launched their ballot access campaigns this week in New York State.

The Apple state requires independent and third party candidates without ballot status to collect 50,000 "valid" voter petition signatures or an amount equal to 5% of the number of voters in the recent gubernatorial election, to qualify to have their name appear on the ballot. Think of the effort and money spent that might be better spent on media or staff or travel accommodations.

As a result of the DNC led assault on Nader in 2004 which threw him off several ballots, candidates now aim to get twice the number of required signatures to assure qualification. That means 100,000 signatures.

Video Producer, Craig Seeman offers the following video segments of Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney at a New York News Conference.




Using a phrase coined by her running mate, Rosa Clemente, McKinney promotes a new slogan for her newly adopted party, "The Green Party is not an alternative, it's the imperative."

Cynthia McKinney announces Rosa Clemente as Vice-Presidential Running Mate

Cynthia McKinney, frontrunner for the nomination as the Green Party Presidential candidate has announced that political hip-hop artist and activist Rosa Clemente has taken on the running-mate role in this coming election.

Rosa Clemente is renowned for her dynamic and political activism. This commitment to attracting the promised hip-hop community brings new light and vitality to McKinney's campaign that has been running under the radar recently.

Polidoc Crew Prepares for Green Party Convention

We will be off the blog radar for the next week, as the producers immerse themselves in projects leading up to the Green Party Convention, July 10-13 . We will update you on the Green Party Convention on site in Chicago where the Party's Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates will be selected.

McKinney Joins Sheehan in Campaign for California's 8th District

Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney has joined on as honorary co-chair of Cindy Sheehan's Congressional campaign. Sheehan is challenging incumbent Congresswoman and Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi for the California's 8th District seat. Sheehan's and McKinney's shared dedication to end war and drill this administration has pulled them together as friends and candidates.

“Having Cynthia on board is a significant gain for my campaign. She has experience in tough campaigns and brings a wealth of knowledge. I am running to win, we have already raised close to $200,000 and everyday we get more and more support as people get more fed up with Pelosi’s mis-leadership,” says Sheehan.

McKinney has just about sewn up the Green Party nomination, which will be finalized at the Green Party Convention on Saturday, July 12 in Chicago, IL.

Green Party Presidential Candidates Face Forward

When the Green Party Candidates face off for a debate, well, it's really more of a team sport, where the players know that the end goal is to lift the party image higher.

Lots of highlights in this Miller Politics show which I would like to illuminate, but I'm pressed for time as production is stealing away my blogging time.

Poignantly, it was the generous respect the candidates offered one another that leaves the impression that, though the nominating convention may be short, it will also be sweet.

Listen to the last of the 2008 Green Party Presidential forums (billed as a debate) on Blog Talk Radio's Miller on Politics show.

Green Party Presidential Candidates to Debate on Miller Politics Podcast Show

Dan Miller offers a nonpartisan political podcast show on which he interviews candidates of all stripes. He's a very mellow host who lets people explain their positions fully.

This Saturday, at 5 pm, he is hosting a debate with Green Party Presidential Candidates. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/millerpolitics.

The 1.5 hour show is recorded live and there is usually an opportunity to call in and ask questions. You can also listen to the show anytime afterwards.

Green Party Convention Offers Opportunity to Assess Tactics

The Greens were hoisted into a fast growth plan in 2000 which they were not prepared to maintain after the election. That said, there has been remarkable organizational development in some states, Illinois, NY and Maine, chief amongst them; but these have grown out of local or state campaigns, not the Presidential.

I had a chance to film David Sirota the other week and in his new book,”the Uprising” he contends that progressive parties need to be looking to fusion as a way of building a third party – that historically, it’s impossible to simply create a party at the national level. He also suggests that we focus on economic issues as a fundamental link between diverse communities.

Fusion is a tough tact for Greens to take. Many of them wanted to have a “Green” candidate represent them in this election so that the party can stand out. However, the reality of the young organization and its fundraising mechanics is that they might still need to consider such choices because no rich, articulate and electorally ready angel that is a true green has adopted the Green Party and said, “I’ll run for President.”

At last year's convention, there were a couple of Libertarians seeking the Green Party endorsement who promised that their fat coffers would carry them to the Presidency. One had even offered to fund our documentary - if we gave him control of it (LOL) ! Since then, their candidacies have shriveled on the Libertarian vine.

And if you doubt that a single rich person couldn't organize and finance a national campaign, look at the well-backed Unity ‘08 effort. It smoldered away in 2007, despite money, media attention and organization. Even that coordination of ideas was too complicated a story for a soundbite addicted media to tell. Why write a thesis when the supermarket romance novella sells just as well.

The Green Party Convention begins in just two weeks. All of the Green Candidates will be feeding back lessons learned from this, the party’s second primary (first one in 2004 which was its own slice of party history). Don’t be mistaken, these candidates, will be looking at their own political futures with a new awareness of the demands of campaigning and the ability to raise funds. Some may return in 2012. Some might be much too busy/effective in their local and state politics to run a national campaign. I, for one hope the latter is the case because they are each wonderful humans with a passion for grassroots politics and we need people like that in our local and state offices NOW fighting for sustainable causes.

Whomever your candidate in this next election is, don't hand her a Green towel - give her a real flag - with your insignia - to carry.

One Person's "Green" is Another's Black Tea

What does "Being Green" mean to the mainstream media, to the Democratic and the Republican insiders?

The title of CBS's Horserace blog entry today was entitled"Not easy Being Green". The author used the phrase "Being Green" to discuss the challenges Barak Obama will feel in finding a running mate who vets well under public scrutiny, given all the ties to corporations and lobbyists.

Is there irony that the CBS article was "Presented by Exxon Mobil". Perhaps the title should have been "Not easy Finding Green when you declare that you will no longer take corporate or lobbyist money", as Obama declared last week.

While it's not easy "Being Green" it's really not easy being "Seriously Green." Ask a Green Party Presidential candidate, whose party allows no corporate funding whatsoever and whose party members are, by and large, working class people without spare dollars.

With little ground organization provided by the party, except in a few states like Illinois, Maryland, Maine, California and New York, all four of the Green Party Presidential candidates are working hard to collect enough to pay for trips to their potential constituents and to their Convention, let alone qualify for matching funds. None of them are close, at this point, to meeting the base requirements of raising $5000 from 22 different states, not even the lead candidate, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.

The Green Party's national leadership today sent out a donation plea to party members on behalf of all the candidates. Being a party that espouses democratic values and egalitarianism, the party leadership could not ask directly for donations to go to the presumptive candidate, McKinney. However, Richard Winger, of Ballot Access News believes that the National Green Party leaders should have done just that so that at least one candidate could carry the Green flag with some kind of visibility into the final election period.

What will McKinney do if the funds are not raised? Will she raise or fold? If she folds, will one of the three remaining candidates, Jesse Johnson, Kent Mesplay or Kat Swift, claim the responsibility for finishing the campaign or does Ralph Nader ride into the rescue? These questions are circulating amongst Greens as they also watch many notable Greens, chief amongst them being California Green Party co-counder and San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, accept Obama as a choice they can abide.

Oh no, it really isn't easy "Being Green."

Minnesota's Democratic Party Affiliate Adopts IRV

The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Part (DFL) has adopted Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), a method of ranking your first, second and third choices for candidate, rather than using a winner-take-all system.

Whether from increased pressure by third parties or just plain fair play, several state parties have pushed for IRV. Minnesota is the third state Democratic party to adopt IRV. The Utah Republican Party sues IRV for state convention elections. IRV is also a core platform of the the Green Party of the United States and is practiced in municpal elections in various parts of the country. DNC leader Howard Dean has publicly encouraged IRV in his state for over a year and the hope is that encouragement will spread.

The Minnesota DFL joins a broad and rapidly growing coalition of organizations for IRV, including the League of Women Voters, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Star Tribune, TakeAction Minnesota, Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, Citizens for Election Integrity and The White House Project.

I support ranked choice voting, including instant-runoff voting, because it is the fairest and most efficient way of holding elections in a diverse society. Ranked-choice voting's fairness -- to the individual voter, to each group of voters, and to the candidates -- surpasses any other voting system. Instant-runoff voting ensures that our elected leaders get elected with support from a clear majority, not just a plurality, and it removes any incentive for strategic misrepresentation so that the voters can vote their true preferences. A ranked-choice system promotes diversity, and fully satisfies the right to an effective vote.

- DFL Chair Brian Melendez

Pundit Punt of the Week

Everyone, including Senator Clinton, is wondering how to unify the Democrats quickly so that the assault on McCain can move forward. However, the opinions greatly vary on whether or not the dream team for the Dems will be, shall we say, gender balanced. Well, if it all comes down to race and gender and the race decision has been made, it's not like Obama could select another woman instead of Clinton without tearing further at the fabric of the Democratic party.

In the attached video, Clinton appears to be thanking, cooling, baiting her AUDIENCE all within the same 55 seconds.

I could not have made this part of the journey without you. I want the 18 million people who have voted for me to be seen, and to be heard, to be respected, to be given the real appreciation that you are due. We have won more votes than have ever been won who has run for any presidential nomination of any party of our nation.

If it were up to Greens, the ticket would certainly be gender balanced, maybe even all female this year.

Libertarians went for heavy testosterone this bid, despite their second place candidate being a female.

Youngest Presidential Candidate, kat swift, Achieves Electability

Happy Birthday to the youngest candidate for US President, kat swift, who just turned 35 and now qualifies for the high office.

One of swift's priciple platform issues is egalitarianism and she points to the age
requirement of Presidential candidates as one of those isms that is Unconstitutional.

"For my birthday," swift said, "I want every person who doesn’t
benefit from the system in place to do something that makes
one happy, followed by an action that will take away one piece
of support given to those with power over their lives. Something
as simple as not using gas one day, or diverting that $20
donation from a media-preferred candidate to food for four
homeless people in your ‘hood."

Speaking of ageism, Ralph Nader, inveterate of the political scene, has come out with a strong platform stance on allowing 16 year olds to vote. It has met with heavy criticism in some arenas, while it has appealed to the young. However, civic engagement is part of everyone's right, and Nader argues, duty.

Who should vote? Who should run? Who should take part in our democracy? Feel free to comment.