March 8th was truly a red letter day. Our own Julian Smith was elected
to the Durham, NH Town Council, coming in third out of five candidates
for the three open seats. Soon after he got home, a late (hopefully)
season snow storm took out the power for about seven hours, so I was
glad I hadn't bothered to try to catch Nighline on a DVD. Fortunately,
DFA bloggers were on the job and provided running commentary on the
program about one of us, Maura in Virginia
(http://democracyforvirginia.com), and her adventures in getting an
ill-thought-out piece of legislation withdrawn by the author, Rep.
Cosgrove.
Almost as soon as it was done, the program was up on the internet and
can be downloaded from this address
http://unitedleft.com/index/article.php?story=20050308204525294
It may well be a milestone in the evolution of media because at the end,
the program was able to incorporate some real-time comments as they were
posted on the DFA blog. Feed-back doesn't get any more immediate.
***************************
Howard Dean is pictured in the introduction to the Nighline program, but
it's unlikely that he was able to view it since he's in Europe
participating, along with out Attorney General, in a conference on world
terrorism. Under his direction the Democrats seem to be turning into a
true party of opposition. To read what's being said about him read John
Nichols writing in the Nation http://www.alternet.org/story/21304
**************************
International concerns are also on our local agendas. The Portsmouth
City Council will be considering a Resolution in Support of the US Bill
of Rights and against the USA Patriot Act on March 28th at 6:30 PM.
Since this issue is being discussed all around the country, you might
check and see if it's in your neighborhood.
**************************
No doubt when out Congressman, Job Bradley has his next scheduled town
hall meetings in Brookfield and Newfields on Saturday, March 12, 2005.
(The Brookfield town meeting will take place at the Brookfield Town
Office Building, located at 267 Wentworth Road, with a scheduled start
time of 10 AM. The Newfields town meeting will take place at the
Newfields Town Hall, located at 65 Main Street, with a scheduled start
time of 1 PM) the conflict between the democratic principles in the Bill
of Rights and that terrorism inspired law will be a major issue. Since
the Patriot Act needs to be re-authorized this year, it's a good time to
get rid of the most offensive parts.
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Dennis Kucinich is on the trail promoting the creation of a Department
of Peace. To see his schedule, check http://www.dopcampaign.org
********************************
Support fair elections: Join the Divestiture Campaign
There is a movement afoot in the country to take back our democracy.
Little by little, our democracy is being converted to a corporatocracy,
beginning with our election systems. Citizens around the country and
here in NH are doing something about it.
Read about the Velvet Revolution and fair elections in the Granite
State.
http://www.democracyfornewhampshire.com/node/view/1032
Read about pending NH legislation affecting our election systems.
http://www.democracyfornewhampshire.com/node/view/1033
*********************************
Now we have the power
On Tuesday evening, February 22nd, about 150 people crowded into a
meeting room in Nashua's City Hall to participate in the Zoning Board of
Adjustment's public hearing. The main event on the agenda was Wal-Mart's
proposal to build a superstore on the current Building 19 site, which is
located on a main thoroughfare and wetlands that feed into our aquifer.
Read DFNH member Suzanne Harvey?s account of how a local DFNH group
protected the Nashua wetlands against a Wal-Mart invasion.
http://www.democracyfornewhampshire.com/node/view/1021
********************************
*****************AND FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA*******************
FAMILY DAY AT THE CAPITOL |
March 12th is Family Day at the Capitol. This is a day that has
traditionally been dominated by conservative families. This year, we're
calling all Georgians to participate and show our diversity and spirit.
Come march with Georgia for Democracy beginning at 9:00am, followed by a
rally at the Capitol at 9:30. At 10:00am, witness a brief Legislative
session, before enjoying a lunch of free Bar-B-Que at Noon.
Georgia Working Families has organized a short march from Turner Field
to the Capitol. Step-off is at 9:00am from the Gold Lot and will proceed
with various groups & banners to rally at the Capitol at 9:30am. If
you'd like to march with us behind the Georgia for Democracy banner,
contact Tim Cairl: tim@georgiafordemocracy.org. Or just show up at the
Turner Field Gold Lot wearing red! More information may be found on the
events page of our website: http://www.georgiafordemocracy.org/events/