Peace and Rest in Peace

I'm counting on my peace and political friends to carry on for peace and justice as I spend some time with my family following the death of my sister Mary Lue. It has been a crazy few days, between the brownouts and blackouts of Western Queens and my sister's death from a burst brain aneurysm. I've written a little more at KateAnne.com but please pray for peace -- my sister is with God and okay -- and for the people who received her donated organs. I may not be very near computers for another week or so.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Nolan & Van Bramer host Eric Gioia Fundraiser

Four Queens Democrats II
Originally uploaded by Kate Anne.

New York State Assemblymember Cathy Nolan and State Committeeman [and WQIDC president] Jimmy Van Bramer hosted a summer afternoon neighborhood fundraiser for Councilmember Eric Gioia this past Saturday in Sunnyside Gardens -- and I went for peace and reconciliation: helping, attending, and contributing. In the past, we've had some interesting conversations and our share of words, but in the end, Eric has voted pretty much as I would have him vote. His work on the food stamp program, internet for all, and getting young people politically involved is laudable. Furthermore he has finally signed on to the voter bills that Teresa Hommel (of WheresthePaper.org) has been pushing. His excuse for the delay is a valid living and breathing one: his new baby Amelia Gioia.

The picture I am attempting to post from my FlickR site shows Eric with my favorite New York State Senator John Sabini, our beloved Assemblymember / Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, and our terrific State Committeeman Jimmy Van Bramer. Jimmy hosted the event in his backyard and a lot more pictures, including some ambiance shots, can be seen at my FlickR site, cited lots of places in my blog and also linked on the right. (Then click on the Nolan-Van Bramer Fundraiser for Gioia set.) I am so glad I went -- I had fun. To Eric, I send special ...

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Reading, petitioning, and FlickR-ing

I dropped off my last Tasini petition Monday night and am eagerly awaiting the outcome of his filing to face off with DLC Senator Hillary Clinton. Will Jonathan Tasini be allowed to challenge the divine right of Hillary? God, please, I hope so. We need good people willing to stand up for working Americans, for strong unions, for single payer healthcare, and above all for PEACE. I've seen Jonathan out in the streets and I applaud his energy and determination as well as his campaign slogan echoing the late great Senator Paul Wellstone, "Vote for what you believe in."

For my last petition I was awarded a chocolate cookie from Jonathan: very tasty. THEN, I was off to Film Forum to see Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man -- love Leonard, loved the film, and went home playing his music in my iPod. I was transported.

Now I'm back to reading Thom Hartman's The Prophet's Way: A guide to Living in the Now [Amazon link in this entry's title] and urging people to read Thom's latest entries in Common Dreams

Reclaiming The Issues: "Why Is Bush Spying On Democrats?!?"
by Thom Hartmann

Every time Democrats and progressives speak out about George W. Bush's spying on Americans without mentioning that he may also be spying on Democrats, they're playing into Karl Rove's "National Security Frame" and actually strengthening Republican electoral chances in November.
To short-circuit this, Democrats need to invoke the ghost of Richard Nixon.

If they don't, even Pete Hoekstra's new revelations that there are even more as-yet-unreported secret spying programs that Bush has been hiding from Congress will be used by Rove to say to average voters, "See? We're really looking out for you!"

The Bush administration doesn't deny it has been spying on Americans - they brag about it. They're listening to our phone calls, reading our emails, and looking at our bank transactions. They're gathering databases about our medical records, what we charge on our credit cards, and where we travel.

When Democrats point out that this is illegal without a court order, Rove simply floods the airwaves with Republicans who say, "We're doing it to protect you!"

The average American doesn't think this all the way through, and the Rovian frame seems like pretty commonsensical. In fact, it's at the heart of the right-wing rant.

For example, when some unfortunate and nearly illiterate idiots talked about attacking New York last week, the Bushies and the corporate press trumpeted the sting operation that led to these clueless wannabees' arrest as a "triumph in the war on terror!" Limbaugh intoned sternly that liberals would have prevented the United States from discovering such criminals, and all over America dittoheads nodded in agreement.

What's been entirely lost in the discussion about Bush administration spying is why so much of what Bush is doing is illegal. MORE

Read the whole thing, please -- and then send the article to your senators and representative. ALSO, read

Reclaiming the Issues: "It's an Illegal Employer Problem"
by Thom Hartmann

Every time the media - or a Democrat - uses the phrase "Illegal Immigration" they are promoting one of Karl Rove's most potent Republican Party frames.

The reality is that we don't have an "Illegal Immigration" problem in America. We have an "Illegal Employer" problem.

Yet it's almost never mentioned in the mainstream media, because to point it out could slightly reduce the profits and CEO salaries of many of America's largest multi-state and multinational corporations - who both own the media and contribute heavily to conservative politicians. Republicans would prefer that the "criminals" covered in the press are working people, and that corporate and CEO criminals not get discussed. MORE

And google the CommonDreams.org site and read more of Thom's articles. Then go to WhiteRoseSociety.org and hear Thom's latest radio show.

Finally, I've been FlickR-ing. I spent entirely too much time documenting the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks -- but I had fun and you can run a whole slide show of my photos. You'll get a big bang out of them, albeit a silent one. Enjoy.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Week for Citizen Action, Peace, and Tasini

Jimmy Van Bramer, Kate Anne, Dan Jacoby

Another busy week -- much accomplished on my to-do list. Our WQIDC Citizen Action for Spitzer-Paterson 2006 event at Bliss restaurant went well, with the weather behaving, a good turnout, and a fun time. I've posted lots of pictures on my FlickR.com site [title link -- and side link, too]. Our conference call went well, but we ended up showing the DVD explaining Clean Money Clean Elections AFTER the call. That's okay: it got shown. Many folks need to be thanked. Bliss restaurant's Dorothy Morehead was so helpful in getting this event off the ground as was Joan Pagan. Bruce Raymond was a big assist, too -- and Gene Oyler helped us keep track of everyone. Our WQIDC president Jimmy Van Bramer gave a good live presence as to what Citizen Action, Clean Money Clean Elections is. And it was great getting people together for a good cause, actually good causes: Citizen Action, action toward public financing of elections, and support of Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson as Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York State. We raised almost $400 and folks can still donate $5 to the cause(s) by going to http://citizenactionforspitzer.com/. Hats off to Citizen Action of New York for organizing all these house (and patio :-) parties.

Saturday found me vigiling for peace in Union Square with Sam, Betty Lou, and Bartholomeu. We were joined by St. Paul, Minnesota native Whitney Bey, social worker, who is here in NYC all of one month. Then I grabbed my clip board and joined with the Tasini folk to collect petition signatures for peace candidate Jonathan Tasini for United States Senate. What energy he has, greeting people, pressing flesh, encouraging folks to sign. Hot day, but Jonathan is determined to make a difference and get the peace message out. If you are an NYC Democrat who hasn't signed his petition, get in touch with me or the campaign to sign (and if you have time, to carry) a petition during these closing days of the drive. Call the campaign at 646-415-8361. Tell your friends: Jonathan Tasini for the US Senate!

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Julius Zomper, Jonathan Tasini, Russell Squire