Sunday, June 15, 2008

IMPORTANT FATHER'S DAY VIDEO WITH SURPRISING ENDING

Please watch this video. The ending will tell you why I am motivated to work on Father's Day.
 
Auto Detect for all systems
 
Happy Father's Day!
 
Respectfully,
 
Walter

Friday, June 13, 2008

Affordable Housing Summit

Squeezed from all sides
The squeeze on middle-class and working-class families is
tightening from all directions.  In addition to lost homes, skipped
meals and neglected medical conditions, the consequences now
extend to abandoned cars and abandoned pets.

More people have lost their jobs and can't afford the gas for a job
hunt.  Rising energy prices contribute to higher food costs
Foreclosures are shredding the American dream for many
homeowners and displacing renters as well.  In one sad indicator,
animal shelters throughout San Diego County say they are flooded
with pets people can no longer keep.  

And healthcare costs for the average family continue to climb
steeply.
 A new study estimates that 25 million insured Americans are
actually
under-insured, with flimsy coverage that leaves them vulnerable to
 huge deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

In May, the national unemployment rate made its biggest jump in
two decades -- 8.5 million workers are now unemployed, not
counting those forced into part-time work. Relatively high-paying
sectors like construction are particularly hard-hit, and the loss of
jobs drags down wages across industries.

The way out: Good jobs

There are lights of hope. In an inspiring commentary published in
the Los Angeles Times Wednesday, Radisson Hotel LAX owner
Peter Dumon admonished his fellow employers that the squeeze
on workers isn't helping the economy or their corporate bottom lines.
 "The living wage is a profit-enhancing idea," Dumon writes. 
He goes on:

Oddly, some businesses … view their employees as costs to be
contained rather than resources to be nurtured. Are we really so
presumptuous as to assume that these men and women who
operate our hotels, clean our guest rooms and cook and serve
our meals should not benefit from the success they helped produce?
 

In San Diego, CPI is advocating local policies to create and
preserve living wage jobs with healthcare coverage. The
San Diego City Council will take crucial votes in the coming
weeks on:
  • Strengthening enforcement of the Living Wage Ordinance,
  • Enacting protections to ensure the Mayor's plan to outsource
  • city jobs doesn't create poverty jobs.
As hearing dates are set, CPI will send alerts.  Whether you can
attend the meeting, call your councilmember or send an e-mail, your
 voice is needed!  More than ever, we need strong local policies to
bolster our economic base of good jobs.


Affordable housing forum

On Saturday afternoon, June 28, a free public forum will address
potential solutions to the foreclosure crisis in San Diego County. 
The high-powered panel includes:
  • California Assembly Member Lori Saldaña, who chairs the
Assembly housing committee;
  • San Diego City Councilmember Tony Young, co-chair of the
City-County Reinvestment Task Force, which monitors lending
practices and promotes affordable housing;
  • Harold Meyerson, Washington Post columnist and editor of
 the American Prospect
The forum will be 1-5 p.m. June 28, at the Tubman Chavez
Multicultural Center, the southeast corner of Euclid and Market
streets. Come ask your questions!  For more information, contact
the Affordable Housing Coalition, ahcsd@cox.net or 619-225-0377.



Good reads on the squeeze

A new book by Economic Policy Institute senior economist Jared
Bernstein, Crunch: Why Do I Feel So Squeezed?,  is an accessible
explanation of what has happened to the bulk of Americans
economically, with a prescription for repairing the damage.

In The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Worker,
New York Times labor and workplace reporter Steven Greenhouse
explores the stress on workers of all types has the social contract
between employers and employees has eroded.
 
Center on Policy Initiatives
3727 Camino del Rio South, Ste 100
San Diego, CA 92108
: (619) 584-5744

Update on Lisa Lake's Discrimination Experience

June 13, 2008, 4:50 pm
Greetings:
As you know, we immediately initiated complaints to Channel 10News in letters, calls, and emails in response to their attempt to demote Lisa Lake from the early morning slot on Channel 10News. I spoke with Lisa this morning to get details on her position and clarification on the offer from Channel 10News. In response to initial complaints, Sean Kennedy, Channel 10News Acting News director wrote to say Lisa was receiving a "prime presence" on the midday news and in a "reporting position" at 7 pm. Because we didn't understand what a "reporting position" was, it sounded pretty good on the surface.
However, from Lisa Lake, this "reporting position" is really a field position on general assignment, meaning she would be running all over town to cover stories. Her hours could easily turn into a 12 hour day (unacceptable for a single mother). A field reporter is more an entry level position, and would be a serious demotion to a professional with over 17 years of dedicated service to that station. In addition, they wanted her to sign a contract that would allow them to dismiss her with only 2 weeks notice. Outrageous!!!
Here are facts you should know about Lisa Lake's tenure at channel 10News as you customize the attached letter and send it in. We absolutely cannot back down on this one!!!
1. Lisa Lake is the only African American employed in the newsroom.
2. She has been employed there 17 years, 13 years as the Morning and Midday news anchor.
3. Several years ago, along with Fred Blankenship (who is now in Atlanta), Lisa Lake applied for the 4 pm news slot. Both were denied.
4. The station claims the workforce is 6% African American. It is not. Ask for numbers of full time African American employees.
4. With no prior notice, and on a Friday afternoon, Lisa was told that she was being taken off mornings "because of the changing audience." Yet the all of the evening news anchors are white.
5. In the 42 year history of channel 10 there has never been one African American prime time news anchor.
To serve the growing Spanish speaking audience, Channel 10News started a full Spanish news broadcast on Channel 15. In essence they are already serving the Spanish audience with a full commitment. Lisa speaks Spanish fluently as well.
Apparently this is a growing problem at Channel 10. Here's an excerpt I received from the President of the NABET-CWA Union:
"We have long been concerned with not only the (lack of) diversity of the anchor team at Channel 10, but how ALL employees are treated. Lisa Lake is the latest in a long line of employees who have received a bad deal. When we created "10NewsUnfair.com," we didn't choose the name lightly. Channel 10 is not treating its employees with fairness or respect. We support your position and urge you to share your feelings with KGTV President/General Manager, Ed Quinn (Edward_Quinn@10News.com). You can call his office directly at 619-237-6200. Tell him it's time to treat ALL employees with fairness and respect -- including Lisa Lake. Our Union is also urging advertisers to suspend their advertising contracts with the station as an effort to apply financial pressure. You will find the list of major local advertisers at 10NewsUnfair.com. It is no accident that management told the Catfish Club and UNCF to hit the road several years ago. They have lost their sense of community spirit, fairness and respect." Sincerely, Dennis Csillag, President, NABET-CWA Local 54
Please, please, please send your letters in, email, or call:
Ed Quinn, General Manager
10 News, KGTV
4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
Main office: 619-237-1010 or Programming Comment Line 619-237-1010 ext 6686
The "sample" letter I wrote yesterday to Ed Quinn should be customized with your contact information. If you are not an African American, replace that with "concerned community citizen" or any other descriptive you chose. Just please don't sit on this!
Thank you, Dee Sanford
Dee Sanford International
375 Winewood Street
San Diego, CA 92114-5955
Home ofc: 619 263-6868; Cell: 619 203-1590; deesanford@cox.net; www.deesanford.com
We work with business professionals who want to magnify their visibility and boost their success! Contact us today!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Blackwater

Stop Blackwater!!
Stop Blackwater Protest/Rally - Tuesday, June 17, 10 a.m.
San  Diego Federal Courthouse, 880  Front St.  (downtown San Diego/Front and Broadway)


Blackwater abused the City of San Diego's permitting process with a disgusting series of steps shielding their activities from public scrutiny. Then, when their subterfuge was discovered, they circumvented the City by going to a Federal judge--all to gain a foothold in Otay Mesa, for their new training facility at the border.

A Federal court hearing was held on the issue on May 30, 2008, followed by a Temporary Restraining Order issued on June 4, 2008, which forced the City of San Diego to grant Blackwater an occupancy permit for the Otay  Mesa facility.
A FOLLOW UP HEARING WILL BE HELD IN SAN DIEGO FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT ON TUESDAY, JUNE 17, AT 10:30AM. WE WILL BE PROTESTING STARTING AT 10AM, 880 Front Street, downtown San Diego (Broadway and Front Street). Bring Signs, etc. (Park in Horton Plaza, free with kiosk validation)

CITY ATTORNEY MIKE AGUIRRE WILL BE ARGUING THE CASE FOR THE CITY BEFORE JUDGE MARILYN HUFF, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT'S FATHER.
Note: If you wish to enter thecourt hearing, you must not have signs, T-shirts, or other expressive gear.

 

For More Info, Please Contact the Peace Resource Center of San Diego, 619-263-9301 or info@prcsd.org
You can read court documents, including Blackwater's complaint, the City's response and Judge Huff's ruling at www.prcsd.org (Click on the No Mercenaries button).
SPONSORED BY San Diego Peace Resource Center (www.prcsd.org), Activist San Diego (www.ActivistSanDiego.org),  Citizens' Oversight (www.citizensoversight.org)

Community Coalition Summit, Public Access TV, Drug Policy Alliance Presentation on NORA

Please watch brief movie clip below.
 
Attached are flyers for the upcoming events. Please distribute them among your organizations and post on your websites.
 
Request you forward this email to your Progressive audience to as many people as possible.
 
Request you RSVP if you can make it this Sunday so I can plan refreshments.
 
I know it is Father's Day.......I make no excuses....I said I would be there the 3rd Sunday of each month and...I will be.
 
15June2008 Community Coalition Summit Movie Clip
 
 
______________________________________________________________
 
Latest Pubic Access TV  and
Citizen's Internet TV Network Broadcast
 
Jim Bell on Citizen's Internet TV Network and Alyce Smith Cooper's Community Issues: A Tapestry of Concerns Show - Public Access TV
________________________________________________________________

 
Jeremy Scahill Part 1
(Entire presentation will be available on video blog at http://sdmegacoalition.blogspot.com/)
 
Stop Blackwater...Jeremy Scahill.....
10 June 2008
 
______________________________________________
For 15 June 2008 Summit
  • Tables will be available (Please call in advance)
  • We will have a presentation and successful boycotts and a strategy session
  • Drug Policy Alliance Network will make a presentation on NORA
 
 
I hope to see you there. We need your support.
 
Walter
760-917-1251

Did you miss Progressive San Diego's "Election Reflection?"

If so, check out the video and pictures of Progressive San Diego's post election event below.

Video of the Event:
Click Here (provided by Pat Flannery's Blog of San Diego)

Photos of the Event: Click Here

Hosted by: Eric Isaacson and Rachel Jensen at the offices of Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP

Moderated by: Eric Wolff - Reporter, SD CityBeat

Panelists: Andrew Donohue - Executive Editor, Voice of San Diego
Donna Frye - San Diego City Councilmember
Lorena Gonzalez - Secretary-Treasurer & CEO, SD-Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Lani Lutar - President & CEO, San Diego Taxpayers Association

Stay Tuned for Upcoming Events, Election Information and Issues at www.ProgressiveSD.org

Impeachment

Hear  Dennis Kucinich in action as he reads the 35 Articles of Impeachment -
It's a masterpiece - dont miss it!!!!! It's history in the making! save it pass it on

If you feel so moved, please call your Representative as they will probably vote tomorrow.  Hopefully they will pass it or at least send it to committee for further discussion.  
Washington House telephone number:  202-224 3121.          
 
 I called the House of Representatives in D.C. and left messages for Congressmen:  Filner, Davis, and Peloski to see that these 35 Articles of Impeachment are imposed.  I also called D.Kucinich's office and thanked him for his work.      Fran 
 
WATCH C-SPAN     http://c-span.org   
click on "Watch"  -  Rep Kucinich on House Floor, 6/9/08
HOUSE TO READ KUCINICH RESOLUTION
ON IMPEACHMENT TONIGHT
REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE, HEARINGS SOUGHT
The Impeachment Resolution sponsored by Congressman Dennis Kucinich will be read into the Record by the Clerk of the House, tonight, beginning at approximately 7:15-7:30 pm. The required reading of the 35 Articles of Impeachment is expected to take up to 5 hours. Congressman Kucinich will be on the floor of the House during the reading. At the conclusion of the reading, Congressman Kucinich will rise and make a motion that the Impeachment Resolution be referred to committee. If a vote occurs on the matter it will be postponed until tomorrow.
"It is imperative that Members of Congress have a thorough opportunity to read the Articles of Impeachment and study the documentation. When they do, I am confident that they will agree that it is both appropriate and necessary for the Judiciary Committee to begin hearings on the Resolution," Kucinich said.
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Another world is not only possible, but on a quiet day...you can hear her breathing.
                                         Arundhati Roy

Monday, June 9, 2008

Election Reflection Panel Discussion


Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

6:00-8:00pm (5:00pm Reception)

The Balboa Room Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP,
655 West Broadway, Suite 1900 San Diego, CA 92101


Expert Analysis of June 3rd Election
You are invited to join local San Diego leaders, activists and journalists as Progressive San Diego hosts a forum to discuss the successes, missteps, and future implications of the June 2008 primary election.

Moderator: Eric Wolff -- Reporter, San Diego CityBeat

Panelists:
  • Andrew Donohue -- Executive Editor, Voice of San Diego
  • Donna Frye -- San Diego City Councilmember
  • Lorena Gonzalez -- Secretary-Treasurer & CEO, SD-Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO
  • Lani Lutar -- President & CEO, San Diego County Taxpayers Association
Reserve your seat today!
Individual Tickets: $20

Host Committee:
Eric Isaacson, Rachel Jensen & Eve Schuh

RSVP to Tommie Watson at Tommie.Watson@ProgressiveSD.org

www.ProgressiveSD.org

Blackwater events

STOP Blackwater - Two Upcoming Public Events

Locals Battle Blackwater on the Border -
Community Forum on Tuesday, June 10th, 7pm   858-459-4650
First Unitarian Universalist Church  4190 Front St, Hillcrest, SD 
Jeremy Scahill, Renowned Author of International Bestseller "Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army" Special Guest Speaker

Wednesday, June 11th Rally Outside Front Door of Blackwater's New Site
Community Groups Charge Blackwater Misused Federal Court to Muscle into Cal-Mex Border Site and Call for Facility Including Shooting Range to Be Shut-Down

"No to Baghdad on the Border" New Facility 500 Yards From International Border Will Exacerbate the Potential for Increased Human and Civil Rights Violations to Both Migrants and Members of Border Communities

SAN DIEGO, CA (June 8) – - San Diego locals continue protest against Blackwater's new foothold on the West Coast, only blocks from the Cal-Mex border in Otay Mesa, California. Blackwater opened the facility under clouds of subterfuge and obvious circumvention of local laws, finally using temporary restraining order issued by Federal Judge, a President Bush Sr. appointee, to muscle their way into the facility and avoid public hearings, environmental review and traditional public scrutiny.

TWO PUBLIC EVENTS TO STOP BLACKWATER

WHEN: Tuesday, June 10, 2008, 7 p.m.
WHAT: Community Forum on Stopping Blackwater Featuring Jeremy Scahill, Author Bestseller "Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army"
WHERE: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4190 Front Street,Hillcrest, San Diego (opposite UCSD Med Center

AND

WHEN: Wednesday, June 11, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHAT: Locals Rally Outside the New Blackwater Training Facility, speakers include, Jeremy Scahill, Blackwater Author and others TBA
WHERE: 7685 Siempre Viva Rd, San Diego, CA 92154.

The public is invited to both events where community members will express their views about the miscarriage of local laws, the inappropriate use of mercenaries for public security training, and the desire to have the facility shut down in Otay Mesa, California. For many who were successful in blocking Blackwater's attempt to build a more than 800 acre para-military facility in Potreo, California, Blackwater represents the ultimate expression of the worst decisions made by the Bush administration and their extreme privatization agenda.

Jeremy Scahill, author of the International and New York Times bestseller and the winner of prestigious Polk Book Award, "Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army" will speak to the community at both events. Scahill, whose book inspired San Diego's local movement, is currently on a national tour to launch the fully updated paperback edition of his bestseller, featuring an exposé on "Baghdad's Bloody Sunday," a shooting spree carried out by Blackwater in Baghdad's Nisour Square on September 16, 2007 where 17 innocent civilians were cut down by Blackwater gunfire without provocation.

"Despite the deadly events of the past year, Blackwater's business has never been better," said Jeremy Scahill. "Amidst the scandals, controversies and allegations of killing innocent civilians, Blackwater continues to be rewarded with lucrative, multi-million dollar contracts from the federal government, all the while expanding its reach inside the US and now into California. The residents of Potrero and their allies were right to confront Blackwater as it attempted to open shop in their community on the US-Mexico border and the people of San Diego are justified in their deep concerns about Blackwater's facility in Otay Mesa."

On April 25, 2008, Rep. Bob Filner (CA-51) held a press conference at the same site about the project. "This is a private company that would profit from instability and insecurity at the border," said San Diego City Councilmember Ben Hueso, who represents the 8th District where the project is located and who spoke at event. "It's their motive and it's their interest that we have conflict and that we have problems at the border. The more there are, they more they'll profit. This is why we do not want private companies engaging in national security objectives. It is a complete conflict of interest when you mix corporate profits with community benefit."

"The people of Potrero and San Diego is delivering a strong message to Blackwater," said Carol Jahnkow, Director of the San Diego Peace Resource Center and lead organizer for the rally. "You are not wanted here!. Blackwater, with its lack of transparency and accountability, is bad for San Diego and  why private companies like Blackwater who  profit from war, suffering, insecurity and civil  unrest undermine our democratic values."

 "Any Navy training should be handled internally by the Navy itself and not by war profiteers who seek to by-pass public scrutiny," said Martin Eder, spokesperson for Activist San Diego. "Blackwater has a history of running roughshod over the interests of civilians, whether it is in Iraq and Potrero and now Otay Mesa. What they did in Otay in blatant disregard to the rights of government and citizens to know the truth about this so-called 'vocational training facility'. Blackwater is known for shooting first, and asking questions never – San Diego has good reason to fear Blackwater on our sensitive international border."

Reacting to the audit report of the Blackwater permits provided by the City of San Diego on June 6, Ray Lutz, coordinator for Citizens' Oversight Projects (COPs) said, "The audit report completely sidestepped the most important issue: how Blackwater used the various permits and multiple identities to allow processing of the mercenary-type training facility under rubber-stamp 'Ministerial' review instead of allowing the public to review and approve their plans under 'Discretionary' processing. Finally, suing the city in federal court to force the permits to be issued steps far over the line of propriety, a blatant violation of traditional local control traditions. The character of Blackwater can be seen in these actions. This is not the sort of operation we want in this county, whether it is in Potrero or in Otay Mesa."

DIRECTIONS: 805 South to 905 East, Turn right at Britannia (just opposite Brown Field Control Tower), Turn left on to Siempre Viva (third light). Info: 619-263-9301, info@prcsd.org or www.prcsd.org

SPONSORED BY San Diego Peace Resource Center, Activist San Diego, CitizensOversight.org , plus others.

PLEASE SEND TO YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS!
Carol Jahnkow
Director, Peace Resource Center of San Diego http://www.prcsd.org prcsandiego@igc.org / 760-390-0775

Martin Eder
Activist San Diego
http://www.activistsandiego.org
MartinEder@cox.net / 619-226-1116

Raymond Lutz
Coordinator, Citizens' Oversight Projects (COPs)
http://www.StopBlackwater.net http://www.CitizensOversight.org raylutz@CitizensOversight.org / 619-447-3246

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Thursday, June 5, 2008

Activist San Diego General Meeting

 
ASD General Meeting on
THE OBAMA PHENOMENA:
WILL IT HELP OR HINDER
THE BUILDING OF A LEFT-PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT?
Monday June 9th, @ 7 PM


It seems that in each election many progressives pour themselves into the electoral arena in hopes of changing the system or at least changing the outcome of the election. When the election is over, we wonder if it was worth it. This year, perhaps more than others, there is a desperate sense that the political system needs an overhaul. Over the last 8 years, our government has reeled out of control, seemingly more than ever in modern times. Since surviving another 8 years of the same could be devastating to people in this country and all over the world, many progressives are left hoping for a candidate to bail us out. Obama seems to have won that spot. Is this thought crazy or realistic?

ASD's next general meeting promises to engage you (in a non-partisan manner) to think deeply about the Obama phenomena. ASD cannot and will not endorse a candidate, but we definitely want to create a time and place to bring people together as a way of stimulating conscious consideration of the many positive and negative consequences of the Obama candidacy in a safe and democratic atmosphere.

WARNING; This is not a panel discussion. We promise an interactive, fun exercise to draw out many points of view on this topic. We want this to be an open democratic discussion where your opinions will be heard and you can see the influence you have on swaying others.

~~~~~~~

There will also be some updates on the Stop Blackwater campaign, the HOT news about the ASD FM radio station application, LA Social Forum and ASD's internal organizing efforts.


Blackwater won a victory in Federal Court in San Diego.
We helped stop them in Potrero, we can do it again.
Come hear from those who have been involved.


Monday June 9th, @ 7 PM
Joyce Beers Center in the Hillcrest's Uptown Shopping Center

Across from Trader Joes - on Vermont St.
Park in Ralph's parking lot.

for info. 619-871-9354

The Hidden Enemy

Healing

Healing
Healing

Corruption

Corruption
Corruption in the Senate

Compassion

Compassion
Compassion

Raise the Minimum Wage

Raise the Minimum Wage

Capitolism

Capitolism

Hypocrits

Hypocrits

My New Book About Sudan

Ceasar's Messiah Movie Trailer

The Dark Side of Coffee Trade

Miko Peled "The General's Son" Exposes Israeli Lies

Are these Your Heros?

Are these Your Heros?

National shame

National shame

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Stephen Fry on Catholisism

Juanita Ayson on Accupuncture

Interview with Congressman Filner

Free Trade Enslaves Us All

Blog Archive

Farouk Al Nasser

Farouk Al Nasser
Farouk Al Nasser at NCCPJ

Victor Calle

Victor Calle
At NCCP April 2008

Gore Vidal and Floyd Morrow

Gore Vidal and Floyd Morrow
April Fundraiser in San Diego

Tanja and Cindy Sheehan

Tanja and Cindy Sheehan
Fund raiser for Cindy April 2008

CITN

CITN
The Citizens' Internet Television Network

CITRad

CITRad
The Citizens' Internet Radio Network

Save America

Save America
Save America

Fighting

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Fighting

Believe

Believe
Believe

We Are All One

We Are All One
We Are All One

Secular Humanism

Secular Humanism
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Change the System

Change the System
Change the System

A Lie Does Not Become the Truth

A Lie Does Not Become the Truth
A lie does not become the truth

Coexist

Coexist
Coexist

Bankers

Bankers
Bankers

Fetus Rights

Fetus Rights
Fetus Rights

The Earth Was Created

The Earth Was Created
The Earth Was Created

Lessons

Lessons
Lessons