Sunday, December 30, 2007

RECEPTION and FUNDRAISER for ANA SOL GUTIERREZ

FRIENDS OF ANA CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO
A RECEPTION and FUNDRAISER for
Maryland State Delegate ANA SOL GUTIERREZ

Come enjoy great Latin food, music, drinks, and progressive politics about
What's Happening in 2008 in the Maryland General Assembly

When: Friday, January 4, 2008, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Lauriol Plaza Restaurant (Rooftop)
1835 18th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20010
Tel 202-387-0035

Suggested Contributions: $500, $250, $100, or $50
Your generous contribution will help support Ana 's work
in the Maryland General Assembly!!

RSVP by email to asolgut@starpower.net or by calling 301-718-0707


If you are unable to attend this event,
Please show your support for Ana by
Sending a contribution to:

Gutierrez for Delegate
3317 Turner Lane
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(Make checks payable to: GutiƩrrez for Delegate)


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
By Authority: GutiƩrrez for Delegate, Edward Brandt, Treasurer

Maryland's Special Legislative Session: Victory or Defeat for Progressives?

PUBLIC MEETING PROGRESSIVE NEIGHBORS
www.progressiveneighborsmd.org

Maryland's Special Legislative Session: Victory or Defeat for Progressives?
Where Do We Go From Here?

1:30pm Sunday January 13th
Argyle Park Rec. Center
1030 Forest Glen Road
Silver Spring, MD
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1030+Forest+Glen+Rd,+Silver+Spring,+MD+20901
(between University Blvd. and Sligo Creek Parkway)

Most convenient public transportation:
C4 BUS to W UNIVERSITY BV & DENNIS AV
Walk about 8 blocks: http://tinyurl.com/2tpfca

Panelists Include...
Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez - Delegate, Dist 18
Allan Lichtman - AU Professor and Commentator
Josh Kurtz - Political Editor, Roll Call
Elbridge James - President, Progressive MD
Aaron Meisner - Stop Slots Maryland

The Special Legislative Session made major changes in state income,
corporate, and sales taxes and in the state budget. It approved a
referendum for 2008 to decide whether slots should be legalized. How do
all these changes add up? Did the burden fall on working Marylanders?
How did social programs fare? What happened to progressive proposals,
such as an income tax more heavily tilted toward the wealthy and a tax
to ensure that corporations pay their fair share? What are the chances
of defeating slots in 2008? For further information about the meeting,
call 301-587-5559

Thursday, December 27, 2007

News Update from HealthCareMaryland.org

Universal Health Care in Maryland in 2008

HealthCareMaryland.org is working with our friends and allies--other organizations, elected officials, and concerned individuals--to bring high-quality universal health care to Maryland in 2008. We're planning town halls, summits, conferences, and organizing legislative efforts. We need your help!

Click here to subscribe to updates from Health Care Maryland.

California court limits health insurers’ ability to cancel policies

By Bob Egelko | San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer

Health insurers can't wait until a policyholder is sick or injured to investigate the person's medical history and then abruptly cancel the policy on the grounds that important information was left out of the original application, a state appeals court has ruled.

On Monday, the Fourth District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana called a halt to a practice that lawyers for policyholders claim is widespread. Known as "post-claims underwriting," it has led to numerous lawsuits - mostly unsuccessful so far - and state enforcement actions against insurers.

Howard County Candidate Forum Jan. 12

Candidates ... have been invited to discuss ... health care
by Nate Sandstrom | At A Glance | ColumbiaFlier.com

Maryland's primary elections are just around the corner, and a local advocacy group is hosting a public forum for candidates or their representatives next month.

African Americans in Howard County, a local nonprofit group that focuses on issues that affect minorities and the poor, will host the Jan. 12 forum for candidates who are running in Maryland's Feb. 12 primary.

Bill Would Allow U.S. Residents To Purchase Health Insurance In Any State

Recent Op-Ed Highlights Need To Pass Bill To Allow U.S. Residents To Purchase Health Insurance In Any State, Letter Says [See Original ]

A Dec. 12 Wall Street Journal opinion piece written by Merrill Matthews, executive director of the Council for Affordable Health Insurance, highlights the "tragedy of state governments forbidding citizens from exercising the basic right to buy health insurance from other states," John Graham, director of health care studies at the Pacific Research Institute, writes in a Journal letter to the editor (Graham, Wall Street Journal, 12/20). In the opinion piece, Matthews recommends that Congress pass the Health Care Choice Act -- legislation sponsored by Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) that would allow U.S. residents to purchase health insurance in any state -- to help make the market more competitive and reduce costs (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 12/12).

largest malpractice insurer in Maryland to reduce premiums

Maryland: The Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Society of Maryland, the largest malpractice insurer in the state, last week announced plans to use an almost $100 million dividend to reduce malpractice insurance premiums for physicians by 8%, pay physicians $13.8 million in credits against premiums for 2008 and return $84 million to the state for emergency subsidies, the Baltimore Sun reports (Salganik, Baltimore Sun, 12/14).

State Insurance Commissioner Ralph Tyler last month ruled that Med Mutual, which had declared a $68.6 million dividend, should return the full amount to the state. However, Tyler allowed Med Mutual 30 days to develop an alternative plan. Med Mutual said that conditions in the malpractice insurance market have since improved and allowed them to declare a larger dividend (Dominguez, AP/Washington Times, 12/14).

States' Health Care Liability Totals $2.73T, Some Unfunded

the five largest states by population -- California, Texas, New York, Florida and Illinois -- have reserved no funds for retiree health care obligations
From MedicalNewsToday.com

Nearly half of states have not adequately funded their pension and retiree health care obligations, which will total $2.7 trillion over the next 30 years, according to a study released on Wednesday by the Pew Center on the States, part of the Pew Charitable Trusts, the New York Times reports (Williams Walsh, New York Times, 12/19). States have reserved sufficient funds to cover 85% of the future pension and retiree health care obligations, according to the report.

The report found that states will owe $381 billion for retiree health care and other nonpension obligations over the next 30 years.

Teen dies after CIGNA HealthCare denies transplant funds

"She passed away, and the insurance (company) is responsible for this"
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GLENDALE, Calif. -- A 17-year old died just hours after her health insurance company reversed its decision not to pay for a liver transplant that doctors said the girl needed.

Nataline Sarkisyan died Thursday night at about 6 p.m. at University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. She had been in a vegetative state for weeks, said her mother, Hilda.


Physician shortage looms in Maryland

Rural areas expected to be hit hardest
by Steve Berberich | Gazette.net Staff Writer

Widespread shortages in many physician specialties can be expected by 2015 in Maryland, especially in rural counties, unless action is taken soon, said a committee of top medical experts in an unpublished report due to the state government next month.

‘‘I think this is just a small piece of a bigger problem,” Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D-Dist. 28) of Waldorf said of the report. ‘‘My gut feeling is that we are approaching a crisis in primary care doctors.”

Monday, December 24, 2007

Maryland Moms Lobby for Peace and Accountability

Maryland Moms Lobby for Peace and Accountability and Chesapeake Carolers Deliver Peace Message to Congress

This Christmas season, two Maryland soccer moms (who exchange meat loaf recipes, teach Sunday school and share carpool duties) felt upset that Congress members had been naughty in 2007 -- by violating their oaths of office, i.e. using billions of our dollars for funding the illegal and unpopular Iraq occupation, and by not impeaching the criminals Bush and Cheney. Why was Congress deliberately setting a treacherous precedent by promoting a permanent war economy with our money, and by supporting unbridled presidential power in the 21st century? Gosh darn it!

So these two feisty gals wiped away their copious tears, put on decent foundation and lipstick, and got to work. They wrote subversive Christmas carols, wrote ringing truth-to-power letters on adorable stationery to 13 representatives, baked organic impeachment and (crumbling) Constitution cookies, and stuffed cute anti-war stockings with coal. They also prepared a "thank you" tin of cookies for the one Congress member who has stood for Americans in every vote he has cast: Representative Dennis Kucinich, whom they support for President in 2008.

Watch the videos: http://blog.pdamerica.org/?p=1567
Read the whole story: http://blog.pdamerica.org/?p=1523

Please share with all your friends!

Peace and Accountability to all, and to all a good night!

Friday, December 21, 2007

News from HealthCareMaryland.org 12/21/07

HomeUniversal Health Care in Maryland in 2008

Health Care Maryland.org is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization working with other organizations, elected officials, and concerned individuals to bring high-quality universal health care to Maryland in 2008. We're planning town halls, summits, conferences, and organizing legislative efforts. Visit our website: http://www.healthcaremaryland.org/ (by Mike Hersh)

States' Health Care Liability Totals $2.73T, Some Unfunded

the five largest states by population -- California, Texas, New York, Florida and Illinois -- have reserved no funds for retiree health care obligations
From MedicalNewsToday.com

Nearly half of states have not adequately funded their pension and retiree health care obligations, which will total $2.7 trillion over the next 30 years, according to a study released on Wednesday by the Pew Center on the States, part of the Pew Charitable Trusts, the New York Times reports (Williams Walsh, New York Times, 12/19). States have reserved sufficient funds to cover 85% of the future pension and retiree health care obligations, according to the report. The report found that states will owe $381 billion for retiree health care and other nonpension obligations over the next 30 years.

Teen dies after transplant funds denied by CIGNA HealthCare

"She passed away, and the insurance (company) is responsible for this"
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GLENDALE, Calif. -- A 17-year old died just hours after her health insurance company reversed its decision not to pay for a liver transplant that doctors said the girl needed. Nataline Sarkisyan died Thursday night at about 6 p.m. at University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. She had been in a vegetative state for weeks, said her mother, Hilda.

Physician shortage looms in Maryland

Rural areas expected to be hit hardest
by Steve Berberich | Gazette.net Staff Writer

Widespread shortages in many physician specialties can be expected by 2015 in Maryland, especially in rural counties, unless action is taken soon, said a committee of top medical experts in an unpublished report due to the state government next month. ‘‘I think this is just a small piece of a bigger problem,” Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D-Dist. 28) of Waldorf said of the report. ‘‘My gut feeling is that we are approaching a crisis in primary care doctors.”

California Moves Closer to Passing Universal Health Care Plan

By Michael B. Marois | Bloomberg.com

Dec. 18 (Bloomberg) -- California is one step closer to passing a $14 billion plan supported by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to expand health care to the state's uninsured by charging employers a fee and raising taxes on cigarettes. The state Assembly, controlled by Democrats, passed the bill yesterday in a 45-31 vote. It would require businesses to spend as much as 6.5 percent of payroll costs on health care for workers or pay as much into a state program. It also would raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by at least $1.50 from the current 87 cents and force all residents to buy insurance if they can afford it.

Small Businesses Oppose Mandates for Health Plans

By MILT FREUDENHEIM | The New York Times

The small-business lobbying group that had a big role in derailing Hillary Rodham Clinton’s effort to overhaul health care in the early 1990s has staked out its position for the 2008 political season. The group, the National Federation of Independent Business, which says it has 350,000 members and lobbyists in 50 states, warned politicians and policy makers on Wednesday not to impose new health-benefit obligations on small employers.The group said in a statement of principles that “a health care system built on employer mandates or on play-or-pay taxes is unacceptable.”

'Is this what America stands for?'

By Linda P. Campbell | McClatchy Newspapers

Hillary Clinton talks about health-care reform in terms of "American values, American families and American jobs." Barack Obama talks about health care as a "right for everyone, not a privilege for the few." John McCain talks about making insurance more affordable "by fostering competition and innovation." Uwe Reinhardt talks about outrages.The Princeton economics professor tells of a hospital patient charged $9,000 for a night in the intensive care unit and $791 for stockings that run $12 at a drugstore. He tells of a father who sought treatment for his son's infected eye and got billed $1,200. "Is this what America stands for?" he asked. But it wasn't really a question.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

HealthCareMaryland.org: Universal Health Care in Maryland in 2008

Home
Health Care Maryland.org:
Bringing Health Care to All Maryland Residents



Health Care Maryland.org is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization
which promotes research, public education and advocacy to
guarantee universal high-quality health care for all Maryland residents.

Our Goal: Universal Health Care in Maryland in 2008

Health Care Maryland.org is working with our friends and allies--other organizations, elected officials, and concerned individuals--to bring high-quality universal health care to Maryland by 2009. We're planning town halls, summits, conferences, and organizing legislative efforts. We need your help!

Please join our google group: http://groups.google.com/group/healthcaremaryland
Please Participate at our website: http://www.healthcaremaryland.org/

We know we have our work cut out for us. We've been working with doctors, elected officials, administrators and others developing a comprehensive, fundamental approach to health care for our state. We need your help organizing events, gathering information, building coalitions and more. The stakes are too high for us not to succeed.

Health Care Maryland Google Group | Health Care Maryland DFA-Link | Health Care Maryland Forums

Recent articles collected at our website:

'Is this what America stands for?'

By Linda P. Campbell | McClatchy Newspapers

Hillary Clinton talks about health-care reform in terms of "American values, American families and American jobs."

Barack Obama talks about health care as a "right for everyone, not a privilege for the few."

John McCain talks about making insurance more affordable "by fostering competition and innovation."

Uwe Reinhardt talks about outrages.

The Princeton economics professor tells of a hospital patient charged $9,000 for a night in the intensive care unit and $791 for stockings that run $12 at a drugstore. He tells of a father who sought treatment for his son's infected eye and got billed $1,200.

"Is this what America stands for?" he asked. But it wasn't really a question.

Health notes December 16, 2007 baltimoresun.com

Health notes | baltimoresun.com

Diabetes support group to meet
Upper Chesapeake Health will offer a Parish Nurse Diabetes Support Group at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Aberdeen Senior Center.
For information and to register, call 410-273-5666.Information: 800-515-0044.

Group aids cancer patients, families
Upper Chesapeake Health has a new cancer support group for individuals who have been diagnosed with any type of cancer and their families. The group will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Harford Memorial Hospital. Information: 800-515-0044.

How to control health spending

By Dan Radmacher | The Roanoke Times

It doesn't sound like much: 2.5 percentage points. That's the amount that health care prices have been increasing more than the level of inflation. But, the beauty of compound interest turned ugly, that small difference adds up over the years.

Excluding a short period in the '90s when managed care systems exerted some pressure on costs and a booming economy expanded growth in other areas, health care spending has consumed a larger and larger proportion of America's gross domestic product.

According to projections by actuaries at the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, health spending will equal 20 percent of GDP by 2015.

Health savings accounts for poor tested

By KEVIN FREKING | ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER | SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

WASHINGTON -- The popularity of health savings accounts for the poor will be put to the test in Indiana under a program approved Friday by the Bush administration. Under the plan, someone making $20,000 a year could get health coverage for about $19 a week.

Bush has long pushed health savings accounts as a way to slow the rising cost of medical care and extend basic coverage to the uninsured.

Under the Indiana program, eligible residents can pay up to 5 percent of their incomes into state-subsidized "Personal Wellness and Responsibility Accounts" that cover their initial medical expenses up to $1,100. Once that deductible is reached, private insurance purchased by the state kicks in.

Driving a stake through health reform's heart

OPINION | John Sweeney | The News Journal. Wilmington, Delaware | Friday, December 14, 2007

Supposedly the 2008 election will be the one that turns health care around in this country.

Voters rank health worries right behind concerns about the war in Iraq. Candidates at all levels, businesses, labor unions and reformers of all stripes have been calling for real reform.

Every day we seem to see another story about the rising number of uninsured people in this country.

So unlike the ill-fated Clinton attempt at health care reform in the early 1990s, real changes are on the way, right?

Don't bet on it.

The year of public health in Md.

By Vincent DeMarco | Baltimore Sun Opinion

The people of Maryland should be very proud of their leaders for making 2007 the year of public health in Maryland, which despite its wealth has traditionally been among the worst states at providing health insurance for poor adults.

The General Assembly this year passed four new laws, which will:

• Require all workplaces and public places to be smoke-free.

• Increase the state tobacco tax by $1 per pack.

• Allow young adults to stay on their parents' insurance plans.

• Provide health care coverage for many lower-income adults.

Report: Health care gap is growing along racial, economic lines

Center on Health Disparities calls for collaboration by hospitals, communities and counties
by C. Benjamin Ford | Gazette Staff Writer

A report from Adventist HealthCare’s newly created Center on Health Disparities shows that the growing diversification of the counties has increased the gap in health care along racial and economic lines.

The 113-page report, ‘‘Partnering Toward a Healthier Future,” was released Friday at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park and followed by a panel discussion with regional health and government leaders.

‘‘We believe collaboration is the only way health disparities will cease to exist,” said William G. ‘‘Bill” Robertson, president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare.

Welcome to Health Care Maryland.org

We're joining forces with other organizations and individuals, elected officials and other leaders to guarantee health care to everyone in Maryland.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Maryland Moms Lobby for Peace and Accountability--Get in on the Impeachment movement


Progressive Democrats of America - Stand Up. Take Action. Vote.

Get in on the Impeachment movement:Impeach the Cheerleader Button
"Impeach Bush" Jr. Raglan"Impeach Bush" Organic Cotton TeeImpeach the Cheerleader
Impeachment articles at the PDA blog. Please post and forward widely

Maryland Moms Lobby for Peace and Accountability

On December 13th, Debbie and Barb lobbied Congress in festive holiday attire. As Chesapeake Carolers, they had so much fun! They even made new friends on the steps of the Capitol Building! They hope you like the pictures! And wait till you see their music videos! [read more]



Impeachment: If not now, when?

December 15th, 2007
Lawmakers need to stand up for the Constitution and support impeachment
By LINDA BOYD | GUEST COLUMNIST | Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. — Article II, Section 4

On Nov. 6, Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney on the floor of the House of Representatives. For one shining moment the will of the majority of Americans and the promise of this nation’s founders were truly represented. The detailed charges were solemnly read from the House podium and televised on C-Span. House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer made a motion to table the bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lobbied hard for votes to table.

In a stunning turnaround, House Republicans changed strategy and voted decisively to prevent tabling the impeachment resolution. Pelosi was defied by 85 Democratic members who voted against tabling the impeachment resolution. This includes John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and six committee members. The resolution was quickly voted back to the Judiciary Committee, where it is not resting quietly.

Judiciary Committee member Bob Wexler wrote, “The American people are served well with a legitimate and thorough impeachment inquiry. I will urge the Judiciary Committee to schedule impeachment hearings immediately and not let this issue languish as it has over the last six months. Only through hearings can we begin to correct the abuses of Dick Cheney and the Bush administration.”[read more] Post Comments »

30,000 People Join Congressman Wexler’s Call For Cheney Impeachment Hearings in Just 24 Hours

December 15th, 2007
Blockbuster First Day for WexlerWantsHearings.com
by CONGRESSMAN ROBERT WEXLER DEMOCRAT – FLORIDA | Contact: Josh Rogin, 202-213-6165

(WASHINGTON, DC) In only the first 24 hours, more than 30,000 people have signed up online to join Congressman Robert Wexler’s (D-FL) call for impeachment hearings for Vice President Richard Cheney. On Friday, December 14, Wexler launched www.WexlerWantsHearings.com and asked Americans to join his efforts to convince Congress to hold impeachment hearings. As of 2:30 PM on Saturday 36,000 people have signed up, and the momentum generated by Wexler’s campaign is only accelerating.

“The amazing response generated by my call for impeachment hearings simply confirms the passion and energy that exists throughout the nation to hold this Administration accountable” said Wexler. “Originally my long term goal was 50,000 people to join the movement. Now it is clear we will accomplish that in only the first couple days. Major momentum now exists on behalf of our movement and it is now clear that average Americans desperately want Congress and the House Judiciary Committee to take action.” [read more] Post Comments »

A CASE FOR HEARINGS

December 15th, 2007
By Representatives and Members of the Judiciary Committee: Robert Wexler (D-FL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). For more info on this campaign go to www.WexlerWantsHearings.com.

On November 7, the House of Representatives voted to send a resolution of impeachment of Vice President Cheney to the Judiciary Committee. As Members of the House Judiciary Committee, we strongly believe these important hearings should begin.

The issues at hand are too serious to ignore, including credible allegations of abuse of power that if proven may well constitute high crimes and misdemeanors under our constitution. The charges against Vice President Cheney relate to his deceptive actions leading up to the Iraq war, the revelation of the identity of a covert agent for political retaliation, and the illegal wiretapping of American citizens. [read more] Post Comment »

Get in on the Impeachment movement:Impeach the Cheerleader Button
"Impeach Bush" Jr. Raglan"Impeach Bush" Organic Cotton TeeImpeach the Cheerleader

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

join Donna Edwards for the grand opening of our Montgomery County office


Please join Donna, her campaign staff and fellow volunteers

for the grand opening of our new office in Montgomery County.
Breakfast will be provided, along with the latest news about
campaign events and our plans for the next two months!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Rock Creek Village Center
5540 Norbeck Rd., Rockville, MD 20853
(corner of Norbeck Rd. and Bauer Dr.)
or via cell phone: 240-620-1486.
Please feel free to invite friends and family!
Let's spread the word far and wide!

Help us get Donna Edwards elected to Congress!!!
We can't do it without your support!!!

PS: If you would be able to donate or loan any of the following items, please let us know. We'd like to make the office comfortable for all our great volunteers! Microwave oven, Small refrigerator, Coffee pot, Tables, Chairs, Shelving, Desks

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Baltimore Activist Alert Dec. 6, 2007 – Dec. 18, 2007

Baltimore Activist Alert Dec. 6, 2007 – Dec. 18, 2007

"I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours.

The initiative to stop it must be ours." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Friends, this list and other email documents which I send out are done under the auspices of the Baltimore Nonviolence Center. If you appreciate this information and would like to make a donation, send contributions to BNC, 325 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Max Obuszewski can be reached at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski [at] verizon.net.

The Baltimore IndyMedia Center publicizes peace-related events. Go to http://www.radicalendar.org/group/_baltimore.

1] Books, buttons and stickers

2] Web site for info on federal legislation

3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists

4] Eyes Wide Open exhibit available

5] Hunger Strike to prevent attack of Iran – ongoing

6] Black Panther Rank & File/Eddie Conway benefit – through Dec. 16

7] Call Cardin & Mikulski: no immunity for telephone companies

8] Ask The Today Show for equal time for Mumia

9] Antiwar demonstration – Dec. 6

10] Immigrant rights conference – Dec. 6-8

11] Palestinian couple tries to hold on to ancestral lands – Dec. 6

12] Phyllis Bennis challenges empire – Dec. 6

13] Alain Resnais film at BMA – Dec. 6

14] Global Write-a-Thon – Dec. 7-10

15] WIB Inner Harbor peace vigil – Dec. 7

16] WIB Roland Park vigil – Dec. 7

17] White House vigil – Dec. 7

18] WIB Frederick peace vigil – Dec. 7

19] Silent vigil at Homewood Friends – Dec. 7

20] Vigil at Walter Reed – Dec. 7

21] Film CONVICTION – Dec. 7

22] Ballroom dancing – Dec. 7

23] Lutheran World Relief benefit – Dec. 7

24] Antiwar activists on The Mall in D.C. – Dec. 8

25] Donations needed at Free Store -- Dec. 8

26] Polar Bear Plunge – Dec. 8

27] Souk – Dec. 8

28] Peace vigil at Capitol – Dec. 8

29] March to FBI headquarters -- Dec. 8

30] Westminster WIB vigil – Dec. 8

31] Executive Power/Human Rights: Torture, Secrecy & Rule of Law – Dec. 8

32] Olney vigil to end the war – Dec. 8

33] No Easy Victories -- Dec. 8

34] PRICE OF SUGAR -- Dec. 8

35] Iraqi Refugee Crisis -- Dec. 8

---------

1] – Go to Baltimore Nonviolence Center web site www.baltnvctr.org to get buttons, bumperstickers and books. "God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions" stickers in stock. Call Max at 410-366-1637.

2] – To obtain information how your federal legislators voted on particular bills, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/. Congressional toll-free numbers are 888-818-6641, 888-355-3588 or 800-426-8073.

3] – THE ORGANIZING LIST will be the primary decision-making mechanism of the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance [NCNR]. It will be augmented by conference calls and possibly in-person meetings as needed. It will consist of 1 or 2 representatives from each local, regional, or national organization (not coalitions) that wishes to actively work to carry out the NCNR campaign of facilitating and organizing nonviolent resistance to the war in Iraq.

To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to donmuller@msn.com. Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.

THE NOTICES LIST will include only notices of NCNR actions and related information and is open to any interested person to subscribe. It will be moderated to maintain focus & will include periodic notices about getting involved in NCNR national organizing. To join the NOTICES List, send an email message to ncnrnotices-subscribe@lists.riseup.net. You will get a confirmation message once subscribed. If you have problems, please write to the list manager at ncnrnotices-admin@lists.riseup.net.

4] – The Baltimore American Friends Service Committee office has assembled an exhibit Maryland Eyes Wide Open which details the Human Cost of the Iraq War and reflects the costs of war to the state of Maryland. The exhibit consists of at least 40 pairs of combat boots, representing the US military deaths from Maryland; civilian shoes, tagged with names and ages of a very small fraction of the tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis who have died; a representative pair of combat boots and 7 red poppies, representing the estimated number of wounded US military personnel (approximately 7 times the number of dead); and signs and literature detailing the human and financial costs of the war on the cities and counties of Maryland.

AFSC will help with logistics and contribute to your planning for auxiliary events or activities presented in conjunction with the exhibit. For information on obtaining and displaying the exhibit, call 410-323-7200, extensions 20 or 21 or e-mail at tsteele@afsc.org or ggillespie@afsc.org. Go to www.afsc.org/midatlantic/baltimore-programs.htm.

5] – Start Loving, previously known as Jay McGinley, fasted in front of the Sudan Embassy for over 100 days in an attempt to end the Darfur Genocide. He is now fasting in front of the Cannon House Office Building to prevent the U.S. from attacking Iran, and to hasten a U.S. exit from Iraq. Read more at his blog http://startlovingusforcersiraniraq.blogspot.com/.

6] – The exhibit Black Panther Rank and File continues at the Maryland Institute College of Art, showcasing a collection of archival materials and original works., until Sun., Dec. 16 in the Fox Building's Decker and Meyerhoff galleries at 1303 Mount Royal Ave. Call 410-225-2280 or go to www.mica.edu.

7] – Sen. Ben. Cardin (D-MD) has pledged to support a filibuster of any bill that caves in to Bush's demand that Congress let phone companies off the hook for their willing cooperation with the administration's illegal domestic spying program. Call his office at 202-224-4524 to thank him. Then call Sen. Barbara Mikulski at 202-224-4654 and urge her to join Cardin's pledge. nity plan.

8] – The International Action Center is calling for fairness for Mumia Abu-Jamal on NBC's The Today Show! On Thurs., Dec. 6, NBC¹s The Today Show was to interview Michael Smerconish and Maureen Faulkner about their new book MURDERED BY MUMIA. In response, there is a call to send emails to The Today Show at today@msnbc.com asking them to fairly present both sides of the Mumia Abu-Jamal/Daniel Faulkner case by also featuring as guests, Linn Washington, Jr. (Philadelphia Tribune columnist and Associate Professor of Journalism at Temple University) and Dr. Suzanne Ross (Clinical Psychologist and Co-Chair of the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition, NYC). Go to http://www.iacenter.org/mumiatodaycampaign.shtml to sign a petition.

9] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore hosts an End the War! End the Occupation! rally on Thurs., Dec. 6 starting at 5 PM in Mount Vernon at Centre & Charles Sts. The Pledge gathers in Mount Vernon on the first Thursday of the month to protest the war. Call Max at 410-366-1637.

10] – The 6th National Low-Income Immigrant Rights Conference will be held from Thurs., Dec. 6 through Sat., Dec. 8 in Arlington, VA. The conference will provide people with the opportunity to meet, network and strategize to advance immigrant rights. The conference is being convened by a number of groups, including Catholic Charities USA. Contact Lucreda Cobbs at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

11] – Join a Palestinian Christian family on Thurs., Dec. 6 at 7 PM at the Mission Helper Center, corner of Chestnut Ave. and W. Joppa Road. The Nassar family is one of the last Christian Palestinian families living and working in the fertile hill country south of Bethlehem. Daoud Nassar and Jihan will talk about their life, their educational work and their determination to preserve the family's 100-acre farm. The Israelis want the land. Call 410-823-8585 ext. 241.

12] – Challenging Empire: The U.S. in the Middle East, a talk by Phyllis Bennis, takes place in Remsen Hall, Room 101, on JHU's Homewood Campus on Thurs., Dec. 6 at 7:30 PM. Locate the Eisenhower Library, Charles & 34th Sts. Go around the library to face the quad. Remsen Hall is the first building on your right. Bennis is a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, WDC and the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam and the author of UNDERSTANDING THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT: A PRIMER (2007) and CHALLENGING EMPRIE: PEOPLE, GOVERNMENTS AND THE UN DEFY U.S. POWER (2005). Bennis is being brought to Baltimore by several groups, including the Baltimore Tikkun Community. Call 410-466-7344.

13] – The BMA will host a free screening of Alain Resnais' bizarre sci-fi entry JE T'AIME JE T'AIME (1968, 91 min.) on Thurs., Dec. 6 at 8 PM.

14] – December 10 is Human Rights Day. Thousands of people will gather across the U.S. and around the world to participate in amnesty International's Global Write-A-Thon. The idea is to write letters between Fri., Dec. 7 and Mon., Dec. 10 on behalf of people whose human rights are being violated. Register at http://www.kintera.org/site/lookup.asp?link=30680.

14] – Women In Black sponsor a peace stand/vigil on Fri., Dec. 7 from noon-1 PM at the Inner Harbor, corner Pratt and Light. Everyone welcome, wear black if you can. See http://www.peacepath911.com/ or write wibbaltimore@hotmail.com or call 410-467-9114.

15] – There is also a noon vigil on Fri., Dec. 7 at Roland Park Place at 830 W. 40th St. Call 410-467-9114.

16] – A peace vigil takes place every Friday from noon to 1 PM on Pennsylvania Ave., by the press gate to the White House. It is organized by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Call 202-882-9649.

17] – WIB Frederick holds a silent vigil mourning all violence, the first Friday of the month, from 12 to 12:30 PM, War Memorial Park, W 2nd St. & N. Bentz in Frederick. The next vigil is Dec. 7. Please dress in black; no additional signs. Men are welcome. Contact: 301 834-7581 or info@wibfrederick.org; www.wibfrederick.org.

18] – Stand in a silent vigil on Fri., Dec. 7 from 5 to 6 PM outside of Homewood Friends Meeting, 3107 N. Charles St., in opposition to war with Iraq. Placards say: "War Is Not the Answer." The silent vigil is sponsored by AFSC, Homewood Friends Meeting and Stony Run.

19] – On Fri., Dec. 7 from 5 to 6 PM, there will be a demonstration at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Headquarters, 425 I St., NW, WDC. This is sponsored by Pax Christi Metro DC to condemn the middle of the night raids that result in documented and undocumented workers being separated from their families.

20] – SHED LIGHT ON US WAR CASUALTIES: FROM THE FRONT LINE TO THE BACK DOOR of Walter Reed Army Medical Center (North Gate), every Friday night, from 7 to 9 PM, 7200 Georgia Ave., at Elder St., NW. Call 202-441-3265. Go to http://www.codepinkalert.org/Local_CODEPINKs_Washington_DC.shtml.

21] – There will be a showing of CONVICTION, a documentary about a Colorado Plowshares action, at 7:30 PM on Fri., Dec. 7 at the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, 503 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW. Srs. Ardeth Platte and Carol Gilbert, courageous Dominican Sisters, will show the documentary film which tells the story of their Plowshares action at a missile silo. Call Colleen at 202-360-2131 or go to www.jonahhouse.org.

22] – There is an opportunity to participate in ballroom dancing, usually on the first and third Friday of the month, in the JHU ROTC Bldg. at 8 PM. Turn south on San Martin Dr. from the intersection of Univ. Parkway and 39th St. Drive on campus by taking the third left turn. The next dance will be Dec. 7. Call Anne and Dave Greene at 410-435-0967

23] – Gimmie Shelter Productions hosts a benefit for Lutheran World Relief on Fri., Dec. 7 at 8 PM at the Load of Fun Gallery at 120 W. North Ave. Ten artists will perform, and the proceeds will go towards the building of fresh water wells in East Africa. A donation of $7 is requested to watch and listen to the Celtic Raga Delta Blues Band, Jasaga. Jeff Swiss, Suzanne X, Alina Lightchaser, Alan Barysh, Julie Fisher, Gregg Mosson, Medina Krause and Marcus Colasurdo. So far Gimmie Shelter has raised almost half of the funds needed to build one well. Contact Marcus Colasurdo at 410- 435-7162 or e-mail him at raintheatre@verizon.net.

24] – Antiwar activists are on The Mall in D.C. every Saturday, starting at 9 AM. Meet at the Smithsonian Metro and bring with you a clearly-lettered antiwar sign, which would look good in a photo. Contact eca@usa.net.

25] – The Baltimore Free Store is seeking donations, especially toys during the holiday season. Do not donate clothes. On Sat., Dec. 8 from 10 AM to 3 PM, the store at 31 N. Haven St., Baltimore 21224 will be accepting donations. Please do not dump goods if no one is present at the warehouse. Go to www.baltimorefreestore.org. Call 410-340-9004 or email bnordvedt@baltimorefreestore.org for information about the toy drive.

26] – Take a bath at 11 AM on Sat., Dec. 8 during the Third Annual Polar Bear Plunge hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Join the largest global warming action and event in Maryland history! Roughly 500 people will take a quick dip in the Chesapeake Bay to "Keep Winter Cold – Fight Global Warming!" Plungers must collect pledges. Sign up at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/423/t/3322/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=30592
or contact Plunge coordinator Gordon Clark at gordon@chesapeakeclimate.org, or 240-396-1983.

27] – The Jerusalem Fund hosts its annual SOUK AND OLIVE HARVEST CELEBRATION takes place Sat., Dec. 8 from 11 AM to 4 PM at The Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Avenue, NW Experience the ambience of a Middle Eastern souk (market). Call 202- 338-1290 or email info@thejerusalemfund.org.

28] – A silent peace vigil, started by Friends from the Langley Hill Meeting over four years ago, continues every Saturday from noon to 1 PM on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Visit www.seekpeace.info. Info at 301-681-5126 or john.howley@verizon.net.

29] – Potomac Earth First! is leading a march starting in Farragut Square to FBI Headquarters on Sat., Dec. 8 at 1 PM. On Dec. 7, 2005, the FBI began a round up of environmental and animal rights activists. The march will call for all of the imprisoned activists to be freed and all charges dropped. Email potomacearthfirst@gmail.com.

30] – Westminster WIB hosts a vigil the 2nd Saturday of the month from 2 – 3 PM in front of the War Memorial on Main St. The next vigil will be Dec. 8. Email wibwestminster@mizmail.com.

31] – "Executive Power and Human Rights: Torture, Secrecy and the Rule of Law" is a panel discussion to be held on Sat., Dec. 8 from 2-4 PM in Kelley Lecture Hall, Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd. Participants include the following: Scott Shane, National Security reporter for NY Times (Keynote); Susan Burke, (lead counsel in a class action on behalf of the torture victims of Abu Ghraib and other prisons in Iraq and lead counsel "to recover for Blackwater's actions on Sept. 16, 2007, in Nisoor Square in Iraq;" Curtis Cooper, working internationally and nationally on U.S. treaty issues; and Dr. Matthew Crenson, JHU Professor of Political Science, and co-author, "Presidential Power: Unchecked and Unbalanced." Go to www.unamd.org.

32] – Friends House, 17715 Meeting House Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860, hosts a peace vigil every Saturday, 3:15 to 4:15 PM, on the corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave. in Olney, MD. The next vigil is Dec. 8. Call 301-774-9792.

33] – AFSC, TransAfrica et al. are sponsoring a book discussion NO EASY VICTORIES: African Liberation and American Activists AT 5:30 pm ON Sat., Dec. 8 at Busboys and Poets, 1390 V St. NW, WDC. This event is free and open to the public. Hundreds of thousands of Americans mobilized to oppose apartheid in the 1980s.They built on decades of behind-thescenes links between African liberation movements and American activists, both black and white. No Easy Victories draws on the voices of activists of several generations to explore this largely untold history. Go to www.noeasyvictories.org.

34] – On Sat., Dec. 8 at 7:30 PM, St. Francis of Assisi parish, Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood, MD will offer a screening of the film THE PRICE OF SUGAR, which tells the story of a Catholic missionary priest, Father Christopher Hartley, and how he advocates for Haitian laborers who work the sugar cane fields of the Dominican Republic. This film, narrated by Paul Newman, documents modern-day slavery and the work of the church and medical missions as the Haitians struggle for basic social and economic rights. Doors open at 7:10. There is no charge for the film, and popcorn and beverages will be free. A suggested donation is $10 for an adult and $5 for a child. Check out a review at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502236.html?sub=AR.

35] – FOCUS IN! cinema for a conscious community takes place at Busboys and Poets, 1390 V. St., NW. The weekly film screenings focus on justice, peace and community value. On Sat., Dec. 8, watch four 5 minutes clips documenting the Iraqi refugee experience. Then enjoy a panel discussion with with Yochi Dreazon, Wall Street Journal correspondent in Iraq, and Mark Ketfield, senior vice president for Policy and Programs. Doors open at 10:30 PM, with the screening at 11 PM. Admission is $3. Go to http://www.hias.org//.

To be continued

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs