Democracy for Montgomery County

URGENT: Action needed on verifiable voting in Maryland ASAP!

2010-12-15T11:52:00.000-08:00

URGENT: Action needed on verifiable voting in Maryland ASAP!

Time-sensitive request for help requested from one of our PWG member
organizations, SAVEourVotes:

Progressives have been pushing the state to switch to a new, reliable,
recountable voting system for years. A just released independent study,
funded by the MD General Assembly, has revealed what we have been saying
for years: the switch will not only protect our voting results, it will
save us millions!

Gov. O'Malley must include a very minimal amount of funding for the
switch in his budget announcement in mid-January or the new voting
system won't be in place in time for the FY 2012 elections. (While
minimal funding will be needed for the switch in FY 2012, it will be
recouped very quickly and lead to savings of $9.5M over the next 7-8
years.) We need the help of your members to ask the Governor to do this
BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS!

Could you please send an email blast ASAP to your group's members asking
them to tell Gov. O'Malley to include the switch to a new optical scan
voting system in his FY 2012 budget before the holidays -- before the
budget is finalized? It's quick and easy. Just direct them to the action
alert at http://www.saveourvotes.org/opscan4md

Thanks very much for your help! If you have any questions, go to
http://www.saveourvotes.org and/or feel free to contact Shelley Fudge at
SAVEourVotes at shelley@saveourvotes.org or 301-580-9224.

Saturday in Silver Spring Celebrate and Support Healthcare Progress

2010-12-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

We are close to our final goal of fundraising for the Economic Impact Study for our state single payer health care bill: The Maryland Health Security Act http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/bills/hb/hb0767f.pdf

We hope to have the final amount needed by the end of December so that we can have the results of the study available during the 2011 Legislative Session.

To celebrate we are having a party
This Saturday December 11th 1 to 4 pm
McGinty's Public House
911 Ellsworth in Silver Spring

Short walk from Silver Spring Metro. Free or affordable public parking near by.

Featuring the blues and swing sounds of Deadwood.

Bring your dancing shoes or sit back and sing along while you sip one of McGinty's many fine beers. Bring your friends and family and meet other single payer supporters. The cost of tickets is $20 in advance and $25 at the door and 100% of the proceeds will go towards the economic study.

We will also have canvas shopping bags available for sale. These limited edition bags include the logo for "Got P.I.I.S.D.*" (visible at www.md.pnhp.org) created by our Dr. Carol Paris, a practicing psychiatrist in Southern Maryland who is seeing an epidemic of this condition. Her diagnostic criteria for this disorder were recently published in Psychiatric Times: http://www.pnhp.org/news/2010/november/diagnostic-criteria-for-piisd-%E2%80%93-private-insurance-induced-stress-disorder. We guarantee that these bags will spark conversations wherever you take them!

If you are unable to attend this Saturday, please consider making a donation to the study online at http://www.mdsinglepayer.org/impact-study/. Donations are tax deductible. Every amount helps. Please give what you can and help us pass the Health Security Act--a publicly financed, privately run, patient-directed health plan (aka single payer health care) in Maryland. Single payer saves lives. Our study will show how much money it will save our state as well.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Progressive Democrats of America/Maryland

support public schools and local services

2010-12-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

STOP: Stop Transfer Of Pensions

We support the State of Maryland honoring its commitment to education by continuing to fund pensions.

Stop Transfer Of Pensions is a new grassroots organization dedicated to protecting public schools and local communities from a misguided proposal to shift hundreds of $millions in pensions obligations from the State of Maryland to the counties and Baltimore City. Maryland is facing serious financial / fiscal challenges. Past mistakes and the economic recession contributed to a huge shortfall in pension trust funds--estimated at $19 Billion last year, and growing. The proposed pensions transfer would shift 100s of $millions of obligations to the localities, dwarfing the amount previously shifted. With current overburdened local budgets, the results would be many times worse this time. We are working to Stop Transfer Of Pensions to the counties and Baltimore City for several reasons. Such a transfer would lead to increased crowding in classrooms, undermine achievement by Maryland's students, exacerbate fiscal stress in counties and in Baltimore, and cause cutbacks in services and many other serious problems. Please forward this email to concerned Marylanders!

Please contribute now to help STOP launch our website, plan public events, and organize support for sensible policies to address budget short-falls. Transferring pension obligations to the counties and cities would devastate local economies, hurt public schools, prevent needed maintenance, and delay or deny new projects by overburdening our local governments. We have better choices--untapped potential revenues Please support our efforts! Contribute and contact me to get involved.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S8UX7PMBC5CE2
PayPal is the safer, easier way to pay online without revealing your credit card number. (Contributions to STOP are not tax deductible.)

Some background: During the Glendenning years, Maryland adopted the "corridor" formula which was not actuarially sound and therefore underfunded the pension systems. The recession--with the stock market and real estate shocks--depleted the value of assets in the pension trust funds. Also, poor investment decisions led to lower-than-expected return on investments. These three factors combined to leave the pensions underfunded. STOP agrees Maryland must address this shortfall, but we propose real solutions to the underlying problems. If the state dumps some or all of these pensions obligations onto localities, the results will be disastrous. When the state stopped paying for Social Security for teachers some years back, class sizes increased dramatically and school construction ground to a halt. Students attended school in too-hot or too-cold trailers instead of classrooms.

Transferring pensions to localities does nothing to address the real problems. It would merely pass the buck--really billions of bucks--in a way that would exacerbate local fiscal problems. The same crunch Maryland faces on the state level is also hurting localities, leaving budgets overstressed and putting jobs and services on the chopping block. The counties and Baltimore City cannot afford to shoulder the pensions burden. Shifting that burden will not make it any smaller or easier to bear.

Shifting pensions obligations would hit Montgomery County particularly hard, but all local jurisdictions will suffer. MoCo has a restrictive revenues formula, making it very difficult to increase revenues. If the counties and Baltimore have to pay for pensions, they will lose many of the best teachers, and have to slash public services, layoff workers, and close facilities including schools, libraries, and county offices.

We've seen this problem coming for some time. WTOP.com reported in January 2009: "[Montgomery County Executive Ike] Leggett plans to make sure that Montgomery County does not get stuck with the state's bill for teacher pensions. The pensions [transfer] would add another $100 million to the county's current fiscal shortfall of approximately $500 million." Quoting Leggett's analysis of the problem, "I don't think that was some kind of conspiracy," says Leggett, "It's just simply a reflection of some of the errors and negligence that occurred at the state level." Fast forward to September 2010, and WTOP.com reported the same concerns. "[Ike] Leggett projects a more than $200 million shortfall for fiscal year 2012, or more depending on income tax returns and whether the state shifts more costs to the county. [Former] County Council President Nancy Floreen says it's too early to say where cuts should come. 'The other things on the table this year are what's going to come out of Annapolis,' Floreen says. One of the big questions is whether state lawmakers will require counties to pay for teacher pensions. Currently, the state pays teacher pensions." See: http://www.wtop.com/?hlpage=255&nid=706&sid=1565430 (2009 article) and http://www.wtopnews.com/?sid=2063361&nid=25 (2010 article).

STOP agrees Maryland lawmakers must take decisive action to address this shortfall, but we propose real solutions to the underlying problems, not treating the pension obligations like a hot potato. Last year, then-Delegate, current State Senator Roger Manno filed HB 10 to protect education and public services by fully funding pensions on the state level. He called for combined reporting, progressive taxation, and other state-level revenues to shore up the pensions trust funds. Combined reporting would close a loophole some corporations use to avoid paying all or part of their taxes on income earned in Maryland. Other states have enacted combined reporting, and found that it's a fair and effective method to accurately determine how much corporations should pay to states. The formula is precise and detailed, leading some to claim it's "too complicated." The complexity is required to accurately assess tax burdens. See: http://mcprogressive.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/wth-is-combined-reporting-and-why-do-we-need-it/

An article prepared by the New Rules Project explains combined reporting: "Many retail chains earn profits at stores nationwide, but have developed an accounting scheme to evade paying their full share of state corporate income taxes. Tax experts believe the practice is costing states billions of dollars in lost revenue. It has also given chains an advantage over locally owned businesses, which must pay state income tax on all of their earnings. Twenty-one states are not vulnerable to these tax-evasion schemes, because they have enacted a policy known as combined reporting." The article lists corporations using loopholes to avoid taxes in Maryland and other states including The Gap, Home Depot, Ikea, Kmart, Kohl’s, Limited Brands (which owns Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, The Limited, Payless Shoes, and other chains), Staples, and Wal-Mart as companies that escape taxes, but which would be forced to pay their fair share under combined reporting.

Also from the New Rules Project: "As of November 2010, twenty-three states have adopted combined reporting. These states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin." By contrast Maryland is one of the states that "have not adopted combined reporting and are vulnerable to chains escaping their state tax obligations by shifting income to subsidiaries." See: http://www.newrules.org/retail/rules/level-playing-field-taxation/combined-reporting

Maryland can and should close this loophole, and STOP believes Maryland should use those and other revenues to address the pensions short fall--as outlined in HB 10. STOP remains open to any and all proposals that actually address the situation while protecting public schools and local services.

We need your help. Support public schools and local services. Please contribute to STOP:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S8UX7PMBC5CE2
PayPal is the safe way to pay online without revealing your credit card number.
Contributions to STOP are not tax deductible.

Local Civil Rights Restoration Act

2010-12-07T22:03:00.000-08:00

The Local Civil Rights Restoration Act aims to (a) reiterate Fourth Amendment standards constraining suspicionless data collection / intelligence gathering, (b) create enforceable remedies to address racial & ethnic profiling, and (c) impede collaboration between local police agencies and federal agencies (including ICE and the FBI) unrelated to criminal law enforcement.
Suggested talking points in "plain English" are posted online.
A recent blog post explains the strategy and why these particular reforms are compelling in the wake of SB1070 and recurring FBI scandals.
Our request of grassroots groups at the outset is simply for their "name only" support of these proposed reforms, around which we can mobilize further support. As allied groups join the coalition, we can shift into a more public phase including mobilization and outreach to officeholders.

celebrate progress on healthcare THIS Saturday!

2010-12-06T10:54:00.000-08:00

We are close to our final goal of fundraising for the Economic Impact Study for our state single payer health care bill: The Maryland Health Security Act http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/bills/hb/hb0767f.pdf

We hope to have the final amount needed by the end of December so that we can have the results of the study available during the 2011 Legislative Session.

To celebrate we are having a party
This Saturday December 11th 1 to 4 pm
McGinty's Public House
911 Ellsworth in Silver Spring

Short walk from Silver Spring Metro. Free or affordable public parking near by.

Featuring the blues and swing sounds of Deadwood.

Bring your dancing shoes or sit back and sing along while you sip one of McGinty's many fine beers. Bring your friends and family and meet other single payer supporters. The cost of tickets is $20 in advance and $25 at the door and 100% of the proceeds will go towards the economic study.

We will also have canvas shopping bags available for sale. These limited edition bags include the logo for "Got P.I.I.S.D.*" (visible at www.md.pnhp.org) created by our Dr. Carol Paris, a practicing psychiatrist in Southern Maryland who is seeing an epidemic of this condition. Her diagnostic criteria for this disorder were recently published in Psychiatric Times: http://www.pnhp.org/news/2010/november/diagnostic-criteria-for-piisd-%E2%80%93-private-insurance-induced-stress-disorder. We guarantee that these bags will spark conversations wherever you take them!

If you are unable to attend this Saturday, please consider making a donation to the study online at http://www.mdsinglepayer.org/impact-study/. Donations are tax deductible. Every amount helps. Please give what you can and help us pass the Health Security Act--a publicly financed, privately run, patient-directed health plan (aka single payer health care) in Maryland. Single payer saves lives. Our study will show how much money it will save our state as well.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Your friends at Healthcare-Now of Maryland and Maryland chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program

stop transfer of pensions to the counties and Baltimore

2010-12-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

STOP: Stop Transfer Of Pensions

We support the State of Maryland honoring its commitment to education by continuing to fund teachers' pensions. We are working to stop transfer of pensions to the counties and Baltimore City for several reasons. Such a transfer would lead to increased crowding in classrooms, undermine achievement by Maryland's students, exacerbate fiscal stress in counties and in Baltimore, and cause cutbacks in services and many other serious problems.

Please contribute now to help Stop Transfer Of Pensions (STOP) launch our website, plan public events, and organize support for sensible policies to address budget short-falls. Transferring pension obligations to the counties and cities would devastate local economies, defund public schools and public safety, prevent needed transportation repairs and new projects, and bankrupt our local governments. We have better choices. Please support our efforts with a generous donation!

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S8UX7PMBC5CE2

(Contributions to STOP are not tax deductible)

PayPal is the safer, easier way to pay online without revealing your credit card number.

Join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=180969857516&ref=mf

Tuesday, December 7th Progressive Coalition Meeting to plan future events and actions.

2010-12-04T14:08:00.000-08:00

Combined MeetUp/Meeting for MCPA, DFMC, PDA, and more.
Location:Saigonese Restaurant Inc
Time:7:30 PM Tuesday, December 7th

Progressive Coalition Meeting to plan future events and actions.

If you haven't already: Please contribute $15 for 2011 to keep this
meetup going. Pay online:
http://www.meetup.com/progressive-victory/dues/ or bring to a meeting.

Saigonese Restaurant,
11232 Grandview Ave
Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902
Public Transportation: Short walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)
Google Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11232+Grandview+Ave+Silver+Spring+MD+20902

Report on progress in our county and state on Healthcare, the
Environment, Education, Labor, Transportation, Energy and other issues.
We're building up our coalition and lobby efforts on the state and
national level, planning special events, forming a steering committee,
and working on meetings with legislators, and other organizations.

Please join the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance Google Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/mcprogressivealliance

Four Meetup groups get together with like-minded activists working for
Progressive Victories in 2012 and beyond. We meet at least once each
month to discuss and plan events and actions in a coalition with 3 other
organizations:

1. MCPA: The Montgomery County Progressive Alliance is a result-oriented
coalition working on local, state, national and international issues.
MCPA includes more than 1,000 local activists, mainly in and around
Montgomery County Maryland. The organization began in 2003 when
Democracy for America Meetup members reached out to other Meetup groups
and other groups. In 2004, 100s of Montgomery County for Kerry members
and local Progressive Democrats of America members joined the MCPA. MCPA
adopted a mission statement, organized special events, and has held
meetings nearly each month since 2003.

2. DFA/DFMC: Democracy for America emerged from Gov. Howard Dean's
presidential campaign in 2004, and has organized grass-roots activists
to support socially progressive, fiscally responsible candidates. DFMC
is Democracy for Montgomery County, a local DFA-inspired organization
which is not directly or legally affiliated with DFA. DFMC has organized
events and meetings; and endorsed and organized volunteers for several
candidates. DFMC is currently seeking additional steering committee
members. Please contact me, mikehersh@mikehersh.com if you're
interested. You can sign up for DFA here:
http://democracyforamerica.com/session/new

3. PDA: Progressive Democrats of America began just after the 2004
Democratic National Convention in Boston. Bringing together people from
the 2004 Kucinich and Dean Campaigns with other progressives, PDA
adopted an "inside/outside strategy" uniting activists working inside
the Democratic Party with those working in peace and justice movements.
PDA's core issues include clean, accurate and transparent elections;
environmental protection; single-payer healthcare; economic and social
justice; and peace. See: http://www.PDAmerica.org You can sign up for
PDA here:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/personal2.asp?formid=joinusshort&c=5052037

Silver Spring fundraiser for universal healthcare

2010-12-01T12:43:00.000-08:00

Want universal healthcare at a reasonable price? Think healthcare is a human right? Got P.I.I.S.D. (Private Insurance Induced Stress Disorder)? Want a solution?

Please join us at McGinity's Pub (911 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, MD) on December 11th from 1 to 4 PM for a fundraiser for the Maryland Economic Impact Study.

We are getting very close to our goal of $40,000 and this event could put us there. Come dance to the sounds of DEADWOOD. Get a ticket in advance by making a donation of $20 or more to the study here. Tickets are $25 at the door.

Checkout the flyer for more details. If you have time, please download the flyer and post it where appropriate.

Thanks for your support,
Healthcare-NOW! of Maryland

Healthcare-NOW! of Maryland survives on the generosity of our supporters.
Please consider making a donation.

www.MDSinglePayer.org | info@mdsinglepayer.org

Criminalizing Dissent: WikiLeaks, FBI Raids, Maryland Police Spies and YOU*

2010-12-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

Criminalizing Dissent: WikiLeaks, FBI Raids, Maryland Police Spies and YOU*

Sunday, December 5 · 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Busboys and Poets, 5th and K st. NW

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1025+5th+St+NW+Washington+DC+20001
Closest metro stop: Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center (Green/Yellow
lines)

(*You - could be anyone of good conscience)

Information and Organizing meeting for activists and civil libertarians
to discuss recent (ongoing) government attempts to criminalize dissent
and what we can do to counter such attacks on our civil rights.

From the September FBI raids of peace and solidarity activist homes in
Minneapolis & Chicago; the campaign to discredit Julian Assange and
WikiLeaks; Maryland State Police spying o...n local activists and more,
our government is intent on quashing dissent (especially when it has to
do with foreign policy) using a variety of tools and tactics. And we can
fight back.

Pass a local Civil Right Restoration Act to safeguard our civil rights
and civil liberties in DC, MD and VA

Develop a rapid response network to demonstrate our solidarity with
allies under attack

More ideas are welcome!

Sponsored by Bill of Rights Defense Committee, DC National Lawyers
Guild, CodePink, Defending Dissent Foundation, Peace Action, Progressive
Democrats of America, United for Peace and Justice

David Swanson will discuss and sign his new book War Is A Lie

2010-12-01T07:29:00.000-08:00

David Swanson will discuss and sign his new book War Is A Lie.
http://warisalie.org

6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 18th

Busboys and Poets 5th & K Sts.
1025 5th St NW
Washington DC 20001

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1025+5th+St+NW+Washington+DC+20001
Closest metro stop: Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center (Green/Yellow
lines)

Cosponsors:
Chesapeake Citizens
CODE PINK
Democracy for Montgomery County
Democrats.com
Free Speech TV
Global Exchange
Montgomery County Progressive Alliance
Progressive Democrats of America
PDA - Maryland
WarIsACrime.org
Washington Peace Center

"David Swanson's War Is A Lie may be the most comprehensive antiwar
statement available in the English language." --Kevin Young

"Not since General Smedley Butler's War is a Racket has a simpler, more
brilliant, or truer book been published." --Geoffrey Millard

"David Swanson despises war and lying, and unmasks them both with rare
intelligence. I learn something new on every page." --Jeff Cohen

Hands Off Soc Sec and Medicare Capitol Hill on Nov 30

2010-11-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

You've probably heard that the National Fiscal Commission is looking to carve up Social Security and Medicare like a Thanksgiving turkey.

Join activists on Capitol Hill on Nov 30th at 10am for a Lobby Day to tell Members of Congress directly to keep their hands off Social Security and Medicare. If the Deficit Commission were serious about reducing the deficit they would look to a single-payer health care system that would save $400 billion annually on the national level, cutting the military budget, or taxing the rich.

Details:
10:00am - Pick up packets at room 2226 of the Rayburn Building

For questions, please contact Andrea Miller at amiller6210@gmail.com.

For Improved Medicare for All,
Katie Robbins
Healthcare-NOW! National Organizer

Support Maryland's Commitment to Education

2010-11-20T12:19:00.000-08:00

We support the State of Maryland honoring its commitment to education by
continuing to fund teachers' pensions.

We are working to stop transfer of pensions to the counties and
Baltimore City for several reasons. Such a transfer would lead to
increased crowding in classrooms, undermine achievement by Maryland's
students, exacerbate fiscal stress in counties and in Baltimore, and
cause other serious problems.

Please contribute now to help Stop Transfer Of Pensions (STOP) launch
our website, plan public events, and organize support for sensible
policies to address budget short-falls. Transferring pension obligations
to the counties and cities would devastate local economies, defund
public schools and public safety, prevent needed transportation repairs
and new projects, and bankrupt our local governments. We have better
choices.

Please support our efforts with a generous donation! Contributions to
STOP are not tax deductible:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S8UX7PMBC5CE2
PayPal is the safer, easier way to pay online without revealing your
credit card number.

Join our Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=180969857516&ref=mf

The election's winner? Big money Baltimore Sun

2010-11-20T10:41:00.000-08:00

The election's winner? Big money Letter to the Editor published in the Baltimore Sun
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-campaign-finance-reform-letter-20101119,0,3579976.story

Now that the election is over, the tallies are in, and the numbers are shocking — and no, I'm not talking about the votes. I'm talking about the record-breaking amounts of anonymous money poured into campaign coffers by shadowy front groups like American Action Network and American Future Fund. American Action Network spent over $16 million on electioneering in 2010 but did not disclose where a single penny came from. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent over $31 million, but they also did not disclose their donors. They are not alone. The percentage of organizations disclosing their electioneering communications donors has fallen from 97 percent in 2004, to 34 percent in 2010, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Thank the Supreme Court. In case after case, including the landmark Citizens United v. FEC, they have chipped away at barriers between corporate influence and democratic elections. While some may applaud the court's ruling for bestowing every American, from BP to your grandmother, with the right to anonymously spend millions of dollars on elections, the ability of foreign and domestic corporations and unions to launder large independent expenditures through front groups is just another way the voices of individuals are being drowned out.

Action is being taken to mitigate this. Congress has a second chance to pass the Disclose Act, which would require groups to identify their donors. And in Maryland we are lucky enough to have a similar package going to the General Assembly, introduced by Sens. Jamie Raskin and Brian Frosh, which would guard our local officials from anonymous smear campaigns and pay-to-play politics. I hope Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller will understand the need for these protections and use his extensive experience in the General Assembly to advocate for passage of these important bills.

Jessica Sharp, Laurel

We support the State of Maryland honoring its commitment to education

2010-11-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

We support the State of Maryland honoring its commitment to education by continuing to fund teachers' pensions.

We are working to stop transfer of pensions to the counties and Baltimore City for several reasons. Such a transfer would lead to increased crowding in classrooms, undermine achievement by Maryland's students, exacerbate fiscal stress in counties and in Baltimore, and cause other serious problems.

Please contribute now to help Stop Transfer Of Pensions (STOP) launch our website, plan public events, and organize support for sensible policies to address budget short-falls. Transferring pension obligations to the counties and cities would devastate local economies, defund public schools and public safety, prevent needed transportation repairs and new projects, and bankrupt our local governments. We have better choices. Please support our efforts with a generous donation! Contributions to STOP are not tax deductible:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S8UX7PMBC5CE2

PayPal is the safer, easier way to pay online without revealing your credit card number.
Join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=180969857516&ref=mf

Upcoming hearings for the House of Delegates in Rockville

2010-11-17T16:08:00.000-08:00

Monday, December 6, 2010

House Hearing for local bills - 7:00 p.m. - 3rd Floor Hearing Room, Stella Werner Council Office Bldg., 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850 - Local bills refer to legislation affecting issues specific to Montgomery County.

Click here to sign up to testify.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

House Hearing for bi-county bills - 7:00 p.m. - 3rd Floor Hearing Room, Stella Werner Council Office Bldg., 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850 - Bi-County bills refer to legislation that requires the approval of the Montgomery County and the Prince George’s County Delegations.

Click here to sign up to testify.

Free Speech for People--We're making a difference!

2010-11-17T12:25:00.000-08:00

Dear friend -

Great news: we’re seeing a tremendous response to our campaign, just in the past few days since our last message.   In fact, it’s been one of our strongest responses ever. It’s clear that people are ready to stand up and fight to take our democracy back from the corporations.

There’s also been a ton of press coverage on all the money spent in the recent election. And that coverage gives us an important opening to make our case for a constitutional amendment, using letters-to-the-editor to reach policy-makers and the public.

Can you take 5 minutes right now, to send a letter to your newspaper? We’ve made it easy by providing sample letters and an online tool to help you send one to your paper, here:

       Send a quick letter to the editor now.

Letters-to-the-editor are really powerful: they’re widely read, especially by elected officials, who pay extra close attention to get a feel for what the voters are thinking about.

After the election, you can bet they’re watching to see if we’re going to roll over and accept the latest power grab by corporations, which just spent hundreds of millions of dollars to influence the last election, with the Supreme Court’s blessing. Or, if we’re standing and fighting.

Which will you do today?

       Click here to stand up and be heard.

Our constitutional amendment will make it clear once and for all that free speech and other constitutional rights are for people, not corporations.

Your letter will help tell the world that the fight for the future of our democracy is on.

Thanks again for standing with us.

Sincerely,

- John

John Bonifaz
Free Speech for People
November 17, 2010

Baltimore Activist Alert Nov. 17 – Dec. 2, 2010

2010-11-17T09:23:00.000-08:00

Baltimore Activist Alert Nov. 17 – Dec. 2, 2010

"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. Go to www.baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com. 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] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLA

5] Used stamps for humanitarian causes

6] Bring the World Home continues

7] Cease violence contest through Dec. 6/event Dec. 10

8] You can buy Shiori's book of poetry – which is available Dec. 15

9] "Freedom's Sisters exhibit – through Jan. 17

10] Join the 25% campaign

11] Tell Sarbanes Vote Yes HR 4812 – Nov. 17

12] Philadelphia peace vigil – Nov. 17

13] Westminster WIB vigil – Nov. 17

14] Chestnut Hill, PA vigil – Nov. 17

15] Affordable housing discussion – Nov. 17

16] Gitmo prisoners' poetry – Nov. 17

17] Help plan a Pentagon protest – Nov. 17

18] Palestine/Israel Roundtable – Nov. 18

19] Book MOTHER FROM GAZA – Nov. 18

20] Restorative justice Conference – Nov. 18-20

21] FBI Vs. Democracy – Nov. 18

22] Save Maryland's education budget – Nov. 18

23] Protest at the Pentagon – Nov. 18

___

1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available. "God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions" stickers are in stock. Donate your books to Max. Call him

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. The White House Comment Email is accessible at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.

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] – You can help safeguard human rights and fragile ecosystems through your purchase of HOCOFOLA Café Quetzal. Bags of ground coffee or whole beans can be ordered by mailing in an order form. Also note organic cocoa and sugar are for sale. For more details and to download the order form, go to http://friendsoflatinamerica.typepad.com/hocofola/2010/02/hocofola-cafe-quetzal-order-form-2010.html.

Be sure you indicate ground (G) or bean (B) for each type of coffee ordered. Make the check out to HoCoFoLA and send it with your order form to Nancy Meier, 10 Pepperdine Circle, Catonsville, MD 21228. Contact Pat McLaine at 410-964-0960 or pamcl@aol.com. The coffee will arrive some time the following week and you will be notified where to pick it up.

5] – Brad Hathaway spearheads an effort to sell donated used stamps to raise money for different humanitarian causes around the world. Go to www.mattapoisettquakers.org, and click the link for the stamp ministry. Carefully clip canceled postage stamps and send to Quaker Missions, PO Box 795, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Send no small flag stamps or Liberty Bell Forever stamps.

6] – Catch the "Bringing the World Home" exhibit in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps! The exhibit is in the UMBC Library Rotunda through the end of the semester and consists of 5 display cases featuring photos and artifacts from UMBC's faculty, staff and students who have served in the Peace Corps, including many current and alumni Shriver Peaceworker Fellows. The center case features pieces from the Peace Corps founding era (a tribute to Sarge Shriver!) and the surrounding case highlight experiences from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, and the Americas. There is no formal "opening," but mark Tues., Nov.16 from 7 to 9 PM in your calendars for the "Practical Idealist Evening" event in the Library during which the exhibit will be featured. If you are coming from off campus, give Joby Taylor a call at (410) 455-6398, and he will give you a tour.

7] – Shiori was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1951 on August 15, six years after the day the initial announcement of Japan's surrender to the Allies was made, the official end of World War II. She describes herself as hapa, half-American, and half-Japanese— the child of the enemy amor. In her first chapbook collection of poetry from Finishing Line Press, the debut author weaves memoir and historical record into a lyrical and moving portrait of post-war immigration to the United States. Shiori's work has appeared in many publications, and she has won several awards including Thomas Merton poetry prizes.

Finishing Line Press is a poetry publisher based in Georgetown, Kentucky, and the Chapbook Series will be published on Dec. 3. However, early orders can be made by ordering online at http://www.finishinglinepress.com/ or directly from the publisher [$12, check or money order] at Finishing Line Books, PO Box 1626, Georgetown, KY 40324. Email finishingbooks@aol.com or call 859-514-8360. You may also contact Kathleen Hellen at khe1721111@aol.com or khellen@coppin.edu.

8] – Now through Dec. 6, Baltimore City and County School Students who submit an essay, poetry, or artwork for the David B. Wright Memorial Foundation, Inc. "Cease Violence / Increase Education Campaign" will be entered to win a Holiday Gift Card! To participate email SHAWNTE WRIGHT at snjwright@gmail.com. The Selected Student's Essay Winners will win a $100 card by Mon., Dec. 20. Submitted materials will not be returned and will be kept by the David B. Wright Memorial Foundation, Inc. for future displays. At the DBWMF, INC. Holiday Event on Fri., Dec. 10 from 6 to 10 PM, families and students can enjoy an evening of essay/poetry reading, art and culture and fitness dancing! Essay Winners will be Announced! The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for students. Register at www.DavidBWrightMemorialFoundation.org. Local business sponsors and vendors are needed! Call 443-438-5302.

9] – Catch the exhibit at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture, 830 Pratt St.—"Freedom's Sisters," which runs through Jan. 17. Twenty remarkable African-American women are profiled, including Coretta Scott King. Call 443-263-1800 or go to www.africanamericanculture.org.

10] – Fund Our Communities campaign is a grass roots movement to get support from local organizations and communities to work together with their local and state elected officials to pressure our Congresspersons and senators to join with Congressperson Barney Frank and Ron Paul, who have endorsed a 25% cut to the federal military budget. Then bring these savings home to state and county governments to meet the local needs which are under tremendous budget pressures. Go to www.OurFunds.org and www.PeaceActionMC.org.

11] – On Wed., Nov. 17, Progressive Democrats of America will be joined by CODEPINK and others in holding brownbag vigils outside (or inside) offices of members of the House of Representatives. Brownbaggers are demanding commitments to vote against more money for war and for progressive legislation. Slogans on their posters include: "Healthcare not Warfare," "Corporations out of Politics," "Bailout Main Street not Wall Street," and "Brownbaggers not Teabaggers". Go to http://tinyurl.com/brownbagvigil.

The Pledge of Resistance will go to Rep. John Sarbanes' office, 600 Baltimore Ave., Suite 303, Baltimore, MD 21204, on Nov. 17 at 4:30 PM. While inside, we will deliver a letter to urge the representative to pledge to vote against further funding of wars. He did sign on to HR 4812: the Local Jobs for America Act. From 5 to 5:30 PM, we will demonstrate on Bosley Ave. against U.S. wars in the Middle East.

12] – Each Wednesday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, the House of Grace Catholic Worker holds a weekly vigil for peace in Iraq outside the Phila. Federal Building, 6th & Market Sts. The next vigil is Nov. 10. Call 215-426-0364.

13] – WIB does a silent vigil mourning all violence the third Wednesday of the month. The next vigil is Wed., Nov. 17 from 6:30 PM to 7 PM at the intersection of Martin & Patrick Sts in downtown Frederick. Wear black, but bring no additional signs. Call 301-834-7581 or wibfrederick@mizmail.com.

14] – Each Wednesday, the Northwest Greens hold a peace vigil from 7 to 8 PM outside the Borders Book Store, Germantown Ave. at Bethlehem Pike in Chestnut Hill, PA. The next vigil is Nov. 10. Call 215-843-4256 or email nwgreens@yahoo.com.

15] – On Wed., Nov. 17, join the Homeless Persons Representation Project which is presenting its third speaker in a four-part series, Trudy Parisa McFall of Homes for America, who will discuss affordable housing. Then a panel of experts will consider the possibilities in Baltimore. The Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St., will host the event in its Wheeler Aud. from 7 to 8:30 PM. Call 410-396-5430. Go to www.prattlibrary.org.

16] – Guantanamo poetry is to be featured in a Baltimore concert. Pioneering U.S. composer Annea Lockwood is about to present In Our Name, a new composition featuring poetry written by Guantanamo Bay prisoners, at An Die Musik, 409 N. Charles St., 2^nd Floor, on Wed., Nov. 17 from 8 to 9 PM. Tickets are $12 for the general public, and $5 for students.

The performers are Thomas Buckner, baritone, David Behrman, guitar and laptop, Annea Lockwood, electronics and voice, and Ted Mook, cello. Lockwood's In Our Name, a collaboration with Buckner, builds on excerpts of poetry written by Jumah al Dossari and Osama Abu Kabir while incarcerated without trial at Guantanamo Bay. To request images or to arrange interviews with the composer or performers, contact Raymond Beegle at booking@thomasbuckner.com.

17] – Consider being on a National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance conference call on Wed., Nov. 17 at 9 PM EST to continue to plan a climate chaos action of nonviolent civil resistance at the Pentagon on Apr. 8, calling for an end to the wars and for an end to policies that make the Pentagon the biggest polluter of our earth. Call Max at 410-366-1637 or email him at mobuszewski at verizon.net to get the call-in number and access code.

18] – The WEEKLY ROUNDTABLE SEEKING A JUST PEACE IN PALESTINE/ISRAEL takes place from 12:30 - 1:30 PM on Thursdays at Potter's House, 1658 Columbia Road NW, WDC. Join a civil discourse which explores the history, issues, myths, realities, and truth of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Contact Alice Azzouzi at 202-232-5483.

19] – Laila El-Haddad, author of MOTHER FROM GAZA, will speak on Thurs., Nov. 18 from 12:30 to 2 PM at the Palestine Center. She describes her life as a Palestinian journalist who must live under occupation. Call 202-338-1958 or email info@thejerusalemfund.org.

20] – Maryland's 3rd Annual Restorative Justice Conference starts on Thurs., Nov. 18 from 6 until 8 PM and continues on Fri., Nov. 19 from 8 AM to 6 PM. Howard County Community College is hosting these two days. The theme is "Expanding the Circle: Schools, Communities, Courts."

The conference will continue on Sat., Nov. 20 from 10 AM to 1 PM at Towson Univ. This year's featured presenters are Melissa Hook and Lorraine Stutzman-Amstutz. Visit http://www.crimaryland.org/.

21] – On Thurs., Nov. 18 from 6 to 8 PM at the Belmont House, 1830 Belmont Ave. in NW in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood, join the discussion on FBI vs. Democracy & How to Stop Government Surveillance. There are a number of sponsors including the Defending Dissent Foundation. Go to www.bordc.org or email info@bordc.org.

22] – Join Prince George's School Superintendent William Hite, budget experts and education advocates for Falling off the Edge: Maryland's Education Funding Cliff to learn what you can do to maintain funding for Maryland public schools! This event takes place on Thurs., Nov. 18 from 6:30-8:30 PM at Bowie High School, 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715. Maryland faces a $1.1 billion budget deficit and federal stimulus funding will be lost after this fiscal year. The impact of state education funding cuts could be devastating to classrooms statewide. To ensure that all Maryland students are receiving an adequate education as guaranteed by the state's constitution, the ACLU is working with the Maryland Education Coalition to hold a forum to discuss the upcoming General Assembly session and what people can do to support education during these difficult economic times. RSVP by contacting Frank Patinella at 410-889-8550 x123 or patinella@aclu-md.org. If you need a ride from Baltimore City, call Charlie Cooper at 410-578-8291.

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

You are necessary!

2010-11-16T11:07:00.000-08:00

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the
cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
-- Ted Kennedy at the Democratic Convention in 1980

You are necessary! Thanks to you, the Montgomery County Progressive
Alliance is making progress in Montgomery County and Maryland. As we
move into 2011, the work goes on. With your help, the dream shall never
die. But we need you to keep MCPA going and growing. MCPCA is a
non-profit, all-volunteer organization. We can only keep working with
generous member donations. We will not be able to pay for social
networking tools such as Meetup.com, rent venues for special events,
print flyers and other materials, and keep organizing for progress
without your support.

We've been organizing events, supporting candidates, and informing you
about progressive efforts in our area since 2003. We have big plans to
work with our friends and allies in the county and state on healthcare,
the environment, equality, and more! MCPA is playing a role organizing,
supporting, and/or promoting ALL of the events below. NO OTHER
ORGANIZATION is involved and promoting progress on such a wide range of
issues and efforts!

Help keep us working for you! Please support the MCPA with a generous
donation now. We hope you will give $25, but we appreciate any help you
afford in these tough economic times. You can donate safely and easily
online here
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=UW2R635KZPP9L
or bring your donation to our meetings and events. Note: donations to
MCPA are not tax deductible.

-----------------

Recent Progressive Events:

Patients United for the Human Right to Healthcare held an organizational
meeting in Bethesda October 23. Joel Segal, Senior Legislative Assistant
to Congress; Phyllis Zolotorow, Healthcare Advocate and uninsured
patient; Judy Mahaffy, Healthcare Advocate and underinsured patient; and
Beverly Hummel, Healthcare Activist discussed plans to help expand and
improve healthcare in Maryland and the USA. MCPA helped organize and
publicize this event.

The Middle East Peace Campaign launched the Symposium Series, "Pathways
to Peace: Creating an Israeli/Palestinian Peace Agreement" at George
Washington University on November 4th. Harriet Fulbright – President of
the J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center, Walter Fauntroy – US
Congressman (D-DC, 1971-1990) and Founder of the Congressional Black
Caucus, Joel Segal – Congressional Staffer, Founder of the Free China
Movement & co-founder of the Progressive Democrats of America, plus
other expert panelists presented, answered questions and engaged the
200+ member audience in discussions about transforming a long standing
conflict into a long standing peace. Cosponsored by George Washington
Interfaith Action (GWIA). MCPA helped organize and publicize this event.

The Montgomery County Chapter of the National Organization of Women held
an exciting panel discussion & workshop "Girls at Risk" November 8th at
the Wheaton Library. Over 70 people attended and participated in the
discussion and planning for upcoming events and projects. MCPA helped
organize and publicize this event.

The Montgomery County Progressive Alliance hosted Libby Kimzey Maryland
Organizer for Common Cause who discussed the Fair Elections Now Act with
us in Wheaton at the Saigonese Restaurant November 9th. We also
discussed instant run-off voting, the recent elections, and plans for 2011.

It's so important that we know you support our efforts. Please donate
safely and easily online here
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=UW2R635KZPP9L
or bring your donation to our meetings and events.

-----------------

Stay in touch:
Join our MCPA Google Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/mcprogressivealliance
Join the MCPA Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3401340272&ref=ts
Join our Progressive Victory Meetup group:
http://www.meetup.com/progressive-victory/

-------------

The Montgomery County Progressive Alliance is a results-oriented
coalition working on local, state, national and international issues.
MCPA includes more than 1,000 local activists, mainly in and around
Montgomery County, Maryland. MCPA began in 2003 when Democracy for
America Meetup members reached out to other Meetup groups and other
groups. In 2004, 100s of Montgomery County for Kerry members and local
Progressive Democrats of America members joined the MCPA. MCPA adopted a
mission statement, organized special events, and has held meetings
nearly each month. We get together with like-minded activists working
for progress. We meet at least once each month to discuss and plan
events and actions.

Thanks for reading down this far, and hope to see you at the meeting and
future events,

Mike Hersh,
Meetup Organizer Chairperson, MCPA and DFMC Maryland State Coordinator,
PDA Steering Committee, PWG

-----------------

Please help support the MCPA with a generous donation now. You can
donate safely and easily online here
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=UW2R635KZPP9L
or bring your donation to our meetings and events. Note: donations to
MCPA are not tax deductible.

monthly meeting of Healthcare-Now of Maryland

2010-11-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

Join us for the monthly meeting of Healthcare-Now of Maryland, working
for universal, single-payer healthcare. Newcomers, friends, members all
welcome. Thursday, Nov. 18th, 7:15-9:15 PM in Baltimore at the
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, 6 E. University Pkwy (ne corner
University Pkwy and N. Charles St.) Ample free parking (enter from N.
Charles St.) For more info, email info@mdsinglepayer.org

the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die

2010-11-11T11:55:00.000-08:00

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the
cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

-- Ted Kennedy at the Democratic Convention in 1980

Thanks to you, the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance is making
progress in Montgomery County and Maryland. As we move into 2011, the
work goes on. With your help, the dream shall never die. But we need you
to keep MCPA going and growing. We've been organizing events, supporting
candidates, and informing you about progressive efforts in our area
since 2003. We have big plans to work with our friends and allies in the
county and state on healthcare, the environment, equality, and more!
MCPA is playing a role organizing, supporting, and/or promoting ALL of
the events below. NO OTHER ORGANIZATION is involved and promoting
progress on such a wide range of issues and efforts!

-----------------

Recent Progressive Events:

The Middle East Peace Campaign launched the Symposium Series, "Pathways
to Peace: Creating an Israeli/Palestinian Peace Agreement" at George
Washington University on November 4th. Harriet Fulbright – President of
the J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center; Walter Fauntroy – US
Congressman (D-DC, 1971-1990) and Founder of the Congressional Black
Caucus; Joel Segal – Congressional Staffer, Founder of the Free China
Movement & co-founder of the Progressive Democrats of America, plus
other expert panelists presented, answered questions and engaged the
200+ member audience in discussions about transforming a long standing
conflict into a long standing peace. Cosponsored by George Washington
Interfaith Action (GWIA). MCPA helped organize and publicize this event.

MCPA helped mobilize activists and voters for early voting and Election
Day, and supported progressive candidates throughout the campaign. We
also hosted candidates at our meetings, and helped organize and
publicize candidate forums and debates. It's so important that we know
you support our efforts. Please donate safely and easily online here
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=UW2R635KZPP9L
or bring your donation to our meetings and events.

-----------------

Stay in touch:

Join our MCPA Google Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/mcprogressivealliance

Join the MCPA Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3401340272&ref=ts

Join our Progressive Victory Meetup group:
http://www.meetup.com/progressive-victory/

-----------------

We get together with like-minded activists working for progress. We meet
at least once each month to discuss and plan events and actions. Thanks
for reading down this far, and hope to see you at the meeting and future
events,

Mike Hersh

-----------------

UPDATE: Libby Kimzey Maryland Organizer for Common Cause will join us at 7 PM to discuss the Fair Elections Now Act.

2010-11-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: Libby Kimzey Maryland Organizer for Common Cause will join us at
7 PM to discuss the Fair Elections Now Act.

Combined MeetUp/Meeting for MCPA, DFMC, PDA, and more.
Progressive Coalition Meeting to plan future events and actions.

If you haven't paid your dues for 2010 (or want to pay for 2011) please
take this opportunity to do so now.

Please pay online:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TQJP7KPCH6HN6
or bring dues to our meeting:
Saigonese Restaurant, 11232 Grandview Ave
Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902
Public Transportation: Short walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)
Google Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11232+Grandview+Ave+Silver+Spring+MD+20902

Please join the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance Google Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/mcprogressivealliance

If you're on Facebook, please join the MCPA group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3401340272&ref=ts

Thanks!

Mike

Four Meetup groups--Progressive Victory in 2010, Democratic Party /
MCPA, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance and this one--get together
with like-minded activists working for Progressive Victories in 2010 and
beyond. We meet at least once each month to discuss and plan events and
actions. Of these groups, Progressive Victory has the most members, and
we hope you will join that Meetup to save time, money, and effort
organizing our meetings and actions. See:
http://www.meetup.com/progressive-victory/ We'll eventually close the
other Meetup groups.

Other organizations working in our area:

PWG: The Progressive Working Group is a coalition promoting progress and
reform, economic fairness and equality, protecting the environment, and
more. PWG is not part of the MCPA, but the MCPA is part of the PWG which
currently includes: Audubon Naturalist Society, CASA of Maryland,
Democracy for Montgomery County, Equality Maryland, Health Care Now,
Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Montgomery Health Care Action,
PeaceAction Montgomery, Peace and Justice of Prince George's County,
Progressive Cheverly, Progressive Democrats of America (Maryland),
Progressive Neighbors, Save Our Votes, and Upcounty Action. PWG will
focus on 2 or 3 issues during the 2010 session. Progressive
organizations are welcome to join PWG. Please contact Wally Malakoff
malakoff@starpower.net for more information.

NOW: The National Organization for Women has been advancing womens'
issues including general progressive causes for decades. See:
http://www.now.org/ for more information. Contact Montgomery County NOW
membership chairperson Jeannette Feldner lj.feldner@verizon.net to join.
Men as well as women are welcome to join NOW.

OfA: Organizing for America emerged from President Obama's campaign in
2008, and is organizing grass-roots activists to support the Democratic
National Committee/Obama agenda. OfA is sponsoring local efforts in each
congressional district which are not directly or legally affiliated with
the DNC. OfA is currently sponsoring phone banks, organizing meetings,
and building a "rapid response" media effort. Please contact Jon Randall
jrandall39@comcast.net for more information. See
http://www.barackobama.com/learn/about_ofa.php

MoveOn is a national political action organization and has a local
council in Silver Spring and elsewhere around Maryland. Local MoveOn
members have cooperated with MCPA on town halls, vigils, phone banking,
and other actions. See http://www.moveon.org to join your local council.

To have your organization or events listed here, please contact me.

Thanks for reading down this far, and hope to see you at the meeting and
future events,

Mike Hersh, Meetup Organizer
Chairperson, MCPA and DFMC
Maryland State Coordinator, PDA
Steering Committee, PWG

TONIGHT: Girls at Risk: the bullying of sexualization of girls

2010-11-08T10:16:00.000-08:00

REMINDER: The Montgomery County Chapter of the National Organization for Women invites you to attend an engaging, informative panel-led discussion and workshop on "Girls at Risk: the bullying of sexualization of girls." Free, open to the public, free parking. Refreshments.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2010 FROM 7 TO 9 P.M.
WHEATON REGIONAL LIBRARY Large Meeting Room on the ground Floor
11701 Georgia Ave., (corner of Arcola Ave.) Wheaton, MD 20902

Directions: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/libraries/branchinfo/wh.asp#map

Falling Off The Edge: Maryland’s Education Funding Cliff

2010-11-08T09:46:00.000-08:00

Maryland Education Coalition presents... Falling Off The Edge:
Maryland's Education Funding Cliff

Thursday, November 18, 2010 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Bowie High School 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715

Maryland Education Coalition will host a presentation and panel
discussion on Maryland's budget crisis, threats to state education
funding, and the potential impact on school districts, teachers, and
students in Maryland.

Presentations and Panel Discussion Guests

Dr. William Hite, Superintendent of Prince George's County Public School
System John Woolums, Maryland Association of Boards of Education Clara
Floyd, Maryland State Education Association Neil Bergsman, Maryland
Budget and Tax Policy Institute

Light Food and Refreshments will be served. For more information and to
RSVP for the event, contact Ellie Mitchell at 410.625.7976 or
emitchell@safeandsound.org.  

Crisis in Education Funding
• $430 million in federal stimulus funding for education WILL BE LOST
for next school year • Federal stimulus funding for IDEA and Title I
WILL ALSO BE LOST • A shift of teacher pension costs from the state to
local school districts could lead to HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS CUT FROM
CLASSROOMS • Maryland faces $1 billion+ in revenue shortfalls for fiscal
year 2012

Will you act to prevent cuts to Maryland's public schools? Join the
Maryland Education Coalition!

Making progress in Montgomery County and Maryland.

2010-11-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks to you, the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance is making
progress in Montgomery County and Maryland.

-----------------

Progressive Events Coming up:

Mean Girls and their Victims panel discussion & workshop "Girls at Risk"
Monday, November 8th, 7 TO 9 P.M

MoCo Progressive Alliance MeetUp/Meeting November 9, 7 - 9 pm (it's OK
to come late, traffic can be tough!)

* Save the Date: Sunday, November 21--Progressive Working Group Strategy
Meeting

* Save the Date: Sunday, December 12--Montgomery County Progressive
Alliance fundraiser (date tentative)

About the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance

-----------------

Mean Girls and their Victims a panel discussion and workshop addressing
"Girls at Risk" Monday, November 8th, 7 TO 9 P.M

Free, open to the public, free parking. Refreshments.

-----------------

MoCo Progressive Alliance MeetUp/Meeting November 9, 7 - 9 pm (it's OK
to come late, traffic can be tough!) Fun, informal discussion plus a
report on progress in our county and state on Healthcare, the
Environment, Education, Labor, Transportation, Energy and other issues.
We're building up our coalition and lobby efforts on the state and
national level, planning special events, forming a steering committee,
and working on meetings with legislators, and other organizations. You
can bring MCPA donations to our meeting!

Saigonese Restaurant, 11232 Grandview Ave Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD
20902 Public Transportation: Short walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)

-----------------

Other ways to stay in touch

Please join the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance Google Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/mcprogressivealliance

Join the MCPA Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3401340272&ref=ts

-------------
MCPA: The Montgomery County Progressive Alliance is a result-oriented
coalition working on local, state, national and international issues.
MCPA includes more than 1,000 local activists, mainly in and around
Montgomery County Maryland. Four Meetup groups--Progressive Victory,
Democratic Party / MCPA, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance and this
one--get together with like-minded activists working for Progressive
Victories in 2010 and beyond. We meet at least once each month to
discuss and plan events and actions. Of these groups, Progressive
Victory has the most members, and we hope you will join that Meetup to
save time, money, and effort organizing our meetings and actions. See:
http://www.meetup.com/progressive-victory/

MCPA organization began in 2003 when Democracy for America Meetup
members reached out to other Meetup groups and other groups. In 2004,
100s of Montgomery County for Kerry members and local Progressive
Democrats of America members joined the MCPA. MCPA adopted a mission
statement, organized special events, and has held meetings nearly each
month.

To have your organization or events listed here, please contact me.

Thanks for reading down this far, and hope to see you at the meeting and
future events,

Mike Hersh, Meetup Organizer Chairperson, MCPA and DFMC Maryland State
Coordinator, PDA Steering Committee, PWG

-----------------

Chris Van Hollen on "Political Pulse" Oct. 22, 24, 26

2010-10-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Chris Van Hollen, Congressman from Maryland's 8th District and Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) will be on "Political Pulse" on:

Friday, Oct. 22nd through Sunday, Oct. 24th at 6 p.m. and Tuesday October 26th, at 9:30 p.m.

Topics that will be discussed include the mid-term elections (and whether the Democrats can hold onto the House of Rep's), jobs, campaign financing, the Health Care bill, the Stimulus bill and other local issues.

Political Pulse is on Channel 16 TV in Montgomery County.

making progress in Montgomery County and Maryland

2010-10-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to you, the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance is making progress in Montgomery County and Maryland.

We've been organizing events, supporting candidates, and informing you about progressive efforts in our area since 2003. We have big plans to work with our friends and allies in the county and state on healthcare, the environment, equality, and more! MCPA is playing a role organizing, supporting, and/or promoting ALL of the events below. NO OTHER ORGANIZATION is involved and promoting progress on such a wide range of issues and efforts!

-----------------

Progressive Events Coming up:

Patients United for the Human Right to Healthcare in Bethesda Saturday, Oct 23 at 2 p.m.

Early Voting / Silver Spring festival Saturday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Public forum: The Left and Elections in Baltimore Sunday, October 24th, 2 pm to 3:30 pm

ELECTION DAY: Tuesday November 2nd, 7 am to 8 pm

Symposium Series: Pathways to Peace: Creating an Israeli/Palestinian Peace Agreement in DC Thursday, November 4th, 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Mean Girls and their Victims a panel discussion and workshop addressing "Girls at Risk" Monday, November 8th, 7 TO 9 P.M

MoCo Progressive Alliance MeetUp/Meeting November 9, 7 - 9 pm (it's OK to come late, traffic can be tough!)

Alphabet Soup--who are these organizations and what do they do?

Help keep us working for you! Please support the MCPA with a generous donation now. We hope you will give $25, but we appreciate any help you afford in these tough economic times. You can donate safely and easily online here or bring your donation to our meetings and events. If you can't afford to contribute, please at least pass this along to your progressive friends in Maryland, DC--or anywhere!

-----------------

Patients United for the Human Right to Healthcare in Bethesda Saturday, Oct 23 at 2 p.m.

Meet Joel Segal, Senior Legislative Assistant to Congress; Phyllis Zolotorow, Healthcare Advocate and uninsured patient; Judy Mahaffy, Healthcare Advocate and underinsured patient and Beverly Hummel, Healthcare Activist to explore how to start the "building" process!

6213 Dahlonega Road, Bethesda, MD / http://maps.google.com/maps?q=6213+Dahlonega+Road+Bethesda+MD+20816

Please RSVP ASAP to: patients4hcr@gmail.com

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Early Voting / Silver Spring festival Saturday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Governor O'Malley will speak at 1:30 p.m. More details / entertainment schedule: http://www.silverspringfestival.com/
Early voting is 10 am to 8 pm Friday October 22nd through Thursday October 28th (excluding Sunday October 24th)
Contact me to make calls, work the polls, and otherwise help elect progressive candidates!

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Public forum: The Left and Elections in Baltimore Sunday, October 24th, 2 pm to 3:30 pm
The Baltimore Free School, 1323 N. Calvert St. Baltimore MD 21202
Speakers: Les Bayless, union organizer and peace activist, and Cindy Farquhar, member of Progressive Working Group.
Event is free, and there will be plenty of time for discussion about legislative possibilities in the General Assembly in 2011.

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ELECTION DAY: Tuesday November 2nd, 7 am to 8 pm
Find your polling place here: http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/where.html

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Symposium Series: Pathways to Peace: Creating an Israeli/Palestinian Peace Agreement in DC Thursday, November 4th, 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Come hear, meet and share your support and insight with: Harriet Fulbright – President of the J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center, Walter Fauntroy – US Congressman (D-DC, 1971-1990) and Founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, Joel Segal – Congressional Staffer, Founder of the Free China Movement & co-founder of the Progressive Democrats of America, plus other expert panelists as they seek your help and participation in transforming a long standing conflict into a long standing peace. Sponsored by the Campaign for Middle East Peace and George Washington Interfaith Action (GWIA).

GWU, Marvin Center, Grand Ballroom,
800 21st Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20052
A few blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro Station
Snacks and Drinks will be provided.

To RSVP or more information, please contact Tarek Nahabet at StrategiesForDevelopment@live.com / 603-504-4440

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Mean Girls and their Victims a panel discussion and workshop addressing "Girls at Risk" Monday, November 8th, 7 TO 9 P.M

Free, open to the public, free parking. Refreshments.

Sponsored by the Montgomery County Chapter of the National Organization for Women
Wheaton Regional Library, Large Meeting Room on the ground Floor
11701 Georgia Ave., (corner of Arcola Ave.) Wheaton, MD 20902
Directions: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/libraries/branchinfo/wh.asp#map

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MoCo Progressive Alliance MeetUp/Meeting November 9, 7 - 9 pm (it's OK to come late, traffic can be tough!)

Fun, informal discussion plus a report on progress in our county and state on Healthcare, the Environment, Education, Labor, Transportation, Energy and other issues. We're building up our coalition and lobby efforts on the state and national level, planning special events, forming a steering committee, and working on meetings with legislators, and other organizations. You can bring MCPA donations to our meeting!

Saigonese Restaurant, 11232 Grandview Ave Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902
Public Transportation: Short walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)

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Other ways to stay in touch

Please join the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/mcprogressivealliance

If you're on Facebook, please join the MCPA group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3401340272&ref=ts

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Alphabet Soup--who are these organizations and what do they do?

1. MCPA: The Montgomery County Progressive Alliance is a result-oriented coalition working on local, state, national and international issues. MCPA includes more than 1,000 local activists, mainly in and around Montgomery County Maryland. Four Meetup groups--Progressive Victory, Democratic Party / MCPA, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance and this one--get together with like-minded activists working for Progressive Victories in 2010 and beyond. We meet at least once each month to discuss and plan events and actions. Of these groups, Progressive Victory has the most members, and we hope you will join that Meetup to save time, money, and effort organizing our meetings and actions. See: http://www.meetup.com/progressive-victory/

MCPA organization began in 2003 when Democracy for America Meetup members reached out to other Meetup groups and other groups. In 2004, 100s of Montgomery County for Kerry members and local Progressive Democrats of America members joined the MCPA. MCPA adopted a mission statement, organized special events, and has held meetings nearly each month.

2. DFA/DFMC: Democracy for America emerged from Gov. Howard Dean's presidential campaign in 2004, and has organized grass-roots activists to support socially progressive, fiscally responsible candidates. DFMC is Democracy for Montgomery County, a local DFA-inspired organization which is not directly or legally affiliated with DFA. DFMC has organized events and meetings; and endorsed and organized volunteers for several candidates. DFMC is currently seeking additional steering committee members. Please contact me, mikehersh@mikehersh.com if you're interested. You can sign up for DFA here: http://democracyforamerica.com/session/new

3. PDA: Progressive Democrats of America began just after the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Bringing together people from the 2004 Kucinich and Dean Campaigns with other progressives, PDA adopted an "inside/outside strategy" uniting activists working inside the Democratic Party with those working in peace and justice movements. PDA's core issues include clean, accurate and transparent elections; environmental protection; single-payer healthcare; economic and social justice; and peace. See: http://www.PDAmerica.org You can sign up for PDA here:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/personal2.asp?formid=joinusshort&c=5052037

Other organizations working in our area:

PWG: The Progressive Working Group is a coalition promoting progress and reform, economic fairness and equality, protecting the environment, and more. PWG is not part of the MCPA, but the MCPA is part of the PWG which currently includes: Audubon Naturalist Society, CASA of Maryland, Democracy for Montgomery County, Equality Maryland, Health Care Now, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Montgomery Health Care Action, PeaceAction Montgomery, Peace and Justice of Prince George's County, Progressive Cheverly, Progressive Democrats of America (Maryland), Progressive Neighbors, Save Our Votes, and Upcounty Action. PWG will focus on 2 or 3 issues during the 2010 session. Progressive organizations are welcome to join PWG. Please contact Wally Malakoff malakoff@starpower.net for more information.

NOW: The National Organization for Women has been advancing womens' issues including general progressive causes for decades. See: http://www.now.org/ for more information. Contact Montgomery County NOW membership chairperson Jeannette Feldner lj.feldner@verizon.net to join. Men as well as women are welcome to join NOW.

OfA: Organizing for America emerged from President Obama's campaign in 2008, and is organizing grass-roots activists to support the Democratic National Committee/Obama agenda. OfA is sponsoring local efforts in each congressional district which are not directly or legally affiliated with the DNC. OfA is currently sponsoring phone banks, organizing meetings, and building a "rapid response" media effort. Please contact Jon Randall jrandall39@comcast.net for more information. See http://www.barackobama.com/learn/about_ofa.php

MoveOn is a national political action organization and has a local council in Silver Spring and elsewhere around Maryland. Local MoveOn members have cooperated with MCPA on town halls, vigils, phone banking, and other actions. See http://www.moveon.org to join your local council.

To have your organization or events listed here, please contact me.

Thanks for reading down this far, and hope to see you at the meeting and future events,

Mike Hersh, Meetup Organizer
Chairperson, MCPA and DFMC
Maryland State Coordinator, PDA
Steering Committee, PWG

-----------------

Please help support the MCPA with a generous donation now. You can donate safely and easily online here or bring your donation to our meetings and events.

The Left and Elections forum in Baltimore Sun. Oct. 24th

2010-10-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

Public forum this Sunday: October 24th
The Left and Elections
Place: The Baltimore Free School
1323 N. Calvert St. Baltimore MD 21202
Time: 2 pm to 3:30 pm

Speakers: Les Bayless, union organizer and peace activist, and Cindy
Farquhar, member of Progressive Working Group.

Event is free, and there will be plenty of time for discussion about
legislative possibilities in the General Assembly in 2011.

Join Karen Montgomery this Saturday

2010-10-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

From Delegate and State Senate nominee Karen S. Montgomery:

As we move forward to the general election, I hope you will take
advantage of early voting. It's convenient--try it!

You helped me win a difficult election so that we can enact a
progressive legislative agenda in Maryland. But if we don't win the
governor's office, our work will have been for naught.

The governor signs or vetoes legislation that we pass in the General
Assembly, and if we want progressive legislation signed into law, we
must reelect Gov. O'Malley.

The differences are stark. Where Gov. O'Malley froze tuition for four
straight years at the University of Maryland, brought real
professionalism to the executive branch through the State Stat program,
and became one of the nation's leading environmental governors, former
Gov. Ehrlich oversaw record hikes in college tuition in our state, hired
and unleashed a political hack to fire and demote hundreds of fine
public servants because they were not Republicans, and moved to sell off
public lands to private entities. It is critical that Gov. O'Malley be
re-elected!

But we must get out the vote if we are to defeat Bob Ehrlich. Turnout in
the Maryland primary election in September was only 24%, which means
that 76% of the people did not vote! We can't let that happen in the
general election.

I hope you will join me in downtown Silver Spring on Saturday, Oct. 23,
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a Street Festival to support Gov.
O'Malley, kick off early voting, and enjoy a fun day with other highly
engaged Democrats!

The Street Festival features all sorts of great events. Gov. O'Malley
will speak at 1:30 p.m. Check here for details and an entertainment
schedule: http://www.silverspringfestival.com/

With your help, we can turn the progressive ideals we hold In common
into legislative victories. We can keep our schools number one, create
quality jobs, protect the environment, improve transportation, and save
taxpayers money through responsible budgeting.

Let's not turn back the clock. Please help ensure that Gov. O'Malley is
reelected so that he can sign into law the kinds of progressive measures
we have fought for in District 14.

I ask for your vote again, for senate, and for the rest of the District
14 team--Ann Kaiser, Eric Luedtke, and Craig Zucker for delegates.

Join me in Silver Spring next Saturday--and let's reelect Gov. O'Malley!

Sincerely,

Karen S. Montgomery

Bethesda Oct 23: Patients United for the Human Right to Healthcare

2010-10-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

In the words of the "old sage" Yogi Berra, "IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S
OVER!!" Health care reform is NOT OVER! It's JUST BEGINNING! We are now
starting to build on the foundation.

Please join Joel Segal, Senior Legislative Assistant to Congress;
Phyllis Zolotorow, Healthcare Advocate and uninsured patient; Judy
Mahaffy, Healthcare Advocate and underinsured patient and Beverly
Hummel, Healthcare Activist to explore how to start the "building" process!

Some people say "Repeal the new law". We say, "We're gearing up to amend
and build!"

Be a part of history, join us, "Patients United for the Human Right to
Healthcare", at Beverly Hummel's command post:
6213 Dahlonega Road, Bethesda, MD / Saturday, Oct 23, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=6213+Dahlonega+Road+Bethesda+MD+20816

RSVP by October 20th to: patients4hcr@gmail.com

Directions from 495:
495 to River Road South/190
Right on Goldsboro Rd/614 (about 5 traffic lights)
1st left on Massachusetts Ave/396
1st right on Bent Branch
1st left on Mohican Rd
2nd left on Dahlonega

Mean Girls and Their Victims--MCNOW presents "Girls at Risk" Mon. Nov. 8th

2010-10-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

The Montgomery County Chapter of the National Organization for Women invites you to attend an engaging, informative panel-led discussion and workshop on "Girls at Risk: the bullying of sexualization of girls." Free, open to the public, free parking. Refreshments.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2010 FROM 7 TO 9 P.M.
WHEATON REGIONAL LIBRARY Large Meeting Room on the ground Floor
11701 Georgia Ave., (corner of Arcola Ave.) Wheaton, MD 20902
Directions: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/libraries/branchinfo/wh.asp#map

With the following AGENDA:

1.       Presentation by Leslie Cameron of the American Psychological Association on the APA’s Task Force Report on The Sexualization of Girls—with a focus on suggestions for curriculum that can address this problem in the Middle Schools.

2.       Response by Panelists
a.       Ellen Bartlett, author of “Have Our Kids Lost Their Way?” Bethesda Magazine Oct. 2010
b.      Maggie Campbell, American University
c.       Julia McMurry, Albert Einstein High School

3.       Audience discussion and workshop
a.       Best Practices by Parents and Teachers
b.      Supporting the Healthy Media for Youth Act in Congress
c.       Forming a Coalition to Address the Sexualization of Youth

We hope you will attend yourself and will share this invitation with your colleagues, friends and contact.

Jill N. Brantley and Mike Hersh
Action Vice-Presidents, Montgomery County N.O.W

Pathways to Peace: Creating an Israeli/Palestinian Peace Agreement

2010-10-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

Campaign for Middle East Peace (CMEP) in partnership with George
Washington Interfaith Action (GWIA)

Proudly presents the Symposium Series: Pathways to Peace: Creating an
Israeli/Palestinian Peace Agreement

Come hear, meet and share your support and insight with:
Harriet Fulbright – President of the J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center
Walter Fauntroy – US Congressman (D-DC, 1971-1990) and Founder of the
Congressional Black Caucus
Joel Segal – Founder of the Free China Movement & co-founder of the
Progressive Democrats of America
and other expert panelists as they seek your help and participation in
transforming a long standing conflict into a long standing peace.

7:30pm – 9:30pm Thursday, November 4th, 2010
GWU, Marvin Center, Grand Ballroom,
800 21st Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20052
A few blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro Station

Snacks and Drinks will be provided.

To RSVP or more information, please contact
Tarek Nahabet at StrategiesForDevelopment@live.com / 603-504-4440

Bethesda Oct 23: Patients United for the Human Right to Healthcare

2010-10-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Patients United for the Human Right to Healthcare

In the words of the "old sage" Yogi Berra, "IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER!!"

Health care reform is NOT OVER! It's JUST BEGINNING! We are now starting to build on the foundation.

Please join Joel Segal, Senior Legislative Assistant to Congress; Phyllis Zolotorow, Healthcare Advocate and uninsured patient; Judy Mahaffy, Healthcare Advocate and underinsured patient and Beverly Hummel, Healthcare Activist to explore how to start the "building" process!

Some people say "Repeal the new law". We say, "We're gearing up to amend and build!"

Be a part of history, join us, "Patients United for the Human Right to Healthcare", at Beverly Hummel's command post:
6213 Dahlonega Road, Bethesda, MD / Saturday, Oct 23, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=6213+Dahlonega+Road+Bethesda+MD+20816

RSVP by October 20th to: patients4hcr@gmail.com

Directions from 495:
495 to River Road South/190
Right on Goldsboro Rd/614 (about 5 traffic lights)
1st left on Massachusetts Ave/396
1st right on Bent Branch
1st left on Mohican Rd
2nd left on Dahlonega

Saturday Oct. 16 Progressive Neighbors/Organizing for America (OFA) canvassing

2010-10-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

Friends,

A reminder that Progressive Neighbors will be participating in the
Democratic Party's Organizing for America (OFA) canvassing effort this
Saturday (Oct. 16) to encourage registered Democrats in District 20 to
vote during the early voting period between Friday, 10/22 - Thurs., 10/28.

While we expect all our endorsed Democratic candidates in District 20 to
prevail in the Nov. election, we believe it's important to help ensure
that O'Malley remains as governor so that progressive representatives at
the state and local level have a chance at getting a progressive agenda
implemented.

We will be meeting up at 8804 Flower Ave., Silver Spring (in the empty
parking lot at the corner of Flower and Arliss St.) at 10:00 am. this
Sat. OFA will provide a brief training session, provide us handout
materials, and will then send us out in pairs. Everyone is encouraged
to participate between 10 a.m. and 1:00 - 2:00 pm, but if you can't
spare that much time, we encourage you come at 10:00 and participate for
as long as you can.

The primary message for the canvassing will be to encourage folks to
vote early, but if you have time, you might want to view
http://martinomalley.com/point for a comparison of
O'Malley's vs. Ehrlich's records prior to Sat. We'll be distributing 3
flyers: one on O'Malley/Brown, one about early voting, and the Sierra
Club flyer comparing O'Malley's vs. Ehrlich's record on the environment,
see
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/10/sierra-club-clear-choice-for-governor.html

If you can join us, please RSVP to Shelley Fudge at scfudge@gmail.com by
Thursday, 10/14, if possible, so we can tell OFA how many materials they
need to bring for the PN contingent on Sat.

If you have any questions about this PN get-out-the-vote effort, feel
free to contact Shelley at 301-580-9224. Hope to see you on Saturday!

Also, Save the Date - Sat. Oct. 23rd for an early vote rally in Downtown
Silver Spring 10 to 4. More details to follow in our next email.

p.s. If you haven't already joined Progressive Neighbors, it's only $10
- go to http://www.progressiveneighborsmd.org

March with the Monahans for democracy

2010-10-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

March with the Monahans

On October 20, the Monahan Brothers end their historic walk by crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge into Washington, D.C.

Join PDA's Amend to Suspend Corporate Personhood Action Group; sign up here.

Published by Move To Amend.

Five months ago, two brothers—both veterans and both in their sixties—set out to walk across the US for democracy.

Like the overwhelming majority of Americans, Laird and Robin Monahan disagreed strongly with the 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that confirmed that “corporations are persons” and have the constitution right of “free speech” under the First Amendment. But, instead of getting cynical, they got walking.

Starting in San Francisco May 16, they headed east along Highway 50, speaking along the way with local citizens and the media, demonstrating in front of state capitals, and connecting with Move to Amend supporters and allied grassroots groups in small towns and large cities across the country. Read their blog and press accounts at www.lairdandrobin.org.

On October 20, the Monahan Brothers end their historic walk by crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge into Washington, DC.

Join Move to Amend in Washington to welcome them at the bridge and rally at the Lincoln Memorial and U.S. Capitol for an end to corporate personhood and corporate “free speech”.

We invite you to be part of this event to:
• celebrate the end of their 158-day “Walk Across America for Democracy”
• rally against unlimited corporate money in elections that drowns out the voice of “we the people”
• rally to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to end corporate personhood and the false notion that money is equivalent to speech.

Save the Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2010

10:00 a.m.: Meet Laird and Robin and walk with them to the Lincoln Memorial. Starting point: The Women in Military Service for America Memorial, at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and near the Arlington Metro stop.

12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.: Rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

1:30 p.m.: Leave Lincoln Memorial and walk to the U.S. Capitol Building for a second rally at 3:00 p.m.

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Celebration and reception at Busboys & Poets at 5th and K (www.busboysandpoets.com)

As we close on the midterm elections, corporate donors are spending an unprecedented amount of money, much of it from undisclosed entities and some of it possibly originating illegally overseas, to influence voters and ensure that they have a Congress who’ll protect their interests and their profits.

The corporate agenda has kept Main Street struggling while Wall Street prospers with taxpayer bailouts. The corporate agenda has prevented real healthcare reform for all, and promoted “free” trade and the migration of jobs overseas, while criminalizing immigrants to this country. The corporate agenda costs us when we go to second-rate hospitals, drive on crumbling bridges and roads, and send our kids to inadequate public schools.

We deserve better—a truly democratic government answerable to the people and the public good, and constitutional protection against “corporate persons” and the notion that money is speech. Join us in DC as we “March with the Monahans” to show our commitment to these goals.

You probably can't take seven months to walk across the US. But we hope you'll support Move to Amend wherever you are, by organizing in your community, spreading the word on corporate power, and donating to support our work. Thank you!

Marc Korman and Mark Uncapher Debate MoCo and MD politics on "Political Pulse" on Ch. 16 TV

2010-10-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

Marc Korman, who is on the Montgomery County Democratic Central
Committee, and Mark Uncapher, the Chairman of the Montgomery County
Republican Party, discuss key County and State races on "Political
Pulse" on:

Thurs, Oct 7th at 9:00 p.m.

Fri-Sun, Oct. 8th-10th at 6:00 p.m. and

Tues, October 12th, at 9:30 p.m.

Political Pulse is on Channel 16 TV in Montgomery County.

making plans for progress in MoCo, Maryland and the USA.

2010-10-04T22:31:00.000-07:00

Join us 7:30 PM Tues. Oct. 5th at the Saigonese Restaurant in Wheaton.

We'll be making plans for progress in MoCo, Maryland and the USA.

11232 Grandview Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 a few short blocks from the
Wheaton Metro stop.

Marc Elrich Montgomery Political Forum Wednesday, 10/6, at 12:30pm at the Rockville Library

2010-10-04T11:22:00.000-07:00

Reminder for the Montgomery Political Forum!

The first Wednesday of the month meeting of the MPF is this Wednesday,
10/6, at 12:30pm at the Rockville Library.

Featured speaker will be Marc Elrich, who, having served four years on
the County Council, was the top primary vote getter among the at-large
candidates.

As usual, it is bring your own lunch - with opportunities nearby to
purchase takeout. Parking, now for a fee, is across the street from the
library on Maryland Avenue.

Computing for the Clueless 7 PM Monday October 4th at the Wheaton Library

2010-10-03T21:35:00.000-07:00

Attend Montgomery County National Organization for Women's event
"Computing for the Clueless" -- there are no "dumb" questions, just
information and skills you haven't learned...yet.

7 PM Monday October 4th at the Wheaton Library (Georgia Ave at Arcola).
Experienced computer users will answer your questions, and help with
everything from email to twitter.

Free and open to the public, free parking at the library lot.

Benefit for U.S. Labor Against the War

2010-09-29T18:33:00.000-07:00

You are invited to a special evening of comradeship, singing and
eating to raise funds to benefit U.S. Labor Against the War. (But if you
don't live in the D.C. area, don't worry, you can contribute too!) Right
now we must either raise significant money or stop paying our 2.5 staff
and risk the demise of USLAW. Please join us!

When: Saturday, October 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: 240 Park Ave., Takoma Park, Maryland 20912

The event will feature a showing and discussion of the DVD "Why Are We
in Afghanistan?"

Recently the news has been full of platitudes and simplistic analyses
about the US troops leaving Iraq. Commentators insist on seeing this as
a successful war, despite the many lives lost and many more traumatized,
the trillion-plus dollars wasted and the massive death and suffering so
many have endured.

Meanwhile we plunge deeper into the disastrous war in Afghanistan at a
moment when the domestic economy desperately needs the dollars
squandered there.

The creation of US Labor Against the War has been one positive
development during these seven years. We have brought the anti-war
movement into the labor movement, brought the labor movement into the
anti-war movement and provided substantial support for the courageous
Iraqi unions struggling to survive.

YET AT THIS VERY MOMENT, USLAW FINDS ITSELF IN A SERIOUS FINANCIAL CRISIS.

We don't think anyone would have imagined in January 2003, when USLAW
was founded in a Teamster Hall in Chicago, that it would still be
functioning seven years later with 190+ affiliated unions and other
labor organizations -- local, regional and national.

Those of you who have helped make USLAW a success have made a
difference, a historical one, in terms of labor's view of the war and in
terms of international solidarity we have provided. We need to continue
this work, to increase the focus on Afghanistan, and to make sure that
the Iraq of the future includes the right of Iraqi workers to organize
unions.

From its founding until today, USLAW has relied predominantly on the
labor movement for its financial support - on its affiliates, individual
members and supporters like you. As the economy has gone deeper into
crisis, the sources of USLAW's income took a big economic hit. Unions
lost members, workers lost jobs, incomes of many declined. The result is
predictable - unions, union members, and other supporters cut back their
contributions to USLAW and other worthy social justice organizations.

USLAW has made some significant headway recently in getting the war in
Afghanistan on labor's agenda - with anti-war resolutions passed at the
International conventions of the AFL-CIO, AFT, CWA, UE, CLUW and ILWU -
as well as putting the issue on the table of local unions and central
labor councils.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi unions have turned to us for support again because
they are under the harshest attack they have experienced since the
invasion—arrests, criminal charges, office raids, threats and more -- as
they are seen as the key stumbling block to privatization of oil,
electricity and basic industry. They refuse to stop organizing, and they
continue to reach out for international support—in short, they won't be
silenced.

We have moved a letter through Congress to President al-Maliki and
helped move a letter from Trumka to al-Maliki on their behalf urging the
adoption of a labor law.
The leaders being attacked are those many of you have met in their
solidarity visits to the US: Hashmeya Mushsin, the woman president of
the Electricity Workers Union; Hassan Juma'a, the president of the Iraqi
Federation of Oil Unions, and Falah Alwan, the president of the
Federation of Workers Councils.

We are recommending a contribution of $100 for those that can afford it.
Of course, anyone who wants to contribute more, or less, will be most
welcome. If you can't come, please send a contribution to: USLAW, 1718 M
Street, N.W., PMB 153, Washington, D.C. 20036 and note in the memo
section it is for the fundraiser.

Contributors of $100 or more will receive a copy of a gorgeous original
poster from the historic March 2009 Erbil, Iraq Solidarity Conference
that USLAW helped to organize.

If you have questions feel free to call me on my cell at 202-669-1443 or
202-320-5588.
Please RSVP at nancywohlforth@gmail.com or denicelombard@comcast.net.

The future of USLAW is at stake, and I appeal to you as never before to
contribute as much as you can so that our absolutely necessary work can
continue.

I look forward to seeing you on October 16 or hearing from you even if
you live far away or can't make the party for other reasons.

In friendship and unity,

Kathy Black
Gene Bruskin
Eileen Connelly
Bob Muehlenkamp
Brooks Sunkett
Nancy Wohlforth
USLAW Co-Convenors

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you donated recently, please pass this appeal on to others and, if at
all possible, please consider donating again.

Donations made online are eligible for a tax deduction to the extent
permitted by law.

*If you are contributing by check and want to claim a tax deduction,
make your check payable to USLAW - IPS. However, doing so reduces the
value of your contribution by adding additional processing fees. Add
"IPS" only if you desire a tax-deduction.
IPS stands for Institute for Policy Studies. USLAW is a 501(c)(4)
non-profit association. The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) - a
501(c)(3) organization - serves as USLAW's non-profit fiscal sponsor. It
helps to underwrite the work of USLAW.

Support USLAW's Important Work with a DONATION!
Your contribution keeps labor's antiwar movement going and growing.
DONATE HERE

The link below is a membership form for you to join as an individual.

http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org/downloads/AssociateMemberApplication.pdf

Upcoming Progressive Events!

2010-09-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

> Progressive Democrats of America is holding a lobby day and then a
reception on Capitol Hill Friday, October 1st.
> We're participating in the One Nation Working Together events in DC
Saturday, October 2nd.
> "Computing for the Clueless" MC NOW offers help with basic computer
skills in Wheaton Monday, October 4th.
> October Progressive Coalition meeting: PDA, DFA, MCPA, Meetups in
Wheaton Tuesday, October 5th.

--------------------

Two Important Events Friday, October 1st
> Visit members of the Progressive Caucus on Capitol Hill with PDA
9 AM - 3 PM, in the House Office Buildings--closest Metro Capitol South

We'll give CPC members a packet of information, and ask them to: Join
the Out of Afghanistan Caucus; Cosponsor Barbara Lee's Bill HR 6045, the
"Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan Act" which would "end combat
operations in Afghanistan and limit funding to the safe and orderly
withdrawal of U.S. troops and military contractors from Afghanistan";
and Sign the "Dear Colleagues" letter to protect Social Security from cuts.

---> Sign up here to help with these visits:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=18322

> Reception on Capitol Hill with PDA advisory board members Rep. John
Conyers, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, and
Bill Fletcher, Jr. + More surprise guests!
4 - 5 PM on the House side of the Capitol Visitors Center
Refreshments provided by PDA advisory board member Andy Shallal, owner
of Busboys and Poets.

---> Check for updates/RSVP/register here:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=18323

--------------------

> Saturday, October 2nd Demand the changes we voted for
One Nation Working Together is a social movement of individuals and
organizations committed to putting America back to work and pulling
America back together. Coming from a diverse set of backgrounds,
experiences, beliefs and orientations, we are determined to build a more
united country with good jobs, equal justice, and quality public
education for all.

Where: Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.
Time: March begins at Noon, ends at 4:00pm

-----> More information online here:
http://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/

> "Computing for the Clueless" MC NOW offers help with basic computer
skills in Wheaton Monday, October 4th
There are no "dumb" questions, just information and skills you haven't
learned...yet.
7:00 PM Monday October 4th at the Wheaton Library (Georgia Ave at Arcola).

Experienced computer users will help you with everything from email and
web surfing to Facebook and Twitter.
Presented by MC National Organization for Women. Free and open to all.
Free parking at the library lot.

--------------------

> October Progressive Coalition meeting: PDA, DFA, MCPA, and Meetups

7:30 - 9:00 PM Tuesday, October 5th
Saigonese Restaurant 11232 Grandview Ave Wheaton, MD 20902
Public Transportation: 2-3 block walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)

We'll organize for Election Day, discuss the recent primaries and
weekend events, and plan for 2011.

Please join us!

Attend MC NOW's event "Computing for the Clueless"

2010-09-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

Attend Montgomery County National Organization for Women's event
"Computing for the Clueless" -- there are no "dumb" questions, just
information and skills you haven't learned...yet.

7 PM Monday October 4th at the Wheaton Library (Georgia Ave at Arcola).
Experienced computer users will answer your questions, and help with
everything from email to twitter.

Please share with local friends and contacts. Open to current, past, and
(hopefully) soon-to-be NOW members, all ages, genders, shapes and sizes
welcome! Free parking at the library lot.

Hope to see you there!

Stop the Militarization of Space! Bring the War $$ Home!

2010-09-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

Stop the Militarization of Space!
Bring the War $$ Home!

Speaker: Bruce Gagnon

Bruce Gagnon serves as Secretary/Coordinator of the Global Network
Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. He has been working on
space issues for the past 25 years and helped create the GN in 1992.
He also helped found the "Maine Campaign to Bring Our War $$ Home."
For 15 years he coordinated the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice.
He was trained as an organizer by the United Farmworkers Union and is
also a member of Veterans for Peace. He will address current US plans
to militarize space, efforts to stop US "missile defense" systems from being
deployed around Russia and China, and converting the military industrial
complex. He is the author of: "Come Together Right Now: Organizing
Stories from a Fading Empire."

Date: Friday, October 1, 2010 @ 7:30 p.m.
Place: Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, 503 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW,
Washington, DC, 20010.
For more info contact Art @ 202-360-6416.

Upcoming Progressive Events--healthcare, lobbying, One Nation

2010-09-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

1. The State Single-Payer Strategy Session: "Enact the
Maryland Health Security Act"

9 AM - 2 PM Tomorrow Saturday, September 25th
Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis
333 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD, 21401.

Activists are coming from around the state to discuss strategies for
building our movement. The conference is free and lunch is provided.
There will be speakers followed by three breakout groups: (1) working
with legislators (2) building the grassroots (3) broadening the coalition.

----------------------------------------------

2. Progressive Democrats of America Progressive Lobby Day /
Reception on the Hill

Citizen's Lobby Day at the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill
9 AM - 3 PM, Friday, October 1st
Drop by anytime to pick up a packet before you visit your representative.
Rayburn House Office Building Room 2226 Capitol Hill
Washington, DC 20515-0907
Info./RSVP:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=18322

Meet with PDA Advisory Board members Rep. John Conyers, Rep. Raul
Grijalva, and Bill Fletcher Jr
4:00 - 5:00 PM, Friday, October 1st
The Capitol Visitor Center.
Room HVC-215, Capitol Hill
Washington, DC 20515
Info./RSVP:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=18323

----------------------------------------------

3. Single Payer Party at the New Busboys and Poets

6:00 - 8:00 PM Friday, October 1st
Busboys and Poets http://www.busboysandpoets.com/
1025 5th St. NW (corner of 5th and K Sts) Washington DC

Help us to have a strong single payer presence at the One Nation march!
Please join us to welcome single payer advocates who are coming from
across the country. We will gather for fun, food, music and to get
prepared for the march on October 2nd. Signs for carrying and postcards
for collecting signatures will be available. For more information
contact Margaret Flowers, margaret@pnhp.org 410-591-0892.

----------------------------------------------

4. One Nation Working Together
10.2.10 March on Washington for Peace, Jobs and Justice:
http://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/content/main

10:30 AM Saturday, October 2nd
Meet at at West Potomac Park
between Ohio Dr. and Independence Ave
http://tinyurl.com/10-10-10-healthcare-contigent

This historic event will ensure that the voices and concerns of working
people will be heard on the streets of our nation's capital. You can
March with single payer activists, including Progressive Democrats of
America, National Nurse United/California Nurses Association,
Healthcare-NOW!, and Physicians for a National Health Program.

One Nation March 10/2/2010 Washington DC

2010-09-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

One Nation March Date: 10/2/2010 in Washington DC Lets all join
together and march as "ONE NATION" on October 2nd!

When is the March? Saturday, October 2, 2010. We will begin at 12:00
noon and will end at approximately 4:00 pm.

Where is the March? The March takes place on the steps of the Lincoln
Memorial located on the National Mall in Washington DC.

Is the event open to the public? Yes, this event is open to the public.
This event is also a family friendly event.

Is this event open to the media? Yes. Media credentials and other
logistics information may be obtained from the ONWT Communications
Office which can be reached at 202 263 4529 or by email at
ONWTCommunications@gmail.com.

What happens if it rains? The March will proceed rain or shine.

Will there be food, beverage and bathrooms available on site? Yes there
will be portable bathrooms and water on site.

Can I bring signs? Yes you can bring signs that promote the values of
One Nation Working Together.

What arrangements are being made for persons with disabilities? Special
accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Please
contact ONWTlogistics@gmail.com with any questions.

Where can I stay in the DC area? There are many hotels in the D.C. area
that are close to the March event site. To learn more about union hotels
in the Washington, D.C. area, visit the Unite Here website.

Additional information about Washington, D.C. and the march can be found
at http://www.washington.org and
https://www.wegoted.com/events/detail.asp?eventID=37

URGENT RALLY FOR SENATE ACTION THIS THURSDAY 9/23 IN WASHINGTON

2010-09-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

National Black Farmers Association
URGENT RALLY FOR SENATE ACTION THIS THURSDAY 9/23 IN WASHINGTON

Join John Boyd and his tractor "Justice" in Washington, DC at this
critical moment! "Pass the Black farmers bill on any bill leaving the
Senate. Black farmers need action now."

On Thursday, September 23, John Boyd will lead a March from USDA to the
United States Senate.
Your help is needed in Washington! This is the moment!

WHO: John Boyd, President of the National Black Farmers Association and
his tractor "Justice", NBFA members from around the country and
supporters of the Black farmers

WHEN: Start Time -- This Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 10:00 AM at
U.S. Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC
20250

THEN: March up Capitol Hill to the United States Senate for 11:00 AM
Rally and 11:15 AM Press Conference

WHY: To call on the Senate to pass the Black farmers bill for $1.15
billion in September (So far the Black farmers bill has failed 7 times
in the Senate this year.)

URGENT: Without the passage of the Black farmers bill, there will be no
settlement funds to compensate you in your case. It is time for you to
show support and come in numbers. Bring your family and friends. There
is strength in numbers. See you there!

PLEASE RSVP TO: johnwesleyboydjr@gmail.com

BLACK FARMERS RALLY Thursday Sep. 23 12/NOON.

2010-09-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

BLACK FARMERS RALLY
1400 Independence Avenue SW/Washington DC 20250 (USDA Building)
Thursday September 23rd, 2010 at 12/NOON.

There will be a cavalcade of concerned citizens going to Rally Support
for the Black Farmers of this Country. If you can make it out please do.
This is one of the critical issues of our time that has continually been
suppressed by the Mainstream Corporate Media. Please Read below for details:

Farmers from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and elsewhere in the South
will be coming to Washington next week to shine a spotlight on the
refusal of the Senate to approve $1.25 billion in funding for the Black
farmers' anti-discrimination lawsuit against the USDA, funds promised in
February by the Obama administration and passed by the House in May.
Black farmers have been denied loans and participation in other
government programs for decades by the USDA and many have lost their
land and been forced out of farming as a result. They won a class-action
lawsuit in 1999 (Pigford v. Glickman) upholding their claims of
discrimination. Today, they are fighting for additional funds in order
to compensate thousands of farmers who were unjustly excluded from the
first settlement.

Supporting the Black Farmers!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-world-news

BLACK FARMERS RALLY
1400 Independence Avenue SW/Washington DC 20250
(USDA Building) on Thursday September 23rd, 2010 at 12/NOON

State Single Payer Strategy Session: Saturday, September 25th

2010-09-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

State Single Payer is happening all around the nation! Let's set a
path to victory for single payer in Maryland!

There is renewed energy to work for state single payer bills and at
least 20 states are in different stages from just beginning to write a
single payer bill to moving legislation through the state house to
working with consultants on ways to implement single payer at the state
level. The Maryland Health Security Act will be introduced for the third
time this upcoming session. The time is now to craft our strategy to
move this bill forward!

Join us for a dynamic and interactive strategy session. We will hear
from people who have successfully moved bills through the legislature.
We will hear from our legislative and organizational allies about ways
to build broader support for this bill. We will develop three working
groups from the strategy session which will focus on educating
legislators, working with state agencies and building a stronger
coalition of supporting organizations. You will learn about ways that
you can help us achieve our shared goal of a health system in Maryland
that is truly universal, lifelong, comprehensive and will control health
care costs.

State Single Payer Strategy Session

When: Saturday, September 25th
Registration at 9 am
Program begins at 9:30 and ends at 2 pm (lunch provided)

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis
333 Dubois Rd., Annapolis, MD (map)

All are invited to join us. The event is free. However, donations will
be requested to help cover costs.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Margaret Flowers at
mdpnhp@gmail.com or at 410-591-0892.

Thanks for your support,
Healthcare-NOW! of Maryland

Healthcare-NOW! of Maryland survives on the generosity of our supporters.
Please consider making a donation.

http://www.MDSinglePayer.org | info@mdsinglepayer.org

--
HealthCare-Now of Maryland
http://www.mdsinglepayer.org

THE RESPONSE: Award winning movie Saturday, October 9, 2010, 7:00 p.m.

2010-09-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

THE RESPONSE: Award winning movie
Film Screening & Discussion Saturday, October 9, 2010, 7:00 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville
100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville, MD
This free event is co-sponsored by Amnesty International Group 82

Shortlisted for the 2010 Academy Awards
Winner of the 2009 ABA Silver Gavel Award

Starring
• Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart);
• Kate Mulgrew (Captain Janeway of Star Trek: Voyager)
• Peter Riegert (Animal House, The Sopranos)

Screened at the Pentagon, the Department of Justice and
the U.N. Peace Operations and the Law Symposium

Following the film screening, there will be a panel and open discussion
featuring the writer/producer, Sig Libowitz.

For more information, visit http://www.uucr.org or call 301-762-7666

$450,000 per year for Lockheed Martin's luxury hotel?

2010-09-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Let's Stop County Council Bill 44-10

We have a chance to defeat a small but nevertheless outrageous example of the work of the military industrial complex. The Montgomery County Council has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday on Bill 44-10.

If enacted into law, this bill will exempt persons staying at Lockheed Martin's luxury hotel on its Bethesda campus from the County transient tax, depriving the County of $450,000 per year at a time of fiscal crisis.

Here's what you can do to help ensure that Lockheed Martin is treated no differently from any other hotel owner in the County:

Click here [www.OurFunds.org] to send an e-mail message to the County Council telling them that you object to this bill. It's quick and easy to do this--and extremely important! (If you have trouble with the link, please try this one: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/161/action/no-tax )
Ask your friends to send an e-mail message to the Council--forward this e-mail.
Attend the County Council hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1:30 p.m., at the Council hearing room, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. We'll be testifying, and the more supporters who are present, the more powerful our message. Besides, you might find it interesting!

With your help, we can prevent this bill from becoming law and have a half million dollars more per year for our schools, our libraries, and the poor and vulnerable among us. This is a step in the right direction--let's make it happen!

HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY! protest Fiscal Commission Monday, Sept. 20, Noon at 1775 I Street

2010-09-17T12:42:00.000-07:00

PLEASE FORWARD FAR AND WIDE...

HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY!

Join UE members in protesting Fiscal Commission Co-Chair Erskine Bowles
Monday, Sept. 20, Noon at 1775 I Street

Strengthen Social Security Campaign members -- let's join with UE – the
United Electrical Workers union, which is bringing more than 100 members
to Washington for three days of lobbying their senators and
representatives on workers' issues. They plan to kick off their visit
with a demonstration outside Morgan Stanley, whose board of directors
includes Eskine Bowles. We'll have plenty of Hands Off Social Security
placards for you to wave.

Erskine Bowles is co-chair of the bi-partisan "National Commission on
Fiscal Responsibility and Reform", whose mandate is to find ways to
reduce the federal deficit, but which has instead made Social Security
its primary target. It is expected to come out with recommendations
after the election – too late for voters to have a say – and to call for
raising the retirement age to 70 and other cuts in Social Security benefits.

In the late 1990s Bowles served as President Clinton's White House chief
of staff. Bowles negotiated with Newt Gingrich a plan to partially
privatize Social Security. That deal fell apart in the Clinton-Lewinsky
scandal.

Social Security plays no role in the federal deficit – it pays its own
way with a dedicated revenue stream and a trust fund of $2.5 trillion.
On the other hand Morgan Stanley – Mr. Bowles' bank – received $10
billion in the TARP bailout after it took part in the financial orgy
that dragged the entire economy into crisis.

UE says: No cuts to Social Security, and no increase in the retirement
age. Remove the income "cap" on FICA taxes so the wealthy pay their fair
share. And make banks like Morgan Stanley pay to clean up the economic
mess they've made.

Monday, September 20 – 12:00 to 12:30 p.m.
Morgan Stanley Bank
1775 I Street NW, Washington
(Directly across from Farragut West Metro, 18th Street exit)

For more information, contact UE at 703-299-5120.

TONIGHT! Middle East Peace advocates on WPFW 89.3 FM - Pacifica Radio 7-8 PM

2010-09-17T05:45:00.000-07:00

Middle East Peace advocates including yours truly, will join Jay
Winter Nightwolf on WPFW 89.3 FM - Pacifica Radio tonight Friday
September 17, from 7-8 PM - EST on Nightwolf - "The Most Dangerous Show
On Radio" - on line at http://www.WPFW.org/ Listen to Jay every Friday
evening. Please share this notice with friends!

Middle East Peace advocates on WPFW tomorrow night from 7-8 PM

2010-09-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

Middle East Peace advocates including yours truly, will join Jay
Winter Nightwolf on WPFW tomorrow night from 7-8 PM - EST on Nightwolf -
"The Most Dangerous Show On Radio" WPFW 89.3 FM - Pacifica Radio - on
line at http://www.WPFW.org/ Listen to Jay Listen every Friday evening.

Garland on Fox Business Channel's "Money Rocks" at 8 PM

2010-09-14T22:45:00.000-07:00

Garland Nixon writes: I'll be in NYC tomorrow (Sept 15th) to appear
on Fox Business Channel's "Money Rocks" at 8 PM. My first National TV
Appearance.

Decision Time in District 19 on Maryland Politics Watch

2010-09-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

Decision Time in District 19:
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/decision-time-in-district-19.html
By Mike Hersh.

As Americans memorialized September 11th, many politicians neatly
separate into two categories. Those who call for acceptance and
cooperation, and those who exploit fear, mistrust and prejudice. In the
District 19 Senate contest, Roger Manno is running a positive,
issues-based campaign saying"leadership takes teamwork." Sadly, Mike
Lenett is running a dirty campaign unprecedented in Montgomery County
history. This according to History Professor Allan Lichtman, who noted
that Lenett is making a "blatant appeal to ethnic prejudice," adding,
"With some justice, Manno has countered by accusing Lenett of having
taken county politics 'into the gutter like no other candidate before him.'"

District 19 has a long-standing tradition for civility. Lenett is out of
step with this tradition. Recently, Former Sen. Len Teitelbaum called
Lenett's campaign "a terrible distortion of facts, and a clear
indication of the desperation of Lenett's campaign. This kind of extreme
divisive behavior is exactly why every former elected legislator from
District 19 who has endorsed, and the Gazette and Washington Post
newspapers, have ALL endorsed Roger Manno for State Senate." Lenett is
carpet-bombing constituents' mailboxes implying gang members and
criminals support Manno, using faked news clippings, even attacking
Manno's wife and the candidate. The Gazette determined Lenett is a
"divisive force" and confirms the Washington Post's reporting that
Lenett "undermines his own effectiveness" by "alienating" his
colleagues. By contrast, Roger Manno achieved remarkable success on
bills and reforms benefiting Maryland on healthcare, employment, access
to prescription medicines for seniors, non-discrimination, organic
farming, protecting seniors from fraud, and earning the respect of his
colleagues. Please see:
http://www.gazette.net/stories/09012010/montedi180547_32533.php and
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/22/AR2010082202584.html

Maryland Politics Watch reported factual errors--if not out-right
misrepresentations--in a recent Lenett mailer: "What Lenett does not say
... is that Manno also favors gun control." MPW also reported that "A
secretive independent mailing sent into District 19 is in apparent
violation of Maryland campaign finance law ... is linked to a union that
has endorsed one of the competing Senate candidates." That candidate is
Lenett. As MPW observes, "The mailer appears to be illegal in multiple
ways." See:
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/lenett-manno-trade-fire-on-guns.html
and
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/union-linked-to-independent-expenditure.html

The Gazette quoted insiders describing Lenett's lack of effectiveness:
"Colleague problems ... A bill sponsored by him is often the kiss of
death ... Maniacal and untrustworthy." There were a few positive quotes
as well, but the Gazette took those into account and still named Lenett
one of the ten least effective legislators in the entire General
Assembly--including the Republicans who are in the minority in both
houses and on every committee. See:
http://www.gazette.net/thelist/repinfo.php?id=102

Lenett claims he is an environmental superstar, but the record shows
Lenett's SB 710 delayed anti-pollution protections for the Bay and he
voted against Sen. Frosh's legislation to fine polluters who violate the
law Lenett's bill delayed. Lenett excuses his pro-phosphates bill
claiming other states were enacting legislation later on. So what?
Maryland had already passed it! As The Washington Post reported: "Sen.
Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery) said that pushing the effective date of
the ban from January 2010 to July 2010 would 'add up to 15,000 pounds of
phosphates to Bay waters.' 'Phosphates are particularly pernicious
because they end up stored in sediments,' wrote Frosh, who sponsored
legislation last year authorizing the ban. 'Once in the Bay, the
phosphates resulting from [Lenett's bill] will be available for years to
fuel the algal blooms that each summer day destroy oxygen in the Bay's
deep waters and threaten underwater grasses in the shallows.' The bill
allowing the delay, sponsored by Sen. Michael G. Lenett (D-Montgomery),
passed the Senate 25 to 22 after heavy lobbying from Proctor & Gamble.
... Lenett agreed to sponsor the bill at the request of the
industry...." Please see:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2008/04/frosh_veto_phosphate_ban_delay.html

Should Marylanders limit ourselves to what other states do? That's what
Lenett's bill said. Once a politician starts siding with big
out-of-state special interests against Maryland voters, where does it
end? Will Lenett decide Montgomery County Maryland schools should be
like Montgomery Alabama's? Will he help powerful interests turn back the
clock on living wage or safety standards? Hopefully after this Tuesday
we won't have to risk Lenett reversing hard-won progress. Whenever a
Manno bill passes, we're better off. With a Lenett bill, it's a big
(Proctor &) Gamble.

When the bill Manno co-authored with NOW President Terry O'Neill to
protect women from deceptive "crisis pregnancy centers" couldn't get
traction in Annapolis, Manno worked with Montgomery County leaders and
the Council to get it passed here. The League of Conservation Voters,
Environment Maryland and the Sierra Club asked Manno to sponsor HB 522,
their priority legislation in 2010. When it stalled in the General
Assembly, Manno worked with the O'Malley Administration on an executive
order which directs the Public Service Commission to plan Maryland's
clean energy needs. A huge triumph for those of us concerned about clean
energy, global warming, and making Maryland a leader in the 21st century
energy economy. This is typical Manno--when he hits a roadblock on an
important issue, he finds another way to make progress for Maryland.

Manno is more adept at getting important bills passed into law than
Lenett. A few examples: In 2009 Manno's Green Jobs bill helped Maryland
secure a $5.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment
and Training Administration. Manno's 2009 "Apprenticeship Opportunities
Act" (HB 644) created a partnership between businesses, community
colleges, and existing programs for green jobs. Manno's Maryland Organic
Transition Investment Pilot Program passed after he worked with Capitol
Hill to bring $millions in support to Maryland. Then he improved and
extended MOTIPP. It's one thing to vote the right way when people are
watching (and scoring). It's better to be the difference-maker. Manno
drove progress on key issues, and that makes him a better leader.

While Lenett raised more money than Manno, he's "loaned" most of that to
himself, and spent it at an incredible rate by printing enough walk
pieces and massive mailers to clear cut a forest! Some environmentalist!
With his extravagant imagination and taste for the melodramatic, Lenett
has a future as a writer for a show like 24. After all, Lenett has to
pay himself back the approximately quarter-million dollars he loaned
himself trying to re-buy that Senate seat, right?

Lenett boasts of several endorsements. Ask his endorsers, and--if
they're honest--they'll admit they're forced by protocol to back any
half-way decent incumbent. Now, many of those endorsers probably wish
they could take it back. They should. None of the rubber-stamp gang
endorsed Jamie Raskin before the primary in 2006, but they all scrambled
to get on his bandwagon after he won the primary. Expect the same to
happen this year in the Manno vs. Lenett contest.

Roger Manno is an especially good challenger, and Mike Lenett is an
unusually bad incumbent. That's why The Washington Post, The Gazette,
Del. Hank Heller, Former Sen. Len Teitelbaum, Del. Adrienne Mandel, Del.
Carol Petzold, County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin, Chair of the Education
Committee, Del. Sue Hecht, Chair of the Maryland Green Caucus, Del.
Brian Feldman, Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation, Del.
Susan Lee, Vice-Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation, Del.
Ana Sol Gutierrez, Del. Aisha Braveboy, Mrs. Cherri Branson, Chair of
the African American Democratic Club of Montgomery County, the Municipal
County Government Employee Organization, Progressive Neighbors, NARAL
Pro-Choice Maryland, Montgomery Green Democrats, Montgomery County
Public School Retiree Association, Coalition of Asian Pacific American
Democrats, Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association,
Montgomery County Youth Slate, Hispanic Democratic Club of Montgomery
County, and dozens of others endorse Manno. See:
http://www.rogermanno.com/contact/index.cfm?Fuseaction=contact

Manno is a progressive we can trust to do the right thing when people
are watching, in the back rooms, all the time, every day--to serve the
public interest, not special interests. NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland and
Progressive Maryland among others took endorsements away from Lenett and
gave them to Manno, because Manno stood with them while Lenett let them
down. It's hard to not get an endorsement as an incumbent, so each one
Manno won is a failing grade for the incumbent and a huge vote of
confidence for the challenger. These endorsements all buck the "back the
incumbent" habit.

Lenett claims the Mannos "lied under oath" by filing amended financial
reports. This although Lenett himself was forced to amend his filings
several times. According to official state records, 6 of Lenett's
reports are marked "agency requested amend" and 3 of those are not
marked "Amend." Are there 3 outstanding unamended Lenett reports dating
back to 2007? Also, 3 reports are marked "Deficiency." Lenett amended
his 2010 Pre-Primary 1 report, 2009 Annual report, 2008 Annual report,
and 2006 Post General Report. Please see:
http://www.mdelections.org/campaign-finance/advanced-search/detailed-committee-information?acctno=A4366

Lenett cited a statement from William G. Somerville, Ethics Advisor to
the General Assembly that explains, "Delegate Manno filed incomplete
ethics reports." So what? Nothing supports Lenett's accusations against
Manno. Mr. Somerville explained: "Delegate Manno's wife's employment was
appropriately disclosed to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, in
a timely manner and as a matter of public record. Her employment was
also disclosed to the State Ethics Commission, and any discrepancies
were appropriately corrected at Delegate Manno's own initiation. It is
not infrequent for officials to amend their disclosure statements.
Delegate Manno brought this matter to the State Ethics Commission's
attention on his own volition, and it is clear from the record that
Delegate Manno did not have any intention to conceal information. In
addition, it is my understanding from the State Ethics Commission that
Delegate Manno was not required to list any leasehold interests that his
wife may hold in which Delegate Manno does not hold an attributable
interest, which is the situation in this case."

Unlike Lenett, Manno took the initiative amending his reports. Lenett
was asked for amendments from the State Board of Elections several
times, and at times ignored the requests. Was Lenett "lying under oath"
to the State Board of Elections "four times in four years?" According to
the standard Lenett imposes on others, the answer is "yes!"
Misrepresenting Manno's voluntary compliance into a "cover-up" is as
absurd as Lenett implying Manno's playing bass and bartending is
un-American activity.

A Letter to the Editor from Ruth Burgos-Sasscer explained: "I live in
Leisure World and have attended forums where candidates for Maryland
State Senate Mike Lenett and Roger Manno have spoken, and have been
impressed with both men. I have been leaning toward Roger Manno but
until recently had not really decided for whom to vote. The other day I
was asked to participate in a telephone 'opinion poll survey,' which I
agreed to do.... When the interviewer then asked 'Did you know that
Roger Manno ...' and went into a litany of negative statements about
him, I immediately stopped her. I said that I would not continue with
the interview because I believed it was a deceitful and unethical
campaign tactic in support of Mike Lenett and wanted no part of it. I
also told her that her efforts were counterproductive because she had
just convinced me that Roger Manno is by far the better candidate to
represent District 19 in the Maryland State Senate." Please see:
http://www.gazette.net/stories/08252010/montlet173358_32545.php

Blogger Keith Berner writes: "...Mike Lenett has gone where only the
most shameless GOP race-baiters gather. Desperate to hold off a serious
challenge from Roger Manno [Lenett] is riffing on the fact that Manno's
legal first name used to be 'Rajah.' Just in case the implication that
Manno is a (gasp!) Muslim out to undermine the American way of life
isn't clear enough ... the graphic from Lenett's latest mailer [has] an
uncanny resemblance the rendering of Manno's former first name has to a
terrorist demand letter! ... I call on all District 19 voters to reject,
resoundingly, fear-mongering and racism. In fact, all Marylanders should
denounce Lenett and make clear that his behavior is completely unwelcome
here. Vote for Roger Manno on Tuesday to make abundantly clear that Mike
Lenett's politics and way of thinking have no place in Maryland." Please
see: "Lenett the Fear-Monger, Lenett the Bigot"
http://lefthandview.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/09-10-10-lenett-the-fear-monger-lennet-the-bigot/

Smart politicians don't go negative unless they're losing, and don't go
this negative unless they're losing badly. Others believe Lenett has
never come to grips a challenge for what he considers "his" seat, based
on Lenett's first public reactions to Manno's challenge. Lenett
questions Manno's right to run, even though Lenett decided to challenge
then-Senator Len Teitelbaum for the seat while he recuperated from a
medical procedure. As MPW noted: "In his end of session letter, [Lenett]
includes a ... thinly-veiled slam on ... Manno," In Lenett's words, "The
Democratic Party could take a cue from the Republicans...." Please see:
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/04/lenett-unloads-on-manno.html

As Oscar T. Ramirez wrote, "Candidates who use fear as a political
strategy have no place in our politics. ... Be afraid because Roger used
to be Rajah and who knows what else Rajah has to hide! ... I hope voters
on Tuesday will think about what Bill Clinton said a few years ago: 'If
one candidate is trying to scare you, and the other one is trying to get
you to think. If one candidate is appealing to your fears, and the other
one is appealing to your hope. You better vote for the person who wants
you to think and hope.'" Please see:
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-blow-up-mailbox.html?showComment=1284164333447#c6858616559308001238

District 19 Democrats have a clear choice for State Senate on Tuesday.
They can vote for Roger Manno's leadership through teamwork--a
hard-working, accomplished and ethical legislator they can be proud
of--or they can go along with a push-polling, swift-boating,
spouse-attacking, race-baiting, Proctor & Gambling, truth-twisting,
colleague-alienating, Bay-polluting, seat-buying, ineffective, divisive,
incumbent who's embarrassed them before and will let them down again.
Vote for Roger Manno.

A Message from Bea (Manno) Scheinbaum, Roger's Mother

2010-09-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

A Message from Bea (Manno) Scheinbaum, Roger's Mother

Roger Manno's campaign has sent out this email from his mother, Bea Scheinbaum, addressing the material on Senator Mike Lenett's nuke website.

A message from Bea (Manno) Scheinbaum, Roger's Mother

Over the last few weeks, I've followed with profound disbelief the desperate and ruthless lies and innuendos Mike Lenett has made about my son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Marjorie Manno. I can only assume this is what the Washington Post and Gazette were referring to when they both endorsed Roger over Mike Lenett and described Lenett as a divisive man who alienates and antagonizes his colleagues. In addition, yesterday former 3-term County Executive Doug Duncan endorsed Roger, calling Mike Lenett’s attacks ”attempted character assassination” and stating that “Mike Lenett's recent personal attacks on Roger Manno, his wife and family are never called for in an election.”

Mike Lenett and his campaign have designed a website and mailed campaign literature with fake newspaper articles to trick the public into believing that they had uncovered real and scandalous information about Roger. The truth is that Mike Lenett wrote these articles. The endorsements for Roger by the Washington Post and the Gazette are the real newspaper articles.

First of all, Mike Lenett falsely attacks my son and his wife for supposedly hiding their wealth, their luxury Manhattan apartment and ties to Wall Street. How absurd - none of this is true. My daughter-in-law is a bright and successful woman and shame on Mike Lenett for trying to tear her down. Neither she nor my son own or rent any such apartment, and this is a complete fabrication. Additionally, Lenett has falsely asserted that Roger is using hidden wealth to finance his State Senate campaign. I only wish they had the wealth of Mike Lenett so they could respond to these lies with the stunning force they deserve. What Lenett doesn't publicize is that he has used in excess of two hundred thousand dollars of his own personal wealth in an attempt to buy this election.

Secondly, as the woman who gave Roger his name, I need to respond to what is clearly Lenett's racism and fear mongering. Roger's birth and first six years of life in California were idyllic. I was a student and my husband a sculptor. It was the 60’s. We were poor but filled with ideals and hope. We marched and protested the war but kept our focus on building a loving and moral life. Our only concession to the 60’s was the name we chose for our son. I thought of naming him David but "Rajah" (also "king") seemed more exotic. Of course Roger would have preferred a more common name such as Eric, Sam or Jon. He grew comfortable with people calling him "Roger" and planned ultimately to change it legally. In 2002, after my brother Morty changed his name to "Joel," Roger finally made the change as well. I am disgusted that Lenett uses his birth name to play on racial fears and stereotypes.

Thirdly, I must address the ugly attempt by Lenett to misrepresent and malign Roger's education and his time spent writing poetry, music, short stories and screenplays. In childhood, Roger struggled academically because of the traumas he experienced, the death of his father when Roger was not yet seven, Roger’s own cardiac illness, my cancer, the physical and psychological abuse he suffered at the hands of a man who entered our lives when I was vulnerable and still reeling from my husband's death. Later, Roger attempted college several times unsuccessfully. Instead, he wrote about pain, about struggle… and I praised his attempts to turn his pain into something productive. In fact, Roger's art reflected that of a great many of his relatives, including my father and mother, Samuel and Etta Scheinbaum, who were both poets, and Roger's father, John Manno, who was a sculptor and played Jazz slide trombone. During this period, Roger supported his efforts bartending and waiting tables as many young artists do, always hoping to one day return to college. Finally, after some years, he reapplied to Hunter College and, contrary to his early attempts, this time he soared, graduated magna cum laude, received a White House internship, went on to graduate law school with a joint degree, and ultimately, was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates.

When Lenett refers to this difficult early period in Roger’s development as some hidden detour into a scandalous and wayward life, it is an affront to every young person trying desperately to make sense of grief, disabilities and hardship. Contrary to what Lenett would like you to believe, this period, during which Roger was able to confront, resolve and move past trauma is a tribute to his character and perseverance. Roger was anything but in hiding. He was out front and center. His pain and ultimate triumph were visible for anyone to see who had the wisdom to understand what they were seeing.

Anyone who knows Roger knows that he is a relentless advocate who works 24-7 for the things in which he believes. This is particularly so for health care. He is not driven by money but by concern and empathy. Roger Manno genuinely cares about the world in which he lives and the people who inhabit it.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Bea (Manno) Scheinbaum

I'm on the Nightwolf Show WPFW 89.3 FM 10 am to 11 am this morning

2010-09-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

Going on the Nightwolf Show WPFW 89.3 FM 10 am to 11 am this morning
to discuss Middle East peace with Harriet Fulbright. Hope you can tune
in on the air or online:
http://www.wpfw.org/index.php?db=content/About&tbl=About&id=1

Doug Duncan Denounces Lenett Attacks - Endorses Manno

2010-09-13T05:12:00.000-07:00

Former County Executive Doug Duncan Denounces Lenett Attacks -
Endorses Manno for State Senate

Silver Spring - This afternoon, former 3-term County Executive Doug
Duncan released the following statement denouncing Mike Lenett's
personal attacks, and endorsing Roger Manno for State Senate:

"In these very difficult economic times, we need leaders who will focus
on the challenges ahead and put personal pettiness behind them. Roger
Manno is working hard to bring District 19 together for the good of the
community, while his opponent has resorted to attempted character
assassination in this campaign. Mike Lenett's recent personal attacks on
Roger Manno, his wife and family are never called for in an election.
Today, I am asking District 19 voters to stand up and say no to this
type of offensive politics and vote for Roger Manno for State Senate."

Roger Manno commented that "I am humbled and honored to receive the
endorsement of former County Executive Doug Duncan. In addition, I am
touched that the community has come together in such a strong and vocal
way to support our candidacy, and to condemn Mike Lenett's mean-spirited
and false attacks."

For more information, please visit http://www.RogerManno.com

Race for My Old Senate Seat

2010-09-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

From: Senator Len Teitelbaum
Date: Sat, Sep 11, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Subject: Race for My Old Senate Seat

Dear Friend:

Now that all the brochures have been sent, and primary day approaches, I
am attempting in a concise way to answer the question that many people
have asked: Why are all the previous D 19 legislators, The WASHINGTON
POST and GAZETTE newspapers, as well as many other activists and groups,
endorsing Roger Manno for my old State Senate seat?

Being an elected official is a very personal business. All your activity
should be done with the idea that today's opponent on an issue could be
tomorrow's ally. Stepping over people is not how things get done. Roger
Manno has proven, as one of your elected State Delegates, that things
get done when people work together, and credit is shared in an equitable
way. Credit is taken when it is earned, and if an issue is important,
but is being worked by another legislator, volunteer to help, but don't
take credit for other people's work.

Roger's accomplishments in his time in Annapolis has been many. A few
examples are: He sponsored a bill, HB1532, now law, to require 2-
15-minutes breaks every 8 hours, HB29 to prevent insurance companies
from denying coverage or increasing rates for pre-existing conditions,
Two bills, HB1073 in 2007 & HB37 in 2008 which provided tax assistance
to close the "doughnut hole" for Medicare recipients. He also was called
by the White House to help formulate the Health Care bill which was just
passed by Congress & signed by the President. Look at his website
http://www.RogerManno.com for other examples.

But there's another part of the job that has not gotten the attention it
deserves. That is the Senator working with his/her Delegates to get
things for D19 residents. Such things as traffic lights, road repairs,&
stop signs at intersections. Cooperation between all four members is
absolutely necessary because we have to compete with other Delegations
for limited funds to get these things. This is where the rubber hits the
road when they say " all politics is local." I used to meet with my
Delegates two to three times a month, where we worked together, to write
joint letters, make phone calls & do the District's business. Traffic
lights at the north gate of Leisure World, and the traffic light at
Arcola & Hermleigh Roads are two examples of our success. This did not
happen these last four years. We even wrote recommendation letters, to
our Congressional delegation for applicants to West Point, Annapolis and
The Air Force Academy. Incidentally two of the people we recommended
were accepted to and attended, one each to West Point, and the Naval
Academy.

Two weeks ago the GAZETTE published a list of the road repairs planned
for Montgomery County. Not one road in D19 was listed. If the four D19
legislators had been meeting regularly, Georgia Ave. near the entrance
to Leisure World, Georgia Ave. near Wheaton, University Blvd. near Kemp
Mill road are but a few example of candidates that could have been on
the list for having potholes fixed or having sections repaved.

These are just a few reasons why all the previous D19 legislators, THE
WASHINGTON POST and GAZETTE newspapers AND MANY other folks are
supporting Roger Manno, I hope you will also.

Best regards,
Len Teitelbaum

Printed and circulated to my community at personal expense and without
authorization by Roger Manno or any other organization.

District 19 Democrats have a clear choice for State Senate on Tuesday

2010-09-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

Today, as Americans Memorialized September 11th, many politicians
neatly separate into one of two categories. First: those who call for
inclusion, acceptance and cooperation. Second: those who cynically
exploit fear, mistrust and prejudice. In the District 19 State Senate
contest, Roger Manno is continuing his positive, issues-based campaign
focused on his view that "leadership takes teamwork." Sadly, his
opponent Mike Lenett is running a dirty campaign unprecedented in
Montgomery County history. This according to History Professor and
Gazette Columnist Allan Lichtman, who noted that Lenett is making a
"blatant appeal to ethnic prejudice," adding, "With some justice, Manno
has countered by accusing Lenett of having taken county politics 'into
the gutter like no other candidate before him.'" Lenett also created (or
authorized) a vicious website that attacked Roger Manno's wife, and his
campaign benefited from a hidden-identity swift-boat type group and push
polling that dishonestly attacked Manno.

As we celebrated Labor Day, Lenett kicked off a carpet-bombing onslaught
on constituents' mailboxes. Some Lenett mailers depict gang members or
otherwise imply that violent criminals support Manno. One employs
"cutout" letters to depict Manno as physically threatening voters like a
kidnapper or terrorist. A Lenett mailer hopes to trick readers into
thinking Lenett's accusations came from newspapers. They didn't.
Lenett's mailers include attacks on Roger Manno's wife Marjorie--a
self-made woman of rare intellect and character, and a true role model.
Some Lenett mailers accuse the Mannos of "lying under oath" and a
"cover-up." Why? Because Manno filed amended financial reports--even
though Lenett filed several amended campaign finance reports of his own.
Maryland Politics Watch (MPW) is working overtime posting Lenett's
attack mailers, along with the "kinder, gentler" but still disingenuous
ones depicting an accomplished state Senator bearing little resemblance
to reality.

A recent Lenett mailing tells voters, "There's So Much More to Do."
Considering what Lenett has done already, including championing
legislation to let Proctor & Gamble keep polluting the Chesapeake Bay,
"alienating" his colleagues as a "divisive force" who can't work with
others, and one of the least effective legislators in the General
Assembly, his "to do list" should convince people they should vote for
Manno. All of Lenett's mailers--and there sure have been a lot of
them--distort or dismiss known facts, lower the level of discourse,
and/or think voters are fools. We're not buying it. Please see: "Frosh:
Veto Phosphate Ban Delay"
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2008/04/frosh_veto_phosphate_ban_delay.html
and "Choices in Montgomery"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/22/AR2010082202584.html
and "Consistency in the state legislature"
http://www.gazette.net/stories/09012010/montedi180547_32533.php and "The
List: How does your legislator rank?" http://www.gazette.net/thelist/

District 19 has a long-standing tradition for teamwork, fairness, and
civility. Lenett is out of step with this tradition. Manno upholds it.
People should face up to their record honestly and responsibly.
Unfortunately, not all candidates can do that. Several people made this
assertion: A push poll smear campaign was unleashed against Delegate
Roger Manno to trick District 19 voters. Using such underhanded, Karl
Rove tactics in a primary suggests more about the candidate trying to
benefit from them than the innocent targets of the push polls--the Manno
campaign as well as the District 19 voters who deserve better.

MPW is on the front lines officiating the "crossfire" between the Lenett
and Manno campaigns regarding gun control, pointing out factual
errors--if not out-right misrepresentations--in a recent official Lenett
campaign mailer: "What Lenett does not say and Tripwire apparently does
not know is that Manno also favors gun control. One of his first acts
upon arriving in Annapolis was to introduce a local bill allowing
Montgomery County to pass additional restrictions on guns that would
have gone beyond state standards. See:
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/lenett-manno-trade-fire-on-guns.html

When some candidates feel the heat, they resort to fast-talking excuses
or even dirty tricks like "push polls" and sneak-attack mailers. With a
record so stained that not even phosphate-laden detergent can clean it,
the Lenett campaign is resorting to dirty tricks. It's not just MPW,
Gazette Readers and the Manno Campaign objecting to the Lenett
Campaign's "win at all costs" approach and it's not just the Washington
Post, the Gazette, Progressive Maryland and many others giving Sen.
Lenett a failing grade. When people say "Sen. Mike Lenett will do
anything to win," they sure have a lot of reasons to say so.

OK, so Lenett is clearly ineffective, alienating to colleagues, willing
to sell-out constituents and the Chesapeake Bay to serve out-of-state
special interests, and so on, but is Manno that much better? Yes, he
most certainly is. When the bill Manno co-authored with NOW President
Terry O'Neill to protect women from deceptive "crisis pregnancy centers"
couldn't get traction in Annapolis, Manno worked with Montgomery County
leaders and the Council to get it passed here. The League of
Conservation Voters, Environment Maryland and the Sierra Club asked
Manno to sponsor HB 522, their priority legislation in 2010. When it
stalled in the General Assembly, Manno worked with the O'Malley
Administration on an executive order which directs the Public Service
Commission to plan Maryland's clean energy needs. A huge triumph for
those of us concerned about clean energy, global warming, and making
Maryland a leader in the 21st century energy economy. This is typical
Manno--when he hits a roadblock on an important issue, he finds another
way to make progress for Maryland.

Manno is also more adept at getting important bills passed into law than
Lenett. A few examples: In 2009 Manno's Green Jobs bill helped Maryland
secure a $5.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment
and Training Administration. Manno's 2009 "Apprenticeship Opportunities
Act" (HB 644) created a partnership between businesses, community
colleges, and existing programs for green jobs. Manno's Maryland Organic
Transition Investment Pilot Program passed after he worked with Capitol
Hill to bring $millions in support to Maryland. Then he improved and
extended MOTIPP. It's one thing to vote the right way when people are
watching (and scoring). It's better to be the difference-maker. Manno
drove progress on key issues, and that makes him better. That's leadership.

As MPW readers know there are leaders and then there's Senate President
Mike "Big Daddy" Miller. Many if not most progressive reform legislation
ends up in the State Senate dust bin. Lenett has cast his lot with
Miller. Progressives support Manno because of his independence, courage,
and knack for getting more done in Annapolis than Lenett. Real policy
differences between these candidates underscore these views. Also, while
Lenett may have more cash on hand than Manno, he's "loaned" most of that
to himself, and spent it at an incredible rate by printing enough walk
pieces and massive mailers to clear cut a forest! Some environmentalist!

Lenett boasts of several endorsements, and that's fair. What he won't
tell you is this: most organizations and office-holders automatically
endorse any half-way decent incumbent. Now that Lenett has gone off the
deep-end with nuclear attacks and dirty tricks, many of those endorsers
probably wish they could take it back. They should renounce those
endorsements, denounce Lenett, and repudiate his Republican Tea Party
tactics--for the good of Maryland, the Democratic Party and their own
reputations. Still it's impressive to see how many established
organizations, legislators, unions and newspapers endorsing a
challenger. It shows two things: Roger Manno is an especially good
challenger, and Mike Lenett is an unusually bad incumbent. Ask the
endorsers, and--if they're honest--they'll admit they're forced by their
rules to back any half-way decent incumbent. That's just the way many
play the game. It's interesting to note that none of the rubber-stamp
gang endorsed Jamie Raskin before the primary in 2006, but they all
scrambled to get on his bandwagon after he won the primary. Expect the
same to happen this year in the Manno vs. Lenett contest.

With that in mind, it's all the more remarkable that so many unions,
elected officials, and leading organizations endorsed Roger Manno
including: The Washington Post, The Gazette, Del. Hank Heller, and
Former Sen. Len Teitelbaum, Del. Adrienne Mandel, and Del. Carol
Petzold, County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin, Chair of the Education
Committee, State Delegate Sue Hecht, Chair of the Maryland Green Caucus,
State Delegate Brian Feldman, Chair of the Montgomery County House
Delegation, State Delegate Susan Lee, Vice-Chair of the Montgomery
County House Delegation, State Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez, Joint
Committee on Children, Youth and Families, State Delegate Aisha
Braveboy, Vice-Chair of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, Mrs.
Cherri Branson, Esq. Chair of the African American Democratic Club of
Montgomery County, MCGEO--the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)
Local 1994/Municipal County Government Employee Organization,
Progressive Neighbors, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, Montgomery Green
Democrats, Montgomery County Public School Retiree Association (MCPSRA),
Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats (CAPAD-MD), Montgomery
County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MCVFRA), Montgomery County
Youth Slate, Hispanic Democratic Club of Montgomery County (HDC), and
dozens of other unions and organizations. See:
http://www.rogermanno.com/contact/index.cfm?Fuseaction=contact

These endorsements all buck the "back the incumbent" habit. It helps
that Manno would never resort to push polls or sponsor bills to
undermine environmental protection. Roger Manno is a progressive we can
trust to do the right thing when people are watching, in the back rooms,
all the time, every day. We can trust Roger Manno to serve the public
interest--not special interests. That any challenger could rack up so
many key and important endorsements says a lot about how legislators in
Annapolis and Rockville and leaders in District 19--as well as many
concerned Maryland voters and groups--see this contest. NARAL Pro-Choice
Maryland and Progressive Maryland among others took endorsements away
from Lenett and gave them to Manno, because Manno stood with them while
Lenett let them down. It's hard to not get an endorsement as an
incumbent, so each one Manno won is a failing grade for the incumbent
and a huge vote of confidence for the challenger whose leadership
through teamwork better fits District 19, Montgomery County, and
Annapolis. Advantage: Manno.

Lenett and his supporters claim he is an effective legislator, but
that's not what those who work with him and cover him in Annapolis say.
Here are some of the quotes describing Sen. Lenett's lack of
effectiveness: "Colleague problems ... A bill sponsored by him is often
the kiss of death ... Maniacal and untrustworthy ... Doesn't know how to
play in the sandbox." While there were a few positive quotes as well,
the Gazette article took those into account and still named Sen. Lenett
one of the bottom ten least effective legislators in the entire General
Assembly--including the Republicans who are in the minority in both
houses and on every committee. See:
http://www.gazette.net/thelist/repinfo.php?id=102

By contrast, Roger Manno achieved remarkable success on bills and
reforms benefiting Maryland on healthcare, employment, access to
prescription medicines for seniors, non-discrimination, organic farming,
protecting seniors from fraud, and--this is critically
important--earning the respect of his colleagues. That's why the Post
and the Gazette and many key legislators and organizations endorsed
Manno over Lenett in this contest. Clear advantage: Manno.

Lenett and his defenders claim he is an environmental superstar, but the
record shows this isn't so. In 2008, Lenett's SB 710 delayed protections
for the Chesapeake Bay--and we cannot focus on this fact too
extensively. Sen. Lenett also voted against Sen. Brian Frosh's
legislation to fine Bay polluters who violated the law Sen. Lenett
delayed. That doesn't sound like an environmental champion. Lenett's
supporters try to excuse his anti-Bay, pro-Proctor & Gamble bill by
contending other states were going to enact similar legislation later
on. So what? Maryland had already passed strong legislation. What other
states do about the Bay should never govern what Maryland does. Maryland
is exceptionally reliant on, and therefore we are exceptionally
responsible for the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Furthermore, we in
Maryland expect the best from our lawmakers, and set a high standard
accordingly.

As The Washington Post reported: "Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery)
said that pushing the effective date of the ban from January 2010 to
July 2010 would 'add up to 15,000 pounds of phosphates to Bay waters.'
'Phosphates are particularly pernicious because they end up stored in
sediments,' wrote Frosh, who sponsored legislation last year authorizing
the ban. 'Once in the Bay, the phosphates resulting from [the pending
bill] will be available for years to fuel the algal blooms that each
summer day destroy oxygen in the Bay's deep waters and threaten
underwater grasses in the shallows.' The bill allowing the delay,
sponsored by Sen. Michael G. Lenett (D-Montgomery), passed the Senate 25
to 22 after heavy lobbying from Proctor & Gamble, one of the affected
companies. The margin in the House of Delegates was far more
comfortable, 105 to 33. Lenett agreed to sponsor the bill at the request
of the industry, which is seeking to align the date of Maryland's ban
with those of other states with similar legislation." Please see:
"Frosh: Veto Phosphate Ban Delay"
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2008/04/frosh_veto_phosphate_ban_delay.html

Should Marylanders limit ourselves to what other states do? That's what
Sen. Lenett says when it comes to protecting the Bay and the countless
jobs that rely on a thriving Chesapeake. Maryland is the state most
reliant on the Bay. Sen. Lenett's bill helped a few big corporations
keep polluting the Bay. Lenett and his supporters say he authored
another bill made up for this, but we know better. That fertilizer
phosphates bill was Sen. Brian Frosh's. The same Sen. Frosh who spelled
out the damage Lenett's pro-P&G bill caused. If Lenett had just left
well enough alone, we'd have benefited from both of Frosh's bills--the
one Sen. Lenett undermined and the one Lenett claims was his. By
contrast, whenever a Manno bill passes, we're better off. With a Lenett
bill, it's a big (Proctor &) Gamble. Clear advantage Manno.

Once a politician starts siding with big out-of-state special interests
against Montgomery County and Maryland--as Lenett chooses to do--where
does it end? Will Sen. Lenett tell us it's OK for Montgomery County
Maryland schools to be the same as Montgomery Alabama's? Will he try to
roll back protections for home-owners facing the threat of foreclosure?
Will he help powerful out-of-state interests turn back the clock on our
living wage and safety standards? Hopefully after this Tuesday we won't
have to risk Lenett reversing hard-won progress--not if District 19
Democrats nominate Roger Manno to keep working for the people of
Maryland. No wonder Lenett is desperate to change the subject from the
issues to hypocritical and outlandish accusations against Roger and
Marjorie Manno.

Lenett has repeatedly made false accusations against the Mannos,
claiming that they "lied under oath" in routine amended financial
filings. This even though Lenett himself was forced to amend his own
filings several times. Mike Lenett accuses Roger Manno of "lying under
oath" for filing amended financial reports. What would he call failing
to file amendments as requested by the MD Board of Elections? Note:
according to official state records, 6 of Lenett's reports are marked
"agency requested amend" and 3 of those are not marked "Amend." Are
there 3 outstanding unamended reports, despite agency requests dating
back to 2007? Also, 3 reports are marked "Deficiency" and 1 was assessed
a Late Fee, but there is no indication the fee was paid. The Lenett
campaign amended their 2010 Pre-Primary 1 report (filed on 08/17/2010),
their 2009 Annual report (filed on 01/21/2009), their 2008 Annual report
(filed on 01/15/2008), and their 2006 Post General Report (filed on
11/28/2006). The Lenett campaign did not amend reports despite agency
requests. All information published as "Campaign Finance Report History
for Friends of Mike Lenett" by the MD Board of Elections, Please see:
http://www.mdelections.org/campaign-finance/advanced-search/detailed-committee-information?acctno=A4366

So what's the point of all the finger-pointing at Manno for also filing
amended reports when four times in less than four years, Mike Lenett
filed amended campaign finance reports--and apparently Lenett refused to
comply with requests to file at least three other amendments? Were all
these "false" reports by the Lenett campaign? Mike Lenett claimed Manno
"lied under oath...." when he filed amendments. Is that how Lenett would
describe his own actions? Lenett cited a statement from William G.
Somerville, Ethics Advisor to the General Assembly that explains,
"Delegate Manno filed incomplete ethics reports." This statement clearly
does not support Mike Lenett's accusations of a "cover-up" or "false
financial reports" or "lying" by Roger Manno as Lenett would have us
believe. In fact, Mr. Somerville explained the actual facts in this case
as follows:

"Delegate Manno's wife's employment was appropriately disclosed to the
Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, in a timely manner and as a
matter of public record. Her employment was also disclosed to the State
Ethics Commission, and any discrepancies were appropriately corrected at
Delegate Manno's own initiation. It is not infrequent for officials to
amend their disclosure statements. Delegate Manno brought this matter to
the State Ethics Commission's attention on his own volition, and it is
clear from the record that Delegate Manno did not have any intention to
conceal information. In addition, it is my understanding from the State
Ethics Commission that Delegate Manno was not required to list any
leasehold interests that his wife may hold in which Delegate Manno does
not hold an attributable interest, which is the situation in this case."

So Del. Manno filed amendments to his financial reports. Hardly
unusual--even among candidates for State Senate from District 19. In
fact, and unlike Lenett, Manno took the initiative to do so. Lenett was
forced to respond to requests for amendments from the State Board of
Elections, and at least three times ignored the requests and refused to
file amendments. Misrepresenting Manno's compliance into "lying" and a
"cover-up" makes as much sense as implying playing bass or tending bar
is heinous and nefarious anti-American activity. Were these several
questionable filings by Lenett "false" campaign finance reports? Were
these instances of Lenett "lying under oath" to the State Board of
Elections "four times in four years?" Not according to any logical,
legal or ethical standard. However, according to the standard Lenett
imposes on others, the answer is "yes!" So, who is really "lying" about
whose ethics?

Pro-Lenett push-polling delivered attacks against Manno under the guise
of gathering information. An MPW source reported: "My wife got surveyed
yesterday. She's pretty sure it was Lenett's poll, based on the nature
of the questions. Questions focused on Lenett/Manno, no mention of
Leggett, O'Malley. Interesting follow up question on religion, which
they asked very early in the survey – not as a housekeeping matter at
the end. When she identified herself as Jewish, they asked if she
considered herself Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or Reconstructionist."
Please see:
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/08/manno-alleges-push-poll-by-lenett.html

A Letter to the Editor published by the Gazette entitled "Turned off by
negative campaign" from Ruth Burgos-Sasscer, Silver Spring explains:

"I live in Leisure World and have attended forums where candidates for
Maryland State Senate Mike Lenett and Roger Manno have spoken, and have
been impressed with both men. I have been leaning toward Roger Manno but
until recently had not really decided for whom to vote. The other day I
was asked to participate in a telephone 'opinion poll survey,' which I
agreed to do. The first questions were about my plans to vote in the
coming Sept. 14 primary and Nov. 2 general elections. Other questions
related to whether I was leaning toward one candidate or the other and
why; and would I be influenced to support either one by the endorsements
of specific organizations or the Washington Post. I was surprised and
disturbed, however, when I was asked 'What is your religion?' and
although I responded, I was not comfortable doing so. When the
interviewer then asked 'Did you know that Roger Manno ...' and went into
a litany of negative statements about him, I immediately stopped her. I
said that I would not continue with the interview because I believed it
was a deceitful and unethical campaign tactic in support of Mike Lenett
and wanted no part of it. I also told her that her efforts were
counterproductive because she had just convinced me that Roger Manno is
by far the better candidate to represent District 19 in the Maryland
State Senate." Please see:
http://www.gazette.net/stories/08252010/montlet173358_32545.php

Blogger Keith Berner writes: "In a tight race between two candidates of
similar politics, Maryland District 19 incumbent Senator Mike Lenett has
gone where only the most shameless GOP race-baiters gather. Desperate to
hold off a serious challenge from Roger Manno, currently a D-19
delegate.... [Lenett] is riffing on the fact that Manno's legal first
name used to be 'Rajah.' Just in case the implication that Manno is a
(gasp!) Muslim out to undermine the American way of life isn't clear
enough, take a look at the graphic from Lenett's latest mailer [which
has] an uncanny resemblance the rendering of Manno's former first name
has to a terrorist demand letter!

"I have not followed Lenett or Manno closely before now, beyond knowing
that they have generally good records in Annapolis and that progressives
with more detailed knowledge are backing Manno. With Lenett's descent
into darkness, though, I need no further information about him to know
he must be beaten. I call on all District 19 voters to reject,
resoundingly, fear-mongering and racism. In fact, all Marylanders should
denounce Lenett and make clear that his behavior is completely unwelcome
here. Vote for Roger Manno on Tuesday to make abundantly clear that Mike
Lenett's politics and way of thinking have no place in Maryland." Please
see: "Lenett the Fear-Monger, Lenett the Bigot"
http://lefthandview.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/09-10-10-lenett-the-fear-monger-lennet-the-bigot/

Lenett is systematically violating every standard for political ethics.
With his extravagant imagination and taste for the melodramatic, Lenett
has a future as a writer for a show like 24. After all, Lenett has to
pay himself back the approximately half million dollars he loaned
himself trying to re-buy that Senate seat, right? Seriously! This
vicious, venomous behavior is exactly why the Gazette determined Lenett
is a "divisive force" and one of the least effective legislators in the
General Assembly. It confirms the Washington Post's reporting that
"undermines his own effectiveness" by "alienating" his colleagues.
Racist mailers, attacks on spouses, push polls, swift boat supporters,
hypocritical if not hysterical accusations and a well-deserved
reputation for ineffectiveness. Is that what we want from a State
Senator? Of course not. District 19 voters have an important decision at
the polls on Tuesday: to uphold their honor and decency by holding their
candidates to a worthy standard, or to give tacit approval to Lenett's
loathsome "win at any cost" politics.

Even those familiar with Lenett's past proclivities are shocked by this
ugly, dirty tricks campaign which reminds many area pundits of "scorched
earth" Republicans like Karl Rove, Lee Atwater, and Richard Nixon. No
wonder current and former District 19 officials including Hank Heller,
Len Teitelbaum, Carol Petzold, and Adrienne Mandel all endorsed Manno.
Manno lives up to the tradition of teamwork they established over 76
years of public service to District 19, and all point out Lenett fails
to meet this standard. Lenett's indefensible campaign tactics are
revealing what his colleagues have known for some time: Lenett is unfit
to represent District 19 and Montgomery County in the State Senate.

Why is Lenett going so negative? Theories might explain this behavior,
but cannot possibly excuse it. One holds that Lenett's or his remaining
allies have polling results showing Lenett losing, or close to losing,
with trends supporting Manno. This is certainly possible, because smart
politicians don't go negative unless they're losing, and don't go this
negative unless they're losing badly. Is Manno pulling ahead of Lenett?
Most consider Lenett too smart to do something as stupid as attacking an
opponent--much less an opponent's spouse--unless he believed he had to
do so.

Others believe Lenett has never come to grips with someone actually
challenging him for what he considers "his" seat. Leaving aside the
radical notion that the voters actually "own" the seat, this view holds
some validity based on Lenett's first public reactions to Manno's
challenge. As MPW noted at the time: "In his end of session letter,
Senator Mike Lenett (D-19) includes a second-to-last paragraph that is a
thinly-veiled slam on his possible challenger, Delegate Roger Manno,"
starting with (and these are Lenett's words). "The Democratic Party
could take a cue from the Republicans...." Please see:
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/04/lenett-unloads-on-manno.html

Lenett questions Manno's right to run against him, even though Lenett
decided to challenge then-Senator Len Teitelbaum for the same seat while
the latter recuperated from a medical procedure. Recently, Sen.
Teitelbaum denounced Lenett's tactics, calling his "nuclear" anti-Manno
website "a terrible distortion of facts, and a clear indication of the
desperation of Lenett's campaign. This kind of extreme divisive behavior
is exactly why every former elected legislator from District 19 who has
endorsed, and the Gazette and Washington Post newspapers, have ALL
endorsed Roger Manno for State Senate."

Desperation? A sense of entitlement? Either way, no matter why Lenett is
resorting to right wing Republican politics in a Democratic Primary, one
thing is clear: this is conduct unbecoming a Democrat. Do voters in the

District 19 Democratic primary Tuesday want to support Mike Lenett,
someone who campaigns like a Republican and thinks Democrats should
"take a cue from Republicans" even as he keeps deploying the worst
Republican dirty-tricks? I'd think not. Especially because Lenett even
legislates like a Republican when he thinks he can get away with it.

Check the records, not the candidates' spin. Lenett helped polluters
keep dumping dangerous poisons in the Bay. If you prefer someone who
puts out-of-state special interests above his own voters, Lenett is the
one you want. When it comes to the environment and representing the
people of District 19, Montgomery County, and Maryland, Manno is the
man. Not just because he has a better voting record. Not just because he
puts the voters first and the special interests last. Because he has
demonstrated grace under pressure, keeping to the high road in the face
of Lenett's low-down dishonest attacks against him and even his wife
Marjorie.

As Oscar T. Ramirez wrote, "What we're seeing from our candidates this
year is really disgusting. Candidates who use fear as a political
strategy have no place in our politics. Listen to what some candidates
are saying:

Be afraid because the good light-skinned Saqib has turned into a bad
dark-skinned Saqib!

Be afraid because Roger used to be Rajah and who knows what else Rajah
has to hide!

Be afraid because Barack is a Muslim who wasn't born in this country and
doesn't share our American values!

Oh, wait. That is what the Tea Party is saying about President Obama. Do
those tactics sound familiar? I hope voters on Tuesday will think about
what Bill Clinton said a few years ago: 'If one candidate is trying to
scare you, and the other one is trying to get you to think. If one
candidate is appealing to your fears, and the other one is appealing to
your hope. You better vote for the person who wants you to think and
hope.'" Please see:
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-blow-up-mailbox.html?showComment=1284164333447#c6858616559308001238

In conclusion, District 19 Democrats have a clear choice for State
Senate on Tuesday. They can vote for Roger Manno's leadership through
teamwork and a hard-working, accomplished and ethical legislator they
can be proud of. Or they can go along with a push-polling,
swift-boating, spouse-attacking, race-baiting, Proctor & Gambling,
special-interest-serving, hypocritical-accusation-spewing,
truth-twisting, colleague-alienating, Bay-polluting, seat-buying,
ineffective, divisive, incumbent who's embarrassed them before and will
let them down again. The clear choice in this contest is Roger Manno.

Is Mike Lenett failing to file amendments as requested by the MD Board of Elections?

2010-09-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

Mike Lenett accuses Roger Manno of "lying under oath" for filing amended financial reports.

What would he call failing to file amendments as requested by the MD Board of Elections?

Note: 6 of Lenett's reports are marked "agency requested amend" and 3 of those are not marked "Amend." Are there 3 outstanding unamended reports, despite agency requests dating back to 2007? Also, 3 reports are marked "Deficiency" and 1 was assessed a Late Fee, but there is no indication the fee was paid.

-- Mike Hersh

All information published as "Campaign Finance Report History for Friends of Mike Lenett" by the MD Board of Elections
See: http://www.mdelections.org/campaign-finance/advanced-search/detailed-committee-information?acctno=A4366

Reports that are not underlined are not available electronically. Contact the State Board of Elections for these reports.

Report type	Due Date	Date Rcvd	Deficiency	Amend	Agency Requested Amend	Total Late Fees	Amount Paid	Marked Final
2010 Gubernatorial 2010 Pre-Primary 2	09/03/2010	09/03/2010		0		0		No
2010 Gubernatorial 2010 Pre-Primary 1	08/17/2010	08/17/2010		3		0		No
2010 Annual 2010	01/20/2010	01/20/2010		0		0	0	No
2009 2009 Annual Audit Report	07/23/2010	07/28/2010		0	Yes	30		No
2009 Annual 2009	01/21/2009	01/21/2009	Yes	3	Yes	0	0	No
2008 Annual (2008) Audit	09/18/2009	09/16/2009		0	Yes			No
2008 Annual	01/16/2008	01/15/2008	Yes	1	Yes	0	0	No
2007 Annual	01/17/2007	01/17/2007		0		0	0	No
2006 Post General Audit	12/21/2007	12/20/2007		0	Yes	0	0	No
2006 Post General Report	11/28/2006	11/28/2006	Yes	1	Yes	0	0	No

"If one candidate is trying to scare you....

2010-09-11T07:07:00.000-07:00

Oscar T. Ramirez's comment on the post "How to Blow Up a Mailbox" on
Maryland Politics Watch

What we're seeing from our candidates this year is really disgusting.
Candidates who use fear as a political strategy have no place in our
politics.

Listen to what some candidates are saying:

Be afraid because the good light-skinned Saqib has turned into a bad
dark-skinned Saqib!

Be afraid because Roger used to be Rajah and who knows what else Rajah
has to hide!

Be afraid because Barack is a Muslim who wasn't born in this country and
doesn't share our American values!

Oh, wait. That is what the Tea Party is saying about President Obama. Do
those tactics sound familiar?

I hope voters on Tuesday will think about what Bill Clinton said a few
years ago:

"If one candidate is trying to scare you, and the other one is trying to
get you to think. If one candidate is appealing to your fears, and the
other one is appealing to your hope. You better vote for the person who
wants you to think and hope."

http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-blow-up-mailbox.html

Unfit to represent Montgomery County

2010-09-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

Mike Lenett is systematically violating every standard for political
ethics. Lenett has even attacked Roger Manno's wife Marjorie--a
self-made woman of rare intellect and character, and a true role model.
Lenett has repeatedly made false accusations against the Mannos,
claiming that they "lied under oath" in routine amended financial
filings. This even though Lenett himself was forced to amend his own
filings several times. Running a dirty campaign unprecedented in
Montgomery County, Lenett sent out mailers playing on racist
stereotypes, including a picture suggesting Manno supports gangs like
the Crips. History Professor and Gazette Columnist Allan Lichtman
reported on a separate Lenett "blatant appeal to ethnic prejudice."
Lenett benefited from a swift-boat group and push polling that
dishonestly attacked Roger Manno. Even those familiar with Lenett's past
proclivities are shocked by this ugly, dirty tricks campaign.

Current and former District 19 officials including Hank Heller, Len
Teitelbaum, Carol Petzold, and Adrienne Mandel all endorsed Manno
because he lives up to the tradition of teamwork they established over
76 years of public service--pointing out Lenett fails to meet this
standard. The Gazette reported Lenett is a "divisive force" and one of
the least effective legislators in the entire state--including
Republicans. The Washington Post reported Lenett "undermines his own
effectiveness" by "alienating" his colleagues. Now Lenett's indefensible
campaign tactics are revealing what members of the General Assembly have
known for some time: Mike Lenett is unfit to represent District 19 and
Montgomery County in the State Senate.

Some of this borders on the comic: Lenett claims Manno changed his name
to "cover up" his past as a bass player and bartender. Some is just
strange: Lenett complained Manno's challenge for "his" seat would tip
the Governorship to Republican Bob Erlich when he spoke to our group on
July 6th. Last Spring, Lenett falsely claimed Congresswoman Donna
Edwards and other prominent officials endorsed him. These antics
humiliate and taint those who actually did endorse Lenett. In the
interests of Maryland--especially Montgomery County--and in the name of
basic decency, I call upon all officials and organizations who've
endorsed Lenett to publicly withdraw their support and denounce Lenett's
dirty tricks.

Mike Hersh

Chairperson, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance

Lichtman calls attacks “blatant appeal to ethnic prejudice”

2010-09-11T06:32:00.000-07:00

Community Support Pours in for Roger Manno -

Allan Lichtman calls Lenett's attacks "blatant appeal to ethnic prejudice"

Silver Spring -Today, Roger Manno released a multitude of statements that have been issued in support of his campaign following the recent outrageous attacks by Mike Lenett.

Manno stated that "I am touched and honored that so many individuals and organizations are supporting me in such a strong and vocal way. It's important for the community to know how many are impacted by Mike Lenett's divisive campaign and false attacks. The time has come to say NO to this type of gutter politics so that we can focus on the issues and the things that our citizens care about."

Manno continued: "Much of this is despicable, but the fact that Lenett purposely chose to launch this public attack during Rosh Hashanah is offensive to the Jewish Community. One of the 2 Mike Lenett mail pieces that landed in people's mailboxes today even goes so far as to arrange the letters of my birth name in a manner similar to a signature on a terrorist ransom note. Mike Lenett goes further in creating false newspaper headlines clearly designed to trick voters into thinking that these false statements are real."

In today's Gazette newspaper, Allan Lichtman made the following statement in his commentary on the District 19 Senate race. "…Lenett has leveled the nastiest charges, claiming that Manno has covered up his and his wife's ties to Wall Street and lied on financial disclosure forms. In a blatant appeal to ethnic prejudice (emphasis added), he also charged that Manno concealed a name change in 2002 from "Rajah" to "Roger." With some justice, Manno has countered by accusing Lenett of having taken county politics "into the gutter like no other candidate before him." Commentary | Allan Lichtman, Gazette, Friday Sept 10, 2010.

The following statements have been issued in support of Roger Manno for State Senate:

"I've been in Annapolis for ten years as a public interest advocate and a lawmaker. I consider Roger Manno's character and integrity second to none. Roger brings a deep-seated and sophisticated understanding of the state's problems to his job. He brings his conscience to work every day, and he works tirelessly to meet challenges and improve people's lives. Mike Lenett's attacks on him and his wife and family are disgraceful, dishonest and inaccurate, and reflect very poorly on Mike Lenett. They call to mind the far right's manipulative characterization of President Obama's name, race and religion. These tactics come from Karl Rove's playbook and have no place in Montgomery County politics." -- Tom Hucker, Maryland State Delegate

"I am shocked and saddened that Maryland Senator, Mike Lenett's campaign literature and recent website attempts to play to ethnic stereotypes and racial prejudice in a county that is 46.7 % multi-ethnic, and where more than a quarter of the population is foreign born. Xenophobia, racism and bigotry have no place in our county's political discourse. The Asian Indian/Indian American community is outraged by the offensive imagery and language used to evoke strong negative feeling among voters. The undertones are very clear--as if to say-- having an Indian (foreign) sounding name is stain on one's candidacy which precludes said individual's ability to hold political office in the United States. This is a sad day for our multicultural Asia n Indian community." -- Kamala Edwards, Ph.D., President, Indian American Leadership Council ( IALC)

"We strongly stand behind and support Roger Manno for State Senate. Roger has an unwavering commitment to working families and has has worked tirelessly to help provide a decent, and comfortable life for all Marylanders. We know Roger Manno and we are disgusted by Mike Lenett's hateful and dishonest attacks against Roger and his family. These attacks that are clearly designed by Mike Lenett to scare voters in a last ditch attempt to save his Senate Seat. There is no room for such despicable tactics in Montgomery County and in this great State of ours. We urge you to come out on September 14^th and elect Roger Manno, a true leader for Maryland's working families."
-- Tom Mcnutt, President, UFCW Local 400; Jimmy Tarlau, Assistant to the Vice President, CWA District 2; Tim Goins Executive Vice President, UFCW 27

"It is understandable that candidates in the heat of an election do their best to put themselves in a positive light and their opponent in a negative light. However, I must say that I'm disappointed that Senator Lenett resorted to inaccurate, distorted personal attacks against Roger Manno and his wife in an attempt to hold onto an office. This Karl Rove-type of campaigning doesn't have a place in Maryland." -- Jackie L. Jeter, President, ATU Local 689

"I met Roger Manno a little over four years ago, and I knew when I met him he was not your every day politician. He spoke from the heart and will fight for not only District 19 constituents but for all the working men and women in the State of Maryland. That's why the citizens of the 19^th District should send the message, that they want a State Senator with Integrity to represent the 19^th District in Annapolis. Roger Manno is that man of Integrity and Honesty." -- Lino Cressotti, Business Manager, Insulators & Allied Workers, Local # 24

"Roger Manno has exhibited boundless energy in not just representation of the voters of district 19, but for causes that affect the entire state and the world. His passion for the work in health care reform, environmentalism, and civil rights is impossible to overlook. When such a dedicated public servant seeks the approval of the voters, a common opponent response is an attempt to find flaws in an otherwise exemplary appearance. The attempt to use ethnic background and inaccuracies to construct such a response demonstrates instead the strength of the opponent being attacked. The attacks are crude, dangerous, and ultimately, unpersuasive. Roger Manno continues to be the better choice for District 19 voters." -- Bill Jacobs, Former President, Montgomery Green Democrats

"Well Mike Lenett just convinced me that I should vote for Roger Manno formally known as Rajah Pettinato Manno, not because Rogers's former name was a colorful one but because he clearly is the right man for the job....... Roger will get every vote I can muster up for him. We cannot accept this kind of YELLOW campaigning in Montgomery County. MIKE TAKE THAT WEBSITE DOWN! …and talk issues not negative hate rhetoric. You should be ashamed of yourself." -- Cary Lamari, Comment posted on Maryland Politics Watch

For more information, go to www.rogermanno.com.

Lenett the Fear-Monger, Lenett the Bigot By Keith Berner

2010-09-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

Lenett the Fear-Monger, Lenett the Bigot By Keith Berner

In a tight race between two candidates of similar politics, Maryland District 19 incumbent Senator Mike Lenett has gone where only the most shameless GOP race-baiters gather. Desperate to hold off a serious challenge from Roger Manno, currently a D-19 delegate, Lenett is riffing on the fact that Manno’s legal first name used to be “Rajah.” Just in case the implication that Manno is a (gasp!) Muslim out to undermine the American way of life isn’t clear enough, take a look at the graphic from Lenett’s latest mailer:

What an uncanny resemblance the rendering of Manno’s former first name has to a terrorist demand letter!

I have not followed Lenett or Manno closely before now, beyond knowing that they have generally good records in Annapolis and that progressives with more detailed knowledge are backing Manno. With Lenett’s descent into darkness, though, I need no further information about him to know he must be beaten.

I call on all District 19 voters to reject, resoundingly, fear-mongering and racism. In fact, all Marylanders should denounce Lenett and make clear that his behavior is completely unwelcome here.

Vote for Roger Manno on Tuesday to make abundantly clear that Mike Lenett’s politics and way of thinking have no place in Maryland.

Credit to Maryland Politics Watch for publicizing this issue and to Jonathan Sherburg and Allan Licthman (see the comment on the MPW post) for highlighting the danger in Lenett’s messaging. My intent here is not to rip off their content, but rather to spread knowledge of the important issue they have raised.

PLEASE JOIN US TO CELEBRATE DR. QUENTIN YOUNG'S BIRTHDAY!

2010-09-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

PLEASE JOIN US TO CELEBRATE DR. QUENTIN YOUNG'S BIRTHDAY!

Dear Friend,

Dr. Quentin "Forever" Young just turned 87 and we are planning a
fundraiser/birthday celebration in his honor.
We are sending you this special invitation in the hope that you will
join us and bring a friend!

Some of you may already know our beloved Dr. Young. Dr. Young is a
recently retired internist in Chicago, a Clinical Professor of
Preventive Medicine and Community Health at the University of Illinois
Medical Center and Senior Attending Physician at Michael Reese Hospital.
He graduated Northwestern Medical School and did his residency at Cook
County Hospital in Chicago. During the 1970s and early 1980s, he served
as Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at Cook County, where
he helped establish the Department of Occupational Medicine.
In addition to his distinguished career as a physician, Dr. Young has
been a leader in public health policy and medical and social justice
issues. He is a co-founder and medical director of the Medical Committee
for Human Rights. In 1980, Dr.Young founded the Chicago based Health &
Medicine Policy Research Group, of which he is currently Chairman. He is
co-founder and now National Coordinator of Physicians for a National
Health Program. In 1998, he had the special distinction of serving as
President of the American Public Health Association and in 1997 was
inducted as a Master of the American College of Physicians.

In honor of Dr. Young's dedication to educate and advocate for the human
right to health, we are holding events to raise funds for an enhanced
education and outreach project as part of our improved Medicare for All
campaign. The funds will be used for regional leadership trainings to
train hundreds of physicians and medical students each year who will
serve as educators and advocates in their communities for a national
health system which is based on the human rights principles of
universality, equity and accountability. The funds will also be used so
that our leaders will have a greater presence at professional meetings,
will reach out to organizations that serve communities with health
disparities and those with chronic diseases and will have more
opportunities to speak in their communities and to go on speaking tours.
We will also fund student interns to assist state chapters and develop
student chapters.
Also present will be Mr. Ron Hikel, legislative consultant to PNHP and
former administrator of the Canadian Health System. We hope to see you
there!

Wednesday, September 15th 6 pm to 8 pm
Public Citizen 1600 20th St., NW Washington, D.C.
(just off the red line at Dupont Circle - parking is limited)
Wine and hors d'oeuvres / Suggested donation $150.00
RSVP to Margaret Flowers @ margaret@pnhp.org or 410-591-0892

From your hosts Dr. Harvey Fernbach, Dr. Robert Zarr and Dr. Margaret
Flowers of the DC and Maryland chapters of Physicians for a National
Health Program.

Mont County: Please help pass out the Progressive Voter Guide

2010-09-07T19:17:00.000-07:00

From Progressive Neighbors:

Please help pass out the Progressive Voter Guide See/download:
http://www.progressiveneighborsmd.org/PN_voterguide.pdf with us next
Tuesday (Sept. 14th) at the polls for an hour or two.

Last time, we found that the Guide had quite an impact on voters, many
of whom did not know who to vote for in local elections. And in the
primary this time, we have the opportunity to elect some really good
candidates, as well as keep some outstanding incumbents, such as Marc
Elrich and Donna Edwards, in office.

We are covering polls from 7-9 a.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. and can use
people for either a 1 or 2 hour shift.

If you're interested, please email pn4change@gmail.com and let us know
when you'd like to volunteer and if you have a preference as to a
particular poll.

Thank you!

MANNO RESPONDS TO LENETT'S ATTACKS

2010-09-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

From Friends of Roger Manno:

Today, Roger Manno issued a response to the divisive and deceitful
campaign attacks launched by Mike Lenett over Labor Day Weekend.

"Over the weekend, Mike Lenett published a website, paid for by his
campaign that contains hateful and deceitful personal attacks on me and
my family," said Manno. "But, the worst part is that Lenett uses my name
to distort the truth and in a way that conjures racial and ethnic
undertones that are clearly designed to scare voters. In 2002, I changed
my name from "Rajah" to Roger (I often think that, being born in
California in the 1960's I'm lucky I wasn't named "Flower."). I have
been called Roger all my life and made it official at that time. Yet
Lenett would have you believe that I led a secret and undesirable life
under the name Rajah that I hid from people."

Manno continued--"In addition, Mike Lenett has sent out 3 mailings
suggesting that I am soft on gang violence and gun control. The truth is
that I strongly support gun control, and I strongly oppose gang
violence. In fact, when I was a child, I was a victim of both domestic
and gang violence. That's very painful, even today. I am shocked that
Mike Lenett would sink this low."

Lenett's site also contains a copy of a campaign mailer that he has sent
to District 19 voters. "This mailer was carefully designed to trick
voters into thinking that these false allegations have all been
previously published about me and reported on in newspaper articles.
Furthermore, my ethics forms are up to date and accurate. This is
absolutely a lie and it is extremely deceptive," Stated Manno.

"Mike Lenett's actions over the last few weeks are a desperate attempt
by him to retain the State Senate seat. He has taken Montgomery County
politics into the gutter like no other candidate before him. Today, I
call upon Mike Lenett to do the right thing and remove this website and
stop these deceitful attacks", said Roger Manno. Attached to this
release is an additional personal statement issued by Roger Manno that
tells his story.

TODAY, COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE SPOKEN OUT ON THIS ISSUE

Montgomery County Council Vice President, Valerie Ervin "It has been
said that 'The truth will set you free.' Some believe that telling the
truth allows the suffering to speak. Telling the truth is an action.
Mike Lenett needs to take action and stop the lies and hate directed at
Delegate Roger Manno and his family. The residents of District 19 have
had enough and they deserve better. Delegate Roger Manno has been one of
the most powerful, truthful and articulate voices that have represented
Montgomery County in Annapolis. It's time to stand up for the truth and
elect Roger Manno as the next Senator from District 19."

Delegate Brian Feldman, Montgomery County "In the closing days of a
campaign, voters deserve to hear why you belong in office. In the final
days of this campaign, Mike Lenett has instead chosen to attack Roger
Manno and his wife. Attacking a candidate's spouse--especially when
she's accused of nothing illegal or unethical--is a line that should not
be crossed in a political campaign."

Delegate Susan Lee, Montgomery County "Mike Lenett is a lawyer. He knows
how to document a case and he knows the difference between facts and
innuendo. But you don't have to be a lawyer to know that sending out a
mail piece with fake newspaper headlines is something no reputable
campaign would ever do. Launching racially provocative attacks is
something no reputable campaign would ever do. This is a new low in
Montgomery County politics."

Former State Senator, Len Teitelbaum "This is a terrible distortion of
facts, and a clear indication of the desperation of Lenett's campaign.
This kind of extreme divisive behavior is exactly why every former
elected legislator from District 19 who has endorsed, and the Gazette
and Washington Post newspapers, have ALL endorsed Roger Manno for State
Senate."

Delegate Hank Heller "This is the Mike Lenett I know. He distorts the
facts and does what he wants to get his way. Last Session Lenett amended
a bill he authored to make it conform to a portion of the Speaker's
'Safe Schools Act' and then claimed the Speaker used his language
verbatim. The fact that Roger Manno legally and publicly changed his
name a decade ago is not relevant to this election and is a desperate
unscrupulous attempt by Lenett to deceive voters. Mike Lenett continues
to misrepresent the facts time and time again."

Behnam Dayanim, former president of Kemp Mill Civic Association "I have
known Roger Manno for many years and worked with him on many issues in
our district and in our Kemp Mill community. Roger is a person of great
character and integrity and someone who I know cares deeply about our
community. That is why I stand by him and endorse him to be our next
State Senator."

Alec Stone, Community Activist "As Rosh HaShana approaches and we
reflect on the past year's words and deeds, Mike Lennett should be
ashamed of his campaign's personal attacks on Roger Manno--as well as
those against Roger's mother and wife. These racial and religious
undertones are the worst kind of hateful, negative campaigning. Roger
brings people together, listens to our concerns, and fights for our
issues. It is that kind of leadership that will make Roger an
outstanding State Senator for District 19."

For more information, or to "Check the Facts" please visit
http://www.rogermanno.com

I AM ROGER MANNO AND THIS IS MY STORY

I was born in California in 1966 during a turbulent period of war in
Vietnam and the civil rights movement. My dad, John Manno, was a
sculptor and carpenter. My mom, Beatrice Scheinbaum, was a student
studying for her doctorate in psychology. We didn't have money, but we
were a happy family. We moved to Manhattan in 1971 to be closer to
family. We didn't have health insurance when my Dad had a heart attack.
He ended up in St. Vincent's Hospital for several months.

During that period, I was diagnosed with an arterial defect and
scheduled for emergency open-heart surgery at a teaching hospital. My
mom was completely distraught, but we had the fortune to find a local
doctor to treat me without surgery and without charging us a cent. The
day that my dad was released, he had a massive heart attack and died. He
was 50--I was not quite 7. Dad's death left my beautiful young mother
and me in a place in life that is extremely difficult to speak about
even to this day.

For nearly a year after my Dad's death, my Uncle Basil began to fill
that void in my life. He took me fishing, for long walks, and helped me
to heal. Then one night, less than a year after my Dad's death, my uncle
died unexpectedly from internal bleeding. He was 49--I was 7.

Mom was scared and alone to fend for herself and her young child in a
world that can be very unforgiving. When I was about 8, Mom remarried.
But before long, her new husband became extremely abusive, both verbally
and physically. Fights and police calls became a regular occurrence in
our home. I remember a night he had my mother pinned to the floor and
was punching her face. When I jumped on his back with my little arms
around his neck, he flipped me over and punched me in the face--knocking
me clear across the room. I remember being covered in blood and shaking
from shock for hours.

That marriage, which I have chosen to forget, lasted less than 3 years.
On so many occasions, Mom tried to get away. And each time I cried
because despite the abuse, I had just lost Dad and my Uncle Basil and I
didn't want to lose another Dad. I remember the day Mom finally filed
for divorce. I decided I would never take abuse from anyone again.

At about 10 years old, I was an extremely sad and broken little boy. I
began running around the streets of New York and getting into trouble.
Mom tried to control me, and I regret every day of the hell that I put
her through.

At about 12 years old, I ran away from home. Mom heard of a young man
who ran a local youth program who had the reputation of saving young
souls: John Pettinato. When John finally found me, I was in rough shape.
Every few days, he would show up. Gradually, I began to trust him and he
took me under his wing.

Soon I entered a group home in upstate New York. I remember thinking
that as bad as it was, it was better than the streets of New York. When
I returned to New York, John continued to look out for me. He became the
Dad I never really had. A few years later he married my Mom and adopted
me as his son.

As a kid, I saw friends killed in the streets. I was shot at several
times and an older teenager held a gun to my head with one bullet put
randomly in the chamber and pulled the trigger. At age 14, I was stabbed
and nearly died from blood loss. I am extremely lucky to be alive.

Later that same year my life finally started to turn around. I met my
wife, Marge. I got a job bussing tables and I found the only thing in
life that had ever given me peace and solace: art. I was drawn to New
York's vibrant music and eclectic art scene. In fact, several friends
and classmates came out of that scene and made it very big as musicians,
sculptors, and actors. For the most part, their art reflected the
realities and challenges of New York life and carried a deep social and
moralistic message which really sunk in. When I got older, a man I knew
from the youth center--we used to call him "The Judge"--took me under
his wing. He was a judge in Juvenile Court and it's because of him that
I got my law degree.

I started working in schools with severely challenged kids who were
living many of the horrors that I had lived. Then I was selected to be a
White House Intern. I went through a vigorous Secret Service background
check--the first of many security checks in my career. Since then, I've
worked as a Counsel and Legislative Director for members of Congress,
worked for the Gore campaign and yes--even ran for office.

And although my Mom is Jewish and my Dad was an atheist, I was born
"Rajah Manno." (I often think that, being born in California in the
1960's I'm lucky I wasn't named "Flower.") When my step-father adopted
me, I took his last name "Pettinato" as my middle name. When my Uncle
Morty changed his name to "Joel," I decided to change my name to
"Roger"--which I had often been called throughout life, and which I
always liked. Looking back, I'm proud of the life that my wife and I
have built. I have had it tougher than most, but I have persevered and
we love each other. It's because of this life--the people I've seen
hurt, the horrors and triumphs, and the challenges I overcame--that I
fight so hard for people I represent.

That's my story. It's not a secret. Mike Lenett knows my history; he's
researched it thoroughly, including extensive research on my loved ones.
Yet Mike Lenett chose to take that story and twist it into something
unrecognizable. That's the Mike Lenett we've come to know in Annapolis.
It's why we need a new State Senator, and it's why a great number of
leaders from our community have asked me to step up.

Sincerely,
Roger Manno

Authorized by Friends of Roger Manno, Sandra Zimmet, Treasurer / Anne
Ambler, Chair

A reply to "The case to reelect Senator Mike Lenett (District 19)"

2010-09-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

I wrote a positive, fact-based appeal called "support Roger Manno for Maryland State Senator" on August 2nd. In it, I mentioned the incumbent Sen. Mike Lenett, only in reference to specific legislation he sponsored or failed to (co)sponsor. All references were 100% accurate. Here are the applicable quotes:

Roger's opponent, Sen. Michael G. Lenett, sponsored a bill to delay a needed ban on phosphates in detergents sold in Maryland. As reported by the Washington Post, "Lenett agreed to sponsor the bill at the request of the industry" and the bill passed "after heavy lobbying from Proctor & Gamble, one of the affected companies." Sen. Brian E. Frosh warned Lenett's bill would "add up to 15,000 pounds of phosphates to Bay waters." Why is this so serious? "Phosphates are particularly pernicious because they end up stored in sediments," wrote Frosh, who sponsored legislation [in 2007] authorizing the ban. "Once in the Bay, the phosphates resulting from [Lenett's legislation] will be available for years to fuel the algal blooms that each summer day destroy oxygen in the Bay's deep waters and threaten underwater grasses in the shallows." See: Frosh: Veto Phosphate Ban Delay by Anne Bartlett, The Washington Post, April 28, 2008 http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2008/04/frosh_veto_phosphate_ban_delay.html

And:

Roger's opponent, Mike Lenett, failed to cosponsor the [crisis pregnancy center] bill in the Senate and the bill failed in Annapolis.

Mr. Brien Kinkel--a Sen. Lenett supporter--replied calling my comments "mean spirited," and "code for the worst tendencies in American politics, and the worst exclusionary practices in American society for the last couple of centuries." Wow! Really? Just the last few hundred years? Seriously, there are several reasons Mr. Kinkel's "case" for Sen. Lenett falls short, and not just because so much of it amounts to attacks on Del. Roger Manno and on me. Anyone who wants to can read my original comments and his reply using the links at the end of this writing. Rather than get side-tracked into a squabble, I'll stick with the facts and issues instead.

1. Effectiveness

The main case Mr. Kinkel makes for Sen. Lenett is "Delegate Manno's record does not come close to Senator Lenett's level of accomplishment." That's not what the Washington Post, the Gazette or others have found. In fact, The Gazette reported that Sen. Lenett is actually among the least effective members of Maryland's General Assembly. That includes Republicans in the minority on every committee and in both houses. Here are some of the quotes describing Sen. Lenett's lack of effectiveness: "Colleague problems ... A bill sponsored by him is often the kiss of death ... Maniacal and untrustworthy ... Doesn't know how to play in the sandbox." While there were a few positive quotes as well, the Gazette article took those into account and still named Sen. Lenett one of the bottom ten least effective legislators in the entire General Assembly--along with only 2 other Democrats. See: http://www.gazette.net/thelist/repinfo.php?id=102

The Washington Post concurs, reporting that Sen. Lenett "undermined his own effectiveness by failing to forge strong relationships with too many of his colleagues or by alienating them outright." That hardly sounds like an accomplished, effective legislator! By contrast, Roger Manno achieved remarkable success on bills and reforms benefiting Maryland on healthcare, employment, access to prescription medicines for seniors, non-discrimination, organic farming, protecting seniors from fraud, and--this is critically important--earning the respect of his colleagues. That's why the Post and the Gazette and many key legislators and organizations endorsed Manno over Lenett in this contest.

Clear advantage: Manno

2. The Environment

Brien Kinkel would have us believe "Senator Lenett has passed substantial, meaningful legislation to protect the environment," but Roger Manno earned a perfect 100% lifetime environmental rating while Sen. Lenett did not. In 2008, Sen. Lenett's SB 710 delayed protections for the Chesapeake Bay--and we cannot focus on this fact too extensively. Sen. Lenett also voted against Sen. Brian Frosh's legislation to fine Bay polluters who violated the law Sen. Lenett delayed. That doesn't sound like an environmental champion. Mr. Kinkel again tries to shift focus to me--apparently hoping people don't focus on his candidate's record--writing: "Mike Hersh takes issue with a bill regarding phosphorous in dishwasher detergent that Senator Lenett sponsored, and suggests that Lenett is a friend of Maryland polluters." While I'm honored by this "shout out," the real issue is the Chesapeake Bay and poisonous phosphates, not yours truly. As the Washington Post reported:

Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery) said that pushing the effective date of the ban from January 2010 to July 2010 would "add up to 15,000 pounds of phosphates to Bay waters."

"Phosphates are particularly pernicious because they end up stored in sediments," wrote Frosh, who sponsored legislation last year authorizing the ban. "Once in the Bay, the phosphates resulting from [the pending bill] will be available for years to fuel the algal blooms that each summer day destroy oxygen in the Bay's deep waters and threaten underwater grasses in the shallows."

The bill allowing the delay, sponsored by Sen. Michael G. Lenett (D-Montgomery), passed the Senate 25 to 22 after heavy lobbying from Proctor & Gamble, one of the affected companies. The margin in the House of Delegates was far more comfortable, 105 to 33.

Lenett agreed to sponsor the bill at the request of the industry, which is seeking to align the date of Maryland's ban with those of other states with similar legislation. See: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2008/04/frosh_veto_phosphate_ban_delay.htm

Lenett's supporters try to excuse his anti-Bay, pro-Proctor & Gamble bill by contending "many other states were enacting similar legislation." So what? Maryland had already passed strong legislation. While it is correct that other states were also set to also eliminate the poisonous chemicals from detergents behind Maryland's time-table, what other states do about the Bay should never govern what Maryland does. Maryland is exceptionally reliant on, and therefore we are exceptionally responsible for the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Furthermore, we in Maryland expect the best from our lawmakers, and set a high standard accordingly.

All excuses, spin, and double-talk aside, Sen. Lenett's bill changed Maryland law so big corporations could keep polluting, and he opposed efforts to punish those who broke the law once it finally took effect. Mr. Kinkel insists another bill made up for this, but that's not true. The fertilizer phosphates ban was Sen. Brian Frosh's bill. The same Sen. Frosh who spelled out the damage Lenett's pro-phosphates bill caused. If Sen. Lenett left well enough alone, we'd have benefited from both Frosh bills--the one Sen. Lenett delayed and the one he claims was his. All things considered, the Bay would be better off without Sen. Lenett's involvement. It's what happens to the Bay and the rest of the environment that matters. If you're for saving the Bay, you show it every year--not every other year. The record shows Sen. Lenett sides with out-of-state special interests--big polluters--against Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay when it matters most.

Clear advantage: Manno

3. Accountability and District 19's Tradition for Teamwork and Fairness

People should face up to their and their favored candidate's record honestly and responsibly. Unfortunately, not all candidates can do that. As this letter to the Gazette from Ruth Burgos-Sasscer, Silver Spring entitled "Turned off by negative campaign" explains:

"I live in Leisure World and have attended forums where candidates for Maryland State Senate Mike Lenett and Roger Manno have spoken, and have been impressed with both men. I have been leaning toward Roger Manno but until recently had not really decided for whom to vote. The other day I was asked to participate in a telephone 'opinion poll survey,' which I agreed to do. The first questions were about my plans to vote in the coming Sept. 14 primary and Nov. 2 general elections.

Other questions related to whether I was leaning toward one candidate or the other and why; and would I be influenced to support either one by the endorsements of specific organizations or the Washington Post. I was surprised and disturbed, however, when I was asked 'What is your religion?' and although I responded, I was not comfortable doing so. When the interviewer then asked 'Did you know that Roger Manno ...' and went into a litany of negative statements about him, I immediately stopped her.

I said that I would not continue with the interview because I believed it was a deceitful and unethical campaign tactic in support of Mike Lenett and wanted no part of it. I also told her that her efforts were counterproductive because she had just convinced me that Roger Manno is by far the better candidate to represent District 19 in the Maryland State Senate." See: http://www.gazette.net/stories/08252010/montlet173358_32545.php

Several people made this assertion: A push poll smear campaign was unleashed against Delegate Manno to trick District 19 voters. Ruth Burgos-Sasscer is on record saying so. Using such underhanded, Karl Rove-type tactics to trick voters in a primary suggests more about those trying to benefit from them than the innocent targets of the push polls--the Manno campaign as well as the District 19 voters who deserve better. Maryland Politics Watch reported on this as well: http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/08/manno-alleges-push-poll-by-lenett.html

MPW is on the front lines officiating the "crossfire" between the Lenett and Manno campaigns regarding gun control, pointing out factual errors--if not out-right misrepresentations--in a recent official Lenett campaign mailer:

What Lenett does not say and Tripwire apparently does not know is that Manno also favors gun control. One of his first acts upon arriving in Annapolis was to introduce a local bill allowing Montgomery County to pass additional restrictions on guns that would have gone beyond state standards.

Manno put out this mailer in response, in which he states, "Mike Lenett has gone too far with his recent mailer on guns... Mike Lenett wants to win this Senate race at any cost, even if it means winning dirty." See: http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/08/manno-alleges-push-poll-by-lenett.html

MPW also reported that "A secretive independent mailing sent into District 19 is in apparent violation of Maryland campaign finance law ... is linked to a union that has endorsed one of the competing Senate candidates. We expose that union’s identity today." That endorsed candidate happens to be Sen. Lenett. This raises some troubling concerns, as MPW observes, "The mailer appears to be illegal in multiple ways." Full disclosure: According to MPW, Sen. Lenett denies any involvement with this mailer, and I hope this is not part of the push poll pattern. See: http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/union-linked-to-independent-expenditure.html

When some candidates feel the heat, they resort to fast-talking excuses or even dirty tricks like "push polls" and sneak-attack mailers. I guess with a record so stained that not even phosphate-laden detergent can clean it, the Lenett campaign is resorting to Karl Rove tactics. It's not just MPW, Gazette Readers and the Manno Campaign objecting to the Lenett Campaign's "win at all costs" approach and it's not just the Washington Post, the Gazette, Progressive Maryland and many others giving Sen. Lenett a failing grade. When people say "Sen. Mike Lenett will do anything to win," they sure have a lot of reasons to say so. I'm calling on the Lenett campaign to drop the dirty tricks and run a clean contest worthy of District 19.

Clear advantage: Manno

4. Keeping Maryland The Best

It's very telling that Sen. Lenett's supporters say Maryland's environmental protection should be no better than other states' if that's what out-of-state corporations that profit from pollution demand. According to this argument, Maryland should have schools only as good as Alabama's if that's what some special interests want. Once you start siding with out-of-state special interests turning back the clock on progress and excusing that by saying other states are no better, where does it end? Will Sen. Lenett join with big banking interests to roll back hard-won Maryland protections for home-owners facing the threat of foreclosure? Will Sen. Lenett help powerful out-of-state interests roll back Maryland's living wage and safety standards?

In this District 19 primary, we can answer a key question: Should we limit ourselves to what other states do? That's what Sen. Lenett does when it comes to protecting the Bay (and the jobs that rely on a living, thriving Chesapeake Bay). By contrast, Roger Manno is working for the people of Maryland. When a Manno bill passes, we're better off. With a Lenett bill, it's a big (Proctor &) Gamble. Luckily, we don't have to gamble with our future. We have a better choice in 2010 and his name is Roger Manno. Voting for Roger Manno means voting to keep Maryland the best. Why should we settle for--much less support--any less?

Clear advantage: Manno

5. The Best Leader for District 19, Montgomery County, and Maryland

Voters should select the candidate who will work with other State legislators to accomplish the most good for our families and communities.

The Chair of the Montgomery County delegation Brian Feldman said, "Delegate Manno's principled leadership and work ethic were essential on several of the most important progressive issues debated in the General Assembly over the past 4 years. His work as Vice-Chair of our Delegation's County Affairs Committee helped the County address some extremely challenging issues, including those relating to joblessness, social justice, and small business."

District 19 has enjoyed a long-standing tradition of teamwork and cooperation in Annapolis, and Roger Manno lives up to that tradition. He's demonstrated strong teamwork skills. Unfortunately, Sen. Lenett has not. Lenett was among three Democrats who joined all 14 of the Senate's Republicans in voting against the National Popular Vote measure, an innovative solution to work around the archaic Electoral College. If it goes into effect, the measure will award the Presidency to the winner of the national popular vote. If it had been in force in 2000, the National Popular Vote would have prevented the Florida Recount controversy, and we would have had President Al Gore (who won the most popular votes) instead of George W. Bush! Sen. Lenett joined Maryland Republicans opposing this pro-democracy reform. This See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/28/AR2007032802150.html

The Washington Post and the Gazette reported what's been heard all through Annapolis and Montgomery County. Leadership takes teamwork. Roger Manno knows that, and his career shows that. State Delegate Henry "Hank" Heller, (24 years of service to District 19), Former State Senator Leonard Teitelbaum (20 years as State Senator and State Delegate), Former State Delegate Adrienne Mandel (12 years as State Delegate), Former State Delegate Carol Petzold (20 years as State Delegate)--that's 76 years of public service to District 19 by my math--all agree that Roger Manno is the best choice to carry on their proud tradition of leadership through teamwork they set as lawmakers.

Clear advantage: Manno

6. Most Remarkable, Significant Endorsements

As the incumbent, Sen. Lenett has several significant endorsements, but most were automatic. Ask the endorsers, and--if they're honest--they'll admit they're forced by their rules to back any half-way decent incumbent. That's just the way many play the game. It's interesting to note that none of the rubber-stamp gang endorsed Jamie Raskin before the primary in 2006, but they all scrambled to get on his bandwagon after he won. Expect the same to happen this year in the Manno vs. Lenett contest. With that in mind, it's all the more remarkable that so many unions, elected officials, and leading organizations endorsed Roger Manno including:

The Washington Post
The Gazette
Del. Hank Heller, and Former Sen. Len Teitelbaum, Del. Adrienne Mandel, and Del. Carol Petzold
County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin, Chair of the Education Committee
State Delegate Sue Hecht, Chair of the Maryland Green Caucus
State Delegate Brian Feldman, Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation
State Delegate Susan Lee, Vice-Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation
State Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez, Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families
State Delegate Aisha Braveboy, Vice-Chair of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus
Mrs. Cherri Branson, Esq. Chair of the African American Democratic Club of Montgomery County
MCGEO--the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1994/Municipal County Government Employee Organization
Progressive Neighbors
NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland
Montgomery Green Democrats
Montgomery County Public School Retiree Association (MCPSRA)
Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats (CAPAD-MD)
Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MCVFRA)
Montgomery County Youth Slate
Hispanic Democratic Club of Montgomery County (HDC)
and dozens of other unions and organizations.

These endorsements count all that much more, because they buck the "back the incumbent" habit. It helps that Manno would never resort to push polls or sponsor bills to undermine environmental protection. Roger Manno is a progressive we can trust to do the right thing when people are watching, in the back rooms, all the time, every day. We can trust Roger Manno to serve the public interest--not special interests. That any challenger could rack up so many key and important endorsements says a lot about how key people in Annapolis and in District 19--as well as many concerned Maryland voters and groups--see this contest. NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland and Progressive Maryland among others took endorsements away from Sen. Lenett and gave them to Del. Manno. Because it's hard to not get an endorsement as an incumbent, each one Manno won is a failing grade for the incumbent and a huge vote of confidence for the challenger whose leadership through teamwork better fits District 19, Montgomery County, and Annapolis.

Advantage: Manno

Conclusions: people who care about clean government, a clean environment, clean and honest campaigns, accomplishment, teamwork, better food, safer working conditions, fairness, and much much more support Roger Manno for State Senate in District 19.

---------

My original comments, Support Roger Manno for Maryland State Senator: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PDA_Maryland/message/1407

Mr. Kinkel's response, The case to reelect Senator Mike Lenett (District 19): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PDA_Maryland/message/1423

Peace Action Montgomery County, Candidate Questionnaires 2010

2010-08-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

Peace Action Montgomery County, Candidate Questionnaires 2010

In mid-July, we sent out our Candidate Questionnaires 2010 - one to Montgomery County candidates for U.S. congressional office and another to Montgomery County candidates for state legislative office, as well as to contenders for the statehouse. Check out the links below to see the results and the full text responses from the candidates. A PDF version is also available.

Where are the Peace Candidates? (html)

U.S. Senate and House Candidates (html)

State Office Candidates (html)

What Now? (html)

Full document (PDF)

TONIGHT! WPFW on Middle East Peace with Joel Segal and Garland Nixon

2010-08-31T13:27:00.000-07:00

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

On Tuesday August 31st Joel Segal and Garland Nixon will be on Washington's 50,000 watt Pacifica affiliate WPFW 89.3 FM discussing how we move towards a peaceful resolution between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The show airs at 7:00 PM Eastern time and is also streamed live online at WPFW.org

The show is done in front of a live audience and there is a mike available for audience members to make comments and ask questions. We are asking everyone to come to the show and participate. It is important that we show the listeners that we are united.

The location is Ben's Next Door 1211 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009-4465 (202) 667-8880
2 Blocks from U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo metro stop on the Green line

The show is in the very back of the restaurant up the stairs on the mezzanine. Please arrive before 7 if possible. Get there early to order food and drinks before the show starts so you won't be distracted while we are on the air. The food at Ben's Next Door is great.

Rep. Donna Edwards CONFIRMED for Picnic Tomorrow (Saturday)!

2010-08-27T20:42:00.000-07:00

The weather forecast calls for PERFECT PICNIC WEATHER!

Progressive Picnic in Montgomery County
Saturday August 28, 2010 2 PM to 5 PM
Wheaton Regional Park Picnic Shelter A
2002 Shorefield Road, Wheaton, MD 20902

Hot Dogs, Burgers, Veggie Burgers, Veggie Dogs Provided. If you've
already pre-registered, thank you!
If not, please pre-register so we'll have enough food for you!

Suggested Donation: $15 per person now, $20 at the door.
Pay on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/ and use mikehersh@mikehersh.com or
use this link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6728539

Guests appearing: US Congresswoman Donna Edwards (confirmed!), US
Congressional Candidate Andrew Duck; State Sens. Jamie Raskin and Rich
Madaleno; MD Senate Candidates Dels. Roger Manno and Karen Montgomery;
Delegates Tom Hucker, Ana Sol Gutierrez, Jeff Waldstreicher, and Al
Carr; MD Delegate Candidates Dana Beyer, Eric Luedtke, Lara Wibeto,
Elihu Eli El, and Neeta Datt; County Council Members Marc Elrich, Duchy
Trachtenberg, Nancy Floreen, and George Leventhal; County Council
Candidates Sharon Dooley and Hans Riemer.

Garland Nixon: Montgomery Municipal Cable TV and 89.3 FM WPFW Pacifica
Radio Raucous Caucus Host. Music by Jessica Sharp!

Other guests and candidates welcome and expected.

Contact mikehersh@mikehersh.com to confirm appearance.

Cosponsors: Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Progressive
Democrats of Maryland, Democracy for Montgomery County, Health Care NOW!
Maryland, Fair And Clean Elections MD, Organizing for Montgomery,
Progressive Neighbors, Maryland Citizens Against State Executions,
Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, and Peace Action Montgomery.

More co-sponsors welcome: suggested donation $50 (includes 3 admissions)

Contact mikehersh@mikehersh.com to co-sponsor.

Please bring a dish or drink to share with 10 people. If your last name
begins with:
* A-F please bring salad / side dish
* G-L please bring a dessert
* M-R please bring water
* S-Z please bring soft drinks

Directions to Shorefield Area: From I-495 take Exit 31 for Georgia
Avenue/MD 97 North. Follow Georgia Avenue for almost 3 miles, then turn
right onto Shorefield Road. Continue on Shorefield Road until you reach
the parking area. Keep left as you enter the park. Shelter "A" is the
closest to the parking area.

Google map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2002+Shorefield+Road+Wheaton+MD+20902

Public transportation: take Y5 or Y9 Bus from Wheaton Metro stop.

Suggested Donation: $15 per person now, $20 at the door.

RSVP/Donation:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6728539

For info. or to pay by check, email: mikehersh@mikehersh.com