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Filed under: Calendar, events, local, long island, Long Island Music, News, original music | 1 Comment »
Info and Links on School Budget Votes on Long Island for Tues. May 18, 2010
Posted on May 17, 2010 by kwilder
2012 Update:
Current election results for May 2012:
See onthewilderside post: here.
OLD INFO…2010…OLD INFO…2010…Update 5/19/2010 at 8am: OLD 2010 – Newsday – 2010 results are here. Newsday reports that 114 of 124 Long Island School Budgets passed. The ten school budgets that failed on Tuesday were: Port Jefferson, Westbury, W. Babylon, Wyandanch, W. Hempstead, Elwood, Herricks, Garden City, Levittown and E. Rockaway. OLD INFO…2010
KW writes:
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 are school budget and school trustee votes in many Long Island school districts.
To find a story reviewing the situation of school budgets on Long Island in general, see the Long Island Press: here. Or, Newsday: here. A list of more detailed stories in local papers at the bottom. But, first, my thoughts on school budget votes:
I am a proponent of liberation voting. I think it is silly to walk into a voting booth and pull a couple of levers based on the choices the folks already in power have deigned to offer you.
The best case scenario is, that you should get involved in the election months before — either get on the ballot, recruit a candidate, or shape things for fairness and accountability.
If you haven’t done that much work, then at least go in and express your wishes. So, for all school votes, I recommend sacrificing one slot on the ballot — either the budget slot or a vote for trustee — to write-in your message to your local school board. Read more »
Filed under: activism, Ballot issues, children, Education, elections, grassroots democracy, local, long island, Long Island Politics, News, politics, progressive politics, rants, reform | Tagged: Babylon Schools, long island, Long Island school budget vote, Long Island school districts, Long Island school vote, Long Island schools, Nassay County, North Babylon School District, Sachem School District, Suffolk County | 6 Comments »
Immigration Forum 5/26/10
Posted on May 17, 2010 by iwilder
Valenzuela (2nd from left) spoke at the August 2007 Babylon Green Party gathering
The Great South Bay Forum on Public Affairs presents
URGENTLY NEEDED: A NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW FAIR TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND TO AMERICAN CITIZENS
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 7:30 PM at the Bar Harbor Library, 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park,
Featured Speakers:
- Dr. Luis Valenzuela, Director Long Island Immigration Alliance, sociologist, expert on immigration
- Patrick Young, attorney for Central American Refugee Center, Professor of immigration law at Hofstra, social activist on immigration issues.
- Bill McNulty, Chairman, Social Activist, Radio Broadcaster
Admission is free. Coffee is served from 7:15 PM on. Ample time for questions and comments. For directions and more information call (516) 795-1085 or (516) 799-4088 Read more »
Filed under: Action Alert!, activism, Calendar, events, immigration, international politics, News | Leave a Comment »
Buskin & Batteau Play Garden City 5/21/10
Posted on May 16, 2010 by iwilder
Harmonic and Witty Folk-Pop Duo Perform for Our Times Coffeehouse
David Buskin & Robin Batteau bring their “irresistible amalgam of melodic, sensual pop, folkie grit and killer wit” (The Washington Post) to Long Island on Friday, May 21. Buskin (piano, guitar) and Batteau (violin, guitar) — accompanied by virtuoso percussionist Marshal Rosenberg — will perform for the Our Times Coffeehouse, a volunteer-run, monthly concert series held in the Ethical Humanist Society building at 38 Old Country Road in Garden City. Admission for the 8 p.m. concert is $20; $12 for seniors and students.
As a duo, Buskin & Batteau have performed on London street corners, in New York ’s Carnegie Hall and at folk festivals throughout the U.S. They also have shared Grammy, Emmy and Gold Record Awards and have performed and recorded with a host of Americana favorites. More information on them, as well as a few choice songs, can be found online at www.buskinandbatteau.com.
Launched in 1990, the Our Times Coffeehouse is a joint project of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island and the Long Island Progressive Coalition. More information is available online at www.ourtimescoffeehouse.org. Read more »
Filed under: Calendar, events, local, long island, Long Island Music, News, original music | 1 Comment »
GPNYS Nominates Statewide Slate
Posted on May 15, 2010 by iwilder
Green Party of New York State held their convention at the Women’s Club in Albany today nominating:
- Howie Hawkins, a member of the Teamsters Local 317 who unloads trailers at UPS in Syracuse, for Governor. Hawkins has previously been the Green Party candidate for US Senate and State Comptroller. He has run for local offices in Syracuse, receiving 41 percent of the vote in his last race for city council in 2009.
- Gloria Mattera, long-time peace activist from Brooklyn, was nominated for Lt. Governor. Mattera, who has run for Brooklyn Borough President and City Council, is a health care worker active in the single payer Medicare for All movement.
- Colia Clark, a long time social justice activist from Harlem who is presently working on self-determination for the Haitian people, was nominated to run for the US Senate for the seat presently held by Schumer.
- Cecile Lawrence, a resident of Apalachin in Tioga County who is a leader in the movement against hydrofracking for natural gas due to concerns over water and other environmental issues, will run for the Senate seat to fill out the term of Hillary Clinton (Gillibrand was appointed).
A long time environmental leader from Manhattan, was nominated to run for State Comptroller, a position she received 117,908 votes for 4 years ago.
The Green Party needs 50,000 votes for Governor to regain its status as an official ballot access qualified party. The Green Party is committed to ecology, grassroots democracy, nonviolence, and social and economic justice. Read more »
Filed under: 3rd party, activism, election, Election 2010, elections, grassroots democracy, Green Party, New York State Politics, News | Tagged: colia clark | Leave a Comment »
4th Welcome to Boog City Poetry/Music Festival 9/24-9/28/10 NYC
Posted on May 15, 2010 by iwilder
From Fri. Sept. 24-Tues. Sept. 28 we’ll be putting on the fourth annual Welcome to Boog City poetry and music festival, a fundraiser for our press and community newspaper. Here are links to the first three festivals’ programs:
http://welcometoboogcity.com/boogpdfs/wbcprogram2007.pdf
http://welcometoboogcity.com/boogpdfs/bc51.pdf
http://welcometoboogcity.com/bc59.pdf
The breakdown for this year’s festival is
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 7:00 P.M.
Sidewalk Café (94 Ave. A, at E.6th St.)
We’ll be kicking off the festival with poets, two poets TBD in conversation with one another, smaller musical acts, full bands, and Tom Waits’ Bone Machine album performed live.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 12:00 P.M.
Filed under: Calendar, events, local, music, News, original music | Tagged: boog, new york city | 2 Comments »
GPNYS Hiring Petition Coordinator
Posted on May 15, 2010 by iwilder
IMPORTANT: Interested candidates are requested to E-mail their professional and political resumes with 2 to 3 references, and a completed copy of the application no later than May 24, 2010. A final hiring decision will be made June 7, 2010. Send to secretary@gpnys. org
Petition Coordinator needed for 2010 Gubernatorial candidate statewide petition drive in New York State.
Organization: Green Party Of New York State
Job Type: Administrative / Managerial / Non-Profit
Location: New York State
Base Pay: $6,500
Employee Type: Temporary Flex-Time
Industry: Political
DESCRIPTION:
The Green Party Of New York State (GPNYS) has an opening for a Petition Coordinator to manage the 2010 Gubernatorial petition drive in New York State. The Coordinator will oversee all petitioning efforts to get our Gubernatorial candidate on the ballot. A target of at least 30,000 valid signatures, with a minimum of 200 valid signatures identified in half the congressional districts, must be met. This position has a start date of June 14, 2010. July 6, 2010 is the first day for signing nominating petitions. Aug. 10-17, 2010 are the dates for filing independent nominating petitions in Albany, NY. The Petition Coordinator is expected to be in Albany compiling and cleaning the petitions no later than August 13, 2010. Travel expenses will be paid by GPNYS.
Responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following: Read more »
Filed under: grassroots democracy, Green Party, Job Posting, News | Leave a Comment »
Bob Westcott’s 2nd Annual Spring Fling 5/15/10
Posted on May 14, 2010 by iwilder
THIS — Saturday, May. 15th at 8:00 pm
Bob Westcott’s 2nd Annual Spring Fling
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To celebrate the Spring season, our favorite legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter, Bob Westcott, brings his annual revue of talented performers this May for a second year. Bob will treat us to a couple of bouquets, and then present his showcase of three of the most talented and exciting performers in the Huntington area. !!! Read more »
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Filed under: Calendar, events, local, long island, Long Island Music, News, original music | Tagged: bob westcott | Leave a Comment »
Nader: Financial Reform, Empower the People
Posted on May 13, 2010 by iwilder
Ralph Nader
By Ralph Nader:
Dear President Obama, Senator Dodd, Senator Schumer and Senator Shelby:
On the eve of the portentous Senate debate over the extent to which the financial industry is to be held accountable so as to avert future megacollapses on the backs of taxpayers, workers and consumers, a great gap has been left unattended.
That gap pertains to the continued powerlessness of the investors and consumers—the people who bear the ultimate brunt of Wall Street’s recklessness, avarice and crimes and who have the greatest interest in strong regulatory enforcement.
Among all the amendments filed for the upcoming Senate debate, only amendment number 29, introduced by Senator Schumer, provides a facility to establish an independent non-governmental non-profit Financial Consumers’ Association (FCA).
Amendment 29 includes the following for funding this unique institution:
“…the financial industry has enjoyed virtually unlimited access to represent its interest before Congress, the courts, and State and Federal regulators, while financial services consumers have had limited representation before Congress and financial regulatory entities;” and
“…the Federal Government has a substantial interest in the creation of a public purpose, democratically controlled, self-funded, nationwide membership association of financial services consumers to enhance their representation and to effectively combat unsound financial practices.”
Anyone modestly familiar with the history of regulatory failures knows that the gross disparity of power and organized advocacy between big business and consumers outside of government leads to an absence of fair standards and law enforcement. Read more »
Filed under: Corporations, News, politics, Ralph Nader, rants | Leave a Comment »
State’s Highest Court Unanimously Recognizes that Non-Biological Mother in Lesbian Couple is Parent
Posted on May 12, 2010 by iwilder
The New York Civil Liberties Union today applauded a unanimous decision by the state’s highest court that a non-biological mother who had entered into a civil union with the biological mother of her child is, in fact, a “parent” under New York State’s law. The NYCLU filed multiple amicus briefs in the case.
NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman said:
The court today recognized that there are many kinds of families in New York, including LGBT families, and that the children in these families deserve to have their relationship with their parents recognized under the law. Being a parent is about more than just biology. New York’s highest court has taken a positive step in protecting all of our families and children.
Debra H. and her former partner, Janice, were in a committed relationship and entered into a Vermont civil union before their child was born in 2003. Debra was present in the delivery room, cut the child’s umbilical cord and generally acted as a parent to the child even though she was not his biological or adoptive mother. When the couple separated in 2006, Debra continued her parental relationship with her son until Janice sought to cut off the relationship in 2008. At that time, Debra turned to the courts to seek continued visitation with her child. Read more »
Filed under: Action Alert!, News, Press Release, social & economic justice | Leave a Comment »
British Parliament Goes Green – Congress is Next
Posted on May 12, 2010 by iwilder
Last week the leader of the Green Party of the United Kingdom – Caroline Lucas – was elected to Parliament. Greens around the world celebrated this historic victory.
We need your help to follow suit and elect a Green to Congress.
After her election, Caroline Lucas noted that the British people have “shown that they are prepared to put their trust in the Greens, despite the overwhelming national media focus on the three largest parties and a voting system that is fundamentally undemocratic”.
Canadian Green Party leader Elizabeth May noted that “Caroline Lucas’ historic victory proves that Greens can win…The UK has been the only nation in Europe where Greens had been shut out.”
Despite some of the same barriers faced by British voters, we continue working to break through the media silence and elect Greens to office on every level.
With your support, we can elect Greens to Congress.
The 200th Green candidate just declared their run for office here in the United States. Check out all of our 2010 candidates and find a candidate near you.
Please support our Green Party candidates on the county, state, and federal levels by making a contribution to the Green Party of the United States. With your help, we can follow the British lead and elect a Green to Congress!
Filed under: 3rd party, election, Election 2010, grassroots democracy, Green Party, international politics, News, US Politics | Leave a Comment »
Obama Liberal Complaint #362: Elena Kagan
Posted on May 11, 2010 by iwilder
Ross Perot once said: "The only thing is the middle of the road is a dead Armadillo"
An activist I admire a great deal was telling me about a brilliant post on Huffington Post about how the writer was bewildered by Obama picking Kagan. It seems this writer couldn’t understand why Obama (again) picked such a centrist candidate for Supreme Court since he has 59 votes in the Senate. Hello? Brilliant, no. Massively deluded, yes.
Liberals have been saying for the past year:
I don’t understand why Obama doesn’t [fill in the progressive/liberal action] since he has a majority in both houses of Congress.
And for the six months before that they spent saying:
I thought Obama lied about his positions so he could get elected, but I expected him to stop lying and be a real liberal when he moved into the White House.
Face it, Obama liberals. Obama is a corporatist. And you got exactly what you voted for. Congratulations. And the said thing is that you Obama liberals don’t have the backbone to stand up against policies you oppose because they have Obama’s face on it. When the same policies had Bush’s face on them, you Obama liberals were hopping mad.
And p.s. Please stop with the lie that you have to vote for Democrats to get liberals on the Supreme Court. Democrats in the Senate vote for right-wingers to be confirmed for the court. Yup, Gore, Kerry all of them. And when they get into the White House, these Democrats don’t do any better. Heck, Sotomayor was first put on the federal court by George HW Bush.
Filed under: activism, News, politics, president, US Politics | Tagged: justice system, kagan, liberal, Sonia Sotomayor, sotamayor, Supreme Court | Leave a Comment »
AZGP Leaders/Moms call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Posted on May 11, 2010 by iwilder
In honor of Mother’s Day, Arizona Green Party (AZGP) leaders & mothers formally oppose SB 1070 (Arizona’s new anti-immigrant legislation), and call for comprehensive immigration reform. The AZGP leaders say that they stand firmly for social justice for all those living in this country, regardless of their immigration status.
Linda Macias, AZGP vice co-chair, mother, and Green Party candidate for the Arizona State Legislature (House—LD 21) says,
We need major federal reform of our immigration laws. Immigrants come to the United States in hope of a better life. We need to give them citizenship now and write immigration laws that are humane and just. Read more »
Filed under: 3rd party, Green Party, News | Tagged: Arizona | Leave a Comment »
SALT’s letter to President Obama urging federal intervention to stop Arizona’s anti-immigration statute
Posted on May 11, 2010 by iwilder
Dear Mr. President:
Since 1974, the Society of American Law Teachers (“SALT”) has been an independent organization of law teachers, deans, law librarians, and legal education professionals working to make the profession more inclusive, to enhance the quality of legal education, and to extend the power of legal representation to under-represented individuals and communities. An essential aspect of SALT’s mission is to foster a culture of social justice in law schools, within the legal profession, and in society. As law professors, we aim to lead our students by example and to use our legal training to engage in civil rights matters of grave importance. Today we write to you to express SALT’s opposition to Arizona’s recently enacted and amended SB 1070 and to urge you to take swift action.
Arizona’s law fits within thousands of anti-immigrant laws and practices that proliferated, particularly post-9/11, outside the scope of federal cooperation.1 Many of these laws have sought to deputize local police to enforce not only federal, but also newly created state civil or criminal violations of immigration laws. States are claiming an inherent power to enact and enforce such laws, but this power runs afoul of federal law and constitutional preemption doctrine. More troubling is that displaced blame is creating an environment of enmity directed not only at immigrants, but towards their U.S. citizen families and friends. Calls for boycotts provide some hope for a more balanced approach to solving tensions arising from unauthorized immigration. However, without federal intervention, Arizona will implement SB 1070 and other states will likely follow Arizona’s lead. Without federal intervention, the thousands of constitutionally suspect anti-immigration measures that preceded SB 1070 will remain largely intact.
The federal government may not hold exclusive power over all laws that affect immigrants; some laws may implicate important local interests and do not conflict with federal immigration policy.2
1 Just in 2009, as of November 20, 2009, state legislatures had enacted 222 laws and adopted 131 resolutions in 48 states, for a total of 353 laws and resolutions nationwide pertaining to immigrants. National Conference of State Legislatures, 2009 State Law Pertaining to Immigrants and Immigration, available at http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=19232.
2 See, e.g., De Canas v. Bica, 424 U.S. 351 (1976) (upholding a California statute that prohibited employers from knowingly employing persons not entitled to lawful residence if such employment would adversely affect lawful residents in the state); and Cabell v. Chavez-Salido, 452 U.S. 432 (1982) (upholding the political-function exception that allowed states to require citizenship for probation officers). Read more »
Filed under: immigration, News, nonviolence | Tagged: Arizona | Leave a Comment »