Mn-prog-events Mailing List: Progressive Calendar 07.23.10

[David Shove (shove001]

            P R O G R E S S I V E   C A L E N D A R   07.23.10

1. Palestine vigil 7.23 4:15pm
2. RNC8 potluck    7.23 5pm
3. Organic farm    7.23 6pm
4. Merriam potluck 7.23 6:30pm

5. Peace walk      7.24 9am Cambridge MN
6. Pentel in Mound 7.24 12noon
7. Stone film free 7.24 1:15pm
8. CUAPB           7.24 1:30pm
9. Northtown vigil 7.24 2pm
10. Save Big Bog   7.24 2pm Bemidgi MN
11. Plan Samhain   7.24 5pm
12. Global warming 7.24 9pm

13. United for Peace - US troops in Costa Rica
14. Kevin Zeese      - Cut social security? Are the Democrats crazy?
15. Paul Buchheit    - Give us your lavishly rich, your xenophobic

--------1 of 15--------

From: Eric Angell <eric-angell [at] riseup.net>
Subject: Palestine vigil 7.23 4:15pm

The weekly vigil for the liberation of Palestine continues at the
intersection of Snelling and Summit Aves in St. Paul. The Friday demo
starts at 4:15 and ends around 5:30. There are usually extra signs
available.


--------2 of 15--------

From: info [at] rnc8.org
Subject: RNC8 potluck 7.23 5pm

July 23: Potluck in the Park for the National Day of Solidarity for Scott
DeMuth

The National Day of Solidarity for Scott is only days away! If you're in
Minneapolis, join us for food, fun, and good company! And don't miss the
official Conspiracy Tour kickoff event! Be among the first to join the
Conspiracy!

Featuring:
- "Conspiracy: the Musical," a puppet show extravaganza
- Music by our friend Heidi Barton Stink (http://www.myspace.com/bartonstink
)
- Pre-Tour Discussion and Potluck

* When: Friday, July 23rd, 5-7:30pm for food and games
* Where: Powderhorn Park (near the stage), Minneapolis

If you're able, please bring a dish to share. We'll make sure to have
some vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available, but bring what
you need with some to spare if you can. Donations are appreciated for
Scott's legal defense fund.

Not in Minneapolis? There's still time to arrange a solidarity event for
Scott in your town! Grab some friends, do something fun, spread the word
about Scott's case, and contribute to creating a strong culture of
resistance and solidarity across the nation!


--------3 of 15--------

From: Erin Parrish <erin [at] mnwomen.org>
Subject: Organic farm 7.23 6pm

July 23: Women's Environmental Institute Organic Farm School. "The Good
Food Revolution" with Will Allen, Growing Power, Inc. Drop-in class is
$20, drop in field day is $10. 6 PM at the University of Minnesota Coffman
Theatre. Register.


--------4 of 15--------

From: "Krista Menzel (Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace)" <web [at] MPPeace.org>
Subject: Merriam potluck 7.23 6:30pm

2010 Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace Potlucks

Monthly potluck at a member's home or go out to dinner together -
usually on a Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Please e-mail info [at] mppeace.org or call Anne at (651) 647-0580 or Krista at
(651) 641-7592 for more information.
http://www.mppeace.org/events/


--------5 of 15--------

From: Ken Reine <reine008 [at] umn.edu>
Subject: Peace walk 7.24 9am Cambridge MN

every Saturday 9AM to 9:35AM
Peace walk in Cambridge - start at Hwy 95 and Fern Street


--------6 of 15--------

From: PRO826 [at] aol.com
Subject: Pentel in Mound 7.24 12noon

You are invited to join the Ecology Democracy Party's gubernatorial
candidate, KEN PENTEL, in a discussion about bringing ecological
consciousness and greater democracy to politics in Minnesota.  Ken is
completing his campaign tour of the northern part of MN on bicycle and
will be joining others from the campaign team, including Danene
Provencher, on the 24th to celebrate the success of the campaign:

KEN PENTEL for Governor 2010:
Meet the Candidate/Discussion on Bringing Ecological Consciousness and
Greater Democracy to MN Politics

Saturday July 24, 2010 12-2:00 PM
Dakota Rail Bike Trail (Adjacent to) 2281 Commerce Blvd Mound, MN 55364

Contact:  651-695-1966 or advanceteam [at] kenpentel.org

The Ecology Democracy Party grew from the already flourishing Ecology
Democracy Network, established by Ken Pentel over the last two years while
bicycling over 6,000 miles grass roots organizing around the State.  The
Ecology Democracy Party was established to transition the thinking and
action in our culture from a human-centered to an ecological-centered
approach in relation to how we manage our relationship with our home,
planet Earth.  The Ecology Democracy Party will restore a harmonious and
sustainable relationship with our natural environment through a structural
change of the fundamentals of Minnesota Government.  This change is to be
brought about through the following three Ecology Democracy Party
mandates:

Ecology Democracy Party mandates:
* Establishing an ecology-based economy for Minnesota
* Implementing proportional representation for the State House
* Removing Big Money and Corporate Interference in Minnesota Government

Ken Pentel is a Minnesota native and former Green Party gubernatorial
candidate with 11 years of work experience with Greenpeace and 12 years
of work experience developing the Minnesota Green Party.  Ken is the
founding director of the Ecology Democracy Network.


--------7 of 15--------

From: Joan Malerich <joanmdm [at] iphouse.com>
Subject: Stone film free 7.24 1:15pm

Great opportunity to see free what promises to be a riveting documentary
focusing on the revolutionary Latin American countries.  I advise getting
there early to get a ticket.  When the Cuban film series showed (organized
by Greg K), two of the films had standing room only and people were turned
away.  I think it will be the same for Oliver Stone's South of the Border.

Message was forwarded to me by Greg Klave of the MN Cuba Committee.

We have a theater at St Anthony Main for a free screening of Oliver
Stone's, South of the Border, for 1:15 PM, Saturday, July 24th!!!!
Community activists & friends, Mn Film Arts and the Press to be invited.


--------8 of 15--------

From: Michelle Gross <mgresist [at] visi.com>
Subject: CUAPB 7.24 1:30pm

Meetings: Every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Walker Church, 3104 16th Avenue
South http://www.CUAPB.org

Communities United Against Police Brutality
3100 16th Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Hotline 612-874-STOP (7867)


--------9 of 15---------

From: Vanka485 [at] aol.com
Subject: Northtown vigil 7.24 2pm

Peace vigil at Northtown (Old Hwy 10 & University Av), every Saturday
2-3pm


--------10 of 15--------

From: Lydia Howell <lydiahowell [at] visi.com>
From: David Thorstad
Subject: Save Big Bog 7.24 2pm Bemidgi MN

My forum at Bemidji's Root Cellar Community Space on the struggle to stop
the peat mining project in the Big Bog (Pine Island State Forest), near
Red Lake. At 500 square miles, the Big Bog is the largest wilderness area
in the 48 states. Business interests have sought to mine peat in it for
many years, but in 2005 area activists organized to oppose the project. I
will be discussing the history of the project and efforts to stop it, as
well as report on two recent trips to the mining site and to the Waskish
area on Upper Red Lake, the western edge of the bog, where the bog is
being recreationalized.

Saturday, July 24, 2 p.m.
Root Cellar Community Space
1227 Norton Avenue NW ,Bemidji,MN
David Thorstad


--------11 of 15--------

From: mn_united_ireland [at] lycos.com
Subject: Plan Samhain 2010 7.24 5pm

We are actively planning for this year's Samhain celebration and are
looking for volunteers to help plan and volunteers for the event. Many of
you remember past Samhain celebrations and the wonderful meal cooked by
Mary Magee. Well, on the condition that we get enough volunteers to carry
off this event, Mary has volunteered to cook her magical meal of stew,
colcannon, soda bread & apple crisp!  Here's what we've got so far:

SAMHAIN 2010 CELEBRATION
A Progressive Irish-America Community Event
(formerly sponsored by MN for a United Ireland)
Sunday, November 7
5:30 pm - Newell Park Building & Firepit
Join us for a Community Feast, Program & Bonfire

We are looking for volunteers to help with:
-Publicity
-Advanced Tickets production and coordinator
-Soliciting donations
-Meal prep, logistics, servers
-Set-up & clean-up
-Program Coordination
-Storytellers, musicians, poets, etc.
-Firewood

If interested, email me back, or come to our next planning meeting: Sat.
July 24 - 5 pm - Merlin's Rest (Lake St & 36th Ave S in Mpls)

Erin Thomasson skylark [at] bitstream.net


--------12 of 15--------

From: Eric Angell <eric-angell [at] riseup.net>
Subject: Global warming 7.24 9pm

Minneapolis Television Network (MTN) viewers
"Our World In Depth" cablecasts on MTN Channel 17 on Saturdays at 9pm and
Tuesdays at 8am, after DemocracyNow!  Households with basic cable may
watch.

Sat, 7/24, 9pm and Tues, 7/27, 8am
"Global Warming"
Author/activist Peter Gelderloos speaks on world governmental reactions to
the reality of global warming, what scientists have been doing over the
last 20 years, and how it is necessary to have a holistic approach to the
real problems created by climate change.  Outlining some of the false
solutions pushed by more established environmental organizations,
Gelderloos suggests decentralized organizing as a more appropriate
strategy for dealing with the crisis. (filmed 4/10)


--------13 of 15--------

From: moderator [at] PORTSIDE.ORG
To: PORTSIDE [at] LISTS.PORTSIDE.ORG
Subject: US Troops in Costa Rica

US Troops in Costa Rica

1. United for Peace & Justice
2. Peace Action Fund of New York State

Warning: US Troops in Costa Rica
July 20, 2010
United for Peace & Justice
www.unitedforpeace.org

The outrageous announcement that 46 US warships and 7000 Marines are
heading for Costa Rica to "fight drugs" should alert all peace and justice
organizations to the real significance of this action.  Such a move will
raise legitimate alarm in the Caribbean, Central and Latin America of the
real intent of the United States and react accordingly.

Regardless whether this was done with the connivance of the Costa Rica
government or not, as peace and justice activists, we are opposed to the
extension of US military force, especially, at these times, when our
Brothers and Sisters in the South are moving forward in their struggle for
national sovereignty and independence from US influence.

Endorse the "Declaration Against US Military Forces in Costa Rica, the
Declaration against Invasion and Military Impunity":

- We the undersigned and organizations of our support network,
categorically reject the U.S. military ships entering Costa Rican
territory, as well as any further increase of militarism to attempt to
solve conflicts in global politics.

- We oppose the permission granted by the Costa Rican Legislature, which
allows for joint patrols against trafficking of drugs into Costa Rica with
up to 46 warships, 200 helicopters, 10 AV-8B Harrier aircraft and 7,000
marines.

- With this action, the government of Costa Rica aims to join the U.S.
military agenda in Latin America. The solution to drug trafficking is
social, not military.

- Costa Rica, with its neutral and pacifist tradition, cannot allow its
territory to be used for a military objective that violates their
sovereignty. This U.S. military contingent will be able to move freely
throughout Costa Rican territory with immunity for its troops. Such a
military presence in a country without an army is unacceptable.

- We call on our respective governments and peoples to jointly promote all
possible action to defend Costa Rican sovereignty, and to reject this
military action.

Call to Action: United for Peace & Justice encourages UFPJ Member Groups
and other organizations to individually endorse this declaration and
communicate it to Hendrik Voss, School of the Americas Watch,
hvoss [at] soaw.org.  To support endorsement, we encourage that issue
information and calls to action be forwarded to member group
constituencies.

Background:

We Love Costa Rica article, 46 US Warships Plus 7,000 US Marines On Route
To Costa Rica? http://www.welovecostarica.com/public/2647print.cfm

Global Post Article, 7,000 US Marines Landing on the beaches of Costa Rica
http://www.globalpost.com/webblog/costa-rica/7000-us-marines-landing-the-beaches-costa-rica

Thank You, We are.... United for Peace & Justice

Help us continue to do this critical work: Make a donation to UFPJ today.

UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
www.unitedforpeace.org |
212-868-5545
PO Box 607
Times Square Station
New York, NY 10108

Are We Now at War in Costa Rica Too?
New York Peace Network
July 19, 2010
www.PANYS.org

Dear Peace Activists and Friends,

On July 1, 2010, the Costa Rica Legislative Assembly voted 31-8 to grant
the U.S. military full in-country access through the end of 2010 to help
fight drug trafficking and for "humanitarian missions." 46 warships and
7,000 U.S. Marines have been stationed in Costa Rica, a country that ranks
among the most peaceful.

We have not been told what they are actually doing. Are they using the
same failed techniques being administered in Colombia? Spending millions
of dollars to fight their failed war on drugs? We deserve to know what is
really going on!

Urge your representatives to demand more information, and sign this
petition telling the Costa Rica Congress to withdraw the authorization of
U.S. Marines: http://www.petitiononline.com/noarmyen/petition.html

Peace,
Matt Resnick
Peace Action Fund of New York State
info [at] panys.org

[The US - Big Bully to the North - ed]


--------14 of 15--------

Cut Social Security? Are the Democrats Crazy?
by Kevin Zeese
July 22nd, 2010
Dissident Voice

The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is sounding
the alarm around deficit spending using exaggerated rhetoric to heighten
deficit fear at a time when more spending is needed.

The commission's rhetoric is working against the antidote for the economy
- spending to restart job and economic growth.  Forty leading economists,
including Nobel prize winners, issued a statement calling for more
spending in the short-term.  They recognized debt as a long term problem,
but urged immediate increased spending to avoid prolonging and deepening
the economic collapse, writing:

We recognize the necessity of a program to cut the mid- and long-term
federal deficit but the imperative requirement now, and the surest course
to balance the budget over time, is to restore a full measure of economic
activity. As in the 1930s, the economy is suffering a sharp decline in
aggregate demand and loss of business confidence. Long experience shows
that monetary policy may not be enough, particularly in deep slumps, as
Keynes noted.

The urgent need is for government to replace the lost purchasing power of
the unemployed and their families and to employ other tax-cut and spending
programs to boost demand. Making deficit reduction the first target,
without addressing the chronic underlying deficiency of demand, is exactly
the error of the 1930s. It will prolong the great recession, harm the
social cohesion of the country, and continue inflicting unnecessary
hardship on millions of Americans.

The Obama Deficit Commission is working against this urgent need.  And, in
pushing proposals that will weaken the middle class, they risk real anger
from American voters who are already unhappy with the administration's
handling of the economy.  The commission is talking about cuts to Social
Security, Medicare and middle class benefits like the home mortgage
deduction rather then focusing on the three causes of the deficit: massive
war and weapons spending, giant tax cuts for the wealthy, and the
faltering economy.

The time is now to build opposition to these recommendations and urge
Congress and the administration to cut programs that will not make the
economy worse for most Americans.  When I testified before the commission
I urged:

. Cuts in military spending as this makes up half of U.S. discretionary
spending and is filled with waste and bloat.

. Cuts to corporate welfare, especially to the oil and gas industry which
is scheduled to received billions in tax breaks despite massive profits.

. Taxes on the purchase of stocks, bonds and derivatives where even a tiny
micro tax could raise tens of billions annually.

. Taxes on the estates of the wealthiest 97.5% of Americans which could
raise more than $10 billion annually.

These are just a few of the areas where cuts in spending and taxes on
wealth could balance the budget and avoid the need to cut Social Security
and Medicare or tax the middle class.

In fact, Social Security is in good financial shape for upcoming decades
and merely raising the cap on Social Security taxes will make the program
secure for the 21st Century. In the long run the economy needs a stronger
elderly economic class.  The loss of pensions, stock market collapse and
savings transformed to debt leaves too many Americans dependent on the
measly $14,030 annual average benefits Social Security provides.

Medicare's challenge is not the Medicare program but the cost of health
care.  Cuts to Medicare will make health problems and the cost of health
care more expensive. Unfortunately, the new Obama health law does not
control costs and the president did not even consider the real solution
for health care: ending the waste of the private insurance industry by
making improved Medicare available to all Americans.

The commission is preparing its report for after the mid-term elections
this November.  But it is before the elections when voters have the most
power.  We need to demand elected officials protect Social Security and
Medicare by cutting spending for weapons and war, and raising tax dollars
from the wealthy - who profited from a decade of deficit spending, first.
We also need to urge them to consider taxes on wealth before considering
taxes on workers.  We need to let them know that our votes are dependent
on them taking these actions.

You can begin to respond to the deficit commission now by writing
President Obama and your representatives in Congress.  And to begin to
build opposition to the deficit commission and urge real solutions to the
economy send this article to everyone you know and urge them to take
action.

Tell elected officials that to solve the deficit problem, they should
focus on the causes of the deficit: nearly the entire deficit for this
year and projected into the foreseeable future are the result of three
things: the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Bush tax cuts for
the wealthy and the recession. The solutions are: end the wars, allow the
tax cuts to expire and restore robust growth.

Stopping the deficit commission from making things worse is only a first
step.  Americans need to organize to re-make the economy.  To end the
wealth divide which has allowed the top 1% to hoard the nation's wealth,
end concentration of corporate power which not only adds to the wealth
divide but stifles entrepreneurship and weakens democracy, and stop crony
capitalism which uses tax dollars to enrich a few.

Much work is needed to democratize the U.S. economy so it is transparent
and benefits all Americans not the [stinking -ed] economic elite.  But the
immediate task at hand is to stop the deficit hawks from making things
worse as they are poised to do.  An outcry from Americans can stop their
worst proposals before they gain momentum.

Kevin Zeese is the executive director of the Campaign for Fresh Air &
Clean Politics whose projects include VotersForPeace.US,
ProsperityAgenda.US, GlobalClimateSecurity.org and TrueVote.US. He is also
a member of the board of Velvet Revolution. Read other articles by Kevin,
or visit Kevin's website.

[The rich have their pants down - to make it easier for Obama and the Dems
to insert their noses. So attached, they parade down Wall Street every
noon, a rich person in front, a Dem just behind. Like showing horses or
dogs, the rich contend for blue ribbons for the most
obsequious/slithering/gutless etc of show. To be an owner in any of these
shows - horses, dogs, Dems - you've got to have lots and lots of money.
It's the American Way.  -ed]


--------15 of 15--------

Give Us Your Lavishly Rich, Your Xenophobic
by Paul Buchheit
Common Dreams
Thursday, July 22, 2010

Immigrants. Taking our jobs and public assistance. The cause of all our
problems.

But it's not true. We're blaming people who are struggling day-by-day to
survive on their own or support their families, while we applaud a system
that allows a financial expert to make enough money to pay the salaries of
50,000 police officers.

Here are some facts:

The Census Bureau and the World Wealth Report 2010 both report increases
for the top 5% of households even during the current recession.

Based on Internal Revenue Service figures, the richest 1% have TRIPLED
their cut of America's income pie in one generation. In 1980 the richest
1% of America took one of every fifteen income dollars. Now they take
THREE of every fifteen income dollars. That's a TRILLION extra dollars a
year.

Some ultra-rich individuals, like hedge fund managers David Tepper and
John Paulson, made $4 billion in a year (on most of which they paid only a
15% capital gains tax rate). This is enough to pay the salaries of every
public school teacher in New York City.

But we blame the immigrants instead of the people taking unimaginable
amounts of money from society.

Howard Zinn wrote about the petty thieves who go to jail for crimes
averaging $1000 per offense, while sophisticated financial insiders get
probation for swindling millions from the system. The only difference now
is that it's "legal" to use financial trickery to divert funds from
education and infrastructure to a few well-positioned money managers.

The way it's supposed to work, say the free-market tax-me-not supply-side
trickle-down tea-party advocates, is that the rich will create jobs and
stimulate the economy by investing in new production. But the richest 1%,
who used to take $7 of every $100 of America's income, have increased that
to $20 of every $100 in just one generation.

To put it another way, if the bottom 90% had shared in America's
prosperity at a level consistent with 1980 incomes, the average
middle-class family would be making $45,000 a year instead of $35,000.

And it's not just the rich individuals, but also the corporations that are
taking money meant for jobs and public needs. Fareed Zakaria noted in
Newsweek that the 500 largest non-financial companies are sitting on $1.8
trillion in uninvested cash.

Zinn said change will occur only through direct action by the people, as
occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. The poor foreigner is not the enemy. It's
the person or corporation who siphons money away from the rest of us while
supporting our irrational fears through the media and the military.

Give us your tired, your poor.

Give us your manipulator of finances.

Paul Buchheit is a faculty member in the School for New Learning at DePaul
University.

[Eat the rich. -ed]


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   - David Shove             shove001 [at] tc.umn.edu
   rhymes with clove         Progressive Calendar
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