Events

Due to all the events surrounding the State of The Union on Tuesday January 31st WE'RE MAKING A CHANGE. The meeting will be MONDAY JANUARY 30TH (not Tuesday)

JOIN KITCHEN TABLE DEMOCRACY FOR AN ANALYSIS OF VOTING MACHINES. and who is CONNY McCORMACK? Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters and why you should care about her!!!!!!!!

How we vote and making sure every vote counts is an issue that will affect the future of our democracy.

Proprietary programs. Paperless voting. Wireless and internet connections to servers. Verifying counts. Hackable systems. And much more. Join us to help you understand how to make your vote count. Really.

Kitchen Table Democracy - Monday, January 30th, 2006 at Adrienne house in Studio City at 7:30 p.m.
(Adrienne's house is right around the corner from Herb's)

We look forward to a lively discussion, good company and new friends. Please let us know if you are coming. Bring a snack or drink to share. RSVP by email: adrienneburk@yahoo.com

BRING FRIENDS!!! There is ALWAYS room and EVERYONE is welcome at the Table. Monthly Meetings of HERB’S TABLE (Kitchen Table Democracy) held on the last Tuesday of each month. http://www.kitchentabledemocracy.org/

We had a very successful work day at the Habitat for Humanity site in Pacoima in November and will be providing a group of volunteers to help again on January 28 from 7:45 am to 3:00 pm (fewer hours is fine also).

Please remember that all workers must be at least 16 years old. There is no age maximum and experience is not required. Last time we hauled dirt, helped build a floor for a shed, and measured, cut and installed dry wall. Each work day is different depending on the stage of construction. Currently several of the duplexes are nearing completion

We committed to bringing at least 15 volunteers but we are limited to no more than 25, so please RSVP and address questions to Tauby at rosstauby@yahoo.com. First timers will receive a flyer with driving directions and additional information.

Please note that VGFD will not be providing lunch at our January work day. You should bring a lunch or buy lunch at fast food or ethnic restaurants nearby.

Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party and US Tour of Duty to Host Panel on Immediate Withdrawal from Iraq

WHAT? The Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party and US Tour of Duty will present a panel of distinguished speakers from the fields of politics, foreign policy, journalism, and defense, as well as citizen activists, to discuss the immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. The Progressive Caucus hopes to fuel a dialogue within the Democratic Party regarding an immediate end to the occupation of Iraq. The audience participation format of the event is designed to equip attendees with information and action plans that will allow average citizens to facilitate an immediate end to the Iraq conflict.

WHEN? Saturday, January 28 at 7:00 PM at the end of the quarterly meeting of the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party

WHERE? Manhattan Beach Marriott, 1400 Parkview Avenue, Manhattan Beach.

WHO? Tentatively scheduled to appear on the panel are:

• Scott Ritter - former UN Weapons Inspector
• Robert Jensen - Professor of Media Law, Ethics, and Politics at the University of Texas and author of “Citizens of the Empire: The Struggle to Claim Our Humanity”
• Stephen Zunes - Professor of Politics and Chair of the Peace and Justice Studies program at the University of San Francisco and the Middle East editor of Foreign Policy in Focus, a think tank dedicated to peace, justice, and environmental protection
• Ann Wright - former State Department official, who resigned from her high-ranking post in 2003 in protest of the Iraq war
• Michael Schwartz - Professor of Sociology and Faculty Director of the Undergraduate College of Global Studies at Stony Brook University and whose books include Radical Politics and Social Structure, and Social Policy and the Conservative Agenda (edited, with Clarence Lo)
• David Swanson - AfterDowningStreet.org co-founder and Washington director of Democrats.com and ImpeachPAC.org

The discussion will be moderated by radio host and political commentator Steve Young. Panelists will address prepared questions as well as questions from the audience.

In addition to these speakers, the panel will also feature citizen activist Lisa Lubow, who will talk about ways in which ordinary citizens who oppose the war can make their voices heard. This event will be open to the public. For more information please contact Jo Olson, (818) 754-0802 or chocojo@sbcglobal.net

*$10 suggested donation accepted at the door to cover costs of the event. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds from event will benefit US Tour of Duty

Join us for our February meeting.

We have invited a major statewide candidate to speak to us about election integrity and voter-verified paper trails. This is a follow-up to our December Q&A with Conny McCormack.

Take Back the House with General Wesley Clark
Saturday, February 4th, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

At a FREE rally on February 4th General Wesley Clark will inspire the troops and lead the charge to take back the House of Representatives in 2006!

We are bringing Democrats together from all over Southern California to support Democrat Francine Busby, who is running for indicted Republican Duke Cunningham's old seat (CA-50) in a special election April 11th.

Join Wesley Clark and support Francine Busby at Hollywood United Methodist Church as she leads the fight against the Culture of Corruption. Democratic candidates in red districts across Southern California will unite behind her by sending "Buses For Busby"-filled with local activists-to San Diego to help win this first important battle in the war to clean up the House and reclaim a majority for Democrats.

Sign up for one of the buses, learn winning ways to express Democratic values in red areas, hear an inspiring plan of action, find out how to get active, and join the army of ordinary Americans who will fight to take back the House in 2006!

WHEN: Saturday, February 4, 2006
11:00 am: Parking lot opens
11:15 am: Progressive Fair opens (sign up for activities and purchase books, shirts, & bumper stickers!)
11:30 am: Doors open

WHERE: Hollywood United Methodist Church, 6817 Highland Ave. (at Franklin), Hollywood, CA

WHO: General Wesley Clark, Francine Busby (CA-50), Russ Warner (CA-26), David Roth (CA-45), Jill Martinez & Mary Pallant (CA-24), Roberto Rodriguez (CA-25), Jim Brandt (CA-46), and fellow Democrats from around Southern California.

WHAT: A FREE rally and action meeting for everyone eager to end the power grab, stop the culture of corruption, and take back the House of Representatives for the American people.

Free parking available at the church (first come first served), with
overflow parking at the Hollywood & Highland complex one block away. Or take the Metro Red Line to the Hollywood & Highland stop.

SoCal Grassroots is proud to invite you to one of two Meet & Greets with South Bay State Senator Debra Bowen. Senator Bowen is the author of critical legislation that has been signed into law that addresses voters concerns over having an open, honest, and transparent electoral process. Senator Bowen is a candidate for the California Secretary of State.

The first of our two events is a 11:00 am brunch at the home of Agi & Kess Kessler in Woodland Hills on Saturday, February 11th. Please RSVP to: 818-887-1976 or via e-mail at Bowenevent11am@socalgrassroots.org

Also on Saturday, February 11th is a 2:00 pm afternoon reception at the Hillside home of Lauren Steiner. Lauren's home is located off of Benedict Canyon and directions will be sent to you after you RSVP to: 310-273-9031 or vi a e-mail at Bowenevent2pm@socalgrassroots.org.

We look forward to meeting and hearing from State Senator Debra Bowen. No VGFD endorsement implied.