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Democratic Advocate |
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Volume 5, No.12 |
December 2007 |
Dear Fellow Progressive,
Happy Holidays! Whether or not you consider this a true statement is up to either your present place in life or your state of mind. If you have a warm bed at night, food in your cupboard, and friends and family at your table this season then you may agree that this holiday time is indeed happy. If you are having a difficult time feeding your family or yourself, affording a decent place to live, or will be missing loved ones too far away to come home for Christmas due to either high gas prices or service in the armed forces abroad; then a happy holiday is a bit more challenging. The Coos County Democrats care about the concerns of all our neighbors and pledge to work hard in the coming year to make a difference in our community. We have significant issues to tackle in 2008. Coos County Commissioner John Griffith is up for reelection. So are State Senator Joanne Verger, and U.S. Senator Gordon Smith and Representative Arnie Roblan. If you believe that the service of these public officials makes a difference in the lives of people in Coos County (pro or con) than you know this election year is important on a local level, as well as a national one!
Please consider getting involved actively or giving financially to support your local democratic party. We are planning an action packed 2008! Author Thom Hartman has agreed to be our keynote speaker for the annual dinner, an event sure to draw a huge crowd. We will once again have an election headquarters that is highly visible and will be proactively registering voters! Both events will cost money and require many volunteer hours. Please help us be successful!
Any amount of time or money you can spare, will go a long way to helping register more progressive voters in Coos County and elect more Democrats to office! Please mail your tax deductible donation to: The Democratic Party of Coos County, P.O. Box 417 Coos Bay, OR 97420. For more information on how you can get involved, call: Matt Christensen at (541)-297-3805 or Molly Ford at 888-6871.
VETERANS GUARANTEED BONUS ACT
Mr. Altaire, Democrat from McCandless, introduced the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus act two weeks ago because of the Defense Department's interpretation of the enlistment bonus money, as much as $30,000, allocated to military personnel when joining. The interpretation of the Defense Department is that this ENLISTMENT bonus money is earned for a FULL term of service. However, if a military person is discharged early, that is, before serving a full term, his BONUS FOR ENLISTMENT will be reduced to that percentage of time he put in. This mind set of the Defense Department makes no exception for military people who have been discharged early because of combat related injuries, injuries such as loss of arms or legs, loss of sight or hearing, etc. They demand a return of that percentage of money that relates to the portion of full term NOT FULFILLED.
The veterans guaranteed bonus act specifies an exemption for wounded military, that they are to receive payment in full within 30 days from the discharged date.
Jim Cunningham
Coos County Democrats Treasurer's Report
November 2007
Beginning Balance $2878.65
Total Deposits 196.00
Total Expenditures 455.98
Ending Balance $2618.67
Maybe one of these will make you smile?
Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
Being over the hill is better than being under it.
Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up.
Ham and eggs, a days work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
Merry Christmas everyone BH
LOGIC?
"It's simple. Most people who can't afford health insurance also are too poor to owe taxes. But if you give them a deduction from the taxes they don't owe, they can use the money they're not getting back from what they haven't given to buy the healthcare they can't afford."
Stephen Colbert, on President Bush's proposal to fix health care by offering tax breaks to those who cannot afford health insurance. The Colbert Report.
RADIO PROGRAM
Thom Hartmann is a highly intelligent, ecologically-minded, gracious, progressive radio show host who is also the author of many books, and appeared in DiCaprio's film, Eleventh Hour. Thom moved from Vermont to Portland, Oregon, a couple of years ago and broadcasts live from 9 a.m. til noon, KBBR 1340, AM on the radio dial. We, in this area, used to get him at that time, but now Thom is being rebroadcast at 6 pm with Ed Schultz taking his place at 9 a.m. Ed is great, too, and we do NOT want to lose him. However, we need Thom back on at 9 am because:
1) he is our only 'local' progressive radio host in Oregon and we can call in to his show and have a dialogue in real time, when he's actually "on"
2) in the Coquille/Myrtle Point/Bandon areas the signal is so low by 6 pm when Thom is re-broadcast by KBBR that there is no radio reception and no one can hear him and
3) he is coming to our area as our main guest speaker in May, so it's even more important to be able to hear him!
It would suit many of us to have Thom back on at 9, when he's actually "there" and have Ed on at noon, as before. Please consider calling Bi-Coastal Media at 267-2121 and adding your voice to ours in this regard. Marion Vincent
SHOP, GIVE, EAT, LOCALLY
With the end of 2007 one phrase has become more prominent than others in our subconscious. We are speaking it more often and thinking of it more readily than we did prior to this year. And that phrase is Climate Change. Even with the recent storm that hit our coast this month, we find ourselves wondering how bad the weather extremes will get; this year, next year, and twenty years from now? As democrats we can ponder the difference it would have made if Al Gore had become president instead of George Bush. More constructively we can ask
ourselves what actions we can and will take to make a difference for our future.
One of the most influential powers we have as Americans is the power of the consumer. During this holiday season local merchants will ask us to buy locally. We all know the benefits of supporting local businesses and jobs, but shopping locally has taken on greater importance for us all. Consider how far the items you purchase have traveled to make it to your local store, your mail box, and your plate! When we buy locally, we use less fossil fuel, create less pollution, and have greater control over product safety. You've heard of being an Herbivore, or a Carnivore? Well consider being a Locavor! (Yes this is a real trend, rapidly gaining momentum.) Many of us have been reading food labels for our health and we are now reading toy labels to see if potential gifts were made in China. Global warming has given us another reason to look and see where the food we are purchasing comes from. It may cost more each month to buy eggs, milk, meat, and produce that comes from Oregon, Washington, or California. A few dollars a week invested locally now, can help lower the price our children, society, and planet will have to pay later for our indifference. A benefit for us now, is that it is easier to discover how local food is produced than it is to determine the safety and quality of corporate brands or foods grown abroad.
As you make your New Year's Resolution for 2008, consider the power of your daily actions and routines. There are easy ways to make a huge difference without making huge sacrifices. Buying locally, donating locally, and purchasing locally- made goods is something we can do in our daily lives that will have a ripple effect, resulting in widespread benefits for all.
Molly Ford
Mmm¼ Peach Mint Tea"a remedy for government-induced dyspepsia"
Hold a Tea Party to overthrow King George!
Is your country turning into a totalitarian state? Are you saddened by the destruction of our democracy? This zesty blend of black teas, infused with the aromas of ripening peaches and cool, dewy mint leaves, is sure to calm your nerves! Just drink up, and take "Mmm¼ Peach Mint" power into your own hands! Brewing instructions:If the Bush Administration is bringing you to a boil, add one teaspoon and visualize impeachment. That's it; mission accomplished!
Keeping Quiet
by Pablo Neruda
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still
for once on the face of the earth,
let's not speak in any language;
let's stop for a second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would not look at his hurt hands.
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about...
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with
death.
Now I'll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
Submitted by Sharon Ramirez
Let there be Peace on Earth
2008 STRATEGY WORKSHOP
A workshop to develop a strategy for 2008 is open to all Coos County Democrats! We will be meeting at the Bay Area Labor Hall on Saturday, January 12th to lay the groundwork for a successful campaign year! There is a lot at stake for our county, our state, and our nation. If you can spare a few hours to give your input on how we can best proceed in the months ahead, come to the Bay Area Labor Hall on the corner of Ash and Newmark in North Bend on Saturday, January 12th. The workshop will begin at 10:00 am and end at 2:00 pm. Lunch will be provided. For more information call Matt Christensen at 297-3805 or Molly Ford at 888-6871.
Kuznitsky & Rubin Construction Co.
Box 321 · North Bend, Oregon 97459
OCCB #45939
Office 888-9881
Dan Rubin 24 Hr. 269-7527
Richard Kuznitsky Fax 888-4843
SHOPPING FOR PERFECT GIFTS?
CHARLIE VINCENT HAS THEM.
Numbered water color prints
Scenes of Rogue River and Oregon vintage stores and lodges.
For more information: Call Charlie at 572-5205
Coos County Central Committee
Executive Committee
Chair: Matt Christensen MattNIna@charter.net
(541) 267-2247 Cell: 297-3805
Vice: Molly Ford ford.coos@verizon.net
(541) 888-6871
Secretary: Angela Lebakken lebakken8@msn.com (541) 266-0737
Treasurer: Brian Howard
1107 Roseburg Road Myrtle Point, OR 97458 w7mlt@livecomputers.com
Governor: David Tilton (541) 269-5661
davidtilton@charterinternet.com
Precinct Committee Chair
Molly Ford 888-6871
Advocate submissions:
Angela Lebakken lebakken8@msn.com
Your Elected Officials
Sen. Ron Wyden (D) (202)224-5244
www.wyden.senate.gov
Sen. Gordon Smith (R) (202)224-3753
www.gsmith.senate.gov
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D) (202)225-6416
Coos Bay 269-2609
www.defazio.house.gov
Gov. Ted Kulongoski (503)378-4582 representative.citizen@state.or.us
State Senator Joanne Verger (D) District 5
(503)986-1705
verger@harborside.com
State Representative Arnie Roblan (D) District 9
(503)986-1409
Coos Bay 267-6843
"Private opinion creates public opinion...That is why private opinion, and private behavior, and private conversation are so terrifyingly important."
Jan Struther, English poet (1901-1953)
Coos County Central Committee
Executive Committee
Chair: Matt Christensen MattNIna@charter.net
(541) 267-2247 Cell: 297-3805
Vice: Molly Ford ford.coos@verizon.net
(541) 888-6871
Secretary: Mara Kieval mkieval@charter.net (541) 888-2054
Treasurer: Brian Howard
1107 Roseburg Road Myrtle Point, OR 97458 w7mlt@kivecomputers.com
Governor: David Tilton (541) 269-5661
davidtilton@charterinternet.com
Precinct Committee Chair
Molly Ford 888-6871
Advocate submissions:
Angela Lebakken Lebakken8@msn.com
Your Elected Officials
Sen. Ron Wyden (D)
(202)224-5244 www.wyden.senate.gov
Sen. Gordon Smith (R)
(202)224-3753 www.gsmith.senate.gov
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D)
(202)225-6416 Coos Bay 269-2609 www.defazio.house.gov
Gov. Ted Kulongoski
(503)378-4582 representative.citizen@state.or.us
State Senator Joanne Verger (D) District 5
(503)986-1705 verger@harborside.com
State representative Arnie Roblan (D) District 9
(503)986-1409 Coos Bay 267-6843
State Representative Wayne Krieger (R) District 1
(503)986-1401 rep.waynekrieger@state.or.us