Volume 9 Issue 10
October 2008
News ‘n’ Views Of, By and For Members of the Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club
HHHDC October 2008 Meeting Monday, October 20 , 2008 Coco’s Restaurant 11510 South Street, Cerritos, CA (¼ mile east of the 605 freeway) Dinner (optional) at 6:00 p.m. - Meeting begins at 7:00 pm
Program: State Senator Alan Lowenthal (note: Sen. Lowenthal will arrive at 6:30 p.m. to meet and informally talk with club members)
Announcements I Newsletter submissions are due 10 days before the next scheduled club meeting. You may email them to mstabile@gmail.com.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Announcements .......................Page 1 Meeting Protocol ….…….…………Page 2
The Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club will be sponsoring a booth at the Halloween Carnival sponsored by the City of Cerritos. Come by and say “hi” to all the club members who will be manning the booth on the evening of Friday, October 31, 5-9 p.m. at Cerritos Regional Park.
More Announcements……………Page 2 Cartoon .……………..…….…..….……Page 3 CDP Ballot Propositions ………….Page 4 Going Green……………………….…..Page 5
The Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club now has its calendar of events available online: 1. Go to: http://hhhdemocrats.org/ 2. At the top of the page click “Community Calendar” 3. Once you are on the calendar page, go to the date of the event . 4. Click the event and you will get a pop-up window with all the details, such as date, time, location and description.
Page 1
Internet Pipeline ………………..….…Page 6 Notes from Joe’s Desk …………...Page 7 Why the Bailout is a Crock ……..Page 8 Last Refuge of a Scoundrel …….Page 9 Advertisements …………………….Page 10 Membership Form……….………..Page 12
October 2008
News ‘n’ Views
Page 2
Protocol for Meetings 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Turn your cell phone off or place it on “vibrate”. During meeting please do not engage in side conversations. If ordering food, please do so before start of meeting. If you wish to speak, please raise your hand for recognition by the chair. Do not interrupt speakers. Please keep your remarks short and concise. Photographs should be taken only without interrupting the meeting.
Announcements II BOOK SIGNING – CONGRESSWOMEN LINDA AND LORETTA SANCHEZ WHEN: Tuesday, October 21, from 7:00 to 8:30pm WHERE: Whittier Public Library, 7344 S. Washington Ave., Whittier Hello Friends of Linda Sanchez: I am writing today in my personal capacity to invite you to a local book signing of Linda and Loretta's new book, "Dream In Color." Many of you have asked me to update you when they would have a local book signing. The details are below. I've also included a nice review of the book done recently by the Los Angeles Times. With the holiday season just around the corner, the book may be just the present for a few folks on your list---and it's very affordable at $12.99. (I bought three for my daughter and two sisters...don't tell them....). At the book signing you can also ask questions and catch up with Linda and Loretta. Linda can tell you about her recent and future trips to the battleground states of Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico to help Sen. Obama. I know she'd love to hear what you're working on too. Hope to see you there. Regards, Bill Grady
Rally for Change/Sponsored by DemsUnited for Obama & CA Democratic Party Region 15 Saturday October 18, 2008 at 1:00pm - Pico Rivera Centre for the Arts 9200 Mines Ave., Pico Rivera, California 90660 Website: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gshlsh Bring your family and friends to help raise energy on getting out the vote. Motivate the undecideds to vote for Obama/Biden. Register voters, get involved. Help us mobilize to help win the election. Celebrate this time in history with us in a celebration of unity with speakers, music, food, voter registration and Obama/Biden gear. For more information e-mail: DemocraticGrassrootsUnited@gmail.com
October 2008
News ‘n’ Views
Page 3
Got an Ad? We’ve got the space! Check out details on Page 10 New advertisers are needed for the newsletter. If you are interested, or know of a person or business who would like to advertise in our publication, please contact President Nikki Noushkam, for details and instructions. As a no-cost bonus, all ads will also appear on the club’s new website. Katie Couric: Why isn't it better, Gov. Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families who are struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries; allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess? Gov. Sarah Palin: That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, we're ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the -- it's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing. But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today, we've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that.
October 2008
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News ‘n’ Views
CDP Recommendations - November 4, 2008 General Election Number / Title
Recommendation
Prop. 1A Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century.
YES
Prop. 2 Treatment of Farm Animals. Statute.
YES
Prop. 3 Children’s Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Statute.
YES
Prop. 4 Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy. Constitutional Amendment.
NO
Prop. 5 Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Statute.
YES
Prop. 6 Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding. Statute.
NO
Prop. 7 Renewable Energy. Statute.
NO
Prop. 8 Limit on Marriage. Constitutional Amendment.
NO
Prop. 9 Criminal Justice System. Victims’ Rights. Parole. Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Prop. 10 Bonds. Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Statute.
NO
NEUTRAL
Prop. 11 Redistricting. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
NO
Prop. 12 Veterans' Bond Act of 2008.
YES
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Get out the Vote! Come phone bank, go door-to-door, enter data, plan events and be a part of our Neighborhood Leader Program. Student Interns: Looks great on college applications. Location: California Democratic Party 7340 Firestone Blvd, #133 Contact: Robert at 562-928-3732 (southeastlaoffice@cadem.org)
October 2008
News ‘n’ Views
Page 5
Going Green with Norma and Alan
October, Energy Awareness Month By Norma and Alan Williamson, HHHDC Members We’re sure that most of our readers are already aware of a very disturbing fact: Americans contribute 25% of the world’s greenhouse gases, even though we make up only 5% of the world’s population! Greenhouse gases (GHG) consist of over 30 different types, but the main heat trapping chemicals are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. These GHG are generated by burning fossil fuels and are contributing to global warming or, in other words, catastrophic global climate change. It’s a common fact that our economy and lifestyle are based on coal, oil and natural gas for the lighting, heating and cooling of our homes and the fuels needed for our modes of transportation. According to the 2030 Architecture website at http://www.architecture2030.org/#, “Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration illustrates that buildings are responsible for almost half (48%) of all GHG emissions annually. Seventy-six percent of all electricity generated by US power plants goes to supply the Building Sector”. Some of you might be thinking: “One person can’t solve this global crisis!” Well there’s a lot one person can do since we all live and work inside buildings. Just four simple personal actions can help slow down global warming (as recommended by the Alliance for Saving Energy http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/933 ): • Buying Energy Star room air conditioners and central air conditioning systems, windows, and appliances. (visit www.energystar.gov for product information and store locators) • Getting professional service (trained in Building Science/Home Performance- ask Alan for recommendations) on existing air conditioning systems and cleaning or changing system air filters every month to make sure they run at peak efficiency. • Using programmable thermostats to adjust temperature settings according to daily and weekend patterns. • Running clothes washers, dishwashers, other electric appliances outside of peak hours. Usually the first eco-step taken by most consumers is to change incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights, which are 75% more efficient and last from seven to ten years longer than a regular bulb. To help you choose the correct CFL for your needs (color of white), visit: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls_color. While you’re at it, sign a simple, quick pledge “Change a Light and Change the World” and help a local high school, La Mirada High School (where Norma teaches and coordinates eco-events) reach their Energy Star goal: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=cal.showpledgedriverdetails&cpd_id=14785
October 2008
News ‘n’ Views
Page 6
NEW STOCK MARKET TERMS CEO --Chief Embezzlement Officer. CFO-- Corporate Fraud Officer. BULL MARKET -- A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius. BEAR MARKET -- A 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and the husband gets no sex. VALUE INVESTING -- The art of buying low and selling lower. P/E RATIO -- The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing. BROKER -- What my broker has made me. STANDARD & POOR -- Your life in a nutshell. STOCK ANALYST -- Idiot who just downgraded your stock. STOCK SPLIT -- When your ex-wife and her lawyer split your assets equally between themselves. FINANCIAL PLANNER -- A guy whose phone has been disconnected. MARKET CORRECTION -- The day after you buy stocks. CASH FLOW -- The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet. YAHOO -- What you yell after selling it to some poor sucker for $240 per share. WINDOWS -- What you jump out of when you're the sucker who bought Yahoo @ $240 per share. INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR -- Past year investor who's now locked up in a nuthouse. PROFIT -- An archaic word no longer in use. (Source: http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/2008/10/new-stock-marke.html)
Internet Pipeline by Mike Stabile This month’s first noteworthy internet site: http://www.sacbee.com/1098/story/738462.html. The Sacramento Bee supports the best website for information about current California state politics. This web page in particular will allow you: • To perform an official search for a state government job title and salary range • To see government worker salary databases in other states hosted by newspapers, private groups or government entities • To see official nationwide statistics comparing pay in the public and private sectors A second website of interest is the award-winning MAPLight.org, a “groundbreaking public database, which illuminates the connection between campaign donations and legislative votes in unprecedented ways. Elected officials collect large sums of money to run their campaigns, and they often pay back campaign contributors with special access and favorable laws. This common practice is contrary to the public interest, yet legal. MAPLight.org makes money/vote connections transparent, to help citizens hold their legislators accountable.”
October 2008
News ‘n’ Views
Page 7
Notes from Joe’s Desk Over the past few weeks we have had the example of a desperate presidential campaign. It's a campaign that has failed to silence within its own camp outright lies about the opposition. When you are involved in electoral politics you become accustomed to the rough and tumble nature of those politics. But the unwillingness of Senator McCain to fight the forces of ignorance in his party, many of the same forces that derailed his 2000 presidential campaign, exemplify that he is not the right person to be the President of the United States of America. When you have a presidential campaign appealing to the lowest common denominator by leveling personal attacks instead of putting forth visionary policies that will move America forward in these tough economic times, it is clear that the campaign of the maverick has become the campaign of the Hail Mary Pass. It is a campaign that is willing to give in to the “anything goes” format that threatens to further destroy the fabric of civility amongst Americans. As citizens of this great country we should expect vision and promise from our candidates instead of lowering expectations to survive debates. That a campaign would seek to lower expectations for the individuals who would become the next leaders of the free world is deplorable. It is with this knowledge that we must come together to refute these negative tactics and communicate the vision that Barack Obama and the Democratic Party have for America. It is a vision in which every American will have the equal opportunity to reach his or her full potential. This vision is one that speaks to what is best about our country, which is the belief that America is a place where each of us would have the opportunity to pursue life, liberty and happiness. With less than four weeks remaining in this Presidential campaign, is it incumbent upon us as Democratic Activists to continue phone banking, canvassing and mobilizing our communities to support the Democratic ticket. Our fervor and belief that this election is already decided is not enough. I look forward to working with you in the next few weeks to bring change to America. Very Respectfully, Joseph Legaspi California Democratic Party, Region 15 Director joseph.legaspi15@gmail.com
October 2008
News ‘n’ Views
Page 8
Why the Bailout is a Crock By Bill Steigerwald It’s not your fault you don’t know that the percentage of American home mortgages in foreclosure today is about 2.75 percent. That shocking but true figure hasn’t been emphasized nearly enough by our favorite politicians and media sensationalists, who, as they usually do when real and imagined “national” crises appear, have managed to create the misleading impression that the current foreclosure mess affects every second or third American household. Yes, the financial crisis is real. Yes, some homeowners and Main Street folk have behaved badly. Yes, the greedy, corrupt corporate and political rats on Wall Street and in Washington are largely responsible for the meltdown that will cost us and our grandtaxpayers untold hundreds of billions if not trillions of inflated dollars. And yes, the near-quadrupling since 2005 of our annual mortgage foreclosure rate (historically about 0.7 percent) has ignited a banking and credit crisis that looks to be dragging the whole world into recession. But there are two truths about the foreclosure mess that our beloved media -- especially the TV branch -- have done a lousy job of revealing to the masses. One is that 97 percent of America's home mortgage loans are not in the process of being foreclosed. The other is that the mortgage crisis is not spread evenly across America. It is concentrated in some very specific -- and some very predictable -- geographic and demographic places. Perfect national statistics are hard to come by. But according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, as of Aug. 1, most new foreclosures were occurring disproportionately in eight states. Four are the usual suspects -- Nevada, Florida, California and Arizona, boom states where regional housing bubbles were fueled by an irresponsible alliance of house-flippers, predatory lenders, fraudulent borrowers and notoriously politicized federal laws like the Community Reinvestment Act, which forces banks to give mortgages to poor people and even illegal immigrants who can’t afford or qualify for them. Four other states -- Michigan, Rhode Island, Indiana and Ohio -- can blame tough economic slumps for their higher rates of new foreclosures. The remaining 42 states are actually below the average national foreclosure rate, which the MBA says is higher than at any time in the last 36 years. The good folks at Foreclosure.com provide a current state-by-state listing of houses in various stages of financial doom. As of Thursday, its national count of homes already in foreclosure was 496,000. California’s number alone was about 175,000. Florida’s was 51,000, Nevada’s 22,000 and Ohio’s 10,037. Pennsylvania’s was a distant 2,879, West Virginia’s a humble 576 (no jokes, please) and Vermont’s was a saintly 97. Those wildly divergent numbers are no surprise to Foreclosure.com’s spokesman Stephen Chip, who blames the media -- specifically the cable channels -- for making it seem our foreclosure spike is a result not of a relatively few bad actors but of the collective irresponsibility of American homeowners. But maybe the average American is not such a dupe. Maybe, despite the East Coast media and political spin, most Americans know full well that they and their good neighbors are not the perpetrators of our scary financial meltdown. Maybe that's why so many Americans believe Washington's zillion-dollar bailout bill is such a crock.
October 2008
News ‘n’ Views
Page 9
Alaskan Independence Party: The Last Refuge of a Scoundrel by
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In 2004, America's malleable mainstream media allowed itself to be manipulated by artful Republican operatives into devoting weeks of broadcast attention and drums of ink to unfairly desecrating John Kerry's genuine Vietnam heroics while obligingly muzzling serious discussion of George W. Bush's shameful wartime record of evasion and cowardice. Last week found the American media once again boarding Republican swift boats against this season's Democratic candidate armed with unfair and hypocritical attacks artfully designed by GOP strategists to distract attention from the cataclysmic outcomes of Republican governance. Vice Presidential hopeful Sarah Palin has taken to faulting Senator Barack Obama for his casual acquaintance with a respected Illinois educator Bill Ayers, who forty years ago was a member of the Weathermen, a movement active when Obama was eight and which he has denounced as "detestable." Palin argues that the relationship proves that Obama sees "America as being so imperfect that he is palling around with terrorists who would target their own country." The Times dedicated a page one article to Obama's relations with Ayers and CNN's Anderson Cooper obliged Palin by rewarding her reckless accusations about Obama's patriotism with a major investigative report. Fox, meanwhile, is still riveting its audience with wall to wall coverage of this pressing irrelevancy. But if McCarthy-era guilt-by-association is once again a valid political consideration, Palin, it would seem, has more to lose than Obama. Palin, it could be argued, following her own logic, thinks so little of America's perfection that she continues to "pal around" with a man - her husband, actually - who only recently terminated his seven-year membership in the Alaskan Independence Party. Putting plunder above patriotism, the members of this treasonous cabal aim to break our country into pieces and walk away with Alaska's rich federal oil fields and one-fifth of America's land base - an area three-fourths the size of the Civil War Confederacy. AIP's charter commits the party "to the ultimate independence of Alaska," from the United States which it refers to as "the colonial bureaucracy in Washington." It proclaims Alaska's 1959 induction as a state "as illegal and in violation of the United Nations charter and international law." AIP's creation was inspired by the rabidly violent anti-Americanism of its founding father Joe Vogler, "I'm an Alaskan, not an American," reads a favorite Vogler quote on AIP's current website, "I've got no use for America or her damned institutions." According to Vogler AIP's central purpose was to drive Alaska's secession from the United States. Alaska, says current Chairwoman Lynette Clark, "should be an independent nation." Vogler was murdered in 1993 during an illegal sale of plastic explosives that went bad. The prior year, he had renounced his allegiance to the United States explaining that, "The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government." He cursed the stars and stripes, promising, "I won't be buried under their damned flag...when Alaska is an independent nation they can bring my bones home." Palin has never denounced Vogler or his detestable anti-Americanism. Palin's husband Todd remained an AIP party member from 1995 to 2002. Sarah can be described in McCarthy-era palaver as a "fellow traveler." While retaining her Republican registration, she attended the AIP's 1994 convention where the party called for a draft constitution to secede from the United States and create an independent nation of Alaska. The McCain Campaign has reluctantly acknowledged that she also attended AIP's 2000 Convention. She apparently found the experience so inspiring that she agreed to give a keynote address at the AIP's 2006 convention and she recorded a video greeting for this year's 2008 convention. In other words, this is not something that happened when she was eight! So when Palin accuses Barack of "not seeing the same America as you and me," maybe she is referring to an America without Alaska. In any case, isn't it time the media start giving equal time to Palin's buddy list of anti-American bombers and other radical associates?
October 2008
2008 HHHDC OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS 2008 Executive Board President
Nikki Noushkam
562-712-4072
Vice-President
Marisela Cervantes
213-445-1152
Treasurer
Denise Stabile
Rec. Secretary
Mike Stabile
562-505-5807
Committees Legislative Anal.
Page 10
News ‘n’ Views
Maureen Allen
Newsletter Editor Mike Stabile
562-746-7569 562-505-5807
Membership
Beverly Porter
Historian
Charlie Ara
562-865-4075
Parliamentarian
Marisela Cervantes
213-445-1152
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