Salon Weekly
~ In 4 Color-Coded Sections:
- Table Notes
- Events & Opportunities
- Articles, Letters (“opinions expressed are not necessarily mine”...ellen)
- Books, Reviews, Films, Magazines
- Tri-State Treasures: events compiled by Jim Kesner (who is on vacation this week.)
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................................................... Section One: Table Notes ............................................................................ (Note: these notes were taken at the table and have NOT been approved or corrected by the speakers. Reader beware of inevitable misunderstandings and misrepresentations. E.B.)
At the table Wednesday 7/9/08
Chessie Vigran, Nancy Dawley, Linda Gruber, Bill Limbacher, Gene Somoza, Peggy Somoza, Mary Biehn, Bob Witanowski, Jeff Winkler, Jackie Lewis, Mira Rodwan, Elaine Bradford, Janet Kalven, Daisy Quarm, David Rosenberg, Jonathan Rosenberg, James Kinsman, Heather Pez-Kinsman, Ellen Bierhorst, Alan Weiner, Chris Metzger, Brooke Audreyal, Greg Kaufman, Ginger Lee Frank.jeffw4obama@gmail.com
(Welcome Chessie, Jeff, Jackie!)
OBAMA CAMPAIGN REPS. JEFF WINKLER AND JACKIE LEWIS
Jackie Lewis, field organizer for Clifton, Clifton Hgts, Corryville, Queensgate. I am from Cols. Working to identify the Obama supporters so we can win the city. Supporters not hard to find in Clifton. House meetings like this are a good way... Share our strategy for winning.
Why I was in Cols. I worked for state legislator Richard Cordray... He is a consumer advocate. Also worked in Ohio senate, house. I was dismayed at the bargaining for support of bills etc. Got excited by Obama as change. Single mom... Grandparents... Important message. So I left my job, came here to work 80_+ hours / week... I was devastated when Bush won a second term.
Any contributions to the campaign makes a difference. If you come into the office and make phone calls for just one hour, it makes a difference. ... Persuasion phone calls. Voter registration.
So on Nov 4 when we are watching the numbers, “I helped!” We don’t want to be there and feel, “I should have done more.”
(What is the standing right now)
I think it is very close now. People are complacent... We can’t have that mentality.
Whenever you have time, call us, 513 253 7604 (my phone no) ( Northiside Office Renita Jones Street, the boos regional director for the ...Ohio 1 cong dist.-- 405 6945. ) there 9 – 9 Mon – Sat, Noon – 9 Sun. voter registration in the community. Every Sat. we start 10 am voter regis drive. Bring your group and do phone banking together. Do you know about events, or a good place for voter registration.
Region 2 office is at deSales Corner. 861 6446.
4016 Hamilton Ave, Northside office, just N of viaduct, Knowlton’s corner. Party 5 – 9 this Fri July 25, cook out, food provided. It is good to bring food also.
Donate online www.barackobama.com.
But if you want your donations to count, give us cell phones, bring meal, donate car, look at our wish list. We need everything, all supplies.
What we really want is to sign up a nd join us as a volunteer. This is how we are going to win ohio, and that will be by out-organizing John McCain. So far we are way ahead of them...they only have three desks.
Ohio is ground zero for the presidential race; Hamilton Co. is g round zero for Ohio.
(Why Ohio?) a big state; always a toss-up state. We have a lot of reasons to think Ohio can go Dem. This year. Went for Clinton in ‘96. Ham. Co. hasn’t gone for a Dem. Since LBJ. Tim Burke, chair of Ham Co Dem., says “We are going to win Ham co.”
We have until Oct 3 to register all the voters we need. We are already at 43% towards goal.
(Mira: voting machines?) Jeff: Jennifer Bruner, the great new sec’y state Ohio mandates that every polling place must have paper back up. They are whinning, but she insists. Also she is going to do everything in her power to see that there are enough voting machines at each poll.
Jackie: also you can vote early. We encourage that.
Jeff: we are going to have minivans and cars in teams of two going out on election day. Will knock on doors...
If everybody who is for Obama actually votes, we will win.
Jackie: JLewis@ohioforchange.com feel free to email me.
Jeff: if y ou sign up and are in Northside, you’ll hear from Liz Hersey, ... Others. But we will make sure to get your info. To where it needs to go.
the housemeeting concept started in S. Carolina during the primary. He won there.
(VIDEO: about the houseparty strategy.
Obama: ordinary citizens are not organized; if they get organized, they can out power the corporations. O: people need to understand that their self interest is wrapped up in what happens in Washington.
... People being activated in ways they haven’t in a generation. People are weary of the same old ways of doing business. We have a chance now to re engage the average citizen.
... People from different backgrounds are coming together in this campaign. ... Excitement in this campaign. ... Giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas. People need to understand how these things effect their lives.
...This campaign is big on grass roots organizing, more than prevous pres. Campaigns. The organizing we do outlasts this particular campaign.
Jeff: I am one of 3600 fellows nation wide, 180 in Ohio, 28 here in Cinti, all gave up 6 weeks of time to work for Barack. We went thru a lengthy application process. Over half tend to be 22-25 yrs old. I am one of the old guys. 51 yr old. But we are here to get a jump start in on the ground organizing. Special effort in Ohio and in Florida. I am Native of N. California. Involved in 5 presidential campaigns. Former school district business manager. Moved to Arizona. Also school board member. That’s what brought me to the campaign.
We can discuss policy, thought many dems. Have different opinions on various issues. But people unite around Obama because he wants to change the way we do politics. I believe he is sincere in this. That’s rare in politics. Put the power in the hands of the people. The Ohio campaign has persuaded me... The community organizing base, the grass roots. The ocnsciousness is, It’s not about us organizers coming to town...it is about you, the neighbors, the grass roots.
For our campaign, Obama is the oranizer in chief. Is very involved in the organization.
Need for casseroles, cell phones, ... People involved.
to Hillary supporters: we want you to feel the love. We want every Hillary voter down to our office working, helping. Both stand for many of the same things. We look forward to the Clintons helping in Ohio.
This campaign is already more organized in July than the Kerry campaign was at the end.
Elaine: I live NE Ham. Co. Should I call these numbers and they will give me number. 861 6446.
Alan: Are we on our own to do a house party? Or will you help us do it?
Jeff: Yes, an organizer will help ... Sit down and help you invite 50 people to get 20 to come. Your gathering can be anything... Brunch? Pot luck dinner? Beer party? Anything. We bring the video and an organizer.
Chessie If I gave a party it would have to be a policy discussion rather thanjust organizing.
Jeff Yes, just tell the person you call that you want a policy oriented house party.
Bill I am a renter... How can I find out if there is going to be a prty in my neighborhood. God to http://www.barackobama.com and to mybarackobama from there, and see all houseparties, and you can even do an online RSVP.
Mira Where on line can you go to help respond to the negative advertising. Talking points. Like I heard on the radio that Obama said it is ok to kill a foetus still alive after an abortion. Is there a sight that tells how to respond?
Jeff You can write the campaign and someone from the campaign will respond.
Campaigns are hard ball. I encourage people to pay attention to actual utterances by the candidates. All the speeches are on the website also. Www.barackobama.com
And there is along list of issues, and gives a synoppsys of Obama’s stand on each. A ton of information for policy issue advocacy. ... We don’t have any media at the office. But the website posts speeches quickly.
Now we are transitioning to paid field organizers starting in the next weeks. Fewer than the paid organizers in number. But this is ground zero; this will be fully staffed!
Policy concerns?
Chris I am very hopeful for Obama. Terrific candidate. But very concerned about his and our posture with afghanistan. I fer he is getting sucked in... More troops there. I don’t know why. Looks like Vietnam at best.
Jef I will put you in contact with someone on the policy staff. (Chris gave phone no.)
Bill I am very concerned about wire tapping. Expecially since court of appeals recent ruling... Obama voted for immunity for the phone companies.
Jeff: they got civil immunity, but still subject to criminal prosecution. But your concerns are well voiced. Many dems. Share that concern.
David I have heard that his energy policy lacks substance.
Jeff not my view. 150 billion over ten years for alternative energy R & D. that’s his proposal.
(Nuclear) He is not as pro nuclear as sen. McCain.
Alan This is impt. In Ohio because of the proposed uranium enrichment plant upriver here.
David How many billions of dollars have oil companies earned this year? I am not impressed with 150 billion over ten years. We are allowing the energy companies to control ... We don’t look at one source of the energy problem and it is concentrated power in the energy industry.
Jeff Look online at the policy. ... Concrete proposals. ... Germany gives tax benefits to solar power installations, and as a result, Germany is the biggest consumer of solar power stuff, much of it produced here in USA.
... McCain thinks we can drill our way out of the oil problem. That’s not realistic. You can’t get a drill rig... Undersupply. Besides, the oil companies are multi national, and any oil we find here goes into the international pool of oil. Very complex.
David: ...these bail outs for Baer and Sterns, etc. etc.
Bill Gay marriage.
Jeff he is for civil union.
Bill not the same thing.
Jeff the fed gov’t already owns plenty of oil leases, only 30% are being actually used for drilling, so the cry for new leases is just a grab for land.
Daisy your organizing here. Policy. We in Cinti are divided racially. The campaign has the potential to bring black and white together. But often campaigns are run by neighborhoods. Is there any explicit strategy to bring black and white voters together?
Jeff so far we have a good mix of race on the team so far. Have had a lot of white organizers out in African Amer. Neighborhoods. I thought I’d get resistance from Afr Amer as a white man. Hasn’t happened. I’ve done a lot of orgnizing in Afr Amer neighborhoods.
Brooke Maybe the national campaign could pay attention to Daisy’s point... Organize not by neighborhoods but rather by neighborhood borders... Cincinnati isn’t the only place with racial neighborhood divisions.
Daisy More people will work on the campaign if they know that it will be a chance to help heal the racial divide; opportunity to work with other race.
Greg do you notice difference between Cinti and Phoenix in racism.
Jeff in Phoenix it is Hispanics and white. More blended communities. But seems not so much different here. I’ve been impressed with Cincinnati. Don’t feel much tension. ... In ‘02 when I was here, the neighborhoods in OTR looked bad, deserted. Now looks better.
Brooke It could be a concept of having sister neighborhoods or partner neighborhoods. Grouped together repeatedly for events or efforts.
Nancy are they working to get cong. And sen. Candidates elected to support his programs.
Jeff yes he is working for that. If he has a strong mandate this will help him get his programs through congress. Strong approval ratings. Congress respects the will of the voters.
Vic Wulsin and Steve Driehaus both have a good chance. That would be great news.
Chris I think Obama will be elected. I think he is competent; well intentioned. Cncerned that on day one he will be told “there is an economic crisis” and he will be chasing that one issue for four years... He may be blamed for the economy. Terrible situation.
Jeff I hope not...
Greg I think he is going to try to quash lobbyists...
Jeff Obama is all about grass roots involvement, and this can help everything, economy.
Elaine the health club I belong to is very Republican. I am unusual. They say, “So you get new voters, canyou keep them involved?”
Jeff We hope that the organization we are building will stay alive, help other, local candidates... We want leaders to emmerge here to continue to organize. ... Great thing is having Howard Dean with his 50 state strategy.
Brooke I have thought of bolting form the Dem. Party, and have stayed largely because of Howard Dean. ...Would like to se ehim as a VP candidate, or Jim Webb. I am very concerned about the grip of the corporations.
David what impressed me so much about Obama... When he voted against the war in Iraq. Courage to make bold statements. I twould impress me for him to start making bold statements again now, about legislation in congress now. .. I am waiting for him to inspire us by sponsoring bold legislative initiatives now, before November. It always disappoints me when brave politicians crumble around election time.
Jeff Best thing we can do to give our reps. Courage is to elect Obama in November. They would come along ...
Ginger Lee Why has Obama let McCain hog the environmentalist chair.
Jeff Obama has not yet made his environmental speech yet. I will tell the policy people of this.
~ End of Table Notes~
- Hugs to everyone,
Ellen
Section Two: Events & Opportunities
That jumpin’ salonista Judy Cirillo sends us this: Free Salsa dancing lessons every Thurs nite at Fountain Square!
Hi Ellen,
... for those who like to dance(or watch) they really should be at Fountain Square Thursdays at 7:00.
From AmericaVotes:
We are building our election efforts and really need your help to spread the word about upcoming volunteer opportunities to reach voters during this crucial year. Join us at our office on one or more of the following dates listed below. To RSVP please click one of the links below:
Phone Banking
(calls to local activists and inviting them to join us in our efforts)
Thurs. July 24, 6pm-8pm
Tues. July 29, 6pm-8pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%207/29/08PB> Thurs. July 31, 6pm-8pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%207/31/08PB>
Mon. Aug. 4, 5:30-8pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%208/04/08PB> Thurs. Aug. 7, 5:30-8pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%208/07/08PB>
Sun. Aug. 10, 5-8pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%208/10/08%20PB> Mon. Aug. 11, 5:30-8pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%208/11/08%20PB>
Thurs. Aug. 14, 5:30-8pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%208/14/08%20PB>
Mon. Aug. 18, 5:30-8pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%208/18/08%20PB> Thurs. Aug. 21, 5:30-8pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%208/21/08%20PB>
Thurs. Aug. 28, 5:30-8pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%208/28/08%20PB>
Day Of Action
(face to face contact with registered voters)
July 26, 2008 10:00am until 2:00pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%207/26/08%20DoA>
August 23, 2008 10:00am until 2:00pm <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org;mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=Yes%21%208/23/08%20DoA>
For more information or to RSVP, CLICK HERE <mailto:mwilson@americavotes.org?subject=I%20want%20to%20volunteer%20with%20America%20Votes%21> !
If these opportunities don’t work for you, let us know when you can join us!
Contact:
Randy mwilson@americavotes.org <mailto:mwilson@americavotes.org> (513) 481-7108
Gina gtyus@americavotes.org <mailto:gtyus@americavotes.org> (513) 481-7110
There is a lot of work to be done this year and we can't do it without your help!
Sincerely,
The America Votes Cincinnati Team
www.americavotes.org <http://www.americavotes.org/oh>
From IJPC
As rhetoric against Iran continues to intensify in the US and Israel, find extensive resources in the bottom half of the email to help educate yourself on Iran and the possibilities for a diplomatic solution. Over two-thirds of Americans want diplomacy, not war with Iran. Can you make a phone call this week to your Congressperson, write a letter to the editor, or take some visible action to help prevent war with Iran?
TAKE ACTION TO HELP PREVENT WAR WITH IRAN:
1)CALL YOUR CONGRESSPERSON Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121
Pressure on Congress is critical right now as it considers H.Con.Res. 362. 102 House Democrats and 117 Republicans have cosponsored a resolution against Iran that demands President Bush "initiate an international effort" to impose a land, sea, and air blockade on Iran to prevent it from importing gasoline and to inspect all cargo entering or leaving Iran. Imposing such a blockade without UN authority could be widely construed as an act of war.
2) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Write letters to the editor of your local papers and to call into local radio talk shows. Here's a sample letter to the editor: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3916 Of course, people should feel free to modify this as needed.
3) BE VISIBLE: You can organize a visible presence in a busy location in your town: a vigil, an afternoon of leafleting or tabling, a human billboard, etc. Be sure to pick a time and location that has a lot of pedestrian or vehicle traffic! To find out what might be happening in your area, click here.
****************************
RESOURCES:
CAMPAIGN FOR A NEW AMERICAN POLICY ON IRAN (CNAPI)
http://www.newiranpolicy.org/
US-IRAN CRISIS: A PRIMER
Phyllis Bennis and the Institute for Policy Studies have produced a booklet called Understanding the US-Iran Crisis: A Primer.
This book addresses the new and renewed interest in Iran, answers basic questions, and proposes some ideas to prevent another looming disaster of a U.S. military attack against Iran. To find out how you can order the booklet, call IPS and 202-234-9382, or send an email to info@ips-dc.org
WORDS, NOT WAR WITH IRAN
A Study and Action Guide for People of Faith
http://www.faithfulsecurity.org/pdf/wnw_toolkit.pdf
NONVIOLENCE AND DIALOGUE WITH IRAN
by Dave Robinson of Pax Christi
http://www.paxchristiusa.org/Peaceweavings-Iran.pdf
IRAN DAILY OPINION SERVICE
Another important Iran resource is the Iran Daily Opinion Service, a blog by Michael Veiluva, author of the forthcoming book, Burdens of Proof: Iran, the U.S. and Nuclear Weapons. The blog address is: http://sputnik99.wordpress.com/
PBS’s NOW: TALKING TO IRAN program
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/312/index.html
DESTROYING SECURITY: THE FOLLY OF BOMBING IRAN
by Fourth Freedom Forum
http://www.destroyingsecurity.org/
LLOYD HOUSE DRUMMING CIRCLE this Tuesday
“Drumming with the community helps healing, connects people to the heartbeat of Mother Earth, helps people focus and become grounded.” Tony Showa
Hope to see you on the final Tuesday of July, the 29th from 6:45 to 8:45.
Where: The Lloyd House
3901 Clifton Ave.
(park on Lafayette Ave.)
Time: 6:45 to 8:45
Bring drums, rattles, your wonderful self to enjoy raising the collective vibrations for healing intent.
For more info, please call Jackie Millay at 541-4900 or Ellen Bierhorst at 221-1289.
The Obama Ohio Campaign for Change and
The Ohio Democratic Women’s Caucus announce:
Women for Change Running in SW Ohio:
Victoria Wulsin: 2nd Congressional District Candidate
Connie Pillich: State Representative Candidate, 28th District
Denise Driehaus: State Representative Candidate, 31st District
Norma Holt Davis: Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge
Jody Luebbers: Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge
Martha Good: Hamilton County Clerk of Court
Hi Ellen:
Your name was given to me by Judy Leever, as a person who might be interested in pariticiapting in a voter registration projcet on behalf of the Obama Campaign.
We are only too aware that Ohio will be a critical battleground state in the upcoming Presidential election. One of the top priorities for the Obama campaign in Ohio is voter registration, especially for the groups who are the most likely to support Barack have not historically registered or voted in the higher proportions.
I have agreed to try to organize voter registration events in Cincinnati on behalf of the campaign. Our first effort will take place on Sat. Aug. 1 at the Blues Festival at Sawyer Point (either inside of the festival if we can or outside as folks are coming in). We would like to start at around 3 or 4 in the afternoon and go for two hours or so, which leave lots of time to enjoy some outstanding blues acts that evening or otherwise have your evening free.
I will call you in the next few days to see if you can join us in this effort and not only help elect a man who has incredible potential, talent, and insight, but also make meaningful and positive history!!
If you are aware of anyone else who might be interested in taking part in this activity, that would be very much appreciated.
Sincerely
Bill Jacobs
"Jacobs, William R." <wrjacobs@strausstroy.com>
Relating Compassionately - A Weekend Workshop in NVC (non violent communication): focused on relationships
August 1-3
Cincinnati, Ohio (Mt. Lookout)
Facilitator: Jacob Gotwals, PhD., certified NVC trainer
To view flyer:
http://humanpotentialarts.com/relationships-flyer.pdf
Everyone needs a psychologist sometime in their life.
Ellen Bierhorst Ph.D. is a good one. In practice over 30 years. 513 221 1289
- Get a fresh perspective. Sort out tangles in interpersonal relationships. Clear away the messes of the past. Become empowered to launch your new life. Heal trauma, change, loss. Escape from the bondage of addictive behavior(alcohol, drugs, food, tobacco, gambling, etc.)
- Central location (Clifton Ave. at Lafayette)
- Beautiful setting (The historic Lloyd House)
- Many health insurance plans will pay a percentage. (Standard fee $125/hour. Some pro bono work available.)
- Compassion and good humor.
- Rapid results.
YOGA at Lloyd House. Wednesdays 9:15 – 10:30 am. Open, free practice group led by Nina Tolley.
FREE MEDITATION & YOGA AT BURNET WOODS
This year we are bringing you something special at Burnet Woods: WORLD PEACE YOGA!
10:30 am -11:00 am: Seated Meditation»
11:15 am - 12:15 pm: World Peace Yoga»
Gratitude in Motion
Articles
Contents:
- IJPC Day of Dialog: “Immigration and Our Jobs”
- Holly, “Can’t support Obama”
- Link to policy battlefronts, Pres. Campaign
- Bring back PR voting in Cinti.
- New England Weekly reader supporting Obama
IJPC Day of Dialog: “Immigration and Our Jobs”
- Saturday, July 19, 2008, First Unitarian Church, Reading Road
(this is the fourth such voter education forum sponsored by the IJPC-cincinnati. I am delighted to be there. Following, my notes taken during the event. Ellen)
Kristen Barker of IJPC, Welcome.
Bill Dudley, Union
Marilyn Zayas-Davis, Immigration Attorney
Immigrant workers
Panel presentation, and then small group break out sessions.
Prompt: “you represent some people whose jobs have been impacted by immigration.”
- Peruvian man, immigrant, “Flecker”
- - Jackie Gonzales, from Los Angeles, a student. Works with immigrant workers.
Peruvian man.
50% are under poverty line. If you have a job, work 14 hrs./day. Make $6 – 10 / day. Families live together. Pressure to come to the US.
Lots of prejudice, e.g. Bank tellers. Police harrassment. Most immigrants are convinced they have no rights. Story about a man robbed on the street, told a cop, cop more interested in whether he was legal.
Jackie
I have been active since ‘81. Totally different in LA. At XU there were offices for minority groups. I couldn’t find the Latino students. ... Annectdote about prejudice. Pressure to elliminate your accent. The latino workers here are intimidted. I feel I can’t have a “voice”.
Mary Jo, facilitator, paraphraseing that back:
I heard some common things. People from Peru come to US expecting one thing, find something else. Jackie talks about coming to Cinti. To go to XU, found out Cinti is not LA.
Barriers you have run into here. Some being: a sense of lack of power, and lace of support from the police, or other systems that should support you. ... What it feels like that you look different, speak differently. ... A sense of not having a voice.
Bill Dudley: United food and Commercial Workers, formerly pres. Of national electrical union.
Proud of our local union and of our international union. 1.4 million members nationally. We are inclusive to all people. Food processing workers e.g. At Pierre, are mainly Latino, some african amer. Workers. But our Union is largely White. I am out there organizing Latinos, but some of our members object. To me, workers are workers.
Last Aug, Cook foods raid, in Fairfield arrested over 100 workers. I had been trying to organize there. People being led out of their homes in handcufs. Families separated. We helped to deliver food.
A year ago raids at Swift Food. People detained for hours just because they looked different.
We organized Cincinnati Processing a few years ago. They didn’t count the ballots for 4 years. By then the workers all Latino. $8/hour. Wage rates and benefits have gone down since immigrants coming in about 2000.
If we bring the African Amer and Latino communities together we can change conditions.
There is a lot of public hatred against these Latino families. “Send them back to Mexico.”
Connie: facilitator, paraphrasing.
Proud of his union, and their international union, determined to include all workers.
Food processing workers are mostly Latino and some African Amer, but union members are mostly White.
Raid at Cook, arrested 180 workers. “ICE raids”. (I believe this refers to the Immigration authority. Ellen)
Hardships of immigrant workers,
Workers scared to come forward. There would be more power if coalition kAfrican Amer and Latinos.
Many of our US policies are what cause people to leave home to come to US to try to make a living.
Bill, correcting:
We are making progress with our own members. They are being supportive now, though there is a ways to go.
Kristen: we were going to get a prespective from the African Amer community. Couldn’t get that person.
Marilyn Z-Davis: immigration law. Represents companies seeking workers, families of workers, ...
2001 won a landmark decision at court of appeals enlarging rights of immigrants.
Marilyn
(short poll of audience... Most people feel immigration should be open.) Shucks! The opposition is my target audience.
Def. “Illegal”: someone came here without immigration paperwork or over stayed their legal entry.
What countries? W/o papers come from impoverished nations who would not be given visas. Africa, Latin America. People who come in but overstay are mostly from Europe, Australia. The biggest of these are Irish, a very large group of illegals. People are unaware.
Motivaton?: 1-economics. 2-Refuge—people fleeing in danger of death. 3-People with relatives here who are legal, and who are waiting for their legal papers to arrive. Have to wait a long time. So they choose to come. The media usually only portray group #1.
This is not new. E.g. Jews after WWII. Some sneaked by.
Up to ‘97 there was a way to pass from illegal to legal status. But in ‘97, the Congress pulled the rug out. No more path to legalization.
Of the detainees from the Cox food raid, how many had relatives here who were legal? As many as 25%. I’ve met at least 10 people personally. I would guess that would be the proportion.
Same as the Fisher raid... Out of 30 people arrested, 3 had US citizen children and were deported.
These are people who have spouse, children, or parents who are citizens here. Yet they were deported. This was never brought out in the media stories.
Congress pulled the rug out from under us. Revoked at least 80% of the ways people used to have to become legal.
For someone who comes here w/o papers, if they marry a US citizen, still there is no way for them to become legal.
So at Koch Food and at Fisher there were people married to US citizens who were deported. There was NO WAY for them to become legal here.
The media is not giving you, the public, a true picture.
Our economy has grown, the path for illegalization reduced, more and more boomers retiring, and too few workers to take their jobs. Things will become worse and worse unless Congress acts to change. Most reps. In Cong. don’t have the spine to make the change, despite the fact that they know the truth.
Carol King, facilitator, to reflect Marilyn’s words:
Definition of “illegal”: people who come w/o papers; papers but stay too long. Second group Europe, Australia, First, Africa and Latin Amer.
Illegal Jewish immigrants after WW II.
In ‘97, Congress changed law. 80% of the pathways for becoming legal were closed.
Why are there so many illegal immigrants? We need to understand.
The situation will get worse and worse.
Kristen: for the small group sessions.
Questions of inquiry: for Jackie and Flecker: “ I’d like to hear more about how you deal with harrassment? What tell another Latino who is thinking cof coming here?”
Flecker:
This is a great country. ... In peru you see a lot of kids who just live on the streets; much crime... Water shortage. So I cannot tell them not to come here.
Jackie:
Harrassment? I am learning about Cinti., how it works. That’s my goal. I’ve done this 3 years. The Latino community comes to know who are the leaders, and our phones ring off the hook. These people are seen as heros. ... Iwork to educate people. People need to share their experiences...this is the main way to combat harassment.
When asked in Mexico how are my compadres doing in the US? I tell them that people do die walking in the desert to cross the border. People get frustrated here. However, resources and $$ are better here.
Kristen: question for Bill. “Declining wage is because the oner is exploiting the worker...?”
Bill
So often immigrant workers don’t understand organization or are too scared. Often owners will threaten; “ICE will come to this plant if you try to organize.”
John Morel plant in Tri County; they make 13 - $15 / hour. Union.
Cinti Processing: 8-9$ / hr, after 10 years. No union. It is fear.
People say, “I don’t want to risk it, my life is better than in the past.”
Kristen: question for Marilyn. “Explain diff. before and after ‘97 law. Also, what changes in last 7 years “
Marilyn:
Before ‘97, if comebody came in w/o visa, or overstayed, they could be petitioned by relatives, employers, or if they were millionaires.
After ‘97, if somebody comes in w/o vis, no category for petition. None.
If they came w/ visa but overstay, can be petitioned by spouse, children. Not by employer or if they are millionaires.
Also people who petition for temporary visa e.g. Ag. Workers. If they over stay, cannot be petitioned. ... If they petitioned before the law changed, they can get in.
Also in 2000 there was a small window of reprieve for petitions.
Changes in last 7 years: there has been pos. change under Bush admin. Little media coverage. There has been change for victims of abuse, domestic violence. Clinton had inroduced the concept.
Another “age out” change. (I didn’t understnd.)
Kristen: groups 1 – 6, 7, 8
Mary Anne Bressler, facilitator for group 7. (participants, 6)
3 rounds. Advocacy, Inquiry, Reflection
My reflections: I am disapointed in not finding the opposition view presented here. I has been my murky understanding that the capitalist system, which is inherently exploitative of people, requires a steady stream of cheap labor, and so these interests want a porous border. So although I am clear that we want to be humane towards workers already here, I am curious about whether we ought to close the borders in the interests of humane values. I fail in my understanding of these issues. The social justice people seem to be “on the same side of the street” the big capitalists on this issue. We need enlightened policy on this.
Matthew, economics major XU. Our policies create the pressure for people to come here. We have exploited those countries. If we were n’t doing that, maybe there wouldn’t be such pressure. Nafta, Cafta open borders to goods. There should be an open border for labor as well. We shouldn’t have a fat standard of living here, “on the backs of” poor people who are in these latin american countries.
Mary Evelyn Jegen, sisters of Notre Dame
I was moved by Bill Dudly. “We are for ALL workers.” it is terrible violation of justice to exploit these workers. I want to continue to work for the dignity of laboring people.
Jackie told story about her XU student “friend” who wants her to work on her accent. I was startled.
Flecker’s words brought home the human dimension. “It’s not easy over here for us.”
“But it is even worse back home.” It is not easy to be face to face with this suffering, but it is a great gift.
Michele, sister of Mercy
(paraphrased Mary Ev.) I agree we do need to change our lifestyle. ...having grown up in this culture, I want to know how to do something to help. Influence a broader spectrum of people. E.g. To see each person as having dignity, not to be exploited. I see that as an attitude of our corporations, to exploit. What can I do?
Angie Denov:
(Paraphrased Michele). Dialog is a great way to make change. I learned the stuff about the laws changing in ‘97. ... Jackie talking about the phone numbers getting out to the immigrant community, and them being deluged by calls. I work as social worker in Cinti. Public Schools. I get calls now, having helped one family.
Michele:
Why did congress close the laws in ‘97?
Ellen:
I think it was voter pressure.
Mary Evelyn:
H-2A and H-2B visas, for seasonal workers, e.g. Tomatoe pickers. Sometimes they overstay because the crop is delayed, or because they go to another state for another crop. “We used to buy our slaves; now we rent them.”
People in meat packing in Iowa, for instance, will go to Mexico to recruit workers. “If you can get yourself to Iowa we can guarantee a job.” Then they undermine the US workers who have worked for years to get a good wage.
This contributes voter pressure.
Mary Anne: now Inquiry round.
Michele: to Ellen. You were talking of the group here, who are all a part of the capitalist system. Co-oted. I think that’s true. True in religious congregations sometiems, in a lot of sectors. Maybe we don’t question what we are doing.
Ellen:
Mary Ev:
Ellen sees that the capitalist system is the problem. The values of it are maximization of profit, and growth. A sick system.
My question: Michele, I share your experience of doing the little things, e.g. Cloth bag not plastic. But don’t you see the possibilities in our society for working for structural change in this system? Not waiting for the revolution, but do you see any mechanisms for bonding with others for clarificationa nd thought development, but also brinigning about plitical structures.
Michele:
I think on the structural level there are lots of things happening. Blessed Unrest by paul ... Was talking about the thousands of groups all over world working towards change. There is little interconnectedness. But all these different groups are creating awareness that will bring change. Extremely hoepful. “Corporat Responsibility” is anorg. Doing things along that line.
.. I want it to happen “tomorrow”. I know that’ snot real. We need a new consciousness. Einstein: you don’t solve a problem with the same consciousness that created it. I see all these developments as a part of the new consciousness. There are structural changes.
Mary Ev:
(Paraphrased Michele). Question for Matthew: In the past 72 hours the Bush administration has had to do a 90 degree turn... Sent somebody off to talk to Iran. Also negotiating troop withdrawal timetables with Iraq. Do you see these developments as meaningful, ... Transformation of this neo liberal capitalist system. ?
Matthew:
Yes I see interconnection. Re. Military involvement: “military industrial complex” that Ike. Warned about. Capitalism is ruling the world to a large extent. To me, neo liberalism is a de-regulation of everything, capitalism rules. Re. the seismic shift in policy. Is connected with the immigration issue? Maliki demanding a timetable for withdrawal.
I read IrAQ is not Arabic for Nicaragua,... Our nations bullying, exploiting Latin America, esp in Central America. Common thread of the Middle East news and the immigration issue is economic interests.
Mary Anne:
Reflect . Evaluate.
ellen: people coming together to share information, thoughts, questions, makes all of us smarter. Very important to have smart electorate. Awake electorate. Viz. “Gilded Age” comparison with now... Then there was much more popular opposition to the huge wealthy minority. Today the public is largely anesthetized. Today was great; like the weekly Salon at the Lloyd House. I like the format... Reflection of previous speaker before next person speaks.
Process Name: “Reflective Listening” by Leonard Swindler. The Dialogue Decalogue
Michele:
Good proess.
Matthew:
Listening to Jackie talk...I have known her several years. I have a lot of respect for her. I hope to do something like Marilyn when I get a law degree. Also inspiring ... Sr. Mary Ev. Civil disobedience.
Sr. Mary Ev.
I’d like to see more university students recruited for this process. Like Jackie, Matthew. Rather than the pressures to climb the corporate ladder.
Another topic: the military industrial complex. Violence is self destructive. There is almost a tipping pont now... Great Brittain now moving towards getting rid of their nuclear arsenol.
Angie:
I learned some facts, figures, feelings. From the speakers. Also from here. It ‘s a great process.
Holly Robinson can’t support Obama:
IMHO, Obama is simply not qualified at this time. I believe that he will be defeated in November. If elected, he will be a disaster. I am really disgusted with the Democratic Party's lurch to the left. It has not nominated such a rotten candidate since Jimmy Carter in 1980. I may need to cast my first vote ever for a GOP presidential candidate in November.
Bob Witanowski sends Policy Battlefronts link
Site with the most important policy battlefronts in the 2008 campaign
and easy to understand
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-STAKES08.html
LOCAL ACTIVISTS WORKING TO BRING BACK PR VOTING IN CINTI.
From Ellen:
From: Dan Zavon <mailto:DZavon@cinci.rr.com>
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 1:21 PM
I'm working on a petition campaign to bring Proportional Representation back to Cincinnati. That's the way Cincinnati elected its City Council for 30 years (1920s to 1950s), and it brought consistent minority representation to the council even when African Americans were a much smaller percentage of the population than they are today. It gives us majority rule AND minority representation. You rank your choices from 1 up to as many as 9, and your vote counts for your first choice, unless that candidate can't use it (either because s/he already has enough votes to be elected, or because s/he has so few votes s/he can't possibly be elected), in which case your vote counts for your second choice (or your highest choice who can still use your vote).
To show what is wrong with our current voting system (9x), I use the example of an election in which 44,000 Democrats vote, along with 33,000 Republicans and 22,000 Charterites. If all three parties put up a full slate of 9 candidates, and all voters vote a straight party ticket for their party, the result under the current 9x system of voting would be 9 Democrats elected to City Council, even though a majority of voters (five ninths) wanted no Democrats. This is not majority rule OR minority representation. Under Proportional Representation, the result (with the same voters voting the same way) would be a council with 4 Democrats, 3 Republicans, and 2 Charterites. PR gives fair representation to all substantial groups in the voting population, whether they be racial, issue, gender, neighborhood, or whatever is important to the voters in the election.
To put this issue on the ballot, we need 6100 valid signatures of registered voters who live in the city limits of Cincinnati. We really need some more people to pass petitions. Even if you can get only 10 or 20 signatures, that would be very much appreciated. If you are interested, or need more information, please call Josh Krekeler at 513-368-4062, or email him at betterballotleague@fuse.net.
Please pass the word. Thanks.
Dan Zavon
From Dan:Give me some petitions. I will work for this. Will email josh.Dan,
ellen
Thanks! One thing I forgot to say in my email is that the deadline for the petitions is mid-August, so we have to work fast. I appreciate your help.
Dan
New England Resident Jim Helms Supporting Obama
Ellen
We fully agree! (re. Obama houseparty email).Our good friends were very early supporters of Barack based on his anti Iraq war stance. We support and will vote for him here in New Hampshire where he should beat McCain; although he has a huge following here from veterans, etc. We also support Jeanne Shaheen our former Governor who narrowly lost to John Sununu six years ago due to some Republican "dirty tricks, via phone jamming, etc. GOP campaign principals were prosecuted, several went to jail and the party had to pay a $3 million fine. Should be a very interesting election season for sure.
Thanks,
Jim
Books,Movies, Reviews It’s up to you folks to send me blurbs. I know you are reading. What? Is it good? Ellen
Nina Tolley and Howard went to see “Roman de Gare”, a French film at the Esquire. Heard it was great. I haven’t been to a movie in ages and ages. You?
ellen
The Lloyd House Salon (usually about 12 people) Meets on WEDNESDAYS at 5:45, EVERY Wednesday, 52 WEEKS/YEAR come hell or high water, as my mother used to say.
We of the Lloyd House Salon gather in a spirit of respect, sympathy and compassion for one another in order to exchange ideas for our mutual pleasure and enlightenment.
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Also, we have an Interactive Yahoo Salon group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LloydHouseSalon
For Pot Luck procedures including food suggestions, mission and history visit
http://home.fuse.net/ellenbierhorst/Potluck.html . You are invited also to visit the Lloyd House website: http://www.lloydhouse.com
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