Dem Women Events

Democratic Women of Moore Co. Announcements:

1. MLK Jr. Celebrations:   January 18th 11:00am - Please be at the Park on New York Avenue and Broad Street in Southern Pines around 10:15 if you would like to participate in the MLK Jr. Parade. The parade starts at 11:00 am.
All are invited to come and march to Southern Pines Primary School

January 18th at 12:15 Moore County NAACP will be sponsoring a program at Southern Pines Primary School Auditorium /West New York Avenue.  The speaker will be Ken Lewis who is one of three candidates seeking the Democratic Nomination for a US Senate seat.
2. DWMC Meeting Saturday, Feb. 13, 10 AM - Moore County District Attorney Maureen Krueger will be our February speaker. If you have any questions or concerns that you would like for her to address please send an email to Tonia Camina sigmon02@yahoo.com.
3. DWMC Annual Luncheon and installation of officers will be held on Saturday March 13th at 10:30am at the Seven Lakes Country Club.  It will be a Brunch Buffet and the cost is $12.50. All members and friends planning to attend please mail your checks to our treasurer:  Nancy Sandoval , 415 Bethesda Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387

Moore Tells Dems "Find Your Spine"

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/30-3
link includes Moore's health care speech to both the Dems and to Obama.
$1.4 million a day being spent right now by the health care lobby...
Dynamite!

Well Worth Reading

http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/the-kennedys-the-democrats-and-obama

Kucinich, Single-Pay

http://www.democrats.com/support-kucinich-single-payer-amendment-today

Boiling Frogs

New York Times July 13, 2009
Boiling the Frog By PAUL KRUGMAN
Is America on its way to becoming a boiled frog?

I’m referring, of course, to the proverbial frog that, placed in a pot of cold water that is gradually heated, never realizes the danger it’s in and is boiled alive. Real frogs will, in fact, jump out of the pot — but never mind. The hypothetical boiled frog is a useful metaphor for a very real problem: the difficulty of responding to disasters that creep up on you a bit at a time.

And creeping disasters are what we mostly face these days.

I started thinking about boiled frogs recently as I watched the depressing state of debate over both economic and environmental policy. These are both areas in which there is a substantial lag before policy actions have their full effect — a year or more in the case of the economy, decades in the case of the planet — yet in which it’s very hard to get people to do what it takes to head off a catastrophe foretold.

And right now, both the economic and the environmental frogs are sitting still while the water gets hotter.

Start with economics: last winter the economy was in acute crisis, with a replay of the Great Depression seeming all too possible. And there was a fairly strong policy response in the form of the Obama stimulus plan, even if that plan wasn’t as strong as some of us thought it should have been.

At this point, however, the acute crisis has given way to a much more insidious threat. Most economic forecasters now expect gross domestic product to start growing soon, if it hasn’t already. But all the signs point to a “jobless recovery”: on average, forecasters surveyed by The Wall Street Journal believe that the unemployment rate will keep rising into next year, and that it will be as high at the end of 2010 as it is now.

Now, it’s bad enough to be jobless for a few weeks; it’s much worse being unemployed for months or years. Yet that’s exactly what will happen to millions of Americans if the average forecast is right — which means that many of the unemployed will lose their savings, their homes and more.

To head off this outcome — and remember, this isn’t what economic Cassandras are saying; it’s the forecasting consensus — we’d need to get another round of fiscal stimulus under way very soon. But neither Congress nor, alas, the Obama administration is showing any inclination to act. Now that the free fall is over, all sense of urgency seems to have vanished.

This will probably change once the reality of the jobless recovery becomes all too apparent. But by then it will be too late to avoid a slow-motion human and social disaster.

Still, the boiled-frog problem on the economy is nothing compared with the problem of getting action on climate change.

Put it this way: if the consensus of the economic experts is grim, the consensus of the climate experts is utterly terrifying. At this point, the central forecast of leading climate models — not the worst-case scenario but the most likely outcome — is utter catastrophe, a rise in temperatures that will totally disrupt life as we know it, if we continue along our present path. How to head off that catastrophe should be the dominant policy issue of our time.

But it isn’t, because climate change is a creeping threat rather than an attention-grabbing crisis. The full dimensions of the catastrophe won’t be apparent for decades, perhaps generations. In fact, it will probably be many years before the upward trend in temperatures is so obvious to casual observers that it silences the skeptics. Unfortunately, if we wait to act until the climate crisis is that obvious, catastrophe will already have become inevitable.

And while a major environmental bill has passed the House, which was an amazing and inspiring political achievement, the bill fell well short of what the planet really needs — and despite this faces steep odds in the Senate.

What makes the apparent paralysis of policy especially alarming is that so little is happening when the political situation seems, on the surface, to be so favorable to action.

After all, supply-siders and climate-change-deniers no longer control the White House and key Congressional committees. Democrats have a popular president to lead them, a large majority in the House of Representatives and 60 votes in the Senate. And this isn’t the old Democratic majority, which was an awkward coalition between Northern liberals and Southern conservatives; this is, by historical standards, a relatively solid progressive bloc.

And let’s be clear: both the President and the party’s Congressional leadership understand the economic and environmental issues perfectly well. So if we can’t get action to head off disaster now, what would it take?

I don’t know the answer. And that’s why I keep thinking about boiling frogs.

Too Much TV Barack

http://www.commondreams.org/video/2009/06/21

No Support from Kay Hagan

Kay Hagen has not come out in favor of the Public Option for the Health Care Bill. Her office says she has not yet taken a position.

Let her know your views right away! Call office or e-mail. Her toll free number is 1-877-852-9462.

Today, Saturday Is Last Day to Vote Early

The Moore County Board of Elections decided to extend the hours during which you can early-vote Saturday. All three early voting locations--the Agricultural Center in Carthage, the new Recreation Center in Aberdeen, and the Old West End Gym-- will be open until 5 pm.
If you have not early-voted already, please consider voting today.
If you need directions to one of the voting locations, or should you need any information about candidates, please call the Moore County Democratic Party HQ between 9 am and 1 pm. The number is 947-1933.

Races for President and the Senate are going to be close in North Carolina. Every single Democratic vote is extremely important. Please make sure your voice is heard!

Code Pink on Pelosi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrXPnxTjqoQ

Wake Up, America! Kucinich

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4MzT7uGxg4

Candidates Rally, Aug. 9, Pinecrest HS

Moore County Democratic Party
Democratic Women of Moore County

CANDIDATES RALLY

Moore County Democrats are gearing up for an exciting election season. With a large slate of excellent candidates at all levels of government, Democrats will have a chance to cast their votes for real change and leadership. To showcase the many candidates running for office, the Moore County Democratic Party and the Democratic Women of Moore County have teamed up to host a “Meet the Candidates RALLY” on August 9 from 5-8 PM at the Pinecrest High School Cafeteria. At the Rally voters will have a chance to listen to and meet nine candidates, with representatives and/or literature about the other Democratic candidates also available.

Most notable of the candidates in attendance will be KAY HAGAN who is running for US Senate, the seat that has been held for many years by Republican Elizabeth Dole. During her five terms in the North Carolina Senate, Ms. Hagan has proven to be an effective leader who is not afraid to do the hard work to bridge partisan divides and always put people before politics. Ms. Hagan’s experience makes her the right candidate to represent us in Washington; a voice for the right kind of change, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to keep North Carolina strong and moving forward.

Also attending the Rally will be TERESA SUE BRATTON, Democratic nominee for the District 6 Congressional seat, running against the Republican incumbent Howard Coble. As a physician, Dr. Bratton is uniquely qualified to promote a healthy future for the citizens in North Carolina by working in the US Congress to improve access to health care, to address global warming and the high cost of fuel, to improving the education of our children, and to restoring America's faith in our political system.

For the first time this decade, Moore County has a Democrat running for NC House of Representatives in District 52. Native North Carolinian and Pinehurst resident, BETTY MANGUM will be at the Rally. Ms. Mangum’s experience includes 30 years as an educator, four years as a Wake County commissioner, and involvement and leadership in numerous community organizations. Betty is filled with energy, passion, and excitement for the job. She is genuinely concerned about the people of Moore County and doing what is best for us!

Candidates running for these offices will also be in attendance at the Rally: Beth Wood, State Auditor; Sam J. Ervin, IV, NC Court of Appeals; Judge Linda Stephens, NC Court of Appeals; Judge Cheri L. Beasley, NC Court of Appeals; Wayne Goodwin, Insurance Commissioner; Abraham Oudeh, NC Senate-District 22; Tony Berk, Moore County District Attorney.

A barbeque dinner with dessert & beverage will be served at the Rally. Tickets to this event are $10 pp and can be reserved by calling Democratic Headquarters at (910)947-1933 or Tonia Camina at 692-7866. We encourage everyone to come out and meet the candidates on August 9.

Mortgage Fraud, Cuba, More War $ from Dems

FBI holds 406 for mortgage fraud *The FBI says it has arrested 406property market players as part of a crackdown on mortgage fraud.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/business/7464298.stm

EU to lift sanctions against Cuba *The European Union is to lift sanctions on Cuba it imposed in 2003 in protest at the jailing of dissidents.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7463803.stm

US House approves war funds bill *The Democrat-held US House of Representatives approves $162bn to pay for another year of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7464911.stm

How to Kill a Party

http://www.regressiveantidote.net/Articles/Particide_In_Six_Easy_Steps.html

Local Dems, Feb 9

Brian Deaton, chairman of the Moore County Democratic Party will speak at the February meeting of the Democratic Women of Moore County.
Mr. Deaton will discuss the Executive Committee's organizational plan for the 2008 election and what is needed to strengthen the county party.

Saturday, February 9 at 10 a.m.
Democratic Headquarters, 104-A McNeill Street, Carthage

About Granny D, 98

"Hi Friends,
Next week, Thursday, Jan. 24, is Granny D's 98th birthday.

Her address is: Doris Granny D Haddock
PO Box 492
Dublin, New Hampshire 03444

She is off to the doctor today for a checkup, intent on making it to 100 or beyond--still a lot of work to do!

She has helped move a campaign finance reform bill through the New Hampshire House this week, and wants to get it through the senate as soon as possible. She was stumping for Edwards a couple of weeks ago, but seems almost equally delighted by the prospect of an Obama or Hillary presidency: "Something to feel great about with any of them."

Indeed, a year from this month, if we all work hard, she will likely witness something she has only dared dream of seeing in her lifetime: a woman or an African-American president. And that will be for her 99th birthday.

Sincerely, Dennis Burke

p.s. I recently helped write a book on the Darfur situation that will be out in a few weeks from Random House. Look for "The Translator," or pre-order it if you are interested in the issue, which remains critical."

Opposition Party?

http://www.regressiveantidote.net/

Dem Women of Moore County

Moore County Democratic Women

November 10
10 a.m.
Democratic Headquarters, Carthage

Speaker:

Judith Krall, President of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Moore County since October, 2005.
She has been a member of NAMI since 1981 and developed the NAMI West Virginia organization, serving as President from 1986 to 1992.
She will be discussing the Postpartum Depression bill and other pertinent legislation.

Dem Women of Moore County

Saturday, October 13 at 10 AM is the date and time of the next Democratic Women of Moore County.
The meeting will be held at Democratic Headquarters in Carthage.

The speaker this month is Becky Wallace, a retired Federal Marshall. Ms. Marshall was a Bill Clinton appointee and the first female Federal Marshall in North Carolina.

Murcoch and the Wall Street Journal, Carthage, NC

MEETING OF THE MOORE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN

SEPTEMBER 8TH
10AM
HEADQUARTERS, Carthage, NC

THE SPEAKER IS DUSTY RHODES FROM THE PILOT. THE SUBJECT OF HIS DISCUSSION WILL BE "RUPERT MURDOCH AND THE WALL STREET JOURNAL."

Politicians or Citizens?

Published on Saturday, March 24, 2007 by The Progressive
Are We Politicians or Citizens? by Howard Zinn

As I write this, Congress is debating timetables for withdrawal from Iraq. In response to the Bush Administration’s “surge” of troops, and the Republicans’ refusal to limit our occupation, the Democrats are behaving with their customary timidity, proposing withdrawal, but only after a year, or eighteen months. And it seems they expect the anti-war movement to support them.
That was suggested in a recent message from MoveOn, which polled its members on the Democrat proposal, saying that progressives in Congress, “like many of us, don’t think the bill goes far enough, but see it as the first concrete step to ending the war.”

Ironically, and shockingly, the same bill appropriates $124 billion in more funds to carry the war. It’s as if, before the Civil War, abolitionists agreed to postpone the emancipation of the slaves for a year, or two years, or five years, and coupled this with an appropriation of funds to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act.

When a social movement adopts the compromises of legislators, it has forgotten its role, which is to push and challenge the politicians, not to fall in meekly behind them.

We who protest the war are not politicians. We are citizens. Whatever politicians may do, let them first feel the full force of citizens who speak for what is right, not for what is winnable, in a shamefully timorous Congress.

We who protest the war are not politicians. We are citizens. Whatever politicians may do, let them first feel the full force of citizens who speak for what is right, not for what is winnable, in a shamefully timorous Congress.

Timetables for withdrawal are not only morally reprehensible in the case of a brutal occupation (would you give a thug who invaded your house, smashed everything in sight, and terrorized your children a timetable for withdrawal?) but logically nonsensical. If our troops are preventing civil war, helping people, controlling violence, then why withdraw at all? If they are in fact doing the opposite—provoking civil war, hurting people, perpetuating violence—they should withdraw as quickly as ships and planes can carry them home.

It is four years since the United States invaded Iraq with a ferocious bombardment, with “shock and awe.” That is enough time to decide if the presence of our troops is making the lives of the Iraqis better or worse. The evidence is overwhelming. Since the invasion, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died, and, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, about two million Iraqis have left the country, and an almost equal number are internal refugees, forced out of their homes, seeking shelter elsewhere in the country.

Yes, Saddam Hussein was a brutal tyrant. But his capture and death have not made the lives of Iraqis better, as the U.S. occupation has created chaos: no clean water, rising rates of hunger, 50 percent unemployment, shortages of food, electricity, and fuel, a rise in child malnutrition and infant deaths. Has the U.S. presence diminished violence? On the contrary, by January 2007 the number of insurgent attacks has increased dramatically to 180 a day.

The response of the Bush Administration to four years of failure is to send more troops. To add more troops matches the definition of fanaticism: If you find you’re going in the wrong direction, redouble your speed. It reminds me of the physician in Europe in the early nineteenth century who decided that bloodletting would cure pneumonia. When that didn’t work, he concluded that not enough blood had been let.

The Congressional Democrats’ proposal is to give more funds to the war, and to set a timetable that will let the bloodletting go on for another year or more. It is necessary, they say, to compromise, and some anti-war people have been willing to go along. However, it is one thing to compromise when you are immediately given part of what you are demanding, if that can then be a springboard for getting more in the future. That is the situation described in the recent movie The Wind That Shakes The Barley, in which the Irish rebels against British rule are given a compromise solution—to have part of Ireland free, as the Irish Free State. In the movie, Irish brother fights against brother over whether to accept this compromise. But at least the acceptance of that compromise, however short of justice, created the Irish Free State. The withdrawal timetable proposed by the Democrats gets nothing tangible, only a promise, and leaves the fulfillment of that promise in the hands of the Bush Administration.

There have been similar dilemmas for the labor movement. Indeed, it is a common occurrence that unions, fighting for a new contract, must decide if they will accept an offer that gives them only part of what they have demanded. It’s always a difficult decision, but in almost all cases, whether the compromise can be considered a victory or a defeat, the workers have been given some thing palpable, improving their condition to some degree. If they were offered only a promise of something in the future, while continuing an unbearable situation in the present, it would not be considered a compromise, but a sellout. A union leader who said, “Take this, it’s the best we can get” (which is what the MoveOn people are saying about the Democrats’ resolution) would be hooted off the platform.

I am reminded of the situation at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, when the black delegation from Mississippi asked to be seated, to represent the 40 percent black population of that state. They were offered a “compromise”—two nonvoting seats. “This is the best we can get,” some black leaders said. The Mississippians, led by Fannie Lou Hamer and Bob Moses, turned it down, and thus held on to their fighting spirit, which later brought them what they had asked for. That mantra—“the best we can get”—is a recipe for corruption.

It is not easy, in the corrupting atmosphere of Washington, D.C., to hold on firmly to the truth, to resist the temptation of capitulation that presents itself as compromise. A few manage to do so. I think of Barbara Lee, the one person in the House of Representatives who, in the hysterical atmosphere of the days following 9/11, voted against the resolution authorizing Bush to invade Afghanistan. Today, she is one of the few who refuse to fund the Iraq War, insist on a prompt end to the war, reject the dishonesty of a false compromise.

Except for the rare few, like Barbara Lee, Maxine Waters, Lynn Woolsey, and John Lewis, our representatives are politicians, and will surrender their integrity, claiming to be “realistic.”

We are not politicians, but citizens. We have no office to hold on to, only our consciences, which insist on telling the truth. That, history suggests, is the most realistic thing a citizen can do.

Howard Zinn is the author, most recently, of “A Power Governments Cannot Suppress.”