Washington State Democratic Party Events 2008

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State and local.

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1. WSDCC quarterly meeting in Vancouver 1/25 - 1/26

The Washington State Democratic Central Committee Meeting will be held January 25th and 26th in Vancouver. The host hotel and the meeting location is the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay (100 Columbia St., Vancouver, WA 98660).

Host Hotel:

Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay
100 Columbia St. I Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone number: [phone] or [phone]
WA State Democrats Rate: Single Queen Bed: $89.95, Double Queen Bed: $99.95
Must reserve room by: Friday, January 11, 2008


Hospitality Suites on Friday, January 25th

It is preferred that all "Hospitality Suites" on Friday, January 25th be at the host hotel the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay. Please note that only regular guest rooms and meeting rooms are available. Keep in mind that if you rent a meeting room, you will need to use Red Lion catering and will not be able to bring in your own food and beverages.

If you are planning on having Hospitality Suite please contact Kim Cobuzzi by January 10th at [phone] or kim {at} wa-democrats.org with the following information: Organization, Location, Time, Contact, Details

Directions to the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay (100 Columbia St., Vancouver, WA 98660)

Traveling South on 1-5:

• Take 1-5 S until you reach Mill Plain Blvd. Exit #lC toward City Center.
• Keep Right at the bottom of the exit.
• Merge onto E 15th Street.
• Turn left onto west Columbia Street and follow to the hotel.

Traveling West on WA-14:

• Take WA-14 E until you reach Exit #27 toward Camas/Vancouver. .
• Merge onto WA-14 W.
• Take the exit toward City Center.
• Merge onto east 6th Street.
• Turn left onto west Columbia Street and follow to the hotel.

Luncheon on January 26th

We will be having a luncheon on January 26th from 1:15 - 2:15pm for $15 (guest speaker tba). To reserve your spot call the office at [phone] and pay by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. You can also send a check made payable to WSDCC to:

Washington State Democrats
Attn: Kim Cobuzzi
PO Box 4027
Seattle, WA 98194

Lunch Menu: Roast Turkey Breast- Served on almond dressing with whipped potatoes, giblet gravy and sauteed carrots with tossed green salad and balsamic dressing, freshly baked rolls, and self-serve coffee, decaf or Tazo hot or iced tea.

Reservations must be made by Friday, January 18th and you must pay in advance to guarantee your spot on the list.


Washington State Democratic Central Committee January 25-26, 2008 Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay 100 Columbia St., Vancouver, WA 98660


Proposed Schedule of Events


All meeting are held at the Convention Center portion of the facility

Friday Jan 25 2008 Event Room
3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Registration Lobby
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Vote Builder Training West River
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM State Party Challenge/Caucus Training East River
6:15 PM to 8:15 PM Executive Board Meeting After & Quarter
8:15 PM Hospitality Suites TBD

Saturday Jan 26 2008 Event Room
7:00 AM Registration Opens Lobby
7:30 AM to 9:00 AM Caucus Meetings
Agriculture and Rural Caucus West River 1
Black Caucus East River
Asian American Caucus East River
Disabilities Issues Caucus East River
Stonewall Caucus Vancouver Room
Hispanic Latino Caucus Quarter Deck
Jewish Caucus Interstate Room
Labor Caucus Gull's Nest
Progressive Caucus West River 2
Veterans and Military Families Caucus After Deck
Women's Caucus Pool Side
9:15 AM to 10:15 AM Young Democrats After Deck
9:15 AM to 10:15 AM Senior's Coordinating Council Quarter Deck
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM Vote Builder Training Centennial Center
9:15 AM to 1:00 PM Resolutions Committee West River 1
9:15 AM to 1:00 PM Federation of Democratic Women Pool Side
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM State Party Challenge/Caucus Training East River
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Committee Meetings
Affirmative Action Committee Quarter Deck
Communications Committee After Deck
Elections Committee Gull's Nest
Finance Committee Interstate Room
Rules Committee West River 2
Technology Development Committee Chart Room
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Chairs Meeting
1:15 PM to 2:15 PM Luncheon East River
2:30 PM State Committee Meeting Centennial Center

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2. Progressive Caucus call to meeting

The Washington State Progressive Caucus will officially meet Saturday morning at 7:30 AM January 26th at the West River 2 Room in conjunction with the State party meeting in Vancouver, WA.

The agenda so far includes consideration of the latest version of the bylaws (separate email follows), election of a new caucus chair and a presentation considering a Spiritual Progressives caucus by Sharon Abreu. Please submit any other agenda items and resolutions to be considered to executive board secretary Martha Koester (fomalhaut2003 {at} yahoo.com) by January 17th so that we can email the final agenda to our membership by the 18th. So far, the only statement submitted for the chair position is by Chad Lupkes, our current Western Washington Vice-Chair (email follows). Please submit a statement to the Secretary if you intend to run for the position; statements will forwarded to the membership as received. 2008 dues must be paid before or at the State Party meeting.

We will have a potluck and hospitality suite Friday night January 25th, location and program to be announced. The potluck will be at 6:30PM and the hospitality suite at 8:00PM. For the potluck we will be serving meat ball sandwiches and Italian sausage sandwiches. Please bring a salad or dessert, a donation, or just the pleasure of your company.

The host hotel is Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay, 100 Columbia St. in Vancouver, WA 98660. Reserve rooms by calling the hotel at 694-8341 or [phone]. The WA State Democrats rate is $89.95 for a single queen bed and $89.95 for a double queen bed. Rooms must be reserved by Friday, January 11th, 2008.

Members of the Board
Washington State Progressive Caucus

Chad Lupkes statement on running for Chair of the Progressive Caucus

My name is Chad Lupkes, and I am running for Chair of the Washington State Progressive Caucus.

You have seen my name on blogs, mailing lists, and around the Internet. You have met me and heard me speak of where I stand on this issue or that. Many of you have been friends and partners in our ongoing quest as Progressives within the Democratic Party to stay engaged, get educated, and feel empowered to be the change that we wish to see in the world. I want to speak to why I stand with you, and what my core principles are as a candidate for Chair of the Progressive Caucus.

Many people have their own definition of "Progressive". Put 10 of us in a room, and you'll get at least 20 different answers, depending on how long you let us talk. It's hard to boil all of these ideas and values down into a 10 second sound byte. I don't usually try, except for a phrase I throw out occasionally. "Progressives put the concerns of people and the planet ahead of profits". But there is a lot more to it, and I want to give you my "8 statements for 2008".

1 Grassroots Democracy. If a decision is being made that affects your life, your voice should be heard. It doesn't mean that our individual desires should always win. But we can do better by bringing the voices of our neighbors and friends into the discussion.

2 The concept of WE. We are all in this together. We breathe the same air, drink the same water, eat the same foods, and live on the same planet as everyone else. There is no "them". Drawing lines between 'us' and 'them' divides our world's resources. By sharing what we can as much as we can, we maximize the benefit to all. This is more than just academic nonsense. It's a fundamental aspect of sustainability, whether we're talking sustainable growth or sustainable life.

3 Learn from the past. We've made mistakes in the past, and the only way to prevent making them in the future is to learn from them. Sometimes it takes more than once to learn a hard lesson. How many more times will it take to fight against the control of the few at the expense of the many?

4 Plan for the future. We can't turn over a new leaf and expect a single decision, a single election, or a single leadership change to solve the problems that we face. We need to set goals, identify resources, establish milestones, and accept incremental change. Even in the current context of our climate crisis and the potential economic meltdown due to poor planning in the past, we need to recognize and accept that it is going to take time and work to turn things around.

5 Shared Sacrifice. I don't think that any of us should be required to shoulder the burden of this transformation by themselves. If our expectations are too high, we need to reduce them to something manageable. If expectations coming from elsewhere are too much for us, we need to communicate better what we can, and can't, do. The more people stepping up to move a single brick, the fewer people needed to carry an entire brickyard.

6 Fairness for all. In a world as diverse as ours, we need to be mindful that everyone has a place. We have to write resolutions and draft legislation to be fair to everyone, not just ourselves. That's part of understanding that we are all in this together. Laws are written in black and white to apply to everyone.

7 See, and take advantage of, opportunities. Being part of the Democratic Party gives us the opportunity to change the country for the better, and we can't let that slip by. We have to step up and do the work. It's not compromising our values to work for something better in the future by doing the hard work today.

8 Strong Foundations. We can't reach our potential if we are not standing on a solid foundation. That includes understanding our history and knowing what resources we have available to get the job done. We have to know what we stand for, or we will fall for anything.

I believe that it is time for us to answer some very basic questions having to do with our relationship with the Democratic Party. Some of you have been working within the party for years or even decades, some for only a few years. We're all working towards the same goals, but too often we don't articulate what those goals are, leaving it to our fellow activists to figure out what we mean. We need to communicate better than that. I define my overall goal as a better world for my children. Whatever else being an American means, or what the American Dream is, that seems to be a key part of it all. We want our children to have the same, or more, opportunities as we did, with the opportunity to reach for their potential as individuals and as part of a healthy society living on a healthy Earth.

What does being a Progressive activist mean in the context of the Democratic Party?

Who we are matters. We are middle class America. We live mostly above the poverty line, and mostly below the line of those who consider themselves to be financially self-sufficient. Very few of us earn our living sitting around "waiting for the dividend check", as Thom Hartmann frames those who are at the top of the economic pyramid. We are also the stakeholders of the future. We should be mindful of that as we make our decisions both in life and in political activism.

What do Progressives want to get out of our involvement and activism within the Democratic Party?

We want elected officials to make decisions and draft legislation in accordance with our values. We want the political party infrastructure to support our goals for a better world. We want leaders that listen to us, and we want them to keep their promises to us. We want a political party that leads by example.

Why should Progressives work within the Democratic Party?

It is an existing political infrastructure. The oldest political party in the world, and it changes every election to reflect the times, the candidates and the situation on the ground to get those candidates elected. “Past history" is just that - history. What the party does and what decisions it makes now (and in the future) does not depend on what it has done in the past, but only on who is involved NOW. If we are those people, who work hard to show that we can get our candidates elected, and we focus on our values of cooperation and our goal of peace, we will be the ones making those decisions.

How specifically can we help the Democratic Party grow and our candidates win?

By doing what we already know how to do. Networking with friends and neighbors in our social circles, our business community, our faith community and everywhere else. Many of us know how to use technology for this type of networking, and many more of us want to learn. We become the teachers that can continue to expand our ability in this.

I mentioned that the Democratic Party is existing infrastructure. I believe that we have the ability to make that infrastructure of, by and for the people of this country, while we reach for the stars together. I believe in our message, and I believe in our values and I believe that we win elections by standing firm.

I'm good at flowery statements and (obviously) long emails. I hope most of you by now know that I mean every statement from the core of my soul.

My name is Chad Lupkes, and I am running for Chair of the Washington State Progressive Caucus. I would appreciate your vote.

By-laws of the Washington State Progressive Caucus For Presentation to Membership

Article I
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Washington State Progressive Caucus (WSPC).

Article II
Purpose and Objective
We believe that the power to govern resides with the people as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Therefore, we pledge to encourage greater participation by the residents of Washington State in the political process. We further pledge to educate the residents of this State about progressive positions on issues that are vital to the people, and to promote unity within the Washington State Democratic Party.

Article III
Membership and Dues

Section 1: General Membership
Any individual who is a Washington State registered voter and is committed to promoting progressive ideals within the Democratic Party is eligible for membership.
Section 2: Membership Term
The term of membership shall be twelve (12) months extending from the quarterly meeting each January through the next January quarterly meeting, regardless of which month during that calendar year the individual paid his/her membership dues.
Section 3: Membership Dues
Any individual who satisfies the membership requirements under Article II, Section 1, becomes a member of the WSPC by paying the $20 annual membership dues. Individuals that become members during the year, shall pay annual prorated dues beginning with the quarter in which they become members through the end of the membership year. Individuals experiencing economic hardship shall pay dues in an amount they are able to afford.
Section 4: Membership Meetings
Membership meetings shall be held in conjunction with each Washington State Democratic Central Committee meeting. A quorum shall consist of no less than ten (10) members.
Section 5: Voting
A. Only current members in good standing of the Caucus shall be entitled to cast a vote or present a proxy from another member at membership meetings.
B. Voting by proxy shall only be allowed for votes cast on specifically referenced agenda items excluding reorganizations and elections.
C. Only one proxy shall be allowed to be carried by any member.
D. An individual must be a member in good standing for 30 days before being permitted to cast a vote or present a proxy.
E. Any matters that are submitted for a vote shall be decided by a majority vote, which is 50% plus one of all members present during the meeting unless otherwise specified.

Article IV
Officers
Section 1: Members shall elect:
a Chair,
a Western Washington Vice-Chair,
an Eastern Washington Vice-Chair,
a Secretary, a Treasurer and
four (4) at-large Executive Board Members. This group shall comprise the WSPC Executive Board.
Section 2: Elections of Officers and Term of Office
A. All reasonable efforts shall be taken to ensure that no more than five (5) board members shall be of the same gender. Diversity and statewide representation shall also be goals.
B. Nominations and election of Officers and Executive Board Members shall be at the Reorganizational Meeting of the Washington State Democratic Party Central Committee. Those elected shall serve for two (2) consecutive years. Elections shall be by secret ballot. Terms shall begin at the end of the meeting at which they are elected.
C. No member of the Executive Board shall hold more than one office at a time.
D. The Chair may make an interim appointment to fill a vacancy on the Executive Board, or may call for an election at the next meeting to be conducted at the following meeting.
Section 3: Duties of Officers and the Executive Board
A. Chair
(1) The Chair shall convene and conduct all meetings of the WSPC.
(2) The Chair is charged with the responsibility of implementing all policies of the organization. The Chair is responsible for directing the organization in a manner consistent with the purpose of the WSPC as set forth in these By-Laws.
(3) The Chair shall draft and present the agenda for each Membership meeting to the Executive Board for approval no less than 14 days prior to the meeting.
(4) Ad hoc and special committees may be appointed by the Chair with the approval of a majority of the Executive Board. The Chair shall be an ex-officio member off all committees.
(5) The Chair may appoint a Parliamentarian, Sergeant-at-Arms or other officials as deemed necessary at meetings.
(6) The Chair shall be the authorized spokesperson for the WSPC and may compose and/or authorize press releases.
(7) The Chair shall authorize and approve expenditures within the approved budget limits for purposes consistent with the responsibilities of the Chair.
B. Vice Chairs
(1) The ranking Vice Chair shall be the Vice Chair of the region in which the meeting is being held.
(2) In the absence of the Chair, the ranking Vice Chair shall assume all duties, responsibilities, and authority of the Chair.
(3) The Vice Chairs shall perform any and all duties in furtherance of the purpose of this caucus as directed by the Chair.
C. Secretary
(1) The Secretary shall take notes at meetings and shall provide written minutes for corrections and/or additions by fourteen (14) days after the meeting at which they were taken. After all corrections/changes are made, they will be presented for final approval at the next regularly scheduled membership meeting.
(2) The Secretary shall keep and maintain all records, including correspondence, reports, press releases and publications. These records will be made available to the membership upon request.
D. Treasurer
(1) The Treasurer is responsible for managing WSPC funds.
(2) The Treasurer shall prepare a quarterly Financial Report on all finances of the WSPC to be presented to the Membership at the regularly scheduled meetings.
(3) The Treasurer shall receive funds and disburse properly authorized expenditures for the organization as required.
(4) The Treasurer shall prepare and file all Public Disclosure Commission Reports and other financial reports, as required by law.
Section 4: Officer Absenteeism
A. A WSPC Officer or Executive Member may be removed from Office for missing three consecutive Membership meetings.
Article V
Amendments to The By-Laws
Section 1: Amendments, Changes and Conflicts
A. Amendments to the By-Laws require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members at the meeting.
B. Proposed changes to the By-Laws must be presented to the membership at a quarterly meeting. They will be on the agenda for discussion and voting at the following quarterly meeting.
C. The By-Laws shall not conflict with the Washington State Democratic Party Charter.
Article VI
Parliamentary Authority
Section 1: Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the meetings of the WSPC in all cases applicable and where they are not in conflict with the rules of this organization, in which case, the rules of this organization shall apply.

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3. Addendum

Progressives' Call to Caucus
WSPC Caucus meeting Jan. 25th-26th, 2008

Agenda for Friday 25th 6:30pm :


WSPC hospitality room 279 at the host hotel (Red Lion-Quay, Map).
Italian - meatballs and Italian sausage sandwiches with roasted green
peppers, onions and cheese. Salads and other Italian dishes
welcomed. Desserts, too! A suggested $10 donation will be gratefully
accepted.


Program 8pm : TBD.


Sat. Jan. 26th: 7:30-9:00am


WSPC will meet in the West River 2 room. Agenda:


Vote-Adoption of By-laws
Vote-Special Election for WSPC Chair
Report from America-in-Solidarity
"Spiritual Progressives" presentation by Sharon Abreu , Orcas Island .
She is working with Rabbi Lerner, author of 'The Left Hand of God.'
2008 Caucus Cycle- possible drop-by of WA DNC member candidates.
Resolutions


Washington State Progressive Caucus


Potluck & Hospitality Suite


6:30
(Program @ 8:00)
Room 279
Red Lion Hotel Vancouver @ the Quay
($10 suggested donation for Potluck)

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4. Adam Smith's Progressive Advisory Council meeting in Tacoma 1/14

Monday, January 14th, 2008
12:30pm – 1:30pm
(12:00pm-12:30pm networking)
The Fabulich Center (3600 Port of Tacoma Road, Ste. 103, Tacoma)


Congressman Adam Smith invites you to attend the next meeting of his Progressive Advisory Council on Monday, January 14th, 2008 from 12:30pm-1:30pm at The Fabulich Center in Tacoma. Directions are provided below. Time will also be available from 12:00pm-12:30pm for networking.


The Progressive Advisory Council provides an opportunity for Adam to meet with members of the progressive community in and around the Ninth Congressional District and informally discuss issues of mutual concern. This dialogue helps guide Adam’s decision making in Washington D.C.

Congress returns to Washington D.C. the week of January 14th to begin the second session of the 110th Congress. Successes of 2007 included:

implementing key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission;
raising the federal minimum wage for the first time in ten years;
passing stricter Congressional ethics rules and “pay-as-you-go” budget restrictions; and,
rolling back multi-billion dollar taxpayer subsidies for oil companies in order to reinvest in renewable and energy efficient sources.


It is Adam’s hope that in the coming year Congress successfully forces our troops out of Iraq, further invests in U.S. workers by passage of an expanded Trade Adjustment Assistance program, and makes real advancements in access to affordable healthcare, among other important issues.

Your input on these issues and others would be greatly appreciated at the next Progressive Advisory Council meeting. Space is limited so please RSVP to Chelsea Orvella, Senior Field Representative, at 253.896.3784 or via email at Chelsea.Orvella {at} mail.house.gov.


Driving Directions to The Fabulich Center: The Fabulich Center is located at 3600 Port of Tacoma Road, Tacoma, WA 98424, just off Interstate 5.

Please note that Mapquest or other electronic mapping services provide an incorrect location for this site when using the street address.

FROM INTERSTATE 5

SOUTHBOUND

1. If you are traveling southbound on Interstate 5, take Exit 136 (Port of Tacoma Road Exit) and turn right. This puts you on Port of Tacoma Road.

2. Stay on Port of Tacoma Road, going one block past the first major intersection of Pacific Highway 99.

3. Take a left into the driveway.

NORTHBOUND

1. If you are traveling northbound on Interstate 5, take Exit 136B (Port of Tacoma Road Exit). This will put you on Port of Tacoma Road.

2. Stay on Port of Tacoma Road, going one block past the first major intersection of Pacific Highway 99.

3. Take a left into the driveway

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5. Carpooling for this.

Anyone interested in carpooling to Adam Smith's meeting tomorrow, the 14th, should meet in the parking lot between Bank of America and RiteAid on the southwest corner of the S. 320th and Pac Hwy S. intersection at 11:30 AM.

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6. Jim McDermott Comedy Nite 2/11

You are Invited to Join
Congressman Jim McDermott
For a night of comedy and fun!

Monday, February 11th , 6-9 pm
Main Stage Comedy Club
315 First Ave., N
(Directly across from Key Arena)
Requested contribution: $20


This show will feature a great comedy line-up, and will be headlined by Joe Vespaziani, 1998 winner of the

Seattle International Comedy Competition


RSVP to Thomas Pitchford by calling [phone] or by email at thomas.pitchford {at} gmail.com


Paid for by the Jim McDermott Legal Defense Trust

The rules of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the U.S. House of Representatives requires The Jim McDermott Legal Expense Trust to collect and report the name and street address of each donor to the Trust exceeding $250 in a calendar year including all donations to the Trust from corporations and labor unions

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7. King County Dems Day in Olympia

So what is just as fun but less work than the caucuses?... the King County Democrats Legislative Action Day in Olympia! Come kick back, talk political banter with your legislators, advocate for the things you care about and have a chance to see our fine Governor.



The details:

· Event Kick-off: The events starts at 10:30 in the Capitol Building—the Columbia Room. Welcome and warm up for advocacy for the day!

· Have a lunch with your King County legislators from 11:45-1pm. Box lunches for $5.00.

· Town Hall meeting with the Governor from 1-1:45pm.

· Schedule meetings with your local legislators—call and make the appointments this week for early morning (before 10:30) or in the afternoon (2pm or later).

· The 36th LD has a bus for the day and may have openings. To find out more email Pete Mills at petemills@gmail. com.

· Time to set up your carpools! J

I hope to see you there!

Thanks, Tina

LAC Co-Chair

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8. Vashon Democratic Club to show Sibel Edmonds movie 2/16

Hi folks,

The Vashon Island Democratic Club is proud to announce a very special screening of the new documentary about the Sibel Edmonds story, Kill the Messenger. We invite you to join us for this unusual opportunity to view and discuss this film, and encourage you to pass this information on to those whom you believe would find it to be of interest. See below for the press release about this event.

What: Screening/discussion of Kill the Messenger
When: Saturday, February 16, 7:00 PM
Where: The Land Trust Building on Vashon Island, 10014 SW Bank Rd
More info: Roger Fulton, 206-669-9459

A donation of $2-5 per person is requested to help offset our costs.

- Roger
---
Roger Fulton
President and Publicity Coordinator, Vashon Democratic Club
206-669-9459


Let Sibel Speak
by Roger Fulton

Sibel Edmonds. A common household name, right? Not in America, it isn't.

Sibel Edmonds. You've seen her story all over the news, right? Not in America, you haven't.

But if you lived in France, or Great Britain, or Australia, or many other places, it's highly likely you would have heard about FBI whistleblower Sibel Edmonds.

I first learned of Sibel Edmonds' story in October 2002, from a 60 Minutes' interview in which it was reported: "This is the story of hundreds, if not thousands, of foreign language documents that the FBI neglected to translate before and after the September 11 attacks -- documents that detailed what the FBI heard on wiretaps and learned during interrogations of suspected terrorists. Sibel Edmonds, a translator who worked at the FBI's language division, says the documents weren't translated because the division was riddled with incompetence and corruption."

I was stunned then, and over the years as more details about Sibel's story have been revealed, I've been shocked and dismayed by how little coverage it has received in the U.S. media. A documentary is now available that pulls the pieces of Sibel's story together in a way that has not been done before.

Kill the Messenger explores the abuses behind the State Secrets Privilege as invoked in Sibel Edmonds' case as well as highlights the travails and persecution of U.S. national security whistleblowers. This film has been featured in prime time in France, Belgium and Australia, but don't expect to see it on American television anytime soon -- if ever.

The filmmakers spent nearly two years interviewing witnesses and researching Sibel's case. Based on their documented findings and interviews with experts, the film presents a terrifying picture of Turkish networks' trafficking activities in narcotics, illegal arms, and the global nuclear black market -- activities made possible thanks to highly placed co-conspirators and connections within the Pentagon, State Department, and U.S. Congress. The film examines the extraordinary efforts of officials within the U.S. government to ensure that the secrecy surrounding Sibel's case be maintained at any cost -- from her termination from the FBI, to invoking the State Secrets Privilege, to gagging the U.S. Congress.

Sibel Edmonds, an ethnic Azerbaijani, was born in Iran. She lived there and in Turkey until 1988, and became a U.S. citizen in 1996. Out of love for her newly adopted country, she agreed to join the FBI as a translator in the wake of 9/11. But her world gets turned upside-down when Sibel reports wrongdoings to her supervisors: one of her colleagues from the Translation Unit is secretly working for the same Turkish officials who are "targeted" by the top-secret FBI investigations that Sibel is working on. As a "reward" for her whistle-blowing, Sibel is fired from the FBI. Today, she is fighting for the very ideals that American democracy relies on, and is facing, against overwhelming odds, some of the most reckless and powerful officials in the U.S. government. Sibel has granted a film crew full and exclusive access to document her story and her struggle. Kill the Messenger is a true spy story about the only American citizen who dared stand up to the FBI in an attempt to expose the truth on some specific yet hidden aspects of today's "War on Terror" and give the American people the protection and security the U.S. government has failed to provide.

Because of the multiple gag orders on Sibel, she has not yet been able to tell her entire story, although she has tried valiantly for many years to do so. In spite of the gags, Sibel made this promise during an interview in October 2007 with Brad Friedman (of BradBlog.com): "People say, 'why doesn't she just come forward and spill the beans?' I have gone all the way to the Supreme Court and was shut down, I went to Congress and now consider that shut down. Here's my promise to the American public: If any one of the major networks -- ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, FOX -- promise to air the entire segment, without editing, I promise to tell them everything that I know. I can tell the American public exactly what it is, and what it is that they are covering up. I'm not compromising ongoing investigations...they've all been shut down since. ... You put me on air live, or unedited. If I'm given the time, I will give the American people the exact reason of what I've been gagged from saying because of the States Secrets Privilege."

Of course, none of the major U.S. broadcast networks have taken Sibel up on her offer.

For an interesting piece on the credibility of Sibel's story, see the video clip at www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOWEUWMNj7M.

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What others have to say about Sibel Edmonds…

Sibel Edmonds is "the most gagged person in the history of the United States of America." -- ACLU

Absolutely, she's credible. And the reason I feel she's very credible is because people within the FBI have corroborated a lot of her story." -- Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA)

"What Sibel Edmonds has is far more explosive than the Pentagon Papers. What she has to tell deals directly with criminal activity and may involve impeachable offenses. And I don't necessarily mean the President or the Vice-President, though I wouldn't be surprised if the information reached up that high. But other members of the Executive Branch may be impeached as well. And she says similar about Congress." -- Daniel Ellsberg

"We believe that many of her allegations were supported, that the FBI did not take them seriously enough, and that her allegations were, in fact, the most significant factor in the FBI's decision to terminate her services." -- Report, Inspector General, Department of Justice

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I'm very excited about sharing this documentary. I've been itching for an opportunity to show it so that the story it tells can become better known, and so that more people can take action to help spread Sibel's story. When Sibel Edmonds signed on after 9/11 to be a much-needed translator, all she wanted to do was to serve her country. The story she has to tell needs to be told fully. Those involved in silencing her, as well as those whose criminal activities Sibel has knowledge, must face justice. The U.S. Congress must conduct complete, public hearings into what Sibel knows. Sibel must be ungagged…LET SIBEL SPEAK!

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Prior to screening Kill the Messenger, the original 60 Minutes interview of Edmonds from 2002 will be shown, as well as an interview of her on Democracy Now! from 2004. Altogether, those pieces total 85 minutes. Following this, we will discuss what we've just seen and talk about what we can do to help expose Sibel Edmonds' full story to the world.

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Kill the Messenger
Produced by Zadig Productions
Directed by Mathieu Verboud and Jean Robert Viallet
Saturday, February 16, 7:00 PM
Land Trust Building, Vashon Island


This screening of Kill the Messenger is sponsored by the Vashon Democratic Club.
We request a donation of $2-5 per person to help offset our costs.

For more information about this special event, contact Roger Fulton at 669-9459.

Kill the Messenger was first broadcast in September 2006, in France. That version was 84 minutes long. We'll be screening the version that was shown in Australia, which is 52 minutes long. The official website for Kill the Messenger is www.justacitizen.com/KillTheMessenger.html.

For more information about the Sibel Edmonds case, including many startling revelations since the release of Kill the Messenger, see these websites:
www.letsibeledmondsspeak.blogspot.com
www.bradblog.com/?cat=58
www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/oig/sedmonds.html

[eridani]

9. WA Stonewall Dems newsletter 2/2008

Washington State Stonewall Democrats Newsletter - Feb. 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


LGBT Delegate Reception and Training
Please bring yourselves and your friends and supporters. We'll talk about strategies for getting elected as a delegate to the National Convention as well as talk about our outlook and missions going to the Democratic National Convention.Let's raise some funds for LGBT delegates from Washington State to go to the National Convention. As it stands currently, the state party will not cover expenses, including travel and accommodation to the convention in Denver. Let's make the opportunity to go the conventional available to any LGBT delegate, no matter what their economic situation is.

When: March 2nd from 4 - 6pm

Food: Afternoon tea, cookies (provided)

Please RSVP to either Anita or Andrew to get location!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Board Member Vacancies
Are you interested in getting involved Statewide or locally? We have many positions available listed below. If you are interested or have questions, please email Anita!

YD Outreach Director
Press Secretary
Federal Political & Legislative Affairs Director
State Political & Legislative Affairs Director
Event Planner (Seattle)
Technology Director
Community Organization Liason

Regional Organizers:
Peninsula (Olympic and Kitsap Peninsula which includes the following counties; Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Mason )
Bellingham/Whatcom ( Island, San Juan, Snohomish, and Whatcom)
Eastern (Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman)
Central (Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima)
Southwest (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania, southern Thurston, and Wahkiakum)
Puget (King, Pierce, North Thurston)

Local Chapters are encouraged to organize throughout Washington. Our Bylaws reflect specific guidelines but they are essentially that a local group have a set of bylaws and elect officers before applying for recognition as a chartered club. Some Democratic Party organizations such as King and Pierce County Democrats have an executive board position for an LGBT community representative and all such organizations support equality, diversity and inclusion as reflected in the State Party Platform.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Pride in the Party and Affirmative Action Plan
Washington State Stonewall Democrats (WSSD) announced their participation in "Pride in the Party" today, a program of the National Stonewall Democrats. This program will expand the participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Democrats though out the state and local Democratic parties.

Most of our state's delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention will be elected on May 17 by Democratic voters within their congressional district and approved by the presidential campaigns which they seek to represent. Pride in the Party is an organized effort to help LGBT Democrats navigate the state's particular requirements. LGBT Democrats who want to run to be a delegate are encouraged to contact WSSD for training and assistance in running a successful campaign.

At least seven out of Washington's total of 97 delegates going to the national Democratic Convention in Denver will be LGBT Democrats and least two of those seven must be people of color.

Go to http://www.prideintheparty.org/ to learn more.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


We have a Facebook Address! Click the hyperlink below:
http://ups.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14473470556



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Membership
Our members represent every age range, ethnicity and gender. Some are activists who have been involved for years; others have just gotten started fighting to create change. We welcome everyone ready to work to put in office fair-minded Democrats who will stand up for us.

Accomplishments like these don't happen without your support, however. To increase our influence in the 2008 elections, we will need funding that will allow us to have tools and infrastructure to be successful. If you have not already paid your membership dues, please take a moment to do so today. Payment methods include:

(I¢§(B Web: You can make your dues payments through our website at: http://www.stonewalldemswa.org/. Click on the link on the left side of the web page under Support Stonewall and select your membership level on the form.

(I¢§(B Mail: You can mail a check to Washington State Stonewall Democrats, P.O. Box 2631, Redmond, WA 98073-2631



--------------------------------------------------------------------------



Schedule of Upcoming Events!
March 2 LGBT Delegate Reception
March 15 Affirmative Action Delegate Reception in Pierce County
April 5 LD Caucuses statewide
April 12 Pierce County Convention
April 13 King County Convention
May 17 Congressional District Caucuses
June 2 - June 6 Candidate Filing week (including PCOs)
June 14 Washington State Democratic Party Convention, Spokane
August 18 National Stonewall Democrats Convention, Denver
August 19 Washington State Primary & Election of PCOs
August 25-28 National Democratic Convention, Denver
September 12 WA Stonewall Democrats Caucus meeting, Seattle
November 4, Election Day, National, State & local elections

[eridani]

10. March and April town hall events with Adam Smith (WA-9)

Town Hall Meetings with Congressman Adam Smith

You are invited to join the Congressman

Saturday, March 8th, 2008
1:00-2:30pm
The Carco Theater
1717 Maple Valley Highway, Renton 98507


Saturday, April 12th, 2008
1:00-2:30pm
Yelm Adult Community Center
16530 103rd Avenue SE, Yelm, 98597


Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith is looking forward to meeting with constituents to listen to concerns, answer questions, and discuss issues facing Congress, including:

o The Budget
o Military and Veterans
o Healthcare
o And more

Please RSVP if you are able to attend [phone] or (888) SMITH09

[eridani]

11. Young Democrats convention in Vancouver 3/28-3/30

The YDWA 2008 Convention

This year's YDWA Convention will be March 28th through 30th in Vancouver, WA. We will plan the future of the organization, be a part of some great trainings, and of course enjoy the company of other great YDs and party activists from across the state. If you have been to Convention before, then you know just how much fun YDs can have. If you haven't, then there has never been a better year to start getting involved!


Convention will be taking place at the Vancouver Hilton hotel (to reserve a room, go to www.vancouverwashington.hilton.com). Our room block rate is only $105 a night, but we can't guarantee that rate past March 7th. So hurry and reserve your rooms! Registration for convention will cost $40 and that fee covers all of our trainings, our Friday Reception, and our Saturday night Awards Banquet!

All the details as well as how to register can be found on the Convention Website (see below). If you have any more questions, email convention {at} ydwa.org or call Amanda at 360-690-6484.


See you all in Vancouver!

[eridani]

12. Benefit for Jim McDermott in Edmonds 3/8

You are Invited to Join Host Rick Steves
In a benefit for Congressman Jim McDermott

Saturday, March 8th
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.


Europe Through the Back Door
130 Fourth Ave., North
Edmonds, WA 98020


Suggested contribution

$100 - $250 - $500 - $5,000


To RSVP, please reply to Thomas Pitchford, by email, at [email protected] or by phone, at [phone].

To contribute online, please visit

www.McDermottLegalTrust.org

Directions: Heading north or south on I-5, take exit 177 for Edmonds and the Kingston Ferry. Follow signs to Edmonds City Center on Highway 104. Stay on the main road for about four miles. You'll end up at an intersection with a traffic circle in the middle. Turn left around the circle onto Main Street. Take the next right onto our street, 4th Avenue North. We’re the 4th building on the right. Parking is available at the Civic Center. Street parking on 6th Avenue and surrounding streets is limited to three hours

Paid for by the Jim McDermott Legal Defense Trust

The rules of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the U.S. House of Representatives requires The Jim McDermott Legal Expense Trust to collect and report the name and street address of each donor to the Trust exceeding $250 in a calendar year including all donations to the Trust from corporations or labor unions.

[eridani]

13. Jim McDermott's annual Potato Festival 3/15 in Seattle

Celebrating Our Roots

You are Invited to Join

Congressman Jim McDermott

for his

14th Annual Potato Festival

Saturday, March 15, 2008
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Town Hall (Downstairs)
8th & Seneca, Seattle


Honoring Our Special Guest

Rita Zawaideh
"A powerful voice for justice and fairness in a time when fear and
discrimination have become so prevalent in our society."


To RSVP, please contact Thomas Pitchford, at [phone] or by

email, at thomas.pitchford {at} gmail.com


Tickets may also be purchased directly online at the Friends for Jim McDermott web site:
https://secure28. activehost. com/mcdermottfor congress/ Donate.aspx? SSL=1

Please note in the "comments" section that your contributions is for "Celebrating Our Roots"
- your tickets will be waiting for you at the event ticketing table."


Paid for by the Friends for Jim McDermott Committee

[eridani]

14. Rick Larsen to host LD candidates 3/15 in Everett

You are invited you to join Congressman Rick Larsen
Member of the Committees on Armed Services, Small Business, and Transportation and Infrastructure & his invited guests

10th Legislative District candidates

Tim Knue
Particia Terry
Ann McDonald

21st Legislative District candidates

Mary Helen Roberts
Marko Liias


38th Legislative District candidates

John McCoy
Mike Sells

39th Legislative District candidates

Fred Walser
Scott Olson

44th Legislative District candidates

Liz Loomis
Hans Dunshee

Lands Commissioner candidate Peter Goldmark
Attorney General candidate John Ladenburg
& from the Coordinated Campaign – Michael King


For a Democratic Meeting At the
Snohomish County Labor Temple
2812 Lombard Ave, Everett
Saturday, March 15th
1:00pm – 2:30pm


Authorized and Paid for by Citizens to Elect Rick Larsen, PO Box 326 Everett WA 98206 www.ricklarsen.org, 425-259-1866, fax [phone]
Treasurer Brooke N Davis


Mark Hintz
Snohomish County Democrats, Chair
425 422 5970 cell phone
chair [at} snohomishdemocrats.org

[eridani]

15. Stonewall Dems organizing a Tacoma chapter

Change in Tacoma!
anitalatch {at} gmail.com

You're invited to my event! I hope you can join us -- it's a fun way to make a difference.

We will discuss starting a local Stonewall Chapter as well as how our individual efforts fit in with the national climate of activism.


Not sure yet if you can come? Go ahead and click on the link below and choose "maybe" on the RSVP page. That will help us with planning, while you check your schedule. http://www.party2win.com/stonewall/parties/index.cfm?e=changeintacoma

[eridani]

16. 8th CD Dems meet 3/11 (new location)

Meeting Notice

Subject: 8th CD Democrats
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Time: 7:00 to 9:00
Location: Renton Carpenters Hall <= NOTE NEW LOCATION
Address: 231 Burnett Ave N, Renton, Washington 98057

We have a new location. The KCDCC is taking over some of the Renton Carpenter’s Hall for permanent space. Suzie has been kind enough to agree to let us use the space for the meeting. This is further north, so we hope more people from the north end can attend

Tentative Agenda
DFA training Recap
8th CD caucus planning
Neighborhood leader program

Bryan Kesterson,
Chair, 47th LD Democrats
Chair, 8th CD Democrats
22955 130th PL SE,
Kent, WA 98031
Home: 253-639-3515
Cell: 206-304-2701
bryan.kesterson@ yahoo.com

[eridani]

17. King County Legislative Action Committee meeting 3/16

We have a lot to celebrate at our March meeting!

--Children's Safe Products (AKA Toxic Toys) bill passed! (thanks Margaret--see email from Margaret to the LAC below).
--Washington's Family Credit passed! (Congrats-- Christy and Ben--see email below).
--Condo Conversion passed!
--Health Care Actuary Study passed!
--Public Finance of local campaigns passed!
--Local Farms/Healthy Kids passed!
--Washington Climate Change passed!

So please join us at our March meeting to celebrate our success, talk about lessons learned and next steps for the bills that need our attention for next session! Our meeting will be at the Highpoint Library at 3411 S.W. Raymond on Sunday, March 16th from 2:00-4:00pm. Our special guest will be Representative Sharon Nelson from the 34th! Also, invited and not yet confirmed is Senator Joe McDermott.

I hope you can join us!

Thanks, Tina

LAC Co-Chair


Hi King County Democrats LAC:

Today is a great day for the health and safety of our kids and for keeping toxics out of the environment! The Children's Safe Products Act was just passed by the state Senate 40 to 9. Fantastic!!! This was an amazing team effort and everyone kept at the work right up to the minute it passed! Thank you very much to the King County Democrats LAC for endorsing this bill and working to pass it!

This bill has the most protective standards in the nation for lead, cadmium, and phthalates and sets up a process for our state agencies to address other chemicals of concern. This success should help our colleagues in other states pass similar bills that truly protect our kids from other harmful chemicals in kid's products.

Some amendments were adopted, but these were all agreed to by the prime sponsors and the campaign team. It was a big win to defeat all the troublesome amendments, and some last minute amendments were ruled as beyond the scope of the bill. The version passed is slightly different from the House version, so it goes to concurrence next.

I'll send out a more detailed summary on the amendments next week once the dust settles.

For amendment junkies, here's link to bill info where you can see which amendments passed and which failed:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/ billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2647&year=2007

Great job!
Margaret

--
Margaret Shield, PhD
Coalition Coordinator
Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition


WASHINGTON TAX FAIRNESS COALITION
Special Update --Working Families Credit Passes in the House!

THE 60 SECOND UPDATE

Just before midnight last night, the House passed the Working Families Credit! The onerous provisions requiring a separate policy bill to be passed each year and the apples vs. oranges study requirement were stripped on the floor and replaced with language linking implementation of the program to the omnibus budget appropriations bill.

It’s not over until the Senate approves the amended bill, the final budget includes the start-up funding and the Governor signs the bill into law (all of which we expect will happen) -- but if all goes as planned, we will have taken an important step toward making our state's unbalanced tax system more fair in a tangible and popular way.

It was a major challenge with many roadblocks along the way, but the Working Families Credit will be the biggest improvement in our tax structure for lower-wage workers in 30 years-- since the repeal of the sales tax on food.

It would not have been possible without a terrific intersection and coordination of effort on the part of Coalition members, funders, allies and key leaders in the Legislature.

SPECIAL THANKS

The Washington State Budget & Policy Center not only developed the idea, but committed major time and energy to providing research, policy analysis, framing and communications support. Without their talented team we wouldn't be here. Major funders and dues paying members of the Washington Tax Fairness Coalition made it possible for us to take a great idea and advocate directly and through a statewide grassroots effort for passage of the bill.

Early and strong leadership from Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and Senate prime sponsor Craig Pridemore were invaluable, as was the steadfast commitment of Speaker Frank Chopp. Please be sure to contact each expressing your thanks for their willingness to be bold and put themselves out there on this issue.

Other legislative members deserve kudos as well, but not before we recognize a special core of our own lobbyists who went the extra mile. Organizations and individuals too numerous to mention (you know who you are) made wonderful contributions to this effort, but Tony Lee (Solid Ground), Damiana Merryweather (UFCW State Council), Kim Justice (Statewide Poverty Action Network) as well as Sarah Cherin (Children's Alliance) and Zach Carstensen (Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle) have worked this bill on a daily basis with tremendous skill and commitment â€" and they deserve special recognition!

Jeff Johnson, Paul Benz, Bill Daley, the SEIU team, Erica Hallock and Donna Christiansen, David Parsons, Pam Crone, Nick Federici, Barb Bush, Marilyn Watkins, Nancy Amidei and Kat Overman all provided invaluable help either at crucial points or regularly -- and all that was supported by countless phone calls, alerts, emails, letters to the editor and lobby day visits from Coalition partners and allies, creating the other essential element: a grassroots demand for action.

THE FINAL DEBATE AND VOTE

On the House floor, prime sponsor Rep. Tami Green did a wonderful job of framing the issue in terms of tax fairness, as did second sponsor and long time advocate Rep. Jeannie Darnielle. It was gratifying to see so many members rise to speak in favor of the bill, and each did so with the best facts and arguments grounded in the important values: Majority Leader Lynn Kessler and Representatives Eric Pettigrew, Timm Ormsby, Bob Hasegawa, Phyllis Kenney, and Mary Lou Dickerson. Please be sure to let them know you especially appreciate their leadership.

The final vote was 57-37, with all Democrats voting for the Working Families Credit except Reps. Clibborn, Grant, Hunter, Schual-Berke and Takko who voted against the bill, and Rep. Eickmeyer who was excused. All Republican members voted against the bill except Reps. Hailey, Skinner and Sump who were excused. Thanks are also in order for those who supported this measure, which was not an easy lift.

GETTING IT OVER THE GOAL LINE

More soon on the timing and action(s) needed to get the Working Families Credit signed into law --but for now, let's savor a significant win and a collective job well done!


Christy Margelli
Executive Director
Washington Tax Fairness Coalition

[eridani]

18. King County Legislative Action Committee meeting 3/16

We have a lot to celebrate at our March meeting!

--Children's Safe Products (AKA Toxic Toys) bill passed! (thanks Margaret--see email from Margaret to the LAC below).
--Washington's Family Credit passed! (Congrats-- Christy and Ben--see email below).
--Condo Conversion passed!
--Health Care Actuary Study passed!
--Public Finance of local campaigns passed!
--Local Farms/Healthy Kids passed!
--Washington Climate Change passed!

So please join us at our March meeting to celebrate our success, talk about lessons learned and next steps for the bills that need our attention for next session! Our meeting will be at the Highpoint Library at 3411 S.W. Raymond on Sunday, March 16th from 2:00-4:00pm. Our special guest will be Representative Sharon Nelson from the 34th! Also, invited and not yet confirmed is Senator Joe McDermott.

I hope you can join us!

Thanks, Tina

LAC Co-Chair


Hi King County Democrats LAC:

Today is a great day for the health and safety of our kids and for keeping toxics out of the environment! The Children's Safe Products Act was just passed by the state Senate 40 to 9. Fantastic!!! This was an amazing team effort and everyone kept at the work right up to the minute it passed! Thank you very much to the King County Democrats LAC for endorsing this bill and working to pass it!

This bill has the most protective standards in the nation for lead, cadmium, and phthalates and sets up a process for our state agencies to address other chemicals of concern. This success should help our colleagues in other states pass similar bills that truly protect our kids from other harmful chemicals in kid's products.

Some amendments were adopted, but these were all agreed to by the prime sponsors and the campaign team. It was a big win to defeat all the troublesome amendments, and some last minute amendments were ruled as beyond the scope of the bill. The version passed is slightly different from the House version, so it goes to concurrence next.

I'll send out a more detailed summary on the amendments next week once the dust settles.

For amendment junkies, here's link to bill info where you can see which amendments passed and which failed:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/ billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2647&year=2007

Great job!
Margaret

--
Margaret Shield, PhD
Coalition Coordinator
Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition


WASHINGTON TAX FAIRNESS COALITION
Special Update --Working Families Credit Passes in the House!

THE 60 SECOND UPDATE

Just before midnight last night, the House passed the Working Families Credit! The onerous provisions requiring a separate policy bill to be passed each year and the apples vs. oranges study requirement were stripped on the floor and replaced with language linking implementation of the program to the omnibus budget appropriations bill.

It’s not over until the Senate approves the amended bill, the final budget includes the start-up funding and the Governor signs the bill into law (all of which we expect will happen) -- but if all goes as planned, we will have taken an important step toward making our state's unbalanced tax system more fair in a tangible and popular way.

It was a major challenge with many roadblocks along the way, but the Working Families Credit will be the biggest improvement in our tax structure for lower-wage workers in 30 years-- since the repeal of the sales tax on food.

It would not have been possible without a terrific intersection and coordination of effort on the part of Coalition members, funders, allies and key leaders in the Legislature.

SPECIAL THANKS

The Washington State Budget & Policy Center not only developed the idea, but committed major time and energy to providing research, policy analysis, framing and communications support. Without their talented team we wouldn't be here. Major funders and dues paying members of the Washington Tax Fairness Coalition made it possible for us to take a great idea and advocate directly and through a statewide grassroots effort for passage of the bill.

Early and strong leadership from Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and Senate prime sponsor Craig Pridemore were invaluable, as was the steadfast commitment of Speaker Frank Chopp. Please be sure to contact each expressing your thanks for their willingness to be bold and put themselves out there on this issue.

Other legislative members deserve kudos as well, but not before we recognize a special core of our own lobbyists who went the extra mile. Organizations and individuals too numerous to mention (you know who you are) made wonderful contributions to this effort, but Tony Lee (Solid Ground), Damiana Merryweather (UFCW State Council), Kim Justice (Statewide Poverty Action Network) as well as Sarah Cherin (Children's Alliance) and Zach Carstensen (Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle) have worked this bill on a daily basis with tremendous skill and commitment â€" and they deserve special recognition!

Jeff Johnson, Paul Benz, Bill Daley, the SEIU team, Erica Hallock and Donna Christiansen, David Parsons, Pam Crone, Nick Federici, Barb Bush, Marilyn Watkins, Nancy Amidei and Kat Overman all provided invaluable help either at crucial points or regularly -- and all that was supported by countless phone calls, alerts, emails, letters to the editor and lobby day visits from Coalition partners and allies, creating the other essential element: a grassroots demand for action.

THE FINAL DEBATE AND VOTE

On the House floor, prime sponsor Rep. Tami Green did a wonderful job of framing the issue in terms of tax fairness, as did second sponsor and long time advocate Rep. Jeannie Darnielle. It was gratifying to see so many members rise to speak in favor of the bill, and each did so with the best facts and arguments grounded in the important values: Majority Leader Lynn Kessler and Representatives Eric Pettigrew, Timm Ormsby, Bob Hasegawa, Phyllis Kenney, and Mary Lou Dickerson. Please be sure to let them know you especially appreciate their leadership.

The final vote was 57-37, with all Democrats voting for the Working Families Credit except Reps. Clibborn, Grant, Hunter, Schual-Berke and Takko who voted against the bill, and Rep. Eickmeyer who was excused. All Republican members voted against the bill except Reps. Hailey, Skinner and Sump who were excused. Thanks are also in order for those who supported this measure, which was not an easy lift.

GETTING IT OVER THE GOAL LINE

More soon on the timing and action(s) needed to get the Working Families Credit signed into law --but for now, let's savor a significant win and a collective job well done!


Christy Margelli
Executive Director
Washington Tax Fairness Coalition

[eridani]

19. 8th CD Dems meeting to work on CD caucus rules 4/8

Meeting Notice

Subject: 8th CD Democrats
Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Time: 7:00 to 9:00
Location: Renton Carpenters Hall -- NOTE NEW LOCATION
Address: 231 Burnett Ave N, Renton, Washington 98057

We will be considering rules for the 8th CD Caucus. Members of each campaign have been invited.

Bryan Kesterson,
Chair, 47th LD Democrats
Chair, 8th CD Democrats
22955 130th PL SE,
Kent, WA 98031
Home: 253-639-3515
Cell: 206-304-2701
bryan.kesterson {at} yahoo.com

[eridani]

20. King County Legislative Action Committee meeting in Tukwila 4/27

Dear LAC Member!

I want to confirm the date/time and location of our next LAC meeting. It will be held on the 4th Sunday this month (due to the holiday)---Sunday, April 27th from 2:30-4pm at the Foster Library, (thanks Bill). Our special guest will be Susan Sheary.

Scott and I will be stepping down from our chair positions so we can focus our on our campaigns for the state legislature and to identify new chairs who can devote their attention to keeping up the great work of the group.

Please know that it has been an amazing honor to co-chair this committee. It is a vibrant group that has some the most dedicated, policy savvy individuals in our party. I also appreciate the grass roots energy at our legislative action day in Olympia and the calls/emails you have sent on behalf of passing our progressive agenda. Thank you!


Tina

Tina Orwall (Shamseldin)

[eridani]

21. Murray's Golden Tennis Shoe Awards 5/29

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY!
Senator Patty Murray's 13th Annual
Golden Tennis Shoe Awards
with Special Guest

Tammy Duckworth
Iraq War Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient

Thursday, May 29, 2008
12:00 pm (Registration opens at 11:30 am)
WA State Convention Center ● Ballroom 6B

800 Convention Place
Seattle, Washington


RSVP ONLINE TODAY

Co-Chair - $1,000 (2 tickets to the lunch and pre-event reception)
Gold Seat - $150/person ($1,500 for table of 10)
Silver Seat -$100/person ($1,000 for table of 10)

Questions? Contact Amanda Brothers at gtsawards {at} pattymurray.com
or call 206-286-9199
People for Patty Murray: PO Box 3662, Seattle, WA 98124
Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone]

[eridani]

22. Adam Smith Town Hall 5/28 in Federal Way

You are invited to join the Congressman
Town Hall Meeting
with
Congressman Adam Smith
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008
7:00-8:30pm
Federal Way Community Center
876 South 333rd Street, Federal Way, 98003

Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith is looking forward to meeting with constituents to listen to concerns, answer questions, and discuss issues facing Congress, including:
The Budget
Military and Veterans
Healthcare
And more….

Please RSVP if you are able to attend
[phone] or (888) SMITH09

[eridani]

25. Update

Town Hall Meetings with Congressman Adam Smith
You are invited to join the Congressman

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008
7:00-8:30pm
Federal Way Community Center
876 South 333rd Street
Federal Way, 98003

Saturday, June 7th, 2008
1:00-2:30pm
Sumner City Council Chambers
1104 Maple Street
Sumner, 98390

Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith is looking forward to meeting with constituents to listen to concerns, answer questions, and discuss issues facing Congress, including:


o The Budget
o Military and Veterans
o Healthcare
o And more….

Please RSVP if you are able to attend
[phone] or (888) SMITH09

[eridani]

23. King County Dems to have judicial forum in Renton 6/10

The King County Democrats, following up on several requests, have scheduled a Judicial Forum for:

Tuesday June 10, 2008 - 7:00 pm
Renton Carpenters Hall - 231 Burnett Avenue North
Main Hall

We will also host a social hour at 6:00 pm so that people have time to meet and greet the candidates. The format will be much like a town hall setting where the candidates will give opening remarks and take questions and answers. Judicial candidates will receive formal invitations and will be expected to have submitted their questionnaires by this date as well. Municipal, King County Superior Court, State Appeals, and Supreme Court candidates will be included.

This event directly follows the closing of candidate week on June 6th when energy and enthusiasm is very high.

'hope to see you there, Susan Sheary KCDCC Chair

[eridani]

24. 8th CD Dems meet 5/10 in Renton

Meeting Notice

This is the regular, monthly meeting. All comers are welcome.

Subject: 8th CD Democrats
Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2008
Time: 7:00 to 9:00
Location: Renton Carpenters Hall ç NOTE NEW LOCATION
Address: 231 Burnett Ave N, Renton, Washington 98057 (click here for map)

Di Irons has requested that we use this meeting as final coordination for the caucus.


Bryan Kesterson,
Chair, 47th LD Democrats
Chair, 8th CD Democrats
22955 130th PL SE,
Kent, WA 98031
Home: 253-639-3515
Cell: 206-304-2701
bryan.kesterson {at} yahoo.com

[eridani]

26. Stonewall Dems to be at Tacoma Pride festival 7/12

Host: Washington State Stonewall Democrats

Time and Place Date: Saturday, July 12, 2008
Time: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Lincoln Park
Street: 3706 Yakima Ave, 98418
City/Town: Tacoma, WA


Contact Info Phone: [phone]
Email: anita {at} stonewalldemswa.org

Description
Either volunteer to staff our booth or drop by to visit! Out in Tacoma is a lively yet intimate Pride event and we will have a double booth this year with the Pierce County Democrats! Come on down!

[eridani]

27. King County Democratic Legislative Action Committee to meet in Burien 6/8

To: King County Democratic Legislative Action Committee members
From: Ivan Weiss, Sarajane Siegfriedt
May 27, 2008

Dear LAC members:

We're very excited to be co-chairing the LAC after serving on this committee since its inception. We have seen the committee grow in size and scope, and become a player in King County and in Olympia.

At our April meeting, the last for Tina Orwall and Scott White as co-chairs before their campaigns begin for House seats in the 33rd and 46th Districts, we discussed several directions the LAC might take. Those included expansion into Pierce and Snohomish Counties, and invitations to subject matter experts in various areas in addition to legislators. We encourage those of you who couldn't attend to share your thoughts on how we might build a better, more active, and more effective LAC.

Our next meeting will be Sunday, June 8, at 2 PM at the Burien Library, 14700 6th Av SW, in Burien, in the 34th District. Between Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and the Congressional District Caucuses, Sundays in May presented too many conflicts to have a May meeting.

Our guests will be State Senator Margarita Prentice, from the 11th District, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, and State Representative Jim McIntire, from the 46th District, former chair of the House Finance Committee and a candidate for State Treasurer.

The subject will be revenue, finance, the budget, and what a Democratic-controlled Legislature might accomplish given the expected revenue downturn and budget crunch.

Any laws enacted in the next session will be enacted under tight budget constraints and under a high-powered political microscope. Governor Gregoire, assuming she is re-elected, will have her priorities, the legislators will have theirs, and we will have ours. The Republicans will criticize us whatever we do, but we can't allow charges of fiscal
irresponsibility to stick.

This means that several interest constituencies who help to elect Democrats might not be getting everything they hope for. We hope Jim and Margarita will give us a sense of what is possible, which bills the House and Senate leaderships might prioritize, who might support those priorities and why, and who might oppose them and why.

That doesn't mean we must, or even should, lower our expectations or our goals. It means that we have to become more creative while advancing our agenda. Other states might offer a clue. The Progressive States Network, http://www.progressivestates.org/, on its Web site and through its weekly e-mail newsletter, the Stateside Dispatch, http://www.progressivestates.org/content/100/stateside-dispatch-archives,
tracks positive (and negative) legislative trends at the state level nationwide, and provides a pro-family, pro-worker, pro-community context in a straightforward, readable form, with plenty of links to specific bills and news stories.

Everything this committee does, through the 2009 session, will have to accommodate the short-term fiscal realities. It will be essential that LAC members be able to explain the situation to Democrats in their respective District organizations. So please come prepared, as this should be a pretty important meeting.

That's one reason we will meet at the Burien Library. It has one of the largest library meeting rooms in King County, and plenty of parking. And Mick Kelly's Irish Pub, home of Drinking Liberally, is within walking distance.

See you June 8th, but for most of you, probably before that. We'll be sending another notice closer to the meeting date.

Any questions, comments, or suggestions, please call or e-mail us. Thanks for your participation and support.


Ivan Weiss [phone] ivan.weiss {at} centurytel.net
Sarajane Siegfriedt [phone] sarajaneh3 {at} comcast.net

[eridani]

28. Join Stonewall Dems at the State Convention and Pride March in Spokane

Spokane Pride and State Convention on the Same Date?
That's right, they are! But do not fear, you can participate in both. The Spokane Pride parade and Festival is on Sat, June 14- the same day as the State convention and Salmon Feed in the evening. The parade starts at noon, downtown on Wall St and Spokane Falls Blvd, is only 20-30 min long, and ends back at the Park. This is within walking distance from the Convention center. (straight west on Spokane Falls Blvd--3+ blocks). LGBT delegates, please participate in both to show solidarity. Let's support our brothers and sisters.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interested in Marching and/or attending Pride of behalf of Obama/ Stonewall?
Follow this link below:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4kgb

[eridani]

29. Join the Progressive Caucus to talk about health care at the state convention

PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE SLIDE PRESENTATION

June 13, 2006
4:00pm-5:00pm

The Community Building
35 West Main St., Spokane

Martha Koester of Health Care for All-WA will discuss strategies for passing HR 676 at the national level and working for health care reform at the state level.

HOSPITALITY SUITE WITH MOVIES

5:00pm-9:00pm

Your choice of Salud, a video about health care in Cuba, or Uncounted, about the need for election reform.

Snacks provided. Please bring some more if you can, and if you have a video that you think others would be interested in, bring that too.

Drop in any time before or after the Friday evening convention events, or during if you missed getting (or couldn’t afford) tickets.

Contact: fomalhaut {at} yahoo dot com

[eridani]

30. Equal Rights Washington state convention events

Calling All Democratic Delegates and Convention Attendees!

Equal Rights Washington will be at the State Democratic Convention in Spokane , June 13-15.

Drop by our booth and introduce yourself. Better yet, help spread the word about ERW! Throughout the day you can help to collect postcards in support of marriage equality and hand out marriage equality stickers. We’ll be reminding the party faithful about the strong pro-equality state party platform, which supports marriage equality and anti-discrimination laws for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community.

Visit our hospitality suite, which is generously co-sponsored by The Stonewall Democrats, and join us to celebrate the enactment of the Domestic Partnership Expansion Bill. We’d like to thank you personally for your efforts in advancing equality for all.

Everyone knows we throw the best parties so please join us! We’ll be serving our delicious Marriage Equalitinis & our not so good Civil Union Sours.

Friday, June 13, 8:00pm

Look for our posters at the convention.
Refreshments and light food will be served!

If you’d like to volunteer, give ERW Field Manager David Walega or ERW Advocacy Director Josh Friedes a call at 206-324-2570 or e-mail david {at} equalrightswashington.org



Please join ERW and Evan Wolfson for a free talk on Marriage Equality
Celebrate First Legal California Marriages with Wedding Cake

Please join ERW for a free talk by Evan Wolfson, the Founder and Executive Director of Freedom to Marry. The talk will be held on Tuesday June 17th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral: 1245 10th Ave East. Seattle, WA 98102-4398

Join us for a talk by the father of the modern marriage equality movement in America. These are exciting times as California becomes the second state in which same-sex couples can legally marry and as New York begins to recognize the lawful marriages of gay couples from outside states and countries.

Click here for more information. http://equalrightswashington.org/pdfs/evanwolfson_publicflier_sm.pdf

[eridani]

31. WashClean supporters meeting at convention in Spokane

http://www.my.calendars.net/wpcevents

Friday, June 13th - WashClean supporters gathering in Spokane.

Anyone is welcome to join us at Spokane's Steam Plant Grill, from 4 PM to 5:30 PM, while WPC board members and staff from around the state are in town for the State Democratic Convention.
Details at WPC Calen

[eridani]

32. King County Dems Picnic in Seattle 8/9

save the date - Saturday August 9th - for great day at Lower Woodland Park - Shelter 1. Thanks,
suzie

KCDCC Saturday In the Park

3 p.m. to 6 p.m
1000 North 50th Street
Seattle 98103

Good Food-Refreshments - Elected Officials - Political Candidates and much more....

Suggested donation $25.00/person

Contat 425.255.2679 or kingcountydemocrats {at} msn.com

[eridani]

33. WA State Dems Disability caucus 7/26 in Puyallup

Please place this in your next newsletter or community calendar. This is a chance to meet disability stakeholders and activists from around the state.

Name: Annual Summer Statewide Picnic of the Washington State Democratic Disabilities Issues Caucus (WSDIC)
w/ Lt. Governor Brad Owen
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008
Time: 4 - 8 pm
Place: 14102 68th Ave E
Puyallup, WA 98373.
RSVP to both julianfwheeler

[eridani]

34. JOIN JIM IN CELEBRATING WHITE CENTER JUBILEE 2008 7/19

JOIN JIM IN CELEBRATING WHITE CENTER JUBILEE 2008

You are Invited to Join

Congressman Jim McDermott

To march in this year's White Center Jubilee!

Saturday, July 19th

The parade will begin at 2 pm. Plese join our marchers at 1:30 pm

Join us for a fun community celebration!

To join Jim's marching group, please contact Thomas Pitchford, by phone, at 206.245.9609 or by email, at Thomas.pitchford {at} gmail.com
nanivaw {at} gmail.com

[eridani]

35. King County Legislative Action Committee to meet in Redmond 7/20

A reminder that we'll be meeting Sunday, July 20, from 2 to 4 PM at the Redmond Regional Library, 15990 NE 85th St, Redmond, in the 45th Legislative District (directions are below and on the attached agenda).

Our guest speaker will be Representative Al O'Brien, from the 1st Legislative District (Bothell, Woodinville, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Maltby, Martha Lake). The subject will be the criminal justice system and its effect on the state budget.

At our June meeting in Burien, Senator Prentice and Representative McIntire mentioned repeatedly the growing demand for corrections and corrections- related items in the budget, and wondered how much longer we can continue to afford to pay for them.

The looming revenue shortfall will have legislators questioning every item in the budget. As regards criminal justice, we'll be asking Rep. O'Brien about the prison construction budget, sentencing requirements, alternatives to incarceration, restitution, felon voting rights, and the prospects for
legislative action in the 2009 session.

Let's consider what items we might accomplish in the 2009 session. What would be the costs or savings to the taxpayers? What might the short-term benefits be? What might the long-term benefits be? Who might support our suggested action items and why? Who might oppose them and why? What coalitions might we build in support of our proposed action items?

Representative O'Brien was elected to the House in 1996 after a 29-year career with the Seattle Police Department. He chairs the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee and serves on the Human Services Committee and the Select Committee on Puget Sound.

Directions to the Redmond Regional Library:

From Highway 520, heading east:
Take the W. Lake Sammamish Parkway NE Exit. At the bottom of the Exit, turn left to go north on W. Lake Sammamish Parkway. (W. Lake Sammamish Parkway becomes 154th Avenue NE.) Proceed one mile to NE 85th and turn right at the light onto NE 85th. Go over the bridge, through one light and turn left into
the Library parking lot.

Directions from Highway 405 (North or South):
Take exit 18 (Kirkland/Redmond) and go east on NE 85th (Redmond Way). This becomes NE 80th as it curves down into Redmond. Turn left at 160th NE, then left again at NE 85th. Library is 1st driveway on right.

Thanks and see you Sunday.

LAC co-chairs:

Ivan Weiss
206-463-4647

Sarajane Siegfriedt
206-440-5829

[eridani]

36. Progressive Caucus to meet at the Tulalip Casino 9/13/08

The Washington State Progressive Caucus will be meeting on Saturday September 13th in conjunction with the quarterly meeting of the Washington State Democratic Party Central Committee. The meeting will be held at the Tulalip Casino in Marysville. Possible speakers and Friday night hospitality suite details TBA.



Tentative agenda
Cabaret Room 8AM 9/13/2008


Election of new at large board member. Sharon Abreu has submitted a candidacy statement which is currently posted on the WSPC website. http://waprogressives.org/ Anyone else interested in running for the position should submit a statement by September 6 to WSPC Secretary Martha Koester at fomalhaut2003 {at} yahoo.com.



Membership vote on a policy for the establishment of WSPC VoteBuilder accounts. Current policy is that the Chair will assign Progressive Caucus accounts to board members if they want them. We are proposing that accounts be offered to members as well, subject to the approval of the executive board.



Membership vote on the issue of bringing the various progressive online email lists under the aegis of WSPC.



Please submit other agenda items by September 9 to WSPC Secretary Martha Koester at fomalhaut2003 {at} yahoo.com.

[eridani]

37. Disabilities Issues caucus to meet 9/13 in Tulalip

Dear Friends of the Washington State Democratic Disabilities Issues Caucus
(WSDIC): Meeting Announcement: WSDIC Membership
MeetingDate: Saturday, September 13, 2008Time: 8 to 9:30 am
Place: Tulalip Resort Casino, 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip, WA 98271,
Evergreen Room.

Draft Agenda Items Include: -- 2009 Legislative Agenda -- State Party Events-- WSDIC election event planning -- Outreach throughout WA Please email me with any other items you wish to add to the agenda. Sincerely, Julian Wheeler, WSDIC Chair.

[eridani]

38. 8th CD Dems suspend meetings until after the election

I am going to suggest that we cancel the remainder of the 8th CD meetings for this year. The August meeting was very lightly attended. Only myself and two other members showed up, along with two representatives of the Burner campaign. Discussions with the officers has indicated that people are too busy to make additional meetings. I would suggest that the next meeting should be the re-organization meeting in January. If people would like to see a meeting scheduled earlier than that, please let me know.

Bryan Kesterson,
Chair, 47th LD Democrats
Chair, 8th CD Democrats
22955 130th PL SE,
Kent, WA 98031
Home: 253-639-3515
Cell: 206-304-2701
bryan.kesterson {at} yahoo.com

[eridani]

39. Evergreen Democratic Club meeting in Burien 9/9

The next meeting is on Tuesday September 9
11:30 am – 1pm Angelo’s Restaurant
601 SW 153rd St
Burien, WA 98166
Website | [phone]

Just make a $15 check out to Evergreen Democratic Club for membership

[eridani]

40. Federal Way and Puyallup Obama voter registration drives

LOCAL VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES---Volunteers Needed!!!


Federal Way Commons
Community Corner (Near Target)
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 2-4:30 p.m.
Friday: 1-5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

For more information, please
contact David royals777 {at} gmail.com or call 206-383-2333


Puyallup Fair (September 5th-21st)
Outside the Fair Grounds at the "Obama" booth

On South Meridian Street between 9th Ave. SE and 10th Ave. SE (near the 7-11 and Blue and Gold Gates)
They are looking for volunteers to work two hour shifts, with the first shift beginning at noon and the last shift ending at 8 p.m. They are especially in need of volunteers for the weekends. For more information and to sign up for a shift, please call 253.683.4187.

***


Canvassing For Obama in Federal Way

Sunday, September 7th from noon until 4 p.m.

Meet at the campaign headquarters for Carol Gregory
200 South 333rd Street

(the intersection of South 333rd Street and 1st Way South in Federal Way)
For more information, please call 206.799.3648 or contact Madeline madeline {at} wa-democrats.org.
If you are otherwise engaged from noon until 1 p.m. on Sunday, call Madeline and let her know that you will be joining her after 1 p.m.

[eridani]

41. King Co Legislative Actiion committee to meet in Bellevue 9/21

Our September meeting will be Sunday, September 28, 2-4 PM, at Newport Way Library, 14250 SE Newport Way, Bellevue, in the 41st District.

Our guest speaker will be 41st District State Representative Judy Clibborn, chair of the House Transportation Committee, and the main topic for this meeting will be transportation.

Here are directions to the Newport Way Library:

From I-90:
Take exit 11A to 150th Av SE, (turn right onto 150th). Go up the hill to Newport Way, (traffic light at intersection) . Turn right on Newport Way (at the traffic light). The library is on the right hand side, just a short ride down the hill turn right on 142nd, then you will see the driveway.

From I-405:
Take Coal Creek Exit EAST, follow the signs to Factoria. Turn left on Factoria Blvd SE. Turn right on SE Newport Way (first light). Travel approximately 1.2 miles, you will go through two traffic lights. Turn left onto 142nd; the library is on the right.

Getting here by bus: Metro Transit:
The Newport Way Library is served by bus routes 207, 208, 222, 921.

Transportation will be one of the most pressing issues the Legislature will deal with in the 2009 session. Even so, anything the House and Senate do in 2009 will be determined largely by:

-- Whether Governor Gregoire is re-elected
-- Whether the Sound Transit measure passes in November
-- How closely actual revenue matches the present projections
-- The state of the Federal Highway Trust fund

So please remember that any information we get from Rep. Clibborn, or any legislator with whom we meet between now and the 2009 session, will be dependent on those outcomes.

Possible topics we might discuss with Rep. Clibborn are:

-- Prospects for replacing the SR 520 bridge, and how it would be paid for
-- The politics of tolling other highways to pay for work on SR 520.
-- Prospects for controversial highway projects in Pierce and Snohomish counties (the Cross-Base Highway and the widening of US 2)
-- The Legislature' s role in breaking the impasse over the Alaskan Way Viaduct

-- Finding a stable source of funding for Washington State Ferries to relieve the load on commuters

-- The possibility of restoring the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax

-- Our (presumed) opposition to any privatizing of transportation infrastructure in Washington State

I'm sure that these are just a few of the topics we might discuss with Rep. Clibborn, and that committee members will come up with more. Let's try to focus on what we might accomplish in the 2009 session, so that we will have concrete objectives to fulfill once the session starts in January.

We'll be sending out at least two additional notices today, one from Sarajane on a payday lending forum this week, and one from Martha Koester on forming Legislative district Action groups focused on health care.

If anyone has questions or comments, please send them my way. See you Sunday, September 28, at Newport Way Library.

Legislative Action Committee co-chairs:

Ivan Weiss (34th District)
206-463-4647
ivan.weiss {at} centuryt el.net

Sarajane Siegfriedt (46th District)
206-440-5829
sarajaneh3 {at} comcast. net

[eridani]

42. Stonewall Dems Tea for Equality 9/27 in Seattle

Washington State Stonewall Democrats
Tea for Equality

Please join us for a special reception with
Jon Hoadley
National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director

To honor our LGBT delegates to the Democratic National Convention and raise critically
important funds to elect pro-equality Democrats in Washington state and across the country

on Saturday, September 27th
from 4:00-7:00pm

at 905 12th Ave E ? Seattle, WA 98102
Corner of Aloha on Capitol Hill
Tea, coffee, desert and lite refreshments will be served

Host Committee:
Earl Grey: Rod Hearne, George Frandsen & David Carlquist
Green Tea: Ralph Gorin, Robert Harkins, Barb Montro, Chris Porter
$50 suggested minimum contribution ? $500, $250 and $100 host committee levels
To join the host committee for this event, please visit
http://www.actblue.com/page/wssd

Or, contact Anita Latch, anita {at} tonewalldemswa.org or 253.225.0944

[eridani]

43. Debate watching parties

Thank you for your support of our Convention Watch Party last month! Building on the success of that event, the 43rd District Democrats are excited to announce that we are organizing a Debate Watch Party in the back room of Spitfire bar on Friday, September 26th. Please see below for the announcement and we hope to see you there!

What: Debate Watch Party!
When: Friday, September 26th. 5:30pm onwards
Where: Spitfire bar in Belltown - In the backroom
(2219 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98121)

Come party with the 43rd District Democrats to cheer on Obama in the first presidential debate of 2008! Why stay home rooting for our Democratic contender when you can join friends and supporters at Spitfire bar in Belltown on September 26th? We will have multiple large screen TVs, a cash bar, and plenty of camaraderie to entertain you throughout the night! Mingle with fellow democratic supporters, learn more about the work of the 43rd District Democrats, and boo & cheer the TV screen to your heart's content!

This event is 21+. Suggested donation is $5 - $10 at the door. (Please find us in the backroom)

Questions? Please email christina.hirsch{at} gmail.com or [email protected].

Hope to see you there!
Christina Hirsch and Tony Ramsey
Event Co-Chairs
43rd District Democrats
www.43rddems.org


37th District Democratic Presidential Debate Party. Friday, September 26, 2008, 6:00 PM.
Obama-McCain Debate
Columbia City Theater Lounge
4916 Rainer Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98118
tel: [phone]
They will be ready for us with a TV tuned to the debates beginning at 6:00 PM Thanks to Joanna Cullen for working on this!


Come join us as we watch the long awaited first presidential debate between Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain! The debate will air on Friday, September 26, 6 PM, will be moderated by Jim Lehrer and will focus on foreign policy and national security issues.

The Debate Watch Party is hosted by the Tina Orwall and Dave Upthegrove campaign and will be held in their new campaign office in downtown Des Moines! They will provide beverages. PLEASE BRING A POTLUCK DISH TO SHARE!

Here are the details of the party:

When: September 26, 2008, 5:30 PM (yes, arrive early so you can eat)
Where: Campaign Office of Tina Orwall and Dave Upthegrove
22515 Marine View Drive S, Des Moines
(Look for the big "TINA" on the window)

It will be fun to gather together and cheer on our next President of the United States, Barack Obama!!!

Please RSVP to Meg Tapucol-Provo at megacious {at} comcast.net so we know how many people will be coming.

[eridani]

44. Biden in seattlen 10/19

Senator Joe Biden Coming to Seattle -- October 19th

Joe Biden will be in Seattle on Sunday, October 19th for a fundraiser. More details will follow, but FYI, the contribution levels will be:

$2,500 -- Reception
$10,000 -- Reception & Dinner
$25,000 -- Reception, Dinner & Photo Op

Please SAVE THE DATE. However, please DO NOT WAIT to contribute. You can use the link below to give, and simply let me know about your desire to participate in one or more of the events.

[eridani]

48. Dave Matthews too!

BIG news. We have secured Dave Matthews to perform an acoustic set at our event with Sen. Biden on Sunday.

This is one of the last events in the country and folks are depending on us to hit our goal so we can ensure that every state (including Washington ) has the funds needed for our critical Get Out The Vote efforts. We want to wake up on November 5th and say we did everything we could to ensure victory. Please consider joining us at this event and making a contribution today.

WHAT: Fundraiser benefiting Obama Victory Fund with Sen. Joe Biden AND performance by Dave Matthews

WHEN: Sunday, October 19, 2008
4pm Reception & Performance - $1,000 per individual

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/Oct19Reception
6pm Dinner - $10,000 per individual
https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/Oct19Dinner

WHERE: Downtown Seattle Sheraton
1400 Sixth Avenue
Seattle , Washington

Thank you again for your support and we hope to see you on the 19th.


Melissa Schwartz
NW Regional Finance Director
206-624-9511 ext 13

[eridani]

51. Aaaannd! A freebie appearance at the Tacoma Dome!

This Sunday, October 19th, please join Joe Biden in Tacoma, where he will talk about Barack's vision for creating the kind of change we need.

Change We Need Rally
with Joe Biden

Cheney Stadium
2502 South Tyler Street
Tacoma, WA

Sunday, October 19th
Doors Open: 12:00 p.m.

http://wa.barackobama.com/TacomaChange
This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however, an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For security reasons, do not bring bags. Please limit personal belongings. No signs or banners permitted.


http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/tacomaJB

[eridani]

45. Al Gore to appear with Chris Gregoire 10/24 in Seattle

Join Gov. Gregoire and Nobel Laureate Al Gore
on October 24, just 11 days before the election.

The stakes for our environment could not be higher in Washington's race for governor.

As the Bush administration has failed to act, Gov. Gregoire took action to combat global climate change. Washington State has become a national leader in the fight against global warming. We are one of the top producers of clean, alternative energy, and we will add 25,000 green collar jobs by 2020.

Our Republican opponent said "there is still a lot of debate going on" about global warming. He also opposed laws to promote renewable energy.

This is a close race, and your support could make the difference, on the environment and so many other issues. Please join Gov. Gregoire and Al Gore on October 24!

12 p.m. Luncheon and Speaking Program
The Sheraton
1400 Sixth Avenue, Seattle

RSVP to www.ChrisGregoire. com/events/ Gore

http://www.chrisgregoire.com/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStatic Content&screenKey=cmpRsvp&eventID=1691&s=gregoire

To be a Table Captain, contact Ansley at [phone] or alacitis {at}chrisgregoire.com

[eridani]

46. 37th LD to have TWO debate watching parties

The last one was so big, the 37th Dems are going to have two parties.

North Party:
October 7th, 5:30 PM Central Cinema 1411 21st Avenue Seattle WA 98122
The theater and restaurant will open at 5:30 PM for the debate
beginning
at 6:00 PM. Stone oven pizzas,calzones,panini sandwiches, soups and
salads as well as beer and wine may be ordered and consumed in both
the theater and the restaurant.

South Party:
Columbia City Theater Lounge
4916 Rainer Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98118
Tel: [phone]
They will be ready for us with a TV tuned to the debates beginning at
6:00 PM

[eridani]

47. Gregoire fundraiser and debate watching party

Subject: Debate Watching Party, Gregoire Fundraiser invite

Just a reminder -

Debate Party / Fundraiser with Gov Chris Gregoire
Tuesday, October 7
5:00 pm
Discussion with Governor Gregoire at 5:30 pm
Debate starts at 6:00 pm
at
Spitfire
2219 4th Ave, Seattle


suggested donation
$250 Guest
$500 Friend
$1000 Sponsor

Please RSVP to Morgan at
mcampbell {at} chrisgregoire.com
or call [phone]

To RSVP online, go to:
www.chrisgregoire.com/events/wcv

Politicial contributions are not tax deductible for any purpose. The maximum donation for the general election per individual, organization or corporation is $1,600. State law requires that donors much be legal US residents, corporations doing business in Washington State, or legal PAC's.

People for Chris Gregoire, Governor (D)
PO Box 2771, Seattle, WA 98111

[eridani]

49. King County Legislative Action Committee to meet in Des Moines 10/26

King County LAC members:

We will meet Sunday, October 26, at the Des Moines Library, in the 33rd Legislative District. Our guest will be King County Council member, former state Representative and state Senator Julia Patterson, and the subject will be the proposed King County Charter amendments that will be on the November ballot.

The proposed amendments are attached, as are the agenda and directions to the Des Moines Library. Council member Patterson will explain the charter review process, how these proposed amendments came to be on the ballot, who supported them, who opposed them, and what is likely to result from their passage or failure to pass.

Co-chair Sarajane Siegfriedt will conduct this meeting. I will not be present because October 26 is my birthday, and I'll be spending it with my daughter.

A reminder, please, that we are seeking someone to co-chair this committee along with Sarajane, as my tenure as interim co-chair will end after the December meeting. If you are interested in some highly rewarding work that advances our agenda and helps build the Democratic Party in King County and in Washington, this might be the job for you.

We'll send out one more reminder a few days before the meeting. In the meantime, please bang those doors and make those calls, and let's elect Democrats up and down the ticket. Thanks.
--
Ivan Weiss, 206-463-4647 <ivan.weiss {at} centurytel.net>
Sarajane Siegfriedt, 206-440-5829 <sarajane3h {at} comcast. net>

LAC co-chairs



King County Legislative Action Committee (LAC)
Sunday, October 26, 2008, Des Moines Library
Draft Agenda


2:00 I. Welcome/Introductio ns
2:15 II. King County Council member Julia Patterson

Discussion of proposed King County Charter amendments on November ballot

3:30 III. Next Steps/Future Meetings

November meeting: Guest speaker to be announced, site TBA

December meeting, Rep. Frank Chopp (D-43), Speaker of the House, site TBA

Development of Committee's legislative agenda for 2009 session; plans for Lobby Day in Olympia, Monday, February 16.

4:30 IV. Adjourn

Directions to Des Moines Library:

The library is on the corner of South 216th Street and 11th Avenue South, next to Des Moines City Hall and across the street from Wesley Homes Retirement Center.

I-5 Northbound: Take Exit 149B, and head west on Highway 516 (Kent-Des Moines Road). Turn right on Pacific Highway S (Highway 99). At the next major intersection, turn left on 216th Street. After going down the hill, turn left on 11th Avenue.

I-5 Southbound:
Take Exit 151. At the stop sign, go straight ahead on 200th Street. At the next major intersection, turn left on International Boulevard (Highway 99/Pacific Highway S). At the third stoplight, turn right on 216th Street. After going down the hill, turn left on 11th Avenue.

From Burien:
Head south on First Avenue, which becomes Marine View Drive. At the first four-way intersection with lights, turn left on 7th Place South, which becomes 216th Street. At the top of the small hill, turn right on 11th Avenue.

Bus Routes:
The Des Moines Library is served by bus routes 121, 122, 131, 132, and 166.

Metro Route 166 stops immediately outside the Des Moines Library on South 216th Street. Route 132 has a stop across the street from the QFC in Des Moines, which is about 1/4 of a mile from the library.

For bus times, call Metro's Rider Information line at 206-553-3000 or 800-542-7876 or visit their Web site. .


KING COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT


King County Charter Amendment No. 1 (Initiative 25 on ballot)

Elected Elections Director

Shall the King County Charter be amended to provide that the position of county director of elections be created as a nonpartisan elected office?


King County Charter Amendment No. 2

Prohibiting Discrimination

Shall Section 840 of the King County Charter be amended to add disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression to the prohibited grounds for discrimination in county employment and county contracting, and to limit the prohibition against discrimination in county contracting to contracts with nongovernmental entities, as provided in Ordinance No. 16204?

Ordinance 16204 - http://mkcclegisear ch.metrokc. gov/attachments/ 31159.pdf



King County Charter Amendment No. 3

Regional Committees

Shall Sections 230.10, 270.20 and 270.30 of the King County Charter be amended to reduce the number of county council members on regional committees, establish a vice chair position on regional committees, authorize the regional policy committee to adopt its own work program, add authority for regional committees to initiate legislation, modify regional committee procedures, and authorize the addition of nonvoting members to the water quality committee, as provided in Ordinance No. 16205?

Ordinance 16205 - http://mkcclegisear ch.metrokc. gov/attachments/ 31251.pdf


King County Charter Amendment No. 4

Additional Qualifications for Elected Officials

Shall Section 630 of the King County Charter be amended to authorize the county council to establish additional qualifications for separately elected officials who head executive departments, as provided in Ordinance No. 16206?

Ordinance 16206 - http://mkcclegisear ch.metrokc. gov/attachments/ 31160.pdf


King County Charter Amendment No. 5

Establishing Forecast Council and Office of Economic and Financial Analysis

Shall the King County Charter be amended to require the establishment of a forecast council and an office of economic and financial analysis, as provided in Ordinance No. 16207?
Ordinance 16207 - http://mkcclegisear ch.metrokc. gov/attachments/ 31161.pdf

King County Charter Amendment No. 6

Budget Deadlines

Shall Sections 410 and 420 of the King County Charter be amended to impose deadlines that are twenty days earlier than existing deadlines for county agencies to submit budget information to the county executive and for the county executive to present a proposed budget to the county council, as provided in Ordinance No. 16208?

Ordinance 16208 - http://mkcclegisearch.metrokc.gov/attachments/ 31162.pdf

King County Charter Amendment No. 7

Charter Amendment by Citizen Initiative

Shall King County Charter Section 800 be amended to establish a new process for citizens to directly propose amendments to the King County Charter and to set the signature threshold for citizen-initiated charter amendments at twenty percent of votes cast in the last election for county executive, as provided in Ordinance No. 16221?

(Note: The ballot title for King County Charter Amendment No. 7 is subject to possible modification if a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order altering the language.)

Ordinance 16221 - http://mkcclegisearch.metrokc.gov/attachments/ 31377.pdf

King County Charter Amendment No. 8 (Initiative 26 on ballot)

Nonpartisan Elections

Shall the King County Charter be amended to make the offices of King county executive, King county assessor and King county council nonpartisan, and to establish the nonpartisan selection of districting committee members?

[eridani]

50. Adam Smith's Progressive Advisory Council to meet 11/12 in Tacoma

Save the Date: Next Progressive Advisory Council Meeting Scheduled

The next Progressive Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12th, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at The Fabulich Center ( 3600 Port of Tacoma Road , Tacoma , WA 98424 ). Invitations will be sent soon and we hope you’ll save the date.


If you have questions or comments to relay, please contact Linda Danforth ,
District Director at: 253-896-3782 or via email at: Linda.Danforth {at} mail.house.gov

Progressive Issues Update

Congressman Smith Offers Bill Protecting Travelers from Suspicion-less Laptop Searches

Recently, Congressman Adam Smith introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to ensure that American citizens and legal residents returning to the U.S. from overseas are not subject to invasive searches of their laptop computers or other electronic devices without any suspicion of wrongdoing. Senator Russell Feingold of Wisconsin introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Adam looked into the concern after hearing that suspicion-less searches were delaying local travelers without cause.

“The chief responsibility of the United States Government is to protect its citizens, and while doing so it is critical that we do not overshadow the obligation to protect the privacy and rights of Americans,” said Adam. “This legislation will provide clear and commonsense legal avenues for the Department of Homeland Security to pursue those who commit crime and wish to do our country harm without infringing on the rights of American citizens. Importantly, it will provide travelers a level of privacy for their computers, digital cameras, cellular telephones and other electronic devices consistent with the Constitution and our nation’s values of liberty.”

The Travelers Privacy Protection Act was introduced in response to a Department of Homeland Security policy, released on July 16th that allows customs agents to “review and analyze” the contents and files of laptops and other electronic devices for an unspecified period of time “absent individualized suspicion.” This policy was issued following report of U.S. customs agents requiring citizens and legal residents to relinquish their laptops or cell phones to DHS authorities for lengthy periods of time while the devices were searched, and in some cases, contents of the devices copied. Reports have also surfaced that some devices had been confiscated and returned weeks or months later with no explanation.

The legislation requires reasonable suspicion of illegal activity for Department of Homeland Security agents to search the contents of laptop computers or other electronic devices carried by U.S. citizens or lawful residents, and it prohibits profiling travelers based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin. Additionally, the bill requires probable cause and a warrant or court order to seize information uncovered during a search, and specifies that searches carried on for more than 24 hours become a seizure. This bill also ensures that information acquired during an electronic search is protected by strict disclosure limitations, with exceptions for sharing information about possible criminal violations or foreign intelligence information. The Travelers Privacy Protection Act also ensures that DHS provides information on its border search policies and practices to Congress and the public.

[eridani]

52. West Seattle Democratic women to meet 10/23

West Seattle Democratic Women's
Monthly Meeting Reminder

Thursday, October 23, 2008
11:15 Registration
11:30 Meeting/Luncheon Begins
Cost: $10.00 (cash or checks* accepted)

Program: King County Democrats Chair Susan Sheary to speak on Initiative I-26/Non Partisan Elections,

Steve Sundquist, King County School Board Director, Finance Committee Chair to speak on funding of the Southwest Youth & Family Services program, and

Jim McIntire Democratic Candidate for Washington State Treasurer.

Location: West Seattle Golf Course
4470-35th Av SW
Seattle, WA
Banquet Room

See you there!
Karen
Outreach Committee
West Seattle Democratic Women

*Please make checks payable to "West Seattle Democratic Women"

[eridani]

53. Maggie Awards banquet in Seattle 10/27

We have extended the deadline to nominate somebody for a Maggie Award to October 17th. This is your chance to nominate somebody in any of the following categories: State Committee Person of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Chair of the Year, Elected Official of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Rising Star of the Year.



Please download the form and return it to:


Washington State Democrats
Attn: Shawna Ousse
P.O Box 4027
Seattle, WA 98194

Or

Fax it to [phone]

Or

Email the form or the information to me at shawna {at} wa-democrats.org

The awards will be handed out on Monday, October, 27 at the Westin (1900 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101). Our special guest speaker is Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama’s brother. Registration and cocktails will begin at 5:30 pm and the dinner will begin at 6:30 pm.



To sign up for the Maggies go to www.wa-democrats.org/maggies and for more information go to www.wa-democrats.org/info-maggies.

Thank you for your dedication to the Democratic Party and here’s to victory on Nov. 4th.


Sincerely,


Shawna Ousse
Development Director
Washington State Democrats
P.O. Box 4027
Seattle, WA 98194
[phone] - office
[phone] - fax
shawna{at} wa-democrats.org
http://www.wa-democrats.org

[eridani]

54. King County Dem Honors Banquet in Seattle 11/9

The King County Democrats will host their annual honors party:

Sunday November 9, 2008 - 6:00 pm
The Downtown Seattle Hilton Hotel Ballroom
1301 Sixth Avenue - Seattle

You may read about the party, reserve your ticket(s) online, and
nominate your favorite volunteer in five categories: Elected
Official, Chair, Democrat - Female and Male, and Rising Star at,

http://www.kcdems.org/temp/HonorsBanquet2008/

Nominations are open until October 31st, close of business day.
Voting will begin on November 1st for those with the most votes for nominees. Voting will continue until November 8th. Awards will be
presented at the party.

Your participation is encouraged!

Thanks,
Susan Sheary
Chair

[eridani]

55. King County Dems meet in Seattle 10/28

KCDCC Monthly Meeting
Tuesday October 28, 2008 - 7:00 pm
Seattle Labor Temple - 2800 First Avenue

Agenda Call to Order
Flag Salute, Approval of Proposed Agenda and Previous Meeting Minutes
Introductions and Announcements
Support for November 4th - General Elections
Washington for Change and Other Telephone Numbers

Donated Taxicab Service***
Discussion on PCO Elections with DNC Rep David McDonald

***Break
Officers and Chairs Reports
Old Business
New Business
Good of the Order
Adjourn

[eridani]

56. Final Gregoire fundraiser in Olympia 11/2

Please join

Kathy Benedict & Dr Rob Tomford, Lori Bielinski, Sharon & Dean Foster, Mark Foutch, Leonora & Jay Fuller, Denny Heck, Representative Sam Hunt, Kaleen Cottingham, Jeanne Koenings, Jeff Kingsbury, Cecille Owens, Senator Marilyn Rasmussen, Melanie Stewart & Wayne Williams,And Judy & Phil Weigand

In welcoming

Governor Chris Gregoire

In her last fundraiser before the election!
Sunday, November 2nd
7 pm

Washington Center for the Performing Arts
512 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

$75 Guest
$250 Friend
$500 Sponsor

Please RSVP to Dayna at [phone] or dlurie {at} chrisgregoire.com

RSVP online at www.chrisgregoire.com/events/lastevent

[eridani]

57. Dow Constantine birthday party 11/13 in Seattle

dowconstantine {at} comcast.net

Please join us this Thursday at KELLS

Please join us this Thursday to celebrate
Dow Constantine' s Ninth Annual 39th Birthday

Thursday, November 13, 2008, 5:30-7:30 pm
KELLS Irish Pub
1916 Post Alley, Pike Place Market, Seattle

Suggested donation at the door: $47
(10% senior discount for those aged 48 and over!)
Sponsors: $100 (Never to late to be a sponsor...)


More information:
www.dowconstantine.org
[phone]
dow {at} dowconstantine.org

[eridani]

58. State Democratic Party holiday event in Seattle 12/14

Dear State Committee Members, Chairs, and Vice-Chairs,



Thank you for your leadership and hard work over the course of this past year. Together we have made history.



Dwight has asked that I send out information regarding our Annual Holiday Party.



The Holiday Party, with special guests Gov. Chris Gregoire and Sen. Patty Murray, will be held on Sunday, December 14th at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center (800 Convention Place, Seattle, WA 98101) in the beautiful Sky bridge and North Lobby located on the 4th floor. The Dinner will be at 5:00pm and the Reception at 6:30pm.

Each year we gather to celebrate the year's accomplishments, and this year we have a lot to be proud of...

Thanks to you, we kept Washington State Blue. We elected Barack Obama as our next president and re-elected Chris Gregoire as our Governor. In addition we re-elected our Congressional Delegation, held our majorities in the State Legislature, elected Jim McIntire as State Treasurer, and elected Peter Goldmark as the State Commissioner of Public Lands.

Because of your role as a party leader we are offering a reduced rate for this event, which is ½ off the regular rate. The reduced rate is $125 for the Dinner and Reception or $25 for the Reception only. You may also purchase one guest ticket at this rate. To receive this reduced rate you must purchase your ticket(s) by Tuesday, December 9th no later than 5:00pm. You can register for this event by going to www.wa-democrats.org/rrholiday or sending in the attached form.



As a special treat, the party will feature entertainment by Circus Contraption. They will entertain us with partner acrobatics, a juggler, an aerial artist, and more exciting acts. To see pictures from a previous show go to http://www.circuscontraption.com/peeps_steas/6.html

If you have any questions, please contact Shawna Ousse at [email protected] or 206.583.0664.



Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at the Holiday Party.

[eridani]

59. King County legislative action committee meeting 11/16 at the Burien library

KCDCC Legislative Action Committee meets on Sunday November 16th at 2:00 pm at the Burien Library - 14700 Sixth Avenue SW in Burien.

Craig Salins from the Washington Public Campaign team will be the
featured guest.

[eridani]

60. And 0n 12/14 at the Machinists Hall

LAC members, invited guests:

Due to an unavoidable schedule conflict, Speaker Chopp cannot meet with uson December 21, but can make it a week earlier, on December 14. Larry Brown of the Machinists has graciously rescheduled us at the IAM hall for that date.

So -- we will meet Sunday, December 14, at the IAM hall in South Park, in the 11th Legislative District, Sunday December 14 from 2 PM to 4 PM. That should give us all time to get up to the Convention Center immediately afterward for the State Party's Holiday bash.

Directions to the IAM Hall, for those who will not be there for the King County Democratic Party reorganization on December 6, will be forthcoming along with an agenda.

Thanks to all and sorry for any inconvenience.

Ivan Weiss
Sarajane Siegfriedt
King County Democrats LAC co-chairs

[eridani]

61. Join Pierce County Dems and Stonewall 12/12

Join the Pierce County Stonewall Democrats at the Tacoma/Grand Opening Night for the new movie MILK starring Sean Penn.

We will hold a reception on Friday, Dec 12 in the downstairs of The Grand Cinema prior to viewing this new movie.

Please RSVP to Anita that you will be able to join us via email at [email protected]

The reception will be held from 7:30- 9:15 pm so we can have the biggest crowd by accommodating both the crowd coming out of the 6 PM show and those arriving to watch the 8:45 showtime.
The theater is located at 606 Fawcett in Tacoma, one block up and two blocks over from both the Rainbow Center and Club Silverstone.

There is more info available for this event on our Facebook site.
http://www.facebook.com/s.php?init=q&q=stonewall&ref=ts&sid=d58f1b7b34347895a2b34dc50d346481#/group.php?gid=14473470556

(Join us Saturday, Dec 27 in West Seattle for a mid-Holidaze Party! Check our website or Facebook page for details later this week)

Plan to pay for your ticket at least 20 minutes ahead of the show you choose to view.

This is what the Grand sent out:


In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans. Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk under the direction of Gus Van Sant in Milk, filmed on location in San Francisco from an original screenplay by Dustin Lance Black, and produced by Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen. Milk charts the last eight years of Harvey Milk's life. While living in New York City, he turns 40. Looking for more purpose, Milk and his lover Scott Smith (James Franco) relocate to San Francisco, where they found a small business, Castro Camera, in the heart of a working-class neighborhood. With his beloved Castro neighborhood and beautiful city empowering him, Milk surprises Scott and himself by becoming an outspoken agent for change. With vitalizing support from Scott and from new friends like young activist Cleve Jones (Emile Hirsch), Milk plunges headfirst into the choppy waters of politics. Bolstering his public profile with humor, Milk's actions speak even louder than his gift-of-gab words. When Milk is elected supervisor for the newly zoned District 5, he tries to coordinate his efforts with those of another newly elected supervisor, Dan White (Josh Brolin). But as White and Milk's political agendas increasingly diverge, their personal destinies tragically converge. Milk's platform was and is one of hope - a hero's legacy that resonates in the here and now.

Milk is a worthy docudrama that is solid if not sublime. But, sometimes, a merely good film can brush up against greatness, and this one does so twice. -- Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Milk has one of the finest ensemble casts this year and a magnificent, career-topping performance by Sean Penn, who disappears into the title role. -- Claudia Puig, USA Today

An American Classic! ... in line for all kinds of year-end awards. -- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
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Friday-Sunday, December 12-14: (12:30), *(3:15), 6:00, 8:45
Monday-Wednesday, December 15-17: (3:15), 6:00, 8:45
Thursday, December 18: (12:30), (3:15), 6:00, 8:45
* A discussion will follow Saturday's 3:15pm show

Tickets Member Tickets (with current member ID):
$8.50 General Admission $7.00 General Admission
$6.50 Matinee (before 6:00 pm on weekdays, before $5.00 Matinee
4:00 pm on weekends and holidays) Senior
$6.50 Seniors (62 and over) Student
Students with current ID Military
Military with ID
Child (0 - 12)


The Grand is a non-profit art-house theater, supported by its loyal patrons, volunteers, and members. Its mission is to enhance the cultural vitality of the community through the art of film.

You can support the Grand Cinema by joining as a member. Memberships are paid and renewed annually: $40 for an individual, $75 for a joint membership and $140 for a family membership. Included with each membership and/or membership renewal are a pair of passes per person (2 for single membership, 4 for joint, 8 for family). Members always receive a $1.50 discount on all films at the Grand, free small popcorn, a subscription to our quarterly newsletter Filmstock, and special rates on series and festival passes.