SJVGreens: 2004 archive

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2004

GreenTV schedule 2004

Vote Suppression in Ohio

There is a clear pattern of vote suppression in Ohio. Everyday Americans serving as poll workers and vote counters did their best to be fair and honest. But, the Republican Party and Ohio officials rigged the system to suppress the vote for Kerry and third party candidates.

Read articles from Greg Palast of the BBC and Bruce Hall, a Fort Wayne, IN, activist who went to Ohio to observe the count in one county. The Register, a geek computer/science tabloid in the UK, reports Dutch electronic voting machine software goes Open Source -- something we'd like to see in the U.S.

Where Did the Labor Movement Go Wrong? Lessons From the Flint Sit-Down Strike in 1937

"The following is a slightly abridged version of an article by Genora Johnson Dollinger, who was the captain of the Women's Emergency Brigade in Flint, Michigan during the UAW sitdown strikes. She talks about the state of the union movement in l987 -- 50 years after that strike. Seventeen years later the issues still resonate, as we discuss how to reorganize the labor movement. This article appeared in a special edition of UAW Chevrolet Local 659's newspaper, THE SEARCHLIGHT, on Feb. 10, 1987." -- Barri Boone, SEIU 415 Executive Board. More...

Giving With a Purpose: Alternative Gift Fair on Saturday, Dec. 4

Are you tired of sitting in traffic, standing in long lines, and buying presents with only a temporary value, only to ask what happened to the real meaning of the holidays? Would you rather give gifts that keep on giving? The Prince of Peace Church Alternative Gift Fair offers you an alternative. More...

Green Party Political Wins in 2004

The Green Party held old seats and gained new seats in 2004. Read the list of Green public office holders sorted by state.

White House Asks Congress to Overturn Court Decision on Yucca Mountain

Please take a moment to call your Senators and Representatives and urge them not to support this effort by the White House. The capital switch board number is 1-877-331-2000 or 1-202-224-3121. Senator Evan Bayh has voted against Yucca Mountain in the past and Senator Lugar should support good science over politics but it is very important that we call both. When you call you can ask for one, leave a message and then ask to be transferred to the other. More...

St. Joseph Co. Building Self-Sufficiency Task Force Issues Report to the Community on Nov. 10

The St. Joseph Co. Building Self-Sufficiency Task Force issued its first Report to the Community on November 10, 2004. Download or read the report at the United Way of St. Joseph Co. web site.

"Self-sufficiency is defined as maintaining a decent standard of living and not having to choose between basic necessities - whether to meet one's need for child care but not nutrition, or housing, but not health care. Self-sufficiency wages are family sustaining."

Green Wins Nobel Peace Prize - George Bush and Tony Blair are losers

Not that anyone thought George Bush or Tony Blair would win this year's Nobel Peace Prize, but who knows - strange things like this happen these days. But in light of their nomination, something stranger did happen - a true beacon of peace and a shining hope for the future won the Peace Prize. More...

Sinclair's Partisan Ploy Cries Out for Equal Time

The Sinclair Broadcasting company has realized the worst fears of Greens and others who oppose the consolidation of media power in the U.S. and around the world. Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR) has issued an action alert to protest Sinclair's politicization of broadcast "news." More...

Global Warming Challenge: Undo Global Warming

Environmental Defense issues a challenge to U.S. voters. Send the candidates a message: Undo it! As a report commissioned by the Defense Department outlined this year, climate change is not "just" an environmental threat; it poses a threat to our national security. More...

Green Presidential Candidate Arrested at Second Debate

David Cobb, the Green Party's presidential candidate, was arrested 10/8 in St. Louis for committing civil disobedience to protest the anti-democratic presidential debates which are restricted to participants from two political parties and sponsored by their corporate contributors. The debates' sponsor, the Commission on Presidential Debates, denied the Cobb campaign's repeated requests to participate in the debates with Bush and Kerry and denied Mr. Cobb's request to attend the St. Louis debate as an audience member. More...

South Bend Tribune Issues Second Call for Civilian Police Review Board

The South Bend Tribune issued a second editorial calling for civilian review of the police. The editorial was a response to the Mayor's announcement that citizens would no longer be required to file their complaints about police conduct in the police station, an obvious attempt to ward off the growing community pressure to legislate an independent civilian police review board. More...

Waste Not, Want Not - Health Care Action Week Report

Unions, reform organizations unite in week of action for affordable health care for all. Jobs with Justice releases a new study, "Waste Not, Want Not", showing that savings from cutting private insurance and drug industry waste could fund health care for all in Indiana. More...

Green Party News Circulator Sept. 6

The Green movement is an international movement, and the Green Party is an international party, decentralized and diverse. The Green Party of the United States gathers worldwide news about the Green movement and its politics in the Green News Circulator. And the SJVGreens present it to you. More...

Green Veep Candidate to Sleep in a Dozen Homeless Shelters

Green Party vice presidential candidate Pat LaMarche today announced her upcoming "Left Out Tour," an unprecedented two week journey designed to draw attention to those living on the edge of society -- the homeless, victims of domestic abuse, people without health insurance, and the working poor -- and to collect donations of essential items for homeless shelters. More...

Shut up and Color: The Politics of Bullying

He's lost his voice since, but the best thing John Kerry did at the Democratic convention was to challenge the bullying. He talked of the flag belonging to all of us, and how "standing up to speak our minds is not a challenge to patriotism [but] the heart and soul of patriotism." By doing this, he drew the line against the pattern of intimidation that the Bush administration has used to wage war on democracy itself. More...

Mohandas Gandhi's Grandson, Arun Gandhi, Speaks Sept. 29

It is our extreme good fortune that Indiana University in South Bend and the Elco Theatre of Elkhart are sponsoring lectures by Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas Gandhi on Wednesday, September 29, 2004. More...

Movie on Gandhi, Saturday, September 11, 2:00 PM

Unity Church of Peace is co-sponsoring a free showing of the award winning movie "Gandhi" on Saturday, September 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph County Library, Wayne and Main Streets in downtown South Bend. The screening is open to the public and will be held downstairs in the Colfax Theater.

House Votes to Block Bush's New Overtime Rules

In a sharp rebuke of a new administration policy, the House moved Thursday to block the Labor Department from carrying out overtime rules that critics argued could deprive millions of workers of their overtime pay.

The 223-193 vote in favor of blocking the rules defied the White House. A threatened veto applied to a massive spending bill, now on the House floor, if it contains any language tampering with the rules that took effect Aug. 23.  More...

Nobel Laureate Economist Challenges Outsourcing

Paul A. Samuelson, the Nobel Prize-winning economist and professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is challenging the economics orthodoxy on the issue of outsourcing.

Mr. Samuelson says it is untrue that the laws of economics dictate that the American economy will benefit in the long run from all forms of international trade, including the outsourcing abroad of call-center and software programming jobs.  More...

South Bend Tribune Supports Call for Civilian Review of the Police

In a recent opinion piece the South Bend Tribune Editorial Board announced its support for the idea of civilian review of the police.

"As we have said before, we believe that a more open process, one with more community involvement, is essential to dissipate the clouds of frustration and suspicion that hang over the cases of alleged excessive force. We don't know how that community involvement should be structured. (Mayor) Luecke has said that he wants to continue to rely on the Board of Public Safety, whose members he appoints."

"We urge the mayor to quickly look at other communities that have set up separate review boards to work to clear the air and enhance the authority and trust their people place in police departments. We need to find a good model and follow it here." More...

SJVGreens Vote 'No' on Libertarian Endorsement

Dave Vollrath, SJVGreens delegate to Indiana Green Party, followed the consensus among SJVGreens members and voted 'no' to endorse Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Kenn Gividen. More...

Confronting Kernan & Bayh at French Lick, Aug.27

Jeff Stant says, "Our campaign to rachet up the political heat on Governor Kernan for his inexcusable decisions to move forward on I-69 will witness another important battle six days from tonight in French Lick. We need you to join us there, when Joe Kernan and Lieutenant Governor Kathy Davis, US Senator Evan Bayh, US Congressman Baron Hill and Indiana Attorney General Candidate Joe Hogsett converge at the French Lick Springs Resort Hotel, at 6:30 PM for the Orange County Jefferson- Jackson Dinner." More...

GreenTV Moves to Wednesday Evening

GreenTV is moving to Wednesday, 10:00 P.M., beginning September 1. Our first show in the new slot is "The True Promise of America", a plea not to invade Iraq by Scott Ridder, former U.N. weapons inspector.

GreenTV joins the 'secular' programming block on Wednesday evenings. Most of Comcast's cable access (ch. 3) programming is devoted to shows of a religious nature. GreenTV had a chance to switch slots with a religious show stranded on Wednesday night and took it.

So reset your tape recorder or Tivo and mark your calendar or Palm device for Wednesday, 10:00 P.M., beginning Sept. 1.

Dr. de Guzman Speaks on Need for Civilan Police Review Boards

Dr. Melchor de Guzman, Indiana University at South Bend professor of Public and Environmental Affairs, will speak to the public about civilian police review boards. The presentation is Wednesday, August 18, 6:00 P.M, at Ivy Tech State College, room 1220.

The speech is sponsored by the local branch of the NAACP. The SJVGreens served a pivotal role in bringing the NAACP and Prof. de Guzman together. Please download and print a PDF version of the flyer. Here is a simplified HTML version of the flyer.

Middle East Peace Workers to Speak in South Bend/Mishawaka

What are the prospects for peace in the Middle East? Jerry and Sis Levin know, and they want to talk to us about it.

The Levins are touring the United States speaking to churches, peace groups and the public about their efforts for peace in the Middle East. The Center for Peace and Nonviolence is the sponsor of the South Bend- Mishawaka leg of the tour.

Jerry Levin says, "We have taken to the road to share our experiences, because we think more of our fellow citizens need to hear and see up close and personal how infinitely more desperate conditions there have become as a result of our own government's historic policy shift to violent preemptive unilateralism. Our soldiers in Iraq are now caught in the cross fire of a terrifying civil war. And Israel, encouraged by U. S. unilateralism, is on the verge of swallowing up without benefit of negotiations, almost half the West Bank, thus dooming Palestinian dreams of freedom from occupation."

Jerry and Sis will speak to the public at:

Help the Levins by downloading and printing flyers or by circulating the press release to your email lists.

Investigative Journalist Warns 2004 E-Voting a "train wreck"

Investigative journalist, Bev Harris, has studied e-voting since 2002. She says "We have a train wreck that's definitely going to happen. We have conflict of interest, we've taken the checks and balances away, and we know the votes are already being miscounted fairly frequently. This is going to be huge."

For example, In January 2003, Harris did a Google search for Vancouver, B.C.-based Global Election Systems Inc., the software company Diebold acquired in 2002. On the search engine's 15th page of hits was a link to proprietary code, which Harris burned on seven CDs and stashed in a safe-deposit box. She didn't sleep for 44 hours while downloading 40,000 files. The passcode on approximately 30,000 e-voting machines? "1111" More...

Maureen Barlock Secures Ballot Line in Marion County Race

Maureen Barlock, a Marion County Green, is running for a seat on the Center Township Board, District 2, in Marion County, IN. According to Pam Raider, Indiana Green Party Co-Chair, Maureen raised enough petition signatures to run on a ballot line. She needed 120 certified signatures. 136 of the collected signatures have been certified so far.

Right-wing Think Tanks Exposed

Tim Lambert has too much time on his hands. Lambert is a computer science teacher and statistician. To keep his math sharp he criticizes the "research" of right-wing think tanks. The think tanks pass off their pseudo-science as proof there is no global warming, that open source software is bad for us and tobacco doesn't cause illness. More...

David Cobb Nominated at Green Convention

Delegates to the Green Party of the United States (GPUS) chose David Cobb at the GPUS Presidential candidate on the second round of balloting. Pat LaMarche is the Vice Presidential candidate.

Things Republicans Believe

Things Republicans Believe is a tasty bit of irony sure to raise a smile and a twinge of pain. More...

Michael Moore's Farenheit 9/11 in South Bend

[Editor's note, June 29: Due to positive calls and emails, the Kerasotes cineplex in South Bend, Showplace 16, obtained a copy of F9/11 and has showed it on one screen to sold-out audiences since June 25, the national premiere.]

Showplace 16, the Kerasotes theater in South Bend has a poster for Farenheit 9/11 (F9/11) on the wall saying it was coming. However, the theater isn't listed at the F9/11 web site. Hopefully, Showplace 16's exculsion from the theater database is an oversight.

According to Peter Bart, one of the hosts on AMC's Shootout, F9/11 got an unprecedented (and deserved) 25 minute long standing ovation at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. Cannes has not allowed documentaries to be juried since 1956. Michael Moore not only revitalized documentaries at Cannes 2002 with Bowling for Columbine, but Bowling won a special jury award that is given out only once every five years. Bowling also was picked for distribution at Cannes by United Artists for $1.5 million dollars, another unprecedented event. Documentaries are seldom selected for distribution, much less paid millions of dollars. Bowling made record money in the theaters and won an Academy Award in the U.S.

F9/11 won the Cannes Best Picture award and is poised to be even bigger than Bowling in the theaters. Make sure you see F9/11. Michael Moore asks that you to call your local theaters to find out when F9/11 premieres. More...

Nader Taps Green Activist As Running Mate

According to Associated Press writer Sam Hananel, Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader selected longtime Green Party activist Peter Camejo to be his running mate on Monday, a move sure to boost his chances of winning the Green Party's endorsement this week and its access to ballot lines in 22 states and the District of Columbia. More...

Black Voters Disenfranchised in Florida, Elsewhere

According to San Francisco Chronicle reporter, Greg Palast, Black votes in Florida were not counted and that omission determined the 2000 election. "In the 2000 presidential election, 1.9 million Americans cast ballots that no one counted. "Spoiled votes" is the technical term. The pile of ballots left to rot has a distinctly dark hue: About 1 million of them -- half of the rejected ballots -- were cast by African Americans although black voters make up only 12 percent of the electorate." More...

Clean Up Dirty Power

Ever wonder where the dirty power plants are located? And which states have the most deaths due to air pollution? Wonder no more. Clear The Air (CTA) has a produced a clickable map showing just where the pollution and deaths come from. The Power Plant Pollution Locator lets you get the facts to clear the air. Can you guess where Indiana ranks? A picture is worth 1000 words.

Protest the G8 and Free Trade!!!

Friday, June 4th, 11:30am on the steps of the IU Bloomington Library on the corner of 10th and Jordan St. Please bring signs, puppets, drums, noise makers, yourselves and your voices!

Please join concerned Hoosiers and our friends and allies from around the Midwest in gathering to say NO! to free trade and to reclaim our global community! More...

CAC Asks for Public Comment on Net Metering

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission initiated a rulemaking procedure to promulgate a rule on net metering (a kilowatt hour swap between a customer who installs wind or solar technology and the customer's electric utility company) last year. On May 20, 2004, the Commission held a public hearing on the issue. CAC and Derrick Adkins of Wolfsong Wind testified.

The Commission will now take written comments until June 11. After June 11, the public will have another two weeks to respond to the comments of others provided to the Commission. It is important that the public respond. More...

Phone Calls Needed Tuesday, May 25

Join your fellow paddlers, anglers, advocates, and river enthusiasts in delivering the message of river conservation to Congress next Tuesday, May 25!

Even if you cannot join us for River Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., you can participate in this event simply by using your telephone on Tuesday, May 25. More...

3rd Annual Nuclear Free Great Lakes Camp

The third annual Nuclear Free Great Lakes Camp carries on the nonviolent grass-roots citizen campaign to shut down the dozens of costly, polluting, and dangerous nuclear power reactors in the Great Lakes basin. This week-long international gathering will focus on activist and organizer skills building, energy issues training, networking, and a nonviolent public demonstration to work toward a sustainable non-nuclear energy future.

Come for one day or the whole week. For more information, 847-869-7650, neis@forward.net

Stop Radioactive Waste From Going to Regular Landfills

The US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a new rule (68 FR 22:65120-65151, Nov 18, 2003) that would allow nuclear and mixed waste to go to places that are not licensed for radioactive materials. The goal appears to be to "redefine" radioactive materials, no matter what their source based on EPA-calculated and projected risks. EPA's rule threatens to preempt and supercede existing state laws that prohibit nuclear waste in solid waste landfills or other sites. VT, ME, OH, WI, IL, MN, CO, OR, PA, CT, WV, NM, IA, are among states that have passed such laws and regulations. More...

IKE Releases "Sewage in Our Streams" Newsletter

Improving Kids' Environment releases "Sewage in Our Streams", a report analyzing sewage discharges into Indiana rivers and streams. Every year, the Sierra Club and IKE review the 24-hour reports that NPDES permit holders must make to IDEM. "Sewage in Our Streams" is written on behalf of the Indiana Clean Water Coalition. More...

INPIRG Releases Water Study

Indiana Public Interest Research Group (INPIRG) will release a new report, "Troubled Waters", which lists facilities polluting Indiana's waterways in violation of their Clean Water Act permits. Representatives from local environmental groups, including Elkhart EnviroCorps, Michiana Watershed Incorporated, and the St. Joe Valley Greens will help present that data and also highlight local efforts underway to protect Indiana's waters. More...

John Anderson on IRV and Full Representation

John Anderson, former Independent Presidential candidate, sums up the Center for Voting and Democracy positions on instant runoff voting and full representation. Full representation is also known as proportional representation. Anderson proposes dumping the Electoral College, electing the President directly and instituting IRV. More...

Pentagon Tells Bush: climate change will destroy us

"A secret report, suppressed by US defence chiefs and obtained by The Observer, warns that major European cities will be sunk beneath rising seas as Britain is plunged into a 'Siberian' climate by 2020. Nuclear conflict, mega-droughts, famine and widespread rioting will erupt across the world." More...

Michiana Peace and Justice Coalition Events

Michiana Peace and Justice Coalition has some great film screenings, an event or two and an action in March. More...

Swiss Insurer Warns of Global Environmental Catasrophe

Without any doubt professional actuaries now agree with the Greens and most scientists who have studied the problem: Global warming and climate change is an enormous looming problem.

The world's second largest reinsurer, Swiss Re, warns that global warming and climate change will cause increasing human suffering and economic disaster.

SJVGreens Protest Bush's Ban on Gay Marriage

The St. Joe Valley Greens in South Bend, IN strongly protest President Bush's support for an amendment to the Constitution to ban same sex marriages. The Constitution provides rights for America's citizens and any amendment should expand citizen rights, not contract them.

The institution of marriage which endures across all cultures and religions, to paraphrase the President today, did not always include all citizens of all cultures and religions even in our own country. More...

National Health Care Action Day

The St. Joe Valley Greens in South Bend, IN endorse the Jobs with Justice and the St Joseph Valley Project's kickoff event to be held on March 4, 2004 at 4:30 PM.

The event will take place at the Uniroyal monument in Battel Park in Mishawaka. The monument is located on the corner of Main and Mishawaka Avenue. Alternate bad weather site: USWA local hall. The hall is located at 125 S. Hill Street, Mishawaka, IN 46546-0162.

Come hear some interesting speakers discuss the present Health Care system failures and the support for a publicly financed health care system. JWJ are planning to meet congressional candidates at 3pm before the rally at USWA local 1191. More...

Michiana Eco-Summit

Elkhart Envirocorps invites you to attend the first annual Michiana Eco-Summit 2004. This event is a chance to bring together environmental groups to address the most pressing environmental issues of our two-state area and foster collaborative action. The event is scheduled for Friday, March 5th, at Ferrettie/Baugo Park on the St. Joseph/Elkhart County line on Ash Rd. north of 933.

Registration information and an agenda will be on the EnviroCorps website this week...more

David Cobb, a Green Party presidential candidate, visits South Bend

David Cobb, a Green Party presidential candidate, will be visiting South Bend Friday evening, February 20, to give a talk co-sponsored by the St. Joe Valley Greens and IUSB's Political Science Club, which will provide refreshments for a reception afterwards.

The talk will be held in Room 251 in the Administration Bldg. on the IUSB campus, 7-9 PM.

The Administration Building is located on Mishawaka Avenue, between Twyckenham and Ironwood Drives. Across the street is John Adams High School...more

Driving directions

Video Tapes of the American City Lecture Series in St. Joseph Library

Video tapes of the speakers in the "American City" Guest Speaker Series are now available in the St. Joseph County Public Library, downtown. Please click on the "American City" icon on the South Bend City Plan's homepage to get an idea of the topics discussed during the first Speaker Series.

The American City speaker series was professionally recorded by Grass Roots Media Inc. and tapes for individual speakers can be purchased by calling Maria Rogers at 574.289.8437.

SJVGreens Endorse NNN Homeowner and Small Business Tax Relief Petition

The St. Joe Valley Greens in South Bend, IN, endorse the Near Northwest Neighborhood Association's petition requesting that legislators find more equitable ways to allocate the costs of city services among all the county's residents. The current tax assessment system places the burden of supporting institutions that serve the entire County on the backs of City residents while allowing those who use the Cities and their institutions to avoid paying their fair share. South Bend may have the highest tax rate in Indiana and many individuals and small business owners have suddenly found their property taxes going up as much as 300%.

Candidates Seek IGP Endorsements

Two candidates for federal office are seeking endorsement by the Indiana Green Party (IGP): Jeff Melton and Clark Field. Both are running for Congress. The IGP Coordinating Committee issued a 10-point questionnaire, and both candidates have responded. Read their replies at the IGP web site: Look for "IGP News."

Workers Rights Center to Open in South Bend

St. Joe Valley Project/Jobs with Justice will announce the opening of their Workers Rights Center during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration at the Century Center on Sunday, January 19, 2004. A press conference announcing the opening will be held at 5:00 PM. The press conference follows a screening of "At the River I Stand", a film about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike of 1968. The film shows at 3:15 PM. Fred Redmond of the United Steel Workers of America & a community panel will hold a discussion after the film.

If you have the Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in for your browser, left click here to open the announcement flyer. If not, right click here and chose the appropriate option in your browser's pop-up menu to download the file.

IGP Endorses "March for Womens' Lives"

The Indiana Green Party has endorsed " The March for Women's Lives" that will take place in Washington D.C. on April 25th. "The March for Women's Lives" addresses the assaults on women's rights and lives, both nationally and globally, that restrict women's access to reproductive health services and limit women's ability to have a child or to end a pregnancy. The Indiana Greens support the coalition of womens' organizations that have gathered to organize the march: Feminist Majority, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The St. Joe Valley Greens are producing a 'GreenTV' pre-march interview with representatives from the South Bend NOW and PlannedParenthood chapters airing on Feb. 26, 4pm on Comcast channel 03 in the Michiana viewing area.

For more information:

SF Mayoral Race Wrap-up

The campaign is over. Gavin Newsom (Dem) beat Matt Gonzalez in the mayoral race in San Francisco. But that doesn't mean that Gonzalez, Greens and progressives lost...more

Task Force Seeks Same-Sex Couples in 5 States to Show the Cost of Unequal Treatment Under Marriage Laws

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute is in search of same-sex couples - preferably in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin or Oregon - who are willing to be profiled for a project that the Policy Institute is developing. The project will highlight the economic costs of not being able to marry... more.

SEIU Recruits 2004 Political Organizers in 2004

The SJVGreens do not agree with SEIU's endorsement of Howard Dean for president. But we do appreciate their creative, grassroots approach to political organizing. Maybe SEIU will endorse a Green for president in the future.

At least 2004 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) activists will be selected to take paid time off from their regular jobs in order to spend three to seven months working full-time in "battleground states" where working family votes could make the difference in the 2004 presidential election... more

 St. Joe Valley Greens, South Bend, IN