Progressive Democrats of America to host Statewide Conference & Winter Warm Up Dinner

by: vingopal

Tue Jan 26, 2010 at 12:28:55 AM EST

Monday, January 25 2010

Progressive Democrats of America to host Statewide Conference & Winter Warm Up Dinner

Conference will feature local and state progressive champions including U.S. Congressman Donald Payne, SICKO's Donna Smith, PDA National Director Tim Carpenter and others.

They will try to Wellstone Ted Kennedy. Don't let them.

by: Rosi Efthim

Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 03:45:14 PM EDT

That struck me. I count two things as the engines behind everything I'm doing in politics right now. Howard Dean's What I want to know ... speech. And the massive arena celebration of the lives of Paul & Sheila Wellstone. Sen. Wellstone was not perfect; he was not angelic. But what he was, was brave. An ordinary, everyday guy with a Minnesota Senate seat.

Ted Kennedy was a very different guy. Tried most of his life to connect with the ordinary. And you bet there's going to be an effort to remind grieving congressional Democrats that health care was the cause of Kennedy's life. They'd better damn well pass it. And there's no way the right will not challenge that.

The answer to that question - How long? - is now. Today, Rush Limbaugh ridiculed Wellstone's memorial, that arena brimming with people who knew early that change was coming, and there was work to be done. Forward-thinkers, progressives, and fearless local organizers. There was more loss, and backlash, before there was winning. But that memorial - those people, those speeches - meant everything to me. And I can't just sit and listen to what was just said on the radio, without saying this:

Paul Wellstone didn't die. Not like they wanted him to.

He's now called Wellstone Action.
He's called Democracy for America.
You can call him the 2008 Senate, House & White House, if progressive.
He's called Barack Obama. Called Michelle Obama. Aim higher, he'd say.
He is called first-time voters, and change.
Canvasser. Phonebanker. Local organizer.
He's called Organizing for America. PDA.
Union.
They call him janitor, and educator, and factory worker. New immigrant.
He is called the Congressional Black Caucus, and Progressive Caucus.
He's the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and those who didn't made it.
He's a first-time candidate, who thinks politics isn't about winning, it's about improving people's lives.
He's not going to let up on Marriage Equality.
He demands the public option.
He's called the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party.
And he's called 50-State Strategy.
He is called Loretta Weinberg.
Paul Wellstone is called Senator Al Franken now.

And he's called Blue Jersey.

Take that, Rush Limbaugh. You disrespectful son of a bitch.

OCDFA/PDA Brick Anti-War 4th Annv. Vigil draws a crowd

by: OCDFAgal

Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 01:37:32 PM EDT

It was an unbelievably AWFUL night for a vigil, but as I reminded people, not half as awful as being in Iraq. One hour in a torrential downpour hardly compares. Thank to Andy for bringing down the "Bus For Change" and everyone for braving the elements.

Vigil a sign of build-up of anti-war sentiments
40 brave rain at Brick protest
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 03/20/07
BY JOHN VANDIVER
TOMS RIVER BUREAU

Anti-War Vigil APP

BRICK - Leonard Amada stood with the assistance of a walker in the cold rain Monday and sounded off on the war in Iraq.
"I'm out here to commemorate some of the things I've learned," said Amada, an 81-year-old World War II veteran from Manchester.
About 40 anti-war protesters lined up on the sidewalk on Chambers Bridge Road opposite Brick Plaza for a candlelight peace vigil. The group was there to mark the fourth anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
During the past four years, Amada said, he's learned that the war was "based on lies."
"We learned that young men can die in Iraq and that this war is going to bankrupt the country," Amada said.
The vigil in Brick was organized by Ocean County Democracy For America, Progressive Democrats of America and NJ Labor against the War.
The group of protesters carried signs calling for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq and cupped candles to shield the flames from the rain.
Carol Gay, a former candidate for Congress and one of the organizers, said the time has come for lawmakers to cut off funding for the war.
"There's hope and optimism and at the same time there's serious concerns. We still have a lunatic in the White House. We don't want to see the whole Middle East go up in flames," the Brick resident said.
Meanwhile, President Bush, in a statement to the nation on Monday, said it will be a matter of months, not weeks, before the success of a surge in troops can be measured.
"The new strategy will need more time to take effect. And there will be good days, and there will be bad days ahead as the security plan unfolds," Bush said.
For anti-war activists, though, a troop build-up isn't what's needed. With more than 3,200 American troops killed, it's time to bring the soldiers home, said Shannon Smith, who attended the Brick vigil.
"I can't stand what's happening to our military and our country," said Smith of Jackson.
Gay, who ran an unsuccessful campaign last year to unseat Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., had been participating in peace rallies and activities all weekend. On Sunday, she was marching on the boardwalk in Atlantic City.
"There's definitely been a turning of the corner. The November election was a vote for peace," Gay said. "While there's been a turning of the corner, and it's clear the country has said we don't belong there, we still need Congress to cut off the funding."
"The message is bring the troops home. There's no guarantee the soldiers will be safe until you bring them home," Gay said.
Amada, meanwhile, says he's tired of hearing the argument that a troop withdrawal will lead to chaos.
"We have chaos now," Amada said.

*****See all of OCDFA/PDA's event photos, Special Election, St. pats Parade and more at:
http://www.flickr.co...

NJ Democratic Party Progressive Caucus Meets

by: Jeff Gardner

Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 03:38:14 PM EST

Over 40 leaders from progressive groups around the state, including NJ for Democracy, Progressive Democrats of New Jersey, Garden State Equality, and other progressive individuals were joined by the Democratic State Committee's Richard McGrath, who addressed the caucus on the their shared vision for the state party.

The caucus then set about forming working groups to create a progressive platform on a series of issues of importance to NJ's progressive community.

Morris DFA/PDA Holiday Party

by: BootGOP

Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 11:14:02 AM EST