7th US Social Forum Info
Posted On Saturday, January 27, 2007 at at 1:26 PM by Dan
Kenya hosted the latest World Social Forum (link is to the english language site). This is the first time the forum occurred in Africa. There will be a US Social Forum in June in Atlanta. The Black Commentator has a correspondent in Kenya writing about the forum. Rather than repost it here, check out The Black Commentator.
Other links regarding the US Social Forum:
Article on 2006 World Social Forum in Venezuela in Political Affairs Magazine.
Border Social Forum blog
YES Magazine links - Seems to be a lot of stuff about globalization, I can't make sense of it. But YES is a good magazine so I'm including it on trust.
Grassroots Global Justice - network asked by the WSF to spearhead a US Social Forum. Great WSF blog as well.
BOBBY KAHN ISSUES WARNING, “I’ll ALWAYS HELP PEOPLE WITH THEIR CAMPAIGNS.”
Posted On at at 12:58 PM by Dan
Most folks don’t realize this, but Bobby Kahn has been the chair of the Georgia Democratic Party since 2004. Before this position Kahn was chief of staff for former Gov. Roy Barnes. Most folks also don’t realize this, but Georgia has a Democratic Party. At least it does on paper.
Of course, there are Democrats in Georgia, but that’s a long way from saying there is a real coordinated Democratic Party. Especially one capable of running an election worth anything. One should note, I don’t say the party is capable of communicating what it believes. That would be unfair since the Democratic Party as a whole seems to believe in nothing. I believe a state party structure is really about getting people involved, developing candidates, and getting out the vote. In those three areas I think we can say the Georgia Democratic Party is a failure.
How much of this failure rests on Bobby Kahn’s shoulders? Consider this. In 2004 John Kerry ran for president with the worst campaign I had seen to that point. He visited Georgia a total times of zero. Nada. None. In fact, Zell Miller, the only allegedly democratic US senator from Georgia, campaigned for George Bush. Kerry pulled 41.4% of the vote in Georgia.
Fast forward to 2006 to the gubernatorial campaign. Mark Taylor runs a campaign which eclipses Kerry’s in terms of incompetence. It now stands as the worst campaign I’ve ever seen. Taylor did no polling in the campaign, instead he poured what money he had into intensely negative ads. This wasn’t too hard since that was his strategy for winning the primary against Cathy Cox. Taylor alienated everyone except Latino and Black voters. Women, rural voters, urban voters, etc. all went for Perdue. Taylor got 38.2% of the vote.
The lesson here, I believe, is that Taylor would have gotten more votes if he hadn’t campaigned. True, there are more voters in general during a presidential election cycle. But Kerry didn’t campaign in Georgia. The fact that Taylor supposedly did should have made up for that. Mark Taylor bears most of the responsibility for the abject failure of 2006. Yet Bobby Kahn chaired a party that lost almost 3% of the vote in 2 years by campaigning!
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not a Democrat. I haven’t been since 1988 when Dukakis sucked the hope out of me during his run for president. The Democrats are a neoliberal party, so I will not be a Democrat. Still, it’s difficult to live in a one party state. It would be nice to have two neoliberal parties in Georgia. It wouldn’t be democracy, but it would be nice. Perhaps, now that Kahn is gone, Georgia Democrats will focus on building a base. We’re not completely out of the woods though. In the recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution article Kahn warned us all, “"I'm not fading away. I'll always help people with their campaigns." If he really wanted to help, he would kindly refrain.
APPARENTLY, VIRGINIA IS ALSO FOR ASSES
Posted On Thursday, January 18, 2007 at at 4:03 PM by Dan
Seriously, what’s going on in Virginia? Below is an article I pulled from the Daily Press about the latest Virginia politician to step in the poo poo. First it was Sen. George Allen (the macaca controversy) and then Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Rocky Mount) warning the country that voters would be electing muslims unless immigration was cut off. This time it’s Frank Hargrove who has managed to attack Blacks, Jews, and Native Americans all by just opening his mouth. Read more below or directly from the Daily Press.
In the spirit of being constructive, I’d like to offer these words of advice to Virginia politicians.
1. Shut up.
2. If you are a white male, particularly one born of class privilege, you may feel the need on occasion, or even all the time, to talk about things whether you understand them or not. If you feel one of these moments coming on, refer to rule 1.
3. If you ignore rule 1 and open your mouth, there’s a good chance something stupid came out. In this case issue a one line press release saying, “I’m sorry. I will shut up now.” Under no circumstances should you speak to the press since this will involve opening your mouth. If you feel the need to explain your actions, see rule 1.
LAWMAKER SAYS BLACKS SHOULD 'GET OVER' SLAVERY
By Kimball Payne
247-4765
January 17, 2007
RICHMOND -- The day after lawmakers honored the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr., a member of the House of Delegates stirred furious and tearful debate in Richmond with inflammatory comments about African-Americans and Jews. Del. Frank Hargrove, R-Hanover, triggered controversy while talking about an impending House resolution that would formally apologize for the state's role in the slave trade. He said African-Americans should "get over it" because no one alive today was involved in slavery.
"Are we going to force Jews to apologize for killing Christ?" Hargrove asked.
His comments appeared in the Charlottesville Daily Progress on Tuesday, and lawmakers reacted quickly when the House opened session that day. Hargrove, 79, responded by denouncing slavery but was met with groans and awkward silence when he suggested that a Jewish delegate, whose grandparents escaped Nazi-occupied Poland, was being hypersensitive about the comments.
"I think your skin was a little too thin," Hargrove said.
It marks the third time in the last five months that a Virginia Republican has stepped into racial controversy. And it comes as the state is poised to welcome the world to Jamestown for the 2007 celebration, where it will mark the contributions of American Indians, Africans and English settlers and the beginning of the state's complex racial history.
Last year, incumbent U.S. Sen. George Allen lost his seat after using an obscure racial epithet to describe a worker for a rival campaign. Allen's campaign never recovered after he twice called a videographer for his opponent "macaca" - a genus of monkey and a racial slur in some French-speaking African countries.
Last month, Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Rocky Mount, touched off outrage when he criticized a Muslim Congressman for using a Quran at his swearing-in ceremony several weeks ago. Goode has not backed down, instead warning that not speaking out could lead to the election of more Muslims.
On Tuesday, three delegates stood on the House floor to condemn Hargrove's words.
Virginia Black Caucus Chairman Dwight C. Jones, D-Richmond, said Hargrove's statements were narrow-minded and exclusionary. Then Jones recalled the horrors of the slave trade and the struggles for civil rights.
"When somebody tells me I should just get over slavery, I can only express my emotion by projecting that I am appalled, absolutely appalled," Jones said.
Jones said Hargrove desecrated King's memory. Del. Donald McEachin, D-Richmond, talked about the stories of his family's bondage that have been passed down from his grandmother who will soon turn 103 years old.
"Quite frankly ... it's hard to get over it," said McEachin. "When there is a wrong committed, there needs to be an apology."
Del. David Englin, D-Alexandria, explained his family's exodus to the United States to escape fervent anti-Semitism in Poland prior to World Ward II.
"There are members of this body whose families came here in chains," said Englin, who sits next to Hargrove on the House floor. "My family came here in hope. ... I know the gentleman meant no harm to my family. I hope we can all use this as a learning opportunity."
When Englin finished, Hargrove rose to respond. He condemned slavery and said he didn't mean to offend anyone. But after describing the plight of American Indians, Hargrove continued to explain why he was against a formal state apology for slavery.
"I didn't have anything to do with mistreating Indians," Hargrove said.
Hargrove then addressed Englin specifically.
"I didn't know you were Jewish. I don't care what your religion is," Hargrove said. "I think your skin was a little too thin."
Afterward, delegates from Hampton Roads had a variety of reactions.
Del. Mamye BaCote, D-Newport News, read Hargrove's words early Tuesday morning and said she was not surprised.
"Even though it's 2007, there are still people who believe that an apology isn't necessary," BaCote said. "Some things haven't changed."
Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton, was taken off guard.
"It was shocking to see," said Ward. "It was really saddening."
Del. Lionell Spruill Sr., D-Chesapeake, said there was no excuse for what Hargrove said.
"What he said, you can't dress it up," said Spruill. "The man said thin-skinned? Come on, now. This kind of stuff has got to stop. He's been around a long time. He knew there was a problem a long time ago. How can we get over it by these kinds of remarks? It won't go away."
Asked how outsiders would view Virginia in light of this latest racial controversy, Spruill said: "They will say, well, Virginia's still in the South."
Some black delegates were more forgiving.
"He's been one of those delegates who has always reached out to me," said Del. Onzlee Ware, D-Roanoke. "He's given me good sound advice. We've had plenty of conversations. I've never felt any racial tension between us."
Ware said Tuesday's debate could have been handled differently by those who responded to Hargrove.
"Although we disagree with Del. Hargrove's statement, this is America. It's OK for him to feel that way," he said. "But my job is to enlighten him, not to try and further incite the debate. That's the only place where I think we missed the opportunity."
The slavery apology resolution is to be brought for a vote within the next few weeks.
REVIEW OF THE GEORGIA PROGRESSIVE SUMMIT
Posted On Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at at 6:16 PM by Dan
According to the organizers around 200 people attended the event. That seemed about right to me, but since it was held at a college (Clark Atlanta University) the only time to get a real sense of everybody was between the workshops and during the plenary. I left at 4pm so I don’t know what the closing looked like, but it felt like moving between 100 and 200 people when the workshops let out.
The summit came out of the Georgians for Democracy group which came out of the Howard Dean campaign. They put together a summit in 2006 that was basically for the liberal democrats. This year they expanded a bit. I expected the gathering to be overwhelmingly white, middle age, middle class, and angry, but in a polite, white, middle age, middle class kind of way. White people definitely represented at this year’s summit, but it wasn’t an all white thing. I say about 60/40. It was an older crowd though. I didn’t see a large youth contingent, especially youth of color. It seemed that the Black and Latino organizations involved were the civil rights organizations. The Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda was one of the main sponsors.
The summit was held for one night and one day and scheduled so it would be the kick-off to the King week celebrations. As you can probably imagine, MLK is a big deal in Atlanta. The organizers timed it right though. The summit was held Friday evening, January 5 and all day Saturday, January 6. Now when I say all day I mean ALL day. Opening plenary was 8:30am and the closing call to action was suppose to end at 7pm.
Remember when the US Army had those commercials that showed soldiers doing soldiery things way early in the morning? It ended with a dramatic voice saying, “The US Army. We do more by 9am than most people do all day.” I always thought we should have a commercial that said, “The US Left. We don’t do a damn thing until noon.” But despite my dim view of a.m. events the opening plenary was great and attendance was pretty good. The plenary was hosted by Jerome Scott of Project South and Alice Lovelace of the US Social Forum. In the interest of full disclosure, I worked at Project South for almost 5 years. Alice gave a framework to the plenary, and really the whole summit, by talking about the word progressive in historical terms. It would be real easy to just launch into a theoretical debate on what does progressive really mean. Alice sidestepped that, at least for me, by suggesting it is an all encompassing term denoting those “from Democrats to radical.” This would include me, Bill Clinton, and Angela Davis. OK there are problems with the definitions, but we’re just trying to get through a day-long meeting here people. For you folks in the Bay area or New York go ahead and make finer distinctions, but we’re in Georgia. We can’t afford to be too sectarian.
The rest of the plenary was a large-scale version of the Aha moment exercise. A select group of people was asked to tell the folks about when they first found the movement (whatever it was). We then got into small groups and shared. Then a the mike was open for a few folks from the audience. This part took some facilitation because white guys sure to love to talk. Those hands were jumping something fierce, but it ended somewhat balanced. All in all I thought it was great to open a summit with the people talking with each other instead of having one person standing and giving a lecture.
After the plenary we broke into workshops. I didn’t find the list all that exciting. It seemed most of the workshops were either for people just getting involved and looking for basic help or they were organizations pitching their campaign. I wasn’t interested in the campaigns so I attended some basic workshops. Two of those I attended (Using the media and Community Organizing 101) were facilitated by people from the Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition. After my experience 15 years ago with the Florida Peace & Justice Coalition, I vowed to not get involved with any organization that had “peace & justice” in its name. This was just a workshop though, so I went. The media workshop was a basic one, but I did learn more than a thing or two. The Georgia coalition does have a handle on media and they happily shared everything they learned. The Community Organizing 101 workshop was a 1.5 hour version of the Midwest Academy one week class. I view the Saul Alinsky model of organizing and fundamentally flawed, but this was a 101 workshop and there wasn’t room to really talk about it. I tried, but it just didn’t fit so I shut up.
I wished there was more variety to the workshops. It would have been nice to have a space where experienced organizers could talk about their work, philosophy, politics, or whatever. Since all the workshops were picked based on submissions by people, it may be the organizers didn’t get a proposal for a workshop like that. It could also be that they did get one but passed on it. I’m not sure, but I would bet the former. There wasn’t a workshop on fundraising of any kind. Given the basic need for it, I have to think they didn’t pick one because no one submitted. If that’s the case for something as fundamental as money, then a workshop on the philosophy of organizing wasn’t likely. I did try to submit a workshop on fundraising, but I missed the deadline. I’ll try next year.
Yes, there will be a summit next year. At least people say there will be. I hope so. All in all it was a great event, and I commend those who put it together.
THE “HARP”-OCRACY OF THE SENATE
Posted On Saturday, January 13, 2007 at at 11:29 AM by Dan
I was taught that democracy is a system in which people have a direct voice in decisions that affect them. This meant that, technically, the US wasn’t a democracy but a republic since elected representatives are the ones who have the ability to directly vote on most issues. Of course, I was taught this in Florida public schools so none of this may be accurate.
Soon residents of Georgia will be able to exercise our basic freedom to make a decision that directly affects us. What could it possibly be about? Perhaps about our economic future? Our sense of budget priorities? No, it’s going to be about alcohol. At least it will be if Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) and 9 others have their way.
Personally, I think this is great. The state ban on alcohol sales is simply stupid. If you are a Christian and don’t believe in drinking on the Sabbath, then don’t. I’m not a Christian, so when I watch the Falcons lose I want (need!) a beer. Politics don’t have to be complicated.
What I think is truly interesting is Harp’s reason for allowing communities to vote on Sunday sales. He wants our communities to have “local control of local issues." He was quoted in the AJC as saying, "I believe strongly that we as senators have a responsibility first to the citizens of our districts. The opportunity to let them make that decision is among the most fundamental rights that exist in our form of government."
Wow! What a swell guy. Too bad it smacks of bullshit hypocrisy.
I remember 2005. In 2005 there were two bills, both originally sponsored in the House by my favorite fascist Earl Ehrart (R-Powder Springs), number HB 67 and HB 59. HB 67 prevented local governments across Georgia from enacting laws requiring organizations to extend domestic benefits to gay couples. This state bill made sure the City of Atlanta couldn’t require the Druid Hills Golf Club to extend marriage benefits to gay couples. HB 59 prevented local governments from giving contractual preferences to companies that pay higher than the federal minimum wage. This bill made sure the City of Atlanta didn’t penalize companies that spread poverty when coming up with criteria on contracts. Sen. Harp voted yes on both of these bills when they came up in the Senate.
Now you may believe that gay people don’t deserve equality. You may even believe that companies that force taxpayers to pay for the poverty created by low wages are good for the country. You may even want your local government to further these policies. If you do, I believe you’re seriously deluded. However, wouldn’t it be up to the citizens in your community to have this debate? If you wanted these policies in your community, wouldn’t it be best if your community passed the laws? Wouldn’t it be just a tad strange, dare I say hypocritical, for a senator to say the people deciding on alcohol sales on Sunday is a grand demonstration of the power of democracy, but those same people should have no say on the nature of equality or their own economic future? Would his vote have anything to do with the campaign contributions he received from beer wholesaler James Zachry back in 2005? Could it be just a simple coincidence? Sure, he also got that contribution from Wholesale Distributors for Good Government, an alcohol PAC, but what could that really mean? His vote against a living wage probably also had nothing to do with the thousands of dollars in contributions from building contractors, nursing homes, insurance companies, and other business types. You know, those folks who pay poverty wages. Wouldn’t a democracy, however one defines it, be a system where all people, not just the ones with deep pockets, get to decide on policy?
Perhaps Sen. Harp could take a moment to think about the double standard. If he would like, I would be happy to buy him a beer and discuss this further.
A Short Lesson on the Arbitrary Nature of the Death Penalty
Saddam Hussein greets Donald Rumsfeld. December 20, 1983.
One of these men was hanged for crimes against humanity.
One is retiring and living off profits from military contractors…after designing a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives (http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673606694919/abstract).
Both apparently worked on the same side for a little while.
Check out The National Security Archive website information on Saddam and Rumy smiling it up (http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB82/). The site has good information on the full relationship. It wasn’t without it’s problems. Reagan did have to publicly say chemical weapons are bad and then figure out a way to keep Iraq armed. Empire is hard work.
PS – If you haven’t read it yet, check out The Lancet’s article on deaths in Iraq due to the invasion (link above).
