September 2007 newsletter
MoveOn.org Aug. 28 Monmouth Rally Big Success
"Imagine a small Oregon town of 9,125 people and a MoveOn turn-out of
over 75 folks! Phenomenal. We're ready for ACTION!" organizer Bonnie
Ross exulted. 
Ross (shown far left), a Polk County Democrat, joined MoveOn organizers
Joanne and Marianne Tinschel in hosting the August 28 event, a somber
candlelight vigil. Participants included members of The Monmouth Peace
Supporters group that meets each Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00 at Main
Street Park, across from Rick's Place. 
Now in its 18th week, this informal group, organized by
Armelle Hofer and Suzi and Truman Price is small but growing. "We have
each pledged one of us will always be there at the meetings," Suzi
Price told us. Last week she said they got 108 approving honks. "We
hope all the people who have been waving and honking will stop, park
their cars and come join us," Suzi told us, adding, "with just a few
more people we can talk about extending the hours."
Ross Heads to D.C. For War Protest Event
Will take local letters to Congresswoman Hooley's D.C. Office
Deadline to sumit letters Wednesday
Ross heads to Washington D.C. September 15 for her second peace rally,
organized by a coalition of anti-war and impeachment organizations. Her
trip includes a visit to Congress.
She told the Polk Democrat," I plan to reserve Friday, to visit with
our Oregon Congressional Delegation and Senators (probably their
staffers) and would love to take as many letters from folks in Polk
County as I can accumulate in a week's time, delivering them in
person."
To those who wish to write she said "I have extended the time to 3:00
PM on Wednesday the 12th in order to gather more emails (with or
without attachments) to take to my 10:00 AM meeting in Darlene Hooley's
office in Washington DC this Friday. I leave in the evening on the
10th.
I encourage you/your friends to prepare a paragraph or a page as to
your concerns about the war and/or impeachment issues that I will share
with Aaron Lande, a staffer with Darlene Hooley in Washington DC. This
is a chance to have presented first hand your thoughts and feelings
directly to staff in Washington. I am taking a former student and her
mother with me and then the following day we will participate in the
A.N.S.W.E.R. March on Washington. I will let those interested know of
the outcome of the meeting.
Please include in your letter your personal contact information (email and or address). Thanks for your support."
There is still time, she says, to have your thoughts go to Washington
with her. She is accepting letters via email through Wednesday at 3:00
p.m.
Rally Timed to Coincides With Patraeus Iraq Report
The D.C. rally is timed to coincide with the report by Gen. David
Petraeus about the progress of the Iraq war. The demonstration was
initiated by the ANSWER Coalition. Its web site claims responsibility
for organizing "most of the large-scale demonstrations in Washington
DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other cities since 2002." On the
same web site Veterans for Peace says the protest will include "a mass
civil-disobedience die-in around the Peace Monument...led by an Honor
Guard of Iraq Veterans."
"Stand Up and Be Counted"
About the Sept. 15 march, her second in D.C., she wrote, "I just think that it's
time to really stand up and be counted, even if it's only one of many at the
march. Last time (in January) I got a MoveOn scholarship, this time it's
from my pension pocket."
"I would love for the Democrats to step forward and be counted",
she said of Democratic leadership, "and have integrity in their choices
and the decisions they make."
Polk Democratic Central Committee Writes Hooley
Calling for Bush, Cheney Impeachment
The Polk County Democratic Central Committee at its August 9 monthly
meeting voted to write a letter to Congresswoman Darlene Hooley urging
her to pursue the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President
Chaney. The final letter, dated August 20, says the Bush Administration
"has plunged America into a crisis that can only be resolved by the
impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney."
Administration "Violated the Rule of Law"
The letter notes the Bush-Cheney Administration had violated the rule of law by:
- "Claiming the power to exempt members of the Executive branch from Congressional investigation;
- Obstructing Congressional lawmaking through the misuse of signing statements;
- Obstructing the performance of the justice system;
- Repealing basic Constitutional Rights of Americans, including habeas corpus, through Executive Decree;
- Lying in order to fraudulently wage war."
(Read the entire letter here.)
Other County Central Committees Ponder, Send Similar Letters
The Polk Democrats are among those Central Committees responding to
impeachment calls from area voters. Benton County Democrats issued a
similar letter, and other county central committees are working on
their own, says Polk Dems CC Vice-Chair, Suzi Price. At the quarterly
State Central Committee meeting in Salem, March 10, members from
throughout the state formally voted to support impeachment proceedings.
Congresswoman Darlene Hooley Holds Salem Town Hall
5th
District Congresswoman Darlene Hooley met a lively, sometimes
contenteous crowd gathered Friday at Salem Library's Louck's
Auditorium.
"This administration has failed on the diplomatic and political fronts,
and no amount of military might can fix that," Hooley told the crowd of
about 75 people. In response to a question about continued war funding
from Peter Bergel she said "I want you to know I will not allow another
blank check for this war."
More on her 5th District website here. Her prepared remarks here.
Cable access station CCTV (channels 21, 22, and 23) recorded the entire event. A rebroadcast schedule is available here.
Measure 49 Survives Legal Challenge 
Federal Judge Approves Ballot Title
Measure 49 opponents who mounted a summer legal effort to get it thrown
out as a virtual repeal of Measure 39 were defeated Sept. 6 in federal
court. According to the Oregonian,
Judge Ann Aiken of the U.S. District Court in Eugene essentially
dismissed the case brought by Oregonians in Action, who argued the
measure was unconstitutional. Aiken dismissed a motion for a temporary
restraining order that would have blocked certification of the ballot
title, which opponents said was misleading. Aiken ruled against those
objections, sending Measure 49 to the Nov. 6 ballot leaving its
language intact.
Polk Democrats To Hear Yes on 49
Presentation at Sept. 13 CC meeting
At its August monthly meeting the Polk County Democratic Central
Committee voted to endorse Measure 49, and at its Sept. 13 meeting at
Christ's church, Monmouth, will hear a presentation from Josh Balloch,
Field Organizer for Polk, Marion and Yamhill counties for the Yes of 49
campaign.
According to his biography, Josh was born and raised on the Oregon
Coast. After graduating from Oregon State University with B.S. in
Political Science, he started working on for a State Senate Race on the
Oregon Coast. Since then he has worked a myriad of high-profile State
Senate races throughout Oregon including Senate President Peter
Courtney's campaign in 2006. He has help elect three rural democrats to
the State Senate and two rural County Commissioners.
Josh also has experience working in the Oregon Legislature and with
different policy groups including "Hope for a Healthy Oregon," which pushed
for Universal Health Care for all Oregonians,and the Oregon chapter of the
National Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI.
Make a Note: Upcoming Events
Sept. 13 - Central Committee meeting Christ's Church, Monmouth, 6:30 refreshments, meeting starts at 7 pm. Everyone is welcome!
Sept. 13 - alem Progressive Film Series begins
with Norman Solomon's "War Made Easy" 7 p.m. Grand Theater, 190 High
St. downtown Salem. Discussion afterwards. Guest speaker, Peter Bergel,
exec. Dir. Oregon Peaceworks. Tickets $3 at door. More info contact
Cindy Kimball, (503) 588-8713.
Sept 15 - Local Wineries to Hold M 49 Fundraiser
Three of Oregon' s premier family wineries have come together in common cause.
Ponzi Vineyards | Winter's Hill Vineyards | The Eyrie Vineyards
On Saturday, September 15th, all three will be opening their doors for
an exclusive fundraiser in support of Oregon's lands. 100% of the
ticket sales for the event will go to support the Yes on 49 Campaign.
Grape Escape Winery Tours will be your guide through Oregon's
spectacular wine country. At each stop, enjoy artisan wines and cuisine
while meeting members of Oregon's wine families. Find out more about
how you can help preserve the vitality of wine-growing in Oregon.
Date: Saturday, September 15, 2007
Time: 10 am - 5 pm
Donation: $100 per person, $150 per couple
Pick-up/Drop off: Sunset Transit Center park and ride - near Hwy
26, 217, & St. Vincent's hospital. It's a stand alone, linked to
MAX. Arrive by 9:45 am for 10:00 am departure.
RSVP/Details: contact Lori by telephone at (503) 497-1000 or by e-mail at mailto:lori@friends.org
Sept. 28 - Hop and Heritage Festival, Independence Volunteers welcome at Polk Democrats booth. Hop and Heritage Festival website: http://www.independencepolice.org/HOP/index.html
October 2 -7 PM Oregon Senate Candidate Steve Novick will speak at the Monmouth Library. Details to be announced.
Oct. 6 - Every Voter Counts Canvass
Oct. 11- Monthly CC meeting, Salem Electric, Salem.