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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. Monmouth Aug. 28 vigil

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. Monmouth Aug. 28 vigil

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." 

 Go to Sept.15.org 
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                        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 NoteMake 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.

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