Maryland's Loss: Jane Lawton passed away

Maryland lost one of our best legislators and one of our kindest
residents: Jane Lawton passed away this morning apparently from a heart
attack. Our hearts go out to her daughters, Stephanie and Kathleen. Jane
was one of my delegates, representing the 18th District. I liked Jane
from the moment I met her. She was always so positive and friendly. She
will be sorely missed by the many many people who knew and loved her.
The last time I saw her, she was hard at work trying to make the best of
the chaotic special session. She led efforts to help people in Maryland
on several issues, and did so with grace and intelligence. We were so
lucky to have known her. We lost her far too soon. We cannot hope to
replace her. If I may, I'd like to suggest renaming the Leland Center
which she helped build the "Jane Lawton / Leland Center." It's a small
gesture to honor such a special person.

Dennis Kucinich in Charlottesville VA on Friday, December 7th.

Dennis Kucinich in Charlottesville VA on Friday, December 7th.
Contact: david@davidswanson.org

Central Virginia, home to Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and the father
of our Constitution, James Madison, will be the site of a rally for a
presidential candidate working to defend that Constitution.

The creators of our government intended the Congress to be the most
powerful branch of it, and provided as a defense of that power the
impeachment process. Central to their thinking was concern that an
unchecked executive could take the nation into unjust and unnecessary wars.

Our Constitution and Bill of Rights are under attack, and the leading
voice in their defense will be speaking in Charlottesville on December
7th. Dennis Kucinich is working to end the funding of the occupation of
Iraq, to prevent an aggressive war on Iran, and to restore the rule of
law to the executive branch by impeaching Dick Cheney and George W. Bush.

Kucinich, alone among the candidates, would shift our priorities and
resources in a major way from war to peace. He would invest in jobs, in
green energy, and in education, including publicly funded college
tuition. Kucinich alone would catch us up with the rest of the world by
creating single-payer health coverage. Kucinich alone would end NAFTA.

Please join us in welcoming Dennis Kucinich to Virginia on Friday,
December 7th.

WHERE: Lane Auditorium in the Albemarle County Office Building -
McIntire (COB-McIntire), located at the intersection of McIntire Road
and Preston Avenue in downtown Charlottesville at 401 McIntire Road.
Here are directions:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=401+McIntire+Rd,+Charlottesville,+VA+22902

/ http://www.albemarle.org/page.asp?info=dir

Intimate face-to-face meeting with Dennis Kucinich will be in Room 235,
the Totier Room, near the Lane Auditorium, in the same building.
WHEN: Friday evening, December 7, 2007.
Smaller meeting in Totier Room at 7:15 p.m.
Main event in Lane Auditorium at 7:45 p.m.

PRICE OF ADMISSION: (Payable at the door, by cash or preferably by check
made out to "Kucinich for President") Students: $10, general admission
$20, admission plus your photo taken with Dennis $50, admission plus
photo plus priority front-of-the-room seating $100.

To attend the face-to-face meeting with Dennis, you must contribute or
bring with you enough people (or checks) to collectively contribute
$500. Based on the total you give or organize, you will be listed as
follows: Friends $500, Hosts $1,000, Sponsors $2,300

Websites with more information and downloadable flyers:

http://www.dennis4president.com and http://www.vafordennisk.org

Host committee: David Swanson, Andrea Miller, Sarah Lanzman

EXPAND THE DEBATE: EMPOWERING HEALTH CARE REFORM AND CREATING COMMUNITY ACTION

EXPAND THE DEBATE: EMPOWERING HEALTH CARE REFORM AND CREATING COMMUNITY
ACTION

2 pm to 4 pm Saturday, December 1, 2007
Episcopal Diocese Center
4 East University Parkway Baltimore, MD
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=4+E+University+Pkwy,+Baltimore,+MD+21218

Guest Speakers:
Dr. Robert Zarr - Pediatrician, President of D.C. Chapter of
Physicians for a National Health Program
Joel Segal - Health Care Legislative Assistant to Rep. John Conyers

Sponsored by Maryland Universal Health Care Action Network and the
Conversation Coalition

Free admission but RSVP to Margaret Flowers at nose1@aol.com or 410-591-0892

Can't make it but interested in health care in Maryland? Email
mikehersh@mikehersh.com

Book Event: Bernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar

Dorothy Fall, author of an exciting and informative biography Bernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar will discuss and sign copies of her book.
Please RSVP NOW!
7:30 PM Tuesday December 4

Sabang Restaurant
2504 Ennalls Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902

Free Parking in the Front Lot / Fully Accessible to all
Short walk from the Wheaton Metro Stop (red line)

Book Description: Bernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar by Dorothy Fall.

Bernard Fall wrote the classics Street Without Joy and Hell in a Very Small Place, which detailed the French experience in Vietnam. One of the first (and the best-informed) Western observers to say that the United States could not win there either, he was killed in Vietnam in 1967 while accompanying a Marine platoon.

Written by his widow Dorothy, Bernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar tells the story of this courageous and influential Frenchman, who experienced many of the major events of the twentieth century. His mother perished at Auschwitz, his father was killed by the Gestapo, and he himself fought in the Resistance. It focuses, however, on Vietnam and on two love stories. The first details Fall's love for Vietnam and his efforts to save the country from destruction and the United States from disaster. The second shows a husband and father dedicated to a cause that continuously lured him away from those he loved. With a foreword by the late David Halberstam.

We'll also hold a brief monthly meeting covering our key issues and working with coalition of area and region groups to achieve success in MD 8, Maryland and the US. Planning for MAJOR events including MoCo Health Care Forum, Maryland Budget Town Hall Meeting, Special events, Ongoing Peace and other efforts.

The Real Costs of Maryland’s Voting System

DO THE MATH: The Real Costs of Maryland's Voting System

The most expensive way to vote. Maryland currently uses the most expensive type of voting system available -- touch-screen Direct-Recording Electronic (DRE) machines.

In Fiscal Year 2000, when most of Maryland's counties used optical scan voting systems, the State Board of Elections' annual budget was about $3.1 million.

By FY 2007, with the touch-screen voting system in place statewide, the SBE's annual budget had skyrocketed to $29.5 million -- nearly 10 times the cost of the previous system!

Of that, the operating costs of the voting system -- maintenance, repair, replacement, storage, transportation, programming, testing, training, technical support, etc. for the state's 19,000 voting machines -- have averaged $10.7 million per year for the past 3 years.

And the cost is still rising. Our current service contract with Diebold Election Systems, Inc. expires right after the 2008 General Election, and would have to be rebid at that time.

Diebold Election Systems, Inc. no longer exists. After 18 months of failed attempts to sell its election division, Diebold spun it off into a separate company, Premier Election Solutions, Inc.

Because of its proprietary secret source code, Diebold/Premier has a monopoly on all services directly related to our voting machines. How much would Premier charge us to continue its service contract on our equipment beyond 2008? The cost is not yet known, but would be likely to rise, since our aging equipment will be more prone to break down and malfunction with each passing year.

Less equipment means lower costs. Optical scan voting systems are far less expensive to operate because they require only 1/5 as many machines. Our 19,000 touch-screen machines could be replaced by just 4,000 machines. Each polling place would need only one optical scanner and one ballot-marking station to enable voters with disabilities or language barriers to mark a paper ballot. Switching to an optical-scan voting system would probably reduce our operating costs by as much as 25% to 50%, saving about $2.7 to $5.4 million per year.

The cost of switching to a new system would pay for itself in just a few years in reduced operating costs. And the state would have a more reliable, recountable election system that would meet future equipment standards for years to come. The move to optical scan voting is a growing national trend as the unacceptable risks of DRE voting are confirmed in election day disasters and numerous reputable studies. Each year Maryland delays in replacing our voting equipment, we are squandering millions of tax dollars and running the risk of a major, unrecoverable election failure.

Let's make the fiscally responsible choice. Listen to the 64% of Maryland's voters who support funding the switch to optical scan by 2010. Let's restore common sense to our elections.

thanks to SaveOurVotes.org

Protect Your Vote: Take Action Now!Attend Bernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar

Montgomery County Progressive Alliance Special Edition

1. Protect Your Vote: Take Action Now During the Maryland Special Session

2. Book Talk Bernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar
7:30 PM Tuesday December 4 Please RSVP NOW!

Dorothy Fall, author of an exciting and informative biography
about her husband Bernard Fall, will discuss and sign copies of her
book at Sabang Restaurant, 2504 Ennalls Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902

Short walk from the Wheaton Metro Stop (red line) / Accessible to all

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1. Protect Your Vote: Take Action Now During the Maryland Special Session

Call your State Senator and your State Delegate(s) 1-800-492-7122 and Gov. O'Malley 1-800-811-8336 (both toll free)

Strongly urge them to fully fund paper ballot voting. Find your State Senator and Delegate(s) using your street address: http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/

Key points to mention when calling (please use your own words):

Optically Scanned Paper Ballots are More Reliable as well as Less Expensive:
The current system is unreliable, aging and will require costly upgrades, replacements, and maintenance now that the warranty period has ended. Optical Scan can be implemented for approximately $2 million in the FY09 budget and perhaps less.

The Status Quo will Cost Maryland More Money; Changing to OpScan will Save Money:
The cost savings will be $20 million or more over the next 5 years because the new system will require approximately 80% fewer voting machines. (Please see the cost study at http://md-eic.org/fVVPR1007a.htm).

Nearly Two out of Three Marylanders Support Fully Funding Paper Ballot Voting:
Recent polling indicates 64% of Maryland voters support fully funding paper ballot voting, while only 31% oppose funding.

100% of Maryland Legislators and Gov. O'Malley Support Paper Ballot Voting:
Maryland's General Assembly passed SB392 / HB18 unanimously, mandating a switch to an optical scan voting system by 2010. Gov. O'Malley signed the bill into law, but unless it's fully funded, the bill will not take effect. Our elected officials made the right decision last Spring, and now they should complete the job.

Maryland's Switch to Paper Ballots is Part of a National Trend:
Election Day meltdowns and several prestigious studies confirm the risks of electronic "DRE" voting. After irregularities in 2004, New Mexico switched to OpScan voting in 2006. Florida is changing to OpScan next year after touch-screen "DRE" machines such as we have in Maryland "lost" 18,000 votes in a congressional race which was decided by fewer than 400 votes.

Call our elected officials. Tell them, "We can't afford proven unreliable and increasingly costly voting machines."

Ask Gov. O'Malley to guarantee funding for reliable, cost-effective paper-based voting in the Special Session: 1-800-811-8336

Ask your State Senator and Delegate(s) to vote for guaranteed full funding. Our democracy depends on it: 1-800-492-7122

Stay involved with Election Activism Efforts:
Join PDA's Clean, Fair, Transparent Elections Organizing Team. Contact: Diane@PDAmerica.org

Thanks to PDAmerica.org, SaveOurVotes.org, Md-EIC.org and other activists working to ensure our voting is reliable and secure.

------------------------------------------------

2. Book Talk Bernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar
7:30 PM Tuesday December 4

Dorothy Fall, author of an exciting and informative biography about her husband Bernard Fall, will discuss and sign copies of her book. Please RSVP NOW!

Sabang Restaurant
2504 Ennalls Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902


Short walk from the Wheaton Metro Stop (red line) / Accessible to all

Bernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar (Paperback) by Dorothy Fall. Bernard Fall wrote the classics Street Without Joy and Hell in a Very Small Place, which detailed the French experience in Vietnam. One of the first (and the best-informed) Western observers to say that the United States could not win there either, he was killed in Vietnam in 1967 while accompanying a Marine platoon.

Written by his widow Dorothy, Bernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar tells the story of this courageous and influential Frenchman, who experienced many of the major events of the twentieth century. His mother perished at Auschwitz, his father was killed by the Gestapo, and he fought in the Resistance. This book focuses on Vietnam and on two love stories. The first details Fall's love for Vietnam and his efforts to save the country from destruction and the United States from disaster. The second shows a husband and father dedicated to a cause that continuously lured him away from those he loved. Foreword by the late David Halberstam.

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4th Cong. District Debate Prince George's County African-American Dem. Club

Prince George's County African-American Dem. Club
4th Congressional District Debate

Donna Edwards, the true Democrat in the race, faces Iraq War supporter and special interest money kingpin Al Wynn.

10:30 AM Saturday, Nov. 17th
Oxon Hill Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD

Public Transportation from the SOUTHERN AVE METRO STATION (Green Line)
Take D12 BUS towards SUITLAND STATION at 9:56am
Arrive at the LIBRARY 6200 OXON HILL RD at 10:16am

The Maryland primary is on Feb. 12, 2008

Towson, MD PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY FORUM AND STRAW POLL

Come show your support for your candidate!  
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY FORUM AND STRAW POLL  
Saturday, December 8, 2007. 6:30 p.m. 

University Union, Towson University
8000 York Rd., Towson, MD 21252  

Representatives from the Presidential Campaigns will make the  case for their candidates and be on hand to answer your  questions!   

Sponsored by the Central Baltimore County Democratic Club and  the Towson University College Democrats  

Park in the Union Parking garage.

The entrance is on Cross Campus Dr. 
Parking on Saturdays is free.

The forum will be in the Susquehanna Room, 2nd floor, University Union.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT SCOTT SOKOL, CBCDC, at  SSokol310@aol.com, or call 410.853.7717 or SEAN LAWLOR, TOWSON  UNIV. DEMOCRATS, at seandems@yahoo.com, or call 301.335.3428

Donna Edwards: The Change We NeedRight Here, Right Now

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dan Weber November 9, 2007 Phone #: (301) 316-1880 Donna Edwards' Campaign Releases Second Video in "The Change We Need, Right Here, Right Now" Series Video Provides Edwards' Vision and Congressman Wynn's Failures On Environment TEMPLE HILLS, MD - The Donna Edwards for Congress campaign announces the release of a second video, "The World We Are Leaving Our Children" Donna Edwards believes that "environmental issues are some of the biggest, most important policy questions of our generation." This video highlights some of the environmental initiatives Ms. Edwards will take on as a member of Congress and why she will be a true leader for change. The video also discusses the failures of Congressman Wynn and his conflict of interest when receiving so much corporate special interest PAC money from oil, gas, and electric companies. This series will continue to highlight several substantive issues and show why Ms. Edwards has the vision and character to provide the change Maryland's 4th Congressional District needs. (from the Donna Edwards for Congress Campaign)

Dorothy Fall will discuss her bookBernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar

7:30 PM Tuesday, December 4th
Sabang Restaurant
2504 Ennalls Ave
Wheaton Maryland 20902
Between Viers Mill, Georgia and University
Short walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)

Please RSVP now!



Bernard Fall wrote the classics Street Without Joy and
Hell in a Very Small Place, about the French experience
in Vietnam and was one of the first Westerners to say that
the United States could not win. He was killed in Vietnam
in 1967 while accompanying a Marine platoon. Foreword
by David Halberstam.

Sponsors: Progressive Democrats of America,
Democracy for Montgomery County and
the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance

Montgomery County Summit with Legislators on the State Budget

Weds. Nov. 7, 6:30 to 8 pm, Montgomery County Summit with Legislators on
the State Budget

MCEA Conference Center (60 W. Gude Dr., Rockville)
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=60+W+Gude+Dr,+Rockville,+MD+20850

Public Transportation: From Silver Spring, Wheaton Metro Stops etc.
Q2 BUS towards SHADY GROVE to FREDERICK RD & E GUDE DR

Join Alliance for Tax Fairness, Progressive Maryland, labor and other
progressive leaders when we
demand our lawmakers enact tax fairness, close corporate loopholes, and
pass a revenue package
that preserves funding for public services.