Petition: I support the Maryland Open Government Act

This is a very important initiative to help us increase access and
transparency in Maryland State Government. Please read and sign this
online petition, and consider checking the boxes for: Writing your state
legislator, Attending a rally in Annapolis, and/or Organizing in your
community. -- Mike

The Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/openupannapolis/

We, the undersigned, support the Maryland Open Government Act.
We believe that Maryland should rededicate itself to citizen involvement
in state government. By making timely, comprehensive information
available more widely and by ensuring that everyday advocates have easy
access to decision-making, our state can fully leverage its greatest
resource: Marylanders themselves. Openness can ensure that the General
Assembly and the Board of Public Works achieve the best possible results.

In that spirit, we believe the following reforms - together, the
Maryland Open Government Act - are necessary to achieving this goal:

1. Allowing the public free and total access to services provided on
the General Assembly's website, including elimination of the $800 access
fee charged for "up-to-the-minute" legislative tracking
2. Webcasting General Assembly committee hearings and Board of Public
Works meetings over the Internet
3. Posting General Assembly committee hearing agendas at least one day
in advance
4. Allowing online sign-up for those wishing to testify before a
General Assembly committee
5. Publishing the votes of standing committees on the General
Assembly's website
6. Posting the Board of Public Works's proposed budget actions at least
two weeks in advance
7. Allowing for a public comment period in advance of Board of Public
Works budget actions

Sign petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/openupannapolis/

SNOWED OUT! Budget Panel in Wheaton

Heavy snowfall forces us to cancel our budget panel scheduled for
Saturday at the Wheaton Library.

We'll wait until the snow clears, reassess, and decide whether
(weather?) or not to schedule.

We appreciate your understanding, and hope everyone stays safe and warm
for the duration of the storm.

Thank you,

Mike Hersh, MCPA
Mark Woodard, GSSDC

A Celebration of the Work and Life of Howard Zinn

A Celebration of the Work and Life of Howard Zinn
Monday, February 15, 2010 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Busboys and Poets, 14th & V
2021 14th Street NW Washington, DC

Busboys and Poets celebrates the life and work of Howard Zinn with
friends Marian Wright Edelman, Amy Goodman, Bernice Johnson Reagon,
Ralph Nader, Dave Zirin, David Swanson, and others.

There is no charge for admission and seating is on a first come first
seated basis.

During the day, Busboys and Poets will continuously screen Howard Zinn's
new documentary film THE PEOPLE SPEAK (www.thepeoplespeak.com) and the
documentary film about Howard Zinn: YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL ON A MOVING TRAIN.

Details at http://www.busboysandpoets.com

TONIGHT! Dr. Margaret Flowers on Bill Moyer's Journal!

Dr. Margaret Flowers of Physicians for National Health Program will be
on Bill Moyer's Journal tonight.

Check for local listings here:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/index-flash.html.

She will answer President Obama's request for better ideas on healthcare.

DATE CHANGED! Public Forum on Budgets

From Greater Silver Spring Democratic Club and Montgomery County
Progressive Alliance:

Due to forecasts of a severe Winter storm, we're postponing our forum
discussion to Saturday February 13th.

We're hoping all our speakers will be able to attend and participate on
our panel.

We'll still hold the event 1:30 to 3:30 PM at Wheaton Library. Thanks
for making a note of this change!

Mike Hersh
301-933-7169
301-602-9388 (cell)

Flyer+ Email for UDC Justice Café 6 to 10 p.m. Friday February 5, 2010

UDC Justice Café 6 to 10 p.m. Friday February 5, 2010
supporting environmental and social justice activists and organizations

Firebird Inn Building 39, B-Level - 4200 Conn. Ave NW
Just above the Van Ness/UDC Metro (red line) See Campus Map

Suggested donation $15 / $10 students / $5 kids.
No one turned away for lack of donation.
All ages event. Child activities powered by kids!
Music by local performers! Food by Kit's Catering!*
Poetry, Beer, Wine, Tabling, Progressive Networking!

Cosponsored by the Bill of Rights Defense Committee http://www.bordc.org/

RSVP! Performers, Showcase your talents! Organizations: We still have space. Reserve your free table! 
Contact: mikehersh2007@gmail.com for all of the above.

Special talk on the Constitution and Rights at Risk, 6:30 to 7:30 pm with: ACLU Director Johnny Barnes and Shahid Buttar, Director, Bill of Rights Defense Committee

* Food provided by Kit's Catering. Kit has taken ownership of Gail's Vegetarian Catering and will continue to provide a variety of foods, but specialize in vegan meals. Contact her for your catering needs: www.gailsvegetarian.com or 301-949-7602

Live performers:
* After speaking, Shahid Buttar will perform socially and politically informed hip hop. See: http://www.shahidbuttar.com/
* LaPret will perform songs from his upcoming solo Debut EP "2010: FASHION of ATTRACTION" See: http://www.LaPret2010.com
* Gee aka George Dawson III performing original compositions. A graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. he toured with the Duke Ellington Show Choir and Concert Choir. See: http://gypsyman.org/
* Mike Bowers, Singer/Songwriter and UDC law student will mix the music and perform favorites for voice and guitar. See: http://mdbmusic.com/
* More performers expected.

Confirmed tablers for this month (so far): Free Massage by Lisa Bregman (tips appreciated) * EcolocityDC * Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light * DC Childcare Collective * David A. Clarke School of Law * Progressive Democrats of America * Choices (alternatives to military recruitment) * DC for Democracy * IF your organization should be listed, please let me know!

Last month's tablers--we expect many of the same plus others: Witness Against Torture* Pax Christi DC-Baltimore * Free CranioSacral therapy sessions by Randy Goldberg http://www.healingdc.com (tips appreciated) * Gray Panthers of Washington, DC * Author Wilfredo Bohorquez * The Wendt Center * Split This Rock Poetry Festival * Democratic Socialists of America * More!

Hosted by the University of the District of Columbia David Clarke School of Law

Upcoming Cafes: February 5th, March 12th, April 2nd, May 14th, June 4th. Join us for all of them!

Act NOW to protect Maryland elections

Maryland Deserves Verifiable Voting in 2010

Click here to send an email to key decision-makers using
VerifiedVoting.org's website:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/199/t/5760/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=28189

In 2007, you and other dedicated citizens helped pass a law that
requires Maryland to adopt a proven, verifiable, and more cost-effective
paper ballot voting system by 2010. In 2009, you and others helped
defeat efforts to roll back that victory; the Assembly passed a law that
kept Maryland on course. But once again in 2010, there is talk of
delaying implementation of the law.

The Board of Public Works is now considering whether or not to proceed
with procuring a new voting system. The Board consists of Governor
Martin O'Malley, Comptroller Peter Franchot, and Treasurer Nancy Kopp.

We need your help! Please send a letter to the members of the Board of
Public Works, leading lawmakers, and your own Senator and Delegate
urging them to continue Maryland's path toward a more cost-effective and
verifiable voting system. Click here:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/199/t/5760/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=28189

The state's aging paperless touch-screen voting machines are prone to
both irrecoverable error and undetectable tampering. And they do not
allow for meaningful recounts. Please take action today for
voter-verified paper ballots in Maryland's 2010 elections:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/199/t/5760/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=28189

Please send this email to everyone you know in Maryland. If we act
quickly, we can protect our elections.