Democracy for Montgomery County

Monday, April 26, 2010

Montgomery County's annual Peace Luncheon, Sat., May 8, 11:30 a.m.

From Dr. Pat Salomon:

Don't miss Montgomery County's annual Peace Luncheon, Sat., May 8, 11:30 a.m.

Keynote speaker: the fabulous Ray McGovern, who will inspire you and give you hope and energy for our long struggle for peace.

Delicious Middle Eastern food, stirring music, great speaker--and all to benefit a terrific organization that provides services for rural Afghan women (Women for Afghan Women: http://www.womenforafghanwomen.org/about/AWFOctober09Color.pdf ).

Plus, we'll present awards to Sen. Jamie Raskin, Del. Sheila Hixson and a high school student in recognition of their work for peace.

New this year: A raffle of a very cool electric scooter, to benefit the Afghan youth group "Our Journey to Smile."

Suggested donation: $20 (includes lunch).

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Dr., Rockville. Directions here: http://www.uucr.org/directions.php

Everyone is invited, but please be sure to RSVP to info@peaceactionmc.org so that the organizers can ensure enough food for everyone!

Sponsored by Peace Action Montgomery, the UUCR Social Justice Committee, and Pax Christi.

-- Pat Salomon, MD

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Winograd, Challenges Harman on Iran, Healthcare, MORE!

Winograd Warns Harman Not to Jeopardize National Security

Congressional Candidate Challenges Incumbent on Iran
Meet Marcy Winograd, Progressive Democrat for Congress Tuesday, April 27th, 7 PM
New Busboys and Poets 5th & K Sts. NW / 1025 5th Street NW, DC 20001
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1025+5th+Street+NW,+DC+20001
3.5 blocks from the Convention Center metro (Green/Yellow line)
To learn more about the Winograd For Congress campaign, visit: www.winograd4congress.com.

Congressional Candidate Marcy Winograd (CA-36) warns her opponent Jane Harman not to jeopardize world peace with talk of a military strike on Iran. Harman told reporters recently she does not believe “that the possibility of a military strike as a last resort is off the table if sanctions fail and Iran presses forward with its (nuclear) program.”

Says Winograd, “My opponent’s reference to a military strike is both reckless and reminiscent of the run-up to the US invasion of Iraq, when she failed to provide any oversight in her role on the House Intelligence Committee. At the time, we heard that Iraq was about to attack us with weapons of mass destruction. Now, Harman is parroting the same scare-mongering that led us to a trillion dollar war in Iraq.”

Harman is seeking economic sanctions against Iran if it does not abandon its nuclear program. Winograd, who opposes sanctions, points out Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty, has never been found in violation of that treaty, and, according to US intelligence analysts, is not currently working on a nuclear weapons program.

“Sanctions can serve as a precursor to war to debilitate the country before an attack,” says Winograd, pointing to the decade of US sanctions against Iraq prior to the US invasion. “Rather than impose punitive sanctions sure to backfire and mobilize Iranians against the United States, our Congress should support diplomatic solutions to this impasse, while re-examining our own nuclear weapons policy which dangerously reserves the right to launch a first-strike on Iran.”

Congress is expected to soon pass a bill enacting crippling economic sanctions against Iran, a country with 70-million people, two-thirds under the age of 30. Winograd notes that the sanctions would necessitate a blockade of goods entering Iran. “Let us not forget," says Winograd, "that a blockade is an act of war under International law. I call on my opponent and the rest of Congress to refrain from jeopardizing U.S. national security and world peace.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Saturday April 24, Day of Climate Action Silver Spring and Bethesda

Earth Day - Day of Climate Action: MoCo
Saturday, April 24, 2010 Starting 10 AM
Location: Downtown Silver Spring
Contact Tama Griffith for more details: tamagriffith@gmail.com

In honor of this historic 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, CCAN is having
a day of climate action in Montgomery Count on the 24th. We'll have a
few teams of people collecting signatures on petitions urging our
Senators to do what the earth really needs right now: help pass a strong
climate bill through the Senate this spring. Then we're capping the day
off with an Earth Day movie and potluck bbq party at the home of one of
our local supporters from the Silver Spring area.

Do something really good for the planet this earth day and help us kick
of our 350 10/10 International Work Party campaign by joining one of our
local petition teams on the 24th. Then come to a party for some good
food, company and a screening of No Impact Man! Come for part or all of
the day!

Schedule: Silver Spring and Bethesda
10 AM – 1 PM – Petitioning at the Silver Spring Farmers Market
1 PM – 1:30 PM – Lunch
1:45 – 3:30 PM – Clean Energy sign on letter outreach to local Silver
Spring businesses
3:45 – Movie Screening and Potluck BBQ Party

Reps. Donna Edwards & Chris Van Hollen+More!

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*** Progressive Events in Our Area featuring Van Hollen, Arts Festival
MCPA Mtg, Legislative Wrap Up, MORE! ***
Planning a progressive event? Please send complete details for inclusion
in future updates to mikehersh2007@gmail.com

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* Get Involved: support progressive candidates and issues. Become a
supporting member of the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance (MCPA).

1. April 23-25, The First Amnesty International Arts Festival in
downtown Silver Spring -- See: http://www.humanrightsartfestival.com/

2. Saturday, April 24, Congresswoman Donna Edwards will hold coffee
conversations in Suitland (8:30 AM) and Silver Spring (10:30 AM).

3. Sunday, April 25th, 2 to 5 PM The 2010 General Assembly Session: What
did it accomplish? Progressive Working Group, Delegates, State Senators,
and Constituents in Laurel.

4. Tuesday, April 27th, 7 PM Meet Marcy Winograd, Progressive Democratic
Candidate for Congress from California at the New Busboys in D.C.

5. Thursday, April 29th, 7 to 8:30 PM Rep. Van Hollen and Sanford
Gottlieb discuss and sign "Red to Blue: Congressman Chris Van Hollen and
Grassroots Politics" Original Busboys in D.C.

6. Tuesday, May 4th, 7:30 to 9 PM Progressive Alliance Meeting in
Wheaton--Mobilizing for progressive candidates, events and issues.

7. Saturday, May 8th, Peace Luncheon of Peace Action Montgomery, PAX
Christi and the Social Justice Committee of the Universalist Church of
Rockville, at the church in Rockville.

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* Get Involved: support progressive candidates and issues. Become a
supporting member of the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance (MCPA).

If you live in the Montgomery County Maryland area--or support our
efforts here--please join the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance.
MCPA is local, independent coalition of organizations. We organize
debates, forums and other events to inform the public and advance
progress in Montgomery County and throughout Maryland. We're gearing up
for an exciting, important election cycle this year. MCPA will endorse
candidates and launch issue campaigns to educate the general public. To
help us achieve everything we should, please support MCPA now. Contact
mikehersh@mikehersh.com to work with MCPA. Become a supporting member of
MCPA here:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9559742

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1. The First Amnesty International Festival, Downtown Silver Spring, MD.
April 23-25, Schedule, information, etc.:
http://www.humanrightsartfestival.com/about.html

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2. Congresswoman Donna Edwards will hold coffee conversations in
Suitland and Silver Spring
The Congresswoman will meet with us, provide a legislative update, and
discuss a variety of issues.

Saturday, April 24, 8:30 AM
Suitland Dunkin Donuts--8:30 am - 9:30 am 6100 Allentown Rd. Suitland,
MD 20746
Short Bus 30 ride from Branch Ave. Metro (Green Line) See:
http://www.wmata.com/
Map/Directions:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=6100+Allentown+Rd.+Suitland+MD+20746-4552+(Dunkin'+Donuts)

Saturday, April 24, 10:30 AM
Silver Spring Kefa Café--10:30 am -11:30 am 963 Bonifant Street Silver
Spring, MD 20910
3 Blocks from Silver Spring Metro (Red Line) See: http://www.wmata.com/
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=963
Bonifant+Street+Silver+Spring+MD+20910

For more information about Congresswoman Edwards, please see:
http://www.donnaedwardsforcongress.com/

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3. Legislative Wrap-Up: "The 2010 General Assembly Session: What did it
accomplish?"

Join the Progressive Working Group (PWG) to discuss issues with Senators
Raskin, Harrington, and Lenett, and Delegates Manno, Montgomery, Hixson,
Bobo, Hucker, and Ali (invited and expected.)

Sunday, April 25th, 2 to 5 PM
Laurel Regional Hospital (J. Russell Jones Room)
7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel, MD 20707
Map/Directions:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=7300+Van+Dusen+Road+Laurel+MD+20707

Where do your state legislators stand on key issues including: the
Environment, Campaign Finance and Transparency in Government,
Healthcare, Education, Labor, Gender Issues, Separation of Church and
State, Peace and Justice, and more. Share your legislative priorities
for the 2011 session.

For more information, please call: 443-604-2298

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4. Meet Marcy Winograd, Progressive Democratic Candidate for Congress
from California

Tuesday, April 27th, 7 PM
New Busboys and Poets 5th & K Sts. NW
1025 5th Street NW, DC 20001
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1025+5th+Street+NW,+DC+20001
3.5 blocks from the Convention Center metro (Green/Yellow line)

Marcy Winograd is a long-time activist for peace and social justice
running against corporate / Blue Dog incumbent Jane Harman (CA-36) in
the June 8 Democratic primary. Marcy wants to redirect our priorities
from war spending and corporate greed to job creation, world-class
education, health care, and energy independence through a Green New
Deal. While Jane Harman famously called herself "The Best Republican in
the Democratic Party," the Party named Marcy a "Democrat of the Year."
Come see why the San Francisco Chronicle named this one of seven
national races to watch.

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5. Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Sanford Gottlieb discuss and sign
"Red to Blue: Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Grassroots Politics"

Thursday, April 29th, 7 to 8:30 PM
Original Busboys and Poets, 14th & V. Sts. NW
2021 14th St NW DC 20009
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2021+14th+St+NW+DC+20009
2 blocks from U Street Cardozo Metro stop (Green Line)

Link to the webstore and book description:
http://bbpbooks.teachingforchange.org/book/9781594514890

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6. Progressive Alliance Meeting in Wheaton--Mobilizing for progressive
candidates, events and issues

Tuesday, May 4th, 7:30 to 9 PM
Saigonese Restaurant, 11232 Grandview Ave Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902
Map/Directions:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11232+Grandview+Ave+Silver+Spring+MD+20902
2 blocks from Wheaton Metro (Red Line)

Agenda: Mobilizing for progressive candidates, events and issues. We're
making progress in our county and state on Healthcare, Verifiable
Voting, the Environment, Education, Labor, Transportation, Energy and
other issues. We're building up our coalition and lobby efforts on the
state and national level, planning special events, forming a steering
committee, and working on meetings with elected officials and other
organizations.

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7. Peace Luncheon of Peace Action Montgomery, PAX Christi and the Social
Justice Committee of the Universalist Church of Rockville

Saturday May 8th 11:30 AM to 2 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville
100 Welsh Park Dr, Rockville, MD 20805
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=100+Welsh+Park+Dr,+Rockville+MD+20805
Public transportation: http://www.wmata.com/

Keynote speaker: Ray McGovern. Delegate Sheila Hixson and Senator Jamie
Raskin will be honored for their work on the ASVAB legislation Help
raise funds for Afghan women. Raffle for a motorized bike! More info.
see: http://washingtonpeacecenter.net/node/2994