War is making us poor

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Silvia

Statement to the Oakland City Council, November 3, 2011, by Jackie Cabasso, Western States Legal Foundation: “I’ll make one more point, which is where are all these corporations and banks making their money? On military contracts.  And we’re not talking about that enough.  War is making us poor.  We not only have to create jobs, save social services on the planet, tax the wealthy and the corporations.  We also have to end all the wars and cut the military. 

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Update on the Livermore NIF, by Jim Forsyth

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Silvia

The nuclear ignition facility (“NIF”) was supposed to achieve thermonuclear ignition in 2003, then 2010, and now 2012.  It has cost around 7 billion dollars, and ignition, according to Tri-Valley Cares, is highly unlikely.  The TVC newsletter refers to the NIF as an “infamous boondoggle,” and will probably result in a request for a large appropriation for 2013.  How many educational projects would continue to be funded if they failed to achieve any results for 10 years, and cost the taxpayers 7 billion dollars?  For more information, please go to www.trivalleycares.org

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THE GLOBAL MARCH TO JERUSALEM! By Harry Scott

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Silvia

Thousands of international peace activists will be participating in a Palestinian led nonviolent “Global March to Jerusalem” on Friday, March 30, 2012, Palestine Land Day. On February 17, the South Alameda County Peace and Justice Coalition (SAPJC) endorsed the march at a meeting at Harry Scott’s home. Dr. Paul Larudee, of the Free Palestine Movement and the Global March to Jerusalem-North America.(GMJ-NA), gave an excellent presentation explaining the details of the march. GMJ-NA is an independent, autonomous coalition of North American peace and justice organizations planning to join the march.

 The purpose of the march is to demonstrate that Jerusalem is an integral part of Palestine. The Israelis have committed acts of ethnic cleansing and apartheid policies in violation of international law by building illegal settlements now housing 500, 000 Israelis. They demolished villages from which Palestinians were driven.  Israel continues the illegal occupation of the West Bank, which includes East Jerusalem.  Palestinian citizens of Israel and other persons will march within Israel. Palestinians living under occupation will march from their residences in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinians living outside Palestine and other international citizens will enter Palestine and march to Jerusalem from neighboring countries, which include Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan (the unrest in Syria would no doubt prevent marchers).

For further information and updates go to www.gmj-na.org.

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A setback for the single payer health care movement, by Jim Forsyth

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Silvia

Although the CA Universal Health Care Act (SB 810) died in the Senate, it was the strongest statewide campaign in support of a universal single payer bill in California.  Probably the fact that 2012 is an election year played a big part in the Senate’s refusal to move forward.  It is said that the leadership wanted to avoid a political fight over single payer that could jeopardize other important issues in the general elections. We received a wonderful letter from Mark Leno about this bill and about the work that needs to be done.

In my recent bout with hospitalization and medical care, I have become an ever more fervent supporter of universal health care.  As of this writing (the article dictated to my wife), I am still in the dark about my right hand, which was injured in January of this year and disregarded by Kaiser and by my attending physicians until very recently.  I have lost the use of my hand and am living in constant pain.  It is frustrating to see your health concerns minimized and dismissed as unimportant by a system that depends on profit.  Profit should have no place in the delivery of health services.

It is time that we, as the 99%, awaken to the fact that health care is an inalienable human right, and that it should not depend on an individual’s ability to pay for it.

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Candidates’ Forum

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Silvia

Candidates’ Forum:  The March meeting, to be held on March 30th, will host a candidates’ forum for the Hayward City Council and Assembly District Primary Elections in June jointly with the Greater Hayward Democratic Club, the Castro Valley Democratic Club, and GLOBE.

Foro de candidatos: La reunión de marzo, que se celebrará el 30 de marzo, presentará un foro  de candidatos al Consejo de la Ciudad de Hayward y las primarias del distrito 18 de la Asamblea en junio en conjunto con los clubes demócratas de Greater Hayward y Castro Valley, y la organización GLOBE.

Proposed schedule:
6:30 – 6:40 – Introductions, Ground Rules, Business, Announcements
6:40 – 7:10 – Congressional District 15 Debate – There are 3 candidates running (one non-partisan and 2 Democrats – only the Dems will be invited to the forum): 5 minutes each opening statement, 15 minutes Q and A, 2 minutes each closing statement
7:15 – 7:55 – Assembly District 20 Debate -There are 5 candidates running (one Republican, one independent, and 3 Democrats – only the Dems will be invited to the forum): 3 minutes each opening statement, 25 minutes Q and A, one minute each closing statement
8:00 – 9:00 – Hayward City Council Debate – There are 9 candidates running – because this is not a partisan position, all candidates will be invited to the forum: 2 minutes each opening statement, 30 minutes Q and A, one minute each closing statement
9:00 – 9:10 – Balloting by the voting groups
9:10   -  Close of balloting and counting of votes
9:25  -  Announcement of winners
9:30 – End of Meeting

NOTICE TO THE MEMBERSHIP:  You have to be a paid-up member to vote at the Candidate’s Forum on March 30th, although you may pay at the meeting to bring your membership current.

 

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SOAW meeting adjourned to a later date

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Silvia

Please forgive this late notice; the SOAW meeting has been adjourned to a later date, to be advised.

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Jim Forsyth

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Silvia
As many of you know by now,  Jim Forsyth fell heavily on the street on Thursday morning while walking our dog Jake, who lunged into traffic on Kelly Street.  We were transported to the Kaiser Medical Center in Hayward by ambulance, and on Friday he was operated on for a fracture of the ulna.  He was X-rayed for other fractures, because he could not put weight on his right foot, but the X-rays were negative for anything else.  A second set of X-rays which I demanded were again negative for other fractures.  On Saturday after I insisted he was in a lot of pain and could still not put weight on the foot, he was seen by a physical therapist who attempted to have him stand and walk; when she saw his grimace of pain and the shaking of his legs, she reported that there was indeed something very wrong.  A CT-scan was ordered which was negative but showed a ‘shadow’, and the radiologist who read the scan said this was not conclusive, although again, no fracture was shown.  Late on Saturday an MRI finally showed a small fracture of the femoral joint, and surgery of the right hip was scheduled and successfully performed on Sunday.  He went into the operating room the second time singing, “Solidarity Forever, for the Union makes us strong.”
He was discharged last night to the Gateway Care & Rehabilitation Center at 26660 Patrick Avenue, Hayward, CA 94544-3808, where he is expected to stay for at least two weeks until he can ambulate.
His right arm is in a cast and sling.  I am sorry I have not given notice until now, but I stayed with him throughout the hospitalization and had no access to a computer.  I know he will be happy to see any or hear from any of you, if you can make the trek to the home.  I slept last night for  over 12 hours, but I  miss him terribly.  So I am cooking up a mess of lentils and brown rice to take him for lunch.
This all comes in straight after daughter Joan’s hospitalization for the last ten days of 2011, so I may not be able to attend meetings and events as faithfully as I had previously…

Love
Silvia Brandon Pérez de Forsyth
———————————————————————–
Algunos de ustedes ya saben que Jim Forsyth tuvo una caída mala el jueves pasado por la mañana cuando estaba caminando con  nuestro perro Jake, que se lanzó al tráfico en la calle Kelly.  Nos transportaron en ambulancia al hospital de Kaiser, y el viernes operaron a Jim de una fractura de la ulna.  Lo radiografiaron para ver si tenía otras fracturas, porque no podía poner peso en el pie derecho, pero las radiografías salieron negativas para cualquier otro tipo de fractura.  Una serie de radiografías nuevas en las que yo insisté de nuevo salieron negativas.  El sábado luego de yo seguir insistiendo porque seguía sin poder pararse, lo vio una fisioterapeuta que intentó que se parara y caminara, y cuando vio la mueca de dolor y la tembladera de sus piernas, ella le informó al médico que de hecho había algo  malo.  Le hicieron un CT-scan (negativo pero mostrando una ‘sombra’) y el radiológo que lo leyó dijo que no era concluyente, aunque no mostraba fractura.  A últimas horas del sábado un MRI mostró una fractura de la articulación coxofemoral, que une la cadera con el fémur. Programaron la operación para el domingo, y entró al quirófano cantando la canción de Pete Seeger sobre el movimiento sindical:  Solidaridad para siempre.
Anoche lo llevaron al centro de rehabilitación llamado Gateway Care & Rehabilitation Center en 26660 Patrick Avenue, Hayward, CA 94544-3808.  Se espera una estadía de dos semanas hasta que pueda caminar y valerse por sí mismo.  En este momento está enyesado… 
Lamento que no informado con anterioridad, pero estuve en el hospital desde que nos llevaron el jueves, y no tenía acceso a una computadora.  El se sentiría muy contento si algunos de ustedes lo llaman o lo visitan.  Anoche dormí más de 12 horas, pero lo extraño tremendamente.  Estoy haciéndole un potaje de lentejas y arroz integral para que coma.
Todo esto viene luego de los 10 días de hospitalización de la hija Joan a fines del 2011, de modo que es posible que no pueda asistir a los eventos y reuniones con la fiabilidad de antes…
Los quiero mucho.
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Join the California Clean Money Campaign

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Silvia
From the California Clean Money Campaign

 

Please join Senator Loni Hancock, Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski, California Clean Money Campaign President Trent Lange, and local activist leaders to kick off the East Bay Area legislative campaign for AB 1148, the California DISCLOSE Act.

WHEN:         Saturday, January 7 from 10am-2pm
WHERE:       Oakland City Hall, Room 1
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA

Register Now Button

The California DISCLOSE Act would change the Big Money game and fight back against unlimited hidden spending on campaigns by letting voters know who REALLY is paying for political ads – on the ads themselves.

Trent Lange, President of the California Clean Money Campaign, the sponsor of AB 1148, will describe how the California DISCLOSE Act works, outline the statewide campaign to pass the bill, and answer all of your questions.

We will end with a brainstorming and organizing session for the  local grassroots coalition.  Learn what you can do to join the movement!

Refreshments will be served.

Please forward this message and invite anyone you know who is sick of the outrageous amounts of anonymous spending in politics and might be interested in helping bring about Fair Elections.  Let’s stop Big Money from secretly stealing California elections!

Yes! I’d like to register for the East Bay Area Kickoff for AB 1148!

I can’t come, but I’d like to make a donation.

Sponsors:   California Clean Money Campaign.  Co-Sponsors:  California Common Cause, California League of Women Voters, Castro Valley Democratic Club, Tri-Valley Democratic Club, Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, El Cerrito Democratic Club, East Bay Democracy for America, Lamorinda Democratic Club, Hayward Democratic Club, League of Women Voters Local Chapters of Oakland, the Livermore – Amador Valley. Others to be announced…

 

The California Clean Money Campaign is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose vision is to achieve an open and accountable government that is responsive to the needs of all Californians by building statewide support for full disclosure and public funding of election campaigns.  All our support comes from individuals and non-profit foundations, with no funding from corporations or unions.
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The newsletter is up! ¡El boletín informativo está en línea!

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Silvia

This is a compilation of news, doings, meetings and pictures, but many of these stories were posted here before, and the website contains better pictures.

Oct. – Dec. 2011 newsletter pages

 

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2012 Officer Nomination Slate

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Silvia

 

The Nominating Committee for the Hayward Demos

announces its slate of proposed officers for 2012:

El comité de nombramiento de candidatos del club Hayward Demos anuncia
lista de candidatos para oficiales del club en el 2012:

Recommendations/ Recomendaciones:
President/ Presidente:  Mary Anne Reno
Vice President/ Vicepresidente:  Open / Abierto
Secretary/Secretaria:  Pheleta Santos
Treasurer/Tesorero:  James Farley
Membership Director/ Directora de Membresía:  Silvia A. Brandon Pérez
Elections will be held at the January 6, 2012 meeting.  Further nominations from the membership will be accepted.Las elecciones se celebrarán en la reunión general de 6 de enero de 2012.  Cualquier otra sugerencia de nombramiento de parte de la membresía será aceptada.
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