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On Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m., Elizabethtown College will welcome internationally recognized human rights advocate, Enrique Morones, as part of its fall 2008 Perspectives series.  Morones' lecture - titled "America's Raging Immigration Debate" - will reflect on his experience as an advocate on behalf of migrant workers and as a recognized voice in the continuing U.S. immigration policy debate.  The lecture will be presented in Leffler Chapel and Performance Center.  It is open to the public and free of charge. More information is available by calling (717) 361-1410.

What Did Bush Expect?
by Charles M. Melchior, Kennett Square, PA

Yesterday’s defeat of the Bank Bailout Bill in the House of Representatives illustrates two things.  The American people have let their Congressmen know they are opposed to a bank stockholders’ and executives’ bailout by taxpayers instead of a bailout of average Americans.. Secondly, it showed the vast majority of us no longer believe or trust President Bush and his subordinates in anything they say.  This showed up earlier with the defeat of his immigration reform bill

He is like the Shepherd Boy of Aesop’s fable who lost all credibility with the local villagers for crying wolf too many times when there was no wolf.  So when a wolf actually showed up and began killing the sheep, surprise, surprise – the villagers stayed home.  After being told falsehood after falsehood about tax cuts for the wealthy and the budget deficit, about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and Iraq’s part in 9-11, about torturing prisoners and secret surveillance of US citizens, about political firings of Prosecutors and revealing the identity of CIA covert agents, etc. ad nauseum, what did he expect?

Review: Journals 1952-2000

Dear Fellow Democrat,

Always interested in furthering my democratic spirit, I recently read Arthur Schlesinger’s Journals 1952-2000.  To introduce the book to friends and colleagues, I prepared this sampling of excerpts.  Each one has personal involvement or special interest to me.  I hope that you enjoy reading this selection from “a landmark publication in the history of American letters.”  And, if you decide to read the book, page after page reveals how “American liberalism’s greatest voice” was also “one of America’s greatest moral and intellectual forces.” 

Cynthia Mascioli, LCDC Volunteer

Read Review...

Seizing America by Withholding the Mother’s Milk of Politics
by Rosemary and Walter Brasch

It was Monday evening and the phone rang—again. It was probably the fifth time in two hours. A pleasant voice said she was from the—oh that really doesn’t make any difference. Both presidential candidates have volunteer minions on the phones and Internet day after day, month after month, for what seems like years.

A half-dozen or more e-mails a day from candidates, surrogates, and candidate support groups flood our in-boxes; letters and oversized postcards clog our mail boxes. They all give us information, or ask us to fill out a poll that has no value, and then beg for donations, every plea making it seem as if the fate of western civilization will be determined by our bank withdrawal slips. In August alone, the campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama spent about $3 million a day, according to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). By the end of this presidential campaign, each presidential candidate will have spent more than $500 million; by the end of August alone, more than $380 million has been spent on House races, more than $200 million on Senate races, according to the FEC. Read more...

Fools Rush In...
Charles M. Melchior, Kennett Square

“Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread” and “Haste makes waste” are two proverbs appropriate to consideration of the Bush Administration’s latest Wall Street financial bail-out plans. Americans of my age remember well the way Congress allowed the White House to stampede it into the Vietnam war around election time with a false report on the Gulf of Tonkin incident.  Similarly the Congress was rushed into granting The President power to attack Iraq by his deliberate misrepresentation of intelligence reports to scare the public into believing we were in danger of an imminent nuclear attack by Iraq, and that Iraq had been involved in the September 11 destruction of the World Trade Center.  In both cases Congress failed to deliberate properly before acting, and the results were catastrophic. Read more...

Art in the Alley Gallery located at 323 N. Queen Street, Lancaster will be featuring the “Pennsylvania Diversity Network Photo Project - 300 Same-Sex Couples: Facing Inequality”, during the month of October. Framed photos of local same-sex couples serve to remind the broader community of the discrimination faced by these families due to the lack of federal and state legal recognition. Lancaster based Rainbow Rose Community, a human and social justice organization with an outreach to the local GLBT Community, is partnering with PA Diversity Network and PANZEE Press to bring this national award winning exhibit to Lancaster. See more about the Photo Project at www.padiversity.org.

Click here of schedule and more information...

Who Twisted the Fed's Arm
by Charles M. Melchior, Kennett Square, PA

As a student of US government, its laws and Constitution for over 60 years, and a practicing City Manager in 6 municipalities during 33 years, I am perplexed by some of the questions not being asked about the current national financial turmoil. Treasury Secretary Paulson on Monday declares he “never considered once” rescuing $ 600 Billion Lehman Brothers as had been done 6 months earlier with Bear Stearns being bought out by J. P. Morgan Chase & Company with Federal Reserve backing, and as was done with the Federal Government taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, also on the verge of collapse.  Having signaled on Monday, there would be no more federal taxpayer bailouts, on Tuesday Paulson makes a U Turn after Lehman files for bankruptcy, and the Federal Reserve extends giant insurance conglomerate AIG an $85 Billion rescue package at taxpayers’ risk.

Who twisted Paulson’s and the Federal Reserve’s arms and why?  And since when did Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution, prohibiting any disbursement of Federal monies without prior Congressional appropriation, get repealed, or where in the current Fiscal Year Budget did Congress authorize the expenditures which Paulson’s and the Federal Reserve’s commitments to Fannie May, Freddie Mac, Bear Stearns and AIG contemplate?  Or would it be too embarrassing for Barney Frank’s House Financial Services Committee to ask what political contributions were made (or not made) by the principals of Merrill Lynch, J. P. Morgan Chase and Co, Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, and Bear Stearns?   And in which of these companies have The US President, the Treasury Secretary, the Federal Reserve Chairman and on down owned stock and when?

James R. Hamilton, freelance writer and international consultant, is publishing a new website, blog and newsletter committed to providing informative and well-written articles on current events. The purpose of his media is to promote discussion and exchange of views. Join the discussion "For a Better World" at www.wde4u.com/

The World Isn’t So Dark (from For a Better World newsletter)
by Fareed Zakaria

Ever since WWII, America has tended to make its strategic missteps by exaggerating dangers.

On the campaign trail, the debate over foreign policy has been muted of late. That might be because more-important topics like lipstick and hockey moms have taken center stage. But the contrasts between the presidential candidates also seem to have softened. Their differences over Iraq policy have shrunk as the place has stabilized somewhat and the Iraqi government looks for a timetable for U.S. withdrawal. Both candidates oppose Iran's nuclear ambitions and Russia's incursion into Georgia. Both support a vigorous fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Yet there's clearly a fundamental difference in the way the two candidates see the world. The split might best be captured by asking a simple question: what kind of a world do we live in? Neither candidate has been asked this, and I doubt either would answer as frankly as I am suggesting, but here's my guess—drawn from their writings and speeches—about what each might say. Read more...

     "Got a match?"

     I didn't know where he came from, but there he was, right behind me—as usual. "You know I don't smoke," I told Marshbaum. "Come to think of it, you don't either. What's up?"

     "Not much. Planning to roast some marshmallows and hotdogs. Burn some books."

     "Marshbaum," I commanded. "You can't burn books."

     "Sure I can. All I need is a match. See, first you—"

     "Burning books is against everything this country stands for."

     "Not when the books are evil."

     "Didn't you ever read anything Jefferson wrote? Our country was founded upon the principle that all views must be heard."

     "My view is that we're going to burn some books to keep them from causing any more trouble." Read more...

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.

And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.' Read more...

Building Alliances and Voting for Change in 2008
by Stephen Crockett, co-host of Democratic Talk Radio

The American nation has an excellent opportunity to change the nature of politics in our country this year. We have a real chance to build lasting alliances that will re-define the political landscape at every level of government and permit us to take back our government by the average citizen.

For decades, the political power of the largest international corporations and the wealthiest of the Super Wealthy have been tightening their grasp on governments in America. They have effectively bought their way to power by giving billions in campaign donations and buying up the media. The effect has been passage of laws that undermine the power of average citizens to control their own economic futures, have an effective voice in government policies and to hear opposing political viewpoints.

It is no accident that most Americans think that their children will not have as high a standard of living as they currently experience. It was economic policy on the national and international levels that forced tens of millions of families to have both parents working to maintain a decent standard of living. Read more...

The Palin Choice - The Reality of the Political Mind
by George Lakoff

This election matters because of realities-the realities of global warming, the economy, the Middle East, nuclear proliferation, civil liberties, species extinction, poverty here and around the world, and on and on. Such realities are what make this election so very crucial, and how to deal with them is the substance of the Democratic platform.

Election campaigns matter because who gets elected can change reality. But election campaigns are primarily about the realities of voters' minds, which depend on how the candidates and the external realities are cognitively framed. They can be framed honestly or deceptively, effectively or clumsily. And they are always framed from the perspective of a worldview.

The Obama campaign has learned this. The Republicans have long known it, and the choice of Sarah Palin as their Vice-Presidential candidate reflects their expert understanding of the political mind and political marketing. Democrats who simply belittle the Palin choice are courting disaster. It must be t aken with the utmost seriousness. Read more...

No Wolf Whistles for Sarah Palin's Compassion
by Walter Brasch

Defibrillator usage increased last week after John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate and only a heartbeat from the presidency. But, shortly after most Republicans were shocked back to life they circled the wagons to declare she was the perfect choice. Apparently, the cure also included a dose of psychotropic drugs as well.

The pundits and commentators rallied beside Palin, even lying about how great her ghost-written acceptance speech was, apparently in the mistaken belief that they are being fair and balanced. Since Palin is the topic of everyone's greatest love or deepest enmity, I won't be writing about her life and most of her positions.

I won't write about her lack of experience--or her outrageous statements that she has more experience than Barack Obama, and her delusion that she deserves any of Hillary Clinton's 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling. Read more...

According to the Center for American Women and Politics, the contributions of women in politics impact both the public policies developed, as well as the political process itself. Even women who are ideologically more “conservative,” are more supportive of equal rights for women and the protection of reproductive rights for women than their male counterparts. Women legislators have shown particular interest in: access to quality health care for all Pennsylvanians; ensuring strong public schools for every child; protecting the rights of all families; and ensuring access to quality reproductive health services for all women.

The Pennsylvania Women’s Campaign Fund is the only bipartisan organization in the state devoted solely to supporting progressive women candidates for election to the General Assembly. PWCF will financially support a number of strong candidates in this year’s general election. Join us for a fall garden party to encourage their success!

The fall garden party will be held on Tuesday, Sept 16, 2008, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the home of Martha L. Harris, 314 W. Chestnut Street, Lancaster.  You can submit your RSVP and contribution, and learn more about PWCF online at www.pwcf.com.

View flyer...

Lois Herr is a Clinton delegate to the Democratic National Convention to be held next week in Denver. She is chronicling her experiences for this website. Below is her first submission.

Arrived home Monday night, 24 hours late, having missed a connection in Chicago. AMTRAK put me up at a hotel and I had time for lunch on Sunday with friends from my days in Illinois (in the 60s). Overall, the trip on AMTRAK pleased me - great people work for them, at least west of Harrisburg - and they make the old cars livable. Customer service folks did the best they could to keep me moving east! I do bring home an enhanced desire to fund AMTRAK! GO BIDEN.

Reflecting on the Convention itself, I observed the following:

1. The leaders of the Democratic party impressed me with their commitment to issues, their passion to help others, and their ability to put their thoughts into words. Beyond that, the thousands of people there represented a diverse country and did so in what I call an interactively diverse way. Confident, articulate women and minorities showed their stuff at the podium every night.

2. Outside the hall there was indeed a form of segregation - by event invitation - with bigwigs getting special attention in terms of parties, transportation flexibility, and access.

3. In general there was an enormous display of good humor in crowds, lines, and downtime, and an overwhelmingly friendly welcome from the Colorado hosts. Heavy security was evident, especially for major venues, but it was generally unobtrusive. I saw minimal protests; the only raucous group I saw interfering with a program was in the Unconventional Women forum when a few dozen women spoke out against Nancy Pelosi. She took on the issues they raised, and I think was masterful in taking charge, which is what she has to do in her day job!

4. The extensive "other" convention had excellent programs and speakers on issues; in the first days I could attend but later it became impossible logistically. Many of the sessions emphasized the "greenness" of the convention and Denver itself. Riding the light rail system and seeing the bicycle arrangements was a daily reminder of how focused they were on environmental issues.

5. A wide range of groups held events and influenced the platform, but in general the convention focused on the candidates and on defeating McCain. Hillary and Obama supporters rallied together.

Here today, gone tomorrow - by early Friday morning the press was gone as were the security details, the road blocks, the vendors - and the delegates and friends scattered to work on the election just weeks away. Quickly Denver turned to its "Taste of Colorado" festival. My train didn't leave till evening, so I spent some time researching for the book I'm writing called "Dear Coach, Letters Home from WW II"; I visited Wings Over the Mountain, a museum at Lowry Air Force Base to see in person the place where letters were written by Elizabethtown's Lt. Paul F. Leicht in November of 1942 to my father and his coach, Ira R. Herr.

Traveling with Amtrak provided comfort for sleeping on the Capitol Limited from Pittsburgh to Chicago and a beautiful Lake Erie sunrise (see photo). BUT I saw that scene Saturday only because we were three hours late!

On Friday the famous Horseshoe Curve seen from Amtrak's Pennsylvanian, looked like a travel poster. BUT, seeing our crumbling infrastructure of bridges and stations elsewhere on the trip is another story. As a nation, we shortchanged passenger rail lines, made them hostage to freight traffic, and made the trip a tour of aging infrastructure.

At home in Elizabethtown local people banded together to upgrade the train station, revitalizing our rail gateway only to be delayed by bureaucracy. (Don't give up hope)

For energy, environment, our quality of life, we need to invest .

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Morning speeches to the PA delegation - from Bill George (AFL-CIO) and others - wound everyone up on the need to bring PA in for the Democrats this November or Obama will be struggling.  We must look beyond all our differences and look at what matters - that McCain is a zero on everything we care about - equality, economic opportunity, jobs, health care, world respect.  Tonight we hear from Hillary and others - probably about the same thing.  But there is also the opportunity to celebrate her candidacy on this special day  - the anniversary of women's right to vote!

Yesterday I heard from the Protect Seniors group - another message about how serious the need is to bring in a new administration.  And, at the Unconventional Women programs, women were motivated to run and support others running for office so that we can truly have a better representation.  Nancy Pelosi was particularly impressive - handled hecklers well (yes, they were there - seems to me they need to pressure the Republicans and Independents more) - after all we need MORE Democrats in Congress, especially the Senate, to get things done with OBAMA.  Pelosi spoke informally for almost an hour, relating her early days as one of just a few women in Congress to her meetings at the White House once she was elected leader/speaker. 

And then the evening at the actual convention - Ted Kennedy - what can you say - tears in the eyes of many holding KENNEDY signs all over the arena.  Michelle (and the girls) did a fabulous job, creating confidence and support, reassuring everyone that they were included in this dream.

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