A week from tomorrow (November 17), the Monroe County Plan Commission will meet to discuss the proposed Monroe County Comprehensive Plan (also known as the Growth Policies Plan). The purpose of this document is to guide development in Monroe County in such a way that our rich natural heritage [...]
People For the American Way is a fine progressive organization that was founded in 1981 by Norman Lear, Barbara Jordan, Father Theodore Hesburgh, and Andrew Heiskell. Their mission is, in their own words, dedicated to making the promise of America real for every American: Equality. Freedom of speech. Freedom [...]
This month we will hear a presentation about the Circles Initiative from Thomas Kenning. The Circles Initiative is a program designed to help people lift themselves up out of poverty. Come and hear about this innovative program!
Location: The Village Deli
[...]In this session we will continue discussing the planning stage of a campaign. There will be some hands on exercises that will involve some math, so be sure to bring a calculator and a pencil.
Location: Monroe County Public Library - [...]
Recently, President Obama tapped our Senator Evan Bayh to be the health care bill's fiscal responsibility point man. This makes the work we do in Indiana more important than ever. Harry Reid is just days away from bringing a merged [...]
This month Neil Hudelson from Al Gore's RePower America and Michael Beczkiewicz from Southern Indiana Renewable Energy Network (SIREN) will talk about their respective organizations and upcoming events that they are sponsoring.
First, however, as part of our continued progressive activist [...]
We are starting at the beginning. This is where you learn how to plan your campaign - whether you plan to run for office next year or in some year in the future; whether you want to help someone else [...]
During the past five years, Democracy for Monroe County has been hard at work promoting policies that will bring us a strong community, broad prosperity, effective government, education for all, and a better future. Through our activism, discussions of important issues at our monthly meetings, and our on-going training programs, [...]
ARE YOU READY FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM, ROCK N’ ROLL STYLE?
If so, join us as the Highway to Health Care tour rolls into Bloomington on August [...]
As part of our push for Health Care Reform, including a strong Public Option, we are organizing a Walk and Rally for Health Care Reform that will take place on September 12, 2009. This event, which will start at 4:00 [...]
This month our training will be the first of a series on the nuts and bolts of a successful campaign. We will start at the beginning - the planning of a campaign.
If you have any plans to run for office, [...]
This month's Link-up will focus on the State Budget that was just passed at the beginning of July. State Representatives Matt Pierce and Peggy Welch, and State Senator Vi Simpson will join us to share their thoughts about it.
Location: The [...]
As part of our mission to train grassroots activists, this month's link-up will focus on the art of citizen lobbying. Our trainer will be State Representative Matt Pierce (D-61). This training couldn't be more timely, in light of our efforts' [...]
IU College Democrats President Shawn Walter is currently interning at Democracy for America headquarters in Burlington, Vermont. In furtherance of our mission to help train grass roots activists, Democracy for Monroe County gave Shawn a matching grant of $100 to help defray his expenses.
In response, Shawn wrote a very gracious [...]
Dear Republicans,
Do you think that maybe it's finally about time that you STFU about the "sanctity of marriage"?
Yours,
Eric
[...]This month we will continue our series on Precinct Organizing, focusing on Putting Your Precinct Team Together
Please RSVP at
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/events/33138-dfmc-progressive-activist-training-academy" target="ext">
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/events/33138-dfmc-progressive-activist-training-academy
Location: Monroe County Public Library
" [...]You may have already received the e-mail, but I'm posting it here just in case you didn't.
For years, candidates for Congress and elected members of Congress told you they needed to be elected and re-elected so they could lower health insurance costs and provide health care for all. Along the [...]
This month we turn our attention to the Monroe County Budget. Why? Because, normally we don't hear about the budget at this time, but circumstances have drawn our attention to it. We will have three members of the Monroe County' [...]
Good news! DFMC is now able to accept donations (including dues payments) online through ActBlue! Dues are $10 per year, and expire one year after the date paid. However, if you are feeling flush, and can help us out with a larger amount, then we certainly will not complain!
Simply use [...]
This month our discussion will focus on Alternative Transportation. This will be a wide-ranging discussion with
Zoe Neal from the Bloomington Bicycle Project; Buff Brown from Bloomington Transportation Options for People; Sophia Travis, who will talk about her lobbying efforts for better [...]We were all afraid that with the passing of George Bush from office, we would no longer have such an abundant source for humor. We need not have feared. Rachel Maddow had real fun with this.
For those innocent folks out there who don't know the current definition of teabagging I' [...]
I don't usually reprint e-mails I get from other progressive organizations, simply because I get too many of them. But the story that Credo Action had to tell me is so bizarre, I had to post it here. I hope you will sign the petition they are sending around.
The Mid' [...]
At the DFMC Link-up tonight, Keith Johnson (Permaculture Activist Magazine) gave a very interesting slide presntation about permaculture and the dire need for sustainable agriculture. I would have liked to provide a link to the slide show, but that is not possible at this time.
As a very good [...]
The theme of April's Link-up is Sustainable Agriculture with a slide presentation by Keith Johnson on permaculture. As an introduction to that topic, Keith sent us the following.
The word "permaculture" was coined and popularized in the mid 70's by
David Holmgren, a young Australian ecologist, and his associate /
[...]
Been following Hunter's breaking coverage of "We Surround Them"! Best laugh I've had in a while: "Logo for 'We Surround Them' Day. Also international symbol for radioactive gonorrhea."
' [...]What is it with the architects who have been building apartment buildings in the downtown area lately? They seem to have their imaginations trapped in a box, and that's what they have been producing. From Smallwood to Lofts On College, all they have been building have been big, ugly boxes. [...]
Oh, yes please. By all means, let's give that "strike" a go. I'll tell you what, "achievers" -- you keep your Collateralized Debt Obligations, and we'll keep the food. You take away your energy futures trading, and we'll keep the actual power plants. You run off to your own private' [...]
This just in from DFA:
It is hard to believe it's been five years since we started Democracy for America.
When my campaign for President ended in 2004, the political pundits and talking heads said our movement was over. They said you'd give up, you'd walk away, and politics would never hear [...]
the upcoming DFMC Linkup on March 5th at 7pm. We'll be in our usual venue, in the backroom at the Village Deli. We have a good program planned, which will be about the current economic crisis and credit crunch. Monroe' [...]
This list was created by DFMC members at the Linkup on January 8th, 2009. (Names in parens indicate who is "in charge" of each item. My own later thoughts/notes are indicated. -ets/Eric)
Issues:
- Sustainable local agriculture (Eric)
- Credit crisis and foreclosures (Sam)
- Alternative transportation, HSR to Indy
- [...]
DFMC Members: I've been building the new DFMC website at www.DemocracyForMonroeCounty.org. I'll be re-pointing the original d4mc.org domain name to the new host location soon. In the meantime, if you have an account on this website now, you might want to pop on over and create one on the [...]
Join us at Max's Place on January 8th for DFMC's first Link-Up of 2009!
Max's Place
109 W. 7th Street
Bloomington, IN
(And they have beer, eh!)
This is an important Link-up! We will be electing Executive Officers of DFMC and [...]
Welcome to the new online home of Democracy for Monroe County!
We are moving to a new server, and will begin fresh with new articles, blog diaries, and users (yes, you'll need to re-register), for a New Year and -- thankfully -- a new Presidential Administration! (You only need to' [...]
Kerwin Olson, with the Citizens Action Coalition, who has been our Linkup guest before, sent this around today. I think it's worth a Bookmark:
States and regions across the country are adopting climate policies, including the development of regional greenhouse gas reduction markets, the creation of state and local climate action [...]
I've been meaning to post a blog since last Sunday, but I've been so tired every night that I fell asleep before I got around to it.
Last Sunday afternoon and evening, I was transporting students to and from the Curry Building so that they could vote early. Right after the [...]
Unconventional Tour: Making Waves 2008 is coming to Bloomington, Indiana, October 21-23. featuring live music from The Away Team, special guests Carlyn Lindsey and SnakeDoctor. The film "Electile Dysfunction" presented by director Penny Little. a "Free Speech" [...]
Today, the Herald Times (sub. req'd) published a wonderful letter by City Council President Susan Sandberg, endorsing DFMC A-list candidate Geoff McKim for County Council:
To the editor:
I value collegiality, communication and common sense in making long-term plans and solving community problems in the city of Bloomington. These characteristics [...]
A few Several thoughts on tonight's final gubernatorial debate, held here in Bloomington:
Format. Generally speaking, I'm a fan of the seated panel discussion. But tonight's debate theme, which seemed to have been chosen by the editors of a teen fan club magazine, was particularly ill-suited to this type of debate. [...]
Micth just lied again saying that the state was bankrupt when he took over.
Property tax payers reimbursed for the sales tax increase. Unfortunately, renters don't pay property tax and get no reimbursement.
[...]Role of the arts! Jill is the only one who sees the arts as an engine of economic development.
Jill just nailed Mitch, reminding people that he was budget director under "W" which set the stage for the economic disaster we're experiencing now. Mitch responded by lying through his teeth, but [...]
The candidates have just walked in and we're waiting for the signal to start.
The debate will focus on the candidates' personal views and what makes them think the way they do. Horning says he's shaped by the Constitution.
Jill is on the attack right off the bat. She chose to stay [...]
I'm here at the IU Auditorium for the third and final Gubernatorial Debate. This will be my attempt to live blog it. Wish me luck.
P.S. DFMC Vice Chair David Vandeventer says hello! He's sitting right behind me next to our Chair Brian Kanowsky
President McRobbie just came out for introductory remarks.
Tom [...]
Jake Tapper is reporting that the National Shooting Sports Foundation is accusing the Obama campaign - and specifically, the Indiana for Change campaign - of misappropriating its email list:
Somehow, the NSSF charges, on September 27, 2008, the Obama campaign's Hoosier arm -- "Indiana for Change" -- distributed a press [...]
A new Research 2000 poll for WISH-TV shows Baron Hill with a 12-point lead in the 9th District.
If the election for Congress were held today, would you vote for Baron Hill, the Democrat, or Mike Sodrel, the Republican?
| Hill | Sodrel | Other | Undecided | |
| All | 49% | 37% | 4% | 10% |
| Men | 47% | 40% | 5% | 8% |
| Women | 52% | 34% | 3% | 12% |
| Democrats | 86% | 6% | 3% | 5% |
| Republicans | 14% | 69% | 4% | 13% |
| Other | 52% | 32% | 5% | 11% |
The Research 2000 Indiana Poll was conducted from September 29 through October [...]
The Hoosier state is caught up in part of a national voter purge that has attracted the attention of the New York Times, and is drawing the ire of the Social Security Administration.
On OCtober 7, the AP reported:
Federal officials have asked election officials in Indiana and five [...]
(H/T to Thomas at BlueIndiana)
I guess when you're trailing by double digits this late in the race, you'll do anything for attention:
Ninth District Republican Party Chairman Larry Shickles on Wednesday proposed the political polygraphs for Democratic Rep. Baron Hill, GOP challenger Mike Sodrel and Libertarian candidate Eric Schansberg. [...]
Welcome to life in a swing state - the GOP voter suppression machine is gearing up in Indiana.
While we had a minor argument over the placement of early voting centers here in Monroe County, up in Lake County the lawsuits are flying. Thomas at BlueIndiana has done some [...]
So Mike Sodrel finally has a TV commercial on the air - you can see the YouTube version at Hoosier Political Report.
It's a weak attempt at responding to the DCCC's "Millionaire Mike" ads, hitting Sodrel on economic issues, and it comes on the heels of some very [...]
On the heels of yet another poll showing Jill Long Thompson within striking distance of Mitch Daniels, she's aggressively touring the state and promoting her economic plan. While she's not back on the airwaves with any ads, she's timed this economic push very well. At the same time [...]
From John at The Bloomington Beacon:
A reception for political and school-board candidates (MCCSC, RBBCSC) will be held on Oct. 12, 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane.
Come share your concerns with Monroe County candidates! and hear their positions on major [...]
Since I screwed up my wrist, my posting has been a little light. Until I'm typing normally again, here's some good reading for you:
The title of this blog is actually the title of a column by Bradley Burston, the American correspondent of the liberal-leaning Israeli newspaper, Ha'aretz. The column is a scathing critique of Sarah Palin and the type of fear/hate mongering that she has chosen to use as part of the Republicans' [...]
I thought I'd write a few thoughts about tonight's debate between the two candidates for Vice-President.
If anyone was expecting blood to be shed tonight (figuratively speaking of course), he/she was probably disappointed (or maybe pleasantly surprised). There were no disastrous moments such as Governor Palin had in her interviews with [...]
Democracy for Monroe County presents...
The 2008 Vice Presidential Debate
Joseph Biden and Sarah Palin
Thursday, October 2
8:00pm - 10:30pm
The Cinemat -123 S Walnut St
(Corner of 4th and Walnut)
=====
All right, so we're not really hosting the debate. But [...]
Yesterday's USA Today contained an article on the Indiana Right to Life's county-by-county strategy in Indiana.
(For our earlier entries on this issue, see Anti-abortion measures continue in other counties and Vanderburgh County Commissioners under fire for abortion vote.)
The piece does a good job of succintly summarizing the [...]
I just got a fundraising email from Baron Hill's campaign, citing new numbers from one of Sodrel's internal polls. According to the forwarded email, Sodrel's internal poll from Wilson Research Strategies, taken Sept 8-9, shows the race within the margin of error, 44 Hill - 41 Sodrel.
This poll hasn't [...]
Regarding your generous offer to ride back to Washington, DC, and help in the crafting of the bailout for the economy which you formerly "didn't know much about" and believed was "fundamentally strong," we can only say this:
Thanks, but we feel you've done quite enough already.
--The United States Congress and [...]
Location: Home of Jennifer and Bill Perry
3807 Bainbridge Dr.
Click here for more details and to RSVP. Seating is limited, so RSVP soon.
UPDATE: Sadly, we must report that McCain has already won the debate. In other news, [...]
Check it out.
And you know, we should all BE so damned lucky to find ourselves in any tax bracket that would see an increase under Obama. I've been there. I ain't there any more. But I'd go back there in a heartbeat, and I would still vote for him.
[...]The latest poll numbers in Indiana are out - according to a just-released Howey-Gauge poll, Hoosiers are evenly divided in their support for John McCain and Barack Obama:
Hoosiers are likely to find themselves at the American political epicenter over the next 60 days as the latest Howey-Gauge Poll shows [...]
(Via The Bloomington Beacon)
Indiana Equality is collecting signatures to petition the General Assembly on the Indiana Civil Right Law, which will be reconsidered in 2009. The text of the petition is simple and to the point:
All Indiana residents should be provided protections against discrimination. I urge the Governor [...]
An unattributed report in the Herald Times (sub req'd) says that Auditor Sandy Newmann called for the resignation of County Council President Vic Kelson while responding to the latest allegations and request for a special prosecutor:
She also called for the resignation of Monroe County Council President Vic Kelson, who [...]
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports that the Allen County Commissioners are introducing a bill that would require "all surgeons and doctors who provide outpatient invasive procedures to have ties to a local hospital and have on-call, after-hours staff to handle emergencies" - a measure widely seen [...]
Following reports of Mitch Daniels campaigning on tax dollars, the Long Thompson campaign issued a press release calling for Mitch Daniels to reimburse Hoosiers for his political travel expenses.
According to the release, the JLT campaign is requesting that the Daniels campaign release all information related to these trips, [...]
The Herald Times (sub req'd) reports that the Monroe County Prosecutor's office has requested a special prosecutor to look into a complaint about the Auditor's office:
On Tuesday, chief deputy prosecuting attorney Bob Miller filed a petition asking that a prosecutor from outside Monroe County be appointed to look into [...]
On Friday, September 5, Baron Hill will host the 2008 Southern Indiana Economic Forum at IU Southeast in New Albany.
Bloomington City Councilman - and former DFMC A-List Candidate - Dave Rollo will be among the presenters for the half-day forum. Topics will include gas prices, housing markets, and healthcare costs.
Full [...]
DFMC hosted http://www.d4mc.org/node/343">a guest post about the proposed Bloomington Hospital merger a couple of months back, and the saga continues.
(For background on this issue, check out this excellent History of the Hospital merger post by our friends at Btown Hospital Watch.)
Today, the Herald Times reports (sub req'd) [...]
(H/T Jennifer at Hoosier Political Report)
Matthew Colglazier - Democratic candidate for Indiana Senate District 44 - completed a 37.4 mile walk on Saturday to honor the working men and women of southern Indiana.
The Walk for Workers started with a gathering at the recently closed Visteon Plant in [...]
On August 19th, the US Department of Health and Human Services issued new regulations under the name of “Protecting Providers’ Conscience”. These regulations will allow health care professionals to determine for themselves, on the basis of their religious beliefs, [...]
Growing up, my family never really talked about the importance of Labor Day or unions. It's odd, since my grandfather spent his post-military life as a letter carrier. Like most Americans, we took all of the benefits created by the labor movement for granted.
My initial political activism started [...]
(H/T Thomas at BlueIndiana)
Writing in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Niki Kelly reports on Bush's Man Mitch blurring the lines between governing and campaigning:
Many of the flights are related to obvious duties of the office. For instance, he flew six times to assess flood, storm or tornado damage [...]
The Herald-Times (sub req'd) reports that Don Francis was appointed by the GOP to fill the open Council spot on the ballot.
I've spoken with a few people who didn't think Francis would be eligible, since he lost in the primary for that office. However - [Standard [...]
In lieu of or normal meeting, we'll be watching (and responding) as John McCain accepts the nomination for four more years of failed Bush policies. Because of the nature of this event, we will not be meeting at our [...]
Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita claims that more than half a million Hoosiers have registered to vote for the first time or have updated their registrations:
"Hoosiers are eager to participate in what could be the biggest Election Day in our nation's history in terms of turnout," said Secretary [...]
Updated below
Steve Buyer is taking his ball and going home. From the admittedly mixed reports and vague accusations, Buyer told Ackerson that he would not participate in any future debates. According to the Lafayette Journal & Courier's Dorothy Schneider, Buyer was upset that Ackerson sent out a press release [...]
Obama's acceptance speech, courtesy TPM:
(Obama's remarks as prepared, also courtesy of TPM.)
You know it's good when Pat Buchanan calls it the greatest convention speech of all time:
I especially like the reactions of the other MSNBC panelists. I don't think Rachel Maddow could quite believe what she [...]
It's a good one, courtesy of TPM:
As I pointed out before, Gore - even more than the Clintons and Obama - has a gift for seeing and making connections between major policy issues. You get a little taste of that in this speech.
[...]Bayh was good on The Daily Show. He made a couple of good points, and did a good job of pointing out Obama's "regular-guy" bona fides. He seemed relaxed - much more than I've seen from him in the past few weeks.
Updated: Now with video:
[...]Kerry's convention speech, courtesy TPM:
Kerry's remarks as prepared, courtesy of the NY Times.
This may be the best speech of the convention, at least so far. I really liked the "Senator McCain versus Candidate McCain" theme; I think it's an effective way of countering McCain's high favorable [...]
Evan Bayh's convention speech (courtesy of Petulant and Shakesville):
I thought he hit the right notes, but I wasn't blown away by his speech. Then again, I guess Bayh isn't exactly known for his rousing stump-winders, is he?
[...](H/T Masson)
Nels Ackerson will finally get a chance to debate Steve Buyer in a Farm Bureau-sponsored debate tonight:
Thursday, August 28
Hendricks County 4H Complex Auditorium
1900 E Main St
Danville, IN
Doors open at 6:00pm
Debate starts at 7:00pm
Apparently, Buyer is still ducking the other debate offers that Ackerson [...]
A friend of mine told me about this greeting to the Republican Delegates to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, and I just had to share it with you. It's from a blog, East-Lake.net.
(H/T Masson)
Back on August 5, Vanderburgh County Commissioners passed an ordinance backed by an anti-abortion activist. What's most disturbing is how this ordinance was passed:
Korb, Nix and Tornatta passed the ordinance on first and final reading on Aug. 5 in about 45 seconds, without discussion and without mentioning [...]
(H/T to Hoosier Political Report)
New poll numbers from Survey USA (8/16/08-8/18/08, likely voters, MOE 3.9%):
| Daniels / Skillman (R) | 52 |
| Long Thompson / Oxley (D) | 38 |
| Horning / Kelly (L) | 3 |
| Stried / O'Brien (I) | 3 |
| Undecided | 4 |
Unfortunately, Daniels has increased 2 points, and JLT has declined by 7 since the last SUSA poll 8 weeks ago.
Looking at [...]
During the recent county budget hearings, there was some mention of allotting $200k to the County Commissioners' budget for new voting machines. But what machines are they planning to buy? I haven't been able to get an answer to this question, but I'm currently looking into this.
Here's the backstory: Microvote [...]
This afternoon, the Herald-Times printed a press release (sub req'd) from Jeff Schemmer, "announcing" his candidacy for County Commissioner in District 2.
Mr. Schemmer doesn't appear to have a website, and I honestly don't know where he stands on any of the major policy issues that might come before the [...]
I finally got around to reading all of Jill Long Thompson's health care proposal, and there's definitely some good elements there. I'm glad to see Democrats finally catching on to framing health care as a crucial economic issue, and there's elements of this frame throughout the proposal:
According to a press release Jen Wagner posted on Hoosier Political Report:
The Indiana Debate Commission is inviting the public to post questions for gubernatorial candidates by filling out a simple online submission form.
All questions submitted to www.indianadebatecommission.com concerning state issues will be considered. Live questions will be asked of [...]
Today, the Herald-Times reported what has been rumored for the past few days: GOP candidate Andy Dodds has withdrawn from the County Council race. He is reportedly moving out of Monroe County.
According to the HT, the Monroe County GOP will hold a caucus (sub req'd) to replace Dodds on [...]
This is nice post I read over at Daily Kos.
I live a part of Indianapolis that's been described as the most Republican area in town. I'm not a native Hoosier, coming from Michigan to attend Indiana University, so it's been frustrating these many years. But there have been many signs [...]
The honorable Keith Ellison (D-MN) is doing a better job of standing up for Hoosiers than his colleague on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, Indiana Republican Mike Pence.
During testimony this evening, Ellison put GOP vote suppression guru Hans von Spakovsky [...]
I was very sad to learn today that Josh Huddleston, the husband of Congressman Baron Hill's middle daughter Cara, passed away last night after a long and valiant battle with luekemia. The thoughts and prayers of the entire DFMC membership are with Cara and the Hill Family.
[...]
