darlene matthews' Blog

Food donation drop off in costa mesa.

darlene matthews — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:39:04 EST

As i myself suffered malnutrition during homelessness and still without any access to special needs foods...

Please note -

Special medical needs foods are always in short supply please help homeless, disabled and elderly persons with diabetes, cancer and allergy and other medical conditions.

Please donate plain canned beans, green and green leafy veggies,

non dairy, sugar, msg, or yeast items.

dried beans peas and lentils are cheap and healthy for those with cooking facilities.

please note singles do not get holiday baskets with turkeys to cook on the holidays.

help disabled singles with other protein sources.

canned sardines, mackerel, and salmon supply many needed vitamins and minerals.

There is near always a good supply of white bread and desserts.

From: "Darcie Olson" <c_olson@onebox.com>

Folks -

Wanted to let you know that my office will be a drop point for the OC

Food Bank for the month of December (starting December 1 - January 4th)

They are asking for canned food (any kind) and pet food

I have two barrels and would like to fill them up twice during the month

- Please consider dropping by my location at:

Darcie Olson

State Farm

2000 Harbor Blvd. #106

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

This appears to be fake

darlene matthews — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:13:57 EDT

Diagnostic-code: smtp;550 5.1.1 <sdavis@doc.gov>: Recipient address rejected:

User unknown in relay recipient table.

not sure who created the merge

but while there are big problems -the facts don't even check out on snopes as claimed.

AND

the email address is invalid

AND

it looks like a cut and paste of several peoples stuff

AND

there are other places to get deep discount meds like walmart - not mentioned.

Message: 1Original Message: http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/CitizenStrategyThinkTank/listserv-message/TPwgm8SDDate: Sat, 18 Jul 2009 07:47:33 -0400From: Jill Gochanour <yes4obama@yahoo.com>Subject: [CitizenStrategyThinkTank] Fwd: COSTCO - UNBELIEVABLEMessage-ID: <29822.65119.qm@web44803.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: jill gochanourTo:Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 7:38:24 AMSubject: Fwd: COSTCO - UNBELIEVABLE
---- Original Message -----
To: Nathan S Zimmerman Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:26 AM Subject: Fw: COSTCO - UNBELIEVABLE
Costco - Unbelievable! Story verified @http://www.snopes.com/medical/drugs/generic.aspMake sure you read to the end. You will be amazed.

Let's hear it for Costco! (This is just mind-boggling!)
Make sure you read all the way past the list of the drugs. The woman that signed below is a Budget Analyst out of federal Washington , DC offices.
Did you ever wonder how much it costs a drug company for the active ingredient in prescription medications? Some people think it must cost a lot, since many drugs sell for more than $2.00 per tablet. We did a search of offshore chemical synthesizers that supply the active ingredients found in drugs approved by the FDA. As we have revealed in past issues of Life Extension a significant percentage of drugs sold in the United States contain active ingredients made in other countries. In our independent investigation of how much profit drug co mpanies really make, we obtained the actual price of active ingredients used in some of the most popular drugs sold in America .
Celebrex:100 mgConsumer price (100 tablets): $130.27Cost of general active ingredients: $0.60Percent markup: 21,712%

Claritin:10 mgConsumer Price (100 tablets): $215.17Cost of general active ingredients: $0.71Percent markup: 30,306%

Keflex:250 mgConsumer Price (100 tablets): $157.39Cost of general active ingredients: $1.88Percent markup: 8,372%

Lipitor:20 mgConsumer Price (100 tablets): $272.37Cost of general active ingredients: $5.80Percent markup: 4,696%

Norvasc: 10 mgConsumer price (100 tablets): $188.29Cost of general active ingredients: $0.14Percent markup: 134,493%

Paxil:20 mgConsumer price (100 tablets): $220.27Cost of general active ingredients: $7.60Percent markup: 2,898%

Prevacid:30 mgConsumer price (100 tablets): $44.77Cost of general active ingredients: $1.01Percent markup: 34,136%

Prilosec: 20 mgConsumer price (100 tablets): $360.97Cost of general active ingredients $0.52Percent markup: 69,417%

Prozac:20 mgConsumer price (100 tablets) : $247.47Cost of general active ingredients: $0.11Percent markup: 224,973%

Tenormin:50 mgConsumer price (100 tablets): $104.47Cost of general active ingredients: $0.13Percent markup: 80,362%

Vasotec:10 mgConsumer price (100 tablets): $102.37Cost of general active ingredients: $0.20Percent markup: 51,185%

Xanax:1 mgConsumer price (100 tablets) : $136.79Cost of general active ingredients: $0.024Percent markup: 569,958%

Zestril:20 mgConsumer price (100 tablets) $89.89Cost of general active ingredients $3.20Percent markup: 2,809%

Zithromax:600 mgConsumer price (100 tablets): $1,482.19Cost of general active ingredients: $18.78Percent markup: 7,892%

Zocor:40 mgConsumer price (100 tablets): $350.27Cost of general active ingredients: $8.63Percent markup: 4,059%

Zoloft:50 mgConsumer price: $206.87Cost of general active ingredients: $1.75Percent markup: 11,821%

Since the cost of prescription drugs is so outrageous, I thought everyone should know about this.It pays to shop around! This helps to solve the mystery as to why they can afford to put a Walgreen's on every corner. On Monday night, Steve Wilson, an investigative reporter for Channel 7 News in Detroit , did a story on generic drug prices gouging by pharmacies. He found in his investigation that some of these generic drugs were marked up as much as 3,000% or more. So often we blame the drug companies for the high cost of drugs, and usually rightfully so. But in this case, the fault clearly lies with the pharmacies themselves. For example if you had to buy a prescription drug, and bought the name brand, you might pay $100 for 100 pills.The pharmacist might tell you that if you get the generic equivalent, they would only cost $80, making you think you are saving $20. What the pharmacist is not telling you is that those 100 generic pills may have only cost him $10!
At the end of the report, one of the anchors asked Mr. Wilson whether or not there were any pharmacies that did not adhere to this practice, and he said that Costco consistently charged little over their cost for the generic drugs.

I went to the Costco site, where you can look up any drug, and get its online price. It says that the in-store prices are consistent with the online prices. I was appalled. Just to give you one example from my own experience I had to use the drug Compazine which helps prevent nausea in chemo patients.

I used the generic equivalent, which cost $54.99 for 60 pills at CVS. I checked the price at Costco, and I could have bought 100 pills for $19.89. For 145 of my pain pills, I paid $72.57. I could have got 150 at Costco for $28.08.
I would like to mention, that although Costco is a 'membership' type store, you do NOT have to be a member to buy prescriptions there as it is a federally regulated substance. You just tell them at the door that you wish to use the pharmacy, and they will let you in.

I am asking each of you to please help me by copying this letter, and passing it into your own e-mail, and send it to everyone you know with an e-mail address.
Sharon L. Davis Budget Analyst U.S. Department of Commerce Room 6839Office Ph: 202-482-4458Office Fax: 202-482-5480E-mail Address:sdavis@doc.gov

DON'T THINK . DON'T SPEAK . MOVE!

CALLING ALL WOMEN VETS - PLEASE DO THIS SURVEY !

darlene matthews — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:21:36 EDT

Please pass on the link to this survey to fellow female veterans, as we want to get the views of as many women vets as possible.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sS_2f4VDWYzo_2bJGTMhK_2fkrSA_3d_3d

Many thanks,
American Women Veterans

Support the People of Iran

darlene matthews — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:04:29 EDT

Avaaz means "voice" in Farsi, the Iranian language. Let's show the people of Iran that, whoever they voted for, we support their right to have their voices heard. Click below to sign the petition, and spread the word by forwarding this email:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown

$25k for cutest kid for college -contest

darlene matthews — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:25:19 EDT

http://www.thecutekid.com/submit-a-photo_reg.php?layout=16&utm_source=TCK&utm_medium=affil_16&affiliate_pro_tracking_id=467:16:US::

OBAMA NEWS CONFERENCE 12:30 TUESDAY

darlene matthews — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:36:01 EDT

LIVE

PLease watch

CA LOBBYISTS BACK FILL some cuts for SPECIAL INTERESTS only!

darlene matthews — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:31:14 EDT

CA OPTION AL MEDICAL AND IHHS BENEFITS CUT FOR THOSE IN VOC REAHB TICKET TO WORK, EVEN SOME SEVERELY AND MULIPLY DISABLED. CUTS WERE BACKFILLED IN STAKEHOLDERS MEETINGS WHERE LOBBY ISTS AGREED TO REIN STATE FOR MULITPLE SPECAIL INTERST GROUPS ONLY

- NOT BY MEDICAL NEED -

THOSE SEVERELY MULITPLEY DISABLED AND THOSE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO WORK WILL NOW SUFFER and be UN -ABLE .

FOR THOSE - SOME LESS DISABLED - ALREADY WITH MORE SUPPORTS BECASUE THEY HAD REPRESENTATION OF LOBBYISTS .

THIS VIOLATES ADA +/OR SECTION 504 .

THERE ARE NO advocates and no voice for severely and multiply disabled not attached to regional centers certain senior and other outside special interests.

This has been done by affiliation NOT medical need !

PLEASE ASK Washington to stand up for us and give us a voice!

SORRY ONTYPOS AND CAPS

CA LOBBYISTS BACK FILL cuts for SPECIAL INTERESTS only

darlene matthews — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:18:48 EDT

- NOT BY MEDICAL NEED -

THOSE SEVERELY MULITPLEY DISABLED AND THOSE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO WORK WILL NOW SUFFER and be UN -ABLE .

FOR THOSE SOME LESS DISABLED ALREADY WITH MORE SUPPORTS BECASUE THEY HAD REPRESENTATION OF LOBBYISTS .

THIS VIOLATES ADA +/OR SECTION 504 .

THERE ARE NO advocates and no voice for severely and multiply disabled not attached to regional centers certain senior and other outside special interests.

This has been done by affiliation NOT medical need !

PLEASE ASK Washington to stand up for us and give us a voice!

CA LOBBYISTS BACK FILL some cuts for SPECIAL INTERESTS only!

did everyone get their stimulus check?

darlene matthews — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:08:56 EDT

CHECKS Were supposed to come out in May some DELAYED.

DID YOU - IF ON SSI OR SSDI - RECeIVE YOUR $250.oo STIMULUS?

if you have not call

1-800-772-1213

please reply here too.!

111th Congress / House / 1st session / Votes

darlene matthews — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:42:53 EDT

111th Congress / House / 1st session / VotesDateResultVote6/4/09PassedSession 1, roll call 310: On Passage
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act6/4/09FailedSession 1, roll call 309: On Motion to Recommit With Instructions
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act6/4/09FailedSession 1, roll call 308: On Agreeing to the Amendment
6/4/09PassedSession 1, roll call 307: On Passage
Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act6/4/09PassedSession 1, roll call 306: On Agreeing to the Amendment
Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act6/4/09Agreed toSession 1, roll call 305: On Agreeing to the Amendment
6/4/09Agreed toSession 1, roll call 304: On Agreeing to the Amendment
6/4/09PassedSession 1, roll call 303: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree
Congratulating the University of Tennessee Women’S Basketball Team (the Lady Vols) and Head Coach Pat Summitt on Her 1,000th Victory6/4/09PassedSession 1, roll call 302: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
John S. Wilder Post Office Building6/4/09PassedSession 1, roll call 301: On Agreeing to the Resolution
Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2200, Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act6/3/09PassedSession 1, roll call 300: Motion to Refer
Hoyer Resolution6/3/09PassedSession 1, roll call 299: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, As Amended
Expressing Sympathy to the Victims, Families, and Friends of the Tragic Act of Violence at the Combat Stress Clinic at Camp Liberty, Iraq, on May 11, 20096/3/09PassedSession 1, roll call 298: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree
Honoring the 20th Anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in the Nation’S Capital and Its Transition to the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure on June 6, 2009, and for Other Purposes6/3/09PassedSession 1, roll call 297: On Passage
To Provide for the Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and for Other Purposes6/3/09FailedSession 1, roll call 296: On Motion to Recommit With Instructions
To Provide for the Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and for Other Purposes6/3/09PassedSession 1, roll call 295: On Agreeing to the Resolution
Providing for Consideration of H.R. 31, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Recognition, and H.R. 1385, Extend Federal Recognition to Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan Indian Nation, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe.6/2/09PassedSession 1, roll call 294: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree
Recognizing the 20th Anniversary of the Suppression of Protesters and Citizens in and Around Tiananmen Square6/2/09PassedSession 1, roll call 293: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended
To Honor the Achievements and Contributions of Native Americans to the United States, and for Other Purposes6/2/09PassedSession 1, roll call 292: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree
Recognizing and Commending the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Its 75th Year Anniversary

U.S. to Weigh Returning North Korea to Terror List

darlene matthews — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:34:24 EDT

U.S. to Weigh Returning North Korea to Terror List
By Peter FinnWashington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 8, 2009

The United States will consider reinstating North Korea to a list of state sponsors of terrorism, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in an interview broadcast yesterday as the Obama administration looks for ways to ratchet up pressure on Pyongyang after recent nuclear and missile tests.

"We're going to look at it," Clinton said on ABC's "This Week" when asked about a letter last week from Republican senators demanding that North Korea be put back on the list. "There's a process for it. Obviously we would want to see recent evidence of their support for international terrorism."

The administration is also pushing for a U.N. Security Council resolution that would punish the country financially and give the international community the power to interdict suspect North Korean cargo, but Clinton acknowledged that some countries have "legitimate concerns" about targeting international shipments.

"We will do everything we can to both interdict it and prevent it and shut off their flow of money," Clinton said. "If we do not take significant and effective action against the North Koreans now, we'll spark an arms race in Northeast Asia. I don't think anybody wants to see that."

The North conducted its second nuclear test last month, test-fired short-range missiles and announced that it was no longer bound by the 1953 armistice that ended hostilities on the Korean peninsula. President Obama on Saturday called North Korea's actions "extraordinarily provocative."

The Bush administration removed North Korea from the list of terrorist states last year as part of an unfulfilled commitment by the dictatorship to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. North Korea was placed on the list in 1988 after its agents were implicated in the bombing of a South Korean airliner that killed 115 people.

State Department officials have noted that the process for reinstating North Korea to the list is difficult. The United States would need to document that North Korea has engaged in terrorist acts since its removal from the list.

Newt Gingrich, appearing on CBS's "Face the Nation," welcomed Clinton's comments.

"In the long run, we're going to have to find a strategy that uses diplomatic and economic means to replace the current dictatorship," the former House speaker said. "I mean, this is an inevitably terrifying dictatorship that is desperately trying to get enough nuclear weapons."

Clinton also said the administration is trying to keep separate its efforts to secure the release of two American journalists facing trial in North Korea in connection with illegal entry into the country and "hostile acts."

"We've been very careful in what we've said, because clearly we don't want this pulled into the political issues that we have with North Korea, or the concerns that are being expressed in the United Nations Security Council," she said. "This is separate. It is a humanitarian issue, and the girls should be let go."

Israelis and Palestinians have to "get serious"

darlene matthews — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:28:42 EDT

Obama hopeful of Mideast peace progress this yearFri Jun 5, 2009 7:43pm EDT Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page[-] Text [+]1 of 22Full SizeRELATED NEWSAs U.S. presses Israel, EU may join fray05 Jun 2009Ex-President Carter praises Obama Mideast policy05 Jun 2009Israel kills Palestinian man in West Bank: doctor05 Jun 2009Obama slams Holocaust deniers at concentration camp05 Jun 2009FACTBOX: U.S. President Obama visits Dresden05 Jun 2009Featured Broker sponsored link

By David Alexander and Madeline Chambers

DRESDEN, Germany (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama expressed hope on Friday of making serious progress in Middle East peacemaking this year and said Israelis and Palestinians had to "get serious" and make tough compromises.

On a visit to Germany, Obama repeated his call for Israel to halt settlement expansion in the West Bank, but he also pushed the Palestinians to improve security and pressed Arab states to match any Israeli peace steps with confidence-building gestures.

"The Palestinians have to get serious about creating the security environment that is required for Israel to feel confident. Israelis are going to have to take some difficult steps," he said.

Obama, who sees Israeli-Palestinian progress as crucial to repairing the U.S. image in the Muslim world, was speaking a day after delivering a speech in Cairo in which he offered Muslims a "new beginning" with the United States.

Germany is the third stop on a trip which started in Saudi Arabia. On Saturday, he will attend commemorations in France marking the 65th anniversary of the World War Two D-Day landings in France.

"I am confident that if we stick with it ... we can make some serious progress this year," Obama said of the peace process at a news conference in Dresden with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"The moment is now for us to act on what we all know to be the truth, which is that each side is going to have to make some difficult compromises."

After Dresden, Obama toured the site of the Buchenwald concentration camp, paying homage to the victims of the Holocaust, in which 6 million Jews died.

The visit will send a signal to Jerusalem that while he did not visit Israel on his maiden trip to the Middle East, its security is still central to U.S. foreign policy.

"To this day we know there are those who insist the Holocaust never happened, a denial of a fact or truth that is baseless, ignorant and hateful. This place is the ultimate rebuke to such thoughts," Obama said, with Merkel and camp survivors Elie Wiesel and Bertrand Herz standing behind him.

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

Obama has made finding a solution to the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict a top foreign policy priority and has plunged into Middle East politics, often a quagmire for his predecessors, early in his presidency.

Former President George W. Bush was seen as taking a hands-off approach to Middle East peacemaking until late in his administration. Muslims saw Bush as biased toward Israel.

"I believe with the new U.S. administration, with President Obama, there is a unique opportunity to see to it that the negotiation process is revived," Merkel said.

Obama said he was concerned his recent comments on the need for Israel to accept a Palestinian state were getting a disproportionate amount of attention. Palestinians needed to take steps, too, he said.

"We have still not seen a firm commitment from the Palestinian Authority that they can control some of the border areas that Israel is going to be concerned about if there was going to be a two-state solution," he said.

If this was not solved, the Israelis would have "trouble moving forward," Obama said.

He called on Arab states to "make some hard choices" by opening up trade and offering diplomatic exchanges with Israel if it made "tough commitments." Until now, Arab states have said Israel must fulfill its obligations under the 2003 "road map" peace plan before they will reciprocate.

Along with the Middle East crisis, Obama and Merkel also discussed the nuclear stand-off with Iran, the global financial crisis, climate change and the fate of prisoners at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay.

Obama is hugely popular in Germany, but relations between Washington and Berlin have been less than smooth since Obama took office in January. Facing an election in September, Merkel has resisted U.S. pressure to take inmates from Guantanamo and send more troops to Afghanistan.

The brevity of Obama's stay in Germany and his decision not to go to Berlin led to German media speculation of a rift, but the president dismissed this as "wild speculation."

(Additional reporting by Kerstin Gehmlich and Noah Barkin)

(Writing by Ross Colvin and Madeline Chambers; editing by Jon Hemming)

U.S. journalists get 12 years hard labor in N KOREA

darlene matthews — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:21:43 EDT

North Korea jails U.S. journalists, warns U.NMon Jun 8, 2009 2:36am EDT Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page[-] Text [+]1 of 3Full SizeRELATED NEWSSCENARIOS: Further retaliation North Korea may take1:58am EDTFACTBOX: A look at North's Korea's international finances12:06am EDT

By Jack Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea, facing U.N. sanctions for last month's nuclear test, on Monday raised the stakes in its growing confrontation with Washington by jailing two U.S. journalists to 12 years hard labor for "grave crime."

The sentence follows U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's warning on Sunday the United States was considering putting the reclusive North back on its list of states that sponsor terrorism, which would further isolate the impoverished country.

The journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, of U.S. media outlet Current TV, were arrested in March working on a story near the border between North Korea and China. The trial for the two, working for the company co-founded by former Vice President Al Gore, opened on Thursday.

"The trial confirmed the grave crime they committed against the Korean nation and their illegal border crossing as they had already been indicted and sentenced each of them to 12 years of reform through labor," the official KCNA news agency said in a brief dispatch.

The harsh sentence is certain to deepen the chill in relations with the United States which has been trying for years, with scant success, to convince Stalinist North Korea to give up its ambition of becoming a nuclear weapons power.

"We are deeply concerned by the reported sentencing of the two American citizen journalists by North Korean authorities and we are engaged through all possible channels to secure their release," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in the statement.

"We once again urge North Korea to grant the immediate release of the two American citizen journalists on humanitarian grounds," the statement said.

Clinton had also appealed for the two women's release saying the charges against them were baseless.

"(North Korea) is using the sentence as bait to squeeze concessions out of the U.S. amid heightened tension," said Lee Dong-bok, a senior associate with the CSIS think tank in Seoul and an expert on the North's negotiating tactics.

South Korean markets were for the most part unmoved by the sentencing, that came in line with expectations. A currency trader said the U.S. reaction to the sentencing and developments thereafter were more important for local markets.

Analysts say it would take it would take a military clash at sea or on the border to have a major impact on global markets.

MILITARY GRANDSTANDING

U.S. President Barack Obama at the weekend called the North's latest nuclear test, which was followed by a series of missile tests, "extraordinarily provocative" and said that this time there would be no appeasement by Washington.

Communist North Korea kept up its rhetoric which is increasingly unnerving a region that accounts for a sixth of the world's economy.

It threatened to retaliate with "extreme" measures if the United Nations punished it for last month's nuclear test.

"Our response would be to consider sanctions against us as a declaration of war and answer it with extreme hardline measures," the North Korea's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in a commentary.

It also issued a no-sail warning off its east coast, up to 260 km (160 miles) off the Wonsan area from where it launched a short-range missile in May and a barrage of short-range missiles in 2006.

North Korea has said it would fire an intercontinental ballistic missile if the U.N. Security Council did not apologize for punishing it for its April rocket launch, widely seen as a disguised missile test that violated U.N. resolutions.

The North appears to be preparing a long-range missile for a test that could be conducted as early as this month. It also appears to be readying for tests of mid-range missiles that could strike anywhere in South Korea or most of Japan.

The Security Council may adopt a new resolution as early as this week, but there is clear division among some members over how tough to be on the reclusive state.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone called for a strong resolution to make it clear that such tests would not be forgiven. But his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi said a "balanced" resolution was needed.

Clinton said last week Washington wanted the strongest possible resolution.

TERRORISM BLACKLIST

The United States removed North Korea from its terrorism blacklist in October in a bid to revive faltering six-party nuclear disarmament talks, prompting the North to take some measures to disable its nuclear facilities.

Pyongyang has since reversed those steps and said it had restarted the nuclear complex -- including reprocessing nuclear fuel to obtain weapons-grade plutonium.

China is seen as nervous of measures that might push its fragile neighbor into collapse, especially at a time when there is uncertainty of the health of leader Kim Jong-il, who is widely believed to have suffered a stroke last year.

Many analysts say the North's belligerence may be aimed largely at a domestic audience, with Kim, 67, using it to bolster his position at home with the military and to better secure the succession for his youngest son Kim Jong-un.

His eldest son, Kim Jong-nam, told Japanese television over the weekend that he would not be surprised to see his brother take over. If he does, it would be the third generation to head the world's first communist dynasty.

(Additional reporting by Kim Junghyun and Jon Herskovitz in Seoul, Yoko Kubota in Tokyo and Doina Chiacu in Washington; editing by Jonathan Thatcher and Jeremy Laurence)

what did congress know?

darlene matthews — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:20:26 EDT

DOESN'T THE MINORITY SPEAKER GET BRIEFED ATT HE SAME TIME?

http://www.gop.gov/media/features/09/05/19/what-did-speaker-pelosi-know

MS FOX 2support Obama's agenda locally PLEASE SUPPORT HER

darlene matthews — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:24:09 EDT

MELISSA FOX for California AssemblyType:Common Interest - PoliticsDescription:
MEET MELISSA FOX

Melissa is a smart, hard-working and passionate advocate for families, the middle class, and small businesses, an Orange County native, a wife and mother, a small business attorney, and a dedicated community leader.

Melissa was born in Garden Grove and raised in Westminster. Her mother was a registered nurse and a librarian and her Korean War combat veteran father was a police officer and later a compliance officer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Melissa attended the Hebrew Academy, where she graduated as valedictorian, and then went to Brandeis University and Tulane University Law School.

After law school, she returned to Orange County, where for the last 17 years she has specialized in providing legal counsel to small businesses. Melissa lives in Lake Forest with her husband, Michael, and their 10 year-old son, Max.

MELISSA IS A FIGHTER FOR CALIFORNIA'S FUTURE

· As a small business attorney for 17 years, Melissa knows the problems of business owners – problems that have been intensified by the current economic crisis. As a member of the Assembly, Melissa will fight to reignite our Southern California economy and protect and grow the jobs we need.

· As a mother with a child in a public school, Melissa knows the devastating impact of the budget crisis on our children and our schools. For Melissa, the most important investment we can make is in our children's education because investing in education ensures a stronger economic future for all of us. As a member of the Assembly, Melissa will fight for our students and dedicated teachers.

· As a middle class homeowner and businesswoman, Melissa knows the financial burden that California’s unfair tax system – including increased vehicle fees, sales taxes and tolls – imposes on middle class families and small businesses. As a member of the Assembly, Melissa will fight for tax fairness.

· As a volunteer Ranger with the Orange County Parks Department who trained with the Orange County Sheriff and Fire Departments, Melissa knows the incredible commitment and dedication to duty of Orange County’s public safety officers. She is just as dedicated to fighting for those who protect us. As a member of the Assembly, Melissa will fight for our sheriffs, firefighters, and public safety officers.

· As a camper, hiker, and advocate for green jobs and new sources of energy, Melissa knows the need for responsible stewardship of our land, water and air -- not only for all the recreational opportunities we enjoy, but also for our economic well-being. As a member of the Assembly, Melissa will fight for local green jobs, the development of new cleaner sources of energy, and responsible stewardship of our natural resources.

· As the great-granddaughter of immigrants, Melissa knows the contribution that immigrants from all over the world have made to America and Orange County. She believes that one of the greatest strengths of our district is its diversity. Melissa also knows that it is essential to our public safety and national security that our borders be secure. As a member of the Assembly, Melissa will fight for secure borders, responsible, legal immigration, and for the needs of our immigrant communities.

· As a working mom, Melissa knows the pressures of raising a family, especially in a hard-hit economy. As a member of the Assembly, Melissa will fight for children and families.

· As the wife of a college teacher, Melissa knows the crucial role of our public universities and community colleges in creating economic mobility, jobs, and a brighter future for California. As a member of the Assembly, Melissa will fight for our public universities and community colleges.

· As the daughter of seniors, and the granddaughter of a wonderful woman who had Alzheimer’s, Melissa knows the special needs – and special gifts – of our senior citizens. As a member of the Assembly, Melissa will fight for seniors, retirees, their families and their communities.

· As an Orange County native, Melissa knows the costs to our citizens of do-nothing politicians who have relied on cronyism, division, and fear. Melissa will bring to government a much needed breath of fresh air, new ideas and openness, and will fight for real, practical solutions to our problems with a passionate commitment to our future and our children's future.

HELP FED POLICY COME AND ACT LOCAL TO CA 48TH

darlene matthews — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:37:20 EDT

SIGN ON!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beth-Krom-for-Congress/55505738357?ref=share

FINALLY! SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP BRING OBAMA'S POLICY & SOME BRIGHT BLUE TO THE DARK RED 48TH !!!!!!!! ACT LOCAL - SUPPORT Beth Krom CA-48 SHE'S THE BEST!

PS: BETH IS FOR VETS INSTEAD OF THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY....SMALL BIZ INSTEAD OF BIG...HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS VS THE BANKS ... DISABLED TO BE ABLE ....

AND MORE!

SHE SAYS WALK BUT FOR ME-I'M THINKING PICINIC FOR DARFUR .

darlene matthews — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:49:53 EDT

A LOVELY SUNDAY in the park FOR A GOOD CAUSE SET UP BY ERIN SHAW ON FACEBOOK ! http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=104062745658&h=APIsx&u=y5Ith&ref=nf

Join your community, local dignitaries and religious leaders, as you add your voice to protest the ongoing slaughter taking place in Darfur, Sudan.

When:
Sunday, May 17th at 2:30p

Where:
Mile Square Regional Park
16400 Brookhurst St.
Fountain Valley 92708
* meeting behind the Rec center (turn in on Heil)

Together we can send a message from Orange County to Washington DC that we will not permit genocide on our watch. We will re-sanctify the words, “Never Again.” There is strength in numbers so bring your family and friends. Spend an hour doing something that can make a difference!

ASK PALIN TO HELP ALASKANS WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY

darlene matthews — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:18:32 EDT

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/968952034?z00m=19760638

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin skyrocketed to the headlines when she became John McCain's surprise nominee for vice president in 2008 -- but even out of the spotlight of a national campaign, Palin continues to garner attention outside of Alaska.

Most recently, she made headlines for her take on accepting Alaska's portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 -- commonly called the stimulus plan. Andrew Sullivan of the Atlantic does a nice job of running down her waffling statements.

But the most baffling part to me is that, of the $930 million allocated for Alaska, she only rejected the $28.6 million slated for energy efficiencymeasures. The New York Times explains:

The stimulus funds for states' energy offices come with other efficiency-oriented stipulations. To be eligible for the money, governors must offer assurances that their state will not only strengthen its building code, but also that they will make energy efficiency and renewable energy a priority when spending the funds. The states are also supposed to make sure that utilities have incentives to help their customers make their homes and businesses more energy-efficient...

Sounds great to me. But Palin has other ideas, claiming that "mandating universal energy building codes" was a bad idea for Alaska. The problem is, rejecting that money is an even worse idea for our environment. The future of this planet depends on everyone -- including residents of Alaska -- to start conserving energy now. And the best way to get started is through government-funded programs like the state energy grants Governor Palin just rejected.

Even fellow Alaskan Republicans agree; Alaskan Senate Resources Committee Co-Chair Lesil McGuire (an Anchorage Republican) sent Palin a letter formally urging her to take the energy efficiency funds. The Anchorage Daily News reports that Senator McGuire "said in an interview that Palin herself set a goal of Alaska receiving 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2025. 'And then to come back and reject the implementation of an energy saving code the building community hasn't rejected and that other states are readily adopting, I think it sends a hypocritical message,' McGuire said."

Agree it's hypocritical? You can let Sarah Palin know! Demand that she accepts the $28.6 million in stimulus funds for energy efficiency programs today by signing this petition.

GOP votes to increase homlessness -BUT HE PEOPLE WON

darlene matthews — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:14:22 EDT

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2009-182

According to Sen. Gillibrand, "More than 30,000 renters across New York, who dutifully pay their rent on time each month, may face eviction because they live in a building that is about to be foreclosed. These tenants have almost no rights when a bank seizes their home. Families without the means to find temporary housing or move into another unit can be kicked onto the streets, because their landlord failed to meet his or her obligation to pay."

39 Republicans voted against it.

Only one Republican voted for it, Olympia Snowe of Maine.

DIVERSITY NEWS/ PETITION /FREE ADVOCACY TRAINING

darlene matthews — Sat, 02 May 2009 14:38:12 EDT

1. DiversityInc - Cultural Diversity - Diversity Management - Workplace Diversity - Workforce DiversitySource: www.diversityinc.com

2. VERY IMPORTANT PETITON PLEASE SPREAD

THE Programs are BROKEN and until the better ideas and repair of old happens many won't be able.Please sign this first step so we can have the means to access what medical care and needs we haven't lost , and pass it onSupport this first step, if you would.
http://homelessness.change.org/actions/view/accessible_housing_for_all GREAT FREE ONLINE TRAINING FREE TRAINING WILL HELP ALL activists !

NLC Summer Semester Registration Deadline:
May 8

The National Labor College’s 2009 Summer Semester begins Monday, June 8. The last day to register for the semester is May 8. For more information, call the NLC Admissions Office at 301-431-5421 or e-mailjosborn@nlc.edu. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity!

IF OUR ADVOCATES AREN'T- do it yourself -I DID

darlene matthews — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:29:44 EDT

here's the link to the action:

http://homelessness.change.org/actions/view/accessible_housing_for_all

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE AMENDMENTS TO HR 1408 IN FINANCE COMMITTEE

LETTER TO GO OUT IS EDITABLE and IS EASIeR TO READ THAN FRONT PAGE Which is JUST ThE DETAILS

LETS GET 10K SIGNATURES TO BEGIN REAL WORK ON ACCESSIBLE HOUSING FOR ALL.

far right Fred Thompson on OBAMA'S BANANA REPUBLIC

darlene matthews — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:06:13 EDT

Fred Thompson: Obama Loosed 'Dogs of War' on CIA

He also warns that Obama and the Democrats are making America look like a "banana republic."

Sunday, April 26, 2009 4:45 PM

By: Jim Meyers

Article Font Size

Former Senator, TV star and presidential candidate Fred Thompson tells Newsmax that President Barack Obama is revealing his “naivete, ineptitude and arrogance” as he deals with matters of national security.

The Tennessee Republican, who now hosts a radio show on Westwood One along with his wife Jeri, also said the “dogs of war have been loosed” over left-wing attempts to single out Bush-era officials for prosecution relating to the treatment of detainees.

Newsmax.TV’s Ashley Martella cited the announcement that the Defense Department is going to release many pictures showing alleged abuse by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and asked Thompson what purpose that might serve.

“None, other than to serve as propaganda tools for our worst enemies,” Thompson said.

See Video: Fred Thompson Slams Obama's National Security Debacle - Click Here Now

“This was set in motion when the president first decided to release” CIA memos on interrogation techniques used on terrorist suspects, Thompson told Newsmax.

“There was no purpose in doing that except to make him look good internationally and to the left wing here at home,” he said. “It did a lot of damage.

“In one stroke of a pen he declassified top-secret documents that people would otherwise go to jail for releasing. It gave al-Qaida and the Taliban a blueprint as to the outer limits of our interrogation techniques.

“We have to remember that [the techniques were used] in the aftermath of 9/11. Congress was briefed on these techniques. Some of them asked if they were really going far enough to get what they needed to get, and it was approved at high levels in the administration.

“They carefully crafted them as best they could to not go too far, and to provide safeguards when they were carrying out these admittedly rough techniques on these people who had this vital information.

“So now we’re really talking about a war crimes tribunal, which this country has never done. We’ve never brought to criminal court prior administrations in this country.

“Harry Truman could have been accused of war crimes, I suppose, for dropping the bombs. President Obama authorized the killing of those three [pirates] in the Indian Ocean not too long ago. Prosecuting these people under these circumstances is something you hear about in banana republics and third-world countries, not the United States of America.

“The president’s opened up a terrible Pandora’s Box and there’s going to be a price to pay before this thing is ended.”

Martella asked if the Obama administration was acquiescing to its far-left base when it released the CIA memos on interrogation techniques.

“I think in this case, in all probability, they thought that they could cater to their left wing, appease their demands, by releasing these memos and then it might not go any further,” Thompson said.

“Because surely they were able to see that this was bad for them the way it’s going to be bad for the country.

“This is going to have ramifications that are far-reaching. They thought they could put the genie back in the bottle after they opened it, and of course appeasement never works that way.

“There was a firestorm. The attorney general’s received 250 names in a petition to urge the appointment of a special prosecutor for this. The left-wing blogs went nuts. They started running television ads and so forth.

“And then after promising that there would be no prosecutions, [Obama] acquiesced and now opened the door for that. So I think it’s a case of naivete, ineptitude and unbelievable arrogance and lack of experience.

“We elected someone who didn’t have two minutes’ worth of experience with regard to matters concerning national security. Now he’s cast in this position and he’s making decisions that are going to have far-reaching ramifications not only abroad, and not only with our enemies, but in dividing our country even further here at home in ways I don’t think we’ve ever been divided before.

“We’re going to have members of Congress testifying against each other if they go down this road.”

Martella noted that Rep. Peter King of New York has said that if Democrats do go ahead and attempt to prosecute Bush administration CIA interrogation lawyers, the Republicans should “go to war” with them.

“That just gives you an example of the atmosphere on Capitol Hill today,” Thompson observed.

“People are angry. People are upset. You’ve got people on the left, you’ve got the Democrats talking about truth commissions, talking about investigations and Congressional hearings and urging prosecution. They’re fighting among each other on the Democratic side as to just how they should go and how far they should go.”

Some of these Democrats are “the same people who were briefed on these techniques back in 2002,” Thompson said, “including Nancy Pelosi, who’s not telling the truth now, who’s trying to parse words and trying to get around the fact that she knew what was going on, as others did back when this happened.

“That creates a new level of animosity like I’ve never seen before, and I served in the Senate for eight years. The dogs of war have been loosed in this country and I don’t know what is going to happen before we see the end of it. But none of it’s going to be good.”

Thompson’s radio show is heard on weekdays from noon to 2 p.m.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

darlene matthews — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:48:10 EDT

California Borrowing: The State of California is in deep fiscal trouble as all of you fellow residents of the Golden State probably know. Within about 2 months, the State of California needs to sell $15 billion in short term (1-2 years) notes or the state will run out of cash in July. The State Treasurer Bill Lockyer believes that the debt issue will fail because there won't be enough buyers for the debt given the state's low credit rating. If this happens, there are no provisions in federal law for a state to go bankrupt so if California runs out of cash it cannot discharge debts. It will have to decide who it can pay and pay them and give the rest IOUs. Obviously, this would pretty much be the nightmare scenario for the state. California has asked for the federal government (FDIC, Treasury, or whoever) to guarantee this debt. Apparently, New York, Illinois, and several cities are not far behind California in this problem. A proposal is floating around for the feds to guarantee all debt of municipalities and states that request it. One side believes that a federal guarantee will simply reward the failures of some to balance their budgets and will encourage more of the same in the future while putting federal taxpayers on the hook for billions more in debt that may never be paid off. Others believe that California is "too big to fail," and since we have bailed out companies why not bail out governments. You think: a) That's crazy. Don't do it. Let them work out their own problems. b) We have to do this because too many government services depend on solvent state and local governments. c) How about a middle ground. We guarantee state debt only (not municipal) for a large fee so that states won't do it unless they have no other option. FROM: JOHN CAMPBELL R-CA

From: John.Campbell@address-verify.com

Subject: April 27, 2009: From Congressman John Campbell's Laptop to Yours

Date: April 27, 2009 9:30:58 AM PDT

congressman campbell R-CA ASKS

darlene matthews — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:43:32 EDT

Earmarking: Recently, a large lobbying firm in Washington was raided by the FBI in a sting designed to obtain evidence that the company was trading earmarks for campaign contributions. The firm, PMA Group, who had 34 lobbyists on staff in February, has since announced it was shutting down in the weeks following the raid. Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ) has put a resolution on the House floor 7 times now to ask the House Ethics Committee to do its own investigation on trading of earmarks for campaign contributions. News reports indicate that PMA clients received $300 million in earmarks in the 2008 Defense Appropriations Bill, while giving $1.8 million in contributions to 91 Members of Congress who pushed for earmarks to go to PMA Clients since 2001. Congressman Flake's resolution has failed to pass all 7 times. Congressman Paul Hodes (D-NH) has introduced a bill to ban requesting an earmark for any project or entity from which the member has received a campaign contribution. I am cosponsor of this legislation. The bill has yet to be heard in front of any committee. Do you believe: a) I support both the ethics investigation and a ban on campaign contributions from earmark recipients. b) I support a complete ban on earmarks. c) I take the position of most members of Congress and would oppose both the investigation and the ban.

News from the right on Waterboarding

darlene matthews — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:39:37 EDT

what is the complete story? This is not it.

4-27 -09 email

Congressman Campbell asks YOUR opinion

darlene matthews — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:30:37 EDT

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Quote of the Day: "I am for government rigorously frugal and simple. Were we directed from Washington when to sow, when to reap, we would soon want bread" - Thomas Jefferson

Your Turn: You hear from me and hear my opinions a lot. My thoughts are often based on information that you may not have because your full time job is not studying political issues and voting on them as mine is. So here's your turn to play Member of Congress. Here are 4 issues currently in the news or under discussion. I will tell you what I know about them and then give you 3 choices on what to do. Now, I know that some of you will say that you didn't like any of the 3 choices and you have your own idea. But often in Congress, we only get three choices - vote for it, vote against it, or abstain. I will give you the results in the next laptop report:

Waterboarding: Clearly not all of the classified documents have been released and not all information is available. But it appears that 3 leading Al Qaeda detainees were waterboarded numerous times after which, at least one of them, indicated that there were new terrorist plots about which the US would learn when they happened. Speaker Pelosi and other Congressional leaders were informed of the decision to use the controversial interrogation method and did not protest at the time. Information obtained from these waterboarding interrogations tipped off US officials as to the plot to blow up the tallest office building in Los Angeles. That plan was then foiled by law enforcement and counter-terrorism officials. Therefore, it appears that the destruction of that building and potentially the loss of many thousand American lives was prevented by these interrogations. But others say that such methods should never be employed by a civilized society even to save many lives. There are certain things we just don't do. As you consider such a decision, I think it is important to think about what might have happened had the information not been obtained and the building destroyed. Would we now be investigating intelligence agencies for not doing enough to prevent it, which is what happened after 9/11? If your son, daughter, parent, or spouse were in that building, would you feel differently? Before you decide, you may also want to know that pilots and special operations forces (Navy Seals and the like) undergo waterboarding during training to teach them not to break under these types of interrogation tactics. Do you believe: * Click here if you have any trouble clicking on any of the responses and/or if you're using Outlook 2007, AOL or Hotmail. a) Waterboarding is justified under circumstances such as these because of the consequences. b) Waterboarding is never justified regardless of the consequences and the act itself has it's own societal consequences. c) Undecided. California Borrowing: The State of California is in deep fiscal trouble as all of you fellow residents of the Golden State probably know. Within about 2 months, the State of California needs to sell $15 billion in short term (1-2 years) notes or the state will run out of cash in July. The State Treasurer Bill Lockyer believes that the debt issue will fail because there won't be enough buyers for the debt given the state's low credit rating. If this happens, there are no provisions in federal law for a state to go bankrupt so if California runs out of cash it cannot discharge debts. It will have to decide who it can pay and pay them and give the rest IOUs. Obviously, this would pretty much be the nightmare scenario for the state. California has asked for the federal government (FDIC, Treasury, or whoever) to guarantee this debt. Apparently, New York, Illinois, and several cities are not far behind California in this problem. A proposal is floating around for the feds to guarantee all debt of municipalities and states that request it. One side believes that a federal guarantee will simply reward the failures of some to balance their budgets and will encourage more of the same in the future while putting federal taxpayers on the hook for billions more in debt that may never be paid off. Others believe that California is "too big to fail," and since we have bailed out companies why not bail out governments. You think: a) That's crazy. Don't do it. Let them work out their own problems. b) We have to do this because too many government services depend on solvent state and local governments. c) How about a middle ground. We guarantee state debt only (not municipal) for a large fee so that states won't do it unless they have no other option. Earmarking: Recently, a large lobbying firm in Washington was raided by the FBI in a sting designed to obtain evidence that the company was trading earmarks for campaign contributions. The firm, PMA Group, who had 34 lobbyists on staff in February, has since announced it was shutting down in the weeks following the raid. Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ) has put a resolution on the House floor 7 times now to ask the House Ethics Committee to do its own investigation on trading of earmarks for campaign contributions. News reports indicate that PMA clients received $300 million in earmarks in the 2008 Defense Appropriations Bill, while giving $1.8 million in contributions to 91 Members of Congress who pushed for earmarks to go to PMA Clients since 2001. Congressman Flake's resolution has failed to pass all 7 times. Congressman Paul Hodes (D-NH) has introduced a bill to ban requesting an earmark for any project or entity from which the member has received a campaign contribution. I am cosponsor of this legislation. The bill has yet to be heard in front of any committee. Do you believe: a) I support both the ethics investigation and a ban on campaign contributions from earmark recipients. b) I support a complete ban on earmarks. c) I take the position of most members of Congress and would oppose both the investigation and the ban.Really Important Stuff: Now on to a critically important issue - college football. USC has been unjustly denied the right to play in the BCS title game the last 3 years. Therefore Congress should: a) Investigate the BCS, control their salaries, cap their bonuses, and send them to Guantanamo Bay since it's going to be vacant soon. b) Go back to the bowl system and make the BCS illegal. c) Mandate the Mountain West Conference proposal to have 5 BCS regular bowl games with the winners of 4 of those games going to a 2 round playoff. d) Save the carbon footprint of all of those bowl games by just eliminating them and let President Obama declare a national champion. e) Just make the national championship game between USC and whoever appears to be second best and leave it at that (except Notre Dame can never qualify)

OK. So maybe that last one is a little tongue in cheek. OK, OK, a lot tongue in cheek. But there is a bill out there to do away with the BCS and the President has publicly called for a playoff system so it is now a government issue. I have not co-sponsored the BCS bill by the way.

Until next week, I remain respectfully,

Congressman John Campbell

if it doesn't show up please ask for his 4-27 quiz. let him know how YOU feel

From: John.Campbell@address-verify.com

Subject: April 27, 2009: From Congressman John Campbell's Laptop to Yours

Date: April 27, 2009 9:30:58 AM PDT

new! signup - irvine will have a listening tour meeting !

darlene matthews — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:39:17 EDT

Organizing for America Listening Tour (Meeting)

Organizing for America is dedicated to making real the change we fought for during the election. But to be successful, we need to hear from you -- your effort and commitment are the backbone of this movement and this organization. We'll tell you about some lessons learned during the general election, and ask for your thoughts on how we can organize California going forward.

Your ideas will be used to write a California-specific plan for Organizing for America in 2009 and beyond. Come and make your voice heard!

Time:Sunday, May 17 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Host:Mary Jane Stevenson

Location:TBD (Irvine, CA)Irvine, CA 92602

Organizing for America Listening Tour (Meeting)Organizing for America is dedicated to making real the change we fought for during the election. But to be successful, we need to hear from you -- your effort and commitment are the backbone of this movement and this organization. We'll tell you about some lessons learned during the general election, and ask for your thoughts on how we can organize California going forward. Your ideas will be used to write a California-specific plan for Organizing for America in 2009 and beyond. Come and make your voice heard!Time:Sunday, May 17 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMHost:Mary Jane StevensonLocation:TBD (Irvine, CA)Irvine, CA 92602

signup today - Irvine has just added on to the listening tour

darlene matthews — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:30:56 EDT

Organizing for America Listening Tour (Meeting)

Your ideas will be used to write a California-specific plan for Organizing for America in 2009 and beyond. Come and make your voice heard!

Time:Sunday, May 17 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Host:Mary Jane Stevenson

Location:TBD (Irvine, CA)Irvine, CA 92602

CA WOMEN - POLITICAL EDUCATIONAL FORUM

darlene matthews — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:24:58 EDT

Dear darlene,

The Newport Beach Women's Democratic Club cordially invites you to a community educational forum with special guest speaker California List founder Bettina Duval who will discuss strategies for building a pipeline to elect Democratic women.

California List is a grassroots political fundraising network modeled after Emily's List. Their mission is to help Democratic women candidates running for California state government.

Thursday, April 23, 2009
5:30pm to 8:00pm
The Duck Club
5 Riparian Way
Irvine, Ca

Please RSVP to Lori Vandermeir lori@vandermeir.com or call 949.218.6344

Participating groups include National Women's Political Caucus - Orange County Chapter, Orange County Young Democratic Women's Caucus, Progressive Women of North Orange County, Women For: Orange County andWomen in Leadership.

Hope that you can participate!

Sincerely,

Melahat Rafiei, Executive DirectorDemocratic Party of Orange Countyemail: info@ocdemocrats.orgphone: (714) 835-5158web: http://www.ocdemocrats.org/
This email was sent to go2thesun@mac.com by info@ocdemocrats.org.Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.Email Marketing by
Democratic Party of Orange County | 200 N. Main St., Mezzanine | Santa Ana | CA | 92701

take a minute to send a petition on pesticides

darlene matthews — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 09:58:03 EDT

Subject: Tell Pesticide Peddlers: We support Michelle Obama's organic garden.

Dear Friend,

The Mid America CropLife Association (MACA) has a bone to pick with Michelle Obama. MACA represents chemical companies that produce pesticides, and they are angry that - wait for it - Michelle Obama isn't using chemicals in her organic garden at the White House.

I am not making this up.

In an email they forwarded to their supporters, a MACA spokesman wrote, "While a garden is a great idea, the thought of it being organic made [us] shudder." MACA went on to publish a letter it had sent to the First Lady asking her to consider using chemicals -- or what they call "crop protection products" -- in her garden.

I just signed a petition telling MACA's board members to stop using Michelle Obama's garden to spread propaganda about produce needing to be sprayed with chemicals. I hope you will, too.

Please have a look and take action.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/wh_garden/?r_by=-1831079-IJgxknx&rc=paste

Thanks!

Courts stop CA GOV from stealing from directed fed funds.

darlene matthews — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:04:59 EDT

BUT HE'S TRYING TO DO IT SOME MORE ON MAY 19. VOTE NO ON PROPS MAY 19 -DO NOT STAY HOME.

AM Alert: A fissure on the furlough front

A few things worth noting this morning:

UNION WINS FURLOUGH SUIT: In a ruling on Wednesday, Judge Peter Busch ruled that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger should not have furloughed state workers at the State Compensation Insurance Fund.

SCIF, as it's called, is a self-sufficient business insurance provider that receives no money from the state's general fund. The suit against the furlough had been brought by California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers in State Employment (also known as CASE).

Jon Ortiz has more on the State Worker blog.

The whole thing makes one wonder what's next for those California state workers who are being furloughed despite having their salaries paid for entirely by the federal government.

That practice, both in California and elsewhere, was the subject of a New York Times story over the weekend.

"The states' response is completely illogical," said Michael J. Astrue, the commissioner of Social Security.

OIL AND WATER: Fresh from his helicopter tour of the Delta on Wednesday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will hunker down in San Francisco today for a hearing on offshore oil drilling.

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who was once deputy interior secretary under President Bill Clinton, plans to testify against such drilling.

Both houses of the Legislature have floor sessions scheduled for this morning.

BIRTHDAY: Republican Assemblywoman Jean Fuller of Bakersfield turns 59 today.

GOVERNOR 2010: Lew Uhler, president of the National Tax Limitation Committee, announced his endorsement of Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner on Wednesday, calling the GOP candidate for governor "a proven tax fighter for the people of California."

Keep up with California political news, editorials and blog posts in real time with California Clips.

And don't forget our calendar of political events around the state.

Want The Latest from Capitol Alert on your mobile device? Check out our mobile site.

While you're at it, you can also put The Latest on your Google or Yahoo home page.

Shane Goldmacher

Capitol Alert Coordinator

Don't let the state raid the budgets/ cut services for other use!!!

darlene matthews — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:00:24 EDT

VOTE NO No No on all propositons may 19th.

Please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://ca.lwv.org/action/prop0905/flyer.pdf

Don't let the state raid the budgets/ cut services for other use!!!

darlene matthews — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:58:24 EDT

VOTE NO No No on all propositons may 19th.

Please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://ca.lwv.org/action/prop0905/flyer.pdf

Don't let the state raid the budgets/ cut services for other use!!!

darlene matthews — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:56:32 EDT

VOTE NO No No on all propositons may 19th.

Please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://ca.lwv.org/action/prop0905/flyer.pdf

Don't let the state raid the budgets/ cut services for other use!!!

dont miss the democrat leadrership workshop

darlene matthews — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:06:50 EDT

THE DETAILSCDC: Free Democratic Leadership Workshop (Meeting)

California Democratic Council
and the
Orange County Democratic Party

Cost: Free. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. (Requested donation of $10.00 to help cover food and materials)

You must register here: http://www.cdc-ca.org/Training/

Sponsors: Please help us keep this training going - be a sponsor for only $50

This intense training consists of a variety of workshops for club/party leaders and political activists who want to advance their leadership roles in the Democratic Party or are just getting started!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The California Democratic Party Structure"
If you want to get involved with the party and rise through the ranks, you need to know the structure and the roles of the various arms of the party. Learn about the state officers, committees, caucus, clubs, county DCCs, regions, etc., as well as how the State DCC is pulled together.

"How to Run a Meeting: Robert's Rules of Order"
Whether you are a club president, member, activist or a candidate, you should know the basics of parliamentary procedures. Most organizations, profit and non-profit, political or non-political, abide by these rules whether its a local club, state party, or a city council meeting.

"Club Finances: How to Stay Out of Jail"
Learn the does & don'ts of political finances. Club leaders, treasurers, members, candidates should all have a fundamental idea of political finances. Hands-on explanation of filling out reports included.

"Fundraising Fundamentals and Guidelines"
Money is the milk of Politics, right? If thats the case then our clubs need a lot of milk! What are the donation limits? Who do I contact? Why do people donate? And many other questions answered.

"Fundraising Ideas & Projects"
This follow-up workshop will provide you with ideas and projects for raising money!

"Increasing and Keeping Your Membership"
Now that you have your club or organization put together, how to go about finding members & volunteers, and more importantly, how do you motivate and hang on to them?

"Recruiting Candidates for Local Office"
Democrats need to field candidates that will be representative of Democratic values for all elected offices. This training session is geared towards helping Democrats recruit the future leaders for all levels of elected office.

"Technology and Clubs"
Learn about the many free technology tools such as websites, faxing, online applications, etc., that can be used by your club/organization. Additional topics: social networking, email etiquette, listserves, voter files.

"The Progressive Challenge"
Learn about the top issues facing Democrats. Whether you are an activist or candidate, you need to be aware of what progressives expect of you and what we expect of our candidates. Talking points and concise messaging.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sponsors: Please help us keep this training going - be a sponsor for only $50

NOTE: Please DO NOT RSVP unless you can stay the entire day!

Our speakers have committed their time for this workshop and travel from around the state.

We know this is a long day of intense training, but to ensure future training, we would like you to respect our speaker's time investment! Thank you.

Seating is limited, all attendees must register by April 16, 2009.

You must register here: http://www.cdc-ca.org/Training/

Again, please RSVP to ensure that we have adequate food and materials.

CA - deep cuts to adults on ssi -MEDI-CAL MAKES us unable

darlene matthews — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:34:22 EDT

HELP US SAY NO TO -2ND WORLD LIVING IN CA
....OR GOT ACCESSIBLE TENTS. Begin forwarded message:
Subject: Re: CDCAN REPORT #115-2009: Advocates Fear More Major Cuts As State Revenues Continue To FallReply-To: CDCANreportlist01@rcip.com
CDCAN REPORT
CALIFORNIA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
ADVOCACY WITHOUT BORDERS: ONE COMMUNITY
REPORT #115-2009    APRIL 14, 2009 – TUESDAY
California Disability Community Action Network Disability Rights News goes out to over 45,000 people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors, veterans with disabilities and mental health needs, their families, workers, community organizations, including those in Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino, African American communities, policy makers and others across California.
To reply to this report write: MARTY OMOTO at martyomoto@rcip.com  Website: www.cdcan.us

California Budget Crisis
ADVOCATES FEAR MORE MAJOR CUTS AS STATE REVENUES CONTINUE TO FALL
GROWING BUDGET DEFICIT WILL LIKELY MEAN GOVERNOR WILL PROPOSE MORE PERMANENT CUTS IMPACTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, SENIORS & LOW INCOME WORKERS AND FAMILIES – REGIONAL CENTERS, IHSS & OTHER PROGRAMS MAJOR TARGETS

SACRAMENTO, CA (CDCAN) [Updated 04/14/09 03:00 PM (Pacific Time) ] - Advocates for people with disabilities, mental health needs and seniors fear that more permanent and devastating major cuts are almost certain now to be proposed by the Governor and Legislature in late May, as revenues continue to drop more sharply than previously expected when the 2009-2010 State Budget was passed in February (four months early).   [CDCAN photo, left of crowd protesting cuts on February 19, 2009 in Sacramento before start of public forum by the Department of Developmental Services on regional center budget reduction. Similar protests are planned for April 22 and May 7th]

While the Schwarzenegger Administration has given assurances that it will not propose suspension of the landmark Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, Some advocates fear that cuts could mean a permanent major scaling back of the civil rights law that protects the rights of children and adults with developmental disabilities.  California is the only state in the nation to have such a civil rights law. [CDCAN Note:  In response to the current cuts and likeliehood of more major cuts coming, a protest march and sidewalk demonstration is set for April 22, beginning at 11 AM to 1 PM, from the Sacramento Convention Center to the State Capitol L Street sidewalk, just before the Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing on regional center and mental health budget cuts and issues. See CDCAN website for more details at www.cdcan.us]

That fear of more major cuts was underscored last week when State Controller John Chiang issued his monthly report on the state finances, showing a sharp drop in state revenues. That report by Chiang, who is a statewide elected official, largely confirms the findings last month by the Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) – the non-partisan office that reviews budget issues for the Legislature – which projected a larger than expected drop in State revenues, which will mean the budget deficit will grow back to well over $8 billion by June 30, 2010.

These cuts are in addition to reductions that were already approved in September (as part of the 2008-2009 State Budget passed three months late) or approved in February (as part of the 2009-2010 State Budget passed four months early). Some of those cuts have already gone into effect, such as the cut to the federal SSI portion of the SSI/SSP grant’s federal cost of living increase money that went into effect January 1, 2009 that the State will begin withholding (cutting) effective May 1.

Other cuts, unless rescinded by the Legislature and Governor, such as cuts to In-Home Supportive Services, elimination of several Medi-Cal optional benefits and grant reductions to SSI/SSP and CalWORKS, and over $100 million cut in spending to regional centers are scheduled to go into effect in May – and others will go into effect July 1, 2009.

One senior legislative staffer told CDCAN that people should worry – because “if the Legislature was willing to make cuts to the budget that it never would have made before – to In-Home care, to Medi-Cal [optional] benefits – then other major cuts to previously sacred programs are really possible now, especially if some other cuts are restored.”

$8 Billion Gap Comes Just Weeks After Budget Passed Closing $41 Billion Hole
That $8 billion shortfall projection comes just weeks after the Governor and Legislature hammered out a budget deal that saw passage of an early budget in February, for the State budget year that begins July 1 and ends June 30 next year, closing a over $41 billion deficit through major permanent spending cuts, temporary tax and fee hikes, fund shifts and borrowing. [CDCAN photo of Anna Wang, parent of child with autism, part of larger crowd protesting outside federal courthouse Feb. 18, against Medi-Cal, regional center, IHSS, SSI/SSP and other cuts]

The new $8 billion budget hole however is expected to grow dramatically by the end May when actual and new projections of state spending is factored in (the $8 billion figure is based on revenue numbers only). If the ballot propositions that call for spending caps, fund transfers and shifts impacting mental health and children’s programs are rejected by voters – as seems likely at this point barring a massive successful campaign by supporters including the Governor to win passage – the budget shortfall projections could easily swell to over $18 billion by June 30, 2010.

Growing Budget Shortfall Makes More Cuts Almost Certain
A budget hole of that size – even one of over $8 billion, would almost certainly mean proposals calling for major permanent spending cuts ranging in the billions of dollars – with a focus on health and human services.

Raising additional taxes and fees – even temporarily – at this point does not seem likely politically, especially if the spending cap initiative – which includes a provision to extend by another two years, the temporary tax increases passed in February , are rejected by voters.

Another factor complicating solving the budget crisis is the coming 2010 Statewide general election when the governorship and other statewide offices, all 80 seats in the Assembly and half of the State Senate are up for election.

Health & Human Service Programs Vulnerable For More Cuts
Though cuts to health and human service programs important to people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and low income families, were approved by the Legislature and Governor in previous budgets, including the 2008-2009 State Budget passed three months late in September 2008, and the 2009-2010 State Budget passed in February (four months early), those same programs and populations are especially vulnerable for more likely cuts again when the Governor issues in late May his budget changes and revisions (called the “May Revise”).

Especially vulnerable, advocates fear, are even larger “devastating” and permanent cuts to regional center funded community-based services and supports that serve over 240,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Other programs vulnerable and likely targets for more cuts – and already subjected to cuts in previous years and this year and next – include In-Home Supportive Services, SSI/’SSP, CalWORKS, senior programs and other human services programs.

KEY DATES AND NEXT STEPS
·         April - Assembly and Senate budget subcommittee hearings [key hearings on April 22 by the Assembly budget subcommittee on Health and Human Services dealing with regional center cuts and mental health, April 23 by the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services dealing with Medi-Cal cuts, including optional benefits, and mental health; May 7th by the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services dealing with regional center cuts. ]
·         May – subcommittee hearings continue
·         May 5 – voter registration deadline
·         May 19 – statewide special election (several ballot measures linked to budget)
·         May 25 – date when Governor is expected to release his budget revisions (this date could be a few days later). Advocates expect more major permanent budget cuts to be proposed.
·         June – additional (and final) budget subcommittee hearings on new proposals by the Governor – and final action on any “open” budget issues. Legislative leadership and Governor likely to meet in order to reach agreement (unlike in previous years, these meetings would be about a budget already passed).
·         June – any action to rescind previous cuts and restore funding (such as cuts to In-Home Supportive Services or elimination of several Medi-Cal optional benefits) will likely need to happen this month before those cuts go into effect July 1, 2009.
·         July 1, 2009 – Start of 2009-2010 State budget year. Many cuts – unless restored – go into effect at this point, including cuts to IHSS, 2.3% grant cut to SSI/SSP, 4% grant cut to CalWORKS, over $100 million in state dollars cut to regional center spending and continuation of 3% regional center provider payment reduction through at least June 30, 2010.
·         September 1, 2009 – additional 7.1% cut to regional center provider payments (on top of the existing 3% cut) will go into effect if another “trigger” in the 2009-2010 State Budget is pulled by the Legislature if they don’t believe the Governor’s proposal (issued by the Department of Developmental Services on April 6) that details changes in state law, will achieve the over $100 million cuts in State general fund spending between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. With the deficit exploding to over $8 billion, and a strong push to restore cuts either to IHSS and some of the Medi-Cal optional benefits , some advocates now believe that this additional 7.1% regional center provider payment cut (on top of the existing and ongoing 3% cut) is much more likely to happen regardless of an “trigger”.
·         January 10, 2010 – Governor must submit by this date, a proposed budget for 2010-2011.
·         December 31, 2010 – End of the period of funding – unless Congress makes a change in federal law – from the federal economic stimulus bill.

URGENT!!!!
PLEASE HELP CDCAN CONTINUE ITS WORK!!!
CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings, reports and alerts and other activities cannot continue without your help.
To continue the CDCAN website, the CDCAN News Reports. sent out and read by over 45,000 people and organizations, policy makers and media across California and to continue the CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings which since December 2003 have connected thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, mental health needs, people with MS and other disorders, people with traumatic brain and other injuries to public policy makers, legislators, and issues.
Please send your contribution/donation (make payable to "CDCAN" or "California Disability Community Action Network):

CDCAN
1225 8th Street Suite 480 -  Sacramento, CA 95814
You can also donate via credit card – paypal on the CDCAN site working again!

MANY, MANY THANKS to HOPE SERVICES in San Jose, FEAT of Sacramento (Families for Early Autism Treatment), RESCoalition, Easter Seals of Southern California, Tri-Counties Regional Center, Westside Regional Center, Regional Center of the East Bay, Friends of Children with Special Needs, UCP of Orange County, UCP of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Alta California Regional Center, Life Steps, Parents Helping Parents, Work Training, Foothill Autism Alliance, Arc Contra Costa, Pause4Kids, Manteca CAPS, Training Toward Self Reliance, UCP, California NAELA, Californians for Disability Rights, Inc (CDR) including CDR chapters, CHANCE Inc, , Strategies To Empower People (STEP), Harbor Regional Center, Asian American parents groups, Resources for Independent Living and many other Independent Living Centers, several regional centers, People First chapters, IHSS workers, other self advocacy and family support groups, developmental center families, adoption assistance program families and children, and others across California

CA 2CUT ADULT DISABLED STIMULUS FUNDS GO2 BETTER LOBBIED

darlene matthews — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:05:43 EDT

CDCAN ACTION ALERT

California Disability Community Action Network

Advocacy Without Borders: One Community

APRIL 14, 2009 - TUESDAY

To reply to this email alert: Marty Omoto – martyomoto@rcip.com or go to the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us

MAJOR PERMANENT CUTS TO REGIONAL CENTERS, MEDI-CAL, IHSS, SSI/SSP COMING

APRIL 22nd and MAY 7th MARCH & SIDEWALK DEMONSTRATION FOR RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS & SENIORS, LOW-INCOME WORKERS AND FAMILIES

Also: Come to April 23 Budget Hearing on Medi-Cal Cuts & Mental Health Issues

· California (and the nation) is going through the worse financial crisis since the Great Depression in the 1930’s, with California’s budget shortfall still growing by billions of dollars despite major spending cuts and new revenues and fund shifting and borrowing made in the 2009-2010 State Budget passed in February (four months early).

· Major permanent cuts impacting regional centers, SSI/SSP (federal/state grants to the lowest income persons with disabilities, the blind and seniors), CalWORKS, In-Home Supportive Services, permanent elimination of several Medi-Cal optional benefits including adult dental, mental health services, are already in the budget unless the Legislature and Governor rescind their previous actions and restore funding.

· With budget shortfall growing once again, additional huge permanent cuts are almost certain to be proposed by the Governor in late May.

· These are protests to stand up for the rights of children and adults with disabilities, with mental health needs, seniors, those with traumatic brain and other injuries, those with MS, Alzheimer’s and other disorders, their families, and the community organizations and low income workers who provide critical supports and services.

· This is about an individual’s right to live in their own home and community, rights that the Governor and Legislature have a responsibility to protect – not take away.

· This protest march and demonstration is also to let the Governor and Legislature know that our community of children and adults with disabilities, with mental health needs, with traumatic brain and other injuries, with MS, Alzheimer’s and other disorders, seniors and low income families should not be the ones bearing the burden to pay for California’s recovery. Our community has a right to share in the recovery too.

· Californians can lose their homes, employment and even lives not just by foreclosure or when retail businesses close – but also when the Governor and Legislature (and local government) cut funding for critical services (such as Medi-Cal, regional center funded services, In-Home Supportive Services, SSI/SSP, senior and mental health services) that results in a person being forced out of their home or job.

APRIL 22, 2009 – WEDNESDAY

REGIONAL CENTERS – MENTAL HEALTH CUTS (ASSEMBLY)

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (be on time!)

PRIORITY: VERY HIGH!

WHERE:

Meet at the Sacramento Convention Center sidewalk area on 13th and K Streets (facing rear entrance of Hyatt Regency Hotel and the Esquire Grill restaurant)

WHAT:

· Meet at 11 AM in the sidewalk/plaza area in front of the Sacramento Convention Center FACING 13th and K Streets (across from Esquire Grill and the Hyatt Regency Hotel rear entrance)

· March from there, crossing 13th Street, marching down K Street Mall, crossing 12th street (stoplight) to 11th Street (walking mall), turning left marching down the 11th Street walking mall to the State Capitol, crossing L Street (stoplight) to the sidewalk facing the Capitol building (where the sidewalk demonstration will occur).

· Sidewalk demonstration until 1:00 PM for rights of children and adults with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and low income families.

WHY:

· Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services (agenda will focus on cuts to regional centers and mental health services) meets at 1:00 PM, April 22, 2009 Wednesday afternoon in the State Capitol. Public testimony will be taken on cuts to regional centers. These permanent cuts include the details from the Governor (through the Department of Developmental Services) on needed changes in state law to implement cuts of over $100 million in state general fund money to regional center funded services between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 and beyond. Advocates expect ,more and even larger permanent cuts in late May when the Governor submits his budget revisions – including more cuts to regional centers.

· March and sidewalk demonstration will protest the continued cuts made by the Governor and Legislature to regional centers that fund critical services to children and adults with developmental disabilities (including autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy) AND the prospect of MORE additional permanent cuts coming in late May and January as the State budget shortfall grows worse. Protest will also focus attention on cuts to mental health services.

· March and sidewalk demonstration also continues earlier protests against huge permanent cuts impacting cuts to In-Home Supportive Services, SSI/SSP, CalWORKS, senior services, low income children.

APRIL 23, 2009 – THURSDAY MORNING

MEDI-CAL – MENTAL HEALTH CUTS (SENATE)

09:30 AM or upon adjournment of Senate floor session

PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

WHERE:

State Capitol – Room 4203

WHAT:

· No outside protest or demonstration planned.

· Attend and testify at Senate Budget Subcommittee hearing that will focus on Medi-Cal, including cuts in the budget now that, unless rescinded before July 1, 2009, will permanently eliminate several Medi-Cal optional benefits including adult dental, incontinence creams and washes, podiatry and other critical services for persons not living in a nursing home or other similar health facility.

· Also hearing will focus on mental health services, Healthy Families and California Children Services budget issues

MAY 7, 2009 – THURSDAY MORNING

REGIONAL CENTER CUTS (SENATE)

09:00 AM (until start of hearing)

PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

WHERE:

State Capitol – L Street sidewalk

WHAT:

Sidewalk demonstration for rights of people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors. Meet on sidewalk on L Street facing the State Capitol (at 11th Street). More details coming.

WHY:

· Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services (agenda will focus on cuts to regional centers) meets at 09:30 AM (or when the Senate floor session adjourns that morning – could be later than 9:30 AM) May 7, 2009, Thursday morning in the State Capitol in Room 4203. Public testimony will be taken on cuts to regional centers.

· This sidewalk demonstration will continue the protests against cuts impacting not only regional centers, but cuts to In-Home Supportive Services, SSI/SSP, CalWORKS, mental health, low income children.

WHAT TO BRING TO APRIL 22 & MAY 7 EVENTS:

· Pictures of loved ones impacted by all these cuts, including those of workers.

· Posters and signs (“No More Cuts” “People with disabilities, mental health c needs and seniors deserve a better California” “Governor and Legislature: Do the Right Thing: Rescind Cuts to Disabled and Seniors”, etc) .

· Make signs as individualized as possible. This is about an individual’s rights to live in their own home and community and to share in the recovery of California and the nation and not be the ones made to pay for it.

· Bring your own lunch or snacks and water for April 22 and May 7 – it will be long a day!

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER AVOIDING

· Avoid personal attacks on posters and signs as it takes focus away from the issue of the rights of a child, of an adult (including seniors), with disabilities, who are blind , mental health needs, or a disorder or injury.

· If coming with a group, consider NOT wearing the same color shirts (not just unions, but also community organizations, regional centers, or associations who sometime like to have their members wear the same outfit or shirt). This suggestion of not wearing the same type of t-shirt or holding the same exact mass produced sign is not an attack on any group – all groups are welcome.

· Wearing the same colored t-shirt (either one promoting a regional center, union, or association or other group) takes away from the focus of an individual – that of a child or adult or senior with disabilities, with autism, with traumatic brain injuries, with Alzheimer’s, with mental health needs. A person who is deaf or blind.

· The cuts are attacking and harming individuals – a child, an adult, a senior, a low income worker.

· Dress as an individual – as you would normally – because THAT is the best way to show California – to show the Governor and Legislature and others that this is about how these terrible cuts are harming a child with disabilities and mental health needs, an adult with disabilities and mental health needs, a senior, a low income worker. We want to make California see us in that way – and to hear the voices of individuals who are being harmed. Si Se Puede.

WHO SHOULD COME

· Cuts impact children and adults with developmental disabilities – including those with autism spectrum disorders, down syndrome; children and adults with other disabilities, children and adults with mental health needs, seniors including those with Alzheimer’s, persons with MS and other disorders, children and adults with traumatic brain and other injuries, children and parents from low income families, community organizations and facilities and low income workers who provide critical supports and services, regional centers, independent living centers, and more. All should come.

· These hearings are just three in a series of budget hearings that have been held all this past year – with more to come. There have been hearings on In-Home Supportive Services, mental health – and more will be scheduled likely on those and other issues – and we will organize events also on those dates.

· For April 22 and May 7, both the Assembly and Senate budget subcommittees will focus on major cuts to regional centers that fund community-based services to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Cuts include those that will children in Early Start (California’s early intervention program), transportation, supported living and a wide range of other services – in addition to on-going cuts passed last September and in February, which have already been implemented (including 3% cuts in regional center provider payments retroactive to February 1, 2009). The April 23rd Senate budget subcommittee hearing will focus on cuts to Medi-Cal, mental health.

· Just as important as focusing on cuts already proposed or already passed, is a focus that MORE permanent cuts of hundreds of millions of dollars in state spending is certain to come in the coming months, if the state’s budget situation continues to grow worse – as most expect it will.

· The Governor will propose revisions to the State budget for 2009-2010 that was passed in February four months early. But the deficit that was closed by that budget (which goes into effect July 1, 2009) has grown by a projected $8 billion, a number that will likely grow even larger in the coming months.

· That will almost certainly mean more proposed cuts – including those impacting specifically regional centers – and also other health and human services critical to people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and low income families across California. Unlike in previous years, these cuts will almost certainly be permanent.

HOW A PERSON CAN TESTIFY AT HEARINGS

· Nearly all of the budget subcommittee hearings allow time for the public to provide testimony or comments – but that time is very limited, especially if there is a large crowd waiting to testify.

· The subcommittee chair will, usually after each agenda item, ask for comments from the subcommittee, then will ask for any testimony or comments from the public (you don’t fill out a card requesting to speak in advance that is often the practice at local government type meetings) [CDCAN Note: agendas for these hearings are usually not available until the day before the hearing. Agendas are available in the hearing rooms – CDCAN will also send out copies and post on the CDCAN website as soon as agendas become available]

· People simply line up to speak (at the podium or table, depending on the hearing room). In the larger hearing rooms the subcommittees will often have wireless microphones available for persons unable to make it up to the podium easily.

· Give your full name and where you are from. If you have a picture – show it (including to the audience behind you).

· Keep comments focused on the specific agenda item that the subcommittee chair is asking people to speak on. Sometimes that is not always possible if the agenda doesn’t include the issues you want to talk about.

· Time to speak is very limited, especially if there are a lot of agenda items and also if there are a lot of people waiting to also testify. Persons should try to make brief comments, lasting not more than a minute or so.

· Talking longer is NOT more effective – and it simply takes away time for another person to speak (you can give written comments to the subcommittee in addition to speaking). And taking time away from another person waiting to speak is taking away their right to participate too.

· Think of how long a good commercial on radio or TV lasts – usually 30 seconds. But a strong and compelling point can be made in that time – in part also because if there are others lined up to speak too – then each person’s testimony is being supported and emphasized by everyone else.

· Be respectful to the subcommittee chair, members and staff – and also the sergeant at arms in the hearing rooms.

· CDCAN Note: more information about the specific hearings, including committee members and other ideas will be sent out later – and also at the two protests/demonstrations prior to the hearings.

URGENT!!!!

PLEASE HELP CDCAN CONTINUE ITS WORK!!!

CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings, reports and alerts and other activities cannot continue without your help.

To continue the CDCAN website, the CDCAN News Reports. sent out and read by over 45,000 people and organizations, policy makers and media across California and to continue the CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings which since December 2003 have connected thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, mental health needs, people with MS and other disorders, people with traumatic brain and other injuries to public policy makers, legislators, and issues.

Please send your contribution/donation (make payable to "CDCAN" or "California Disability Community Action Network):

CDCAN

1225 8th Street Suite 480

Sacramento, CA 95814

You can also donate via credit card – paypal on the CDCAN site working again!

MANY, MANY THANKS to HOPE Services of San Jose, FEAT of Sacramento (Families for Early Autism Treatment), RESCoalition, Easter Seals of Southern California, Tri-Counties Regional Center, Westside Regional Center, Regional Center of the East Bay, Friends of Children with Special Needs, UCP of Orange County, UCP of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Alta California Regional Center, Life Steps, Parents Helping Parents, Work Training, Foothill Autism Alliance, Arc Contra Costa, Pause4Kids, Manteca CAPS, Training Toward Self Reliance, UCP, California NAELA, Californians for Disability Rights, Inc (CDR) including CDR chapters, CHANCE Inc, , Strategies To Empower People (STEP), Harbor Regional Center, Asian American parents groups, Resources for Independent Living and many other Independent Living Centers, several regional centers, People First chapters, IHSS workers, other self advocacy and family support groups, developmental center families, adoption assistance program families and children, and others across California

FDA asks to hear from docs :pain med shortages /patient needs

darlene matthews — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:04:37 EDT

Home | About Us | Contact Us | Support Us

ANNOUNCEMENT Forward to a Friend

FDA Overturns Decision Regarding Unapproved Opioids

Dear All APF members,

FDA Briefing on Unapproved Opioids was held on April 9, 2009.

An emergency stakeholder briefing was convened via conference call by the FDA to address concerns that have been raised by the pain and palliative care communities regarding warnings to nine companies to stop manufacturing and distributing 14 opioid analgesics within 60 days. APF participated in this briefing. A replay of the briefing will be available until April 15, 2009 at 11:59 PM EDT. To hear the replay, callers can dial 1-866-419-2678.

Douglas Throckmorton, M.D., Deputy Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research stated that the FDA understands that patients dealing with terminal illness have unique needs that should have been taken into consideration. The FDA reported that they are taking immediate corrective action regarding the availability of the 20mg/ml morphine sulfate solution. They regretted that they failed to include representatives from hospice and palliative care organizations in deliberations over this particular issue and will improve their consultation process with key stakeholders in the future.

The FDA commented that they were not aware of the extent of disruption in patient care because of their ruling or that a critical shortage of some of these medications already exists. We would like to acknowledge them for their swift action in this case as they became aware of the impact this disruption was having on the community. In order to help remedy this; they would like to hear from providers if there are critical shortages in medications to help manage patients optimally.

Action:
The FDA has asked to be notified of drug shortages in your area as they arise. Contact FDA by emailing this information to drugshortages@fda.hhs.gov. All correspondence should include your professional information, name of the drug, your location, name of wholesaler (if available) and identify yourself as an APF member.

To stay informed of drug shortages, visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/shortages/

Our voices can make a difference.

If you are receiving this e-mail for the first time as a forward from a friend, please register here to continue to receive news and action items regarding pain management.

Sincerely,
American Pain Foundation

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Privacy Policies & Disclaimers

FDA asks to hear from docs :pain med shortages /patient needs

darlene matthews — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:00:03 EDT

Home | About Us | Contact Us | Support Us

ANNOUNCEMENT Forward to a Friend

FDA Overturns Decision Regarding Unapproved Opioids

Dear All APF members,

FDA Briefing on Unapproved Opioids was held on April 9, 2009.

To stay informed of drug shortages, visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/shortages/

Our voices can make a difference.

If you are receiving this e-mail for the first time as a forward from a friend, please register here to continue to receive news and action items regarding pain management.

Sincerely,
American Pain Foundation

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Privacy Policies & Disclaimers

Increase misery, suicide &homelessness! Vote yes on 1E!! OR NOT!

darlene matthews — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:51:55 EDT

ALREADY many OBAMA FEDERAL STIMULUS funds for adultS disabled are being diverted to other programs - huge cuts including to psychologists are planned !

PLEASE VOTE NO ON 1E BECAUSE THAT BILL IS THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY !

DON'T ALLOW MH SPECIFIC $ TO "DISAPPEAR" IN THE CA GENERAL FUND.!!!!!!!!!!

WARning: CA CUTTING CARE TO DISABLED ADULTS on ssi/ssp THROUGHOUT all PROGRAMS increasing disability and inability among Adults with mh and multiple disability!

Act Now To Defeat Proposition 1E

California's Special Election is less than two months away. We must act quickly and take the necessary steps to defeat Proposition 1E.

From NAMI California by Grace McAndrews, Executive Director, March 26, 2009

It's up to us to act now to defeat this harmful act.

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN

Attached for your convenience is a Fact Sheet & Contribution Form and Endorsement Forms for Individuals and Organizations. Please be as generous as you can. We ask that you share this information with all of your contacts, including members of your affiliate, neighbors, co-workers and friends listed in your address book. Post information on your web site and in your newsletter. Write letters to your local newspaper. Hold parties to support the campaign. Do whatever else is necessary to get the word out.

GET OUT THE VOTE

Voters who are registered to vote must vote at their polling place or vote-by-mail. This is critical. People who are not registered to vote must register by the deadline and vote either at their polling place or use the vote-by-mail ballot. This is critical as well. Historically, voting is light in special elections. We believe there is a good chance that t hose who opt for the vote-by-mail ballot may very well dictate the results of the May 19th election.

Those who wish to vote-by-mail can use the application printed on their Sample Ballot which will be sent prior to the elections, or one can apply in writing to their county elections official. If choosing the latter, you will need to submit a completed application or letter to your county elections official between 29 days and 7 days before the election. You can find the telephone number and address of your county elections official by looking in the front of your telephone directory in the White Pages Government Listing section under County Offices. Look for “Elections”, Registrar of Voters”, “County Clerks”, or “Voting.” For complete “how to” information of Registering to Vote and vote-by-mail, visit the following web site: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections Go to Voter Reigstration, click on Vote by Mail.

Critical Downloads:

Click Here to download the Fact Sheet and Contribution Form

Click Here to download the Endorsement Forms for Individuals and Organizations

NOTE: 501©3 affiliates can participate in this process as well as donate money to the campaign. Your affiliate's non-profit status will not be affected.

Thanks for helping to defeat Proposition 1E!!

Source: NAMI California

Link: http://namialifornia.org

Increase misery, suicide &homelessness! Vote yes on 1E!! OR NOT!

darlene matthews — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:48:17 EDT

ALREADY many OBAMA FEDERAL STIMULUS funds for adultS disabled are being diverted to other programs - huge cuts including to psychologists are planned !

PLEASE VOTE NO ON 1E BECAUSE THAT BILL IS THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY !

DON'T ALLOW MH SPECIFIC $ TO "DISAPPEAR" IN THE CA GENERAL FUND.!!!!!!!!!!

WARning: CA CUTTING CARE TO DISABLED ADULTS on ssi/ssp THROUGHOUT all PROGRAMS increasing disability and inability among Adults with mh and multiple disability!

Act Now To Defeat Proposition 1E

California's Special Election is less than two months away. We must act quickly and take the necessary steps to defeat Proposition 1E.

From NAMI California by Grace McAndrews, Executive Director, March 26, 2009

It's up to us to act now to defeat this harmful act.

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN

GET OUT THE VOTE

Critical Downloads:

Click Here to download the Fact Sheet and Contribution Form

Click Here to download the Endorsement Forms for Individuals and Organizations

NOTE: 501©3 affiliates can participate in this process as well as donate money to the campaign. Your affiliate's non-profit status will not be affected.

Thanks for helping to defeat Proposition 1E!!

Source: NAMI California

Link: http://namialifornia.org

Increase misery, suicide &homelessness! Vote yes on 1E!! OR NOT!

darlene matthews — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:44:39 EDT

ALREADY many OBAMA FEDERAL STIMULUS funds for adultS disabled are being diverted to other programs - huge cuts including to psychologists are planned !

PLEASE VOTE NO ON 1E BECAUSE THAT BILL IS THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY !

DON'T ALLOW MH SPECIFIC $ TO "DISAPPEAR" IN THE CA GENERAL FUND.!!!!!!!!!!

WARning: CA CUTTING CARE TO DISABLED ADULTS on ssi/ssp THROUGHOUT all PROGRAMS increasing disability and inability among Adults with mh and multiple disability!

Act Now To Defeat Proposition 1E

California's Special Election is less than two months away. We must act quickly and take the necessary steps to defeat Proposition 1E.

From NAMI California by Grace McAndrews, Executive Director, March 26, 2009

It's up to us to act now to defeat this harmful act.

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN

GET OUT THE VOTE

Critical Downloads:

Click Here to download the Fact Sheet and Contribution Form

Click Here to download the Endorsement Forms for Individuals and Organizations

NOTE: 501©3 affiliates can participate in this process as well as donate money to the campaign. Your affiliate's non-profit status will not be affected.

Thanks for helping to defeat Proposition 1E!!

Source: NAMI California

Link: http://namialifornia.org

Increase misery, suicide &homelessness! Vote yes on 1E!! OR NOT!

Elk Grove young man - Fallen Hero

darlene matthews — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:05:49 EDT

This story is taken from Sacbee / Latest News / E-mail Alerts -- Breaking News

Soldier from Elk Grove killed In Iraqtbizjak@sacbee.comPUBLISHED SUNDAY, APR. 12, 2009

Bryan Edward Hall of Elk Grove, a U.S. Army staff sergeant, was among five American soldiers killed Friday in Iraq when a suicide bomber in a dump truck attacked a Mosul police station, military officials disclosed Sunday.

Hall, 32, had served in the military for 14 years and had been deployed in Iraq since September.

Hall and four other soldiers from Fort Carson in Colorado were in their military vehicle when the blast occurred, Army officials said.

The other soldiers were Staff Sgt. Gary L. Woods Jr., 24, of Kentucky, Sgt. Edward W. Forrest Jr., 25, of Missouri; Cpl. Jason G. Pautsch, 20, of Iowa and Pvt. Bryce E. Gautier, 22, of Cypress, California.

All were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Hall had received three Army Commendation Medals, according to military records, as well as several Army Achievement, Good Conduct, and War on Terrorism medals.

The Friday attack caused the most American military deaths in any single incident in more than a year, the Washington Post reported.

ShareThis

Elk Grove young man - Fallen Hero

darlene matthews — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:01:39 EDT

This story is taken from Sacbee / Latest News / E-mail Alerts -- Breaking News

Soldier from Elk Grove killed In Iraqtbizjak@sacbee.comPUBLISHED SUNDAY, APR. 12, 2009

Hall, 32, had served in the military for 14 years and had been deployed in Iraq since September.

Hall and four other soldiers from Fort Carson in Colorado were in their military vehicle when the blast occurred, Army officials said.

All were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Hall had received three Army Commendation Medals, according to military records, as well as several Army Achievement, Good Conduct, and War on Terrorism medals.

The Friday attack caused the most American military deaths in any single incident in more than a year, the Washington Post reported.

ShareThis

tax deductions for people with disabilities and abilities

darlene matthews — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:39:20 EDT

*please note rules for hud housing occupants medical and disability deductions are different than tax/irs rules

www.hud.gov/.../both.cfm

Tax Deductions for People with Disabilities

by Pam Taylor, Disaboom
People with disabilities often have a much greater range of potential expenses to deduct when tax time rolls around. As is the case for other taxpayers, expenses must exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI) to be deductible. (For example, if you have an AGI of $40,000, your annual medical expenses must total $3,000 or more to be deductible.)If your medical and dental expenses for the year have exceeded the 7.5 percent requirement, however, there are many items that qualify as deductions.For starters, consider these medical expenses:
• All expenses related to prosthetics
• Braille books and magazines for the visually impaired
• Special equipment installed in the home (includes widening and moving stairways, special ramps/motorized ramps for homes with stairs)
• Special hand controls and other adaptive equipment for car if taxpayer has a disability
• Chiropractor care
• Contact lenses (including saline solution and enzyme cleaner)
• Crutches
• Dental care• Diagnostic services
• Service dogs and/or other animals (including training and maintenance)
• Health institutes (must have a statement from a doctor)
• Hearing aids
• Inpatient care
• Insurance premiums
• Lodging and meals at a hospital and/or institution
• Long term care
• Medical conferences that focus on information about a chronic illness
• Nursing homes
• Nursing services
• Oxygen
• Psychiatric care
• Psychologist • Special educational expenses
• TTY and TDD equipment
• Cost of equipment for special televisions
• Therapy
• Mileage to and from treatment (at a rate of 20 cents/mile)
• Transplants
• Medical expenses for weight loss (see 4 below)
• Wigs (purchased on the advice of a physician)
• Weight loss expenses related to a directive from your physician to lose weight
• Specific treatments for weight-related diseases diagnosed by a physician
In addition to these medical and dental expenses, you may also be able to deduct some home improvement expenses, under the following circumstances:
• The main purpose of the home improvement must be for medical care• The cost of improvement is offset by the increased value of the home (for example: your improvements cost $5,000 and the value of your home increased from $143,000 to $145,000, which means the improvements increased the value of the home by $2,000. The deductible expenses will be $3,000, or the difference between the amount you paid for improvements and the amount those improvements increased your home’s value.And what about car deductions? The expenses incurred when retrofitting or adapting a vehicle can be substantial, so it’s wise to pay attention to the tax impacts here.Specifically, you may deduct:
• The difference between the cost of a regular car and a car designed to hold a wheelchair (for example, if a regular van costs $15,000 and you purchase an adapted van that will hold your wheel chair for $26,000, you may deduct the $11,000 difference between the two).• Special hand controls and other special equipmentSo, with all of the expenses that are deductible, what is not deductible? A general rule of thumb is that if something’s a necessary part of your life and the expense is recommended by a physician, it’s a deductible expense.And remember: it’s a good idea to always keep and be able to produce all the documentation related to any deductible expense. You may need to provide this documentation during an audit; if you don’t have your receipts and other documentation, the expense could be denied, resulting in having to repay the original amount deducted plus penalties and interest to the IRS.Still unsure of what you can and can’t deduct? Then check out the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/; the publication for medical expenses is Publication 502, found on the website under “Forms and Publications.”See Related Articles
Want more information about tax deductions for disabilities? See Tax Deductions for Accessible Home Modifications.

Read Estate Planning for People with Disabilities to find out what you need to know before planning your estate.

Academic Forum on John Yoo Memos: 4/18 - Chapman Univ.

darlene matthews — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 23:20:58 EDT

REMEMBER UC BERKELY HIRED HIM AFTER.....

Begin forwarded message:
From: Susan Kopicki <sckopicki@gmail.com>Date: April 11, 2009 7:45:46 PM PDTTo: sckopicki@gmail.com, sckopicki@yahoo.comSubject: Academic Forum on John Yoo Memos: 4/18 - Chapman Univ.
NATIONAL SECURITY, RULE OF LAW & TORTURE The “torture memos” of John Yoo, FLETCHER JONES Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law at ChapmanUniversity An Academic Forum 10 am – 2 pm Saturday, 18 April 2009Chapman University School of Law – Orange, CA370 N. Glassell, Orange, CA 92866Room 237A/B -2nd Fl.Free Event

Hosted by National Lawyers Guild Chapman Student Chapter

John Yoo, former Bush administration Office of Legal Counsel, drafted legal memos which, some say, influenced the U.S.’s decision to torture. He is a visiting professor at Chapman University School of Law, where the controversy continues.

Join us for a Teach-In and panel forum with Q & A investigating:· Whether Yoo is complicit in the commission of war crimes.· Whether torture is deleterious to national security.· The impact of torture on our basic human and civil rights.· The relevant law: Geneva Conventions, U.S. Constitution and Treaties.· What remedy is available to torture victims?Speakers include:Katherine Darmer, Professor of Law, Chapman UniversityLarry Everest, author of “Oil, Power and Empire”, writer for RevolutionAnn Fagan Ginger, Founder, Meiklejohn Civil Liberties InstituteAmeena Qazi, Staff Attorney, Council of American Islamic RelationsTim Goodrich – Iraq Veterans Against the WarModerated by Michael Slate, KPFK RadioEndorsed by: ANSWER-LA - California Teachers for Academic Excellence - Code Pink - David Swanson / AfterDowningStreet.org - Meiklejohn Civil Liberties Institute - Military Families Speak Out - National Lawyers Guild Chapman Students Chapter - National Lawyers Guild - Orange County Peace Coalition - Patrick Henry Democratic Club - Progressive Democrats of America - Scientists Without Borders - Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian/Universalist Church in Anaheim – US Federation of Scholars and Scientists - Westside Progressives – Women For: Orange County - World Can’t Wait

Contact worldcantwait_la@yahoo.com, or (949) 257-8501 for more information.

VETS & others important news on CBS TONITE

darlene matthews — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:31:17 EDT

Hi everyone,

The standoff in the Indian Ocean continues for a second day - with armed Somali pirates holding the captain of an American cargo ship on a lifeboat. A U.S. Navy Destroyer is now keeping close watch, and the FBI is sending in a hostage negotiating team to win the captain's release. Meanwhile, the cargo ship is on the move, toward Kenya, to carry out its original mission to deliver relief supplies. David Martin will have the latest.

David will be back later in the broadcast with an in depth report about the shocking increase of suicide among U.S. troops. He has an exclusive interview with a top general who admits the military needs to do more to address this problem.

Barry Petersen reports from the world's number one car market - China. Sales are booming there, and you might be surprised to learn that Ford and GM are selling lots of cars there. In fact, the Chinese market is providing a much-needed boost to Detroit.

When most people hear about spring break, they think of sandy beaches and late-night parities. But Dean Reynolds has a story about students from Howard University taking a different type of spring break, in order to inspire high school students.

See you tonight!

Katie Couric

Vets & other s important news on CBS TONITE

darlene matthews — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:28:15 EDT

Hi everyone,

See you tonight!

Katie Couric

Obama assassination attempt Foiled!

darlene matthews — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:29:27 EDT

While Obama was still in France a Syrian man with fake press credentiais was Arrested in Turkey for the attempts to plan an assassination. He is being held and questioned. No change in travel plans were necessary. TURKEY who has little experience in high security handed most respsonsiblity over to a stepped up secret service. While the plan appears to have been real, President Obama was never in real danger.

OBAMA went on to Turkey to assure Muslims are USA friends. AND THE FOCUS WAS on alliance with Turkey to help end isreal-Middle East dynamics and provide potential future supports with iran and iraq. Obama ASSURED officials and citizens that WE want to support Turkey as a predominantly Muslim Nation and as they are now, a Modern Democracy. While The PAST was not discussed on this FIRST DATE, the speech was strategically significant .

The latest news is Pakistan has had updated incidences of suicide bombings and human rights violations attributed to the Taliban. it would appear THIS week - PAKISTAN IS THE BIGGEST HOT POTATO.

On other Obama FAMILY news THEY are looking for a WDC church. I hope he chooses one that is physically accessible.

NATO COMES THROUGH WITH 5K TROOPS =5K LESS from USA

darlene matthews — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:43:15 EDT

NATO to send up to 5,000 more troops to AfghanistanShareThisBy STEVEN THOMMA
McClatchy NewspapersPublished: Saturday, Apr. 4, 2009 - 3:03 pm

STRASBOURG, France -- President Barack Obama won a pledge from NATO allies Saturday to send as many as 5,000 more troops to help in Afghanistan, calling it a "strong down payment" to securing coming national elections and the entire country.

"I am pleased that our NATO allies pledged their strong and unanimous support for our new strategy," Obama said as he wrapped up the two-day summit, his second international meeting of the week after an economic summit in London.

It was unclear, however, exactly how much Obama won at the gathering of the 28-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Some of the troops included in the announcement already had been committed heading into the summit. And Obama would not say how many of the new troops would be new forces or merely reinforcements.

White House aides said the deal includes a pledge of 3,000 troops to help safeguard Afghanistan's Aug. 20 national elections, including 900 from the United Kingdom, 600 from Germany and 600 from Spain.

The 3,000 additional international troops would join 17,000 new U.S. troops to meet commanders' request for 20,000 more troops to secure the elections, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said.

Other allies, inside and outside the NATO alliance, also pledged between 1,400 and 2,000 troops to train Afghan Army units and police, including 300 to 400 from France, 100 from Italy and the rest from nine other countries.

They will be dispatched in "operational mentoring liaison teams" of 20 to 40 trainers each to go into the field with Afghan units.

Allies also pledged $100 million for a trust fund to finance training, including $57 million from Germany, according to Gibbs.

As the allies met, thousands of protesters battled riot police and set a hotel and a border post on fire.

Obama particularly heralded the alliance's endorsement of his overall strategy for Afghanistan and its agreement that violence and instability there will harbor terrorism and pose a threat to Europe as well as the United States.

"For years, our efforts in Afghanistan have lacked the resources needed to achieve our goals," Obama said. "And that's why the United States has recommitted itself to a clear and focused goal - to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future."

"We will deploy the forces necessary to safeguard the national elections," added NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. "When it comes to Afghanistan, this summit and this alliance have delivered."

If there were objections to sending more troops, a key reason could have been a clash of values.

Scheffer said that Europeans blanched when Afghan President Hamid Karzai proposed new laws sanctioning child marriage and marital rape.

"We are there to defend universal values and when I see, at the moment, a law threatening to come into effect which fundamentally violates women's rights and human rights, that worries me," he said.

Merkel and Sarkozy both said the alliance is pressing Afghanistan to kill the proposed laws.

"It is very important," Merkel said, "that we make the point that the rights of women are equal ... that the piece of legislation is to be withdrawn, it is unacceptable."

"Unanimously, we requested that the rights of men and women be respected," Sarkozy said. "We will not compromise on these values."

Obama said he's told the Afghan government of his objections to the law. Asked about sending U.S. troops to defend a government considering such a repugnant law, Obama stressed that the troops are there defending the United States.

"I think this law is abhorrent," Obama said. "Certainly the views of the administration have been, and will be, communicated to the Karzai government. And we think that it is very important for us to be sensitive to local culture, but we also think that there are certain basic principles that all nations should uphold, and respect for women and respect for their freedom and integrity is an important principle."

In another stress point between NATO and the Muslim world, a dispute simmered over whether a cartoon offensive to Muslims might derail the appointment of the group's next leader.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen had been the popular choice to become the alliance's next secretary general.

But Turkey objected, saying Fogh Rasmussen would be offensive to the Muslim world because he defended the Danish publication of cartoons lampooning the Prophet Muhammad in 2006.

Muslims in some countries reacted in violent protests, but Fogh Rasmussen insisted that freedom of speech protected the publication.

Turkey eventually agreed to the appointment, reportedly in return for more say in NATO.

Obama flew later Saturday to the Czech Republic for a third summit, this one with the European Union. He planned Sunday to deliver a speech on non-proliferation.

Richard O'Neill - a legend and leader lost.

darlene matthews — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:46:57 EDT

Dear darlene,

I have very sad news to report. Last evening we lost a great leader and Orange County legend, Richard J. O'Neill. Richard was larger than life and the Democratic Party of Orange County owes its existence and success to this great man.

For those who did not know Richard, let me tell you a little about him.

A sixth-generation Californian, Richard was born in 1923 and was raised on the 230,000-acre Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores. During Richard's lifetime a portion of the ranch was sold to the U.S. Government and became Camp Pendleton; many acres were set aside as O'Neill Regional Park and Caspers Wilderness Park; and the communities of Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Las Flores, and Ladera Ranch were developed on a portion of the remainder of the ranch.

Richard graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he met and married Donna Newman, with whom he later established the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy. After Donna died in 2002 the Conservancy was re-named in her honor.

The presidential campaign of Harry Truman was Richard's first foray into politics. He continued to work in Democratic politics, becoming a member of the Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Orange County in 1964 and serving three terms as our Chair. In 1974 he was elected Southern Chair of the California Democratic Party and became State Party Chair in 1979. For his many contributions the Democratic Party of Orange County created the Richard J. O'Neill Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 and made him our first honoree.

In spite of his success and influence in Democratic politics, Richard considered himself primarily a restaurant owner. His flagship restaurant, El Adobe de Capistrano, was frequented by President Richard Nixon. The two Richards, Nixon and O'Neill, were quite the political odd couple when they met at El Adobe.

Richard was always there for his friends. To the end his mind was as sharp as ever. His body just failed him.

We will all miss him, his advice, and his friendship, but most of all his presence.

Services are tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 13. We will send details in a later email.

In sadness,

Frank BarbaroChair, Democratic Party of Orange Countyemail: info@ocdemocrats.orgphone: (714) 835-5158web: http://www.ocdemocrats.org/

Democratic Party of Orange County | 200 N. Main St., Mezzanine | Santa Ana | CA | 92701

Richard O'Neill - a legend and leader lost.

darlene matthews — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:44:25 EDT

Dear darlene,

For those who did not know Richard, let me tell you a little about him.

Richard was always there for his friends. To the end his mind was as sharp as ever. His body just failed him.

We will all miss him, his advice, and his friendship, but most of all his presence.

Services are tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 13. We will send details in a later email.

In sadness,

Frank BarbaroChair, Democratic Party of Orange Countyemail: info@ocdemocrats.orgphone: (714) 835-5158web: http://www.ocdemocrats.org/

Richard O'Neill - a legend and leader lost.

darlene matthews — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:43:12 EDT

Dear darlene,

For those who did not know Richard, let me tell you a little about him.

Richard was always there for his friends. To the end his mind was as sharp as ever. His body just failed him.

We will all miss him, his advice, and his friendship, but most of all his presence.

Services are tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 13. We will send details in a later email.

In sadness,

Frank BarbaroChair, Democratic Party of Orange Countyemail: info@ocdemocrats.orgphone: (714) 835-5158web: http://www.ocdemocrats.org/

ON OBAMA's TRIP TO TURKEY

darlene matthews — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:26:44 EDT

Obama's Turkey tour heavy with symbolism

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA – 4 hours ago

ISTANBUL (AP) — One of President Barack Obama's first stops on his visit to Turkey will be the imposing mausoleum of the national founder and independence war hero whose personality cult dominates the nation seven decades after his death.

It is a crime in Turkey to insult the memory of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and a visit to his tomb is a must for virtually all foreign leaders. Ataturk, a former army officer, forged a staunchly secular system in the chaotic wake of the Ottoman Empire, and the Islamic-oriented government in charge today has refrained from directly challenging his legacy.

If tradition holds in Ankara, the American president will lay a wreath Monday at the site of soaring stone columns, red, white and green marble, a gold mosaic ceiling and a huge sarcophagus. The tribute is vital to the alliance between Turkey and the United States, which seeks help in its Iraq pullout and NATO's troubled Afghan campaign.

Obama's two-day trip is as symbolic of unity as it is strategic, following talks and handshakes with heads of Group of 20 nations, NATO and the European Union. His path across Europe leads to a Muslim people with secular ideals, a stable nation in an unstable region, and a city, Istanbul, that straddles a strait between the Asian and European continents.

"The atmospherics of the visit are as important as the substance," said Hugh Pope, Turkey project director for the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based research center.

Obama, who arrives late Sunday, is admired in Turkey. One Kurdish village sacrificed 44 sheep when he was elected, and a major bank used his image in a successful ad campaign on billboards and television in recent weeks. Still, many Turks remain suspicious about U.S. intentions.

"Obama, don't come! We don't want you!" protesters shouted Saturday in Ankara, the Turkish capital. Several thousand people called for the disbandment of NATO, whose leaders, including Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, were meeting in Strasbourg, France. Protesters held a similar rally in Istanbul.

On Monday afternoon, Obama's motorcade will take him to Ankara's Grand National Assembly, a complex with a manicured garden designed by an Austrian architect in 1938, the year of Ataturk's death.

In 2003, Turkey's lawmakers voted not to let President George W. Bush use Turkish soil to open an invasion front against Saddam Hussein, fraying the alliance.

A speech to parliament by Obama will restore good will, and reinforce the Western view that Turkey can serve as an example that Islam and democracy can flourish together, despite internal divisions and concerns about reform.

More broadly, the presidential trip will lift Turkey's growing profile as a regional mediator, capable of reaching out to the Middle East and Central Asia as easily as it talks to the West about energy, security and the economy.

"The new U.S. administration wants to correct its perception in the Islamic world, and Obama is starting with the easiest one, Turkey," said Nihat Ali Ozcan, an analyst at the Economic Policy Research Institute in Ankara. "But whatever the United States says now, it will take time to work."

Late Monday, Obama leaves Ankara for Istanbul, a capital of past empires, where he will attend a reception of the Alliance of Civilizations, a forum sponsored by Turkey and Spain to promote understanding between the Western and Islamic worlds.

In keeping with that notion, Tuesday's program includes visits to the domed Haghia Sofia, which once was a Byzantine church, and the fabled Blue Mosque in tribute to great faiths whose interlocking history has known peace and bloodshed in Istanbul.

Any tension over hard issues such as Turkey's denial of an Armenian genocide in the Ottoman era is likely to stay private during Obama's journey, and some activists question how hard U.S. officials will push for more democratic reform.

Emma Sinclair-Webb of New York-based Human Rights Watch said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during a visit to Turkey in early March, mostly reflected on Turkish progress between 2003 and 2005, but not the slow pace of change since then.

Sinclair-Webb said numerous laws restrict free speech and many people, especially Kurds in southeastern Turkey who seek more rights, spend long periods in pre-trial detention. "This all goes unseen," she said.

Unlike Bush and President Bill Clinton in the past, Obama will not visit Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians. Turkey harbors historical mistrust toward the patriarchate, whose officials have appealed for more religious freedom from their compound on the Golden Horn inlet in Istanbul.

AP writer Selcan Hacaoglu contributed to this report from Ankara.

FAR RIGHT SPREAD FEAR ABOUT SERVE AMERICA

darlene matthews — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:55:35 EDT

digg user macdoodle would like to share this story with you:

http://digg.com/political_opinion/http_www_cbn_com_CBNnews_572147_aspx

---

"http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/572147.aspx"

FAR RIGHT worries Serve America volunteers will breakup their monopoly on govt funding for social services. Misunderstands that they are volunteers and fears health care benefits and unionization. Claims America can't afford to help the kids have access to education.

GOP alternate PLAN ATTEMPTS2TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

darlene matthews — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:48:47 EDT

ubject: Digg Story: GOP alternate PLAN ATTEMPTS TO TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIMEReply-To: go2thesun@mac.com

http://digg.com/politics/GOP_alternate_PLAN_ATTEMPTS_TO_TURN_BACK_THE_HANDS_OF_TIME

Thought you might want to check this out.
digg user macdoodle would like to share this story with you: http://digg.comd1nqmN?OTC-em-st1 ---""GOP alternate PLAN ATTEMPTS TO TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIMEThe GOP 10-year plan would trim the deficit by repealing much of the economic stimulus package, making the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy permanent, reducing Medicare/ health care and freezing domestic spending to benefit regular Americans.PAT ROBERTSON and others continue to preach to support the elite.

U.S. House Approves Obama's Budget

darlene matthews — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:45:13 EDT

News Alert
7:23 p.m. ET Thursday, April 2, 2009U.S. House Approves Obama's Budget
President's $3.5 trillion spending plan passes on party-line vote, 233-196.

For more information, visit washingtonpost.com

Obama, Brown Meet Ahead of G20/IRAN TO HELP USA

darlene matthews — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:35:04 EDT

http://digg.com/world_news/Obama_faces_high_stakes_China_Russia_meetings
News Alert 3:17 a.m. ET Wednesday, April 1, 2009Obama, Brown Launch Meeting in London Ahead of G20 LONDON (AP) - President Barack Obama is starting talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

For more information, visit washingtonpost.com

http://digg.com/world_news/Iran_offers_to_help_US_rebuild_Afghanistan#
guardian.co.uk — Iran made a significant conciliatory gesture towards the Obama administration today, offering to help US-led efforts to stabilize and rebuild Afghanistan.

ONE FOR MDS/MED STUDENTS ONE FOR PATIENTS / MEDI-CAL

darlene matthews — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:22:16 EDT

Subject: [DoctorsforObama] Calling All Doctors -- Tell Congress to Fund Health Reform

Dear Doctors @ Organizing for America:

President Obama has asked Congress to fund health reform in his proposed

budget. Without these funds, health reform will not happen this year.

*Doctors AND MEDICAL STUDENTS must tell Congress that we cannot afford to wait another year for

health reform.

*http://drsforamerica.org

PATIENTS:

http://standwithdrdean.com/dfa2

PLEASE

SIGN THE PETITION

Give America a choice. We support healthcare reform that allows individual Americans to choose either a universally available public healthcare option like Medicare or for-profit private insurance. A public option is the only way to guarantee healthcare for all Americans and its inclusion is non- negotiable.

Any legislation without the choice of a public option is only insurance reform and not the healthcare reform America needs.

STOP MEDICAL CUTS TO DISABLED IT WILL MAKE US UNABLE TO SEE DO PAINMANAGEMNT ETC TO GET EDUCATED AND OFF THE DOLE. MANY OTHER CUTS THIS HIGHLIGHTS MEDI-CAL CUTS. ON TOP OF LOSS OF SSI/SSP INCOME -NOT COST OF LIVING.

PLEASE EMAIL THE CA TREASURER ,BILL LOCKYER,

cdiac_education@treasurer.ca.gov

FROM #104-2009 MARCH 27, 2009 – FRIDAY REPORT

www.cdcan.us

The Treasurer and Finance Director’s report released today (March 27) means that the “federal funds trigger” will not be pulled – which means this cut – barring a change in mind in the coming months by the Legislature and Governor to reverse their action in February and restore this funding in the budget – WILL happen.
When This Cut Takes Effect: July 1, 2009
Description of This Cut: The following Medi-Cal optional benefits will be permanently eliminated as of the effective date:
1. adult dental
2. acupuncture services
3. audiology and speech therapy services
4. chiropractic services
5. optometric and optician services including services provided by a fabricating optical laboratory
6. podiatric services
7. psychology services, and
8. incontinence creams and washes.
This reduction was originally proposed by the Governor and will mean a cut to the Medi-Cal program of over $258.8 million ($129.4 million of that in State general funds) during the 2009-2010 State Budget year that begins July 1, 2009.
Who Is Exempted By This Cut: medical and surgical services that may be provided by a doctor regardless of whether the service is actually provided by either a doctor or dentist, pregnancy-related services, and services for treating conditions that might complicate pregnancy. Also exempted for this specific cut are persons in the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program (EPSDT) and long-term care in a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility.

Breaking news 3 items KSelbus/AFranken/ CA layoffs

darlene matthews — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:20:50 EDT

News Alert5:42 p.m. ET Tuesday, March 31, 2009Minnesota Senate Election Ruling Issued Three-judge panel convened to review election contest brought by Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman (R) in his race against Al Franken (D) has dealt the Republican a serious setback. Both campaigns have organized conference calls to discuss the ruling; Franken's is set for 5:30 p.m., Coleman's for 6 p.m.

Updated: Database of California lay offs

In March, roughly 15,000 California workers received lay off notices, including 300 in the Sacramento area. Use this database to see which companies or communities have pink-slipped the most workers. Read More
http://www.sacbee.com/1098/story/1463790.html

breaking news 3 items KSelbus/AFranken/ CA layoffs

darlene matthews — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:16:37 EDT

News Alert6:10 p.m. ET Tuesday, March 31, 2009HHS Nominee Kathleen Sebelius Corrects Three Years of Tax Filings Sebelius and her husband paid a total of $7,040 in back taxes and $878 in interest. It's the latest tax issue to hit an Obama administration nominee. His first Health and Human Services nominee withdrew because of major tax problems.

For more information, visit washingtonpost.com
News Alert5:42 p.m. ET Tuesday, March 31, 2009Minnesota Senate Election Ruling Issued Three-judge panel convened to review election contest brought by Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman (R) in his race against Al Franken (D) has dealt the Republican a serious setback. Both campaigns have organized conference calls to discuss the ruling; Franken's is set for 5:30 p.m., Coleman's for 6 p.m.

Updated: Database of California lay offs

disABLED in CA? PLAN ON STAYING THAT WAY...

darlene matthews — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:41:24 EDT

TRY TO BE MORE ABLE WHEN YOUR LEFT BLIND AND IN PAIN...

FROM CDCAN REPORT #0103-2009:

“FEDERAL FUNDS TRIGGER” WON’T BE PULLED - TREASURER & FINANCE DIRECTOR SAY GOAL OF $10 BILLION OF FEDERAL FUNDS WON’T BE REACHED – SEVERAL MAJOR CUTS TO HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES WILL NOW HAPPEN

Pulling “Trigger” Would Have Stopped Permanent Cuts To IHSS Worker Wages, Elimination of Several Medi-Cal Optional Benefits, Cuts to SSI/SSP & CalWORKS Grant Levels From Taking Place – Those Cuts Will Now Happen Barring A Change of Mind By Governor and Legislature To Restore Funding

MEDI-CAL “OPTIONAL” BENEFIT ELIMINATIONThese Medi-Cal “optional” benefits are called “optional” because the federal government does not require the states to provide them – though these benefits are provided in Medi-Cal covered health facilities. Another cut to the Medi-Cal program impacted by the federal trigger cut decision is a reduction of $54.1 million in State funding for South Los Angeles Medical Services

The Treasurer and Finance Director’s report released today (March 27) means that the “federal funds trigger” will not be pulled – which means this cut – barring a change in mind in the coming months by the Legislature and Governor to reverse their action in February and restore this funding in the budget – WILL happen.
When This Cut Takes Effect: July 1, 2009
Description of This Cut: The following Medi-Cal optional benefits will be permanently eliminated as of the effective date:
1. adult dental
2. acupuncture services
3. audiology and speech therapy services
4. chiropractic services
5. optometric and optician services including services provided by a fabricating optical laboratory
6. podiatric services
7. psychology services, and
8. incontinence creams and washes.
This reduction was originally proposed by the Governor and will mean a cut to the Medi-Cal program of over $258.8 million ($129.4 million of that in State general funds) during the 2009-2010 State Budget year that begins July 1, 2009.

SOME OF THE OTHER PROGRAMS IMPACTED BY FEDERAL TRIGGER IHHS WORKER WAGESCAL WORKS

Cuts to Courts (new judges, trial court operations) of $171.3 million in State general funds.
University of California cut of $50 million in State general funds.
California State University cut of $50 in State general funds.
The increase in personal income tax drops from 0.25% to 0.125%

MARTY OMOTO at martyomoto@rcip.com Website: www.cdcan.us

PLEASE support OUR PRESIDENT ON AFGHANISTAN

darlene matthews — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:07:41 EDT

Today, President Obama announced his comprehensive strategy for dealing with the deteriorating situation in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region. For those of us who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was extremely important that the new President get this situation right. With today’s announcement, he’s shown that he “gets it.”

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA ON AFGHANISTAN
http://ga3.org/campaign/afghanistan

The President sees Afghanistan as a war that must be fought on a number of levels. Yes, militarily, but also with heavy diplomacy and political negotiation, as well as humanitarian assistance. Each of those were lacking during the last administration, and the result was a situation that devolved largely into chaos. Most importantly, this President has given up the pipe dream of setting up a European-style democracy in Afghanistan, and instead has refocused our goals on a more urgent mission – protecting America and the world from terrorism.

President Obama has got it right. He knows that the war against terrorists requires much more than just throwing troops at the problem. We need to stand up to show our support for his renewed focus on getting Afghanistan right.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN OUR PETITION, SUPPORTING PRESIDENT OBAMA ON AFGHANISTAN
http://ga3.org/campaign/afghanistan

This is just one quick and easy thing you can do, to show your public support for the President. The more people who sign, the more attention this petition will get. And, the more attention it gets, the more lawmakers in Washington know that the people are behind the President.

So please, take a moment to sign on to our petition, and get five of your friends and family to do the same. Together, we can show that we support a strong but rational policy towards Afghanistan, that will keep America truly safe.

Thanks for all you do, and your support,

Brian McGough
Afghanistan War Veteran

And the entire VoteVets.org team.

PLEASE support OUR PRESIDENT ON AFGHANISTAN

darlene matthews — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:04:46 EDT

Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act - passed today 79-19!

darlene matthews — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:08:23 EDT

Dear Friend,

The Senate has passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act 79-19!

The legislation will now be reconciled with the GIVE Act. Once settled, the largest expansion of Service programs in our lifetime will land on President Obama's desk, waiting for his signature. This is a truly historic occasion, and this victory would not have been possible without your calls and letters!

Thank you so much for all of your work urging Congress to pass this legislation.

We're going to send Congress a Thank You note, and we're inviting the supporters of this legislation to sign! Click here to add your name to the Thank You!

Yours,
Alan Khazei

Remove your name from any future bethechangeinc.org mailing: UnsubscribeBe the Change, Inc.
2 Canal Park
Cambridge, MA 02141

Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Statewide Consumer Network Grants

darlene matthews — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:40:44 EDT

Statewide Consumer Network Grants
March 23, 2009

Share Email Print SubscribeFunding Opportunity

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced that it will award approximately a dozen Statewide Consumer Network Grants of up to $70,000 each, with total program funding estimated at $840,000 in FY2009.

The program is intended to "enhance statewide consumer run organizations to promote service system capacity and infrastructure development to be consumer-centered and targeted toward recovery and resiliency, and consumer-driven by promoting the use of consumers as agents of transformation," according to SAMHSA. The grants should be used to "address the needs of underserved and underrepresented consumers; of consumers with histories of trauma, veterans, or those who have been involved in the criminal-justice system; and/or to promote activities related to partnership development, coalition building, legacy planning, and economic empowerment as part of the recovery process for consumers," the grant announcement stressed.

Application deadline is May 21. Nonprofits, government entities, and other organizations dedicated to improving mental-health services statewide may apply. Groups must be governed by a board of directors with at least 50 percent consumers. Current recipients of Statewide Consumer Network Grants may not apply.

For more information, see the full grant announcement online.

Editor's note: Funding opportunities published here are selected for their news value and do not signify endorsement of the funder's objectives (editorial policy).

non profit job fair

darlene matthews — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:20:06 EDT

I am writing to remind you about the Idealist.org Nonprofit Career Fair in Los Angeles, CA.

The Los Angeles Career Fair will be held on Monday, April 6, 2009 from 10:30am-2:30pm

at the UCLA Ackerman Union Grand Ballroom.

To register (it's free for jobseekers), and for more details including schedule, directions,

and a list of the fifty plus registered organizations and their current opportunities, please

go to: http://snipr.com/lacareerfair

Please note that not all organizations at the fair will have job openings on that day. Some

will have jobs, while others will have internships and volunteer opportunities. Our

nonprofit career fair is a place for everyone who wants to make a difference in the world

(including recent undergraduate or grad school students, experienced nonprofit

professionals, and those wishing to transition to a nonprofit career from other sectors) and

we encourage you to consider the wide range of opportunities to move forward in your

nonprofit career.

Don’t forget to check out the Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for First-time Job

Seekers and The Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for Sector Switchers which are both

available to download for free at: http://www.idealist.org/en/career/guide/index.html

This event is generously hosted by the UCLA Labor Center, the UCLA School of Public

Affairs, the UCLA Community Programs Office, the Raza Youth Empowerment Project, the

Center for Civil Society and the UCLA Career Center.

We hope to see you at the fair!

All the best,

Joe Grant

1220 SW Morrison Street, Suite 1000

Portland, OR 97205

Coordinator, Nonprofit HR Program

Idealist.org - Action Without Borders

http://www.idealist.org

You are signed up to receive e-mails from Idealist.org. To update your profile on Idealist,

or to remove yourself from this list, please login at: http://www.idealist.org/mylogin with:

go2thesun@mac.com

To opt out of this mailing list, please click on this link:

http://www.idealist.org/en/opt-out/go2thesun@mac.com

So far, the following organizations have registered for the Los Angeles career fair, and

more are registering every day:

1010 Development Corporation

AIDS Project Los Angeles

American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles

Americorps*VISTA

Antioch University: Los Angeles

Asian American Drug Abuse Program, Inc.

Australian Education International

C5 Youth Foundation of Southern California

California School Employees Association

California State University, Northridge

Causecast

Center for the Pacific-Asian Family

City Year Los Angeles

Claremont Graduate University - Drucker School of Management

Disability Rights California

Disability Rights Legal Center

English Opens Doors

Forward Step

Global Inheritance

Grassroots Voter Outreach, Nationwide

Housing Rights Center

KIPP: LA

KOREH L.A.

LINC Housing Corporation

Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council

Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

Masa Israel Journey

Meals on Wheels west

Monterey Institute of International Studies

Mount St. Mary's College

National Farm Workers Service Center, Inc.

National Marrow Donor Program Southwest District

National Urban Fellows, Inc.

Ocean Park Community Center

Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE)

Peace Corps LA

Public Allies Los Angeles

Recovery School District

RESPONSE-ABILITY

SEIU Local 1877

SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West

Spirituality for Kids

St. Anne's Home

TeachOverseas.org

Team-Up for Youth

The Niapele Project

The Veggie Van Organization

U.S. PIRG

union de vecinos

Villa Esperanza Services

WISE & Healthy Aging

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles

Young Judaea

please support this ,PLEASE

darlene matthews — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:32:12 EDT

please take a minute or two and sign on.

individuals and organizations WE need YOU!

http://www.painfoundation.org/
Your Organizational Endorsement Is Still Needed To Gain Passage Of The National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009 (H.R. 756 and S.660)! ................................ .................................. TAKE ACTION NOW to add your organization to the list of those endorsing the National Pain Care Policy Act.................................... .............................................. http://action.painfoundation.org/site/Survey?SURVEY_ID=2940&ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS

will you support me on this issue?

darlene matthews — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:24:23 EDT

Will you support me on this?and maybe help put it together better?Should someone homeless on ssi or less -help to support someone living on $83K per year?

CAN YOU ALL CUT AND PASTE THE LETTERS AND SUPPORT ME ON THIS.. REMOVE EXIST TYPE IN BOXES AND INSERT THIS.. OR YOUR OWN.

http://capwiz.com/aarp/issues/alert/?alertid=12846746&type=CO

On behalf of millions of American families and businesses struggling in today's economy, I urge you to demonstrate your commitment to health care reform in the federal budget. Moving health care reform forward in 2009 is a critical first step to improve our nation's economy. PLEASE do not tax the poor to support middle class, making us less able, it costs more in the long run. SEE my poorly typed letter below. As you put together the federal budget, I hope you will also make the up-front AssESSMENTs of failure to help disabled be able and make investments needed to enhance the quality of care, expand coverage, and save money in the long-run. Please include enough funds in the fede ral budget to achieve meaningful health care reform, FOR ALL OF US. one issue-

TAX HARD LIQOUR INSTEAD. TO SUpPORT only ONLY, ONLY! ALL THE PROGRAMS AND SHELTERS FOR THEIR RECOVERY. i spent 8 years homeless VA AnD LOCAL PROGRAMS DO FAMILIES, HEALTHY ADDICTS AnD HEALTHY UNEMPLoYED most say able to work in 30 days . some staffed by-the unsupervised recently recovered do real harm. THEY all discriminate against disabled.

PLEASE and no more POOR derived income going to those double above poverty level... WE CANT AFFORD IT. NO MORE HUD RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO THAT GROUP EITHER. CAN'T AFFORD TO RENT ON 60K A YEAR - fix your credit mess. More cigarette taxes that STILL wont benefit smokers or prevent smoking?! LOAD OF DOO DOO. Democratic Party leaders plan another try and are expecting success with fellow Democrat Barack Obama as president

. http://www.heartland.org/article/24637/Cigarette_Tax_Would_Triple_Under_35_Billion_SCHIP_Plan.html The proposal would take the federal excise tax on cigarettes from 39 cents to $1 a pack, on top of existing state and local taxes. Families earning up to four times the poverty level—about $83,000 for a family of four—could qualify for SCHIP coverage. SCHIP has been funded largely through federal cigarette taxes. Critics of the expansion proposal point to the irony of imposing sha rply higher taxes on cigarettes, whose buyers tend to come from lower- and middle-income families, because the very people SCHIP aims to help would be disproportionately hurt by this.

Sincerely, Darlene C. Matthews Irvine , CA 92614

PS: Systems can be broke, but not broken, if all the cogs work. OUR SYSTEMS ARE BROKEN.

Will you support me on this issue?

darlene matthews — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:18:03 EDT

Will you support me on this?and maybe help put it together better?Should someone homeless on ssi or less -help to support someone living on $83K per year?

CAN YOU ALL CUT AND PASTE THE LETTERS AND SUPPORT ME ON THIS.. REMOVE EXIST TYPE IN BOXES AND INSERT THIS.. OR YOUR OWN.

http://capwiz.com/aarp/issues/alert/?alertid=12846746&type=CO

To: ofainfo@dnc.org Subject: PLEASE STOP TAXING THE POOR Hello ALL, PLEASE FORGIVE MY DISABLED TYPNG NAD GET THE URGENT MESSAGE... On budget- do not do anymore tax the poor FOR the middle class. don't approve more cig taxes as mostly poor and anxiety prone (including veterans) smoke. and we have no REAL benefits from the tax we pay. the minimal stop smoking programs usually don't work. AND THEY ARE STILL CHEAPER THAN FOOD nad are better psyche care than we can get and easier to carry for the homeless. TAX HARD LIQOUR INSTEAD. TO SUpPORT only ONLY, ONLY! ALL THE PROGRAMS AND SHELTERS FOR THEIR RECOVERY. i spent 8 years homeless VA AnD LOCAL PROGRAMS DO FAMILIES, HEALTHY ADDICTS AnD HEALTHY UNEMPLoYED most say able to work in 30 days . some staffed by-the unsupervised recently recovered do real harm. THEY all discriminate against disabled.

Sincerely, Darlene C. Matthews Irvine , CA 92614

PS: Systems can be broke, but not broken, if all the cogs work. OUR SYSTEMS ARE BROKEN.

Latest from IAVA NO MORE STOP LOSS AND..

darlene matthews — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:44:32 EDT

Dear darlene,

I'm on the road in Washington, DC, but I wanted to send you a quick update on two big breaking news stories.

First, just a few minutes ago, the Pentagon officially announced they will be phasing out involuntary enlistment extensions, otherwise known as "stop-loss."

The Pentagon also agreed to pay $500 per month to servicemembers forced to stay beyond their original enlistment term, which is a policy that IAVA has been supporting for a long time.

Stop-loss has had an enormous impact on the lives of many of our nation's troops, veterans, and military families. As I mentioned last week, tonight's episode of MTV's The Real World, which features IAVA prominently, focuses on cast-member Ryan, an Iraq veteran who was stop-lossed. The information about that episode, which airs tonight at 10pm on MTV, is in the forwarded email below.

Second, on what has proven to be a huge day for veterans, there has been another major development in Washington, DC. President Obama listened to IAVA and the other major veterans organizations, and made a critical decision to not move forward with a proposal to bill a veteran's private insurance for the cost of caring for a service-connected injury.

Today, President Obama showed that he understands and respects our nation's veterans.

Later this week, I'll have much more to report about this whirlwind week in Washington, DC, which included meetings with the President, Speaker Pelosi and VA Secretary Shinseki.

In the meantime, be sure to tune in tonight at 10pm on MTV, and keep an eye on your inbox for more breaking news from the nation's capitol.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Paul

Paul Rieckhoff
Iraq Veteran
Executive Director & Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

--sent from my mobile device

HIGHLITES from Obama does the OC today

darlene matthews — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:40:46 EDT

some highlites are-

A NEW VA to be built in Pendelton.( sandiego/oc border) more civilian jobs and more health care for vets......

STIMULUS WILL HELP EDUCATION and PARENTS MUST PARTICiPATE. gonna make it more affordable to go to college too......

going to free up SBA MONIES....to start business.......

GONNA ENFORCE WORKER RULES FOR CONSTRUCTION... AND MAKE SURE WAGES AND INCOMES FOR WORKERS AND UNIONS CAN USE DAVIS- BACON TO HELP RESTORE BALANCE.............

BOTTOM UP ECONOMIC GROWTH VERSUS TOP DOWN...........

RETURN TO TAX RATES UNDER BILL CLINTON. THOSE OVER 250K PAY 3% MORE. Allows us to pay for health care reform help with disparities.......it's not socialism.

EVEN BESiDES TARP MONIES Obama supports a credit card bill of rights ... and consumer safety laws.......

on to Frustrations with the banking - .........
banks purchased sub prime loans and bundled made them into stocks. People couldnt afford what they bought.
so AIG did default swaps.... AND HAD NOt enough MONEY TO COVER... so all were making a lot of money and no checks. until foreclosures began due to economy. House of cards collapsed. Big banks are weakening can't afford to have all belly up. Whole economy is resting on the credit . No loans =no business.................
WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO SEPARATE ASSETS. RAISE CAPITAL TO LEND AGAIN ...AND THEY ARE ALL INTERNATIONAL SO IT'S AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM......................

WE CANT GO BACK WE CAN LOOK FORWARD. GET OUT AND PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.........

MEN ARE LOSING JOBS FASTER THAN WOMEN...A FELON asked what to do ..WORKED STEADY FOR 13 YEARS NOW A MISTAKE 20 YEARS AGO KEEPS HIM FROM WORK.... feds are setting up programs to help. nad problem is about no jobs for any -not his past.
investments in new energy future and mfg base will open up jobs. he worked for toyota...... the best.......

We will have to work to create the fuel efficient cares to open jobs back up in the auto industry. committed 15 billion for new technologies every year already..........

sorry on allthe typos...........

Show up for Obama! Tickets tues Event wed

darlene matthews — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:01:37 EDT

Marion Schmitz sent a message to the members of Organizing for America Orange County.

--------------------

Subject: Town Hall Meeting with President Obama this Wednesday in OC!

Latest info on our wall posts on OFA facebook group:

TOWN HALL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA

Wednesday, March 18th

Doors Open at 1:30 PM OC Fair and Event Center

88 Fair Drive

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

TICKET DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required and will be available at the following ticket distribution location beginning at 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 17. Tickets will be limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis:

OC Fair and Event Center

(Enter at Gate 1 or Gate 10; Park in Lot A.)

88 Fair Drive

Costa Mesa, CA

For security reasons, do not bring bags and limit personal items. No signs or banners permitted. The OC Fairgrounds will be charging $5/car for on-site parking.

See you there!!

--------------------

To reply to this message, follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox/readmessage.php&t=1105202424124&mid=28966eG33820b8eG40e5883G0

OBAMA DOES The OC ON WED -get tickets tuesday

darlene matthews — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:50:27 EDT

Marion Schmitz sent a message to the members of Organizing for America Orange County.

--------------------

Subject: Town Hall Meeting with President Obama this Wednesday in OC!

Latest info on our wall posts on OFA facebook group:

TOWN HALL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA

Wednesday, March 18th

Doors Open at 1:30 PM OC Fair and Event Center

88 Fair Drive

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

TICKET DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

OC Fair and Event Center

(Enter at Gate 1 or Gate 10; Park in Lot A.)

88 Fair Drive

Costa Mesa, CA

For security reasons, do not bring bags and limit personal items. No signs or banners permitted. The OC Fairgrounds will be charging $5/car for on-site parking.

See you there!!

--------------------

To reply to this message, follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox/readmessage.php&t=1105202424124&mid=28966eG33820b8eG40e5883G0

Latest on Obama visit to Orange County

darlene matthews — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:45:12 EDT

TOWN HALL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA

Wednesday, March 18th

Doors Open at 1:30 PM OC Fair and Event Center

88 Fair Drive

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

TICKET DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

OC Fair and Event Center

(Enter at Gate 1 or Gate 10; Park in Lot A.)

88 Fair Drive

Costa Mesa, CA

disAbled? Uncle Sam WANTs YOUR OPINION - pass it on

darlene matthews — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:04:06 EDT

From: SEDBTAC ADA Network [mailto:SEDBTAC-ADANETWK@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of SEDBTA Project
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 1:45 PM
To: SEDBTAC-ADANETWK@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Accessible Transportation...Please distribute widely

FYI: Emailed for Informational Purpose. Please follow contact information below. Do not respond to this email.

In conjunction with a grant received from the Federal Transit Administration, (http://www.fta.dot.gov/) Meeting the Challenge, Inc. is conducting a survey designed to collect information from people with disabilities regarding their experiences with public transportation. We would like to invite all people with disabilities to participate. Information gathered will be used to determine what barriers still exist in public transportation for people with disabilities and will be used to create Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) technical assistance materials directed toward alleviating those barriers.

This is an on-line survey which can be accessed from this link: http://mtcinc.transit.sgizmo.com . It is estimated that it will take from 5 to 15 minutes to complete the survey. If you do not have internet access, you can participate by calling Meeting the Challenge at 1-800-864-4264 (select menu choice #2), Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM (MT), and a staff member will assist you with the survey by telephone. If you prefer a paper copy of the survey, one can be obtained by calling the same phone number. Responses to the survey will be collected through March 31, 2009.

Please forward this e-mail to any individuals with a disability or to any groups serving individuals with disabilities that you feel would be appropriate respondents. We thank you for your participation and assistance!

Cristi L. Harris

Special Projects Director

Meeting the Challenge, Inc

(800) 949-4232 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)

(719) 444-0252 ext. 108

disAbled? Uncle Sam WANTs YOUR OPINION - pass it on

darlene matthews — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:56:13 EDT

Cristi L. Harris

Special Projects Director

Meeting the Challenge, Inc

(800) 949-4232 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)

(719) 444-0252 ext. 108

OBAMA to come to OC and LA

darlene matthews — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:54:03 EDT

On Wednesday afternoon, the President will travel to southern California and hold a town hall meeting in Santa Ana. He will then travel to Los Angeles, and will spend the night in L.A., holding a couple of events in Los Angeles on Thursday, before returning quite late that evening to Washington.

MORE DETAILS TO YOU AS SOON AS I FIND OUT!

Local support needed to turn OC blue

darlene matthews — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 20:05:38 EDT

IRVINE COUNCILWOMAN MAKES BID FOR CAMPBELL’S SEAT

Irvine City Councilwoman Beth Krom will challenge U.S. Rep. John Campbell for his 48th District congressional seat in 2010.

A Democrat, Krom was first elected to the Irvine City Council in 2000. She has served two terms as mayor in Irvine. Krom will kickoff her campaign with a fundraising event from 2 to 4 p.m. March 22 at the home of Mansoor Shah in Shady Canyon. U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) is slated to attend.

Obama to come to OC and LA

darlene matthews — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:06:58 EDT

Obama to come to OC and LABy darlene matthews - Mar 14th, 2009 at 6:59 pm EDT

MORE DETAILS TO YOU AS SOON AS I FIND OUT!

Obama to come to OC and LA

darlene matthews — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:59:02 EDT

MORE DETAILS TO YOU AS SOON AS I FIND OUT!

ASK CA governor to take the Fed Stimulus money -Stop cuts.

darlene matthews — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:52:35 EDT

Stop the Trigger Cuts!

Don’t Leave Federal $$ on the Table, Take it!

The Governor’s Department of Finance has stated that California will not receive

enough money from the federal government to avoid more cuts to vital social

services. But California is not opting to take advantage of all the money available,

including money for higher education. The cuts that are proposed include:

• Medi-Cal: Eliminate many

services for adults, including

dental care,podiatry, audiology

and speech therapy and

psychological services.

• CalWORKs: Reduce grants by

4%, or about $30 per family per

month.

• SSI/SSP: Reduce grants by 2.3%

or about $30 a month.

•In Home Supportive Services

(IHSS): Cap the state share of

wages at $9.50 per hour (it is

currently $11.50 per hour).

• Higher Education : $100 million in cuts

Call the Governor Today!

Tell him to stop the Trigger Cuts and not Leave Federal money on the Table, take it. This is money that will benefit our state, take it.

Sacramento: Phone: 916-445-2841 Fax: 916-558-3160

Los Angeles: Phone: 213-897-0322 Fax: 213-897-031

Inland Empir Phone: 951-680-6860 Fax: 951-680-6863

San Diego: Phone: 619-525-4641 Fax: 619-525-4640

Central Valley: Phone: 559-445-5295 Fax: 559-445-5328

What does Governor Schwarzenegger say about

the federal stimulus package money:

"Well, Governor Sanford says that he does not

want to take the federal stimulus package money.

And I'll say to him, I'll take it," Schwarzenegger said. "I'm

more than happy to take his money or any other governor

in this country that doesn't want to take this money. I'll

take it, because we in California need it. I think it's a

terrific package. I think if you ask a thousand people for

their opinion, what is their ideal stimulus package, you

will have a thousand different answers. So everyone's is a

little different. I think he's done a great job and I think

California benefits tremendously from that $80 billion of

tax benefits there, for around $35 billion. There are other

advantages: $45 billion of money that go to

transportation, to education, to health care, all those

different areas. There's even some money that could

benefit our revenues or, I should say, our budget itself...."

THE CALIFORNIA PARTNERSHIP

2533 West 3rd Street, Suite 101, Los Angeles, CA 90057Phone: (213) 385‐8010 Fax: (213) 353‐1344

save medical and specail needs for CA disabled.

darlene matthews — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:50:02 EDT

please copy or send your own.

our baseline of care will likely be health care for all baseline too.

From: d matthews <go2thesun@mac.com>Date: March 8, 2009 8:47:18 PM PDTTo: cdiac_education@treasurer.ca.govSubject: corrected re:  CA budget  UNDOES  H.R. 756?!
PLEASE SEE ADDRESS CORRECTION AT BOTTOM
On Mar 8, 2009, at 8:35 PM, d matthews wrote:DEAR BILL LOCKYER,
Please don't do this to us.
NO MATTER WHAT ,PLEASE AT LEAST DON'T CUT THESE SERVICES and income to PEOPLE WHO ARE ON TICKET TO WORK, in job training and APPLYING for GI BILL AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION!
DON'T DO MORE TO KEEP US FROM BEING ABLE!

i can find many more FAIR savings some may take longer to institute but in the long term will save better.that wont stop those who can with help from getting back to work.and won't do such harm.
Big changes need to be made.

INDIVIDUAL ihhs and regional centers are not the way to go for most.

LobbyIsts and the counties state and feds have created a monster that isn't making more people more able.Investment in future savings and ability is smart.Programs are often encouraging failure and even punishing many who try.
We have to build better cost effective and independent situations.What is appropriate for those who can work and those who never will needs to be different. I then HHS COSTS AnD REGIoNAL CENTER NEEDS GO WAY WAY DOWN.i know how.

Currently 120 organizations committed to better pain care including the American Pain Foundation have joined forces in support of the re-introduction of the bill by signing a consensus statement and continue to urge the passing of the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009. To learn more about supporting this legislation visit http://www.painfoundation.org/page.asp?file=Action/intro.htm.
will CA cut anything done federally since most with pain issues have ssi / medi-cal?

  CA -MAKING DISABLED HURT and urn -able?SOON WE Can't eat, see, or stand to feel?

1. Reduce Optional Benefits
General Fund Savings
Adult dental - $29.7 million 2008/09
Chiropractic - $144.4 million 2009/10
Acupuncture, Audiology, Speech therapy, Optometry/optometrists including lab services, Podiatry, Psychology

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME/STATE SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS (SSI/SSP)
1. Reduced Grants To The Federal Limit For Age/Disabled Persons; Individuals Reduced From $870 A Month To $830 Couples Reduced From $1524 Per Month To $1407
General Fund Savings
$348.9 million 2008/09
$1.1 billion     2009/10

Sincerely,
Darlene C. Matthews

REPUBLICAN PORK FOR DEVELOPERS AND HORSE RACING?

darlene matthews — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:47:25 EST

THE re developers who controleld ad inflated tHE RE MARKET created theneed for teh bad loans AND did private market hegdge betes tehbanks would fail. win winwin .

WE lost.

now we MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM to sell new WHILE CUTTING basic health needs for the poorest /disabled?

....AND DONT FORGET TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GAMBLING HABITS. Y-i-K-e-S

For Ashburn's support, legislative leaders included an amendment he backs that provides a $10,000 tax credit for those who buy new homes. The credit, supported by home builders, would be available starting in March and run through 2010. It would be capped at $100 million.

Californians would be able to use the credit to offset their state income taxes over three years.

Lawmakers also agreed to help the horse racing industry in Ashburn's district _ and throughout the state _ by using $32 million in state funding each year to offset maintenance fees at fairgrounds.

http://www.newsmax.com/us/california_budget/2009/03/05/188554.html

Public Comments Wanted

The State Treasurer is urging the public to send in comments to his office regarding this issue, which can be done via email to: cdiac_education@treasurer.ca.gov

Major Additional Cuts to Health & Human Services

Those cuts include permanent elimination of several Medi-Cal “optional benefits” including adult dental, rolling back the State’s participation (funding) toward In-Home Supportive Services worker wages back to $9.50 per hour, reducing by 2.3% the SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment) grants from the level it was as of December 1, 2008, reducing by 4% the grant levels for persons in the CalWORKS program (the State’s welfare to work program that impacts thousands of children and adults with special needs and disabilities). Those cuts – if pulled by the “federal funds trigger” would take effect during the 2009-2010 State Budget year that begins July 1, 2009.

CDCAN REPORTCALIFORNIA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORKADVOCACY WITHOUT BORDERS: ONE COMMUNITYREPORT #084-2009 MARCH 6, 2009 – FRIDAYCalifornia Disability Community Action Network Disability Rights News goes out to over 45,000 people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors, veterans with disabilities and mental health needs, their families, workers, community organizations, including those in Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino, African American communities, policy makers and others across California.

To reply to this report write: MARTY OMOTO at martyomoto@rcip.com Website: www.cdcan.us

First line children's care- accessible and inexpensive.

darlene matthews — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:16:49 EST

http://digg.com/health/FACTBOX_Groups_agree_and_disagree_on_U_S_health_overhaul

In the old days in my s.plainfield and middlesex, nj schools Children's health was often first addressed at the schools. It was most of my neighborhoods front line medical care and it was preventative and effective.

WHY NOT add in every EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL HAVE ( adjusted by student size) A NURSE PRACTICiONER AND An AIDE. MOST BASiC KIDS HEALTH CAN BE HANDLED HERE AND FAR CHEAPER THAN WAITING FOR ER CARE.

MANY CHILDREN with disabilities CARE CAN BE DEALT WITH ON THE FRONT LINES BY THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND NP, When they have been properly trained.

KEEPING THESE CHILDREN IN MAIN STREAM SCHOOLS whenever possible EVEN IF some of THE CLASSES ARE SEPaRATE to address special needs GIVES THEM BETTER SOCIaL EXPERIENCE and future successes too.

...And there are many more ways to keep America it's healthiest without breaking the bank.

FIRST STAGE HEALTH CARE FOR PUBLIC PRESCHOOL -HS in response to:

Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:35:07 -0500

From: Spoon <bspoons@consolidated.net>

Subject: [SiCKOUniversalHealthCare-HR676] Groups agree and disagree on U.S. health overhaul Politics First 100

Message-ID: <000901c99c1e$c50152c0$8f01a8c0@spoon01>

Reuters apparently does not know (or refuses to recognize) that we exist.

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-BarackObama/idUSTRE52169Y20090302

FoR ThE OBAMA'S - Maybe the ultimate dog is a cat!

darlene matthews — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:01:47 EST

http://www.a1savannahs.com/savannahs.htm

What is a Savannah’s Temperament Like?

Savannah Cats have very loving and outgoing personalities. They are highly intelligent cats and learn quickly. Most of them love to explore the outside on a leash, or being in the house and playing Fetch. Others retrieve their toys or follow their favorite person like a little dog through the house. A Savannah expects to be a family member that is involved in every activity, rather than being just a usual house pet.

They definitely love water and have surprised us often with a spontaneous visit in the running shower.

Do Savannahs Get Along Well With Other Pets or Children?

Savannahs are very adaptive cats. They get along with well-behaved and respectful children and if your current cat or dog is social, your new Savannah will most likely end up sleeping in the same bed.

bred in the USA TOO !

A1 Savannahs

Martin & Kathrin Stucki
Ponca City, Oklahoma, USA - Raymond, New Hampshire, USA

Email: a1savannahs@yahoo.com

Cattery Phone: 580 718 0011

Wir sprechen Deutsch, - hablamos español, -nous parlons francais

LOOKING FOR OBaMA ART -pass it on

darlene matthews — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:55:16 EST

Officially Unofficial - Inspired Art for Obama
Brought to you by CRO in collaboration with The Post FamilyHosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs
April 1st - May 15th, 2009Chicago Tourism Center, 72 E. Randolph

This exhibit will house a collection of prints, photographs, posters and videos that emerged in 2008 as icons of the art movement supporting Barack Obama. The work will feature a look behind the scenes at Obama HQ as well as independent efforts of designers and artists that converged in a groundswell of inspired work.

The internet was a critical vehicle of grassroots success for both the official and unofficial campaign efforts. This network empowered artists to collaborate and disseminate their work across the country — all of which paralleled the official campaign's use of email, text messages, and bypassing traditional fund-raising practices with individual online donations.

The show will feature several facets of the visual campaign including Ray Noland's GoTellMama! poster series and art tour across the U.S., Shepard Fairey's now iconic Hope poster, the Manifest Hope series, and Sol Sender who developed the campaign's official logo and branding. The result was a separate but united project that ultimately aided in the successful election to office of Barack Obama.

Buy Officially Unofficial limited edition poster here.

Open Call to Artists:Officially Unofficial is now accepting Obama artwork created during the 2008 campaign. We are seeking to bring together a representative collection of prints and posters documenting the Obama Art Movement. In addition, if you have any "slapper" posters you would like to donate, we would like to utilize them in creating a giant wheat-pasted poster-wall of collective works. As mentioned above, artwork will be for display only. It will not be possible to return posters at end of exhibition. After the exhibit work collected will be donated to a museum TBD. Deadline for entry is March 16th, 2009. General Info: All work must have be printed during the 2008 election period. Please submit screen-prints, photographs, posters and other print materials. No original drawings or one of a kind works. Ship rolled in a tube or flat.

Please send posters and prints to:

Chicago Cultural CenterPublic Art Program78 E. Washington
Chicago, IL 60602Attn: Officially Unofficial Exhibition
For info or questions please contact us here.
  info Thanks to an email from Go Tell Mama, 1353 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608

Thank ERIC CANTOR, please

darlene matthews — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:11:15 EST

FOR BEING A VOICE OF REASON IN The GOP party.

PLEASE

help STOP THOSE FAR FAR RIGHT WHO would HAVE THE USA FAIL SO THEY CAN REGAIN POWER.

DIGg IT AND WRITE.

http://digg.com/politics/http_blogs_bet_com_news_newsyoushouldknow_gop_leader_says

http://cantor.house.gov/contact.htm

looking for DISABLED Katrina Evacuees

darlene matthews — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:32:16 EST

Attention Hurricane Katrina Survivors!

We want to hear from people who have a disability or who have diabetes who had an experience with Hurricane Katrina.

Are you someone or know someone who:

Has a disability or has diabetes?

Is 23 years of age or older and evacuated from southern Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina?
Would be willing to participate in our research study and share their story about their lives before, during, and after the storm?

We are doing research to study the impact of Hurricane Katrina on people with disabilities or diabetes. We are collecting information on the barriers and disruptions they experienced in their lives, the strategies they used to reestablish their lives and their disaster-related needs as they recovered from Hurricane Katrina. Participants will be asked to spend approximately 30 minutes on the telephone answering survey questionsand will receive financial compensation for their time.

To sign up for this study or for more information call 1.866.578.4366. This project is in collaboration with the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University and the ILRU Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital.

found this on disaboom.com