We will be presenting the pros and cons of the Death Penalty. Should we have a death penalty, and if so is lethal injection really the best method? Can California afford the exorbitant costs involved with executing someone? A panel of experts will discuss these issues and more.
Our keynote speaker, Gloria Killian, who sat on Death Row three years and was incarcerated 17 years for a crime she didn't commit, will share her experiences.
Radio Personality Mario Solis-Marich will emcee the event. Ferial Masry, Educator and state assembly candidate will present her perspective as a Saudi-born woman. Jonathan Kraut from the SCV InterFaith Council; Carole Lutness, an LA County Psychiatric Social Worker; Bob Handy, Navy officer, retired, Political Democratic Activist, Attorney Joseph Trigilio, Federal Prosecutor; and Sharon Y. Garrett, President of the NAACP SFV Chapter will also be presenting. This event is a collaboration of all three Santa Clarita Valley clubs:
The Democratic Alliance for Action, Michael Kulka, President;
The Democratic Neighbors of the 38th Assembly District, Carole Lutness, President;
The Democratic Club of the Santa Clarita Valley, Bill Bailey, President.
LA QUINTA INNS & SUITES, 25201The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91385 4:00PM to 7:00PM. $5/Admission. Videos, Desk top Displays. A 501c3 sponsored event. Refreshments. Free Parking. Email: minwilli@gmail.com (661) 295-9318
Friend --On Thursday, Vice President Biden called out the insurance industry's escalating war on health reform in a special message to OFA, and asked for your help in fighting back.Sure enough, the insurance industry is already stepping up the attack: Reports just leaked from a closed-door meeting where insurance industry lobbyists frantically warned Republican members of Congress that it was not in their interest to "ever vote for this thing" and said supporting reform is like "giving comfort to the enemy." USA Today is reporting that groups opposing reform are lobbying at "a record pace" -- and the Associated Press notes that they've already spent an astounding $32 million on TV ads this year.This is what we're up against. President Obama, Vice President Biden, and all of us together through OFA are fighting back -- but success depends on having the resources to win.Can you chip in $25 or more today to power our campaign?https://donate.barackobama.com/FinalRoundIn this fight, the insurance industry has their war chest and insider lobbyists. We have you. I know who I'm betting on.Let's win this thing.MitchMitch StewartDirectorOrganizing for AmericaPaid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Monetary contributions to the Democratic National Committee are not tax-deductible.
So what is next?
Friend --This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.Thank you,President Barack ObamaPaid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Friend --After months of negotiations, the entire House and Senate will soon start debating the final plans for health insurance reform. You've called your representatives, but we can't stop there -- if the American people are going to drown out the D.C. lobbyists, we need everyone who supports reform to weigh in. So here's the plan:On Tuesday, October 20th, OFA volunteers will gather at "Time to Deliver" Call Parties in living rooms like yours across the country. We'll call friendly voters whose voices matter in this debate, talk to them about the President's plan, and ask them to call on their representatives to support reform.Our goal? 100,000 calls to Congress placed or committed to in a single day. It's an ambitious goal, but the stakes couldn't be higher -- and if we hit it, we cannot be ignored.The whole plan begins by finding a place for OFA volunteers to gather -- in Aurora and across the country. And that's why I'm turning to you.Can you host a Time to Deliver Call Party on Tuesday, October 20th?Hosting a call party is surprisingly easy. No special experience required, and we'll provide simple step-by-step instructions. If you can print out some call sheets and info about the President's plan -- and make sure volunteers have a comfortable place to sit -- you can host a successful Call Party.You can invite your friends, we'll invite other OFA supporters in your area, and together you'll have a great time while making a huge difference.If we can get 100,000 calls to Congress placed or committed to on a single day it will set a new OFA record -- and really shake up the debate in Washington. But it won't be easy. Everything hinges on finding volunteer leaders like you who are willing to open your doors and give supporters in your area a place to gather.Can we count on you? Please sign up to host a Time to Deliver Call Party on October 20th:http://my.barackobama.com/deliverThanks for making it happen,JeremyJeremy BirdDeputy DirectorOrganizing for AmericaPaid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
PART THREE: Each person in line was given the McKeon survey. You could respond Yes, Lean Yes, Lean NO, No, and Not sure on the following questions . . . Whether or not the constituents support the Obama plan and the Congressional Democrats? How we rated the quality of healthcare in this country? Do you believe the federal government has a responsibility to ensure healthcare coverage for all Americans? Do you support government run public insurance option to compete with private insurance? Do you support tax incentives for individuals and families to purchase health insurance independently of their employers? Do you support reining in medical liability abuse by cutting down on frivolous lawsuits? Do you support a federal mandate on individuals to require the purchase of health insurance? Do you support a federal mandate on individuals to require the purchase of health insurance? Do you believe that Members of Congress that support the President's healthcare reform plan should be required to sign up for it? Not sure where he was going here, don't congressional members have policies already? and Do you support citizenship verification to ensure illegal immigrants are not eligible under the Democrat healthcare plan? I thought immigrants aren't eligible for "public option". This was news to me. I’ll have to send out a SOS to the healthcare experts and find out what is the story behind this.I understand from a phone call the following Monday afternoon, they really do want to know how people feel and a woman directed me to the online site. Funny the online site only has two questions. How did she know I didn't turn my long form in? As I said, I had worked with a crew the night before to get signs made. Before I got there many sign carriers were told that they had to leave their signs outside. Hence, I became the keeper of the Democratic signs.
Based on some of the nasty comments as people passed there was definitely heckling, anger, and snarling ahead. Comments ranged from they don't want to be mandated to purchase or even consider government healthcare to “they better not play with my Medicare and VA Benefits”. But this isn’t socialized medicine they claim. I only gave a ½ hearted smile at them, shaking my head.
After one of the sheriff’s assured me that no one would bother with the signs, I eventually went inside. I knew we were filming so what ever I missed I’d see on video eventually. However, I was glad that I did go inside, I heard firsthand expressions on concerns about “frivolous lawsuits should be eliminated”, however, as one woman said, “if ever you had a relative who is harmed by a well-known or powerful physician, you will need aggressive attorneys to mitigate on your behalf. How are you going to be able to afford the healthcare to remedy a family member that has been medically harmed or killed? How do you compensate family members with horrendous and poor medical diagnosis”.
Another argued “if an illegal alien walked into the gym with swine flu, which could infest all of us, you’d want him to be hospitalized too”. This was received with huge boos, hissing and verbal heckling. I only wish they had read the response I received from Wendell Potter, former CIGNA VP of communications, who assured me and has told Congress in two testimonials that insurance companies know how to provide public option while keeping it competitive. Illegal aliens are already factored into our current healthcare costs. We just don't realize it and the republicans have been told this, to say otherwise is a lie. Unfortunately, he wasn't there to refute many of the claims that McKeon was professing although I had sent the video to McKeon the day before. . . I reviewed the Organization Chart of the House Democrats' Health Plan with an IBEW member who came to hear McKeon's answers. "This is nice and confusing, I wonder if he is going to review this madness", we both shared a laugh at the 8 1/2 X11 sheet with numerous arrows and charting. "No wonder it takes them forever to do anything", he continued. "I've seen that chart in color", I replied, "doesn't make it any less confusing, but I know as a graphic artist, someone took a lot of time making the graphing, choosing the type and arranging the layout". We took turns questioning what HIPDB stood for; it had an X through it. Overall, the response to questions by the audience was pretty partisan.
September 26th Part Two. As I realized that the unspoken message was “we don’t care about the physically challenged, elderly, mothers with infants, and those that might need assistance in negotiating a steep set of stairs with the nimbleness of an athlete weren’t factored in.
There was two ASL signers, each taking turns for the entire room but they weren't on camera or on a projection screen to if you weren’t able to get to the front of the room you could still see what was going on. They fluctuated from sitting down to standing up. The first middle section was reserved for handicapped, however, I didn’t see any hearing impaired in those seats based on body language and eventually I saw an event planner encourage people to move up in those seats. So I wasn't sure whom they were signing to.
SherryAn was there with her Organizing Healthcare Obama flyers and passing them out to people in line. Carole Lutness was taking names and phone numbers for those interested in the current local elections’ GOTV. Local elections are scheduled for November throughout the state.
The next Freedom of Speech was dwarted by huge white signs that said No Sign Posters allowed”. I guess McKeon had been tipped off that Democrats were coming to protest this meeting however, we had been forewarned the night before that it was quite likely we couldn’t take the posters inside, even if we didn’t have them on stakes. Depending on whom you approached at the event, the range of reasons were: 1.) Fire regulations; 2.) Diminishes the range of view; 3.) Electioneering; 4.) Buck doesn't want to see them; 5.) the other side didn't bring any, it isn’t fair, or 6.) those say public option and single payer, that’s not what Buck wants to see.
The number of signs accumulated as the line increased. Eventually to keep from having to walk back to the parking lot and losing our places in line, the signs began to accumulate in the bushes surrounding the entryway to the gym.
I decided to help spread them out around the bushes as you enter the gym instead of them being stacked up. Some people in lines found the signs funny to pretty interesting. Some got out of line to take pictures and read them more closely. The night before we had asked the sign makers to use large print so they could be seen from the street. There had been discussing to stand on the side of the road as people drove up, but I found too many democrats were interested in hearing and being inside, this never materialized. The bright green florescent poster that deemed the most attention was “Buck received over $340K in healthcare company donations”, information attained from “Open Secrets” and “Newmeat”, sights that I would recommend future event planners check out for factual resources.
I don't know if any other Republican signs had been taken back to the cars before my arrival at 8:15AM but I did spread out four within the pile and put their largest one near the door, equal opportunity for all, although we had outnumbered their signs 6:1. Then I took some of the professional OFA signs and spread them between the handmade signs. Two people asked if they could have them, one lady offered to wrap hers across her leg and take it inside. She gave me the Sarah Palin wink and I handed it to her anyway. Not sure whose signs they were, I went back to the car and took several out of my own stash that I hadn’t thought to bring originally. At least my conscious would be clear.
http://www.youtube.com/crazycatherder
http://www.youtube.com/BuckMcKeon#play/uploads/1/PAg_Gx_0VZs
Well Saturday's September 26th event turned out to the largest LA COUNTY Townhall meeting to date since the Congressman Adam Schiff’s event in San Gabriel Valley. McKeon and his staff were busy pleasing themselves over the 800 RSVP’s. I watched them giving one another high fives.
Someone had left a visible unlabeled box under the stairwell and the sheriff department responded cautiously to its contents. After one bold sheriff realized that it wasn't ticking, he opened it. And all disgustingly shook their heads to find La Rouche magazines with Obama w/a Hitler mustache on the cover . . . They reclosed the box and shoved it back but out of view, I agreed with their disgust, but this is a country of Free Speech, exhibit #1. There were close to 1,500 people there. Of course, the repubs say that it was 2,000. The initial anxious and alert crowd snaked around the building well before 8:15AM. One event planner was giving the others high fives in relaying “we have up to 2,000 RSVP's”. They had done their job. NOT. For it to be a healthcare meeting, the elevator didn't work for the physically impaired. Although, later in the morning, I heard the janitor exclaim to the sheriffs “it was working on Tuesday, I checked it myself”. Funny, there was little signage to let the public know that the elevator was even there.
I heard the janitor explain to the sheriff officers that the spring wasn't leveling as it should, hence it wasn’t usable. One officer offered that it was a safety violation and should be fixed quickly. I watched the janitor huffing up the stairs. I thought to myself, he’s in relatively good shape, not lean, but if he is huffing up the stairs and stopping at the first landing, what did he expect from moms with a child in a stroller? Some wheelchair bound and motor cart attendees looked dejected when they saw the final set of stairs. There was no signage telling them to keep going up the 20 degree hill to the side entrance of the gym. Some turned around expressing angry others called up asking for assistance.
I saw one young woman run down the stairs and offer to walk the man around the building. The person concerned, but not sure responded, “if you will take me all the way”. The guest obliged him.
She asked me if I knew where the side door would be, I told her it was my first time there also, “I don’t know”. I thought if democrats were in charge, we would have known to facilitate the handicapped and physically challenged. It is a requirement to holding a democratic event.
Eventually a guy in a white Boys and Girl’s Club polo called on a phone and a man came up with a golf cart. The cart man wheeled around to help the gentleman on the canes. I watched Good Samaritans grabbed the front of baby strollers to assist several mothers and a father. I saw audience members descend the stairs to aid physically exhausted elderly men and women, who were measuring their steps to ascend the stairs. One lady I ran down to help pulled her arm away. “I can help myself thank you, ” she was feisty but physically unstable. I retreated. Another man who had seen her too, came down behind me and she allowed him to help her up the last landing. “Thank you sweetie”, I heard her smile and say to him, as she turned around and sneared at me. He and I bodily shrugged at the same time and simultaneously shook our heads . Another form of Free Speech, I thought.
If the planners were concerned about healthcare wouldn’t they have had a plan for this situation I thought. But maybe that was the ultimate message “everybody for themselves”, because they have pulled themselves up by their boot straps why worry about anyone else? No one ever considers that someone made those boots. We can’t get there by ourselves, it takes all of us to make a village and I was taught this years before Hillary Clinton ever wrote the book! (to be continued)
Here are the various YouTube.com videos of the Buck McKeon September 26th, 9AM Healthcare Townhall Meeting.
9/26/08. TOWNHALL MEETING ON O’REILLY:
http://www.youtube.com/BuckMcKeon#play/uploads
Buck McKeon gallery: http://www.scvyoungdems.org/albums/BuckHealthCare/photo.htm
Crazycatherder videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=crazycatherder&view=videos
The Buck McKeon Townhall Healthcare Meeting Saturday made footage on Fox News. You can snippets at: http://www.scvyoungdems.org click on “Events", then open the Buck McKeon picture!
There were easy 1,500 attendees at this event! People stood against the walls, in the hall way and moving back and forth through the gym. Republicans claimed 2,000. It was possible, the gym sat 1,000 in the bleachers on each side and 1000 chairs. A serious fire Marshall and sheriffs were present to assure public safety. McKeon said 800 people RSVP'd. We believe 30% of the crowd was us and we had 11 days to mobilize. The event brought out Dems I hadn't seen since he Obama election! Democrats and moderate Republicans leaders still say they'd rather wait and see . . . not believing as they once did, that President Obama can really pull healthcare reform off. Everyone’s watching Abu Grab and Guantanamo militarial terrorism, Iraq and Afghanistan wars and getting the receivers of the first financial bailout. That damn Bush!
The Republican rhetoric is confusing the hell out of folks. Even Wendell Potter (former VP of Communications for Cigna) told me personally, “Minerva, if they don't have the "public option", then the insurance industry will have won this battle, you might as well pack it in lady!” I’m however still fired up and ready to go . . . my friend from Seoul says, “Clutching on invisible hope!”
Bottomline, the Democrats are going to have to agree to agree and explain what the hell is in the damn bill! We can't defend what isn’t understood. I read the first 500 pages and wanted to pull my hair out! Healthcare is a human people problem. Maybe next time they’ll plan better for strollers, the handicapped, seniors and other physically challenged individuals and not expect them to walk huge flight of stairs at the next townhall meeting.
Will someone tell me more about the "illegal alien, abortion and tort amendment" that Buck mentioned? McKeon like the Democrats are crediting the Blue Dogs for holding up the 2013 Bill. Yesterday I hear they voted against “public option”. I know I have my advocacy job cut out for the rest of the fall . . . I still pray that the healthcare bill isn't watered down to nothing. Based on the outbursts, exchanges, heated comments and disgust portrayed . . . Healthcare reform is Damn Important. What’s more important than your health? A roof over your head, food in your tummy, a job and someone to love?
Friend --The cavalry is here -- and they're in white coats and scrubs: More than a half a million doctors and millions of nurses are joining forces to help pass real health reform.Americans listen to their nurses and doctors when it comes to health reform -- and for good reason. If we can help them amplify their voices, it'll be a huge boost to our campaign for change.So we're working on a new television ad featuring their voices explaining why doctors and nurses so strongly support President Obama's plan -- and asking Congress to pass it. We'll run the ad in key states and districts all around the country to show folks where health professionals stand, cut through the spin, and build even greater support for reform.But to produce and air the new ad before the Senate starts debating a final bill, we'll need to raise $300,000 by Thursday. Can you donate $25 right away?The American Medical Association, Doctors for America, and a dozen other physicians groups representing 500,000 doctors are endorsing reform. So are the American Nurses Association and other organizations representing millions of nurses.They're speaking out because they see the shortcomings of our health care system firsthand, every day: patients denied the care they prescribe, families losing access to their doctors, and a system that forces them to spend more time with paperwork and less time with patients.These voices need to be heard -- with so much deception out there clouding the debate, it's critical that medical professionals are able to focus the country on the simple fact that health reform is good medicine.But the final congressional committee could vote on their reform bill as early as Wednesday -- and debate on final legislation could start by the end of the week. So if we're going to help make these doctors and nurses' voices heard, we'll need to do it right now. Can you chip in $25 or more to help get our ad on the air?https://donate.barackobama.com/HealthAdThanks,MitchMitch StewartDirectorOrganizing for AmericaPaid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Dear Editor,
September 15, 2009, I had the opportunity to watch C-SPAN 3 and hear another testimonial from the “whistleblower” and former head of communications from the Cigna Insurance company Vice President Wendell Potter. He referenced his previous testimonial on June 24, 2009. He expressed a need for comprehensive reform to shape reform to Congress to benefit all Americans.
DISCLAIMER: I had to add that I work for the Insurance Industry, I was a new representative for AFLAC, and have completely stopped all my marketing and selling because I became concerned about the claims coming from the right and left over the viability and marketing practices of the companies. Whether or not I return will be predicated on how long it will take to get HR 3200 approved by the House and the Senate. Depending on whom you talk to they alleged that if the Blue Dog Democrats are reigned in by Reid, that this is a strong possibility it will pass before the close of the year. However the politics are that the Republicans are seeing how the approval of this bill first hinted by Richard Nixon in 1974 could be a boon for the party if they can keep it off the table until 2012 when they believe they will return to power because they will slash at everything that Obama does to diminish his effectiveness.
Now referring back to the testimonial, if you know me, I defer often when I speak, several times Potter expressed that the healthcare reform bill will be nothing more than an insurance industry profit protection and insurance act if the bill doesn’t include the public option.
He refutes the heavily prophesized claim that adding the public option will no longer make the private options competitive. Instead he adds that the public option will lower health care cost and cause the industry to reevaluate the way that they do business. The practice of the industry has directly affected 25 million families to become under and not insured and giving rise to over priced cartel led premiums. Potter added that public option will require the Health Services to eliminate high co-pays and deductible which mean less out of pocket costs, increases in lifetime limits, eliminate “fake marketing” plans and increasing annual caps that are more reasonable. Market reforms will not only cause companies to compete, contrary by the industry and allies claims, but also stop the misinformation tactics being used to “frighten us” into believing reform can’t be done. Again, those little fear tactics are being used to induce complacency. Dumping unprofitable and sick consumers to make profit expectations, in a nut shell will cause investors needs to become secondary and can no longer be put over the health of insurance industry consumers.
Consumers must understand that limited benefits fits and underwriting is designed for profit.
Potter and I hope that this is the year that will enact legislation, I hope he is right. Meantime I’d encourage the entire community to go out to the 25th Congressional representative Buck McKeon’s Townhall meeting Saturday September 26 at 9AM and get there early. Parking lots #5, #6, #7,and #8 will assist your morning stroll to the Gymnasium, wear tennis shoes and let’s here what our local legislative representative has to say. Oh and by the way, I did email him the above link . . . I did call Potter, he told me to tell McKeon that “death panels” is another made up marketing phrase.
Peace Out, Minerva L. Williams, Castaic, CA
From a Romanian Newspaper
We rarely get a chance to see another country's editorial about the USA
Read this excerpt from a Romanian Newspaper. The article was written by Mr. Cornel Nistorescu and published under the title 'C'ntarea Americii, meaning 'Ode To America ') in the Romanian newspaper Evenimentulzilei 'The Daily Event' or 'News of the Day'.~An Ode to America ~ Why are Americans so united? They would not resemble one another even if you painted them all one color! They speak all the languages of the world and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations and religious beliefs.On 9/ll, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a hand put on the heart. Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the Army, or the Secret Service that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty their bank accounts.. Nobody rushed out onto the streets nearby to gape about. Instead the Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping hand. After the first moments of panic, they raised their flag over the smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the national flag. They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on every car a government official or the president was passing. On every occasion, they started singing: 'God Bless America !' I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun for hours listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the Californian hockey player, who gave his life fighting with the terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that could have killed other hundreds or thousands of people. How on earth were they able to respond united as one human being? Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions and millions of dollars were put into collection aimed at rewarding not a man or a family, but a spirit, which no money can buy. What on earth can unites the Americans in such way? Their land? Their history? Their economic Power? Money? I tried for hours to find an answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of sounding commonplace, I thought things over, I reached but only one conclusion... Only freedom can work such miracles. Cornel Nistorescu (This deserves to be passed around the Internet forever.) It took a person on the outside - looking in - to see what we take for granted !
GOD BLESS AMERIC A !!!
