Today Senator Boxer and allies in the US Senate launched One Million Strong for Women. They are building a grassroots coalition ready to take on opponents of women's health and rights. Join the movement.
At 4:50pm on Thursday evening I was sitting in the office building where I work, less than two miles from the site of the Giants v Rangers game. I had one eye on the internet coverage of the game, and the other on the phone because I was excitedly waiting for President Obama to call me.
OK ... maybe Obama wasn't going to personally dial my number, and maybe I was not the only Democratic Party Youth Leader waiting for their phone to ring. But I was still kind of freaking out:)
Obama talked about why he supports Senator Boxer, and encouraged us all to volunteer in the few remaining days before the election. Obama has visited California several times this year to support Senator Boxer's re-election campaign. Jill Biden and Michelle were here recently, too.
Here's a Barbara Boxer campaign radio spot featuring Obama:
In addition to hearing from Obama on the Thursday night calls, I really enjoyed hearing from Senator Boxer. She has been my favorite senator since I started paying close attention to politics after the Twin Towers fell during my second year at Pace Law School. Following my graduation from law school I moved from New York to San Francisco, where I got to be one of Senator Boxer's constituents:)
Two years later I made the cross-country move again, from San Francisco to Washington, DC because I dreamed of working for Senator Boxer on international marine debris issues. It took 4 months, a job at a coffee shop and another at a call center, plus 2 internships and probably a hundred informational interviews, but I actually secured a job working for Senator Boxer!
photo: Co-worker Kelly & I, June 2008
While I later left Senator Boxer's employ to run a voter registration drive that I thought might benefit the Obama Presidential Campaign, I will always be loyal to Senator Boxer.
That's why I've been down at the San Francisco Democratic Party campaign office a few evenings after work recently, calling fellow San Francisco Democrats to remind them to vote, and that's why I'm going door to door in San Francisco neighborhoods this weekend with Organizing for America, to remind people to vote on Tuesday.
I need to know that I am doing everything that I can to make sure that Obama has the allies that he needs in Congress, like Senator Boxer. As MoveOn.org said in a recent email: "Do you really need clean socks that bad?" HA. No, my dirty socks can wait until Nov 3.
photo: West LA volunteers
If you feel similarly, then what can you do? LOTS.
1.) Join up with Organizing for America to make phone calls to Democrats who voted for the first time in Nov 2008. We need to make sure that they go back to the polls on Tuesday. Even making 10 minutes worth of calls will help. (Note that when you click on the link here, you'll be taken to the California OFA page. If you live in a different state then go to the top right-hand corner of the page and change your location.)
2.) If you can volunteer in person (either at an OFA office making phone calls, or canvassing your city's neighborhoods) then google "Organizing for America" plus your state's name to find your local OFA office. For example, here's the California page. Then call the office, or stop by to find out how you can help. This is not a time to be shy!
4.) I voted early via absentee ballot. I typed up how I voted, and shared it in a "note" on Facebook. Based on what I've read (and the positive feedback I've received from friends) it seems like this personal contact really works.
5.) Finally, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE on Nov 2. Make sure your family members, friends, co-workers, professors, neighbors, etc vote! If you can take the day off from work then Organizing for America could really use your help. Again, find your local OFA office to find out where your help is most needed on Election Day.
THANK YOU for anything that you can do.
GO TEAM BOXER:) Go Obama! GO VOLUNTEERS!!! United together, we CAN do this.
On June 8 California voters will get to decide who will represent each political party in the November 2, 2010 elections - for California Governor, US Senate, etc.
You might overlook June 8, but don't - if the majority of Democratic voters hadn't voted for Obama in the the 2008 primary elections, then we might have been voting for an entirely different Democratic candidate on November 4, 2008, and who knows who would be our president right now. June 8 is a significant election day!
Most importantly to me, on June 8 California voters will get to decide if Barbara Boxer will be listed on the November 2, 2010 ballot as our Democratic candidate for US Senate.
I want to vote for Barbara Boxer for US Senate on November 2 ... please help me by voting for her in the June 8 Primary Election! Re-elect Senator Barbara Boxer:)
I received this Progressive Voters Guide from CREDO Action Mobile. I haven't gone through it to see if I agree with all of the recommendations, but on a quick glance it looks very helpful.
If you need to register to vote in California, or if you have changed your legal name or address since the last time that you voted, then you must complete and postmark a new voter registration card by Monday, May 24.
If you did not select a political party when you registered to vote in California, then you are known as a "Decline to State" or "Non-Partisan" voter. "Decline to State/Non-Partisan" voters who at the time of registration indicated that they wanted to vote by mail (and not in person at their local polling place on election day) should hear from their county's board of elections office before June 8, so that the board of elections office can find out if you would like to receive: a.) "Non-Partisan" ballot (which will not let you vote for any candidates for office - just ballot measures), b.) The Republican Party ballot, which will allow you to vote for the ballot measures and Republican candidates, or c.) The Democratic Party ballot, which will allow you to vote for the ballot measures and Democratic candidates.
If you are a "Non-Partisan" voter, and do not respond to your county's board of elections office when they contact you to ask which ballot you want, then you will be automatically send the "Non-Partisan" ballot. If you receive the "Non-Partisan" ballot in the mail in error, then you can still vote for the candidates from the Republican or Democratic Party. Just take your blank "Non-Partisan" voter registration form that you recieved in the mail to your local polling place on June 8, turn it over to the staff at the polling place, and ask for the Democratic or Republican Party ballot. Fill it out at the polling place, and turn it in to vote.
If you are a "Non-Partisan" voter, and are not registered to vote by mail, then when you show up at your local polling place on June 8, you can request the "Non-Partisan", Democratic, or Republican ballot, fill it out at the polling place, and turn it in to have your vote counted.
If you are registered as a Democrat, Republican, or a member of another registered political party in California, then you will automatically be given your party's ballot. If you want to receive a different party's ballot then you must re-register to vote, and select your new political party on your new voter registration form. You must postmark your new voter registration card by Monday, May 24.
If you have any questions then call the California Board of Elections Office at 916.653.6814. You'll get a recording. If your questions are not answered in the recording, then select "0" and then "8" to reach the Elections Office, and then from there follow the instructions to reach an Elections Official that you can speak with directly.
While the US Senate is in conflict over the preferred approach to climate change regulation, the states have been acting independently with great success, and additional plans for more initiatives.
California, in particular is taking big steps to address climate change. Senator Barbara Boxer, the Chairman of the US Senate Environment & Public Works Committee had planned to attend and speak @ COP15. Since Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needs her vote for health care reform in DC this week, she is unlikely to attend COP15 and has said that she will give her prepared speech from a DC location on Friday.
photo: Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, Arnold Schwarzenegger after meeting about auto efficiency and emissions
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is @ COP15 as I write this, promoting California's leadership in climate change.
On December 7th California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he and other prominent governors would attend COP15. He said that he would give a keynote address at the City of Copenhagen-sponsored Copenhagen Climate Summit for Mayors.
Here's an address that Schwarzenegger gave today @ COP15.
(Now if only Schwarzenegger would place the same priority on California's state parks, 80% of which he threatened to close in order to address California's budget shortfall.)
Meanwhile, the Copenhagen Climate Summit for Mayors that Schwarzenegger mentioned in his speech is currently underway; mayors from 80+ of the world's major cities are meeting to discuss approaches to climate change.
Half the world's population is now living in the cities and the number is rapidly growing. Cities around the world are responsible for up to 80% of global CO2 emissions.
photo: Chairman C40, Mayor of Toronto, David Miller Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Ritt Bjerregaard Secretary of Environment, Edward Yau, Hong Kong, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City, Mayor Kimbisa, Dar Es Salaam @ a December 15 Summit event
It will be interesting to see what comes of the Summit!
Meanwhile, leaders have been meeting back in the USA -
In October, 30 governors from around the world gathered in Los Angeles for the Governors' Global Climate Summit 2 in Los Angeles. Olav Kjørven, UN Assistant Secretary General and UN Development Programme policy director called the October summit "a major milestone on the way to a just and equitable deal in Copenhagen.”
At the Summit today Governor Schwarzenegger announced that he wants the UN to hold a climate summit in California.
Received this Facebook message from San Diego Surfrider today:
PB Surf Shop Grand Reopening PARTY!!! Saturday November 21st 2009 6:00pm - 11:00pm.
Pacific Beach Surf Shop is proud to announce the opening of the Action Sports Environmental Coalition GREENROOM within the shop. The shop undergoing a remodel that will include an organic and sustainable clothing section, a stage to host LIVE music, film and speaking events and a new surfboard gallery to showcase San Diego's best and most creative shapers.
This party will be the start with Live music from Human lab and The Growlers. As well as our line up of talented arts such as: Jesse Miller, Theo Hetherington, and other eVocal artists with food, drinks, and festivities. Come and be a part of a new experience as we move forward to be the "community surf shop" that will bring a wide range of events to the surf and beach community. For more information on the event please call PB Surf Shop at (858)373-1138.
If you are going to attend the party then you can RSVP on Facebook, here.
You can read a great blog post about their day on Capitol Hill, titled "ASEC Members Go to Washington, Bring Skateboards, Make History" here. Here's an excerpt:
World class skateboarder Bob Burnquist became a part of American history as the first person to bring a skateboard into the U.S. Capitol building in its 214 year history. Burnquist, joined by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), was on his way to the Senate dining room for lunch with fellow members of the Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC).
“ASEC utilizes its collective assets to broaden the horizons of conscious consumption--paving the way for skateboarders, surfers, snowboarders, BMX bikers, and those passionately involved in the sports to achieve lasting sustainable benefits for individuals and community institutions. Like these sports, ecological sustainability is not just a trend--it is your chance to get involved and take action in a movement, and to leave behind those companies that only take from you, unconcerned about your needs, your body, your mind, and the fact that you do have a choice. This is your chance to lead, follow or be left behind.”
photo: On June 29, 2009 Senator Boxer spoke @ the Feminist Majority Foundation in Los Angeles. Senator Boxer addressed FMF interns and staff as well as the Women’s Political Committee.
I received this email message from US Senator Barbara Boxer today:
Ten days ago, the US House of Representatives passed the Stupak Amendment, which would be one of the biggest setbacks to women's health in recent decades — unless we stand together and stop it.
That's why we are launching a petition, because women must not be denied access to safe and legal medical procedures.
You know I will be there speaking out on this issue at every stage of the process and everywhere I can. But as the details of the Senate's health care bill are worked out, we need to be sure that all our voices are heard clearly on this issue.
Join me by signing the petition and help build pressure to remove the discriminatory, extreme, anti-choice Stupak Amendment from the final health care reform bill!
Petition Text:
We the undersigned oppose inclusion of the Stupak Amendment in any health care reform legislation because it would be one of the biggest setbacks to women’s health in recent decades.
The Stupak Amendment overturns a difficult and delicate compromise that has held firm for decades: Women can use their own private funds for legal reproductive health care procedures, but federal funds cannot be used for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother.
The Stupak Amendment discriminates against women by taking away health coverage they already have — and tells women who participate in the new health insurance exchange that they can’t even use their own funds to buy a policy that includes abortion coverage.
The Stupak Amendment is discriminatory, extreme, and just plain wrong.
We urge the defeat of any effort to include this amendment in the final health care reform bill sent to President Obama.
photo: students testing water quality samples through their involvement with Surfrider's Blue Water Task Force Program.
Yesterday the Surfrider Foundation's Water Quality Coordinator, Mara Dias, circulated this good news --
Communicating scientific data to the public and decision makers can be very challenging, but it is absolutely necessary if we hope to affect change for the better in our communities.
Kudos to Oregon's Astoria High School students who are participants in Surfrider's Blue Water Task Force Program, their teacher and Surfrider Foundation Oregon volunteers for putting together this very simple, yet very effective photo montage and raising the awareness of a water pollution issue at one of their local beaches.
This video was shown at a city council meeting in Cannon Beach, Oregon and made the front page of the local newspaper. In response, the City of Cannon Beach has formed a special task force to look into this issue and will hopefully lead to better public notification and pollution source identification work.
photo: This picture from Indian Beach in Cannon Beach, OR shows Seal Rocks - rough coastal outcroppings just offshore.
