South of Boston DFA

John Edwards House Party - Jan 29th

2008-01-21T13:06:00.000-08:00

John Edwards House Party
DATE: Tuesday, 1/29
TIME: 7 - 9:30 pm
PLACE: Newton, MA
Potluck dinner (please bring a salad, entree, vegetable side or yummy
dessert)
Share and learn why folks in MA support Edwards!
RSVP: Linda at lsmheart@aol.com or (617)965-7846

Ride to NH to help Edwards campaign

2008-01-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

DFA is throwing its support behind Edwards, Obama and Kucinich. My pick is Edwards. He has a better chance to win in all 50 states and against every Republican candidate. I totally agree with his message that corporations are not going to give up their profits and power without a HUGE fight. I just finished reading his book "Four Trials" about a few of his legal battles representing individuals and families against large companies and corporations and I truly believe Edwards may be tough and smart enough to get our country back. Somebody has to.

I like Obama and Kucinich but I don't think either one of them can win the general election. Furthermore, I think that singing Kum-bi-yah is nice for church school, but fighting corporate power is not something that can be done with out wielding more than hope. It's going to take some real leadership and tough action. Edwards gets it and will fight for it.

I will be going to Derry NH with at least one other person this Saturday morning (Jan. 5th) to help out at the Edwards' campaign headquarters there. Leave a comment if you would like to join us and I will send you my contact info.

Mass. DFA to Iowa DFA - win for all of us

2007-12-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

Today's the day. Reach out and touch an Iowa DFA member. Tell him or her that we need them to ensure that we get to vote for a progressive Democrat next November. We selected our 3 top progressive candidates in the DFA straw poll. Now we have to be tough and smart enough to get one of them elected.

Follow this link to get the addresses and instructions on writing
letters to fellow DFA members in Iowa.

ADDRESSES FOR IOWA DFA MEMBERS

For those of you who have not been following the DFA presidential
straw poll (see previous posts), the winners were respectively Kucinich, Edwards and Obama.
The purpose of the letters to Iowan DFA members is to ask them to
make sure at least one of those three candidates comes out of their
caucus with some votes. This could involve changing candidates after
their first choice does not meet the minimal criteria.

For instance, I support John Edwards. If I were to attend a caucus
site where Edwards, Kucinich or Obama did not receive enough votes to
qualify on the first ballot, I would switch to the progressive
candidate who had the most votes on that ballot. Using this strategy,
DFA hopes to unite progressive voters and to ensure that our votes
will not be divided, letting another, less progressive, candidate
sweep the caucuses.

Again, follow this link and urge our brothers and sisters in Iowa to
help us get a candidate we can support whole heartedly.

ADDRESSES FOR IOWA DFA MEMBERS

South of Boston DFA coordinator
Janet Alfieri

Taking our country back - 2008

2007-11-29T06:44:00.000-08:00

The results of the DFA 2008 presidential poll are in. The top three candidates (excluding Al Gore who is not running) are Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards and Barack Obama.

So what is the next step?

In a November 28th conference call, DFA Political Director Charles Chamberlain and Community Organizer Ilya Sheyman met with DFA coordinators across the country to outline plans to ensure that a progressive candidate wins the Iowa caucus. While none of the three top vote getters in the DFA poll received enough votes to become the endorsed candidate, all three are progressive. This is the top priority for DFA - to have a Democratic nominee who is someone we can support whole heartedly. No more barf bags in the voting booths.

So how do they intend to accomplish this? For those who remember the Dean campaign the action plan will sound a bit familiar. DFA members will write personal letters to Iowa DFA members urging them to stand with whichever one of the three progressive candidates needs their support in the caucuses. Because of the convoluted caucus system in Iowa, caucus goers often begin supporting one candidate who does not meet the minimum percentage requirement and then switch to another. This dynamic is the one that DFA hopes will ensure that when those allegiences switch, they go to another progressive candidate.

On December 5th, at DFA meetings throughout the country, members will receive information on how to get mailing information for DFA members in Iowa. There are over 9000 DFA members in Iowa and, no matter whom they support, it is important for them to know that we DFA-ers in the rest of the country are counting on them to get us a progressive candidate to vote for in the general election.

This is what we have been working for for so long. We have seen what we were up against and we did not give up. We paid our dues. We are still standing and fighting. Now, let's work together to finally take our country back.

DFA Presidential Primary

2007-10-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

I just voted for Edwards (my choice) on the poll. Below is a letter I copied from the DFA site. The link puts Edwards in top slot but you can vote for any candidate by dragging photo to correct slot. I've heard Edwards is ahead so far but it's early yet. It is notable that Hillary Clinton, Joseph Biden, and Christoper Dodd (old Senators club) did not send in videos detailing their positions on climate change and Iraq to DFA for inclusion in the poll. All the other candidates did.

Hey Friends,

I wanted to drop you a short note to ask for your help. DFA is holding a Presidential Primary Pulse Poll to decide which candidate deserves their support. I voted for Former Senator John Edwards and I want to keep them in first place.

Could you take just a minute to vote for John Edwards right now? Here's the link:
DFA Primary

Thanks for your help.

Here's Edwards speaking about what actions he would take to reduce the environmental factors that affect climate change.

Stewart, Harrington are Brockton mayor candidates

2007-09-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

In a preliminary run-off, Jass Stewart and James Harrington topped Gayle Kelley to earn a place on the ballot. There was only one percentage point difference between the vote totals of the two winning candidates promising a close race in November. Kelley has not decided whom she will support yet. She had respectable showing but was well behind the other two. Complete story in the Enterprise.

Here are some photos of Stewart's volunteers on election day.

Lara Thomas, Stewart's campaign manager checks her computer to see where sign holders are needed.

Volunteers gather at campaign office to make calls to get out the vote.

Sign holders at the corner of Warren Ave and Legion Parkway in Brockton on Election morning.

Volunteer for Jass Stewart on Tuesday, Sept. 18

2007-09-15T21:02:00.000-07:00

Jass Stewart is one of three candidates for mayor of Brockton in the run off set for Tuesday, September 18th. The two top vote getters will be on the ballot for the November election. Jass is the candidate who best reflects the progressive and creative values of DFA. This is a tough race with an incumbent and another strong candidate running against Jass. People are needed to make calls, hold signs, hand out flyers and drive voters to polls on primary day. To volunteer for the Get Out the Vote activities, please contact Campaign Manager Lara Thomas by calling her at 508-272-6958 or emailing her at Lara@JassStewart.com.

For more information about Jass go to his website.

Jass Stewart opens campaign office

2007-04-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

Jass Stewart has just opened a campaign office at 117 Legion Parkway in Brockton for his run for mayor.

Office hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to 8 PM - Stop by if you can help out or call (508) 345-5518

For more information about Jass, see his
website

Jass Stewart in Brockton Mayor race

2007-02-17T21:50:00.000-08:00

"Are you looking for real leadership?
"Are you looking for change?
"Well, look no further!"

With those words Jass Stewart made it official. He is running hard for Mayor of Brockton and he intends to win this time. On Saturday, February 10th at the Shaw's Center, next to the Brockton Rox Stadium, he brought the crowd of 200 supporters to their feet several times during his 15-minute speech.
Leadership was his main theme. "Simply having the title of leader isn't enough anymore," said Stewart. The city is stagnating because of unimaginative and lethargic leaders who serve because it's their "turn." "This year it's not our turn. It's our time!" he said to enthusiastic cheers.
Stewart says that he wants to bring a new kind of governance - "fresh and respectful leadership." "Too many people walk away from the table without respect," said Stewart. He promised to pool the best ideas and implement them no matter where they came from because the people of Brockton are stronger than the issues that divide them. He promised accountability and equal access for all citizens to town officials.
He talked about growing up in a housing project in Texas with a school teacher mother and a dad who performed "back-breaking" work and belonged to a union. His background taught him the value of hard work, community, democracy and education. He is a graduate of Boston University and M.I.T. and owns his own media/consulting business based in Brockton.
He warned that the current administration is going to be offering excuses about its lack of progress in the past 2 years and reminded the crowd that it only took 2 years to write the U. S. Constitution. "I look forward to the next two years of getting the job done and done well," said Stewart.
He wants Brockton schools to become examples of excellence, small businesses to thrive, more home ownership and less crime. "Buying a home is just as important as holding on to the home you have," said Stewart. He warned that "no street is safe until every street is safe."
He also challenged the crowd, echoing Deval Patrick's message of civic engagement. "Good leadership by itself is not enough. We also need good citizenship," said Stewart. "You have to do your part to ensure that Brockton has the leaders it deserves."
Before his speech, Stewart was introduced by several Brockton supporters, including a U. S. Army veteran who had worked on Jass' last campaign, a member of the Brockton firefighters' union, the owners of the Brockton-based business "Cindy's Kitchen," Cindy and Eddie Byers, Stewart's campaign manager Lara Thomas and long time supporter Jody Price. Also there was a member of the Board of Education from Camden, N.J., a formerly thriving industrial city of 80,000 that had fallen on hard times, where Jass had worked as an urban planning consultant to improve the public schools in that city. She endorsed his candidacy whole-heartedly saying, "If he did so much for us on a part-time basis as an outsider, imagine what he could do full-time as the Mayor of Brockton."
The campaign collected contributions and volunteers at tables in the entry way. Volunteers are needed for door-to-door canvassing, calls and more. For text of the speeches, to contribute online or sign up as a volunteer, go to Stewart for Mayor Website.
There's primary in mid-September. So far, Stewart and the current Mayor James Harrington are the only two announced candidates.
The general election is Nov. 6th.

John Edwards wows crowd in Portsmouth NH

2007-01-01T19:56:00.000-08:00

At the Little Harbour Elementary School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, John Edwards spoke to a crowd of over 1300. His message of "Tomorrow Begins Today" seemed to resonate with those who attended. South of Boston DFA coordinator Susan Haley posts in real time on the local blog, Below Boston, at the Edwards' event. Edwards had brief press conference exclusively for the bloggers who attended.

South Shore Election Results - Governor's Race

2006-12-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

Abington
Healey 2479
Mihos 686
Patrick 2605
Ross 109

Braintree
Healey 6289
Mihos 1299
Patrick 6356
Ross 356

Brockton
Healey 6227
Mihos 3327
Patrick 12567
Ross 298

Canton
Healey 3711
Mihos 718
Patrick 4328
Ross 154

Carver
Healey 1784
Mihos 509
Patrick 2002
Ross 83

Cohasset
Healey 1656
Mihos 306
Patrick 1591
Ross 52

Duxbury
Healey 3505
Mihos 395
Patrick 3133
Ross 144

Halifax
Healey 1275
Mihos 291
Patrick 1278
Ross 67

Hanover
Healey 2811
Mihos 547
Patrick 2907
Ross 170

Hanson
Healey 1846
Mihos 443
Patrick 1718
Ross 48

Hingham
Healey 4549
Mihos 692
Patrick 4656
Ross 172

Hull
Healey 1446
Mihos 454
Patrick 2403
Ross 114

Kingston
Healey 2204
Mihos 423
Patrick 2285
Ross 103

Marshfield
Healey 4769
Mihos 933
Patrick 4767
Ross 216

Middleboro
Healey 3304
Mihos 938
Patrick 3192
Ross 126

Norwell
Healey 2415
Mihos 379
Patrick 2040
Ross 59

Pembroke
Healey 3161
Mihos 681
Patrick 3097
Ross 150

Plympton
Healey 599
Mihos 137
Patrick 562
Ross 32

Plymouth
Healey 8623
Mihos 2054
Patrick 10000
Ross 378

Quincy
Healey 10684
Mihos 9479
Patrick 14914
Ross 687

Rockland
Healey 2687
Mihos 852
Patrick 2925
Ross 92

Randolph
Healey 2770
Mihos 762
Patrick 6697
Ross 140

Scituate
Healey 3679
Mihos 738
Patrick 3988
Ross 153

Stoughton
Healey 3604
Mihos 1006
Patrick 5230
Ross 158

Weymouth
Healey 8501
Mihos 1955
Patrick 9753
Ross 401

Republican minister endorses Deval Patrick

2006-08-25T21:40:00.000-07:00

Democratic candidate for Governor Deval Patrick laughs as Rev. Peter Gomes rings a bell to get the crowd's attention. Gomes, a life-long Republican, told the group gathered at his home in Plymouth that he will be "marching to the Town Clerk's office on Wednesday" to change his registration to Democrat so he will be eligible to vote in the Sept. 19th Primary.

Stating that he is voting for the man, not the party, Gomes (D.D., Honorary Fellow of the College, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard University, and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, Harvard) enthusiastically endorsed Deval Patrick.

Lamont v. Lieberman results

2006-08-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

84 Percent Of Votes
Joseph Lieberman Dem 111,887
Ned Lamont Dem 120,616

WVIT Channel 30 - Connecticut

Two candidates attend South of Boston DFA meeting

2006-07-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

At the July 5th meeting of South of Boston DFA, two candidates, Phil Dunkelbarger (Congress 9th District) and Claire Naughton (State Rep - Foxboro, Mansfield & Norton), answered questions and discussed their races. Both held stands that were compatible and supportive of DFA's priorities. Please visit their websites and their profiles on DFA-Link to add your support.
Phil Dunkelbarger
Claire Naughton

Thanks to all the marchers!

2006-07-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

We had over 20 paraders representing Deval Patrick in the Plymouth event. Thanks to everyone for all your enthusiasm and help.

4th of July Parade participants needed

2006-06-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

We have a great spot for our Deval Patrick visibility in the Plymouth 4th of July parade. We have cool red, white and blue pinwheels with "Deval Patrick for Governor" printed on them. We have lots of green Deval Patrick t-shirts to wear. We have about 10 people to march but we want more. Now all we need is lots more energetic marchers to show all the grassroots support Deval has out there.

This is going to be a fun way to help get people to want to find out more about Deval Patrick. If you can walk 5 miles and hand out toys to children, you are qualified. We will meet at 8 AM on July 4th and be done by 12:30 PM. There is lots going on in Plymouth if you want to hang around for the fireworks at night or you are free to take off to a cookout or go to the beach for the afternoon.

Email me at jalfieri@fas.harvard.edu
or call (508) 746-9437 if you can join us. I will give you all the details.

The parade is always lots of fun and over a thousand people will see it. It will get a positive buzz about Deval going in an area where people have barely thought about the primary race yet. Rumor has it that Tom Reilly is marching in the parade. A good showing for Deval is essential.

Southeast region Patrick coordinators meet

2006-06-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

About 50 local organizers for Deval Patrick from towns and regions in the Southeast gathered at the IBEW hall in Lakeville on Tuesday, June 27. Speakers from the campaign included Nancy Stolberg, Reuben Kantor and John Walsh (in photo). With only 12 weeks to go before the primary, the coordinators were sent out to garner pledge cards, recruit volunteers, organize phone banks and canvassing and help with house parties and visibilities. Kantor conducted a workshop on using the "Community Tool" designed by a Patrick volunteer. According to Campaign Manager John Walsh, the campaign has been contacted by candidates from all over the country about this new tool that gives designated volunteers unprecedented access to phone bank lists, canvassing information and voter preferences. Field coordinator Nancy Stolberg noted that it incorporates the best of the Dean and Kerry campaigns and empowers the grassroots but keeps accurate measures of confirmed supporters.

Patrick supporter Mayor Robert Nunes of Taunton announced that Deval Patrick will hold a town meeting forum at the Portuguese American Club at 175 School Street in Taunton on July 17th. The event is free and the campaign is encouraging Patrick supporters to bring as many people who are undecided or who have not been paying attention to the governor's race to the event.

One of the IBEW union members who offered the hall for Patrick supporters to use for phone banking. On the way out, another member showed me a miniature model of the wind generators at Cape Wind. It was so cute. I wanted to take it home with me

:>)

Door-to-door canvassing in Plymouth!

2006-06-18T12:45:00.001-07:00

You've canvassed in NH and Maine and Ohio. Now it's time to get out there and canvass in Massachusetts. The Patrick campaign is hitting the streets. It started off with Randolph and Newton and is moving throughout the state. For those of you on the South Shore, Plymouth is canvassing next week on Saturday, June 24. Whether you're a pro or and amateur, come on down and introduce Democrats and unenrolled voters in Plymouth to the DFA endorsed candidate for governor - Deval Patrick.

I canvassed in Randolph last Saturday and it is AMAZING how few people are paying any attention to the candidates. The primary is less than 100 days away!!! We have the best candidate. We just have to tell people about him. The other campaigns will be out and about soon. Let's get out there first and work the hardest. That strategy has taken us this far and it will take us to victory in September and November.

For more info about canvass in Plymouth, email me at janalfi@yahoo.com

DFA meeting - 100 days to primary

2006-06-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Let's get busy!!!
Wednesday, June 7
Braintree Borders - 7 PM
Be there!!

Lots to talk about!!!
Events!!!
Visibilities!!!
Flyering!!!
Tweaking Below Boston for user friendliness!!!
Convention forensics!!!

Deval Patrick and Phil Dunkelbarger victories in September are the top priorities right now. But we can also think about the other local candidates who we want to support in November. . . Mulvey, McMullen, and more!!!!

Come!!! Bring your ideas!

Victory 2006 convention

2006-06-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

Deval Patrick meets with his delegates on the convention floor on Friday night. Here, he is talking to Kathy Woodbury of the Plymouth delegation.

Endorsed gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick is flanked by former Senator George McGovern (L) and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern as he speaks at a party at Viva Bene on the Friday night after the convention opening.

Plymouth and Barnstable Senate District whip Jack LaLond of Plymouth watches like a hawk as voice votes are registered and delegates are challenged. Out of 28 Plymouth delegates, only 4 votes went to Tom Reilly and two of them were from ex-officio State Senator Therese Murray (R) and her daughter (in yellow shirt), an add-on delegate. No votes went to Gabrieli. The district gave 78% of its votes to Deval Patrick.

DFA Table at State Convention

2006-05-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

There is going to be a table at the convention sponsored by DFA Boston, DFA Cambridge, CPPAX, Various Progressive Dem chapters(PDA-Cambridge, PDA-Eastern Mass, PDS), and The Committee to Elect Jesse Gordon.

The organizers have been given 4 exhibitor passes per day. They need volunteers to help at the table particularly on Saturday during the voting. If you are a non-delegate and are interested in volunteering, please contact Jennifer McGoldrick at jmcgoldrick@mfs.com or call her at (617) 327-0275.

Maybe we'll bump into each other there.

DFA endorsements

2006-05-31T16:01:00.000-07:00

John Bonifaz's campaign has asked South of Boston DFA to endorse him. I will send a message out to the whole group on DFA Link to see if I get any feedback. If you stumble on this page and would like to add your 2 cents about the potential endorsement, feel free to leave a comment here.

Meanwhile, if you like John and want to endorse him as an individual, go to DFA site and click on "Campaigns." John's DFA endorsement page should come up when you put in a Mass. zip code.

Democracy for America

Phil Dunkelbarger may be showing up on the DFA site soon and could use our support - even if we are not in his district. If enough of us from South of Boston support a candidate, we can note that on the campaign page and it might help convince DFA central to endorse our candidate. They have already endorsed Deval Patrick and Ned Lamont and lots of other progressive candidates across the country.

We really do have the power. . . if we want it bad enough.

Mission Accomplished!!!

2006-05-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

Bush tries to look patriotic but continues to look more and more like the clown that he is.

The BLOG is up and going!!

2006-05-24T14:03:00.000-07:00

Below Boston is up and running. We are blogging ourselves silly. Join us.

Blog Club Meeting? March 15th

2006-03-06T20:38:00.000-08:00

Our monthly book club meeting will be hijacked by bloggers again. :>)
It will be in the coffeeshop at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Hingham (Exit 15) at 7 PM on Wednesday, March 15th.

We want to get this blog up and running before the State Convention so we need another planning session. So far, we have a name and a rough logo and layout. Bring sample blogs (printed pages of blogs that appeal to you) to our next meeting so we can finalize the format. The name we decided on is Below Boston - Shining a light on the political landscape from Quincy to the Cape.

Anyone who is into graphics and can help design our logo - a lighthouse. Here's a rough idea of what we'd like our logo to look like. We'd like it done in shades of blue, gray and white.

We also need writers. Our categories so far are:
Reviews, Commentary, News and Reports on So. Shore Events, Republican Sightings, and Polls. If you are passionate about a particular subject, write something and bring it to the meeting.

There are lots of blogs in Massachusetts but ours would be the first that concentrates on So. Shore issues. Let's make it happen.

DFA Meeting - March 1st

2006-02-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, March 1st
Same time, same place . . .

7 PM at Borders in Braintree.

We have much to talk about. Many of us are Deval Patrick delegates to the convention and have notes and war stories to trade on the whole caucus experience.

We will also be discussing news about other campaigns (Dunkelbarger, Silbert, Bonifaz, etc.) and get an update on the South Shore blog from Susan.

Any additions to agenda are welcome. Please add them to comments.

See you on Wednesday, March 1st in the coffee shop at Borders.

Blogging Progressively . . . Feb 15

2006-02-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS
CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS
In lieu of our monthly book discussion, we are going to get together on Wednesday, February 15th at Barnes and Noble's in Hingham (7 PM) to finalize Susan's brain child - a new liberal blogging site for the So. Shore. All those who want to contribute (blog) their thoughts about what the new site should be are invited come and air their ideas.

We have a potential name (CRITICAL MASS), but we are still open to other suggestions. We also need to set the parameters for the commentaries, e.g. Mass. politics, progressive politics, so. shore politics, books, movies, all of the above - A mission statement, if you will.

We would appreciate any technical info and suggestions for design, settings, procedure, attracting hits, etc.

Please come to B&N and help put the South Shore wing of the progressives on the map.

If you can't make meeting, you can leave any ideas under COMMENTS.

We will also discuss !!!!THE CAUCUS RESULTS!!!!!

CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS
CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS*CAUCUS

DFA Meeting - Feb. 1 at Borders

2006-01-27T10:39:00.000-08:00

It'll be caucus, caucus, Dunkelbarger, caucus, blog, Bonifaz, caucus.

Time: 7 PM
Place: Borders in Braintree
Date: Wednesday February 1st

Since many of us are on town slates for Deval Patrick on February 4th, we will discuss what is happening in our towns and in campaign.

Should we endorse progressive candidates? If so, what we can do to help out?
Who should we endorse?
Patrick? Dunkelbarger? Bonifaz?

Leave other ideas for agenda items under comments. See you on the 1st.

Book club zeros in on Republican Noise Machine

2006-01-13T14:56:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, January 18th, the Reading Progressively Book Club will meet at 7 PM in the coffeeshop at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Hingham (exit 15 off Rte. 3) to discuss David Brock's The Great Republican Noise Machine about the emergence of the right wing media. Brock should know. He was part of the machine and wrote a smear book on Anita Hill as well as the state trooper story for the American Spectator which opened up the Paula Jones law suit. His book Blinded By the Right documents his turn away from the dark side. He is now the editor and founder of the Media Matters website where he holds the lies told in the mass media up to intense scrutiny.

None of this nightmare, from the election of George W. Bush to the Iraq War, could have happened without the full cooperation and complicity of the mass media. Look at the smear machine beginning to work on John Murtha's war record . . . a slowly percolating echo chamber of lies and innuendo.

BUZZFLASH

See you on 18th

Deval Patrick coming to Plymouth - Jan. 4

2005-12-29T12:15:00.000-08:00

Democratic candidate for Governor - Deval Patrick - will be visiting Plymouth next Wednesday, January 4th. Patrick will speak and take questions in the Mayflower Room at the Radisson Hotel on Water Street. The event will begin at 6 PM. All are welcome. Come and meet the man who may be our first Democratic governor since Michael Dukakis. Bring your toughest questions. We may want to endorse this guy.

Deval Patrick for Governor

Next Meetup, I mean, Meeting - Dec. 7

2005-11-20T09:26:00.000-08:00

The next South of Boston DFA meeting will be on Wednesday, December 7th (Is that Pearl Harbor Day?) at the usual time (7 PM) and place (Borders in Braintree). Possible items on the agenda:

1. Phil Dunkelbarger has sent in his answers to our endorsement questions. Phil also has his website up and running. Phil's website

2. Discussion about upcoming events with speakers after successful William Rivers Pitt forum on pre-war intelligence.

3. Forensics on Stewart mayoral campaign in Brockton. Jass' website

4. Make suggestions in COMMENTS.

ENTERPRISE endorses Jass Stewart for Mayor

2005-11-07T05:01:00.000-08:00

http://jassstewart.com/pops/news_enterprise_110605.htm

This is unbelievable!!! The Enterprise is one of the more conservative papers in the state. Anyone who can help Jass' campaign on election day, please call 508-345-5518 or email campaign@JassStewart.com and just say when you are available. This election is very important to every progressive in southeastern Mass. Please help out if you possibly can.

Sign holders are needed at all Brockton train stations and at every pollsite. Report to 14 Clyde Street (off Locust Street between North Main and Montello) to pick up materials and locations.

William Rivers Pitt in Hingham

2005-11-04T06:22:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, November 15 at 7:30 PM, William Rivers Pitt will speak on "Intelligence Information and the War in Iraq" at the Old Ship Church on 107 Main Street in Hingham Center.

Pitt, who is the author of The War On Iraq (2002 - with Scott Ritter) ), one of the first books to question the intelligence used to justify the war, and Silence Is Sedition (2004), regularly contributes to Truthout.org and is the current editorial director of Progressive Democrats of America.

Admission to forum is free and all are welcome. There will be a reception and bake sale after the talk.

Sponsored by the Hingham Town Committee and the Hingham High School Young Democrats Club.

For more info, contact Susan at 781-740-4264 or email skhaley@comcast.net

DFA Meeting November 2 - Same time, same place

2005-10-30T05:38:00.000-08:00

Next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 2nd at Borders Books and Music in Braintree at 7PM.
Big news: William Rivers Pitt (ed. of Truthout, author of War on Iraq and Silence Is Sedition) is coming to South Shore to speak. Details at meeting.

Election Day is Nov. 8 for Brockton mayor. Anyone who can spare time or money should go to http://www.JassStewart.com and volunteer/contribute.

Walmart movie coming out this month. Walmart has already started smear campaign against director.

Grassroots strategizing for 2006. News from Plymouth County Democratic League meeting.

Come to meeting. We need to get busy.

Rally against military recruitment on Sunday, October 2nd

2005-10-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

This event is being organized by a coalition of peace groups headed by the Veterans for Peace. A presence there will show Rep. Lynch that his backing of the Bush war policy is a betrayal of his constituents. There will also be flyers about military recruitment myths for students.

Please assemble at the East Jr. High School, 305 River St., Braintree (DIRECTIONS BELOW)

between 12:30 and 1:00 PM - Sunday Afternoon - October 2nd

The Seminar starts at 2:00 PM. However, the military used to be on time, so I would expect them to be setting up by about 1:00, and people will probably be arriving from 1:00 on, so I would like to see us in place with signs and leaflets between 12:30 and 1:00 PM.
This is an information seminar hosted by Congressman Lynch for high school students
interested in the Service Academies. All the Academies will be represented there and will make presentations and take questions. Hopefully we can get the Congressman to answer a few.

DIRECTIONS: Take Exit 17 off Route 3 South. It is the first exit heading south after the split. If heading north from south, take Exit 17. You will see Hilltop Restaurant on right going south.

If coming from the North - take exit 17 and then the 3rd right onto Union street. You will leave a Sunoco Station on your right. Immediately across from the Sunoco Station you will see your first left - Cleveland St. Take Cleveland. Cleveland turns into Middle street, and then take your second right onto River St. all the way down to a deadend parking lot and the school.

If coming from the South, take exit 17 and then your 1st right onto Union St. You will leave a Sunoco Station on your right. Immediately across from Sunoco Station you will see your first left - Cleveland St. Take Cleveland. Cleveland turns into Middle St., and then take your second right onto River st. all the way down to a deadend parking lot and the school.

When you turn onto Cleveland it is approximately 6/10ths of mile to River St. on your right.

Progressive Candidates on October Agenda

2005-09-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

The next South of Boston DFA meeting will be on October 5th at 7 PM at Borders Books and Music in Braintree.

Candidates is the topic. Who are they? What can we offer them? What should we ask of them?

Some candidates, we'll be discussing are:

Jass Stewart - Candidate for Mayor of Brockton
Jass was selected in a Sept. 20th primary to be one of the two candidates to appear on the November 8th ballot in Brockton's mayoral race. Since November 8th is also my birthday, I would urge all those who were thinking of buying me an expensive gift to donate that money to Jass' campaign (<: Needless to say, Jass will need all the resources he can muster, financial and otherwise, to be victorious in November. Go to www.JassStewart.com or call 508-345-5518 to sign on or contribute.

Phil Dunkelbarger - Candidate for District 9 Congressional Seat
Phil is taking on Stephen Lynch in 2006. Since he will have to win the Democratic Primary next September, it is not too early to start working on this battle - and it will be a battle. We've all talked about Lynch's betrayals, now let's do something about them. Phil has some great, progressive and pro-working people ideas on his (coming soon to an Internet near you) brand new website which I will link to as soon as he sends me the domain name. He will be in France on business on the 5th, but promises to email me before the meeting. www.dunkelbargerdemocrat.org

Deval Patrick - Candidate for Governor
Deval has been working hard to meet every Democrat in Massachusetts who wants to be met. He recently won the straw poll held at the Coop 8 Trivia Night in Weymoth by a landslide. According to media reports, it's money that he needs right now. Reilly is sitting on a mega-war chest and Deval is starting to dip into his own money to set up a new headquarters and hire staff. Fundraising, anyone? Go to www.devalpatrick.com or call 617-210-7998

Liars To Be Next Book Club Focus

2005-09-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

Al Franken's bestseller Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them is the October selection for the Reading Progressively Book Club. The club has been meeting on the third Wednesday of the month at the Barnes and Noble Book Store in Hingham (Exit 15 - So. Weymouth, Hingham) since last spring. This month's meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 19th at 7 PM. If you are fed up with the likes of O'Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh and Coulter and the electronic/print media that support them, please come and tell us what you really think.

Leave My Child Alone!!!

2005-09-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

Nancy Landgren of Duxbury, mother and peace activist, spoke at the last South of Boston DFA meeting. Access to student information by the military is required by the "Leave No Child Behind" Act. In order to be removed from recruiters' lists, a student (or his or her parents) must write a letter requesting same. Nancy was instrumental in getting the Duxbury High School administration to include"opt out" materials in the back-to-school packet handed out to students in September. She has listed several websites that provided the information and resources she used:

American Friends' Service Committee
www.afsc.org/youthmil

Leave My Child Alone
www.leavemychildalone.org

San Diego Coalition for Peace & Justice
Project on Youth and Non-Military Opportunities
(This site has Spanish opt out letters)
www.sdcpj.org

Opting out (getting taken off the military recruiters' lists) can be done on an individual as well as a system-wide basis. Any student or parent can use materials from the above websites to opt out of the lists. This is more than a peace issue. It is a privacy issue.

September DFA Meeting

2005-09-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

The next DFA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 7th at 7 PM in the coffeeshop at Borders Books and Music in Braintree (near the Hilltop Steakhouse). The main topic will be military recruitment in high schools. Nancy Landgren from Duxbury will be there to tell us how she convinced the Duxbury school administration to include "opt out" letters in the back to school packet at Duxbury High School whereby students or their parents can write to the superintendent and another list and remove their or their child's name from the list given to military recruiters. DFA has sent a DVD featuring Cindy Sheehan, other parents and recruits and a former military recruiter to show at the meeting.

Other agenda items are DFA Link and candidate endorsement. If you have issues you would like to discuss at the meeting, please describe them under comments. Please register for South of Boston at the DFA Link in order to receive agenda before meeting. www.dfalink.com/southofboston

Hope to see you there.

2005-08-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

Candlelight vigil on Hingham Beach in support of Cindy Sheehan - August 17, 2005

Reading Progressively Book Club Meeting

2005-08-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

The monthly book club meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 17th at 7 PM in the coffeeshop at Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Hingham (Exit 15 - formerly Bldg. 19 location). This month's discussion is about What's the Matter With Kansas by Thomas Franks. It focuses on why the formerly Democratic Kansas turned into a solidly Republican state and why the people there continually vote against their own self interest because of wedge issues. All are invited and please bring ideas for books to discuss at future club meetings.

Buses to Sept. 24th Anti-War Rally

2005-08-10T19:38:00.000-07:00

For those who expressed an interest in going to Washington DC for the September 24 Anti-Iraq War Demonstration, Cape Codders for Peace and Justice are renting a bus (or buses) that will leave on Friday, Sept. 23rd @ 9:30 PM from the Sagamore Bridge Parking Lot and return very early Sunday morning on the 25th. On the way through Providence, the buses will stop to pick up more people from the Friends Service Committee there. The cost for the round trip will be $55 per person. Please contact Diane directly at (508) 432-1744 to reserve a seat.

For anyone who wants to park at my husband's office in Plymouth Center and carpool down together, call me at (508) 746-9437 and we can set it up.

The momentum is building for stopping this madness. Gold Star Mom Cindy Sheehan's lone vigil in Texas is attracting unprecedented media attention. Imagine what over a million people hitting the streets in DC on September 24th will do.
Do it for Cindy's son, Casey.
Do it to save other young men and women from dying for Bush's lies and greed.
Do it for yourself and your country.

Letters about the Downing Street Minutes

2005-08-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

At the last South of Boston DFA meeting, we all pledged to write to our Representatives and Senators to ask them to have a full House hearing on the so-called "Downing Street Memo." This document (available at http://www.democracyforamerica.com/memo.php ) is proof that the Bush administration doctored intelligence, with the aid of Britain, to create a "reason" to invade Iraq. Despite this horrifying fact, the news media and our elected representatives have done little or nothing to publicly hold those responsible accountable for their deception and lies.

Please write to your respective representatives and to local newspapers and ask why there has not been a full hearing about the implications of this document to the American public.

And share your letters here (under Comments) so the rest of us can read them too.

Howard Dean at The Rack

2005-08-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

No . . . not ON the rack. At The Rack . . .

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
The Rack
24 Clinton Street
Boston, Massachusetts

All DNC Democracy Bond holders are welcome at this rally! If you don't have a Democracy Bond, you can get yours online now or at the door. All attendees must have a Democracy Bond to get in. Click the link below to RSVP:

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/bondsrallyboston

(To get a bond, you have to make a monthly pledge of at least $10. According to Kate Donoghue, if you pledged $20, you can bring a friend.)

Your Democracy Bond commitment will go toward strengthening the Democratic Party from the precinct level up and enabling us to compete in all 50 states. With your investment we can win elections in every state and territory and at every level of office.

Sounds like a good time.

Welcome to South of Boston DFA

2005-08-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Our next meeting is August 3rd at 7 PM in the coffeeshop of Borders Books and Music in Braintree (right behind the Hilltop Steakhouse Restaurant). We usually meet there on the first Wednesday of each month. Come with your ideas and energy.