Democracy for New Mexico

Thursday: NARAL Pro-Choice Political Update

Invites you to a
Pro-Choice Political Update
with
Newly elected local pro-choice leaders
& NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico

Get an inside look at the upcoming general election
and our progress in electing a pro-choice Senate in NM.
We need your help to elect more pro-choice leaders!

Thursday, July 24, 6 - 7:30 PM
907 Silver Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Refreshments will be served.
$75 suggested contribution

Please RSVP to Anathea Chino at (505) 243-4443 or achino@prochoicenm.org. Due to the political nature of our work, contributions to ChoicePAC are not tax-deductible.

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Obama in Iraq and Saturday Neighborhood Team Training

Obama in Iraq: Cheering troups and state department workers

FYI, we heard from an excellent source at Netroots Nation in Austin that the always indefatigable John Blair (no, not Jon Blair) is set to be named the New Mexico political director for the Obama campaign. Fabulous choice, isn't it? John Blair is a ball of energy directed by top of the line brain cells. Perfect.

From the New Mexico Campaign for Change:
This Saturday, July 26th, supporters are coming together across New Mexico for Campaign for Change Neighborhood Team trainings to learn how they can help Barack in their community. These trainings will help you work with other supporters in your neighborhood to get organized, build our grassroots movement for change, and help candidates up and down the ballot. Find a training in your area and join fellow Obama supporters this Saturday.

At the trainings we'll discuss our strategy in New Mexico and how you can play a big role this November. We'll give you the tools to grow our movement and reach out to your friends, family, and neighbors in your community. No experience is necessary to attend. All you need is a hunger for change and a willingness to turn your enthusiasm into action.

Attend the training closest to you this Saturday to take the next step in helping Barack and other Democrats compete in New Mexico.

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Last Chance: Register for Camp Equality Training This Weekend

I've heard great stuff about the quality of this training. If you're you're new to political activism, have experience as a volunteer or are a seasoned professional, Camp Equality provides an opportunity to improve your effectiveness, and does so at an extremely reasonable price.

From the Human Rights Campaign: There's still space available for the Albuquerque Camp Equality the weekend of July 26-27.  This is an exciting opportunity that will prepare you to help make 2008 the Year to Win for GLBT individuals across the country. Register now at www.hrc.org/camequality!

This year, elections will occur for a new president, all U.S. House members, one-third of the U.S. Senate, and thousands of state legislators. The Human Rights Campaign will be on the campaign trail every step of the way - and we want you to be there, too.

That's why we're holding Camp Equality - a two-day training session to develop and hone campaigning skills - in Albuquerque on July 26-27. Watch this video to learn more.

Whether you are just getting involved in the electoral process or are a campaign professional, Camp Equality can help you learn how to become more effective at advocating your causes and your candidates.  We will offer two training tracks:

Fundamentals Track: Designed to give you the step by step fundamentals necessary to be successful at the grassroots level.  Topics will include: planning, recruitment, volunteer coordinating, event fundraising, earned media, and creating a local activist plan.  You will learn the basic skills that are essential to putting your issue campaign or local committee in the best position to win.

Advanced Track: For our more seasoned activist or campaign professionals. This track offers the fundamentals of political campaign management.  During your sessions you will learn advanced techniques of fundraising, field organizing, media relations, volunteer coordination, targeting, candidate relations, and the latest campaign technology.

If you have ever thought about volunteering for a campaign or already have experience in campaigns, we hope that you will take advantage of this excellent opportunity to gain valuable knowledge that you can apply to all aspects of campaign operations.  Registration for Camp Equality is $35 and includes a one-year HRC membership.

Albuquerque Camp Equality Partners:

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Tuesday: DPNM Day of Action While McCain's in ABQ

From the Democratic Party of New Mexico:

A DAY OF ACTION

While John McCain campaigns at a closed event at Hotel Albuquerque

Join us to wave signs, cheer on our Democratic candidates and send John McCain the message that New Mexicans are Ready for Change

GUEST SPEAKERS: Chairman Brian S. Colón and Elected Officials and Candidates

WHEN: Tuesday, July 15 at 10:30 AM

WHERE: Old Town Gateway Park at Mountain and Rio Grande in Albuquerque

QUESTIONS: Call Buck at 505-830-3650

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Author to Discuss “César Chávez and the Common Sense of Nonviolence”

José-Antonio Orosco will discusses and sign his book “César Chávez and the Common Sense of Nonviolence" at these bookstores:

• 3:00 PM Saturday, July 12, at , 4022 Rio Grande NW, Albq.
• 7:00 PM Saturday, July 12, at Page One, 11018 Montgomery NE, Albq.
• 5:00 PM Monday, July 14, at Garcia Street Books, 376 Garcia St., Santa Fe

The publisher, the University of New Mexico Press, provides this synopsis:

César Chávez has long been heralded for his personal practice of nonviolent resistance in struggles against social, racial, and labor injustices. However, the works of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. have long overshadowed Chávez's contributions to the theory of nonviolence. José-Antonio Orosco seeks to elevate Chávez as an original thinker, providing an analysis of what Chávez called "the common sense of nonviolence." By engaging Chávez in dialogue with a variety of political theorists and philosophers, Orosco demonstrates how Chávez developed distinct ideas about nonviolent theory that are timely for dealing with today's social and political issues, including racism, sexism, immigration, globalization, and political violence.

David Steinberg interviewed the author in the Albuquerque Journal. Excerpt:

Most people know that César Chávez was a pioneer organizer of farm workers and a civil rights activist, but don't consider him a thinker. José-Antonio Orosco, an associate professor of philosophy at Oregon State University, wants the public to get a fuller picture of the man.

“I call him a community intellectual, and not a traditional one,” Orosco said in a phone interview. “He learned about social problems from the ground up and learned to motivate people, that they are the ones with power. If he gets them to understand their own power, they can accomplish so many social reforms,” said Orosco, who is a graduate of Albuquerque's West Mesa High School.

... Orosco said Chávez described himself as having a “common sense of nonviolence.” In reading Chávez's speeches and his writings in farm workers' newletters, Orosco concluded that he had original thoughts about nonviolence, about the causes of poverty and conflict, and what democracy means. “I became convinced that he is a philosopher of nonviolence,” he said. “If we look at history, Chávez said, not much is accomplished with violence.”

Orosco said Chávez's genius was his understanding of the political and economic forces in society, the obstacles that keep people poor. Chávez, he said, was fascinated with the nonviolent philosophies of Mohandas Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.   

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Santa Fe Community Partnership Hosts Reception

SANTA FE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
a program of
NEW MEXICO VOICES FOR CHILDREN
Requests Your Presence at Their
2008 SUMMER RECEPTION AND FUNDRAISER
Friday, July 25, 2008, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
at Nussbaumer Fine Art Gallery
314 S. Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish – Invited Guest
Entertainment – Raffle
Ticket Price: $25.00
Purchase at the door or on-line at www.nmvoices.org
Catered by: Cowgirl Restaurant
"Creating a Brighter Future One Partnership at a Time"

Saturday: Lt. Gov. Denish Headlines Progressive Community Kick-Off Day of Action

America Votes and Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund are inviting New Mexico’s greater progressive community to a kick-off for the general election season with a “Day of Action” rally and activist mobilization. Lt. Governor Diane Denish, State Auditor Hector Balderas and Dr. Shadi Battah will be on hand to rev up the crowd:

WHERE:
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund /
SEIU International Headquarters
1600 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque
(between Lomas and Menaul)

WHEN: Saturday, July 12, 2008

WHAT:
Canvasses Launch: 9:00 AM
Return for Lunch
Rally with Lt. Gov. Denish and Others: 12:45 PM -1:15 PM

For more information contact David Kirk:
Office: (505) 255-2326
Mobile: (202) 288-6951
DKirk@defendersactionfund.org   

America Votes coordinates independent electoral activity to create a permanent progressive infrastructure nationally and in the states. Our coalition partners share innovative strategies and resources to maximize our electoral impact. America Votes ensures that massive progressive voter mobilization campaigns build lasting capacity and works with 28 partner coalitions in New Mexico.

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund (www.defendersactionfund.org) provides a powerful voice in Washington to Americans who value our conservation heritage. Through grassroots lobbying, issue advocacy and political campaigns, the Action Fund champions those laws and lawmakers that protect wildlife and wild places while working against those that do them harm.

Join Sen. Ortiz y Pino at Working Families Win Timeraiser

Join State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino, who'll give the keynote speech, and Working Families Win New Mexico for a Timeraiser on Tuesday, July 15th, from 6:00-8:00 PM at O'Niell's Irish Pub, 4310 Central SE in Albuquerque. Help Working Families' kick-off their nonprofit, nonpartisan economic issue campaign by donating your time. Appetizers and a cash bar will be available. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians and Greens are welcome. Click for flyer (doc).

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Noted Foreign Affairs Expert to Speak at League of Women Voters July Luncheon

From the League of Women Voters/Central New Mexico:
Patricia Kushlis, Ph.D, a former career Foreign Service Officer and international affairs specialist in Europe, Asia, the US, politics, public diplomacy and national security -- who now blogs on foreign affairs at WhirledView -- will speak at the next League of Women Voters/Central New Mexico luncheon. Dr. Kushlis will be the keynote speaker and address the topic: "The World's View of the United States: How Can We Fix It?"

The meeting will be held at the Albuquerque Grand Airport Hotel on July 10, 2008 at 11:45 AM.  Reservations are required. Contact the League office at (505) 884-8441 by 10:00 AM on Monday, July 7th to make reservations. The cost of the luncheon is $16.00 at the door. For more information about the League, visit www.lwvabc.org.

U-N-I-T-Y: Today and Saturday

Barack and Hillary: Unity in Unity NH Today

Following on the heels of today's rally in Unity NH with Barack and Hillary, tomorrow there will be more than 4,000 Unite for Change events across the country. Last time I looked, 39 of them were organized in New Mexico, including house parties, a picnic and a gathering at a burger joint.

There's still time to RSVP for an event or create your own. Click here. According to Obama '08, "You'll gather -- not just with Obama supporters, but with anyone who's tired of the politics of the past and ready for something new -- to discuss our common vision for the future. And you'll start planning how to build this movement across the country in the weeks and months ahead."

Read the New York Times account of the Obama-Hillary unity action today. Quote:

“Unity is not only a beautiful place, it’s a wonderful feeling, isn’t it?” Mrs. Clinton said. “I know what we start here in this field of unity will end on the steps of the Capitol when Barack Obama takes the oath of office.”

... On a sultry summer day, with the aroma of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs in the air, the rally took on the trappings of a political festival. A giant blue banner, “Unite for Change” provided a backdrop against a meadow of trees. Many of those in the crowd, who came from New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and beyond, wore faded stickers of their favorite candidate.

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