WQIDC Blog

Fukushima on the Hudson: Indian Point - Thursday Meeting Info

2011-06-19T08:17:00.006-04:00

FUKUSHIMA on the HUDSON
(The Only Safe Nuclear Reactor is 93,000,000 Miles Away)

June 23rd, 2011, Thursday
7:00 PM

All Saints' Episcopal Church

43-12 46 St. - Sunnyside

Directions: #7 local train to 46 Street/Bliss Street -

Walk 1/2 block North to Church

You will learn about the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

on the Hudson River a few miles North of New York City

the health effects, especially cancer, of both an accident and the daily routine releases of radiation
the near-by earthquake faults and what they might do to the plant
the vulnerability of the plant to terrorists
the connection between nuclear power and climate change
evacuation plans (I like the new definition I heard at the June 2 NRC hearing: "Permanent Re-location)
environmental justice issues from mining to radioactive releases
the horrible economics of nuclear power, both in terms of insurance and financing
what thermal pollution is and how much water Indian Point uses
other electricity sources that are available now

Speaker: Ken Gale, author of Chernobyl-on-the-Hudson and host & producer of Eco-Logic, one of WBAI-FM's two environmental shows

Sponsors:

Sunnyside Woodside Peace

West Queens Greens

West Queens Independent Democratic Club
Veterans for Peace

Shut Down Indian Point Now

Kudos, Rep. Crowley - Speechless

2011-04-15T01:24:00.001-04:00

Hats off, to our Queens Representative Joe Crowley for his extremely short but impactful speechless statement on the House floor

The video begins with a distance shot:

Last Fall the American People
Gave us our Marching Orders
Jobs Jobs Jobs ....

St Pat's Parade Sun., March 6

2011-03-02T06:20:00.002-05:00

[Always the first Sunday of March, which is the 6th this year with a SHORTER route. LOOK FOR US on 47th Street ! Note the 2 pm time, but seasoned marchers know that they usually start late. Weather-permitting for some of our marchers -- but some of us will be there at 1:30 PM to hold our spot!! Kate will have her cell phone 917 374 9679. See http://stpatsforall .com/ Also, we usually go out AFTER for FUN.]

We are now registered as a participant for

the 12th annual

St. Patrick's Parade

of Queens, NY

Please join us for the parade

or greet us along the route:

Sunday, March 6th, 2011

2:00 - 4:00 pm

Starting Point: 47th St and Skillman Ave. in Sunnyside Queens

(marching from 47th St., up Skillman, north over 56th and heading up Woodside Ave. to 58th St.)

Friday: Don't Frack up NY's Water Supply!

2010-09-20T23:41:00.002-04:00

From our sister club:

Ridgewood Democratic Club Inc.

60-70 Putnam Avenue, Ridgewood, New York 11385

(718) 821-9807

Membership Meeting Notice

Friday, September 24, 2010 at 7:30pm

Danger to New York's Water Supply

Due to Natural Gas Drilling (Hydrofracking)

Special guest speaker

Walter Hang

"How New York City's Drinking Water Could be Imperiled by

Marcellus Shale Gas Hydrofracking."

Walter Hang is president of Toxics Targeting, an environmental database firm that helps to safeguard New York City's drinking water. He and his colleagues have released extensive government information documenting natural gas hazards in New York State involving fires, explosions, polluted water supply wells, evacuated homes and massive uncontrolled wastewater releases. He also drafted a coalition letter with more than 10,000 signatories calling for the withdrawal of the Department of Environmental Conservation's draft proposed regulations. His work has received extensive local, state, national and international media coverage.

See: http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale

Bring your friends and neighbors. As always, refreshments will be served.

Democratic Primary TODAY, Sept 14th!

2010-09-14T05:44:00.001-04:00

New York State's Democratic Primary is TODAY:

September 14

6 AM - 9 PM

NEW paper ballots, mark then scan - how to use

NEW poll sites for some of us - check here

For candidates, League of Women Voters lists Directory.

You can choose different views of Queens candidates or enter a specific address to limit them to your particular ED.

Check your voting registration / find your ED.

For more information check out the Board of Elections: visit www.vote.nyc.ny.us. OR contact 866-VOTE-NYC (866-868-3692), TTY 212-487-5496.

Make YOUR voice heard: VOTE.

Thanks!

Cause to celebrate: Council Victories!

2009-11-05T07:35:00.000-05:00

Joe Conley, Cathy Nolan, Jimmy Van Bramer,
Elizabeth Van Bramer

Congratulations to our president Jimmy Van Bramer for his election to District 26th Council seat. His victory was celebrated at local restaurant Aubergine with Assemblymember Cathy Nolan and Community Board Chair Joe Conley leading the applause.

We are also happy to report that member Danny Dromm also won his Council seat in District 25.

Lots to celebrate!

Congratulations, Jimmy & Dan - Let's vote Nov. 3rd

2009-10-22T08:26:00.005-04:00

Kate Anne Brennan, candidate Jimmy Van Bramer, and District Leader John P. Smyth

Our congratulations to our president Jimmy Van Bramer and our member Danny Dromm for their primary wins -- now let's get out and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. Polls are open 6 AM to 9 PM.

If you can help on Election Day or on the run-up to Election Day, contact their campaign offices. THANKS!!!

Jimmy Van Bramer - City Council District 26
Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City
http://jimmyvanbramer.com/

Contribute:
http://jimmyvanbramer.com/contribution.htm
jimmyvanbramer@gmail.com
or at
718-313-0569

Daniel Dromm - City Council District 25
(Jackson Heights, LeFrak City, Elmhurst, Woodside, etc.)
http://danieldromm.com
Contribute:
http://danieldromm.com/site/take_action/contribute.html
info@danieldromm.com
or call
718-457-2928

Help WQIDC Members in Primary Runs

2009-07-05T14:14:00.003-04:00

Hi, Members and Friends --

Petitioning is ending very soon for the Sept 15th Democratic Primary Election. As you know, several of our members are running. If you haven't signed a petition and/or made a donation -- or if you can afford more, please contact a suitable campaign ASAP and do whatever you can to assist. Donations are needed now for the July 11th filing. See the websites for the donation forms or call the campaigns for the particulars. Please help however you can -- THANKS!!!

Candidates and info:

Jimmy Van Bramer - City Council District 26
Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City
http://jimmyvanbramer.com/

Contribute:
http://jimmyvanbramer.com/contribution.htm
jimmyvanbramer@gmail.com
or at
718-313-0569

Marc Crawford Leavitt - Queens Borough President
http://marccrawfordleavitt.com/
Download form and Contribute:
Marc Crawford Leavitt For Our Communities
PO Box 4300
Sunnyside, New York 11104 |
718-426-4100

Daniel Dromm - City Council District 25
(Jackson Heights, LeFrak City, Elmhurst, Woodside, etc.)
http://danieldromm.com
Contribute:
http://danieldromm.com/site/take_action/contribute.html
info@danieldromm.com
or call
718-457-2928

Healthcare Meeting: Martha Livingston, Speaker

2009-05-31T14:32:00.001-04:00

Ann Eagan, Kate Kelley, speaker Dr. Martha Livingston, Nicole Thompson, Sherie Williams, and Kate Anne Brennan. Not pictured, DFNYC's Dan Jacoby.

THANKS TO ANN EAGAN of the WEST QUEENS GREENS for her help in organizing the program for the GREENS, WQIDC, and DFNYC Sunnyside.

Single Payer Meeting Wrap-Up

I came to Thursday night's meeting on Single Payer with a pretty good basic knowledge but I went away with much more information. Martha Livingston, Ph.D., was terrific and urged us all to get involved -- talk up the issue with friends, neighbors, politicians, the White House. The next several weeks are vital and President Obama himself said if Healthcare is going to happen it is going to happen this first year. We're bucking a very powerful health industry lobby. The insurance companies don't want single payer, don't want a public option (though if it is there they will do their best to see that it fails) because they want to make money on depriving people of health service.

Martha pointed out that of the 2 million who declare bankruptcy every year, over half of them did so because of illness. Of those, 3/4 of them had health insurance at the start of their illness. 700,000 insured Americans declare bankruptcy each year because they are under insured. She noted that its when you get sick that your healthcare insurance is tested. She mentioned how forensic investigators find ways to deny care to people and even retroactively uninsure people [find pre-existing conditions,etc.]

16% of our gross national product deals with the health care industry. We're talking money here. They want it. That means they need to deny claims.

Because of the healthcare industry, "up to 40% of our healthcare dollar is being pissed away." Meanwhile, Medicare operates on a 3% administrative budget. Current Medicare could be expanded to meet our healthcare needs. Single payer is NOT socialized medicine but socialized payment: the government would pay the bill -- everything else is privately run.

Martha mentioned that to just have a Public Plan option would not work as the insurance companies would see to it that those in the plan would be a pool of the sick people, and thus "an insurance death spiral" and therefore "prove" that the government-paid insurance doesn't work. Healthy people must be part of any Public Plan but what we really need is what the other western countries have, Single Payer Healthcare.

And forget the waiting line talk we hear from the media. Martha is knowledgeable about the Canadian system and they are happy with it. When the Canadian system was deprecated in the NY Times recently, their source was the Fraser Institute, a Canadian right wing think tank. Bottom line, Canadians much prefer their system to ours.

Martha also explained how when they talk about 50 million Americans being uninsured, it is really worse than that, given how it is counted. There were others uninsured for only part of the counted time. But besides the uninsured there is also the underinsured. And healthcare is something that is a RIGHT, not a commodity on which a few lucky people earn a profit by depriving healthcare to the sick and less fortunate. Our country must begin recognizing it as part of the basic rights of everyone: "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" -- you can't have life without good healthcare.

For more information, check out Physicians for a National Health Program NY Metro Chapter. Talk to your neighbors and friends. Make phone calls to your Congressmembers and Senators. Yes, you can even join PNHP as a health reform advocate (and at a reduced cost level). But let's talk about this issue and make our demands for Healthcare NOW!

FYI, Friday on Thom Hartmann, Senator Bernie Sanders mentioned he would be meeting with Senator Baucus and single payer physicians this next week to discuss this issue so make those calls SOON. (Dan Jacoby noted Thursday night that Senator Schumer is on Baucus's committee and that we should especially be calling him on the issue.)

Martha mentioned a candlelight vigil and Ann Egan and I were two of the several hundred people at the May 30th Union Square event. See photos from both events.

WQIDC May Update

2009-05-25T10:44:00.003-04:00

West Queens Independent Democratic Club

Meeting Notice

Thursday, May 28, 2009

7:30 PM

What is

SINGLE PAYER

and why is it the best option for health care reform in America today?

See the flyer emailed out May 18th -- and join WQIDC, the West Queens Greens, and Democracy for NYC-Sunnyside as we cosponsor this event. Come hear Dr. Martha Livingston explain SINGLE PAYER, H.R. 676, "Medicare for All", and real healthcare reform.

Place: All Saints' Church, 43-12 46 St., Sunnyside, Queens

1/2 block north of the 46th/Bliss St. #7 station

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Some Community News Notes

Members enjoyed our meeting on Obama and the internet, Facebook, Twitter and Blogging. Thanks, Dan Jacoby and Kate Brennan for presenting. Kate has established us as WQIDC on Twitter. Jump in, joinTwitter, and follow us: http://twitter.com/WQIDC -- more info soon via our listserv and on our WQIDC blog -- http://wqidc.blogspot.com and consider following some of those who WQIDC is following. Recommend others to us: wqidc@yahoo.com

Amy Bobrow was remembered on her birthday May 15th by friends Joan DeCamp, Jaye Louie, Dorothy Morehead, Joan Pagan, Diane Capasella, Marcia Schumann, and Kate Brennan (Jane Levy had an important art class conflict.) at Dazies. 2004 was the last birthday we shared with our dear friend and past WQIDC president. Miss you, Amy!

Congratulations, past president Ira Greenberg, currently Sunnyside Chamber president and now named by Governor Paterson to serve as LIRR Commuter Council's non-voting representative on the MTA board. Way to go, Ira!

Kate Anne Brennan will be a recipient of our sister Ridgewood Democratic Club's Community Service Award on Wed., June 10th. Honor Kate and support RDC by buying a journal ad and/or attending the event. Contact Lois Marbach at 718-229-4201, email PromoStrat at aol.com or download the form at Kate's QTAKES.blogspot.com blog. Huzzah, Kate!

Thanks to our members who have been supportive of WQIDC members campaigning for office, including our president Jimmy Van Bramer (council-26), Marc Crawford Leavitt (borough president) [also read], and Danny Dromm (council-25). (Live links on our blog and our yahoo email and listserv.)

A gentle reminder that 2009 membership dues can be sent to WQIDC at PO Box 4252, Sunnyside, NY 11104-0252. Regular: Individual $15; Couple $25; Sponsor $35; Sustainer $50; and Limited Income Individual $7.50; Limited Income Couple $12.50. But more than dues,please stay involved politically. Join us at the meeting(s) and on the web. If you are not receiving our WQIDC email and want to be, please send an email message to WQIDC at yahoo.com, with the Subject: Email Please. We do not overdo it, promise!

Twitter Basics, Beginner Tips, More

2009-05-25T08:00:00.003-04:00

As promised at our April meeting, this post aims to provide more guidance on Twitter and Tweeting. This will be updated, but for those members eager to become part of the Twitterverse and join WQIDC and others on Twitter, here are some very basic hints to help you jump in. Other Tweeters (a/k/a "Twitterers") will say it better, so look for those helpful hints as you go along [follow Mashable on Twitter and at Mashable.com for updates on social media].

Go to Twitter and watch the introductory video on the join page

Be aware there is a less published public feed for non-protected Tweets [for ultimate use of Twitter, we suggest not protect your tweets -- it defeats the purpose]: http://twitter.com/public_timeline

Join with a shorter name (so people can easily spread your Tweets of wisdom, called re-tweets, and abbreviated RT)

In the upper right menu, select Settings to add your photo (under 700K -- use close-up and Twitter will resize it smaller but people can click on your profile pic to see the larger you) to show you are serious. Add a brief bio and a website if you have one -- again give people reason to Follow you -- and find you. Choose another stock background using the Design tag, if you want. (Later on you can upload your own background like Kate Anne's PeaceHugs's profile. You only see another's personal background at their profile - otherwise you see your own.)

You can search for people to Follow with the Find People tab by using addresses in certain email accounts or just look for friends' names BUT you can get started on some good groups/people to follow by looking at those people/groups who you like are following. We've followed some of our members and neighbors as well as some politicians plus good groups (political, issue, media, and/or cultural) at WQIDC. Some have automatically followed us. PLUS we've had a few spammers follow us whom we have blocked -- other good folks will follow YOU once they see your bio and your tweets under certain topics. [Note topic Trending Topics on right margin of Home page.] TO FOLLOW, click on the FOLLOW button by the Tweeter's photo icon.

HINTS on Following someone -- You do NOT have to follow someone following you. Check out their Twitter bio, their Favorites (see below) and maybe their website url if it sounds legitimate. (Don't go to the obvious spam ones -- you'll know.) You can also unfollow someone if they send tweets you don't enjoy/need or too many tweets by hitting the following button under/by the Tweeter's photo.

Add your Twitter url to your email signature to use when you are emailing friends, add it to your blog. (Later you can even add a badge with your latest tweets to your website or blog.) Tell your Facebook friends. There are Twitter apps which can suggest followers to you or automatically add them for you based on keywords, such as http://twollow.com/ -- use these wisely as you want to watch to whom you give your Twitter password. (I've used Mr. Tweet without giving my password, but checking out the folks he's recommended.)

Tweet your first tweets to the public timeline or wait until you get a few followers at the Home page [Upper right menu] with short info.

When tweeting web addresses, use a shortening site like tinyurl.com -- Twitter will shorten long ones for you but you waste your 140 spaces in the meantime. You can plug in your long article/website urls at Tinyurl then copy the short one they give back to you. Insert it into your tweet and voila.

SUGGESTIONS -- Don't over-tweet. Tweet 3 or 4 times a day, a little less or little more, until you get used to it. (At least try to tweet at least once every day or two or three.)

Save favorite tweets by clicking the Favorites Star Button which you will see to the right when you scroll over the individual tweet. (Your Favorites can be used to save info you like or want to use as reference and help others decide on whether or not to follow you. Find new people to follow by reading the Favorites of people/groups you admire.)

You can Tweet by text-messaging from your cell phone (once you set it up), but turn off the incoming Tweets -- except direct Tweets -- unless you have unlimited text messages or you will go broke.

HINT: You can send a Direct Tweet to someone your are following from your profile BUT you can Tweet someone you aren't following by using the @ sign in front of their Twitter name, usually at the beginning of the Tweet. (Lately people are getting Tweets in their Direct Messages whenever they are mentioned or RT-ed by someone as well.) Direct Messages you make to someone you are following are private. Re-Tweets and Tweeting to a non-follower are public -- your followers and the public timeline sees it.

HINT -- There are a lot of Twitter apps/web sites out there -- Do yourself a favor and READ this USEFUL and INFORMATIVE ARTICLE: The Ultimate Guide to everything Twitter.

OTHER USEFUL READS:

Twitter Support: Frequently Asked Questions (by Crystal)

David Pogue: Twittering Tips for Beginners

Smashing Magazine: 99 Essential Twitter Tools and Applications
[daunting but fascinating!]

NY Times: All You Need to Know to Twitter

12 Great Things About Twitter | World of Psychology
[tongue in cheek but...]

FOLLOW FAIL: The Top 10 Reasons I Will Not Follow You in Return on Twitter

HOW NOT TO: Build Your Twitter Community

Mashable: The Social Media Guide: great resource for Twitter, Facebook, Google PLUS

[Let us know YOUR favorite articles but more important, bookmark them for your own reference

Tweeting is Fun. Make it a Game. Be careful about personal info but check out the Twitter apps that reputable others suggest that interest you and have fun flying through the Twitterverse.

***

P.S. WQIDC members and friends and West Queens area neighbors are welcome to contact yours truly (Kate Anne -- a/k/a PeaceHugs and on yahoo as KateAnne7 or by phone) with questions or possible individual guidance. (Perhaps we could hold a Twitter meeting for more hands-on. Yes, I like Twitter and Tweeting that much and want more people, not just groups, in my Twitterverse :-)

WQIDC on the Web

2009-04-06T21:38:00.001-04:00

West Queens Independent Democratic Club met April 5th and discussed internet use in President Obama's victory and ways it can be used going forward. Our president Jimmy Van Bramer gave an update on his council campaign. We got a group picture of many of those in attendance. Dan Jacoby and Kate Anne Brennan were the main presenters and more followup info on Facebook, Twitter, and blogging will be forthcoming. Gaye Fruscione spoke about computer use at our Queens libraries -- everyone who wants to can be on line sometimes! We've already sent out an initial followup message.

2009-01-09T17:29:00.004-05:00

How are YOU celebrating the new era of change? You may leave us YOUR suggestion(s) to share with others BUT we have TWO ideas

In Sunnyside, some of us WQIDC members are going to Bliss Bistro on Tuesday evening, Jan. 20, to celebrate and toast Barack Obama's inauguration. Your are welcome to JOIN US:

BLISSful Sunnyside Celebration
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009
7 PM

Dinner and one drink and a lot of GREAT COMPANY
(And we hope to replay some key moments by computer connection.)
Price to be determined by # RSVP-ing ($30 to 35 is Dorothy's guestimate)
Bliss Bistro -- 46th & Skillman, Sunnyside
Hosted by Dorothy Morehead and Kate Anne Brennan
RSVP by contacting Kate by phone or at kateanne7 at yahoo.com

And another suggestion is Living Liberally 's Sunday evening Inaugural Ball:

The Living Liberally Inaugural Ball
Sunday, January 18th - 8pm
Rush - 6th Avenue @ 16th Street, Manhattan

Three floor dance party; special guests; drink specials all night and the first drink on us; the Inaugural energy right here in New York.

...and help support Living Liberally -- our chapters around the country, in conservative areas as well as progressive centers, gave liberals a way to engage and take action this election season. Help us grow to keep the liberal community going in a new administration.

We'll also be "Feeding Liberally" -- that is, collecting food for local foodbanks as part of a national Drinking Liberally effort to donate to pantries across the country. So bring your dancing shoes and a few canned goods.

(Attire is whatever you make of it -- there will be people in suits and gowns, and others dressed down to get down)

With special thanks to our Party Partners:Rush, Democrats.com, Time Out New York,Democracy for NYC, Blue State Coffee, Citizen Joe, Daily Gotham, ActBlue, The Albany Project, Community Free
Democrats.

To our Honorary Party Hosts: State Senator Daniel Squadron, City Council Member Bill deBlasio, State Senator Eric Schneiderman

And to our
Party Hosts: David Alpert and Stefanie Schneider, Katrina Baker, Josh Bolotsky,
Mary Bruch, Justin Krebs, Matt O'Neill, Greg Rae, Claire Silberman

Get Your BALL Tickets Now SLIDING COST $20 to $4400 -- MORE INFO or email info@livingliberally.org

After several stolen elections and eight years of what Mike Malloy calls "the Bush Crime Family", we have plenty of reason to celebrate wherever you are!

Democratic Convention Highlights

2008-08-27T09:24:00.004-04:00

We hope everyone is enjoying the 2008 Democratic Convention. To catch some of the best speeches, go to CSPANjunkie.org -- Michelle Obama, Dennis Kucinich and Hillary Clinton especially are recommended. Some of us are talking about getting together Thursday night, albeit last minute, for Barack Obama's acceptance speech. In any case, let's be together in spirit!! Go, Barack, go!! Gather energy for the work ahead of us!!!

Response to ListServ Post(s)

2008-07-30T18:45:00.000-04:00

If you are so inclined to discuss some of the issues recently brought up on our WQIDC listserv, including last Friday's hearings in the Congressional Judiciary Committee which could lead to impeachment, feel free to leave your comments below. (And/or phone Congress through the Congressional Switchboard: 202-224-3121. Toll free numbers may be found via CallCongress.org.) Thank you.

WQIDC registers/petitions at Strawberry Fair

2008-06-14T21:15:00.002-04:00

Cathy, Kate, Jimmy, Dan

WQIDC President and State Committeman Jimmy Van Bramer was out petitioning and registering voters along with Kate Anne Brennan. Both are seen here with Assemblymember Cathy Nolan (left) and Democracy for New York's Sunnyside leader Dan Jacoby (right) at the annual Strawberry Fair, hosted by All Saints' Episcopal Church in Sunnyside, New York -- June 14, 2008.

May 15: Clean Elections Panel Discussion

2008-05-10T13:08:00.004-04:00

West Queens Independent Democratic Club
and
Citizen Action of NY

Invite you to a Panel Discussion:

CLEAN ELECTIONS AND THE MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Thurs., May 15, 2008 -- 7 PM
at All Saints' Church Hall, 43-12 46 St, Sunnyside
[#7 Train - to 46/Bliss Street]

Clean Elections puts Power back where it belongs:
IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE

All of the movements for social justice are dramatically affected by the influence of private money in our elections.

Panel Discussion Will Include:
* The Fight for Universal Healthcare Through Clean Elections
* Clean Elections: A Civil Rights Necessity
* Power and the Rent Wars: Why Are Tenants Losing?
* Clean Elections Here and Now

Why Full Public Financing of Elections? Clean Money/Clean Elections is a full public financing system for election campaigns under which candidates who agree to limit spending, not take any private interest money, and collect only a limited number of small, indvidiual contributons from their constitutents, can qualify for a set amount of public funds to run their campaigns.

Clean Elections levels the playing field, focuses on the needs and interests of the voters, and is a common-sense solution to restoring democracy.

Sponsorship list in formation. Initial Co-Sponsors:
Democracy for NYC, Met Council on Housing, Metro NY Healthcare for All Campaign, Mitchell-Lama Residents Coalition, West Queens Greens, Long Island City Alliance, Democracy Matters, Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens, New Visions Democratic Club....

JOIN US! For more info, to RSVP, and to co-sponsor, please contact Citizen Action of NY at 212-523-0180, ext 43, kguild@citizenactionny.org

Queens St. Patrick's Parade TODAY

2008-03-02T07:52:00.002-05:00

Join your WQIDC friends for the

9th Annual Queens All Inclusive St Patrick's Parade this Sunday!!

March 2, 2007

Line-up at 43rd and Skillman, Sunnyside

1:30 PM**

(Kick-off at 2:00 pm**)

Music -- Fun-- Spirit -- Let's go out afterwards!!

Whether you're Irish, part-Irish, or Irish for St Patrick's events, this event deserves our support! Throw on some green and join us!

**Weather-permitting we may be joined by our WQIDC mascots, Munchkin,
Tigger and/or Barney Bear and if so we've asked Brendan to let us line up near the Sunnyside United Dog Society folk.

(Phone Kate at 917 374 9679 to find us Sunday OR

if you have any OTHER questions.)

NOTE: Even if you are a little late, come anyway.

This parade is like most Irish events: Usually running late!

But FUN -- because we're together!!

Parade Route: Starts at 43rd St and Skillman Ave in
Sunnyside >> East on Skillman >> North on 56th St >>
East on Woodside Ave >> Ends at 61st St and Woodside Ave.

Think Green and LIVE Green -- Our CB2 Environmental Committee Chair the very Irish Dorothy Morehead would approve!

January WQIDC meeting

2008-01-12T11:56:00.000-05:00

Sunday, Jan. 20
2-4 pm
at Jimmy Van Bramer's home
39-19 46th Street, Sunnyside
[betw Skillman Ave. and 39th Ave.]

Part party and part planning. PLEASE bring your ideas and concerns (political, community, environmental....) and something(s) to share: appetizers or desserts or drinks. (We'll have setups and some drinks.)

PRIMARY THOUGHT -- Don't forget only .5% of the country has spoken about the Democratic nominees -- let's not let the media choose our candidates. Remember to contribute to the candidate of YOUR choice. [We will discuss this at the January meeting too, no doubt.] To find out how green is your candidate, check out Grist.org's chart.

*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~
WQIDC - West Queens
Independent Democratic Club
PO BOX 4252
Sunnyside NY 11104-0252
wqidc@wqidc. org
Listserv: http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/WQIDC/
WQIDC Blog: http://wqidc. blogspot. com/

Photo Op: Jimmy, Nydia, Marc

2007-12-08T09:06:00.000-05:00

Jimmy, Nydia, Marc
At the Nov. 30th meeting of our sister club, The Ridgewood Democratic Club, our president and State Committeeman Jimmy Van Bramer, Congressmember Nydia Velazquez, and Marc Crawford Leavitt posed for the camera.

Congestion Pricing Meeting

2007-11-26T08:42:00.000-05:00

Corey, Kate, Jimmy, and Dan
We held our WQIDC meeting and both Daniel Hendrick and Corey Bearak represented themselves and their sides of Congestion Pricing well. Too well. Members leaving pretty much feel that the issue is still debatable. For more on Dan's side, the PRO, see this by the Drum Major Institute. For Corey's side and more on the CON position, see Stop NYC Congestion Tax. There are a lot of action ideas there, too. Or use their addresses to express the PRO side.

How do you feel about this issue? You can leave a comment below or write us.

Jimmy & Dan Fete Cathy Nolan

2007-11-04T19:49:00.000-05:00

Jimmy, Cathy, Dan, Eric

WQIDC members were in abundance at the home of our president Jimmy Van Bramer and Dan Hendrick for a neighborhood fundraiser for our very special Assemblymember Cathy Nolan. Councilmember Eric Gioia also dropped in to greet everyone. It was a good gathering and Cathy deserves our support.

See you in two weeks (Nov. 18th - 7 pm) at our meeting on Congestion Pricing to be held at the realty office of Dorothy Morehead, 45-18 Skillman Avenue, Sunnyside. (Remember even when we are not blogging, you can catch up on our news by reading our listserv messages.)

Hartmann: Roll Back the Reagan Tax Cuts

2007-08-07T20:29:00.000-04:00

A recent Common Dreams article by Thom Hartmann is worth a good read and follow-up action: Roll Back the Reagan Tax Cuts.

If you go to the online version, you will find some great discussion and you can check out some other great articles. Here is a taste:

Roll Back the Reagan Tax Cuts
by Thom Hartmann

Our bridges are falling apart (among other things), and its Ronald Reagan’s fault.

A few hours before the bridge collapsed in Minnesota, a news release landed (among hundreds) in my email inbox. It was from the right-wing “Heartland Institute” and a Minnesota conservative group calling itself the “Taxpayers League of Minnesota.” It read:

"Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) issued 20 full or partial vetoes of tax hikes and spending increases in May, giving taxpayers reason to smile. … " more

Please consider printing out some copies to give a few friends AND send with penned comments to our Senators and Representative(s). In case you want to send the article (or letter) to Hillary and Chuck and your rep, we would recommend sending items to a local office address since not only are they on break right now, but even afterwards congressional mail in DC is extremely delayed due to checking for anthrax and other such things. Which reminds me that we are overdue in revising our political address sheet update. Our WQIDC "To-do" expands.

We welcome your comments on this article. But more than that, we welcome your action. "Tag, you're it!"

Support the Candidate(s) of Your Choice

2007-07-11T01:07:00.000-04:00

The not-so-leftist media is judging the Presidential candidates by money raised and to a lesser extent number of donors. Money buys commercials and until we get campaign finance reform some of it is a necessary evil. NOW is when your money will have more impact and even a small donation helps. Volunteer efforts are important too. Check into the campaign(s) of your choice and make a positive difference. WQIDC members are encouraged to leave a comment here to let us know who you are currently supporting and what you are doing. For your convenience, here are the Democratic candidates:

Joe Biden -- www.JoeBiden.com

Hillary Clinton -- www.hillaryclinton.com

Chris Dodd -- www.chrisdodd.com

John Edwards -- www.johnedwards.com

Mike Gravel -- www.gravel2008.us

Dennis Kucinich -- kucinich.us

Barack Obama -- www.barackobama.com

Bill Richardson -- www.richardsonforpresident.com

Thanks for whatever you can do/give!

John Edwards in NYC

2007-07-11T00:17:00.000-04:00

Joan D., Kate, Joan P.
On Friday June 22, presidential candidate John Edwards was in New York City for his "Small Change for Big Change" national tour. West Queens Independent Democratic Club members Dan Jacoby, Joan DeCamp, Joan Pagan, and Kate Brennan were at Strata to hear his populist message. They were pleased to bump into former Ridgewood Democratic Club president Barbara Primosch, who took a picture of three of us.

John Edwards

Jimmy & Joe Honored

2007-07-10T23:44:00.000-04:00

Joe, Cathy, and Jimmy
Our WQIDC president and State Committeeman Jimmy Van Bramer and our member and Community Board 2 Chairman Joe Conley were recently honored by the Ridgewood Democratic Club at their annual dinner dance. Our New York State Assemblymember Cathy Nolan was there to hand out the awards. Jimmy was honored as Man of the Year and Joe received the Community Service Award. A number of us were there to applaud them and to support our sister club: Jane Levy, Dan Jacoby, Kate Brennan, Dorothy Morehead, Gaye Fruscione, Joan DeCamp and Ira Greenberg. For more pictures and info on the event, check out Kate Anne's Flickr.com site [and title link].

Ira, Kate, Jimmy, Joe, Gaye, Dorothy, Jane, Joan, RDC's Gerry Tate, and Dan

MoveOn Presidential Candidate Town Hall on Iraq

2007-04-13T18:56:00.000-04:00

If you haven't already heard it, check out MoveOn.org's Presidential candidates' Town Hall on Iraq. You can download the podcast or a transcript at http://pol.moveon.org/townhall/iraq/report_back.html

What do YOU think?? A number of WQIDC members are now joining me (Kate) in supporting John Edwards, but our original straw poll had most "undecided" with some support for Edwards, Clinton, Obama and Kucinich -- and some people citing two candidates. WQIDC members are invited to vote/make your comments below, preferablly after you review the Town Hall. You shouldn't have to create a Blogger/Google profile, just read and type the code -- AND please leave some sort of name defining yourself if you choose to vote and or leave a comment. Inappropriate or way of topic comments can and will be deleted. BUT we'd love to know how our members are currently viewing the Democratic presidential candidates.

WQIDC marches in Queens St. Pat's for All

2007-03-08T09:48:00.000-05:00

West Queens Independent Democratic Club marched by the Sunnyside United Dog Society in the 2007 Queens St. Patrick's Parade this past Sunday. This way we could be with our club mascots, Munchkin and Barney Bear and their friend Tigger for this wonderful and spirited event. Click on the title link above to see the photos Kate Anne took. The one above shows those who came early, but seven for a very chilly day with problems on the number 7 line seemed good to us: Jimmy Van Bramer, Dorothy Morehead, Joan Pagan, Lillian Brooking, Gaye Fruscione, Cynthia Loewy, and Kate Brennan. But we caught glimpses of other members along the way.

Check out the pictures. You can do a slide show or click on one of the little pictures and see it larger. Have fun following some of our tags to see other photos. Hats off to Brendan Fay and Barbara Mohr who co-chaired the event -- and have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Luke Adams caught all of us marching

Air America Radio / Progressive Media Update

2007-01-24T20:34:00.000-05:00

[This is re-printed from our January 22, 2007 WQIDC update]

Air America Radio is now on WWRL, AM1600. The flagship station, however, does not carry all of the network's programming, due to contractual obligations. Those with good computer access should consider streaming the live shows -- see http://www.airamerica.com/ or downloading or podcasting at iTunes. (Some shows, however, are only available to Premium Members -- talk to Kate who is one.) Check out the Scheduling page on the Air America site, but Kate's favorite shows on WWRL are The Rachel Maddow Show (M-F, 6-8 pm), Politically Direct with David Bender (M-F, 8-9 pm), Ring of Fire with Bobby Kennedy Jr and Mike Papantonio (Sat- 5-7 pm; Sunday re-broadcast 4-6 pm, downloadable at http://ringoffireradio.com/shows.asp), Laura Flanders' Radio Nation (Sat, Sun 7-10 pm). State of Belief with Rev. C. Welton Gaddy (Sun 6-7 pm), and The Time is Now with Rev. Jim Forbes (Sat 4-5 pm). (These last two are interfaith and liberal and quite inspiring.) Eco-Talk (9-10 pm) is excellent, too, but one must sleep and some of the topics are pretty heavy. All of these are on WWRL Radio, AM1600.

Thom Hartmann (noon-3 pm), Kate's fav, is only available on the web [in NYC -- unless they play it at some late night time], link at http://www.airamerica.com/thomhartmannpage or at http://www.whiterosesociety.org/ which hosts some other progressive podcasts (check it out), and best-of can be streamed over the weekend (Sat 6-9 am, Sun 10-1 pm).

Cable TV viewers should know about Jon Stewart's Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and Keith Olbermann -- clips of these available on the web at the networks and/or YouTube, and some Olbermann and Bill Moyers at http://www.truthout.org/ (which also hosts some great written stuff, together with http://commondreams.org/ ). For great shows on the Media, check out http://www.fair.org/ 's CounterSpin program archives and Bob McChesney's Media Matters at http://www.will.uiuc.edu/am/mediamatters/ .

Still listenable on WWRL are Sam Seder (9-noon); Al Franken (noon-3pm) and Randi Rhodes (3-6 pm). We've posted this on the WQIDC blog for easy access and so you can give us YOUR thoughts.

UPDATE-Jan. 29, 2007: Air America Radio has announced that Stephen Green, politician Mark Green's real estate brother, has entered into talks to buy AAR. Mark recently did a fabulous job filling in for David Bender and perhaps he will become part of the lineup. Also, AAR announced that Al Franken will be leaving Feb. 14th and that AAR will be putting Thom Hartmann in the noon to 3 pm slot. See the announcement for details.

***

Joel Landy writes

Let's not forget Democracy Now with Amy Goodman, Mondays through Fridays on WBAI (99.5 fm) at 9am. Democracy Now is also on WNYC Television (I believe Channel 75 at 7pm).

In addition, I would like you to include Songs of Freedom Television on your media list. It can been seen in Queens this year Monday evenings at 6 pm and Fridays at 1:00 pm on Time Warner Channel 56. Songs of Freedom can also be seen on your computer every Wednesday night at 11pm at www.brooklynx.org/bcat (channel 35/68), and alternate Tuesdays at 8:30pm at http://www.mnn.org/, channel 34.

I have been producing Songs of Freedom since July of 1996, and continue to celebrate the dignity of human struggle featuring activists and artists, their vision and their work.

Thanks, Joel for the excellent reminder to include the incomparable Amy Goodman and our own Joel Landy!!

House Dems Beat the 100 hours clock

2007-01-20T08:46:00.000-05:00

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that that the progressive agenda pushed by the Dems in the first hundred legislative hours was met with much time to spare (42:25:00). Click the title link for more info, but also call Congress at 202.224.3121 to urge that they become even more progressive. Think Universal Health Care and Ending the Occupation: Real peace and true justice in our time.

Please feel free to leave your ideas, ideals and dreams in the comment section: What legislation should be pushed now?

Brad Blog Reports on DNC Still Hoping for 6 More

2006-11-14T19:28:00.000-05:00

We may not get the full six, but Brad Freeman quotes a DNC source at BradBlog.com that the DNC still hopes to gain perhaps three of these US Congressional races still in contention:

Just off the phone from a DNC insider — in very much a position to know — who says the following races are being considered, as of this afternoon, to still be very much in play by the DNC (* = Incumbent, Results shown latest reported by state websites as available):

NC-8 Larry Kissel (D) 60,016 / Robin Hayes (R)* 60,481
CT-2 Joe Courtney (D) 121,321 / Rob Simmons (R)* 121,151
FL-13 Christine Jennings (D) 118,739 / Vern Buchanan (R) 119,116
NM-1 Patricia A. Madrid (D) 103,376 / Heather Wilson (R)* 104,863
OH-15 Mary Jo Kilroy (D) 98,100 / Deborah Pryce (R)* 101,636
OH-2 Victoria Wulson (D) 112,952 / Jean Schmidt (R)* 115,817

The source believes that all of the above races, each of them currently very very close are winnable and the feeling is that they "could easily win three of those six."

Check out Brad's post for more fascinating details -- and read his blog for specifics on the Christine Jennings race, where there is a high rate of undervotes (13%) and people reporting their votes for Christine did NOT appear on the final electronic voting machine screen. (This is the seat which Katherine Harris just vacated to run for Senate -- she lost.)

Call for Change - GOTV

2006-11-07T06:48:00.000-05:00

Betsy, Kate, Marc
It is Election Day - VOTE. We're in New York City, with safe Democratic seats -- but we can impact. Vote on the Working Families Party's Line E to show we want Progressive Change -- But EVEN MORE: Please, WQIDC friends, Call for Change! Click on the MoveOn.org link above or on the sidebar and get involved making calls into areas with close races -- including upstate New York.

Betsy Crawford, Kate Brennan, and Marc Crawford Leavitt were in Pennsylvania this weekend working on Lois Murphy's congressional campaign. That's a close race and Republican tricks include annoying robo-calls which, unless you listen to the whole call, seem to sound like they are coming from Lois Murphy's campaign. If you hang up, the call re-dials you. It is win win for the Repugs: You either think Lois Murphy is annoying you and vote against her or don't vote or you listen to the whole slam which disses her, and again it might affect your vote. Sometimes these calls come in the middle of the night: Rovian tactics. WRONG. Illegal. But in a close race, it can make a difference. They'll pay the fines, but they will get some of their candidates in so who cares about a fine? This makes the MoveOn.org calls more important: live sincere human beings calling to urge civic responsibility and change -- and to discredit the robocalls.

Yes, we can help people choose change. Even if folks have just a half hour free during lunch or an hour free at the end of a busy day, we can call target voters in the most competitive congressional races right from our own personal computers. Nearly 6 million calls have already been made! A real-time call counter is located at www.moveon.org. Vote, YES -- and do more -- Call for Change. AND, email and call your friends in red and purple states and encourage them to vote for CHANGE!!

(Feel free to tell us what YOU are doing to impact change.)

Giving Alcoholics a Bad Name

2006-10-15T21:15:00.000-04:00

Bob Ney, the Ohio congressman (Republican, of course) who pleaded guilty yesterday to bribery charges as part of the Jack Abramoff scandal, has followed in Mark Foley's footsteps and "admitted" (or perhaps "disclosed") that he is an alcoholic.

I've known several alcoholics in my life (in fact, some of them might be bcc's on this e-mail ... or might not), and not one of them has ever been a pedophile or a bribe taker. In my admittedly second-hand experience, alcoholism can lead to many things, but not the type of conscious decisions that these criminals have made and acted upon. Mark Foley was not under the influence of alcohol when he sent those instant messages; nor was Bob Ney drunk when he took those bribes.

I truly believe we need to flood our newspapers and radio and television stations with letters decrying this abuse of a group of people who are no more criminals than society at large and demanding that they set the record straight. Those who are alcoholics, those who know alcoholics, and those who help alcoholics in recovery need to speak up. The "mainstream media" must be forced to tell the truth so that "alcoholism" stops being a convenient public excuse for politicians caught in orruption and criminality!

I'm open to suggestions,
Dan Jacoby

Contribute to Progressive Democratic Candidates

2006-10-15T20:50:00.000-04:00

Clicking on the title link will take you to a list of progressive Democratic candidates suggested by Air America Radio's Laura Flanders' bloggers. You can donate via credit card to any of these. Other good candidates to donate to are independent candidate for Senate from Vermont, Bernie Sanders (who also won the Democratic line) and WQIDC favorite Lois Murphy, from Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district. Until we have Clean Money - Clean Elections: campaign finance reform, raising money is essential to all candidates. Please consider donating.

We are open to candidate suggestions from WQIDC members and friends. And if you can't give money, give time. Contact Citizen Action of NYC's Fred Wright -- 212-523-0180 (ext. 44) -- and volunteer to make some calls for some good candidates, whom Citizen Action has identified. Time and/or money will make a big and needed difference. This election is so important. Please do what you can to return our country back to America of "We, the People" instead of this current regime of corrupt crony capitalism. (Stay tuned for more info on Robert Greenwald's new DVD, Iraq for Sale, on war profiteering.) Donate and, if you have some other good candidates in mind, suggest them below - and thanks.

Liberal / Progressive Reading List - Books to read

2006-10-15T20:10:00.000-04:00

What progressive liberal books are you reading or what are you anxious to read?

C-Span2 Book TV is hosting a segment on Thom Hartmann's newest book, SCREWED: The Undeclared War Against the Middle Class -- and what we can do about it, causing it to jump from #631 to #66 in Amazon's top seller list -- though going to an independent bookseller to buy it would be nice too. (Thom spoke at Vox Pop Bookstore and Coffee Shop in Brooklyn, written about in Peace Hugs.) With him that day was author/professor Mark Crispin Miller, who wrote the forward to Thom's book as well as a good companion book, FOOLED AGAIN: How the Right Stole the 2004 Election & Why They'll Steal the Next One Too (Unless We Stop Them) -- currently #1824 in the Amazon list. It will be interesting to see if tonight's 10:30 pm repeat of the Book-TV episode will give them additional bounce.

Other books waiting on my shelf to be finished are David Sirota's Hostile Takeover: How Big Money and Corruption Conquered Our Government--and How We Take It Back as well as Armed Madhouse by Greg Palast, who also spoke at Vox Pop recently -- a great place, btw (a possible outing?). Another one which sounds like it is worth buying and reading is Air America Radio's new tome, Hostile Takeover: How Big Money and Corruption Conquered Our Government--and How We Take It Back.

WQIDC members and friends are welcome to comment on these and to add favorites/suggestions below (and there are some hiding in the Title Link). It is a busy time, but you can always grab a politically progressive book and take it on the subway to enjoy a good read and visibly make a statement. Happy -- and inspiring -- reading!

WQIDC -- Staying in touch: The Game Plan

2006-10-15T13:53:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the blog of the West Queens Independent Democratic Club, located in western Queens County, New York City. Because this is a fast changing world and the need to communicate and minimize email is essential, we are experimenting with WQIDC blog, as opposed to our more time intensive WQIDC website. That said, we are looking for more team members to moderate and post main topics. You must be a member of West Queens Independent Democratic Club and either have or are willing to have a Blogger identity. To discuss volunteering, send an email to WQIDC at WQIDC dot org, subject "Blog Volunteering" -- or see Kate Anne.

To suggest a possible topic of action or discussion, send an email to WQIDC at WQIDC dot org, subject "Blog Topic Action" or "Blog Topic Discussion". To suggest possible links, write us, subject "Blog Link Idea".

Respectful and on-topic comments, added at the bottom of a post, are encouraged and appreciated. Reminder: this blog is moderated and inappropriate or flaming comments will be deleted. If you see such comment posted before us, feel free to write WQIDC at WQIDC dot org, subject "Blog Questionable Comment" -- or seeing/calling Kate Anne.

We may do some open thread postings, too, as this develops. This is all experimental and at a busy time. We shall see what transpires. In the meantime, please do what you can for spreading progressive Democratic ideals and supporting candidates with same, financially or with gifts of time. Are we going to talk about it or are we going to act? We are going to try to do both: talk AND act. Join in - join us.