DCDL

Al Gore is speaking at noon Monday, January 16 (MLK Day), at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street NW, on “Unchecked Presidential Power”:

The speech will specifically point to domestic wiretapping and torture as examples of the Administration’s assertion of executive power in disregard of Congress and the courts.

The speech is sponsored by the Liberty Coalition and the American Constitution Society. See libertyspeeches.org for more information and to reserve free tickets (which will go fast).

Here are some local events that you might be interested in. I’m still working on the event calendar (linked from the sidebar), which may be changing drastically before long. If you know of an event that should be included, let me know at keith@dcdl.org, or post a comment.

Monday, January 9

• Sierra Club Happy Hour

Tuesday, January 10

• John Perkins book signing — Confessions of an Economic Hitman

Wednesday, January 11

• Drinking Liberally
• Hands On DC Happy Hour
• Nonprofit Networking Happy Hour

Thursday, January 12

• Drinking Liberally (with Ezra Klein)

Saturday, January 14

• Running for Change
• Peace Vigil at Capitol

These announcements are not endorsements of the organizations mentioned.

Here are some local events that you might be interested in. I’m putting together an event calendar (linked from the sidebar), which is currently rather ugly but will be evolving. If you know of an event that should be included, let me know at keith@dcdl.org.

Monday, December 5

• Alternative Gift Fair Happy Hour, co-sponsored by DCDL
• Arlington Drinking Liberally

Tuesday, December 6

• Hands On DC Happy Hour
• Paul Hackett Fundraiser
• Montgomery County Progressive Alliance

Wednesday, December 7

• Drinking Liberally (with Matt Stoller)
• Sierra Club Holiday Party
• DC for Democracy
• Adrian Fenty’s Birthday Party

Thursday, December 8

• Drinking Liberally Holiday Party (With Patrick Gavin)

Saturday, December 10

• Capital Action Clothing Drive

These announcements are not endorsements of the organizations or candidates mentioned.

A couple of events that this Hippo rates as must see:

Saturday, Dec 3, 7:30-9:30. Join DC for Democracy for ‘A Little Rebellion Now’:

Ever wonder how DC voting rights activists could take the battle to the next level? Want to seek inspiration from America’s Founding Fathers and lead the fight to have your vote count? Playwright Lisa Voss does just that with her play A LITTLE REBELLION NOW. Join DC for Democracy’s night on the town, December 3rd.

It tackles D.C. Statehood and the prejudices that fracture the city. Tired of working within the system, African-American community leader Nanni Johnson and gay DC resident Ron Davis forge an uneasy alliance with IMF-World Bank protestors. Nanni and Ron then lead the city in an attempt to secede from the Union. Branded as “terrorists,” the rebels soon find themselves facing down armed U.S. soldiers and resolve to stand their ground, asking the rest of the nation: without the right to rebel, are we really free?

Wednesday, Dec 14, 7:00 pm. Cinema of Norway, An Evening of Animated Shorts:

There’s something for the entire family in this showcase of animated short films: What a Hog! (For et Svin!) (1993, 8 min.), featuring Wally the warthog; Guggen—The Big Cheese (Guggen—Du Store Gauda) (2002, 16 min.), featuring Guggen the ratboy; The King Who Wanted More Than a Crown (Kongen Som Ville Ha Mer Enn En Krone) (1999, 30 min.), featuring the lonely king; and Grandpa Is a Raisin (Na Skal du Hore) (2005, 42 min.), featuring Grandpa and his stories.

A new book club for liberals/progressives has been formed. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00pm. The book to be discussed is “When Corporations Rule the World” by David Korten. The discussion will focus on Chapters 1-12, 18, and 22, so there is no need to read the whole book. The meeting is open to all.

We will meet at Cleveland Park Library at 7:00pm.

For more information see: http://progressivebooksdc.blogspot.com/

Robert Greenwald’s new film Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price is premiering this week at house parties and other events across the country:

WAL-MART: THE HIGH COST OF LOW PRICE is a feature length documentary that uncovers a retail giant’s assault on families and American values.

The film dives into the deeply personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities struggling to fight a goliath. A working mother is forced to turn to public assistance to provide healthcare for her two small children. A Missouri family loses its business after Wal-Mart is given over $2 million to open its doors down the road. A mayor struggles to equip his first responders after Wal-Mart pulls out and relocates just outside the city limits. A community in California unites, takes on the giant, and wins!

Producer/Director Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films take you on an extraordinary journey that will change the way you think, feel — and shop.

Wednesday-night DCDL has a showing tomorrow, but it’s already full (though you may be able to squeeze in if there are no-shows). Fortunately there are plenty of other showings to sign up for, every day of the week. There are even some tonight — like the one at the Women’s National Democratic Club — that combine the movie premiere with the Democrats’ national organizing kickoff. Sounds like a great way to maximize your progressive event attendance.

Recently, I was reflecting on our connections to other progressive groups and events in the area. As we start to get organized for the 2006 midterms these connections are going to play a critical role in taking our country back. So, we’ll certainly have speakers on critical issues of the day come by on Thursdays. Meanwhile, some other events you may want to check out:

Sierra Club
Second Monday Happy Hour Mon., Nov. 14, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm The Reef, 2446 18th St., NW
Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner Sat., Nov. 19, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Popular Spring Animal Sanctuary, 15200 Mt. Nebo Rd., Poolesville, MD

DC for Democracy
VA Election Happy Hour celebration, Wednesday, November 16.

Women’s Caucus for Art - DC Chapter
Art from the Heart Community Party, Saturday, November 12, 2005, 7:00–9:30 pm. River Road Unitarian Church 6301 River Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20817 Admission: $5.00

DNC
National Organizing Kickoff House Party Night. Tuesday, Nov 15. Times and locations all around DC.

Steve Clemons suggests a citizen’s arrest, or at least a protest, when Ahmed Chalabi shows up to speak at the American Enterprise Institute this afternoon.

Chalabi played the United States government for fools in getting us involved in Iraq and making sure everything worked out to the advantage of his friends in Iran, and after going through a series of ups and downs with the Bush administration (including an arrest warrant against him) now hopes to become prime minister of Iraq.

If you want to be part of the welcoming party, show up outside AEI, 1150 17th Street NW (17th and M, near the Farragut North and Farragut West Metro stations) by 2pm today.

Update (12:30 am): I stopped by this afternoon. Photos after the jump.

(more…)

DC for Democracy is holding an Oktoberfest fundraiser this Friday, October 21, to raise money and recruit volunteers for the five candidates they’ve endorsed for the Virginia House of Delegates:

• David Englin
• David Marsden
• David Poisson
• Steve Shannon
• Bruce Roemmelt

The sausagy, cheesy, beery, winy fun begins at 6:30 at Christ Church Parish Hall, 620 G Street SE. The cost is $35, but there’s a special rate of $25 for people who pledge to volunteer.

DC4D’s Charles Allen has a few words of encouragement:

As you may know, DC for Democracy targeted 5 northern Virginia House of Delegate candidates. Each is a progressive voice. And each took time to understand our issues, the need for DC voting rights, and will become good neighbors to the District. But it is crunch time now. Only 3 weeks remain until the November elections. You’ve probably seen the polls where Democratic candidate Tim Kaine is now tied or leading in the Governor’s race (you may even have seen some of the disgusting ads put on TV by his Republican opponent). We need to make sure we can beat them in every race — up and down the ticket.

Details and RSVP

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Tom DeLay’s troubles and add to them at the same time, here’s the latest message from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, about a low-cost fundraiser:

Over the past few weeks, stories have been streaming out about Tom DeLay’s vulnerability in the 2006 elections. It’s in this environment that we will be kicking off Lampson Victory 2006 — the DCCC’s joint effort with Nick Lampson’s campaign, the man who will help unseat the most powerful Republican in the history of Congress. The media is getting the message that the 2006 elections will be a whole new ball game, that no Republican — no matter how powerful or how comfortable — will be safe.

This is why we are celebrating tomorrow night, and I hope you will join Nick Lampson, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Chairman Rahm Emanuel and the DCCC for the beginning of a new day for America. Help us kickoff our new joint effort with Lampson for Congress, Lampson Victory 2006, and enjoy a night of food and drink with the Democrats leading our charge for change.

Lampson Victory 2006 Kick-Off
Date: October 18, 2005
Time: 5-7pm
Address: Democratic Headquarters, 430 South Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003
RSVP and Donate

I truly hope you can join us.

Sincerely,
John Lapp
Executive Director, DCCC