In This Issue

• Upcoming Meetings
• Chair's Corner: A Cornered Cockroach
• Meet Candidate Frank Cona
• March and April Meeting Highlights
• Staying in Touch
• No Time to Relax
• Berkley Democrats Recommend...

Upcoming Meetings

The Berkley Democratic Club (BDC) meets on Thursdays at 7:30pm with the following schedule:

• May 18, 2006 with Frank Cona
• Meeting dates for the fall season to be confirmed soon!

As with the February, March, and April gatherings, our next meeting features an excellent candidate for the 9th Congressional District. Please be sure to attend!

Each meeting is held at Anderson Middle School in the Media Center, 3205 Catalpa, Berkley, Michigan. Free parking is available behind the school building (to the south). All are welcome to attend, and we look forward to seeing you!

- Steve Baker

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Chair's Corner

A Cornered Cockroach

Cockroaches are pesky creatures, and are not easy to evict once they gain a foothold. Exterminators have the strategies to make them leave the house with haste. It's an honest living, to be sure, and a useful service to the community! But there are rules that exterminators must follow; the use of dangerous pesticides are prohibited by law for the safety of the public.

A young exterminator from Sugerland, Texas was bothered by these laws so he ran for election to the State House and won. He quickly learned that if he was to advance his political career he needed two things: Jesus and money. His first move was to be "Born Again" - a status that made money more accessible. This approach is an affront to people of faith. Tom Frank pointed this out in his recent book, What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America and showed it to be an election strategy of Republicans.

The unfolding saga of the rise and fall of Tom Delay lends insight into this manipulative style of many of his ilk. He became a master of corruption, fraud, and deception while boldly proclaiming his passion for "God, Country, and family." Indeed he was ahead of the President in stating the he "was called by God to restore America to Biblical ways." He was also a master of enforcing his will on others - a skill that earned him the nickname of "The Hammer."

He rewarded friends who provided the cash and used it to punish his enemies. This plan led him to Congress and to becoming leader of the Republicans in the House. All was going well until the Jack Abramoff corruption scandal broke several months ago which ultimately forced Delay to resign his Republican leadership position because of "a liberal Democrat plot" against him.

Well "the plot" became clear in recent weeks when Michael Scanlon pleaded guilty in Federal Court to bribing public officials - Mike was Tom Delay's press secretary. Even more recently in Federal Court, Tony Rudy pleaded guilty to conspiring with Jack Abramoff to "charges of bribery and extortion" - Tony was Tom Delay's legislative aide. All this was too much as the net tightened, and Tom Delay resigned his seat in Congress in disgrace.

What is next for Delay you ask? A term in jail? Maybe! A return to the task of cornering cockroaches in Houston? No! He brazenly announced that he will "move to Virginia and become a lobbyist." The truth is stranger than fiction! Delay and Abramoff have links to Michigan Republicans, particularly Joe Knollenberg and Dick DeVos. (For example, Jack was one of the first to sign up for Dick's 1999 fundraiser on the Amway yacht.)

It is our task to make these connections clear in our conversations with people who are unaware of the pervasive nature of Republican corruption in Washington. The favorite defense of Republicans of "well, they all do it" must be challenged directly. It is Repubicans who are guilty in this culture of corruption. They are in charge of the House, Senate, and the White House; they are responsible for the disaster in which we find ourselves as a nation.

In November we must let them know what we think of their stewardship and work hard to get others to do likewise. Each precinct delegate must be active in this election to ensure that Governor Jennifer Granholm and Debbie Stabenow are elected and that Joe Knollenberg is defeated.

- Phil O'Dwyer, Chair

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Meet Candidate Frank Cona

The Berkley Democratic Club is proud to continue our well-received series of open, informative, and interactive "Meet the Candidate" forums. In recent months we hosted John Ashcraft, Rhonda Ross, and Nancy Skinner. The conversation continues this month; join us in engaging conversation with another candidate for the 9th Congressional District.

At our May 18 meeting, please join us in welcoming Frank Cona who wants to put the government back in the hands of everyday Americans. Mr. Cona advocates for lower health care costs, an exit strategy in Iraq, and that promised pensions be there when we retire.

Mark your calendars for this important event, starting at 7:30pm. The meeting is free and open to the public at the Anderson Middle School Media Center.

- Steve Baker

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March and April Meeting Highlights

At our March 30th meeting, club Vice-Chair Marilyn Stephan opened the meeting with a series of brief announcements and items of interest. We discussed upcoming meetings hosted by the Oakland County Democratic Party, the Phil Hart Dinner coming up in September, and local issues regarding our beautiful City of Berkley.

Of special interest to us all was the great news that Ralph Conklin, former Berkley City Councilperson and longtime Treasurer of the Berkley Democratic Club, would soon be returning back home from successful hip surgery. We extended our best wishes to Ralph for a full and speedy recovery. Get well soon, Ralph!

We then introduced our special guest Rhonda Ross, 9th Congressional District candidate. Rhonda thanked us for the opportunity to speak with us, and began with a brief overview of her background. She explained her set of core principles (the "five Es") and led the group with in-depth discussions of local, state, federal, and world issues. She answered questions, posed thought-provoking comments, and provided us with handouts and materials.

After we thanked Rhonda for joining us, Club Secretary Steve Baker asked for comments and feedback about the March newsletter; several members offered additional suggestions for the "Berkley Democrats Recommend" column (included in this newsletter). Marilyn adjourned the meeting shortly before 9pm.

Club Chair Phil O'Dwyer opened our April 27th meeting with a few comments, and introduced our special guest Nancy Skinner, 9th Congressional District candidate. Nancy greeted the group with gratitude and energy, and shared with us her background and experience. She led a spirited and well-informed discussion on a variety of items ranging from local to international issues. During the hour-long conversation Nancy distributed brochures and other materials for us to reference.

After the club thanked Nancy for being with us, Club Trustee Chris Riley spoke of State Representative Marie Donigan's work for mass transportation. Phil then led a conversation about our precinct delegates and sought candidates to run for each of our city's six precincts. Many of us signed up to represent our city with pride. Phil then adjourned the meeting just after 9pm.

- Steve Baker

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Staying in Touch

Our club is a thriving community of active, progressive individuals who care about our city, our state, our country, and our planet. Together we share information, help one another, and work to make the world a better place for us and for generations to come.

A significant part of our club's ongoing success is that we stay in contact with each other. Our meetings, website, and newsletters are helpful ways to stay up-to-date with current events and upcoming activities. Soon we will add an email list for meeting reminders and breaking news.

Now you may update your contact information, including your mailing and email addresses, on our club website:

http://www.berkleydems.org/address/

In addition to sending us your updates by regular mail, you may use this site to easily add, update, or remove your name and address from our mailing and email lists (we respect your privacy and will not sell this list). With your updated information our progressive community will be able to stay in touch and continue to thrive!

- Steve Baker

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No Time to Relax

The president's poll numbers have sunk below 30%. The Republican-dominated House and Senate are both reeling from scandal. Americans are becoming more agitated with the cavalier attitude of our right-wing government. We are ready for a change; ready for real leadership.

With all of this energy we might think that Jennifer Granholm, our Democratic Governor of Michigan, will easily win re-election. However, the current situation is not at all comforting. Opponent Dick DeVos, the Republican friend of scoundrels like Jack Abramoff, is in a statistical tie with our Govenor. How can this be?

We should not - and must not - relax and simply assume that public disgust for Republican corruption will carry the day in November. Many of our fellow Michiganders have been deceived and do not realize that our state's condition is largely due to Bush's mishandling of the economy and the damage inflicted on us by John Engler.

While we must continue to fight against the Republican reign of ineptitude and greed, we must also fight for our communities, our children, and our future. Vote!

- Steve Baker

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Berkley Democrats Recommend...

In our last newsletter we published the first in a series of club-inspired recommendations for progressive books, magazines, and articles of interest. We received many additional suggestions and are proud to include them here. In addition, this issue expands the list with movies and websites of interest to our progressive community.

Have you read, heard, or seen something of interest lately? Do you want to discuss it with others? Would you like to offer a recommendation? Let us know and we will share your thoughts and suggestions with our club and community; use the Contact Us page to get started!

Books we recommend include:

• American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century by Kevin Phillips (2006). Mr. Phillips, former Republican strategist, provides important and shock-provoking details about our country's thrust toward a single-party theocracy.
• The Pro-Growth Progressive: An Economic Strategy for Shared Prosperity by Gene Sperling (2005). As a principal architect of the economic boom during Clinton's presidency, Mr. Sperling provides practical insights into policies for economic growth in this world of globalization.
• The Republican Noise Machine: Right-Wing Media and How It Corrupts Democracy by David Brock (2005). This book details how the radical right's propaganda machine has tarnished civil discourse, manipulated the headlines, and severely damaged our society's ability to hold our leaders accountable.

Magazine/online articles we recommend include:

• The Worst President in History? by Sean Wilentz, Rolling Stone (April 21, 2006). This article provides a historical summary of our country's worst presidents, and how our current "leader" ranks among them. (http://www.rollingstone.com/news/profile/story/9961300/)
• Senate Hearings on Bush, Now by Carl Bernstein, Vanity Fair Online (April 17, 2006). This online article offers a very well-reasoned argument for why we need to begin the bipartisan investigation leading up to impeachment proceedings now, with clear and present parallels to the Nixon impeachment debates. (http://truthout.org/docs_2006/printer_041806Z.shtml)
• Two Years Before 9/11... by Russ Baker, Common Dreams News Center (October 28, 2004). George Bush believed that to be a successful president he needed to invade a country - any country. In 1999 he began plans to invade Iraq, two years before September 11. (http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1028-01.htm)

Films and movies we recommend include:

• Unconstitutional: The War on our Civil Liberties produced by Robert Greenwald (2004). This hour-long documentary reveals the painful truth about the USA PATRIOT Act and other policies that arose at the expense of our constitutionally protected rights. (http://www.publicinterestpictures.org/unconstitutional/)
• Bush Family Fortunes: The Best Democracy Money Can Buy reported by Greg Palast (2004). Learn about the Bush family's influence over Florida elections, close ties to the bin Laden family, and secret plans for post-ware Iraq in this 60-minute documentary. (http://www.gregpalast.com/bff-dvd.htm)

Radio stations and websites we recommend include:

• WDTW - Detroit's Progressive Talk (AM 1310). This is the only source for progressive conversation and Air America content in the metro-Detroit area. Former home to Nancy Skinner, this station offers a local voice of reason. (http://www.wxdx1310.com/)
• Air America Radio (via XM Satellite and online). The premiere source for progressive information and dialog, Air America is the home of Randi Rhodes, Al Franken, Mark Riley, and other speakers of the truth. (http://www.airamericaradio.com/)
• Democracy for Metro Detroit. This interactive site provides instant access to timely information and events in metro Detroit. (http://www.d4md.org/)
• Raw Story. Updated constantly with late-breaking news and headlines that you won't find in the mainstream media. (http://www.rawstory.com/)
• The Huffington Post. Fresh perspectives and timely essays on current events, along with reader comments. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/)

Please contact us with what you have found to be of interest! We look forward to hearing from you. In the meanwhile, remember - "Knowledge is Power!"

- Steve Baker

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