REPORT ON THE GREEN PARTY CONVENTION 2004,
Milwaukee, WI, USA
!!! GREEN AND GROWING !!!
We got back in St Petersburg late Tuesday after Spending July 4th in Washington D.C. (via AMTRAK). In D.C., We hand wrote a REQUEST/Letter to Congress asking for Children/People Peace Parks to be Established in Rafah, Palestine and Olympia, Washington in Memory of Rachel Corrie and her Concern for the Children and People of Rafah. She was killed 4 days before the US Invasion of Iraq which she had spoke against! Part of her Concern was United States Corporate Corruption and Influence on US "Policy". In Our Letter to Congress, lynn and i also asked for a U.S. Department of Peace to address the "Larger Issues". For a copy of this Letter and More Info please See: http://www.geocities.com/cpeacesigns/GordonPark.html
TRIP TO MILWAUKEE: Lynn and i chose to Travel by AMTRAK Train and left St Pete on June 18th to arrive in Milwaukee on the 20th. We immediately got Bus Passes so that We could easily get around town. We carried a Sign that Kurt Gratzol had given Us a year ago on AMTRAK and everywhere We went. It stated "UNHAPPY WITH THE WAR ... REGISTER YOUR DISPLEASURE ... REGISTER GREEN PARTY". We also had flyers with the 10 Key Values with Us and gave out about 200 hundred of these in "Our Travels". Part of the Intent was to talk to as many People as possible ... the "common man".
Upon Arriving in Milwaukee, We went to a GRASS ROOTS DEMOCRACY IDEAL/ADVOCACY CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS Call "Repairers of the Breach" which has Established Working Program that has been in Existence since 1989. It is similar to Mid-Pinellas Homeless Outreach and is Very Politically Active as well as addressing Practical Basic Needs. CREATING COMMUNITY and One to One Peer Support are Principles that are Encouraged. See for info on "Repairers": http://www.shepherd-express.com/shepherd/24/23/news_and_views/news.html
We also ate and helped out at the "FEEDING" (or some would call "soup kitchen") @ "St Bens" in Milwaukee. Every night, including during the Convention, We felt an Obligation to show up near the time they stopped Serving (5:15 to 6:30 PM, Mon. to Sat). We wiped down Tables and Chairs and then stacked the Chairs and Swept the Large Hall. About 400 meals were served Nightly while We were there. There were Marquette Students doing "Internship" and Others as Volunteers. Different Churches and Groups from the Community would take Turns preparing and Serving the Meals. This is similar to the Evening Meal @ the Sophie Samson Center (St Vincent de Paul) here in St Petersburg which was started @ the Refuge with Bruce Wright and Steve Kersker (See: http://www.lrna.org/league/PT/PT.2001.06/PT.2001.06.8.html ) ( for info on Steve and "Loving Others Together" see: http://www.webcherub.com/lot.htm )
We camped on the Milwaukee River North of Downtown near the University of Wisconsin, only a 20-minute bus ride to the Convention. It was Beautiful and We saw Deer, skunks, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits and all kind of birds. When the weather got particularly stormy, We stayed as the Guest of Monte, a local Green and his Family. His Thoughtful Spirit and True Concern will remain a part of Us as Our Impression of All the Milwaukee Greens that Inspiringly are Politically Active and did a Wonderful Service in Hosting the Convention http://www.milwaukeegreens.org/ .
THE CONVENTION: (see for "media" clips: http://newsparkproductions.org/greencon.html ) Hearing International Greens was probably the HIGHLIGHT OF THE CONVENTION for Us. It was Inspirational and Encouraging. It helped Us see "THE BIGGER PICTURE" of the GREEN PARTY. It gives a "Thrill" just thinking about this. A MAIN MESSAGE IN COMMON THEME was that the Greens in America MUST get their shit TOGETHER as the Rest of the Planet is and WILL be Impacted and Effected by what We do and how WE Progress as Greens Here in the USA. There were about 20 Speakers From ALL OVER the Earth ... New Zealand, Africa, South and Central America, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Nepal and Other Countries !!!!! ...
THE GREEN PARTY IS NOT GOING AWAY !!! "Green and Growing !!! " The Internationals showed this but It might be Them "carrying" Us as Greens in America. I wish ALL GREENS in America could have been there to hear them. Lynn and i took Time to meet and talk to just about All the Internationals and even played Frisbee in a nearby Park w/ a very Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Group of Internationals along with Martine and Echo. Such a Blast !!! See for a Picture and Report on this "HIGHLIGHT" @ : http://gp.org/committees/intl/ !!!!!
We tried to make the Diversity Committee meetings and Related Workshops. Besides these, on Thursday We attended a Workshop on "Globalization and Food Safety". It was presented by 2 Family Farmers and Advocates for Ecologically Wise Alternatives to "Agribusiness" and the Benefits of Organic Local Farming and Heritage Seeds.
We signed up on the Volunteer List and worked a lot with the Milwaukee Greens and other Volunteers. On Friday, We took meal tickets at Breakfast and got to spend 2 hours drinking coffee and eating Our hard boiled eggs and Hemp/granola bars we had and saying " Good Morning ! " to those having breakfast. The Restaurant has a panoramic view of Milwaukee which was Beautiful. That night We also got to set up for and tear down for the "BREW CITY STREET PARTY". "One Drum", a Local Band had a WMNF 88.5 Sticker on their Van as they had stay in Tampa a couple of years ago for 4 months. Michelle Shock, from East Texas where lynn and i are from also was Putting Out the E. Tex Rock. We took a break to go clean at the Soup Kitchen and then helped break down the stage. On Friday, we also sat at David Cobb's Info Table. We told David that We could ONLY PASSIVELY HELP OUT and declined to wear any David Cobb stickers/buttons IN RESPECT FOR OUR DELEGATES. We told David we would be willing only to sit at a Table for a couple of hours to have available literature for the Delegates about David and Pat LaMarche. David was Supportive of Us in forming a Green E. Texas Local in Nacogdoches, TX. He enjoys visiting Our Friend Buckley's Property where We camped last August going to Campus Greens Convention in Austin. David is going to be here in Florida on July 28th to help with Henry Lawrence's Campaign and meet with Florida Greens. We will be there !!! (Hope you Healing Henry !! ... you are going to need both legs) Kent also had much too offer. For more on David Cobb see: http://www.votecobb.org/
(Continued Below)
There were 2 Diversity Committee Meetings and a "Debriefing" on Sunday. We made Friendships and got to be acquainted with Others in the Committee. Lynn and i came to Milwaukee with a Particular Concern for People of Muslim Faith, Background or Culture and "American Policy" and an ATTITUDE of Intolerance, Prejudice or perhaps "hate" as in "hate crimes". The Prison tortures are Evidence of this on a Out of Country Example of this DISCRIMINATION and there is Evidence in the Actions and American Societal Attitude here within National Borders. There was a workshop on just this Issue that We were not able to attend because of schedule conflict but it was discussed in the Diversity Committee meetings. The person who did the Rachel Corrie Web Site ( http://rachelcorrie.org/) was present in Milwaukee and had a Table on Palestinian and Muslim Issues. We told him of Our Request to the United States Government for PEACE PARKS in Rafah and Olympia.
Lynn and i hope to be more active especially in Promoting Legislative Change to Strengthen Human Rights and Prevent "Intolerance". We should "CounterACT" the Bush Administration Damage in these Areas !!! I include the Mission Statement of the Diversity Committee:
Mission Statement
Whereas the Green Party aims to become a party of all people, the Diversity Committee resolves to:
1. Work toward a Green Party that reflects the diversity of the United States;
2. Raise issues of diversity to the Green Party Coordinating Committee and the Green Party at large; and,
3. Develop strategies to address and redress issues of diversity.
The Diversity Committee seeks to create a Green Party that takes affirmative action to create a political community where all are welcomed, respected and encouraged to participate at all levels.
We have a request or "Hopeful Suggestion/ Encouragement" OF FLORIDA GREENS to get INVOLVED in these Issues as So Many of Us already are Have Been and to Join the Florida Greens Diversity Committee Yahoo group by sending to: gpf-diversity-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Even if you were "subscribed" in the Past please make sure your "membership" is current. If you have any trouble posting, please send an email directly to lynn and i. (Some members may have been Unintentionally deleted during a long period of inactivity.)
RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE CAUCUS: Lynn and i want to see a Religious Tolerance Caucus formed OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS. We would INVITE People of Traditional Religious Faiths and Non-Traditional Faiths to join as well as Atheists and Others who have been traditionally oppressed or persecuted. American Indian "Faith and Tradition", Muslims, Buddhist and Christian Pacifists have all dealt with Government Interference or Societal Intolerance. Guidelines for this Caucus would in Part come from Our Green Party Platform, Section II, "Social Justice", Item # 6; "Religious Freedom and Secular Equality". ... see Platform @ http://gp.org/platform.html .
Key Points will Include:
1. Freedom of Religious Thought: Government has No Business in Our Thought (minds) as Individual Citizens on Matters Faith or Religion. (Except when actions, not "Thought" of One Individual or a Religious Group or Organization unlawfully interferes or infringes on the Right of another Citizen)
2. Separation of Church and State Issue: It is stated in the Platform that Government on Local, State and Federal must be "Religiously Neutral". The Current situation w/ a Constitutional Amendment on defining Marriage using (or at least for Manipulated political gain of the bush admin.) a "Religious Based Standard" is a good Example. Marriage Law should limit itself to Protecting the Rights of the Individuals especially in cases of Death or Divorce and when there is "abuse" within a Marriage Agreement/Contract. The Green Party is for Protecting and Recognizing the Rights of those with Diverse Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
3. Prevention of "Religious Organizations" from "Imposing their will on Others": Most Religious Organizations have in their "Roots" Principles of Ethics like the "Golden Rule" and Truth and Justice, but when "Religious Organizations" grow in numbers and size they also grow in "Power and Influence". History shows many abuses of this "Power and Influence" therefore, We Must be Vigilant to Restrict this abuse of Power. This is a Legislative Issue as well a Societal issue in which We as Greens have to Promote the Value of Religious Tolerance.
4. Prevention of Misuse of Political Organizations from Manipulating Religious Thought for Political Gain or Hidden Agendas: Part of the "Checks and Balances" is in "We the People" not being Tolerant of this Unethical Propaganda Manipulation. This is Especially true for those of Us who Consider Ourselves to be "People of Faith" or Religious Thought or Discipline. I think Bush's Denomination even distanced themselves from him. Almost all the major Christian Denominations have Peace and Justice Committees as well as Muslim and Buddhist. Peace and Non-violence are as well Valued by Greens. For an example of Abuse of Religious Thought by the Bush Admin see: http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-06-jun-2004.html
Here are the GP Rules of forming a Caucus and this will HAVE TO BE A GROUP EFFORT OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS (at least, estimate, or before 2008, We Hope). Please Get Involved if you are Interested !!!
VI ACCREDITATION OF CAUCUSES
When a caucus for an underrepresented group has formed, that caucus will submit its application for accreditation according to the same procedures used for state party accreditation. A caucus application will include documentation of caucus membership, showing that 100 individuals, from at least 15 states, who are both members of the underrepresented group itself, and of their respective state Green parties, have joined the caucus; and that the caucus uses democratic procedures for its internal leadership selection and general decision-making. As with state parties, the caucus application will include documentation for the caucus's by-laws, principles, history and activities.
NADER AND COBB: Let the Nader People/Greens say "YEA NADER" and the "David Cob Greens" say "Thanks David" and "Keep Up the Good Work". David has stated he is willing to be arrested in Civil Disobedience. He carries OUR GRAVE CONCERNS. We are also trying to Build the Green Party Locally and David will be meeting with Henry (SEE: http://votehenry.us/ ) and Us on July 28th here in Florida. Election Reform that promotes a Truer Democracy such as Proportional Representation (PR) and Instant Run-off Voting (IRV) will be Emphasized.
.... BOTH NADER AND COBB ( and lynn and i, to the POINT OF PERSONAL VENDETTA or perhaps better worded "Righteous Indignation" or "Outrage" ) have the Common GOAL or AGENDA "BUSH NEEDS TO GO" ... It is a Priority !!!
Also, Both Nader and Cobb are NOT PROMOTING ANY OF THE NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS such as there is "A Plot" of the Democrats to Infiltrate using David Cobb or other NONSENSE.
I will get it in the OPEN, that i will wear a "ANYBODY BUT BUSH" T-shirt but REMAIN EXTREME GREEN. If People can Not Reconcile this in their Minds as "Nader Campaigners" then that is "their opinion". It is an Ethical Judgement w/ lynn and i. Probably some "smart ass" will "belittle" or Ridicule Us for this if Not Prejudge Us as "the Enemy". That is NOT WHAT DAVID COBB OR RALPH NADER WOULD WANT !!! Let Us take their Example of Getting along.
Peace
!!! GREEN AND GROWING !!!
Ps The Snakes of the Bush Administration are even trying to set-up to "Postpone the Election" in "National Crisis". They stole the Election in 2000 and they HAVE GOT TO GO !!! See Rep. Jim McDermott Statement about how they are Using Fear and "the War On Terror" as Political Manipulations: http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/03/08/14_mcdermott.html
MILWAUKEE, RIVERWEST AND GORDON PARK: Lynn and i arrived Early to Milwaukee and stayed the week till Friday, July 2nd the Following week. We went back to Camping on the Milwaukee River and did Daily Peace Actions in Different Parts of the Town as well as the Annual Milwaukee Event called "Summer Fest", a month long Music Series that attracts People from Chicago and over Wisconsin. We also went to a Predominately African American Community/Neighborhood and the Community of "Riverwest". Riverwest is sort of the Height-Ashbury of Milwaukee with a Music and Cultural Scene. We felt "At Home" there. see: http://www.geocities.com/cpeacesigns/GordonPark We did Peace Promotions Cornering several hours everyday. We carried w/ Us a rolled-up Collection of Our Posters as well as Our Tiedyed PEACE FLAG. Did We Impact Milwaukee ??? ... Perhaps ... and Milwaukee Recharged Us and Energized Us !!!
We continued Daily to do Our Service Work at the Feeding @ "St Ben's". They had a Statue of Dorothy Day as you entered. She is One of Our Heros or Pattern of Life to model from. ( http://www.mcs.drexel.edu/~gbrandal/Illum_html/Day.html ) Friday, July 2 was Our 11th Wedding Anniversary and We Renewed and Recommitted Our Vows at the Gesu Church between the 11 AM and Noon Masses and one of the Volunteers from St Bens came. The Pastor allowed Us to read this Peace Prayer from their web site and then said a "blessing" for Us.
Prayer for Peace
Lord God,
no one is a stranger to you
and no one is ever far from your loving care.
In your kindness, watch over refugees and victims of war, those separated from their loved ones, young people who are lost, and those who have left home or who have run away from home.
Bring them back safely to the place where they long to be and help us always to show your kindness to strangers and to all in need
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Church Website: http://www.gesuparish.org/ We left Milwaukee @ 3 that Day to Overnight in Chicogo wth my Aunt. We left Chicago on July 3rd to arrive in Washington D.C. on July 4th where We hand wrote a letter to Congress overlooking the Capital Mall and then took the Metra to Alexandria Virginia near Mount Vernon where we over-nighted with with Our Relatives Jim and Nancy James who who just made Us feel so Welcome and "at Home". She works as a Hospital Chaplain (Quaker, Friends http://www.religioustolerance.org/quaker.htm ) and Jim composes and teaches Classical Music. Very Dear People who We were blessed to spend Time and be Receivers of their Hospitality and Warmth. We got back on the Train back to St Pete the following Day.
THE PLATFORM: We got to read over the Platform on Our return Trip and were VERY IMPRESSED by all the work, Thoughtfulness, Thoroughness and Concern that was put into it. I think it was Ralph Nader who gave it the "Praise" in 2000 of being the most Important Document of the New Century. Our Gratitude to All Those who did such Careful and Thoughtful Work on the Platform. See: http://gp.org/platform.html
OUTLOOK FOR FLORIDA GREENS AND THE NOVEMBER ELECTION: We Hope We come Together ALL HAVE THE COMMON DESIRE FOR THE GREEN PARTY TO GROW and Work in Coalition for Legislation that Reflects Green Values. Diligence and Perseverance are Needed as well as Mutual Support and Encouragement.
Our Personal Appreciation to Our Delegates and ALL Others who worked in Milwaukee to Build the Green Party.
The Green Party is NOT GOING AWAY ... will be "GREEN AND GROWING"
SEE : http://www.floridagreens.org/
AND Here in St Pete for: http://stpeteforpeace.org/
Caucus Discussion Group
Click Here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gpusrtc/
CLICK HERE
