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As the Democratic Partyleadership attemptsto rebrand the party as populist with itsBetter Deal agenda,establishmentDemocratshave already startedtoconsider whichcandidateto getbehind for the2020 electionand, perhaps unsurprisingly, the top picks arentexactly populists.

According to a Politicoreporton Tuesday,former President Barack Obama and his allies have begun to encourage former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick, who is currently a managing director at Bain Capital (thats Mitt Romneys old firm), to run for the nominationin three years. Other wings of the Democraticestablishmentseem to be leaning toward Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, and former Vice President Joe Biden, who will be 77 years old in 2020.

Not surprisingly, progressives have notgreeted theseprospectivecandidates with open arms. Harris, for example, who is undeniably becoming a star in the Democratic Party, has beencriticizedby activists who were connected tothe Bernie Sanders campaign. She is the preferred candidate of extremely wealthy and out-of-touch Democratic party donors,saidWinnie Wong, co-founder of People for Bernie, toMic. Her recent anointing is extremely telling. These donors will line her coffers ahead of 2020 and she will have the next two years to craft a message of broad appeal to a rapidly changing electorate.

There are a number of legitimatecriticisms made against Harris for her recordas California attorney general, includingherfailure to prosecutecurrent Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchins bank for foreclosure violations. But the overall problem progressives seem to have with her is that Harris appears politically inconsistent, and shifts positions wheneverit is convenient. Thats equally true of Cory Booker, a longtime Hillary Clinton ally who hasclose ties to Wall Streetand a history ofsupportingconservative-friendly policies like school privatization. Booker was formerly close to Betsy DeVos, now Trumps secretary of education, andsat on the board of her school choiceadvocacy group.

In response to the left-wing criticisms of thesepotentialcandidates, liberals have adopteda familiarline of attack,rehashingthe 2016 BernieBro narrative, which maintainedthat leftist opposition to Clinton was rooted in sexismrather than politics or ideology. Clinton ally Neera Tanden responded to the aforementioned Mic article this way:

So odd, no, that these folks have if in for Kamala Harris and Cory Booker.... hhhhmmm.

— Neera Tanden? (@neeratanden) July 31, 2017

In a similar vein, feminist author AndiZeisler sarcasticallytweeted this:

The following day,Zeislerclarifiedher position,tweetingthat she had not been sufficiently up on Harris record as attorney general; by then, however, her previous tweet which implied there was no legitimate political basis for opposing Harris had been liked by over 25,000 people.

There seem to be two possible explanations for this line of attack on progressives: Either certain liberals have made the cynical decision to smear their opponents instead of engaging in honest debate, or there is genuine confusion about why politicians like Booker and Harris and Clinton, for that matter are distrustedby people on the left. One suspects that a large percentage of Clinton loyalistsare indeed acting in bad faith, and would rather try todiscredittheir critics many of whom are women and people of color than engage in adebate. But theres no doubt that some are genuinely bewildered by progressive criticismsof the Democratic Party. The Democratic leadership is, after all, starting take on more of a populist tone, while prominent elected Democrats like Booker and Harris have embraced more progressive policies since last years election.

In a recent Jacobinarticlecritiquing the Better Deal platform introduced by the Democrats last month,historian Matt Karp expounded onthe fundamental difference between the populist rhetoric we are currently hearing from neoliberal Democratslike Booker and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and the authentic populism that was conveyedby the Bernie Sanders campaign last year:

What distinguished the Bernie Sanders campaign more than any other issue including his support for free college or Medicare for All was that he named his enemy. Among his other objectives, Sanderss attacks on the 1 percent were an attempt to reorder American politics around class lines: not with a stale disquisition on stratification, but by tapping into Americans anti-billionaire sentiment, religiously excluded from mainstream politics by both parties but thrumming powerfully just below the surface.

For Democrats, Bad Billionaires like Trump or the Koch brothers represent an existential threat to democracy, but Good Billionaires are vital campaign allies (Michael Bloomberg, Warren Buffett, Mark Cuban), crucial donors and policy shapers (George Soros, Haim Saban), or even possible secretaries of labor (Howard Schultz).

This distinctionreveals the underlyingconflictbetween leftists and liberals. While the former reject the status quoandbelieve that a system that produces billionaires and historic levels of inequalitymust be completelyrestructured, the latter generallyaccept the status quo as fixed, and advocatepiecemeal reform. If to be a radical is to grasp things by the root, as Karl Marx once put it, then to be a liberal, one might say, is to look only at the surface of things.

Needless to say, a neoliberallike Cory Booker, who is beloved byWall Street donorsandpharmaceutical companies, is not likely to challenge the economic status quo, since he is a product of it. One can expectleftists tocontinue criticizing prospectivecandidateswho embody the status quo, irrespectiveof their ethnicity or gender.

Read this article:
First Democratic contenders for 2020 are unveiled: For progressives, it's not an inspiring batch - Salon

CNSNews.com (blog)

NARAL and Planned Parenthood: 'Progressives' Must be Pro-Abortion CNSNews.com (blog) It concludes: As a progressive movement, we recognize that over the last decade there has been a massive erosion of access to abortion and attacks on contraception and we cannot back away from this fight without abandoning people and undercutting core ... Progressive Groups Fire Back After Democratic Party Puts out the Welcome Mat for Anti-Choice LiberalsAlterNet all 18 news articles »

Go here to see the original:
NARAL and Planned Parenthood: 'Progressives' Must be Pro-Abortion - CNSNews.com (blog)

The OB Rag has access to two excellent progressive calendars for August, one from the OB Green Center and the other from Doug Porter at our online partner, the San Diego Free Press. And were republishing both of them below (there is some duplication):

August Events at the Ocean Beach Green Center

Ocean Beach Green Center, 4843 B Voltaire Street, Ocean Beach 92107 oceanbeachgreencenter@gmail.com619.225.1083

August 9th Wednesday Film 7:00 p.m. Minimalism: A DocumentaryAbout theImportant ThingsHow might your life be better with less?This 2016 documentary by Matt DAvellaexamines the many flavors of minimalism by taking the audience inside the lives of minimalists from all walks of life families, entrepreneurs, architects, artists, journalists, scientists, and even a former Wall Street broker all of whom are striving to live a meaningful life with less. Informational/take-action handouts provided. Free of charge

August 24th Thursday 7:00 pm Save Peninsula Trees meetingPlease help us green Ocean Beach and contribute to the cities goal of meeting our Climate Action Plan. Learn about how to protect the trees we have and plant more trees in Ocean Beach. At this meeting we will be discussing and looking for volunteers to help with the Shade Tree Brigade that tentatively starts Sept 23rd. It involves walking door to door on street segments preselected for planting potential to tell our neighbors the good news that they can get free trees and free plantings just by agreeing to water them until they are established. Check out the awesome Tree Advocacy Handbook on our website and watch the segment from the KPBS series, A Growing Passion, about OB.http://video.kpbs.org/ video/3000480232/(OB is about 17 minutes into the program but the whole program is great). More info:savepeninsulatrees@ outlook.com

If you live in Ocean Beach or Point Loma and you are interested in Permaculture Design for your home, business or schoolplease call Amelia Roach at619-517-8723or emailher atharmonyagent88@gmail.com. She is interested in holding a series of small group classes in exchange for her design support. She designs with patterns found in nature and existing elements to arrive at appropriate solutions for effective design and implementation of regenerative systems. She was the presenter at are last film night which showed Inhabit: a Permaculture Perspective which drew are largest crowd ever.

August Events NOT at the Ocean Beach Green Center

Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. Aug 5th, Aug 12th, Aug 26th. Climate Mobilization Coalition MeetingOcean Beach Peoples Cooperative Community Room, 4765 Voltaire Street Second Floor. Come help plan for the upcoming Climate Action events.Contact:oceanbeac hgreencenter@gmail.com

August 4th Friday 6:30 pm Join the Climate Mobilization Coalition for a viewing of the newly released Al Gore film An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,AMCFashion Valley 7037 Friars Rd. More info:oceanbeachgreencenter@ gmail.com

August 9th Wednesday 6:30 pm to 9 pmNext Steps to Independent Civilian Oversight of SDPDGrassroots Oasis, 3130 Moore Street. San Diego 92110Women Occupy San Diego has been part of an alliance seeking a more independent civilian SDPD oversight board for several years. WOSD is continuing their advocacy for more changes to the City Charter to make the CRB more independent:More info:https://www.facebook. com/events/154785971751547/?ac tive_tab=about

August 11th Friday 6:30Sierra Club Film NightThe People Speak8304 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard #101, San Diego, CA 92111Using dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans,The People Speakfocuses on the concept of democracy based on the lives and experiences of ordinary Americans who, through their words and actions, changed the course of history. This groundbreaking documentary illustrates the relevance of these passionate historical moments to our society today, reminding us that democracy is not a spectator sport and that liberty must never be taken for granted. A journey from the founding of this country to the civil rights movement and beyond, this film uses star power to celebrate democracy, serving to re-create the emotional impact of these moments in history.More info: Jean Costa619-463-0721orellenshi vely@sbcglobal.net

August 12th Saturday 10 am to noon. No Housing/No Choice: the faces of the Housing Crisis,3130 Moore Street San Diego 92110Confronting the myths of the Housing and Homelessness Crisis by presenting the True Stories of Real People and growing a grassroots Housing Movement. Various Speakers affected by the Housing and Homeless Crisis. Voices of the City Choir will perform.An Open Mic, allowing those affected by the crisis to speak. More info:https://www.facebook.c om/events/1760839290874606/

August 15th Tuesday 6:30 pm (doors open) 7 pm film starts) Women Occupy San Diego Film Night presents Paper Tigers a film by James Redford & Karen Pritzker.Womens Museum of California, 2730 Historic Decatur Road Barracks 16, San Diego 92106A timely film about restorative practices in schools just as San Diego public schools promise to move from criminal to restorative justice for our kids.

It is here, at the crossroads of at-risk teens and trauma-informed care, thatPaper Tigerstakes root. Set within and around the campus of Lincoln Alternative High School in the rural community of Walla Walla, Washington,Paper Tigersasks the following questions: What does it mean to be a trauma-informed school? And how do you educate teens whose childhood experiences have left them with a brain and body ill-suited to learn? In search of clear and honest answers,Paper Tigershinges on a remarkable collaboration between subject and filmmaker. Armed with their own cameras and their own voices, the teens ofPaper Tigersoffer raw but valuable insight into the hearts and minds of teens pushing back against the specter of a hard childhood. Against the harsh reality of truancy, poor grades, emotional pain, and physical violence, answers begin to emerge. The answers do not come easily. Nor can one simply deduce a one-size-fits-all solution to a trauma-informed education. But there is no denying something both subtle and powerful at work between teacher and student alike: the quiet persistence of love. more info athttp://kpjrfilms.co/paper-t igers/

August 16th Wednesday 4:30 pm to 7:00 pmGreen Business Solutions.Workshop at Liberty StationHoffman Room of the San Diego Foundation building. Join I Love A Clean San Diego for an informational and interactive session focusing on zero waste business practices. We will identify the importance of a zero waste lifestyle, how to implement these practices in your business, and the environmental and economic benefits of going green. Whether you work in an office, a restaurant, or in retail, we will have valuable information for all business models. This will be a great opportunity to network and share ideas for creating a more eco-conscious workspace.More info:http://www.ilacsd.org/ event/green-business- solutions-workshop-2/

August 16th Wednesday5:30 PMthrough8:00 PM Solar for Homeowners4760 Claremont Mesa Blvd. San Diego 92117 Experts from the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) will explain the fundamentals of solar electricity and solar water heating, andshare valuable consumer awareness tips that can help you feel more confident when evaluating solar technology for your home. More info:http://energycenter. org/events

August 18th 6 pm to August 21st 6 am Fast for the Climate.Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building, 880 Front St. San Diego 92101Join the Climate Mobilization Coalition as they fast to bring attention to the climate crisis and demand that the US government get off fossil fuels and onto clean, safe, wind, water and solar renewable energy.You can fast for however long you want or not at all and just be support for those that do. We will be spending the night Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the permission of the authorities. There will be access to bathroom facilities. More details to follow. Contact: Derek and Nancy Casady858-457-0246dcasady@ outlook.com

August 19th Saturday 9 am to 8 pmCelebrating and Supporting Wild Willow FarmWild Willow Farm & Education Center2550 Sunset Avenue, San Diego 92154Farming is all about food, and food is best when shared with community, so what better way to say that than by hosting a monthly community gathering? On third Saturdays each month from May through October, we open the doors forclasses, volunteering, yoga, tours, food and more.Not only are we raising funds that keep our operations gates open, on these days, Wild Willow gives thanks to our amazing community of students, volunteers, educators, fans and eaters of every stripe. Familiar faces and new smiles are always welcome to these joyous gatherings that include educational workshops, volunteer activities, farm tour, and more. Suggested Donation: $10(with work-trade and upgrade options) More info:http://www. sandiegoroots.org/farm/ openhouse-potluck.php

August 19th Saturday 11 am to 1 pm San Diego Fix it ClinicBancroft Center for Sustainability,3845 Spring DrSpring Valley,CA91910Wehave been all too accustomed to the throw away lifestyle. If something doesnt work, throw it out and buy a new one. Because of this behavior our landfills are filling at a rapid rate and electronic waste has become the one of the largest pollution generators. So why not learn how to fix it?! Bring your broken, non-functioning things: electronics, appliances, computers, toys, bicycles, clothes, etc. for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair. Well provide workspace, specialty tools, and guidance More info:http://zerowastesandiego .org/events/

Saturday, August 5, 9:30am200 Civic Center Drive (Vista)Morris B. Vance Community RoomFor More Information (RSVP)Hosted by Take Back the 49th

We warmly invite you to join our Rally and 49th District Precinct Walk with Sea Change volunteers. For this weeks walk we are honored to be in partnership with Sea Change volunteers from Rep. Karen Bass congressional district (CA-37).

Together our neighbors, our community, and our elected officials are working together to organize our neighbors and identify 75,000 voters that are ready to Flip the 49th!

Saturday, August 5, 1:30pmMuslim Community Center of San Diego14698 Via FiestaFor More Information

We will prepare 150 sack lunches and drop them off at the Interfaith Community Services homeless shelter in Escondido. By delivering these lunches we are helping individuals and families in their efforts towards self-sufficiency.

In partnering with other organization in San Diego, we can work towards providing a positive lasting change to the homeless population. All you need to do is show up at MCC. Anybody and everybody is welcome.

Saturday, August 5, 4:30pmPrivate Residence (Point Loma)Address Emailed Upon Sign UpFor More Information Event by San Diego Indivisible Downtown Group

We will be running a New Voter Registration training session on Saturday, August 5th at 4:30 PM. One of our members will be hosting the event at their home in Point Loma and delivering the training. A representative from the Scott Peters for Congress office will also be in attendance to assist in the training. We expect the event to take about one hour. There will be a presentation, handouts and a sample voter registration form for you. We are looking to train between 15 and 20 people at this event and our goal is get enough members trained and ready so that we can start running our own events at targeted locations. Please RSVP soon, as space will be limited to the first 20 people that sign up.

Saturday, August 5, 8amLocations in San Diego, North County & Santa AnnaFor More Information (RSVP)Hosted by BORDER ANGELS

Volunteers go out to meet with Day Laborers at sites around San Diego, to distribute information regarding their rights, access to services (such as immigration advice, language courses etc) as well as distributing food, water and hygiene items.

PLEASE BRING:

Food + Drink for yourself Food + Drink to distribute to day laborers (Bags of Fruit/Vegetables, Granola Bars, 12 Oz bottles of drink, pre made sandwiches etc)-Any Other donations will be helpful but not required such as clothing and blankets (shirts/jackets/sweaters/pants/socks/underwear). Backpacks as well will be much appreciated.

Saturday, August 5, 8am-NoonPlanned Parenthood Offices2017 First Avenue (Bankers Hill)For More Information

Come join us for our monthly counter protest at Planned Parenthood. Clinic on 1st ave. Come anytime from 8am-12pm, however we are better in numbers together. We were outnumbered severely last time, so PLEASE come.

Saturday, August 5, Non-4pmThe Peoples Lot1764 National Avenue (Barrio Logan)For More InformationHosted by People over Profits-SD and 2 others

We will be selling plates for a $10 donation.. You will have a choice of 1 meat (carne asada, ribs, or gumbo) and 2 sides (potato salad, greens, or yams). Vegan Hotdogs will be available for those who do not eat meat. Dessert for $3 and Beverages for $1. There will also be a raffling off of a few prizes which will be from 2pm-3pm. Raffle tickets are $3 each.

Please come out and show your support and share this event. The wife of Victor Ortega, killed by Officer McCartney of the San Diego Police Dept on June 4th, 2012 is in need of our support in raising the money to continue fighting for justice for her husband. Earlier this year a jury sided with the officer finding him not guilty.. The judge then refused to waive the fees associated with the appeal process.. She was able to raise the money to file the appeal but now is in need of raising money to obtain legal representation to fight her case.

Saturday, August 5, 1pmEscondido Public Library239 South Kalmia (Escondido)For More InformationHosted by North County Climate Change Alliance

Join us for an eye-opening, inspiring, and nonpartisan afternoon with keynote speaker, environmental advocate, former photojournalist and wildlife guide, Eve Simmons. Shell bring a blast of hard realities and pragmatic optimism. Sourcing the worlds top experts, Eve brings awareness, humor and hope to the climate challenges we face and explores the many solutions at hand.

Saturday, August 5, 4pmLiving Coast Discovery Center1000 Gunpowder Point Drive (Chula Vista)For More InformationHosted by Living Coast Discovery Center

Join us for the 8th annual Farm to Bay fundraiser, a unique tasting event that supports coastal wildlife, education, and sustainability programs at the Living Coast.

This fundraiser is perfect for:

Get your tickets today through Facebook or at http://www.farmtobay.eventbrite.com

Saturday, August 5, 9am Sunday August 6, 3pmEducational Cultural Complex4343 Ocean View BoulevardFor More Information Hosted by Pillars of the Community San Diego

Pillars of the Communitys Document Me Conference is day of brainstorming and strategizing on how to fight this systematic injustice by the people closest to the pain.

It is our hope to get personal experts at the table so that we can have an authentic and robust discussion about all the tools it takes to fight the devastating impacts of gang documentation, gang injunctions, and gang conspiracy laws. Our panels and break-out discussion topics will include the implementation of new legislation such as AB 2298, the criminilization of culture and narrative, creating accountability for law enforcement, and the power of Black/Brown unity. It is a free event but there is limited space available so please register today!https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=36029267509

Monday, August 7, 6pm210 East Park Avenue (Escondido)For More Information

NCLDs purpose is to empower the Latino community in North County via civic engagement, protection of our civil rights, grassroots organizing, voter registration, election of Latino candidates at all levels to ensure representative government, and supporting Latino elected officials and others who are committed to our Latino goals and communities.

Tuesday, August 8, 5pmSan Diego County Administration Administration Center1600 Pacific Highway, Room 302/303For More Information

Several members of the Impeachment March SD planning group (and others) have been meeting on a weekly basis to address the concerns regarding the Sheriff Departments response to the Proud Boys' aggressive behavior and attempts to incite violence at our July 2nd event. We have compiled info and documentation from many of you who felt unsafe at the event, via our online survey. Our group will be strongly stating our collective concerns during the Public Comment portion of the agenda

We invite you to show up at this meeting as a show of your support for our efforts to hold the Sheriffs Department accountable for their seeming lack of action to protect us all at our event. The Public Comment portion of the meeting is item #8 on the Agenda. During our 5-minutes of public comment, we will also request to have this issue placed on the next CLERB meeting agenda (October) in order to further address the important issue of public safety at protest events.

Tuesday, August 8, 10am1800 Thibodo Road #310 (Vista)

Weekly gathering to hold Congressman Darrell Issa accountable to all his constituents. We are making a difference! Issa is feeling the heat. Lets do this!

Wednesday, August 9, 6:30pmGrassroots Oasis3130 Moore Street (Nr Old Town)For More InformationHosted by Community Review Board on Police Practices

Women Occupy San Diego is continuing our advocacy for more changes to the City Charter to make the CRB more independent, as recently reported by the SD Union-Tribune:

Just last week, as part of public comments during the boards meeting, a member of Women Occupy San Diego said the group plans to lead an effort to make the board independent.

How in the world can the community have any trust in the process? she asked board members, alluding to the panels ties to the Police Department and City Attorneys Office.

The Legal Team for WOSDs CRB Reform Committee has updated our proposed Ballot Measure from last year to incorporate lessons learned and current conditions. During this meeting, we will present this draft Ballot Measure, answer questions, and lead a discussion on Next Steps to accomplish this in 2018. Light Refreshments will be offered. Lots of free street parking, just a few blocks west of the Trolley and bus hub at Old Town Transit Center.

Wednesday, August 9, 7pmCity of Santee10601 North Magnola AvenueFor More InformationHosted by Climate Action Campaign

Tired of SDG&Es skyrocketing rates? Ask your city council to establish cleaner, lower cost competition Community Choice Energy (CCA). SDG&E/SEMPRA shills are already trying to stop it, so it wont happen without you assertively asking your city council for cleaner power with lower rates through Community Choice Energy.

Thursday, August 10, 6:30pmCollege-Rolanda Library 6600 Montezuma RoadHosted by Showing Up for Racial Justice

Sometimes even when were doing work in one area of social justice, we can have blind spots about other issues. Just like we see racism playing out day-to-day, we often see sexism being carried over into racial justice work. Come hear guest speaker Bree Davis inform us on common pitfalls and how to avoid them, so that we can work toward our goal of equality for all. All are welcome, particularly first-timers. Parking is in the back, via Bowman Lane and Mohawk Street.

Thursday, August 10, 5:30pm Olivewood Clubhouse 541 East 24th Street (National City) For More Information (Tickets)

We hope you are able to join us at the Students for Economic Justice Graduation to celebrate the SEJ Fellows, the sites who mentored the fellows, and the SEJ community who support this summer fellowship. For the past six weeks, the SEJ Fellows have had the opportunity to learn and grow collectively into organizers committed to social justice. We are excited that SEJ serves as the space to cultivate organizers who want to change San Diego into a city that respects and honors the dignity of working families and communities of color.

This is a free event. Kids and families are welcome 🙂 We will have food and beverages available!

Saturday, August 12, 6am-5pmRun Begins: Movin Shoes Running Center897 S Coast Highway 101 #103 (Encinitas)Walk Begins: Pepper Park3299 Tidelands Avenue (National City)Finish Line: Marina View Park900 Marina Parkway (Chula Vista)For More InformationRunners & Walkers SignupVolunteers Signup

Come out on Saturday August 12th and join Run 4 All Women California for a day of activism and action, in support of Planned Parenthood! Choose a leg of our 40-mile coastal run from Encinitas to Chula Vista, or join the 4-mile walk to the finish. Dont want to run or walk? Check out the course map, and come cheer us on! Friends, family, and allies can gather at the Chula Vista Marina View Park to greet runners and walkers as they finish their journey, and raise our voices together in solidarity.

Saturday, August 12, 10amGrassroots Oasis3130 Moore Street For More InformationHosted by San Diego Housing Emergency Alliance

Confronting the myths of the Housing and Homelessness Crisis by presenting the True Stories of Real People and growing a grassroots Housing Movement.

Saturday, August 12, 10am1234 N Santa Fe Avenue (Vista)Tickets required Hosted by Democratic Club of Vista

Meet the 3 Democrats; Doug Applegate, Paul Kerr and Mike Levin, who are going to put Issa out of a job. We will have a moderator from The League of Women Voters ask questions submitted by the community.

Saturday, August 12, 12:30pmEncinitas Library540 Cornish Avenue

Speakers at our August 12 meeting. **Deborah Cunningham-Skurnik (Director for District 18) will be speaking on Club Delegates and Pre-Endorsing Conference **Tasha Boerner-Horvath (Encinitas District Council Member): Bill AB 805 (Transportation Agency Bill) **Bill Kuhn will give an Overview on Neighborhood in Action Training to Flip Congressional District 49 **Candidate Elizabeth Warren (Assembly District 76) campaigning against Rocky Chavez in 2018 **Candidate Joe Masco (Incumbent and Candidate for Encinitas City Council) in 2018 **Club endorsement has been requested for bill AB 805, hence this invitation will serve as a notice for endorsement.

Saturday, August 12, 11amOtay Ranch Public Library2015 Birch Road (Chula Vista)For More Information (RSVP)

Join me and Chula Vista City Manager, Gary Halbert, at The Hub at the Otay Ranch Library for a Q&A session on all things related to the University Park & Innovation District.

Sunday, August 13, 2pmMission Bay Park2688 East Mission Bay DriveFor More Information

You can leave your bullhorns & signs at home this time lolol. Lets make it a potluck, so bring something delicious to share, towels, bathing suits, umbrellas and if you have lawn or beach games bring them too. Leonard, our dependable rock, will bring long tables & gazebo cover.

Bring your children, family & like minded friends to party on beautiful mission bay beach with us ! Lets take a break & recharge together . We sure deserve it!

Monday, August 14, 6pmElijahs Restaurant7061 Clairemont Mesa BoulevardFor More Information

Come to our August meeting, where will be discussing and voting on several endorsements, including SB 562, the District 4 Board of Supervisors, and the Peoples Platform!

Activists with MoveOn, Public Citizen, and Indivisible San Diego (among others) are laying the groundwork for local responses to actions the President may take along these lines.

Via Facebook:

We will be in a constitutional crisis for real and will have to be ready to make some noise! The protest happens immediately if and when Trump fires Mueller.

We will gather with pots and pans to bang, and food, water and chairs to stay for a few hours. We will also present a letter to our members of Congress, urging them to pass legislation designating a special prosecutor that Trump cant fire.

In downtown San Diego, the site of protests is currently the US District Court Building at 333 West Broadway5 to 8pm daily. (More info)

In Escondido, the site of protests is slated to be near the Westfield North County Mall, 272 East Via Rancho Parkway5 to 8pm daily. (More info)

See the rest here:
Excellent Ocean Beach and San Diego August Calendars for Progressives - OB Rag

Oh gosh. I am not a political consultant. For me, progress is a good word. Its not really a political party. Is this sort of the leading edge of something larger thats happening in Texas? You know, I was just talking to a friend of mine on the Dallas City Council and he said there was a very similar thing that happened in their recent elections where several new, more future-focused council members were elected more progressive. If the work really gets done at the local level and we are representing the same constituents that the folks in Austin are, I would imagine that this is the start of a better Texas in terms of its politics.

San Antonio is nearly two-thirds Hispanic. State demographers are projecting Hispanics will make up more than half of Texas in about 20 years. What do you think Texas can learn from San Antonio?

We like to say were Americas 21st century city. Thats what were talking about. Not just the demographics but also the challenges we face and how we address them. Hopefully, people can learn from San Antonio and how we address some of the significant challenges we see in urban communities.

I represented in District 8, on the Northwest Side, a very diverse district, maybe leaning slightly conservative but demographically mixed and I was able to work toward fairly progressive solutions to significant challenges. Infrastructure and environmental issues, working with constituencies like our largest refugee population in San Antonio, without having to hide away from what those challenges are. That tells me that a lot of these things that progressive elected officials work on that sometimes make peoples blood pressure rise who are more conservative simply need to be communicated better across the community of why its important.

One of our challenges in San Antonio is connectivity. Its not just about transportation, its getting people on the North Side to understand that investments in the bus system on the South Side are important for economic development, which builds jobs that their children are going to fill. Just getting people to understand that were all in it together has been a challenge that can be accomplished if, as an elected official. Im willing to try.

Whats the biggest problem facing San Antonio?

Socioeconomic segregation. We have seen disinvestment in parts of our community that were redlined 80 years ago, or not even that long ago, that are now demanding attention and need to be invested in if we are really going to build equity in the basic services and infrastructure that the city provides. We do that because children who are raised in poverty have a significant disadvantage in achieving levels of education that can help break out of that cycle. Their parents are less likely to be home with them because theyre having to work two or three or four jobs just to make ends meet, so it contributes to a cycle in which it really does matter what ZIP code you live in to determine your outcome in life. Being able to break that cycle through investments, jobs and services like transportation and improving peoples streets and sidewalks, despite the fact that they might not turn out at the polls in the numbers that people in nice neighborhoods do, is a priority.

You were the grand marshal for this years San Antonio pride parade, and youve said you want to extend the nondiscrimination protections passed by the City Council in 2013 to the private sector. Is that a priority for you as mayor?

I want to make sure that the values of nondiscrimination, the fact that people that should not be discriminated against based on sexual orientation, gender identity, all these things, is not just for show, but that it is actually implemented. Yes, I do believe nondiscrimination is not just an important value in the public sector but its also important in the private sector, too. We have to see the temperature of the council and legally talk about how something like that could be pursued but, if youre doing business in the public realm you shouldnt be allowed to discriminate based on those things.

Does San Antonio have a policy that differs from state law when it comes to marijuana? Austin, Dallas and Houston have a cite-and-release option for police.

Not currently, no. I know the district attorney is interested in exploring not decriminalization, but steps toward it.

Is that something that youre in favor of?

So when were talking about controlled substances, I will always follow the lead of law enforcement. I am interested in increasing the compassionate uses [of medical marijuana], which is the first step for us. But I am interested, and I think we need to be for criminal justice reasons and community restoration reasons, too.

You and several top city officials, including San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, were publicly opposed to Senate Bill 4, the sanctuary cities ban. How do you think the new law will impact your city, where nearly two-thirds of residents are Hispanic?

I think its going to create a division and distrust between our law enforcement and the community members that they serve. Im on the same page as our local law enforcement that this is bad for public safety, not to mention that it will likely do racial profiling. Beyond the immigration and the racial element to this, the kind of centralization of authority and the removing of elected officials, removing public officials from office unilaterally by the attorney general, is the kind of thing that if we were seeing this happening somewhere in the Eastern Bloc, we would be outraged because were pro-democracy.

Top Republicans like Dan Patrick and Abbott blame skyrocketing property taxes on city and county governments and are pushing a bill that would limit their ability to increase rates without elections. What do you think about that proposal?

Its cheap politics, its checking a box so that it passes the fact check when they say they reduced the taxes, when in reality its provided no meaningful relief to any homeowner. What would provide relief is appraisal reform, maybe sale price disclosures. San Antonio has lowered our tax rate close to seven times in the last 20 years the only thing a city can do to lower taxes. But the appraisals keep going up, and school district taxes keep going up because they need to have resources to put textbooks in front of students and teachers in classrooms.

Is the state Legislature underfunding education?

Schools are underfunded in my belief and many others. There are secondary impacts that are devastating. Frankly, the Legislatures recent history of inadequately funding of public education has dramatic secondary impacts on generations of Texans that we dont talk about. It has led to socioeconomic disparities that we see in cities. As the reduction of state funding has taken place, local communities have had to step up and thats why youre seeing school districts raise their taxes. This crisis of property taxes that has been created has been manufactured by the state looking elsewhere from its primary responsibilities.

Governor Greg Abbott vetoed $1.5 million meant for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). In San Antonio, that veto led to staff cuts at the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), and six air monitors were temporarily shut down. Youre an AACOG board member; what do you think motivated Abbott?

Because its easy politics. It takes time to communicate with people challenging concepts. Especially if your values are different. We need elected officials who are dedicated to the task of explaining why air quality matters for public health, for economic reasons; its cost avoidance of taking care of people in the hospital. We lost 52 people in Bexar County because of air pollution in 2015. Public health is not acceptable collateral damage to fulfill whatever political aims people have in Austin. If we had more public officials dedicated to the task of addressing these really serious issues that dont necessarily grab peoples attention but are important and require focus and commitment and investment, I think wed have better policymaking.

You have ambitious renewable energy goals. The state and federal government have different priorities. How do you achieve your goals with those obstacles?

Continue to show how it makes fiscal sense to do so. Building a resilient energy grid is cost-saving. Maybe not next year, but in 10, 20, 30 years its going to save us money in the long run. Thats a great opportunity for us to create jobs. And then, at the end of the day its better for your kids health. I dont argue with my doctor but sometimes I ask for a second opinion. When you ask for second, third and thousands more opinions from medical professionals and scientists that are all telling you the same thing, that bad air is bad for health, we should listen.

In one word each, can you describe Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and Joe Straus?

[laughs] Im gonna get in big trouble. This is a trapdoor isnt it? Texan, Texan and Texan.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Read more from the original source:
New San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Priorities, Progressives and the Legislature - The Texas Observer

Sam Clovis, the Trump administrations chief scientist on agriculture, described progressives as race traitors in a now-defunct blog that highlightedthe former Iowa professor and right-wing radio hosts paranoid views of the leftand its leader, former President Barack Obama.

In the blog posts, which were dug up by CNNs KFILE teamthanks to the Wayback Machine, Clovis frequently ruminated on racial issues in America, blaming progressives for heightened racial tensions during Obamas tenure. Clovis wrote that progressives were liars, race traders and race traitors' who lack moral certitude. He argued that progressives were the real racists.

His blog did not demonstrate much scientific aptitude. Rather, it showed his prowess at right-wing commentary, pivoting the American left against the good people of Middle America. Clovis touched on the go-to topics of conservative radio hosts during the Obama years.

He was brought up by socialists to be a socialist, Clovis wrote of Obama. His associations were socialists or worse, criminal dissidents who were bent on overthrowing the government of the United States.

Clovis also seemed to grasp the reverse-racism grievancesthat have been expounded by the alt-right this past year.

We can go back 100 years and trace how the progressives, socialists and fellow travelers have done everything possible to keep minorities in this country enslaved to government, another blog post said. This is particularly true in the African-American community. The progressives have systematically attacked the individual, the black family unit, the black female and the black male.

According to CNN, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture defended Clovis in a statement.

Dr. Clovis is a proud conservative and a proud American, the spokesperson said. All of his reporting either on the air or in writing over the course of his career has been based on solid research and data. He is after all an academic.

In May, it was reported that Trump was leaning towards nominating Clovis to run the research division of the Department of Agriculture, even though Clovis had zero experience in agricultural research.Clovis, a devout Trump supporter, was known in Iowa for his conservative radio show Impact with Sam Clovis on Sioux City KSCJ. During the 2016 presidential election, he became a confidant of the Trump campaign, advising the candidate on agricultural and immigration issues.

The rest is here:
Donald Trump's chief agricultural scientist, Sam Clovis, called ... - Salon