Activity Update

Things have been pretty hectic lately. Many of us have been working locally, and nationally, on verifying what actually happened in the 11/02/04 election, holding the appropriate persons accountable for whatever electoral fraud is uncovered, and insuring that this does not happen again.
Locally, I've been advancing and supporting the candidacy of progressive Donna Frye for Mayor of San Diego. As a write-in candidate she ostensibly won the runoff election from two experienced conservatives, however a court ruling in favor of her opponents has caused many of the write-in votes for her not to be counted. Other court challenges to the legality of her candidacy she has won. Three of these decisions are being appealed ,and we are in the process of raising the money that will support her legal defense in two state courts and a federal court. "It ain't over 'til it"s over," as Yogi Berra used to say.
Nationally, some of us have been working with groups in the Electoral Protection Coalition to, first, hold public hearings in Ohio, and, secondly, to request a recount. One of the groups that I have been working closely with has been Common Cause. Attorney Arnebeck, a leader in Ohio Common Cause, as well as in the Alliance for Democracy is the lead litigant in the court challenge of the election that has been made. The Green and Libertarian parties have paid for the recount. Now, once it has been approved, we need a large number of volunteers to monitor the recount, itself.
One of the biggest jobs we have faced has been to develop media interest in the coverage of the over 50,000 election irregularities that have been discovered all over the country. A public rally last weekend, with Rev. Jesse Jackson present, drew media coverage that had been lagging up until that time. There is another one in Columbus, today. We are having a "Count All The Votes Rally" tomorrow, 12/05/04, from 1-3 p.m., in front of Horton Plaza near the corner of 4th & Broadway, downtown San Diego.
Next week in Washington, D.C. there weill be a series of events that will not be able to be denied media coverage. The major, all-day event taking place in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on 12/07/04 will have many of the top luminaries in the country there to be part of the report about all aspects of the electionthat Common Cause and others will be delivering to the nation. Chellie Pingree, Co-chair of Common Cause, has sent an invitation to all interested parties to be a part of that happening. Barbara Burt, who works with Chellie, also sent out a "CAUSEALERT" to all of the Common Cause members in this area announcing our Sunday Rally and speaking in favor of Counting All The Votes.
The D.C. Special Event is to be followed the next day, 12/08/04, by public Congressional Hearings that House Judiciary Committee minority Chair, John Conyers, has called. 'The timing of this will be important as a lot of the key people who will be able to give evidence of the various kinds of electoral fraud that have been uncovered will be in town for the previous day's event.
In addition to keeping the question of the "stolen election" alive, I have been working with a number of progressive peace, environmental, labor and church groups, in San Diego to help put together a group of people who will request and obtain a progressive caucus within the Democratic Party. Nationally, I have been working with others in the Progressive Democrats of America to advance and support efforts like this nation-wide. Our goal is to reinvolve many of the Dean, Clark, Kucinich, and Kerry people, along with members of other progressive groups in this larger progressive effort.
As the holiday season approaches I will be taking time out to be with family and friends, but I do not intend to completely neglect my responsibilities to carry forth with the many progressive projects that are currently underway. As I leave you now, I wish each and every one of you a happy and holy holiday season and the best of wishes for the new year.