Because People Matter
Progressive News and Views March / April 2009
Strong Mayor or Political Boss: Can Sacramento learn
from history?
By Rick Bettis
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned
to repeat it.”
—George Santayana, Life of Reason
T
his is not always true; however a serious reading
of history provides many examples of this cogent
insight. Sacramento Mayor Johnson pushed an
A January 16 press conference featured former mayor Anne Rudin, left, with Joan Bryant,
spokesperson for the coalition “Stop the Power Grab.”
Photo: Bill Lackemacher
Stop the Power Grab
Groups fight mayor’s plan to take power from people
By Cres Velucci
I
n what may well be Sacramento’s biggest challenge
to true representative democracy in a century, social
justice, labor and other community groups banded
together to stop Mayor Kevin
Johnson’s drive to change the city The city attorney released a
charter and create a so-called
strong “Boss” mayor.
report suggesting Johnson’s Boss
The proposed ballot measure is “strong mayor” initiative
dangerous and a “blatant power
grab that could lead to city cor-
includes more power for
ruption,” said representatives of the mayor than virtually
Stop the Power Grab. The Sac-
ramento City Council also has
any other city with a similar about how the mayor’s initia-
concerns, deciding in February system.
to form a city charter commis-
sion to create its own charter initiative, and possibly
counter Johnson’s ballot measure.
Professors, political watchdog groups and community
activists, including former Sacramento mayor Anne
Rudin, spoke to the city council and stressed the need
for public input before a charter change goes to voters.
The city attorney released a report suggesting Johnson’s
“strong mayor” initiative includes more power for the
mayor than virtually any other city with a similar system. a “strong mayor” system, the Coalition is not relaxing
It also creates an “imbalance of powers, lacks important
checks and balances, and blurs the lines of authority and
accountability.”
“Every day people in this city are discovering more
and more things that are wrong with this proposal. In
addition to taking away power from the people, this pro-
posal is going to cost a lot of money,” said Joan Bryant,
co-chair of the Stop the Power Grab coalition.
“If passed, Sacramento will be a city with one mayor
who will have two votes. Instead of appointing five
political positions, the mayor will have over 500 political all along, that there are more important issues the city
appointments. Instead of our voice being heard by the
mayor, the mayor will never be required to hear from or
be accessible to the public,” said Bryant.
According to former mayor Rudin, corruption and
cronyism are why Sacramento reformed its charter dur-
ing the last century. “Boss Mayor” systems don’t have a
good history in California. “There is a reason the charter initiative, and to help mobilize against it, at
was changed to our current system…it was to get rid of
cronyism. Mayor Johnson has not given the [current]
system a chance to work. I accomplished everything I
initiative that would amend the city charter to change
Sacramento from a Council-Manager to a Mayor-Coun-
cil or “strong mayor” system of governance. This “strong”
mayor would have extraordinary powers, including the
authority to veto actions of the city council, control the
city budget, and hire and fire city employees.
Sacramento did have a “strong mayor” system between
1894 and 1912. Based on a reading of newspaper archives
wanted to do in my terms as mayor using the [current]
system,” said Rudin.
This comment was echoed by Professor Chet Newland
of the University of Southern California School of Public
Administration, who said,
“While we still need leaders, a
Mayor system does not
encourage local stars [indi-
vidual members of the City
Council] as much as a shared
mayor system would.”
Still others have said they
have, at the very least, concerns
tive was written, without input
from the community and the
city council.
“We strongly agree that a community-driven process
is desirable [and] all ideas are examined. We believe that
checks and balances are necessary,” said JoAnn Fuller,
associate director of California Common Cause.
Although Johnson in early February announced a hold
on the initiative—paid for by big corporate special inter-
ests, according to campaign finance reports—to establish
and asks citizens to work together to stop the initiative.
While not widely publicized, Johnson’s effort failed
to gather enough valid signatures to make the ballot. A
claim of collecting 37,000 signatures, if true, is about
10,000 short of what is typically necessary to garner the
32,000 valid signatures to qualify. Usually proponents of
ballot measures shoot for 50 percent more than actually
required because many signatures are disqualified.
“The mayor’s decision to put this initiative on hold
validates what this grassroots coalition has been saying
needs to address at this time…we continue to express
our strong opposition to this power grab. We encourage
the mayor to abandon his current proposal and instead
work with us and the community to approach this issue
in a more transparent and open manner,” said Bryant.
Groups are encouraged to sign a petition opposing the
www.stopthepowergrab.com.
Cres Veluci is active in the Green Party of Sacramento.
and other historical papers it appears that this period of
time was plagued by alleged cronyism, abuses of power
and controversy. In both news articles and editorials, the
Sacramento Bee referred to one prominent mayor of the
period as “Boss Beard’ in the same vein as “Boss Tweed,”
the famously corrupt leader of Tammany Hall in New
York. The Bee and its crusading publisher and editor, C.
K. McClatchy strongly supported the progressive reform
movement and decried Sacramento’s own version
of a political machine.
This time frame was the beginning of the Pro-
gressive Reform Movement led in California by
Governor Hiram Johnson. Much of the impetus
for this movement in California came from the
inordinate control over California politics and
government by the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP),
as has been described in such noteworthy books
as The Octopus, The Big Four, and recently The
Associates. This influence and control also applied
to Sacramento City government where the SP
was the largest employee in the city, which some
considered to be nearly a “company town.” The SP
provided employee housing, a company store and
operated their own hospital.
Alleged practices included pledges of political
support in exchange for jobs, behind-the-scenes
land and other business deals, and the wholesale
use of railroad workers as campaign “volunteers,”
including many brought in from out of town. They
rounded up voters from downtown saloons, which
numbered approximately four in each city block.
In addition to the SP, the mayor was closely
allied with other business interests. Being a board
member or employee of the Chamber of Commerce was
essentially a prerequisite to holding public office. There
also existed a revolving door between leadership in the
Chamber and the city.
In 1912, following 18 turbulent years, the city adopted
a new charter consisting of five elected commissioners,
each responsible for different city services and opera-
tions. This system proved to be ineffective, probably due
to infighting or turf wars among the commissioners.
In 1921 the system consisting of nine elected council
members, one of which would be the mayor along with a
professional city manager was adopted. This system has
been altered, first in the 1970’s with the councilmembers
being elected by geographic districts instead of at large
See Boss Mayor, page 3
Inside this issue:
Editorial..................................................... 2
Endangered Species Act in Danger!.......... 3
Budget Cuts and Me.................................. 4
Furlough Fridays....................................... 4
Language Academy of Sacramento............ 5
Letter to Obama (Media Policy)................ 5
Sanctuary City........................................... 6
High School Poetry Contest....................... 7
Poem: The 44.............................................. 7
Roe v Wade................................................ 7
Reproductive Freedom Day........................ 7
Photo Essay: Faces of Women.................8-9
Sacramento Area Peace Action: Tax Day
Actions..................................................... 10
Gaza: A Very Public Lynching................ 11
How Women Got the Vote........................ 12
Blacks Scapegoated for Prop 8................. 12
Preparing for a Progressive Era............... 13
International Human Rights Laws.......... 14
Calendar................................................... 15
Progressive Media.................................... 16
2 Because People Matter March / April 2009 www.bpmnews.org

because
People Matter Editorial Page
Volume 18, Number 2
Published Bi-Monthly by the JoAnn Fuller, Coordinating Editor for this issue
Sacramento Community for
Peace & Justice
P.O. Box 162998, Sacramento,
In this issue of BPM you will find our usual also remind us that rights are and can be with- planners. 
CA 95816 unusual assortment of local, state and interna- held from large segments of the population. One JoAnn Fuller, Coordinating Editor
(Use addresses below for tional news and views. What BPM publishes is of the joys of a free press, like BPM, is that it has
correspondence)
Editorial Group: Jacqueline
different from what you’ll find in other media. the power to educate, alert and help us orga-
Diaz, JoAnn Fuller, Jeanie Where else would you hear about the Language nize. As editor for this issue, I hope the content
Keltner, Roger White Academy’s after-school programs or efforts to makes you think, reach out for more information, Will you consider stepping up? If you
Coordinating Editor for
this Issue: JoAnn Fuller
establish Sacramento as a sanctuary city? Where and enables you to take action! would like to know more about BPM,
else do you read the passionate writings by advo- Our volunteer staff has been publishing BPM who puts it together and how you
Design and Layout:
cates for the ignored, unseen and disregarded? for more than 15 years. As has happened before, a
Ellen Schwartz
What other media outlet reminds us of our radi- few of the most dedicated supporters need to
might help, join us on Wednesday,
Calendar Editor:
Chris Bond cal history or points the way to a more inclusive step back from leadership. This leaves openings April 8 at 7pm at 909 12th St. in the
Advertising and Business and democratic future? The stories in this issue for new distributors, writers, editors and party conference room.
Manager: Edwina White
Distribution Manager:

BPM is calling for new hands, hearts, and minds

Paulette Cuilla
Subscription Manager:
Gordon Kennedy

HOW TO REACH US: By Jeanie Keltner

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punditry:
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Nothing is truer than the old saw, Freedom of the press belongs to the
person who owns one. And while many progressive views are supported by
a majority of people in this country, you‘d never know it from the corporate
for-profit press. So it’s really quite wonderful for a community to have its
own paper. Especially when people in that community have news and views
they’d like to share. Independent papers widen and deepen the information
stream. That’s crucial in a democracy—especially in crisis times like these.
So it’s been a matter of deep satisfaction and also pride–as well as lots of
FUN!—to have been associated with BPM. For some of us in the old guard
it’s been fifteen years!
It’s time now for a shift—not a change in aim or orientation—but time
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producing BPM—a process which of course has already changed more than
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BPM has had wonderful support from all quarters. It has been the sort of
project that has seemed to call to itself what it needed at any given time. As
one talent would leave, another would almost magically show up. It’s been
quite astonishing and a sign, I think, that the paper fills a real need. That’s
why, as a few of us move outside the active circle that makes BPM happen,
I feel confident that new and substantial volunteer energies will present
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Indeed, even as I write, there are already some new arrivals on the edito-
rial scene, joining with BPM veterans to make a meaningful paper. But they
need help. Substantial volunteer energies are needed—five or so people
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coordinate volunteers, to help with stands.
The tasks are not huge or onerous. A clear working framework exists to
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Are you one of them? Do you want to give it a try?
Contact bpmnews@nicetechnology.com
And come to the meeting on Wednesday, April 8 (see
editorial, above)

HAVE A STORY?
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Let us know by e-mail as soon
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Sunshine
Week West Coast Premier: Broadcast Blues
March 15-21, Crest Theater, 1013 K Street, Sacramento
2009
Sunshine Week is a national initiative to raise
awareness about the importance of open govern- Sunday, March 22, 2009 2 pm
ment and freedom of information. Journalists, Film Tickets: $10; Students $5
civic groups, libraries, schools and others inter-
ested in the public’s right to know are promoting Crest Theater at 1013 K Street, in
this nonpartisan effort to enlighten and empower downtown Sacramento
individuals to play an active role in their govern- INFO: 456-8600 or 443-1792 x 11
ment at all levels, and to give them access to
information that makes their lives better and
their communities stronger.
Sunshine Week originated from the work of
Prescreening party
several newspapers and is led by the American
Society of Newspaper Editors to coincide with with Filmmaker Sue Wilson
National Freedom of Information Day on March
16. Noon–1:30 pm, $20
www.sunshineweek.org, Crest Café, next to theater
www.asne.org ,
www.nfoic.org, RSVP & Info: 456-8600
www.lwv.org 
On March 20, 10-11:30am, Access Sacramento,
4623 T St., will host a viewing of a webcast live Clear Channel neglects its emergency
panel discussion from the Center for American system, disaster strikes, and people die.
Progress in Washington, DC. on open govern- Pentagon pundits profit from the same war
ment and secrecy, the impact on communities they promote. Fox News gets a court rul-
and what the public can do. Viewers will have an ing that news does not have to be true. And radio talkers rule.
opportunity to call and email questions to the
panelists. INFO: 916-443-1792 x11, or 456-8600, Media Policy is killing people in this country. Literally. And it is harming our
x112. (Local viewing is sponsored by Access democracy, too. Corporate financed policymakers have stacked the media policy
Ssacramento, League of Women Voters, and Cali-
deck against We the People.
fornia Common Cause.)

On the cover
The January 16 press confer-
ence to oppose Mayor Kevin
Johnson’s “strong mayor” initia-
tive. Former mayor Anne Rudin,
left, shares the podium with
Joan Bryant, spokesperson for
the coalition “Stop the Power
Grab.”
Photo: Bill Lackemacher
California’s Freedom of Information Laws Until now. We the People are taking the media back.
include:
Written, directed & produced by Emmy Award winner Sue Wilson
Open meetings law: Brown Act: Gov’t Code
Executive Producers, Earl Katz & Marcos Barron
§54950-54960.5
www.thefirstamendment.org/Brown-Act-
Brochure-DEC-03.pdf www.facebook.com/pages/Broadcast-Blues/54133861902
Open Records law: California Public Records www.myspace.com/broadcastblues
Act: Gov’t Code  §6250-6268 www.broadcastblues.tv
www.thefirstamendment.org/ca-pra.html
Legal protections to journalists: California Proceeds to benefit Access Sacramento, California Common Cause and Sacramento
Shield Law Media Group
www.thefirstamendment.org/californi-
ashieldlaw.pdf

Congressman Radanovich Calls Endangered Species
Act “Economic Terrorism!”
by Dan Bacher
B
arbara Barrigan-Parrilla, campaign direc-
tor of Restore the Delta, has issued an
urgent action alert in response to the
introduction of legislation to temporarily sus-
pend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as it
applies to the California Delta pumping facilities
during times of drought.
Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mar-
iposa) on February 4 introduced HR 856, the
California Drought Alleviation Act, to bypass the
ESA so exports of Delta water to corporate agri-
business in the Central Valley can be increased
during this period of drought, a drought that has
been largely engineered by the draining of north-
ern California reservoirs over the past two years
by the state and federal governments.
The bill will also establish a Delta Smelt con-
servation hatchery, a bad idea that was defeated
in the State Legislature last year, due to opposi-
tion by a coalition of environmental organiza-
tions, fishing groups and Delta residents.
“By allowing the Delta Pumps to operate at
increased capacity, the CDAA allows available
water to flow to Valley farmers and provides
a stimulus to the California economy without
costing the taxpayer a dime,” Radanovich said
in a statement announcing the introduction of
the bi-partisan legislation. “We cannot allow
California agriculture to wither and die because
our precious resources are being hijacked by
what amounts to economic eco-terrorism in the
form of the ESA and the entities that support this
damaging law.”
Radanovich cited a recent study by UC Davis
Department of Agricultural & Resource Econom-
ics and UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences
claiming that under an expected 85% cut in Cen-
tral Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project
(SWP) deliveries from the Delta and a maximum
of 50 percent increase in the 2005 regional
Soapbox needs your help
Your business could be an underwriter
By Jeanie Keltner
Do you watch Soapbox?(Cable Ch 17, Mon-
days at 8pm)?
Have you appreciated our interest in the things
you’re passionate about—NEVER covered by the
corporate media?
Have you enjoyed our conversations with local
activists and analysts about—among many other
topics—media consolidation, war resistance, the
death penalty, keeping the Internet free, peak oil,
bikes, buses and light rail, the Black Panthers,
vitamin D, and current politics from a truly left
point of view?
(Even more, have you been on Soapbox talking
about your issue?)
Then would you consider making a contri-
bution to keep it on the screen? We have few
expenses because everyone, almost, works only
for Pieces’ heavenly pizza and undying glory.
But we want to cover Access membership
fees—for the show itself and for the wonderful
crew—as well as other small expenses.
Times are very hard to be sure but please, if
you can, won’t you consider sending check, cash
or money order to 403 21st St. Sacramento 95814,
made out to me, Jeanie Keltner, since the show
has no bank account.
If you’d like to discuss underwriting and some
publicity for your business or group, please call
me (916) 444 -3203.
We believe Soapbox serves the progressive
community—and reaches the many people who
don’t pick up BPM or tune in to Democracy
Now—but who DO channel surf—and end up on
Soapbox getting progressive info almost in spite
of themselves!
Any gift of $30 or more will receive a set of ten
postcard reproductions of original Keltner Paris
groundwater pumping, the Central Valley will
lose 40,000 jobs. “To put that in perspective, that
is more jobs than General Motors plans to elimi-
nate by 2012,” according to Radanovich.
The CDAA would direct the Bureau of Recla-
mation to operate the C.W. “Bill” Jones pumps
at “increased capacity” during times of drought
emergency, giving the state “much needed water
reserves.”
In addition, Radanovich claimed the bill rec-
ognizes the “need to protect” the diminishing
population of the Delta smelt by directing the
Secretary of the Interior to “work cooperatively”
with the California Department of Fish and
Game in developing a smelt conservation hatch-
ery. “The goal of the conservation hatchery is
to sustain the smelt population and determine
the primary cause of its decline,” according to
Radanovich.
However, Radanovich neglected to mention
that the state and federal fishery biologists have
pinpointed increased water exports, toxics and
invasive species as the primary causes of the
decline of delta smelt, longfin smelt, threadfin
shad, striped bass and other species on the Delta.
Delta residents and environmental justice
advocates noted that Radanovich also failed to
mention the thousands of commercial and rec-
reational fishing businesses devastated by fishing
closures and draconian restrictions spurred by
the collapse of Central Valley salmon and Delta
fish populations. This collapse is largely due to
massive exports of water and declining water
quality.
“Of course, Congressman Radanovich has for-
gotten the economic eco-terrorism that has been
inflicted on commercial fisheries, the Delta sport-
fishing economy, and Delta agriculture as a result
of years of excessive water exports to support
Central Valley agribusiness,” countered Parrilla.
In a parallel development, the California
watercolors.
PLEASE HELP US!
Boss Mayor
from page 1
and the mayor being elected at large. Later in
2002, the position of mayor became full time;
however the city manager remains the chief
operating officer. This system has fostered
diversity and resulted in substantial citizen
access and involvement in city government.
Returning to the “strong mayor” system
raises the specter of potentially returning to the
abuses of power of the 1892 to 1914 period as
alleged and documented in news accounts of
the time.
Rick Bettis is a member of the Sacramento
Historical Society.
www.bpmnews.org March / April 2009 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 3
Department of Water Resources and US Bureau
of Reclamation are trying to accomplish admin-
istratively on the state level the same thing
Radanovich is doing legislatively on the federal
level—weaken Endangered Species Act restric-
tions protecting Delta and longfin smelt under
the guise of a “drought” emergency.
The State Water Resources Control Board
recently issued notice of a public hearing to
consider taking an emergency drought-related
water rights action on “temporary relaxation of
the February Delta Outflow and the San Joaquin
River Flow Objectives in response to current dry
conditions.”
How you can help? First, call the eight spon-
sors of HR 856 to express your outrage at their
disregard for the economic eco-interests of the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Tell them that
the business as usual regarding California water
policy must end.
“Let them know that increased Delta exports in
a time of drought will deal the final deathblow to
Delta fisheries,” urged Parrilla. “Let them know
that the Delta’s $2.5 billion economy is dependent
on water flowing into the Delta for fisheries and
Delta agriculture. Let them know that Delta
farms are mainly family farmers also deserving of
economic protection.”
Direct them to the Restore the Delta website
(www.restorethedelta.org) and tell them that
Regional Water Self-sufficiency, rather than mov-
ing water from northern California to southern
California, is the best way to meet California’s
water needs. Tell them that they need to focus
on breaking dependence on the Delta to meet
the state’s water needs. Self-sufficiency is the cost
effective way, in these difficult economic times, to
address our water problems.
In addition, contact members of the House
Natural Resources Committee to express your
opposition to H.R. 856. For more information,
contact Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, website:
www.restorethedelta.org, email: Barbara@
restorethedelta.org.
Dan Bacher is a Sacramento writer and
activist.
Pizza by the slice
PIECES
“The most delicious and
socially responsible
pizza in town”
—Jeanie Keltner
1309 21st St Between M and N
4 Because People Matter March / April 2009 www.bpmnews.org
The Budget and Me
By Jennifer Allen
My name is Jennifer. I want to share with you
how this budget crisis is affecting me and will
affect all of us. I will talk about these three items: time. It was beautiful sounds to my ears. If I lose
Medi-Cal, In-Home Supportive Services and
Supplemental Security
Income. In the In-Home-Supportive- that scares me the most.
I get dental, optic and Services program, clients
audio help from Medi-
Cal, and this is what will are given a level between
happen if those services one and five…I am not
are cut. Dental health
is important to every a ‘level.’ I am a person
human being; it is about who needs this service to
teeth. If we have bad
teeth, our general health maintain day-to-day living to maintain day-to-day
will be harmed. Teeth safely.
are essential to human
living. Teeth help us to eat. How it affects me? I
CAAC Goes have teeth that are missing and it is hard at times look like level three, but nothing is taken into
to the Movies to eat. Right now no dentist wants to see me for
ALMOST EVERY dental work that needs to be done. I would have
MONTH
to be knocked out due my disability. Having
The Central America
Action Committee no access to dental care, would put my life in
shows interesting jeopardy and many others will be in the same
and informative position.
videos on social Optometrists and Optician/Optical Lab go
justice, labor together in my case. I wear eyeglasses. My eyes
struggles, and so cannot hold contact lens due to my eye ball
much more! Call to
see what’s playing
which moves very fast in my socket. I am a
this month… person who, without eyeglasses, would not be
WE ALSO HAVE A able to see much of anything. Losing these two
VIDEO LIBRARY YOU benefits would have a dramatic effect on my day- What about people like me? That is a very scary
CAN CHECK OUT. to-day life. Not being able to see clearly would
1640 9th Ave (east put me in danger and others, we know, have the
off Land Park Dr)
same worries.
INFO: 446-3304
Audiology, audio means sound. Audiology
deals with hearing aids. Sounds are an everyday
thing, but if you are unable to hear clearly then
that is a danger. Without my hearing aids—I
cannot hear the sound of a fire truck’s siren! I
am considered almost deaf without the hearing
aids. Technically, my hearing loss is in the range
of where voices are found, in the low frequency
range. I lived for years without hearing aids and
Furlough Fridays Spread Pain to
Workers Already Hurting
By Roger White
The current California budget crisis has fea-
tured a familiar set of political villains on what
passes for “the left” in California. We’re told by
the governor’s office and corporate-owned edito-
rial pages that interest group intransigence is the
problem. The unions and state employees they
represent are, predictably, major bogymen. This
class of workers and voters are singularly self-
interested and driven by materialism and ideol-
ogy. It’s time they get put in check and realize we
all have to sacrifice and in the governor’s words,
“share in the pain,” in order to pull through this
crisis.
OK, they’re in check. A recent California
Supreme Court ruling affirmed Governor
Schwarzenegger’s authority to force department
heads to furlough state workers. I walked through
downtown Sacramento during lunch on the first
Friday of what is supposed to be a year-and-a-
half-long plan to force California employees to
eat two days off without pay each month. The
streets were empty and so were all the little shops
and restaurants that rely on state worker spend-
ing for their survival. These small businesses are
also “sharing in the pain.”
Governor Schwarzenegger’s demand that state
workers take a two-day monthly furlough is
primarily about political symbolism. The State
expects to save about $1.3 billion over the next
16 months from the furloughs. The deficit is $42
billion—less than three percent of the shortfall.
During contract negotiations unions have offered
a number of alternative cost savings ideas that
it was a scary time for me. When I got the hear-
ing aids I heard the world around me for the first
this benefit I would not be able to maintain my
hearing aids at all, and
In the In-Home-Sup-
portive-Services program,
clients are given a level
between one and five. I
Jennifer Allen
do not know what level
I am in IHSS. I am not photo courtesy Jennifer Allen
a “level.” I am a person
who needs this service
is even harder.
living safely. The cut that If these cuts are approved, then we must find a
is proposed is for level way to ease the consequences. I know cuts have
four and below. On paper, IHSS clients may to be made, but there must be a better way than
this.
account about the reality of the person’s ability Jennifer Allen is an advocate for people with
to do the domestic stuff of living. Let’s say I am disabilities and member of Capitol People First.
a level three on paper. What that means is my
IHSS will no longer help me maintain my home.
I have problems doing the dishes because I can-
not stand for a long period of time or making California Budget
my bed. I do help doing my laundry. I need help Project Finds:
vacuuming my house. If IHSS is cut everyone will
be in jeopardy in some form or another. My fear The governor’s proposed cuts to the SSI/SSP
is that people will be forced into group homes Program—which helps low-income seniors
because they can not maintain their places. IHSS and people with disabilities meet basic liv-
says they have family to help them. Well, I don’t. ing expenses—would reduce grants to the
minimum level required by federal law and
thought indeed. suspend the June 2010 COLA. It would
From Supplemental Social Security, I get $907 eliminate $1.324 billion in grant payments
as of January 2009. What I am hearing is this: to more than 1.3 million vulnerable Cali-
The state wants to lower SSI to $830. That is a $77 fornians. The governor’s proposed budget
difference. I was on $830 about four years ago. I also eliminates IHSS domestic services for
could not live on $830 then, when the economy 81,000 low-income seniors and people with
was better. What about now? Today’s economy disabilities. The program provides service
is bad on two different levels: state and national. to low-income seniors and people with dis-
On top of all this we have not had a steady COLA abilities who live in their own homes to help
given to us. I wonder why I can not make it on prevent more costly out-of-home care.
$907, let alone $830. All that I am saying is that www.cbp.org
being on a fixed income is hard, and having it cut
would raise as much revenue as the furlough programs, legislators have simply engaged in def-
plan. But for the governor, the symbolism is the icit spending in bad times and program increases
important thing. Why? Because the extent to in good times. Maybe the right thing to do in the
which Schwarzenegger can portray state workers short term, but not a sustainable solution to the
as unwilling to “take a haircut,” he can gin up state’s budget woes.
voter support for the kinds of roll backs in labor Until the state finds a new tax formula for
rights that he failed to win with his disastrous education funding and finds a way to end the
2005 initiative rout at the polls.   super-majority requirement for passing budgets,
The truth is that US workers, both in the pri- we can expect more of the same each year around
vate and public sector, have been in pain for some budget time.  
time. While worker productivity has continued Roger White is a criminal justice researcher
its steady increase over the last 30 years, health and writer. He lives in Sacramento.
and retirement benefits have been slashed and
real wages remained stagnant. In many cases this
decline in wages and over all economic security
was felt first and most severely by manufacturing
workers in the private sector. But today’s govern-
ment workers are being told that their retirement
health care and pension benefits are “liabilities”
that their state employers can no longer afford.
Meanwhile, corporate profits over the last 30
years have never been better. Who’s going to
make sure that these corporations share in the
pain? Multi-billion dollar bailouts don’t sound
too painful to me.
What’s more important than symbolism is
structural budgetary change. Prop. 13, the 1978
property tax cap, left school districts all around
the state starving for money. The state general As we go to press, “The Governator”
fund has been picking up the tab ever since. As has announced the end of Furlough
education has taken a larger bite out of the state Fridays; instead, state offices will
budget, other priorities that traditionally have be open as usual, and workers will
relied much less on property taxes—health care “choose” when to take their unpaid
and social services—have had to fight over a days. Thus, the cut in pay and work
shrinking pie. Rather than cut vital and popular will be hidden from voters.
 www.bpmnews.org March / April 2009 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 5

Promoting Social Justice and Multiculturalism through the Arts

By Fátima L. Castañeda
Students at LAS come from diverse social
Established in 2004, the Language Academy
economic backgrounds with over two thirds of
of Sacramento Charter School (LAS) came
the student population from households that fall
into existence through the dedicated efforts
below the federal poverty line. The enrichment
of a dynamic team of community members,
program at LAS provides 77 percent of students
parents, and staff persons. A partnership with
the opportunity to attend classes not typically
California State University, Sacramento, helped
accessible.
strengthen its curriculum design and professional
Community involvement is fostered by helping
development. students develop intergenerational relationships
Now an independent charter school, LAS
through an after-school enrichment program.
remains loyal to its mission to educate culturally
Community mentors teach students to utilize var-
and economically diverse students, grades K-8,
ious art forms to convey messages of multicul-
through the use of a dual-language immersion
turalism and social justice. For example, students
model. This model is designed to achieve bi-
work with a knitting expert to make scarves and A young student in an LAS knitting
literacy, multicultural competence and academic
hats for homeless children and mothers. The
class.
excellence while promoting self-motivated,
graphic design class creates art that promotes
photo courtesy Fátima L. Castañeda
socially responsible lifelong learners.
messages of peace, equality and cultural identity.
The music production
class works in groups to
create music with mes- tion, graphic design and knitting.
sages of identity and Diana, a sixth grader, says community mem-
cultural unity. bers should support the Spring Art & Food
On Saturday March Faire because, “This is not just a craft fair; this
14th, 10 am–3pm, is a place where you share your culture. Adults
students will share their should support our program because like us, they
art with the community were once children with dreams. Our dream is to
at LAS’ first Spring Art reach our goals through language and art.”
and Food Faire. The For vendor and booth info or to find out how
Faire is a fundraiser for you can support LAS’s after-school enrichment
the after-school enrich- program, contact Fátima Castañeda at castaneda. Peace Action
ment program with fatima@gmail.com or 916 277 7137. on the Web
the goal of expanding The craft fair will be held at Keep up to date
the two day program Language Academy of Sacramento on peace activism
that currently offers 4500 Roosevelt Avenue in Sacramento.
13 classes including, Sacramento, CA 95820 Check out
ceramics, art, capoeira, www.sacpeace.org.
folklorico, Aztec dance, Fátima L. Castañeda is Parent and Enrich-
Students in the LAS music production program. guitar, music produc- ment Coordinator at the LAS.
photo courtesy Fátima L. Castañeda

National Community Discussion on Local Media

Communications Policy April 2, 2009 (Thursday)
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Must Advance Public Coloma Center Auditorium 4623 T St., Sacramento

Interest Let’s hear from you about how local media can serve our communities.
 Sacramento area residents, media professionals and media consumers
are invited to attend a
A Letter to President community discussion on
local media to consider

Obama these topic areas:

• Public Affairs
• Diversity
By Charlene Jones • Political Coverage
In January 2009 the Sacramento Media Group jumped into action • Community Input
by joining countless public interest advocates across the country to call • Broadband Internet
upon the new president to loosen Big Media’s stranglehold on American Access
public discourse. In a letter to President Obama and members of the
Sacramento region’s congressional delegation, SMG sought policies that Sacramento Media Group and California Common Cause with Access
will protect an open, affordable Internet, support public media, and Sacramento invite interested individuals, community organizations,
increase diversity in viewpoint and voice. local media outlets and elected officials to participate in a community
discussion designed to hear opinions, stories and suggestions about
President Barack Obama: our local media. The new presidential administration wants to cre-
Thank you for bringing media and technology issues to the fore- ate a more democratic media system and promote universal access to
front of your policy agenda. Your plans call for a crucial shift in communications technologies. The evening offers an opportunity to
national communications policy toward the advancement of public share ideas that can contribute to these goals.  It will also help us bet-
interest. We offer our support and service in pursuit of these common ter understand how well our local print, television, radio and Internet
goals. media serve their audiences. 
We urge you to select strong proponents of public interest to join  
your administrative team and embrace proposals made during and The discussion will be recorded and a report submitted to local media
after your campaign to shape the future of the media, the Internet, and the Federal Communications Commission. Feedback may help
the economy and our democracy as whole. Together we have an establish federal policies impacting local media ownership, increased
opportunity to break with the past and put American consumers and localism, the establishment of community advisory boards, radio and
taxpayers first by lifting the grip media industry lobbyists have had television licensing procedures, and more.
on communication policy and media practices. Please continue to
emphasize and enact priorities you pledged: JoAnn Fuller, Associate Director Ron Cooper, Executive Director
Protect an Open Internet—To “take a backseat to no one in my California Common Cause Access Sacramento
commitment to Net Neutrality and “protect the Internet’s traditional 1005 12th Street Suite C 4623 T Street
openness to innovation and creativity and ensure that it remains a Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA. 95819
platform for free speech and innovation that will benefit consumers (916) 443-1792 ext. 11 (916) 456-8600 ext. 112
and our democracy.” November 2007 jfuller@commoncause.org rcooper444@aol.com
www.commoncause.org/CA www.AccessSacramento.org
See Media, page 6
6 Because People Matter March / April 2009 www.bpmnews.org

Immigration activists fight to make Sacramento

a “Sanctuary City”
Designation would prevent city police from helping federal immigration efforts
By Cres Velucci
Council, League of United Latin American immigration raids, and suspend all detentions
Maybe newly-elected President Barack Obama Citizens (LULAC), La Raza Network, Chicano and deportations.
will help fix the previous administration’s mis- Consortium, MEChA, Labor Council for Latin It would also ask Congress to hold hearings
guided efforts to emphasize enforcement of American Advancement (LACLAA), CAUIL, about the impacts of immigration enforcement,
immigration laws with little regard for human Green Party and Peace & Freedom Party of Sac- and for the immigration debate to be carried
rights. ramento, Sacramento Coalition to the End the out without a “backdrop of fear, repression and
Then again, maybe not. War and Veterans for Peace/Chapter 87, among intimidation.”
Just in case the new administration does noth- many others. The measure calls on the city to ask Congress
ing, or little, to change policy, scores of cities, The SacSS has framed a final draft ordinance and the Obama Administration to “redirect funds
counties and other municipalities across the to be considered by the Sacramento City Council from immigration enforcement” to services,
soon, which would including the backlog in applications for visas.
prohibit the use of “city Finally, the ordinance also mandates the city of
funds for immigration Sacramento reject the use of the terms “illegal”
enforcement.” or “alien,” and instead refer to those with have yet
According to Eric to receive federally-recognized resident status as
Vega, one of the orga- “undocumented” and those who have migrated
nizers, the ordinance to the US from another country as “immigrant.”
would “prevent the city “This kind of ordinance has been passed in
of Sacramento from San Francisco and other parts of the country. We
Some of the funding any office, believe the ordinance stands on its own as a com-
Places You Can agency or department munity response to the Bush Administration’s
Find BPM of the city, or using any misguided efforts to emphasize enforcement with
resources to assist the little regard for the human rights of immigrants
Sacramento Area
Coffee Works enforcement of federal across the country.
Crest Theater immigration laws.” It “[This] ordinance will act as a catalyst to bring
Dimple Records, also would stop the together activists and organizations in a posi-
Arden Wy city from gathering or tive political project. It won’t be easy. From Lou
Flowers Restaurant disseminating infor- Dobbs to Rush Limbaugh, reactionary forces are
Galleria (29th & K)
mation regarding the dumbing down the debate around the complex
Grinders
Hart Senior Center immigration status of issue of immigration. We need to be discussing
Lido Cafe residents in most cases, in our communities the various ways we can con-
Light Rail: he said. test their simple law enforcement strategies and
65/Folsom
Oct. 31, 2008, protesters in San Francisco raids, de- “Two years ago the reframe the debate,” said the coalition.
4th Ave/Freeport mand an end to Immigration and Customs Enforce- slogan was ‘Today we For more information, go to www.sacsso.
Los Jarritos ment (ICE) raids and enforcement of San Francisco march, tomorrow we org.
Luna’s Cafe & Juice Bar and Oakland sanctuary city laws. vote.’ Today is here Cres Veluci is active in the Green Party of
Mercy Hospital, 40th/J
Pancake Circus, 21st/
Photo: Puck Lo, indybay.org and there are raids, Sacramento.
Broadway inhumane detention
Planned US—including the city of Sacramento—are pass- practices, split families and real pain in immi-
Parenthood:Franklin ing or about to pass laws to prevent their local grant communities,” said Vega, a California State
Blvd, Watt Ave., 29th law enforcement agencies from enforcing the University, Sacramento professor.
St.
Federal Immigration Law. In effect, this would The ordinance’s prohibition of cooperation Ben and Jerry’s New Presidential Flavors  
Queen of Tarts
prohibit the police from arresting and holding with federal immigration policies is nearly abso-
Quick Market
people solely for suspected immigration law lute—it stops any city employee from assisting
Ben and Jerry apparently really did
Sacramento Bagel,
47th/H violations. any immigration office, investigation, surveil- create “Yes peCAN!” ice cream flavor for
Sacramento Natural The immigration-safe communities are called lance, detention or arrest based on immigration President Obama (with “amber waves
Foods Coop “California Sanctuaries,” and if that sounds radi- laws. of ice cream”). An Internet rumor says
Sacramento Public cal, it’s not. More than a dozen cities and counties The ordinance, as proposed, also prevents
Library (Main & many they then asked people what the best
have already approved these regulations in Cali- city staff, including police, from “disseminat-
branches)
fornia—among them, San Francisco, Los Ange- ing any information regarding immigration
flavors would be for George W.
Starbucks (B'wy & 35th)
The Beat les, Oakland, San Diego, Watsonville, and Fresno. status of individuals,” and prohibits Sacramento Here are some favorites: 
The Bread Store Dozens of other town in the US, and, at least five employees from “stopping, questioning, arresting
Time Tested Books states, including Oregon, New Mexico, Montana or detaining” any individual “because of [that Grape Depression
Tower Theater (inside) and Alaska have prohibitions as well. individual’s] national origin, immigration status
Tupelo (Elvas & 57th)
The Sacramento Security and Safety Ordinance or on the basis of their ability to speak English or Abu Grape
Underground Books
(35th St. near B'way) Coalition (www.SacSSO.org) is organizing the perceived or actual national origin.” Nut’n Accomplished
Weatherstone Coffee effort in the city of Sacramento. It’s a working The ordinance also requires the city of Sacra-
Chico Area
group of immigrant rights activists bolstered mento to call upon the US Dept. of Homeland Iraqi Road
by a growing list of support groups, including Security and Bureau of Customs and Immigra-
Davis the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) tion Enforcement to end all enforcement opera- Chock ‘n Awe
Espresso Cafe Roma
Sacramento Chapter, Sacramento Central Labor tions, including worksite and neighborhood
Davis Natural Food Coop WireTapioca
Newsbeat
University Mall Impeach Cobbler
Grass Valley
Guantanmallow
Media
Briar Patch
Sacred Bee
from page 5 imPeachmint
Greenhaven area
Buckthorn’s Coffee, Heck of a Job, Brownie! 
7465 Rush River Dr Promote Universal, Affordable Broadband— lems.” December 2008
To see that “in the country that invented the Ensure Open Government—To reverse “poli- Neocon Politan
For a more complete list, Internet, every child should have a chance to get cies that favor the few against public interest,
visit our web site: online” by bringing “true broadband to every close the revolving door between government RockyRoad to Fascism
www.bpmnews.org.
community in America.” December 2008 and industry,” and achieve “a new level of trans-
Where would you like to The Housing Crunch
see BPM? Diverse Media Ownership—To create “the parency, accountability and participation for
Let Paulette Cuilla know, diverse media environment that federal law American citizens.” December 2008 Nougular Proliferation
916-422-1787. requires and country deserves.” December 2008 We represent an active community concern
Renew Public Media—To foster “the next for a more vibrant and diverse media system that Death by Chocolate...and Torture
generation of public media” and “support the will deliver the benefits our fellow Americans
transition of existing public broadcasting entities deserve and our democracy needs. Credit Crunch
and help renew their founding vision in the digi- Sincerely, Sacramento Media Group Caramel Preemptive Stripe
tal world.” December 2008 For more information about SMG, call 443
Spur Economic Growth—To “strengthen 1792 extension 11; smg@commoncause.org I broke the law and am responsible for
America’s competitiveness in the world” and the deaths of thousands...with nuts
leverage technology “to grow the economy, create Charlene Jones is a member of the Sacramento
jobs, and solve our country’s most pressing prob- Media Group
 www.bpmnews.org March / April 2009 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 7

Roe v. Wade—36 Years Later

Plenty to celebrate in 2009, but battle continues.
By Raquel Simental

J
reach out to voters in their neighboring state. As Mar Monte provides health care and education
anuary 22, 2009 marked the 36th anniversary we all know, our work contributed to an Obama to more than 230,000 women, men and teens.
of the US Supreme Court decision Roe v. victory in Nevada and helped catapult him to the Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte is an
Wade, the landmark 1973 case that estab- presidency. independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit orga-
lished women’s constitutional right to a safe and Meanwhile in California, a woman’s right to nization formed as the political advocacy arm
legal abortion. There have been many challenges choice was again under attack in the guise of of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte. Advocates
to abortion rights in the past several decades, state ballot measure Proposition 4. For a third protect women’s health and privacy through
as religious conservatives who oppose the Roe time, voters rejected—by 52 to 48 percent— a lobbying and public policy, electing pro-choice
v. Wade decision launched campaign after cam- dangerous initiative that would have put our candidates at all levels of government and identi-
paign to chip away at the foundation of the law. most vulnerable teens at risk by requiring paren- fying, educating and mobilizing pro-choice vot-
In the past 15 years, an increasing number of tal notification of a minor seeking to terminate ers. For more information, 916-446-5037
states have passed legislation that makes it much a pregnancy. Planned Parenthood advocates www.plannedparenthood.org/mar-monte.
more difficult, especially for teens and poor made it clear this was an attempt to erode the
women, to obtain an abortion. In a few states it right to choice and limit access to safe and legal Raquel Simental is Director of Public Affairs—
is all but impossible to find abortions. Nevertheless, after Sacramento Region, Planned Parenthood Mar
a clinic that will perform the Nevertheless, three failed attempts, pro- Monte.
procedure even though access ponents of the initiative said
to a safe, legal abortion is the
after three they will try to put a fourth
law of the land. failed attempts, parental-notification measure
In addition to the back-sliding on the ballot as early as 2010.
of recent decades, the last eight
proponents of the The election of Barack If you want to help keep
years of the Bush administra- initiative said they Obama to the White House BPM going, will you
tion have posed perhaps the and the defeat of Proposition
most severe threat to repro-
will try to put a 4 was not only a triumph but
consider stepping up? If
you would like to know
ductive freedom since the Roe fourth parental- a huge relief to voters who
more about BPM, who
decision. Under President
George W. Bush, anti-abortion
notification measure believe women must have
the right to safe and legal puts it together and how
zealots were able to affect the on the ballot as abortions. President Obama you might help, join us.
first ban on late-term pregnan- is a national leader commit-
cy terminations, which they
early as 2010. ted to women’s health issues
Wednesday, April 8, 7pm
at 909 12th St. in the con-
falsely labeled “partial-birth who will make preserving
abortions.” The attack on reproductive rights women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in
ference room.
became so reckless that even contraception came his administration.
under fire in Bush administration health policy After commemorating the 36th anniversary of
decisions. Roe v. Wade, we can take time to celebrate our
Women had a lot at stake during this presiden- chance to regain the ground lost in recent years.
tial election. Thanks to Bush’s ultra-conservative However, difficult work ahead remains in order
appointments to the bench, the Supreme Court to ensure all women continue to have access to
is only one vote away from overturning Roe v. legal and effective reproductive health services.
Wade. It was clear that a John McCain/Sarah The right to a safe, accessible abortion for women High School
Palin administration would very likely sink the
Roe decision and deal a devastating blow to
who have been deprived of it in states where
they live must be protected. We must fight to
Poetry Writing Contest
women’s health. assure the next appointed justices to the Supreme Announcing the Sacramento Poetry Center’s
With so much on the line, Planned Parent- Court believe in upholding the principles of Roe Third Annual High School Poetry Writing
hood Advocates Mar Monte (PPAMM) worked v. Wade. Most important of all, no one should Contest
to help elect President Barack Obama in the forget that this right, which many young women No cost to enter!
swing state of Nevada, and advocate volunteers now take for granted, is threatened and can still Deadline April 15!
canvassed and phone-banked every week, for be taken away. It’s time to stop turning back the
months. Staff members organized rallies and clock. The Sacramento Poetry Center welcomes
fundraising campaigns to inform Nevada voters Planned Parenthood Mar Monte is the largest submissions from high school poets. Poems
about McCain’s dismal record on women’s health Planned Parenthood affiliate in California and should not have your name on them. Instead,
and reproductive rights. In addition, PPAMM the nation, covering 40 counties in California and please include a separate cover letter with
conducted several phone banks in California to northern Nevada. Each year Planned Parenthood your name, address, phone and email address,
and the title/s of your poems. Also indicate
the name of your school. Be sure to include a
self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want
notification of winners. Limit of three poems
per student. The postmark deadline is April
15, 2009. Good writing and good luck!

Take action, create change! Prizes include:

Reproductive Freedom Day
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 8am-4:30pm
Sacramento Convention Center
California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom
www.reproductivefreedomca.org
Come learn about current reproductive
health and justice issues, meet other activists
from around the state, and tell legislators why
reproductive rights are important to you and
your community. In addition to informative
workshops and inspiring speakers, the day’s
agenda will include training on how to make
legislative visits and education about the issue
you will be lobbying. Highlights from this
year’s agenda:
Generation Awards for two outstanding
advocates and a lively panel discussion of the
history and future of reproductive rights!
Workshops on Reproductive Health, Rights
and Justice, Advocacy in Tough Economic
Times, Reproductive Justice and Latinas (en
Español), Prop 8 and LGBTQ issues, Youth
Creating Reproductive Justice, and Defeating
Prop 4: Innovative Organizing in Communi-
ties of Color!
For more information contact Kelly Daw-
son, kelly@reproductivefreedomca.org.
• $100.00 for our Grand Prize winner
• Free books and swag for finalists
• Publication in Poetry Now, the monthly
journal of the Sacramento Poetry Center
• Grand Prize winner will receive an invita-
tion to read their work at the Sacramento
Poetry Center in the summer.
Send your original poems to:
High School Poetry Contest
Sacramento Poetry Center
P.O. Box 160406
Sacramento, CA  95816
Email submissions will be accepted: send to
tulereview@sacramentopoetrycenter.
org
Put “SPC HS CONTEST” in the subject line.
Include above information sheet as the body
of the email, and send each individual poem
as an attachment—MS Word documents only.
Questions? email
tulereview@sacramentopoetrycenter.
org
8 Because People Matter March / April 2009 www.bpmnews.org

Ojitos
Red bow
Bashful blossom
Butterfly Mariposa
Takes flight in her
Day dream
(San Francisco, Yerba Buena
Kid Zeum)

Fresh, alive and organic produce

Alchemists Urban Farm Stand
Offerings para las comunidades de Sacrazlandia
Wendy, la mexica danzante
Handles and sells at her neighborhood Commu-
nity Carpa
As intern in training
standing como la role model pa’ sus carnalitas
(Sacramento, River Garden Estates/SMHA )

Regalia, hand made and worn con orgullio

Inner beauty that graces the aged rhythms and movements
De homeland gatherings and rites of passage
Sonrisas that shine such radiant passion
Their presence brings the there here and we see that we are
ONE

(Sacramento, Southside Park)

Madre, hija y companera de la lucha

Standing before relations
Thanks Taking ceremony lead by AIM
Reflections of la Diosa in triple effect
Tobacco offerings made by the thousand in attendance
Sisters carry light forth in unity and struggle

(San Francisco, Isla de Alcatraz)

Sacred Fire burning messages

Sun Rise celebration
Rejoicing Renewal of all Relations
Sisters Adelita y Jennie preparando el altar
Of the West and y sus energies,sybolos y alegria
(Winters, DQU Sunrise ceremonia; QuetzalCoatl Citlalli)
 www.bpmnews.org March / April 2009 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 9

Pakistani’Sacramentan
Free stylin’tradition
Urban henna cuerpo arte
Stroked por ancestor echoes
Visions of adorned mujeres con
Flor y paisley yerbas Sagradas rising thru skin
Story cuentos de Amor and their potencia

(Sacramento, Washington Neighborhood Centro)

Watching alongside la maestra

Nena Mika cautiously observes angels and santo
In a teatro ritual
Eyes glowing como el Peace within

(Sacramento, Camellia Waldorf School)

Sister Riza paints her visions

Corazon beating Truths
of a liberated Alma in motion
Osun y Yemaja bendiciones bestowed unto todos
celebrando los colores del mundo sagrado
Entre arte y espiritu

(Sacramento, CC Plaza)

Sister friends y sus sonrisas

Carry forth trabajo of communidad
a Joy and happiness of being
Belleza
Talented
Gifted
September memories de
Con sus companeras Breaking bread with friends y familia
She forged change
Cultivating Paz
Des de las calles
to City Hall (Sacramento, Southside Park/ SMHA function)
steps adelante y la lucha sigue
(Sacramento, Southside Park/
SMHA/function)

Photos and text by YaYa Porras, Community Organizer for Sacramento

Mutual Housing, and more importantly, her son’s mom.
10 Because People Matter March / April 2009 www.bpmnews.org
Sacramento Area Peace Action (SacPeace)
916-448-7157 • sacpeace@dcn.org • www.sacpeace.org
“Every gun that is made, every warship
launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the
final sense a theft from those who hunger
and are not fed, those who are cold and are
not clothed.” - Dwight Eisenhower
The Costs of War: A Grand Theft
It’s tax season. This time of year, we pitch in
a portion of our hard-earned dollars to help
fund public transportation, Head Start, state
universities, medical research, public works, and
a myriad of other programs widely benefiting
Americans.
About half of our tax payments, though, only
benefits defense corporations and the largest mil-
itary in the world, and funds widespread death,
destruction, and pollution world-wide.
This year, April 15 also serves as another
reminder of the economic crisis we face.
President Obama has proposed an $800 billion
economic stimulus plan to re-start the failing
American economy, including grants for “shovel-
ready” infrastructure projects. With California
facing an estimated $40 billion deficit and a
painfully overdue budget, the City of Sacramento
looking at more than $10.5 million in shortfalls,
and the County facing a $55 million debt, these
measures are much-welcomed. However, Obama
faces skepticism and opposition from fiscal con-
servatives, as deficit hawks oppose fighting debt
with more debt.
But those who demand a peace economy—not
a war economy—propose funding stimulus pack-
ages through drastic cuts to the Pentagon budget,
including savings from withdrawing from the
morass of Iraq and Afghanistan. The egregiously
disproportionate amount of money spent on the
military and its related costs continues to feed the
massive debt faced by the world’s “richest” nation.
Redistributing the Pie
Congress acquiesced to former President
Bush’s requests for funding the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan without raising taxes. No taxpayer
has yet been asked to sacrifice for these military
adventures, but now the burden is falling on our
heavily indebted nation, and will continue to
drag on our economy and future taxpayers.
According to statistics compiled by the War
Resisters’ League, using the Department of
Defense’s (DOD) figures, 54 percent of our tax
dollars will go toward military spending this year.
Missile defense alone is budgeted at $8.8 billion.
Military costs range from the more obvious,
nuclear weapons, research and development, and
personnel, down to hidden costs that may take
decades to manifest, such as the impact of post-
traumatic stress disorder. Other societal costs
stemming from the impact of military service,
such as elevated levels of domestic violence and
mental health issues, can wreak havoc on family
and public budgets alike. Future costs of war and
occupation, such as rebuilding occupied Iraq and
Afghanistan, are not even included in the DOD’s
figures.
(Statistics compiled by the War Resisters’
League: www.warresisters.org.)
Nobel laureate-economist Dr. Joseph Stiglitz
has estimated the cost of the war in Iraq, pro-
If you want to help keep
BPM going, will you
consider stepping up? If
you would like to know
more about BPM, who
puts it together and how
you might help, join us.
April 8, 7pm at 909 12th
St. in the conference room.
jected into the future to cover care and pay for
wounded veterans, replenishing the military, and
debt service, etc., to be three trillion dollars! (The
Three Trillion Dollar War: The True Cost of the
Iraq Conflict, with Linda J. Bilmes.)
What would the state of our nation be if that
money had not been squandered on a war based
on lies? What would a peace economy look like?
According to the National Priorities Project
Database, taxpayers in Sacramento, California
will pay $779.1 million for total Iraq war spend-
ing approved to date. The same amount of money
could have provided 320,668 people with health
care; or 11,006 music and arts teachers; or 2,332
affordable housing units; or 13,919 public safety
officers. (From www.nationalpriorities.org)
But What Can I Do?
You can work to educate your friends, col-
leagues, and community about the economic
impact of war and militarism.
You can advocate for changes to the budget
structure. Pay a visit to Rep. Matsui’s office, with
your fiscal message.
You can refuse to pay the percentage of your
owed taxes that would be put toward military
use.
War tax resistance has long been a form of civil
disobedience, employed by the likes of the Quak-
ers, Gandhi, and Henry David Thoreau. Some
war tax resistance organizations offer taxpayers
the opportunity to divert their money away from
war taxes, and into alternative funds. Direct Aid
Iraq, recommended by the 2009 War Tax Boycott
campaign, sends money to Jordan and Syria to
provide medical care to Iraqi refugees. Money
collected by the Northern California War Tax
Resistance is deposited into their People’s Life
Fund, and given away via grants or direct dona-
tions. The People’s Life Fund supports essential
human needs such as health care, food, and hous-
ing; organizations working for social justice and
sustainability; and efforts to educate taxpayers
about war tax resistance. Some alternative tax
funds offer taxpayers a safe deposit option for
use in case they are investigated by the IRS and
ordered to pay back taxes.
For more information, see:
www.dontbuybushswar.org/
www.warresisters.org
www.wartaxboycott.org
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Tax_resistance
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
History_of_tax_resistance
www.nationalpriorities.org/
www.nowartax.org
www.hopedance.org/new/issues/43/
article5.html
“Let them march all they want, so long as they
continue to pay their taxes.” Alexander Haig, Sec-
retary of State, 1982
Get your STOP WAR
Lawn Sign!
Order from SacPeace,
916-448-7157
Sliding scale $5-10.
Tax Day Actions
Sacramento Area Peace Action
will sponsor Tax Day actions on
April 15, including information
tables at US post offices, in con-
junction with Sacramento Wom-
en’s International League for Peace
and Freedom, where “peanuts for
taxpayers” are handed out with
flyers depicting the billions of tax
dollars for the Pentagon.
Check www.sacpeace.org for
this year’s actions.
Palestine Speaker
Series
Third Tuesdays, 7PM
909 12th Street, Sacramento,
Info: 916-448-7157, www.sacpeace.org
March 17 – Environmental Issues of
Occupation, 
Dr. Henry Clark, Exec. Director, West Coast
Toxics Coalition 
April 21 – Divestment,
Afif Wensky, member of the National Coun-
cil of Arab Americans (NCA)
May 19 - Current Realities/One State, 
Dr. Jess Ghanam, Clinical Professor of Psy-
chiatry, UC San Francisco, and board mem-
ber of the Gaza Community Mental Health
Program.
June 16 - Two Sacramentans’ Impressions of
Palestine, 
Maggie Coulter, Sacramento Area Peace
Action president, and Patricia Daugherty,
Peace Action member and community
activist.
Organized by Sacramento Area Peace Action,
Al-Awda Sacramento, and National Council
of Arab Americans.
Resources for Enlisted
Personnel & Veterans
Discharges • DEP • Discrimination • Gay •
AWOL/UA • Harassment • Hazing•
Conscientious Objection
Call for information from a network of nonprofit,
nongovernmental organizations.
The service is free. The call is confidential.
The GI Rights Hotline, www.girights.org, 800-394-
9544
Free & confidential counseling: 916-447-5706;
www.therapistsforsocialresponsibility.org;
 www.bpmnews.org March / April 2009 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 11

Gaza: A Very Public Lynching

By Brigitte Jaensch and Paolo Bassi

H
undreds of thousands of angry, shocked 2006. The blockade has effectively destroyed
people all over the world protested Gaza’s economy. Only international humanitarian
Israel’s three week assault on Gaza, but aid is keeping Gaza afloat—when Israel allows it
western governments, in particular Britain and in. The European Union and the US have done
the US, stayed silent—it was business as usual. next to nothing to pressure Israel to lift the block-
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF), in 22 days ade, a blockade which is nothing if not economic
starting December 27, 2008, leveled parts of Gaza terror.
and killed about 1,300 Palestinians, of whom 900 Other than the rocket attacks, the media pro-
were civilians and about 400 children. It was the vided little to explain the latest conflict. Hamas
worst violence since 1967. (Factual statements is an armed Islamist political organization for
from Inter Press Service except as noted.) whom Israel is the enemy but that in itself did not
Throughout the attack, Washington, London, lead to the conflict. What Israel and its western
the American corporate media and even the backers could never tolerate was that Hamas got
famously “objective” elected—Hamas, the very
BBC, stayed on mes- Israel’s war is never called entity Israel and Washing-
sage maintaining Isra- ton helped establish in the
el’s right to defend itself by its true name while the 1980s to weaken Yasser
from Hamas’s rockets. Palestinians are reduced Arafat’s Fatah and divide
In truth, these rockets, the Palestinians.
while capable of killing, to a mere humanitarian To justify the Decem-
are primitive compared problem rather than being ber 2008 invasion, Israel
to Israel’s F-16s, tanks alleged that Hamas had
and helicopter gun- victims of Israel’s violence violated the six month
ships, all supplied cour- truce that expired on
tesy of the American taxpayer. December 19. In truth, Israel had been planning
Completely missing was the voice of President- to attack Gaza since Israel’s August 2006 war on
in-waiting, Barack Obama. As the bodies piled Lebanon. Funded with US tax dollars, the US
up in Gaza, Obama maintained his silence by Army Corps of Engineers had even built Israel a
claiming that the US only had “one president at a model of a Gaza town at Israel’s National Urban
time.” However, given his very public expression Training Center at Baladia in the Negev Desert.
of allegiance to Israel and to the American Israel The actual invasion was never a question of if,
Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), it is unlikely just when.
that he would have stayed silent were Israelis A clue that an attack was imminent came Mahoud Abed Rabbu lived in a 3 floor, six apartment
being killed. around November 2008 when Israel began bar- building. On January 6 it came under shell attack
Even after his triumphal inauguration on ring foreign journalists from Gaza. During the from 10.30. At 2pm during the 1-4pm “ceasefire”, the
February 20, Obama stuck to the depressingly invasion, it was Arab reporters and humanitarian army dynamited a wall open and told Mahoud and
familiar line about Israel’s need for security, while workers inside Gaza who got the news out. They his family “leave here, go into the town, we’ll kill you
also reported that Israel was using new kinds of if you return.”
weapons. Photo: www.talestotell.wordpress.com/
Gaza’s doctors have lots of experience treating
wounds, but now they encountered new kinds of
injuries. Dr. Sobhi Skaik, consultant surgeon gen-
eral at Al-Shifa hospital described “loss of life …. things like “Arabs must die,” “One down, 999,999
for reasons that are unexplainable medically.… to go,” “Make war not peace.” (Ynet News).
It is possible the Israeli army was using Gaza In Hay al-Salam, Israeli soldiers confined Abu
to experiment militarily.” Then added, “What Abdallah, his wife and nine children, in their
is being intentionally created is a population of basement for two days. “… the soldiers did not
handicapped people.” allow us to go get water. I had to take water from
One weapon severed limbs so quickly that the toilet cistern … for the small children to
the victims did not immediately realize what drink.” (Ynet News).
had happened. Dense Inert Metal Explosives More than 2,000 bombs were dropped on Gaza
(DIMEs) can do this. If DIMEs don’t kill outright, in 22 days. Amnesty International, Human Rights
its metals once in the body cause an aggressive Watch, and the United Nations condemned
form of cancer. Dr. Karim Hosni, an Egyptian Israel’s use of unconventional weapons in civilian
doctor volunteering his services at Al-Naser hos- areas. The words “war crimes” have even been
pital in Khan Younis confided, “Sometimes I wish uttered. Although the US would never allow any
my patients would just die. Their injuries are so war crimes tribunals, some headlines indicate
horrifying, that I know they will now have to lead Israel is concerned, “Israel acts to block war
terrible and painful lives.” crimes charges.” (The National) and “Israel forms
TV news also showed bombs exploding like war crime defense team.” (Al Jazeera).
fireworks above Gaza. There were reports about After Israel’s ceasefire on January 18, 2009, UN
January 25--Temporary shelters in
bodies charred, melted and fused together. This Secretary General Ban Ki Moon visited Gaza and
Jabalia: This family has no clothes is what white phosphorous does to human flesh. called what he had seen “shocking” and “appall-
other than those they are wearing. If inhaled it destroys the lungs and once in the ing.” However, by then, the media were chasing a
www.talestotell.wordpress.com/ system, it shuts down internal organs, starting new story: Barack Obama’s inauguration.
with the liver. This last invasion was in reality a more dramat-
adding some banal platitudes about the humani- It’s not as if the IDF is short of traditional ic version of life in Gaza, which has been occu-
tarian crisis in Gaza. Israel’s war is never called by weapons. Israeli bombs, tactical missiles and pied or controlled by Israel since 1967. Violence
its true name while the Palestinians are reduced munitions pulverized a university dormitory, a and repression have become part of life.
to a humanitarian problem rather than being science building, UN schools, food warehouses, Israel may have withdrawn its settlements
victims of Israel’s violence. mosques, hospitals, medical centers, apartment in 2005, but it reminds Palestinians each day
Whenever Israel commits military aggression buildings, government offices and even a food that they are a colonized people. Since 2005, in
in the region, whether bombing Gaza or invading processing plant. Israel claimed “militants” were addition to the 1,300 Palestinians killed in the
Lebanon, criticism in London and Washington is in all these places including a sewer treatment latest attack, over 800 others have been killed by
non-existent. Israel is given free reign to achieve facility, which the Gazans had barely managed to Israel. In the West Bank, Palestinian property is
its military objectives. Only after there are too repair after an IDF attack in July 2006. Now Gaza routinely destroyed or confiscated. No one leaves
many dead Palestinians to be ignored, are there must deal with billions of dollars in new damage. without Israel’s permission and those who do,
murmurings about a need for restraint. According to Amnesty International, Israeli have no guarantee of being allowed to return.
Obama has appointed a special envoy to the soldiers looted, vandalized and ransacked houses. Between March 2006 and December 2008
Middle East, former Senator George Mitchell, They smashed furniture and left personal items more than 250 Gazans died because Israel denied
whose stated aim is to secure a sustainable cease- strewn, sometimes soiled with urine. In one them access to medical attention outside Gaza.
fire. However, this may be impossible if Wash- house the IDF left cardboard boxes full of excre- In the same period, Hamas’s rockets killed 12
ington and Israel insist on excluding Hamas from ment even though the house had a functioning Israelis. This too is a human tragedy. However,
the negotiations. toilet. In a few cases, families were used as human if Israel can kill 1,300 by claiming the right to
Mitchell will also have to deal with Israel’s shields. Houses had holes punched through the defend itself, why is the same right not afforded
three year economic blockade of Gaza which outer walls, which soldiers used for lookout and to the Palestinians?
started when Hamas won the election there in sniper positions. They drew on walls and wrote See Gaza, page 13
12 Because People Matter March / April 2009 www.bpmnews.org
How Women Got the Vote
Parallel activism to win equality
By Rick Bettis
The commemoration of Women’s History
Month would be incomplete without recognition
of two leaders in the historic struggle for equal
rights for women. Alice Paul and Carrie Chap-
man Catt worked together and in parallel to con-
vince people across the nation to allow women to
vote in US elections. Their efforts suggest a lesson
Noon Hour
Witness Against the
in how to work to solve the same monumental
problem, using quite different approaches to cre-
Death Penalty. ate social change.
Third Mondays Alice Paul was brought up with her parents’
12noon to 1pm. belief in the equality of the sexes, one of the
11th and L Streets Quaker religion’s basic principles. In 1907 she
State Capitol
INFO: 455-1796
went to England to study social work where
she met Christobel Pankhurst and her mother
Emmeline, leaders of the radical suffrage move-
ment. Paul joined the movement, and partici-
pated in many acts of civil disobedience, being
Inez Milholland Boissevain, wearing
white cape, seated on white horse
at the National American Woman
Suffrage Association parade, March
3, 1913, Washington, D.C.
Photo: Library of Congress Archives.
Sacramento
Soapbox
Progressive Talk Show
Blacks Scapegoated for Prop. 8
Access Sacramento,
Channel 17 with
Jeanie Keltner.
Monday, 8pm, Tuesday
noon, Wednesday, 4am. By Roger White
Now in Davis, Channel
15, Tuesday, 7pm. The black electorate in California’s last election
showed both its tendency to support progressive
politicians and the internal contradictions of its
cultural politics.
Because of our battles and victories over
enslavement and race domination in the US,
African Americans have occupied a unique space
in the worldwide struggle for justice and peace.
That space has always been defined by the South-
ern Christian Church—an institution with deep
conservative roots as well as a tradition of lead-
ing movements for radical social change. This is
why so many blacks had no conflict with voting
for Barack Obama for president and voting in
favor of Prop. 8, the November 2008 measure
that constitutionally banned same sex marriage
in California. Obama and the Democratic Party
came out against the ban; blacks in California
voted 69% in favor.
I was not a supporter of Prop. 8. Marriage is
not fundamentally religious in the US. One can
get married at a ceremony involving religious
rituals and rites or at city hall. Most significantly
for the government, marriage is a civil contract
between two people and the state for certain
rights, benefits and responsibilities. The notion of
denying adults of the same sex the right to enter
into these contracts because homosexuality is
considered a sin to Bible-believing Christians or
devout Muslims or orthodox Jews runs counter
to every reasonable interpretation of the separa-
tion of church and state.
And what about regular old equal protection?
In theory the state just can’t willy nilly decide to
deny constitutional rights to whichever group
is out of favor with the majority at any given
moment. Before the state can strip away rights to
freedom of association they have to offer some
evidence that the law—in this case ban—is rea-
arrested and imprisoned on several occasions.
The suffragettes protested their confinement with
hunger strikes and were forcibly fed in a brutal
In 1913 [Alice Paul]
and friend Lucy Burns
organized a massive
parade by women down
Pennsylvania Avenue,
scheduled to coincide
with the inauguration of
President Woodrow Wilson.
fashion. Paul took strength from the notation
often etched on their prison cell walls, “Resis-
tance to tyranny is obedience to God!” This quote
from Thomas Jefferson was later adopted by
Susan B. Anthony, another American suffragette
as she noted the Pankhurst’s militant efforts had
roused England out of its lethargy.
Paul returned to the US and, as a student at the
University of Pennsylvania, joined the National
American Women’s Suffrage Association founded
in 1869 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan
B. Anthony. There she met Carrie Chapman
Catt who was president of NAWSA in 1900 and
remained a leader in the organization until suf-
frage was achieved.
Catt trained as a teacher and worked as a
school principal and superintendent of schools
in Iowa, and as a newspaper reporter. Her speak-
ing and organizing skills, however, soon led
her to leadership in the NAWSA. Following the
sonably related to some legitimate state interest.
What legitimate state interest is California pro-
tecting by denying the right to marry to same sex
couples? Not one. It’s protecting religious-based
bigotry.  The State of California Constitution does
not trump the US Constitution.
The most obvious question—how could so
many blacks, who better than any group in the
US understands the pain of bigotry and discrimi-
nation, support an amendment that wrote into
the California Constitution the denial of a basic
right enjoyed by heterosexuals—is also the most
stupid to many blacks.
The two are different because you can’t choose
to be black and you can’t hide it either—both
things gays and lesbians can do when it suits
them. This position assumes that people who
have the audacity to take responsibly for their
sexual choices and be open about them deserve
what they get.
No. The experiences of slavery, mob violence,
Jim Crow and race discrimination are not “the
same as” religious based condemnation, cultural
marginalization and anti-LGBT violence and
discrimination. But yes you can compare the two.
Both struggles have had to battle against demo-
cratic majorities that were against recognizing
that their communities were entitled to live in
dignity. Both struggles have been people’s move-
ments lead by organizers and street agitators
not professional politicians and elites. And both
struggles have the same right-wing enemies—the
Republican Party, and the racist and funda-
mentalist elements of the Christian Right. The
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force released a
study in January 2009 that actually showed black
support for Prop. 8 to be 11 points lower than
the 69% claimed by the exit polls. But the high
percentage of black voters in support of banning
Elizabeth Freeman of the New
York State Suffrage Association,
with horse and carriage, on her
way to join the March 3, 1913 suf-
frage march in Washington, D.C.
Photo: Library of Congress Archives
passage in 1920 of the 19th Amendment that
allowed women to vote, Catt founded the League
of Women Voters and served as its honorary
president until her passing in 1947. She was also
a founder of the Women’s Peace Party during
World War I and helped establish the League of
Nations after the war. After World War II, she
worked for the United Nations. Between the wars
she worked on refugee relief efforts and for child
labor protection laws. Catt was widely respected,
met with national leaders including Woodrow
Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt, and was a long-
time friend of Eleanor Roosevelt.
Paul, on the other hand, went to Washington,
DC to organize in true Pankhurst style. In 1913
she and friend Lucy Burns organized a massive
parade by women down Pennsylvania Avenue,
scheduled to coincide with the inauguration of
President Woodrow Wilson. They focused their
See Vote, page 13
same sex marriage shouldn’t have come as a
shock to anyone who’d been paying attention. It
is true that for years black civil rights groups like
the NAACP have been supporting same sex mar-
riage. In 2005 Julian Bond, the national chair of
the NAACP stated, “Gay rights are civil rights,”
and declared that the Supreme Court’s ruling in
Loving v. Virginia legalizing interracial marriage
established matrimony as one of the “basic rights
of man.” In California the organization came out
against Prop. 8. The Sacramento Urban League,
and the Black American Political Association of
California also came out against Prop. 8. Nation-
ally groups like the Radical Black Congress also
have come out in favor of same sex marriage. But
these moves sometimes have run counter to rank
and file attitudes in these organizations. It’s not a
secret that many in black communities are homo-
phobic and have a hard time talking about the
subject of same sex attraction, sex and relation-
ships. This fear-based silence, along with a lack
of public health and medical research dollars,
is perhaps the real reason that AIDS went from
being a “gay disease” to being a black one.
But when we look at why so many blacks
supported Prop. 8 we miss a more important
point if we limit ourselves to that question. More
importantly only because of their larger portion
in the electorate, why did so many whites vote
for it? Over 3.1 million did. Compare that to the
approximately 500,000 black voters who sup-
ported the marriage ban and it becomes clear
that there’s an awful lot of sensible, middle class,
white Christians in California who think it’s okay
to strip rights from people because they’re queer.
Who’s teaching them toleration?
Roger White is a criminal justice researcher
and writer. He lives in Sacramento.
 www.bpmnews.org March / April 2009 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 13

Preparing for a Progressive Era

By Pete Martineau
Contrary to popular belief, the Con-
gress, not the president, runs the coun-
try. President Bush said his second
term would be devoted to privatizing
Social Security. House Republicans
soon sent him word that no such legis-
lation would ever pass. He dropped the
idea. Barack Obama excited millions
looking for a new and fair deal, and
won the presidency by a large margin.
However, congressional seats are far
more important to the conduct of
democracy. It was the winning of large
progressive legislative majorities that
will pass the bills instituting congres-
sional and presidential recovery and
progressive programs.
The powers of government, to protect
and empower the citizenry, are held by
the Congress. Only it has the power to
tax, regulate, make war, and provide
health care, justice and equality.
The theme of our Declaration of
Independence is that governments
derive “…their just powers from the
consent of the governed….” Legislative
decisions, even during Democratic
majorities, have often contradicted the
needs and desires of constituents.
Why? A few of the major problems:
Nationally, about 40 percent of voters
in our single seat voting system receive
no House (or Assembly) representa-
tion when their candidates lose. Polls
continually show that Americans want
more parties in their legislatures, but
our present voting system disallows
that. Constituents have poor ability to
interact with legislators due to having
voted for the loser. There is no connec-
tion with the winner. Unconscionable
campaign costs stop new parties and
good candidates. One of the undemo-
cratic results of all this is that moneyed
special interests have great and undem-
ocratic control over legislation. What
can be done?
Seventeen of the 21 developed
democracies use the multimember
district and proportional representa-
tion (PR) voting system. None has ever
looked back, and their experiences are
the evidence for the following asser-
tions. Voting blocs receive seats in
proportion to the PR votes they receive.
Multi-party legislatures result.
An example of using this: let us
combine say, six Congressional districts
into one and elect six members from
it. Gerrymandering is virtually impos-
sible. Using PR voting, only 14 percent
of the vote would elect a seat. All vot-
ers including the former 40 percent
with no representation would choose
candidates who can win. Many more
eligible voters would register and turn
out, and thus many more voters receive
representation, a major hallmark of
democracy. Some minority views held
by Greens, Libertarians and others
would finally elect seats nationwide,
while Democrats and Republicans
would still win a majority of the six
seats. Stable, coalition, consensus
governments arise, like the Western The 44
European model. Back in our district
By Bill Gainer
campaigns, the multi parties will attack
other party programs, not other party I didn’t vote,
candidates. Campaign costs are far less, I gambled
in large part because of this. and I gambled
Even more importantly, PR builds on you.
accountability; if legislators do not fol- You won,
you got the job,
low their party’s program, it is much you’re big gun,
easier to oust them. Parties would also the 44.
be easier to vote out, so voters could
easily cause the end of party practices Your hundred days
like secretly adding “earmark” spending are ticking.
to bills, spending neither discussed nor The time
for talk, hope and
voted and thus both unjust and illegal. promise is gone—
Because it would be virtually impos- pull the trigger.
sible to draw districts to favor certain Bring the kids home—
parties, competition for seats soars, also the soldiers,
improving turnout, voting, representa- feed the little ones –
tion and accountability. the children,
and make sure the old ones
Most developed nations use PR; it is
have a warm bed,
not radical, does not alter our system a bowl of soup
of government, and is constitutional. and something to
When California and US stories of hang on to.
legislative irrelevance and corrup- Let the historians say
tion become unconscionable, at some he was more than a guy
with a good looking wife.
point they combine with opportunity,
Let them say
leadership and citizen voice to produce HE WAS THE FIRST ONE
change, the voice that proportional vot- to get the job
ing can provide. done.
Pete Martineau is founding board Bill Gainer is a poet from
member, Californians for Elec- Grass Valley.
toral Reform and board member of the www.billgainer.com/
national electoral reform organization,
Fairvote.

Gaza from page 11

To get an idea of life in Gaza, imagine a strip
of land that is a small fraction of Sacramento
County, crammed with about 1.5 million people.
The north, east and south sides, the borders with
Egypt and Israel, are surrounded by wire-topped
fences or 50 feet metal walls, with huge guard
towers for Israeli snipers. The entire area has
only four entrance/exit points, all controlled by
Israeli soldiers. The coast is patrolled by Israeli
gunboats. The Gaza Strip is aptly referred to as
the world’s largest open air prison.
Despite the decades of repression, the Palestin-
ians in Gaza have survived and still resist. They
became more resourceful and continued to grow
produce like grapes and olives. Gazan crafts-
men made fine furniture while textile workers
made clothes for export. The Israeli blockade
has largely destroyed that economic activity and
unemployment is now a staggering 80%. How is
a society like Gaza, under such immense pres-
sure, supposed to survive? Docility emboldens
Israel and military resistance enrages it.
What should be clear by now is that Israel,
if left alone, will not allow an independent
sovereign Palestinian state to exist. Israel and
Washington have conveniently played off Hamas
against the Palestinian National Authority under
Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. A divided
Palestinian population plays directly into Israeli
hands. The claim that Israel cannot negotiate
with terrorists like Hamas rings hollow since
Israel failed to reach any meaningful settlement
with Hamas’s predecessors.
The status quo with its conflict and economic
blockades, suits Israel since they provide the
cover for land grabs in the West Bank and leave
the Palestinians weak and divided. The pressure
for a lasting settlement must come from outside,
primarily the US. Only the US can pressure Israel
to reach a lasting settlement that recognizes
the sovereign rights of the Palestinians. The US
could start by withholding the billions of dollars
and military aid given annually to Israel (and Coffee from
Egypt) since the 1977 Camp David Agreement. Nicaragua
For the US to be an honest broker would require
Support Sacramento’s
the Obama administration to divorce itself from
sister city, San Juan
political pressure groups like the Israel lobby. de Oriente, Nicaragua,
By doing that, the US would be able to pursue a by purchasing organic
Middle East foreign policy based on US interests, whole-bean coffee
not Israeli interests. They are not the same. grown in the rich
Brigitte Jaensch is a Sacramento-based human volcanic soil on the
rights advocate. island of Omotepe,
Nicaragua.
Paolo Bassi is an attorney and free-lance Thanks to the efforts of
writer based in Sacramento. the Bainbridge-Omotepe
Sister Island Association

Vote
from page 12
attention on a national suffrage constitutional
amendment while NAWSA worked at the state
and national levels with a more incremental and
less confrontational approach than that of Paul.
Following disagreements over policy and strat-
egy, Paul left NAWSA and formed the National
Women’s Party. It focused on President Wilson,
protesting at the White House gates where they
were attacked by mobs angered by what was
considered unpatriotic behavior during the world
war. They were arrested on charges of “obstruct-
ing traffic,” and, as in England, the protestors
went on hunger strikes and were brutally force-
fed, beaten and thrown into unsanitary rat-infest-
ed cells. Paul was removed to a sanitarium in an
effort to declare her criminally insane. However,
the husband of a jailed wealthy socialite leaked
news of their inhumane treatment to the press.
The news brought about major public outrage
and political support for the protestors and suf-
in Washington, we are
able to bring you this
wonderful medium roast
coffee.
Your purchase helps the
frage movement. Proposition 8, which banned same sex marriages. farmers on the island
Paul continued to work tirelessly for women’s They also filed an amicus brief in support of San and helps support
equality until her death in 1977. She authored Francisco’s lawsuit against Prop. 8. The Sacra- Sacramento’s long
and had introduced in Congress the first Equal mento chapter of the League was established in relationship with San
Rights Amendment in 1923. The ERA was 1939. Many outstanding leaders have come from Juan de Oriente.
passed by Congress in 1972 but the amendment the organization, including former Sacramento All profits go directly
back to the Nicaraguan
fell three states short of ratification. Should mayor Anne Rudin and Illa Collin, the longest communities.
Congress extend the time limit on ratification, it serving member of the Sacramento County $9.00 a pound.
may yet be achieved as a tribute to those pioneer Board of Supervisors. Available in Sacramento
leaders of the movement. As two of the most outstanding civil rights at: The Book Collector,
The League of Women Voters, which Catt leaders, Alice Paul and Carrie Catt may have 1008 24th St.
founded, has continued to educate and advocate differed in persona and methodology, but they
for woman’s rights and democracy. It is one of shared the same vision of equality. As Alice Paul
the most respected advocacy organizations in stated in a 1972 interview, “I never doubted that
the nation with more than 100,000 members equal rights was the right direction. Most reforms
nationwide. The LWV of California works for are complicated. But to me there is nothing com-
civic involvement, good government and equal- plicated about ordinary equality.”
ity at the state level. The organization recently
supported the passage of Proposition 11, a Rick Bettis is a member of the League of
redistricting reform measure, and opposed Women Voters of Sacramento.
14 Because People Matter March / April 2009 www.bpmnews.org
Doing the “Rights” Thing!
By Darien De Lu
In the US we pride ourselves on our history of
supporting civil rights. As early as 1776, Thomas
Paine declared the cause of America being bound
with the fate of liberty throughout the world. He
proclaimed that an independent US would be an
“asylum for mankind”—a special embodiment
of liberty in a world rampant with oppression. In
more recent times, in the height of the Depres-
sion, Franklin D. Roosevelt inspired our global
Allies with his call for “the Four Freedoms”—
freedom of speech and religion plus freedom
from fear and want. US presidents continue to
appeal to the ideal of “freedom.”
So it seems surprising—even disturbing—how
little most of us know about the fundamental
legal documents of international civil and human
rights protections. How about you? Have you
heard of CEDAW? Or the Rights of the Child?
If not, I urge you to read on and learn about
just a few of the keystones of international rights
law, starting with one of the first major achieve-
ments of the UN, the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights.
The importance of the Declaration is reflected
in the fact that it is the most translated document
in the world, translated into over 231 languages
and dialects. The Declaration was approved by
the UN General Assembly, which includes all
the member states of the UN, without dissenting
votes in 1948.
However, in the east-west split of those days,
some countries objected to the very individual-
istic rights enumerated among the political and
civil rights, such as the right to privacy, freedom
of assembly, and freedom of movement within
one’s country. On the other hand, other countries
took issue with the idea of economic and social
rights, including the right to education, to a job,
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and to social security.
So the implementing document for the Dec-
laration, the “convention”, was divided into two
parts. The first is the International Convention
on Civil and Political Rights. It entered into force
in 1976, and in 1992 the US joined the other 132
states that have ratified it. The International Con-
vention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
has also been in force since 1976 and ratified by
132 states, but not by the US.
Many of the provisions of the Declaration are
effectively binding for the countries that have
ratified the two Conventions. That’s right; these
are the binding building blocks of international
law! Over 60 human rights treaties elaborate the
fundamental rights and freedoms contained in
the Declaration.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is
widely considered to be the most important and
far reaching of all UN decisions. Additionally, the
UN has subsequently created two other key rights
documents to protect the rights of women and of
children.
The CEDAW protects women’s rights. Its full
name is the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Among the fundamental rights it protects
against discrimination are the right to education,
employment, health care and family planning,
economic and social benefits, equality before the
law, and marriage.
The CEDAW has been in force for the ratify-
ing countries since 1990, and it’s been ratified
by 90% of the UN members, including all of the
Latin American countries and all but two of the
African ones. However, the US has not ratified
the CEDAW.
Also in force since 1990 is the Convention on
the Rights of the Child. It is the most widely and
rapidly ratified human rights treaty in history—
ratified by every country in the world, except
two! Can you guess who one of those two is?
That’s right—the US!
The Convention protects a wide array of rights,
such as children’s right to their own name and
identity, to be raised by their parents and have
relations with both of them—even if separated,
and the right to express their opinion freely and
to have that opinion appropriately taken into
account in any matter or procedure affecting
them.
The UN has built upon these four Conven-
tions—on political and civil rights; on social,
cultural, and economic rights; on women’s rights;
and on children’s rights—with additional protec-
tions against torture, against racial and ethnic
discrimination, and more.
A rather different set of conventions, predating
the UN, are the Geneva Conventions. The Gene-
va Conventions consist of four treaties formulat-
ed in Geneva, Switzerland, that set the standards
for international humanitarian law. They chiefly
concern the treatment of non-combatants—that
is, civilians—and prisoners of war. All four con-
ventions were last revised and ratified in 1949.
These international humanitarian laws pro-
hibit direct attacks against civilians and civilian
objects—as well as indiscriminate attacks and
attacks that cause disproportionate damage
to civilians. Prohibited indiscriminate attacks
include using weapons that are incapable of
distinguishing between civilians and combat-
ants, or between civilian and military objects. It
is this provision which makes the use of nuclear
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weapons, cluster bombs, land mines, and white
phosphorous generally illegal in civilian areas.
So we see that civilians in war zones have spe-
cial rights. Many of us don’t realize that interna-
tional law invokes the duty of all countries to take
all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casual-
ties. Failing to distinguish between combatants
and civilians violates one of the most fundamen-
tal tenets of the laws of war: the duty to carry out
attacks only on military targets. Extensive and
serious violations indicate the commission of war
crimes.
Modern warfare frequently involves civilians,
but US news reports very rarely mention possible
war crimes. Nor do most of us understand that
“unlawful attacks” on civilians, even if commit-
ted in response to another unlawful attack, are
a form of reprisal and a violation of the Geneva
Conventions.
To conclude and summarize, along with 191
other countries, the US has ratified all four of the
Geneva Conventions. The US also ratified The
International Convention on Civil and Political
Rights. However, we have not ratified the other
Universal Declaration of Human Rights Conven-
tion: the International Convention on Economic,
Social, and Cultural Rights. Nor had the US sup-
ported women’s rights by ratifying the CEDAW.
And we join Somalia as the only two countries
that have not ratified the Convention on the
Rights of the Child.
If you care about human rights, I urge you
to contact our new Senate, under our new
President, to call for ratification of these key
international rights documents, as well as US
compliance with the Geneva Conventions!
Darien De Lu has been an activist for over fifty
years. Currently she focuses on peace and justice
work through the Women’s International League
for Peace and Freedom, solidarity work with
Latin America, and her handy email.
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for Peace &
Justice events

March / April Calendar
ONGOING EVENTS
11th OF EVERY MONTH:
Sacramento 9/11 Truth
Demonstration. 11th and L
Sts. INFO: www.truthaction.
org, 916-372-8433.
MONDAYS: Sacramento
Poetry Center hosts poetry
readings. 7:30pm. 1719
25th Street. www.sacra-
mentopoetrycenter.org.
1st MONDAYS: Organ-
ic Sacramento: Counter
ongoing threats to our
food. 6:30pm. INFO: www.
organicsacramento.org.
3rd MONDAYS: Capitol
Outreach for a Moratorium
on the Death Penalty. 12
noon–1pm, 11th & L Street.
INFO: 455-1796.
3rd MONDAYS: SAPA Peace
and Sustainability Commit-
tee. 6–8pm. INFO: Peace
Action, 448-7157.
3rd MONDAYS: Sacto 9/11
Truth:Questioning the “War
on Terror.” 6–8pm. Denny’s
3rd & J St. INFO: sac-
911truth@gmail.com 372-
8433.
3rd MONDAYS: Lesbian
Cancer Support Group.
6:30 Bring partners or sup-
port people with you. INFO:
Roxanne Hardenberg; ROX-
ANNE1040@aol.com.
TUESDAYS: Tuesdays, on-
going. Pastel Landscape
drawing class for ages 50+.
2:30m-5:00pm. Ethel Hart
Center, 915 27th Street.
$25/lesson. INFO: (916)
808-5462.
TUESDAYS: Call for Peace
Vigil. 4–6pm. 16th and J
St. INFO 448-7157.
TUESDAYS: Improv work-
shop. Solve the world’s
problems through improv
games! 7–9:30pm. Geery
Theatre, 2130 L street, Sac.
$5.00, first time free. INFO:
916-821-4533, dsharpe-
productions@hotmail.com.
2nd TUESDAYS: Gray Pan-
thers. 1–3pm. Hart Senior
Ctr., 27th & J St.
2nd TUESDAYS: Peace
Network (speakers and dis-
cussion), 6:30pm. Luna’s
Cafe, 1414 16th Street.
INFO: Sac Area Peace Ac-
tion 448-7157.
4th TUESDAYS: Peace and
Justice Films. 7pm. Peace
Action, 909 12th Street.
INFO:448-7157.
4th TUESDAYS: (Odd num-
bered months) Amnesty
www.bpmnews.org March / April 2009 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 15
Send calendar items for the May/June 2009 issue to bpmnews@nicetechnology.com
by April. 10, with “calendar item” in the subject line. Make it short, and PLEASE use this
format: Day, Date. Name of event. Description (1–2 lines). Time. Location. Price.
INFO: phone#; e-mail.
For the most current listing of Sacramento peace & justice events, go to www.sacpeace.
org. For weekly updates, email sacpeace@dcn.org and put SacPeaceUpdates in the subject.
Int’l. 7pm. Sacramento sacramentodancesofuni-
Friends Meeting, 890-57th versalpeace.org.
St. INFO: 489-2419. 1st SATURDAYS: Health COMMUNITY CALENDAR
1st WEDNESDAYS: Peace & Care for All. 10am–noon.
Freedom Party. 7pm. INFO: Hart Senior Ctr, 27th &
456-4595. J. For single-payer uni- Saturday, March 14 Group (10+) $5 Discount.
Language Academy of Sacramento Spring Art
3rd WEDNESDAYS: CAAC versal health care. INFO: and Food Faire. 4500 Roosevelt Ave., Sacra- Tuesday, March 24
Goes t o the Movies. 916-424-5316; cnegrete@ mento. INFO: 916-277-7137, castaneda.fatima@ Reproductive Freedom Day. 8am-4:30pm. Sac-
7:15pm. INFO: 446-3304. comcast.net. gmail.com. See story p. 5 ramento Convention Center. See p. 7.
1st SATURDAYS: Sacra-
THURSDAYS: Urban Farm Thursday, March 19 Saturday, March 28
Stand, 4–7pm, River Gar- mento Area Peace Action Candle Light Peace Vigil. 4:30–6:30pm. Rally, THE SHOW at the Wo’se Community Center. 7-9
Vigil. 11:30am–1:30pm. Howe and Fair Oaks, Sacramento. 7–9pm. Vigil. pm. 2863 35th St., Sacramento (at Broadway).
den Estates, 2201 North-
view Dr. Arden and Heritage (en- Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento, $5. INFO: www.mybmsf.com/terrymoore.
trance to Arden Mall). INFO: 2425 Sierra Blvd. See ad page 14.
THURSDAYS: Daddy’s Here. 448-7157. Friday, April 3
Men’s support group: cus- Thursday, March 19 Benefit for Equality California, support civil
tody, divorce, parenting. 2nd & 4th SATURDAYS: Charles Andrews. “Before Capitalism and After: rights for LGBT in Calif; concert featuring Blame
SPC Poetry Workshop, All New results on stages of history and the key to Sally, an all-female band with a unique brand
7–8:30pm. Free! Ctr for the next stage.” 7–9pm. Sierra 2 Center, Garden of folk pop. Placerville Shakespeare Club, 2940
Families, 2251 Florin Rd, levels, all poets. 10-11:30
am. South Natomas Com- Room, 2791–24th Street, Sacramento. Free. Bedford Ave. at Hwy 50, Placerville. $25. TICKETS:
Ste 102. INFO: terry@fa- INFO: 799-1394. See box this page. 530-622-6900; plomero@directcon.net.
ther sandfamilies.com. munity Center, 2921 Truxel
568-3237x 205. Rd, Sacramento FREE. Friday, March 20, Thursday, April 16
2nd & 4th SATURDAYS: Access Sacramento will host a viewing of a Jeff Mackler. “The Crisis” A Marxist analysis of
1st and 2nd THURSDAYS: webcast live panel discussion from the Center the present economic crisis facing world capi-
Storytelling at the Hart Community Contra Dance. for American Progress in Washington, DC. on
8–11pm; 7:30 lessons. Co- talism. 7–9pm. Sierra 2 Center, Garden Room,
Senior Center, 27th & J open government and secrecy, the impact on 2791–24th Street, Sacramento. Free. INFO: 799-
sts. 7pm. Free. INFO: 916- loma Center 4623 T Street. communities and what the public can do. View- 1394. See box this page.
362-9013, or PaulIdaho@ INFO: 395-3483. ers will have an opportunity to call and email
comcast.net. 3rd SATURDAYS: Writers of questions to the panelists. 10-11:30am. 4623 T Sunday, April 26
St. INFO: 916-443-1792 x11, or 456-8600, x112. Sacramento Earth Day. 11am–6pm. Southside
4th THURSDAYS: Sac Media the new Sun/Escritores del See Sunshine Week story page 2. Park. See box this page.
Group. 6–8pm. Coloma Nuevo Sol. Writing group.
10am potluck. La Raza Sunday, March 22
Community Center, 4623 Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra Offers
T Street. INFO: 443-1792, Galeria Posada, 1024 22nd
St. INFO: 916-456-5323. Baroque Stimulus Package to celebrate J.S.
smg@commoncause.org. Bach’s Birthday. 7pm. UC Davis Mondavi Center.
FRIDAYS: Oil, acrylic and 3rd SATURDAYS: Sacra- TICKETS: Mondavi Box Office: (866) 754-2787
watercolor painting class mento Area Peace Action $30/$40 General. Students: 50% Discount,
for experienced and be- Vigil. 11:30am–1:30pm.
ginner painters ages 50+. Marconi & Fulton. INFO:
9:30am-11:30am. Ethel 448-7157.
Har t Center, 915 27th 3rd SATURDAYS: Under-
Street. $20 for 4 lessons. ground Poetry Series, open
INFO: (916) 808-5462. mic plus featured poets.
FRIDAYS: Movies on a 7–9pm. Under gr ound
Big Screen. Independent, Books, 2814 35th Street (at
quirky movies and videos. Broadway), Sacramento.
7pm. 600 4th St, West Sac. $3. INFO: 737-3333.
INFO: www.shiny-object. 4th SATURDAYS: Sierra
com/screenings/. Permaculture Guild gen-
1st FRIDAYS: Community eral mtg. 6:30–9pm. The
Contra Dance. 8–11pm; Sacred Bee, 1451 E. Main
7:30pm beginners lessons. St., Grass Valley.INFO: Sier-
Clunie Auditorium, McKin- raPermaculture.org
ley Pk, Alhambra & F. INFO: SUNDAYS: Sacto Food Not
530-274-9551. Bombs. 1:30pm. Come If you want to help keep
2nd FRIDAYS: Dances of help distribute food at 9th BPM going, will you consid-
Universal Peace. 7:30– and J Streets. er stepping up? If you would
9:30pm. Sacr ament o 1st SUNDAYS: Zapatista like to know more about
Friends Meeting House Solidarity Coalition. 10am–
890 57th St. $5–$10 do- noon. 909 12th St. INFO: BPM, who puts it together sunday april 26 – 11am–6pm
nation requested. INFO: 443-3424. and how you might help, join
Joyce, www.sacramento- southside park
2nd SUNDAYS: Atheists us. Wednesday, April 8, 7pm
dancesofuniversalpeace.
org, 916-832-4630.
& Other Freethinker s. at 909 12th St. in the confer- SacramentoEarthDay.net
1:30pm. Sierra 2 Center, Free Admission
4th FRIDAYS: Dances at Room 10, 2791 24th St. ence room.
Featuring Wildflower Wonders
Christ Unity Church, 9249 INFO: 447-3589.
Folsom Blvd. All Welcome Celebrate a sustainable Sacramento with
$ 5 – $ 10 great food, interactive activities and your
donation The Marxist School of Sacramento favorite bands
requested. March / April 2009 Activities Sierra 2
INFO: Chris- Center, Garden Room, 2791–24th Street,
t i n e 4 57 - Sacramento, 7-9pm
5855, www.
Point of View Speaker Series Resources for Enlisted
Thursday, March 19
Personnel & Veterans
Discharges • DEP • Discrimination • Gay
Charles Andrews. “Before Capitalism and After: New results on stages • AWOL/UA • Harassment • Hazing•
of history and the key to the next stage” Conscientious Objection
Charles Andrews will discuss the problem of dividing history into Free, confidential information from The GI
stages, showing that it is a way of gaining insight on the next social Rights Hotline, www.girights.org, 800-394-9544
order that humanity is poised to enter. By taking a broad overview of
primitive society, the ancient world, the medieval era, dynastic China, Counseling: free & confidential: 916-447-5706;
and capitalism, we find the limits of capitalism and the basic features www.therapistsforsocialresponsibility.org;
of the society that will replace it.
Andrews is author of From Capitalism to Equality: An Inquiry into the
Laws of Economic Change and has been an activist since the movement
against the U.S. war in Vietnam. Sacramento Area Peace Action
Thursday, April 16,
Jeff Mackler. “The Crisis” A Marxist analysis of the present economic Palestine Speaker Series  
crisis facing world capitalism. March 17, 2009   Environmental Issues
Mackler is founder of the Mobilization for Peace, Jobs and Justice; co- April 21, 2009   Divestment
ordinator of National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars May 19, 2009   Current Realities/One State
and Occupations; director of the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu- June 16, 2009   Two Sacramentan’s Impressions
Jamal; national secretary of Socialist Action  
INFO on classes and discussions: www.marxistschool.org; info@marxist- Third Tuesdays. 7pm, 909 12th St. Sacramento.
school.org; 799-1354. All activities are free and open to the public. Details, see page 12.
 March / April 2009
Because People Matter
Progressive News and Views
Progressive Media
Editors’ Picks!
ä Soapbox!—Jeanie Keltner talks with
activists and analysts from Sacramento and
beyond about the issues of the day.
Where to watch:
Access Sacramento cable channel 17.
Every Monday at 8pm. Call in comments
on 2nd and 4th Mondays. Repeats Tues-
day at noon, Wednesday at 4am.
In Davis, on channel 15, Tuesdays at 5pm.
ä Media Edge—Sacramento’s own
magazine format show, covering local
progressive events and speakers, as well as
internationally known commentators, with
clips from some of the best independent
political video being made now.
Where to watch:
Access Sacramento channels 17 and 18
and Davis Channel 15. Sundays 8–10pm
Nevada County channel 11 Mondays
10:30pm–12:30am,
West Sacramento channel 21 Mondays
9-11pm.
See scheduled segments at
www.wethemedia.org.
ä Democracy Now—Amy Goodman’s
award-winning magazine format show.
Where to watch:
Access Sacramento TV, Cable Channels 17
and 18, Weekdays 6pm, 12midnight, 5am.
Dish Network Satellite TV, Channel 9415,
Free Speech TV, M–F: 9am, 4pm, 9pm,
5am, Pacific time. Link TV, Channel 9410,
Monday–Friday, 8am, 3pm. KVMR 89.5 FM
Mon–Thu 7pm. KDVS 90.3 FM Mon–Fri noon.
KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley, M–F 9am
Here’s a hot tip! If you don’t have cable TV, and you do have a PC (doesn’t work on Mac), you can
watch Access Sacramento programs as they are being aired by going to www.accesssacramento.
org and clicking on the “Watch Channel 17” button at the top of the first page.
Progressive Radio Stations
äKVMR 89.5 FM
ä The Voice, 88.7 Cable FM; and streaming
audio on www.Accesssacramento.org; SAP
Comcast Channels 17 & 18
ä KYDS 91.5 FM
äKDVS 90.3 FM
ä KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley
äKZFR 90.1 FM Chico
People Powered Radio! managed and
operated by volunteers, provides mostly
locally produced and community oriented
programs.
(Other) Progressive Newspapers
ä The Flatlander: a free community newspa-
per of fun, opinion and politics in the Davis
Area. yolocats@yahoo.com. Publication
every 2 months, next issue is April/May
The Flatlander
P.O. Box 72793
Davis, CA 95617
ä Likewise, we are greatly impressed with
the lively goodlooking Midtown Monthly.
It’s not political, but it has the kind of use-
ful and delightful info about life, art, food
and music in Sacramento and beyond
that creates the sense of community
needed for an uncertain future.
Look for the Rock Creek Free Press
in the back of some BPM stands and
other places you find BPM (always at
the downtown main library). It’s a great
progressive paper with emphasis on the
undernews.
And just like BPM it needs support from
the people who are sick of the disinfor-
mation news. Check it out and subscribe
(after subscribing to BPM).
Budget Cuts
Much More!
Roe v Wade
course,
Inside:
and of
Gaza
Great Speeches and Interviews-Local
and national speeches and interviews
to challenge your thinking. An in-depth
radio program on the current issues.
Where to listen and/or download:
Listen Sundays 6-8pm on Comcast Ch. 17,
18, set your TV menu to SAP or listen on
The Voice www.AccessSacramento.org
L i s te n o r d ow n l o a d f ro m w w w.
archive.org/bookmarks/sgl
Blogged on www.SacramentoForDemoc-
racy.org
Don’t bitch at the media—
become the media!
Have you taken the TV production
training at Access Sacramento? Would
you like to learn or put your technical
talents to use? Soapbox! urgently needs
crewmembers to help set up, run cam-
eras, and take viewers’ phone calls on
the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.
Call 444 3203 if you’re interested
in taking the training or joining us at
Soapbox! for fun—and the best pizza in
town, from Pieces.
Sacramento and Central Valley INDYMEDIA: www.sacindymedia.org.
Online News Sources:
www.Truthout.org: essays on current events,
some videos, like Keith Olbermann’s MSNBC
Countdown shows.
www.CommonDreams.org News Center:
Breaking News & Views for the Progressive
Community.
www.Brasscheck.org: Progressive videos
on many subjects, from Steven Colbert’s
speech at the White House Correspondent’s
dinner and speeches by leftwing MP George
Galloway, to extensive information on 9/11
and the attacks on our civil liberties.
www.TheRealNews.com: a nonprofit progres-
sive website offering daily news videos
including interviews and debates. They plan
soon to expand to television.
www.GoLeft.tv: Progressive Online Television.
In the world of media monopoly, news has
been replaced with a new invention called
“infotainment.” GoLeft.tv is a progressive
political T.V. news source that fills that gap
between the media’s dumbed down info-
tainment and real news reporting.
www.innworldreport.net: Daily professional
viewer/listener supported journalism
available in over 20 million homes across
America.
www.whatreallyhappened.com: 9/11 and
other coverups.
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ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 2668
SACRAMENTO, CA