VOTER-January 2008

Who Killed the ELECTRIC CAR?
Sunday, January 13
Join us for a FREE showing at the
Parkway Theater
1834 Park Boulevard
Oakland 94606
click here for more info

Baffled By The Ballot?

The League of Women Voters,The National Women's Political Caucus-- Alameda North,
and Black Women Organized for Political Action -- Oakland-Berkeley Chapter

are sponsoring a dinner meeting to discuss
Pros and Cons On Seven State Measures and Two County Measures
Monday, Jan 7th, 6-7:30 PM
Buttercup Grill
3rd and Broadway
Oakland
Come hear the League's Pros and Cons presentation on the state and county ballot measures, followed by discussion.
If you arrive promptly at 6:00 you can order dinner and eat during the meeting or you are welcome to just come to participate in the meeting.

President's Message -

By Helen Hutchison
At the end of each Board meeting we go over what articles are going to be in the next edition of the VOTER, and who is going to write what. Additionally, Board members often make suggestions for the theme of this column. This month it was clear that there is a need for information about what is happening at the regional, state and national levels of the League. Several Board members felt that LWVUS was not doing anything about some of the major issues in the country, and a lot of us wanted to know whether the League was going to be involved in the Presidential debates this year.
We will try to have more regular updates in the VOTER, but if you'd like to know more, and, particularly, if you'd like to be kept up to date on action alerts, here are some basic resources:
LWVUS - National:

website: http://www.lwv.org

basic news: from lwv.org, click on "For Members" and sign up for the e-newsletter
action alerts: from the home page, click on "Get action alerts" and sign up there.
LWVC - State:

website: http://www.ca.lwv.org (public site)
members' website: http://www.ca.lwv.org/lwvonly

news updates or action alerts: from members website, click on "Email Communication Lists" (under "Tool Box"), then click on "LWVC Online Communications Center"
LWVBA - Bay Area League:

website: http://www.lwvbayarea.org
to receive the Bay Area Monitor via email: contact editor@bayareamonitor.org

LWVO - our local League:

website: http://www.lwvoakland.org
to receive action alerts, make sure we have your up to date email - send updates to info@lwvoakland.org

Moreover, the Oakland League is one of the seven Leagues that form the Alameda County Council of Leagues of Women Voters. The seven Leagues work together on County level issues, including juvenile justice, the death penalty, and all of the work with the Registrar of Voters.
In addition to the basic news email list at the national level, there are a variety of specialized lists dealing with issues and other League-related topics. If you want to know what's going on with campaign finance reform, there's an email list for that, another just for civil liberties, one just for League webmasters.
Finally, there is at least one informal list that I know of: LWVTopics. It is not an official LWV list, but run by an LWV member. It is a general purpose email list, with wide-ranging discussions. It is a Yahoo group; to join it you send a blank subject email to LWVTopics-subscribe@yahoogroups.com with a name in the message area.

LWV Oakland Board Notes

At its December meeting the Board:
▪ heard a report from a committee that has been researching using homeowner association elections as a possible fundraising activity for the League; the Board agreed to pursue this possibility with caution; the discussion will be continued in January
▪ voted to take no position on Measure G, the extension of the Oakland School parcel tax
▪ voted to put most, if not all, of our energy into voter education instead of action during the February election cycle
▪ reviewed the calendar for the remainder of the program year
The next meeting of the Board will be January 14, 2008 at 6:30 pm, Piedmont Gardens, 110 41st St., 6th floor conference room. All members of the League are welcome to attend.

LWVO Sponsors Parkway Sunday Salon

-- January 13 at 1:15 PM Join us for a FREE showing of
Who Killed the ELECTRIC CAR?
A murder mystery, a call to arms...
Come at 1:15 PM to buy refreshments and socialize. The film will run from 2 to 3:30, leaving time afterwards to talk about how we make our voices heard to keep our community strong and fair.
The EV-1 was among the fastest, most efficient production cars ever built. It ran on electricity, produced no emissions and catapulted American technology to the forefront of the automotive industry. The lucky few who drove it never wanted to give it up. So why did General Motors crush its fleet of electric vehicles in the Arizona desert?
Here's what a NetFlix User has to say about the film "...visually dynamic, very, very well-researched, and educational, but most of all just really exciting, inspirational and FUN to watch. The movie-makers take on and embrace the complexity of this important subject instead of oversimplifying it. No one group is to blame, and no one gets off the hook.... This is definitely an Oscar-worthy film."
Come see what you think.
For more information call the League office at 834-7640 or visit our Web site: http://www.lwvoakland.org See the Parkway's Website at http://www.parkway-speakeasy.com/index.php. (Check out their menu!)
For more information about the film, visit http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/
Invite a friend - or two or three.
Parkway Theater 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland 94606
One mile down the hill from the Park Blvd. exit of Route 580 -- Just a block above East 18th Street on Park Blvd.
Wheelchair accessible

Oakland Eastbay NOW's Black History Program

Oakland Eastbay NOW invites you to come hear Betty Reid Soskin, black social activist of the 50's. in a program celebrating Black History Month on Saturday, Feb 2 at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave., from 2 to 4 pm.
Betty Reid Soskin will relate her history as well as that of the Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park and the integration of the 1,000's of women of mixed heritage into the all-white Richmond community during their service in the Kaiser shipyards during WWII.
As a South Berkeley shop owner, she helped overhaul a drug and crime-infested neighborhood, earning her the 1995 honor - California Woman of the Year.
For more information, contact Carol Norberg, cdnorberg@comcast.net, 510 251-0559.

Program Planning Set For February 9 - Save the Date

Mark your calendars now. Program Planning is coming - Saturday morning, February 9.
What is Program Planning? It's the time when we look at our positions and consider whether we should undertake any new studies. This year we will be looking at our national, Bay Area, county, and local positions. If you'd like to see any of these positions before that time refer to the websites or call the office (510 834-7640):
National: http://www.lwv.org
Bay Area: http://www.lwvbayarea.org
Local and county: http://www.lwvoakland.org

January Stir the Pot

Join a discussion about Open Government in Oakland
with
Sukey Wilder (outgoing member of the Public Ethics Commission)
and
Dan Purnell (Executive Director of the Public Ethics Commission)
Monday, January 28, 5:30-7 pm
Dimond Library
3565 Fruitvale Avenue
Bring your favorite food and or/beverage
(no alcohol at the library)

The Iron Ladies of Liberia

Save The Date (For those not working at the polls)
a free screening of The Iron Ladies of Liberia
Oakland Museum of California
James Moore Theatre
6:30 PM -- Tuesday, February 5
ITVS Community Cinema and the League of Women Voters Oakland presents a screening of Iron Ladies of Liberia by Daniel Junge, Siatta Scott-Johnson, Henry Ansbacher and Jonathan Stack. This event is free, wheelchair accessible, and open to the public
She's already overcome tremendous obstacles to become the first woman ever elected president in Africa. Now all she has to do is turn around Liberia, a country devastated by unemployment, debt, corruption, and the legacy of civil war. Follow Ellen Johnson Sirleaf through her first year in office. Her story is inspiring a new generation of leaders in Africa and around the world.
Tuesday 2/5, 6:30 PM Oakland Museum of California, James Moore Theatre 1000 Oak at 10th Street, Oakland One block from Lake Merritt BART Free parking in museum garage, entrance on Oak Street Panel Featuring Nunu Kidane, Network Coordinator for Priority Africa Network
Co-sponsors: Priority Africa Network, The League of Women Voters of Oakland, and the International Museum of Women.
Presented By: ITVS Community Cinema, KQED Education Network, the Oakland Museum of California, the Oakland Film Office, the San Francisco Public Library, Hands On Bay Area, Access SF and Bay Area Video Coalition.
For more information email roseli_ilano@itvs.org or visit http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/ironladies

LWVC News

LWVC has joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Common Cause, AARP, and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in launching a campaign to place a redistricting initiative on the November 2008 ballot. The California Voters FIRST initiative proposes to reform the process for redrawing district lines for the state Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization following each census.
At a press conference on December 3 LWVC President Janis R. Hirohama said:
"This proposal meets all the criteria that the League of Women Voters wants to see:
▪ An independent citizens commission that has members who are qualified, balanced among the major parties while providing for others to participate, and representing the diversity of our state's population
▪ Clear criteria, in priority order, for establishing districts -- not only abiding by the U.S. Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act, but also recognizing communities of interest and the political boundaries of cities and counties
▪ An open and public process." She concluded, "League of Women Voters members around the state will work enthusiastically to help qualify this initiative and see that it is passed by the voters next November."
To read her full statement go to the LWVC website: http://www.ca.lwv.org.
It's full steam ahead for organizing the campaign, and we need volunteers -- lots of volunteers who will make a difference. The first phase is gathering signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot. If you can join the effort, e-mail LWVC Advocacy Assistant Maggie Young (myoung@lwvc.org). Sign on for an exciting, hands-on experience in making democracy work!

LWVUS News

Some of the issues that the national League has been actively lobbying Congress on over the past month include: Presidential public financing legislation, mail voter registration, campaign contribution requirements, Congressional ethics reform, and stronger environmental standards. Text of testimony and letters is available on the lwv.org website.
On Wednesday, November 28th, 2007, the League of Women Voters and Elderhostel kicked off a special nationwide series addressing the "Red-Blue Divide". The day-long launch event, held at the National Press Club, featured an impressive lineup of special guests, including noted political scholar Marvin Kalb and a number of premiere political scholars and practitioners. You can see video of the event on the http://www.lwv.org website.

The Easy Voter Guide

Help Sort and Distribute
The Easy Voter Guide
We need help educating the voters of Oakland.
Please help sort and distribute the `The Easy Voter Guide,' both state and local. Sorting will be at Bonnie Hamlin's home in Rockridge on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008.
To help sort or distribute to agencies in Oakland please contact Miriam at 658-2737 or mirlaska@yahoo.com.

Want to Present Pros and Cons?

If you are interested in and have the time to present the Pros and Cons on all ballot measures please contact Judy Merrill (judy@apstate.us) to express your interest or to get answers to your questions. Your participation would be most welcome.
Pros and Cons presentations will be between Jan. 7 and Feb. 1. The training will be Sat. Jan. 5, from 10-12, at the home of Nikki Harris, 28 Windward Hill. If you cannot make the training you can also check with Judy about alternatives.
Pros and Cons are one of the best experiences you will ever have.

League Story Bank's New Addition

What prompted you to join the League of Women Voters? What impact has your membership had on your life or on your community? Each of us has a unique story, which we would like to hear about. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. If you would be willing to share your story, please email it to Lorraine Force at Ranief@aol.com. Apologies to Iris Winogrond for misspelling her name in last month's VOTER.
Carmen Hartono's story:
Born and raised a Roman Catholic, I have always associated politically with the Church. Having most of my family in El Salvador and being married to a man who still has family in Holland and Indonesia, I feel a need to connect with a strong international organization. But during the civil war in El Salvador, I found myself feeling helpless against a government supported by the US that was targeting religious leaders there. I was ready to pack up and return to my war-torn country when I heard Isabel Allende speak. Asked how she reconciles living in the States knowing of U.S. involvement in the destruction of her homeland in Chile, she replied, "It is here that I can make a difference." I remember hearing a general from El Salvador who said, The battle is won in the fields, but the war is won in Washington." I became a U.S. citizen in 1985 and became a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1992.
I joined the LWVO after 9/11/01 and the U.S. decision to attack Afghanistan. Congresswoman Barbara Lee was the only "no" vote, so I felt future changes to this new foreign policy would start here in my hometown of 30 years. Now, with Homeland Security, I am witnessing the oppression of the Spanish speaking immigrants right here in the U.S. I felt the deportation of Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe was wrong, as I feel the recent raids of homes to deport targeted populations here is wrong. So I return to my roots in the Roman Catholic Church, where I find the needed support to follow my passion. I'll continue to put my two cents worth into the political system, but I can't believe that my peon voice carries much weight in Washington, D.C. So I have to reconcile myself to believing in democracy only at the local level.
And for this I thank the LWVO.

Valentine's Day Luncheon and Tour

Treasure Island Job Corp Advanced Culinary Academy
THURSDAY, FEB. 14, 12 NOON
TREASURE ISLAND
Building 368, 9th Street and Avenue C
$25.00 per person
The students at the Fine Dining program are trained in culinary techniques that prepare them to enter the job market, working at a four- or five-star restaurant level. Students learn to prepare soups, sauces, salads, appetizers and entrees. During our luncheon visit we will be served a three-course meal.
The restaurant is located in a former hangar on Treasure Island. We have space for a limited number of guests, so print out and fill in the online form and mail your check to the League Office immediately if you plan to attend. Be sure to include your daytime phone number if you would like to carpool.
For driving directions, call (415) 277-2301
click here to print out a ticket request form

Membership Update

Welcome New Members:
Sharon Julius
Connie Kidder

Is the League of Women Voters involved with the US presidential debates?

According to Judy Davis, a national board member: "We had a number of inquiries from members about whether we would consider doing presidential debates for the 2008 election. The Board took this under advisement along with staff and we determined we did not have the resources. Such an undertaking would completely overwhelm our small staff and take up all of their time during the election season. We did not believe it would be worth it in the long run since there were so many other groups putting on presidential debates. So we decided to draw up guidelines for state and local Leagues who might have an opportunity to do something on their level, which would be good for all of us but not be overwhelming. We believe this will give us more bang for the buck and give state and local Leagues an opportunity to shine if they have the opportunity."
The NY City League had a proposal partnering with NYU to put on a series of conversations with the presidential candidates on healthcare. The IL League is considering a plan. LWV California received a request about a presidential debate concerning global warming. Media partners and funding will determine whether any of these proposals happen.

Health Care Legislation and SB 840 Up-date

As of this writing, early December, the bill of Nunez/Perata (ABX1 1) and the Governor's plan for health care legislation have been stalled in favor of other priorities -- whereas the single-payer bill the League supports, SB 840, continues to move through the process.
By the time you receive this VOTER, a compromise might have been reached by Nunez/Perata and the Governor, but there is little doubt that it will not be a plan that the League could endorse. Why? For many reasons, but it will undoubtedly fall short of providing adequate and cost-contained coverage benefits for all Californians, and it will include insurance company administration and profit components.
For up-to-date information on the status of the above, please call Jean Jackson, 510-533-2945, or email jeandjac@comcast.net.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: June 5, 2008 13:47 PDT.