Thursday, December 04, 2008

Prop 8 - the musical

Leviticus [Vayikra] is one of the meanest books in the bible. Why some religions opt to pick and choose which prohibitions they will try to have us all live with is mind-boggling....We had this argument in Vermont when it passed the civil union law and will be argued in each state as they come to grips with civil unions and/or gay marriage.

Here is the best funny take I have seen on this topic!

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Human Service Need High- Cash Low

Yesterday I went to an advocacy planning meeting - for human services in the rough financial seas ahead.

We heard from groups concerned with or represent children, seniors, the environment, disabilities, the poor and others who rely on the vast social service networks. All these groups have clients who now need services and see their client list growing by the day! In the face of that growing need - we are facing a huge budget deficit here in Oregon and I presume in all 50 sates and the District of Columbia. It is not pretty - in fact it can be depressing ugly - but we know we need to keep looking ahead and being hopeful that a new administration in D.C. will offer some hope and help - but it will not be immediate.

In bad times more people need social services.
In bad times governments cut social service funds.

That's the ongoing quagmire faced across this country right now!

Food banks are empty as people who used to donate now need the food themselves.
Lost jobs means more need food stamps.
More kids meet the requirement for free school lunch programs and those programs are either even funded or get less money now.

More seniors need help with food, medicine, emergency money for taxes and utility bills and those funds are the same as in previous years or less - with more people meeting the criteria for those funds.

ASk your state why is that the most vulnerable among us are the ones who are made more vulnerable in bad financial times? Do we not value our seniors or children? Why are they rarely or never top priority budget items?

Find out what decisions are being made in your state that affect seniors and children and call your state and federal reps and senators to make your voice heard..

And get involved with your local advocacy groups...

Monday, December 01, 2008

Recession anyone?

Today it was announced that we are officially in a recession and have been for a year...so what happened? the stock market tanked!

I felt like DUH!

Why is this news to any thinking person? We all know we are in recession...

Are we so stuck on an idea that we can't trust our own brains and need to hear stuff from others before we believe it?

And why is our country ruled by the stock market? It's been an obsession of late...

Wall Street is an artifact: it can be manipulated - it's ruled by emotions and power and has little to do with real lives!

And stocks going up and down doesn't create needed jobs or raise salaries...stocks don't hire !

For Portland People

A good friend of mine has been involved with helping Mustafa Abed - the Iraqi boy who was seriously hurt by a US Air raid in Fallujah. Mustafa came to Portland for surgery and a prosthetic limb. It's been difficult and expensive and the organizers are still fundraising.

Mustafa and his father return to Iraq on Wednesday but the group still needs money for ongoing support and care

Here is the next event...try to go

Fund Raising Soup Kitchen

Benefit for NO MORE VICTIMS/CARE OF MUSTAFA ABED
Saturday, Dec 6th
11:00 AM to 3:00PM AND 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
$15.00 per person ~ Kids free
At Bonnie and Jim’s house
7112 SW 53rd PDX
Come anytime: 11AM to 3 PM or 6 to 9 PM
Please RSVP at: 503-245-2167

Bring friends and relations

Wonderful food~Fresh baked bread
Raffle~Silent auction (incredible items)
(Also, beautiful Guatemalan crafts for sale to benefit “Los Romeritos”, children’s day shelter in Guatemala City.)

No more victims website HERE



Oregon Food Drive

You've probably seen the reports: Local food pantry stocks are running low and need is at an all time high. Food requests and lines to obtain staples have dramatically increased nationwide. At a family owned Colorado farm, an announcement that neighbors could come and get unharvested vegetables turned into a 40,000 person event.

In Oregon, we have achieved the sad distinction of becoming number 3 on the list of states where citizens are most affected by hunger and food insecurity.

The Multnomah County Democrats, in conjunction with the Democratic Party of Oregon and County Parties statewide, ask you to help address this critical problem. And unlike the economy itself, this is something upon which we can have an immediate, positive impact.

Please donate generously to local food banks. A variety of donation options are available:

1. Choose a location from the Oregon Food bank List:

http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/events_and_food_drives/food_drives/food_drop_sites.html

2. Make a monetary donation to the Oregon Food Bank

https://secure.oregonfoodbank.org/make_a_difference/donate_funds/secure_donation/

3. Drop off a donation at the Democratic Party of Oregon/Mult Dems Office at 232 NE 9th in Portland. You can drop off donations between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 503-224-8200 for more information.

4. Every time you are at the grocery store, Look for that food barrel and put something in it. Tens of thousands of Oregonians need your help. Don't just pass it up.

5. Finally, the Multnomah Democratic Party, recognizing that hunger is a problem throughout the year, will collect food donations year-round at Party meetings and gatherings. Our next Mult Dems meeting is 7pm, Thursday, Dec 11, at the Hollywood Senior Center, 1820 NE 40th. Guests and friends are always welcome..

Thank You,

KC Hanson

Chair

Multnomah County Democrats

PS: Here is what the Oregon Food Bank says about making the most of your food donations:

Most wanted foods

Oregon Food Bank needs these nutritious foods:

canned meats (i.e., tuna, chicken, salmon)

canned and boxed meals (i.e., soup, chili, stew, macaroni and cheese)

peanut butter

canned or dried beans and peas (i.e., black, pinto, lentils)

pasta, rice, cereal

canned fruits

100 percent fruit juice (canned, plastic or boxed).

Oregon Food Bank can't use:? To ensure food safety, we cannot use:

rusty or unlabeled cans

perishable items

homemade items

noncommercial canned or packaged items

alcoholic beverages, mixes or soda

open or used items

PLEASE NOTE: If you donate glass products, please box or bag them separately and label the box or bag "GLASS" on all sides.

Why both food and funds matter:? Food drives provide some of the healthiest and highest-quality food we receive. Food donations also provide a direct connection between donors and people who are hungry.

Cash donations keep our freezers running and our trucks on the road. They also support innovative programs that address the root causes of hunger through advocacy and public education.

Oregon Food Bank makes efficient use of cash donations.

Every dollar you donate enables Oregon Food Bank to collect and distribute 5 pounds of food through its food distribution program.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Portland's Moment to Remember

I finally got to the video I took on election night...tho almost a month later it still feels like it happened yesterday !