Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor

Last week I posted an article about Gary Younge, a London Guardian correspondent, interviewing several of us on being liberal in a red state at the weekly peace vigil in Salt Lake City.

Younge’s article appears today in the Guardian.

The article has a heavy focus on Rocky Anderson, SLC’s liberal and outspoken mayor. One paragraph outlines Rocky’s recent efforts:

Anderson, who was re-elected for his second term in 2003, supports gay marriage, opposes the war in Iraq and is a strong environmentalist. He is converting his city’s fleet to alternative-fuel vehicles in order to honour his commitment to meet Kyoto’s standards on greenhouse emissions by 2012. Two weeks ago he extended benefits to non-married domestic partners of city employees, effectively giving health insurance coverage to gay and cohabiting couples on his payroll. In August, when Bush came to town to bolster support for the Iraq war, Anderson emailed activists calling for “the biggest demonstration this state has ever seen”. Two thousand people showed up, making national headlines.

Younge also delves into the “demography” of blue vs. red in U.S. regions and blue within red states. He also points out the myth that liberals only inhabit coastal areas, Salt Lake being a prime example. Interviews with several people point out that progressives here are dedicated and have their work cut out for them.

Younge has one paragraph on our sidewalk vigil:

Standing opposite the main federal building Tom King holds a sign saying: “Make levees not war”, along with four others on their weekly Thursday antiwar vigil. “At the beginning people threw open bottles of soda, half-eaten hamburgers and raw eggs at us,” he says. But in the 15 minutes I stood with him only one man shouted: “Get a clue, you bunch of morons”, while far more people beeped their horns in support and waved. Last week thousands turned out for an anti-war rally in town.

From “Joanne” who gave us a CD full of photos.
Here are a few, but to see all 41, go to:
Rally Pics

Last week I posted an article on the Green Party in Frederick, Maryland and my connection to that area of the U.S.

Today when I talked to my daughter, who lives in Frederick, she enthusiastically told me of the Green Party Table being at the annualIn the Streets Street Festival (too bad this article only mentions the other two parties being at this festival….). I was very proud of her when she could tell me the name of the woman running for city alderwoman in this fall’s race there.

I found some recent articles that mention Joanne Ivancic, pasted below. The third article is about a biodefense project at Fort Detrick. (I used to live just outside the back of that place, in my first home that I owned as an adult in Frederick. It was kind of creepy, with all the reports of water contamination, etc.).

Candidates let public know stance at forum

Joanne Ivancic, the Green Party candidate for alderman, supported the idea of keeping homeless shelters open year-round instead of only during the colder months of the year.

“People need a place to stay, regardless of how cold or hot it is,” she said.

Coverage appreciated
JERRY KESSLER Frederick
Thanks to The Frederick News-Post for its excellent coverage of Green Party alderman candidate Joanne Evancic and the Green Party progressive program to bring Frederick to the front in the 21st century.

Planned biodefense complex at Fort Detrik a real cause for concern, by Joanne Ivancic.

The Tentacle – a Frederick News and Commentary site.

Debate focuses on city’s ‘have-nots’

Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution

The non-profit Liberty Tree Foundation has recently been formed to support new democracy movements. Here is the mission statement on its website:

The Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution is a non-profit organization rooted in the belief that the American Revolution is a living tradition whose greatest promise is democracy. Our central purpose is to build on the accomplishments of earlier American movements by launching a new stage in the struggle for democracy.

There are projects and links to other organizations on this site.

Among its founders are David Cobb and Ben Manski, both Greens.

My previous post contained the statement that the GPUT made in regards to the impeachment of five GPUS SC members. As a result of that issued statement, a Florida delegate made this statement:

Sun Oct 2 11:10:57 EDT 2005

((name snipped))
FL

I usuall stay fairly quiet on the discussion lists, as an alternate delegate, but I had to respond to this one. Here is my response:

((name snipped))is incorrect in her statements of the Green Party of Utah. The statement in her post “The Green Party of Utah is not represented on this SC.” is inaccurate. States are represented to the NC, not the SC. Beyond that, the Green Party of Utah **is** represented on the NC by virtue of its historical and ongoing affiliation with the GPUS. If anyone is in disagreement with this status quo, then I urge them to follow the established procedure to challenge the accreditation of the Green Party of Utah.

While the Director of Elections has, in personal conversation and in writing, informed the affiliated Green Party of Utah of its silence on national party recognition, incorporations and trademarks, he is also in violation of Utah Commerce Law. Please refer to the affiliated Green Party of Utah certificates of incorporation and trademark at:(links created as titles in this entry for ease of use.)
incorporation and trademark and Utah Dept of Commerce (enter “Green Party of Utah” in the Utah Dept of Commerce Business Entity Search Field).

Deanna Taylor, Co-Coordinator, Alternate Delegate
Green Party of Utah

The Florida Delegate’s response:

Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 12:33 PM
Subject: [usgp-coo] Utah on NC

((name snipped))FL

NOTE: Remember, the incorporation and trademark was done as a result of Jeff Beardall, never before a registered green or member of the GPUT, attempting to do the same to hijack the party (proof of this can be provided upon request). Insights of our members led the party to pursue incorporating and trademarking to prevent Beardall from taking over the party and its assets.

I would also like to add that it is highly inappropriate for delegates to the GPUS from other states to tell another state’s delegation what to do, i.e., “you must choose another name.” In fact, the Director of Elections has informed the Green Pary of Utah that we may continue our petition drive (almost completed, fyi) under the name Green Party of Utah, per the procedure of the election code, and when our drive is declared by **us** (as the Director of Elections has instructed) as complete, only then will the name issue be addressed.

The thread continued a little throughout the day, with most folks who wrote defending the GPUT and requesting that the Florida delegate apologize. But then came another set of remarks from the Florida delegate:

Date: Sun, 02 Oct 2005 17:18:16 -0500

((name snipped))
FL

NOTE: It is important to remember, as another delegate pointed out that the fact that a ‘Green Party’ is recognized by a state doesn’t mean the Green Party of the United
States must also recognize it.

In Virginia, there’s a state-recognized party called the Independent Greens, started by a guy
who was expelled from both the DC and Virginia GPs. It is not recognized by the national GP.

The GPUT issued this statement to the national discussion list tonight, in regards to the current impeachment of five GPUS Steering Committee Members:

The Green Party of Utah (the GPUT) formally opposes the impeachment of any GPUS Steering Committee (SC) Members at this time, via consensus of the State Coordinating Council. The GPUT therefore opposes the current impeachment of the five GPUS SC members and suggests withdrawl of the impeachment proceedings.

Tom King, Delegate
Green Party of Utah