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I pledge allegiance to all life
in its interdependent diversity;
and to the Planet upon which it exists;
one World, under the sky, undividable
with harmony and balance for all.
~ Tom King, 2001
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Me
This is my personal website which contains links and information to all aspects about me. My active posts can be viewed at my blog page and the social media links on the right side bar.
Dee’s ‘Dotes~Anecdotes of a Green Activist
Dee’s Dotes is my personal blog (click tab above). I write about my activist activities, including the peace movement, the Green Party, politics in general and other progressive issues ; and other topics in Utah and beyond.
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NOTE: There was a hiatus of about 5 1/2 years (with a gap between 2012 and 2017 in the archives).
Tag Archives: new orleans
Malik Rahim – A Vote for Life
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 2008 elections, Green Party, katrina, malik rahim, new orleans
Campaign to Elect Malik Rahim News
I and many others have personally contributed money to this campaign.
Pat LaMarche, 2004 Green Party Vice Presidential Candidate and Maine Green Party Member writes from NOLA:
Please tell everyone we love them and we have a campaign that actually could win.
please tell them that i was at the common ground collective today and met a woman returning to her home in the ninth ward tomorrow for the first time in three years. tell them that she was so happy and it was malik and common ground that made it possible. then tell them that after malik got her some lunch because her life is so hectic today… that she told me about her brother dying … drowning as he helped her save their children’s lives.
please tell everyone that this is a man they can help new orleans send to congress and we are doing the best we can… but we need the international leverage… money.
help!!!!! anyone thinking of coming here to hellp….. donate the amount you would have paid for your plane ticket. he has such a great organization here… it only needs fuel for the engine and unfortuantely that’s money.
we can do this.
And from Cynthia McKinney:
Hello!I’ve been busy contemplating so many questions from so many of you about where do we go from here. It is clear that many understand the challenges that we now face and what is becoming even clearer is that far more who didn’t vote for us are now looking to us for leadership on issues that we raised during the campaign like, for example, the bailout. I do have some concrete, solution-oriented ideas and will explore them with you in the days ahead. But I wanted to do something now that is important to all of us, because we still have one more Congressional election within our grasp.We all know the importance of having someone of conscience in the United States Congress, someone of unbending commitment to our values and not just another representative of "business-as-usual" politics. Malik Rahim proved his mettle when we all watched in horror as events unfolded in New Orleans and the Gulf States. What a shame that African-American Hurricane Katrina survivors have had to file a discrimination lawsuit against Louisiana’s Road Home program in order to earn their right of return. With Malik in Washington, our own internally displaced population can finally see justice–and not just abundant hot air–delivered from the halls of the U.S. Capitol. We need Malik now and now Malik needs us. Bill Jefferson, the incumbent, has been indicted on 16 counts of corruption charges. We need Malik in that seat! For those of you who are close to Louisiana, please consider giving Malik a weekend to knock on doors and make important voter contact in the lead-up to the December 6 Louisiana General Election. Please visit http://www.votemalik.com/ and make a contribution today!Here’s an article on Malik:A Conversation with Malik Rahim
BY ADAM FLEMING
Pittsburgh City Paper, November 13, 2008
http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A55307Malik Rahim has been many things. He’s been a Black Panther, an armed robber and a social activist. He is currently a Green Party congressional candidate in New Orleans; the election cycle for some Louisiana districts was delayed because of Hurricane Gustav. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Rahim co-founded the Common Ground Collective to provide assistance to low-income residents. This week, the Thomas Merton Center honors Rahim at its annual award dinner, on Wed., Nov. 12.[Q] What was your reaction to Barack Obama’s victory?None, other than to say that history was made. And now it’s: How we can really come up with a plan to clean our environment, and then second, do something to save our economy without just giving bailouts to the rich?[Q] Are you upset that New Orleans wasn’t mentioned during the debates?I don’t fault [Obama]. I fault our city’s administration for not really pushing that we are still really in dire need of assistance. The Saints are winning and Mardi Gras was a success, then hey, you’re going to have a lack of enthusiasm from any politician. It’s a city that’s based upon tourism, and they believe that telling the truth would be bad for tourists. [But people need] to see our school system and the deplorable situation that they’re in. To see the health-care agencies, and how in dire need the city is for hospital beds. If you look at the lack of opportunity in the midst of a construction boom. The tough questions that need to be asked aren’t asked.We can’t talk about just building levy walls. We’ve got to talk about, how can we restore our wetlands? We’ve got to talk about some alternatives for when we have to evacuate. We need to constantly teach and train the residents of New Orleans about disaster-preparedness. We can’t go on living in New Orleans as if we’re living in Arizona.[Q] What needs to change in the reconstruction of New Orleans?We have to move into a clear direction of hope: How can we assure people that, hey, you can come back. You will be able to rebuild. That we’re not just concerned about the French Quarter or the Superdome. That every citizen in this city is important. Once we start doing this, then we will get the people’s involvement. Right now, if we had just the resources that we are spending on incarcerating non-violent offenders, the Ninth Ward would be rebuilt.[Q] Do you consider yourself a radical?Yes, indeed, I consider myself a radical. It pushes those who are not about peace and justice away, but for those who truly have made a stand for environmental peace and justice, I believe they gravitate towards the ideas that I have shown. It’s not like something that I’m saying is wrong. People have [come] and seen this.[Q] You say the Common Ground Collective has organized thousands of volunteers in New Orleans. Are you upset that New Orleans wasn’t mentioned during the debates?I don’t fault [Obama]. I fault our city’s administration for not really pushing that we are still really in dire need of assistance. … The Saints are winning and Mardi Gras was a success, then hey, you’re going to have a lack of enthusiasm from any politician. … It’s a city that’s based upon tourism, and they believe that telling the truth would be bad for tourists. … [But people need] to see our school system and the deplorable situation that they’re in. To see the health-care agencies, and how in dire need the city is for hospital beds. … If you look at the lack of opportunity in the midst of a construction boom. … The tough questions that need to be asked aren’t asked.We can’t talk about just building levy walls. We’ve got to talk about, how can we restore our wetlands? … We’ve got to talk about some alternatives for when we have to evacuate. … We need to constantly teach and train the residents of New Orleans about disaster-preparedness. We can’t go on living in New Orleans as if we’re living in Arizona.[Q] What needs to change in the reconstruction of New Orleans?We have to move into a clear direction of hope: How can we assure people that, hey, you can come back. You will be able to rebuild. That we’re not just concerned about the French Quarter or the Superdome. That every citizen in this city is important. Once we start doing this, then we will get the people’s involvement. … Right now, if we had just the resources that we are spending on incarcerating non-violent offenders, the Ninth Ward would be rebuilt.[Q] Do you consider yourself a radical?Yes, indeed, I consider myself a radical. … It pushes those who are not about peace and justice away, but for those who truly have made a stand for environmental peace and justice, I believe they gravitate towards the ideas that I have shown. … It’s not like something that I’m saying is wrong. People have [come] and seen this.[Q] You say the Common Ground Collective has organized thousands of volunteers in New Orleans. What’s so radical about people flocking to save a city in need?Because of the fact that it has never been done: In the history of America, never have you had 18,000 predominantly whites come into an African-American community in solidarity. Not as exploiters or oppressors. This is the first time this has been done. And they have lived in those communities and have helped to rebuild. … Yeah, some people might call it radical, but there are people who classify Christ as being radical. Mohammad was a radical. I’m in good company.[Q] What do you think of people calling Obama a radical for associating with Rev. Jeremiah Wright and former Weatherman Bill Ayers?I believe it would take a small-minded person to tell anyone that has met with those individuals that "You are a radical." … This is a nation that was made by radicals. It came into existence by radicals. What’s the difference between Obama meeting with those individuals or someone meeting with George Washington? Who could be more radical than the founding fathers of this country?[Q] After leaving New Orleans in the 1970s, you were arrested for armed robbery in California. What happened?That’s what it took to save my life and to change the direction I was heading. At that time, just like most young black men, I was full of rage and felt like the movement had abandoned us, and we did some things that we are no longer proud of. … I didn’t come out of prison asking anyone for any hand. But I had a support mechanism, I had a family.[Q] How did your time in prison shape your role as a prison-rights activist?I know the plight. I know what is needed to turn people around. I know what is needed to do to build a better tomorrow. … We have to understand, we cannot jail everyone. It’s not the idea that people are born criminals. I’m a firm believer that that’s folly. I believe in conditions. We have to talk about cause and effect. What causes a person to resort to crime?[Q] From your perspective in New Orleans, what’s missing from the current national political dialogue?How can we transform this nation into the nation that it once was? At one time America was a great nation, and it wasn’t great because we were the most powerful or the richest, it was our ability to reach out and help people in need. And I believe we can do it again.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 2008 elections, cynthia mckinney, Green Party, human rights, malik rahim, new orleans, rosa clemente
You can help Food Not Bombs feed the survivors of Gustav
You can help Food Not Bombs feed the survivors of Gustav
Updated: Monday September 1, 2007
PLEASE HELP! As day breaks this momentous Labor Day, Hurricane Gustav threatens people across the Gulf, and is on track to slam Cajun Country and the Houma Nation west of New Orleans, one of the most culturally diverse places in the continent – where levees are largely nonexistent.
Food Not Bombs is planning to provide meals again for survivors. Please organize with your local Food Not Bombs group or your other local organizations. Help us collect food and supplies to help this year’s survivors. The U.S. Government and the American Red Cross were not able to deliver food to the survivors of Katrina, so Food Not Bombs set up kitchens in over 20 cities. Volunteers organized America’s largest food relief effort.
We will be providing help for the survivors of Hurricane Gustav just as we helped after Katrina. The American Red Cross, state emergency agencies, and FEMA asked everyone to call our toll free number for food relief. This is an emergency! When the storm passes through the gulf we will provide hot meals on a daily basis. We need volunteers, tools and food to help the people displaced by Hurricane Gustav. We need people to help us repair homes and cook meals for people surviving the hurricane. We also have a meeting place in New Orleans: the Common Grounds 9th Ward Center off the Claiborne Ave exit on I-10 at the corner of N. Claiborne and Pauline in the 9th Ward.
Read more at www.plenty.org
Travel along with Free Speech TV as they cover our grassroots effort
The American Red Cross will be sending Gustav survivors to Food Not Bombs. After Katrina we had many calls from people who tell us that the Red Cross gave them our toll free number. We have been able to help most of the people directed our way. You can help Food Not Bombs support the Hurricane Gustav survivors by making a donation.
Food Not Bombs groups all across the southern United States are feeding families displaced by Gustav. Help us get food and supplies past FEMA. We need clothes, cooking equipment, food, cooks and money to provide for thousands of hungry homeless people. We have no overhead, rent or salaries so every donation goes directly to helping people. Many affected by Hurricane Gustav are familiar with Food Not Bombs because we have been sharing free food in communities through the area for many years. Because we are independent we can take food and supplies to areas where no other agency can reach.
This disaster may last another year or more so we intend to continue setting up Food Not Bombs field kitchens throughout the region. Food Not Bombs is encouraging the refugees to participate in cooking, serving and collecting the food. Their participation may be one of the most therapeutic things we can provide. Tens of thousands of survivors were kicked out of their motel rooms. We believe that many of these people will be living outside homeless. Even if you can’t go to the disaster area we need lots of help in your community. The number of people we need to feed is growing all across America as people leave Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama looking for work and housing. We are sharing food every day in your community and all around the Gulf. Please call to see how you can help.
There are some things you can do that can help us respond effectively to this disaster.
1. Organize a meeting this week – calling, emailing and posting flyers about the need for people to help and the day, time and location of the meeting.
2. At the meeting organize groups to call for food donations, another group to call for propane stoves, tanks of gas, tables and cooking equipment. Ask another group to get more volunteers.
3. Choose a time date and location of where your vehicles will gather to take the trip to the disaster area.
4. Collect 25 and 50 pound bags of rice, beans, 25 and 50-pound bags of rice, beans, black-eyed peas, lentils and any other large amounts of dry goods, pasta or non perishable food. We can also use propane stoves, kitchen equipment, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and other personal items.
5. Stay in touch by emailing menu@foodnotbombs.net or calling 1-800-884-1136.
Volunteer to feed the hungry and help the survivors of Hurricane
Gustav by contacting your local Food Not Bombs group or emailing us at:
menu@foodnotbombs.net
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged food not bombs, human needs, hunger, hurrican katrina, hurricane gustav, natural disasters, new orleans