East Cobb Democratic Alliance Annual Volunteer Appreciation Program March 6, 2007 A large group of East Cobb Dems had a wonderful time at Juliana’s house. David Lambrozo recognized the many members who brought the ECDA into existance and moved it forward.

Sander Bellman, founding Board Chair was awarded the Progressive Voice Award

Jon and Steve Sinton for their role in founding Air America.

The Founding Board Award went to Laila Anderson, Sander bellman, Thomas carter, Nasrolah and Beth Farokhi, Kathy Fuller, Mary Ellen McGee, Sharon Noelke, Freida Smith, and Elinor Spalten.

Rabbi Steven Lebow was given the Progressive Spirit Award. If you have a Jewish friend who is politically progressive and looking for a Synagogue, find Steven Lebow. If your group wants to hear someone talk who has been on the front lines of progressive political action around the country and Cobb County, talk to Steven Lebow.

Hummingbird Cake I’ve always wanted Hummingbird Cake from Harry’s. I had a sample once. It was great but it is pretty expensive and there are no small cakes. I bought one to take to Juliana’s. Everything else looked and tasted so good, I didn’t get around to having any Hummingbird cake.

Photo’s of the event are on the Cobb County Democratic meetup web site. http://democrat.meetup.com/909/photos/

Jane Vandiver Kidd the first elected head of the GA Democratic Party had a great article in the AJC March 9 in the Metro Section. Her father was a Governor and her uncle was Senator Richard Russell. This Democracy thing in the Georgia Democratic party might work if it gets a lot of support, save your fussing for Republicans…

I heard Ralph Nader on Bob Edwards weekend show on NPR recently. Bob asked him, what does he say when Democrats accuse him of losing the election in 2000. Ralph asks them if they think that the Republicans cheated. They say yes. He says, “Why don’t you criticize the Republicans?”

I heard a little about anti-war Congressman Obey having a heated discussion about the war with some folks in a hallway, so I Googled it and this is what I found.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/19392

I thought it was no nothing Republicans criticizing him.

Alisha for Breakfast The CCDC had their monthly breakfast and Alisha Morgan was the featured speaker.

Let’s skip the political stuff and get to the good stuff.

Her baby is due April 30 and already weighs 5 pounds. No first name has not been selected but “Camille” will be the middle name. Republicans in the state house are talking to her for the first time. There is nothing like a little pregnancy to create a non-partsian bridge to a conversation. Makes me think of how Ted Kennedy and some of those conservative Republicans find common cause on an issue. I wonder if they started by talking about their kids or grandkids.

Alisha said that this has been one of the slowest and most unproductive sessions.

House Bill 89 Gun in the car bill – How will the police react when they think you have a gun in your car, especially citizens of color or thoe who live in particular parts of town?

Payday Lending (a gift from Earl Erhardt) If this legislation is not good enough for the military (they are exempt) why is it good enough for the rest of Georgia?

Vouchers for Special Education (a gift from Senator Eric Johnson) had a meeting, the room was full of Special needs parents, a line went down the hallway, and around the corner. They felt used upon hearing how little the bill would do for them. (most Special Needs children don’t have severe or permanent specia needsl – this bill would make a special needs designation permanent. If a child gets better, as most do, he will be eligible to get a state funded voucher as long as he is in a private school.) This is a voucher bill, not a Special Needs Bill.

House Bill 227 Cable Bill - Could limit public access channels where they exist and limit future cable access channels.

Juvenile Justice – Alisha continues to champion this area. 13 year olds do not belong in state prisons with adults.

Romeo and Juliet – last year there was a mandatory 25 year sentence for sex with a minor. It is a misdemeanor now, as long as the willing couple is no more than 3 years different in age. There is an effort to make those convicted under the old laws have the same sentences as the new laws.

Peach Care – Georgia needs $130 million for Peach Care health coverage for Georgia’s poorest children. Sonny went to Washington and begged for money.

The state has a $600 million surpluss.

Sonny has a personal discretion fund of $400 million.

The Republicans talk personal responsibility and pulling yourselves up by the boot straps but that is just talk to get votes.

Election Day registration – 7 states have this and they also have 70% voter turnout (yes, they are all Blue progressive states) What does Earl Erhardt have to say “Alisha, always playing the vistim.” This is a better approach for him than dealing with the facts. In fact if he had the facts on his side, he would use them, which is why Republicans frequently rely on personal attacks – a lack of facts and logic on their side.

Bill 431 Compulsory Kindergarden in Georgia - I thought it was mandatory. Kids 6-16 are required to go to school.

Charter Schools – Alisha supports the Republican legislation that would increase the ability to create Charter Schools and Charter School systems. She said that her husband is the principal of a Charter School.

But Charter Schools, perform at best, the same as the public schools they replaced or frequently worse.A gentleman from Mableton explained why this is a popular idea. Parents want their children to have a good education now. Improving public education in Georgia will takes years. Telling parents to wait is not a good political message.

Breakfast pictures are also on the Cobb County Democrats meetup website

http://democrat.meetup.com/909/photos/

Monday night at 7:00 at the Marietta City Council Chambers, the League of Women Voters will host a discussion on Drug legalization.

Also on this Monday, some Cobb Democratic Women will meet at the Marietta Diner for food and conversation at 7:00.

Tom Barksdale of the North Cobb Democrats brought a petition opposing the construction of a coal fired power plant. The Sierra Club is leading the way on this issue and Tom was helping.

Jefferson Jackson Dinner

Saturday May 5

Guest Speaker Congressman David Scott

Open bar at 6:00

Starts at 7:00

http://democrat.meetup.com/909/calendar/ Save this link to the Cobb County Democrats calendar till the CCDC (no relation) gets a thorough and up to date calendar themselves.

The East Cobb Democratic Alliance calendar has things that I don’t, though I plan to borrow all those items from them that I don’t currently have.