Progressive Democrats Sonoma County

Founder of the media watch group FAIR, Director of the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College, Author of Cable News Confidential,
JEFF COHEN will speak on: U.S. News Media, the Occupy Movement and the 2012 Election. The event is sponsored by the Healdsburg High Progressive Club.

Thursday, March 15
7:30 p.m.

Healdsburg High School
Room 67
Healdsburg, CA

Dan Hamburg/For the Times-Standard
January 28, 2012

Since 2001, Humboldt County has contributed roughly $350 million to fighting the nation’s wars (costofwar.com). I’m supporting Norman Solomon because this expenditure represents a catastrophic misuse of public funds and because Norman, among a group of strong candidates, is uniquely qualified to help stop the bleeding.

When I finally met Norman last year, after decades of reading his work, I wondered why such a smart and accomplished activist would think the U.S. House was the best place to work for progressive political change.

Read the full article here

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For more information visit the Events page at www.SolomonForCongress.com

November 16, 2011

Two of the nation’s most influential Latino leaders — Rep. Raul Grijalva, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Dolores Huerta, legendary co-founder of the United Farm Workers union — have endorsed Democratic candidate Norman Solomon for Congress.

The endorsements come in the race for an open seat in California’s new coastal district stretching from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border.

Read the full story here

September 15, 2011

Daniel Ellsberg, the renowned advocate for peace and the First Amendment who leaked the historic Pentagon Papers on the Vietnam War, endorsed congressional candidate Norman Solomon on Thursday (Sept. 15). Ellsberg will join the independent progressive Democrat on the campaign trail.

Once referred to by President Nixon’s adviser Henry Kissinger as “the most dangerous man in America,” Ellsberg is an enthusiastic supporter of Norman Solomon for Congress. The famed whistleblower will speak at a house-party fundraiser for the Solomon campaign in Marin County on Sept. 22, an event bringing together two generations of antiwar leaders.

Read the Rest Here

by Karina Ioffee
Petaluma Patch
August 23, 2011

Oscar-winning actor and former North Bay resident Sean Penn lent the Norman Solomon campaign some star power when he made an appearance in Petaluma Tuesday to endorse Solomon in the race for the 2nd Congressional District.

Read the Full Story Here

On Tuesday August 23, at two events in the North Bay, Sean Penn will be speaking in support of Norman Solomon’s campaign for Congress.

Click Here for Details

By JEREMY HAY
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
August 15, 2011

New political district maps approved on Monday will color the race to replace Rep. Lynn Woolsey and prompt 7th District Assemblyman Michael Allen to move to advance his political career.

The new maps certified by the state’s voter-created citizens commission stretch Woolsey’s 6th District — formerly a compact Marin-Sonoma package — to the Oregon border and rename it the 2nd District.

“One big difference is I’ll be spending a lot more time in the car,” said Norman Solomon, one of four candidates for Woolsey’s seat.

Read the Full Story Here

April 13, 2011 | By Solomon for Congress

Norman Solomon—the North Bay political activist who has been a leader of the region’s Green New Deal commission and the national Healthcare Not Warfare campaign—announced on Wednesday (April 13) that he has filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for Congress. He said that his name will be on the June 2012 ballot if Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey decides not to seek re-election.

Read the Rest Here

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YOU ARE INVITED .....

SATURDAY AFTERNOON with NORMAN SOLOMON, JIM HIGHTOWER and FRIENDS
A fundraiser for the Norman Solomon for Congress Exploratory Committee

Join NORMAN SOLOMON and special guests including national radio commentator, author and progressive populist JIM HIGHTOWER, Chair of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party KAREN BERNAL and former KPFA “Morning Show” host AIMEE ALLISON for this festive gathering!

Music provided by BRUCE BARTHOL, original bass player for Country Joe and the Fish and long time songwriter for the SF Mime Troupe
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Saturday, April 16
1:00 – 3:30 pm
Program at 1:30 pm

French Garden Restaurant and Bistro
8050 Bodega Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472

After gaining a majority in the House of Representatives last November, the Republican party within months launched a full-on assault on workers’ rights and labor unions in state after state around the nation.

Read the Rest and LISTEN TO AUDIO here

UPDATE: Mix and mingle with NORMAN SOLOMON and Special Guests including national radio commentator, author and progressive populist JIM HIGHTOWER & KAREN BERNAL, Chair of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party.

Event Details & RSVP Here

New Events added to Norman Solomon for Congress Exploratory Committee Events Calendar . Check back often for updates.

If you are unable to attend an event for any reason, please consider making a donation to support a progressive champion!

Would you like to host a house party for Norman? Click here to get started!

Clearing the way for a progressive future

by Norman Solomon
January 28, 2011

Sure you want to jump into that cesspool?”

I’ve heard countless variations of the same question in recent months, as the possibility of running for Congress has become more real. With all the big-money hit pieces and mud fights that pass for “politics” these days, no wonder so many people see election campaigns as little more than depravity masquerading as democracy.

But there are lives in the balance, near and far, from the North Bay to Afghanistan. A list of what’s at stake would be endless: the rights of workers, the ecology of rivers and the injustices of a healthcare system largely run for corporate profit.

Read the Full Story Here

Christian Parenti
December 3, 2010

Join PDA’s Stop Global Warming/Environmental Issue Organizing Team (IOT); learn more here.

Published by The Nation.

In the wake of the midterm elections, environmental groups are rethinking their strategy for addressing climate change. The defeat of the green agenda is measured not only in Republican control of the House but also in the huge amounts of money, time, energy and good will green groups invested in the pursuit of failed comprehensive climate legislation.

Read the Rest Here

November 30, 2010

With the 2010 election now behind us, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all my friends, allies and supporters at PDA. Those thanks extend to Tim Carpenter, Mimi Kennedy, Conor Boylan, Dan O’Neal and every single member in Tucson, in Arizona, and across this nation.

Read the Rest Here

Earl Ofari Hutchinson
November 16, 2010

Published by The Huffington Post.

In an exclusive interview, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), co-chair of the Progressive House Caucus, talks with New American Media Political Analyst and Huffington Post Contributor Earl Ofari Hutchinson about the group’s strategy in the new, Republican-controlled House. The interview was conducted by New America Media.

THR: Many are not familiar with the Progressive House Caucus. How big is it?

LW: We had 83 members before the election. It is bicameral, with House and Senate members. It’s by far the largest caucus in Congress. We lost four members this election. But we also gained a couple of new members. We will not have less than 80 members in the next Congress. The Blue Dog Democrats lost almost two-thirds of their members.

Read the Rest Here

Now that the dust has settled following Election Day, PDA presents a two-part election analysis podast. In this episode, PDA National Director Tim Carpenter interviews author and journalist John Nichols and PDA field coordinator Conor Boylan. Produced by David Pakman of Midweek Politics.

CLICK HERE to listen.

Link to archived audio of Sunday’s program. Medea Benjamin in the first hour and the full second hour is a great interview with Norman Solomon on the aftermath and implications of the Elections.

CLICK HERE to listen

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 10 AM — NORMAN SOLOMON will be on “The Sunday Show” on KPFA Radio (94.1 FM in Northern California and streaming at kpfa.org ) on Sunday, Nov. 7 starting at 10 am PT. — Live one-hour interview about the aftermath and implications of the election.

Randy Shannon
November 6, 2010

Join PDA’s Healthcare for All Issue Organizing Team (IOT); learn more here

Published by Beaver County Blue.

As AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka has said, this election was about jobs. This election was also about health care and the progressive change that was promised but not delivered. The voters punished the corporate Democrats who helped block legislation to help working people, the unemployed, and those without health care.

Read the Rest Here

Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting
November 6, 2010

MSNBC host Keith Olbermann has been placed on indefinite suspension without pay in the wake of a Politico report (11/5/10) that revealed Olbermann had donated $7,200 to three Democratic candidates, in violation of NBC’s standards barring employees from making political contributions.

A journalist donating money to a political candidate raises obvious conflict of interest questions; at a minimum, such contributions should be disclosed on air. But if supporting politicians with money is a threat to journalistic independence, what are the standards for Olbermann’s bosses at NBC, and at NBC’s parent company General Electric?

Read the Rest Here