Minutes PAA 01-12-06

Progressive Action Alliance Minutes

Jan. 12, 2006 at LLU, 6^th Floor, Room 6

Convened at 7:30 p.m.

Present:

12-08-05 Minutes: Posted to website 12-11-05 along with email notification to contact Lee rgarding any changes

Treasury Report: $696.58 beginning balance; Donations - $80 donations ($30 at December meetings; and $50 misc.); Expenses - Re-registration of website domain names $19.90; Wild Horse Web Design – annual web hosting $389.88; Monthly room rent $35; Balance  - $331.80

Houston Social Forum: Venue and date selected – Texas Southern University on Saturday-Sunday, April 29-30

Verifiable Voting: James Goodwill Pierre (lead organizer of area Election Protection) running as county clerk against Beverly Kaufman (person responsible for buying electronic voting machines for county); Stan Merriman Progressive Populist Caucus is putting together a resolution to present to city council requiring city election machines to have paper trail; Suggestion that arguments (paper trails cost too much money) against resolution be surmounted by linking paper trail requirement to Instant Run-Off Election resolution, which would save the city a bundle

NOTE: Also reported on election radio program Greens and Liberty Tree (?) are looking to produce with David Cobb and Pokey Anderson; 2 minute commentary

Discussion about Cobb as host

World Can’t Wait – Drive Out the Bush Regime: Lea Mesa explains WCW as working towards the ouster of not just Bush but his whole regime; planning to drown out the State of Union address in front of KHOU Channel 11 deliver indictment to White House after State of Union address in D.C. Join WCW on7 p.m. Jan. 31 short rally and at 8 p.m. noise making begins (Bring on da noise); speakers welcome who can speak on indictable actions of Bush; WCW meeting Sunday, Jan. 15^th at 4 p.m. (5?)at Madeleine Williams to plan rally – for more information, contact Kate LePree at

Sojourners’ State of Our Values – faith based, activist group calling for people to have a state of the union party and discuss speech afterwards

Building Pressure to Impeach Bush/Cheney – Kris passed out flyers from Friends Committee listing 10 reasons why US must leave Iraq; discussion about creating a flyer that lists reasons for impeaching the gang and distributing at MLK parade on Monday, Jan. 16; 1^st UU got a place in the MLK parade and all welcome to join at the SE corner of Minute Maid Part at Texas and Harris at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 – up to 300,000 watching parade if weather is good; discussion about flyering between 9-10 a.m. on HSF with message on why regime should be impeached, how to contact representatives, and include a call to action like attend WCW on Jan 31; Motion to create flyer and distribute at MLK parade note connection of illegal wiretapping to MLK as victim of Hoover spying/wiretapping; note white phosphorous

• Ivan will create flyer with assistance from Cheryl and present to group for input. Must be completed by Saturday; not another son/daughter
• Sign making Saturday, Jan 28 2-4 p.m. at Dunlavy Park (fowl weather alternative at Bill & Cheryl Crosiers) bring own supplies;
• Donations encouraged to pay for printing 3000; reminder about PayPal link on website;
• HPJC’s Speakers’ Bureau created by Houston Peace & Justice Center – no one’s volunteered to speak on Iraq War and erosion of civil liberties; looking for speakers; Ron Graham volunteered as vet for peace and getting out of Iraq; “Hot Topics Smart Speakers” requesting participation from anyone with interest – contact Herb Rothschild at
• MLK volunteers (to pass out flyers):  Bill C.; Brenda F.; C. Lee T.; Cheryl C.; Don C.; Jon A.; Kris G.; Lee L.; Ron G.; Willie S.; Bob C.; Herb R. and Ivan E.
• Helping Greens Get on Ballot: attend monthly Green Party meeting at 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 at Central Market second floor, meeting room, on Westheimer at Wesleyan; if you vote in the primary, you cannot sign petition (read info at top of petition for repercussions)
• Lecture and movie on Ken Sero Wiwa on Ngonis & Oil in Nigeria Dino Marcacio planning event also on Monday, Jan 16
• Planning for 2006 elections & party conventions
• Resolutions -  galvanized folk once they were read; need to update and create new resolutions; gets people to show up at conventions; Sarah spoke with Melissa tonight about workshops on how to write a resolution and what goes on at precinct convention dates aren’t set yet but will keep us apprised;(volunteers to [re-]write resolutions: Kris, Ron Willie Bill
• Precinct organizing to get progressives to Dem. Conventions, support progressive candidates
• Candidate questionnaire based on our issues/resolutions
• Volunteers who’ll help write questionnaire:  Ron, Kris, Ivan, Sarah, Bill will meet directly after meeting to decide meeting date to do writings.
• Continuing work for withdrawal from Iraq, counter-recruiting, etc. meeting 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 25, at HPJC office, LLU 6^th floor, west end. 
• Think about next action: 3^rd anniversary of Iraq War; pass out Iraq Notebooks; overpass signs; (Lee Loe new Iraq Notebook almost finished; once computer up and running); impeachment actions

Announcements:

Loe household needs (due to fire): ______________

Katrina evacuees planning a road trip to D.C. Feb. 7^th (on PAA calendar)

WCW fundraiser 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan.18^th at Super Happy Fun Land After Twighlight Gary Watkins, the Director will be present

Adjourn 9:42 p.m.