Weekly Update - February 7, 2011
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are
doing the impossible." ~ St. Francis of Assisi
FORUM UPDATES / EVENTS
CIVIL RIGHTS FORUM:
Rich Hendricks
[email protected]
From friends: a lesbian QC couple who have raised two wonderful daughters....we must ALL speak up for justice where ever we are.
Dear Friends,
We would love it if you would follow the link below and watch the video of a very brave and impressive young man facing the Iowa legislature just before they vote on a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in Iowa. Perhaps you have already seen it, as I know that many folks are watching it as a result of Facebook sharing.
However, what many people don't know about this issue is that, should this amendment go to the people of Iowa and be adopted by our state, it will not only ban gay marriage but gay unions or partnerships of any kind - the amendment is worded so that the ONLY legal relationship recognized by the state would be marriage between one man and one woman.
So not only would you/your gay and lesbian friends be denied the right to marry (depending on your sexual orientation, of course! :-), but also the possibility of future domestic partnerships/civil unions in the state of Iowa would be gone. As your friends, we ask that you speak out about this issue - we don't want to live in a time period when, for the first time in history, the state of Iowa would actively deny through our Constitution the civil rights of its citizens. Thanks for getting the word out!
Shelley and Sylvi
http://www.good.is/post/people-are-awesome-watch-this-guy-speak-truth-to-power-about-his-lesbian-moms/
CREATIVE LEADERS FORUM:
Steve Drucker
[email protected]
Report from Last meeting:
Some PACG Idea-Makers have a Dream of producing the first-ever Celebration of the 222nd anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, presenting it as a legacy for ALL citizens (not just the right-wing) and a LIVING document that changes with time to expand liberties. March 4th is the day the Constitution was finalized, but we will celebrate it on March 5, a Saturday, to make it easier for kids, families, and most working folks to attend. We envision an inter-generational, multi-cultural event.
We are working to set a location, contact American History teachers for junior and senior high, contact media, and invite a family that has been naturalized as citizens. There are 8 other tasks for which we need your time, talent, and/or treasure. Will you help us with one?
1. Write lesson plan suggestions for identified teachers to study the document and assign kids to come up with creative ways to express the balance of rights, responsibilities, freedom and limitations.
2. Borrow a large American flag and return it.
3. Make a big poster of the Preamble which the assembled group will read aloud together.
4. Set up and clean up the site.
5. Design flier to go to parents of identified classes, as well as to other identified participants.
6. Provide appropriate live music.
7. Provide pizzas and juice for participants.
8. Find a young woman to portray Veiled Justice, the statue atop the Supreme Court building, and help her create an appropriate costume (Caryn Unsicker has a set of scales she will lend).
As our first adventure with this event, we are imagining it with a limited number of participants. If it works well, next year we may open it to the public.
It is time progressives reclaim this document and not allow the radical right to "own" it. We are also looking for a Constitutional scholar or attorney to teach a class on understanding the Constitution as a living document and to alert us to the areas where conservatives are trying to manipulate the meaning. If you know someone with that knowledge and skill, please let us know.
How would you like to be involved in this historic Q-C event (maybe the first in the country?) Email me [email protected]. TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE THIS NEW ADVENTURE. Steve Drucker
ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM:
Molly Regan
[email protected]
I-RENEW
For a listing of their workshop schedule, click here.
Health Care Reform:
Karen Metcalf
[email protected]
Health Care Briefs on the New Law:
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? AND FOR OTHERS?
Cost Sharing. The new Health Care Affordability Act aims to provide adequate affordable health insurance for all Americans. Like any insurance it depends on many insured people paying premiums into a pool of money that will cover unexpected and expensive costs due to accident or illness. We buy insurance on our homes and cars and hope we never need it, but we know it will protect us if we do. We all need health insurance because we never know if or when an accident or illness may require expensive, life saving care. That is why the new law requires everyone to buy insurance, and will help pay the premiums for those who can't afford the full cost themselves.
--from Faithful Reform in Health Care (www.faithfulreform.org)
These brief summaries of benefits in the new health care law were prepared by Progressive Action for the Common Good of the Quad Cities, based on research by Faithful Reform in Health Care which represents many churches and other faith communities. (See the list of members on their website.) Faithful Reform seeks to speak the "whole truth" about health care issues instead of the many half truths that abound. If you, or someone you know, has had a personal experience with this or another benefit of the new law, please share it with the Health Care Reform Forum of PACG ([email protected]).
LOCAL FOODS FORUM:
Rachel Griffiths
[email protected]
This forum meets this Wednesday, February 9th, 6:30pm at Antonella's restaurant, 112 W. 3rd St, Davenport.
Everyone welcome! Please join us!
MEDIA REFORM FORUM:
Steve Drucker
[email protected]
Report from last meeting:
Due to snow, our featured speaker, Dave Bradley from Iowa City, was not able to come. He is an expert on getting started with LPFM (low-power local radio). This is not just for technical people. We all can play a part in making local progressive radio happen here - soon - in the Quad-Cities. If you want to know how to make this go forward, come to Butterworth Center, crafts room downstairs, this Thursday at 6:30p.m. Bring a sandwich if you like, but this is one tasty topic when you start thinking about the programming we'd like to create on our very own radio station! Call Steve Drucker with questions 309-781-8004 or email [email protected]
PEACE AND JUSTICE FORUM:
Caryn Unsicker
[email protected]
Join our vigil for Peace - Saturday, February 12th, from 11am to noon on the corner of JD Road and 16th Street by Southpark Mall in Moline. We have extra signs and cold weather gear, including hand warmers, and we talk about everything under the sun!
Hope to see you there!
SOCIAL SECURITY FORUM:
This Tuesday, February 8th, join us for an educational forum with the Alliance for Retired Americans:
Alliance for Retired Americans
Local District Union Office #431 at 1401 W 3rd St., Davenport Phone is 323-3655 - Call for times
Lunch will be served
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Open Mic Coffee House
Hi Everybody,
Hope to see you at the coffeehouse this month. It's happening Friday February 11th from 7-10p at First Lutheran. As usual we will have refreshments, thank you Libby and Sara!
And all donations will benefit the St. Joe's Evening Meal. Bring your friends, a song to sing, a poem to read, or just bring your good ol' self. Call Wanda or Chris for any questions.
Til then,
Chris
Free program at the Canticle on Global Warming
Sunday, February 13th, 2-3pm
Home of the Sisters of St. Francis
841 13th Avenue North
Clinton
Find ways we can each reduce our carbon footprint
Third in a series on Sustainable Clinton
Film Series at The Canticle -
Blue Gold: World Water Wars
Join us Tuesday, February 8 for a free showing of
Blue Gold: World Water Wars.
Wars of the future will be fought over water as water - the source of human survival - enters the global marketplace and political arena. Past civilizations have collapsed from poor water management. Can the human race survive?
ShowTime: 6:30 P.M.
Refreshments & Discussion to follow.
EVENTS/MEETINGS THIS WEEK:
Tuesday
February 8th
Alliance for
Retired Americans
Guest SpeakerLocal District Union Office #431 at 1401 W 3rd St., Davenport
Lunch will be served
Tuesday
February 8th
Film: Blue Gold:
World Water Wars
6:30pm
The Canticle
841 13th Avenue North
Clinton
Wednesday
February 9th
Local Foods Forum
6:30pm
Antonella's Restaurant
112 W. 3rd St, Davenport
Friday February 11th
Reclaiming Lincoln
11:00am
Blackhawk State Park
1510 46th Ave
Rock Island
Friday, February 11th
Open Mic Coffee House
7pm - 10pm
First Lutheran Church
Rock Island
Saturday
February 12th
PEACE VIGIL 11am - noon
Corner of 16th St & John Deere Rd, Moline
Sunday,
February 13th,
Program on Global Warming
2-3pm
Home of the Sisters of St. Francis
841 13th Avenue North
Clinton
Progressive Action for the Common Good
563-676-7580
PO Box 6521
Rock Island, IL 61201
www.qcprogressiveaction.org
Send messages for this list serve to:
qcprogressiveaction @gmail.com
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are
doing the impossible." ~ St. Francis of Assisi
FORUM UPDATES / EVENTS
CIVIL RIGHTS FORUM:
Rich Hendricks
[email protected]
From friends: a lesbian QC couple who have raised two wonderful daughters....we must ALL speak up for justice where ever we are.
Dear Friends,
We would love it if you would follow the link below and watch the video of a very brave and impressive young man facing the Iowa legislature just before they vote on a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in Iowa. Perhaps you have already seen it, as I know that many folks are watching it as a result of Facebook sharing.
However, what many people don't know about this issue is that, should this amendment go to the people of Iowa and be adopted by our state, it will not only ban gay marriage but gay unions or partnerships of any kind - the amendment is worded so that the ONLY legal relationship recognized by the state would be marriage between one man and one woman.
So not only would you/your gay and lesbian friends be denied the right to marry (depending on your sexual orientation, of course! :-), but also the possibility of future domestic partnerships/civil unions in the state of Iowa would be gone. As your friends, we ask that you speak out about this issue - we don't want to live in a time period when, for the first time in history, the state of Iowa would actively deny through our Constitution the civil rights of its citizens. Thanks for getting the word out!
Shelley and Sylvi
http://www.good.is/post/people-are-awesome-watch-this-guy-speak-truth-to-power-about-his-lesbian-moms/
CREATIVE LEADERS FORUM:
Steve Drucker
[email protected]
Report from Last meeting:
Some PACG Idea-Makers have a Dream of producing the first-ever Celebration of the 222nd anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, presenting it as a legacy for ALL citizens (not just the right-wing) and a LIVING document that changes with time to expand liberties. March 4th is the day the Constitution was finalized, but we will celebrate it on March 5, a Saturday, to make it easier for kids, families, and most working folks to attend. We envision an inter-generational, multi-cultural event.
We are working to set a location, contact American History teachers for junior and senior high, contact media, and invite a family that has been naturalized as citizens. There are 8 other tasks for which we need your time, talent, and/or treasure. Will you help us with one?
1. Write lesson plan suggestions for identified teachers to study the document and assign kids to come up with creative ways to express the balance of rights, responsibilities, freedom and limitations.
2. Borrow a large American flag and return it.
3. Make a big poster of the Preamble which the assembled group will read aloud together.
4. Set up and clean up the site.
5. Design flier to go to parents of identified classes, as well as to other identified participants.
6. Provide appropriate live music.
7. Provide pizzas and juice for participants.
8. Find a young woman to portray Veiled Justice, the statue atop the Supreme Court building, and help her create an appropriate costume (Caryn Unsicker has a set of scales she will lend).
As our first adventure with this event, we are imagining it with a limited number of participants. If it works well, next year we may open it to the public.
It is time progressives reclaim this document and not allow the radical right to "own" it. We are also looking for a Constitutional scholar or attorney to teach a class on understanding the Constitution as a living document and to alert us to the areas where conservatives are trying to manipulate the meaning. If you know someone with that knowledge and skill, please let us know.
How would you like to be involved in this historic Q-C event (maybe the first in the country?) Email me [email protected]. TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE THIS NEW ADVENTURE. Steve Drucker
ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM:
Molly Regan
[email protected]
I-RENEW
For a listing of their workshop schedule, click here.
Health Care Reform:
Karen Metcalf
[email protected]
Health Care Briefs on the New Law:
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? AND FOR OTHERS?
Cost Sharing. The new Health Care Affordability Act aims to provide adequate affordable health insurance for all Americans. Like any insurance it depends on many insured people paying premiums into a pool of money that will cover unexpected and expensive costs due to accident or illness. We buy insurance on our homes and cars and hope we never need it, but we know it will protect us if we do. We all need health insurance because we never know if or when an accident or illness may require expensive, life saving care. That is why the new law requires everyone to buy insurance, and will help pay the premiums for those who can't afford the full cost themselves.
--from Faithful Reform in Health Care (www.faithfulreform.org)
These brief summaries of benefits in the new health care law were prepared by Progressive Action for the Common Good of the Quad Cities, based on research by Faithful Reform in Health Care which represents many churches and other faith communities. (See the list of members on their website.) Faithful Reform seeks to speak the "whole truth" about health care issues instead of the many half truths that abound. If you, or someone you know, has had a personal experience with this or another benefit of the new law, please share it with the Health Care Reform Forum of PACG ([email protected]).
LOCAL FOODS FORUM:
Rachel Griffiths
[email protected]
This forum meets this Wednesday, February 9th, 6:30pm at Antonella's restaurant, 112 W. 3rd St, Davenport.
Everyone welcome! Please join us!
MEDIA REFORM FORUM:
Steve Drucker
[email protected]
Report from last meeting:
Due to snow, our featured speaker, Dave Bradley from Iowa City, was not able to come. He is an expert on getting started with LPFM (low-power local radio). This is not just for technical people. We all can play a part in making local progressive radio happen here - soon - in the Quad-Cities. If you want to know how to make this go forward, come to Butterworth Center, crafts room downstairs, this Thursday at 6:30p.m. Bring a sandwich if you like, but this is one tasty topic when you start thinking about the programming we'd like to create on our very own radio station! Call Steve Drucker with questions 309-781-8004 or email [email protected]
PEACE AND JUSTICE FORUM:
Caryn Unsicker
[email protected]
Join our vigil for Peace - Saturday, February 12th, from 11am to noon on the corner of JD Road and 16th Street by Southpark Mall in Moline. We have extra signs and cold weather gear, including hand warmers, and we talk about everything under the sun!
Hope to see you there!
SOCIAL SECURITY FORUM:
This Tuesday, February 8th, join us for an educational forum with the Alliance for Retired Americans:
Alliance for Retired Americans
Local District Union Office #431 at 1401 W 3rd St., Davenport Phone is 323-3655 - Call for times
Lunch will be served
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Open Mic Coffee House
Hi Everybody,
Hope to see you at the coffeehouse this month. It's happening Friday February 11th from 7-10p at First Lutheran. As usual we will have refreshments, thank you Libby and Sara!
And all donations will benefit the St. Joe's Evening Meal. Bring your friends, a song to sing, a poem to read, or just bring your good ol' self. Call Wanda or Chris for any questions.
Til then,
Chris
Free program at the Canticle on Global Warming
Sunday, February 13th, 2-3pm
Home of the Sisters of St. Francis
841 13th Avenue North
Clinton
Find ways we can each reduce our carbon footprint
Third in a series on Sustainable Clinton
Film Series at The Canticle -
Blue Gold: World Water Wars
Join us Tuesday, February 8 for a free showing of
Blue Gold: World Water Wars.
Wars of the future will be fought over water as water - the source of human survival - enters the global marketplace and political arena. Past civilizations have collapsed from poor water management. Can the human race survive?
ShowTime: 6:30 P.M.
Refreshments & Discussion to follow.
EVENTS/MEETINGS THIS WEEK:
Tuesday
February 8th
Alliance for
Retired Americans
Guest SpeakerLocal District Union Office #431 at 1401 W 3rd St., Davenport
Lunch will be served
Tuesday
February 8th
Film: Blue Gold:
World Water Wars
6:30pm
The Canticle
841 13th Avenue North
Clinton
Wednesday
February 9th
Local Foods Forum
6:30pm
Antonella's Restaurant
112 W. 3rd St, Davenport
Friday February 11th
Reclaiming Lincoln
11:00am
Blackhawk State Park
1510 46th Ave
Rock Island
Friday, February 11th
Open Mic Coffee House
7pm - 10pm
First Lutheran Church
Rock Island
Saturday
February 12th
PEACE VIGIL 11am - noon
Corner of 16th St & John Deere Rd, Moline
Sunday,
February 13th,
Program on Global Warming
2-3pm
Home of the Sisters of St. Francis
841 13th Avenue North
Clinton
Progressive Action for the Common Good
563-676-7580
PO Box 6521
Rock Island, IL 61201
www.qcprogressiveaction.org
Send messages for this list serve to:
qcprogressiveaction @gmail.com
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