Gainesville

We had an excellent meeting last week, and have posted a blog entry at:

http://livingliberally.org/drinking/chapter_blog/Happy-Meeting-0

Please check this out and use the blog to communicate your opinions and thoughts on whatever is currently making you politically passionate. You can also ask questions and make suggestions...as we slog our way through the summer heat towards fall, we'd like to increase membership and attendance. If you'd like to spearhead an event, write to us!

Devorah

Thank to everyone who came last night. We had a visit with Mike Byerly, Alachua County Commissioner, as guest. As a followup, we may have a mid-month meeting in August to discuss issues and candidates for the August primary (and if you didn't know there is a primary, please consider coming: commission seats and judge positions are among other things on the primary ballot).

New guests Anthony and Mitch enlivened the conversation, and Mitch caught us up to speed on the Obama campaign HQ open house which happened tonight. It was well attend by a very diverse sampling of the population which goes to show you that people are just fed up with the status quo.

As the Drinking Liberally founders have expanded their scope (please browse the website for examples of other interest groups), we too would like to explore hosting special events such as a book event, a movie, or dinner. Please feel free to contact us with ideas. We'd also very much like to have students participate and possibly open another meeting time/place that might be more convenient for them.

Lastly, please logon and participate in this conversation through the blog. Keep it respectful, and we will not have to censor. Drinking Liberally as an organization cannot endorse a candidate, party, position or event, nor ask its members for donations of time or money. But sharing information, ideas and letting us know of events or opportunities is perfectly kosher. Welcome!

Devorah

Hello to all the Gainesville Living Liberally Members!
Don't forget there is a meeting tonight at 7pm at Brophy's Irish Pub in Gainesville.

Don't forget to visit our blog at the Living Liberally site :
http://livingliberally.org/drinking/chapters/FL/gainesville

July 20, 2008

Reminder: July meeting on Wednesday, 7/23/08 at 7:00pm.
No official agenda, come to discuss whatever is on your mind! We’ll also discuss the possibility of expanding our meetings and locations.

Below is a link to an article on MSN.Money which follows one writer’s train of thought on why illegal immigrants are essential to our economy.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/WhatIfWe...

And here’s a link to an article in the Wall Street Journal with Phil Gramm on June 28. This is worth reading because it is an inside look at the prevailing beliefs governing the conservative economic philosophy. Just because Gramm is gone does not mean the ideas are.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121460589609712025.html

Lastly, here is some news from the local Democratic Party HQ containing some information on upcoming events.
See y’all on Wednesday!

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HELP WANTED - CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR
The Alachua County Democratic Party is interested in hiring a "Campaign Coordinator" to work full-time from August 15 until November 15, supervising our "Get Out the Vote" and volunteer activities, and coordinating our efforts with those of our Democratic candidates' campaigns, including the Obama campaign. The supervisor of this position will be the Chair of the Alachua County Democratic Party. The remuneration will be $6000 (consultant).
Anyone interested in applying for this position should submit the following: (1) resume; (2) brief statement outlining your qualifications and why you would like to take on this position; and (3) the names and contact information of two references. Applications should be hand-delivered to the Alachua County Democratic Party Center (901 NW 8th Avenue, Suite A-3), or emailed to jon.reiskind@gmail.com. Application Deadline: Noon, Monday, July 21, 2008.
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FREE ACTIVIST TRAINING - JULY 19th and JULY 24th
Get trained – get involved! We will be providing activist training at the Democratic Party Center (901 NW 8th Ave., Ste A-3, Gainesville) on Saturday, July 19 at 10 am ("Intro to the Democratic Party") and 11 am ("Canvassing - Keys to Success"), and again on Thursday, July 24 at 6 pm and 7 pm. Light refreshments will be served. All Democrats are invited to attend. Please RSVP to Jim Desjardin at jrdesjardin@cox.net or 376-9801.
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MEET THE CANDIDATES - JULY 27th
Please join us at a candidate "Meet & Greet" on Sunday, July 27th from 2 'til 4 pm at the Tower Road Library. This informal gathering will provide a great opportunity for the voters to meet Democratic and non-partisan candidates. For more information contact Barbara Herbstman at 333-9668.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR "TIM CUNHA FOR CONGRESS" CAMPAIGN
Volunteers are needed by the "Tim Cunha for Congress" campaign to host house parties, work in the campaign office (letter stuffing, data entry, etc.), and help with phone banking. If you are interested in volunteering for Tim's campaign, please contact Janet Messer (Janet@TimCunha.com). Wouldn't we all like to see Republican Congressman Clifford Stearns go into retirement? We can make that happen in 2008, but Tim will need your help.
If you are unable to donate your time, please consider donating your money! Just go to Tim's website at www.TimCunhaForCongress.com and click on the "Donate" button.
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VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORT NEEDED FOR THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN
As you may be aware, Gainesville is now home to a large number of Obama campaign staff and volunteers. They are working from 9 AM 'til 9 PM daily, seven days a week, making contacts with non-registered and registered voters. We have formed a "Hospitality Committee" to serve as a liaison between the campaign and local Democrats in order to help assist them with whatever they need. Below is a list of some needs that the committee has identified:
• HOUSING. - Through the generosity of many local Democrats, this seems not to be an issue as of now, but with new arrivals (later this week) it would be good if options were available. Some of the housing now being donated is without beds or bedding and furniture, so anything and everything lent or donated is likely to be very useful.
• "MEALS FOR CHANGE!" - Volunteers are needed to provide meals from now until election day to the Obama staff, many of whom are here as volunteers working at their own expense. Meals for from 15 to 20 persons need to be delivered to the Gainesville for Obama office (901 NW 8th Ave.) at 9:00 a.m. for breakfast and 7:00 p.m. for dinner. We are coordinating a schedule so it is best to contact Staci Fox (352.665.3694 or stacifox@hotmail.com) before simply showing up with food.
• TRANSPORTATION - Pickup trucks are needed to help with large items to be moved. (Muscle will be provided!)
• GAS - Gas cards would also be greatly appreciated, to help cover the cost of traveling throughout the region to contact voters.
If you can help with any of the above or have any questions or suggestions, please contact Jon Reiskind (jon.reiskind@gmail.com) or Bill Wrighton (wfcwrighton@att.net).
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
• Next Alachua County Democratic Party Meeting - August 13
• Primary Elections - August 26
• Annual Lawton Chiles Dinner - Sept. 25
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WEB SITE
To keep up-to-date on the latest news, upcoming Party events, and volunteer opportunities, be sure to add our web site to your browser’s “Favorites” list, and check it often:
www.AlachuaCountyDemocraticParty.org