http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/group_rss/FaithProgressives Not all people of faith agree with James Dobson. We're progressives. We're people of faith. And we're speaking. Click here to join this group.   There's an election on Tuesday!  If you vote by mail and haven't turned your ballot in yet, hand-deliver your ballot to your County Clerk's office Monday or Tuesday to ensure that it's received in time for your vote to count. Your county may have more than one possible drop-off location for your convenience. If you haven't received your ballot yet, contact your county clerk to find out how to obtain a replacement ballot. Below, we've included some other information that may help. Whether you're liberal, conservative, progressive, libertarian, or a completely unaffiliated free spirit,  vote . The elections in odd years involve local issues from school boards to city council to county commissioner. There may also be bond issues, initiatives, and referenda--all very local to your city or county. Although elections call to mind voting for President, Governor, and legislature, the fact is that most of what affects our daily lives happens locally. Our schools, our city streets, our zoning boards, even our trash collection are all local issues. If you don't exercise your right to vote in these local elections, you will miss the best opportunity you will have this year to affect change for yourself and your family. Helpful Information According to the Secretary of State, there is an election in every Colorado county except Archuleta, Hinsdale, and Phillips. Most Colorado counties have an all-mail election this year. If you have not received a ballot or information on where to vote, contact your county clerk right away. Your ballot must be  received  by your county clerk no later than 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd for your vote to be counted. Postmarks don't count. If you already voted by mail, you can make sure your ballot was received on the Secretary of State's secure voter lookup website: https://www.sos.state.co.us/Voter/secuVoterHome.do If your county has a polling place election, your polling place may not be in the same location as last year. Contact your County Clerk if you are not sure where you should vote. If you need to contact your county clerk for any of the above reasons, you can find your county clerk's contact information here: http://www.elections.colorado.gov/Default.aspx?PageMenuID=1397 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZR8 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZR8/commentary#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:58:07 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZR8 Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZR8/ Religious Leaders Urge Action on Climate Change, Clean Energy Jobs As leaders from Colorado’s faith communities, we call for dramatic action to avert the most drastic effects of global climate change as one of the dominant moral imperatives of our time. The earth, our home, is a gift—we did not create it or earn it, and we do not own it, but we do have a sacred responsibility to be good stewards of that gift. The earth's resources are finite, and with our technological prowess we have the ability to upset the ecological balance which supports our life on this earth. We must be attentive to the impacts of our activity on the environment, and not foolishly pretend that we are immune from those impacts. We believe that our planet is in great peril from the threat of climate change. We believe it is real, and that it is to a significant extent human-induced. We accept the vast body of scientific evidence which forecasts severe consequences for the Earth and all its inhabitants—including rising sea levels, increased drought and desertification, more frequent and more severe extreme weather events, ocean acidification, new disease epidemics, massive population relocation and attendant conflicts-- if we fail to act. Our thirst to consume the earth's natural resources, and our reliance on old energy sources which emit greenhouse gases, has led us to a both a spiritual and environmental crisis. In view of this, for us as spiritual leaders to remain silent would be an abdication of our responsibilities. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CZSJ http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CZSJ/commentary#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:49:18 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CZSJ Nelson Bock http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/4b519578d91f18752b_efm6b4e7n.jpg Nelson Bock 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZSJ/ Editor's note: the roll-call vote shows that GOP Rep. Mike Coffman did in fact vote for the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. We regret the error and thank Rep. Coffman for his support. By a vote of 249 to 175, the House of Representatives just passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. All of Colorado's Democratic representatives voted for the bill. Watch Representative Polis speak during the debate, it's very good: Watch Representative Markey speak in favor of the bill (she rocks!) http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZxF http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZxF/commentary#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:12:48 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZxF Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZxF/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE In response to the growing equality movement in California and across the country, community organizers are issuing a call for the use of nonviolent civil disobedience to further the cause. This call comes at a time when the equality movement is energized surrounding the upcoming California Supreme Court decision on the validity of Proposition 8. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CZgT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CZgT/commentary#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:53:47 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CZgT Christopher Hubble http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/c96a9899386e1ca4e1_4xm6ii5hv.jpg Christopher Hubble 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZgT/ The past few months have provided a dizzying series of messages in the blogosphere praising or persecuting the new President of the United States (POTUS). Thankfully, Salon.com produced an “over the nation” report on the Republican Party today that deserves more attention, and a more in-depth analysis (from yours truly, naturally). Here’s the Salon.com link - The state (by state) of the GOP Once again, Dick Wadhams’ penchant for media attention provides the clue for how to defeat him and continue the GOP decline: "This notion that Colorado has suddenly become a Democratic state is preposterous. I think Democrats who have a grip on reality know that." -- State GOP chairman Dick Wadhams The lesson from Dick is a hard and true fact of politically strategy from today to 2012, and unfortunately, too many high level Democratic leaders are positively oblivious to the concept. While basking in the glory of Barack Obama’s victory, I am seeing too many messages ignoring recent losses and weaknesses going into future ballots. This kind of complacency and false posturing is a formula for a disaster in the 2010 General Election. Salon.com is absolutely correct by highlighting the dominance of the GOP at the county and community level. Even in Larimer County, the Democratic Party leadership is mute on the loss of a seat on the Board of County Commissioners. Reveling in the glory of former Democratic Party Chair Betsy Markey defeating Marilyn Musgrave is apparently too intoxicating to take a clear look at the dangers of the political landscape. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQsd http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQsd/commentary#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:18:24 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQsd Ralph T http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 5 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQsd/ Hello Friends, Two quick notes... 1) Soulforce in Colorado is in the early stages of organizing a dialogue event with an inter-religious dialogue class at Naropa in Boulder. This will be an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in practicing nonviolent communication. The event will occur from 7-9 pm on a Tuesday or Thursday evening sometime in April. Please let me know if you might be interested. 2) We are also beginning to plan for future marriage equality direct actions in Denver and elsewhere throughout Colorado. If you or anyone you know would like to help organize a sit-in and/or civil disobedience for marriage equality, please let me know. There will be more info available at our planning meeting on Saturday, March 21, 2009, 1-3 pm at The GLBT Center of Colorado (1050 Broadway in Denver). Chris 303-800-5664 cahubble08@gmail.com http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CQsT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CQsT/commentary#comments Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:55:18 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CQsT Christopher Hubble http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/c96a9899386e1ca4e1_4xm6ii5hv.jpg Christopher Hubble 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQsT/ Hello Friends, Two quick notes... 1) Soulforce in Colorado is in the early stages of organizing a dialogue event with an inter-religious dialogue class at Naropa in Boulder. This will be an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in practicing nonviolent communication. The event will occur from 7-9 pm on a Tuesday or Thursday evening sometime in April. Please let me know if you might be interested. 2) We are also beginning to plan for future marriage equality direct actions in Denver and elsewhere throughout Colorado. If you or anyone you know would like to help organize a sit-in and/or civil disobedience for marriage equality, please let me know. There will be more info available at our planning meeting on Saturday, March 21, 2009, 1-3 pm at The GLBT Center of Colorado (1050 Broadway in Denver). Chris 303-800-5664 cahubble08@gmail.com http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CQsm http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CQsm/commentary#comments Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:50:05 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CQsm Christopher Hubble http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/c96a9899386e1ca4e1_4xm6ii5hv.jpg Christopher Hubble 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQsm/ Click here to tell Scott Renfroe what you think! On the floor of the State Senate yesterday, Senator Scott Renfroe (R-Greeley) actually referred to gay and lesbian people as an "abomination" and an "offense to God."   It gets worse: Renfroe equated gay and lesbian people with murderers and quoted the Book of Leviticus suggesting that gay people should be put to death. He also said that women were created to be "helpers" for men, quoting the Book of Genesis. Renfroe was referring to Senate Bill 88, a bill that would extend healthcare coverage to the same-sex partners of state employees. SB 88 is about healthcare. It's about gaining some measure of equality for gay and lesbian state employees. And regardless of how people like James Dobson and Scott Renfroe feel about gay people, their shameless hate-mongering has no place in public debate and we should reject them completely. Respond to Scott Renfroe . http://www.ProgressNowColorado.org/NoHateState And please also forward this email to your friends and urge them to sign as well. ProgressNow Colorado will deliver your comments by the end of the week. Sincerely, Bobby Clark Deputy Director http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQ9r http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQ9r/commentary#comments Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:31:41 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQ9r Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQ9r/ The British government has put a halt to the Fred Phelps sideshow before it has even begun: The Phelpses, whose protests at military members’ funerals in the U.S. have prompted lawsuits and legislation, apparently had planned to fly to the United Kingdom to protest a performance of “The Laramie Project.” The play about the death of Matthew Shepard, a gay student who was killed in 1998 in Laramie, Wyo., is scheduled to open today at Queen Mary’s College in Basingstoke, Hampshire. “Both these individuals have engaged in unacceptable behavior by inciting hatred against a number of communities,” a U.K. Border Agency spokesman told the Times Online, the online site of The Times of London. “The government has made it clear it opposes extremism in all its forms.” In America, the Phelpses have a Constitutional right to free expression, something I and others have repeatedly defended here on this blog . Swastika Guy and Michelle Malkin , too, are certainly welcome to exercise their right to free expression as guaranteed by the Constitution, as we reserve our own right to combat their speech with free speech of our own. It is tremendously disrespectful to the memory of 6 million dead Jews, gays, and other so-called "undesirables" during the Holocaust, not to mention the 400,000+ Americans who lost their lives fighting in World War II to cheapen their legacy by comparing a mainstream American politician to Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, or any of their associated political ideologies. People on the right who call President Obama a socialist don't know what socialism is. People on the right or left who would call President Obama or Bush a Nazi don't know what the word means. I don't care where the comparison occurs, whether it's on the steps of our State Capitol or on this community blog where anyone can create an account and write for free, it's wrong. So please stop it. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQ9X http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQ9X/commentary#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:33:49 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQ9X Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQ9X/ Because I'm just that twisted, I subscribe to all of the right-wing e-mail lists to see what they are saying about us. This week's gem comes from "Christian" news source OneNewsNow , dated February 13th, about a woman who was allegedly kicked off the basketball team at Central Michigan University for being heterosexual. More interesting than the content of the story is the included poll in which 63.4% of over 30,000 respondents indicated that their number one issue with the story is that only the far right is covering it and that "the mainstream media would be all over this if the roles were reversed," The only problem with that is that the mainstream media was "all over this" long before OneNewsNow picked it up . http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQ9g http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQ9g/commentary#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:54:42 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQ9g Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 2 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQ9g/ Hello Friends, Please join Soulforce in Colorado for a rap session on Saturday, March 21, 1-3 pm at The GLBT Center of Colorado (1050 Broadway in Denver) to talk about goals for 2009 and beyond. Anyone who cares about "Freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious & political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance" is welcome to attend. In between now and the meeting, let these three videos from Chicago motivate you to dream about what we can do here in Colorado… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpqdzetAUCE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6LfdInfK8M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P127n3Ocuzg Namaste, Christopher Hubble http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoulforceInColorado/ cahubble08@gmail.com 303-800-5664 "When the bamboo forest goes, with it goes the sound of the flute." Hindu Proverb http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CQ9C http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CQ9C/commentary#comments Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:58:56 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/christopherhubble/CQ9C Christopher Hubble http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/c96a9899386e1ca4e1_4xm6ii5hv.jpg Christopher Hubble 2 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQ9C/ Saddleback Pastor and Obama inaugural invocation selectee Rick Warren recorded a new video, originally posted to his web site, in which he accuses gays of having "Christ-ophobia"--claiming that all gays are "afraid of any Christian." Does he not know that gays and lesbians are Christians in just about the same proportion as the rest of America? http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQD4 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQD4/commentary#comments Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:39:27 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQD4 Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 3 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQD4/ President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at his January 20th inauguration. Pastor Warren is on record comparing same-sex relationships to incest, pedophilia, and polygamy. In an interview airing this week about the controversy, Warren equated homosexuality to addiction, immaturity, and promiscuity. ProgressNow's question to you is should Barack Obama chose someone else to give the invocation? Watch the video and share your views by clicking here: http://www.progressnowaction.org/RickWarren http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDz http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDz/commentary#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:32:25 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDz Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 4 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQDz/ December 16, 2008 An open letter to President-elect Barak Obama regarding the nomination of U.S. Senator Ken Salazar as Secretary of Interior, and an open invitation to ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, etc., to investigate and report on Senator Ken Salazar's corruption in Colorado. Dear President-elect Barak Obama, I openly object to your choice for Secretary of Interior. Before Senator Ken Salazar lied his way to becoming Colorado's U.S. Senator, he was Colorado's Attorney General. As Attorney General, Ken Salazar was instrumental in carrying out the theft of $15 million dollars in water rights for his wealthy friends: Nelson and Catherine Lane , Owns the Bell Ranch in New Mexico, Eldon Farms in Rappahannock County, Virginia, Blue Creek Ranch in Carbondale, Colorado, Shadow Creek Ranch in Summit County, Colorado, The Park at San Tan Development in Chandler, Arizona, Lane Agrico, Inc., Lane Industries-a holding company for General Binding Corporation which manufactures and markets branded office products, office equipment and related supplies, thermal laminating films, and owns Acco Brand office products, and Lane Hospitality which owns 9 hotels, and invests in, and manages 13 others. Kevin Smith, Developer, states he served as President of Southern Partners Capitol Corporation. Donald F. Moorehead, Jr., owns General Waste Corporation, a non-hazardous solid waste company. Paul Tudor Jones of Tudor Investments, named #123 on Forbes 400 at $3.3 billion. Roger Wikner, owns Aviation Charter, Beech Transportation, and Executive Aviation in Eden Prarie, Minnesota. In addition to the $15 million water rights theft, a bankruptcy unveils $80 million in fraudulent loans, land development, and sales tied to the stolen water rights. As Attorney General, Ken Salazar was charged with representing and defending the legal interests of the people of Colorado. If Mr. Salazar allowed that he and his State office of public trust be prostituted for the benefit of wealthy buddies, how can we the people trust that he will not do the same in this National office of public trust - Secretary of Interior? If he can't be trusted with small matters, how can we trust him with greater ones? President-elect Obama, please do not defile our House and your Presidency by appointing Senator Ken Salazar as Secretary of Interior. Respectfully, Halena Lewis For all interested in further information, dates, evidence, etc., I can be reached at 303 887-0284, or Halen@axint.net http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/halenalewis/CQDl http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/halenalewis/CQDl/commentary#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:22:34 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/halenalewis/CQDl Halena Lewis Halena Lewis 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQDl/ Last week, a poll released by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) showed that more than 80% of Coloradans now support some recognition of same-sex couples in Colorado. The Denver Post responded to that news with an editorial urging Colorado's legislature to take action in the 2009 legislative session. What do you think? Is it time for Colorado's legislature to enact equality for Colorado's gay and lesbian couples? http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDF http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDF/commentary#comments Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:45:56 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDF Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQDF/ In some great news for progressives and the GLBT community, a new Harris Interactive poll commissioned by GLAAD finds that Coloradans overwhelmingly approve legal recognition of same-sex partnerships . About eight out of 10 Colorado adults (83%) say that gay and lesbian couples should either be able to marry, have all of the same rights as marriage, or be able to form domestic partnerships. Only 15% say there should be no legal recognition. A slight majority of CO adults (51%) favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to legally marry. This represents greater support than among U.S. adults, where, according to the recently released national Pulse of Equality survey, opinion is evenly split. Coloradans support gay and transgender-inclusive hate crimes laws (63%) and employment, housing and public accommodations non-discrimination laws (56%) for gay and transgender people. Such proposals are similar to those already enacted in Colorado, signaling clear public support for those policies. Nearly three out of four (73%) of Coloradans also oppose attempts to ban qualified gay and lesbian couples from adopting. This finding suggests strong support for existing Colorado law that allows for second-parent adoption in the state. Two-thirds of Colorado adults (66%) favor allowing openly gay military personnel to serve in the armed forces. Looks like all of your effort in 2006 and beyond has really paid off. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDX http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDX/commentary#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:50:55 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDX Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 14 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQDX/ Comments by Nelson Bock, of Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, on the need to support green jobs in a renewable energy economy. I am pleased to represent Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, and the IPL movement which now has affiliates in 28 states, and whose mission is to mobilize the religious community to respond to the threat of climate change. I am here to support green jobs in a new energy economy, because it is our conviction that green jobs is not just an economic issue, and not just an environmental issue, but that it is also a profoundly spiritual issue. The earth, our home, is a sacred gift, the care of which we have been entrusted, and on which we live in a web of interdependent relationships. Living with reverence for that gift and those relationships is at the core of spirituality, and also the key to our survival and health as a human family. This is an issue that connects the health of our planet, the health of our people, and the health of our economy, because those things are all intrinsically connected in the larger scheme of things The earth, our home, is in peril because of our excessive dependence on the fossil fuel economy we have built over the last two hundred years. Climate change, accelerated and exacerbated by greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere as a result of human activity, threatens to severely disrupt the ecological balance which has supported human life, and the life of millions of other species with whom we share the earth. At the same time, human health is threatened by the emission of many other pollutants which foul not just the air, but the water and the land on which we likewise depend. And the health of our communities is threatened by economic dislocation and by the environmental destruction of public lands caused by ever more rapacious activities necessitated by the drive to seek and extract the last drops of fossil fuels wherever they may be found. These activities do not just damage landscape and wildlife habitat; they damage our spirits, as they increasingly estrange us from the earth, which we treat not as a living system of which we are a part, but as an inert depository of raw materials and a convenient repository for our waste. Further, these activities estrange us from one another, as exploitation of the earth's resources is based on exploitation of people and communities whose environment is despoiled and whose labor is treated as just another commodity, and who are then left to deal with the economic and environmental fallout when the resources are depleted. What we are learning is that a healthy society--one in which people and communities are healthy and happy and secure-- is dependent on a healthy relationship to our environment. Yes, people need jobs, and that is why we are here today. But a job is not just a job. Work is an expression of the human spirit. The work we do also shapes our spirit, making us more or less healthy as we embody our relationship to the earth through our work. So what kind of jobs are going to give us healthy people, a healthy economy, and healthy communities? The kinds of jobs which preserve a healthy planet. Jobs which discover, create, and utilize renewable sources of energy, jobs which help us to conserve the earth's finite and precious resources. Jobs which are based on sustainable sources of energy and other natural resources. Jobs which create and promote alternative forms of transportation. Jobs which allow communities to be more self-sustaining and less dependent on global supply lines and the exploitation of the labor and resources of people from other parts of the world. Jobs which allow people to express and take pride in the dignity of their labor through a reverent and respectful use of the earth's resources, and which provide families with a living wage. So we want to urge the people of Colorado and the United States to support candidates, initiatives, and policies which move us away from our unhealthy reliance on fossil fuels and towards green jobs in a green economy, for the health of our people, our communities, and our planet. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CQDS http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CQDS/commentary#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:24:51 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CQDS Nelson Bock http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/4b519578d91f18752b_efm6b4e7n.jpg Nelson Bock 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQDS/ Please do not vote to retain ANY judges or justices in Colorado! Under Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey's leadership, Colorado's Judiciary and legal system has been turned into a protection racket for corrupt judges, justices, and attorneys. Self regulation is laughed at, and the Judicial Performance Commission's recommendation, cannot be trusted. As an example, see www.coloradoopencourt.blogspot.com Despite overwhelming evidence of judicial corruption, the Judicial Performance Commission recommended Judge David R. Lass be retained in 2004. Until there is real accountability within our judiciary, vote every justice and judge out of office. They are domestic terrorists who destroy the foundation of America, i.e., our inalienable rights and Constitution(s). I also petitioned ALL State Legislators to investigate the corruption and to hold the judges and justices accountable. To date, NO Legislator has made any real effort to protect We The People from Colorado's corrupt Judiciary. Therefore, please vote out EVERY incumbent as well. Please spread this message to everyone you know and ask them to do the same. If they (judges, justices and legislators) refuse to hear the truth, let them hear our vote!! Halena Lewis Halen@axint.net Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) Join my group to support accountability within our judiciary at www.progressnowaction.org/page/group/OPENCOURT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/halenalewis/CZCx http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/halenalewis/CZCx/commentary#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:28:37 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/halenalewis/CZCx Halena Lewis Halena Lewis 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZCx/ I was just listening to former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder on a radio show. He made a critical and brilliant observation about John McCain. His evaluation of the Sarah Palin selection rests on that decision as an indicator of how McSame would later decide on the people to fill the other leadership positions in a supposed McSame mis-administration. This is a powerful indictment of a candidate for president of the US when the nation so despirately needs a clear change of direction. The specter of Sarah Palin equivalent appointments throughout the US Executive Branch shows no chance of reforming, and certainly not reversing, the criminal excesses of the past seven years. There will be no resolution to the US Attorney firings, and little hope of removing the fraudulently hired radical right-wingers who have been peppered throughout the Department of Justice to undermine, rather than enforce, the law. This demonstrated decision-making pattern by John McCain is a screaming warning to America. No other fact shines so brightly than the selection of Sarah Palin to confirm that McSame is the incarnation of a third, and perhaps more devastating, term for the G.W. Bush policies. Considering everything you find important, think your retired relatives who will be hurt if McCain succeeds and leads America down the path of more for the wealthiest and less for the rest. Victory in the race for the White House is critical, but top to bottom electoral victories on the ballot is equally important for our communities and state. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZB9 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZB9/commentary#comments Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:22:03 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZB9 Ralph T http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZB9/ Sarah Palin's training and experience as a TV personality dominated her performance last night. It was a theatrical performance. She stuck to her script and provided no more than the kind of idle chatter expected of a small-market TV news sub-anchor. We now have the answer why she has been so distant and untouchable for the past few weeks. The McCain team has been prepping and coaching her at an unprecedented level. She did not demonstrate the depth and scope needed to rise to the level of serious consideration of filling the job of VP, and certainly not reach any level of assurance that she is competent to follow fragile John McCain into the Oval Office. The GOP is so off-course to continue to promote her presence on the ticket as qualified in any sense of the word. The dodge and weave she demonstrated throughout the night was infuriating. The WingNuts succeeded in their pre-emptive intimidation of Gwen Ifill. Necessary and justified follow-ups and clarifications were obviously by-passed by Ifill to avoid post-debate vilification by the Radical Right. Palin's few clear pronouncements on security and foreign policy issues were deplorable. The casual mention of moving the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem is a toxic position that surely pleases the American Radical Religious Right (i.e., Talibangelist Mullah Dobson), but is an idea that has been known for decades to be immeasurably inflammatory to every Muslim influenced government in the world. By side-stepping the question on nuclear weapons and nuclear non-proliferation she definitively disqualified herself in this election. The balance between deterrence and pre-emption has been horrifically blurred by the current mis-adminstration. Sarah made it even murkier. Sarah Palin's performance last night was too close to the narrow, partisan message of the GOP Convention and totally devoid of any promise of potential to serve in the highest executive office. The best that could be offered is that she's now completed the crash course of study to be a good spokesperson for the McCain campaign. Competently reciting talking points with no further depth or capability. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZGp http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZGp/commentary#comments Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:48:32 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZGp Ralph T http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 2 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZGp/