Saturday, September 27, 2008
Twelve Rivers of the Body by Elizabeth Oness Is Released
Gival Press is pleased to announce the release of Twelve Rivers of the Body, winner of the Gival Press Novel Award, by Elizabeth Oness.
"Twelve Rivers of the Body lyrically evokes downtown Washington, DC in the 1980s, before the real estate boom, before gentrification, as the city limped from one crisis to another--crack addiction, AIDS, a crumbling infrastructure. This beautifully evoked novel traces Elena's imperfect struggle, like her adopted city's, to find wholeness and healing."
--Kim Roberts, author of The Kimnama
"Twelve Rivers of the Body is an engrossing, provocative portrait of one woman’s odyssey to find meaningful work and her place in the world. Elizabeth Oness’s graceful style is at once precise and luxuriant as she follows Elena from her disillusionment with allopathic medicine into the realm of acupuncture and Taoist philosophy… Twelve Rivers of the Body is an examination of contemporary health problems, a meditation on urban community, and a moving spiritual journey."
--Valerie Miner, author of After Eden and The Low Road
Overwhelmed by the growing AIDS crisis and the pressures of medical residency, Elena Tristani abandons an outwardly successful life and takes a job writing grants for The Spirit Gate, a holistic clinic that treats recovering drug addicts with acupuncture. Fascinated by the clinic’s founder, who treats Georgetown’s elite and drug detox patients with the same imperturbability, Elena reconsiders her own views on medicine and health. As Elena comes to know the world of the clinic, she is seduced by an ancient Chinese medical text, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, and begins to see a different relationship between Eastern and Western medicine as well as a new path for herself.
Biography:
Elizabeth Oness's stories and poetry have appeared in The Hudson Review, Crazyhorse, Glimmer Train, The Georgia Review, The Gettysburg Review, and other magazines. Her stories have received an O. Henry Prize, a Nelson Algren Award, and her story collection Articles of Faith was selected for the 2000 Iowa Short Fiction Prize. Her first novel Departures was published by Penguin in 2004. She directs marketing and development for Sutton Hoo Press, a literary fine press, and lives in rural Minnesota.
To order a copy at Amazon.com, click here:
Twelve Rivers of the Body
Available from BookMasters (419.281.1802) and Ingram (800.937.8000).
Gival Press is a member of the Association of American Publishers.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The State of the Economy and Our Future Election
There appears to be a pattern developing in the McCain campaign. Every time something comes up that is negative, McCain tries to change the subject and distract the American people: the Georgia crisis, Hurricane Ike, and now the 700 billion bail out crisis.
Senator Obama rightly states that a future president needs to be able to do more than one thing at a time while still taking care of business as it were, regardless of the urgency.
For Bush and Congress to simply give complete control to the Treasurer a sign over 700 billion dollars to bailing out the incompetency of CEOs while perhaps giving them millions for their stupidity would be insane if not criminal in my opinion.
Now with the election coming on Nov. 4th, we have to decide whether McCain or Obama would be better in the presidency seat. While many of us have already made up our minds, there are many out there who for whatever reason are "blinded" by the "freshness" of Sarah Palin, who is not even close to Hillary Clinton's position with regard to women's concerns.
Why women would support Palin simply because Clinton is not on Obama's ticket is simply counter intuitive, given that Palin does not really have women's best interests in mind and her policies run counter to Clinton's philosophy.
Here below is a link to a video that within 12 minutes explains the history of our past vice presidents and which outlines the future of our country because depending upon whom is elected on Nov. 4th we stand to pull through this disaster the Bush/Cheney administration has given us or we might simply slip further into the quick sand that Bush has laid out for us to step in.
I encourage you to share this link with others:
Review of past Vice Presidents
Senator Obama rightly states that a future president needs to be able to do more than one thing at a time while still taking care of business as it were, regardless of the urgency.
For Bush and Congress to simply give complete control to the Treasurer a sign over 700 billion dollars to bailing out the incompetency of CEOs while perhaps giving them millions for their stupidity would be insane if not criminal in my opinion.
Now with the election coming on Nov. 4th, we have to decide whether McCain or Obama would be better in the presidency seat. While many of us have already made up our minds, there are many out there who for whatever reason are "blinded" by the "freshness" of Sarah Palin, who is not even close to Hillary Clinton's position with regard to women's concerns.
Why women would support Palin simply because Clinton is not on Obama's ticket is simply counter intuitive, given that Palin does not really have women's best interests in mind and her policies run counter to Clinton's philosophy.
Here below is a link to a video that within 12 minutes explains the history of our past vice presidents and which outlines the future of our country because depending upon whom is elected on Nov. 4th we stand to pull through this disaster the Bush/Cheney administration has given us or we might simply slip further into the quick sand that Bush has laid out for us to step in.
I encourage you to share this link with others:
Review of past Vice Presidents
Monday, September 22, 2008
(English/Spanish) Poetry Translation Workshops
UPCOMING POETRY TRANSLATION WORKSHOPS
With Poet/Translator Yvette Neisser Moreno
The following workshops will be offered this fall at at The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD. 301-654-8664. Registration is open on the Writer's Center website, www.writer.org.
INTRO TO POETRY TRANSLATION: 4 Tuesday evenings in October, 7:00-9:30pm (starting 10/7)
“Translation is an important art at which every poet should try her hand.” –Jane Kenyon.
This workshop is an opportunity to try your hand at translating poetry. In the process, you will have the joy of intimately studying a poem or two that you love in another language, of bringing those poems into English as only you can, and of taking on another poet’s voice and style. We also will have the pleasure of learning from each other about the intricacies of poetry in languages that we cannot read. The only prerequisites are a love of poetry and language, and sufficient knowledge of a foreign language to be able to translate with the help of a dictionary. We will look at translations of published poems along with translators’ commentaries as a way to discuss various approaches to translation; will do translation/poetry exercises; and will “workshop” students’ translations. Students of all levels are welcome.
POETRY TRANSLATION II: 4 Tuesday evenings in November, 7:00-9:30pm (starting 11/4)
This 4-week intermediate workshop is the continuation of Poetry Translation I. It is open to any student who has completed Poetry Translation I (or the equivalent) or who has some experience translating poetry. These four sessions will be dedicated to "workshopping" students' works in progress in more depth. In so doing, we will also devote time, as needed, to the craft of poetry as it pertains to translation--for example, diction, rhyme, meter, rhythm, alliteration, poetic forms. Any student signed up for Poetry Translation I is welcome (and encouraged) to sign up for this workshop as well. Also, if you have a poetry translation project in progress and would like feedback and support, this workshop is for you!
If you have any questions or want more info, feel free to contact instructor Yvette Neisser Moreno at yvettenm@verizon.net or 301-879-1959.
********************************
Yvette Neisser Moreno
Poet, Translator, Writer, Teacher
yvettenm@verizon.net
********************************
With Poet/Translator Yvette Neisser Moreno
The following workshops will be offered this fall at at The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD. 301-654-8664. Registration is open on the Writer's Center website, www.writer.org.
INTRO TO POETRY TRANSLATION: 4 Tuesday evenings in October, 7:00-9:30pm (starting 10/7)
“Translation is an important art at which every poet should try her hand.” –Jane Kenyon.
This workshop is an opportunity to try your hand at translating poetry. In the process, you will have the joy of intimately studying a poem or two that you love in another language, of bringing those poems into English as only you can, and of taking on another poet’s voice and style. We also will have the pleasure of learning from each other about the intricacies of poetry in languages that we cannot read. The only prerequisites are a love of poetry and language, and sufficient knowledge of a foreign language to be able to translate with the help of a dictionary. We will look at translations of published poems along with translators’ commentaries as a way to discuss various approaches to translation; will do translation/poetry exercises; and will “workshop” students’ translations. Students of all levels are welcome.
POETRY TRANSLATION II: 4 Tuesday evenings in November, 7:00-9:30pm (starting 11/4)
This 4-week intermediate workshop is the continuation of Poetry Translation I. It is open to any student who has completed Poetry Translation I (or the equivalent) or who has some experience translating poetry. These four sessions will be dedicated to "workshopping" students' works in progress in more depth. In so doing, we will also devote time, as needed, to the craft of poetry as it pertains to translation--for example, diction, rhyme, meter, rhythm, alliteration, poetic forms. Any student signed up for Poetry Translation I is welcome (and encouraged) to sign up for this workshop as well. Also, if you have a poetry translation project in progress and would like feedback and support, this workshop is for you!
If you have any questions or want more info, feel free to contact instructor Yvette Neisser Moreno at yvettenm@verizon.net or 301-879-1959.
********************************
Yvette Neisser Moreno
Poet, Translator, Writer, Teacher
yvettenm@verizon.net
********************************
Fiction Workshop Available
Notes from the Bell Tower
News from Gargoyle Magazine/Paycock Press/ and Richard Peabody
Message from Hildie Block, former student and old friend of Richard's:
Are you, or someone you know, working on a book? I have 1 more space in my Workshop Your Book, yearlong writer's workshop. The group meets to discuss novels and memoirs, Monday evenings 7:30-10 pm in N. Arlington at Ft C F Smith. We meet about 30 times over about 10 months (we take breaks after about 8 sessions). This is the third year I've offered this group and it's amazing to watch people fulfill their dreams and complete a draft in that time.
Most workshops are only 8 sessions long, and people are limited to workshopping about 50 pages in that time. This workshop gives you the opportunity to workshop 200+ pages! And the bonds formed between folks last . . . both of my previous groups have stayed together to support each other through subsequent drafts!
In addition to workshopping, we'll chat about everything from plot structures to dialogue, agents to publishers.
The cost for the whole year is $750, payable through check or paypal.
(and who am I? I have a masters in writing from Johns Hopkins and have taught writing at American and GWU as well as given lectures at JHU. I currently lead several writing workshops through the Writer's Center www.writer.org . My book Not What I Expected: the unpredictable road from womanhood to motherhood was released in 2007, and I have had over 50 short stories published.)
Please email me with questions!
Hildie Block
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ *^*^*^*
Want my advice on writing?
HildieBlog.livejournal
Hildie S. Block
hsblock@verizon.net
News from Gargoyle Magazine/Paycock Press/ and Richard Peabody
Message from Hildie Block, former student and old friend of Richard's:
Are you, or someone you know, working on a book? I have 1 more space in my Workshop Your Book, yearlong writer's workshop. The group meets to discuss novels and memoirs, Monday evenings 7:30-10 pm in N. Arlington at Ft C F Smith. We meet about 30 times over about 10 months (we take breaks after about 8 sessions). This is the third year I've offered this group and it's amazing to watch people fulfill their dreams and complete a draft in that time.
Most workshops are only 8 sessions long, and people are limited to workshopping about 50 pages in that time. This workshop gives you the opportunity to workshop 200+ pages! And the bonds formed between folks last . . . both of my previous groups have stayed together to support each other through subsequent drafts!
In addition to workshopping, we'll chat about everything from plot structures to dialogue, agents to publishers.
The cost for the whole year is $750, payable through check or paypal.
(and who am I? I have a masters in writing from Johns Hopkins and have taught writing at American and GWU as well as given lectures at JHU. I currently lead several writing workshops through the Writer's Center www.writer.org . My book Not What I Expected: the unpredictable road from womanhood to motherhood was released in 2007, and I have had over 50 short stories published.)
Please email me with questions!
Hildie Block
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ *^*^*^*
Want my advice on writing?
HildieBlog.livejournal
Hildie S. Block
hsblock@verizon.net
Potomac Review Releases New Issue
Potomac Review's new issue has been released.
Potomac Review's latest issue has just arrived. It features two Montgomery College student photographers as well as nationally known award-winning poets, fiction writers and essayists.
A new essay section, River Journeys, honors our namesake, the Potomac. The issue even has a novel excerpt from Washington, D.C. writer C.M. Mayo's new novel, "The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire."
Call 240-567-4100 or email PotomacReviewEditor@montgomerycollege.edu to order your subscription today.
Check out the website at Potomac Review
Potomac Review's latest issue has just arrived. It features two Montgomery College student photographers as well as nationally known award-winning poets, fiction writers and essayists.
A new essay section, River Journeys, honors our namesake, the Potomac. The issue even has a novel excerpt from Washington, D.C. writer C.M. Mayo's new novel, "The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire."
Call 240-567-4100 or email PotomacReviewEditor@montgomerycollege.edu to order your subscription today.
Check out the website at Potomac Review
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Upcoming Reading Events in DC
Tuesday, September 23 at 7:30 pm
Jazz and Poetry Series: Kim Roberts performs with live music Grace Church, 1041 Wisconsin Ave., between M and K Streets, Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 333-7100. Hosted by David Bujard and Sally Avignone. Free Admission.
Saturday, September 27 at 2:00 pm
Kim Roberts participates in a panel discussion, "Getting Publicity for Your Work" with Binnie Syril Braunstein of Press Kit Communications, Michelle Murray of Chapter Three, prize winning novelist Djelloul Marbrook, and Marilyn Marbrook of the NEA literary program Baltimore Book Festival, Creative Cafe tent, Mt. Vernon Place, 600 block of Charles Street, Baltimore, MD. Free Admission.
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Kim Roberts hosts a poetry reading featuring Deanna Nikaido, Teri Ellen Cross, Lenard Moore, Dan Vera, Jamila Zahra Felton, Katherine E. Young, and Maritza Rivera Capital Book Fest, The Blvd @ Cap Centre, Borders Books, 931-A Capital Centre Blvd., Largo, MD. Free Admission.
Jazz and Poetry Series: Kim Roberts performs with live music Grace Church, 1041 Wisconsin Ave., between M and K Streets, Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 333-7100. Hosted by David Bujard and Sally Avignone. Free Admission.
Saturday, September 27 at 2:00 pm
Kim Roberts participates in a panel discussion, "Getting Publicity for Your Work" with Binnie Syril Braunstein of Press Kit Communications, Michelle Murray of Chapter Three, prize winning novelist Djelloul Marbrook, and Marilyn Marbrook of the NEA literary program Baltimore Book Festival, Creative Cafe tent, Mt. Vernon Place, 600 block of Charles Street, Baltimore, MD. Free Admission.
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Kim Roberts hosts a poetry reading featuring Deanna Nikaido, Teri Ellen Cross, Lenard Moore, Dan Vera, Jamila Zahra Felton, Katherine E. Young, and Maritza Rivera Capital Book Fest, The Blvd @ Cap Centre, Borders Books, 931-A Capital Centre Blvd., Largo, MD. Free Admission.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Don't Let the National Park Service Privatize the Inauguration Route
JusticeOnline.org Subscribe
**Please circulate this Action Alert widely**
Don't Let the National Park Service Privatize the Inauguration Route
Tell the government: Pennsylvania Ave. Belongs to the People
Bush Administration proposes new regulations - comment period closing
A ground breaking free speech legal victory in federal court has opened up Pennsylvania Avenue for "We the People" on Inauguration Day.
Unless you and thousands of others take action today, however, that courtroom victory could be effectively overturned by a new set of regulations proposed by the Bush Administration's National Park Service.
"The Inauguration is not a private event," ruled U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman on March 20, 2008. Judge Friedman declared unconstitutional the practice of the National Park Service of exempting the Presidential Inaugural Committee from the ordinary permit process in order to give that private political advocacy organization exclusive rights to exclude the public from along the Inaugural Parade route.
The ruling capped a nearly four year challenge by the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition represented by the Partnership for Civil Justice. The Coalition stood up for thousands of anti-war protesters and political dissenters who - - like the general public - - have been excluded from communicating their views along the quadrennial Inaugural Parade route.
The victory was so resounding that the U.S. Government did not even appeal the ruling.
That courtroom victory is in jeopardy. We need your help, to take just a couple minutes of your time right now to protect free speech along the Presidential Inaugural Parade route by sending a comment to the National Park Service.
You Can Make a Difference By Acting Now
Tell the NPS that you do not want the land that belongs to the public along "America's Main Street" of Pennsylvania Avenue privatized and set aside for the exclusive use of the private Presidential Inaugural Committee to sell to the wealthy corporations on America's Inauguration Day. Click here to send your comment now. Help flood them with thousands of comments and tell your friends and family to join in this effort.
The Bush Administration's National Park Service has re-written its regulations in response to the court ruling. Again, the regulations set aside prime swaths of the Inaugural Parade route for the exclusive use of the corporate donor friends of the incoming administration. The period for public comment closes in a few days, September 22, - so act now by clicking here to send your comment on these proposed regulations.
Background Information: What's at Stake
We say the parade route is not for the exclusive use of privileged elite and fat cat Wall Street donors. No matter who wins this next election, it is the ordinary people from all across the country who should be allowed along the Presidential Parade route. The corporate donors and wealthy elite have the Inaugural Balls, the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, the ceremonial reviewing area at the White House. The sidewalks, at the very least, are for the people and the NPS is planning to give many blocks of sidewalk and parkland along the parade route to those hand-picked by the Presidential Inaugural Committee and party elite.
The National Park Service is trying to privatize Pennsylvania Avenue so that forever more, significant sections of parkland and sidewalks, including all of Freedom Plaza, will be for the exclusive use of the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC). In fact, the NPS has for the upcoming inauguration, just as it did for the last inaugurations, given itself a permit in advance which it will sublet to the PIC. The PIC is a private corporate-funded organization that is expected to raise tens of millions of dollars solicited from the biggest banks, corporations, oil and energy companies, Wall Street and military contractors. The PIC has as funders those who make the biggest profits off of the war drive, including $250,000 and $100,000 'contributions' from oil and defense industries. Nowhere in the Constitution does it state that Pennsylvania Avenue is reserved for the rich corporations on Inauguration Day.
What This Means for the Coming Inauguration in January 2009
No doubt, the outpouring of public expression and sentiment on Inauguration Day will be different depending on the outcome of the election. For instance, 100,000 people came out on January 20, 2001 to protest George W. Bush's new administration which was taking office in spite of the fact that it had lost the election. On January 20, 2005, tens of thousands demonstrated demanding an end to the Iraq War and occupation. Many were blocked from entering through the government's checkpoints.
One thing must remain the same no matter who is the next President: The parade route is for the people. Under existing regulations the Presidential Inaugural Committee is already given exclusive and set-aside space around the White House and Lafayette Park as well as at the Capitol. We are not challenging their use of the Capitol area or the White House area for the Presidential reviewing stands and for the Presidential Inaugural Committee bleachers (In fact, when this White House set-aside was established, it was justified by the NPS on the fact that the parade route and nearby areas remained open for demonstrators and the public). The PIC already has its space at the White House. Pennsylvania Avenue, "America's Main Street," must remain open for the public.
On January 20, 2009, there will still be 140,000 U.S. forces in Iraq. There will be the problem of skyrocketing mass layoffs and foreclosures on the home front. Regardless of who they support in the Presidential election, millions of people will want to send a message to the next administration about the war in Iraq and domestic priorities. They have a right to assemble along the Inaugural parade route. As even one of the candidates acknowledged, "Change comes from below."
Federal law requires the National Park Service to open its proposed regulation to public comment. Please take a couple minutes - - right now, as you are sitting before your computer - - to submit online comments against the discriminatory PIC set-asides in the proposed regulations.
Tell the Government that you oppose the discriminatory reservations of spectator space along the Inaugural Parade route for the Presidential Inaugural Committee. The White House area of Pennsylvania Ave. and Lafayette Park is already set aside for the Presidential Inaugural Committee. The Parade Route is for the people.
Here is how you can send your comment:
1: Go to Regulations.Gov
2. In the search box in the middle of the page, enter "ANSWER Coalition" with the quotation marks (this is very important!) and click on the "go" button.
3. Click on the link "Send a Comment or Submission" which will appear just under the regulation title, "Special Regulation: Areas of the National Park System, National Capital Region."
4. Enter your name and address and comments on the form and click on the button "Next Step" at the bottom of the page. You can leave blank or ignore fields such as "Organization Name" or "Government Agency Type" if you are filing on behalf of yourself and not on behalf of an organization or government agency and you are not required to give your email address.
5. You will be given a page on which you may review your comment. Click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page. You are done!
Additional Steps You Can Take
1. Sign up for (low volume) updates on the struggle for free speech rights.
2. Forward this email to your friends, family and interested lists.
3. Let us know that you sent a comment on these regulation.
4. Donate to help this effort.
**Please circulate this Action Alert widely**
Don't Let the National Park Service Privatize the Inauguration Route
Tell the government: Pennsylvania Ave. Belongs to the People
Bush Administration proposes new regulations - comment period closing
A ground breaking free speech legal victory in federal court has opened up Pennsylvania Avenue for "We the People" on Inauguration Day.
Unless you and thousands of others take action today, however, that courtroom victory could be effectively overturned by a new set of regulations proposed by the Bush Administration's National Park Service.
"The Inauguration is not a private event," ruled U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman on March 20, 2008. Judge Friedman declared unconstitutional the practice of the National Park Service of exempting the Presidential Inaugural Committee from the ordinary permit process in order to give that private political advocacy organization exclusive rights to exclude the public from along the Inaugural Parade route.
The ruling capped a nearly four year challenge by the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition represented by the Partnership for Civil Justice. The Coalition stood up for thousands of anti-war protesters and political dissenters who - - like the general public - - have been excluded from communicating their views along the quadrennial Inaugural Parade route.
The victory was so resounding that the U.S. Government did not even appeal the ruling.
That courtroom victory is in jeopardy. We need your help, to take just a couple minutes of your time right now to protect free speech along the Presidential Inaugural Parade route by sending a comment to the National Park Service.
You Can Make a Difference By Acting Now
Tell the NPS that you do not want the land that belongs to the public along "America's Main Street" of Pennsylvania Avenue privatized and set aside for the exclusive use of the private Presidential Inaugural Committee to sell to the wealthy corporations on America's Inauguration Day. Click here to send your comment now. Help flood them with thousands of comments and tell your friends and family to join in this effort.
The Bush Administration's National Park Service has re-written its regulations in response to the court ruling. Again, the regulations set aside prime swaths of the Inaugural Parade route for the exclusive use of the corporate donor friends of the incoming administration. The period for public comment closes in a few days, September 22, - so act now by clicking here to send your comment on these proposed regulations.
Background Information: What's at Stake
We say the parade route is not for the exclusive use of privileged elite and fat cat Wall Street donors. No matter who wins this next election, it is the ordinary people from all across the country who should be allowed along the Presidential Parade route. The corporate donors and wealthy elite have the Inaugural Balls, the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, the ceremonial reviewing area at the White House. The sidewalks, at the very least, are for the people and the NPS is planning to give many blocks of sidewalk and parkland along the parade route to those hand-picked by the Presidential Inaugural Committee and party elite.
The National Park Service is trying to privatize Pennsylvania Avenue so that forever more, significant sections of parkland and sidewalks, including all of Freedom Plaza, will be for the exclusive use of the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC). In fact, the NPS has for the upcoming inauguration, just as it did for the last inaugurations, given itself a permit in advance which it will sublet to the PIC. The PIC is a private corporate-funded organization that is expected to raise tens of millions of dollars solicited from the biggest banks, corporations, oil and energy companies, Wall Street and military contractors. The PIC has as funders those who make the biggest profits off of the war drive, including $250,000 and $100,000 'contributions' from oil and defense industries. Nowhere in the Constitution does it state that Pennsylvania Avenue is reserved for the rich corporations on Inauguration Day.
What This Means for the Coming Inauguration in January 2009
No doubt, the outpouring of public expression and sentiment on Inauguration Day will be different depending on the outcome of the election. For instance, 100,000 people came out on January 20, 2001 to protest George W. Bush's new administration which was taking office in spite of the fact that it had lost the election. On January 20, 2005, tens of thousands demonstrated demanding an end to the Iraq War and occupation. Many were blocked from entering through the government's checkpoints.
One thing must remain the same no matter who is the next President: The parade route is for the people. Under existing regulations the Presidential Inaugural Committee is already given exclusive and set-aside space around the White House and Lafayette Park as well as at the Capitol. We are not challenging their use of the Capitol area or the White House area for the Presidential reviewing stands and for the Presidential Inaugural Committee bleachers (In fact, when this White House set-aside was established, it was justified by the NPS on the fact that the parade route and nearby areas remained open for demonstrators and the public). The PIC already has its space at the White House. Pennsylvania Avenue, "America's Main Street," must remain open for the public.
On January 20, 2009, there will still be 140,000 U.S. forces in Iraq. There will be the problem of skyrocketing mass layoffs and foreclosures on the home front. Regardless of who they support in the Presidential election, millions of people will want to send a message to the next administration about the war in Iraq and domestic priorities. They have a right to assemble along the Inaugural parade route. As even one of the candidates acknowledged, "Change comes from below."
Federal law requires the National Park Service to open its proposed regulation to public comment. Please take a couple minutes - - right now, as you are sitting before your computer - - to submit online comments against the discriminatory PIC set-asides in the proposed regulations.
Tell the Government that you oppose the discriminatory reservations of spectator space along the Inaugural Parade route for the Presidential Inaugural Committee. The White House area of Pennsylvania Ave. and Lafayette Park is already set aside for the Presidential Inaugural Committee. The Parade Route is for the people.
Here is how you can send your comment:
1: Go to Regulations.Gov
2. In the search box in the middle of the page, enter "ANSWER Coalition" with the quotation marks (this is very important!) and click on the "go" button.
3. Click on the link "Send a Comment or Submission" which will appear just under the regulation title, "Special Regulation: Areas of the National Park System, National Capital Region."
4. Enter your name and address and comments on the form and click on the button "Next Step" at the bottom of the page. You can leave blank or ignore fields such as "Organization Name" or "Government Agency Type" if you are filing on behalf of yourself and not on behalf of an organization or government agency and you are not required to give your email address.
5. You will be given a page on which you may review your comment. Click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page. You are done!
Additional Steps You Can Take
1. Sign up for (low volume) updates on the struggle for free speech rights.
2. Forward this email to your friends, family and interested lists.
3. Let us know that you sent a comment on these regulation.
4. Donate to help this effort.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Fall for the Book Conference at George Mason University (9/21-9/26)
The Fall for the Book Conference will kick off on 9/21/08 at George Mason University.
For a complete list of the sessions and description of the participants, click on the link below:
Fall for the Book
Fall for the Book 2008 Participants
Fiction:
Chinua Achebe
Biyi Bandele
Richard Bausch
Charles Baxter
Peter Brown
Ethan Canin
Ron Carlson
Alan Cheuse
Michael Cunningham
Frank Delaney
Solveig Eggerz
Garrett Epps
Jenny Gardiner
Frank Joseph
Ana-Maurine Lara
Alison Larkin
Alain Mabanckou
Kathleen McCleary
Sue Miller
Tahra Nichols
Benjamin Percy
Nani Power
Nicole Shivers
Porter Shreve
Veronique Tadjo
David Taylor
Gioia Timpanelli
Tim Wendel
Poetry:
Karen Leona Anderson
Jennifer Atkinson
Dan Beachy-Quick Linda Bierds
Noelle Bolou
Catherine Bowman
Suzanne Buffam
Brian Brodeur
Jennifer Chang
Kyle Dargan
Alec Finlay
Katie Ford
Joy Harjo
Judith Harris
Kevin McFadden
Mel Nichols
Eric Pankey
Jon Pineda
Srikanth Reddy
Rod Smith
Melissa Tuckey
Brian Turner
Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave
C.K. Williams
Nonfiction:
Mark Anderson
David Bacon
Michael Beschloss
Sven Birkerts
Eric Brende
Vincent Carretta
Ryan Coonerty
Aime Ellis
Daniel Mark Epstein
Andrew Ferguson
Harvey Frommer
Michael K. Fauntroy
Donald R. Gallehr
Caroll R. Gibbs
Diane Goldstein
Maryemma Graham
Michael D. Hais
Frederick P. Hitz
Linwood Holton
Mary T. Hufford
Scott Huler
Robert Jensen
Clint Johnson
Scott Keeter
Rushworth Kidder
Michael Klare
Chris Lear
Eric Lichtblau
Elaina Loveland
James Miller
Honor Moore
Lisa C. Moore
George Norfleet
Curtis Christopher Robinson
Larry L. Rockwood
Ariel Sabar
Colleen Shogan
Michael Sims
Lori Smith
Jonny Steinberg
Peter Stearns
Amy Sullivan
James L. Swanson
Lee Talbot
Christina Thompson
Mike Tidwell
Alan Weisman
Robert Whitaker
Joshua Wolf Shenk
Children's & Young Adult
P.W. Catanese
Chris Crutcher
Lulu Delacre
Moira Donohue
Kathryn Erskine
Katy Kelly
Jerdine Nolen
Beckie Weinheimer
PUBLISHING & OTHER:
Nancy Crampton
Bruce George
Robert L. Giron
Bill Glose
Keith Hall
David Rovics
Ann Falcone Shalaski
4400 University Drive MS3E4 | Fairfax, VA 22030 | Tel: 703-993-3986
For a complete list of the sessions and description of the participants, click on the link below:
Fall for the Book
Fall for the Book 2008 Participants
Fiction:
Chinua Achebe
Biyi Bandele
Richard Bausch
Charles Baxter
Peter Brown
Ethan Canin
Ron Carlson
Alan Cheuse
Michael Cunningham
Frank Delaney
Solveig Eggerz
Garrett Epps
Jenny Gardiner
Frank Joseph
Ana-Maurine Lara
Alison Larkin
Alain Mabanckou
Kathleen McCleary
Sue Miller
Tahra Nichols
Benjamin Percy
Nani Power
Nicole Shivers
Porter Shreve
Veronique Tadjo
David Taylor
Gioia Timpanelli
Tim Wendel
Poetry:
Karen Leona Anderson
Jennifer Atkinson
Dan Beachy-Quick Linda Bierds
Noelle Bolou
Catherine Bowman
Suzanne Buffam
Brian Brodeur
Jennifer Chang
Kyle Dargan
Alec Finlay
Katie Ford
Joy Harjo
Judith Harris
Kevin McFadden
Mel Nichols
Eric Pankey
Jon Pineda
Srikanth Reddy
Rod Smith
Melissa Tuckey
Brian Turner
Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave
C.K. Williams
Nonfiction:
Mark Anderson
David Bacon
Michael Beschloss
Sven Birkerts
Eric Brende
Vincent Carretta
Ryan Coonerty
Aime Ellis
Daniel Mark Epstein
Andrew Ferguson
Harvey Frommer
Michael K. Fauntroy
Donald R. Gallehr
Caroll R. Gibbs
Diane Goldstein
Maryemma Graham
Michael D. Hais
Frederick P. Hitz
Linwood Holton
Mary T. Hufford
Scott Huler
Robert Jensen
Clint Johnson
Scott Keeter
Rushworth Kidder
Michael Klare
Chris Lear
Eric Lichtblau
Elaina Loveland
James Miller
Honor Moore
Lisa C. Moore
George Norfleet
Curtis Christopher Robinson
Larry L. Rockwood
Ariel Sabar
Colleen Shogan
Michael Sims
Lori Smith
Jonny Steinberg
Peter Stearns
Amy Sullivan
James L. Swanson
Lee Talbot
Christina Thompson
Mike Tidwell
Alan Weisman
Robert Whitaker
Joshua Wolf Shenk
Children's & Young Adult
P.W. Catanese
Chris Crutcher
Lulu Delacre
Moira Donohue
Kathryn Erskine
Katy Kelly
Jerdine Nolen
Beckie Weinheimer
PUBLISHING & OTHER:
Nancy Crampton
Bruce George
Robert L. Giron
Bill Glose
Keith Hall
David Rovics
Ann Falcone Shalaski
4400 University Drive MS3E4 | Fairfax, VA 22030 | Tel: 703-993-3986
Upcoming Events at Busboys and Poets in DC
After the Last Sky: Remembering Mahmoud Darwish
Join us on the 40th day since Darwish's passing
to reflect on his works, his words, and his indelible impact.
Poetry readings *Music* Open Mic
Featuring Sinan Antoon, Iraqi poet, novelist, and essayist
Also featuring: Serin Atiani, Tehila Wise, Tala Rahmeh, Henry Mills, Zein Elamine, Melissa Tuckey, Firas Qumsiyeh, Alma Riche, Noura Erakat, and Fuad Foty
Friday, September 19, 8:30 pm
Busboys and Poets, 14th & V St, NW
Washington DC
Suggested donation: $5-20
Co-sponsored by Coalition for Justice Accountability, Split This Rock, and Busboys and Poets.
Sunday Kind of Love
September 21, 4-6 pm
International Day of Peace
Featuring Sheema Kalbasi and David Keplinger
Busboys and Poets
www.busboysandpoets.com
14th & V Streets NW, Washington, DC
202-387-POET
Hosted by Katy Richey and Melissa Tuckey.
Sponsors include Busboys and Poets and Split This Rock Poetry Festival.
As always, bring your poems for the open mic!
Sheema Kalbasi, born November 20, 1972, in Tehran, Iran, is a human rights activist, award winning poet, and literary translator. She is the director of Dialogue of Nations through Poetry in Translation, the director of Poetry of Iranian Women Project, the poetry editor of the Muse Apprentice Guild and the co-director of the Other Voices International. She has authored Echoes in Exile in English, Sangsar (Stoning) in Persian, and has translated and edited Seven Valleys of Love, a bilingual anthology of women poets from Middle Ages Persia to present day Iran. Kalbasi's work is distinguished by her passionate defense of the ethnic and religious minorities' rights. She has worked for the United Nations and the Center for non Afghan Refugees in Pakistan, and in Denmark. Today she lives with her husband and children in the United States.
David Keplinger is the author of three collections, most recently The Prayers of Others, which won the 2007 Colorado Book Award. The recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Soros Foundation, he was awarded the 1999 T.S. Eliot Prize for his first collection, The Rose Inside, and was shortlisted for the 2006 Anna Akhmatova Prize for The Clearing. His translations of Danish poet Carsten Rene Nielsen, The World Cut Out with Crooked Scissors, appeared in 2007. Keplinger directs the MFA program in creative writing at American University in Washington, DC.
Join us on the 40th day since Darwish's passing
to reflect on his works, his words, and his indelible impact.
Poetry readings *Music* Open Mic
Featuring Sinan Antoon, Iraqi poet, novelist, and essayist
Also featuring: Serin Atiani, Tehila Wise, Tala Rahmeh, Henry Mills, Zein Elamine, Melissa Tuckey, Firas Qumsiyeh, Alma Riche, Noura Erakat, and Fuad Foty
Friday, September 19, 8:30 pm
Busboys and Poets, 14th & V St, NW
Washington DC
Suggested donation: $5-20
Co-sponsored by Coalition for Justice Accountability, Split This Rock, and Busboys and Poets.
Sunday Kind of Love
September 21, 4-6 pm
International Day of Peace
Featuring Sheema Kalbasi and David Keplinger
Busboys and Poets
www.busboysandpoets.com
14th & V Streets NW, Washington, DC
202-387-POET
Hosted by Katy Richey and Melissa Tuckey.
Sponsors include Busboys and Poets and Split This Rock Poetry Festival.
As always, bring your poems for the open mic!
Sheema Kalbasi, born November 20, 1972, in Tehran, Iran, is a human rights activist, award winning poet, and literary translator. She is the director of Dialogue of Nations through Poetry in Translation, the director of Poetry of Iranian Women Project, the poetry editor of the Muse Apprentice Guild and the co-director of the Other Voices International. She has authored Echoes in Exile in English, Sangsar (Stoning) in Persian, and has translated and edited Seven Valleys of Love, a bilingual anthology of women poets from Middle Ages Persia to present day Iran. Kalbasi's work is distinguished by her passionate defense of the ethnic and religious minorities' rights. She has worked for the United Nations and the Center for non Afghan Refugees in Pakistan, and in Denmark. Today she lives with her husband and children in the United States.
David Keplinger is the author of three collections, most recently The Prayers of Others, which won the 2007 Colorado Book Award. The recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Soros Foundation, he was awarded the 1999 T.S. Eliot Prize for his first collection, The Rose Inside, and was shortlisted for the 2006 Anna Akhmatova Prize for The Clearing. His translations of Danish poet Carsten Rene Nielsen, The World Cut Out with Crooked Scissors, appeared in 2007. Keplinger directs the MFA program in creative writing at American University in Washington, DC.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Hispanic LGBT Heritage Month 2008
Hispanic LGBT Heritage Month 2008
¡PRESENTE!
Organized by:
The Latino GLBT History Project,
The Office of Latino Affairs (OLA), Fiesta DC and
The Historical Society of Washington DC
Opening Reception:
Friday, September 19, 2008
6pm-9pm
Historical Society of Washington DC
801 K St. NW Washington, DC 20001
Honorees 2008
Laura Esquivel, Dilcia Molina
Gigi Couture, Fiorela Bandorfino
Ivan Ortiz-Torrez, Hector Torrez
Film Presentation: on Oct. 18th
Los Muxes: Authenticas, Intrepidas Buscadoras del Peligro
(in Spanish and Zapotec with Spanish subtitles)
By: Alejandra Islas
Saturday Oct. 18, 2008 1:30 PM
Historical Society of Washington DC
Come enjoy a taste
of Latin food and
refreshments and a
reading by the Gay
Costa Rican Writer
Uriel Quesada
Sponsor:
The DC Center
¡PRESENTE!
Organized by:
The Latino GLBT History Project,
The Office of Latino Affairs (OLA), Fiesta DC and
The Historical Society of Washington DC
Opening Reception:
Friday, September 19, 2008
6pm-9pm
Historical Society of Washington DC
801 K St. NW Washington, DC 20001
Honorees 2008
Laura Esquivel, Dilcia Molina
Gigi Couture, Fiorela Bandorfino
Ivan Ortiz-Torrez, Hector Torrez
Film Presentation: on Oct. 18th
Los Muxes: Authenticas, Intrepidas Buscadoras del Peligro
(in Spanish and Zapotec with Spanish subtitles)
By: Alejandra Islas
Saturday Oct. 18, 2008 1:30 PM
Historical Society of Washington DC
Come enjoy a taste
of Latin food and
refreshments and a
reading by the Gay
Costa Rican Writer
Uriel Quesada
Sponsor:
The DC Center
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Call for Proposals on the Work & Life of Gloria E. Anzaldua
El Mundo Zurdo: An International Conference
on the Work and Life of Gloria E. Anzaldúa
Sponsored by
The Society for the Study of Gloria E. Anzaldúa (SSGA) and the Women's Studies Institute at the University of Texas at San Antonio
May 16-17, 2009
Call for Proposals
The Society for the Study of Gloria E. Anzaldúa seeks submission of proposals for papers, panels of 3-4 papers, roundtables, workshops, or performances for its First International Conference on the work and life of Gloria E. Anzaldúa on the fifth anniversary of her passing.
We welcome proposals involving all facets of Anzaldúa's life and work. The following tracks are merely suggested conceptual groupings for panel and performance presentations:
· BORDERS—explorations of border theory, borderlands ethos and other concepts of Anzaldúan thought focused on this key concept of her work
· GENDER AND SEXUALITY STUDIES—el mundo zurdo and the atravesados, key to Anzaldúa's thinking and application of her philosophical work
· EDUCATION—pedagogical concerns surrounding her literary and philosophical works. Some questions that may arise: what are some challenges of teaching Anzaldúa? How does Anzaldúa's thought apply to teaching?
· INTERNATIONAL AND TRANFRONTERA—The effects of globalization and market economies on culture. What is the status of Anzaldúa studies at the international level?
· SPIRITUALITY—Explorations of Anzaldúa's spiritual teachings. How can we heal the earth and ourselves?
Guidelines
Proposals must include the following:
· 250-word proposal narrative
· 100-word abstract suitable for publication in the conference program book
· Submissions for Panels must include proposals and abstracts for each paper and the name, address, phone number(s), e-mail address, and institutional affiliation of each participant
· Audio/visual needs
· Contact person's name, address, phone number(s), e-mail address, and institutional affiliation
All materials must be electronically date-stamped by February 15, 2009. Proposers will be notified of acceptance by March 15, 2009.
Questions about the submission process may be sent to:
gloria.anzaldua.society@gmail.com
"Cada cabeza es un mundo"
Norma E. Cantú
Department of English, Classics and Philosophy
University of Texas, San Antonio
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249
Office: 210-458-5134
on the Work and Life of Gloria E. Anzaldúa
Sponsored by
The Society for the Study of Gloria E. Anzaldúa (SSGA) and the Women's Studies Institute at the University of Texas at San Antonio
May 16-17, 2009
Call for Proposals
The Society for the Study of Gloria E. Anzaldúa seeks submission of proposals for papers, panels of 3-4 papers, roundtables, workshops, or performances for its First International Conference on the work and life of Gloria E. Anzaldúa on the fifth anniversary of her passing.
We welcome proposals involving all facets of Anzaldúa's life and work. The following tracks are merely suggested conceptual groupings for panel and performance presentations:
· BORDERS—explorations of border theory, borderlands ethos and other concepts of Anzaldúan thought focused on this key concept of her work
· GENDER AND SEXUALITY STUDIES—el mundo zurdo and the atravesados, key to Anzaldúa's thinking and application of her philosophical work
· EDUCATION—pedagogical concerns surrounding her literary and philosophical works. Some questions that may arise: what are some challenges of teaching Anzaldúa? How does Anzaldúa's thought apply to teaching?
· INTERNATIONAL AND TRANFRONTERA—The effects of globalization and market economies on culture. What is the status of Anzaldúa studies at the international level?
· SPIRITUALITY—Explorations of Anzaldúa's spiritual teachings. How can we heal the earth and ourselves?
Guidelines
Proposals must include the following:
· 250-word proposal narrative
· 100-word abstract suitable for publication in the conference program book
· Submissions for Panels must include proposals and abstracts for each paper and the name, address, phone number(s), e-mail address, and institutional affiliation of each participant
· Audio/visual needs
· Contact person's name, address, phone number(s), e-mail address, and institutional affiliation
All materials must be electronically date-stamped by February 15, 2009. Proposers will be notified of acceptance by March 15, 2009.
Questions about the submission process may be sent to:
gloria.anzaldua.society@gmail.com
"Cada cabeza es un mundo"
Norma E. Cantú
Department of English, Classics and Philosophy
University of Texas, San Antonio
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249
Office: 210-458-5134
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Say Enough Is Enough to the Lying from the McCain/Palin Ticket
In light of the latest out-right lies that the McCain / Palin Ticket is spreading about Barack Obama, here is a call for action that has come my way, which I share:
From: Adam L. Barr Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 12:06 PM
Subject: [DC for Obama] Upset About What's Happening?
***Please Forward***
This election is getting tighter and tighter, and time is running out. I am sure we all have our opinions about what has caused our latest slide in the polls. I am sure many of you are feeling helpless to prevent the disaster that you see over the horizon. However, the reality is that there is much that each of us can and must do to win this election.
We have a simple formula for winning in November; expanding the electorate, identifying our supporters, and making sure they vote on election day. We cannot control what the media says about Sarah Palin, but we can control our own actions. It will be our actions that decide this election.
Virginia is going to play a critical role in deciding whether Barack Obama will be our next President, and it is going to be a close race there. The extent to which we mobilize will be the X factor in this election. If we all join a DC to VA Victory Team, spend as much time as we can spare with our neighbors to the South, and bring our friends with us, we will be that much closer to changing the course of history. Nearly 300 of you have signed up so far, but that is not enough. More than 1400 of you volunteered with us during the primary. Well, the stakes are higher now and the election is less than two months away.
What is a DC to VA Victory Team and why join one?
Each of the seven DC to VA Victory Teams is comprised of volunteers that chose to work in a specific city, based on the demographics of the area. Per the campaign's direct request, all of these seven cities are in Northern Virginia. Team members will meet up at a central location on weekends, carpool together down to their Virginia field office, walk door-to-door registering new voters, identifying Obama supporters, and ensuring that they come out and vote for us. Joining a DC to VA Victory Team is the most important thing you can do for this campaign. It is the most important thing you can do for our country. This personal contact with voters is proven to be the most effective means of generating votes. It is a winning strategy, but we cannot win without you. It is true that you could simply go to a field office alone and volunteer. However, if this campaign has shown us anything, it has shown us that we are far more effective when we work together towards a common goal. Joining a team will provide you the opportunity to help other supporters be of greater benefit to the campaign. If you have a car, joining a team ensures that your car is always full when you make the ride to your local Virginia field office. If you are a natural leader, joining a team will give you the opportunity to keep your team motivated. The list could go on...
For more information on this initiative, and to sign up, visit SurveyMethods.com
Are you unable to spend your weekends knocking on doors for Obama? You can still help. The success of this program will depend on two things; enthusiastic volunteers, and money to fund the program. If you would like to make phone calls to supporters in DC asking them to join a DC to VA Victory Team, please send an email to victorycalls@dcforobama.com. If you would like to help fund this program, please contact Adam Barr at albarr@gmail.com. All contributions to this effort are considered campaign contributions to the Virginia Campaign for Change, a joint committee of Obama for America and the Virginia Democratic Party.
"We cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done... At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future." - Senator Barack Obama, August 28, 2008
Passionately,
Adam L. Barr
Founder, DC for Obama
DC to VA Victory Teams Co-Coordinator
From: Adam L. Barr Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 12:06 PM
Subject: [DC for Obama] Upset About What's Happening?
***Please Forward***
This election is getting tighter and tighter, and time is running out. I am sure we all have our opinions about what has caused our latest slide in the polls. I am sure many of you are feeling helpless to prevent the disaster that you see over the horizon. However, the reality is that there is much that each of us can and must do to win this election.
We have a simple formula for winning in November; expanding the electorate, identifying our supporters, and making sure they vote on election day. We cannot control what the media says about Sarah Palin, but we can control our own actions. It will be our actions that decide this election.
Virginia is going to play a critical role in deciding whether Barack Obama will be our next President, and it is going to be a close race there. The extent to which we mobilize will be the X factor in this election. If we all join a DC to VA Victory Team, spend as much time as we can spare with our neighbors to the South, and bring our friends with us, we will be that much closer to changing the course of history. Nearly 300 of you have signed up so far, but that is not enough. More than 1400 of you volunteered with us during the primary. Well, the stakes are higher now and the election is less than two months away.
What is a DC to VA Victory Team and why join one?
Each of the seven DC to VA Victory Teams is comprised of volunteers that chose to work in a specific city, based on the demographics of the area. Per the campaign's direct request, all of these seven cities are in Northern Virginia. Team members will meet up at a central location on weekends, carpool together down to their Virginia field office, walk door-to-door registering new voters, identifying Obama supporters, and ensuring that they come out and vote for us. Joining a DC to VA Victory Team is the most important thing you can do for this campaign. It is the most important thing you can do for our country. This personal contact with voters is proven to be the most effective means of generating votes. It is a winning strategy, but we cannot win without you. It is true that you could simply go to a field office alone and volunteer. However, if this campaign has shown us anything, it has shown us that we are far more effective when we work together towards a common goal. Joining a team will provide you the opportunity to help other supporters be of greater benefit to the campaign. If you have a car, joining a team ensures that your car is always full when you make the ride to your local Virginia field office. If you are a natural leader, joining a team will give you the opportunity to keep your team motivated. The list could go on...
For more information on this initiative, and to sign up, visit SurveyMethods.com
Are you unable to spend your weekends knocking on doors for Obama? You can still help. The success of this program will depend on two things; enthusiastic volunteers, and money to fund the program. If you would like to make phone calls to supporters in DC asking them to join a DC to VA Victory Team, please send an email to victorycalls@dcforobama.com. If you would like to help fund this program, please contact Adam Barr at albarr@gmail.com. All contributions to this effort are considered campaign contributions to the Virginia Campaign for Change, a joint committee of Obama for America and the Virginia Democratic Party.
"We cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done... At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future." - Senator Barack Obama, August 28, 2008
Passionately,
Adam L. Barr
Founder, DC for Obama
DC to VA Victory Teams Co-Coordinator
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Sarah Palin's Record from the Native American Point of View
In light of the fact that supposedly Sarah Palin's husband is of Eskimo descent, I find this article put together by Alaskan Natives and brought to my attention by writer Suzan Harjo rather intriguing with regard to how Palin conducts business in Alaska.
Sarah Palin's Record on
Alaska Native and Tribal Issues
1. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Subsistence Fishing
Perhaps no issue is of greater importance to Alaska
Native peoples as the right to hunt and fish according to
ancient customary and traditional practices, and to carry on
the subsistence way of life for future generations.
Governor Sarah Palin has consistently opposed those
rights.
Once in office, Governor Palin decided to continue
litigation that seeks to overturn every subsistence fishing
determination the federal government has ever made in
Alaska. (State of Alaska v. Norton, 3:05-cv-0158-HRH (D.
Ak).) In pressing this case, Palin decided against using the
Attorney General (which usually handles State litigation)
and instead continued contracting with Senator Ted
Stevens' brother-in-law's law firm (Birch, Horton,
Bittner & Cherot).
The goal of Palin's law suit is to invalidate all the
subsistence fishing regulations the federal government has
issued to date to protect Native fishing, and to force the
courts instead to take over the roll of setting subsistence
regulations. Palin's law suit seeks to diminish
subsistence fishing rights in order to expand sport and
commercial fishing.
In May 2007, the federal court rejected the State's
main challenge, holding that Congress in 1980 had expressly
granted the U.S. Interior and Agriculture Departments the
authority to regulate and protect Native and rural
subsistence fishing activities in Alaska. (Decision entered
May 15, 2007 (Dkt. No. 110).)
Notwithstanding this ruling, Palin continues to argue in
the litigation that the federal subsistence protections are
too broad, and should be narrowed to exclude vast areas from
subsistence fishing, in favor of sport and commercial
fishing. Palin opposes subsistence protections in marine
waters, on many of the lands that Natives selected under
their 1971 land claims settlement with the state and federal
governments, and in many of the rivers where Alaska Natives
customarily fish. (Alaska Complaint at 15-18.) Palin also
opposes subsistence fishing protections on Alaska Native
federal allotments that were deeded to individuals purposely
to foster Native subsistence activities. All these issues
are now pending before the federal district court.
2. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Subsistence Hunting
Palin has also sought to invalidate critical
determinations the Federal Subsistence Board has made
regarding customary and traditional uses of game,
specifically to take hunting opportunities away from Native
subsistence villagers and thereby enhance sport hunting.
Palin's attack here on subsistence has focused on the
Ahtna Indian people in Chistochina. Although the federal
district court has rejected Palin's challenge, she has
carried on an appeal that was argued in August 2008. (State
of Alaska v. Fleagle, No. 07-35723 (9th Cir.).)
In both hunting and fishing matters, Palin has continued
uninterrupted the policies initiated by the former Governor
Frank Murkowski Administration, challenging hunting and
fishing protections that Native people depend upon for their
subsistence way of life in order to enhance sport fishing
and hunting opportunities. Palin's lawsuits are a direct
attack on the core way of life of Native Tribes in rural
Alaska.
3. Palin has attacked Alaska Tribal Sovereignty
Governor Palin opposes Alaska tribal sovereignty.
Given past court rulings affirming the federally
recognized tribal status of Alaska Native villages, Palin
does not technically challenge that status. But Palin argues
that Alaska Tribes have no authority to act as sovereigns,
despite their recognition.
So extreme is Palin on tribal sovereignty issues that she
has sought to block tribes from exercising any authority
whatsoever even over the welfare of Native children,
adhering to a 2004 legal opinion issued by the former
Murkowski Administration that no such jurisdiction exists
(except when a state court transfers a matter to a tribal
court).
Both the state courts and the federal courts have struck
down Palin's policy of refusing to recognize the
sovereign authority of Alaska Tribes to address issues
involving Alaska Native children. Native Village of Tanana
v. State of Alaska, 3AN-04-12194 CI (judgment entered Aug.
26, 2008) (Ak. Super. Ct.); Native Kaltag Tribal Council v.
DHHS, No. 3:06-cv-00211-TMB (D. Ak.), pending on appeal No
08-35343 (9th Cir.)). Nonetheless, Palin's policy of
refusing to recognize Alaska tribal sovereignty remains
unchanged.
4. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Languages
Palin has refused to accord proper respect to Alaska
Native languages and voters by refusing to provide language
assistance to Yup'ik speaking Alaska Native voters. As a
result, Palin was just ordered by a special three-judge
panel of federal judges to provide various forms of voter
assistance to Yup'ik voters residing in southwest
Alaska. Nick v. Bethel, No. 3:07-cv-0098-TMB (D. Ak.) (Order
entered July 30, 2008). Citing years of State neglect, Palin
was ordered to provide trained poll workers who are
bilingual in English and Yup'ik; sample ballots in
written Yup'ik; a written Yup'ik glossary of
election terms; consultation with local Tribes to ensure the
accuracy of Yup'ik translations; a Yup'ik language
coordinator; and pre-election and post-election reports to
the court to track the State's efforts.
In sum, measured against some the rights that are most
fundamental to Alaska Native Tribes - the subsistence way of
life, tribal sovereignty and voting rights - Palin's
record is a failure.
Sarah Palin's Record on
Alaska Native and Tribal Issues
1. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Subsistence Fishing
Perhaps no issue is of greater importance to Alaska
Native peoples as the right to hunt and fish according to
ancient customary and traditional practices, and to carry on
the subsistence way of life for future generations.
Governor Sarah Palin has consistently opposed those
rights.
Once in office, Governor Palin decided to continue
litigation that seeks to overturn every subsistence fishing
determination the federal government has ever made in
Alaska. (State of Alaska v. Norton, 3:05-cv-0158-HRH (D.
Ak).) In pressing this case, Palin decided against using the
Attorney General (which usually handles State litigation)
and instead continued contracting with Senator Ted
Stevens' brother-in-law's law firm (Birch, Horton,
Bittner & Cherot).
The goal of Palin's law suit is to invalidate all the
subsistence fishing regulations the federal government has
issued to date to protect Native fishing, and to force the
courts instead to take over the roll of setting subsistence
regulations. Palin's law suit seeks to diminish
subsistence fishing rights in order to expand sport and
commercial fishing.
In May 2007, the federal court rejected the State's
main challenge, holding that Congress in 1980 had expressly
granted the U.S. Interior and Agriculture Departments the
authority to regulate and protect Native and rural
subsistence fishing activities in Alaska. (Decision entered
May 15, 2007 (Dkt. No. 110).)
Notwithstanding this ruling, Palin continues to argue in
the litigation that the federal subsistence protections are
too broad, and should be narrowed to exclude vast areas from
subsistence fishing, in favor of sport and commercial
fishing. Palin opposes subsistence protections in marine
waters, on many of the lands that Natives selected under
their 1971 land claims settlement with the state and federal
governments, and in many of the rivers where Alaska Natives
customarily fish. (Alaska Complaint at 15-18.) Palin also
opposes subsistence fishing protections on Alaska Native
federal allotments that were deeded to individuals purposely
to foster Native subsistence activities. All these issues
are now pending before the federal district court.
2. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Subsistence Hunting
Palin has also sought to invalidate critical
determinations the Federal Subsistence Board has made
regarding customary and traditional uses of game,
specifically to take hunting opportunities away from Native
subsistence villagers and thereby enhance sport hunting.
Palin's attack here on subsistence has focused on the
Ahtna Indian people in Chistochina. Although the federal
district court has rejected Palin's challenge, she has
carried on an appeal that was argued in August 2008. (State
of Alaska v. Fleagle, No. 07-35723 (9th Cir.).)
In both hunting and fishing matters, Palin has continued
uninterrupted the policies initiated by the former Governor
Frank Murkowski Administration, challenging hunting and
fishing protections that Native people depend upon for their
subsistence way of life in order to enhance sport fishing
and hunting opportunities. Palin's lawsuits are a direct
attack on the core way of life of Native Tribes in rural
Alaska.
3. Palin has attacked Alaska Tribal Sovereignty
Governor Palin opposes Alaska tribal sovereignty.
Given past court rulings affirming the federally
recognized tribal status of Alaska Native villages, Palin
does not technically challenge that status. But Palin argues
that Alaska Tribes have no authority to act as sovereigns,
despite their recognition.
So extreme is Palin on tribal sovereignty issues that she
has sought to block tribes from exercising any authority
whatsoever even over the welfare of Native children,
adhering to a 2004 legal opinion issued by the former
Murkowski Administration that no such jurisdiction exists
(except when a state court transfers a matter to a tribal
court).
Both the state courts and the federal courts have struck
down Palin's policy of refusing to recognize the
sovereign authority of Alaska Tribes to address issues
involving Alaska Native children. Native Village of Tanana
v. State of Alaska, 3AN-04-12194 CI (judgment entered Aug.
26, 2008) (Ak. Super. Ct.); Native Kaltag Tribal Council v.
DHHS, No. 3:06-cv-00211-TMB (D. Ak.), pending on appeal No
08-35343 (9th Cir.)). Nonetheless, Palin's policy of
refusing to recognize Alaska tribal sovereignty remains
unchanged.
4. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Languages
Palin has refused to accord proper respect to Alaska
Native languages and voters by refusing to provide language
assistance to Yup'ik speaking Alaska Native voters. As a
result, Palin was just ordered by a special three-judge
panel of federal judges to provide various forms of voter
assistance to Yup'ik voters residing in southwest
Alaska. Nick v. Bethel, No. 3:07-cv-0098-TMB (D. Ak.) (Order
entered July 30, 2008). Citing years of State neglect, Palin
was ordered to provide trained poll workers who are
bilingual in English and Yup'ik; sample ballots in
written Yup'ik; a written Yup'ik glossary of
election terms; consultation with local Tribes to ensure the
accuracy of Yup'ik translations; a Yup'ik language
coordinator; and pre-election and post-election reports to
the court to track the State's efforts.
In sum, measured against some the rights that are most
fundamental to Alaska Native Tribes - the subsistence way of
life, tribal sovereignty and voting rights - Palin's
record is a failure.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Third Annual WIFV Screenwriters Conference October 17-19. 2008
Here's the latest from Jane Barbara, Conference Chair, Women in Film & Video-DC:
We are delighted to announce the dates and presenters for the Third Annual Women in Film & Video-DC (WIFV) Screenwriters' Conference, October 17-19, 2008. We appreciate your assistance in spreading the word!
Screening Opens Conference
Under the Same Moon/La Misma Luna October 17, 2008 at 7:00 pm Ligiah Villalobos will introduce her film Under the Same Moon/La Misma Luna (2007) an official selection at Sundance and Toronto Film Festivals. The film became the highest sale for a Spanish-language film in the history of Sundance. Upon its release on March 19, 2008 by Fox Searchlight and The Weinstein Company, the film went on to break the 3-day opening weekend record for a Spanish-language film. Made for under $2M, the film has earned over $22M worldwide. Ms. Villalobos will answer questions after the screening and is presenting two workshops at the Conference on Saturday. All events will be at George Washington University. Tickets are available at www.wifv.org or by calling 202-429-9438. Cost is $15 for WIFV Members/$20 general public.
Workshops
October 18-19, 2008 Complete schedules are available at www.wifv.org. Saturday's schedule is available here. Sunday is a day of pitching to producers and script critiques.
James Grady (Three Days of the Condor) will present a workshop on Writing the Thriller;
Marilyn Horowitz will present How to Write a Screenplay in 10 Weeks;
Laurie Scheer will present Mastering the Pitch and How to Pitch Feature Films/Reality;
Ginny Durrin and Lauren Cardillo will present How to Write Documentaries;
Kurt Klaus, Elaine English and Marla Grossman will present Protecting Your Intellectual Property;
Arla Bowers will analyze the film Akeelah and the Bee;
Eric Espejo and Aaron Goodmiller will discuss how to find feature film financing;
Carole Dean will present an all-day workshop, How to Finance Your Film on October 19.
$200 for WIFV Members; $275 general public. Space is limited. Register now.
Sponsors include The Documentary Center at GWU, Jean Beallor, Diane English, Nikki Allyn Grosso, Elizabeth Perkins, and the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. In-kind support from Final Draft.
Jane Barbara, Conference Chair
Melissa Houghton, Executive Director
Women in Film & Video-DC
We are delighted to announce the dates and presenters for the Third Annual Women in Film & Video-DC (WIFV) Screenwriters' Conference, October 17-19, 2008. We appreciate your assistance in spreading the word!
Screening Opens Conference
Under the Same Moon/La Misma Luna October 17, 2008 at 7:00 pm Ligiah Villalobos will introduce her film Under the Same Moon/La Misma Luna (2007) an official selection at Sundance and Toronto Film Festivals. The film became the highest sale for a Spanish-language film in the history of Sundance. Upon its release on March 19, 2008 by Fox Searchlight and The Weinstein Company, the film went on to break the 3-day opening weekend record for a Spanish-language film. Made for under $2M, the film has earned over $22M worldwide. Ms. Villalobos will answer questions after the screening and is presenting two workshops at the Conference on Saturday. All events will be at George Washington University. Tickets are available at www.wifv.org or by calling 202-429-9438. Cost is $15 for WIFV Members/$20 general public.
Workshops
October 18-19, 2008 Complete schedules are available at www.wifv.org. Saturday's schedule is available here. Sunday is a day of pitching to producers and script critiques.
James Grady (Three Days of the Condor) will present a workshop on Writing the Thriller;
Marilyn Horowitz will present How to Write a Screenplay in 10 Weeks;
Laurie Scheer will present Mastering the Pitch and How to Pitch Feature Films/Reality;
Ginny Durrin and Lauren Cardillo will present How to Write Documentaries;
Kurt Klaus, Elaine English and Marla Grossman will present Protecting Your Intellectual Property;
Arla Bowers will analyze the film Akeelah and the Bee;
Eric Espejo and Aaron Goodmiller will discuss how to find feature film financing;
Carole Dean will present an all-day workshop, How to Finance Your Film on October 19.
$200 for WIFV Members; $275 general public. Space is limited. Register now.
Sponsors include The Documentary Center at GWU, Jean Beallor, Diane English, Nikki Allyn Grosso, Elizabeth Perkins, and the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. In-kind support from Final Draft.
Jane Barbara, Conference Chair
Melissa Houghton, Executive Director
Women in Film & Video-DC
Monday, September 01, 2008
Chez Robert Giron Receives the Brilliant Weblog Award
A special thank you goes out to Helen Ginger of Texas who has informed me that Chez Robert Giron has received the Brilliant Weblog Award 2008.
I truly appreciate the honor.
-Robert
