The following announcement was made by Cat Woods on January 2:

I have decided to run for the 6th assembly district seat. I need to collect 150 signatures of registered Greens who live in this district (Marin and part of Sonoma) by Feb 23. I would appreciate any and all help people in the area are willing to offer in gathering these signatures. Marin hopes to work with Sonoma county to put on a candidate forum in early February in Novato or Petaluma and invite all Green candidates to speak (and gather signatures). My purpose in running is to spread a message challenging lesser evilism and advocating improved democracy through various electoral reforms.
 
Cat Woods

Member of the Marin Green Party County Council,
At Large Member of the Green Party of California Coordinating Committee.

You can sign Cat Wood's filing petition at the next General Business Meeting of the Green Party of Sonoma County on 1/19 (see the calendar below).

Dear NorthBay Greens:

I've decided to throw my hat in the ring as a candidate for the Green Party nomination for Attorney General of the State of California. It took me many months to decide, but now that I've filed my letter of intent with the Secretary of State, I couldn't be more content with my decision.

My emphasis in my campaign will be on the issues that directly affect the AG's office: the death penalty, three strikes, opposition to the war on drugs and decriminalization of drug use, ending the persecution of undocumented immigrants, and defending the environment and the rights of working people.

I would like to invite all of you to join in my campaign as volunteers and supporters.

I am now circulating my filing petition and would like to invite registered Greens from the North Bay (Napa, Sonoma and Marin) to join in the fun of circulating and signing my petition.

It has been suggested that the North Bay counties invite all the candidates to a regional candidates forum, and to bring their petitions with them.

If there is enough interest, I would be happy to help organize such a meeting. A suggested city for the meeting is Novato, but any centrally located city would do.

I would also like to attend, as would other candidates, the regularly scheduled meetings of the County Council in each County.

Presently, the Million Votes for Peace campaign (Camejo/Chretien and others) are holding presentations in different counties. If there is interest in having Peter, Todd and others come to Napa, Sonoma or Marin to make presentations, please contact me at the phone or email address below.

Victory (and Peace) in 2006!

Mike Wyman

Marin County

You can sign Mike Wyman's filing petition at the next General Business Meeting of the Green Party of Sonoma County on 1/19 (see the calendar below).

The Sonoma Campus Greens have organized to impeach President Bush. We are phone banking to hold a "People's State of the Union" protest in late Jan. We would like to have a protest in each city in Sonoma County on Jan. 24th (tentative) the day the President gives his annual State of the Union address. We are attempting to reach out to all registered greens in Sonoma Co. to spearhead this effort and hope for all greens to become engaged in reaching out to greens and non-greens alike. If you can volunteer to phone bank, hold local teach-ins, or organize a local protest in your city, then please get in touch.

Call Rick at 795-2723 afternoons through late evening (no morning calls please).

Related story:
On 1/3/06 the Green Party of the United States issued a press release calling for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney: http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2006_01_03.shtml

With this issue of the newsletter we continue the discussion of our key values; values which sets us apart from all other political parties! Remember that they are framed in the form of questions -- to stimulate thinking and discussion. Therefore, we hope to have readers respond....to disagree or add to the comments on each one of them. We are combining two values together this time. They are similar and one somewhat informs the other:

GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY

• How can we develop systems that allow and encourage us to control the decisions that affect our lives?
• How can we ensure that representatives will be fully accountable to the people who elected them?
• How can we develop planning mechanisms that would allow citizens to develop and implement their own preferences for policies and spending priorities?
• How can we encourage and assist the 'mediating institutions' --- family, neighborhood organizations, church groups, voluntary associations, ethnic clubs --- to recover some of the functions now performed by the government?
• How can we relearn the best insights from American traditions of civic vitality, voluntary action and community responsibility?

DECENTRALIZATION

• How can we reduce power and responsbility to individuals, institutions, communities and regions?
• How can we encourage the flourishing of regionally-based culture, rather than a dominant mono-culture?
• How can we have a decentralized democratic society with our political economic and social institutions locating power on the smallest scale (closest to home) that is efficient and practical?
• How can we redesign our institutions so that fewer decisions and less regulation over money are granted as one moves from the community to the national level?
• How can we reconcile the need for community and regional self-determination with the need for appropriate centralized regulation in certain matters?

These two values encapsulate Green politics! That is, Greens have been from the beginning and still should be committed to grassroots democracy; to decentralized, participatory forms of self-government. Direct, participatory democracy is the foundation for genuine self-government at all scales of association.

Today, especially, in view of the continuing consolidation of power in the hands of fewer and fewer at the top; and under the guise of a never-ending war on 'terrorism', there is more central control of politics, mass-media, and the economy. The rapidly emerging police state through the 'Patriot Act', makes these particular values urgent!! They (these values) represent a meaningful, realistic and a more effective strategy to counteract these dangerous trends. Both major political parties, Democrat and Republican, are, and have been co-conspirators in this ongoing attempt at total control over us with their imperial designs! Most Greens today, see our local communities, city and county, as the locus for needed transformative change!

Petra Kelly, co-founder of the German Green Party (Die Grunen), now deceased, a victim of a mysterious assassination in the late 80's, wrote: "Green politics is based on direct democracy. Our effort is to redefine and reorganize power so that it flows from the bottom up." And, conscious of those who believe in centralized-autocratic-power and their cynical belief in the people's incompetence to govern themselves, she wrote: "Our approach to politics (should) be based on a new understanding of 'power'. A 'counter-power' that is natural and common to all; to be shared by all; and used by all for all. This is the power of transformation rooted in the discovery of our own strength and ability to be active participants in society."

I submit that it is our calling today to revisit the American Revolution and renew the fierce debates conducted by our forebears enunciated in the Declaration of Independence that governments are instituted among men, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed, and that when any government violates their public trust, it is the right of the people to alter it. But that we are commissioned to do so by non-violent means---with a firm determination to return 'power' back to the people.

Here are some added thoughts taken from various Communitarians and Social Ecologists: "Decentralization links the re-empowerment of the community with the re-empowerment of the individual." "There can be no politics without community". "Parties that do not intertwine with these grassroots forms of popular organization are not political in the classical sense of the term. In fact, they are bureaucratic and antithetical to the development of a participatory politics and participating citizens." "There is no way to piece together any politics--old or new--unless we begin with its most elementary forms---the villages, towns, neighborhoods and cities in which people live on the most immediate level of political interdependence, the only level that is the next step beyond private life!"

The Green Party of Sonoma County, therefore, has and is continually trying diligently to follow these values by practicing the green consensus process at all of our meetings; that is, encouraging all in attendance to participate and have input into the decision-making process. To be inclusive. We actively engage in local elections; running green candidates. We support and will work for the much needed reform of our thoroughly corrupted electoral process, using the initiative process. We intend to put forward a package of electoral reforms like Proportional Representation and IRV (instant runoff voting) thus empowering the individual voter. These shall include public financing of campaigns and free media access! And the use of all other efforts that will open the process and 'level the playing-field'.

And as a model for all, we seek to have our delegates to our state and regional meetings responsible to all in the locals by mandation! That is, delegates carry mandates (explicit instructions) from the deliberative assembly represented by the General Membership at all our local meetings, open to all citizens. In addition, we all try our best to remain active in our towns and communities; inspite of our full schedules of committment to save the earth!

So we urge all readers and supporters to join us in these vital efforts. We meet every 3rd Thursday night of the month at the Environmental Center in Santa Rosa. Please come.

- Bill Patterson

NOTES:
- Some of the events listed below may have not been officially endorsed by the GPSC, but may be of interest to local Greens.
- To check for new events and schedule changes, visit our home page at http://www.sonomagreenparty.org

7  

(Sat) Impeachment Next Steps - After Downing Street
3 - 5:30 PM, Social Justice Center of Marin
1000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Rm 18
San Anselmo
Discussion: Is Impeachment Possible? How to make it happen! A plan to reach Republican Congress people. We need your help so bring a friend to swell the movement
Agenda: Welcome and introductions
1. John Conyers Res. 635
2. Lynn Woolsey's daily address to Congress
3. SURPRISE GUEST could be Cindy Sheehan
4. How each of us can help End The War
Materials Available:
1. Downing StreetMemos
2. John Conyers Resolutions Res. 635
(see http://www.johnconyers.org)
Refreshments thanks to the youth group in Marin City.
DONATIONS ENCOURAGED
Website:http://www.mpjc.org/
Contact :Barbara 415 388 2821

8-15 

(Sun-Sun) Sonoma Symphony of Peace Week
January 8 - 15, 2006.
Partial list of events:
Blessing of the Crosses and Peace March Sunday, January 8

Bilingual Bring Them Home Now Testimony Saturday, January 14

Support Our Troops Sunday Sunday, January 15

Sonoma Valley Peace & Justice, St. Leo's Peace and Justice, Sonoma County Veterans for Peace, and Sonoma County Peace and Justice have declared January 8 to January 15 the first Sonoma Symphony of Peace Week.

The week of peace and reconciliation will begin with the Blessing of the 200 Crosses, representing the over 2,000 troops killed in Iraq, on Sunday, January 8 at 11 a.m. at St. Leo's Church, 601 West Agua Caliente Road.

A march from St. Leo's Church in Agua Caliente to the Sonoma Plaza with the 200 crosses will begin at 11:30 AM. Those who do not wish to march the 3 1/2 miles can meet at St. Francis Church at 1:30 PM for the remaining 3 blocks. The crosses, that will be placed on the Plaza for the Support Our Troops Sunday on January 15, will be symbolically presented to individual city council members on January 8 at the conclusion of the march.

On January 14 at St. Leo's Church at 7 p.m., Fernando Suaez del Solar, and Beatrice Saldivar, members of Gold Star Families for Peace who lost relatives in Iraq, will give a Bilingual Bring the Troops Home Now Testimony.

On Sunday, January 15, the Symphony of Peace Week will conclude with Support Our Troops Sunday from 2-4 pm. at the Sonoma Plaza.

The 200 crosses will be placed on the Plaza at 10 a.m. A multi-denominational religious spiritual ceremony honoring the troops fallen, wounded and serving in Iraq will be held at 2 p.m. A Bring Them Home Now Testimony from family members who lost loved ones in Iraq, have loved ones serving in Iraq, and Iraq war veterans will be held at 3 p.m.

Contact: Mike Smith Sonoma Valley Peace and Justice

Calendar of Events - Symphony of Peace Week

January 8 - 15 Sunday, January 8
Blessing of the Crosses and March
St. Leo's Church, 601 W. Agua Caliente Rd.
11 a.m. Blessing of the Crosses
11:30 March from St. Leo's to Sonoma Plaza with crosses

Monday, January 9
Compassionate Communication Marathon
Videos of Marshall Rosenberg and interactive training with facilitator Maggie Bedord
Sonoma Public Library
10 a.m.-4 p.m. and 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
For information, call Maggie Bedord

Wednesday, January 11
Evening of Dialogue Centered on the War in Iraq
Facilitated interaction. Let's share our views, pro and con, with compassion and respect.
St. Leo's Church, 601 W. Agua Caliente Rd. 7 p.m.

Thursday, January 12
Films Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma
Room 110, 7:15 p.m.
$5.00 donation
(1) Arlington West Vets for Peace speak out; the story of the crosses
(2) Where Have all the Flowers Gone, Crawford Texas

Saturday, January 14
(1) Bring Them Home Now - Bilingual Testimony
Gold Star Families For Peace - Fernando Suarez del Solar - Beatriz Soldivar
St. Leo's Church, 601 W. Agua Caliente Rd. 7 p.m.
(2) Opening of Never Forget, Faces of the Fallen
Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, 511 Broadway, Sonoma
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday, January 15 Support Our Troops Sunday
Sonoma Plaza Multi-Denominational Service
2-3 p.m. Testimony 3-4 p.m.

Taize and Pot-Luck
St. Leo's Church, 601 W. Agua Caliente Rd.
(1) Pot-Luck Meal 5-6 p.m.
(2) Taize Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation Service 7:30 p.m.

13  

(Fri) Children's Poetry
6 - 8 PM, Call for location: 707-664-2956 - FREE!
Sonoma SERVES Children's Poetry Reading, Celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Cosponsors: COOL School, COOL Families, Project SCHOLARS and AmeriCorps.

14  

(Sat) A Saturday spent "Lighting the Way to Equality"
10-4 PM, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 547 Mendocino Ave. Santa Rosa
At this FREE educational event, join trainers including Jean Adams, EQCA Field Organizer for Northern California, and Chari Davidson, EQCA Sonoma Chapter leader, and others, for a day of exploring the latest information to help us pave the path to marriage equality in California. We will focus on both the nuts and bolts actions we can take as well as the most effective conversations we can engage in to bring about the end of discrimination locally and statewide, allowing California to help lead the nation toward equality and justice for all.

Morning refreshments will be provided. Directions will be sent at receipt of RSVP. Please RSVP to both of the following email addresses: Jean@eqca.org and sonoma@eqca.orgs.

15  

(Sun) Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Birthday Celebration
5 - 8 PM, Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa
This year's theme:
Love, Goodwill, Brotherhood -
King's Legacy - Our Responsibility

Free admission. Wheelchair accessible
featuring:
Film about Civil Rights Movement
Youth Oratories, Multicultural Performances
- including Baha'i Dancers, Filipino Dancers,
The Celebration Mass Choir, and more!
Plus, a Special Children's Program
707-546-0744

16  

(Mon) A Day On, Not a Day Off - Community Awareness Day
10 AM - 4 PM, Community Baptist Church, 1620 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa
Wheelchair accessible.
Activities facilitated by: the Volunteer Center's Youth Volunteer Corps
Rosa Parks Commemorative March, 2 PM
For the whole family - children, youth and adults
Info: 707-546-0744 - FREE!

"We will not be able to realize the American Dream until we work to realize the world dream for peace, brotherhood and good will." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

17  

(Tue) GMO's in Our Community and Around the World
6-9 PM, 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma
For further Information, please call 707-935-7960 or www.sheanadavis.com $10.00 per person

Guest Speaker: Dr. Ignacio Chapella

6:00 Reception with Organic Coturri Wine, Organic Bison Brews, Organic Taylor Maid Coffee, Tea & Chai and Nanna Mae Apple Juice (No-host bar)
7:00-9:00 Dialogue with Dr. Ignacio Chapella

Event sponsored by Sheana Davis, The Epicurean Connection & Tony Coturri, Coturri Winery.

19  

(Thu) General Business Meeting
7-9 PM, Environmental Center, 404A Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa
The general meeting is held every 3rd Thursday of the month. All interested Greens are welcome to attend!
Info: info@sonomagreenparty.org

23  

(Mon) Bylaws Working Group Meeting
7 PM
Contact: bylaws@sonomagreenparty.org or 542-3037

28  

(Sat) Crash Course in California's Electricity Supply Issues
10-12 PM, Rincon Valley Library, Santa Rosa
Here's your chance to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about California's electricity supply. The public is invited to attend a free educational forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County to be held on Saturday, January 28 at the Rincon Valley Library, 66959 Montecito Blvd, Santa Rosa, from 10 until noon. Topics to be discussed include the infrastructure now used to supply electricity, regulatory agencies, options for reliable electric service, rate structure, renewable resources, and environmental protection. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call the League at 546-5943 or send an email to energy_at_lwvsonoma.org. Susan Milstein League of Women Voters of Sonoma County
Contact: Marty Roberts at (707) 829-9191 or MartyR_at_sonic.net
Website: http://www.solarsebastopol.com

PO Box 15073 Santa Rosa, CA 95402
Email: info_at_sonomagreenparty.org
Website: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org

FAIR - Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting: http://www.fair.org/

"...scrutinizing media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints."