Special 2004 ‘Green Alert’ Elections Issue Fall GREEN SCENE 2004 San Luis Obispo County Greens • Santa Barbara County Greens • Ventura County Greens

The ‘Green Alert’ Election Growing Green Power by John Foran, with David Cobb The acrimony continued into the summer, by Dave Wass We face a critical decision as a nation in when Nader supporters tried to get first a You should be proud of your County November: how to defeat an administration “dual endorsement” of the two campaigns by Council. They have been taking some that has created a crisis of world-historic the California state party, and then a special giant strides lately. They were challenged proportions and is leading the country away assembly of the Greens to make the decision recently by one of their members (editor’s from our precious democratic potential, of which to place on the state ballot line. The note: this was Dave Wass) to “move our fast. twenty-person coordinating committee of field of action from the confines of the The national and state Green Party’s di- the California Greens engaged in extensive board room to the real life playing fields lemma since the beginning of the year has debate before rejecting this proposal 11-8, of the public arena.” All agreed that the been how best to respond to this crisis. The with the majority determining that it was local group was extraordinarily adept at truth of the adage, “Two Greens, improper or impractical at that presenting forums on current issues and three opinions,” has been borne late date to reverse the national keeping well informed on national and out as Greens across the nation decision. international concerns. They also agreed have generally divided into As regional representative that the purpose of the Green Party was to three camps: 1) those who prag- for the Central Coast (Ventura, bring Green values (the Ten Key Values), matically see Kerry as the only Santa Barbara, and San Luis Green solutions, and Green politicians alternative to Bush, and have ad- Obispo counties), I was called into the civic affairs of our community. vocated that the Greens field no upon to cast a vote on this pro- With this in mind, your County Council presidential candidate, 2) those posal. After extensive consulta- has undertaken a plan to prepare itself who see little difference between tion with as many Greens as I (and you) to be a vital and active politi- the two corporate parties and could reach in the three counties, cal force where it counts the most—right have advocated the all-out cam- I voted no to it, with the follow- here at home. For the next four to five paign of Ralph Nader and California Green ing explanation: months they will be studying the work- icon Peter Camejo, and 3) those who see a “I can report that there is overwhelming ings of the local political system, the local way to both defeat Bush and build the Green sentiment to affirm the candidacy of David governments, local politicians, the media, Party at the same time, standing behind the Cobb (e.g. a unanimous vote on the SB local needs and demographics, etc. presidential campaign of David Cobb and County Council, and a 26-6 vote among At the last County Council meeting, his “smart choice” strategy. active Greens in SB; a similar vote on the after six weeks of study, five issues These three positions were debated at the SLO County Council and 75 percent of the were tentatively selected to be on our party’s nominating convention in Milwau- active Greens there; and a majority of the action agenda for the next two years. kee in late July, where Cobb secured the Ventura County Council who responded to Fourteen issues were considered, but it nomination on the second ballot with only the e-mail). was decided that at this early point in 55 percent of the delegates behind him. The “We supported the poll on gathering signa- the process, five issues were enough to decision was complicated by Nader’s deci- tures for the Nader campaign, and affirm the keep us busy. Maybe too many. We will sion in January not to seek the nomination, integrity of all Greens who wish to work on learn as we grow. The five issues being and Camejo’s “favorite son” campaign, that campaign, including those locally. considered (the final selection will be at which saw him take 75 percent of the March “We do not support revisiting the question the October 13 Council meeting) are : 1) primary votes in California, but choosing not of who should be the Green Party candidate improving public transportation in Santa to run in any other states and instead pledg- for a number of reasons, including: respect Barbara County; 2) addressing water sup- ing his votes to an endorsement of Nader for the process established and followed ply issues; 3) creating affordable housing; at the convention. Since California’s is by in California and at Milwaukee, the active 4) providing healthcare for all; and 5) far the largest state party in the nation, the campaign conducted by Green Party mem- raising the minimum wage (to $8.50 or Nader/Camejo group felt they had a mandate ber David Cobb for the nomination and the $10.00/hr). in the primary, but this reading of the pri- lack of a campaign by Ralph Nader, a wish You will be kept informed about devel- mary results is complicated by the facts that to be members of the national party in good opments in this program. Your sugges- there was low turnout by Greens in March standing, which has duly nominated David tions and comments (to any of our council (only about 25 percent), and most who did Cobb, the absence of compelling evidence members) are more than welcomed! vote knew too little about the strategies of for the high level of grassroots Green Party the candidates they were selecting. continued on next page Page 2 GREEN SCENE Fall 2004

Green Alert from front page Stuart Bechman, local candidate for Congress support for the 2004 Nader campaign that Note: Stuart is the Green Party candidate across the district. Over the past month, I would warrant this extraordinary step, and a for the Twenty-Fourth U.S. Congressional have appeared at a half-dozen candidates’ reluctance to devote further state resources District, running against nine-term Re- forums from Lompoc to Simi Valley, with to this issue. publican incumbent Elton Gallegly and another half-dozen or so rallies and forums “We realize that Greens and progressives his Democratic challenger Brett Wagner planned before the actual election. I am also are divided at the presidential level, and in a district that starts in southern Ventura participating in a national Green Party ad we sincerely hope that all will find a way to County and runs through the Santa Ynez appearing in the October 28, 2004 issue of work together and respectfully within the valley of Santa Barbara County. It does not The Nation, where all of the national Green party and to build it as part of the solution include the city of Santa Barbara, which is candidates have signed on to a Statement of to the world-wide crisis of our time. in Lois Capps’s safe 300-mile long coastal Unity and Purpose; I hope you see that ad “The party, the nation, and the world Congressional district, and where there is when it comes out. deserve our best, good faith efforts on all no Green candidate this year. You can learn I know I must be making an impact, be- this. Let’s all move on now to support our more about his campaign at: http://ventura. cause I am starting to get calls from progres- preferred candidates for local and national cagreens.org/bechman/, or contact him by sive Democrats and “light” Greens asking office. Let’s learn from this for next time e-mail to [email protected], me to consider bowing out of the race to about how to improve our processes and or by calling (805) 522-4524. avoid taking votes away from my Demo- procedures, to campaign for the nomination My campaign is going into its final few cratic opponent. At this point, my campaign at the presidential level, and to resolve our weeks with a slew of interviews and panel has raised over $4,000, almost all of it going differences with mutual respect.” forums. We have spent the past few months for literature, outreach booths, buttons, and The local Santa Barbara Council has walking neighborhoods, passing out lit- yard signs. In a few weeks, you and I will worked hard this summer and fall to sup- erature, and getting the Green message out; both know how well that money was spent! port the campaign of David Cobb, since and we are now rolling out our yard signs Don’t forget to vote on Nov. 2! it is our analysis that this is a “green alert” election, meaning that it is crucial to defeat the Bush administration at the polls in No- played a profound role in American history. withdraw forces from Iraq. vember nationally, and to build the Green The abolition of slavery, women getting “As a genuine progressive who understands Party in every corner of the country to deal the right to vote, the creation of the Social the need for systemic social change, I under- with the evident and glaring inadequacies Security Administration, unemployment stand that social issues and environmental of the Kerry administration that we hope insurance, workers’ comp laws, pure food issues are interconnected. For example, the will follow. and drug laws, ending child labor—the war in Iraq is being fought for oil. It’s our ad- David Cobb made a campaign stop in entire fabric of what we today would agree diction to oil as an energy source that’s driv- Santa Barbara in late August, and stated to be the bare minimum for a just and com- ing not only the war in Iraq, but also global eloquently: passionate society, that fabric was woven climate change and ecological catastrophe. “First, what others call spoiling, we call together by third party activists before us, There are so many different energy sources participating. If our partici- who were accused of being that are not being adequately developed pation is spoiling anything, spoilers, accused of being and applied because we the people don’t it just shows that the voting unrealistic, naïve, dangerous, actually control our own institutions in this system is flawed because it and un-American. Today, country. And the Green Party will tell the forces voters to feel like they the Green Party is the party truth about that. have to vote against what they advocating and end to war as “The truth as I see it: John Kerry is a cor- hate rather than for what they foreign policy, single-payer poratist and a militarist sellout. By every want. The solution is instant universal healthcare for all, objective measure, John Kerry is no progres- runoff voting (IRV), where ending three strikes and sive. George W. Bush is qualitatively worse voters, instead of just having you’re out, ending the racist than Kerry. There’s no doubt about that, to pick among three or four war on drugs, overturning either. Kerry is bad, Bush is worse, and the candidates, can rank order David Cobb the PATRIOT Act. There’s a American people deserve better.” their preferences. It guaran- genuine progressive agenda On November 2, Californians have the tees that whoever wins has earned a majority that only the Green Party’s advancing and luxury of being able to vote their hearts and of the vote. And let’s be clear. I can’t steal articulating. We can look point by point at not their fears. Vote for David Cobb, or write anyone’s votes. John Kerry doesn’t own John Kerry’s positions on those issues, and in Ralph Nader if that’s who you prefer. Vote votes. He has to earn them. The Green Party he is not a progressive. for the other wonderful candidates profiled is articulating a progressive agenda and it’s “The Green Party opposed the war before in this issue of the Green Scene. Vote Green drawing more and more people…. Shame it began, we opposed the war while it was on the propositions. Stay in the Greens, with on Al Gore for not fighting to secure the being prosecuted, and we oppose this oc- all our differences of opinion. It’s a long election that he actually won. cupation. In order to stop breeding terrorism struggle ahead, but it will be exciting and “Let’s remember this: Third Parties have and restore global security, the U.S. has to rewarding to be part of it. Fall 2004 GREEN SCENE Page 3 The Council continues Tom Hutchings, candidate for State Assembly in SLO and deepens its work by Peggy Koteen Sacramento: Editor’s note: Tom Hutchings is running • Balance the budget responsibly, and not These are exciting times for Green a smart and exciting campaign for the Cali- on the backs of our more vulnerable Cali- politics! We have been busy supporting the fornia State Assembly in San Luis Obispo. fornians. national and local candidates profiled in We note also with pride that Green Orval • Provide healthcare for all. this issue, putting on forums on the 2004 Osborne is running for the San Luis Obispo • Reduce college fees and fully fund public elections, and continuing to develop our City Council, as is an already-elected incum- education. new working group structure. A short report bent Green, Christine Mulholland, and that • Achieve Workers Compensation reform. from one particulary active group follows. In Melody DeMeritt is running for the Morro • Protect the environment. addition, we are working on a local “Plan Bay City Council. • Support organized labor. de Santa Barbara,” a progressive blueprint Tom Hutchings is surely one of the most Tom and his campaign’s hard work in of local Green issues to guide our work and interesting individuals to run for elected walking the talk has secured many usually the campaigns of candidates in 2006 (see the office. Hutchings’s background provides hard to get endorsements, including the essay on “Growing Green Power” by Dave a sound foundation for bal- California Faculty Associa- Wass on this crucial initiative). anced and practical political tion, Cal Poly Chapter; San Social and Economic Justice Work- action. He is passionate about Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara ing Group: Coordinated by Patricia Hiles his commitment and his can- Counties and California State ([email protected]), this group is con- didacy is fueled by indigna- Building & Construction cerned with matters of fairness in our society. tion of the two major parties Trades Council, AFL-CIO; We put on a forum in conjunction with Santa that refuse to represent the Tri-Counties Central Labor Barbara Healthcare for All in September. people. Hutchings believes Council, AFL-CIO; California Dr. Dan McCann spoke about how HMOs the legislature has abdicated Federation of Labor, AFL- and pharmaceutical companies overcharge its independence and Sacra- CIO; United Auto Workers, customers, make outrageous profits, and mento has become nothing Region 5; PeopleFirst, a de- abuse their captive customers. Peter Cohen, more than a corporate-con- velopmentally disabled peer the head of Santa Barbara Healthcare for All, trolled voting machine. His decision to run advocacy organization; and the Sierra Club spoke on how a single payer system would for the 33rd Assembly District as a Green of California, among others. Tom has been reduce medical costs while providing care reflects a passion for working to improve designated 100% Pro-Choice by Planned for everyone. We held a forum for October people’s lives and his commitment to the Parenthood. Nativo Lopez, State and Na- 7 to explain the numerous propositions community, not corporations. tional President of the Mexican-American on this year’s ballot and will hold another Hutchings served this nation proudly. He Political Association also endorses him, as forum in the future on Restorative Justice. is a highly decorated veteran of the Ameri- do David Cobb, national Green candidate for Meanwhile, we are printing and distribut- can War in Vietnam and, as a California president, and Peter Camejo, independent ing hundreds of Voters Guides that briefly Army National Guard officer, was decorated candidate for vice president. Lopez is going explain the main thrust of each proposition for his outstanding military leadership. He throughout the state encouraging the Latino and show the recommended positions of has been in public service almost his entire Community to register and voter Green! the Santa Barbara County Green Party. Yes, life as a police officer, deputy sheriff and is Does Hutchings have personal concerns we are busy! now a retired California Peace Officer. about running for the Assembly? “Ab- Hutchings’s public service includes a stint solutely not,” Hutchings says. “Politics George W. Bush knows best on the City Council in Hemet, two-terms as needs to be about honestly representing the If you tell the truth, you lose a member of the Paso Robles Library Board best interests of the people. We have seen Republicans? Fright! of Trustees, and a current second-term mem- nothing more than the selfish antics of the bership on the San Luis Obispo City Human Republican and Democratic Parties holding Iran will follow Relations Commission. He now works as a California hostage. Each party promises Afghanistan and Iraq benefits counselor with a non-government that if we elect them, our lives will im- Winning hearts and minds service organization assisting the medically prove. How gullible can we continue to be Haiku Crusade for freedom frail. in believing that? As a people, we need to His education includes a Bachelor of Arts, retake our democracy and wrest it from the Destroy Muslim jihadists Master of Arts degree in Education and a hands of the corporations. Everyone knows Medieval values Haiku Doctor of Philosophy degree in humanities. it is big business that runs this state and our –Terry Elkiss Hutchings is very pragmatic about politics. country. Everyone should be mad as hell Write clever haiku He believes public officials should adhere and shouldn’t take it any longer,” Hutchings to the phrase, “Government shall do no states, borrowing the well-known phrase Fun while counting syllables harm.” from the movie “Network.” Can it change the world? Using his skills in building collaborations, To learn more about Hutchings and his –Gary Shapiro he has the following goals when he goes to campaign, please visit www.votetom.org. Page 4 GREEN SCENE Fall 2004 Calendar of Green Events Art’s Party Films in October at Friendship Manor October 17: “Outfoxed” (77 minutes) org, 544-9663). Call Art Schwartz for details Wednesday, October 13 October 24: “Bush’s Brain” (80 minutes) at 968-1965. Bi-weekly meeting of the Green Party of October 31: “Liberty Bound” (88 minutes) Arts Party and HopeDance Media: Chang- Santa Barbara County. 7-9 p.m. Westside These films are all described in the cur- ing the World, One Documentary at a Time Community Center. 423 W. Victoria Street, rent issue of Hope Dance. present these films on Sundays at 8 p.m. Santa Barbara. Info: 884-8259 $3 (or donation) each evening -- monies at the Friendship Manor (on the corner of Sunday, October 17 go to HopeDance Media (www.hopedance. El Colegio and Los Carneros) in the The- David Cobb for President Fundraising atre up the stairs at the main El Colegio House Party. See box at right. Green Clean: make a Entrance. Organic sandwiches, chips and Friday, October 22 difference! cookies are often available at the film. David Cobb for President Fundraising Parking is in the field at the Manor Corner House Party at Friendship Manor, Isla Several years ago the Santa Barbara Green Parking Lot (the entrance is on the south- Vista (see Art’s Party Films article above Party committed itself to participate in the east corner of the empty lot at Camino for details on how to get there). Dinner California “Adopt-a-Highway” program. Pescadero and El Colegio, on the east side will be served, and a video shown. Info: Art In exchange for this good work, we have of Friendship Manor. The opening is nearly Schwartz at 968-1965 or [email protected] posted large signs for the Green Party at opposite the west end of Cervantes Road.) Wednesday, October 27 each end of our two-mile stretch of High- Do not park in the underground parking Bi-weekly meeting of the Green Party of way 246 from the intersection of Highway structure! Santa Barbara County. 7-9 p.m. Westside 101 two miles towards Lompoc. We do this Community Center. 423 W. Victoria Street, highway trash cleanup every two months, Santa Barbara. Info: 884-8259 on the second Saturday of alternate months (January, March, May, July, September, Wednesday, November 10 November). Our next cleanup is on Saturday, David Cobb for President Bi-weekly meeting of the Green Party of November 13. In case of rain, we postpone Santa Barbara County. 7-9 p.m. Westside for a week. We meet at 10 a.m. across from Fundraising House Party Community Center. 423 W. Victoria Street, Pea Soup Anderson’s restaurant on Avenue Nancy Broyles’ House Santa Barbara. Info: 884-8259. Note: there of the Flags in Buellton, near the intersec- 740 Flora Vista Drive in SB is no meeting on November 24! tion of 101 and 246. After the cleanup all Sunday, October 17, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, November 13 participants are invited to Bud and Dottie Highway Cleanup. See announcement on Dinner to be served, plus videos of Booth’s for lunch. Cobb campaign this page. Info: Bud Boothe at 688-7610 With six participants it takes less than an hour. However, in recent months we have Donation: $10 or more had three or even two people out there doing Information: contact Nancy at 963- GREEN SCENE this—so please consider joining us for this 2687 or [email protected] FALL 2004 ISSUE Green clean and social event. For further information, call Bud Boothe at 688-7610. Quarterly publication of the Green Party of Santa Barbara County P.O. Box 92141 Green Party of Santa Barbara County Santa Barbara CA 93190-2141 PRESORTED P.O. Box 92141 STANDARD (805) 884-8259 Santa Barbara, CA 93190-2141 US POSTAGE email: [email protected] PAID http://www.cagreens.org/santabarbara/ SANTA BARBARA, CA PERMIT NO. 302 Editor: John Foran [email protected] Layout: Gary Shapiro [email protected] This issue on chlorine-free 30% kenaf paper.

Green Scene wants you… …to contribute your letters, ideas, opinions, complaints, photos, drawings… If you want to write, please contact John Foran, [email protected], or call 884- 8259.