TThhee NNeeww DDeemmooccrraatt A Publication of the Peninsula Democratic Coalition (PDC) June/July 2013

Mark Your Calendar! August 17: PDC Annual Picnic nonprofits. Annual PDC Picnic Plans We are offering any business or nonprofit that donates a gift certificate worth $50 or more a free business card-sized ad in Note the date in your calendar—the PDC annual picnic will The New Democrat newsletter. The New Democrat has a be held on Saturday, August 17, this year. As usual, the location circulation of nearly 500. Almost all PDC members live in will be Shoup Park in Los Altos, from 4 to 7 pm northern Santa Clara county or southern San Mateo county, so The picnic is a fine time to mingle with friends and fellow they are local—and they patronize local businesses. And since Democrats and to meet and talk with electeds, candidates, and the newsletters also appear online, on the PDC’s new website, local officials in a casual and informal setting. the ads will be visible for a whole year. The Peninsula Young Democrats (PYD) are cohosting the picnic If a business person you talk with says they are a Democrat or this year, so you can expect to see new faces and meet the new seems to be particularly interested in knowing more about the generation of Democrats in our area. PDC, you can invite them to the picnic, too—where they will Start thinking now about what YOU’d like to do to help make have a chance to meet informally with fellow Democrats and this event a success: local politicians, and expand their own social networks. • Donate for the silent auction some special item, event To help you when you ask a local business for gift certificate, tickets, or a gift certificate to a local restaurant or business see the picnic flyer in this issue. You can print it out to show • Offer PDC some time in your vacation home, as the silent friends and business owners. auction item • Help plan active games to keep the kiddies happy in the playground area Start Planning Your Western • Invite your friends to come with you—they may decide to become PDC members! If you’d like to help in any of these ways, let us know as soon Vacation as you can. Call (650) 941-2120 and talk with Andrea, or leave a message. To whet your appetite for the auction, we’ll be listing some of the auction items in advance in next month’s newsletter and on the PDC website. SEE PAGE 7 FOR MORE INFORMATION. Involve Our Local Businesses with the PDC Like the PDC, local businesses and nonprofits are involved with their community—their customers and supporters. It’s a healthy, reciprocal relationship—they depend on us for support, as we depend on them for services, goods, and in some cases Do you like outdoor activities, like whitewater rafting, power entertainment. boating, jet skiing, mountain biking, winter sports such as downhill If you are in business yourself, you probably realize that your or cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, hunting, or fishing? And contacts and friendships with other PDC members help you in how about golf, bocce ball, ice skating, and soaking in hot springs? your business. They are part of your social network. Have you thought about going on a vacation with friends or family This year, in addition to asking local businesses and nonprofits to a place where you can just get away from it all? to donate gift certificates for our annual picnic auction, the PDC Take a look the first item donated to the PDC for its picnic is going a step further to engage with local businesses and (continued on page 11) The New Democrat 2 June/July 2013

forces of commercialization, they will ultimately go too far and the pendulum will swing back.

President’s Column Amy Pearl

The Arc of History Bends Toward Equality This has been an amazing month. Each week I thought, this is what I’ll write a President’s Letter about, and then that was Pictured above: Emerge CA Executive Director Kimberly Ellis, Governor eclipsed by something else. First it was the former NSA and CIA , and PDC President Amy Pearl, attended Nation. contractor making the most significant NSA breach in history with details of top-secret American and British government mass surveillance programs. Then that was eclipsed How can I be sure? by a week of Supreme Court rulings, some of the most important Because I attended and historic rulings in history. Among them were: Netroots Nation 2013, in • Shelby County vs. Holder struck down a key part of the San Jose in June. Netroots historic Voting Rights Act of 1965, sending the section that is a conference that began determines which states need extra attention about in 2006. Like the discrimination back to Congress to be re-written Democratic National • In Arizona vs. ITCA, the court sided with the federal Convention in Charlotte government, saying that Arizona’s evidence-of-citizenship that I attended last requirement is pre-empted by the federal National Voter September, it looks more Registration Act like America than the • Windsor vs. US struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Republican convention. Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevented the federal People of all backgrounds government from recognizing same-sex marriages were there. But unlike the • In Hollingsworth vs. Perry, the court ruled that the advocates Democratic Convention, for California’s anti-gay marriage Prop 8 had no standing to the average age was mid- contest lower courts defeating it, effectively ending it to late 20s, and also unlike the Democratic PDC President Amy Pearl with Working In all, it seems that we are making more forward progress than Convention, people were Assets' Cindy Chavez. not. But when you look at the issues being decided, we see that generally very well most of the issues arise at the state level. Even here in progressive dressed! The leadership of this political community came out of California, our voters can end up passing a Prop 8. And we know the 2004 and 2008 Presidential elections. They are smart, that there is great variation across the states. For example, today innovative, and media and technology savvy. They are politically 13 states recognize same-sex marriage. But 6 states prohibit it by involved, from electoral politics to progressive non-profits. They statute and 29 prohibit it in their state constitutions. 1996’s are using new technologies to create new organizational and DOMA allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages institutional structures. You can see PDC Programming VP Kate recognized in other states; this was not ruled on in the Windsor Forrest’s article in the newsletter. vs. US case. It’s widely anticipated that there will be challenges to In August, I will focus on the importance of upcoming this section of DOMA. electoral races. I’ll be writing it before I take off for three weeks, We have to remain vigilant. We must make our voices (and so it won’t be quite as topical! I hope you are all enjoying your tweets) heard. But, just as there was a conservative backlash to summer and hope to see you at the PDC picnic on August 17, if the liberalism of the 1960s, we are seeing a backlash to the not before. corporate, conservative ideology of the 1980s. When multinational corporations partner with conservative legislators to baldly, if legally, strip people of their sacred right to vote, remove our rights to control our bodies and lives, privatize things like education and journalism that should not be hostage to the The New Democrat 3 June/July 2013

not be good – but they are good for the bottom line. It is cheaper to contribute to political campaigns and to hire lobbyists that can Martin’s write legislation for Congressional Committees than to pay decent wages, provide good working conditions, hire US citizens, and EDITORIAL pay the taxes necessary to support adequate education. Hewlett-Packard and Apple are not the only companies using the H1-B system; they may not even be major players in the By Martin Gorfinkel current debate. Nevertheless, this is a disillusioning time for those who can remember when Hewlett-Packard was a leader in the Years ago there was a bracero program. Big business manufacture of quality products, a fine corporate citizen of the agriculture worked with the government and set up a system that community, and considered one of the best places to work; and allowed farm workers to come from Mexico to work the fields in when Apple was known as an innovative force in computing California and other states. It was a sweet deal for the employers: rather than in the use of off-shore accounts to avoid paying their they got cheap labor with no complaining allowed. Workers were fair share of US and California taxes. bound to the company and could be shipped out of the country (In the interest of full disclosure: I worked on Hewlett- if there was any problem. Packard computers from 1976 until they killed the HP3000 in Now we have high tech companies with the H1-B visa 2005. I did business directly with HP from 1978 to 1988 and program allowing them to hire less expensive foreign labor. Like experienced firsthand the decline in the way HP treated workers in the bracero program, these engineers are tied to the employees, customers, and contractors over that period.) company that obtained the visa. It is possible to shift jobs – but there is a clear risk of deportation for those who try. Companies justify the need for the H1-B labor force because they cannot find enough trained people to fill the jobs. Small  wonder! The high tech firms are looking for low paid workers; Parents have a conversation stopper. “Because I said so” ends the unemployed in this area are looking for higher wages. The the discussion. While some would argue the wisdom of using that firms want workers they can control more easily. Companies tactic; and many might agree that using it too often is a poor way invest in lobbyists, political campaigns, and tax-avoidance experts to raise children; almost everyone would agree that the rather than investing in the institutions that might generate future household is not a democracy. valuable employees. The United States, on the other hand, purports to be a Anyone reading newspaper reports about the immigration democracy. There is no proper place in the political dialogue for reform bill working its way through the Senate will be aware of the a conversation stopper. But it doesn’t work that way! lobbying efforts by the high tech industry. An early version of the The recent revelation (or confirmation?) that the N.S.A. is bill required that H1-B workers be paid salaries at, or above, the collecting billions of communications records is a good example. average wage paid to US workers at the same job and it required Some time ago James Clapper was asked "Does the National that companies demonstrate that they cannot find unemployed US Security Agency collect any type of data at all on millions or citizens to fill the jobs. Orrin Hatch, Republican from Utah, hundreds of millions of Americans?" Clapper responded, "No, sir. described as carrying the load for High Tech, stated that the entire Not wittingly. There are cases where they could, inadvertently bill would be dead unless those restrictions were eased. perhaps, collect -- but not wittingly." Clapper was allowed to let If it were not clear before, the debate over those restrictions that stand as a conversation stopper. The clear follow-up question should make it obvious why American high tech companies want is “How could an agency that is supposed to be the best in its the H1-B visas. If the H1-B workers are the best and the business possibly collect millions of records unwittingly?” brightest; if their competence, ability, and value to the companies N.S.A. deals in classified information; once something is exceeds that of the available unemployed US workers, then why declared as “classified” no one gets to talk about it. Once a should they not be paid at a rate above the average salary? If government official says it is legal and it has helped us deter they are so good, if the market for their services is an open and terrorist attacks no one gets to question it. That point of view is free hiring process, and if the US tech firms are not in illegal totally wrong! collusion to control that market, then why are the workers unable N.S.A. and its defenders point out that their actions are to demand equal pay with American citizens? covered by decisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act How did the H1-B applicants come to be the best? Was their (FISA) Court. How do we know that? Since the court and its schooling significantly superior to that of US citizens? The H1-B decisions are secret there is no way to know what the court said applicants come from countries far poorer in per-capita income or whether the agency is following the court order. than the US. Yet, if the argument is to be believed, these N.S.A. defenders tell us that the surveillance has thwarted countries do a far better job of public education than does the potential terrorist plots, but they offer no details. They are quick US. Where is the forceful advocacy for better education here? to assert the benefits of the program even while they denounce Why do the high tech firms put their resources into bringing Mr. Snowden for publically stating that the program exists. foreign workers into high tech jobs instead of investing in Under the principles of our republic, Snowden’s accusers, not education here? Snowden’s statement, should be considered Un-American! Ours The only logical conclusion is that the H1-B visas provide a is supposed to be a government of law conducted in the open. cheap source of labor that can get the job done. The results may (continued on page 6) The New Democrat 4 June/July 2013 PDC at Netroots Nation in San Jose

Attendees at the Netroots Nation Conference included (clockwise from top left) Engaging New American Voters; Ask a Sistah; PDC Member Marcene Van Dierendonck; and Raging Grannies

Enthusiastic progressives from across the country gathered at participants. However, the emphasis on progressive online action the 2013 Netroots Nation (NN) conference in San Jose on June continues. 20-23. Conversations in the halls and in the sessions were While bloggers were the innovators of online politicking, intense, as people shared what they were doing, learned new progressive politicians and the media very quickly recognized the techniques, and strategized how to become even more effective. growing influence of progressive bloggers and the power of the The 3,000 attendees included a number of elected officials and internet as a means of mobilizing support for progressive ideas candidates, as well as bloggers, grassroots and online activists, and candidates. Social networking and information-sharing government officials, representatives of labor and progressive through such sites as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have business, and members of the press. become key vehicles for influencing public opinion and moving Keeping up with the latest, PDC Board President Amy Pearl people to action. Bloggers still attend NN, but there are also was there, as were VP Kate Forrest and PDC members Elizabeth many representatives of progressive nonprofits and activist Lasensky and Marcene Van Dierendonck. groups, and people who specialize in other forms of online Some of the other NN attendees and/or speakers whose organizing and action. names will be familiar to PDC members includewere Speaker Online presence has been a strength of Democrats and other ; CA Reps. Mike Honda, Zoe Lofgren, Mark Takano, progressives. It appeals to the growing youth population, is good and Henry Waxman; Rep. Alan Grayson (FL); Sens. for coalition building and fund-raising, and enables rapid online (NM), (OR), and Brian Schatz (HI); Asm. Paul Fong; response to new events. Most progressive organizations not only former CA Treasurer Phil Angelides; and organized labor have websites, but also have their own through which they executive Cindy Chavez. promote ideas—e.g., The Nation, Washington Monthly, and the Netroots Nation conferences attract a fairly young crowd, most Center for American Progress. of whom are totally comfortable with today’s online world. Online reporting is not just augmenting, but to a considerable Since the first YearlyKos conference in Las Vegas in 2006 extent, supplanting the mainstream media (MSM) as print and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netroots_Nation ], the name of the broadcast journalism face financial obstacles. A recent example annual gathering has changed, as has the composition of the (continued on page 5) The New Democrat 5 June/July 2013 Netroots (Continued from page 4) Young Voices Brought to you of the growing power of online investigative journalism is the by the exposé of conservative ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council)’s influence on politics and legislation at the state level. PDC members can get easily get involved in online action by joining the PDC groups on Facebook and LinkedIn, indicating League of Women Voters the causes and politicians you “like” on Facebook, and posting and commenting on blogs. Via e-mail, you can also provide study of public higher others with links to online news, commentary, videos, and action sites. And if you read an article you like in The New Democrat, education send your friends a link to that issue of the newsletter on our website: www.peninsulademocrats.com/newsletters . On the final day of the 2013 League of Women Voters California Convention in May, the delegation voted to initiate a Netroots Nation Sessions Attended by Amy &/or Kate study of public higher education, encompassing the California • Morning News Dump with Daily Show Creator Lizz Community Colleges and the CSU and UC systems. Before the Winstead League can engage in any kind of advocacy as an organization, it • What the Frack?! The Impact of Fracking on our health first comprehensively studies a given issue, reaching out to and Environment experts, stakeholders, and the public. Through community • What the F*** Do We Know? Applying Scientific Researc h forums and well-researched educational literature, studies are an to Elections opportunity for both League members and the public to learn • Getting Real on Climate: What We Must Do to Stop more about the important issues and institutions that affect Climate Change government and society. • By Progressives, For Progressives: Businesses The timing of this study is fortuitous; during its convention in • CEQA: An Example of Linking Environmental and Labor April, the California Democratic Party adopted a resolution in Movements support of efforts to make the UC and CSU governing boards • Science under the Rug: How Government and Industry more responsive and accountable. The Santa Clara and San Hide Research and How to Fight Back Mateo Democratic Central Committees, PDC, and numerous • Climate Change: Congressional Leaders, Allies on the Path Democratic clubs in the Bay Area adopted a similar resolution Ahead calling for university governance reform, a priority issue for the • Exercising the Power of the Latino Electorate Peninsula Young Democrats and other Young Dem and College • Not Your Mother’s Abortion Fight Dem organizations. Together, the success of this resolution and • How to Fix That: Modernizing Our Elections (with Paul the approval of a new state League study suggest a resurgent Fong and MN state rep Erin Murphy) desire to repair the damage California’s public higher education • The New 50-State Strategy: Keeping Our Edge in the has sustained for more than a decade. Ground Game You do not need to be a member of the League to • What You Don’t Know About Education Reform participate in the study. If you are a student, a member of the • Engaging New American Voters and Voters of Color faculty or university staff, or even a concerned member of the • Organizing Support for Abortion Rights in Hostile Areas public, you can get involved in a variety of ways. To learn more, • Ask a Sista: Black Women Muse on Politics and Pop contact Lucas Ramirez at [email protected], or join Culture the official LWVC Higher Education Study Yahoo group here: • Meeting with Derek Cressman, Candidate for California http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lwvc-higher-ed/ Secretary of State Lucas Ramirez • State Caucus: Ohio PYD member • State Caucus: California • Issue Caucus: Environment • Ask the Leader: Nancy Pelosi DO WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER? • Training: Art Is a Hammer: Reshaping the Narrative through Join the thousands of State Farm agents and associates who volunteer everyday to Cultural Interventions help build stronger communities. Together we give something back. • Training: Stories to Save the World (how to identify and use AmandaJ Martin, Agent InsuranceLic. #: 0B68529 personal stories to advance your cause) 3968Middlefield Road PaloAlto, CA 94303-4733 • Training: Five Secrets: The Proven Neuroscience Behind Bus:650-494-1404 Persuading Voters • Screening: Citizen Koch

® P047046 11/04 statefarm.com • State Farm Insurance Companies • Home Offices: Bloomington, The New Democrat 6 June/July 2013 Martin’s Oped (Continued from page 2)

Certainly, we need to make room for classified information. Diplomacy and negotiation are impossible if all the preliminary details are made public. There is some information best kept secret, but the amount of protected information has to be kept to a minimum. Everything should be public unless there is clear reason for keeping it private. N.S.A. defenders assert that strict controls are maintained over the information they collect; that no innocent individual has been hurt in any way by their data base; and that no illegal use is made of any of the data they hold. Again, we have only their word. Since Mr. Snowden was given access to the data, and since N.S.A. is denouncing his use of the information they provided to him, it would seem that N.S.A. is asserting that their information has been used for illegal purposes. There is an unfair disparity in the legal treatment of these issues. Citizens trying to place limits on surveillance have been denied access to legal redress unless they can prove they were directly harmed by the government data collection. At the same time, the leaker of information can be prosecuted merely for publicizing information that the government deemed secret. The playing field should be leveled; if the government wants to prosecute Snowden for talking about the N.S.A. programs it should be required to show actual damages. Merely repeated aloud something that was deemed secret does not necessarily do any harm. Almost every day’s newspaper has some story about computer hacking. Why, then, would it be news that N.S.A. has been able to pull information from Google, Yahoo, and other collectors of pseudo private data? If there is any news here, it would be that the companies assisted with the data gathering rather than forcing N.S.A. to cull it secretly. The administration is claiming that China hacked its way into our computers and found plans for some secret advanced weapons systems. Why were those plans on computers that could be hacked? Why did not the N.S.A. find the plans and warn appropriate officials? Here is what needs to happen: 1. Everyone should understand that information they put on the web – whether posted on a web site or included in an email – is public. With the current state of computer systems there is no effective privacy. 2. N.S.A. should turn its attention and expertise toward improving the state of computing, toward development of systems that neither China nor anyone else can hack into. Unfortunately, N.S.A. has a vested interest in the lack of computer security; they are more concerned with their own ability to gather data than in the protection of data. That attitude should be changed by legislative mandate. 3. The government must cease to use “that’s classified” as a conversation stopper. Too much is classified only for the purpose of subverting public debate. Martin Gorfinkel The New Democrat 7 June/July 2013 PPeninsula DDemocratic CCoalition Annual PDC Picnic Saturday, August 17, 2013 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Shoup Park, 400 University Avenue, Los Altos $10 contribution at the door (children are free) Register/RSVP on the PDC website or at the door www.peninsulademocrats.com

* Food * Fun * Fellowship * Fundraising

Bid on lunch with your favorite legislator, a wonderful Vacation Package and other donated items in our Silent and Live Auctions. Invite your friends and neighbors.

The picnic contribution is $10 for adults and is a combination of free hotdogs, soft drinks, wine and beer as well as a potluck so bring along your favorite salad, appetizer, casserole or dessert to share. Also bring your checkbook to bid on the auctions.

We welcome donations to the Auctions. Please call 650-949-1009 to donate.

The highly respected Peninsula Democratic Coalition (PDC) is one of the largest Democratic Clubs in California, with a long history of promoting Democratic candidates and ideals. We have members in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, San Jose, Menlo Park, Redwood City, Portola Valley, Atherton, Woodside, San Carlos, San Mateo, and surrounding areas. The PDC is chartered by the Santa Clara County and San Mateo County Democratic Central Committees and affiliated with the California Democratic Council, a statewide coalition of grass roots clubs. The New Democrat 8 June/July 2013

Voter Registration Begins NOW!!! Volunteer Today to Save our Democracy

Voter Registration 2013 begins this month! Last year we 6) Mt. View Art and Wine – September 7-8 registered nearly 2,500 people and raised nearly $11,000 in Chair: Judy Plaska, (650) 964-4837 donations from bumper stickers, buttons, and T-shirts. This Chair: Carol Kuiper, (650) 941-8190 year, not an election year, is calmer but just as important with If you want to volunteer, contact Judy Plaska at the critical fight facing all Democrats to both regain Congress [email protected] or phone her at (650) 964-4837. and to hold on to the US Senate. This year all Fairs and Festivals have their own Chairs who will be gathering Responsibilities of Chairs: volunteers to staff the shifts at their event. Please volunteer 1) Communicate with those in charge of the Festival that today! This is how we take back the Congress! Your help is we will be there. Good manners are always needed if this is to happen . appropriate. Los Altos is the only Fair where a fee is Additionally, all volunteers will be collecting signatures for required. the California Disclose Act—-SB 52. Volunteers will also 2) Select your Staff and set up the Schedule and gather donations for the Democratic Party while passing out communicate that information to your volunteers. literature and advertising our positions on major issues. This is 3) Make certain that volunteers are knowledgeable and grassroots democracy at work; without it, everything we that “2 pairs of eyes check each voter registration form believe in will be lost. Please volunteer to do voter registration for completeness.” at the following Fairs and Festivals. Please call the following 4) Xerox and Copy each Democratic form immediately Chairs today. after the Festival/Fair. Many thanks from all of the Voter Registration leaders. 5) Mail in all original Voter Registration forms immediately. Diane Rolfe The Registrar of Voters requires that all forms be mailed Voter Registration Manager not later than 3 days following the date listed on the voter registration form. Fairs and Festivals 2013 6) Deposit all copies of completed voter registration forms in Diane’s mailbox at 1360 Emerson Street, Palo Alto. 1) Chili Cook-Off – July 4, 2013 Include also the filled out Event Evaluation form and Mitchell Park donations. Large envelopes will be provided. Chair: Cory Wolbach & the PYD, (408) 529-7563 [email protected] If you want to want to volunteer, contact Cory.

2) Los Altos Art & Wine – July 13 & 14 Chairs: Carol Kuiper, (650) 941 – 8190 Chairs: Emy & Jim Thurber, (650) 948 – 8259 If you want to volunteer, contact: Carol Kuiper at [email protected] or (650) 941-8190.

3) Palo Alto Clay and Glass – July 13 & 14 1313 Newell Ave., PA Chair: Marcene VanDierendonck, (650) 961-7380 or [email protected] If you want to volunteer, contact Marcene .

4) Menlo Park Connoisseurs Marketplace – July 20 & 21 Chair: Pam Salvatierra, (650) 996-1923 or Chair: Jules Brouillet, (650) 857-0927 If you want to volunteer, contact Pam at: [email protected] or (650) 996-1923.

5) Palo Alto Art & Wine – August 24 & 25 Chairs: Diane & Joe Rolfe, (650) 326 - 6328 If you want to volunteer, contact Diane at: [email protected] or (650) 326-6328 The New Democrat 9 June/July 2013

forfeit if his appeals were unsuccessful. Another Golden Rule application – “Have the gold, make the rules.”

• You can't make this stuff up: Gov. Perry says he is calling a special session on that abortion bill because "Texans value life." On the same day that the state has executed its 500th inmate since they reinstated the death penalty in 1982.

Funnies by Janice • When they say the gay marriage ruling doesn't hurt ANYONE in a straight relationship suppose this is not strictly By Janice Hough, PDC Member speaking true. Think of those guys who have said "Of course I'd marry you, honey, but we have to show solidarity with our LGBT friends..." • Conservatives may be disheartened over DOMA being overturned today, and gay marriages being allowed again in California. But hey, from a business standpoint, think of all the economic stimulus from gay weddings! #Expensivechampagne

• Newly released documents show the IRS also targeted groups seeking tax-exempt status with terms including “Israel,” ”Progressive” and “Occupy.” Out of habit, the GOP blamed Obama.

• Edward Snowden is apparently living in a Russian airport transit terminal. Didn’t we already see this movie with Tom Hanks?

• President Obama said today in a speech “”We don’t have time for a meeting of the Flat Earth Society.” And some in the GOP immediately accused him of trying to influence • Wow. Now Rick Perry is going after Wendy Davis (above) the IRS against granting the Flat Earthers tax-exempt status. by saying he is glad her single mother didn't choose an abortion: "What if her mom had said, "I just can't do this. I • Somewhere both Molly Ivins and Ann Richards are together don't want to do this. At that particular point in time I think looking down on Wendy Davis. And smiling. it becomes very personal." Yes, Governor, these choices are always VERY personal. Would call him a douchebag but • Just wondering, how would Justice Clarence Thomas have that is an insult to douchebags. ruled on “Loving v. ” in 1967…. (if that’s too “inside baseball,” “Loving v. Virginia” was the ruling that struck down inter-racial marriage laws. And Thomas is married to a white woman.)

• Facebook admitted yesterday they accidentally exposed 6 million users’ phone numbers and email addresses to unauthorized viewers over the past year. Why are we wasting taxpayer funds on the NSA etc when the private sector can invade our privacy so much more inexpensively?

• , speaking in Toronto, “Let me say this, hypothetically speaking, I really do hope that we have a woman president in my lifetime.” Wonder if you can find a video of the speech at Hillary2016.com

• Starbucks is announcing a “small” increase next week in the some of their drink prices. But on a brighter note, the chain also announced that reasonable financing plans will be available.

• Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling, serving a 24 year sentence, had 10 years taken off his sentence in exchange Contact Kristen Lohnes Johnson, editor of The New Democrat , for giving victims the the $40 million that he had agreed to at [email protected] for advertising rates. The New Democrat 10 June/July 2013

CALENDAR Saturday and Sunday, July 13 & 14 10 am-6 pm REGISTER VOTERS, HAVE FUN! OF EVENTS Register Voters at Palo Alto Clay & Glass Where: 1313 Newell Avenue (Directions to follow.) MONTHLY MEETINGS Chair: Marcene VanDierendonck Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee Contact Marcene NOW to volunteer. [email protected] or (650) 961-7380 meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at 70 West Hedding, San Jose. Call 408/445-9500 for information. Anyone is Sunday, July 14 10-11 am welcome to attend. Assembly Member Rich Gordon Sidewalk Office Hours The PDC Board of Directors meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Where: Mountain View Farmer’s Market, Downtown Mountain View - Caltrain Parking Lot WEDNESDAY of each month at the Palo Alto Unitarian Church, 505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto, Fireside Room (in October), otherwise Room 8; all are welcome. All are welcome to drop by to ask questions on a variety of topics, including education, public safety, jobs, coastal issues, the state budget, state legislation and more.

EVENTS: JULY 2013 Monday, July 15 10 am - 12 pm Assembly Member Rich Gordon Office Hours Sunday, July 8 9 pm Where: Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce, 235 Main Street, Half Gaslight II Premiere on HBO. Learn about Fracking’s Moon Bay, CA 94019 impact. Rich will host a series of Office Hours over the next several Director of Gaslight I, Josh Fox, brings us the next chapter in months. All are welcome to attend to ask questions on a variety the story about the impacts of fracking, not just on air, water, of topics, including education, public safety, jobs, coastal issues, climate and health, but on our democracy. the state budget, state legislation and more. Questions: Contact Katy Kiefer, Activist Coordinator, Food & To ensure adequate time is allowed to hear your thoughts and Water Watch [email protected] concerns, we encourage scheduling an appointment in advance, but walk-ins are also accepted. To schedule an appointment, Thursday, July 11 4:30-6 pm please email: [email protected] or call the District Assembly Member Rich Gordon Sidewalk Office Hours Office: (650) 691-2121. Where: Los Altos Farmer’s Market, 3rd and State Street All are welcome to drop by to ask questions on a variety of Saturday and Sunday, July 20 & 21 10 am-6 pm topics, including education, public safety, jobs, coastal issues, the REGISTER VOTERS, HAVE FUN! state budget, state legislation and more. Menlo Park Connoisseurs Marketplace Where: Downtown Menlo Park (Directions to follow.) Thursday, July 11 Chairs: Pam Salvatierra and Jules Brouillet Roundtable Discussion with President Obama Contact Pam NOW to volunteer: : [email protected] Where: Washington, DC or (650) 996-1923 $32,400 - Roundtable discussion participant We are hosting a roundtable discussion with President Barack Saturday, July 20 11 am-2 pm Obama. This is typically limited to 25 participants and the Annual All-Clubs Picnic President will be with us for a significant period of time. Contact Where: Rainbow Park 6155 Rainbow Dr San Jose, CA 95129 me for details and an invitation. Meet with fellow Democrats at our annual All-Clubs summer Craig Hanson, [email protected] , for further info. Picnic. Enjoy food, drink and fellowship with active Dems and Funds raised benefit the Democratic National Committee and elected officials. Families welcome! go toward enacting the President's agenda and electing Sponsored by the Silicon Valley Democratic Club. Co- Democrats in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House and elsewhere. The sponsors: PDC, PYD DNC is the political arm of the President and works closely with Contact Judy Pipkin at (408) 445-9500 for more information. the President and his Administration. Sunday, July 21 7:30-9:30 pm Saturday and Sunday, July 13 & 14 10 am-6 pm “Go Granny D!” Disclose Act Benefit REGISTER VOTERS, HAVE FUN! Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 505 Charleston Rd. Palo Alto Register Voters at the Los Altos Art & Wine Festival One-woman show with Barbara Bates Smith with music by Jeff Where: Downtown Los Altos (Directions to follow.) Sebens. Based on Doris “Granny D” Haddock, a national Chairs: Emy & Jim Thurber; Carol Kuiper heroine who in 2000 as a 90-year old walked across the USA for Contact Carol NOW to volunteer. [email protected] or campaign finance reform. (650) 941-8190 Benefit performance for the California DISCLOSE ACT- The New Democrat 11 June/July 2013

California Clean Money Campaign. Suggested Donation: $5-$20 at the door. Refreshments will Vacation (Continued from page 1) be served Sponsored by the California Clean Money Campaign. Contact: Nancy Neff, [email protected], (650) 858-2436 EVENTS: AUGUST 2013

Saturday, August 3 10-11 am Assembly Member Rich Gordon Sidewalk Office Hours Where: Sunnyvale Farmer’s Market, Murphy Street at Washington Street All are welcome to attend to ask questions on a variety of topics, including education, public safety, jobs, coastal issues, the state budget, state legislation and more.

Saturday, August 3, 4-8 pm Jefferson-Jackson Food Truck Dinner/Fundraiser Where: History Park at Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Rd San Jose, CA 95112 Join the Santa Clara County Democratic Party for our annual JJ Dinner /Fundraiser. This year, we will be doing things a little differently, holding the dinner at History Park with a sampling of San Jose’s savory food trucks. This will be a great chance to mingle with our county’s leaders, eat delicious food and hear from an inspiring keynote speaker, all while supporting county auction this year—a week in a fabulous Idaho vacation spot. efforts to elect Democrats locally and in California. This promises Start making your vacation plans for this year or next and get to be a rousing event for all Democrats. Plan to attend. ready to bid! Information of purchasing tickets will be available soon. Questions: Judy Pipkin [email protected] . One week of vacation in beautiful McCall, Idaho, 2013 or 2014 SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 4-7 pm See www.vrbo.com/405301 and www.allmccall.com . PDC Family Fun Picnic and Auction: Bid on Lunch with Enjoy 7 days at this sunny contemporary two-bedroom two- your Favorite Legislator. bath home within walking distance of downtown McCall. Where: Shoup Park, 400 University Avenue, Los Altos McCall is located on the shores of beautiful Payette Lake, 2.5 hours north of Boise, with outdoor sports galore within easy Donation: $10. Children FREE. Register online at the PDC range. Enjoy whitewater rafting, flatwater paddling, numerous website: www.peninsulademocrats.com golf courses, hot springs, power boating, jet skiing, mountain Saturday and Sunday, August 24 & 25 10 am-6 pm biking, winter sports such as downhill or cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, bocce ball, and ice skating at REGISTER VOTERS, HAVE FUN! indoor rink in town. For those with more indoor-oriented Palo Alto Art & Wine Festival interests, antique stores, galleries, and a bevy of excellent Where: Lytton Plaza restaurants await your pleasure – and for an added bonus, a Chairs: Diane & Joe Rolfe world-class spa! Contact Diane NOW to volunteer: The home sleeps up to six in two private bedrooms plus a [email protected] or (650) 326-6328 sleeper sofa in the loft. The great room with soaring ceiling and open floor plan features a dining area for six and cozy Saturday and Sunday, September 7 & 8 10 am-6 pm seating area with gas fireplace. Designer furnishings are REGISTER VOTERS, HAVE FUN! throughout the home, plus a fully equipped kitchen, outdoor Mountain View Art & Wine Festival dining on several decks (one with gas BBQ), high speed wifi, Where: Castro & High School Way HDTV with Blu Ray, DirectTV, and home theater. Available in 2013 or 2014 from April 1 to June 14 and just after Labor Day Chairs: Judy Plaska & Carol Kuiper to December 19. Cleaning fee of $100 payable to owners will Contact Judy NOW to volunteer: [email protected] or (650) apply, plus a $500 refundable damage deposit. 964-4837 Donated by the Mountain View Cohousing Community Contact [email protected] or call PatZy For additional calendar listings, visit at (650) 479-MVCC (6822) or (650) 564-4042 peninsulademocrats.com . Value: $830 DEM LA O The Peninsula Democratic Coalition U C S R P.O. Box 97 N A

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