California NOW

Hillary Campaign opens in the OC

Orange County, California may be one of the "redist" places on earth, home to Dana Rohrabacher, John Wayne and Dick Nixon, but there are many people here who know better.    Proudly, Orange County has opened TWO offices supporting Hillary for President ~

Hillary for President - Santa Ana
900 N. Broadway, 6th Floor
Santa Ana, CA, 92701  (714) 543-6967

Hillary for President - Garden Grove
13252 Garden Grove Blvd., Suite 100
Garden Grove, CA 92843  (714) 620-7171

They are looking for volunteers for Get-Out-the-Vote-Efforts with speakers, phone-banking, tabling, flyering, precinct walking, visibility at rallies, emailing and BYOP parties.   Bring those NOW Rounds!

NY State NOW rants against Ted Kennedy, National NOW says Senator is a Friend

I’ve been reading and watching the fall out since NY State NOW’s President, Marcia Pappas’ Press Release criticizing Senator Ted Kennedy as "Betraying women by not standing for Hillary Clinton for President." Some of the media seems to miss the fact that National NOW has sent out an official response:

NOW's Response to Sen. Kennedy's Endorsement
Statement of NOW President Kim Gandy
January 28, 2008

The National Organization for Women has enormous respect and admiration for Sen. Edward Kennedy (D- Mass.). For decades Sen. Kennedy has been a friend of NOW, and a leader and fighter for women's civil and reproductive rights, and his record shows that.

Though the National Organization for Women Political Action Committee has proudly endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton for president, we respect Sen. Kennedy's endorsement. We continue to encourage women everywhere to express their opinions and exercise their right to vote.

I  agree. We all get to support the candidate of our choice, and that choice should not threaten our feminism.

Jessica Valenti at Feministing said it best when she said “All I can say is, NOW-NY does not speak for me. And it does not speak for all feminists.”

Nor does she speak for me.

The movement of people who want to end sexism is a huge spectrum of women and men. The California NOW chapter consists of an ever growing membership, with most of the California NOW board under 30 years old. We are activists, students, concerned citizens, parents, singles, marrieds, professionals, blue collar, pink collar and every color you can imagine. Let's be real, we all agree we want equality for women... but just because we  are NOW members doesn't mean we agree on how we will achieve it, or who will be the best President for women.

As for who I want in the White House? I agree with Zoe, I want both of them!

Economic Sham Package

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved their own version of the House’s economic stimulus package today, offering smaller rebates to more Americans, including 20 million low-income seniors on Social Security who would not have been covered under the House proposal. The Finance Committee’s package looks to give individuals a flat $500 rebate and $1000 for couples, plus $300 per child, bringing the total for the package to a whopping $157 billion. And how do women fare under each proposal? Not as well as they should, says the National Women’s Law Center.

Neither plan specifically targets low-income women and their families, the demographic that’s most in need of timely assistance. Women are hit hardest in times of economic crisis—less earning power, less likely to be able to rely upon the income of a spouse during unemployment, too often struggling with domestic violence, no paid leave—you get the picture. An economic stimulus package should expand unemployment insurance benefits, increase food stamps, and help out states facing budgetary difficulties (hint, hint). Your senators need to hear from you right now! Click here to find contact information for Senators Boxer and Feinstein, and tell them to create a stimulus package that covers low income women and their children! And while your at it, create an economic stimulus package that isn't funded by foreign loans.

Join the Feminist Super Bowl AdWatch

The Super Bowl brings out the worst in society. There. I said it. Alcohol consumption spikes and with it domestic violence and alcohol related crimes. The game itself seems like filler between the advertisements trying to seduce the biggest television audience of the year into buying their stuff, and using whatever it takes to do so. Negative images of women and people of color will likely be all over ads for this male-oriented sporting event.

NOW is reviving the Feminist Super Bowl AdWatch campaign and needs you to help!

This year's Super Bowl is on Sunday, Feb. 3, starting at 6:30 pm EST. If you are interested in reviewing the Super Bowl commercials for negative images and stereotypes (like you wouldn't be anyway, if you're watching), simply send an email to NOW Communications Director Lisa Bennett and say "Yes! I want to sign up." As the game approaches, she will send you a follow up email with criteria for reviewing the commercials, and an advance list of the ads to help make things a little easier. It won't be hard at all (but you do need to watch the entire game, even if it's a blow-out). You can do your review as an individual, with a partner, or with a group. Throw a party if you like, and get everyone in on the fun!

Sign up by 2:00 PST Friday and join activists from across the country in checking out the types of advertising bombarding this year's viewers.

Rise, Hillary, Rise!

YOU ARE INVITED!

Women’s Vote 2008 Project: California NOW & EdVoice are hosting a Party
We've rented the entire restaurant:
Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek
Watch the debate on the BIG SCREENS!

bring your friends:
political junkies, concerned citizens, first time voters, radical activists, starving students for Free Food, Free Beer, Free Speech!
I can't wait to hear who your favorite candidate is, and why!

Thursday, January 31st,
4:30pm -debate starts at 5pm
Pyramid Alehouse
1410 Locust Street, Walnut Creek, CA
RSVP to Mandy Benson president@canow.org

Special guests:
Mark DeSaulnier, California State Assembly Member and
Joan Buchanan, San Ramon Valley School Board Member

Bring a friend!
No cost to attend! Free food, Open Bar! BIG SCREENS!

One Day of the Iraq War Could Pay For...

Full Frontal Scrutiny

The Center for Media and Democracy and Consumers Reports WebWatch have created a blog-driven, Wiki-based website to expose the hidden persuaders on the web and all media! You can find out about the real agenda of front groups: What is their true identity, purpose, mission, corporate parents and sources of funding. What a great resource. Finding out the truth behind the spin and advocating for consumers rights! Check out Frontgroups.org and post a blog if you got the goods on a front group.

CA Ballot Secret: Rent Control will be Abolished!

<While California voters had their eyes on the prize, a.k.a. Super Tuesday, two measures sneaked onto the June 3 statewide ballot, both relating to the government's ability to take private property for alternative uses, or eminent domain. One of the measures, the California Property Owners and Farmland Protection Act, has a dirty little hidden secret: it would abolish rent control. Who's behind the measure? According to the LA Times, more than 100 owners and operatorsof apartment buildings and mobile home parks, who spent almost $2 million to put the initiative on the ballot. If passed, about 1.2 million people throughout the state who live in rent-controlled residences would be affected. Seniors who already pay too large a proportion of their monthly social security allowance would be forced to find another place to live. And these are supposed to be the golden years?! Wait a minute--I thought inflated housing costs were bringing the state economy to its knees! Rent control is a critical tool in the fight to keep housing affordable for Californians who live paycheck to paycheck.

The San Francisco Tenants Union does a great job organizing around ensuring rent control for residents of one of the most inflated housing markets in the world. And they've got a free clinic to boot!

Women in the Public Eye (save the dates!)

SAVE the DATES for Women in the Public Eye!     April 19 & 20 will be a fantastic weekend for feminists from all over California to come together and celebrate in West Hollywood at the California chapter of the National Organization for Women's Annual Membership/State Conference. 

The Committees of CA NOW will be presenting their Women in the Public Eye who move them, epitomize their domain and inspire.  Workshops, panels, actions, demonstrations.   The chapters of Hollywood and Pacific Shore will be hosting this gala event ~ oh yeah ~ and did we mention a party Saturday night at House of Blues on Sunset? 

Over the weeks we will be posting registration information, announcing our speakers, describing panels.  If you want a table (in the exhibit area for your organization, products or services) or an ad in our program - contact Zoe for more information.  See ya there!