1. SS/Wheaton/Takoma Pk/Kensington MeetUp at the Wheaton Public
Library, Bottom Floor, Room #2 Wednesday, Feb. 2nd 7 PM to 9 PM

Topics: Religion in Politics, National DNC Chair Race, Progressive
Democrats' Summit, Open Discussion



2. Air America / Media MeetUp 7 PM Feb 8th Royal Mile Pub

We'll discuss the new talk radio station (which is not Air America,
despite some reports) as well as ways to increase progressive voices
on the air and efforts to combat right wing bias in the media.

Directions: The Royal Mile Pub 2407 Price Av Near Corner of Ga Ave and
Price Av in the heart of Wheaton, Md. Near the Wheaton Metro Stop (red
line) just off Georgia Av, not far from Conn Av, University Av, Viers
Mill Rd. etc.
2407 Price Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902
Phone: 301-946-4511
see: http://www.royalmilepub.com

This is a joint effort with 3 other groups: the Air America,
Anti-Media Bias, and Fight Big Media MeetUps. Please join one or more
of them if you haven't already.



3. New Online resource for our group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MC_Progressive_Alliance

This is a new "Yahoo group" where we can post comments, organize
efforts, plan and discuss...whatever we want to do.



4. DFA MeetUp Organizer Sharon Polidoro sent the following message to
the members of Montgomery County Democracy for America MeetUps Group:

Hi everyone,

In just over a week, it will be time again for our monthly DFA MeetUp.
This month there are three MeetUps scheduled on Wednesday, February 2
at 7 pm within the Montgomery County MeetUp Group [in addition the
SS/Wheaton/Takoma Pk/Kensington MeetUp]. They are as follows:

Bethesda/Chevy Chase: Chevy Chase Community Library 8005 Connecticut
Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Our agenda for February 2nd, led by Maida Tryon, is roughly the
following: Review Progressive Agenda in Maryland, including some new
tools for DFA including a "Candidates Corner"; new Web site;
coordination among the MD DFA groups. Report on inaugural protests,
voting reform, counter-inaugural party, etc. Update on Dean-DNC Chair
activities/recommendations. I'll finish my look at MD representation,
especially Montgomery and PG counties. Time to get everyone's input
for the Spring.

Hosts: Tim Alexander tmalex@..., Maida Tryon tryon@...

Olney: Longwood Community Center 19300 Georgia Ave. approximately 1.8
miles north of Olney Brookeville, MD 20833

Topic: Electoral reform is one of the most critical agenda items for
the progressive community. Our Meet-up will begin with a viewing of
the DVD "Invisible Ballots" which clarifies the vulnerabilities of
current electronic voting systems. The second half of the evening will
involve open discussion and planning activities, with a focus on bills
currently under consideration in the Maryland legislature to address
these voting issues.

Host: Gina Angiola angirapp@...

Rockville: La Madeleine 11858 Rockville Pike (Rockville Pike &
Montrose) Rockville, MD 20852

Our February topic will be Religion and Electoral Politics. Below are
links to some articles that will help with the discussion. Please read
them if you have time, if not, come anyway. Russ Louch, who has a
background in community organizing, will help us with the discussion.

** Bill Moyers speech:
http://www.med.harvard.edu/chge/Moyerstranscript.pdf (gets to the
religion part after the first few paragraphs).

** Interview with Esther Kaplan, author of "With God on Their Side:
How Christian Fundamentalists Trampled Science, Policy, and Democracy
in George W. Bush's White House." (Long!) I'm reading her book now.
The interview covers a lot of the material.
http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/04/10/int04057.html.

** This article is more hopeful, less directly about organized
religion, but will help us talk about how churches are used for
progressive activism, too:
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0445,robbins,58273,1.html

Host: Elly Shaw-Belblidia mirinor@...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please RSVP for MeetUp at http://dfa.meetup.com/721/
[SS/Wheaton/Takoma Pk/Kensington] or http://dfa.meetup.com/12/ or to
the host of your MeetUp. RSVPs help our hosts prepare enough handouts
and other items for MeetUp.

Do you know others who are disturbed at the November 2nd results and
want to do something about it? Bring them along to DFA MeetUp! Our
MeetUp hosts, as well as many of our members who attend the MeetUps,
can offer a variety of suggestions to those wanting to get involved
locally.

Would you like to suggest a topic for a future DFA MeetUp? Email or
talk to your MeetUp Host. Your input is valuable and helps to make our
MeetUps enjoyable and productive.

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MikeHersh.com - http://www.mikehersh.com
Media Watch Project - http://www.democrats.com/media
BushOccupation.com - http://www.bushoccupation.com
Openly Oppose Bush Store - http://www.cafeshops.com/antibush04