Get Involved in Your Hot Topic!

Several of us gathered at the Michael Berry Career Center for the 'Hot Topics' Luncheon -Bon Appetit was a wonderful surprise (most of us had never been there.)

We talked about school funding, war budgets and mercenaries, jobs, outsourcing, fair trade, free trade, the automotive industry, term limits and lobbyists and bureaucrats and contacting our elected officials. It is important to voice your concerns and priorities to our representatives and political leaders, but some want to do more.

What can you do?

What are you interested in?

Choose a few 'hot topics', get informed and find a local group that shares your interest.

For example,

if you care about the environment, get specific. For example, if you are interested in access to clean water (people-oriented) or healthy natural habitats (nature and beauty), there are local groups that focus on that topic.

Here are some examples:

Friends of the Rouge

http://www.hraa.umd.umich.edu/

Alliance for Downriver Watershed

http://www.allianceofdownriverwatersheds.com/index.htm

and MiEarth.org highlights some local organizations here:

http://www.miearth.org/category_home.php?cid=Green%20Team

Health Care Reform - Resources

The Case for Health Care Reform - In Brief:

http://www.milhs.org/Media/EDocs/CaseforNationalHealthReformINBRIEF.pdf

56 page summary from Senator Stabenow:

http://stabenow.senate.gov/healthcare/Patient_protection_section.pdf

Video of former governor and doctor at LWV convention challenging this generation: "Health Care for the 21st Century"

http://dl2.newmediamill.net/media/lwv/flash/convention48th/roberts/kitzhaber.html

Frontline Video Series - 5 capitalistic nations and health care systems.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/view/

(5 part series, mouseover links just above video frame)

LWV Education papers:

http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=112&ContentID=13340

Voting and Equality...LWV turns 90 next year

Next year will be the 90^th anniversary of the formation of the League of Women Voters. On February 14, 1920, with passage of the 19^th amendment imminent, suffragists met to transform the movement into the LWV to help educate women to be responsible voters. On August 26, 1920, just days after Tennessee became the thirty-sixth (and last needed) state to ratify the amendment, the Secretary of State signed the proclamation enacting the 19^th amendment giving women the right to vote

Because of this important history, next year, the LWV should plan to celebrate our ‘90^th birthday’ on February 14 and continue the celebration to August 26, the 90^th anniversary of “Women’s Equality Day” with passage of the 19^th amendment.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and others first seriously proposed women’s right to vote at Seneca Falls, N.Y., on July 19, 1848. Prior to this time, Susan B. Anthony was active in the women’s temperance movement. But when she met Stanton in 1851, they joined forces and worked together over the next half of the century – and what a force they were. Although they both died before the goal was reached, they lived long enough to see significant progress and were primarily responsible for the ultimate success. Carrie Chapman Catt, founder and early leader of the League of Women Voters, younger than Anthony and Stanton, entered the struggle later and became a leader in the suffragist movement that helped lead it to victory with passage of the 19^th amendment.

The sacrifices these three made to win the right to vote for women is amazing and one that few people recognize today. In most cases, they gave their lives to the movement. Becoming public advocates meant that they were playing unconventional, unacceptable, inappropriate roles – to many they were pariahs. It is impossible to conceive of how difficult their lives were, what hardships they endured – public ridicule, terms in jail, and humiliation.

Text taken from League of Women Voters of United States. lwv.org – ‘Women’s Equality Day”

Let’s think of ways we can retell the story next year. Who wants to be on this committee?

Water Crisis in the Great Lakes and Global Waters

The Lake Michigan Interleague Organization, now called LMLWV, held its 42nd annual meeting in Saugatuck, MI the first weekend of October.  This beautiful setting, the stunning shoreline and resounding waves of Lake Michigan, prompted great appreciation and awe as we considered this vast resource.    While the Great Lakes are a great treasure that we share with other states and Canada, they are also a great responsibility.  

 

The weekend was well-planned with interesting topics and speakers, along with a vibrant discussion during the actual annual meeting.  Many started out with a 'toxic tour', a cruise along Kalamazoo River highlighting the challenges faced by this Area of Concern. LWVDDH members Gregg and Jenni Dunn arrived for the dinner and evening program, featuring activist, attorney and author Jim Olson.  While the legal situation concerning aquifer usage by Nestle was a prominent issue (see www.savemiwater.org), so was the overall question about the legal status of water.  Mr. Olson explained the historical basis for water as a Public Trust - something held in common by all people and governed for all people.  The Great Lakes Compact undermined the Public Trust Doctrine by calling water a product.  This little word creates a big legal loophole for commercial interests and private gain.   The evening closed with the profound, award-winning documentary, For the Love of Water (www.flowthefilm.com).  This film reveals the political, ecological and personal issues of the 21st century water crisis.  We purchased a similar DVD called 'Blue Gold', which is available for a future program.

 

On Saturday, the LMLWV meeting was very informative, with reports from State delegates - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin along with other news and a report about the Healing Our Waters (HOW) Coalition (see www.healthylakes.org).  The updated LWVMI position on preserving and enhancing Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Ecosystem was adopted.  This group focused on the Lake Michigan Basin and we are in the Lake Erie Basin, but the obvious interlink between local bodies of water, global water and our global ecosystem compels us to work together.  This interleague group will continue working with HOW to implement the Great Lakes Restoration as a top area of emphasis.

 

The nature walk and field trip came indoors due to inclement weather as John Legge, West Michigan Conservation Director for the Nature Conservancy explained the complexities of the world's most extensive freshwater dunes.  We learned of threatened species, invasive species and threats to the dune ecosystem.  The surprise invader was 'Baby's Breath, that popular bit of white in floral arrangements.  Don't be fooled by its name, it has a mighty root!  As overwhelming as the problems seemed, Mr. Legge gave us a simple assignment.  By the time the general public is aware of an invasive species problem, it is almost impossible to eradicate it. Early detection and rapid response (EDRR) will be aided by choosing 3 species to know well enough to identify and notify (see www.misin.msu.edu)

 

A final presentation was given by scientist and author Melvin Visser.  His book, Cold, Clear and Deadly is probably as shockingly informative as this afternoon program.   He explained the atmospheric and global source of POPS, persistent organic pollutants, entering the Great Lakes.  Even though these products have been banned in the US since the 80s, their continued use in other nations means these semi-volatiles will evaporate, move and condense across the globe.  Disturbing data and depressing dilemmas bombarded the audience, but the speaker directed us to a solution.  Pressure our state to be honest about fish advisories.  For example, Large Trout are highly contaminated and yet are not given any restrictions on consumption.  PCB contamination has been proven to hinder motor skills and intelligence.  Michigan needs to take this problem seriously, and LWVMI is a player as a member of the Michigan Environmental Council (www.environmentalcouncil.org).  He also promoted the Stockholm Convention on POPs, which you can read about at chm.pops.int and get this hot topic into our conversations and actions, locally and globally.

 

Luncheon Topic: Why We Need a Free Press

LWV OAKLAND AREA - Annual Fall Luncheon

Monday, October 19, 2009 at 12 noon

"Why We Need a Free Press"

at

First Baptist Church

300 Willits

Birmingham, MI 48009

(1 block North of Maple Rd, 1 block West of Old Woodward)

Parking (1^st 2 hours free) at adjacent Garage. Enter at Bates and Willits.

Enter the Church via the BACK Door which leads into Fellowship Hall.

SPEAKERS:

Greg Kowalski, Editor of Birmingham Eccentric

Garry Gilbert, Interim Director of Journalism Dept, Oakland University

Rana Elmir, Communications Director, ACLU of Michigan

Lunch will be served at 12 noon and we will hear from the Speakers at 1 p.m.

There will be an opportunity for Questions and Answers.

Thank you to Dorothy Conrad and Marge Polidori who are again hosting the fall luncheon.

Out customary lunch of pita sandwiches, veggies, dessert and beverages will be served.

Indicate your choice of pita and send the reservation with a check to LWVOA for $20 per attendee for lunch and speakers to Marge Polidori at the address on the reservation form below.

The meeting is open to the public so invite your friends, family or neighbors to hear about this

important constitutional freedom. If you cannot make lunch, but would like to hear the speakers,

the charge is $5. Call our office at 248-594-6602 and leave a message if any questions.

_________________________________________________________________________

RESERVATION FORM for FALL LUNCHEON

Monday, October 19th at 12 Noon

$20 Lunch & Speakers (lunch, beverages & dessert)

$5 Speakers only at 1 pm

PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO LWVOA

Please RSVP by Thursday, Oct. 15th (print and mail form)

Dearborn Ballot and Candidate Forums on CDTV

CANDIDATE FORUMS & BALLOT PROPOSAL now showing on local access channels,

Comcast 12, Wide Open West 10.

Dearborn Heights City Council candidate forum will be shown at 11:30am and 5:30pm

Dearborn School Board candidates & ballot proposal:

>>MWF – 7AM, 3PM, 11PM;

>>T &TH – Noon and 8PM;

>>SAT & SUN – 1AM, 9AM, 5PM.

Dearborn City Council candidates:

>>MWF – 2:30 AM, 10:30AM, 6:30PM;
>>T & TH – 7:30 AM & 3:30 PM;

>>Sat & SUN – 4:30AM, 12:30PM & 8:30PM

Voter Guides issued by the League of Women Voters are available at libraries and the City Clerk's offices.

Stay tuned for viewing times for the Oct 13th LWV Dearborn Mayoral Candidate Forum.

HFCC Student Convention Oct 16th

HFCC and League host 6th Annual Michigan Student Political Issues Convention – Civic Action Project
HFCC in conjunction with the League of Women Voters Dearborn-Dearborn Heights is hosting the 6th Annual Michigan Student Political Issues Convention on Friday October 16, 2009 from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM on the college's main campus, located at 5101 Evergreen Road in Dearborn. Hundreds of students are expected to attend the political forum from colleges and universities in southeastern Michigan.

Distinguished panelists include State Senator Irma Clark-Coleman, Mayors J. O'Reilly and D. Paletko, State Representatives G. Polidori and G. Cushingberry and A. Meisner, Treasurer Oakland County.

The programs purpose is to empower young people with the knowledge and skills to become politically engaged. The Civic Action Project at Henry Ford Community College is integrated into higher education courses helping build responsible, effective and informed citizens in the world. The key to the program is activities that allow students to develop a unified voice on an issues agenda of their choosing.

The convention includes an interactive local leaders' panel where leaders are invited to hear students concerns and respond to them. Followed by concurrent workshops developed by students which may include: jobs, economy, healthcare, alternative energy, global warming, overpopulation, unemployment, education and violence. To develop a final agenda, the students work together researching issues, learning about compromise and empathy in the act of limiting their agenda to certain issues. Finally, they request local leaders take action on specific issues which fall within their realm of influence.

"The key to this program are activities which allow students to develop a unified voice on an issues agenda of their choosing," indicates Professor A. Perry of HFCC.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization which encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.