November 2004

Guest Post by Steve Sherman

Thrilled that Kerry won, and that massive mobilizations of people triumphed over a hideous campaign and desperate voter suppression efforts?

Bummed that Bush won, and ready to tell him we aren't going away?

Ready to make sure this time that we don't stand silently by while the Supreme Court overrules the American electorate?

Come out to the Franklin Street Post Office on Wednesday, November 3rd at 5pm, and join us as we celebrate or mourn and pressure Kerry or Bush (or Nader or Badnarik) to listen to the voices of the global multitude.

Additionally, if it becomes evident that this election has been stolen or tampered with, we will be participating in a nationwide call for direct actions throughout the day, with the Wednesday rally an opportunity for mass direct action.

Bring any and all noisemakers (drums, pots, pans, etc): we will not be silent.

I've heard a rumor that a statue of our current Commander-in-Thief may be toppled, but I can't say for certain.

Although I don't consider it over, I do consider the 2004 Presidential race quite demoralizing. For so many people to have worked so hard to have it be this close really makes you want to give up on national politics.

But the great thing is that we can look at the good outcome of our local races and many of our state races and be reminded of how much more impact we can make at the local level. This is what this website is all about.

Imagine if just a fraction of the energy that Orange County poured into the presidential races was directed toward the municipal election next fall. We could have a grassroots revolution on our hands! Let's take all the lessons we learned this year about community organizing and put them to work here at home where we can really make a difference.

Consider this an open thread to discuss whatever is on your mind today about local, state, and national elections this year... or next.

NC WARN will hold it's Fourth Annual Auction and Dance Party Saturday night from 6:30 to 11:30 at the Eno Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 4907 Garrett Road.

As well as offering a rollicking good time, the event is an opportunity to learn about WARN's new Power Reduction campaign. This campaign gives us the opportunity to engage locally in an effort whose ramifications are truly global, one that ties consumption choices directly to policy making, and one that promotes an energy strategy exactly opposite to that of Dick Cheney.

IPAS is a locally-based international women's health and reproductive rights organization. The following message came today:

IPAS has been sponsoring WUNC and we have a short announcement that is read on-air. Recently, WUNC decided that the phrase 'reproductive rights' which we use in our announcement was in violation of FCC regulations because it advocates for a particular position that is not universally endorsed. They admit that this is a conservative interpretation of the regulations, but nonetheless they will not let Ipas use this phrase in its on-air announcement.

I have been arguing with them to make the case that reproductive rights is not a euphemism for abortion and that, indeed, the whole point of rights is that they are universally held, e.g. the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I doubt that my arguments will be successful.

I know that many of you are supporters of WUNC and I think some questions from listeners on this policy might help open their eyes to this issue.

From: Chapel Hill Herald, Saturday, November 06, 2004
Final Edition, Editorial Section, Page 2

When faced with big losses, we on the left almost reflexively recall the words of Joe Hill as he faced his execution in 1915: "Don't mourn. Organize."

But just as certainly as there is never a time to stop organizing, there are also times when mourning is appropriate. Hill's radical compatriots in the Wobblies may have smiled at his words, but they were heart-broken by his death nonetheless.

Similarly, when tens of thousands make a historic effort for a narrowly lost cause, especially when the stakes are great, a certain sadness is in order.

The stakes in the 2004 election were particularly high if you are of low or modest means, a person of color, a gay man or lesbian woman, a woman of reproductive age, or, in fact, any creature who must make its home in the increasingly fragile habitat of planet Earth.

Newspaper reports of last week's intensive two-day meeting of the town-appointed committee discussing the renaming of Airport Road to Martin Luther King Boulevard offered few suprises. A majority of the committee supported the renaming in the first place, and three members with businesses on future MLK Blvd are opposed, but all agreed to enter into the process with an open mind.

More help wanted... Carrboro will be looking for a new representative to the OWASA (Orange Water & Sewer Authority) board, after a member resigned citing internal political motives on the board. This key institution has a huge impact on our local environment, and it is governed by representatives of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County.

John Smith, a member of the board for more than five years, also warned the Carrboro aldermen in his resignation letter to be more vigilant about the decisions and deliberations of the utility's board.

"In my opinion, the Board has become increasingly political," Smith wrote in his letter, dated Oct. 28. "At times, decisions appear to be made more on a basis of personality and personal alliances than from thoughtful, informed consideration." - Chapel Hill Herald, 11/12/04

A $15K road to order, not justice

DAN COLEMAN Columnist
Chapel Hill Herald
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Final Edition
Editorial Section
Page 2

So, was it worth it, the $15,000 Chapel Hill just spent for two days of facilitated conversation on the renaming of Airport Road for Martin Luther King Jr.?

According to one headline, the meetings did "yield understanding." One renaming opponent, Steve Largent, said, "I think I'm being heard." Town Councilwoman Sally Greene said, "I was proud to be a part of it." Surely the committee members are to be commended for their efforts and for their willingness to grapple with a racially charged issue.

But this whole undertaking still seems to have missed the point. After all, Mayor Kevin Foy and Councilwoman Edith Wiggins did not approach their colleagues back in June to propose spending thousands of dollars so a select group of 20 Chapel Hillians could better understand racism.

No, the goal was to help with the decision on the road renaming, to obtain "recommendations for appropriate memorials to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

Is anyone watching (or attending) the Carrboro Board of Aldermen's public hearing tonight? They are expected to have a large number of people speaking about the proposed annexation of their northern transition area.

Please post reports on the meeting or your own comments here.

There were a lot of people at the End Homelessness Roundtable this morning, enough to make a serious effort to organize more effective ways to provide appropriate levels of housing and services for those in need. One point that stuck with me was that our inability to provide comprehensive services for the chronically homeless in a coherent fashion is very expensive, probably costly enough to pay for a good program if we could focus the resources appropriately.

Chapel Hill Herald, Saturday, November 20, 2004
Final Edition, Editorial Section, Page 2

For advocates of controlled growth, Election Day brought some good news. The water extension bond was narrowly defeated in northeast Chatham County. This, coupled with the election of two commission candidates backed by the Chatham Coalition, indicates a tenuous but real change of direction for Chatham.

Sonny Keisler, president of Friends of Rocky River and a longtime developer, told The Independent's Jennifer Strom, "Water lines are a double-edged sword. They can do a lot of good but they can also do a lot of harm."

Given the frantic insistence on growth of the current majority on the county commission, northeast Chatham residents have done well to put the brakes on water-line extension.

The Chatham water situation brought to mind Carl Hiaasen's novels of development politics in south Florida. Hiaasen's stories usually involve corrupt officials, ruthless developers, ethically challenged investors, detectives who'd rather be fishing, slobbery dogs and murder.

While the folks off Rogers Road are arguing over whose values they prefer, Carrboro's or Chapel Hill's, The Independent Weekly has honored one from each town with a 2004 Citizen Award.

Chapel Hill's Peggy Misch was honored for her work in defense of the Bill of Rights. Carrboro's Pete MacDowell was honored for his in defense of democracy.

Congratulations to Peggy and Pete for these well-deserved awards.