Senate Republicans 2009 & Most of 2010 Year-In-Review

Thank goodness for the 2010 injured foul session.  More than just one or two actually got to vote for something.  2011 will be something to behold.

Visclosky 2011 Townhall Schedule: Mark Your Calenders! - Will the TEA Party be back?

Many of us remember the townhall forums of 2009 at the height of the health care reform debate.  Some called it debate, while others referred to it as a crisis, an impending apocalypse.  This is also where and when the TEA party locally started getting it's loud, some say annoying, still others say obnoxious voice.  I suspect they will be back for another go-round so it's very important for Progressives to make sure they hit these Visclosky forums.

If there are other forums from other candidates in the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts, who is to say if they will or won't be organizing again to double dip congressional districts.  The only saving grace is that the local leader of the TEA Party Patriots has lost favor with many who once aligned with her.

Even without a potential TEA Party presence, we need to be engaged.  There is much at stake.

If you here of any organizational rumblings from the opposition to Pete's townhall or any other Democratic Rep in 1st or 2nd, please leave a comment here or shoot an e-mail to DANI e-mail.

Here is Congressman Visclosky's schedule, which was previously posted as a note to the DANI Facebook page.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

10:00AM – 11:00AM

Gary Woodson Branch Library

501 South Lake Street

Gary, Indiana  46403

12:00PM – 1:00PM

Griffith Town Hall

111 North Broad Street

Griffith, Indiana 46319

2:00PM – 3:00PM

Wicker Park Social Center

2000 Ridge Road

Highland, Indiana 46311

4:00PM – 5:00PM

Munster Town Hall

1005 Ridge Road

Munster, IN 46321

6:00PM – 7:00PM

Carpenters Local 599 Union Hall

712 Highland Street

Hammond, Indiana 46320

Sunday, January 9, 2011

2:00PM – 3:00PM

American Legion Post 20

1401 North Main Street

Crown Point, Indiana 46307

4:00PM – 5:00PM

Merrillville Town Hall

7820 Broadway

Merrillville, Indiana 46410

Monday, January 10, 2011

9:30AM – 10:30PM EST*

Benton County Library

102 North Van Buren

Fowler, Indiana 47944

10:30AM – 11:30PM

Newton County Municipal Government Center

4117 South 240 West

Morocco, Indiana 47963

12:30PM – 1:30PM

Rensselaer Senior Center

967 East Leopold Street

Rensselaer, Indiana 47978

2:30PM – 3:30PM

Robert A. Fase Education and Senior Center

11978 North 600 West

Demotte, Indiana 46310

4:30PM – 5:30PM

Hebron Library

201 West Sigler Street

Hebron, Indiana 46341   

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

9:00AM – 10:00AM

Gary YWCA

150 West 15th Avenue

Gary, Indiana 46407

11:00AM – 12:00PM

East Chicago City Hall

4625 Indianapolis Boulevard

East Chicago, IN 46312

Thursday, January 13, 2011

10:00AM – 11:00AM

Hobart Library

100 North Main Street

Hobart, Indiana 46342

12:00PM – 1:00PM

Lake Station City Court

3625 Central Avenue

Lake Station, Indiana 46405

2:00PM – 3:00PM

Portage City Hall

6070 West Central Avenue

Portage, Indiana 46368

4:00PM – 5:00PM

Porter County Commissioner's Chambers

155 Indiana Avenue, Room 205

Valparaiso, Indiana 46383

6:00PM – 7:00PM

Westchester Public Library

Library Service Center

100 West Indiana Avenue

Chesterton, Indiana 46304

Friday, January 14, 2010

9:00AM – 10:00AM

Hayward Branch Library

1212 -172nd Street

Hammond, Indiana 46324

11:00AM – 12:00PM

Whiting City Hall

1443 119th Street

Whiting, IN 56394

1:00PM – 2:00PM

One Town Square

Dyer, IN 46322

3:00PM – 4:00PM

Dyer-Schererville Branch Library

1001 West Lincoln Highway

Schererville, Indiana 46375

5:00PM – 6:00PM

Lowell Town Hall

501 East Main Street

Lowell, Indiana 46356

* All times, unless otherwise noted, are Central Standard Time.

Filibuster This! : Can 2011 Senate Dems Make Reform A Reality?

It looks pretty hopeful!  This came by way an e-mail from  DANI Co-Chair, Don, so I'm posting it as our second post on the new DANI blog.

More catchup too before I begin with Don's post.  DANI elected a new board during our December monthly meeting.

Board

Executive Board (elected December 2010)

Co-Chairs:  Julie Storbeck and Don Briggs

Treasurer:  Roz Potter

Secretary:  Hans Taylor

Publicity/Media Liaison: Megan Rue

And your blog poster is Megan Rue!  Hi there!

Here we go...

DANI cohorts! It's Don, from a Daily Kos web page.

We have good news:

"HUGE--All returning Democratic Senators support reforming the filibuster"

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/12/22/931032/-HUGEAll-returning-Democratic-Senators-support-reforming-the-filibuster

I urge you all to spread the word and whip up some support from real change.

Daily Kos' blarg follows:

In the movies, in order to filibuster, Senators have to stand in the Senate and make their case to the American people. But in the modern Senate, a filibuster takes no such act of principle or courage. Senators can filibuster simply by placing a phone call to a clerk and heading off to dinner!

This January 5th, we have a chance to change the rules of the Senate, and make Senators engage in an all night talk-a-thon in order to block legislation or nominations. The key is to adopt new rules on the first day the Senate convenes next year, when only a simple majority of Senators is required for a change in Senate rules.

I've joined with Senators Jeff Merkley and Tom Udall, who are fighting with some dedicated colleagues to make this happen. To get across the finish line, they need to get as many people as possible to show their support for making the filibuster real. You can do so by signing the petition Daily Kos has created:

Intro to DANI: Welcome Post!

This blog is being created in conjunction with the DANI website, so this first post will be a catch up on how DANI started, and what members of this organization believe.  It's an intro to DANI if you will.  The following information comes from the DANI website which was created some years ago, but is experiencing some changes and updates.

This blog will ultimately replace DANI 'News Updates' in the website navigation bar, and hopefully be a welcomed format for writing and disseminating news and information for members of DANI, and others who might want to engage with our organization.

The Democratic Alliance of Northwest Indiana was established in September 2003 just prior to Senator John Kerry's Presidential campaign. It's purpose was to organize and educate Indiana voters on issues vital to our communities. We have continued that effort in subsequent elections. We hope you will join us in making Northwest Indiana an influential, informed voice on the issues that matter to us most in the upcoming races.

INVOLVED

GREEN

PROGRESSIVE

We encompass Indiana Congressional Districts IN-01 and  IN-02 [UPDATE: With re-districting, DANI now includes IN-01, -02, and 04 (July 07, 2011.].  Many of our members have memberships in nationwide issue advocacy groups including: 
          
                                                     Organizing for America (OFA)
                                                     Democracy for America (DFA)
                                                     MoveOn.org
                                                     Various Labor / Union Organizations

We also have strong overlap with several county level Democratic clubs. Please contact us if you would like more information with regards to partnering with DANI. 

Democratic Alliance of Northwest Indiana

PO Box 272

Beverly Shores, IN  46301

E-Mail: dani.message@gmail.com

What is DANI all about?


Mission

To support Progressive Democratic candidates for all elected and appointed offices, boards and commissions in Northwest Indiana.

Objectives

To increase numbers of Democratic registered voters in Northwest Indiana.

To maximize turnout of Democratic registered voters in all elections -- municipal, state and federal.

To support Democratic candidates for all elected and appointed offices, boards and commissions in Northwest Indiana.

What We Believe

We believe in social equality, equal opportunity and the use of government to pursue both.

In a safe, secure America, fair wages, universal healthcare, first-rate education systems accessible to all and environmental policies that sustain the planet and human life.

That United States foreign policy must reflect the tenets of our Constitution, the goodness of our citizens and our irrevocable commitment to continuity of human existence.

That we must actively advocate and work for these beliefs in our own local community.

That the governments and citizens of Northwest Indiana face increasing challenges in addressing homelessness, healthcare, environmental, energy, housing, development and quality of life issues.

That activism and involvement in political processes are fundamental responsibilities of citizenship.

Stay tuned for more changes to the website to hopefully make it more user friendly. None of us are brilliant webmasters, but learn as we go along. Hopefully the new format and changes will make the site more user friendly and engaging. We encourage your interaction through comments and suggestions. Keep coming back.