Meeting Notes – Feb 5, 2008

New legislation regarding the war. This included two bills from Barbara Lee and the Congressional Progressive Caucus and one bi-partisan bill.

• HR 5128: Disapproves any formal agreement emerging or funding from Bush’s “Declaration of Principles” that does not have the approval of both the House and the Senate.
• HR 5056: Provides for the appointment of a high-level US representative or envoy for the purpose of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the US and Iran.
• H Con Res 274: Bi-partisan resolution covers 4 specific points that PDA supports: US withdrawal from Iraq, instituting diplomacy with Iraq, Iran and other neighboring countries, the reconstruction of Iraq and providing assistance for US troops.

PDA will be sending out action alerts urging members to contact their Representatives to support the bills. Diane reported that the CPC soon will be rolling out a new version of HR 508 and that Out of Iraq Caucus chair Maxine Waters’ legislative aide will be on next month’s IOT phone call.

Florida Congressman Wexler has been urging Rep. Conyers to move on impeachment, and Tim reminded the callers that PDA links impeachment with our Out of Iraq policy. Not until Bush and Cheney are out of office will the US leave Iraq.

Actions around the country: Shelly Packer had a positive meeting with Howard Dean to push our Progressive Agenda. Norman Solomon has a Healthcare not Warfare road trip going around the country. Scott Ritter and Jeff Cohen also have a road trip speaking on Iran. The North Bay folks from California are putting on an event called Public Health and Corporate Greed. In recognition of the 5th anniversary, while many of our coalition partners are organizing civil disobedience and mass marches, PDA chapters are working more on the inside strategy. Virginia is hosting on March 1st a forum and mobilizing effort called “Iraq: Ending War Through Diplomacy,” to promote H Con Res 274 and other citizen actions.

Tim pointed out that the War in Iraq has slipped to between 4 and 7 on the public’s list of priorities, and that we need to raise the public interest in the issue. Howard suggested linking the war to the current recession. Tim recommended going to the National Priorities Project website (www.nationalpriorities.org) to get info on the economic impact of the War.

Tim also said that early March PDA would start an online petition drive to Nancy Pelosi in support of HR 676 and making the bridge between healthcare and ending the occupation. Unfortunately neither Clinton nor Obama are single-payer advocates.

PDA is putting together a house party kit related to Healthcare not Warfare and is trying to make this a priority for the Democratic Party. Norman Solomon is putting together a resolution/platform which PDA members can take to local Democratic clubs/committees as well as to State conventions and ultimately to the national convention in Denver.

Tim and Diane reminded everyone of other calls happening later in the month, including a new Global Warming call on Wednesday Feb 6 (check out the PDA website for the full list of calls).

Tim also asked everyone to remind their chapter members of our Change Makes Change program. In the last two weeks, two emails have gone out to the membership which generated 107 new sustainers. We need 100 more.