“It’s better to be a student of reality than a master of illusion”

-- martial arts proverb

Activist San Diego contacts: Martin (619-226-1116), Tanja (858-459-4650), Activist Update: ASDUpdate@activistsandiego.org

WANT TO ADD TO THE ACTIVIST UPDATE? Email ASDUpdate@activistsandiego.org
Please submit your event listings at least 1 week prior to the event.

Activist San Diego Monthly Meeting Second Monday of the month, 7pm NEW LOCATION - Joyce Beers Community Center, 1090 Vermont, one block north of University, next to Trader Joe's Hillcrest Shopping Center 619-528-8383. Everyone welcome Please join us

• ASD News and Views
• Food For Thought
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After what might be a buyer's remorse of giving away $700 billion for the bailout of criminally irresponsible financial institutions, the Congress balked at giving a $25 billion to the auto industry. Let us not mistake it as Senate Democrats and Republicans waking up against corporate welfare. The Republicans were afraid that a large number of union jobs would be saved. As Michael Moore says- the Congress could have given the loan www.michaelmoore.com with any appropriate condition: Convert the factories to produce highly fuel efficient cars or mass transit vehicles, withdraw court cases against states requiring better safety and higher fuel efficiency, replace all the management etc. Let us remember that the so called fat union jobs contribute less than 10% of the car's cost and the lack of the competitiveness of Detroit cars is really the well demonstrated incompetence of the management and poor design of these cars.

President-elect Obama has rightly placed the emphasis on affordable housing, by appointing Shaun Donovan, the New York City commissioner for Housing, who has won acclaim for his work in this area, as US secretary for housing and development. San Diego too needs to bring this aspect right and center. Working with other affordable housing advocates across California, the San Diego Housing Federation is urging Congress and President-Elect Obama's housing transition team to consider affordable housing production and affordable rental homes as a key part of the economic stimulus package. Let us call and urge our Congressperson and Senators to vote in favor of this effort. You can read the full proposal at NOV08_FPPstimulus-FINAL.pdf

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DONATED CARS HELP MOVE ACTIVISM FORWARD! Please donate your car and other items. As a bonus you get progressive satisfaction and a healthy tax deduction! Call us at 619-528-8383

For all of the above we will need your help and financial support. If you would like to make a donation, please click on the button to the right.

Or, we can also accept donations mailed to: Activist San Diego 4246 Wightman St San Diego, CA 92105-2618

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"We estimate that approximately 25 per cent of the money we pay for security to get the fuel in goes into the pockets of the Taliban."

-- The West is indirectly funding the insurgency in Afghanistan thanks to a system of payoffs to Taliban commanders who charge protection money to allow convoys of military supplies to reach Nato bases in the south of the country. Times online: Dec 12th, 2008

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2009: Save The Date: ASD People's Ball. The "People's Ball" was started in 2000 actually called "The Counter Inaugural Ball" because of the out turn of the 2000 election and the exclusiveness of the Inaugural Ball in Washington. People came dressed in gowns and black tie to costumes of hanging chads. Since the first ball the name has changed to the People's ball. This is an event for all organizations, unions, organizers, media and community members to come together learn about each other and just kick off your shoes and celebrate. Balboa Park Club Ballroom, Balboa Park, SD (Park Blvd to Presidents Way). More Info

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 7PM: transcenDANCE Tango Ball Performance Upcoming Performance FEED Come enjoy a diverse presentation of Hip-Hop, Afro, Modern, and Spoken Word! FEED is a collaborative project with 50 City Heights teens in our first studio showcase. In partnership with the City Heights Food Justice Momentum Team we will explore questions, How do you FEED your body? mind? soul? community? Join us for an artistic & interactive exploration of our community! Admission is a contribution to our canned food drive. All food collected will be donated to a local food bank. Hoover High Auditorium 4474 El Cajon Blvd. SD. More Info

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MON-FRI 10-4PM, SAT-SUN 10-3PM: "Poverty on the Border" Photo Exhibit with Five Photographers Community Art Gallery 5348 University Ave, SD. "Poverty on the Border" has a number of approaches to the topic which are engaging and interesting. What might be of special interest to union members is that my work, "Welfare Is Poor Relief...," has photos from the mid 1980s of our local labor movement as well as commentary from a few union members with welfare experiences. Includes the Transborder Archive Box from inSite05. More Info

“ENOUGH” PEACE AND IMPEACHMENT VIGILS ~ EVERY WEEK UNTIL THE IRAQ WAR ENDS. More Info

EVERY SUNDAY 3PM: Free Vegan Food at the North Park Community Park with San Diego Food Not Bombs. The North Park Community Park is located at the intersection of Oregon and Polk in North Park. More Info

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 4:30PM: A Call To Action. Christmas Candle Light Vigil. In Support of GI War Resister Robin Long, Prisoner of Conscience. Where: North Gate MCAS Miramar, 9100 Miramar Road (N. W. Corner of Miramar Rd. @ Clayton Dr.) Parking: The Shopping Center behind the office building on the N. W. Corner has adequate parking as does Clayton Dr. Long is the first Active Duty GI Iraq War Resister to desert the U. S. Military and seek political asylum in Canada. He was later extradited and turned over to the United States Government for prosecution. Robin is currently being held in The Naval Consolidated Brig at MCAS Miramar here in San Diego and is serving a 15 month prison term for desertion. More Info

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1PM: 3rd Annual "International Day of Peace." Malcolm X Library 5148 Market Street, San Diego. ***ADMISSION IS FREE*** In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this multicultural event promotes peace, conflict resolution, social justice, and advocacy for creation of U. S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence. A Day of Family Fun Featuring . . . Music *Entertainment * Food. Youth Forums. Conflict Resolution Workshop. Children's Peace Art. More Info

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MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 7:30AM: 21st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. All People’s Breakfast. Golden Hall Downtown San Diego. The All People’s Breakfast is a revered event in the weekend celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy. It brings people from all over San Diego together to remember and celebrate one of the most valued and respected peace activists in history. The theme for the 2009 All People's Breakfast is –Why We Can’t Wait a call to action to bring more peace and justice to our community and to the world. This year our program will focus on the situation facing our youth in the world today. More Info

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 3PM: Tijuana Estuary Volunteer Open House & Mixer. Have you ever thought about volunteering for the Tijuana Estuary? Are you passionate about preserving and protecting coastal wetlands? Do you have questions about how community members can get involved? Would you like to join a team of people dedicated to helping the environment? If so, grab a friend or two and drop in to the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center. This is your chance to learn more about our volunteer opportunities, chat with current volunteers and staff, and meet fellow nature enthusiasts! Snacks and beverages will be provided. More Info

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2009: Save The Date: ASD People's Ball. The "People's Ball" was started in 2000 actually called "The Counter Inaugural Ball" because of the out turn of the 2000 election and the exclusiveness of the Inaugural Ball in Washington. People came dressed in gowns and black tie to costumes of hanging chads. Since the first ball the name has changed to the People's ball. This is an event for all organizations, unions, organizers, media and community members to come together learn about each other and just kick off your shoes and celebrate. Balboa Park Club Ballroom, Balboa Park, SD (Park Blvd to Presidents Way). More Info

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JANUARY 31 - MARCH 8TH: USD Ethnic Studies, Calaca Press and the Red CalacArts Collective present: Deportation Nation: History Repeats. A cultural series highlighting the issue of deportation in America. Visual Migrations January 31 – March 8. Opening reception Saturday, January 31, 7pm. FREE. Centro Cultural de la Raza 2125 Park Blvd, SD. Art exhibit addressing the issue of deportation. Thursday, February 5, 6pm FREE. Cinematic Migrations. USD Mother Rosalie Hill Hall - Warren Auditorium @ Soles
5998 Alcala Park, SD. Movie and lecture by filmmaker Isaac Artenstein and his work: Break of Dawn. Break of Dawn depicts the story of Los Angeles musician, radio personality and activist Pedro J. Gonzalez and his deportation for speaking out against the mass deportations of Mexicans in the 1930's. Introduction by SD Mesa College Chicano Studies chair Mike Ornelas. Spoken Migrations. Friday, February 6, 7pm. FREE. SD Central Library Auditorium 820 E St., SD. Poetry and Spoken Word related to the experience of deportation and migration. Musical Migrations. Saturday, February 7, 8pm. FREE. USD University Center 5998 Alcala Park, SD. Musical program featuring Los Alacranes, Quino and Son Sin Fronteras playing the songs of Pedro J. Gonzalez and others related to deportation, including a jam session with all musicians playing the Woody Guthrie classic Plane Wreck at Los Gatos (Deportee). MC’d by USD Ethnic Studies professor Jesse Mills. More Info

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 7PM: Kwanzaa - Kujichagulia Celebration. Kwanzaa Celebration. WorldBeat Center 2100 Park Blvd. San Diego. FREE Community Celebration. Kujichagulia With A Film Screening and Presentation of "The Black Candle" with M. K. Asante, Jr. FREE! More Info

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Announcements / Workshops

BLANKETS & WARM CLOTHING URGENTLY NEEDED for farm workers living near Ensenada. It's really cold! PLEASE DROP OFF BEFORE DEC 5. A letter from my friends Omar Clay & Nina Leshan: We are living in Mexico, about 45 minutes south of Ensenada on the peninsula. Many of our neighbors are from the south of Mexico, and are here temporarily here working in agriculture. They have a need for clothes and blankets this winter. Specifically, there are whole families including children. If you have any extra blankets or warm clothes, including children's shoes, I can pick them up at Tanja Winter's house on Saturday, December 5 in the morning. Tanja says that you can leave your contributions on her driveway. Tanja's phone number: 858-459-4650 twinter@san.rr.com. More Info

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 8:30AM: New Year Awakening Retreat: private retreat in Encinitas. Retreat Leaders: Jan D. Wellik, Director, Eco Expressions www.EcoExpressions.org, Dr. Kayla Smith, Gerson Institute www.Gerson.org. Register by Jan. 1: $100. Space is limited. Register by email: Info@EcoExpressions.org. Purpose: Experience healthy living for the New Year - Awaken to a new you! The focus of the retreat is restorative and creative. It will focus on four pillars: 1) Meditation 2) Movement 3) Art 4) Nutrition.

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ROOMMATE POSSIBILITY FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE ACTIVISTS ONLY. Why Pay More? I live in a big, secure house in Tijuana because I refuse to pay San Diego landlords their exploitive rent. I have a large bedroom with private bath to offer for $250 a month for peace and justice activists only. The house has an extensive security system, secure parking, a jacuzzi, pool table, large kitchen, a library, internet and satellite television. It's 20 minutes from the border by car and is a block from the downtown taxi station. (619) 687-5109. If you need a reference; just Google my name. In peace and love, Rocky Neptun

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Get FREE copy of "A Question of Power", A documentary about the resistance in San Diego against this powerline. Video Link provided here: Also attached are action items for folks to talk once they have seen the documentary. We have complimentary copies of the documentary that can be requested by emailing: thecoane5 <thecoane5@cox.net There is no charge for the DVD or the mailing. More Info

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Activist San Diego INTERNSHIP AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - Call now 619-528-8383. During the summer and fall of 2008 ASD has several projects we need help organizing. o Volunteer Coordinator or volunteer Outreach Assistants. o Grant Coordinator or Assistant Grant writer. o ASD Office and/or Phone manager. o Phonebanking Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator. o Event Coordinator or Events Assistant Coordinator. o Building and construction assistants at the Activist Center. o Activist Film Series Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator. o Stop Blackwater Campaign Coordinator or Assistant. o Website designers and graphic artists. o E-newsletter Editor and Assistant Coordinator. o Youth organizing (call to discuss) ASD will also host a Jan. 2009 People's Ball, a Gala alternative inaugural event. many opportunites (call to discuss). For Building ASD’s new Community FM Radio Station. o Radio Project Outreach. o Radio Technician (To help with antenna, microwave, and studio). o Radio Legal Coordinator o PR and Press Coordinator. LOCATION: ASD’s office is located at 4246 Wightman St, San Diego. Contact us at (619) 528-8383 or info@ActivistSanDiego.org. More Info

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SDCPJ HIGH SCHOOL LEAFLETING PROJECT. The SD Coalition for peace and justice high school leafleting project is still looking for volunteers. Please reply to this e-mailsjagitator@ucsd.edu if you can join us with this special outreach to Latino students as they are heavily targeted by military recruiters. Help deny the military what they need most - young men and women to send to war or call me at 619-237-8870. More Info

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90.7 KPFK PACIFICA RADIO IS BACK ON THE AIR IN SAN DIEGO.....!!!!!! KPFK is back and it is the only information and cultural programming of it's kind in San Diego. People should listen, tell others and work to keep it here in San Diego and South Orange County. More Info

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Peace Flags. Excellent for display or for Peace Rallies. Call 858.459.4650 or email TanjaWinter@ActivistSanDiego.org

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The Guerrero Azteca Project ~ www.guerreroazteca.org

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The GI Rights Hotline ~ girights.objector.org

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Global: New Network Formed For Coca-Cola Workers ~ Global Coca-Cola Workers Alliance www.iuf.org/ccww

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LabourStart. TV. For the latest union videos from around the world ~ www.labourstart.tv

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Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, Allison Janney, John C. Reilly, Marc Shaiman, and many more ~ www.funnyordie.com

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Support Employee Free Choice Act ~ www.americanrightsatwork.org

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