NEXT MCDP MEETING: JULY 9, 2009, 7:00 PM, CIO HALL
06/30/2009 QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Palin has disappointed many of those who once had the highest hopes for her. She has stumbled over innumerable details. But as she said to Andrew Halcro years ago, “Does any of this really matter?” Palin has shown herself to have remarkable gut instincts about raw politics, and she has seen openings where others did not. And she has the good fortune to have traction within a political party that is bereft of strong leadership, and whose rank and file often demands qualities other than knowledge, experience, and an understanding that facts are, as John Adams said, stubborn things. It is, at the moment, a party in which the loudest and most singular voices, not burdened by responsibility, wield disproportionate power. She may decide that she does not need office in order to have great influence—any more than Rush Limbaugh does." -- Vanity Fair
MUSKEGON WOMEN: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
06/30/2009 The White House Project is seeking applications for its award-winning Go Run political training program for women. This year's participants will join a robust group of over 6,000 alumnae throughout Michigan and the U.S. who have utilized the training as a launching pad to run for office, manage campaigns, and become vocal and visible leaders in the political arena. Women are encouraged to apply online.
The goal of 2009 Michigan Go Run -- a multi-day workshop led by state and national experts -- is to create a permanent, nonpartisan pipeline to women's political leadership throughout the state of Michigan. Across the U.S., the innovative Go Run program has been instrumental in propelling a diverse group of women into positions of political leadership, having trained over 6,000 women since its creation in 2004.
The White House Project trains some of the most underrepresented women in our political system: 41% of its alumnae are women of color; 46% earn less than $30,000 a year; and 50% are under the age of 35.
When: July 10th through 12th
Where: Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw
Applications are now open and available on The White House Project's website.
Travel and childcare stipends, as well as tuition scholarships, are available based on financial need. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
ACTION ALERT: HELPING DAVID BEAT GOLIATH
06/30/2009 Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation will face another hearing in their 9 year battle against Nestle, Inc. on Monday, July 6 at 9:00 a.m. in Big Rapids.
MCWC's funding has dropped way down this past year and I know other organizations are facing the same difficulties. We need an emergency action alert for funding this hearing. MCWC is finding itself falling farther behind in being able to pay legal fees and expert costs.
To help defray costs, MCWC's lawyers and experts will be staying at the home of the MCWC President; others have offered to bring meals. If you're in the Big Rapids area, you can email tswier@centurytel.net to lend a hand.
If you're not, you can still give money.
MCWC is in the longest running bottled water battle with Nestle anywhere, having started in December 2000 and gone through trial, appeals, and remand injunction proceedings for almost 9 years now. MCWC and its 2000 members funded this by bake sales, raffles, garage sales, and an occasional grant. We have raised over $1 million for expert witness fees, attorney fees, and costs over the first 8 years. This has been an extraordinary effort. The firm of Olson, Bzdok and Howard has charged fees that are 3/4 of normal and contributed or waived an additional $100,000 in fees over these years.
MCWC is now faced with another lengthy hearing on issues it has won. MCWC's experts are prepared to show the Court that new facts since the injunction was entered into in January 2006, facts that will demonstrate why the injunction should be modified to better protect the stream from early May to October in the drier years. MCWC's experts are also prepared to rebut Nestle's claims that it should be able to pump 50 gpm or 30% more when in fact it should pump less. The injunction limits have generally protected the stream, except in the drier years such as 2007.
However, we are facing not only an astounding loss and debt from all of this, but another $60,000 in expenses to contest Nestle from now through the end of the hearing this Summer.
MCWC needs help, and fast, to keep going. Please send your donations to MCWC - P.O. Box 1 - Mecosta, MI 49332.
NEXT MCDP MEETING: JULY 9, 2009, 7:00 PM, CIO HALL
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Palin has disappointed many of those who once had the highest hopes for her. She has stumbled over innumerable details. But as she said to Andrew Halcro years ago, “Does any of this really matter?” Palin has shown herself to have remarkable gut instincts about raw politics, and she has seen openings where others did not. And she has the good fortune to have traction within a political party that is bereft of strong leadership, and whose rank and file often demands qualities other than knowledge, experience, and an understanding that facts are, as John Adams said, stubborn things. It is, at the moment, a party in which the loudest and most singular voices, not burdened by responsibility, wield disproportionate power. She may decide that she does not need office in order to have great influence—any more than Rush Limbaugh does." -- Vanity Fair
