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Volume 9 Issue 7 July, 2008

News ‘n’ Views Of, By and For Members of the Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club

HHHDC July 2008 Meeting

Monday, July 21 , 2008

Coco’s Restaurant

11510 South Street, Cerritos, CA (¼ mile east of the 605 freeway)

Dinner (optional) at 6:00 p.m. - Meeting begins at 7:00 pm

Program: Activist and Filmmaker Maria Elena Chavez

Subject: Political Activism in America and the 2008 Presidential Election

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Announcements ........................Page 1

President’s Report ……….…………Page 2

Capitol Roundup ……….…..….……Page 3

Going Green …………….………….…Page 4

FISA Article by N. Noushkam ....Page 5

Linda Sanchez in the News ….…Page 6

Gun Control Article ………..…..….Page 7

Officers & Committees……………Page 8

Advertisements....…….…………….Page 8

Membership Form……….………..Page 10

Announcements

The next scheduled meeting of the HHHDC Eboard is 7:00

p.m., Monday, August 4, 2008 at the Cerritos Library. All

club members are welcome. Voting is restricted to elected

and appointed members of the eboard who are in

attendance.

Next month’s meeting of the general membership is

scheduled for Monday, August 18, 2008 at the usual

location, Coco’s Restaurant on South Street. Please mark

you calendar and plan on attending. We value your

participation.

The club is looking for new advertisers for the newsletter. If you are interested, or know of a person or business who would like to advertise in our fine publication, please contact the President, Nikki Noushkam, for details and instructions. As a no-cost bonus, all ads placed in the newsletter will also appear on the club’s new website once it is officially open for business.

July, 2008 News ‘n’ Views Page 2

President’s Report By Nikki Noushkam

Thank you! I would like to thank our club members, Beverly Porter, Mike Stabile, Marisela Cervantes, Muhammad

Amin, and their families for their help at our 4th of July booth. We sold almost $375.00 worth of ice cream,

muffins, and cookies, and raised $175.00 in profits. Thank you all for your support and volunteerism. Job

well done!

(Editor’s note: Nikki worked harder than anyone else and was there the entire time.)

Nikki Noushkam, Mike Stabile and Beverly Porter – Setting up the 4

th of July booth

Congratulations! Congratulations to our award-winning newsletter editor and secretary, Mr. Mike Stabile for being chosen as

the 56th Assembly District Democrat of the Year. Mike will be honored at the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt

Dinner Ceremony on August 3, 2008 at the Queen Mary. Congratulations Mike!

July, 2008 News ‘n’ Views Page 3

Caballero’s

CAPITOL ROUNDUP

The Budget Challenge By Assemblyman Tony Mendoza

California is once again in the midst of a budget battle that threatens state services. The legislature has until

July 1 to enact a new budget to ensure that schools receive their funding, state employees receive their pay and

all working components of the state are functioning.

Unfortunately, with a looming $15 billion deficit, decisions on cutting or increasing fees to balance our budget are

difficult and dicey. One thing that is certain the governor’s proposed 10% across the board cuts on state

services along with leasing out our state’s lottery will not work. The cuts will affect individuals struggling to cope

with everyday needs like housing, food and income especially our senior population, the disabled and school

children. The governor’s lottery proposal is a risk that looks like a solution but is really only a postponement of

payments. The thought of leasing out our state’s lottery and its projected revenues for the next five years to a

group of investors for cash up front is a gamble the state cannot afford.

We cannot continue to pay our state’s mortgage by using our state’s credit cards or by selling state programs to

Wall Street pawn brokers. A realistic approach to balancing the budget is a mixture of strategic cuts and taxes

that have a minimal affect on services and the economy. The Legislative Analysts Office (LAO), a non-partisan

office of the state, has provided outlines of budgets that use this formula. I believe these proposals need to be

looked at by both sides and used as a platform from which to engage ideas to solve our crisis. Yes, under

current circumstances we all will have to share the burden and feel some of the affects of a budget that contains

both cuts and fees but in the long run it will help to avoid such ongoing deficit issues.

In 2003 the energy crisis drained a record surplus of over $20 billion in state coffers. Today, the mortgage melt

down that has affected the housing market has reduced the state’s ability to collect property tax revenues.

The rhetoric that we spend more than we take in and that the trickle-down theory will never work is beside the

point. Right now we need to solve our budget problems head-on by putting in place methods that are fair to

Californians.

One way to ensure an on-time budget is to eradicate the two-thirds vote needed to pass the budget. California is

among three states in the country that still relies on this archaic rule.

With the state projected to run out of money by mid-August and interest on borrowing money to keep us afloat

too costly for the state, compromise on taxes and cuts is a must and urgently needed. Your voices are

important. Contact your local elected officials and make your concerns known.

California remains the Golden State with much to offer. Together we can move this state forward and prepare it

for future challenges.

July, 2008 News ‘n’ Views Page 4

Going Green with Norma and Alan

Green Driving Tips By Norma and Alan Williamson, HHHDC Members

Now that summer time is here, “vacation get-aways” are on many people’s minds. Be kind to our climate system, and green your driving behavior! You can do this by driving with the goal of achieving higher fuel efficiency. When you accomplish this, you’re also helping to conserve petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource and helping to reduce air pollution at the same time. As a result of the politics of greed, not everyone has the opportunity to own and drive a zero emissions, solar powered car like our 2002, Toyota RAV4 EV (electric vehicle). But regardless of the type of car you own, everyone can be a green driver. Green drivers know that their driving habits have a direct impact on the environment, our national security and their own pocketbook. According to http://fueleconomy.gov a division of the US Environmental Protection Agency, each gallon of gasoline a driver consumes contributes 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, a harmful greenhouse gas which is contributing to extreme climate change. The average vehicle’s exhaust contains 6.7 tons of carbon dioxide every year. Nationwide, highway vehicles are responsible for 26% of our country’s CO2 emissions. What can you do to lower your car’s carbon “footprint”? Adopt the following simple driving behaviors – you’ll be happier at the pump, because you’ll spend less time and money:

1. Avoid “jack rabbit starts” and heavy braking which wastes gas. This can increase fuel economy by 33% at highway speeds and 5% around town.

2. Every month, check your tire pressure.

3. Regularly change your engine oil and conduct regular tune-ups.

4. Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

5. Remove excess weight. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce your mpg by up to 2%. This usually affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.

6. Avoid excessive idling, which is just wasting more gas, especially if you drive a larger engine.

Mother Nature and your grand-children will thank you!

Lets Roll Over & Play Dead!

By Nikki Noushkam, HHHDC President

You should have already heard about this one unless you were hiding under a rock somewhere in another

country. This past Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed legislation meant to “update” the Foreign

Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The vote was 69-28 in favor of the bill. The House of Representatives

had voted on a similar measure back in June of 2008. The President signed this Act into law on Thursday,

July 10, 2008.

I think I owe it to you (the reader) to provide you some background before I continue. FISA was first passed

in 1978 partially in response to the U.S. agencies spying on Vietnam anti-war protesters and other

Americans. This law governs the way the United States gathers foreign intelligence via interception of

electronic communications and requires court orders when the target of any eavesdropping is an American

citizen or individual living in the U.S. Shortly after 9/11 attacks, the Bush administration argued that the FISA

law unnecessarily slowed down U.S. intelligence officials as they track foreigners.

A so-called Terrorist Surveillance Program was secretly ordered by the President which allowed for spying

on the communications between U.S. residents (including American citizens) and people overseas, without

the mandated warrant from a federal court. Once the media and the civil liberties organizations learned

about this secret program, the telecommunication corporations and members of the administration became

increasingly nervous about its potential fall-outs and lawsuits. The newly enacted FISA includes provisions to

shield telecommunications companies that had cooperated in the secret surveillance program. Before the

final vote, Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Connecticut, brought forth an amendment to the bill that would have

stripped the immunity provisions from the bill, but sadly, the amendment failed.

As a Democrat, I am sad, angry, and embarrassed. Sad to see all the promises for “change” tossed away

so quickly, angry to see our Democratic members of congress so spineless and careless to not stand up for

what is right, and embarrassed to call such individuals as Democrats! Those of you who know me, know that

I am not accustom to writing such harsh words, but I am simply appalled at how quickly and easily our

Democratic members decided to roll over and play dead to an unpopular president and his lame duck

agenda.

Since when being “Republican-light” has become a sure-bet way to win elections? I am even more appalled

at some of the so-called “progressive” radio talk show hosts advocating that we shouldn’t criticize Senator

Obama and others who voted for this bill. It seems to me that they have also drank some of the poisonous,

right-wing-nut-jobs Kool-Aid without even knowing it! Since when questioning and disagreeing with those

who are suppose to be representing us has become unfavorable and unpatriotic? Weren’t these the same

individuals who continuously condemned the Republicans for advocating that criticizing the President in the

time of war was unpatriotic and not good for the country?

Senator Obama now says that once he is President, he will work with congress to update FISA once again,

and will take away the retroactive immunity provided to the telecom companies. But with all do respect

Senator, I have no faith in you or the congress to do the right thing in this matter. As an Obama supporter

put it best “…Come November, I will be voting for Senator Obama. But I no longer have any faith in hope or

change in our government.”

(continued on page 6)

July, 2008 News ‘n’ Views Page 5

July, 2008 News ‘n’ Views Page 6

(continued from page 5)

In case you are interested, here is how some of the Democratic U.S. Senators & House of Representative

Members voted on the FISA bill (in alphabetical order):

� U.S. Senate: � J. Biden (Delaware) – No � B. Boxer (California) – No � H. Clinton (Yew York) – No � C. Dodd (Connecticut) – No � D. Feinstein (California) – Yes � B. Obama (Illinois) – Yes � H. Reid (Nevada) – No � J. Webb (Virginia) – Yes

� House of Representatives:

� Joe Baca (43 CD) – Yes � Jane Harman (36 CD) – Yes � Grace Napolitano (38 CD) – No � Laura Richardson (37 CD) – Yes � Lucille Roybal-Allard (34 CD) – No � Nancy Pelosi (8 CD) – Yes � Hilda Solis (32 CD) – No � Linda Sanchez (39 CD) – No � Loretta Sanchez (47 CD) – No � Maxine Waters (35 CD) – No � Diane Watson (33 CD) – No � Henry Waxman (30 CD) – No

Just an interesting side note; Senator McCain was not present and therefore did not cast a vote! I would like to personally thank our local Congresswomen Linda Sanchez, and Grace Napolitano, as well as Senator Boxer for their votes. And as far as Senator Feinstein is concerned, I hope she retires soon!

Linda Sánchez in the News

Like me, you’re probably concerned about the direction of our economy. While the price of gas, health care, and many basics like milk go up, unemployment is on the rise, wages are stagnant and the real estate market is in decline. Some experts say a recession is on the horizon, while others say we’re already in one. I’m pleased to report that Congress and the president were able to put aside partisan differences and work together on passing an economic stimulus package that is timely, targeted, and temporary. I am especially pleased that my colleagues and I were able to convince the president to focus the stimulus package on helping working families. The point of the stimulus package is to help get the economy going again. The most visible part of the package that may impact you is the tax rebate program. This newsletter answers questions about who qualifies for the rebates and how to make sure you receive yours. In addition to the economic stimulus package, my colleagues and I are also working on other measures to spur job growth and address the mortgage crisis. I hope that these and other efforts will help you weather the economic slowdown and get our economy back on track as soon as possible. As always, for more information, please visit my website at www.lindasanchez.house.gov or call my local office at (562) 860-5050. Sincerely, Linda T. Sánchez, U.S. Congresswoman

Words and Bullets Robert Koehler 7/3/2008

The "debate" about guns has clogged up the dialogue about a safe society, and I'm wondering what we can do about that.

Last week's Supreme Court ruling, which overturned Washington, D.C.'s gun ban and reinterpreted the tortuously worded Second

Amendment -- "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,

shall not be infringed" -- as referring to individual rather than collective armed self-defense, has stoked the "debate," of course. It has

emboldened the gun-rights true believers, but managed only vaguely to acknowledge the larger context of America's spreading

culture of violence, about which we remain officially clueless.

I'm willing to concede two points to the gun owners: One, the bureaucracy of gun control stirs up the same resentment and defiance

that Prohibition did and such legislation applied too broadly and indiscriminately is likely unworkable; and two, the key to safety is

empowerment, both collective and individual.

As one anonymous writer put it in response to a recent column of mine: "An Armed Person Is A Citizen; An Unarmed Person Is A

Subject." To this I would say, sir, there are no subject-wimps or agents of the king participating in this dialogue. But I would add that

empowerment is a function of inner calmness and courage; those who feel they must be armed to be empowered are not

empowered.

And here we get at the essence of the clog. America's gun subculture affects to be participating in the dialogue, but is in fact merely

advancing an agenda. For instance, one of the lurid, attention-grabbing signs that pro-gun demonstrators waved last week on the

steps of the Supreme Court declared: "More guns equals less crime."

This is not a serious comment on crime or violence, but it's a hell of a distraction -- on the order of the "vigil" held by gun-rights

advocates outside Columbine High School shortly after the massacre there, while President Clinton was inside meeting with

students. According to news reports at the time, they held up bright yellow signs reading "Gun Control Kills Kids" and "We Will Never

Give Up Our Guns," seemingly oblivious to the deep inappropriateness of such a political intrusion on the process of mourning and

healing.

The message they in fact communicated, and which the country has taken to heart, is that they have no shame. They will stop at

nothing, will manipulate any tragedy, in their defense of the right to bear arms, and any difficulties and complexities caused by such a

right are not open to discussion.

It doesn't matter, for instance, that a gun in the house is more likely to be used on a relative (or oneself) than an intruder; that petty

arguments (even between law-abiding citizens) frequently turn into unspeakable tragedies when a gun is involved; that in a country

saturated with some 200 million firearms, anyone can get one for any reason whatsoever; that the nation's police chiefs and most

law-enforcement personnel support gun bans such as the one the Supreme Court just overturned; and that gun laws do reduce gun

homicide rates. None of this matters because the right to bear arms supercedes, if necessary, the right of Americans to live in peace

and safety.

Because that last point cannot be stated overtly, many gun-rights proponents advocate a cover alternative for maintaining peace and

safety: Let Americans carry concealed weapons! After every high-profile gun tragedy, I get press releases pointing out that if just one

victim had been armed, the killer could have been stopped. "More guns equals less crime."

That there might be complex consequences to a society of armed high school students, armed teachers, armed churchgoers, armed

shoppers -- armed 4-year-olds? -- apparently doesn't matter. Such a society would no longer be based on trust. If we reach that

point, I guess the debate's over and they win.

But not even Antonin Scalia is that crazy. "Like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not unlimited," he wrote for the majority.

"It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose."

All this said, I return to the crying need in this country for a dialogue and soul-searching about who we are. The "debate" over gun

control really has only one side, those who are against it. Their passionate faith in guns to protect them is not matched by opponents

who just as passionately despise guns and want them all confiscated.

Our passion is for an end to violence and the building of a culture of trust, part of which includes sensible and workable gun laws. It

includes much more than this as well. And such a project will take everyone, including those who vehemently disagree with some of

the points I've made in this column. This is what I mean by dialogue, and the time to begin is now. Like bullets, words can be used

to wound. But they can also be used to transform. There's a reason why the First Amendment precedes the Second.

July, 2008 News ‘n’ Views Page 7

Joseph Cho, Ph.D.

Tel: (562) 547-4434

P.O. Box 4115

Cerritos, CA 90703

josephjcho@earthlink.net

The Lucy and Joseph Cho Foundation

July, 2008 News ‘n’ Views Page 8

Our HHHDC Newsletter is available on your computer!

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2008 HHDC OFFICERS

AND COMMITTEES

2008 Executive Board

President Nikki Noushkam 562-712-4072

Vice-President Marisela Cervantes

Treasurer Ulla Herman 714-5227589

Recording Sec. Mike Stabile 562-505-5807

Committees

Legislative Floyd Allen 562-746-7569

Newsletter Editor Mike Stabile 562-505-5807

Membership Beverly Porter

Historian Charlie Ara 562-865-4075

Parliamentarian Maureen Allen 562-651-9264

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