Link to news story

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 to ban drugstores from selling tobacco products.  Mayor Gavin Newsom proposed the amendment to San Francisco's Health code.  Any pharmacy found selling tobacco products could be fined $1,000.

A spokesman for the mayor's office Nathan Baird said "A pharmacy should be a place you go to get better, not a place you go to get cancer".

cross posted @ Doing My Part For The Left

Conventions are not a new thing in my life but this was my first Netroots Nation.  I missed Yearly Kos in Las Vegas and in Chicago but after the fabulous time I had this past week, I will try never to miss another one.  Thursday after registering I immediately started running into local activists from Austin.

Matt Glazer from Burnt Orange Report & Fran Vincent from Democracy for Texas.

Glen Maxey, Laura Kolstad, and Matt Glazer

cross posted @ Doing My Part For The Left's new home

Mark your Calendars for Saturday July 19th 7:00PM to 10:00PM.  As the Netroots Nation conference winds to a close Saturday evening, come by Bay6 Studios in East Austin:

Kick Back and Kick it Up before We Kick 'Em Out!

Sponsored and hosted by Texas Kaos and Bay6 Gallery.  Featuring music, food, drink and  a group art exhibition of work by Texas artists with a political theme titled:

"Blogging from the Right Side of the Brain."

Today is the 4th of July and is the day we celebrate American Independence.  There will be lots of flag waving, speeches, fire works and food.  While celebrating the 4th with family and friends at a back yard cookout, parade or political rally, I hope everyone takes a few moments to reflect on what they consider America and why they are celebrating. cross posted @ Daily Kos, Texas Kaos, Doing My Part For The Left

This past week was the Texas Democratic State Convention and I was there as an Obama Delegate.  It was so thrilling and exhausting to be with over 15,000 Democrats for 3 days.  

                The weekend started off Thursday night with all the parties.  I was at the Bloggers Caucus and had a blast!!!  It is one of the best attended parties at every Texas Convention.  We had lots of bloggers, candidates, elected officials and excited Democrats.  Who wouldn't have a great time drinking and talking politics with some the best of the Texas Blogosphere.  The event was host by the Texas Progressive Alliance and I am happy to report I am a member.

Listen to the podcast @ Hearding Cats at the Texas Democratic Convention

A little music, a little politics and a few laughs. LOL

Netroots Nation is coming to Austin next month and the only way I will be able to attend is if I win one of the scholarships being offered by Democracy for America. I am asking all my readers and blogging friends to help me make a dream come true.

This is me at the Bloggers Caucus at the Texas Democratic Convention.

Man Eegee

They have announced that one scholarship will be awarded based on number of grassroots supporters and the others will be based on application content, active experience, individual need, geographic, gender, age, and ethnic diversity as well as community member support. Please help Man Eegee and refinish69 get to Netroots Nation.

Okay, the primary season and the delegate race for the presidential nomination are winding down.  Barack Obama will be the Democratic Nominee.  First let us thank all the candidates who threw their hats in the ring for the 2008 Democratic Presidential Race.  It took a lot of guts, fearlessness or sheer audacity to put themselves out there like that.  There have been tense moments, angry words, incredible screw ups and even some laughs.

Cross posted @ Doing My Part For The Left & Texas Kaos

John McCain was quick(well sort of) to throw Rev Hagee under the Straight Talk Express but I wonder just how fast he plans to send back the money he took from him?

Cross posted @ Doing My Part For The Left and Texas Kaos

Why shouldn't we just go ahead and let Hillary be President?  What have we got to lose?  She has been the heir presumptive since 2006.  She is entitled to be president and has proven what a great leader she will be for the next 4 years.

Cross posted at Daily Kos, Texas Kaos, Doing My Part For The Left

This week the California Supreme Court ruled that the laws banning Gay Marriage in California were unconstitutional per the California State Constitution.  This was a historic day in the history the GLBT struggle for Equal Rights and in the struggle for Equal Rights for All People.

The Republicans are already trying to use this to rally their ultra conservative base to help elect John McCain and reelect some of the worst Republican Senators and Congressmen.  This was to be expected.  What was not expected was the cry from many progressives on so many blogs.

   It's bad timing.
   It will only help the Republicans.
   It will help John McCain.
   It will hurt Democrats in the fall.
   It should have waited till after November.
   It will do the same as Gay Marriage did in 2004.

The people saying these things are not progressives. They are the same people who told Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to wait for a better time.  The people who told Mildred Loving not to buck the law and file a law suit to end laws that prevented interracial couples from marrying or living in any state.  These are the same people who told the suffragettes to wait for the vote.  It would happen some day...maybe tomorrow.

Cross posted at Texas Kaos, Daily Kos, Doing My Part For The Left

Trust old Bible thumping Bigot Cornyn to start talking about the National Marriage Amendment yet again on the day the California Supreme Court rules against the laws and statues banning Gay Marriage in California.

cross posted at Texas Kaos, Daily Kos, & Doing My Part For The Left

This just in from the Rick Noriega Campaign.

Yet another poll shows Rick Noriega just 4 points behind John Cornyn in the race for U.S. Senate.

Today, Research 2000 released a poll with Rick receiving 44% while Cornyn is at 48%. Again, John Cornyn is polling below 50% -- a sign of his weakness and vulnerability this fall.

Along with the Rasmussen poll released earlier this week, this poll shows what we're seeing across Texas: Voters are ready for a change. Rick Noriega is the candidate to deliver this change and beat Cornyn this November.

We have the momentum in this race.

Now we need the resources. We need your help to introduce Rick Noriega, define John Cornyn and get voters to the polls this November. If we can do this, we can win.

Donate at Netroots for Noriega ActBlue Page

On April 24th & 25th, I attended the Texas Solar Forum at the capital.  It would probably have been better to send someone with a science background to cover it but I did learn quite a few interesting facts about solar power.

A survey was done 25 years ago asking people where they thought they would be getting their energy in the 21st century.  48% of the people surveyed  said they would be using solar power.  Sad to say in Texas only .01% of power is supplied by solar power at this time.

cross posted @ Daily Kos, Doing My Part For The Left, Texas Kaos

I wrote last week about Safe Schools: National Day of Silence April 25th  I would like to share a little more about the day and the rally I attended at the Texas State Capital to break the silence.

Young people across America went to school and did not speak on National Day of Silence to bring attention to the silence that is heard from teachers, parents, school administrations, elected officials, and students about the ongoing problem of bullying in our schools.

Crossposted @Cross posted @ Daily Kos, Texas Kaos, Doing My Part For The Left