In the coming days, many of us will be spending time with family and close friends. You might find yourself in a house with FOX News on the TV, or you might find yourself in the company of a family member who likes to talk about the “truth” coming from FOX. You could also be with folks who understand the damage FOX does, but have not heard about this campaign. Any of these could be a great opportunity to talk about why you do not watch FOX and why you are part of the movement to get it turned off in public places.

There’s no need to be confrontational. The person you are talking with may not be receptive to what you have to say and that is OK. But you might be surprised. This is about sharing your concerns and beliefs, and hearing the thoughts of someone you love. When people are approached respectfully by someone they like and trust, it creates space for them to think and change.

Here are some pointers:

1.) Remain calm. The point here isn’t to start an argument. It is to share information. Even though some people may be hostile to what you have to say, keeping your cool can help defuse tense situations and make even skeptics receptive to what you have to say.

2.) Just the facts. We are often tempted to use inflammatory language when describing FOX News. For example we may describe them as being “evil” or “racist”. But think of the impact that this language might have on someone you are trying to win over to your point of view. Does the fact that they watch FOX News make them “evil” or “racist”? Better to stick to the facts by describing what FOX News does by stoking racial fear, helping to spread dangerous conspiracy theories, and distorting the truth. You can refer to the flyer “The Case Against Fox” for a few examples of what Fox News does, and the impact of their actions.

3.) Listen to what others have to say. If you want to be listened to, then you should also be willing to listen to others’ perspectives. If they state something untrue, you can and should offer facts to correct the record when you can but not until after they’ve finished their thought. And remember, the point is not to get into an argument or even prove that you’re correct. It’s to share your point of view.

4.) Offer more information. If the folks you talk to are interested in learning more about the campaign, just have them check out TurnOffFox.org. They can sign up for the campaign at that website.
The holiday season provides a unique opportunity to help more people understand what Fox is, how it poisons national discourse, and what role everyday people can play in stopping the damage.

After you have these conversations (even with those who already understand the issue), we would love to hear how they went. Tell us about it by clicking the link below:

http://www.turnofffox.org/holiday/?id=2009-154108

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

– James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Natasha, and the rest of the TurnOffFox.org team
December 23rd, 2010

Call for Candidates

In January, the 33rd district will be holding our re-organization. We will send out our call for re-organization in the January newsletter and post it on the website.

But a big part of the re-organization is the election of officers to the executive board. Below is a list of the elected positions and the current candidates that have declared for those positions. Note that all positions are open, as multiple candidates may run. The only restriction is that the chair and vice-chair must be of opposite gender.

If you would like to run for a position, you can declare that now, and the website will be updated with that information. However, any eligible member may declare for a position at the January re-organization meeting as well. Please see the by-laws on the website for the definition of an “eligible member” (the by-laws will also be available at the January meeting).

Health Insurance Reform, to recognize health care as a right, not a privilege and put a stop to the worst abuses by insurance companies including discrimination against people with pre-existing medical conditions. [OPPOSED BY 100 % OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
The Economic Recovery Act, to save and create millions of jobs and cut taxes for 98 percent of Americans. [OPPOSED BY 100 % OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, to make the largest investment in college aid in American history. [OPPOSED BY 100 % OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
Wall Street Reform, to rein in reckless practices on Wall Street, end taxpayer-funded bail-outs and “too big to fail” institutions, and protect and empower consumers. [OPPOSED BY A MAJORITY OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
Extension of Unemployment Benefits, to extend benefits to millions of Americans who have lost their jobs in the Bush recession and to stimulate economic activity.
Cash for Clunkers, to jumpstart America’s auto industry and spur the sale of 700,000 new vehicles. [OPPOSED BY A MAJORITY OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights, to ban the worst practices by credit card companies and provide tough new consumer protections. [OPPOSED BY HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS]
Hate Crimes Prevention, to extend federal protection to people who are victims of violent crime because of their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, to save or create the jobs of 161,000 teachers, and thousands of police officers, and firefighters while closing tax loopholes that encourage big corporations to ship American jobs overseas.
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to restore the rights of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay and help close the wage gap where women earn 78 cents for every $1 that a man earns in America. [OPPOSED BY A MAJORITY OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
The HIRE Act, to provide tax incentives for businesses to hire more Americans (4.5 million Americans have already been hired) and unleashing billions of dollars to rebuild highways and other infrastructure, and to crack down on offshore tax havens for the wealthy.
Children’s Health Insurance legislation, to provide affordable health care coverage to 11 million children, who would otherwise go without coverage.
Tobacco Regulation, to have the FDA regulate the manufacture and marketing of tobacco, especially to children.
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO), to bring back the Clinton-era rule that requires all new policies that reduce revenues or expand entitlement spending be offset over five and ten years and therefore not increase the deficit. This spending rule led to the record surpluses during the Clinton Administration.
Stem Cell Research, to end former President Bush’s ban on federal funding for lifesaving embryonic stem cell research. [ENACTED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER]
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services, to provide help for those who provide care to disabled, sick, or injured veterans and improve health care services to women veterans.

Ballot Initiative Media Roundup

Yes on 1098

TV
http://www.youtube.com/user/Yeson1098#p/u/0/VI2Z5SYimGI

Vote Yes on I-1098
http://www.seattlepi.com/opinion/426062_I-1098.html

How much will I-1098 save you?
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/102492719.html

Tax the Filthy Rich!
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/tax-the-filthy-rich/Content?oid=4837455

Printable poster:
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/09/09/tax-the-filthy-rich-poster-edition

I-1098 opponent warns, ‘You and I are next’
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/09/09/i-1098-opponent-warns-you-and-i-are-next

PI Reader Endorsements:
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?entryID=1151
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?entryID=1154
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?entryID=1157

No on 1053

Vote No on I-1053
http://www.seattlepi.com/opinion/426112_I-1053.html

Rep. Carlyle Gets All 1787 on Tim Eyman
http://www.publicola.net/2010/09/10/rep-carlyle-gets-all-1787-on-tim-eyman/

Force focus to be on reform (yes endorsement)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100910/OPINION01/709109923/-1/OPINION#Force.focus.to.be.on.reform

No on 1082

Web ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyHkEWLltS0

I-1082, bad for workers, vote ‘no’
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/426452_initiative1082.html

Economy, lawsuits hammer at BIAW
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012834452_biaw08m.html

Businesses speak out against I-1082
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/09/01/businesses-speak-out-against-i-1082

No on 1100/1105

TV ads:
http://www.youtube.com/user/No11001105

Vote No on 1100, 1105; leg. should privatize booze
http://www.seattlepi.com/opinion/426359_I1100-1105.html

Liquor changes could leave local governments woozy
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/9/6/liquor-changes-could-leave-local-governments-woozy

PI Reader endorsements:
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?entryID=1149
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?entryID=1152
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?

Association of Washington Cities has .pdf breakdowns of taxes, costs and likely number of liquor outlets by city. Visit their website and click on “initiatives” in the top right.

http://www.awcnet.org/portal/StudioNew.asp?webid=1&mode=B1

No on 1107

Wal-Mart joins forces with Costco to peddle Initiative 1100 (liquor deregulation)
http://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2010/09/wal-mart-joins-forces-with-costco-to.html

Soda makers raise ante, contribute again to tax-rollback measure
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/09/03/1326230/soda-makers-raise-ante.html

Yes on R52

Everybody wins
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/opinion/letters/102370889.html

Related: 27 school districts get energy grants
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012854962_apwaschoolsmoney.html

I’m thrilled with the phenomenal response to my 2010 Salmon Bake. It’s going to be a great event. Congressman Jay Inslee, Rick Bender, State Representative Jamie Pedersen and others will join us. The fish is being ordered this week!

Hey all you 33rd Dems, let’s show our spirit at the Burien 4th of July Parade this Saturday! While 2009 is not a huge election year, we still have important races and issues that need our support and enthusiasm; County Executive, County Assessor, Port Commission, local races, as well as critical issues facing our state and nation; like Health Care, Education, the Environment, etc.

Sooo, on Saturday, July 4th, we will be lining up with the 34th and 11th Dems, Senator Keiser, Reps Upthegrove and Orwall, and our endorsed candidates to celebrate this great country.

So, meet up with us on 8th Ave SW between 149th and 151st (just east of Ambaum Blvd) starting at 2:30 pm. The parade begins at 3:30, follows a circuit route and ends up back about where we will be parked. Immediately after the parade, Dave Upthegrove’s family is graciously hosting their annual barbeque at their family home on Lake Burien (1808 SW 156th) where the beer and soda will be icy, and the hamburgers and veggie burgers hot and juicy. This is always a fun time to meet and greet fellow dems, candidates, and our electeds.

Now, for the details: Parking is available at the Municipal lot at 634 SW 151st, as well as the mish-mash of lots that serve several small business buildings. Please be considerate and don’t park immediately adjacent to a business that is open that day.

I will have 33rd t-shirts, hats, and signs supporting various issues. Please plan to wear the shirts and hats at future events — and I will bring the signs back to those future events, as well. You are also welcome to carry signs for your favorite candidate (provided by said candidate!).

Let’s show the City of Burien and our fellow Dems what an enthusiastic crowd we can be. So, suit up and show up before the fireworks blow up!!

33rd Summer Events Coordinator
Paula Joneli
206 878 2171
pjoneli@comcast.net