Bye, Karen Minnis! THanks for the memories.

I say: DING-DONG-the witch is GONE!

Subject line: In Eugene this Saturday, Virtual Town Hall with presidential candidates

MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR: CONTACT: Tyrone Barnett, booking
Saturday, July 7, 2007 cozmicevents@yahoo.com

MoveOn Members in Eugene Gather for Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Climate Crisis

Local residents to watch Live Earth concerts and launch Virtual Town Hall Meeting with new video of presidential candidates talking about climate solutions

EUGENE – On Saturday, July 7, local residents will participate in MoveOn’s second Virtual Town Hall meeting. At the gatherings, called “Party for the Planet,” members will watch the presidential candidates, for the first time, discuss their plans for addressing the climate crisis. Over 1,300 events will take place around the country, sponsored by MoveOn.org Political Action.

Saturday evening’s event coincides with a series of Live Earth concerts sponsored by former Vice President Al Gore, which partygoers will watch live on TV. After they watch the presidential candidates answering questions about the climate crisis posted by MoveOn members on YouTube.

“People who participate in MoveOn's Virtual Town Hall on climate are part of the solution to a crisis that affects us all,” said former Vice President Al Gore.

“This is the first time ever voters can compare the presidential candidates’ side-by-side on the climate crisis,” said Joel Thomas, owner of Cozmic Pizza, and 17-year resident of Eugene. “The public is paying attention to the climate crisis like never before, and we will demand that our next president promise bold action on this issue.”

The “Party for the Planet” Virtual Town Hall event part of a free all day live-feed screening of the Al Gore/Live Earth worldwide concert for the climate crisis which will happen at Cozmic Pizza from 1PM-8:30PM on July 7th.

Beginning Sunday, July 8th, MoveOn members will vote for the candidate with the best plan. The results of the vote will be released on Wednesday, July 11th, 2007. Votes taken after the Virtual Town Halls do not represent an endorsement.

The first Virtual Town Hall was held in April and focused on Iraq. A third Virtual Town Hall will take place this fall on health care. MoveOn’s membership voted to make these three issues the organization’s top priorities.

In recent weeks, MoveOn gained 250,000 new members from a petition asking Congress to move toward a clean energy future—showing high energy among voters on this issue. The “Party for the Planet” is being co-sponsored by the Campaign for America's Future, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.
Saturday “Party for the Planet” Details:

Who: Residents of Eugene, members of MoveOn.org Political Action. All Ages. Everyone Welcome!
What: "Party for the Planet" - watch Live Earth concert, debut video of presidential candidates talking about solutions to the global climate crisis
Where: COZMIC PIZZA 8TH & CHARNELTON
When: Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 6 p.m.

Local, city, county, state and the federal governments should be first to "go green." Politicians should not be elected to public office unless they agree to convert every government building and vehicle to renewable energy. There are at least three reasons why this should be so.

When all levels of government are taken into account, they control 40% of the economy. With that kind of economic incentive anyone who wants to sell to the government will hasten to meet the demands of its largest single buyer. Government will no longer have to pass laws to enforce cafe standards for instance. Rather the Government will simply tell auto companies, we want to replace our fleet of vehicles but will not buy anything that does get at least 50 mpg if it is gasoline based, or it must be a hybrid, or it must be fueled with renewable fuels.

Another reason Government should go green first is national security. Part of every oil dollar paid for Middle Eastern oil goes directly into the pocket of terrorists. If we convert to renewable fuels that we control, we defund terrorism and protect ourselves simultaneously.

Yet another reason to heed Al Gore’s clarion call on global warming is economic security. OPEC can not ruin our economy if we convert to renewable fuels that we control.

And finally, suppose Gore is right? When anyone hypes anything as much as AL Gore hypes global warming, I have my doubts. But I can’t see what is harmed by going green so why not? The military is doing some research on alternative and renewable energy. Whoever is the next president of the United States should institute a “Go Green or Go Home” policy for the military. Those who come up with energy saving devices or methods as well as those who implement alternative or renewable fuels should rise quickly through the ranks. Those who don’t should be encouraged to seek employment elsewhere. As resourceful as marines are, for instance, I would bet they could make surprising advances in fueling everything from jeeps to an entire base through alternative means if left to their own devices. The military has through it’s contractors developed the most effective weapons in the world. If this same level of effort is turned toward greening the military we will be a safer, more secure, and more independent nation. We will create new jobs and industries and the air and water will get cleaner as a benefit.