[Cal Dems] October 21 Digest: Voter Registration, Peace not Predjudice Week, SmartAss

[Molly Green]

CAL DEMS EMAIL DIGEST: October 21, 2007

Hello Cal Dems!  We were glad to see so many of you make it out to the
debate; I think it’s fair to say that we definitely held our own against
BCR, props to John Fay and Ayesha Punjabi!  As always, remember to check
out the Cal Dems website: www.caldems.com and take a look at the blog
while you’re there! Hope to see you guys at the general meeting on
Thursday.

Happy Birthday to Jennifer Lerner and Parth Bhatt.  Hope it’s a good one
guys!

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CAL DEMS ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-General Meeting, Thursday 7pm, 56 Barrows
We’re back in the basement of Barrows this week.  Excitingly, we’ll be
having a forum with student representatives from the major Presidential
candidates.  Come with questions and get ready to learn where the
candidates stand on the issues you care about!

-PVC Meeting, Wednesday 7pm, 115 Barrows
Now that the debate is over with, PVC will begin to focus more on the
blog, as well as working on and expressing the club’s policy, values, and
communication.  If you are interested in getting more involved in Cal
Dems, this is the place for you.

-SmartAss, deadline tomorrow!
Our publication is now officially out and about on campus, so stop by the
table on your way to class and grab one…it will definitely be more snarky
than your lecture!  The deadline for articles for the next SmartAss is
tomorrow!  Email Kali at kali at caldems.com with any questions or concerns.

-Voter Registration Blitz Week
The week of 10/22 through 10/26 (this week!) is the state-wide UC voter
registration blitz week! If you are interested in tabling for a one hour
block  to register voters on our campus from 11 to 2 sometime this week
email Molly B. (molly at caldems.com). This is not strictly Cal Dems tabling,
but part of a coalition of Berkeley student groups who believe in the
importance of voter registration.

-Voter Reg Dorm Storming, Monday Oct. 22, 6:45 - 8, Clark Kerr Campus
As a method to register more students to vote we will be knocking on the
doors of Clark Kerr Monday night. Meet Molly B. at the large sign on the
lawn before 7 to help out. Clark Kerr is really not that far from the main
campus, just hop on the #7 bus. Email Molly B. (molly at caldems.com) if you
have questions. Voter registration is the first step in getting out the
vote!! Please come!

-Weekly tabling for Cal Dems, Thursday 11-12:30, Sproul
A spot to table for the club has opened up. If you are available and
willing to table on Sproul on Thursdays from 11-12:30 please email Molly
B. (molly at caldems.com) asap.

*****************************************
PROGRESSIVE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“If we want a world where peace is valued, we must teach ourselves to
believe that peace is not a ‘utopian vision’ but a real responsibility
that must be worked for each and every day in small and large ways.” 
-Jody Williams

******************************************
PROGRESSIVE EVENTS:

-Peace Not Prejudice Week: October 22-26, 2007

The mission of the Coalition for Peace Not Prejudice is to foster the
ideals of peace, diversity, and unity within the student body of our
esteemed educational institution. We aim to achieve unity through
diversity, realizing that despite having different cultures or
religions, a common thread binds us all together—that of humanity.
Through civil and educational discourse, we aim to create a positive
and inclusive atmosphere on campus for all students extending beyond
the classroom. Cal Dems is one of many on-campus organizations that
make up this coalition.

Events:

- Monday, 10/22: Screening "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib", Alumni House, 7 pm
"Ghosts of Abu Ghraib," an 80-minute HBO film, features the familiar
and very disturbing pictures at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison and raises
questions about U.S. government policy.

-Tuesday, 10/23: Unity Through Diversity Open Mic Poetry Slam, Naia
Lounge, 8:30 pm
Open mic poetry night promoting religious tolerance and unity. Enjoy
gelato and performances by a diverse group of poets.

- Wednesday, 10/24: The Common Thread: Similarities in the Abrahamic
Religions, 101 Morgan, 7 pm
Knowledgeable scholars discuss the similarities and differences
between the three monotheistic religions during this educational
event.

- Thursday, 10/25: Peace Rally, Upper Sproul, 5 pm
Come out to see a multitude of diverse guest and student speakers
including Rabbi Michael Lerner (Tikkun) and Basim Elkarra (CAIR)
united in their call for peace, not prejudice. Free concert by hip-hop
group Himalayan Project! Bring sheets, blankets, and food, because we
will be sitting on Sproul!



-“God and Gold: Britain, America and the Making of the Modern World",
October 23, 4 p.m., Lipman Room 8th floor, Barrows Hall

Sponsored by the Institute of International Studies
Co-sponsored by the Institute for Governmental Studies, the Institute of
European Studies, and the Religion, Politics and Globalization Program

Walter Russell Mead, a foreign policy expert of the Council on Foreign
Relations, will speak about his new book, God and Gold: Britain, America
and the Making of the Modern World.   Mead argues that the key to the
predominance of the United States and England has been the individualistic
ideology of the prevailing Anglo-American religion.
A book signing will follow the lecture.

Jessica Owen
Events Coordinator
Institute of International Studies
Religion, Politics and Globalization Program
globetrotter.berkeley.edu
rpgp.berkeley.edu


- Safety Walk-Through, October 26, 6:30 pm, Sproul Fountain

There will be a student-led city walk-through of the areas surround the
Berkeley campus. The goals of this walk-through are to identify
non-functioning streetlights and dark areas, cracked and broken sections
of sidewalks, bushes and vegetation that creep into walking paths, and any
other dangers and improvements that can be identified to make Berkeley a
better place for students and neighbors.

The results of this event will be followed up in a report and meeting with
the Berkeley City Council and City Manager.

The walkthrough shall commence on Friday, October 26 starting at 6:30 p.m.
and ending at 9 p.m. We will meet by Sproul Fountain on the Berkeley
campus. Food and drinks will be provided, and that atmosphere will be
lively, fun, and full of opportunity to meet fellow students, neighbors,
and city officials. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate
to contact me at dgarfinkel at berkeley.edu. Thank you for your hard work to
make Berkeley a safer place!


-"Ghosts of Abu Ghraib" film showing, Oct. 22, 7pm, Alumni House


Presented by Cal's *Progressive Students of Faith* and the *Bay Area
Religious Campaign Against Torture*.

Watch the trailer at http://youtube.com/watch?v=MIKOJBj35E8.

In "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib," an 80 minute HBO film, acclaimed filmmaker Rory
Kennedy digs beneath the headlines to investigate the psychological and
political context in which torture occurred and to ask critical questions:

   - How did torture become an accepted practice at Abu Ghraib?
   - Did U.S. government policies make it possible?
   - How much damage has the aftermath of Abu Ghraib had on America's
   credibility as a defender of freedom and human rights around the world?

Due to the film's intensity, audiences will have the opportunity to talk
about their thoughts and feelings through facilitated dialogue following the
film and consider possible anti-torture activities.

*This film is for mature audiences only. *The film makes extensive use of
the photographs from Abu Ghraib, some of which have previously appeared on
TV and the print media.


*Co-Sponsored by:* Berkeley ACLU, Berkeley Journal of Middle Eastern and
Islamic Law, Berkeley Stop the War Coalition, Cal Democrats, Chemists for
Peace ("Free Radicals"), Fiat Pax, Kalaam, Students for Justice in
Palestine, Students United for Peace

For more information about the event, please contact the *Progressive
Students of Faith* at PSoFaith at gmail.com .


--Panel Discussion: "New Strategies for Countering Terrorism", Thursday,
October 25, 2007 12 p.m., Geballe Room (220 Stephens Hall)

Sponsored by the Institute of International Studies

"New Strategies for Countering Terrorism" is a comprehensive examination
of post-9/11 strategies for combating global terrorism and an evaluation
of active steps for building an effective policy moving forward.  The
panel discussion will feature three of the country's leading national
security experts (Dr. David Cortright, Ambassador Peter Burleigh, and
Lieutenant General Robert Gard Jr.), and address current terrorism
policies and the role of
both multilateral institutions and the military in the global terrorism
threat.


Jessica Owen
Events Coordinator
Institute of International Studies
Religion, Politics and Globalization Program
globetrotter.berkeley.edu
rpgp.berkeley.edu


--"Setting the Agenda: Examining the Critical Legal Issues Facing
African-Americans and Minority Communities in the 2008 Elections "
November 9, 2007 @ Boalt Hall -- UC Berkeley


As the 2008 election draws near, what are the critical legal issues
facing minority communities across the United States? How will the
lives and needs of these communities influence and be influenced by
electoral politics, the 2008 presidential election, and the next
administration? What are the key problems and how can we effectively
address them as we move towards the next phase in the nation's
political life?


On November 9, 2007, the Berkeley Journal of African-American Law &
Policy (BJALP) will host a symposium focusing on critical legal issues
facing minority communities in light of the upcoming 2008 election.
Given the current legal, social, and political atmosphere, this is an
opportune time to examine those issues that are most salient to
minority communities and to begin setting an agenda aimed at effective
change and reform. We invite you to be a part of the discussion.


Visit www.settingtheagenda2008.com for the symposium schedule and details!
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PROGRESSIVE OPPORTUNITIES:

-Barak Obama Student Organizer Internship Program

The California headquarters of Obama for America is launching its
'Student Organizer Internship Program'. The Campaign is currently
seeking 5 interns. Each Student Organizer will be
working on their campus to help implement traditional organizing
models, assist in the execution of visibility and awareness events,
and help with the management of student voter data.

 This is an unpaid position that offers Student Organizers invaluable
hands-on political experience. The Organizers will play an integral
role in an innovative youth-vote building strategy, and build valuable
relationships with Obama for America staff and within the student
network of political activists and organizers. Each Organizer will
play a crucial role in implementing the California Obama for America
youth-voter strategy, and will be responsible for effectively creating
and utilizing a student supporter network.

 The internship is a 10 hour per week commitment--though the intern
will have control over their own schedule (e.g., the work can be done
in the evenings, weekends, between class, etc.) If interested, please
send a cover letter and resume to mgoedman at barackobama.com. You will
receive an email acknowledging receipt. An interview will be scheduled
for the following week.


-Hillary Clinton Campaign

Internships at the San Francisco office are available in the
Communications Department, Policy Department, and Field Operations
Department. Hone your leadership skills working with volunteers, learn how
to plan campaign rallies, and work hand-in-hand with experienced and
dedicated campaign officials! This internship is an excellent opportunity
in a fast paced, growing, and forward thinking environment.
Interested? Send your resume to HRCNorCalIntern at gmail.com.

Volunteer positions are also available. Our volunteers are charged with
getting the word out about Hillary by reaching out to their social
networks through e-mails, calls, and house parties.
To sign up, e-mail NorCalHRC at hillaryclinton.com.


-Cal in the Capital, applications due Nov. 2

Cal in the Capital (CITC) is currently accepting applications for the
summer of 2008.  Founded in 1965, CITC is a student-managed internship
program housed in the Cal Corps Public Service Center.  Every summer, CITC
sends dozens of Berkeley students to live and work in Washington, DC. 
Through the program, students explore their interests, enhance their
professional and leadership skills, learn about national issues and
current events, network with Cal alumni, and explore the dynamic life of
our nation’s capital.  Students who demonstrate interest in public service
and social change, regardless of their academic concentration or year, are
encouraged to apply.

  Applications are available online at
http://citc.berkeley.edu/application.php.
Applications are due by Friday, November 2, 2007.

  Cal in the Capital will host information sessions on:

  Thursday, October 25, 2007, 6:00 PM
  Eshleman Hall, Senate Chambers

  Please direct any questions to citc at berkeley.edu or visit
http://citc.berkeley.edu.



- UC in Sacramento Internship Program -¬ Exciting Opportunities in State
 Government!

Open to all majors, the University of California Center in Sacramento
program gives students from all UC campuses the opportunity to participate
in internships tailored to their goals while living and studying only
blocks from the Capitol building.

Apply now for the Spring 2008 session! A 3.0 minimum GPA and Junior
standing are required before entering the program, though Freshmen and
Sophomores are encouraged to attend and plan for the future. This program
is also open to graduate students and graduating seniors.  Applications
and additional information available online.

 Visit http://career.berkeley.edu/Internships/UCCS.stm to learn more!



-Internship for the Office of Sen. Diane Feinstein

Students interested in public service and the federal government are
encouraged to apply for an internship with the Office of U.S. Senator
Dianne Feinstein in San Francisco.

Working with the Senator's office gives students a chance to see how a
Senate office functions and provides a local perspective on assisting
constituents with varying issues involving the federal government.

Intern duties may include:
Handling constituent phone calls and requests, assisting with
correspondence, drafting constituent letters, conducting research,
attending community meetings, helping staff with advance work for events,
opening and sorting mail

To apply please visit the Senator's website and complete the intern
application: www.feinstein.senate.gov or click here Application Form
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&File
Submit completed applications directly to the San Francisco office via
e-mail to: morgan_galli at feinstein.senate.gov

Start dates and work schedules are very flexible.
This is an unpaid internship