I realize that this is not much of a diary, but it seems like the fastest way to get this information out there. There are a couple of events here in H-town that are not getting much run.
First, Moveon.org is organizing a rally tomorrow in downotwn to deliver a petition to the gop and oil companies. I wish they had sent his out sooner. It seems like if you want a good representation of the progressives in Houston, you should tell us more than 24 hours in advance...but oh well.
Anyway, I wanted to pass it along as quickly as I could - so here you go:
No sure what these events entail, but here is the breakdown from the email I received today:
Dear MoveOn member,
Republicans have been escalating their attacks on Obama and the Democrats over oil drilling, and we need to push back. Can you join us at an emergency action in Houston tomorrow (Thursday)?
House Republicans have been "protesting" ever since Congress adjourned on Friday because Speaker Pelosi blocked their offshore drilling plan. Speaker Pelosi blocked their plan because it won't help lower gas prices—but it will line the pockets of Big Oil executives, the same people donating millions of dollars to Republicans.
But Republicans are working hard to make it seem like they're fighting for cash-strapped commuters—and not the oil companies that want to drill the most.
So tomorrow (Thursday), we're organizing our own action to highlight the GOP's extensive ties to Big Oil, and deliver a petition to our representatives calling for a big switch to clean energy. We've invited the media, and having a good crowd is critical to show them that voters don't want oil industry gimmicks, they want real solutions like alternative energy to solve our energy crisis.
Can you make it?
Here are the details:
What: Petition Delivery to Stop Big Oil Gimmicks and Demand Clean Energy
Where: Rep. Culberson's District Office (in Houston)
When: Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, at 12:00 PM.
RSVP: http://pol.moveon.org/...
The event is sure to be a lot of fun. We'll tell the media and the Republicans that voters aren't buying their oil industry scams. Together, we'll deliver hundreds of thousands of signatures from voters who're demanding real solutions—renewable and clean energy sources.
Republicans have been dominating the debate around gas prices for weeks with their sham drilling plan. Oil drilling is a gimmick, and the only reason they're pushing for it is because their donors in the oil industry want it.
Their latest stunt is getting a lot of press coverage. But no one has challenged their ridiculous arguments, so we have to.
Here are few key facts about oil drilling:
It's a gimmick. The US only has 1.6% of the world's oil. And drilling could take over a decade or more to produce any oil.1
It won't lower gas prices. Even after a decade-long wait the price will barely drop a few cents per gallon.1
America knows drilling won't work. According to a recent poll, 54% of poll respondents said they did not believe more drilling would lower gas prices. And 63% said opening up public lands to oil and gas drilling is more likely to enrich oil companies than to lower gas prices for American consumers.2
Voters are ready for real solutions. The public overwhelmingly believes (76%!) that policymakers should focus on investing in new energy technologies including renewable fuels and more efficient vehicles rather than expanding exploration and drilling for more oil.2
Tomorrow, we'll call out the Republican stunt and remind the media and the Republicans that voters want real solutions—not oil drilling.
Can you join us tomorrow in Houston?
http://pol.moveon.org/...
Thanks for all you do.
–Noah, Lenore, Ilyse, Nita and the rest of the team
I also wanted to mention that this Saturday, August 9th, the Texas Dems are re-opening the Houston HQ (in the Obama HQ office). Here is the details around that event:
Dear Fellow Democrats,
Rodney Ellis. Garnett Coleman. Ellen Cohen. Chris Bell. Michael Skelly. Rick Noriega.
We are so lucky to be at the center of big happenings in Harris County here in Houston. We need your help in making sure our local candidates become the elected leaders we need. Please join us and many of our candidates this Saturday, August 9th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, at our Midtown Office Opening located on the corner of Alabama at Travis, located at 3710 Travis (map) as we open the doors to our new Coordinated Campaign Office for the Harris County Democratic Party.
An exciting program featuring Master of Ceremonies State Senator Rondey Ellis will kick off promptly at 11:00 am. This office was Senator Barack Obamas during the March Primary and we need that same enthusiasm for Democrats this November. The Republicans in Harris County have proven they will do whatever it takes to hold on to their offices, and it will take all of our effort to restore integrity and accountability to our public officials.
We invite you to come and tour our office and enjoy food and cold drinks. In an exciting announcement, we will have Obama items available for suggested donation. Get the ready for the fall election by getting the latest Obama fall fashion with the following items:
Obama T-shirts
Obama Bumper-stickers
Obama Yard Signs
Obama Hats
Again, we hope you will join us, your candidates, and your public officials this weekend for the fun and festivities at our new Midtown Campaign Office, so we can build momentum to Turn Texas Blue.
See you there!
Jamaal Smith
Field Director, Harris County Coordinated Campaign
I would like to encourge any and all H-town progressives to attend these events. It is so good to see Houston invovled in the Turn Texas Blue campaign !!!!!