Saturday, April 28, 2007

Candidates' Forum

The Democratic Women of Clifton will host a Candidates Forum on Sunday, April 29th from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Clifton Community Hall, 12641 Chapel Rd. Clifton, VA. This is a great chance to ask questions and get to know the candidates for two primary races.

Participants will be:
39th State Senate District. This seat currently is held by Jay O'Brien (R)
George Barker - www.barkerforsenate.com
Greg Gallligan - http://www.greggalligan.com

40th Delegate District. The seat is currently held by Tim Hugo (R)
Morris Meyer - http://www.morrismeyer.com
Rex Simmons - www.rexsimmons.com

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Whither the Cedar Revolution: Two Lebanese Deputies Give Their Views

Monday, April 30, noon to 1:00

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Ronald Reagan Building
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004
202.691.4000

Speakers: Ibrahim Y. Kanaan, Deputy in the Lebanese Parliament and Member of the Reform and Change Bloc and Ghassan E. Moukheiber, Deputy in the Lebanese Parliament and Member of the Reform and Change Bloc

Click here for reservations.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Yalla, Call!

Below is an article from the Arab American Institute. Please read and call to show our numbers of interested voters.

Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) led a bipartisan delegation to Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. In addition to her official meetings, the visit was most notable for its positive contribution to U.S. public diplomacy, so desperately needed in the Arab world. For example, bringing Congressmen Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress and Nick Rahall, the dean of the Arab American congressional delegation, sent positive messages of inclusion. Pelosi's spending Palm Sunday in Jerusalem with Palestinian business leaders, learning from them about the hardships of living under occupation was deeply appreciated; as was the delegations' afternoon visit to the Souk Hamadiyya in Syria. It sent a message to the Syrian people that there are Americans who care about engaging with their country and its people.

In Saudi Arabia, the scene of the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives sitting in the chair reserved for the head of the Saudi Majlis Ash-Shoura was a sign of respect for that institution, while also sending a message about the empowerment of women. The signs in the streets welcoming her, and the positive reception given to her mission in editorials across the region are a clear indication that despite the damage done in recent years to America's image, a deep reservoir of goodwill toward our country still exists.

Pelosi's was not the only congressional delegation to the region. Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) also led a Republican delegation and announced a Middle East Initiative to promote economic development in Palestine while Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) visited Syria.
Criticism of the visits have focused on Speaker Pelosi's group, but these critiques have missed the significance and timeliness of her mission. The trips of both Pelosi and Wolf are in sync with the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group (which was initiated by Wolf) which advocate regional diplomacy and dialogue.

Please call and thank Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Wolf, and other delegation members for their proactive approach and tell your Representative that you support positive US-Arab relations:

As a member of the Arab American Institute, I would like to thank you for your leadership in promoting dialogue and engagement in US-Arab relations;
Thank you for your active support of a peaceful resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and;
Please continue to support dialogue and active US engagement to promote a peaceful and comprehensive resolution to the outstanding issues in Lebanon;
Thank you for embracing the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group which call for sustained regional dialogue and diplomacy;

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (202) 225-0100
Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV) (202) 225-3452
Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) (202) 225-4755
Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) (202) 225-3531
Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) (202) 225-3976
Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY) (202) 225-3615
Congressman David Hobson (R-OH) (202) 225-4324
Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) (202) 225-5136
Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) (202) 225-4876
Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA) (202) 225-2411
Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) (202) 225-3765
Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) (202) 225-3906

Let us know about your calls! Call us at (202) 429-9210. If you live in: California, Iowa, Maryland, or Michigan ask for Valerie Smith at ext. 14 or vsmith@aaiusa.org
Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, or Virginia ask for Maram Abdelhamid at ext. 13 or mabdelhamid@aaiusa.org
Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, or any other state, ask for Jason Assir at ext. 28 or http://us.f362.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=jassir@aaiusa.org
You can also report your calls here: http://capwiz.com/arab/callalert/index.tt?alertid=9618606