PLEASE VIEW THE LATEST PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
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November 8, 2009
Dear Friends & Supporters,
Some folks have asked me about my recent activities, asking why they haven’t heard from me lately. I never used to publicize my political activism before the CD-2 race, but I will commit to keep our supporters more up-to-date on a regular basis.
I thank all of our supporters for their endorsements and continued interest and ask that they forgive me for not advertising myself heavily after the CD-2 primary. It‘s not something I am used to doing and I still haven‘t had a moment to rest up with my very busy schedule!
Basically I‘ve just been doing what I have always done. I will update our website McCueforCD2.com to keep everyone abreast of my work and to further explain the reasoning behind my positions on the issues of our day.
But first–Let me deal with the shocking news from Ft. Hood, since it is so vital…The tragedy at Ft. Hood this week hopefully will shine a light on an issue that the military has been trying to keep from us for many years; which is that there have been many other incidents of murder and suicide committed by our stressed-out soldiers that have not been reported in the media. If we knew the exact figures, I think we would all demand immediate action, but the military keeps this information top secret.
I recall that there were riots at Ft. Hood in 1968 because the soldiers insisted that they were not properly trained for battle in the jungles of Viet Nam before deployment there, and demanded better training before shipping out. The rioting caused over $150,000 in damages. (in 1968 dollars).
This is the type of story that has been stifled and kept secret from the American public for decades. The same type of unspeakable violence is going on today as we now know.
One of the many failed policies of the Cheney/Bush administration was the redeployment of our soldiers to battle in Iraq and Afghanistan over and over and over, with little or no break.
Our soldiers are often too proud or brave to report the stress and mental injuries they suffer because they don‘t want to let their nation down. The scandal at Walter Reed Hospital in 2007 illuminated part of this problem–but more reporting needs to be done.
Even our military reserves have been pressed into lengthy terms of service which prevented our nation from responding properly to natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Ike.
The failed policies of the Cheney/Bush administration are haunting us at every level of governance (illegal wars, economic collapse, violations of constitutional rights, supporting Wall Street corruption, illegal wire-tapping of American citizens, and a list of abuses too long to mention here…).
Please know that I am praying for our military families and understand their sacrifices. The Ft. Hood tragedy is unthinkable and hopefully, the truth of it will come out. I personally ask you to do everything you can to support our men and women in uniform—especially by contacting your representatives in Washington about our policies concerning redeployments for soldiers who are already burned out. This policy must end now!
Before the tragedy happened, I joined the March for Equality to Repeal Prop. 8. The March for Equality saw over two thousand people from all over Los Angeles marching from the intersection of Vermont & Santa Monica Blvd. to the Silver Lake neighborhood where we then held a rally.
You can imagine the energy of our LA Community, (both Straight and Gay) marching together for a civil right that was unfairly taken away from us all by what Thomas Jefferson called ―a tyranny of the majority one year ago that day.
At the rally, I was honored to meet one of my personal heroes, Lt. Dan Choi. Lt. Dan was one of our most valued officers in the “War on Terrorism” being fluent in Arabic languages and having a spotless record of service. He graduated near the head of his class at West Point and has been exemplary in his service to our country.
Then, when interviewed on the “Rachel Maddow Show” it slipped out that he was gay.
Lt. Choi was immediately drummed out of the military for violating the “Don’t Ask- Don’t Tell” policy which even our Chiefs of Staff have gone on the record as opposing.
Since then, Lt. Dan has become an outspoken, articulate advocate for repeal of ―Don‘t Ask-Don‘t Tell and when people see him in person and hear him speak his special, informed brand of ―Truth to Power‖–they realize what a mistake our military is making by getting rid of officers like Dan and keeping this outdated policy in place.
Lt. Dan was one of the speakers at our rally, as well as attorney, Gloria Allred, and the leaders of the California Courage Campaign and the Love, Honor Cherish organization; who are all committed to the repeal of Prop. 8 and the ―Don‘t Ask- Don‘t Tell policy.
Being brought up in a military family, meeting Lt. Dan was a special honor for me personally.
Since the ―Don‘t Ask-Don‘t Tell‖ policy was implemented in the 90‘s, over 17,000 soldiers, men and women, have been discharged from serving their country honorably! This is a shameful situation. Please know, that it has been documented that the policy has been abused to kick out female soldiers who aren’t even gay!
Our military is worse off for not being able to utilize the talents and skill sets of these courageous men and women, who are desperately needed in our military right now.
I am often asked about the Key Values that I spoke so much about during the campaign for CD-2…
One of the Ten Key Values of the Green Party is known as “Gender Equity.” Gender Equity means that we Greens fight for the correct interpretation of our constitution which states that all Americans must be treated “equal under the law.”
Not being able to marry the person that you love is not an example of being treated equally under the law.
Not being able to serve your country (after years of expensive education and training) simply because you are gay, or perceived as gay, is not an example of being treated equally under the law…and is also a waste of taxpayer dollars.
The Key Value of Gender Equity also means that women are to be paid salaries commensurate with the salaries that men receive for the same job, which is, sadly, still an issue in our city, state and nation.
I want you to know that I am committed to the Key Value of Gender Equity, and I ask you to make that commitment as well, regardless of your political party, race, religion, social status, or sexual orientation.
We must not give up the fight for equality under the law as promised by our constitution.
Since the CD-2 primary I have remained busy as a Green activist…
I attended the Neighborhood Council Action Summit where I urgently supported the Rate-Payer Advocate plank of our local platform.
I have attended the Congress of Neighborhood Councils where I made inroads with the BONC in fighting the questionable ethics exhibited by some of our NC’s during the CD-2 race.
I have been contacting our representatives in Washington and Sacramento supporting other specific issues that are close to our most vital, progressive goals of Health Care Reform for all, and Wall Street reforms (as well as justice for the criminals working against our nation‘s best interests there). There were several arrests made this past week, including many hedge fund managers and lawyers, so there is a little progress on that front.
Please know that just because I am no longer in the race for CD-2, it does not mean that I am inactive politically.
I continue to serve on the Board of the Studio City Neighborhood Council, and as the Chair of the Environmental Affairs Committee and as a voting member of the Government Affairs Committee for the SCNC.
I have been active in the CD-2 race by taking meetings with the run-off candidates, Christine Essel and Paul Krekorian.
I will continue to use whatever influence I have with them both to help them understand the Key Values that I continue to support and was talking about all through the Town Hall debate process.
By the way…Paul Krekorian clearly stated to me that I was the only candidate in the CD-2 race who presented a full, specific platform. Christine Essel acknowledged this as well and expressed her admiration as well.
I thanked them for their respect and continue to encourage both of the CD-2 candidates to embrace the 10 Key Values and to use these values in their decision-making process, whatever the outcome of the race.
Paul, by the way, recently joined Christine Essel in supporting Instant Run-Off Elections (which are an election reform that our campaign supported and) thatcreate a major savings for our taxpayers. More about IRV later…
Since the primary, Christine Essel endorsed the Fair Election measure that is coming up on the state ballot in 2010, and I hope that Paul Krekorian will follow suit on this election reform as well. I will ask him this week. We need (Clean Money) Fair Elections in the City of Los Angeles as well.
I am still listening to both CD-2 candidates and am seeking specific platforms and commitments on the issues of Clean Money/Fair Elections reform, a Rate-Payer advocate, a Collections Sheriff, commitment to clean air and enforcement of our environmental laws, fair water usage policies, etc…
I will be attending as many debates and CD-2 candidate meetings as my schedule allows and urge all of our supporters and voters to do the same. We must increase voter turnout for this special election!
I will publish another update after the election for CD-2. I wish both Christine and Paul the best of luck in the CD-2 election on Dec. 8th!
In your service,
Michael McCue
Green Party Candidate for CD-2
Board Member – Studio City Neighborhood Council
Chair – Environmental Affairs Committee
Member – Government Affairs Committee
Contact Michael at: 818-762-4595
myklmcq@aol.com
Thank you for your support
October 2, 2009
Dear Friends,
This past week, our campaign volunteers, Nathan Paternostro & Jaymie Profico, joined me at North Hollywood Park for an unveiling/lighting ceremony for our city park’s very first solar-powered streetlights. Councilman Tom LaBonge emceed the ceremony where many of North Hollywood’s civil servants were honored, including senior lead officers, John Catalano and Robert Benavidez.
Ed Begley Jr. was there to help light the solar-powered lamps which automatically turn on at sunset and are completely self-contained. Each lamp has a solar collector connected to a battery which powers the lights. These lamps are as powerful as a normal streetlamp and the power is free! Ed has always been very supportive of my political activism and even endorsed me when I ran for Studio City Neighborhood Council. Ed generously provided narration for the soon-to-be-released educational video regarding the use of Leaf-blowers in our communities, (more later…) so naturally it was great to see him and his lovely daughter, Hayden at the event.
Ed reminded everyone that they should fulfill their green desires by starting out with what they know they can do and what they can afford. Small steps first, then keep going. Good advice for those who are learning to be Green.
These solar lights are historically significant for our community in that they are the very first solar lights installed at an L.A. City park. We support installing solar-powered lighting not only in every city park, but also all over the city—do we not? We do!
Also this past week I lectured a class on Democracy 101 at Pasadena City College and explained the 10 Key Values of the Green Party to them. The students there were very bright and the students had a lot to say about the Key Values of Grassroots Democracy, Social Justice, Ecological Wisdom and Future Focus.
I also participated in a debate of the different political parties for another class at Arroyo High School this past week. The debate was centered on the issue of Health Care Reform but other subjects came up as well. The students could easily tell the differences in the various parties’ platforms and of course, we reminded them that single-payer, universal care is the only meaningful reform that will truly bring our nation into the 21st century.
We have been following up with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment regarding the problems we discovered during the campaign with various Neighborhood Council members who may have committed violations of ethics through their partisan efforts to support candidates. We are soon to receive a few very-needed determinations from the City Attorney’s office on this subject as well.
Saturday is the Neighborhood Council Action Conference, which I will be attending. I will be promoting Clean Money elections for the City of L.A. at this event and will also join break-out groups to discuss urgent city issues such as a Rate-Payer Advocate, a 50% pay cut for City Council members, and other issues of reform that matter to us all. I will submit a follow-up report on this gathering later.
Coming up next week…
Robin Gilbert and I have an important meeting coming up with Trent Lange, the Executive Director of the California Fair Elections campaign. We will be discussing strategies to bring
Fair/Clean Money Elections to Los Angeles.
I will be testifying at Long Beach City Council regarding the implementation of Instant Run-Off voting rules for the city of Long Beach.
Wednesday I will be presenting a report on IRV at the Government Affairs Committee meeting in Studio City. I have served on this committee since its inception and it is the originating source of my motions for action regarding election and ethics reforms. All are welcome to attend.
Then-next Saturday is the Mayor’s Budget Day and the big Neighborhood Council Congress at City Hall. Hundreds of community leaders will be there and the workshops for NC members should be interesting, but I’ve attended this event several times before and I have to say that I do not appreciate the Mayor hijacking precious time at this NC Congress day every year for his own ends.
Will keep you posted on these events. This update will be posted at our web site at www.McCuefor2.com. Please feel free to look for updates there as the website will continue to stay online until further notice.
Until next time, I remain…
In your service,
Michael McCue
Please watch my candidate statement below.
Featured on National Green Party website: www.gp.org
Endorsed by:
The Green Party of Los Angeles County
LA Greens
The San Fernando Valley Greens
“Michael McCue was the surprise of the evening. He had a large number of good, solid answers. In fact, he sounded like the only candidate who had predicted the questions and knew his answers ahead of time.
Good forum … I thought that McCue was the winner here tonight.”
Click here for full story.
“Several close observers credited Michael McCue, a Studio City Neighborhood Council member, with being the most impressive.”
Click here for full story.
“Michael McCue was again, the most powerful, and most dramatic speaker of the evening.”
Click here for full story.
The latest “Buzz” on Michael McCue
ONLINE STREAMING RADIO INTERVIEW: J.T. McCormick interviews Michael McCue on latalkradio.com (9/15/09).
LATEST RADIO INTERVIEWS: Listen to both interviews with KRLA’s Kevin James from 870 AM radio. Click on below links:
Michael McCue’s radio interview with Kevin James, KRLA 870 AM (August 14, 2009)
I REPRESENT A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE:
- I am the only candidate in the race for CD-2 who is endorsed by the Green Party of Los Angeles County, LA Greens and the San Fernando Valley Greens.
- I am the only candidate currently serving as an active, voting, Board Member on a mature neighborhood council. I have served as an elected official for almost three years now.
- I am the only candidate completely committed to the values of Grassroots Democracy, Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Non-Violence, Community-Based Economics, Gender Equity, Decentralization of Power, Diversity, Accountability/Responsibility and Future Focus.
- I am the only candidate who represents the grassroots movement that defeated measure B and elected Carmen Trutanich to City Attorney.
