Philadelphia-I came to Market Street to hand out the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) strategy flyer to protesters waiting for the President. There were not that many protesters so I did my best to get the two-sided orange flyer into everyone's hands. It didn't take that long. I had a nice talk with someone from Americans Against the Escalation in Iraq who desperately wanted veterans to speak at local events but stated that they had no money to pay. I let her know that if Moveon and others behind her group wanted the vets that money would be needed. IVAW is a powerful but vastly underfunded organization and those with financial resources need to support IVAW financially. It was a good conversation and I took her email to pass on to IVAW just in case there were any takers.

Please check out the USA Today article on casinos (not) coming to Philly. There is much to say about this article how our organizing and direct action has really changed the landscape in the past 8-9 months. Take a look at what Ed and Meredith are saying. They are both Fishtown residents from very different backgrounds but they work together (got arrested together last week to try to force the gaming board to be more transparent) to improve and protect their community. Meredith has been a key person in the creation and growth of NABR (it is the Best Riverfront not a Better Riverfront fyi) which continues to bring newcomers and old-timers together to advance a positive vision for this city built on what is already great about our riverfront while advancing new ideas that do not include the intrusion of casinos within our social and neighborhood fabric. Ed is one of my neighbors who continues to build tremendous organizing skills and has gone from great despair to great hope for what Fishtown, the riverfront and the city could be if people work together across our differences. And check out what Rene from South Philly had to say. Rather than just saying Foxwoods is the worst site she said something more powerful that really lies at the heart of this debate (are we finally actually debating casinos, about time!)-that she lives in one of the best neighborhoods and that is not something worth risking with a casino. If the City felt that way about our city than we would be out solving real problems rather than creating new problems that will only exacerbate existing challenges.

Finally, we have the Mayor saying that we need to "Adapt or Die" which I totally agree with. Like perhaps we need new City leadership in the Council who knows how to fight for something good and against things that are bad. Or a Philly delegation that actually learns how to create policies out in the open rather than in secret. Or a Mayor who actually has a vision rather than transplanting neon from neighboring Atlantic City. Philadelphia: "the City of Neon", now that has a ring to it. Anyway, check out the article, I think it is one of the best that has been written, and it is in a national paper (how embarrassing to the Mayor, the City and the State) with photos.

"A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a Farce or a Trajedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power of knowledge gives." - James Madison

"You don't want to be doing something that's a bunch of window dressing," Fumo, a veteran of Harrisburg's political scene, said in an interview last week. "What we need is more transparency in the process."

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counti...

Okay, those that know me will undoubtedly wonder why I would start a blog post with quotes from Madison and Fumo. But hey, if it works.

The fact is, there is something going on here and it is worth noting. It is also important for us to ask a variety of questions, this one comes to mind immediately:

Check out this article, http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/11/15/a_win_f...

Right after the 2004 elections my friend Nick and I launched www.turnyourbackonbush.org. The result was a powerful action that effectively challenged Bush's claim to a mandate on inauguration day, January 20th, 2005. We had a busload of folks come down from New Hampshire and from many other states. Turn Your Back on Bush was a call to action, a symbolic and direct stand against the President and what he sood and stands for. Overall, our part in Carol Shea-Porter's victory was minimal, it took thousands of volunteers to get her to the Capitol and the Democratic Party, consultants and insiders did not think she could win. But as we prove again and again the winnability calculation often doesn't account for committed people developing clear strategies that rely on organizing people to make a deep impact. Direct action should and will also play a role in winning strategies whether it be on issues or for candidates. Great work Carol!!

It appears that the Governor has a very different opinion than the Gaming Board, http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/politics/15912658.htm. The public comment period for the stand alone casino application ended June 2nd despite calls by groups like NABR and the Philadelphia City Council to extend the deadline until after final proposals were released. If we had access to the most basic documents about what was now being planned, as proposals have changed considerably since June 2nd, than we would be happy to provide meaningful input. But the Board continues to withhold this and other information. And even if we had this information the Board ended the public comment period on June 2nd and is rushing to license the two Philadelphia casinos on Dec. 20th. Please go to www.casinofreephila.org to learn what you can do to make our Commonwealth open, transparent and accountable.

This Sunday, October 29th, from 6 to 10 PM NABR will hold its 6 month anniversary party and benefit at Johnny Brenda's. With you there it will be a lot more fun, check out www.nabrhood.org for the details and help us spread the word. A few months back I penned this op-ed for the Daily News, http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/opinion/15357016.htm. Just a couple months later we have been successful, it appears, in retaining zoning control by forcing Fumo to reverse his position and this week the House, due to the leadership of Lederer and Taylor, and others, appears to have retained the public's rights to the river (the public owns more than 75% of the Sugar House casino site through riparian rights along with much of the land along the river's edge in this city). The Gaming Control Board is still not open or accessible to real people and on Monday Casino Free Philadelphia will be launching Operation Transparency, check out www.casinofreephila.org for information about this campaign in coming days.

I had a great time tonight, leading a training with residents involved with the Philadelphia Affordable Housing Coalition. I left feeling as I often do when working with poor and working class people--that there is real potential for massive positive transformation in this city. I also left with growing clarity about just how ineffective our City has been at addressing the housing crisis that we are facing. One third of Philadelphia's households earn under $20,000 a year and yet the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and other City programs continue to not be targetted to this population, particularly when it comes to helping permanently house these working families. More important than the neglect was the sense of power that I feel is growing in our city. Across race and class people are regularly moving from despair to action.

Please join Neighbors Allied for the Best Riverfront, www.NABRhood.org, and groups from around the city at 12pm on Thursday, June 1st as we launch Casino Free Philadelphia. The noontime rally will take place at the Pennsylvania State Building, 1400 Spring Garden Street at Broad. As you may know there are five casino operators competing for two licenses to locate slots parlors in Philadelphia: 2 in Fishtown, 1 in Nicetown/East Falls, 1 in Northern Liberties, and 1 in South Philadelphia. From the beginning we have been kept out of the process by our elected representatives in state government. The proposed casinos are the result of the corrupt business as usual policies that brought us the pay raise and other nightmares from Harrisburg. Stopping them will be yet another step in the growing movement for a new and better way of doing things in our city and state.

As an added bonus, the rally will include the unveiling and operation of one of the largest slot machines in the world, as well as speakers and other entertaining and educational activities!

Please help us spread the word far and wide and check out the NABR website for updates. Join our email list to stay informed. We look forward to your active participation in the struggle for the best riverfront and city that all Philadelphians deserve.