Roberto Mancini becoming manager of Chelsea FC appears to be a possibility but that depends on the goodwill of Roman Abramovich who is also looking at other candidates. Another factor is that Abramovich is not a football person; he wants money and what is worth his money. Abramovich cared less about Mourinho and was willing to sack Grant in spite of the declarations by Grant about a special friendship. Since Abramovich?s best friend is the all mighty money, Roberto Mancini or any manager will have to perform exceptionally well unless he wants to go the way of Mourinho and Grant.

The Great One or Jose Mourinho has been the Midas with the Golden Touch for Chelsea as well as other teams. Mourinho will most likely bring with him from Chelsea Drogba and Lampard to play in Inter Milan. Drogba has expressed his disgust with the way Mourinho was treated by Abramovich and with Grant gone; he will probably follow Mourinho to Inter Milan. Drogba could even offer Inter Milan his experience from previous teams including Chelsea. Lampard may stay in Chelsea or may go to Inter Milan. Lampard's attitude would depend on what Abarmovich could offer him compared with an offer from Inter Milan.

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NEW on the Web:

Welcome our newest blogger Annie Dunn Watson!
Read her Visible Hands column.

Carolyn Baker's TRUTH TO POWER:
On Amish Virtues and Impending Collapse

Gaelan Brown's ENERGY OPTIMIST:
Heat Your House for $500 A Year With Local Fuel

Jane and Dana Dwinell-Yardley's COMMON SENSE:
TEN Common Sense Things Everyone Should Know

Carl Etnier's RELOCALIZING VERMONT:
"Peak Oil" Hits the Mainstream

Sarah Grillo's SHIFT HAPPENS:
The Plane Truth

J. Arthur Loose's FORGING AHEAD:
Food Riots in the U.S. Future?

Robin McDermott's LOCALVORE LIVING:
Food Rationing - Right Here in the U.S.

Carol Moore's SECEDE AND SURVIVE:
On the Right to Alter or Abolish Government

Susan Ohanian's BACK TO BASICS:
An Open Letter to VPR's "Vermont Edition"

Now circulating:
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Ron Miller interviews Gubernatorial Candidate Anthony Pollina, Rob Williams talks with Whole Systems Design's Ben Falk, Jeff Bickart Explores "Localwear," Editorializing by VC publisher Ian Baldwin, and we urge all Vermonters to "Keep It In Vermont!" Plus columns by Robin McDermott, the Greenneck, Thomas Naylor, and Kirkpatrick Sale.

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Our "Spirit of '77 issue will be out on July 4.

A hall packed with workers - of different genders, ages, and backgrounds - gathered to hear a debate between Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and me about the issues affecting South Florida.

For two hours, our community heard me discuss my plans to bring a safe and responsible end to the War in Iraq, revitalize our economy and pass a health care plan that covers everyone and lowers premiums. All they got from Mario Diaz-Balart was an empty podium.

Where was Diaz-Balart during this important debate? On an AM talk radio show to talk about his strategy of "dividing Cuban, and Jewish, voters."

That's not the kind of politics we need when our community is facing so many problems.

Help us tell Mario Diaz-Balart that it is about time he starts debating the issues. Make a $30 contribution to my campaign today and let's change South Florida and Washington:

http://joegarcia08.com/WheresMario

If we are serious about addressing the needs of our community, then we have to be willing to meet with voters, roll up our sleeves and discuss the things most important to you -- Iraq, jobs, the environment, and health care.

That's what I've done all along. I have met mothers in Kendall that have to choose between paying for a gallon of gas or buying a gallon of milk. I have spoken with veterans in Naples on the verge of losing their homes because their VA benefits aren't kicking in. I have met with students from schools like FIU and Miami-Dade that have the grades and the ambition, but can't find jobs in our community.

That's what this campaign is about - reaching out to our community and solving real problems. This is about the politics of change and progress, not division. And, together, we can deliver this change.

Can you help our campaign by contributing $30 today?
http://joegarcia08.com/WheresMario

I'm not sure why Mario Diaz-Balart skipped this debate. Perhaps it was because he doesn't have an excuse for rubber-stamping the failed Bush economic agenda, for voting three times against children's health care, or for opposing benefits for veterans. These votes are inexcusable. He knows it. And he's not going to be able to avoid the debate forever.

Together, we can send Mario Diaz-Balart home, and bring real leadership to Washington and South Florida.

Thank you for everything you do,

Dan Robinson was elected to the Takoma Park, Maryland City
Council in November of 2007. Takoma Park is a city of
approximately 18,000 that boarders the District of Columbia. Dan
Robinson is one of six councilmembers. When we called him, he
was actually in a City Council meeting. We caught up with him the
next day.

GL: What was the hot topic of last night's City Council meeting?

DR: The budget. It's not necessarily fascinating but passing a budget has to be done. We've been meeting with residents to try and figure out what people really want. I'm working with staff to look at sustainability issues. We have people scouring the streets
of Takoma Park looking for ways to save energy.

GL: What made you decide to run for City Council?

DR: I'd done a lot things - served on committees, local activism, worked with Takoma Park businesspeople. I got to know a lot of people. I wanted to find a way to hear all sides on important issues, not just my own side.

GL: What do you do professionally and how did it help you run for office?

DR: I followed an entrepreneurial path. I've been a computer programmer and business manager for many years. I sold my computer programming business to my employees and built a small office building. It's definitely a green building - it's as low-impact as I could make it. I was exposed to the realities of government while organizing the
construction of the building. I had to work through probably 25 different bureaucracies.

GL: Tell us a little bit about your campaign.

DR: I had a lot of help from Greens, friends, and acquaintances. My ward is small - only about 3,000 people - and I was able to knock on every door. I held a number of coffees and meetings a few times a week. Raising about $2,000 was enough to send a mailing to every household and post yard signs.

Two years ago, Takoma Park initiated Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) for city elections. Unfortunately, none of the races in November had more than two candidates. I thought about recruiting another candidate just so we could see IRV in action.

GL: What has the hardest part of the experience been?

DR: People put a lot of expectations on you - some people project their own frustrations onto you. You have to be realistic about responding to that. With city matters on my mind all the time, sometimes my work suffers. My city council salary is $10,000 for what is basically a half-time position. Some people believe that City Council members ought to be willing to work for free. In some ways I agree, but for people who have to make a living that would be hard. If they had to do it for free, only wealthy people could afford to hold office. That's not the Green way.

Q: What advice do you have for Greens thinking of running for office?

DR: Get involved with community affairs. It need to be done - just do it. Find a way to serve on committees as a volunteer, start something new in town, and get to know as many people as you can. Push for change however you can. Examine the budget. Try to understand people's motivations for why they ask for things. People come to the council all the time with problems they are dealing with. We try to point that person toward the appropriate staff member to get things resolved. The question we ask is "What can we do as a staff to make this person's life a little easier?"

Two more Electoral Victories in May . . .
. . . bring Win-Rate to 61% for Year

Don Langrehr won his re-election to Blacksburg Town Council in Montgomery County.
He finished second of five candidates for three seats with 1,100 votes or 22.28%. This brings us to 18 wins out of 30 races for the year maintaining a 60% win rate for the Spring cycle.
In Lancaster, MA David Spanagel was elected as Town Moderator, . He ran unopposed and received 328 votes or 97.04%. He used his modest $95 of campaign contributions to send informative postcards out to about 25% of the town's active voters. Every Postcard had the Green-Rainbow logo above his name.
The Green Party has had 19 wins out of 31 races for the spring cycle with a win rate of 61% so far this year. The Green Party currently has 230 elected officeholders.
Feedback wanted on New/Revised Platform Planks
The Green Party is different from the corporate parties and the difference becomes obvious when reading the Platform. The Platform is a dynamic document voted on at the quadrennial convention and reveals the heart of the party including further illumination of the ten key values. Efforts have been underway to revise and improve the 2004 Platform.
You can review new amendments to the 2004 Platform by going to the following link: http://www.gp.org/committees/ballot/fundraising.shtml. Please examine and submit to your State Committees for further consideration. All comments or objections can be submitted to the Platform Committee until the final deadline of July 6th.
There are 4 chapters to the Platform. One of the Platform Committee's aims was to produce a tight Platform that candidates can use as a handy reference, distribute at campaigns and give to other Greens. Also, when Greens go to events, forums, protests, etc. they can use the Platform to recruit new Greens.
Some suggested new additions to Platform 2008 are 1) Labor - Greens support the EFCA (Employees Free Choice Act) bill - passing through the Congress; 2) Foreign Affairs. - Military. See under Nuclear Weapons: Greens strongly oppose research and development of the US RRW (Reliable Replacement Warhead). In reality the RRW is a new nuclear weapon and not in compliance with NPT; 3) Energy - (see in column 2 under Chapter III) an upgraded as well as updated Energy plank; 4) Population - first time we have had a plank on population other than Women's Right to Choose. Some of the changes have already proven to be controversial so please check on the platform amendments to make sure you and your State can support the revisions.
The editors of the draft are:
Chapter I: Jenefer Ellingston Jellingston@greens.org and Jane Zara jjzara@aol.com
Chapter II: Jack Ailey jjailey@comcast.net, John Ely johnbethany@earthlink.net and
Gene Hunter hunter@pjsnet.de
Chapter III: Wes Rolley wrolley@charter.net and Mike Ewall catalyst@actionPA.org
Chapter IV: Erik Douglas politicaltao@taotetao.com and Jon Olsen joliyoka@gwi.net
You are encouraged to review the proposed changes and send comments or objections to the Platform Committee editors listed above. Also, please distribute this article widely
Help States achieve Ballot Access
Summer is here and its time to hit the streets to get the Green Party on the ballot! Now is the time to gather signatures and dollars to help our ballot access efforts.
Virginia is working hard. They need to collect 10,000 signatures by August 22 and they have about half in hand. Check out http://vagreenparty.org/petitions.html to download petitions, get in touch with the petition drive coordinators, and HELP THE Green Party of Virginia achieve Ballot Access.
The Ballot Access Committee continues to try and raise funds to make more grants to Virginia and other states. Greens can make on-line donations at http://www.gp.org/committees/ballot/fundraising.shtml. You can also find a volunteer link to help with your State's petition drive or a neighboring state. The Green Party relies on word of mouth advertising so please use the "Spread the Word" link on the same page.
Other states currently petitioning include:
Pennsylvania (25,000 signatures needed by August 1)
Iowa (1,500 signatures needed by August 15)
New Jersey (800 signatures needed by July 28)

We need as much help as possible in the following states:

As you are aware today is Memorial Day, a day that we have chosen to remember those who have fought and died for this great country and what it represents. Many of us though are not completely satisfied with the direction our country is headed in and that it no longer is the beacon of individual freedom and liberty it once was. As the years pass the encroachment of government power over our freedom advances at an ever increasing rate. So what can be done?

As we head into the calid days of summer, there is a local political race that is starting to heat up. The race is for State Senate District 35 and it pits Dean Santoro against House Minority Leader Dan Gelber. Mr. Gelber is a tax and spend liberal (ie socialist), who has no qualms taking your money by force to feed a government whose thirst for taxpayer monies is unquenchable.

Dean Santoro has decided to take on Mr. Gelber, knowing that this won't be easy. Mr. Santoro is proposing real and fundamental changes for Florida's residents and taxpayers. He has new and innovative ideas that can change the way we educate our children, by taking power away from bureaucrats, politicians, administrators and union bosses and putting back in the hands of parents. Not only would his plan improve our states education system but it would save taxpayers millions (perhaps Billions) of dollars.

Florida needs a fiscally conservative person like Dean Santoro in the senate. But Dean can't do it alone he needs your help and support. Please take a minute and vist Mr. Santoro's website ( http://www.politicalgateway.com/cand.php?id=684&page=cand ) and either contribute to his campaign or sign up to volunteer. rember no contribution is to small every little bit helps to spread the message of freedom and individual rights and responsibility.

I am writing to encourage you to run as a Libertarian for public office in Florida.

Florida Libertarians have a fantastic opportunity to have a substantial Libertarian influence on their communities by serving as elected officials on Special District Boards. There are more than 1,500 Special Districts in Florida, which act as advisory boards that address local issues like community development, soil and water conservation, transportation etc. (http://www.floridaspecialdistricts.org/).

Special Districts are easily accessible to Libertarians, as there are no ballot access restrictions. To be on the ballot in Nov. for a Special District, Libertarians must merely pay a $25 fee and submit their filing papers by June 20th. Special Districts are often uncontested, and are definitely winnable for Libertarian candidates who promote a positive community reputation. Additionally, campaigning for and serving on a Special District requires only a small time commitment; one compatible with your other obligations.

By serving on a Special District board, you can have a significant Libertarian influence in your community and reverse the increasing encroachment of local government. The difference Libertarians can make by serving on a Special District has been proven by the example of the Libertarians who acquired a majority on the Lee County Soil and Water Board (http://www.lp.org/downloads/lee_county_libs.pdf). These Libertarians eliminated the Special District’s excessively inefficient functions, and then returned its $100,000 budget-surplus to the voters!

Furthermore, serving as a Libertarian candidate on a Special District Board sets the foundation for future Libertarian candidates running for higher offices. For example, the Libertarians serving on the Lee County Soil and Water Board proved to their constituents that Libertarians are not typical politicians by returning money back to the taxpayer rather than spending it on wasteful projects. In this way, local elected Libertarian officials can show their community that the Libertarian Party is a principled political party, which they should support. Only with the help of individuals like you volunteering for candidacy can we give voters a Libertarian choice; so please, make this invaluable contribution and run for a Special District in your community!

If you are interested and would like more information, please email me or contact Florida LP Chair Karl Dickey at karldickey@gmail.com. We will notify your local Libertarian Party leadership so that they can help you find the best Special District office for you, and guide you through the filing procedure.

We thank you for your continued support and dedication to the ideals of peace, freedom and prosperity.

In Liberty,

Alexa Lamoureux