[Peace] Minutes 05 Dec 04

[Ricky Baldwin]

[I am forwarding these minutes for David Hurley. - RB]
> 
> The first order of business was a discussion of
> election reform. Jen 
> Walling gave an over view of "Instant Run Off."  She
> described this as a 
> more fair electoral system used in many European
> countries as well as the 
> State of California.  It is also used in such
> nonpolitical contexts as the 
> Academy Awards and in choosing the Heismann Trophy
> winner.  The form of 
> instant run off Jen described was the Irish Style
> used in San Francisco, 
> were voters rank their top three choices. If non of
> the candidates receives 
> over 50% of the vote the ballots for the candidate
> with the least votes are 
> awarded to the higher ranking candidates.  This
> process is repeated until 
> one candidate receives over 50% of the vote.  A
> second version of instant 
> run off calls for rank ordering of all candidates by
> voters.  This form of 
> voting can be used to eliminate the need for a
> primary election.  Jen 
> stated that the Illinois Attorney General was
> expected to rule on the use 
> of instant run of in local election.  It was
> suggested that instant run of 
> could be used in Urbana if there was a favorable
> decision
> 
> This was followed by a "Brain Storming" and planning
> session.  Suggestions 
> included getting 'Democracy Now' on WILL.  It was
> stated that now that we 
> had "Democracy Now" on local cable that we needed to
> promote it.  The 
> likelihood of a backlash against 'Democracy Now' was
> raised.  The needed to 
> "target" stations which are unbalanced was
> discussed.  Tactics suggested 
> included letter writing and telephone calls to
> offending stations.  It was 
> also suggested that the FCC could be petitioned.
> 
> There was interest expressed in forming working
> groups.  Interest was shown 
> in a media group.  It was proposed that members take
> advantage of 
> interviews on local radio and TV stations.  The
> possibility of producing 
> public information programs on local cable was
> discussed.  It was stated 
> that the Urbana City Council had turned down local
> productions.  Attention 
> was drawn to Champaign  having a studio that could
> be used for such 
> productions.
> 
> Carl presented his analysis of the weeks news, 12
> stories this week.
> 
> Randy Cotton recommended the following web sites:
> Juan Cole's "Informed 
> Comment," 
>
http://www.juancole.com/2004/11/intimidation-by-israeli-linked.html;
> "Iraq 
> Occupation Watch," http://www.occupationwatch.org/; 
>  "Slash And Burn," by 
> Dahr Jamail,
> http://www.countercurrents.org/jamail181104.htm;
> Christian 
> Parenti aat "Democracy Now," 
>
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/03/19/156204.
> 
> There was no report on the "Peace Fair."
> The group working for a citizen police review board
> will meet at the 
> Douglas Branch Library on 16 December.
> 
> There was a discussion of military recruitment in
> public schools, which is 
> becoming common.
> 
> A report on tabling at Lincoln Square showed little
> progress.  Several 
> members will again meet with the Lincoln Square
> management.
> 
> It was suggested that P for P be brought to Urbana.
> 
> They was a discussion of bring students into the
> movement and what could be 
> done to further this.
> Randy asked for volunteers to show up at the next
> meeting of the Urbana 
> City Council.
> Beth is holding classes on conflict resolution this
> weekend. 
> 
> 



		
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