( Since the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy this song has been on my mind often.)

The Ventura County Democratic Party has started an annual fundraising and awards night last year. This is the 2nd annual year and they have a limited amount of tickets to sell. Are you going? I don't often attend events like these but I am thinking of going.

Here is their announcement:

2009 Kennedy Legacy Dinner

With only 250 tickets available, seats are selling fast for the Ventura County Democratic Party's 2nd Annual Kennedy Legacy Dinner.

At this major party fundraiser, we will celebrate the contributions of the Kennedy family to American democracy. The event features keynote speaker Attorney Gloria Allred, women's rights crusader, and guest speaker Lilly Ledbetter, namesake of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. The fundraiser will be held in Thousand Oaks, California on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

Click on comments to see more details.

This random Video not directly connected to this blog entry:

The Ventura County Democratic Party is on the move with many events scheduled in the next few weeks. Click on continue reading for their update.

Click here for the website of the Ventura County Democrats.

Note: I bumped this to the top of my blog because this is the biggest annual Democratic event.

UPDATE: State Senator Fran Pavley, recently back from meeting with President Barack Obama, will be attending. Here is a photo of her meeting President Barack Obama:

Fran Pavley pushed through legislation that would have allowed California to set a different standard for new vehicles. Under President George W. Bush the EPA didn't allow the legislation to go into effect. But President Obama brought together environmentalists and automanufacturers together to agree on some changes that create higher federal standards. Her legislation started here in California but will be going into effect across the nation.

Click here for an article from Michael Collins explaining this in more detail.

The Ventura County Democratic Central Committee holds an annual Spring Fling Party to raise money for their organization and to have a good time. This event is great for aspiring candidates to meet with activists, get a quick introduction, and practice their stump speech.

There is room set out for those that want to put up a table to support their causes and candidates.

To purchase tickets, reserve space for a table, or to make sure your candidate is introduced click on continue reading for the contact information for the committee putting on the event.

This year they are also inviting all of the Democratic candidates for attorney general to speak. There will be opportunities to meet the candidates, ask them questions, and sign up to help their campaigns. I haven't yet confirmed the list of Attorney General candidates that will be there.

Candidates or elected officials I expect to be there ( beyond the attorney general candidates):

House of Representatives CA 24 ( Currently Gallegly)

Confirmed with me that they are attending:

Shawn Stern (Officially declared)
Marie Panec ( Possible candidate)
Tim Allison ( Possible candidate)

Haven't heard if she is attending:

Marta Jorgenson ( Officially declared)

Democrat Shawn Stern has a great looking website put together. I am sure more policy positions and future events will be posted in the coming months. He does know a way to drive up his google rank and to catch my attention is to post a link to this blog.

Shawn, thanks for the link on your website. Here is a return favor:

State Assembly 35th District ( Currently Pedro Nava)

Confirmed by me that they are attending:

Susan Jordan
"Absolutely. Wouldn't miss it for the world!"

Das Williams
"organizing and participating with the local Democratic Party is the best way to move forward a progressive agenda."

Others:

Ventura City Council Member Ed Summers

Any other candidates that you have heard will be attending?

The California State Supreme Court listened to arguments today to determine if Proposition 8 was a legal amendment to the State Constitution or if it was a major revision. They are also considering the fate of the approximately 18,000 people that got married while gay marriage was legal in California. The lawyers in support of Proposition 8 are arguing that these families should be treated differently under the law and that their marriages should be legally voided.

Whatever the courts and lawyers argue the issue is to me a religious issue. If your religion doesn't want to acknowledge love between two men or two women as essentially the same, then so be it. To my friends that were married before Proposition 8 passed you should know that the power that validates your love isn't a court of law. The power is your friends, your family, and from a much higher power.

In these of all times it is wrong that people would seek to invalidate the marriages of two people that love each other. Marriage is more than some rights. If it was just some legal rights we wouldn't be debating it so much. Marriage is also focused on responsibility and duty. At the center of marriage is love.

With the shape of the world tonight we should be encouraging duty, responsibility, and love. We need to support more love and to find ways to help it to flourish. Marriage is a building block of our civilization and we should encourage two people that love each other to create a stable and beneficial partnership that will reward themselves and our communities.

The ultimate question over marriage is if love is essentially the same between two people of the same gender. If you believe it is the same then you likely believe in marriage equality. Same gender love is not like love between two friends nor is it the same as love between parent and child. It shares traits, but it isn't the same. It is no different then love between man and woman and therefore shouldn't be treated any differently.

The dream might be deferred but in the long run it is likely best if marriage equality is supported in an election and not only by courts. I will be there on the street corners and on the internet to push for that day. I was inspired by seeing so many young people come out to rally in Simi Valley for themselves and for their families. I met people I didn't know were directly impacted or cared so passionately for justice on this issue. Regardless of the court ruling know that we will organize again, this time with better resources and a better plan. The campaign was so negative from both sides last time, but next time we will focus on the families involved.

Do you remember the ad above from the Courage Campaign? It was one of the more controversial ads that went directly after the Mormon Church for their involvement in the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign. It sparked outrage and news coverage on the internet and on television. One of the creative minds behind it, David Atkins, is now going to be involved in a local progressive radio show.

Two other bloggers have already reported it but in case you missed it there is a new Democratic radio show in town. I like to post entire press releases to help give you a closer look at local politics. Click on continue reading for the press release.

Who would you like to see the Dynamic Democratic Duo interview in the near future?

Click here to read Timm Herdt's blog.

Click here to read Marie Lakin's blog.

Young Democrats, under the leadership of popular DailyKos.com blogger David Atkins and others, are restarting a young Democrats club in Ventura County.

To see the details including their first meeting, click on continue reading.