2008 Woodie Awards
Third parties represented in forum
Students fill in for no-shows
Tommy Wright
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: News
The Green Party had the most representatives of any of the parties at the forum. One of them, Peter Myers, is challenging U.S. Rep. Mike Honda to represent California's 15th district in the South Bay. Myers identified the "size of the government industrial complex" as a big issue that needs to be addressed.
"If we don't spend more and more money on the military, others won't see us as a threat," Myers said.
Another candidate at the forum was a Socialist and Liberation Party representative, Gloria La Riva. La Riva said she is trying to win the presidential nomination for the Peace and Freedom Party because of the ballot access it can provide. She said she would like to get on the ballot in 17 states.
"Our political ideas of an end to the war, of money for jobs, housing, health care, full rights for immigrants, all immigrants, is important to convey so people can be armed with these ideas," La Riva said, "armed with ideas and learn the way to organize for them."
The most contentious subject discussed during the forum was the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Republican representative, Siekierski, said throwing millions of dollars at New Orleans won't make it a better place and won't make people want to come back.
"I think the reason why people aren't coming back is because they have discovered a new world outside of New Orleans, outside of the projects," Siekierski said. "I think I would choose Houston over the projects of New Orleans as well. I think they have been kind of released from these chains that they've been in; the same projects, the government schools, the same politicians and the same place scheming behind their back."
Siekierski's comments elicited many responses from the other representatives.
"Barbara Bush made similar comments about that, and she was ridiculed for them - and rightfully so," said Green Party representative Drew Johnson.
La Riva said she had seen people who had been displaced by the hurricane in Atlanta and Houston, among other places.
"They're in far off worse conditions," La Riva said. "They've been put in rat-hole hotels, with no future and no health."
"If we don't spend more and more money on the military, others won't see us as a threat," Myers said.
Another candidate at the forum was a Socialist and Liberation Party representative, Gloria La Riva. La Riva said she is trying to win the presidential nomination for the Peace and Freedom Party because of the ballot access it can provide. She said she would like to get on the ballot in 17 states.
"Our political ideas of an end to the war, of money for jobs, housing, health care, full rights for immigrants, all immigrants, is important to convey so people can be armed with these ideas," La Riva said, "armed with ideas and learn the way to organize for them."
The most contentious subject discussed during the forum was the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Republican representative, Siekierski, said throwing millions of dollars at New Orleans won't make it a better place and won't make people want to come back.
"I think the reason why people aren't coming back is because they have discovered a new world outside of New Orleans, outside of the projects," Siekierski said. "I think I would choose Houston over the projects of New Orleans as well. I think they have been kind of released from these chains that they've been in; the same projects, the government schools, the same politicians and the same place scheming behind their back."
Siekierski's comments elicited many responses from the other representatives.
"Barbara Bush made similar comments about that, and she was ridiculed for them - and rightfully so," said Green Party representative Drew Johnson.
La Riva said she had seen people who had been displaced by the hurricane in Atlanta and Houston, among other places.
"They're in far off worse conditions," La Riva said. "They've been put in rat-hole hotels, with no future and no health."
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