Norman Solomon to Speak in Foster City

Since 2004 Progressive Democrats of America has posed an alternative to many of the corporate-driven policies of much of the Democratic Party. "We seek to build a party and government controlled by citizens, not corporate elites," says PDA's web site, "with policies that serve the broad public interest, not just private interests."

Marin County-based Norman Solomon is a PDA Board member. He has been a solid voice and a driving force behind the activist community's opposition to a U.S. military escalation now in Afghanistan and previously in Iraq. On Wednesday, February 3, Peace Action of San Mateo County will join San Mateo County Democracy for America in presenting Solomon. His topic will be "The Politics of Escalation: Afghanistan and the Future of the Democratic Party." Solomon will offer his assessment of the hopes as well as the realities of the Obama presidency, with a focus on the impact and implications of the current escalation in Afghanistan.

The event is at 7 PM at Carpenters' Hall, 1153 Chess Drive (off Foster City Boulevard) in Foster City. Admission is free, and dessert and coffee will be available. Carpenter's Hall is wheelchair accessible.

Norman Solomon has a sharp ear for media. He has been writing the weekly "Media Beat" column on media and politics since 1992. He is the founder and director of the Institute for Public Accuracy, and a longtime associate of the media watch group Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR). Solomon is the author of such books as "Made Love, Got War: Close Encounters with America's Warfare State", and "War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death", which was later made into a documentary film.

His voice and thoughts have been heard on a wide variety of radio and television news programs. Now PASMC and SMCDfA are proud and honored to bring Solomon himself to San Mateo County.