Peter Camejo -- Presente! A review of Camajo's inspiration

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http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00011.htm
Rosalea Baker: Peter Camejo -- Presente!
Tuesday, 2 December 2008, 9:39 am
Column: Rosalea Barker

Stateside With Rosalea Baker

Peter Camejo -- Presente!

Often referred to disparagingly by the mainstream media as “the perennial candidate”—after all, he first ran for President in 1976—Peter Camejo was a huge force in progressive politics in the United States. He died on September 13, having just recently switched his treatment for a recurrence of lymphoma to an experimental drug. On November 23, at International House in Berkeley, CA, a memorial service was held in his honor.


Born into a wealthy Venezuelan family, Camejo’s ties to that nation, and to Latin America in general, remained strong.


Martin Sanchez, SF Consul General of the Bolivarian Republic
of Venezuela, reads from a September 18 letter sent by the
expelled Venezuelan Ambassador to the U.S.

Transcript of letter:
In the midst of all the cacophony surrounding the dramatic events that have taken place around me recently, I experienced a moment of painful silence in hearing about the passing of my friend Peter Camejo. Back in the early '90s, when I was a member of the Venezuelan Congress from a tiny party called La Causa Radical--it was so small that we used to joke the entire party could fit inside an old Volkswagen Beetle--we discovered Peter. And for me and a small group of leftist colleagues in Congress, he was a legend. We could call it a rebel with a cause.

I initially met him in one of his first adventures, the Progressive Alliance for Alameda County, a group whose mission was nothing less than to change the electoral system in the United States. The aim was to create a system that would allow for inclusion of representatives of minorities. For this, he had brought me and a companera from New Zealand to talk about our experiences, in California. Back then, we were unable to imagine that we--the Left--in Venezuala would soon be in the government.

Many years later, we reconnected in the U.S.--me as Ambassador of my country, and him as a prominent member of the Green Party. It was through Peter that I was able to connect with many progressive Hispanic leaders who are now friends, and most importantly to later connect them with each other. He was always there for us, for Venezuela--his childhood country and his parents’ land. He was critical of ?? and attentive to the progressive Venezuelan process. He was our ?? hero.

Bernardo Alvarez

More: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00011.htm

[BeFree]

1. representatives of minorities....

...is the crux of the matter. How the heck can one person represent 600,000 people? Well, that's where we are today. And today, minorities are not represented, how could they be?

We need something like one representative for every 30,000 people. Methinks that woulda made Camejo happy.

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2. Localize and ignore

What's the point of Capitol Hill when their only product is to create problems.

People are doing quite well out there saving the internet and solving the energy crisis.

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/16-12/ff_kaminsky

http://www.katu.com/news/28432984.html

No government grants, no political hype, just citizens doing their jobs, practicing their craft.

Doesn't get much better than that.

30,000, that's about right;)

[BeFree]

4. Yep

Our problem is too many of us put all our faith into the damned politicians, make them into superstars. Well, we'd all be better off with more superstars, so why wouldn't they want more superstar reps?

People doing people things for the people and by the people, like your post lays out, is what may save us. It is the only thing that can. The few superstars have stars in their eyes and they are screwing up the whole damned world.

Camejo was no superstar, just a good common man doing stuff for the people. We need more like him.

[Me.]

3. K & R For Worthiness

Yours and his

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5. Why thank you.

Speaking of worthiness ....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4573050&mesg_id=4573050

[msedano]

6. ¡Presente! Indeed.

Camejo's quests represents the same kind of determination and drive that elected officials possess. The difference being Camejo's minority party choices. For years, I voted Raza Unida and/or Communist, knowing that all it would take is a few hundred thousand people voting as I to swing the seat in our direction.

QEPD, Peter Camejo.

mvs

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7. Finishing his book

Hope somebody does it. Sounds like vital material. Got the time?

[msedano]

10. Up to my headphones in video...

but I'll add it to my "to be read" stack.

http://labloga.blogspot.com/2008/12/1973-festival-de-flor-y-canto-update_02.html

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11. Totally

We know how Camejo's book ends anyway;)

This is a grea project. Like the videos there already.u

[OutNow]

8. The Most Dangerous Man In California

Ronald Reagan once called Peter Camejo the most dangerous man in California. And this was back in the day when things went on like the Black Panthers visiting Sacramento in uniform and armed, and when sister Angela Davis was hunted like a dog on trumped-up charges of murder, etc. etc.

Peter, armed only with a megaphone (the use of which caused his expulsion from UC Berkley) and a keen mind and strong principles, was indeed dangerous.

I was fortunate to have met Peter and heard him talk, sometimes to 3 or 4 people, a few times to thousands. We will miss him.

For more information on Peter, including the audio of some of his speeches:

http://petercamejoupdates.blogspot.com/

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9. kick

:kick: