Greens tap Georgian for president

MONROE – The Waldo County Green Party selected former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney of Georgia as its candidate for president when it caucused here Sunday.

McKinney’s name will be sent to the Maine Green Independent Party headquarters in Topsham to be included in the statewide tally for the party’s national convention. The Green Party convention will be held July 10-13 in Chicago where the presidential candidate will be chosen and the platform established.

McKinney was chosen because of her strong record as a six-term member of Congress from Georgia. During her time in Congress, she introduced and passed legislation to establish the Arms Trade Code of Conduct prohibiting the sale of arms to known human rights abusers, wrote legislation to end the use of depleted uranium weapons, passed legislation to extend health benefits for Vietnam War veterans still suffering the health effects from exposure to Agent Orange, and introduced legislation to eliminate federal subsidies for corporations taking jobs overseas. McKinney also introduced Articles of Impeachment for President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

McKinney was in the national spotlight in March 2006 when she punched a Capitol police officer in the chest after he failed to recognize her as a member of Congress and tried to detain her when she bypassed a metal detector. She later apologized for the incident.

For information about the activities of the Monroe area Green Party, call 322-5243.

“The local Greens will be proactive in this time of economic distress, in improving information technology access, as well as health, education, and cultural services and opportunities,” according to Martha Goodale, secretary of the caucus.

The party’s plans include a showing of the film “American Blackout” in March, a farm market for locally grown food, and a system of local public transportation to help Monroe area residents conserve fuel.

For information about the activities of the Monroe area Green Party, call 322-5243.