Campaign News

Congressman Thompson has been the leader in Congress and in the First Congressional District on E-Waste.  For the past 5 years we have collected Electronic waste in all 7 counties in his district, setting the trend for other political leaders to do the same at their events.

Steve Wyatt, owner of Computer Recycling Company, comes to most of Congressman Thompson’s annual events and offers free pickup of electronic equipment.

In 2008,  Steve collected 201,055 pounds (that is over 100 tons) of E-waste from our events which are then dismantled and safely recycled.  In addition, Steve refurbishes the usable computer equipment and donates it to charitable organizations. 

Charitable Contributions in 2008 of 3,196 refurbished  computers from  E-Waste collections have gone to the following organizations:

1,250 - Public schools

600 - Families of service personnel deployed

171 - Local community programs

115 – Home bound elderly through human services offices

100 -  UN  GAID program in a Peace Corps program

830 – In partnership with Peace Corps to international institutes

50 – Foster youth families in a Boy Scout troop

80 – Foster youth through Philanthropic Ventures Foundation

Collections at Congressman Thompson's events in 2006 and 2007 totalled 640,130 lbs.

In the last 5 years, we have collected over 1 million lbs of electronics at Mike's events.

"His stance on Iraq, which is to get our troops out while refocusing the nation's efforts against worldwide terrorism, is clear and makes sense. He has similar positions on the economy (create new public works jobs to fix our infrastructure, expand unemployment benefits, as well as better regulation of the financial markets, and tax cuts to middle-class Americans), and other major issues. His views may not be politically popular, but they are clear cut and logical."

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The Daily Democrat is endorsing incumbent Democrat Mike Thompson for Congress in the 1st District and Democrat Jeff Morris in the 2nd District.

Thompson has served in Congress since 1999 and was a state Senator from 1991 to 1998. He has a reputation as a "Blue Dog" Democrat, someone who speaks his mind and follows party dictates when necessary, but also works for his constituents, regardless of party positions.

His stance on Iraq, which is to get our troops out while refocusing the nation's efforts against worldwide terrorism, is clear and makes sense. He has similar positions on the economy (create new public works jobs to fix our infrastructure, expand unemployment benefits, as well as better regulation of the financial markets, and tax cuts to middle-class Americans), and other major issues. His views may not be politically popular, but they are clear cut and logical.

These are some of the reasons why Thompson should be returned to Congress.

October 28, 2008

"The Democratic congressman has a history of staying in contact with Del Norte County leaders, determining the area's priorities for federal assistance, and then delivering. Think federal disaster relief for fishermen. Think assistance with upgrading Highway 199. Think assistance for rural school districts such as Del Norte's through extension of a program that compensates counties that have lost timber revenue."

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With the national economy in a shambles, it's understandable that voters would be in an anti-incumbent mood when it comes to their representatives in Washington, D.C. Indeed, just how voters decide to define the "change" they almost all seek will determine the Nov. 4 election results at all levels of American government.

Bailing out our financial system with hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer money - or more accurately, with hundreds of billions of dollars in loans that taxpayers are on the hook for - doesn't sit well with citizens who have already seen their own retirement funds go into the tank.

It's easy to understand the appeal of anti-bailout folks such as Republican Zane Starkewolf, who wants to be your next congressman. "Penalizing U.S. taxpayers is not the way to help the economy," he told The Triplicate on Monday.

The man he wants to replace, Congressman Mike Thompson, initially voted against the bailout as well. He relented only after receiving assurances from Democratic leaders, including Barack Obama, that regulatory reform will follow to prevent future economic meltdowns.

Hard as it is to sell the bailout to a skeptical populace, there is bipartisan agreement in Washington that without it, the looming credit crunch might take the economy much lower than the depths it's already reached. That's a hard assessment to ignore. The fact is most citizens with retirement accounts are heavily invested in financial markets, and they don't want to lose the rest of their 401K's.

As arresting as the bailout issue is, the defining moment in The Triplicate's telephone interview with Starkewolf came when he was asked about Del Norte, the northernmost county in a congressional district that stretches all the way to Napa. The challenger from Davis, about 350 miles to the southeast, said he had last been up here about three years ago. He mentioned the travails of the fishing and timber industries as general issues he's familiar with. He knew nothing about the long-deferred need to dredge the Crescent City harbor channel, a federal responsibility.

By contrast, Thompson spent Sunday in Crescent City, which he visits regularly despite its location at the far end of California's sprawling 1st Congressional District. He updated locals on the prospects for approval of $2.3 million for dredging, money he has added to the proposed energy and water appropriations bill. He described his efforts to explain to Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein how crucial the local project is so that it won't get derailed when the bill moves on to the Senate.

The Democratic congressman has a history of staying in contact with Del Norte County leaders, determining the area's priorities for federal assistance, and then delivering. Think federal disaster relief for fishermen. Think assistance with upgrading Highway 199. Think assistance for rural school districts such as Del Norte's through extension of a program that compensates counties that have lost timber revenue.

Call all this "pork" if you want to. But go stand in the middle of the far-too-shallow harbor channel, where boats increasingly run aground, and try denying the need for an insider's help in getting some attention focused on the federally owned channel.

Del Norte County's business and political leaders have made great strides toward speaking with one voice when it comes to identifying the region's needs to decision-makers in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. But that would mean little without effective representatives who not only receive those messages, but act on them.

Zane Starkewolf has some appealing ideas about being a "Green Republican" who would push for more governmental incentives to make us more energy efficient and ultimately less dependent on foreign oil. He says he'll run again in two years if he doesn't win this time. In the interim, we encourage him to get familiar with the northern reaches of his congressional district.

Del Norte County is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, but there should be no split when it comes to deciding who represents us in Congress. The Triplicate endorses the re-election bid of Mike Thompson.

October 22, 2008

The House of Representatives will be a tough place to work over the next few years, regardless of which party takes the White House. The job will demand strong political leadership and financial judgment.

California’s First Congressional District has been well represented over the past 10 years by Mike Thompson, who seems up to the challenge of serving a sixth term.

Thompson is a St. Helena native. His great-grandfather was an Italian immigrant who worked the vineyards for John Daniel. Thompson served in Vietnam, worked in the wine industry, spent eight years in the state Senate and taught at two universities.

He currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and on a subcommittee of the House Intelligence Committee.

He understands the district, the wine industry and sees the Valley’s Latinos as part of the community’s fabric.

“Our Latino population is more than folks who come in to do the hard jobs that most people don’t want to do — they are our neighbors, whose kids play with our kids and who shop in our stores,” Thompson told the Star’s editorial board.

Thompson has worked diligently to gain funding for flood projects in St. Helena and Napa, and he is a leader within California’s Congressional delegation. This past term, he worked with Sen. Hillary Clinton to help establish conservation easements and with Sen. Barack Obama to help craft an agreement to redeploy troops in Iraq.

His opponent is Zane Starkewolf, grandson of St. Helena Star wine columnist George Starke and Betty (Wolf) Starke. Zane’s father, James, adopted the name Starkewolf, combining the two names of his parents.

Born in Oregon and raised in St. Helena and Salinas, Starkewolf became a Republican in Dallas before returning to Northern California, where he earned a degree at UC Davis. He owns a company that makes hand-held meters that diagnose diseases.

Starkewolf seems well-versed, but he lacks the kind of experience that will be needed to help steer Congress in the difficult years ahead.

We encourage Starkewolf to gain more experience at the community level before running again.

In the meantime, we recommend Mike Thompson to First District voters.

His visibility in the community, commitment to country, proven ability, clear understanding of issues, willingness to work hard, candor and widespread support convince us he is the better candidate.

We are proud to endorse him.

September 18, 2008

In his 10 years in Congress, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, has worked hard for constituents in the Napa Valley and around his district, has climbed the congressional ladder and earned the opportunity to have voters return him to Washington, D.C., for the 111th Congress.

A native son of St. Helena, Thompson  works closely with government, industry and community leaders on matters of regional interest.

He is a steady advocate for the wine and grapegrowing industries, backing federally funded research on eradication of vineyard pests, a Farm Bill that supports local growers and sensible food programs, and measures that boost the competitiveness of local wineries.

This advocacy extends to other parts of his sprawling district, which stretches to the Oregon border. Thompson has secured funding to support the fragile North Coast salmon fishery and pushed legislation that protects our coast and wildlands.

In a recent meeting with the Register editorial board, Thompson touted the fact that over the years the Napa flood control project has received $26 million more than the amount called for in the president’s budgets. Shortly after that meeting, Thompson found $900,000 more. While the Napa project is woefully behind schedule — and promises to face more challenges as it fights for money from the same pool that shores up flood projects along the Gulf Coast — the situation certainly would be worse without Thompson’s advocacy.

On national issues, his political priorities are in tune with the district’s.

Thompson has pushed for legislation to control the federal government’s deficit spending.

On the divisive issue of the war in Iraq, Thompson has advocated for a redeployment of troops as quickly as is reasonable. While not all constituents — or Americans — share that position, Thompson’s combat service in Vietnam, fact-finding trips to Iraq and presence on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence make him a credible and well-informed authority on the war on terror.

His role on the House Ways and Means Committee gives him insight and influence in another crucial area of national policy.

Finally, Thompson works hard to stay on top of local issues and know the names, faces and concerns of residents. In his regular appearances in the valley and elsewhere in the district, he shows impressive knowledge about local issues that will never be aired at the Capitol.

Mike Thompson is an energetic advocate for California’s First Congressional District. The Register endorses the re-election of Mike Thompson.

September 15, 2008

A friendly crowd greeted House speaker Nancy Pelosi at Mike Thompson’s fundraiser Saturday in St. Helena, where she praised the local congressman and spoke on a host of Democratic priorities, including a new energy bill and the need to elect Barack Obama president of the United States.

A part-time St. Helena resident, Pelosi addressed the Thompson supporters at Trinchero Family Estates on Zinfandel Lane a few hours after she announced in a radio address that the Democrats would consider opening portions of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling.But in St. Helena, the third most powerful politician in America seemed committed to protect California’s coastline while calling the Republicans’ assertions that drilling more oil offshore will reduce gas prices at the pump a “hoax.”

“There will be no increased drilling offshore in California,” Pelosi said as cheers erupted from the 700 Thompson supporters gathered for the Congressman’s annual pasta dinner, a $25-a-plate fundraiser that has become an annual tradition for the past 18 years. Saturday’s event was billed as a zero-waste affair.“What we are saying is if you want to drill some place that’s not in California, let’s talk about that,” Pelosi said.

Taxpayers should not subsidize oil drilling, she said.

“Let’s talk about who owns that oil,” said Pelosi, adding, “It belongs to the American people.”

America’s dependence on foreign oil is a “national security issue,” Pelosi said.

“It is an economic issue, it is an environmental issue and it is a moral issue if you believe as we do this is God’s beautiful creation and we have a moral responsibility to protect it,” she said, referring to the oceans’ waters.

Throughout her 20-minute speech, punctuated by cheers from her 20-month grandson, Paul Vos, Pelosi praised Thompson’s work in Congress.

“There is no doubt Mike Thompson is guarding the gate on that subject,” Pelosi said, referring to efforts to continue the ban on new offshore drilling in California.

Pelosi, who began her speech by noting that Thompson supported her bid to become Whip of the House — the road to her becoming the first female Speaker of the House, as well as the first Italian-American and the first Californian to hold that positon — praised Thompson’s record on education, healthcare and labor.

“I’m here to tell you how extraordinarily talented he is,” said Pelosi, who also underscored Thompson’s seniority in Congress where he is member of the Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Thompson thanked Pelosi.

“Thanks for bringing part of your family,” he added. “They’re always welcome. We hope you come back again.”

After posing for pictures, Pelosi and her family left Trinchero Family Estates as Thompson began to serve pasta from longtime chef ArtIbleto with the help of a dozen political figures in Napa County, including former Napa County Sheriff Gary Simpson, Napa Mayor Jill Techel and American Canyon Mayor Leon Garcia.

Thompson has endorsed Simpson, who is running for Napa County Supervisor in District 5 against former American Canyon Fire Chief Keith Caldwell, while Techel, Bennett and Garcia are running for re-election. 

Pelosi’s speech drew praise from attendees, including Ernie Preston, a conservative Republican who supports Thompson but not Obama.

“I’m a Republican. But I have to say I’m impressed,” he said, adding he is glad to hear that an energy policy is in the works.

Winemaker Tom Rinaldi said Pelosi was a legend.

“She sure likes Mike,” he said, referring to Pelosi’s speech. “Everybody does,” he added.

Thompson is running for re-election in November against Republican Zane Starkewolf.

Preston and other supporters predict Thompson will easily win another two-year term in November. However, Thompson can’t afford to relax, Preston said.

“I don’t think any politician can afford to sit back,” he said.

By Kerana Todorov

August 19, 2008

Clearlake American*Observer and Lake County Record-Bee

"Thompson's work for veterans is praiseworthy"

By Gary Dickson
May 24, 2008
                                                      

Congressman Mike Thompson paid a visit to the Observer*American office recently. Being new to this newspaper and to California, I did some reading about Representative Thompson before he arrived, so I would know more about him.

One of the items that caught my eye was the fact that the Congressman was instrumental in getting a full General Accounting Office investigation of the Department of Defense (DoD) for the chemical and biological testing that was secretly administered to armed forces members from 1962-1974. The testing took place under programs known as SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense) and Project 112.
A Congressman who goes to bat for veterans automatically has a check mark on the plus side with me. Not only did Congressman Thompson help initiate the investigation, he also introduced legislation to make the findings public and t o provide long term care to those who were affected. We should all appreciate what the Congressman did for our veterans.
How could employees working for an agency under the auspices of the DoD actually use members of the U.S. Armed Forces for guinea pigs? To me, it is incomprehensible.
I can remember my high school history studies concerning World War II. Germany used Jews and prisoners of other ethnicities for a variety of ghastly medical research. Their excuse was "the end justifies the means."
I have always placed the Germans of the Hitler reign, who perpetrated one horrible atrocity after another, as some of the most evil people to ever inhabit the Earth. And, I have generally found most Americans agree with me. Unfortunately, there is a dark American history when it comes to using our own people like lab rats. A close inspe ction of our own government backed scientific programs illustrates that we have had some monsters on our side, too.
SHAD was implemented to "determine the vulnerability of U.S. warships to chemical and biological attacks." The DoD, until forced to reveal the truth, said that animals, less than human, were used for the tests. Sadly, that was not the case. Nearly 6,000 military personnel and about 350 civilians have been identified as impacted by the secret tests.
SHAD and Project 112 really only scratch the surface when it comes to all of the secret chemical and biological tests administered to American soldiers and civilians. I suppose the idea was that the knowledge gained would be of benefit for future generations, once again, "the end justifies the means."
The list of events in which American citizens' rights were violated du ring secret research studies is long. In 1940, 400 Chicago prisoners were infected with malaria to test experimental drugs against the disease. During the Nuremberg trials against Nazi war criminals, German scientists used the Chicago study and other American scientific studies in defense of their actions. It's disturbing that the Nazis could use American horrors to defend their own monstrous activities.
The use of American soldiers to study the effects of atomic bombs on humans is now widely known. In addition, many civilians were impacted too, by wind patterns, which turned out not to be an error, but a built-in element of the research.
In the 1950s and '60s, LSD experiments were performed on American soldiers. In Vietnam, our soldiers came in frequent contact with Agent Orange. In Desert Storm, after thousands of our soldiers became ill, it was finally revealed that it was due to chemical agents made and used by the U.S.
All of these travesties against Americans were planned and implemented by Americans. In most cases, it took years of investigating before the responsible government agency would confess to the wrong doing. For me, the fact that one event like this could happen in America is shocking. The fact that they just keep on occurring disturbs me to the core of my being.
Gary Dickson is publisher of the Observer*American. He may be reached at 263-5636, ext. 24, or e-mail at gdickson@reco rd-bee.com.

Congressman Mike Thompson served pasta to over 300 people at his 17th Annual Sonoma Pasta Dinner. We were honored to have Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club, as our guest speaker.

The evening showcased 15 leading environmental organizations, Sonoma County wines and the high school In Black Jazz Band who presented their orginal song in support of SMART.  This year with our free electronic recycling program we collected 55,000 lbs of e-waste.

The recipients of this year's Environmental Awards are:
Individual Award   Steven Wyatt, co-founder of Computer Recycling Center.

Educator Award:   Gary Green  In the course of his 30 year career he has instilled in hundreds of young people a sense of community involvement and responsibility for our environment and our planet.

Youth Award:   Mayah Rinn and Russell Romeo  Highschool students that built a conversion system that will make biodiesel out of used vegetable oil from local restaurants.

Business Award:   Reuser, Inc.  Family owned business for the past 30 years developing organic landscaping materials.

Organization Award:   Sonoma Ecology Center 18 years of collaboration of with businesses, students, teachers, churches and agricultural interests to preserve and protect the habitat in Sonoma Valley