"It just requires that you go to these meetings and speak to show support, to get to know your local candidates and support those who understand what is at stake."
Join/support your local political town committee and get on the ballot yourself.
Small towns especially have elected boards and committees of ordinary, unpaid citizens who have …
"It just requires that you go to these meetings and speak to show support, to get to know your local candidates and support those who understand what is at stake."
Join/support your local political town committee and get on the ballot yourself.
Small towns especially have elected boards and committees of ordinary, unpaid citizens who have a lot to say about what goes on. Planning and Zoning, Inland Wetlands, finance, school boards, historic districts, Arts Commissions, and so on are places where good people can make a real difference. In a participatory democracy, these are the places where the rubber meets the road.
And, if you do run for office, be prepared to win. My Town Democratic Committee asked me to run for Zoning Commission. I agreed only because I was sure I wouldn't get elected. I did two six year terms.
Could not agree more. I love your inclusive list. You nailed many of the places of local control over the big issues we are facing in this country today. If you want to live in a more inclusive community get involved in planning and zoning. Planning and zoning and wetlands if your are interested in the environment. School boards if you want to see a more truthful telling of history, teaching of civics and sex education, stopping book banning, ending LBGTQ+ discrimination, support for teachers and unions. Town finance meetings to ensure fair pay for township employees and to see the pros and cons with tax breaks for corporations and developers.
We’re about to have school board elections and it’s never been so crucial! In the district where I teach, our school board just left the state school board association! I didn’t even know you could do that! They said the curriculum under the state association was too woke, encouraged teaching CRT, indoctrination, and wasn’t conservative enough! I can’t vote there but facing the same thing where I live. I don’t know what I’m going to do now! We’re diving into some crazy stuff! Lack of funding, the district developing its own curriculum! People have to get involved, know the candidates and vote!
Barbara, vote in primaries and attend township meetings in an area which interests you. And regularly visit your municipality’s website to what’s going on.
If there is a local Democratic club, join it to learn the ropes. One last point: Don’t expect rapid, magical change. Be prepared for a marathon.
I would be cautious on relying too too much on party affiliation at local level. There are lots of libertarians infiltrating democratic parties in certain regions and municipalities, such as it is in NH where we have "Independent" voters. The best approach may be to articulate your point, stand on facts, and challenge people on facts, not opinions or party affiliation. Editing to include another thought: highlight the principles you stand for.
Meet your city leaders by joining Rotary or Kiwanis (or other community groups) and join your Chamber of Commerce if you are a local business or non-profit. Go to all City Council meetings and pick one or two things you care about. Apply for city or county committees like Human Affairs or Recreation or Planning or Environmental Policy. Meet your City Council members so they know you by name. School Board is also a good choice if you have kids in that district (People without kids in that school should not be making decisions about them).
Maybe people without kids should stop paying taxes to support the schools? "Public" means "public." It means we all have a stake in the education of young people, even those of us who don't have kids.
Part of the problem now is parents trying to micromanage what their kids are taught. If they want to do that, they should home-school or find a private school whose beliefs match their own.
I am always glad, as a teacher, to collaborate with engaged parents. At the same time I notice that parents, even former teachers, when advocating for their children, aren't often able to see a situation with the whole picture/group in mind. Teacher confidentiality protocol does not allow for discussion of students, so no one but school professionals really knows anything but hearsay. Parents tend to advocate for their own children. Under these circumstances, parents should not be directing school policy in a public institution. They should be supporting the system by seeing to it that their children are staying engaged, and showing up for parent engagement activities.
In the public school system, a variety of perspectives must be taught with the lessons of critical thinking given to allow students to investigate, understand, compare, contrast, think and draw their own conclusions. We shouldn't be teaching fear of awareness, but how to view a subject through an open minded lens.
I disagree with your last sentence. I have kids and grandkids and the benefit of experience and wisdom—sometimes younger people ask me for advice, which surprises me until I start talking and realize I have some good advice.
Of course you have good advice. You can be an advisor to a local youth group or join a committee that gives out scholarships and leadership opportunities to local kids and teens.
I think the school board issues are getting ugly and might calm down if only current parents were involved. But I really don’t know because it’s just too sad. I was asked about my position on CRT when applying for a city Human Affairs Committee which is totally out of line. I just work with at risk kids and teach them arts and crafts.
It is important for seniors to be at school board meetings, and retired teachers. We absolutely can see the changes that are happening; have happened. That insight helps. People who live outside the District should not be there.
School board meetings, like all government meetings, should be open to all, including the press. It's customary to go into "executive session" (meaning closed to non-members) when personnel or legal matters are discussed, but other than that -- the meetings should be open.
Isn't there a system that's inclusive of the school districts? It would seem to be folly to ignore what is going on in a neighboring district or, indeed, in any district where there is trouble brewing.
Fortunately, we have a local groups and people who are paying attention and let people know what is going on. School Board elections are coming up and thankfully we have some good people running against the wing nuts. In other local school happenings, we have a couple friends who teach in a town a few mile north of us. They thought they were getting a good super when they hired the guy who had stood up against a wing nut school board (which recently lost in court), but he turned out to be an autocrat and when we talked to them, they were close to a strike. One of my ex-colleagues (who claimed at his interview for a teaching position that there was no history he didn't know much to our amusement) is now super of a rather large district who got rid of their inclusive super. I would love to know what this all-knowing one is actually doing there.
Barbara, while I have nothing to boast about, and I blame reluctance to be an activist on illness, I have found a bit of joy in supporting "my" candidates. Of course that means a few dollars' donations, but also an occasional email or letter to the candidate to thank them for their dedication or a particular focus or piece of legislation that I like. You would be surprised how rare that is for the candidate or official and they often respond with thanks.
Something as simple as a letter to the editor on behalf of a favorite, or a yard sign in my apartment window...I recently tied a sign to the back of my wheelchair...however small, still offers support. In addition, I've carried petitions to get a candidate's name on the ballot and I've organized a meeting for the candidate to speak to a small gathering in the building where I live. I've found such activities to be rewarding for them and me.
Last but not least, sometimes offering to help the candidate's aide is also welcome. Just saying you will deliver a half dozen yard signs to like-minded friends is really helpful. All these are small potatoes, but the ground floor for democracy.
I hear you. Sometimes the best I can do is $5 to a Candidate, making some calls etc.. I need to get back in the habit of writing our Legislators. Great idea on writing to the Candidates.
Join your local municipal committee, they exist in every state. Join you country committee. You will be informed well in advance of any laws being passed by your legislature that will not be beneficial to you. The GOP took over this country by taking over state governments. The Democrats now have to do the same thing.
In texas, there are county commissioners, city council members, neighborhood associations, business management zones and more. I joined a local volunteer group focused on trails and non-motorized transportation and get to talk to representatives from all these various offices. The focus of calm conversations are practical and not political, and political policy can be quietly influenced this way. I also know for whom uI should vote in the next election.
I also answer my front door to canvasers and engage. They're always looking for volunteers, though that type of involvement isn't my cup of tea.
Another important key to preserving and enhancing our Democracy both at the local level and at the Congressional/Presidential level is to concentrate on NONPARTISAN voter registration of potential young voters. The future is about them! WE should take an active role in encouraging THEM in a meaningful way to register and vote, as I will explain HOW in a minute. Why they should be engaged as voters--for example-- is to preserve reproductive rights and instituting really effective local control of assault weapons to save the lives of 9 year olds, as well as the rest of us! YOU can directly help achieve such a result in competitive elections in more than 2,000 localities by going to www.turnup.us/ and contributing with a tax-deductible charitable contribution to amazing Harvard students who are successfully working hard to organize thousands of high school voter registration drives and "relational" registration in key states! This is the most effective youth voter registration effort I have ever seen and I have been at it for seven years with my foundation "Inspire2Vote" in key states all over the country. Inspire2Vote just registered a week or so ago our 102,000th high school student in Iowa! But www.turnup.us/ will be, far more effective with their local student voter reg drives. Please look them up and give them a helping hand to help save our Democracy! Thank you!
Go alone if you have to, but bring a friend if you can. Go to listen. Go to absorb the feelings of the participants. Try to understand the motivations of those there. See if you have something positive and constructive to add. Ask questions. Take notes. Go home and think about what you learned. Don't go in with the point of view that you're going to right the boat in that first meeting. Go in to be part of the conversation. We can cross the great divide with a bridge of civility and respect. Panic, hate, anger are communicable disease. Calm, understanding, curiosity are public health. Choose your path well, our society depends upon it.
I absolutely agree. There are lots of other opportunities for people in their communities to engage and start conversations about in their communities common interests that are not political. Community gardens, emergency services, local volunteer fire companies, senior volunteers, kids robotics clubs. We've been terribly siloes over the past 3 years because of covid.
"It just requires that you go to these meetings and speak to show support, to get to know your local candidates and support those who understand what is at stake."
I sure wish it were that easy. I have gone to and participated in meetings galore, served several times in local politics where I had a "microphone", written letters, etc. I happen to live in a liberal democratic state (and therefore "preaching to the choir") which does have a number of pockets of trump supporters. Regardless of my (or other like-minded residents) efforts and participation, the national psyche has continued to move further away from the ideals of a benevolent and inclusive democracy. Board by board, town by town, city by city, state by state large swaths of the country have continued to move to extreme conservatism with "Christianity" as a political overlay.
The people who lack understanding of what is at stake don't read Heather's Letters and have absolutely no intellectual curiosity or desire to learn or change. They don't get it and don't want to. They are not inherently bad people, but their choice of elected officials certainly is, and they refuse to see the consequences. As an "old" psych major, there is a type of "group think" that fosters cults and aberrant mass behavior that is inherently illogical and dangerous. A so-called "charismatic leader" drives home fear, hate, misinformation, and meaningless empty promises to gain control.
I certainly don't profess to have any solutions. However, with a lifetime of observations as well as a student of history, there is strong evidence that these complicated situations do not change without massive protests/strikes and/or violence.
Janet, there is stronger evidence that violence only begets violence and makes it harder for people to begin the collaboration that leads to healing. Heather and many others have spoken to this, and history shows that violence is counterproductive. I do agree that peaceful protests and strikes are useful and appropriate tools to call attention to critical issues or wrongs. But the moment we introduce violence, things start falling apart. That is one lesson we can learn from what happened to the Republicans following Jan 6.
I certainly don't think violence is preferred and I don't advocate for it, but we have been voting, we have peaceful demonstrations (tens of millions of women peacefully marched in January 2017 and the dial didn't move at all - in fact women lost big time with the repeal of Roe v Wade at the SCOTUS/political level), we participate in local government (at least I have), I've supported and been an advocate of gun control starting with the Brady Bill and now we have two mass shootings a day where children (and adults) are blown to pieces and the number of assault weapons in the hands of civilians is close to tens of millions of the 400 MILLION guns out there (and all we hear is crickets on change because of the 2nd Amendment), we have lunatics in congress who actually have power, and a SCOTUS that has a strangle hold on the rights of people in an entire nation. We spend $billions/$trillions in weaponry around the world to "save" democracy because words don't stop the demonic dictators from invading. Domestically words alone didn't work for our split from England, nor the end of slavery, civil rights, Vietnam, etc. And pieces of paper/words for restraining orders and "common sense gun laws" do nothing when anyone can actually get/3-D print a gun.
I'm all for peaceful protests but they have to be big and long enough to make a real economic impact as a hit to peoples' wallets seems to be the only thing people recognize. As Jack Bauer would say in the show "24", "shut it down, Chloe!"
Look at the violence of Republicans , calling out Mr Bragg for doing his job.
The violent words of Mc Carthy who sold out to Maga orders so he could be Speaker. Stefanik who found her niche in hate and threatens payback to those who don’t pay homage “to her “( I mean DJTs nobility) .
There is no Christianity in any of this . Its a blatant violation of any godlike principles.
Local elections are more important than federal. State elections are the most important. Why we no longer teach civics in schools is to dumb down the public, and it has worked.
Schools across NY State received threats from unknown sources this past week warning them to get rid of a certain "gay" themed book from their libraries. The first school system, Hilton Central, experienced 3 bomb threats. EDITED: I inadvertently added information I couldn't verify. The actual number of schools that received threatening emails was 20, according to a statement Gov. Hochul made last week.
Hilton has bowed to the threats and its school board has voted to "review" the book. They just showed the terrorists that bomb threats are legitimate political dialogue.
Marycat2021, I would like to copy and use your post of FB. I think it is important for as many people as possible to know that we are under attack by the right. May I use your post?
They are a force and have local chapters throughout the country, and what better motivation than preventing the slaughter of our most precious resource?
"It just requires that you go to these meetings and speak to show support, to get to know your local candidates and support those who understand what is at stake."
Join/support your local political town committee and get on the ballot yourself.
Small towns especially have elected boards and committees of ordinary, unpaid citizens who have a lot to say about what goes on. Planning and Zoning, Inland Wetlands, finance, school boards, historic districts, Arts Commissions, and so on are places where good people can make a real difference. In a participatory democracy, these are the places where the rubber meets the road.
And, if you do run for office, be prepared to win. My Town Democratic Committee asked me to run for Zoning Commission. I agreed only because I was sure I wouldn't get elected. I did two six year terms.
Could not agree more. I love your inclusive list. You nailed many of the places of local control over the big issues we are facing in this country today. If you want to live in a more inclusive community get involved in planning and zoning. Planning and zoning and wetlands if your are interested in the environment. School boards if you want to see a more truthful telling of history, teaching of civics and sex education, stopping book banning, ending LBGTQ+ discrimination, support for teachers and unions. Town finance meetings to ensure fair pay for township employees and to see the pros and cons with tax breaks for corporations and developers.
We’re about to have school board elections and it’s never been so crucial! In the district where I teach, our school board just left the state school board association! I didn’t even know you could do that! They said the curriculum under the state association was too woke, encouraged teaching CRT, indoctrination, and wasn’t conservative enough! I can’t vote there but facing the same thing where I live. I don’t know what I’m going to do now! We’re diving into some crazy stuff! Lack of funding, the district developing its own curriculum! People have to get involved, know the candidates and vote!
How can people get involved? Got any tips for folks?
Barbara, vote in primaries and attend township meetings in an area which interests you. And regularly visit your municipality’s website to what’s going on.
If there is a local Democratic club, join it to learn the ropes. One last point: Don’t expect rapid, magical change. Be prepared for a marathon.
I would be cautious on relying too too much on party affiliation at local level. There are lots of libertarians infiltrating democratic parties in certain regions and municipalities, such as it is in NH where we have "Independent" voters. The best approach may be to articulate your point, stand on facts, and challenge people on facts, not opinions or party affiliation. Editing to include another thought: highlight the principles you stand for.
Thank You. I already knew this, but it is important to mention HOW to get involved when telling people TO get involved.
Meet your city leaders by joining Rotary or Kiwanis (or other community groups) and join your Chamber of Commerce if you are a local business or non-profit. Go to all City Council meetings and pick one or two things you care about. Apply for city or county committees like Human Affairs or Recreation or Planning or Environmental Policy. Meet your City Council members so they know you by name. School Board is also a good choice if you have kids in that district (People without kids in that school should not be making decisions about them).
And, volunteer volunteer volunteer!
Maybe people without kids should stop paying taxes to support the schools? "Public" means "public." It means we all have a stake in the education of young people, even those of us who don't have kids.
Part of the problem now is parents trying to micromanage what their kids are taught. If they want to do that, they should home-school or find a private school whose beliefs match their own.
I am always glad, as a teacher, to collaborate with engaged parents. At the same time I notice that parents, even former teachers, when advocating for their children, aren't often able to see a situation with the whole picture/group in mind. Teacher confidentiality protocol does not allow for discussion of students, so no one but school professionals really knows anything but hearsay. Parents tend to advocate for their own children. Under these circumstances, parents should not be directing school policy in a public institution. They should be supporting the system by seeing to it that their children are staying engaged, and showing up for parent engagement activities.
In the public school system, a variety of perspectives must be taught with the lessons of critical thinking given to allow students to investigate, understand, compare, contrast, think and draw their own conclusions. We shouldn't be teaching fear of awareness, but how to view a subject through an open minded lens.
Very well said. Thank you.
We actually had a board member and one of our teachers demand what they both knew was nonsense and it didn't happen thankfully.
thankfully...
there are those, demanding and full of fear.....talking those off the ledge...and listening is all we can do.
I have no children in the school system. I am glad to pay taxes. Do we want an educated Society or not?
I disagree with your last sentence. I have kids and grandkids and the benefit of experience and wisdom—sometimes younger people ask me for advice, which surprises me until I start talking and realize I have some good advice.
Of course you have good advice. You can be an advisor to a local youth group or join a committee that gives out scholarships and leadership opportunities to local kids and teens.
I think the school board issues are getting ugly and might calm down if only current parents were involved. But I really don’t know because it’s just too sad. I was asked about my position on CRT when applying for a city Human Affairs Committee which is totally out of line. I just work with at risk kids and teach them arts and crafts.
It is important for seniors to be at school board meetings, and retired teachers. We absolutely can see the changes that are happening; have happened. That insight helps. People who live outside the District should not be there.
School board meetings, like all government meetings, should be open to all, including the press. It's customary to go into "executive session" (meaning closed to non-members) when personnel or legal matters are discussed, but other than that -- the meetings should be open.
Isn't there a system that's inclusive of the school districts? It would seem to be folly to ignore what is going on in a neighboring district or, indeed, in any district where there is trouble brewing.
The older generation has been silenced too long. We need to speak up. Good for you.
Fortunately, we have a local groups and people who are paying attention and let people know what is going on. School Board elections are coming up and thankfully we have some good people running against the wing nuts. In other local school happenings, we have a couple friends who teach in a town a few mile north of us. They thought they were getting a good super when they hired the guy who had stood up against a wing nut school board (which recently lost in court), but he turned out to be an autocrat and when we talked to them, they were close to a strike. One of my ex-colleagues (who claimed at his interview for a teaching position that there was no history he didn't know much to our amusement) is now super of a rather large district who got rid of their inclusive super. I would love to know what this all-knowing one is actually doing there.
Yes!
https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/1XQhnyD/Tending-to-Democracy
We are a group who met here and are supporting state and local candidates.
Great group.
Barbara, while I have nothing to boast about, and I blame reluctance to be an activist on illness, I have found a bit of joy in supporting "my" candidates. Of course that means a few dollars' donations, but also an occasional email or letter to the candidate to thank them for their dedication or a particular focus or piece of legislation that I like. You would be surprised how rare that is for the candidate or official and they often respond with thanks.
Something as simple as a letter to the editor on behalf of a favorite, or a yard sign in my apartment window...I recently tied a sign to the back of my wheelchair...however small, still offers support. In addition, I've carried petitions to get a candidate's name on the ballot and I've organized a meeting for the candidate to speak to a small gathering in the building where I live. I've found such activities to be rewarding for them and me.
Last but not least, sometimes offering to help the candidate's aide is also welcome. Just saying you will deliver a half dozen yard signs to like-minded friends is really helpful. All these are small potatoes, but the ground floor for democracy.
I hear you. Sometimes the best I can do is $5 to a Candidate, making some calls etc.. I need to get back in the habit of writing our Legislators. Great idea on writing to the Candidates.
Jessica Craven’ts Chop Wood Carry Water gives you a call map each day — takes 5 minutes and is very effective - legislators keep track of calls……
Join your local municipal committee, they exist in every state. Join you country committee. You will be informed well in advance of any laws being passed by your legislature that will not be beneficial to you. The GOP took over this country by taking over state governments. The Democrats now have to do the same thing.
Yes, show up at all the town meetings.
In texas, there are county commissioners, city council members, neighborhood associations, business management zones and more. I joined a local volunteer group focused on trails and non-motorized transportation and get to talk to representatives from all these various offices. The focus of calm conversations are practical and not political, and political policy can be quietly influenced this way. I also know for whom uI should vote in the next election.
I also answer my front door to canvasers and engage. They're always looking for volunteers, though that type of involvement isn't my cup of tea.
Jerry everything is political, that this the structure of our country. Getting involved is the most important step. Get your neighbors involved also.
Another important key to preserving and enhancing our Democracy both at the local level and at the Congressional/Presidential level is to concentrate on NONPARTISAN voter registration of potential young voters. The future is about them! WE should take an active role in encouraging THEM in a meaningful way to register and vote, as I will explain HOW in a minute. Why they should be engaged as voters--for example-- is to preserve reproductive rights and instituting really effective local control of assault weapons to save the lives of 9 year olds, as well as the rest of us! YOU can directly help achieve such a result in competitive elections in more than 2,000 localities by going to www.turnup.us/ and contributing with a tax-deductible charitable contribution to amazing Harvard students who are successfully working hard to organize thousands of high school voter registration drives and "relational" registration in key states! This is the most effective youth voter registration effort I have ever seen and I have been at it for seven years with my foundation "Inspire2Vote" in key states all over the country. Inspire2Vote just registered a week or so ago our 102,000th high school student in Iowa! But www.turnup.us/ will be, far more effective with their local student voter reg drives. Please look them up and give them a helping hand to help save our Democracy! Thank you!
Check out Chop Wood Carry water by Jessica Craven. https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/
Get the Indivisible guidelines. Just Google it.
Go alone if you have to, but bring a friend if you can. Go to listen. Go to absorb the feelings of the participants. Try to understand the motivations of those there. See if you have something positive and constructive to add. Ask questions. Take notes. Go home and think about what you learned. Don't go in with the point of view that you're going to right the boat in that first meeting. Go in to be part of the conversation. We can cross the great divide with a bridge of civility and respect. Panic, hate, anger are communicable disease. Calm, understanding, curiosity are public health. Choose your path well, our society depends upon it.
Great post and good advice. This is how we can be effective in creating good changes in our communities- and from there up. Thanks so much!
Well stated!
I absolutely agree. There are lots of other opportunities for people in their communities to engage and start conversations about in their communities common interests that are not political. Community gardens, emergency services, local volunteer fire companies, senior volunteers, kids robotics clubs. We've been terribly siloes over the past 3 years because of covid.
Well said! Thank You.
"It just requires that you go to these meetings and speak to show support, to get to know your local candidates and support those who understand what is at stake."
I sure wish it were that easy. I have gone to and participated in meetings galore, served several times in local politics where I had a "microphone", written letters, etc. I happen to live in a liberal democratic state (and therefore "preaching to the choir") which does have a number of pockets of trump supporters. Regardless of my (or other like-minded residents) efforts and participation, the national psyche has continued to move further away from the ideals of a benevolent and inclusive democracy. Board by board, town by town, city by city, state by state large swaths of the country have continued to move to extreme conservatism with "Christianity" as a political overlay.
The people who lack understanding of what is at stake don't read Heather's Letters and have absolutely no intellectual curiosity or desire to learn or change. They don't get it and don't want to. They are not inherently bad people, but their choice of elected officials certainly is, and they refuse to see the consequences. As an "old" psych major, there is a type of "group think" that fosters cults and aberrant mass behavior that is inherently illogical and dangerous. A so-called "charismatic leader" drives home fear, hate, misinformation, and meaningless empty promises to gain control.
I certainly don't profess to have any solutions. However, with a lifetime of observations as well as a student of history, there is strong evidence that these complicated situations do not change without massive protests/strikes and/or violence.
Janet, there is stronger evidence that violence only begets violence and makes it harder for people to begin the collaboration that leads to healing. Heather and many others have spoken to this, and history shows that violence is counterproductive. I do agree that peaceful protests and strikes are useful and appropriate tools to call attention to critical issues or wrongs. But the moment we introduce violence, things start falling apart. That is one lesson we can learn from what happened to the Republicans following Jan 6.
I certainly don't think violence is preferred and I don't advocate for it, but we have been voting, we have peaceful demonstrations (tens of millions of women peacefully marched in January 2017 and the dial didn't move at all - in fact women lost big time with the repeal of Roe v Wade at the SCOTUS/political level), we participate in local government (at least I have), I've supported and been an advocate of gun control starting with the Brady Bill and now we have two mass shootings a day where children (and adults) are blown to pieces and the number of assault weapons in the hands of civilians is close to tens of millions of the 400 MILLION guns out there (and all we hear is crickets on change because of the 2nd Amendment), we have lunatics in congress who actually have power, and a SCOTUS that has a strangle hold on the rights of people in an entire nation. We spend $billions/$trillions in weaponry around the world to "save" democracy because words don't stop the demonic dictators from invading. Domestically words alone didn't work for our split from England, nor the end of slavery, civil rights, Vietnam, etc. And pieces of paper/words for restraining orders and "common sense gun laws" do nothing when anyone can actually get/3-D print a gun.
I'm all for peaceful protests but they have to be big and long enough to make a real economic impact as a hit to peoples' wallets seems to be the only thing people recognize. As Jack Bauer would say in the show "24", "shut it down, Chloe!"
Look at the violence of Republicans , calling out Mr Bragg for doing his job.
The violent words of Mc Carthy who sold out to Maga orders so he could be Speaker. Stefanik who found her niche in hate and threatens payback to those who don’t pay homage “to her “( I mean DJTs nobility) .
There is no Christianity in any of this . Its a blatant violation of any godlike principles.
Though thats how they assure themselves they’re
doing right . They’re not .
They are however, cheering on evil .
And that is their twisted offering of “ Right”.
Our democracy is still strong enough to survive with words, voting, support of democratic principles. Violence is unnecessary. Give away copies of https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/on-tyranny-twenty-lessons-from-the-twentieth-century_timothy-snyder/13462819/#edition=13124516&idiq=24622759
out on the street or door to door.
VIOLENCE
The big fish in a little pond makes a lot of difference. Repubs know this, so should we. Good on you
Amen. Become involved and VOTE.
Local elections are more important than federal. State elections are the most important. Why we no longer teach civics in schools is to dumb down the public, and it has worked.
Schools across NY State received threats from unknown sources this past week warning them to get rid of a certain "gay" themed book from their libraries. The first school system, Hilton Central, experienced 3 bomb threats. EDITED: I inadvertently added information I couldn't verify. The actual number of schools that received threatening emails was 20, according to a statement Gov. Hochul made last week.
Hilton has bowed to the threats and its school board has voted to "review" the book. They just showed the terrorists that bomb threats are legitimate political dialogue.
Marycat2021, I would like to copy and use your post of FB. I think it is important for as many people as possible to know that we are under attack by the right. May I use your post?
No. I despise Facebook.
You know, I dont recall this happening to school libraries ever before. Do you think it has?
Yes. Published last September: https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7vyvb/libraries-across-the-us-are-receiving-violent-threats
From a year ago: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/accounts-of-book-bannings-and-threats-to-librarians-soared-in-2021-says-study
I would just like to add a shout out to:
https://momsdemandaction.org/about/chapters/
They are a force and have local chapters throughout the country, and what better motivation than preventing the slaughter of our most precious resource?