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March 22nd, 2012
Bunches of Lunches, Charter Schools, Picnic Fun, and More
News, Opinion, Upcoming Events & Links of Interest
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Important Upcoming Dates
Fri 3/23 - (& every Friday @ 11:30) - Lunch at Magnolia Cafe w/OTM Dems & other Progressives
MAPFri 3/23 - Fundraising Lunch w/Rep. Sewell at B&A Warehouse. Tues 3/27 - OTM Dem Faith & Politics Roundtable Lunch in Hoover at 11:30 - email Scott Cole for details. Fri 4/6 - Lunch w/ Sarah Bianchi, Deputy Asst. to the President, at the Harbert Center. (More info at Right) Tues 4/17 - Charter School Forum (More info at Right)
Sun 4/22 - Earth Day
OTM DEM Picnic w/The
Nature Conservancy @ Railroad Park
(More info at Right)
Tues 4/24 - Primary Run-off Election -
GO VOTE!
*************** CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ALL the PRIMARY WINNERS, and thanks to the entire slate of fine Democratic candidates !!! There were tough choices to be made, and we still have important run-off elections, as you know. Be SURE to vote on 4/24 !!! Turnout in the primary was under 29% in Jeffco, and less than 24% state-wide !!! (Say 'Thank You', Roy Moore!) ************
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Penny Bailey for
Congress !!!
Penny Bailey needs your support! She won the primary and now faces the well funded and long entrenched Spencer Bachus. Visit her website to learn more about this extraordinary woman and her outstanding qualifications. It's time for Mr Bachus to go, and there's never been a better opportunity than this election !!!
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SARAH BIANCHI, Deputy Assistant to the President and
Chief Economic Advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, will
speak to the Over the Mountain Democrats and Downtown Democratic Club on Friday, April 6th, at the Harbert Center, 2019 Fourth Avenue North.
Ms. Bianchi's proud in-laws (and OTM Dem members) are Dr. Ronald and Sandra Vinik. Thanks to the Viniks, Linda Verin, the Downtown Dems and Ms. Bianchi for all making this special opportunity a reality. Come hear a little about how the White House operates 'behind the scenes' from someone with rare access and insight.
Ms. Bianchi served in a variety of White House roles during the Clinton Administration, including as a member of the Domestic Policy Council and the Office of Management and Budget. She is a member of the Senior Advisory Committee at the Harvard Institute of Politics. A native of Atlanta, Ms. Bianchi graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University.
Lunch is served @ 12 PM, but please arrive early so we can be seated by noon. Seating is limited; lunch/tickets are $15 and can be reserve d by contacting Linda Verin.
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| Charter Schools - A Solution, an Alternative, an Experiment, or a Disaster? ~ OTM Dems Sponsor a Forum on April 17th
Hailed as a cure-all for what ails underperform-
ing schools, or vilified as the tool wielded to finally break the power of the AEA and teacher's unions in general, the bill has finally been introduced in the legislature. What do you think? What do you know about the proposals and the implications? You're invited to attend our forum with a panel of experts, at 6:30, Tuesday evening, April 17 in the Linn-Henley Lecture Hall at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. More details to follow.
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EARTH DAY PICNIC for the OTM DEM FAMILY
 Come join your OTM Dem friends as we participate
in The Nature Conservancy's "Picnic for the Planet" at Railroad Park downtown on Sunday, April 22nd! Help set a Guinness World Record for the most folks picnicking in a 24 hour period! It's free and open to everyone. There'll be music throughout the day, with food, drinks and adult beverages, for sale. Bring your blankets, your kids and your coolers and Frisbees. It's from 11 AM to 3 PM.
Scores of picnic tables have been 'purchased' by companies and non-profits through donations to the Conservancy for projects both local and national. The tables are being painted and decorated by the different groups and local artists, and will be on display at the park. It'll be fun to see the variety of designs and all the different ideas. The table count is over 50, at this point, and the OTM Dems are preparing one, too. Thanks go out to Sharron Williams, our 'resident artist', for her hours of hard work!
* Pack a Picnic and Take Part in a World Record Attempt at 1 PM * Live Music: Blue Galaxy String Project, The Arc, Jason Bailey Band * 50+ Picnic Tables on Display as Art Objects * Hands-on Kids' Activities * Free Community Event, Rain or Shine We'd like to have a big turnout, and want to do our part to boost the numbers for the Conservancy's goal of 24,000 folks across the globe, so please plan on coming. Be sure to be there by 1 PM at the latest, for the official count! We'll have a blast! |
WHY I'M A DEMOCRAT
Ever have anyone ask you why you're a Democrat? We all have our
personal reasons. Click HERE to see why OTM DEM members are proud to let the world know they're DEMOCRATS ! |
LINKS OF INTEREST
Read Barack Obama's Response to Franklin Graham,
recounted in the National Catholic Reporter, when Graham questioned then Senator Obama about his faith, in 2008.
http://ncronline.org/news/politics/franklin-graham-fox-news-and-faiths-distortion
Faith Leaders call the Ryan Budget, introduced Wednesday, an 'immoral disaster', in this piece from Think Progress.
Jeffco Commissioners are in a "No Win" Situation. Check out this concise recounting of the current woes and potential outcomes the County Commissioners face, in this article by Kyle Whimire, from this week's WELD.
Forwarded to us by Pat Byington, in Bama Environmental News, read this article from al.com and the Birmingham News about the upcoming decision about the direction of an economy and environment in north Tuscaloosa County for more than a generation. Walter Energy and the Alabama environment always make for good reading!
Bryan Stevenson, of Montgomery's Equal Justice Initiative, recently spoke to TED, a California based non-profit devoted to fostering and promoting "ideas worth spreading." View his profile and video of his talk at
TED's website. Get to know this man! His presentation gathered $1.2 M in pledges for his organization to be applied here in Alabama. TED is a remarkable organization and Stevenson is a remarkable man. Check it out.
Five Words and Phrases Democrats Should Never Use Again are highlighted in this article by Jill Klausen from Crooks and Liars. Is there any question we've let Republicans frame the language of political discourse for the last 30 years? Let's QUIT letting them do it. Here's how to start!
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FRIEND US ON FACEBOOK !!!
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WE NEED YOU !!!
Former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill was famous for reminding everyone, "All politics is local." Whether we get worked up about slurs against President Obama, or demeaning Republican social legislation in Alabama, we can really only do effective work LOCALLY. But we must DO SOMETHING. Volunteers are needed. Volunteer with the official Jeffco Democratic Party office. Richard Mauk (205-279-2588) will be glad to hear from you. Volunteer with Leanne Townsend down at OFA Headquarters (205-202-4200). Spread the word for 2012! And please come help US, your OTM Dem family. Grass roots organizations require regular watering and nurturing. Any and all sorts of help are needed and welcome. Contact Linda Verin if you're interested in helping, or for more details. Thanks! |
Contact Info
OTM Dem Co-chair
Bob Parker
bandl@bobparker.com
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