NTD NEWS   August 20, 2014

The NTDO needs and welcomes financial support at any level. A check sent to the NTD office, 800 Oak St., Winnetka, IL 60093 is the preferred route. But, the Act Blue website is fine too, and easy to use. They even give you the option of contributing a small amount every month for 6 months or a year.   

Eleven days ago in Ferguson, Missouri, a white police officer shot and killed an unarmed African American young man.Ten years ago this month in Boston, a young African American candidate for the U.S. Senate delivered the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention and began his journey to become President of the United States.The election of President Barack Obama just four years after his powerful keynote address was hailed by a number of observers as the start of a "post racial" America. As we all know now, that announcement of the death of racism in America was somewhat premature.  

      But on the night Barack Obama won the 2008 Election, it did seem to many of us that perhaps some sort of post racial America was in the making. The spirit of a unified America felt very real -- at least among all the white and brown and black Americans who voted for President Obama. And although we now appear to have been na�ve in our hopefulness, for many of us above a certain age our feelings were based on the incredible progress we'd already seen in our lifetimes.      

     The civil rights battles, the revolutionary legislation, the landmark court rulings of years past, moved us all toward a more equitable society. We saw hope in the fact that it was a southern born, white President, the grandson of a confederate soldier, who pushed through voting rights and civil rights laws. Those laws permanently changed the look of our society in every part of our country.        

     Within a relatively short time, we began to see many more non-whites -- African American, Hispanic, Asian -- at work in our downtown offices. In every region of America, we started seeing people of color gaining positions of authority, as mayors, police chiefs, sheriffs, state legislators. Through the 50's, 60's and 70's, great strides were made in a number of areas, and slowly but steadily we saw America become less racially divided. -- At least somewhat so.

     I'm not saying we have become the Netherlands or Scandinavia. We're far from being a color-blind society. But in my lifetime, we've come a long way from the days of Stepin Fechit movie stereotypes or when the act of Harry Belafonte holding Petula Clark's hand on national TV caused an uproar. Today, with stars like Beyonce and Denzel on the scene, it's hard to believe Jesse Jackson ever had to exclaim "black is beautiful" in an effort to raise the self-image of his young black audiences. (Remember that? Amazing!)  

     Admittedly, underneath all of our very real progress toward a society that may someday (a long time from now, I'm afraid) be truly color-blind, there have continued to be plenty of Americans unhappy with their changed world. Their unhappiness might stem from their economic situation or challenges to their religious beliefs or the slow disappearance of a male dominated society, but too often racism is used as a valve for venting anger. -- By the way, it's not a one-way street. The necessity for black Americans to find common cause with their white counterparts will also be part of the solution. And perhaps the growing awareness of America's rapidly widening wealth gap could be the issue that brings us all together.        

     So yes, the America Barack Obama envisioned in his 2004 speech -- a United States of America -- is still somewhere in the future. We can hope that the terrible events in Ferguson lead to a renewed and honest national dialogue on race. It is long overdue.
     After the civil rights breakthroughs of the 1960's, who knows where race relations would be today if we hadn't been distracted by the prolonged trauma of the Viet Nam War and the national crisis of Watergate and President Nixon's resignation. Perhaps without those disasters we wouldn't have had Ronald Reagan as President, with his successful implementation of the "southern strategy" that made it okay to wave the Confederate flag again, erase the shame of murdering civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Mississippi (where Reagan chose to launch his presidential campaign), and accept implications that all black welfare recipients game the system.      
     Where we are today is still far from where we should be. It is inarguable that the United States would be a better nation, a more prosperous nation, a happier nation if the divisions of race, gender economics, educational opportunities, sexual orientation disappeared. And what is so infuriating is that there are Americans who hold positions that they could use to help bring us all together (McConnell, Limbaugh, the Kochs et al). Instead, they are using America's divisions to add to their political power, further their celebrity or accumulate additional wealth. In so many ways, Ferguson Missouri is an indirect result of their destructive activities. -- But don't give up. We have seen in the past how positive change can happen. Barack Obama's words in 2004 may not have become America's reality yet, but we should know by now to never say "never."   

 

          
Nels Howard 
NTDO Member since 1973   
 
 
If you'd like to show your support for Senator Durbin with an eye-catching bumper sticker, you can order your free bumper sticker here
                                                         
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Starting next Monday night and until November,  

the New Trier Dems will be hosting a phone bank  

for the reelection of Governor Pat Quinn.  

 

When: Every Monday from 6 pm - 9 pm

Where: The NTD Office, 800 Oak St., Winnetka 

 

Starting next Monday evening, Kim Brown, our region's field organizer for Governor Quinn, will be at the New Trier Dems office to lead volunteers in phone banking for the Governor. We'll be making calls to local Democrats to make sure they come out to vote for the Governor. Kim will be in the office well before 6 so you can arrive early to learn the set up. The Quinn Campaign will bring their own phones, computers and lists.  

     Also, on several Saturdays TBA the NTD office will be used to coordinate walking the neighborhoods. The campaign is coordinating with other campaigns so we can be also support our local candidates Brad Schneider and Laura Fine while getting out the vote for the Governor. 

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Next Tuesday, August 26 in Skokie -- Senator Daniel Biss   

will host the next meeting in his Critical Issues Series:  

"Rethinking Privacy in a Digital Age"    

When: Tuesday, August 26, at 7:00 pm

Where: Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St., Skokie

State Senator Biss invites you to a Critical Issues Series meeting on "Rethinking Privacy in a Digital Age." Click here for details. 

 

Senator Biss has sponsored several bills that regulate when and how law enforcement can use new technologies such as drones or location tracking devices, giving them the tools they need to do their jobs well while still protecting our right to privacy. The Senator will be joined by an impressive group of panelists: Rajiv Shah, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jeremy Staum, a representative of Restore the Fourth Chicago and Adam Schwartz, Senior Staff Council with the ACLU Illinois.

This event is free and open to the public so bring your friends and neighbors.   

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Upcoming events of note: 
  
 
Mark you calendar now for the New Trier Dems Annual picnic,
Sunday Sept. 7 at Gillson Park in Wilmette. --
  Also, it's not too early to make plans to attend the NTDO Annual Dinner on October 12 at Maggiano's in Old Orchard.   
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Every Wednesday and Thursday night, New Trier Dems and other Brad Schneider supporters are working to build momentum for Congressman Schneider's reelection in the fall election.
  
Volunteers are meeting each Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the NTD office at 800 Oak St. in Winnetka to call voters who have previously shown an interest in supporting Congressman Schneider's positions. The stakes couldn't be higher. To lose more seats in the U.S. House would just add to the influence of the right wing extremists in Congress. Please, consider coming to the NTD office any Wednesday or Thursday night at 7 p.m. for some very valuable volunteer work as you contact like-minded Democrats. You'll enjoy it. To learn more or to volunteer call Field Organizer Alyssa Zavislak at 847-748-3788.

Our State Representative for the IL 17th District, Laura Fine has a Tea Party Republican opponent in the November Election.

Laura Fine is the only state legislator serving New Trier that has a challenger. And because her opponent is a bonafide Tea Party Republican Laura will be battling funds and workers supplied by the far right.  Representative Fine will be walking in her precincts two days each week between now and Election Day. If you'd like to walk with her -- or find out other ways you can help --
click here. 
 
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These are the Democratic Legislators
who represent New Trier Township 
Washington, Springfield and Cook County 
 
 
  
   
You'll be hearing a lot from these exceptional public servants. -- And they want to be hearing a lot from you. 
     The fact is, they need to hear from you and want to hear from you in order to represent you most effectively. So, the first thing you can do is get to know who these people are. The links below to their campaign websites are a good place to start. 
 
Jan Schakowsky, 9th U.S. Congressional District Representative and Chief Deputy House Democratic Whip. The new Ninth District boundaries include all of New Trier except for Glencoe. 
 
Brad Schneider, 10th U.S. Congressional District Representative. The Tenth District includes the Village of Glencoe. 

 

Daniel Biss,  State Senator for Illinois' 9th State Senate District.The Ninth District includes all of New Trier Township.

 

Julie MorrisonState Senator for Illinois' 29th State Senate District. The district includes New Trier's northernmost precincts.  

 

Laura Fine, IL 17th District State Representative. The 17th District's new boundaries include the East Glenview and West Wilmette areas of New Trier Township.
 
Robyn Gabel, IL 18th District State Representative. The 18th District's new boundaries include much of New Trier up to Hazel Avenue and Dundee Road.
 
Scott DruryIL 58th District State Representative. 
The 58th District includes the northernmost precincts in Glencoe.

Larry Suffredin, Cook County 13th District Commissioner. The 13th District includes all of New Trier, Evanston and Niles Townships. 
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[The New Trier Democratic Organization's email address has been changed
because of a change in the office's phone contract. From now on, if you wish to reach us, please send all emails to [email protected]]

Still not a member of the New Trier Dems? Your participation in grassroots political action will make a difference. -- Come join us.

When you're a member of the New Trier Democratic Organization, you have an active role in affecting the political process; participating in grassroots campaigns, staying in touch with elected officials, playing a role in deciding which candidates are endorsed. You'll also gain free admission to select forums and events throughout the year.

Come be a part of New Trier's grassroots political community.    
About Us:
The New Trier Democratic Organization is made up of hundreds of grassroots volunteers dedicated to advancing progressive ideals through the political process. We welcome your participation.

Sincerely,
Dean T. Maragos, Committeeman New Trier Township

We are located at 800 Oak Street in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030

*This Internet communication paid for by the New Trier Democratic Organization and  not authorized by any federal or state candidate or campaign committee. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is available for purchase from the State Board of Elections in Springfield, Illinois.