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This past weekend I attended Indivisible's National Campaigns Network Gathering in Washington D.C..
The great news? Rep. Heck's and Senator Cantwell's staff gave rave reviews to OI for our engagement with our Mocs and the work we do. They said they are very familiar with our effective and necessary actions. They appreciate the calls they get and the messages they receive from us! We are succeeding every time you pick up the phone or send a message - WELL DONE OI MEMBERS! On Monday, I visited Rep. Heck and Senator Cantwell's offices. I was the only one present from CD10Wa so I got a personal one-on-one meeting with Denny’s Chief-of-Staff and a legislative staff member in Maria's office. We covered the upcoming appropriations bills that must pass by Sept 30 or a CR will be needed to avoid another shutdown. We spoke specifically to the info on the #DefundHate campaign (https://indivisible.org/resource/tell-your-representative-defund-hate). The ask was NO to anymore CBP/ICE funding, and especially no to a slush fund of $350M without any direction or declaration on how it will be spent. We can’t allow money that should be spent to alleviate the humanitarian crisis the GOP created, to be used to build his wall or increase private prisons spaces, increase raids or enable more deportations. I covered the same in Cantwell’s office. When Denny’s Chief of Staff asked what Denny could do, I requested Denny make a floor speech on this issue and stand against any more funding that is either undesignated or could be raided for the wall. He said there was a meeting planned for the next day and he would pass my request on. We should also be demanding that the trump immigration policy that criminalizes and imprisons asylum seekers be reversed to return to the policy previously in place - release to the community until hearings could be held. We must demand more immigration judges be impaneled to hear the backlog of cases exacerbated by trump's policy. Until the President stops creating a greater humanitarian crisis, he should receive no more funding. He has raided other departments and has plenty of money to move in a positive direction. Let's stop rewarding him with more money when he's committing crimes against humanity. In Cantwell’s office, the staffer said the current thought is that some of the 12 appropriations bills will be passed on time (by Sept 30) with Continuing Resolutions for the remainder, and the CR to expire at the end of the year. Patty Murray’s office was locked up and she’s the only one on appropriations. Budgets are a statement of values. She needs to hear our concerns and she's in the best position among our MOCs to influence budget decisions. --Carolyn B Cookies and Conversation Topic Exploring questions provoked by reading "The Plot to Destroy Democracy" by Malcolm Vance.
Do you find yourself asking everyday “How could this have happened?” Analyst Malcolm Vance has some fascinating ideas about who got us here and where this all could be leading. Check out his talk: https://youtu.be/paYbAyTtQto, read his book “The Plot to Destroy Democracy” or just come to share ideas as we explore questions he raises. Our country currently has an administration that does not have democratic values and it is clear that the Trump administration is diminishing our democratic institutions. Malcolm Vance is painting a picture that this is a global phenomenon. Many questions arise such as:
We will have an initial get together on August 7 at 7PM, since the book has 3 sections, perhaps 3 meetings will be needed to digest the content and discuss questions. Please RSVP to cookiesandconversationrsvp@gmail.com. Direction on request or call 360-539-7990 Cookies of course! Glen Hubbard, Pat Wald and Jon Ceazan PS: If you don’t have time to read the book, here is a quote from the middle of the book that could stir up a good conversation: “Democracy itself would be the weapon that would bring down democracy. The vote would be the infectious vector--so long as the people are of one mind, they would vote their democracy out of existence…. “. In these challenging times, it is good to bear in mind that together we can make a difference, and that Olympia Indivisible's band of angelic troublemakers is doing just that. Here's a case in point, from OI member Melinda Holman who, along with a number of OI members, has been persistently, actively involved in championing the cause of the once-beleaguered Thurston Conservation District since 2018. She just attended the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors with its full quorum of dedicated veteran members and newly elected and/or appointed members this past Wednesday and has the following news to share with us. Read on! Thank you, Melinda and thanks to OI members who have given so generously of their time and effort to make this day happen. All the best, Olympia Indivisible Steering Committee What a difference a year makes. I’ve gone from jaw dropping shock at misbehavior to incredible hope for this vital organization, the Thurston Conservation District which works to support best practices for farms and our environment. One year ago, I wrote about attending TCD Supervisors Board Meetings. I was appalled at the conduct of two certain people. They have been removed for neglect of duty and malfeasance by the Washington State Conservation Commission. Another person quit. Three new people have taken on the work of the TCD Board in addition to the two remaining people who have struggled valiantly to “right the ship.”  At the May 30, 2019 TCD Board meeting, I witnessed Supervisors working together even when they saw things differently. They listened with respect, voiced their opinions civilly and most hopeful of all, laughed together. In a remarkably short time, they have taken steps to get finances straightened out, streamline policy and begun to repair relationships with staff. This movement forward took a concerted effort by many people;
I am grateful to have witnessed thoughtful, caring people making a difference in our corner of the world. Melinda Holman “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead  Malcolm Nance is frequently a commentator on MSNBC. His commentary seems outrageous. Should we listen to him? I believe he is a credible analyst.
I am going to read his latest book: "The Plot to Destroy Democracy". A quote from the start of the book: “...Putin’s dream, the real goal must be attained: Put and end to liberal democracy in America and Europe and bring about a worldwide conservative renaissance”. So, is he a conspiracy theorist? Or a good analyst who writes a lot and speaks on MSNBC. Invitation: I will host a “Cookies and Conversation” event to discuss the ideas in the book in late June. Read the book; we could have an interesting event. From Wikipedia Malcolm Nance is an American author and media commentator on terrorism, intelligence, insurgency and torture. He is a former United States Navy senior chief petty officer specializing in naval cryptology. Wikipedia Born: 1961 (age 58 years), Philadelphia, PA Nationality: American Years of service: 1981–2001 Education: West Catholic Preparatory High School, Excelsior College Quotes:Malcolm Nance’s new book is "The Plot to Destroy Democracy" which reveals the dramatic story of how blackmail, espionage, assassination, and psychological warfare were used by Vladimir Putin and his spy agencies to steal the 2016 U.S. election--and attempted to bring about the fall of NATO, the European Union, and western democracy. Links UnREDACTED: Mueller Report Analysis // Malcolm Nance at USC Price (4/30/19) Malcolm Nance's YouTube channelMalcolm Nance: Trump Administration May Have Set Up Secret Network To Share Intel With Russia Written by Olympia Indivisible member Glen Hubbard
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