 In the past week we've seen the nation of North Korea and their Supreme Leader, Kim Jon-un, launch a long range missile capable of reaching targets as far away as Chicago (Hey! That's where we live!) We've also learned that North Korea now has successfully produced a miniaturized nuclear warhead that might fit on such missiles.
That last bit of disturbing information came from  classified intelligence reports leaked by Fox News. Nikki Haley, U.N. Ambassador and Trump appointee, quickly condemned the Fox leaks as "incredibly dangerous." But just as incredibly, a short while before her condemnation of Fox, those dangerous leaks were verified as fact via tweets from guess who? - Our oblivious President, Donald Trump. What a guy.
Now, you might think that a rogue nation openly demonstrating  missiles that can reach our shores is a situation serious enough to call for some intense White House discussions about how to respond. You would expect President Trump and key cabinet members - certainly including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson - to put their heads together to craft the smartest possible position. Instead President Trump, taking  a break from a "working vacation" at his New Jersey golf resort, basically presented the United States' stance on this international menace in one of his responses to a group of reporters. He said, "North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen."
Since we possess a huge nuclear arsenal and since we are the only country to have ever used nuclear weapons to destroy an enemy's cities it's easy to hear the implication of his "fire and fury" statement as including nukes.
Shortly after the President's comments, Secretary Tillerson returning to  Washington made a statement stressing that the US did not believe that the threat from North Korea had become worse. This did have a calming effect. But soon after that, President Trump made sure he bragged about our nation's nuclear capabilities. "My first order as President was to renovate and modernize our nuclear arsenal. It is now far stronger and more powerful than ever before,"
After all of this back and forth stuff, Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated that both "the tone and strength of the message" of the President "were  discussed beforehand." Really Sarah? That's hard to believe. (Shockingly, Sarah has been known to stretch the truth or even use "alternate facts.") I find it difficult to imagine the Secretary of State and Trump's new Chief of Staff advising the President, "Why don't you imply a threat to North Korea of Dresden-style fire bombing raids? Or better yet, why not imply we'll treat Pyongyang like Hiroshima! Yeah, that's the ticket! That will get Kim Jon-un - a man who has had adversaries poisoned and ordered some of them executed with an anti-aircraft gun - to start being reasonable.
No, I think the bellicose b.s. coming from President Trump was strictly his own idea. But maybe "idea" is the wrong word. It was a manifestation of a standard response he has developed over many years to deal with any adversarial situation.
In the time since President Trump made his fiery remarks a number of political analysts concluded that he was simply saying these unheard-of-before-now presidential threats to "play to his base of support." But it's  starting to feel like that "base of support" rationale has become the default explanation for Trump's behavior, no matter how goofy it might be. It's true that Trump's behavior might appeal to his supporters. However, I've come to believe that we give him too much credit if we think everything he blurts out is the result of his shrewd Machiavellian thinking. To Trump, it's all just his style.
Throughout his career he's used threats and bombast successfully in his business dealings - contractors demanding full payment for services, communities objecting to his building plans, tenants unhappy with their treatment. Just threaten long drawn out legal battles and produce intimidating armies of lawyers. More often than not, it has worked. Talk tough and threaten big has become as natural to him as tying his golf shoes. If he feels challenged, he automatically responds with language that raises the stakes. There is little thought involved.
Donald Trump's big talk got him the Presidency. But the intimidating style that worked for him right up to his election, doesn't play the same on  an international stage. -- I would say threatening a nation with implied nuclear destruction is taking that style way too far.
Someone in Trump's personal circle needs to get the President to at least tone down his impulsive braggadocio in the most sensitive circumstances. As we're seeing right now, no matter how imbedded his behavior may be, the stakes are just too high to keep forgiving such recklessness.
Nels Howard
NTDO member since 1973
Are your NTD annual dues up to date? You can only vote at endorsement meetings if you're paid up.
Check with the NTD office if you're not sure when your "annual dues date" is.
-
To renew your NTD membership or to become an official member of the New Trier Dems for the first time,
visit our
NTDO website. You'll see information on all your membership options.
|
Mark your calendars now!
Save the date:
Sunday, Sept. 10
The NTDO Annual Meeting and Picnic
Lake View Room and Beach Pavilion
1 pm - 4 pm
(More info to follow)
|
Upcoming Events of interest:
Next Monday evening, August 14 in Wilmette - A Kick-off Event
for The National Alliance on Mental Illness 5k Run/Walk.
When: Monday, August 14, at 6:30pm
Where: The Runner's Edge, 1515 Sheridan Rd., Wilmette
What: National Alliance on Mental Illness - Cook County North Suburban (NAMI-CCNS) holds
the kick-off event for its 5k Run/Walk with food and drinks.
For additional information or to RSVP,
register online.
Coming up August 24 (in Evanston) and August 31 (in Skokie) -
A Screening of the Documentary "Equal Means Equal"
In Evanston: Thursday,
August 24, from 6:30 - 8:30pm
at the Century 12 Evanston, 1715 Maple Ave
In Skokie: Thursday,
August 31, from 6:30 - 8:30pm
at t
he AMC Village Crossing, 18-7000 Carpenter Road, Skokie
What: Friends for ERA Illinois present a screening of "Equal Means Equal," a documentary supporting adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing equal rights for women.
For additional information or
to RSVP for Evanston click here.
(The Evanston event will only happen if enough tickets are reserved. )
For additional information or
to RSVP for Skokie click here.
(The Skokie event will only happen if enough tickets are reserved. )
Saturday Aug. 26 in Milwaukee -
A Protest at the NRA Concealed Carry Gun Show.
When: Saturday, August 26, 2017
Where: Outside Wisconsin Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI
What: Peaceful Communities sponsors a demonstration protesting an NRA Concealed Carry Gun Show at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee to express their view that our country will be safer when fewer people are carrying guns. There will be a call for repeal of the Second Amendment so that needed laws can be enacted.
For additional information or to RSVP, email Lee Goodman at
Lee@PeacefulCommunities.org or call 847-559-9525.
Thursday, August 31 in Chicago - Lisa Madigan's Birthday Bash - Cubs vs. Braves Baseball.
 When: Thursday, August 31. Reception at 6:00pm, game starts at 7:05pm
Where: Wrigley Rooftops, 3609 North Sheffield, Chicago
What: Root for the Chicago Cubs at Lisa Madigan's annual Birthday Bash.
|
|
--------------
FYI: The NTDO Events Calendar
for the rest of 2017
June 23-24 GLENCOE SIDEWALK SALE
9 am-5 pm Downtown Glencoe
July 14 -15
WINNETKA SIDEWALK SALE
9 am-5 pm Downtown Winnetka
July 17 ANNUAL MEET AND GREET at AVLI ESTIATORIO
566 Chestnut, Winnetka, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
July 22 -23 WILMETTE SIDEWALK SALE
9am-5pm Downtown Wilmette
Sept. 10 NTDO ANNUAL MEETING AND PICNIC
Lake View Room and Beach Pavilion 1 pm - 4 pm
Oct. 8 2017 NTDO ANNUAL DINNER
Maggiano's Old Orchard, Skokie, 5 pm-9 pm
Nov. (Date & Place TBA)
"HEAD START FOR 2018" CONFERENCE
All North Shore Democrats Invited
|
|
| |
| |
The guest speaker for the October 8, 2017 NTD Annual Dinner has been confirmed.
 It's Congressman Mike Quigley. As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Quigley will bring his perspective on the possible Russian meddling in our 2016 Election and the seriousness of such a threat to our democratic process. (Were any Trump operatives involved?) -- By October, who knows what our guest speaker may have to report?
|
|
Have you visited Senator Biss' website "The Road Back" --
click on the link to his video -- then, throughout the summer follow his plan's development on the website.
Daniel explains a lot about how Illinois got where it is today and how we can begin the journey on the road back toward achieving our state's tremendous economic potential.
|
|
|
Your Legislators:
 Democratic Legislators
who represent New Trier Township in
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 which includes a number of precincts in Glencoe.
Daniel Biss,
State Senator for Illinois' 9th State Senate District.The Ninth District includes all of New Trier Township.
Julie Morrison, State Senator for Illinois' 29th State Senate District. The district includes New Trier's northernmost precincts.
Robyn Gabel,
IL 18th District State Representative. The 18th District includes much of New Trier up to Hazel Avenue and Dundee Road.
Laura Fine
, IL 17th District State Representative.
The 17th District includes the East Glenview and West Wilmette areas of New Trier Township.
Scott Drury
,
IL 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.
|
| Dear Fellow Democrats, If you are not already an NTDO member, and enjoy our Newsletter, we hope you consider joining us as a dues-paying member. NTDO is a not-for-profit political action organization. We depend on our membership dues to support our Democratic causes and candidates. There are two options for dues payments: by check or credit card. By Check: Make check payable to NTDO and mail to our office: NTDO 800 Oak St., Suite 112 Winnetka, IL 60093 OR By Credit Card: visit our website by clicking here Click on the "Join/Contribute" button
Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly to ActBlue by clicking here.
|
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, Suite 112, in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030
Contact: newtrierdemocrats@gmail.com.
*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.
|
|
|
| |
|
