Yesterday,
the big news story was President Trump's firing of FBI  chief James Comey. How long will this surprising action from our nation's leader stay in the headlines? It's hard to say. From day to day, and even hour to hour, Donald Trump's unpredictable outbursts of authority keep America (and the world) in a constant state of uncertainty.
I suppose for a few among us -- stock traders,  fear-mongering demagogues, TV satirists -- this chronic uncertainty is good for business. Certainly, Stephen Colbert has profited from having the bizarre Mr. Trump in office. (Although I'm certain Stephen would rather have gained his ratings satirizing someone less dangerous and destructive.) But for 99% of the world's inhabitants, having a such a flaky President in control of a nuclear arsenal is very unsettling.
It's true that more than a few of the headline grabbing actions by our President and his gang are purposely created to distract attention from subjects they'd prefer ignored. This time, that isn't the case. If anything, Comey's firing drew more attention, at least momentarily, to the rumored connection between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia.
Perhaps the Trump White House believes that Mr. Comey's  dismissal labels him now as a failed bureaucrat -- at least  in the eyes of Trump's most loyal supporters. A man fired for his incompetence may have less public credibility if he is called before any Congressional committee or independent investigator. Nevertheless, I'm hoping he is called. The Russia-Trump connection needs to be thoroughly investigated. I can't think of any other incident in America's history that comes close to being so potentially subversive.
On another note, last Friday I attended Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's Women's Power Lunch. The main speaker was Gina  McCarthy, the head of the EPA under President Obama. What sort of puzzles me is that I was totally unaware of who Gina McCarthy was until last Friday. Turns out, she's one of the most dynamic and entertaining speakers I've ever heard.
Why Ms. McCarthy wasn't on national television regularly while she worked in the Obama Administration is a mystery to me. Perhaps the White House strategists judged her strong urban Boston accent and direct, no-nonsense language would be too much for Middle America's taste. I do know now that she did appear in some TV interviews back then but she certainly never became a household name. And she should have. On Friday, I thought everything Gina McCarthy said was exactly what needs to be said about climate change, the responsibilities of the EPA and the foolishness of our Republican Congress and our President.
Incidentally, Ms. McCarthy was confirmed as the EPA head by a Senate vote of 59 to 40 after a record 136-day confirmation fight. (Those wonderful Senate Republicans.) She then became the face of Obama's  global warming/climate change initiative. Once Donald Trump was elected, he replaced her with Scott Pruitt, the former Attorney General of Oklahoma - a man who
rejects the idea that human activity is a primary contributor to climate change.
For those of you who didn't have the good fortune to see Ms. McCarthy speak at Jan's event, I've included a You Tube link in a P.S. below. The site features a number of short (and long) examples of her thoughts and style.
Finally, Illinois' gubernatorial Democratic Primary race is now well underway. Last night at the NTD Executive Board meeting, Democratic  candidate J.B. Pritzker made an appearance. Besides presenting information about himself and his personal priorities, he outlined his views on Illinois' huge financial problems, the human damage Governor Rauner's intractability is causing and Mr. Pritzker's ideas for halting this calamity.
The New Trier Democrats are still months away from a formal  endorsement session by the general membership. However, the more I see of the Democratic candidates for Governor the more optimistic I am that their quality, compassion and common sense will shine through. Whenever and wherever any of them speak across Illinois, the Democratic Party's message should resonate with voters who have had enough of life under Rauner (and now Trump too).
This bodes well, not just for winning the governors race but for  replacing Republican state legislators who have supported Governor Bruce Rauner's obstructionism and Republican congressional candidates who have stayed in lock step with the destructive policies of President Donald Trump.
We're still not half way through 2017 but every day it becomes increasingly clear that the time to start winning back the Illinois Governorship and majorities in Congress is right now. The Republicans are in trouble. We cannot let them escape the resounding defeat they so richly deserve.
Nels Howard
NTDO member since 1973
P.S. To sample some of Gina McCarthy TV appearances click here.
P.P.S.
The search for a new NTD Office Manager is a serious situation! Can you think of any friends, relatives, neighbors who might fill the job? They should be energetic, have an interest in progressive politics, possess a quick mind and dependable work ethic, and, of course, have the time available for this part time job. The hours are flexible. See the info directly below.
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The New Trier Dems need an Office Manager.
Here is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in strengthening progressive politics in New Trier.
It's a salaried job that will put the person who gets it in the middle of the NTDO's operations. If you or someone you know meets the qualifications and time requirements listed below, contact the NTDO by email.
Job: NTDO Office Manager
Salary: $13.00 per hour
Time required: 9 hours a week (generally)
Additional hours as needed during elections and major NTDO events
Qualifications: Computer literate
Light bookkeeping skills
Comfortable dealing with the public,
face-to-face and on the phone
Other preferred (but not essential) experience: An interest in political issues and current events
A belief in the importance of voter engagement
Past participation in grassroots political activities
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Tomorrow May 11 in Evanstpm - A phone bank for a Democratic Congressional candidate who can win in Montana!
 Since November 9, many of you have asked us what you can do to resist the Trump agenda. Progressive Democrat Rob Quist is in a race to win the open congressional seat in Montana. You can help Rob TOMORROW any time from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the DPOE office (747 Custer Avenue). You'll be making calls to likely Democrats to remind them to get out and vote on May 25!
Just remember to
bring a cell phone, la
ptop, and any chargers you may need. For planning purposes please RSVP here and/or on Facebook.
Can't make it on Thursdays? Luckily, you can call from home! Thanks to our friends at Progressive Turnout Project, you can sign up for a training conference call and then call whenever you're able.
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Mark you calendar now for
Thursday, May 25 from 6 to 8 pm
at theWilmette Wine Cellar
1100 Central Avenue, Wilmette
Come join in a Networking event with fellow Democrats
from New Trier -- and far beyond!
If you enjoy meeting new friends, sharing ideas, stimulating conversation -- and drinking good wine...
This is the place to be on May 25.
See you there.
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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.
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FYI: The NTDO Events Calendar
for the rest of 2017
May 25 -- A NETWORKING EVENT
6 pm-8pm at The Wilmette Wine Cellar
11 Central Ave., Wilmette
All Democrats Welcome!
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 22 -23 WILMETTE SIDEWALK SALE
9am-5pm Downtown Wilmette
July 17 ANNUAL MEET AND GREET AVLI ESTIATORIO
566 Chestnut, Winnetka, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
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
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Other upcoming events and news items:
Tomorrow afternoon in Chicago - A Women's Rally for Healthcare
When:
Thursday, May 11, at
4:45pm
Where:
Wabash & Wacker, Chicago
(gather across from Chicago's Trump Tower)
What:
Join US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and hundreds of others
stand up and speak out to protect women's healthcare that is put at risk by Trumpcare.
Protect the ACA.
Tomorrow evening, May 11 in Lake Forest -
The League of Women Voters Presents "Money in Politics:
an Evening with Trevor Potter."
When:
Thursday, May 11, at 7:30pm
Where:
Lily Reid Holt Chapel, Lake Forest College,
555 N. Sheridan Rd., Lake Forest
What:
League of Women Voters - Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area sponsors Trevor Potter, a former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission. He will talk about dark money, conflicts of interest, election spending and campaign finance reform. For additional information, visit the League of Women Voters website
Friday, May 12 in Chicago -- Deputy Voter Registrar Training.
When:
Friday, May 12, at 12:00 noon
Where:
Office of DeBofsky Sherman & Casciari P.C., 11th Floor Conference Room, 200 W. Madison St., Chicago
What:
A training for Deputy Voter Registrars will be held. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and registered to vote in Cook County. The event is open only to Cook County residents who are interested in helping register new voters. Deputy Registrars must be trained in the county in which they live, but once trained, can register voters anywhere in Illinois.
Training takes less than an hour.
This training is being held through the County Clerk's Office and is free of charge.
For additional information or to RSVP online click here or call 847-266-VOTE (8683).
Sunday, May 21 in Mettawa - The General Consul of China Presents "The Sino-U.S. Relationship in a New Era."
When:
Sunday, May 21, at 2:00pm
Where:
The Stevenson Center on Democracy, 25200 N. St. Mary's Rd., Mettawa (Libertyville)
What:
The Stevenson Center on Democracy presents Hong Lei, Consul General of China at Chicago, speaking on The Sino-U.S. Relationship in the New Era. Coffee and conversation will follow the presentation.
Monday, May 22 in Chicago -- The Asian American Festival
When:
Monday, May 22.
The Festival continues through Friday, May 26th.
Where:
Richard J. Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago
What: The Asian American Coalition of Chicago sponsors its 16th Annual Asian American Festival, this year hosted by the Pakistani American Community. The festival, with the theme "One World, Our World," offers entertainment, arts and crafts booths and colorful harmony.
Friday, June 9 in Chicago --
The People's Summit with Senator Bernie Sanders.
 When:
Where:
McCormick Place
What:
People's Summit 2.0. A gathering of several thousand progressive activists with the theme, "Beyond Resistance: A People's Movement for a Just World." Keynote speaker: Senator Bernie Sanders. The event continues through Sunday, June 11.
For additional information or to register online, visit the People's Summit website.
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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.
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| 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 "Get Involved" tab
Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly there by clicking here.
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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
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.
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