Is President Trump near indictment? Did half of his cabinet resign? Has Bruce Rauner stopped wearing plaid flannel shirts? I wouldn't know because this writer is still on vacation. So two weeks ago, realizing that in our present surreal political world anything is possible, I decided to pre-write today's commentary on a situation that, unfortunately, remains very predictable.
Today,
I want to try to communicate to you the frightening risk of  President Trump's policies toward our environment -- more specifically, our atmosphere. I could try to do this by quoting a lot of statistics and scientific predictions. But instead, I'm going to follow the adage that one picture is worth a thousand words.
I'm going to present you with one memorable image to hold in your  mind as you hear future reports or discussions about the rising levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. It's an image I received nearly fifty years ago, delivered by the 20th century genius and polymath Buckminster Fuller.
(I can't remember if it was in a speech, an interview or a written article.)
The image he presented goes something like this: Picture the  beautiful blue marble that we call earth floating in the blackness and vastness of space. Now realize that this planet has a diameter of about 7800 miles. Next, imagine that in your hand you are holding a highly polished chromium ball slightly less than eight inches in diameter (7.8 inches to be exact). Using a scale of 1-inch equals 1000-miles, this ball represents a model of our globe.
Now raise the globe to your mouth and blow on it. Notice that the shiny surface of the chrome ball has "fogged up." That miniscule film of moisture that you see on that 7.8-inch globe, just a few thousandths of an inch thick, is equivalent to the height of the livable atmosphere surrounding our 7800-mile-thick planet!
Does that sound preposterous? Think about it. If one inch on our  model equals 1000 miles, then one mile (5280 ft.) would be one-thousandth of an inch. On our chrome globe's surface, three-thousandths of an inch of fogging vapor represents the height of a 16,000-foot mountain. Not a lot of terrestrial life of any sort is capable of surviving above that altitude.
I believe I heard Mr. Fuller's chrome globe analogy around the time we human beings saw the first photos of the earth taken from space. Seeing that beautiful blue sphere suspended all alone in the dark had a huge impact on the way we viewed our big, wide world. -- Seen in space it's not so big, a finite place. Then hearing Mr. Fuller's unforgettable description of how thin the livable atmosphere of our planet actually is left me with no doubts about the fragility of our human habitat. Everyone on this planet must start understanding that we do not have an infinite amount of atmosphere available to absorb the garbage we're pumping into it. (To add to the impact of this wanton pollution, a lot of that carbon does get absorbed somewhere else - in our oceans. This raises water temperatures leading to a whole string of other damaging events.)
There are monstrous dangers in the Trump Administration's new policies toward greenhouse gasses. This is especially true of  the new relaxed policies for methane (CH4 carbon tetrahydride) emissions. Methane is 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a heat trapping gas. Yet President Trump and his advisors, willfully ignorant congressmen, and voices from the energy industry all continue to treat this growing threat with cavalier dismissal.
What's so maddening is, our atmosphere's vulnerability isn't a  secret. Certainly folks like the fracking Koch Brothers or coal mining champ Mitch McConnell know the truth. But they also know that suppressing carbon-producing activities will mean lost jobs and, most importantly to big players like the Kochs, lowered profits.
When I hear about billionaires like the Koch Brothers doing everything they can to keep the carbon pumping into our atmosphere so the money will keep flowing into their pockets, I think about a lyric from a Doobie Brothers song: "Why do they come and ask for more. They've got stars they don't have wishes for....How do the fools survive?" If things continue the way the Kochs would prefer, they won't survive. But neither will any of the rest of us.
 So from now on, when you look up at that seemingly endless blue sky, think about your breath on that chrome ball and that thin slice of atmosphere that has made life possible on our planet. It really is a miracle, and it's a miracle being squandered. We must not allow this to continue.
Nels Howard
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In June, our State Reps Gabel and Fine and our State Senator Biss will hold two end-of-session town hall meetings.
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If you missed Jan Schakowsky's
UltimateWomen's Power Lunch,
here is a link to a video of the entire event.
To watch parts or all of the lunch presentation
just click here.
(you can fast forward at any time)
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Other upcoming events and news items:
Saturday, June 3 in Palatine --
Jan Schakowsky Guest Town Hall in IL-6
When
: Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 5:00pm until 6:30pm; doors open at 4:30pm
Where: Fremd High School Auditorium, 1000 S Quentin Rd., Palatine, IL
What: Join the Coalition for a Better Illinois 6th as they host Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for the first open town hall meeting with a sitting Member of the U.S. Congress in Illinois' 6th congressional district in a very long time! Everyone is encouraged to attend, whether you live in the Illinois 6th or not. Whether you want to learn about what's going on in Washington, express your opinion about a national or local issue, find out where to sign up to get involved, or just ask your adopted Member of Congress a question, this is your opportunity!
Advance Registration Preferred - for more information or to register, visit the
Coalition for a Better Illinois 6th website.
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Saturday, June 3 in Highland Park --
Phone Bank for John Ossoff, Georgia Dem Candidate
When:
Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 10:00am until 1:00pm
Where
:
Highland Park Democratic Headquarters - Moraine Township Democrats, 474 Central Ave., Highland Park, IL. Suite 200, 2nd floor above Mizuki Grill. Plenty of free parking in the lot a half-block to the east of the office.
What
:
Help turn Georgia's 6th Congressional District from red to blue on June 20. For more information or to RSVP, contact Tenth Dems at
volunteers@tenthdems.org
or call 847-266-VOTE (8683). Please bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet (if you have).
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Saturday, June 3 in Chicago --
March For Truth
When
:
Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 11:00am until 1:00pm
Where:
Daley Plaza, Chicago
What
:
Join the March for Truth where citizens will gather to demand more accountability and transparency from their federal, state and local elected officials. A successful democracy requires Truth, transparency, openness and the rule of law. This march will tell our elected officials that we will not tolerate corruption, lies and the abuse of our trust. Foreign interests are undermining our elections. Billions are of dollars are lost to corruption and graft. The incidents of harassment against women and minorities are on the rise but are downplayed by an administration pushing the lies of "alternative facts." March For Truth is sponsored by Indivisible Chicago and Indivisible 123GO. For more information, see their
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Sunday, June 4 in Chicago --
Chicago Organizer Fair
When
: Sunday, June 4, 2017 from 1:30pm until 4:30 pm
Where
: Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln, Chicago, IL, 60626
What
: Learn how to be an organizer. The theme of this event is how we build our organizations and how you can too. We'll have a panel discussion by the founders of the various grassroots organizations and will have political directors from various organizations talking about the collaboration between traditional political organizers and grassroots folks. Members of the community will have an opportunity to network and sign-up to volunteer with one of the organizations that match well with the kind of activism they would like to participate in. For more information, please visit
Stand Organized's website
.
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Tuesday, June 6 in Evanston --
Event in Support of Daniel Biss for Governor
When:
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 from 7:00pm until 9:00pm
Where
:
Temperance Brewery Co, 2000 Dempster Ave., Evanston, IL
What:
Event in support of our State Senator Daniel Biss, candidate for Governor of Illinois. RSVP online, or for more information contact Liz or Jessica at RSVP@danielbiss.com or 773-441-2874.
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Tuesday, June 6 in Highland Park --
Phone Bank for John Ossoff, Georgia Dem Candidate
When:
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm
Where
:
Highland Park Democratic Headquarters - Moraine Township Democrats, 474 Central Ave., Highland Park, IL. Suite 200, 2nd floor above Mizuki Grill. Plenty of free parking in the lot a half-block to the east of the office.
What
:
Help turn Georgia's 6th Congressional District from red to blue on June 20. For more information or to RSVP, contact Tenth Dems at
volunteers@tenthdems.org
or call 847-266-VOTE (8683). Please bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet (if you have).
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Friday, June 9 in Chicago --
The People's Summit with Senator Bernie Sanders.
 When:
Friday, June 9 through Sunday, June 11
Where:
McCormick Place, Chicago
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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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
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 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
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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 "Join/Contribute" button
Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly to ActBlue 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, 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.
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