January 9, 2020
Your Weekly News from the Collin County Democratic Party
Editorial — T he opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the view or positions of CCDP.
 "Wagging the Dog?"
by Mike Rawlins, CCDP Chair
January 9, 2019, Plano, TX
To “wag to dog” is to purposely divert attention from what would otherwise be of greater importance, to something else of lesser significance. In presidential politics it has come to mean starting a war to divert attention away from other problems.

I agree with the old advice that it’s generally not a good idea to publicly question other people’s motivations. But when our leaders’ choices don’t add up, particularly when the potential consequences are so dire, citizens have a duty to ask why their leaders are pursuing a course of action.

I completely agree that General Suleimani was a bad actor. Whether or not he was is not the right question. The right question is whether assassinating a foreign leader is in America’s best interest. The answer to that question isn’t so clear.

We hope that this action throws water on a fire rather than gasoline. But Iran’s past history of asymmetrical responses, past U.S. meddling in their internal affairs, and national pride would lead one to think they’re not going to let this action go unanswered.

Reliable news reports say that the intelligence that Iran was planning some big operations is sketchy, calling into doubt whether this killing was justified as a preemptive defensive strike.

Other reliable new reports say that the military planners presented Suleimani‘s assassination as a least desirable option only to make other options look reasonable.
Let us also remember that the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in 1914 triggered the start of the First World War. We are also now in another era of interlocking alliances where a misstep could bring several nations into armed conflict.

Why would we pursue such an inflammatory escalation of an already unstable situation? What is the U.S. really trying to do here? Trump’s chaotic and reckless foreign policy comes at a time when some scholars note that, since the end of the Cold War, the U.S. has lacked an overall foreign policy strategy that matches the scope of either the Monroe or Truman doctrines. The current administration certainly hasn’t offered one. Knowing what the President is really trying to achieve is critically important because it guides our responses as citizens.

We can hope that the President truly does have the nation’s best interests in mind. However, that would be a departure from much of his past behavior. The President has an incentive to divert attention from his impeachment, and he’s used similar distractions as a tactic for decades. It may already be working - the assassination muted the attention that otherwise would have been given to John Bolton’s statement that he would be willing to testify in a Senate trial.

Because we don’t know what his real motive is, we must be cautious, diligent, and skeptical. We can’t afford to blindly trust the President. We must ask our Senators and Congressional representatives to assert their authority. We must be ready if the President tries to start a war without Congressional approval.

The coming days and weeks may answer some of these questions. But I am certain of one thing. Today feels far too similar to the days before the 2003 invasion of Iraq – a war based on faulty intelligence, the demand for unquestioning support of our Commander-in-Chief, labeling as unpatriotic anyone with the temerity to question a war, and the messy aftermath. I don’t want to go there again, and you shouldn’t either.

Comments? Click here .
The Ann Richards Dinner – Be in it to win it

Purchase your tickets now to attend the Ann Richards Dinner, April 18 th . Tickets are $150 and are now available online. Click here to be sure to join us at this exciting event. 
Collin County has already been touted as one of the counties that could change the face of elections in the United States in 2020. We need all hands on deck to make that change happen both in our county, in our state, and in our nation. Buying your ticket to the Ann Richards Dinner today will help us make that change happen.

The 2020 Ann Richards Dinner will be held at the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center, 7121 Bishop Road, Plano 75024 which is a fully accessible event site .

Tickets are on sale here .
Debate Watch Parties
The next Debate Watch is Tuesday, January 14th . There will be two Watch Parties: Rugby House and PINSTACK.
RSVP to attend one.

Where - Plano: Rugby House: 8604 Preston Rd #100, Plano, TX 75024
Host Barb Walters
Where - Allen: PINSTACK: 635 N Central Expy, Allen, TX 75013
Host Deborah Angell Smith
Link: RSVP at Mobilize
T Minus 26 Days
Voter Registration Deadline - February 3
February 3 is the voter registration deadline for the Primary Election.

Early voting starts February 18 and goes to Feb 28. Election Day is March 3.

If you or someone you know needs to register, email vdrlead@collindemocrats.org. 
We are Hiring - Primary Election Workers
We are Hiring Election Workers!  
We are expecting a record turnout for the upcoming 2020 Primary Election and still need to hire clerks and judges, especially for Election Day, March 3 rd .
Do you want to help Democrats get elected?  
Do you want to earn some money for temporary work? 
Can you take off a day or more to help conduct the election in a polling place? 
Early Voting is Feb 18 – Feb 28 and Primary Election Day is March 3. 
Early Voting Clerks will be paid $10 an hour plus overtime. Early Voting pay rates go up to $11 per hour for Alternate Judges and $12 per hour for Judges. 
On Election Day, all workers are paid $12 per hour, all straight time. 
 
To sign up : email elections@collindemocrats.org  or call the Primary Administration Team at 469-609-0539. 
You can specify the area of the County you prefer to work in. Listed here are polling locations where we have the greatest need to fill spots for Election Day, March 3 rd .  
We have most slots filled during Early Voting, but still want more workers, so if you can work all or part of Early Voting, let us know that too. 
 
ELECTION DAY March 3 rd POLLING LOCATIONS THAT STILL NEED WORKERS
  • Aldridge Elementary School - Richardson   
  • Anna City Hall
  • Armstrong Middle School - Plano
  • Benton Staley Middle School Frisco 
  • Carpenter Middle School – Plano
  • Carpenter Park Rec Center - Plano 
  • Celina ISD Admin 
  • Christ Fellowship Church - McKinney
  • Christ the Servant Church – Allen 
  • Christ United Methodist – Plano 
  • Clark High School - Plano
  • Collin College – Preston Ridge- Frisco
  • Country Lane Seniors Community - McKinney (new location)
  • Dowell Middle School – McKinney 
  • Evans Middle School – McKinney (replaces Gay Library)
  • First Baptist Church – Princeton 
  • GW Bush Elem. School – St. Paul 
  • Haggar Elem. School - Dallas 
  • Lowry Crossing City Hall
  • Miller Elem. School – Richardson 
  • Plano ISD Administration
  • Renner-Frankford Library – Dallas 
  • Stonebridge UM Church – McKinney
  • Suncreek United Methodist Church – Allen
  • Tom Muehlenbeck Rec Center – Plano
  • Weston Community Center – Weston 
  • Woodcreek Church – Richardson 
  • UTD Location -
  
Training is provided at the Collin County Elections Office, 2010 Redbud in McKinney. We will send you the Training Schedule for both Election Law and Voting System Training when we confirm your appointment. It is very important that you attend training, especially because we have a new Voting System. 
Carpooling is available from the Party Office in Plano (972-578-1483). 
Sharon4TX House Party
Come out and meet Sharon, talk about the issues, and enjoy friendly conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

When: Thursday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Address provided upon RSVP
Link(s): RSVP, Facebook Events
Richardson Area Democrats - Meet the Candidates
Ramos, Chambers, Hernandez, and Ramirez
Let's get this 2020 party started! Richardson Area Democrats is excited to host FOUR Democrat women running for office.

Come join us and meet Texas State House Representative Ana Maria-Ramos (HD 102), candidates for Texas State House Representative Brandy Chamber (HD 112) and Rocio Hernandez (HD 67), and candidate for US Senator Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez.

When: Thursday, January 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Communion Neighborhood Cooperative, 514 Lockwood Drive, Richardson 75080
L  ink(s): Facebook Events
Anna-Melissa Democrats
Winter Candidate Forum
Please join Anna-Melissa Democrats for their first candidate forum. Light refreshments will be provided.

When: Sunday, January 12 at 5 p.m.
Where: 1108 Foxtail Drive, Anna 75409
Link(s): Facebook Events
January Judge-a-Palooza (Plano Dems Monthly Meeting)
Join the Plano Area Democrats for their monthly meeting on January 18th. This month we will be joined by several Texas Supreme Court candidates in addition to local judicial candidates. There will be a panel discussion followed by audience Q & A.

When: Saturday, January 18 (Doors open at 11 and the meeting starts promptly at 11:30.)
Where: El Noa Noa, 1915 Central Expy, #150, PLANO, 75075
Link: RSVP
Frisco Democratic Club General Meeting
FDC January General Club Meeting. The first meeting of the most important election year of our lives. Come out and join us to hear what's going on as we prepare for the primary election, a city election and a general election in 2020.

FDC welcomes a number of statewide and local candidates, highlighted by our keynote speakers, U.S. Senate candidates - Houston City Councilwoman, Amanda Edwards and Senator Royce West, to Frisco.

When: Sunday, January 19 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q, 9828 Dallas Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034
Texas State House District 67
Candidate Forum, Saturday, February 1
Are you still deciding who your HD 67 candidate will be? Do you want to ask the candidates questions? What issues will be most important to you in 2020?

You don't want to miss the Plano Area Democrats and WOW Dems HD 67 candidate forum! Our moderator is civil rights activist and former Texas Senate District 8 candidate Mark Phariss. Join us on Saturday, February 1 at 1 p.m. at the Collin College Spring Creek Conference Center.

There is no cost to attend but please RSVP at the link below!

However - it does cost Plano Dems to host events at Collin College! The RSVP page includes a link to donate to help offset the cost of the forum; please consider donating $10-$20 to help us pay for this event, and to help Plano Dems keep bringing you candidate forums!

When: Saturday, February 1 at 1 p.m.
Where: Collin College-Plano Campus Living Legends Conference Center, 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano 75074 ( Map)
Link(s): Mobilize
All in the County
CCDWD Meeting January 20, 2020
One time venue change!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

You don't have to live in Collin County to participate...Click on the link below to view the Meeting Materials

Light refreshments available.
For this meeting only we'll meet at the Collin County Democratic Party Office
1915 N Central Expy #150, Plano, 75075 ( Map )

Better Angels: Reuniting America
Join Better Angels and Friends of the Allen Public Library to see how to effectively discuss divisive issues and build a stronger republic. Better Angels: Reuniting America is a 50-minute documentary about what happened before, during, and after a “lively” Better Angels Red/Blue workshop where Democratic and Republican voters gathered to discuss potentially divisive issues with understanding and respect.

When: Sunday, January 26 at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Allen Public Library Auditorium, 300 N Allen Dr., 75013
Yes, We Can Talk Politics
Drinking Liberally and Living Liberally are informal, inclusive progressive social groups. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.

Plano - Rugby House Pub
When: Friday, January 10, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 8604 Preston Rd #100, Plano [ Map]

Wylie - Josephine's (New Location)
When: Friday, January 10, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 960 W Farm to Market Rd 544, Wylie [ Map]

McKinney -  Mellow Mushroom
When: Friday, January 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 218 E Louisiana St, McKinney [ Map]
Why: Meet and greet with Dana Huffman, candidate for Judge 469th District Court.

Allen - Cafe Del Rio
When: Friday, February 7 at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 401 Central Expy S, Allen [ Map]

Frisco/Little Elm - The British Lion Pub
When: Friday, February 7, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: 5454 Main St #123, Frisco [ Map]


Please drink responsibly and liberally, use designated drivers. Like a neocon war or a Wall Street tax cut, drinking and driving hurts real people. Don't do it!