Idealism -- Integrity -- Independence
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NTD NEWS    March 28, 2018
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During the past week there were several news events coming out of the White House that in another time might have caused a much bigger stir. But in this "time of the Trump," startling news that used to merit days of discussion is now met with little more than a shrug. I will now mention three of those items.
     On Thursday, Trump fired his National Security Advisor General H. R. McMaster, one of the better qualified and respected members of the President's staff. McMaster, a three star general, clearly holds strong feelings about the importance of speaking truth to power. His book, "Dereliction of Duty," is an analysis of how years of lies, carefully selected facts and willful denial of reality led us into the disastrous quagmire of the Vietnam War.
     So in his White House job, it's not surprising that McMaster insisted on presenting candid judgments and detailed appraisals to the President. Unfortunately such candor often didn't fit President Trump's worldview (or his attention span). Bye, bye, general - and one less steadying voice in the Oval Office.
     Trump immediately replaced McMaster with someone more to his liking. A man he admired for his commentary on Fox News, John Bolton. An attorney and sometimes diplomat, Bolton has held jobs in past Republican administrations, from Reagan to George W. Bush. "W" appointed him Ambassador to the United Nations even though Bolton pretty much admitted he hated the entire concept of a United Nations organization that lessened the world-supremacy of his U.S.A.
     John Bolton's appointment as Trump's new National Security Advisor hasn't received an outpouring of praise. Many observers spanning the political spectrum were shocked, pointing out Bolton's predisposition toward war whenever dealing with an international opponent. He has advocated attacking Iran and North Korea and he continues to praise the Cheney, Rumsfeld, Bush invasion of Iraq as brilliant. The announcement of Bolton's newest ascent to influence did not brighten my week.
     The third news event had nothing to do with our international security (unless the Russians somehow attained a video of our amorous President in action. - My apologies for implanting that image.) The event was the revelations presented on "60 Minutes" by pornographic film star Stormy Daniels.
     Not so many years ago, the accusation that our nation's president had had an extra-marital sexual relationship with a porn queen, would have had people buzzing for weeks. And that's without adding the fact that Trump (indirectly?) had paid her $130,000 to keep quiet, and allegedly (indirectly) threatened her safety if she didn't.
     Will this news item keep resurfacing as new facts are discovered about the source of the funds or the identity of the threatening thug? Who knows? In this inglorious Trump era, predicting tomorrow's events is nearly impossible, and what tomorrow brings is rarely reassuring.  It's all so depressing, right?
     On the other hand... last week also brought us one of the most inspiring news events to occur in decades. The student-led "March for Our Lives" rally in Washington and in many other cities and towns across the United States, and the world, was incredible. Hundreds of thousands of people marched in Washington. Some estimate it was the largest D.C. rally in history.
     And what is most encouraging is that the event was conceived by and organized by student survivors of Parkland Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shootings. In just weeks since that tragedy, these young men and women have successfully assembled support for a movement to reduce and eventually eliminate the dangers of gun violence against children (and adults) everywhere.
     These kids have appeared on national and local news shows and talk shows, they've been interviewed by major newspapers. Each time I've seen or heard them speak, they have come across as intelligent, articulate, focused, informed spokespersons for their cause. They are not strident in their demands - although they have every right to be, having recently seen friends die of assault rifle wounds in their school hallways.
     They do not resort to hyperbole. They don't need to. They simply present facts and common sense arguments. And they carefully, and wisely, avoid partisan language. They come across as flawlessly prepared. Watching them share their talking points is like watching the Loyola basketball team play defense. -- The NRA and their Republican apologists will continually have a tough time scoring against them.
     The truth is, I have rarely seen adults on any news show present their positions with such honest self-assurance. What wonderful leaders these young people will become someday, as public servants or teachers or doctors or jurists or simply parents... whatever they choose.
     These dedicated youths say they have no intention of walking away from their cause. They plan to stay in this battle until they get results. At their young age they've recognized that great things can happen when people stay united, focused on an irrefutably worthwhile goal.
     If there was ever a time when we needed that reminder, it is now.

                                                                           Nels Howard
                                                                           NTDO member since 1973   
  
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Other events of interest:
  
Monday, Apr. 2 in Highland Park - Tenth Dems University Hosts "Winning Everywhere: A Democratic Path to Victory in 2018" with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

When:  Monday, April 2, 2018 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Where:  Highland Park/Deerfield area: RSVP for location 
What:  Tenth Dems University (TDU) hosts "Winning Everywhere: A Democratic Path to Victory in 2018" with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. TDU's free courses and events offer a chance to become a more informed voter as well as a more active and effective political volunteer. Events often feature elected officials, candidates, political analysts, and authors. Admission is free. Open to Democrats. For more information or to RSVP,  register online , email events@tenthdems.org or call 847-266-VOTE (8683).

Sunday Apr. 8 in Libertyville - Stevenson Center Presents: "Is the Civil Society Dead? Can Europe Be Saved From Populism and the Distrust of Liberal Democracy?"

When: Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 2:30pm
Where: Stevenson Center on Democracy, 25200 N. St. Mary's Rd., Mettawa (Libertyville).
What:  The Stevenson Center on Democracy hosts Michael Zantovsky's presentation, "Is the civil society dead?  Can Europe be saved from populism and the distrust of liberal democracy?"  Mr. Zantovsky is the current director of the Vaclav Havel Library and President of the Aspen Institute Prague. Coffee and conversation follow the presentation.To register or for more information, visit  www.stevensoncenterondemocracy.org  or call 773-633-5661.

Wednesday, Apr. 11 in Chicago - Susana Mendoza Re-Election Launch Party

When: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Where: Texas De Brazil, 210 E. Illinois St., Chicago
What: A campaign kickoff reception in support of Susana Mendoza's re-election as Illinois Comptroller. For additional information or to RSVP,  register online or email Katy Langenfeld at katy@kjdstrategies.com or call 312-600-9496.
 
Saturday, Apr. 14 in Deerfield -  Wine Women & Shoes Benefitting A Safe Place

When: Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 5:30pm
Where: Venue One North Shore, 550 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL
What: If you're a wine, shoe or fashion enthusiast, then this is the place for you!  All proceeds will help A Safe Place provide lifesaving services for survivors and children of domestic violence. Tickets on sale now,  RSVP online or call (847) 731-7165.
 
Monday, Apr. 23 in Chicago -  Jan Schakowsky's 17th Annual Ultimate Women's Power Lunch

When: Monday, April 23, 2018 at 12:00 noon
Where: Chicago Hilton, International Ballroom, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
What: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky holds her 17th Annual Ultimate Women's Power Lunch. This year's Keynote Speaker is Stacey Abrams, former Georgia House Minority Leader and candidate for Governor of Georgia. If elected, she will be the first African American Governor in U.S. history. For more information or to reserve your seat,  visit Rep. Schakowsky's website.

 
One of the exciting activities we will be pursuing across the state line in 2018...
will be to help the Democratic candidate for Congress, Randy Bryce, defeat Wisconsin's Congressman Paul Ryan. This is going to be a hard fought campaign and Randy Bryce can win it. To see his first campaign message  click here.  
 

Your Legislators:


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 MorrisonState 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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Sincerely,
Dean T. Maragos, Committeeman New Trier Township

We are located at 800 Oak Street, Suite 112, in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030
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