Thurston County Democrats

Chair's Message

Just as we were preparing this newsletter for final edit, we were informed that Evalyn Poff, one of our favorite Democrats and community members, died following a several month battle with cancer.  We will miss Evalyn, such a wonderful woman who gave so much to her community and the local party throughout the years.

Coincidentally, we had prepared an article about what Evalyn meant to her many friends which we had hoped she would see before her death.  This article, which appears below, will now serve as one of many tributes to her warm and positive spirit which we were so fortunate to experience during her years with us.

This is our third quarterly “tabloid format” newsletter (print edition) and, from everything we’ve heard, it’s being well received in the local community.  We are very grateful to all who contributed content as well as to Christi and Lenore, and the other dedicated volunteers, who work so hard to get that content generated on time, and then edit, format and have the newsletter printed and distributed.  In an effort to share perspectives about current events that may not be widely heard in the community, we’re beginning to offer a guest feature article and are delighted former federal prosecutor Elizabeth de la Vega has given us permission to print her latest piece, originally posted March 16 at TomDispatch.com, on the Bush administration’s warrantless surveillance program.

Thank you to all who turned out for the pre-caucus issue forums and the precinct caucuses this year!  We had some lively discussions of a wide range of issues and the ideas recorded are currently being considered by those working on drafting a proposed county platform for consideration at the upcoming county convention.  We will also be developing some community forums to learn more about some of these issues, such as health care and land use, and will have more information about these in subsequent newsletters.

And a special thanks to the Democrats in the State House and Senate and Governor Gregoire for their collective leadership in accomplishing so much in so little time during the recent legislative session. Our outstanding 22nd LD Senator Karen Fraser and Representatives Sam Hunt and Brendan Williams provide more detail and perspectives below.  Suffice it to say we continue to be very proud of the job they are doing for the citizens of the district and the state.  Now let’s ensure Sam and Brendan get reelected this year and let’s help make the other districts as solid as the 22nd.

As I note in the article below, the continuing effort to reinstitute discrimination by the right wing, anti-government, Biblical fundamentalist “coalition” in our state, we must speak our voice to uphold the equal rights that were finally achieved this year.  There’s no need to waste the citizens’ hard earned tax dollars to vote on something that’s already been decided by our duly elected representatives, after many, many years of debate and deliberation.  Let’s work to keep Referendum 65 and any related initiatives that Mr. Eyman may conjure up off the ballot.

Another initiative has just hit the streets that bears mentioning.  This is the Farm Bureau’s anti-regulatory, “property-rights” Initiative 933, a cousin of Oregon’s Measure 37 which passed in 2004.  We’ll be learning more about the land use issues this initiative purports to address in subsequent Thurston County Democrat meetings or local forums, but it certainly does not look like an effective method of crafting land use policy.  Stay tuned for more about this in future issues of this newsletter.

Meanwhile, we’re all concerned about what’s going on in that other Washington.  Among our concerns are why the warrantless surveillance of American citizens is not receiving more serious attention.  See our guest feature this month by former federal prosecutor, Elizabeth de la Vega, for some thoughtful comment on this subject.

As always, feel free to contact me (johncusick@thurstondemocrats.org) with any comments regarding this newsletter.

The Struggle for Equal Rights Continues

“Tell Olympia NO!  No preferential treatment, no quotas, no same-sex marriage”

That’s how Washington’s favorite watch salesman from Mulkiteo headlines his Referendum 65 petition currently being circulated in an effort to undo the recent passage of equal rights legislation (ESHB 2661).  Never mind that this long-overdue legislation grants nobody preferential treatment, requires no quotas, and says nothing about marriage, as the ballot measure summary in finer print acknowledges on his referendum petition. 

To Mr. Eyman and his ilk, it’s not the facts that matter. What matters is stirring up a discontent populace who feel government has run amuck or perhaps lost its “moral” compass and, in the process, keeping the cash flowing to fill his coffers.  As Joni Balter put it in a Seattle Times editorial on February 2nd: “Who knows, maybe the hot-water heater went out at home or they need new carpets up in Mukilteo?” (seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002777074_joni02.html)

This purported “preferential treatment” argument came up during the “debate” about same sex marriage between King County Executive Ron Sims and Rev. Ken Hutcherson, the born again ex-Seahawk who convinced Microsoft to withdraw its support for last year’s one-vote-short attempt at passing a non-discrimination law in Washington State.  Listening to KUOW’s broadcast of the earlier debate (available at www.kuow.org/defaultProgram.asp?ID=10350), I was struck that Hutcherson, apparently feeling he had to convey what he believes to be the word of God, resorted to frequent loud interruptions of both Sims and the “moderator,” while he regularly interjected “s’cuse me!” when someone would attempt to speak before he had finished his proclamation.  Neither Sims nor the moderator were able to do much about it and it seemed to me Hutcherson, sort of like the school yard bully, controlled the game.

So, we now have a misleading, if not outright deceitful, referendum petition circulating, and heavy handed self-proclaimed representative’s of “God’s word” promoting “prayer rallies” in support of this petition, all in an effort to deny simple equal treatment to all citizens!  And, if this recent “debate” is representative, we thus far have been unable to even moderate the noisy, boisterous behavior of the “religious” right who believes we should replace what’s left of the Constitution with the Bible.

Need I say this is disconcerting?   I’m sure most citizens in our state want to be treated equally and support the provisions of ESHB 2661.  Despite what’s been happening in the other Washington the past few years, we don’t need to allow loud, deceitful proclamations, particularly accompanied with utterances of “God on our side,” to deny our voice!  We can counter the spin by talking to our neighbors, writing letters to the editor, taking every opportunity to share our belief in equal rights and opportunity for each and every citizen and assisting organizations such as “Washington Won’t Discriminate” (http://washingtonwontdiscriminate.org/). 

It took nearly 30 years to get this legislation passed.  Let’s keep it intact.

With Love, From a Few of Her Many Friends

By Christi McGinley
Editor, Thurston County Democrats Newsletter

It was not long ago that I had the pleasure of meeting Evalyn Poff.  New to party politics, I had no idea who anyone was in the local political scene.  That soon changed.  Now, I count myself as one of the lucky ones to have known Evalyn, even if it was for only a short while.

Occasionally, Evalyn would share tidbits from her past.  She told me how she’d joined the circus and learned to hang by her teeth from the flying trapeze, later becoming an international buyer for Fredrick and Nelson, which she did for 20 years.  She had two master’s degrees and was a Certified Public Accountant; a mere sampling of all she had done or accomplished in her long and accomplished life. 

Much has been published about the life of Evalyn Poff, but this time, I wanted her friends to tell me who she was to them.  Why was she so well loved and respected?  I’d hoped this article would be published in time for her to read.  Sadly, she died a few days before.

A colorful tapestry began to emerge as I spoke with a few of her close friends.  They spoke of how she was a true friend and mentor, always there to listen and to help. Always vibrant and alive, she possessed a quick wit and engaging smile…often accompanied with a twinkle in her eye.   Many spoke of her endless energy and drive. “Political campaigns are the province of young people…draining and often thankless experiences but she had an unflagging enthusiasm for them,” said Brendan Williams. Just last year, she went door-to-door working to elect Jeff Kingsbury to the Olympia City Council.  She was 85 at the time.  In 2004, she was campaign treasurer for Brendan Williams, one of 5 vying for a state seat in the house, Brendan recalls how she would go doorbelling every day and apologize because she couldn’t do it longer than two hours at a time. 

Evalyn believed in giving back to her community.  Sandra Romero, a long-time friend said, “She always had children in mind in every action she did.  She made a huge impact in the lives of the children in her neighborhood.  She taught them how to play the piano, read books to them, made sure she knew everyone’s name and was always there to lend a helping hand and listen to the children.” 

She never let an opportunity go by that might help her learn more or become a better person.  “She felt deeply about education,” Patricia Costello begins, “ Her dad required every child in the family to attend college.   She had a very large family, so this was no small feat.  And, this was in the day when a college education was difficult and almost unheard of for a woman.”  Patricia continues, “Today, the money from the leasing of the family’s farm in South Dakota goes toward college education for every grandchild in the family.  The only requirement is that they graduate.”

Evalyn had many friends. “Every Sunday morning at St. Michael’s, where she attended church for many years, Evalyn could be found in the same pew always with a circle of friends around her,” Sam Hunt recalls. 

Brendan recalls how she became a surrogate grandmother for Nicole, his wife, who had recently lost her grandparents.  “She would knit cloths for my son when he was an infant and then later knit items to donate to the JJ Auction,” he said.

She loved to play cards, go to movies, travel, dine out and, of courses, talk about politics.   “She loved the Thurston County Democrats,” said Helen Carlstrom.  The two of them had become acquainted when Evalyn was elected Chair of the County Party.  “We became very good friends,” Helen shares. “ She was always so up-beat and had a tremendous sense of humor. I was always amazed at her breadth of knowledge.”

Everyone agreed that Evalyn was selfless in her work.  She never sought recognition but worked tirelessly for the causes and people she believed in.

As I reflect on who Evalyn Poff was, I feel very fortunate to have been a part of this intricate and colorful tapestry she so deftly wove among strangers, neighbors, family and friends.  She will be remembered and missed. With love….

Evalyn Poff Scholarship

By Jane Johnson
Treasurer

We are pleased to announce the Thurston County Democrats are offering a scholarship to a Thurston County high school senior or to any Thurston County Democrat seeking a change in career.  We plan for this to be an annual event and are naming it in honor of a beloved and long time Thurston County Democrat: the Evalyn Poff Scholarship.

Evalyn is well known in local Democrat circles as a former chairwoman of the Thurston County Democrats, state Democrat of the Year in 2000 and campaign finance director for several candidates, state elected officials and political action committees, including Thurston County Democrats.

She served on the county Human Services Review Council, an eight-member group of citizens and local elected officials who make recommendations on how finite public funds in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County should be spent on an infinite number of worthy social service causes.

Evalyn exemplifies a woman who experienced career changes and supported education.  Sixty-plus years ago, she paid her way through college -- earning master's degrees in education and business administration in five years -- as a performer in a three-ring circus.  Evalyn spent her college summer years as a high-flying trapeze artist for a traveling circus!  She taught school and eventually spent 20 years as an international buyer for Frederick & Nelson.  Evalyn also worked as an accountant and instructor at The Evergreen State College.

In her “spare” time, she gave music lessons freely to the kids in her northeast Olympia neighborhood and worked in the state Legislature information center during sessions.

We are proud to name our scholarship after this accomplished woman, educator, Democrat, and friend.

If you are interested in adding to the scholarship funds, send your check to us with “EP Scholarship” in the memo line and we will add it to our Scholarship Fund.  Currently we have $1,310 available to offer this year.

The committee tasked to determine scholarship winner(s) is chaired by Jon Halvorson (halvo@comcast.net or 360.456.3646).  Other committee members include prior educators Heather Highmiller and Joyce Gillie.

Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and Live Auction - May 13

Thurston County Democrats Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and Live Auction
Olympia Red Lion Hotel -  2300 Evergreen Park Drive
Saturday May 13, 2006
6:00pm Complimentary Champagne Reception
7:00pm Dinner, Speakers, and Live Auction!

Every year we take this opportunity to celebrate our legislative successes, honor our local elected officials, and announce the Thurston County Democrat of the Year.  It is truly a celebration worth attending.  This year we will bring back the popular Live Auction including those wonderful high-energy auctioneers! 

It will be their goal not only to entertainment but to make sure no one leaves empty handed.  Everyone will find something to bid on and maybe you’ll be the one to take home that special something while, at the same time, helping your local Thurston County Democrats raise desperately needed funds as we head into this important campaign season.

Seeking Auction Items

We are still seeking a few auction items for the event so if you or someone you know has an item, service, special get-away location, or something else you think would be desirable for our live and silent auctions, please contact Christi McGinley at 459-4024 or info@thurstondemocrats.org.

Democrats are always generous and we are looking forward with anticipation to see what items will be donated for this year’s auction!

Reservations

Tickets are $45 if paid in advance or $50 if paid at the door.

To reserve your tickets by check:

Make checks payable to TCDCC. Include a note with the name of each person you are reserving seating for. Mail the check and note to TCDCC, PO Box 164, Olympia, WA 98507

To reserve your tickets online:

Visit our online reservation page here.

Democratic Leadership Achieves History-making Results!

By Senator Karen Fraser
22nd Legislative District

Democrats are rightly pleased and proud that all their campaign work has paid off so well with one of the most successful legislative sessions in history.  And it even ended one day early---first time in 20 years !
News media accounts have repeatedly reported on one "landmark" bill after another passing during the 60 day session.  The successes are widely acclaimed.  We enacted more "landmark" legislation in this short session than normally occurs in a "long" session!

Credit clearly goes to energetic leadership from our outstanding Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire, and our two equally energetic Democratic Majorities in the Senate and House.

Democrats have lots to happily and enthusiastically brag about as we begin our campaign season!  We can do still more next session!

You can tell your friends and neighbors that we are now the "Save and Spend" Democrats.  As promised before the session started, we put nearly $1 billion into reserves for the next biennium for pensions, education, and health care.  There should be no reason to have to raise taxes or make big cuts in budget necessities next biennium!  On top of this, we increased spending in many areas, and enacted targeted tax cuts for selected economic sectors. Here are some of the "landmark" bills we enacted:   

• Putting nearly $1 billion in reserve for next biennium for pensions, education, and health care.
• Providing $7.5 million to help our low income neighbors for winter heating costs---1st week of Session !
• Protecting Civil Rights regardless to gender orientation for business transactions.
• Resolving Medical malpractice issues which were the subject of two initiatives in 2005.
• Cleaning up Puget Sound with multi-faceted initiatives: toxic cleanup, sewers, septic tank improvements.  
• Achieving a plan and funding $200 million for Columbia River Basin water management.
• Investing in Infrastructure projects throughout the state to build our economy.
• Eliminating the Rossi-initiated nursing home bed tax.  (I voted "no" when it passed.)
• Eliminating the $5 per day parking fee in State Parks.
• Modifying WASL requirements to provide for "alternative assessments" to graduate.
• Stimulating a biofuels and other alternative energy business sectors to promote energy independence and a strong economy.
• Improving unemployment insurance.
• Strengthening penalties for sex offenders
• Strengthening penalties for repeat drunk drivers.
• Initiating a major electronic waste recycling program, requiring manufacturers to provide leadership.
• Advancing high tech and biotech research and studies at the UW and WSU.
• Improving health care for low income families and children.
• Improving mental health services substantially.
• Protecting Shrub-Steppe Habitat on the east slope of the Cascades.
• Moving the Primary Election date to August, to allow more time for ballot tabulation.
• Protecting against interest groups "buying" a State Supreme Court position by limiting campaign contribution amounts for Supreme Court Justices to those of other statewide elected officials.
• Increasing recreation opportunities.
• Beginning a process of reviewing tax breaks.

Some local successes:

• Initial funding for a new hatchery on the Deschutes River which will boost sports fishing in South Puget Sound and help rebuild reduced stocks.
• Construction assistance for New Market Skills Center.
• Advancing reclaimed water standards and uses.

This is a quick list.  I'll be putting out my Karen's List e-newsletter from time to time with further reports. 

2006 Session—Most Productive in Years

Representative Sam Hunt
22nd Legislative District

When the 2006 legislative session adjourned after 59 days of hard work, the results yielded the most productive one in years. Excellent work for a short session that even finished one day before the 60-day constitutional limit!

Democrats, led by Governor Christine Gregoire, showed what it takes to tackle and solve difficult problems.  Rather than just occupy the Governor’s Office, Gregoire was actively involved in gathering legislators around the table and developing bipartisan solutions.  Speaker Frank Chopp, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, and Democratic legislators passed landmark bills that will benefit all of Washington.  Just look at a partial list:

• Civil Rights—“sexual orientation” was added to Washington’s anti-discrimination laws, making it illegal to deny housing, employment, or credit just because of a person’s sexual orientation.  The bill, first introduced 30 years ago, was championed by the late Senator Cal Anderson and carried to fruition by Representative Ed Murray. (Now we must make sure that initiative opportunist Eyman does not succeed in overturning this legislation.)
• Columbia and Snake River Water—after years of haggling over how to protect the Columbia and Snake Rivers for fish, recreation, and farmers, a 40-year deadlock was brokered by Governor Gregoire that received near-unanimous support from the legislature and involved groups.  This may be the most important bill that passed in 2006.
• Puget Sound—the first bill in our effort to clean up and protect Puget Sound requires the 12 counties bordering the sound to develop strategies to identify and repair failing septic systems.  (Representative Sam Hunt was the prime sponsor of the bill, which was signed into law by Governor Gregoire on March 9.)
• Energy Freedom—a grant and loan program was established for funding alternative energy projects, such as bio-diesel, to help make a dent in our addiction to foreign oil, create jobs, and provide additional opportunities for farmers.
• Medical Liability—following defeat of two ballot measures in 2005, little hope was held for any action this year.  However, again with Governor Gregoire leading the way, the legislature approved groundbreaking legislation agreed upon by trial lawyers, the medical community, consumers, and an overwhelming majority of legislators.  This is a dramatic first step in addressing these issues.
• Unemployment Insurance—another contentious issue bit the dust and gained overwhelming support from the legislature.  Again with the Governor leading the way, we finalized reforms that will result in workers getting better benefits and employers getting a system that is affordable and sustainable.
• Sex Offenders—the only issue House Republicans seemed to care about was sex offenders.  From day one they harped on the issue and worked to turn in into their campaign issue.  When their fraudulent “Sex Offender Notifications,” mailed into swing Democratic districts, blew up in their faces and forced them to lie about the mail pieces’ origins, Democrats stepped in and passed a comprehensive package of sex offender bills that place additional severe restrictions on sex offenders.  If it had not been for the sex offender and gay marriage issues, House Republicans would not have had much to talk about this year.
• Election Reform—the primary election date was moved to the third Tuesday in August (effective in 2007).  This will give additional time for election officials to finalize election results and get ballots in the mail to all voters, including military and others living out-of-state and overseas.
• Beaver Relocation—every session has some small interesting bills.  Because of its title, this was one of them.  And because Representative Eric Pettigrew of Seattle played football for the Oregon State Beavers, we had fun talking about “Beaver relocation.”  The bill actually allows eastern Washington residents to catch or trap beavers and relocate them to more rural areas.

Session Spotlight Should Be On Citizen Activists

By Representative Brendan W. Williams
22nd Legislative District

Four local heroes deserve credit for their contributions to a successful legislative session.

In the face of an arson attack upon their Eastside Women’s Health Clinic, no one would have blamed owners Nancy Armstrong and Shelly Pacheco for keeping their doors closed for good.  Instead, they rebuilt, only to find that their insurer would not provide property and casualty insurance if they continued providing abortions.

I worked with Nancy and Shelly on finding legislative fixes.  My House Bill 2481 makes it unlawful for insurance underwriters to make adverse underwriting decisions against health care providers and religious organizations in response to the crimes of arson and malicious mischief.

Navigating the waters of abortion politics in the Legislature is extremely challenging.  My bill was the first abortion rights-related bill to pass since a 2002 bill requiring hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape victims.  In addition to women’s groups, I enlisted support for my bill from victims’ rights groups, the Washington Association of Churches, and the Washington State Medical Association.

I tried to put anti-choice Republicans in a box, writing in my bill’s intent section, “Rather than allow criminals to achieve their objectives, it is the intent of the Legislature that criminals, through criminal acts, should not dictate insurance underwriting decisions.”  Still, led by Richard DeBolt, 27 House Republicans disagreed with this statement and voted against HB 2481, despite all their anti-crime rhetoric.  And my bill was almost sunk by a couple Senate Republican floor amendments that I worked to get the Senate to back off on.

Nancy and Shelly testified before my House Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee, and Nancy testified alongside me in the Senate.  I appreciated hearing their strong, moral voices in testimony.  These are dark times for choice.  The Virginia-based Army of God has labeled me a “terrorist” for my efforts.  While my bill was moving forward, South Dakota was banning abortion.  As the Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorialized, “This bill represents an important safeguard and is especially timely in a month when abortion rights are under renewed political attack.”  Please thank Nancy and Shelly for being willing to fight for what is right!

Two other local heroes are veterans Jerry Muchmore and Ken Schwilk.  Fearing that the health effects of depleted uranium use in armor-piercing munitions used in Iraq could be equivalent to that from use of Agent Orange in Southeast Asia, they worked to educate me on their concerns – including by insisting that I watch a nightmare-inducing video (suffice it to say, my 3-year-old was not in the room).

In response, I introduced House Bill 3103, and Senator Rosa Franklin (D., Tacoma) introduced Senate Bill 6732.  These identical bills required testing returning Washington National Guard soldiers for exposure to depleted uranium.  We replicated the bills’ requirements in the state budget, with $150,000 appropriated to the military department specifically to address this issue.  Please thank Jerry and Ken for their incredible persistence in working on this issue! 

A Brief Introduction to the new State Democrat Chair, Dwight Pelz

By Elizabeth Shepard
LD 22 Committee Woman

Dwight was almost born to be a politician.  At the age of three his family moved from Seattle, where he was born, to Washington D.C. where his father worked for Congressman Don Magnuson.  Dwight’s own work in politics started at age twenty-four where he worked on Initiative 312 for a corporate income tax to fund education.  In 1976 he worked on the Nuclear Safety Initiative and in 1977 he organized the statewide initiative campaign, which repealed the sales tax on food (thank you Dwight!).  He was also the executive director of the Light Brigade a grassroots group that fought the WPPSS Nuclear Plants.  He was Founder and Executive Director of Washington Fair Share, a statewide citizens organization now known as Citizen Action.  He has also been active in Labor as a Union Organizer for IFPTE Local 17 and Laborers Local 1239.

He switched from citizen activist to professional politician in 1991 when he was elected to the State Senate representing the 37th District.  He was re-elected to this position until 1997 when he ran for and was elected as a member of the King County Council where he served until 2005.  In addition to his duties with the Council, from 2003-2004 he was the Chair of the Howard Dean State Field Committee, 37th District for Dean.

When I asked Dwight what kept him so active in politics after 30 years, his response was both truthful and playful  “I like a good fight, and I don’t get enough at home.”  On a more serious note though he stated that he loves his country and believes that it should operate on behalf of the interests of ALL Americans.  He went on to say that we can and should have a society, which reflects our values for the environment, for civil right for all Americans, for family wage jobs that include safe workplaces with dignity for the worker and for health care for all Americans.  And last, but not least, a foreign policy we can be proud of!  He sums this up by quoting Howard Dean in saying “I want my country back”!

He goes on to speak about the responsibilities of the new job he has taken on.  He is excited to be back working as an organizer, working under a great deal of pressure, with a To-Do list of about 200 items (there might be just a touch of tongue-in-cheek humor in his answer), but from his biography he is certainly experienced at all of the above.  What he is enjoying are all the new people he is meeting (he will speak at our Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, May 13th so come and meet him!), and is energized by the opportunity to help build the Democratic Party in Washington State.

Besides politics he is a basketball fan and a windsurfer.  He owns property in the Columbia Gorge (the Washington side) and enjoys going there to recreate with his windsurfing, or to just relax on his property (which has a garage but no water or power) and take in the beautiful vistas of his property with Mt. Hood in the distance.

He seems driven but has a sense of humor to balance his drive, truthful even blunt and outspoken but with thoughtful purpose backing up his words, and willing to engage in lively debate, but not in meanness or grudge holding.  Dwight “I want my country back too!”

I am looking forward to all of us working on this together.

Caucus wrap up

By Debby Pattin,
1st Vice Chair

Precinct caucuses were held throughout Thurston County and across the state on Saturday, March 4th.  In spite of it being a beautiful early spring day, a number of Democrats turned out to discuss issues of importance that they wanted reflected in the Thurston County Democrats’ Platform.

Delegates were elected to the County Convention, which will be held at Capital High School on Saturday, April 8th.  At the County Convention, the platform will be discussed and voted on by delegates.

During the weeks leading up the County Convention, delegates who volunteered to serve on the Platform Committee will synopsize the multitudes of resolutions brought forth from the caucuses and will draft a new county platform. Resolutions adopted at the caucuses covered topics ranging from local zoning, environmental protections, and the economy to state issues concerning funding of public education and WASL exams, to national issues of constitutional protections of privacy, foreign policy, veterans’ benefits, and support for active duty soldiers and military families.

Following the County Convention, delegates will have the opportunity to attend the Washington State Democrats Convention in Yakima on June 2-3. At the State Convention, a new statewide platform will be adopted.  Candidates for public office running as Democrats are asked to read and embrace the positions set forth in the State Platform.

The precinct caucuses are democracy in action.  High school and college students had their first “hands on” experience at grass roots politics. Exchange students from Japan attended a caucus as observers and got the chance to witness Americans assembling and speaking their minds with the goal of improving our government and our country. Political “junkies” and newcomers had the chance to discuss and debate their concerns and jointly submit resolutions.

Thanks to all of you who gave up a rare sunny March day to participate in this most democratic civic opportunity.

PCO Spotlight

By Debby Pattin,
1st Vice Chair

Two PCOs stand out for the success they had in motivating voters in their precincts to attend the caucuses, held on March 6th, and a Site Leader stands out for recruiting three new PCOs to fill vacant precincts meeting at her site.

David Edwards, a PCO since 1992, had the highest turnout with 15 Democrats and 1 Independent attending the caucus for the Olympia 221 precinct (East Bay Drive area of Olympia). Twelve delegates and one alternate were elected to attend the County Convention.  David phoned through his voter list twice, looked up numbers for those without numbers on the list, and followed up with emails for those who he left messages for. While encouraging voters to attend the caucus, David reminded them that the caucus was an opportunity to have a say in the party platform, and to provide ideas for the Democratic representatives to use to counter the bad stuff coming from the other side.  Topics that were brought forth during the discussion at the caucus included several resolutions against the war in Iraq.

Lisa Riener, (not pictured) a new PCO from the fall of 2005, had 13 attendees at the caucus for Olympia 201 precinct (west side neighborhood off West bay Drive, across the bay from Olympia 221). Five delegates were elected to the County Convention.  Lisa posted large 2’ x 3’ signs throughout her neighborhood, noting the date, time and location of the caucus. She also called everyone on her precinct list to remind them, and passed out flyers in the neighborhood. At the caucus, she encouraged discussion of local issues, noting that national issues can be overwhelming.

Madelle Atkinson, Site Leader at Prosperity Grange and PCO for Oyster Bay 95 precinct since 2003, recruited three new PCOs to fill vacancies in Frye Cove, Schneider’s Prairie, and Steamboat Island precincts by warning them that they were risking letting the Republicans take over the area. She motivated the group and did a great job of recruiting!

A total of seven new PCOs were appointed to vacant precincts following the caucuses.  A hearty welcome to Linda Bondurant, Frye Cove 94; George Kirkpatrick, Henness 198;  Gretchen Zatarain, Olympia 253; Mark Celedonia, Schneider’s Prairie 133; Barbara Dimant-Quick, Steamboat Island 44; Paul Donohue, Tenino 501; and Janet Swanson, Tumwater 312.

Office Space Needed for Thurston County Democrats

Debby Pattin,
1st Vice Chair

Remember during the 2004 campaign season when Thurston County Democrats had an office where concerned citizens could come in to ask questions and pick up materials? Where campaigns could have a desk and a place to distribute yard signs? Where candidates could hold lunchtime forums? Where groups could hold meetings and do phone banking? Where folks could gather to watch debates or view topical films/ documentaries?

Wouldn’t it be GREAT if Thurston County Democrats could have an office like this all the time and not just during presidential campaigns?

The problem is that renting an office costs about $1,000 a month, not including utilities and Internet connection, etc.  But, if a business or union or other allied organization could provide space in their building at a more favorable rate, Thurston County Democrats could open an office now, in advance of the 2008 presidential campaign, and in time for the 2006 campaign season. There are numerous local and state elections upcoming this Fall.

If you know of such an office space, please contact Debby Pattin by email debbypattin@thurstondemocrats.org  or by phone 866-8664.

“More than Talk…Democrats Walk the Walk” - Crop Walk May 7th

Debby Pattin,
1st Vice Chair

The 2005 CROP Walk raised over $48,000 for hunger relief!   Over $12,000 of that helped Thurston County residents. The rest helped all over the US and around the world, not only providing food and water, but clearing land mines and providing livestock, and seeds and equipment to reclaim ravaged land for agriculture.

This year, the goal is $50,000.  All Democrats are invited to join with Thurston County Democrats Faith Communities team for the annual CROP Walk, Sunday, May 7th.

Last year Thurston County Democrats fielded our first team, had a strong showing. This year let’s do even better. If you are unable to walk the 6 miles, there will be seated work at the registration table. Call Interfaith Works to volunteer for these jobs: 357-7224.

Pledge packets will be available at the March 27 and April 24th Thurston County Democrat Central Committee meetings. You may also sign up, and collect pledges, on line at www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=116072

Let us show that Democrats are about more than talk…we Walk the Walk!

Thurston County Democrat of the Year Nominations

Nominations for Thurston County Democrat of the Year were opened at the Central Committee meeting March 27th.  This is an excellent opportunity to recognize someone who has contributed in some extraordinary way to help get Democrats elected in Thurston County.

The “Democrat of the Year” awards began locally in the early 1980’s to honor the unsung volunteers who are the backbone of the Thurston County Democrats: those who work behind the scenes without fanfare at fundraisers, on committees, with phone calls and mailings – the ones “Who Get the Job Done.” 

Voting will occur at the April 24th Central Committee meeting and the results will be kept secret until announced at the Jefferson/Jackson Dinner on May 13th.

Thurston County Food Bank Needs Your Support

Elizabeth Shepard
Volunteer Coordinator

The Thurston County Food Bank has been experiencing a 30% increase in customers for several months now.  That means more food and household supplies are being sorted, packaged and handed out to people in need in our community than ever before.  

The first Monday of the month is our day to help.  Let’s show up and let others know Democrats care!

There are so many different jobs to do at the Food Bank that there truly is something for everyone.  In the summer the local community project GRUB will be growing fresh produce for the Food Bank.  This is another way we can incorporate community service with our politics, so gardeners get your gloves on, have we got a deal for you! 

Volunteering at the Food Bank is a great place to wear your new Thurston County "Blue Crew" t-shirt and let the community know who we are and what we do.  Remember 2006 is a big election year, and it's not too early to start flashing our colors and showing the community the values we hold.

As always please remember to bring nonperishable items to our Central Committee meetings to give to the Food Bank, and monetary donations are also accepted.

Burger Booth Season is Upon Us!

Elizabeth Shepard
Volunteer Coordinator

That’s right, spring and summer are on the way and that means our newly renovated Burger Booth will very shortly be in full swing.  Candidates running for election/re-election this year are encouraged to sign-up for shifts as soon as possible.  This is an excellent opportunity to be visible and meet many voters.  We also encourage local affiliated organizations to sign up.  Last year the local chapter of Veterans for Peace, Voices for Change, and the Young Democrats filled shifts.

Super Saturday (June 11) will be here before we know it, and Lakefair (July 19-23) is right behind, then Harbor Days (September 1-3) will conclude the season.

Flipping burgers and warming buns, not to mention peeling a million pounds of onions is more fun than you might imagine and it’s a great way to meet local voters. 

Contact me soon, to sign up for a shift, jemn1@earthlink.net or 943-9448.

Guest Feature

Reprogramming the Infinite Loop - The NSA Spying Debate

By Elizabeth de la Vega

It has now been three months since the Bush administration reluctantly admitted that it has been conducting warrantless surveillance on American citizens, despite the explicit prohibitions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Since then, the public has been treated to endless and, unfortunately, fruitless discussion about the issue. We have experts and scholars earnestly responding, and responding yet again, to administration arguments (both legal and factual) that can best be described as protean, internally inconsistent, and occasionally evanescent. We have the administration refusing to explain the program, but enjoining everyone to "trust them." And we have legislators trying to "fix" a problem that is undefined by proposing new laws that the administration doesn't want. We are, in short, trapped in an infinite loop.

In computer parlance, an infinite loop is a coding sequence that has no effective exit because of a flaw in the program. It's a bit like trying to call your HMO with what you think is the flu and having a recording guide you through a series of numbers that land you back at the initial message welcoming you to the system. Of course, you can end that phone loop simply by hanging up. The only way to permanently extract yourself from an infinite loop in a computer program, however, is to find the programming defect. Press the refresh key, check the power chord, buy a new computer -- none of these fixes will work as long as the fundamental flaw in the program is ignored.

If you have any doubt that the NSA spying "debate" is trapped in an infinite loop, you need only review two pieces of evidence. The first, which we'll call "Exhibit A," is an article, dated March 8, 2006, entitled "Gonzales: NSA Program Doesn't Need a Law." Aha, you say, a mere headline. But this is what the article says: "The Attorney General made clear Wednesday, March 8, that the White House is not seeking congressional action to inscribe the National Security Agency's monitoring into U.S. law."

How, you wonder, could that be true? Since December, the President, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, among others, have said that FISA is outdated, not sufficiently agile, ineffective against terrorists, and too paper-intensive. Perhaps the AP reporter misinterpreted Gonzales' remarks…

I now refer you to Exhibit B -- a February 28, 2006 letter from Alberto Gonzales to Arlen Specter, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In answer to a question about what changes to FISA are needed, Gonzales explicitly says, "The Administration believes it is unnecessary to amend FISA" to accommodate the spying program.

Let's review. Members of the Bush administration have admitted that they routinely ignore FISA. That does not mean, however, that they believe there's anything wrong with the law. On the contrary, the Bush administration does not think the law needs to be changed; nor does it even want the law to be changed. So every time you hear a Bush team member mention problems with FISA, all you need to do is think like a lawyer and the terms "objection.. irrelevant" will come to mind. Under the circumstances, why should Congress waste one more minute trying to amend a law the administration has no desire to see amended?

Unfortunately, disposing of the issue of changing the FISA law just brings us back to the point where the administration confessed to conducting electronic intercepts in the first place without following the procedures set forth in that law -- in, to be exact, FISA's criminal penalty provision (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1809). In other words, it brings us back to the matter of a crime having been committed. On this, as we loop upwards again, the administration claims two defenses -- one based on its reading of the FISA statute; the other on its interpretation of the Constitution.

The Statutory Argument: That Pesky "After-the-Fact" Feeling

The statutory argument is that the FISA law allows an exception to its procedures if the surveillance in question is otherwise "authorized by statute." The administration argues that the September 18, 2001 congressional Authorization to Use Military Force ("AUMF") against those responsible for the September 11 attacks is, in fact, a statute that satisfies this provision. However, not even the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee consider this to be a reasonable argument. As Arlen Specter said during the February 6 NSA wiretap hearings, "[the AUMF argument] just defies logic and plain English." In the same hearing, South Carolina's Senator Lindsay Graham told Gonzales that the administration's statutory argument was "very dangerous."

One other small problem: The administration's statutory argument appears to have been devised after the NSA program began. As it happens, it is premised in large part on the analysis of a Supreme Court detainee case (Hamdi v. United States) that was not even decided until 2004. Also, though the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel has released an unsigned 42-page paper, dated January 20, 2006, which purports to set out the administration's legal analysis, Attorney General Gonzales has refused to provide the Senate Judiciary Committee with any memos setting forth a legal analysis of the NSA surveillance program written before it began in October 2001. As Senator Patrick Leahy noted, Gonzales has even refused to say when the statutory argument was first devised.

However, what Gonzales has acknowledged is that the administration's legal analysis has "evolved over time." This is a damning, if not entirely surprising, admission. The Office of Legal Counsel is charged with providing objective and balanced advice to the President before he takes action; it is not supposed to be a firm of defense lawyers dedicated to crafting justifications in hindsight.

Gonzales' cavalier statement is corroborated by recently disclosed emails, sent in December and January, by David Kris, a former Associate Deputy Attorney General, to the Office of Legal Counsel lawyers who were preparing the written justification for the NSA spying program. After reviewing the draft white paper, Kris commented that the AUMF statutory argument had a "slightly after-the-fact feeling" to it. He was perfectly positioned to make this observation because he had been in charge of national security matters at the Justice Department from 2000 to 2003. As his emails and a lengthy January 25, 2006 memo that he provided to journalists make clear, Kris knew nothing whatsoever about the NSA surveillance program even though, when it began, he headed the legal department assigned to its oversight. As to the administration's statutory argument in support of the NSA operation, Kris, an expert on FISA, was clearly not persuaded.

The Constitutional Argument: Those Pesky Other Branches of Government

Unfortunately, the nearly universal conclusion that the administration's statutory argument is meritless does not extricate us from the loop for a simple reason. Despite the administration's quite successful attempt to suggest otherwise, it is clear that the statutory argument has never been its principal rationale for the warrantless surveillance program. Its main justification has always been the constitutional argument that, under Article II, and as commander-in-chief, the President has the authority to prevent further attacks by taking whatever "military" actions he deems necessary to achieve that end. Although this argument enjoys the support of a few exceedingly conservative law professors, it has been brilliantly refuted, time and again, by the majority of legal scholars.

At bottom, though, the problem raised by this argument is more political than legal. The administration began making the claim to an unfettered commander-in-chief-style presidency in a rather low-key way -- as if it were a given -- in late 2001, after a few brave souls had dared to question the conditions under which it was detaining enemy combatants. It has repeated it like a mantra ever since, accompanied by the refrain that we are at war -- a war not specifically in Iraq or Afghanistan, but of a long-term global nature and on terrorism.

Only in June 2004 did the public learn that this argument stemmed from the legal and political theories of a young Justice Department lawyer, John Yoo. On September 25, 2001, he wrote in a memo to the President that, even if the congressional Authorization to Use Military Force had never existed, no statute passed by Congress "can place any limits on the president's determinations as to any terrorist threat, the amount of military force to be used in response, or the method, timing and nature of the response."

Astoundingly, it is the absolutely radical theory of presidential powers in this memo, clearly espoused by the President, the Vice President, and their senior staff, but written by an extreme conservative whose views in the now infamous "torture memo" have largely been dismissed by those inside and outside the administration, that is the fundamental flaw in our "program" for national debate. It is this theory that has trapped us in an infinite loop of discussion about issues that rational persons of good faith should be able to resolve: the obviously illegal surveillance of American citizens; prolonged detentions without due process; renditions to countries known for their abysmal treatment of prisoners; and, most shamefully, our own adoption of torture. But until we "debug" this program by fearlessly and unflinchingly addressing the President's theory of executive power, and its unstated false premises -- especially the claim that we are at war by virtue of an undeclared, undefined, and unending "war on terror" -- we will all continually find ourselves at different places on the same infinite loop.

It should not require courage to insist on an honest debate about issues that are substantial and serious. It should not require courage to stand firm in the face of juvenile personal attacks on one‘s allegiance to the United States. But, of course, it does. For that type of courage, we need patriots, not politicians -- strength, not just strategy. So far, in the Senate, Wisconsin's Russ Feingold, California's Barbara Boxer, and Iowa's Tom Harkin have shown themselves to be patriots in calling for censure of the President as a result of his blatantly illegal NSA surveillance operation. That is a total of three. There must be more. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Elizabeth de la Vega is a former federal prosecutor with more than 20 years of experience. During her tenure, she was a member of the Organized Crime Strike Force and Chief of the San Jose Branch of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California. Her pieces have appeared in The Nation magazine, the L.A. Times, Salon, and Mother Jones. She writes regularly for TomDispatch. She may be contacted at ElizabethdelaVega@Verizon.net.

Copyright 2006 Elizabeth de la Vega