7-25-2022 Newsletter

 

BELIEVE IN THE POSSIBLE " ... things I would have never thought possible in politics and culture have happened in my lifetime because people refused to give into cynicism or accept that everything is actually terrible. "I have found that the best way to spur action is to begin from a place of optimism — a belief that the thing you want really is possible." -- Jane Coaston, "Let’s not let doomers seal our fate," New York Times, July 23, 2022

LOST AND FOUND Are you lost in the chaos of creeping authoritarianism, misogyny, and Steve Bannon? If so, then find these initiatives that pro-democracy activists like you have developed. Scroll down in Robert Hubbell's newsletter to find more terrific ideas for action.. You'll find yourself energized and doing something important for our country.

CATCHING UP What are the threats to reproductive rights? What's going on with foreign policy? What are Biden's accomplishments? Historian Heather Cox Richardson provides a helpful summary in her Saturday newsletter.

WHAT MATTERS MOST ". . . none of the issues that would normally matter between right and left matter as much as the future of democracy. A conservative who cares about the future of the constitutional order must face the reality that the Republican Party has become a menace to the Constitution and our system of government." -- Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, July 20, 2022

WHAT DO EXTREMISTS WANT? Staying hopeful and informed can feel impossible. So check out Al Franken's podcasts - he's deeply informed and deeply funny, and he has thought-provoking conversations with his guests.  Here's the link to an especially important recent podcast. Malcolm Nance also talks about his concerns in a Washington Post interview on YouTube.

WHO'S WORRIED NOW? If you enjoy reading Heather Cox Richardson's newsletters or the quotes from it in the INCO newsletter, check out her YouTube channel. Her July 19 chat covers the Secret Service, the insurrection, the rule of law, and what "conservatism" means in America.  She also tells how to spot who's worried about the January 6 investigation.

WRITE TO SAVE DEMOCRACY The key to Democratic victories in 2020 elections is increasing voter turnout. Please sign up to get out the vote for pro-democracy candidates. For prepped or blank postcards, stamps, or information, contact incoregon@gmail.com. WRITE TO VOTERS • Postcards To Voters:  Handwritten postcards sent to Democrats to get out the vote. PTV provides scripts. Sign up at the website or at join@TonyTheDemocrat.org.  • Vote Forward:  Personalized letters sent to under-represented and/or minority communities to get out the vote. You print the letters and add a few sentences.  • Postcards To Swing States:  Progressive Turnout Project provides the postcards, scripts and addresses to rally Democrats to vote. WRITE AN LTE Write a Letter to the Editor (LTE) - Write a few sentences or more, up to 250 words. Send to editor@dailyastorian.com, along with your name, address, and phone. WRITE TO YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS How will your Members of Congress know what you want if you don't tell them? Send a postcard, write an email through their websites. Even better - call and speak to a Congressional staffer, or leave a message. Here's contact information for Senators Wyden and Merkley, Congresswoman Bonamici, and for other elected officials..

HAPPENINGS  INCO-Warrenton is doing a road clean-up on July 30 and August 13th. All are invited. Contact Carmen at 503-440-2312 for details. INCO South County Community Group meeting. Next meeting date TBA.   INCO Astoria/North County Community Group meeting. Next meeting date TBA. INCO Write to Voters (WTV) - on hiatus until September 9.

INSIGHTS “He hadn’t the least idea of what she was up to, but he was sure her motive was not commendable. When he could not understand a thing he straightway condemned it. Simplicity itself!” — Lucy M. Montgomery, THE BLUE CASTLE

Comments, news, and photos to INCO at incoregon@gmail.com.  Resources and other information at www.incoregon.org and www.indivisible.org. Encourage others to sign up for the INCO newsletter at our website or here. Look for the INCO column in Hipfish Monthly. We're on Facebook, too. INCO Weekly Newsletter July 25, 2022