Mark Your Calendars
Democratic Luncheon
July 16th (Thursday) 11:30 am: We will once again meet in the side room at La Marina (1502 State Hwy 71, La Grange). Please join us for a meal (your cost), updates, and lively conversation.
FCDP CEC Meeting
July 16th (Thursday) 3 pm - 4:30 pm: The Fayette County Democratic Party County Executive Committee will have a virtual meeting this month. If you are curious about some of the inner workings, needs, and direction of the party, this is an excellent place to become more involved. It is open to the public! The link to join the meeting can be found on the main website under Upcoming Events here.
Americans for Democracy Rallies
Saturdays, 9 am - 10 am: It's hot but the government's not. Well, maybe it's a hot mess. So until the government is not a hot mess, join us on the SW corner of the town square in La Grange, around the intersection of Main St and W Travis St. Parking is available around the square and surrounding streets. Register through Mobilize and/or check your emails for updates, themes, cancellations, etc..
Your Party At Work
ICE Pays a Visit
contributed by Laura Logan & Justin McCord
On June 23rd, there was a significant uptick in ICE activity in the Fayette County area. Members of the Democratic Party did their best to work with local groups, help disseminate information, and keep eyes out for the community. Some folks used their lunch break to drive around the neighborhood while others did their best to run reconnaissance the entire day. Others even grocery shopped for some of our neighbors out of an abundance of caution.
The bulk of activity local to La Grange appeared to be along highway 71 with reports of folks being pulled over frequently. One of the local Democratic members also visited the county jail to request information on the arrests for that day which is a right of community members. She was met with hostility from one of the deputies. Of course, the Sheriff said that person was just having a bad day. Given the sit-down encounter with the Sheriff from about three months prior, we would have expected more cooperation from local law enforcement. There was a medium sized bus at the county jail ready to take people out of the area. At this time, it has been disclosed that there were 49 ICE detainments. Though it is claimed there were no locals picked up as part of this operation, full details are lacking.
Good Listening/Viewing
Jamelle Bouie - How Clarence Thomas Gets the Fourteenth Amendment Totally Wrong (runtime 13 min): The Supreme Court barely kept birthright citizenship alive. In this YouTube video, Jamelle Bouie runs down a side by side comparison of Ketanji Brown Jackson's concurrence and Samuel Alito's dissent, highlighting the theme of the Dred Scott decision in the political right's agenda. Originally dropped 7-2-26. https://youtu.be/kjvAnWSBz4E?si=5POiXrwHdAJOyO7C
Who Do You Listen To?
-Review by Laura Logan
One of the biggest blessings and worst curses of our time is how much information (and misinformation) is available online. Sorting through it all can be daunting to say the least. This newsletter seems like a good, safe space for us to talk about it. My hope is this sparks a conversation where others will share reading and listening recommendations as well so we can all grow a library of resources to help us through these troubling times. There are tons of fabulous content creators to choose from. So when deciding who to bring to you I asked myself, “Who do I consistently learn from who also gives me language I can use to educate and uplift others?” Here are three I find dependably meet this criteria.
Heather Cox Richardson, historian. I’m sure many of you are already familiar with her, but in my opinion no list like this can be initiated without including Heather Cox Richardson. She is a prominent professor of American History at Boston College. Her ability to bring historical content to life and apply it to current events never fails to enlighten. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube (videos & livestream) and Substack where you can subscribe and have her Letters from An American delivered to your inbox daily. She’s also written several books. Her latest (2023) Democracy Awakening is terrific.
Kathryn A. Edwards, economist. Here’s someone who is probably new to you. I chose her because understanding the economy is hard for me and she makes it a lot easier. She also makes it fun. I frequently laugh out loud when listening to her weekly podcast Optimist Economy, done alongside editor Robin Rauzi where they answer the question “What would it take for America to have nice things?”. Her focus is on making the economy better for everyday Americans one policy at a time. Edwards can be found across social media at @keds_econimist or on Substack at Kedits. The Optimist Economy podcast can be found wherever you listen to podcasts, and she also writes a weekly column for Bloomberg.
Robert L. Arnold, writer, poet, activist. Here’s someone else who might be new to you as well. It would be tough for me to pick a favorite but if forced Robert Arnold might well be it. He writes and speaks with a rare combination of eloquence, rawness and clarity. A young man of the South, he draws on both the emotion of personal experience and a solid understanding of both history and philosophy. He is absolutely worth getting to know. He’s on Substack as Robert L. Arnold and YouTube as Robert Arnold. Check out his Philosophy of Freedom series. Across social media find him at @Defiance13_. His most recent book, Defiance ‘til Death, is a small book with a powerful punch.
So, that’s my inaugural list of recommendations for who to read or listen to in the ongoing effort to keep ourselves both sane and well informed. Who would you recommend? Let us know!
Email your picks and suggestions to the editor at wdwgfh@proton.me.
From Our Writing Contributors
Blue on Blue
contributed by Patty Reid
In the political climate today, it is difficult to focus on the “positive.”
In the past, I have been called a “Pollyanna". The definition of Pollyanna comes from the 1913 classic children’s novel, Pollyanna, by Eleanor H. Porter. It is the story of an orphaned girl who plays the “Glad Game". The challenge of the game is to find something happy in a difficult situation. A Pollyanna can be called a dreamer, an idealist, or eternal optimist.
The 1963 song “Blue on Blue” sung by Bobby Vinson and written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David details the cascading grief of a failed relationship. The phrase has become a metaphor for compounded heartbreak. “Blue” represents sadness and depression. The lyrics keep cascading through my thoughts. “Blue on Blue,” “Heartache on Heartache.” Playing the “Glad Game” has become almost impossible.
The stoics say “one can’t control what happens,” but “you can control how you react to it,” then comes the freedom. As Shakespeare would say, “aye, there’s the rub.” I feel anger at the folks who support stupidity and feel no empathy for marginalized people. We must find ways to cope with the destruction of normalcy.
Last Month In Review
A few pics of the decorations from the Pride Month Happy Hour. Thanks to the Best Western (La Grange) for hosting us and the 28 attendees who made our nacho bar, libations, and door prizes a great time for us all.
A spotting from our HEB in La Grange (Pride and Juneteenth colors)
Until next time, cheers...