January 20th launched the new administration and Project 25.  It is becoming apparent that our Democratic Republic is under attack.  The Trump Executive Orders these past two weeks have so far undermined the United States Constitution, trampled upon human rights and created global and domestic mayhem.  At the moment, Trump has banned DEI programs, purged the FBI and the Department of Justice of those who participated in investigations of the insurrection on January 6, 2020, tried to freeze all government programs (the jury is still out on that); directed the EPA to review the Clean Power Plan to deregulate emissions standards, imposed a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and 10% on Chinese goods, withdrew from International Agreements and gave a blanket pardon to the January 6th mob.  Most recently and possibly the most shocking, The Treasury Department has given Elon Musk and his minions – most of whom have no security clearance and all of whom are not in the government – access to the Treasury Department database allowing them access to your personal information.  And this is in just two weeks.  Brace for more to come.

Trump is determined to establish an autocracy under the banner of a “White Christian America”. The following two events demonstrate the shared experience between Black people and Jewish people and the importance of standing up against hatred:

1. January 27 was International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, which resulted in the genocide of twelve million Jews, Gypsies, Slavs, homosexuals, the disabled and mentally impaired and countless other individuals deemed inferior or politically undesirable.  Beginning in the first Trump administration and recently fueled by the Gaza war, acts of anti-Semitism worldwide have exploded.

2. February is Black History Month.  However, this is under threat as President Trump is establishing federal guidelines against celebrating minority heritage months and is working towards erasing any celebration of black history in the military.  In addition, Black history is under assault in many southern states.  Here in Florida, Advanced Placement Black History courses have been banned.  Teachers are forbidden to teach any history that would demean the greatness of America.

 

The goal of this malignant and toxic administration is to render us so defeated and demoralized that we become too weary and defeated to fight back.  I SAY NO!  We are NOT going into a 4 year hibernation! Not only are we going to be in Trump’s face, there will be Calls to Action during the Florida State Legislature session beginning March 4th and there will be Calls to Action to counter the Hillsborough County Commission agenda.  We are going to roll up our sleeves and get to work and this will be discussed at our meeting this Thursday, February 6th.  The South Shore Democratic Club and its members stand for and will fight for Democracy!  

We are fortunate to have two speakers joining us this Thursday.  Our featured speaker will be Patti Schreiber of Greater Good Leadership Coaching.  Patti will be discussing practical strategies for managing stress and prioritizing self-care (we can all use that!) covering essential techniques to help you enhance your well-being.  In celebrating Black History Month, Sun City Center resident Monique Davis will be making brief remarks.  Monique was a NJ State employee as the Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Officer and we look forward to her perspectives. Also on the agenda for this Thursday will be a vote on possible changes to our Club bylaws. 

And a thank you to our monthly sponsor, Misty Jones Photography.  Misty is an award-winning portrait photographer with a list of accolades including many photography awards.

It promises to be an interesting and informative meeting and I hope to see you this Thursday!

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Fran