Because democracy is not a spectator sport!!

HELP WANTED!!!!!

2022 is fast approaching and with the new year comes new opportunities. In April for the town of Windsor will be holding a council election and in June the State of California primaries will be held. The League will be hosting election forums for both of these. And with these forums come volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in helping out in one of the following roles – timekeeper, moderator, question sorter, Zoom host and co-host we sure can use you! If you are new to this,we will pair you with an experienced volunteer, as well as providing training.Please contact me at elections@lwvsonoma.org if you are interested.

Often, at this time of year, one hears complaints about diluting the meaning of Christmas by saying “Happy Holidays”, so I looked up the First amendment to remind myself what the authors had in mind. This amendment is one of the most important principles of democracy.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

But what happens when members of Congress promote the idea that the United States should have only one religion? Or that the press is the enemy of the people? Or protests are illegal? Those members espousing those views were voted into office by constituents. Rights are threatened every day in our country. Democracy is messy. There have been many moments in the past when our leaders have made huge mistakes (the Japanese internment) and we the people have not been able to stop them.

What can we, as members of the League, do about that?

• We can be knowledgeable about the current issues
• We can write letters of complaint or support
• We can protest in the streets or at meetings
• We can vote
• We can stay hopeful – no matter your religion

This is what the League of Women Voters Sonoma County is doing every day. I am always amazed at the depth of knowledge and research at Advocacy meetings. There are fabulous discussions at the book club on relevant topics. I am thrilled by the thoughtful letters to the editor in our local paper. I am encouraged to see people of all ages at rallies, and I especially like to see the percentage of voter’s tally after each election. Volunteers have often complained at our tabling events that “everyone is already registered!” I think that’s wonderful.

So, let’s keep it up Sonoma County. Show up, stand up, and speak up!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Check theOnline Calendarfor the latest schedule

and for location or links to virtual meetings.

LINK TO CALENDAR

Standing Meetings

• Board of Directors,1st Saturday of the month from 10:30 AM to Noon
  
• Advocacy Committee-1stTuesday of the month from 10:30 AM to Noon
• Voter Service Committee- 1stThursday of the month from 2:00 to Noon
• Book Group: 3^rdThursday of the month from 10:30 AM to Noon. No December Meeting

January 21, Moderated by Mary Virdeh

Owls of the Eastern Ice, by Jonathan C Slaght, 370 pages, 2020.

This is a story about a graduate student who goes to the Russian province of Primorye. This is a remote corner of the world, not far from where Russia, China, and North Korea meet. He goes there to try to find an owl called Blakison’s Fish Owl in an effort to craft a conservation plan to ensure the species survival. This is an enormous owl described as looking like a small bear with decorative feathers.

The book introduces us to characters, living conditions and weather that are very difficult to imagine but make us feel like we are there experiencing them. I found it very gratifying that enormous efforts like this are made to ensure the survival of a species. The author has an excellent writing style that engulfs our imagination.

February 18, Moderatedby Judie Coleman

Mindf*ck: Cambridge Analytica and the Plot to Break America.by Christopher Wylie, 270 pages, 2019.

This book will blow your mind. It details how the power of social media manipulation has been used to topple government, to be the deciding influence for Brexit, to help Trump get elected, and to destroy America's democracy. Data manipulation in social media can result in the bloodless takeover of governments. The author, Wylie, is one of the founding fathers of this new style of mind manipulation and walked away when he realized that he had helped to open Pandora’s box upon the world. He educates us on how it works and concludes with some concrete and realistic suggestions for how social media can be regulated. It’s well written and will hold your interest all the through. Even if we don't pick it for the book club, this should be required reading for everyone.

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