JCODW

Virginia Graf

President 728-2829

Reva Mickey
Administrative
Vice President

Terry Thorson
Coordinating
Vice President

Judi Brunswick
Secretary

Sandy Callari

Treasurer

Pat Fiori

Parliamentarian

Committee Chairs

Community Action,
Social Justice

Suzanne Schmidt

Membership & Outreach,
Harpers Ferry

Allison Alsdorf

Charles Town

Pat Taylor

Shepherdstown

Joan Thorson

Publicity & Media Relations,
Lyn Widmyer

Archivist/Scrapbook,
Kay Bresee

Fundraising,

Debra Cornwell

Newsletter &
Website Editor,
Kay Bresee

Mission Statement

"The purpose of this organization shall be to unite Democratic women in a group working together for the success of the Democratic Party by stimulating a more active interest, excitement and participation in civic, community and governmental affairs; by promoting activities which nurture our common democratic values, namely, respect for the earth and its inhabitants; by promoting the fundamental principles for which the Democratic Party traditionally and historically stands, a Government responsive and responsible to the people; and by developing leadership and promoting harmony within the party ranks."

Dear Friends,
     Each time I raise the issue about the flagrant disregard for the United States Constitution by the current administration, I'm greeted by ostriches in the sand. Just wait, it will soon be over is one usual naive reply. Another frequent reply caims there are more important issues. Lastly, some reduce the issue to politics as usual. It is time to remove our heads from the sand. Knowing and following the Constitution requires vigilance.
     The most recent tactic to amass power by the administration is the National Security Presidential Directive 51 issued earlier in the year. While Americans, Congress and the Judiicial Branch and the press keep their eyes closed, the president has secretly directed unprecedented power to itself. NSPD-51, under the guise of national security, is not subjected to congressional oversight power. Whatever the president names a "catastrophic emergency," from a nuclear bomb in New York to a hurricance in Texas, gives him sole authority to decide when and what to do in response. From Ron Rosenbaum, Slate. com "The directive issued, without any review by Congress or the Supreme Court, gives the president authority to decide when an emergency has occurred, and to do whatever he deems necessary to ensure continuity of government, whether it's to cancel upcoming elections, suspend the Constitution, or launch a nuclear attack on the enemy."
     Why haven't we heard more about this presidential directive? Why aren't the three branches of government working to insure the checks and balances designed to protect our democratic republic?
      My observation is that too many people have become ostriches. Call your congresswoman and senators and ask them to demand the full disclosure NSPD-51 to the Congress where its merits or shortcomings can be examinied. Please stop believing that all will be well by hiding in the sand.
                                                                                       Virginia Lynch Graf, D.Min