Support don't Judge

by Shawnae Lacy

As I sat relaxing with my feet submerged in a warm bubbly whirlpool of happiness, a woman seated next to meet struck up a lovely conversation.  We chatted briefly on the weather, our college-aged children and their next steps (her daughter was with her) and how grateful we were to be able to indulge in a trip to the nail salon.  

And then it happened…The TV was showing the national news and the headline story was about the new law passed in Alabama outlawing abortion and criminalizing any doctor who performed one.  The room was suddenly quiet and the nail technician just shook her head. The silence was broken by the voice next to me blurting out “Serves them right! If they don’t want to be pregnant they should keep their legs closed!”

I was momentarily stunned and confused. I’d heard this notion before – that unwanted pregnancies are the result of overly promiscuous women who don’t know how to control their sexual urges – but this was coming from a lady who I had just connected with on a personal level.  She had been warm and friendly and funny and approachable. I glanced at her daughter who sat mortified. Beyond that, her expression showed hurt. Like she knew if she ever found herself in that situation she would be judged by her mother instantly.

Like many others in this debate, I am pro-life.  I believe that children are a blessing and should be loved, cherished and raised surrounded in love.  But I am also a realist. I’ve seen the world can be a dark, unspeakably mean place. As a foster (and soon to be adoptive) parent, I could tell you stories that would break your heart. You’ve seen them on the news as well. When pregnancy happens at the wrong time or under unfortunate circumstances, it can bring disaster to the mother and/or developing a baby. And to me, the ONLY person qualified to determine those qualifying circumstances is that pregnant woman.

When a woman decides to terminate her pregnancy, it is not a time for anyone to pass judgment.  It’s a decision between her, her doctor and her God and we need to respect and support her. If she decides to continue her pregnancy, we should use our energy to support her and her child during pregnancy and AFTERWARDS.  That support includes (but is not limited to) physical and mental healthcare for the family, a quality and affordable education, gender, and sexual identity acceptance, their financial well-being and their right to not be seen as a threat and be killed because of the color of their skin. Real pro-lifers know that life continues after birth and doesn’t end until the last breath is drawn (or later).  And that’s my two cents worth.

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Update:  Cold Harbor Call to caucus is canceled

The call to caucus for the Cold Harbor Distristrict Board of Supervisor for the Hanover Democratic candidate has been canceled.  James Doran is the only candidate to qualify.  He has the full support of the party.  Good luck on your bid, James Doran.

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Call to Caucus for VA House Delegate 97th District

The Hanover Democratic Committee is calling a caucus for the Democratic candidate for the 97th VA House of Delegate election.  Access the call to caucus and application for participation here.  People who wish to be considered as candidates must print this form (click here), fill out the form and follow the directions.

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Update: canceled CALL TO CAUCUS for South anna       

FOR SOUTH ANNA DISTRICT SUPERVISOR 2019

The call to caucus, listed below, has been canceled for the South Anna Board of Supervisors' Democratic candidate.  Clara James Scott is the only candidate who qualified. Clara James Scott is the Declared Democratic Candidate running for the South Anna District Board of Supervisors. 

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UPdate:  Beaverdam Caucus Canceled                                                                   

The call to caucus for the Democratic candidate for the Beaverdam Board of Supervisor has been canceled.  Crystal Robens is the only qualified candidate.  The residents wish Mrs. Robens well in her bid for the election.

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Climate Change is Real

by Carleigh Heckel

Stonewall Jackson Middle School, 8th grade

2030 will arrive in ten years and eight months. That’s how long we have to cut worldwide carbon emissions by over half to keep global warming at 1.5°C.  To do so will require a massive restructuring of industry and the economy. It certainly won’t be easy, but it is possible. Failing to do so and reach net zero by 2050 would most likely result in mass starvation, water shortages, more frequent and intense natural disasters, sea level rise, loss of biodiversity and extinction, and more. What’s worse is that the burdens of these effects fall disproportionately on those who are already disadvantaged: people of color, low-income people, the homeless, developing countries, indigenous people, et cetera.

In addition to the myriad of ethical issues, failure to act on climate change is also an economic burden. It is more expensive not to act on climate change than to take action now. The economic costs associated with giving aid to those affected by natural disasters are tremendous, and it will only get worse. Furthermore, we can’t escape from this. The effects of climate change will continue on for centuries and possibly even millennia. Our society’s actions over the course of the next eleven years will affect billions or even trillions of lives, all of whom will have to pay for our inaction.

In addition, it’s simply wrong not to act. Climate change is now. We are already feeling its effects on rising sea levels, glacier melt, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and even things as common as thunderstorms and tornados. In 2018 alone, over ten thousand people died as a result of natural disasters. Some of those deaths could have been prevented if we had taken action earlier. The crisis will only grow exponentially worse. We have a responsibility to the people of the world today and to the people of the future to pass on a livable world. I don’t want to be remembered as the people who condemned the future to an unlivable climate.

In short, everyone alive today has an obligation to push the government and our elected officials to take radical, necessary climate action. The fate of our planet has fallen into our hands. It would be foolish to throw that responsibility to the wind and choose to condemn ourselves, our fellow humans, and future humans.

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Caucus for the 55th District VA House of Delegates Canceled

One candidate qualified for the Democratic Caucus for the Virginia House of Delegates, District 55 seat.  Therefore, the caucus is canceled.  The declared Democratic candidate is Morgan Goodman.  Congratulations and the best of luck in your campaign.

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The Hanover Democratic Committee will present the Melissa J. Dopp/ Bobby Ostergren Scholarship to a maximum of four graduation High School Seniors from the Atlee, Patrick Henry, Hanover, and Lee-Davis high schools who have assisted the Hanover Democratic Committee, participated in Democratic campaigns, supported Democratic candidates or have participated in or started a Young Democrats club in his/her school.  Up to four scholarships will be awarded in May 2019.  This is not a needs-based scholarship, but rather a scholarship designed to recognize students with the highest level of participation and involvement in Democratic campaigns and activities.

Applicant Name:_________________________________________________________________________________

Mother's Name:__________________________________________ Father's Name:  ________________________________________

Address:  ___________________________________________________

City:  ________________________________  State:  ____________  Zip:  __________________________________

Primary Phone:  ____________________________________  Alternate Phone:  _____________________________

Email Address:  _______________________________________________

High School:  _________________________________________________

College or Technical School You Hope to Attend:  ________________________________________________________

Please list the Democratic campaigns you worked on, the year and describe what you did/per volunteer experience (for instance, Kaine campaign, 2018 four phone banks in September-October).  Add another sheet if necessary.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Did you participate in any Democratic functions at your High School?  Yes__________  No___________

If yes, please list:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Any other information you wish to add:  

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Submit application to Lyn Hodnett, Scholarship Chair, lynh169125@comcast.net, 804-382-4532

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Next Meeting—Our Strategy

 Next Meeting

 May 11

10 am

Ashland Coffee & Tea

Next Meeting—Our Strategy

Don’t miss the next meeting of the Hanover Democratic Committee on Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. at Ashland Coffee & Tea, when we discuss campaign strategy and issues to get our candidates elected.

Following a most successful Blue Wave Bash, it’s time to get started, roll up our sleeves and support our candidates. As always, the coffee is on us. See you Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. at Ashland Coffee & Tea.

Incredible Blue Wave Bash

Thank you all for making our 2019 Blue Wave Bash the best ever. More than 200 people attended. Sen. Mark Warner and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger discussed the dangers the Trump administration is posing to our Democracy and then challenged us to get our candidates elected in Hanover. It was a rousing and exciting two hours. Thanks to our committee chair, John Suddarth, and his committee for making this such a successful event. And thanks to all of your for supporting this effort that is used to make committee contributions to our candidates.

Six Candidates Have Qualified To Date

Caucus deadlines for candidate declarations have passed in four races; Caucuses have been canceled in those races, and Candidates declared our Democratic nominees including:

Morgan Goodman, 55th District House Race

Sen. Jennifer McClellan, 9th Senate District

Faye Prichard, Ashland District Board of Supervisors Race

Crystal Robens, Beaverdam District Board of Supervisors Race

Clara James Scott, South Anna District Board of Supervisors Race

Stan Scott, 4th Senate District

Caucus Deadline and Candidate Filings Still Scheduled for:

Cold Harbor District Board of Supervisors: Candidate declaration due May 11, Caucus Date, May 18, 3 pm. Mechanicsville Library.

Primary Scheduled for:

Primary Scheduled June 11 between Veena Lothe and Del. Debra Rodman, for 12th District Senate Seat

Blue Commonwealth Gala

Major national speakers will be featured in the Democratic Party of Virginia’s Blue Commonwealth Gala on Saturday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. (Program starts at 7 p.m.) at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Broad Street. Among the speakers will be Mayor Pete Buttigieg, If you are interested in attending, get your tickets online, vademocrats.org.

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Men's Forum

at the home of

Dale Mann

12778 Mount Hermon Road, Ashland

Wednesday, June 26 at 7 pm

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