In the beginning…

As the third generation of leaders for OTMDems gets a solid start out of the gate, we would do well to revisit briefly our original purpose and design.  In the immediate aftermath of the 2004 election it seemed that our party had fairly well reached its nadir in these parts.  Party-switching raged, spirits were abysmal, and most everyone of our stripe was feeling thoroughly discouraged, isolated and powerless.  As W, Dick, and Donald gloated, those were dark days indeed.  However, there existed here any number of generally ordinary and anonymous folk who believed they might go stark-raving mad if they didn’t do something more than continue to argue with their televisions and lecture their kids at the supper table.  We were pediatricians and teachers, realtors and retailers, accountants and lawyers, bankers and business people, from every walk of life.  More importantly, we were little league coaches and scout leaders, PTA committee chairs and deacons, too.  What we shared was that we were Democrats, and we felt a call to action.

We embarked upon an effort to organize and advocate for the issues and values we held most dearly – “fairness, integrity, compassion and economic opportunity for every citizen.” Whether it was the economy, healthcare, education, the environment, or a fraudulent war to motivate, we ignited a spontaneous eruption of grassroots activism and community organizing.  Knowing that reasoning is more persuasive than chest-poking, we were determined that our activities be dignified and respectful, and most of all inclusive of diverse points of view.  In this way we might draw our more open-minded friends and neighbors to hear us out.  Most importantly, we believed that developing bonds of friendship, lubricated with a glass or two of Ben Franklin’s favorite beverage along the way, might make life for progressives in the Deep South a bit more hospitable.

So whether it was Stem Cell Research, Universal Healthcare, or Family Night at the Barons, we organized and attended countless meetings, collected the dues, booked the lecture halls, invited the speakers, printed the programs, and advertised on WBHM.  We printed business cards, postcards, bumper stickers and tee-shirts.  And we distributed our fair share of those brite blue dots, thereby gleefully irritating a few wing-nuts every day in traffic. Throughout, our mission, simply put, was to make it more socially-acceptable to be publicly-identified as a Democrat in the communities where we lived.  And, by golly, the world noticed.

It’s been both adventure and education.  Not all Democrats are honest and not all Republicans are unhinged (although I must remind myself anew of this each day…) And like anything else of value in this world, it wasn’t accomplished without a gi-normous amount of elbow grease from a whole lot of people.  The list is way too long to acknowledge here, but you know who you are, and we are grateful.

It is the nature of politics to ebb and flow, as does life itself.  The other side does not rest.  And as Big “O” has said, his election did not bring change we need, it brought the chance to bring that change.  Our work is not done as long as children can’t read, people die from a lack of access to basic healthcare, and needed reforms are stymied.  Our candidates and elected officials need our support and resolve more than ever.  There are countless ways to do that, and we urge you to find your favorites and stay active.  If you see fit and have it to spare, consider renewing your dues (they’re downright cheap at $25) and attend our meetings (see Ben Franklin reference above.) I am deeply indebted to all the fast friends I’ve made, the wisdom they’ve imparted, and the hard work they’ve contributed.  May we share many more ales and endeavors in the years to come!

Warmest regards,
John Crenshaw

Welcome our New Board

Starting this week we will feature a weekly column by one of our recently elected board members.  Up this week--The Original OTMDem--Chair Emeritus--John Crenshaw re-introduces himself and shares his thoughts on the OTMDems, the rest of the Dems and the world at large. Check back Friday and the first Friday of each month for John’s words of wisdom.

Chair:  Craig Niedenthal –
Vice Chair:  Bob Parker
VP of Membership – Patty Warren
VP of Finance – Norman Berk
Chair Emeritus – John Crenshaw
VP Issues & Programs – TBD

General Meeting

At our upcoming General Meeting, March 16, 2010, Kimble Forrister, State Coordinator for Alabama Arise, will come to discuss actions we can take to effectively work for removal of the state tax on groceries.  Mr. Forrister will also address other issues on the Arise Issue Priorities for 2010.  Come join us @ 6:30PM, Homewood Library, Room 101.

Many members expressed an interest in learning more about local issues and things we can do to effect change in Alabama. Removal of the state portion of tax on groceries was named as a top priority.
Come and learn from one of the most effective and respected organizers in our state.  More importantly, come make a difference.

For more information, see Alabama Arise’s website:  http://www.alarise.org

Faith and Politics RoundTable

The Faith and Politics Roundtable (formerly The Minister’s Caucus) is having an excellent speaker at its next meeting,
Tuesday, March 9th, 6:30PM, Homewood Library, Room 110. 
Come hear Kristina Scott, Executive Director of the Alabama Poverty Project, discuss what we can do to better the state we live in.  (AlabamaPossbile.Org)

Also, don’t forget the monthly Faith and Politics Roundtable Lunch. 
Tuesday, February 23, 11:30 AM @ Formosa Chinese Restaurant, Lorna Road, Hoover.
Eat some great Chinese food and talk faith and its workings within the political world (yeah, we talk about that in between barbs about Alabama vs. Auburn football).