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September 21st, 2020

9/21/2020

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In tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday, Sept. 18, at age 87. (SCOTUSblog photo)
It was my honor to preside over her confirmation hearings, and to strongly support her accession to the Supreme Court,” Biden said. “In the decades since, she was consistently and reliably the voice that pierced to the heart of every issue, protected the constitutional rights of every American, and never failed in the fierce and unflinching defense of liberty and freedom. Her opinions, and her dissents, will continue to shape the basis of our law for future generations. ...
"There is no doubt — let me be clear: The voters should pick the president, and the president should pick the justice for the Senate to consider,” Biden told reporters following news of Ginsburg’s death. “This was the position the Republican Senate took in 2016 when there were almost 10 months to go before the election. That’s the position the United States Senate must take today, and the election is only 46 days off.”
–– Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden

"Tonight we mourn, we honor, and we pray for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her family. But we also recommit to fight for her legacy," Harris wrote on Friday night.
"In some of her final moments with her family, she shared her fervent wish to 'not be replaced until a new President is installed.' We will honor that wish."
–– Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris

​
"Sixty years ago, Ruth Bader Ginsburg applied to be a Supreme Court clerk. She’d studied at two of our finest law schools and had ringing recommendations. But because she was a woman, she was rejected. Ten years later, she sent her first brief to the Supreme Court — which led it to strike down a state law based on gender discrimination for the first time. And then, for nearly three decades, as the second woman ever to sit on the highest court in the land, she was a warrior for gender equality — someone who believed that equal justice under law only had meaning if it applied to every single American.
"Over a long career on both sides of the bench — as a relentless litigator and an incisive jurist — Justice Ginsburg helped us see that discrimination on the basis of sex isn’t about an abstract ideal of equality; that it doesn’t only harm women; that it has real consequences for all of us. It’s about who we are — and who we can be.
"Justice Ginsburg inspired the generations who followed her, from the tiniest trick-or-treaters to law students burning the midnight oil to the most powerful leaders in the land. Michelle and I admired her greatly, we’re profoundly thankful for the legacy she left this country, and we offer our gratitude and our condolences to her children and grandchildren tonight.
"Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought to the end, through her cancer, with unwavering faith in our democracy and its ideals. That’s how we remember her. But she also left instructions for how she wanted her legacy to be honored.
​
Four and a half years ago, when Republicans refused to hold a hearing or an up-or-down vote on Merrick Garland, they invented the principle that the Senate shouldn’t fill an open seat on the Supreme Court before a new president was sworn in.
"A basic principle of the law — and of everyday fairness — is that we apply rules with consistency, and not based on what’s convenient or advantageous in the moment. The rule of law, the legitimacy of our courts, the fundamental workings of our democracy all depend on that basic principle. As votes are already being cast in this election, Republican Senators are now called to apply that standard. The questions before the Court now and in the coming years — with decisions that will determine whether or not our economy is fair, our society is just, women are treated equally, our planet survives, and our democracy endures — are too consequential to future generations for courts to be filled through anything less than an unimpeachable process."
–– Former Presiident Barack Obama

"Ruth Bader Ginsburg created a landscape and set the legal framework for women’s equality in this country — case by case, brick by brick. She was ahead of her time, a true pioneer. Her story was remarkable. Throughout her career, she faced discrimination at every turn –– for being a woman, for being Jewish, for being a mother –– yet overcame it to sit on the highest court in our country.
"Along the way, her work in the legal system led to landmark structural changes that reduced gender discrimination and created more equal protections for all Americans. Her efforts have helped create a more just and fair country – and ensured that even if she was the first one to make it through a certain door, she wouldn’t be the last. Throughout my life and career, in the law and in government, I have walked through doors that she opened. From the time I was a young lawyer, I was inspired by her incredible intelligence, her tenacity, and her unfailing moral compass that guided her work toward creating a more perfect union, one with equal opportunities for all of us.
“Fierce, persistent and filled with grit, she was our hope and our inspiration. Justice Ginsburg never, ever gave up and America is better for it. We can honor her legacy by continuing to work to dismantle all forms of inequality and discrimination, in our justice system and in our lives, with everything we have. Dan and I send our love to her entire family as they mourn the loss of an American icon and legend.”
-- ​Oregon Gov. Kate Brown

​"We are deeply saddened by the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A champion for women's rights, she was an iconic hero and tireless intellect who fiercely advocated for the marginalized throughout her long and amazing career. Today, there is a hole in our hearts, and a deep lonely cavern in America's justice community."
–– Democratic Party of Oregon Chair KC Hanson


"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death is a staggering loss for all of us. We must honor her by respecting her final wishes.
The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.
–– Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden

"Last night, America lost a giant. She stood just an inch over five feet, but Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a towering force in our nation for decades.She died on the first evening of Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year. In her Jewish tradition, one who dies on Rosh Hashanah is considered a tzaddik, "a person of great righteousness.
"And she was.
"She was also a fierce champion for justice, righting historic wrongs, and standing up for the underdog against the powerful. We must fight for and advance her legacy.
"Shamefully, less than an hour after news broke of her death, Mitch McConnell called for a vote on a Trump-appointed replacement. We can't let that happen.
"If we are to have any chance of ensuring that Justice Ginsburg's successor shares her values, we must take back the U.S. Senate.We can do that by supporting those who are working eighty-hour weeks organizing volunteers, driving the vote, and making our victories in 2020 possible.The Blue "Wave Project is my project to support great Senate candidates and deliver last-minute support wherever it is needed in the fight to take back the Senate.
"So much is at stake. Roe v. Wade hangs in the balance. Voting rights. The ability of employees and consumers to hold big corporations accountable for harm. And so much more.
"The Court has become the most powerful nine-person legislative body in the world. There have been dozens and dozens of 5-4 decisions against the People and for the powerful. It must end. We cannot allow RBG to be replaced by a right-wing ideologue.
This is a time to mourn. But it is also a time to vote.
This is a time to weep. And it is also a time to organize.
Justice Ginsburg spent her life fighting for her values. Now, we will mourn her by fighting for those same values with everything we got.
Onward.
–– Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley
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September 09th, 2020

9/9/2020

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OREGON WILDFIRES

Wildfire relief efforts: How to help

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VOLUNTEERING
  • Please click here to sign up to volunteer at the Linn County Fair & Expo's Fire Evacuation Shelter.  When you show up to volunteer, please check in at reception area in the main lobby of the Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E., Albany
DONATED GOODS
  • People interested in helping area fire evacuees can drop off donations between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the back of the Fair & Expo Center's Santiam Building. (Enter from Price Road on the southwest side of the center and drive past the livestock buildings to the Santiam Building.) Current needs (as of Thursday afternoon): compression socks, thermometer with disposable covers, wheelchairs, diabetes glucose tabs with machines, nitrile gloves (all sizes), animal watering containers, backpacks, notebooks and phone chargers. Please check the Albany Happenings Facebook page for updated lists of needs.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
  • Linn County has established a Linn County Wildland Fire Fund for victims in the county.  Donations can be made by dropping off cash or checks at the Linn County Courthouse or the Fair & Expo Center.  Please make checks payable to Linn County Wildland Fire Fund.  At the Courthouse, funds can mailed to or dropped off at the Linn County Board of Commissioners Office, Room 200, 300 Fourth Avenue SW, Albany, OR.  The mailing address is P.O. Box 100, Albany, OR 97321.  On behalf of the Linn County Wildland Fire Victims, we sincerely thank you for your support.  
  • ​Red Cross Cascades Region for fire relief efforts
  • Salvation Army for fire relief efforts.

Updates, resources, media coverage 

UPDATES, RESOURCES
  • Updates from Linn County Sheriff's Office​
  • Oregon Wildfire Resources​
  • Map of fires, Oregon Department of Forestry updates​
  • State of Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard
  • Open Red Cross Shelters
  • Find resources and sign up for alerts from your county
  • Find a hotel for emergency lodging
  • Current air quality information
  • Information about how to deal with health threats from wildfire smoke
MEDIA COVERAGE
Sept. 12
  • As wildfire danger eases in south Linn County, some residents return home (Democrat-Herald)
  • ​Dozens still missing, feared dead in wildfires (Associated Press, Sept. 12) 
  • Detroit, Oregon, mayor: We will rebuild (Albany Democrat-Herald, Sept. 12)​

Sept. 11
  • Linn County deputies stand watch over Santiam Canyon (Democrat-Herald, Sept. 11)
  • Linn County 'cowboy convoy' helping to evacuate livestock from danger areas (KEZI, Sept. 11) 
  • Residents on the Linn-Lane county line bracing themselves, showing community spirit in face of wildfire (Democrat-Herald, Sept. 11)
  • Fire status update (Albany Democrat-Herald)
  • Oregon preparing for 'mass fatality incident in wildlife recovery (KOIN)
  • Clackamas County wildfire grows to 130,000 acres, moves within half mile of Estacada; weather improves (Oregon Live)
  • Most of Oregon has poor air quality as smoke sticks around (Statesman Journal)
Sept. 10
  • ​Oregon's deadly wildfires top 900,000 acres burned, up to 40,000 evacuated (Associated Press)
  • A desperate rescue: A father's heartbreaking attempt to save his family from a raging fire (Statesman Journal)
  • Wildfires threaten Silver Falls, Opal Creek other beloved natural ​landmarks (Oregon Live)
  • Evacuated horses being cared for on Tangent property (Albany Democrat-Herald)​

​Sept. 9
  • Santiam Canyon residents search rubble, pray for relief (Albany Democrat-Herald)
  • Photos: Wildfire aftermath in Gates (Democrat-Herald)
  • Gov. Brown: Oregon towns 'substantially destroyed' by wildfires (KGW)
  • Governor's Sept. 9 press conference on the wildfires (KGW, Full video)
  • Boy, grandmother die in fire southeast of Salem (Oregon Live)
  • Holiday Farm Fire now threatens Linn County from the south (Democrat-Herald)
  • Wildfire evacuation orders and resources (Democratic Herald)
  • Oregon Department of Forestry closes state forests in northwest Oregon (Democrat-Herald)
Sept. 8
  • ​​Residents of Santiam Canyon evacuated; smoke fills valley (Albany Democrat-Herald)
  • Governor declares emergency, calls situation ‘​dangerous’  (Oregon Live)​ 
  • Paige Hook, Stayton City Councilor and House District 17 candidate, offered this Facebook Live update 


Comments

September 09th, 2020

9/9/2020

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Linn Dems Campaign Office opening postponed until Sept. 14

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Taking a break from office organizing Sept. 5 with a brief Demonstration for Democracy:
From left are Jackie Montague, Brenda Sterner, Wendy Nilsen and Paula Connaghan.


(Updated Sept. 10)
The Linn County Democrats Campaign Office, at 2850 Santiam Highway S.E., office opening has been postponed until Monday, Sept. 14, because of the continuing smoky conditions from northwest Oregon wildfires.
The office is next to Dutch Bros and across the street from Les Schwab Tires.
Hours will be 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 3.
Joe Biden-Kamala Harris lawn signs and Jeff Merkley, Peter DeFazio and Miriam Cummins lawn signs and Ellen Rosenblum window signs will be available when the office opens. We suggest a donation of $5 for the Biden-Harris signs. 
We also have a variety of campaign buttons and we’ll be making more.
Masks and social distancing will be required in the office.
For more information about the office, contact Paula Connaghan at [email protected] or 541-971-3606, or Graham Kislingbury at [email protected] or 541-974-2075.

Office volunteers needed; please sign up for a shift
Volunteers are needed to staff the office. If you’d like to volunteer, please click this sign-up link:
https://volunteersignup.org/FPDF9

Join our Democratic Demonstrations for Democracy
The Linn County Dems will also host daily Democratic Demonstrations for Democracy from 4 to 5:30 weekdays, starting Monday, Sept. 14.  Up to four people are invited to hold campaign signs and wave to passersby on Santiam Highway from the Dems office parking lot.
Please use this Democratic Demonstrations for Democracy sign-up link:
https://volunteersignup.org/9BRRH

Thank you!
Thanks to the following volunteers for their office-related efforts:
  • Paula Connaghan and Nonie Harcombe for their generous donations, which covered our two-month rent.
  • Jerred Taylor for his great designs of our office banners and street signs; Hub City Graphics’ Brandon Hoefer for his excellent printing of the banners and signs; and Steve Geddes, Keith Kolkow and Graham Kislingbury for installing the banners and street signs.
  • Paula, Wendy Nilsen, Lynn Tylczak and Graham for cleaning, scrubbing and spiffing up the office (formerly Discount Cigarettes) before we moved in.
  • Dave and Karen Scranage, James Sterner, Jackie Montague, Orin Dain, Renee Windsor-White, Paula and Graham for helping to move the office equipment and supplies from the Scranages’ barn near Halsey to the office Saturday morning, Sept. 5
  • Brenda Sterner, Wendy, Paula and Graham for getting the office organized Saturday afternoon, Sept. 5; and Jackie for donating Subway sandwiches for lunch that afternoon and shopping for other office supplies.


Comments

September 09th, 2020

9/9/2020

Comments

 

Paula Connaghan provides
a video preview
of the Linn County 
Democrats Campaign Office
at 2850 Santiam Highway S.E.
in Albany.

Comments

September 09th, 2020

9/9/2020

Comments

 

Photo gallery: Getting the Dems office ready to open

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