When the Clatsop County Democratic Central Committee meets this week they will consider motions to remove two precinct committee chairs. Ann Samuelson and Peter Hackett. They would also consider rescinding the appointment of Samuelson as an alternate first congressional district delegate and rescinding the appointment of Hackett as an alternate delegate to the Democratic Party of Oregon.
Commissioner Samuelson has found herself falling further out of step with the philosophy of the local Democratic Central Committee as a result of that committee's stance on LNG, amongst other things. Peter Hackett runs the local office for Bradwood Landing LNG. Need I say more?
It seems that the Clatsop Democrats are continuing a process that they started some time ago and are just cleaning up some loose ends with these changes in representation. The local party now represents those who are opposed to any LNG facility siting here, are angry over the federal government approving the Bradwood Landing project even with the conditions attached. By pulling Samuelson and Hackett the party moves forward to back the Governor's objections to the FERC approval and will, without doubt, fully back Democratic Rep. Boone's proposed legislation to put more hurtles before LNG developers statewide.
Commissioner Samuelson wrote me about this saying her experience with Democratic leaders outside Clatsop County is quite different. More open discussion and divergent opinion perhaps? Maybe in private discussions but not as public policy.
The young Obama administration has made much about the importance of bipartisan cooperation but you don't see much in the way of divergence within those parties. Leadership maintains a strong hand on the tiller.
So here's the point. If you want to be a successful politician in today's environment you have to accept that majority rules. If the majority of the Clatsop Democratic Central Committee is heading in one direction and you are heading in the other it's time to either work toward removing those who disagree with you or find a new party that more closely reflects your personal views.
and the democrats call themselves "inclusive"?
ReplyDeletejust goes to show how out of whack the county democrat association really is. that is sad because ann samualson works her tail off for the democratic party and for it's mainstream causes (most of which i am against heh heh)
at some point the mainstream democrats will wake up to this nonsense and get their party back focusing on the big picture.
in the mean time it is a good opportunity for the repubs to make some headway in clatsop county.
miracles can happen ya know!
"If the majority of the Clatsop Democratic Central Committee is heading in one direction and you are heading in the other it's time to either work toward removing those who disagree with you or find a new party that more closely reflects your personal views."
ReplyDeleteThe only problem with this, Tom, is that this little group ISN'T what the majority feels - they literally are the anti-LNG'ers, and heaven forbid there is any diversity. It's shameful!
People want to join the party to help, to encourage their friends and neighbors to vote, etc., and they are kicked out because they don't agree with the others on a subject they shouldn't be involved with anyway? What the heck???
Did Hackett all of a sudden start running that office or wasn't he there all along? How did he get appointed and then rescinded? I thought Democrats were the ones that weren't afraid of diversity, of different viewpoints, weren't only tolerant of everyone's opinion but glorified being stronger for it?
ReplyDeleteBut let me get this right. Now the Democrats of Clatsop County want to start getting rid of people because: one person dared to follow the law (even though she knew her party had resolved to oppose LNG and she could be committing political suicide) and another person's job is in an energy industry? Now people must choose between their JOBS or their POLITICAL PARTY?
So, these Democrats would rather have a weak, corrupt, politician that they can control rather than a strong politician who will not be pushed around and people who will blindly abandon their careers as well as anything else to do as the party tells them to?
This is the Democratic Party? It really sounds more like a cult to me.
local demo are very similar to the national ones, bipartisan cooperation is best defined as my way or the highway, no room for ideas not invented here.
ReplyDeleteEvening Tom,
ReplyDeleteWe had a great turn out for our meeting in Jewell for the community to talk about disaster preparedness, and how we can better help each other. This last snow storm seemed minor to north county in comparison to what we experienced out here rurally. West Oregon Electric spent approx. $ 502,000.00 restoring power and many of us were without power for 14 days...we are planning for the future...and I'll continue to hope for the future of the local democratic party as I work for constituents in my district and the county overall...I have many good friends that are democrats, but apparently they are not on the Clatsop Co. Central Committee, and that's ok...another opportunity to practice forgiveness!
I'm going to the middle and staying there.
ReplyDeleteShoulda stayed ther all along.
I invite all democrats to come "eat cake" at tonights Clatsop County Democrats meeting, I will bring the cake.
ReplyDeleteAnn Samuelson
What I witnessed tonight at the Clatsop Co. Democratic meeting was one of the most unAmerican, undemocratic processes ever. I was voted out, no discussion, point of order was not agknowledged, basically railroaded. I asked a voting member after it was over why? I was told that I had "brown nosed" Hazen all the way to New York City...when actually we went to Washington D.C. on a very tiring short trip to assure that the FERC Commission agknowledged our Clatsop County contract with Bradwood Landing, assuring that promises to the County were kept. People in attendance were agast, as was I. I did bring a cake, on it I had written a number of things I've worked on as a Commissioner in the last two years...they ate the cake...need I say more...as always I will continue to serve my constituents in District 5, and the County as whole. Fogiveness is a skill...I'm getting good at it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I repeat: It is so kind of you Ann to forgive those who perseccute against you and let's hope they are just as quick to reiterate.
ReplyDelete