[Libs-Or] Civics for Adults Update! Lots of good info here.

Wed Jan 29 22:00:41 PST 2025

Civics for Adults Update January 29, 2025

Welcome to 2025!

I am taking a short [couple of months] "sabbatical" as I review the tons of
material I've gathered over 9+ years, think about what we [the public] need
now, and contemplate some refinements to the workshops.

I am open to suggestions for format additions. Currently, it is an hour
presentation followed by a half-hour discussion. In particular I wonder if
some participants might like an opportunity for more time to examine their
own ideas, in a format that has less content but more directed discussion
time. 

For example, many of various political stripes do not feel represented by
our government - especially on the federal level. There are good reasons for
this, which I cover briefly in the Constitution workshop. However, perhaps a
workshop that focused only on issues of representation - and solutions that
have been proposed - would be a workshop that folks would like?

Feel free to email me your thoughts!

Selected Civics for Adults Facebook posts:

Filing a FOIA request

>From Facebook group: Alt National Park Service

Something important for the American people to know is how to file a Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA) request. It's a simple process to access public
records and hold government agencies accountable:

1. Find the Agency: Identify the federal agency likely to have the
information you need.

2. Submit Your Request: Write a clear FOIA request, including details about
the information you're seeking. Submit it via email, mail, or the agency's
FOIA portal.

3. Wait for a Response: Agencies have 20 business days to respond, though
complex requests may take longer. [But, they have to let you know if it will
take longer.]

4. Pay Fees (If Necessary): Basic requests are often free, but larger ones
may have costs for searching, copying, or processing.

5. Appeal if Needed: If your request is denied, you can appeal or take
further action.

The FOIA is a powerful tool for transparency-use it to stay informed.

**

>From The Brennan Center @BrennanCenter

"The Supreme Court's Citizens United decision is 15 years old...Billionaires
haven't had this much influence over U.S. politics since the 19th century."

Money's Control Over Politics Has Never Been Greater. Waldman. Brennan
Center. 1/14/25.

<https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/moneys-control-over
-politics-has-never-been-greater>
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/moneys-control-over-
politics-has-never-been-greater 

**

Billionaire Clans Spend Nearly $2 BILLION On 2024 Elections

<https://americansfortaxfairness.org/billionaire-clans-spend-nearly-2-billio
n-2024-elections/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHnmv9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXPuFrZTYcvhiVWxxoAhP
-noAnxHEikTWFXD4xRtpL-LixmrcHFWxsdRWg_aem_XsT6EFdekvzGC28cc1H-nw>
https://americansfortaxfairness.org/billionaire-clans-spend-nearly-2-billion
-2024-elections/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHnmv9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXPuFrZTYcvhiVWxxoAhP-
noAnxHEikTWFXD4xRtpL-LixmrcHFWxsdRWg_aem_XsT6EFdekvzGC28cc1H-nw 

**

Oregon has published a sanctuary toolkit on the state website.

<https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-department-of-justice/civil-rights/sanct
uary-promise/community-toolkit/>
https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-department-of-justice/civil-rights/sanctu
ary-promise/community-toolkit/ 

**

Here is the final REPORT from Special Counsel Jack Smith. 1/7/2025

<https://www.justice.gov/storage/Report-of-Special-Counsel-Smith-Volume-1-Ja
nuary-2025.pdf>
https://www.justice.gov/storage/Report-of-Special-Counsel-Smith-Volume-1-Jan
uary-2025.pdf 

Here is the final COURT FILING from Special Counsel Jack Smith. 10/2/2024. 

<https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2024/10/gov.uscourts.dcd_.2581
48.252.0.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawIEtfdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSKIRREF2U_SQ1Q5MTA8ys-8CG
lW8d4CJsXy8ecPfHE4Dih4MUpkBJWThA_aem_J9jR6CRQsVKjV4sIFmARJw>
https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2024/10/gov.uscourts.dcd_.25814
8.252.0.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawIEtfdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSKIRREF2U_SQ1Q5MTA8ys-8CGl
W8d4CJsXy8ecPfHE4Dih4MUpkBJWThA_aem_J9jR6CRQsVKjV4sIFmARJw

These lay out the evidence regarding J6 in light of the Supreme Court's
immunity ruling last summer. If you have not read either of the Smith court
filings, nor his report, I do encourage you to read any of them. I'm a firm
believer that it's best to look at primary source materials to form one's
opinions, not to just rely on our numerous "talking heads" that appear,
well, everywhere, now, seeking to interpret reality for us. 

**

In that same vein, there is nothing like watching Congressional hearings -
such as for the recent Cabinet post nominations.

Examples. Find more on the websites of the relevant Committees.

1/14/25 Peter Hegseth. For Secretary of Defense. Senate Armed Services
Committee.

<https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/to-conduct-a-confirmation-he
aring-on-the-expected-nomination-of-mr-peter-b-hegseth-to-be-secretary-of-de
fense>
https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/to-conduct-a-confirmation-hea
ring-on-the-expected-nomination-of-mr-peter-b-hegseth-to-be-secretary-of-def
ense 

1/16/2025 Eric Turner. For Secretary of HUD. Senate Banking, Housing and
Urban Affairs Committee.

 <https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings/01/09/2025/nomination-hearing>
https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings/01/09/2025/nomination-hearing 

**

Congratulations to Portland for embarking on its new government! I watched
the first session of City Council where, among other things, they spent
quite a while choosing the Council President. It was a long process - but,
democracy in action!

**

Lots more good stuff on my Civics for Adults Facebook page!

More at  <https://www.facebook.com/Civics-for-Adults-1490728887922036>
https://www.facebook.com/Civics-for-Adults-1490728887922036 

Ask your local library or community group to sponsor a workshop! Thanks. 

Flyer describing workshops:
<https://static.s123-cdn.com/uploads/2516289/normal_5fe8c854352d5.pdf>
https://static.s123-cdn.com/uploads/2516289/normal_5fe8c854352d5.pdf 

Donna

Donna L Cohen, MLIS, MEd

Portland, Oregon

503-737-1425

dcoheninfo at comcast.net <mailto:dcoheninfo at comcast.net>  

Civics for Adults - and Others - Workshops: To Enhance Civic Knowledge and
Inspire Political Engagement

Webpage www.civicthinker.info <http://www.civicthinker.info/>  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Civics-for-Adults-1490728887922036/

"My philosophy is very simple. When you see something that is not fair, not
right, not just - stand up, say something, speak up!" Rep. John Lewis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6lzPpqc2WY 

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