[Libs-Or] !Civics for Adults January-Feb. Workshops! And, lots more good info!

[dcoheninfo at comcast.net]

Civics for Adults Update January 11, 2026

 

Upcoming workshops!

Representation, Our Federal Government and the Constitution

We'll look at the Constitution's creation, trace major changes and examine
current limitations. We'll shatter some myths! Current status of democracy-
The Constitution-Current issues of representation-Are changes needed?

"Donna is a consummate professional. Donna delivered relevant, timely,
fact-based information in a non-partisan way. Participants were engaged and
left knowing more. Thank you, Donna." ~ Liz Goodrich, Events Supervisor,
Deschutes PL

Thurs. Jan. 22.   4-5:30 PST! 6-7:30 CST! Virtual! Check time zone!

Register:  <https://tinyurl.com/ValleyCenterConstitution>
https://tinyurl.com/ValleyCenterConstitution  

Mon. Jan. 26. 4:30-6:00 PST! 6:30-8 CST! Virtual. Check time zone!

Register:
<https://cche.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/cche/event.jsp?event=1040>
https://cche.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/cche/event.jsp?event=1040  

 

Citizen Activism 101- Making Change Happen

Historical perspective; Examples of successful advocacy; Tools / strategies
for change

Having your voice be heard; Tracking legislation and submitting testimony
[aka your opinion]

Wed. Feb. 4.  6-7:30 PM PST In-person.

Multnomah County Library-Holgate Branch, 7905 SE Holgate Blvd., PDX, OR  

 

Selected Civics for Adults Facebook posts:

Here is quite an interesting article on the immediate spread on social media
of AI generated images relating to the shooting in Minneapolis. Good warning
to us all. Unfortunately, too many people fall for this, especially if it
confirms an existing bias of what may have happened ["confirmation bias"].

 
<https://www.newsguardrealitycheck.com/p/minneapolis-ice-shooting-gets-ai?fb
clid=IwY2xjawPQzqFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMMDBFZnJ4R2Q3MUJEM1RDc3J0YwZhcHBfa
WQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHszryAPWrpgCIbha13ahZljYPmCXQZbXITB-OGBrGKLTQmZE7
VLwNkxxciNg_aem_C6DW8akqdGKbD_XazIQSKQ>
https://www.newsguardrealitycheck.com/p/minneapolis-ice-shooting-gets-ai?fbc
lid=IwY2xjawPQzqFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMMDBFZnJ4R2Q3MUJEM1RDc3J0YwZhcHBfaW
QQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHszryAPWrpgCIbha13ahZljYPmCXQZbXITB-OGBrGKLTQmZE7V
LwNkxxciNg_aem_C6DW8akqdGKbD_XazIQSKQ 

**

It's interesting to compare what happened in Venezuela with the invasion of
Panama and taking of Noriega in 1989. They are not the same. Here are some
resources:

Bush Orders Invasion of Panama. 1989. Annenberg Center.

 
<https://www.annenbergclassroom.org/timeline_event/bush-orders-invasion-pana
ma/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExTDAwRWZyeEdkNzFCRDNUQ3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDI
yMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6we9KuvDAkVDKf_nq0S4RCdlvE98dz1QF0ULen6FHLd_Hgf0lUJH-
quUzksw_aem_tX1GCk-7fklJ8ajRCXtuog>
https://www.annenbergclassroom.org/timeline_event/bush-orders-invasion-panam
a/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExTDAwRWZyeEdkNzFCRDNUQ3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIy
MjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6we9KuvDAkVDKf_nq0S4RCdlvE98dz1QF0ULen6FHLd_Hgf0lUJH-q
uUzksw_aem_tX1GCk-7fklJ8ajRCXtuog 

Issues Related to US Invasion. GAO. 1991
<https://www.gao.gov/assets/nsiad-91-174fs.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJp
ZBExTDAwRWZyeEdkNzFCRDNUQ3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6UtLAwa8Wz
4ENUBmX15a5SADPuOtxYkkeNatQqbKi4yIhlhSH9U9rHctRXrw_aem_ow4byRxEcJxtH1YDHg4Ln
g> https://www.gao.gov/assets/nsiad-91-174fs.pdf 

Venezuela Isn't Panama-No Matter How Much Trump Wishes It Were. Ghosh. Time.
Jan 3, 2026 

 
<https://time.com/7342906/venezuela-maduro-trump-panama/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW
0CMTAAYnJpZBExTDAwRWZyeEdkNzFCRDNUQ3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR
7PHR6OGvEv-EvE1WOfKde-l83xlLoN1x3Mx6Ujb79KEoXttDlyEn41g0M5kQ_aem_Pu3cx2oe_kj
etOXEbxx3PA> https://time.com/7342906/venezuela-maduro-trump-panama/ 

Panama 1989 is not a good model for dealing with Venezuela. Cristina
Guevara. The Hill. - 10/02/25

 
<https://thehill.com/opinion/international/5533685-panama-venezuela-interven
tion-comparison/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExTDAwRWZyeEdkNzFCRDNUQ3NydG
MGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7r77ZofRaaf7IcvA9d-iu1xkz7OWnJk9-OX_3xzW
qvUacvp8bv63sGxCYQSg_aem_4IsPcwW-KfRKxCFHXfSF7Q>
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/5533685-panama-venezuela-intervent
ion-comparison/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExTDAwRWZyeEdkNzFCRDNUQ3NydGM
GYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7r77ZofRaaf7IcvA9d-iu1xkz7OWnJk9-OX_3xzWq
vUacvp8bv63sGxCYQSg_aem_4IsPcwW-KfRKxCFHXfSF7Q 

**

The K-shaped economy of the rich doing fine and everyone else struggling is
back - and it could mean a rocky 2026 [Origin: Business Insider
(subscription required) but routed via MSN newsfeed]

I talk about this in my Misinformation workshop [scheduled in March].

"When I take a look at the policy landscape, it's all tilted toward the
upper spur of the K," Brusuelas said. "So I'm expecting a further widening
of that fundamental inequality in coming years."

 
<https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/the-k-shaped-economy-of-the-rich-do
ing-fine-and-everyone-else-struggling-is-back-and-it-could-mean-a-rocky-2026
/ar-AA1TrP4V?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=695881055cbd4d12b4fda306f078cc3a&ei=
43&fbclid=IwY2xjawPQz3hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMMDBFZnJ4R2Q3MUJEM1RDc3J0YwZh
cHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpS0sDBrxbPgQ1QGZfXlrlIAM-463FiSR41q1CpsqLjI
iGWFIf1T2sdy1Fev_aem_ow4byRxEcJxtH1YDHg4Lng>
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/the-k-shaped-economy-of-the-rich-doi
ng-fine-and-everyone-else-struggling-is-back-and-it-could-mean-a-rocky-2026/
ar-AA1TrP4V?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=695881055cbd4d12b4fda306f078cc3a&ei=4
3&fbclid=IwY2xjawPQz3hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMMDBFZnJ4R2Q3MUJEM1RDc3J0YwZhc
HBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpS0sDBrxbPgQ1QGZfXlrlIAM-463FiSR41q1CpsqLjIi
GWFIf1T2sdy1Fev_aem_ow4byRxEcJxtH1YDHg4Lng 

 

**

Jack Smith Deposition Transcript and Video. Dec 2025

Transcript
<https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.
gov/files/2025-12/Smith-Depo-Transcript_Redacted-w-Errata.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xja
wPQ0A5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMMDBFZnJ4R2Q3MUJEM1RDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5M
Tc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhynuTTXSidspMwpv6eMzt6R2wp0sGhmRQL8TxbvFad4bJq6TsAugPP1fquD_
aem_3f-syYBYFwEYZAiiNnNJ5A>
https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.g
ov/files/2025-12/Smith-Depo-Transcript_Redacted-w-Errata.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjaw
PQ0A5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMMDBFZnJ4R2Q3MUJEM1RDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MT
c4ODIwMDg5MgABHhynuTTXSidspMwpv6eMzt6R2wp0sGhmRQL8TxbvFad4bJq6TsAugPP1fquD_a
em_3f-syYBYFwEYZAiiNnNJ5A  

Video
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=lR-bhPzQYUE&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW
0CMTAAYnJpZBExTDAwRWZyeEdkNzFCRDNUQ3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR
5xnsX0KgJheC7jnAsc_9B-c2hmu2bjqFjf866HpaFE0Zp_hGo1Gi3hjWPiSg_aem_D1XWT1K-Eln
sWcA45FvUzA> https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=lR-bhPzQYUE

**

A heads-up - I am noticing A LOT of bogus emails supposedly coming from the
Social Security Administration. I would be DEEPLY SUSPICIOUS of any email
that says it's from SSA. Please pass the word along, especially to those in
the SS age range. CHECK THE FROM: EMAIL ADDRESS!

**

In 1795 Thomas Paine wrote a wonderful short essay entitled "Agrarian
Justice". In it he "proposes a system of social welfare, including old-age
pensions and a citizen's dividend, funded by a tax on land inheritance.
Paine argued that while private property is necessary, land was originally
common property, so landowners owe a "ground-rent" to the community, which
should be used to provide a basic income for all citizens, especially the
poor and elderly. It is considered a foundational text for modern concepts
like universal basic income and land value tax." 

I recommend this essay for all. It may be old but its ideas are completely
relevant to today.

 <https://www.ssa.gov/history/paine4.html>
https://www.ssa.gov/history/paine4.html 

**

The Founders worried about concentrated wealth. Yet, that is where we are
now. Here is one example, from the agricultural sector.



We Went to Arkansas. The Farm Crisis Will Shock You

 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl02K72QFS0>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl02K72QFS0 

 

 

 

**

Thank you to all the sponsors that have hosted my workshops!

Over the years, Civics for Adults has presented in many venues. Most often,
libraries sponsor workshops, but other groups, like the League of Women
Voters and other private organizations have also been supporters. Following
is a list of sponsors. Keep in mind that for many of them, if not most,
these libraries/organizations have funded multiple workshops. Shout out to
Hillsboro PL in Oregon, which has sponsored too many to recollect [more than
12!].

[Note: location is Oregon unless otherwise indicated.]




 




Bethany 

Bloomfield PL [CT]

Cook Cnty. Higher Ed. [MN]

Cedar Mill

Cheshire PL [CT]

Columbia County 

Coos Bay

Cornelius

Corvallis

Estacada

Florence

Forest Grove 

FVRL - Vancouver [WA]

FVRL - Battleground [WA]

FVRL - Three Creeks [WA]

Hillsboro - Brookwood

Hillsboro - Shute Pk

Lake Oswego

Lakeview

LWV Deschutes Cnty.

McMinnville

Milwaukie High Sch.

Mult Cnty - Albina

Mult Cnty - Belmont

Mult Cnty - Central

Mult Cnty - Hillsdale

Mult Cnty - Hollywood

Mult Cnty - Midland

Mult Cnty - North Portland

Mult Cnty - Sellwood

Mult Cnty - St Johns

Mult Cnty - St Johns 

Mult Cnty - West Slope/GardenHome

Mult Cnty - Woodstock

New Britain [CT]

Newberg

Oakhurst [CA]

OLA - Support Staff Div. Conf.

OLA/WLA OLA/Washington Lib. Assn.

Oregon City

Oregon Library Assn. [OLA]

Oregon Reference Summit Conf.

Our Just Future

Public Library Assn. Conf.

Salem

Schenectady PL [NY]

Seaside

Sharon-Stoughton [MA] [LWV]

Sherwood

Silver Falls

St Helens

Tigard

Valley Center PL [KN]

Wash Cnty CPO

Wesley Communities [WA]

West Linn

Wilsonville

Woodburn




 

**

More 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://files.cdn-files-a.com/uploads/2516289/normal_68015c18b94c1.pdf>
https://files.cdn-files-a.com/uploads/2516289/normal_68015c18b94c1.pdf 

 

Donna L Cohen, MLIS, MEd

Portland, Oregon

503-333-2646

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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