Ridding our government of authoritarian-minded individuals
Covered in bugs, “a smell like dead rotting fish…” Thus was the condition of a Klickitat County Jail inmate when brought to a hospital last November. According to an article published March 13 by Oregon Public Broadcasting. The woman, according to a Goldendale police officer, had been in jail for more than two months and “had been deteriorating for a significant period of time.”
“I was about ten feet outside the room and could smell her infection,” the police officer noted. “While standing outside I could visibly see the bugs in her hair and see how weak and in pain she was.” At the hospital, nurses requested medication to treat sepsis, a condition that arises when the body is fighting a severe infection.
Klickitat County Jail Supervisor Loren Culp and his boss, Sheriff Bob Songer, reacted predictably.
“It’s easy to blame the jail, but this is a problem that who created?” said Culp before answering his own question: “The state of Washington.”
“Our hands are pretty much tied,” said Songer.
Other law enforcement officials don’t share Songer’s and Culp’s “hands tied” assessment. In the same OPB article, Cindy Morrow, a Clark County corrections deputy, pointed out that, “We have inmates that, if we left them unattended, they’d turn out exactly like what you described. We get them up, we wash them off, we get them fresh clothes.”
Ridding our government of authoritarian-minded individuals, be they local like Songer and Culp, or be they national like Donald Trump, is a moral imperative for our nation. It is shameful—not to mention potentially liable—for our county to neglect jail inmates. It would be shameful for our nation to round up millions of undocumented residents and herd them into massive prison camps, as Trump and his minions pledge to do if Trump regains the presidency. But shame doesn’t enter the lexicon of would-be and actual despots. Cruelty and vengefulness take the place of humanity and compassion.
As blatantly obvious as the criminality of Trump and Trumpism is, we’re also seeing that the Courts are not going to rescue us. It’s up to us, we the people, to defeat these malign forces at the ballot box, locally and nationally. In what ways can you, dear reader, help join the battle for “the soul of our nation”?
Several individuals from Klickitat County have already pledged to run for a state delegate position in this important election year--and there's room for more! Please consider running to represent us at the state convention--and beyond, if you dare. Please let us know if you're interested in being a delegate--reply to this email.
Klickitat County Dems stepping up to volunteer
Numerous individuals on the KCDP Letters to the Editor team have had letters published recently in one or more of our local newspapers, including Barbara Beattie, Mark Browne, Howard Bulick, Sandy Dement, April George, Steve Heitmann, Sue Kusch, Sandy Montag, and Bob Yoesle. Kudos to team leaders Mark Browne and Sue Kusch!
We're getting more volunteers signing up to help staff our KCDP Booths at local festivals and at the county fair this year. Haven't signed up yet? Here's the link. Four individuals have signed up to be on the KCDP Booth Planning team--bravo!
More than 30 individuals have already picked up a Bob Ferguson for Governor yard sign. Did you get yours yet? Reply to this email if you want one.
Over 60 members have paid their 2024 dues. It costs money to rent booths at events, so every bit helps. Some of you have donated more than that--thank you! If you haven't done so yet, click this link to find out the different ways you can join or renew. Thank you! (You can join for free if your financial situation prevents you from paying. Just let us know you need a free membership, and we'll place you on our membership roll.)
Upcoming Events
Goldendale Drinking Democratically is back!: We'll resume gathering at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday each month, beginning March 21, at Ayutla's Mexican Restaurant, 630 E. Simcoe Drive, Goldendale
West County Drinking Democratically: Fourth Thursday each month--so March 28 this month, 6:30 p.m. at Ayutlense Mexican Restaurant, 120 E. Steuben, Bingen
KCDP Quarterly Membership Meeting: 6 p.m. June 3, location to be announced. WA State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti and State Insurance Commissioner candidate Patty Kuderer have tentatively committed to join us, so mark your calendar!
Tuesday County Commissioners Meetings: The Commissioners meet on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. at the Klickitat County Services Building, 115 West Court, Room #201, in Goldendale. They're accessible via Zoom at this link. Public commentary takes place at the beginning of the meeting. For meeting agendas, click here.