A Letter from Co-presidents Carol Pauley and Kathy Hardy

War, huh, yeah, What is it good for? Absolutely nothing – a song by Edwin Starr (1970)

We’re now at war now with Iran. Who’s to blame? It’s Donald Trump, of course. And his henchmen. We’re now at the mercy of dumb and dumber. And he’s done it without the consent of Congress, without a discussion with our allies, and without a clear rationale or goal. If you didn’t think Trump wanted a dictatorship, think again. We should all be worried.

We share your sadness, and fear. Even if our president was a wise and judicious man, surrounded by thoughtful advisers with impeccable integrity and wisdom, this would be a highly dangerous move.

Why did we abandon the Comprehensive Plan of Action that was negotiated with Iran by the U.S. and approved by France, German, the UK, Russia and China? Trump walked away from the treaty because it was made by Obama and we all know that Trump hates everything Obama-related. Our relationship with Iran has worsened with each Trump presidency.

Trump made claims in June 2025, when the U.S. bombed Iran’s nuclear sites, that they were decimated; blown to smithereens with no capacity to rebuild. He reiterated that position at his State of the Union address just last month.

But here we are. What does he want and why now? Regime change? Oil? Mar-a-Largo Iran style? A reprieve from the Epstein debacle? Maybe all of the above.

The U.S. and Israel are engaged in an active military conflict with Iran. It has triggered significant humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical consequences across the region and globally.

• Humanitarian Impact - The war has caused substantial civilian displacement and casualties. The United Nations refugee agency reported that between 600,000 and 1 million Iranian households, representing up to 3.2 million people, have been displaced within Iran, with most fleeing major cities like Tehran toward rural areas. 

• Military Damage - The U.S. and Israel have severely degraded Iran's military infrastructure. American forces destroyed Iranian naval capabilities in the Gulf of Oman, damaged key military bases, and struck nuclear facilities including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using B-2 bombers and bunker-buster bombs. They’ve also damaged several UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• Energy and Economic Disruptions - Oil prices have surged over 40 percent since the war began, driven by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy facilities that has disrupted global oil and gas shipments. These price increases threaten to raise costs for everyday goods, including groceries and transportation, while creating inflation pressures that complicate economic management. There’s that dreaded word “affordability” again.

Also, prioritizing involvement in Iran will distract us from our current domestic issues. The resources used for this war (at least 1 billion dollars a day) would be better spent addressing health care, education, and infrastructure - essential concerns for many Americans. This misplaced focus can lead to public unrest and further lack of trust in government decisions. While we Democrats already are already unhappy, we hope the MAGAs of this world will start to see the light.

• Strategic Risks and Uncertainties – There are significant risks of unintended escalation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard has warned of potential retaliation against U.S. or Israeli banks and infrastructure, and Iranian proxy groups could conduct attacks beyond the region. Involvement in Iran will breed animosity and anti-American sentiment. This will undermine national security, making Americans more vulnerable to terrorist acts in both domestic and international contexts. The perception of the U.S. as the aggressor will lead to retaliatory responses, putting American lives at risk and complicating diplomacy.

• Long-term Geopolitical Consequences - If the conflict continues without a negotiated settlement, it will destabilize Gulf security and strain U.S. relationships with our regional allies, if we have any allies left.

What to do? What we always do – protest, protest protest!

Our song of the month, a new protest song, is by Nils and Amy Lofgren (2026):

No kings no hate no fear our freedom beating here

No kings no hate no fear a mighty people here

We the people in the street

We the people feel the beat

Freedom beating here (for all)

our freedom marching here

Oh oh oh…

Moving on, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, we’ve included a few of our favorite quotes from women.

• A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water - Eleanor Roosevelt
• Action is the antidote to despair – Joan Baez
• Whenever women gather together, failure is impossible – Susan B. Anthony
• Don’t think about making women fit the world, think about making the world fit women – Gloria Steinem
• He asked me, what’s your favorite position? I said CEO – Lauren Conrad
• It’s amazing what a woman can do if only she ignores what men who tell her she can’t – Carol K. Carr
• A girl should be two things, who and what she wants – Coco Chanel

Happy Women’s History Month. We are in this together.

Carol and Kathy

From Linda Linzey: Items pertaining to National Women's History Month will be on display at our March 23 meeting. Linda Linzey and Susan Buyer will display books, flyers, posters and hand-outs. The topic of women's suffrage is again in question. The seventy year plus fight for women's suffrage, culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment in August 1920 will be the main topic for the second National Women's History display on March 23rd. Between 9:30 and the start of our meeting, during the break and right after, we hope you have time to peruse all items and ask any questions you have.

WOMEN'S HISTORY IS U.S. HISTORY!

March PAC Report

Elections

We are looking into doing tables for voter education at UMES and Wor-Wic in September. We will coordinate with the local League of Women Voters so we are not duplicating efforts. There will be a lot of positions on the ballot this year and turnout is typically low in off year elections. Be ready to volunteer at the Dem office in Snow Hill, at the polls and with candidates.

Postcards

We will be talking to local Democratic candidates to find out what type of help they would like and match that with our capacity.

The local Democrats running in contested elections are:

• 38 Loni V Cressotti (Carrozza)
• 38 C Laurie Anne Brittigham (Hartman)
• 38 A Shelley Johnson
• Orphan’s Court – Marty Radinsky
• County Commission Dist 5 – Vickie Wallace

We will also be looking into the 2 contested school board races and see if there is a candidate in each one that we might help. These races are in District 1 and District 6.

For National Campaigns we will Identify 2 or 3 candidates who have a credible chance to win. (e.g. Jon Ossoff, Sherrod Brown, etc.). For other national races we will share the information for people to write on their own.

We will start the main effort in July and are still working on a location to get together. We will stay with Wednesdays from 2 – 4 pm, Instead of people paying each week for supplies, we are collecting donations for stamps and DWC will cover the postcards. We hope any local campaigns will cover the costs of their stamps.

Immigration

We will have a Know Your Rights display for the March 28 No Kings Rally and for other events as appropriate. In addition, we are exploring how we can help locally since there seems to be more ICE activity in the county.

Letter to the Editor Campaign

Our Letter to the Editor Campaign continues and we hope more people will write letters about local issues and local candidates.

No Kings

See you on the Boardwalk on March 28^th at noon at the inlet.

There will be a poster making event on March 25 at 2 p.m. in the community meeting room at Worcester County Youth and Family Services in Berlin. (Across from Sterling Tavern.)

We continue to have 50-70 people for our weekly Honk and Waves.

Join us on Saturdays from 2-3 PM at the Ocean Pines Veterans Park on route 589.

Click Here to Download Luncheon Sign-up Form

Honk & Waves: ICE Out for Good - Every Saturday in March (except 3/28), 2-3 PM, Veterans Memorial Park, Ocean Pines.

Wednesday, March 25th, 2-4 PM - Creative Action Wednesdays - Make posters for the No Kings Rally, Location TBD

Thursday, March 26^th 6 PM – DCWC “Nite Club” Meeting, Ocean Pines Library

March 28^th Noon – No Kings Rally – Ocean City Boardwalk, Tram Station

SAVE THE DATE

July 19, 2026

Crab Feast Ocean Pines White Horse Park

Sponsored by:

DWC, DCWC, Central Committee

At our last meeting our very own poet, Debbie Wood, wrote and read the following poem in honor of Black History Month.

A Worthy Question

Who decides who is worthy of respect?

Who decides if it’s you or me, 

What if you’re white, yellow or brown,

 Is it what the eyes can see?

Does money dictate the value you hold? 

Is worth in the newest, or stories of old?

 Does the cut of your cloth, or the name on your street, 

Determine the measure when two souls meet?

Perhaps it’s a standard that's written within, universal code where we all can begin. 

To grant every person a baseline of grace, Before judging the heart by the color or race.

For birthright and fortune will quickly decay, And pigments of darkness will fade in the day. The things that are lasting, the things that are true, 

Are how you see others, and how they see you.

So let us abandon the judgments we hold, 

The silly divisions that make the heart cold. 

And choose to believe, with a faith that is whole, 

That worthiness rests in the light of the soul.

© 2026 Debra Linette Wood

DWC Minutes Membership Meeting from February (*blizzard)

March 2, 2026

I. Welcome

Welcome New Members

Pledge of Allegiance

II. Art League of Ocean City

Presented by Rina Thaler and Jessica Bauer

“Arts are Necessity” “Art clears your Worries”

Art League functions:

Fundraising and Scholarships

Classes and Programs for Children

FILM FESTIVAL March 5-8

Other Programs:

Womens History, Immigration, Environment, HighSchool Showcase, Local spotlight

First Friday, Bus Trips, Toddler Storytime, 60+ Art Club

III. Poetry Reading for Black History Month

Debra Wood poem “A Worthy Question”

IV. National Women’s History Month books and handout from Linda Linzey

More on Women’s History Month – next meeting March 23

V. A Huge DWC Thankyou to Susan Buyer for 4 years being a great VP

and arranging noteworthy speakers. Thank you Susan.

VI. Business Meeting: 

• Minutes summarized in February newsletter
• Treasurer: Dana Barney
• January 2026 Report
• Pancho & Lefty’s fundraising update
• Billboard Cambridge “Info against Andy Harris”
• Motion by Maggie Miller. Seconded Kathy Emert to Donate $250 to sign project
• Vote unanimously approved
• LWV donations (must be individual because A-Political)

VII. Committee Reports:

• PAC Report – Joan Roache
• March 25 Sign making for No Kings
• PAC planning postcards
• Election Info – Primaries IMPORTANT >June
• Sign up sheet to help Candidates
• Honk and Waves on Rt 589 continue
• Write LTE supporting Education Budget/attend Commissioner Meetings re Budget
• Check out Salt Box for ICE info
• Program Committee: Anne Harrison: Upcoming speakers
• Joan Maloof, PhD. Professor emerita of Salisbury University and founder of the Old-Growth Forest Network March 23
• Publicity/Newsletter: Nancy Reynolds
• submission deadline 15^th each month
• Membership: Joan Esworthy
• 284 members
• 4 new members today. Welcome
• Hospitality Thank you Bakers!

Upcoming Events:

• Thursday, March 5^th, 5-7 PM – Drinking Liberally, Lighthouse Sound
• Monday, March 9^th, 2 PM – PAC Committee (See Action Alert for details)
• Monday, March 23^rd, 10 AM – Noon – DWC General Meeting, Berlin Library
• Joan Maloof, PhD. Professor emerita of Salisbury University and founder of the Old-Growth Forest Network
• Wednesday, March 25th, 2-4 PM - Creative Action Wednesdays - Make posters for the No Kings Rally, Location TBD
• Thursday, March 26^th, 6 PM – DCWC “Nite Club” Meeting, Ocean Pines Library
• March 28^th, Noon – No Kings Rally – Ocean City Boardwalk, Tram Station

Honk & Waves: ICE Out for Good - Every Saturday in March (except 3/28), 2-3 PM, Veterans Memorial Park, Ocean Pines.

See Indivisible Worcester Facebook page for updates.

Adjorned 11:59 respectfully submitted Debra Fisher-Reynolds