Upcoming November Meeting

By Louis Vandenberg

World-Renowned Political Scientist & Acclaimed Author Dr. Robert Pape to Speak at the PV Democrats November 2025 Meeting 

The Palos Verdes Democratics is honored to present Dr. Robert Pape, one of the world’s most respected and widely cited political scientists, in a live Zoom presentation followed by audience Q&A. Dr. Pape, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats (CPOST) at the University of Chicago, has become one of the most important voices analyzing political violence, nationalism, and the future of democracy in America.

His recent New York Times op-ed, “We May Be on the Brink of an Extremely Violent Era in American Politics,” electrified readers nationwide and was featured across major media outlets. As a frequent commentator on CNN, PBS, ABC, and Face the Nation, Dr. Pape brings data-driven clarity and fearless analysis to the most pressing questions of our time.

Presentation Overview

Dr. Pape has crafted an exclusive three-part presentation for the PV Democrats:

1. Trump’s Domestic Agenda – including the potential deployment of U.S. military forces against civilians in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, suppression of voting rights, economic and tax policies favoring the wealthy, and attacks on American universities.

2. Trump’s Foreign Policy Plans – exploring prospective moves such as U.S. military escalation in Venezuela, isolationist immigration lockdowns, destabilizing trade wars, possible withdrawals from NATO, and alignment with authoritarian regimes.

3. Winning the Future – practical strategies for Democrats to counter Trump’s authoritarian momentum and preserve democracy.

About Dr. Robert A. Pape

Dr. Pape is internationally known for groundbreaking research on terrorism, military strategy, and political extremism. His books — including Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism, Cutting the Fuse, and Bombing to Win— are required reading in universities and policy circles around the globe. He has advised U.S. policymakers, including President Barack Obama during his 2008 campaign, and his research is regularly cited by the Department of Homeland Security and members of Congress.

A graduate summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Pittsburgh and a Harry S. Truman Scholar, Dr. Pape earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. His scholarship combines intellectual rigor with real-world urgency, addressing issues of political violence, security, and the health of democracy both in the U.S. and abroad.

His recent publications include:

• “The Political Geography of the January 6 Insurrectionists” (2024)

• “Hamas is Winning: Why Israel’s Failing Strategy Makes the Enemy Stronger” (Foreign Affairs, 2024)

• “Understanding Campus Fears After October 7 and How to Reduce Them” (CPOST, 2024)

Dr. Pape’s work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, Los Angeles Times, and The Atlantic. His television appearances and congressional briefings have made him a leading national authority on the causes and prevention of political violence.

Why You Should Attend

This is a rare opportunity to hear from and interact directly with one of the most influential political minds of our era — a scholar whose insights shape national dialogue on democracy, extremism, and America’s future. Dr. Pape’s presentation promises to challenge assumptions, illuminate realities, and inspire strategic action.

President’s Report

By Tim Dixon

Last week, I had the privilege of attending and representing the Palos Verdes Democrats at the California Democratic Party Executive Board Meeting, as well as the standing committee and caucus meetings, in my role as Vice Chair of the Finance Committee and as a member of the CADEM Executive Board. We were also represented by our Past President and CADEM Regional Director, Connie Sullivan, and Past President Tony Hale.

I was inspired by the enthusiasm, commitment, and activism on display at these meetings. In addition to conducting official business, the executive board and committee members spent one day actively engaged in grassroots activism—canvassing and phone banking for the passage of Proposition 50.

I want to thank our board members and members for your activism. Last month, we had an outstanding turnout from the Palos Verdes Democrats at the second “No Kings” rally in Torrance and Rancho Palos Verdes. Our members have also been actively involved in canvassing and phone banking for the Proposition 50 campaign, as well as other critical races. Each day of chaos and corruption from the Trump Administration continues to unite our Democratic Party and our club. Our meetings are seeing record attendance, and new members are joining every month.

Next year, we face a tremendous challenge. We must do everything we can to elect Democrats in the midterm elections and take back the House of Representatives so that we can provide a check on the corrupt Trump Administration and curb its authoritarian actions.

As I participated in the California Democratic Party Executive Board meeting last week, one thought came to mind: we are the party of diversity and tolerance. We are truly the “Big Tent.” In my conversations with fellow Democrats, I was reminded that our views and opinions are wide-ranging and diverse. This diversity is a tremendous strength - it reflects our ability to welcome and represent a broad coalition of voters united by shared values such as social justice, economic equality, and environmental protection.

However, as we prepare for next year’s midterms, we must use our diversity and broad coalition as an advantage and not allow our differences to divide us or enable the Trump Administration to misrepresent who we are.

First, we must convince the members of our party that we cannot use a “purity test” when selecting our candidates, or even when voting. Studies have shown that in last year’s presidential election, some Democratic voters demanded ideological perfection from our candidates, including our candidate for president, to the point of withholding support or not voting for president in the election. Many voters in our party were critical of Kamala Harris’ stance on certain issues, such as the Gaza War and Israel, and did not vote.  I believe this was a significant factor in electing Trump.

We also need to consider that at times Democratic voters want to prioritize candidates who perfectly align with their views on specific issues, sometimes at the expense of broader electoral goals. This can lead to a situation where candidates who might otherwise have a strong chance of winning are rejected, due to perceived ideological shortcomings, which weaken our chances in the general election.

Finally, in last year’s presidential election, Trump lied and attempted to shape the messaging about our party by trying to convince voters that our party’s main agenda was cultural issues rather than the voters’ economic needs, which caused some working-class and union voters to vote for Trump.  Our party must do a better job in next year’s mid-term elections at messaging, supporting all the issues that are part of our broad coalition, but emphasizing key economic issues and not allowing Trump to define us.

I understand that as democrats we have a wide range of views, and the members of our party range from very progressive to center left.  I also believe that all of us should be passionate about our views and the candidates that we support. But at the end of the day, with our democratic process, once a candidate is elected as our nominee in the various races, we should resist the urge to use a “purity test” and refuse to support the candidate because the nominee does not perfectly align with our views.

 From the time of our founding fathers to today, a democracy requires enthusiastic advocacy but also compromise. At the time our country was founded, the 13 colonies all had different interests but through the efforts of our founding fathers, they were able to work together and compromise to form our union. We as democrats are wise to remember our founders as we seek to protect that democracy that they created.

From the Activism Chair

By Caryl Schwartz

Thank you to everyone who showed up and participated in No Kings II, the largest single-day peaceful protest in American history. More than 7 million activists took to the streets in 2,700 different rallies across the country. The American people are taking a stand against the terror of masked abductions, the utilization of our tax dollars for mass incarceration, vengeful prosecutions, and bogus investigations.

Thrilled about the victory of Prop 50. I am greatly appreciative of all of you that donated time and money to ensure that Prop 50 passed. We won so much on November 4th. Extremist candidates and policies were rejected by voters everywhere from deep-red Mississippi to Ohio. Democrats swept the Virginia Statewide elections and expanded their majority in House of Delegates. Mikie Sherrill won Governor of New Jersey. In the critical Pennsylvania State Supreme Court race three Democratic Judges retained their seats. On December 2 Tennessee has a special election for Congressional District 7, GOP Mark Green’s old seat. Aftyn Behn is the Democratic candidate, another opportunity to flip a Congressional seat.

Trump’s AI-generated response expresses his true disdain and intentions toward the American people. For those who haven’t seen the video, a crowned Trump piloting a Force 1 dumps excrement on people. The unpopular regime’s only way to stay in power is to rig elections. Trump continues to lead the push for GOP state legislatures to carve up Democratic and minority districts to enable his party to hold onto its slim majority in the House. That is why it is critical to support Prop 50’s temporary redistricting of five GOP seats. In my opinion, California should be redistricting all nine GOP seats.

We are witnessing a president who distorts reality and bends the law to justify utilizing the U.S. military and Homeland Security as his personal police force. My fear is that in January, with the infusion of $305 billion from the OBBBA, we will see ICE and military activities in blue states increase exponentially.

There is a government shutdown, and federal employees are working without pay. That does not deter Trump from demolishing the East Wing of the White House (a visible metaphor) for his vanity ballroom project, with an estimated expense exceeding $300,000,000. He also has plans for a marble Arc de Triomphe (Trump) with a winged gold Nike built on Memorial Circle, across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial.

As reported in the New York Times, President Trump is demanding that the Justice Department pay him about $230 million in compensation for the federal investigations into him. Don’t expect his sycophants to deny his claim.

Car repossessions are up, millions are on the verge of losing health insurance, average Americans are struggling to make ends meet, and our “billionaire” president wants taxpayers to pick up his tab. Once a grifter, always a grifter. From cryptocurrency to accepting a $400,000,000 “gift” from a foreign government, the abuse of his presidential power for personal gain and revenge is his modus operandi.

For those interested in the law, University of Michigan Law School Professor Leah Litman’s new book is Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes. Just the title of the book sums up my feelings about SCOTUS. In the book, she argues that the Court has abandoned legal reasoning in favor of political grievances and ideology.

Passing Prop 50 is especially important now that North Carolina has become the third GOP-controlled state to pass a gerrymander this year due to pressure from Trump, after Texas and Missouri redrew their maps.

We the People - with fortitude, unity, and civic engagement will eventually prevail against the corruption, cruelty, and distortion of democratic values under the current Christian white nationalist regime.

Call to Action

Take Action to Protect Democracy

By Caryl Schwartz

Organizations Fighting Voter Suppression that need your support:

Democracy Docket: https://www.democracydocket.com/about-us/

Fair Fight: https://www.fairfight.com/

Democracy Forward: https://democracyforward.org/

Common Cause: https://www.commoncause.org/

Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District election on Dec. 2 is the only remaining election in the country this year.  Democrats dealt a rebuke to Republicans in every major contest on Nov. 4th. Let’s keep up our momentum.

Support Aftyn Behn, current Tennessee House of Representatives who is running against Republican Matt Van Epps.  Early voting begins November 12, 2025.

Donate:

https://www.aftynforcongress.com/

Phone banks: 

https://swingleft.org/event/register/mobilize:867136?s=u

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/867170/

https://www.mobilize.us/aftynforcongress/event/826070/

Immigrant Assistance

• You can download a printable sheet that outlines what to do if ICE comes to the door here. These can also be ordered as “red cards”.  

• Here’s a sheet that explains how to identify ICE vehicles and what to do if you see them.   

• Here are more ways to help immigrants. 

• South Bay For All – Raising rental aid for immigrant neighbors and helping them run their businesses safely from home. Instagram | southbayforall@gmail.com 

• Gardena Guardians – Standing in solidarity with Gardena's immigrant community, providing resources and advocacy. Instagram 

• HILL – Supporting day laborers and immigrant families. Instagram | hillresponseteam@gmail.com 

• Harbor Area Peace Patrols – A collective of concerned Harbor residents patrolling neighborhoods to defend neighbors from ICE/DHS, sharing Know Your Rights information. Instagram 

• CHIRLA – A California leader advocating for immigrant rights since 1986, building a just society inclusive of immigrants. Website Please donate to our CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights - Los Angeles) fundraiser. Money raised will help this highly-regarded non-profit to help inform immigrants of their legal rights. We have raised just over half of our $5,000 goal. 

• CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) – Mobilizing the faith community to stand with workers and families for dignity and justice. Website 

• Immigrant Defenders Law Center – A social justice law firm defending immigrant communities from injustices in the immigration system. Website 

• Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) – Training advocates, shaping policy, and empowering immigrants through civic engagement and Know Your Rights tools. Website 

For additional Activism options and opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me @pvcaryl@verizon.net or 310-897-0219. 

Thank-you,
Caryl Schwartz
Activism Chair

Voting on Bylaws Changes at the November General Membership Meeting

By Connie Sullivan

Club Representatives Needed for CADEM Pre-Endorsing Conferences

By Connie Sullivan

LACDP October Meeting Recap

By Jon Munoz

The LACDP meeting was held on Tuesday, October 14. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to Proposition 50 and ways to get involved, such as canvassing and phone banking. It was noted that LAUSD and all unions have endorsed Prop 50.  

State Representative Celeste Rodriguez discussed AB 495, the Family Preparedness Act, which was recently passed by the California Legislature. The bill enhances protections for minors who are separated from their parents due to ICE raids. 

A new voter registration committee was announced — the Voter Outreach Training Committee — which will combine elements of existing voter registration committees. 

PV Democrats Board Member Connie Sullivan, who oversees Voter Protection for LA County, provided an update on voting centers for the November 4 Special Election. She noted that 391 vote centers will be open, down from 640during last November’s election. There are also over 400 drop boxes, and voting by mail was discouraged due to delivery delays. 

Jane Wishon, speaking on behalf of the STAND Committee, discussed canvassing efforts for the Special Election. She emphasized the importance of stressing the word “temporarily” when discussing redistricting changes with voters.  

The next LACDP meeting will be held post-election on November 11. 

Treasurer’s Report

By Paul Klose