Category: Meetings

To Matt Rowe the biggest surprise at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte was the animated, fist-pumping speech by former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm.To Janet Payne, the most suprising thing was an early morning pep talk by Donna Brazile, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.But both Virginia delegates to the convention Sept. 3-6, it was a week they will never forget.

Ms. Payne, a member of the Fredericksburg and First Congress District Democratic Committees, and Mr. Rowe, chairman of the Caroline County Democratic Committee, enthralled club members at the Sept. 20 meeting with stories of their personal experiences as convention delegates.

The delegates confessed that they didn’t get much sleep during the convention. They had to be up for 7 a.m. delegation breakfasts, where they obtained their credentials, and usually didn’t get back to their hotels until well past midnight.

Ms. Payne said it rained in Charlotte every day of the convention and each day she had to use an umbrella. But when she arrived at Time Warner Cable Arena the security officers would confiscate the umbrella.

Ms. Payne said the convention program was exceptional, but her favorite was the speech by First Lady Michelle Obama in which she said, “The presidency does not change the man; it reveals the man.”

Mr. Rowe said he was moved when looking out over the arena full of all types of people, united in a common set of beliefs and values. He said the reason he became a Democrat is because, “We have the facts on our side. We don’t have to twist and distort the truth. That makes it a lot easier.”

Ms. Payne complimented the Democrats of Lake of the Woods for having such a dynamic and involved membership. “I applaud you for what you are doing,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see your strength and your energy.”

The August club meeting will feature Dr. Emile Lester, a professor at the University of Mary Washington, who will speak on religion in American politics, particularly as it applies to the current presidential election.

The club’s steering committee meeting for August will be at Anne Humphrey’s home at 1019 Eastover Parkway. Please note that this meeting is early, the first Tuesday instead of the second.

As has been demonstrated in many ways in the 2012 presidential campaign, religion plays an influential role — for better or worse — in American politics.

Dr. Emile Lester, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington and a respected authority on religion and politics, will address some of these issues in an appearance at the Lake of the Woods Democratic Club on August 16.

The club will meet at 1:30 p.m. in the Lower Level of the LOW Clubhouse. As usual, members of the public are cordially invited to attend, regardless of political affiliation.

Dr. Lester, who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, is author of “Teaching Religions: A Democratic Approach for Public Schools” published by the University of Michigan Press and has published numerous articles in scholarly journals, including The Review of Politics, Polity, Journal of Church and State, Politics and Religion, and Public Affairs Quarterly.

A description of his book is available at the Website of the University of Michigan Press.

He co-authored a research report on religion in public education published by First Amendment Center which was featured in The New York Times, The American Interest, USA Today, on C-Span, on NPR, and in various other media outlets around the nation.

Dr. Lester is the recipient of 2010-2011 Jepson Fellowship and a member of the editorial board of the peer-reviewed journal, Religion & Education.

To view a guest blog by Professor Lester about his book see the Web site of The Washington Post.