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In this Newsletter
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Friends,
He's finally lost it. And it’s becoming clear to everyone.
This month, U.S. President Donald Trump has pictured himself as Jesus Christ and picked a fight with the Pope. He’s hurled profanities and threatened a foreign civilization with extinction on an Easter Sunday. He’s announced a special edition commemorative passport with his portrait and posted a meme of himself as a federal agent in a black suit holding an M16 rifle with the title: “No more Mr. Nice Guy!”
He’s gotten too weird for even his supporters. MAGA acolytes are reviving conspiracy theories about how he staged his own assassination attempt in Butler, PA, while Tucker Carlson has been on TV begging for redemption over his past endorsement of Trump. Meanwhile, the world’s economy rests on tenterhooks while the White House clown show marches the earth towards the energy apocalypse.
Thankfully, though, the Dow is above 50,000 points.
But, seriously, as we approach the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, I find myself thinking more and more about mad King George III. And wondering: when will Trump be declared unfit for office under the 25th Amendment? As the New York Times writes: “even some former allies and advisers are questioning whether he has grown increasingly unbalanced, describing him as “lunatic” and “clearly insane.””
In the meantime, you can be a part of the coming blue wave in November’s midterm elections. Make your views known, your voice heard and your vote count! Help save the country by registering and casting your ballot. Go to votefromabroad.org or FVAP.gov to fill out your federal voter registration card and send it to your state. Don't wait, do it now.
And, of course, come join us for our monthly Happy Hours in Athens and in Thessaloniki. Or join us for Saturday morning coffee in the συμπρωτεύουσα, where next month our Thessaloniki Chapter will be hosting a special walking tour for members and friends.
Just like 250 years ago, America needs patriots. That means you. Thank you for staying engaged.
Alkman Granitsas
Chair, Democrats Abroad Greece
Sunday, MAY 03 - 18:30 EET
DA Web Event - Truth Under Pressure
May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. Join Democrats Abroad on Sunday, May 3, at 11:30 am EDT / 6:30 pm EEST (Greece) for a World Press Freedom Day conversation, “Truth Under Pressure: Press Freedom in the United States.” RSVP here.
Tuesday, MAY 12 - 18:00-21:00 EET
Happy Hour in Athens
Athens Happy Hour meets again at its fav retreat, En Aithria in Monastiraki. We start at 6, so those working downtown can stop by before heading home. Stop in and see what's shaping up for the months ahead. And don't hesitate to bring a friend. Details on DAGR Events Page.
Tuesday, MAY 12 - 19:00-21:00 EET
Happy Hour in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki friends, old and new, meet up again at our beloved happy hour venue: Cafe Bazaar. If you’re in the mood to talk out the events of recent weeks, get help with registering to vote, or just learn what’s coming up in weeks ahead, join us to raise a glass to better times. Details on DAGR Events Page.
Tuesday, MAY 19 - 19:30 EET
DAGR ExCom Meeting
The Dems Abroad Greece board, aka ExCom, meets every month. Members are welcome to sit in and come up to speed on the many things your board has to handle. Get a leg up on upcoming events in planning, and much more. Reply on this email for the WebEx link.
Saturday, MAY 23 - 11:00 EET
Saturday Coffee in Thessaloniki
Wake up with purpose this Saturday—join us for bold brews and even bolder conversations that turn your coffee into a catalyst for change. Let’s shape the future together, one cup and one compelling idea at a time. Venue: Xarchakos Cafe Bar, Parko Xanthi. RSVP if you want.
Sunday, MAY 24 - 11:00 EET
Thessaloniki Walking Tour
New to the city? Or just looking to fall in love with it all over again? Grab your walking shoes and join our Thessaloniki Walking Tour — a relaxed, story-filled stroll through the heart of Greece’s most vibrant city. More information on the DAGR Events Page.
Friday, MAY 29 to Sunday MAY 31 - EET
Dems Abroad Annual General Meeting
DPCA will see its first AGM in Africa, in Nairobi, Kenya! Voting members – Country Chairs, Vice Chairs and Voting Representatives – are required to attend (or send proxy). All other members can sit in. As it has for just over a decade, the AGM will be hybrid. Alkman, Karen and Daniel will attend online, and we hope a few of you may want to join us. Kenya is in the EET time zone, just like Greece, so the schedule fits. While AGMs can be dry, this one will focus on the Midterms. Reports should be energizing and the Resolutions discussions may kick up a little dust. You can find the skinny and rsvp to attend here. Check it out!
REMINDER: Special Elections in MAY
- Indiana Primary - Return ballot by May 5
- Ohio Primary - Postmarked by May 4, received by May 9
- Nebraska Primary - Return ballot by May 12
- West Virginia Primary - Return ballot by May 12
- Louisiana Primary - Return ballot by May 16
- Alabama Primary - Return ballot by May 19
If YOU can vote in these elections, please do!
Info on ballot return at www.votefromabroad.org
And that’s not all …
See what other country committees and global caucuses are doing, on the DA website Events page.
Point-Counterpoint, Not that Far Apart
PodSaveAmerica’s Tommy Vietor and The Bulwark podcaster Sarah Longwell, both political operatives, hail from two sides of the fence. Together they tease out how we might come together for the country most Americans want. Bonus: Longwell quips that Bulwark has been called ‘the capitalist wing of Antifa.’ See where we’re going with this one? 1-hr video. Worth watching.
DOJ Charges SPLC With Financial Crimes
Republicans have accused the Southern Poverty Law Center, which is best known for investigating hate groups, of unfairly targeting conservative and Christian organizations. Among alleged ‘crimes,’ they paid an informant to infiltrate planning for the 2017 Unite the Right, torchlight neo-nazi march in Charlottesville, VA. Trump’s DOJ coming after press and advocacy. NYTimes Gift Article.
Four ‘Formers’ (POTUS, that is) Talk about the Job
Jenna Bush Hager interviews her dad and the other three living former Presidents about their experiences, what they hold dear, how they see America’s future … in the run-up to the 250th anniversary. Heartwarming and hopeful, they point out the path we’ve walked before to reconcile differences and move toward that ‘more perfect union.’ 9-min video.
April 12: A Bittersweet 20th Birthday for Romneycare
The system on which Obamacare was modeled was signed into law as a result of hard work and bipartisan cooperation. That effort was celebrated in Massachusetts last month, along with the productive spirit that’s gone missing in the Trump era.
The Original Spirit of Memorial Day Is Under Threat
This is what’s at stake as the Trump administration tries to erase the histories of certain groups of service members.
By Lornett Vestal Sierra Club Magazine, first published May 25, 2025. Still relevant! More so than ever
Democrats Abroad are now on Substack, too. Check DA global news here!
Contact Your Elected Officials
You may have opened an email this month from DAGR with a call to write Senators to stave off the SAVE America Act. That included a short note to copy/paste (or personalize) and a 'quick n easy' email list of Republican senators ... in case yours isn't. There will be more of these. Julie K. is leading this effort. If you'd like to help find the hot topics to act on, let us know.
Meanwhile, the global Take Action team finds a new issue each week. These may come by email if you're opted in. Or you can find them on the Dems Abroad website at www.democratsabroad.org home page, top tool bar.
And as Home State groups start back up again, you may get a heads up to contact state legislators. If your state is one where everyone can vote down-ballot, that's even more likely. Keep an eye open. With the recent Callais ruling from SCOTUS, red states are rushing to re-gerrymander. Trump started the fracas in Texas; it's turning into a horse race.
If You're a Willing Resister Looking for a Cause
There is always a need for an extra set of hands and fresh ideas. Whether you like to write, design or organize, contact [email protected] to learn more about how to get more involved with DAGR
May Day: 1886 - 2026
Some background on May Day as a workers’ celebration and why it’s done differently in the US. Included here are a few links to ‘more reading’ and recommendations on films to see.
Thessaloniki Chapter at May Day March
Chapter and friends turned out with signs to boost spirits at the May Day march in Thessaloniki. View a photo or two and brief notes here. May Day Strong!
DHS Funding Bill Passed without $$ for ICE
It’s increasingly difficult to keep up with ‘legislation tracking’. The bills, consultations, plays-n-counterplays and jaw-boning is enough to give OpenAI a headache. But among the good news as April faded into May, Senate majority leader Thune stood firm and forced Speaker Johnson to wish he’d run for dog catcher.
Earth Month: Electric Vehicles Pass Tipping Point
EVs have been here before. They surged after the 1973 oil embargo, collapsed when oil fell, and surged again. Each wave died when the external pressure eased. Three UK researchers discuss why this time looks different.
Earth Month: The Wrong Problem?
Matt Ferrell, Undecided, follows the advances in plastic collection with the Dutch ship ‘Ocean CleanUp.’ They’ve refined methods of collecting from ocean gyres, but found even more plastic in rivers. DAGR’s ‘Kafeneion’ series covered the plastic pollution problem in 2021.
How to Live Beyond 80
DAGR doesn’t have a local Seniors Caucus. We’ve got one member who’s on the Global Seniors Caucus steering committee and quite a few members who are 80 and over. Got time? Volunteer! Most of us stay busy, though without the wide audience of a substack column gone viral.
Are Big Banks Benefiting from the ICE Warehouse Craze?
DHS appears to be overpaying for warehouses owned by some of the world’s largest financial institutions. Project Salt Box has paid 3x previous appraisals and more. More Perfect Union dives into this one, quoting prices, naming names and staking out the damage.
How You Can Take Trillions from War
Christopher Armitage, The Existential Republic, takes a very deep, detailed dive into how we are funding the companies profiting from war (and more). And how we can stop it.
Americans For Tax Fairness informs us:
In the 16 months since Trump returned to office, America’s billionaires have added an astonishing $1.96 trillion to their wealth! More than half of that explosion went to just 15 people! The top 15 billionaires alone added over $1 trillion to their fortunes in that same window. These gains came as Trump and congressional Republicans pushed through new tax giveaways and extended earlier ones that already tilted the system toward the ultra wealthy.
And they thought no one would notice? Heeheeheeheehee! Lookie! Lookie! Lookie!
November’s coming!
Turn-out makes the day. Absolutely every vote counts.
Help build the wave!