Thomas Paine- A Celebration with pictures

Thomas Paine-Lordy Lordy Look Who’s 271!

(with thanks to Robert Zeller for the photos)

Due to the none-stop primary talk and the closeness of this event to our Washington state caucuses, I delayed posting this, concerned it would be lost in the noise. May still be, but here goes.  
The Spokane Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America came together on a cold, cold night in January to celebrate the 271st anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest minds that’s come to American shores.

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From our program:

Although his writings have inspired two separate revolutions and founded great democracies, not many people are aware of his contributions. It is a pleasure to read him and feel the passion with which he speaks of Liberty, Freedom, and Justice.

January 29th, 1737 Thomas Paine was born in Thetford, England. His pamphlet, Common Sense, originally published anonymously in 1776, is considered to be the most influential American writing prior to the Declaration of Independence.
As he said, "We have it in our power to begin the world over again."

After weeks of snow and bad roads-some of the worst weather here in Spokane in years, on the afternoon of our celebration, the snow stopped. As the evening progressed the skies cleared!  That added some real joy and optimism, so appropriate to the life we were celebrating. Our plans had started modestly for some in our group...maybe a potluck with about 20 friends? The idea, however, of celebrating the life of a man whose words were and are so powerful and that strike at the heart of progressive (to say the least) ideas and ideals was so energizing that  many folks wanted to see a real celebration and accomplished amazing things to make it happen.

We had good food with a period touch... and  pumpkin pie for dessert.
And our chef for the evening, surprised us with a short impromptu talk about  Thomas Jefferson and the foods he liked and grew in his garden.

We had "Thomas Paine" presenting his "Postulates of Democracy" written especially for the evening...

Small scrolls containing quotes from our honored American were handed out to the evening’s attendees by costumed PDA members, to be read out and shared with the rest of the assembly....

"Reason obeys itself and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it."

"He who is the author of a war lets loose the whole contagion of hell and opens a vein that bleeds a nation to death."

"It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry."

"It is an affront to treat falsehood with complaisance."

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace."

...among them.

We had some great door prizes... among them collections of Thomas Paine’s writings and an auction.

And then a toast (with a beautiful glass, engraved, commemorating the evening and auctioned to the highest bidder) to the progressive ideals and the great patriot, Mr. Thomas Paine.

So instead of our modest hoped-for plans, we had a major event, bringing together about 70 Spokane area Democrats and politically active folks with diverse views, but so much in common. This year will bring us all together on many occasions. One will be our State Convention in Spokane.  We, the Spokane Chapter of  Progressive Democrats of America, were proud to start off this year, of all years, with good cheer and positive energy...to honor a man whose words of truth resonate even more loudly these days.
This was our first ever Chapter event and a unquestionable success! As an unnamed (I heard  it myself) state officer said, "It was the event of the season!".
And, yes...we will do it again next year, as this dinner goes down as our First Annual Thomas Paine dinner.