This article is an opinion piece (op-ed) that represents the opinion and analysis of the writer. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of DFA or its supporters. We'd love to share your thoughts. Please leave a comment below or email us: mail@gettysburgdfa.org.

News & Notes, August 2022

There’s a little more than two months until the first election since 1860 where democracy was on the ballot. Don’t spend the rest of your life wishing you had done more.

  • Participate in the weekly rally for democracy.

  • Join us in writing about the issues.

  • Contact us to help with voter registration or writing postcards.

  • Donate to Marty Qually or another good candidate.

  • Stay tuned for news of upcoming DFA meetups.

  • Visit us at the Heritage Festival.

 

Rally in front of Mastriano’s office

York St. just down from the square
Between Upper Crust and the Community Theater
Every Friday until the election
4:30-5:30 p.m.

Come show your support for:

  • Democracy

  • Women’s Rights

  • Josh Shapiro, John Fetterman, and Marty Qually

DFA’s excellent writer’s brigade was active this month in several venues. Clicking on the link will take you to the article.

Gettysburg Times op-eds

DFA blog

 
Letters to the Editor by DFA People
 

Thanks to DFA members for a real show of force this month. We had two letters about the State House race (Steen and Thompson), one about Mastriano (Marritz), and one about the dangerous, GOP-written constitutional amendments (Lembo). I’d like nothing better than to see a dozen letters from DFA members in September and 20 in October.

 

  
Gettysburg Connection

 

Get involved: write for DFA
DFA members have many outlets to express their views on current events or the upcoming elections. Your two best options are: the Gettysburg DFA blog, “2022 Elections: Democracy on the Line” or a letter to the editor of the Times.
 
Readership of our blog is growing rapidly and our stuff is being read around the state. It’s a great outlet and you can publish as often as you like. Ideally, posts should be between 400-800 words, but we’re flexible. Just submit your piece to leonsreed@gmail.com
 
You can write one LTE a month, which means if you start right now, you can get in three before the election. There will be an early October deadline for candidate endorsements but you can write about issues any time. These are 400 words max.
 
There is no end of topics. Just a few are:
 
Candidates:

  • Why vote for Shapiro, Fetterman, or Qually

  • Why vote against Mastriano, Oz, or Moul

State issues

  • Pending constitutional amendments

  • Education

  • Election laws

Democracy at stake
Abortion and women’s rights
Gun safety
 
If you’re nervous about writing a LTE, Will Lane prepared a helpful guide.

+ posts

Leon Reed is a former US Senate staff member, defense consultant, and history teacher. He is a 10 year resident of Gettysburg, where he writes military history and explores the park and the Adams County countryside. He is the publisher at Little Falls Books, chaired the Adams County 2020 Census Complete Count Committee and is on the board of SCCAP. He and his wife, Lois, have 3 children, 3 cats, and 5 grandchildren.

Leon Reed is a former US Senate staff member, defense consultant, and history teacher. He is a 10 year resident of Gettysburg, where he writes military history and explores the park and the Adams County countryside. He is the publisher at Little Falls Books, chaired the Adams County 2020 Census Complete Count Committee and is on the board of SCCAP. He and his wife, Lois, have 3 children, 3 cats, and 5 grandchildren.
Leon Reed