PORT TOWNSEND — Those seeking civility and thoughtfulness in the political voice of America are brewing up the coffee party, an alternative for those who are finding the tea party too divisive and, well, not really their cup of tea.
Frank D’Amore, known more for his Pan D’Amore breads than coffee, has joined political activist Pat Porter to start up a Port Townsend chapter of the Coffee Party USA, which began as a movement on the Internet social site Facebook a month ago and now has nearly 200,000 followers.
They are organizing the local chapter, acting as coordinators and facilitators to begin the discussion.
“This is about as homespun as you can be,” D’Amore said. “I think it’s going to take off.”
The new national group is made up of nonpartisans who say they want cooperation and common solutions in the federal government and doing so with respect for everyone’s opinion and tolerance for the differences of others.
Cooperation in government — which is not the enemy of the people — and positive solutions are the bottom line of this organization, they say.
“Act like your mama raised you right!” states the coffee party’s “Ground Rules for Common Ground.”
“We are here as a community to advance the common good.”
Complainers, debaters, close-minded people and disruptive types need not apply, the coffee party’s ground rules further state.
“We don’t want to legitimize the tea party,” said Porter. “This is about civility.”
The movement began on Jan. 26 when Annabel Park of Silver Spring, Md., created a Facebook fan page.
Both Porter and D’Amore said it is not an alternative to any political party, merely a forum for exchange of ideas in an effort to find commonality and solutions to America’s issues.
“The guidelines must be simple,” D’Amore said. “And you must be willing to listen.”
The local chapter of about six, including Porter and D’Amore, conducted its first meeting March 21 and followed up with one Saturday.
The Saturday meeting was at the Undertown Coffee and Wine Bar, 211 Taylor St.
They plan to meet regularly and will scheduled meetings in the coming weeks.
D’Amore said he was not against the conservative tea (“taxed enough already”) party, but he did admit the coffee party “is opposite of the tea party,” shooting for representative democracy versus that led by corporate America.
He wants to create an open forum in which all opinions and issues are discussed.
Added Porter: “Our politics are getting polarized. I blame the factions and politicians that exploit these factions.
“We need to work together.”
Those wishing to join the Port Townsend chapter can contact Porter at 206-491-7857 or porterptown@yahoo.com.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
