Do you know who Thomas Paine was?  Paine was the first thinker to set forth cogent reasons for independence from England in his political pamphlet, Common Sense. It became a best seller, and convinced many colonists to support the independence movement.

 Thomas Paine’s thinking was years, if not centuries, ahead of his time. Paine argued for social security, higher education, and women’s rights. He was an abolitionist and recognized that unnecessary war opens a vein that can bleed a nation to death.

 How appropriate that a group formed in 2002 to protest the run-up to war in Iraq would honor Thomas Paine and Common Sense in its name. Since its founding, Florida Veterans for Common Sense has dedicated its actions towards informing the community on matters affecting national defense, active duty military and veterans’ issues. An ongoing effort is to obtain Veterans Diversion Courts in Florida which could divert veterans, as appropriate, from criminal prosecution to employment, psychological counseling, and drug or alcohol abuse treatment.

 On Sat., June 9, Gene Jones will introduce the work of Florida Veterans for Common Sense and a short dramatization of Thomas Paine’s relevance to modern America. Actor Barry Look plays the role of Thomas Paine and the American Troubadour Bill Schustik performs revolutionary and patriotic songs. They present this program in honor of Paine’s birthday every January for the FLVCS, and now, for the first time, they are bringing it to the Democratic Club of Sarasota.

 This special event will be at a special location — the Sarasota Yacht Club. Exercise your common sense and be there on June 9.

Reservations are required.

Read instructions below carefully.

To make a reservation, e-mail reserve@sarasotadems.com and indicate the name of your guests and your menu choices, or leave that information on the voice mail at 379-9233.

Menu choices for this month are:  Chef’s Salad OR Vegetable Primavera Lasagna.  Dessert is Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing.

Please note that the luncheon is at a differenct location this month: Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL. Travel Directions: Take the Ringling Bridge from downtown Sarasota. Stay in the left lane. Drive over the bridge and past the traffic light for Bird Key.  At the next opening, turn left into the Sarasota Yacht Club parking lot. (If you miss this turn, you can make a u-turn at the next traffic light, which is Plymout Harbor.)

Social Hour starts at 11 with the program beginning promptly at noon.

Cost for Members is $23 each. Cost for non-members or walk-in’s is $25 each. You may pay by cash or with a check made payable to the DCS. Please fill out your checks ahead of time.

IMPORTANT – Reservations are required and must be made by midnight, June 6th. Cancellations must also be made by midnight, June 6th or we will bill you for your meal.