Dream on, Press Democrat editors. Your “Occupy movement in ashes” editorial on Wednesday was wishful thinking. Our phoenix will rise during this month. You wait. You watch. You’ll see.

UPDATE 9:20 PM: Three-term Assemblyman Jared Huffman and political newcomer Stacey Lawson emerged Wednesday as the leading fund-raisers in a highly competitive race for the North Coast seat in Congress. Huffman, D-San Rafael, reported $586,131 in donations last year, retaining his top spot in campaign cash. Lawson, a San Rafael businesswoman making her first run for public office, collected $455,959. A third Democrat, Marin activist Norman Solomon, picked up $311,817 last year

Environmentalists scrambled Wednesday to determine if President Obama’s reference to offshore oil drilling in his State of the Union speech posed a new prospect for oil rigs along the North Coast. Activists said the reference underscores the need to achieve permanent protection from oil and gas drilling for the rugged coast.

President Barack Obama outlined his plan to invigorate the economy Tuesday in a State of the Union speech. Some Sonoma County residents who watched it said it was inspirational. Others said it was filled with election-year promises that may not come to fruition. What’s your take? Would you vote to re-elect him in November?

State Democratic Party regional delegates who met in Santa Rosa Saturday could not agree on which candidate to endorse to succeed outgoing Rep. Lynn Woolsey. That means no candidate in the 2nd Congressional District primary race will benefit from mailers and other advertising paid for by the state party.

If we want to reclaim our democracy, we can start by supporting the simple, straightforward constitutional amendment proposed by the group known as Move to Amend. The amendment states that ‘corporations are not people’ and that ‘money is not speech’ and can therefore be regulated without interfering with First Amendment rights.

Former TV talk show host Phil Donahue said Monday he is enjoying his first foray into congressional politics by stumping for fellow liberal Norman Solomon on the politically green North Coast.

Eleven people — two Republicans and nine Democrats — are vying for the chance to replace retiring Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, and represent the North Coast in Congress. Some of them are familiar names in North Coast political circles, while others will have to work hard to introduce themselves to voters.

A Petaluma author is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the National Security Agency, claiming it illegally scooped up copies of her calls and internet records and those of millions of others. “We are supposed to be able to live our lives without worry that the government is looking in,” says Carolyn Jewel. “If they are, that’s wrong.”

Sonoma County immigration advocates welcomed the news Friday that President Barack Obama plans to ease rules that force the separation of some immigrant families.