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8/31/17                                                            http://roganslist.blogspot.com/

Contact Federal Government Officials


OR
Search all members of Congress here:  https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/current
OR
Fax your legislators for free:  Reps:  https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php
OR
Find senators Twitter and Facebook Accounts here:
Find representatives on Twitter here:

********************************

If your senators and reps aren't saved in your phone yet,
text your US postal address to (520) 200-2223 and get a text back with your
STATE & FEDERAL legislative rep phone numbers.

*******************************

Many newspapers, including New York Times and Washington Post require subscriptions, but without one we can see a few articles each month.  We can also check with our local libraries to find out how to get online access through them.


1.      With a President who has demonstrated clear disrespect for our rights, it’s more important than ever to put a check on the surveillance capabilities of the U.S. government. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows for warrantless spying on conversations between people in the U.S. and foreign countries, is set to expire on December 31st if Congress does not reauthorize it (https://www.lawfareblog.com/predicting-support-section-702-senate). Let’s contact our members of Congress, especially if we are the constituents of the senators listed as “interesting to watch” in this article, and let them know it’s time to let this authority die.​

2.      While Trump undoubtedly enjoyed his photo-op in Texas, he nonetheless reversed the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard ten days before Harvey hit Texas at the behest of powerful real estate developers and builders: https://www.thenation.com/article/how-donald-trump-and-elaine-chao-bartered-flood-control-policy-to-the-highest-bidders/Always one to distract from his consequential decisions, the announcement of this reversal was lost amid the Charlottesville press conference rant.  Experts “across the political spectrum say much of the federal money sent to Texas is likely to be wasted on construction that will insufficiently protect against the next storm”: 
http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-reversed-obama-flooding-regulations-before-hurricane-harvey-2017-8  We need to tell Trump and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao that we will not tolerate their disregard for our safety.  Let’s call the White House 202-456-1414 and the DOT at 202-366-4000 or US Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20590

3.      The United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants has written a form letter that we can send to our members of Congress, asking that they help save DACA by supporting the House and Senate versions of the DREAM Act of 2017 
http://refugees.org/act/tell-congress-support-daca-immigrant-youth/ Let's also make sure that we've called our MoC directly to make sure that they cosponsor and support these important pieces of legislation https://5calls.org/issue/recq0O67VoMFFRQZo

4.      "President Donald Trump is promising billions to help Texas rebuild from Hurricane Harvey, but his Republican allies in the House are looking at cutting almost $1 billion from disaster accounts to help finance the president’s border wall. The pending reduction to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief account is part of a spending bill that the House is scheduled to consider next week when Congress returns from its August recess. The $876 million cut, part of the 1,305-page measure’s homeland security section, pays for roughly half the cost of Trump’s down payment on a U.S.-Mexico border wall. It seems sure that GOP leaders will move to reverse the disaster aid cut next week. The optics are politically bad and there’s only $2.3 billion remaining in disaster coffers."  https://www.apnews.com/83e6782d48e04993a741b834771c078b    Let's make sure the GOP does reverse the disaster aid cut to fund the wall. We know climate change makes these disasters so much bigger. Call you reps and ask them to reverse this cut. NO WALL FUNDING. 

5.      Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is halting Trump’s plans for transgender ban in military pending further study: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348484-mattis-halts-trump-transgender-policy-pending-study Let’s thank Mattis for reducing the chaos for transgendered military personnel and ask him to not let the military be a face of discrimination against those ready, willing, and able to serve our nation: Secretary Jim Mattis, Secretary of Defense, 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1000

6.      After Greg Gianforte body-slammed Guardian report Ben Jacobs on the eve of the special Montana election a few months ago, he agreed to do an interview with Jacobs and his staff have made that impossible to schedule. Jacobs released a statement about this: http://money.cnn.com/2017/08/29/media/ben-jacobs-greg-gianforte-interview-dispute/index.html Let’s remind Gianforte that we expect him to follow-through on his commitment: https://gianforte.house.gov/contact

7.      “"It's not just about these 800,000 young people, but young people who are working, paying taxes, going to school and serving in the military," said Franciscan Action Network executive director Patrick Carolan told NCR. "The question is, what kind of nation are we? Can we be a moral nation when we're talking about deporting people like this?"” https://www.ncronline.org/news/justice/catholic-leaders-get-personal-over-threat-daca Let’s let our MoCs know that this is how we feel about the DREAMers and ask them to continue supporting DACA.  It is right for them and for our country. 

8.      Senator Peters (D-MI) has just signed on as a co-sponsor to the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2017 (SB 1417). https://www.hrc.org/resources/voting-rights-advancement-act  Let’s check to see if our senator has signed on.  https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1419  If so, let’s give out some thanks and, if not, start asking why and telling them that we want them to do so.

State Actions

1.      ALL:  Child marriage—it happens right here in the US. From 2000-2015, 200,000 children under age 18—the vast majority of them girls, some as young as 13—were married off to adult men who were often decades older. Child marriage can disrupt or end a girl’s education. It is linked to maternal and child mortality, domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and HIV infection. The Tahirih Justice Center http://www.tahirih.org/ , which fights violence against women and girls, has released a new report on child marriage in America: http://www.tahirih.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/TahirihChildMarriageReport.pdfCheck it to see where your state is on this issue, and then tell your state reps to pass a law setting your state’s minimum marriage age at 18, without exceptions. Find your state reps here: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/

2.      MA: Campaign finance reform! The group Pass Mass Amendment https://passmassamendment.wikispaces.com/HOME+PAGE  is seeking to get two measures on the November 2018 Massachusetts ballot. One would limit the amount of money from out-of-state individuals in elections involving candidates or ballot initiatives to $500 per election cycle. The other would require the disclosure of contributions by foreign nationals and businesses in which non-US citizens have a sizable ownership stake. http://www.newburyportnews.com/news/activists-seek-to-limit-outside-campaign-money/article_80d03840-8653-59b1-8a02-804522a01a89.html  Get email updates here https://passmassamendment.wikispaces.com/CONTACT%21  and follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PassMassAmendment

Other Actions

1.      From Sun, Sand, & Second Grade:  I know many of us are saddened and heartbroken about the devastation taking place in the Houston area right now. Here is a way you can start to help! Get your students and their families involved and consider adopting a classroom that has been affected by Hurricane Harvey. The idea is that your classroom will help collect basic supplies or gift cards to help setup students with tools to get their classroom back on its feet. To sign-up:  https://goo.gl/forms/nG0fFvnjeJrBXkyf2  For more information: http://bit.ly/2vpmYJp  Please share this so we can help as many classrooms as possible!!!  Are you a Texan teacher who needs help? Please sign-up to be an adopted classroom on the link above!

2.      National Bail Out’s efforts to fight money bail and free folks who are only behind bars because they don’t have the money to get out are continuing (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/04/the-dangerous-domino-effect-of-not-making-bail/477906/). They are marking Black August with another round of bailouts. We can donate to get more people out of jail at this link: https://nomoremoneybail.org/.

3.      ProPublica, an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest, is investigating how Facebook handles hate speech, and is looking for input from Facebook users: "If you or someone you know reported a hateful post, or had one flagged as hateful, we’d like to hear about it, regardless of the outcome. Screenshots, links and exact wording are especially helpful, but please share whatever you have." Responses can be sent to the ProPublica bot via Facebook Messenger, or users can participate in ProPublica's survey. We can check out more information on the investigation, as well as how we can respond here: http://bit.ly/2vp0Z5s

4.      United We Dream - Houston (UWD) and Pantsuit Republic (PSR) have started a campaign to offer direct aid to specific undocumented families who are unable to access FEMA through citizen household family members. UWD is an organization led by undocumented immigrant youth. PSR is a progressive Texas ally. These families will invariably bear the burden of Harvey harder and longer than others, with fewer resources for disaster recovery and as they concurrently grapple with SB4, a racist and anti-immigrant law set to take effect this Friday, September 1. In the same week that Harvey has temporarily displaced our families, SB4 threatens to permanently displace them.  More on the convergence of these storms here: http://bit.ly/undocuhopevideo  The Houston Mennonite Church, a 501(c)3 community partner in Deportation Defense, has agreed to serve as our fiscal sponsor. 100% of funds raised will directly benefit undocumented immigrant families.  Let’s see how we can help:  www.youcaring.com/undocuhope  We can also take part in this Twitterstorm tonight at 8pm EDT:   https://www.facebook.com/events/350636098703589/

5.      From Postcards from Kate:  The Islamic Society of Greater Houston is sheltering displaced residents in mosques and distributing goods to people in need. Read more here.
Thank ISGH President M. J. Khan for his service to the community:  ISGH President M. J. Khan, 3110 Eastside Dr., Houston, TX 77098

6.      The Southern Poverty Law Center, which among other good works tracks hate crimes in the U.S., has put together a handy guide for community resistance groups to use. The guide, downloadable as a PDF, "sets out 10 principles for fighting hate in your community." Item 1 on the list: "ACT." https://www.splcenter.org/20170814/ten-ways-fight-hate-community-response-guide  Let’s find out what and how we can work against hate.

7.      “The Response to Hurricane Harvey by Members of the Clinton Foundation Community; Ways to Support”  Let’s check out these other ways we can help Texas:  https://medium.com/clintonfoundation/the-response-to-hurricane-harvey-by-members-of-the-clinton-foundation-community-ways-to-support-d93449f31d61

8.      From Indivisible:  “In our introduction to inclusivity, we set out why we all need to make inclusivity a core focus of our advocacy and set out some practical steps on how to embed inclusivity into our groups.  This document will set out guidelines for how to build inclusive partnerships, including who you can and should be reaching out to, and how to build trust and show respect when reaching out.”  Let’s read up on this and starting doing it with our own groups:  https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/build-inclusive-partnerships/

9.      Sick of Trump/Republican lies and propaganda? Good news, everyone! There’s an Indivisible-like guide for fighting back! Written by writer/journalist Guy Bergstrom, we can download the handbook “Truth & Liberty: 33 Ways to Fight Lies, Propaganda & Oppression” from https://33ways.org/ . Pass it on!

Petitions

1.      Let’s tell Congress to fund FEMA, not the wall:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/937/783/998/fund-fema-not-the-wall/

2.      We stand with the DREAMers.  Let’s show Trump and Congress how many of us want DACA to stay:  https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/i-stand-with-immigrant?source=homepage

Marches/events/teleconferences to attend/organize

1.      Today, Thursday August 31st, Organizing For Action will be hosting a webinar which will focus on climate policy. We will be updated on progress that has been made at the national level, then discuss actions we can take at the state and local levels. Let's sign up to learn how we can become more involved in supporting policies which address climate change http://bit.ly/2woco2t

Reading/Watching

1.      This Washington Post article itemizes Trump’s rule changes to date.  Worth using up one of our free WaPo allowances for: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/08/24/what-trump-has-undone/

2.      “'Antifa' violence in Berkeley spurs soul-searching within leftist activist community” - http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-far-left-violence-20170829-story.html

3.      A bit of good news from a very difficult situation: 19 people have been indicted for attacking protestors during Erdogan’s visit in May: https://apnews.com/c024e1ccf1134ea9bae11b3e7a334fd4/19-indicted-for-attacking-protesters-during-Erdogan-US-visit Thank you to all who demanded justice for those attacked.


Rogan’s List is a participant in and strategic partner of the Action Alliance,
a loosely-federated group of organizations that, in the wake of the
2016 election, are sharing daily or weekly calls to action.
Other member sites are listed here: https://www.actionalliance.co/  --scroll down and click through and you'll find many more opportunities to make a difference.
******
Rogan’s List is also part of RISE Stronger’s United States of Resistance









8/30/17                                                            http://roganslist.blogspot.com/

Contact Federal Government Officials


OR
Search all members of Congress here:  https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/current
OR
Fax your legislators for free:  Reps:  https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php
OR
Find senators Twitter and Facebook Accounts here:
Find representatives on Twitter here:

********************************

If your senators and reps aren't saved in your phone yet,
text your US postal address to (520) 200-2223 and get a text back with your
STATE & FEDERAL legislative rep phone numbers.

*******************************

Many newspapers, including New York Times and Washington Post require subscriptions, but without one we can see a few articles each month.  We can also check with our local libraries to find out how to get online access through them.


1.      “Trump Associate Boasted That Moscow Business Deal ‘Will Get Donald Elected’” With headlines like these about Trump’s interconnections with Russia, it is hard to imagine what is coming in the Mueller investigation: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/us/politics/trump-tower-putin-felix-sater.html However, GOP Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis has proposed an amendment to curtail funding for the investigation after six months: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/28/mueller-investigation-republicans-russia-242108  Let’s let Rep. DeSantis know why we think his actions are shady: https://desantis.house.gov

2.      During a press conference, Trump explained about his purposeful decision to announce the Arpaio pardon at the start of Hurricane Harvey because, “In the middle of the hurricane, even though it was a Friday evening, I assumed the ratings would be far higher than they would be normally.” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-finland-president-sauli-niinisto-meeting-live-updates/  The marriage of a despicable pardon with a deadly storm and the word “ratings” is really hard to swallow. Let’s remind Trump that he is POTUS, not the host of The Apprentice: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20500

3.      Additionally on the Arpaio topic, White House adviser Tom Bossert has defended the Arpaio pardon as being “pretty straightforward”: http://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/trump-adviser-defends-arpaio-pardon-pretty-straightforward/story?id=49439894 We can share our perspectives on what we do and do not find straightforward about it with him: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20500

4.      Amid noisy conflict over raising the debt ceiling (http://www.businessinsider.com/debt-ceiling-countdown-trump-congress-raise-2017-8 ), Republicans and conservative Democrats have joined forces to put forward the Social Security Commission Act of 2017 (H.R. 3423). This act would establish a 13-member commission, made up of seven Republicans and six Democrats, tasked with developing a proposal for ensuring Social Security’s solvency for the next 75 years. Congressional leaders would then fast-track the commission’s proposal without amendments, with limited debate, and with only a simple majority’s approval in the Senate. Its object would seem to be to justify and force cuts in Social Security: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3423/text  We should tell sponsor Maryland Democratic Rep. John K. Delaney we oppose this act: 202-225-2721 (Fax: 202-225-2193) or 1632 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington DC 20515

5.      At a moment when everything seems urgent, we should make sure not to let the small but important steps be crowded out of focus. U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter and political scientist Norman J. Ornstein recently wrote a column about how holding our elections on Tuesday drives down turnout and recommended allowing citizens to vote on the weekend.  Let’s read and share their words:
6.      www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/08/05/fight-voter-suppression-move-election-day-to-weekend-slaughter-ornstein-column/537456001/. And then let’s contact our members of Congress and ask them to sign on to the Weekend Voting Act (H.R. 1094).

7.      The FCC comment period regarding net neutrality closes today, August 30th. Let's brush up on the ins and outs of net neutrality http://bit.ly/2l6zvwd Then let's head over to the FCC to let them know why net neutrality is essential (click on "+ express" to submit a comment) http://bit.ly/2vdD70c

8.      Trump has lifted the limits on military gear for police. While helmets and bulletproof vests can certainly be of great use to local police forces, grenade launchers, high-caliber weapons, bayonets and armed aircraft are unnecessary, dangerous, and will only serve to heighten the tensions between police and local communities. Meanwhile, Jeff Sessions has brushed off concerns over local police forces having militarized gear as being "superficial" http://n.pr/2iB6Y11 Let's make sure Jeff Sessions and the Department of Justice know how we feel about giving police military equipment, then give our own MoC a call to ask them when they plan on drafting legislation to stop the militarization of our local police. 5calls has scripts we can use as we call the DOJ and our   MoC

9.      Federal funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is set to expire on September 30th http://bit.ly/2iwl2ZMLet's make sure our representatives know that we want them to make funding for CHIP a priority, and to get it approved before the deadline so that children across the U.S. do not see a drop in coverage. 5Calls has a call script we can use https://5calls.org/issue/recOlc0pl4JKvJA4H

10.  Even Republicans can support helping the Dreamers, those immigrants without documentation who arrived here as children with their parents:  https://www.facebook.com/AmericanProgressAction/videos/10154998004665847  We should not deport these young people, but rather create for them an honest pathway to citizenship. Let’s see how we can help:  http://defenddaca.com/

11.  "The Exchange Visitor Program fosters global understanding through educational and cultural exchanges. All exchange visitors are expected to return to their home country upon completion of their program in order to share their exchange experiences," a statement read on the State Department's visa site.” These J-1 visas affect students, camp counselors, as well as work-based programs.  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/report-trump-to-consider-cuts-to-cultural-exchange-visa-program/ This type of visa provides life-changing experiences for both the traveler as well as our citizens here who encounter them.  Let’s join in with the American Camp Association in expressing our support for this valuable exchange program:  https://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/public-policy/current-action-alerts

12.  From Postcards For America:  120+ Representatives signed a letter to 45 requesting him to abandon the #transban Transgender Military Ban. Is yours one? Write them a thank you postcard. Not one? Ask them why not.  Let’s check the letter and look for our rep: https://gomez.house.gov/sites/gomez.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/The%20letter%20is%20avaliable%20here_0.pdf 

13.  Let's support Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) by encouraging our MoCs to support a bill they introduced. H.R. 669 would "prohibit the President from using the Armed Forces to conduct a first-use nuclear strike unless such strike is conducted pursuant to a congressional declaration of war expressly authorizing such strike."  https://www.abqjournal.com/1050952/trumps-nuke-option-needs-to-be-reined-in.html Let's tell our MoCs that they should support this bill, because we don't think Trump should have immediate access to nukes.

14.  With Congress reconvening next week, let’s support the National Education Association’s campaign to protect public education and reject the Trump/DeVos/Republican agenda. That agenda would slash education funding by more than $9 billion, cut funding to poor and disadvantaged school communities and special education, eliminate 8,500 teachers, and increase college costs. It would also create a $250 million private school voucher program that would divert public funds from public schools. Let’s visit http://edadvocacy.nea.org/recess and follow the instructions under “Take Action Now!”

State Actions

1.      MO: Advocate for workers in Missouri aren’t letting the right-to-work-for-less attack on unions go into effect without a fight. They started a drive to give the voters a say on the recently passed SB 19, and they collected three times as many signatures as they needed to get it on the ballot next fall (https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_Right_to_Work_Referendum_(2018)). Those of us in Missouri can get involved with this fight by signing up with We Are Missouri at this link:http://www.wearemo.org/get-involved/.

2.      MA: Even in Massachusetts, there’s work to be done to stop commemorating the racist legacy of the Confederacy – there’s a Confederate memorial on Georges Island in Boston Harbor, put up by the Boston chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy during the heart of the Civil Rights movement (http://www.wbur.org/artery/2017/08/16/boston-confederate-monument). The state has been considering what to do about this monument for some time. Let’s make sure they know we want it removed, and removed as soon as possible. We can contact the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages the site, by phone at 617-626-1250 and by e-mail at mass.parks@state.ma.us . And we can reach the Massachusetts Historical Commission, which must approve any changes to the site, by phone at 617-727-8470 and by e-mail at mhc@sec.state.ma.us .

3.      TX: “Once Republicans lose Texas, they lose their path to the White House,” says the ambitious grassroots organization Battleground Texas, which is working to turn Texas purple, and ultimately blue. Let’s check out their website and sign up to help: https://www.battlegroundtexas.com/  More info here: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2013/08/02/texas-is-not-innately-conservative

4.      ID: The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has rejected wolf-baiting as a form of hunting as reported by the Idaho State Journal. This appears to be a temporary decision so if we are Idaho residents, let's contact the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and our state senators to let them know that we oppose wolf-baiting.  They won't know we care about wolves unless we tell them.  Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game, PO Box 25, Boise ID 83707 or call: 208-334-3700.  

5.      AZ: One of Trump's favorite senatorial candidates is republican Kelli Ward who is one of the challengers for Jeff Flake's (R-AZ) senate seat.  We may recall that Trump does not like Flake who has been outspoken in opposition to Trump. Here's a little background from CNN.  Let's keep our eyes on this senate race.  

6.      TX: If we have insurance claims because of hurricane damage, it's important to get those claims submitted before Fridaybecause of Texas legislation, HB1774. "The new law, set to take effect Friday, aims to crack down on frivolous insurance lawsuits. But House Bill 1774 also reduces the penalty fees that insurance companies face for late payments if the policyholder files a lawsuit." We can read more from the Texas Tribune.  Let's alert our affected Texas friends and family in case they are not aware of the upcoming law change. 

Other Actions

1.      We know from watching the horrors of Hurricane Katrina that the most vulnerable people rarely get the government help they need during and after disasters.  The Hurricane Harvey Community Relief Fund is a joint effort of progressive organizations dedicated to providing access to critical services—from first response and basic needs to healthcare and housing and legal aid--to the nearly a quarter of Houstonians living in poverty and the 575,000 undocumented immigrants in the Houston metro area: https://act.myngp.com/Forms/-3833118145683060992   Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies and the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Hurricane Harvey Disability Hotline are trying to provide the particular help needed by the disabled in Houston: http://www.portlight.org/hurricane-harvey-announcement.html   Let’s help these efforts.

2.      “Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D) said Monday that he will represent any immigrant who faces deportation after seeking help during Tropical Storm Harvey.”  http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/348340-houston-mayor-to-immigrants-if-you-face-deportation-for-seeking  Let’s thank Mayor Turner for his commitment to humanitarianism:  https://cityforms.houstontx.gov/component/rsform/form/31-contact-us-mayor or mailing address:  City of Houston, P.O. Box 1562, Houston, TX 77251

3.      HD Action Network, dedicated to organizing grassroots conservatives and supporting conservative campaigns and causes, is asking for views on the state of the conservative movement since Trump took office.  Let’s help them out:  https://secure.hdaction.network/survey

4.      From RISE Stronger:  Do you know Ruby-on-Rails? RISE Stronger needs web developers! Help develop web-based tools for the resistance while you build your resume and meet like-minded friends! Learn more & apply here: https://risestronger.org/volunteer/10

5.      “In response to Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, our CEO Roddy Lindsay announced today that Hustle will be free from now until September 30th for any organization using Hustle for Harvey-related disaster coordination or fundraising.”  If we are involved in this kind of work, let’s take a closer look at how the Hustle app, a grassroots mass-texting too, might be able to help us:  https://medium.com/hustle/hustle-stands-with-houston-announcing-hustles-disaster-relief-efforts-for-houston-dca6c0a59221

6.      From Together Rising:  Together Rising stands with Texas.  We know that they not only need our love and support now, but in the weeks, months and years ahead.  Today, we made a $20,000 donation to the Houston Food Bank, and we are challenging all of us to do more for our brothers and sisters in Texas.  We will match any donation you make up to $100,000.  Every penny we receive from you will go to those suffering in Texas. Please let us not allow the fact that we cannot fix everything keep us from fixing something. Give a little with great love. That's how we heal the world.  You can give HERE or Text TR4TEXAS to 41444 to get a text to make a tax-deductible donation. 

Petitions

1.      Let’s join MomsRising in telling Congress to pass emergency funding for victims of Hurricane Harvey:  http://action.momsrising.org/sign/Harvey/

2.      Friends of the Earth are asking us to join them in telling Congress not to unfund the EPA:  http://action.foe.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=22292

Marches/events/teleconferences to attend/organize

1.      The march from Charlottesville to Washington, D.C. has begun.  We can check here to see how we can join it at any point or other ways to be involved:   http://www.cville2dc.us/

Reading/Watching

1.      Black Lives Matter leader Deray Mckesson has written a letter to the late Jordan Edwards in Teen Vogue that is worth the read: http://www.teenvogue.com/story/dear-jordan-deray-mckesson-honors-jordan-edwards-life-in-this-powerful-letter/amp

2.      “#BotSpot: Twelve Ways to Spot a Bot: Some tricks to identify fake Twitter accounts” - https://medium.com/dfrlab/botspot-twelve-ways-to-spot-a-bot-aedc7d9c110c

3.      “Interactive Timeline: Everything We Know About Russia and President Trump” - http://billmoyers.com/story/trump-russia-timeline/


Rogan’s List is a participant in and strategic partner of the Action Alliance,
a loosely-federated group of organizations that, in the wake of the
2016 election, are sharing daily or weekly calls to action.
Other member sites are listed here: https://www.actionalliance.co/  --scroll down and click through and you'll find many more opportunities to make a difference.
******
Rogan’s List is also part of RISE Stronger’s United States of Resistance




8/29/17                                                            http://roganslist.blogspot.com/

Contact Federal Government Officials


OR
Search all members of Congress here:  https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/current
OR
Fax your legislators for free:  Reps:  https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php
OR
Find senators Twitter and Facebook Accounts here:
Find representatives on Twitter here:

********************************

If your senators and reps aren't saved in your phone yet,
text your US postal address to (520) 200-2223 and get a text back with your
STATE & FEDERAL legislative rep phone numbers.

*******************************

Many newspapers, including New York Times and Washington Post require subscriptions, but without one we can see a few articles each month.  We can also check with our local libraries to find out how to get online access through them.


1.      Since Trump’s only unifying thread in his policy efforts seems to be rolling back anything Obama did, let’s let our MoC know what we think of actions like this (rolling back flood standards for new infrastructure efforts) at times like this:http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/16/543712263/trump-rolls-back-obama-era-flood-standards-for-infrastructure-projects

2.      Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was interviewed on Sunday by Fox News’ Chris Wallace. Wallace pressed him about whether Trump’s speeches mentioning Charlottesville represent American values. Tillerson replied, “The President speaks for himself.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/27/rex-tillerson-donald-trump-charlottesville Let’s let the Secretary know that we appreciate him not following Trump down his racist rabbit hole but that serving this president allows the presidency to continue: The Honorable Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20520

3.      Under the threat of litigation from ten state attorneys general, Trump is considering ending the DACA program http://cnn.it/2vB9pSD http://wapo.st/2vku0ze Let's make sure the DREAMers retain the protection that was promised to them under DACA. We can call our MoC and tell them to cosponsor and support the DREAM Act of 2017 (S.1615 and H.R. 3591). Let's read Indivisible Guide's explainer of the DACA program http://bit.ly/2uZyz1b then use the call script at 5Calls as we contact our MoC https://5calls.org/issue/recq0O67VoMFFRQZo

4.      Before his despicable pardon of AZ Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Trump asked Attorney General Sessions to drop the charges against Arpaio which was refused:http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348138-trump-asked-sessions-to-drop-charges-against-arpaio-months-ago-report Then when Trump went forward with the process of the pardon, he circumvented the norms of involving the Department of Justice in the process. Let’s ask AG Sessions why he continues to serve a racist president who flouts the rule of law with this pardon: https://www.justice.gov/contact-us

5.      Trump had a busy day on Twitter on Sunday. While Hurricane Harvey was creating “unprecedented” flooding in Houston, Trump sent out a series of Tweets that included poking at Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill and promoting a book written by the dreadful Sheriff David Clarke: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348167-trump-targets-mccaskill-reelection-bid-in-tweet and http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-pardoning-arpaio-plug-polarizing-sheriff/story?id=49447952  Let’s let Trump know that this country needs a leader and that it is past time for him to resign: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500.

6.      If the Republican Party really wants to stand in opposition to white supremacy, they can start by coming together with Democrats and restoring the Voting Rights Act – a law that as recently as 2006 was renewed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority (http://www.caller.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/08/12/lewis-keeps-refighting-battle-voting-rights/560716001/). Let’s contact our members of Congress and tell them we want action to #RestoreTheVRA – and let’s tweet at Paul Ryan and Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Bob Goodlatte to tell them to stop standing in the way. (We can tag #RogansHeroes when we do!)

7.      Folks across party lines should be able to agree that it’s important that our elections be safe from hackers. Members of Congress led by Rep. Keith Ellison have proposed the SAFE Act (H.R. 1562) to help secure our elections infrastructure (http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/324510-dem-reps-bill-would-codify-elections-as-critical-infrastructure). Let’s call our reps and let them know we want them on board with this effort. We can find a script from our friend and ally Jen Hoffman here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KJMwJVhKw9VOoms2sZy9WP2Q0R5ACqzXfKrwWAH1Hx8/edit.

8.      "For more than 80 years, tribes and conservationists have worked to protect this stunning red rock landscape full of ruins, rock art and other cultural sites. Thursday, Secretary Zinke concluded his “review” of 27 national monuments by sending a set of recommendations to President Trump. While the Trump administration is keeping the report secret, press reports from the Washington and New York Times have confirmed that Secretary Zinke is recommending drastic steps to eliminate large swaths of multiple national monuments, including Bears Ears. The solution is simple: President Trump should put these recommendations where they belong — in the trash can." Let's tell Zinke and Trump to dump that idea. Our parks are really the true history of this country. We need to continue to let them know how we feel about our real resources.  https://medium.com/westwise/trump-administration-aims-to-eliminate-90-percent-of-utah-park-protecting-archaeological-sites-5635224a5a74  Secretary Zinke feedback@ios.doi.gov  twitter contact: @SecretaryZInke and White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/write-or-call


9.      The US maternal mortality rate is the highest among affluent nations—and the rate is growing. “An estimated 700 to 900 women die in the US every year from pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes and 65,000 nearly die, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The rates are highest for black mothers and women in rural areas.” https://www.propublica.org/article/many-nurses-lack-knowledge-of-health-risks-for-new-mothers-study-finds Let’s tell our MoCs its time to pass the bipartisan HR 1318—Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1318“The measure would authorize funding for states to eliminate disparities associated with pregnancy-related deaths and improve health care quality for mothers.” http://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-why-are-there-more-maternal-deaths-in-the-u/article_017ef943-d98f-570f-b038-213d998aae8d.html

10.  On Monday, Trump rescinded the limits Obama had placed on military hardware the Pentagon could give to police departments.  Now military surplus, including grenade launchers, armored vehicles, and bayonets, will be accessible to local police—what Jeff Sessions describes as “lifesaving gear”: http://www.npr.org/2017/08/28/546743742/trump-administration-lifts-limits-on-military-hardware-for-police  We must object.  Since Trump and Sessions seem determined to militarize the police, let’s let the Pentagon know what we think: 703-571-3343 or 1400 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301-1400.

11.  "A Republican lawmaker has put forth an amendment that would stop funding for the special counsel’s Russia investigation 180 days after it becomes law.  The amendment from Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) would also prevent special counsel Robert Mueller from probing “matters occurring before June 2015,” which is the month Trump announced his presidential bid.  The amendment was submitted as part of the upcoming spending package the lower chamber is expected to weigh after the congressional recess."  http://thehill.com/homenews/house/348343-gop-lawmaker-proposes-amendment-that-would-stop-funding-for-special-counsel  We need to call, email, and tweet out our reps that we want the Mueller investigation to conduct its job without interference from the House. 

State Actions

1.      TX:  From one of our own:  A few of us in Southeast Texas with specific concern about our undocumented immigrant communities during unprecedented flooding have put together this dynamic resource. You can access it from the Pantsuit Republic website. Please share with everyone you know in the region.   support.pantsuitrepublic.com

2.      FL: Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) has filed a bill, HR3665, to combate algal blooms as reported in TCPalm (part of the USAToday network) . Let's tell our own representative to co-sponsor the South Florida Coastal Clean Waters Act, HR3665.  We can thank Brian Mast for looking out for Florida waters: Brain Mast, 171 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart FL, 34994-2139.

3.      ALL:  Illinois has become the 10th state to offer automatic voter registration.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/illinois-governor-signs-automatic-voter-registration-law/2017/08/28/7b3960c0-8c00-11e7-9c53-6a169beb0953_story.html?utm_term=.1f373f1c284d  Let’s check here to see which states now have automatic voter registration and which states are considering it:  https://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/automatic-voter-registration  Now, if we live in a state that has approved it, let’s send a thanks to our legislators; if our state has not, let’s write and encourage them to do so.

4.      ALL:  Trump is expected to lift a ban on military gear to local police forces. http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/28/politics/police-military-gear-ban-lifted/index.html. This reverses an executive order Obama issued in 2015 after Ferguson, where, he said, "We've seen how militarized gear can sometimes give people a feeling like there's an occupying force as opposed to a force that's part of the community that's protecting them and serving them." We agree. Let's call our state/local reps and demand they pass legislation banning police from receiving military weapons from the federal government. Here's an example of legislation passed in Montana that we can suggest be adopted by our state legislatures/city councils: 
5.      https://legiscan.com/MT/text/HB330/id/1198338.  *Credit for some details in this item go to scientist and activist Samuel Sinyangwe, who posted a detailed thread on this issue on Twitter - @samswey

6.      NY:  Apparently the Dreamers are just counters in Trump’s game.  Reportedly he will save the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)program only in exchange for passage of the RAISE (Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment) Act, which would halve the number of legal immigrants to the US; otherwise he is supposedly “likely” to end DACA in early September: https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/08/28/us-trump-threatening-expel-dreamers
Make the Road NY has joined with allies to organize a march in defense of the 800,000 young immigrants brought to the US as children and now threatened with deportation or separation from their families.  The march will assemble at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, 8/30, at the Trump Hotel at Columbus Circle (southwest corner of Central Park).  Let’s check for other local protests and, if we’re in New York, join the defense of DACA on Wednesday!

7.      ALL:  Since it seems we can no longer depend on the federal government to protect our human rights if we are members of the LGBT community. http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-doj-lgbt-employment-discrimination-civil-rights-act-2017-7 Let’s all of us, gay or straight, make sure our states take up that mantle. Let’s contact our state reps and ask them to pass legislation that:  1) Bans state-funded and state-sponsored travel to those states with laws that repeal LGBT protections, attacks the rights of same-sex couples or their families, or singles out same-sex couples or their families for discrimination. (California has led the way on this) and 2) Outlaws so-called “conversion therapy” for minors.  We can look up our state reps here: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/

Other Actions

1.      If you are looking for a way to lend financial support to the people struggling with the effects of Hurricane Harvey in Texas (in addition to supporting the Red Cross), NBC has put together a list of charities working in the region: https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/hurricane-harvey/hurricane-harvey-how-help-storm-victims-n796406 Let’s give as generously as our circumstances allow.

2.      The Midland School is a New Jersey approved private special education school for children with developmental disabilities.  On September 25, 2017, the Midland School will host its annual fundraiser at Trump National Golf Course.  Here's the event announcement.   It's too late to make changes this year.  Let's tell Midland School that we expect them to choose a different location next year.  We can use the Midland School web contact form or write to Midland School, PO Box 5026, North Branch NJ 08876 or email: info@midlandschool.org or call: 908-722-8222

3.      The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has published a new interactive map that displays every wind farm and factory in American.  We can check it out here.  Let's bookmark this as an energy information resource.

4.      Tony the Democrat has another postcard-to-voter campaign in which we can participate!  Let’s go here for more information:  http://mailchi.mp/ind-d6/lets-go-to-florida  We can also keep track of what’s happening on his Facebook page “Postcards to Voters”:  https://www.facebook.com/TonyTheDemocrat.org/

5.      Lori Hutcherson has a website called Good Black News that is dedicated solely to publishing the positive things black people do.  In this editorial she responds to a friend's opinion on white privilege:  https://goodblacknews.org/2016/07/14/editorial-what-i-said-when-my-white-friend-asked-for-my-black-opinion-on-white-privilege/  Let's use her insight to improve our own lives and help our friends understand, too.  

6.      Here’s the GOP “Official Weekly Presidential Approval Poll”:  https://gop.com/official-weekly-presidential-approval-poll/ Let’s help by filling it out.


Petitions

1.      Even if we are not able to part of the Charlottesville to Washington D.C., we can sign her to show our support for the march and civil disobedience in confronting racism:  https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/charlottesville-call-to-conscience

2.      Let’s join the Democratic Governors Association in calling for the end of Citizens United which has opened “the floodgates on a torrent of unlimited, anonymous money and allowing special interests and billionaires to buy our elections.”   https://surveys.signforgood.com/DA-overturncitizensunited

Marches/events/teleconferences to attend/organize

1.      Starting today through Sept. 6th folks are marching from Charlottesville to DC to demonstrate our commitment to confronting white supremacy wherever it is found. -See: Facebook event and full details here

Reading/Watching

1.      Nina Simone corrected link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVNmvhX-aOQ

2.      “No Single-Issue Politics, Only Intersectionality: An Interview With KimberlĂ© Crenshaw” - http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/40498-no-single-issue-politics-only-intersectionality-an-interview-with-kimberle-crenshaw

3.      “The Simple Psychological Trick to Political Persuasion” – https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/02/the-simple-psychological-trick-to-political-persuasion/515181/


Rogan’s List is a participant in and strategic partner of the Action Alliance,
a loosely-federated group of organizations that, in the wake of the
2016 election, are sharing daily or weekly calls to action.
Other member sites are listed here: https://www.actionalliance.co/  --scroll down and click through and you'll find many more opportunities to make a difference.
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Rogan’s List is also part of RISE Stronger’s United States of Resistance