5/24/18
Contact Federal Government Officials
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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. Department
of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen said she was not aware that Russia wanted
Trump to win. This is in spite of the clear conclusion of the US intelligence
community:https://apnews.com/f3e88ea359854442a5ba8f0aabdf574c As there is no version of this
statement from the head of Homeland Security that bodes well for us – denial,
ignorance, being coy – let’s let Secretary Nielsen know that a firm grasp on
this issue is essential to homeland security: https://www.dhs.gov/contact-us
2. An
Associated Press reporter was physically shoved out of an EPA meeting where
certain press outlets were being blocked from attending. The topic was water
contamination: https://apnews.com/7c5ce52b316a4c91930a0998cd613115 Yes, this is where we are. Let’s let
our MoC know that this is outrageous, and we can let Administrator Pruitt know
that we still await his resignation:
https://www.epa.gov/home/forms/contact-epa or on Twitter at @EPAScottPruitt
3. Donald
Trump has nominated J. Campbell Barker to be a federal judge in the Eastern
District of Texas (https://setexasrecord.com/stories/511319783-texas-ag-praises-trump-nomination-of-deputy-solicitor-general-campbell-barker-to-federal-court-in-tyler). He has a long record of defending
discriminatory voter ID laws and bigotry against the LGBT community and
opposing protections for immigrants and the environment. We can read a full
report about him from the Alliance for Justice here, and then call our senators and tell them we
want them to oppose his nomination.
4. In the
wake of the numerous shootings our country has endured, it is Congress's job to
respond with legislative action. While the omnibus spending bill that passed
earlier this year included the Fix NICS Act, it did not include any new gun control
measures, it merely encouraged agencies to adhere to requirements that are
already in place to keep the background check system current (https://theatln.tc/2HVgUtX). Senator Chris Murphy introduced the
Background Check Expansion Act (S. 2009), which would require background checks for
all firearm sales, closing the "gun show loophole." There is a
similar, though less comprehensive background check bill in the House (H.R. 4240), which has bipartisan support though it has
not been brought to the floor. Let's call our MoC about these bills and urge
them to fight our gun violence crisis with legislation. We can use the call scripts available at 5calls.
5. The EPA
just concluded its “National Leadership Summit” on PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS
chemicals, excluding both community groups working on toxic chemicals in the
water supply and, apparently, the press—though not, of course, the American
Chemistry Council and the Flurocouncil: https://apnews.com/d799f4e096cc42cf99ae01b02d1e0688 The summit follows the revelation that
the EPA and the White House tried to suppress a report from the federal Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), which indicated that levels
of the chemicals the EPA previously deemed “safe” may actually harm people, on
the grounds that releasing it would be a “potential public relations
nightmare”: https://theintercept.com/2018/05/18/the-epas-leadership-summit-on-pfoa-pollution-will-exclude-victims-and-community-groups/ Some suggest that the move to quash the
ATSDR study will damage Scott Pruitt more than his ethics scandals; surely it
is more dangerous, and we can tell him so: @EPAScottPruitt or Mail Code 1101A,
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460 or 202-564-4700.
6. So, the
White House has just decided to reinstate Jared Kushner's top security
clearance, which he supposedly "lost" in February:
https://www.npr.org/2018/05/23/613780930/trump-son-in-law-kushner-to-regain-top-clearance-following-mueller-interview. Expert on authoritarian states Dr. Sarah
Kendzior has been warning us that this reinstatement is actually just a sham,
since this administration has never followed protocol anyway.
https://twitter.com/sarahkendzior/status/967452327476191232 What was announced today, she says, is
simply "kleptocratic flaunting" since Kushner's protocol violations
are broadly known. Let's ask our MOCs whether they're paying attention to this
huge, and continuing, security risk. Are they OK with Kushner selling state
secrets and abusing his position of power? Because that's what he is most
likely doing.
Election 2018 –
General
An election guide from Postcards for America: In this Google doc (updated
regularly), each State shows ALL Democratic Candidates running for Congress,
Governor, Lt Gov, Attorney General, Secretary of State (if applicable) with
links to their websites and Twitter. Each has a link to a Twitter Thread, a
Shareable Facebook Post and a Document. For most States, there are also Info
& Links for Voter Registrations, Absentee Ballots, Early Voting & Voter
ID, Age Requirements and being a Poll Worker. Let’s check
this out and use and share it: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NCYjsm3xKb79z19Gx7PWt5Zs9lkLiTqglHBHYs9mlX8/edit
1. Postcards
to Voter's results! Tuesday's elections included three (3) campaigns
for which Postcards to Voters volunteers sent cards to get out the vote. We won
two and lost one. 1)AR-Campaign 77: Teresa Gallegos. Teresa lost her bid for State Senate. (Source:
ArkansasOnline) 2) GA-Campaign 82: LaKeisha Gantt. LaKeisha has won for Clarke County Board
of Education board of education for District 7. (Source: UGA
Red and Black) 3) GA- Campaign 84: Lisa Lott. Lisa overtook incumbent Regina
Quick for Superior Court Judge, Western Circuit for the win.
(Source: UGA
Red and Black). Congratulations to the winners and our thanks to all and candidates
and volunteers. If we want to write cards for current open campaigns, we
can sign up here.
2. We now
know that our voting equipment is not totally safe. States need to adopt a form of voting that
also provides a paper backup to be used, if/when necessary. Let’s check to see what kind of equipment our
state has: https://www.npr.org/2018/05/08/599452050/the-u-s-voting-system-remains-vulnerable-6-months-before-election-day-what-now If
our state does not have a paper system, we need to contact our state election
officials and tell them we want our votes backed up with paper: https://www.usa.gov/election-office
3. Swing
Left, a grassroots organization dedicated to flipping the US House of
Representatives blue, has a new initiative called Swing Left Academy. It offers
online trainings to help us learn how to win political campaigns through
canvassing, phone banking, voter registration, and organizing. Let’s check it
out and sign up here: https://academy.swingleft.org/
Election 2018 –
By State
1.
Voting
dates and deadlines this week:
|
May 25
|
Iowa
|
Voter Registration Deadline
|
Primary
|
|
May 26
|
Utah
|
Voter Registration Deadline
|
Primary (postmark)
|
2. AL: Introducing FLIP ALABAMA, a
Facebook group that helped to get Doug Jones elected by squeezing every
possible vote out of the state. Now it’s part of a 50-state project to get our
country back by electing Democrats to as many offices as we can. We can
join here, get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can continue to
turn our beautiful state Blue. We can check the group out, then, if
we like it, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipAlabama/
3. CA: Introducing FLIP CALIFORNIA, a
Facebook group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project
that came out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones
elected by squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here,
get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can make our beautiful state
the Bluest it’s ever been, so let’s start getting our country back, state by
state! We can check the group out, then, if we like it, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipCalifornia/
4. CA: From Political Charge: California
has its statewide primary election on Tuesday, June 5. Share and/or
bookmark these voter resources and know the quick facts going into Election
Day. There are also a few key races noted--click the name of the race to see a
list of candidates. https://politicalcharge.org/2018/05/23/california-6-5-primary-voter-resources/
5. IA: Introducing FLIP IOWA, a Facebook
group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project that came
out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones elected by
squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here, get some new
ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state Blue, so
let’s start getting our country back, state by state! We can check the group
out, then, if we like it, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FLIPIowa/
6. MS: Introducing FLIP MISSISSIPPI, a
Facebook group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project
that came out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones
elected by squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here,
get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state
Blue, so let’s start getting our country back, state by state! We can check the
group out, then, if we like it, join here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipMississippi/
Other Actions
1. The Poor
People’s Campaign, which is continuing the last effort of Dr. King by
organizing nonviolent direct action to demand answers on systemic racism and
poverty, is in its second week, and is continuing to gain traction. (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article211362669.html). This is the sort of moral movement that
may well help us respond to the Trump era. Let’s sign up to join in here. If we’re not in a position to do so, we can
support the movement by contributing to the legal defense fund to get all those
arrested after acts of non-violent civil disobedience get the support they
need here.
2. Many are
haranguing on those Democratic legislators who voted for the recent bank bill which
is now on its way to Trump to sign.
These legislators did not sell out.
They fixed some things in the original Dodd-Frank bill that helped
smaller banks, not large banks. They
knew what they were doing. Even the
co-author of the bill, Barney Frank said that the changes do not weaken the
bill: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/22/dodd-frank-overhaul-doesnt-weaken-rules-for-large-banks-barney-frank.html When
we hear this misconception, let’s make sure to counter it with the truth.
3. MGM
Resorts International is phasing out plastic straws at all of its hotels.
The "Straw Reduction Initiative" began this month
at Aria and Mandalay Bay.The company says guests can still ask
for straws, but they are not given out without request. Let's read more
at Las Vegas Review-Journal. We can see a list of properties owned by
MGM here. Let's contact
MGM to
let them know we support this initiative and are excited to see it roll out to
all their properties. Since 19 of the 29 strip casinos are owned by just two
companies, MGM and Caesars, let's also contact
Caesars to
let them know we want them to start their own Straw Reduction Initiative.
4. Connecticut’s
child welfare agency has launched an initiative to actively recruit members of
the state’s LGBT community to become foster and adoptive parents, bucking
recent efforts in some states to curtail gay adoptions. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy
(D) has said that Connecticut wants to be known as a state that welcomes and
embraces the LGBT community. Let's read more at APNews. We can send thank yous to Gov. Malloy. We can also write to our
own governors to
encourage them to adopt a similar model for our states.
5. Adult
guardianship is easily misused in this country and so many people have their
rights and their money intentionally taken away by people who do not have their
best interests at heart. http://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/north-carolinians-describe-guardianship-as-a-sick-twisted-process-/1191065624 Let’s
check out the National
Center on Elder Abuse and
Americans Against Abusive Probate Guardianship to see how we can help.
6. A
federal court has ruled that Trump’s practice of blocking his Twitter critics
violates the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Let’s
share the opinion on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media. Here’s a
link:
Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to
attend/organize
1. June
5,
Washington, D.C., World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - Fourth Global Summit, Register here: https://www.regonline.com/registration/Checkin.aspx?EventID=2237772
States
1. ALL: We do not have to rely on
Congress taking action at the federal level to pass gun control regulations.
Rather, we can also focus on our MoC at the state level. Indivisible has a
comprehensive guide we can use to learn about the current gun laws, and then
the specific measures we can support in our state. Let's take a look at
the guide, and then contact
our state legislators.
2. MI: From MI
Resistance: "The Prevailing Wage Act of 1965
requires contractors to pay union-level wages and benefits for construction
projects financed or sponsored by the state of Michigan. It is currently
in danger of being repealed. If the Prevailing Wage Act is repealed, companies
will no longer have to ensure competitive compensation and safety standards for
workers, and they will no longer have to participate in equitable bidding for
contracts. Contrary to the GOP argument that the repeal will save tax dollars,
it will likely only increase the contractor’s margin of profit. Other states,
who have removed similar laws, found little to no cost savings to tax
payers." For those of us with Republican state representatives, it is
especially important to urge them not to vote on the repeal, so that Michigan
residents can vote on the ballot measure in November: http://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/
Reading/Watching
1. “Most
Americans don’t realize Robert Mueller’s investigation has uncovered crimes” - https://www.vox.com/2018/5/23/17384096/mueller-investigation-poll Let’s remember that the Mueller investigation has issued 17
indictments and gotten five guilty pleas.
2. An interesting read from the NYT on
understanding the process of Mueller’s final findings. The piece explains the
way things could go if no crime is found OR if trump broke the law.
3. Looking ahead to the next school year, former
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recommends more drastic measures to ensure
changes to our gun laws: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/05/arne-duncan-boycott-school/560921/
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