5/7/18
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. This
week in Congress: Our US House legislators return from their state work
periods with has 23 bills and resolutions on the calendar for this week.
We can review them on the Majority
Leader's Schedule.
Let's know what's coming. The Senate begins their Monday session
by resuming consideration of the nomination of Kurt D. Engelhardt, of
Louisiana, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit.
(source: Senate Calendar). In a letter to the Senate, the Leadership Conference expresses their
objections to Engelhardt including a) he has dismissed several sexual
harassment cases despite severe or pervasive evidence of a hostile work
environment. b) he dismissed the convictions of five police officers who were
prosecuted for killing unarmed African-American civilians in the wake of
Hurricane Katrina and then staging a cover-up. Engelhardt is likely to be
confirmed.
2. The
Trump administration has decided to end protections for yet another group of
people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), this time, Hondurans (https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/04/608654408/trump-administration-ends-temporary-protected-status-for-hondurans). This will be the sixth country, out of
ten, to lose its TPS with this presidency. Since the administration seems
consistent in its actions to empty the U.S. of all immigrants, we must take
legislative action to protect these people from unjust deportation. There are currently
bills like the SECURE Act (S. 2144), which protects current TPS holders, and
the American Promise Act (H.R. 4253), which offers protections for those with
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED, and the
bipartisan ASPIRE-TPS Act of 2017 (HR 4384), which would allow residents with TPS who
can prove “extreme hardship” to apply for a green card, but there has been no
action on any of these since last year. Let's
call our MoCs and ask them why and what they ARE doing to help these people who
have lived here for years.
3. The
Senate is moving towards final votes on another set of judicial nominees,
including Michael Brennan, as soon as today (https://twitter.com/SenatePress/status/989571849020477442). This comes despite the fact he has heavy backing from the Koch brothers and that in his Senate Judiciary
Committee hearing, he refused to acknowledge racial bias in the justice system,
a particularly disturbing comment in light of his expressed skepticism about
the glass ceiling (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/michael-brennan-trump-judicial-nominee_us_5a85dc8ae4b00bc49f4212ad). Let’s call our senators and tell them
someone with Brennan’s regressive views shouldn’t get their vote for a federal
judgeship. We can make the call with this 5Calls script.
4. The
Trump administration is so hell-bent on tanking the Iran nuclear deal that they
hired an Israeli private intelligence agency to conduct a “dirty ops” campaign
against key figures from the Obama administration who helped orchestrate the
deal:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/05/trump-team-hired-spy-firm-dirty-ops-iran-nuclear-deal Although it is challenging to put
into words how disturbing this is, let’s let our MoC know that this is a
deplorable way to conduct ourselves in the world.
5. Not only
is the 2018 House Farm Bill damaging in its work requirements for SNAP
recipients, but it also weakens conservation programs and food programs, and
deregulates pesticide use. We can read through a rundown of the bill, including
a couple positive points of the legislation at Sierra, then use the links within to support
specific, already-proposed legislation in the House. We can also head over
to Sierra Club and use their toolkit to send a message
to our representative in the House, then tweet about the Farm Bill to help
spread awareness about its dangerous content.
6. Rather
than restricting Trump’s war powers, the Bob Corker-Tim Kaine Authorization for
the Use of Military Force-- https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/DAV18476.pdf--would give the president unlimited war-making
authority and would violate the Constitution by abdicating Congressional
responsibility over matters of war and peace:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/18/congresswoman-barbara-lee-warns-corker-kaine-aumf-would-expand-not-curb-trumps. We need to urge our senators to
oppose the bill in its current form and demand that the Senate restrain Trump’s
ill-informed and narcissistic tendency to put not just us but the rest of the
world at risk.
7. From one
of our own: ICE has issued a directive (11072.1) calling for arrests of non-citizen immigrants
within courthouses (where immigrants must go as part of the process for
obtaining citizenship). ICE is also stepping up actions in locations like
hospitals, churches, and schools. Sample Text: Your support of The Protecting
Sensitive Locations Act, HR1815, is crucial to keeping America safe. ICE
must be kept away from sensitive locations. Reason #1 According to the ACLU:
ICE and CBP have dramatically increased their presence at courthouses. As a
result, many immigrants are afraid to go to court or to make police reports
which has made domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault cases
harder to investigate and prosecute. Reason #2 We are not a nation of
barbarians. Families should be able to take their kids to school, to religious
services, to obtain emergency services, to seek protective orders and to
request police assistance without ICE lying in wait. Signed, Name and Zip
Code/Full Address. Postcards to: Rep
______, c/o House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Bldg., Washington,
DC 20515.
8. EPA
Chief Scott Pruitt is still under fire, as key staff people keep leaving the
agency http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/386281-upheaval-at-pruitts-epa-as-departures-mount?userid=200565, and new stories have emerged about Pruitt
using taxpayer dollars to fulfill his travel wish list and make deals for his
lobbying buddies. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/386184-pruitt-had-travel-wishlist-and-asked-staff-to-find-official-reasons. Though we may be distracted by everything
else in the news, let’s not forget to keep sounding the call for Pruitt’s
resignation. So far, 170 members of Congress, including some Republicans have asked Pruitt to resign. Let’s contact
our MoCs and the EPA using this 5calls
script.
Election 2018 –
General
An election guide from Postcards for America: In this Google doc (in process),
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. The Detroit
Free Press has a great ‘get out the vote’ (GOTV) idea for the Michigan primary
in August: 10-5-1. Let’s try to replicate this everywhere! https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/2018/05/06/10-5-1-free-press-campaign-boost-voter-turnout-august/565188002/
2. This
weekend, Postcards to Voters launched their first campaign for a
candidate in Nebraska. Campaign 83: Machaela Cavanaugh for State Legislature, District 6.
The Nebraska Primary is May 15 and the top two vote-getters go
on to the General (Midterm) election in November. Let's help a Democrat be
among the finalists. If we are already volunteers, let's write 5 cards
today. If we are new to the effort, we can sign up as a Postcards to
Voters' volunteer here. Let's make sure our Nebraska friends
and family know about this activism opportunity. We can write cards from any
state.
3. We can
check out the many resources Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) offers candidates, including financial
support, volunteers, teams of experts, phone banking, polling cross country
campaigns, and a newsletter. They also provide a Campaign in a Box, which
can be used to set up website, run email program, manage press lists and
images. The Box also includes guides and resources and templates, like sign-in
sheets for volunteers, or checklists for house parties — to download as PDFs.
We can read more about these resources and learn how to apply for an
endorsement here: http://boldprogressives.org/campaign-services/
Election 2018 –
By State
1. AR: Early voting starts today for the
May 20 primary. More info here: http://www.4029tv.com/article/early-voting-locations-for-the-2018-primaries/20159851
2. IA: In-person absentee voting
begins. Check here: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinperson.html
3. IN: State primary is tomorrow, May
8. Information here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NCYjsm3xKb79z19Gx7PWt5Zs9lkLiTqglHBHYs9mlX8/edit
4. MS: Today is the last day to register
to vote in the primary election. More
information here:
5. MT: Today is the last day to register
to vote in the primary election. More
info here: https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/
6. NC: State primary is tomorrow, May 8. Details here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NCYjsm3xKb79z19Gx7PWt5Zs9lkLiTqglHBHYs9mlX8/edit
7. NM: Tomorrow, May 8, is the last day
to register to vote in the primary. It
is also the first day of early voting.
More info here: http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Voter_Information/voter-information-portal.aspx
8. OH: State
primary is tomorrow, May 8. On the ballot,
there will be a proposal for a bipartisan redistricting process https://bit.ly/2KCBt0m We can read more about the proposal at
the Fair District Ohio website, then, let's be sure to vote "Yes"
on Issue 1. We can see other
issues/candidates here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NCYjsm3xKb79z19Gx7PWt5Zs9lkLiTqglHBHYs9mlX8/edit
9. WV: State primary is tomorrow, May
8. More information here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NCYjsm3xKb79z19Gx7PWt5Zs9lkLiTqglHBHYs9mlX8/edit
Other Actions
1. When we
can’t speak civilly with one another, it weakens our democracy and strengthens
our enemies—both foreign and domestic. The Civil Conversations Project is an
initiative of the On Being Project, a nonprofit that has grown from the public
radio show with Krista Tippett. Let’s check out their resources, including the
Better Conversations starter guide: http://www.civilconversationsproject.org/
2. Fox
News’ Neil Cavuto had a four-minute segment last week tearing into Trump’s lies
and is now taking heat for it from conservative viewers:
http://thehill.com/homenews/media/386325-foxs-cavuto-reads-viewers-posts-slamming-him-over-trump-stormy-daniels Let’s take a moment to thank Mr.
Cavuto for speaking out about the damages that come from the lies: Fox
News, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10036
3. Two
Native American high school students who are brothers saved up their money to
travel to Colorado to visit the campus of Colorado State University. During the
tour a mother who was there with her child called 911 because the boys made her
uncomfortable. The boys were questioned by campus police and missed the rest of
the tour:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/04/native-american-students-colorado-state-college-tour-police Let’s take a moment to let CSU
know that they need to be doing better and need to stand taller than their
apology suggests they will:
4. From one
of our own: In addition to contacting
our legislators about injustices to our immigrant neighbors, let’s share the
stories and have conversations with people about these injustices in order to
influence change in our communities. Many people simply do not understand the
truth in this matter and instead live in fear of what they believe is a threat
to our country. In the important upcoming elections, make sure that the people
you are voting for stand for justice for immigrants. Finally, support
organizations like Justice
For Our Neighbors that
are providing services to people who find themselves in these terrifying
situations.
5. From the
Poor
People's Campaign: A
National Call for Moral Revival Legal Defense Fund: Poor and disenfranchised people, clergy and
advocates will be protesting at more than 30 statehouses across the country,
hosting teach-ins and demanding policies that lift up the 140 million Americans
living in poverty. This isn’t about left and right, it’s about right and wrong. This fund and those who contribute to it are
our last line of defense and a vital part of our movement. We can contribute
here: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/index.php/support-the-legal-defense-fund
6. After
ceasing sales of assault rifles and banning gun sales to anyone under 21
shortly after the Parkland shooting, Dick’s Sporting Goods has taken another
strong step and hired a lobbyist to push for common sense gun control efforts. http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/386162-dicks-sporting-goods-hire-lobbyists-on-gun-control. Let’s thank Dick’s by calling (724)
273-3400; leaving feedback on their corporate site, Facebook, and/or Twitter pages, or writing to Edward Stack, CEO,
Dick’s Sporting Goods, 345
Court Street, Coraopolis, PA, 15108. We can also patronize our local Dick’s
store if we need some workout clothes or a new pair of sneakers and make sure
to tell the people behind the counter why we are shopping there.
7. Mikayla
Sharrieff, India Skinner, and Bria Snell are high school juniors who developed
a simple way to de-lead water in school drinking fountains—and are now
finalists in a NASA science & technology contest. But these three budding
scientists are young Black women, and they became targets of racist internet
trolls who sought to sabotage their chance of winning. https://www.npr.org/2018/05/05/608558338/3-black-teenage-scientists-had-a-breakthrough-then-came-the-trolls ; https://opsparc.gsfc.nasa.gov/finalists-grades-9-12/ Our futures depend on the talents of
Mikayla, India, and Bria. Let’s write (so that our messages are transparent)
postcards of gratitude and encouragement to them c/o their school, Benjamin
Banneker High School 800 Euclid St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.
8. Members
of Act Local and Assemble are preparing a resource guide to connect
people with local progressive organizations. To ensure the effectiveness of
this project, they
are doing research on people getting more
civically and politically engaged after the 2016 election. We can participate
if we have donated to an organization or campaign, called our representatives,
signed a petition, knocked on doors for a candidate, amplified issues on social
media, attended a town hall or marched. Maybe we did one of these, once, or maybe we
do all of them every day. Either way, we can help out by filling out this
5 - 7-minute survey and sharing it with a few friends:
Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to
attend/organize
1. Parkland moms are organizing a Shop-In on Saturday, May
12 to thank responsible businesses like Dick’s Sporting Goods, which
stopped selling assault rifles and is lobbying for gun reform after the
Parkland shooting, for their actions on this crucial issue (http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/386075-parkland-moms-plan-national-shopping-day-to-thank-dicks-walmart). And there’s an
opportunity to do more here, too. NuDay Syria is taking donations for those
affected by the civil war, and they’re looking for sneakers, flip-flops and
casual footwear. If we’re able, let’s order new shoes at Dick’s on May 12th and
have them sent directly to the NuDay Syria offices, and post about
it on social media with the hashtag #ShopInForMoms.
2. Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) is running
a series of one-hour special online trainings for candidates on how to get out
the vote, build campaign teams, recruit volunteers, and fight for
progressive policies! Whether we are a candidate running for office this
cycle, a campaign manager overseeing a race, or simply thinking about running
for office down the line, these are the trainings for us.This May, training
will be on Thursday, May 17 at 7pm Eastern Time. We can access
it here: http://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/rsvp-pccc-online-candidate-training-2018
States
1. ALL: The NRA sells “murder insurance.”
https://apnews.com/d664d0fe19cc46eea5a1271b74c893bd It’s called “Carry Guard.” And the
company that administers the Carry Guard program has just been hit with a $7
million fine by the State of New York because it “‘unlawfully provided
liability insurance to gun owners for certain acts of intentional wrongdoing’”
and operated in NY without a license: https://www.thetrace.org/rounds/nra-carry-guard-insurance-violates-new-york-law/ Let’s contact our state attorneys
general, https://www.usa.gov/state-attorney-general, and tell them to investigate the
purchase and sale of Carry Guard in our state.
2. CA: Republicans have raised over $2
million to defeat SB 1, "which was designed to increase the gas tax $0.12
per gallon, increase the diesel fuel tax $0.20 per gallon, increase the sales
tax on diesel fuels by an additional 4 percentage points, create an annual
transportation improvement fee, and create an annual zero-emission vehicles
fee.[2]" Republicans have gathered enough
signatures to try to stop this bill with Initiative #17-0033, which would
repeal the "taxing provisions of SB 1 ... until voters approve SB 1."
There has been no money raised to oppose this initiative and to support
environmentally responsible SB 1. Who will step up?
3. MI: On Monday, May 14th, the Michigan Pipeline Safety Advisory Board
will meet in Lansing, and Sierra Club is asking that we show up to give public
comment on Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline. Let's find out more details about the
meeting here, and if we're able to attend, we can contact
Anne Woiwode (e-mail address: tawoiwode@gmail.com) to let her know that we are interested in
giving a public comment.
Reading/Watching
1. Michelle Obama was interviewed at the 2018 United
State of Women summit in Los Angeles on May 5th by Tracee Ellis Ross. Watch and listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0yBzXGJEZw&feature=youtu.be
2. Experts in authoritarianism advise us to keep a
list of things subtly changing around us, so we’ll remember. Amy Siskind
is keeping that list for us. Amy writes, "According to The
Washington Post (source: here), Trump has told over 3,000 false or misleading
statements since taking office." Let's review Amy
Siskind's list week 77. (If we do not have a Washington Post
subscription, we can read about the lies at CNN.)
3. As usual, our weekly dose of Small
Victories: https://mailchi.mp/peaceisloud/small-victories-start-again-in-the-month-of-may
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