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8/14/18 

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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.       We’ve known for a while that Stephen Miller is the ultimate racist behind the Trump administration’s immigration policy, but now Miller’s own uncle has penned a powerful op-ed about his infamous, disturbing nephew.  Stephen Miller’s uncle, David Glosser, whose family immigrated to the United States from eastern Europe at the turn of the 20th century is ashamed of his nephew’s leadership in the current administration’s immoral and mean-spirit immigration policy. There’s a word for this in Yiddish: shanda--which means shame. Glosser states, “I have watched with dismay and increasing horror as my nephew, who is an educated man and well aware of his heritage, has become the architect of immigration policies that repudiate the very foundation of our family’s life in this country. . .” Let’s read Glosser's article in Politico and tell our MoCs that they need to do more to reverse this administration’s immigrant and refugee policies.

2.      Unfortunately, Secretary of Defense James Mattis has reversed his position on Space Force – he had originally been against it:  http://thehill.com/policy/defense/401501-mattis-defends-reversing-his-stance-on-trumps-space-force  Let’s let Mattis know that there are plenty of issues here on Earth that need our attention without feeding into Trump’s madness: 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1000

3.      From one of our own:  Call your Senators and tell them to vote against the confirming David Porter as a judge. More information here https://www.afj.org/our-work/nominees/david-porter . Also tell them to vote against appointment of Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Board (CFPB). . http://thehill.com/policy/finance/400638-vulnerable-dems-side-with-warren-in-battle-over-consumer-bureau?userid=200565. Kraninger has no experience in this area and is expected to follow Acting Director Mick Mulvaney’s lead in limiting the board’s scope and power. Tell your Senators that you want to see a CFPB head who will follow the Board’s original mission of protecting consumers from corporate financial abuse of power, and to vote no on Kraninger’s confirmation.

4.      Thanks to our calls, the Senate passed a bipartisan Farm Bill in June that protects SNAP (food stamps). Now the Congressional Conference Committee needs to work out the differences between the Senate and the House bills, which takes away food assistance from millions of hungry American families (http://www.agweek.com/business/agriculture/4482864-north-dakota-shape-new-farm-bill). Let's make sure Congress knows we support the Senate version. Find scripts to use and a petition to sign here.

5.      In yet another example of Kavanaugh being unfit to serve on the Supreme Court, we can take a look at his stance on disability rights and bodily autonomy. In a 2007 ruling, Kavanaugh overruled multiple court orders, and determined that those who have been deemed "medically incompetent" can be subject to elective surgery without their own consent or input (https://bit.ly/2B3tmJG). The case had involved three intellectually disabled women who had been subject to elective procedures: two abortions and one eye surgery. However, Kavanaugh's ruling stated that the claim that their constitutional rights had been violated was "meritless." Because of this, along with his opposition to the Affordable Care Act, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities is opposing Kavanaugh's nomination:  
https://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=13620&id=17 Let's make sure that as we are calling our MoC, we are pointing out that Kavanaugh's appointment to the Supreme Court would be a danger to disabled individuals across the U.S.

6.      While the Justice Department settlement to allow the distribution of blueprints for 3D printed guns has gained plenty of media attention, it is part of a broader issue: accessibility, manufacture, and distribution of untraceable firearms, or "ghost guns":
(https://www.wired.com/story/ghost-gun-machine-makes-untraceable-handguns/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/27/us/ghost-guns-gabby-giffords.html). Last month, Senator Blumenthal (D-CT), along with 15 cosponsors, introduced the Untraceable Firearms Act (S.3300), which would amend the current U.S. Code by amending the definition of an untraceable firearm, and specifically include 3D printing as an example of firearms manufacturing (https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/3300/text). Let's call our senators and ask them to support this 

7.      In yet another example of legislative overreach, Congress is currently considering the Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018 (S.2836/H.R. 6401). Thse bills would give the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security, but not local officials, broad power to intercept, disable, and/or destroy drones without warning or clear justification.   https://www.aclu.org/letter/coalition-letter-opposing-s-2836-preventing-emerging-threats-act-2018  They would wield this power with zero oversight beyond semiannual reports to Congress, during which they would have no requirement to account for the damage done to private property or our Constitutional rights. Numerous civil rights watchdogs oppose so let's give these bills a big thumbs-down when talking with our MoCs this week. 

8.     Not content with the havoc they have already wreaked, Trump’s Dept of Homeland Security is now proposing a change in the “public charge” rule that would make recipients of children’s health insurance, SNAP, WIC, tax credits for low- to moderate-income families, as well as housing and transit subsidies ineligible to become permanent legal residents; currently, only cash benefits are considered in determining whether an immigrant is a “public charge”: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=201710&RIN=1615-AA22  While meant, no doubt, to galvanize Republicans before the midterms, this change could effect one million people in New York City alone: 
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/13/nyregion/welfare-immigrants-trump-public-charge-rule.html  We must be vigilant and watch for the public comment period that should precede a rule change of this kind. Let's comment and alert our MoCs.

9.      From one of our own:  Call your representative and ask them to tell Ryan to ask for the resignations of Rep Collins and Rep Nunez. Collins for insider trading and Nunez for defending Trump rather than the rule of law. In a closed-door fundraising session last week, Devin Nunes (R-CA) and Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, claimed that keeping a GOP majority was the only way to protect Trump from the outcome of the Mueller investigation since collusion can be a crime. https://www.newsweek.com/nunes-admits-collusion-can-be-crime-secret-recordings-1064999

10.  While headlines about immigrant family separation are less prominent than they were a few weeks ago, we should not be resting on this issue until every family is reunited.  https://www.kqed.org/news/11683623/months-after-her-dad-was-deported-young-girl-still-alone-in-u-s-shelter   Let’s keep leaning on our MoCs to do everything possible to reunite families like the one featured in this moving article.

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:  

1.       Whether it's emoluments, emissions standards or printable guns, Democratic state attorneys general are on the front lines of the fight against Trump - and they're earning plenty of victories for common sense and the rule of law (https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/3D-Printable-Guns-States-Lawsuit-489617081.html). We have a chance to add to their ranks in November and help Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in places like Nevada, Texas and Georgia. Let's join Open Progress' text troop and text voters to help elect more Democratic AGs! You can sign up here: https://www.openprogress.com/text-troop.

2.      As we head into the last few months before the midterms, Republicans will be trying to garner votes by touting the strong economy. However, the true facts are much less rosy. Wages have fallen, http://thehill.com/policy/finance/401341-wages-drop-despite-economic-boom
3.      inflation is higher, and the deficit, which the GOP was so concerned about during the Obama years, has ballooned drastically.  https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckjones/2018/08/11/trumps-economic-scorecard-higher-inflation-flat-wages-and-a-ballooning-federal-deficit/#3a6bc9fa22fa. Let’s make sure to spread the true facts about the economy when talking to our friends and family during this voting season.  

4.      The Coffee Party is inviting us to become a #VoterBuddy and help our neighbors get registered, get educated and get to the polls. We can sign up here:  www.coffeepartyusa.com/voterbuddy

Election 2018 – By State

1.       Upcoming voting dates and deadlines:

August 14
Vermont
Voter Registration Deadline
Primary
August 14
Wisconsin
Voter Registration Deadline
Primary
August 14
Connecticut
Election date
Primary
August 14
Minnesota
Election date
Primary
August 14
Vermont
Election date
Primary
August 14
Wisconsin
Election date
Primary
August 14
Arkansas
Election date
State Senate Dist 8
August 15
Massachusetts
Voter Registration Deadline
Primary
August 17
New York (state)
Voter Registration Deadline
Primary
August 18
Florida
Early Voting Begins
Primary
August 20
Wyoming
In person absentee voting ends
Primary
August 21
Wyoming
Voter Registration Deadline
Primary (same day registration)
August 21
Alaska
Election date
Primary
August 21
Wyoming
Election date
Primary
August 23
Oklahoma
Early Voting begins
Runoffs
August 25
Oklahoma
Early voting ends
Runoffs
August 25
Guam
Election date
Primary
August 25
Florida
Early Voting ends
Primary
(source:  by date:  https://goo.gl/gjFv2u   by state:  https://goo.gl/7gTzvE)

2.      Upcoming Primaries:

A)    Tuesday, 8/14




If we are looking for a pro-choice voter guide for Tuesday, it’s here.

B)    Tuesday, 8/28



Other Actions

1.       Though it is painful for us to be discussing Nazi rallies in our country, let’s just take a moment to pause in gratitude for the people who made these words possible “Massive counter-protests dwarf Unite the Right 2 rally”:  http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/401490-massive-counterprotests-dwarf-unite-the-right-2-rally    Onwards Resistance!

2.      Dr. Dona Kim Murphey and immigration and human rights attorney Hope Frye have had privileged insight into the issue of immigration detention.  Together they have created Project Lifeline  and are asking us to “apply pressure on the government to legislate the humane treatment of detainees. Join all people of good conscience to shine a light on a problem that well before and well beyond the family separation story, will continue to cause profound suffering. 70,000 immigrant children were arrested and detained in the last two years...”  https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10105167745912561&id=7197  They will caravan from Houston and San Antonio on Sat, Sept 29 to offer to address the human rights violations of detained immigrants by delivering aid in a classic relief effort - food, water, warmth, and basic medical care. White coats, white collars, and people of good conscience will apply pressure on the government to legislate the humane treatment of detainees with the launch of Project Lifeline.  Let’s help however we can:  

3.      Last week, ProPublica informed us about the Mar-a-Lago members influencing the Veteran's Administration. Now, ProPublica is providing us with a download that includes hundreds of pages of documents obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs through the Freedom of Information Act. The data shows how three outside advisers who often meet at Mar-a-Lago wield vast influence over the agency. If we are data wonks, we'll want to check this out.

4.      From one of our own: So, this is fun.... take this quiz that asks NON-political questions to predict your party affiliation. It predicted me.   https://www.upworthy.com/these-27-non-political-questions-can-predict-whether-you-re-a-republican-or-democrat

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.       On Thursday, August 16, join hundreds of volunteers for a host call to learn how you can plan a successful Organizing for '18 House Party on Saturday, August 25 at 8PM EDT, and start mobilizing folks to volunteer for crucial campaigns this fall, and make their voices heard at the polls this November.  We can sign up for the webinar here:  https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4c4n3bQmROGtDI1PKRMpPw

2.      Evidence is piling up that Brett Kavanaugh cannot be trusted to protect the right to choose or check executive power (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/29/us/brett-kavanaugh-signing-statements.html). So activists across the country are coming together for a 50-state day of action against his nomination on August 26th. Let’s find an event near us or start our own here.

3.      Experts say we are already starting to see the impacts of climate change playing out in real time with extreme weather patterns:  (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/27/extreme-global-weather-climate-change-michael-mann). We cannot wait for action. On September 8th, people all over the world are coming together in a coordinated call for local action for the climate, jobs and justice. We can find a Rise for Climate event near us here, or we can sign up to organize our own.

States


Find elected state officials: https://openstates.org/


1.       CA: The federal government has let us down on net neutrality, so now it's up to the states. "California state senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat, re-introduced Senate Bill 822 this week, a bill that would establish the most robust net neutrality protections in the country." https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/mb4x8y/californias-net-neutrality-bill-is-back-from-the-dead-with-the-help-of-its-biggest-detractor It could become a model for the other states, but only if it passes! Let's find our state senate and assembly reps here:  http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov and tell them California wants them to support this bill.

2.      MOST:  Last week, GOP Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill allowing for automatic voter registration (AVR). The Massachusetts law expands opportunity for AVR beyond just motor vehicle offices to health-provider MassHealth. Let's read more at Brennan Center for Justice. We can check out AVR by state at Ballotpedia. If our state does not yet have AVR, let's encourage our state legislators to take up this issue in their next session. If we are on Twitter, let's use #AVRforAll when we highlight the issue.

Reading/Watching

1.       “There Won’t Even Be a Paper Trail”:  Has Stephen Miller Become a Shadow Master at the State Department - https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/08/stephen-miller-refugees-state-department

2.      My friend Rashida: far more than the first Muslim American congresswoman - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/10/my-friend-rashida-far-more-than-the-first-muslim-american-congresswoman

3.      An example of how important the media is in shifting the public conversation, with the hope of changing common practice, and effecting policy: 





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