10/24/18
Contact Federal Government Officials
Find elected officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Fax legislators for free:
Or
use Resistbot: https://resist.bot/
Or
use StampsLicked to have messages hand-delivered to our own legislators: https://stampslicked.org/
White House contact:
https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/white-house
********************************
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
was loud and proud in Houston on Monday about being a nationalist which is
evocative of other scary humans like, for example, Hitler.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/412649-trump-you-know-what-i-am-im-a-nationalist Let’s
keep the bulk of our focus on our Get Out The Vote activities (postcarding,
phone banking, canvassing, text banking, making donations, connecting with
friends and family) but also take a minute to let our MoC know that our ears
and eyes are open to the advancing authoritarianism and that we expect them to
stand up.
2. While
Trump pretends that his proposed assault on our trans brothers and sisters is
to “protect the country”, we know better: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lgbt/trump-says-transgender-policy-seeks-to-protect-the-country-idUSKCN1MW2XE
Let’s remind folks that the Equality Act is still in play in Congress and would
remedy this and other inequities. https://www.bustle.com/p/the-equality-act-would-give-trans-people-legal-protection-thats-more-crucial-than-ever-now-12791566
Let's contact our MoC and ask them to
cosponsor and support the Equality Act (S. 1006/H.R. 2282),
which would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 "to include sex, sexual
orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of
discrimination or segregation in places of public accommodation." The
bills already have 198 cosponsors in the House, and 47 in the Senate; it's time
to move them forward out of committee. We can also sign this ALCU
petition:
3. We
know that Trump is more concerned about his investments and the Iran
implications than the atrocious murder of a journalist in Saudi Arabia. His response has been passive at best. Congress seems to understand why we should step
back in our support of Saudi Arabia. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/23/how-congress-can-force-trumps-hand-on-saudi-sanctions--and-why-the-consequences-would-be-major.html
Let’s tell our MoCs that we are counting on them to take the lead here and do
the right thing.
4. Trump
called Representative Greg Gianforte (R-MT), who was convicted of body-slamming
a reporter "my kind of guy."
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/18/donald-trump-greg-gianforte-bodyslammed-reporter-my-kind-guy/1690729002/.
Meanwhile, he has been very cautious about condemning the government of Saudi
Arabia, for their alleged role in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, initially
claiming to believe the Saudis https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/10/18/donald-trump-jamal-khashoggi-response-compromised-saudi-arabia-column/1680857002/,
and only subtly expressing dissatisfaction as public pressure mounts. https://abc7chicago.com/trump-not-satisfied-with-saudi-response-to-khashoggi-killing/4538079/.
Let's ask our MoCs what we can do to protect journalists in this country and
abroad and how we can put forth much stronger guidelines in assuring the
freedom and sanctity of an independent press.
Election 2018 – General
1.
Kat Calvin, founder of the wonderful
organization Spread the Vote, has written a sensible op ed telling us
that, while voter suppression is real, wrong, and should be fought, it should
also NOT be sensationalized to the extent that we wind up suppressing our own
votes. https://www.myajc.com/news/opinion/opinion-suppressing-our-own-votes/Xo0efVuhqlRUQh9jW1J8TK/ Let’s
make sure that we go to the polls, especially in Georgia. If we encounter any
problems with voting, call 866-OUR-VOTE.
2.
With all three branches of our government under
authoritarian control or attack, it has become increasingly clear over the past
2 years that we citizens are all that can stop the spreading demagoguery. In
that spirit, we need to take control of our democracy in these last days before
the midterm elections and simply TALK to our fellow citizens, many of whom are
still not aware of the growing menace that threatens us all. Each of us
interacts with other people every day, and chances are good that at least some
of them could use some more information, or maybe just some prompting to
finally vote. What's a little social awkwardness, when compared to losing
rights/freedoms in a weakened democracy? https://markinreport.com/2018/10/21/what-will-happen-if-the-gop-keeps-control-of-congress
3.
Overseas voter living in Canada, especially near
the border? Want to do more to make the blue wave happen? An email from Dems
Abroad states: "Democrats Abroad Canada has been approached by campaigns
in critical swing districts in border-states asking for volunteers willing to
travel to help on the ground in a number of ways. The need is especially great
on the weekend of Nov 2nd-4th and on election day,
Nov 6th. While we’ve had dozens of volunteers across Canada phone-banking
Americans living abroad, our proximity to the border states provides a unique
opportunity among our diaspora in that most of us can travel relatively short
distances to participate on the ground to possibly tip the balance in certain
very tight races." If we can make the time to travel, Dems Abroad can help
get people together to organize trips to NY and WA in particular. Sign up
here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoa16p1gNFdasIen-EhodjYSgjq2M9_lR1QYJoY1gVVJQLfA/viewform
4.
Our work to flip the NY state senate continues
with Postcards to Voters' Campaign 126: Jeremy Cooney for
NY State Senate. This district has a Democratic voter registration
advantage at 61.2% blue. Even though Obama and Hillary won this district in
2012 and 2016 respectively, the same conservative Republican has held this seat
for the past 15 years. Let's write 5 cards for Jeremy today to help get
out the blue vote. If we are new volunteers, we can text JOIN to
484-275-2229.
5.
Postcards To Voters assigned over 1.2 million
addresses in 44 days but NONE were requested from Nevada! Whether or not we are
postcarders ourselves, let's make sure that our like-minded family and friends
in Nevada know about this easy, empowering activity that can be done
inexpensively at home. Postcards to Voters is
perfect for those asking, "What can I do?" Let's spread the word to
Nevada today. We sign up by email, text or on-line. Information for getting
started is here.
6.
We're back to Texas with Postcards to
Voters' Campaign 127: Beto O'Rourke and Mike Siegel for
Texas. Mike is a former public school teacher and civil rights lawyer; he
has a chance to flip this Austin-area seat. Let's help him and Beto by writing
5 cards today. New volunteers can email: Join@TonyTheDemocrat.org
7.
Vote Save America helps us get ready to vote all
on one site. We can sign up, pledge to vote, check our registration, and also
create our our voting guide to take with us to the polls, when we click on this
link. https://votesaveamerica.com/ If we already know we are registered, we can
click here to find a map to click on our state. There we can find our
states’ policies on voter registration, early voting, absentee ballots and
required voter ID. We can also find state candidates who can use our help and
get information on propositions that will be on our ballots.
8.
We can also help out by writing last-minute
postcards against Devon Mathisa California state representative
from the 26th District. Mathis is currently seeking re-election, despite the
fact that he has been repeatedly accused by staff members of being a sexist,
harassing workplace bully with
a drinking problem. He has been sued by two different former staffers and found
responsible by the State Assembly of violating the
sexual harassment policy by making frequent sexual comments about co-workers
and female Assemblymembers.
Mathis defended his
behavior by characterizing the comments as ‘locker room talk’– the same excuse
that President Trump used to defend his now infamous “grab them by the p****”
comment. Mathis has also been accused by his former wife of abusing her
and their children. Even fellow Republicans have
called Mathis an embarrassment and called on him to resign https://www.stopmathis.org/postcards/
Election 2018 – By State
1.
ALL: Upcoming voting dates and deadlines: by date:
https://goo.gl/gjFv2u by
state: https://goo.gl/7gTzvE
2. ALL:
If we are not sure where to start looking for information about
candidates, issues, etc., we can check this out: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NCYjsm3xKb79z19Gx7PWt5Zs9lkLiTqglHBHYs9mlX8/edit
1.
KS:
Ride-sharing company Lyft is partnering with a Latino activist
group, Voto Latino, to take
voters in Dodge City, Kansas to the polls on election day after it was
announced that the majority-Hispanic city would move its lone polling site
outside city limits, more than a mile away from the closest bus stop. We can
read more at The Hill.
If we have friends or family in Dodge City, let's make sure they know about the
Lyft ride availability.
Other Actions
1. The
Trump administration is proposing narrowing gender definitions on the basis of
one's genitalia at birth. (https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/412418-trump-administration-considering-narrowing-legal-definition-of-gender). This not only completely goes
against human biology, in
which XX and XY are only two of multiple possible combinations, but it also
erases transgender and intersex individuals. To help stop the spread of
pseudoscience, and to stand up for transgender, intersex, and non-binary
individuals, let's educate ourselves on how human biology works, and use these facts to help bring
awareness to those around us.
2. Following
the reports of the Trump administration's attempt to narrow the definition of
gender, many are wondering what we can do to help support transgender,
non-binary, and gender non-conforming communities. Rosemary Donahue and Marci
Robin have detailed six ways that we can help, from donating money to
organizations, to contacting our MoC, to volunteering, to educating ourselves
so that we can be better allies. Let's check out their article at
Allure, and choose at least
one item from their list to participate and follow through on.
3. For
the educators among us, Teaching Tolerance has compiled some great resources to
help us support our transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students
and create a more inclusive classroom. We can find reading materials, toolkits,
and discussion ideas. Let's check it out here.
4. “How
Government Works & How to Get Involved” is a free, online course being
offered by Georgetown University in collaboration with edX.org. It’s intended
to teach the fundamentals of American government and explain how to become an
engaged, empowered citizen. Let’s consider enrolling and let’s pass the word
along: https://www.edx.org/course/how-the-us-government-works-how-to-get-involved
5. The
#EnoughisEnough Voter Project is targeting candidates for public office who -in
public or private life - have turned against women on the issues of sexual
harassment or violence against women and children.They are saying “enough is
enough” by standing up to bullies in Congress, in state legislatures, in the
media, and at the ballot box. Some of these candidates are overtly
misogynistic bullies. Others have been personally accused of sexual misconduct,
including sexual harassment, domestic violence, and sexual abuse of teenage students
by a teacher. They conduct research, provide public information, and
oppose politicians who have a poor track record on our issues. When we
support them, we will take a stand, hold politicians accountable and
ensure violence against women is part of the national conversation this
November and in future elections. We can find out more and join In
here www.enoughisenoughvoter.org.
6. The
news about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi is worsening:
https://www.apnews.com/4bb27ac30e564cbbb5e05fd502b060b9 Let’s
take a moment to express our condolences to his colleagues at the Washington
Post: The Washington Post, 1301 K Street NW, Washington DC
20071
7. Folk
singer Sally Rogers has “written a new song in response to the horrors that are
going on on our border, with children being separated from their parents.” She asking it be shared widely: https://www.facebook.com/salrog/videos/10215362691318586/
Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to
attend/organize
1.
January
19, 2019 is the date of the third Women’s March with the main event to be
held in Washington, D.C. with sister marches all over the country. Let’s find more information here: https://www.womensmarch.com/2019
States
1. MA: Question 3 asks whether we should
retain an existing state law that provides protection against discrimination to
transgender people.
https://www.freedommassachusetts.org/learn-more/.
The opposition is preying on fears and stereotypes that this law will allow
male predators to enter women's bathrooms dressed up as women, a claim that
lacks supporting evidence.
http://time.com/4314896/transgender-bathroom-bill-male-predators-argument/.
Let's reach out to our friends and neighbors and discuss how important this
bill is to those of us who are transgender or have transgender friends and family
and family and to vote YES--to maintain the existing anti-discrimination law,
which is working as is. To learn more about how to support YES on 3, we can
visit this website.
Reading/Watching
1.
How the US Policy in Honduras Set the Stage
for Today's Mass Migration - https://theconversation.com/how-us-policy-in-honduras-set-the-stage-for-todays-mass-migration-65935
2.
Authoritarians like Trump target trans
people for a reason -
3.
Evangelicals
are paying high moral price for anti-abortion gains. What would Jesus do? -
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/10/21/donald-trump-abortion-cost-evangelicals-moral-high-ground-column/1686348002/
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