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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.
Amid the Mueller/Russia news, it can be too easy to
forget that the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico continues to unfold
following Hurricane Maria. The Office of the High Commissioner of the United
Nations Human Rights division released a statement expressing concern about
mounting human rights issues in the face of inadequate response:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22326&LangID=E The
experts cited in the report said, ““We call on the United States and Puerto
Rican authorities to remove regulatory and financial barriers to reconstruction
and recovery. All reconstruction efforts should be guided by international
human rights standards, ensuring that people can rebuild where they have lived
and close to their communities. Reconstruction should aim to increase the
resilience of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure, housing and hospitals against
future natural disasters.” Let’s remain in touch with our MoC to make it
clear we know this is a crisis in dire need of focused attention in both the
near-term and longer-term.
2.
The Trump tax plan was supposed to be rolled out today,
but like the healthcare bill, it is not quite in a finished state so it is
being delayed a day: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/31/house-republican-tax-plan-244385
Let’s keep reminding our MoCs that if it includes cuts to Medicare, Medicaid,
or does anything to harm any of our most vulnerable citizens or takes away from
the middle class to give a break to the wealthy, (no cuts to 401 contributions,
keep all state and local Tax (SALT) deductions. keep the mortgage deduction for
all houses, not just the ones worth over $801,000) that we are not in support
and do not want them to be either. Every delay, every negative element brought to
light, makes it harder for this terrible plan to pass, so let's get those phones
ringing off the hooks!
3.
If, out of deference to his service, we were attempting
to give White House Chief of Staff John Kelly third, fourth, and fifth chances,
it seems that we can now be done. On Monday night, Kelly gave an interview
to Fox News in which he doubled down on not owing Rep. Frederica Wilson an
apology after lying about her, praised Robert E. Lee as “honorable”, and said
that the Civil War was caused by an inability to compromise: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/31/john-kelly-says-us-civil-war-was-prompted-by-inability-to-compromise Let’s
let Kelly know that we do not need his brand of patriotism in the White House:
The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20500 We can
also tweet him: @GenJohnKelly
4.
Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) has called for the
resignation of the Press Secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, saying that “She
lacks any credibility, outright lies to the American people.” This was in
response to Sanders’ claim that Monday’s indictments had “nothing to
do with the president” and “everything to do with the Clinton campaign.”
https://twitter.com/JoaquinCastrotx/status/925062007900004352 and https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/10/30/trumps-texas-allies-mum-indictments-democrats-claim-vindication Let’s
contact our MoCs to ask that they second Castro’s demand for Sanders’
resignation.
5.
Trumpcare open enrollment starts today (Nov.1) and runs
through Dec. 15. The Trumpcare open enrollment is much shorter than
for Obamacare. Additionally, Rogan's Listers are reporting that their
Trumpcare premiums will cost them up to 400% more per month. Let's be
sure to talk about all the negative healthcare elements as
"Trumpcare." Trump tweeted over the weekend: "As usual,
the ObamaCare premiums will be up (the Dems own it), but we will Repeal &
Replace and have great Healthcare soon after Tax Cuts!" (more about
his Tweetstorm at NBCNews.) The Republican regime needs to know that in fact,
THEY are the ones who own healthcare now and we are not happy with Trumpcare.
Let's target our Republican members of congress with our complaints about
Trumpcare.
6.
Trump’s Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense
Secretary James Mattis told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that they
oppose replacing the current Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF),
which technically permits using force only against those responsible for the
9/11 attacks; if it is replaced, as Senators Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Tim Kaine
(D-VA) have proposed, they want no time constraints or geographical limits on
the government’s war powers: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/357899-mattis-tillerson-describe-conditions-of-support-for-new-war-authorization
The Flake-Kaine replacement AUMF would limit the authorization to five
years, at which time it would have to be renewed by Congress. Given the past 16
years of unchecked and often secret US military intervention around the globe
without any declaration of war by Congress as the Constitution requires, some
constraints would seem necessary. Let’s tell the chair of the Foreign
Relations Committee Bob Corker (R-TN) and of MoCs that we don’t want endless,
illegal war waged in our name: Sen. Bob Corker, 202-224-3344 or
Dirksen Senate Office Bldg., SD-425, DC 20510.
7.
As part of his aggressive new strategy to confront
Iran, Trump announced recently that he would no longer certify Iran’s
compliance with Iran agreement, as required every 90 days. Trump’s action
shifted the fate of the agreement to Congress, which may now reimpose sanctions
on Iran. Now, 90 American experts in atomic sciences, including a designer of
the hydrogen bomb, all three 2017 Nobel Prize winners in Physics, a former
director of Los Alamos, and a 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient,
have sent a letter to Congress urging that the Iran nuclear agreement be
preserved:
http://allthingsnuclear.org/lgronlund/scientists-letter-on-iran We
could let our MoCs that we agree.
8.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has been working hard
and we’ve started to see the results of his efforts. This is good news, but
technically, the "President has the legal authority to fire the Special Counsel."
The closer Mueller approaches Trump's immediate circle of family and friends,
the more his position is in danger. Rather than wait for Trump to make this
likely move, let's take action. "Both houses of Congress presently have
identical bills before them entitled the Special Counsel Integrity Act (H.R 3771 and S. 1741). The bills would allow Muller, in the event of his
firing, to appear to a court of three judges within fourteen days. If the
firing is found to be inappropriate, Muller would be automatically reinstated
to his position. In essence, it takes away President Trump’s ability to
unilaterally fire a Special Counsel." https://resistbot.news/fireproofing-mueller-4b056241aac6 Let's contact our MoCs in both houses and ask
them to support these bills!
9.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation
yesterday to regulate bump stocks, the device used by the Las Vegas mass
shooter to make semi-automatic rifles fire faster. Another bill has been
introduced to bar the manufacture, sale or use of bump stocks entirely: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/358014-bipartisan-lawmakers-propose-regulating-gun-bump-stocks Let’s contact our lawmakers and let them know
we want them to do whatever they can to put sensible gun control laws in place,
and we would like them to vote for either of these proposals and push for
hearings and votes on both of them instead of letting this issue fade until the
next massacre.
Election 2017
1.
All States - Vote for Science: The organization
"314 Action is
a nonprofit 501(c)4 that was founded by members of the STEM community,
grassroots supporters and political activists who believe in science. We
are committed to electing more STEM candidates to office, advocating for
evidence-based policy solutions to issues like climate change, and fighting the
Trump administration's attacks on science." 314 Action has put together a
list of candidates that they endorse that reflect this mission. Let's check out
these 314 Action endorsed candidates. Let's stand with them on
the side of science and give these candidates our votes on Nov. 7.
2.
All states - VOTER I.D: If we have elections next week,
let's make sure we have the correct I.D. for our state. Spread the Vote has
put together this handy resource for us to use. Let's check
to make sure we know which I.D. we will need and be sure to let friends and
family in our state know too.
3.
All states - COLLEGE STUDENTS: "Young people have
the power to make a difference. An important way to achieve this is to make
their voices heard at the polls on Election Day." In 2012, the Fair Elections
Legal Network (FELN) launched Campus Vote Project (CVP)
to focus and expand its work around student voting issues. CVP works with
universities, community colleges, faculty, students and election officials to
reduce barriers to student voting. CVP's goal is to help campuses
institutionalize reforms that empower students with the information they need
to register and vote...One of the biggest barriers for students to register and
vote is the lack understanding of registration deadlines, where to register
(their home or school address), ID requirements, and other information on
voting. CVP has developed state-specific guides to help students understand
their rights and how to register and cast a ballot in their school or home
community. If we are college students, let's find the student information for
our state here.
4.
CO: A) Jeffco
Democrats is seeking volunteers to join its GOTV efforts for the 2017
elections. Phone banking can be done from your home. Email Chair@JeffcoDems.org and
ask for a GOTV phone banking list. They have 258 precincts to cover
county-wide, and more than 113,000 Democrats to contact, so your help is
needed, and B) Colorado Democrats is seeking volunteers to join its GOTV
efforts for the 2017 elections. Email Volunteer Coordinator Meike Babel
if you can help at volcoordinator@coloradodems.org.
State Actions
1.
ALL: Open
enrollment in the Healthcare Marketplace begins today for 2018 insurance
packages. The enrollment period ends on
Dec. 15. This is a much shortened, and
much less publicized enrollment period than in past years due to Trump’s
take-aways. Some people will pay less,
while others will pay more. The secret
to a good policy for next year is taking the time to shop various plans. http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/10/30/560836963/shop-around-subsidies-may-offset-your-2018-health-insurance-price-hike Let’s take this info to heart and get the
word out that there is not as much time this year. Here’s the link to peruse plans and sign
up: https://www.healthcare.gov/
We can also use this toolkit from Get America Covered: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zqJOgrGdBcfj-ZGA7MIqcLFapKR1tsx170pnkIpaJBw/edit
Other Actions
1.
Will Trump fire Special Counsel Mueller? We wouldn’t
put it past him. If he does, a swift, strong grassroots protest will be very
important. That’s why MoveOn, Center for American Progress, Public Citizen,
Indivisible Guide, Common Cause, and other groups are organizing non-violent, rapid-response
“Nobody is Above the Law” rallies across the country. These rallies will take
place only if Trump fires Mueller. Let’s sign up here: https://www.trumpisnotabovethelaw.org
2.
The cruelty of Trump’s deportation machine has been
laid bare again by the case of Rosa Maria Hernandez. Rosa Maria is 10 years old
and living with cerebral palsy. She and her adult cousin, a U.S. citizen, had
to go through an interior Border Patrol checkpoint to get her to a hospital for
emergency gallbladder surgery. Armed agents then followed them to the hospital
and detained her after she came out of the operating room. She is currently
being held in an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) shelter with no access to
her parents and no clear path to release.
As Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) stated, “A small child who just had
surgery is not a threat to Texans’ safety or our national security.” http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/26/health/undocumented-child-federal-custody-surgery-trnd/index.html Let’s call the ORR at 202-401-9246 to demand she
be let go, and join the ACLU in tweeting with the hashtag #FreeRosa to help the
issue trend on Twitter. (H/t Jessica Craven)
3.
The NY Times has published a very helpful guide for
those trying to enroll in the ACA during this year’s truncated enrollment
period from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/10/14/us/affordable-care-act-enrollment.html
It is worth using our limited access to the NYT to read—and to distribute!
—this guide.
4.
The Republican regime has chosen large companies over
small farmers again: "The Trump administration is rescinding an
Obama-era rule that would have made it easier for independent farmers to bring
lawsuits against big food companies they raise chicken and other livestock for.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection Packers
and Stockyard Administration last week withdrew an interim final rule a day
before it was set to take effect. The rule aimed to make it easier for farmers
to bring companies like Tyson Foods, Pilgrim Pride and Perdue to court over
what they say are unfair, deceptive and retaliatory practices." We can
read more at The Hill. Be informed about and discussing ways this
administration is hurting farmers is one way we may be able to find common
ground with our conservative friends and family. Let's make sure they know
about this.
5.
We all know that the number of registered voters is
very low in the U.S. as is the number of people who actually go out and vote. There are a growing number of “Get Out the
Vote” (GOTV) initiatives, but let’s try to beef up the number of registered
voters by following these guidelines from the American Association of
University Women (AAUW): https://www.aauw.org/resource/organize-a-voter-registration-drive/
6.
“Facebook accounts run by Russian trolls repeatedly
called for violence against different social and political groups in the U.S.,
including police officers, Black Lives Matter activists and undocumented
immigrants.” http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/31/media/russia-facebook-violence/index.html Add this to what was learned yesterday about
Facebook ads purchased by Russians to sway the election: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/facebook-russia-ads-investigation-twitter-google-testimony-senate-judiciary-committee-2017-10-31/ We need to let Facebook know that we users do
not want to use a social media platform that cannot be better monitored from
such interference with our democracy:
Facebook Headquarters, 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025
7.
From Postcards
from Kate: There are sexier topics
in the fishwrappers today, but superficial interpretations of history can't be ignored.
Ta-Nehisi Coates takes on General Kelly's read of the Civil War in this thread,
which includes this snappy diss:
“Praising Bobby Lee as an honorable man is just sad. Like some kid
insisting his deadbeat dad is actually a secret agent away on a mission." And there's more, historically accurate,
profound, 140 characters at a time. Read the whole thread on Twitter, and then
send Coates thanks via The Atlantic, where he is a correspondent: Ta-Nehisi Coates,
The Atlantic, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20037 or @tanehisicoates
The Atlantic, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20037 or @tanehisicoates
8.
Scott Pruitt's EPA has launched a full out assault on the
very Environment it is meant to protect. Fortunately, we now have help fighting
back. Former EPA Staffers have written a guide to the EPA, similar to
Indivisible's, to help us resist Trump's rollback of environmental
protections. It tells us how regulations are made, the required public
input process and how it can be used to resist the damage proposed by Pruitt,
and how to use other effective strategies. Check it out here and start
resisting the EPA's attacks on the Environment.
http://saveepaalums.info/a-practical-guide-for-resisting-the-trump-de-regulatory-agenda/
Petitions
1.
When a parent is a match for a child’s much-needed
transplant it is an easy call, right?
Emory University Hospital has refused because the father broke parole. Following the denial, the child, a 2-year-old
boy was rushed to the hospital with an infection; http://www.ajc.com/news/local/boy-rushed-emergency-room-after-kidney-transplant-from-father-denied/epgsckxxpVgDjXOe5eha0M/ Let’s join this Color of Change petition
asking the hospital to let this father save his son’s life: https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/emory-do-the-surgery
2.
Now that we know that Russians hacked social media to
influence the election, the “FEC should require online campaign ads to include
disclaimers as to who is paying for them — just like is done for television and
print advertisements.” https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/fec-require-political
Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms
to attend/organize
Reading/Watching
1.
“'If Not Me, Who?' Thousands of Women Plan Their
Political Takeover” -- http://time.com/5001389/womens-convention-political-takeover/
2.
“Inside the Most Popular Panel at the Women's
Convention: "Confronting White Womanhood"” -- http://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a13113728/womens-convention-confronting-white-womanhood-panel/
3.
“Senator John McCain has issued a veiled
critique of President Donald Trump, warning future service members to be
wary of “propaganda and crackpot conspiracy theories” and the "seductions
of authoritarian rule".” -- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/john-mccain-trump-speech-conspiracy-theories-propaganda-attack-a8029571.html
