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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. With
the North Korea situation looming, we need to remember that Trump alone is in
control of using nuclear weapons. http://www.npr.org/2017/10/03/555266383/why-president-trump-has-exclusive-authority-to-order-a-nuclear-strike Given Trump’s penchant for drama and ratings,
coupled with his often irrational, vindictive persona, we are in a dangerous,
uncharted time. Fortunately, Rep. Ted
Lieu (D-CA) realized this in January and put up a bill in the House (H.R.669 - Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons
Act of 2017) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) put up a bill in the Senate (S. 200 -
Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017) to address this. These bills are still sitting in committee. The House bill is in the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. Let’s contact the members of
that committee, as well as our reps, to get this bill moving for the sake of
world safety. Contact: https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/subcommittee/full-committee/ The
Senate bill is in the Committee on Foreign Relations. Let’s contact the members of that committee
as well as our senators to get this bill moving, too. Contact:
https://www.foreign.senate.gov/about/committee-membership
2. We are finally starting to see some movement
in both the House and Senate to extend CHIP (Children's Health Insurance
Program)
http://cnb.cx/2grTfpQ http://nyti.ms/2fTEnU7 Each chamber has introduced bipartisan
bills, which are working through their respective committees. However, the
issue of money is presenting a challenge in both bills, as Democrats and
Republicans debate the best method to fund the program http://strib.mn/2wKpCWT Let's check out the bills, then contact
our MoC to ensure that they work together to pass legislation ASAP. S. 1827:
KIDS Act: http://bit.ly/2ykY7rq H.R. 3921: HEALTHY KIDS Act: http://bit.ly/2yVjM5z
3. The Veterans Administration is considering
rolling back ethics rules that prevent their 330,000 employees from investing
in for-profit colleges. The rules are meant to protect veterans from abuse by
employees with a vested interest in recommending veterans seek out certain
educational institutions, even when these are in these veterans’ best
interests. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/business/veterans-affairs-ethics.html We have until October 16th to
submit a comment objecting to the change: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/09/14/2017-19480/employees-whose-association-with-for-profit-educational-institutions-poses-no-detriment-to-veterans Let’s support our veterans and say no
to a waiver on ethics rules.
4. "A bill to reform the country's
immigration detention system was introduced [last] week in the House of
Representatives. The measure, the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, was introduced by Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Adam Smith (D-WA),
and is co-sponsored by more than three dozen other members of Congress."
per NBC News.
Let's check the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, H.R.3923, co-sponsor
list for our own
representatives. Let's send "thank yous" if they are co-sponsors
already. If they are not, let's ask them to co-sponsor HR3923.
5.
It appears that
Trump may well unilaterally decertify the 2015 landmark international Iran
nuclear deal as part of a larger Iran strategy.
Many say it is working well enough and will cause worldwide problems
while attempts are made at renegotiations. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/10/trumps-iran-nuclear-deal-strategy-runs-through-a-diplomatic-minefield.html Let’s out MoCs know that with our country and
the world in such an unstable position that we want them to support diplomacy
and not to risk escalation or war.
6.
The “war on women” proceeds apace. There appears
to be no understanding in Congress that allowing employers to withhold
contraceptive coverage, restricting abortions at 20 weeks, the withdrawal of
funds for teen pregnancy education and prevention, etc. are related. As
one letter-writer puts it in the NY Times, “What continues to be baffling and
infuriating . . . is how [Trump’s] supporters (including many Republican
members of this administration) seem unable to comprehend the connections between
sex, contraception, unintended pregnancies, teenage pregnancies and abortion.
Ignorance? Confusion? Fanaticism? Magical thinking? Madness.” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/09/opinion/trump-contraception-birth-control.html
Apparently, we need to write and make clear these connections for our MoCs.
7.
"Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross plans to ask
Congress for a massive increase in funding Thursday to salvage the
2020 Census, a program beset by cost overruns, poor preparation and a
population of Americans who are less likely than at any point in recent history
to self-report their existence to the federal government. The testimony in
front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Thursday will
put Ross, a longtime champion of the Census, at the center of a potentially
explosive political fight over spending for the decennial count, which has
faced criticism in recent months for being dangerously underfunded.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/2020-census-needs-cash-infusion-commerce-secretary-will-tell-congress-thursday/2017/10/10/76df44be-ad06-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html?utm_term=.af36d7aa8eac The Census is not just a tool for genealogists.
It's critical for several issues and is mandated by the constitution. Trump has
still not appointed a director of the Census Bureau. "The census is
most definitely important. Our whole representative democracy is based on
it," says Gordon De Jong, professor of sociology and demography and
senior scientist in Penn State's Population Research Institute. "The census ensures
that each community gets the right number of representatives in
government." Because representation is based on population, an up-to-date
tally is essential. The census also helps with the equitable distribution of
public funds, De Jong says, as federal and state funding for things like
educational programs, healthcare, law enforcement and highways is allocated in
part based on population. "Equitably distributing the billions of dollars
of public money requires up-to-date population data." http://news.psu.edu/story/141197/2009/07/27/research/probing-question-why-census-important Let's call our legislators and encourage full
funding for the Census. We all depend on its data.
8.
The Jones Act (shipping) waiver has expired for Puerto
Rico after ten days and Trump refuses to extend it. http://thehill.com/latino/354561-white-house-lets-jones-act-waiver-expire-for-puerto-rico As
this is going on, the Governor of Puerto Rico has written to Congress to ask
for more aid. http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/354557-puerto-rico-governor-asks-congress-for-more-federal-aid-after Let’s
stand for our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and contact our MoC to demand
increased and immediate aid.
9.
On October 4, the House Energy and Commerce Committee
passed on a party-line vote the HEALTHY KIDS Act, which would extend funding
for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and temporarily increase
federal Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands....While
this is a welcome move, it falls well short of what those U.S. territories need
in enhanced federal financial support for their Medicaid programs after
Hurricanes Maria and Irma."
10. This
morning, LGBTQ people in Mississippi woke up knowing that their state now
officially has the most discriminatory anti-LGBTQ laws on the books anywhere in
the country, thanks to HB 1523 http://www.stltoday.com/news/world/hb-goes-into-effect/html_83ff78df-d91c-580b-a7ab-04b0b7272cfc.html
The Trump administration has made it clear they will not stand up for the
rights of the LGBTQ community. Let’s make sure our state lawmakers know we
expect them to. Let’s contact our legislators and tell them we want
them to oppose any effort to replicate this bigoted law in our states, and that
we want their support for extending civil rights protections to all in the next
legislative session.
11. The
devastation caused by Saudi Arabia’s bombing of Yemen is heart-breaking.
Millions have been pushed to the brink of famine, and hundreds of thousands
have been infected with cholera. American supplies and intelligence are making
this destruction possible, without authorization from Congress https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-10-09/us-lawmakers-want-stop-trump-supporting-saudi-arabias-war-yemen A bipartisan coalition of representatives
want to force a vote to make their fellow members take a stand. Let us join
them in contacting our reps and asking them to co-sponsor H. Con. Res. 81. We can find a script from Just Foreign
Policy here.
12. "On
October 4, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed on a party-line vote
the HEALTHY KIDS Act, which would extend funding for the Children’s Health
Insurance Program (CHIP) and temporarily increase federal Medicaid funding for
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands....While this is a welcome move, it
falls well short of what those U.S. territories need in enhanced federal
financial support for their Medicaid programs after Hurricanes Maria and
Irma."
https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/assessing-the-new-house-republican-chip-billLet's
contact our House Reps and demand they increase the temporary support for
Medicaid in PR and USVI, especially because these places are not in any shape
to cost share. In the long run, their Medicaid programs should be funded in the
same way as any other state, which they currently are not.
13. Rather
than viewing it as a positive way to start relying on renewable resources, EPA
Director Pruitt wants to end tax incentives for solar and wind energy, which
are set to end in 2022 and 2020 respectively, so that they instead compete with
fossil fuel resources. Perhaps he sees
it as a way to promote and bring back coal.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-09/epa-chief-calls-for-ending-wind-tax-credits-to-help-coal-survive Let’s let Pruitt and our MoCs know that we
like these tax credits because they help us move into the next phase of
energy. We do not want to go backwards
with fossil fuels for our health and that of the environment. Contact Pruitt: https://www.epa.gov/home/forms/contact-epa
State Actions
1.
DE: Huge budget
cuts crippled outreach that lets people know when, how and where to sign
up for the ACA, so Indivisible ACA Signup Project is spreading the word through
social media. They have only 10 days to get 76 more
supporters. Help them reach their goal by October 21 to
set off a Thunderclap, a social media flash mob message blast. Please
click, add your social media support on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. THEN
cut, paste and share - thanks! https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/62591-aca-signup-reminder
2.
DC: Huge budget
cuts crippled outreach that lets people know when, how and where to sign
up for the ACA, so Indivisible ACA Signup Project is spreading the word through
social media. They have only 21 days to get 75 more
supporters. Help them reach their goal by October 31 to set off
a Thunderclap, a social media flash mob message blast. Please click, add
your social media support on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. THEN cut,
paste and share - thanks! https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/62916-dc-aca-signup-reminder
3.
ALL: In Michigan
last week, a Sanilac County Circuit judge granted parenting time and joint
legal custody of an 8-year-old boy to a convicted sex offender who allegedly
raped the child’s mother nine years ago when she was 12. How can
this happen? Let's read this
article in BBC News. This issue reflects the larger problem at a
state level of women's right with respect to custody of their child.
"Seven states have no laws barring rapists from asserting their parental
rights over a child." Let's check this CNN article to see where our own state currently
stands on this women's rights' issue. Let's follow up by contacting our
Governors and state legislators to let them know the direction we want them to
take for our state. [Update: Judge reversed
his decision and stayed his order and ordered a new hearing next week
: http://www.eclectablog.com/2017/10/victory-judge-who-awarded-serial-child-rapist-joint-custody-with-his-rape-victim-stays-order.html]
4.
NM: "New Mexico’s dramatic overhaul of
science education standards, which is drawing criticism from across the state
and around the nation, is “troubling,” Superintendent Veronica García told Santa
Fe school board members. Reading from a prepared statement, García said the
state Public Education Department (PED) has “omitted key concepts, most
notably, climate change and evolution.” "The proposed standards deleted
language from the Next
Generation Science Standards (NGSS) referencing the “4.6-billion-year” history of the Earth,
omitted entirely one mention of evolution, and eliminated references to human-caused global warming. In one
case, the proposed standards would replace language about the “rise in global
temperatures” with a reference to the supposed “fluctuation” in global
temperatures. The new standards have not yet gone into effect; they’ll be
debated at a public meeting later this month." Let's read the full stories
at the 1) Santa Fe New Mexican and 2) this Mother Jones article that discusses the ways New
Mexico's Public Education Department has attempted to placate the oil industry
and creationists by denying our children valid science. If we are New
Mexicans, let's contact the The Public
Education Department at Jerry Apodaca Education Building, 300
Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe NM 87501. If we are in or near Santa Fe,
let's plan to attend the scheduled a hearing to receive public input on the
proposal from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 16 in Mabry Hall at the Jerry
Apodaca Education Building. Let's spread the word by telling our friends,
neighbors, co-workers and people next to us in line at the store. Let's
recall that climate science is now REQUIRED in Chile in 3rd and
4th grade. Let's protect our children's education!
Other Actions
1.
Georgetown University has adopted a Socially
Responsible Investing policy, to ensure that their investments align with the
university's "commitment to social justice, protection of human life and
dignity, stewardship for the planet and promotion of the common good." As
part of their policy, Georgetown has announced that they will be divesting
funds out of the private prison industry http://bit.ly/2kEmLwX The decision to divest came
after recommendations from the university's Committee on Investments and Social
Responsibility (CISR) https://publicaffairs.georgetown.edu/cisr For those of
us who are attending universities, let's follow Georgetown's lead, and check to
see if our colleges/universities are still invested in the private prison
industry. If so, let's recommend that our Boards not only divest funds, but
also install a committee similar to Georgetown's, to ensure that the university's
investments align with its mission. We can also send Georgetown's president, as
well as the Committee on Investments and Social Responsibility a "thank
you" for their leadership and social justice work. President John J.
DeGioia Office of the President 204 Healy Hall 37th & "O"
Streets, NW Washington, DC 20057-1789 Phone: (202) 687-4134 Committee
e-mail: cisr@georgetown.edu
2.
Numerous state Indivisible groups are launching
Thunderclaps on social media to help spread information on the ACA sign up
period, including state-specific phone numbers. Let's check out the list of the
groups who still need more supporters for their Thunderclaps, then sign up to help
them reach their goal: http://bit.ly/2y6gakp
3.
Virginia's crucial election is coming up
on November 7th, although absentee voting has already begun https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/absentee-voting/index.html For
those of us in Virginia, let's make sure we're registered to vote before
the October 16th registration deadline https://www.elections.virginia.gov/voter-outreach/ For
anyone who wants to help with this election, including those outside of
Virginia, we can sign up to help phone bank or canvass http://bit.ly/2yVEd2j
4.
Democracy For America has endorsed progressive
candidates for 2017 elections. For those of us who would like to make sure
these progressive candidates win their local elections, Democracy For America
is organizing orientation and phone bank parties. Let's sign up and help flip
these seats! http://bit.ly/2yaoAoM
5.
Harvey Weinstein, a Hollywood producer, “was fired from
his company on Sunday, days after the New York Times published a
blistering investigation detailing numerous incidents of alleged sexual
harassment by the media mogul over a period of nearly three decade” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/us/harvey-weinstein-harassment-allegations.html Since
then, a social media storm has erupted over “who knew” and may have helped to
cover the story up. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/9/matt-damon-russell-crowe-lobbied-new-york-times-ki/ Controversy
has also erupted over people who appear to be making excuses for Weinstein,
such as the fashion designer, Donna Karan, who said "Are we asking
for it by presenting all the sensuality and all the sexuality?" Karan
has apologized for making this statement, but her statement is an unfortunate
example of one reason why victims of sexual harassment and abuse keep silent:
They’re afraid of being blamed. http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/10/entertainment/donna-karan-harvey-weinstein/index.html
Let’s check out these resources to learn how to recognize the signs that
someone needs help and tips for what we can do to support those in need:
http://www.loveisrespect.org/for-someone-else/.
This site is geared towards younger people, but most of the suggestions aren’t
age-specific. For more resources we can also check out the groups listed
here: http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/18/health/iyw-health-sexual-assault-help/index.html.
6.
Congress allowed the CHIP program, which helps states
provide inexpensive health insurance to children, to expire. Hillary Clinton tweeted to remind everyone
that in the 90s the parties worked together to provide this care for
children. http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/354638-clinton-urges-congress-to-reauthorize-childrens-health-care-program
MomsRising.org has given us an easy
way to send a letter to the editor of our local newspapers calling on Congress
to extend the CHIP program: http://action.momsrising.org/lte/CHIP_LTE_2017
7.
Take back the House! The Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee (DCCC), the official arm of the Democratic party that works
to get Democrats elected to Congress, is tapping into grassroots power through
a new online tool.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/to-take-back-the-house-democrats-arm-the-rebels-with-new-tools-and-manpower/2017/10/09/372f12f2-ad17-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html?utm_term=.6430f55bdf01 Let’s
sign up at https://takeitback.com/ and
work for the election of candidates who share our values.
8.
Generation Progress
is offering us the opportunity to share our stories, that they will then share
with Congress, in their “Hands Off My Birth Control” tool found here: http://action.genprogress.org/action/hands-my-birth-control
9.
CrowdRescue HQ
“is looking for Puerto Rican volunteers who live near, plan to visit, or have
personal contact with people in Puerto Rico’s interior and western
municipalities. Help us get information
or send us updates on conditions in those areas.” We can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUUtqnFYhinReHCHDySUrCOWtjl1zzdWP78Xws9ite1PNDLw/viewform#responses
10. Public
financing of elections incentivizes elected officials to be responsive to their
constituents rather than to wealthy donors. That’s the lesson from
Connecticut’s Citizens Election Program. Funded with monies from abandoned
state property amounting to $11.75 million/year, the CEP is a “voluntary
program which provides full public financing to qualified candidates for
Statewide offices and the General Assembly.”
http://www.ct.gov/seec/cwp/view.asp?a=3548&Q=489606 Average
contributions from special interest donors to winning state candidates in
Connecticut dropped 98% after the public financing program was adopted—from
$2.1 million to $34,412 per election year.
http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/special_interest_funding_drops_under_clean_election_program_10_9_2017/Around
the country, Common Cause chapters are working to bring
public-financing-of-elections programs and other pro-democracy elections
reforms to their states. Let’s see what reforms Common Cause is working on in
our state and let’s see how we can help—use this link:
Petitions
1. Let’s join in with Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
in telling Trump and Congress that the DREAMers should not be used as
bargaining chips for Trump’s wall: https://murraysenate.bsd.net/page/s/petition-em171010-dreamers
2. While everyone except the Latino caucus seems
to be ignoring the plight of the American citizens who are living, largely
without power, clean water, and food, in Puerto Rico, Climate Justice Alliance
and Presente are petitioning Congress to pass an immediate, large-scale and
just relief and recovery package for Puerto Rico. Let’s join them in
demanding that the US government respond to the Puerto Rican crisis: https://somos.presente.org/petitions/immediate-large-scale-just-recovery-and-relief-aid-package-for-puerto-rico/
Marches/events/teleconferences
to attend/organize
1. Sen. Cory Booker’s (D-NJ) Book Club will be
discussing Evicted with author Matthew Desmond on Thursday,
October 12 at 11 A.M. ET in a live Facebook chat. We can RSVP here: http://act.corybooker.com/page/s/book-club-rsvp-october
2. During the week of October 16-22, MoveOn
members and allies are joining together for a week of action to call on
Republican members of Congress to co-sponsor the clean Dream Act. Let’s
see what is going on close to us or create our own event: https://act.moveon.org/event/clean-dream/search/
Reading/Watching
1. Whatever we think about it, it is crucial for
us to know something about who is supporting which resistance group and why. Sunday’s NYT
gives us a glimpse of the big donors and the disagreements crucial to the
future of our political efforts:
2. “Mindful resistance” is the key to defeating
Trump “ - https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/10/2/16394320/mindful-resistance-key-defeating-trump-mindfulness
3. “Clinton warns Harris, Warren would face
'double standard' in 2020” - http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/10/clintin-warns-kamala-harris-elizabeth-warren-243616
Rogan’s
List is a participant in and strategic part ner of the Action Alliance,
a loosely-federated group of organizations that, in
the wake of the
2016 election, are sharing daily or weekly calls to
action.
Other
member sites are listed here: https://www.actionalliance.co/ --scroll down and click through and you'll
find many more opportunities to make a difference.
******
Rogan’s List is also part of RISE Stronger’s United States of
Resistance
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