Contact Federal Government Officials
Fax legislators for free:
or use
Resistbot: https://resist.bot/
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.
“Senate
Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley said his committee wants to talk to Michael
Cohen’s attorney, Lanny Davis, as a first step before deciding whether his
committee will investigate Cohen’s claims about President Donald Trump.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-23/senate-signals-interest-in-investigating-cohen-s-claims-on-trump Let’s tell our MoCs that this is not to be
taken lightly, that the Senate has an obligation to investigate Cohen’s claims
about Trump like how they investigated Hillary Clinton. Let’s also tell our MoCs that until this is
settled and the truth comes out, they should not be voting in any confirmation
hearings, much less a Supreme Court Justice.
We can also use this from 5 Calls:
https://5calls.org/issue/suspend-kavanaugh-hearings
2.
Election
security is of tantamount importance right now, so it indeed puzzling why the
GOP is blocking the Secure Election Act (https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2261S.
2261) in the Rules Committee. “A dispute over
the Secure Elections Act boiled down to whether Congress should compel more
states to use paper-based audits — a safeguard that election integrity
advocates say would help ensure vote tallies weren't tampered with or altered.” https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/22/bipartisan-election-security-effort-takes-serious-blow-746855 and https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/08/election-security-bill-without-paper-records-and-risk-limiting-audits-no-way We now realize that a paper ballot back up is
essential until we can be sure of the security of our technology. While states may not like the additional work
and auditing that would be involved, it is what our country needs at this
time. Let’s tell our senators to get on
board with this, if not in time for the midterms, at least for 2020. If they have a better bill, then present it.
3.
Even
though her school safety commission will not discuss guns and that Congress has
mandated that federal funds cannot be used for firearms, Education Secretary
Betsy DeVos is apparently thinking of letting states use federal funds from the
Student Support and Academic Enrichment program to arm teachers with guns in
school.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/22/us/politics/betsy-devos-guns.html or
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/betsy-devos-is-considering-letting-schools-use-federal-funds-to-buy-guns As Shannon Watts,
founder of Moms
Demand Action,
tweeted yesterday, “Arming teachers has not been shown to improve school
safety. Research shows access to guns increases risks posed to children, which
is why teachers and law enforcement largely oppose this policy. Congress must
stop this dangerous proposal in the appropriations process.” Let’s
tell Ms. DeVos what a lousy idea this is (202-401-3000; US Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202), and let’s tell our
MoCs that they need to step in and stop DeVos from diverting taxpayer money
intended to improve education in poor school districts to a dangerous and ill-conceived
plan to arm teachers.
4.
“Two key
Republican senators signaled to President Donald Trump that he could
replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions after the midterm elections in November,
a move that would open the way for firing Robert Mueller or constraining his
probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-23/graham-says-he-expects-trump-to-oust-sessions-after-elections This move, or anything else that causes
Mueller to stop his investigation is our call to gather. Let’s make sure we know when and where should
this happen: https://act.moveon.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response-events/search/
5.
Throttling
firefighters' critical data services during a wildfire? Forcing them to pay
double to get those services restored mid-crisis? This isn't some alarmist end-of-net-neutrality
hypothetical; it has already happened during California's Mendocino
Complex Fire. . https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/08/verizon-throttled-fire-departments-unlimited-data-during-calif-wildfire/ Let's ask FCC chairman Ajit Pai
(1-888-225-5322, ajit.pai@fcc.gov) if
he thinks it would be ok for an ISP to cut off communications to first
responders when his house is threatened. We can also remind our MoCs that
this sort of immoral profiteering is exactly what we empower them to
prevent/punish.
6.
When
progressives are painted as unpatriotic and extremist for calling for the
abolishment of ICE, let’s remind our accusers of a recent report which
determined that migrant parents were intimidated by ICE into signing documents
that abandoned their right to reunify with their children. http://thehill.com/latino/402848-migrant-parents-ice-officers-intimidated-us-into-signing-forms-to-abandon-right-to.
Emboldened by Trump, ICE has gone way beyond the bounds of reasonable, humane
enforcement. We should publicize this issue widely by writing letters to the
editor, engaging our social networks, and letting our MoCs know that we are
expecting them to be much bolder in putting an end to these illegal and
unethical practices.
7.
Despite
recent revelations from Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, Democratic House Leader
Nancy Pelosi and other mainstream Democrats are trying to quash talk of
impeachment because they fear this will inspire more of the president’s
supporters to vote in the midterms. http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/403024-pelosi-says-impeachment-not-a-priority.
And even worse is the Republican leadership’s willingness to ignore the
president’s continued illegal, authoritarian, racist and sexist behavior. We
need to let our MoCs know that turning their heads the other way while the
president continues to engage in illegal behavior is not good for the country.
Every single member of Congress should be on board to protect the Mueller
investigation and every single member of Congress should be condemning the
president for his illegal actions and continuous overuse of authority to punish
his enemies.
8.
On
Tuesday, prisoners across the U.S. began a strike,
calling for "humane living conditions, access to rehabilitation,
sentencing reform, and the end of modern day slavery," organized by Jailhouse Lawyers Speak
(https://twitter.com/JailLawSpeak/status/988771668670799872).
This strike will last until September 9th, and the prisoners put themselves
at great risk, facing punishment and threats for participating.
Let's learn more about
the strike, then let's contact our MoC about the ten demands that are being
made, and ask them to take concrete actions towards prison reform:
https://twitter.com/JailLawSpeak/status/988771668670799872. We
can also help by contributing to the 2018
National Prisoner Strike and Organizing Support Fund.
9.
“The
Trump administration proposed [earlier
this summer] to tighten the criteria under which student loan borrowers who
accuse their school of fraud to have their student loans forgiven. “ https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2018/07/26/student-loan-forgiveness-policy/#167a1b097bcf Other objections can be found here: https://predatorystudentlending.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/California-Attorney-General-Borrower-Defense-proposal-extension.pdf With schools like Trump University and Corinthian
Colleges, students need protection. The
public comment period ends August 30.
Let’s put in our two-cents: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=ED-2018-OPE-0027-0001
10. Egged on by (and quoting) Fox News, Trump
tweeted on Wednesday night that he had “asked Secretary of State
Pompeo to closely study the South Africa land and farm seizures and
expropriations and the large scale killing of farmers. “South African
Government is now seizing land from white farmers.”” On Thursday, the South
African government responded, saying Trump’s tweet was "based on false
information" and that it would call on the US Embassy to explain the
President's remarks; "South Africa totally rejects this narrow perception
which only seeks to divide our nation and reminds us of our colonial
past." https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/23/africa/trump-south-africa-intl/index.html
Apparently Trump is not content with fomenting racist violence here; let’s tell
him--and Pompeo (@SecPompeo or 202-647-4000 or Department of State, 2201 C
Street NW, Washington, DC 20520) --to stay out of a social and political
situation he clearly knows nothing about.
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. Having a disability shouldn't mean it's more
difficult to vote. But if we have some problems with access, let's try this
hotline! "The DNC believes that voters with disabilities deserve
full rights and protections while exercising their right to participate in our
democracy, so in celebration of the passage of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities
Act), we are rolling out our brand-new SMS Voter Hotline as a way to increase
accessibility for voters with disabilities." In addition to a dial-in
hotline, we can now text our questions as well! For more info:
2. It's the end of August, and students are
heading to college. NextGen America wants to get them registered. To help
celebrate Welcome Week and increase voter registration, let's check to see if
there is a registration event near us: https://nextgenamerica.org/welcome-week/ After we've registered, let's
also Pledge to Vote, so we can receive reminders to vote and
find information on our polling location.
3.
Rachel
May is another “IDC Challenger” in the upcoming Democratic Primary in New York.
The incumbent Democrat has been part of the so-called Independent
Democratic Conference (IDC). The IDC has traded their votes to give Republicans
majority control of the state senate. Postcards To Voters' Campaign 102: Rachel May for NY State Senate gives us an opportunity to help get out
the progressive vote in this Syracuse-area race. Let's write 5 cards today. We
can sign up as new volunteers here.
4.
Campaign
season is really picking up and it's time to get back into talking to as many
voters as we can! We can pitch in by helping the Florida Democratic Party text
people who signed up to vote by mail. There’s an important Primary coming up
on August 28, and we need to get voters ready, so If we’re interested in
helping out with this, we can sign up here:
https://events.mobilizeamerica.io/floridadems/event/14509/
Election
2018 – By State
1.
Upcoming
voting dates and deadlines:
|
August 28
|
Arizona
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
August 28
|
Florida
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
August 28
|
Oklahoma
|
Election date
|
Runoffs
|
|
August 28
|
Arizona
|
Early voting ends
|
Primary
|
|
September 1
|
New Hampshire
|
Voter Registration Deadline
|
Primary by mail: in person-same day
|
|
September 3
|
Alaska
|
Voter Registration Deadline
|
REAA
|
|
September 4
|
Massachusetts
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
September 6
|
Delaware
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
September 11
|
New Hampshire
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
September 12
|
Rhode Island
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
(source: by date:
https://goo.gl/gjFv2u / by state:
https://goo.gl/7gTzvE)
2.
Upcoming Primaries:
A) Tuesday, 8/28
B) Tuesday, 9/4
C) Thursday, 9/6
3.
FL: In yesterday's Rogan's List we discussed how a Florida judge has thrown
"misleading" charter school amendment 8 off the midterm ballot after
a suit by the League of Women Voters of Florida. (Source: SunSentinel)
Now, Florida's Office of the Attorney General (AG) has filed a notice that
it plans to appeal the circuit court judge’s ruling. We can read more at
the Orlando Sentinel. Let's
continue to monitor this issue. Current AG Pam Bondi is term limited and
the state AG position is on the ballot in the primaries and midterms.
4.
FL- Primaries. Florida's primary elections will be held next Tuesday,
August 28. Florida has "closed" primaries, so we can only vote
in our respective primary if we are registered Democrats or Republicans. If we
are able to vote and have not yet voted early or by mail, let's review
Ballotpedia for information on the Florida Democratic primaries and Republican primaries before
we go to the polls.
Other
Actions
1. “International
Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC), in partnership with Rutgers
University International Institute for Peace (Rutgers IIP) will host a free,
moderated online course, “People Power: The Study of Strategic
Nonviolent Resistance,” from September 6 through November 1, 2018.” The deadline is Sunday, August 26. We can learn more and apply here: https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/2018-rutgers-call/
2. A
study from the National Academy of Sciences has found that (1) militarized
police are more often deployed where there are more African-American residents,
(2) militarized policing does not reduce crime or make police safer, and (3)
militarized policing may hurt the reputation of the police. Let’s send a link
to the study,
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2018/08/14/1805161115, to our mayors,
https://www.usmayors.org/mayors/, and tell them that we don’t want our
cities’ police departments to be militarized.
Marches/events/webinars/TwitterStorms to
attend/organize
1.
Organizing for Action
(OFA) volunteers and supporters are hosting Organizing
for ’18 house parties this Saturday, August 25, bringing together
friends, family, and neighbors to not just talk about how to get involved, but
to take action right away. We’ll be going over how to get the people we know to
turn out to vote—particularly those who aren’t regular voters—and how we can
have an impact by joining local campaigns in priority districts and states. We
can help by hosting or attending a house party. If we can host, we can post it
on the OFA website, then use this host guidance for everything we need to know
to put on a successful event. If we want to attend one, we can find a house
party near us right here: https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/organizing-for-18
2.
Trump himself may have been fingered by his former
lawyer, but that does not mean we can let up on opposing Trump's latest nominee
to the Supreme Court. "Join us on August 26th as we hold a national
day of action in all 50 states to fight Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee
Brett Kavanaugh and demand that our representatives in Washington act NOW to
protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms. Roe v. Wade, voting rights,
workers' rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and much more are all in grave
danger if this Supreme Court nominee is confirmed. With so much at stake, we
cannot back down." Let's find and participate in the nearest Unite for
Justice event to protest Kavanaugh's nomination, here: https://uniteforjustice2018.com
3.
On September 8, the Peoples Climate
Movement will lead a
national mobilization for climate, jobs, and justice. We can find a Rise for Climate event near us here, or we can sign up to organize our own.
(Note: Rise for Climate, Jobs,
and Justice action in New York City will be held on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
at 5:30 p.m. at Battery Park.)
4.
On September 22 there will be a
protest at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago in Florida in commemoration of the first
anniversary of Hurricane Maria:
http://thehill.com/latino/401578-trumps-mar-a-lago-to-be-greeted-with-massive-protest-on-hurricane-maria-anniversary Let’s put this on our calendars
if we will be nearby.
States
1.
NY: A
Democratic New York state lawmaker proposed legislation to make it a hate crime
to call 911 on law-abiding people of color. State Sen. Jesse Hamilton’s
proposal would allow people to be prosecuted if they place racially motivated
calls to police without evidence of malice. Let's read more at The Hill. If we are New Yorkers, let's contact
our State Senators in support of Hamilton's legislation. If
we are in other states, let's contact our Democratic state senators to ask them
to propose similar legislation for our own states.
Reading/Watching
1.
If Trump shot Michael Cohen in broad
daylight, here's what Republicans would say - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/23/trump-michael-cohen-broad-daylight
2.
Why Trump Supporters Believe He Is Not
Corrupt - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/08/what-trumps-supporters-think-of-corruption/568147
3.
She was
the first to warn us. She was a whistleblower,
but not protected as one. “Reality
Winner on Thursday received a record-setting prison sentence — five years and
three months behind bars — for leaking a top-secret government report
about Russian meddling in the 2016 election.” - https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/reality-winner-receives-record-setting-prison-sentence/JqVlMEhB1bw5moeU27j53N/
4.
For
those in need of a break (sort of), check out The Parody Project on
YouTube. Here’s their “Sounds of Science”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57jRBt4h6ks&frags=pl%2Cwn
And there’s lots more!
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