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.
This
week in Congress: The House returns to Washington DC this week to
consider eighteen (18) bills. Let's check out the Majority
Leader's Schedule to
see what's coming. We can also look at Countable.us to
read more about the bills and review opinions on them. The Senate is back in session this
week. The Tuesday, Sept. 4 session starts off with eight (8)
judicial nominees and one nominee to be a member of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Source: Senate Executive Calendar.
We expect that the next order of business will be the nomination of Brett
Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court. Let's take a look so we know what's coming.
2.
Citing
executive privilege, the Trump administration is withholding more than 100,000
pages of Brett Kavanaugh's records from his tenure during the Bush presidency (https://www.apnews.com/70b1f649aad7404baa11949b50d715c6, https://wapo.st/2wFbD5X).
The fact that these documents are being hidden not only from public view, but
also from the Senate Judiciary Committee is highly concerning and further
reason to at least postpone the Kavanaugh hearings, which are set to begin
today (Tuesday). Senator Amy Klobuchar, (D-MN) has confirmed that this process
is not normal and that she has seen documents that cannot be discussed with the
public. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/klobuchar-kavanaugh-confirmation-process-not-normal-n905811.
While we may not be able to stop the hearing from going forward, we need to
continue to raise the issue with our Senators as loudly and as often as
possible. The hearings should be fair and transparent with all documents
released before we move forward on a vote. We should also suggest that they
bring back the 60-vote threshold that was changed when Gorsuch was confirmed. The reasons to
delay Kavanaugh's hearings for SCOTUS are overwhelming; let's flood our
senators' phone lines with calls to either postpone or cancel the confirmation
hearings. Let’s use this to see where individual
senators stand: https://www.vox.com/2018/7/12/17561692/senate-kavanaugh-confirmation-tracker
3.
Senator
John McCain’s funeral was on Saturday and for some of us it was like
both a view into the past and a hopeful glimmer about the future. His daughter
Meghan delivered a stirring eulogy with some very pointed comments:
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/09/01/meghan-mccain-john-mccain-funeral-speech-full-vpx.cnn Let’s
honor this moment during this challenging time of history by asking our MoC to
live up to the vision shared at the National Cathedral. If our MoC have been
acting with courage and compassion, let’s take a moment to say thanks.
4.
In lieu
of honoring workers on the Labor Day holiday, Trump took to twitter with this
bon mot: “Two long running, Obama era, investigations of two very popular
Republican Congressmen were brought to a well publicized charge, just ahead of
the Mid-Terms, by the Jeff Sessions Justice Department. Two easy wins now in
doubt because there is not enough time. Good job Jeff......” : http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/404837-trump-blasts-sessions-over-investigations-into-gop-lawmakers We
can imagine what would happen if his intentions were found on a secret tape
rather than via the numbing effect of him blasting them out. Let’s let our MoC
know that we are more than tired of Trump’s abuse of the Justice Department and
his rampant corruption.
5.
It's
difficult to keep up with all the rule changes that include a public comment
period. One of our own has provided us
with this handy link to rules with deadlines of this week that awaiting our
comments: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18B5k86KyZ7r_Xiqcpe_1qxxHOV1GFCxLzSR2FbJL8oE/edit
6.
The
administration’s latest horrific attack on the Latinx community has been to
invalidate passports of Hispanic U.S. citizens born near the border in Texas.
This has led to deportations and prevented some of these residents from
returning to the U.S. from Mexico. https://www.vox.com/2018/8/30/17800410/trump-passport-birth-certificate-hispanic-denial-citizens.
Let’s contact our MoCs now and demand that they do something to end this
practice immediately! Those of us who live in Texas should also contact our
state officials.
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. Black Voters Matter is an organization dedicated to
increased voter registration and turnout, policy advocacy, and development and
training, to increase power in communities. Right now organizers are completing
a bus tour called The South is Rising, which focuses specifically on uplifting
and empowering grassroots organizers in rural Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida
(https://bit.ly/2LRmpvn). However, the bus recently sustained an
attack, and the organizers need to not only repair the damage, but obtain
security to make sure they stay safe for the rest of the tour and journey home:
(https://www.facebook.com/BlackVotersMtr/posts/236088150408825). Let's help make this happen. We can donate
to the Black Voters Matter Fund here, then let's follow their work on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackVotersMtr
2.
DemWritePress/FlipItBlue.com, https://twitter.com/DemWritePress , is curating and retweeting tweets
from Democratic candidates in competitive races for the US House and Senate. We
can help draw attention to these candidates by following DemWritePress and
retweeting their feed.
3.
If we
are a young person with creative video making skills, or if we know one, we
have a chance to win $500 by filming a get-out-the-vote video! Teen
activists will be the judges and the goal is to get 18-30-year-olds to the
POLLS on Nov 6, 2018! We can learn more about the criteria and how to
submit here: www.bitly.com/gtfoandvote We can also find more info on the event
page: https://www.facebook.com/events/741469136201624/
4. Racist robocalls against Andrew Gillum, the
Democratic nominee for governor of Florida, went out to Florida residents late
last week: https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/08/31/racist-robocalls-tied-neo-nazi-group-targets-andrew-gillum/1157860002/ Let’s visit Gillum’s campaign website
and see what we can do to help get him elected: https://andrewgillum.com/
5.
Postcards
To Voters continues our efforts to mobilize Democratic primary voters in New
York with Campaign 104: John Liu for NY State Senate. The
Democratic incumbent of this Queens' district has worked on, voted for, and
supported Republican-led initiatives to the exclusion of reform measures. Let's
write 5 cards today for true blue John Liu, a reform hero. We can sign up as
new volunteers here.
6.
“Republican
Rep. Devin Nunes, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, may have the
bull's-eye on his back from Democrats, but he's in a district in California's
Central Valley that's consistently voted 63 percent or above to keep him in
Congress for nearly two decades. Yet this time, the race appears much tighter
with Democratic challenger Andrew Janz, a county prosecutor, rising in the most
recent polling. Nunes, an eight-term incumbent who chairs the House
Intelligence Committee, may be starting to lose some support in the 22nd
Congressional District due to distractions.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/31/trump-loyalist-devin-nunes-faces-tighter-house-race-in-california.html. Several Indivisible groups in district 22
have been working diligently to help Andrew Janz beat Devin Nunes. These groups
work for all of us across the country to defeat Nunes who jumps to help trump at
any moment. We can support Andrew Janz here with a contribution that fits our
pocket:
7. Polls or no, we can't take winning the house
back for granted! Wherever you live, this
site from Mobilize America will
connect you directly with local actions. It's a clearinghouse for volunteer
groups to bid for help and has helped propel
victories for Conor
Lamb and Danica Roem, among others.
Volunteers can navigate to the "Find Actions" tab. Haven't signed up
to help a campaign yet? Go there today! (h/t: Chop Wood/Carry Water)
Election
2018 – By State
1.
Upcoming
voting dates and deadlines:
|
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
|
|
September 13
|
New York
|
Election date (State primary)
|
State Primary
|
|
September 17
|
Alaska
|
Early Voting begins
|
REAA
|
|
September 17
|
Illinois
|
Early Voting begins
|
General
|
|
September 21
|
Minnesota
|
In person absentee voting begins
|
General
|
|
September 21
|
South Dakota
|
In person absentee voting begins
|
General
|
|
September 21
|
Wyoming
|
In person absentee voting begins
|
General
|
|
September 22
|
Vermont
|
Early Voting begins
|
General
|
(source: by date:
https://goo.gl/gjFv2u / by state:
https://goo.gl/7gTzvE)
2.
Upcoming Primaries:
A) Tuesday, 9/4
B) Thursday, 9/6
C)
Tuesday, 9/11
D) Wednesday, 9/12
Other
Actions
1.
The
Muslim Ban, family separation, and now this. "It’s happening. The Trump
administration is working to strip USA-born Americans of their citizenship.
This is happening right now on the southern border in Texas." This is not,
nor has it ever been, about the rule of law. This is motivated by pure,
unadulterated racism. Here, from Political Charge, are a couple of things we
can do to fight against this: https://politicalcharge.org/2018/08/30/trump-goes-after-hispanic-americans-what-can-we-do/
2.
For
reasons that are hard to fathom, The New Yorker invited white supremacist and
Roy Moore-defender Steve Bannon to headline an upcoming festival. Fortunately, public pressure caused them to
rescind their offer and he will not be in attendance. http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/404847-new-yorker-disinvites-bannon-from-festival-following-backlash Let’s
thank the magazine and let them know that white supremacists do not need to be
handed prominent megaphones:
3.
Students
recently walked 50 miles to the headquarters of gun-maker Smith & Wesson
and made several demands. Let’s check out their demands here: https://lexingtonsaysenough.com/2018/08/31/50-miles-more/ ,
and let’s amplify their voices by putting these demands in a written letter and
mail to: P. James Debney, President, CEO, Director, and Barry M. Monheit, Chair
of the Board, Smith & Wesson Corp, 21 Roosevelt Ave, Springfield, MA
01104.
4.
A study
published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that
“the United States, home to 4 percent of the world’s population, accounted for
more than a third of its gun suicides in 2016.” https://www.thetrace.org/rounds/gun-murder-suicide-global-study/ Let’s
continue advocating for commonsense gun laws on the federal, state, and local
level, and let’s spread the word about these 24-hour suicide prevention
hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255; Crisis Text
Line (text 741741); The Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255, press 1, or text
838255
5.
Crystal
Mason voted in the 2016 election.
This mom of three was unaware that voting while on parole in
Texas was illegal. She received a five-year prison sentence. Worse, her recent
appeal led to 10 additional months in
federal prison. Our neighbor needs help. Voter suppression hurts
us all. #Justice4Crystal Donate: To Crystal's legal fund https://www.gofundme.com/2p6d338.
6.
Bonus: Ask Texas governor to pardon Crystal: Sign the petition. (h/t:
Week
of September 2, 2018: Americans of Conscience Checklist)
7.
If we
are looking for a good list to use with our postcarding group, let’s check out
this: http://www.whatifknits.com/2018/09/issues-and-addresses-write-ups-for-9-1-18/ While the emphasis is on CA, it works most
everywhere.
8.
From Moms Demand Action: Students across the country are organizing
and mobilizing to help to protect their schools and communities from gun
violence. If you know students who are
ready to join the movement, tell them to text STUDENTS to 644-33 to join
a
#StudentsDemandAction chapter!
Marches/events/webinars/TwitterStorms to
attend/organize
1.
Beginning on Wednesday, September 5, and on
subsequently Wednesday in September, Organizing for Action (OFA) is hosting a Campaign
Organizing Bootcamp to help volunteers become effective campaign workers. We can RSVP here.
2.
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.)
3.
National Drive Electric Week, September 8-16, 2018, is a nationwide
celebration to heighten awareness of today's widespread availability of plug-in
vehicles and highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric
cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. Each of the 296 events is led by
local plug-in drivers and advocates. We can find events near us here. If we are not already driving or familiar with
electric vehicles, let's attend an event to learn more about this clean option.
4.
She the People, www.shethepeople.org, a network to advance the political power of women
of color for progressive goals, is kicking off a 3-year initiative with a
summit on Thursday, September 20 in San Francisco. Registration is
open to the public. Let’s go! https://www.shethepeople.org/#summit-section
5.
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.
6.
The 2018 March
for Black Women will occur in
Washington, D.C. on September 29 and New York City on September 30,
with sister marches all over the country.
Let’s fine more information here:
https://www.blackwomensblueprint.org/march-for-black-women and here: https://www.facebook.com/events/187741818714062/ Let’s learn how to start a sister march/townhall
here: https://www.blackwomensblueprint.org/town-halls-sister-marches
States
1.
MOST: California has become the fourth state to
pass net neutrality laws, following efforts by Washington, Oregon, and Vermont.
The California law is the strictest one so far. http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/404663-california-pass-stiffest-net-neutrality-law-in-us. Let’s contact our state
legislators and ask them to introduce net neutrality
legislation that models California’s.
2.
NJ: Conditions in Syria remain grave and the need
for medical supplies is urgent, so
EmpowerandHelp, in coordination with @savethesyrianchildren.org, is sending a shipment of a 20 feet container full of medical supplies, from New Jersey to a Syrian Refugee camp. They urgently need medical supplies to fill this container, so if we have contacts with hospitals or Medical Organizations in or around New Jersey, we can email them at empowerandhelp@gmail.com . They cannot accept any Medications or drugs but are open to take any Medical equipment/supplies. We can find some examples of want they are looking for when we click this link but the need is urgent and most donations will be gratefully accepted: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerandHelp/photos/a.1928751777350395/2639082546317311/
EmpowerandHelp, in coordination with @savethesyrianchildren.org, is sending a shipment of a 20 feet container full of medical supplies, from New Jersey to a Syrian Refugee camp. They urgently need medical supplies to fill this container, so if we have contacts with hospitals or Medical Organizations in or around New Jersey, we can email them at empowerandhelp@gmail.com . They cannot accept any Medications or drugs but are open to take any Medical equipment/supplies. We can find some examples of want they are looking for when we click this link but the need is urgent and most donations will be gratefully accepted: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerandHelp/photos/a.1928751777350395/2639082546317311/
Reading/Watching
1.
From
Mollie Tibbetts' father: Don't distort her death to advance racist
2.
John McCain’s Funeral Was a Council of
War--Just as He Meant It to Be - https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a22893069/john-mccain-funeral-service
3.
John McCain’s Funeral Was the Biggest
Resistance Meeting Yet - https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-trumps-washington/john-mccains-funeral-was-the-biggest-resistance-meeting-yet
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.