9/7/18
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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
confirmation hearings ongoing, now is the time to keep reminding our senators
of many reasons Brett Kavanaugh is unsuitable for the Supreme Court. The good
folks at the ACLU have put together a clear, well-organized list of Kavanaugh's
opinions on the issues that matter most to us. And now, with the leaked
documents that show what we feared, it is even more important that we act. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/democrats-threaten-release-confidential-kavanaugh-documents/story?id=57643589 Specific, informed objections
make for the best calls to our MoCs, so have a look at the ACLU's work when
preparing to makes those calls: https://www.aclu.org/issues/kavanaugh-files
To make these calls even simpler, 5calls has a new,
easy tool for us to use, called BlockBrett. When we enter our zip code, we
can pick issue that is important to us, like abortion or corruption, then get
our Senator’s phone numbers and appropriate scripts for our specific issues.
When we finish, we can share this with our friends. We can find BlockBrett here and get started
today: https://blockbrett.5calls.org If we are
feeling energized, we can contact all the members of the Senate Judiciary
Committee to encourage them to vote no: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/ (scroll down the page)
2.
The Trump
administration on Thursday said it is seeking to indefinitely jail
migrant children with their families. Detaining children for more than 20 days
is illegal, but the administration says it will terminate the
Flores Settlement Agreement that has governed the detention of migrant
children since 1997. Under a proposed rule issued Thursday by the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS)
and Health and Human Services, (HHS) the administration said it would issue new
regulations that “satisfy the basic purpose” of the Flores settlement. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-admin-plans-hold-migrant-kids-indefinitely-defying-decades-old-n907006 Detaining families indefinitely is not the
answer for protecting our borders. Let’s ask our MoCs to propose legislation to
protect and support these immigrant children. As important, we need to use the 60-day public
comment period to make our concerns known.
We can register comments here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/09/07/2018-19052/apprehension-processing-care-and-custody-of-alien-minors-and-unaccompanied-alien-children Let’s also
sign onto this petition: hwww.actionnetwork.org/petitions/trump-flores-kids-jail
3.
The current
farm bill expires at the end of this month.
House and Senate versions of the new bill have been passed and are now
in conference to reconcile the two. A
big obstacle is the SNAP, or food assistance, feature. Senate wants to leave it the way it is and
the House wants to add work requirements.
The majority of people receiving SNAP already work. https://www.npr.org/2018/09/05/644926475/trump-weighs-in-on-snap-work-requirements-ahead-of-farm-bill-meeting Let’s use
this tweetsheet to tweet about this issue:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VLqKGnN9-7WgIJ2Szouu0_mNJICXNwdtARYvYZbIYl0/edit#gid=0
4.
Spain—the
fourth largest arms supplier to Saudi Arabia after the US, UK, and
France—announced that it would break its contract to supply 400 laser-guided
bombs to the Saudis and return their money rather than have these bombs used in
Yemen, where, according to the UN, 10,000 people have already been killed and
8.4 million are on the brink of famine: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spain-arms-saudi-arabia-deal-sale-cancel-yemen-war-bombing-a8523916.html or
https://financialtribune.com/articles/international/93044/spain-halts-major-missile-sale-to-s-arabia-over-yemen-fears The US is the largest arms dealer throughout the Middle East; let’s pressure our government to follow Spain’s lead. The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs oversees US arms deals: State Department, 202-647- 4000 or 2201 C St., NW, Washington DC 20520.
https://financialtribune.com/articles/international/93044/spain-halts-major-missile-sale-to-s-arabia-over-yemen-fears The US is the largest arms dealer throughout the Middle East; let’s pressure our government to follow Spain’s lead. The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs oversees US arms deals: State Department, 202-647- 4000 or 2201 C St., NW, Washington DC 20520.
5.
A US judge
who earlier ruled federal wildlife officials illegally denied Endangered
Species Act (ESA) protection for a population of bi-state sage grouse in
California and Nevada in 2015 has reinstated the proposed listing of the bird
as threatened until a new review determines whether it’s on the brink of
extinction.There is a dwindling number of bi-state sage grouse found along the
California-Nevada line in the Mono Basin. Let's read more at Las Vegas Review-Journal. Let's keep continue to keep the pressure on all
our legislators to preserve the ESA.
6.
The Trump administration
has been horrifically successful in rolling back worker safety rules in a
variety of industries, and assuring worker safety will be even harder with the
Supreme Court’s recent decision allowing workers to opt out of joining a union.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/09/03/trumps-worker-safety-regulations-protections-unions-806008. Let’s contact our MoCs and ask them to introduce
and pass legislation that mandates worker safety.
7.
Supreme Court
Justice nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, refused to shake hands with Fred Guttenberg,
father of Parkland shooting victim, Jaime Guttenberg. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/father-parkland-victim-kavanaugh-shake-hand-supreme-court/story?id=57598458. Let’s ask the members of the Judiciary Committee to ask Mr. Kavanaugh why he did not engage in this
common act of decency.
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. We may have thought that the demise of Kris Kobach
and his voter fraud commission marked the end of Trump’s insistence, in the
absence of any evidence, that fraudulent voting is rampant. We would be
wrong: federal prosecutors have just issued sweeping subpoenas demanding
millions of North Carolina voter records, including identifiable early and
e-ballots, be turned over to immigration authorities by Sept.
25:
https://www.greensboro.com/news/government/federal-ivestigators-seek-massive-amount-of-north-carolina-voting-records/article_4ce6a867-3710-5466-af64-a395258b28d0.html Some note
that starting a sweeping voter fraud inquiry so close to a crucial election
will overwhelm county resources just before the midterms and could depress
turnout, not only by naturalized immigrants who can vote legally but also by
other groups who distrust the government. Let’s urge the NC Board of
Elections and Ethics Enforcement to resist this newest attempt to intimidate
voters, as many states did the demands of the Kobach commission: elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov or 919-814-0700 or PO Box 27255, Raleigh NC
27611-4723.
2. Last week, the political network created by the
billionaire Koch brothers announced plans to support eight House
Republicans on Thursday, pledging financial resources and activists to
help re-elect several vulnerable congressmen deemed “principled” conservatives.
Let's read more at APNews. If we are in any of these congressional districts,
let's make a point of supporting their Democratic challengers.
3. In an effort to increase voter turnout for people
who rate the environment a top priority, the Environmental Voter Project (EVP)
is engaging with registered voters who have not voted in recent elections (https://bit.ly/2oIix6V). This is a huge area of opportunity as, according to the EVP, "15.78 million environmentalists did not vote
in the 2014 midterm elections, and we estimate that over 10 million
environmentalists didn’t vote in the 2016 presidential election." Let's
help the EVP get out the vote by volunteering to canvas, text, or phone
bank here.
4. Postcards To Voters has announced another
opportunity to mobilize Democratic primary voters in New York with Campaign 105: Rebecca Ramos for NY State Senate. Jessica is a True
Blue Democrat who will caucus with the State Senate Democrats and rescue
majority control from the clutches of the Republicans and the turncoat Dem
incumbents who have traded away their constituent responsibilities. Let's
write 5 cards for Jessica today. We can sign up as new volunteers here.
Election
2018 – By State
1. Upcoming voting dates and deadlines:
|
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.
AZ: Voting rights organizations
including the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona and the League of Women Voters of Arizona are suing Arizona Secretary of State Michele
Reagan over concerns that her office isn't updating voters'
addresses. They're concerned that Reagan's office doesn't update voter
registration information when someone changes their address on their driver's
license. We can read more at AZCentral. If we are Arizonans, especially if we've moved,
let's take a moment to check our voter registration status and information
at Headcount.org. We can also support the organizations above by donating or
volunteering.
4. OR: Deep in Oregon Trump
territory, Democratic candidate Jamie McLeod-Skinner is undaunted, traveling
the district as big as North Dakota in her Jeep, pulling a tiny trailer that
she sometimes sleeps in. Incumbent Republican Greg Walden, who typically
wins around 70 percent of the vote, is running for his 11th term.
McLeod-Skinner has far less money to spend. Let's read more at Tucson.com. If we are Oregonians,
let's check out McLeod-Skinner's campaign
site and consider donating or volunteering to help her
increase Democratic voter turnout in this district.
6. WI: Wood County, the
village of Weston and the town of Rib Mountain have scheduled
referendums on Nov. 6 asking voters whether they'd support a
federal constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. The landmark
Supreme Court case paved the way for unlimited outside spending in political
campaigns. We can read more at Wausau Daily Herald. If we are voters in
these locations, let's vote for this referendum stating that money isn't
speech, and that only people are entitled to constitutional rights — not
corporations, unions or other groups such as political action
committees. Let's make sure our local area family, friends and neighbors
know about this important referendum.
Other
Actions
1. Action
Together Network (ATN) has a new website:
www.actiontogethernetwork.org When we check it out, we can find an updated
list of many highly effective activist groups, orgs, projects, and creators
sorted by location: http://actiontogethernetwork.org/locator The Resources Section can help us find the
resources and trainings created by leaders and creators from the ATN Leaders
Network, including all the #webinars ATN has done:
2. Let’s put on those blue jeans and get ready to thank Levi
Strauss & Co. The company announced that it is donating $1 million to
groups working to end gun violence, forming Everytown Business Leaders for Gun
Safety, and doubling all donations by its employees to its new anti-gun
violence Safer Tomorrow Fund: http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/404902-levis-teams-up-with-gun-control-group-we-simply-cannot-stand-by-silently Let’s
thank Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh: 1155 Battery St, San Francisco, CA
94111; 415-501-6000; or @LeviStraussCo
3. For
those of us with senators who have already come out strongly against Brett
Kavanaugh for the open Supreme Court seat, there is still work we can do.
Indivisible has shifts available for us to call constituents in Alaska, Maine,
Indiana, West Virginia, and North Dakota, and ask that they urge their senators
to oppose Kavanaugh's nomination. Let's sign up to phone bank and make sure
that Kavanaugh does not get confirmed: https://www.indivisible.org/phonebank/
4. From Sleeping Giants: In
ten days, The
Economist plans to invite
white nationalist Steve Bannon, a formerly employed current Nazi on stage to
ask him questions like: -Has immigration gone too far? -What would a good
nationalism look like? Steve Bannon, who is an open advocate of ethnic
cleansing/a Nazi (did we mention this already?), will appear alongside speakers
from the ACLU, Facebook and International Rescue Committee to offer the
"other side" of the debate. As is often the case with speaking gigs,
they're probably also paying Steve Bannon, a Nazi, to attend. We have questions
- and one very important request - for The Economist too. Help us ask? Zanny
Minton Beddoes Editor-in-Chief, The Economist zannymb@economist.com Sample
email is available here.
5. Archivists
Against History Repeating Itself is “an informal collective of archivists and
archival studies scholars seeking to enact structural change and to use traces
of the past to interrupt cycles of oppression in the now. Collective members:
create and review activities; administer sessions in archives, classrooms and
conferences that utilize the activities on the site; suggest readings and
links; and help publicize the work of the collective.” Let’s check out how they can help us: http://www.archivistsagainst.org/
6. The
Conservative Book Club is running a poll asking if people will boycott Nike
over their Colin Kaepernick ad. Let’s
participate: https://www.conservativebookclub.com/33952/polls/poll-will-boycott-nike-colin-kaepernick-ad
7. A
new edition of the Media Bias Chart came out this week: https://www.adfontesmedia.com/ The entry on what’s new: https://www.adfontesmedia.com/media-bias-chart-4-0-whats-new/
and the entry on methodology: https://www.adfontesmedia.com/how-ad-fontes-ranks-news-sources/
are both enlightening. Let’s continue to
use this as one of our resources to vet our sources before sharing.
Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize
1.
Tomorrow, Saturday, 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: https://peoplesclimate.org or we can sign up to organize our own.
2. 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.
3. She the People, 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
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.
5. 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.
KS: The Kansas Supreme Court ruled last week that
a grand jury must be convened to investigate whether Republican
gubernatorial candidate and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach intentionally
failed to register voters in 2016. We
can read more at APNews. This is yet another
reason why Kobach is the wrong choice for Kansas. Let's take a few minutes to
learn more about his Democratic challenger state senator Laura Kelly.
Reading/Watching
1. "I’m not advocating for a more activist press
in the political sense, but for a more aggressive one. That means having a
lower tolerance for talking points, and a greater willingness to speak plain
truths. It means not allowing ourselves to be spun, and not giving guests or
sources a platform to spin our readers and viewers, even if that angers them.
Access isn’t journalism’s holy grail—facts are." Chuck Todd: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/09/its-time-for-the-press-to-stop-complainingand-to-start-fighting-back/569224/
2. Nike's Colin Kaepernick "Just Do It" ad just dropped early - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nikes-colin-kaepernick-just-do-it-ad-just-dropped-early/
Background reading on Kaepernick’s
kneeling: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/taking-a-knee-national-anthem-nfl-trump-why-meaning-origins-racism-us-colin-kaepernick-a8521741.html
3. Robert Reich: We Might Be Heading
for a Crash as Bad as 1929 - https://www.newsweek.com/robert-reich-we-might-be-heading-crash-bad-1929-opinion-1101869
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