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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.

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 WeekSeptember 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:  

States


Find elected state officials: https://openstates.org/


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/


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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