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11/28/18 

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1.    Today, Sec. of State, Mike Pompeo Sec. of Defense, James Mattis, “are due to give a briefing on US relations with Saudi Arabia to the entire Senate behind closed doors on Wednesday, ahead of a vote that could cut off US support for Riyadh’s military campaign in Yemen.  Noticeably absent will be Gina Haspel who earlier this month went to Turkey to hear the audio tapes of Khashoggi’s murder provided by Turkish intelligence.”  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/27/jamal-khashoggi-murder-senate-briefing-saudi-arabia-gina-haspel-white-house  Let’s ask our senators to push for her to give a briefing before the vote as well. 

2.   As the stories heat up about the Mueller investigation, it is easy to see how the story of tear-gassing of asylum-seekers at the border can quickly fade from consciousness even as Trump defends the actions: 
 https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/418359-trump-defends-use-of-tear-gas-at-the-border   Let’s let our MoC know that we are not losing track of this inexcusable cruelty towards people seeking asylum and that we expect them to take action now.

3.   “Senate Republicans moved ahead the nomination of Bernard McNamee, a former attorney with the Texas Attorney General's Office, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Tuesday, despite protest from Democrats he was a cheerleader for the fossil fuel industry.”  https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Senate-moves-McNamee-forward-for-FERC-despite-13424866.php  Let’s tell our senators to block this appointment.  We need someone who can lead the post-fossil fuel charge.

4.   Many of us might have missed that other government scientific report released on Black Friday.  This report found that “Drilling on public lands contributes nearly a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., according to a new Trump administration report.”  https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/418242-public-land-drilling-contributes-a-quarter-of-all-greenhouse-gas  While we know that Interior Department Secretary Ryan Zinke may not mind this report, let’s let him know that we do, and we want to see it addressed in a positive manner.  Let’s also ask our MoCs what they plan to do. 

5.   Trump both does not believe in climate change and does not believe his own administration’s report about climate change – which is not surprising given how dire the message is:  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/26/trump-national-climate-assessment-dont-believe   It is up to us to keep it front and center for our federal and state representatives. Let’s keep a steady drumbeat about this critical information.

6.   On Monday, the Trump administration--in the persons of Health & Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—proposed to cut costs for Medicare by letting Part D Medicare insurers out of covering drugs currently in six “protected classes”—certain drugs for cancer, AIDS, depression, schizophrenia and other conditions:  https://khn.org/morning-breakout/trump-administration-seeks-to-expand-medicares-negotiating-power-in-effort-to-curb-high-drug-prices/  The ramifications of the changes proposed would be devastating for some Medicare recipients; let’s tell Azar and Verma:  HHS, 200 Independence Ave., SW, DC 20201 or Secretary@HHS.gov or 202-690-7000; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore MD 21244 or @seemaCDS or 877-267-2323.

7.   “President Donald Trump’s pick for a lifetime seat on the federal bench in North Carolina is the latest sign of how our politics have descended. A white man with a 30-year record of white supremacy receiving the unqualified support of the President and our state’s two U.S. senators, while two qualified African-American women cannot even get a hearing, is not merely bad politics. It is moral poison. More than 50 years after the passage of the now-defunct Voting Rights Act, how can North Carolina still be stuck in this moral ditch?”   http://time.com/5099446/donald-trump-judge-nominee-thomas-farr/  When  Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II uses words like to this we know we need take heed.  The GOP Senate leaders are still trying to push Thosmas Farr through.  https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/senate-gop-taking-judicial-nominee-some-call-worst-litter-hostile-n940001  Let’s tell our senators to not confirm Farr to the district court judge in North Carolina

8.   A group of nine Democrats are withholding support from Nancy Pelosi’s bid to become House Speaker and less she supports new rules that will allow rank and file members to push forth legislation.  
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/23/nancy-pelosi-new-group-democrats-oppose-her-house-speaker/2094575002/. While this may sound good on the surface, progressives are worried that this will hamper attempts to fully address health care, prison reform, and other important issues. Furthermore, these nine Democrats have often been on record as supporting the Trump’s agenda. If we live in their districts, let’s make sure to contact Jim Costa (D-CA), Vincent Gonzalez (D-TX), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Stephanie Murphy (D-Fl), Tom O’Helleran (D-Az), Kurt Schrader (D-Or), Darren Sota (D-Fl), Tom Souzzi (D-NY) and tell them we did not work for Democrats in the past election in order to see Republican-lite. They should join the majority of the party and work for true change or expect a primary challenge in the next election. If these are not our Reps., let’s make sure to reach out to any friends who live in their districts.

9.   Democratic gubernatorial candidates Stacy Abrams and Andrew Gillum have joined the call to reject the nomination of Thomas Farr for the judiciary. Farr is known for his support of voter suppression, gerrymandering, and other policies that threaten our democracy. https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/418423-gillum-and-abrams-call-on-senate-to-reject-trump-judicial-nominee. Let’s make sure to reach out to our Senators and insist that they put democracy and country over party and vote no on this dangerous nomination.

10. In response to the recent climate change reports on the environment, Democrats are working on a “Green New Deal”.  https://mic.com/articles/192641/a-green-new-deal-how-democrats-are-planning-to-address-climate-change-after-stark-report#.6Qh6BUaRS  Let’s tell our MoCs that we are behind this. 

Election/Voting

1.    Postcards For Virginia now has addresses available for two Virginia special elections: A) Christian Worth for House District 24 on Dec. 18, 2018, and B) Jennifer Boysko for Senate District 33 on Jan. 8, 2019.  New and returning volunteers can get more information and addresses at postcards4va.com. Let's help get out the Virginia vote.

Other Actions

1.    Thanksgiving may be over, but this excellent explainer for guiding dinner table conversation with the relatives will continue to be useful. "In between bites of stuffing and potatoes this Thanksgiving, it is likely that 'fake news' or 'election meddling' may be mentioned at the table. Here is all you need to know so that you can hold your own in a discussion on influence operations with your relatives." Let's read this straightforward piece on how to protect ourselves from influence operations -- which continue to affect election outcomes: 

2.   The crisis in Yemen continues to deepen, and since Trump won't hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its actions, we continue to be complicit. "Three years of fighting between Saudi-backed government forces and Houthi rebels have created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Yemen, the region’s poorest nation even before the war, now faces potential famine. The United Nations warned this week that half its population may soon rely entirely on humanitarian aid to survive." But we can try to help. Here's a good list of charities and organizations, who are still able to work in the country, to support:   

3.   The thought of tackling climate change is daunting, but in truth there just a few industry sectors in a handful of countries that, if properly managed, would successfully mitigate much of the looming environmental disaster. "The overall message is that climate policy doesn’t have to mean doing everything possible, everywhere possible," so let's incorporate these recommendations into our calls/donations/volunteerism. By focusing our energy on the most beneficial issues within the larger climate change struggle, we can do more good, sooner. https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/11/16/18096352/climate-change-clean-energy-policies-guide

4.   On Sunday, Border Patrol agents at the San Ysidro Port of Entry fired tear gas at asylum seekers, following growing tensions (https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/26/18112474/tear-gas-border-patrol-caravan-rocks). For those of us wondering how we can help in this desperate situation at the border, Yes Magazine has compiled a list of ways to help, including financially supporting organizations on the ground, volunteering, donating air miles, educating ourselves and others, and talking to our members of Congress. Let's check out the list, and choose at least one item to act on.

5.   From one of our own: Looking for a way to support people affected by fire in California? The Indigenous Support Collaborative Nor Cal has put together this list for anyone wishing to support fire impacted Native Families: 

6.   “The San Francisco Giants have fouled out with lifelong fans and African-American leaders who are calling for a boycott of the baseball team following revelations that co-owner Charles B. Johnson and his wife made the maximum $5,400 donation to the campaign of Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.). Johnson, an investment firm billionaire and the largest single stakeholder in the Giants team, wrote the check less than two weeks after Hyde-Smith’s much-reported remarks about being willing to attend a “public hanging’’ — a comment she later apologized for and dismissed as a “bad joke.” 
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/26/hyde-smith-donation-san-francisco-giants-boycott-1016681.  The team president made a statement on Twitter. You can see it and join the boycott by tweeting your comments here @SFGiants. 

7.   The Women’s March has a growing leadership problem.  Many are saying that the four women in the lead do not exemplify the inclusive nature of the movement and are calling for them to step down.  Many individual marches have already split ties to the national group.  https://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/275479/the-womens-march-must-listen-to-jewish-women-now Let’s sign this petition asking for the current leaders to step down:  https://www.change.org/p/don-t-sponsor-hate-women-s-march-leaders-must-resign-farrakhanfour-enoughisenough-womensmarchleadersresign

8.   ACA signup this year are way behind last year’s levels.  https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/aca-enrollment-continues-fall-insurers-have-three-weeks-make-gains  Let’ help get the word out to family and friends that the open enrollment period ends Dec. 15.

9.      The images from the border are shocking and horrifying, as asylum seekers, including women and children are attacked with tear gas. If we are looking for ways to help the caravaners, after we have called our Representatives to demand this inhumane treatment stops, we can turn to this list. We can also share it with our friends on social media:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eOh3VAtUupIxN8HgirOxcrxcykIHITMNCPxnDNpcbvE

10. Many people get their initial information on any given topic from Wikipedia which can be incredibly useful, but often problematic when it comes to reliability and political neutrality. As we look forward to the 2020 elections, we still have time to do something about this, joining the effort to clean up and expand Wikipedia’s entries with factual, verifiable information from reliable sources. Working together, we can make sure all existing (and future) Wikipedia entries related to our voting districts are neutral, well sourced, unbiased, complete and generally informative to inquisitive voters.  If we would like to find out more about this project and how we can participate, we can click on this link for a more detailed discussion of what is needed and how to proceed: 

11.  From one of our own:  So, about 2 weeks ago, a call went out to the veterans that served together at Standing Rock. Now, Veterans are traveling southward from Seattle and northern California. They are tasked with organizing an Asylum Seekers Caravan Support Network base camp in southwest CA. They will work under the direction of local indigenous leaders serving the Tijuana, Mexico area.  (Bear in mind that Native Americans have sovereign right to their lands and there is talk of inviting the Asylum Seeking migrants to safety with them. SUPPORT THEM HERE:  https://www.gofundme.com/asylumseekers-caravan-support-net  [We can learn more here:  http://campsarising.org/camp-news/]

State Actions

1.    NC: North Carolina voters approved a constitutional amendment that says photo ID is required to cast a ballot, and the NC legislature will return to Raleigh on Nov. 27 for a special lame-duck legislative session to decide which IDs are acceptable. The session will be the last chance for power grabs by a Republican supermajority. Let's read more at Facing South. If we are NC residents, let's contact our state legislators  (NC House and NC Senate) to rally support for making the ID law as broad as possible.

2.   OH: The House of Representatives has passed House Bill 258, which would make it a felony for a physician to perform an abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected; something which is often not detected until the pregnancy is at least six weeks along, and before most women know they are pregnant (https://bit.ly/2QpDxi4https://nyti.ms/2Dw1v4q). There are no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, with the only exception included in the legislation being if the mother's life is at risk. The bill is expected to pass the Senate, and while Governor Kasich may veto the bill, there are enough votes in the House to override the veto. There is a planned for Wednesday, December 12th at the Ohio Statehouse. Let's be sure to attend, and in the meantime, call our state senators to ask that they oppose this bill.

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.    FamiliesBelong.org is holding demonstrations across the country this weekend, December 1 -2, to protest the border crisis.  Contrary to what the administration would have us believe, the number of illegal border crossings are the lowest they’ve been in years. The current humanitarian crisis at the border was avoidable and is this administration’s own doing. Due to the dramatic slowing of asylum hearings and staffing cuts, there has been an accumulation of migrants at the border, many of whom are women and children seeking safety, many seeking to reunite with their families that are in our country already. Instead we are acting in a manner antithetical to our American values, not offering the possibility of asylum to people in danger, asylum they are legally entitled to. Instead we have fortified the border with armed soldiers, we are tear gassing women and children and threatening to close our borders completely, closing our hearts to the plight of these people in a manner completely lacking in compassion; a complete denial of our American values and the American Dream. We are also now learning that family separations are still quietly taking place.  https://apple.news/AZYpA7huBTx6KhP-H_bgyvA  This is not who we are. Join FamiliesBelong.org as we tell the administration to #StopTheTears and to approach the border situation with compassion and in a manner consistent with our American values and with international law. Find a rally near you or sign up to host one here: https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/stop-the-tears

2.   If we are interested in Electoral Politics. Movement Technology. Grassroots Organizing. Digital Strategy. Capacity Building, we can check out Roots Camp, where all of these facets of our movement meet.  Held from November 27-December 2 in Baltimore MD, it’s a chance to be a part of an “unconference” where participants design all sessions and leaders from all parts of the movement – organizers, campaigners, data directors, have a dynamic exchange of ideas. This year, they’re looking at how to practice a more inclusive politics and thinking about ways that we can transform our democracy so that our people win and collectively thrive. They’re interested in expanding understandings of what justice looks like for all our people, and equipping our leaders with the skillsets, tools, and frameworks to take this on and thrive. We can learn from one another, dream up new ideas, make lasting connections, and strengthen our networks. The conference aims to be inclusive, and there are several ways to defray the cost of attending. If we would like to find out more, including information about travel stipends, or volunteering in exchange for admission costs, we can check it out here: https://www.wellstone.org/events/rootscamp-2018

3.   EmpowerandHelp and The Swell Collective have gotten planning underway for a wellness and community engagement retreat for community organizers in April of 2019, venue and location TBD.  The retreat will give those of us in need an opportunity for a weekend away to focus on resilience building activities, personal intention and goal setting, and “in real life” collaborative social networking with others in the movement. We can sign up here to stay in the loop or get involved:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYVFWZy-t1N0OcKknDdwegFnUpt-RQWzE7jrNpL74Nuj0Wew/viewform

Reading/Watching

1.    7 Portraits of Young People Traveling in the Migrant Caravan - https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/7-young-people-in-the-migrant-caravan

2.   Americans Want to Believe Jobs Are the Solution to Poverty. They’re Not - https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/11/magazine/americans-jobs-poverty-homeless.html

3.   Lest we think it merely misguided, let’s check out The Depravity of Climate-Change Denial, Paul Krugman's powerful op-ed piece: 


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