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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.
On Monday night, two powerful voices emerged in
our nation’s muddied conversation about sensible gun control after 59 people
were killed and over 500 were injured in Las Vegas due to the actions of one
person. Caleb Keeter, guitarist for the Josh Abbott Band who played before
Jason Aldean before the shooting began, wrote an impassioned plea about how
wrong he was about gun control:https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/02/las-vegas-gun-control-caleb-keeter-josh-abbott-band and
then late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who is from Las Vegas, gave a tear-soaked
ten-minute monologue about our nation’s relationship with guns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruYeBXudsds Kimmel
said, regarding the reflexive “thoughts and prayers” notices that politicians
put out after every mass shooting tragedy, “They should be praying for God to
forgive them for letting the gun lobby run this country.” Other developed
nations have tackled this issue much more effectively but we are letting the
NRA run roughshod over us. As we are pulled towards the tragedy in Puerto
Rico and the looming tax reform battle, we have to decide if we will slide back
into a lull until the next mass shooting, which is sure to come. Let’s contact
our MoC regardless of side of the aisle and say “enough”.
2.
As Trump heads to Puerto Rico to survey the damage,
Oxfam has announced the rare move of intervening in a US crisis due to slowness
of response pace: https://www.apnews.com/2055da43223a456e8ad635a22348fafc Here
is some useful guidance we can use to guide our own contributions to Puerto
Rico and the US Virgin Islands: https://apnews.com/d7ac3e1662634b48ad51a6b3c05f82ad/Helping-Puerto-Rico:-Here's-where-and-when-to-donate and
let’s keep the pressure on our MoC to up the intensity and pace of the effort
and to extend the Jones Act waiver which allows other than US ships to bring
goods/supplies to Puerto Rico, for more than the ten days Trump allotted.
3.
While we know that gun violence in our country is at
historic proportions, Congress has time and again successfully
blocked the CDC from researching the subject due to pressure from the NRA. Accurate information is a great basis for
public policy on guns. http://www.newsweek.com/government-wont-fund-gun-research-stop-violence-because-nra-lobbying-675794 Let’s contact our MoCs again and ask them to
support H.R.1832/S.834—a
bill that will fund $10 million for the Centers for Disease Control to research
gun violence prevention and firearm safety for the next five years. http://www.stophandgunviolence.org/sen-markey-bill-research/
4.
It looks like the SHARE Act, which would loosen gun
restrictions, has been at least temporarily stalled in the House, following the
mass shooting in Las Vegas http://politi.co/2yEq0qv Still, let's make sure that
we let our MoC know that we will not be complacent, and that we expect them to
take legislative action. If our representative is a cosponsor of the SHARE Act
or Hearing Protection Act, we can also ask that they withdraw their support for
the bills https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3668/cosponsors https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/367/cosponsors
5.
Trump’s E.P.A. chief has held back-to-back meetings,
briefing sessions and speaking engagements almost daily with top corporate
executives and lobbyists from all the major economic sectors that he regulates
— and almost no meetings with environmental groups or consumer or public health
advocates, according to a320-page accounting of his daily schedule from
February through May, the most detailed look yet at what Mr. Pruitt has been up
to since he took over the agency. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/03/us/politics/epa-scott-pruitt-calendar-industries-coal-oil-environmentalists.html?emc=edit_nn_20171003&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=79344637&te=1 Let's
contact Pruitt and let him know he's talking to the wrong people and he needs
to meet with environmental groups to understand how to protect America's most
precious resources on our planet. Contact. Phone, 202-564-4700 or via
Twitter @EPAScottPruitt or https://www.epa.gov/home/forms/contact-epa
6.
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Jared
Polis (D-CO) have reintroduced the Affordable College Textbook Act (Senate bill
S.1864;
House bill H.R.3840). The
proposed act aims to create alternatives to the rising prices of college
textbooks in order to remove at least one obstacle from attending a higher
education facility. The price of textbooks has risen 88 percent between
2006 and 2016, compared to a 63 percent increase of college tuition and fees,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Let's read
the full story at The DePaulia. Let's tell our Senators to support
S1864 and our representatives to support HR3840.
7.
Trump's proposed budget cuts funding for the National
Cancer Institute by 19%. "During October, we raise awareness and
encourage people to take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer," Melania
Trump said in a statement released ahead of the White House being illuminated
in pink light Sunday per the Washington Examiner. But in Trump's 2018 budget
request titled "A New Foundation for American Greatness," published
in May, his administration slashed $1 billion from The National Cancer
Institute in comparison to its 2017 allocation. Let's tell the White
House and our MoC's that we want the National Cancer Institute to be funded
fully: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
8.
Thursday, Oct. 5, is the wholly unworkable and
arbitrary deadline for DACA renewal Trump announced in September.
Thousands of DACA recipients will be unable to gather the $495 fee required to
renew, and many will be unable to meet this very short deadline for other
reasons. In justice to these young people (whose immigration was
involuntary), we must demand that Congress pass a “clean” DREAM act, giving
them a route to citizenship WITHOUT any provision for a border wall or extreme
border security. Let’s call our members of Congress: 202-224-3121
9.
Mitch McConnell thinks it’s “premature” to discuss gun
control; he’s busy with tax “reform. Other Republicans take the NRA line
that it isn’t the gun but the person who’s to blame for shootings. Yet
others say there’s nothing to be done about criminal or mentally ill gunowners
or that the Second Amendment supersedes any law that might limit
firearms: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/republicans-reject-democratic-calls-for-immediate-vote-on-gun-control/article/2636342
But as we have known for years, limiting the capacity of gun magazines and
putting in place universal background checks, once part of the now-expired
Federal Assault Weapons Ban, are more critical than banning a particular type
of gun: https://www.salon.com/2013/02/06/dont_mourn_the_assault_weapons_bans_impending_demise/
We must call on Democrats to do again, but more effectively, what they did in
2016 after the Pulse nightclub shootings and obstruct the business of Congress
until there is some action on gun control. Rep. John Lewis organized the 2016
sit-in; why don't we call on him again: 343 Cannon House Office Building,
Washington, DC 20515 or (202) 225-3801.
10. We
must oppose the unconstitutional abortion ban the House plans to pass this
week. The bill at issue calls for a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of
pregnancy; it would both criminalize doctors and restrict women’s access to
safe, legal abortions. https://www.vogue.com/article/house-votes-on-20-week-abortion-ban In view of all else —Las Vegas, Puerto Rico,
DACA renewal, tax “reform”—this attack on women’s reproductive rights is liable
to escape our attention, but it mustn’t! Tell our Representatives to vote NO on
HR 36.
11. Despite
strong public opposition and a desperate need to take action on climate change,
Donald Trump and Scott Pruitt are continuing their attacks on fuel efficiency
standards for American cars and trucks (http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-epa-cafe-hearing-20170906-story.html).
The public comment period on their proposed rollbacks ends TOMORROW. Let’s
make sure they hear our objections to this destructive policy change. We can
submit comments at this link:
12. Congress
is considering legislation that would eliminate Endangered Species Act
protections for tigers, rhinos, elephants and other species. This would
seriously damage our country’s ability to ensure we are not contributing to the
illegal wildlife trade (https://www.natlawreview.com/article/proposed-changes-to-endangered-species-act-pit-animals-against-industry).
The World Wildlife Fund is organizing activists to contact Congress and ask
them to protect the Endangered Species Act by voting no on H.R. 2603. We can
join them in making our voices heard at this link.
13. From Postcards 2 America, a great action to fight the SHARE
Act: The SHARE Act includes provisions
including: 1) weakening the regulation of interstate transportation, 2) making
it easier for private citizens to obtain silencers, and 3) removing the
“sporting purposes” clause which restricts importation of certain firearms thus
removing the ability of the ATF to reclassify them as “armor piercing
ammunition.” Yet it is being considered
by the House Natural Resources Committee, NOT the Judiciary Committee, which normally
addresses gun legislation. Let's contact
the House Judiciary Committee insisting they consider H.R.3668
(the SHARE Act), not the House Natural Resources Committee, which
has nothing to do with guns: https://judiciary.house.gov/ or via Twitter: @HouseJudiciary @HouseJudDems or phone: Phone 202-225-3951
State Actions
1.
MN: Over the past two decades, hundreds of
Minnesota law enforcement officers have been convicted of criminal offenses.
Most were never disciplined by the state. Let's read this in-depth
report "Convicted but Still Policing" in the Star
Tribune about the more than 140 Minnesota cops still on duty after serious crime
convictions. If we are Minnesotans, let's reach out to our local police
agencies to find out what they are doing to tackle this issue. We can email
thanks for their research and reporting to Jennifer Bjorhus: jennifer.bjorhus@startribune.com,
and MaryJo Webster: maryjo.webster@startribune.com.
2.
VA: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline would transport fracked
gas from West Virginia through Virginia and to North Carolina, crossing rivers,
creeks and other surface waters almost 1,700 times and threatening national
forests, drinking water sources, endangered wildlife and local farms and
communities. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has
the power to deny the permit for this project if it jeopardizes water quality
in the state — but they need to feel massive public pressure from Virginians like
us. Let's sign this
petition from the Natural Resources Defense Council. We can
also send letters asking that the Atlantic Coast Pipeline permit be denied to:
David Paylor, Director, VA Dept. Of Environmental Quality, PO Box 1105,
Richmond VA 23218.
3.
FL: "As Hurricane
Irma bore down on Florida, many residents were faced with evacuation
orders — and some felt pressure from employers not to leave … or else they’d
lose their jobs. A new bill from Rep. Tracie Davis, a Jacksonville Democrat, would rectify that.” Let's
call our local state reps and ask them to support HB225. http://floridapolitics.com/archives/245982-florida-house-bill-ban-firing-employees-evacuate-emergencies
1.
As elections draw closer, now is a good time to make
sure that everyone has the ID necessary to be able to vote. Vote Riders is a
nonpartisan organization that works to make sure that no one is unable to vote
due to lack of required identification https://www.voteriders.org/what-we-do/ They
host voter ID clinics to help citizens get their paperwork in order to secure
ID's, and even offer free online resources, including the Voter ID
Clinic-in-a-Box If we are hosting voter registration drives, or otherwise
trying to help others register to vote, let's consider working with Vote Riders
to help individuals gather the necessary documents. If we have questions about
what our state requires, we can also check out Vote Riders'
resources: https://www.voteriders.org/get-involved/voter-id-clinics/
2.
“United for Puerto Rico is an initiative brought forth
by the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló, in collaboration with the
private sector, with the purpose of providing aid and support to those affected
in Puerto Rico by the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane María. 100%
of the proceeds will go to helping the victims affected by these natural
disasters in Puerto Rico.” Let’s give if we can: http://unidosporpuertorico.com/en/
3.
Following Hurricane Irma, many Texas officials are
voicing their frustration and anger towards the Red Cross's inadequacies in
handling disaster relief. ProPublica, an independent, nonprofit, and highly
reputable news source, takes a nuanced view of the situation, and what the
cause may be http://bit.ly/2xVlzdv As
the Red Cross sorts through their challenges, let's keep offering support to
local, community-driven efforts as they work to provide relief following
Hurricanes Irma and Maria http://bit.ly/2wKrrCo http://bit.ly/2xPsiUk
4. From
Small Deeds Done: As of now, the Las Vegas Victims GoFundMe page that was started by
the Clark County Commission chair has surpassed $3.3 million. (As of right now,
GoFundMe has not waived its processing fee – but has done so in past
tragedies.) and The National Compassion Fund will be giving 100% of
donations received through their Las Vegas Fund to the victims and their
families.
5. Let’s
join Moms Demand Action Against Gun
Sense in America: https://act.everytown.org/signup/Join-Moms Let’s take a look around their website and
join their Facebook page, too: https://www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction/
6. “Americans for Tax Fairness
(ATF) is a diverse campaign of more than 425 national, state and local
endorsing organizations united in support of a fair tax system that works for
all Americans. It has come together based on the belief that the country needs
comprehensive, progressive tax reform that results in greater revenue to meet
our growing needs. This requires big corporations and the wealthy to pay their
fair share in taxes, not to live by their own set of rules.” Let’s check this group out: https://americansfortaxfairness.org/
Petitions
1. Let’s
join Avaaz, a U.S.-based civic organization that promotes global activism on
issues such as climate change, human rights, animal rights, corruption,
poverty, and conflict, in asking Congress to “ban weapons of war for civilians: ban all assault weapons and
high-calibre ammunition now!" https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/ban_weapons_of_war_open_letter/
2. Because
it really is that important, let’s also sign this Credo Action petition telling Congress that
thoughts and prayers are not enough. We
need gun control now: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/las-vegas
Marches/events/teleconferences
to attend/organize
Reading/Watching
1. Three significant Supreme Court cases to
begin this week:
2. My confidence ebbed when I heard my
colleagues turn this into a debate over the rights of gun owners instead of the
right to life of children. In the confines of the members-only elevators, where
my colleagues could speak honestly, I heard colleagues confide that any vote
for gun safety would lower their N.R.A. scores, making them casualties in the
next election.“ Three reasons why gun
control legislation will not happen: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/02/opinion/gun-control-vegas-shooting.html
3. “If the Puerto Rico visit sought to reverse
the impression that Trump has not taken Maria seriously and does not feel
empathy for its victims, Tuesday’s briefing did not help the cause.” https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/10/trump-puerto-rico-visit/541869/
Rogan’s
List is a participant in and strategic part ner of the Action Alliance,
a loosely-federated group of organizations that, in
the wake of the
2016 election, are sharing daily or weekly calls to
action.
Other
member sites are listed here: https://www.actionalliance.co/ --scroll down and click through and you'll
find many more opportunities to make a difference.
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Rogan’s List is also part of RISE Stronger’s United States of
Resistance
