12/5/18 

Contact Federal Government Officials

Find elected officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

Fax legislators for free: 

Reps:  https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php

Senate:  https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.php 

Or use Resistbot:  https://resist.bot/

Or use StampsLicked to have messages hand-delivered to our own legislators:  https://stampslicked.org/

White House contact:  https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/white-house

1.    After Senate leaders received an update yesterday from CIA director Gina Haspel regarding the role of the Saudi Crown Prince in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Senator Lindsey Graham said that the smoking gun is “a smoking saw” and Senator Bob Corker said that a jury would convict in the prince in thirty minutes:  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-cia/top-senators-briefed-by-cia-blame-saudi-prince-for-khashoggi-death-idUSKBN1O32BR  Let’s let our Senators know that we expect them to stand up to the White House and Secretaries Mattis and Pompeo who have been equivocating in the worst ways.

2.   Even though there enough votes to pass a bi-partisan criminal reform legislation, McConnell (R-KY) is in no hurry to bring it to a vote.  https://www.apnews.com/bd7558cc2c674a169ea4fedf66071fed  Let’s tell our senators to pressure McConnell to bring this important legislation forward. 

3.   Earlier this week, Trump condemned his former attorney Michael Cohen for cooperating with special prosecutor Robert Mueller, stating that he deserves a long prison sentence, while at the same time he praised Roger Stone for refusing to testify. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-03/trump-says-cohen-deserves-prison-time-for-unrelated-crimes , a move that has led to concerns about witness tampering, which is a clear obstruction of justice.  https://www.vox.com/2018/12/3/18124097/trump-roger-stone-robert-mueller-manafort-plea-deal. If there was ever a time to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller, it’s now. Let’s keep leaning on our MoCs to pass S 1741/HR 3771, the Special Counsel Integrity Act.

4.   All of the leaders of the G-20 Summit except for Trump promised to work together to fight for climate change. https://www.axios.com/g20-leaders-pledge-fight-climate-change-except-trump-39bd120b-ae64-422e-b563-d8424a88a19e.html  As the recent UN report has given dire warnings that this issue cannot wait, and our administration’s own report, released on the day after Thanksgiving in order not to draw too much attention to it is also predicting significant damage to both the economy and the environment due to global warming:     https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/25/climate/trump-climate-report.html, we need to press our MoCs that the time to act is now. For starters, let’s ask them to commit to the Green New Deal and especially remind Democrats that we worked to elect them to make change, not continue the status quo, especially around an issue as crucial as the environment.

5.   “West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin famously used a rifle to shoot a climate-change bill in a 2010 campaign ad, vowing to take “dead aim” at the landmark cap-and-trade legislation.”  As Manchin is a supporter of coal production and fuel, he seems an odd choice to be the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-04/green-nightmare-coal-loving-manchin-may-get-energy-panel-perch  Let’s tell our senators to encourage Sen. Schumer to appointment someone more fitting for the position.

6.   The Sunrise Movement's push for a Green New Deal is so much more than just an environmental initiative. Yes, they are pushing for the creation of a congressional committee devoted to addressing climate change, but not just with environmental regulations. By tackling issues like campaign finance reform, job creation policies/incentives, energy rules, and income inequality, with a focus on how those seemingly disparate factors affect climate change, the Green New Deal is evolving into the kind of comprehensive force that can define us as Progressives, and which we can then use to show the world who we are, and the kind of world we're trying to create. It all starts with getting that Select Committee for a Green New Deal started, so let's call our reps and tell them to join the 18 others who have already signed on to a better future! https://www.sunrisemovement.org/call-my-rep

7.   Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos's changes to Title IX, which would remove protections for sexual assault survivors, and create larger barriers for reporting harassment and assault, are now open for public comment (https://politi.co/2FUfp3e). Let's use the information at Hands Off Title IX to learn how to write an effective comment, then let's visit the Federal Register to leave our own comment on the proposed changes.

8.  From one of our own:  Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, (H.R. 7173) was introduced last week. Go here to find out more— 

https://community.citizensclimatelobby.org/energy-innovation-act/. We’ve been working for ten years to get this bill introduced!!!!! It will be re-introduced in the new congress. If you go to the link there is a list of things that folks can do to move it forward.

Election/Voting

1.   Run for Something is a non-profit, founded less than two years ago, dedicated to helping "young diverse progressives ... run for down-ballot races in order to build a bench for the future — the folks we support now could be possible members of the House, Senate, and maybe even President one day." 

      https://runforsomething.net/candidate/candidate-support-system/ And they've been remarkably successful. Let's take a moment to thank some of these candidates for running. "Our folks changed their lives to run for office — and win or lose, they improved their local communities for the better." We can look up candidates and send them a thank-you note, here: https://runforsomething.net/thank-a-run-for-something-candidate/

2.   We can help get out the Democratic vote in Virginia for Postcards to Voters' Campaign 141: Christian Worth for Delegate. The Virginia House of Delegates is currently at 51 Republicans to 49 Democrats. If this seat can be flipped, it will be 50-50 and force a power sharing arrangement between the two parties. Although this district is solidly Republican, turnout will be the deciding factor in this Tuesday, Dec. 18 election. Let's write 5 cards to Virginia voters today and let our Virginia family and friends know about this voting and postcarding opportunity.

Other Actions

1.    Last month, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that undocumented survivors of violence and trafficking who apply for legal status in the United States will now be placed in deportation proceedings if their petitions are denied (https://bit.ly/2zEnGCz). This means that survivors of domestic violence and trafficking will be risking deportation by simply applying for citizenship or other protected status in the United States. Let's join the National Immigrant Justice Center in asking the USCIS to rescind this policy: Phone: (800) 375-5283 Twitter: @USCIS

2.   Facebook is problematic, but many of us still want to use it for our activism. While we can’t stop Facebook from keeping track of our every click, we can better control what it is that Facebook puts before our eyeballs by adding an extension to called Social Fixer. Among many other things, Social Fixer can hide “sponsored” stories—that is, ads—in our newsfeeds. We can read more about it and download here:  https://socialfixer.com/index.html

3.   Both in Wisconsin and in Michigan, lame-duck Republican legislatures are racing to wrest power from incoming Democratic governors and other newly-elected officials by narrowly limiting their ability to undo the legislative actions of previous GOP administrations: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/12/4/18123784/gop-legislature-wisconsin-michigan-power-grab-lame-duck  Those in Wisconsin and Michigan will bear the brunt of this battle, but we can back them up by letting the current governors know that we are not fooled by these tactics and expect them to veto attempts to tie the hands of those whom the people chose in this last election:  govgeneral@wisconsin.gov or Office of Gov. Scott Walker, 115 East Capitol, Madison, WI 53702 or (608) 266-1212; governorsoffice@michigan.gov or Gov. Rick Snyder, PO Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909 or 517-373-3400.

4.   If people are looking for ways to help the desperate asylum-seekers at the Mexican border, here’s a very useful site from the Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice for those who have serious time and/or resources to offer; it describes the needs of Annunciation House in El Paso and FM4 Paso Libre in Guadalajara and includes applications: https://uucsj.org/volunteer/us-asylum/

5.   Color of Change reminds us that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents are still boarding Greyhound buses without warrants, then questioning passengers about their immigration and citizenship status. If a person is unable to provide documentation on the spot, they are removed from the bus and detained. By allowing CBP to conduct warrantless searches on their buses, Greyhound is aiding in Trump’s deportation machine that’s tearing apart families and wrecking communities.  According to the ACLU, this is  a clear violation of these families’ 4th amendment rights, and Greyhound has the ability to stop this. So far, they have refused to do so. Greyhound needs to implement policies to prohibit Border Patrol agents from boarding their buses without a warrant or unless they're at a border crossing.  We can join Color of Change in calling for Greyhound to stop cooperating with this inhumane system when we click on this link:  https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/Greyhound_BorderPatrol

6.   The story of election fraud in North Carolina gets more grotesque with each day:

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/419561-woman-admits-to-picking-up-absentee-ballots-in-north-carolina  Whether we live in North Carolina or not, let’s let the governor know that the eyes of the nation are on NC: https://governor.nc.gov   and that we expect democracy to prevail.

7.   Many of us have relied on the 2016 Indivisible Guide to help us use our constituent power to defend our values, our neighbors, and our democracy. Now, with the Democratic pickup of the House, Indivisible has released a new guide: Indivisible on Offense.  Let's review the new guide and bookmark it for future reference.

8.  This holiday season, Just Detention International, a health and human rights organization that seeks to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention, invites us to join them in reminding prisoner rape survivors that they are not alone or forgotten. We can submit our messages online here and they will make sure our message reaches a survivor behind bars in time for the holidays. Let's take a couple minutes to send some encouraging words to people who need them. There's no limit to the number of messages we can write, and they'll make sure that each one gets delivered to a different survivor. 

State Actions

1.    MI and WI: In Michigan and Wisconsin, Republicans are responding to their loss of top statewide offices in last month’s elections by rapidly trying to undercut the Democrats about to take office. Let's read more at The Atlantic. If we are residents of either of these states, let's contact our state legislators ( Michigan state legislature;  Wisconsin state legislature) to let them know that we object to these power grabs. 

2.   MI:  From one of our own:  Call your Michigan senator and Governor Rick Snyder ((517) 201-2258) now. Tell them to oppose Senate Bills 1238 through 1242, because they threaten Michiganders’ voting rights.

3.   NH:  Today, on Dec 5, the New Hampshire Legislature will be electing NH’s Secretary of State. Bill Gardner has held the position since 1976, but his re-election is in trouble now because he participated in Trump’s sham Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity chaired by infamous voter-suppressor Kris Kobach. With Democrats now in control of both houses of the NH Legislature, it is possible to replace Gardner with Colin Van Ostern as Secretary of State. Ostern “is running on a platform of modernizing the Secretary of State’s office while eliminating efforts to suppress votes.” 

 http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/11/new-hampshires-gardner-may-lose-office-for-enabling-trump.html If we are in NH, let’s contact our state legislators and tell them to elect Ostern for Secretary of State. https://openstates.org/

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.    From the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI): "Last month the Department of Homeland Security released a rule change proposal that could dramatically change the face of US immigration. If implemented, it would have devastating effects on the lives of Black immigrants and their children. Join our discussion as guest, Patrice Lawrence with the UndocuBlack Network addresses how “public charge” will specifically impact black immigrants while Jackie Vimo with National Immigration Law Center will describe how the law transforms immigration law." The webinar will take place today, Wednesday, December 5, at 7:00pm ET. Let's register here.

2.   If we are a first time Democratic woman candidate running in 2019 or 2020 this free short training, 5 Steps to Launch Your Campaign, THIS Thursday, December 6 at 1pm ET is for us!  We can join Atima Omara, a veteran campaign staffer, a former state house candidate, and the President & Founder of Omara Strategy Group, for a FREE Training & Live Q&A.  Sign up/RSVP here:  https://bit.ly/2UeDzIX And if we know someone who could benefit from the training, we can share this link with them!

3.   From Your Weekly Pep Talk & Action List:  The folks at Resistance Labs are already looking toward 2019… and they’re looking for people to join them in three different webinars next week to help them brainstorm! The first relates to uncontested races; the second relates to community and community engagement; and the third asks what “big ideas” we haven’t tried yet but should.  This is a great opportunity to join free events that are sure to be interesting – and might be a place for you to kick around some ideas and learn about some that others are trying. Go to these links to sign up:  A) December 11 - Contest every race: 

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lBfz1k-XTaeH0dDnVg6jiw  Community. B)  December 12 - workshop: 

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_o5ACI9yPSOq_tJzLMNNfSA, and C)  December 13 - Big ideas: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E3jULnqUTN-lHJqt96hczg

4.   Whether we align ourselves with the Women’s March or March On, we have an opportunity to make history and march once again on January 19, 2019.  Check with your favorite organization or local folks to help or to find out what is happening.

Reading/Watching

1.    Conservatives In Kentucky, Liberals In Massachusetts Try To Bridge Political Divide - http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2018/11/28/conservatives-kentucky-liberals-massachusetts-politics

2.   We broke down what climate change will do, region by region - https://grist.org/article/we-broke-down-what-climate-change-will-do-region-by-region/

3.   Trump's countless scams are finally catching up to him (by Rebecca Solnit) - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/04/donald-trump-russia-robert-mueller-legal-trouble

12/3/18 

Contact Federal Government Officials

Find elected officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

Fax legislators for free: 

Reps:  https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php

Senate:  https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.php 

Or use Resistbot:  https://resist.bot/

Or use StampsLicked to have messages hand-delivered to our own legislators:  https://stampslicked.org/

White House contact:  https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/white-house

1.    This week in Congress:  The House will consider fifteen (15) bills this week with votes scheduled starting Tuesday.  Let's review the Majority Leader's Schedule so we know what's coming. Of note is HRes1165 – Condemning the Assad regime and its backers for their continued support of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria. Let's contact our representatives to let them know we want them to support HRes1165.  On Monday, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Bernard L. McNamee, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Since the president nominated him earlier this year, McNamee has faced fierce opposition from Democrats and environmentalists. We can read more at The HIll. Let's tell our Senators that we oppose McNamee for FERC. We can check the Senate calendar daily for updates on what's is coming the next day.

2.   The Department of Education’s proposed new guidelines for enforcing campus sexual assault are open for public comment. https://www.npr.org/2018/12/01/672222364/devos-new-sexual-assault-guidelines-are-open-for-public-comment  The proposals have been met by serious concern, because they will further raise the burden of proof, making it much more difficult for sexual assault survivors to seek justice, and likely deterring the reporting of these crimes. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/16/18096736/betsy-devos-sexual-assault-harassment-title-ix. Considering that 1 in 5 women will experience campus sexual assault, and 63% of men who have self-reported rape or harassment have admitted to repeated occurrences, let’s make sure to add our voices in support of survivors, not perpetrators. We can add our comments here. For stats, check out this fact sheet from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

3.   For the first time in ten years, the number of uninsured children has increased, due to Republican attempts to repeal Obamacare and the administration’s actions and regulations to weaken the bill. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/29/18116371/uninsured-rate-children-health-insurance-medicaid-trump. Let’s tell our MoCs that we are disturbed by this increase and we want to see legislation that assures that all people, especially children, are able to have affordable health insurance. Let’s also publicize Obamacare Open Enrollment, (which closes December 15), wildly on our networks, as the administration has done as little as possible to promote it and shortened the enrollment time frame, which is another reason that the rates of the uninsured are increasing.

4.   From one of our own: Sen Schumer is considering appointment of Sen Manchin (D-WV) as ranking Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Manchin is an advocate for fossil fuels and his environmental record is deplorable. He would likely block any legislation on climate change. Indivisibles are hearing about this and starting to mobilize.   https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/30/ocasio-cortez-manchin-energy-committee-1002853 I oppose allowing Senator Manchin (D-WV) to become the ranking member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This appointment would make a travesty of Democratic initiatives against climate change. Manchin supports Trump's EPA  and the fossil fuel industry. His lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters is a deplorable 47%. I totally oppose this appointment and I urge you to advise Senator Schumer against it. 

5.   General Motors is cutting 14,000 jobs and closing five manufacturing plants—ostensibly to increase savings. But, GM “has spent $10.6 billion since 2015 buying back its own shares,” which does nothing for its productivity—but does make its stock more valuable, which is attractive to investors and executives who are paid in stock.  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gm-bought-back-10-billion-in-stock-since-2015-double-what-job-cuts-will-save/  Since the 1980s, corporations have been increasingly directing profits to stock buy-backs that benefit shareholders, while workers’ wages remain flat. https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-introduces-accountable-capitalism-act The Accountable Capitalism Act (S.3348)  addresses this problem.  Let’s tell our Senators to co-sponsor S.3348, and let’s tell our Reps to introduce parallel legislation in the House.

6.   Let's remind Trump we don't want to pay for his wall. "The House and the Senate ... have to pass seven spending bills to fund multiple government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the State Department. But Trump has renewed a push for border wall funding, throwing a major wrench into these negotiations." https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/28/18112713/trump-border-wall-funding-shutdown Let's call our Democratic Members of Congress "and demand they reject Trump’s deportation machine and the wall." We'd rather have a "short-term CR that funds the remaining parts of the government only through the early part of the next Congress." Indivisible will hook us up directly, here: https://act.indivisible.org/call/cr-reject-trumps-deportation-machine-and-wall/

7.   From one of our own:  Public comment time:  I added a link to all the items closing soon and new this week as there are dozens relating to specific pesticides, underground storage of hazardous waste - often state or subject-specific, too many for me to list but people can peruse if they want. The big one closing soon is the Inadmissibility on Public Charge that can be applied to some permanent residents who may uses services - could include school lunches and ACA. Here's the link to this week's list: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Delwh-2Noz4imfujfVGPRjZD59yvcJk4

8.  “The Trump administration is taking a major step toward allowing a first-in-a-generation seismic search for oil and gas under Atlantic waters, despite protests that the geological tests involve loud air gun blasts that will harm whales, dolphins and other animals.”  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-30/trump-said-to-advance-seismic-tests-for-oil-in-atlantic-waters-jp3bw60l  The companies need to get individual permission from the Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management before work can begin.  Let’s tell that department that we do not agree with this move motivated by greed: https://www.boem.gov/Contact-Us/    Let’s tell our MoCs the same. 

Election/Voting

1.   Tuesday, December 4th is the Secretary of State runoff election in Georgia:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article222518640.html  Let’s reach out to anyone we know in Georgia with gentle reminders to get out the vote for John Barrow. Georgia deserves fair elections!

2.  In North Carolina, the Board of Elections will not certify a Congressional race because of concerns of election fraud perpetrated by the GOP: https://www.npr.org/2018/12/01/672531061/amid-fraud-allegations-state-election-board-wont-certify-north-carolina-house-ra  If we are in North Carolina, let’s contact our state reps and the governor to express our concern: https://governor.nc.gov  and  https://www.ncleg.net  If we have family and friends in North Carolina, let’s be in touch to encourage their involvement.

3.   There are enough votes to bring the legislation forward that would protect Special Counsel Robert Muller, but Mitch McConnell (R-KY) refuses to bring it forward.  https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-senate-republicans-block-vote-mueller-protection-bill-n941291  Let’s join in contributing to McConnell’s 2020 opponent:  https://www.crowdpac.com/campaigns/389893/lets-fund-mitch-mcconnells-2020-opponent

Other Actions

1.    We’re currently in the open enrollment period for healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Here’s the bad news: there’s been a 9.2% drop in sign-ups compared to last year. One likely cause: cuts to the advertising budget by the Trump administration—fewer people know that it’s time to enroll. 

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/28/obamacare-insurance-numbers-drop-995227 In most states, the enrollment period ends Dec 15. Let’s help spread the word by (1) sharing this link on social media https://www.healthcare.gov/ , and (2) contacting radio, television, and print media in our communities and asking them to report on the open enrollment period.  If we use Twitter, here is an easy way to help spread the word that it’s time to sign up for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare): we can visit https://twitter.com/2019ACASignup/media and retweet their graphics. Let’s get started and turn around those dismal sign-up numbers!

2.   This week, Sinclair news outlets issued a “must-run” segment that defended the U.S. tear-gassing migrant families at the border. https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/418651-sinclair-runs-must-run-segment-defending-use-of-tear-gas-at. Sinclair currently has the largest share of TV news outlets, reaching 39% of U.S. Homes. The company recently bid to merge with Tribune, which would have resulted in the station owning nearly ¾ of all TV outlets. While that deal was killed, we need to keep our eyes on Sinclair's attempts to seek additional stations, and also do whatever we can to counteract their “alternative facts.” Let’s write letters to the editor of our local papers, or submit public comments to our TV and radio stations stating why spewing tear gas at people seeking to apply for asylum, which is their right by law, is an immoral and reprehensible act that is of questionable legality.

3.   As citizens we're told to understand our government, know the issues, and vote accordingly. Yet, with new crises and important revelations constantly emerging, sometimes daily, being an informed citizen can be daunting. That's why ProPublica offers its User's Guide to Democracy, an electronic newsletter tailored to a recipient's voting district. "From understanding political ads to seeing what your representatives are actually doing (or not doing), this series of short guides will help you become a more informed, more engaged, more confident voter."  https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/users-guide-to-democracy

4.   Showing Up for Racial Justice, http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/ , has a project to help families seeking asylum at the US/Mexico border. If we’re interested in raising funds to support families being held in detention, organizing to help get people released, or sponsoring a family, let’s sign up here: 

http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/end-family-separation.html

5.   Through Hands Across the Hills, https://www.handsacrossthehills.org/about-us , two groups of Americans—one from deep blue Massachusetts and one from deep red Kentucky—have been having a dialogue since the 2016 election. While they still have many points of political disagreement, they have built deep friendships and learned to see the world through each other’s eyes. Let’s listen to this remarkable radio segment, and let’s think about how we might repair the divisions that plague America: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2018/11/28/conservatives-kentucky-liberals-massachusetts-politics

6.   What is happening at CNN?  During the past week, in response to the National Climate Assessment that Trump tried to bury, CNN aired a chorus of climate deniers, including their in-house paid denier Rick Santorum, claiming that scientists are “getting rich, really rich” propagating a false myth of climate change: https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/how-tv-news-fumbles-climate-change   Meanwhile, Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist and co-author of the Assessment, was bumped from Anderson Cooper’s 360 at the last minute: 

https://www.salon.com/2018/11/29/author-of-report-on-global-warming-calls-out-cnn-for-bumping-her-for-climate-denier-rick-santorum/   And on Thursday, CNN announced that it had severed ties with Temple University Professor and CNN contributor Marc Lamont Hill after he gave a UN speech in support of Palestinian human rights: https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/29/media/marc-lamont-hill-cnn/index.html  We, perhaps foolishly, expected better from CNN and should tell them so: CNN President Jeff Zucker at: Jeff.Zucker@turner.com or CNN (404) 827-1500 or comment at: www.cnn.com/feedback.

7.   In case we thought we were having no impact, according to Friday’s Washington Post, new “Guidance Regarding Political Activity” was issued by the Office of Special Counsel, NOT Robert Mueller’s office but the independent agency that enforces the Hatch Act barring federal employees from using their work resources and social media accounts for political purposes;  this Orwellian “guidance” prohibits federal workers from using terms like “resistance” or “#resist” or expressing their views on impeachment:  https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/419074-government-warns-employees-not-to-discuss-trump-impeachment-or-the  Let’s join the ethics nonprofit American Oversight and express our “significant concerns” and call for the withdraw of this “guidance”:   OSC Headquarters (202) 804-7000 or 1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 218, Washington, D.C. 20036-4505.

8.   This week, delegations from countries all over the world are meeting in Poland for COP24, the United Nations’ international climate change conference.  The US government may have sidelined itself, but we can make our voices heard loud and clear by tweeting #TakeYourSeat, courtesy of the Peoples Climate Movement.

9.   “The deadliest fire in California history has set into motion the largest charitable collaboration ever among the nation's breweries, as more than 1,200 have signed on to brew a beer to raise funds for those affected by the Camp Fire in Northern California.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2018/11/28/camp-fire-relief-beer-brewed-sierra-nevada-and-1-000-others/2124195002/  Let’s make a point of supporting those breweries who are helping:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14CSqVrsN6M2p7gx5MeAnhXlMaCUJ-kMh54-Amq7KCvI/htmlview#gid=0

State Actions

1.    MI: This year's lame duck session has been rife with legislation that would not only gut the proposals that Michiganders overwhelming passed during the midterms, but would strip away executive power, and gut protections for the environment (https://bit.ly/2Q7KJ3e and https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/11/29/bill-would-allow-legislators-intercede-any-court-case-involving-state/2150818002/). These bills are not being presented in good faith, and have not followed normal order, rather they are being rushed out of committee and voted on before any real debate or hearings can be held. In order to fight back, We the People- MI have organized a week of actions in Lansing. For those of us who are able to attend, let's sign up and show our Congress that we do not accept their lame duck tactics.

2.   WI:  In the span between the November election and the January swearing-in of the new Democratic governor in Wisconsin, the Republican House is trying to make some very dodgy moves to limit the power of incoming Governor, Tony Evers: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/30/lawmakers-consider-changes-early-voting-transportation-funding-2020-presidential-primary/2162684002/   If we are in Wisconsin, let’s reach our reps to cry foul: 

http://legis.wisconsin.gov   If we know people in Wisconsin, let’s reach out to ask them to get involved before it is too late.  We can also sign a petition asking that the will of the people be respected here:  https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-the-power-grab-to-limit-the-role-of-governor-elect-evers

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.    From ADAPT: ADAPT is calling for a Day of Action on December 4th in support of the Empower Care Act (Money Follows the Person) [H.R. 5306/S. 2227]. Use the attached flyer on the Empower Care Act to email, text, tweet, visit local offices, protest, rally, press conference, etc. & repeat. .so we can keep freeing our people from institutions with Money Follows the Person (MFP), the massively effective federal program that ADAPT helped invent. At a minimum include your name and contact information with the flyer when you send it or drop it off. 

2.   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.    The Democrats’ 1st Move in the Next Congress - https://politicalcharge.org/2018/12/01/the-democrats-1st-move-in-the-next-congress/

2.   Dan Rather: We Are Losing A More Basic Foundation For Outrage - https://www.newsandguts.com/dan-rather-losing-basic-foundation-outrage/

3.   Trump aides caught in web of deception over Russia contacts - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/trump-aides-caught-in-web-of-deception-over-russia-contacts