 Now more than ever VOTE! HELP REGISTER OTHERS TO VOTE! Will you be in the USA at all this summer? Join the massive voter registration effort. Contact a grassroots organization near you. Swing Left Indivisible Rock the Vote League of Women Voters They'll show you what to do and put you to work in places where your efforts are most needed to boost turnout in November.  Kathy went to the ACLU of Pittsburgh's picnic and potluck at Schenley Park last Thursday. She met some local members and learned about their work with the Campaign for Smart Justice, a project to reduce the U.S. jail and prison population by 50% and to combat racial disparities in the criminal justice system. STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! by Kathy Sherretts Democratic Vistas On the road to something else this week, I took an unexpected detour into the political essays of Walt Whitman: "It is the fashion...to decry the whole formulation of the active politics of America, as beyond redemption and to be carefully kept away from. See you that you do not fall into this error. America, it may be, is doing very well upon the whole, notwithstanding these antics of the parties and their leaders, these half-brain’d nominees, the many ignorant ballots, and many elected failures and blatherers… As for you, I advise you to enter more strongly yet into politics…Always inform yourself; always do the best you can; always vote." (From the long-form essay "Democratic Vistas", 1871. So far we've found Mark Twain, James Thurber, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and now Whitman, with messages that speak directly to our political moment—and optimistically, at that. --Kathy Sherrets Video: Grist: How a hot city can keep its cool (3:50 min) Cities are taking action against the “urban heat island effect”, which disproportionally effects communities of color. Read the accompanying articleon NYC efforts to address the public health threat posed by this dangerous effect of climate change. Article: The Hill: Judge allows lawsuit against Trump's census citizenship question to proceed by Lydia Wheeler There may be evidence that the citizenship question was designed to provoke an undercount of immigrants and minorities, depriving their communities and their states of federal funds, as well as representation in Congress and the Electoral College. Quiz: Pew Research Center: Can you tell the difference between factual and opinion news statements? In today’s news environment, we have to ask, all the time, “Is what I am reading a fact or an opinion? If it’s presented as a fact, is it accurate? And if it’s an opinion, do I agree with it?” Podcast: Slate/If Then: The Shape of Mis- and Disinformation (39 min) With midterms approaching, Facebook won’t say definitively whether the company has found any efforts by foreign actors to disrupt the elections. How do social media platforms deal with information that is wrong? Awkward Encounter: Politico: Robert Mueller and Donald Trump Jr. both waiting for their flights at the 35X gate at DCA. (via Twitter)  For more ways to take action check out the action plan put together by PAGE (Progressive Action Global Exchange), and Americans of Conscience; read the featured action suggested by Indivisible; or check out the brand new online training platform of Resistance School and sign up to any of the more than 15 free courses they offer on organizing 101, team building, contacting voters, and building movements. 
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Don't let them get away with it! VOTE! HELP REGISTER OTHERS TO VOTE! Will you be in the USA at all this summer? Join the massive voter registration effort. Contact a grassroots organization near you. Swing Left Indivisible Rock the Vote League of Women Voters They'll show you what to do and put you to work in places where your efforts are most needed to boost turnout in November.  Russian asbestos producer Uralasbest labels its products “Approved by Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States.” (Uralasbest Facebook page) STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! by Kathy Sherretts Fireproof? Since the press conference with Putin, the president has reversed his double negatives a few times on the subject of Russian interference in US elections. Republicans are still not angry—just a little miffed, I guess. Some of his party may be cautiously edging away, but Donald Trump has received a literal stamp of approval from a Russian mining company. I’m living as a serial houseguest in the US right now, where I can call my senators toll-free every day. --Kathy Sherretts Article (Thanks to Elizabeth for this one!): NBC News: Voter purge frenzy after federal protections lifted, new report says by Jane C. Timm Cleaning up inaccurate information is a normal part of election roll maintenance. But purges done too aggressively or with bad information can disenfranchise eligible voters, who may only find out on Election Day that they are unable to vote. Ahead of upcoming midterm elections, the Brennan Centerhas calculated purge rates for 49 states. Article: The Atlantic: The Unmonitored President by John McWhorter It’s bad enough that Trump lacks the substance to care about his job beyond how it impacts his score-keeping sense of ego. What makes it worse is that he is the first president who, rather than striding forward and speaking, just gets up and talks. Opinion: Washington Post: The entire Republican Party is becoming a Russian asset by Paul Waldeman We can speculate on exactly why Trump has been so eager to become Putin’s flunky; it’s obviously a complicated story with roots that go back decades. But what about the rest of the GOP? Article: New York Times: Do-It-Yourself Legislative Redistricting from the NYT Editorial Board “Voters should choose their politicians, not the other way around.” Michigan is one of several states where regular citizens are fighting to take back the mapmaking process.  For more ways to take action check out the action plan put together by PAGE (Progressive Action Global Exchange), and Americans of Conscience; read the featured action suggested by Indivisible; or check out the brand new online training platform of Resistance School and sign up to any of the more than 15 free courses they offer on organizing 101, team building, contacting voters, and building movements.  Outraged? VOTE! AND REGISTER OTHERS TO VOTE! If you're in the USA even for a short while, contact a local chapter of Swing Left, Indivisible, Rock the Vote, the League of Women Voters, or others organizing voting drives. They'll show you what to do and put you to work in places where your efforts are most needed to boost turnout in November.  STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! by Kathy Sherretts Call Me Maybe… Rather than following President Trump’s ally-badgering, golf-course-promoting, Russian-upsucking road show, let’s focus on Congress… and on the November elections that will change its makeup and mission for the rest of this term. Here are a few ways to keep informed on the issues and stay involved (we have talked about these resources before, but it is worth listing them again): Five Calls: This phone app helps you make direct calls to your representatives on current issues. Calls are tallied by staffers and the count is given to your representatives, informing them how strongly their constituents feel about a current topics. Countable: An app for staying up to date on legislation, with a compilation of related news. FaxZero: Send a free fax to your congressperson, senator, or governor. ACLU voting guide: Vote like your rights depend on it. Search candidates and issues by zip code. Ballotpedia: Detailed election information, searchable by state, by office, by date, and by issue. Here is the Congressional Calendar for this year. --Kathy Sherretts Article: The Hill: Groups join petition to delay Sinclair-Tribune merger review by Harper Neidig Left-wing consumer groups, right-wing media outlets, and cable companies have formed an alliance to oppose a merger that would allow Sinclair Media to dominate 72 percent of US television market. Article: New York Times: Declaring War on Poverty ‘Largely Over,’ White House Urges Work Requirements for Aid by Jim Tankersley and Margot Sanger-Katz President Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers has declared that America’s long-running war on poverty “is largely over and a success,” as it made the case for imposing new work requirements on Americans who benefit from federal safety net programs. Podcast: NPR/TED Radio Hour: Why We Hate (52 min) From bullying to hate crimes, cruelty is all around us. Is hate learned or innate? A CNN commentator, a podcast host, a writer. and a reformed white nationalist explore the causes and consequences of hate — and how we can fight it. Inspiration: The Guardian: The Trump era won't last for ever. But we must do our part to end it by Rebecca Solnit You oppose a regime by standing up to it, but also by being its opposite—being compassionate and inclusive where they are vicious and exclusionary, being committed to precision and accuracy when they are sloppy with the truth and the facts, preserving memory of how things are changing in the present, and the longterm memory of how people before us have opposed and resisted and won.  Elections this fall are more important than ever. Look up information on candidates and ballot issues affecting your home state at Ballotpedia.org. "How can I find out if I am still registered?" If you have any doubts, check with your election official. Government guidelines suggest expats re-register every year. For more ways to take action check out the action plan put together by PAGE (Progressive Action Global Exchange), and Americans of Conscience; read the featured action suggested by Indivisible; or check out the brand new online training platform of Resistance School and sign up to any of the more than 15 courses they offer on organizing 101, team building, contacting voters, and building movements.  Elections this fall are more important than ever. Look up information on candidates and ballot issues affecting your home state at Ballotpedia.org. "How can I find out if I am still registered?" If you have any doubts, check with your election official. Government guidelines suggest expats re-register every year.
STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! by Kathy Sherretts We Object! Planning to attend a protest, a rally, or a town hall while you're in the US this summer? You're not the only one—and officials in some areas are getting nervous. Here is an interactive map from the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, which tracks initiatives at the state and federal levels to restrict the right to protest. If you really want to be prepared, you can download this booklet from the National Lawyers Guild: Know Your Rights Guide for Law Enforcement Encounters. This 16-page primer is a practical resource for people meeting local law enforcement, FBI, or the Department of Homeland Security. It also includes information for non-citizens and minors. To find out what's going on in your area, you can check resources such as the Resistance Calendar or Resistance Near Me. Contact local organizations like the YWCA or connect with action groups in your area via Twitter or Facebook. Find a way to get involved and get your family and friends motivated to vote this fall! --Kathy Sherretts Article: Buzzfeed: Trump’s Mar-A-Lago Wants To Hire 40 More Foreign Workers by Jeremy Singer-Vine, Jessica Garrison, Ken Bensinger Trump has been a strong proponent of American companies hiring fewer foreign workers and more American employees. OTHER American companies, that is. Article: AP NewsBreak: US Army quietly discharging immigrant recruits by Martha Mendoza and Garance Burke Immigrant U.S. Army reservists and recruits who enlisted with a promised path to citizenship are being abruptly discharged. All had signed enlistment contracts and taken an Army oath. Many were reservists who had been attending unit drills, receiving pay and undergoing training, while others had been in a “delayed entry” program. Podcast: Slate/Trumpcast: The Fight Liberals Should and Shouldn't Pick with Kavanaugh (30 min) What does Brett Kavanaugh actually believe about investigating and possibly even indicting a president? Article: New York Times: U.S. Opposition to Breast-Feeding Resolution Stuns World Health Officials by Andrew Jacobs Oh now, come ON.  For more ways to take action check out the action plan put together by PAGE (Progressive Action Global Exchange), and Americans of Conscience; read the featured action suggested by Indivisible; or check out the brand new online training platform of Resistance School and sign up to any of the more than 15 courses they offer on organizing 101, team building, contacting voters, and building movements.  Elections this fall are more important than ever. Look up information on candidates and ballot issues affecting your home state at Ballotpedia.org. "How can I find out if I am still registered?" If you have any doubts, check with your election official. Government guidelines suggest expats re-register every year. Families Belong Together March in Petaluma, CA. Passionate, often massive demonstrations were held in more than 700 US cities and many more around the world to protest the treatment of children and families by the administration's "zero-tolerance" immigration policy. (Photos by Karen McCann; photo of Karen and Rich by Phillip Ziegler.) STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! by Kathy Sherretts Self-Evident I've always felt a little conflicted about the 4th of July. The political right seemed to have staked out the patriotic high ground several years ago, leaving no room for people like me: solid citizen, reasonably informed, generally appreciative. Also, serenely clueless. It turns out that whole communities in the US have been shut out of a lot of benefits and protections that I enjoy, and that the whole system is now kind of precarious for us all. It took Donald Trump to make me patriotic. (Enjoy the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence by The Fifth Dimension) Happy Fourth of July! Kathy Sherretts Quiz: Christian Science Monitor: Could you pass a US citizenship test? Podcast: New Hampshire Public Radio: Civics 101: ICE (20 min) What does ICE actually do? How ICE got its start, some of its responsibilities today, and what we can expect from the agency moving forward. Article: Texas Observer: ICE Criminal Investigators Ask to Be Distanced from Detentions, Deportations in Letter to Kirstjen Nielsen by Jason Buch ICE has two distinct divisions: Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), which carries out immigration arrests and deportations, and HSI, which investigates terrorism, narcotics, human trafficking and other crimes. Investigators say that their crime-fighting capability is being stifled by politics. Article: Washington Post: “Are you alone now?” by Eli Saslow Far from the border, ICE raids separate children from their undocumented parents with little scrutiny and increasing frequency. Archive: Abraham Lincoln Online: Lincoln's Letter to George Robertson Lincoln writes pessimistically about how Americans view liberty when someone else’s liberty is in question.  For more ways to take action check out the action plan put together by PAGE (Progressive Action Global Exchange), and Americans of Conscience; read the featured action suggested by Indivisible; or watch Resistance School, Leadership: Story, Structure, Strategy.  |
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