Week of November 27, 2016
Actions for Democrats, Independents, and Republicans of conscience
There are seven weeks until DJT takes office
This document's intention is to make clear suggestions for action backed with well-considered research. I learned a lesson last week in preparing the first What To Do This Week action checklist: Not everything you find on the internet is valid. In this week's document, I've been more discerning about petitions in particular.
Each statement has at least one practical action to take. At the end, you'll find some good news. While these topics have been well researched, recommendations are still subject to human error. Please do your own research!
I support equal rights for all Americans
Action: Oppose the Bannon appointment THIS Saturday (11/26) and Monday (11/28) by participating in a coordinated, nationwide postcard avalanche. You'll need a postcard and a stamp. Full instructions here:
click: https://www.facebook.com/events/235432800204102/
Action: Oppose the Bannon appointment again (Jewish Voices for Peace petition)
Click: http://org.salsalabs.com/o/301/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=20679&tag=BannonNationButton
Action: Tell DJT to reject hatred and bigotry (Southern Poverty Law Center petition)
click: https://www.splcenter.org/tell-donald-trump-reject-hate-and-bigotry-0
Action: Tell DJT to reject hate acts in schools (Stand for Children petition)
click: http://action.stand.org/page/s/stand-up-to-hate
Action: Thank Senator John McCain (R-Az.) for speaking out in opposition to waterboarding and torture. Email contact form here.
fact check: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/john-mccain-trump-torture-waterboarding-231668
Action: In support of our Muslim neighbors, their civil rights, and their right to practice a religion, volunteer or donate money to CAIR at www.cair.com
fact check and fact check
I support fair, open elections
Read up on “audit vs recount” http://votingmachines.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000288
Action: Demand an audit of the presidential votes (change.org petition)
click: https://www.change.org/p/demand-an-audit-of-the-2016-presidential-election
Action: Contribute to expenses for Jill Stein's three-state recount effort. It is not likely to change the outcome of election results, but may reveal useful information.
click: https://jillstein.nationbuilder.com/recount
fact check: https://medium.com/@marceelias/listening-and-responding-to-calls-for-an-audit-and-recount-2a904717ea39#.tu4770l8k
Action: Petition for a presidential election recount in Florida (change.org petition)
click: https://www.change.org/p/florida-secretary-of-state-ken-detzner-we-call-on-florida-secretary-of-state-ken-detzner-to-hold-an-immediate-2016-recount
Action: Thank Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for supporting an investigation into election and DNC hacking.
click: https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-form
fact check: http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-gop-sen-lindsey-graham-wants-congress-1479254194-htmlstory.html
fact checks
- https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/10/07/joint-statement-department-homeland-security-and-office-director-national
- https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/07/us-russia-dnc-hack-interfering-presidential-election
- http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/22/politics/hillary-clinton-challenge-results/index.html?sr=fbCNN112316hillary-clinton-challenge-results0247AMVODtopLink&linkId=31471138
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/russian-propaganda-effort-helped-spread-fake-news-during-election-experts-say/2016/11/24/793903b6-8a40-4ca9-b712-716af66098fe_story.html
- http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/public-editor/a-muted-alarm-bell-over-russian-election-hacking.html?_r=0
I support integrity, and reject corruption
Action: Support a new bill to counter DJT's major conflicts of interest.
Phone: Call your congressman/woman; Look up by ZIP code here. Bonus points for calling their in-state office.
Script: “Hi, my name is ___ and I am a constituent who lives in __. I'm calling to let you know I support Rep. Katherine Clark's Presidential Accountability Act. It is important to me that we hold the president-elect and vice-president-elect accountable. I support laws that separate their business affairs from political leadership. Thank you.”
fact check: http://katherineclark.house.gov/index.cfm/2016/11/clark-introduces-bill-to-ensure-president-elect-addresses-conflicts-of-interest
fact check: http://fortune.com/2016/11/15/donald-trump-conflicts-interest-ethics/
I support a healthy environment
Action: Tell DOJ to investigate and demilitarize police responses to nonviolent water protectors. (ACLU petition)
Click: https://action.aclu.org/secure/Standing-Rock
Action: Petition to remove Ebell and replace with a qualified scientist to head the EPA (Sierra Club petition)
Click: https://sierra.secure.force.com/actions/National?actionId=AR0060378&id=70131000001iOuIAAU
I support safety and shelter for refugees
Action: Donate to the Neediest Cases Fund for refugees
click: http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/11/14/in-the-holiday-season-supporting-the-vilified/?module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs®ion=Body&_r=0
I support constitutional freedoms
Action: Sign a petition to prohibit government hacking into electronic devices without a warrant. Keep your personal data private. This link has been shared several times by Oregon Senator, Ron Wyden. Sign by November 30!
click: https://standtallforamerica.com/petition/stop-mass-hacking/a/
This week's reading list
- The risks of the Putin-Trump alliance
- How to survive these times from a history professor http://inthesetimes.com/article/19658/20-lessons-from-the-20th-century-on-how-to-survive-in-trumps-america
- From Barbara Kingsolver: Now everything counts https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/23/trump-changed-everything-now-everything-counts
- How to talk about race http://www.seattleglobalist.com/2015/08/21/how-to-talk-to-other-white-people-about-race-confronting-family-racism/40698
- Why and how to develop a self-care plan https://socialwork.buffalo.edu/resources/self-care-starter-kit/developing-your-self-care-plan.html
From the Department of NOT NORMAL
This is not a normal president-elect. #notnormal
It is NOT NORMAL for a presidential candidate to send a family member on his behalf anywhere, much less to strategize with Russia. A normal president would use diplomatic channels after being elected and sworn in.
Fact check: http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-jr-held-talks-on-syria-with-russia-supporters-1479920753
It is NOT NORMAL for a president elect to visit a foreign country (with yet another family member) and announce a business venture there three days later. A normal president would understand that business dealings while in office are corruption and avoid even the suspicion of a conflict of interest.
Fact check: http://money.cnn.com/2016/11/22/news/economy/trump-argentina/
It is NOT NORMAL for a president's philanthropy to use its tax-free donations for personal use. A normal president would honor the charity's purpose and use donations for their stated purpose.
Fact check: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-foundation-apparently-admits-to-violating-ban-on-self-dealing-new-filing-to-irs-shows/2016/11/22/893f6508-b0a9-11e6-8616-52b15787add0_story.html
It is NOT NORMAL for a president-elect to literally threaten a business for having a difference of viewpoint. A normal president doesn't resort to intimidation to silence critics. A normal president values economic growth and free speech.
Fact check: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2016/11/10/why-did-jeff-bezos-make-nice-with-trump-amazon-depends-on-it/#2524f25a334a
It is NOT NORMAL for a president-elect to choose a cabinet so out of touch with the will and values of the majority of Americans. A normal president would choose cabinet members who can build consensus, are free of conflicts of interest, and work for the good of all Americans.
Fact check: www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/politics/donald-trump-administration.html?_r=0
Fact check: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/307449-trumps-cabinet-begins-to-take-shape
Keep reminding yourself this presidency and its cabinet are not normal. Complacency and confusion may grow over time, so keep connecting with people who can remind you this is not normal.
Good news
- Salem, OR City Counselor steps down after posting violent, racist video http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2016/11/23/salem-councilor-daniel-benjamin-resigns/94363644/
- Minnesota breaks gerrymandering (strategic redistricting that favors one party)—with national implications
- Portland, OR stores welcome all people
Final action: Please share any or all content in this message today (no attribution needed). We're stronger together.
4 comments:
Thank you for posting this. Will do what I can to get this out to as many as possible.
You're welcome - I am not sure who to thank for putting it all together - but whoever did it made it so easy and organized for the rest of us!
are you the originator of this what to do list? If not, do you know how I can receive it if it updates? I managed to accomplish 3/4 of these actions and think this is the most solid and practical thing out there right now. Thanks for any help.
Sheila, I did not create this amazing worksheet but like you have found it to be the most useful thing out there in terms of taking real action. I am waiting for the next one to be posted and will share it here if/when that happens. I'm so glad to hear that it's helpful. A huge thank you to the person who took the time to put it together for all of us, and to you too for getting so much done.
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