Monday 7/17 Call to Action

Monday 7/17 Call to Action

1. I am going to quit reading thriller novels.  I always thought they stretched what was plausible.  This is way weirder.  Jared Kushner is a senior advisor to the president.  Completely coincidentally, the most qualified individual to apply for the position is the son-in-law of the president.  Now, Kushner had over a hundred contacts with foreign government officials, but he just happened to forget those on his security clearance form.  Fortunately, he figured it out after Mueller started sniffing around, and amended the form it a couple times.  During the campaign, Kushner also got invited to a meeting with a Russian intelligence officer, and a Russian lawyer with connections to the Russian government, after a promise of opposition research on his father-in-law's political opponent.  Don't worry, though.  Kushner still has his job and clearance. 

If you do one thing today, call your representative (unfortunately, the only Minnesotan on the committee is Betty McCollum), and demand that Kushner be relieved of his clearance.  It's not clear to me whether Congress has the power to fire him, but you can ask for him to go as well. 

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/07/14/why-does-jared-kushner-still-have-a-security-clearance-215378

2. Senator John McCain is recovering from surgery for a blood clot above his eye for a week.  I'm glad he has fantastic insurance, and the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix was able to provide him excellent care.  Because of how close the vote is, that's going to delay any health care vote for a week.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/15/politics/john-mccain-blood-clot/index.html

3. From Rogan's List: The National Defense Authorization Act is currently before the House—as are a series of amendments including a bipartisan amendment from Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) would require the president to explain why troops are being sent to Afghanistan and how long they will be there before he can send more American troops to fight in America’s longest war;  Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) have offered an amendment to stop American support for Saudi Arabia’s deadly war in Yemen; and Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) has offered an amendment that would help establish a direct line of communication with Iran.  http://www.npr.org/2017/07/10/536505358/house-poised-to-approve-national-defense-authorization-bill

We should encourage our representatives to support this.

Franken-202-224-5641
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121
MN Legislators: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legislators
Resistbot: https://resistbot.io/
Governor Dayton- https://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/
Out and About
Thursday, July 13 7:30 – 9
Candidate Forum: Jeff Erdmann for MN-02
First UCC of Northfield, MN
300 Union St, Northfield, Minnesota 55057
Saturday, July 15 9 am – 6 pm
Peacestock 2017 (15th annual!)
Hobgoblin Music and Stoney End Harps
920 Highway 19 Blvd, Red Wing, Minnesota 55066
https://www.facebook.com/events/101427880474400/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%224%22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A%22308%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D
Saturday, July 15 10 am -12 pm
DFL Training Session
Learn how to get someone elected
6950 146th St. W., Suite #112
Apple Valley MN
Saturday, July 15 10 am – 2 pm
CD2 Summer Door Knock Kickoff
Scott County Public Library
Savage Library: 13090 Alabama Ave S, Savage, Minnesota 55378
https://www.facebook.com/events/256649208072522/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null
Sunday, July 16 2:30-3:45 pm
ATTC Learn & Take Action (July): Redistricting and Census
Edina Morningside Community Church
4201 Morningside Rd, Edina, Minnesota 55416
https://www.facebook.com/events/113427335929393/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%224%22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A%22308%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D
Sunday, July 16 3:30-6:30 pm
DFL SD56
Summer Wine and Cheese Fundraiser
Environmental Learning Center
13500 Dakota Ave, Savage MN
Tuesday, July 18 6:45-8:15
Health Care Town Hall
City of Cottage Grove, MN - City Government
12800 Ravine Parkway S, Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016
https://www.facebook.com/events/1917024281878682/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null
Saturday, July 22 9 am- 1 pm
A Candid Conversation: Town Hall Forum
Lakeville North Senior High School
https://www.facebook.com/events/113743662585308/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null
Thu, July 27, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
How to Talk with Loved Ones and Friends Across the Political Chasm
Brookdale Library
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-talk-with-loved-ones-and-friends-across-the-political-chasm-tickets-35690814186?aff=utm_source%3Deb_email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dnew_event_email&utm_term=eventurl_text
August 2-6
Democracy Convention, Minneapolis
https://www.democracyconvention.org/
August 5 1-2:30 pm
Rally for Research, Minnesota State Capitol
https://www.facebook.com/events/1173342776103575/