Friday
1. Pruitt is Out!
The scandal ridden, ethically anemic head of the Environmental Protection Agency resigned yesterday. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back because there is no doubt that the pressure of resistance had a big part in his departure. Now get back to work because Pruitt’s replacement at the EPA is just as bad or worse. Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist, is reported to be a savvier version of Pruitt with plenty of connections in Washington. Consider resisting Pruitt your warm-up; now comes the real workout.
https://www.cnn.com/…/p…/scott-pruitt-epa-resigns/index.html
https://www.politico.com/…/scott-pruitt-epa-andrew-wheeler-…
https://www.nrdc.org/…/who-andrew-wheeler-and-why-you-shoul…
The scandal ridden, ethically anemic head of the Environmental Protection Agency resigned yesterday. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back because there is no doubt that the pressure of resistance had a big part in his departure. Now get back to work because Pruitt’s replacement at the EPA is just as bad or worse. Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist, is reported to be a savvier version of Pruitt with plenty of connections in Washington. Consider resisting Pruitt your warm-up; now comes the real workout.
https://www.cnn.com/…/p…/scott-pruitt-epa-resigns/index.html
https://www.politico.com/…/scott-pruitt-epa-andrew-wheeler-…
https://www.nrdc.org/…/who-andrew-wheeler-and-why-you-shoul…
2. The Bots Are at It Again
The “WalkAway” movement is starting to trend on social media, pushing the narrative that people are leaving the Democratic party in droves to support Trump and his policies.
This false narrative mirrors games that were played during the 2016 election season. The primary functional goal of an astroturfed campaign like this one is to manipulate public opinion by gaming online algorithms to amplify certain content and push it onto people’s social media feeds and to the top of search engine results. Astroturfed social media campaigns like the “WalkAway Movement” aim to create manufactured consensus, or the illusion of popularity, so that an idea or position without much public support appears more popular and mainstream than it actually is.
The “WalkAway” movement is starting to trend on social media, pushing the narrative that people are leaving the Democratic party in droves to support Trump and his policies.
This false narrative mirrors games that were played during the 2016 election season. The primary functional goal of an astroturfed campaign like this one is to manipulate public opinion by gaming online algorithms to amplify certain content and push it onto people’s social media feeds and to the top of search engine results. Astroturfed social media campaigns like the “WalkAway Movement” aim to create manufactured consensus, or the illusion of popularity, so that an idea or position without much public support appears more popular and mainstream than it actually is.
Check out this article by Caroline O. It is a fascinating (and terrifying) look at how social media can be manipulated to change the course of the narrative. https://arcdigital.media/pro-trump-russian-linked-twitter-a…
What’s the takeaway? Someone is trying to divide us. If we are busy fighting with each other, we have less time to devote to getting rid of Trump and other elected officials who have no intention of working for the good of the people. Resist infighting! Keep your head clear and your messages positive and constructive. Always be wary that the “person” you are interacting with may not be who or what they say they are (BOT!)
3. Representative Jim Jordan
The whole time Representative Jim Jordan was giving Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein the riot act (check it out here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/rod-j-rosenstein-shuts-d…/…), he was sitting on a dirty little secret. Jordan, a former wrestling coach for the Ohio State University, has been accused of turning a blind eye to years of sexual abuse at the hand of the team’s physician. Rep. Jordan has denied these claims, but past OSU wrestlers are coming out of the woodwork to assert that Jordan knew that abuse was happening and did nothing to stop it. https://www.nbcnews.com/…/fourth-ohio-state-wrestler-says-r…
The whole time Representative Jim Jordan was giving Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein the riot act (check it out here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/rod-j-rosenstein-shuts-d…/…), he was sitting on a dirty little secret. Jordan, a former wrestling coach for the Ohio State University, has been accused of turning a blind eye to years of sexual abuse at the hand of the team’s physician. Rep. Jordan has denied these claims, but past OSU wrestlers are coming out of the woodwork to assert that Jordan knew that abuse was happening and did nothing to stop it. https://www.nbcnews.com/…/fourth-ohio-state-wrestler-says-r…
I am old enough to remember when Democrats vociferously demanded the departure of our own senator, Al Franken. Where is that outrage now I wonder? Today would be a good day to ask our senators Klobuchar and Smith. Rep. Jordan needs to answer for his behavior. Be sure to give Senator Kirsten Gillibrand a call too. It seems she only likes to hold members of her own party accountable.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
478 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 205100001
ph: (202) 224-4451
fax: (202) 228-0282
478 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 205100001
ph: (202) 224-4451
fax: (202) 228-0282
4. . Vote Now From Home!
**Yesterday, I hear on NPR that Secretary of State Steve Simon is reporting a 60% increase in absentee voter applications from the last election cycle! This is awesome!!**
**Yesterday, I hear on NPR that Secretary of State Steve Simon is reporting a 60% increase in absentee voter applications from the last election cycle! This is awesome!!**
Minnesota is lucky. We have a great voting program that makes it easy for us to get out the vote. You are now able vote early for the Primaries that take place on August 14th. Check out this page from CD2Action that answers some FAQ’s about primary voting. https://cd2action.com/voting-in-the-primaries-101/
Don’t forget, you can vote from home in your jammies. Just sign up here (https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AB…/ABRegistrationStep1.aspx) for an absentee ballot and one will be mailed to you for free.
Don’t forget, you can vote from home in your jammies. Just sign up here (https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AB…/ABRegistrationStep1.aspx) for an absentee ballot and one will be mailed to you for free.
5. Volunteer for a local campaign.
Gubernatorial and U.S. Congressional races are important and it’s fun to help with a big campaign, but please don’t forget the local candidates that are out there every day fighting to make Minnesota better. Pledge today to help a local candidate at least twice a month. There are so many different ways to contribute so everyone can help regardless of time and physical ability.
Here are some comprehensive lists of local candidates that need your help. There are opportunities every single day. Pledge to do something.
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed…
https://cd2action.com/calendar/
Gubernatorial and U.S. Congressional races are important and it’s fun to help with a big campaign, but please don’t forget the local candidates that are out there every day fighting to make Minnesota better. Pledge today to help a local candidate at least twice a month. There are so many different ways to contribute so everyone can help regardless of time and physical ability.
Here are some comprehensive lists of local candidates that need your help. There are opportunities every single day. Pledge to do something.
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed…
https://cd2action.com/calendar/
You have 4 MONTHS to make a difference. The actions we take now will have consequences for generations to come. Commit to being part of the solution.
Why voting matters https://www.axios.com/…/axios-am-df273a33-3bb7-493d-bc2a-78…
Why voting matters https://www.axios.com/…/axios-am-df273a33-3bb7-493d-bc2a-78…
Sites to Check:
If Trump fires Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, please be ready to take to the streets in protest.
https://act.moveon.org/…/mueller-firing-rapid-respon…/search
If Trump fires Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, please be ready to take to the streets in protest.
https://act.moveon.org/…/mueller-firing-rapid-respon…/search
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
Smith (202) 224-5641
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/
Smith (202) 224-5641
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/
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