Tuesday
1. Cyber Warfare
The weeks before the 2016 presidential election were wrought with scandal and fighting. Was it all just coincidence, or was there something bigger orchestrating the turmoil? A report from Clemson University has found that back in October of 2016, on the eve of the Access Hollywood tape (where Trump bragged of sexually assaulting women), and on the day that WikiLeaks released embarrassing emails that Russia stole from the Clinton campaign, Russian operatives released thousands of tweets.
The Clemson researchers and others familiar with their findings think there likely is a connection between the WikiLeaks dump and the torrent of tweets, which varied widely in content but included a heavy dose of political commentary. The tweets overall reveal a highly adaptive operation that interacted tens of millions of times with authentic Twitter users — many of whom retweeted the Russian accounts — and frequently shifted tactics in response to public events.
It seems logical to me that Russia used social media to influence voters in the United States. Their success in 2016 points to the probability that they will be attempting it again in anticipation of the midterm elections this November. We are already seeing signs of it with the #WalkAway hashtag, which is presented as a grassroots effort by former Democrats who are critical of the party's alleged intimidation, confrontation and lack of civility and want people to walk away from the party. This continuation of this movement has been linked to Russia with an aim manipulate public opinion by creating the illusion that this is a popular movement. In reality, #WalkAway has become pure propaganda, a psychological operation.
The weeks before the 2016 presidential election were wrought with scandal and fighting. Was it all just coincidence, or was there something bigger orchestrating the turmoil? A report from Clemson University has found that back in October of 2016, on the eve of the Access Hollywood tape (where Trump bragged of sexually assaulting women), and on the day that WikiLeaks released embarrassing emails that Russia stole from the Clinton campaign, Russian operatives released thousands of tweets.
The Clemson researchers and others familiar with their findings think there likely is a connection between the WikiLeaks dump and the torrent of tweets, which varied widely in content but included a heavy dose of political commentary. The tweets overall reveal a highly adaptive operation that interacted tens of millions of times with authentic Twitter users — many of whom retweeted the Russian accounts — and frequently shifted tactics in response to public events.
It seems logical to me that Russia used social media to influence voters in the United States. Their success in 2016 points to the probability that they will be attempting it again in anticipation of the midterm elections this November. We are already seeing signs of it with the #WalkAway hashtag, which is presented as a grassroots effort by former Democrats who are critical of the party's alleged intimidation, confrontation and lack of civility and want people to walk away from the party. This continuation of this movement has been linked to Russia with an aim manipulate public opinion by creating the illusion that this is a popular movement. In reality, #WalkAway has become pure propaganda, a psychological operation.
http://www.startribune.com/russian-trolls-tweeted-18-000…/…/
https://www.cnn.com/…/russian-bots-2018-midterm-…/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/…/russian-bots-2018-midterm-…/index.html
Russia’s goal is to spread misinformation, increase voter fatigue (and decrease turnout at the polls) and create infighting within the Democratic party (think Clinton vs. Sanders). We must make sure that we don’t fall for it again. When using social media, always be wary of the source of your information. (Here are some tips from NPR-a trusted news source- https://www.npr.org/…/fake-or-real-how-to-self-check-the-ne…). Do not share anything that you are not confident is true. If you find a post or tweet that you suspect is from a bot, please do not engage. Your best course of action is to block and report.
Most importantly, remember that we all must work together to win in November. The Democratic party is a big umbrella that can house a variety of ideas and opinions. Do not let small differences stymie your enthusiasm. Remember, voting for someone you agree with 75% of the time is always better than letting Trump and the GOP win again.
Most importantly, remember that we all must work together to win in November. The Democratic party is a big umbrella that can house a variety of ideas and opinions. Do not let small differences stymie your enthusiasm. Remember, voting for someone you agree with 75% of the time is always better than letting Trump and the GOP win again.
2. Stop the Threat of Downloadable Guns
A settlement earlier this year between the State Department and Texas-based Defense Distributed will let the nonprofit release blueprints for guns online starting Aug. 1, a development hailed by the group as the death of gun control in the United States. Yes, you heard that right. On August 1st, you will be able to 3D print a weapon in the comfort of you own home.
https://www.usatoday.com/…/snapcash-snapchat-shu…/817873002/
A settlement earlier this year between the State Department and Texas-based Defense Distributed will let the nonprofit release blueprints for guns online starting Aug. 1, a development hailed by the group as the death of gun control in the United States. Yes, you heard that right. On August 1st, you will be able to 3D print a weapon in the comfort of you own home.
https://www.usatoday.com/…/snapcash-snapchat-shu…/817873002/
Does that seem like a bad idea to you? Why not join Everytown for Gun Safety and email Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to tell him what you think. Click this link for more information https://act.everytown.org/sign/stop-downloadable-guns…
3. Create A Video of Support- Why I’m Voting
CD2Action has a great idea! Share your personal stories of why you are voting with others on social media. Think of it as online door knocking! If you would like to participate, all you need to do is create a short video (30-60 seconds) that explains what topics are motivating you to vote in the primary and in November. An easy guide on how to get started is provided for you here: https://cd2action.com/why-im-voting-videos/
Once your video is complete, you can email it to this address cd2action@gmail.com.
CD2Action has a great idea! Share your personal stories of why you are voting with others on social media. Think of it as online door knocking! If you would like to participate, all you need to do is create a short video (30-60 seconds) that explains what topics are motivating you to vote in the primary and in November. An easy guide on how to get started is provided for you here: https://cd2action.com/why-im-voting-videos/
Once your video is complete, you can email it to this address cd2action@gmail.com.
4. Let’s Get out The Vote!
I think it’s going to take an overwhelming wave of blue voters to stop this terrible Trump administration in November. All hands on deck! At this point, you should be helping out a campaign at least once a week. Expect to do more as the midterm elections get closer.
Check out these calendars for upcoming events near you.
https://cd2action.com/calendar/
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed…
Study after study shows that the most effective way to get people to vote is by having conversations with them in the four days before Election Day (Saturday, November 3rd–Tuesday, November 6th). Volunteer here to be part of the last big push. https://thelastweekend.org/?source=MN02
I think it’s going to take an overwhelming wave of blue voters to stop this terrible Trump administration in November. All hands on deck! At this point, you should be helping out a campaign at least once a week. Expect to do more as the midterm elections get closer.
Check out these calendars for upcoming events near you.
https://cd2action.com/calendar/
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed…
Study after study shows that the most effective way to get people to vote is by having conversations with them in the four days before Election Day (Saturday, November 3rd–Tuesday, November 6th). Volunteer here to be part of the last big push. https://thelastweekend.org/?source=MN02
5. Vote Now From Home!
**Secretary of State Steve Simon is reporting a 60% increase in absentee voter applications from the last election cycle! This is awesome!!**
**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.
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
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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