Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Tuesday 4/17 Call to Action

Tuesday
1. Migratory Bird Treaty Act
I love birds. This time of year it’s a delight to see all the different species fly over my house or visit my feeders on the way to somewhere else (I saw a warbler!) The Migratory Bird Treaty Act was created a century ago to protect birds after many migratory birds became extinct. Unfortunately, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is under attack from the Trump administration.
https://www.fws.gov/…/laws-le…/migratory-bird-treaty-act.php
https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/the-trump-administration…/…
A directive from the Interior Department, run by Ryan Zinke, along with sections of the bill HR 4239 SECURE American Energy Act, would sap the strength from this law that protects birds. How? Going forward, persons or companies would not be held responsible for killing migratory birds if that was not their initial intent. An example from this article is razing a barn knowing that it is full of owlet nests. This new rule would also apply to bigger catastrophes like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, that destroyed or injured millions of birds. Clean up and damages from that disaster were very expensive for the oil company, BP. Going forward they would have less culpability for damages.
So now we get to the crux of this new directive. This is a windfall for oil companies. Isn’t it funny how it always goes back to to that? Actually, it’s not funny at all.
Today, you can call your three members of Congress and tell them that you see what’s going on and you don’t like it one bit. While you are at it, contact Secretary Zinke as well. Minnesotans care about wildlife (birds) and the environment and we expect a strong adherence to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Tell your representative that a vote for the pro-fossil fuel/anti-wildlife protection HR 4239 will be a vote against their reelection in the fall.
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N. W.
Washington DC 20240
202-208-3100
Do you want to do more to help our fine, feathered friends? Check out these groups.
American Bird Conservancy https://abcbirds.org/
Audubon Minnesota http://mn.audubon.org/
2. Firearm Data Collection for Research
The Firearm Data Collection for Research bill is at the Minnesota Capitol this week. (SF2726/HF2891) This bill would allow the Department of Health to collect information on firearm ownership. For some crazy reason, state law currently prohibits the MN Department of Health from collecting data. Studies have shown that inadequate data is one of the biggest barriers against understanding and preventing gun violence. This bill is a great idea and we should encourage our members to support it. Call them today.
If you can, join Moms Demand Action’s Lobby Day and Rally tomorrow, April 18th. https://protectmn.org/…/moms-demand-action-lobby-day-and-r…/
Check out CD2Action for more information. https://cd2action.com/take-action-gun-violence-prevention/
3. Syrian Refugees.
From Rogan’s list: The administration may be claiming that our recent strikes are in retaliation for the horrific chemical weapons attack the Syrian government launched against its own people, but if the president really cared about civilians in Syria, he would relax the rules against admitting refugees. Only 11 Syrian refugees have been allowed into the country in 2018 (https://www.npr.org/…/the-u-s-has-welcomed-only-11-syrian-r…). Let’s tell our MoCs we are disgusted by this hypocrisy and we want to open our doors to people in need.

Sites to Check:
CD2Action https://cd2action.com/, @CD2action
League of Women Voters MN https://lwvmn.org/
Dates to Remember
Wednesday, April 18th Moms Demand Action Lobby Day at The Capitol
Join Moms Demand Action at the Capitol in St. Paul to meet with your representatives and urge them to support common sense gun safety measures. Meet at Christ Lutheran Church at 9:30am and then walk over to the Capitol after a brief training. We will rally in the Rotunda at 11am. Please wear your Moms Demand Action t-shirts or red!
https://www.facebook.com/events/571274086551786/
http://act.everytown.org/event/moms-demand-action-event/7490
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/
Spoon - "The Underdog"
Music video for Spoon - "The Underdog"
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Sunday, April 15, 2018

Monday 4/16 Call to Action

Monday

There was so much news Friday and this weekend, I'm just going to offer a few quick bullets, and you can Google for more.

- Trump, along with the UK and France struck chemical weapons sites in Syria, in retaliation for Russian/Syrian chemical weapons use.
- Rod Rosenstein, who oversees the Mueller probe, indicated he's prepared to be fired.
- James Comey called Trump unethical; Trump called for Comey's jailing.  The GOP is trying to discredit Comey.
- The FBI seized recordings of conversations Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, had with others.
- Cohen has apparently been under investigation for months.
- There are reports Cohen traveled to Prague, during the campaign, corroborating a portion of the Steele Dossier.
- Cohen negotiated a deal to pay a Playboy Model 1.6 Million on behalf of RNC official Elliot Broidy, who was also involved in Middle East dealings, and had tried to influence Trump.
- The Justice Department General released a report disparaging Matthew McCabe's investigation of Clinton.
- Trump pardoned Scooter Libby, possibly to send a signal to those implicated in the Mueller probe that he may pardon them.
- The Trump administration implemented additional sanctions on Russia, for its actions in Syria.

Hope I didn't miss anything.

1. Call about Syria.  You may support or oppose the strikes, but Trump is taking action without authorization from Congress.  Congress should exercise its power of oversight.

https://www.indivisible.org/resource/escalated-situation-syria/

2. From Indivisible MN Local, call to oppose:
Call to Action Indivisible MN Local (4/14/18)
Anti-protest + Trespass bill (HF 3693/SF 3463)

This nefarious bill is sailing under many a civic activist's radar. It’s already passed committees in both houses and will soon be voted on or slipped into an omnibus. This bill increases the penalties for trespass on “critical infrastructure.” It also, incredibly, expands liability to the groups that those convicted of trespass or damages belong to. (The bills extend “civil and criminal liability to a group or organization that recruits, trains, aids, hires, or conspires with an individual to commit criminal trespass or damage to property,” according to a House Research summary.)

The environmental groups point out that this is a GOP, pro-fossil fuel maneuver aimed at pipeline protesters and the organizations that support their work. According to the ACLU, “this bill is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and unnecessary.” It's unnecessary b/c there are already laws against trespass, etc.

https://healingmnstories.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/mn-bill-would-allow-pipeline-company-to-sue-groups-which-aid-non-violent-protestors-who-trespass/

3. Also at the state level, oppose HF 3693/SF 3463

"Tell your state legislators to VOTE NO to a bill that would make anybody responsible if they are even remotely associated with a protest or assembly in which damage or trespass to critical infrastructure (i.e., pipelines, roads, bridges) occurs.

Minnesota already has laws in place to protect critical infrastructure. HF 3693/SF 3463 is not about protecting Minnesotans — it’s a bill driven by corporate interest groups designed to restrict and discourage assembly and free speech. This bill is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and unnecessary."

https://action.aclu.org/send-message/mn-guilty-association-bill?social_referer_transaction=225802&ms=sbsocial

Sites to Check:
CD2Action https://cd2action.com/, @CD2action

MN02 Congress Watch http://mn02congresswatch.org/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/572562169758984/

League of Women Voters MN https://lwvmn.org/

Dates to Remember

Tax Day Rally at the Capitol and March for Science
If you've been in Minnesota, you may have noticed some light snowfall.  The two marches scheduled for this weekend: the Tax March and March for Science were both postponed.  Future dates will be announced.

Wednesday, April 18th Moms Demand Action Lobby Day at The Capitol
Join Moms Demand Action at the Capitol in St. Paul to meet with your representatives and urge them to support common sense gun safety measures. Meet at Christ Lutheran Church at 9:30am and then walk over to the Capitol after a brief training. We will rally in the Rotunda at 11am. Please wear your Moms Demand Action t-shirts or red!
https://www.facebook.com/events/571274086551786/
http://act.everytown.org/event/moms-demand-action-event/7490

April 20th #NationalSchoolWalkout
Find an event in your area http://act.indivisible.org/event/national-school-walkout/

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/
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Friday, April 13, 2018

Friday 4/13 Call to Action

Friday
1. Mueller Closing in
Now that the FBI has raided Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen’s offices, Trump seems less likely to agree to an interview with the special prosecutor, Robert Mueller. With that step out of the way, Mueller can move forward to the next phase. It’s being reported that Mueller has compiled evidence on Trump’s attempts to obstruct justice and he is ready to make it happen.
These include:
*Trump’s attempt to fire former FBI Director James Comey
*Trump’s participation in crafting a misleading public statement on the nature of the infamous 2016 Trump Tower meeting between his sons and Russians
*Trump’s mention of pardons for Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn
*Trump’s laments about Attorney General Jeff Sessions recusal from the Russia investigation
Add to that Jim Comey’s new tell all book that does not put Trump in a good light. https://www.vox.com/…/james-comey-book-detail-trump-pee-tape
Trump is feeling the pressure.
Trump knows the noose of justice is tightening around him. The possibility of him making the rash decision to fire Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is greater now than ever. http://thehill.com/…/382583-the-memo-fears-rise-of-trump-mo…
Just last night, reports came in that Trump is going to pardon Scooter Libby, former Vice President Cheney’s chief of staff. This sets the precedent of pardons among other things. Read more here.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/coincidence-scooter-libb…/…
http://abcnews.go.com/…/president-trump-poised-pardo…/story…
Today, we need to tell our members of Congress loudly and clearly that firing Mueller or Rosenstein would create constitutional crisis and acceptance of this move by anyone on any side of the aisle would show complicity with obstruction of justice. We should also tell our members of Congress to pass the Special Counsel Independence Protection Act (S. 1735/H.R. 3654) and The Special Counsel Integrity Act (S. 1741/H.R. 3771) now. If Mueller is fired, we need to make sure to take to the streets at events that will be organized across the country.
If you haven’t already, sign up for Moveon.org’s Nobody is Above The Law Mueller (and now Rosenstein) Firing Rapid Response. There will be plenty of options for where you can go. Find out more here: https://www.trumpisnotabovethelaw.org/…/mueller-fi…/search/…@
Watch Robert Reich’s informative video about this topic. https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/videos/1921617311184189/
2. Tim Pawlenty
By now you have probably heard the news that former governor, Tim Pawlenty has thrown his hat into the gubernatorial ring. I am old enough to remember the mess he left after eight years leading Minnesota.
Read more about Pawlenty’s announcement here: http://www.startribune.com/tim-pawlenty-makes-it-officia…/…/
Our current governor, Mark Dayton does not mince words about Pawlenty’s decision to run again, stating that Pawlenty left Minnesota in disastrous financial shape and that his record as governor was abysmal. Read more here: http://www.startribune.com/gov-mark-dayton-rips-into-his…/…/
In light of recent reports of terrible conditions of public schools in Kentucky and Oklahoma, let’s not forget that Pawlenty slashed funding for Minnesota’s schools. http://meettimpawlenty.org/education/
Want to see what school is like in Oklahoma? Watch this disturbing video. https://www.facebook.com/NowThisPolitics/videos/1897202710369844/
And this one too. https://www.facebook.com/NowThisNews/videos/1892279074195541/
Did I mention that Pawlenty will be a keynote speaker at an event hosted by one of the worst anti-gay hate groups in Minnesota? Blech. http://act.abetterminnesota.org/sign/pawlenty-mfc/
Pawlenty is bad for Minnesota. What’s your takeaway from this? Elections have consequences. Make a commitment today to volunteer to help get a quality governor elected for Minnesota; a leader who will listen to and work for the great people in this state.
https://www.minnpost.com/…/04/tragedy-and-farce-tim-pawlenty
3. Legislators Back in Action
Minnesota’s Congress is back in session. Check out Watch Your Reps MN for a detailed list of what’s going on at the Capitol. https://mailchi.mp/…/watchyourrepsmn-action-alert-for-week-…
Indivisible Minnesota Local is also a great resource for keeping track of local government issues. http://indivisibleminnesotalocal.org/
US Congress also gets back in business this week. Here’s a link to the House voting schedule: https://www.majorityleader.gov/weekly-schedule/And the Senate: https://www.senate.gov/
Countable is a great website to keep track of important legislation. https://www.countable.us/ Also, GovTrack. https://www.govtrack.us/
Sites to Check:
CD2Action https://cd2action.com/, @CD2action
League of Women Voters MN https://lwvmn.org/
Dates to Remember
Tax Day Rally at the Capitol,
On Sunday, April 15th join fellow Minnesotans in protesting tax laws that benefit the richest Americans at the expense of the poor and working classes. Let’s get together and tell our government that we want them make laws the benefit the majority, not just their pocketbooks and election campaigns.
Look here for more information: https://www.taxrallymn2018.org/
RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/200520967348623/
Wednesday, April 18th Moms Demand Action Lobby Day at The Capitol
Join Moms Demand Action at the Capitol in St. Paul to meet with your representatives and urge them to support common sense gun safety measures. Meet at Christ Lutheran Church at 9:30am and then walk over to the Capitol after a brief training. We will rally in the Rotunda at 11am. Please wear your Moms Demand Action t-shirts or red!
https://www.facebook.com/events/571274086551786/
http://act.everytown.org/event/moms-demand-action-event/7490
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/
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Thursday, April 12, 2018

Thursday 4/12 Call to Action


Thursday 4/12 

1. Mike Pompeo 
This morning the Senate will vote on the confirmation of Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State. Pompeo, like many of Trump’s nominees, has a questionable background. He has a record of anti-muslim statements, his views on torture are questionable, and he does not have the character one should have for diplomacy when representing our country. Senator Smith has said she would vote No on Pompeo, but we have not heard how Senator Klobuchar will vote. Let’s put the pressure on her right away.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/11/politics/pompeo-state-nomination-curtain-raiser/index.html

2. Mississippi and Kawishiwi Rivers on named most ‘endangered rivers’ list
A stretch of the Mississippi River and the Kawishiwi River, which runs in and out of the BWCA, has made the endangered list by American Rivers, an environmental advocacy group. The threat with the Kawishiwi River has to do with the sulfide-ore copper mining being proposed. That mining would take place upstream and contaminate water that for now is clean.
A series of outdated lock and dams along a stretch of the Mississippi from St. Anthony Falls to the Ford Dam have created pool like conditions, and getting rid of the dams would revitalize the river. Tell Congress to protect our waters and our environment.
https://www.americanrivers.org/threats-solutions/americas-most-endangered-rivers-of-2018/

3. Bipartisan bill to protect Mueller
“Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and Lindsey Graham, as well as Democratic Sens. Chris Coons and Cory Booker, introduced a bill Wednesday that would help protect Mueller from being fired without “good cause.” The legislation would allow any fired special counsel to challenge his or her dismissal in court. The senators previously introduced two separate bills, and Wednesday’s bill effectively merges them.
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, said she supports the bill but also expressed concern that it could be neutered through amendments on the Senate floor.”
https://www.buzzfeed.com/emmaloop/robert-mueller-congress-protect?utm_term=.wmxXdON5wW&bftwnews#.byAXdqaKnv

If you haven’t already, sign up for Moveon.org’s Nobody is Above The Law Mueller (and now Rosenstein) Firing Rapid Response. There will be plenty of options for where you can go. Find out more here: https://www.trumpisnotabovethelaw.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response/search/?from=

4. Legislators Back in Action
Minnesota’s Congress is back in session. Check out Watch Your Reps MN for a detailed list of what’s going on at the Capitol. https://mailchi.mp/…/watchyourrepsmn-action-alert-for-week-…
Indivisible Minnesota Local is also a great resource for keeping track of local government issues. http://indivisibleminnesotalocal.org/
US Congress also gets back in business this week. Here’s a link to the House voting schedule: https://www.majorityleader.gov/weekly-schedule/And the Senate: https://www.senate.gov/
Countable is a great website to keep track of important legislation. https://www.countable.us/ Also, GovTrack. https://www.govtrack.us/
Sites to Check:
CD2Action https://cd2action.com/, @CD2action
MN02 Congress Watch http://mn02congresswatch.org/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/572562169758984/
League of Women Voters MN https://lwvmn.org/
Dates to Remember:
Tax Day Rally at the Capitol,
On Sunday, April 15th join fellow Minnesotans in protesting tax laws that benefit the richest Americans at the expense of the poor and working classes. Let’s get together and tell our government that we want them make laws the benefit the majority, not just their pocketbooks and election campaigns.
Look here for more information: https://www.taxrallymn2018.org/
RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/200520967348623/
Wednesday, April 18th Moms Demand Action Lobby Day at The Capitol
Join Moms Demand Action at the Capitol in St. Paul to meet with your representatives and urge them to support common sense gun safety measures. Meet at Christ Lutheran Church at 9:30am and then walk over to the Capitol after a brief training. We will rally in the Rotunda at 11am. Please wear your Moms Demand Action t-shirts or red!
https://www.facebook.com/events/571274086551786/
http://act.everytown.org/event/moms-demand-action-event/7490
April 20th #NationalSchoolWalkout
Find an event in your area http://act.indivisible.org/event/national-school-walkout/
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/


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Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Wednesday 4/11 Call to Action

Wednesday
1. The Law is Coming Mr. Trump
It seems that the law is slowly closing in on Trump and he is starting to feel the pressure. https://mobile.nytimes.com/…/opinion/trump-michael-cohen-ra…
On Monday, the FBI raided the offices of Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen. Not surprisingly, Trump did not take this news very well. Reports now hint that the president may be considering firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Here we go again. If Trump makes the poor choice to fire either Rosenstein or special counsel Robert Mueller, we must be ready to take to the streets. Load up your car again with snacks, signs (and unfortunately) winter gear.
https://www.cnn.com/…/trump-rod-rosenstein-rober…/index.html
If you haven’t already, sign up for Moveon.org’s Nobody is Above The Law Mueller (and now Rosenstein) Firing Rapid Response. There will be plenty of options for where you can go. Find out more here: https://www.trumpisnotabovethelaw.org/…/mueller-fi…/search/…@
Watch Robert Reich’s informative video about this topic. https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/videos/1921617311184189/
1. Free Internet For All
On Monday, Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown, signed a bill that will give companies an economic incentive to allow unfettered online access in the beaver state. Oregon is part of a growing wave of states creating their own internet protections since net neutrality was repealed last year.
http://www.oregonlive.com/…/gov_kate_brown_signs_oregons_n.…
Here is a nice list of legislation that has been introduced across the U. S. http://www.ncsl.org/…/net-neutrality-legislation-in-states.…
In January, MN Attorney General Lori Swanson sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for repealing net neutrality. She gives a great explanation of why she did so in this article here. https://www.mprnews.org/…/2018/01/18/lori-swanson-net-neutr…
Minnesota’s own lawmakers have proposed protections as well.
SF 2880 Internet service contracts regulation; net neutrality adherence (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php…)
This bill was referred to the Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee. (Member list: http://www.senate.mn/committees/committee_bio.php…)
HF 3033 CONTRACTS FOR INTERNET SERVICE; ADHERENCE TO
NET NEUTRALITY. (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php…)
This bill was referred to the Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee. (Member list: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/committeemembers.asp…)
Today, contact your state members of Congress and remind them that free and open internet is important to you. This is especially true if your legislators sit on either of these committees. You can also contact the committee chairs.
3. Facebook
Facebook’s chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, testified in front of the Senate yesterday. Read more about it here. https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/b72c09e8-3d03-11e8-974f-aa…
Senator Amy Klobuchar was there and did a nice job of asking Zuckerberg some important questions. She has called for better privacy practices, a requirement that Facebook warns its users within 72 hours of any private data breach, and tougher disclosure requirements for political ads. Give Sen. Klobuchar a call today and thank her for her hard work.
Also, from Rogan’s list. This article is an eyeopening and shocking glimpse into Facebook algorithms that shape what we see on our timeline.
"Facebook’s feed is less a window into the world than a personal secretary that faithfully learns who you are and shows you what you want to see." A journalist pretended to be a Trump supporter on Facebook to see what the algorithms of the platform would offer her. She also looks into who's behind the fake news that took over her feed. This essay is an eye-opening reminder of how we are manipulated by social media without even knowing it. https://rantt.com/a-look-at-who-is-behind-the-right-wing-fa… Let’s be mindful of the news we share and promote.
4. Legislators Back in Action
Minnesota’s Congress is back in session. Check out Watch Your Reps MN for a detailed list of what’s going on at the Capitol. https://mailchi.mp/…/watchyourrepsmn-action-alert-for-week-…
Indivisible Minnesota Local is also a great resource for keeping track of local government issues. http://indivisibleminnesotalocal.org/
US Congress also gets back in business this week. Here’s a link to the House voting schedule: https://www.majorityleader.gov/weekly-schedule/And the Senate: https://www.senate.gov/
Countable is a great website to keep track of important legislation. https://www.countable.us/ Also, GovTrack. https://www.govtrack.us/
Sites to Check:
CD2Action https://cd2action.com/, @CD2action
League of Women Voters MN https://lwvmn.org/
Dates to Remember:
Tax Day Rally at the Capitol,
On Sunday, April 15th join fellow Minnesotans in protesting tax laws that benefit the richest Americans at the expense of the poor and working classes. Let’s get together and tell our government that we want them make laws the benefit the majority, not just their pocketbooks and election campaigns.
Look here for more information: https://www.taxrallymn2018.org/
RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/200520967348623/
Wednesday, April 18th Moms Demand Action Lobby Day at The Capitol
Join Moms Demand Action at the Capitol in St. Paul to meet with your representatives and urge them to support common sense gun safety measures. Meet at Christ Lutheran Church at 9:30am and then walk over to the Capitol after a brief training. We will rally in the Rotunda at 11am. Please wear your Moms Demand Action t-shirts or red!
https://www.facebook.com/events/571274086551786/
http://act.everytown.org/event/moms-demand-action-event/7490
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/
Julian Lennon - Valotte
Julian Lennon - Valotte Sitting on the doorstep of the house I can't afford I can feel you there Thinking of a reason, well, it's…
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