Democratic Party Platform

After discussion at our meeting on August 6th about identifying the Democratic Party Platform, I found this article which gives some illumination and might be on interest:

2018 Democratic Party Platform

Roy Cohn and Trump - Vanity Fair Article

Here is an interesting article in Vanity Fair that helps to explain Trumps combative attitude:
Vanity Fair: Roy Cohn & Trump

Russia Investigation update

Updating with some new information on Russian hacking directly tied to Trump Campaign.



New information

Editorial Series about Trump

http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-ed-our-dishonest-president

Is North Carolina a preview of what's to come?

The Bathroom Bill That Ate North Carolina

Fixing Relationships This Election Has Broken

This is probably the most personally meaningful thing I have read lately. Like-minded people don't need to read it. I'm just hoping those who are politically opposed will take the time to read this with an open mind and an open heart.

Fixing Relationships This Election Has Broken

This article addresses some of what Jim told us about on Sunday. I really dislike the headline, but this writer makes some good points about the knee-jerk opposition to everything, especially if one reads all the way through the updates.

Liberals: Stop Saying That Trump Will Kill All Meals On Wheels

Last post for today

JAMES COMEY’S REMARKABLE FIVE HOURS ON CAPITOL HILL

Per our discussion yesterday regarding vocational training

Why We Desperately Need To Bring Back Vocational Training In Schools

Separation of Church & State

Here is an article on the Johnson Amendment that came up in our discussion of the separation of Church and State during yesterday's meeting:
Johnson Amendment

Cards, Cards, Cards

I'm feeling better -- still not quite well.  Nevertheless, I felt the urge to personally mail some cards today instead of asking Ira to take them to the P.O.  I did send one to POTUS, but I've been using the other cards (plenty remaining) to write to Senators and Representatives.  What I add to the printed cards depends, of course, on the intended recipient. Doing something, however small, is the best antidepressant.

  

Ides of March - Mail your postcards

Today is the day.

Examples of postcards being sent

Ides of March Postcard Campaign

Today's the day to mail postcards if you are participating. I know there are some reservations about this, but I'm going to go on and mail mine as planned!

McCrory update

http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/us/article/Former-North-Carolina-governor-says-HB-2-hurts-11000114.php

Trump - Russia Investigation (found the doc)

I'm following up on my previous post with the mysterious disappearing link.  After spending two days searching for this, I finally found someone who was able copy the document before it vanished..  It is exhaustive, but an amazing compilation of information.  Here it is:
Trump/Russia Document

Defending Our Public Schools

While this article provides few specifics, I certainly like the tone, positive and inspirational.


Defending Our Public Schools (title mine)

H.R.610: To distribute Federal funds for elementary and secondary education in the form of vouchers for eligible students and to repeal a certain rule relating to nutrition standards in schools.

Here we go, my friends! The time has come to wage war on behalf of our beloved PUBLIC SCHOOLS! 

Text of Congressional Bill

Connecting the Trump - Russia dots

For those of you that missed it on Rachel Maddow last night, California Representative Eric Swalwell has created a web page to help easily understand the history and ties between the Trump team and Russia

https://swalwell.house.gov/issues/protect-our-democracy

One step at a time

Aurelia, I tweaked this a little bit to make the link easier to use. Hope you don't mind.

I Grew Up in the Westboro Baptist Church: Why I Left

Petition NCGA against gerrymandering

End Gerrymandering Now Petition

Russia / Trump Investigation

For those of you who are following this:

https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/1gg6SdgftOynibeZjThGfa6eN8myZFYgtv7ztdJgeJSU/mobilebasic#h.2dlolyb
Oops! It looks like this link is no longer accessible.  I have tried to find the document elsewhere, but it seems to have disappeared from the web.

from The General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church: Welcoming the Migrant to the United States

I post this link not for its theology (though I certainly don't MIND the theology one little bit) but for its rational and humanitarian stance.

Welcoming the Migrant to the United States

Folks,

Contact those who "represent" you in the NC General Assembly as well as the leaders of the NC House & Senate.  Enthusiastically express your support for HB 200.  

"Swamping" the White House with Post Cards Mailed on the Ides of March

Re. the post card plan:  I spent time making design & content decisions.  I ordered 100 cards.  The cards arrived, and I liked -- still like -- what's on them.  But a day or two ago, I started thinking about how unlikely it is that the flood of cards will do anything other than create work for mail sorters and perhaps pollute the air, etc. when they are discarded or incinerated.  It seems to me that we can get "more bang for our bucks" if we bombard Congressmen and Senators with mail.  I realize that my thoughts won't affect the action planned for the Ides of March, but I still want to encourage folks to keep adding to the mail load dumped on the staff of cowards in Congress.  

Well, now Betsy DeVos!

...aren't you a piece of work? Here's the thing...I don't need mainstream media or any other media for me to understand you or your President. Y'all just open your mouths and say everything I need to know about you!

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos' Prepared Remarks at the 2017 Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland

In Case You Don't Have the Time or the Inclination to Write to Senator McCain

My only reason for posting the body of the letter that I sent to Senator John McCain is to encourage group members to write to McCain (and Lindsey Graham, to whom I wrote a similar letter).  In case you don't want to compose letters to these Senators, I'm providing material that you may use -- in part or in toto.  Please write to Senators who seem to be on "our side."

Body of Letter

Although I reside in a state that is, unfortunately, not represented by you, I am writing to you because, more than any current US Senator, you have shown that serving America, promoting its values, and protecting our republic come before serving yourself.  Until recently, I did not believe the government of the United States of America, with its checks-and-balances system, was at risk of becoming an autocracy.  Nor did I fear that America's allies would be treated less respectfully than America's adversaries.  But this country now has a President who lacks the knowledge, the experience, the honesty, and the moral compass to do what he swore to do on the day of his inauguration.  The risks of having a Chief Executive whose primary concerns are maintaining a positive self-image, expanding his authority, increasing his abundant wealth, and punishing his opponents are compounded by the fact that most Republican leaders are willing to tolerate and make excuses for his alarming words and conduct.

I am among the many Americans who are counting on you, Senator McCain, to impress upon your colleagues the absolute necessity of discovering what underlies the President's respect for Putin, his inclination to allow Russia to victimize sovereign nations, his dismissal of Russia's interference in our country's elections, and his distrust of the intelligence community.  I am among the many Americans who are appalled by Congress's failure to pass legislation requiring anyone holding the office of the President of the United States to make public at least three years of his/her most recent tax returns and to completely separate himself/herself from holdings and businesses (i.e., create a blind trust, not an arrangement that allows a POTUS to profit from his/her position).  I am among the many Americans who wonder if our checks-and-balances system can survive a President who respects only judges whose decisions match his wishes.

Your commitment to America's laws, values, and interests has been demonstrated throughout your years in the military and in Congress.  And so I am urging you to do all that you can -- as a Senator, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, ex officio member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and admired public figure -- to protect our country and our planet from the irreparable harm that may result from having an irresponsible, uninformed, unfit Commander in Chief.    
       

CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION!

Please, please, please do NOT watch this video if you are offended or upset by (VERY) bad language! And if you do choose to watch it anyway and are offended, please do not slam me for posting it.

Trae Crowder video

Common sense thoughts on Trump's mental status on Lawrence O'Donnell's show last night. The second link is the article referred to in the segment. 

http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/trump-s-mental-health-the-elephant-in-the-room-883814979800

http://www.cjr.org/analysis/trump-mental-health.php

Time to consider

Is it time for us to consider that one main reason Russia wanted Trump in office is, they knew Trump would cause civil chaos? I would be interested in your thoughts.

This may interest some of you

AMUSE BOUCHE - "Just a Taste" of Climate Carnival Featuring Greg Fishel, WRAL Chief Meterologist

Friday, May 12 7 - 8:30 Chatham County Agriculture Building Pittsboro, NC 27312 Frank Stasio, host of WUNC's "The State of Things" will lead a panel discussion on the state of Climate Change featuring Greg Fishel, WRAL's Chief Meteorologist.   Greg Fishel: WRAL's Chief Meterologist was once a climate change skeptic. Now he's fighting global warming. Born and raised Lancaster, PA Bachelor of Science Degree - Meteorology Penn State 1979 Worked in Chicago for private weather forecasting firm 1979-1980 1st TV job WMDT-TV Salisbury, MD 1980-81 Came to WRAL 1981-been here ever since! Hobbies: play tuba and avid sports fan We'll have some amuse bouche (bite-sized hors d'oeuvres) and cash bar. It will be a night to discuss some difficult subjects, and to connect with other community members who care about our foodshed, our planet and our well-being.

I did NOT write this...

but I really like it...and I signed the petition!

We will not work together...

Communicating with Trump supporters

Posted from www.emptywheel.net.   There are some helpful tips in these "Ask Uncle Ed" links


What do you say when you quit a group of Trump supporters?

https://www.emptywheel.net/2017/02/21/ask-uncle-ed-3a/

How do you communicate with Trump supporters you have to cooperate with?

https://www.emptywheel.net/2017/02/21/ask-uncle-ed-3b/

 

Another "preaching to the choir" post

Another Christian's message to other Christians, but it's the God thing that I agree with and the more important message about the work that PEOPLE have to do.

Christian, Stop Telling Me God Is in Control

BLUE...DUH!

Sometimes I only see NC STATE RED, not appropriate for our group blog!

Just ordered my postcards...

I just ordered my postcards (50), from vistaprint.com. Thought you might like to see what my card looks like.



I am happy to share if anybody wants to send some of these.

I also want you to know about something I'm trying. So far, I have not had much of a response; but at least I can say I tried. I'm not inviting you all to this event because it is a FAMILY GATHERING if it does take place. Most of those invited are in their 30's and 40's...older than we talked about at our meeting, but I want to hear their voices in a safe and supportive environment.

Next Generation Family Forum

Ides of March Postcard mailer

Don't forget to send out your postcard to President (for now) Trump on March 15th.  Mailing address is:

President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC  20500

If anyone wants one or more of the pink postcards I had printed, please let me know.  You can pick up or I am happy to mail to you.  (will need your mailing address.)

Possible Smoking Gun RE: Trump/Russia communications investigations

Here is an interesting article for those of you who might be interested in following the investigation of Trump's ties to Russia:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/cover_story/2016/10/was_a_server_registered_to_the_trump_organization_communicating_with_russia.html?wpsrc=sh_all_dt_tw_top

120Days film

Last post for the evening. Don't mean to overwhelm. Please watch when you have time.

120 Days

Media bias diagram

Getting my feet wet on our blog

I promise it will get better over the next few days. Right now, I'm just trying to get our blog started. This is NOT MY BLOG; it's OUR BLOG. I really hope that you will participate. Even if you do not wish to POST on the blog, please accept the invitation to be an "author" on the blog so that you can read what others post. It would be great if some of you who have already accepted the invitation to be an author would POST as an example to others who might not be as experienced...I'm talking to you, Carl Young! HaHa! Don't leave me out here on my own.

I thought I would like to post a link to the documentary that I mentioned at our last gathering. Get your tissues ready!

http://www.120daysmovie.com/

Okay...well, it's not much, but it's a start! Please participate and keep our blog alive!