Friends, we had some technical issues this morning with my post, so am resending it to everyone. I apologize in advance if you are receiving it twice....
Here are some State Attorney General numbers for you. These were involved in the original budget filing, but many, like Oregon's Dan Rayfield, have been involved in many. Thank them all: Dan Rayfield, Oregon 503-378-6002 -- Kris Mayes, Arizona 928-778-1265 -- Rob Bonta, California 916-210-6276 -- Phil Weiser, Colorado 720-508-6000 -- William Tong, Connecticut 860-808-5318 -- Kathy Jennings, Delaware 302-577-8400 -- Anne E. Lopez, Hawaii 806-586-1500 -- Kramer Raoul, Illinois 773-305-8808 -- Aaron Frey, Maine 207-626-8800 -- Jeff Jackson, N. Carolina 919-716-6400 -- Peter Neronha, Rhode Island 401-274-4400 -- Charity Clark, Vermont 802-828-3171 -- Josh Kaul, Wisconsin 608-266-1221 --
And our hero, and lead on this Letitia James, NY 518-776-2000 -- hopefully no typos. Keep it short and sweet.
I am finishing up a “vacation “ in Hawaii. Before sunrise this morning, I emailed my senators to vote no on McMahon. I emailed my representative to urge her to join with her colleagues to initiate impeachment proceedings for Trump-Musk. I emailed my senators to stop Musk’s crime spree and continue support for Ukraine.
Called both GOP Senators and Dem Rep. Also called Leaders Jeffries and Schumer. For the Dems, I ask that they withold negotiation on budget and debt ceiling until the crime spree ends. The only thing I agree on with Ronald Reagan rignt now: no negotiations with terrorists. And the Senators need to OBSTRUCT.
Also…I hope Ken Martin’s comms team ups their game…Dems need a strong leader right now and they can’t ask for $ without showing up with what folks need…just a suggestion.
I am going to do this tomorrow too, call Schumer and Jeffries again. The Dems need to HOLD FAST against all budget deals until they get rid of Musk. Period.
Agree with you that we need to continue to be loud. Demonstrations of our powerful numbers are important, with the understanding that traditional protest-style, mob demonstrations are dangerous because they will trigger what Trump wants: a declaration of martial law. Therefore, we need to all be much more creative about how we safely demonstrate.
The stay at home days are great, the buy nothing days are great. How about a children's strike, where kids stay home from school and communities hold art project events where kids draw and paint what they want their future to look like? Sidewalk chalk, posters they hang up all around town.
Here's another idea:
We need a way for everyone affected by the government policies of this administration to become visible in their everyday life. This means everyone in the family of someone who has lost a job or lost access to healthcare or experienced a negative impact from any other hurtful move made by the White House, Congress, or Republican-controlled state legislatures and courts.
Remember the ubiquitous yellow Livestrong wrist band?
Something like that, but not a wrist band, as they were copied by thousands of organizations and such a thing would blend into the background.
At first I thought of a grey armband, like the black armbands that signify mourning. Something lightweight and adjustable with velcro.
Then I thought of a smoky grey bandanna, something that can be worn tied around the upper arm as an armband, tied around the neck as a kerchief, or tied around the head as a headband. Heck, you could tie it around the lower leg of a kid in a stroller. Something solid grey that could be homemade from lightweight cotton fabric from the fabric store if necessary, but could be ordered for free online and sent in an envelope through the US Postal Service. Something washable.
If people wore these like they wore the Livestrong wrist band, they would start to be visible everywhere. Perhaps they would spark conversations: Did you lose your job? What happened to you?
Hmmmmm. The yucky thing that comes to mind is what happened to the BLM signs/logo...."people" then made "other" lives matter logos/flags/decals. I would hate to see the kind of body wear(and accompanying demeanor) that would be donned to counter the grey bandanas. ?
Weak = surrendering Ukraine to appease Russia. We have to be relentless in making the stink of this stick to Benedict Donald long beyond the 15 minute news cycle.
Hi The Wall Street Journal today editorial asked if Trump knows about money the chain of money. It’s an excellent piece, A Judge temporarily Stops Trump’s Plan to end funds for Trans youth…US Attorney So District NY quit after she was ordered to drop charges against Eric Adam’s. All look like Wins to me.
I must admit the challenge is difficult and that hill is high but….we have no alternative
I did call Mr McEvil and thanked him for not impeaching the orange baby and voting no on Kennedy
Last night on Lawrence MSNBC Sheldon mentioned Medicare was on the chopping block.
Question. Can we ask our Reps to write amicus briefs? Can we amplify the Medicare angle?
I've been calling and or emailing my 2 MD Dem Senators and Congressman for weeks and weeks. Encouragement and appreciation along with a request. It is a bit like preaching to the choir, but still at it. All of them held tele-town halls this week. From listening in , people are scared, worried and generally freaked out. Me too. Electeds said all the right things but reality is no one knows where this will lead and how to apply the brakes.
Made my calls this morning to my crappy Republicans. After walking the halls at Langley myself, I'm absolutely gutted that Tulsi will be there and I told Budd's staffer Budd is essentially pro-treason in endorsing Putin's girlfriend. Just called again to complain about RFKjr.
Went to the local Catholic parish with a huge immigrant population and offered Red Cards printed by our county party...haven't heard back from the coordinator there but the receptionist was very grateful to hear we're trying to help and very scared for her and her immigrant family.
Dropped off a dozen casseroles at the local homeless shelter baked by our (different) parish members. The manager on duty there thanked me and said they'll likely need many more in the coming months when this all hits.
We're all down here doing this and we need our stories to be more widely told. I feel like we are all going to need to keep written journals of this for the historians to look at in future years. They'll need evidence of what was really going on when major corporations sanewashed this crime spree.
I posted my completed action items for today in your first post, but I have some questions about your comment about the Unacceptable 4.
I thought we did stand up and fight their nominations-at least this community seemed to do so - as did several Democratic members. Isn’t it that we lost this round, frankly because of EXTREME GOP COWARDICE?? What more could have been done?
I’m not naive and agree we’re in for a slog. As I understood your comments last night we’re going to lose some rounds. But being an optimist I hope we can turn the shit show these incompetents now own and use it against them in future battles.
I have the same question; what more could we have done? It was clear in the hearings that people like Gabbard and Kennedy disqualified themselves, and several Republicans were skeptical, but they all folded anyway. Except for McConnell, but too little and far too late.
We need to pay attention to our messaging. We're in the minority, so that's the best thing we have going for us. See my post about establishing "shadow cabinets" and organizing our Caucus to get it done effectively.
I am constantly getting calls for money from the Democratic Party, to which foolish me has a regular donation on ActBlue but no one seems to notice. There are all these variations, and then there are Democratic candidates everywhere that deserve support. And they do. But I don’t have any money left, and we can’t compete with billionaires.
The worst part is when they want me to fill out a survey, only asking for money at the end or you can’t file the survey. That stinks.
So - wouldn’t mind being contacted, BUT NOT FOR MONEY.
I just wrote a post on FB complaining about the many surveys, questionnaires, petitions etc I get dailly....all scams, albeit official ones, asking for money. I ignore them all. I, too, donated to our organizations and many individual candidates in '24, but for now I'm scaling back out of necessity.
Shapiro sues Trump administration over ‘unconstitutional’ funding freeze
The lawsuit alleges Pennsylvania is unable to access over $2 billion of grant funds
By: Ian Karbal - February 13, 2025 1:49 pm
Gov. Josh Shapiro has filed a lawsuit against five federal agencies, alleging that Pennsylvania is unable to access $1.2 billion in federal grant funding appropriated by Congress and that another $900 million is being held up in an undefined review process. The lawsuit also states that billions more dollars could be affected in the coming years, and that withholding the funds is unconstitutional.
Capital-Star Q&A: Kenyatta talks Democrats’ direction after becoming DNC vice chair
Trump administration is doing is ‘the worst reverse Robin Hood that we could have imagined.’
By: John Cole - February 13, 2025 12:02 am
In January, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star that he wanted to help the Democratic Party “get back to basics” as he launched his candidacy for Democratic Party National Committee (DNC) vice chair.
Left vm for AG Rob Bonta to thank him for his great work, and ask for criminal referral of Musk. Called house rep, spoke to aide and asked if he would be holding town hall during Feb recess. A: trying to schedule one, it’ll be announced in his newsletter. After leaving vm for Schiff this a.m. thanking him for all his efforts speaking out, I learned he voted to confirm Brooke Rollins as Sec Ag yesterday. Sigh. I’m doing my homework on Rollins to develop specific concerns, and will call/write tomorrow to ask why he voted that way.
I called my OH State AG for the 3rd time. Every time I wait on hold and speak with someone. I ask why he hasn't joined the 22 states who are protecting their constituents? I get no answer, but every time I called they know that I have called 3 times and they know that Yost has not spoken out one way or another.
I want to float an idea regarding our messaging, which is, to say the least, anemic. Would it be possible to get Presidents Biden and Obama to assemble from their Cabinet officials "shadow cabinets?" Cabinet members would be responsible for commenting on issues relating to their areas of expertise and combatting the lies and disinformation coming out of this Administration. They would be expected to regularly go on social media platforms, podcasts, mainstream talk shows, hold press conferences and give interviews (including whatever right-wing media will have them on) and pound home agreed upon messages, repeating them until they sink in. They would need to shed a little gravitas and be performative in this messaging environment. Democrats on Congressional committees would duplicate those efforts; reading a speech for the record in front of empty chairs will not cut it. The Caucus would decide on the messaging and assign members to get out to deliver our message, not just Raskin or Bernie or Warren, but everyone on relevant committees. Are we doing any of these things? If not, why not...and when do we start? Simon?
I like this idea. Timothy Snyder firs talked about a “shadow cabinet” and it may mean something different to everyone. We’re not in the UK. But I think this makes some sense — a group of credible past officials that can be at the ready, the rapid response team — for topics in their area of expertise to set the record straight asap — I don’t know why that can’t be organized.
Here are some State Attorney General numbers for you. These were involved in the original budget filing, but many, like Oregon's Dan Rayfield, have been involved in many. Thank them all: Dan Rayfield, Oregon 503-378-6002 -- Kris Mayes, Arizona 928-778-1265 -- Rob Bonta, California 916-210-6276 -- Phil Weiser, Colorado 720-508-6000 -- William Tong, Connecticut 860-808-5318 -- Kathy Jennings, Delaware 302-577-8400 -- Anne E. Lopez, Hawaii 806-586-1500 -- Kramer Raoul, Illinois 773-305-8808 -- Aaron Frey, Maine 207-626-8800 -- Jeff Jackson, N. Carolina 919-716-6400 -- Peter Neronha, Rhode Island 401-274-4400 -- Charity Clark, Vermont 802-828-3171 -- Josh Kaul, Wisconsin 608-266-1221 --
And our hero, and lead on this Letitia James, NY 518-776-2000 -- hopefully no typos. Keep it short and sweet.
VA Attorney General Jason Miyares 804 786 2071. VA did not sign onto suit to restore federal funds.
I am finishing up a “vacation “ in Hawaii. Before sunrise this morning, I emailed my senators to vote no on McMahon. I emailed my representative to urge her to join with her colleagues to initiate impeachment proceedings for Trump-Musk. I emailed my senators to stop Musk’s crime spree and continue support for Ukraine.
Called both GOP Senators and Dem Rep. Also called Leaders Jeffries and Schumer. For the Dems, I ask that they withold negotiation on budget and debt ceiling until the crime spree ends. The only thing I agree on with Ronald Reagan rignt now: no negotiations with terrorists. And the Senators need to OBSTRUCT.
Also…I hope Ken Martin’s comms team ups their game…Dems need a strong leader right now and they can’t ask for $ without showing up with what folks need…just a suggestion.
I am going to do this tomorrow too, call Schumer and Jeffries again. The Dems need to HOLD FAST against all budget deals until they get rid of Musk. Period.
Agree with you that we need to continue to be loud. Demonstrations of our powerful numbers are important, with the understanding that traditional protest-style, mob demonstrations are dangerous because they will trigger what Trump wants: a declaration of martial law. Therefore, we need to all be much more creative about how we safely demonstrate.
The stay at home days are great, the buy nothing days are great. How about a children's strike, where kids stay home from school and communities hold art project events where kids draw and paint what they want their future to look like? Sidewalk chalk, posters they hang up all around town.
Here's another idea:
We need a way for everyone affected by the government policies of this administration to become visible in their everyday life. This means everyone in the family of someone who has lost a job or lost access to healthcare or experienced a negative impact from any other hurtful move made by the White House, Congress, or Republican-controlled state legislatures and courts.
Remember the ubiquitous yellow Livestrong wrist band?
Something like that, but not a wrist band, as they were copied by thousands of organizations and such a thing would blend into the background.
At first I thought of a grey armband, like the black armbands that signify mourning. Something lightweight and adjustable with velcro.
Then I thought of a smoky grey bandanna, something that can be worn tied around the upper arm as an armband, tied around the neck as a kerchief, or tied around the head as a headband. Heck, you could tie it around the lower leg of a kid in a stroller. Something solid grey that could be homemade from lightweight cotton fabric from the fabric store if necessary, but could be ordered for free online and sent in an envelope through the US Postal Service. Something washable.
If people wore these like they wore the Livestrong wrist band, they would start to be visible everywhere. Perhaps they would spark conversations: Did you lose your job? What happened to you?
Hmmmmm. The yucky thing that comes to mind is what happened to the BLM signs/logo...."people" then made "other" lives matter logos/flags/decals. I would hate to see the kind of body wear(and accompanying demeanor) that would be donned to counter the grey bandanas. ?
Weak = surrendering Ukraine to appease Russia. We have to be relentless in making the stink of this stick to Benedict Donald long beyond the 15 minute news cycle.
Hi The Wall Street Journal today editorial asked if Trump knows about money the chain of money. It’s an excellent piece, A Judge temporarily Stops Trump’s Plan to end funds for Trans youth…US Attorney So District NY quit after she was ordered to drop charges against Eric Adam’s. All look like Wins to me.
I must admit the challenge is difficult and that hill is high but….we have no alternative
I did call Mr McEvil and thanked him for not impeaching the orange baby and voting no on Kennedy
Last night on Lawrence MSNBC Sheldon mentioned Medicare was on the chopping block.
Question. Can we ask our Reps to write amicus briefs? Can we amplify the Medicare angle?
I've been calling and or emailing my 2 MD Dem Senators and Congressman for weeks and weeks. Encouragement and appreciation along with a request. It is a bit like preaching to the choir, but still at it. All of them held tele-town halls this week. From listening in , people are scared, worried and generally freaked out. Me too. Electeds said all the right things but reality is no one knows where this will lead and how to apply the brakes.
Made my calls this morning to my crappy Republicans. After walking the halls at Langley myself, I'm absolutely gutted that Tulsi will be there and I told Budd's staffer Budd is essentially pro-treason in endorsing Putin's girlfriend. Just called again to complain about RFKjr.
Went to the local Catholic parish with a huge immigrant population and offered Red Cards printed by our county party...haven't heard back from the coordinator there but the receptionist was very grateful to hear we're trying to help and very scared for her and her immigrant family.
Dropped off a dozen casseroles at the local homeless shelter baked by our (different) parish members. The manager on duty there thanked me and said they'll likely need many more in the coming months when this all hits.
We're all down here doing this and we need our stories to be more widely told. I feel like we are all going to need to keep written journals of this for the historians to look at in future years. They'll need evidence of what was really going on when major corporations sanewashed this crime spree.
Gutted about T too
I posted my completed action items for today in your first post, but I have some questions about your comment about the Unacceptable 4.
I thought we did stand up and fight their nominations-at least this community seemed to do so - as did several Democratic members. Isn’t it that we lost this round, frankly because of EXTREME GOP COWARDICE?? What more could have been done?
I’m not naive and agree we’re in for a slog. As I understood your comments last night we’re going to lose some rounds. But being an optimist I hope we can turn the shit show these incompetents now own and use it against them in future battles.
I have the same question; what more could we have done? It was clear in the hearings that people like Gabbard and Kennedy disqualified themselves, and several Republicans were skeptical, but they all folded anyway. Except for McConnell, but too little and far too late.
We need to pay attention to our messaging. We're in the minority, so that's the best thing we have going for us. See my post about establishing "shadow cabinets" and organizing our Caucus to get it done effectively.
I saw this on Facebook. It’s a play on Project 2025. From democrats
Project 2029:
Raise minimum wage
End Citizens United
Sensible gun control
Healthcare for all
Tax the rich
Lower drug costs
Etc. something clear people can see and know what democrats stand for
You can add saving reproductive health care.
I am constantly getting calls for money from the Democratic Party, to which foolish me has a regular donation on ActBlue but no one seems to notice. There are all these variations, and then there are Democratic candidates everywhere that deserve support. And they do. But I don’t have any money left, and we can’t compete with billionaires.
The worst part is when they want me to fill out a survey, only asking for money at the end or you can’t file the survey. That stinks.
So - wouldn’t mind being contacted, BUT NOT FOR MONEY.
I just wrote a post on FB complaining about the many surveys, questionnaires, petitions etc I get dailly....all scams, albeit official ones, asking for money. I ignore them all. I, too, donated to our organizations and many individual candidates in '24, but for now I'm scaling back out of necessity.
Shapiro sues Trump administration over ‘unconstitutional’ funding freeze
The lawsuit alleges Pennsylvania is unable to access over $2 billion of grant funds
By: Ian Karbal - February 13, 2025 1:49 pm
Gov. Josh Shapiro has filed a lawsuit against five federal agencies, alleging that Pennsylvania is unable to access $1.2 billion in federal grant funding appropriated by Congress and that another $900 million is being held up in an undefined review process. The lawsuit also states that billions more dollars could be affected in the coming years, and that withholding the funds is unconstitutional.
https://penncapital-star.com/government-politics/shapiro-sues-trump-administration-over-frozen-funds/
Capital-Star Q&A: Kenyatta talks Democrats’ direction after becoming DNC vice chair
Trump administration is doing is ‘the worst reverse Robin Hood that we could have imagined.’
By: John Cole - February 13, 2025 12:02 am
In January, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star that he wanted to help the Democratic Party “get back to basics” as he launched his candidacy for Democratic Party National Committee (DNC) vice chair.
https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/capital-star-qa-kenyatta-talks-democrats-direction-after-becoming-dnc-vice-chair/
Left vm for AG Rob Bonta to thank him for his great work, and ask for criminal referral of Musk. Called house rep, spoke to aide and asked if he would be holding town hall during Feb recess. A: trying to schedule one, it’ll be announced in his newsletter. After leaving vm for Schiff this a.m. thanking him for all his efforts speaking out, I learned he voted to confirm Brooke Rollins as Sec Ag yesterday. Sigh. I’m doing my homework on Rollins to develop specific concerns, and will call/write tomorrow to ask why he voted that way.
I called my OH State AG for the 3rd time. Every time I wait on hold and speak with someone. I ask why he hasn't joined the 22 states who are protecting their constituents? I get no answer, but every time I called they know that I have called 3 times and they know that Yost has not spoken out one way or another.
I am contacting our Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley and our 4th District Representative Val Hoyle at least 3-4x per with input on current issues.
I want to float an idea regarding our messaging, which is, to say the least, anemic. Would it be possible to get Presidents Biden and Obama to assemble from their Cabinet officials "shadow cabinets?" Cabinet members would be responsible for commenting on issues relating to their areas of expertise and combatting the lies and disinformation coming out of this Administration. They would be expected to regularly go on social media platforms, podcasts, mainstream talk shows, hold press conferences and give interviews (including whatever right-wing media will have them on) and pound home agreed upon messages, repeating them until they sink in. They would need to shed a little gravitas and be performative in this messaging environment. Democrats on Congressional committees would duplicate those efforts; reading a speech for the record in front of empty chairs will not cut it. The Caucus would decide on the messaging and assign members to get out to deliver our message, not just Raskin or Bernie or Warren, but everyone on relevant committees. Are we doing any of these things? If not, why not...and when do we start? Simon?
I like this idea. Timothy Snyder firs talked about a “shadow cabinet” and it may mean something different to everyone. We’re not in the UK. But I think this makes some sense — a group of credible past officials that can be at the ready, the rapid response team — for topics in their area of expertise to set the record straight asap — I don’t know why that can’t be organized.