[mpen-dayton] FW: Season's greetings; We’re witnessing the wholesale looting ...; Democrats Could Claim a New American Majority... and more

FYI. Best, Munsup

P.S. Please reply back to me with 'unsubscribe' added to the subject line if you no longer want to receive my e-Newsletters. The convenient link to unsubscribe is no longer available due to security reasons to protect my email servers.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• FW: Season's greetings from the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
• FW: God Bless Us, Every Robber Baron - HuffPost
• FW: A weird, difficult, and disturbing year
• FW: Eggnog? Check! Great podcast queued up? Check!
• FW: We're witnessing the wholesale looting of America
• FW: Thought you'd be interested in this net neutrality petition
• FW: Dutch treat: Trump minion publicly denies incontrovertible evidence right in his face
• FW: U.S., Israel, Jerusalem, Palestine and the New Santa Claus Effect
• FW: The Empire Strikes Back
• FW: Democrats Could Claim a New American Majority. Will They?
• FW: A reckoning is coming
• FW: We're suing the Trump administration and taking Texas back to court

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: mlk@das.ohio.gov
Subject: Season's greetings from the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission

 

 

From: Andrew J. Tierman
Subject: FW: God Bless Us, Every Robber Baron - HuffPost

some Dickensian Christmas Spirit and the Social Gospel, in the shadow of J.P. Morgan and Trumpian times.    - Merry Christmas, AT

God Bless Us, Every Robber Baron
How did Charles Dickens' beloved Christmas story become a trophy for a Wall Street titan?

see https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/john-pierpont-morgan-christmas-carol_us_5a396fc8e4b025f99e12d9dd?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

 

 

From: PFAW's Right Wing Watch Team
Subject: A weird, difficult, and disturbing year

Thank you again for your unwavering support in the face of an unprecedented number of challenges from the Far Right. We're familiar with those challenges, as well as the rising trends and influencers in the Right Wing movement, because at PFAW -- through our Right Wing Watch -- we watch the Right (very closely) so you don't have to.

Well, 2017 has been quite the year. Donald Trump moved into the White House, bringing the Religious Right with him, launching the white supremacist "alt-right" to national prominence, and undoing years of progress. PFAW's Right Wing Watch has tracked all of it -- from the declaration that Trump's election was a miracle to Nazis storming Charlottesville with tiki torches.

Poisonous movements took hold of our national conversation and threatened American values in new and insidious ways. And many of those threats are from the White House itself, coming from the president, Religious Right darling Vice President Mike Pence, and white nationalists who serve as advisors.

Check out our year in review posts on some of the big things that happened within the Right Wing movement this year and how the extreme Right embraced Trump:
   

Despite Trump's promises that he would be "friendly" to the LGBTQ community he actually took many anti-LGBTQ actions this year -- read more about how Trump launched an assault on the LGBTQ community this year>>

This year the Religious Right had unprecedented access to the president and his advisors -- read more about how the Religious Right moved into the White House.

With the "alt-right" central to the national conversation their movement experienced angst and fractures. Read about the infighting and micro-movements that popped up since Trump took office.

And Trump declared that this year we're saying "Merry Christmas" again… so check out some items that were on the Right's Christmas list (like an "Everyone Who Hates Me Is Ugly" t-shirt).

Watch our recap video over at Right Wing Watch to look back on more of what the far-right was up to this year...

A bright spot in this strange and difficult time has been members like you who have supported us, shared our reporting with your friends and family, and resisted the toxicity from the White House and Right Wing.

People For the American Way is fighting the Right to defend our cherished constitutional rights and values.
If you have not made your year-end donation to PFAW, please do so now to let us know you're with us as we head into the New Year.

 

 

From: Katie O'Connell; Digital Communications Coordinator People For the American Way
Subject: Eggnog? Check! Great podcast queued up? Check!

As we wind down the year, we really can't say THANK YOU enough -- for all of your support and for standing with PFAW against the unrelenting assaults on the American Way by the Trump administration and right-wing Republicans.

We hope that you're having a restful holiday season filled with warmth and hope. If you need some help figuring out how to unwind with your eggnog or cocoa, we have a suggestion for you -- listen to some episodes of PFAW's podcast The Progressive Happy Hour that was launched this year!

Our most recent episode was a 2017 year in review -- covering some of the major progressive wins and losses in a pretty wild year.

Sounds like something you want to dive into, right? Subscribe on iTunes here>>  Or on Stitcher here>>

It has been such a joy to bring this podcast to our members. We've heard from experts on subjects ranging from the battle to protect access to birth control to the GOP's awful tax scam… including some of our own immensely talented staff. This podcast is just one more way that we want to keep our members engaged and informed, and we are so excited that folks have been listening and enjoying it.

So if you're looking for something to listen to when you need to relax or take a break from your loved ones, look no further than The Progressive Happy Hour. It's the perfect way to get updated on today's issues by our funny and energetic hosts Christin "Cici" Battle and Drew Courtney and get fired up about how to resist and create the America we want.

Check out all 14 episodes on our website>>

P.S. This isn't the only podcast in the People For family! The Young Elected Officials Network, a project of the PFAW Foundation, also has a podcast called "Inclusive America" where young elected officials get to lift up the work they are doing across the country. You can also connect with another one of PFAW Foundation's networks, Young People For, through their "What's Up Wednesday" video series about what's going on in the world and how you can take action!

People For the American Way is fighting the Right to defend our cherished constitutional rights and values. If you have not made your year-end donation to PFAW, please do so now to let us know you're with us as we head into the New Year.

 

 

From: CREDO Condensed
Subject: We're witnessing the wholesale looting of America

CREDO Action Headlines:
   

Paul Ryan says American women need to have more babies Stop Republicans in Congress from gutting our earned benefit programs (SIGNATURES NEEDED) Sandy Hook mom slams Trump for hosting NRA head on anniversary of shooting Democratic senator warns Trump: No one is above the law (VIDEO) The Republican plan isn't just about taxes – it's about shredding our earned benefits Susan Collins to CHIP kids: No health care for you, maybe next year Mueller team fires back at Trump, defends obtaining transition emails Tell Congress: Save net neutrality (SIGN THE PETITION) Remember these names: Republican senators who voted for the Trump Tax Scam (SHARE GRAPHIC) Democratic leaders take heat over failure to secure DACA fix this year Maxine Waters connects the dots on Trump, Deutsche Bank and Russia We're witnessing the wholesale looting of America CREDO blasts failure of Democratic leadership on DREAM Act and Children's Health Insurance Program In Cabinet meeting, Pence praises Trump once every 12 seconds for three minutes straight The seven words Trump officials banned the CDC from using are now being projected on Trump hotel

 

 

From: Munsup Seoh
Subject: Thought you'd be interested in this net neutrality petition

I just signed a petition calling on Congress to reverse the FCC's destructive decision to repeal net neutrality. Will you join me?
https://act.credoaction.com/sign/pass-CRA?sp_ref=373483870.4.185042.e.593794.2&referring_akid=26545.1004336.6ksjT1&source=mailto_sp

 

 

From: Eric Kramer
Subject: Dutch treat: Trump minion publicly denies incontrovertible evidence right in his face
Dooooohhhhh!!!   - 🤗

US ambassador to Netherlands describes own words as 'fake news'

The US ambassador to the Netherlands faced an excruciating moment on television when he denied ever saying that there were no-go zones in the Netherlands, calling the suggestion "fake news".

Trump's new choice for ambassador, Pete Hoekstra, who was only sworn in by the vice president, Mike Pence, on 11 December, was being interviewed for current affairs programme Nieuwsuur by reporter Wouter Zwart.

Zwart says: "You mentioned in a debate that there are no-go zones in the Netherlands, and that cars and politicians are being set on fire in the Netherlands."

Hoekstra replies: "I didn't say that. This is actually an incorrect statement. We would call it fake news."

Hoekstra is then shown clips of him saying: "The Islamic movement has now gotten to a point where they have put Europe into chaos. Chaos in the Netherlands, there are cars being burnt, there are politicians that are being burnt ... and yes there are no-go zones in the Netherlands."

Challenged about having called this "fake news", Hoekstra then went on to deny to Zwart that he had in fact used the phrase "fake news".

"I didn't call that fake news. I didn't use the words today. I don't think I did."

Hoekstra, who was born in Groningen in the Netherlands, was a Republican Congressman for Michigan between 1993 and 2011, and served as chair of the House intelligence committee for two years during that time.

Watch the Interview videpby clicking the following link:
New ambassador Pete Hoekstra then denied saying he'd used the phrase in interview with Dutch TV

 

 

From: Judy Burnette
Subject: "U.S., Israel, Jerusalem, Palestine and the New Santa Claus Effect (Part 2 of 2)" | Veterans Today

https://www.veteranstoday.com/2017/12/22/u-s-israel-jerusalem-palestine-and-the-new-santa-claus-effect-part-2-of-2/?utm_source=Dec.+23+2017.&utm_campaign=VT+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

 

 

From: Thomas Scott
Subject: The Empire Strikes Back
    

• How Democrats Can Win the Spin War Over the Trump Tax Cuts
• The Kochs Can't Make America Stop Hating Trump's Tax Cut
• Koch Brothers Are Cities' New Obstacle to Building Broadband

 

 

From: David K. Greer
Subject: FW: Democrats Could Claim a New American Majority. Will They? - The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/opinion/democrats-alabama-campaigns.html

Democrats Could Claim a New American Majority. Will They?
By STEVE PHILLIPSDEC. 15, 2017



Doug Jones supporters celebrating on election night. Nicole Craine/Bloomberg

The Alabama special election for the Senate affirms that the coalition that elected and re-elected an African-American as president of the United States remains a majority of the country's population. By combining a large and inspired turnout of voters of color with the meaningful minority of whites who consistently vote progressive — even in a state like Alabama — Democrats can win across the country.

A majority of people who voted for Doug Jones in Alabama were black — 56 percent, in fact, according to the exit polls. Mr. Jones's stunning election victory highlights the path to victory for Democrats. The question is whether they will be smart enough to follow it.

African-American voters were a decisive force in the election, showing up in huge numbers and casting nearly all their votes — 96 percent — for Mr. Jones. They made up a larger percentage of the electorate than they represent in the state as a whole (29 percent versus 27 percent). Overperformance by African-Americans — in an election decided by about 21,000 votes — amounted to 38,000 more Democratic votes than would have been cast had African-Americans been just 27 percent of the that side's total.

The task should be easier in other states, considering Alabama's history of supporting racial segregation. It's no accident that Barack Obama received just 15 percent of the white vote in 2012 in that state. The composition of a progressive multiracial coalition — what I call the New American Majority — in the rest of the country, however, is much more promising.

For the record, Mr. Jones and his campaign did not win the black vote based on intention and action. Despite being told repeatedly that his victory would require a huge black voter turnout, the Jones campaign did not spend its money in a fashion that reflected a true appreciation of the voters he needed to win. Of the $9 million spent by late November, nearly $7 million was for television ads aimed at white voters and online fund-raising to continue to pay for those ads.

Mr. Jones was helped by weak Republican turnout. But what made the difference in Alabama were independent, under-the-radar, grass-roots, on-the-ground voter turnout efforts by black leaders and organizers in black neighborhoods across the state. Leaders such as DeJuana Thompson, Latosha Brown and Marvin Randolph organized and conducted programs that mobilized a large number of African-American voters. Organizations such as BlackPAC blanketed the state with canvassers doing the old-fashioned work of picking people up and escorting them to the polls. These groups and leaders are the "hidden figures" of the Alabama election, and in many ways such independent efforts rescued the Jones campaign from its disproportionate focus on white Republican voters.

Given the misdirected spending priorities, Democrats were lucky that many groups in Alabama, especially black organizers (and especially black women), stepped in, picked up the slack and turned out the vote. Looking ahead to 2018, can Democrats progress from being lucky to being smart? Being smart means learning the lessons of Alabama and moving money in ways that will continue to chalk up wins.

The outlook for 2018 is hopeful with the right plans. Yes, Alabama's outcome was partly because Roy Moore was a poor candidate with excessive baggage. But this formula for victory is more applicable in other states because most white voters outside of Alabama are not as conservative as those inside the state.

By emphasizing turnout in 2018 — especially of voters of color — Democrats can take control of the Senate, the House of Representatives and at least five statehouses. Republicans' margin in the Senate has now slipped to just a two-seat advantage, and the Senate contests in Arizona, Nevada and Texas are all winnable if there is a robust turnout of voters of color. Texas may be considered as conservative as Alabama, but its actual demographics are much more favorable: Only 53 percent of Texas eligible voters are white (and a quarter of the whites are strong Democrats). Mr. Trump won Texas by 800,000 votes, but there were four million eligible, nonvoting people of color in 2016, three million Latinos alone.

In the 2018 races for governorships, six states could swing from red to blue with the right voter mobilization plan and the proper funding and support. Maryland and Illinois are decisively Democratic, for example, but have Republican governors because Democratic turnout has been abysmal in the off-year elections.

The demographics in other Southern and Southwestern states — Georgia, Florida, New Mexico and Arizona — have brought them within striking distance with a well-funded Sun Belt game plan. The average margin of difference in statewide elections in Georgia, for example, has been 230,000 voters over the past decade, and there are 1.2 million black, Latino and Asian eligible voters who did not vote in the last election.

Ultimately priorities are expressed through budgets, and the allocation of political dollars will show whether Democratic strategists have learned the right lessons from the Alabama upset. Which leaders will spend the millions of dollars to win in 2018? In 2016, every Democratic-aligned organization with a budget over $30 million was run by a white person — in a party where 47 percent of the voters are people of color.

Mr. Jones was quick to thank his white consultant Joe Trippi, to whom he gave $5 million to run television ads, but there was scant mention of people like Adrianne Shropshire, the executive director of BlackPAC, who organized voter-contact and canvassing efforts that delivered the winning votes.

If Democrats want to win, they will elevate and give broad budgetary authority to strategists and organizers with long histories and deep ties in the country's communities of color. They sent Doug Jones to the United States Senate, and they can bring Democrats back to prominence and power in states and districts across the country.

 

 

From: Elizabeth Warren
Subject: A reckoning is coming

I'm angry. The American people are angry. And we're right to be angry.

The GOP tax scam that Congress just passed is government for sale. It's a gigantic payoff to the wealthy campaign contributors who have funded Republican campaigns for years. And it's a slap in the face to the working people who trusted that their Congress would put their interests first.

Let me tell you something: This fight is not over.

My pledge to you is that as long as I sit in the U.S. Senate, I will work to overturn this moral atrocity and make sure giant corporations finally pay their fair share.

I will never back down. That's why powerful corporate interests are already getting ready to come after me and my allies, Senators Sherrod Brown and Tammy Baldwin, in the fight against corporate greed. We're all up for reelection in 2018, and they know that if they can get rid of us, their tax breaks will be secure.

Can you chip in below to help me, Sherrod, and Tammy win our reelection campaigns—and fight together to overturn the GOP tax scam?
(Note from MoveOn: Your donation to Senators Warren, Baldwin, and Brown will be evenly split if you make an express donation with your saved payment method. Or, you can pick your own allocation below.)  Donate to be split evenly, or divide your donation another way

Tammy and Sherrod represent Wisconsin and Ohio, two of the swing states that went to Donald Trump in the last election. If Democrats are going to come back into power, these are states we absolutely must win, and Tammy and Sherrod are the kinds of progressive populists who have proven they can win over working-class voters.

As for me, Wall Street painted a target on my back the minute I arrived in Washington. One Super PAC launched a $10 million effort six months ago with "just one single purpose—the absolute, immediate, and total defeat of Elizabeth Warren by any means necessary."

Things aren't any easier for Tammy. She's one of only two statewide Democrats left in Wisconsin, and the Koch brothers are already spending millions of dollars to defeat her.¹

The same is true for Sherrod in Ohio. As the top Democrat on the Banking Committee, Sherrod has worked tirelessly to hold big banks accountable and level the playing field for working families. Outside groups spent $40 million trying to get rid of him in 2012.² He beat them the last time around. If we stand together now, he'll beat them again.

The tax bill that the Republicans jammed through this week isn't reform. It's a heist. A reckoning is coming. And when it does, the politicians who voted for this tax heist will be held accountable for turning their backs on the American people. And then—with your help—Tammy, Sherrod, and I will be there to pick up the pieces, repair the damage, and make corporations finally pay their fair share.

Can you chip in below to help me, Sherrod, and Tammy win our elections next year, undo this moral atrocity, and lead a progressive wave that wins control of the Senate win our elections next year?
(Note from MoveOn: Your donation to Senators Warren, Baldwin, and Brown will be evenly split if you make an express donation with your saved payment method. Or, you can pick your own allocation below.)  Donate to be split evenly, or divide your donation another way

Sources:

1. "Outside groups launch new TV ads against U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin," Journal Sentinel, October 26, 2017
   https://act.moveon.org/go/28085?t=4&akid=195892%2E1195276%2EMiCqV-
2. "Ohio's U.S. Senate race the most expensive -- well, maybe," Cleveland.com, February 3, 2013
   http://act.moveon.org/go/28086?t=6&akid=195892%2E1195276%2EMiCqV-

Want to support MoveOn's work? The MoveOn community will work every moment, day by day and year by year, to resist Trump's agenda, contain the damage, defeat hate with love, and begin the process of swinging the nation's pendulum back toward sanity, decency, and the kind of future that we must never give up on. And to do it we need your support, now more than ever. Will you stand with MoveOn? Donate to be split evenly, or divide your donation another way

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

 

 

From: Center for Reproductive Rights
Subject: We're suing the Trump administration and taking Texas back to court

In 2017, we put Texas on trial, won reform of Chile's total abortion ban, and sued the Trump administration. Help us keep up the fight in 2018

For 25 years, the Center for Reproductive Rights has used the power of law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill.

 

End of MPEN e-Newsletter