What to Do This Week of December 4, 2016
Editor’s Note: For the past 3 weeks, Jennifer Hofmann has been publishing a checklist of actions that “you can take from home to support freedom and equality for all Americans.” We believe her work to be of tremendous value, and with her permission, will be republishing her weekly list on Pasquines.
Actions for Democrats, Independents, and Republicans of conscience
There are six weeks until DJT takes office
The intention of this document is to make clear suggestions for action backed with well-considered research. Each statement has at least one practical action to take. At the end, you’ll find some good news. While these topics have been well researched and are intended to be helpful, they are still subject to human error. Please do your own research!
If you’d like to subscribe to this weekly action list, please go here.
I believe in equal rights for all Americans
fact checks: ACLU, Vox, Law Fare Blog
Action: Oppose white supremacist Jeff Sessions (ACLU petition)
fact check: Washington Post
Action: Contribute to Eckshate which empowers young immigrant women in NYC. This organization is part of parent organization DRUM which works for immigrant rights, education reform, and worker justice.
Action: Thank Kelloggs for raisin’ awareness about intolerance
Call: 1-800-962-1413 (Mon-Fri 9-6 ET) and press 0 for customer service
(optional: buy some extra cereal to donate)
Script: I’m calling to thank your company for pulling ads from Breitbart.com, the white supremacist news website. Their CEO, Steve Bannon, opposes our values of respect and equality. I have bought/will be buying extra boxes of your cereal and donating it to a food pantry.
fact check: Mashable
I believe in fair, open elections
Action: Petition to end the electoral college. Make every vote count.
Deadline: Dec 9
fact check: CNN
Action: Insist on an inquiry into Russian interference in the presidential election
fact check: The Guardian
I believe a presidency should be free of business conflicts of interest
Action: Insist Trump honor his lease agreement in Washington DC (MoveOn petition)
fact checks: NBC News, Washington Post
Action: Tell DJT to divest all business and put in a blind trust (MoveOn petition)
fact checks: Washington Post, Shanghaiist
I believe in peaceful, creative solutions to conflict at home and abroad
Script: I’m a registered voter from (State). I’m writing to thank you for opposing the waiver for General Mattis’ appointment and for publicly expressing your views.
fact checks: Christian Science Monitor, NPR
This week’s reading list
How to stay (literally) sane the next four years
The unintended security risk of DJT’s worldwide business
A smaller America on the world stage (British perspective)
The state of American women from a French perspective
An important, thorough article on Mike Pence’s unusual role in this presidency
From the Department of NOT NORMAL
This is not a normal president-elect, vice president-elect, nor leadership. #notnormal
It is NOT NORMAL for a president-elect to fail to attend daily intelligence briefings. A normal president-elect would be genuinely interested in the safety of the country and eager to receive classified information that assists in his/her leadership.
fact checks: The Hill, Washington Post
It is NOT NORMAL for a president-elect to have business holdings that conflict with his leadership role and risk the appearance of corrupt negotiations or quid pro quo. A normal president would liquidate business assets or put them in a blind trust to eliminate any concerns about inappropriate influence in domestic or international affairs.
fact check: The Guardian
It is NOT NORMAL for a president-elect to go over diplomats’ heads, risking longstanding relationships with foreign powers. It is NOT NORMAL for a president-elect to tweet defensively about criticism of this mishandling. A normal president would be tactful and deliberate with regard to foreign relations, using established diplomatic channels.
fact checks: The Guardian, NPR, The New York Times, The Independent
It is NOT NORMAL for a president-elect to target one group (refugees) as the source of his/her country’s problems and use inflammatory language that risks inciting hate acts. A normal president would be informed about the process for accepting refugees. A normal president would value both diversity and security—and not see them as mutually exclusive.
fact checks: See point 5 at NPR
Good news
Because we need it.
Sarah Palin calls out DJT on crony capitalism; The Independent, The Wall Street Journal
Paris climate agreement signed by US; Politifact
Greater peace in San Bernardino one year after anti-Muslim killing; Christian Science Monitor
Jews supporting Muslims in the US; Christian Science Monitor
Support for Standing Rock water protectors; Common Dreams, The Hill
Final action
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We’re stronger together.
