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Good News Roundup for Friday, October 28, 2022: Can You Influence One Voter? [1]
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Date: 2022-10-28
GNR 274 for me. Feeling feisty.
Welcome 🌻 to Friday’s Roundup of Good News!
Note: next week I’m traveling; Andrew Cockburn will be here. Thanks in advance, Andrew!
And now, words from Michael Moore:
It opens with a tweet that I did not have the patience to find, but the tweet has these words:
Anyone who can walk 3 grueling months with a child to escape death and violence and want a better life, can live next to me any damn time (Luke@JDLuckenbach)
This is who we are. And we should take heart that everyone like Luke — who represents the true majority of Americans — are voting early right now. They are sending in or dropping off their mail-in ballots right now. And they are going to vote en masse on November 8th! Hate loses. And if you don't believe that, then start fighting with all the love you have inside you for these next 2 weeks. Convince just one person you know who usually doesn’t vote to vote just this one time. “Adopt a Nonvoter!” There are over 15 million of you who are reading or have access to this Midterm Tsunami Truth right now. You subscribe (free and paid) to my Substack where there have been 5.4 million reads of these daily Truths since I began posting them 4 weeks ago. You follow me on social media. You are a regular listener to my podcast (nearly 40 million downloads to date). You are a massive force to be reckoned with. If just 10% of you convinced just one friend or family member to vote, that’s an extra 1.5 million votes! Trump won in 2016 by just 77,000 votes in the three states that put him over the top in the Electoral College. Each of you, in just this one very small way, can move a mighty mountain in these final two weeks. You have to believe! You have to know the real and loving America you live in. Re-read the tweet from Luke above. Stop listening to those who are working overtime to depress and lessen the Democratic vote. They are banking on your cynicism and despair. Don’t be their puppet! Resist! Trust that love usually wins out in the end. Stand up today and do something to make this happen. If you can’t stand up for this crazy, flawed, amazing country, then can you please just stand up for yourself? For your own dreams and desire to live a life that seeks Justice and Peace and a fair shake for everyone? A life not controlled by the company, the boss, the neighborhood association who just told you they don’t like the garden you’ve planted or the color you’ve painted your shutters. There are scoundrels on this ballot who plan to cut your Social Security and Medicare. Who are going to cut funds to your child’s school. Who are going to turn your public library over to a profit-making corporation in order to “save money.“ Their agenda is to make your life harder as they line the pockets of their wealthy donors. Don’t think for a minute they plan to stop with regulating uteruses and deciding who you can marry. They are overflowing with hate and anger and the fear of losing their Caucasian Patriarchy. Don’t think for one second that they wouldn’t kill, metaphorically or literally, to preserve their authority over you. So please encourage all who you know to stand up — for their own dignity, for this last chance to save what we have, to do it for those who came before us, who gave their lives, who suffered through poverty to give us a chance, my grandmother, desperate to feed her children, who went door to door in the nicer neighborhood of Flint and offered to iron their clothes for a dime.
Come here, get fortified with the good news, then go out and make some. And, can you think of one voter who might need help or encouragement or a kick-in-the-pants to vote? One at a time, my friends. But do it now.
Regular Scheduled Programming
No one here is naïve; we are aware of the many who are fighting to destroy our country. Some of us expected it: the cheating, the lying, the chaos, and yes, even the attempts to cling to power despite the clear will of the people. But we are here to read the efforts and the positive results of those (including us and our fellow gnus) who are working so hard to save our country from those very bad people. We are furious with them for what they are doing and we are letting them know. Remember:
💙 There are more of us than there are of them.
💛 They are terrified when we organize. THERE IS LOTS OF EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE TERRIFIED!
💔 They want us to be demoralized. The best way to keep up your spirits is to fight. So, take the time to recharge your batteries, but find ways to contribute to the well-being of our country and our world.
🗽 Biden as President ! 🗽
Biden, Harris and their administration have been hard at work. Here are the last week’s posts at the White House briefing room.
Monday, October 24, 2022: Executive Order on Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With Respect to the Situation in Nicaragua
👎 Out with the Bad, In with the Good 👍
Hooray!
x Bring manufacturing back to the US?
DONE ✔️
@POTUS is delivering for the American people 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/XFh6VJWLTa — Rachel Vindman 🌻 (@natsechobbyist) October 27, 2022
I’ve been forking mad at the media lately, which makes me want to turn it off. Turning off the media makes doing the GNR rather challenging. Here’s a reason why:
x One poll last week that showed the Republicans ahead in the generic midterm ballot, the entire media spent all week hyping it for ratings.
Six new polls this week that all show the Democrats ahead or tied in the generic midterm ballot, the media somehow forgets to report it 🤷♂️ — Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) October 27, 2022
The polls have been all over the place, but I am concerned. For one thing, I can see the dark money flooding through my local congressional race. There has been a flyer in the mail for the R candidate every day. There have been targeted ads when I watch Youtube. There have been targeted “pretend” polls, with absurd negative statements about the D candidate. This all costs a lot of money. And the R may win, because we have been gerrymandered to favor the GOP.
But besides the postcards and the donations, I’m reaching out to a few voters. Two are elderly and may need assistance. One is a very busy family member. Another is a young person who needs to be prodded.
Consider who you might help work through a ballot, and do it.
💣 Republicans: Party of Crimes and Chaos 💣
Three guilty guys.
x *** JUST IN *** Three of the men accused of concocting and supporting a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have been found GUILTY on ALL charges. They face a maximum of life in prison. — Duty To Warn 🔉 (@duty2warn) October 26, 2022
Clues the DOJ is further along in investigations than we may have thought Sarah K Burris Raw Story
Andrew Weissmann, the former counsel of the FBI and prosecutor for Robert Mueller's special counsel team, said that recent reports that the FBI is questioning more and more people suggests that the investigation into the classified documents at Mar-a-Lago is moving much quicker than previously understood. On a panel with former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence, Frank Figliuzzi, Weissmann explained that the fact that the Justice Department is seeking information from Trump's personal valet, Walt Nauta and the Presidential Records Act appointed aide Kash Patel "is a real sign that the investigation is way past the beginning stages." "I'm particularly intrigued by the fact that the government appears to be seeking an order from the chief judge of the D.C. District Court compelling Mr. Patel to testify," Weissmann continued. "That is -- that's a very bold step to be taking at this point. It makes it clear that the government is not looking to bring a criminal case against Mr. Patel, but is willing to immunize him and put him in the grand jury, because they want to know the inside story of what he has to say, particularly, I would think, about the alleged declassification of documents. And the same with Mr. Nauta."
💙 Democrats Deliver 💙
No, we’re not in a recession!
x Our economy has created 10 million jobs, unemployment is at a 50 year low, and U.S. manufacturing is booming. Today’s data shows that in the third quarter, Americans’ incomes were up and price increases in the economy came down. — President Biden (@POTUS) October 27, 2022
x Congressional Republicans have a very different agenda – one that would drive up inflation, add to the deficit by cutting taxes for large corporations, and raise costs for families. That failed economic vision is not the way to grow our economy so working families can get ahead. — President Biden (@POTUS) October 27, 2022
Biden delivers the 5-point Republican plan to raise inflation and costs White House Press Release. Yes, this is at the WH Briefing, with detail supporting each point. Way to go, Dark Brandon!
Their economic plan will raise costs and make inflation worse. Their five-part plan includes: 1. $3 trillion in tax cuts skewed to the wealthy – which would add to the deficit and make inflation worse. 2. Raising prescription drug costs for millions of seniors 3. Increasing health insurance premiums 4. Increasing energy bills in 2023 and beyond 5. Increasing student loan payments
I don’t believe this poll more than the others. But I sure like it a lot more:
x 4 point shift to the Democrats in a Week
https://t.co/ani3g8K7BH — Political Polls (@Politics_Polls) October 26, 2022
💰 Non rich Americans have another trillion under Biden — is that even legal? Doktor Zoom, Wonkette
Just a quick question for the White House and Democrats: Shouldn't we be hearing a hell of a lot more about the fact that, in the 21 months that Joe Biden has been in office, the net wealth of the bottom 60 percent of Americans has increased a hell of a lot? As the Washington Monthly reports, the Federal Reserve found that American households across the board have become significantly richer, especially those with low, moderate, and middle incomes.
From January 2021 to mid-2022, the net wealth of the bottom 20 percent of U.S. households jumped $1.23 trillion, translating into an average of roughly $43,000 per household after inflation. The net assets of the next 40 percent of households similarly increased by more than $2.04 trillion, which translates into an average of nearly $35,900 per household after inflation. How did it happen? The paychecks from 10 million new jobs, the administration’s pandemic relief, and elevated saving rates in 2020 and 2021. One possible reason might be that some of that growth has resulted from inflation, particularly the sharp rise in home values in a pinched housing market; the net wealth measurement includes changes in the values of home, minus the amount people owe on mortgages. ✂️ That said, the overall shape of the changes in wealth really are looking like the change in the economy called for by Biden and by Barack Obama before him: growth that's coming to the middle of the economy rather than "trickling down" from the top. It's true that folks in the upper parts of the economy are doing better, too, with the rich getting richest, and the top 40 percent of families seeing an average wealth increase of $52,500 after adjusting for inflation.
We have a long way to go to reduce income inequality, but this is a great start. As income inequality is one of the things that divides us terribly, this is a great start.
💜 Unity? 💜
Murkowski and Peltola cross party lines to endorse each other Leigh Ann Caldwell, Washington Post
ANCHORAGE — Speaking to a large conference room of Alaska Natives on Friday, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) had only words of praise for Rep. Mary Peltola (D), the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, who is also up for reelection. “Mary is a woman whose heart is as grounded in Alaska as anybody you’re going to find,” Murkowski told reporters after the event, wearing a gold-colored, paisley-patterned kuspuk, common Alaska Indigenous clothing Peltola gave her last year. Asked if she would rank Peltola first on her ballot next month in Alaska’s new ranked-choice voting system, Murkowski paused. After a full 18 seconds, she said, “Yeah, I am.” She then mumbled, “I’m going to get in so much trouble.”
Murkowski really ought to become independent and caucus with the Ds. Yeah, I know, Alaska and oil. But also, Alaska and snow crabs. Which oil has killed.
And here’s an honorable, unifying move:
x U.S. Senate Announcement: I am polling around 3% which places Democracy at risk. In the interest of protecting the United States I am dropping out of the U.S Senate Race in PA. I fully endorse John Fetterman. The Democrats must win. PA must be Blue. It has been an honor running. — Everett Stern (@EverettStern1) October 25, 2022
📥 Actions You Can Take 📤
DONATE TO GNR SAVES DEMOCRACY!
newish!!! Tax-exempt organization complaint referrals. 13909. You can fill this out for the NRA and lots of other organizations. How about if some of us white folk go into some of the MAGA churches and video record what they’re saying?
Voting rights. This may be the biggest issue threatening our democracy right now. Besides contacting your representatives at the state and federal level to do the right thing (depending on who they are), you can support and contact these organizations:
ACLU — American Civil Liberties Union
Democracy Docket — founded by Marc Elias, so important in fighting the challenges after the last election.
Fair Fight — founded by Stacey Abrams
🌱Grass roots. Biden and Harris can do the top-down stuff, but we have to support from the bottom. I don’t know how to deprogram 75 million people, but some things have been written about, such as deep canvassing, and lots of people are talking about this. If you know someone (who did not storm the Capitol), then see if you can be pleasant. Instead of trying to reason with them (logic is obviously not their strong point) distract them with something else. We need to remove the sources of lies and to take down the temperature. If we get more of the Rs to wear masks and to get vaccinated and to vote for Ds, the country will be a better place. We need to coax some of them out of the rabbit holes and diffuse the anger and the crazy.
🏃 Run for something. If you want to run for something, but have no idea what to do, these people will help you. They also like money and volunteers to help those people who are running, so even if you’re not in a position to stand for office, you can help. Note: they are especially planning to target the 57 Rs in local governments who participated in the insurrection.
👎 Defund the seditionists. Defund the seditionists. This is a list with companies that sometimes have donated to the seditionists. The list is long. You will recognize many of the corporations, and you probably have a relationship with some — either you are a customer, a shareholder, or maybe even an employee. Contact them and compliment or complain, but let them know you are watching. Forward it to others.
🐍 Schadenfreude 😈
Another violent insurrectionist sentenced to prison.
x Enjoy your stay at Club Fed: 7 years, 6 months sentence for Jan 6 defendant instrumental in assault of officer Fanone.
https://t.co/V8R6bpdgot — Frank Figliuzzi (@FrankFigliuzzi1) October 27, 2022
Republicans should not be in charge of schools. I am not the only one who thinks so:
x UF Faculty Senate approves no-confidence vote for president Ben Sasse
https://t.co/0zRng8zpcM — Melissa Ross (@MelissainJax) October 27, 2022
Mark never had a spine. He seems to be losing his exoskeleton, too.
x 🚨🚨BREAKING: South Carolina Judge rules that Mark Meadows is a material and necessary witness and must testify before the Fulton Co., GA special purpose grand jury after Meadows tried to block his testimony — Spiro’s Ghost (@SpiroAgnewGhost) October 26, 2022
I don’t like to report this as good news, because two people died. But it was stupidity and enabling others to be stupid. Dan Ladden- The Daily Beast
A Florida lawyer who passionately fought against state laws requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets was killed in a motorcycle crash while not wearing a helmet. Ron Smith, 66, was heading to a memorial service for another biker in August when he crashed his bike as he tried to slow for traffic in front of him. His 62-year-old girlfriend, Brenda Jeanan Volpe, who was a passenger on the bike, was also killed. She too was not wearing a helmet. Smith—who was a member of the Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments—represented clients who broke Florida’s motorcycle rules in cases which some say ultimately helped to overturn the state’s helmet requirement in 2000. “He thought everybody should have their own choice,” his friend Dave Newman said.
📣 Let’s Honor Truth ☀️️
This week let’s follow Jennifer Rubin’s lead and honor Judge David Carter Washington Post
If you’re looking for a road map to hold former president Donald Trump accountable for his role in the attempted coup, turn to U.S. District Court Judge David Carter. Carter, in a ruling back in March, wrote that Trump and his lawyer John Eastman “more likely than not” committed crimes in their scheme to reject certified electors and replace them with an alternate, phony slate. The potential crimes, he stated, included obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to defraud the United States. As a result, he found that more than 100 emails from Eastman were not shielded by attorney-client privilege and must be released to the House Jan. 6 select committee. On Wednesday, Carter held that eight more privileged documents fell within the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege because Trump consulted Eastman “for advice that will serve [them] in the commission of a fraud or crime,” and the communications themselves were “sufficiently related to” and made “in furtherance of” the crime. Carter explained, “There are four documents … in which Dr. Eastman and other attorneys suggest that — irrespective of the merits — the primary goal of filing [election-related lawsuits] is to delay or otherwise disrupt the January 6 vote.”
We have reason to be furious with numerous judges: Aileen Cannon, Clarence Thomas, etc. But many are good men and women who have done a lot to protect our democracy.
🌹 Let’s Celebrate Love ❤️
We all need more happy penguins:
x Two years ago, this penguin was diagnosed with a foot condition that made it painful to walk.
Doctors in Boston stepped in, performed surgery, and fitted the penguin with custom shoes.
This is the moment she got to take a walk around the aquarium. pic.twitter.com/TDiUsYcjxS — Goodable (@Goodable) October 26, 2022
📎 Odds & Ends 📎
Working to turn West Virginia green Mark Oprea, Reasons to Be Cheerful
With support from the G.I. Bill, Reel recently graduated from Eastern West Virginia Technical College where his career as a wind turbine worker took off. After a year and a half in East Tech’s wind program, in July 2021 Reel started working for Clearway, a $5.8 billion energy company headquartered in San Francisco. Now he maintains the wind turbines at Clearway’s new, 23-turbine Black Rock Wind Farm, those that generate clean energy atop the same picturesque West Virginia mountains that once provided this region its seemingly endless supply of coal. At 24, Reel is too young to remember King Coal’s heyday, yet not old enough to recall the first turbines going up on these summits. In some ways, this lack of context serves him well. Without a dog in the political infighting wind power has brought to this region, Reel has a laser-focused optimism that is propelling his burgeoning career quickly forward. “People are very opinionated,” he said. “They either think it’s the coolest thing ever, or they associate you [with wind power] and they hate you, as well.” Reel is part of a massive paradigm shift stretching from the hilltops of Allegheny-area Pennsylvania to the pits of Southern Tennessee, the latter of which has seen a whopping 79 percent drop in coal production. Historic coal towns and counties, majority right-leaning and Trump-favoring, are now reluctantly accepting Big Wind with relatively open arms.
About damned time.
x BREAKING: the @EPA has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the State of Mississippi for its decades-long pattern of discriminating against the City of Jackson when it comes to funding for water improvements. #ThisIsPower
https://t.co/Zm6rvyu2w0 pic.twitter.com/F4ZUJnLWTn — NAACP (@NAACP) October 20, 2022
🐦 I do a lot of other writing. A recent offering: Hunters of the Feather, a story about a thinker-linker crow who wants to save birdkind from extinction, and the sequel, Scavengers of Mind. (They’re really good! They’re really cheap! Buy and review or rate positively! And Hunters is also available on Audible!) Other stories, based on Jane Austen novels — including a new one for lovers of Pride & Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet’s Advice to Young Ladies — and others on Greek mythology, can be found here. All titles are available through Kindle Unlimited, but I only get paid if you turn the pages.
💙 What You Can Do to Rescue Democracy 💙
It turns out that participation in democracy is not just an every-four-years event but requires active participation, like, whenever you can find time.
Current projects:
Look in the comments for Progressive Muse’s report on Postcards to Voters
And some other ideas:
You can relax and recharge.
You can join protests and freeway blog.
You can help register new voters.
You can smile.
You can get out the vote for special elections.
You can reach out to upset Republicans. We need to win some back.
You can share your ideas below.
🌻
💙 “Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we all are created equal and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart. The battle is perennial, and victory is never assured.” 💙
President Joseph R. Biden
🌹 🌹 🌹
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