Voters respond positively to seeing what they are getting for their tax dollars. It needs to be at the granular level. Democrats everywhere need to show voters what THEY are getting IN THEIR AREA. In every jurisdiction, wherever possible, put up signs, billboards, etc. by local and regional projects, or in prominent spots depicting a project, with “Paid for by Biden’s _____Plan.
In many dozens of focus groups we conducted throughout California, in counties, transportation districts and statewide, this is what sold voters in all demographic groups on passing transportation tax measures.
Great advice. I would like to see the Oklahoma bombing used to good affect. Show the destruction and a reminder of how many adults and children perished. Be extreme.....like the A bomb ad Johnson used against Goldwater.
I think we get more by using things Democrats have given to specific people/areas then rehashing the horrendous work of Rs unless there's a way to illustrate the differences in one visual or op-ed. T's faithful will dismiss us as Ds being snowflakes and liars.
Yes. I should temper my suggestion so as not to possibly set McVey up as a martyr to the hard right White supremacists. No photos. But like you said, a good visual that is sharp and direct.
And Jesus Wept Memorial to Oklahoma City Bombing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Encircle Photos
And Jesus Wept Memorial to Oklahoma City Bombing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Inspired by “The Turner Diaries,” Timothy McVeigh detonated 4,800 pounds of fertilizer at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City at 9:02 on April 19, 1995. The blast killed 168, injured 680 and damaged 324 buildings. Across the street from the Oklahoma City National Memorial and behind St. Joseph’s Old Cathedral is an Italian marble statue called, “And Jesus Wept.” While holding His face in sorrow, He is turned away from the tragedy. The memorial is surrounded by pillars representing the children and unborn babies that were killed.
Absolutely Jan. I can't believe the Democrats are so bad at simply communicating in a clear and repeated fashion how they have improved the life of the average American in many important ways.
4 million Information Warriors: This is what Simon Rosenberg is calling for, so Dems GET LOUDER and "Get to 55"(%) in coming elections -- and crush MAGA for good. He has the data, and he has the messaging. If you aren't familiar, go for it!
Thank you Eric. I've just spent the past hour listening to Rosenberg's Youtube video. It has some interesting information. Definitely, something to watch.
One other thing: publicly call out a Republican who voted against funding a bill that has local impact but shows up at the celebration (and it happens!).
huge billboard 'This (highway, benefit..) brought to you by Biden (legislation). p.s. your Senator and Representative voted against funding this (highway, benefit).
I, too, would prefer a landscape without billboards, but when I think about the landscape without the EPA and with unregulated industry, no efforts toward climate mitigation, and the loss of our democracy if the GOP takeover is complete... I don't think we'd survive another Trump administration. Billboards, for the most part, are permanently installed, and I'd far rather see one promoting the public good and the accomplishments of Dem administrations than a megachurch, antiabortion group, or Trump. They're affordable too - far more so than TV ads - and are repeatedly seen. A memorable tag line or thread to tie them together - maybe crib from Hamilton with "Democrats - they get the job done" - would be very effective IMO
I like that tag line. There's no reason we can't do billboards and media ads. Maine banned billboards on the Interstate (295 & 95), so they'd have to go on local roads.
Let's remember who we're up against. Think they'd balk at billboards? never. They use every tool they can get away with - we should too.
I totally agree. We need to participate locally in every way we can by writing letters to the editor with a smidgen of information about just one benefit and an a tad of information on another topic of importance to the people around us. If you're a good public speaker and explainer, get on the agenda in your different areas related to where you live (school boards, city councils, county councils, etc.) and positively talk about how a measure from some public entity will make specific positive differences. Talk about the pride you have and you know others have in your clean water or your parks or how well your public employees serve you all and why pay and benefits for them are important (or whatever the topic is). Not everyone is paying attention or knows as much as we readers of these sub stack posts know ... so remember you are an educator and a sharer.
YES! YES! Oh, by the way, YES! I know that Activate America is starting postcards to three districts in CA in which their representatives voted against Democratic achievements. Chop Wood, Carry Water always has updates on active campaigns. And, Bambi's idea of a database of zip codes is a great one!
In addition to what Eric Doub said, most of the writing campaigns are directed towards folks who lean Democrat and/or are in infrequent voters. So, the goal is to get 'em off their duffs and to the polls.
It's pretty tough for me to write anything here this morn but I have MSNBC on in the background and what they're showing is exactly what you're asking for. I can't hear
it (and CC on this one station is wacko or missing so I'm just adding bold banners at bottom of the screen). So, cool, thanks for recommending it all.
Former FL Professor Holds "Teach the Truth" Tours
I don't know what's going on but there's a map of FL with a display "67 Public School Districts"
I’m writing to voters in Wisconsin. They have an upcoming election for their Supreme Court. We must get out the vote. They vote on April 4 th. I’m doing this through Vote Forward. Janet Protasiewucz supports a woman’s right to choose. Daniel Kelly is anti abortion. He was paid $120,000 by Republicans to work on ‘candidate integrity’ and ‘advise on fake electors.
Vote Forward and Postcards to Voters are two very easy and wonderful ways to help. If you cannot afford the postage or printing they are there to assist.
The States Project, SGCC (State Government Citizens's Campaign) and others have been working for years to highlight the importance of state level elections. Start where you live and it works its way up!
3) And, aside from the other examples I provided, least we forget, in the period 2012 - 2016, Russian disinformation efforts ran full tilt. At times, it was impossible to distinguish content originating as "free speech" by US citizens, versus nation-state disinformation and propaganda (Russia and others), versus US-based political influencers (our home-grown Roger Cohens and James O'Keefes). So it is still, today.
Here is an article about that and Russian intel-run interference. It's important to note that texts, emails and articles which originate from outside the country are essentially untraceable, at least not in real-time; this cyber-warfare has been a concern since 2000 and the remedy is to just cope with it, not stop it, lies being slippery things. As scammers know, texts and robocalls can be sent to anyone, and can appear to come from "legitimate" sources but really from anywhere; the global phone (hence text) system is built this way for ease of access, fast response, instant connection. Access is prioritized over security and authentication.
"National Security: Kremlin trolls burned across the Internet as Washington debated options." Washington Post, December 25, 2017, Adam Entous, Ellen Nakashima and
I recall anecdotal reports in media of this, but when I went to search it was hard to find a good search term to clearly identify specific cases.
1) Here is a "gift link" to a report of robocalls in Michigan. I can also recall reports of messages telling voters to show up at the polls the day after election day.
TECH POLICY: Suspicious robocall campaign warning people to ‘stay home’ spooks voters nationwide. Washington Post, Tony Romm and Isaac Stanley-Becker,
November 3, 2020.
"A Department of Homeland Security official said the FBI was investigating the call, which, along with new robotexts that surfaced in Michigan, prompted warnings about misinformation."
Voters received ambiguous, odd, robocalls urging them "Hello, this is just a test call time to stay home stay safe and stay home." A "call-blocking app" has the recording of the call, and says 10 million calls were detected across the US in 230 of the 317 United States area codes.
"In Michigan, government officials on Tuesday said they had witnessed additional attempts to deceive their state’s voters in particular, including one robocall campaign targeting the city of Flint that inaccurately told people to vote tomorrow if they hoped to avoid long lines today."
2) Here is another gift link. A long list of perpetrators and acts.
"In campaign’s closing days, disinformation arrives via text message and email."
Isaac Stanley-Becker and Tony Romm, October 28, 2020, Washington Post.
"Each of the suspicious campaigns revealed this month targeted battleground states — from knife-edge Pennsylvania to Florida, a must-win for President Trump, and Texas, a potential pickup for Democrats. "
"Pennsylvania ... some Democrats were startled to see their phones buzzing in recent days with an urgent message from a “Democratic volunteer with APP PAC,” ... the political action committee associated with the American Principles Project. The conservative think tank, founded in 2009, has opposed same-sex marriage, abortion and transgender rights. The group’s executive director, Terry Schilling, said in an interview he envisions the APP as “the NRA but for families,” comparing his group to the National Rifle Association." ... "the PAC’s aim is to reach a million Democrats and independents in the state. ... estimated 300,000 of the PAC’s messages had been sent on Sunday and Monday, also targeting Virginia and New Jersey, though about 90 percent of the texts went to Pennsylvania."
"Michigan’s attorney general, Democrat Dana Nessel, filed charges against Jacob Wohl and an associate known for seeking to stage political scandals, accusing the two men of orchestrating a series of robocalls designed to suppress the vote. Wohl, 22, and his associate on Tuesday were also indicted in Ohio’s Cuyahoga County... Estimated ... 85,000 calls .... voters in urban areas in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Illinois" with message “Don’t be finessed into giving your private information to the man, stay home safe and beware of vote by mail,” the call advised, according to a transcript included in the New York complaint."
And so on, and so on,, and so on. Also, the WP story linked, El Paso Texas, October 7, 2020:
"FBI El Paso Warns of an Attempt to Spread Disinformation Regarding 'Poll Watchers' During the Upcoming Elections", as in, a message spread mis-information to report poll incidents, proividing "alleged telephone numbers for the FBI Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Voting Section. ... is not an official statement from the FBI and does not display the correct telephone number for the FBI’s Civil Rights Division."
I don't read anything from WaPo. I wouldn't read your linked article even if it's free, but thank you.
Honestly, I never heard of this. Intimidate people how, exactly? Who would even listen to such calls? I've stopped taking calls from numbers that aren't on my phone list. Besides, I'm not easily intimidated.
But, to answer to the word “intimidation,” here is 2020 October from Business Insider, as to plans before the 2020 election. Quoting extensively from that:
“Far-right groups are planning online to monitor polling sites on Election Day, some of them armed, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.
Stewart Rhodes, the leader of a far-right group called Oath Keepers, said his members would draw their weapons if needed.
Rhodes said he wanted to prevent "the radical left" from intimidating voters. Experts say the presence of groups like his would probably make things worse.
Far-right groups are planning to patrol polling sites on Election Day, some of them armed, causing experts to worry about the possibility of violent clashes and voter intimidation. Stewart Rhodes, the leader of a far-right group called the Oath Keepers, told the Los Angeles Times on Saturday that his members would "be out on Election Day to protect people who are voting." He said some would be carrying concealed weapons.”
“A QAnon-affiliated group has also been talking on Telegram, describing "heavily armed MAGA patriots" preparing for Election Day, according to the Times. The Times in turned cited the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks extremists online.”
…
“ Cassie Miller, a senior researcher with the Southern Poverty Law Center, told the Times that "chances are really high that we're going to see militia members, armed groups, or Trump supporters who are armed at the polls."
"Not only are these people willing to participate in voter intimidation, but they're hoping to create this chaotic moment," Miller said. "There's an unwillingness to accept anything but a Trump victory."
Nevertheless… the events occurred. Marycat2021, I responded to your original post, which was, “What? who is doing this?“ If you won’t trust WaPo, or a press release from the FBI, I don’t have ways to answer. Try looking in a news source you trust.
Reader Tutone used the word “intimidation” (not me) and I pointed to the broader problem of misinformation, deception, and impersonating officials (as I documented). But there have been “intimidation reports” as well, in the form of armed militia-type people in camo or military gear (not uniformed local police) hanging about near the entrance to polling places or drop boxes.
Believe it or not.
To reply to Tutone (“ Someone needs to keep an eye on fake phone messages trying to intimidate people into not voting”). Voters are being “intimidated” at polling and registration places, physically, not as much by robocalls or “fake phone messages.” Election officials are receiving threats of physical violence via email, texts and voice messages, and actual instances of physical violence (cross burning on front lawn). Robocalls and robotexts are misleading and discouraging voters and sewing misinformation, don’t know if you call that intimidation, or just something else, but it amounts to attempts to bring down democracy .
I disagree with Jim. Keep us fully informed about TFG. He’s outvoted get civil war started. Him, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and all the others who need to be expelled from Congress
Yes, we have a lot of work to do. Not only keeping him out of office, but getting his congressional colleagues expelled snd jailed.
I completely agree. We need to work diligently to get people who have enabled Trump out of office. Plus, we must be sure that we are taking every possible opportunity to inform all citizens. Everyone should recognize we are confronted with serious threats of violence and a desire to upend our democracy. Why? I cannot understand, but I can not ignore what Trump is saying. We heard him before 1/6/2021. We are hearing him and his ardent followers now. As Justice Michael J. Luttig stated during his January 6 Hearing testimony, “How do I know? They are telling us.”
We must prevail. We must be strong, engaged, and committed to saving our democracy and seeing justice served.
Amen!!!🙏 This bunch needs to be in jail, away from all electronics where they can no longer influence anyone. I still say put them all in Alcatraz. Open it back up just fir these white supremacy groups. Or better yet, build into Guantanamo Bay. They can B all live there with their friends.
It is not Donald J. Trump, The Traitor, that real American Patriots should fear most, but the sizable following of zealots who are convinced they will better off without a government that represents all the people in the melting pot that America has become. Analogies to Hitler and the Nazi movement should be made with great caution, but still, this seems to be analogous.
I’ve been alarmed since 2016. I’ve watched in horror as he spit in the face of all that is good and sacred in our country over and over and over. The problem I have now is overload. There have been so many, many events that have happened that I have forgotten too many of them. I wish someone would make a list of all the truly frightening, democracy threatening things he has said and done so that when we try to warn others who have not been paying attention, we will have more than just the current list of grievances.
We all have relied on the reporting of our news media to keep us informed. We rely on our doctors and nurses and scientists to keep us healthy. We trust our historians and scholars to record and teach our truth as a nation. One man, ONE MAN comes on the scene and has convinced millions that all we trusted was a lie and only he is to be believed. How could we be so ...... foolish? How bad have things been for so many that they really saw their salvation in a con artist? God forgive us for not hearing them and seeing them before and may God save our country.
"Trump is not calling his supporters to action; he’s calling them to arms." How is it possible a man can openly call for violent overthrow of our government and he is allowed to continue??? Arrest him, and place a gag order on his attorneys. Though I advise everyone to lookup the stage play 'Quills' to decide for yourself if this would be a wise move.
Regarding the bottom photo, I had always forced on Pres Obama’s expression. Tonight was different because I really focused on then VP Biden who was not hiding his feelings.
I talk to young people when I have the opportunity to do so. It’s so important that they understand the danger we are in and the absolute necessity to vote Democrat in every election!
We’re in this fight with you Joyce! Please let us know how we can help. Yes hopefully the justice system will do its job for the rest of us in the world! Love your forum and your insight!
This WeeK Ahead was very Trump centered. He's fabulous at being the center of attention and yes, he's not to be ignored; he is to be stopped. Voters, yes! DAs, Yes! DOJ/Merrick Garland, YES, YES!!
But my question is WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE MAGAs?
"MAGA, Not Trump, Controls the Movement Now' is the title of David French's Opinion in today's New York Times.
'It’s common to critique the Trumpist movement as a Donald Trump cult, but that’s not quite right anymore. He’s still immensely influential, but do true cultists boo their leader when he deviates from the approved script? Yet that’s what happened in December 2021, when parts of a Dallas rally crowd booed Trump when he said he’d received a Covid vaccine booster.'
'There may have been a time when Trump truly commanded his movement. That time is past. His movement now commands him.'
Gus, I'm so happy to see you. How are you? I think that I should go to bed right now with you in my eyes and in my heart. I better hurry up. These days it is more important than ever to keep our dear ones close. Please do tell me how you are.
Look at the people (drivers) of the MAGA; Fuentes, Miller, Meadows, Bannon, Jones, etc. Look within our own Congress. These people aren't hiding. Follow the money that supports these types. Trump’s the figurehead, but there's an
Frankly I would be more than happy to have him 6 feet under covered in dirt. I know the people investigating him have to have “all their ducks in a row” but wish those ducks would swim a bit faster and get in formation.
One thing that those in a solid blue state (i am in California) need to do everything we can to reach out to those in “purple “ states. Get people to understand that their votes really do count when added to all other votes.
"6 feet under covered in dirt." Methinks there's room in his new cemetery at his Bedminster joint. 😈 Seriously, though, totally agree with getting those ducks swimming faster. I want to see him buried under 6 feet of indictments, that's about 60 years' worth that come home to roost.
It is not Donald J. Trump, The Traitor, that real American Patriots should fear most, but the sizable following of zealots who believe they will be better off without a government that represents all the people in this melting pot that America has become. Analogies to Hitler and the Nazi movement should be made with great caution, but this seems to be analogous.
I fully agree with the gist of your comment, Mr. Aleshire. But, I stumble over your cautionary reluctance when it comes to likening the rise of MAGA-authoritarianism (as well as the related groundswell of anti-democratic movements worldwide) with well-documented emergence of Hitler and Nazism in the early 1930’s. I refer you to the many writings of Timothy Snyder, including the first book I read from his active bibliography: Black Earth; The Holocaust as history and Warning. Professor Snyder (Yale Department of History) has also written other very accessible books detailing “lessons” from the rise of dictatorship and violently illiberal forms of government in the 20th century. In perhaps his most recently published book he describes 21st century humanity’s course to “Unfreedom”.
We must be completely unafraid of apt historical comparisons lest we retrace well worn steps in active repetition of the abominations and atrocities within our living memories. Knowing one’s enemy thoroughly through unemotionally referenced concepts, behaviors and terminology is required in order to prevail against our worst adversaries (with apologies to Sun Tzu).
I was a hell raising card-carrying member of SDS back in the 60’s and worked every day to end the war and change the world. Instead, 50+ years later I’m living in the dystopian nightmare that we were trying to prevent.
It isn’t fear of violence--I decided the day after Kent State that stopping tyranny was worth dying for. But after 40 years as a practicing nurse, I don’t think I can contribute much.
So at 71 I’m studying for the LSAT: lawyers don’t have to wrestle 250# bikers in the ER. Wonder if Canada will be willing to accept 75 year old dykes with bedfast wives as asylum seekers?
The press needs to do side by side comparisons of what the Republicans are actually offering vs what the Democrats are offering on the issues people care about. That will help activate people. But the press rarely does such obviously needed coverage!!!
Good for you, Jane! I am behind you all the way in your quest for a law degree. After years of volunteer work with the League of Women Voters at both the local and state levels, I went to law school at age 52. It was an excellent move, although very stressful. I used my degree to represent kids in foster care in CA. But, the skills I learned went beyond any particular area of law. Be organized and persistent and you'll be fine.
Voters respond positively to seeing what they are getting for their tax dollars. It needs to be at the granular level. Democrats everywhere need to show voters what THEY are getting IN THEIR AREA. In every jurisdiction, wherever possible, put up signs, billboards, etc. by local and regional projects, or in prominent spots depicting a project, with “Paid for by Biden’s _____Plan.
In many dozens of focus groups we conducted throughout California, in counties, transportation districts and statewide, this is what sold voters in all demographic groups on passing transportation tax measures.
Need a database we can put in zip code to to find projects and how they are being funded.
The White House has this info up on their website. Info by state.
If that’s so, it needs to be advertised better and covered by the press! That’s a big deal!
The media is not our friend or helper any more. When do they ever promote Biden? Fear is their motivator now.
Here's the list Ruthie: https://www.whitehouse.gov/therecord/ (And you're right, it should be advertised one way or another.)
YES!
Jessica, do you have a URL for this? I tried searching the whitehouse.gov website without results. Thanks
Robert B. Hubbell posts a lot of projects in his excellent newsletter. I'm sure, though, that there is a database out there. Maybe Google it.
Great advice. I would like to see the Oklahoma bombing used to good affect. Show the destruction and a reminder of how many adults and children perished. Be extreme.....like the A bomb ad Johnson used against Goldwater.
And get the information history out there about Waco.
I think we get more by using things Democrats have given to specific people/areas then rehashing the horrendous work of Rs unless there's a way to illustrate the differences in one visual or op-ed. T's faithful will dismiss us as Ds being snowflakes and liars.
Yes. I should temper my suggestion so as not to possibly set McVey up as a martyr to the hard right White supremacists. No photos. But like you said, a good visual that is sharp and direct.
And Jesus Wept Memorial to Oklahoma City Bombing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Encircle Photos
And Jesus Wept Memorial to Oklahoma City Bombing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Inspired by “The Turner Diaries,” Timothy McVeigh detonated 4,800 pounds of fertilizer at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City at 9:02 on April 19, 1995. The blast killed 168, injured 680 and damaged 324 buildings. Across the street from the Oklahoma City National Memorial and behind St. Joseph’s Old Cathedral is an Italian marble statue called, “And Jesus Wept.” While holding His face in sorrow, He is turned away from the tragedy. The memorial is surrounded by pillars representing the children and unborn babies that were killed.
Absolutely Jan. I can't believe the Democrats are so bad at simply communicating in a clear and repeated fashion how they have improved the life of the average American in many important ways.
4 million Information Warriors: This is what Simon Rosenberg is calling for, so Dems GET LOUDER and "Get to 55"(%) in coming elections -- and crush MAGA for good. He has the data, and he has the messaging. If you aren't familiar, go for it!
https://youtu.be/C3pRod2bz68 (4 min.)
https://www.youtube.com/live/5fEPDFzi0UA?feature=share (61 min.)
Eric, thank you for this info. I’ll check it out!
Thank you Eric. I've just spent the past hour listening to Rosenberg's Youtube video. It has some interesting information. Definitely, something to watch.
WE are the Democrats. It’s up to us.
Simon Rosenberg has three decades of experience compiling and presenting information on how with Dems things get better:
https://open.substack.com/pub/simonwdc
One other thing: publicly call out a Republican who voted against funding a bill that has local impact but shows up at the celebration (and it happens!).
huge billboard 'This (highway, benefit..) brought to you by Biden (legislation). p.s. your Senator and Representative voted against funding this (highway, benefit).
Billboards are pollution. TV ads also reach more people than billboards.
I, too, would prefer a landscape without billboards, but when I think about the landscape without the EPA and with unregulated industry, no efforts toward climate mitigation, and the loss of our democracy if the GOP takeover is complete... I don't think we'd survive another Trump administration. Billboards, for the most part, are permanently installed, and I'd far rather see one promoting the public good and the accomplishments of Dem administrations than a megachurch, antiabortion group, or Trump. They're affordable too - far more so than TV ads - and are repeatedly seen. A memorable tag line or thread to tie them together - maybe crib from Hamilton with "Democrats - they get the job done" - would be very effective IMO
I like that tag line. There's no reason we can't do billboards and media ads. Maine banned billboards on the Interstate (295 & 95), so they'd have to go on local roads.
Let's remember who we're up against. Think they'd balk at billboards? never. They use every tool they can get away with - we should too.
I recall lots of signs like that when Obama put our money into shovel ready projects after the crash of 08.
Excellent idea.
I totally agree. We need to participate locally in every way we can by writing letters to the editor with a smidgen of information about just one benefit and an a tad of information on another topic of importance to the people around us. If you're a good public speaker and explainer, get on the agenda in your different areas related to where you live (school boards, city councils, county councils, etc.) and positively talk about how a measure from some public entity will make specific positive differences. Talk about the pride you have and you know others have in your clean water or your parks or how well your public employees serve you all and why pay and benefits for them are important (or whatever the topic is). Not everyone is paying attention or knows as much as we readers of these sub stack posts know ... so remember you are an educator and a sharer.
YES! YES! Oh, by the way, YES! I know that Activate America is starting postcards to three districts in CA in which their representatives voted against Democratic achievements. Chop Wood, Carry Water always has updates on active campaigns. And, Bambi's idea of a database of zip codes is a great one!
Do postcards work? I never voted based on a postcard. I think they're junk mail but if they work, please send them.
Yes, MaryCat2021, postcards do work. So do handwritten letters. Check out the evidence on VoteFwd.org ! I think you'll like what you find.
In addition to what Eric Doub said, most of the writing campaigns are directed towards folks who lean Democrat and/or are in infrequent voters. So, the goal is to get 'em off their duffs and to the polls.
It's pretty tough for me to write anything here this morn but I have MSNBC on in the background and what they're showing is exactly what you're asking for. I can't hear
it (and CC on this one station is wacko or missing so I'm just adding bold banners at bottom of the screen). So, cool, thanks for recommending it all.
Former FL Professor Holds "Teach the Truth" Tours
I don't know what's going on but there's a map of FL with a display "67 Public School Districts"
Good advice. Thank you.
I’m writing to voters in Wisconsin. They have an upcoming election for their Supreme Court. We must get out the vote. They vote on April 4 th. I’m doing this through Vote Forward. Janet Protasiewucz supports a woman’s right to choose. Daniel Kelly is anti abortion. He was paid $120,000 by Republicans to work on ‘candidate integrity’ and ‘advise on fake electors.
Vote Forward and Postcards to Voters are two very easy and wonderful ways to help. If you cannot afford the postage or printing they are there to assist.
The States Project, SGCC (State Government Citizens's Campaign) and others have been working for years to highlight the importance of state level elections. Start where you live and it works its way up!
Someone needs to keep an eye on fake phone messages trying to intimidate people into not voting.
What? who is doing this?
3) And, aside from the other examples I provided, least we forget, in the period 2012 - 2016, Russian disinformation efforts ran full tilt. At times, it was impossible to distinguish content originating as "free speech" by US citizens, versus nation-state disinformation and propaganda (Russia and others), versus US-based political influencers (our home-grown Roger Cohens and James O'Keefes). So it is still, today.
Here is an article about that and Russian intel-run interference. It's important to note that texts, emails and articles which originate from outside the country are essentially untraceable, at least not in real-time; this cyber-warfare has been a concern since 2000 and the remedy is to just cope with it, not stop it, lies being slippery things. As scammers know, texts and robocalls can be sent to anyone, and can appear to come from "legitimate" sources but really from anywhere; the global phone (hence text) system is built this way for ease of access, fast response, instant connection. Access is prioritized over security and authentication.
"National Security: Kremlin trolls burned across the Internet as Washington debated options." Washington Post, December 25, 2017, Adam Entous, Ellen Nakashima and
Greg Jaffe.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/kremlin-trolls-burned-across-the-internet-as-washington-debated-options/2017/12/23/e7b9dc92-e403-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_15
For some reason I cannot generate a gift-link (so, WashPost subscribers only).
I recall anecdotal reports in media of this, but when I went to search it was hard to find a good search term to clearly identify specific cases.
1) Here is a "gift link" to a report of robocalls in Michigan. I can also recall reports of messages telling voters to show up at the polls the day after election day.
https://wapo.st/3njyUIx
TECH POLICY: Suspicious robocall campaign warning people to ‘stay home’ spooks voters nationwide. Washington Post, Tony Romm and Isaac Stanley-Becker,
November 3, 2020.
"A Department of Homeland Security official said the FBI was investigating the call, which, along with new robotexts that surfaced in Michigan, prompted warnings about misinformation."
Voters received ambiguous, odd, robocalls urging them "Hello, this is just a test call time to stay home stay safe and stay home." A "call-blocking app" has the recording of the call, and says 10 million calls were detected across the US in 230 of the 317 United States area codes.
"In Michigan, government officials on Tuesday said they had witnessed additional attempts to deceive their state’s voters in particular, including one robocall campaign targeting the city of Flint that inaccurately told people to vote tomorrow if they hoped to avoid long lines today."
2) Here is another gift link. A long list of perpetrators and acts.
https://wapo.st/3nqngM7
"In campaign’s closing days, disinformation arrives via text message and email."
Isaac Stanley-Becker and Tony Romm, October 28, 2020, Washington Post.
"Each of the suspicious campaigns revealed this month targeted battleground states — from knife-edge Pennsylvania to Florida, a must-win for President Trump, and Texas, a potential pickup for Democrats. "
"Pennsylvania ... some Democrats were startled to see their phones buzzing in recent days with an urgent message from a “Democratic volunteer with APP PAC,” ... the political action committee associated with the American Principles Project. The conservative think tank, founded in 2009, has opposed same-sex marriage, abortion and transgender rights. The group’s executive director, Terry Schilling, said in an interview he envisions the APP as “the NRA but for families,” comparing his group to the National Rifle Association." ... "the PAC’s aim is to reach a million Democrats and independents in the state. ... estimated 300,000 of the PAC’s messages had been sent on Sunday and Monday, also targeting Virginia and New Jersey, though about 90 percent of the texts went to Pennsylvania."
"Michigan’s attorney general, Democrat Dana Nessel, filed charges against Jacob Wohl and an associate known for seeking to stage political scandals, accusing the two men of orchestrating a series of robocalls designed to suppress the vote. Wohl, 22, and his associate on Tuesday were also indicted in Ohio’s Cuyahoga County... Estimated ... 85,000 calls .... voters in urban areas in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Illinois" with message “Don’t be finessed into giving your private information to the man, stay home safe and beware of vote by mail,” the call advised, according to a transcript included in the New York complaint."
And so on, and so on,, and so on. Also, the WP story linked, El Paso Texas, October 7, 2020:
"FBI El Paso Warns of an Attempt to Spread Disinformation Regarding 'Poll Watchers' During the Upcoming Elections", as in, a message spread mis-information to report poll incidents, proividing "alleged telephone numbers for the FBI Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Voting Section. ... is not an official statement from the FBI and does not display the correct telephone number for the FBI’s Civil Rights Division."
Press release:
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/elpaso/news/press-releases/fbi-el-paso-warns-of-an-attempt-to-spread-disinformation-regarding-poll-watchers-during-the-upcoming-elections
I don't read anything from WaPo. I wouldn't read your linked article even if it's free, but thank you.
Honestly, I never heard of this. Intimidate people how, exactly? Who would even listen to such calls? I've stopped taking calls from numbers that aren't on my phone list. Besides, I'm not easily intimidated.
Or try this, it is brief and free, from Axios. October 2020.
https://www.axios.com/2022/10/26/cities-midterms-elections-interference-militias-mayors-police-poll-extremists
But, to answer to the word “intimidation,” here is 2020 October from Business Insider, as to plans before the 2020 election. Quoting extensively from that:
https://www.businessinsider.com/armed-groups-planning-to-monitor-polling-sites-on-election-day-2020-10?op=1
“Far-right groups are planning online to monitor polling sites on Election Day, some of them armed, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.
Stewart Rhodes, the leader of a far-right group called Oath Keepers, said his members would draw their weapons if needed.
Rhodes said he wanted to prevent "the radical left" from intimidating voters. Experts say the presence of groups like his would probably make things worse.
Far-right groups are planning to patrol polling sites on Election Day, some of them armed, causing experts to worry about the possibility of violent clashes and voter intimidation. Stewart Rhodes, the leader of a far-right group called the Oath Keepers, told the Los Angeles Times on Saturday that his members would "be out on Election Day to protect people who are voting." He said some would be carrying concealed weapons.”
“A QAnon-affiliated group has also been talking on Telegram, describing "heavily armed MAGA patriots" preparing for Election Day, according to the Times. The Times in turned cited the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks extremists online.”
…
“ Cassie Miller, a senior researcher with the Southern Poverty Law Center, told the Times that "chances are really high that we're going to see militia members, armed groups, or Trump supporters who are armed at the polls."
"Not only are these people willing to participate in voter intimidation, but they're hoping to create this chaotic moment," Miller said. "There's an unwillingness to accept anything but a Trump victory."
Nevertheless… the events occurred. Marycat2021, I responded to your original post, which was, “What? who is doing this?“ If you won’t trust WaPo, or a press release from the FBI, I don’t have ways to answer. Try looking in a news source you trust.
Reader Tutone used the word “intimidation” (not me) and I pointed to the broader problem of misinformation, deception, and impersonating officials (as I documented). But there have been “intimidation reports” as well, in the form of armed militia-type people in camo or military gear (not uniformed local police) hanging about near the entrance to polling places or drop boxes.
Believe it or not.
To reply to Tutone (“ Someone needs to keep an eye on fake phone messages trying to intimidate people into not voting”). Voters are being “intimidated” at polling and registration places, physically, not as much by robocalls or “fake phone messages.” Election officials are receiving threats of physical violence via email, texts and voice messages, and actual instances of physical violence (cross burning on front lawn). Robocalls and robotexts are misleading and discouraging voters and sewing misinformation, don’t know if you call that intimidation, or just something else, but it amounts to attempts to bring down democracy .
Ditto
I disagree with Jim. Keep us fully informed about TFG. He’s outvoted get civil war started. Him, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and all the others who need to be expelled from Congress
Yes, we have a lot of work to do. Not only keeping him out of office, but getting his congressional colleagues expelled snd jailed.
I completely agree. We need to work diligently to get people who have enabled Trump out of office. Plus, we must be sure that we are taking every possible opportunity to inform all citizens. Everyone should recognize we are confronted with serious threats of violence and a desire to upend our democracy. Why? I cannot understand, but I can not ignore what Trump is saying. We heard him before 1/6/2021. We are hearing him and his ardent followers now. As Justice Michael J. Luttig stated during his January 6 Hearing testimony, “How do I know? They are telling us.”
We must prevail. We must be strong, engaged, and committed to saving our democracy and seeing justice served.
Amen!!!🙏 This bunch needs to be in jail, away from all electronics where they can no longer influence anyone. I still say put them all in Alcatraz. Open it back up just fir these white supremacy groups. Or better yet, build into Guantanamo Bay. They can B all live there with their friends.
It is not Donald J. Trump, The Traitor, that real American Patriots should fear most, but the sizable following of zealots who are convinced they will better off without a government that represents all the people in the melting pot that America has become. Analogies to Hitler and the Nazi movement should be made with great caution, but still, this seems to be analogous.
I’ve been alarmed since 2016. I’ve watched in horror as he spit in the face of all that is good and sacred in our country over and over and over. The problem I have now is overload. There have been so many, many events that have happened that I have forgotten too many of them. I wish someone would make a list of all the truly frightening, democracy threatening things he has said and done so that when we try to warn others who have not been paying attention, we will have more than just the current list of grievances.
We all have relied on the reporting of our news media to keep us informed. We rely on our doctors and nurses and scientists to keep us healthy. We trust our historians and scholars to record and teach our truth as a nation. One man, ONE MAN comes on the scene and has convinced millions that all we trusted was a lie and only he is to be believed. How could we be so ...... foolish? How bad have things been for so many that they really saw their salvation in a con artist? God forgive us for not hearing them and seeing them before and may God save our country.
"Trump is not calling his supporters to action; he’s calling them to arms." How is it possible a man can openly call for violent overthrow of our government and he is allowed to continue??? Arrest him, and place a gag order on his attorneys. Though I advise everyone to lookup the stage play 'Quills' to decide for yourself if this would be a wise move.
Thanks Joyce!
Regarding the bottom photo, I had always forced on Pres Obama’s expression. Tonight was different because I really focused on then VP Biden who was not hiding his feelings.
YES!!! I, too, focused in on Biden's expression. He's nobody's fool, never was.
I talk to young people when I have the opportunity to do so. It’s so important that they understand the danger we are in and the absolute necessity to vote Democrat in every election!
We’re in this fight with you Joyce! Please let us know how we can help. Yes hopefully the justice system will do its job for the rest of us in the world! Love your forum and your insight!
Jessica Craven (Chop Wood, Carry Water also on Substack) will give you tons of ways to help!
Thanks, Jan! If anyone wants to join the team actively fighting MAGA-ism every day, we are ready to welcome you to the fight!
✅✅✅
This WeeK Ahead was very Trump centered. He's fabulous at being the center of attention and yes, he's not to be ignored; he is to be stopped. Voters, yes! DAs, Yes! DOJ/Merrick Garland, YES, YES!!
But my question is WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE MAGAs?
"MAGA, Not Trump, Controls the Movement Now' is the title of David French's Opinion in today's New York Times.
'It’s common to critique the Trumpist movement as a Donald Trump cult, but that’s not quite right anymore. He’s still immensely influential, but do true cultists boo their leader when he deviates from the approved script? Yet that’s what happened in December 2021, when parts of a Dallas rally crowd booed Trump when he said he’d received a Covid vaccine booster.'
'There may have been a time when Trump truly commanded his movement. That time is past. His movement now commands him.'
WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THE MAGAS?
Out-vote them.
Hey, Fern. 🖐
Gus, I'm so happy to see you. How are you? I think that I should go to bed right now with you in my eyes and in my heart. I better hurry up. These days it is more important than ever to keep our dear ones close. Please do tell me how you are.
Look at the people (drivers) of the MAGA; Fuentes, Miller, Meadows, Bannon, Jones, etc. Look within our own Congress. These people aren't hiding. Follow the money that supports these types. Trump’s the figurehead, but there's an
insidious cancer that's the
underbelly of this whole movement.
Frankly I would be more than happy to have him 6 feet under covered in dirt. I know the people investigating him have to have “all their ducks in a row” but wish those ducks would swim a bit faster and get in formation.
One thing that those in a solid blue state (i am in California) need to do everything we can to reach out to those in “purple “ states. Get people to understand that their votes really do count when added to all other votes.
"6 feet under covered in dirt." Methinks there's room in his new cemetery at his Bedminster joint. 😈 Seriously, though, totally agree with getting those ducks swimming faster. I want to see him buried under 6 feet of indictments, that's about 60 years' worth that come home to roost.
It is not Donald J. Trump, The Traitor, that real American Patriots should fear most, but the sizable following of zealots who believe they will be better off without a government that represents all the people in this melting pot that America has become. Analogies to Hitler and the Nazi movement should be made with great caution, but this seems to be analogous.
I fully agree with the gist of your comment, Mr. Aleshire. But, I stumble over your cautionary reluctance when it comes to likening the rise of MAGA-authoritarianism (as well as the related groundswell of anti-democratic movements worldwide) with well-documented emergence of Hitler and Nazism in the early 1930’s. I refer you to the many writings of Timothy Snyder, including the first book I read from his active bibliography: Black Earth; The Holocaust as history and Warning. Professor Snyder (Yale Department of History) has also written other very accessible books detailing “lessons” from the rise of dictatorship and violently illiberal forms of government in the 20th century. In perhaps his most recently published book he describes 21st century humanity’s course to “Unfreedom”.
We must be completely unafraid of apt historical comparisons lest we retrace well worn steps in active repetition of the abominations and atrocities within our living memories. Knowing one’s enemy thoroughly through unemotionally referenced concepts, behaviors and terminology is required in order to prevail against our worst adversaries (with apologies to Sun Tzu).
I’m paralyzed with fear.
I was a hell raising card-carrying member of SDS back in the 60’s and worked every day to end the war and change the world. Instead, 50+ years later I’m living in the dystopian nightmare that we were trying to prevent.
It isn’t fear of violence--I decided the day after Kent State that stopping tyranny was worth dying for. But after 40 years as a practicing nurse, I don’t think I can contribute much.
So at 71 I’m studying for the LSAT: lawyers don’t have to wrestle 250# bikers in the ER. Wonder if Canada will be willing to accept 75 year old dykes with bedfast wives as asylum seekers?
The press needs to do side by side comparisons of what the Republicans are actually offering vs what the Democrats are offering on the issues people care about. That will help activate people. But the press rarely does such obviously needed coverage!!!
Jane, Canada doesn't want too many Americans. Can you blame them?
But if you lasted 40 years in the ER, we could really use you here!
Yes, I do blame them if they won’t take **refugees**. Where do we go when the Supreme Court illegitimizes our marriage, Uganda?
Good for you, Jane! I am behind you all the way in your quest for a law degree. After years of volunteer work with the League of Women Voters at both the local and state levels, I went to law school at age 52. It was an excellent move, although very stressful. I used my degree to represent kids in foster care in CA. But, the skills I learned went beyond any particular area of law. Be organized and persistent and you'll be fine.
Thank you. Good call to action!
It appears to me that MTG is running for VP and has been for a while.
(Puke)
LOL!!
Good luck to margie 3 names 😀
The rally was looney tunes; but dangerous and people can’t afford turn away, as Joyce said.
Important 🧵from Kathleen Belew, scholar of white supremacy and extremism on keep talking about it. The significance of Waco and the response of OKC:
https://twitter.com/kathleen_belew/status/1640147858954555392?s=61&t=8Vtvnmp1W7FeO8vjNmKTCg
Let’s all become warriors for Wisconsin this week- please join me for some phone bank shifts! https://www.mobilize.us/wisdems/event/545075/?rname=Cheryl&share_context=event_details&share_medium=copy_link