The news round-up is a long one this week. So much has happened. Keep calling your reps, and be sure to take breaks when needed.
Marching is Not Enough: A Call to Action
The day after the inauguration, an estimated 3-4 million people took to the streets in the historic Women's March protest against Donald Trump. It may be the largest protest ever in U.S History. But marching, while it feels good, and demonstrates a much needed solidarity, does little to spurn change in and of itself, critics say (see also this critique, though I don't necessarily agree with much of what he says re: identity politics, petitions, and speaker messages).
What We Do Now
Thankfully, after the march, we can channel that energy into actions for real change: (1) Calling our Representatives (often!) (Calling your reps is far more effective than emailing, which is more effective than letters, which is more effective than signing petitions. Find out who your Reps are -- check the maps here if you have more than one Rep in your area). (2) organizing visible rallies an protests (But maybe think twice about dropping by a MOC's office without an appointment) (3) getting involved in political campaigns for the 2018 midterm elections, (4) donating to / supporting organizations that are resisting Trump's agenda (e.g. ACLU, NLG, CAIR). (You can even set up an AmazonSmile account to make a small donation at each Amazon purchase -- at no extra charge to you!)
Here are some specific ideas to get us started:
You Just Got Home from the March. Now What?
Women's March Goers: What Actions Will You Take to Make a Difference?
25 Productive Things to Do If You're Afraid of a Trump Presidency
20 Small Acts of Resistance
10 Ways to Continue the Fight
The Indivisible Guide
6 Ways Not to Resist Trump
(I actually don't agree with much of this, but it is an interesting perspective)
It's Time to Fight -- To Do List
Practical Tips & Self-Care
Save resistance webpages on your home screen for easy access. Add your Members of Congress to your phone contacts so you can call daily.
How to #StayOutraged without getting overwhelmed
Don't Get Caught Panicking About the Wrong Legislation
Tired of seeing Trump? Here's a browser plugin for you: Make America Kittens Again
{ also see my General Resources, Weekly To-Do Checklist and Contacting Your Reps pages }
The March Wasn't for Everyone: It's Time to Think About Intersectionality
In the wake of the Women's March, it became painfully obvious that although the march had its origins as an anti-trump protest, the event was geared more toward straight, white, non-disabled women than toward anyone else.
For example, I personally saw many signs that had comments about Trump's "tiny hands" -- a body-shaming phrase that has long been decried during this election because it reinforces masculine/feminine stereotypes and furthermore is transphobic, and the use of uterus imagery and the pussycat hats (though a cute way to fight back against Trump's pussy-grabbing remarks) can make transwomen feel like the march isn't for them. Our own march route (Sydney) did not seem to adequately consider those with disabilities. The route had a very steep, long, and uneven flight of steps to navigate, which would have been impossible for those with wheelchairs.
There were many other elephants in the room.
For starters, women of color have been organizing and marching and protesting for hundreds of years against the biogtry white women see coming for them under this new Trump regime. As activist ShiShi Rose said "for the rest of us, this is how it has always looked." But the voices of women of color were included in the march organizing almost as an afterthought. And while some praised the march for its non-violence and lack of clashes with the police, many pointed out that this is due in part to white privilege - police protect white women.
Several black women came to the march with signs reminding marchers that 53% of white women voted for Trump. Instead of listening, some scolded them for being divisive and told to "stay on message" -- even though they were only stating an uncomfortable truth that we need to come to grips with in order to truly fight back against what's going on in our country.
That people of color are gravely disappointed in the direction white people have led this country in should not be surprising. Nor is it anything new. MLK spoke out long ago that he was "gravely disappointed in the white moderate ... who prefers absence of tension ... to presence of justice." It's way beyond time we listened. Black Lives Matter - (but people of color have to constantly remind us of this)
See also:
What White Women in the March Need to Know
Many White Women Marched: Now What?
Marching: The Difference in Police Reaction When White Women vs. Black Women March
What the Resistance Manual Creators want you to know about Intersectionality
How To Survive in Intersectional Feminist Spaces 101
White Supremacy in the White House
Trump's Inauguration Speech's White Nationalist Undertone
Caveat: I didn't watch the speech myself. I couldn't bring myself to, even days after the fact -- I still can't. If you are in the same place, you can read the full transcript here. His speech featured multiple uses of Trump's "America First" slogan. This phrase came under fire when Trump previously used it because "America First" is a phrase that was first used by Nazi sympathizers. (Dr. Seuss decried the group in a cartoon in 1941). This is something that Trump's speechwriter -- the far-right, ex-Brietbart News exec Steve Bannon, certainly was aware of when he helped compose it. That it was used again (repeatedly) in Trump's speech pleased the alt-right white supremacist Richard Spencer, who called Trump a white nationalist "whether he likes it or not."
Bannon added to National Security Council
Steve Bannon appears to be having an unusually high level of influence in the White House. In a Presidential Memo, Trump granted Bannon access to meetings of the National Security Council, while downgrading military chiefs of staff to meetings only on an as-needed basis. The move is troubling, to say the least.
Trump's Cabinet Nominees
While two of Trump's nominees have been confirmed by the senate, and many are expected to be confirmed in the next few weeks, but there are a few who are more contentious than the rest. Some may not be voted in by the senate. Here are their names and a brief run-down of the controversies surrounding their nomination:
Betsy DeVos - Secretary of Education (lack of experience, won't commit to upholding Title IX, or rights for students with disabilities in charter schools / voucher programs)
Jeff Sessions - Attorney General ( has been accused of racist comments, and has a shady history regarding civil rights and voting rights)
Rex Tillerson - Secretary of State, (very-recently-former ExxonMobil CEO, ties to Russia)
Scott Pruitt - EPA (has sued the EPA multiple times)
Tom Price - Health & Human Services (potential conflicts-of-interest & wont commit to upholding current ACA provision that insurance providers need to provide insurance for those with pre-existing conditions)
Rick Perry - Secretary of Energy (lack of experience needed to manage the nuclear weapons program)
Executive Actions
12 Executive Actions Trump Has Signed - PBS
All the Laws and Executive Orders Trump Has Signed So Far (Constantly Updated) -Vice
Presidential Actions : How Does Trump's First Week Compare to Other Presidents'?
Legislation
Already, many regressive policies are in the works in Congress. Some of them are nothing new, but under the new administration some of these have a better chance than ever of passing. Keep track of the latest legislation at GovTrack.us and what your lawmakers are doing at Countable.
Budget Slashing & Hiring Freeze
Trump's plan for the budget (not finalized) will crop nearly all of the government's discretionary spending, including funding for things like PBS, NPR, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the Civil Rights division at the DOJ.
More on the Budget:
Trump reportedly wants to cut cultural programs that make up 0.02 percent of federal spending.
President Trump wants to kill these 17 agencies and programs. Here's what they actually do.
Trump Team Prepares Dramatic Cuts
A Trump attack on the arts would be more than just symbolic
What Trump's Proposed Spending Cuts Could Mean for the Arts Economy
Federal Hiring Freeze
Despite claiming many times that he wants to create more jobs for America, one of Trump's first actions was to institute a federal hiring freeze, and also froze science grants at the EPA. It's as if he's conveniently forgotten that government jobs are jobs too.
The hiring freeze will disproportionately hurt veterans, who made up 48% of the federal hiring in 2014.
A federal hiring freeze will hurt veterans but you don't have to take my word for it (ask the American Legion, American Veterans, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars)
The Consequences of Freezing Federal Science Grants
Travel & Refugee Ban
Trump's Immigrant & Refugee Ban Isn't Really About Reducing Terror Threat
Trump issued an executive order to ban refugees and other immigrants (including existing green card holders, and those with student and business visas) from seven countries for the next few months (until more extreme vetting procedures can be put in place): Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia and Sudan. Students on winter break will be unable to return to the U.S., and people in the air when the order went through have already been detained, prompting protests at JFK, and an outcry from those fighting ISIS in Iraq.
If you look at the Global Terror Index, you'll see that many of the countries which are the major hotspots for terrorism are not on Trump's list. In fact three of the top four (Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan) didn't make his list, and neither did two of the others in the Top 10 (India & Egypt). Why? Many are arguing that's because it's got nothing to do with stopping actual terrorism. The U.S. already has thorough vetting procedures in place for refugees (see also here). Trump's ban is just a barely disguised way of laying the groundwork for a Muslim ban (see also here). In the ACLU's words "Trump is blaming refugees for the terror they are fleeing." Even Dick Cheney said the idea was extreme, back when Trump first proposed it.
It's also notable that immigrants from these 7 banned countries have not committed any fatal terror attacks in America. Also notable: despite the fact that in the text of the executive order 9/11 was mentioned three times, none of the countries-of-origin of the 9/11 terrorists are on the list (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon), Why? Political reasons, certainly, but it also just might have something to do with Trump's business ties.
This has happened before; the U.S. apparently has a hard time learning from its mistakes. During WWII, the United States denied visas and turned back thousands of Jewish refugees. Why? Because it was concerned about "National Security" and potential Nazi spies leaking through. Anne Frank and her family were turned away from the U.S., and as a result, died in the Holocaust. As did thousands of others -- this Twitter feed has dedicated itself to soberly reminding us of the refugees turned away by the U.S. during WWII, many of whom went on to die in concentration camps.
Legal Immigrants and Permanent Residents are Affected Too
The immigration ban affects not only refugees, but greencard and visa holders from the seven countries. That means that students and businesspersons who are currently overseas are not to be allowed back into the country. Just one day in, there has already been chaos, as 200 people were already flying when Trump issued the Executive order, and were stopped at the airport until the ACLU intervened and a Brooklyn judge ordered a temporary stay -- allowing those trapped to leave the airport (for now). Many were affected by the executive order, some detained for 18 hours or more until the stay was granted. Some were disabled. Some were elderly. One was a father travelling with his six-month old child. Another was a woman trying to return to help her sick mother (she was turned back). At least 13 were impacted at JFK, and 50 at Dallas. Even after the stay was in place, customs agents in Seattle still deported visa-holders, one of which had lived in the U.S. for 12 years.
Those with valid visas who are still overseas are similarly unlucky. People are being turned away at their airports when they try to board planes to the U.S. ... being told by airport officials that their valid visas "don't matter." CNN estimates that globally, 134 million people are potentially affected by this Executive Order.
Trump's Call for Weekly Immigrant Crime List is Reminiscent of Nazi Germany
Trump has also called for a weekly list highlighting crimes committed by immigrants (full text here), despite the fact that existing studies show that illegal immigrants commit crime at a rate that's lower than the rest of the population. This high-profile publicizing of crimes is something that Nazis did to Jews in WWII. (Read also this account from a jewish woman whose grandparents narrowly escaped the Holocaust).
Related: What to do if ICE Agents show up at your door - ACLU // Celebrities pledge to register as Muslim, but that's not how it works
Backlash on Trump's immigration actions
Thousands of religious leaders have condemned Trump's moves. Reminding him that Jesus warned of the last judgement "I was a stranger and you did not welcome me ... just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me." The travel ban also sparked swift protests at major airports, some with attendance numbering in the thousands.
Many members of Congress, including (as of this writing) 16 Republicans, spoke out strongly against the ban.
The Border Wall & Illegal Immigration
Trump also signed an executive order calling for a Border Wall with Mexico. However, a wall won't solve the illegal immigration problem, and many members of Congress don't support it -- including several in Texas (which shares the longest border with Mexico)
Texas GOP Congressman slams Trump's plan for border wall - Washington Post
Major Trump Backer in Texas Opposes Border Wall
Texas has the longest border with Mexico. Zero of it's 38 Members of Congress support Trump's Wall - The Week
Trump's Border Wall Attacks the Wrong Crisis
Opinion: Trump Could End Illegal Immigration Right Now -- Without a Wall
In these six American towns, laws targeting 'illegals' didn't go as planned
The ACA (Obamacare) Repeal
Trump quickly signed an Executive Order to streamline and fast-track the undoing of the Affordable Care Act (also known as ACA or Obamacare). This wont affect coverage in 2017, but after that all bets are off. { more info on the ACA & repeal here }
GOP Lawmakers have been quick to start the process for a rollback of the ACA, but don't seem to know what to replace it with. Amid worries about being blamed for "Trumpcare" it appears the GOP is going to take a piecemeal approach.
Citizens aren't the only ones worried about the ACA repeal -- hospitals too, worry it will be a step back.
Meanwhile, the White House removed ads reminding people to sign up for healthcare in the last few days of the 2017 enrollment period.
Women & Children's Health
The House just passed a sweeping abortion funding ban. Here's what it does. (Hint: It disproportionately impacts poor women)
Information, "Alternative Facts" & Media Repression
Since taking office, Donald Trump has continued his relentless barrage of "Alternative Facts" (also known as lies.) Why does he do it? As many have pointed out this week, the answer is simple: It's because he is attempting to build up an alternative version of reality which will justify the actions he is going to take next. This is what Hitler did when he gained power. That alone should make us nervous.
He and his team have lied about the size of his inauguration crowd despite all evidence to the contrary, and even made a personal call to the National Park Services director to produce aerial photos to back his own claim (there were photos, but none backed his claims). Why is Trump so persistent about this? Perhaps because he needs us to believe that he has the support of an overwhelming majority of the American people. He doesn't have that support, as we all know, because he lost the popular vote by 2.9 million votes. So he feels a need to paint the illusion of support wherever he can. Even Trump voters feel he's being "embarrassing."
By the way, bending the truth is a promotional strategy Trump advocated for in his 1987 book. There he wrote "... a little hyperbole never hurts .... It's an innocent form of exaggeration -- and a very effective form of promotion."
So what else has he lied about, and what does it mean?
Sowing Election Mistrust is about Voter Suppression
Well now he is making unsubstantiated claims that 3-5 million (!) votes in the 2016 election were illegal. That would be voter fraud on an unprecedented scale, and there is no evidence of it (see also the findings of an independent European commission who was on-the-ground on Election Day here ). It doesn't matter that his "probe" will likely find nothing. That's because what he's actually doing is painting an alternate picture of the election that will pave the way for him to change voting laws to increase voter suppression (see also here), which are effectively racist laws and even courts have admitted this.
More of Trump's Twistifications.
Information Suppression
EPA, USDA, and HHS banned from using social media or making press statements (also what's going on the EPA here)
Badlands NPS Twitter Accounts Goes Rogue, Posts Climate Change Facts
Rogue Scientists Race to Save Climate Data From Trump
Climate Scientists Launch Brainy Attack on Fake News
Steve Bannon Tells the Media to "keep its mouth shut"
The Science Rebellion Against Trump
Russia
Sanctions & Russian Hacking
After Russia illegally invaded the Ukraine in 2014, the U.S. and EU imposed economic sanctions against Russia. Further actions were taken by the Obama administration following Russia's 2016 election interference. Many are worried that Trump, due to his apparent admiration for Vladimir Putin, will defy the international consensus and remove these.
Regarding a phone call Trump is expected to make with Vladimir Putin on Jan 28th, Kellyanne Conway said that removing sanctions is being considered. Meanwhile, Senator John McCain (R) and Chuck Schumer (D) are planning a bill to block lifting sanctions without congressional approval, and there is also a committee to investigate possible Russian hacking during the 2016 election. McCain said in December that there is "no doubt" that there was interference. Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan have also sent a warning to Trump, telling him not to lift sanctions.
Cabinet Nominees
A member of Vladimir Putin's staff called two of Trump's cabinet nominees (Rex Tillerson and Mike Flynn) "a fantastic team" fanning fears that Trump plans to ally with the war criminal.
{ more links to concerns about Russia and its connections to Trump and the election }
NoDAPL
#NoDAPL EIS Public Comment Period Open Until Feb 20
Other News
Officer testifies his racist texts were just "Locker Room Talk" - Star Tribune
Sound familiar?
As I reflect on the election, I'm thinking more about the news I consume and it's ranking on the liberal-conservative spectrum. Fact that much of it (Washington Post, CNN, New York Times) is slightly left of center. I'm reminded that to gain perspective I need to dip into other sources from time to time.
White Grievance, Little Hyperboles, and the Coming Storm
Petition for Trump to Release Tax Returns Receives Record Signatures
President Trump's Insecure Android
Leaks coming out of the White House cast President Trump as a clueless child
Man kicked Muslim Airport Employee, said "Trump Is Here Now"
Comic Relief
Netherlands America First, Us Second Video
Hope
Tohono O'Odham Nation will Reject Mexico Wall built on Tribal Land
How to Culture Jam a Populist in Four Easy Steps - (from a Venezuelan who's lived it)
Marching is Not Enough: A Call to Action
The day after the inauguration, an estimated 3-4 million people took to the streets in the historic Women's March protest against Donald Trump. It may be the largest protest ever in U.S History. But marching, while it feels good, and demonstrates a much needed solidarity, does little to spurn change in and of itself, critics say (see also this critique, though I don't necessarily agree with much of what he says re: identity politics, petitions, and speaker messages).
What We Do Now
Thankfully, after the march, we can channel that energy into actions for real change: (1) Calling our Representatives (often!) (Calling your reps is far more effective than emailing, which is more effective than letters, which is more effective than signing petitions. Find out who your Reps are -- check the maps here if you have more than one Rep in your area). (2) organizing visible rallies an protests (But maybe think twice about dropping by a MOC's office without an appointment) (3) getting involved in political campaigns for the 2018 midterm elections, (4) donating to / supporting organizations that are resisting Trump's agenda (e.g. ACLU, NLG, CAIR). (You can even set up an AmazonSmile account to make a small donation at each Amazon purchase -- at no extra charge to you!)
Here are some specific ideas to get us started:
You Just Got Home from the March. Now What?
Women's March Goers: What Actions Will You Take to Make a Difference?
25 Productive Things to Do If You're Afraid of a Trump Presidency
20 Small Acts of Resistance
10 Ways to Continue the Fight
The Indivisible Guide
6 Ways Not to Resist Trump
(I actually don't agree with much of this, but it is an interesting perspective)
It's Time to Fight -- To Do List
Practical Tips & Self-Care
Save resistance webpages on your home screen for easy access. Add your Members of Congress to your phone contacts so you can call daily.
How to #StayOutraged without getting overwhelmed
Don't Get Caught Panicking About the Wrong Legislation
Tired of seeing Trump? Here's a browser plugin for you: Make America Kittens Again
{ also see my General Resources, Weekly To-Do Checklist and Contacting Your Reps pages }
The March Wasn't for Everyone: It's Time to Think About Intersectionality
In the wake of the Women's March, it became painfully obvious that although the march had its origins as an anti-trump protest, the event was geared more toward straight, white, non-disabled women than toward anyone else.
For example, I personally saw many signs that had comments about Trump's "tiny hands" -- a body-shaming phrase that has long been decried during this election because it reinforces masculine/feminine stereotypes and furthermore is transphobic, and the use of uterus imagery and the pussycat hats (though a cute way to fight back against Trump's pussy-grabbing remarks) can make transwomen feel like the march isn't for them. Our own march route (Sydney) did not seem to adequately consider those with disabilities. The route had a very steep, long, and uneven flight of steps to navigate, which would have been impossible for those with wheelchairs.
There were many other elephants in the room.
For starters, women of color have been organizing and marching and protesting for hundreds of years against the biogtry white women see coming for them under this new Trump regime. As activist ShiShi Rose said "for the rest of us, this is how it has always looked." But the voices of women of color were included in the march organizing almost as an afterthought. And while some praised the march for its non-violence and lack of clashes with the police, many pointed out that this is due in part to white privilege - police protect white women.
Several black women came to the march with signs reminding marchers that 53% of white women voted for Trump. Instead of listening, some scolded them for being divisive and told to "stay on message" -- even though they were only stating an uncomfortable truth that we need to come to grips with in order to truly fight back against what's going on in our country.
That people of color are gravely disappointed in the direction white people have led this country in should not be surprising. Nor is it anything new. MLK spoke out long ago that he was "gravely disappointed in the white moderate ... who prefers absence of tension ... to presence of justice." It's way beyond time we listened. Black Lives Matter - (but people of color have to constantly remind us of this)
See also:
What White Women in the March Need to Know
Many White Women Marched: Now What?
Marching: The Difference in Police Reaction When White Women vs. Black Women March
What the Resistance Manual Creators want you to know about Intersectionality
How To Survive in Intersectional Feminist Spaces 101
White Supremacy in the White House
Trump's Inauguration Speech's White Nationalist Undertone
Caveat: I didn't watch the speech myself. I couldn't bring myself to, even days after the fact -- I still can't. If you are in the same place, you can read the full transcript here. His speech featured multiple uses of Trump's "America First" slogan. This phrase came under fire when Trump previously used it because "America First" is a phrase that was first used by Nazi sympathizers. (Dr. Seuss decried the group in a cartoon in 1941). This is something that Trump's speechwriter -- the far-right, ex-Brietbart News exec Steve Bannon, certainly was aware of when he helped compose it. That it was used again (repeatedly) in Trump's speech pleased the alt-right white supremacist Richard Spencer, who called Trump a white nationalist "whether he likes it or not."
Bannon added to National Security Council
Steve Bannon appears to be having an unusually high level of influence in the White House. In a Presidential Memo, Trump granted Bannon access to meetings of the National Security Council, while downgrading military chiefs of staff to meetings only on an as-needed basis. The move is troubling, to say the least.
Trump's Cabinet Nominees
While two of Trump's nominees have been confirmed by the senate, and many are expected to be confirmed in the next few weeks, but there are a few who are more contentious than the rest. Some may not be voted in by the senate. Here are their names and a brief run-down of the controversies surrounding their nomination:
Betsy DeVos - Secretary of Education (lack of experience, won't commit to upholding Title IX, or rights for students with disabilities in charter schools / voucher programs)
Jeff Sessions - Attorney General ( has been accused of racist comments, and has a shady history regarding civil rights and voting rights)
Rex Tillerson - Secretary of State, (very-recently-former ExxonMobil CEO, ties to Russia)
Scott Pruitt - EPA (has sued the EPA multiple times)
Tom Price - Health & Human Services (potential conflicts-of-interest & wont commit to upholding current ACA provision that insurance providers need to provide insurance for those with pre-existing conditions)
Rick Perry - Secretary of Energy (lack of experience needed to manage the nuclear weapons program)
Executive Actions
12 Executive Actions Trump Has Signed - PBS
All the Laws and Executive Orders Trump Has Signed So Far (Constantly Updated) -Vice
Presidential Actions : How Does Trump's First Week Compare to Other Presidents'?
Legislation
Already, many regressive policies are in the works in Congress. Some of them are nothing new, but under the new administration some of these have a better chance than ever of passing. Keep track of the latest legislation at GovTrack.us and what your lawmakers are doing at Countable.
Budget Slashing & Hiring Freeze
Trump's plan for the budget (not finalized) will crop nearly all of the government's discretionary spending, including funding for things like PBS, NPR, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the Civil Rights division at the DOJ.
More on the Budget:
Trump reportedly wants to cut cultural programs that make up 0.02 percent of federal spending.
President Trump wants to kill these 17 agencies and programs. Here's what they actually do.
Trump Team Prepares Dramatic Cuts
A Trump attack on the arts would be more than just symbolic
What Trump's Proposed Spending Cuts Could Mean for the Arts Economy
Federal Hiring Freeze
Despite claiming many times that he wants to create more jobs for America, one of Trump's first actions was to institute a federal hiring freeze, and also froze science grants at the EPA. It's as if he's conveniently forgotten that government jobs are jobs too.
The hiring freeze will disproportionately hurt veterans, who made up 48% of the federal hiring in 2014.
A federal hiring freeze will hurt veterans but you don't have to take my word for it (ask the American Legion, American Veterans, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars)
The Consequences of Freezing Federal Science Grants
Travel & Refugee Ban
Trump's Immigrant & Refugee Ban Isn't Really About Reducing Terror Threat
Trump issued an executive order to ban refugees and other immigrants (including existing green card holders, and those with student and business visas) from seven countries for the next few months (until more extreme vetting procedures can be put in place): Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia and Sudan. Students on winter break will be unable to return to the U.S., and people in the air when the order went through have already been detained, prompting protests at JFK, and an outcry from those fighting ISIS in Iraq.
If you look at the Global Terror Index, you'll see that many of the countries which are the major hotspots for terrorism are not on Trump's list. In fact three of the top four (Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan) didn't make his list, and neither did two of the others in the Top 10 (India & Egypt). Why? Many are arguing that's because it's got nothing to do with stopping actual terrorism. The U.S. already has thorough vetting procedures in place for refugees (see also here). Trump's ban is just a barely disguised way of laying the groundwork for a Muslim ban (see also here). In the ACLU's words "Trump is blaming refugees for the terror they are fleeing." Even Dick Cheney said the idea was extreme, back when Trump first proposed it.
It's also notable that immigrants from these 7 banned countries have not committed any fatal terror attacks in America. Also notable: despite the fact that in the text of the executive order 9/11 was mentioned three times, none of the countries-of-origin of the 9/11 terrorists are on the list (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon), Why? Political reasons, certainly, but it also just might have something to do with Trump's business ties.
This has happened before; the U.S. apparently has a hard time learning from its mistakes. During WWII, the United States denied visas and turned back thousands of Jewish refugees. Why? Because it was concerned about "National Security" and potential Nazi spies leaking through. Anne Frank and her family were turned away from the U.S., and as a result, died in the Holocaust. As did thousands of others -- this Twitter feed has dedicated itself to soberly reminding us of the refugees turned away by the U.S. during WWII, many of whom went on to die in concentration camps.
Legal Immigrants and Permanent Residents are Affected Too
The immigration ban affects not only refugees, but greencard and visa holders from the seven countries. That means that students and businesspersons who are currently overseas are not to be allowed back into the country. Just one day in, there has already been chaos, as 200 people were already flying when Trump issued the Executive order, and were stopped at the airport until the ACLU intervened and a Brooklyn judge ordered a temporary stay -- allowing those trapped to leave the airport (for now). Many were affected by the executive order, some detained for 18 hours or more until the stay was granted. Some were disabled. Some were elderly. One was a father travelling with his six-month old child. Another was a woman trying to return to help her sick mother (she was turned back). At least 13 were impacted at JFK, and 50 at Dallas. Even after the stay was in place, customs agents in Seattle still deported visa-holders, one of which had lived in the U.S. for 12 years.
Those with valid visas who are still overseas are similarly unlucky. People are being turned away at their airports when they try to board planes to the U.S. ... being told by airport officials that their valid visas "don't matter." CNN estimates that globally, 134 million people are potentially affected by this Executive Order.
Trump's Call for Weekly Immigrant Crime List is Reminiscent of Nazi Germany
Trump has also called for a weekly list highlighting crimes committed by immigrants (full text here), despite the fact that existing studies show that illegal immigrants commit crime at a rate that's lower than the rest of the population. This high-profile publicizing of crimes is something that Nazis did to Jews in WWII. (Read also this account from a jewish woman whose grandparents narrowly escaped the Holocaust).
Related: What to do if ICE Agents show up at your door - ACLU // Celebrities pledge to register as Muslim, but that's not how it works
Backlash on Trump's immigration actions
Thousands of religious leaders have condemned Trump's moves. Reminding him that Jesus warned of the last judgement "I was a stranger and you did not welcome me ... just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me." The travel ban also sparked swift protests at major airports, some with attendance numbering in the thousands.
Many members of Congress, including (as of this writing) 16 Republicans, spoke out strongly against the ban.
The Border Wall & Illegal Immigration
Trump also signed an executive order calling for a Border Wall with Mexico. However, a wall won't solve the illegal immigration problem, and many members of Congress don't support it -- including several in Texas (which shares the longest border with Mexico)
Texas GOP Congressman slams Trump's plan for border wall - Washington Post
Major Trump Backer in Texas Opposes Border Wall
Texas has the longest border with Mexico. Zero of it's 38 Members of Congress support Trump's Wall - The Week
Trump's Border Wall Attacks the Wrong Crisis
Opinion: Trump Could End Illegal Immigration Right Now -- Without a Wall
In these six American towns, laws targeting 'illegals' didn't go as planned
The ACA (Obamacare) Repeal
Trump quickly signed an Executive Order to streamline and fast-track the undoing of the Affordable Care Act (also known as ACA or Obamacare). This wont affect coverage in 2017, but after that all bets are off. { more info on the ACA & repeal here }
GOP Lawmakers have been quick to start the process for a rollback of the ACA, but don't seem to know what to replace it with. Amid worries about being blamed for "Trumpcare" it appears the GOP is going to take a piecemeal approach.
Citizens aren't the only ones worried about the ACA repeal -- hospitals too, worry it will be a step back.
Meanwhile, the White House removed ads reminding people to sign up for healthcare in the last few days of the 2017 enrollment period.
Women & Children's Health
The House just passed a sweeping abortion funding ban. Here's what it does. (Hint: It disproportionately impacts poor women)
Information, "Alternative Facts" & Media Repression
Since taking office, Donald Trump has continued his relentless barrage of "Alternative Facts" (also known as lies.) Why does he do it? As many have pointed out this week, the answer is simple: It's because he is attempting to build up an alternative version of reality which will justify the actions he is going to take next. This is what Hitler did when he gained power. That alone should make us nervous.
He and his team have lied about the size of his inauguration crowd despite all evidence to the contrary, and even made a personal call to the National Park Services director to produce aerial photos to back his own claim (there were photos, but none backed his claims). Why is Trump so persistent about this? Perhaps because he needs us to believe that he has the support of an overwhelming majority of the American people. He doesn't have that support, as we all know, because he lost the popular vote by 2.9 million votes. So he feels a need to paint the illusion of support wherever he can. Even Trump voters feel he's being "embarrassing."
By the way, bending the truth is a promotional strategy Trump advocated for in his 1987 book. There he wrote "... a little hyperbole never hurts .... It's an innocent form of exaggeration -- and a very effective form of promotion."
So what else has he lied about, and what does it mean?
Sowing Election Mistrust is about Voter Suppression
Well now he is making unsubstantiated claims that 3-5 million (!) votes in the 2016 election were illegal. That would be voter fraud on an unprecedented scale, and there is no evidence of it (see also the findings of an independent European commission who was on-the-ground on Election Day here ). It doesn't matter that his "probe" will likely find nothing. That's because what he's actually doing is painting an alternate picture of the election that will pave the way for him to change voting laws to increase voter suppression (see also here), which are effectively racist laws and even courts have admitted this.
More of Trump's Twistifications.
Information Suppression
EPA, USDA, and HHS banned from using social media or making press statements (also what's going on the EPA here)
Badlands NPS Twitter Accounts Goes Rogue, Posts Climate Change Facts
Rogue Scientists Race to Save Climate Data From Trump
Climate Scientists Launch Brainy Attack on Fake News
Steve Bannon Tells the Media to "keep its mouth shut"
The Science Rebellion Against Trump
Russia
Sanctions & Russian Hacking
After Russia illegally invaded the Ukraine in 2014, the U.S. and EU imposed economic sanctions against Russia. Further actions were taken by the Obama administration following Russia's 2016 election interference. Many are worried that Trump, due to his apparent admiration for Vladimir Putin, will defy the international consensus and remove these.
Regarding a phone call Trump is expected to make with Vladimir Putin on Jan 28th, Kellyanne Conway said that removing sanctions is being considered. Meanwhile, Senator John McCain (R) and Chuck Schumer (D) are planning a bill to block lifting sanctions without congressional approval, and there is also a committee to investigate possible Russian hacking during the 2016 election. McCain said in December that there is "no doubt" that there was interference. Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan have also sent a warning to Trump, telling him not to lift sanctions.
Cabinet Nominees
A member of Vladimir Putin's staff called two of Trump's cabinet nominees (Rex Tillerson and Mike Flynn) "a fantastic team" fanning fears that Trump plans to ally with the war criminal.
{ more links to concerns about Russia and its connections to Trump and the election }
NoDAPL
#NoDAPL EIS Public Comment Period Open Until Feb 20
Other News
Officer testifies his racist texts were just "Locker Room Talk" - Star Tribune
Sound familiar?
As I reflect on the election, I'm thinking more about the news I consume and it's ranking on the liberal-conservative spectrum. Fact that much of it (Washington Post, CNN, New York Times) is slightly left of center. I'm reminded that to gain perspective I need to dip into other sources from time to time.
White Grievance, Little Hyperboles, and the Coming Storm
Petition for Trump to Release Tax Returns Receives Record Signatures
President Trump's Insecure Android
Leaks coming out of the White House cast President Trump as a clueless child
Man kicked Muslim Airport Employee, said "Trump Is Here Now"
Comic Relief
Netherlands America First, Us Second Video
George Bush Tries (& Fails) to Put on a Poncho at Inauguration
Inauguration Bad Lip Reading
Michelle Obama inauguration reactions become a Twitter meme
Inauguration Bad Lip Reading
Michelle Obama inauguration reactions become a Twitter meme
Hope
Tohono O'Odham Nation will Reject Mexico Wall built on Tribal Land
How to Culture Jam a Populist in Four Easy Steps - (from a Venezuelan who's lived it)
No comments:
Post a Comment