Good Day, Gnusies! I don’t usually write my introduction until just before I finish the diary (which explains some of them, haha) but today I want to get this out there before I forget, so here’s the introduction!
One way to eliminate the gloom/doom cycle from your life (besides the GNR, which you read every day, right? 😃), is to make your local newspaper a daily habit.
For about the price of a Starbucks each day (and less, in many places), a local newspaper could be delivered to your doorstep in time for your morning cuppa (which, come on, use a french press and spend the $ you save supporting journalism!). A newspaper is full of stuff you just can’t get from the endless cycle of 2-3 overhyped “stories” on cable news, nor from even the network nightly hard news telecasts.
Newspapers have world news, national news and local news. You will read about what’s going on in the Middle East, but also what’s going on in the east end of your own town, county or state. They have birth and death notices, human interest stories, culture, arts, history and food. Stories about local festivals, local businesses, special events, proud native sons and daughters.
You read the paper and you feel like you know your community a little better. There’s time and space to go more in depth into stories, and yet for all the extra words, newspapers are less jarring than TV or twitter. And bonus! Usually there are also puzzles, comics and a horoscope! Newspapers are fun and informative!
And if you subscribe to the print edition (provided your area still has one — I hope your area still has one!), then you not only can support local journalism, but also support a job for the delivery person.
So, here’s my main point:
PLEASE BUY YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER!
It will be good for YOU as well as your community. If you don’t have a local paper anymore, consider picking one or two from other cities and towns and subscribe to them online. Your $10-$20 spent for an online subscription can help keep a good paper afloat. And that’s really important.
Now, on to the Good News Roundup! (but first, by special request...)
We're moving forward on the #ForThePeopleAct toNullify voter suppression lawsProtect votingAutomatically register American voters when they get a driver’s licenseGuarantee 15 continuous days early votingEnd partisan gerrymanderingBring transparency to campaign finance pic.twitter.com/LBwk8nQvYq— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 11, 2021
We're moving forward on the #ForThePeopleAct toNullify voter suppression lawsProtect votingAutomatically register American voters when they get a driver’s licenseGuarantee 15 continuous days early votingEnd partisan gerrymanderingBring transparency to campaign finance pic.twitter.com/LBwk8nQvYq
Citizens should not be required to opt-in to their fundamental right to vote. We do not have to opt-in to other rights, such as free speech or due process. The right to vote should be no different. That's one of many reasons why we need to pass the #ForThePeopleAct.— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) May 11, 2021
Citizens should not be required to opt-in to their fundamental right to vote. We do not have to opt-in to other rights, such as free speech or due process. The right to vote should be no different. That's one of many reasons why we need to pass the #ForThePeopleAct.
Poor planning and sloppy wording (IOW: incompetence) means that Republican attempts to exclude anyone they don’t like from benefiting from last years’ Covid relief package mostly fail. When cruel intentions are thwarted due to poor evil plan execution, that’s a win for everyone!
The White House will allow undocumented college students access to emergency pandemic aid. Katie Rogers, New York Times, May 11, 2021.
The Biden administration said early Tuesday that it would issue a regulation allowing undocumented students access to some of the $36 billion in emergency stimulus aid flowing to colleges, a split from a Trump-era decision to bar those students — even among the federally protected ones known as Dreamers — from accessing earlier rounds of funding. ✂️ The decision is a 180-degree pivot from attempts made by Trump administration officials to block most immigrant students from accessing aid. Last June, Betsy DeVos, the education secretary for Donald J. Trump, issued an emergency rule that barred international and undocumented students — including tens of thousands of so-called Dreamers protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program — from accessing an earlier round of more than $6 billion in emergency relief funds. That decision was quickly met by legal challenges. ✂️ On Monday evening, a spokeswoman with the Education Department, who was not authorized to publicly detail the planning, said that the administration had the authority to disperse funds to undocumented students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund established as part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act that former President Trump signed in March of last year, and that Congress had “not drawn sharp lines around who is a student” when determining who could receive money from that fund.
The Biden administration said early Tuesday that it would issue a regulation allowing undocumented students access to some of the $36 billion in emergency stimulus aid flowing to colleges, a split from a Trump-era decision to bar those students — even among the federally protected ones known as Dreamers — from accessing earlier rounds of funding. ✂️
The decision is a 180-degree pivot from attempts made by Trump administration officials to block most immigrant students from accessing aid. Last June, Betsy DeVos, the education secretary for Donald J. Trump, issued an emergency rule that barred international and undocumented students — including tens of thousands of so-called Dreamers protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program — from accessing an earlier round of more than $6 billion in emergency relief funds. That decision was quickly met by legal challenges. ✂️
On Monday evening, a spokeswoman with the Education Department, who was not authorized to publicly detail the planning, said that the administration had the authority to disperse funds to undocumented students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund established as part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act that former President Trump signed in March of last year, and that Congress had “not drawn sharp lines around who is a student” when determining who could receive money from that fund.
Please do go to the NPR link for that story about the CCC — there is way more about the history and amazing accomplishments of the original CCC that really made me feel excited and hopeful about President Biden’s revival of the idea as a way to tackle several problems head on — with the global climate crisis at the center.
Reaching Back To The New Deal, Biden Proposes A Civilian Climate Corps, Nathan Rott and Scott Detrow, NPR, May 11, 2021.
It's a tough time to be a young person. COVID-19 has robbed many of them of experiences and plans. Their unemployment rate remains high. College enrollment is down. To address those concerns and bolster the country's preparedness for a warming world, President Biden wants to retool and relaunch one of the country's most celebrated government programs: the Civilian Conservation Corps. ✂️ A part of Biden's American Jobs Plan calls for $10 billion to launch a new large-scale 21st century CCC to combat the 21st century problem. The Civilian Climate Corps, as it would be called, would employ thousands of young people to address the threat of climate change, strengthen the country's natural defenses and maintain its ailing public lands. ✂️ Biden is the most unapologetic, big-government Democratic president in decades. It's a stance supported by an array of circumstances: the enormity of the pandemic; former President Donald Trump's embrace of big spending projects and deficit-funded tax cuts; and a progressive shift within the Democratic Party.
It's a tough time to be a young person. COVID-19 has robbed many of them of experiences and plans. Their unemployment rate remains high. College enrollment is down.
To address those concerns and bolster the country's preparedness for a warming world, President Biden wants to retool and relaunch one of the country's most celebrated government programs: the Civilian Conservation Corps. ✂️
A part of Biden's American Jobs Plan calls for $10 billion to launch a new large-scale 21st century CCC to combat the 21st century problem. The Civilian Climate Corps, as it would be called, would employ thousands of young people to address the threat of climate change, strengthen the country's natural defenses and maintain its ailing public lands. ✂️
Biden is the most unapologetic, big-government Democratic president in decades. It's a stance supported by an array of circumstances: the enormity of the pandemic; former President Donald Trump's embrace of big spending projects and deficit-funded tax cuts; and a progressive shift within the Democratic Party.
Interior Department approves first large-scale offshore wind farm in the U.S., Joshua Partlow, Washington Post, May 11, 2021.
The Biden administration on Tuesday approved the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the United States, a project that envisions building 62 turbines off Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and creating enough electricity to power 400,000 homes. Vineyard Wind is the first of several massive offshore wind-farm proposals that could put more than 3,000 wind turbines in the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to North Carolina. The Biden administration has committed to processing the other 13 projects under federal review by 2025 in an attempt to meet the administration’s ambitious goal of producing 30,000 megawatts of electricity from offshore wind by 2030, powering some 10 million homes. ✂️ “I believe that a clean-energy future is within our grasp in the United States,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a conference call Tuesday, describing the approval of Vineyard Wind as “a significant milestone in our efforts to build a clean and more equitable energy future while addressing the climate emergency.”
The Biden administration on Tuesday approved the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the United States, a project that envisions building 62 turbines off Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and creating enough electricity to power 400,000 homes.
Vineyard Wind is the first of several massive offshore wind-farm proposals that could put more than 3,000 wind turbines in the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to North Carolina. The Biden administration has committed to processing the other 13 projects under federal review by 2025 in an attempt to meet the administration’s ambitious goal of producing 30,000 megawatts of electricity from offshore wind by 2030, powering some 10 million homes. ✂️
“I believe that a clean-energy future is within our grasp in the United States,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a conference call Tuesday, describing the approval of Vineyard Wind as “a significant milestone in our efforts to build a clean and more equitable energy future while addressing the climate emergency.”
More Than 1 Million Have Signed Up For Coverage At HealthCare.Gov This Year, Jonathan Cohn, HuffPost, May 11, 2021.
HealthCare.gov, the federally run online marketplace for people buying insurance on their own, exists because of the Affordable Care Act. In a prepared statement announcing the 1 million figure on Tuesday morning, Biden hailed the news as more proof that the health care law, also known as Obamacare, has become a “lifeline” during the coronavirus pandemic. ✂️ The Affordable Care Act is working better these days and reaching more people because it has both a president who wants it to succeed and a Congress eager to reinforce the program through legislation. ✂️ But Biden did more than simply give people extra time to enroll. He also worked with Democrats in Congress to craft and then enact the American Rescue Plan. That law, which Biden signed in March, substantially increased the financial assistance to people buying coverage at HealthCare.gov. The law also made the assistance more widely available by eliminating a rule limiting it to people with incomes of less than four times the poverty line. That works out to about $106,000 a year for a family of four.
HealthCare.gov, the federally run online marketplace for people buying insurance on their own, exists because of the Affordable Care Act. In a prepared statement announcing the 1 million figure on Tuesday morning, Biden hailed the news as more proof that the health care law, also known as Obamacare, has become a “lifeline” during the coronavirus pandemic. ✂️
The Affordable Care Act is working better these days and reaching more people because it has both a president who wants it to succeed and a Congress eager to reinforce the program through legislation. ✂️
But Biden did more than simply give people extra time to enroll. He also worked with Democrats in Congress to craft and then enact the American Rescue Plan. That law, which Biden signed in March, substantially increased the financial assistance to people buying coverage at HealthCare.gov.
The law also made the assistance more widely available by eliminating a rule limiting it to people with incomes of less than four times the poverty line. That works out to about $106,000 a year for a family of four.
Got the vaccine? Experts say you can relax about your Covid-19 risk now. Really. German Lopez, Vox, May 11, 2021.
They were nearly unanimous in their response: They’re no longer worried much, if at all, about their personal risk of getting Covid-19. Several spoke of going into restaurants and movie theaters now that they’re vaccinated, socializing with friends and family, and having older relatives visit for extended periods. “I’m not particularly worried about getting ill myself,” Tara Smith, an epidemiologist at Kent State University, told me. “I know that if I do somehow end up infected, my chances of developing serious symptoms are low.” Instead, experts said they mostly remain cautious to protect others who aren’t yet vaccinated. The vaccines are extremely effective — dramatically cutting the risk of any symptoms, and driving the risk of hospitalization and death to nearly zero. There’s some evidence that these vaccines also reduce the risk of transmission, but we’re still learning how much they prevent someone who is vaccinated from infecting another person. When experts are still taking precautions, it’s this concern for others that primarily drives them. But, over time, they see even those concerns for others becoming less necessary, too.
They were nearly unanimous in their response: They’re no longer worried much, if at all, about their personal risk of getting Covid-19. Several spoke of going into restaurants and movie theaters now that they’re vaccinated, socializing with friends and family, and having older relatives visit for extended periods.
“I’m not particularly worried about getting ill myself,” Tara Smith, an epidemiologist at Kent State University, told me. “I know that if I do somehow end up infected, my chances of developing serious symptoms are low.”
Instead, experts said they mostly remain cautious to protect others who aren’t yet vaccinated. The vaccines are extremely effective — dramatically cutting the risk of any symptoms, and driving the risk of hospitalization and death to nearly zero. There’s some evidence that these vaccines also reduce the risk of transmission, but we’re still learning how much they prevent someone who is vaccinated from infecting another person. When experts are still taking precautions, it’s this concern for others that primarily drives them.
But, over time, they see even those concerns for others becoming less necessary, too.
NEWS: President Biden announces on call with governors that Uber and Lyft will offer free rides to and from vaccination sites from May 24th to July 4th.— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) May 11, 2021
NEWS: President Biden announces on call with governors that Uber and Lyft will offer free rides to and from vaccination sites from May 24th to July 4th.
Donuts, Drop-Offs & Beyond: Incentives Are Growing to Get Shots in Arms, Samantha Hawkins, Courthouse News, May 11, 2021.
“We recognize in our country that zip code is still a stronger predictor of health than genetic code,” Nunez-Smith said. “So we anchor in location and place to make sure we are getting those resources to the hardest-hit and highest-risk communities.” Nunez-Smith said that the administration is setting up direct allocation to community health centers, and about 70% of vaccinations at the community health centers have been administered to people of color. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the state has worked hard to make sure that their distribution was equity-focused through the use of data, walk-ins, pop-ups and mobile clinics. The state also set aside 25% of its vaccines at the very beginning to ensure equity-driven vaccine access. Now, 70% of adults in all 23 sovereign nations in the state will be fully vaccinated before the July 4 goal.
“We recognize in our country that zip code is still a stronger predictor of health than genetic code,” Nunez-Smith said. “So we anchor in location and place to make sure we are getting those resources to the hardest-hit and highest-risk communities.”
Nunez-Smith said that the administration is setting up direct allocation to community health centers, and about 70% of vaccinations at the community health centers have been administered to people of color.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the state has worked hard to make sure that their distribution was equity-focused through the use of data, walk-ins, pop-ups and mobile clinics. The state also set aside 25% of its vaccines at the very beginning to ensure equity-driven vaccine access.
Now, 70% of adults in all 23 sovereign nations in the state will be fully vaccinated before the July 4 goal.
How Biden could expand paid family leave to more Americans, Gregory Svirnovskiy, Vox, May 11, 2021.
President Joe Biden recently unveiled his American Families Plan, a $1.8 trillion proposal that, among other things, would provide 12 weeks of paid leave to workers caring for new children or a sick family member. Perhaps as important, the proposal could also fundamentally change how the US government defines “family.” The current law of the land is the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), from 1993, which requires large employers to allow workers to take leave for qualified family or medical reasons, but does not require that employees be paid during the time off. And not everyone can take advantage of it. When it comes to unpaid leave, the federal government’s current definition of who counts as family is tied pretty closely to the idea of a nuclear one: married partners and children under the age of 18. That leaves out a massive percentage of the population; just 18.4 percent of Americans live in traditional nuclear-family households. ✂️ The American Families Plan currently does not explicitly include chosen and extended family in its paid leave protections, but it does say access will be expanded. As Sherry Leiwant and Jared Make, the leaders of A Better Balance, a paid family leave and reduced-cost child care programs advocacy group, told Vox, it will be up to groups like theirs to push lawmakers to ensure inclusivity in the congressional version of the plan. Any bill that extends who can take leave to care for loved ones could have massive implications; reframing how the federal government conceives of family could help level the economic playing field. Rep. Richard Neal’s (D-MA) Building an Economy for Families Act, a far more detailed paid leave plan introduced at the end of April, is another example.
President Joe Biden recently unveiled his American Families Plan, a $1.8 trillion proposal that, among other things, would provide 12 weeks of paid leave to workers caring for new children or a sick family member. Perhaps as important, the proposal could also fundamentally change how the US government defines “family.”
The current law of the land is the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), from 1993, which requires large employers to allow workers to take leave for qualified family or medical reasons, but does not require that employees be paid during the time off. And not everyone can take advantage of it. When it comes to unpaid leave, the federal government’s current definition of who counts as family is tied pretty closely to the idea of a nuclear one: married partners and children under the age of 18. That leaves out a massive percentage of the population; just 18.4 percent of Americans live in traditional nuclear-family households. ✂️
The American Families Plan currently does not explicitly include chosen and extended family in its paid leave protections, but it does say access will be expanded. As Sherry Leiwant and Jared Make, the leaders of A Better Balance, a paid family leave and reduced-cost child care programs advocacy group, told Vox, it will be up to groups like theirs to push lawmakers to ensure inclusivity in the congressional version of the plan. Any bill that extends who can take leave to care for loved ones could have massive implications; reframing how the federal government conceives of family could help level the economic playing field. Rep. Richard Neal’s (D-MA) Building an Economy for Families Act, a far more detailed paid leave plan introduced at the end of April, is another example.
Newsom Calls for Record $12 Billion to Combat Homelessness in California, Nick Cahill, Courthouse News, May 11, 2021.
Under the plan, to be included in the governor’s overreaching revised budget proposal due on Friday, California would spend $8.75 billion to “unlock” 46,000 housing units. The money essentially builds on two projects implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic in which the state reimburses local agencies for securing temporary motel rooms or converting vacant property into affordable housing. Coined Project Roomkey and Homekey, Newsom’s office says the emergency plans provided shelter to 36,000 Californians and created 6,000 permanent housing units during the pandemic. ✂️ Broken down broadly among California’s estimated unhoused population of 161,000, the package amounts to over $74,000 per homeless resident. Newsom said the $12 billion would be spent over two years and could eventually provide over 300,000 people with either shelter or rent stability. Unlike past approaches, Newsom says his new proposal will be laden with benchmarks and metrics for cities to meet. He promised a more aggressive approach going forward in terms of building housing and combatting homelessness. “As governor, I actually want to get something done. I don’t want to talk about this for a decade,” Newsom continued. xNEW LA TIMES/UC BERKELEY POLL: The campaign to recall @GavinNewsom has failed to gain momentum in recent months and only anemic support has surfaced for @Caitlyn_Jenner while other Republican candidates struggle for backing @philwillon https://t.co/XSlvArLKJY— Mark Z. Barabak (@markzbarabak) May 11, 2021
Under the plan, to be included in the governor’s overreaching revised budget proposal due on Friday, California would spend $8.75 billion to “unlock” 46,000 housing units. The money essentially builds on two projects implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic in which the state reimburses local agencies for securing temporary motel rooms or converting vacant property into affordable housing.
Coined Project Roomkey and Homekey, Newsom’s office says the emergency plans provided shelter to 36,000 Californians and created 6,000 permanent housing units during the pandemic. ✂️
Broken down broadly among California’s estimated unhoused population of 161,000, the package amounts to over $74,000 per homeless resident. Newsom said the $12 billion would be spent over two years and could eventually provide over 300,000 people with either shelter or rent stability.
Unlike past approaches, Newsom says his new proposal will be laden with benchmarks and metrics for cities to meet. He promised a more aggressive approach going forward in terms of building housing and combatting homelessness.
“As governor, I actually want to get something done. I don’t want to talk about this for a decade,” Newsom continued.
NEW LA TIMES/UC BERKELEY POLL: The campaign to recall @GavinNewsom has failed to gain momentum in recent months and only anemic support has surfaced for @Caitlyn_Jenner while other Republican candidates struggle for backing @philwillon https://t.co/XSlvArLKJY— Mark Z. Barabak (@markzbarabak) May 11, 2021
NEW LA TIMES/UC BERKELEY POLL: The campaign to recall @GavinNewsom has failed to gain momentum in recent months and only anemic support has surfaced for @Caitlyn_Jenner while other Republican candidates struggle for backing @philwillon https://t.co/XSlvArLKJY
'The tent is about to collapse': CNN's Erin Burnett details warnings from inside GOP about Cheney ouster, Matthew Chapman, Raw Story, May 10, 2021.
"In an irony, McCarthy writing to his Republican colleagues tonight," wrote Burnett. "I quote him: 'We are a big tent party and unlike the left, we embrace free thought and debate.' Let's talk about this. McCarthy is kicking out Cheney for having a different opinion. He says it is for a big tent party that embraces free thought and debate. Liz Cheney says the election was free and fair and Trump is responsible for what happened on January 6th. These are facts, and as a point of fact, once upon a time, Cheney and McCarthy agreed on facts on the crucial points of January 6th." "The president bears responsibility on the January 6th insurrection," said McCarthy in an older clip. ✂️ "Because of all that tonight, some in the GOP are warning the tent is about to collapse," continued Burnett. "Republican Senator Mitt Romney tweeting today, quote, "Expelling Liz Cheney from leadership won't gain the GOP one additional voter, but it will cost us quite a few." Pretty simple words of wisdom, right? ... Then there's Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who like Cheney voted to impeach Trump, saying that Cheney is being pushed out for one reason only: a refusal to lie like Trump and McCarthy are doing."
"In an irony, McCarthy writing to his Republican colleagues tonight," wrote Burnett. "I quote him: 'We are a big tent party and unlike the left, we embrace free thought and debate.' Let's talk about this. McCarthy is kicking out Cheney for having a different opinion. He says it is for a big tent party that embraces free thought and debate. Liz Cheney says the election was free and fair and Trump is responsible for what happened on January 6th. These are facts, and as a point of fact, once upon a time, Cheney and McCarthy agreed on facts on the crucial points of January 6th."
"The president bears responsibility on the January 6th insurrection," said McCarthy in an older clip. ✂️
"Because of all that tonight, some in the GOP are warning the tent is about to collapse," continued Burnett. "Republican Senator Mitt Romney tweeting today, quote, "Expelling Liz Cheney from leadership won't gain the GOP one additional voter, but it will cost us quite a few." Pretty simple words of wisdom, right? ... Then there's Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who like Cheney voted to impeach Trump, saying that Cheney is being pushed out for one reason only: a refusal to lie like Trump and McCarthy are doing."
Rep. Liz Cheney on Eve of Expected Ouster: I Won’t Stop Talking About Trump’s Lies, Blake Montgomery, Daily Beast, May 11, 2021.
Cheney faces a near-certain ouster from congressional leadership on Wednesday, in which she serves as conference chair. She cast the stripping of her post as an inflection point for the Republican Party, which on the whole remains loyal to the twice-impeached president, who has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 vote was rife with fraud, despite no evidence ever emerging to support this claim, and several courts throwing out lawsuits making such allegations. “Remaining silent and ignoring the lie emboldens the liar,” Cheney continued. “I will not participate in that. I will not sit back and watch in silence while others lead our party down a path that abandons the rule of law and joins the former president’s crusade to undermine our democracy. Our election was not stolen, and America has not failed.”
Cheney faces a near-certain ouster from congressional leadership on Wednesday, in which she serves as conference chair. She cast the stripping of her post as an inflection point for the Republican Party, which on the whole remains loyal to the twice-impeached president, who has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 vote was rife with fraud, despite no evidence ever emerging to support this claim, and several courts throwing out lawsuits making such allegations.
“Remaining silent and ignoring the lie emboldens the liar,” Cheney continued. “I will not participate in that. I will not sit back and watch in silence while others lead our party down a path that abandons the rule of law and joins the former president’s crusade to undermine our democracy. Our election was not stolen, and America has not failed.”
Perhaps Liz Cheney’s headline-getting, futile speech last night (attended by only one of her fellow House Republicans (Ken Buck, R-CO) was more about the future than the past. Her unwavering denunciation of the big lie has been pointed to as principled leadership by many pols. Perhaps, she will lead a future (not GOP) conservative party:
‘Rationals’ vs. ‘radicals’: Anti-Trump Republicans threaten third party, Tim Reid, Reuters, May 11, 2021.
With any luck, the Rs will be like the whigs... Over 100 former Republican officials will sign a letter on Thursday declaring that if the Republican Party does not break with former President Donald Trump and change course, they will back the creation of a third party. The letter, headlined: "A Call For American Renewal," is an exploratory move toward forming a breakaway party, two of its organizers said. The group is dismayed by what it says is a modern Republican Party driven by its allegiance to Trump, who continues to falsely claim the 2020 election was stolen from him. ✂️ House Republicans are expected on Wednesday to oust Representative Liz Cheney from her No. 3 party leadership position within the chamber, because of her refusal to embrace Trump's election claims and her move to back Trump's second impeachment after the Capitol riot. The letter signatories, who include former ambassadors, governors, congressional members and Cabinet secretaries, want the Republican Party to return to "principled" leadership and reject division and conspiracy theories, or face a new party dedicated to fighting for Republicans such as Cheney and against fearmongering and lies.
Over 100 former Republican officials will sign a letter on Thursday declaring that if the Republican Party does not break with former President Donald Trump and change course, they will back the creation of a third party.
The letter, headlined: "A Call For American Renewal," is an exploratory move toward forming a breakaway party, two of its organizers said. The group is dismayed by what it says is a modern Republican Party driven by its allegiance to Trump, who continues to falsely claim the 2020 election was stolen from him. ✂️
House Republicans are expected on Wednesday to oust Representative Liz Cheney from her No. 3 party leadership position within the chamber, because of her refusal to embrace Trump's election claims and her move to back Trump's second impeachment after the Capitol riot.
The letter signatories, who include former ambassadors, governors, congressional members and Cabinet secretaries, want the Republican Party to return to "principled" leadership and reject division and conspiracy theories, or face a new party dedicated to fighting for Republicans such as Cheney and against fearmongering and lies.
The GOP’s Suicide Squad Isn’t Going to Stop With Liz Cheney, Matt Lewis, Daily Beast, May 11, 2021.
“A Republican Party that does not have room for a principled conservative like Liz Cheney does not have room for many of us,” writes Jonathan Frank, a former Republican congressional aide. “In scheming to overthrow her, House Republicans are sending a clear message that support for the former President’s policies is not enough. Meeting the new and ever-changing definition of a true Republican requires one to accept and parrot Trump’s every claim, the truth and the rule of law notwithstanding.” Indeed, it’s symbolic that Trumpists seek to purge such legacy names like Cheney and Romney. They are symbolic of the larger purge of millions of Americans who once proudly supported that Republican Party. Experience has taught us that logic rarely explains our behavior, and that cults sometimes commit mass suicide. The big GOP circus tent is shrinking down to the size of a clown car. And Republican leaders are evicting anyone who’s not willing to drive it over a cliff.
“A Republican Party that does not have room for a principled conservative like Liz Cheney does not have room for many of us,” writes Jonathan Frank, a former Republican congressional aide. “In scheming to overthrow her, House Republicans are sending a clear message that support for the former President’s policies is not enough. Meeting the new and ever-changing definition of a true Republican requires one to accept and parrot Trump’s every claim, the truth and the rule of law notwithstanding.”
Indeed, it’s symbolic that Trumpists seek to purge such legacy names like Cheney and Romney. They are symbolic of the larger purge of millions of Americans who once proudly supported that Republican Party.
Experience has taught us that logic rarely explains our behavior, and that cults sometimes commit mass suicide. The big GOP circus tent is shrinking down to the size of a clown car. And Republican leaders are evicting anyone who’s not willing to drive it over a cliff.
👁Keep one eye on the House tomorrow after the ouster vote. Word is that Rep Adam Kinzinger may make an announcement (potentially regarding forming a new party), if Cheney is indeed booted out of House leadership).
In Ahmaud Arbery's Name, Georgia Repeals Citizen's Arrest Law, Emma Hurt, Npr, May 11, 2021.
About a year after the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery became national news, and nearly 15 months after he was shot while jogging down a Brunswick street, Georgia has repealed the vague law that is being used to defend the men in jail for his murder. ✂️ The vague law, which allowed any citizen to "arrest" another if a crime is committed "within his immediate knowledge," has been replaced with specific language to provide for citizen detainment in very specific circumstances, to include shopkeepers who witness shoplifters and restaurant owners and employees who witness "dine and dash" customers. ✂️ This is the second Georgia law to change in a bipartisan manner in the wake of Arbery's death. The General Assembly passed a stalled hate crimes statute last summer in Arbery's name.
About a year after the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery became national news, and nearly 15 months after he was shot while jogging down a Brunswick street, Georgia has repealed the vague law that is being used to defend the men in jail for his murder. ✂️
The vague law, which allowed any citizen to "arrest" another if a crime is committed "within his immediate knowledge," has been replaced with specific language to provide for citizen detainment in very specific circumstances, to include shopkeepers who witness shoplifters and restaurant owners and employees who witness "dine and dash" customers. ✂️
This is the second Georgia law to change in a bipartisan manner in the wake of Arbery's death. The General Assembly passed a stalled hate crimes statute last summer in Arbery's name.
The Texas judge described details about the NRA that came out during the trial “cringeworthy”, and although he dismissed the case without prejudice (meaning the NRA could file for bankruptcy again), he also said that due to the shocking way the first bankruptcy was filed without following proper decision train procedures, a trustee would need to be appointed to “oversee its affairs” if they seek CHapter 11 bankruptcy again. Do we think the NRA wants an independent trustee in charge of overseeing them and potentially having access to all their secrets? I bet the answer is “No”, so the judge may have effectively shut down any further legal shenanigans.
U.S. judge tosses NRA bankruptcy bid, letting New York seek dissolution, Maria Chutchian and Jonathan Stempel, Reuters, May 11, 2021.
A federal judge in Dallas ruled on Tuesday that the National Rifle Association cannot use bankruptcy to reorganize in gun-friendly Texas, a serious blow to the gun rights group's effort to avoid a lawsuit in New York seeking its dissolution. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Harlin Hale said the NRA did not file for Chapter 11 in good faith, but instead filed to avoid oversight by New York Attorney General Letitia James and gain an "unfair litigation advantage" over her. ✂️ "Excluding so many people from the process of deciding to file for bankruptcy, including the vast majority of the board of directors, the chief financial officer and the general counsel, is nothing less than shocking," Hale wrote. ✂️ Hale's dismissal is without prejudice, meaning the NRA can file for bankruptcy again, but the judge said management issues could require appointing a trustee to oversee its affairs if it sought Chapter 11 again.
A federal judge in Dallas ruled on Tuesday that the National Rifle Association cannot use bankruptcy to reorganize in gun-friendly Texas, a serious blow to the gun rights group's effort to avoid a lawsuit in New York seeking its dissolution.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Harlin Hale said the NRA did not file for Chapter 11 in good faith, but instead filed to avoid oversight by New York Attorney General Letitia James and gain an "unfair litigation advantage" over her. ✂️
"Excluding so many people from the process of deciding to file for bankruptcy, including the vast majority of the board of directors, the chief financial officer and the general counsel, is nothing less than shocking," Hale wrote. ✂️
Hale's dismissal is without prejudice, meaning the NRA can file for bankruptcy again, but the judge said management issues could require appointing a trustee to oversee its affairs if it sought Chapter 11 again.
DOJ would never have offered a plea deal to pal of Matt Gaetz without info on the congressman: ex-prosecutor, Sarah K Burris, Raw Story, May 11, 2021.
Tuesday, it was reported that a former intern-turned-girlfriend of Gaetz's and his former wingman were both interviewed by investigators. Speaking to MSNBC's Joy Reid on Tuesday, former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner explained that this wouldn't happen if they didn't already have proof. "This has the feel — when I heard the reporting about how the investigators are now going to a former girlfriend/Capitol Hill intern of Matt Gaetz, here's what that feels like to me: they have gotten everything they could get out of Joel Greenberg," he explained. "And it's really important to understand that the prosecutors never would have made a plea offer, a plea deal to Greenberg that, as you said, will be expiring this Saturday. So, he's got to let the court know what he's going to do. They never would have made him that plea offer unless they had debriefed him, interviewed him, investigated what he had to say about the criminal activity of others and they were able to corroborate it and potentially use it against other targets like Matt Gaetz." he went on to say that it should be clear what happens in the Greenberg case, but that to him it feels like they're approaching other witnesses involving Gaetz about incriminating information that prosecutors got from Greenberg.
Tuesday, it was reported that a former intern-turned-girlfriend of Gaetz's and his former wingman were both interviewed by investigators. Speaking to MSNBC's Joy Reid on Tuesday, former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner explained that this wouldn't happen if they didn't already have proof.
"This has the feel — when I heard the reporting about how the investigators are now going to a former girlfriend/Capitol Hill intern of Matt Gaetz, here's what that feels like to me: they have gotten everything they could get out of Joel Greenberg," he explained. "And it's really important to understand that the prosecutors never would have made a plea offer, a plea deal to Greenberg that, as you said, will be expiring this Saturday. So, he's got to let the court know what he's going to do. They never would have made him that plea offer unless they had debriefed him, interviewed him, investigated what he had to say about the criminal activity of others and they were able to corroborate it and potentially use it against other targets like Matt Gaetz."
he went on to say that it should be clear what happens in the Greenberg case, but that to him it feels like they're approaching other witnesses involving Gaetz about incriminating information that prosecutors got from Greenberg.
2 Men Charged With Assaulting Police In Capitol Riot Ordered Jailed Pending Trial, Ryan Lucas, NPR, May 11, 2021.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Hogan ordered Khater and Tanios to remain in custody pending trial after finding that they pose a danger to the community. ✂️ At Tuesday's hearing, Judge Hogan ticked through the events at issue in the case. Hogan said the timeline and evidence supports the conclusion that Tanios and Khater timed their use of the chemical spray "to coincide with the other rioters' efforts to forcibly remove the bike rack barriers preventing the rioters from moving closer to the Capitol building." "In other words," Hogan said, "they played a role in the ultimate breach in the attack on the Capitol." More than 350 people have been charged so far in connection with the Capitol riot, and prosecutors have said at least 100 more could still face charges. xIN COURT IN 15 MINUTES: Jonathan Munafo of Orlando, Fl. He's accused of grabbing police riot shield & punching Capitol officer twice in the head on Jan 6.Feds say they got their tip about Munafo in APRIL. The FBI tip line is still blowing up pic.twitter.com/XrY80NjrcM— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) May 11, 2021
On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Hogan ordered Khater and Tanios to remain in custody pending trial after finding that they pose a danger to the community. ✂️
At Tuesday's hearing, Judge Hogan ticked through the events at issue in the case. Hogan said the timeline and evidence supports the conclusion that Tanios and Khater timed their use of the chemical spray "to coincide with the other rioters' efforts to forcibly remove the bike rack barriers preventing the rioters from moving closer to the Capitol building."
"In other words," Hogan said, "they played a role in the ultimate breach in the attack on the Capitol."
More than 350 people have been charged so far in connection with the Capitol riot, and prosecutors have said at least 100 more could still face charges.
IN COURT IN 15 MINUTES: Jonathan Munafo of Orlando, Fl. He's accused of grabbing police riot shield & punching Capitol officer twice in the head on Jan 6.Feds say they got their tip about Munafo in APRIL. The FBI tip line is still blowing up pic.twitter.com/XrY80NjrcM— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) May 11, 2021
IN COURT IN 15 MINUTES: Jonathan Munafo of Orlando, Fl. He's accused of grabbing police riot shield & punching Capitol officer twice in the head on Jan 6.Feds say they got their tip about Munafo in APRIL. The FBI tip line is still blowing up pic.twitter.com/XrY80NjrcM
Students for Trump founder John Lambert sentenced to 13 months for posing as lawyer, Stephen Rex Brown, NY Daily News, May 10, 2021.
A judge slammed the founder of Students for Trump as a “cold blooded fraudster” before sentencing him to 13 months in prison for posing as a lawyer.✂️ The baby-faced scammer from Tennessee admitted to running the racket from 2016 to 2018, which targeting people who had little or no experience seeking legal advice. Lambert earned at least $46,654 through legal advice he was totally unqualified to give. ✂️ Lambert grabbed headlines during the 2016 presidential campaign for the group he founded with classmate Ryan Fournier at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C., in 2015. Their Students for Trump group ran a Twitter account featuring photos of bikini-clad women and pics of themselves at political events. ✂️ Lambert’s attorney, Gary Peters, said he was disappointed with the sentence. He added that Lambert no longer supported Trump.
A judge slammed the founder of Students for Trump as a “cold blooded fraudster” before sentencing him to 13 months in prison for posing as a lawyer.✂️
The baby-faced scammer from Tennessee admitted to running the racket from 2016 to 2018, which targeting people who had little or no experience seeking legal advice. Lambert earned at least $46,654 through legal advice he was totally unqualified to give. ✂️
Lambert grabbed headlines during the 2016 presidential campaign for the group he founded with classmate Ryan Fournier at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C., in 2015. Their Students for Trump group ran a Twitter account featuring photos of bikini-clad women and pics of themselves at political events. ✂️
Lambert’s attorney, Gary Peters, said he was disappointed with the sentence. He added that Lambert no longer supported Trump.
Trump faces 29 lawsuits and 3 criminal investigations that we know about. Tax returns reside at the Manhattan DA. His former attorney is cooperating. Another attorney had home/office raided. His inner circle ponders its next move. Nobody wants to flip first, but once one does ...— Duty To Warn 🔉 (@duty2warn) May 11, 2021
Trump faces 29 lawsuits and 3 criminal investigations that we know about. Tax returns reside at the Manhattan DA. His former attorney is cooperating. Another attorney had home/office raided. His inner circle ponders its next move. Nobody wants to flip first, but once one does ...
Manhattan DA is signaling 'a good likelihood of a charge' coming against Trump: Preet Bharara, Tom Boggioni, Raw Story, May 11, 2021.
In an interview with Slate legal columnist Dhalia Lithwick, former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara claimed he is not privy to inside information into the multiple investigations launched against Donald Trump but that he does see "signals" from Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. that something is coming down the pike -- and it is not good for the former president. ✂️ "The one that we know about most directly and most prominently is the one you mentioned, the Manhattan district attorney's investigation into Trump's finances and business dealings," the attorney replied. "I don't know because I've not been in the grand jury, I've not interviewed the witnesses. Cy Vance doesn't call me up and tell me stuff, but there is some signaling going on." "Cy Vance is not running for reelection. Vance is, as they say, a lame duck. As a lame duck, he's done certain things, including hiring an outside forensic accounting firm, which is not super unusual but it's not that common. He's done something else that is less common, which is hire an outside lawyer, Mark Pomerantz, who's a very distinguished, well-respected lawyer in New York," he elaborated. "I'm not going to put too much weight on it, but it seems like the kind of move you make when you believe that there's going to be a charge or there's a good likelihood of a charge, because it's a pretty public thing to do."
In an interview with Slate legal columnist Dhalia Lithwick, former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara claimed he is not privy to inside information into the multiple investigations launched against Donald Trump but that he does see "signals" from Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. that something is coming down the pike -- and it is not good for the former president. ✂️
"The one that we know about most directly and most prominently is the one you mentioned, the Manhattan district attorney's investigation into Trump's finances and business dealings," the attorney replied. "I don't know because I've not been in the grand jury, I've not interviewed the witnesses. Cy Vance doesn't call me up and tell me stuff, but there is some signaling going on."
"Cy Vance is not running for reelection. Vance is, as they say, a lame duck. As a lame duck, he's done certain things, including hiring an outside forensic accounting firm, which is not super unusual but it's not that common. He's done something else that is less common, which is hire an outside lawyer, Mark Pomerantz, who's a very distinguished, well-respected lawyer in New York," he elaborated. "I'm not going to put too much weight on it, but it seems like the kind of move you make when you believe that there's going to be a charge or there's a good likelihood of a charge, because it's a pretty public thing to do."
Oh and this, too 👀
Trump ordered McGahn to fire Mueller, he refused & Trump ordered him to write a memo saying it hadn't happened. It's one of the clearest cases of obstruction of justice in the Mueller Report. I testified about it in House Judic Comm if you need a refresher https://t.co/2q9amAhsbe https://t.co/ATJKOBpcXG— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) May 12, 2021
Trump ordered McGahn to fire Mueller, he refused & Trump ordered him to write a memo saying it hadn't happened. It's one of the clearest cases of obstruction of justice in the Mueller Report. I testified about it in House Judic Comm if you need a refresher https://t.co/2q9amAhsbe https://t.co/ATJKOBpcXG
As hard as it is to look past the vicious racism, sexism and authoritarianism of conservatives, we can find common ground, albeit with somewhat different goals. Gotta start somewhere!
Why Support For Refugees Is Higher Than You Might Think In Parts Of 'Trump Country', Kirk Siegler, NPR, May 11, 2021.
Idaho, Nebraska and North Dakota often ranked at the top of the nation in per-capita refugee resettlement, before Trump dramatically reduced the annual caps in his first year in office. These states also have some of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and many employers are pointing to worsening labor shortages. For Pete Amador in Boise, this isn't just an economic crisis, however. It's also a humanitarian one. He hasn't liked the dramatic cuts in refugee resettlement. ✂️ While demographics are changing, Idaho is still about 82% white. When Amador first started hiring refugees a decade ago, there was skepticism among some of his clients. But that slowly evolved toward acceptance. "In home care, we're dealing with elderly people who grew up in a different time with a different understanding, and we need to show a lot of patience and respect for that," Amador says. "It's been somewhat of a challenge, but also an honor to help be a part of them transition their way of thinking."
Idaho, Nebraska and North Dakota often ranked at the top of the nation in per-capita refugee resettlement, before Trump dramatically reduced the annual caps in his first year in office. These states also have some of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and many employers are pointing to worsening labor shortages.
For Pete Amador in Boise, this isn't just an economic crisis, however. It's also a humanitarian one. He hasn't liked the dramatic cuts in refugee resettlement. ✂️
While demographics are changing, Idaho is still about 82% white. When Amador first started hiring refugees a decade ago, there was skepticism among some of his clients. But that slowly evolved toward acceptance.
"In home care, we're dealing with elderly people who grew up in a different time with a different understanding, and we need to show a lot of patience and respect for that," Amador says. "It's been somewhat of a challenge, but also an honor to help be a part of them transition their way of thinking."
First, an 8-year-old homeless boy named Tani won the NYS chess championship.Now, at 10, he just became the 28th-youngest person ever to become a chess master in the U.S.The story we needed, by @NickKristof. https://t.co/J10O7b3REA— Cliff Levy (@cliffordlevy) May 8, 2021
First, an 8-year-old homeless boy named Tani won the NYS chess championship.Now, at 10, he just became the 28th-youngest person ever to become a chess master in the U.S.The story we needed, by @NickKristof. https://t.co/J10O7b3REA
Remember the Homeless Chess Champion? The Boy Is Now a Chess Master. Nicholas Kristof, New York Times, May 8, 2021.
I wrote a couple of columns about Tani at that time, and readers responded by donating more than $250,000 to a GoFundMe campaign for Tani’s family, along with a year of free housing. It was heartwarming to see Tani running around the family’s new apartment, but I wondered: Is this kid really that good? It turns out he is. This month, as a fifth grader, Tani cruised through an in-person tournament in Connecticut open to advanced players of all ages and won every game. He emerged with a chess rating of 2223, making him a national master. At 10 years 7 months and 28 days, Tani became the 28th-youngest person ever to become a chess master in the United States, according to John Hartmann of U.S. Chess. Tani had one of the fastest rises, for he began playing chess only at the relatively late age of 7. And he’s aiming higher. “I want to be the youngest grandmaster,” he told me. “I want to have it when I’m 11 or 12.” The youngest person ever to become a grandmaster, Sergey Karjakin, achieved that honor at 12 years 7 months.
I wrote a couple of columns about Tani at that time, and readers responded by donating more than $250,000 to a GoFundMe campaign for Tani’s family, along with a year of free housing. It was heartwarming to see Tani running around the family’s new apartment, but I wondered: Is this kid really that good?
It turns out he is. This month, as a fifth grader, Tani cruised through an in-person tournament in Connecticut open to advanced players of all ages and won every game. He emerged with a chess rating of 2223, making him a national master.
At 10 years 7 months and 28 days, Tani became the 28th-youngest person ever to become a chess master in the United States, according to John Hartmann of U.S. Chess. Tani had one of the fastest rises, for he began playing chess only at the relatively late age of 7. And he’s aiming higher.
“I want to be the youngest grandmaster,” he told me. “I want to have it when I’m 11 or 12.” The youngest person ever to become a grandmaster, Sergey Karjakin, achieved that honor at 12 years 7 months.
⚡️ NPR is 50 years old! NPR's 50 Favorite Songs Of 1971
⚡️ Post-pandemic (🤞) well-being: Need a Reset? The End of Pandemic Life Can Be a Fresh Start. Tara Parker-Pope, New York Times, May 11, 2021.
⚡️Also, it’s normal to feel conflicted about resuming “normal” life, Emma Green*: Why It Feels So Uncomfortable To Resume Your Life After Your Vaccine, Julia Ries, HuffPost, May 11, 2021.
⚡️LOL Get yer Wonkette here! Joe Biden Most Popular Joe Biden In History Of Joe Bidens, Evan Hurst, Wonkette, May 11, 2021.
⚡️Demographics are complicated, man: Texas’s population boom should be a boon to Democrats. But Republicans are reaping the gains. Arelis R Hernandez and Griff Witte, Washington Post, May 11, 2021.
⚡️Quick Overview with helpful illustration: By the numbers: Senate seats to watch in 2022, Alayna Treene, Axios, May 11, 2021.
⚡️Longer read: beautifully written. It isn’t “good news” but it’s important to understand issues to resolve them: Why Confederate Lies Live On, Clint Smith, The Atlantic, May 10, 2021.
⚡️Courage: 19-Year-Old Olga Misik Defied Putin’s Soldiers. Here Is Her Brave Statement. BuzzFeed News, May 10, 2021.
⚡️Useful information! How to store literally every dang fruit and vegetable, Rebecca Firkser, Salon, February 11, 2021.
⚡️Bracing, funny, great read! Surviving Pandemic Motherhood: A Case Study in Zero Fucks, Nayyera Haq, Daily Beast, May 11, 2021.
⚡️Not that there’s anything wrong with them! Why Are Crocs A Thing Again? Scaachi Koul, BuzzFeed, May 11, 2021.
* Emma Green penned the snotty screed I linked in last week’s GNR, The Liberals Who Can’t Quit Lockdown. Sorry about that.
Put your beautiful bleeding liberal heart into it!
Democratic litigation hero, Marc Elias was the legal eagle behind the 60 Big Lie losses after the election. Here’s his website, Democracy Docket. You can find information about current cases he is fighting to defend voting rights around the country, as well as actions you can take to help fight voter suppression at the link!
Write to voters around the country with Postcards to Voters. Progressive Muse usually posts an update on current campaigns in the comments and you can also check out the website. It’s easy, fun and it really works to GOTV!
🎩 Also, Goody posted a great list of links and I am going to borrow it because it’s great! 🎩
The only way they can win is by keeping people from voting. They are working like heck to make that happen and we need to do all we can to keep 2022 from being a year when they grab the Senate and House back from us.
How do we do that? Fight voter suppression!
What can you do?
U.S. House of Representatives:* Telephone: 202-225-3121 * Website: http://www.house.gov/
U.S. Senate:* Telephone: 202-224-3121 * Website: http://www.senate.gov/
Find your member of Congress and contact him or her: Contact your Representative Contact your Senator
That’s it from me for another week. Remember, Gnusies, these terrible people are terrible but they are not all-powerful. We are the majority and even people who used to ignore politics are not as apt to ignore it these days. People who voted R without giving it much thought before are now giving it a lot of thought.
We will probably have to endure the expiring ructions of the now totally devolved Republican fascist party — this is existential for them, so it’s hardly surprising that they may try anything to stay in power. That’s unsettling, but remember: they can try but we will prevent them from succeeding.
You need to be as strong as you can be to ride out the sturm and drang of right wing extremism being routed. They won’t go quietly, but they’ll go. Get some rest, enjoy the respite of all the good news, the receding pandemic, the coming summer — and try not to let the sensational clickbait that passes for “news” drive you to distraction. Read your local newspaper. Get outdoors every day if you can. Eat nutritious food. Take care of yourself and those you love.
I’m glad to be living through these eventful times with all of you!
Happy Wednesday, Gnusies!
236
