Today we are witnessing something unimaginable. The President of the United States is openly defying a direct court order to allow White House press access to all major news networks, not just the ones he likes. This move is so shocking, and so dangerous, that even FOX News is standing with the news outlets that are being blocked. The major networks are refusing to directly cover the President’s activities (no video, no audio) within the White House, until full access is restored. No video of the meeting with the President of China, etc.
If the President of the United States starts to openly defy direct court orders, then the rule of law in this country is no longer in force. The laws, and the enforcement of the laws, without favor, IS basically, our Democracy.
I believe this particular crisis will be resolved. Maybe even before you read this email. I hope. But I also believe that it is a test. Because this President intends to retain unlimited power, unrestrained by the Congress or the Courts. He is worried that if the GOP loses control of the House and Senate, his powers will be restrained. Or worse. So he intends to do whatever is necessary to stay in complete control. He wants to see what will happen when he defies the courts.
It is likely that the real crisis will revolve around the Midterm Elections. Perhaps the elections will be disrupted in some way, so that eligible voters will not be able to vote, or will not have their vote counted. Or, if the election is an overwhelming win for Democrats and the GOP loses control of the House and Senate, the Administration will take steps to deny seating the new Representatives or Senators, or will attempt to stop Congress from going into session at all.
I cannot believe that I am contemplating these things. I don’t live in Russia. But I cannot deny the reality of the actions taken so far by this out-of-control Administration.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
1) Volunteer to spend 2 hours at your local polling place on November 3rd.
We have joined with the League of Women Voters of VT to have a network of “Poll Observers” across the whole state. You will be outside, just watching for any attempt to disrupt the voting. Your job will be to call in an alert, and also document (video with your phone), if anyone tries to intimidate people coming to vote or otherwise tries to disrupt the voting. You will not take any active part in responding to the disruption. You will just observe and document.
I have agreed to be one of the Coordinators for Grand Isle County for the Poll Observers network. PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING 2 HOURS ON NOV. 3. We need you. We have 20 volunteers so far, but need 50-60 more. Please reply to this email to sign up. If possible, ask a friend to join you. We want there to be two observers at all times. ().
2) Plan to attend NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY on Saturday, October 17th! Join this nationwide effort by Indivisible, No Kings, 50501, and many other groups, to get as many people as possible to vote in the Midterm Elections, and to have them vote early, to avoid any disruptions on Election Day. Send a message to the Trump Administration that we will not have our right to vote taken away from us. Ever!
(We hope to have confirmation on a location by Monday. Then we can send you details)
3) Get as many of your friends, relatives, co-workers, etc, to vote, and vote early! Especially call those who vote in other states. You can have more impact calling someone you know, than calling strangers when phonebanking (although this is also important).
4) Consider canvassing (door knocking) with a friend for a campaign like Blake Gendebien, in NY-21, in Plattsburgh. You can help flip this GOP seat!! You can join a VT group that goes across the Lake every weekend. Find details in our newsletter on our Website: IndivisibleCI.org. Or canvass for Chris Pappas in NH!
5) Join our Friday Defend Democracy protest in South Hero: Every Friday, 4:00-5:00, near the Worthen Library in South Hero on Rt. 2.
It is time to DO SOMETHING.
We knew this would get messy. We are expecting it to get worse yet. But we will not stop resisting. We are ready to defend our democracy.
Andrea and I are building the list of volunteer Poll Observers now. Please sign up ASAP. We need a lot of people.
The smaller towns will be especially challenging to cover as there are fewer people available to volunteer. You should also ask your Town Clerk if they need “Poll Workers” (the folks who check off voters as they come in to vote, etc.). They serve as temporary Election Officials. I heard that Isle La Motte was still in need of Poll Workers. I don’t know about other towns. I do it regularly and it tends to be a lot of fun.
Lastly, this joyous tidbit sent to me by my daughter, who is a member of an Indivisible group in MA: The cast of Hamilton “VOTE”. https://youtu.be/ayWiE_gL9mU
Marilyn Lagrow
“Of the People, By the People, For the People”
Indivisible Champlain Islands