Resource-Voter Suppression

Can we stop the election from being stolen, yet again?

How Trump’s going to steal the 2020 election

Palast with KPFA’s Sabrina Jacobs, JAN 14, 2020, Greg Palast and Sabrina Jacobs for KPFA

https://www.gregpalast.com/how-trumps-going-to-steal-the-2020-election/

Wisconsin 2020 Voter Purge

“Elections officials sent the letters based on information compiled by the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, a coalition of 28 states and Washington, D.C. that tries to keep voter rolls as accurate as possible. 

ERIC flags voters who file address changes with the post office or register vehicles at new addresses.The Elections Commission, which consists of three Democrats and three Republicans, doesn’t want to immediately remove people from the voter rolls because in some cases their information is faulty and the voters haven’t moved. For instance, people could be flagged as having moved if they registered a vehicle at a business address instead of their home address. 

Voters who are removed from the voter rolls, whether correctly or mistakenly, can regain the ability to cast ballots by re-registering online, at their clerk’s office or at the polls on election day.

Of the 234,000 letters that were sent, about 60,000 were returned as undeliverable as of Dec. 5, according to the Elections Commission. As of then, about 2,300 recipients of the letters said they continued to live at their address and about 16,500 had registered to vote at new addresses.”

Letters were sent in October when the purge was scheduled for after the 2020 election. The court ordered them to be purged but did not require people to be notified of the change in timeline of the purge.

Judge orders state to purge more than 200,000 Wisconsin voters from the rolls

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/12/13/judge-orders-wisconsin-purge-more-than-200-000-voters-list/4412776002/

Wisconsin Voter Purge: Every City Ranked https://patch.com/wisconsin/milwaukee/wisconsin-voter-purge-every-city-ranked

4% of the entire population of Green Bay will be purged! 

4371 City Of Green Bay – Brown County
1177 City Of De Pere – Brown County
741 Village Of Howard – Multiple Counties
694 Village Of Ashwaubenon – Brown County
632 Village Of Bellevue – Brown County
478 Village Of Suamico – Brown County
469 Village Of Allouez – Brown County
406 Village Of Hobart – Brown County
330 Town Of Ledgeview – Brown County
67 Town Of Wrightstown – Brown County
53 Town Of Green Bay – Brown County
40 Town Of New Denmark – Brown County
39 Town Of Eaton – Brown County

Audio of Republicans OWNING their voter suppression ‘TRADITION https://www.facebook.com/100733121336161/posts/155621792513960/?d=n

On-Going Developments in Purge of Wisconsin Voter Rolls

Thanks to the members of LWV La Crosse Area for putting together this timeline of events connected with the maintenance of the Wisconsin voter registration lists:

12/13: Ozaukee County Circuit Court 1) ordered the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to immediately purge over 234,000 voters from the rolls and 2) denied the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin’s request to join an existing lawsuit as an intervening defendant.

12/17: The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and two registered Wisconsin voters filed a federal due process case in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin to delay until after April 7 the voter purge of registered voters who may have moved.

12/17: The Wisconsin Department of Justice filed suit in District IV Court of Appeals in Madison, asking the court to stay the Ozaukee County ruling. More detail, including the legal brief, can be found here.

12/20: The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) asked the Wisconsin State Supreme Court to take up the DOJ appeals case, preventing the appeals court from acting on that request until the Supreme Court decides whether to take the case.

12/23: WI Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly recused himself from the voter roll purge case if it is taken up by the WI Supreme Court.

12/30: WI Supreme Court set 1/3 as a deadline for submission of more information related to this case. The WI Election Commission (WEC) deadlocked 3-3 on a motion to begin purging registrations of voters who may have moved since the last election.

1/2: WILL asked the Ozaukee Circuit Court to find the WEC in contempt and impose $12,000 a day in fines until it immediately purges more than 200,000 voters from the rolls. More here.

1/6: The Wisconsin Legislature files to intervene in the Federal Court case.

Subsequent Developments

1/13: Wisconsin Elections Officials Held in Contempt for Refusing to Purge Voters
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/13/us/wisconsin-voter-purge.html

Hours later, a divided Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to take the case. That shifted the fight back to the appeals court, which sided with the elections commission on Tuesday and put the judge’s original ruling on hold.

1/14: Wisconsin Appeals Court Puts Voter Rolls Purge On Hold
The court handed Democrats who had fought the move a victory in the battleground state

Resource-Environment-PFAS

Environment - PFAS

Environment PFAS

Foam found on the banks of Starkweather Creek showed high concentrations of a contaminant called PFAS (photo by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)

PFAS are considered ‘Forever Chemicals” which are being discovered in many parts of Wisconsin including Marinette, Rhinelander and Madison. 

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s.

PFAS do not occur naturally and are widespread in the environment. They are found in people, wildlife and fish all over the world. Some PFAS can stay in peoples’ bodies a long time and do not break down easily in the environment.

Does Your Community Water System Test For PFAS?

Probably Not, Finds WXPR Investigation

https://www.wxpr.org/post/does-your-community-water-system-test-pfas-probably-not-finds-wxpr-investigation#stream/0

Interactive Map: PFAS Contamination Crisis: New Data Show 1,398 Sites in 49 States
https://www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/2019_pfas_contamination/map/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=202001PFASNews&utm_medium=email&emci=6f664e32-8d30-ea11-a601-2818784d6d68&emdi=21e29f09-9130-ea11-a601-2818784d6d68&ceid=1674500

Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) GUIDE TO AVOIDING PFAS CHEMICALS
https://static.ewg.org/ewg-tip-sheets/EWG-AvoidingPFCs.pdf

 

Environment PFAS - Marinette & Peshtigo

Environment - PFAS - Marinette & Peshtigo

The manufacture, testing and use of firefighting chemicals cause PFAS contamination

PFAS contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo area

PFAS contamination has been detected in the Marinette and Peshtigo area in soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water, private drinking water wells and biosolids.

Does Your Community Water System Test For PFAS? Probably Not, Finds WXPR Investigation

https://www.wxpr.org/post/does-your-community-water-system-test-pfas-probably-not-finds-wxpr-investigation#stream/0

 

WI DNR Logo WI DNR Logo  

WISCONSIN DNR INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Gov. Evers’ Executive Order #40 directed the DNR to create the PFAS Coordinating Council, now known as the Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC), in partnership with other state agencies. WisPac will develop and coordinate statewide initiatives to address the growing public health and environmental concerns regarding PFAS. Meetings are open to the public.

Wisconsin DNR Resources https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/contaminants/marinette.html

If you have questions call 888-626-3244 or email DNRJCIPFAS@wisconsin.gov

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/

OTHER INFORMATION RESOURCES: 

Stop Poisoning Our Water-Local group dedicated to information & remediation lnk S.O.H2O

Dark Waters Movie that documents how Rob Bilott, a corporate defense attorney, took on an environmental lawsuit against a chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution. Very strong parallels to what is happening in Marinette/Peshtigo https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9071322/

Wisconsin DHS Resources  https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/pfas.htm

EPA website https://www.epa.gov/pfas

MEDIA LINKS

    Four Videos from DNR Listening Session:

Eagle Herald re 12/19 listening session https://ehextra.com/Content/News/News-Articles/Article/Kaul-hears-PFAS-concerns/12/35/58903?fbclid=IwAR2jiUqmZfo9kXwE8CvzIsA6F_AyvmigU7N0L85DmFnSK415SoPpiMbxwO4

Eagle Herald -JCI details cleanup efforts https://ehextra.com/Content/News/News-Articles/Article/JCI-details-cleanup-efforts/12/35/58935

Video 12/19 Lisa Miller https://www.facebook.com/1369224169894935/videos/457235928508235/?fref=mentions&__xts__[0]=68.ARDhEu4bsb4Qz_wL9XToQhVq7lnrsa-_CULjx9u2vpSPdBN0OH0Gx-yvsKVkZE5s2viu4G4SDi-jl6b78vklezkZJI1tsCGNdFXQ_5owReJmxYwvrL11ROzNAb5IOBd6F2MAGhKaq5qA1u_kIEll4P7ulmBokgxfPqZ-bR12fv-zbrPgVACW6uen6uBtMQ1ChmzkodRN2Y2y9xh61tTJ8Q4HjuhCDg9njeuslD0WiNS0yXnHthTPiQgmuI2fj1unlPVm-MvJGAH4wwCivEXGN4WqPWLW1-kkm4sqPeYQw_zPmuF3pBVbHsH0Xx691H4IM4MqUKA2PjXr0qBt1QHhBGrzPANvCIRi&__tn__=K-R

Video 12/19 Dale Schroeder https://www.facebook.com/andi.rich.7/videos/10162494246560532/UzpfSTEwODE4ODEyMzU6MTAyMTc2NDQ0MDU0NzY4OTg/

Concerns rise over tainted sewage sludge spread on croplands https://www.wisfarmer.com/story/news/2019/09/12/concerns-rise-over-tainted-sewage-sludge-spread-croplands/2308338001/

https://bigbendsentinel.com/2019/12/18/researchers-find-leak-in-west-texas-injection-well/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/27/chemicals-dupont-rob-bilott-toxic-america

MA Sets New Limits On Toxic PFAS Chemicals https://www.wbur.org/earthwhile/2019/12/13/massachusetts-pfas-chemicals-drinking-water

High levels of arsenic found in bottled water sold at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods https://www.cbs17.com/news/high-levels-of-arsenic-found-in-bottled-water-sold-at-walmart-target-whole-foods/

Our family’s “Dark Waters” story https://www.salon.com/2019/12/21/our-familys-dark-waters-story-how-my-fathers-cancer-and-my-sons-first-film-role-are-connected/

How the EPA and the Pentagon Downplayed a Growing Toxic Threat https://www.propublica.org/article/how-the-epa-and-the-pentagon-downplayed-toxic-pfas-chemicals%C2%A0

‘Dark Waters’ Tells the True Story of the Lawyer Who Took DuPont to Court and Won https://time.com/5737451/dark-waters-true-story-rob-bilott/

Madison, Fond Du Lac Fire Departments Stop Using Firefighting Foam Containing PFAS

Environment - PFAS -Rhinelander

Environment - PFAS - Rhinelander

Rhinelander has had to close two drinking water wells due to PFAS Contamination. Rhinelander Mayor attended the Dec 18 DNR Listening Session in Marinetter.

Does Your Community Water System Test For PFAS? Probably Not, Finds WXPR Investigation

https://www.wxpr.org/post/does-your-community-water-system-test-pfas-probably-not-finds-wxpr-investigation#stream/0

LINKS TO ARTICLES IN THE NORTHWOODS RIVER NEWS

(Note – limited access for non-subscribers)

Guild updates city residents on well testing

Lab owner concerned about administrator’s interpretation of test results

http://www.rivernewsonline.com/main.asp?ArticleID=87031&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=47&S=1

DNR questions language used by city administrator in notice to water customers

Elmore: There’s no reason to question the accuracy of the PFAS sampling results

http://www.rivernewsonline.com/main.asp?ArticleID=87150&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=47&S=1

Mayor confirms second well taken out of service

http://www.rivernewsonline.com/main.asp?ArticleID=87208&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=47&S=1

Mayor releases DHS letter supporting closure of Well 8

Fish samples taken from the Wisconsin River

http://www.rivernewsonline.com/main.asp?ArticleID=87311&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=59&S=1

DNR issues directive to airport in connection with PFAS contamination

http://www.rivernewsonline.com/FormLayout.asp?formcall=30&dest=%2Fmain%2Easp%3FArticleID%3D87371%26SectionID%3D6%26SubSectionID%3D47%26S%3D1

DNR: Rhinelander airport the ‘most likely source’ of PFAS contamination

http://www.rivernewsonline.com/main.asp?ArticleID=87389&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=47&S=1

Commission hires consulting firm to assist with PFAS investigation

http://www.rivernewsonline.com/main.asp?ArticleID=87413&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=59&S=1

Airport commission grapples with PFAS puzzle

http://www.rivernewsonline.com/main.asp?ArticleID=87389&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=47&S=1

LINKS TO ARTICLES ON WXPR PUBLIC RADIO STATION IN THE NORTHWOODS

PFAS Found In Rhinelander Well, Drinking Water Safe, Crescent Spring to be Tested

https://www.wxpr.org/…/pfas-found-rhinelander-well-drinking-water-safe- crescent-spring-be-tested

Jul 23, 2019 … City officials released information today to Rhinelander Water Utility customers related to a recently published health advisory regarding PFAS ...

Foam Tests On Peshtigo River Reveal PFAS Levels Of 17,000 Parts per Trillion

https://www.wxpr.org/…/foam-tests-peshtigo-river-reveal-pfas-levels-17000- parts-trillion

Oct 31, 2019 … Levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in foam samples on the Peshtigo River spiked well above what may be safe, the DNR …

Rhinelander Keeps Water Well Active As Levels Of PFAS-Family Chimicals Rise

https://www.wxpr.org/…/rhinelander-keeps-water-well-active-levels-pfas- family-chemical-rise

Nov 7, 2019 … This summer, tests showed Rhinelander’s Municipal Well 7 was contaminated with PFAS chemicals. However, the most recent tests show no …

DNR: New PFAS Rules Likely To Have ‘Significant’ Economic Impact

https://www.wxpr.org/…/dnr-new-pfas-rules-likely-have-significant- economic-impact

Nov 19, 2019 … The DNR admitted putting new rules on PFAS in groundwater, drinking water, and surface water will have a “significant” economic impact on …

PFAS Compounds No Longer Detected In Rhinelander Well; Guild Raises Idea of Mistaken Original Tests

https://www.wxpr.org/…/pfas-compounds-no-longer-detected-rhinelander- well-guild-raises-idea-mistaken-original-tests

Nov 6, 2019 … The latest testing on Rhinelander’s Municipal Well 7 showed no detection of the two best-known per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) …

Wisconsin Solid Waste Professionals: ‘We Don’t Generate PFAS Foam’, Form Coalition to Address Issue

https://www.wxpr.org/…/wisconsin-solid-waste-professionals-we-don-t- generate-pfas-form-coalition-address-issue

Dec 11, 2019 … Wisconsin landfills are concerned they’re taking the blame for PFAS contamination. But a new coalition of solid waste professionals points out …

PFAS Found in Crescent Town Spring: Water Not Safe to Drink

https://www.wxpr.org/…/pfas-found-crescent-town-spring-water-not-safe- drink

Aug 19, 2019 … Now that the test results have come back as positive for high levels of PFAS, the recommendation not to drink the water at the Crescent Town …

Michigan Develops Comprehensive, Enforceable PFAS Regulations

https://www.wxpr.org/…/michigan-develops-comprehensive-enforceable-pfas -regulations

Oct 28, 2019 … Wisconsin’s neighbor will soon become one of a few states with enforceable PFAS regulations on the books. Michigan could have strict …

DNR Defends Accuracy Of Rhinelander PFAS Tests, Asks City To Make Test Results Publicly Available

https://www.wxpr.org/…/dnr-defends-accuracy-rhinelander-pfas-tests-asks- city-make-test-results-publicly-available

Nov 19, 2019 … Note: this story has been updated to include comments from the DNR’s Kyle Burton in a Tuesday interview. Rhinelander City Administrator …

Fire-Fighting Foam? An Old Dump? Exploring Possible Sources of …

https://www.wxpr.org/…/fire-fighting-foam-old-dump-exploring-possible- sources-pfas-near-rhinelander

Sep 19, 2019 … But a month ago, testing found the water had high levels PFHxS, a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) drawing attention in …

Resource-Environment-Mining

Back 40 Mine
Links to activist organizations Facebook sites

Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River http://jointherivercoalition.org/ https://www.facebook.com/jointherivercoalition/

Citizens Against the Back Forty Mine https://www.facebook.com/nobackfortymine/

Menominee Indian Tribe No Back 40 Mine https://www.facebook.com/NoBack40Mine/

Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition – Mining Action Group http://savethewildup.org/

The Front 40 http://menomineeriver.com/how-can-i-help/about-the-front-40/

Wisconsin Resources Protection Council – Links to Organizations Opposing Sulfide Mining in Wisconsin and Around the World http://www.wrpc.net/links/

Resource-Economy

Information on how the economy is really doing – factual articles not just talking points.

There Are Economic Warning Signs for Trump in the Midwest
By Ben Casselman and Karl Russell Dec. 16, 2019
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/16/business/trump-midwest-swing-jobs.html
There are a number of interesting charts in the article.
Jobs during Trump’s tenure – Dec. 2016 to Oct. 2019 Percentage change in total employment
Midwest States fairing worse than other areas because of dips in Manufacturing and Agriculture
North Dakota 1.0%
Wisconsin 1.6%
Ohio 1.6%
Iowa 1.7%
Michigan 1.8%
Indiana 2.3%
Illinois 2.5%
Pennsylvania 2.6%

Chart of Federal Spending
Tiny portion for Food Stamps

Resource-Environment

Environment - PFAS
Foam found on the banks of Starkweather Creek showed high concentrations of a contaminant called PFAS Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

PFAS Contamination Links to information regarding Wiscosnin PFAS contamination sites

https://brown.wiscdems.com/2019/12/23/resource-environment-pfas/

Mining
Issues regarding mining and impact on the environment

Link to information about the Back 40 Mine proposed on the Menominee River:

https://brown.wiscdems.com/2019/12/23/resource-environment-mining/

Other reading resources:

95 Environmental Rules Being Rolled Back Under Trump

PFAS found in drinking water

Trump Removes Pollution Controls on Streams and Wetlands – The New York Times

Trump’s Latest Attack on the Environment May Be His Most Alarming Yet

Resource-Impeachment

Twitter thread from Barb McQuade addressing the various GOP defenses of POTUS.
https://twitter.com/barbmcquade/status/1205353360825696256

@UMichLaw prof; legal analyst @NBCNews, @MSNBC; former US Attorney, national security prosecutor, Eastern District Michigan

Here are the GOP defenses I have heard so far to articles of impeachment, along with the knee-jerk responses I have been shouting at my television.

Defense 1: Trump did nothing wrong. Response: Trump hit the trifecta of impeachable conduct by subverting an election, seeking foreign influence, and putting personal interest ahead of national interest. And he obstructed Congress by refusing to produce any witnesses or documents.

Defense 2: No harm occurred because the military aid went through. Response: The aid went through only after Trump was caught. In the meantime, months of delay cost Ukraine lives in its war with Russia. US credibility was harmed and moral authority to fight corruption was eroded.

Defense 3: Because aid went through, no misconduct was committed. Response: Bribery occurs upon demand for a personal favor in exchange for performance of an official act. If you offer a cop $20 to get out of a traffic ticket, even if he declines, you have still committed bribery

Defense 4: Abuse of power is not even a crime. Response: Impeachable conduct may be criminal conduct, but need not be. A president could be impeached if he watched TV all day and failed to fulfill his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

Defense 5: There’s nothing wrong with asking for an investigation. Response: If this were legitimate investigation, you wouldn’t need to send your personal lawyer and his henchmen to do it. Witnesses say Trump didn’t want investigation, just announcement of investigation.

Defense 6: There was no quid pro quo. Read the transcript! Trump’s request for a “favor” is strong evidence, corroborated by witness testimony, of months-long scheme to get Zelensky to “go to the mic” and announce Biden probe. Aid was leverage.

Defense 7: As VP, Biden held up aid as leverage to get rid of the Ukrainian public prosecutor. Response: It is appropriate for a president or VP to take action to advance the interests of the nation. Trump was advancing his personal interests.

Defense 8: Teatimony is hearsay. Response: Rules of Evidence don’t apply. Also, call summary, Sondland testimony are non-hearsay. Trump has barred direct witnesses. You can’t have it both ways. If they had information favorable to Trump, you can bet we would have heard from them.

Defense 9: It happens all the time. Get over it. Response: Trump sought foreign influence in our election and harmed national security by delaying aid designed to fight Russia, our adversary. We don’t have to accept it. We deserve better.

Defense 10: Impeachment would un-do an election. Response: All impeachments un-do elections. Constitution permits impeachment if president is unfit to serve. When rigging an election is involved, elections are ineffective for removal. Impeachment is not to punish but to protect.

Defense 11: Impeachment proceedings are moving too fast. Response: This impeachment has moved slower than Bill Clinton’s and on pace with Richard Nixon’s. For a president who presents a clear and present danger to national security, removal is urgent and can’t come soon enough.

Defense 12: We need to hear from the whistleblower. Response: The whistleblower was a tipster, whose tip led to the investigation. Tipsters do not testify at trial, the witnesses do. We have a duty to protect whistleblowers to encourage them to use proper channels to report abuse.

Resource-Medicare & Health Insurance

Health Insurance

Information and links to articles about Health Insurance

High prescription costs are just one way the Big Pharma drug companies rip us off  https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/12/16/high-prices-low-taxes-and-other-drug-company-ripoffs-column/4408143002/

Trump Plans To Cut Soc Sec & Medicare in 2nd Term

We need to vote for a President in 2020 who will protect Medicare and Social Security. Trump drastically increased the deficit to give the super wealthy a tax cut, and now Republican lawmakers are going to push him to balance it by making cuts to Medicare and Social Security if he gets re-elected in 2020.

“Republicans on Capitol Hill say Donald Trump may be willing to cut Social Security and Medicare if he wins in 2020, reportedly describing the potential move as a ‘second-term project’.”

Trump tells Republicans he may begin cutting social security and Medicare if he wins in 2020
‘We’ve brought it up with President Trump, who has talked about it being a second-term project’

Independent, Chris Riotta, August 23,2019

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-medicare-social-security-cuts-2020-election-debt-a9076531.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter&fbclid=IwAR0qQzSi91TaT3_PLpldsd1RTc-K8Y-XcnG_J3_-QWh-V3KndCsTaLEp0T4#Echobox=1566581399

Trump’s Second-Term Plan For Social Security: Starve The Beast

Forbes, Teresa Ghilarducci, August 23,2019

Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/teresaghilarducci/2019/08/23/trumps-second-term-plan-for-social-security-starve-the-beast/?utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Valerie%2F&fbclid=IwAR0maAUBmBBZ1OZkje6TxC2C0XCYaJI_t7soNyIGwrCH8f6C1_lZcvHEld0#3d48dd8d3794