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CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#171876: Feb 1st 2017 at 1:35:17 PM

Just heard Sasse this morning on NPR stumble around trying to defend the blatant partisanship of denying Garland a SCOTUS seat while simultaneously arguing that the comparatively less-qualified Gorsuch should be confirmed on the basis of country over party. He sounds like a smarmy bastard, but if he could be turned, he would be a great asset.

edited 1st Feb '17 1:35:25 PM by CrimsonZephyr

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
CenturyEye Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign? from I don't know where the Yith sent me this time... Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign?
#171877: Feb 1st 2017 at 1:36:49 PM

[up]How did he even attempt to do that? And is there an article on it?

Look with century eyes... With our backs to the arch And the wreck of our kind We will stare straight ahead For the rest of our lives
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#171878: Feb 1st 2017 at 1:39:06 PM

I contacted the office of my state's senator to vote against the DeVos confirmation.

Do not obey in advance.
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#171879: Feb 1st 2017 at 1:39:37 PM

[up][up]Transcript.

[up]What state/senator?

edited 1st Feb '17 1:40:15 PM by CrimsonZephyr

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#171880: Feb 1st 2017 at 1:45:49 PM

Both of my state's senators are democrats, and of the two only Schumer seems even remotely interested in compromising with Trump, so I've made my position clear on what appointments are the highest priority in my eyes for the democrats to block, namely DeVos and Sessions.

KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#171881: Feb 1st 2017 at 1:48:06 PM

I'm debating whether I should give Rob Portman a call. This sort of thing always makes me pretty nervous...

My other Senator is Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, and from what I've seen he's been pretty critical of Trump, so I don't think I need to worry about him.

edited 1st Feb '17 1:48:21 PM by KarkatTheDalek

Oh God! Natural light!
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#171882: Feb 1st 2017 at 1:51:31 PM

I mean, I live in CA, so calling my senators would take "preaching to the choir" to new levels entirely

I'm praying that Sessions and DeVos get blocked and I'm hoping against hope that 3 repub senators understand that this planet needs a future and blocks Pruitt, but I'm not holding my breath.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
Balmung Since: Oct, 2011
#171883: Feb 1st 2017 at 1:51:48 PM

Just heard Sasse this morning on NPR stumble around trying to defend the blatant partisanship of denying Garland a SCOTUS seat while simultaneously arguing that the comparatively less-qualified Gorsuch should be confirmed on the basis of country over party. He sounds like a smarmy bastard, but if he could be turned, he would be a great asset.
Oh, he's definitely a slimy, smarmy bastard, but he's a slimy, smarmy bastard who really hates Donald Trump. It may be feasible to get him to stonewall Trump's agenda, which is about as much as I think we can hope for from a GOP senator from Nebraska.

Matues Since: Sep, 2011
#171884: Feb 1st 2017 at 1:59:55 PM

My acute social anxiety is making calling hard. I know I'll probably just get a bored secretary, but all the same I'm scared I'll actually have to talk to my right-wing crazy senators and if I have to engage in a dialogue with them I'll probably have a panic attack.

Like, it's hard to contemplate talking to someone who I know doesn't really view me as a person.

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#171885: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:03:52 PM

You shouldn't feel pressured to make these calls if you have phone anxiety—I don't know of anyone who would blame you for abstaining.

If it helps, though, I guarantee you you won't actually have to talk to your senators. You'll be speaking with staffers only, and there are also scripts available if that would make it any easier. You can pretty much just call, read the script, then say "bye" and hang up.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
RisingStar Since: Nov, 2016
#171886: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:11:47 PM

My senators are really, really tearing into DeVos and Sessions already, so I'm trying to think of something else to call about.

Meanwhile...

http://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-claim-they-ve-developed-a-psychological-vaccine-against-fake-news

This is promising.

edited 1st Feb '17 2:13:07 PM by RisingStar

AngelusNox Warder of the damned from The guard of the gates of oblivion Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
Warder of the damned
#171887: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:12:35 PM

I'd love to see Trump complain about the Go P bailing out on De Vos, whoever he or she is, because of all the calls they've been getting.

This would be another nail on him for his hypocrisy since he promised to give power back to the people and people calling their senators to express their disapproval towards that nomination a fine example of people exercising their power in the political process.

Inter arma enim silent leges
Gilphon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#171888: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:18:43 PM

@Karkat: Portman has the potential to become a swing voter in the Senate- he's the precise middle of the pack on the Trumpiness scale. Phone anxiety is a thing, and if you can't get over that, fine, but trying to pressure Portman would be a good use of your time.

CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#171889: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:20:11 PM

As far as the California voters go, Feinstein hasn't really stood up to Trump yet in a significant way going by her votes.

AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#171890: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:33:14 PM

De Vos is a lady who's consistently and successfully attacked public education in Michigan, is a proponent of religious education and "school choice" for charter schools, expressed in her hearing that schools should be able to have guns to defend against bears, which confused the hell out of the people of the specific school she mentioned, and apparently her brother was the guy who used to run Blackwater.

Basically, she's actively dangerous to the public education system.

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#171891: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:34:09 PM

Don't forget her "stance" on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#171892: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:35:34 PM

I could see how voucher systems would trash the education system because it still favors the rich anyway.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#171893: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:36:06 PM

[up][up][up][up][up] Hm...I don't know if I can work up the nerve to do it....I'll need some time to think about it.

I did, however, call my mom and ask her to try calling him. Not only is she a teacher, but she also voted for Portman and genuinely likes him, so her opinion might be worth something (or at least, more than mine). She seemed willing to consider it (she's no fan of Betsy De Vos), so we'll see how that goes.

edited 1st Feb '17 2:36:32 PM by KarkatTheDalek

Oh God! Natural light!
JBC31187 Since: Jan, 2015
#171894: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:36:54 PM

I've been told that it's best to either call or send snail-mail. Emails and texts are just deleted, and online petitions are nice for numbers but that's it. So if you hate calling people like I do, send a letter.

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#171895: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:43:38 PM

Even I hate these "School Choice" Proponents, and I'm a Libertarian myself! School is something that absolutely needs to be Public; it needs to be available to everyone for 'Free' so that a society can run competently. School Choice, in my eyes, is nothing but Re-Segregating the Schools while making a profit off of Poor Non-Whites and Rich Whites.

I don't know if DeVos can be stopped; Too many Republicans are either scared to back off, or too loyal to even consider it. I do applaud Ms. Collins and Ms. Murkowski for standing up for Public Education, but they aren't enough, and I can't really think of any Republican who'd stop DeVos. She'll probably get in, and then either start dismantling Public Education, give Governors the power to do so, or convince Trump to try to do so.

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#171896: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:46:34 PM

Yeah if you can't call write. Also do call even the ones who you know are voting against, they'll appreciate the support and on top of that they can try and swing other votes (senators do talk to each other) and being able to say "I've had X number of call on this, believe me voters care" will help them try and swing votes.

Man I wish my country's opposition was actually standing for something. sad

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#171897: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:53:35 PM

Just saw a Youtube video showing lawyers working at an airport pro bono to try to help people who have friends and family being detained because of the new ban. Seeing it, I knew I should not scroll down to the comments section, but I did. Now I just feel despair for the future of humanity and find myself again wishing I had a device that opens up a portal to a location based on a target username so I could punch everyone in the face.

blkwhtrbbt The Dragon of the Eastern Sea from Doesn't take orders from Vladimir Putin Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
The Dragon of the Eastern Sea
#171898: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:55:57 PM

* mumbles something incoherent about IP tracers and ICBMs...

Say to the others who did not follow through You're still our brothers, and we will fight for you
RisingStar Since: Nov, 2016
#171899: Feb 1st 2017 at 2:59:52 PM

Made the calls against DeVos anyway, since it can't hurt...apparently I was still late because I'm on the opposite coast, though.

danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#171900: Feb 1st 2017 at 3:01:57 PM

Really, though, Trump places a blanket ban over seven countries, and there are people trying to compare it to when Obama increased vetting procedures for immigrants from Iraq. Two somewhat similar situations with vastly different targets and motivations. People defend it by saying it's not unconstitutional because the ban isn't on citizens (despite also including green card and visa holders), but can't we have some basic morality in politics?

edited 1st Feb '17 3:02:25 PM by danime91


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