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San Ysidro Border Rally Canceled, Questions About Sponsor Remain Unanswered

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An event billed as a ‘Rally at the Border,’ previously scheduled for Saturday, March 25 has been canceled. I’m not sure ‘canceled’ is the right word. “Collapsed’ might be a better description. I’m hoping the sixteen hundred people who RSVP’d for the rally don’t waste their time showing up.

I’ve been digging into this story for a couple of days, and expect to post updates as people become aware of what’s occurred. There are lessons to be learned from this experience, coming in an era where anybody with a Facebook page and some clipart can call themselves ‘The Resistance.”   [Read more…]

FBI: Russia! Dems: Russia! Media: Russia! Republicans: Who Snitched?

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Talk about timing. On Monday, FBI Director James Comey revealed an ongoing counterintelligence investigation into efforts by the Putin regime to influence the 2016 presidential election.

This morning we’re learning about a big dollar relationship between Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s former campaign manager. Trump has known Manafort since the 1980s when he was partners with Roger Stone. Roy Cohn, who gained notoriety as chief counsel for Senator Joe McCarthy, introduced Trump to Stone during that decade.

On Thursday, San Diego’s Democrats For Equality meeting will feature activist John Mattes, whose early suspicions about the sources of anti-Clinton posts on the pro-Bernie Sanders Facebook pages pointed to foreign involvement, will present the findings of a six-month investigation he conducted about Russian interference.   [Read more…]

Club for Growth Ad Campaign Targets Congressman Issa on Health Care Bill

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The battle over #TrumpDontCare, or as the Club for Growth is now calling it, #RyanCare is coming to a head.

Congressman Darrell Issa has been named as one of ten legislators targeted by the conservative anti-tax group in a $500,000 TV and digital ad buy urging opposition to the administration’s health care bill. They don’t like the bill because it doesn’t include enough ‘freedom,’ which is code for screwing the not-as-wealthy.

On the other side of the fence, Indivisible and associated groups opposing repeal of the Affordable Care Act are regularly picketing Issa’s Vista office. Tuesday’s action included a “die in” on the lawn nearby, with signs shaped like tombstones and messages on how the Republican plan will cost lives.   [Read more…]

Ballast Point Boycott Tied to Support for Congressman Paul Ryan, Trumpcare Fight

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A boycott of Ballast Point products is being pushed by groups in Chicago as part of a campaign of resistance to the Trump administration’s hurry-up plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Ballast Point is the largest brewer in San Diego and was acquired by Constellation Brands in November 2015 for a reported of $1 billion. The parent company’s Political Action Committee has donated $25,000 thus far in 2017 in support of Rep. Paul Ryan, who’s leading the congressional fight for passage of what I like to call #TrumpDontCare.

The brewery has reached out via social media as news of the boycott has gone viral, saying “Ballast Point does not support Paul Ryan, nor the healthcare bill.”   [Read more…]

Progressive Activist Calendar, March 17-28, 2017

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The Randian nightmare, also known as the Trump administration continues to unfold. A budget plan presented by the White House this week is a boon for billionaires and kick in the teeth for the rest of us.

It should be clear by now we’re in for a long struggle. There are ongoing activities, organizations to support, and organizing to be done. AND, we should try to have a little fun along the way! Take a walk, have a talk, read a book, and turn off the internet from time-to-time.

So what will you do? Check out this week’s Progressive Activist Calendar listings below. Following those listings are upcoming events of national importance, along with opportunities for organizational involvement.

  [Read more…]

Mayor Faulconer Says No to Trump Immigration Scheme

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Mayor Kevin Faulconer issued a memorandum on Wednesday, March 15, saying San Diego will not be participating a federal program deputizing local law enforcement officers to perform the duties of immigration authorities.

I learned about the memorandum, which came in response to an earlier letter from Councilmembers Chris Ward, David Alvarez, and Georgette Gomez, by way of social media from the 9th District councilman.

I get multiple press releases from the Mayor’s office daily, but somehow this one didn’t rate a mention. I’ve already been informed twice, for instance, hizzoner will be first in line on Thursday afternoon at Stone Brewing’s Liberty Station to taste “Full Circle Pale Ale, the first local craft beer brewed with advanced-treated recycled water from the city’s “Pure Water” facility.”   [Read more…]

Indivisible Provides Another Glimpse into Duncan Hunter’s Delusions

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Plus: A Few Thoughts About the State of the Resistance

The good folks at Indivisible have released a four and half minute video from Congressman Duncan Hunter’s Ramona town hall meeting over the weekend.

In it, the East County’s Republican Representative lays out the world in Washington as he sees it, condemning the thousands of “seditious Obama folks” who’ve infiltrated the Justice Department, the FBI, and the intelligence community.

You have to give it to Duncan, Jr. His arrogance is only exceeded by his ignorance, as he took a break from his “…very busy two months making America great again” to speak with the common folk this past weekend.   [Read more…]

County Employees Seek Community Input in Labor Talks

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This week (Wednesday, March 15), unions and community groups will appear before the County Board of Supervisors to urge them to begin negotiations on a new labor agreement.

What would normally be a matter of negotiating pay and benefits for 10,000 San Diego County employees has become another front in the battle for social justice, thanks to a strategy called ‘bargaining for the common good’ adopted by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) local 221.

The SEIU has invited representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Policy Initiatives, the Community Advocacy Network and other groups to join them at the bargaining table and participate in negotiations.   [Read more…]

Town Halls a la San Diego: Darrell Issa Deflects, Duncan Hunter Sings Off Key

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As town halls in San Diego featuring Representatives Darrell Issa, Duncan Hunter and Susan Davis drew big crowds and garnered national attention, the American Civil Liberties Union rolled out the inaugural event of People Power, with more than 2,200 events in cities coast-to-coast.

Women from all over the region at City College, supporters of Planned Parenthood in Vista, and Muslim youth at UCSD all participated in events responding to the policies and proclamations of the Trump administration. People in North Park filled out protest postcards to mail to the administration, a union local hosted a panel discussing the future of local activism, and health care advocates gathered in Mission Valley to discuss a path forward to a single payer system in California.

And the Huffington Post published what could be the ultimate cautionary tale for activists, pulling together threads about a social media disinformation campaign aimed at promoting divisions during the 2016 presidential campaign. San Diego activist John Mattes’ efforts to uncover the truth about the conspiracy news stories spread through Facebook pages seemingly favorable to candidate Bernie Sanders start off the story.

  [Read more…]

Progressive Calendar for San Diego Activists, March 10 – 21, 2017

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Wow. Here’s another calendar packed full of events for local activists. I’ve made some cosmetic changes this week, including icons to make events more recognizable.

So what will you do? Check out this week’s Progressive Calendar listings below. Following those listings are upcoming events of national importance, along with opportunities for organizational involvement and a few reading suggestions.

Get your event listed: I try to list the next 10 days or so of mostly non-commercial events I think our readers might find of interest. I source my material from social media listings and press releases.   [Read more…]

Darrell & Duncan Staging Saturday Town Halls in Oceanside & Ramona

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Persistence pays, I think the woman said. Two previously shy Congressmen have now scheduled forums where constituents will (maybe) have the opportunity to share their thoughts on the destruction of guardrails along the road towards Making America Great Again.

GOP Representative Darrell Issa made it official yesterday, pulling permits for a Saturday morning forum at Junior Seau Recreation Center in Oceanside. One hour sessions are scheduled for 8:30 & 10am, with reservations for residents of District 49 being accepted at Issa’s website starting at noon on Thursday.

Rep. Duncan Hunter’s town hall, announced on February 24, is also scheduled for Saturday, March 11. It is being held at the Ramona Mainstage, a venue best known as home for the local Tea Party affiliate. Doors are scheduled to open at 9:15; the Congressman will answer question cards collected from the audience in advance starting at 10am.   [Read more…]

Photo Gallery: Muslim Ban 2.0 Prompts Lindbergh Field Protest

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The call to protest went out mid-day, not long after the Trump administration rolled out their Muslim Ban 2.0. On Twitter, on Facebook, and on the Indivisible network, encompassing dozens of groups throughout the county.

Those that could do so came to make a statement. Those that couldn’t, amplified the message via social media.

It still reads like a ban It still feels like a ban. And it’s still an affront to human decency. Travel restrictions aside, the United States of American is slamming the door on refugees. After the 120-day suspension ends, a mere 12,500 humans fleeing war, oppression, and famine will be allowed to enter the country for the remainder of the year.   [Read more…]

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