Wednesday, January 27, 2021

January 28 = Climate Crisis Citizen Action

 Take Action NOW to address the Climate Crisis!

Citizen Action: TAKE ACTION NOW! 

January 28 at 7:00 p.m. ONLINE


Even with everything else going on our planet is still in crisis.  Fighting the looming climate crisis requires action at the corporate, government and personal levels.  We need to act NOW to save our futures.

To that end Citizen Action of Wisconsin is hosting a very special, virtual event on Thursday,  January 28 at 7:00 p.m. to highlight actions that we all can take NOW to reduce carbon emissions and save money. 

We will hear from Citizen Action of Wisconsin members and allies about climate campaigns they are working on and learn about how to get involved.  We will be sharing information about how homeowners can add solar panels to their homes at no up front cost.  We will also be showcasing actions you can take to pressure those in power to take bold action on fighting climate change.  Those who attend will even learn how to win a $25 gift card to the Driftless Cafe, Southwest Wisconsin's finest farm to table restaurant. 

Please RSVP at this link for this very special event.  Stopping the climate crisis is going to take all of us working together.  Join us and learn what you can do RIGHT NOW. Please share this far and wide to active as many climate activists and concerned citizens as possible!


Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Police Oversight Board - your input requested

The Police Advisory/Oversight Board Subcommittee of The Criminal Justice Management Council of La Crosse requests YOUR input! Please complete this short survey to help the oversight board define its scope, processes, and parameters. The information collected is anonymous, confidential and will be utilized in aggregate form to inform the subcommittee's decisions. Law enforcement will not have access to any individually identifying information.

A Police Advisory/Oversight Board would potentially identify, study, offer advice, and recommendations on problems, concerns, training, policies, and programs of its local police department in order to be a liaison between the county and municipal police departments and the public.

The ultimate goal is to improve the safety of all residents, especially for those who experience disproportionate police interaction including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, as well as disable people, those experiencing poverty and homelessness. 

EVERYONE'S INPUT is welcomed! The Survey Link is available until February 5: https://uwlax.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_brW4H5U4eBjOUeN

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Call for Fair Maps

We Demand Fair Maps!

From Bayfield to Kenosha, Wisconsinites know that when politicians draw their own maps, all voters lose. Across the state, there is broad support to end gerrymandering, with over 70 percent of Wisconsin voters across party lines calling for a non-partisan map drawing process. 

The last time maps were drawn in 2011, the lawmakers in power ignored public opinion and gerrymandered the maps. We refuse to let this happen again.

Beginning today, The Fair Maps Coalition is joining with other nonpartisan redistricting advocates in an email campaign, led by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, to demand state legislators enact a nonpartisan, non-gerrymandered mapping process in 2021. 


Join us by contacting your legislator today and demanding they show their support for Fair Maps!

We’ve made contacting your legislators as simple as possible with this online form. All you need to do is enter your information and we’ll find your legislators for you; then customize your message showing your support for a nonpartisan redistricting process and demanding they do the same.

Here are a few things to remember while filling out the template to ensure the highest impact:

  • Customize your message! While a pre-written email is provided to get you started, in order to have the greatest impact we ask that you add additional information about how long you have lived in Wisconsin, and how gerrymandering has impacted your community. Not sure what to add? Check out this document for inspiration.
  • Do not make any changes within the brackets. By filling in your full name and address, the fields "[@advFirst]", "[@advLast]" and "[@advCity]" will be automatically filled in with your information.
  • There is no need to send two emails. Both your State Senate and State Assembly legislators appear when you enter your address. An email will be sent personally to both lawmakers when you hit "Send Email."
  • Share this campaign! Please forward this email to your networks and share the email template on social media or otherwise. Ask those you care about to contact their legislators too. There will be an option to share on Facebook and Twitter in the template.
Contact your legislator
 

Sunday, January 17, 2021

This week - get active!

You are going to be good busy this week!

MONDAY, January 18 is our national holiday in honor of the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Viterbo University is hosting a Day of Service, Learning, and Celebration and the evening program will honor local activists and welcome Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II as they keynote speaker. The evening event will be easy to access as a Facebook live event (NO FB account required). 

TUESDAY, January 19 will be an opportunity to hear from six of the seven candidates for State Superintendent of Public Schools during an online forum hosted by the La Crosse County Democratic Party beginning at 6:30 p.m. Party membership is NOT required. To attend, register at http://tiny.cc/LCDP011921

WEDNESDAY, January 20 starts with a COMMUNITY CONVERSATION about "Social Distance - COVID Reveals the Economic Gaps" hosted by the Interfaith Leaders Coalition. This NOON program is online and free. Visit the ILC site for the link to view.

THURSDAY, January 21 is the MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM hosted by the La Crosse Independent and The La Crosse Local. This ONLINE event begins at 7 p.m.

What: La Crosse Virtual Mayoral Forum 
When: Thursday, January 21, 2021 | 7 pm.
Where to Watch: La Crosse Independent Facebook Page, La Crosse Local Facebook page, and the La Crosse Local Youtube Channel.

The stream is provided by Dylan Overhouse Productions and Mike Makes.

And don't forget to submit your transit-related question for the La Crosse Area Transit Advocates' mayoral candidate questionnaire. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, January 20 at 5 p.m. Questionnaire results will be published on February 4, National Transit Equity Day..

[UPDATE OF DATE] ON TUESDAY, *JANUARY 27* at 6:30 p.m. there's a two-hour meeting of the local Citizens Climate Lobby. The meeting will be held on Zoom. Learn more and sign up for access information at the link.

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Remove all rot

Rep. Ron Kind has finally signed on to support impeachment according to a January 12 notice from Indivisible.

That's just the first step. 

Now he must also support Rep. Cori Bush's first legislation (HR 25). "Directing the Committee on Ethics to investigate, and issue a report on, whether any and all actions taken by Members of the 117th Congress who sought to overturn the 2020 Presidential election violated their oath of office to uphold the Constitution or the Rules of the House of Representatives, and should face sanction, including removal from the House of Representatives." And that would include Wisconsin Trumppets, Tom Tiffany and Scott Fitzgerald.

New reports are emerging of Republican  Representatives helping to plan the the attempted coup, helping the plotters identify important offices and individuals, and helping to incite the mob. More on the plot from elected and prominent Republicans' involvement is coming.

Rep. Kind must also urge and vote for "the 14th amendment solution" to neuter Trump's future political aspirations. "I know you are disappointed but I also want you to know that our incredible journey is only just beginning."

Again, if you want to know what's happened and what's coming next, listen to the podcast GASLIT NATION. Experts on authoritarians and international crime syndicares are like a crystal ball. It isn't over.


Oh yes, and in Wisconsin, the plot to assign electoral college votes by hyperpartisan gerrymandered congressional district results (rather than the state-wide popular vote) continues.


Thursday, January 07, 2021

Now is the time ...

 

First, Rep. Ilhan Omar has drafted new articles of impeachment. So far, Rep. Ron Kind is not on the list of supporters. So, PLEASE CALL KIND'S OFFICE NOW and tell him to support this effort. Even Nancy Pelosi says she supports impeachment if VP Pence doesn't invoke the 25th amendment. 

Next, sign Indivisible's form to impeach, convict, and disquality Trump from ever holding office again. 

Then, start right now on the next election. Going into the new year, there are razor thin margins of Democrats in the House and Senate, including many who are definitely not on board with the programs and changes needed to combat the climate crisis, reform the judicial system and policing, change foreign policy, prioritize economic fairness, and provide healthcare for all. In fact, too many Dems are not even on board with dumping the filibuster, ensuring that even in his minority role, Mitch McConnell will be able to scuttle lots of legislation making Democrats appear weak and reducing chances of their maintaining control after the 2022 midterm elections. 

So, right now, focus on 2022 - candidates, voting activism, voter education, voter registration. 

The Gaslit Nation Action Gudie is a great place to start. In fact, if you are not a regular listener to this podcast, start listening now. Sarah Kendzior (The View from Flyover Country and Hiding in Plain Sight) joins Andrea Chalupa (Mr. Jones) to tell us what's going to happen next based on their expertise and scholarship on authoritarian regimes. "This is a transnational crime syndicate masquerading as a government."

This is not over [Updated] Rep. Tom Tiffany and Rep. Scott Fitzgerald have both made clear where their loyalties lie by challenging certified votes. A January 7 poll found that 45% of Republican voters support the storming of the Capitol. State Republicans are forcing colleages and employees to work in a dangerous and toxic environment where the COVID-19 virus will freely spread among the unmasked. Not to mention their NO-relief COVID legislation.

Trump has two weeks to act. There are also reports of the pardons still to come for crimes maybe yet to be committed. 

But, whatever happens to Trump, his QAnon backers and elected legislators, state and national, are just getting started.

The good news: Bernie Sanders, incoming chair of the Senate Budget Committee.


Monday, January 04, 2021

Connected Through Diversity

 

 The Extension La Crosse County Office is celebrating Connecting through Diversity through a public art exhibition beginning on Monday, January 18 and running through Monday, March 1, 2021. In a time of polarity, everyone is welcome to submit a piece of wall art reflecting on what connects us as people while celebrating our differences.

For more information, and a submission form, please visit: https://lacrosse.extension.wisc.edu/virtual-programming-opportunities/connected-through-diversity-art-contest/