It is the best of times and the worst of times, maybe. In a national poll released by Quinnipiac on May 21, Trump's approval-disapproval numbers were 38% approve and a whopping 57% disapprove. Voters apparently are not impressed with his handling of foreign affairs or trade. Meanwhile, "54 percent of American voters say they 'definitely' will not vote for him, compared to 52 percent in an April 30 Quinnipiac University National Poll. Today, 31 percent say they 'definitely' will vote for Trump and 12 percent say they will 'consider voting for him.' ... Definitely not voting for Trump are 10 percent of Republicans, 94 percent of Democrats and 54 percent of independent voters." Our job is to make sure we turn out everyone who claims they will definitely not vote for our Liar in Chief! And that's the good news.

The bad is more diffuse. It's good that at least some documents from the intelligence investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election will be supplied to the House Judiciary Committee, but we're a long way from doing whatever needs to be done to protect our elections from intrusion and manipulation. And the testimony of Bob Mueller, Don McGahn, and others remains uncertain and unscheduled, either in the House Judiciary Committee or the Intelligence Committee. The whole national scene — including the performance of HUD Secretary Ben Carson yesterday, the ongoing tragedies at our southern border, the policies of our Secretary of Education, and the drum beat for war in Iran — depresses me. The nightmare we are living through never lets up, never ends.

Here in Wisconsin, there is apparently no progress in negotiations between the GOP dominated legislature and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. At stake — school funding, the future of voucher schools, Medicaid expansion, nonpartisan redistricting, and the ever contentious but ever needy infrastructure enhancement. What we have learned, of course, is that it's not enough to vote, to win elections. We need to keep up the pressure, especially on the legislature, to compromise, at the very least. Voting for the federal dollars that come with the Medicaid expansion — never mind providing affordable health coverage for 82,000 of our neighbors — would be the right thing to do. If we call, write, and demonstrate in large enough numbers, wobbly Republicans might get the message. So do your part and call or write you legislators TODAY. You can find contact info for your Senator and Assembly Representative here: legis.wisconsin.gov.

Our local Democratic organizer, Davette Baker, has two announcements to pass along:

Grassroots North Shore will be holding at least one phone bank to call our supporters and urge them to call Senator Darling, and Representatives Knodl and Ott. We'll get that organized as soon as we can and will send out an action alert to call for volunteers. Stay tuned.

Finally, make sure you save the date for an educational program on the healthcare proposals national candidates are providing. Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin, will discuss The Future of Healthcare in the US. This will be a wonderful opportunity to ask questions of a healthcare expert! Grassroots North Shore is hosting the event on Sunday, June 23, at the Brown Deer United Methodist Church (5736 W Brown Deer Rd, Milwaukee). Doors will open at 2:30pm and the program will begin at 3:00pm. As usual, we are asking that people RSVP on our website or our Facebook event page so we will have enough goodies for everyone.

Wed May 22, 2019

Refuel the Resistance, 5pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Drinking Liberally - Port Washington, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Schooner Pub, 114 N Franklin St, Port Washington, WI 53074
This month's discussion topic is global warming. More info.

Drinking Liberally Glendale, 6:30pm - 9pm
Bar Louie, 5750 N. Bayshore Dr., Glendale
Drinking Liberally Glendale meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. A monthly meetup to eat, drink, and talk politics with like-minded people. More information.

Thu May 23, 2019

Catholic Congregation of the Great Spirit, 4:00 – 4:00pm
10th & Lapham, Milwaukee
Hear Tony Brown from the Menominee Reservation speak on how we can help stop the Back Forty Mine. The mouth of the Menominee River is the place of origin of the Menominee People. The land that will be destroyed is the site of Menominee villages, burial sites, mounds and unique raised garden beds, of great significance to the Menominee Nation. Water protectors, come support and defend the Menominee Nation, the Menominee River, Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

MICAH Annual Celebration, 6pm - 8:30pm
St. Matthew's Ev. Lutheran Church, 1615 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa
MICAH's 2019 Annual Celebration, "We Still Have a Dream," is a major fundraiser to support the work of MICAH. 6pm: Reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres. 7-8:30pm: Celebration Program Keynote Speaker: Pastor Walter Lanier, Progressive Baptist Church,Milwaukee Honoring Awardees:- To Do What Is Just Award: Dr. Latish Reed, MPS Equity Specialist- Distinguished Leadership Award: Conor Williams, Economic Policy Analyst, Community AdvocatesTickets are $50. Advance purchase required (deadline is May 19): Online or email or phone 414-264-0805.

Fri May 24, 2019

MKE Climate Strike, 12pm - 2pm
Federal Building, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee
On May 24, students and allies across the globe will once again strike from school to demand climate justice. Students and allies in Milwaukee and around the state will be using this day of action to demand that Governor Evers declare a climate emergency in the state of Wisconsin. For more information email or go to the Facebook event.

Sat May 25, 2019

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
North Lincoln Memorial Drive & Lafayette Hill Road, Milwaukee
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

No US - Iran War, 12pm - 12:30pm
Lincoln Memorial and Lafayette Hill Rd

Wed May 29, 2019

Refuel the Resistance, 5pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

It's a strong NO for Denise P. Bartlett for the Fire and Police Commission, 9:30 – 10:00am
City Hall, 3rd Floor, Common Council Chambers
We are demanding that Mayor Barrett appoints individuals that are interested and have applied for this opportunity, utilize different means to notify the community that this opportunity to serve exists, and fill all nine seats commissioner seats on the FPC. If the Mayor’s office or the Common Council needs suggestions on how to more effectively share this opportunity with the community let the community know and we can certainly offer some suggestions.

We demand Mayor Barrett to consider the communities need to have someone who can take a strong and fair stance along with a PROVEN track record for advocating for those who have been disproportionately affected by policies and law enforcement.

Sat Jun 1, 2019

DPW State Convention, All Day
Milwaukee

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
West National Avenue & Cesar Chavez Drive (South 16th Street), Milwaukee
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Sun Jun 2, 2019

DPW State Convention, All Day
Milwaukee

Mon Jun 3, 2019

Violent Recidivism Conference, All day
Marquette University, Eckstein Hall, 1215 W. Michigan St., Milwaukee
This free, 2-day conference will consider what evidence shows about risk assessment, treatment, and sentencing and supervision options for violence-convicted individuals. Leading social scientists and legal scholars from across the nation will share their research, illuminating the challenge posed by violent recidivism and the difficult choices that lawmakers, judges, and prosecutors must make. More information, schedule, and RSVP (required).

Drinking Liberally Waukesha, 6:30pm - 9pm
Clarke Irish Pub, 314 W. Main St., Waukesha
Drinking Liberally Waukesha meets the first Monday of each month. More information.

Tue Jun 4, 2019

Violent Recidivism Conference, All day
Marquette University, Eckstein Hall, 1215 W. Michigan St., Milwaukee
This free, 2-day conference will consider what evidence shows about risk assessment, treatment, and sentencing and supervision options for violence-convicted individuals. Leading social scientists and legal scholars from across the nation will share their research, illuminating the challenge posed by violent recidivism and the difficult choices that lawmakers, judges, and prosecutors must make. More information, schedule, and RSVP (required).