shorter and to the point

Last week the newsletter was late; this week it's early. And that's because I want to make sure you have an opportunity to attend Bob Tatterson's event from 5:30 to 7:00 on Monday, June 26, at SIP MKE (1515 W Mequon Rd, Mequon). You'll find the full description in the first item of the Events list. But you can also RSVP right here.

Also, if you have not yet signed up for To US: A Celebration of our nation's 247th birthday, you should. The event will be held outdoors in Doctors Park (1870 E Fox Lane, Fox Point) on Sunday, July 9 beginning at 3:30pm, and will feature one of Grassroots North Shore's favorite speakers, John Nichols. John is the National Editor for The Nation, Madison Editor of the Capitol Times, author of Dollarocracy and other books, and the Voice of Wisconsin Progressivism. And he always gives us inspiration to carry on the work of educating and persuading voters who care about the future of Wisconsin and the country.

Bob Tatterson will also be on hand and will speak at the birthday event. He's a terrific candidate with a real chance to win in this low, low, low turnout election to be held on July 18. So come out to cheer him on. Please RSVP so we'll know you're coming to the party. Bring a lawn chair and your family and friends.

And speaking of the special election in Assembly District 24, today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel publishes a piece about Tatterson's opponent that reveals his reaction to a costume competition in 2001. The winner wore an Aunt Jemima costume complete with blackface makeup! At the time, Paul Melotik "seemed less than outraged about the whole situation when he was interviewed several days later." When asked about it now, he basically shrugged and said he had noting to do with the Water Street Halloween party, even though at the time he was president of the Water Street Tavern and Restaurant Association, which sponsored the event and provided the $1,000 prize for the winner. At the end of the article, Daniel Bice writes: "At the very least would Melotik acknowledge that it's highly inappropriate for someone to don blackface while dressing up as Aunt Jemima? Nearly everyone agrees with that now, right?" Melotik finally coughs up a yes.

Another event you really shouldn't miss is the North Shore Fair Maps meeting on Monday, July 10, at 7:00pm on Zoom. The featured speaker is David Pepper, former chair of the Ohio Democrats and author of two books on the state of our nation and what we can do about it. The first book, Laboratories of Autocracy explores the ways statehouses have been undermining the democracies they were supposed to nurture. His most recent book, Saving Democracy: A User's Manual for every American, is exactly what the title says. You may have seen him recently on MSNBC discussing his latest. Our wonderful Lieutenant Governor, Sara Rodriguez will also attend the meeting. So sign up.

On the little matter of the fake electors in Wisconsin: in his weekly newsletter to Wisconsin Democrats, Ben Wikler writes: "From a slew of fake electors to the chief election denier himself, election conspiracy theorists were out in full force at the Wisconsin GOP’s convention last weekend, demonstrating that even years after Trump’s loss, the Republican Party is still dominated by the toxic election denialism that is profoundly alienating to Wisconsin voters."

Meanwhile, as our home state MAGAs parade around their state convention, it seems that Jack Smith, the special counsel investigating both the Mar-a-lago documents case and the January 6 case, has ramped the latter investigation. He's granted limited immunity to at least two of the fakes, from Nevada, and is compelling others to testify to the grand jury by the end of this month. CNN Politics notes, "That activity could signal that investigators are nearing at least some charging decisions in a part of the 2020 election probe." Also, the Department of Justice (i.e., Smith) has filed a motion in the documents case requesting that the trial date be set for December 11 this year. The postponement, the motion states, will allow enough time for TFG's lawyers to obtain the necessary levels of security clearance (see this piece in Reuters). And apparently the counsel's office expects the trial to be completed before Christmas.

There's a lot to say about the third party candidates as well as the also-rans in the GOP gearing up their campaigns and I will do a more comprehensive account of them in July. But an important item about Robert Kennedy, Jr., who has already declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination, is in the news right now. A few days ago Rolling Stone published "Pro-RFK Jr. Super PAC Has Deep Ties to Marjorie Taylor Greene, George Santos." The authors note that "There’s nothing abnormal about a candidate getting a Super PAC, even a candidate making a long-shot bid like Kennedy’s. What is abnormal, however, is that Kennedy is running as a Democrat in the Democratic primary, while the creators of the Super PAC have a deeply pro-Donald Trump bent — including ties to arch-MAGA officials such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, George Santos, and Herschel Walker." The article goes on to note: "It’s not just one MAGAfied Super PAC, however, that’s backing Kennedy’s run against President Biden in the Democratic primary. His bid is awash in support from Donald Trump’s allies in MAGA World, conservative media, and some of the Republican-donor elite." The point of this not-so-subtle GOP engagement is to make President Biden look weak by attracting a substantial number of votes during the primaries. Don't fall for it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July Holiday. I will be home by then but plan to take a one-week vacation from the Grassroots North Shore newsletter. So the next time you hear from me — unless there's another coup in Russia or we're in the path of an oncoming asteroid — will be on Tuesday, July 11.

EVENTS

Monday, June 26

Bob Tatterson Fundraiser, 5:30 - 7:00pm
SIP MKE, 1515 W Mequon Rd, Mequon
Given the makeup of our State Assembly, every new Democratic vote matters. Bob Tatterson is an excellent candidate for the seat long held by now State Senator Dan Knodl, whose margin in April was very slim. The stakes are high, no matter where we live, and the opportunity to flip the 24th district is increasing. Please join hosts Representative Deb Andraca, Debbie Patel, Jodi Habush Sinykin, and Wisconsin Jewish Democrats for a fun evening at SIP MKE with co-chairs Linda Frank, Debbie Zemel, Maggie Gorchoff, and Richard Schwalb. Contribution Levels: Host $1000 | Co-host $500 | Friend $50 | Guest $25. Contributions of any amount gratefully appreciated. RSVP via Act Blue.

Tuesday, June 27

What's Best for WI Kids, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Lobby Day in Madison
What's Best for WI Kids? Thriving public Schools from pre-k to college, healthy meals, access to healthcare, & childcare — all of which are on the chopping block in the state budget! Join the WISCONSIN PUBLIC EDUCATION NETWORK in Madison 6/27 to take action for a budget that really meets the needs of Wisconsin kids BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! Details on location, specific time, and more will be sent by email to registered participants. Register. If you can't join in person, we encourage you to donate to our work.

Wednesday, June 28

Post-Spring Election Analysis and Debrief, 6:00pm
Online
Join our Post-Spring Election Analysis and Debrief Meeting with the Organizing and Data team. We will be discussing the results of the Spring Election and lessons learned. Please register ahead of the call.

Saturday, July 1

North Shore Knocks Doors for Bob Tatterson, 12:00 - 3:00pm
6563 N Crestwood Dr., Glendale
Join the Grassroots Glendale team to knock doors for the special election in Assembly District 24! We'll be canvassing in Mequon. To make the effort easier, and more fun, ask for a driver. Please Sign Up.

Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Greenfield and National, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.

Saturday, July 2, and Tuesday July 4

Family Fun on the Fourth Parade, 9:00 - 11:00am
parade routes
If you would like to march in the Thiensville and/or Cedarburg parades, please fill out the form below. Then, watch your email for more details as we get closer to the event. Get that OzDems Tshirt ready - and practice that wave - it'll be here before you know it! ** We will have professionally printed signs to folks to carry! See information about how to participate in the Thiensville parade (Saturday, June 2) and the Cedarburg parade (Tuesday, July 4).

Wednesday, July 5

Early In Person Voting, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Your Municipal Clerk's office
To be sure about the times and where to go in your community, check with MyVote.WI.gov.

Saturday, July 8

Canvass for the Assembly District 24 Special in GRAFTON! 9:00am - 12:00pm, 12:00 - 3:00pm & 3:00 - 6:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
Join us to knock on doors for the crucial Assembly District 24 Special Election in GRAFTON! Sign up.

Knock doors in Menomonee Falls, 9:00am - 12:00pm, 12:00 - 3:00 & 3:00 - 5:00pm
Fiddleheads Coffee, Menomonee Falls (N88 W16621, Appleton Ave, Menomonee Falls)
Join us to knock doors for the Assembly District 24 Special Election in Menomonee Falls! Sign up.

Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Kinnickinnic and Lincoln, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.

Sunday, July 9

Knock doors in Menomonee Falls, 12:00 - 3:00 & 3:00 - 5:00pm
Fiddleheads Coffee, Menomonee Falls (N88 W16621, Appleton Ave, Menomonee Falls)
Join us to knock doors for the Assembly District 24 Special Election in Menomonee Falls! Sign up.

Canvass for the Assembly District 24 Special in GRAFTON! 12:00 - 3:00pm & 3:00 - 6:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
Join us to knock on doors for the crucial Assembly District 24 Special Election in GRAFTON! Sign up.

Grassroots North Shore Presents: To US, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Doctors Park, 1870 E Fox Lane, Fox Point
It's a party to celebrate our country's 247th birthday. John Nichols — National Editor for The Nation, Madison Editor of the Capitol Times, author of Dollarocracy and other books, and the Voice of Wisconsin Progressivism — will get us ready for 2024 with a talk on where we have been and where we are going. Bob Tatterson, now running in a special election for Assembly District 24, will also be on hand to speak, meet, and greet. Enjoy beverages and birthday cake. Bring your family, your folding chairs, and your hope for our future as we celebrate our good work in recent elections. RSVP.

Monday, July 10

North Shore Fair Maps, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Zoom
Writer, lawyer, and former Ohio Democratic Party chair, David Pepper joins us to discuss America's laboratories of autocracy ("it's the statehouse, stupid!") and more importantly his latest book — Saving Democracy: A User's Manual for every American. With years of experience in the trenches and an engaging manner, Pepper will entertain, inform, and inspire. So sign up now!

SAVE THE DATE

Friday - Monday, September 1 - 4

The Golden Rule, an historic sailboat, docks in Milwaukee
The Golden Rule, a storied sailboat that helped bring about an end to atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons, will stop in Milwaukee Sept. 1-4 as part of a 15-month, 11,000-mile voyage to inform and educate the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons proliferation. A number of public events will be held, and speakers / crew members will be available for presentations at schools, churches or other venues during the four-day visit. Boat tours and visits with the crew will be offered every afternoon. (See a real-time map of the boat's journey.) The Golden Rule is a project of Veterans For Peace.