when a big NO means a big YES

The results are in. Protecting direct democracy, and implicitly protecting a woman's right to control her own body and medical decisions, had its day in the court of public opinion. The good people of Ohio soundly defeated — 57% to 43% — a referendum to raise the threshold to pass a constitutional amendment in that state from 50%+1 to 60%. Although the referendum sought to undermine the power of citizens to amend the state constitution, the Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, made explicit the connection to preventing passage of a pro-choice amendment that will appear on Ohioan's ballots in November. Voting NO on the referendum concocted by Ohio's MAGAist legislature really signified an enthusiastic YES for the democratic principle of majority rule. Philip Bump in the Washington Post has a good analysis in 4 takeaways from rejection of Issue 1 in the Ohio special election.

In Wisconsin, four Supreme Court justices proposed a new set of rules for the court over the strenuous objections of the Chief Justice, Annette Ziegler. The new rules will reduce the role and power of the Chief Justice by establishing a committee to undertake many of the administrative functions the Chief Justice now handles. And the day Justice Protasiewicz was sworn in, the "new four-justice majority last week fired the state court administrator," Randy Koschnick. According to an article discussing the various changes the new majority is proposing, "The firing seemed to honor former Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, a beloved mentor to the four justices pushing for change." Urban Milwaukee has the full story.

Before turning our attention to the legal travails of Mango Mussolini, aka TFG (the former guy but also The F***ing Grifter), here are a few important announcements.

First, last chance to claim a black sweater found at the Grassroots North Shore event on July 9 in Doctors Park. It's a Chico’s Size 1 Black Rayon/Polyester Sweater. If this belongs to you, please email Ginny Goode or call her at (414) 460-5686.

Second, the Democratic Party of Milwaukee County is still seeking volunteers to staff the booth at the State Fair. Here are the shifts they are seeking to fill:

Wednesday, August 9th from 6-9PM
Thursday, August 10th from 10AM-2PM and 6-9PM
Friday, August 11th from 10AM-2PM
Saturday, August 12th from 10AM-2PM and 6-9PM
Sunday, August 13th from 10AM-2PM

Finally, Don't miss this DEBUT NOVEL by a North Shore Politico. You may remember Deborah Hufford, former Whitefish Bay Democratic activist and ward captain, who shook up Northshore politics nearly 20 years ago, when she rallied Whitefish Bay to turn blue after voting Republican since its incorporation in 1892. Whitefish Bay has never turned back! Deborah was instrumental in founding Grassroots Northshore in 2004. Although she continues to be politically active, she has turned her attention to writing historical novels that have a social injustice theme. Her novel — BLOOD TO RUBIES — is a sweeping tale of a young frontier photographer who goes West to escape the Civil War draft and is caught between colliding worlds of love and war during Chief Joseph's Nez Perce War of 1877. You can order the book through Amazon, all bookstores, or her author site. A portion of her book sales will go to the Chief Joseph Foundation that mentors Nez Perce youth, many of whom are direct descendants of Chief Joseph or his band members.

And now back to our regularly scheduled feature: the legal travails of Tangerine Palpatine, Dolt 45, the Commander in Cheese, Butternut Berlusconi, The Big Lie-bowski (complements of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert); or (from Action Network) Don the Con, Dirty Don, Agent Orange, Benedict Donald; or finally (from 409 Hilarious Nicknames for Donald Trump) Adolf Twitler, Barbecued Brutus, Boss Tweet, Cheeto Benito, Groper-in-Chief, Mr. Wiggy Piggy, Orange Julius, The Cowardly Lyin’, and Trumpelthinskin.

Whatever you call him, he's in big doo-doo. Special counsel Jack Smith has asked Judge Chutkan to issue a protective order to prohibit Don the Con from making public — by speaking, by social media, or by any other means — any of the evidence he and his lawyers acquire through the discovery process. Naturally, Dolt 45's lawyers objected and wanted a hearing. Judge Chutkan agreed to schedule a hearing but specified that it had to take place this week. Cheeto Benito's lawyers wanted it to take place next week (stall and delay being the order of the day). Judge Chutkan scheduled it for Friday, August 11, at 10am EDT. For the full back-and-forth, see Judge orders hearing after Trump's lawyers say proposed protective order would infringe on Trump's free speech.

Meanwhile, in Florida, Judge Cannon is lost at sea again. This issue is pretty deeply down in the legal weeds, but is nevertheless important to understand. Here's what she did: "Cannon questioned the 'legal propriety' of using an 'out-of-district grand jury' in Trump’s classified documents case" (DAILY BEAST, August 7, 2023). A group of well-known lawyers and legal pundits were, shall we say, flabbergasted. Vanity Fair offers a collection of these responses. (Warning: some of the links in the paragraph are behind paywalls and others connect to what we used to call "tweets." I've included the links to accurately represent the quotation from Vanity Fair.)

“Judge Cannon clearly shows her ignorance (bias? both?),” former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann wrote on Twitter. “The obstruction crimes that were investigated are charges that could have been brought in FLA or in DC and thus could be investigated in either district.” Constitutional law expert Laurence Tribe—who in September remarked that the judge was “in the tank for Trump”—echoed that Cannon “continues her dopey and constitutionally dubious usurpation of the executive branch’s investigative and prosecutorial prerogatives.” Former US attorney Joyce White Vance noted that Cannon’s actions “may tee up the issue of her fitness on the case.” Former prosecutor Glenn Kirschner opined, of Monday’s proceedings: “This has the feel of Judge Cannon acting as an advocate for the defense. Guess no one can accuse her of learning her lesson from the appellate court’s prior ruling that she abused her discretion & acted lawlessly to the extreme benefit of Trump.” (Cannon had key aspects of her Trump-related rulings overturned by an appellate court last year in a truly scathing decision.) Writing that Cannon “tried to sabotage this case at the outset,” Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern said he remains “extremely skeptical that she will permit a fair trial to take place.”

You can watch Andrew Weissmann's critique of Judge Cannon's questioning of the use of two different grand juries in two different jurisdictions. He explains that she fundamentally misunderstands the issues which are pretty much covered in law school 101.

As for the Fulton County matter, it is still pending even though there's been more breathless speculation that indictments could be issued any day now. Or next week? There's plenty of evidence that the county is expecting something big and exciting at the courthouse because barriers to the building have recently been erected and streets surrounding the courthouse have been blocked off. See Fox 5 Atlanta for a recent account.

EVENTS

Wednesday, August 9

WisDems Training for Volunteer Recruitment: 1-on-1s, High Traffic Canvassing, Phone Calls & Events, 6:00pm
Zoom
These trainings are open to any team member, volunteers or county party members so feel free to share the calendar with them. Sign up for this training. See the full calendar of future trainings.

Thursday, August 10

BYOP Textbanking - Register Dems in swing states! 1:00 - 2:00pm CDT
Virtual
We might have cracked the nut on how to do free texting! Instead of raising money to pay for expensive, easy to use texting software, we're making texting available using slightly awkward, but still pretty easy technology. We're calling it BYOP or Bring Your Own Phone. And it's a GREAT new way to register new Dems in swing states and districts to hold the White House and Senate and flip the House in 2024 as well as win governorships and state legislatures in 2023!

You will need to set two things up on your computer before attending our BYOP Boot Camp. This document gives links to both items.

You need an ActionID. You may already have one if you phone or text banked with Field Team 6 in the past.
You need texting software that allows you to send text messages directly from your computer, using your cell phone carrier’s plan.

When you have both items ready, please register for Boot Camp!

Friday, August 11

League of Progressive Seniors Planning for 8/23 Action, 11:30am - 12:30pm
The Knickerbocker on the Lake, 1028 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee
The League is planning an event to coincide with the first Republican presidential debate on August 23 in Milwaukee. Bring a sandwich. The League will have beverages and snacks. Help plan the logistics for the event.

Monday, August 14

North Shore Fair Maps, 7:00 - 8:30pm
Online
Former US Senator (WI) Russ Feingold, president of the American Constitution Society on The Constitution in Jeopardy. What is an Article V Convention? Why is it dangerous? And is it true Wisconsin was the 16th state to sign on to the idea? Yup, thanks to our gerrymandered legislature. You should be worried about a new Constitutional Convention. If you're not, you certainly will be after you check out this Facebook page. RSVP HERE.

Wednesday, August 16

WisDems Communications & Messaging Training: Tailoring messaging to your local area, 6:00pm
Zoom
These trainings are open to any team member, volunteers or county party members so feel free to share the calendar with them. Sign up for this training. See the full calendar of future trainings.

Ozaukee County Dems Monthly Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Ozaukee Democrats Office, 1930 Wisconsin Ave., Grafton
Join us at our Grafton Office as we gather to hear speakers and catch up on the local and state politics influencing Ozaukee County – while spending time with like-minded people. All interested people are encouraged to attend.

Saturday, August 19

WisDems Canvass in Bay View! 9:00am - 12:00pm, 12:00 - 3:00pm, 3:00 - 6:00pm
Address upon sign-up
Our friends at Swing Left Milwaukee are working closely with WisDems on bridge building canvasses this summer and fall. Join the group for a weekend of action on August 19-20, where they'll be talking to voters we don't have as much data on yet – which will be crucial to laying the groundwork for 2024. Sign up for a shift with Dale's team in Bay View! Can't make it this time? Join Swing Left Milwaukee's group listserv to stay in the loop on future ways to get involved with voter registration, canvassing, phone banking, letter writing, and texting. Work with fellow activists across the border in Illinois and around the country to support actions like the ballot initiative in Ohio, which will help determine the future of women’s right to choose In Ohio. For more information contact Dale Nook, 414-690-0311.

Grassroots North Shore Poster Party, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Shorewood Public Library, 3920 N Murray Ave, Shorewood
In preparation for the September 10 rally and march to Keep Our Kids Safe at School, we're holding a Poster Party to make signs people can hold during the event. We'll be at the Shorewood Library. Village Meeting Room (lower level) at 10am. Even if you cannot attend on September 10th - others can carry your message — come create posters. See you at the party!

Grassroots Glendale Deep Canvassing, 12:00 - 3:00pm
6563 N Crestwood Dr, Glendale
Join Grassroots Glendale to knock doors and talk to voters about the issues that matter most to them! Sign up.

Fox Point/Bayside Dems Friendbank, 12:00 - 3:00pm, 3:00 - 6:00pm
7632 N Beach Dr, Fox Point</span
Join the Fox Point/Bayside team for a friendbank! We will be getting together and texting our networks to learn about their top issues using the Reach app for relational organizing. Never even heard of Reach? No problem! Our organizer will walk you through everything you need to know before you start texting. It is never too early to engage our circles in progressive politics and ensure that we elect Democrats up and down the ballot in 2024! Sign up.

Sunday, August 20

Grassroots Glendale Deep Canvassing, 12:00 - 3:00pm, 3:00 - 6:00pm
6563 N Crestwood Dr, Glendale
Join Grassroots Glendale to knock doors and talk to voters about the issues that matter most to them! Sign up.

Monday, August 21

Milwaukee County Dems Monthly Meeting 6:00pm
J&B's Blue Ribbon, 5230 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee
Join us for our regularly scheduled monthly meeting, where we discuss party business and hear from Democratic candidates. RSVP.

SAVE THE DATE

Tuesday, August 29 through Tuesday, September 26

WISDOM 5 Week Fall Training Series, every Tuesday from 6:30 - 8:00pm
Online
Please join us for our 5-week Fall Training Series every Tuesday night from August 29-September 26. We are excited to cover a variety of topics about community organizing. Whether you're a new WISDOM member, an old timer or need a refresher - we welcome you to come learn from our leaders within our network! Once you register, you will recieve your Zoom information within a few minutes. It is the same Zoom link for all 5 sessions. You can choose to attend one or all sessions. If you have any questions please contact Amanda Ali, WISDOM's Digital Organizer.

Wednesday, August 30 - Tuesday, September 5

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 Aug 31 - Sep 5 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.

Saturday, September 9

Wisconsin Coalitions Candidate Summit, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Location TBD, Milwaukee
The National Democratic Training Committee — in partnership with WisDems and their Coalitions (Bleck, Native American, Pride, Latino), Wisconsin Progress, Emerge Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee, and Assembly Democrats — is offering an in-person event designed for candidates of color and LGBTQIA+ candidates. This summit will prepare you for your run for office and provide you with the tools you’ll use from now to Election Day! During this full-day training, you’ll:

Build the foundational skills needed to run a successful campaign as an LGBTQIA+ candidate or candidate of color
Learn from campaign experts and gain key insight to guide your efforts in 2023 Connect with leaders from your community across Wisconsin to network, support, and learn from each other’s work
Understand how to access on-going resources to support your goals

Not a member of one of these communities? Fill out our candidate interest form to stay in the loop about other training and resource opportunities.

Sunday, September 10

Keeping Our Kids Safe at School Rally, 12:30pm
North Point Water Tower Park, 2288 N Lake Dr, Milwaukee
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER SHOOTING: After each new horrible mass school shooting, we ask ourselves “how can we demand that our elected officials pass common sense gun safety legislation?” If you’re tired of hearing about “thoughts and prayers” as if they were solutions, join Grassroots North Shore together with WAVE, Moms Demand Action, and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, at a rally on Sunday, September 10th, at 12:30, at North Point Water Tower Park. State Senator LaTonya Johnson and speakers from WAVE, Moms Demand Action, students, and Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence will fill us in on upcoming Lobby Days and recently introduced legislation. We’ll briefly march along North Avenue to Murray Avenue and then loop back to hear our speakers. After that, you can address already printed postcards to your legislators. We will stamp and mail them. RSVP.

In preparation for the September 10 rally and march to Keep Our Kids Safe at School, we're holding a Poster Party to make signs people can hold during the event. We'll be at the Shorewood Library, Village Meeting Room (lower level) at 10am - 12pm. Even if you cannot attend on September 10th - others can carry your message — come create posters. See you at the party!

Monday, September 11

It's the Maps, stupid! 7:00 - 8:30pm
Zoom
There has already been movement on maps! Law Forward and several partners have filed a petition at the Supreme Court of Wisconsin "to take jurisdiction of an original action to challenge the gerrymandered state legislative maps." (See the press conference here.) And there may be other pressing legal issues we will want to know about. If so, our friends at Law Forward will explain it all to us. RSVP.

Thursday, September 14

No Stopping Us Now (Oz Dems Annual Gala), 5:00 - 8:30pm
Shully's Cuisine and Events, 146 Green Bay Road, Thiensville
Join us at our 5th annual FUNdraiser at Shully’s. Your ticket will include hor devours, dinner, dessert, and entertainment. The guest speakers will inspire, the auction will be good fun, and great people – like you – will make it fun. We hope you’ll attend and bring a friend! More details in the near future.