First, an important announcement: Don't miss our upcoming event with MSNBC legal analyst and former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks on Sunday, December 5, from 7-8:30pm. She will address the peril to democracy that has emerged in recent years. And a panel of our Assembly Representatives Jonathan Brostoff and Deb Andraca, moderated by Evan Goyke, will discuss what's happening to our democracy in Wisconsin. Sign up here for the Zoom link.

A little good news to start with? The New York Times is reporting that Mark Meadows, the last chief of staff for the former guy (TFG for short), is cooperating with the January 6 committee! It seems that he has turned over at least some records and will "soon appear for an initial deposition," Representative Bennie Thompson, Chair of the committee, said today. Meanwhile the DC Circuit Court of Appeals heard *rump's claims of executive privilege. The trial court, you probably recall, shot the claims down. That judge reminded TFG that presidents are not kings and he's not the president. You can hear the today's case here. So some progress on the investigative front.

And a little predictably bad news. As the Journal Sentinel recently reported, "Michael Gableman met with a host of election conspiracy theorists this fall as part of his taxpayer-funded review of the 2020 presidential contest for Assembly Republicans.... Barry Burden, the director of the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the people Gableman is meeting with 'are all election skeptics who have bought into the big lie.'" What's bad about this report isn't that Gableman is consorting with these folks. The bad news is that the facts won't diminish the devotion of all the Big Lie adherents.

In worrying developments, the new omicron variant of the coronavirus has been the source of a lot of consternation but without sufficient data to make any of the various questions we all have answerable with any degree of certainty. Talking Points Memo has a comprehensive discussion of the questions, at least. New variants are going to emerge because, world-wide, huge swathes of people remain unvaccinated and are therefore a great incubator for mutations. What we need to keep in mind is that it takes several weeks from the discovery of a new, viable variant to scientists' ability to determine whether it is more deadly, more easily transmitted, or more likely to evade some of the protections of our current vaccines. So, the bottom line: prudence. Use mitigation strategies whenever you can. Wear a mask when you go shopping or in other settings where you can't know the vaccination status of those around you, especially indoors.

The holiday season is upon us (Happy Chanukah to all who observe that holiday) so the Events list is somewhat sparse. If none of the activities there appeal to you, take some time in December to recharge so that you're ready to volunteer in the 2022 election cycle. We will have the usual FOUR ELECTIONS: a nonpartisan primary on February 15, a nonpartisan election on April 5, a partisan primary on August 9, and of course a partisan election on November 8. These elections are critical. Plan to get involved: writing postcards, phoning and texting, canvassing, reaching out to friends and family. Grassroots North Shore will have community-based election information that will help you get up to speed on all the races in your area, from school boards to judgeships, assembly and state senate races, and national offices. Plus we'll have information about requesting absentee ballots, early in-person voting, drop boxes, and all the logistical information you'll need!

EVENTS

Tue Nov 30, 2021

Aaron Richardson Campaign Kickoff, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Zoom
Aaron Richardson, Mayor of Fitchburg, is a candidate for Wisconsin State Treasurer. He will officially kick off his campaign at this event. Registration.

Wed Dec 1, 2021

On the Issues: Rep. Ron Kind, 10am - 11am
Online
Host Mike Gousha will be talking with outgoing Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind (D – La Crosse) about his time in office, the current state of Congress, and his thoughts on the future. A recording of the live discussion will be available on the Marquette Law School website after the program. Registration.

Drinking Liberally Waukesha, 6:30pm - 6:30pm
Club 400, 322 Williams St., Waukesha
The meeting has moved to Club 400 and will be in the upstairs bar area. All attendees should be vaccinated and wear masks when not actively eating or drinking. More information.

BeSmart Virtual Presentation, 7pm - 7:30pm
virtual
A 30 minute framework that informs parents and caregivers on ways to keep children and teens safe from unintentional gun deaths and injuries. Register.

Fri Dec 3, 2021

Reduce Hate Crimes/Civil Rights Violations, 10am - 11:30am
Online
The FBI and US Attorney's Office in Milwaukee will present a training about their responsibilities to enforce laws against hate crimes, terrorist threats, and civil rights violations. This is intended to improve reporting of these instances by community and minority groups and to better address these problems. Registration.

On the Issues: Meagan Wolfe, 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Online
Mike Gousha will be talking with the state’s top election official, Meagan Wolfe, whose agency is tasked with administering and enforcing Wisconsin election laws. In recent months, the Wisconsin Elections Commission has come under fire from Republican state lawmakers reacting to the 2020 election cycle. A recording of the live discussion will be available on the Marquette Law School website after the program. Registration.

Sat Dec 4, 2021

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Layton Avenue & 76th Street, Greenfield
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Sun Dec 5, 2021

Jill Wine-Banks: Will Democracy Survive?, 7pm - 8:30pm
Zoom
This fundraiser for Grassroots North Shore will feature the longtime respected legal analyst Jill Wine-Banks, who will speak about the ongoing erosion of democracy. Representatives Deb Andraca and Jonathan Brostoff will discuss our local situation. The fundraiser will aid Grassroots North Shore's progressive endeavors. RSVP.

Wed Dec 8, 2021

Grass Roots South Shore Virtual Meeting, 7pm - 9pm
Online
Check the link to see if Grass Roots South Shore will have a virtual meeting. More information or call Jim Balk, 414-218-5944.

Thu Dec 9, 2021

Mental Health Board Meeting, 8am - 8am
Teleconference
This is a teleconference meeting (see Agenda for details). Public Comment: none. More information.

Fri Dec 10, 2021

4th CD Virtual Holiday Party, 6pm - 7pm
TBA
More information to come.

Sat Dec 11, 2021

UN Association of MKE, 10am - 12pm
Online
More information.

Stan for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Highway 100 & North Avenue, Wauwatosa
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.