Anyone else seeing a DU ad for confederate flags? It sometimes is near the top of the DU screen, under the tabs and navigation menu, and says “Confed Flags as low as $6.98.” To the left of that text is an image of a confederate flag. To the right is the company logo for “Gadsden & Culpepper” along with a “Shop Now” link.

This is shocking.

Here is a possible strategy that tweeters, famous folks, and regular folks -- anyone openly criticizing trump or calling for him to change his ways -- could consider.

People should point out that "everyone knows" bannon is really runnng the show; that "people are saying" bannon is the real man, not trump; bannon is the one calling the shots while trump is clueless; and that trump should be embarrassed by only pretending to run things..

Keep in mind that dominance, shame, and appearances are all trump understands. Also keep in mind that bannon is actually wreaking the most havoc (with trump as his puppet) and that trump is clueless about civics in general much less the presidency.

on what is important, th real issues, not the distractions.

http://www.vox.com/2016/11/19/13685762/donald-trump-hamilton-distraction

p.s. I understand the "distractions" here are signs of lack of character and integrity. But we now know that not enough people care about these.

This is info about Paul Ryan "survey" about ACA (w/ plug for his dismantling. Read info below before calling. They are not kidding about the dead silence at the beginning. Other helpful i fo is included.

- - -Info below from Humanity for Hillary fb posting - - -

Paul Ryan is doing a phone survey to find out who supports the ACA (Affordable Care Act aka: Obamacare). You don't have to speak to anyone, just call and press some numbers. 202-225-0600

You won't hear a ring, it'll be dead silence - so press "2" to get the recorded message, about HR-3762, a bill Obama vetoed that was designed to dismantle the ACA. The message is clearly biased to be in favor of HR-3762 and against the ACA, but at the end, the recorded voice will ask if you support the ACA or oppose. PRESS "1" TO SUPPORT THE ACA. You can actually press "1" as soon as the message starts, so you don't have to listen to it. Call often!

THE GOP WANTS TO DISMANTLE THE ACA - more than 10M people will LOSE their insurance, and insurance companies will be able to charge whatever rates want to people with pre-existing conditions. This is a disaster - please call and voice your support for the ACA. Remember, if you want to block your number from Caller ID, simply dial *67 before making your call.

also your senators and rep:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/donald-trump-meets-indian-partners-hails-pm-modis-work/articleshow/55465060.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Trump supposedly transitioning and meeting with world leaders BUT took time out to meet with Indian business partners (or at least potential partners) AND to praise Modi (during business talks, not as presidential matter).


In a way I hate to post this. I have Indian friends and acquaintances who are great professionals and business people. But of course the pres-elect's praise of a country's leader when he has potential business interests in that country ...

There will be both Americans and Indians not taken care of, not treated fairly by their leaders in these deals.

- - -
Here is a DU thread about contacting th House Oversight Committee:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141621396

See posts #5, 14, 8, 11.

and Government Reform Committee: trump soliciting business from foreign leaders.

https://thinkprogress.org/trump-poised-to-violate-constitution-his-first-day-in-office-george-w-bushs-ethics-lawyer-says-73e14789a935#.w390tmqmc

There is another DU thread about contacting this House Oversight Committee:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141621396

See posts #5, 14, 8, 11.

A couple of states that did not already have automatic voter registration are pursuing it.

The Illinois Senate just overrode the governor's veto on this (link below). So they are pretty far along in the process.
https://dailynorthwestern.com/2016/11/16/city/senate-overrides-rauner-automatic-voter-registration-veto/

In Arkansas, a representative just introduced automatic registration late this week. Time will tell how this newer effort fares.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2017/2017R/Bills/HB1004.pdf

Both states' plans involve the driver's license application and renewal processes as well as applications/dealngs with public service agencies.

If you know of states that have automatic voter registration, please let us know how well it works. Also, if you know of other states seeking automatic registration, please update us.

Thanks!

Source: Washington Post

If you’re trying to call the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, you might find yourself on hold for . . . the afternoon.

The committee’s phones became jammed most of Friday after a Facebook post calling for an investigation into President-elect Donald Trump’s finances started to go viral. The message urged readers to call the panel to “support the call for a bipartisan review of Trump’s financials and apparent conflicts of interest” after Trump’s daughter and son-in-law joined his private meeting Thursday night at Trump Tower with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

“This is a state meeting and they had no security clearance . . . and she is supposed to be running his businesses during his presidential term,” the post states, referring to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. “Can you spell yyyuuuge conflict of interest?”

The Abe meeting was Trump’s first in-person conversation with a foreign leader since he won the election last week. “It was a pleasure to have Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stop by my home and begin a great friendship,” Trump posted on Instagram with a photo.


Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/11/18/congressional-phones-jammed-by-calls-for-trump-conflict-of-interest-investigation/

Source: thinkprogress.org

The Obama administration has finalized plans for offshore drilling. The five-year plan blocks drilling in the Arctic Ocean amd off the Atlantic Coast. The Beaufort and Chukchi Seas have been removed from offshore leasing.

This news comes from Think Progress (link above).

Read more: https://thinkprogress.org/boem-five-year-plan-2022-499a160847f8#.foco4kp3p