Do instead of doom! July 19, 2024 9:01 AM Subscribe
Are you helping the United States avoid sliding into fascism? Let's cheer each other on. Solidarity!
I am helping organize the Dems in my area. I am working with handful of other people to coordinate get-out-the vote efforts. I brought the organizers together. I expect to knock doors and coordinate postcard-writing parties.
I am helping organize the Dems in my area. I am working with handful of other people to coordinate get-out-the vote efforts. I brought the organizers together. I expect to knock doors and coordinate postcard-writing parties.
YAY NotLost! Thank you for organizing and door-knocking and creating postcard-writing parties!
I am disappointed in myself that currently most of my contribution is donations instead of phone banking (I did a bunch of phone banking in 2016 and 2020), but I'm trying to remind myself that we do what we can, and money is useful too. (Also there's a donation I've been meaning to make that I haven't yet, so I commit right here to do that by the end of the day! Or by the end of Sunday, for sure.)
Thank you for this thread! I will madly refresh all day.
posted by kristi at 10:33 AM on July 19 [8 favorites]
I am disappointed in myself that currently most of my contribution is donations instead of phone banking (I did a bunch of phone banking in 2016 and 2020), but I'm trying to remind myself that we do what we can, and money is useful too. (Also there's a donation I've been meaning to make that I haven't yet, so I commit right here to do that by the end of the day! Or by the end of Sunday, for sure.)
Thank you for this thread! I will madly refresh all day.
posted by kristi at 10:33 AM on July 19 [8 favorites]
The US is not sliding into “ fascism”. Enough with the drama.
posted by Ideefixe at 11:18 AM on July 19 [7 favorites]
posted by Ideefixe at 11:18 AM on July 19 [7 favorites]
There are many young people in my life who will be voting for the first time this year, and I am yelling at them every chance I get that they have to vote, I'm not going to tell them who to vote for, but they'd better vote or I will yell at them even more. There are probably better ways to get out the vote but I'm going with this one.
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:35 AM on July 19 [7 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:35 AM on July 19 [7 favorites]
Let's not quibble over semantics. We run the risk of plunging into, let's call it .... post-constitutional, single party, weaponized bigotry against immigrant, unhoused, LGBTQ+, female, and other residents of the US. Well worthy of a solidarity check-in.
posted by kensington314 at 11:56 AM on July 19 [60 favorites]
posted by kensington314 at 11:56 AM on July 19 [60 favorites]
I’m in Canada, but we lost our (non-political, but also stereotyped-busting) block party organizers this year because they moved, so I’m working on taking that in thanks to this post.
As a small success story, at the block party a few years back people shared how to get a racist party’s signs removed from public roadside on my street legally, and it totally worked.
posted by warriorqueen at 11:59 AM on July 19 [13 favorites]
As a small success story, at the block party a few years back people shared how to get a racist party’s signs removed from public roadside on my street legally, and it totally worked.
posted by warriorqueen at 11:59 AM on July 19 [13 favorites]
Mod note: No comments deleted as MetaTalk has softer moderation rules, but, let's try to stick to the intention of the thread and use it to cheer each other on and keep sharing offsite things you are doing in face to the election.
posted by loup (staff) at 12:33 PM on July 19 [19 favorites]
posted by loup (staff) at 12:33 PM on July 19 [19 favorites]
No comments deleted as MetaTalk has softer moderation rules
Cool cool but at some point you'll need to consider when and how this website is facilitating fascist propaganda. Denying a current and present fascist encroachment in the United States is morally indefensible in July of 2024. Allowing belittlement of those calling attention to said fascist encroachment is a choice. It's a conscious action.
posted by CPAnarchist at 1:25 PM on July 19 [35 favorites]
Cool cool but at some point you'll need to consider when and how this website is facilitating fascist propaganda. Denying a current and present fascist encroachment in the United States is morally indefensible in July of 2024. Allowing belittlement of those calling attention to said fascist encroachment is a choice. It's a conscious action.
posted by CPAnarchist at 1:25 PM on July 19 [35 favorites]
Alerting American friends on social media (mainly Twitter) to the threats of Christian nationalism and the New Apostolic Reformation.
@ndrewwhitehead https://t.co/Lg47Cqpi7b Christofascism specialist
Timothy Morton @the_eco_thought Their youtube https://t.co/RX8gIOOttG Philosophy. Ecology Theology, latest book:
Hell In Search of a Christian Ecology, book link
https://t.co/kQ7jZbHdai
@HeidiReports - reporter on far right and extremism
Jeff Sharlet@JeffSharlet Jeff's speaker page https://t.co/vxH9wmNhEw
Read his book C Street, explains enough to see the threat
We NZ now have one of these governments - and the idiots who voted for them are increasingly waking up to the far right reality they supported. The economy seems to be in freefall
posted by unearthed at 2:38 PM on July 19 [4 favorites]
@ndrewwhitehead https://t.co/Lg47Cqpi7b Christofascism specialist
Timothy Morton @the_eco_thought Their youtube https://t.co/RX8gIOOttG Philosophy. Ecology Theology, latest book:
Hell In Search of a Christian Ecology, book link
https://t.co/kQ7jZbHdai
@HeidiReports - reporter on far right and extremism
Jeff Sharlet@JeffSharlet Jeff's speaker page https://t.co/vxH9wmNhEw
Read his book C Street, explains enough to see the threat
We NZ now have one of these governments - and the idiots who voted for them are increasingly waking up to the far right reality they supported. The economy seems to be in freefall
posted by unearthed at 2:38 PM on July 19 [4 favorites]
I'll be volunteering to help a local tenants-rights lawyer unseat an unseemly Dem incumbent. (And she'll do it!) I think for those of us in blue areas these local races are ALSO part of a firewall against a hypothetical second Trump term. For one example, many of our liberal city councils are all too eager to
take advantage of the criminalization of homelessness initiated by the McConnell/Trump SCOTUS majority. It's a matter of life and death for the most vulnerable people in liberal cities to be protected from what liberals would often do under Trump.
(Oh and I also helped make a MetaTalk mixtape that has only one strongly doomerish song on it.)
posted by kensington314 at 2:54 PM on July 19 [10 favorites]
take advantage of the criminalization of homelessness initiated by the McConnell/Trump SCOTUS majority. It's a matter of life and death for the most vulnerable people in liberal cities to be protected from what liberals would often do under Trump.
(Oh and I also helped make a MetaTalk mixtape that has only one strongly doomerish song on it.)
posted by kensington314 at 2:54 PM on July 19 [10 favorites]
I got pulled into my local Democratic party's district organization as a Precinct Committee Officer (turns out "nobody's represented your precinct in ~5 years, and there's likely replacement representative votes coming up" is a good way to prompt my "guess I've got to step up to the plate" reflex), so I've been dipping my toes in there.
We're a reliably blue district, but we were also where Washington state shifted from a split-party/purple state *to* that well before my time, so it's not one that can be taken for granted. I can't speak to how directly useful my efforts have been, but I've worked on driving engagement among voters in my district & helped support policy/endorsement efforts. A good number of the in-party votes can be really tight, maybe 60 people voting on an average item up to 180 or so when all sides are trying to drive attendance on a topic.
Most recently our district was able to send delegates to the state level convention, & the delegates that I helped push over the top were able to secure the passage of three resolutions "calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, the ending of military aid to Israel and the restoration of some humanitarian funding" (a compromise but much more than was otherwise on the table). It's not action of its own, but all of electoralism is animated by the idea of small efforts multiplied & eventually laddering up to something; so hopefully this's my laddering up to something of substance.
posted by CrystalDave at 3:37 PM on July 19 [12 favorites]
We're a reliably blue district, but we were also where Washington state shifted from a split-party/purple state *to* that well before my time, so it's not one that can be taken for granted. I can't speak to how directly useful my efforts have been, but I've worked on driving engagement among voters in my district & helped support policy/endorsement efforts. A good number of the in-party votes can be really tight, maybe 60 people voting on an average item up to 180 or so when all sides are trying to drive attendance on a topic.
Most recently our district was able to send delegates to the state level convention, & the delegates that I helped push over the top were able to secure the passage of three resolutions "calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, the ending of military aid to Israel and the restoration of some humanitarian funding" (a compromise but much more than was otherwise on the table). It's not action of its own, but all of electoralism is animated by the idea of small efforts multiplied & eventually laddering up to something; so hopefully this's my laddering up to something of substance.
posted by CrystalDave at 3:37 PM on July 19 [12 favorites]
Alright. Wonderful prompt, NotLost.
For my part, I've basically rerouted my professional trajectory to a worker ownership model which fortunately allows me to prioritize working against the encroaching fascist institutions (e.g. cop cities and their increasingly fascist proponents) that have persistently harmed my comrades. This has allowed me/us to make a living wage while skilling up with in a solidarity model without being quite as beholden to the demands and norms of the Republic due to creative ecosystems. It also allows us to directly support what we believe are crucial anti-fascist efforts around the country.
I'm also taking time out of each day and some intentional time each week to continue accelerating my own personal deconstruction/decolonization by way of energy work and community trauma recovery. Lots of transphobia and other colonizer fictions in this nervous system, but sometimes I feel like I can see around the edge of it.
posted by CPAnarchist at 5:02 PM on July 19 [11 favorites]
For my part, I've basically rerouted my professional trajectory to a worker ownership model which fortunately allows me to prioritize working against the encroaching fascist institutions (e.g. cop cities and their increasingly fascist proponents) that have persistently harmed my comrades. This has allowed me/us to make a living wage while skilling up with in a solidarity model without being quite as beholden to the demands and norms of the Republic due to creative ecosystems. It also allows us to directly support what we believe are crucial anti-fascist efforts around the country.
I'm also taking time out of each day and some intentional time each week to continue accelerating my own personal deconstruction/decolonization by way of energy work and community trauma recovery. Lots of transphobia and other colonizer fictions in this nervous system, but sometimes I feel like I can see around the edge of it.
posted by CPAnarchist at 5:02 PM on July 19 [11 favorites]
they'd better vote or I will yell at them even more
The number of coworkers I've annoyed into participating in democracy over the years I tell you hwhat.
posted by phunniemee at 6:07 PM on July 19 [15 favorites]
The number of coworkers I've annoyed into participating in democracy over the years I tell you hwhat.
posted by phunniemee at 6:07 PM on July 19 [15 favorites]
Thank you, NotLost. Not sure if this counts, but I've been attending local rallies* supporting Palestine and donated a couple of art pieces to a fundraiser for humanitarian aid for Palestine. Also, I just learned about this effort to register new voters and plan to get active on that asap.
*Including this cross border rally—
Solidarity Across the Colonial Border Rally
🗓️Sunday, July 21st at 1:30pm
📍Meet at Prospect Point Observation Outlook (Niagara Falls, NY)
📢Be visible, Canadian side will be hosting a sister rally
posted by Scout405 at 6:35 PM on July 19 [6 favorites]
*Including this cross border rally—
Solidarity Across the Colonial Border Rally
🗓️Sunday, July 21st at 1:30pm
📍Meet at Prospect Point Observation Outlook (Niagara Falls, NY)
📢Be visible, Canadian side will be hosting a sister rally
posted by Scout405 at 6:35 PM on July 19 [6 favorites]
My professional role is working to create equity and inclusion in a large-ish organization. I'm working to bring anti-racist equitable training and practices to our work and our workplace.
I've also been meeting with two friends since 2020 every month or so to talk about antiracism books, articles, and themes. Over the years our reading and discussion has moved us all into very concrete action. My job partly came out of our work, and they're both doing a ton of organizing and rallying work to support Palestine. Our work has given me hope about the value of real conversations, and local efforts.
posted by lapis at 8:32 PM on July 19 [10 favorites]
I've also been meeting with two friends since 2020 every month or so to talk about antiracism books, articles, and themes. Over the years our reading and discussion has moved us all into very concrete action. My job partly came out of our work, and they're both doing a ton of organizing and rallying work to support Palestine. Our work has given me hope about the value of real conversations, and local efforts.
posted by lapis at 8:32 PM on July 19 [10 favorites]
The US is not sliding into “ fascism”. Enough with the drama.
Well, not if the folks in this thread have anything to say about it.
posted by AdamCSnider at 9:34 PM on July 19 [51 favorites]
Well, not if the folks in this thread have anything to say about it.
posted by AdamCSnider at 9:34 PM on July 19 [51 favorites]
My go-to recommendation is learning first aid including eyewashes and stop the bleed training. Wilderness first aid classes are a great place to start and there are lots of good resources for eyewash trainings including your local street medic collective; I have in fact created some documentation on this so if you're interested I can send you something. I would also be remiss if I didn't take this and every opportunity to say use water only for eyewashes! Don't put anything weird in your eyes that could cause scarring or infection or any kind of damage! Water is the only thing you should put in your eyes! (I do know some people use saline but it's easier to stick with water and I believe saline is a bad choice if someone has been sprayed with bear spray which the Proud Boys have been known to use.) If anyone tells you to put something weird in your eyes please don't.
That got longer than I intended but learning first aid is great! It's a positive action you can take, learning new things is fun, it feels good to know you're prepared to help people, you might meet other great people doing the same thing, and you won't regret knowing what to do if emergency care is needed unexpectedly. As a street medic I go to a lot of actions of varying degrees of spice but I've also treated people when they had a medical issue on public transportation and I'm so glad I had the training needed to assist. I also think that, with climate-change-related severe weather on the rise, there are going to be more people in need of help and much longer response times from emergency services. Learning some first aid is a great way to be ready to help people in your community!
posted by an octopus IRL at 9:06 AM on July 20 [15 favorites]
That got longer than I intended but learning first aid is great! It's a positive action you can take, learning new things is fun, it feels good to know you're prepared to help people, you might meet other great people doing the same thing, and you won't regret knowing what to do if emergency care is needed unexpectedly. As a street medic I go to a lot of actions of varying degrees of spice but I've also treated people when they had a medical issue on public transportation and I'm so glad I had the training needed to assist. I also think that, with climate-change-related severe weather on the rise, there are going to be more people in need of help and much longer response times from emergency services. Learning some first aid is a great way to be ready to help people in your community!
posted by an octopus IRL at 9:06 AM on July 20 [15 favorites]
I am yelling at them every chance I get that they have to vote, I'm not going to tell them who to vote for
Wow powerful work in the fight against fascism
posted by windbox at 9:33 AM on July 20 [1 favorite]
Wow powerful work in the fight against fascism
posted by windbox at 9:33 AM on July 20 [1 favorite]
Nt sure if this is meant to be specific to voting/the election, but I'm working with a group of community members creating a free public charter school that will provide a safe learning environment for LGBTQ+, PoC, disabled, etc. kids in a deep red county. We are still fighting for change in the state public schools but it's been years and kids need this now, so while it's not my first choice for change it's the most effective one right now. It has been heartening to see how much support for it there is; I'm analyzing results of a community survey now and while there is some hate there's way, way more people saying thank you and we need this.
posted by brook horse at 9:34 AM on July 20 [16 favorites]
posted by brook horse at 9:34 AM on July 20 [16 favorites]
I am yelling at them every chance I get that they have to vote, I'm not going to tell them who to vote for
>Wow powerful work in the fight against fascism
bro why
posted by phunniemee at 9:39 AM on July 20 [31 favorites]
>Wow powerful work in the fight against fascism
bro why
posted by phunniemee at 9:39 AM on July 20 [31 favorites]
Maybe not the right approach. Perhaps rather than the seemingly quixotic effort to get people to vote a national cadre of helpers. Folks that are available to shuttle folks to the polls. Can't get there, here's someone in your community that can help. A 311 for vote-helpers.
Who you gunna call - VoteHelper.
posted by sammyo at 9:55 AM on July 20 [1 favorite]
Who you gunna call - VoteHelper.
posted by sammyo at 9:55 AM on July 20 [1 favorite]
ERk cough, not replace, but in addition to encouraging.
posted by sammyo at 9:56 AM on July 20 [1 favorite]
posted by sammyo at 9:56 AM on July 20 [1 favorite]
I’m encouraging people to vote, and also touting the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration.
posted by ichomp at 1:41 PM on July 20 [7 favorites]
posted by ichomp at 1:41 PM on July 20 [7 favorites]
I drove a state leg candidate today; he knocked on doors, talked to voters. It's super easy, and the candidate is a good guy with a wealthy jerk opponent, nice to chat a bit, as well. Driving means I pull in, he goes to the door, I turn the car around, we go to the next house. I'm in a suburban area where houses are not necessarily close, and we only went to friendlies - Dems or Independent. It's much safer for a candidate or canvasser to not go alone, and having a driver allows them to get to more doors. I'm posting stuff to his campaign facebook, too. Also, I read part of a book when he had voters to chat with.
I'm coordinating our local Dems office so will have office hours as well as going out canvassing, making calls. We're planning to do a candidate's night so people can meet local town council and leg. candidates.
Advertising means getting the message out, so there are several efforts to re-post candidate/ campaign information on social media. My health is not stellar, so this is a thing I can do from a comfy chair.
Please register and try to vote absentee; get it done asap is the thinking. Your local polling place probably needs workers. This is usually paid, people are pretty nice, you get to safeguard the vote. It makes me so happy to see young people register & vote for the 1st time.
Political canvassing is protected free speech, including leaflets. Please make sure your mailbox and house are well marked with the street number.
If we Get Out The Vote, the fascist loses.
posted by theora55 at 3:38 PM on July 20 [11 favorites]
I'm coordinating our local Dems office so will have office hours as well as going out canvassing, making calls. We're planning to do a candidate's night so people can meet local town council and leg. candidates.
Advertising means getting the message out, so there are several efforts to re-post candidate/ campaign information on social media. My health is not stellar, so this is a thing I can do from a comfy chair.
Please register and try to vote absentee; get it done asap is the thinking. Your local polling place probably needs workers. This is usually paid, people are pretty nice, you get to safeguard the vote. It makes me so happy to see young people register & vote for the 1st time.
Political canvassing is protected free speech, including leaflets. Please make sure your mailbox and house are well marked with the street number.
If we Get Out The Vote, the fascist loses.
posted by theora55 at 3:38 PM on July 20 [11 favorites]
[...] a national cadre of helpers. Folks that are available to shuttle folks to the polls. Can't get there, here's someone in your community that can help. A 311 for vote-helpers.
Who you gunna call - VoteHelper.
Cool idea! Are you working on this?
posted by knobknosher at 4:10 PM on July 20 [4 favorites]
Who you gunna call - VoteHelper.
Cool idea! Are you working on this?
posted by knobknosher at 4:10 PM on July 20 [4 favorites]
I am so thankful for everyone who's donating, volunteering, getting out the vote, etc.
posted by theora55 at 5:41 PM on July 20 [5 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 5:41 PM on July 20 [5 favorites]
Based on a comment on the green, I signed up with Deep Canvassing and completed training last week. I had my first real call with a voter today and our conversation was pretty amazing! We laughed, we cried! I'm hoping to hear more peoples' stories, find shared feelings where we can, build awareness, and change minds one conversation at a time.
posted by cocoagirl at 5:51 PM on July 20 [17 favorites]
posted by cocoagirl at 5:51 PM on July 20 [17 favorites]
^Just want to add that there were about 140 people in the training and it was easily the most energy and kindness and optimism I've experienced about politics in a long time.
posted by cocoagirl at 5:54 PM on July 20 [11 favorites]
posted by cocoagirl at 5:54 PM on July 20 [11 favorites]
It’s little, but I signed up again to write postcards to swing states. In a change from before, they now mail you the postcards! I still have to provide the stamps but it’s a big savings for me anyway. Previously I would get wrapped up in finding just the right postcards that someone wouldnt immediately throw away, and might even keep on a bulletin board or fridge because it was pretty, but those are pricey when you get three or five hundred of them. I trust the folks running the program to have done the numbers - if using the postcards they provide is similarly effective to pretty ones, that’s great.
Oh also I made sure that a couple of my friends who refused to vote for Biden in the primaries for his continued support of Israel’s genocidal actions will be voting for whoever the Dem candidate is in the actual election, including Biden or Harris. Every little bit, a little bit at a time.
posted by Mizu at 6:34 PM on July 20 [15 favorites]
Oh also I made sure that a couple of my friends who refused to vote for Biden in the primaries for his continued support of Israel’s genocidal actions will be voting for whoever the Dem candidate is in the actual election, including Biden or Harris. Every little bit, a little bit at a time.
posted by Mizu at 6:34 PM on July 20 [15 favorites]
I went to an organizing meeting for a coalition of local labor unions, grocery workers, progressive political folks, and other allies to work on a Workers Bill of Rights campaign for my area - higher minimum wage, enough hours, predictable schedules, safe workplaces. I was heartened that there was a great turnout on one of the fleeting sunny Saturdays in our PNW summer.
There was a panel of local workers talking about how shitty their jobs are, and how we need to come together because when we fight together, we win. 3 grocery store workers, a childcare worker, and a McDonald's employee shared their stories, and someone I know also talked about going from a decade of working retail as a single mom, to getting her first unionized state job, and how it changed her brain to be able to have enough money for the first time to live in a way not immersed in a constant stress of poverty, going from crisis to crisis.
Moments of solidarity for a greater cause are vital to me to keep going. People kept repeating how if enough of us can spend even one hour a week doing something to help, we can win. I am donating money and writing postcards to voters in other states as my commitment to the national election and doing more stuff locally.
posted by lizard music at 9:11 PM on July 20 [10 favorites]
There was a panel of local workers talking about how shitty their jobs are, and how we need to come together because when we fight together, we win. 3 grocery store workers, a childcare worker, and a McDonald's employee shared their stories, and someone I know also talked about going from a decade of working retail as a single mom, to getting her first unionized state job, and how it changed her brain to be able to have enough money for the first time to live in a way not immersed in a constant stress of poverty, going from crisis to crisis.
Moments of solidarity for a greater cause are vital to me to keep going. People kept repeating how if enough of us can spend even one hour a week doing something to help, we can win. I am donating money and writing postcards to voters in other states as my commitment to the national election and doing more stuff locally.
posted by lizard music at 9:11 PM on July 20 [10 favorites]
Love it! I just signed up to write letters via Vote Forward.
We can win.
posted by ichomp at 10:27 PM on July 20 [7 favorites]
We can win.
posted by ichomp at 10:27 PM on July 20 [7 favorites]
As a Georgian, I figure the most effective thing I can do is help get out the vote here, so I renewed all my signups with The New Georgia Project. Hoping to do some voter drives soon.
posted by hydropsyche at 3:33 AM on July 21 [14 favorites]
posted by hydropsyche at 3:33 AM on July 21 [14 favorites]
Contacted someone at work to see if we can do voter registration events for the public and provide voter registration information to employees as well.
My workplace prohibits political discussions at work and is legally prohibited from promoting candidates so this is as good as I can do there.
posted by sciencegeek at 5:36 AM on July 21 [6 favorites]
My workplace prohibits political discussions at work and is legally prohibited from promoting candidates so this is as good as I can do there.
posted by sciencegeek at 5:36 AM on July 21 [6 favorites]
The US is not sliding into “ fascism”. Enough with the drama.
Dude, if you wanna drop these kinds of edgy hot takes into random threads, go do it in Fanfare the way you usually do.
....My BFF reached out to me about Vote Forward and I realized that you know, I've been a little too lax because I trust my NYC bubble too much, I should actually do something too. We signed up together. It looks like signups are paused on the postcards to swing states campaign, when they open that up I'll join that too.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:43 AM on July 21 [11 favorites]
Dude, if you wanna drop these kinds of edgy hot takes into random threads, go do it in Fanfare the way you usually do.
....My BFF reached out to me about Vote Forward and I realized that you know, I've been a little too lax because I trust my NYC bubble too much, I should actually do something too. We signed up together. It looks like signups are paused on the postcards to swing states campaign, when they open that up I'll join that too.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:43 AM on July 21 [11 favorites]
Once the weather cools off a little, I'll be canvassing in my area in Philadelphia. I've also been donating to the New Pennsylvania Project, a group focusing on registering historically disenfranchised people to vote.
posted by mcduff at 6:59 AM on July 21 [7 favorites]
posted by mcduff at 6:59 AM on July 21 [7 favorites]
not much so far, other than beating the drum (Biden admin has done a lot of great stuff!!!) and encouraging peeps to vote. a friend is organizing a GOTV door-knocking campaign for a bit later in the year, which I am planning to participate in. my mom made the "its only one vote, does it matter?" comment, so I told her "hey, they add up". even this small encouragement can keep someone focused on voting and relaying the message!!
posted by supermedusa at 9:49 AM on July 21 [2 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 9:49 AM on July 21 [2 favorites]
Now that KH is taking the lead, can we establish a moratorium on the "omg Kamala is a cop!" comments, given the global severity of this election? The weaponization potential is huge.
In fact, until the election is over I suggest we add that to the list of reasons comments can be deleted.
posted by CynicalKnight at 11:38 AM on July 21 [4 favorites]
In fact, until the election is over I suggest we add that to the list of reasons comments can be deleted.
posted by CynicalKnight at 11:38 AM on July 21 [4 favorites]
can we establish a moratorium on the "omg Kamala is a cop!" comments
Absolutely not. Far better to state the positive case for Harris, than ask the mods to censor the discussion.
posted by mittens at 1:16 PM on July 21 [26 favorites]
Absolutely not. Far better to state the positive case for Harris, than ask the mods to censor the discussion.
posted by mittens at 1:16 PM on July 21 [26 favorites]
Mod note: Noting CynicalKnight's suggestion, I've brought it up to the team and we'll discuss it and let the community know once mods have chimed in on the matter.
posted by travelingthyme (staff) at 2:28 PM on July 21 [1 favorite]
posted by travelingthyme (staff) at 2:28 PM on July 21 [1 favorite]
Here's my vote against banning "Kamala is a cop" comments, unless it's made clear that reservations, concerns and/or links to information about some of the crappy things she did during her time as a prosecutor are not included in the ban.
This is not a cheerleading political site.
posted by mediareport at 5:24 PM on July 21 [16 favorites]
This is not a cheerleading political site.
posted by mediareport at 5:24 PM on July 21 [16 favorites]
Noting CynicalKnight's suggestion, I've brought it up to the team and we'll discuss it and let the community know once mods have chimed in on the matter.
same mods that had to be privately scolded into deleting "UNRWA is Hamas" disinfo? is bad-faith political rhetoric only an issue when dangerous to americans?
posted by busted_crayons at 5:28 PM on July 21 [4 favorites]
same mods that had to be privately scolded into deleting "UNRWA is Hamas" disinfo? is bad-faith political rhetoric only an issue when dangerous to americans?
posted by busted_crayons at 5:28 PM on July 21 [4 favorites]
1. The suggestion to delete "omg Kamala is a cop!" comments is a total derail of the the thread topic.
2. "omg Kamala is a cop!" comments do not break site guidelines and thus should not be deleted.
3. If policy on automatic deletions is going to change, that issue deserves its own thread, not a hijacking of this “Do instead of doom” thread.
4. If anything, the derailing comment should be removed, with the poster encouraged to make their own thread about their suggestion.
Now, can we end this derail, and get back to the topic at hand? Thank you.
posted by NotLost at 7:01 PM on July 21 [27 favorites]
2. "omg Kamala is a cop!" comments do not break site guidelines and thus should not be deleted.
3. If policy on automatic deletions is going to change, that issue deserves its own thread, not a hijacking of this “Do instead of doom” thread.
4. If anything, the derailing comment should be removed, with the poster encouraged to make their own thread about their suggestion.
Now, can we end this derail, and get back to the topic at hand? Thank you.
posted by NotLost at 7:01 PM on July 21 [27 favorites]
Wait, busted_crayons, what happened with that? Can you MeMail me?
posted by adrienneleigh at 8:10 PM on July 21 [1 favorite]
posted by adrienneleigh at 8:10 PM on July 21 [1 favorite]
adrienneleigh, here's the exchange; i have removed one paragraph from the very end of my response to the moderator because it mentions another user in a positive way as a recommended source of guidance on the topic, and i feel like reproducing that paragraph here disrespects that person's privacy. other than that and redacting my name, this is a literal copy of the exchange i had with a mod.
the comment in question said that UNRWA is "closely-affiliated with Hamas", although the moderator did not initially take it literally or see what the problem was:
me:
On Mon, Apr 1, 2024 at 12:24 PM wrote:
re: https://www.metafilter.com/203115/Palestinians-fundraise-evacuations-from-Gaza#8542167
Is it the case that malicious disinformation/propaganda doesn't go against guidelines? I am genuinely asking.
Best wishes,
***
moderator:
Hi, I am asking for weigh-in from the rest of the staff. I have read all of this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNRWA_October_7_controversy in an effort to verify if rooftop's comment is known disinformation, and there are opposing claims from various agencies, organizations and media. I don't feel like I, personally, can say it's either true or untrue that UNWRA staff members participated in the original or other Hamas attacks, so I'm asking for help in parsing this. Aside from this, we need to depend on the actual site guidelines about what gets deleted.
(I'll add that I'm not a fan of the comment at all, but in terms of moderation, I did not see a clear action to take there, which is why I'd like to get the viewpoint of admin / other mods.)
me:
Thanks for raising this with your colleagues. Can you please also consider and pass on the following:
The potentially credible allegations are that some UNRWA staff members took part in the terrorist attack/war crimes on 7 Oct. That does not substantiate the claim that UNRWA is, as an institution, "closely-affiliated with Hamas", as rouftop's comment asserts.
Consider the difference between, say, "there are organised fascists in Ukraine" [true, also true in most European countries to some degree] and "Ukraine, as a nation/state, is in the grip of fascists" [Russian state propaganda, disinformation, justification for unjustifiable war].
Assuming the allegations about UNRWA employees helpfully summarised in the Wikipedia article are true, there is nothing to substantiate rouftop's inflammatory claim that UNRWA is, as an organisation, a Hamas affiliate (and, by implication, institutionally complicit in atrocities).
This is not a complicated distinction; it was even admitted in that very thread by interrogative_mood, whose posting history in the Gaza threads shows them to be, shall we say, not one of the more sympathetic voices on Palestine in those discussions.
I would have thought that comments repeating claims (in fact, making stronger claims) by a government conducting a widely-condemned aggressive war are to be treated with special skepticism.
But it sounds like the evidentiary bar is set more at: if there's *any remotely plausible sense* in which Israeli government propaganda is not disinformation, then it is okay to post it.
Otherwise an extremely experienced and media-literate moderation team, very capable of nuance, wouldn't be pointing to allegations about individuals as a justification for allowing an inflammatory comment about an entire organisation.
(The comment is inflammatory in light of: (1) the context in which those claims emerged, (2) the pre-existing controversies about UNRWA and its relationship to the right of return of Palestinian refugees, and, most importantly, (3) the fact that undermining UNRWA, for whatever reason, in the present circumstances amounts to exacerbating an ongoing artificially-created humanitarian catastrophe.)
I don't think the comment should necessarily be deleted at this point, but I am concerned about the general approach taken by the moderators toward the Gaza threads in general. The threads are riddled with "plausibly deniable" racist/dehumanising language, whataboutism, etc. I have not been following the mod notes perfectly, but my impression is that most moderator attention has been directed at comments that push back against that stuff, on the basis that it violates guidelines about how we speak directly to/about other users.
I don't dispute the correctness of the application of the guidelines in any particular instance, but I will report that MeFi threads on Gaza are repeating the usual dynamic in English-language media environments, where there is a wide range of acceptable ways to reproduce hasbarist memes, while those wishing to push back are subject to more stringent constraints/tone-policing.
posted by busted_crayons at 2:52 AM on July 22 [4 favorites]
the comment in question said that UNRWA is "closely-affiliated with Hamas", although the moderator did not initially take it literally or see what the problem was:
me:
On Mon, Apr 1, 2024 at 12:24 PM
re: https://www.metafilter.com/203115/Palestinians-fundraise-evacuations-from-Gaza#8542167
Is it the case that malicious disinformation/propaganda doesn't go against guidelines? I am genuinely asking.
Best wishes,
***
moderator:
Hi, I am asking for weigh-in from the rest of the staff. I have read all of this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNRWA_October_7_controversy in an effort to verify if rooftop's comment is known disinformation, and there are opposing claims from various agencies, organizations and media. I don't feel like I, personally, can say it's either true or untrue that UNWRA staff members participated in the original or other Hamas attacks, so I'm asking for help in parsing this. Aside from this, we need to depend on the actual site guidelines about what gets deleted.
(I'll add that I'm not a fan of the comment at all, but in terms of moderation, I did not see a clear action to take there, which is why I'd like to get the viewpoint of admin / other mods.)
me:
Thanks for raising this with your colleagues. Can you please also consider and pass on the following:
The potentially credible allegations are that some UNRWA staff members took part in the terrorist attack/war crimes on 7 Oct. That does not substantiate the claim that UNRWA is, as an institution, "closely-affiliated with Hamas", as rouftop's comment asserts.
Consider the difference between, say, "there are organised fascists in Ukraine" [true, also true in most European countries to some degree] and "Ukraine, as a nation/state, is in the grip of fascists" [Russian state propaganda, disinformation, justification for unjustifiable war].
Assuming the allegations about UNRWA employees helpfully summarised in the Wikipedia article are true, there is nothing to substantiate rouftop's inflammatory claim that UNRWA is, as an organisation, a Hamas affiliate (and, by implication, institutionally complicit in atrocities).
This is not a complicated distinction; it was even admitted in that very thread by interrogative_mood, whose posting history in the Gaza threads shows them to be, shall we say, not one of the more sympathetic voices on Palestine in those discussions.
I would have thought that comments repeating claims (in fact, making stronger claims) by a government conducting a widely-condemned aggressive war are to be treated with special skepticism.
But it sounds like the evidentiary bar is set more at: if there's *any remotely plausible sense* in which Israeli government propaganda is not disinformation, then it is okay to post it.
Otherwise an extremely experienced and media-literate moderation team, very capable of nuance, wouldn't be pointing to allegations about individuals as a justification for allowing an inflammatory comment about an entire organisation.
(The comment is inflammatory in light of: (1) the context in which those claims emerged, (2) the pre-existing controversies about UNRWA and its relationship to the right of return of Palestinian refugees, and, most importantly, (3) the fact that undermining UNRWA, for whatever reason, in the present circumstances amounts to exacerbating an ongoing artificially-created humanitarian catastrophe.)
I don't think the comment should necessarily be deleted at this point, but I am concerned about the general approach taken by the moderators toward the Gaza threads in general. The threads are riddled with "plausibly deniable" racist/dehumanising language, whataboutism, etc. I have not been following the mod notes perfectly, but my impression is that most moderator attention has been directed at comments that push back against that stuff, on the basis that it violates guidelines about how we speak directly to/about other users.
I don't dispute the correctness of the application of the guidelines in any particular instance, but I will report that MeFi threads on Gaza are repeating the usual dynamic in English-language media environments, where there is a wide range of acceptable ways to reproduce hasbarist memes, while those wishing to push back are subject to more stringent constraints/tone-policing.
posted by busted_crayons at 2:52 AM on July 22 [4 favorites]
The mods should not be wasting time entering into essay-length discussions with users about individual comments. Flag it, push back briefly in the thread, take it to MetaTalk if you like, move on.
posted by Klipspringer at 3:03 AM on July 22 [8 favorites]
posted by Klipspringer at 3:03 AM on July 22 [8 favorites]
it was just (absurdly) proposed to amend the criteria for deleting comments to include any repetition of a certain piece of political rhetoric, and this suggestion was apparently taken seriously by at least one moderator. i had indeed "moved on" from the previous incident, until it suddenly became relevant, when it was proposed to delete comments on the basis of political content.
(NB: i am not in principle opposed to deleting comments on the basis of their political content; it is worth getting clear, using examples if possible, on what biases would inform the implementation, though.)
posted by busted_crayons at 3:19 AM on July 22 [5 favorites]
(NB: i am not in principle opposed to deleting comments on the basis of their political content; it is worth getting clear, using examples if possible, on what biases would inform the implementation, though.)
posted by busted_crayons at 3:19 AM on July 22 [5 favorites]
On balance, I think MetaFilter is a force for good in the world, including against fascism. I've been exposed to views and resources here that have usefully identified holes in my thinking and worldview. In view of that, one of my on-topic actions is to say:
In fact, until the election is over I suggest we add that to the list of reasons comments can be deleted.
I think it's a bad idea for mods to take seriously suggestions like this, buried in threads in which they are derails, and about which the majority of MeFites won't hear until someone gets rapped on the nose for offering the criticism "Kamala's a cop." We have active debates all the time about who is or isn't committing genocide--among the worst accusations that can be made--and the suggestion here is to consider making it unacceptable to criticize a political candidate based on... her background as a former prosecutor. This seems to me like some serious cherry-picking of what is or isn't unacceptable here.
Also, while I am not a lawyer, site leadership scrutinizing criticism of one particular candidate seems to me like a potentially ill-considered road to travel at a time when MetaFilter is moving toward 501(c)(3) status. I think it would be a great idea for someone with knowledge in that area to weigh in on the idea of implications of a 501(c)(3) discussion site taking steps that might (again, I am not a lawyer) amount to tacit endorsement/defense of a political candidate.
posted by cupcakeninja at 5:20 AM on July 22 [17 favorites]
In fact, until the election is over I suggest we add that to the list of reasons comments can be deleted.
I think it's a bad idea for mods to take seriously suggestions like this, buried in threads in which they are derails, and about which the majority of MeFites won't hear until someone gets rapped on the nose for offering the criticism "Kamala's a cop." We have active debates all the time about who is or isn't committing genocide--among the worst accusations that can be made--and the suggestion here is to consider making it unacceptable to criticize a political candidate based on... her background as a former prosecutor. This seems to me like some serious cherry-picking of what is or isn't unacceptable here.
Also, while I am not a lawyer, site leadership scrutinizing criticism of one particular candidate seems to me like a potentially ill-considered road to travel at a time when MetaFilter is moving toward 501(c)(3) status. I think it would be a great idea for someone with knowledge in that area to weigh in on the idea of implications of a 501(c)(3) discussion site taking steps that might (again, I am not a lawyer) amount to tacit endorsement/defense of a political candidate.
posted by cupcakeninja at 5:20 AM on July 22 [17 favorites]
If it weren't for the time limits, I would submit a new MeTa, so each topic could have the attention it deserves. Thanks for the hijacking.
posted by NotLost at 6:05 AM on July 22 [3 favorites]
posted by NotLost at 6:05 AM on July 22 [3 favorites]
Sorry to contribute to that derail, NotLost. I should have said so earlier, but I really appreciated seeing this MeTa.
posted by cupcakeninja at 6:07 AM on July 22 [1 favorite]
posted by cupcakeninja at 6:07 AM on July 22 [1 favorite]
I was happy to see new comments, but it turned out they were a fighty derail...
On topic, my local Sierra Club is organizing postcards for intermittent voters interested in environmental issues, to be delivered just before the polls open. I've got my first stack and stamps arrive today.
posted by mersen at 7:04 AM on July 22 [5 favorites]
On topic, my local Sierra Club is organizing postcards for intermittent voters interested in environmental issues, to be delivered just before the polls open. I've got my first stack and stamps arrive today.
posted by mersen at 7:04 AM on July 22 [5 favorites]
I apologize for a derail that I intended as an anti-fascist initiative in the spirit of the original poster. If mods wish it, please delete my comment and advise me to create a separate post.
posted by CynicalKnight at 7:39 AM on July 22 [1 favorite]
posted by CynicalKnight at 7:39 AM on July 22 [1 favorite]
THANK YOU NotLost for making the post and Scout405 for the wonderful suggestion to check out www.Mobilize.us . I just signed up for a postcard writing campaign happening at a local brewery on Thursday. I texted my best friend, my sisters, my nieces and nephews and - so far - there are now 6 of us signed up for writing GET OUT THE VOTE postcards!! Let's Go!! Fight Fascism!! Defeat Trump!! Drink Beer!!
posted by pjsky at 11:34 AM on July 22 [9 favorites]
posted by pjsky at 11:34 AM on July 22 [9 favorites]
So far all I have really done is move to Ted Cruz's jurisdiction and registered to vote. But that's not nothin'.
I am going to start back writing postcards like I did in the past, it's a thing I can do from anywhere and it's satisfying work.
All elected politicians are cops, and all the important ones quickly become war criminals too, so really all you can do is talk up whatever bits of good stuff you can find that one of them is more likely to do than the other. Which is at least fairly easy at this point. I've had the glow completely reality-checked out of me and all I can do is wave a small "yay lesser evil" banner, but it's honestly easier to focus this way anyway.
posted by Lyn Never at 4:30 PM on July 22 [8 favorites]
I am going to start back writing postcards like I did in the past, it's a thing I can do from anywhere and it's satisfying work.
All elected politicians are cops, and all the important ones quickly become war criminals too, so really all you can do is talk up whatever bits of good stuff you can find that one of them is more likely to do than the other. Which is at least fairly easy at this point. I've had the glow completely reality-checked out of me and all I can do is wave a small "yay lesser evil" banner, but it's honestly easier to focus this way anyway.
posted by Lyn Never at 4:30 PM on July 22 [8 favorites]
Folks that are available to shuttle folks to the polls.
Rideshare2Vote. "Serving voters, campaigns and volunteers to make voting convenient and ensure a more Democratic America."
posted by kirkaracha (staff) at 4:32 PM on July 22 [4 favorites]
Rideshare2Vote. "Serving voters, campaigns and volunteers to make voting convenient and ensure a more Democratic America."
posted by kirkaracha (staff) at 4:32 PM on July 22 [4 favorites]
Postcard writers, would you please share the names of the organizations that you are writing for?
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:43 AM on July 23 [1 favorite]
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:43 AM on July 23 [1 favorite]
Postcards to Swing States
Postcards to Voters
posted by cocoagirl at 11:08 AM on July 23 [10 favorites]
Postcards to Voters
posted by cocoagirl at 11:08 AM on July 23 [10 favorites]
Mizu: It’s little, but I signed up again to write postcards to swing states.
What web site can I go to to sign up? I have seen a couple.
(Also: jinx.)
posted by wenestvedt at 2:02 PM on July 23
What web site can I go to to sign up? I have seen a couple.
(Also: jinx.)
posted by wenestvedt at 2:02 PM on July 23
What cocoagirl said (I have done postcards to swing states for a couple years now.)
posted by Mizu at 2:36 PM on July 23
posted by Mizu at 2:36 PM on July 23
Mod note: Some follow up on the previous mod note responding to CynicalKnight’s suggestion: The decision is that we’re not going to make a rule at that level of granularity.
posted by travelingthyme (staff) at 4:16 PM on July 23 [4 favorites]
posted by travelingthyme (staff) at 4:16 PM on July 23 [4 favorites]
Mod note: Bunch of comments removed. Please stick to the topic of the thread, aka cheering and sharing information and actions about things to do in the US presidential election. Thanks.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 5:48 AM on July 24 [7 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 5:48 AM on July 24 [7 favorites]
I'm doing postcard writing for the first time. The stack of them just got delivered and I'll start writing them this weekend! They're all going to Georgia.
posted by PussKillian at 7:29 AM on July 24 [7 favorites]
posted by PussKillian at 7:29 AM on July 24 [7 favorites]
I am on the DNC Call Crew for the third cycle - we won in 2020 and 2022 and this year will be no different! You can make calls whenever you want with no advance notice - just drop into the Slack and get going. It's a really fun group.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:30 AM on July 24 [4 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:30 AM on July 24 [4 favorites]
Thank you to all who have shared resources!
posted by NotLost at 11:06 AM on July 24 [1 favorite]
posted by NotLost at 11:06 AM on July 24 [1 favorite]
I am not a Democrat and I really don't like Harris, but I am all-in for stopping Trump and his cult. I've also always hated the GOP. So I guess that makes me a Democrat for the next 3 1/2 months.
I am looking for a specific volunteer task to do but am having a very difficult time finding it.
I want to:
1) Textbank
2) to swing states
3a) to identify supporters during July-Oct
3b) and get out their vote in Nov
4) for the Democratic Presidential campaign
Every volunteer opportunity I've found on my own or been referred to fails to meet at least one of those criteria.
I want to stick with textbanking because that's what I already have 1,000+ hours of experience in. I ran the Libertarian Presidential campaign textbanks in 2016 and 2020. In addition to managing hundreds of volunteers, I myself sent so many texts to voters that the Hustle staff reached out to me after the 2016 election for my feedback because they told me that I was the #1 individual texter on their platform across all campaigns that year. That means that I didn’t just beat everyone else in the Johnson/Weld campaign, I beat everyone in the Bernie Sanders campaign and all the other campaigns using Hustle too. I am an autistic hyperfixated texting machine.
I also prefer textbanking to phonebanking for this campaign because I don't actually support the platform and thus pressing buttons to send scripted responses would be significantly easier for me than having to fake enthusiasm while reading my lines over the phone. I can learn the platform and parrot the party line if I have to (I was on Speech & Debate Team in college and learned how to argue positions I don't hold myself), but I'd rather not.
I could manage a team of textbank volunteers if there's literally no one else to do it, but objectively, it's better to have people who are planning to stick around in the Democratic Party manage volunteers. Or perhaps I could recruit and manage a "Libertarian Auxiliary" team who are also all just Democrats for this election only? But given my health issues, a low-responsibility role of just texting would be better than having other people waiting on me to train them and assign them work.
I want to focus on supporter identification and GOTV in swing states because I sincerely believe that this election can be won on turnout alone.
Please hope me, thanks.
posted by Jacqueline at 1:02 PM on July 24 [7 favorites]
I am looking for a specific volunteer task to do but am having a very difficult time finding it.
I want to:
1) Textbank
2) to swing states
3a) to identify supporters during July-Oct
3b) and get out their vote in Nov
4) for the Democratic Presidential campaign
Every volunteer opportunity I've found on my own or been referred to fails to meet at least one of those criteria.
I want to stick with textbanking because that's what I already have 1,000+ hours of experience in. I ran the Libertarian Presidential campaign textbanks in 2016 and 2020. In addition to managing hundreds of volunteers, I myself sent so many texts to voters that the Hustle staff reached out to me after the 2016 election for my feedback because they told me that I was the #1 individual texter on their platform across all campaigns that year. That means that I didn’t just beat everyone else in the Johnson/Weld campaign, I beat everyone in the Bernie Sanders campaign and all the other campaigns using Hustle too. I am an autistic hyperfixated texting machine.
I also prefer textbanking to phonebanking for this campaign because I don't actually support the platform and thus pressing buttons to send scripted responses would be significantly easier for me than having to fake enthusiasm while reading my lines over the phone. I can learn the platform and parrot the party line if I have to (I was on Speech & Debate Team in college and learned how to argue positions I don't hold myself), but I'd rather not.
I could manage a team of textbank volunteers if there's literally no one else to do it, but objectively, it's better to have people who are planning to stick around in the Democratic Party manage volunteers. Or perhaps I could recruit and manage a "Libertarian Auxiliary" team who are also all just Democrats for this election only? But given my health issues, a low-responsibility role of just texting would be better than having other people waiting on me to train them and assign them work.
I want to focus on supporter identification and GOTV in swing states because I sincerely believe that this election can be won on turnout alone.
Please hope me, thanks.
posted by Jacqueline at 1:02 PM on July 24 [7 favorites]
oh my god i finally found where to sign up to text for the Democratic Presidential campaign and apparently they're using rate-limited free texting services like Google Voice and you have to copypaste the messages
that technology is 8+ years out of date
wtf how are the Democrats worse at this than the Libertarians
this is ridiculous
i am this >< close for applying for a relevant campaign job simply because they don't seem to have anyone who knows what they're doing running their national textbank
i don't want to be in charge of anything ever again much less for the Democrats, but the incompetence is too painful
whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
posted by Jacqueline at 2:28 PM on July 24 [9 favorites]
that technology is 8+ years out of date
wtf how are the Democrats worse at this than the Libertarians
this is ridiculous
i am this >< close for applying for a relevant campaign job simply because they don't seem to have anyone who knows what they're doing running their national textbank
i don't want to be in charge of anything ever again much less for the Democrats, but the incompetence is too painful
whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
posted by Jacqueline at 2:28 PM on July 24 [9 favorites]
Great thread!
posted by latkes at 3:23 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]
posted by latkes at 3:23 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]
I have nothing to add except to chime in with support for anyone who's doing anything!
posted by dg at 10:43 PM on July 24 [2 favorites]
posted by dg at 10:43 PM on July 24 [2 favorites]
Narrator voice: Many of them did not cheer each other on.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:27 AM on July 25 [4 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:27 AM on July 25 [4 favorites]
Postcards to Swing States is accepting sign ups again! I just signed up and it says I should receive my postcards in a few weeks.
posted by cozenedindigo at 8:20 AM on July 26 [4 favorites]
posted by cozenedindigo at 8:20 AM on July 26 [4 favorites]
Holy crap my hometown is in one of the swing districts! I have just signed up and picked that one out.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:31 AM on July 26
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:31 AM on July 26
Do any of the postcard-writing groups include info that's like: your precinct is at xyz address, you need to bring these 2 forms of ID to vote, voting hours are xyz? I would love to help make sure people not only have a plan to vote, they know how to carry it out.
posted by capricorn at 9:07 AM on July 26 [5 favorites]
posted by capricorn at 9:07 AM on July 26 [5 favorites]
capricorn, the addresses for Postcards to Voters are generated from active Democratic voter rolls, so I think the "how to vote" is assumed, though that's not always the best course. I think it's the same for Postcards to Swing States, but I'm not as experienced with them.
As for info on how/where to vote, the only messages I've seen regarding the actual voting process are a variation of "Please make a plan to vote." This language seems to be tested enough that it does encourage people to get their ducks in a row about how to actually get to their polling location and vote.
posted by cocoagirl at 2:16 PM on July 26
As for info on how/where to vote, the only messages I've seen regarding the actual voting process are a variation of "Please make a plan to vote." This language seems to be tested enough that it does encourage people to get their ducks in a row about how to actually get to their polling location and vote.
posted by cocoagirl at 2:16 PM on July 26
If you are sending postcards to people in Wisconsin, you can include a plug for MyVote.wi.gov which provides this information. Other states may as well.
posted by brook horse at 2:36 PM on July 26 [5 favorites]
posted by brook horse at 2:36 PM on July 26 [5 favorites]
Update on my continuing efforts to try to volunteer for the campaign as an outsider:
Still haven't been able to reach anyone at the Harris textbanking campaign directly. I have even tried texting back to the campaign textbankers who have been texting me. I asked them how to volunteer to textbank and all I got back was "Thank you for your interest in volunteering! The text team is not currently onboarding, but please check back for updates!" and then when I asked them to please pass along my info to their textbank manager and let them know that I have 1,000+ hours of political textbanking experience including running two national textbanks myself so could they please make an exception their response was "Thank you for your time. Take care."
I can't canvas at all or phonebank much due to medical problems, but I could textbank all day and I'm very good at it. But it seems the Dems just don't want help from anyone who isn't already part of their clique. :(
I am trying my luck with another textbanking group who don't seem to be officially part of the campaign but are working to register voters in swing states. It's not ideal because I would like to focus on supporters only, but given that all evidence suggests that if 100% of adult citizens voted then Dems would win most elections, increasing voter registration and turnout percentages in general should still help. When everyone votes, Democrats win, which is something I've been hella envious of over my nearly 25 years of Libertarian Party activism.
If anyone reading this thread is textbanking for the Presidential campaign to swing states to identify supporters and then get out their vote, please DM me your volunteer manager's direct contact info because if I were the textbank manager for the Harris campaign then I would leap at the opportunity to add someone with my skills and experience to the team even if I were no longer accepting randos as volunteers. Thanks.
posted by Jacqueline at 6:37 PM on July 26 [3 favorites]
Still haven't been able to reach anyone at the Harris textbanking campaign directly. I have even tried texting back to the campaign textbankers who have been texting me. I asked them how to volunteer to textbank and all I got back was "Thank you for your interest in volunteering! The text team is not currently onboarding, but please check back for updates!" and then when I asked them to please pass along my info to their textbank manager and let them know that I have 1,000+ hours of political textbanking experience including running two national textbanks myself so could they please make an exception their response was "Thank you for your time. Take care."
I can't canvas at all or phonebank much due to medical problems, but I could textbank all day and I'm very good at it. But it seems the Dems just don't want help from anyone who isn't already part of their clique. :(
I am trying my luck with another textbanking group who don't seem to be officially part of the campaign but are working to register voters in swing states. It's not ideal because I would like to focus on supporters only, but given that all evidence suggests that if 100% of adult citizens voted then Dems would win most elections, increasing voter registration and turnout percentages in general should still help. When everyone votes, Democrats win, which is something I've been hella envious of over my nearly 25 years of Libertarian Party activism.
If anyone reading this thread is textbanking for the Presidential campaign to swing states to identify supporters and then get out their vote, please DM me your volunteer manager's direct contact info because if I were the textbank manager for the Harris campaign then I would leap at the opportunity to add someone with my skills and experience to the team even if I were no longer accepting randos as volunteers. Thanks.
posted by Jacqueline at 6:37 PM on July 26 [3 favorites]
Jacqueline -- I have some relevant connections. I will ask around.
posted by NotLost at 9:31 PM on July 26 [1 favorite]
posted by NotLost at 9:31 PM on July 26 [1 favorite]
If you’re writing to AZ our equivalent website is https://my.arizona.vote/WhereToVote.aspx.
Maricopa and Pima counties (where most people live) have their own websites, but they are linked on that page.
posted by nat at 4:59 PM on July 27
Maricopa and Pima counties (where most people live) have their own websites, but they are linked on that page.
posted by nat at 4:59 PM on July 27
Jacqueline - I can't test it, since I'm in Canada (I'm a dual citizen but I assume text banking would not allow people outside the country to volunteer), but Mobilize looks like it might give you ways to text bank?
posted by joannemerriam at 11:41 AM on July 28
posted by joannemerriam at 11:41 AM on July 28
Postcards to Swing States
Postcards to Voters
posted by cocoagirl at 3:08 PM on July 23
I volunteered for both of these while I was still living in the States, and they were great. Postcards to Swing States provides postcards, and Postcards to Voters allows you to either buy their postcards or buy/make your own. I mostly crafted my own and found it to be a lot of fun, but the ones they sell are kept as cheap as possible and are very fun.
Looks like Activate America also has ones for House reps.
posted by joannemerriam at 11:52 AM on July 28 [1 favorite]
Postcards to Voters
posted by cocoagirl at 3:08 PM on July 23
I volunteered for both of these while I was still living in the States, and they were great. Postcards to Swing States provides postcards, and Postcards to Voters allows you to either buy their postcards or buy/make your own. I mostly crafted my own and found it to be a lot of fun, but the ones they sell are kept as cheap as possible and are very fun.
Looks like Activate America also has ones for House reps.
posted by joannemerriam at 11:52 AM on July 28 [1 favorite]
Cat and Dog Ladies Unite (for Harris) - the latest Zoom call, tonight (July 30)
(twitter post has link)
posted by Glinn at 7:53 AM on July 30 [2 favorites]
(twitter post has link)
posted by Glinn at 7:53 AM on July 30 [2 favorites]
Ok - it appears you need to pay for Zoom for that one (I have only used the free version), but Harris is doing a virtual event a bit earlier: National Organizing Call with the Vice President
posted by Glinn at 11:02 AM on July 30
posted by Glinn at 11:02 AM on July 30
Cat Ladies for Kamala
Sunday, August 4, 7ET/4PT
(Event is open to cat ladies from all genders.)
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:38 PM on July 30 [6 favorites]
Sunday, August 4, 7ET/4PT
(Event is open to cat ladies from all genders.)
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:38 PM on July 30 [6 favorites]
I will be working the polls for the Wisconsin primary on August 13th. (Almost certainly for the November general as well, but those assignments haven't been made yet.)
I have donated to a voter rideshare organization that operates in Wisconsin.
I am the treasurer for my union local this year. Yesterday I worked through the per-capita payment process all by myself for the first time. (It's complicated.)
posted by humbug at 4:07 PM on August 1 [6 favorites]
I have donated to a voter rideshare organization that operates in Wisconsin.
I am the treasurer for my union local this year. Yesterday I worked through the per-capita payment process all by myself for the first time. (It's complicated.)
posted by humbug at 4:07 PM on August 1 [6 favorites]
Humbug—any more help needed for the WI primary that you know of? I may for once in my life have free time in my schedule around an election time so am considering looking into poll working.
posted by brook horse at 6:16 PM on August 1 [4 favorites]
posted by brook horse at 6:16 PM on August 1 [4 favorites]
Argh, no edit button—was going to add that I’m not sure if it’s too late to sign up/already as handled as it’s going to be.
posted by brook horse at 6:18 PM on August 1 [1 favorite]
posted by brook horse at 6:18 PM on August 1 [1 favorite]
@brook horse Hard to know -- check with your municipal or county clerk's office. I don't know of any statewide monitoring. In Madison, we've been told that August has enough people, but more are welcome for November.
posted by humbug at 6:38 PM on August 1
posted by humbug at 6:38 PM on August 1
Thanks, I’ll prioritize looking into it!
posted by brook horse at 6:59 PM on August 1
posted by brook horse at 6:59 PM on August 1
I work the polls in MN and there is required training to do before the actual election day. Even if you don't have time to get training in before August, you could get in for November. Our training was in June and early July for the August primary. MN counties can assign you to any precinct, so even if your local precincts are fully staffed, they might need help in other towns.
posted by soelo at 8:35 AM on August 2 [1 favorite]
posted by soelo at 8:35 AM on August 2 [1 favorite]
If anyone's looking for a more immediate hit of do-gooding, Cori Bush's people are actively looking for phonebanking help before the Missouri primary this upcoming Tuesday. If you can do a couple last-minute shifts over the weekend, they'd probably really love your help.
posted by adrienneleigh at 1:17 PM on August 2 [5 favorites]
posted by adrienneleigh at 1:17 PM on August 2 [5 favorites]
Hi all! For those of you who are Doing Things, is there any point in these big Zooms? I have been invited to one but big zooms are my hell.
posted by corb at 1:58 AM on August 7
posted by corb at 1:58 AM on August 7
To be clear, I’m not asking if there’s any point in the campaign doing them, I’m asking if there’s any point in people who are relatively experienced in canvassing, relational work, etc, attending them, or are they more of a training/fire up the troops?
posted by corb at 2:01 AM on August 7 [1 favorite]
posted by corb at 2:01 AM on August 7 [1 favorite]
They're definitely more motivational rally than anything else - if you don't feel motivated to attend because you're doing other stuff, do not feel bad!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:43 PM on August 8
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:43 PM on August 8
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I love to see it
(Alas, all my anti-facsism efforts are being made in Canada, but I am a US citizen so I'm-a vote as early as I can)
posted by Kitteh at 9:37 AM on July 19 [12 favorites]