POTUS disses parents. GW disses DT. Megyn on O'Reilly. Ivanka on Melania's Faustian bargain.. Women's speak out. It's not about sex. Arresting videos. Where to donate now.
LETTY COTTIN POGREBIN NEWSLETTER # 56 OCT 30, 2017
Finally, a week that starts with some good news: The graph below. Plus two indictments and a guilty plea.
TRUMP WATCH
Two indictments and a guilty plea. Former Trump campaign chair, Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates are indicted, while George Papadopoulos, former Trump political advisor, pleads guilty. As the charges close in on POTUS, the question is Who's next? And will the media fall for his brazen effort to escape by turning the spotlight on HRC?
Bogeyman-in-chief
*When children of White House press corps visit Oval Office in their Halloween costumes, POTUS welcomes them by insulting their parents (the media) to their faces. “These are beautiful, wonderful children,” he said, then, “Ughhh. You going to grow up to be like your parents?”
No Sympathy for Melania
Methinks he doth protest too much.
* Bizarre braggadocio. "I went to an Ivy League college. I was a nice student. I did very well. I'm a very intelligent person," Trump trumpeted on Oct 23. Then, pointing to his head: "One of the great memories of all time." (Someone please find his freshman beanie and enroll him in Humility 101.)
First President comments on the 45th
WOMEN'S BODIES, WOMEN'S LIVES
* Regardless of your feelings about Megyn Kelly, her public statement on The Today Show about her own experience with sexual harassment is strong, clear, personal, and long overdue. But when referring to women, why can't she use "us" instead of "them?" She's us now.
* The Culture of Harassment in State Legislatures. "You won't believe what it's like for women who are simply trying to build a career in public service.
* How many times will Eve Ensler have to update her heart-piercing essay on rape and sexual assault just to keep pace with the revelations about powerful male predators?
* It's not about sex, it's about power, control, and conquest. A male friend emailed me about Weinstein, Cosby, Ailes, O'Reilly, Trump: "Why did they not turn to high priced prostitutes whose stocks in trade are to please their clients? Perhaps the need to control is the impetus driving these embarrassing, neurotic males rather than an uncontrollable sex drive?" Bingo. Feminists have been trying to explain this for years.
* Rebecca Traister, always well-worth reading, really nails it in this piece on the abiility of powerful (abusive) men to define our culture, our world, and women's futures.
* "The Local Reproductive Freedom Index: Evaluating U.S. Cities" is a first-of-its-kind initiative by the National Institute of Reproductive Health (NIRH) that evaluates the reproductive health, rights, and justice policies of 40 cities across the United States. Spoiler: No city achieved a perfect score. LA, NYC, and San Francisco each received the highest scores of 4.5 stars. Of these, San Francisco has the most policy solutions in place. See where your city ranks. More than just a white paper, NIRH's Local Index is a call to action.
* Every year, Eleanor Foa Dienstag, an award-winning photographer, produces 8x10 paper calendars with art images. For 2018, the calendar is composed of political art -- full color photos she took at the Women's March last January (Cover image above). $30 each. Order from efoa@usa.net wit "Women's March Calendar" in the subject line.
VIDEOS
* This frankly photoshopped video imagines the film "From Russia With Love" updated to now. Watch FBI arrest folks familiar in the news today. If only.... (click on link, then on image to get sound. Enlarge for full screen)
Graphic video about sexual assault. Lady Gaga sings Til It Happens to You. Song isn't new it's just newly relevant. Share your experience anonymously on #metoo. 24-hour hotline 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)
Spunky little girls dance to Beyonce's "Freedom in video #FreedomforGirls about the challenges of girlhood all over the world. Here's how to use this video as an educational tool. Here's how to help.
Sad day in America. This video will break your heart & make you ashamed of this country. Story here.
ACTIVISM
Support Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill!. Protect this important Democratic seat. Donate here.
* Training Democratic women to run for office. " Emerge America aims to change the face of power and leadership in America by doubling the number of Democratic women at all levels of government. "Democratic policies are more responsive to all people when elected officials better reflect and represent all Americans." How you can take action & build the bench..
* Nearly 66 million people voted for Hillary Clinton, about 3 million more than voted for the man now sitting in the Oval Office wreaking havoc. Devastated as she was by her loss, Hillary has rejoined the fight by founding Onward Together, a PAC that raises money for progressive activist groups under one umbrella. Among them, Emerge America (see above): Swing Left (dedicated to taking back the House): Indivisible, (promotes local organizing, actions & updates); Color of Change (pursuing justice for people of color); and Run for Something, (recruits & supports Millennials running for down-ballot offices), Donate here to package.
D JEWISH COMMUNITY
or a fairer,
* Stephen Lurie's "The Dismal Failure of Jewish Groups to Confront Trump" condemns Jewish passivity in the face of growing neoNazism. What is the mainstream Jewish community afraid of? Duh. Offending its right wing donors. Mimi Arbeit, an organizer with Showing Up for Racial Justice Charlottesville, who tried to get help from the mainstream community before that city's riots, says. “We do not have a Jewish organizational home for the fight against fascism. We don’t have a confrontational strategy; we don’t have a community support strategy; we don’t have a coping strategy; we don’t have a Jewish organizational strategy." So progressive Jewish groups like Bend the Arc (above) & If Not Now are filling the gap.
* Bringing women together at the intersection of wellness and Jewish Spirituality. At The Well offers stories, poetry, meditation exercises, learning, activities and more. Here's their manual for the Hebrew month of Cheshvan whose themes are:• Sifting through “the muck” • Putting faith in your efforts, believing they’ll blossom • Following through on your intentions • Grounding and breakthroughs.
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE
* Light a candle in your window on Nov 9th to remember Kristallnacht., the Night of the Broken Glass -- and pray that nothing like it ever happens again. With the help of artist Lev Gal Wertman, the Holocaust Council of Greater MetroWest has created a flyer, and resource guide to help spread light in these dark, dangerous days. You don't have to be Jewish to remember the Six Million.
BOO BOOKS
* When Rebecca Soffer and Gabrielle Birkner experienced profound losses as young adult, they bonded over their pain and their search for helpful resources that "were not too clinical, patronizing or, well, cheesy." In their book, Modern Loss: Candid Conversation About Grief. Beginners Welcome, more than 40 contributors write about navigating grief in the age of social media. Available for pre-order .
FILM
NYC premiere of ZERO WEEKS, a compelling documentary about America's family leave crisis and the cost of doing nothing. France gives 42 weeks of paid leave so workers can care for a new baby, sick child or spouse, or elderly relative. Russia gives 28 weeks, Iran 26 weeks, Syria 17. Only two nations offer exactly zero weeks: Papua New Guinea and the United States. Why should U.S. workers be forced to choose between keeping their job or taking care of their family's health? In the film, moving human stories demonstrate the urgent need to address this issue. Trailer here. Sat, Nov 11, @ 11: AM, @ SVA Theatre, 333 W 23, NYC
EVENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
* D.C. area's premier theaters, including Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre, Round House Theatre and Woolly Mammoth, will join together to present the Women’s Voices Theater Festival. Each organization will present at least one new play by a female playwright along with special events, panels, and workshops to celebrate and support the work of women theater-makers. Jan 15 - Feb 15, 2018 Schedule.