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No War with Iran
(talking points by Celeste Pewter)
Without consulting Congress—other than golfing buddy Lindsey Graham—Trump directed the US airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani, one of the most powerful officials in Iran and the architect of Tehran’s terrorist campaigns around the region.
Soleimani was a bad actor, and not a friend of the United States.
But with that in mind, here’s why this matters (and points we should respond to):
- The Trump Administration didn’t seek Congressional approval for this,
- The Administration clearly have no strategy for the likelihood of blowback,
- They likely don’t have a game plan for what happens when Iran gets their proxies to take actions on their behalf,
- Trump has a track record of erratic behavior, and taking chaotic actions against Iran, (anyone remember the pullback in June?)
- We have a decimated State Department, who would be necessary right now to help negotiate this situation, as well as a chaotic NSC,
- There will likely be widespread chaos in the region.
Next steps:
- Demand our electeds get an answer for why the administration undertook this without Congressional authorization,
- Demand our electeds get access to the legal justification for the assassination,
- Demand the Gang of 8 be briefed,
- Make sure our troops/embassies get the support, protection and resources they need,
- Have electeds determine next steps, including reiterating no war with Iran w/out Congressional approval.
WATCH: Frontline documentary on Iran and Saudi Arabia
On Twitter:
Demand Cruz and Cornyn support a fair and open impeachment trial
As Trump warmongers in the Middle East, let’s not overlook the stunning new information from the Mueller Report and about his withholding of funds from Ukraine.
- Robert Mueller’s Secret Memos, Part 3: The Documents The Justice Department Didn’t Want Congress To See (Buzzfeed News)
- Exclusive: Unredacted Ukraine Documents Reveal Extent of Pentagon’s Legal Concerns (Just Security)
- A sham trial for Trump carries risks for Republicans, too (Washington Post)
Remind John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of the oath that they took to support and defend the Constitution and demand they support a fair and open trial in the Senate to fully hear the evidence and hold Trump accountable for his actions. If they don’t, they’ll become accomplices in Donald Trump’s coverup.
Write a letter to John Cornyn and Ted Cruz
Get connected to your senators now
Climate Crisis
Australia Brushfires: How You Can Help (NSW Rural Fire Service)
There are a number of funds which have been established to support those affected by the bush fires. These include:
READ: Five Times the Effects of Climate Change Loomed Over Texas in 2019 (Texas Observer)
Next Week: An Indivisible Austin exclusive dispatch from Australia
Let’s make change happen in 2020
Monday, February 3 is the last day to register to vote in the March 3 primary. Make sure you are eligible to vote.
Visit our 2020 Election Resources page
Texas House
In 2018, 17 State House Republicans won by less than 10 points. Eight of those won by less than five points. Beto won in nine of those districts, and in all but one of the counties where these districts live.
Get involved to flip the Texas House
U.S. Senate
Indivisible Houston, Indivisible Katy Huddle, and the national Indivisible team hosted an issue forum with seven of the Democratic candidates running for John Cornyn’s senate seat. Here are some of the candidates running:
- Chris Bell, former Member of Congress and Houston City Council
- Michael Cooper, pastor, community organizer and former candidate for lieutenant governor
- Amanda Edwards, an at-large Houston City Council member
- Annie Garcia, nonprofit leader
- MJ Hegar, an Air Force veteran and former TX31 congressional candidate
- Sema Hernandez, a Houston area human rights activist and DSA member, who ran against Beto O’Rourke in the 2018 Democratic senate primary
- Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, founder of Jolt Texas
- Adrian Ocegueda, former gubernatorial candidate
- Royce West, Texas state senator
Watch Indivisible Houston’s candidate forum
U.S. Congress
There are competitive races in all of our districts that have Republican incumbents. Several of the candidates that Indivisible Austin endorsed in the 2018 general election—Mike Siegel, Rick Kennedy, and Julie Oliver—are running again in 2020.
Events
Monday, January 13
Elected for Inclusion: A Presidential Forum on Disability Issues
The American Association of People with Disabilities and REV UP Texas cordially invites you to Elected for Inclusion: A Presidential Forum on Disability Issues. This national nonpartisan event will take place on January 13, 2020 at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin, Texas.
Tuesday, January 14
CD 17 Congressional GOP Candidates Forum
6 to 9 p.m. at Smitty K’s, 12601 SH 30, College Station, TX 77845
Grassroots Victory 2020 for CD-17 invites you to “Get to know the CD 17 GOP Congressional Candidates” in this Q&A forum. Currently 8 of the 12 GOP candidates are scheduled to attend.
Saturday, January 18
Women’s March ATX: Rally at the Capitol
The Women’s March ATX – Rally at Texas Capitol will be on Saturday, January 18, 2020. We will gather on the south steps at the Capitol Building for a rally 12:00pm – 3:00pm.
More information at www.womensmarchontexascapitol.org
Your Moment of Zen
Meanwhile in Michigan, my parents’ cat just got booped by a fawn. pic.twitter.com/cho0LpIDlR
— Amanda Grigg (@grigg) January 4, 2020