Rich or poor, it's nice to have money. Right? Two days ago, a New York appellate court reduced the bond Dolt 45 would need to produce while his fraud case was under appeal from ~$450 million to $175 million. And the court awarded him ten more days to post it. As MSNBC columnist Glenn Kirschner opined: "Many of our institutions of government seem to have decided that the rules, the laws and the Constitution apply differently to Trump than they apply to the rest of us." He calls Trump "the poster boy for special treatment." So Dirty Don and his fluffers may be correct when they talk about a two-tiered justice system. Only not in the way they mean that phrase. They should better appreciate the kid glove treatment TFG has been receiving from legal decisions both civil and criminal. Kirschner's reasoning is worth a read.
But not everything is going his way. On Monday Judge Juan Merchan set a trial date for the New York criminal case — often referred to as a "hush money case" or an "election interference case." It involves paying hush money to keep a scandal out of the public eye, but that in itself is not a crime. It involves falsifying business records to cover up the hush money payments and that IS as crime, though usually a misdemeanor rather than a felony. However, the crime becomes a felony once the actions the accused took served the purpose of deluding voters in the election for the presidency. Jury selection is set to begin on April 15. At the same time Merchan issued a gag order, citing Don the Con's penchant for "making 'threatening, inflammatory, denigrating' statements against people at all levels of the justice system, including jurors." However, if Orange Julius decides to appeal the gag order, as he has unsuccessfully done in other cases, he might be able to further delay the start of this trial too.
So it appears he's not rich enough to post a $450 million bond, but he is rich enough to squeeze every last delay he can out of every one of his criminal and civil indictments. With a little help from his friends (aka donors), he seems to keep his lawyers happy enough to stop each clock as much as they can. It takes resources — money — and what Kirschner senses as "a hesitation — a reluctance, even — to take on the wealthy, the influential, the powerful, the well-connected." Still the case New York DA Alvin Bragg has built, which was the first criminal indictment The Big Lie-bowski faced, may well be the first criminal trial he faces. While not holding our collective breaths, we continue watching.
Yesterday, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the mifepristone case. You can listen to the recording in full. And there are legions of news media takes on the hearing: here's ABC, CNN, and the (gifted article) New York Times. Whether the group and doctors who brought the suit have the requisite personal harm to be entitled to sue is featured in the oral arguments. The requested remedy also came in for scrutiny. But the most concerning line of questioning involves an 1873 law known as the Comstock Act. Justices Alito and Thomas, naturally, were very interested in resuscitating the long dormant law. Here's how their inquiries played in Jezebel:
Here in Wisconsin, some good news for labor in this state emerged from the legal system. "The Wisconsin Supreme Court let a lower court ruling stand that a group of Amazon workers in the so-called 'gig economy' in the state should be classified as employees in a case that was being watched closely for its impact on businesses statewide." The opinion was unanimous. The article in the Cap Times on March 26 lays out the complicated test for distinguishing independent contractors from employees and the complicated history of this particular case. "It is difficult to tell whether this ruling will transfer to other 'gig economy' companies, because Wisconsin law so heavily relies on the facts of a specific case," according to Samantha Prince, assistant professor of law at Penn State Dickinson Law.
And now for a last take on things to do for the April 2 election: a reminder about early in-person voting. in Ozaukee County and in the seven North Shore communities, early in-person voting ends on Friday, March 29, generally at 5:00pm. You can look up the days and hours for your specific community on our website. For residents in the City of Milwaukee, you'll find the information about early voting sites with days and times here. Early in-person voting is safe, secure, and flexible. Banking your vote before election day means that you will not have to stand in line to vote (especially at some of the more crowded polling places). It also means that no matter what comes up on April 2 — wretched weather, illness, or any other emergency — your vote will already have been cast!
To find your polling location for the April 2 Election Day, visit MyVote.WI.gov.
Those of you who missed the March 17 presentation about the two ballot questions that Grassroots North Shore hosted, watch Doug Poland's presentation. He explains the process of amending the Wisconsin Constitution, how these ballot questions were included in the April 2 election, their meaning and impact should they pass, and three more ballot questions that will be put to the voters this year. Two of them will appear on the August 13 primary ballot and the third on the November ballot. All five of the ballot questions being put to voters this year should be defeated. For more in depth information about the two on the April 2 ballot, visit our web page explaining them and why we encourage you to vote NO.
Canvassing with WisDems
North Shore Communities
- North Shore Dems Get Out the Vote in Whitefish Bay, 4845 N Newhall St., WFB: March 30 & April 1
- North Shore Dems Get Out the Vote in Shorewood, 4516 N Newhall St, Shorewood: March 30 & April 2
- Fox Point Dems Get Out the Vote, 7632 N Beach Dr, Fox Point: March 30 & 31
- Grassroots Glendale Gets Out the Vote, 6563 N Crestwood Dr, Glendale: March 30 & April 1
Ozaukee County
- Knock on Doors in Grafton/Cedarburg, 1930 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton: March 28 & 30 and April 1 & 2
Other Worthy Actions
Volunteer to Provide Rides to the Polls
Schedulers manage our hotline and coordinate rides for callers requesting assistance. Great communication skills and the ability to multi-task are key for this role. This job is virtual and can be done in the comfort of your home. Sign up online to provide Souls to the Polls with your name, contact information, and the role(s) you are interested in. Also, let us know when you are available to work. We will follow up with more details on the next steps, including training for all volunteers.
The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County has published a handy guide for accessing Rides to the Polls with contact information for them. In addition to Souls to the Polls, the guide includes two governmental agencies that also provide rides. It's unlikely that you could volunteer to be a driver, but the information could be useful if you know people who might need help getting to the polls. See the LVWMKE Guide.
Providing Supporter Housing
EVENTS
Wednesday, March 27
Hack the Dream, 9:30am - 1:30pm
Northwestern Mutual, 100 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
Honoring the birthday and legacy of Cesar Chavez. Sponsored by Wisconsin Voices.
Thursday, March 28
When I'm 64: Celebrating Chris Sinicki's birthday, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Barbiere's Italian Restaurant, 1021 Milwaukee Ave, Milwaukee
This event mark's Chris Sinicki's 64th birthday and supports her re-election in her newly designed Assembly District. To raise the funds necessary to protect this seat, and take back the majority in the Wisconsin Assembly, she is asking for donations: George $28 | John $64 | Ringo $100 | Paul $200. Sign up.
Weekly Brown Deer/Rufus King Organization Meeting, 5:00 - 6:30pm
Milwaukee Public Library, 7715 Good Hope Rd, Milwaukee
Come join us for our weekly Brown Deer / Rufus King Democrats get together. We will be talking about ways to get involved and plans for the community heading into 2024. Sign up.
Friday, March 29
LWVMKE League Cafe, 10:000am - 12:00pm
Milwaukee Public Library, 6737 W Washington St, Suite 2212, West Allis
League Cafe meets monthly and welcomes League members old and new, as well as community members. In a small group setting, we get to know each other better, share knowledge and have interesting conversations. In rotating months, we meet as a general discussion group, and in opposite months, convene as a book club to discuss noteworthy books on racial equity, immigration and/or voting.
Saturday, March 30
North Shore Dems Get Out the Vote in Whitefish Bay, various times
4845 N Newhall St., WFB
Sign up for March 30 and April 1.
North Shore Dems Get Out the Vote in Shorewood, various times
4516 N Newhall St, Shorewood
Sign up for March 30 and April 2.
Fox Point Dems Get Out the Vote, various times
7632 N Beach Dr, Fox Point
Sign up for March 30 and 31.
Grassroots Glendale Gets Out the Vote, various times
6563 N Crestwood Dr, Glendale
Sign up for March 30 and April 1.
Knock on Doors in Grafton/Cedarburg, various times
1930 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
Sign up for March 28 & 30 and April 1 & 2.
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Cesar Chavez (16th) and Greenfield, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.
Tuesday, April 2
ELECTION DAY, 7:00am - 8:00pm
Your Polling Place
Polls open at 7 am. To find your polling place, visit MyVote.WI.gov. You can register to vote at the polls. Information you will need includes proof of residence and a photo ID. Exercise your right to vote - every vote matters!
Friday, April 5
Christian Nationalism: The False White Gospel, 6:00 – 7:30pm
United Methodist Church, 819 E. Silver Spring Dr, WFB
Author, theologian, and social activist Jim Wallis will be speaking at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, 819 East Silver Spring Drive. Organized by the We All Belong Campaign of MICAH, this event is free and open to the public. Jim will be addressing the alarming and dangerous rise of white Christian nationalism and its perverse distortion of the Gospel with reference to his new book The False White Gospel (to be released on April 2). Register in advance for this event.
Saturday, April 6
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
43rd St and Forest Home, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, April 13
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
51st St and Silver Spring Dr, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.
Sunday, April 14
Women's Rights Demostration, 12:00 - 1:30pm
Port Washington & Mequon Rd
Join other concerned citizens as they peacefully gather to show support of Women’s Rights during this critical election year. We're meeting at Einstein's Bagel, 10950 {ort Washington Road. Interested in participating? We'll stand at the corner of Pt Washington & Mequon Roads together with signs (we have some, could always use more). Contact Mike Kofsky. Click here to sign up and get more information.
Monday, April 15
Toast to Winning More in '24 with Oz Dems, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Sip Mke, 1515 W Mequon Rd, Meqon
Join us for an evening of socializing as we celebrate our April election victories with the candidates and raise money to fund our November ’24 election success. Click here to purchase tickets. RSVP by April 5. Included in your donation are delicious appetizers, soft drinks, and two fine alcoholic beverages of your choice.
Tuesday, April 16
Lunch and Learn, 12:00pm
Zoom
Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, Lunch and Learn is an exchange of ideas which leave no woman left behind. We meet at noon on the third Tuesday of the following months: April 16, July 16, October 15. Join us online as we follow the lead of inspiring Global Majority Indigenous women in our community. Do you have any suggestions for future presentations? Text or call Pat at 414-630-1978 Please save this quarterly Zoom link. Meeting ID: 917 6803 1142 Password: league
Wednesday, April 17
Oz Dems General Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
Dr. Charles Franklin (Marquette Law Poll) will give us insights from the last election cycle as well as what's at stake during the general election. Join us at our Grafton office every third Wednesday of the month at 7:00. Meet like-minded people who are your neighbors and committed to electing Democrats here in Ozaukee County.
Saturday, April 20
1st CD Convention, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
UW-Whitewater Community Engagement Center, Whitewater
Business at CD Conventions typically includes election of CD officers and platform and resolutions debate, among other things. Register
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Farwell and North Ave, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.
Sunday, April 21
Accessible Walks and Paddles in Milwaukee, 1:15 - 3:15pm
Firelfly Meeting Room at the Wauwatosa Public Library
7635 W North Ave, Wauwatosa
Join the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County for an informative and inspirational discussion about accessible walks and paddles in the Milwaukee area. LWVMC members, Karen and Jennifer Lemke, authors of Easy Walks and Paddles in Milwaukee, will share the inside scoop on many accessible trails and waterways in the Milwaukee area, as well as additional information about public restrooms, benches, nearby eateries, environmental issues, fascinating historical tidbits about people who previously inhabited these spaces, and details about Milwaukee’s social and cultural history. The Sisters Lemke will be in conversation with LWVMC member, Dorothy Dean, founder and executive director of Disability Justice. Easy Walks and Paddles in Milwaukee provides important accessibility information for Milwaukee’s beautiful and abundant green spaces so that more people with disabilities, seniors, and families with children can enjoy these easy-access spaces.
other important links
Become a Member of Grassroots North Shore
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