Operation: Exit Our Echo Chambers (Issue 1)
| Top Reads from the Week(ish) |
| I tried to select the best from a well-rounded mix of sources on the top stories from the week, but SO much is happening so fast these days that I surely missed things that are important to you. Feel free to email me with suggestions! Also, for those same reasons, this first edition is lengthier than usual. On DeVos The Vice President has never before had to break a tie for a presidential cabinet pick, which tells you something about the divisive nature of President’s Trump pick for Secretary of Education, a typically second-tier and uncontroversial cabinet pick. More details on how the vote went down here. DeVos’ background and a good summary of how DeVos’ policies might play out from NPR. If these donation records don’t get you riled up about campaign finance reform, let’s chat. To really broaden your horizons, read this from The Federalist and this from Mother Jones. However you feel about DeVos, know that the Department of Education only controls about twelve percent of our nation’s education spending. So if you’re worried about what will happen to your local schools on a daily basis, you might have more influence by getting involved locally than DeVos’ confirmation will. On Sessions The Senate narrowly approved the appointment of Jeff Sessions to Attorney General. Here is what the Attorney General does. Sessions’ immediate priorities, quickie recap video on Sessions, things to fear about this appointment according to WaPo, and why we should be reassured about Sessions’ appintment via FoxNews. I’m a big fan of Senator Warren from her willingness to speak out against big business in politics, especially during the 2008 financial crisis, so I’ll admit my bias in loving this. On immigration ban I’m not sure what to call this without being in my own echo chamber as Vox helpfully articulates. This is a helpful recap from the hearings on Tuesday. The LawFare blog is necessary reading on this issue – it is dense, but non-partisan and written by experts in their fields. On DAPL and the EPA nomination On Tuesday evening, the Army Corps of Engineers, under an executive order from President Trump, cancelled the planned environmental impact study of the pipeline and granted the easement to Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) to finish the pipeline. ETP begin construction late Wednesday night. Hear from the president of the Native Organizers Alliance about what’s next for the DAPL? President Trump at one point owned a substantial amount of shares in ETP and other partners to the pipeline project. It appears as though he has since divested his shares, but we can’t be sure if this qualifies as one of his many potential conflicts of interest since he won’t release his tax returns. It looks like Pruitt will be confirmed as head of the EPA this week, despite over 450 former EPA-staffers (Republicans and Democrats alike) signed a petition urging the Senate to reject his nomination. Even the Audubon Society, typically not a very politically-involved organization, weighed in on their concerns about a Pruitt nomination. Jeb Bush says that Pruitt heading up the EPA “will ensure that we conserve our natural habitats and resources, while unleashing an energy revolution that will bring millions of jobs to our country.” (But do environmental protections really cost jobs? Sorry, couldn’t resist!) Miscellaneous goodies How to battle “outrage fatigue” or just giving up, plus some really easy action steps. Killing by little cuts by Walter Wangerin Jr. “Or did I suppose that holiness rode in my vehicle alone?” Dagger! Looking back on past presidents who have tangled with the judiciary and what that means for today. “Pastor” Sufjan with the best sermon I’ve heard in awhile. Just one thing If you only read one thing this week, make it this recap on the first few weeks of the Trump administration. |
| Must Listens |
| This American Life episode 609 is absolutely must listening. I don’t want to give too many more teasers, but just listen and let me know what you think. Listening to (and believing) each other’s stories is surely one of the most important ways out of the mess we’re in. Left, Right, and Center and Pantsuit Politics are on my must-listen lists each week. |
| Must Follows |
| TrumpWatch: TrumpWatch started on Inauguration Day by political science professor Ari Kohen as his personal Facebook posts and quickly gained a following. Kohen provides a highlight recap of the news from the Trump Administration each day. LawFare Blog: As recommended above, LawFare blog is one of the better things to come out of the last few weeks for me. Evan McMullin, former presidential candidate, on Twitter. McMullin impressed me prior to the election and has gone even farther up in my book since November. We need more thoughtful, informed, and ethical leadership from both sides of the aisle – and McMullin embodies all of those qualities from the conservative position. Follow me on Twitter for much more political news. Email me with your “must follows” at sara@sarabytheseason.com! |
| Why Exit our Echo Chambers? |
| The inspiration for these emails comes from this blog post. And this. |
