The pressure is working. VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL MARK HERRING.

Parkland. Virginia Tech. Sandy Hook. Charleston. Orlando. Las Vegas. Aurora. Columbine. We will continue to relive this nightmare until politicians care more about people's lives than they do about the gun lobby.

But I’m as hopeful for change as I’ve ever been.

A new generation of inspiring young leaders is cutting through the noise and turning up the heat on politicians and the gun lobby…and they’re getting results.  

The gun lobby and the NRA are losing power and influence every day when they push crazy schemes to arm teachers instead of the most reasonable and broadly supported measures to prevent gun violence.

Lives are at stake, so I’m going to keep speaking out for the commonsense measures we know can make us safer:

✔ Universal background checks
✔ A return to Virginia’s one handgun per month law
✔ Banning high capacity magazines and bump stocks
✔ Reinstating the assault weapons ban to help keep weapons of war off our streets
✔ Gun Violence Restraining Orders to get guns away from people in a crisis

Last year I ran on these ideas, and with your help and support, I was re-elected by an even bigger margin than the first time, despite millions in NRA money for my opponent.

The mid-terms are just a few months away, and if you want action on gun violence, you’ve got to vote for it. Because the only way we’re going to get anything done is by making politicians more afraid of voters than they are of the gun lobby.

Thanks for standing with me in this fight,

Mark

Responses Needed...NET NEUTRALITY. U.S. SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN.

This is important: In December, the Republican-led FCC voted to repeal net neutrality, blatantly siding with corporations over everyday Americans.

Thanks to the FCC’s decision, internet providers will be able to block or censor any site they dislike and even charge you more for tweeting, logging onto your email or streaming TV shows. Their vote takes an axe to the very idea of a free and open internet, hurting the economy, consumers, job growth and small businesses along the way.

Now we’ve got just a couple weeks left to overturn the FCC’s decision before it becomes law. Please, before it’s too late.... tell the Senate: Save net neutrality.

Thank you,

Jeanne

TELEPHONE TOWN HALL. PETA.

	Wednesday Is the Day! February 28 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST         Dear David, This is a brief reminder about Wednesday's town hall meeting at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. PETA President Ingrid Newkirk and I will host a unique town hall meeting to discuss the wide-ranging scope of Animal Rahat's work for animals in India and share ways you can help us support the group during the year ahead. Visit PETA.org/FebruaryTownHall. After registering, you'll be able to listen to our presentation and ask us questions directly through your computer about Animal Rahat's work for animals. I do hope you'll join us for our second town hall meeting of 2018. I'm certain that you'll find our conversation both interesting and inspiring. Thank you! Kind regards, Ben Williamson Senior International Media Director PETA

THANK YOU, FROM AL.

FROM: AL FRANKEN.


Dear David,

This has been a tough few months. I can't tell you how hard it was to step away from serving in the United States Senate - the best job I've ever had.

And I can't tell you how much it's meant to me, to Franni, and to our family to hear from so many supporters wishing us well and telling us that you're still ready to fight for the progressive values we share.

As I said on the day I announced my resignation from the Senate, I might be giving up my seat in that chamber, but I'm not giving up my voice. I'm going to keep fighting for those values, too.

But, today, I just wanted to write to say thank you.

Thank you for taking a chance on me more than a decade ago when I stepped up to run for the Senate - and helping me to win that first race by just 312 votes.

Thank you for fighting alongside me every step of the way for the progressive values we share: values like justice, equality, integrity, and honesty.

Thank you for making it possible to practice a politics focused, as my hero Paul Wellstone put it, on improving people's lives.

I am so proud of the progress we've made together. From passing the Affordable Care Act and extending health insurance to tens of millions of families to pairing veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with service dogs that make their days a little easier. From defending net neutrality and fighting back against media consolidation to asking the tough questions in hearings and exposing the corruption and incompetence of the Trump administration.

And I know that there is a lot more progress to be made in the months and years ahead. We have to fight this administration and its far-right agenda. We have to take back power in this year's midterm elections (starting with re-electing Minnesota's two fine senators, Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar) so we can finally hold this President accountable. We have to stand up for our progressive values, stand up for middle-class families - and stand up for the truth.

I know that you are going to keep fighting to make that progress. And I want you to know that I'm going to be right there alongside you, every step of the way.

As hard as it is not to be there in the Senate right now, I still believe, as Paul Wellstone did, that the future belongs to those who are passionate and work hard. I'm still as passionate as ever about the values we share. I look forward to continuing the hard work we've done together to move our country forward.

And, most of all, I am deeply grateful for your friendship and your support.

Thank you,

Al

P.S.: Over the last few weeks, I've heard from a lot of people who want to know what I'm doing next and how they can help. It's a good question, and one I'm not quite ready to answer yet. For the moment, I'm enjoying spending time with Franni, our healthy and brilliant kids, and our adorable grandkids - and feeling very lucky to have them in my life. But I do want to thank you for being there for me during this difficult time. 

THE PARKLAND, FLORIDA TRAGEDY. FOR THE NRA, IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL, PART 1.

                                                PART 1.

TO ALL THOSE IN OPPOSITION TO THE NRAS POLITICAL AGENDA: READ THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. WHY? BECAUSE YOU'LL FIND THE MISINFORMATION AND FALSEHOODS THAT THE NRA BUILDS ITS POSITION ON.

                                      HERE IS THE WORDING OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

FROM THIS WE GET THE FOLLOWING:

MILITIA-  Is the Military Arm of each Individual State, to be called upon by the Governor to protect the Peace and Security within its Proscribed Boarders.  Today, it is now called the NATIONAL GUARD.  It can also be Nationalized, which means it falls under the Authority of the President, to serve the needs of the Entire Country.

REGULATED-  In Martial Terms;  An Organized Group operating under a strict set of Rules and Guidelines: 

-  That are Derived from, and Subordinate to a Civilian Authority or Government. 

-  With a Well- Defined Mission Statement.

-  That Outlines the Duties and Expectations Governing Proper and Improper Behavior, and set Punishments for Violations.

-  That Establishes a Formal Command Structure, with set standards for Leadership roles, and provides for the Arming and Training of the rank and file.

FROM THIS ALONE, WE SEE THAT THE SECOND AMMENDMENT WAS DESIGNED TO APPLY TO THE MILITIA/NATIONAL GUARD, AND NOT INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS. THE KEY TO THIS IS THE ONE TERM THE NRA HATES; REGULATED. 

THE NRA DOES NOT WANT GOVERNMENT TO INTERFER WITH THEIR "RIGHT," BUT THE AMENDMENT ITSELF REQUIRES THE STATE TO BECOME INVOLVED.  

APA Pacific Division meeting: Hotel reservations reminder.

Dear DAVID, Online registration for the Pacific Division meeting of the American Philosophical Association is open. The 2018 meeting will take place March 28–31 in San Diego, California. Reminder: Discounted hotel rate expires 2/26 Hotel reservations at the conference rates can be made through the link on the APA website. The APA has room blocks at two hotels in San Diego: the Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter and the US Grant. Most meeting sessions and events will take place at the Westin, with some sessions taking place at the US Grant. The US Grant is about a five-minute walk from the Westin. The APA group rate of $189 per night (plus applicable taxes and fees) is valid at both hotels through February 26. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to availability. Make your hotel reservations today. Meeting registration Register for the meeting now to take advantage of the early bird registration rates: $125 for APA members, $240 for non-members, and $40 for student members. Online registration will close March 14. Pacific meeting registration will not be available March 15 through March 27. You will be able to register on-site at the meeting; however, on-site registration rates will be $50 higher than early bird registration for all categories. Please note: You’ll save an additional $5 on meeting registration if you opt not to receive a paper copy of the program. The meeting program is available online, and our free meeting app for smartphones and tablets also contains the full program. Room locations will be added to the app on the first day of the meeting. Haven’t yet renewed your membership? Renew now! In order to receive the discounted meeting rate available only to paid members, your APA membership must be current. Register online now for the 2018 Pacific Division meeting. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego! All the best, Amy E. Ferrer Executive Director

Protect Social Security. U.S. SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN.

Let's set the record straight, David: Republicans' so-called "paid family leave" plan is simply a cruel trick to slash Social Security and further burden working families.

Under the GOP's plan, parents would be faced with an impossible choice: If you take paid leave today – to care for a newborn daughter or a sick father – you'll be penalized and      won't get your long-promised Social Security benefits on time.

It's unacceptable and un-American.

This plan overwhelmingly discriminates against struggling Americans, whose employment packages give them fewer days off and less flexibility.

No family should be forced to decide between caring for a loved one and retiring with dignity – which is why I'm fighting this bill with everything I've got. 

But I need you to join me in this fight:

..tell the GOP: Don't make families choose between retirement and paid family leave!

Thank you,

Jeanne

NEW SELECTION OF POSTS FROM THE WEBSITE. 2/19/2018.

http://www.searchingforreason.net  : LOGIC. IT'S NOT JUST FOR VULCANS, AND VIEWERS OF... http://www.searchingforreason.net/2016/12/logic-its-not-just-for-vulcans-and.html?spref=tw … …

http://www.searchingforreason.net  : FEATURE ARTICLES- (UPDATED). WORKING WITH TRUMP, A... http://www.searchingforreason.net/2016/11/working-with-trump-and-republicans.html?spref=tw … …

http://www.
searchingforreason.net  : THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION- SOMETHING IS VERY ... http://www.searchingforreason.net/2017/07/the-2016-presidential-election.html?spref=tw …


searchingforreason.net  : LOGIC. ONE WAY TO ENCOURAGE PROPER ANALYSIS: DO N... http://www.searchingforreason.net/2017/05/logic-one-way-to-encourage-proper.html?spref=tw …

http://ww



http://wwwsearchingforreason.net  : DO YOU REMEMBER...BLASTS FROM THE PAST. ANALYSIS O... http://www.searchingforreason.net/2018/02/do-you-rememberblasts-from-past_9.html?spref=tw … …

http://www.searchingforreason.net  : THE "MYTH" OF UNPOPULAR HILLARY. PART 1. http://www.searchingforreason.net/2017/06/the-myth-of-unpopular-hillary-part-1.html?spref=tw … …

http://wwwsearchingforreason.net  : LET'S FACE FACTS...PART 1.
http://www.searchingforreason.net/2017/11/lets-face-factspart-1.html?spref=tw … …

http://www.searchingforreason.net  : WILL THE REAL CHRISTIAN PLEASE STAND UP? FULL STOR... http://www.searchingforreason.net/2017/12/will-real-christian-please-stand-up.html?spref=tw … … … … …

http://www.searchingforreason.net  : QUICK HITTERS. THE DONALD TRUMP ERA: WHEN HATE O... http://www.searchingforreason.net/2017/04/quick-hitters-donald-trump-era-when.html?spref=tw … … …

Who can you trust to fight for you? CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE JASON RITTEREISER.

David,   Politicians in Washington D.C. are full of promises, and sometimes it’s hard to tell what their real priorities are until they show us. This week, President Trump made his priorities crystal clear.   On the campaign trail, Trump swore he would protect Medicare. But his new budget would slash funding for Medicare, along with gutting funding for nutrition assistance for children in need and eliminating loan forgiveness for students who go into public service professions like teaching, nursing, and law enforcement.   We’ve seen this before. Our Republican opponent Dino Rossi is campaigning on his record of balancing the state budget. But his budget raised taxes on seniors in nursing homes, eliminated Medicaid coverage for 46,000 kids, and raised tuition at our public colleges and universities.   The state budget that Dino Rossi can’t stop bragging about makes it obvious that he shares the president’s priorities - gutting the programs that help people who need it most.   Make no mistake - taking away funding for these programs is dangerous. By taking away funding for school lunch and for healthcare people need to survive, Dino Rossi and President Trump are choosing to harm our children and future generations.    Every day on the campaign trail, I hear from parents who are struggling to pay for college tuition, from recent graduates who are being crushed by their student loan debt, and from small businesses who haven’t seen the gains in the economy that Trump brags about.   It’s time for a new generation of leaders to take on our greatest challenges. It’s time we governed for people, not against them. My experience demonstrates my priorities and what I’ll do in Congress - be a voice for the middle class, small businesses, and working families, and fight for future generations, not against them.    -- Jason

Common Heartbreak and Common Ground. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE KEN HARBAUGH.

David -- My heart is broken for families in Parkland, Florida. As a country, I know we stand united in this grief. We know that every American -- Every. Single. One. -- wants our children to be safe. But the moment we begin to talk about solutions, we tear one another apart. For a lot of people -- for many of our elected representatives -- that means we simply don’t talk about solutions. We don’t have conversations. We don’t say the word gun. We offer thoughts and prayers and then look the other way. But our children are dying at school. Our children are dying at school. We must talk about guns. We must wrap our thoughts and prayers in courage, action, and love. Voters have asked me this week, “Ken, where do we even begin?” 1.) We start by acknowledging that we are not as divided as our politics suggest. I am a hunter, a gun owner, and a veteran of the United States military. I am also a Christian, a father, and a neighbor. I want to be able to protect my family. I want my wife to feel safe in our place of worship, and I want my children to feel safe in their schools. Regardless of party, I believe every father feels the same. So when we have these difficult conversations, remember our shared values. 2.) We speak with authority and act with courage. I have fought for this country. My friends have died for this country. So I speak with some authority when I say that fully automatic weapons are for killing terrorists and background checks are for protecting families. I have fought terrorism overseas and sat across the table from Afghan warlords. So I speak with some authority when I say that we must prevent dangerous weapons from falling into the hands of dangerous people -- people who seek to bring death, despair, and destruction on our families here at home. We must prevent potential terrorists and people on no-fly lists from obtaining firearms.   I have put my life on the line to defend this country. So I speak with some authority when I say that I do not need a bump stock to defend my family. And if a 19-year-old boy is not old enough to buy a beer in the state of Florida, then we should come together as a nation and say that he is not old enough to buy an assault rifle either.  Each of these solutions has overwhelming bipartisan support. The question is: how do we turn these ideas into policy? 3.) We elect representatives who will lead. We must drain the swamp of Congressmen whose silence can be bought with donations from special interests. My opponent, Bob Gibbs, has taken $24,550 from the gun lobby. That has been the price of his silence. I have been asked this week, “Ken, will you take money from the NRA?” My answer is no. I believe in the Second Amendment. But I will not be beholden to any Washington special interest group that demands silence in the wake of tragedy and inaction in the face of national crisis. That is not leadership. That is not courage. That is not the democracy I fought to defend. Our children are dying. This is a time for patriots, not politicians. As a nation, we need to come together in common heartbreak and common purpose -- and find common ground. In service, Ken. Meet Ken

TWO STORIES TO CONTRAST: REMEMBERING A HERO, AND THE REPUBLICANS STILL WORSHIPPING AT THE ALTARS OF INDIFFERENCE , HATE , AND THE NRA...

U.S. CONGRESSMAN DAVID CICILLINE. Dear David, 17 innocent people were gunned down earlier this week at a high school in Florida. Their deaths are but the most recent in a long line of Americans whose lives were ended with the pull of a trigger. Over the past 50 years, more Americans have died from guns than in all the wars our country has ever fought. I cannot comprehend what would compel someone to take the life of another person. But I do know that we have to do something about it. There are dozens of bills pending in Congress today that would reduce gun violence in our communities. I've authored and co-sponsored legislation to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, children, and individuals with serious mental illness such that possessing a gun would pose a threat to themselves or others. None of these bills have moved forward, however, because the Republicans who control Congress refuse to consider any legislation opposed by the gun lobby. I’m not going to give up. In the days and weeks to come, I will continue fighting to advance these important bills and propose some more. We are the only advanced country on earth where this level of violence persists. All of us who serve in Congress, Republican and Democrat alike, owe it to the American people to end this carnage and the pain it inflicts on communities across our nation. Sergeant McKenna  In December, I introduced legislation in the House to rename the U.S. Post Office located at 515 Hope Street in Bristol, Rhode Island, as the “First Sergeant P. Andrew McKenna Jr. Post Office.” An Army Green Beret and lifelong Bristol resident, U.S. Army Special Forces 1st Sergeant P. Andrew McKenna Jr., died August 7, 2015, during a Taliban attack on Camp Integrity, a NATO facility in Kabul, Afghanistan. During his 17 years of service, Sergeant McKenna earned the Bronze Star with V device and the Meritorious Service Medal. He completed five tours of duty in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. Throughout his life, Sergeant McKenna represented the very highest examples of service, duty, and sacrifice. That’s why I’m pleased that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved passage of this legislation last week. The bill is now headed to the House floor for a full vote. Senator Reed has introduced a companion measure in the Senate. I am hopeful that we will soon have a permanent tribute to the values that Sergeant McKenna embodied and the ultimate sacrifice he made in defense of our country.

This just in: MA Senate passes the PATCH bill

Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, Inc.

Dear SEARCHINGFORREASON.NET, Exciting news – moments ago, An Act to Protect Access to Confidential Health Care, otherwise known as the PATCH bill, passed the Massachusetts Senate! Because of your activism, a dangerous loophole in patient privacy may soon be closed.  Thank your state senator for taking action to protect patient privacy.  Currently in Massachusetts, young adults on their parent's health insurance or spouses on their partner's health insurance often pay out-of-pocket or forgo the care they need because their insurance plan will routinely inform their family members of the services they received. In my 20+ years as a primary care physician, I've seen firsthand how confidentiality concerns can negatively impact the health and well-being of so many. The PATCH bill will help close this insurance privacy loophole and improve health care access for residents across the state.  Everyone deserves access to confidential care. Thank your state senator for passing the PATCH bill. Thanks to the Massachusetts Senate, we're now one step closer towards ensuring patient confidentiality. Today's progress proves that Massachusetts can and should continue to lead on health care access. Sincerely,

QUICK HITTERS. FOR THE PEOPLE...? PT 3.

So HOW CAN WE TELL IF A CANDIDATE, POLITICIAN, PARTY, LAWMAKER etc., IS JUST PLAYING LIP SERVICE TO "SUPPORTING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE?", AND IS ACTUALLY PROMOTING HARMFUL LEGISLATION?

-  Look at past QUOTES AND SPEECHES REGARDING OTHER TOPICS, ISSUES, OR PROPOSED LEGISLATION.  Did They Predict Dire Consequences if the Opposition Prevailed? Did Their DOOM AND GLOOM PREDICTIONS SEEM TO BE AN EXTREME OVERREACTION?

-  If They have been on the Losing End of EITHER SUPPORTING OR OPPOSING A PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION, HOW CLOSE WERE THEY TO THE TRUTH IN PREDICTING THE OUTCOME, IN CASE THEIR ADVICE WASN'T FOLLOWED?

-  Listen Carefully to the claim that certain INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, AND PARTS OF
SOCIETY/ELECTORATE WILL BENEFIT FROM SUPPORTING THE POSITION BEING TAKEN.
How likely is this to be True? What Type of Argument or Evidence can they produce to support this Conclusion.

-  WHEN CRITICIZING THE OPPOSITIONS VIEWPOINT, DO THEY RELY ON AD HOMINEM ATTACKS, OR CAN THEY CITE VALID REASONS THAT BACK UP THEIR CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE JUDGMENTS BEING MADE BY THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST THEM?

-  CAN THEY PERSONALLY BENEFIT FROM ADVOCATING A PARTICULAR STANCE ON AN ISSUE, AND IF SO, IS IT AFFECTING THE JUDGMENTS BEING MADE?

REMEMBER, THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING SELFISH, AND BEING SELFLESS.

APA- Elimination of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and other cultural agencies in 2019.

Dear DAVID, Yesterday, the Trump administration issued a budget framework calling once again for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and other cultural agencies in 2019. In response, the American Philosophical Association is partnering with the National Humanities Alliance (NHA) to urge supporters of the humanities to call and/or email their members of Congress. Please join us in opposing the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to eliminate funding for the NEH. The NHA’s email system makes it quick and easy to contact your representatives. I urge you to take advantage of the system and to email your members of Congress today. All the best, Amy E. Ferrer Executive Director P.S. On March 13, Humanities Advocacy Day, I’ll be in Washington D.C. along with many other humanities advocates to meet with members of Congress to make the case for federal funding for the humanities. Please consider joining us if you can!

NPR: Trump Administration Plans To Defang Consumer Protection Watchdog.

Trump Administration Plans To Defang Consumer Protection Watchdog The new head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is set to unveil a  strategy Monday that radically reshapes the agency's mission, according to an internal memo obtained by NPR.

Read More

We must demand protections for DREAMers. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE JASON RITTEREISER.

David-  

What were you dreaming about when you were 17? I was playing baseball and saving up for college. I was able to pursue my dreams at the University of Washington and go on to law school, where I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to standing up for people.

 

Today, there are 800,000 DREAMers who are at risk of losing their future because Donald Trump abruptly ended The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Their lives have been thrown into constant fear of being deported to countries they have never known. 

 

The clock is running out to come up with a legislative solution. Starting in March, 1,400 young people will lose their DACA protections per day. 

 

There is a bipartisan solution on the table in the Senate, but it’s dead in the water due to House Republicans and Trump’s inability to make up his mind. His flip-flopping on the bill even led us into a costly government shutdown.

 

We don’t have time for these political games. DREAMers are living in fear of having their lives upended -- we need action now.

 DACA recipients are our neighbors, students, and friends -- they are American in every way. This program gives them a chance to pursue their American Dreams, just like I did.

My dream was to become someone who fights for people who need a voice. Every child in America has a fundamental right to an education so they can pursue their dream and succeed.

DREAMers can’t wait for Congress to drag their feet any longer. We’re running out of time to protect these young people from deportation...demand action from Congress now.

-- Jason