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