"I'm not satisfied when I see men like Jimmy Hoffa - in charge of the largest union in the United States - still free." -- JFK, first Kennedy-Nixon debate, 1960
Anti-Union Activity
Background
Data on the true size of government
Intergovernmental Lobbying (Cigler, ch. 6)
Please let me know if you have changed topics.
Monday
For Wednesday, Cigler, ch. 6.
Oral presentations next week. Don't worry: they are very brief (5-7 minutes maximum). Let me know if you prefer to go Mon or Wed: otherwise, I shall assign slots at random at random.
Papers due 2 weeks from Friday.
LAUSD STRIKES
Story: Michigan repeals right to work law.
After Janus, private sector unions continue their slide -- membership is just 6% of employed persons -- but public sector unions hold their own
DiSalvo:
The reality is that many public workers like their union, especially their local affiliate. Distaste for union politics increases, surveys suggest, as one moves up from the local to the national federation. It is also important to recall that public unions in the 22 states affected by Janus are starting from a position of strength — their membership is large and has been stable for decades. Their task now is to preserve membership, which is easier than trying to build it up. To remain important political players, the unions need only to hold on to as many of their current members as possible and do a respectable job in recruiting new hires.
Most states — 44 out of 50 — hold some state and local elections off the federal cycle.
...
Why do Democrats and Democratic-aligned groups prefer off-cycle elections? When school boards and other municipal offices are up for election at odd times, few run-of-the-mill voters show up at the polls, but voters with a particular interest in these elections — like city workers themselves — show up in full force. The low-turnout election allows their policy goals to dominate
Stat of the Day: 71%
— John Anzalone (@JohnAnzo) August 30, 2022
At 71%, U.S. Approval of Labor Unions at Highest Point Since 1965 according to @Gallup.
That is a +23 approval increase since 2010https://t.co/lNXx2qrNLb pic.twitter.com/Bn7WyiyphV
RAPID RESPONSE BY POLS \TRUMP FOR POLICE
AND POLICE FOR TRUMP
From a Guide to Grammar and Writing:
Avoid announcing the thesis statement as if it were a thesis statement. In other words, avoid using phrases such as "The purpose of this paper is . . . . " or "In this paper, I will attempt to . . . ." Such phrases betray this paper to be the work of an amateur. If necessary, write the thesis statement that way the first time; it might help you determine, in fact, that this is your thesis statement. But when you rewrite your paper, eliminate the bald assertion that this is your thesis statement and write the statement itself without that annoying, unnecessary preface.
Today, we adjourn at 12:05. Student hour is 1:15-2:15. (One student already has dibs on 1:30.)
SEND ME YOUR PAPER TOPICS BY FRIDAY
For next Monday, watch the LA school strike and read:
Manafort hired and worked increasingly closely with a Russian national, Konstantin
Kilimnik. Kilimnik is a Russian intelligence officer. Kilimnik became an integral part of
Manafort's operations in Ukraine and Russia, serving as Manafort's primary liaison to Deripaska and eventually managing Manafort's office in Kyiv. Kilimnik and Manafort formed a close and lasting relationship that endured to the 2016 U.S. elections. and beyond.
...
The Committee found that Manafort's presence on the Campaign and proximity to Trump created opportunities for Russian intelligence services to exert influence over, and acquire confidential information on, the Trump Campaign. Taken as a whole, Manafort's high level access and willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with the Russian intelligence services, particularly Kilimnik and associates of Oleg Deripaska, represented a grave counterintelligence threat.
Dear John ,
I hope all is well.
I would like to introduce myself again. I would like to introduce myself. My name is XXX I’m an international producer for Russian Television - Channel One that based in Moscow, Russia. We also have offices in New York, Washington DC and Los Angeles. “Chanel One” is a number one broadcasting company in Russia and also very popular in Russian Community around the world. We have over 250 million audience in 190 Countries. Channel One is as big in Russia as CNN and FOX in US.
We have been working on our weekly news show "Sunday times" about Donald Trump's meeting with Putin. Our network's CEO Mr. Ernst asked me to contact you and include you in our show. He really would like to have you as a part of our show. You opinion is very important for Russian audience.
...
You are very well known in Russia. Russian politicians and regular people look up to you as a peer where they watch your interviews and follow you on social media for inspiring messages. It would be such an honor and pleasure to meet you in person and film an interview with you.
Manafort hired and worked increasingly closely with a Russian national, Konstantin Kilimnik. Kilimnik is a Russian intelligence officer. Kilimnik became an integral part of Manafort's operations in Ukraine and Russia, serving as Manafort's primary liaison to Deripaska and eventually managing Manafort's office in Kyiv. Kilimnik and Manafort formed a close and lasting relationship that endured to the 2016 U.S. elections. and beyond.
...
The Committee found that Manafort's presence on the Campaign and proximity to Trump created opportunities for Russian intelligence services to exert influence over, and acquire confidential information on, the Trump Campaign. Taken as a whole, Manafort's high level access and willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with the Russian intelligence services, particularly Kilimnik and associates of Oleg Deripaska, represented a grave counterintelligence threat.
Research paper and simulation (roster and process)
For a week from Monday: Manafort video and excerpt from January 6 report
Drutman's theory (p. 7):
Over break, each of you should choose an interest group or lobbying firm. For the remainder of the course, you will become our "resident expert" on that organization. April 3 and 5, you will make very brief oral presentations.
Mike Whatley
For Wednesday
Domains" (Cigler ch. 10) The influence effort may not aim directly at a specific public policy decision.
Civil society domain
Management domain
Drutman's theory (p. 7):
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) received the 2022 “Congressional Leadership Award” this week for his continuous support and advocacy on behalf of individuals with autism. Grassley led the bipartisan effort to reauthorize Kevin and Avonte’s Law with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). The bill assists communities in locating individuals with autism, Alzheimer’s and other conditions that cause them to wander from safety.
The award, given by Autism Speaks, a non-profit autism awareness organization, is reserved for individuals who have championed steadfast advocacy for individuals with autism and their families. Grassley has prioritized the safety and quality of life for individuals with autism by empowering communities and caregivers to provide adequate care. The award was presented to Grassley by Keith Wargo, the president and CEO of Autism Speaks. Also in attendance was Josh Cobbs, Autism Speaks’ Director of Employment Initiatives, and the Johnson Family from West Des Moines who have long worked to raise awareness for individuals with autism.Senator Grassley receives the Autism Speaks 2022 Congressional Leadership Award. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Rosa Pineda)
I’m humbled to receive this recognition. Legislation like Kevin and Avonte’s law is instrumental in reuniting families, and Autism Speaks is a vital ‘boots on the ground’ organization that facilitates this care. We will continue working to help individuals with autism reach their full potential while honoring those we have lost, like Kevin Curtis Wills of Jefferson, Iowa,” Grassley said.
“Autism Speaks is grateful to Senator Grassley for championing legislation that prioritizes the safety of the autism community. His efforts have led to millions of dollars being delivered to first responders and local organizations in communities across the country to prevent the frightening and sometimes tragic consequences of wandering. We recognize the significance of this in creating a more inclusive world where all individuals with autism can feel supported and understood, and are deeply appreciative,” Wargo said.
A protest: spot the familiar face!
For next time, Cigler 10 and the Drutman reading. Class ends today at 12:05.
Timing and "social welfare" side of dark money budgets (Cigler 129).
Outside spending and "Organized Biltz Campaigns" (Schatzinger 122)
Kavanaugh and Moveon.org (note slightly different versions for different states)
Brett Kavanaugh's behavior is unsuitable for a Supreme Court nominee.
— MoveOn (@MoveOn) October 5, 2018
We're calling on Senator @JeffFlake to do the right thing and vote NO on Kavanaugh.pic.twitter.com/lv73YHvzhl
