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John --
Today marks two years since Putin attacked freedom and invaded the nation of Ukraine. And in those two years, hundreds of thousands have died and millions have been displaced. Yet, amid the death and despair, the Ukrainian people have inspired us with their fighting spirit, resilience, and love of freedom. Again and again, against all odds, they've held the line against a murderous tyrant.
Ukraine has held the front line of freedom. And I'm proud they've done it with our help.
Call THESE Reps & Sign the Petition! [[link removed]]
RSVP for 2/28 Front Lines of Freedom Campfire [[link removed]]
But a band of MAGA extremists in the House have cut-off this vital aid to Ukraine, and the Ukrainian military has only weeks (not months) to resupply munitions... the same weeks that the Speaker of the House has just called a vacation for members of Congress.
It's shameful, and reminiscent of the "America First" movement during World War II that insisted that Hitler was the United Kingdom's problem, and we should stay out of it and focus on things at home.
Can you imagine what the world might look like if America had turned our backs on our allies then? If we had let freedom lose?
And that's exactly what today's so-called "America First" movement wants us to do. They want us to believe that this is Ukraine's problem, not ours. They want us to turn our backs and let freedom lose... not just there, but here at home, too.
We cannot allow that to happen, and we'll be mobilizing at our February Virtual Campfire [[link removed]] to stand not only for Ukraine, but for the freedom our nation has been called throughout history to defend.
Country First and Slava Ukraini,
Adam
PS: Check out the Movement Memo below, put together for you each week by Country First members!
Help Fuel the Mission [[link removed]]
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RSVP - ALL ARE WELCOME!
February 28 at 8pm ET: LIVE Virtual Campfire with Congressman Adam Kinzinger [[link removed]]
March 4 at 12 pm ET: Ukraine Day of Action #1 [[link removed]]
March 6 at 3 pm ET: Ukraine Day of Action #2 [[link removed]]
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Each week, Country First will highlight a key member who has demonstrated placing Country over Party. If you would like to submit someone who has made a positive impact on your experience with Country First, please email [email protected] [[email protected]] .
MEET COUNTRY FIRST VOLUNTEER BRIAN TAYLOR
Where are you from?
I’m originally from West Texas. I now live near Baltimore.
What has been your focus at Country First?
Providing curious people with a low stakes way to get involved.
What was your motivation for joining and how did you hear about us?
After the Capitol riot, I was disillusioned with what our politics had become. I joined to hold on to a brighter vision for the future.
What are your hopes for America in the coming years and generations?
That we will again be known throughout the world as political innovators and problem solvers. That politics once again becomes a powerful way to solve real problems and improve everyone's lives.
Do you think we can right the ship?
Absolutely. And we must.
Thank you, Brian, for all of your har d work and dedication to promoting and preserving democracy!
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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
POLITICO [[link removed]] : America’s election chiefs are desperate to stick together in 2024
America’s chief election officials want to present a united front through the scrutiny of the 2024 elections. The National Association of Secretaries of State met last week in Washington for their winter meeting. And despite the maelstrom surrounding election administration in the outside world — misinformation, physical threats, an industry brain drain and more — the conference was (mostly) calm and uncontroversial.
ELECTION MISINFORMATION
Foreign Affairs [[link removed]] : The Coming Flood of Disinformation
Nearly eight years after Russian operatives attempted to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the country’s information environment has become more polluted, and the freedom of speech of citizens more at risk. Disinformation—the deliberate spread of false or misleading information—was never the sole domain of foreign actors, but its use by domestic politicians and grifters has ballooned in recent years.
NPR [[link removed]] : Tech giants pledge action against deceptive AI in elections
Tech giants including Microsoft, Meta, Google, Amazon, X, OpenAI and TikTok unveiled an agreement on Friday aimed at mitigating the risk that artificial intelligence will disrupt elections in 2024 [[link removed]] . The tech industry "accord" takes aim at AI-generated images, video and audio that could deceive voters about candidates, election officials and the voting process. And while the agreement is a show of unity for platforms with billions of collective users, it largely outlines initiatives that are already underway, such as efforts to detect and label AI-generated content.
GERRYMANDERING
NBC News [[link removed]] : Wisconsin governor signs new state legislative maps into law, ending a GOP gerrymander
Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Monday signed into law new maps [[link removed]] that will shift the balance of power in a state Legislature that has been dominated by Republicans for more than a decade. “When I promised I wanted fair maps — not maps that are better for one party or another — I damn well meant it,” Evers said in a statement. “Wisconsin is not a red state or a blue state — we’re a purple state, and I believe our maps should reflect that basic fact.”
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CALL & SIGN [[link removed]] in support of Ukraine!
RSVP [[link removed]] for our Front Lines of Freedom LIVE Virtual Campfire, hosted by Congressman Adam Kinzinger!
DONATE [[link removed]] to support the fight for democracy!
VOLUNTEER [[link removed]] today! We only have one requirement: Be a reasonable person of goodwill looking to find common ground with others who want to address our challenges in a healthy, productive way.
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Country First
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