If you are in the Alabama Trump resistance, what will you do this week following yesterday's No Kings Day?
[to be continued]
6/16/25 continuationOn my post on 50501 Alabama | Facebook, Rick Lovelady answered the question saying, "registering voters at Pride Fest!", and I commented back, "Republicans are doing all they can to suppress the vote, and the Trump resistance should want all the voters that can be gotten for the 2026 elections (and earlier elections)."
I look for more answers to my above question.
I will set out my own suggestions.
I start by setting out paragraph 7 from Friday's blog entry Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: Trump's will to power, which says:
7. If you are not on the streets todayThe goal of today's No Kings protests is to achieve powerful messaging against Trump that is heard loudly in the country. This will be achieved mainly through TV news coverage, and, for this, the greater the number of protests and the greater the numbers of protest participants, the louder will be the messaging that is heard in the country through TV news reporting.If you are not on the streets today, what can you do to add to the messaging against Trump today?Facebook posting usually has a limited reach, mainly being seen by persons who are like-minded persons.Trying to engage on Facebook with other than like-minded persons could be tried, but there is a good chance will not be fruitful.[Edit: An hour ago Katie Britt posted on her Facebook a Happy Birthday to Trump. Do you think the Alabama Trump resistance could help itself by posting comments on Trump supporter comments that are made on Katie Britt's post?]I have done a lot of targeted emailing, but it is a tough slog and hard to know whether it has any effect. To judge for yourself, please take a look at the above email I sent today to Alabama TV stations and the email I sent yesterday to Alabama lawyers that is linked above.Please tell me whether you think such emailing is worth the effort.Thanks.
6/17/25 continuation
Marie Carraway Bolen answered the question on my above 50501 Alabama | Facebook post saying, "Start work on the July 4th event in Gadsden hosted by Gadsden's new 50501 organizer Terri Lain-Smith!"
MY PLEA
The goal of the June 14th No Kings protests was to achieve potent messaging against Trump that would be heard loudly in the country. This was achieved mainly through the TV news coverage given to the protests, and, for that, the greater the numbers of protests and numbers of protest participants, the louder was the messaging that was heard through TV news reporting.Apart from the protests, there is little messaging by the Trump resistance that reaches outside the eyes and ears of motivated Trump resisters.
I particularly mention Facebook posting and the limited reach it has, mainly being seen by persons who are like-minded persons.
I have made a lot of efforts, such as my emailing, trying to reach persons who are not in the like-minded category. Trying to reach beyond like-minded persons is a tough slog and hard to know whether it has any effect.
I get virtually no reply to the messaging I try to do, and, for me, the question is whether there is some registering of my messaging that in a miniscule way affects the thinking of recipients, which can cumulate with effects of, say, events that unfold.
I continue to wish to talk with anyone who is willing to give me the time.
Please, please, may I have a conversation with someone by phone or in person.
1. Email to H.I.V.E. Alabama
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: hivealabama@gmail.com <hivealabama@gmail.com>
Cc: Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; shelbycountydems65@gmail.com <shelbycountydems65@gmail.com>; Laurie Beth Kesterson <lauriebethkesterson@gmail.com>; Barry Marks <barry@leaselawyer.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 01:58:11 PM CDT
Subject: The Great Postcard Avalanche, Monday, June 30th
Dear :
This email is prompted by the postcarding event you are holding on Monday, June 30th, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company, for writing and sending postcards to lawmakers while they are debating and voting on the Republican budget megabill. https://hivealabama.com/2025/06/16/the-great-postcard-avalanche-monday-june-30th/
I am a member of the Facebook private groups Blue Dots Alabama | Facebook, 50501 Alabama | Facebook, and 50501 Scottsboro, AL | Facebook.
Those groups are similarly advocates for calling and emailing lawmakers.
The three groups also do a lot of Facebook posting.
I believe Facebook posting has a limited reach to like-minded persons who don't need persuading, and I am urging the groups to do messaging that goes beyond the limitations of Facebook posting.
Trying to reach beyond the limits of Facebook posting is a tough slog and hard to know whether it has any effect.
I have made efforts, such as by emailing, to get beyond the limitations of Facebook posting.
To give an example, I am a retired lawyer, and I have been trying to budge Alabama lawyers to speak up about the rule of law. Most recently I did the emailing set out at Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: The January 6th lawbreaker President, day 109.
I would like to get other lawyers, as well as laypersons, to join in messaging about Alabama lawyers and the rule of law in various ways to amplify the pushing on Alabama lawyers regarding the rule of law.
This targeting of Alabama lawyers is just one example. I think there is much targeting of other Alabama parties that can be usefully done.
If my emailing is worthwhile, it would be more effective if others joined in with me.
I would like to suggest to H.I.V.E. Alabama that it consider undertaking organized, target emailing activities.
Please let me know if this is something I could discuss with you.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
(for filing in Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday)
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From: Barry Marks <barry@leaselawyer.com>
To: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>; hivealabama@gmail.com <hivealabama@gmail.com>
Cc: Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; shelbycountydems65@gmail.com <shelbycountydems65@gmail.com>; Laurie Beth Kesterson <lauriebethkesterson@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 04:19:40 PM CDT
Subject: Re: The Great Postcard Avalanche, Monday, June 30th
I’ll be there!
To: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>; hivealabama@gmail.com <hivealabama@gmail.com>
Cc: Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; shelbycountydems65@gmail.com <shelbycountydems65@gmail.com>; Laurie Beth Kesterson <lauriebethkesterson@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 04:19:40 PM CDT
Subject: Re: The Great Postcard Avalanche, Monday, June 30th
I’ll be there!
----------
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: hivealabama@gmail.com <hivealabama@gmail.com>; Barry Marks <barry@leaselawyer.com>
Cc: Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; shelbycountydems65@gmail.com <shelbycountydems65@gmail.com>; Laurie Beth Kesterson <lauriebethkesterson@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 06:08:09 PM CDT
Subject: Re: The Great Postcard Avalanche, Monday, June 30th
Barry,
Maybe you will talk up at H.I.V.E. Alabama's postcarding event on June 30th, the organized, targeted emailing idea I am pushing.
Thanks.
Rob
6/20/2025 continuation
Email to Dr. Michael Saag
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: msaag@uab.edu <msaag@uab.edu>
Cc: Anne Turner-henson <turnhena@gmail.com>; hivealabama@gmail.com <hivealabama@gmail.com>; Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; shelbycountydems65@gmail.com <shelbycountydems65@gmail.com>; Laurie Beth Kesterson <lauriebethkesterson@gmail.com>; Barry Marks <barry@leaselawyer.com>; Jeffery T. Walker <jeffw@uab.edu>; eeaton@uab.edu <eeaton@uab.edu>; dwilliamson@alaha.org <dwilliamson@alaha.org>; mjackson@alamedical.org <mjackson@alamedical.org>; edasna@alabamanurses.org <edasna@alabamanurses.org>; rudipa@yahoo.com <rudipa@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2025 at 09:54:16 AM CDT
Subject: Only you can save Birmingham’s medical rainforest: op-ed from UAB researcher
Dear Dr. Saag,
This email is prompted by seeing your op/ed Only you can save Birmingham’s medical rainforest: op-ed from UAB researcher - al.com that was posted on Facebook by Dr. Anne Henson-Turner, Louise Jones McPhillips and others.
I am an Alabama Trump resister. Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency.
Facebook posting has limited reach, mainly to like-minded persons who don't need persuading, and it fails in reaching Alabamians who are in the political middle, including disaffected Republicans.
I am promoting that Alabama Trump resisters should engage in organized, targeted emailing to try to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump and the harms he is doing to the country, including the NIH cuts your op-ed is about. Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday.
I have endeavored this in the past in the public health domain.
Regarding the public health goal of reducing gun violence, I tried to enlist UAB Professor Jeffery Walker, the J. Frank Barefield, Jr. Endowed Chair in Communities and Crime, who is on the board of directors of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama About – Crime Stoppers, for influencing the board of directors and the public about gun control for reducing gun violence in Alabama. This is indicated at Be An Alabama Rootstriker* with Rob Shattuck: Local authorities for stricter gun laws.
Regarding the public health pandemic concerns, I made a similar effort as indicated at Be An Alabama Rootstriker* with Rob Shattuck: Letter to AL State Public Health, Committee, where I tried to enlist the involvement of the Alabama Hospital Association, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, and the Alabama State Nurses Association, as well as UAB academics in the public health field.
The purpose of this email is to continue to press for organized, targeted emailing by Alabama Trump resisters to try to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump.
I hope you don't mind.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
To: hivealabama@gmail.com <hivealabama@gmail.com>; Barry Marks <barry@leaselawyer.com>
Cc: Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; shelbycountydems65@gmail.com <shelbycountydems65@gmail.com>; Laurie Beth Kesterson <lauriebethkesterson@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 06:08:09 PM CDT
Subject: Re: The Great Postcard Avalanche, Monday, June 30th
Barry,
Maybe you will talk up at H.I.V.E. Alabama's postcarding event on June 30th, the organized, targeted emailing idea I am pushing.
Thanks.
Rob
2. June 17 Facebook post by 50501 Scottsboro, AL | Facebook administrator
We are starting to get real media coverage -- FINALLY -- and I wanted to pass along something that one of the media people recently posted:
"When we run a positive story on protestors, we get a lot of right wing push back. If you really want us to cover you then please ask your people to call the station and say 'Good Job' or something similar. Our management cares A LOT about positive feedback and if you give it to us then we are more likely to be able to cover you more".
This week we have gotten stories on most local news stations, al.com, and MSNBC
Spread the word to call your local news stations, or fill out a feedback form on their website and give them some positive feedback. I'd really
appreciate it.
[Note: Alabama TV stations are among the Alabama parties I seek to target with organized emailing.]
6/20/2025 continuation
Email to Dr. Michael Saag
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: msaag@uab.edu <msaag@uab.edu>
Cc: Anne Turner-henson <turnhena@gmail.com>; hivealabama@gmail.com <hivealabama@gmail.com>; Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; shelbycountydems65@gmail.com <shelbycountydems65@gmail.com>; Laurie Beth Kesterson <lauriebethkesterson@gmail.com>; Barry Marks <barry@leaselawyer.com>; Jeffery T. Walker <jeffw@uab.edu>; eeaton@uab.edu <eeaton@uab.edu>; dwilliamson@alaha.org <dwilliamson@alaha.org>; mjackson@alamedical.org <mjackson@alamedical.org>; edasna@alabamanurses.org <edasna@alabamanurses.org>; rudipa@yahoo.com <rudipa@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2025 at 09:54:16 AM CDT
Subject: Only you can save Birmingham’s medical rainforest: op-ed from UAB researcher
Dear Dr. Saag,
This email is prompted by seeing your op/ed Only you can save Birmingham’s medical rainforest: op-ed from UAB researcher - al.com that was posted on Facebook by Dr. Anne Henson-Turner, Louise Jones McPhillips and others.
I am an Alabama Trump resister. Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency.
Facebook posting has limited reach, mainly to like-minded persons who don't need persuading, and it fails in reaching Alabamians who are in the political middle, including disaffected Republicans.
I am promoting that Alabama Trump resisters should engage in organized, targeted emailing to try to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump and the harms he is doing to the country, including the NIH cuts your op-ed is about. Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday.
I have endeavored this in the past in the public health domain.
Regarding the public health goal of reducing gun violence, I tried to enlist UAB Professor Jeffery Walker, the J. Frank Barefield, Jr. Endowed Chair in Communities and Crime, who is on the board of directors of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama About – Crime Stoppers, for influencing the board of directors and the public about gun control for reducing gun violence in Alabama. This is indicated at Be An Alabama Rootstriker* with Rob Shattuck: Local authorities for stricter gun laws.
Regarding the public health pandemic concerns, I made a similar effort as indicated at Be An Alabama Rootstriker* with Rob Shattuck: Letter to AL State Public Health, Committee, where I tried to enlist the involvement of the Alabama Hospital Association, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, and the Alabama State Nurses Association, as well as UAB academics in the public health field.
The purpose of this email is to continue to press for organized, targeted emailing by Alabama Trump resisters to try to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump.
I hope you don't mind.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
1. Email to Purple People Resistance Alabama
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: Purplepeopleresistance@gmail.com <purplepeopleresistance@gmail.com>
Cc: hivealabama@gmail.com <hivealabama@gmail.com>; Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; shelbycountydems65@gmail.com <shelbycountydems65@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 06:21:44 PM CDT
Subject: Purple People Resistance Alabama- "Just keep your foot on the gas"
Dear Purple People Resistance Alabama:
Yesterday on Facebook you posted the below:
I am keeping my foot on the gas in the form of strenuously pushing for organized, targeted emailing by Alabama Trump resisters to try to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump. Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday
Numerous persons in the Alabama Trump resistance are aware of what I am advocating. A fair number have expressed support for such organized, targeted emailing, including the Facebook groups Blue Dots Alabama | Facebook, 50501 Alabama | Facebook and 50501 Scottsboro, AL | Facebook on whose Facebook pages I have posted about the idea.
The groups who are copied on this email have been previously emailed, and I am interested in hearing from them whether they think the organized, targeted emailing would or would not be worthwhile, and/or if they think Alabama Trump resisters would be willing to participate in the emailing.
I would very much like to learn what Purple People Resistance Alabama thinks.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
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2. Email to North Alabama Young DemocratsFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: NAYoungDems@Gmail.com <nayoungdems@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 07:02:07 PM CDT
Subject: July 1st Young Democrats Night in Marshall County
Dear North Alabama Young Democrats:
Susan McKenney invited me to your July 1st Young Democrats Night in Marshall County.
I said to Susan I would pass, but that I would send you an email about organized, targeted emailing by Alabama Trump resisters to try to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump.
Please take a look at Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday and let me know if organized, targeted emailing by Alabama Trump resisters to try to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump is of interest to your group.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
6/23/2025 continuation
Reply email to Braver Angels BHM AllianceFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: BHM Alliance <birmingham-subscribers@braverangels.org>; Theo Brown <tbrown@braverangels.org>; Tom Robertshaw <trobertshaw@braverangels.org>
Cc: Purplepeopleresistance@gmail.com <purplepeopleresistance@gmail.com>; "purplepeopleresistance@gmail.com" <purplepeopleresistance@gmail.com>; hivealabama@gmail.com <hivealabama@gmail.com>; Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; shelbycountydems65@gmail.com <shelbycountydems65@gmail.com>; NAYoungDems@Gmail.com <nayoungdems@gmail.com>; "nayoungdems@gmail.com" <nayoungdems@gmail.com>; rudipa@yahoo.com <rudipa@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2025 at 08:27:56 AM CDT
Subject: Re: Invitation to a respectful debate on America’s role in the world
To: Braver Angels BHM Alliance, Tom and Theo
I appreciate being on the Braver Angels BHM Alliance email list as you try to establish a presence in the Birmingham area.
I think every American should take up Braver Angels in support of what it broadcasts on its home page https://braverangels.org/, to wit: "We're taking a stand against toxic politics. Will you join us? Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic."
As Theo knows, for a long time I have been trying in my own way to promote conversation between the two sides, and I have gained a good number of contacts in Alabama. My most recent efforts are indicated at Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday
I have not partaken of the Braver Angels instructional programs, but I am interested in whether any of my contacts could be availed of to provide a venue for a Braver Angels event. Please let me know if you see any possibility here.
I have been urging the groups which are copied on this email to undertake organized, targeted emailing to try to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump.
While that may seem one sided for Braver Angels and not to have potential for its mission, I point out that this is seeking for people to break out of their Facebook silos and to make communication to persons who are not entrenched on one political extreme side or the other.
I think it is fair to say that the partisan divide has worsened in the past six months, and the mission of Braver Angels has become harder. In that light, maybe Braver Angels would view what I am doing more favorably.
While I will not take part in tomorrow night's debate, I hope it is very successful for you.
Let's all keep on keeping on!
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
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On Monday, June 9, 2025 at 11:56:06 AM CDT, Tom Robertshaw <trobertshaw@braverangels.org> wrote:
Dear Friend,
Would you like to be part of a respectful and informative discussion about how involved America should be with other countries? Would you like to share your views and also listen to others who have a different perspective about our country’s role in the world? If so, then you should plan now to attend this online event sponsored by The Birmingham Alliance of Braver Angels.
A Braver Angels style debate on Zoom on June 24th, 2025, at 6:00-7:45 PM Central Time on the following topic:
· Resolved: “The United States should pay less attention to problems overseas and concentrate more on problems here at home”
A Braver Angels Debate uses a special format so that we can exercise our minds and open our hearts. Unlike some debate programs, the point isn’t to win; it’s to understand the other side a little better. We designed our special parliamentary debate format to encourage everyone to participate, to support good faith, accurate disagreement, and to promote better understanding for all. All Braver Angels Debates are led by a specially trained Debate Chair.
Braver Angels debates center around a resolution and then invite both sides to speak to it. Everyone who wants to speak is given the opportunity to do so as long as time permits. It is not uncommon to find both sides of the political spectrum speaking in the affirmative (that is, supporting the resolution) as well as the negative (that is, opposing it).
At the conclusion of the debate, we will spend a few minutes asking participants to share something they learned by hearing from others with whom they might disagree. The long-term goal of these Braver Angels debates is to increase understanding and create common ground.
Details to follow, an Eventbrite invitation with Zoom link.
If anyone would like to volunteer to assist in the event managing the Zoom process, called a Whip, please let me know. Familiarity with Zoom is the only prerequisite.
www.braverangels.org
trobertshaw@braverangels.org, Alliance co-chair
6/24/2025 continuation
1. Email to Birmingham Indivisible re emailing to Alabama lawyers to grow Alabama public opinion against TrumpFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: Dana Ellis
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 06:49:47 PM CDT
Subject: Emailing Alabama lawyers to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump
Thank you for our phone conversation, Dana.
Please submit to the Birmingham Indivisible steering committee this email as a "plan" for organized, targeted emailing to get the Alabama legal profession to speak publicly about the damage Trump is doing to the rule of law in the United States, with a view to such public speaking by the Alabama legal profession contributing to growing Alabama public opinion against Trump.
The "plan" entails first reviewing the emailing I have done that is set out at Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: The January 6th lawbreaker President, day 109.
Such emailing is my emailing, and the "plan" is to get others to join in the emailing to have more effectiveness.
If others join in the emailing, the "organized" part of the "plan" is for the group of emailers to discuss and develop the emailing, including senders and recipients and email content, that the group thinks will be most effective.
I hope the foregoing sufficiently sets for this "plan", so that it may be submitted to the steering committee. If you think the "plan" needs more specificity. please let me know.
Thank you, Dana.
Rob
(for filing in Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday)
---------
2. Text of posts I made on Blue Dots Alabama | Facebook, 50501 Alabama | Facebook, and 50501 Scottsboro, AL | Facebook.
"I spoke with Birmingham Indivisible today and I sent them an email for submitting to its steering committee a "plan" for organized, targeted emailing to get the Alabama legal profession to speak publicly about the damage Trump is doing to the rule of law in the United States, with a view to such public speaking by the Alabama legal profession contributing to growing Alabama public opinion against Trump. My email is posted on https://trumptweet.blogspot.com/.../what-to-do-after..."
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: info@blueprintalabama.com <info@blueprintalabama.com>
Cc: Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; Laurie Beth Kesterson <lauriebethkesterson@gmail.com>; Barry Marks <barry@leaselawyer.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 04:38:06 AM CDT
Subject: Organized, targeted emailing to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump
Dear Blueprint Alabama:
Could you please advise me whether your group is interested in lending any support to a program of organized, targeted emailing to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump?
I think some in your group are aware of efforts for such a program. These are indicated at Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday.
Thank you very much for whatever reply you can give to me on this.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
(for filing in Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday)
To: info@blueprintalabama.com <info@blueprintalabama.com>
Cc: Indivisible Birmingham <indivisiblebirmingham@gmail.com>; Laurie Beth Kesterson <lauriebethkesterson@gmail.com>; Barry Marks <barry@leaselawyer.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 04:38:06 AM CDT
Subject: Organized, targeted emailing to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump
Dear Blueprint Alabama:
Could you please advise me whether your group is interested in lending any support to a program of organized, targeted emailing to grow Alabama public opinion against Trump?
I think some in your group are aware of efforts for such a program. These are indicated at Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday.
Thank you very much for whatever reply you can give to me on this.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
(for filing in Citizens Acting to End the Trump Presidency: What to do after yesterday)