Tag Archives: government

Sharing the Headlines

APAICS

This week kicked off #APAHAM2014 so we had a flurry of activity celebrating and reflecting on what the AAPI community has done and what it will continue to do in serving our country. It’s a reunion of sorts – people from across the country collaborating on ways that will better serve our constituency and catching up with people that you may only communicate with via email and phone. Being together IRL brings that personal connection that only weeks like these can provide. It’s been AAPI 24/7 so I’ve collected quite a few things to read!

  • In case you missed the Vice President Joe Biden at the Opening Ceremony for the start of APAHM2014, you can read about it.
  • Are you preparing to be a great leader for the 21st century? Here are a few thoughts about it from a Ted talk by Roselinde Torres.
  • In watching Mika Brzenzinksi on Morning Joe, she talks about her mom, Emilie Brzezinksi’s work as an artist, mother & wife while balancing life in DC and there’s an opportunity on June 2nd to see them in DC at Politics and Prose.

Happy Friday!

Sharing the Headlines

cherry blossoms 2014 jefferson memorial

Since we last Shared the Headlines, we finished the 1st quarter of the election year and we’re barreling through the 2nd. Spring has finally arrived to DC and with that everyone’s more than fair share of allergies. So while everyone is making fundraising calls and trying not to sneeze on one another, here are the headlines!

In the beginning of the year, my colleague, Alvina Yeh and I organized a training for AAPI elected officials and candidates. One of the sessions was on “Leadership”. Fortunately for all of us, former President William Jefferson Clinton recently shared his views on the subject. Words to live by!

The fine folks over at The Campaign Workshop did an awesome job organizing a list of questions/criteria that people should consider when making the decision to run for office. Thanks for sharing your knowledge – so practical and real!

Thanks @richardlui for the article on how Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are moving left. The Center for American Progress did a recent study where they identified the group (my group!) to be more progressive than ever, but don’t celebrate yet Democrats (still my group!) because the Pew Research Center recently published a report that out of all of the constituency groups, AAPIs have the lowest turnout rate. What does that mean? It means we (the political establishment/community) have a lot of work to do to communicate with this group (my group) in engagement.

Which leads me to how the young(er) generation is taking the initiative to train their colleagues within the AAPI community to learn the basics of digital strategy. Although the amazing folks of The Brain Trust met their goal of raising the funds that they needed for the training, they want to give SCHOLARSHIPS to the participants. So get on over there and put in a few bucks ($10 contributions add up – ask the folks who did the grassroots fundraising for the Obama campaign).

Gird your loins, Asian Heritage Month is around the corner (the entire month of May!) so  we’ll have some fun posts on what’s happening with the numerous celebrations.

Happy Friday!

 

#WomenRule

rosie the riveter

I’ve had strong women in my life as role models. Of course, the 1st person who comes to mind is my own mother. In my professional life, I like to credit 2 women who took a chance on me and let me flourish because they saw that I had skills that would benefit the team.

In the political arena, Emily’s List has been there to support pro-choice Democratic women; the Women’s Information Network (of which, I’m a proud Advisory Board member) will be celebrating 25 years of connecting women in DC to one another for professional and personal growth; and of course, there is Running Start, an organization that helps young women see the possibilities of themselves running for elected office (I’m proud to say that I’m also a mentor to their Running Start Fellows and that my current associate, Fiona Zhu, went through their high school program). These organizations along with many others have been instrumental in helping young women achieve their goals in public service. If you haven’t taken a look at their portfolio, you should take the time to see how an investment in these organizations is also an investment into our future.

As a woman of color, I’m always interested in supporting our female Democratic candidates, especially those who are of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage. One of the trailblazers for women and for my community is the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink. Here is a great essay from current US Senator Mazie Hirono of how Rep. Mink paved the way for all those after her. Much thanks to Politico, the Tory Burch Foundation and Google for making these Women Rule profiles possible.

 

Diversity Matters

Screen Shot 2013-10-25 at 2.54.22 PM

Do you think your elected officials in Congress look like you? Well, if you’re not Caucasian (technically I am since my father is of German ancestry but my Asian heritage is the immediate visual) than you’re in the minority.  Check out Huffington Post’s article on the Diversity Gap.

If you want to bring change in the representation then you need to encourage your communities to participate in the electoral process. We can do this but we need to be present and be active. Politics matter and so does diversity.

Sharing the Headlines

shutdown capitol

Although we take the government shutdown seriously, we also understand that in light of the situation, sometimes it’s good to see the comedic consequences.

Throwback to My Days of SchoolHouse Rock

Let’s remember how “simple” it used to be to educate everyone on how a bill becomes a law. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o3El0

Why I love Jon Stewart 

GOP causes a government shutdown and Jon Stewart explains the situation. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/30/jon-stewart-on-govt-shutdown_n_4020581.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Because of course you need a #hashtag for the #shutdownpickuplines

Got some free time? Perhaps you can have a love match? http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2013/09/30/crisis-revives-shutdownpickuplines/?tid=ts_carousel

 

 

Sharing the Headlines

It’s Friday and we’re 3 days out from the end of the QTR so this is what we’re doing in overdrive!

BGM busy getting money

Now back to the headlines!

Will we be seeing the famous pink tennis shoes on the campaign trail?

Looks like Texas State Senator Wendy Davis is going to announce her candidacy for Governor. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/26/wendy-davis-texas-governor_n_3997985.html

Mad Social Media Props to US Rep. Mark Takano and the 3-headed Monster

The first openly gay person of color to serve in the US Congress, Rep. Takano is bringing it with his mad skillz in social media. http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/09/rep-mark-takano-best-democrat-social-media-twitter-tumblr

How the Definition of a “Classic Family” Started a Pasta Boycott

The Chairman of Barilla pasta (the world’s leading pasta maker!) made a statement that he would only portray a “classic family” in their advertisements which resulted in gay activists advocating for a boycott. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/26/pasta-firm-barilla-boycott-gay

 

Sharing the Headlines

First debate for VA Governor’s race

Did you miss it? Well here’s a recap for ya. http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/virginia-governor-debate-2013-ken-cuccinelli-terry-mcauliffe-97379.html?hp=t3_3

A #Fairshot for Women

With women almost comprising half of the workforce, don’t you think we should see more of us in leadership roles? We shouldn’t be just getting by; we should be getting ahead. http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/report/2013/09/25/74836/the-state-of-women-in-america/?utm_campaign=Argyle%2BSocial-2013-09&utm_medium=Argyle%2BSocial&utm_source=twitter&utm_term=2013-09-26-10-00-00

Former President George H.W. Bush Supports Same Sex Marriage

He was as an official witness for a same sex marriage ceremony in Maine. We may not agree on a whole lot but this we can agree on! http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/09/26/george-hw-bush-same-sex-marriage/2875151/

 

 

Sharing the Headlines

Giving $800k Props to the DCCC

That’s how much more the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised than the National Republican Congressional Committee in August. http://atr.rollcall.com/house-democrats-outraise-gop-in-august/

Virginia Governor’s Race sees lots of Outside Cash

A competitive race and wild west mentality brings in money from outside groups. http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/groups-flush-with-out-of-state-cash-flock-to-virginia-governors-race-as-testing-ground/2013/09/22/1209aeb8-2221-11e3-966c-9c4293c47ebe_story.html?hpid=z2

Hollywood in the Beltway

Congress’ approval rating might be down in the dumps but fictional DC did quite well at last night’s Emmys. http://www.politico.com/blogs/click/2013/09/political-shows-score-emmys-173254.html?hp=l17 

 

Sharing the Headlines

Looming government shut down

Even the Chamber of Commerce thinks the government shouldn’t shut down. http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/appropriations/323067-chamber-to-congress-stop-threatening-shutdown-default#ixzz2fGsyIQfR

Next Tuesday – time to vote!

Even with Congress’ approval ratings at an all time low, people still want to be Members of Congress (MoC). Next Tuesday starts a slew of special elections. http://www.rollcall.com/news/special_election_frenzy_starts_tuesday-227725-1.html?pos=opolh

It’s Maryland vs Texas

As a native Marylander (I once interned for current House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer when he was Democratic Caucus Chair back in the day) if you decide to go after my home state, you should consider stepping off. http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/martin-omalley-rick-perry-obamacare-97033.html?hp=r13