DU ACTION ALERT: woman with stage-IV breast cancer + foreclosure (need recs, pls!!!!)

[OneGrassRoot]

Last edited Wed Sep 26, 2012, 05:10 PM - Edit history (2)

Edit to add disclaimer, though not sure it's necessary here. Just in case: I was previously given permission by Skinner to post periodically about http://www.wishadoo.org, especially when it involves DUers, with this required disclaimer: "The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by Skinner on 8/6/2010, and the moderators have been notified."



[font size="3"][font color="green"]TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Even though the segment aired on Dr. Drew last night, most of the action items noted below are still valid and in need of our attention, and this thread needs recs to get on the Greatest Page today, please. Thanks! [/font][/font]


See DUer, HillWilliam's post here for backstory: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1400466 and/or the Wishadoo Wishlist post about his friend, Cindi's, situation with more links, including to donation page to help with medical expenses: http://bit.ly/QbMN3y


Cindi is appearing on Dr. Drew's Headline News show tonight at approximately 9:30 PM EST. I'm sorry, but I have no idea what channel that is; hopefully you can search to see if you get it.


[font size="3"][font color="blue"] There is a list of specific action-oriented things we can all do right now to help this situation, including keeping this kicked and rec'd![/font][/font]


1. Sign the Change.org petition: http://www.change.org/davishome

(Note that the Change.org people created a shorter URL; it's the same petition though )


2. If you're on Facebook *like* Cindi's page:

https://www.facebook.com/SaveCindiDavisFromForeclosure/posts/201012506697308


3. Share both of the above via twitter, email, Facebook...anyway you can think of to gain exposure.


4. Regarding the Dr. Drew segment, there are several links that were shared for people who want to take part in it in some way, tonight and no doubt after the segment airs:


A. If you're on twitter, Dr. Drew is asking the question: "Would you pay medical bills or your mortgage" https://twitter.com/drdrewhln

B. This link is to the HLN blog about tonight's segment with Cindi, where you can leave comments: http://www.hlntv.com/shows/dr-drew

C. Leave comments re: the segment at Dr. Drew's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DrDrewHLN/?adid=drdrew

D. Phone poll: Pay medical bills or mortgage-what would YOU do? 1-855-DRDREW5, email with your phone number http://on.hln.tv/1SZ9PG


EXPOSURE IS WHAT IS NEEDED RIGHT NOW. Let's keeping it going so the attention manifests in COMPASSIONATE ACTION....and JUSTICE.

[OneGrassRoot]

1. kick due to TV show platform tonight n/t

[myrna minx]

2. You are an angel. Thank you so much for everything you do.

for Cindi and Kirk.

[riderinthestorm]

3. K&R for Cindi! nt

[calikid]

4. Kickity kick n/t

[japple]

5. I'll be happy to help keep this going. Thank you OGR for taking on

this cause and for all the others you are supporting. You're more than one grass root--you're a whole lawn!

[OneGrassRoot]

6. Bless you!

I must leave the computer, so if you and others will try to keep it kicked, I would be MOST GRATEFUL.

[HillWilliam]

7. Thank you OGR!

You're making a huge difference here. I could only get so far -- you've brought awareness to Cindi and Kirk's plight WAY beyond what I could ever hope to do. It really helps having someone who knows what she's doing in our corner.

[OneGrassRoot]

12. Dude....

You did -- you are doing -- an AMAZING job for your friends!!! Your OP got a gazillion recs, after tremendous perseverance on your part, which is not easy for a non-political post in GD during election season.

You're a treasure.

[HillWilliam]

16. When we climb down off the adrenaline

I can't wait to meet you. Supper is on me and my partner.

[OneGrassRoot]

46. ...

I look forward to it.

[Moosepoop]

8. Kicked

and recced!

[BlueToTheBone]

9. Thanks OGR!!!

You are a saint for your work

[HillWilliam]

10. Cross-posted

Kicking and rec'd (on my first post)

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. K&R

[rurallib]

13. kick and thank you

[Bigredhunk]

14. CH 202 On Dish

I'm watching now!

[Hissyspit]

19. CH 204 on Direct TV

[Fire Walk With Me]

15. Information on fighting foreclosure. This is an all too common story and we must unify against it!

I am not a lawyer; a good lawyer educated on these issues is very important. Always immediately demand an audit. Foreclosure paperwork is quite often fraudulent especially over longer periods of time/when more than one institute is involved.

I've spent time in the Occupy movement with those directly fighting foreclosure (Southern California's Occupy Fights Foreclosures). Long story short, the banks (including Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) =do not care whatsoever= who you are or what you have done in your life or what are your circumstances, be they extreme disability and even extreme old age plus disability. This is the robber-baron era once again. It's only about collecting properties and profiting from doing so in several ways. They often trick people into setting themselves up for foreclosure by saying they'll offer modifications etc. if you stop paying your mortgage temporarily. Then they sell your home and never ever return your calls or acknowledge receipt of any paperwork sent. Consider them as true predators and that their goal is to steal and things will become clear, including the required response. Do not waste a minute expecting the bank to do what you'd imagine they should, or that they will if you call and wait enough times.

Get the media in, in droves. Call everyone, from local to national to radio to internet radio and even include the "black sheep" news agencies which are from "enemy" countries, but who in my direct experience will truthfully present the given story because it is embarrassing to the US (PressTV Iran, RT News Russia, even Al Jazeera English). If you are in an area with Spanish-speaking media such as Univision and Telemundo, get them in there. Send a press release detailing who, what, when, where, and why to Huffington Post, Truth-Out, Crooks and Liars, and other internet media. Start blogs and post their story, tagging the posts with searchable keywords. Find the responsible bank's Facebook page(s) and post links to each media item as it is released. Find the responsible bank's Twitter channels (@BofA_News, @BofA_Community, etc.) and post and retweet links to the story and each media item as it is released. Carpet bomb them with negative media attention they know will not go away until they do the right thing. Do not allow the story to fall off of the internet. Keep it kicked and updated. You will get some very negative replies in the comments sections; ignore them or ask them why they are hopeful this person will be put on the street, and point out where it is the bank's fault.

Always focus upon the person/people involved. These are human rights stories, against proven thieves (robosigning is illegal and is still going on unabated and no one will stop them). This is about the damage they'll peronally suffer if the banks have their way. This is about who the victims are, what they've done in their lives, and How Could The Banks Do That To Them.

See if there are any Occupy groups, church groups, housing rights groups, etc. in the area who would be willing to join in. March inside the responsible bank's office and lobby (inviting ALL mentioned media). For those who would gladly risk arrest, camp in the yard of the targeted home. Set up enormous signs. Have a media table with your press release, foreclosure facts, tactics, etc. Call a block meeting and tell everyone what is going on and what you intend to do about it. (Be sure to offer food and drinks; food is unity.)

Basically, shame the bank with enormous, relentless, negative exposure. Clearly point out their fraudulent actions. And most importantly, have someone trustworthy and knowledgeable examine all paperwork involving the foreclosure(s). If it has been more than a year, sometimes things expire and foreclosure becomes moot. Look for dates and time limits and any hint of fraud, because they are outright thieves, using robosigning as quickly as they can to turn over as many properties as possible. They get sloppy and you can win back a home in this manner. This in fact is your most powerful weapon. Beware of fraudulent companies which offer to help beat foreclosure; they're often just as shady as the banks or worse. I've heard of people spending tens of thousands of dollars and getting nothing in return. One of them even shut down when directly challenged by Occupy (likely to simply resurface with a new name and address).

I note one group in Missouri who've just gathered to directly fight a foreclosure:

Eviction Stopped By Protestors’ Threats To Interfere

http://fox2now.com/2012/09/21/eviction-stopped-by-protestors-threats-to-interfere/

As the article points out, the sheriffs were surprised, but in my experience, they take orders from the bank and have been putting incredible numbers of Americans on the street regardless of circumstance, so "they'll be back" and always are unless you can get the bank to crack. Occupy Minnesota have been given serious charges when arrested for physically blocking homes for days on end, so the physical is for media attention and to set the hard intent that This Is A Fight And They Will Lose.

A friend and his family are currently battling foreclosure in the Valley part of Los Angeles; they have barricaded themselves in, and police presence appears to be increasing after 27 days of saying NO! to the notice to vacate. Here is their story with some good information:

Yet ANOTHER ugly foreclosure story starring Bank of America! Daily additions: BofA horror stories

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021337674

And here is how OFF just won for a family in Anaheim:

Anaheim Family Wins Eviction Stay and Loan Modification for Their Wrongfully Foreclosed Home!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12523718

Here is a report on what Fannie Mae allows; I was there:

Tenants Claim Fannie Mae Properties Run Like Slums (video)

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video/6800769-tenants-claim-fannie-mae-properties-run-like-slums/

And here is the source for information against foreclosure:

http://www.occupyfightsforeclosures.org/

Related items:

The Illegal Foreclosure Machine is destructive to us all!

http://occupyobservations.blogspot.com/2012/04/illegal-foreclosure-machine-is.html

March 26, 27: Occupy Fights Foreclosures LA battles for Dirma!

http://occupyobservations.blogspot.com/2012/03/m26-27-occupy-fights-foreclosures-la-is.html

Dirma beats foreclosure!

http://occupyobservations.blogspot.com/2012/05/dirma-beats-foreclosure.html

My heart goes out to these victims of the dishonorable. All my best.

[OneGrassRoot]

42. Wonderful post! Thanks, FWWM!!!

[Fire Walk With Me]

64. Fantastic job you are doing. What a coup to get national exposure for this

particularly heartbreaking story! Keep kicking ass!

[OneGrassRoot]

66. Oh, I can't take credit for that...

I just played a supportive role by spreading the info.

We do hope to reach other media outlets to get their attention from a social justice slant; wish DU had a Media Blast group as we used to way back in 2004.

But Cindi and her husband and their supporters have made incredible connections! I hope that we hear, any moment now, that Wells Fargo has done something HUMANE, effectively immediately.

Thanks for the kind words, thanks for the wonderful support of all of these threads, and thanks for contributing such brilliant information!

[Starry Messenger]

17. k&r

[annabanana]

18. k&r . . . .n/t

[HillWilliam]

20. Up next! Here we go! n/t

[Hissyspit]

21. "The bills don't change. They're always the same."

[sabrina 1]

22. Thank you for doing this, OneGrassRoot.

[HillWilliam]

23. It aches to see how much they've aged in just two years

Stress alone is a killer.

Wells Fargo just lied like a motherfucker in that statement. WF has "lost" paperwork, made them start over, changed agents, denied them access, refused to return phone calls, all of this over and over and over again.

Tried to work with them? My fruit-flavored ass.

[KT2000]

26. I figured that

sure wish the people were given the opportunity to rebut the WF statement.

[HillWilliam]

24. And thanks Kate (I don't know your DU handle if you're here)

for calling in right away and delivering a clear message. It's a pity Cindi got so little time, almost an afterthought. There's so much more to the story than got aired. Still, we're grateful for what air-time there was.

[man4allcats]

25. K&R

Signed the petition. I wish her well.

[skeewee08]

27. K&R

Praying for you Cindi

[UnrepentantLiberal]

28. Signed.

[FailureToCommunicate]

29. Wells Fargo sucks. It's wrenching to see their ads making themselves appear reasonable.

[Digit]

30. Kicking

[Lil Missy]

31. .......

[Tsiyu]

32. kickin' and reccin'

[HillWilliam]

33. Middle of the night kick

for my buddy Cindi.

Thanks again, DU. Once again you've demonstrated that even in the middle of an election season, love and compassion are still bigger than politics.

[catchnrelease]

34. k&r

[ProfessionalLeftist]

35. Tweeted, Facebooked, KICK. n/t

[DeSwiss]

36. K&R n/t

[HillWilliam]

37. I had another idea

I took all three posts, edited them down and posted them to Current TV here http://current.com/community/93911504_wells-fargo-forecloses-on-stage-four-breast-cancer-victim.htm

[OneGrassRoot]

38. Great idea! Where else? Big Ed, Rachel...

???

[HillWilliam]

56. Big Ed, definitely. Rev Al, Eliot Spitzer.

Banksters and social justice are absolutely their stock in trade.

[HillWilliam]

39. Rev Al -- he's fantastic with social justice issues

I'm just not sure how to go about that at this second and I'm way-late for work

We'll work on that through the day!

[OneGrassRoot]

40. Yes!!!! I'm on it. n/t

[HillWilliam]

48. Ya da best!

I knew someone would know what to do.

I just got a condensed email from Current. Cindi isn't in that one. Maybe the next one. I'll go check the link for activity.

[HillWilliam]

49. Nine views? No "Likes". Srsly?

It may be harder to get noticed over there than I thought.

Who Twitters? Can anyone shoot that toward TYT, Granholm, or Spitzer? This is totally down Spitzer's alley -- he was going after the banksters before The Fall. (I think it's totally the reason for The Fall, but hey...)

[OneGrassRoot]

50. I have to focus on work-work...

but hope to tackle contacting these people by early afternoon. A dear friend is searching for contact info while I work.

I'll post with various contact info later.

I know there's a media section here at DU but not sure how current the contact info is; will check it out later.

Sorry to hit and run!

[yellerpup]

41. Kick! n/t

[Chorophyll]

43. Kick.

[kaiden]

44. Kick!

[marmar]

45. k/r

[MoonRiver]

47. Done!

I saw them last night on Dr. Drew. What a sad situation.

[hwmnbn]

51. K&R

[OneGrassRoot]

52. mid-morning kick n/t

[Hepburn]

53. KnR...n/t

[HillWilliam]

54. Midday kick n/t

[HillWilliam]

55. If I'm reading that ticker right on Change.org (and I think I am this time)

We've managed something like 1400 signatures since Sunday. Only 130 to go!!

Now, DU, THAT is something to be proud of!

[OneGrassRoot]

60. ...

Giving you another and kicking this again...lol

[magical thyme]

57. late lunch K&R

let's keep this thread going!

[ismnotwasm]

58. K&R

[veness]

59. Signed. All the best to the Davis family. K&R. n/t

[HillWilliam]

61. Only 72 more now

Almost there.

Thanks to everyone who's kept the petition drive going.

We'll work on TV later on. I'm still at work-work.

[HillWilliam]

62. We've broken 4000! n/t

[Kookaburra]

63. kick

[Fire Walk With Me]

65. I've missed the Dr. Drew segment. Is it on the internet so I can view it and share it? n/t

[OneGrassRoot]

67. Here's a link:

http://www.hlntv.com/video/2012/09/24/cancer-patient-fighting-foreclosure

[Fire Walk With Me]

68. Thank you, and thank you for being a part of their team!

[Omaha Steve]

69. K&R!

[HillWilliam]

70. ALMOST 5000 WOW!!! n/t

[HillWilliam]

71. Would you believe there are over 8600 signatures now

A large part of the credit goes to DUers sharing and resharing.

Big shout out to OneGrassRoot -- through the many PMs and posts, I'm really glad to have made your friendship. Since we're almost neighbors, I can't wait to meet you!

[horseshoecrab]

72. K&R! n/t

[malaise]

73. K & R