Tuberville’s voicemail says he wants to “uphold America’s values.” That’s all I needed to hear, I went totally off script and told him to uphold our values by valuing our military and stop blocking military promotions.
I would just add that the ENTIRE GOP caucus in the Senate is responsible for the pain inflicted on our troops, the damage to national security, and the impacts to foreign policy.
None of the Republican Senators should be let off the hook. They're all responsible for refusing to support our military and undermining our national readiness.
As ever, legacy media is utterly ineffective in demanding answers from Republican Senators, but the rest of us can educate others. ALL the Republicans in the Senate are responsible.
Yes! That's why I added in the script to Republican Senators: "Also, has the Senator made a statement denouncing Tommy Tuberville’s blockade on military promotions? Because they’re unacceptable and so is the Republican party’s silence on the matter." They need to be called out hard!
My two senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, sent a letter to "Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate whether the Youngkin administration violated the Voting Rights Act when it wiped at least 270 fully qualified Virginia voters off the state’s rolls." I believe six Democratic U.S. House Reps also signed onto the letter.
Bummer. I don't subscribe but was able to read article. Sadly, I could not find this news elsewhere to share. The below link came from the National Review's "share" option.
Thank you Jess, for your big heart and great compassion for humans near and far. These are unnerving times. To say the least. Being part of a community helps. My Jewish husband is feeling the deep ancient history of persecution. He is a sensitive soul and although we are fortunate to be safe and well, he and we are tuned into these global crises at a gut level. Thank you all for your care and hard work. It helps every day!💜
I can only imagine how he must be feeling. It’s a very, very tough moment. I continue to send love and strength to you, him, and all of you. We must hold fast to each other. Cherishing each other is the only way through.
Thank you Jessica for this and your newsletters these past few really difficult days. Lost in the news, your post earlier this week reminded me to reach out to my Jewish friends to check on them and they were so appreciative.
I've been thinking a lot about love and empathy and how that is one of our biggest strengths and starkest contrasts to MAGA, whose leaders seem to lack all empathy and be devoid of compassion. My heart is bleeding for the Israeli people and bleeding for the Palestinian people. As I read about the ever more horrifying humanitarian crisis in Gaza, is there any control we do have? Can we write to the White House to voice our support for the US to put more pressure on establishing humanitarian corridors immediately? Anything we can do here?
I think a letter to POTUS is a good idea, although my sense is that he is already pushing for this very hard. Still can’t hurt to let him know that we support it.
As a result of some similar advice about reaching out to members of Congress in a post on Robert Hubbell's Today's Edition Newsletter, I offered the following about the broader issues of gridlock:
Here's what I wrote in letters to my Senators and a similar one to Senator Schumer (if anyone else wants to do so, they can feel free to copy and paste into their own letters and edit):
"I am writing to you in your capacity as one of my Senators and a respected member of the Senate regarding the ongoing strangle-hold that Senator Tuberville has on the Senate’s military promotions, and Senator Paul has on critical diplomatic appointments, as well as the often-abused use of the filibuster.
"Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I think it’s important for you to focus efforts on marginalizing and neutering those elements. I realize that there are reasons for allowing Senators to object to certain motions to keep them from reaching a vote on the floor, and to use the filibuster to try to force concessions. But often, those tactics are abused for the purpose of advancing a personal agenda.
"If eliminating those practices is a bridge too far, how about modifying the rules to either require at least one co-sponsor (or maybe more) of the hold or filibuster, or reduce the threshold for cloture to a simple majority? I have sent a similar message to Senator Schumer. Please support these suggestions."
Here's what I wrote to my Representative and a similar one to Congressman Jeffries (again, readers can feel free to copy, paste, and edit):
"I am writing to you in your capacity as my Congressman and a respected member of the House regarding the ongoing dysfunctionality that is a direct result of the Republicans’ narrow majority and intransigent factions within the party. The reasonable path forward to restoring functionality and the ability to govern is to engage members of the Democratic party.
"Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I think it’s important for you to focus efforts on marginalizing and neutering those elements. There are some House members who are sowing chaos by withholding support for a Speaker of the House, which effectively hamstrings the House and the whole of our government.
"The Problem Solvers Caucus in the House could come together and put forth a Speaker candidate who can work across the aisle when needed. Failing that, they should agree on urgent common ground issues (e.g., budget approval or another CR, Ukraine support, Israel support). It's my understanding that a Speaker pro tem can be elected and authorized to do more than just fill the chair and call votes for a permanent Speaker. The Problem Solvers Caucus could push for that limited interim move if they can't succeed on the permanent one.
These are so good! If you can come up with a version of these letters that can be sent to ALL of our lawmakers as a Resistbot send it my way and I'll turn it into one. I think arguing for our lawmakers to come together to push back against the bomb-throwers is a great idea! hijesscraven101@gmail.com
Thank you for all that you do to educate. With what's happening in Israel, I don't have the brain power to deal with the politics here for the time being. Thanks for keeping the home fires burning. 💕
This is a particularly moving column. Thanks so much for reminding us again about what's important and that we are not powerless to act.
🥰
Tuberville’s voicemail says he wants to “uphold America’s values.” That’s all I needed to hear, I went totally off script and told him to uphold our values by valuing our military and stop blocking military promotions.
Dang, that felt so cathartic. 😂 🎉
Hahaha you made me laugh out loud. Good for you!
Another inspiring newsletter.
I would just add that the ENTIRE GOP caucus in the Senate is responsible for the pain inflicted on our troops, the damage to national security, and the impacts to foreign policy.
None of the Republican Senators should be let off the hook. They're all responsible for refusing to support our military and undermining our national readiness.
As ever, legacy media is utterly ineffective in demanding answers from Republican Senators, but the rest of us can educate others. ALL the Republicans in the Senate are responsible.
Yes! That's why I added in the script to Republican Senators: "Also, has the Senator made a statement denouncing Tommy Tuberville’s blockade on military promotions? Because they’re unacceptable and so is the Republican party’s silence on the matter." They need to be called out hard!
Also the blocks by various GOP Senators on crucial diplomatic positions.
The truth that Republican officials are a danger to national security must become widely understood and accepted.
Hey, again, Jessica. I thought you might consider including these two articles in your Extra! Extra! post this Sunday.
RNC denied VA GOP request for cash ahead of 2023 elections.
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/rnc-denies-virginia-gops-request-this-week-for-cash-ahead-of-2023-elections/
My two senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, sent a letter to "Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate whether the Youngkin administration violated the Voting Rights Act when it wiped at least 270 fully qualified Virginia voters off the state’s rolls." I believe six Democratic U.S. House Reps also signed onto the letter.
https://wapo.st/3PQKbux
Darn I can't access the first article. Behind a paywall.
Bummer. I don't subscribe but was able to read article. Sadly, I could not find this news elsewhere to share. The below link came from the National Review's "share" option.
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/rnc-denies-virginia-gops-request-athis-week-for-cash-ahead-of-2023-elections/
Here is link on Twitter, but it's the same link:
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalreview.com%2Fnews%2Frnc-denies-virginia-gops-request-this-week-for-cash-ahead-of-2023-elections%2F&text=RNC%20Denies%20Virginia%20GOP%27s%20Request%20for%20Cash%20ahead%20of%202023%20Elections
Yes! Thank you!
Wow, Jessica, you and Kyra Sedgwick together...two of my favorite people!
(Thanks for the call to action about Tommy T)
LOL. She is wonderful.
Thank you Jess, for your big heart and great compassion for humans near and far. These are unnerving times. To say the least. Being part of a community helps. My Jewish husband is feeling the deep ancient history of persecution. He is a sensitive soul and although we are fortunate to be safe and well, he and we are tuned into these global crises at a gut level. Thank you all for your care and hard work. It helps every day!💜
I can only imagine how he must be feeling. It’s a very, very tough moment. I continue to send love and strength to you, him, and all of you. We must hold fast to each other. Cherishing each other is the only way through.
Thank you Jessica for this and your newsletters these past few really difficult days. Lost in the news, your post earlier this week reminded me to reach out to my Jewish friends to check on them and they were so appreciative.
I've been thinking a lot about love and empathy and how that is one of our biggest strengths and starkest contrasts to MAGA, whose leaders seem to lack all empathy and be devoid of compassion. My heart is bleeding for the Israeli people and bleeding for the Palestinian people. As I read about the ever more horrifying humanitarian crisis in Gaza, is there any control we do have? Can we write to the White House to voice our support for the US to put more pressure on establishing humanitarian corridors immediately? Anything we can do here?
I think a letter to POTUS is a good idea, although my sense is that he is already pushing for this very hard. Still can’t hurt to let him know that we support it.
Thank you, Jessica, for emphasizing once again the power of love.
Love we must. Love we will. Thanks you as always for the reminder 🩵
“It’s not hard to just love people. One wishes it weren’t so rare.”
Beautiful words. Thank you
Hi Jess,
Thanks for the pep talk about love!
As a result of some similar advice about reaching out to members of Congress in a post on Robert Hubbell's Today's Edition Newsletter, I offered the following about the broader issues of gridlock:
Here's what I wrote in letters to my Senators and a similar one to Senator Schumer (if anyone else wants to do so, they can feel free to copy and paste into their own letters and edit):
"I am writing to you in your capacity as one of my Senators and a respected member of the Senate regarding the ongoing strangle-hold that Senator Tuberville has on the Senate’s military promotions, and Senator Paul has on critical diplomatic appointments, as well as the often-abused use of the filibuster.
"Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I think it’s important for you to focus efforts on marginalizing and neutering those elements. I realize that there are reasons for allowing Senators to object to certain motions to keep them from reaching a vote on the floor, and to use the filibuster to try to force concessions. But often, those tactics are abused for the purpose of advancing a personal agenda.
"If eliminating those practices is a bridge too far, how about modifying the rules to either require at least one co-sponsor (or maybe more) of the hold or filibuster, or reduce the threshold for cloture to a simple majority? I have sent a similar message to Senator Schumer. Please support these suggestions."
Here's what I wrote to my Representative and a similar one to Congressman Jeffries (again, readers can feel free to copy, paste, and edit):
"I am writing to you in your capacity as my Congressman and a respected member of the House regarding the ongoing dysfunctionality that is a direct result of the Republicans’ narrow majority and intransigent factions within the party. The reasonable path forward to restoring functionality and the ability to govern is to engage members of the Democratic party.
"Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I think it’s important for you to focus efforts on marginalizing and neutering those elements. There are some House members who are sowing chaos by withholding support for a Speaker of the House, which effectively hamstrings the House and the whole of our government.
"The Problem Solvers Caucus in the House could come together and put forth a Speaker candidate who can work across the aisle when needed. Failing that, they should agree on urgent common ground issues (e.g., budget approval or another CR, Ukraine support, Israel support). It's my understanding that a Speaker pro tem can be elected and authorized to do more than just fill the chair and call votes for a permanent Speaker. The Problem Solvers Caucus could push for that limited interim move if they can't succeed on the permanent one.
"Please consider and support these suggestions."
These are so good! If you can come up with a version of these letters that can be sent to ALL of our lawmakers as a Resistbot send it my way and I'll turn it into one. I think arguing for our lawmakers to come together to push back against the bomb-throwers is a great idea! hijesscraven101@gmail.com
Beautiful letter. Thank you for what you do. And thank you for being such a loving and supportive parent to a queer kid! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🩷🩶🤎🖤
Thank you for all that you do to educate. With what's happening in Israel, I don't have the brain power to deal with the politics here for the time being. Thanks for keeping the home fires burning. 💕
Just finished a NextGen text bank for PA 💙
Whooo! I just read a press release that their early vote is off the charts!
Small world here, I was on this text bank today too!
Ha! Yea us 🤗
Thank you Jessica great read today all you need is love... John lennon