Chop Wood, Carry Water 10/24
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday.
William Brennan, the former Supreme Court Justice, once said “We must meet the challenge rather than wish it were not before us.” I know not of which challenge he spoke, but it’s a line that well suits the moment we’re in.
If you’re anything like me, you’re consumed by what’s happening in the Middle East. I wake up thinking about it, I fall asleep worrying about it. In the middle of the night I remember, against my will, the horrors I saw in the news earlier. It’s hard to move my thoughts to anything else; this is, perhaps, made worse by the extreme difficulties attendant on talking about the situation (consider reading the linked piece. It’s perfection).
It would be nice to brush off these events as happening “over there.” But even if we were capable of such callousness we could not sustain it, as the war in Israel and Gaza is having a seismic effect on domestic politics. Groups long thought indivisible are seeing violent rifts; friends are turning on friends, families are divided. Long-time Democratic voters are promising to stay home next year—or throw their votes away on third-party candidates—because they feel enraged by Biden’s support for Israel. Jewish people feel sickened with betrayal by the left. Everywhere we find hatred, grief, and feelings of abandonment.
It’s deeply worrying, saddening, and disconcerting—a challenge, to return to Brennan’s line, that I “wish were not before us.” But before us it is, and it must be met.
How, then, do we meet it? There are no easy answers, but I think we can, at least, be guided by principles that have served many well over time: restraint, consideration, patience, and humility.
I’d argue that if we place these principles as guardrails around our actions we’ll be more likely to help than to harm, more likely to build than to destroy, more likely to heal than to wound.
It’s at least what I will do. I trust many of you are doing the same.
Look. We’re living in a breathtakingly difficult moment; it’s wearing on all of us. But let’s remember it is particularly excruciating and scary for our Jewish and Palestinian-American friends. I’ve circled back to check on most of mine again and they are doing, if possible, worse than last week. It’s brutal, and I hope we are all being mindful of—and fighting against—the atmosphere of hate many of these citizens feel they’re living in right now.
Remember, division is a treacherous enemy. It’s also, perhaps, our biggest foe. We must find a way—if not now, then soon—to restore unity if we are to defeat the larger threats we’re facing. Please join me in seeking out groups, and people, working not just for peace, but for solidarity.
Without the former we are doomed. Without the latter we are lost.
Now let’s get to work.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling about the UAW strike, which is entering its second month. I understand that Senators Sherrod Brown and Bernie Sanders have introduced a resolution expressing official solidarity with the workers and urging the Big Three to negotiate in good faith and offer a fair contract.1 Has the Senator signed on yet? [If yes thank and move to last sentence. If not add:] I’d like him/her to. I expect my lawmaker to vocally stand with workers, and that includes siding with them on this strike. On a related note I also want to know whether the Senator is co-sponsoring S 567 the PRO Act? Because s/he should be. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I understand that the House Financial Services Committee marked up HR. 2798, a bill that would make funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau part of the regular congressional appropriations process. I oppose this. It would subject the bureau’s future to the whims of corporate-funded politicians who don’t have consumer interest as their top priority. I support the CFPB and do not want to see it compromised through funding battles. Please ask the Congressmember to vote no on this bill. Thanks. [H/T
][If GOP add:] I also understand Republicans have nominated Tom Emmer to be Speaker but that he was short 26 votes on an internal vote. When are Republicans going to nominate a non-MAGA candidate that Democrats can support? This isn’t hard. If you want a speaker—and we need one—work with Democrats, please.
Watch a Movie! 🍿
The wonderful folks at Public Citizen have asked me to invite you to the virtual premiere of “No Time to Fail,” a powerful film that gives voice to the unsung heroes of the 2020 election: its administrators.
Despite the unbelievable challenges and desperate attempts to disrupt and upend the 2020 election, they pulled off the most secure election in our history; and they did it amidst a global pandemic. Rather than receiving a hero’s welcome, they have become the focus of an ongoing coordinated campaign of disinformation.
“No Time To Fail” gives voice to the experiences of this largely invisible yet completely indispensable workforce at this critical time in our country’s relationship with election management. You can watch the trailer here—it gave me chills!
October 26, 2023, 7:30-9:30pm ET
RSVP: Click Here.
Chop Wood, Save the Planet! 🔥
New polling tells us that Americans widely believe that climate action will benefit people’s health and make the country stronger. But they also tend to say that those around them aren’t as concerned about climate change as they are. This is why it’s critical to simply talk about climate change with everyone you can! It’s surprisingly important and few do it! Read more here about why talking about climate change is one of the most effective things you can do to help address it.
Give 💰!
I got this email from a subscriber over the weekend. Let’s help out in New Mexico!
I’m with Blue CD2 NM. Like many other grassroots organizations, we formed in 2021 in response to Trump’s election in a very red, New Mexico County (the home of Cowboys for Trump). We had a major impact on flipping NM Congressional District 2 from MAGA to Blue in 2022. We are focusing on keeping Representative Gabe Vasquez in the House and keeping MAGA Herrell from sneaking back in.
On Oct 25th at 6PM PT / 9PM ET we’re hosting a panel/fundraiser with Simon Rosenberg, Reed Galen from the Lincoln Project, and Dale Robinson from Field team 6. Please invite your readers! This is the registration link.
Win Races—Hear From the DNC! 🗳
Join DNC staff on Thursday, October 26 from 8:45 – 9:30pm EDT for more information on the races we're watching and investing in most closely, why they matter, how we're fighting back against MAGA Republicans, and how to get involved to Get Out the Vote, which is happening NOW!
In this virtual briefing, DNC strategists and special guests will walk through some of the most critical races on the ballot this November 7th and how we get out the vote to win. This is not an event to miss!
Win races—Text! 💻
So I’m told there are multiple opportunities to textbank for GOTV for VA and PA (Supreme Court race) with Next Gen here. And reminder, I’ve got a resource doc with ways to help in PA here and VA here. What the heck—here’s my Ohio doc too!
Protect Abortion Rights! 👩🏽⚕️
Red, Wine and Blue presents: “How to Win Back Our Rights” with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
This November all eyes will be on Ohio as the only state in the nation voting on a constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights. Michigan voted YES on a similar proposal last November, and more states will follow in 2024. No one knows how to win this fight better than Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, so she’s joining Red, Wine and Blue to share what she learned, how it impacted her personally, and why we MUST win in Ohio.
Join to get inspired and learn how YOU can help protect reproductive rights this year.
Sorry, all. No Resistbot letter today.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
I think it is important to remember that the Presidential election is a little more than a year away. The world will look very different then-not necessarily better or worse-just different. We do not know how those who are angry today will feel then.
I do know that no matter what we will need to learn to speak with everyone who wants to save our democracy about the dangers of the autocratic movement in this country and 3rd parties. We will need to respectfully engage with empathy and information.
We have been living in a national nightmare since 2016. It is one domestic and international trauma after another. We need to be gentle with each other and ourselves.
Great advice and a great piece from Charlotte. I've hesitated to weigh in because I'm admittedly ignorant, and the one or two times I thought about commenting on someone's post, my thoughts were interrupted by someone's contrary views. As noted about President Biden's speech, it's a no-win proposition. He lost on both sides by honestly saying what needed to be said.
It's very clear to me that Hamas has achieved if not exceeded its objectives - to sow chaos in a fertile, highly flammable field, and is drawing the Israeli government into a bed of quicksand. The restraint urged by our government and others should be heeded and hostilities ceased. To those who are attacking the people who are focusing on the short term for not addressing the long term issues at the same time, I'd ask them to consider the value of a long term solution if the region doesn't survive the short term.