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.
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.
However, Theressa, the Presidential Primaries start in 2-1/2 months, with the Iowa caucus on Jan 15th, then 6 more statewide elections before the big Super Tuesday election on March 5th when 15 states have their primaries, with early voting in several of them starting in early Feb. So we will know a lot about how things are going here by mid March
And I agree we need to spend a lot of our time respectfully supporting democracy and listening to others feelings on the issues.
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.
Hard to assess, but this moment of division could split the right too, between evangelicals who are pro-Israel and anti-Iran and the non-evangelicals who are pro-Russia. Russia has been getting closer and closer to Iran in recent years. Idk, not an insider on GOP politics, but even some Republicans have criticized tfg's gross comments after this attack--and he can't help himself when he says pro-Russia things.
I wanted to thank you for your inspiring intro. Reaching out to all of us, trying to find the right words, must be a challenge. Yet what you say , with passion and caring, conveys the truth that's needed in these painful times. To be guided by restraint, consideration, patience and humility is a gift we can offer each other.
Oct 24, 2023·edited Oct 24, 2023Liked by Jessica Craven
Much to be inspired by in today's newsletter, Jess. Especially liked "No Time To Fail" (Election heroes and sheroes!) and the "Small Talk" climate piece, which I wish I read before having a chat with my neighbor/friend a few hours ago but will get the chance to when I see her again next week! Charlotte's Web and your thoughts are the thoughts I have had for the past two-plus weeks. This passage in particular is where I'm at: "It is no longer enough to express basic human empathy toward anyone suffering; it must be accompanied with extensive knowledge on foreign policy and the history of the Middle East, expressed through a litany of caveats, and even then, one risks being accused of condoning atrocities, either way."
If we take a position totally supporting one side or the other, then we are just the same as they are, in that we have stopped seeing the complexity and that both sides have culpability, and that leaders of both sides apparently believe it's okay to kill people in pursuit of their cause. I'm frankly sick of how easily any of us kill someone else. I'm frankly sick of male violence and that so many men in particular think it's an acceptable approach to solving problems.
I’m not a liberal, but read your posts to expand my knowledge, knowing I am certainly not always correct.
But on the situation in Israel, it is a question of civilization. What Hamas did was brutal and criminal and inhuman, period. Hamas has shown itself to be barbarian and even the most left of left should condemn it as such. Innocent Palestinians should join in the condemnation. If anything, their voices should be stronger and louder, because it is their own relatives who slaughtered innocents.
And if you didn't have enough to do this Wednesday evening, consider joining a very important webinar from Common Cause, 5pm - 6pm PT, focusing on efforts around the nation to activate Article V of the US Constitution calling for a national convention to rewrite the US Constitution. You can sign up here to attend the webinar:
Many states, especially those with Republican controlled legislatures, etc., have signed on to this movement and we are close to having the required number of states agreeing to having this convention. The far right, corporations, and mega rich are funding this movement to rewrite the US Constitution to favor themselves. And Republicans have been working for a long time to get this to happen, and holding practice conventions where they train to propose and pass the legislation they want, etc. Dems are going to be caught completely off guard as most Americans know nothing about this movement.
I have been reading sporadically about Article V for about a year now. I, too, don't understand why it has not been amplified by the Democrats as something to guard against.
Thank you very much, Jessica, for everything you do everyday and for the messages in this newsletter. Robert Hubbell this morning recommended your discussion of the Middle East this morning and I heartily endorsed it in a comment to him. I was also extremely glad to see what you wrote about the importance of talking to people about climate change in as many conversations as possible. I myself have been aware of the urgency for a long time and I'm acutely aware now. I do use the incredible Cimate Action Now app (which I first learned about in a comment you made in Hubbell) for the few minutes it takes every day. I also write letters with Vote
Forward which urge young people in Virginia to vote for candidates who promote strong climate action. But I will try to also bring it up more in ordinary conversations. I agree that that would be very important. Thank you again.
Jessica, thank you for the introductions to these newsletters. Each one of them is encouraging and supportive. You make us feel good in bad times. But I do have some unfortunate news to report. President Biden now has an official primary challenger. Dean Phillips of Minnesota is doing something that’s really going to endanger us. Rick Wilson talks about it here and tears Phillips to shreds. He is betraying his country and endangering our democracy for his ego.
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.
Couldn’t have said it better!
However, Theressa, the Presidential Primaries start in 2-1/2 months, with the Iowa caucus on Jan 15th, then 6 more statewide elections before the big Super Tuesday election on March 5th when 15 states have their primaries, with early voting in several of them starting in early Feb. So we will know a lot about how things are going here by mid March
And I agree we need to spend a lot of our time respectfully supporting democracy and listening to others feelings on the issues.
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.
Agreed.
Thank you as always for your wise words.
Hard to assess, but this moment of division could split the right too, between evangelicals who are pro-Israel and anti-Iran and the non-evangelicals who are pro-Russia. Russia has been getting closer and closer to Iran in recent years. Idk, not an insider on GOP politics, but even some Republicans have criticized tfg's gross comments after this attack--and he can't help himself when he says pro-Russia things.
You know, anything is possible. 🤷🏼♀️
I wanted to thank you for your inspiring intro. Reaching out to all of us, trying to find the right words, must be a challenge. Yet what you say , with passion and caring, conveys the truth that's needed in these painful times. To be guided by restraint, consideration, patience and humility is a gift we can offer each other.
Thank you, Carol! So appreciated!
Thank you.
Tough times indeed.
This is the time to square our shoulders, suck in our gut, and look the challenges in the eye and get on with what needs to be done.
Still, I am horrified by what I see on the news. Israel/Gaza and Ukraine.
Blessings on all the peoples of our world. May we somehow find a way to live in peace and harmony.
Thank you for sharing a Charlottes letter. Wow wow wow just wow. She articulated everything that I have been thinking.
Right? Everyone I’ve forwarded it to feels the same.
Thank you Jessica for always
rallying us. I just saw that Rep. Emmer has withdrawn
from his run for Speaker. The
Chair remains empty.
Yeah they’re still going as we speak. Right now they seem to be trying to elevate an MOC from Louisiana? Johnson?
Much to be inspired by in today's newsletter, Jess. Especially liked "No Time To Fail" (Election heroes and sheroes!) and the "Small Talk" climate piece, which I wish I read before having a chat with my neighbor/friend a few hours ago but will get the chance to when I see her again next week! Charlotte's Web and your thoughts are the thoughts I have had for the past two-plus weeks. This passage in particular is where I'm at: "It is no longer enough to express basic human empathy toward anyone suffering; it must be accompanied with extensive knowledge on foreign policy and the history of the Middle East, expressed through a litany of caveats, and even then, one risks being accused of condoning atrocities, either way."
Yeah. I’ve just given up on even trying.
Your upbeat news stories continue to cheer and inspire me. Thanks!
Of course!
If we take a position totally supporting one side or the other, then we are just the same as they are, in that we have stopped seeing the complexity and that both sides have culpability, and that leaders of both sides apparently believe it's okay to kill people in pursuit of their cause. I'm frankly sick of how easily any of us kill someone else. I'm frankly sick of male violence and that so many men in particular think it's an acceptable approach to solving problems.
I am, too.
Jessica,
How thoughtful & true of what so many people are struggling with! You really hit the nail on the head.
This is regarding your 10/24 wise words. Love, Judy
Thank you, Judy!
Thank you! The Charlotte’s Web piece was so impactful and well articulated.
Right? I found it to be so, so helpful!
I’m not a liberal, but read your posts to expand my knowledge, knowing I am certainly not always correct.
But on the situation in Israel, it is a question of civilization. What Hamas did was brutal and criminal and inhuman, period. Hamas has shown itself to be barbarian and even the most left of left should condemn it as such. Innocent Palestinians should join in the condemnation. If anything, their voices should be stronger and louder, because it is their own relatives who slaughtered innocents.
I agree it was an utterly savage attack.
And if you didn't have enough to do this Wednesday evening, consider joining a very important webinar from Common Cause, 5pm - 6pm PT, focusing on efforts around the nation to activate Article V of the US Constitution calling for a national convention to rewrite the US Constitution. You can sign up here to attend the webinar:
https://www.mobilize.us/commoncause/event/428300/?link_id=0&can_id=9af0e9db16dde5aecafaa6ba38bbd116&source=email-action-team-weekly-october-16-20&email_referrer=email_2088566&email_subject=action-team-weekly-october-23-27
(you may have to erase my info and enter yours)
Many states, especially those with Republican controlled legislatures, etc., have signed on to this movement and we are close to having the required number of states agreeing to having this convention. The far right, corporations, and mega rich are funding this movement to rewrite the US Constitution to favor themselves. And Republicans have been working for a long time to get this to happen, and holding practice conventions where they train to propose and pass the legislation they want, etc. Dems are going to be caught completely off guard as most Americans know nothing about this movement.
I have been reading sporadically about Article V for about a year now. I, too, don't understand why it has not been amplified by the Democrats as something to guard against.
Sounds fascinating!
Thank you very much, Jessica, for everything you do everyday and for the messages in this newsletter. Robert Hubbell this morning recommended your discussion of the Middle East this morning and I heartily endorsed it in a comment to him. I was also extremely glad to see what you wrote about the importance of talking to people about climate change in as many conversations as possible. I myself have been aware of the urgency for a long time and I'm acutely aware now. I do use the incredible Cimate Action Now app (which I first learned about in a comment you made in Hubbell) for the few minutes it takes every day. I also write letters with Vote
Forward which urge young people in Virginia to vote for candidates who promote strong climate action. But I will try to also bring it up more in ordinary conversations. I agree that that would be very important. Thank you again.
Thank you, Shelley!
Jessica, thank you for the introductions to these newsletters. Each one of them is encouraging and supportive. You make us feel good in bad times. But I do have some unfortunate news to report. President Biden now has an official primary challenger. Dean Phillips of Minnesota is doing something that’s really going to endanger us. Rick Wilson talks about it here and tears Phillips to shreds. He is betraying his country and endangering our democracy for his ego.
https://open.substack.com/pub/therickwilson/p/dean-phillips-enters-the-game?r=2vk1c6&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Oh dear.