Chop Wood, Carry Water 11/28
Our "better angels" will prevail.
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday.
Last night I was honored to attend a private Zoom meeting hosted by a Jewish friend of mine. She’s a fellow activist—and an extraordinary one—here in L.A. The gathering was informal, for Jewish friends and friends-of-friends, but a few “allies” were also allowed to come; I was lucky enough to be one of them. The topic of the meeting was “Dealing with Antisemitism.”
The discussion—and the individual stories I heard therein—was deeply moving, saddening, and, in some cases, absolutely gutting. It was also a reminder that our Jewish friends and family are still very much not OK.
Nor, of course, are our Muslim-American friends and family. We’re seeing escalating and horrific violence against them here in the U.S., too; it’s enraging, frightening, and deeply troubling.
It’s got to be terrifying, in short, to be a member of either community right now. If you’re reading this and you are such, please know that I am holding you in my heart.
If you’re not, and if it’s been a minute since you’ve checked in on your friends who are, now might be a good time to do so. Just because we have a temporary ceasefire and hostages coming home (thank Heavens for both) we’re not out of the woods yet—not by a long shot. As much as I wish these events would force antisemitism and Islamophobia to magically subside, evidence proves otherwise.
Look, this is a political newsletter, but politics is about people. Right now a lot of people are in a lot of pain. This is important from both a human perspective and a political one. Many of the folks who spoke last night talked about feeling abandoned by the left. Some are turning to more conservative news sources for solace. These are amazing people—people who’ve worked hard for progressive causes and candidates. People we can’t afford to lose.
Just as the Muslim-Americans feeling enraged and hurt by Biden’s actions are amazing people who’ve contributed hugely to our most cherished causes. We can’t afford to lose them either. Heck, we don’t want to lose them. Or anyone!
So we can and should reach our hands out to these valuable Americans, if only at first just to listen and commiserate. They deserve no less, as so often they have been there for us. Don’t underestimate the value of offering your ears or simply a shoulder to cry on. These are the building blocks of healing; we need them now.
Only then can we start to try to resurrect our fractured coalitions. The time to rebuild bridges is coming, and fast. Everything will depend on it, from both a human and a democratic perspective.
Fortunately, I have faith in you—in your giant hearts, your sweeping capacity for compassion, and your dogged determination. I know that whomever you are and whatever your story is, you’re here because you want diversity, unity, and democracy to survive and flourish.
And—because you partner that desire with a willingness to act—I have faith that our “better angels” will prevail.
P.S.—Yesterday I messed up. I put two links in my Movement Voter Fund plea, and only one of them was a specialized link that would ensure your money went towards the 10K match. Sigh. If you went to the first link and gave through the MVP home page please shoot me an email with your name and the amount you gave and I’ll forward it to the appropriate person so your donation is counted towards our match. If you don’t have time, don’t worry—MVP will get the money regardless! And if you missed yesterday’s email and want to help us make our 10K match please give here.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I just read that the Senate Rules Committee passed a resolution allowing most of the promotions Tommy Tuberville has been blocking to be voted on at the same time, but so far it lacks the requisite GOP support. I’m assuming the Senator will be voting yes on it? I know Senator Schumer plans to bring the resolution to the floor soon. [If yes thank. If no add:] I’m sorry but that’s unacceptable. Our national security is endangered by these holds. I understand not wanting to change Senate rules but these are extraordinary circumstances. I want the Senator to put country above party and vote to support the resolution. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I hope the Congressmember will vote to expel George Santos? [If yes, thank and move on to second paragraph. If no add:] I find that very disappointing. I understand that expulsion is a big deal, but Santos qualifies for it. The Ethics Committee evidence is overwhelming; their investigation was thorough and far-reaching. Santos is a stain on the House and an embarrassment to the Republican party. He needs to go.
Second, I’m horrified by Elon Musk’s lawsuit against the ADL. These kinds of “SLAPP” lawsuits, designed to bankrupt organizations with whom rich plaintiffs disagree, are corrosive to our democracy. More than 30 states now have anti-SLAPP laws, and a federal proposal was introduced by Jamie Raskin last Congress as HR 8864. I want the Congressmember to back this or another federal anti-SLAPP law with real consequences to dissuade even the biggest billionaires from filing these suits. Thanks. [H/T
]Extra Credit ✅
Sick of inadequate Trump coverage in the MSM? Let’s do something about it! Let’s send the below letter—personalized generously, of course—to any news outlet we can. (I basically used this excellent
article as the basis for it. All credit goes to them.)Here are contact forms or email addresses for the Washington Post (you can also go here), New York Times, and USA Today (for “affiliated outlet or org” I just wrote “personal.”) Please add more places we can contact in the comments if you look them up!
And be sure to mention that you’re a paid subscriber if you are!
Say something like:
Donald Trump is a fascist who wants to be a dictator. He tells us so, over and over.
Yet America’s major news organizations are all too often sugar-coating Trump’s poison. A recent New York Times headline, for example, referred to his “authoritarian leanings.” Really? Leanings? If he “leaned” any more, he’d be lying down.
It’s past time for major news organizations like yours to take a bold stand against Trumpian fascism before their soft-pedaling of the threat puts the public in further danger and causes the news outlets themselves to lose credibility.
Here’s one clear way to take that stand: Major newspapers should run front-page editorials declaring clearly that a vote for Trump is a vote to end democracy. Will you do this? If not you are abdicating your responsibility—one we all share—to help protect democracy. Thanks.
Get Smart! 📚
So when the latest crisis in Israel and Gaza started I realized that I was appallingly under-informed not just on the Middle East, but on global affairs in general. One of the ways I’ve remedied that is by adding some internationally-focussed newsletters to my reading roster. The one I like the most is the Semafor Flagship newsletter.
I actually like ALL of the Semafor newsletters a lot. They’re not too long, they’re extremely well-reported, and they don’t feel partisan. I’ve learned a lot from them, so when Semafor reached out and asked me to help amplify their international coverage (which is free, by the way) I immediately agreed to do so. It’s become clear to me that being uninformed on global events is no longer an option. If you agree try subscribing and see what you think!!
Spread the Word! 📣
Building Back Together has put together a database of state-based coverage of implementation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s legislative agenda. This tracker compiles coverage of the President’s American Rescue Plan, CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, PACT Act, Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and more in all 50 states — going back six months! It’s a great tool for finding articles you can send to friends and family in your state showing what Biden has done for them!
It’s a work in progress, so please share any and all thoughts on how to improve it with Sarah Cassell at Sarah@BuildingBackTogether.org.
Chop Wood, Save the Planet —in NEW YORK!🔥
[H/T Climate Action Now App]
This year the New York State legislature passed the first neonicitinoid-covered seed ban in the nation! Neonicotinoids have been described as the worst pesticide since DDT. But to go into effect it still needs to be signed into law by the governor. If it passes it will be a major environmental milestone protecting human health and the environment.
On Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 4:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm ET, come hear from experts on the status of this essential legislation AND take substantive actions using the free Climate Action Now App to ensure the Governor does the right thing. If passed, this legislation will become a model for the country.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To President Biden] [Text SIGN PGFEMR to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
I’m writing to say that I’m thrilled at the announcement of a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the release of hostages and the surging of aid. It’s a breakthrough in de-escalation, and I thank the President for his part in it. Having said that, I urge him to do everything in his power to both continue to get the hostages back and turn this pause into a lasting ceasefire and sustainable peace.
Also, just as Hamas must never again lead Gaza, Netanyahu needs to go as soon as possible. He is a failed and disgraced leader who has done much to harm Israel and its peace efforts. I know President Biden can’t make him step down, but he should certainly use all the leverage at his disposal to encourage him to do so. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Hey Jess
Thanks for your heart felt connection with Jews and Palestinians. This situation is a real tragedy of epic proportions for all parties.
I come from a multi generational Zionist family. My grandfather recruited Golda Meir into Zionism in Chicago.
I have 75 cousins in Israel. All are truly left wing liberals and have worried about the plight of Palestinians for the past 40 years and worked with multi-ethnic groups who have tried to improve conditions.
Now, regardless of feelings of revenge, none of my relatives are anything but very depressed over the futility of current conditions for either side. How can a sane, humane person take any solace from bombing civilians and killing children? None can. Everyone is brutalized.
At this point, all parties are stuck without an immediate solution. Joe Biden is one of the bright lights in this dark nightmare. If any world politician can lead the parties to a solution, he's the one. He has the empathy, the vision, the backbone and the power.
Right now, all we can do is wait..and hope.
I am Jewish and I sincerely appreciate your compassion. Antisemitism is a virus- but those who are spreading it are the Proud Boys, Trump, Elon Musk etc. Saying that you are horrified by what Israel is doing- and has done- is not antisemitic. It's consistent with the left's support of human rights. Yes, Israel is not the only country that violates human rights- not by a long shot- but it is (I assume) the one that receives the largest amount of aid from the US. I believe that as Americans who believe in democracy and protecting human rights, we have a responsibility to speak up. Speaking against the actions of the Israeli government is not being antisemitic.