Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/13

Hi, all, and happy Monday,

In the midst of so much bad news, we had a few glimmers of hope this morning. I’ll tell you just three:

First, opinion columnist and brilliant political reporter Jennifer Rubin announced that she’s left the Washington Post and is launching a new independent news outlet with Norm Eisen. It’s called The Contrarian; its mandate is “to stand up for democracy and the rule of law.” It will feature content “from a broad range of respected voices in law, politics, foreign policy, and culture.” You can see a list of contributors here—wow!—and subscribe here if you care to. I know I did. Fearless new media like this is exactly what we need—it’s heartening to see it cropping up so quickly.

Second, Aileen Canon actually did something right this morning! It’s astonishing, but true. Per the Hill:

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon on Monday allowed the release of the volume of special counsel Jack Smith’s report dealing with President-elect Trump’s efforts to block the peaceful transfer of power.

In a five-page ruling, Cannon denied an effort by Trump and his two co-defendants in the Mar-a-Lago documents case to block the release of both volumes of the report, noting that prosecutors argued the election inference report has little to do with the ongoing trial against the two men.

So it seems we will get to see the report—or at least part of it. Good. I’m still hoping someone has the courage to release the second part—the one dealing with Trump’s mishandling of top secret documents. Until then, though, this is a good start.

Finally, in some positive climate news, the Supreme Court this morning announced it won’t block lawsuits from California, Hawaii, and other blue states that seek billions of dollars in damages for climate change-related catastrophes. This is a huge, huge deal. The only way we stand a chance in our fight against the fossil fuel industry is by suing them continuously, relentlessly, and mercilessly. This decision enables advocates and victims to continue pursuing this path.

So those are some things to celebrate. Bravo!

I’m aware, of course, that many things are going very, very badly—I assume you’re keeping well apprised on all of that. My goal here, as always, is to give you a bit of hope to balance so much bad news. I hope I’ve been able to do so.

We in Los Angeles are bracing for more dangerous weather starting later today; it will last through Wednesday. I’ll do my best to stay on top of the newsletter, but if I have to evacuate it may be a bit harder. In the meantime I’m sending prayers and thoughts to all of you living here with me. It’s stressful and scary. I keep reminding myself that this, too, shall pass. I’m also trying to remember, as Mr. Rogers said, to look for the helpers.

Speaking of which, if you know anyone in L.A. who’s either been affected by the fires or wants to help, my friends at Hang Out Do Good have put together an absolutely incredible resource—this google doc has tabs with places to stay, people who want to help, places to donate, and ways to volunteer. Incredible.

OK, all. There’s lots to do and many ways to use our voices right now, so let’s get to it.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲 and Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

I understand that some members of Congress are talking about withholding federal aid for California unless certain strings are attached or it’s attached to a debt ceiling increase. This is outrageous. California—and Los Angeles specifically— needs help and it needs it now. People are dying. Thousands have lost everything. I am sickened at politicians trying to use this tragedy to score political points. Get California the help it needs now, no strings attached.

[If GOP add:]

Republicans need to stop with the misinformation, too. It’s irresponsible and hurtful. Californians are still in grave danger. As a “good Christian” the Congressmember/Senator should be offering unqualified support and help. Please do so, and stop spreading lies. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

DemCast has published a simple form we can use to quickly send a pre-written letter (which you can, of course, revise!) to your Senators and House Rep urging that they vote NO on the SAVE Act.

From them:

This dangerous bill is the latest attempt to justify extreme legislation to put up barriers for voters to cast their ballots. The reality is the U.S. does not experience widespread voter fraud, and states have multiple effective systems to ensure voter eligibility. The SAVE Act aims to make it harder to register to vote by requiring specific ID, disenfranchising millions of eligible voters, intimidating others, and stoking fear and xenophobia.

Send your letter here.

Bonus points: create a social media post about the SAVE Act by using DemCasts EZ toolkit here!

Get Smart! 📚

Join a call with Public Citizen, MoveOn, Indivisible, Working Families Party, and Movement Labs on Tuesday, January 14, from 8:00-9:00 PM ET to learn more about Trump nominees Patel, Bondi, and Hegseth — and how to organize against their nominations.

You’ll be joined by Rahna Epting from MoveOn.org, Robert Weissman from Public Citizen, Leah Greenberg from Indivisible, Maurice Mitchell from the Working Families Party and other special speakers. They will highlight what you need to know about these nominees, outline a strategy for continuing to build the movement over the coming months and years, and provide opportunities for you to get involved.

RSVP here.

Hey NY State!

A friendly reminder that we now have a Chop Wood, Carry New York newsletter. I’m really excited to be partnering with NY activist Lydia Howrilka on it—she’s doing a bang up job. If you’re in New York I highly recommend signing up. Lydia’s got ways to get involved in pretty much every part of the Empire State.

You can also share the newsletter with friends and family who live there.

Give 💰!

Here are a few more Go Fund Me’s for people I know either directly or have heard about through close friends.

1. Lucien is my teenaged nephew Max’s close friend (yes, another one. Three of Max’s close friends lost their houses in the fire). They play on the same basketball team. He and his family are living in a hotel right now—their house is gone. They haven’t found even a temporary place to move into yet. His family’s Go Fund Me is here.

2. Robert was one of the coaches for my friend Jodi’s son’s basketball team. His house is gone, too. Give here.

3. Marian Coleman lived in Altadena for 35 years. She also just lost her mom. Her house is gone. Her Go Fund Me is struggling. Let’s help.

4. This family from Altadena, whose kids go to school with my friend Elizabeth’s kid, lost everything in the Eaton fire. Please give here.

5. Math teacher Aurora’s home and entire street was reduced to ashes, leaving her with nothing but a small suitcase, two pictures, and a photo album she managed to save in the chaos. Give here.

Win Races! 🗳

As you know, we had good news in Virginia last week: Dems ​​Kannan Srinivasan and JJ Singh both won their respective State House and Senate special elections, meaning both state legislative chambers will stay blue. Yay! This is a fantastic, much-needed piece of good news, and it’s also just the beginning of a big political year for VA.

The Union has already started working with Network NOVA and the Virginia Grassroots Coalition to make sure that we hand Trump and Youngkin as many losses as we possibly can in November of 2025, when VA’s big elections are happening. They have a meeting coming up this Tuesday, 8-9pm EST, to talk about their plans and vision for the VA Governor’s race, as well as some other key 2025 races.

Click here to register.

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

The Sunrise Movement’s Los Angeles chapter is having a mass call today at 7PM PT called Make Big Oil Pay.

From them:

Fires are consuming our homes, decimating our neighborhoods, and destroying our livelihoods. Big Oil did this. They lied for generations to the public, and they buy out the very elected officials that are cutting our public services and giving us scraps.

Enough is enough. It’s time to make Big Oil pay. Join us at 7PM PT to demand justice.

Register here.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: all 3 reps] [H/T and more info] [Text SIGN PYKGZN to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]

In light of the fires in California, which will likely be the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history, I am writing to ask you to co-sponsor the Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act of 2025, which has just been re-introduced by Senator Van Hollen and is cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren.

This legislation requires the largest U.S.-based fossil fuel extractors and oil refiners and foreign-owned companies doing business in the U.S. to pay into a $1 trillion Polluters Pay Climate Fund, with their contributions based on a percentage of their global emissions. The Fund would then be used to finance a wide range of efforts to tackle the impacts of climate change. U.S. Representatives Jerry Nadler and Judy Chu plan to reintroduce companion legislation in the U.S. House later this year.

Proposals to make polluters pay for their role in driving the climate crisis are gaining momentum in states across the country, with legislation similar to Senator Van Hollen’s bill becoming law in Vermont and New York last year, and other states from Maryland to Massachusetts and California considering similar proposals.

As climate fueled disasters kill and displace American citizens from Florida and North Carolina's hurricanes last year, to Vermont and New York's flooding in 2023, to the wildfires ravaging southern California right now - one principal has become clear: Polluters, not citizens, must pay for the escalating costs of the climate emergency.

Please cosponsor this important legislation now.

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OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess