I don't think I can post a photo in the comments but I'm sending the cutest postcard to President Biden for the ERA. I've been saving it for something special and this is the moment! Four suffragettes & it says "Time to get to work ladies." underneath 🤍
The advice to find an activism lane and sticking with it is good advice. Finding one or two ways to get involved that make good use of your unique skills and passions makes total sense.
If we are going to succeed in our mission to defend democracy, taking care of ourselves and others in our circle is also mandatory.
I’m also encouraged to learn about the 10,000 + new subscriptions to Chop Wood Carry Water. We’re not giving up!
Woo Hoo! I've been out with my sidewalk chalk since Nov.8th
Banners are next with acrylic paints now on sale and we're probably going to be printing new postcards for ERA. We're all artists and we all have something to say or write or paint or sing or dance. Let's continue to celebrate as the dark of the year encloses us!
Thank you, Jess! Made the calls, wrote emails, wrote postcards about the ERA, and signed up to write postcards to VA. It's healing and energizing knowing there is so much we can do together.
Your opening "rallying message" is another home run, Jess! Thank you thank you thank you for the practical advice and empowering support!
Yesterday I read a story in the Denver Post -- "Neurodivergent rocket scientist from Colorado has climbed the highest peak on every continent" -- that complements your approach well.
[Meghan Buchanan] would also become a motivational speaker, preaching a message she has trademarked as GGRIT — gratitude, growth, resilience, integrity and tenacity. When she poses for photos on mountaintops, she pulls out a banner that reads, “Dyslexia Gave Me GGRIT.”
“I was taught at a young age to not give up,” said Buchanan, 50, who lives near Vail in Edwards. “When I talk to schools, I really go deep into trying to explain to these kids that you are going to hurt. You’re going to fail. I make them say with me, ‘I’m going to fail.’ Then I make them say, ‘And I’m going to get back up.’”
Let's re-define what we've been indoctrinated to think of as "failure", could we?
It's a necessary part of the process of inquiry. We wouldn't have so many of our miracles (like penicillin) without it. It's really the place where our selves let go to let in the Self which is always there waiting for us.
I forwarded the email with the article, since the Denver Post has recently gotten rid of links to their features (?!).
Today I TEXTED Biden in the text conversation I signed up for in 2021 (302-404-0880; Jess, do you think anyone sees texts back to this number? Various times, Biden has asked recipients to share experiences etc. So I'm hoping the answer is: Yes.)
One message was about the ERA. the other was:
Dear President Biden,
Please PARDON LEONARD PELTIER.
The rule of law should matter. Facts should matter. Justice should matter.
Thank you, Jess. Would you be willing to do a post highlighting the importance of moving forward with the ERA, and how we can do this? As you know, it’s quite time sensitive. You have such a great following. I know you’ve given it as an extra credit, but wondering if you could move it to a more prominent place in your post? I believe this is doable!
I’ve had it in the newsletter several times, including as a resistbot letter and will do so again. I do believe it’s extremely important which is why I keep putting actions in about it. I’ll try to put something together that talks more about it, but I have limited space.
Does anyone know why the ERA hasn't already been published? Why, if it's properly ratified, should there be a delay requiring a post carding campaign? Also, why are we waiting until Dec. 10 to mail the cards?
Jessica, thinking about all postcard writers for getting out the vote, this time in Virginia. This election cycle I worked with the amazing DCCC team led by Liz Hayes curing ballots. We called 52603 voters+. By far the biggest cause of a rejected ballot was a signature mis-match. This was especially true for the youngest voters. Many don’t learn to write in cursive and so have no “signature “…so if postcard writers added a reminder like “Check your ID before you sign your ballot envelope”! So many young voters would have their ballots counted right away and not need to cure their ballots. Many thanks!
I just called my Democratic representative, Gabe Vasquez (who held his seat for the Democrats for the first time in decades!! & changed his 9495 vote after many calls - yay us!!) to encourage him to support Raskin for seniority on the Judiciary committee. The staffer knew exactly what I was talking about. I think these calls are really worth it! I will be encouraging all my friends in democratic districts. I also love the supper simple & important postcard project. I will be sending out information to everyone I I know. Thank you so much, Jessica and the powerful assembled multitude :)
I just contacted Sen Padilla to object to Kash Patel and used Resistbot for the NLRB message. Gosh it's been a long time since I used Resistbot! The tech is much more advanced now! I'll join the postcarding for the ERA on Dec. 10.
I know. I didn’t put it in the newsletter bc it directly conflicts with the Climate Action Now event and I didn’t want to hurt their attendance. But maybe I’ll put it in today and let people make their choice. Also if you sign up to an event and don’t attend you almost always get sent a recording.
I was a sportswriter covering Women's Basketball for various publications from 1996 until 2022. My base was in CT, so I covered the UConn Huskies closely. Most sports teams us X to post the official videos of their teams. Today, I sent the following to the sports leaders at the University:
"As you know, X (formerly Twitter) is now wholly owned and controlled by Elon Musk, who has both posted and encouraged obvious lies, conspiracy theories, and -- even more relevant to UConn Athletics -- racist and misogynistic rants and memes.
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) announced that on January 20, 2025, it will stop posting content on X. EFJ’s president, Maja Sever, explained that the organization could not “continue to participate in the social network feed of a man who proclaims the death of the media and therefore of journalists.” General secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez noted the “threat to democracy and freedom of expression posed by the cooperation between the president of the most powerful country in the world, Donald J. Trump, and the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, who is also the owner of social network X.”
I strongly urge you to find an alternative platform for UConn Athletics videos. Supporting misogyny and racism is not in the interest of, nor the culture of, UConn.
--James Clark, former member of the UConn Women's Basketball press corps for 23 years."
I would suggest that fans of any sport send similar letters to anyone who might listen. For colleges, go to the sports website, maybe a link called "Athletics", and look for "Administration" or "Staff directory" for contact information. Sports information directors, Athletic directors, and coaches, especially of women's sports, are a good target.
I have been recommending Chop Wood Carry Water to all of my discouraged activist Dem friends; I hope they have all been subscribing!
I wrote to President Biden at www.WhiteHouse.gov/contact, urging him to instruct the Archivist to publish the 28th Amendment immediately. I'll write to him every day at that site with the same message.
Jess, you are the best. Your first four paragraphs gave me so much hope today, after the news that the NC MAGA legislature is planning to overturn the results of our state elections. I was gutted. I told myself to take a break, as there is nothing I can do about it in this moment. And your newsletter helped, really it did. I will come back and take action when I can.
We have no symbol to rally around. They have the red MAGA hat. We have no mantra like Make America Great Again. Not even a statement of shared beliefs to counter Project 2025. Turning this “River of bullshit and hypocrisy “around is as much about the media as the message and the marketing geniuses need to step up and put us in the position to flash our own symbols and mantras LOUD. Something that stands for democracy….a giant letter “D” colored like Stars and Stripes? I’m no marketer but we need the hats and the t-shirts and the logos and the coffee cups and the Facebook profiles….all that. And we need a song. Songwriters whatcha got? Smart, catchy, easily remembered and easily sung, feel good and angry at the same time, pertinent? An “anthem” to fairness justice and respect among others. A song to rally around. “Mercy Now” by Mary Gauthier can get us through the darkness. Now we need our own “Yankee Doodle” because we are in a war now.
Despite not reading your newsletter tonight until after 11 p.m., I have reopened my computer and taken three actions: writing Biden about the ERA, calling my senators about the FBI director and my Congressman about Jaime Raskin, and signing up to write postcards to VA for those state races. I love that you said we each need to find our niche in activism---mine has been postcarding since 2017. I have written over 10,000 of them to states all across the US!!! Love doing it.
I don't think I can post a photo in the comments but I'm sending the cutest postcard to President Biden for the ERA. I've been saving it for something special and this is the moment! Four suffragettes & it says "Time to get to work ladies." underneath 🤍
Perfect!
ERA zoom TownHall with Sen Gillibrand 12/2 at 7 est. Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_J1CStFhxTja1YeF8nOhOaQ?#/registration
The advice to find an activism lane and sticking with it is good advice. Finding one or two ways to get involved that make good use of your unique skills and passions makes total sense.
If we are going to succeed in our mission to defend democracy, taking care of ourselves and others in our circle is also mandatory.
I’m also encouraged to learn about the 10,000 + new subscriptions to Chop Wood Carry Water. We’re not giving up!
I found it encouraging too! Very!
Woo Hoo! I've been out with my sidewalk chalk since Nov.8th
Banners are next with acrylic paints now on sale and we're probably going to be printing new postcards for ERA. We're all artists and we all have something to say or write or paint or sing or dance. Let's continue to celebrate as the dark of the year encloses us!
Love this!
Thank you, Jess! Made the calls, wrote emails, wrote postcards about the ERA, and signed up to write postcards to VA. It's healing and energizing knowing there is so much we can do together.
Thanks Trina
I did the same work here in NY and we were successful in passing "proposition 1"
It didn't feel like enough but at this point I'll take it!
I didn't realize how effective the personal, door-to-door could be and now it is vital!
Your opening "rallying message" is another home run, Jess! Thank you thank you thank you for the practical advice and empowering support!
Yesterday I read a story in the Denver Post -- "Neurodivergent rocket scientist from Colorado has climbed the highest peak on every continent" -- that complements your approach well.
[Meghan Buchanan] would also become a motivational speaker, preaching a message she has trademarked as GGRIT — gratitude, growth, resilience, integrity and tenacity. When she poses for photos on mountaintops, she pulls out a banner that reads, “Dyslexia Gave Me GGRIT.”
“I was taught at a young age to not give up,” said Buchanan, 50, who lives near Vail in Edwards. “When I talk to schools, I really go deep into trying to explain to these kids that you are going to hurt. You’re going to fail. I make them say with me, ‘I’m going to fail.’ Then I make them say, ‘And I’m going to get back up.’”
Let's re-define what we've been indoctrinated to think of as "failure", could we?
It's a necessary part of the process of inquiry. We wouldn't have so many of our miracles (like penicillin) without it. It's really the place where our selves let go to let in the Self which is always there waiting for us.
Can you send me the story?
I forwarded the email with the article, since the Denver Post has recently gotten rid of links to their features (?!).
Today I TEXTED Biden in the text conversation I signed up for in 2021 (302-404-0880; Jess, do you think anyone sees texts back to this number? Various times, Biden has asked recipients to share experiences etc. So I'm hoping the answer is: Yes.)
One message was about the ERA. the other was:
Dear President Biden,
Please PARDON LEONARD PELTIER.
The rule of law should matter. Facts should matter. Justice should matter.
I'm glad you pardoned Hunter. Next, Mr. Peltier!
Sincerely,
Eric Doub
Boulder, CO 80305
Good one!
I love this!
Thank you, Jess. Would you be willing to do a post highlighting the importance of moving forward with the ERA, and how we can do this? As you know, it’s quite time sensitive. You have such a great following. I know you’ve given it as an extra credit, but wondering if you could move it to a more prominent place in your post? I believe this is doable!
I’ve had it in the newsletter several times, including as a resistbot letter and will do so again. I do believe it’s extremely important which is why I keep putting actions in about it. I’ll try to put something together that talks more about it, but I have limited space.
Understood. Thank you!
I’ve got it in the calls today. 😊
Does anyone know why the ERA hasn't already been published? Why, if it's properly ratified, should there be a delay requiring a post carding campaign? Also, why are we waiting until Dec. 10 to mail the cards?
Because they say that the states didn’t ratify it within the proper amount of time. There is debate about it.
Thanks Jessica. I'd heard that and wondered if something had changed. It's worth a shot, but it will be a long one.
https://www.styleweekly.com/virginia-senators-urge-biden-to-enshrine-era-as-28th-amendment/ this is current reportage on ERA. There’s a ton out there on the interwebs. The Brennan Center report is a great primer. (If you wanna get wonky!) check out www.voteEquality.US for lots of actions for the next 40+ days!
Thanks Lorie.
Jessica, thinking about all postcard writers for getting out the vote, this time in Virginia. This election cycle I worked with the amazing DCCC team led by Liz Hayes curing ballots. We called 52603 voters+. By far the biggest cause of a rejected ballot was a signature mis-match. This was especially true for the youngest voters. Many don’t learn to write in cursive and so have no “signature “…so if postcard writers added a reminder like “Check your ID before you sign your ballot envelope”! So many young voters would have their ballots counted right away and not need to cure their ballots. Many thanks!
That’s a really good idea!
I just called my Democratic representative, Gabe Vasquez (who held his seat for the Democrats for the first time in decades!! & changed his 9495 vote after many calls - yay us!!) to encourage him to support Raskin for seniority on the Judiciary committee. The staffer knew exactly what I was talking about. I think these calls are really worth it! I will be encouraging all my friends in democratic districts. I also love the supper simple & important postcard project. I will be sending out information to everyone I I know. Thank you so much, Jessica and the powerful assembled multitude :)
Thank you, Kate!
Once again, you've saved my sanity. So very thankful for your voice, commitment, energy, passion, smarts!!!
Thanks, Muffie. Glad to have you here.
I just contacted Sen Padilla to object to Kash Patel and used Resistbot for the NLRB message. Gosh it's been a long time since I used Resistbot! The tech is much more advanced now! I'll join the postcarding for the ERA on Dec. 10.
Thanks!
Also, there is a People Power United webinar tomorrow about the ERA, with Kirsten Gillibrand
I know. I didn’t put it in the newsletter bc it directly conflicts with the Climate Action Now event and I didn’t want to hurt their attendance. But maybe I’ll put it in today and let people make their choice. Also if you sign up to an event and don’t attend you almost always get sent a recording.
https://www.styleweekly.com/virginia-senators-urge-biden-to-enshrine-era-as-28th-amendment/ this article has the link to the letter written to Biden signed by 46 Dem senators compelling Biden to #publishEquality !
I was a sportswriter covering Women's Basketball for various publications from 1996 until 2022. My base was in CT, so I covered the UConn Huskies closely. Most sports teams us X to post the official videos of their teams. Today, I sent the following to the sports leaders at the University:
"As you know, X (formerly Twitter) is now wholly owned and controlled by Elon Musk, who has both posted and encouraged obvious lies, conspiracy theories, and -- even more relevant to UConn Athletics -- racist and misogynistic rants and memes.
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) announced that on January 20, 2025, it will stop posting content on X. EFJ’s president, Maja Sever, explained that the organization could not “continue to participate in the social network feed of a man who proclaims the death of the media and therefore of journalists.” General secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez noted the “threat to democracy and freedom of expression posed by the cooperation between the president of the most powerful country in the world, Donald J. Trump, and the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, who is also the owner of social network X.”
I strongly urge you to find an alternative platform for UConn Athletics videos. Supporting misogyny and racism is not in the interest of, nor the culture of, UConn.
--James Clark, former member of the UConn Women's Basketball press corps for 23 years."
I would suggest that fans of any sport send similar letters to anyone who might listen. For colleges, go to the sports website, maybe a link called "Athletics", and look for "Administration" or "Staff directory" for contact information. Sports information directors, Athletic directors, and coaches, especially of women's sports, are a good target.
This is great thank you!
Jessica,
I have been recommending Chop Wood Carry Water to all of my discouraged activist Dem friends; I hope they have all been subscribing!
I wrote to President Biden at www.WhiteHouse.gov/contact, urging him to instruct the Archivist to publish the 28th Amendment immediately. I'll write to him every day at that site with the same message.
Jess, you are the best. Your first four paragraphs gave me so much hope today, after the news that the NC MAGA legislature is planning to overturn the results of our state elections. I was gutted. I told myself to take a break, as there is nothing I can do about it in this moment. And your newsletter helped, really it did. I will come back and take action when I can.
We have no symbol to rally around. They have the red MAGA hat. We have no mantra like Make America Great Again. Not even a statement of shared beliefs to counter Project 2025. Turning this “River of bullshit and hypocrisy “around is as much about the media as the message and the marketing geniuses need to step up and put us in the position to flash our own symbols and mantras LOUD. Something that stands for democracy….a giant letter “D” colored like Stars and Stripes? I’m no marketer but we need the hats and the t-shirts and the logos and the coffee cups and the Facebook profiles….all that. And we need a song. Songwriters whatcha got? Smart, catchy, easily remembered and easily sung, feel good and angry at the same time, pertinent? An “anthem” to fairness justice and respect among others. A song to rally around. “Mercy Now” by Mary Gauthier can get us through the darkness. Now we need our own “Yankee Doodle” because we are in a war now.
Despite not reading your newsletter tonight until after 11 p.m., I have reopened my computer and taken three actions: writing Biden about the ERA, calling my senators about the FBI director and my Congressman about Jaime Raskin, and signing up to write postcards to VA for those state races. I love that you said we each need to find our niche in activism---mine has been postcarding since 2017. I have written over 10,000 of them to states all across the US!!! Love doing it.