Chop Wood, Carry Water 12/3
Democracy begins at home.
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
Hope you’re holding up OK. I am, largely because I’m taking news in small doses and getting it almost entirely through steady, calm, and informed authors like
, , and . If you aren’t already, I recommend you do the same!I read a ton of other sources, too—I’ve discussed my favorite Substacks list here before—but I’m off of mainstream media almost entirely right now. That’s a mental health choice for me and it’s working well. I still have paid subscriptions to periodicals I feel are doing excellent investigative work—like the New Yorker, the Atlantic, the Guardian, Pro Publica, and Mother Jones, among others. I think it’s important that we support good, fearless journalism everywhere we can right now. It may be the best use of our “Giving Tuesday” money there can be. But as for the Times and the Post? We’re taking some time apart.
In case I needed another reason for this I got it with the MSM’s new obsession: President Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter.
Let me start by saying that I found myself saddened and shocked by this pardon—not so much because I judge it as wrong but because it emblematizes so strongly the norm-free era we’re apparently heading into. I experienced the news of it as a gut punch. I find myself grieving the morals so many elected leaders are casting aside, even if their reasons for doing so are in some cases—like this one—quite valid.
Having said that, there is no comparison between this one act by Biden and the thousands of disgustingly anti-democratic, corrupt, and amoral deeds of Donald Trump. I have nothing but scorn for publications who held their fire for all of those, but are now hysterical over Biden’s desperate act of love for his son. It’s hypocritical, dangerous, and absurd and I just won’t listen to it.
Friends, it feels like integrity is an endangered species at the moment. Having said that, I am determined to cling fast to my own. It is a personal act of resistance that I feel strongly about. I hope many of you feel the same. In a world of swiftly vanishing role models I will try to be one for those looking for inspiration and reassurance. Please join me. It really, really matters.
And let’s remember that there are still countless ethical and principled people in this world, and in our country. Morals aren’t dead. Principles aren’t either. They’re taking a beating in the public sphere, but they are alive and well in my house, and hopefully in yours, too. My husband, to name one example, is one of the most principled people I know. It is the quality in him I most admire. If you have a principled person in your life why not drop a note about them in the comments? Let’s lift each other up with such mentions!
As long as we keep the flame of integrity alive somewhere we can bring it back to the public sphere everywhere, eventually. And we will.
Democracy starts at home. Right now it may need to take refuge there as well. Let’s protect it and nourish it, while simultaneously insisting to our elected representatives that they bring their morals—and their integrity!— to the job at hand.
One day at a time. We’ve got this. Let’s get to work.
P.S. — Friendly reminder, I’m now taking Wednesdays off so no newsletter tomorrow!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I want Congress to preserve its authority to check presidential power. Please ask the Senator to co-sponsor and pass S. 4973, the No Kings Act. This is urgently important to me.
[Then if GOP add:]
Second, I strongly oppose the nominations of Kash Patel as FBI director, RFK Jr. as HHS director, Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, and Pete Hesgeth as DOD head—he clearly has a substance abuse problem as well as a track record of horrific behavior towards women. All of these are unacceptable and dangerous choices and I expect the Senator to vehemently oppose each of them. Please remind them that they took an oath under God to uphold the Constitution. Thank you. [H/T]
[Or if Democrat add:]
Also, please ask the Senator to keep working to confirm as many judges and other nominees as possible in the time remaining to them. I also want them to urge President Biden to publish the Equal Rights Amendment before leaving office. The ERA would enshrine gender equality in our Constitution and has met the ratification requirements to become the 28th Amendment. It needs to be published now. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling to ask the Representative to urge President Biden to publish the Equal Rights Amendment before leaving office. The ERA would enshrine gender equality in our Constitution and has met the ratification requirements to become the 28th Amendment. It needs to be published now. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Senator Manchin's Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S. 4753) is a dangerous piece of legislation that threatens our environment, public health, and climate. It weakens critical environmental protections, opens up vast areas of public lands and offshore waters to more oil and gas drilling, and fast-tracks approvals for Liquefied Natural Gas exports without proper review.
Use this form from Freshwater Future to send your Senators a message about why you oppose this bill. Please personalize slightly for maximum effect!
Get Smart! 📚
One last reminder!
Join me and Climate Action Now tomorrow, December 4 at 7 pm ET for a We’re Still In Action Party! You'll learn from one of the most proactive climate advocates in the New York State Assembly; an Environmental Project Specialist from Juneau, Alaska where climate challenges are already looming large; the manager of the popular Climate XChange State Climate Policy dashboard; and an Olympian who advocates for local leaders to build great places to ride bikes. Throughout the event, you’ll be able to send helpful resources and ideas about innovative approaches to your own local and state legislators using the Climate Action Now app.
Something for Tomorrow!
I take Wednesdays off from the newsletter so I’m dropping this here now. Sounds great!
Join Indivisible’s Rural Caucus Call on December 4 at 8pm ET/5pm PT. The call will highlight the successes and accomplishments of rural Indivisible organizers in the election and delve into the new Indivisible Guide with a rural perspective. Even if you’ve never attended an Indivisible meeting before, if you live in (or come from) a rural area you are welcome!
Spread the Word about HEALTHCARE! 📣
Protect Our Care just put out a great cheat sheet called Trump’s Entire Health Care Team Is Dangerous and Puts Lives At Risk. It’s worth a read, and worth sending to anyone who thought this whole Trump 2.0 thing was a good idea. Alternatively, use the information in it to craft a social media post! Remember, the people who voted for Trump also don’t pay attention to political news. It’s up to us to let them know what’s happening, as frustrating as that may feel.
(By the way, if you’d like to join Protect Our Care’s Stop RFK War Room list you can do so here.)
Win Races! 🗳
Join Environmental Voter Project volunteers to make calls for downballot elections on Monday, December 9, at 7pm ET / 4pm PT; Tuesday, December 10, at 12pm ET / 9am PT; Wednesday, December 11, at 7pm ET / 4pm PT; and Monday, December 16, at 6pm ET / 3pm PT. I love these calls and will definitely be on some of these phonebanks. Join me!
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
Do you or a friend want to learn more about the Environmental Voter Project and what they do? Sign up for their Introduction to the Environmental Voter Project deep dive webinar TOMORROW, December 4, at 12pm ET / 9am PT or Tuesday, January 7, at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. They'll send out the recording to everyone who signs up but can't make it as well.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: President Biden] [Taken from this article] [Text SIGN PFLKPJ to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages or MESSENGER]
I understand that Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal, both members of the Armed Services Committee, have sent a letter dated Nov. 26 to both you and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urging you to issue a policy directive that would ensure that U.S. troops can be used only when local or state authorities ask for federal help or are unable or unwilling to protect the public.
Trump has suggested he would use the U.S. military to help deport immigrants who do not have permanent legal status. He has also said he would move U.S. troops from overseas and station them on the southern border. And he has repeatedly talked about using troops to go after “the enemy from within.”
Federal troops are prohibited from engaging in domestic law enforcement by the Posse Comitatus Act, an 1878 law that bars the president from using the military for such a purpose unless it is expressly authorized by the Constitution or an act of Congress. It’s important that this Act be adhered to.
Again, please issue a policy directive that would ensure that U.S. troops can be used only when local or state authorities ask for federal help or are unable or unwilling to protect the public. Even if Trump immediately acts to reverse this directive, Americans’ attention would be drawn to this important issue.
Please do all you can to protect us from the assaults on norms sure to come under a Trump Presidency. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
For the first time, I've got to disagree with you, regarding President Biden’s pardon of his son. The charges and especially the sentencing of Hunter Biden were directed solely because of his father's position as POTUS. While Biden has "broken his word" not to pardon his son, this was premised on the basis of a just and fair application of the rule of law by the next administration. However it is abundantly clear that with the election of tffg that the rule of law AND our Constitution will be wrecked by the publicized Project 2025 and tffg's "Vengeance Tour 2025." This includes future continued persecution of Hunter Biden.
Some might argue the morality of breaking a promise. In normal times I would've agreed with you. But these are not normal times, and we must do what is necessary to keep our families safe and to endure the next 4 years and beyond.
I also disagree! I think the Joe Biden changing his mind about pardoning Hunter was absolutely correct. Trump is putting people He pardoned in charge of agencies who can do this! This same people are talking loudly about revenge prosecution!