Chop Wood, Carry Water 12/6

Bye Kevin.

Graphic by Climate Power via IG

Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!

Happy Kevin McCarthy retirement day, too! I’m not sure why, but the announcement of his egress gives me an almost unreasonable amount of glee. How far the mighty have fallen!

McCarthy’s exit from the political scene is further proof that everything that Trump touches dies—or at least loses all it’s held dear. This happens faster in some cases than in others, but there’s no question remaining that swearing blind fealty to Trump is a lose lose proposition in the end.

You may, by the way, have missed the news that “Gavel Man” Patrick McHenry also announced his retirement yesterday. It’s almost as if trying to run a feral, greed-driven, duplicitous, hypocritical, rudderless, cruel and unprincipled caucus—even for a week—is enough to drive anyone to the door. Can’t imagine why.

Meanwhile the Biden Administration continues to do what it does, quietly, efficiently, and unblusteringly. Did you know that they announced a new rule this week that will cut millions of tons of methane emissions from the atmosphere? It’s a huge deal; almost no one noticed.

To quote the Times:

The new regulation would prevent 58 million tons of methane emissions by 2038... That’s about the equivalent of all the carbon dioxide emitted by American coal-fired power plants in a single year. [EPA Director] Regan called it one of the most important policies the United States will have enacted to slow the rate of climate change over the next decade and a half.

That’s real policy, enacted to help real people. It will reduce the likelihood of climate catastrophe, clean the air we breathe, and ensure that ALL of our grandchildren have a better future. Thanks, Joe Biden!

I leave you with one last thought: if you haven’t yet read this Washington Post op-ed by Greg Sargent please do (it should be a gift link). It’s called “Enough with all the fatalism about a Trump dictatorship,” and the message it bears is critical: Yes, the danger of a second Trump term is real and ghastly. Yes we should be frightened. Yes we should warn our fellow Americans.

AND together we can stop it. We are not, to quote my friend Robert Hubbell, “potted plants.”

Quite the contrary, my friends. We are strong. We are smart. We are savvy. We are seasoned. We are many. We are determined.

Together we WILL save democracy. Never doubt it. We’ve been underestimated over and over again. They’ve been wrong about us every time.

Times are tough. We’re tougher.

Now let’s go to work.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

As his/her constituent, I am urging the Senator to co-sponsor S.3176, the Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act.

CEO’s are currently earning 399 times the pay of the median worker -- the highest disparity in 50 years.

America’s workers keep our economy moving and they deserve to be compensated fairly for their work. The massive public support for recent worker strikes demonstrates that decreasing the disparity between worker and CEO pay is not only popular, but the right thing to do. Thanks. [H/T and more info Robert Reich]

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m aggravated that the House is wasting precious time and resources on a politicized and baseless impeachment of Joe Biden, who’s doing a great job as President and against whom there is NO evidence of wrongdoing. We have real issues to address, not least of which is a 12 part budget deal that needs to get done in the next few weeks, Ukraine funding, and a Farm Bill. The House should focus on issues that are important to the American people; impeaching Biden isn’t one of them. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

1 in 5 legal gun sales happen without background checks due to loopholes in current federal law. A new proposed rule would crack down on unlicensed gun sellers and expand background checks to more gun buyers. But first, we need to drive as many public comments of support before the December 7 deadline. The gun lobby will fight tooth and nail to oppose this rule—they want to sell more guns, even to people convicted of domestic abuse or violent felonies.

Please follow the instructions here to submit your comments.

Source: Giffords Courage to Fight Gun Violence

Get Smart! 📚

If you read one thing about how to talk about Biden and the economy let it be this. Absolutely stellar.

How President Biden Saves the Economy

Give 💰!

Care about California? How about regaining the House majority?

Please join Central Valley Matters (CVM) TONIGHT at 5pm to help raise money for four grassroots organizations near Bakersfield advocating for under-represented people, including many who help put food on our tables. 

Meet scholars Daniel O'Connell and Janaki Anagha at CVM's  In the Struggle Together: Land, Water and People  talk/fundraiser as they discuss the impact agribusiness and lack of clean drinking water has on communities in California's Central Valley.

100% of your donations will support local groups empowering the disenfranchised to advocate for themselves through civic engagement. 

In the Struggle Together: Land, Water and People -Dec 6 at 5pm- 2023 Sign Up Here!

Win Races! 🗳

Friendly reminder, because we can’t win races if folks can’t vote:

RSVP here to join tomorrow’s webinar “How Voter Suppression Works Today and What We Can Do About it,” Thursday, December 7, 7 PM Eastern / 4 PM Pacific!

Join the webinar and you'll hear from experts like Andrea Miller, Founding Board Member and Executive Director of the Center for Common Ground; Evan Milligan, lead plaintiff in Allen v. Milligan; Richard Walker, Founder and Executive Director of Bridging the Gap Virginia and Returning Citizen; Lulu Friesdat, Co-Founder and Executive Director of SMART Elections; And Carol Blackmon, Black Voters Matter Senior State Organizing Manager in Mississippi.

Should be really, really good and important. Let’s all try to go!

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

MIT Climate is an initiative from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to provide the world at large with trusted, easy-to-understand, and scientifically grounded information about climate change science and solutions. Across a variety of media and resources, MIT Climate seeks to answer the most common questions from those newly curious about climate change or some aspect of the climate challenge, with the help of scientists and researchers across MIT, and without the jargon or politicking.

On the MIT Climate Portal, readers can find a set of short Explainers to demystify important climate topics; the Ask MIT Climate series answering reader-submitted questions; and resources for educators to bring this information to the classroom. MIT Climate also produces the award-winning TILclimate podcast, breaking down climate ideas in 15-minute episodes with expert guests; and a Webby Award-winning multimedia primer to walk readers through the basics of climate science from the beginning. Find it all at climate.mit.edu or subscribe to MIT Climate’s newsletter for regular updates.

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

[To your Senators] [Text SIGN PWKDVS to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

First, I’m glad that Tommy Tuberville finally lifted his appalling military blockade. It should have happened nine months ago, and I will never forget that the Republican party put partisan politics over military preparedness during one of the most dangerous moments our country has faced.

I understand, however, that Tuberville is still blocking 11 high-level promotions—all of 4-star and higher officers. It’s an outrage. Tell him to back down now. Americans have had quite enough of Tuberville’s dangerous behavior, and that of the Republicans who are enabling him.

Confirm all of these promotions now and then get to work doing things that actually matter to the American people. This is not it. Thanks.

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

Talk soon.

Jess