Chop Wood, Carry Water 12/7

Hi, all, and happy Thursday!

Also, Happy Hanukkah and Chag Sameach to those of you who celebrate! I know this is a particularly fraught moment for my Jewish readers; I send you all my very warmest wishes for love, community, and safety this holiday season.

On to some housekeeping:

A few of you reached out to me with concerns about Substack after reading this article (that should be a gift link). I want you to know that I passed your concerns—and my own—on to my Substack contact Christina. I did this via email, and heard back from her promptly. Within an hour we were on a Zoom call about it. This, in general, has been my experience with Substack—they treat their writers well, value their feedback, and take their concerns seriously.

I won’t go into everything we discussed, but suffice it to say I registered our concerns and was fairly satisfied that Substack is taking the situation seriously. They do have content guidelines—you can find them here—and they also have a form you can fill out if you feel those guidelines are being violated. I very much encourage you to use it.

Substack does enforce those guidelines vigorously, at least according to Christina, but I was able to flag some areas in which I thought they needed to do better. I was later told that my comments had been passed on to “the founders.” Good!

I’ll keep you apprised if more arises on this topic. And if you have thoughts on the guidelines feel free to send them to me so I can pass them up the chain, as it were.

The other housekeeping item is this: I am aware that many of you are unable to open articles I link to—especially in “Extra! Extra!,” due to paywalls. While I possess paid subscriptions to an absurd number of publications I realize most people don’t, and I’ve tried to become more aware of using gift links where I can. I can’t, however, use them for everything, as most publications only offer a limited number per month. So if you see an article you’d like me to read or share—especially if it’s for the Sunday good news roundup—forwarding it to me with one of your gift links is, well, a gift to me and to my readers!

I’ll continue to strive to provide free links as often as I can, but forgive me if occasionally you can’t open something. I know there are websites that purport to get readers around paywalls but a) I’m not sure I support that and b) I’ve not found one that works.

One last thing—I forgot to acknowledge in yesterday’s introduction that Tommy Tuberville finally relinquished his hold on most military promotions. Folks, you played a huge, huge part in this capitulation. Your repeated calls, your letters, your persistence in speaking up over and over—they were what caused the rest of Tuberville’s caucus to finally tell him he had to relent. NICE JOB!

See how you’re helping to save the country? It’s not just something I say. It’s real.

And I’m so, so proud of you.

Now let’s get to work one more time.

P.S. If you’re a podcast person I recorded an interview with Sally Hendrick for her “Shout your Cause” podcast and it just dropped! The episode is under a half an hour. You can listen here.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m really frustrated that Senate Republicans blocked a procedural vote on a Ukraine funding bill last night. If Ukraine falls, Putin will not stop there. He will be emboldened and our own soldiers will end up having to fight to defend NATO countries. We need Ukraine funding and we need it now. Tying it to immigration policy is wrong. Immigration reform is necessary, but it requires thoughtful, considered, workable solutions. Senate Republicans haven’t proposed any. Pass a clean Ukraine funding bill now, please, and THEN sit down and work out good immigration policy.

One more thing: Israeli forces must do their utmost to minimize civilian casualties, maximize humanitarian aid and clamp down on both settler and military violence against civilians on the West Bank. Please urge the President to keep pushing them on that. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m angry that Senate Republicans blocked a procedural vote on a Ukraine funding bill last night. I’m also frustrated that this funding is currently blocked in the House. What are Republicans thinking? Do they not care about our servicemembers? If Ukraine falls, Putin will not stop there. He will be emboldened and our own soldiers will end up having to fight to defend NATO countries. We need Ukraine funding and we need it now. Tying it to immigration policy is wrong. Tying it to defunding the IRS is also wrong. Pass a clean Ukraine funding bill now, please.

One more thing: Israeli forces must do their utmost to minimize civilian casualties, maximize humanitarian aid and clamp down on both settler and military violence against civilians on the West Bank. Please urge the President to keep pushing them on that. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Please read and share this Dan Pfeiffer piece. It’s actually really, really important in terms of how we talk about Trump’s dictatorship aspirations.

How to talk about Trump's Dictator Remark

Get Smart and textbank! 📚

Black Voters Matter is hosting a virtual holiday party for all their texting volunteers on Monday, December 11th at 6pm ET/5pm CT. All are welcome to come play holiday games, talk about what volunteers accomplished this year, network, and discuss what is next for 2024! Holiday attire encouraged! Register here.

After attending the holiday party, join them the next day for the last Texting Tuesday of the year on December 12 at 6pm ET. Special elections are happening in Delaware and Oklahoma, and we need to make sure residents exercise their right to vote. Register here.

Also, don't forget to join the BVM Signal group chat to get updates on campaigns dropping this week. Download Signal to your phone, create an account, and click on this link to join fellow volunteers and BVM staff members.

Give 💰!

From the Civics Center:

Governor Kathy Hochul has called a special election to fill the seat in New York’s 3rd district, left vacant by George Santos’s resignation. The election will be held on February 13, 2024, with a registration deadline ten days before, on February 3.

9,000 high school seniors have an opportunity to register in time to vote in that election. Read more and find links to register here.

Or make a donation! All funds obtained through this link between now and the special election will go to support the Civics Center’s work in New York. 

Win Races! 🗳

[H/T Small Deeds Done]

ARE YOU A WHIZ WITH WIKIPEDIA?

VoteRiders is looking for volunteers to join their Wikipedia team and help update VoteRiders’ wiki page with factual and reliably sourced material. They provide the training and ongoing support. Learn more here.

And if you live in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas or Wisconsin, VoteRiders is looking for “Super Volunteers” to support them in those states. Again, learn more here.

And regardless of where you live, you can be one of their virtual volunteers from across the country and provide free assistance to eligible voters in key voter ID states. Again, learn more here.

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

This is really cool! I just did it!

The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) conducts scientific studies on public opinion and behavior; informs the decision-making of governments, media, companies, and advocates; and educates the public about climate change; to help build public and political will for climate action. Their Ten Climate Communication Insights email course, which I just finished, is a good introduction to YPCCC’s research and partnerships. Over a few weeks, the course provides 10 key communication insights that have emerged from YPCCC's work that would be ideal for any new organizer or communications staff person. It is also a great refresher that can help enhance your organization’s climate communications.

Highly recommend this short and informative email course!

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

[H/T] [Text SIGN PDDVHM to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

I'm a constituent who is deeply concerned about the state of U.S. democracy.

In order to make progress on the issues shaping our communities, we must have a government where everyday people have a voice. But right now, state legislatures across the country are passing bills that attack our freedom to vote, and billionaires and corporate interests continue to spend big to influence our elections.

That's why I'm urging you to support the Freedom to Vote / John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect our freedom to vote, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and ensure fair representation.

We must have a democracy in which all of us - no matter our color, zip code, or income - have an equal say. Thank you.

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

Talk soon.

Jess