Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
Hope you’re staying safe and well. Here in L.A. we’re finally getting some cooler weather—and maybe even some rain! Thank goodness.
As always, there’s so much going on. Small victories. Baby steps. Setbacks too, of course, but I choose to remain focussed on the many ways we’re making progress. It’s how I stay sane; it’s how I find hope; it’s how I persevere.
If you’re the same, keep an eye out for those victories today. They’re everywhere, if you look for them. We just need to make that choice.
For me it’s an easy one—dwelling on the bad news holds no upside. Focussing on progress, on the other hand, seems to make more progress come.
So let’s do that, while also getting to work creating next week’s good news…and next month’s, and next year’s.
Through. Our. Simple. Actions. Today.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I know there are two bills moving through Congress that would help break the stranglehold that Amazon and other tech giants have on the market. They are S. 2710, the Open App Markets Act, [which would stop Amazon, Apple, and the rest of Big Tech from favoring their own apps over third-party start-ups on their platforms,] and S.2992, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, [which would stop Amazon and the like from unfairly elevating their products and services in online searches.] I want the Senator to support both.
[If GOP add:] I also want the Senator to support all of President Biden’s nominees—including Sarah Bloom Raskin—to the Federal Reserve, and push to get them confirmed immediately. Americans are depending on the Senate to get them on the job as soon as possible. Thanks. [More info here]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I know there are two bills moving through Congress that would help break the stranglehold that Amazon and other tech giants have on the market. They are H.R. 5017, the Open App Markets Act, which would stop Amazon, Apple, and the rest of Big Tech from favoring their own apps over third-party start-ups on their platforms, and H.R. 3816, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, which would stop Amazon and the like from unfairly elevating their products and services in online searches. I want the Congressmember to support them both.
Extra Credit ✅
This is your friendly reminder that, even if you hate Fox News, you’re paying them if you have cable.
Fortunately there’s one organization that’s REALLY doing the work to help the country unFOX, and that’s DDAD (Defending Democracy Against Disinformation). You can sign up for their newsletters here, and, if you have Sling Orange, Philo, Verizon Fios or Spectrum, you can use their roadmaps to get Fox-News-Free TV here.
Also consider posting this on social:
Does #FoxNews’s disinformation and divisiveness drive you nuts? 😡
Friendly reminder: If you have cable you’re paying for it every month—even if you never watch. 😬
Sign up with Defending Democracy Against Disinformation to find out how to go Fox-free. https://www.stopdisinformation.org
Finally, they’re looking for medical professionals to sign on to an open letter to TV providers making the case that Covid disinformation has created an imperative for more Fox-News-free TV packages. If you are a medical professional and would like to sign please check out the appeal and let the organizer know here.
Get Smart! 📚
David Pepper has the first of two “pep rallies” tonight at 4PM PST / 7PM EST. I’m putting it in the newsletter again because I keep hearing how amazing and important this guy’s message is (his book, too). I hope everyone who subscribes to this newsletter will try to attend one of the two upcoming events.
Register for tonight’s here.
Register for Thursday’s (which I’ll be at) at 9AM PST / Noon EST here.
Also, Hillary Clinton interviewed David Pepper and it’s reputedly AWESOME. Take a listen here!👇🏼
Win Races! 🗳
Remember how important municipal elections are? Remember how Steve Bannon is going after such seats? WE NEED TO GO AFTER THEM TOO!
Fortunately you can join the Environmental Voter Project to call low propensity environmental voters in Bernalillo, Clovis, Corrales, Las Vegas, Roswell, and Taos, New Mexico ahead of their March 1st municipal general elections!
The phonebank—which includes training—is on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET. Sign up here.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)
[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [Quick send text SIGN PZCBMO to 50409]
I’m writing to urge you to co-sponsor the Keep Food Containers Safe From PFAS Act (S. 3169/H.R. 6026), the bill to ban PFAS chemicals in food packaging. I understand that these synthetic chemicals have been linked to serious health problems including a weaker immune system and cancer. And I understand that producing the chemicals and packaging can contaminate the drinking water for the communities surrounding factories.
Seven states and eighteen major retailers have already said these chemicals don’t belong in the food we eat or the water we drink. Please protect families by making sure Congress bans PFAS from all food contact materials. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess