Most distressing post of the day. I have been trying to register voters at a local community college. I wish I could get this message out to them, especially the ones who say the don't WANT to register to vote. Huh?
I spend so much time trying to convince people of the stakes of this election.
The denial is vast and palpable.
I explain that vulnerable populations will lose rights that will take generations to regain. I point them to Protect Democracy's analysis of Project 2025. I refer them to Ruth Ben-Ghiat's newsletter. I talk about the rise of fascism, and the uncanny parallels to the Spanish Civil War.
In return, an insistence that the Democratic party needs to be "taught a lesson". This is not just a reaction from GenZers horrified by the war in Gaza.
The Biden campaign believes there is more than enough time to spread their message. They are wrong.
That is chilling indeed. No party or institution is going to save us. Like Navalny said to the Russians, "We have to save ourselves." We have to do the work.
Jess, I wrote to Katie Glueck at the NYT to disagree with her article on Anti-Trump burnout. She responsed almost immediately and asked to speak with me by phone. I'm going to accept. May I suggest she get in touch with you to get a different view of grassroots enthusiasm? You have my email on my account. I couldn't find one for you so forgive my asking you here. Thank you!
On Tuesday I listened to a webinar sponsored by Faithful America, an ecumenical progressive faith-based group that is dedicated to helping folks understand and tackle the threat of White Christian Nationalism. The speakers were very articulate and knowledgeable about the role of racism in Christian Nationalism as well as the history of religion in America. They specifically shot down the notion that America was founded as a Christian nation. Separation of church and state was extremely important to the Founders as well as to religious groups trying to protect the freedom to follow the religion of their choosing. Tuesday's presentation was the first of a three-part series. The speakers were taped and you can listen to the webinar once it's up. Lots of info on their Website about what White Christian Nationalism is and how to combat it. They also recommended a documentary, God and Country, that is now out in a small number of theaters for those who want to understand what we are up against.
"There is no shame in doing little. There is shame in doing nothing." - Alexei Navalny
I'm going to use this quote quite frequently this year. Mad about Gaza? Stop and think what the Orange Putin Puppet would have done, since he LOVES Netanyahu and spits on the diplomacy of the State Department.
Have any friends of child bearing age? You'd better pay attention to these KKKristian Nationalists turning our country into Gilead and no, they aren't kidding about what they want to do.
I have my GOP congressman's number on speed dial; no one ever answers but I leave messages and then send emails. Same with my Senators, only one of whom actually responds to my queries, but that's okay; we're sending Sinema out come November.
We have to stand and fight this year like never before.
Biden's horrid support of Israel's demolishing and wholesale killing in Gaza is losing massive Dem Arab-American votes throughout MI, and these were previously 100% committed Democratic voters. Somebody needs to wake Joe up and tell him that Michigan's 15 EV are NOT a slam-dunk, and he better get his shit together before MI is lost altogether to tRump.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your tremendous assistance in helping us to take meaningful actions. And I want to express my sympathy for you're extra pain because of the death of that poor transgender young person was killed because of hate at the top levels of decision makers. I did take your suggestion and write. And thank you so so much for what you do
With the death of Nex Benedict, Superintendent Walters has done MEASUREABLE harm if he is sued for wrongful death. The law can put a dollar value on a life lost, factored for age.
We must remember to remind voters that we are fighting for the salvation of Ben Franklin's "republic, if we can keep it". We have to have a strong republic (where law protects everybody, even minorities) to support out messy democracy. BOTH die with Trump using religious-fascism or theocracies like Iran and Israel
Jess, Thanks for sharing and action item on Nex Benedict.I know you are linked in with Erin, but for others who want to follow events/legislation affecting LGQBT community, investigative journalist Erin Reed offers excellent, yet sobering,coverage.Republucans truly want to eliminate…😢
Thank you so much for the connections I needed to contact these people in Oklahoma re the death of Nex Benedict. I hope there will be lots of reactions to this sad story. I was pleased to see this story just now on Joy Reid’s program on MSNBC. ❣️🌈❣️
I thought organizations like the Democratic Party were flush with money, and that are money was better spent on other worthy grassroots organizations. Can you please clarify what makes this different? Thank you.
The DNC is flush, but they don't give all that much money to state parties-- the parties have to do most fundraising for themselves. In this climate certain state parties are well worth donating to. Michigan DP is a) really well run, b) in need of money and c) going to be critical to our winning in what will be the hardest swing state for us this year, due to its high Arab-American population.
I would prefer to email my congress person ( currently GOP :() and Senators rather than call. I find the calls sometimes just go into la la land .They are easier to ignore.
Great! Just copy and paste the call script into their "contact me" form on their official website. Obviously you'll have to tailor the script slightly.
I just donated to the Michigan Democrats. Let's keep my home state blue!
Yay Michelle thank you! I hope you can attend the briefing those speakers are INCREDIBLE!
Most distressing post of the day. I have been trying to register voters at a local community college. I wish I could get this message out to them, especially the ones who say the don't WANT to register to vote. Huh?
I spend so much time trying to convince people of the stakes of this election.
The denial is vast and palpable.
I explain that vulnerable populations will lose rights that will take generations to regain. I point them to Protect Democracy's analysis of Project 2025. I refer them to Ruth Ben-Ghiat's newsletter. I talk about the rise of fascism, and the uncanny parallels to the Spanish Civil War.
In return, an insistence that the Democratic party needs to be "taught a lesson". This is not just a reaction from GenZers horrified by the war in Gaza.
The Biden campaign believes there is more than enough time to spread their message. They are wrong.
That is chilling indeed. No party or institution is going to save us. Like Navalny said to the Russians, "We have to save ourselves." We have to do the work.
Indeed.
Jess, I wrote to Katie Glueck at the NYT to disagree with her article on Anti-Trump burnout. She responsed almost immediately and asked to speak with me by phone. I'm going to accept. May I suggest she get in touch with you to get a different view of grassroots enthusiasm? You have my email on my account. I couldn't find one for you so forgive my asking you here. Thank you!
Absolutely! I write an LTE but I don't think it got picked.
wrote
Remember, Peggy, we retain the right NOT to vote, as much anguish as that may cause us. I am becoming more and more in favor of ranked voting?????
Just donated to MI, the Nex Benedict story is so so sad and the school, police response is sickening.
I agree. Thank you so much!
On Tuesday I listened to a webinar sponsored by Faithful America, an ecumenical progressive faith-based group that is dedicated to helping folks understand and tackle the threat of White Christian Nationalism. The speakers were very articulate and knowledgeable about the role of racism in Christian Nationalism as well as the history of religion in America. They specifically shot down the notion that America was founded as a Christian nation. Separation of church and state was extremely important to the Founders as well as to religious groups trying to protect the freedom to follow the religion of their choosing. Tuesday's presentation was the first of a three-part series. The speakers were taped and you can listen to the webinar once it's up. Lots of info on their Website about what White Christian Nationalism is and how to combat it. They also recommended a documentary, God and Country, that is now out in a small number of theaters for those who want to understand what we are up against.
Yes! I've seen God and Country! Amazing documentary! Also, Faithful America is great!
Black and Latino religiosity may be just as dogmatic.
"There is no shame in doing little. There is shame in doing nothing." - Alexei Navalny
I'm going to use this quote quite frequently this year. Mad about Gaza? Stop and think what the Orange Putin Puppet would have done, since he LOVES Netanyahu and spits on the diplomacy of the State Department.
Have any friends of child bearing age? You'd better pay attention to these KKKristian Nationalists turning our country into Gilead and no, they aren't kidding about what they want to do.
I have my GOP congressman's number on speed dial; no one ever answers but I leave messages and then send emails. Same with my Senators, only one of whom actually responds to my queries, but that's okay; we're sending Sinema out come November.
We have to stand and fight this year like never before.
Yes yes yes.
Biden's horrid support of Israel's demolishing and wholesale killing in Gaza is losing massive Dem Arab-American votes throughout MI, and these were previously 100% committed Democratic voters. Somebody needs to wake Joe up and tell him that Michigan's 15 EV are NOT a slam-dunk, and he better get his shit together before MI is lost altogether to tRump.
Believe me, I have passed that sentiment along already.
Biden was a (war) hero in his youth, & he is a hero in his age. Biden is still fighting to save his country. Biden/Harris fight for democracy.
I didn't know Biden served?
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your tremendous assistance in helping us to take meaningful actions. And I want to express my sympathy for you're extra pain because of the death of that poor transgender young person was killed because of hate at the top levels of decision makers. I did take your suggestion and write. And thank you so so much for what you do
Thank you, Shelley. Truly appreciate that.
Thank you I sent Kevin stitt a piece of my mind! wtf these are kids! Sickening
Thank you, Kate. Appreciate that.
With the death of Nex Benedict, Superintendent Walters has done MEASUREABLE harm if he is sued for wrongful death. The law can put a dollar value on a life lost, factored for age.
We must remember to remind voters that we are fighting for the salvation of Ben Franklin's "republic, if we can keep it". We have to have a strong republic (where law protects everybody, even minorities) to support out messy democracy. BOTH die with Trump using religious-fascism or theocracies like Iran and Israel
Indeed.
Jess, I didn't know about Nex Benedict. Thank you for telling us; my heart is with you and your family. I found this report on Fox News (of all places) I think it's a local OK station. It filled out the horrific story a bit. "Waiting for official cause of death" I guess makes sense, but I hope the officials will be transparent. https://www.fox23.com/news/police-say-preliminary-information-shows-owasso-student-did-not-die-from-trauma/article_08c168dc-cc75-11ee-a31b-97a242b29683.html
Yeah from what I'm hearing there is no question of the cause of death but officials are trying to bury it by saying there is.
May they not get away with that - ever.
Judd Legum team has the most detailed investigative reporting I’ve seen so far.
https://open.substack.com/pub/popularinformation/p/nex-benedict-matters?r=6pp8t&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Jess, Thanks for sharing and action item on Nex Benedict.I know you are linked in with Erin, but for others who want to follow events/legislation affecting LGQBT community, investigative journalist Erin Reed offers excellent, yet sobering,coverage.Republucans truly want to eliminate…😢
https://www.erininthemorning.com/
Yeah Erin is a must-subscribe. Thanks.
Thank you so much for the connections I needed to contact these people in Oklahoma re the death of Nex Benedict. I hope there will be lots of reactions to this sad story. I was pleased to see this story just now on Joy Reid’s program on MSNBC. ❣️🌈❣️
I thought organizations like the Democratic Party were flush with money, and that are money was better spent on other worthy grassroots organizations. Can you please clarify what makes this different? Thank you.
The DNC is flush, but they don't give all that much money to state parties-- the parties have to do most fundraising for themselves. In this climate certain state parties are well worth donating to. Michigan DP is a) really well run, b) in need of money and c) going to be critical to our winning in what will be the hardest swing state for us this year, due to its high Arab-American population.
You are an amazing woman! Thanks for all your support and hard work.
I would prefer to email my congress person ( currently GOP :() and Senators rather than call. I find the calls sometimes just go into la la land .They are easier to ignore.
Thanks
Great! Just copy and paste the call script into their "contact me" form on their official website. Obviously you'll have to tailor the script slightly.