Chop Wood, Carry Water 3/7
Hi, all, and happy Monday!
I hope you feel well rested from the weekend. I spent mine at the (virtual) California Democratic Party convention—I am an elected delegate—so rested is not what I am. Nevertheless, I had a fine time and got in some good trouble, so I’m feeling OK this morning.
Of course, that’s with the giant caveat that things in the world around us remain deeply not OK.
It’s all the more reason people like you and I need to take our small actions. Into all of this darkness, we must bring the light.
Speaking of which, this weekend in “Extra! Extra!” (my every-Sunday good news post for paying subscribers) I shared a link to an article by Timothy Snyder, a Yale professor and Ukraine expert. The piece offered ways to help in Ukraine, and many of you—bless your hearts—clicked on it. Now he’s sent out an updated post with new places to give in light of new circumstances. There are several compelling options—should we want to, we can even donate directly to the Ukrainian armed forces. Anyway, here’s the article for all of us; this information is too important to keep behind a paywall.
OK, all. So much to do!
Let’s get to work, knowing that we are not just making history through our actions—we are literally helping to shape it.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I’m glad that the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act passed in the House last week. I know it’s been sent to the Senate now, and I want the Senator to support it. Legislation that would make lynching a federal crime is a no-brainer. This vote should be unanimous—unlike it was in the House.
Second, I want the Senate to quickly confirm President Biden’s nominee to the Supreme Court. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is as qualified as it gets.
Finally, please ask the Senator to vote yes on S. 1720 the Postal Service Reform Act this week! With NO AMENDMENTS, please. 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 Congressmember to cosponsor and support the REDUCE Act (H.R. 5389), which would set a fee on virgin plastic. Passage would create a powerful new incentive to recycle plastic, help hold the plastics industry accountable, and help stem the flood of plastic waste that is overwhelming vital ecosystems and threatening public health. Thanks. [H/T CFAA]
Extra Credit ✅
Despite all of our pleas—and the opposition of the EPA and President Biden— the USPS is forging ahead with its purchase of gas-powered trucks for their new postal fleet instead of electric ones.
I got hold of the USPS Board of Governor’s Secretary’s email address 😉 and I’ve made a click-to-send email asking them to stop this sale, which they still can. I want to absolutely deluge them with emails. Please click here to send one—be sure to add your name and city at the end, and be sure to PERSONALIZE IT!
(If this doesn’t work for you his email address is michael.j.elston@usps.gov and you can go here for suggested language.)
Get Smart! 📚
Tonight at 6:30pm ET, join Big Tent USA as they welcome Fiona Hill, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute, and U.S. Representative Jim Himes in conversation with (retired) Ambassador Norm Eisen. They will update us on the crisis in Ukraine and the global response.
Win Races! 🗳
Tomorrow is the third Defend Democracy day of action and, as always, I’ll be leading a voter registration phonebank. This one will be into North Carolina—we’ll be calling folks who would likely vote Democrat if they were registered and asking them to do just that!
I’ll train you first, of course. It’s very easy!
Tuesday, March 8th, from 4-6 PM PST.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)
[to President Biden] [H/T] [Quick send text SIGN PUQVCR to 50409]
I’m writing to express my concern for the future of our shared planet. As you know, we are currently deep in a climate emergency, and the U.S. must take immediate action to avoid climate catastrophe.
To preserve the human race and our planet’s biodiversity—upon which our survival depends—I am asking your administration to reduce emissions by at least 50% by the end of the decade, and pass strong legislation that: includes meaningful climate action, creates high-quality clean energy jobs, supports communities that have historically been hit first and worst by climate impacts, ensures safe, lead-free drinking water for all, cleans up dirty power plants, and accelerates our transition to a 100% clean-energy future.
Nothing less will work; nothing less is acceptable. Please make this your top priority. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
Is it weird to be so satisfied when I tick all of this off the list!!!🥳 every day!
Emailed the USPS using your link and it was SOOOO easy, and I hope everyone else uses it. Noted typo and corrected it, imminent not immanent.
Modified both the opening and closing statements.
Thanks so much for making it quick and easy on a regular basis to act to preserve our democracy! 👍