Chop Wood, Carry Water 4/14

Hi, all, and happy Friday!

There’s a saying in recovery circles: “You can either be an example, or you can be a warning.”

The above photograph encapsulates the difference pretty perfectly.

We have the example of Justin Jones, fiercely and proudly taking his place back in the Tennessee Statehouse after being wrongly expelled. He has something to say, the intelligence with which to say it, and support as wide as his stance.

Then we have the warning which is Cameron Sexton. He is learning to his great sorrow that the hill he chose to die on may—and pardon the confused metaphor—lead to his own political demise. He has few policy proposals. Support for those he does put forward is as narrow as his posture.

One represents a party that is expansive, inclusive, increasingly young, and multi-ethnic.

The other represents a party that is overwhelmingly white, cis male, closed-minded and infuriated at their dwindling power.

One is on the ascent.

The other is on the descent.

Whose team would you rather be on?

Never mind. We all know the answer. And you’re already on it!

Congratulations. Now let’s get back to work.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m calling after news of yet another ethical and criminal breach by Justice Clarence Thomas—possibly the most egregious one so far. The land deal exposed by Pro Publica yesterday amounts to the payoff of a sitting Supreme Court justice, plain and simple. The path forward is clear: He must resign immediately or be impeached. These revelations of his corruption undermine not only any trust we might have in his ability to fairly interpret the law but also our trust in the Supreme Court’s ability to fairly administer the law. The integrity of the Supreme Court and the rule of law is at stake. Will the Senator call for Thomas to resign today? If not I’d very much like to know why—in writing. Thanks. [H/T]

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m calling after news of yet another ethical and criminal breach by Justice Clarence Thomas—possibly the most egregious one so far. The land deal exposed by Pro Publica yesterday amounts to the payoff of a sitting Supreme Court justice, plain and simple. The path forward is clear: He must resign immediately or be impeached. These revelations of his corruption undermine not only any trust we might have in his ability to fairly interpret the law but also our trust in the Supreme Court’s ability to fairly administer the law. The integrity of the Supreme Court and the rule of law is at stake. Will the Congressmember call for Thomas to resign today? If not I’d very much like to know why—in writing. Thanks. [H/T]

Extra Credit ✅

Let’s contact the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole about Greg Abbott’s request that they recommend a pardon for the murderer of a BLM activist in 2020. This was a horrific killing, and it’s clear from newly released court documents that the murderer, Daniel Perry, trafficked for years in racist memes, hatred for Muslims, and the desire to kill people.¹

(512) 406-5853

I called already and said:

I’m calling to ask the Board of Pardons to NOT recommend a pardon for Daniel Perry, who was convicted last week in the 2020 shooting death of Garrett Foster. Greg Abbott requested this pardon for political purposes. He can never again claim that he’s for public safety, a fair criminal justice system. I deeply hope the Board doesn’t follow his lead, but rather respects the legal process under which this case was already tried. Thanks.

You can send this as an email if you prefer, but please change the wording slightly. Send to bpp_pio@tdcj.texas.gov.

[Thanks to reader Cathy Murphree for the action!]

Get Smart! 📚

Dems Actually Rock: Simon Rosenberg’s Fresh Take on the Democratic Party

At the Swing Blue Frontline Update on Sunday, April 23rd, political strategist and grassroots evangelist Simon Rosenberg will share how the grassroots helped the Dems fight off the Red wave in the last midterm election, but only in the battleground states where our message rang loud and clear.

When we can control the narrative, we can make gains. When we don’t, we fall back. Swing Blue is working with other grassroots groups and local partners to lay the groundwork for winning in 2024 and beyond.

Stick around afterwards for Q&A and discussion.

Register here.

Spread the Word! 📣

Last night, with no fanfare and no press present, Ron DeSantis signed a new 6-week abortion ban into law. This ban is even more restrictive than the one he signed last year that had no exceptions for rape or incest. It comes as another example of how DeSantis is using this legislative session to push an extreme agenda to try to win over the MAGA base. This ban includes:

• Making abortion illegal before many women even know they’re pregnant.

• Requiring victims of rape or incest to provide documentation of the crime committed against them just to get access to care they need.

• Banning abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest after 15 weeks. 

• Banning women from receiving abortion pills in the mail, and even telehealth abortion appointments. 

• Setting up the possibility of jail time or criminal penalties for doctors.

• Under DeSantis’s current ban, patients in Florida have been forced to leave the state after being denied the health care they need. This new ban will be even more dangerous.

DeSantis does NOT want people to know he signed this bill. He’s hoping it flies under the radar. He knows it’s deeply unpopular—even in his own state! Do NOT let him keep it quiet.

P.S. I made a TikTok about it that’s on Instagram too, if you prefer to share a video.

Win Races! 🗳

Georgia Mableton Runoff April 18 

Reclaim Our Vote’s Cobb County Democracy Center is helping Mableton, a new city, to elect a new Mayor and City Council.

The last day of early voting is today. Phone banks are running and you can make calls on your own time. Get started here. 

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

[To President Biden][Source] [Quick send text SIGN PNJEQY to 50409]

I know Senator Sanders and Representatives Blumenauer and Ocasio-Cortez will be introducing a resolution calling on President Biden to leverage existing and emergency executive powers to tackle the climate emergency and phase out fossil fuels. I am writing to say I strongly support it.

As the resolution notes, the Biden Administration has many existing executive authorities under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Mineral Leasing Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act, the Clean Water Act, the Natural Gas Act, and the Clean Air Act to phase down the rate of fossil fuel production on federal lands and in federal waters, limit gas exports, halt approval of new fossil fuel infrastructure projects, establish national limits for greenhouse gases, and decarbonize transportation.

A national climate emergency declaration will allow the United States to go even further and ramp up domestic manufacturing of renewable energy technologies, deploy resilient energy infrastructure in frontline communities, reinstate the ban on crude oil exports, suspend offshore fossil fuel leases, curb fossil fuel imports, and stop the hundreds of billions of dollars in investments in fossil fuel projects abroad.

It is imperative that you take this action. Time is running out and we must do MUCH more to stave off climate catastrophe. Thanks.

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

Talk soon.

Jess

1. Talking Points Memo

MTG And Carlson Rush To Defend Discord Leaker And Turn Him Into Tribal Signifier