Chop Wood, Carry Water 4/9
Wednesday mini-edition
Hi, all. Happy Wednesday.
No full newsletter today, as it’s my podcast recording day, but I did want to address a couple of things quickly.
First, a couple of corrections.
In yesterday’s newsletter I called Jaime Raskin a Senator. He is very much a Congressmember. I knew that, but my brain misfired.
In Sunday’s “Extra! Extra!” the item about a PA court decision
regarding mail-in ballots took the reader to an article filed in November, 2022. I truly don’t know how that happened. So sorry! This is the correct link.
So that’s that. The next thing is that I have been absolutely deluged with emails from readers worrying that Trump is going to invoke the Insurrection Act on Sunday. People have sent me the same post over and over; it’s filled with the darkest possible visions and is, I’ll admit, extremely scary. I don’t know the author and have no idea what his background is, but I must confess to being extremely leery of anything that spreads this much panic. It feels deeply suspect to me. Even if it’s not, I’m not a believer in succumbing to worst case scenarios before they happen. Remember how they told us there’d be violence at the first 50501 protests? And how the Proud Boys were going to show up to Tesla Takedowns and wreak havoc? And how dangerous it was to attend the April 5 protests?
None of that turned out to be true.
I’m not saying that extremely scary things aren’t already happening, or that worse isn’t yet to come. But I’m simply not willing to incapacitate myself—or you—with fear over things that haven’t happened yet. I’ve wasted far too much time that way; I won’t do it anymore.
I’m not linking to the article here, then, because spreading fear is exactly the opposite of what this newsletter aims to do. I will, however, link to Robert Hubbell’s recent take on this question, as it’s excellent. And I’ll also link to two posts about this from a content creator I love. Unfortunately you’ll have to watch her on Threads. The posts are here and here. (The TLDR? She thinks it’s “nonsense.”)
OK. I need to go get ready to record. But do something for me today, OK? Instead of sharing fear, see how you might spread a little courage. Invite a friend to the April 19 protest. Join an Indivisible group. Tell everyone you know about 5 Calls! In recovery circles they like to call these “contrary actions,” and they are very, very powerful. They strengthen and bolster us, when spreading fear weakens us—and those to whom we spread it—considerably.
Remember, the best antidote for anxiety—hands down—is simply doing something. It’s also how we get the future we want.
So let’s make sure we do that now.
Call Your House Rep #1
From 5 Calls:
The House is pushing through the Senate's fake-math amendment to their Medicaid-destroying budget TODAY. And now, they're also sneaking a provision into the procedural rule that will block any attempt to undo Trump's tariffs. Demand your House Rep VOTE NO on both the Rule and Budget Resolution!
Here’s their script:
My name is _____ and I’m a constituent. My address is ______. I’m calling to urge the Representative to vote against H. Con. Res. 14, the Senate's amendment to the budget resolution that will slash funds for Medicare and Medicaid to finance tax breaks for the wealthy. I also ask that Rep. Jimmy Gomez vote No on the the procedural Rule that will sneakily protect the tariffs that are wrecking our economy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Call Your House Rep #2 (For those in ME-02)
Rep. Jared Golden’s office told one of my subscribers yesterday that he is a YES on the SAVE Act. If you are a constituent please put extra pressure on him today to change his mind before tomorrow’s vote. I made an Instagram carousel with his phone numbers and a suggested script.
Your Wednesday Reading
I think
is one of the best Substacks out there—at least if you have even a passing interest in anti-trust policy, trade, and/or monopolies. His piece this week about Trump’s tariffs is nuanced, smart, and deeply informative. I highly recommend it. The piece he wrote after this one is great, too.
Remember, the Hands Off Public Education meeting is today!
I posted this last week, but just a reminder:
Please join Popular Democracy and the NEA on a national call tonight to bring people into action to save our public education system! The call is at 7pm eastern. Register here.
OK, that’s it for today! Enjoy the lighter load and take care of yourself! We need you for the long haul!
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
Heather Cox Richardson recorded a youtube video last night about the April 20th rumor that she says is false. She examines how and why it may have developed but puts a definite damper on believing it. A relief!
As a lifelong National League baseball fan, I took your suggestion to write to the LA Dodgers:
To the LA Dodgers Organization, including all staff, coaches and players
It is absolutely reprehensible that any of you went to the White House this year. A time -honored tradition was trampled by your visit to an openly vicious fascist person occupying the White House who disdains our Constitution, if he even thinks about it. A fascist who oversees people being kidnapped off of our streets and sent, often nameless to concentration camps.
My father was a lifelong Dodgers fan who fought in WWII, and I have no doubt he would be horrified and ashamed to have ever been associated with your organization.
Disgustedly,
Amy Nadel
New Mexico