Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/13

False Evidence Appearing Real

Hi, all, and happy Monday.

So, I know another round of bad polls came out this morning. This, happening at just this moment, and coupled with Trump’s deranged rally over the weekend, is enough to put a ding in the optimism of even the most steadfast person.

Yet we know that—especially in the MAGA era—things are seldom what they appear. This has been proven to us more times than I can count. We also know that worry is pointless. We’re six months away from the election; polls are notoriously unreliable, and, most importantly, our actions aren’t based on polls. They never have been. We do exactly the same thing whether polls are up or down—and we’ve won over and over again by sticking to this formula.

So let’s keep to what we know works, put our heads down, not concede defeat before the fight has even really begun, and simply do the deal.

To quote Greg Sargent, who’s actually being quoted by Charlie Sykes in a Bulwark piece we’d all do well to re-read:

No…indulging in paralyzing fatalistic nightmares. We need a spirit of guarded and vigilant confidence — one that is fully aware of what’s at stake while drawing inspiration from the cognizance that this country has thwarted Trump in the past — and will likely do so again.

We have thwarted him before. We have thwarted his proxies, too, over and over and over again. We absolutely can and will do so in November. I know this, because I know who you are, I know what you’re capable of, and I believe in you wholeheartedly.

Believe in yourself with equal vigor, OK? Even if you don’t, take the actions anyway. I say that “hope is an action,” but belief is an action, too. Taking action when we’re afraid we’ll fail is sometimes referred to as “faking it until you make it.” And it’s a surprisingly powerful tool.

Remember, our fear can best be understood as False Evidence Appearing Real. It presupposes a future we have absolutely no way of predicting. If we let it guide our actions we are sure to lose, not because the evidence was true, but because our concession to the false evidence defeated us.

Fortunately, actions can be detached from belief. They can—and must—be executed even when we feel scared. Because they—not our thoughts—are what will carry us to victory.

So let’s put that into practice and get to work.

P.S. — For those of you using the audio version, I’m aware there’s a bit of crackling on the recording. Hope it doesn’t take away too much from the listening experience—I’m trying to figure out why it’s happening.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

First, I want the Senator to support the PRESS Act (S 2074) a bi-partisan, nationwide law to shield journalists from surveillance.  [More about this bill here]

Second, I’d like to know what the Senator is doing to re-fund the Affordable Connectivity Program. The fact that this program, which helped 22 million Americans access broadband, has been allowed to expire is really distressing to me and I want Congress to fix it. Americans, no matter what party, race, or zip code, deserve access to internet connectivity. It’s a basic need. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

First, I want the Congressmember to support the PRESS Act (HR 4250) a bi-partisan, nationwide law to shield journalists from surveillance. [More about this bill here]

Second, I’d like to know what the Senator is doing to re-fund the Affordable Connectivity Program. The fact that this program, which helped 22 million Americans access broadband, has been allowed to expire is really distressing to me and I want Congress to fix it. Americans, no matter what party, race, or zip code, deserve access to internet connectivity. It’s a basic need. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Women’s March put together a letter that will be delivered to the Supreme Court asking them to decide Trump’s immunity case by May 20th.

Sign it here to help us push ahead and hold Trump and MAGA accountable!

Get Smart! 📚

The Media and Democracy Project is a non-partisan all-volunteer group that engages in actions to directly improve the quality of public information, such as messaging, fighting disinformation, engaging in media accountability and growing support for local journalism.

They’re now doing weekly Monday sessions to help people better understand and respond to the factors that influence public opinion, voters and democracy. During each session they will focus on a current information-related subject and give volunteers concrete ways to help.

The first session is today at 7PM ET.

Register here.

Spread the Word! 📣

Consider posting this blurb about a great resource on your social media:

A group of members of the Women Donors Network created a home base for everyone who wants to strengthen our democracy but doesn't know where to begin. Their easy-to-navigate website Despair is NOT an Option lays out resources to empower you to help ensure that we elect people at the local, state, and federal levels who will protect our democracy. You will find an array of possible actions along with vetted organizations that will provide you with support. It’s a fantastic resource for those who are disheartened or disengaged. And if you are already fully involved, please share this resource far and wide with family and friends who are not. As a trusted messenger, you can help save our democracy. https://www.despairisnotanoption.com/

Give 💰!

American Independent Radio (AIR) will be running one of the most cost-effective voter mobilization programs of 2024, targeting specific audiences in the presidential battleground states. The radio ads – which use culturally relevant messaging designed to appeal to voters in their local communities – have been shown to be enormously effective in turning out targeted voters in critical races. The ads will air on both AM/FM and streaming radio, encouraging people to vote and providing information about when and how to do it. Funding now allows the program to lock in lower ad rates, better time slots, and other cost advantages that translate directly into more votes per dollar invested.  

Click here to make a tax-deductible donation of any amount.

Win Races! 🗳

Want to help fix democracy but don’t know where to start?

Join Organize or Else, Vote Save America's 2024 volunteer program, and maximize your impact with opportunities tailored to you and the causes you care about. As part of the program, you’ll be sorted onto a team, East or West, and compete with other volunteers. 

Vote Save America will keep track of each team’s doors knocked, calls made, and texts sent. The winning team will win the best prize of all: The continuation of American democracy. Who knows, you might even make a new friend or two.

JOIN A TEAM

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

[To: all 3 reps and POTUS] [H/T subscriber Emily R] [Text SIGN PZKCDL to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

I am writing to implore you to take immediate action to safely return the over 1,000 US troops stranded in Niger. 

I have grave concerns over the profound lack of supplies including food, water, and medication. Timely troop rotation is not occurring; communication is not forthcoming to the personnel on the ground. Their lives are in limbo in the blisteringly hot Sahel with no mission, no resources, and no hope for a safe return date.

With the arrival of Russian troops at Airbase 101, how much more urgent does the situation need to be? There is no diplomatic path forward; negotiations have repeatedly failed to yield anything but increased hostility. Almost a full month has passed since it was announced that the troops would be withdrawn and still there is no movement. I can only imagine the desperation these young men and women must feel knowing that, at worst, their health and safety has been willfully jeopardized for no clear reason and, at best, they are pawns in a failed game of diplomacy. I look to you, my elected official, to sound the alarm and to initiate action to get these troops home now. 

I trust that you will take immediate action to bring home the troops from US Air Bases 101 and 201 in Niger, and I thank you in advance.

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

Talk soon.

Jess