36 Comments

Thanks for the nudge to read LBJ's bio. It's been on my to-do list for some time and maybe this is the summer to make that happen. So glad to hear about your attending the Reproductive freedom conference. The backlash against women's rights is not pretty.

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It’s actually a Senate committee meeting. Patty Murray’s office reached out and asked me to attend and make content about it, but they don’t help with travel expenses.

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Jessica, I received a gift that I was committed to tithe, and I was praying for guidance as to how and where. I confess I don't make time to read you every day (sigh!) but I'm so glad I read this one. It gives me great joy to support you - who are doing so much more than I am able to do. I live in DC, so if this is a public event I'll try to attend...and wave from afar!! . Much love and many blessings, Terry

PS I loved hearing that you had a (somewhat?) restful weekend

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Terry thank you! My goodness! Unfortunately it is a Senate committee meeting so I’m not sure it’s east to get into but maybe? I was invited by a Senator’s office!

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Well that alone is so exciting!! You are known at that level...good for you AND us! If you could tell me when it is and what committee, I'll check. And if not, that's just fine!

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It's the Senate HELP committee -- the hearing will be held in the Senate Dirksen Office Building, Room 430 in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, June 4th at 10 a.m.

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thank you! I left a phone message asking about attendance. I also found a Senate FAQ which said that most hearings are open to the public unless on national security, seating on a first come first served basis. So I'm going to attend! It would be lovely to meet you for a quick hello - I'm sure you're day is packed!

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Thank you for highlighting the work of 140 Blue Florida. We hosted Margie Stein, the one-woman grassroots organization who almost singlehandedly recruited Democratic candidates to run in every Florida state legislative district on this morning's postcarding Zoom. David Pepper came on to talk about the work in the context of his own efforts to promote Democrats running in every district. David's whiteboard video is a must watch.

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I agree! It’s a remarkable effort!

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Donated, bc I believe in you 🙌🏽💙

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Thank you very much!

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Thank you Paula, for setting up the fundraiser. Thank you Jess, for allowing us to support you this way, and for everything you are doing to save our democracy. Thank you for being an amazing leader and helping us all fight the good fight.

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I so appreciate that, Fran-Michelle. ❤️

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I am likely to pick up on the LBJ series. He was a narcissist, but he also moaned a lot about "not feeling loved". He did, however, respect the American people and was essentially in favour of treating African-Americans with respect. One reason, his personal chef, Zephyr Wright, was African-American, well-educated and could whip everything from escargots to meatloaf, as the First Family desired.

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Haven’t gotten to that part yet. Cool.

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Second the motion for the Cato series. I had seriously underestimated LBJ. While Trump relies on low animal cunning, LBJ had some serious smarts. When he was Senate Majority Leader (which he turned into the power perch we know today), he kept the Senate calendar in his head and he was always counting noses. As soon as he saw that he had the numbers on the floor, boom!

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100%. He's a political genius. Really incredible. I'm just getting to his second Senate run now. Very exciting!

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It’s exciting and they need you there . Congratulations 😊

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Thank you, Susan!

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I have read all of Caro’s books on LBJ…and waiting on the final book. Well written books that really gives a picture of a complicated man. May I recommend ‘The Woman Behind the New Deal; The Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins—Social Security, Unemployment Insurance and the Minimum Wage by Kirstin Downey. This is a book that everyone should read for the real story behind the fight for Social Security and other programs. Ken Burns should produce a documentary of this great, but sadly unknown woman.

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Is that also Caro?

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The book about Frances Perkins is by Kirstin Downey. A very well written biography.

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I donated to 140 Act Blue Florida and am forwarding this letter and the video link! Thanks for all you do.

Thanks, too, for amplifying Atty Marilyn Mosby's petition for a pardon.

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Absolutely! Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

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While in DC PLEASE LOOK UP “A Tour of Her Own” you won’t regret it- 111 things you must not miss in Washington DC is written by the founder of the company. It is excellent also.

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OK I will!

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First, congrats on meeting your GFM goal in 4 hours!! By the time I read this and was ready to contribute, the goal was already surpassed! That's a testament to how you are treasured. And to how well we know you will use this opportunity! Of COURSE Patty Murray reached out! I am so excited you're going.

Second, YES to Robert Caro! We have been waiting on tenterhooks (whatever those are) for the 5th & final installment of his monumental series on LBJ (Civil Rights, Vietnam). After over 10 years of work, he is apparently sick of answering the inevitable question: WHEN will it be done? (Meantime, maybe it's time for me to read The Power Broker.) I can heartily recommend the documentary Turn Every Page about Caro and his late editor, Robert Gottlieb. Here's a nice little article about Caro:

https://apnews.com/article/robert-caro-power-broker-50th-anniversary-082914f15af81b79bf7882dc6f6a8c14#

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Just read it--that was great! I definitely have to watch the doc and read the Power Broker, which I haven't yet. But first I need to get through these four books. Can't wait for the fifth!

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Can you tell us how someone as busy & productive as you manages to stay off your devices long enough to actually READ BOOKS?!?

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I read for a good spell before I go to sleep. Also, there's a point in the evening at which I try to suspend my use of devices almost completely--except maybe to watch a show. I find that I have to set that boundary or my mental health (and family life) suffers. Also on the weekends I read a lot. I love reading--if I have a hobby that's it.

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Ciao Jessica, I'm so glad I have the opportunity to participate in the GoFund Me, I'm so glad you shared the link. The work that you do is a catalyst for so many of us. Before I started following you, I used to ask myself "What can I do, I'm just one person", but you showed me how small actions taken by many people can indeed change the world. Now go and knock their socks off in the Senate!

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Ps you have introduced me to one of my favorite things to do over coffee in the morning. - Reach out to my contemptible Senators Rubio & Scott. Letting them know what's on my mind and what I expect from them is a great way to start the day. Knowing that it's probably annoying them is the cherry on top. Thanks for all you do Jessica

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Love this! Thank you, Kelly!

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😊🙏❤️

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About the heat pump tax credits: according to my tax preparer they are "non refundable", which means they can reduce your tax bill but if you don't owe any taxes, you don't get sent a refund check. I'm extremely unclear on the details. I post here as both a caution to others and a request for enlightenment on the details if anyone here knows and understands them.

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Yes I think that’s right. You don’t get a check, you get a tax credit.

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