Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/7
D.C. bound!
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
A friendly warning: this newsletter may be a little erratic for the next few days, as I’ll be traveling through the end of the week. I’ve been invited to attend a first-of-its-kind convention for political content creators in D.C., so I’ll be flying tomorrow and attending panels all day Thursday and part of Friday. I’ll do my best to keep to my regular posting schedule, but the vagaries of travel being what they are, anything could happen.
I’ll tell you this, though: I am truly excited to go to D.C.! I haven’t been since I was a teenager, and that was only for an afternoon. I’ll have precious little spare time while I’m there—I fly back Friday evening—but I’m praying I have an hour or two to sneak off to the American History Museum. And the Lincoln Memorial! And the Mall! And so much more! My inner history nerd has joined forces with my inner politics nerd; both are “geeking out” on all the things they want to see.
But even if I have no time for sightseeing, I hope to come away from the convention itself with lots of new tips and tricks for effective Democratic messaging, all of which I’ll share with you!
And if I can even just get a selfie with my favorite past President—or his statue—I’ll definitely share it with you!
OK, all. I’m going to leave it there, as I have packing to do.
Let’s get busy!
P.S. Hope to see lots of you tonight at the Indivisible/Swing Left South Bay event with me and Amanda Litman. She’s incredible! 6-7:30 PM PT. Sign up here.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling to ask the Senator to support S. 3371, the Forest Act—a bill to combat illegal deforestation by prohibiting the importation of products made wholly or in part of certain commodities produced on land undergoing illegal deforestation. The planet lost 10 million acres of tropical forest in 2022. That’s equal to about 11 soccer fields of forest loss per minute. This level of deforestation will destroy us. Please ask the Senator to co-sponsor this bill immediately. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I know the FTC has barred Pioneer Natural Resource’s former CEO from serving on the board of ExxonMobil because he allegedly tried to collude with OPEC to inflate oil and gas prices.
In fact, the FTC has reportedly referred its allegations to the Department of Justice for potential criminal investigation.
I want Congress to hold hearings immediately to investigate not only Pioneer’s alleged role in conspiring with OPEC, but whether there existed a broader conspiracy by U.S. oil companies to collude with OPEC nations in order to keep prices high. Big Oil has to be held accountable for any conspiracy among American oil companies and OPEC members. Will the Congressmember prioritize this? Thanks. [H/T Public Citizen]
Extra Credit ✅
Please share this new Biden ad about family separation on your social media.
If you need a caption to go with it you can say something like:
If you’ve forgotten just how horrific Trump’s family separation policy was, please watch this devastating new ad from the Biden campaign.
And remember: THIS is what Trump is promising to bring back.
Get Smart! 📚
Have you ever wondered about the right phrase to use while navigating a sensitive topic? Have you been seeing book bans and toxic social media culture and wondering how to combat them?
Disinformation poisons minds and prevents our society from moving forward. Fortunately, we can help fight it!
Join Indivisible the second Wednesday of each month to learn how we can heal disinformation-driven divisions through persuasive communication. Leave each call inspired, clear-headed, and focused on taking meaningful action.
Their next virtual education session is tomorrow:
Spread the Word! 📣
For those of you who didn’t make Change Research’s totally fascinating briefing last week, (‘F—You, Pay Me': American Women on Fear, Freedom, and Feminism), here are the topline takeaways as well as messaging guidance on how best to talk to female voters. It’s really interesting and helpful stuff. So much so that I really recommend watching the full briefing. You can do so here.
The TLDR is that abortion remains a wildly salient issue for American women, but women’s employment and economic security, women’s health and safety, and women’s rights overall are equally salient; we should be talking about them.
Give 💰!
A number of States Project Giving Circles are co-hosting an event with Anderson Clayton, Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, and David Pepper, author and former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, on Thursday, May 9 at 7pm ET on Zoom. There is no cost to attend. It’s going to be inspiring!
Please join them and invite your friends!
Win Races! 🗳
I’ve got two postcarding opportunities for you!
Postcards to Voters has many more addresses for GA voters for the Supreme Court election on May 21. They need writers! NOTE: This is best suited for people who are already approved as one of their postcard writers. Sign up here.
Blue Wave Postcarding has Arizona voter registration cards available! You have to pay for these, but they come with address labels! Also the “script” is one sentence! Blue Wave is a non-profit organization that runs strategic and effective campaigns in battleground states. They have been doing it since 2020 and plan to reach out to 5 million voters this year. You can learn more about their operation here and order postcard kits from them here.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your HOUSE rep ] [H/T] [Text SIGN PWMJUR to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
Up to a billion birds perish each year in the U.S. due to collisions with glass windows, walls, and other structures. Many bird populations are facing decline. Addressing this human-caused threat would make a huge difference in conserving vulnerable species.
I urge you to support common sense conservation by joining your colleagues in support of the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act (H.R.3781). This cost-neutral bill would amend the federal code to mandate that federal buildings incorporate bird-friendly practices and strategies.
Examples of bird-friendly practices and strategies include applying bird-specific tape or decals to glass, changing windows, and adjusting lighting. Not only will the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act save birds, but it can help buildings become more energy efficient. From new construction to retrofits on existing buildings, there are a variety of innovative and cost effective bird-saving solutions.
Please join the growing list of bipartisan leaders in support of the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act. This legislation has been years in the making. The current version of the bill was revised from years past to better account for advancements in bird-safe glass. Your leadership is needed now so that the well-researched and understood solutions to prevent bird-glass collisions are finally implemented. With this legislation architects, designers, and city planners will be able to improve building designs for the benefit of building-owners, birds, and communities. Thanks!
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
I highly suggest you go to the FDR, MKL jr Memorials and the others all within walking distance of each other along the Tidal Basin. If you don’t get teary eyed I’d be surprised. I personally feel you will get more bang for your efforts than walking through the museum. You truly should come back and do the Holocaust Museum, the National Museum of African American History and as many others as you can. So very moving. Have a wonderful workshop!
Hi Jess. Actions done. Posted Bidens ad on Facebook. It was removed immediately. Threatening email from FB received.