Nikki Budzinski is my Rep and I send her thank you notes/postcards from time to time. I've also sent them to individuals who have stood up to the administration. I know we love to get a handwritten note of appreciation where I work and they go right up onto the staff bulletin board. The people in the political office trenches are getting bombarded right now, so I always add a shout out to them as well!
Welcome home! Amazing amazing news about Ms Ozturk!! This was an incredibly frightening abduction. I cried when I read the breaking news. What a relief. I’ve been calling all week about the situation at EWR. Guess who’s flying from there this Sunday? 😬 I miss the days when all I worried about was the car arriving on time for my pick up and did I pack everything. Now I worry about that plus ATC, system meltdowns and getting back into my country when I return. Sigh. I, for one, did not vote for this. 🤪
Thank you so much for sharing! I did not know about the personal letters. I’m assuming you need to prove you are from the district so it sounds like a letter might be better than a postcard? Anyway of finding that out?
Re: question of whether or not to participate in protests and rallies on June 14th- A holiday celebrating the our country that Trump has turned into a personal military birthday party/parade.
Some are suggesting it is a bad idea to participate because Media will underplay participation in protests ( as it/they have consistently ) and it might be construed as anti American and provoke anti-protestors.
I am suggesting that Everyone who does participate carry an American flag, even if small. Signs too if they want, but have a flag visible. We have the right to protest Trump even on his birthday. Our taxes go to paying for this parade. But most importantly we cannot and must not allow MAGAs- or any political party or group - to think they can commandeer our flag exclusively.
Our PrideFest is June 14th in Springfield, Illinois. I expect to see a lot of pride flags. Maybe I'll order a bunch of small American flags to pass out. I always display my American flag at my house. It's often accompanied by a pride flag, women's' rights flag, I Dissent...you get the idea. It's my country too and I will fight for it. We always have protesters at the PrideFest so I am a little concerned about safety this year. I'm sure security will be beefed up, but still....
I think we should all carry photos of Obama and celebrate June 14 as Obama Day! I mean, actually aren’t we all kind of protesting in our own ways every day against this fucking nightmare?
I want to encourage everyone reading comments to contact your legislators about AmeriCorps. This is our only national service agency, the domestic equivalent of Peace Corps, and it does incredible work supporting rural and impoverished communities and other communities in need. It also provides opportunities and skills training for hundreds of thousands of mostly young people each year, many of whom go on to pursue careers in service to others. But tons of jobs and funding have already been cut, and the President's proposed budget calls for eliminating the agency altogether.
AmeriCorps has historically enjoyed great bipartisan support--conservative writer David Brooks wrote a 2020 NYT column lauding AmeriCorps in which he cited 88% of Democrats and 74% of Republicans supporting volunteer national service. So urging legislators to do everything they can to save AmeriCorps is not actually a big ask. But with so much else in the news, the decimation of this agency isn't getting attention. Jessica, can this topic become a "Call your Senators/Representatives" item??
Sorry to be a bit off topic, but I just watched your interview with Pete Buttigieg and thought you did a fantastic job, and that everyone should see it!!! You started with a great icebreaker about who his favorite president has been, which was a fabulous way to get you both to relax a bit. Then you got personal re your child's question for Pete (what a superb idea that was!!) and you ended with something related to his family, his personal life and his kids re a book title. Yes, as you told us beforehand, you appeared nervous, but only because you had told me you were. Had I not known that, I would have just assumed you were pressed for time, which you were. So don't worry about that going forward. What an amazing experience to have. I'm envious as I greatly admire him as well. Thanks so much for doing that and sharing it with us. If anyone wants to see the video:
It was a really interview. I love Pete and I hope our citizens can be smart enough to hold their biases and let this man help get our country back on track.
Speaking of Lincoln....I live in Springfield, Illinois (Land of Lincoln). If you are a history buff, please come and visit us. We have many amazing sites to visit. Lincoln's Home (yes, I believe it has lingering spiritual energy), the Lincoln Presidential Museum, the Old (and New) State Capitol, Lincoln's Tomb, and New Salem (village of cabins and stores where Lincoln lived and worked), Lincoln's Law Office, and a Lincoln's Walk Ghost Walk (we have a lot of paranormal activity here). Lincoln's life is fascinating!
Hi! This is very specific but for all people in the Framingham/MetroWest Massachusetts area: a young man named Daniel Orellana was detained by ICE at a gas station on Monday, despite having no criminal record and not being the person they were looking for. Tonight, there is an emergency protest at the Framingham City Hall (150 Concord St, Framingham, MA), to demand his release and the protection of all local residents. And if you cannot attend but have some time, this link has the numbers to the mayor's office -- please call and demand his release. https://www.framinghamma.gov/Directory.aspx?DID=89
According to this article, her license is “inactive” (as of January 2024). She dropped out of a 5-year otolaryngology surgical residency at Oregon Health and Sciences University to practice “functional medicine” 2018-2024.
In most states, interns and residents are licensed physicians, and my understanding is she completed part of a general surgery residency. You'd have to check in the state where her training program was located.
Not that I think she's a good nominee, just in the interest of avoiding unintentional spread of misinformation.
Boy howdy, was it ever satisfying to have those congressional district-specific stats on how the reconciliation bill would screw people in my rep's district when I called today! And in my calls to my senators, I told them both that my son is a pilot for one of the major airlines and we're both horrified at the reckless handling of air traffic "safety" under this administration. That got at least one staffer's attention big time.
When I called the offices today of my representative, Tim Burchett, I used the information provided to tell the staffers how many people in Tennessee's 2nd District would likely lose their health care, the number of families dependent on SNAP, and the number of school kids dependent on free lunch programs. Thanks, Jessica for giving us that info. 📢📢📢👊👊👊
Jessica, I just found out about H.R. 1526: NORRA of 2025 that will restrict "activist judges," and it's already passed the House! It's going to the Senate....your viewers should know to call their Senators!
The link to the tool to look up constituents in R districts is a great too. I'veshared with hundreds of folks .
Elise Stefanik is showing up today at a Republican Dem Committee picnic in Town of Bethlehem, NY. NOT her District! Indivisible groups are on it!
A member of one group created a fun parody that is set to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Feel free to use it and sub-in ANY MAGA name.
Democracy's At Stake
Words by Ruth Pelham
Sing to the tune of "Twinkle Little Star"
Our country's gotten worse with Donald and Elise
Power mongers, liars, contemptible thieves
Democracy's at stake and we're using our voice
Standing up, speaking out, and voting our choice
Our country's gotten worse with Donald and Elise
Power mongers, liars, contemptible thieves
Sing this with gusto and enthusiasm! Sing it fast enough to not drag but slow enough so that each word is enunciated and can be heard. Sing out and have fun!
Wow, good to know about the handwritten notes. Maybe I should start adding a weekly postcard to my reps in with my postcards to voters.
I know I was really surprised!
Nikki Budzinski is my Rep and I send her thank you notes/postcards from time to time. I've also sent them to individuals who have stood up to the administration. I know we love to get a handwritten note of appreciation where I work and they go right up onto the staff bulletin board. The people in the political office trenches are getting bombarded right now, so I always add a shout out to them as well!
Welcome home! Amazing amazing news about Ms Ozturk!! This was an incredibly frightening abduction. I cried when I read the breaking news. What a relief. I’ve been calling all week about the situation at EWR. Guess who’s flying from there this Sunday? 😬 I miss the days when all I worried about was the car arriving on time for my pick up and did I pack everything. Now I worry about that plus ATC, system meltdowns and getting back into my country when I return. Sigh. I, for one, did not vote for this. 🤪
I'm flying there next week. Let me know how it goes. Good luck!
Thank you & will do.
Safe travels 🤗
Thanks so much.
I adore this video clip!! Don Beyer is so authentic. The points about being human are a great reminder.
He's wonderful.
Love Don Beyer! We met him a few years ago with his hiking group on the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire. He's awesome.
He really seems terrific!
Thank you for the wonderful link to the House Committee on the Budget. So helpful!!
Isn't it great? Please share!
Thank you so much for sharing! I did not know about the personal letters. I’m assuming you need to prove you are from the district so it sounds like a letter might be better than a postcard? Anyway of finding that out?
Not sure. Assume maybe yes on the letter.
Oh, good point!
A bit off topic but urgent
Re: question of whether or not to participate in protests and rallies on June 14th- A holiday celebrating the our country that Trump has turned into a personal military birthday party/parade.
Some are suggesting it is a bad idea to participate because Media will underplay participation in protests ( as it/they have consistently ) and it might be construed as anti American and provoke anti-protestors.
I am suggesting that Everyone who does participate carry an American flag, even if small. Signs too if they want, but have a flag visible. We have the right to protest Trump even on his birthday. Our taxes go to paying for this parade. But most importantly we cannot and must not allow MAGAs- or any political party or group - to think they can commandeer our flag exclusively.
Anyone discouraging participation is on the incorrect side of history.
Agree 100%.
Courage is contagious. If you see someone expressing it, stand next to them.
Love the small flag idea! It’s our flag and not trump’s.
And not maga's either.
I have been calling my reps and telling them no to a parade and that he should pay for it himself as the Vets need that money-
Our PrideFest is June 14th in Springfield, Illinois. I expect to see a lot of pride flags. Maybe I'll order a bunch of small American flags to pass out. I always display my American flag at my house. It's often accompanied by a pride flag, women's' rights flag, I Dissent...you get the idea. It's my country too and I will fight for it. We always have protesters at the PrideFest so I am a little concerned about safety this year. I'm sure security will be beefed up, but still....
Right on. I wrote urgent because we should get them now; one way or the other lots of people will want them for the 'parade' .
Or how about we protest now until June 14th and stop this stupid and very expensive parade.
Say more please.
I think we should all carry photos of Obama and celebrate June 14 as Obama Day! I mean, actually aren’t we all kind of protesting in our own ways every day against this fucking nightmare?
I want to encourage everyone reading comments to contact your legislators about AmeriCorps. This is our only national service agency, the domestic equivalent of Peace Corps, and it does incredible work supporting rural and impoverished communities and other communities in need. It also provides opportunities and skills training for hundreds of thousands of mostly young people each year, many of whom go on to pursue careers in service to others. But tons of jobs and funding have already been cut, and the President's proposed budget calls for eliminating the agency altogether.
AmeriCorps has historically enjoyed great bipartisan support--conservative writer David Brooks wrote a 2020 NYT column lauding AmeriCorps in which he cited 88% of Democrats and 74% of Republicans supporting volunteer national service. So urging legislators to do everything they can to save AmeriCorps is not actually a big ask. But with so much else in the news, the decimation of this agency isn't getting attention. Jessica, can this topic become a "Call your Senators/Representatives" item??
Sorry to be a bit off topic, but I just watched your interview with Pete Buttigieg and thought you did a fantastic job, and that everyone should see it!!! You started with a great icebreaker about who his favorite president has been, which was a fabulous way to get you both to relax a bit. Then you got personal re your child's question for Pete (what a superb idea that was!!) and you ended with something related to his family, his personal life and his kids re a book title. Yes, as you told us beforehand, you appeared nervous, but only because you had told me you were. Had I not known that, I would have just assumed you were pressed for time, which you were. So don't worry about that going forward. What an amazing experience to have. I'm envious as I greatly admire him as well. Thanks so much for doing that and sharing it with us. If anyone wants to see the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US9h7C5QsGs
Cathleen, thank you for the link. I'd meant to watch, gotten distracted and couldn't find the link yesterday. I'll watch now.
It was a really interview. I love Pete and I hope our citizens can be smart enough to hold their biases and let this man help get our country back on track.
Speaking of Lincoln....I live in Springfield, Illinois (Land of Lincoln). If you are a history buff, please come and visit us. We have many amazing sites to visit. Lincoln's Home (yes, I believe it has lingering spiritual energy), the Lincoln Presidential Museum, the Old (and New) State Capitol, Lincoln's Tomb, and New Salem (village of cabins and stores where Lincoln lived and worked), Lincoln's Law Office, and a Lincoln's Walk Ghost Walk (we have a lot of paranormal activity here). Lincoln's life is fascinating!
Hi! This is very specific but for all people in the Framingham/MetroWest Massachusetts area: a young man named Daniel Orellana was detained by ICE at a gas station on Monday, despite having no criminal record and not being the person they were looking for. Tonight, there is an emergency protest at the Framingham City Hall (150 Concord St, Framingham, MA), to demand his release and the protection of all local residents. And if you cannot attend but have some time, this link has the numbers to the mayor's office -- please call and demand his release. https://www.framinghamma.gov/Directory.aspx?DID=89
Posted it on both Threads and Bluesky thanks for the heads up. If you email me a flyer I'll get it on IG
hijesscraven101@gmail.com
Thank you! I don’t think there’s a flyer, but it’s being organized by a local group of Hands Off protesters (here’s the news link https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/local/2025/05/08/framingham-ma-rally-for-guatamalan-immigrant-daniel-orellana-friday-may-9-city-hall/83515365007/#)
Casey means didn’t have a lapsed medical license, she never qualified for one because she didn’t complete her training!
According to this article, her license is “inactive” (as of January 2024). She dropped out of a 5-year otolaryngology surgical residency at Oregon Health and Sciences University to practice “functional medicine” 2018-2024.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/05/09/nx-s1-5392389/casey-means-trumps-surgeon-general
I agree that she is not a qualified nominee. “Functional medicine” is not necessarily science based.
In most states, interns and residents are licensed physicians, and my understanding is she completed part of a general surgery residency. You'd have to check in the state where her training program was located.
Not that I think she's a good nominee, just in the interest of avoiding unintentional spread of misinformation.
My hubby and I just sent our letters via usps to the Florida Bar Assn Re: disbarment of Pam Bondi
I sent my this week too! I printed off copies for my kids to sign when they are here for Mother's Day :)
Boy howdy, was it ever satisfying to have those congressional district-specific stats on how the reconciliation bill would screw people in my rep's district when I called today! And in my calls to my senators, I told them both that my son is a pilot for one of the major airlines and we're both horrified at the reckless handling of air traffic "safety" under this administration. That got at least one staffer's attention big time.
When I called the offices today of my representative, Tim Burchett, I used the information provided to tell the staffers how many people in Tennessee's 2nd District would likely lose their health care, the number of families dependent on SNAP, and the number of school kids dependent on free lunch programs. Thanks, Jessica for giving us that info. 📢📢📢👊👊👊
Jessica, I just found out about H.R. 1526: NORRA of 2025 that will restrict "activist judges," and it's already passed the House! It's going to the Senate....your viewers should know to call their Senators!
The link to the tool to look up constituents in R districts is a great too. I'veshared with hundreds of folks .
Elise Stefanik is showing up today at a Republican Dem Committee picnic in Town of Bethlehem, NY. NOT her District! Indivisible groups are on it!
A member of one group created a fun parody that is set to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Feel free to use it and sub-in ANY MAGA name.
Democracy's At Stake
Words by Ruth Pelham
Sing to the tune of "Twinkle Little Star"
Our country's gotten worse with Donald and Elise
Power mongers, liars, contemptible thieves
Democracy's at stake and we're using our voice
Standing up, speaking out, and voting our choice
Our country's gotten worse with Donald and Elise
Power mongers, liars, contemptible thieves
Sing this with gusto and enthusiasm! Sing it fast enough to not drag but slow enough so that each word is enunciated and can be heard. Sing out and have fun!