The other day you urged us to ask at least one other person to attend a demonstration this Saturday, the #NoKings demonstrations. I'm here to say I gathered my insecurities into my introversion, balled them up and contacted an even dozen family members. So far, I have two "YES" and waiting to hear from most others--that's already tripling my attendance (and one, my DIL, is bringing her Dad along).
As a fellow introvert, I want to say that I am proud of you!
Although I guess I should say I'm a "recovering introvert", since I now get disbelieving looks if I tell someone that I'm an introvert! There is truth to the saying "fake it til you make it" when it comes to getting comfortable putting yourself forward!
The thing to remember is that many people would like to do something ti reduce their anxiety, but they may not be sure how to go about doing it! Some people may even consider that you've done THEM a favor by inviting them to join you!
Last fall I wanted to do more, but I wasn't physically able to go out and canvass. So I signed up to phonebank to recruit people to do a canvass the upcoming weekend. The people we were calling had all previously expressed an interest in volunteering, so it wasn't super stressful for an introvert.
During the training they taught us to not stop at the first "No". If the person wasn't available to canvass on Saturday, would they be interested in doing it on another date? If they weren't able to handle walking that much, would they be available to drive the canvassers from location to location? Or would they be interested in being a poll greeter later during early voting?
I have taken that same approach when I am inviting people to join me at a protest - if they can't do this one would they like to hear about future ones? .
It IS hard. I phonebanked for Obama, but it was with a group (with whom I also went door-to-door). For Bernie, I "facebanked," did "post card blitzes" and later, I was a textbanking fiend. My preference is ALWAYS to avoid a possible personal confrontation with an acquaintance. I also hate calling my Senators, Rep, and other officials, but using these scripts, I've gotten a lot more comfortable doing it! Lots of physical issues, even in 2019 when I made an unsuccessful run for Romulus Town Council (small town/village in Central NY). It's only gotten worse. I'm bringing. my rollator Saturday--I managed without on May Day, but if I have to "sit down on the ground," it's going to get ugly, lolol. That strategy, not stopping at the first "No," is a real winner! I'm going to try part 3, would they like to hear about future ones, too!
Not a hero at all. But I'm freaking fed up that over and over, we have to fight just to keep our country's promise. Especially pissed that my Xennial and Millenial kids, and my grandchildren, are right back where we began. And with limited mobility/health issues, and not much money, it seems like what I can do for "free," whether calling, inviting, or getting dragged away by storm troopers for refusing to comply, are probably the greatest contributions I can make at this point. I read something recently about a children's story, I think, that made clear that to be brave, first you have to be scared. If there's no risk, it's not brave to stand up. Problem is, now, nobody's really safe. Congressmembers, governors, legendary journalists, celebrities--nobody is safe.
You go girl! From another introvert, just down the road from you (near Interlaken). I know lots of folks heading to Ithaca, but they're sure to have a big turn-out there, so some of us figured it would be more helpful to "represent" out in the smaller rural communities where we live. We'll see you in Ovid (and maybe Seneca Falls?) on Saturday.
When are we advocating for a National Shutdown? I know it sounds extreme, but we’re watching as the media and parts of the military buckle under this rolling coup.
Calling all the top Republicans to let them know I want accountability for the treatment of Senator Padilla today. Johnson’s office was polite. Thane’s phone messages were full. Left a message with Greeley.
I just had this conversation with Scalise’s office. The Republicans are already spinning the story:
I just had a conversation with an aid in Senator Steve Scalise’s - 202-225-3015 - House Majority Leader office. I said I was calling in the capacity as a United States Citizen and voter. And that the treatment of Senator Padilla was unacceptable.
The aid argued with me that he would not listen to me because I wasn’t from Scalise’s district in Louisiana.
I said I wasn’t contacting him in that capacity but as House Majority Leader.
He actually argued with me saying that Scalise only represents Republicans from his district as House Majority Leader. And he couldn’t pass along information because I wasn't a Republican from his district. He said as House Majority Leader he can only listen to Republican voters from his district in Louisiana, and no one else.
So I asked how I could contact Scalise in the capacity of House Majority Leader. He said he didn’t have that information.
I asked again if there was any way to contact Scalise as House Majority Leader. His only answer he would parrot again and again for almost ten minutes was that Scalise only represents the Republicans who voted for him in his district in Louisiana and no one else.
I asked again if there was an actual phone number to contact Scalise in the capacity as house majority leader. I just wanted a simple yes or no. Like they've been trained, they can’t do that.
I finally asked again about handcuffing Senator Padilla and he told me that Senator Padilla wasn’t handcuffed. I told him I saw the footage. I asked if he had seen it?
He said he heard the Senator say he wasn’t handcuffed. (I can’t find anything to that effect.) And the aid said he wondered why the Senator wasn’t in Washington doing his job?
I told him he is protecting our democracy.
We went round and round finally him saying he had to end the call because someone in Louisiana might be having a problem and they need the lines cleared to be able to help them. He told me to talk to my Senators and they will work with Scalise.
The Republican roundabout. Don’t answer a direct question with a yes or no. Play dumb and not know the information one seeks. Rewrite history - video footage of the event is fake news.
I just called my Rep, Jared Huffman, and got to talk to a real person! She took all my info and concerns about defunding NPR, etc., and said they would be voting in 15 minutes, and that I wasn't too late to get my opinion known!
My rep's office told me he did not know if the vote had been held yet or how she was planning on voting. I have called numerous times to let them know I wanted her to vote no, so today the office staff got to hear it again. But knowing my rep who thinks the ticket to glory is to vote how the republican leadership tells her to...........
After today’s developments with Senator Padilla, I suggest we call and/or flood Senator Thune with messages to denounce Noem and her thugs. Here’s the message I sent:
Senator Thune, I am outraged by the treatment of Senator Padilla today by Kristi Noem’s thugs. Senator Padilla identified himself and stated he wanted to ask a question. He was quickly escorted out of the room, pushed to the ground and handcuffed. This is totally uncalled for, disrespectful and not who we are as a country.
I expect that you will speak out and demand an immediate apology from Ms. Noem and her staff. And request an immediate end to the nonsense and rhetoric about what is happening in LA and elsewhere around the Country. Trump and his administration are trying to incite riots so he can invoke the Insurrection Act. We see through the lies and falsehoods. Enough is enough. Speak out for what’s right, for the rule of law, and in support of We The People.
OK this is alarming. I just read on another sub stack that a senator has been arrested. He attended a Noem event to try to ask questions, and they threw him down on the floor face down and handcuffed him and arrested him. We are in a terrible state when these kinds of things happen.
Saturday's protests are likely to be the beginning of a long battle for the hearts and minds of about 10% of the American electorate. Trump's approval rating is down to 38% approve of the job he's doing. When he drops another 3% to 35% we'll start to see GOP senators and house members finally realize Trump/MAGA are a liability greater than being loyal to Trump.
Let's all stay peaceful on Saturday and totally discredit the incendiary madman president. We don't want a King and we especially don't want a racist, lying, criminal, scam artist King as president.
The Department of Energy is trying to make harmful changes to Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These changes would make it optional
for new buildings to be accessible for people with disabilities. When
accessibility is legally optional, it doesn’t happen.
******** SIMPLE FAST WAY to reach out and leave a comment, see below!!! *********
Comments are needed by the end of day June 16th, 11:59pm EDT.
The federal Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a direct final rule that will eliminate a long-standing requirement under Section 504, which mandates that new buildings constructed with federal funds be accessible to people with disabilities. Removing this rule would:
Eliminate enforceable accessibility standards for new federally funded buildings.
Allow renovations that exclude ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms.
The final rule will be effective on July 15 of this year UNLESS significant comments opposing the change are received by June 15! Click both links below and leave a public comment on each:
The assertion that accessibility standards are “unnecessary” and “burdensome” is deeply offensive and wrong. Ensuring that all federally funded buildings are accessible is not a bureaucratic inconvenience; it’s a moral and legal imperative. Furthermore, people with disabilities are taxpayers who help fund federal buildings. Accessibility isn’t a favor or a luxury – it’s a civil right. We are urging the DOE to withdraw this dangerous and discriminatory rule.
Is there a printer friendly version of that Elizabeth Warren budget bill fact document? I couldn't find one. Would be good to hand out that info at no kings day events but the background and white text make it bad for printing
Warren ‘one-pager’ is great but no origin info. Is there a link that includes who crafted the Warren one-pager or a version on letterhead or somesuch? Thank you!
Love your work. However, wondering why the MO target is Josh Hawley and not Sen Eric Schmidt. Eric Schmidt is up for re-election in 2028. Hawley is not up again until 2030.
Eric Schmitt has already decided how to vote on any and everything. I got a reply from him on an issue, and he said basically that he supports the president and will cast his votes accordingly.
May courage rise in the hearts of our voices, guided not by fear, but by truth and understanding.
May wisdom guide our words to hold firm those to account for their actions done in bad faith.
Choose justice over obedience, remembering our forefathers gave their lives to the Constitution, and not for power.
In every step, in every voice, may we lead with integrity and honor.
As, our children will be watching us.
🍁 Elbows UP! 🏒 T - 1
All week there have been hundreds of thousands protesting against the Trump Regime's illegal activities:
It's blatent disregard for putting most American lives in harm's way through para-military engagement of civilians, their disappearences, and the suspension of national medical programs.
It's destruction of our economy, causing widespread losses of personal savings, pensions, social security, and our ability to make a living, through psudo-economic policies that make no sense and have led to hyper inflation and the devaluation of the US dollar.
Advocation of Trump's own legal accountability to the courts, and our own choices for local government.
Use signage and messaging to make your numbers visible.
- stop H.R.1 or the Big Beautiful Bill
- demand the constitution be reveered and not perverted
- reinstate respect for the rule of law
- call for an end to his divisiveness
The best way to protest against the military parade is not to be in Washington DC - so that only crickets are there.
All of this will show the courts and our leaders the destruction of our society by Trump is unwarranted, and contrary to the values America was founded on. Show there is no justifiable reason for it.
Jess Craven, Thank you! Extra credit done! Thank so much for sharing that opportunity to provide a significant adverse comment to the Department of Energy opposing the direct final rules at Docket Numbers DOE-HQ-202500015 and DOE-HQ-2025-0024. It would be a crime if these proposed actions were not stopped.
I'll tell you, friends, I hyperventilated through my first calls to my electors. Done it so many times now, I've lost count. Just now I called both Senators and Congressman (Colorado) .and told them they have one task: get out in the streets tomorrow and be seen and heard. Told them I want to see their faces tomorrow and every day. Want to see them investigating detention facilities. If I a 77-year-old women can stand out in the 90 degree sun, so can they. My guys are the good guys. Want to see them on the front lines. There’s nothing more empowering than standing together and saying no! I feel strong. I feel unafraid. I feel young. I am so proud of you. Feel joy with me. We are on the right side of history..
The other day you urged us to ask at least one other person to attend a demonstration this Saturday, the #NoKings demonstrations. I'm here to say I gathered my insecurities into my introversion, balled them up and contacted an even dozen family members. So far, I have two "YES" and waiting to hear from most others--that's already tripling my attendance (and one, my DIL, is bringing her Dad along).
I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!! Thank yoU!
As a fellow introvert, I want to say that I am proud of you!
Although I guess I should say I'm a "recovering introvert", since I now get disbelieving looks if I tell someone that I'm an introvert! There is truth to the saying "fake it til you make it" when it comes to getting comfortable putting yourself forward!
The thing to remember is that many people would like to do something ti reduce their anxiety, but they may not be sure how to go about doing it! Some people may even consider that you've done THEM a favor by inviting them to join you!
Last fall I wanted to do more, but I wasn't physically able to go out and canvass. So I signed up to phonebank to recruit people to do a canvass the upcoming weekend. The people we were calling had all previously expressed an interest in volunteering, so it wasn't super stressful for an introvert.
During the training they taught us to not stop at the first "No". If the person wasn't available to canvass on Saturday, would they be interested in doing it on another date? If they weren't able to handle walking that much, would they be available to drive the canvassers from location to location? Or would they be interested in being a poll greeter later during early voting?
I have taken that same approach when I am inviting people to join me at a protest - if they can't do this one would they like to hear about future ones? .
It IS hard. I phonebanked for Obama, but it was with a group (with whom I also went door-to-door). For Bernie, I "facebanked," did "post card blitzes" and later, I was a textbanking fiend. My preference is ALWAYS to avoid a possible personal confrontation with an acquaintance. I also hate calling my Senators, Rep, and other officials, but using these scripts, I've gotten a lot more comfortable doing it! Lots of physical issues, even in 2019 when I made an unsuccessful run for Romulus Town Council (small town/village in Central NY). It's only gotten worse. I'm bringing. my rollator Saturday--I managed without on May Day, but if I have to "sit down on the ground," it's going to get ugly, lolol. That strategy, not stopping at the first "No," is a real winner! I'm going to try part 3, would they like to hear about future ones, too!
As someone with social anxiety, I UNDERSTAND what a feat this is. You are a hero.
Not a hero at all. But I'm freaking fed up that over and over, we have to fight just to keep our country's promise. Especially pissed that my Xennial and Millenial kids, and my grandchildren, are right back where we began. And with limited mobility/health issues, and not much money, it seems like what I can do for "free," whether calling, inviting, or getting dragged away by storm troopers for refusing to comply, are probably the greatest contributions I can make at this point. I read something recently about a children's story, I think, that made clear that to be brave, first you have to be scared. If there's no risk, it's not brave to stand up. Problem is, now, nobody's really safe. Congressmembers, governors, legendary journalists, celebrities--nobody is safe.
You go girl! From another introvert, just down the road from you (near Interlaken). I know lots of folks heading to Ithaca, but they're sure to have a big turn-out there, so some of us figured it would be more helpful to "represent" out in the smaller rural communities where we live. We'll see you in Ovid (and maybe Seneca Falls?) on Saturday.
When are we advocating for a National Shutdown? I know it sounds extreme, but we’re watching as the media and parts of the military buckle under this rolling coup.
We're getting there.
I’m hearing more buzz about a shutdown. We will see if it grows. I’m in. Ice Barbie’s goons just tackled and handcuffed a California senator 🤬
Calling all the top Republicans to let them know I want accountability for the treatment of Senator Padilla today. Johnson’s office was polite. Thane’s phone messages were full. Left a message with Greeley.
I just had this conversation with Scalise’s office. The Republicans are already spinning the story:
I just had a conversation with an aid in Senator Steve Scalise’s - 202-225-3015 - House Majority Leader office. I said I was calling in the capacity as a United States Citizen and voter. And that the treatment of Senator Padilla was unacceptable.
The aid argued with me that he would not listen to me because I wasn’t from Scalise’s district in Louisiana.
I said I wasn’t contacting him in that capacity but as House Majority Leader.
He actually argued with me saying that Scalise only represents Republicans from his district as House Majority Leader. And he couldn’t pass along information because I wasn't a Republican from his district. He said as House Majority Leader he can only listen to Republican voters from his district in Louisiana, and no one else.
So I asked how I could contact Scalise in the capacity of House Majority Leader. He said he didn’t have that information.
I asked again if there was any way to contact Scalise as House Majority Leader. His only answer he would parrot again and again for almost ten minutes was that Scalise only represents the Republicans who voted for him in his district in Louisiana and no one else.
I asked again if there was an actual phone number to contact Scalise in the capacity as house majority leader. I just wanted a simple yes or no. Like they've been trained, they can’t do that.
I finally asked again about handcuffing Senator Padilla and he told me that Senator Padilla wasn’t handcuffed. I told him I saw the footage. I asked if he had seen it?
He said he heard the Senator say he wasn’t handcuffed. (I can’t find anything to that effect.) And the aid said he wondered why the Senator wasn’t in Washington doing his job?
I told him he is protecting our democracy.
We went round and round finally him saying he had to end the call because someone in Louisiana might be having a problem and they need the lines cleared to be able to help them. He told me to talk to my Senators and they will work with Scalise.
The Republican roundabout. Don’t answer a direct question with a yes or no. Play dumb and not know the information one seeks. Rewrite history - video footage of the event is fake news.
I just called my Rep, Jared Huffman, and got to talk to a real person! She took all my info and concerns about defunding NPR, etc., and said they would be voting in 15 minutes, and that I wasn't too late to get my opinion known!
My rep's office told me he did not know if the vote had been held yet or how she was planning on voting. I have called numerous times to let them know I wanted her to vote no, so today the office staff got to hear it again. But knowing my rep who thinks the ticket to glory is to vote how the republican leadership tells her to...........
I'm so sorry about your rep. But thanks very much for continuing to call! That's impressive!
After today’s developments with Senator Padilla, I suggest we call and/or flood Senator Thune with messages to denounce Noem and her thugs. Here’s the message I sent:
Senator Thune, I am outraged by the treatment of Senator Padilla today by Kristi Noem’s thugs. Senator Padilla identified himself and stated he wanted to ask a question. He was quickly escorted out of the room, pushed to the ground and handcuffed. This is totally uncalled for, disrespectful and not who we are as a country.
I expect that you will speak out and demand an immediate apology from Ms. Noem and her staff. And request an immediate end to the nonsense and rhetoric about what is happening in LA and elsewhere around the Country. Trump and his administration are trying to incite riots so he can invoke the Insurrection Act. We see through the lies and falsehoods. Enough is enough. Speak out for what’s right, for the rule of law, and in support of We The People.
OK this is alarming. I just read on another sub stack that a senator has been arrested. He attended a Noem event to try to ask questions, and they threw him down on the floor face down and handcuffed him and arrested him. We are in a terrible state when these kinds of things happen.
Sen. Alex Padilla (CA) was not arrested but they did throw him down on the floor and HANDCUFF him. Obscene.
His statement after it happened: https://www.youtube.com/live/MJKS4syY3GY
Saturday's protests are likely to be the beginning of a long battle for the hearts and minds of about 10% of the American electorate. Trump's approval rating is down to 38% approve of the job he's doing. When he drops another 3% to 35% we'll start to see GOP senators and house members finally realize Trump/MAGA are a liability greater than being loyal to Trump.
Let's all stay peaceful on Saturday and totally discredit the incendiary madman president. We don't want a King and we especially don't want a racist, lying, criminal, scam artist King as president.
Jess writes: Extra Credit ✅
The Department of Energy is trying to make harmful changes to Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These changes would make it optional
for new buildings to be accessible for people with disabilities. When
accessibility is legally optional, it doesn’t happen.
******** SIMPLE FAST WAY to reach out and leave a comment, see below!!! *********
Comments are needed by the end of day June 16th, 11:59pm EDT.
The federal Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a direct final rule that will eliminate a long-standing requirement under Section 504, which mandates that new buildings constructed with federal funds be accessible to people with disabilities. Removing this rule would:
Eliminate enforceable accessibility standards for new federally funded buildings.
Allow renovations that exclude ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms.
The final rule will be effective on July 15 of this year UNLESS significant comments opposing the change are received by June 15! Click both links below and leave a public comment on each:
Docket #1 DOE-HQ-2025-0015, click "Comment": https://bit.ly/4kuX2R2
Docket #2 DOE-HQ-2025-0024, click “Comment”: https://bit.ly/4mGKgjY
The assertion that accessibility standards are “unnecessary” and “burdensome” is deeply offensive and wrong. Ensuring that all federally funded buildings are accessible is not a bureaucratic inconvenience; it’s a moral and legal imperative. Furthermore, people with disabilities are taxpayers who help fund federal buildings. Accessibility isn’t a favor or a luxury – it’s a civil right. We are urging the DOE to withdraw this dangerous and discriminatory rule.
Easy peasy & great language. Comments posted on both. Thank y’all!!
I'm not sure if you have discussed the presence of a line buried in the "Big etc" act that will protect legislators from contempt of court charges? This is major in the long run. Seen in WP https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/06/05/trump-courts-contempt-ljudges/
Is there a printer friendly version of that Elizabeth Warren budget bill fact document? I couldn't find one. Would be good to hand out that info at no kings day events but the background and white text make it bad for printing
Warren ‘one-pager’ is great but no origin info. Is there a link that includes who crafted the Warren one-pager or a version on letterhead or somesuch? Thank you!
Love your work. However, wondering why the MO target is Josh Hawley and not Sen Eric Schmidt. Eric Schmidt is up for re-election in 2028. Hawley is not up again until 2030.
Eric Schmitt has already decided how to vote on any and everything. I got a reply from him on an issue, and he said basically that he supports the president and will cast his votes accordingly.
Source or author citation or letterhead for Warren one-pager if anyone has?
Thank you Jess great information and good dialogue for talking to our representatives
May courage rise in the hearts of our voices, guided not by fear, but by truth and understanding.
May wisdom guide our words to hold firm those to account for their actions done in bad faith.
Choose justice over obedience, remembering our forefathers gave their lives to the Constitution, and not for power.
In every step, in every voice, may we lead with integrity and honor.
As, our children will be watching us.
🍁 Elbows UP! 🏒 T - 1
All week there have been hundreds of thousands protesting against the Trump Regime's illegal activities:
It's blatent disregard for putting most American lives in harm's way through para-military engagement of civilians, their disappearences, and the suspension of national medical programs.
It's destruction of our economy, causing widespread losses of personal savings, pensions, social security, and our ability to make a living, through psudo-economic policies that make no sense and have led to hyper inflation and the devaluation of the US dollar.
Advocation of Trump's own legal accountability to the courts, and our own choices for local government.
We are here,
No Kings Day Saturday June 14th 2025
Find a protest near you:
https://www.nokings.org
KEEP PROTESTS PEACEFULL
Use signage and messaging to make your numbers visible.
- stop H.R.1 or the Big Beautiful Bill
- demand the constitution be reveered and not perverted
- reinstate respect for the rule of law
- call for an end to his divisiveness
The best way to protest against the military parade is not to be in Washington DC - so that only crickets are there.
All of this will show the courts and our leaders the destruction of our society by Trump is unwarranted, and contrary to the values America was founded on. Show there is no justifiable reason for it.
Don't kill anyone.
Jess Craven, Thank you! Extra credit done! Thank so much for sharing that opportunity to provide a significant adverse comment to the Department of Energy opposing the direct final rules at Docket Numbers DOE-HQ-202500015 and DOE-HQ-2025-0024. It would be a crime if these proposed actions were not stopped.
I'll tell you, friends, I hyperventilated through my first calls to my electors. Done it so many times now, I've lost count. Just now I called both Senators and Congressman (Colorado) .and told them they have one task: get out in the streets tomorrow and be seen and heard. Told them I want to see their faces tomorrow and every day. Want to see them investigating detention facilities. If I a 77-year-old women can stand out in the 90 degree sun, so can they. My guys are the good guys. Want to see them on the front lines. There’s nothing more empowering than standing together and saying no! I feel strong. I feel unafraid. I feel young. I am so proud of you. Feel joy with me. We are on the right side of history..