Hi, all, and happy Tuesday! And it is happy indeed! What a win in SCOTUS this morning, right? In case you missed it (which is unlikely), the Supreme Court ruled the best possible way in Moore v. Harper, rejecting the Independent State Legislature Theory and standing firmly on the side of democracy and fair elections.
That I felt tears welling up upon seeing the Moore v Harper NYT breaking news at 8:43 AM Mountain is painfully telling of how far "normal" has shifted -- that such anti-democracy garbage made it to the SCOTUS at all.
As Rolling Stone summarizes well:
"Crackpot MAGA Theory (Thankfully) Loses at the Supreme Court
"The court rejected the type of anti-democratic madness Team MAGA tried after 2020. But it wasn't unanimous — and that's a problem...
"A host of legal authorities — the chief justices of all 50 states, conservative and liberal legal authorities, and three recent solicitor generals — have said this is nonsense, arguing in amicus briefs that, of course, the Founders intended election lawmaking to be just like other lawmaking, subject to ordinary constraints, including review by state courts."
Thankfully, there are more of us (pro-democracy and pro-human rights) than there are of them, and with millions more regularly taking action than before 2015, and GenZ rising in power, there are reasons to be hopeful.
Jess, thank you so much for all of your hard work and for your tireless commitment to advocacy and informing all of us. Genuine question here. I have done advocacy work in my spare time, including calling, writing, signing petitions, attending protest rallies, etc. What do you recommend (besides moving to a saner place) to those of us in now very red states with legislators, state and district-level, who are now known for their hard-right stances? I want to keep doing my part but I ask myself what good will it do talking to a wall again? They seem so unlikely to budge, as one of those “convention of states” participant states. My state used to be have a blue majority. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you again! Your outlook and efforts sustain me in this sea of dread.🤟🏼
I omitted mentioning that I’ve done advocacy training and have had scheduled appointments with state my legislators in their DC offices in some very difficult issues so I’m not afraid of confronting such a challenge. But I cannot even imagine any of them listening given the extreme positions they’ve taken this year and the fact that they easily win reelections. I always encourage people I know to cal cal call, weekly on upcoming bites. But in your experience, is it still worth trying in states that are so bent on right extremist positions?
Absolutely. When we stop demanding they do better they win. Just look at Justin Jones and Pearson in TN. They have no shot of getting policy passed but they’re making a huge difference.
Thank you, Jess! Do you know LindsayRN, aka socialistlyawkward on the clock app? She is helping West Bonner County SD fight back against the Idaho “Freedom” Foundation and their unqualified candidate for superintendent…it’s a test case. See also Idaho Moms. The fight to save Idaho public schools is on.
Wanted to say a big thank you to Common Cause for that information deck, I appreciate whoever made it and you for making sure we had it as a resouce. Deep bow of gratitude.
Thanks for info on HR3838. Former public health professional( maternal and child health) and there’s been decades of underfunding. Even my “Pro-Lfe” Freedom Caucus Rep might support !
Grateful for recent SCOTUS ruling but wary/weary in FL. “Justice” Thomas thinks we should reconsider rights to contraception, DeSantis has vetoed $$ for long-term, reversible contraception and new law (targeted at LGBQT+)allows denial of care due to “religious” beliefs could also lead to more denial of birth control.
Reps. Stefanik and Greene have apparently introduced legislation to expunge the impeachments of the former president. In addition to being a waste of time, the notion of literally changing history is a new level of crazy for the GOP. I called my Rep this morning and politely suggested that if she didn't want to be counted among the crazies she should step up and disavow them. I doubt that she will, but she and any other 'not crazy' Republicans need to know that we're paying attention.
Indeed. The only reason I didn't put a call about that in today's newsletter is that I had just done one about the other impeachment bill yesterday. Sigh. So much crazy to address. Glad you called.
The Supreme Court ruling saves us for now, but the language of the Constitution is distressingly clear. Our "goal" should be to amend the Constitution to prevent gerrymandering, no matter how well or ill the intention. Congresspersons have a nigh impossible task to represent/communicate with 740,000 constituents. The configuration of gerrymandered Congressional Districts adds an unforgivable additional impediment. Voting districts should be required to 1. be as compact as possible, 2. follow county lines as closely as possible. Modification for skin color or voting history, whether intention is for good or ill, should be unequivocally unconstitutional. That is the legal approach.
The social approach is to do everything we can to PUP, Prevent Unintended Pregnancies. Intended pregnancies are very rarely intentionally aborted. When every tribe birth rate is below 2.1/1000 we will apply less distress on each other and on our planet. migrants will be fewer and more welcome. But this must be true for every tribe if we are to save our planet, our selves, and our symbiotic species. See "God Made Men Too", volume l of "Sex and the 21st Century: AR-W/(P-I) x ATroc = Q". Vol ll, "The Price Of Eggs Is Down" addresses the new economics and politics of falling birth rates, and Vol lll, "Every War Is An UnCivil War" addresses the new geopolitics.
That I felt tears welling up upon seeing the Moore v Harper NYT breaking news at 8:43 AM Mountain is painfully telling of how far "normal" has shifted -- that such anti-democracy garbage made it to the SCOTUS at all.
As Rolling Stone summarizes well:
"Crackpot MAGA Theory (Thankfully) Loses at the Supreme Court
"The court rejected the type of anti-democratic madness Team MAGA tried after 2020. But it wasn't unanimous — and that's a problem...
"A host of legal authorities — the chief justices of all 50 states, conservative and liberal legal authorities, and three recent solicitor generals — have said this is nonsense, arguing in amicus briefs that, of course, the Founders intended election lawmaking to be just like other lawmaking, subject to ordinary constraints, including review by state courts."
Thankfully, there are more of us (pro-democracy and pro-human rights) than there are of them, and with millions more regularly taking action than before 2015, and GenZ rising in power, there are reasons to be hopeful.
This, exactly! 👆🏼
Jess, thank you so much for all of your hard work and for your tireless commitment to advocacy and informing all of us. Genuine question here. I have done advocacy work in my spare time, including calling, writing, signing petitions, attending protest rallies, etc. What do you recommend (besides moving to a saner place) to those of us in now very red states with legislators, state and district-level, who are now known for their hard-right stances? I want to keep doing my part but I ask myself what good will it do talking to a wall again? They seem so unlikely to budge, as one of those “convention of states” participant states. My state used to be have a blue majority. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you again! Your outlook and efforts sustain me in this sea of dread.🤟🏼
I believe you will. be interested in the event I'm posting about tomorrow! Also, what state are you in?
Can I message you that privately?
Of course! Hijesscraven101@gmail.com
I omitted mentioning that I’ve done advocacy training and have had scheduled appointments with state my legislators in their DC offices in some very difficult issues so I’m not afraid of confronting such a challenge. But I cannot even imagine any of them listening given the extreme positions they’ve taken this year and the fact that they easily win reelections. I always encourage people I know to cal cal call, weekly on upcoming bites. But in your experience, is it still worth trying in states that are so bent on right extremist positions?
Absolutely. When we stop demanding they do better they win. Just look at Justin Jones and Pearson in TN. They have no shot of getting policy passed but they’re making a huge difference.
Thank you!
Thank you, Jess! Do you know LindsayRN, aka socialistlyawkward on the clock app? She is helping West Bonner County SD fight back against the Idaho “Freedom” Foundation and their unqualified candidate for superintendent…it’s a test case. See also Idaho Moms. The fight to save Idaho public schools is on.
Just followed her. Wasn't familiar with her but she's following me so now we're "mutuals."
You are both treasures.
Thank you, Jessica, for helping us to find our voices. I'll not shut up anymore!
🙌🏼
Wanted to say a big thank you to Common Cause for that information deck, I appreciate whoever made it and you for making sure we had it as a resouce. Deep bow of gratitude.
Of course! Glad you found it helpful. I did as well.
Thanks for info on HR3838. Former public health professional( maternal and child health) and there’s been decades of underfunding. Even my “Pro-Lfe” Freedom Caucus Rep might support !
Grateful for recent SCOTUS ruling but wary/weary in FL. “Justice” Thomas thinks we should reconsider rights to contraception, DeSantis has vetoed $$ for long-term, reversible contraception and new law (targeted at LGBQT+)allows denial of care due to “religious” beliefs could also lead to more denial of birth control.
Yup. One step at a time. Did you read about POYUS expansion of contraception protections yesterday?
Yes, 👍. 💙 POTUS !
Reps. Stefanik and Greene have apparently introduced legislation to expunge the impeachments of the former president. In addition to being a waste of time, the notion of literally changing history is a new level of crazy for the GOP. I called my Rep this morning and politely suggested that if she didn't want to be counted among the crazies she should step up and disavow them. I doubt that she will, but she and any other 'not crazy' Republicans need to know that we're paying attention.
Indeed. The only reason I didn't put a call about that in today's newsletter is that I had just done one about the other impeachment bill yesterday. Sigh. So much crazy to address. Glad you called.
She has a nice team of what seem to be pretty good people who appear to be concerned about some of the positions being taken. We'll see.
Thanks, David, for your efforts. It's important!
The Supreme Court ruling saves us for now, but the language of the Constitution is distressingly clear. Our "goal" should be to amend the Constitution to prevent gerrymandering, no matter how well or ill the intention. Congresspersons have a nigh impossible task to represent/communicate with 740,000 constituents. The configuration of gerrymandered Congressional Districts adds an unforgivable additional impediment. Voting districts should be required to 1. be as compact as possible, 2. follow county lines as closely as possible. Modification for skin color or voting history, whether intention is for good or ill, should be unequivocally unconstitutional. That is the legal approach.
The social approach is to do everything we can to PUP, Prevent Unintended Pregnancies. Intended pregnancies are very rarely intentionally aborted. When every tribe birth rate is below 2.1/1000 we will apply less distress on each other and on our planet. migrants will be fewer and more welcome. But this must be true for every tribe if we are to save our planet, our selves, and our symbiotic species. See "God Made Men Too", volume l of "Sex and the 21st Century: AR-W/(P-I) x ATroc = Q". Vol ll, "The Price Of Eggs Is Down" addresses the new economics and politics of falling birth rates, and Vol lll, "Every War Is An UnCivil War" addresses the new geopolitics.