Chop Wood, Carry Water 6/29
Hi, all, and happy Wednesday.
To say that the news is arriving via firehose is an understatement. It’s a lot. Yesterday’s January 6th hearing alone was so monumental that it’s difficult to comprehend that it took place in the same seven-day period as a seismic Supreme Court ruling, the likely expansion of NATO, and the first new gun bill in almost 30 years.
To say that we’re living in historic times is a breathtaking understatement.
They are also exhausting times.
They are also extremely unsettling.
At times of great trial and upheaval I try to remember simple slogans that have helped me in the past to handle overwhelmedness, remember my priorities, and not forget self care. Slogans like:
One day at a time.
H.A.L.T. (Don’t get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired.)
This, too, shall pass.
And, of course, “chop wood, carry water.” What is the next action I can take? It may be small, it may feel inadequate, but in taking even a tiny action I know I can find hope, grow strength, and move the needle.
So let’s do that together one more time.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
Chairman Thompson of the January 6th Select Committee recently said that the Committee might not refer Trump and his co-conspirators to the Department of Justice for prosecution. This is unacceptable. Donald Trump is guilty of seditious conspiracy, witness tampering, and incitement to violence. It’s extremely clear. I want the Senator to call upon the Select Committee to make criminal referrals to the DoJ. If they fail to do so they will be abdicating their oaths of office, and our country could fall to Republican criminality. Thanks. [H/T]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
Chairman Thompson of the January 6th Select Committee recently said that the Committee might not refer Trump and his co-conspirators to the Department of Justice for prosecution. This is unacceptable. Donald Trump is guilty of seditious conspiracy, witness tampering, and incitement to violence. It’s extremely clear. I want the Congressmember to call upon the Select Committee to make criminal referrals to the DoJ. If they fail to do so they will be abdicating their oaths of office, and our country could still fall to Republican criminality. Thanks. [H/T]
Extra Credit ✅
Let’s call the January 6th Committee itself. 202-225-7800 (you will be leaving a VM)
Say:
My name is ____ and I’m calling from ____. I’m calling because Chairman Thompson recently said that the Committee might not refer Trump and his co-conspirators to the Department of Justice for prosecution. This is unacceptable. I want the Committee to make criminal referrals to the DoJ. Donald Trump is guilty of seditious conspiracy, witness tampering, and incitement to violence. It’s extremely clear. If you fail to refer him and his enablers for prosecution you will be abdicating your oaths of office, and our country and democracy will remain in grave danger. Thanks for all of your amazing work.
Win Races—NEVADA! 🗳
Y’all, I attended Walk the Walk’s webinar with the Director of Make the Road Nevada yesterday—perhaps some of you were there! It was excellent. The takeaway? WE HAVE TO WIN in Nevada! Why?
➡️ Catherine Cortez Masto is our most vulnerable Democratic Senator— the guy running against her, Adam Laxalt, is awful.
➡️ Equally bad are the GOP candidates running to unseat Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak and Democrat AG Aaron Ford.
➡️ The Republican Secretary of State is termed out. The guy running to replace her on the GOP ticket is former Nevada Assemblyman Jim Marchant, who has sought to be the face of Nevada's "Stop the Steal" movement. Marchant has said on the campaign trail that he doesn't believe Nevada has held a legitimate election since 2006. 😱
➡️ All 4 Congressional seats are up for election—Democrats are defending three seats.
➡️ All 42 seats in the State Assembly are up for election this year, while 11 Senate seats are up for grabs.
So what can you do? A LOT!
One VERY impactful way to help is to make a donation to Make the Road. For my money it’s the single best place to give in Nevada. Helping them do the critical grassroots organizing they do, particularly with Spanish speakers in the state, will help ALL of the above races. They know their state. They have developed trust. They are effective and smart. Please give if you can.
You can also sign up to phonebank with Swing Left on Wednesdays or Saturdays. Or write letters to low-propensity Democrats in Nevada with Vote Forward!
And if you want to “adopt” Nevada sign up for my Chop Wood, Carry Nevada list!
But for goodness sakes let’s all do a little something. Our future rests on winning in the Silver State.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)
Today we’re writing to the Justice Department. Do so here. Make the drop down subject “criminal law.”
Say something like:
Failing to hold the insurrectionists accountable for attempting to subvert democracy could have serious consequences, including increasing the risk of domestic terrorism and racial acts of violence.
Anyone who aided and abetted Trump’s insurrection should face the full force of the laws that are designed to protect the multiracial democracy that the majority of Americans want. The fate of our democracy depends on it.
I urge the Justice Department to charge Donald Trump for his attempt to overturn the election.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
One of the grassroots organizers from Take Action Minnesota shared this Mariame Kaba quote at the Flip the Vote meeting:
Hope is a discipline. It’s less about how you feel and more about the practice of making a decision every day that you’re still going to put one foot in front of the other, that you’re still going to get up in the morning, and you’re still going to struggle. It’s work to be hopeful. It’s not like a fuzzy feeling. You actually have to put in the energy, time and you have to be clear-eyed and you have to hold fast to having a vision. It’s a hard thing to maintain but it matters to have it, to believe that it’s possible to change the world.
-Mariame Kaba
My CWCW Day 7: Left VMs for CT Senators and my district's House Rep, left VM for the Jan 6 committee, and dropped a comment to the Department of Justice. I am going to pass on Nevada this time, but I am keen to pick up Wisconsin support in July.