Chop Wood, Carry Water 7/5

Don't quit.

Hi, all, and happy Tuesday.

What. A. Tough. Fourth.

Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. We are experiencing a horrific bottom. The quantity of bad news we’re being forced to absorb every day is breathtaking. I know we’re all exhausted and dispirited. I know America in this moment feels like a harrowing ride we just want to get off of. Yet “getting off" isn’t an option. Sure, I’ve spoken to many folks contemplating leaving the country, and I get it. But most of us can’t. Plus, like many, I abhor the idea of leaving our democracy to the villains who wish to destroy it.

Finally, and here’s the thing—there are so many more of us than there are of them. Like, by a wide margin. And more all the time. On Sunday I saw some truly heartening new polling. Between abortion, guns, and the January 6th hearings folks’ opinions are changing. And they’re changing in our favor. If anyone wants to see the data email me and I’ll send it to you.

The long and short of it is that Americans are not happy with the abortion ruling. Not at all. They’re also increasingly disgusted by what happened on January 6th. And they’re deeply frustrated by Congress’s lack of progress on meaningful gun legislation. They want CHANGE.

All of this means that, if we can get them out to the polls in November, and convince them to prioritize those issues over gas prices—which we can—we will win. And win big.

So. It’s not time to give up. Not yet. Quite the contrary. I come back over and over again to the same saying:

“Don’t quit before the miracle.”

I know this is hard. I know it would be easier to drown our fears in alcohol, or new appliances, or Netflix binges, or whatever numbs us out.

But instead we’re here. YOU are here! More and more of you every day. (So many more of you in the last few weeks!)

Our army is growing. Theirs is shrinking.

We all know what that means.

So hold steady. We’ve got this. Don’t quit before the miracle.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

I want the Senator to work to counteract the profound damage our rogue Supreme Court is doing.

First, because of their decision in EPA v. West Virginia the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions is severely limited. We are now facing the climate emergency with our hands tied behind our back. I want the Senate to pass meaningful climate legislation immediately.

Second, the Supreme Court’s ruling on guns has constricted what states can do to protect their citizens. Meanwhile mass killings continue. The Senate needs to pass an assault weapons ban and universal background checks now.

Finally, the Senate needs to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act.

[If Democrat add:] Get rid of the filibuster and get this done. Otherwise we will vote in Democrats who will. Thanks.

[If GOP add:] If the Republican Party doesn’t start acting to protect Americans we will not stop until they are all voted out. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

First, I want the Congressmember to fight like hell to pass an Assault Weapons ban. Americans are tired, terrified, and dispirited. The mass shootings have to stop.

Also, I want the Congressmember to work to repeal the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq. This is an outdated and unrestrained presidential military authority against a government which hasn’t existed for 19 years. If Congress can’t repeal the 2002 AUMF this year, I fear that members may never reclaim their constitutional war powers. Thanks. [H/T]

Extra Credit ✅

I’m sure by now you’ve all heard of the awful anti-choice Kentucky judge, Chad Meredith, Biden has (inexplicably) nominated for a lifetime seat as a district court judge in Eastern Kentucky. It’s bad. Please do three things:

1. Send this Resistbot letter to Congress (it was originated by the Downtown Nasty Women Social Group.) It demands Congress pressure Biden to withdraw the nomination. Text PASKCX to 50409.

2. Send a Resistbot to President Biden demanding the same. Text SIGN PDVDWZ to 50409

3. Call Dick Durbin (chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee) and tell him this nomination is unacceptable and he shouldn’t advance it. Call any of his offices: 312-353-4952 or 217-492-4062 or 309-786-5173 or 202-224-2152

I just said

I’m calling Senator Durbin in his capacity as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee to ask him to not advance the nomination of Chad Meredith for district court judge in Eastern Kentucky. For Democrats to offer a member of the Federalist Society who has actively championed banning abortion a lifetime seat on the courts at this moment in time—or ever—is absolutely outrageous. Thanks.

Get Smart! 📚

You have likely heard that the Supreme Court will rule on “Independent State Legislature theory” next year.

Though this has long been considered a fringe theory, the majority is highly likely to adopt some version of it. This could mean that each state legislature will be permitted not only to ignore the state constitution and the governor in setting voting roles but also that it can disregard the official state vote tally for president and cast its electoral votes for whichever presidential candidate the legislature’s majority prefers.

Since both chambers of the legislature in every battleground state except Nevada are currently controlled by Republicans, and very few of those legislators have rejected the Big Lie, that decision could spell the end of any semblance of democracy in the election of the President in 2024 and beyond.

This makes the stakes of winning control of key state legislative chambers far more important than ever before. Of course, control of these legislative chambers will also affect what the legislatures do on reproductive rights, LGBT rights, gun safety, climate, income inequality, protection of voting rights, and a myriad of other issues.

Please join one of the best pro-democracy groups out there, Focus For Democracy, on Thursday, July 7th at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET to hear how we can support these essential races.  

Click here to register and a Zoom link will be emailed to you. (Tell them Jess Craven sent you.)

Protect the Vote! 🗳

Join the Sierra Club’s new Election Protection Team!

In partnership with the Election Protection Coalition, the Sierra Club is recruiting volunteers for a nationwide Election Protection team. Election Protection volunteers will receive training and guidance from the coalition and will be connected to both in-person and virtual opportunities to lend a hand to help ensure this year's election are safe, secure, and as equitable as possible. 

With so much disinformation circulating, it will be on us to help protect voting rights and our democracy for all. Sign up today and be first to know about ways to help!

Want to learn more about the Election Protection program? Read more in these Frequently Asked Questions.

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OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk tomorrow.

Jess