67 Comments

Jessica, I'm so glad you are doing better. Keep getting that rest for a full recovery.

Great news about the tide finally turning on Project 2025. We need to keep pressure on news organizations to cover what's important. Here's what I wrote to my local newspaper, The Seattle Times:

Dear Seattle Times Editors,

Why are you not covering Project 2025 and the threat it and Trump pose to American democracy? Why is this not regular front page news? Where's the good investigative journalism that does a deep dive into this stuff?

The fact that Trump is now trying to distance himself from Project 2025 tells you just how toxic the plan is.

I'm the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and know too well what happens when a nation sleepwalks into authoritarianism. Please, take a stand for democracy and educate the public about what's at stake with Project 2025.

Sincerely,

Fran-Michelle Reichert

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That is an excellent letter! We all need to write a similar one!

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I heard something today that I did not know:

About 100 conservative thinkers/movers and shakers have put out what they intend to do about religion - the Christian Nationalist manifesto says that they will not interfere with the "private" practice of religion leaving open public interference.

Also, Sheldon Whitehouse made a referral to the Justice Department to investigate Clarence Thomas' financial disclosures by pointing out the laws for federal employees. (I think that is right).

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I've heard rich conservatives are spending $1,700 every 15 minutes on advertising!! Wow! With that kind of money just think of what other great things you could do with it, besides fake news!!

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I'm fired up! Thanks to the folks in this comment section, I've got an email ready to go out in the next few days to tell all my friends that I'm hosting a postcard-writing party at a local business every other week until the fall. I'm starting in late July as everyone leaves town this month but sending the email early so I can suggest places for people to donate NOW. What I've found is that people are worried but don't know what to do...in telling people that I'm going to have a way for them to get involved that requires nothing but showing up and using the supplies I provide, I've gotten several enthusiastic verbal commitments already. I'll have QR codes at the events to check voter registration and to Jess' donation recommendation Google Doc. Let's gooooooo!

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Amazing! Totally inspiring!

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Hey Jessica! Glad you are feeling better & Covid negative! I just now finished attending a webinar put on by the Center for American Progress (CAP) "Project 2025: Exposing the Far Right Assault on America". It was excellent with 3 different panels (including state legislators!), Jamie Raskin and more. They re going to post the video version with captions on their website. https://www.americanprogress.org

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Yes! I believe I had that in yesterday's newsletter! Glad it was great! I will look out for the video! How many people were on?

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Jessica, I am so glad that you have tested negative for covid now...and, encourage you to continue to take really really good care of yourself, with lots of rest, love and laughter! Why? Because I care about you and also, because we need you Jessica! I had a 'despair' slide earlier today but when I came to my desk and read your inspiration...I've stepped out of it and into action! We can't 'think' our way out of those 'despair' slides...only action will shift! Thank you Jessica for ALL you are doing to protect democracy!

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That’s exactly right. Thinking won’t save us. Action will. So glad you’re feeling better, Anna!

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So glad you're feeling better, Jess! DON'T try to do too much before you are fully recovered (this is your older sister speaking!) I've been posting as much as I can about PRoject 2025. I think the Heritage Foundation was hoisted on their own petard (I've waited my whole life to use that!!) when they decided to back Donald Trump...he cannot be loyal to anyone except himself. Going to be interesting to see how they handle this...while we beat the heck out of them by sheer numbers of decent citizens who want to live with our neighbors in peace and respectful of rights.

Back to postcards!!

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Impressed that you got that phrase in there! Always been a favorite of mine, although I don’t know what a “petard” is…how’s Miss Kitty?

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LOL!!! I don't either!! So I looked it up....and it turns out I didn't get it quite right. It's hoist WITH their own petards, which is a small bomb used in Shakespeare's times to blow open doors or gaits. Hoist is actually past tense of hoise (blow up) so I didn't even need the "ed." So fun to write about something besides politics for a second!!!

Miss Kitty is doing well, and is impressed that you remembered her name! I'll send you the latest photos from Miss KItty and the Chaplain! 💕

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Now I did not know this! I always imagined a petard was some kind of pulley that "hoisted" people up? In retrospect it didn't really make sense. Anyway, yes please more Miss Kitty picks!

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Oh sorry just saw them. She is such a fashion model!

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LOL! I thought a petard was something you got hoisted on to (forgive the dangling preposition but I couldn't bring myself to say "Upon which one got hoisted!!)

That is so funny about Miss Kitty - you got it exactly right; she is a fashion model!!! I'm going to quote you on her page! (with a link to your substack) Blessings,

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Hooray! Congratulations for testing negative! All the work you are doing is so valuable. Don't exhaust yourself-take care.

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Will do, Judith. Are you feeling better?

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Good exposure about the need to vote to prevent Project 2025 - Link to an article about Taraji Henson speaking out against Project 2025 while hosting the BET (Black Entertainment Television) awards ceremony, which had 3M viewers:

https://www.thewrap.com/taraji-p-henson-bet-awards-trump-project-2025/

She also tweeted about it.

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So happy you're feeling much better, Jessica, and thanks so much to you and everyone here and elsewhere fighting for our democracy! On a personal note, today is my birthday (I'm 42) and I'm so honored and thrilled to celebrate it with you guys!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!! 🙌🙌🙌

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Happy Birthday Chris!

🎂🥳🎈🎊🥳

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Jess, good to hear you are feeling better. STILL rest and take it easy bc rebound is not uncommon, and we're here whenever you're back up to full speed again. Thanks so much for all you do.

Also, one of your recent TikToks was retweeted by an influencer with a large following (can't remember their name, Lesley something?) and it got 1M+ views as of a few days ago, so YOU are being seen and heard by more than just those of us here!

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Yes Leslie Jones! That Tiktok about Project 2025 got reposted by four super large accounts all within 48 hours, and she was one. Very hopeful.

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I posted to my IG the jpg and verbiage you sent for social media.. I have *never* posted anything political onto my IG bc I prefer to avoid controversy even though it is a family and rl friends only account, but this was too important to not say something. And, if I get pushback, they or I can unfriend/unfollow. I did have to modify the jpg with white space on both sides so that it would fit into the 1:1 aspect ratio required on all IG postings.

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Yes right. IG is tricky that way but thanks for posting!

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Delighted to hear you're out of the woods and out of the mask around your family, Jessica -- but take time to recover, please! Sent another 50 GOTV primary postcards to Arizona this week and called my senators & rep re the Extreme, I mean Supreme, Court today -- just so you know :-)

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Ha. The Extreme Court. Good one.

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I also get a daily email from Popular Information. Yesterday they talked about Project 2025 & Taraji P Henson's name came up, because she really did us a service by mentioning it at an awards show.

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Yes I linked to that very post in my opening. And I agree. She did a huge service.

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Totally missed that, had to go digging thru the trash!

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Link to an article about Taraji Henson speaking out against Project 2025 while hosting the BET (Black Entertainment Television) awards ceremony, with 3M views:

https://www.thewrap.com/taraji-p-henson-bet-awards-trump-project-2025/

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Awesome, isn't it?

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yes! I love seeing people getting ore involved in our country we take for granted, me included! Not anymore! I'm sure they are tired of me at the congress swotchboard!😉✌️💙(202)224-3121

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Your opening comments are spot on, Jessica! I wouldn't change a word. I'm going to send the Project 2025 list to everyone I know. I send them out something every few weeks (and have since 2017) but it's time to rev up to weekly. If we all just write to our email lists! They can always delete it, if they're not in the mood. Even then, they'll see your name and the title and be reminded of the election.

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Right on!

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OMG! thank u, thank u for all this info!! especially the 13909 form!!( if I got the # wrong don't worry I already downloaded it) Really great info in here and I will use it!! Yay! Democracy is here to stay" We the people have the power we just need to use it!! TY! ✌️💙 4 mo' Joe!!

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Glad you enjoyed! Thanks!

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I am psyched about the form too and feeling trepidation as I fill it out and see item 20. Are you checking that box?

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actually I haven't started it yet.... I've been trying to do the texting congress part! And it took forever! But thanx for the heads up, because I plan on filling it out too! Are u doing the 1,000 postcards?? I'm thinking about it if my roommate will do 500!😉 Anyway , have a good rest of you evening... I need some vino & bed right now! ✌️💙

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Did get to postcard art, but I will do postcards! Is that also on this link?

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Thank you Jessica for this idea about exposing the Heritage Foundation. I've completed Form 13909 complaint against the Heritage Foundation and also cited various articles to backup the complaint.

In addition, in researching their Form 990, which includes the Foundation's fraudulent response on their Form 990.

Glueck, Katie (November 22, 2016). "Trump's shadow transition team". Politico. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023. https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/trump-transition-heritage-foundation-231722.

Kight, Alayna Treene, Stef W. (January 29, 2021). "Top Trump Homeland Security officials join Heritage Foundation". Axios. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021. https://www.axios.com/2021/01/29/trump-homeland-security-heritage-foundation-chad-wolf.

Leader of the pro-Trump Project 2025 suggests there will be a new American Revolution. (https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/04/leader-of-the-pro-trump-project-2025-suggests-there-will-be-a-new-american-revolution-00166583). This article is about Kevin Roberts, current President of the Heritage Foundation

The organization completed this question fraudulently on their Form 990, 2022; part IV; page 3; question # 3 by answering “No”

"Did the organization engage in direct or indirect political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office? If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part 1.

Please see the their Form 990, 2023, here, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237327730/202311789349301501/full

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Amazing. Thank you!

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