Hi, all, and happy Monday!
Hope those of you in Southern California weathered the storm (and accompanying earthquake) OK. We got a good amount of rain here—over three inches—but nothing catastrophic. I know the same wasn’t true for everyone, so if you’re dealing with the fallout today please know that we’re thinking of you.
This is our new normal, folks, although there’s nothing normal about it. We must brace ourselves for the extreme weather events that will continue to hit us in quick succession until we get our climate emergency under control. Which we will, because we have no choice. And also because you and I, working together, are more powerful than the oil and gas industry.
We’re more powerful than greed.
We’re more powerful than denial.
You and I, working together, along with millions and millions of others like us, can and will bring about change. To our climate policy, to our democracy, to our world.
How? Simple, daily actions, y’all. No one of us can do everything, but all of us can do something. And that’s what we’re going to do—a little every day. And we’ll do it together, because that’s they way we succeed.
Never forget it.
Now let’s get started.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’d like the Senator to support S. 542, the bipartisan Captured Carbon Utilization Parity Act, a bill intended to create parity between the credit value for utilization and sequestration in the carbon capture tax credit. We need this if we are to meet our 2050 climate goals.
[Only if they want more info:] Carbon utilization technologies present an opportunity to turn captured carbon dioxide pollution into useful products that would otherwise be made in a carbon-intensive way. Bringing the value of tax credits for utilization into line with the incentives for sequestration created in the IRA would clear a path for businesses to invest in this promising carbon reduction tool. Thanks! [H/T and more info]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling to say that I want Congress to pass a clean reauthorization of PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief) and keep its commitment to the global fight against AIDS. I hear some Republicans want to defund this program if they can’t get poison pill amendments passed in return—that’s unacceptable! [optional add] Over the past two decades, PEPFAR has saved 25 MILLION lives by providing life-saving antiretroviral medicines to people in nations struggling with HIV/AIDS. This is a life-saving program and it needs to stay in place. [H/t and more info]
Extra Credit ✅
Stand with unions!
Our friends at United Auto Workers are in negotiations with the Big 3 Auto CEOs, who are, essentially, trying to shaft them. This is a real problem for the transition to EVs. Fortunately, UAW has set up a number so we can record quick voicemails that UAW will deliver to the Big 3 Auto CEOs so they hear loud and clear - RECORD PROFITS DESERVE RECORD CONTRACTS! We demand a fair UAW contract now!
When you call 318-300-1249, you’ll hear a brief intro about the contract negotiations from UAW. At the beep, just leave your message. You can find talking points and additional ways to take action in the quick action guide they made for the call.
Get Smart! 📚
Want to learn more about the indictments? As in, all of them?
Later today Big Tent will welcome veteran prosecutor and legal analyst Andrew Weissmann. He will answer questions we have and (and some we didn’t know we had) about THE INDICTMENTS.
Weissmann served as the lead prosecutor for the Mueller investigation, was Chief Counsel of the FBI, and, while chief of the criminal division of the Eastern District of NY, prosecuted members of infamous crime families. Andrew is the co-host, with Mary McCord, of the podcast Prosecuting Donald Trump.
Please join Big Tent for this special Spotlight Series. Monday August 21st at 6:30PM ET.
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
A friend of mine recently asked me to recommend a website explaining climate change in the simplest possible terms, because her Trump-supporting mom had finally asked her for information about it. This, of course, was a very big deal and she wanted to get it right.
I reached out to a scientist friend, and she recommended NASA’s climate site. I checked it out, and it seems clear, accessible, and smart. So if you know a climate-curious someone who’s finally willing to look at the facts, consider sending them this way!
Give 💰!
Democrats must hold every current seat and win at least five more,
to regain the House majority in 2024 and to keep Democracy intact. Some of our candidates have more challenging races than others.
Dr. Yadira Caraveo (CO 08), Andrea Salinas (OR 06), and Frank Mrvan (IN 01) narrowly prevailed in red districts or red states in 2022. However, there is no guarantee it will happen twice. Republicans see them as easy targets in ‘24. They need our immediate and generous support to win again.
Join a Force Multiplier call on Zoom tomorrow, August 22, 7:00-8:00pm ET to meet them, hear about their races, and maybe help support them financially.
Suggested donation $100. If you can give more, please do, but if not, please give what you can and join them.
Win Races! 🗳
Y’all! Sister District volunteers have already made over 100K calls into Virginia this election cycle!
Specifically, volunteers are responsible for:
103,329 dials to target VA voters
2025 undecided voters identified
461 local volunteers recruited
Won’t you please consider joining a SD phonebank, and maybe even committing to doing it weekly? Early voting in VA starts in 35 days! We MUST win there.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[to your HOUSE rep] [H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PVKJSI to 50409]
I’m writing to ask you to co-sponsor and actively support the The Protecting Our Democracy Act (H.R. 5048).
The Protecting Our Democracy Act would simply make sure that no president is above the law. The legislation includes important reforms to prevent future presidents from abusing their power and to give Congress the power it needs to serve as a check on presidential overreach.
Many of the reforms in this bill have strong support across party lines, including strengthening protections against foreign interference in U.S. elections, protecting federal whistleblowers, and enabling a timely and orderly presidential transition of power.
I urge you to support the Protecting Our Democracy Act to restore checks and balances, increase transparency, and prevent corruption and future abuses of presidential power -- and to encourage your colleagues to do the same. Thank you!
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Glad you are all safe in your area of LA. It looks like Riverside and San Bernardino Counties got the worst of the storm-positive energy to all in the Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage areas.
And, your recommendation for accessing the NASA website is BRILLIANT!! I will now be receiving info from them on a regular basis and will pass it on to others, especially my couple of acquaintances who are completely in denial. Thanks, again!!