Chop Wood, Carry Water 9/18
Hi all, and happy Monday!
Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing David Pepper speak in person at a private event in Hollywood. He gave a talk I’ve heard him give before—about the attacks on democracy being waged in our statehouses.
Perhaps it was hearing Pepper talk in person, but I was more sobered than usual by his clear and urgent description of the danger in which we find our democracy.
My “sobriety” was compounded this morning when I heard Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speak at another meeting and sound a similar note of alarm.
It was cemented by hearing Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic party, echo these concerns when I heard him speak soon after.
Everywhere I turn, in short, the message is the same: our democracy is in serious, immanent, unprecedented danger. Republicans’ attacks are getting more desperate, more brazen, and more sinister. Our freedoms are hanging by a thread; upcoming elections this year and in 2024 could, astonishingly, be more critical to the future of our democracy than even 2020’s or 2022’s.
I know. It’s tiring. It can definitely be disheartening. But it’s also our lot, so we’re going to face it with courage, community, and determination. It’s not the time to give up, throw up our hands, or curl up in a ball. It’s the time to double down, recruit more friends, and talk to everyone we know about the dangers our democracy is facing right now.
Need some messaging help? This guidance is great.
Y’all, this work is a grind, but someday, when the worst of this crisis is behind us, we’ll be so glad we fought. When our grandchildren get to enjoy the same—or greater—freedoms than we do it’ll be because of what we do right now.
So rest when you need to, but then come back to this fight. We need you. YOU are an integral part of saving democracy. What an honor, right?
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I want the Senator to support S.173, Ethan’s Law—Senator Blumenthal’s bill. According to a report by the Secret Service under the Trump Administration 76% of school shooters use a household family member’s or relative’s UNSECURED firearm. Firearm injury is the leading cause of death for children and teens (0-19) in the United States. This bill would address all of this. Can I count on the Senator to protect our families from unsecured firearms and co-sponsor Ethan’s Law? [H/T and Resistbot letter you can also send here]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I understand that House Republicans proposed a Continuing Resolution over the weekend that calls for 8% cuts to the entire federal budget, except for defense spending. Republicans are willing to cut funding for SNAP, Head Start, public education, TANF, WIC, the EPA, the IRS, food safety, climate, and other vital programs but they’re not willing to increase taxes on billionaires or cut military spending by even 5%? That’s outrageous. Republicans and Democrats made an agreement on spending levels back in May. They need to abide by that agreement and pass a budget now. Leave our programs alone, no cuts, and no government shutdowns. Thanks.
[If GOP add:] If Republicans really cared about cutting the deficit and helping their constituents they’d do it by taxing the wealthiest 1%. Please do that. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Check My Ads has an easy and quick action to take to stop climate disinformation.
Send an email to f.herzing@criteo.com, m.dambre@criteo.com, c.young@criteo.com, m.dambre@criteo.com, h.hillesland@criteo.com, b.mccarthy@criteo.com
(You can find a click-to-send link, as well as more information about this action, on this webpage.)
I'm reaching out to find out if Criteo plans to continue placing ads on Townhall.com, despite the site running flagrantly afoul of your company's environmental commitments and partner guidelines.
According to your environmental sustainability commitment, “the backlash of climate change on our lives can no longer be ignored.” Your own Supply Partner Guidelines prohibit display ads containing content that “shares mistruths and falsehoods” or “is intentionally designed to shock or horrify the user or generate attention through intentionally misleading or grotesque claims."
Townhall.com website publishes tons of columnists with far-out views. Many of them are climate deniers — 46 of them are listed in climate watchdog DeSmog’s disinformation database.
A Center for Countering Digital Hate report found the site is in the top tier among 10 fringe publishers responsible for nearly 70% of Facebook user interactions with denying climate change.
Yet you are connecting Townhall.com to the advertising supply chain, enabling the spread of its climate disinformation. And Townhall Media isn't just one site, it’s part of a sprawling networking of hate speech and disinformation websites.
Do you plan to continue funding climate disinformation? If you do not, you can drop Townhall's seller ID, B-061240.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Extra Extra Credit ✅ ✅
Some of you have been asking for ways to support the UAW in their strike. Many of you will remember that we did an action a few weeks ago leaving voicemails for the leaders of the Big Three but that action is now closed. The best I can find is this More Perfect Union petition: Tell the Big Three presidents to give in to the UAW’s demands.
Get Smart! 📚
Sorry for the late notice but this will be great!
Today at 4 pm ET All In for NC will co-host: "The NC Political Landscape - how 2023 builds to 2024 and 2026."
Two distinguished speakers will share how we’ll win statewide in NC in 2024, the key races at stake, and how 2023 sets the stage for winning those campaigns. Tom Hallock, Force Multiplier Co-chair, will moderate the discussion.
NC Senator Jay Chaudhuri, Democratic Whip from Wake County and the state’s first Indian-American legislator
Mairead Cahill is Regional Political Director at the DNC, where she works with battleground state stakeholders to support national and state priorities.
Give 💰!
Join Walk the Walk USA in conversation with their long-time partner, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, tomrrow, Tuesday Sept. 19th at 5:30pm PT / 8:30pm ET. Come learn about the critical movement-building work we can do in Ohio and across the country right now in order to win up and down the ballot next year and lay the groundwork for a progressive decade ahead.
Sign up here for the Zoom. Donations will be requested but aren’t required to attend.
Win Races—Write! 🗳
The Civics Center and Swing Left Peninsula have partnered to pilot a nonpartisan letter writing program! They are sending letters and stickers with scannable QR codes to parents of teens in Ohio. The QR codes link to voting information and easy registration so they can encourage teens to register and vote.
Sign up today to receive letters by email and have stickers mailed to you. The last day to register online to vote in the November 7th election is October 10th, so they recommend mailing your letters by October 2nd.
Win Races—Text! 💻
Every Tuesday from 3 - 4 PM PT / 6-7 PM ET Black Voters Matter holds “Texting Tuesday.” They need more volunteers.
You’ll use Impactive to text (the trainers will help you with this)
Impactive Computer Link: Desktop/Laptop Impactive
Impactive Phone App Link: Impactive App
Current campaign: Louisiana. To learn more about the campaign and to send out messages, join them for Texting Tuesdays: RSVP here!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[to President Biden] [Text SIGN PIXYAT to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
Yesterday tens of thousands of people marched in New York City to demand that, among other things, your administration declare a climate emergency; their numbers reflect the sense of urgency we all feel. The climate crisis is upon us, and we aren’t doing nearly enough to mitigate it.
President Biden, you must declare a climate emergency, and do it now. This will enable you to use all of the powers available to you to quickly end our use of fossil fuels and transition us to clean, renewable energy.
While you’re at it please tell the American people just who is to blame for the mess we’re in: the fossil fuel industry. It’s time to hold them accountable. But more importantly it’s time to stop all oil and gas drilling. Our survival depends on it. Declare a climate emergency now, please. Thank you.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
I couldn’t agree with you more. We all need to do whatever we can every single day to defeat the MAGA menace at Hom and the Putin’s abroad. No more false equivalencies.
Democrats have outraised Republicans in Virginia! However, Youngkin is being courted by some major donors in the hopes that he’ll run for President