Chop Wood, Carry Water 9/21

Photo (and protest) by Yellow Dot

Hi, all, and happy Thursday!

I’m in back to back meetings right now, so as an opening I’m going to simply offer you a quote one of my subscribers left in the comments a few days ago. It’s from a book called “A Dry White Season” by the anti-Apartheid writer Andre Brink.

He says:

There are only two kinds of madness one should guard against. One is the belief that we can do everything. The other is the belief that we can do nothing.

Wisdom for the ages, right?

Let’s get to work.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I understand that the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act currently includes language that would compel more border wall construction. This is madness. Trump’s border wall can be cut through with a $100 tool from Home Depot. In 2022, it was breached 4,101 times. It’s a waste of money. We need comprehensive immigration reform, not more expensive and ineffective construction. If the Senator cares about fiscal responsibility they will work to strip this funding from the NDAA before passage.

Also, please ask the Senator to co-sponsor and support S. 1742 the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act, introduced by Sen. Martin Heinrich. This bill will modernize and reform the country’s 150-year-old hardrock mining law, which has remained virtually unchanged since its enactment. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I understand that the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act currently includes language that would compel more border wall construction. This is insanity. Trump’s border wall can be cut through with a $100 tool from Home Depot. In 2022, it was breached 4,101 times. It’s a total waste of money. We need comprehensive immigration reform, not more expensive and ineffective construction. If the Congressmember cares about fiscal responsibility they will oppose this funding in the NDAA.

Also, please ask the Congressmember to co-sponsor and support H.R.3495 the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act, introduced by Raúl M. Grijalva. This bill will modernize and reform the country’s 150-year-old hardrock mining law, which has remained virtually unchanged since its enactment. Thanks.

Extra Credit—Voter Protection ✅

The DNC Hotline will be supporting voters in VA, KY, MS and LA this fall.  The hotline is a critical component of voter protection programs across the country, and they need our help to ensure voters have the resources they need to cast their ballots. If you get trained now, you can participate in these critical races and ensure voters have their voices heard. Once these races wrap up, the primaries will be right around the corner and they’ll need our help to solve critical issues BEFORE the 2024 general election. Can you join a training tonight?

Thursday, Sept 21, 6:00 - 7:30 pm ET
Register for the event: mobilize.us/dncvopro/event/579142/

Get Smart! 📚

This excellent piece from the

The Hartmann Report

explains Republicans’ forty year scheme to cut taxes, blow up our deficit, and blame Democrats in a way nothing else I’ve read quite does. It should be required reading for everyone. (I was so inspired by it I used some of its concepts in this TikTok about the shutdown.)

The Shutdown is the Two Santa Clauses Scam Rearing its Ugly Head Again

Chop Wood, Save the Planet! 🔥

Join the Chop Wood, Carry Water Drawdown Ecochallenge team!

This October, Project Drawdown invites you to join the Drawdown Ecochallenge, a monthlong event that connects the dots between climate solutions and your actions. Join a team or go solo as you track your impact, and be sure to tune in to a special series of related webinars featuring climate heroes hosted by Project Drawdown director of storytelling and engagement Matt Scott. 

I created an Ecochallenge team for this newsletter. I really don’t know what this will involve but if you’d like to find out with me you can join my team here!

Give 💰!

The Movement Voter Project, one of three organizations on my “Top Three Orgs to Support” list, is sending out a funding Bat Signal!

Literally, it’s a memo called The Bat Signal, and it’s an urgent call to action to progressive activists and donors (large and small) to give big, give early, and rally our networks to support the grassroots groups that can turn out the most disaffected voters in the most crucial places and races in 2024. 

The worst case and best case scenarios will likely come down to a handful of votes in a handful of states, and the Bat Signal spells out exactly why we have the opportunity of a lifetime to determine our destiny in 2024 -- by investing big in 2023.

Please, ya’ll. Read it, share it with people who have some cash to spare and want to help save the country, and give if you can.

Win Races! 🗳

Tomorrow Network Nova’s Friday Power Lunch will feature Gloria Johnson and Jennifer Watson from Tennessee!

Johnson, one of the Tennessee three, will talk about gun reform, abortion rights, and her candidacy for U.S. Senate. She will be joined by another fearless Tennessee activist, Jennifer Watson (President of the National Women’s Political Caucus - Tennessee). 

Join them for a conversation with two women who are standing up for democracy. As Gloria says, “You have to stand up and speak up.”

Friday, September 22, 9AM PT / 12 Noon ET Register here.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PGRSRW to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

I am writing in support of the recently introduced John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which re-establishes and strengthens the voting rights laws that have made our democracy stronger since 1965.

This historic law has always been a bipartisan piece of legislation — renewed five times with large bipartisan majorities, most recently in 2006, passing the Senate unanimously. Republican presidents from Richard Nixon to George W. Bush have signed reauthorizations into law. Today, the most fundamental right of our democracy–the right to vote–is threatened, and we need our leaders in Washington to support strong federal protections for this precious right. Now, at a time of division, this bill presents an opportunity to demonstrate renewed commitment to a fair democracy.

Please support this bill. I thank you for your time, effort and consideration.

---

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

Talk soon.

Jess