Chop Wood, Carry Water 10/3
Keep on keeping on!
Hi, all, and happy Friday!
There’s a lot going on, as always; this administration excels at little, but they’re outstanding at keeping a dizzying array of dysfunctional and dastardly balls in the air at one time.
The shutdown continues; Trump posted an inappropriate and creepy AI video of himself and Russel Vought as “reapers” in the middle of the night (sigh), and ICE is continuing their pillaging of Chicago and other cities. I leanred this morning, moreover, that they’re launching an operation today targeted at immigrant children—it’s called “Freaky Friday” and it’s, well, horrific. I posted another creator’s video about it here. These are crimes against humanity and they’ll be remembered as such.
And there’s so much more, of course. It’s a lot to take in, and a lot to carry. That’s why it’s so very important that we take action and then rest. Take action, then rest again. Act. Rest. It’s like inhaling and exhaling—neither is possible without the other. I suspect that many who have sunk into the worst despair are those who can act but are doing nothing. Taking action won’t take away our anger, grief, or fear, of course, but those of us staying busy can better function, because our actions replenish our strength. They really do!
If you’re struggling with depression over the current situation, then, I urge you to do something—anything!. Make a chalk drawing on your driveway that counters disinformation like the one pictured above. Put a NO ICE sign in your yard. Call your representatives. Write a letter to the editor. Text five friends about the No Kings protests on the 18th. Donate to our Alaska fundraiser below, or send it to friends with spare cash and ask them to donate! Contact a local immigrants’ rights organization and ask how you can help. Call your local food bank and offer to volunteer—read this if you want an incentive.
There are so many ways to get involved. Or just take the below actions!
I’ll leave you with a quote from Marcus Aurelius, because when in doubt I always turn to him:
Here is a rule to remember in future, when anything tempts you to feel bitter: not ‘This is misfortune,’ but ‘To bear this worthily is good fortune.’
We can’t change the fact that we are living through difficult times. But we can change our attitude about that fact, shifting from self-pity, cynicism, or hopelessness to “how can I bear this worthily?” Because that is something we have the power to do. We can also be grateful that we’re on the right side of things. That, indeed, is all the good fortune we can ask for.
On that note, let’s get to work one more time.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling about ICE’s continued assault on immigrant children. It’s grotesque, vicious, and needs to be stopped. This week in Chicago they zip-tied children, some of whom were US citizens, and left them in vans for hours. Today they’re launching an assault called “Freaky Friday,” targeting immigrant kids. It’s barbaric. To watch them abuse children with Republican consent is horrifying. ICE agents are behaving in ways that I believe constitute crimes against humanity. History will not be kind to those who enabled them. They need to be defunded and reined in at once.
Also Congress needs to come back to work and pass a budget that extends the ACA premium tax credits AND protects the power of the purse. Americans will not tolerate being thrown off their health plans due to Republican greed and we’re not interested in Russ Vought “reaping” our benefits. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling about ICE’s continued assault on immigrant children. It’s grotesque, vicious, and needs to be stopped. This week in Chicago they zip-tied children, some of whom were US citizens, and left them in vans for hours. Today they’re launching an assault called “Freaky Friday,” targeting immigrant kids. It’s barbaric. To watch them abuse children with Republican consent is horrifying. ICE agents are behaving in ways that I believe constitute crimes against humanity. History will not be kind to those who enabled them. They need to be defunded and reined in at once.
Also, I hear Mike Johnson is thinking of keeping his caucus on vacation next week. How dare he? Congress needs to come back to work and pass a budget that extends the ACA premium tax credits AND protects the power of the purse. Americans will not tolerate being thrown off their health plans due to Republican greed and we’re not interested in Russ Vought “reaping” our benefits. Thanks.
Get Smart 📚!
You all know that California has a critical measure on the ballot in 2025: Proposition 50, also called the Election Rigging Response Act. This act is California’s response to the attempts by Trump, Texas Republicans, and other Red states to rig the 2026 midterm elections by eliminating democratic congressional districts. California wants to fight fire with fire, and that’s what Prop 50 - the Election Rigging Response Act is all about.
In 2024, 167,779 Californians voted from abroad. Democrats Abroad is organizing an event to raise awareness of and mobilize Californians living abroad to vote in the 2025 election in support of this proposition. Congressman Ro Khanna, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Congressman Mike Levin will join on video. Ada Shen will help overseas voters register and vote, and Tracy Zeluff, from the California Democratic Party, will answer questions about Prop 50.
Please join from wherever you are in the world on Monday, October 13, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time—RSVP here.
Give Money! 💰
Please join me as I moderate a great fundraiser and briefing hosted by Senate Circle and 31st St Swing Left on Thursday, October 9 at 7pm ET/4pm PT. We’re hosting the 907 Initiative, Alaska’s public watchdog group holding US Senator Dan Sullivan accountable as he fails Alaskans. Donations will support digital outreach to Alaskans on key issues: Sullivan’s vote against releasing the Epstein files, his vote to cut Medicaid to give tax-breaks to himself and other members of the ultra-wealthy; and his being against reproductive rights in pro-choice Alaska.
Mary Peltola, who won Alaska’s statewide US House Seat in 2022, will join us and talk about the value of reaching Alaskans on these issues. Please RSVP for the event here and/or donate to the 907 Initiative here. For more background on Alaska and the 2026 Senate race, see Senate Circle’s post here.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T
] [Text SIGN PVRWGR to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram](Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
I urge you to demand the immediate swearing-in of Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva. Southern Arizona’s voters elected her to serve them, yet House leadership continues to delay her oath. Until she is seated, her constituents are denied representation, constituent services, and a vote in Congress.
Speaker Johnson has said he will swear her in “next week,” once the House reconvenes. But this delay is inconsistent with earlier cases when other new members were sworn in during pro forma sessions. The rules have not changed — only the politics.
The motive is plain: her signature would provide the 218th needed to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Justice for Epstein’s victims and transparency for the American people should not be obstructed by partisan maneuvering.
Every day she is sidelined, an entire district is silenced and accountability is postponed. This is unacceptable. Congress must act to compel her seating immediately. Swearing in duly elected members is not a privilege granted at the Speaker’s discretion — it is a constitutional duty.
Please take a public stand. The people of Arizona deserve their representative, and the American people deserve the truth.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Thank you SO much for being a beacon of hope and also a call to action. 💛
These past few days I’ve been spiraling into dark places and felt the need to rest but now I’m ready to act again…
Currently I’m focused on using my (undeserved) privilege as a white woman to support my immigrant neighbors in my own community here in San Diego who are living in fear.
I’ve joined a group of concerned citizens who are providing mutual aid (food, supplies), raising money, patrolling the streets, showing up at city council and school board meetings. Community is everything right now. 🙏
If your democratic senator refuses to vote for the CR this weekend take videos thanking them and encourage them to stay strong. Then send those videos to indivisible.org. They will share those videos at the Capitol next week.