Chop Wood, Carry Water 9/6

Hi, all, and happy Wednesday.

I recently discovered a parenting podcast I love—it’s called Ask Lisa. It features a wise, veteran psychologist, Dr. Lisa Damour, who specializes in teenaged behavior.

The newest episode, to which I listened on my walk yesterday, was about how to deal with teenaged boys who use slurs. While I don’t have a teenaged boy, I’m aware that this is an issue because I regularly hear about it from MJ. The words that get thrown around at their school on a daily basis are shocking and disheartening to say the least.

While the episode didn’t delve much into politics, Dr. Lisa did mention the effect that Andrew Tate and influencers like him have had on young American men (spoiler alert: it’s a large one.) And as she got to her suggested remedy she said something I loved; I’m going to paraphrase it here:

Explain to your son that all of us are sitting on one of two continuums. One continuum is the continuum of hate. Your son’s use of slurs—racial, misogynist, anti-LGBTQ, whatever—while it may be “only words,” exists on the same continuum as the Holocaust. Or lynchings. Or other hate crimes. Tell your son he is, right now, on that continuum, and it only moves in one direction. Then tell him you expect him to get off of it, and to get onto the other one—the anti-hate continuum—as soon as he can. And this involves not just not hating, but, eventually, actively working to oppose hate.

Bingo. There are only two continuums any of us can be on—especially now: that of hate, or of anti-hate. To be on the latter, moreover, means more than doing nothing. It means actively working against hate.

You, of course, are firmly on the right continuum. Your very presence here shows it. The actions you take are meaningful in promoting anti-hateful policies, candidates, and programs. This is fantastic! You should feel good about it.

It is utterly critical that in this moment of time we all know where we stand.

Thanks for standing on the side of anti-hate. It matters.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m furious that Texas and Alabama, among other states, have passed laws criminalizing pregnant people who travel out of state to access abortion care. I want the Congressmember to support H.R. 782 -- the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. This bill would give everyone the right to travel across state lines to seek abortion care. Is the Congressmember a co-sponsor? [If yes thank. If no add:] I am a pro-choice voter and I will work to vote out every representative who treats pregnant people like they don’t have rights. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

You’ve likely heard about the anti-democratic impeachment efforts underway in Wisconsin. If you haven’t, read this. It’s bad, but I think Republicans are greatly overestimating what even their most die-hard voters will tolerate on this one.

For now, Democratic State Chair Ben Wikler is asking for the following help:

1. Those in Wisconsin should immediately call or email their state representatives. Use the new website defendjustice.com to find their contact info.

2. Amplify on social media! Here’s a smaple post:

Hey Wisconsin! Republicans are threatening to impeach and remove Justice Janet Protasiewicz from office before she’s ever tried a case. This is an attack on democracy and a slap in the face to the voters who elected her by an 11 point margin.

We need WI folks to call their state reps NOW. Please go to defendjustice.com for instructions. And tell a friend!

3. Join a WisDems phonebank to call Wisconsin voters and tell them what’s happening and ask them to call their Representatives! Sign up here.

Get Smart! 📚

⏰ Friendly reminder! ⏰

Robert Hubbell and I are co-hosting a fundraiser and information session for SPAN, the State Party Advancement Network, TOMORROW at 4PM PT/ 7PM ET! I’m particularly excited because Ben Wikler, chair of WisDems, is one of our speakers. We’ll get to hear from him firsthand about WisDems’ efforts to fight the Protasiewicz impeachment efforts.

In addition to Ben Wikler we’ll hear from Lavora Barnes, Chair of the MI Dems, and Martha Laning, the founder of SPAN and the former chair of WisDems. Robert and I will both say a few words, too.

I can’t urge you enough to come. State parties are so much more important than we realize, and SPAN is the only organization dedicated solely to making Democratic state parties better. They deserve our support. You don’t have to give any money unless you’re moved to, but do come learn about the incredible work SPAN is doing. 

Register here, and bring a friend!

Chop Wood, Save the Planet!

Al Gore’s new TED Talk is out, and according to

HEATED

it’s a must-see. I haven’t watched it yet but I will today. I hope you’ll join me.

Win Races! 🗳

Y’all! I just got a special plea for help from an amazing progressive candidate I’ve written about here before! I’m talking about Aftyn Behn, the amazing Run For Something-endorsed progressive running for Tennessee’s State House district 51. If elected, Aftyn will be the only woman representing the Nashville area in the House and the youngest woman in the House. Aftyn helped organize the protests for gun reform after the Covenant shooting and has been an organizer alongside the Tennessee 3 for years. Also, her Republican General Election opponent is a Mike Pence clone  who recently made national news for his anti-woman beliefs.

Aftyn needs to win, and in this blue district she should!

But there’s a problem. Aftyn’s special election is on September 14th, the same day as the Nashville mayoral run-off. As Aftyn told me:

Because the September 14th Nashville mayoral run-off features a Republican, we're seeing HIGH turnout amongst Republicans and, even worse, voters who only showed up to vote for Trump in 2020. Although my district is a majority Democratic district, since it's a special election with a mayoral run-off, turnout has been VERY low which is a bit dangerous for us. 

I could use help with phone banking and, of course, funds to run some last-minute tactics next week. Early voting is taking place until Saturday, September 9th: the election is Thursday, September 14th.

Y’all, can we throw down for Aftyn? Let’s make her the Tennessee FOURTH! The phonebank link is for the Open VPB site, so it’s for experienced phonebankers. If you have any questions please email team@aftynbehn.com.

No Resistbot Letter today. (:

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

Talk soon.

Jess